23 Things: Things 5, 6, and 7!

Thing 5
The 5th Activity requires a trip to Delicious, and learning how to use a social bookmarking site.  I had put off using Delicious because I heard there was some issues with whether or not they would still be around soon...but I have since heard they are staying put.  I hope so, because I think I am really going to like this once I get all of my current bookmarks transferred over and tagged accordingly.  It will really make it easier to go back and forth from my laptop to the desktop to the iPad.  This is a great idea, and one of the things that I think will get the most use so far out of these activities.  I am loving the idea of the bookmarking site.  The activity also required signing the blog up on delicious with a tag of SLA23Things, so that it may be linked to their blog lists when open.  Check.

Thing 6
The 6th activity involves tagging and folksonomies and blog directories.  It is interesting to see how you can track who views your blog, and using the folksonomies and tags allows for constructive browsing- and also presents the temptation to just websurf all afternoon, so use with caution!  The activity also includes joining Technorati and listing this blog, which I did.

Thing 7
Thing 7 has to do with Library 2.0 and how it is used today.  I have to admit, no offense to the traditionalists, that I love the OPAC at my local public library.  I search entire lists of school recommended texts, make a list of them and save it in my profile, and then place requests a few (or 10) at a time.   Then I can sit back and wait for them to be sent from all over the county to the library a few blocks from my house, pick them all up at once at the desk rather than looking for them, and thus avoid the showdown between my 2 year old and the other patrons while I am searching for books.  Don't get me wrong, there are days when we go and hang out in the kids section...and there are days I go to browse and shop the friends of the library bookstore...but some times you just want them practically delivered to you.  I love it.  And, it helps me keep track of what I need for the rest of the semester, and what I have already covered.

I admit the idea of random patrons commenting on resources is a bit scary to me...but then, I read the reviews of both customers and Consumer Reports before making other purchases, particularly kid related items as the researchers obviously do not have children when they make and/or promote some things.  Why should it be different with books?  Do I always believe their reviews? No.  Of course not.  Some things should be taken with a grain or shaker of salt, and some people love to complain.  But I am sure that we will eventually have a way of dealing with that as well.  I look forward to the changing library environment.

Also,some of the blogs for the Library 2.0 gang were really entertaining...