Thursday, June 9, 2011
And the winner is...
Congrats to everyone who participated in the challenge! The raffle winner has been picked and the Barnes&Noble gift card goes to Laura Butler from Mt. Laurel Public Library!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Week 4- Level 1 GAMES
Play an Online Game:
How often are you helping kids with games online, but never really playing them? Now is your chance! It is the last week of the challenge so lets have some fun and play those games! Not only will we have some fun playing them and learning how they work, but we might find some new game sites to show to kids.
Here are a few to get started:
Level 1 Exercise: Play some games and blog about them! What are the educational value to some of these games? How does your library handle kids playing games on the computer? Are there any challenges you or your library face when it comes to kids playing games? What games do you like to play? Know any great game sites? List them on your blog!
Week 4-Level 2 WEBSITES
Check Out Some Great Websites:
In the 2.0 world there are so many great websites and tools out there. This week is a chance to learn about some and share others. To get started here are a few websites, on a variety of topics, that you can use professionally or just for fun (Please note that these sites all offer free content, though a few may offer some additional pay services):
Level 2 Exercise:
Explore the sites and blog about them. Have you used them before? Do you think they will be helpful? Include in your blog any websites that you use that others might find helpful or useful on the job!
Week 4-Level 3 TBBC
Become familiar with the NJ Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC):
Check out the TBBC’s website and read the following about the TBBC from Youth & Young Adult Services Librarian Liz Burns:
Information about TBBC’s youth services offerings:
"TBBC provides materials for anyone who cannot read a traditional print book for any physical reason. That means blind; low vision (even with glasses, standard type, such as is found in a newspaper, is too small); physical (which means cannot hold a book or turn the pages for an extended period of time); and, in certain circumstances, reading disabilities. More on who is qualified. More on when someone with reading disabilities qualifies.
The books we provide are Braille and audiobooks, that are produced by the National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS) . They are produced outside of copyright, which means that authors and publishers aren’t paid for our copies; and, that we have to be careful about who has access to the materials. It means it’s for those who need the book rather than want the book. Because of this, our books are not the ones you’d find at the local public library or bookstore, or even looking in WorldCat.org. If you think a certain book doesn’t exist in audio because it’s not at Amazon? Think again and check out our website.
The books we provide are Braille and audiobooks, that are produced by the National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS) . They are produced outside of copyright, which means that authors and publishers aren’t paid for our copies; and, that we have to be careful about who has access to the materials. It means it’s for those who need the book rather than want the book. Because of this, our books are not the ones you’d find at the local public library or bookstore, or even looking in WorldCat.org. If you think a certain book doesn’t exist in audio because it’s not at Amazon? Think again and check out our website.
To protect the copyright holders and the purpose of this being for people who are qualified, our audiobooks play on a machine that we lend to people, called the Digital Talking Book Machine. Audiobooks are digital, and either are preloaded on a flashdrive cartridge that is sent thru the mail or can be downloaded onto a flashdrive. (The patron needs an email and password to apply for the download service). Braille may also be downloaded.
At TBBC, our work focuses on two areas: being the librarian for the children using our services. For example – Readers Advisory. Except, it’s all on the phone or email; materials are delivered via the mail or downloaded; and, of course, it’s a matter of finding the item on Braille or audiobook. We also have a summer reading program but, because we have one location for the entire state, it’s a by-mail program.
The other focus is outreach, promoting our services and letting people know about us as a resource. (And yes – this is all free). So, that means a lot of exhibits at fairs and conferences.
By bullet point, here are the primary services:
· Braille, large print, and audiobooks
o The materials are produced under an exception to the copyright, so are not the same books as are at the local public library or bookstore. Here are the OPACs that list our books: http://opac.njlbh.org/ and http://nlscatalog.loc.gov/
· For audiobooks: a digital talking book machine to listen to the audiobooks
· Many of the Braille and audiobooks may be downloaded via the Internet
· Braille and audio magazines (also may be available to download)
· By mail summer reading program
· Story hours (both at TBBC or at public libraries)
· Exhibits, at places like Transition Fairs
· This brochure is outdated, but it has the basics.
