Beyond Method #10

   Webconferencing is a great tool.  I have attended several webinars from the Texas State Library (as have other library staff) and really enjoyed having relevant, quality workshops at my fingertips.  I prefer archived webinars because when attending  during working hours, I invariably get interrupted to help a patron and then miss part of the presentation.
  Our library currently does not have a webcam; all our computers are in the very middle of the library; Sykpe seems better suited to private conversations.

Beyond Method #9

 

   Originally, I thought to try Microsoft Photo Story 3, but decided against it because it would mean loading my pictures into yet another program.  So I thought I would make a slideshow in Picasa. Then I saw that I could make a movie and upload music.  So I did that and used ccMixter to find some music.
    It wasn't really that hard, but since I didn't know what I was doing and whether it would work or not, it felt stressful.
    I see limited use for this at the library.  The cutest application would be to interview some kids (direct-to-camera) and post.

Beyond Method #8

   This was actually very easy to do using Screenr.  (The hardest part was trying to find a microphone)  Logging on to their library account is something that I regularly demonstrate to patrons, and showing is so much better than telling for something like this.  I plan to upload this screencast or one very similar to our website.

Beyond Method #7

  Click here for the first presentation I have ever created.

  I used Google Docs because I already have an account with Google, but I was very unhappy that incremental view does not work when a presentation is embedded. That stinks. So instead of embedding it here, you only get the link.
   I liked Prezi but did not realize until the very end that you could navigate it yourself instead of just watching it zoom all over.  It looks like a terrible lot of work to put together
   I think online presentation tools are great; I can see doing one for our library's website.
   If someone asked for a recommendation I would warn them about Google's glitch with incremental reveal and then point them to this portion of this class.

Beyond Method #6

   Ebooks are cool but not a good fit (currently) for libraries because the publishers/providers control what you can do with the digital file after you buy it.
   I liked the public domain service  Project Gutenberg and picked Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice to view.  One of the download options is handily labeled "Kindle", but after downloading I wouldn't know how to get it onto the actual Kindle, so......I hope it is self-explanatory.  I could probably muddle thru helping someone download to their device.
   Dear Author has a very helpful chart for those needing help matching file types to e-readers.  (Numerous platforms are another roadblock for libraries providing ebooks)
   Although I like Project Gutenberg, it would not be my 1st (or 2nd) choice for pleasure reading.  I would much prefer a book (codex)  But, I do think it is an excellent resource for patrons needing a classic or something old for a class.  Shakespeare, for example.
  One fantastic feature is the ability to "find on page"; this would allow you to search for a passage or quote. Ta-da!

It's a Book!

Beyond Method #5

  Examining the different sites, I decided against LibraryThing because of the 200 book limit (unless you pay).  And although I usually go to Amazon.com for reviews, I wasn't overly impressed with Shelfari.  Plus, I already had an account at Goodreads.  So I revisited it and found new things to like:

• Way to mark books "to read"
• Other people's rating (and the rating frequency chart)
• Like-minded readers, reviews & recommendations

  So I think this would be an excellent reader's advisory tool -- to advise me what I want to choose next.
   I like the idea of LibraryThing for Libraries (a lot) but, I don't think enough of our patrons would use this online resource to justify the cost.