Library Thing made easy

I must say I found the LibraryThing a bit hard - but I realised afterwards if you do it step-by-step then it makes more sense.  In my opinion, the best way to learn all the features is to play around. Sometimes you learn much easier and quicker if you figure it out yourself.  You are less likely to forget it then. Anyway, this is just my view. I also had a look at the Vimeo LibraryThing training demo video, it was also very helpful. Overall, the demo video was easy to understand and to follow.  I thought tags are very good - you can just press the link and this brings you to the required information - a very useful and fast way of retrieving your special or popular books. It was nice to be able to rate the books too - you tend to read popular books more than the low rated ones. Why I wonder?

Library Thing Training Demo from Felix Barba on Vimeo.

LibraryThing experience

Library Thing

I think the LibraryThing tool is a wonderful "thing" - not only can you tag your special and most popular books, but you can also follow what is out there.  This feature is a definite plus for any library.


As stated by LibraryThing this is also a good social network system. You can also exchange ideas and comments. In this way you are always up-to-date with the latest books and reviews. 

LibraryThing helps you:

• Keep track of the books in your life
• Books you own
• Books you've read
• Books you'd like to read
• Wishlist
• Favorites
• ... any collection you want (LibraryThing, nd.).

Moreover, you can see what others like and prefer to read. Books are at your doorstep - books are retrieved from Amazon, as well as more than 690 library collections. This is great! Because LibraryThing act as a book review website too...

What did you find interesting? What sort of information could your library put on a wiki - internal for staff only or external for customers to use and edit?

Wiki Definition: A wiki ( ) is a website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

To start off, I think Wiki’s are overall great! I use Wikipedia all the time for my background research projects, especially when I do not know: ‘who is......’ and ‘what is......’ and ‘where is.....’  and what is the meaning of the word..... type of questions. But, in saying this, as a uni student, I was advised not to use any of the Wikipedia references in my assessments.  I could not really understand why?? However, after viewing the Wikis in plain English I now know why! People can edit information freely - anyone.  My only real concern is – if people do make changes, what is the guarantee that the information is 100% correct?  Anyway, this is just my own ponderings......   

However, I still think Wiki’s can be great for any library. They bring all information logically together. I thought, the Antioch University New England Library’s motto - "WWW" (When Wondering? Wiki) is valuable. (I can speak for myself :)

The Games and public libraries Wiki is very interesting too.  Clearly, everyone can participate and contribute their gaming experiences, findings and choices. This definitely is a must have in any library! However, gaming is not available in all Australian libraries. I know for a fact that overseas libraries are well-advanced in this area.  Anyway, I think gaming would be a tremendous hit with our Young Adults, not to mention our Adult user groups.

I realised that when clicking of the Montana History Wiki’s Subject Guides, there were lots of interesting information, like the Military History. But I did notice that the “Cooking and Cookbooks” subject heading was still empty. 

Did you find any good examples of other library blogs?

I must say, there are really good library blogs – very clever people! I have found a link to library blogs http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html

I thought that the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Library’s blog was really nice and informative. 

FLOW: information for Okavango Delta planning- http://flowhoorc.blogspot.com/

                                                                                    
Other links:

LibInfoSpace - http://libinfospace.blogspot.com/

VALISblog - http://valisblog.blogspot.com/

Georgia State University Library - http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/

18^th- Century Reading Room - http://18thcenturyreadingroom.blogspot.com/

Then again, our own Staff Blog is pretty great too... There is always interesting stuff to read and we (staff) are linked to the most up-to-date information at all times.  I find it very useful to know what is happening in other libraries. I think this is a wonderful example of social networking and engagement. It is good to know that the Blog also make use of the LibraryThing. Tagging all the popular keywords on the Blog is also a great idea. Mind you, it is good to be able to find information without any hassles.
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How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?

How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?

RSS feeds are fantastic! In my opinion, if libraries (including staff) are using RSS feeds correctly, it would have more advantages for libraries than disadvantages.

 RSS help libraries to:

• Keep up to date with the latest news – library news, world news, Information Technology news, and so on
• Keep up to date with other libraries, and what they are doing in the industry
• Keep abreast with the latest technology – RSS feeds can be linked to new technology updates and computer websites
• Promote services to their users 

Flickr ideas in the library




My ultimate library would have to be the Dok Delft Library in Holland. I would love to visit this beautiful library one day!

A few years ago when Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer did their Shanachie tour around Australia - they absolutely inspired me. J  All their library ideas were so fresh, new and existing.  Not only were their ideas great, but they were motivated to inspire other libraries to do the same.

What do you think about Lifelong Learning?



Well, Lifelong learning is forever......   

Lifelong learning starts with me... 

Lifelong learning starts with you....

Actually lifelong learning starts with us.....