Learning 2.1. There's More!

Ive been looking at more stuff. There's LOLCat which was ok but I'm not into cats, then theres zamzar which is excellent for converting files. I just hope I'll remember this when I need it! Then theres making a newsletter at Letterpop which had nice Christmassy newsletters. This is good if you don't want to or dont have the time to create your own template.

There'll be a list of links for people interested in this extra stuff. the best part of all this is its FREE! The bad part is I'm spending way too much time playing!

Technology Compatibility

Why why why isn't all tehcnology compatible? Its driving me crazy. As i've been ranting on Christians blog I am getting veeeerrrryyyy frustrated with this stuff. I bought a new mobile phone with bluetooth. I wanted to connect this to my computer so I bought a bluetooth dongle (I love saying that funny word!) OF course nothing works. I feel like I need to be a computer programmer to figure out this stuff. Im a simple girl with simple needs. I have a new computer with Vista. I got Vista so I wouldn''t have to upgrade in a years time (which seems to be what you have to do these days to keep up). Now I've already had a problem I had to spend 1 1/2 hours on the phone with a dell technician to fix this. It worked but the things he took me through on the computer I didn't even know existed. This was all because I installed a program. I thought thats what computers were for!

Now I am hesitant to install anything I worry everytime, will it stuff things up this time. Surely technology is supposed to make things easier not more complicated. I thought having a new computer would be better. My old one didn't stuff up so much.

I have spent so much time on the internet trying to figure out things, I have actually been looking at alot of wikipedia sights, they are very helpful and I actually trust it. ( who would have thought I would use this learning 2.0 stuff!)

I will be looking at Learning 2.1 as Webgurl mentioned. I need to learn as much as I can. I have also been looking at doing an IT course. This is so I can learn what is going on with these computers. One day I will build my own(Oops that was just me dreaming)

Enough rambling from me.

Star Signs

Well there goes my theory, as shown by the poll. I thought there were many Virgos working in libraries, we being anal and all. Though where I work there are many virgos, but no we are not anal, well maybe a little....Ok its just me!

Fun Generator's

Here is a link to the generator I used for my Hollywood sign for the people interested. There are many more fun things to do on this.

http://generatorblog.blogspot.com/

More on Library Changes

Thank you very much everyone who has expressed their opinions. It is very interesting to hear others views on this topic.

I have been noticing that the staff who actually deal with the public and are experiencing these changes are weary of these changes taking place, namely training the public in serving themselves. As we are dealing with the public daily we are seeing the possible impact this could have on our image as a customer service friendly environment. It is very difficult to approach people and direct them in serving themselves when this has been our job up to now. I do appreciate others who have expressed their opinions but I must say that if you are not in customer service then it is hard for you to understand the difficulty in implementing these changes and therefore seeing these changes in a positive light.

I would recommend others who have not tried this new approach in customer sevice spend a week doing this. I do not mean this in a negative way but to give everyone the oportunity to try this approach, then we could have many more opinions and maybe many more ideas in implementing these changes.

I feel this particular topic is very important because if all libraries are to consider these changes, a change I consider to be very BIG and very important on the impact it could have on libraries then as much research and thought needs to go into these changes. I feel customer service and our approach to customers is our main duty, therefore we need to get this right in order to go forward in a positive way.

More opinions please!

Change in the workplace

I love the uniform idea Christian, but I don't know about pink I dont want to blind people!

Now I would like to talk about change in the workplace. Things are changing in the library industry which is a good thing. I always thought I was not the typical person who feared change. As i get bored pretty easily I thought I would welcome change. Lately I have been thinking about this and I have realised I havent given these current changes a chance. It has only been a couple of weeks that these changes have been implemented and I am already looking at the negatives. Initially I was wiling to try these changes as I welcomed something different but then I slowly started to question things. Questioning is a good thing but I think I need to give it at least a few months before I can have an opinion on these changes.

I will be open again to see how things turn out, then I will give an opinion! (Must have an opinion!)

I have realised that I am like many others who fear change to a degree. I need to remember that this is normal and as I question things this too is ok as long as I remain open minded. There will be differences of opinion and a bit of confusion in the beginning but this is normal and expected. I must remember my training and put this to use. I have found talking to my coworkers and finding out their views is opening my mind up again to the possibilities. I still think that everyone should have their opinions and should be able to voice these in an open manner. This of course is being done but I think some people fear voicing their opinions. THis is what i am enjoying about this blog I can voice my opinion and get feedback from others. Hmmm I wonder if we can use this format in the workplace somehow so others can voice their opinions when change comes about.

