Method 4

CNN rss feed:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/26/world/africa/libya-msf-torture/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Washington Post rss feed:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tom-toles/post/those-fine-looking-romney-boys-deserve-a-slice-too/2012/01/25/gIQA9KEfQQ_blog.html?wprss=rss_comics

Public Libraries rss feed:  http://www.publiclibraries.com/blog/will-libraries-pay-publishers-every-time-an-ebook-is-checked-out/

Method 3: library use of cloud computing

The library can be a great resource for people to learn what is out there as far as cloud computing and modern computer resources.  But, it is extremely important for the library staff to have a full understanding of how the technoloy works and the risks involved in using it.  This is why before using any of the Google services or any offered from another website, the services should be greatly researched and understood.  If a children's librarian uses a Google spreadsheet to keep track of contact information for children she reads to, and this becomes available to other entities online, the implications could be devastating to the program, not to mention the legal implications to the library.  Of'course this is a worst case scenerio.  The point is that these cloud computing resources should be well understood before they are used by the library or taught to library patrons.

Beyond that, cloud computing would be a great resource for librarians and patrons.  In our library, our computers are in a network with the city.  More often than anyone would like, this network is down and we do not have access to our documents.  If we used Google documents or calendars, this would eliviate the problem of relying on the network to access things we need.  Also we would have access to these documents from home if ever needed.  Patrons could also have the same benefit of not relying on a flashdrive or any other physical representation to access their work.  They can go to any computer at anytime and have full access to what they need.  Plus, the library can be their source for learning about these resources and making the most of them!

Methods 1 and 2

Technology is constantly changing and evolving.  Libraries will end up being a thing of the past unless we stick with the times and emmerse ourselves in the new technology.  It is great that there are resorses out there that help my fellow librarians and me to learn of these technologies and how we can use them to better our library and branch out to new venues.

Introduction

So this is my first attempt at a blog.  It is an interesting idea and I am curious what possibilities, if any, might open up from this.