I too can YouTube

I was looking at Week 6's information on the uses that YouTube (had access difficulties with Google video unfortunately) and the opprtunities this technology presents to public libraries.

For my specific role, like the New York Library, you could use YouTube for promotional purposes to get children and their families excited about resources or programs available to them through their local library service. Fun clips about storytime, Baby Bounce or Summer Reading club could help sell the advantages of participation to a shire that is quite literate visually but may be a little jaded with print.


Also if you have a hard time getting stories in the paper as libraries are not seen as high priority news then it could be a way of reaching your audience in a different way.

Wonderful world of wikis

I love wikis, and some of the examples mentioned in the Week 6 post were fascinating to observe how the technology was utilised.

In particular I loved the Wookiepedia for Star Wars devotees, there was some serious information available on the site. Compared to the Police Act wiki set up for NZ, which obviously needed a more deliberate approach for the content. Either approach provided an access point for the intended user to find the information as quickly as possible.

Before I had started Learning 2.0, I was lucky to find a wiki site which I used to load my Preschool program modules so that colleagues in other library services can access or members of the public. My wiki can be found at http://wyongkidscount.wetpaint.com/ if you would like to have a look.

I think the wiki could be a really useful tool for Readers Advisory or similar programs as the content can be updated so quickly and allows remote access users the opportunity to contribute if they are so inclined.

Did it!

Having trawled through the seductive world of RSS, have added a feed to this blog, for anyone else who likes beading. This feed provides some lovely beading project ideas, which I hope others might enjoy.

Joys of RSS

Have heard some of my friends talk about RSS and how much fun thye can be in an addictive way.

I like the idea of RSS, as it looks like it can be a means of staying in touch with everyday news or a means of keeping up with trends if you have an interest in a hobby or interest. For my feeder sites, I chose the following -

• Dilbert - love a good laugh
• Powerhouse picture of the day - wow some great images can be seen from this one
• ABC - I chose the Just in feeder, as a way of keeping up with the most current news - wanted the AFL but was not available unfortunately
• Shewgirl blog - it's a mate's blog and I love the way she thinks
• A beader's blog, but I forget the name - love to be inspired by other people's ideas

I would like to be able to apply a RSS feeder to any Web 2.0 technology that I might be able to create in the future. It would be a way of keeping potential subscribers up to date with what has been added for their interest or information. Further I would like to think that it would be an excellent way for libraries to reach library non-users who may feel that a library may not be relevant in such a technology rich age.

I am awre of some libraries that have used blogs for Readers Advisory or Reference Services, which are brilliant in terms of design and intent. Hope to emulate in some way.