Twitter

I visited several library branch twitter sites and most of what is posted is also available online and in the program guide. I guess for customers who use twitter regularly, this is a good way to get instant updates on what is going on at the library if that is an important part of their life. I would think that the majority of the customers use our program guides or our website to find out about events and programs.

Library Thing

I didn't actually find "Library Thing" to be that friendly or helpful. I signed in to take the tour and then signed out. I signed in at another time and I kept getting the message "User Name Taken" or "Password Taken". I then created another account. I didn't like the way it was set out. I was more interested in seeing what books people were recommending and it seemed as though it wanted me to generate a list to start with. I did go to the page that had different genres and searched through that, but it seemed it only had the titles that were put in to the data bank in the first place. I would rather use Novelist or book lists that I subscribe to through my email.

I have just finished reading "Fishing for Bacon" by Michael Davie. It just won the Alberta Reads contest and I found it to be quite humorous. I also finished reading "Lulu in Marakkech" which was just alright. Now I am onto "Women of the Silk".

Online Tools

I currently use Google Calendar as reminders for birthdays and general activities or ideas to remember for the day. I still use my daytimer for specific appointment times and work schedules. I like to open my email in the morning and have the reminder of an important event in my email inbox.

I didn't realize that you could upload files to be opened on any computer anywhere through Google Docs. This would be great if you were working on something that you maybe wanted to finish up at home or away if you were traveling. I did upload a document and edit it using Google docs.

Flickr & Youtube

I have used both Flickr and Youtube in the past. I used Flickr as a way to view my daughter's photos when she was overseas, however, I think she was restricted as to how many photos she could post at one time. She would empty her memory card and organize her photos according to the places she was visiting.
I still use Youtube, but only to view videos. I actually have used it to view preschool rhymes and songs for Storytime delivery, if I am not sure of the tune!

I've neglected to post the titles of the books I am reading. Once I got over reading the first two books of the Hunger Games series I went back to the adult collection. I have finished The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger, which I enjoyed. It is a quick read. I am currently reading Lulu in Marrakech by Diane Johnson. Waiting in the wings is Fishing for Bacon - an Alberta Reads finalist.

RSS

I was able to add some news feeds to my bloglines account. It will definitely make accessing the news a lot easier than opening up different websites. I would probably add feeds such as the weather and movie theatres. I attempted to add a traffic feed but the sites I went to did not have feeds.

Google Universe

I guess the first thing I think of when I see all of the available tools on Google is that a person could be tied to their computer all day long; playing, experimenting, drawing, translating, reading, creating... It could take you away from human interaction altogether.
Some of the tools and lab tools I have used and are using: others - I think are a waste of time.
One I was not aware of and could not get to work was the "City Tours" lab. I think it would be a great resource to have when traveling, but it did not work for me.
The other thing I noted is that many of the books listed under Google Books were older publications. I did not find anything recent or new & notable. It was helpful in terms of finding Classics when copies in the Library are all checked out.
The Google Scholar site is noteworthy, and I will mention it to students who are looking for resources and want to steer away from Wikipedia.

Facebook

I have had a Facebook account for a few years - probably since my oldest daughter went away to France to go to university. It was a great way to keep in touch without having to phone or write emails. We did still write a lot of emails, but for short notes and posting photos, it became our lifeline to her. Now that our younger daughter is away at university, we use facebook to keep in touch with her and see her photos. Also, if she goes on a trip with friends or gets together with friends, I can access photos through her friends' sites. I've also kept in touch with someone through Facebook who used to work at our branch and is now away at university. It's great for getting in touch quickly or sending short notes, sending short notes to a lot of people. My daughter's boyfriend held a surprise party for our daughter, and he posted it on Facebook so that her friends could see but not her. They were able to RSVP and make plans, without him having to get all of their email addresses. It can be quite a far reaching and efficient way of communicating.