Using Delicious....tasty?

Prior to my day long "catch up game" on 23 Things Kansas, I thought I was pretty savvy about technical things. But at this point, I feel I have been overestimating my abilities.
I created a Delicious account, and began creating tags, and tag bundles, etc. I am not sure all of my browser bookmarks transferred over, however, and I believe I need to do a little "tweaking." I think that the "Social Bookmarking" concept is very interesting, though I am not sure how much I will use it, only time will tell. To be quite honest, I have never liked how even browser bookmarks feel so disorganized, random, and scattered. I think that my feelings about this have something to do with the touch of OCD that I harbor. I hope to poke around on delicious a little more, and discover the method of organizing my bookmarks.

Fightin' with Flickr.

Well, after an initial tussle with Flickr uploading my photos, I have it up and running, and I actually enjoy it! I think my biggest issue was that I am used to using a program that organizes, edits, uploads, etc (Creative Memories Memory Manager)...all from my desktop, and I am used to just clicking one button to upload many images quickly, and without limit ( I had to delete 8 photos to go down to the limit.)
I do see the wonderful ability to share all of our library photos with anyone, and creating a slide show looks quite fun...so I will get on that soon!

Discovering the past

WHS Class of 1898
Originally uploaded by winchesterpubliclibrary

Last week, I was photographing, and getting the photos of each of the Winchester High School class photo groupings; ready to post on our library website, when I came to this photo. This is the class of 1898. For some reason, despite their somber appearance (probably due to the photographic technique of the time), they do seem hopeful (although the background is a bit weird, and seems a bit funereal to me).
I wonder how these kid's lives turned out. Did they all live to old age? Did they have tragedies in their lives, were they basically happy?
Amazing how times, styles, trends, and technology changes. Would these folks ever have imagined that a 34 year old mom of 3, wearing blue jeans and shoes made from recycled tires, would post their picture on something as complex as the internet?
Wow, what 112 years will do.

Webinars.......convenient, fun, informational, but........

I decided to try out a few different webinars, mostly just to sample what is really out there. I have done several WebJunction webinars in the past(one which was on rural libraries and programming, which I REALLY enjoyed, and learned a great deal from), and I frequently use webinars to learn things that I feel uninformed about (Lately my time here at the library has been so limited, however.)
I tried the archived webinar (I am playing catch up here) "Using the Picturing America program in Public Libraries," because we were a recipient of this particular grant, and I wanted to be able to learn how to use it to its fullest potential. This webinar was very informative, and offered some nice discussion on a few of the images, as well as ideas for programming, and using the materials for specific purposes, such as "objectives" given by local government.
As much as I enjoy webinars, I do find it necessary to take extra time to be in the library before it is opens, so that I can effectively concentrate (I am easily distracted) which can make it difficult to take advantage of this great resource.

Social Networking. Amazing connection tool.

Our 23 things challenge this past week (yes, I am ridiculously behind), was to create a social networking account. Well, I have had a Facebook account for a few years now, and I created a page for my library about 3 months ago. My library has many more fans than I ever dreamed, and it is exciting to relay news to our patrons through this medium.
I am always really, really surprised when I think about how (my personal) Facebook has changed my attitude about many people in a very positive way. It also helps to connect and network in very unique and beneficial ways, to people associated with the various job incarnations I have. I have connections now with folks I have sung and performed with professionally and locally, librarian friends and professionals, and also lots of friendships and connections to other consultants and other home office staff at Creative Memories...the company that I am connected to through my home based business. I constantly gain new ideas and perspectives to use in all of my professional mediums from many different people and areas.
I am a bit wary of adding my blog to my Facebook page, however, as this is probably the most boring and basic blog EVER. :) But here goes nothing!

Always late

Well, I have discovered that my recent caveat to maintaining my blog....is remembering my password, hence my tardiness in doing another post. Good gravy.
Having said that, I have truly enjoyed reading the thoughts and hopes of the public librarians around Kansas. How fantastic is it that we have an outlet for our orderly, dewey decimal system filled brains......that are actually also very creative as well. I mean, who else can switch from such a black and white activity such as alphabetizing and categorizing; and then dream up some fantastic program involving the arts, or fishing, or baking a cake? I think only librarians can!
I began to teach my Dad (who was visiting the other night), some of the things 23 things encompasses. I was showing him my blog, when my Mom called. When she asked what he was doing, his reply? "Learning about blogs." My Mom laughed and asked when he was going to make his own blog. He told her he thought he would leave the blogging to me, but he was interested in facebook. The best part of showing him facebook? Having him look at the profiles of folks with the names of former classmates....and him thinking almost all of them were the person he was looking for! It was great. ;)
Well, happy blogging, friends.....and on to the 22 other things. As Buzz Lightyear says: "to infinity and beyond!"

Week One: Blogging

Well, here I am trying my hand at some blogging myself, for the 23 Things Kansas program.
I am excited to learn more about the world of tech, and connecting with other librarians, information, and societies. My only concern is making time to do everything!
I am Amy Lassiter, the librarian for the small town of Winchester, Kansas, and I have seen and heard (and smelled) many amazing, wonderful, and frightening things in my days here.
I read several blogs myself. My friend Shonda from high school keeps me posted on good reads for myself and patrons, on her blog "Texas Red Books." I also enjoy the antics of her prairie dog.
I also enjoy "Librarian by Day", and several blogs related to my favorite hobby of scrapbooking. My fave there is "life in a scrapbook room." The "slide" pics of the scrapbook room make me want to drool....