Putting the gloves on over social networking

Just finished reading the first round of blog responses to the Social Networking assignment for PP.

There are definitely two competing views on this topic:

In this corner, weighing in at 250 pounds, is "We shouldn't waste our time with this. We should be focusing on developing our library website and spending the time promoting this instead. Besides, if we try to be where people are socially -- especially younger people -- we will often come off as "cheesy" rather than as the professionals we are. And there are a lot of other issues to consider -- profiles being viewed as endorsements of social networks, privacy issues -- that makes this a can of worms we shouldn't open."

In the other corner, weighing in at an equal weight, is "We should be where the users are. Period. We need to do this to survive and thrive. And if it isn't harmful, why the heck wouldn't we do this?"

Both excellent arguments. Both have their merits, and where libraries go with this is, as with all the other PP technologies, up to the library's mission and views and time and resource allocation.

This is a test

This is a test to see if I get a link for to post after I post this.

I'm making this post...

I'm making this post to my blog to my cellphone by talking and using Jott. We'll see how it turns out and if the Jott is able to recognize [...]. listen

Powered by Jott

PPers are the greatest people on Earth

It's true...they're just the greatest thing since sliced bread!

This semester, we wanted to make life easier for all of the PPers. We know how busy they all are. We know they are stretched for time.

So, there will be fewer required assignments and more optional ones.

Yet, if this IM week is any indication, lots of PPers are taking the time to play more and are doing the optional assignments. There were lots of little MeeboMe widgets smiling away at me when I read the blogs. I'm so very impressed!

And, as always, I'm impressed about the number of things they've got me thinking about. Here's a couple of examples:

• Is IM service just reinforcing the "instant gratification" need that seems to be pervasive today? Or is it a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" sort of service that we should have to help people who might not use the library another way?

• One of the PPers has been IMing since she was 13 (I know!! It made me feel old, too!). New, younger staff are going to come in with different technology experiences than existing staff. What impact will this have on services and education needs?
  

It's my pleasure...no, really!!

So, PP Semester 2 has begun!

And PPers are starting to IM me, just to try it out and also to ask questions. This makes me happy.

I just finished a chat by telling the person to get back to me if they needed help. They thanked me for letting them "interrupt" my day.....and I said it was my pleasure.

And it is.

Really.

I like helping people, and I like sharing their new discoveries. It makes me happy when they "get it".

So, PPers, if you're reading this, PLEASE ask for help. It is sincerely my pleasure.

...and it begins again

Semester 2 for Project Play begins again tomorrow, but lots of stuff has been happening "behind the scenes" already.

In fact, I'm working on Week 3 today, and I have to admit that I didn't want to do it. It's Sunday. There are football games on. It's snowing. I just got back from vacation and am getting over a sinus infection. There are lots of other things to be done today that are swirling in my brain.

But, once I started exploring and playing with the sites for the lesson, I started to get excited about the possibilities and about sharing these tools with all the PPers. I haven't finished the lesson yet, but now I'm motivated to do it, and I will in the next day or so.

And, like Kyle from South Park, I've learned something today: I have the tendency to procrastinate, to kick and scream my way into tasks. But, once I get there, it's a good thing. But it's sometimes hard to remember the "good thing" part at the beginning.