Beyond Method #8

I was really interested to learn how to do the screencasting. When I started to think about it there was so many good uses for this. There has been countless times when we needed directions on how to do something on the computer or with our programs that we run at the circulation desk and our manager would have to go sit down and type out every single step to do something when she could have just done a screencast and been done with it. Also, patrons are constantly asking how to do something on the computer and we have to take the time and go show them every time when we could have just done a screencast.

I decided to go with screenr and do a screencast of how to look up a book or author on the Balch Springs Library website.
http://www.screenr.com/OX1s
I also did a screencast on how to look up your account.
http://www.screenr.com/eX1s

Beyond Method 7

I really enjoyed learning about presentations and differant sites that allow you to make your own. I tried out severalof the differant sites like Google docs and Zoho. I didn't make my own prestentation on either of those, I just used the fake one. Both of these were great tools to use and could be very helpful in teaching or just trying to show people an idea or concept.

My favorite presentation tool was prezi though. I actually started my own presentation with this site. I just liked how easy it was to use and how you could really make it your own. It really was like using a display board and putting everything on there and just pointing to the information you are trying to share when you need to. Here is a link to my prezi that I started.

http://prezi.com/40is-7oqlgzv/balch-springs-library-learning-center/

Beyond Method #6

When I was first introduced to ebooks I thought it was a fabulous idea to incorporate into the library, but the more I learn about them the more difficult I find them to be. I've taken classes on this subject pertaining to libraries. It did rather confuse me as to how we would even go about the whole thing. As I read this and some of the articles linked to it I found I wasn't the only one who was confused. When you try to incorporate ebooks into a library there is so many things you have to take into account. I tried out the http://www.gutenberg.org/. In the lesson it said "do a basic search for a classic or public domain work". The first story I tried to look up was OfMice and Men (which it didn't bring up) then I tried to find The Great Gatsby (which it also did not find) and then I tried 1984 (it also didn't find). I finally tried Jane Eyre and it actually pulled this one up. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1260/1260-h/1260-h.htm but after trying to find all these other classics with no luck I really found this sight to be more of a nusince than anything. I could actually help someone to save a ebook to their device but if they can't find the stroy they're looking for I don't see any need to save anything. In my opinion ebooks are a good at home for personal use idea but as far as incorporating them into libraries I think that there are to many "I don't knows" to do so.

Beyond Method 5

I have something similar to this on my personal facebook page called bookshelf. I do like to read what other people think about some of the books that I have read. I think this would be great to do for a library like some of the other libraries that they showed. The only thing is that you almost have to have more than one moderator for it, because I think it could get really overwhelming trying to keep up with it all by yourself. Overall though, this is a great idea and if you have the people and time to do this it could be a very positive and helpful tool at the library. I'm sure the patrons would love to have other peoples feedback on some of the books they plan on reading before hand.

Beyond Method 4

In todays society it is so hard to find a job if you don't have basic computer skills at the very least. Most companies only hire from online applications and resumes. Unless your computer savey your gonna have a very difficult time looking for a job in this day and age. I can't tell you how many times a day patrons come up to me asking me to help them with some part of the job searching process weather it be logging in or seting up an email. These websites mentioned in this lesson should be posted everywhere in any public library. I even checked out these sites and took some quizes and learned some things that I didn't know. At our library we offer a free basic computer class to patrons that consist of 2/2hr classes. In this class they learn how to use a mouse, how to surf the web, how to set up an email, and a few other things.

Beyond Method 3

I have to say if it weren't for Google maps I would probably be lost some where right now. I use Google maps all the time. The very first thing I do when I'm going somewhere I've never been before is look it up on there. So I definitely believe using Google maps for the library is a great idea. I'm pretty sure that this library has been on Google maps for quite a while now. Here is the link to it.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210440450017895466572.0004a89a244dab01d23ea&msa=0&ll=32.719254,-96.612723&spn=0.003146,0.004801

Beyond Method #2

I really looked into both iGoogle and Netvibes and overall I really liked Netvibes better. Although they are similar in their overall functioning, iGoogle just seemed more generic to me. I really liked how your could connect everything on Netvibes and not have to worry about logging in and out to get to your other accounts. I am just amazed at the advances that they have made in the computer world that you can check your email, facebook, twitter, news, and everything else you need to do, all from the same page. You log into one account and have everything you need to know right there. I also believe this is an excellent tool to use in the library to keep everyone (staff' and patrons) all connected.