Small world

I realized today how small technology makes me feel and how much smaller it makes our world seem. We use it in every aspect of our lives and sometimes are too dependent on it. But when I think about how we can communicate with other across the world with the click of a mouse I can't help but feel a little bit smaller.
My uncle is an avid musician and plays several insturments. Recently he purchased a web cam and he was telling me at Easter how he regularly talks with a person in Russia and is learning how to play some Russian music. It is amazing to me to think that he is seeing and talking to someone "across the pond" in real time. I wonder sometimes how can we come up with all of this new and wonderful technology so quickly. We are a society that likes newer and bigger and better so the demand is there not just in America but world-wide. I used this story because there's the old saying that music is the universal language. However, lately it seems that Texting or Twitter is the new universal language. I guess we are evolving once again.
This brings to another funny family/technology related story. My second cousin is 12 and she is growing up in the digital age. When we were all at my grandma's house for Easter she was standing in the upstairs kitchen pointing at something on the wall. I went in to see what was up and I had to laugh out loud. She was staring at my grandma's rotary telephone hanging on the wall. She kept poking her finger in the holes and asking why won't it dial?!! I told her she had to put her finger in the hole and turn the dial- I ended up having to demonstrate- then she finally caught on and gave it a try. It didn't last long though, she decided that was too much work and headed straight for the cordless in the family room! I just had to share that little tid bit.

Something new

I can't believe this semester is almost over. Time flies so quickly now. I have learned a lot about myself in this class and in doing the wiki project. It makes you think about yourself and how you learn and how others learn when you are designing a product for the public to actually use. It's hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes especially when it comes to technology. Everyone has different experiences with learning and we all bring those with us when we are learning something new.

I read statistics once in Library Journal that stated that the average library patron has a 7th grade reading level. I was actually surprised it was that high. The library I work at serves one county of around 72,000 give or take and I don't think that the average patron here has a reading level that high. We very often have to simplify things like getting a library card even more for an adult than we would for a child. I actually get asked to spell words for adults more often than I do for children.

Sometimes it is frustrating to have to stop and think "How can I make it any easier?" but then you have to imagine what it's like for the person to stop and ask you, someone who may be 20 years younger, how to do a very simple task or how to spell a word. I think the Golden Rule has to be taken very seriously in these situations as corny as it may sound, "How would you want someone to treat you?", if the shoe was on the other foot, that question can be very eye-opening for someone. I hope that when I help someone I never put them in a position of feeling inferior. I certainly would not do it intentionally. Ever.

I have a younger brother with special needs. When I see adults come in this library who have special needs, whether it be physical or mental I see my brother. If someone treated him like he was less than a person I promise you I would take that person's head off. I think this thought has allowed me to have more patience with helping patrons and has actually helped me gain more respect from my co workers. Sometimes if they feel like they are uncomfortable in a situation they will ask me to step in and take over helping someone. I really don't mind it and I understand that they are not used to doing that but sooner or later I think they need to drop the insecurities and just do their best because it is a part of our job and in a public library you deal with people from all walks of life. If everyone was the same and we all knew how to operate every new technology the world would be a boring place for librarians.

End of an Era

I know these blogs are supposed to be about technology however I must dedicate this one to the finale of my favorite show and most critically acclaimed show ER. Last night the show ended it's 15 year run with Dr. Carter(the longest relationship I have ever had 15 years!! I wish.) opening his free clinic for unprivleged families. It was great. Everyone was there even Dr. Benton. I thought it was a great sendoff. It was also fitting that Dr. Greene's daughter Rachel was applying to medical school. I am so glad she got straightened out. I must say that I missed Dr. Greene, he was the heart of the show. Even when he failed we still cheered for him. When he died we cried because we knew we had lost a friend.

I know the show could go on forever but it gets harder to tell new stories and tell old ones in a new way, but I loved the scenes that were homages to the very first episode. I also have to share my favorite scene of all time you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpeaD6Cf64A that scene set the tone for Noah Wyle's character and Dr. Greene. Pure genius. What a way to go out!!

