The Wrap up

Phew! I'm all done! There's been a few frustrations, tantrums and cursings along the way, but I got there!! Thank you to the City of Swan Libraries for putting together such an amazing course - I've learnt heaps! Now I just need to decide which ones I keep going and which ones I don't. I will try to keep all but Twitter (definitely not for me that one!)going for a little while to see which I'm using and getting the most out of and then decide. It made me realise just how much is changing in our world and at such a fast pace too ..it's a case of 'jump on board' and quick otherwise you'll get left behind.... Hang on tight it could be a bit of a bumpy ride, but with a positive approach and strong teamwork we'll make it....
To coin a phrase.... 'it's a wrap'!!!!

Wk10 Geocaching

I can honestly say I had never heard of this until, again, I started this course. It's just a 21st century/GPS version of hide and seek!!! I notice that the University of Notre Dame libraries in the US describe it as a "popular hobby"!! I can certainly see why it is becoming popular... AND it's the first of our social networking activities that will actually get people off their bums, walking (or hiking) and out into the fresh air!!
Is it something our library could use? I suppose we could set up a simple one for children...it would be a good way and fun way of teaching them where everything is located in a library and how it all works. However, having a group of kids all running around excitedly, trying to look for hidden caches could well backfire!! I think it's definitely something that the City of Mandurah could use to promote the local area (and the Peel Region if done in conjuction with the other shire councils and would probably be best suited to the parks/recreation dept.! If it ever gets the go-ahead though... count me in - it would be fun!!

Wk9 Podcasting

Wow, wow and WOW!!!! I'd not even heard of Podcasting until I started this course... what a fantastic tool. In just 10mins I've learnt that Saturn may have a huge underground ocean below it's dune-covered surface, I've learnt that Einstein REALLY was a very clever man and I've listened to Dr Anne Summers, author/journalist talk about social networking (Her name stood out more than most as we Brits have an Anne Summers too, but just a little different - some of you will know what I mean!!!!!!) I think that Podcasting would work extremely well in our local libraries. We could upload children's stories for Mum's to use, and short stories for our seniors with deteriorating eyesight to listen to, and of course, our guest speakers/authors could be recorded so those who could not make the event can listen later at their own convenience.
I found a wonderful photographer called Martin Bailey, who has put together some great Podcasts on his photography skills and is willing to share these with everyone. In particular, his Vidcast of a Blakiston's Fish Owl feeding taken in Japan - absolutely awesome (to use my son's favourite word at the moment!!)..I've subscribed to his Podcasts and eagerly look forward to watching more of them.....

Wk8 YouTube cont.....

Well? What did you think? Fantastic isn't he.....there's a series of his talks if you want to see more... If history had been taught like this when I was at school, I would certainly have paid more attention.

I think YouTube is probably the most powerful social networking tool we currently have, and it's advantages are enormous. All the events that we hold in the library: children's storytime and activities, our guest author's talks, exhibitions, etc can be recorded and shown via YouTube. We could create small recordings on how to find and reserve a particular item, how to set up and use Wifi for the first time, how to log onto the public computers with library card for the first time...the list is endless. The fact that there is a visual element to this social networking site makes it a winner for me...

Wk8 YouTube

Everyone has heard of, or used YouTube for something over the past 5 years I'm sure. My youngest son spends hours looking up video clips like old TV shows, comedy sketches, the latest Lego creations, how to create the latest Lego creations..!!! His latest fad is looking up a BBC programme (which hasn't made it to Australia yet!!) called 'Walk on the Wild Side', where animals talk - very amusing! So I thought..what could I use to embed in my Blog? My thoughts took me back to my school days...in particular to my history lessons and how boing it all became once we'd passed the Tudor age! So I have decided to introduce you to Bill Callahan-a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London and historian extraodinaire!!!!! ......Enjoy...

Wk7 Twitter

Well I've spent a few days now Twittering, and I can honestly say that it's not for me. Apart from not having the time, I still cannot see the point of advertising what I'm doing, or thinking to the rest of the world! Then tonight, I added a couple of comments and I receive a message via gmail that John Chandler, a bio paint sprayer (whatever that is!) is now following my Tweets - I haven't a clue who this person is and it's freaked me out, so I won't be carrying on with Twitter.....

Wk7 - Social Networking

Facebook - I was probably one of the last people on planet Earth to create and run a Facebook account.  It's something that has never really appealled to me and I could never understand all the hype!  And so with much intrepidation, I took the plunge!!  Easy to open (another username and password to remember!!) and set up..  I decided to open it under a pseudonym to start and then if I think I will get some use out of it, I can change the name under my profile later.  I sent out a couple of requests for friends (sounds so sad!) and got a few quick responses.  I can see why this social networking site has become the world's favourite.  The instant messages are amazing and I sat and had a conversation with an old colleague in the UK.  My mum goes into hospital next Thu to have a hip replacement.  She's going to be housebound for a few weeks and so I decided to set up Wordscraper (like Scrabble - a big family favourite).  When she's home, we will be able to play games daily even though she's in Kent, UK and I'm 14,500kms away in Mandurah,Australia .....amazing...... and she's over the moon that we'll be in constant contact and can help ease her boredom.  It is probably the best of the bunch for the library too - getting messages out quickly, advertising events, school activities, promoting our services, and the good thing is that the majority of people know how to use it.
Twitter - Can't make my mind up about Twitter yet.  It was easy enough to open an account and start using immediately, but I can't help but think it's like having a digital-diary!!  It seems that all and sundry seem to use one!  I even saw that Kevin Rudd has one up and running!  Again it seems to be a quick and easy way of passing messages and information on.....