Me Meebo!

I was looking foward to this week because of our assignment on Instant Messenging, which I love! I got hooked onto IM in college and have become pretty dependent on it to communicate with friends and family since i can't hear over the phone due to my hearing impairment. Thank you to Web 2.0 for introducing me to Meebo! I actually have IM accounts on all 4 - Yahoo, MSN, AOL and Gmail... Meebo makes it much much easier by consolidating all 4.



While in library school, I had the opportunity to observe a reference librarian conducting reference services through IM. I think that libraries should be able to offer both live IM reference through Meebo, as well as a IM service offered by a network of librarians such as QuestionPoint. The QP is great because it is accessible 24/7, but the chances of getting an actual Sno-Isle Librarian is slim. Using a service, such as Meebo, in libraries would allow patrons to get in touch with an actual Sno-Isle Librarian. Connecting with a Sno-Isle Librarian, rather than one from another state, allows for better service to the patron. A Sno-Isle Librarian has a more in-depth knowledge of their collection, while a non Sno-Isle Librarian only knows our collection by looking at our web catalog.
An IM service through Meebo would probably be more practical for college libraries than public libraries. The libraries I have talked to in CA (Marin County and San Leandro)that use AOL/Meebo for live reference say they probably average about 1 or 2 questions per session (few hours after school), which is not much at all. But in my opinion, it would be worth trying out.
Update on UW softball - They didn't have the greatest weekend while they were in Fullerton for the annual Judi Garman tournament. They dropped a few spots to #23/#25. UW starts their Pac-10 season tomorrow! Go Huskies!

Posting Images... finally!

I finally figured out how to upload an image to my post! I'll have to go back and edit my previous post to add the picture of the book cover.

The image of Mt. Saint Helens was taken on a plane while I was going on one of my trips... probably to one of the UW softball games.

This image is of a framed print that I brought home to WA when I went to visit my mom in CA this past weekend. I just love the art and colors! The artist has done several other cities, but not Seattle. :( I'll have to find some kind Seattle print that is similar so I can put them side by side. If anybody has any suggestions of artists, let me know.

Hodgepodge

I was at Borders the other day and came across this book, "The Cute Book," by Aranzi Aronzo. It's a craft book of cute things (what else?), but since I'm not a crafty person, I thought I'd post it to the blog in hopes that somebody will check out this book, make something and send it over to me through inter-office delivery.

We are on our third assignment and I have posted comments on a few. It was interesting to go through some of the blogs to see what people had to say, as well as how they designed their page. I have a long ways to go. *sigh*

Every Tuesday, USA Today and ESPN posts their top 25 poll for Division I softball. This week UW is ranked #18/#19. They have been on a roll this past few weeks, winning 9 games in a row! Go Huskies!

Newbie

"Rain, rain, go away.

Come again some other day." (or not)

I can't believe this is my first blog post ever! It was surprisingly easy to set up. I agree with one of the other staff members that this can become addicting. Good thing, we're given work time to do this. :D

Blog on!