#23 - The Final Frontier

For me, the most important result of going through the Learning 2.0 process has been the opportunity to be guided step by step through so many new resources, and to see what they can do for you and for your library. The pace of technological change is so rapid that it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the advent of more and more options; you feel a bit like "Alice in Wonderland" running faster and faster to stay in the same place, uncomfortably aware that you're slipping behind in the change process.

This programme has picked out the best and most universal applications and given us concrete examples of what they do and who uses them well; that's been inspiring for us and at our library we are already planning to implement some Web 2.0 options. We are talking blogs, podcasts, Delicious bookmarks, Library Thing and much more.

Sometimes I used to look at the web pages of big US libraries and get envious about the staff, money and time they had to put their fabulous pages together but the participative nature of Web 2.0 means we can use so many of these resources for no cost. You don't need to pay licence fees for Delicious or Library Thing or any of the other programmes, all you need are enthusiastic staff who are confident with Web 2.0 and all its possibilities- and Learning 2.0 has certainly made sure of that.

#22 E-Audiobooks

I have listened to audiobooks in the past and have happy memories of Garrison Keillor enlivening the long drive to Goondiwindi one year, with lurid tales of the misdeeds of Lutheran ministers or Norwegian bachelor farmers from Lake Wobegon. ( I've just found there are weekly Lake Wobegon podcasts, so I've subscribed to those too.) Long ago I bought two LP's (that dates me) of Ezra Pound and T.S.Eliot reading their own poetry, and both of those LPs ended up in the attic because I have nothing I can play them on now.
The Gutenberg "Human Voice" collection has some gems, like the Conan Doyle stories. The computer voice is not nearly so appealing but if I were visually impaired what a bonus it would be to have a list of over 2,000 titles to choose from, and I'm sure you would get used to the voice just for the pleasure of having a wonderful book made available to you. Having said that, both podcasts and (especially) audio books make you appreciate the skills of the speakers and actors; it's a gift to be able to speak or read a part so well.
I also liked the idea of "sample chapters" being available so that you can try out a book before you buy or borrow it: inevitably, it's a lot more effort to download a whole book rather than just borrow it, so why not see if you really like it first?

#21 Podcasts

I've had a look at various Podcast directories, and have listened to some very interesting downloads. It seems to me there is a tremendous opportunity here for libraries to network events such as speakers to other locations. Especially with the distance issues - not many people would drive from Mildura to Mornington to hear a famous author speak about their work; but lots of people could listen to it from anywhere in the country. I always miss Phillip Adams on the ABC as I am at work from 4-5pm and usually asleep by the time the show comes on at night, but now I have him at my command via Bloglines. Another staff member (Vamp Girl - have you met her? She casts no shadow) showed me the podcasts available from the Library of Congress; talk about Big Names eg. Ken Burns, Terry Pratchett and David Baldacci just for starters.

#20 Can I You Tube

There was so much brilliant stuff on You Tube - not to mention all the dross - that I spent hours looking for some clips, and have come up with a winner. One thing that struck me was how vital production values are; amateur clips are mostly grim to watch, with people standing in front of doorways in bad lighting, waiting for a signal from their cameraman to start, or even worse, filming themselves. Presentation is vital; if we ever used this - for instance, for demonstrating library resources, you'd have to have professional actors and producers.

It was difficult to pick a favourite; I kept looking at the clip about the kitchen from "Withnail and I" and excerpts from "Black Books" but here's the winner:

"Reading is for Losers" featuring the wonderful Catherine Tate: 6 minutes of hilarity. Where can I buy a sonic screwdriver?

Favourites from Web 2.0.
Silly favourite has to be "The Cocktail Builder" where you can design your own cocktails from the contents of your "bar"; interesting mixtures come to mind from my cupboards, like a 10 year crusty bottle of Green Ginger Wine - would that be good mixed up with my son's Stella, and a bit of cough mixture added in for that syrupy effect? maybe garnished with an umbrella?

For real work-related options, I thought Yahoo's "Upcoming" was impressive, with a decent coverage of Melbourne events; the "Medstory" search was useful too.

Zoho Writer

Dickens has a wonderful character called Mrs Hominy, a lady with literary leanings, who has her work published "with all the indignation in capitals, and all the sarcasm in italics" - she'd have loved Zoho.

This has been fun; and I can see how it could be very useful too; being able to share, store and edit documents online, and not to have to worry about different versions of Office etc. One more thing - what are wingdings for? Who uses them?