Thing 12 More IM and its use at VBPL

The next assignment for this week things IM is a more indepth look at how the VB library system is using IM for reference work. The library has an account with meebo, a site that allows the library to have multiple IM accounts available at the same time, so a wider group of users have access to this reference service. More info of this task:



http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007/11/thing-12-discover-how-vbpl-is-using-im.html



With this task, I was surprised at how short the articles were about IM reference and using meebo. I was exploring the meebo site itself and found very little info on the site itself (in the blog and help section), so I signed into my IM account (for the first time in ages). I get caught up in trends, but I have yet to catch on to IM-ing again. Then again, I never thought I would be into myspace or facebook, and now I use it almost as much as email (not more than it, still). Meebo is neat in that it's web-based, no programs to install with constant updates to install later.

Now to IM and VBPL's IM reference: Using meebo is definitely a good idea, just in how it allows for wider access to users with different IM programs. I've seen some IM reference and talked with staff who provide this service. It just started recently and was minimally advertised with minuscule bookmarks (though it's on the library website somewhere). Somedays, there are no users at all, and the staff start IM-ing themselves or other coworkers who notice the lack of hits will IM them. When it is used, there is actually real need for help. It works out mostly, though I've heard that 1 staff member had problems with someone who was too impatient, expecting immediate answers (on the phone, they'd be put on hold or the question taken down to be researched and the customer contacted later).

I was actually curious if there are lots of pranks (outside of coworkers :) ) from people who are incredulous about the new service. Okay, I've done it once, but my coworker caught on pretty quick because she was next to me :) One of the articles mentioned how a typical user greeting is "Are you a real person?" "Are you a robot?". Actually, there's been little of that, according to the one I asked. IM at its full advantage: people just ask their question and then go. Less formality than a phone call or even email but with more anonymity. I guess I'd call this a good service. It's one more service the library offers, so where's the bad in that??

Thing 11 IM and the library

This week's Learning 2.0 focus is on IM (instant messaging). You can find the details of the task at:


http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007/11/thing-11-read-and-find-out-about-how.html


I kind of expected this week's task to focus on us using IM as well as how it affects libraries, rather than just TALK about it. Shouldn't we at least have an account and use it before we even consider how it would work for the library?? Especially for those who don't already use IM have more to go on than what other people say. Like with myspace and facebook, I knew they were social networking sites, but I didn't know how they actualy did that---even Myspace for Dummies didn't give me as clear an idea until I created my account and started playing with it.

Back to IM, I signed up for an AIM account back in 1999 and probably have an MSN messnger account, a yahoo one, and one through myspace, but I don't use IM often. I used to use it a lot more, and I can see the advantages. I call it a combination of phone and email: it has the immediacy of a phone call but the advantages of writing email (less necessary immediacy than a phone call or face to face interaction). You can do the lingo, smileys/emoticons that liven up online text and give it personality, especially if you don't communicate as well verbally (tongue tied, think on your feet what to say).


Back to task, the focus of this week's task is what I think about IM and libraries. IM is just one more way of offering access to the library, and that is something to consider. I don't use IM much anymore, and I don't feel like it's as popular anymore, though I am not particularly trendy, so I'm probably wrong. It wouldn't hurt to have an IM service for customers---another way to reach the library and a way to reach the more tech savvy people. The advantages of IM are there when using IM as a service---response of a phone call, minus the immediacy of a reply, no face to face, speaking skills aren't as necessary though communication skills are still needed.

An interesting thing I saw in the articles was about using IM in work, not just for the customers, but also for staff as part of doing work. It's another tool of communication, but it's hard to think of using IM at work. It may be good for library-wide teams and talking with people in other locations, but the idea of using it for staff to communicate with each other---why don't you just get up and walk over to the desk and say it, unless it's socializing that you don't want others to hear, which is all I can think for having it as a way to communicate with coworkers. Maybe if you're at the public service desk, and you need to call for help without calling on the phone and having everyone else hear what you have to say. Though, sometimes email kind of becomes like IM, when someone sends a short email question, and you can easily get a long email conversation. So, sure IM is definitely a service to consider for customers, but I'm not sure about using it for staff work.

Thing 10 More on RSS feeds (searching for them)

Now, that we've been introduced to RSS feeds and their readers, the next step is how to keep going from there---finding feeds on your own.


http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007/11/thing-10-locate-few-useful-library.html


This assignment gave us several websites (search engines for feeds) to find feeds. Feedster is not working (under construction). I found this assignment harder to do and a little frustrating because I don't use the internet for news to begin with, and the sites I visit regularly don't have feeds or feeds aren't useful to the site. I tried topix.com and syndic8.com, but I think I would rather use Google to search for sites I would be interested in rather than try to find a feed that might have what I'm looking for. A lot of the search results were to blogs, of which I have no interest in reading. Probably the best way for me to find feeds is word of mouth or from sites I do visit.

