Thing 20: Bookmarklets

What are bookmarklets? I couldn't find a better explanation than the one at Wikipedia. What are some examples? Well, why don't you find some of those and tell us about your two favorites?

If you are looking for some ASU Library-centric ones, you can see the ones I created here.

After you write the blog post telling us about your favorites, maybe you have a suggestion for other bookmarklets I could create to make your job easier? Tell me about it and I'll make one just for you!

Thing 19: Delicious

Delicious has had a rather rocky history, but they're still going strong, and the idea is still a good one. How else are you going to organize all the website links you want to save, tag them, make them available to others, and be able to access them anywhere?

Don't believe me? Then it's time to try it out. Here's a little more about it:






Now, it's time to install Delicious. And start adding some bookmarks. If you want to look at my bookmarks, do a search for user "serice7"

So to show off all the fun you had, write a blog post talking about your experience and giving suggestions for using Delicious in the library.

Things 17 and 18: Firefox and Chrome

Hopefully, you are already using Firefox and/or Google Chrome as your browser(s) of choice. If not, the first task is for you to install Firefox and/or Chrome.

If you already have these browsers installed, then your task is to try out two new extensions and write about your experience on your blog.

For Firefox extensions, go here.
For Chrome extensions, go here.

If you're needing some inspiration for useful extensions, try:
100 essential Firefox add-ons for librarians
Favorite Google Chrome extensions for librarians

If I get enough of your responses for a good-sized list, I'll add them to my E-Learning LibGuide so everyone can share in the goodness.

Thing 16: Pandora

This one is pure fun! I thought you needed a little excitement and not have to be thinking all the time about how to use this techie stuff for the library. If you can come up with a use for Pandora in the library, go for it!

Otherwise, go to Pandora, set up a free account and listen to some music.

To prove you did it, write a blog post telling us what is the favorite station that you created.

Thing 14/15: Audiobooks/E-books

I decided to combine these two things together because, well, they're somewhat related and I've got the same task for both. Audiobooks and e-books are just books in a non-traditional format. But are they as easy to use as regular books? What can we do to make them better and easier for our patrons?

So that's the assignment:

• Find an audiobook and an e-book in our catalog
• Try to access each one and read (or listen to) some of both
  
• Post on your blog what problems you had
• Also write about what suggestions for improvements or crazy new ideas you have for these non-traditional formats
  

Thing 13: Podcasts

I would be surprised if you haven't heard by now about Podcasting, but you never know!

Here's a little bit about how it works in case you were wondering:


But the real question is: What do we do with it? Well, you tell me...

For this Thing:

• Find an example of something interesting that a library is doing with podcasting
• Blog about it
• Explain whether ASU could do the same or similar

Core Values - June

We're in the home stretch! In June, we will combining two Core Values: Adaptibility and Team Focus.

The Strategic Plan has the following to say about Adaptibility:

• Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands
• and competing priorities in a changing environment
• Adapts readily to changes in policy and procedures
• Responds well to changes in direction and priorities
• Leads change
• Adjusts to changes in priorities
• Helps others adapt to change
• Modifies or changes strategies to ensure the best chance of success

And Team Focus:

• Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals
• Participates in building group identity characterized by pride, trust, and commitment
• Commits to meeting team objectives
• Participates in group discussions
• Gives and accepts feedback openly and constructively
• Supports group decisions and outcomes through actions and communication
• Looks for areas of common agreement
• Effectively negotiates and compromises

For this month's activities:

• Meet with other participants in the Core Values program from your team
• Discuss the following:
  • One recent change made by the team
  • Reasons for the change
  • Results of the change
  • If the results were negative or neutral, how could the results have been more positive?
  • If the results were positive, how can making changes this way be continued?
• Write it up on your blog!