Techno Librarian

Here’s a great site that I think is a great example of what you could do with blogging.  Although this particular site is in a format I’m nott sure what to call, the idea readily transfers to a regular blog site.  Each day brings a new link to “…the
latest library news, good reads on the web, and other valuable
resources that a library knowledge worker should know about.”  The particular focus of the links could be up to you.  One idea might be to rotate among the content areas (math, social studies, language arts, etc.) Using the categories on your blog, all the links related to a particular content area could viewed together.  Another idea might be to post links to reading-related sites.  You’ve got the ideas, you know what’s needed in your school.  Go for it!

Library Link of the Day

technorati tags:library, links

Free computer books are available from inpics.net.  I like free stuff, and if it’s relevant to my learning something new, even better.  Primarily picture-based, there are quite a few of these to choose from.  In particular, you might be interested in books on Microsoft Office, Windows XP or Mac OS X Tiger.  The books are in pdf format, so you’ll need Acrobat or if you’re on the Mac, Preview should take care of it.  The site says it’s a limited time offer, so get it while you can!  Click the link below to go to the site.

In Pictures: Computer books based on pictures, not text.

technorati tags:computer, learning, inpics.net

ListerLister is a social site that lets you create a list that you and others can add to, edit, tag, and rate.  Lists appear to be mostly “Top 5, 10, 20,… something”.

You could, for example, create a list of the top 10 favorite books or websites on a particular topic.  I don’t know how far something like this can go, but it is something I haven’t seen elsewhere.  I didn’t find any lists about books, so here’s your chance!

technorati tags:listerlister, lists, web_2.0

Meredith Farkas’ posted on the 21st century librarian and the necessary skills. She says,

“what I really think library schools aren’t teaching students is the “big picture” topics; how to really be able to keep up with technology, make good decisions about its implementation, use it and sell it to others.”

I agree with her list of competencies:

1. Ability to embrace change

2. Comfort in the online medium

3. Ability to troubleshoot new technologies

4. Ability to easily learn new technologies

5. Ability to keep up with new ideas in technology and librarianship (enthusiasm for learning)

I believe this goes for teacher training, as well. In the K-12 setting, I particularly see this need as we librarians often serve as technology leaders and/or troubleshooters in some capacity.

There exists arguments to the effect that the library and librarians are (or will be soon) unnecessary. I disagree; although we have available the technology to find most, if not all, of our information needs the public still lacks the ability to efficiently find, evaluate and use that information. I continue to see that in our students. There’s an information illiteracy that we as librarians are needed to address. The best way for us to address it is through these competencies that Meredith lays out. I, as so many others who commented on her post, received very minimal technology training in library school, which for me was 2000-2002.

Read her post, as well as the comments and her continued post(s) on the topic.

Information Wants To Be Free » Blog Archive » Skills for the 21st Century Librarian

technorati tags:meredith_farkas, 21st_century, librarian

I have yet to get very involved in taking digital photos and participating in the likes of Flicker, although I do have an account. I would look to getting more involved in terms of integrating photos with my blogging and websites, both at school and personal. I’m involved in our school website and we do get a lot of pictures taken. One of the issues with that is the editing of photos and downsizing them for posting on the website. The editing requirements aren’t huge, and I’ve used iPhoto in the past. Adobe Lightroom looks to provide some capabilities between iPhoto and Picasa and more professional programs such as Adobe Photoshop. As I become more involved in taking photos, I may look to try Lightroom.

One thing that I find is that it’s hard to know what program is right for you until you try them. I don’t always seem to know what else I can do, or what I could do better, until I discover it through trying out the various programs. What I often say about technology, and will probably say repeatedly here, is that you’ve got to try things. Most of my knowledge and experience comes simply from my exposure, practice, and subsequent experience with technology.

Lightroom looks like great (free) photo editing software. I hope to check it out soon and be able to give some more specifics. Check out the post below for screen shots, and check out the Lifehacker blog while you’re there.

The Lifehacker Post:

Download of the Day: Adobe Lightroom Beta

technorati tags:photography, software, adobe, lightroom

Blogging for Beginners

This looks like a great series on understanding blogging.  It comes from the Pro Blogger site by Darren Rowse in Australia.  His site is primarily about making money via blogging.  The page linked here has a list of the topics covered in this series, so you can pick and choose your topics.  The Intro topics look particularly good:

Introductory Posts

• What is a Blog?
• 23 Questions for Prospective Bloggers – Is a Blog Right for You?
• How to Choose a Niche Topic for Your Blog
• Choosing a Blog Platform
• Choosing a Domain Name for your Blog
• Blog Tools

I found this site by way of a post on Beth’s Blog.

technorati tags:blogging, darren_rowse, problogger