Week 7: Wikis

7.15

So much to absorb in these discovery exercises. I particularly like the Biz Wiki as an example of what a Liaison Librarian can achieve with this. Chad Boeninger posts examples of recent reference questions to his wiki which allows other students to also benefit and/or contribute. This wiki also links to a business blog which has 'tips, tricks, and tools for the business researcher'. Great use of these new technologies!

7.16

It took a bit of searching to locate Task 16 and I haven't been very involved in editing the Library wiki so this took a little time to work out but in the end it was all quite easy. Have now added my entry to the page.

Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati

6.13

Have quickly investigated delicious and have created an account but I think that I will need to revisit to make the most of this. It would be good to have the time to create some tags.

6.14
I don't particularly want this blog tagged as I really only intend using it for 23 things exercise but will remember the instructions on Technorati for tagging your blog when I create my 'real' blog. Am convinced that researchers will be creating and needing to search blogs as well as other sources of information in the future.

Week 5: Books Online

5.10

I have not used Librarything before and am quite impressed! Have always avoided cataloguing but this is a quick and easy electronic cataloguer that also combines social networking. Very clever! I may actually revisit this post 23 things.

5.11

Am amazed at how Google Books has progressed in the last couple of years. I have used Google Books on various occasions to find information for researchers rather than use the services of document delivery. This has been really effective particularly for older books that are out of copyright. Have now created my own library.
Some libraries are using Google Books to embed previews into their online catalogues. Links to previews could also be sent out academics as collection development suggestions. Might just follow up on this.

Week 4: RSS and Newsreaders

4.8 Have created a Bloglines account and currently have 1397 feeds. I would recommend RSS feeds to researchers and students who wish to keep up-to-date with recent postings about a particular topic of interest but if used without discrimination it can become just another overloaded email account to read and check.

4.9. Subscriptions to various library blogs such as librarian.net and the shifted librarian are okay but I prefer to read the new technology related feeds (e.g. TechCrunch and Silicon Valley Insider)to find out the latest on new social software and how social networking is being used. I am sure there are many more interesting and useful blogs to follow. I have also found it very easy to just subscribe to Google Alerts using terms such as "information literacy" or "information skills" to keep up-to-date with recent posts in areas of interest.