Folksonomies & Tagging

I can see some real value in using del.icio.us to build and add to a set of bookmarks with shared input and without the complications of copying & updating to everyone's computers. Gavin from Noosa Library has exported the Noosa Library bookmarks to del.icio.us so that reference staff at other libraries can use them and also add to them.

I am impressed with the National Library of Australia's AskNow Delicious cloud tag.

I have set up a del.icio.us account and bookmarked some of my favourite beading suppliers just to get the idea.

RSS Feeds

I have registered with Bloglines and subscribed to OPAL training, Alianet newsfeeds, The Shifted Librarian and Katie's Beading Blog. It's great that information is just gathered there for me. Now I just need to remember to logon and find some time to read all this stuff....

Social Networking

I now have Flickr, Facebook and Twitter accounts, but I'm not too sure what to do with them. My daughter studies while also chatting with friends on Facebook. It's an integral part of her student and social life. So I'm sure there are opportunities there for libraries to connect with young people through social networking. Congratulations go to Mel who has added Facebook, Twitter and Flickr to the Sunshine Coast Libraries website to provide new formats for promoting library services and events.

Wikis

I found my way to wikis that present library marketing ideas, success stories and recommendations for books, including book trailers.

Libraries are also using wikis for subject guides, community information, local history and for staff intranets and procedure manuals. I am a member of the Reference Action Team and have suggested a wiki for sharing information, ideas, stories and experiences within the team, and with links to the existing intranet. We need an application like this that is embedded in our everyday work activity and gives us an opportunity to apply and practice using new technologies.

Our budgies

Here's a photo of our budgies. Gem is the white and blue one and Fluffy is the yellow and green one. They are both tame and have some free flying time around the house every day. Gem is a chatter box and tries to charm Fluffy with lines like 'Hello gorgeous' and 'Pretty budgie boy'.

Budgies

I found this gorgeous photo titled 'Rainbow of budgies' by fibroblast in the Flickr Creative Commons.

Computer Lesson

Today I presented a computer lesson to a group of adult learners, some of them absolute beginners. Just getting coordinated on using the mouse is a challenge for beginners. Playing a game of Solitaire is a good way to practice and have some fun at the same time. The Mousing Around tutorial gives some clear explanations and practice exercises.