Coda

It was challenging and exciting to learn to drive on the internet expressway with Queens Library learning 2.0. At the very least, Library Thing, Bloglines, You Tube, and Pandora will stay with me for a while. I would definitely participate again although I do agree with many of my colleagues that more time was needed. Perhaps more work time could be allotted next time.
Serendipity caused this article by Jane Brody to appear in yesterday's NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/health/11brod.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin After reading that, I'm ready to sign up for the next 23 things today!
Thanks for the ride, QLThing!

It's about time for ebooks

I knew it was there but I tried not to think about it, QL's electronic collection. But now I not only looked at it, I installed Adobe Digital Editions and downloaded one of my old favorites, Essential Beeton. The collection has room to grow, something to look forward to, especially now that I am no longer afraid.

Learning 2.0 on a podcast

Another undiscovered world. But to look at one example: SirsiDynix Institute's 25 Technologies in 50 Minutes on Podcast.net really helped tie things together for me. The speaker briefly discussed many of the technologies we learned about in QL Learning and suggested library applications for them. RSS, wikis, blogs, Flickr, de.li.cious, tagging, YouTube, MP3's, virtual reference using IM aggregators, to name a few, and their importance to libraries and librarians were addressed. This is one resource I recommend highly to all library staff interested in Learning 2.0.
http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=69

You tube

You Tube does have buried gems of historical, cultural and artistic value. I like the Related videos feature because it helps the user find things that are less obvious.
This one made me happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7EuUoJAnoQ&feature=related

Web 2.0 Radio

Just as I thought, it's the tip of the iceberg! Browsing around the top sites at firstI thought I'd look at organization but it appeared that the apps really duplicate what is already available on Outlook. So, I figured it's time for a little fun and went to music. Pandora won 1st prize so I opened the box, They want my favorite artist-- OK-- Horowitz ... but who is Steven Horowitz? Apparently Vladimir hasn't hit the web 2.0 charts yet (sigh!). I settled for James Taylor, who was mercifully recognized and tuned in to a little soft folk- rock, just fine for my web jangled nerves. It's nice to check who and what I'm hearing, what album it's on, and be able to bookmark it immediately. The possibilites are endless.

Testing the waters on Google Docs

This is just a test, It feels like Word, but that's surely because I'm only writing, not quite sharing.

Published the above on Google Docs. The advantages seem obvious-- collaborative work minus the attachments, ping-pong emails, etc. I'm beginning to feel dwarfed by how much I don't know. Most of these things are new to me and I haven't even had a chance to digest them. In addition, I feel certain they are spinning and developing while I am absorbing ever so slowly. And I have a sneaking suspicion this is the tip of the iceberg. But like just about everything Google, at least Google Docs is delightfully clear and straightforward.

Many young people come to the library to do their homework assignments using QL PC's. With Google Docs they could save their work easily and implement the sharing app when working in groups.

Facebook

Clearly Facebook is more than a virtual social network. One can use the top 10 apps , not to mention the other 1990, to integrate his information needs and just live in Faceworld. Quick information, book clubs, bookmarks, reference, research-- the user never has to leave the site (except maybe to sleep). Personally, I'm not about to put my face forward, but I can see how those who are already in the Facebook groove would enjoy using these apps and save time normally "wasted" aka "logged out".