Happy Endings

WooHoo, I'm at thing 23!!!!!!!!!
Okay, now what was my favorite discovery? I'm not sure I have a total favorite. I was very pleased at how simple it was to set up a blog and personalize it. I was not as creative as some, but enjoyed the process.

I have always been a huge fan of lifelong learning so this was an enjoyable and broadening experience with the 23 things. Like Woody Allen's shark that must keep swimming forward or it will die -- if you ever quit learning your will dry up like a raisin in the noonday sun.

What surprises were there. One was how much I hated RSS feeds and Digg. Who would have thought that there could be too much information for me, but there is waaayyyy too much with those tools. For the same reason I thought I would not enjoy GoodReads, but I did. In fact GoodReads could be addicting. The other surprise what how much I enjoyed Flickr and mash ups. I could play with those a lot if I owned a digital camera better than the one on my cell phone.

I really enjoyed the Library2.0 section as it made me realized how I came into the digital revolution early on in my library career and am now migrating and growing as libraries go forward into the next generations of useful and useable technology. The exercises in the 23 things go a long way to educating those of us who were slipping behind just due to the excesses of everyday routines. I have used Wikis more for personal research from an early stage, and now use podcasts on a fairly regular basis so these are already good friends. I had paid little attention to YouTube until the 23 Things and spent way too much time enjoying it when I started searching around. Netlibrary is a great way for those who enjoy audiobooks to obtain titles for free and without cluttering up with more cassette tapes or cds. I personally was underwhelmed, but that is my problem. I would recommend it to others.

I cannot express how much I have enjoyed this process, but I have to admit that at times it has be time consuming. I got behind and had to complete several things in large bites rather than taking my time. For that reason, I would be somewhat reluctant to engage in another extended learning experience any time soon, but after we get the new library built or if I find some way to more effectively manage my time I would consider it. The has been a valuable process for all who have participated. Thanks to all, but mostly thank you, Sarah.