It really does come in handy! September 24, 2007
Posted by Grabill Librarian in blogs, google, mp3.Tags: blogs, google, mp3
2 comments
In the last two weeks, I have been asked several questions about 2.0 applications on the web. First, a patron asked about saving his work from Microsoft Word, and having talked to this patron before, I took the chance to ask if he had Gmail. He said yes, and I proceeded to preach to him about the awesome usefulness of Google Docs. I was really happy with his reply. “That is SWEET.”
Last week, at my first Web 2.0 class, I was teaching the sole participant about del.icio.us bookmarks. We sat side-by-side, she with her Apple laptop and I with the branch’s Dell laptop, and as she asked more and more questions about 2.0 stuff, I shared more and more of what I have learned over the past few months. By the time the conversation was over, we had decided that she would be a guest blogger to write about one of our book discussion groups. (Warning: it’s a rare patron that you can trust to be a guest editor on your blog. We’ve known this patron a long time; she is also an artist and writer, extremely sharp and trustworthy. We think she’ll do a good job.)
Then about a half-hour ago, I talked with a 10 or so-year-old boy and his mom about his new MP3 player. He wanted to download some songs off a website that offers free downloads. Eventually, Mom decided against it because even though the downloads are free, the site required a credit card number. The point is, having played with two MP3 players and their accessories in the past few days, I blogged it, and now I know so much more about MP3 players and could have an actual conversation with a patron about using them.
And, this just in! While I was writing this, an interesting conversation happened:
12-year-old girl patron: “What are you doing?”
Me: “Writing in a blog.”
12-year-old girl patron: “I write in a blog.”
Me (eyes popping out of my head with excitement): “Really?”
She proceeded to show me the blog that she writes for. I asked her mom if I could write about the blog, without mentioning her name. Her mom, who is really nice and cool, granted me permission. She also told me that during the summer, her daughter’s teacher had attended a workshop to learn about “blogging and stuff”. So, everybody, hear this! Be encouraged and know that what you are learning is of value, is fun, and will enrich your job!
Here is the blog my young friend told me about. Get a load of the title:
Mr. Lance’s 7th Grade Social Studies Blog: The Crazy World of 7th Grade Social Studies
