First of all I just want to say… go the jitter bug dancing.



I did as the first discover activity for week 7 suggests, go and search for the library on YouTube.


I’ll tell you what I learnt… I would have so liked to be around when jitterbug was cool, cause that dancing looks like fun!!


Anyway on to more serious concerns.

Explore:Blog about your discoveries in both YouTube and Google video [hint try searching Mosman Library]. What possibilities can you think of for your organisation?

I like the guide to using the library. That is something that I think the State Reference Library could do with. A step-by-step video which walks clients through the process of finding the catalogue computers are, how to request books and where to pick them up.

I suggest this simply because when I work at the request desk I often have to go through my spiel (sp?) several times. Maybe if this information is online (and somewhere easy to find online) then clients would come to the library a little more prepared.

Another possibility would be maybe producing a video which introduces some of the staff to clients. Say grab a Librarian from Mitchell, one for SRL, a Library technician, Library assistant, and someone from security. Have each person introduce themselves and their role. Have them talk about how they are there to help the public and where you are likely to find them in the library (e.g. behind the desk, out roving, or at the entrance.) If this were posted on both the state library’s website it may give the library a more personable appearance.


Just to wind up I want to try the Adventure module and embed a video clip.

Here goes….. (Oh and I thought that I should include this video, because the start shows what I’m like when ever I go into the Mitchell reading room!!
However, I will warn those who are faint-of-heart not to watch from about half way through. While I sat there cringing I was also thinking… I know I’m going to end up doing something like that in the future!!!)

Woops sorry I should have put in a bit of an introduction of that post.

This is in answer to the Explore questions for week 6.

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?

They appear to be a handy way to look at all the news that I want to catch up on. With the benefit that I don’t have to go to each individual site to see what is new. This is especially handy because I get frustrated when I go looking for something new and it turns out that there is nothing new. It saves me a lot of time.


What sites did you select for your RSS reader?

Ahhh….ABC News
Beyond the Button
Powerhouse Museum
Talking pistures (which I found on the SMH list)
and “nsentance web 2.0’s” blog


How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your work?

I’m not sure about this one… I guess that it makes it possible to get the most up to date information.I think I’ll have to think about it


How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
By providing it the library would enable clients to find out what the latest news from the library is… Closures, events, etc. but they could also provide space for people to comment about material that they have used at the library.


Did you find any good examples of other library, or other relevant, blogs?

While I didn’t have a look at it when I added the RSS feeds, LibraryBytes is a really interesting blog. Not only does it offer information about new things, but it puts up thoughtful images, interesting video’s, and other such odds and ends. I think this is different to the other major blogs that we have looked at because it offers subscribers a rang of things. This blog keeps things interesting.

Which week are we up to now… Ahhh.. week 6.

Wow almost half way.

I am proud to announce that I have managed to do the RSS thing and I am now following several blogs through Google reader.

You know it really makes me wonder how my Boss’ think that I’m going to get any work done now that I have such easy access to news blogs and the like.

Mind you I did read in Mx (yes I do read that) the other week that employees who spend up to something like 20% of their time online surfing the net, are more productive, then those who don’t.

So hopefully catching up on Blogs counts as surfing the net.Any who, I shall make a more serious post when I have a bit more time (I have to run off and get my flu jab now!).

I thought that I better stop in and let you know that I have managed the first task with the RSS feeds