Is There a Doc in the House?

After doing so many things in a days time I have a headache and could use a doc about now. Google Docs is actually pretty cool. The form application reminded me of surveymonkey but I liked the fact that I could use a theme to dress it up so I chose blockheads because that is how my head feels right now and I like the colors. It also made me laugh, which I needed. The presentation reminded me of PowerPoint. Spreadsheet seemed like a combination of Excel and Access. I am still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles. I liked the concept where you can invite others to work on the project together and chat. Today I chatted with myself, but not very long because I had to finish the 23 things. I definitely plan on using Google Docs at our library.

Hey Wiki Your So Fine

I decided to search Swine Flu and was given a redirect to 2009 flu pandemic. At the beginning of the article it does have see also references (one being swine flu) and also states that it is about the pandemic itself and information about the virus causing it can be found somewhere else. The article was very thorough and has many references so I would trust the information. It did not surprise me to see a lot of discussion on this topic. Looking at the history it was interesting to see the number of changes that occurred in one days time. Okay, I did the practice wiki and realize that I need a lot more practice before I do my own for the library. This project was a challenge for me. Maybe it is because I am working on it last minute on what was supposed to be my day off :-) I think I want to change by blog title to Hey Wiki Hear my Whine. On to Google Docs...

Tubing the Internet

First of all, I thought that our library had a YouTube account but I did not find anything under the library's name so I just started looking at some Little Elm tubes...The first was entitled Coming to Little Elm--Limited Engagement promoting the musical Bye-Bye Birdie. The promo had still pictures moving in and out with music. I thought it was pretty well done. The title is what caught my eye because I was wondering what the library did not know about. I also watched a Little Elm Autumn Fest 07 HipHop video of a HipHop group performing during the 2007 Autumn Fest. It was pretty good videography though it did not look like it was done by a professional. It would be useful to promote future Autumn Fests. I did notice that after watching that Hip Hop tube, other Hip Hop tubes came up for me to choose, so I liked that option. After perusing down Little Elm Lane I decided to go back to the Library world and found a tube entitled Discover a New World @ Columbus Public Library. Wow, was I impressed. The purpose was to show what the library had to offer. Very unique format with animation and popups. I had never seen a tube done in this fashion before but then again, I do not spend a lot of time on YouTube, though my patrons do. Since I just finished learning about Twitter, I watched a tube that was answering Twitter questions. The camera was focused on the individual answering questions. The camera would pan from the screen with the question to the individual reading the question and then answering them. Though the picture was clear and the reason behind what the purpose was understood, I thought the format was pretty boring. I do think that YouTube use by libraries can be very beneficial to promote what libraries are doing to various age groups and also help to train staff or general public about different things. I did try to sign the library up for an account but have not been successful yet but after I get finished with the 23 things assignment, that will be my next goal.

Here Birdy, Birdy, Birdy

Rockin' Robin has always been my favorite song, though Disco Duck is a close second. Must be a bird thing. (Thanks to OpenPhoto for Disco and Duck photos). Twitter was simpler than I thought and I found I CAN keep my info short. I am thankful it keeps count for me but so far I have not gone over. Having to keep my column to a certain length every week has probably helped me be more aware of verbage length but I really need to work on just writing enough to stay within the box when I am blogging (except for my column of course). I am currently following 11, have three followers, and made two tweets. I plan on using this account to let people know when a new column is out but I also think it will be a great way to keep people aware of upcoming programs and what's happening on a daily basis. Best laid plans...kind of like resolutions, works the first couple of days :-) I still say, marketing is a full time job in itself, but very important. I am going to look more into the hashtags and maybe see if I can use that for my Page by Page newsletter. My Twitter account name is littlelmlibrary. Notice it only has one e. The account name cut me off at y which made the name librar so I figured the name would flow better with one e because it still looks like it is supposed to. I hear about Twitter everyday but I heard about it on the radio today when the announcer was asking who does it and they reported a story that mentioned a woman was tweeting while giving birth. Screaming was the norm in my day :-) Tweet Tweet for now!

IM Wat IM

Well, that didn't take as long as I thought it would. IM or instant messaging, a concept that I tried years ago when first learning about computers. I did not like it then as a home use but have learned the benefits of it in the workplace. Since taking the 23 Things Web 2.0 experience but before learning about IM in the 23 things lesson, we have become part of a national pilot program of mobile reference service My Info Quest (the patron texts an answer and librarians answer via the computer). IM has come into play while attending the numerous meetings leading up to and during the project. The meetings are a combination of web, IM chat, and audio. Talk about multi-tasking :-) Since becoming involved in the mobile reference project I have been occasionally practicing text speak in conversations with staff. That gets interesting. As I get better at it, I will probably try it with some of our patrons to promote the mobile reference service. I do think IM has a place in the library setting and in regards to the text service, the IM lingo is important because you are only allowed so many characters. This can be a challenge for someone like myself who is very wordy or as some people have said about my writing style "chatty". I think the funniest thing is that IM lingo has been around for years, probably even before computers, it just wasn't called IM. I did choose gmail/google talk mainly because I already have my blog in google, and the reference service is provided through gmail so I figured this would give me even more experience with the various different functions google has to offer. TTFN and CHREO (made that one up...send your comments on what you think it means)

What's Happening @ the Little Elm Public Library

08/10/09

History has been made by bridging communities! Have you tried the new bridge? I have not had a chance yet but people have told me that it saves a lot of time. I think the most exciting thing about the bridge is that it’s another part of Little Elm history. Little Elm is considered the Town with Lake Attitude and the bridge helps add to that reputation. For those who live in town the bridge provides a very important time saver connection to the other communities across the lake. The bridge also provides easy time saving access for the other communities to see all the wonderful things that Little Elm has to offer. So I would just like to say, come on over and see us, the water’s fine and we are ready to welcome you.

