PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS . . . GET 'ER DONE!

HUGE fan of Google Docs; have many, many documents online; letting me access information on remote computers that I want to share with others; or work on away from home; or collaborative items with remote contributors.

Love, love, love Google Docs.

SOCIAL CATALOGUING 

Just in case you needed help organizing your life; here comes social cataloguing to the rescue.

This is the first time I've ever catalogued what I read. I tend to read non-fiction and after reading a book; move onto another; however having a very visual memory; I can tell patrons what the cover of a book looks like; and may be able to put my hands exactly on its location on a shelf; but may be at a loss as to title or author.

Library Thing, may be just the thing. I also think I could recommend this site to patrons; many of whom carry around journals to record their read book titles.

My first attempt is here; http://www.librarything.com/home/pitbullpony

It kind of reminds me of Pinterest for books.

Flickr -- love this photo site; wasn't sure if it could apply to a library; how exactly it could be used to promote the library in a visual media format.

Found the Boston Public Library; they have wonderful photos of items in their collection.

Since I am currently watching the TV/DVD series Deadwood; the Circus Posters collection caught my eye; and this one poster in particular Col. W.F. Cody  - just amazing.

I think I figured out where I would use Flickr for our library; we have displays at the ends of the stacks; usually pertinent to an upcoming holiday; or special event in our city (St. Patrick's Day, opening of the Welland Canal), a photo of the display could document what has been done; and also perhaps include patrons or even invite patrons to come in and browse the selected materials.

You can lead a reader to feeds, but can you make them tweet?

Libraries using Twitter?

Yea or nay?

I'm thinking yea. Twitter has the benefit of being quick (who of your patrons isn't experiencing a time crunch) and concise; you HAVE to get your point across in 140 characters. 

Timely Tweets re: spaces available or programs filled can definitely make your library communications more succinct.

As for RSSFeeds; I love 'em. If you read feeds from useful sites; you can catch up quickly with updated content (as can your patrons); rather than having to visit each blog post.

Social media and libraries . . . evolutionary relevance?

Libraries MUST (IMNSHO) evolve, and to remain relevant it means; that for better or for worse, not only must a library effectively utilize social media and all its foibles, the idiosyncrasies of each aspect of social media; should be exploited.

The end result of the participation in social media may or may not be measurable in the usual sense (circulation numbers/counts), but if a library chooses NOT to participate in an element of social media; the opportunity to connect with their audience; hasn't even had a chance to be measured. Definitely a case of "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

By the number of libraries featured in blogs, libraries on FB and library related hashtags; it does seem that something is being ventured, hopefully there are results being gained.

Carried In The Pocket

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.  ~Chinese Proverb

I thought I'd name my newest blog (for my SOLS Learning 2.0 Course); after a Chinese proverb, in honour of the Chinese New Year, celebrated on Sunday February 10, 2013.

(Source: S. M. Yang/The Epoch Times)

For a quick and informative write up of the Year of the Snake (2013); please go to The Epoch Times