Method 4

The RSS feed concept seems really useful for keeping up with particular Blogs or associations. During this excerise I really didn't find anything I wanted to follow on a regualar basis, however, now that I am aware of RSS I can use it the next time I find a Blog or website I want to keep updated with. I'm guessing for news this could be useful and quite a time sucker. As for Library use, professionally, once you identify a good source, you can keep up with trends and techonolgies as they happen, not several years down the road, as we are now. Really itching to learn more about photo sharing online, so 'am on to Method 5.

Method 3 cloud computing

I've been pondering "cloud computing" the past week. This is an arena I really didn't know existed and since my discovery (thanks to a librarian, I might add)has already made my personal and work life so much easier! (I'm one who constantly misplaced my memory stick and will use 2 to 3 different computers in the course of a day...how did I not know about this??) I have have taken baby steps to upload/share/access info in a cloud (figuatively & literally) I've been thinking about its impact and use in the library world beyond the usual committee work, daily reports, accessing personal info while at work.

I was also surprised by the comments made by other bloggers and the article "We're not all ready for the cloud yet.". I felt they mainly were missing or forgetting what libraries and Librarians role/jobs are: To provide access to information. "cloud computing" is just another resourse/tool to share and introduce library patrons to. The comment about not just using Google Docs, quite humorous, as librarians ( yes we do tend to steer the patrons to our "favorite" source), however, our duty is to present an unbaised presentation of the facts/info out there. So why would we change now with "cloud computing"?? Anytime a new media /technology arrives there will be a period of adjustment and as always Librarians will be ther to hold the hands of those who are hestitant.

So how will libraries implement "cloud computing"?? First of all, they will EDUCATE (let their patrons know and learn about it); as librarians share and use "cloud computing" its capabilities will continue to grow! I am VERY EXCITED about becoming very familiar and comfortable with "cloud computing", so I can help others to do the same.

It's like online banking, when it first started, there was no way I would use that/ trust that... and now I can't imagine banking any other way, I even do all my deposits at the ATM. Does that mean there is no need for bank tellers?? No, and when I do go in the bank the tellers are alot more friendly and helpful....hmmmm