Task #10 - New Website

~I really like the new website and appreciate all the work that went it to this!

As a patron/library assistant I posted a comment on the development survey, so I'll repeat that now.
~ On the Books & Media page, under the Catalog & More section I suggest moving the "Get a Library Card" link above the "Suggest a Purchase" and "ILL" link, since you need your library card number for those 2 links.

Help Finding a Good Book? ~ I really like both of these links!

• What Should I Read Next? (quick version)
• Customized Reading List  (in-depth)

~ Some things may still be a work in progress but currently the URL's for some links aren't up & running, such as the kids & teens blogs.
~ I like the ASK US button being prominently featured and the numerous mechanisms to having patrons questions addressed.
~ I like now there are numerous locations to find links, such as Library News, etc.
~ I LOVE the calendar format for the events calendar and think that the format is much easier to navigate, but the OM January 2012 calendar is currently missing our Story Time every Monday at 10:00. Trevor has gained quite a following and I hope to see Story Time on the calendar when the the website is launched.
~ I like the patron log in on the main page but wonder if the patron's Library card number can show up as ************* instead of the actual card number 409000....... to protect the patron if they are logging in anywhere but at home!
~ I like the phone directory feature also.
Well, I best go assist Rachel and prepare to close OM for the night.
Thanks again for all the hard work.
Terri A

Task #9 - Universal Class

Task: Let us know in your blog what you think about Universal Class and give us an idea of how we could use this database with library programming and/or staff training:


 I went ahead and registered for an account but I wonder when I'll squeeze one more thing into my life (certainly not for the next 6 weeks!)

I think it would be personally fun to delve into herbs or natural remedies.

I think we can refer those folks who want the coveted "behind the reference counter" Wiccan books to the Wiccan class.

Numerous patrons check out the GED training books and always seem to want them for more than 6 weeks. Referring those computer literate patrons to the GED training classes might help them in their self paced quest for a GED.

Many people can likely benefit from the "How to cope with and live with an Illness" type courses.

One caution - I dislike the sites title "Nursing CEU's." This area might be great for those who are interested in exploring careers in health care, such as medical or nursing assistants or as a review type course. We could refer them to the home page disclaimer:
These are non-credit courses and are provided for your personal enrichment. These courses are not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing, or educational requirements.


Thanks for sharing. I'm glad I finally found the time to explore this resource.

Terri A

Task #8 Español LIbGuide

Task #8      Español LibGuideTasks
1. Complete the above quiz either in the staff computer training or on your own.
I missed the training while I was on a vacation to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. It was a great vacation by the way. Perfect camping weather, great hiking and sleeping temperatures, no crowds and beautiful fall colors!
2. Blog about your score.
I only scored an 80%. (Ouch that is hard to take for a usual "straight A" student - Cum Laude graduate!)
I misunderstood question # 3, but I'll go with the interpretation you were looking for.
I  reviewed the Spanish LibGuide Notes that Rachel provided me, since I missed the training, and still answered # 9 incorrectly by choosing "the first one and consider it a Freebie." Perhaps you have since corrected it and it is no longer a "freebie"  and perhaps my score is higher than 80%. But then again, maybe not. I think the world will continue to spin even if I only scored an 80 %.
3. Share how you might use this LibGuide to help a Spanish-speaking patron.
I  am excited to see the"Juegos" on the "Para Ninos" page! I will be able to offer that resource to my Spanish speaking ninos who accompany their padres while Eusebia Garza tutors them here at Orchard Mesa.

Thanks again for another great tool in my MCPLD toolbox!

Nighty, night!

Terri A

Task #7: Cloud Computing - Google Docs and Dropbox

Tasks Accomplished:
1. Watch Cloud Computing in Plain English video.
I remember this video from last time. I have discussed cloud computing a few times since I first learned about it. Nancy Trimm also mentioned it at the "Technology Training on Demand" class.
2. Read the 'differences' article. 
I didn't find this article too helpful. It actually confused me more. I guess I'll have to let the thoughts simmer for a few days and try and re-read the article again. Or discuss it more with my smarter, more tech savvy co-workers to get a better grasp of the differences. (It could be the distracting crying baby that I can hear as I do this Webolution task and it is after lunch!)
3. Watch the Dropbox video. 
I thought this video was helpful.
4. Watch the Google Docs video.
I also thought this video was helpful.
5. Blog about whether you would use Dropbox or Google Docs and/or suggest it to patrons. If you already use either one, tell us about it.
Nancy Trimm mentioned some helpful uses of Google Docs in her line of work, while traveling for the training sessions while also working on shared projects with other co-workers. Likewise I think on-line or traditional brick and mortar students could find these programs helpful on group projects. Also family members in different states who work on joint genealogy projects or who send family letters where multiple people can chime in to add their comments. I could see discussing these programs with patrons and letting them decide what might be most helpful for their needs. Alas, it made me think of people who use their garages to hold all their worldly belongings EXCEPT their cars. It made me also think of everyone who pay fees to store even more STUFF at storage garages, etc. (Which also made me think of George Carlins "STUFF" comedy routine, but I digress.) I always go kicking and screaming into the latest trends and likely won't hop on board this train even for the "free" amount of CLOUD storage they provide much less the extra storage they will be happy to sell me. I'm sure that Creative Memories "Memory Manager" or Shutterfly already are painlessly cloud computing for me with the photos I upload to their sites and share with family and friends from there!


