10th Thing: Generators

This was fun!!! In 1982 I cross stitched this saying for my mom. Funny how in this ever changing world some things still remain true!

9th Thing:Feeds Are Not Just for Dinner Anymore!

While searching Bloglines for library-related feeds, I came across the Library Link for the Day, a daily link for library professionals. There I learned that the libraries in Washington, D.C. are about to institute a rule that sleeping will be banned from the library. This ruling will affect the many homeless people who use the libraries as tempory shelter. I think this will be an interesting feed to check when first come into work.

8th Thing: Books, Books and More Books

I thought that LibraryThing was an interesting site but not one that I could see myself using. I'm not one for chatting online with people I do not know. I would much more prefer to join a book group and talk about a particular book face to face with others. As for keeping track of books I read, a good old-fashioned pencil and a notebook work just fine for me!

I did like the ability to see the book covers and I saw some beading books I did not know about and might be interested in checking out from the library or purchasing in the future.

7th thing: RSS

I enjoyed learning about RSS and thought it could possibly be useful to those who select books for the Pamunkey library system. By subscribing to feeds from sites that provide critical book reviews, the selectors could peruse reviews quickly and use the information to decide whether or not to purchase a particular book.

Personally, I think that the feeds could help me stay up on current events. Unlike my husband, I do not read the newspaper on a daily basis so having feeds from the Times-Dispatch and CNN could help me be more aware of what's going on in the world.

6th Thing

WOW! I found a great beading site on MySpace. I typed in "making jewelry necklaces" and found K C Bead Designs. As a beginning beader, I am always on the lookout for new patterns for bead necklaces, bracelets and other projects. This site was loaded with really neat designs that could be enlarged so that the beads and patterns were clearly visible. I'm sure I'll be visiting this site on many occasions in the future.

5th Thing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/khosla/131965022/

I love birds--especially bluebirds. The above link shows a darling Western Bluebird perched on a fence post. From my front porch, I often see bluebirds in my front yard perched on the telephone wire. They bring me such joy!

4th Thing

Today I entered the world of You Tube. Now I know what all the fuss is about. I recently took up the hobby of beading so I viewed several introductory beading videos. Very cool--it was like having my own private beading session. I can see how this site will be helpful for learning so many things.

I think You Tube could be useful for publicizing the Pamunkey libraries and their services and events. Each branch could make a video tour of their site highlighting the building and the resources and various services. Special speakers/events could be taped and shared. The possibilities are endless!

3rd Thing: The 71/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners

As a child, one of the household rules enforced by my parents was that work ALWAYS comes before play. On the one hand, this was a good rule because it cultivated discipline and responsibility. On the other hand, it stifled spontaneity.

As an adult, I often find that there is little time left over for play once I have done all of my grown-up work. So I suppose the habit that most challenges me is #8: Play. It is often hard for me to put my work aside and have fun just hanging out with my family and friends. And yet I know that I need to make time for the people who are important to me. Afterall, it is the time we spend with others that makes life truly worth living.

I have always had a strong internal sense of direction so the first habit, beginning with the end in mind, comes pretty easily to me. Whether creating an original story for an elementary musical, designing a church music program, buying and setting up house or pursuing a new job, I have often been able to envision the end result and take the steps to make it a reality. I believe that anything is possible with enough vision and persistence!

A-Blogging I Will Go

One of the great benefits of working for the library is the opportunity to learn new things. The 20 things will definitely stretch me but also help me navigate this brave new technological world that my nieces and nephews have already mastered. I'm gonna show them that you really can teach a "not-so-old" dog new tricks!