Level 3 Excersise:
Blog about what you’ve learned about TBBC. Are their services something you were familiar with? Could this be useful to you on the job? Have you ever used their services for your patrons? Curious about their library and what it looks like? Want a tour? Then be sure to check out level 4!
Week 4- Level 4 CSS
Attend the CSS Executive Board meeting on June 3:
While all CSS meetings are open to members and not just the executive board, we are inviting everyone who participated in the challenge to join us for a meeting at the Talking Book & Braille Center to celebrate the challenge, learn more about CSS, and get a special tour of TBBC. We’ll have food and prizes for those who attend!
Here are the meeting details:
Directions to TBBC
Friday, June 3rd10am to12:30pm Please let us know if you plan on attending by posting it on your blog or sending us an email. You can tell us yes, no or maybe.
Here are the meeting details:
Directions to TBBC
Friday, June 3rd10am to12:30pm Please let us know if you plan on attending by posting it on your blog or sending us an email. You can tell us yes, no or maybe.
Check back on the blog for the winners of the Gift Cards! Congrats on doing the challenge and we hope to see you in person!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Week 3 - Level 1 DELICIOUS
Sign up for a Delicious account
How many computers do you use throughout your day? Maybe one at your public service desk, another in your office, and then maybe another at home. If you use your favorites option on your computer to save your favorite website links you may find it frustrating remembering what computer you saved a website to. Wouldn't it be great to save all those favorite websites in one place that you can access from any computer? Let's take a look at the social bookmarking site Delicious, which allows you to just that! Delicious lets you bookmark your favorite websites and add tags. Also, with Delicious, you can see how other people tag their links and find more websites by seeing what others use.
We recommend viewing this brief video by Donna Papacosta of Trafalgar Communications on How to Use Delicious before signing up for your free account. Signing up is easy! Go to Delicious and select "Join Now" in the right hand corner, or sign up from here. (Please note that Delicious was previously owned by Yahoo and was recently sold. All features of Delicious remain the same).
Next, play around with Delicious and see how easily this tool can replace your traditional browser favorites list. Explore the site options and look at bookmarks that have been selected by other users. You can import your bookmarks from your Favorites list on your computer, tag and organize them, and then you will be able to access them from any PC.
Level 1 Exercise:
Bookmark and tag some useful sites, then create a blog post about your thoughts and experience with this tool.
- How can delicious be more convenient then using your favorite options?
- How did you tag your items? Do you think tagging makes organizing websites easier to find?
- Did you look at other peoples Delicious pages? Did you find anything useful?
- If you are already a Delicious user how does it help you? What are your favorite features
Week 3 - Level 2 CRAFTS
Go to a craft site* and add it to Delicious
We would now like you to add a craft site to your Delicious, then blog about how this can help you with storytime and program preparation. Here are some suggestions for craft sites, but of course there are many more to choose from. If you have one you want to share with us, please tell us about it in your blog!
*Extra Credit - Make a craft you found on site, take a picture, & post to your blog
I found something on the animal crafts page of the Kiz club site that I can use for an upcoming storytime with a farm theme. You can see the color version of the printout here, but for the kids I would only print the barn itself out in color, and then use the black and white version of the animals so they can color them. What do you think of the finished product?
Week 3 - Level 3 WIKIS
Visit the NJLA Wiki and explore the CSS Pages and Files
For an example of a wiki that is relevant to all of us, visit the NJLA Wiki and take a look around. Be sure to check out the Children's Services Pages and Files (under "Navigator"). You can click on Children's Service once to see a small list of items added to this wiki, then again for a larger view. We recommend viewing the larger view, then selecting "Last Changed" so that you can see the most current information that has been posted.
Level 3 Excersise:
Tell us what you think of the NJLA wiki and the CSS pages. Did you find anything useful you will be able to use professionally? Was the wiki difficult to navigate? Blog about the experience and your feelings on this wiki, and other wikis if you choose.
