Task #23 The most valuable tool for me in my day-to-day work is the Library's own Wiki. I can tell that "tons" of effort have been put in to it, and getting time to explore its potential was very useful.

Task #22 So many fun and useful sites. Webolution went in a blur! I particularly enjoyed the reader's advisory sites - novelist, of course, and allreaders.com. Some of my favorite websites are familysearch.org and cyndislist.com (not unusual choices with my love of genealogy!). I also found creative commons to be a fascinating site. So many of the spots we visited have broadened my horizon and highlighted the potential of the internet and computers - one, can't help but wonder where we will be in ten years?!

Task #21 was great fun and so amazing to use. I experimented with several photos and especially enjoyed the capability of zooming in on an image! I saved a photo of autumn leaves on my computer.

Task #20 The County's website has , I feel, improved over time and become a very useful research tool. Its directory information is extremely helpful in referring patrons. The information on the H1N1 is also useful and offers the public the ability to schedule appointments to receive the vaccine. I have in the past looked for and found information about my home on the Assessor's Site.

The links I have found most useful on the state's web portal is its directories of state agencies and personnel. I have also directed patrons many times to the "Starting a New Business in Colorado" section.

The United States Patent & Trademark Office is an impressive site - it provides information in a direct & clear format that in the past was elusive at times. The scope and detail subject coverage of the patent and trademark application processes must be extremely helpful to individuals engaged in these procedures. This site also allows a person to check on the status of his or her application for either a trademark or patent.

Task #19 At the risk of sounding like a "brag," I scored 100% on the Staff Library Wiki! It was a helpful exercise - there are so many resources found there. The one new item that I was unaware was the Plant Guide for the Central Branch. What I wonderful source of information!

Task #18 I found Tiny URL very useful. My URL is http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/about-genealogy-research.html. While it reduced my URL from 69 characters, the URL is still a long one.

I received my converted YouTube video of kittens boxing in my email today. It took longer than I though it would - It was the next day before it showed up. I was thinking that I hadn't "pulled it off" but I did. Hurrah!!

Task #17 Thought that this assignment was a great awareness tool! I particularly enjoyed 100 Best Blogs for Librarians of the Future and Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. Both of these sites as well as the others contain a wide variety of topics that pertain to libraries now and in the future. In these busy times I felt that both of these sites provided quick links for keeping "tuned" to the library community, technology, and the society that we live and work in.

Task #13 Music Downloads

Soundsnap certainly had a variety of sounds - I found "plucking a guitar string" and "didgeridoo passing" particularly amusing. The library could use some of sounds if it were to put together a presentation of services or instruction of some kind on the web. I most enjoyed Last.fm as I have found it to be an uncluttered, highly organized site - its functions are straightforward and easy to navigate. I found that Delta Blues Covers had a fresh and easily listened to blues sound - the guitar work, while simple in nature, was creative and musical.

Task #14 Downloadable Audio Books

Hmmm - I got through installing Net Library One Click Media Center - in my opinion it was far from being automatic if you are not comfortable with installing software on your computer. I checked out a book and heard it on my computer. I think the service would be outstanding if they could simplify the process of checking out the books without having to go into technical details - I keep thinking that that will come soon, it must be a difficult thing to do! I know that the complexity is a barrier to patrons. Oh well - It will happen I'm sure.

Task # 15 Clipmarks

I can see that Clipmark is a useful tools. I must confess that I shall need a bit more practice to use it smoothly. I sent a clip to my e-mail, it was sent, but reported above the provided clip in the e-mail was a statement that the message was undeliverable. Clearly there must be something amiss. I was also frustrated in getting the orange box to surround my desired text and the little green box to click to clip did not show up. So I need to experiment more. Its always frustrating when the directions seem so clear and simple and then you try to use them and it doesn't turn out!

Task #16 Open Source Software & Open Office

I downloaded the Open Office software to my work computer and explored its options. I was impressed by the similarities between this software and Microsoft products. It aligns to the tenets of librarianship by providing free and universal access of its software. I felt that the word processing format was visually equivalent to Microsoft and its functionality the same. I feel that this is a gift to all users who can't afford or don't have access to expensive Microsoft Software.

Task #12 NoveList Plus

I've always enjoyed using NoveList Plus from the first day we acquired the service. I have found the "plot description" feature to be especially useful when working with patrons - boy are they impressed - when you can clue them into an author they read eons ago and can't remember their name. Recommended Reads and Author Read-Alikes are also fantastic. How exciting to have so much information about books and reading at you fingertips! I use all of these features almost constantly.

