Google Docs

I've tried Google Docs before in order to share spreadsheets, and I love the way it works. It really does make it so much easier when everyone can access and edit the data in one place, rather than everyone working on their own PC and then trying to compile the data! I don't see the same benefit in documents, but I'm sure it would also have its uses there.

One interesting thing might be that the use of these web-based apps would actually encourage people to collaborate when they might not have thought of doing that otherwise. If so, that would be an interesting change with all kinds of implications!

TCCL wiki-ing

Well, the TCCL wiki is delightfully easy to edit - I had a good time talking about my favorite books. Could see how it would be easy to spend lots of time adding all kinds of information about my favorite things! It really is neat that it has been made that easy to add my own information to that of the rest of the library as a whole. If we only knew everything everyone else knew, when we needed it. Seems like it would be neat to have a reference question wiki or a readers advisory wiki.

Wacky wikis

I have to admit, I like the idea of wikis, but have always had trouble actually contributing to them. I think that they could be very useful in many ways in libraries, in order to gather the collective information of the staff - we know so many things, and wikis are a way to share what we know. I'm not sure people don't sometimes use wikis when they don't need to, though. There are a few Technical Services wikis out there - they mostly contain the procedures and policies of the department. This isn't really the kind of thing I think a wiki is best used for. There can be only one established policy or procedure, so why suggest that anyone can modify those things? I think there may be some wiki opportunities within Tech Services, but a wiki may work better for discussion of issues before a policy or procedure is codified and entered more permanently into stone. Of course, I may just be a fuddy duddy who needs to realize all decisions will soon be shared decisions and jump on board.

Library 2.0

Library 2.0 is a very interesting concept to me. On the one side are those who believe Library 2.0 is upon us, and we need to immediate embrace user-centered, participative collections and services. On the other hand are those who believe this is a temporary distraction from our real work of providing books and information for people who have no idea what they really want or need. While we're already talking about Library 3.0, it seems to me that just incorporating the useful and effective ideas from Library 2.0 is going to take much longer than the 2.0 enthusiasts would like. For all the talk about trying things, everything is beta, no time to spend planning for 2.0 projects, I think the reality is that we won't begin to see what true 2.0 libraries will look like for some time to come, and by then, they will be incorporating 3.0 and 4.0 ideas and maybe going back to the best of the Library 1.0 services as well. The world does move quickly, but the ideas that fall away probably fall away for a reason, and those that are really going to make things better for our customers may take some time to figure out and realize. It is really an interesting time to be a librarian - almost anything can happen next.

Technorati

Well, the interesting thing I discovered on Technorati is that when it comes to popular blogs, videos, etc., I am officially completely out of it. I didn't recognize the first 9 most popular blogs, though I will have to say the 10th (PostSecret) is one of my all time favorite guilty pleasures. I do like the tag cloud and the ability to write reviews of the various blogs. I did not get the best search results for cataloging blogs - quite a few seemed completely unrelated, but it is fascinating to see what all is out there in the blogging world.

Delicious

Really is quite delicious - I had forgotten that I already had an account set up and found some great bookmarks I had marked previously, so thanks 23 Things. I can definitely see the research value of keeping a variety of sites bookmarked in one location for easy reference. I also love how easy it is to search and find other peoples bookmarked sites - have found some really interesting cataloging sites dealing with the upcoming cataloging rule changes. The site is easy to use, and since it's web-based, I always have access. I will start using this site again!

Rollyo

I created my very own cataloging searchroll: http://www.rollyo.com/ssimpso/ I am going to add all kinds of stuff to this and use it all the time. How cool to have a search engine that searches all the cataloging sites - why didn't someone think of this sooner!!