Saturday

Welcome to 23 Things On a Stick

Oh, no!! Round 2 of 23 Things On a Stick is closed. The blog will stay up indefinitely so you can continue on your own. And, watch for More Things On a Stick in January 2009. Thanks for participating.

Have you ever thought, ”Gosh, I wish I had time to learn more about Flickr, wikis, or (enter your Web 2.0 tool here)?” Well, this is your chance to take the time to focus on your personal and professional development around Web 2.0 tools. It’s fun to explore these tools and figure out ways to use them in the library, with your personal Web sites, or in other ways.

23 Things On a Stick is the Minnesota twist on the Library Learning 2.0 program developed by Helene Blowers at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenberg County and adopted or adapted by many other libraries and organizations since then. 23 Things On a Stick was developed by the seven multitype multicounty library systems as part of the staff development the multitypes offer in their regions.

Who Can Participate
This program is open to all staff in any Minnesota library—public, academic, school, or special—as well as members of their Governing Boards, their Friends groups, or Advisory Groups. 23 Things on a Stick is approved for Minnesota Certification for Library Employees and CEUs. Experienced Web 2.0 users as well as novices and everyone in between are invited to join. This is self-paced and self-directed.
Registration for Round 2 begins May 15, 2008.
  • You must register your blog by June 15, 2008 and then complete all 23 Things by September 15, 2008.
  • Each person participating must have and register his/her own blog.
  • Didn't finish all 23 in Round 1? You can re-register your blog and finish in Round 2.
How It Works
You are in charge of your learning in this program. We have identified the 23 Things for you to do over the course of the program, but you decide when you do them—and the amount of time you spend and the depth of your exploration. Each of the 23 Things can take as little as an hour or as much more time you have to give. You document your participation by setting up and maintaining a blog (Thing 1).
Each Thing will show you one or more Web tools. These Web 2.0 tools are bringing library staff and our patrons in touch with the entire world through social networking, video, audio, and gaming sites. We have found many places for you to explore, experiment with, and think about creative ways to use this in your library. Participation in 23 Things on a Stick allows you to take time to explore and enjoy these tools.
Even if you think you know all about all of the tools in 23 Things On a Stick, we encourage you to join the program. We have added Challenge sections to some of the Things to stretch you and you can always learn more about any of the tools through independent exploration. And we will learn from you because you will blog about your discoveries.
Everyone who registers by June15, 2008 and completes all 23 items on the list and blogs about each one by September 15, 2008 will receive a completion prize and be eligible for other prizes. Otherwise, there is no deadline and this course will remain online through 2008.
Read on! Registration occurs as part of Thing 1.
Tutorial Format
Each week begins with a brief explanation of a new Web 2.0 topic or tool, followed by a numbered list of activities related to the tool. These exercises give you the background you need to understand the tools you're learning about. Don't skip them!
When you have done the items in each list, you comment or post to your blog. (You will learn how to set up a blog in Thing 1.) Your blog is the tool to communicate your reactions, new-found skills, ideas, questions, and favorite Web sites to the other 23 Things On a Stick participants and is how your completion of all 23 Things is documented.
There will be no statewide classes or workshops offered to support this program. Instead, staff are encouraged to work together with others in their libraries or region and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and "how to" both in person and through their blogs.
Check your multitype region’s Web site for any regional 23 Things On a Stick updates and activities.

Friday

About 23 Things On a Stick

This blog has been set-up as part of the 23 Things on a Stick: A Library Learning 2.0 Program. The 23 Things encourage all of us to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies that are changing how information is used and created on the Internet today.
The 23 Things On a Stick Team modified The Learning 2.0 program designed by Helene Blowers, Technology Director, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County that was loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article 43 Things I (or You) Might Want To Do This Year (Information Outlook - February 2006) and the Web site 43 Things. We also used ideas from the California School Library Association School Library Learning 2.0 and other Library Learning 2.0 programs.
23 Things On a Stick offers ideas to "jump start" your learning. We hope you will share your ideas on how these Web 2.0 tools can be used in your libraries and media centers. We have used many Web 2.0 tools to design this program, including Blogger, Flickr, YouTube, PBWiki & Bloglines—which we learned as we went. You can learn them, too.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does this online learning program work?
This is a self-discovery program that allows participants to take control of their own learning. Participants are encouraged to work together with others in their buildings and regions and to share their insights and discoveries with others through their blogs and in person. 23 Things On a Stick is web-based and not tied to any particular computer. You can work at home, at school, at your public or academic library. You may need to work at home if your place of work or local library blocks multimedia or other sites.

