Thing 23 One Last Thing: Evaluation and Beyond

Thank you to Metronet, and all the multitype directors, for your leadership in developing and sponsoring 23 Things on a Stick. You've heard kudos from many participants, and I am joining that group.


Before starting the program, I had heard of most of the 23 things and thought I understood something about each of them. Working through the Things helped me to understand each one more fully and to see (in most cases) possible library applications. My favorite things were RSS feeds, productivity tools, and Library Thing. I will continue to use them.


As is always the case, being able to talk about the program with colleagues who also were working on the program was a key component of my learning. Though I was the slowest to complete the program, we all were working on it at roughly the same time, creating a community of learners. I learned a lot by reading my colleagues' blogs and talking with them about their ideas for using the Things here. I also appreciated their help and encouragement to keep moving and complete the program. I'm glad I did. When the next phase is ready in January, I will be an eager participant.

Thing 22 What did I learn today?

Keeping current has been a challenge for librarians for as long as I have worked in libraries. I'm willing to bet it has been a challenge for as long as libraries have existed. How could it be otherwise when the role of libraries is broad, the scope of knowledge is vast, the search is engaging, the service ethic is strong? Really who could ask for more?

Surely keeping up, in the sense of always being in a 'caught up' state, is an elusive, probably unattainable goal. Keeping up in the sense of remainining interested, curious, and willing to explore new ideas does seem possible and enjoyable, too. I'm never on the bleeding edge of change, but I try to work at staying somewhere within sight of the leading edge.

Some of the 23 Things will help me, especially RSS feeds. I often listen to Future Tense, an MPR program on technology issues, and find it useful. Newspaper columns on new technology are another helpful source of information. Talking with people on the bleeding edge helps, too. For me, the most important thing is to remind myself that the daily routine will take as much time as I allow it and that I need to carve out at least a little time to scan the horizon for new ideas and perspectives.