Ever need to write a really good recommendation letter? Check out endorser.org. Supervisors and others responsible for annual reviews may also find this tool valuable when at a loss for words. This is what it says about me, and I must say it's extremely accurate :
JenE did not fail me a single time. JenE was fantastic to work with. Strong, precise and reliable professional that cannot be overestimated. Careful, achievement oriented, creative and responsible manager with boundless energy. If ever you need someone to deliver under pressure, no slip-ups, just results, JenE is your man!
Well, except for the "man" part... but hey, it's just a program!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
My hometown, as seen through Webfeat
The articles on my hometown, Greendale Wisconsin, split between two different subjects. One was the McCain visit to a local high school, and the other was about Main St. and the fact that it’s owned by a publishing company. Yep, all the businesses and commercial property on Main St are owned by Reiman Publishing, some of whose titles PBCLS owns.
To be fair, Main St. as envisioned by Mr. Reiman is picturesque, with small shops, landscaped light poles, a gazebo and not a scrap of litter on the ground. However, to find a sign off I-94 directing drivers to “downtown Greendale” is a bit… weird. The hardware store that I grew up with is now an ice cream “shoppe” and the corner liquor store is now the visitor’s center. My small, sleepy, familiar village has become a tourist attraction.
Of course, I knew all this and was not surprised to see the fact so well documented through Webfeat. Webfeat so far is a great tool that I have demonstrated to many patrons needing articles for school projects, and other patrons who preferred their information digitally delivered, instead of from a good old-fashioned book.
To be fair, Main St. as envisioned by Mr. Reiman is picturesque, with small shops, landscaped light poles, a gazebo and not a scrap of litter on the ground. However, to find a sign off I-94 directing drivers to “downtown Greendale” is a bit… weird. The hardware store that I grew up with is now an ice cream “shoppe” and the corner liquor store is now the visitor’s center. My small, sleepy, familiar village has become a tourist attraction.
Of course, I knew all this and was not surprised to see the fact so well documented through Webfeat. Webfeat so far is a great tool that I have demonstrated to many patrons needing articles for school projects, and other patrons who preferred their information digitally delivered, instead of from a good old-fashioned book.
LibraryThing
I’d heard about LibraryThing a little more than a year ago when I was in library school. I had fun reading readers’ reviews of my favorite books and checking the most common titles. It seemed like a cool idea then, but I did not start an account until now. Librarians who blog could add a “recommended” books list to their blog from their LibraryThing account (see my library on LibraryThing).
What’s cool about blogs, rss feeds, library thing, mash-ups, etc., is that it seems like everything can be linked into everything else. It was so easy to add a random selection of titles from my library to my blog.
What’s cool about blogs, rss feeds, library thing, mash-ups, etc., is that it seems like everything can be linked into everything else. It was so easy to add a random selection of titles from my library to my blog.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Random Thoughts
Just wondering if there’s any Gen X’ers out there like me who consider themselves computer savvy but who haven’t jumped on board the latest social networking technologies (until this 23 Things, that is).
I’ve never blogged before, have never had a MySpace page, do have a Facebook page but it just sits there, don’t have any desire to navigate SecondLife, and don’t really feel the need to keep up to the minute with my friends on Twitter. That’s what a glass of wine after work is for.
Am I missing something?
I’ve never blogged before, have never had a MySpace page, do have a Facebook page but it just sits there, don’t have any desire to navigate SecondLife, and don’t really feel the need to keep up to the minute with my friends on Twitter. That’s what a glass of wine after work is for.
Am I missing something?
RSS Feeds and Me
Ok, I’ve added about 6-7 feeds to my bloglines account. I like this idea because it eliminates all that info clogging up my email whenever there was something new. This way, I can read it when I want, all at once, instead of having a bunch of unread messages staring at me in the face, causing guilty feelings.
I had streamlined my email years ago and cancelled all of my subscriptions, because it just got too overwhelming. I became used to visiting my favorite sites individually. With RSS feeds, it seems I can revise my online habits and more fully explore what’s out there. I now have a tool to help me manage the information overload.
I had streamlined my email years ago and cancelled all of my subscriptions, because it just got too overwhelming. I became used to visiting my favorite sites individually. With RSS feeds, it seems I can revise my online habits and more fully explore what’s out there. I now have a tool to help me manage the information overload.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Multi-Touch Technology
Still thinking about new technology, I came across an article discussing e-books, and a link to this video on multi-touch technology and a company called Perceptive Pixel.
It reminds me of the end of the first Star Wars (episode 4, that is) when they are looking at the Death Star plans, manipulating them on a clear screen. I thought it was neat back then, but now 30-odd years later it doesn't seem so far-fetched.
It reminds me of the end of the first Star Wars (episode 4, that is) when they are looking at the Death Star plans, manipulating them on a clear screen. I thought it was neat back then, but now 30-odd years later it doesn't seem so far-fetched.
Librarians Know Cool Stuff
We are supposed to create a blog post about anything technology-related. I have been thinking, what if librarians were on the forefront of all the new “gotta have” technology? Some are, but most of us aren’t. It’d be great if as a profession we can take a leading role in educating patrons (kids and their parents, as well as everyone else) about these new technologies, instead of talking about them only after everyone else has been talking about them (example: MySpace). I’m not saying we should always adapt them to the provision of library services, but what if we knew all the ins and outs of the new technologies as they develop, even before the middle-schoolers get their hands on them? Librarians could become known as not only people who know stuff, but people who know the “cool” stuff.
A tall order, to be sure. A life-long learning goal, if you like. But what if…?
Ringtone contest
Another use for blogs in libraries is to announce a tongue-in-cheek contest for best cell phone ringtone...
This post inspired by hearing "We Will Rock You" by Queen on a patron's phone as I was returning from lunch.
This post inspired by hearing "We Will Rock You" by Queen on a patron's phone as I was returning from lunch.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Blogs and Libraries
Libraries can use blogs in a variety of ways. Instead of, or in addition to, a “What’s New” link on a library home page, blogs can introduce new arrivals, changes in circulation procedures (for example, patrons can check out 50 items!), marketing and promoting (for free!) computer classes, story times and programs, notify the public about early voting and holiday closings, special events, and also keep the public informed about renovations, bond issues, funding, etc. The Friends of the Library can also get involved.
I think this is only scratching the surface though. Besides being free to set up and use, and incredibly easy to update (easier than updating a website), blogs encourage participation by allowing patrons to comment on posts. Simple and easy feedback like this gives us an opportunity to more quickly meet our patrons’ needs.
7.5 Habits of Lifelong Learners
I enjoyed the presentation on the 7.5 Habits of Lifelong Learners. I think the first habit, beginning with the end in mind, is an important one. Setting goals is crucial when facing a barrage of technologies for which you only have the vaguest idea how to use. That’s why I’m participating in the 23 Things, and so far I’ve found blogging to be really easy to do (bar the locking of my account, that is).
Beginning with the end in mind will most likely be the habit I spend the most time on, because starting with a good foundation will help develop the rest of the habits and keep me on track.
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