Week Three: Online Meetings

Online meetings and classes are GREAT!   We've been using this technology in Southwest Kansas for a while now, and I feel comfortable with it.  There are some types of meetings that just lend themselves to face-to-face, but most meetings and classes can be presented online.  The advantage of being able to sit at your own desk and listen in can't be over-rated!  And if the you're listening to an archived session, you can listen whenever it's convenient.  I think the demand for this type of meeting/workshop will only increase as more and more of us realize the advantages.  I also think the technologies will improve, thereby increasing the demand!  

I've utilized this type of workshop many times in the past and today, I listened to an archived class -- New Copyright Tools and Best Practices: Copyright Law Update 2010.  It was hosted by Infopeople and presented by Mary Minow of Stanford University.  It was a packed hour of fantastic information about the most recent issues pertaining to copyright law.  

Week Two: Online Communities

Online communities are a fantastic way to keep in touch with every aspect of our lives: family, friends and work contacts.  I've been a member of Facebook for several years and have utilized it and enjoyed keeping up with family and friends across the Globe.  I haven't experimented with posting links, but have posted a few photos. It is fun and a great way to re-connect with people.



This past week has shown me an even more important and essential need for online communities.  The earthquake in Haiti 'hit' a little closer to home than I'd originally thought.  One of my colleagues on the Gray County Farm Bureau Board had arrived in Haiti on a missions trip the evening before the earthquake.  As communications were totally knocked out, no one here in the States had any word about their whereabouts or condition for several days.  However, his family communicated with all of us -- family and friends -- with updates as word filtered in.  Updating all of us with one communication allowed his family to spread the word without clogging up the phone lines and  hoping they didn't leave someone out.  It truly is a blessing to be able to a part of that 'network!'

Week One: Blogging

This is my first experience with actually blogging. I've subscribed to many blogs and have commented on them, but never actually published. I am looking forward to experimenting with the template and coming up with my own 'look.'

I am the Library Development Coordinator/Bibliographic Service Manager for the Southwest Kansas Library System ( which basically boils down to "Consultant.")  I am participating in the project to expand my technological prowess -- which at this point, wouldn't take too much.  I am very much a novice.  I think this is a great project, and I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead!