Being completely unfamiliar with ebooks, NetLibrary was very easy to sign up for. I did a few different types of searches, some for authors and some subject. I liked the recent search feature, which allowed you to go back to a previous search if you had better results the first time. The related topics also gives you suggestions for words that might bring about better results. I think I would be able to show a patron how to find common titles or titles on a specific subject matter.
The first thing I thought of when I was searching NetLibrary was how useful it could be for high school or college students. If a high school student left a book in his or her locker that he or she was reading for English class, the student might be able to complete the reading assignment by finding the material online. It's also a great resource for a college student who might be trying to save money by not purchasing all of the required reading. There are also several resources that could be used when writing a paper that you could access even if the library was closed.
I did a search on WorldCat for the title Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The closest library that contained this title was the OCL. The search features make it rather easy to find the actual title even if you don't know all of the information accurately. It also has a short summary feature that gives you an idea of what the book is about. I think this would be useful in helping recommend new material or helping a patron find a title if they are able to give you a tad bit of what the book is about. Almost all of the information needed for a request for material form is located on WorldCat, along with being able to find out if a reciprocating library owns that specific title.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thing #11 - Library Thing
By far the most amazing thing I've come across so far during this web challenge. After working at a bookstore, and being an English major, I have accumulated quite a collection of books. I love the idea of being able to organize them and keep track of titles, but gathering all of the information is quite a task. This site allows you to keep a record with such ease.
I haven't had a chance to become a part of any kind of discussion group, but I have read a few reviews of books in my collection. It's nice to be able to read something that honest. It's rare to find a review of material that isn't by someone trying to sell you the book, and also isn't by someone who is using the ability to post as a way to vent for a regretful purchase. These are written by people who truly have a love of books.
I seem to keep coming back to my grandfather while I'm blogging for this web challenge. It's rather appropriate since he was always pushing me to start my master's in library science, and here I am finally working in a library. He was a great lover of books, and when he passed away, he left rooms full of books. My mother and my uncles have been trying to figure out a way to note his collection as a way of seeing if anyone would be interested in certain titles. The entire family is full of book lovers, and I think this is going to be our answer.
I haven't had a chance to become a part of any kind of discussion group, but I have read a few reviews of books in my collection. It's nice to be able to read something that honest. It's rare to find a review of material that isn't by someone trying to sell you the book, and also isn't by someone who is using the ability to post as a way to vent for a regretful purchase. These are written by people who truly have a love of books.
I seem to keep coming back to my grandfather while I'm blogging for this web challenge. It's rather appropriate since he was always pushing me to start my master's in library science, and here I am finally working in a library. He was a great lover of books, and when he passed away, he left rooms full of books. My mother and my uncles have been trying to figure out a way to note his collection as a way of seeing if anyone would be interested in certain titles. The entire family is full of book lovers, and I think this is going to be our answer.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thing #9 - Finding Feeds
While I was working on Thing #8, I was able to familiarize myself a bit with searching for RSS feeds. I found that the search feature on Bloglines was helpful in that it allowed you to separate your search into feeds or blogs. For my educational choices, I liked that it cut out lesser qualified sources which might appear in blogs, and allowed me to just search formal websites.
Topix.net had more of a generalized search feature, where Technorati allowed you to perform an advanced search that could be used to narrow down a search to a specific area of a topic. ...kind of like the Boolean keywords :)
Topix.net had more of a generalized search feature, where Technorati allowed you to perform an advanced search that could be used to narrow down a search to a specific area of a topic. ...kind of like the Boolean keywords :)
Thing # 6 - More Photo Fun
This is a picture of the pay phone, which is located down the hall from the circulation desk. At any random time, you may find it ringing. When I first got here, I couldn't figure out where this mysterious ring was coming from. Sometimes we answer it, and sometimes it just stops.
Thing #8 - RSS
RSS is something completely new to me. I can see it becoming a useful resource since my time for looking online is rather limited. It takes my favorites list and cuts out all of the extras so that I can get to what's useful.
I think that http://www.bloglines.com/ can become useful in the library in the same sense that OceanNet has become a part of our daily routine. OceanNet serves as an internal source of updates and information. With the help of Bloglines, the library staff could have a streamlined set up for finding external updates; whether it be a new release of material or a community event that may effect the library system.
I think that http://www.bloglines.com/ can become useful in the library in the same sense that OceanNet has become a part of our daily routine. OceanNet serves as an internal source of updates and information. With the help of Bloglines, the library staff could have a streamlined set up for finding external updates; whether it be a new release of material or a community event that may effect the library system.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thing #5 - Flickr
I have always been drawn to trees. There is a certain stability about them that I have always been drawn to due to a lack of such in my own life. There is also a grace and beauty about them that seems to silently teach these lessons to anyone in their presence.
I was drawn to this picture because it reminded me of a particular tree that I used to visit while I was in college. I found it within the first week of being in this new place, new state, surrounded by new people; and somehow it seemed like home. It must have had some traumatic event during its developmental years that caused it to branch out directly over the lake. Its strength seemed to tease gravity by holding it just about a foot above the water. I would take my notebook or book and climb out as far as I could. There at the end was a perfect nook to sit in. No matter what stress I may have been feeling, being there on that tree, I felt like I was a million miles away from everything and everyone.
Whenever I am in the area, I go back to visit that tree. I was even able to climb out on it this Thanksgiving, given our unseasonably warm weather. It seems the tree in this image may have experienced a similar beginning fate, and like my tree in Delaware, it continues to hold strong and remains an unusual speck of beauty in an unsuspecting place.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-yorkled/533593187/
I was drawn to this picture because it reminded me of a particular tree that I used to visit while I was in college. I found it within the first week of being in this new place, new state, surrounded by new people; and somehow it seemed like home. It must have had some traumatic event during its developmental years that caused it to branch out directly over the lake. Its strength seemed to tease gravity by holding it just about a foot above the water. I would take my notebook or book and climb out as far as I could. There at the end was a perfect nook to sit in. No matter what stress I may have been feeling, being there on that tree, I felt like I was a million miles away from everything and everyone.
Whenever I am in the area, I go back to visit that tree. I was even able to climb out on it this Thanksgiving, given our unseasonably warm weather. It seems the tree in this image may have experienced a similar beginning fate, and like my tree in Delaware, it continues to hold strong and remains an unusual speck of beauty in an unsuspecting place.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/new-yorkled/533593187/
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