Already breaking the rules!

So, this should technically be my second post - too bad it's my third. Oops.

Let's see, our assignment: write about what possible uses to which a blog might be put for our libraries. Lovely!

Well, I for one like the idea of book reviews. Also new database profiles, and instruction tips. I like the immediacy of getting information out.

We have a comment box in the library.
Patrons can comment, ask questions, give us h**l, etc.
But patrons aren't always IN the library.
They now live, work, and play, in a world that allows 24/7 connectivity.

So why shouldn't the library follow suit where possible!

Of course, I can see the potential for problems. As an academic institution with guidelines for everything, there will likely need to be guidelines for this, as well.

For me personally? I have my own blog, (which shall remain nameless) which has nothing to do with libraries. I have friends and acquaintances in corners of the country that I've never seen, but who share my interests and concerns.

But back to the library...

It's about providing relevant information in an informal way. A quick way. A way that allows readers to interact. We can create handouts and let people find their way to the library. Or we can present the information and attempt to create a dialog.

Of course, the pressure will be ON
Can we be interesting enough to retain readers?
Stay tuned to find out!

And now, having completed the assignment for today, I'm going to go see what sorts of interesting things I can do with my profile!

The BiG BloG challenge! - not so scary after all

Our first assignment - set up a blog.

Done!

I've done this before, so the blog part was fairly easy. It's some of the next steps that will be more difficult.

The second directive - watch the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits - was interesting, but the fact that I was reading the text and clicking through to the next slide before the narrator had a chance to finish speaking? Probably indicative of where I'm apt to have the most probl... Er- sorry, challenges(!) acquiring the 7 1/2 habits. Can you say "patience"?

Easiest? Goals, I think. I'm already looking forward to learning about (or learning more about) the tools in the upcoming lessons. And playing :)

The opportunity to just fool around with this stuff is priceless!

Actually, the hardest for me will probably be seeing problems as challenges to be overcome. And not being negative about them. The whole positive outlook thing.

Second most difficult? That toolbox of learning resources we're supposed to build, consisting of contact information & resources we can use to learn more about what we're doing.

And how, you might wonder, is that an issue? Not the collecting of information, certainly - I'm a librarian, after all, and finding answers is my stock in trade!

But asking questions on my own behalf? Not so fun. Yes, I know that theoretically, there's no such thing as a stupid question. But who wants to be the example that proves the rule!

Before I worry too much about that, however, I might as well go see just what I'm to have the opportunity to learn!

Feel free to follow along :)

SD Libraries 2.0 Challenge - how exciting!

Not having attended conference this year, and a tad behind on getting to the messages that aren't work-critical this week, I just discovered the Challenge. But I don't think I'm too far behind just yet.

First lesson, coming up!