The end?

Yes, it's good to be at the end of this training......I have found it interesting and time consuming to say the least.  Most of my exercises I have had to do at home as I only work part time and when I am there my time is completely consumed with work responsibilities.  I have had fantastic support from KFL where I only work occassionally, but KFL's manager gave me an enormous amount of support in the beginning and allowed me time on my days there to get some blog entries under my belt....heart felt thanks to K.....I really value your support. The workload was far greater than we were encouraged to believe......although I remember thinking when I read, 'Just a few minutes' ...mmmm not sure how much I will learn in a few minutes! I have learned an enormous amount and been challenged to explore some thoughts and ideas about where the Web 2 'thing' is going, how I and my family (esp my children) will and do fit into it, and have questioned whether I really want MY Library to embrace this technology or not.  I am tired at the end of it all......a little jaded, slightly weary and wondering whether I can really tackle that study I want to do next year.....I do rely on my computer and the internet for so many things now but I have such a connection to the earth and wonder whether all those bloggers out there are missing out on person to person, life to life communication. My only regret is not having the energy to make my blog posts anything worth noticing.....Thanks for the opportunity to be involved and the opportunity to continue my daily quest for life long learning.  Cheers

Downloadable Audiobooks....who'd have thought it!

I remember discussions some time ago about e books....and I remember thinking they wouldn't be a big thing for me because my 'bad' eyesight makes it tiring and challenging to read anything of great length on the computer. But Audiobooks and downloadable ones at that are a fantastic development, although there are times when the reader and I just don't hit it off!!  Seriously though, I can see a reasonably significant place for the availability of downloadable audiobooks in Libraries, even our local branch.  We have so many people who access our computers and use MP3 players and so many people who access the 'talking books', I can just imagine some of our regulars plugging in and downloading an  audiobook. But like everything which sounds fantastic in the Web 2 environment, seeing...or in this case hearing is believing, and only quality product will be taken up....so if great books are produced with great readers...downloadable audiobooks might just prosper.

Podcasting, The Podcaster and the Podcastee....?

I'm a podcaster, or should that be a podcastee....anyway, I have listened to lots of radio programs via podcasting at different times of the day and night.  I enjoy many radio programs but find it impossible to listen to them when they are actually 'live to air'. I discovered podacasting a fantastic tool to enable me to have some small pleasures when all was quiet in my house....when all the children are asleep.....so Margaret Throsby's morning interview is a favourite....featuring wonderful individuals and beautiful and interesting music; Phillip Adams Late Night Live is another thought provoking program and also Ramona Kovals Books and Writing (I found this via Podcast Alley).....however to subscribe on Bloglines to these has been a challenge.  Only Late Night Live actually links to actual feeds, where as the other 2 say there are no feeds available, even though when looking on the website there is a RSS or POD symbol and script, but it just doesn't seem to work.  Anyway, I have tried to find out why and seems the only explanation is unavailability at the time or something of this nature.....I don't have the energy to keep researching at the moment, so will just add that I think our Goldfields Library Website could benefit from some podcasts of author interviews or book reviews. 

The YouTube Stampede

I have received many Youtubes in emails over the last 6 monthes or so.  Looking around the sight itself doesn't really inspire me....I guess in someway I find alot of it 'voyeuristic'.  The problem for me is often that it is so overwhelming looking for something of interest when there are often 1000's of different items on the same subject....I really don't have the time or the interest in this medium to keep searching. I can see that our Library Corporation website could post some Youtube video's on some of the local events that have occured, special storytime and holiday events, or possibly reviews or accounts of books that have been been big for the borrowers. Personally  I have found one which I have laughed and laughed at....it's about mothering and although it's truely American, the sentiment for me is very strong as I try so hard to 'teach' my children to get through childhood!!......I spent 5 years in America and I loved it.....I have a strong connection to people and places in America and although I don't agree politically, neither do the majority of Americans....I appreciate this song and laughed alot and I guess in essence that's what alot of the YouTubes stuff is about.