Vermont’s 23 Things – Fall Session

Here we go again! It’s September 23 and for those of you who haven’t yet gone on the Vermont’s 23 Things adventure, especially you children and youth services librarians, here’s your chance!! Find out what everyone has been talking about!

If you’ve already started and are a little stalled, how about using this as motivation to conquer the next Thing?

What is Vermont’s 23 Things?

Vermont’s 23 Things is a self-directed online learning program that will introduce you to many free Web 2.0 tools. If you’ve ever been curious about blogs, wikis, flickr, RSS, MySpace, and YouTube, but haven’t gone beyond looking up their definitions, here’s a chance to explore those tools (and more!) Vermont’s 23 Things will encourage you to play with them and see how they can be useful in your library (or personally).

Grace Greene, DOL’s Children’s Services Consultant, campaigned for a fall session for children and youth librarians, but all are welcome. As an extra bonus, Grace will be participating.

Please tell all of your colleagues. Consider finding a buddy to share the fun and keep you motivated. Your regional consultant is also available for help: Amy Howlett: The Good Ship Beagle, Michael Roche: Northeast Regional Library, Jeremiah Kellogg: Vtmidstatelibrary’s Weblog, and Rob Geiszler, rob.geiszler@mail.dol.state.vt.us

Welcome to Vermont’s 23 Things Summer Session

Welcome to Vermont’s 23 Things!

Vermont’s 23 Things is a hands-on, learning program that provides an opportunity to explore Web 2.0 tools and the impact these tools are having on libraries & library service. All participants are encouraged to use the program as an opportunity to check out 2.0 technologies and think about ways in which our libraries can use these tools to deliver innovative library services.

Why Do This?
Web 2.0 is a phrase that was coined in 2004. It refers to the fact that the Internet is now an interactive medium rather than a ‘place’ to go to get information. Since people are flocking to these Web 2.0 sites, it is important that those of us who work in libraries should be up-to-date with the latest trends in technology and learn how they can be used in our libraries.

Here’s how it works:
Every week or two weeks, you will have an assignment with 2 or 3 tasks that will introduce you to a new tool. You will be asked to create a blog (which can be anonymous) to document your exploration.

Some other details:
1. Upon completion you will receive 10 credits towards the technology requirement for CE certification.
2. There is no ‘right’ way to do these tasks. The purpose is to learn, play, and share with your colleagues in your library and around the state.
4. Consider having every member of your library participate. Friends, library volunteers, and trustees are invited to take part.
6. Have fun!

Questions about Vermont’s 23 Things? Please contact Mara Siegel. e-mail: mara.siegel@mail.dol.state.vt.us phone: 828-3261 or your regional consultant.

Ready to start? Click on THE 23 THINGS at the top of this page.

Week 1

Well, it’s halfway through Week 1 and participant blog URLS are tumbling in. I can’t wait to see what happens during the blog week!