2. Who can participate?
This program is open to all staff in any Minnesota library—public, academic, school, or special—as well as members of their Governing Boards, their Friends groups, or Advisory Groups. Each person must register her/his own blog. 23 Things on a Stick is approved for Minnesota Certification for Library Employees (12 contact hours) and CEUs.
2a. I started 23 Things On a Stick in the first round. Can I do this round, too?
Yes, you can. Use your original blog, but re-register here, so we know you are part of Round 2. Anyone who wants to do them all again can re-register, too. We want as many people to finish as possible so we will have a group ready to do More Things On a Stick.
3. How do I register my blog?
After you have created a blog using Blogger or other service as explained in Thing 1, register by clicking here. Note that you will not receive a confirmation of registration.
We will add your blog to the main mother blog by region--check the Participants' Blog list on the sidebar for your blog. This may take a week or so, since we must add them manually. We will not list your name; only your blog's name. Don't know your region? Click here for a map.
3a. Where's my blog? It is not on the list under my region.
All of the blogs are entered on the list manually--it is not an immediate process from SurveyMonkey to the 23 Things On a Stick main blog (wouldn't that be nice?). It may take a week to get the blog listed. If your blog is not up after a week, email minn23@gmail.com with your name, the blog name, and URL.
3b. The link to my blog doesn't work or goes to some weird blog. What's the deal?
Possible reasons:
  • The links are copied and pasted into the main blog, so it is possible the link had a typo or was incomplete. We try to check them, but we miss some. Email minn23@gmail.com with your name, the blog name, and URL so we can check the registration info.
  • You registered a blog that belongs to someone else. If you did not create your blog prior to registering and just selected a URL without checking availability, you may have a link to a "weird blog." Re-register with a new URL. We will change the list to reflect your new blog.
  • We couldn't figure out the URL you supplied, so it is not listed yet. You will be hearing from us soon.
  • You registered multiple blogs with different names and/or emails and we are waiting to get that straightened out with you.
4. How long do I have to complete the program?
Participants who wish to receive the completion incentive must register their blogs by June 15 and complete all 23 Things (and blog about each one!) by September 15.
Registration for Round 2 begins May 15, 2008.
5. Are there prizes?
Yes! Participants who complete the entire course will receive a completion incentive and be entered for additional prizes. To be eligible for prizes, you must register your blog as described in Thing 1 and complete all Things by September 15. Only Minnesota participants are eligible for prizes.
6. How do I track my progress for the 23 Things?
You will create a blog of your own in Thing 1 to track your progress. Please use your blog to write your reactions to the lessons and add any ideas you may have on how to use Web 2.0 tools for yourself and your library. This is your time to experiment, have fun, and learn at you own pace. Links to the blogs of all participants are listed by region on the front page of the mother blog.
Include the Thing # and title in the heading of each post. It will help you and the 23 Things on a Stick Team track your progress. It is helpful when you want to refer back or add something new on a specific topic or tool, too.

7. How will you know I have done all the Things?

You will write about each Thing you complete (see previous question). Each of the multitypes will be reading and tracking their participants' blogs.
8. Can I blog anonymously?
Yes & no. Since you control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose to use a screen name to keep yourself anonymous if that makes it easier/more comfortable for you. However, if you want to be eligible for the prizes, you must register your blog with the 23 Things On a Stick team with a valid email. Your blog will be posted on this blog, but your "real identity" will not be listed.
But, really, why be anonymous? Other 23ers want to know who you are so they can share and learn more. It is not necessary to put all your personal info in your profile, but complete anonymity works against the social community we want to create with 23 Things On a Stick.

