Spring Cleaning #30: Take a Load Off Our Drives

For the last few years I have been periodically weeding my z-drive and p-drive folder. I did go ahead and do an extra specially good job of cleaning them out this month. I also had new, stricter guidelines to follow when choosing to save, delete or move items. I have decided not to save timesheets farther back than 3 months. I could save them on floppy disc but I am sure that I would lose, collect or corrupt the discs.

I am sure that I had old files from "many" years ago. I did find that I was fairly well organized and understand the basics of the different drives (z, p and s).

Spring Cleaning #29: Email

I had lots of email saved that I wanted to be able to refer back to. I thought virtual computer space was supposed to replace hard paper copies. Oops, I was wrong. After carefully adding to my folders I had to go back in and delete all the emails with attachments! What a pain if you want to keep information. I ended up revising my theories on keeping files. My new theory is that if the information hasn't been saved to Harriet or a supervisor hasn't saved it to the p-drive, it really isn't important. I have now deleted thousands of emails or redirected them to my personal email account. For the time being I am keeping my organizational folders even if they are empty until I am sure I won't be using them.

I go through my old emails periodically during my down time at circ or in the drive-thru. There are always slow periods throughout the year for major weeding.

Spring Cleaning #28: Don’t Clutter Up Expensive Cyberspace

The online organizational tools were interesting but at this time not practical for me. I move from computer to computer constantly throughout my day. The time spent learning new programs is too costly. By putting all these new gadgets into our computer aren't we taking up space also? I do use the organizer/calendar in our library email account. This is one place I have to check several times a day anyway.

I do use set times and places or organize and deal with things at home. I believe I already use the technique of taking care of something rather than filing it for the future if it can be done in two minutes or less. My organizing techniques are quick and get looked through frequently.

I do tend to keep more filed away than I should. Today I noticed that I have IRS returns dating back to my first year of work as a 16 year old. Yes, for me that is a very long time. I have to admit that I actually had a use for them today that I never would have thought of. Now, the old cancelled checks and stubs can definitely go!........... Good thing I didn't get rid of those check stubs too soon! I actually needed them too! I will be going slow on weeding out old files at home.

Week 10: #23 Is this really the end? Or just the beginning...

I particularly liked learning about Library Elf and Bloglines during this training. I've found them quite useful. I got a good look at the vast amount of information out on the internet. Unbelievable! Now we need to learn the easiest way to navigate this immense amount of information and how to find the most reliable information. The Library perhaps?

There was alot of information I just skimmed going through this training so I will be going back and taking a more in depth look at some things. For example, I have not tried making a badge or twitter.

The group that put this training together did a great job! It really introduced me to a lot of new things. I don't feel like I'm in the stone age anymore. The more I have gotten into it the more questions I've been asking my kids and coworkers and getting into wonderful collaborations with them. This training was great and I hope we have more of them.

Week 9: #22 Downloadable Media

When it comes to searching for downloadable material I liked the library's site the best. It was easier to find things. When using "Wowio" you could only search by one term. "LibriVox" was just plain confusing. The library site had more popular authors also. "Wowio" did have a few new titles but they were for obscure authors.

Congrats Harris County Public Library on have the best elibrary catalog!

Week 9: #21 Podcasts, Smodcasts!

I can see some useful items here. It is time consuming to find things but if you really needed something it would be worth the time. I've subscribed to a tech podcast to help keep me up to date.

Week 9: #20 Discover YouTube and other video sharing sites

Thank you ebranch for getting my avatar on the parade of avatars.

I thought YouTube was great. A little unwieldly but I'm finding all internet sites are like that. I'll just have to take some lessons from great librarians who know how to find their way around lots of information quickly. A great source for teaching information, and a lot of fun too. I found the Creative Commons Comic to be the easiest way to understand Creative Commons. I still had many questions though. Maybe the library could tape some of the interesting programs we offer and put them on YouTube for people who cannot attend the programs.

I am posting a couple of videos that my husband found on YouTube that I just love. These are from the Britain's Got Talent show.




If you have trouble accessing the embedded videos try the Url: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gn5L5U92_54
and http://youtube.com/watch?v=sxOytYLlhiQ

Enjoy!