Task #10: New Website

Wow! Way to go website team! You all spent lots of time and energy creating the website. Thank you so much.

I really liked the "How Do I?" tab, providing patrons a quick guide to help orient them. Also, I was happy to see that there is a specific section just for mobile resources and apps, and that it is fairly easy to find. Furthermore, I think our blogs will get much more attention now that they are in a more prominent position, and not buried. Another great feature is the new books slideshow. Since I'm a visual person, it catches my eye, and I like that you simply have to click on a book to find its catalog entry. Lastly, the new website calendar is must more user-friendly from the administrative side. Can't wait to try out the reservation feature.

Task #9: Universal Class

The new database looks fantastic! I'm really excited to use it for my own enrichment and to show patrons as well. Once I have more free time, I would be interested in signing up for the classes about Excel 2007 and Creating Web Pages. I might even check out a cooking class (...maybe). As far as patrons go, the test prep section looks pretty extensive, and teachers would be interested in the teacher tools - possibly even for continuing education credit. The parent classes look good, too. I saw the sections for homeschooling and parenting skills. I love, love that it's free after signing up!

Task #8 Español LibGuide

Well, I missed three questions - one of them I didn't read correctly and the other two, I didn't look at the LibGuide closely enough. It's too bad I couldn't make it to the computer training.

I am really impressed by how much information, detail, and time has been devoted to the Spanish LibGuide. I love that you can translate it into other languages as well - very helpful for assisting patrons who speak other languages also. I will show Spanish speakers the LibGuide so that can find out more about what the library has to offer. (Side note: Loved Google Translate already, but never knew you could translate whole websites! Cool.)

Task #7: Cloud Computing - Google Docs and Dropbox

After reading the article and watching the videos, I was more interested in Dropbox. I like the idea of accessing the same files through different computers or my phone (when I get an iphone that is :) ). I could see Dropbox being really useful for people who travel a bunch or have their own businesses - it's a workaholic's dream.

Google Docs seems useful for doing projects and sharing remotely with people. For example, students doing online coursework, like myself, probably get a lot of use out of it. I haven't had the occasion yet, because we've used wikis and blackboard software, but I'm sure I'll get to use it for some future group project.

Task #6: Helping Patrons

I liked the quiz, especially the part about researching different names for French fries - "freedom fries and artery cloggers". :) I was surprised by the last question's answer - the part about booking a librarian to help a patron start up a business in addition to the other resources. It's a good idea, but I think I would first feel out the situation and see if she wanted the additional help.

My question:

A teen is looking for horror books, any horror books, and he's not interested in the Twilight saga. Where could you find some good teen horror titles using our resources?

a. Type "horror fiction" and do a subject search in the catalog, scrolling down just for teen.

b. Click on the teen tab and find the Goodreads account. Next browse Shanna's teen list called "teen-dark-fiction supernatural".

c. Use Novelist K-8 Plus and browse through the "horror" list.

d. One of these, or a combination of a,b,c.

Extra Credit #2: A Google A Day

1. I thought the Google A Day exercise was fun, primarily because my question was about Roman mythology. I really enjoy mythology. Today, I learned that Zeus threw a titan under Mount Etna in Sicily - a really important piece of information I'll need some day. :) No, but seriously, it was interesting to read about.

I have used the advance search in Google before, and always found it helpful. I need to remember to use it more often.

2. I would like to be entered into the drawing for the $100 gift certificate. Thanks.

Task #5: Chilton Library

Well, accessing the Chilton database is definitely easy. I looked up information on my car - a '94 Honda Accord. I was hoping to find out why my car beeps occasionally, as if the keys are left in the ignition or the lights are on. Neither of these scenarios are the case, and my car just beeps at me when I open the door. The Chilton information is mostly on how to repair systems, and not general manual information, though. (I don't have an owner's manual, unfortunately.) Anyway, I guess I need to take to the shop...

I like the fact that patrons have access to this information at home - while they're in the middle of repairing their car, and they don't have to drop everything, come the library, and hopefully find the right repair diagram. This is very convenient - I think more people would use this database, if they knew about.