Thing 4: Flickr

How might you use Flickr in your library or media center?
My sister did an original mural in my library. I will post photos of the mural to promote her status as an independent graphic artist. As fun as it would be to upload photos of students during library celebrations, I think that I'm going to skip that at this time. While I could make the group private, I am not sure how I could communicate with 870 families how to access the private group.
Do you use Flickr or another photo hosting service? Which one? How does it compare to Flickr?
I have used the creative commons portion of Flickr before when needing real photos of something to share during a lesson. For ex., when the first grade musical was about a zoo, I used photos from Flickr's Creative commons and gave them credit. It was a wonderful resource; however, when I use my digital camera in my personal life as a traveler, I post my photos on Shutterfly for the ease of printing and picking them up from Target. Also, I have made wonderful digital "scapbook-like" albums. There is some disadvantage to Shutterfly as other members of my family use SnapFish and I have to login separately to view their photos.

How do you feel about having your photos public (note that you can mark your Flickr photos private, too)--any concerns?
I am a very private person and don't want to put photos of family events out on Flickr. At this time, I don't have very many photos of just landscapes or objects. I wonder about identity theft, I wonder about personal safety and want to be cautious. In some ways I feel guilty because I have benefited from other altruism in sharing (see post above), but unwilling to serve in this way. I guess I'll leave it to those with a passion for photography.

Thing 3: Keeping up

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
It feels a little like command central to be able to simultaneously glance through the world's largest "current events" report, delving in deeper for items of interest. It is so "green" in being paperless and so customized for my tastes/interests/needs.

How can teachers or media specialists libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
It can be used to keep informed. It could also be a collaborative learning tool. For example, if students created podcasts, vodcasts or blogs about books they've read, a feed could be created to notify potential readers of new reviews by their peers.

Which tool for finding feeds was easiest to use?

In using Google reader, it was nice that there were categories already set up (very easy), but I also wondered how did *those* news feeds get chosen, *who* chose the technology feeds, etc.? I can see that what you're subscribed to has the potential of continually evolving as your needs, interests and what is available evolves.

What other tools or ways did you find to locate newsfeeds?
I looked at websites I visit frequently to see if they offered this service. It didn't seem that the school library field was hardly represented at all.

Thing 2.0: What is Library 2.0?

Library 2.0 is an effort to continue to make the library relevant. It describes a concerted effort to utilize powerful social networking tools that are already being widely used to market and maximize library's effectiveness and services. As I work with students, it is particularly important to teach them the responsibilities inherent in being a polite, contributing member of a digital, virtual world just as we teach them to be respectful, contributing members of their physical communities.
Where will you find the time? I always make time for learning. I am just thankful for the structured way of approaching tools I have only observed and interacted with as the audience member. It is exciting to be on the "inside" wielding them as the performer.
How has the Internet and the vast resource it can be affected your use of time at work and/or at home? As a younger person, I literally can't imagine life without the world wide web. I use it several times a day (hour?!) for a variety of purposes (professional -- teaching tool, way of connecting with colleagues; personal--managing finances, information seeking, recreation planning)
Where are you in your knowledge and use of Web 2.0 tools? How about your library? I understand them in principle and use those available through our school. Unhappily, our school (like most) blocks many Web 2.0 tools.