Thing #23

This is it -- the final installment of my 23 Things blog! Some thoughts about this whole experience:

Favorite things: Setting up my own blog (something I probably never would have done outside of this assignment); creating an avatar; searching and downloading podcasts (especially the one with Lidia Bastianich teaching a neophyte how to make his grandmother's ravioli).

How has this exercise affected my long-term learning goals? It's made me realize that most (if not all) of my professional development will be online in the future; there really isn't a training budget anymore, and the budget situation will probably not improve much in the next 5-7 years, so this is the new reality.

I was surprised by . . . how much I enjoy blogging! Maybe it's b/c I like to have a say in things that affect me professionally, but I never expected to have this much fun doing some of the assignments. (Others were the equivalent of having a tooth pulled.)

To improve the program, PLEASE UPDATE THE LINKS! Also, it would be great to have a way for staff in each branch to discuss their progress with this training (regular meetings to share ideas, problems, etc.), but again, the staffing level will no longer support that amount of off-desk time. Also, please consider transferring the J Books to Know, YA, and Adult Readers' Advisory trainings to podcasts, especially if there is no money for out-of-branch training.

I would definitely participate in another program, but I think it would be better to limit it to 10-12 assignments; 23 was a bit unwieldy.

Expand your world with 23 Things!

Ciao!
tlk

Thing #22

Finally into the homestretch! I've created an account on NetLibrary and then tried to find some of my favorite authors -- Peter Mayle, Jamie Oliver (you knew there'd be a food connection!), and others, and the only one I could find was Shakespeare (I would've been really upset if the Bard weren't available). So much for selection. Of course, if I were in the MCPL catalog, I would just do a search for a particular author or title, and it might be available from a vendor other than NetLibrary. I also tried downloading an e-audiobook, but would have had to download software for the program to run, which I can't do on a branch computer.

I don't listen to e-audiobooks, but if I did, I would just search the MCPL catalog instead of limiting myself to a specific vendor.

tlk

Thing #21

Well, I've explored podcasts (although, again, the tutorial led to a broken link) and found a few worth following. One of my favorites is The Splendid Table, from Lynne Rosetto Kasper's NPR show. Since I usually forget to listen to this program, it's more convenient to have the podcast available. And if you're traveling, you can probably find a podcast for the city/country you're visiting and have your own personal guide. Much easier than lugging around hefty guidebooks!

As for library uses, I think it would be a great way to make computer and other technology classes available to the public. Especially now that many library systems are losing staff, more and more content is going to have to move online. Thanks to Noel for the excellent suggestion about podcasting J Books to Know Training (as well as Adult and YA trainings). And thanks to Annette for helping me put the RSS feed to my Bloglines account.

tlk

Thing #20

It's Youtube time! Since I already posted an online video in assignment #19, this should be a snap (operative word: should). Of course, in keeping with my foodie theme, I did a search for some of my favorite chefs. Not only did I find some instructive (and entertaining) videos, I stumbled upon a video by the author of The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken: a search for food and family by Laura Schenone. I think that library websites could benefit from having instructional videos, e.g., how to find a book, the Dewey decimal system, etc. It's also a way to connect with younger and tech-savvy customers.

Enjoy the video of Lidia teaching someone (who's absolutely clueless in the kitchen!) how to make his grandmother's ravioli . . .

tlk