Updated link

Kate and I found that the link I provided for GoodReads does not take you to my page. So now try http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/927346?view=main and this should work.

Keeping track of books

I use both GoodReads and LibraryThing to keep track of books that I have either read or want to read. In LibraryThing I list "grown up" books. By using the tag "to read" I have eliminated myriad pieces of paper with title written on them. To date I have entered only books I've read within the past four months. Evenutally I will add other books that I have read and will upgrade to a paid account. I love being able to see the covers of books. One oddity that I've found is that people can ask to be your friend. I responded to one of these questions and found that the writer was an author and seemed basically out to get people to buy and read his book.

In GoodReads I write reviews of kid and young adult books. I'm still fine tuning the tags and can see that tags can easily become unmanagable. I have created a "date" tag so that I can look up books by the month that I read them. I am just beginning to explore books entered and reviewed by other users. Since I would rather read than write reviews I've tried really hard to keep up on writing reviews. It's still a discipline but I can see how helpful this is. It is just too easy to forget about titiles, even titles that I really liked.

You many look at my LibraryThing list: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/kellyn
To access the GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/

Assignment 3, Good Shelf Thing, 3/30/08-4/5/08

http://www.goodreads.com/
http://www.shelfari.com/

http://www.librarything.com/
1. Check out these 3 sites, which provide a way to keep track of your favorite books, and books you have read, and what other people think of those books.
2. Set up an account in one of these. Add a minimum of 5 books to your account.
3. Search for one or two of your favorite books, and see what other people think of them. Does anyone you know have the same favorites as you do?
4. Post your comments here, telling us how this kind of service could benefit our library, and include a link to your page.

TOBY'S 2.0 SLIDESHOW

For your convenience, here's Toby's slideshow for the GEPL "Library 2.0" inservice presentation:
http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=d64qq4p_119cz8bm5gs&skipauth=true

Warriors Series

FYI--I made a list of the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. There are three separate series now and I find it confusing to discover the order. The list is with other series lists. Do you think this should also be posted by the books?

Cool site when you need a laugh

I stole this site from GE Circ's blog: www.librariandressup.com. It's a total waste of time but good fun.

Assignment 2, IM, 3/23/08-3/29/08

Those of you going to PLA will probably find it easier to complete this "Instant Messaging" assignment before you go!
Sign out of your e-mail and sign into the ComAgent (globe icon labelled "ComAgent" on desktop).
Your ComAgent log-in is the same as your e-mail log-in, and in fact opens your e-mail along with other stuff.
The globe icon appears in the lower right of your screen, near the time and temperature.
Right-click on that globe, and go to "Send an instant message".
1. Is anyone online? Who?
If you don't see any names on that list, you need to "Add to Buddy List". Be sure to add at least everyone who works in your department (for future reference), and add anyone else who is currently working who might IM you for this assignment.
2. IM with someone about your blog favorites, or something related to work.
3. What would you say you like and dislike about instant messaging? (feel free to IM about this too!)
4. Do you think this will be a workable way to answer reference questions?
Be sure to right-click and logout or shut down the ComAgent, or your mail will still be open.

Looking at Blogs and websites

1. I have read “The Shifted Librarian” site since attending a presentation by Jenny Levine. I often do not fully understand her blog entries but I do find them thought provoking. In her most recent entry she recommended an article by O’Reilly entitled “Wheat is Web 2.0.” I found this really helpful, especially the visual charts.
2. I also looked at several of the sites listed in “60 sites in 60 minutes.” I especially like the one called LibSuccess at http://libsuccess.org. This wiki lists everything you would ever study in Library School. (Check it out Amy!) I also enjoyed looking at the links they list for book lists for kids.
3. You might also want to check out two sites that collect book reviews from book groups: www.bookmovement.com and www.book-clubs-resource.com. There are a few young adult titles listed like “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” It was interesting to see how many book clubs and members are reading various titles like “Water for Elephants.”
4. I have listed the kids’ books I’ve recently read on www.goodreads.com. I am slowly typing all the reviews I’ve written into this site. I like being able to see book covers. I’ve already used this site to remind me of books and to recommend books.

I found this great blog on the Olathe Public Library website. Ironically I graduated from a college in Olathe and there was not a public library when I lived there. I like the pictures that accompany the blog entries.
http://www.olathe.lib.ks.us/kidsblog/

Blogs 3/16/08-3/22/08

1. Take a look at these 3 blogs. Share an interesting idea from one of them (include the blog name and date of the interesting post--no repeats!).
"Something Different Every Day": http://blogs.nsls.info/different/
"Youth Services Librarians Unite!": http://youthserviceslib.blogspot.com/
"The Shifted Librarian": http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/
2. If you already have an RSS aggregator (like http://www.bloglines.com/) tell us about one of your feeds.
3. Find one other job-related blog which you think would interest your co-workers, and tell us what you like about it (no repeats!).

Getting started

Youth staff have received an invitation to this blog. Accept the challenge and let the fun begin!