As you go through 23 Things and think about library applications, put your ideas and suggestions here! What new uses for 2.0 tools have you dreamed up?

Thing 1-- Set Up Your Blog
Libraries can use blogs to:
*Inform library users of upcoming library events and news
*Inform library staff of library news, events, policy changes, and any information that could be used to enhance job performance
*Solicit input from patrons or staff- by posting comments
*Post book reviews
*Get specific populations involved (e.g. teens)
*Can be specific to a certain aspect of the library (e.g. Youth Services, Information Services)

Thing 2-- What is Library 2.0?
*It is good for librarians to read about different perspectives on web 2.0 and know the current and future trends.

Thing 3-- RSS feeds
*Librarians can subscribe to their favorite library related blogs via RSS feeds
*Libraries can use RSS feeds for content that is frequently updated and that patrons or staff might want to keep current on, such as booklists or library news

Thing 4-- Flickr
*Show pictures of library events
*Share photos as a way of providing a virtual tour of the library
*Share photos of library staff (with their consent)

Thing 5-- Flickr Mashups
*Add pizzazz to fliers, brochures, and posters
*Libraries can hold a fun with Flickr mashups workshop

Thing 6-- Online Image Generators
*Add pizazz to fliers, brochures, and posters
*Use to create novelty READ posters featuring a picture of the librarian
*Librarian trading cards can be a fun alternative to business cards

Thing 7-- Web 2.0 Communication Tools
*Email can be used to inform patrons when their holds are ready to be picked up and of due date reminders. Text messaging can do the same thing.
*Instant messaging can be used to provide virtual reference services. Good for patrons who can't get to the library and don't have to worry about trying to decipher muffled voices over the phone. Also quicker and more immediate than email for reference.
*Videoconferencing can be used to provide instruction remotely, for providing free webinars, and for meetings where not everyone can be onsite.

Thing 8-- Share Your Creations (Slide Sharing, Databases, Efolio)
*Sites such as Thumbstacks, Zoho Show, and Slideshare can be used for sharing slide presentations from library workshops.

*Lazybase is a database sharing site.

*Efolio can be used by librarians to track their professional development and work experience. It can also be used by those seeking a library job since one can post their "CV" online.

Thing 9-- Online Collaboration Tools (Zoho Products, Google Docs)
*Zoho has various products such as Zoho Writer, Zoho Sheet, and Zoho Show. These are used to create word processing, spreadsheets, and slideshows, respectively. GoogleDocs is another site for creating online documents similar to Microsoft Word. Documents created using Zoho or GoogleDocs can be shared and edited between a selected group of people.

For example, Zoho Sheet could be used to create a spreadsheet of a proposed draft of the library's budget for next year and selected librarians can be asked to view and edit it.

Thing 10-- Wikis
*What we are doing now is one example!
*Can be used to create subject guides, book reviews, list of policies/procedures or anything that may benefit from frequent updating/editing.

Thing 11-- Tagging and del.icio.us
*Libraries can use del.icio.us to create a list of bookmarks of recommended websites that are shared with the public. Specialized lists can also be created. For example, recommended business websites or information about the community.

*Librarians can use del.icio.us and other social bookmarking websites for their personal use as well. They can track what they find interesting and useful. Tags can be searched to find similar websites of interest.

Thing 12-- Social Media (e.g. Digg, Reddit, Newsvine, Mixx, StumbleUpon)
*These social media sites allow the general public to vote on news articles that are relevant and of interest. At digg.com, articles with the most diggs are those receiving the most votes.

*Libraries can view sites such as digg.com to see what news the general public finds the most relevant or interesting. Articles with the most votes may be the ones that potentially lead to more reference questions.

*Libraries can also create links to the most popular news articles on their websites.

*Librarians can create an account in a social media site such as Digg or Reddit to find articles related to their area of specialty.

Thing 13-- Online Productivity Tools
*Librarians can use online calendars or customized start pages such as iGoogle or PageFlakes to enhance productivity.

