Tech Challenge Update

I have been lapsed on reporting my tech challenge journey. Sorry! Let me tell you how much I love Bloglines. For those who do not know, Bloglines allows you to keep track of all your favorite Blogs, Podcasts, news and RSS feeds! I use Bloglines to save lots of time. When I log-on Bloglines tells me which of my blogs have new feeds. Bloglines is extremely helpful because now instead of spending a half an hour going from blog to blog, CNN and TV Without Pity and other feed sites, I just go to Bloglines and it's all there. Bloglines helps me keep track with the professional blogs as well, like ALA and YALSA.

RSS feeds basically is a syndicated format for news and blogs sites. That is where it started, but RSS feeds can be found on many different sites now, like library sites. Libraries use and can use RSS to promote upcoming programs, performers, book sales and author visits. They can also be used to tell library customers about changes in policies, fine dues and other happenings at the library. Camden County Library System in South NJ has a RSS feed on their site. I have subscribed to it on my Bloglines.

Last but not least is Del.icio.us! I chose Del.icio.us because it's delicious, but I'm so glad I chose it. Del.icio.us is your travelling Bookmark/Favorites/Bloglines all in one and you can share it. Del.icio.us has been a lifesaver! At work I use at least 4 different computers. I can access Del.icio.us at any of them plus my own laptop without losing any information. Say you are planning a big program like Harry Potter's Birthday with your co-workers. You can tag the site and have the other members of your group access it from their home and/or work computers. They can add to it, make comments or delete the sites that wouldn't be useful. It would also be great if are writing an article on say Library 2.0 with another person who lives in Texas. You can mark the articles you find or sites that would aid in the research. For me I'm planning a Star Wars 30th Birthday Celebration for the children at the library. I just tagged sites that would be helpful. Instead of emailing them, which took time and eats up mailbox space. I can also travel with my favorite sites so I don't spend time looking for them at each computer I use. A few of the Student Assistants saw I was using it and were wowed. I told them about it and they said they were going to get an account.