I can't believe it

Well, I can't believe it. The Children's Department is embracing new technology. I guess all my talk about Blogger and Twitter finally perked their curiosity. I have been asked to set up a Twitter account for our department! Our manager just came to me today and asked if I was familiar with Twitter because she's been hearing a lot about it. I said "yes, in fact I have used it in some of my library classes." She said "would you mind going online and setting up an account so that anyone in the department can update it." I said of course.

So I went online to Twitter and opened our account and told about our library and who we are. I hope that this will help us increase attendance and awarness of our library programs. We publish press releases in the newspaper but since we have no control over when they are actually printed it has been a major problem for us in the past. In fact we have a huge program this weekend when families can come in and decorate Easter eggs to be on display in our room. This has been a community event for over 30 years. The local paper just put it in yesterday and the event is Saturday. We already had over 50 kids signed up before it was in the paper. I have talked to some upset parents today. But I hope this won't be a problem for us in the future.

I think I am even going to suggest a blog for our department. I think that would be even better because we can describe some of our programs and discuss library issues that the public needs to know about. I think this is a huge step for our department and I hope that the rest of the library will embrace it too. It is great publicity.

Techno-phobia

I don't think I mentioned in earlier posts that I work in the Children's Department at a public library. I have five years experience in academic libraries and I can't wait to get back to one!! i love the challenges of figuring out a research project or question from a student. Especially if the student actually knows what class he or she is in and what the professors name is, it's a miracle I tell you! The atmosphere is one of open-minds and new ways of thinking in the academic world. I love the questions that can have 3 or 4 different answers and students can pick and choose what works for them. When I worked in the library I was exposed to the inter-library loan process for the first time and notifying students of overdue notices using Facebook or Myspace.

You would think that when kids are being taught computers as soon as they can walk a children's staff would be pretty open to learning new technology and embracing it. I am here to tell you that is not the case. The people I work with run from computers and avoid technology like the plague. Not kidding. If I mention something I have learned in this class like when we used Adobe Connect they look at me like I am speaking Klingon or something. Seriously, you will never meet a group of people who want to avoid technology more than my co-workers. I know this sounds like poor taste to be smartmouthing them but librarians need to embrace change, especially children's librarians!! I have tried teaching them about things like Blogger and wikis and I really do get a cold shoulder.

The wiki for work project is really starting to silence any fear that I might have about technology. I was so proud of myself the other day when I uploaded my content so far to the page for Nationwide resources- I am on the federal content team. It surprised me how something so little seemed like a huge accompishment to me. I am sure others in the class would laugh at something so silly but it still made me feel good to try something new and not screw it up!! The technology teams seriously amaze me. Honestly, I bow to your master knowledge of coding a web page by hand even though I have no idea what it means. I am impressed!!

This is why I am happy I took this class. I am glad to know that there are still some brave souls out there who are making all these new advances in technology for our benefit. I sometimes shudder to think about people who will remain afraid of change and new technology. I think those people will soon see the rest of the world and their jobs passing them by. I am happy I will not be one of them!!

Federal team

I am on the Federal content team for our class wiki for work project. I know I am biased but I think our team is awesome! We met and discussed what topics we felt would be appropriate for our part. Since this wiki is going to be used for job and career resources we felt including information on unemployment and how to apply for Federal loans would be a must with the state of our economy and so many workers being laid off. We also discussed including Veteran's benefits since many of our troops are returning from service and are unable to work or unable to return to their previous jobs for one reason or another. Our team works well together and we all understand one another. I am sure we will have a successful outcome.

Holly

wiki worries

I am looking forward to the wiki for work project. I have no doubts that being on the content team is the best place for me. However, I hope that there won't be any conflicts among the groups since most of us have never met before. I also hope that other teams will be patient and allow us all to gain the experience and knowledge we need in doing this project. I hope that more experienced people will be willing and able to answer any questions us less tech savvy students may have. If all goes well I think this will be a great experience for us all. Teamwork is very important especially in libraries.
I was relieved last week when we had our team meetings and my fellow team members were just as nervous as I was. It is a great feeling to know you are not alone. I hope we can make IU and SLIS look good when this project is complete.

Holly