Week 3 - Level 4 MORE WIKIS
Create a wiki or add content to a wiki:
Remember, wikis are not private and can be viewed by anyone on the internet. If you want something more private try Google Sites (all you need is a Google account). Google Sites is a structured wiki and web page creation tool from Google. The CSS Executive Board has one for our internal communication. We also have one for Ocean County Youth Services Librarians for programs and craft ideas. Since Google Sites are private the only way to view one is to be invited by the creator. To get started with Google Sites, visit this page for a quick overview. Then you can create your own site or add content to an existing site.
Level 4 Excersise:
Blog about your thoughts and experience with Google Sites or another wiki of your choosing.
- Did you create a Wiki or a Google Site?
- Could you use one for meeting planning? Sharing ideas with coworkers? Organizing an event?
- Do you have any Wikis you created, contribute to, like to look at for information?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Week 2-Level 1 SOCIAL CATALOGING
Sign up for Good Reads, Library Thing or Shelfari:
How do you keep track of what you read and what to read next? The following websites were all created to help the book lover create an online catalog of their books, keep a record of what you read, find book suggestions, create a social space for readers, and much more! Not only are they for personal use, but they are a great readers advisory tool that you can use on the job!
Library Thing, Good Reads, and Shelfari are all Web 2.0 technologies that are easy and free to use. Try signing up for an account at each of the sites and enter in a few books you have read. There are so many amazing features to each of these sites.
Resources:
Library Thing Tour
Library Thing Tour
Level 1 Exercise:
Create an account at one or all the discussed sites. Add at least 5 books to your library. Blog about your findings.
Suggested blog questions:
- If you signed up for more than one of these sites, how do they compare?
- How can you use these as a professional tool to help with readers advisory and kids?
- Do you think you'll use any of these websites?
- Are you already using one or more of these websites or have you used them in the past?
- How have you used them?
- What features do you like or dislike about them?
Extra Credit- Read the article, Reading Suggestion Engines: Your Next Read, from School Library Journal. Check out the readers advisory sites suggested in the article and blog about what you think of them.
Week 2-Level 2 CHOICE BOOKS
Check Out Choice Books:
Choice Books are booklists compiled and updated on the NJLA Wiki by the Children’s Service Section.
Here is the description of Choice Books from the Wiki:
“Here in ChoiceBooks you will find and help create book lists that should make the job of finding titles on a particular subject easier and less strenuous. There are lists from national organizations as well as lists compiled locally with commentary. Our goal is to make these lists relevant to the work we do as librarians, media specialists, classroom teachers, and MLS students. We hope to create a vital space where contributions are welcome and horizons expanded.”
Level 2 Exercise:
Check out some of the lists. Blog about how you can use these lists to help you. If you have any suggestions for list topics or titles to go on other lists, list them on your blog.
Check out some of the lists. Blog about how you can use these lists to help you. If you have any suggestions for list topics or titles to go on other lists, list them on your blog.
Week 2- Level 3 LISTEN NJ
Get Familiar with ListenNJ:
Listen NJ is a downloadable digital project from INFOLINK . This site provides both digital audio books and E-books. The books on this site are available for check out by your library patrons (and you!)*. Books can be listened to from a computer or downloaded to an MPS player. E-book downloads are available to your PC, laptop, mobile devices, and E-Readers (Check here to see if your device is supported). Instructions for downloading the software you need is made available when you check out materials.
To check an item out first click on a title, it will tell you the book's status, wether it is available for check out or if you need to go on a wait list for it (if you get wait listed for a book, you will input your email address and they will notify you when it is ready for check out). Next, it will ask you to select your library* and enter your library card barcode. Once this information is entered it will allow you to download the item and it will give you the information you need to make sure your computer has the software on it for download. Check out the resources below for help on how to download a book.
*NOTE: Please check under “Libraries” to make sure your library participates in this program. If your library does not participate in this program scroll down to the exercise and there are still questions that you can blog about.
