I must be honest, when I first saw the e-mail informing us that we had to complete this course, I was filled with dread, having never really attempted any on-line training especially in Information Technology. My experience of training is sitting in a room with a group working through excercises together and thrashing out problems. Some parts of the course were easier than others and in certain sections without the help of my colleagues I would have struggled to complete the task.
However, in this ever-changing world of technology and work place practises, we have to be able to come out of our comfort zone and really test our own abilities, embrace change and be flexible in our attitudes. This course, although very time consuming at home, has given me some much needed confidence on the PC and in areas I knew nothing about two months ago. Personally I do feel that if you don,t use it you lose it, and unless you have the time to really keep abreast of these tools and use them on a day to day basis you will forget how to.
At least now I understand what, why and how and will be able to use this knowledge to enhance my job role and offer better customer service to our patrons.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
GEOCACHING
Something else I had not heard of, but it sounds a really fun thing to do, a lot like the old Treasure Hunts we used to do as kids. Looks like there are a few In Secret Harbour, which is only a few kilometres up the road from where I live, so who knows maybe I will give it a try!!
This would be super to arrange for families to do together, especially during the school holidays, I,m sure it would be very popular and educational not only for the kids but for the adults too. It could also be useful in getting to know the area, the Library could leave items giving details of events and book-lists.
This would be super to arrange for families to do together, especially during the school holidays, I,m sure it would be very popular and educational not only for the kids but for the adults too. It could also be useful in getting to know the area, the Library could leave items giving details of events and book-lists.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
PODCASTS
I had not heard of these before, and at first thought they would be just like On-line Videos, but now I know they are very different.
Feed-back received from borrowers at my Library, shows that Audio Books have become extremely popular. Perhaps this is due to the face that we have an ageing population who can find it difficult to read books, and people are having to travel further to work, and need stimulation whilst driving.
Podcasta could be used to give patrons tit-bits from new books and also aid in training staff. I enjoyed the British Library Podcasts on their exhibitions.
Feed-back received from borrowers at my Library, shows that Audio Books have become extremely popular. Perhaps this is due to the face that we have an ageing population who can find it difficult to read books, and people are having to travel further to work, and need stimulation whilst driving.
Podcasta could be used to give patrons tit-bits from new books and also aid in training staff. I enjoyed the British Library Podcasts on their exhibitions.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
ON-LINE VIDEOS - YOUTUBE
Now this I did enjoy, but it can become very addictive trawling through the videos, although extremely enjoyable and informative.
I feel, the ways in which the Library could utilise this tool is by posting Book Reviews, Events and information for customers about the Library in general, such as how easy it is to join and use its facilities. Many people still think you have to pay to use the Library and can feel intimidated about venturing in.
We could have a video tour, showing the layout of the Library and where certain information can be located and show the fun things for children such as Rhymetime and school holiday activities.
I picked this video as when I close up the Library on my late shift, I,m finding more and more food items discarded, and I thought this was appropriate.
I feel, the ways in which the Library could utilise this tool is by posting Book Reviews, Events and information for customers about the Library in general, such as how easy it is to join and use its facilities. Many people still think you have to pay to use the Library and can feel intimidated about venturing in.
We could have a video tour, showing the layout of the Library and where certain information can be located and show the fun things for children such as Rhymetime and school holiday activities.
I picked this video as when I close up the Library on my late shift, I,m finding more and more food items discarded, and I thought this was appropriate.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
I have found Twitter a lot less user friendly than facebook, but after a bit of practise I,m getting the hang of it.
Twitter is easy if you use your mobile phone as it is quick to use, however if you have to keep logging into computer to do a quick Twitter, I think it would be a pain, unless you are at work and logged in all the time.
As you are supposed to Twitter what you are doing at that moment, it could be a real pick me up, as short sharp comments are often the funniest.
Feel free to twitter me at ruralreader!!
Twitter is easy if you use your mobile phone as it is quick to use, however if you have to keep logging into computer to do a quick Twitter, I think it would be a pain, unless you are at work and logged in all the time.
As you are supposed to Twitter what you are doing at that moment, it could be a real pick me up, as short sharp comments are often the funniest.
Feel free to twitter me at ruralreader!!
Well, I never thought I would get there, but yes I have a Facebook account!
Up until now, I did,nt know what it looked like, where it was or what to do, but I must say it seems very user friendly and I can understand how people get hooked on it.
The time just flies when you are posting thoughts etc, however there seems to be a lot of very useless information out there.
After watching the video on "How To Do", you realise just how easy the steps are and all it takes is practise.
Well here I go!!
Up until now, I did,nt know what it looked like, where it was or what to do, but I must say it seems very user friendly and I can understand how people get hooked on it.
The time just flies when you are posting thoughts etc, however there seems to be a lot of very useless information out there.
After watching the video on "How To Do", you realise just how easy the steps are and all it takes is practise.
Well here I go!!
LIBRARYTHING
LibraryThing is a super discovery, its a wealth of recommended books and authors, which personally I would really find useful.
As a newcomer to Library work, I am always looking for books to read especially subjects and authors I may not usually read. After having attached a gadget to my blogger (does that make sense)I found that because two of my books do not have pretty covers they are not shown, but believe me they are there!!
I did struggle with attaching the gadget to my blogger, but having got together with my work mates today, with their help, I got through it.
As a newcomer to Library work, I am always looking for books to read especially subjects and authors I may not usually read. After having attached a gadget to my blogger (does that make sense)I found that because two of my books do not have pretty covers they are not shown, but believe me they are there!!
I did struggle with attaching the gadget to my blogger, but having got together with my work mates today, with their help, I got through it.
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