Thing #2: Web 2.0

I'm excited about Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 social networking applications. As a substitute librarian, I have to wait for opportunities to lead storytimes or work with teens, but I can pile on my plate all the 2.0 I can handle, and it's fun to have professional growth opportunities whenever I want them.

I've been reading books about web 2.0; have been trying as many software aps as I can; I attended the Midwest Library Tech Conference, and of course have been reading online blogs and articles.

This is my "top priority" right now, along with the spring garden, my other "top priority," and up until last week, supporting my son through his senior spring (not emotional support, just driving him around and putting on a party) was my other top priority. And loafing, of course, always a top priority.

I have however put it ahead of recreational reading, as well as ahead of cooking supper.

I think Hennepin County Library writ large is at a good point in taking advantage of 2.0 opportunities; but as far as individual libraries, I'm not aware of initiatives. Certainly, as a sub, there may be local aps I'm just not aware of, but we don't yet have a "2.0 culture" with employees feeling free, or having the time, to develop social networking ideas.

In my own life, I created the shell of a librarian subs wiki, and have been joined by several others. It's in a very nascent stage, but it's a terrific amount of fun, and I'm learning things! It's exhilarating.

Have a look; it's http://librariansubs.wetpaint.com/. It's informal and personal, not like Wikipedia, but for our purposes, informal is good, since we're also using it to get to know people.

Anyone who knows me has heard about this wiki endlessly; apologies; I'm just that into it.