Task #11 Book Report Network & Biographical Resource Center

I have found the Book Report Network to be a splendid site with unending information! I particularly like the Author Yellow Pages. I have in the past used Google to connect to author web sites - they are an excellent source of information and useful in answering reader's questions. This site is a wonderful awareness tool of new authors and their works. I felt the Reading Group Guides were also fantastic - the provided question can aid readers who are not in official reading groups but who desire to get "the most" out of what they are reading. Since this site covers books for all ages of readers there is something for everyone.

I have used the Biographical Resource Center with patrons and found it extremely useful. It has offered concise and well-rounded information. Students are able to easily follow its brevity without being overwhelmed - it is similar to the World Book in this regard. I researched Edward Kennedy and found the capsule information to be to the point and very helpful. In addition to personal information coverage included his awards and writings. The list of writings help the reader explore his beliefs and political views in greater detail.

Task #10 Master File Premier& Biographical Resource Center

I have always found Master File Premier to be extremely useful in finding consumer information of all kinds - especially in Consumer Reports. It allows you to easily specify full text and specify acceptable time ranges for your results. The graphics that show up under citations are very useful in quickly assessing the presence of comparative product charts - which are a major request of library users. Information on proper article and image citations (using different styles) and the ability to e-mail the article are also helpful - as is save to file, export, and add to folder. Searching under cereal with the time range specification of one year, I found 6 entries. I was surprised to find an index to images, a feature that I was unaware of. Images are a common patron request and can be tricky and time consuming to find.


I searched and obtained eight hits for actor Robert Redford in Biography Resource Center. Although the same information was repeated in more than one entry, the entries were clearly written and included a good outline of his career. A recent update noted his August 3, 2009 marriage to Sibylle Szaggers. Although there was a scarcity of information on his personal life, his desire for personal privacy was highlighted more than once. I found that database to be a great potential source for students.

Task #9 Weebly.com

Creating a website turned out to be fun and easier than I thought it would be. I can see why it is so useful to people. Many genealogical websites are created by individuals wishing to publish their family information to the world at large. Weebly turned out to be user friendly with help information readily available. My URL is http://greatbluemarble.weebly.com

Task #8 Creative Commons

Searched for images of horses and columbines in the Google Image and Flickr. A wide variety of images were presented. Patrons are always asking for pictures of a wide variety of objects to use in art projects and school reports. Using Google and Yahoo I also searched for information on earthquakes. Google led me directly to the USGS Earthquakes Hazard Program Site. It was fascinating to see how active the planet is - especially in California, Alaska, China, and Japan. This site lists earthquakes that have struck in the last seven day.

I didn't know that the Nine Inch Nail's album is licensed under CC. It it fascinating to see how many diferent arrangements creators can make in the distribution of their works. I was unfamiliar with most of the groups on this site. I especially enjoyed "Mind's Eye" by Celestial Aeon Projects.

Task #7 Reader Resources

Library Thing has many useful categories. Plus I feel that it was easy to negotiate within the site and is a great spot to keep up with new books. Yes, I think I will use it when time permits.

Boulder Public Library's Goodread's page appears to be in its infancy. It could be a fun site, however, with more posts and information. I feel that it would have the potential to replace our current book blog if we wanted to go in that direction. I could contribute now and then.

Task #6 ORE Tutorials

I felt that the Ohio Library Councils Tutorial gave staff a timely and relevant overview of library service to patrons. It was interesting to learn that AACR2 is soon to be RDA: Resource Description and Access (2009) for standardized material descriptions.

In also felt that the Houston Area Library Services Training Site gives a good overall presentation of best practices and skills for good customer service. The sections on new technologies and their impact on users (i.e., colaborative software) was very helpful.

Task #5 Millennium OPAC

It was interesting to use the two different ways of placing holds. I found that the second method was an excellent method to use when placing holds for patrons. I also feel that "My Library Account" is an extremely useful feature for library users!

Task #4 Facebook

I enjoyed checking out the Library's, the Coca-Cola, Obama's, and the National Portrait Gallery postings. The Coca-Cola site presented attractive and colorful graphics which must be popular with young people - I especially enjoyed the National Portrait Gallery's site. I can imagine that these social networks are popular because they connect people and provide a place for individuals, politicians, and commercial enterpries to share information, similar values, promote products and viewpoints, and provide a timely spacve for interaction with the world at large.

Task #3 Website Scavenger Hunt

The quiz was very helpful in alerting me to all the great information found on our website. I have had several customers rave about the site and I can understand why they have enjoyed it! I received a 100 on the quiz!

Task #1 Create a Blog

Was a go - so I'm moving on to ........

Task #2 Pandora & LastFM

Was great fun! I liked Pandora better than LastFM. I found Pandora to be more user friendly and found compatible music to my taste more accurately than with LastFM. I can understand why people like both of these services.

New posting (hopefully) 08/15/09

The Start: I am a bit rusty but have managed to get back into my old blog. I hope that this posting shows up!