I finished 15 things!

It hasn't been easy, but I did it!  I'm using my branch library's iPad, and really think I would like one of my own - I need to find a way to justify spending the $$$ after I just purchased MacBook.

Thing 15 - Infographics

We love statistics at the library! Check out numbers, number of circs per item, number of items in each collection, number of items per shelf, number of self check uses, ebook uses, computer hours used.  I think that if the library board monthly update used some info-graphics I might actually read the whole thing!

I used I visual info Touch Lite - only because it said "lite" and thought it would be a snap to use!  It was really pretty easy but because of that, the variety of graphics and designs was pretty limited. Of course I was using the free version, so it might be a more useful tool as a paid app.

Thing 14 - videos

I am in awe of blog mrshureads@blogspot.com  Mr. Shu does some amazing things in his k-5 library, and he often posts video using vine.  Sometimes it is kids doing something, sometimes it's the books on his hold shelf, or videos of guests in his school.  I tried out vine and it is quite simple.  I need to work on holding my iPad still, and where to start and stop (I managed to video my feet...sigh) but overall it is quite simple.  I'm not exactly thrilled that videos are automatically posted out there on the net somewhere, but maybe with some searching I can find out how to keep them "private" and post them a only where I want them.

A a major problem in the public library world is getting photo permission for anyone/everyone in a program.  I would like to use video, and Vine seems easy enough - it's just a bit too public for my professional use.

Thing 13 - Presentations

I tried both Haiku Deck and Educreations.  Both seemed pretty straight forward and easy to use.  Tutorials for some of the library research tools or for new book users might be a good use for these apps.  I had a great time looking through the "featured" lessons and could see lots of possibilities for my sister the 5th grade teacher!

Thing 12 - books and more books

I like book lists.  Though I work in a library and could browse for hours, I would rather choose books from a list.  I also like YALSA and the many many lists that it has for teens.  I was a bit disappointed with the small number of lists in the app, but still - a nice little tool for finding books in certain genres for that age demographic.

Thing 11 - Library and Reference

Dakota County's mobile app works wonders.  I understand it is a bit wonky from time to time, but it has lots of the stuff that people use/want most right at their fingertips - their account, the calendar, the catalog and books.

I am impressed with ELM's app too.  (Isn't Jennifer Hootman a gem?). I think it would be great if the school libraries that have iPads would put the ELM site right on their homepage.  I know that they use these resources extensively, to have the right at their fingertips would be great.

Thing 10- sharing photos

Instagram seems pretty straight forward, and sharing the photos on Facebook is easy.  I don't really like "following" anybody - it it just feels creepy :)

I think Instagram was made for taking pictures of food!! But I an see how it could work in. The library with teen programs on the library Facebook page.