PODCASTS & VODCASTS

Podcasts - being digital audio files made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player - enable Libraries to have a different distribution method for their information.

- enable customers to listen to your material when, where and how they want. These programs could include : lectures; tours; book reviews; promotion of upcoming events; story-telling; resource guides; author and guest speakers talks.

- a great way to attract youth to the Library.

Listened to the BBC radio podcasts of the "Last Goon Show 1972", and the "Ying Tong" song by the Goons, taken from "Frogchicken".

Listened to ABC sessions of Andrew Dentons' "Enough Rope" that I had previously missed.

Billerica Public Library (US) is an example of 0ne library with a snappy video advertisement doing this.

Metaphysics & Zero Point Field

YOU TUBE

VIDEO - Searched "Metaphysics" and zeroed in on "Metaphysics & Zero Point Field" - Appealed for the reason I am presently studying Metaphysics and thought it would give me further insight into this fascinating subject.
Psychologist Christopher Holmes discusses the physics and metaphysics of higher consciousness and the mysteries of the heart.

AUDIO BOOKS - Searched "classical audio books" and discovered " The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightingale.
Listened to a brief excerpt,which provided a thought provoking message about success.

Searched "National Library of Australia" - "Libraries at work" video - Christmas party Dec. 2007 in the public foyer where the unexpected talents of librarians, archivists, digital specialists and IT boffins are displayed within a "surfing" theme....very entertaining!

Also - "Discover Asian Collections" - A promotional film for the Asian book collections.

WIKIS - Potential for Library Profession

Explored - St. Josephs' County Public Library Subject Guide.
- iread - a readers' advisory wiki from Iowa librarians.
- Biz Wiz - business resources available through Ohio University Libraries.
- Library Success - a profession wide Wiki to record Library Best Practice.

Played - in the Wiki Sandbox - adding 2 entries to "my favourite vacation spots" and "my favourite restaurants".

WIKIS - can open up new possibilities for collaboration between the Library and its patrons.

- can be used for Intranets, collaborative projects, document creation, and text edits.

- can be a great format for "subject guides" - by allowing the Librarian to moderate the wiki with her input or by allowing patron contribution.

- can allow users to post synopses and book reviews - capitalising on the reading experiences of patrons in order to help them make informed reading choices from the Library Catalogue.

- posting community information onto a "Community Wiki" - would allow any community member to add new informative content.

Summary -

Librarians, utilising wikis, can become community resources - positioning the library as an on-line hub of the community.