Thing 9 RSS Feeds

This week, we are looking at RSS feeds and signing up with a newsreader.

http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007/11/thing-9-learn-about-rss-feeds-and-setup.html

This week's exercise involves signing up with a newsreader, subscribing to several feeds, and then seeing what we think about it all.

I signed up with Google Reader---since I already have a Google account for Blogger, I only had to sign in for Google Reader. Plus, looking at the different resources on RSS feeds, readers, and specific readers, Google Reader seemed a little more easier to work with. I subscribed to several news feeds, blogs from my library system (my supervisor's blog and a couple of coworkers). I found out that not all websites have a handy subsription icon but are capable of providing feeds, so sometimes just putting in the website's URL is enough to subcribe to it.

This could be a useful tool, what with the reader looking at the websites you subscribe to and pulling all the new text to one location, but I find that the websites I visit are usually for socializing (email and social networking), for shopping, or for specific interests, rather than news. I don't see myself really using RSS feeds that much. I have not used feeds before in my personal life and don't see how that will change much. It doesn't mean that there aren't any ways to use it, say at work. I've seen how teams in charge of parts of the library website have feeds, so you can find out more easily if there's new postings. Libraries can use feeds on websites and blogs that publicize library news and events. The info is on the website for people to look for, but it can be provided to subscribers too who use the readers. It's just one more way to connect with people.

Thing 4 and 5 Assignment

This week we learned about the web the way it used to be (Web 1.0) and the way it is now (Web 2.0). Check it out here: http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007/11/thing-5-share-you-thoughts-with-friend.html.

So, what do I think about it? When I talked to my friends and coworkers, what came out of it?

Web 2.0 means new online tools/toys to use/play with. It’s strange to think that the way we used the internet several years before is considered old fashioned. It makes all this buzz about 2.0 seem like a fashion trend, and maybe it is rather true. Up to 2 years ago, I didn’t even know of myspace, and I just signed up about half a year ago. Even now, I hear that people are bored of it, don’t have time for it, and are ready for something else. Like my cousin, who started off on myspace and was thrilled to find us finally on it, has deleted her account and switched to Facebook. Word of mouth is an amazing way of spreading info on new trends, and it’s more user friendly I think than this in-your-face campaign about Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. People writing on these topics get too caught up in the jargon and technical language---what is this “long tail” that is often referred to but never quite made clear?? I was shopping on eBay at least 4 years ago, and now it’s a prime example of Web 2.0 at work.

A lot of these tools people discover or hear about and may eventually incorporate into their lives. Labeling it and pushing it on people doesn’t change that.It seems like we’re being inundated with new toys. I finally created a myspace account, but now I’m feeling pressure from friends who have a Facebook account but no myspace account to create one. And MSN has a MSN Space profile, too, and Amazon.com has plenty of ways to encourage participation (reviews, forums, discussions, customize your Amazon). I still use email regularly, but I hardly use instant messenger anymore, though my email and myspace now include instant messaging. I guess it’s like how Amazon has an auction feature, but it is nowhere near as robust or active as eBay. There is just so much out there, and I’m glad there’s a chance to find out more about it.

I’ve talked with several coworkers. We found our opinions didn’t really change. There seems to be too much hype and labeling. We also found the material discussing Library 2.0 to be tedious, boring, and too full of jargon. What might work better is to see examples of 2.0 vs. 1.0 tools or use more user friendly articles.

Thing 2 Assignment

There are 7 1/2 habits of lifelong learners, according to the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County---see the tutorial at http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html

1. Begin with the end in mind.
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning.
3. View problems as challenges.
4. Have confidence in yourself as a competitive effective learner.
5. Create your own learning toolbox.
6. Use technology to your advantage.
7. Help teach/mentor others.
7.5. Play (be curious).

Let's see of of these habits, which is the hardest and which is the easiest?

I am all for lifelong learning. I like learning and using new things, especially at work (where it is easy to fall into the same routine and stagnate). I like to feel I am moving forward.

The habit that is easiest for me is 7.5. Yeah, I like to have play with new things. I look forward to finding out about new tools and new trends---that is, if I have the time. I just signed up for a Facebook account less than a week ago. I find I learn best by doing things hands on and just going where my curiosity takes me.

The hardest habit for me is 1. It's hard for me to think in the long term, so goals (the end) are hard for me to plan, especially since I'm open to change. It's hard to plan how to accomplish a goal when you don't really know what your goal is :P

Purpose of this blog

Hi! This blog is to keep track of my progress through a learning program offered to me as a staff member at the Virginia Beach Public Library. We are learning about these so called Web 2.0 tools that are out there on the internet. You can see what new things we are learning each week (and the assignments we do)!

http://vbpl2point0.blogspot.com/2007/09/30-things_24.html