Resources:
Tour
Quick Start Guide
Level 3 Exercise:
Make an account (if you don’t have one already), and be sure to have your library card number handy. Try clicking on a book title, notice how you can check availability and what devices the book is available on. Download a book, either audio or an E-Book. Blog about your experience. Be sure to check out the juvenile and teen book lists. Is this something you could recommend to kids and parents? Have you had success using it in the past? You can also blog about your feelings towards this emerging technology.
If you don't have access to Listen NJ- Blog about any experience with downloadable books. Does your library offer any downloadable services or any databases with downloadable books? Do you see your library moving in the direction of E-books and E-readers? What do you think of this emerging technology?
Week 2-Level 4 BOOK TRAILERS
Watch some book trailers:
If you love a good movie trailer then you’ll love a good book trailer! Book trailers are a fun readers advisory tool. You can think of them as a video advertisement or commercial for a book. Check out the links below to see some:
- Harper Collins
- Movies For Literacy
- Youtube There are many book trailers available on YouTube. Just enter a search term, such as, "Kids Book Trailers" in the search box and you’ll get many to choose from.
Level 4 Exercise:
Blog about the trailers you watched. Did any make you want to read the book? Do you think they are a useful tool to motivate kids to read? What are your ideas for using them professionally? Have you ever made a book trailer? Share your ideas and thoughts.
Extra Credit- Find a book trailer online and post it on your blog for others to watch. Let us know why you chose it and what you liked about it. Below is one that we posted for fun!
Extra Credit- Find a book trailer online and post it on your blog for others to watch. Let us know why you chose it and what you liked about it. Below is one that we posted for fun!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Getting Started!
Welcome to the CSS Tech Challenge sponsored by the Children's Service Section of NJLA! For those of you who didn't see our presentation at NJLA you might be wondering what this challenge is about and how the challenge works? First, some background information. This is a self guided and learning based challenge. It was designed to help NJ Children's Librarians and Library Assistants become more familiar with Web 2.0 tools and highlight some specific NJ resources.
Each week, on Mondays, for the next four weeks we will post four challenges: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, & Level 4 (see the timeline in the right margin for challenge outline and dates). Your challenge is to complete at least one level a week and blog about it. You will notice that we give you an exercise for each challenge and some questions to help get you blogging. You can complete one or as many of the challenge levels you want and you do not need to do the levels in order. For example, you could just do level 2 or you could do level 1, 3, &4 and skip 2. Whatever works best for you!
We designed this challenge around busy schedules for those of you who might not have time to do all four levels a week. We also designed this challenge around the different Web 2.0 levels of knowledge that you might have. For example, some of you might find levels 1 and 2 of a week are easy and something you've been doing for awhile and you don't feel like blogging about it. Therefore, you could just jump to levels 3 and level 4. On the flip side, some of you might think a level is too hard or something you are not interested in, so you can decide to skip that level. All we ask is that you complete at least one level a week in order to complete the challenge and be entered in the raffle (see raffle guidelines in right margin).
What if you miss a week or get behind schedule? No problem! You don't need to do a week's challenge during that week. Maybe you are going on vacation, you have a busy work week, or you just can't find time to do the challenge one week. Don't worry! You can always play catch up and complete the challenges at your own pace as long as they are done by the end of the challenge, June 3rd.
All communicating will be done through blogs. We will post each weeks challenges on this blog and you will create a blog to record all your progress. Week one is posted below. As you scroll down you will see all four levels for the week as well as instructions for how to create a blog. The only level we require you to do is Level 1- Creating a Blog.
At any point during the challenge you need help, have a question, need us to better explain something, etc. just send an email to csstechchallenge@gmail.com and we will get back to you. Remember to have fun and scroll down to get started!!!
Each week, on Mondays, for the next four weeks we will post four challenges: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, & Level 4 (see the timeline in the right margin for challenge outline and dates). Your challenge is to complete at least one level a week and blog about it. You will notice that we give you an exercise for each challenge and some questions to help get you blogging. You can complete one or as many of the challenge levels you want and you do not need to do the levels in order. For example, you could just do level 2 or you could do level 1, 3, &4 and skip 2. Whatever works best for you!
