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!

Thing 12: Intranet

These things just keep on getting easier! For this week's thing, put some content on the library intranet. If you absolutely can't find anything you can put on the intranet, find something you can comment on.

As always, once you've done it, write a blog post and tell us about it!

Thing 11: Wikis

Once again, you probably already know about wikis. If you don't, go find out, I'll wait!

OK, did you try PBworks? How about Wet Paint?

But let me challenge you a little more. Check out this use of wikis in libraries:

The Ohio University Libraries Biz Wiki

For this week's Thing,

• Find another innovative use of a library wiki
• Link to it and tell us about it
• Put on your thinking cap and see if you can brainstorm some other idea

Thing 10: Google Docs

You know the drill. Go check out Google Docs. Here I'll make it easier, watch this:



For this Thing:

• Post an example of one thing that you could begin doing on Google Docs
• At a later time (hopefully after you've tried it) post again and tell us how it worked out

Core Values - April - Cooperation

The Core Value of Cooperation is defined in the Strategic Plan this way:

• Takes responsibility for completing work assignments and projects on time
• Offering assistance to those who might need help in their commitments
• Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to requests for assistance from co-workers Communicates an impending missed deadline to those who may be affected
• Shows flexibility in adapting to scheduling, work loads, and work flow
• Makes a positive contribution to solving problems.

For this month's Core Value, we are asking everyone interested in participating to attend a different team meeting than their own.

Once you've sat in on another team meeting, post to your blog any reflections you may have on the experience, especially if it fostered some inter-team collaboration.