Week One

#1 Discovery has never been so much fun ...

Welcome to Spokane Public Library's Learning 2.0 program & blog. I'm glad you're here!!Learning 2.0 is online learning program that encourages staff to learn more about emerging technologies on the web that are changing the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with each other. Over the course of the next few months, this website will highlight “23 Things” and discovery exercises to help staff become familiar with blogging, RSS news feeds, tagging, wikis, podcasting, online applications, and video and image hosting sites.To familiarize yourself with this project, be sure to read the About page. The FAQs should answer most of your questions about this program. If not, then please add your question to the FAQ page as a comment.So fasten your seat belts, grab your mouse and get ready for a discovery adventure… and remember, it's OK to play in the library and have fun!

#2 Life Long Learning and Library 2.0

Life long learning is a way of life in the library. As we embark on this online learning journey, let's take a few minutes to review a few habits that help create life long learners. Follow this link to a life long learning tutorial created by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. (Don't worry about the attachment, it is specific to their program and we won't be using it.)

Make sure you have the sound on and as you watch and listen, write down which habit among the 7 & 1/2 that is easiest for you and which is hardest. You will use your personal blog (that's the next exercise!) to post your thoughts about lifelong learning.

The 23 Things

Listed below are 23 Things (or small exercises) that you can do on the web to explore and expand your knowledge of the Internet and Web 2.0. Staff are encouraged to complete all 23 items on this list by December 31st in order to to receive a fabulous incentive to be named later.
23 Learning 2.0 Things*
(Note: Details about each task will be activated every week with posts related to each item)

Week 1: Introduction (official start of week September 24)
1. Read this blog entry & find out about the program.
2. Discover a few pointers from lifelong learners and learn how to nurture your own learning process.

Week 2: Blogging
3. Set up your own blog & add your first post.
4. Register your blog and begin your Learning 2.0 journey.

Week 3: Photos & Images
5. Explore Flickr and learn about this popular image hosting site.
6. Have some Flickr fun and discover some Flickr mashups & 3rd party sites.
7. Create a blog post about anything technology related that interests you this week.

Week 4: RSS & Newsreaders
8. Learn about RSS feeds and setup your own Bloglines newsreader account.
9. Locate a few useful library related blogs and/or news feeds.

Week 5: Play Week
10. Play around with an online image generator.
11. Take a look at LibraryThing and catalog some of your favorite books.
12. Roll your own search tool with Rollyo.

Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati
13. Learn about tagging and discover a Del.icio.us (a social bookmaking site)
14. Explore Technorati and learn how tags work with blog posts.
15. Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries and blog your thoughts.

Week 7: Wikis
16. Learn about wikis and discover some innovative ways that libraries are using them.
17. Add an entry to the SPL learning 2.0 Sandbox wiki.

Week 8: Online Applications & Tools
18. Take a look at some online productivity (word processing, spreadsheet) tools.
19. Explore any site from the Web 2.0 awards list, play with it and write a blog post about your findings.

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio
20. Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow users to upload and share videos.
21. Discover some useful search tools for locating podcasts.
22. Explore MySpace or Facebook to see how sound and video are being used here by other libraries
23. Summarize your thoughts about this program on your blog.


* This list of "things" can also be found on the 43Things website. Note: This project is loosely based upon the website 43Things (which allows you to set and track personal goals) and the Stephen Abram article titled 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006).

About SPL 2.0

This blog has been set-up as part of Spokane Public Library's 2.0 project to encourage staff to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the Internet today. The objectives of this program are to:

• Encourage exploration of Web 2.0 and new technologies by SPL staff.
• Provide staff with new tools (that are freely available on the Internet) to better support SPL's mission of providing information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities through innovative services within and beyond our walls.
• Help demystify new technologies and assist customers in their use.
• Reward staff for taking the initiative to complete 23 self-discovery exercises.

The SPL 2.0 program has been adapted by a committee from the Learning 2.0 program, designed the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. The program is loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article, 43 Things I (or You) Might Want to Do this Year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006) and the website 43Things.The design of this online program was completely built on Web 2.0 technologies that are freely available on the Internet. These sites include: Blogger, Flickr, YouTube, PBWiki & Bloglines.

FAQ

How does this online learning program work?
This is a self-discovery program which encourages staff to control their own learning, to explore and PLAY. Staff are encouraged to work together during their library hours and share with one other their discoveries, techniques and "how to's" -- both in person and through their blogs. The 2.0 TEAM will point you forward with new activities each week.

The SPL 2.0 Team includes Pat Bonner, Debra Park, Katrina Shurtlieff, Monica Smith, and Sally Chilson.

Which staff are eligible to participate in this program?
This program is open to all SPL staff who work with computers. This includes everyone in a job classification of PAGE II and above. No matter which department you work in this is a FUN option for you. If your job classification is a Page I or you are a friend of the library, you are welcome to follow along on your own time.

How long do I have to complete the program?
The program kicks off September 24, 2007 and officially wraps up on December 31, 2007.

How do I track my progress for each of the activities?
Each staff member that chooses to participate in this program will be required to keep a blog to track their progress. SPL 2.0 team members will track participants’ progress throughout the program.

Why 23 things ??
Given the time frame of the program, the number of "things" were selected so that staff wouldn't feel overwhelmed by having too many discovery exercises to complete in a week. We anticipate that each activity can be completed, during work hours, in approximately 30 minutes. Please discuss with your supervisor how this might impact your work routine.

Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?
This is intended to be a self-directed learning program. If you feel you need assistance with an item, you are encouraged to be resourceful and to find a co-worker or another staff member who is participating to help. Reading other staff member's blogs can help, too. If you are really stuck, post your question to this blog and a team member will respond for the benefit of all who may have the same issue.

I've seen the list of 23 Things on the Website, but how do I know what to do with them?
Each week, two or three posts will be added to the SPL 2.0 blog with details about the discovery exercises for that week. The reason for this staggered approach is to allow participants the ability to focus each week on a different area without feeling overwhelmed.

Can I work ahead through the list of items on my own?
Yes, of course. You are encouraged to self-direct your discovery process, especially by working ahead on your own!! However, if you do work ahead on some items, be sure to check back on the exercise details for each item once they are posted so you can be sure to receive full credit for its completion.

What if I need help - who can I call?
Since this program is self-directed and is being completed by many staff members throughout the system simultaneously, you are encouraged to work with colleagues along your discovery journey. To find a list of staff participating see The Participants on this site.

I would like to participate but don't feel comfortable with my co-workers reading my blog; can I participate anonymously?
Yes & No. Since you control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose to use a screen name to identify yourself to keep yourself anonymous. However, in order to receive recognition by the library, you will need to identify yourself when you register. Your name and blog will not be associated with each other publicly.

How do I get credit for my efforts?
As you complete each activity of the program, you must write a brief note about your experience on your own Blog, describing the activity in the entry title. At the completion of the program, you will receive a “reward” and the SPL 2.0 team will send a list of participants who complete the program to Human Resources. To receive full recognition, you must complete the entire program by December 31, 2007.