Speaking of bridging communities, PointBank has been serving numerous cities in Denton County for years and gives back to the communities in many ways. One way is by holding an annual charity golf tournament where the proceeds are given to the public libraries in the communities of Denton County that PointBank serves. Little Elm Public Library recently received a check for $1,277 from the 2008 tournament to be used towards the renovation and expansion of the library. PointBank’s 2009 annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament benefit fundraiser is going to be held on October 24th at Castle Hills Golf Club in Lewisville. They are taking registrations now. Forms are available at PointBank locations and at the Little Elm Public Library. For more information contact Deke Alexander at 940-686-7049 or David Fuller at 940-686-7021. The deadline for entry is September 30th. On behalf of the public libraries that serve Denton County, we appreciate your continued support.

Other events of interest coming up in the next few days include the monthly Little Elm Friends of the library meeting on Thursday, August 13th at 7pm. Friends are important to the successful growth of the library so come check out what’s happening!

On Saturday, August 15th, at 10:30am, family story time will be hosting Molly the Schipperke, certified through Therapy Dog International. This will be Molly’s first time with us so drop by to meet her. We hope to have her visit the third Saturday of every month. Beat the heat and stay at the library to make a summer memories book or jewelry with Woodhaven Creations. The program runs from 12-2, is open to any age and cost $5 per project. Registration is required so call 214-975-0430 to sign up. Also on that day the Knitting Club meets from 1-2. Bring your project and spend time with others who like to knit.

If you like to spend time reading, new bestsellers added this week include Rain Gods by James Lee Burke; Guardian of Lies by Steve Martini; Unmasked: the Final Years of Michael Jackson by Ian Halperin; Burn by Linda Howard; Fire and Ice by J.A. Jance; Return to Sullivan’s Island by Dorothea Benton Frank; The Defector by Daniel Silva; Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner; The Apostle by Brad Thor; Black Hills by Nora Roberts; and The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles. We look forward to hearing from you!

What's Happening @ the Little Elm Public Library

Little Elm Public Library newsletter
08/03/2009
Texas Tornadoes become part of the whirlwind of August activities @ the library. All ages can join the hockey reading program from August 1st through 27th. Any age can pick up the special form, read or listen to ten items and receive reading rewards. Kids ages 6-12 who complete the reading program will receive a voucher for a complimentary end zone ticket to the October 24th game. All other ages that complete the program will get put into the age category drawing for a complimentary end zone ticket provided by the Little Elm Friends of the Library.

While you read, bookmarks are very useful to hold your place during times you are not reading. During the month of August, we are encouraging people of all ages to enter the Inkheart bookmark contest. The goal is to create a bookmark that appears to come alive. All entries become the property of the Little Elm library. The first place winner will receive an Inkheart DVD donated by Ms. Sylvia, a longtime library supporter. The remainder of the bookmarks will be donated to a children’s charity to be determined. Entry forms can be picked up starting August 1st and all entries need to be turned in by Monday, August 31st.

The bookmark contest is being held in conjunction with the Scholastic Book Fair. We are encouraging families to create bookmarks together. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is published by Scholastic. Over the years, the Little Elm library has been hosting Scholastic Book Fair fundraisers, which carries hundreds of titles, including Inkheart. The library will be holding the next book fair between Saturday, August 8th and Wednesday, August 12th during library hours (M/W 10-5:30; T/TH 10-8; and Sat 10-3).

A special free program for women entitled A Woman’s Guide to Money Matters will be held on Saturday, August 8th starting at 10:30am at the Little Elm library. Call Linda C. Bullwinkle, an EdwardJones Financial Advisor at 972-292-1824 to reserve your space.

Also on Saturday, August the 8th, it is dog day at the library. First spend time with Megan and Maggie the dog for the 10:30 family story time and then Clifford the Big Red Dog will visit around 10:50am.

Texas Tornado Hockey Team mascot Ike the Polar Bear will be visiting toddler time and story time on Wednesday, August 12th from 10:30-11:30. Bring your camera!

The Little Elm Crafter’s Guild has been holding numerous craft classes for adults and children. On Tuesday, August 11th, sign up for the Intro to jewelry design class for ages 13 and up that starts at 6pm. The fee is ten dollars and there is a supply list. They have also started a Knitting club that will be meeting on Saturday, August 15th at 1pm. If crafts are your passion, come join the Crafters Guild, all crafts welcome!

If reading is your passion, new bestsellers added this week include: Burn by Linda Howard, Black Hills by Nora Roberts, and The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles.
For more information contact the library at 214-975-0430 or email library@littleelm.org.