Thing #2 - What is Web 2.0 and Why Should I Care?

Re: the Stephen Abram video - I don't deny that the "Web 2.0" tools Stephen Abram talks about are useful. I think librarians had best be aware of them and be thinking about how they can help you do serve the patron even better. I look forward to doing this. It's really hard for me to get terribly excited about them though - perhaps I'm just getting old (34 years) and stodgy already.

Re: the John Blyberg blog post - In one sense, I have no trouble with phrases like "Library 2.0 [is] more interactive, collaborative, and driven by community needs" and "[about] making the library relevant", but on the other hand, as a parent for example, I'm sure if my 5-year old knew the word "relevant", I'd find out that I wasn't. Maybe if I let him play more video games...

As far as I am concerned, most public libraries as they exist are not perfect, but *already are relevant* (I *trust* this *and the librarians who think this*) and part of our being librarians means convincing others that this is the case (even as we adapt with new tools - I am not a risking, innovative, "cutting edge" kind of guy, but will adopt proven tools as soon as I see what they can do). If we can't do that, perhaps we deserve to die before a rebirth from the ashes. The truth is that we all currently have a lot to be thankful for, even if it doesn't seem so relevant to us. If that's a losing battle and I get no seconds on that sentiment, perhaps I misjudged what libraries represented and got in the wrong profession.

Re: use of my time, my sentiment is that I would rather just read a book re: matters that seem more important to me (history, science, politics, philosophy, theology), all the while believing that this will help me serve the patron better. Here comes into play the whole idea of the importance of the liberal arts, rhetoric, being a well-rounded person, etc.

Of course this is true. And of course this is something that is being lost to many in our profession (even as we flail about re: things like "information literacy", etc.). But of course this doesn't preclude my jumping into "Web 2.0". I know I must experience these tools (again I find blogs, for example, great – I am subscribed to over 160!). I know I must learn more programming. I know life changes and am excited about that fact. In any case, I'm at about a 4 (out of 10) on the excitement meter right now. I don't have the zealousness that some folks do (at least in this area). Again, playing with technology without having a real purpose and goal in mind seems about as exciting as having my teeth pulled.

Thing #1 - Getting started (blog and avatar)

Today I took some time to start my blog and make my avatar. In all honesty, I did not learn much from this. I personally experienced the fact that making a blog is super easy, which I had heard it was. I found myself a bit frustrated with the Yahoo! avatar thing, as I was left wondering why they didn't have a wider array of faces and body structures to choose from - it seemed a little bit stifling. :)

Re: blogs, I have been an avid blog-reader for some time and am always amazed at how persons find time to post what they do, as the most prolific bloggers sometimes manage several posts a day. I am quite thankful for all of the library bloggers who take the time to experience, reflect, and write down their thoughts for the rest of us. It has been a great way to learn new things and stay on top of things.

I don't see myself as continuing the career of blogger beyond the "23 things" project, but we'll see how it goes.

23 things on a stick

Well, I have good intentions at least. In order to keep up with the latest tech - diving in, so to speak - I am going to complete 23 things on a stick. About me and technology: I don't get terribly excited about it. I do find it to be quite important though. I want to use technology to accomplish jobs I would like to get done, but I understand that if the more familiar I am with these tools (and techniques they offer), the more likely it is that I will discover other possibilities as I go along...