Reflecting on Fun-filled Librarianship

Week 5 has arrived and have I traveled far and wide in cyberspace!  Hats off to Presenters and Organizers who had the vision and made the time to empower those who were otherwise engaged.  Social software tools are definitely worthwhile and a new way of working:  collaboratively, interactively, efficiently.

Favorite course experiences include: informative webcasts and screencasts, illustrative implementations of Library 2.0, the readings which added breath and depth, and naturally the interactive elements:  blog comments and chats.  Oh alright, I LIKED everything.

Personally, RSS feeds will keep me current and save time.  Professionally, Blogs will expand my thinking as colleagues share their discoveries and experiences and create a virtual community that empowers its own.

What surprised me most was the new way of working using such a variety of technological tools.  Hearing about them is very different from seeing them in use and having to employ them as a member of the  Library 2.0 community.  I peak over the the mountaintop and see the possibilites. 

The 5 Weeks to a Social Library course was simply stellar.  All learning styles were addressed in one way or another to clearly communicate the week's goals and objectives.  And it was so much fun.  And Help was ever at the ready from you the Organizers and class participants.  One minor suggestion would be to indicate the length of time needed to view/hear each webcast, screencast, or podcast so future participants could block the necessary time needed.  (Librarians are unexpectedly interrupted by the needs of others throughout the work day.)  You might rank readings as essential, nice, optional-for-all-but-the- enthralled or some such system.

To conclude, 5 Weeks personalities and content have rejuvenated me professionally during the dark days of winter for which I will always be grateful.