Some library themed videos to enjoy

If you missed the original old spice advert - watch it here.
Check out the blog about making the library video

The Haunted Librarian

Week 3 RSS Feeds

Week 3: April 11th- 15th 2011 

Theme: RSS Feeds 



Thing 6: Read about RSS Feeds
What is an RSS?

Really Simple Syndication does what it says on the tin, it is simply 'Really Simple Syndication'. RSS Feeds allow you to connect with websites that you use or are interested in and receive automatic updates when new content is added to the site. To receive RSS Feeds you must sign up to an aggregator or RSS reader eg. Google Reader.  Once you have signed up for an RSS reader you can subscribe to an RSS Feed. Look out for the RSS logo as you browse the web. When you see the icon this means the site or blog has an RSS Feed.


So why use RSS Feeds?
Simple! Subscribing to an RSS Feed saves you time! Once you have signed up to an RSS feed you will receive automatic updates when the site/blog adds new content. For a library, RSS Feeds allow the organisation to provide a steady stream of up-to-date information from various websites.

Read more about RSS Feeds on Wikipedia. 
Watch this common craft video on RSS feeds - created by Common Craft details at www.commoncraft.com.


Thing 7: Set up a Google Reader Account and and subscribe to at least 3 RSS Feeds
First watch this video on how to set up a Google reader account

Alternatively, sign up for another RSS reader. This Wikipedia entry comparing various various RSS readers or 'aggregators' will be useful in helping you decide. 

Extra Activity (Optional): Explore how libraries are using RSS Feeds.
Take a look at this blog entry from Newcastle Library which discusses how libraries can use RSS Feeds. Consider how the Cregan Library could use RSS feeds and post your thoughts to your 23 Things blog. 


Play Activity: Make a comic strip about RSS Feeds
Make a comic strip on your experience of RSS Feeds, using Pixton or Bitstrip.
See the sample strip 'The Anonymous Librarian' created in Bitstrip and posted to the 23 Things blog These things are.... last week.

See also a sample from Pixton 

Week 2 Social Bookmarking

Thing 4  Read about Social Bookmarking

What is Social Bookmarking?

Social Bookmarking is an informal method of categorising using labels called 'tags' that allow users to associate keywords with online content (webpages, pictures etc.). Social Bookmarking is not like library subject cataloging, which follows a strict set of guidelines. Social bookmarking is completely unstructured and allows you to create labels for data in any way you want. For instance, if you are exploring the term 'Web 2.0' you might feel as a participant of this programme that the term '23 Things' has more meaning for you.

How is Delicious different to bookmarking on my own PC?

Using a Delicious account allows you to access your favourite sites from any computer. You can also send bookmarks to friends or colleagues that you feel might interest them and you can check out their bookmarks too. Delicious focuses a lot on the community aspect of bookmarking and offers many opportunities for sharing bookmarks with others. For example, you can check out bookmarks in an area of interest to you - Library 2.0, Blogging etc. 

Some relevant terms

Taxonomy - refers to a structured method of categorisation (like a library catalogue). Read more on Wikipedia.
Folksonomy - refers to an unstructured method of categorisation which has developed from Social Bookmarking. Folksonomies develop from the tags or categories that users have applied. Read more on Wikipedia.

Still confused? This video about Social bookmarking created by Common Craft might help.

Thing 5: Explore Delicious, set up an account and share bookmarks with 23 Things participants 
Part 1: Set up a Delicious Account
Delicious is a free online social bookmarking application, please set up an account. Get started with Delicious.
Remember! Ensure you record your username and password in your 23 Things diary.

Part 2: Add some bookmarks to your Delicious Account.
Use your Delicious account to save some webpages and add tags based on your own meaning. For example, as you are currently participating in the 23 Things Programme and this relates to the world of Web 2.0, sites about Web 2.0 might be tagged as 23 Things.

Don't forget to blog about your experience! 

Extra Activities (Optional)

1. Exlplore the 23 Things SPD Delicious account. Check out the Delicious page created for this programme.

2. Sharing on Delicious.

Share your bookmarks with your fellow 23 Things participants by 'sharing' with the Delicious account 'twentythreethingsspd'. You can share with your bookmarks with others who have a Delicious account directly from the Delicious website. You can also share with others via twitter or email. For this exercise you will share bookmarks via Delicious.

