Remember the 23Things? I'm Finished!

Last summer, sometime around July 1st, I started working my way through the Special Library Association's 23Things. It is a remarkable learning opportunity for info pros who want to become familiar with the multitude of Web 2.0 tools that have come on the scene. These tools, including blogs, wiki's, bookmarking, and more are gaining traction in our workspace. Info pros who are not becoming familiar with these tools risk being left behind. (Note: I am blogging this from Internet Librarian in Monterey CA. Information Today President Tom Hogan listed the finalists in last year's contest for what to call a non-Internet Librarian. Winner? Zoe Anderson at the Napa Library. She dubbed the non-Internet Librarian as Librarian 1.0.)

Happily sometime in mid-September I finished the nine week program outlined by SLA, and at some level I am now conversant in the 23 Things. I strongly recommend this program to each and every SLA member. Knowing what these tools do, how they are being used, and how they might be used in your context, is empowering indeed. Our profession needs informed info pro's leading the way. I may not be Librarian 3.0, but I know I'm not a Librarian 1.0!

SLA has hung out the brass ring for you. I strongly suggest you reach for it.

Web 2.0 and the Info Pro

Web 2.0 encompasses interactive tools such as RSS feeds, social bookmarking, image sharing, blogs, and wikis. The debate is on about how info pros should/could be using these tools to improve information access and information delivery. To take a peak at the discussion, visit Library 2.0 on Ning.

For those interested in learning more, there are lots of opportunities, including the SLA initiative called 23Things, modeled after the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County's 23Things.

For anyone in San Diego CA on October 3, 2008 the local chapter of SLA is hosting an all day seminar entitled Web Services - Embracing the Web as the Library's Core Service Space. Watch the chapter blog for more information.

The Learning Curve

In order to obtain hands on experience with some of the newer technology options (Web 2.0 tools) I'm taking advantage of a program offered by SLA, the association of specialty librarians. The program is called 23Things. It offers tutorials and guidance so that participants can practice what they learn. This blog is a product of this learning opportunity.

As of today I have finished 7 of the 23 Things including topics such as blogging and social bookmarking. I've still got a ways to go, but it helps to have a structured, step by step opportunity to progress.

Feel the Power

Today I posted a tweet on Twitter, watched an instructional video on YouTube, created this blog entry, delivered a short presentation to a colleague two times zones away using a virtual meeting tool, and saved and tagged several web sites using Del.icio.us. Oh yes, I also sent some e-mails and talked to a client on the telephone, which goes to show that the "old" technologies don't necessarily disappear. The new technologies expand the possibilities.

Taking the new techonologies for a test run doesn't necessarily mean they will become part of the daily routine. It does mean that at least we are familiar with the concept, the jargon, and the functionality. Staying current in your field is important to all professionals, info entrepreneurs included. Feel the power.

Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site for storing URLs on the web. Advantages of doing this include easy accessibility from wherever you are (since it's a Web based tool) and tagging. In this case tagging means adding descriptions or terms to your bookmark entries so that you can later search and sort your bookmarks based on the term you have assigned.

Using Del.icio.us requires registration (easy enough) and the installation of two buttons on your Internet browser toolbar. Del.icio.us makes this easy with very clear instructions, however, in the process I found that the Firefox extensions currently available on the Del.icio.us Web site are not compatible with Firefox 3.0. I'm sure the extension creators will catch up, but in the meantime just use the drag and drop method to put the necessary buttons on your toolbar.

To find other interesting blogs, go to Del.icio.us and enter your the word blog plus subject word in the search box. Blog quilting yielded 337 hits!