Why am I doing the 23 Things on a Stick? (Thing 2)

I think the simple answer for me is that I really want to learn about the various tools that make up what we call Web 2.0. I want to be able to try out a blog, set up a Facebook page, and explore Flickr. I want to see what the buzz is all about and see how it affects my work or my life.


Having worked previously in hospital libraries, many of these tools weren't being utilized in the organizations I worked. Many times, things like YouTube or even some blogs were blocked from my work computer. Thus, without having access at work and not being able to incorporate it into my work, I just didn't explore that much. That shouldn't have been an excuse but with work being such a large part of my life (and I suspect, a larger part of yours as well!) it would have been so much easier to get into these tools had they been part of the work I did. Well, no more excuses!


The various articles and videos we were encouraged to read or view as part of Thing 2 for the 23 Things on a Stick program point out that a shift is occurring. Sure, sure, we've all heard this one before, right? Well, true, but I think for me, the most profound learning that I received was in the article "The Ongoing Web Revolution" from Library Technology Reports, Volume 43, No. 5 was in reference to Library 2.0, which is tied to Web 2.0.

In that article, they point out that to move to Library 2.0 (or Web 2.0,) not only do librarians need to focus on serving users and providing the stuff to serve them, but also need to add in trust & participation. I think that spoke volumes to me and I'll end with this thought: it isn't just about the technology, it also about the connection to people through trusting them and allowing them to participate and contribute.

Here's the typical response I get when I say that I moved to Rochester, MN, from Orlando, FL: "Are you crazy?" Well, maybe, but I moved here for the great new job (Assistant Director at SELCO) not for the weather. I thought I'd share a glance out my office window on a day when SE Minnesota is under a blizzard warning - hmm... crazy? I'll let you decide.

New avatar

I thought I'd try a little harder on the whole avatar thing. Decided not to go the fantasy route as that's just not me. Decided to create an avatar that I'd love to actually look like. So, maybe that is fantasy. Well, a boy can dream!

This 23 things business

I've decided to throw my hat into the virtual ring and set up a blog, thanks to prompting by the 23 things on a stick program here in Minnesota. Sit down, hold on, and let's go!