Module #13: Social Bookmarking

I found delicious to be a little confusing at first. Once I figured out how to browse through stacks and links and add links, I could see how it might be a useful tool. While I wouldn't probably use it for myself, I think that libraries could put something like this to good use to create stacks of websites on topics that patrons are interested in.

Module #12: Online Surveys

I have taken many SurveyMonkey surveys, but I did not know they were so easy to create. I made this short survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/36W279R

Module #11: Image Generators

Image generators could be a useful tool for the library. They can be used to create eye-catching images to promote library features and programs within the library and online. They would add an extra added dimension to the visual aspect of items like brochures, posters, or signage.

Module #10: YouTube/Video Sharing

YouTube makes it very easy to search for a video about almost any topic. Just by typing in a single word, many videos related to that word pop up. So the challenge becomes finding what is most relevant to what you want to see. When I typed in "library," one of the first videos was cookie monster visiting the library from an episode of  Sesame Street, and I thought that it would be fun to use for this post.

http://youtu.be/W3ZHPJT2Kp4

I think the main problem with potentially posting videos from the library on a site like YouTube would be that  there are so many videos on any and every subject that the library's would likely be lost among the multitudes of other videos.

Module#9 Virtual Bookshelves

I do have some familiarity with both Goodreads and Librarything because my mom is an avid user. I think that several years ago I opened accounts with both of them at my mom's request, but I never really caught on to it, probably because at the time I tended to buy most of my books and I didn't think I needed an electronic reminder of books I read. Now, years later, I can see more appeal in virtual bookshelves. I would be likely to keep my shelves private, but it would be a useful tool to keep track of books I read, especially those books and ebooks I check out at the library. Either of these would be helpful to library users who already use these tools and would like to connect with other area readers online. I liked Librarything because of the option to keep my account private.

Some books I found on both sites that I would like to read:
Divergent by Veronica Roth
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
New York by Edward Rutherford
Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
Johnathan Strange & Mr Norell by Susanna Clarke

Module#8: Facebook

I do have a Facebook account, although I log in rarely. WHen I logged on I "liked" the Berwyn Public Library in Berwyn Illinois because my mom works there.

I think that using Facebook is a good way to get more information to people who use the website to stay up to date with their communities. Potentially, you could have more patrons utilizing the library and attending programs they may see on the library page. A possible problem could be that some people post distracting or irrelevant messages in response to library posts, or that people who do not use Facebook do not have as much access to information about upcoming events or news. 

Module #7: Twiter

 For my first time using Twitter, I decided to follow some local organizations and some of my favorite sports teams to see what these groups tweet about. I found that the local news channel posted mainly about stories they would talk about in their program, while something like the Chicago Bulls and White Sox posts game updates, team news, and retweets from players and sportswriters on team topics.I think that the news tweets were helpful, especially the weather and traffic alerts, but a lot of the news stories and team tweets were less helpful.

My twitter username is qog525Cara. I am not sure that I would ever want to keep a Twitter account for my personal use. I do not think that microblogging would ever be something I would want to do, especially if I were to have a public account. But for an organization like a library, Twiter could be a useful tool for getting news and updates to patrons quickly and succinctly.