We designed this challenge around busy schedules for those of you who might not have time to do all four levels a week. We also designed this challenge around the different Web 2.0 levels of knowledge that you might have. For example, some of you might find levels 1 and 2 of a week are easy and something you've been doing for awhile and you don't feel like blogging about it. Therefore, you could just jump to levels 3 and level 4. On the flip side, some of you might think a level is too hard or something you are not interested in, so you can decide to skip that level. All we ask is that you complete at least one level a week in order to complete the challenge and be entered in the raffle (see raffle guidelines in right margin).
What if you miss a week or get behind schedule? No problem! You don't need to do a week's challenge during that week. Maybe you are going on vacation, you have a busy work week, or you just can't find time to do the challenge one week. Don't worry! You can always play catch up and complete the challenges at your own pace as long as they are done by the end of the challenge, June 3rd.
All communicating will be done through blogs. We will post each weeks challenges on this blog and you will create a blog to record all your progress. Week one is posted below. As you scroll down you will see all four levels for the week as well as instructions for how to create a blog. The only level we require you to do is Level 1- Creating a Blog.
At any point during the challenge you need help, have a question, need us to better explain something, etc. just send an email to csstechchallenge@gmail.com and we will get back to you. Remember to have fun and scroll down to get started!!!
Week 1 - Level 1 BLOGS
Getting started by creating your blog:
We recommend viewing this brief video on How to Create a Blog with Blogger. Then, go the Blogger and click on “Get Started.” From there you will be able to follow the three easy steps to make your blog. Once you have created your blog, it is time to add your first post! Remember to make a note of your username, password and your blog's address. Your blog's address will be YOURBLOGSNAME.blogspot.com
Level 1 Exercise:
For the CSS Tech Challenge we will be posting all the weekly challenges to this blog. We would like you to create your own blog where you can blog about your experiences over the next 4 weeks. After each posted challenge we will give you an exercise where we will ask you to blog about what you’ve learned, questions, ideas, thoughts, etc. Your blog will serve as place to keep track of your progress.
For this first exercise you are going to create your own blog. We recommend using Blogger, a free online blog hosting service that is easy to use. You can create a blog in just three easy steps: 1. Create an account
2. Name your blog (you can name it anything you want!)
3. Select your template
In your first post you can blog about anything you want! However, if you need help getting started here are some questions to get you thinking:
- Tell us what you think about setting up a blog. Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?
- How can you see yourself using a blog in ways that will be useful for you and other children’s librarians or library assistants?
- Is this your first blog or have you/do you currently blog?
- What are some of your favorite blogs?
- Have you ever dreamt of becoming a blogger, but just don't have the time or didn't know how? If so, what type of blog would you create.
- Jazz your blog up! Try playing around with your blog's template and adding gadgets, like a blog list of your favorite blogs, adding info to your "About Me", add lists of your favorite books or movies, add a newsreel, and so much more! To do this go to "Design" and click on "add gadget".
Need some more inspiration? Here are a few fun blogs to check out:
Next you will need to register your blog with us (so we can follow along with your progress). To do so, all you have to do is send an email to us at csstechchallenge@gmail.com and tell us your name, name of the blog, and the address of your blog. And for our records only could you please include the library you work for and your position.
NOTE: We are adding a blogroll (a link list in the sidebar) of all the blogs created for this challenge. Your blog and other blogs taking part in this challenge will appear here. We encourage you to check out your co-challengers over the next four weeks and see what they have to say about the challenges. Try commenting on their posts, it is a great networking opportunity!
NOTE: We are adding a blogroll (a link list in the sidebar) of all the blogs created for this challenge. Your blog and other blogs taking part in this challenge will appear here. We encourage you to check out your co-challengers over the next four weeks and see what they have to say about the challenges. Try commenting on their posts, it is a great networking opportunity!
REMEMBER: f you need help setting up your blog, need us to better explain any of our instructions or you have any questions please send an email to csstechchallenge@gmail.com We are here to help you!
