Assignment 2 Reflection

I just finished feeling my way around WordPress. The one question I still have is this: what exactly does installing WordPress mean? Would we all be able to mess with plugins and themes if we were to install it?

I started out by skimming through other teams pages, reading through the discussion board postings and the help pages, and seeing what my team had already done. I commented on some of my team member's posts. From here, I studied the dashboard, looking at all of my options. I made my profile in my account setup, then I added a page for my actual bio page. I saw that others had pictures, so I added a self-portrait, my portfolio website, and my individual blog. It was all pretty easy to catch on to, but the site was very slow (not sure if that was my connection's fault). 

I created a post, and then I changed the theme, adding or subtracting widgets. I liked having the sidebar to the left, so I moved that. I was a little confused on the themes though, I wasn't sure how to add a new theme, (one of my team members did, but I wasn't as successful) so I just added one already listed. I did try to install a new theme, but it wasn't successful.

I then created another post, linking to a video (I did not figure out to embed it) and posting a captioned image. I noticed that the image was automatically added to the media library. 


I played with tags a little bit, adding a tag cloud to our sidebar. If we had more time, I think that this feature would prove to be useful (and fun) in the long run. The categories were nice, too. I didn't add any, but I did label each of my posts according to the ones that had already been created.

Overall, I felt like I learned pretty quickly, but only because I had so many examples to look at. The Dashboard feature is really nice, I'd like to learn more about WordPress in the future, starting from scratch. I felt like a lot was done for us, and maybe that was what created a gap in understanding a few things. I also wish I had started earlier, but time was not on my side this week.

Time to find a librarian to interview!

End of Module 1

Although I was forced to put it off until the last minute, I thoroughly enjoyed reading through Module 1's discussions. My experience working in libraries is minimal, so it is really interesting to read about everyone else's encounters/experiences. I think my favorite topic was everyone's responses to how they saw their libraries using Web 2.0, if they were embracing or not, etc.

I was reading blog updates and came across this. I know I'll be in this boat soon enough, and I'd like to get as much advice as possible on how to navigate through the job search process...

http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/05/18/tips-for-library-job-applicants-in-a-tight-market/

Hope everyone had a good weekend, it was beautiful here in Powder Springs!

Things to look forward to...

It is very late, I am very tired, but tomorrow is my last day working part-time at a toy store, and I am ecstatic. In a couple of weeks, I will be starting my first real library experience as the art library intern at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. I am hoping things will only get better from there! I read the calendar, and there is a sculpture cleaning day. They have a replica of the Statue of David, which happens to be my favorite piece of art. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to clean that!! I've seen the real thing, but I doubt I'll be any less excited that morning...

On another note, I'm a little overwhelmed with how much commenting I have to do this weekend. Posting 2 comments sounded so much better.

Finding a wiki for a library.

I do not work at a library, but I did attempt to analyze the public library I visit often.

The West Cobb Regional Library, located in Kennesaw, GA, is a public library that serves users from a large portion of Cobb County. I visit frequently, brought by my own personal needs and school needs. If this library were to create a wiki, it would need to be focused on really getting the community involved, giving many different types of age groups attention. Budget cuts are sure to be an issue, so the wiki would need to be efficient as far as maintenance. A strong web presence would be crucial to getting information out to users without being overwhelming or confusing. Anything from tutoring for teenagers to computer classes for adults could be support via video archives or announcements. It would be used as a place for sharing knowledge between user and librarian, allowing for suggestions and making information about the library more accessible. After searching through WikiMatrix, I narrowed it down to Wikia and Wikispaces, ultimately choosing Wikispaces because it seemed affordable and it also offered 8 interface languages.  It seemed to have a lot of great features to give the library a great web presence.

Happy Thursday!

So I work at a toy stored called Learning Express (in West Cobb), thought I'd share the website for those who have kiddies. It's a really fun store! http://www.learningexpress.com/

Now on to finishing this assignment...I think I'm getting the hang of this RSS feed stuff!

And we're off!

This is my first-ever attempt at creating a blog, and the next technology adventure of my MLIS experience. A couple of weeks ago, it was Google Sites for an online portfolio. I can't say I have much experience with Web 2.0 in terms of library technologies, but I am familiar with social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter, etc. (I use Facebook, and I have a feeling I'll cave into Twitter very soon). I have played with LibraryThing, I've seen Second Life demonstrations, and I've read blogs. I know I have a lot to learn, and I'm confident that this will be worth every frustrating second. I'm open-minded and ready to explore, and I hope to walk away with a better understanding of not just how libraries use Web 2.0 technologies, but also how I can better prepare myself for the transition into the profession.