Challenge # 3

For this challenge I emailed an article and the citation (seperately)...then I translated it into Spanish (love the disclaimer for accuracy issues and that it states this isn't a substitution for a real human being!!). Searching for "Gale Virtual Reference Library" by series in the internal Polaris gives a nice alphabetical listing of the publications which is nice if you want to browse the titles. In the public catalog I really like the citation tools and even printed out a few articles for my next weeks assignment for school! There wasn't really any difference between the paper and computer except that if the computer is slow one day the paper may be quicker...lol. That's another title I don't have to buy as long as we continue to get updates in GVRL!! I just used GVRL this past Sunday with a girl looking for a bio on Abraham Lincolm and she needed a database resource. GVRL is well worth the $$.

Challenge # 5

I chose to play around in the America's Obits to look for the last name mouse. I came up with a chuckle for Lucy Speed Mouse Southwest Times Record (Fort Smith, AR) - October 3, 2009 with 482 other results...I limited it by the date and it was reduced to 50 which is much more manageable. Using the tips about the lead paragraph was good considering sometimes the writer tries to make things funny or punny. I use this database on a regular basis to find obits and other news stories.

Challenge # 2

I was able to show Alice Choma of the TU branch how to set up, use, change settings, and put away the laptop and digital projector. We had to set it up for John Sweet to give his program called Surf Fishing 101. He had a CD to use showing people how to cast a surf rod, and he had a PPT presentation that he showed as well.

In addition to that I have been showing staff how to hook up the WII through the DP to play on the big screen...fun racing on a big canvas!

Challenge # 1

For the Listen NJ challenge I have had an account for a long time, I have frequently used it for textbooks throughout my 2 masters programs and it saved me a lot of cash! For the challenge I downloaded Janet Evanovich's book Fearless Fourteen to my daughter Lexi's Ipod. She had listened to parts of it in my car on CD and wanted to listen to the whole story...so this was a great opportunity for her to learn how to do it too. I love these book by her and have been to the burg!

Challenge #6

Sent the edited OCR page from the emergency notebook to the oclmanages gmail account...that was fun!

Challenge #7

I really like the calendar options with the reminders. Especially since I am back and forth between LEH and TU this will be a useful tool for me. With all the meetings, trainings, workshops, and programs this tool will help me to be more organized and the information is at my fingertips on the computer...no more worries about leaving my day planner somewhere, all I will have to do is check my outlook calendar....excellent feature! I can also use this to be sure staff know about meeting dates and times, when the meeting rooms are available, and about programs too, the possibilities are endless.

Thing # 15

Web 2.0 has the potential to broaden the services of a user centered library by allowing access to materials and services from anywhere they happen to be, work, home, the library, or visiting friends in Nepal. Access to information at the touch of a few buttons or keystrokes is the future for the library environment. Digital preservation, technological advances, and training in new areas then providing all these to users are a few of the "new" duties of the librarian. We are taking steps forward not back and for me this is a welcome change to how we function and interact with users! Bring it on.

Thing # 14

The first thing I noticed was the wide range of topics that are popular with people from all over the world, from movies to politics. There are also connections to other technologies like twitter. Many of the blogs include videos and photos as well as web links. There are many more blogs than I would have thought.

Thing # 13

Using the TR delicious account during my stay in reference, as a new librarian, was an invaluable tool to access for tagged websites searched by other librarians or myself that I wanted easy access to at other times. Being able to put them in one searchable spot lets us share what new things we have found or old standards we use all the time.

Thing # 12

I have had a NetLibrary account for a couple of years now....it is a great resource that I have used to get some of my text books for Master's level classes. It is easy to use, it does get testy if you want to print our the chapters but that can be worked around. I love being able to save money with free access!

Thing # 11

I had an account with LlibraryThing but since we went to Polaris where we can make lists and keep track of what we have read within our own system I got rid of that....it was an extra thing to try and maintain which now is easy because it is a part of our ILS system....goes to show you how technology grows and adapts to our needs!

Thing # 10

A technology I have used and am currently using most is online e-learning...degrees online without having to drive has been the best thing to allow me back in the world of education without worrying about missed work time, babysitters, or driving distances spending money on gas, tolls, and vehicle maintenance.

I thought I would miss the classroom but have found that I don't. I like the interaction of discussion and being able to ask the teacher a question on the spot but the Universities I have attended have done a fantastic job in establishing communication standards and expectations for teachers and students.

I believe this technology use will continue to grow and evolve, getting even better and easier to apply and attend. The work is no easier but just as fulfilling to my sense of accomplishment and growth.

Thing # 9

The easiest way I have found to find RSS feeds is to look on the pages where I go in search engines, they are easy to spot and add.

I wasn't sure I would be comfortable with a public blogroll, and really do not have the time for that many feeds with working full time, school, and family.

Using the bloglines search tool was easy, I used libraries and found "The Shifted Librarian" which was interesting.

Thing # 8

RSS feeds and newsreaders can carry the most up to date information, instead of waiting for the 11 o'clock news you can hear about events as they happen.

This can keep you in the know on issues, trends, and events that can impact you at work or home.

Libraries can use these to post programs for all ages, garner support in asking for donations, reach out to non library users. There are many things you can do and if mistakes or changes need to be made they can be communicated immediately to others.

Thing # 7

jpeg of Sparks, scanned, saved, and emailed to the master!

Thing # 6

Cat and Turtle
Originally uploaded by tsmirniw

Here is my cat and turtle from needle felting on SDD. It was great fun and makes for excellent office decor at Tuckerton!

Thing # 5

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplygeeky/1031363601/

I chose this image because one of the SAIL volunteers is going to Assateague for her birthday. Flikr certainly has a whole lot of photos. Searching by tag words is great for specifics or for broad subjects. Organizing and sharing are great features to.

Libraries can use flikr to advertise upcoming or show past programs as well as to archive digital materials. Nancy Dowds 'New Jersey Library Events' is great!

Things # 3 & 4

I have grabbed a blog : )

It is registered and emailed to the blog master!

Thing # 2

The easiest habit for me from the tutorial was "Accepting responsibility for my own learning." This is something I have always done, I went back to school for my BA and then with OCL obtained by MLS. Currently I am enrolled in another Masters program (on my own) for Nonprofit Management and Leadership.

The Hardest for me so far is the teaching and mentoring others...I am new to the level of where I am and after having 'done for myself' so long it is hard to show others what to do.

I have always enjoyed school and learning, taking classes sporatically on new things or supplementing what I know with updated information. It is important to keep the mind sharp and active and learning helps with that as well as making you an informed person with a wide knowledge base that can help others with information retrieval and dissemination.

Thing # 1

BM of Tuckerton is now in the game! Toni Smirniw reporting to the challenge.