*Zamzar is a site that allows one to convert between file formats. Librarians can use Zamzar to help patrons who need a file converted from one type to another.

*TinyURL takes a long URL and makes it shorter. This can be useful for a patron that needs to get to a website with a long URL.

Thing 14-- Library Thing
*Librarians can use LibraryThing to track and catalog their favorite books. Based on the favorite books selected, recommendations are made.
*Library Thing can be used as a reader's advisory tool. Librarians can encourage patrons to set up a Library Thing account, so that patrons can get recommendations based on their favorite books.
*Books can be searched by tags. This is useful for a patron who liked a certain book and wants to find similar books.
*Library Thing can be used for sharing booklists. Books of a similar genre use similar tags.
*Librarians can interact with book lovers through Library Things various groups.
*Small libraries can use Library Thing to catalog their entire book collection.

Thing 15-- Online Games and Libraries
*Libraries can provide gaming sessions and gaming workshops. Gaming is popular with all ages, but especially with the teens. So gaming is one way to bring more teens into the library.
*Second Life allows users to develop their creativity by creating and sharing things such as avatars and virtual worlds. Libraries can provide Second Life Workshops.
*According to a Teen Second Life presentation by Kelly Czarnecki, Second Life is being used in the following ways by libraries: Book discussions, art exhibits, displays, author visits, and trainings
*Libraries can make video games available for checkout

Thing 16-- Student 2.0 Tools
*The University of Minnesota Assignment Calculator and the Research Project Calculator provide suggested timetables, tips, and weblinks for all parts of the research projects. There is also an option to receive emails of deadline reminders. These tools are especially useful for academic librarians, but public librarians would also benefit, since public libraries do get students who need research assistance. Librarians can add links to these sites to their webpage.

*Librarians who do their own research and/or give presentations may also find this information useful.

*The Research Project calculator website has a teacher's guide. This would be particularly helpful for academic librarians who also teach and have their students do research.

Thing 17- ELM Productivity Tools
*Search alerts can be set up, making it easier for the librarian or patron to keep current on a topic.
*EBSCO and ProQuest have a webpage feature. Webpages of subject guides can be created, which can then be shared with patrons.
*NetLibrary can be used to make notes on a section of an e-book, which can be shared with others.
*Patrons can use NetLibrary to search for and read e-books.

Thing 18--- You Tube and Online Videos
*Give a virtual tour of the library
*Instructional videos (e.g. How to search the catalog)
*Share videos on presentations, guest speakers, etc.
*As a means of promoting the library and its services
*For humor or entertainment

Thing 19-- Podcasts
*Librarians can search and listen to podcasts about librarianship. Several good ones through the Educational Podcast Directory.
*Libraries can post podcasts for their workshops, guest speakers, and library related news.

Thing 20-- Social Networks: MySpace and Facebook
*Libraries can promote themselves by creating their own MySpace or Facebook page. Hennepin County library has their own MySpace page.
*Libraries can hold MySpace workshops, including MySpace safety.

Thing 21-- Other Social Networks
*Librarians can use LinkedIn for networking with other librians
*Webjunction is good for professional development. There are free workshops available.
*Ning can be used to create custom social networks. This is good for librarians with specialized interests and career focus. Ning also has various groups of potential interest to librarians, such as Librarian 2.0
*There are social networking sites for just about every interest: cooking, pets, music, movies, books, etc. Librarians can recommend these sites to patrons and post links on the library's website.
*Yelp provides reviews of local interests, such as restaurants, and yes, libraries. Librarians can read the reviews of their library to see what community members think and make improvements as needed.

Thing 22-- Staying Current
It is a good idea to make resolutions for keeping current with web 2.0. For example:

*Spend 15 minutes a day on web 2.0 related activities
*Explore at least one new web 2.0 tool a week
*Attend at least one free webinar or online course per month through MINITEX, WebJunction-Minnesota, or OPAL.

Thing 23-- Final Thoughts
*23 Things on a Stick is a great experience. It is well worth the time and effort, you will learn a ton.