Reflection

I am going to use this break to reflect on all I have done over the last month. 

I am now pretty used to Blogger and so far it has done everything I have needed it to. 

I go on to iGoogle less and less now that Wimbledon is over but it did get me into the habit of checking Tube updates, which is good.  I deleted my First Great Western RSS feed fairly swiftly, as I got a list of every single train running and how late they were.  I will however set up feeds in the future, as I can see their potential.  Google Reader now tends to be the way I keep an eye on other 23 Things blogs and I am also acquiring quite a random knowledge of all things ice cream due to my Google Alert.

Reflecting on Things 8-9 made me realise that I had not utlised them again since.  I was about to write that it was because I had had no need for pictures but then I remembered my blog, so here you go:

Funnily enough trying to use Flickr this time, I soon discovered the same problems others had encountered - I was struggling to find an image to show exactly what I meant.  I was being a good librarian and thinking of related search terms when I remembered that I actually had the perfect photo myself for one of these other terms.

I have found myself straying back to Facebook.  I think I need time to appreciate Twitter, as at the moment I just log on, quickly scroll down and log off.  Just in the last day or two however I have become aware of one distinct advantage.  I have started to notice that I am reading things in newpapers, which I was already aware of a few days ago thanks to Twitter, for example, can a macaque own copyright?!

I have taken the opportunity to explore LinkedIn in more detail, even looking at the profiles of some respected library professionals.  I am resolved in my conclusion that I should not join until I will be able to dedicate the time to keeping it up-to-date.

I am looking forward to the rest of the Things.

Things 10-12 + Cool Extra Thing

Already an avid Facebook user, I have recently been toying with the idea of joining Twitter, as I feel like there is more happening on there.  I have therefore used 23 Things as the impetus to set up an account but have decided to use it personally rather than professionally.  I am finding it difficult to adjust at the moment, so set am I in my Facebook ways but I am making an effort to use it in place of Facebook for the time being.  I do like the rapid exchanges but think I will continue to use Facebook for pictures.  I have followed one library and thus completed Thing 11.  I am also involved in updating the SCHS Libraries Twitter account so I have experience of its more professional use.  We tend to tweet interesting thing happening in the world of health and education but I see other libraries provided updates about their services.

I decided not to join LinkedIn because at the moment it would be one too many accounts to try and maintain.  I fear it would become neglected, which would not give a favourable impression.  It is still good to be reminded that it is there and may be of use in the future.

Most of the library Facebook pages seem to provide updates on new material and events.  The use of pictures to show new books and the fact that people can see the answer to questions that they may have had themselves are good.  I do however think that striking the right tone between professional and personal is quite tricky on this medium.