I’m supposed to what with my wiki?

I had a little trouble getting my wiki to work.  First I started a book review on a page where the previous user was logged in, and couldn’t erase the mistake because I didn’t have editing rights.  Then I didn’t have the account verification I thought I had and couldn’t get the tabs to work.  Finally got the review on, though, and that process seemed just like the one used to add book reviews to the library’s web page.  Our book review page does seem like the logical use for libraries, as well as answers to common questions, such as a communal FAQ page.  Since the start-up wasn’t smooth for me, I can see that the administrators or moderators of wikis may have to spend time trouble-shooting.  Is it hard to get someone to stay with that job?

1 comment November 25, 2008

IM

I asked a gardening question to AskAway and got good information, but felt a little awkward about this new format.  Without seeing the other party or having their voice on the phone, there aren’t the little prompts that tell you they’re listening, they understand the question, etc.  I also brought along my reluctance to give another librarian a hard time, so wasn’t as persistent as I could have been for specific answers to specific questions.  To me, the value of this service is the availability 24/7 for patrons needing help when libraries are closed.  I can also see this format being comfortable for the shy or introverted who want to be anonymous.

Greatly enjoyed the AIM Acronym Dictionary – it included some old fashioned and polite phrases, like BITD Back in the day, and YW, you’re welcome.  My children are too old to have had internet as teenagers, but I’m sure they would have used CD9, Code 9:Parent nearby and POS Parent over shoulder.  It would be justice for them to have to deal with it with their own children.

Add a comment November 20, 2008

Podcasts

I’ve never tried these before, but I’m going to love it! I’m a huge NPR fan. Not only do I use an MP3, but it would be fun to listen to something if I have boring computer work to do.  Betty, can we sit at the Ref Desk with earbuds on?

Right now I’m listening to guys who write for the Onion – hilarious!  http://odeo.com/episodes/22058582-The-Onion-Meet-the-Author

I can see a library use for this.  Book talks, the current events group that meets here, even the special events around One Book Everybody Reads.  I suppose we have to have permission from participants to make these recordings available.  This may connect us to patrons who don’t get into the library much.

1 comment November 6, 2008