Thing #2 - Alice's Restaurant

We know time is always an issue--Stephen Abram shares some ideas on where to find the time for 23 Things. Where will you find the time?

I am finding that I am going to bed later at night:) Instead of watching tv I am now in front of the computer. Instead of talking to friends and family on the phone they are emailing me more and we are also keeping in touch via Facebook. I can tell by the number of people befriending me on Facebook I am not alone in this technological shift.

Why are you participating in 23 Things @ NEFLIN?

I had heard about the project through SLA but did not have the time to follow through with it. Afterwards I had the opportunity to meet a group of people who told me that they had all chosen to retire rather that learn computers and that worried me. I saw how if you weren't willing to risk looking foolish while learning new things you were putting yourself out to pasture.

NEFLIN's pitch at the annual meeting was great! I saw the environment that they were trying to create - a playful, safe place where there would be something for everyone. A place where beginners would feel free to ask questions and a forum where the more advanced could display their skills and become beacons of light. A lab where we could test things and figure out if/how these tools fit into our lives. It reminded me of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute I had participated in where we all felt comfortable enough to be open and try new things.

This time I decided my development was worth it and I was going to find the time.


What do you hope to learn?How has the Internet and the vast resource it can be affected your use of time at work and/or at home?

I can't imagine going back to life without the Internet. It has saved me incalculable amounts of time. However it has also made me more impatient if I have to wait for information - I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

Where are you in your knowledge and use of Web 2.0 tools? How about your library?

As I said I know about most of these tools. I have used them once or twice, but this is offering me a chance to become more familiar with them. NEFLIN is giving us permission to learn in a non linear way and still call it work.

What are you looking forward to in 23 Things @ NEFLIN?
I didn't have any grand expectations when I decided to do this. However reading the participants' blogs I am realizing that we are having a ripple effect across our 20 county area and then some. There are close to 300 people registered for this project and many more who aren't registered. Most people are having discussions about it with others. Add up all of those people and I believe Arlo Guthrie would declare it a movement. It's the NEFLIN 23 Things Movement. Blog. With Feeling!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_7C0QGkiVo