Thanks again for trying to keep me up to date with the latest and greatest new trends!

Task #6: Helping Patrons

1. Complete the multiple choice quiz below. 

 I answered all the questions correctly!

2. Blog about your results and the answers that surprised you the most, if any.

That was a nice way to review material that we have covered in previous Webolution activities.

3. Post your own example of a multiple choice question that relates to considering more than one resource to assist a patron.  


A patron wants to know what is the next book in J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas series, after book 12 - "Visions in Death" and if I know who writes stories similar to this author and type of book so she can keep reading once she finishes all 33 books in this series and the the Eve Dallas companion books.

a.) Have the patron show me book # 11 so we can see if the book lists all the next book in the series.
b.) Provide the phone number for the Central library and have her ask for the Information Desk.
c.) Show her how to utilize KDL "What's Next" for the list of books in J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas series from the Mesa County Library home page under the "Books and More" tab. You can then introduce her to the features available in "Novelist Plus" for read-alikes and more!

d.) Tell her to Google Amazon.com

Now what answer do you think would be the most help for this patron?

Thanks again,

Terri A

Extra Credit #2 - A Google A Day

 1. How fun (or not) this exercise was.
The Friday 8/12/11 "Google a Day" question:
In 1260, the Barons of Acre let the Mamluks pass through their territory, which allowed the Mamluks to achieve a decisive victory against the Mongols in Galilee. What key new weapon was used in this battle?
For this extra credit Webolution exercise I found the answer (hand cannons) easily by typing in "Barons of Acre vs Mamluks in 1260" into the "Google a Day" search engine. I found this exercise a test of obscure trivial pursuit type material fun, but unlikely I'd do this  "Google a Day" often. Since I found the first answer so quickly, I went back to try mu luck on the question for Thursday 8/11/11. I entered " Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania" into the "Google a day" search engine which brought me to Dr Jane Goodalls chimpanzee research, but I didn't find the familiar "arrival call" as easily in the article, so I finally gave up after a few attempts and hit the "hint" and "submit" buttons to come up with the answer. This was helpful since I think I could learn more about my search techniques by my failures than from my successes. Ahh...What a great way to learn to refine my searchs.

2. Which drawing do you want your extra entry to go toward--the Sony Reader or the $100 downtown gift card? Please enter me in the $100 downtown gift card drawing for this exercise!

Thanks,

Terri A

Task #5: Chilton Library

Hello fellow Webolution bloggers,

Just about a year ago I was introduced to Chilton when I had some training with the Information and Reference Desk at the Central library before starting out at Orchard Mesa. Chilton and KLD "What's next " have been my 2 favorite frequently used resources for my OM patrons.

I LOVE this resource, and think its almost as great as "sliced bread." BUT today I found my first thing to dislike. We have been having some intermittent windshield wiper issues on our 1994 Ford F-250 pickup that rarely gives us any trouble at all. Lately though the windshield wipers of this usually dependable workhorse come on for no apparent reason, except that it usually occurs when we are in Colorado's high country on some fairly remote rough 4WD road in the heat of  summer when it is NOT raining. So I used this Webolution task to look up this issue on this pickup truck.

The path I used after entering my trucks year, make and model was this:  

Repair >Wiring Diagrams (Ironic isn't it, since the task mentioned that wiring diagrams are a commonly needed patron request.) > Wipers and Washers > Interval Wiper Washer. But alas that was the end of the road! It said the information was on page 00 (1994). And when attempting to click on "View Image" it says "The file is damaged or cannot be repaired." So at this point I'm no further closer to solving the intermittent  (always the worst kind of vehicle problem to solve) mystery. But I still love Chilton and will continue to empower patrons to use this awesome resource instead of trying to locate a book that may or may not be on the shelf and readily available. Patrons seem to LOVE this resource too!

TTFN,

Terri A at OM