So bring on the Pink Uniform!

More Library Issues

Thanks for your comments guys, even though I like everyone to always agree with me(joking) I appreciate your feedback.

One problem with this method of walking around is it sounds great in theory but very difficult to put into practise. Do I stand near the self check out to help patrons or do I walk around. I cant be in two places at once. Patrons would have to run around looking for me while I'm walking around chatting to everyone. If I was at the desk they know where I am and what I'm there for (for them!).

I understand what you guys have in mind but it isn't feeling right at the moment, there's something that just isn't working.(Maybe it's just me)

I don't think libraries should work as a business, we are not sales assistants trying to flog a product and that is what it's feeling like at the moment. One thing I would love done is to survey the public and see what they think of this.

Remember Web 4.0 back to the good old library where people go to get away from all this impersonal technology.

PS Yes Harriet the Bank analogy is appropriate. Who likes banks? The worst image problem ever!

Some thoughts on Technology and maybe a little controversy!

Now I have been thinking a lot about technology in Libraries and in particular Public Libraries. First of all I would like to say I do like technology and I believe it has a place in public libraries. With all the new stuff out there I think libraries should have all we can get. That said I have been reading others blogs and I have thought about the impact this technology can have on libraries. Good and Bad.

Good - If public libraries can stay updated with new techno stuff then the public will know we are a place to go to for help and guidance. We can be the place to be!

Bad/not so good - I think as someone said (cant remember who) that just because the technology is there doesn't mean we should use it. I agree with this. I work in a public library that has more computers than books (it is a library that is focusing on technology) now I was really excited to be a part of this new library. I think its a great place and we have had very positive feed back from the public.We also have self checkout machines.

Now my worry is if public libraries are supposed to be community meeting places(with that personal touch) how do we balance the two, that being technology which is impersonal (you can't deny that), and staff who are supposed to be serving the community(with self checkouts they do this themselves)Now I know staff are still there to help the public but if we are not doing the basics by checking their books out and in the process getting to know them and having a little chat then can this be considered community serving.

I have been finding lately that I am not interacting as much with the public as I did which is sad as this is the part of the job I love (I'm a library officer). The patrons are becoming self sufficient which is great but I feel we are losing the personal touch. Sure we can offer services but haven't libraries always been more than that. I hope we do not go too far with this technology and lose the best part of libraries, the community feel. We are about people and serving and that should always be our aim. Technology is great but it should not replace the interaction the staff and public have with each other. Just because everything is becoming automated doesn't mean we need to nessecerily do the same. Society is becoming very impersonal as it is with this automated stuff do we really need to follow and become another impersonal place where you go and do your stuff and then leave without much interaction.

An example of this is with our regulars. Now I enjoy seeing them and serving them and having a chat but now I have been just passing through as I practically wave a greating as they check out their books.

Libraries have always had their unique character which people have always relied on. I hope we can continue to move forward but still retain our unique flavour. I myself have gotten a little caught up in this technology and thought we needed to keep up but now I am wondering if this is really needed. I never for one moment thought I would feel this way, as I said I like technology. But seeing people come and go from the library without a hello or goodbye is sad and strange. Maybe I'm just feeling lonely myself and miss the interaction even with the cheeky ones who were very challenging!(yes this was a big surprise but they made the day very interesting!). But this is why I wanted to work in libraries, for the personal touch we could give.

Oh well enough rambling from me, for now anyway!

I would love others to blog about their views it would be very intersting to read.

PS And no I haven't been drinking, maybe I should!

PSS Ive just realised something else. Now when I am serving people it is usually when there is a problem. Will the public then associate staff/problems in their minds in a negative way, as in oh no I have to see a staff member theres a problem again! What do you think?

IIIIII'mmmmm Baaaaaack!

I am going to blog about new web applications I have found. Yes riveting stuff but I figured I still want to learn more so since I have this blog I will use it as an excuse to learn more about technology and I hope Andrew and Christian will continue to read my blog and offer suggestions.

Christian I fon't know waht you mean about that picture thing or were you just joking. Anyway I have found one thing I like its Google Suggest. This is like normal google but when you type something it will give you options. eg. type in 'blog' and it will give you a list such as blogger, blogspot etc. this is just as good as 'Did you mean'. So are you impressed Andrew!

Stay tuned for more if your interested.