#23 Zum Schluss

Trying to differentiate the tracks of my thoughts, which at the moment are like highways in my mind streaming in different directions; the 'Learning 2.0' program, Library 2.0, libraries and web 2.0, libraries and 'Learning 2.0'; coordination of the 'Learning 2.0' program...

May say more about the monkeyed state of my thought processes than connections and relevancy of these topics...

The program has in a designated spate of time forced/encouraged me to look at a range of internet applications and ideas that are being used, discussed or bandied about as options for and in our profession. That was a positive aspect for me personally, as one who does not share a pc or internet-world much beyond work.

Some applications and exercises had greater intrinsic value for me than others; looking at wikis, RSS feeds (although Bloglines was inconsistent for me) and online processing tools, compared to Image Generator, no matter how much I loved the much thumbed catalogue card!


The age of the program shows a little - some links not working and the lack of examples, exploring how libraries are enacting web 2.0 applications.

In coordinating the program again, I would tinker with it. Fellow bloggers have given incisive feedback and suggestions for enhancements.
My top few:

• Refined instructions per exercise to eliminate the needless ambiguity and thus reduce margin of error.
• Various account creation was annoying and could be streamlined with group accounts
• Replace some of the temperamental applications with more consistent alternatives ie Bloglines for Google reader or Sage
• Exercises exploring libraries use of web 2.0 to put some of the technology in real context
• The cheesy tone, with an exhortation to 'have fun' and 'play'' wore as the weeks went on.

As for web 2.0/library 2.0...
Hackneyed phrasing and marketing hype surrounding the use of the terms and the evolution of the internet it is meant to describe, is sullying some of the message and the value. Once something is overblown, it lends itself to parody.

Librarians are engaging or being encouraged, pushed to utilise technology in new ways. The social aspect of web 2.0 applications that have enabled librarians to create content and publish online outside of traditional web administration barriers is energising for the profession. Libraries need to assess what applications are viable for patrons to engage better with our content and for us to engage with them, as opposed to adoption due to a label and the perception of 'current 'street cred'. A

The desire to be seen online and beyond barriers of space and time, should not come at the detriment of onsite services.

As some of our politicians have found, the interactive nature of the new internet is double-edged and so some aspects and applications need be treated with caution.

#22 Audio Books

My Dad was legally blind and I grew up with his audio cassette machine on loan from the RVIB (size of a fax machine), a permanent feature atop a fold-out table, pride of place in the lounge room alongside the record player turntable.
Once a voracious reader, 'talking books' retained access to the written word denied him by his MS. The video cassette size tapes would arrive in brown paper packages and my younger brother and I would often have the job of turning the tapes for him.
Audio books developed with ranges of current titles in book shops. When I worked in books in the 90s the talk even then was the future of publishing becoming digital. Academic publishing now in particular.
I appreciate the concept.
Haven't had cause to use ebooks unlike podcasts or search generally for them.
Mildly irritated by World E Book with its very basic search function, but moved on to discover a full range of Jane Austen, Hans Christian and other classic titles for free. Downloaded Walt Whitman; a select voice breathes life for me into the text. Members subscription gives you access to modern copyrighted titles from Byatt to poetry of Frost.
Useful to know of and how to access.

#21 Podcasts

Podcasts are a little ubiquitous now, with casts of SLV Digital Forums available for over a year now. Listening to AM Radio Nat and ABC, also FM RRR, podcasts feeds of interviews, program segments and naturally music.
Searching Yahoo podcast directory, there are 287 on the subject of web 2.0!
At this point in the program, I don't think I could venture there, so try a random selection of themes and topics.
Search options include episodes, series and search the web. Suggestions for alternative searches are given.
Nothing on dry stone walls, but I could listen to a Rolling Stone interview with John Lennon and 'walls' leads me to China and everything from travel casts to reports on political protests over Tibet.
The educational potential of podcasts and use in libraries I believe is wide.
An accompaniment to our exhibitions, as a learning tool for Lifelong Learning courses and bringing new life to perhaps our digitized collections.
The value of the use of podcasts in this program is questionable, as other bloggers discussed in our evaluation meeting this week.
I have only listened to the first podcast for this program and found it disappointingly patronising, so I have ignored the remainder, primarily to save time.