To share a bookmark to the 23 Things Delicious account:

(i) Click the 'Share' link on your toolbar and select Delicious.

(ii)Enter 'twentythreethingsspd' in the address bar. 

Add a message in the message field stating what type of bookmarks you are sharing and add your blog name to identify your contribution. 

3. Use the subscribe tool to check out the bookmarks which are available under a particular topic eg. 'blogging'.

4. Check out another social bookmarking site Diigo. Compare your experience of this application with that of Delicious. Which application did you prefer using and why? Which was easier to use? Playtime! This week - Tag Clouds.Time to have a little fun with Web 2.0. Tag clouds are images generated from text or direct from a URL. You can make a tag cloud of your 23 Things blog. Read more are at Wikipedia. Make a tag cloud of your blog at one of the following sites: Wordle or Tagul.

Tag cloud of 23 Things @ SPD blog below. See also 23 Things @ SPD cloud at http://tagul.com/preview?id=23557@1

Don't forget to blog about your experience! 

23 Things Programme: Week 1

Welcome to the 23 Things Programme blog!
The first part of the programme will run from 28th March to May 6th 2011 and is open to all Cregan Library staff. During this time you are invitied to explore the first "13 Things" - discovery exercises designed to help you explore the world of Web 2.0 applications. The exercises will be grouped into weekly blocks and each week will address a specific theme. Additional exercises will also be included for each theme. These exercises are entirely optional and are designed to support the continued exploration of the relevant theme. This week the theme is 'Getting Started' and involves 3 exercises listed below.

Thing 1: Read about the 23 Things programme
Read the following pages from the 23 Things @ SPD blog.

• Getting Started
• FAQs 
• The first 13 Things

Thing 2: Set up a Google account and create an iGoogle page

Part 1: Set up a google account

You will need a google account to use some of the applications in the 23 Things programme. Please set up a Google account and keep a note of your username and password. If you already have a Google account, you may wish to set up a separate account for the 23 Things Programme. First watch this video about how to set up your account. You can also follow these guidelines from Google on setting up an account.

Part 2: Create an iGoogle Page

Learn more about iGoogle. There are endless gadgets available for your iGoogle page. The sample page below includes a currency convertor, spanish word a day, weather forecast, Irish Times home page, quote of the day etc. Click on the image to enlarge.

Thing 3: Find out about blogs, set up your own 23 Things blog and publish your first blog posting.

New to blogging?

Some of you will be new to the concept of blogging, if you are new to blogging please take a look at the Wikipedia entry for blogs. This video create by Common Craft may also be useful Blogging in Plain English created by Common Craft www.commoncraft.com.

Creating your 23 Things blog

If you are new to blogging, we recommend using Blogger to set up your own 23 Things blog. Blogger is a free online blog hosting service which is easy to use. This tutorial will help you get started: Blogger.com tutorial. You can select who you would like to view your blog, however as part of this programme you mus allow access by the 23 Things main blog. Find out more here about privacy settings and permissions.

Checklist for Getting Started with Blogger
There are only 4 short steps to getting started with your blog on Blogger.
1. Set up an account.
If you have already set up your google account as in Thing no. 2, you can sign in using this username and password.
2. Name your blog.
Blogger will check to see if your chosen blog name is available, just click on the link 'check availability'. Make a note in your 23 Things diary of your blog name.
3. Decide on a template.
If this is your first blog, it is probably best to set up a simple blog to start with. You can explore the various features and gadgets as you progress through the programme.
4. Post a message to your blog.
Post a message about your experience this week. Write about how you feel about 23 Things, are you excited? Are you concerned? Is there anything you would like to learn about.

Useful Tips
If you are comfortable with blogging, please feel free to use whichever service you prefer. Remember you can blog under a screen name, anonymously, or as yourself.

Congratulations you have completed week one of the 23 Things Programme! 

Don't forget to add an entry to your blog telling us about your experience so far. If you are eager to learn more, there are some extra activities available below.

Extra Activities (optional)
The 23 Things Programme has been offered at 300 libraries worldwide. Take a look at some of these blogs to learn about other participants' experiences.

23 Things at University of Limerick.
The original 23 Things Programme at the Public Library of Mecklenberg and Charlotte

Good luck with the exercises and please email 23things@spd.dcu.ie if you need assistance.