Thing #25

Thanks for providing this opportunity to learn new technologies! I had used mapquest so I felt comfortable exploring google maps. 12200 N St 68508 is, of course, the Library Commission site. Exploring Moscow, Russia was a real treat! My brother lived there for many years until 10 years ago. Wouldn't it have been great to have had access to this technology while he was so far away from his family? We're more glad to have him home than any technology could provide. Iceland was interesting. I want to visit Smith Falls near Valentine. We go north often to play and need to include some variety to our trips. Viewing motels in any city would certainly help make wiser choices concerning accomodations. In my general search of libraries in Nebraska, there was no mention of North Platte Public Library. We need to do something about that! My husband and I are going to Washington DC in September so I thoroughly enjoyed using google features to explore the sites we plan to visit. Our summer trip will be to St. Louis via Amtrak from Kansas City so I will be using this technology to make the most of our time there. Google maps is an excellent tool for travel - even for finding routes from our motel to the Convention Center at LaVista for scheduled NLA meetings and the NLA conference in the fall.

The Nebraska State Capitol is located at the address of 1445 K Street 68509. The 3 cars that I saw were red, blue, and white. For mapping travel, I like to use the map view, however, I like to see the street view to locate landmarks. Using both, clarifies and makes following directions more accurate. Satellite view is especially interesting. I found my house and my youngest son's home which is close to ours. I want to look for my oldest son's house in Overland Park, KS. I used street view for Eiffel Tower, Paris, France and Random Street in Japan. I didn't see any kangaroos - maybe I'm expecting too much - maybe I'll try again. It was fun to see Carhenge via the satellite.

In the search for my library, I did find it. Using google maps, I just put in North Platte Public Library. The marker is pretty close. It's a bit farther east that our actual site. I didn't edit since I know others from my library will be viewing that site. The URL of our library is not there. I found one review posted 02/16/2006.

The feature I liked best is the aerial views via satellite. The most useful is probably google maps for driving and then street view which verifies landmarks to assure that we are on the right path. I plan to make a customized map for our visit to St. Louis.

I did not embed a map on our library's website. I think that would be in the technology department area. We do use google maps at our North Platte Public Library. The circulation manager uses googlemaps to verify addresses of people applying for library cards.

Thing #24

When I first twittered NPPL (North Platte Public Library), I found nothing (somewhere along the line - probably quite by accident, I came upon some very outdated information, at least 12-14 years old, some dating back to 1995). Then our computer techie put out some news about our library's Brown Bag Luncheon. Yeah, Terri! This information certainly made me want to attend the luncheon and Beki Probst's presentation. I guess that's what we need to do to initiate comments from our patrons. Perhaps, they don't even know that they can make their views known via this format. I did respond to the twitter message. We do need to make our patrons aware of this opportunity.
Google-Alerts were used to keep me informed about the North Platte Public Library, Josh Groban, and events at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts. I can access that daily through google email. Daily is more often than necessary so that will change eventually, after I've used it for a while.

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning requires much practice so I am redoing and reviewing the 23 Things starting at the very beginning with the 7 1/2 Habits. I have been away from these lessons long enough to realize that I hurried through the completion to meet the requirements for CE hours. Thank you for offering this course again at a slower pace so that each "thing" can be thoroughly practiced for a good length of time to assure greater comprehension. Better communication using technology is my goal. I know that each learner has a unique style and preference. These learning styles need to be honored and my tech support is certainly showing me that respect with their patient guidance. Attitude IS everything and I want to be more independent in redoing these lessons. I want to be able to think through the instructions and try to understand the assignments more on my own. One tool I must use is to write down directions, practice, practice, practice and then implement that skill without notes. I cannot always rely on my memory without much rote memorization. That's why I must do, do, do. Insecurities concerning technology can be overcome. Our technical support is generous with their time and attention, however, I need to let them get their work done. So . . . . with a little persistence and an attitude of fun, I am eager to LEARN the 23 Things through Nebraska Learns 2.0.

Nebraska Learns 2.0: Thing #23

My favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey was learning to use YouTube. That's when I finally felt I was really playing, and I felt a bit guilty about it too, I might add. Technology makes me nervous. I was surprised I could figure out some of the lessons with little or no "babysitting". My "techie" friends were very patient. I was surprised that I could be of assistance to a coworker - actually, that's when one finds out what has or has not been learned. Working from my computer at home is much easier than using my work computer. Since ours is a gmail address, many processes seemed more automatic than trying to get through all the safeguards at our library.

I am not technologically savvy enough to make recommendations for changing the format or concept. I certainly would need to participate in any other discovery programs. This timing was excellent for me (November and December) since I have no Teen programming during December. I could, then, devote the large blocks of time I needed to complete the 23 Things. I knew I HAD to be done before the new year started since I go back to my busy library routine in January.

I'm hoping that the "23 Things" stay on the website so that I can go back to redo and review. I learned a lot - but then, I had a lot to learn. I feel more secure in trying new technology strategies. Thanks for offering Nebraska Learns 2.0. I do appreciate the chance to learn anything which will be helpful in my work at the library.

Nebraska Learns 2.0: Thing #22

Our city firewall blocks many sites so I couldn't RSS feed the Yalsa site I wanted, however, this net site, was accessible so I used it. It has to do with book reviews so it would be good for library use. http://www.netnebraska.org/radio/all_about_books.xml Although podcasts are very similar to Youtube, I find Youtube easier to access at our library. I also cannot access Bloglines because of our city firewall, but I can RSS feed through my google account. Today, January 7, I worked with podcast sites from home. I listened to President Elect Obama's weekly radio address on an ABC News podcast. Also I listened to The Economist, Matthew Bishop on "Philanthropy: How the Rich Can Save the World". Listening to NPR is quite pleasant. Entire concerts can be heard. "Brian Wilson in Concert" was fun to listen to while getting ready for my work day. I didn't transfer any podcasts to a portable device. Also I have subscribed to "Word to Mouth". It is a podcast of women's novels and non-fiction/author interviews and book reviews. It was very easy to subscribe as it had a link to google reader. My home computer is more user-friendly than having to deal with the city firewall.

Nebraska Learns 2.0: Thing #21

Where was I in the 70's? I had not seen those commercials. I was raising children - no time for fun and games except the "kid" kind. And then there's the twist! Hooray for the harmony of music in the 60's - BC (before children). I have totally enjoyed this Thing #21. I am now certainly into this "play". Soon, I must resume my regular library work. I will try to copy the code and paste into my blog Celine Dion and Josh Groban singing The Prayer. I added a Jersey Boys video to practice the procedure.

Nebraska Learns 2.0: Thing #20

Discovering Web 2.0 tools - I'm getting into this "play"!! What a plethora of possibilities! Our city firewall blocks the fun and games sites, but they let me go to the cocktail builder - interesting! "My Heritage" would be useful at the library for genealogists. "Geni" would help families construct their tree and family history. I couldn't figure out Pandora - maybe the city was blocking that site too.
Etsy was interesting and fun to view and perhaps purchase handmade items. The wide array of internet technologies and sites still boggles my mind. The possibilities are endless. Perhaps this will "empower" me in my computer life.