Thing #7 Technology Random

Today's assignment is to talk about anything technology related. Frankly I'm a bit worried about where all this technology is going. Is all of it positive? Just because we can does that mean we should? With mortar & brick bookstores going away - taken over by places like amazon.com -will libraries go the same way? Already there is news of a media center that chose to get rid of all its books in favor of Kindle readers. Will our public libraries become online places where you can download books to your Kindle? Will storytimes be led online (remember the training for online storytimes) by a virtual librarian? Will this technology become a replacement for a flesh and blood librarian - and if so what will we then do for jobs? When computers become affordable for all will they simply stop coming into the library? Frankly I'll miss those paper contraptions with real pages that I can flip back and forth at will - that will require no backup battery or electronic outlet. With virtual games and friendships will people no longer have to leave their houses to interact with real people. We've all heard of those games where people live in a virtual world with virtual husbands, wives, etc. It's interesting to ponder as I subscribe to Facebook and other social networking sites. One wonders if our kids and grandchildren who are so technology savvy - will they at some time revolt and bring back the book as a retro fad? Well only time will tell I suppose.

Thing #6 Flickr continued

Looked at some of the Flickr mashups, toys, trading cards, etc. Made some trading cards with the dogs and my kids on them. The kids liked them. Looked at the librarian trading cards - not sure why you'd want to make them...Anyway Flickr has lots of neat tricks to offer if you have the time and inclination to use them. I can see using them for photos taken at your branch that you'd like to share with other libraries but aside from that I'm not sure I'd have lots of use for Flickr at work.

Thing#5 Exploring Flickr

I went ahead and created a Flickr account. Here is a photo I uploaded of my newest dog Jenny.

Things #3/#4 New Blog

The blog is up and running and sent the url to Kate Tavakolian. Did my first posts as well.

Thing #2 7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners

7 &1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners- Easiest: Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective, learner. Hardest: View problems as challenges- kind of hard when your kids keep interrupting your training every two minutes - doing training at work (ya gotta be kidding?).

Thing #1 Learn About "23 Things" Program

Learned about the "23 Things" program and I'm ready to go on to the next thing.