Baby Bolero

Knitting for Baby to Be - My daughter's baby is due December 25th

I've been having fun knitting for my daughter's second baby who will arrive around December 25th.  I don't know why but I think it's going to be a girl.  Some of the things I've knitted would be more for a girl.  I especially enjoyed knitting this baby bolero with matching hat.  I  don't think boleros are for boys.  I went into Trendy Tots my favorite Baby Consignment store and bought two girl outfits....Ha...Ha...For every $20.00 spent the owner punches my card.

This document was created with the online wordprocessor Writely.com

Sunset - Published with Zoho Writer

This document I have created was made using Zoho Writer the online word processor. 

To publish on  my blogspost; I clicked on publish on the button bar, then clicked on post to blog. 

Happy Blogging,

Aura

 

 

 

Playing in the Learning 2.0 Sandbox

I'll have to say that it was very helpful to do this exercise to understand how Wikis work. I followed the instructions and used the syntax:

[http://knittingAura.blogspot.com |knittingDiva] to add my blog address to the Peanut Butter wiki. I also edited the different pages to write about my favorites (restaurants, music, TV shows, websites. I have added this wiki to my Del.icio.us so I can easily go back to play around.

Wikis and their Contributions to Libraries

I read the article written by Meredith Farkas "Using Wikis to Create Online Communities." I found it helpful to understand how Wikis could be used in the library (to update subject guides, to enhance online catalogs by allowing readers to contribute their own book reviews, the creation of community wikis to post information of interest to the general public., etc...etc...)

The Library Wikis I visited required a password to edit or add information to any of the pages. I visited the Bull Run Library Wiki which has many nice features and easy to navigate format. The blue search box allows the user to search for items using a zip code. I entered 28227 as zip code and was directed to the PLCMC online catalog.

I thought it was interesting to read about PLCMC Learning 2.0 in "Charlotte Staff Learning Project Summer 2006." I left a comment in their guest book.

The Future of Libraries

I decided to research the subject of Library 2.0 and read "Do Libraries Matter? The Rise of Library 2.0; a white paper by Ken Chad and Paul Miller. You can read it if you go to: http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/blog_detail.php?blog_id=95

Technology is advancing in giant steps and people looking for information no longer have to go to a library. Internet-based services such as Amazon and google offer information which people can access from anywhere. So how can a library compete with these technology giants in the future and survive? One of the ways Libraries can stay up to date is to be linked to the Web 2.0 applications. Web 2.0 brings us online resources such as Flickr, Google, Amazon, RSS, etc... In doing so, the Library can also become a preferred destination.

Technorati

Technorati is for the serious blogger who wants other bloggers to find him. I'm not ready for that but it's been interesting to learn that by using technorati tags and claiming you blog you can expect more traffic (People reading your blog).

Using the keyword PLCMCL2 searching in blogposts I found 30 results; in tags I found 6 posts tagged PLCMCL2 and using the blog directory I found 3 blogs.

The results using the keyword Learning 2.0 produced the following results: In blogposts - 27,839; in tags 56 posts and in the blog directory 2 posts - including the PLCMC Core Competencies blog.

Technorati features most popular blogs which is an excellent tool if you are searching specific blogs. There are those who blog about cooking, shopping, hobbies, books, authors, life, food and drink, etc...Simply click on the tags button and you will find all the different categories. There's something for everyone in blogosphere.

Tagging With Del.icio.us

For this exercise I decided to explore the popular bookmarking manager "Del.cio.us" to learn about tagging. Del.cio.us will make it possible for me to organize and store my favorite websites and blogs by the category I determine. For example the knitting websites I wish to keep will have a specific tag at the end (Knitting). The cooking sites will be tagged with the word recipes or food, etc...

This wonderful tagging system can be used from any computer once you create your own account. The neat thing about this system is that it connects you to other users who have bookmarked sites which you might also be able to use. You can view comments, other related tags by clicking on the number of users (highlighted in pink). The related tags can also take you to other sites which can then be bookmarked as your own.

Del.cio.us is not too complicated to use and the tutorial helped me understand some of its features. To set up an account go to www.del.cio.us.com.

My Search Rolls made possible by Rollyo

Rollyo, I guess it is short for "Roll Your Own" is a site which allows you to create your own search tools (also called search engines) for the subjects that interest you. I chose to research "Staying Fit". I like to cook and I'm always looking for new recipes so I named my other search roll "My Recipes". It took me a little time to figure it out so spend some time learning about it. If you'd like to visit mine, just click on Staying Fit or My Recipes

Library Thing - A Place to Share your love of Books

I love to check out books about knitting. There are some great ones out there and libraries offer a good selection. I decided to explore LibraryThing and joined to find out what it's all about. It does not cost anything but you can pay to upgrade your account. The books you list will become your very own library. LibraryThing will provide you with a list of people who read the same books you read. You can click on their name and find out their interests, etc..and leave them a message. There's also a place to write and read book reviews. I definitely would encourage you to look into it.

Fun With Image Generators

i.cannot.undo.it
Originally uploaded by dulcegatacarla.

I decided to try using the Dummies Book cover generator to create my own. I'm the proud Nana of beautiful Caleb who just turned 2. Soon I will have another grandbaby on Christmas 2006.

This really was fun so give it a try on: http://www.signgenerator.org/books/dummies/

Bloglines Pirate

Bloglines Pirate
Originally uploaded by psd.

Having fun with Flickr and trying to upload this to my post.

Finding and Adding Feeds to Bloglines

I think Bloglines is terrific tool to subscribe to my favorite websites and blogs. The RSS feed icon which looks like this . When I visit a website I look for it. I visited the FoodTV website. At the bottom of the page I clicked on the icon which took me to a page that gave instructions to click the XML button next to the feed icon it read foodnetwork.com highlights. I was then taken to the page with all the computer codes and it was here that I highlighted the URL (web page address); choose edit to cut and then I went into my Bloglines account. Once you are there, click the add button. On the subscribe page paste the URL address. Don't forget to go to the bottom of the page to submit.

I explored Feedster the tool that helps you locate websites, blogs, news, podcasts to which you can subscribe. I got many results using this method and have added a couple of knitting and rubber stamping blogs to my bloglines.

Mint Hill Branch Stitch In - Blanket

Several attenders of the Mint Hill Branch Library Stitch In group knitted/crocheted 7"X 9" rectangles which were joined to make this beautiful blanket. It will be donated to a person or a family here in Charlotte.

Technology

Some library systems have created blogs for the different age groups. It's a great way of communication and keeping borrowers informed about all different programs.

Lansing Public Library has library news blogs targeted by age group. You can subscribe to 1 or all 4, it's up to you!

Adult News contains: Adult Services, Reference & Friends of Lansing Library News.

Teen News contains postings of interest to 6-12th graders, and events in the Teen Dept.

Youth News contains postings of interest to parents and caregivers of children from Birth to Grade 5 and features events in the Youth Services Dept.

Lists new links and resources added on our website, technology information, and system outages or repairs.

Monday Morning Bookdrop

Monday Morning Bookdrop
Originally uploaded by dulcegatacarla.

Hello everyone. This picture was taken by a coworker one morning as I was about to start checkin the morning bookdrop. At Mint Hill, it usually will take me around an hour if the bin is full. Sometimes we end up checking in these books while working on the circulation desk so the process takes longer. We empty our bookdrops 4 to 5 times a day.