As I learn about applying “new Web 2.0 technologies to the library setting,” as they talk about in instructionwiki.org, I find that Library 2.0 could be an exciting way to bring some of these tools into any library setting, though in the elementary school library it might be more limited.  To read about how Library 2.0 technologies would encourage students as library users to be more interactive with the services in the library is a new concept but one that gets me thinking about change that is appropriate and important.  I really like the idea that more interactivity, or “interoperability,” in the library OPAC could be one way that this change could happen, even for our youngest students.  Jessamyn West on her awesome site librarian.net talks about “what we want” in the library.  She includes points about what patrons want in an OPAC.  In my case, the patrons are the elementary school students of course.  The idea that new OPAC services could add tools like help for students when they make spelling errors in their search terms, in the same way Google does, would be an example of how a new service would reflect the needs of our students.  

With the tools that Web 2.0 offers the services that libraries can offer patrons can only broaden the possibilities for information access.  I agreed with librarians who see how these services and the idea of user feedback and participation have been a part of library services for a long time.  It seems that now that we add in technology and the new services that come with Web 2.0 the library can be more flexible and creative in how to meet patrons needs in all areas.  I have only touched on some of these new ideas and so I look forward to exploring more of this Library 2.0 world.

Web 2.0 applications like Technorati are interesting sources for all kinds of information.  The articles and blogs are current and easily searchable.  The news on one of the days I visited the site was the start of the new search engine called Cuil (pronounced “cool.”)  I read some articles and blogs that had mixed reactions to this new search engine, many not sure how successful it will be in the shadow of Google.  In the Photos section of Technorati, there was a thumbnail of Cuil and this linked back to the articles.   The site in general has a helpful toolbar at the top and some topics have a dropdown menu.  The Sports button on the toolbar had a link for articles and blogs about the Beijing Olympics which was nice.  You can also sort your results by articles, blogs or both, and also by attention and freshness.  The tags, or folksonomy, helped me think about what topics the article or blog would connect to and it actually helped me clarify my understanding.  All in all, Technorati would be a great source for news and posts for my personal and professional interests, but maybe not that much for my students in the library.

We have talked about using podcating in our school to do things like have a small group create a “morning announcement” podcast to show in-house each morning.  It would also be great to have students do book reviews or even to give their impressions of a class field trip when they’ve returned.  All kinds of sharing! The link to the Worthington Libraries had a great list of free podcasting software that will be really helpful to us.  I hope we can get this podcasting idea started this year!

I explored YouTube and a couple of other video sharing sites and I was a bit overwhelmed by all that there is to find there.  Even so, I found the links to library-related stuff to be great.  This Librarian 2.0 was a cool video in verse.  The video created by the librarian and students in Johnson Elementary School here in VT was a really cute example of how I could think about using video sharing with our students, too.  What a great way to have students plan, write, use video and performance and teach others about the library!

I have learned so much during these weeks of VT 23 Things.  It’s been a great workshop  opportunity.  I’ve had the chance to view and learn about many new Web 2.0 applications.  I’ve also been able to revisit and think about tools that I’ve learned about at previous conferences and through work I’ve done in my own school library. It’s been fun to see how other librarians are using these tools, too.  I really appreciate having the chance to participate and I have many plans to implement these tools in the future.  I also know I will be referring to the sites and the blogs from this workshop as I incorporate the information into my practice. 

The Web 2.0 awards were really interesting.  I checked out online productivity apps like the spreadsheets and the calendar sites.  I don’t know how I will use these services in my own library yet, but I have had the chance to participate in a district-wide use of Google Apps.  Using this has made it easier for me to read suggestion for a committee project and to add to it.

We have recently set up classroom wikis with PBWiki.  Our goal is to have students post their narrative writing pieces on the wiki and then have their classmates respond to and edit their writing.  We will limit the access to these wikis and have teachers view any changes that students want to post before they are posted on the wiki.  This idea came from different sources: looking at classroom wikis online and a suggestion from teachers at another school in our district.  It will be fun to see how this idea develops for us, especially in the coming school year.

As I set up my del.icio.us account I thought of  how this could be so useful to the teachers in my school.  There are those great websites out there that you always want to keep track of and have on hand.  I exported my favorites to the account and it was automatic to have tags shown with the links.  I weeded some of the links from the list so as to not make it so very long.  It also seemed that some did not belong on del.icio.us. 

Every week something amazing!  The idea of social networking through books is great.  LibraryThing  is a window into what’s new and good to read, some really helpful reviews and connections to authors. I also joined the Librarians who LibraryThing group! 

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Checking out image generators like fd toys/ Big Huge Labs was fun.  I can see using the badge creator with students in school to make their computer use have the look of a more official activity.  Lots of other things too, I’m sure.

It’s so nice to have some catch-up time this week.  I took some time to change the look of my blog!  There was also time to create a MySpace account and check out the site a bit.  I also enjoyed browsing through the further reading list and seeing the interesting posts at the Library Success wiki.  I’m also keeping a printed copy of Kathryn Greenhill’s “20 Reasons” http://librariansmatter.com/blog/2007/07/06/20-reasons-learning-emerging-techologies-is-part-of-every-librarians-job/ for professional development.  It’s excellent!