Oldsillyme's Weblog

Adventure 8: Advanced Googling

oldsillyme — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:14:26 +0000

I had fun with this! I searched maps, news, and product search. Also I checked out the top 10 search tricks. I think it is amazing just how much information we have at our fingertips. When I have more time I am going to “play” with this a little more.

Adventure 7: Wikis

oldsillyme — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:54:05 +0000

Boy did I struggle with getting a PBwiki account! I clicked so many buttons that I become thoroughly confused. So what did I do– I asked Lisa for help. She’s great!! She discovered I already had an account– it was a miracle I did it (I don’t know how it happened)! So I proceeded to add a recipe for Kidney Bean Salad. This recipe was found in a library book a long time ago. The recipe was a newspaper clipping and looked like it was used as a bookmark. So I took the recipe and tried it. Since then I have used it often.

Adventure 6: Instant Messaging

oldsillyme — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:00:50 +0000

Well, I had fun with this one! I went in two different ways to ask my questions. First I used “Ask Away”. My question was to find the names of some vines I could plant by my stockade fence– ones that would turn into a beautiful color in the fall. I was connected with Sarah (24/7 librarian), Questionpoint chat service. She really worked on this one. We had quite a “chat” going! She asked me for more info as to what I was looking for, then she pushed a couple of web pages to me. One of the web pages was that of a nursery catalog that gave great descriptions of various vines. In the end she suggested that I go to my library and look for some books on the subject. I felt she was helpful and put me in the right direction. My second question was not very successful. I went into “Reference” and used the blue box to give my question. My question was that I wanted info on the history of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. After waiting more than 15 minutes the session was joined by Jordan, Naperville Public Library. I told him that I was interested in a book or maybe a DVD. He said he would check the catalog. Then he said he was having difficulties and that he was ending the session! Well– that’s that! Guess I will not get my info regarding the history of the Grant Ole Opry. I would try this service again and would suggest it to patrons– hopefully they will get a good response and not have their session ended due to difficulties and no other explanation. However I guess that’s RL. Nothing’s perfect. I feel that IM and Ask Away is good for libraries because patrons can get answers any time of the day. Sometimes questions arise that need to be answered “now” and can’t wait until the library opens.

I also checked out the link to AIM Acronym Dictionary. I have always wondered about these. Of course, ASAP was familiar, but I was surprised that TGIF was not on the list. I printed the list and hopefully I will use some of these abbreviations. My friends will probably wonder what I am trying to say, or– maybe they will be impressed! OK- B4N!

Adventure 5: Podcasts

oldsillyme — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:12:18 +0000

I found listening to podcasts interesting. I first chose Writer’s almanac, with Garrison Keillor, Nov. 3, 2008: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php. I always enjoy the sound of Garrison Keillor’s voice and I especially liked his reading of the poem, Lessons, by Pat Schneider. Then I went into Longshots Podcast, by Library Beat: http://www.librarybeat.com/longshots. I chose #123: Sarah Long’s talk with Diahann Carroll. I remember Diahann Carroll being on television as Julia. Sarah and Diahann had a delightful talk. One item they talked about was marriage. Diahann was married 4 times– this surprised me! Even though I enjoyed listening to these podcasts, I do not think I would be listening to podcasts very often whether on a computer or on a portable music player. However, I do think that libraries could make use of podcasts– maybe by letting teens know what we are doing for them here at the library. I mention teens because I think they are probably into listening to podcasts.

Adventure 4: Library Resources

oldsillyme — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:46:05 +0000

I had fun with this adventure! I looked into the Chicago Tribune Historical Database for the World’s Columbian Exposition 1893 which was held in Chicago. I found a wealth of information– very interesting. I also went into the resource, American Decades. The 1950s always interested me and I came up with many sites under this search. Lastly I looked up lung cancer in Medical Guide Magill’s and it gave me more information than I wanted to know. We certainly have alot of information at our fingertips! I will probably use the library resources again and will recommended it to family and friends.

Peking Acrobats Show on the General Jackson Showboat

oldsillyme — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:08:23 +0000

I chose this video because I was on the General Jackson Showboat in Nashville, TN on 10/22/08! This is the show I saw! What fun it was to find it on YouTube. YouTube has such a great selection to choose from– I could spend hours looking at the videos. The Wilmette Library might use online videos to let patrons know what great things are at the library. Maybe one video could be directed at teens, another for seniors, etc.

Our Edifice!

oldsillyme — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:48:56 +0000

Our Edifice!

Originally uploaded by wilmettelibrary

I had so much fun bringing the first picture to my blog that I just had to do it again. Here is my home away from home! It sure has changed over the years– several growing spurts.

A Day at the Beach

oldsillyme — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:35:33 +0000

A Day at the Beach

Originally uploaded by WisDoc

Isn’t this a beautiful picture? I wish I was there! I had alot of trouble getting this onto my blog, but with much help it worked.

Hi World,

oldsillyme — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:03:04 +0000

Well here is am! I never thought that when I frst used an electric typewriter that I would be blogging some day. I’m going to find this very interesting!

Hello world!

oldsillyme — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:56:35 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!