I was really impressed with the myriad ways libraries are using Flickr on their websites. I was especially taken with the "celebrity" read posters of local residents reading their favorite books. I think the virtual tours and coverage of events at the library are great, but our problem is qualified staff to keep our website relevant. None of our staff are computer gurus and our website could use some updating. Do most libraries have a staff member whose main responsibility is the website or is it done by whoever has the time?

RSS and Readers

Wow - I have to say, I would have never taken the time to delve into this technology because I'm not big into reading blogs, but this is great!! I especially like the idea of having patrons receiving reader's advisory at home via this system. I signed up for a historical fiction reader's review and it is fantastic.

Obviously, the time saving element is critical for the popularity of this system. I have at least 2-3 sites I check daily for news, gossip, etc. and this makes that much easier.

First Blog Experience

This is my first experience at blogging. I've had limited experiences in the past reading blogs authored by seasoned librarians and used some of their ideas in my coursework. I had no reason to author a blog of my own - was never quite sure what I would say. But, this was exceptionally easy to set up and free (what's better than free!!).

I have no doubt that there are hundreds of blogs that would be of interest to me in my job as well as hobbies, but I don't know that I would have the time to keep up with the reading. What are some of the strategies others use to get the timely benefits of blogs while utilizing their time to the utmost?

Lifelong Learning

After viewing the tutorial on the 7 1/2 characteristics of lifelong learners, I definitely felt that my forte was #2 - Accept responsibility for your own learning. I just recently graduated with my MLS which was done exclusively online. Without accepting responsibility for my learning, I wouldn't have been able to complete this mammoth task as I was accountable only to myself for the most part.

On the flip side, the characteristic I have the most difficulty with is #3 - view problems as challenges. With the stresses of being a wife, mother, and employee, it is exceptionally difficult to look at problems as learning experiences. I would prefer my life to move as smoothly as possible and the snafus kept to a minimum.