9. How much do I have to write in my blog posts?
Each blog post must describe which Thing you have completed (remember to put that in the post title, too), what your experience was learning about it--easy, hard, impossible--ideas how you can use this in your library or media center or in other areas, and other comments on the process. While we don't expect a dissertation on every Thing, we do expect thoughtful reflection and active participation that is clear in the post. Single line posts or those that show perfunctory participation will not be counted.
10. Will there be any training classes offered on how to do this?
There will be no statewide classes or workshops offered to support this program. Instead, staff are encouraged to work together with others in their libraries or region and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and "how to" both in person and through their blogs. You are encouraged to be resourceful and find a co-worker or another staff member who can help. Be sure to share your knowledge and expertise too!
We will provide helpful hints, encouraging words, and post comments on your blogs from time to time. The 23 Things On a Stick team will be available by e-mail to answer your questions. Individual multitype regions may offer opportunities to work together or additional sessions on the 23 Things On a Stick. Watch your multitype’s Web site for more information or click the region under 23 Things On a Stick Activities on the sidebar.
You will receive a weekly newsletter starting in mid-June (after registration is closed) that includes hints about the Things.
11. Is there any tech support?
We can assist you with the course, but not your computer or Internet connection. Here are some hints about Web 2.0 tools that might help you.
12. Do any of the 23 Things On a Stick require downloads?
Flash is required to view many of the applications. Chances are this is already installed on your computer, but if it is not, click here for a free download. Adobe Reader is required to read a few of the links. If you do not have it, you can get it free here. Java needs to be enabled for many of the applications, too. Here are instructions on how to enable Java. Always check with your tech people before downloading anything.
A few of the Things have activities that may require a download. However, most of the Things have options that can be done without downloading anything extra. Click here to see a list of Things that have downloads.
Most of the 23 Things are Web-based applications that do not require additional downloads or plug-ins to work. Many Web-based applications have third party features that require downloads. These are not required—although they are often fun and add functionality.
13. Why Do This?
This is a great chance to spend time on your personal and professional development. All library staff need to be up-to-date with the latest trends and technology tools that Web 2.0 is bringing us everyday. We need to take time to learn how the tools can be utilized in or with our libraries. And we will know what our library users, especially younger users, are talking about!
14. I noticed some of the Things have a section headed Challenge? What is this and do I have to do it?
The Challenges are there for those participants who are already familiar with that particular Thing and want to learn more and/or for those who are intrigued by what they have learned doing the first parts of the Thing. The Challenges are all optional; you do not have to do those parts to have completed the Thing. If you do one or more the Challenges, be sure to blog about it!
15. Who are members of the 23 Things On a Stick Team?
The Directors and staff of the seven Minnesota Multicounty Multitype Library Systems are the core of the team. We had help from Jennifer Hootman at MINITEX, too. This group has worked together to create the 23 Things On a Stick blog, modify and create the content and instructions for the Things. The team will read participants’ blogs.

Thursday

What Are the 23 Things On a Stick?

We're glad you asked! These are the 23 Things On a Stick that participants must complete. All the red links below take you to the details and activities for that Thing.

Click on the links and read the entire Thing so you understand the activities and then jump in and have fun learning!

Be sure you have read this and this so you understand how the program works.

Getting Started

1. Set up your own blog, add your first post, & add an avatar. Register your blog and begin your 23 Things On a Stick adventure. Each participant must register her/his own blog to be eligible for the incentive.

What is Web 2.0 and Why Should I Care?

2. Read & watch these perspectives on Library 2.0, Web 2.0, and the future of libraries. Share your thoughts.

Keeping Up

3. Learn about RSS and news feeds and set up an RSS account of your own. Locate a few library-related blogs and/or news feeds to add to your RSS account.

Photosharing and Editing

4. Explore Flickr and learn about this popular image hosting site.
5. Have some more fun with Flickr and discover so
me services and mash-ups from Flickr and others.
6. Play around with an online image generator.

Communication
7. Web 2.0 tools make communication a snap. Try these tools and think how your library can use them.
8. Share your slide decks, photos, or presentation slides on your Web site or blog with these tools.

Collaboration
9. These Web 2.0 tools make it easy to collaborate on documents and presentations without the hassles of email attachments.
10. Learn about wikis and how libraries are using them. Add an entry to the 23 Things On a Stick wiki.

Social Media: Del.icio.us, Tagging, & Digg, and More

11. Learn about tagging and del.icio.us, a social bookmarking site.
12. Do you Digg? Have you Reddit? Maybe StumleUpon is your thing. Major publications (NYT & Washington Post, for example) offer readers the chance to "rate" and recommend their articles to others via these social media sites.

Online Productivity Tools

13. Try out an online productivity tool and learn about others.
14. Take a look at LibraryThing. It is not just for personal collections; libraries are using it too.

Online Games in Libraries

15. Libraries and games are becoming a hot topic. Explore some online games.

Minnesota Library 2.0
16. Media specialists, academic librarians, and public librarians can help their 2.0 students be more efficient in their research with
these Web 2.0 tools: Assignment Calculator & the Research Project Calculator.
17. ELM is more than articles. Use these ELM productivity tools to maximize what ELM can do for you.

Podcasts & Video

18. Discover YouTube and other sites that let you watch and upload video.
19. Explore podcasts and consider creating a podcast of your own.

Social Networking

20. Facebook and MySpace are the way many people communicate--with each other, with the greater community, and in some cases, with their libraries.
21. Facebook and MySpace may grab the headlines about social networks, but there are other networks.

Staying Current

22. With Web 2.0 tools evolving, growing, and changing—not to mention all the changes in Library 2.0
how can you keep up? It definitely takes some effort, but here are some ways to keep learning.

One Last Thing
23. Complete this online evaluation and blog about your 23 Things On a Stick experience.