Week 1 - Level 2 PHOTOS
Embed an image to a blog post:
If you watched the video from Level 1, you already know how easy it is to add an image to a blog post. Just click the photo icon to upload a photo from your computer. If the photo you want to use is on the web, you can easily add it by pasting the URL and Blogger will add it to your post. We chose to add this picture of a turkey who likes to visit Melissa's library.
Add a photo(s) to your blog post and tell us a little about it. Also, blog about your experience adding photos.
Week 1 - Level 3 IMAGE GENERATORS
Play with an online image generator:
Now for something really fun, image generators! Image generators are websites that let you manipulate images.
We used the free version of Picnik to manipulate this picture of Melissa's cat, Nibbler. As you can see, he loves the dictionary. But let's see what happens when we use Picnik to turn Nibbler into a party animal:
Level 3 Exercise:
Now it's your turn! You can use Picnik like we did (we recommend starting with Picnik's Become a Picnik Master page). Creating a free account is easy! Here are some other image generators to try:
- Image generators for Library Displays from Shelf Check Blog
You can also use another online image generator instead if you choose. Either way, be sure to post your "new and improved picture" to your blog when you're done, and tell us about your experiences with using an image generator.
- How do you think you can use these image generators at work?
- Perhaps to make a flier for a program or to add to your children's program calender?
- Do you know of a great imagine generator? If you know any fun ones be sure to list them in your blog!
- Have you ever used image generators before? If so, how?
Week 1 - Level 4 FLICKR
Tag some photos on Flickr and your blog:
What is tagging? Tagging is a way of organizing and/or classifying information on the Internet. A tag is a keyword or term given to describe people, events, themes, etc. in a photo. Tags are usually informal and personal and created by the item's creator or viewer. We will do some more tagging when we get to Delicious in Week 3, but here we are strictly going to be tagging photos.
(Here is an example of what a tagged photo will look like on Blogger; notice the tags appear at the bottom of this post):
What is tagging? Tagging is a way of organizing and/or classifying information on the Internet. A tag is a keyword or term given to describe people, events, themes, etc. in a photo. Tags are usually informal and personal and created by the item's creator or viewer. We will do some more tagging when we get to Delicious in Week 3, but here we are strictly going to be tagging photos.
You may have many photos of your storytimes, crafts, programs, and other events at your library. This adds up to A LOT of pictures, which become disorganized and make it difficult when you are looking for one for a brochure, your library web page, posters, or other publications in which you want to advertise or show off the great work you do, or if you want to look back at what worked from previous years. When you save these photos to the web and tag them, you are able to have all your photos in one place you can access from anywhere, and the tags make it easy to find what you are looking for.
Level 4 Exercise:
For this exercise, we are going to be using Flickr. We recommend you take the tour before signing up for your free account. To see a very simple example of tagging, check out a few tagged photos from a Gingerbread House program at Melissa’s library. Click on the pictures and you will see tags that say either Gingerbread, Christmas, Programs, Kids, Winter, or Decoration. If you click on any of the tags, you will be able to see other public photos on Flickr that have the same tags. If ours was a large photo stream it would also take you to our other photos with the same tags as well.
For this exercise, we are going to be using Flickr. We recommend you take the tour before signing up for your free account. To see a very simple example of tagging, check out a few tagged photos from a Gingerbread House program at Melissa’s library. Click on the pictures and you will see tags that say either Gingerbread, Christmas, Programs, Kids, Winter, or Decoration. If you click on any of the tags, you will be able to see other public photos on Flickr that have the same tags. If ours was a large photo stream it would also take you to our other photos with the same tags as well.
Once you are signed up you are ready to start uploading and tagging you own photos. Once you have done so, please include a link in your blog post so that we may see them. Next, you are going to tag a photo right on your blog. Since we already know how to add photos on Blogger, this part should be easy. After you have chosen the photo you want to tag, simply click on "Labels" at the bottom right hand corner of your blog post. When you are done, blog about your experiences with tagging photos on Flickr and Blogger.
- Have you ever used flickr before?
- Could you use this to organize your photos?
- What other uses could you use flickr for?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)