CML Learn & Play Finale !!!

When Joy told me where we were tracking with the participant and completion rates for Learn & Play earlier this week, I was totally impressed. This morning, the drawings were held for those who finished in time for a chance at the added incentives, but in my book all 254 staff members who completed their 23 things learning journey are winners!

Here's the video of the final drawing with Pat Losinksi and the Learn & Play team. Getting to sit on the sidelines this time around and watch the enthusiasm and energy that the team contributed to this effort was a pure joy! They really brought new energy and a brilliant twist to the program.

Anyway, here's the video of the prize drawings for L&P.



Hats off to everyone who joined in this learning journey. And from what I understand there may still be a bit more in store for those who are still interested in learning more. So, hold on to your blog and keep watching Learn & Play.

PS: Here's the final stats: 494 staff blog created = 63%, 254 completed = 51.4% - w00t!!

I'm IMPRESSED, aren't' you?

10 Random Things (& my 10 things from a year ago)

A few weeks ago, I eluded in my Learn & Play video that I had put forth a challenge for CML employees (via the APLE employee newsletter) to share ten random things about themselves. Since that time, I've had several requests to reprint them. So for those that are curious, here they are:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those who don't me yet, I'm Helene Blowers and the newest member of your executive leadership team. Having just been in Columbus now 10 months I'm still learning tons about the area, the library and all the incredible people I'm working with – that's you!

As many of you are already aware, I'm the creator of the original online learning program that CML's Learn & Play is base upon and blog at LibraryBytes.com. So in trying to figure out what I could share with you through the APLE newsletter, that you might not know about me, I thought I'd just try and share ten random things that you won't find elsewhere. :)

1. I have weakness for white chocolate covered pretzels. There's something about salty and sweet together.
   
2. In high school I excelled in swimming, competing on numerous teams and even swimming at the state level. Now I rarely swim … except in paperwork and housework. I'm sure many of you can relate.
   
3. As a pre-teen I had crushes on David Cassidy, Scott Biao & the Bay City Rollers. I know this dates me, but oh, well…
   
4. I enjoy going to concerts. The best concert I have ever attended has to be Joe Cocker. The second best is REM @ the Hamersmith Odion, London -back when Michael Stipe actually had hair. :)
   
5. I've had the same green ribbon attached to my key ring for over twenty years. It's served me well. I've never lost my keys.
   
6. People who treat "walking sidewalks" in busy airports like "parking lots" (and don't know how to get off to the side) are one of my few pet peeves.
   
7. For some reason I'm good at remembering trivial numbers. The grocery clerks are constantly amazed by my ability to recite the barcode off the dog's 20 lb bag of food without looking – 1780042330 :)
   
8. Although I hitch hiked all over England and southern Ireland during my younger days, it's not something I would do today. Nor would I encourage my daughters to do when they get older. Ah, the wisdom of age ...
   
9. I've had minor brushes with fame with Barry Manilow, John Cougar Meloncamp, Patti Smyth, Jessie Helms and Lauren Becall. But my favorite bwf story has to be Jon BonJovi. Ask me some time and I'll tell you about it.
   
10. I love to read with my daughters Kathryn and Jessica. We've plowed through the Magic Tree House series, Little House on the Prairie and are currently working on Prince Caspian (Naria series) and the Magic Rainbow fairy books. At 7 and 9 they are fascinated with fairies.

How's that for 10 random facts. If you're interested in the normal stuff about me, please feel free to check out LibraryBytes.com.

Oh, and I have one last thing. I'd like to give a huge shout out to all you that are participating in Learn & Play. I'm really enjoying watching all the participation and getting to know so many of you better through your blogs. Hey, here's thought ... how about a bonus L& P "thing"? We could call it "10 Random Things." Why not blog ten random things about you and twitter me the link (my twitter ID is hblowers) and that way I ( & others) could also get to know you better. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PS: Today is officially my one year anniversary. And as follow-up to this, here's the post I did after my first week titled 10 things I learned during my first week @ CML ( does anyone notice a pattern here?)

It's been an extremely fast year!

Thing 23: [insert happy dance]

Like many Learn & Play participants, I’m doing a happy dance right now realizing that I actually made it through all 23 things in the allotted time. I know that there are many CML staff out there still doing the program, so I want to lend my social media support (hmm… could this be a new meaning to the acronym “sms”) to all those pushing to the finish line these 48 hours.

For me the Learn & Play program has really be amazing to watch. As many of you already know, this discovery program was based upon a program idea that I launched nearly two years ago for another library system. But as look back on this experience with CML (this time both a participant and staff support cheerleader) I can honestly say that Team CML really turned up the volume. From day 1, Learn & play – ”I say LEARN, you say_____” – the amazing team ( remember this video) behind this creative effort has launched themselves 100% into this effort. And for those of you participating in the program (hey, including me) you’ve responded with 200% !

My favorite part of Learn & Play definitely has to be the learning transformation that I’ve seen and watched from staff. Not only are you guys having fun, but I’ve heard about so amazing stories about how staff have reached customer in new ways as a result of being familiar with these tools and communication channels. Reference questions have been answered via twitter and even books have been reserved for customers via these new channels. In essence the program has not only been fun for staff and given many of you new tools, but already even these first few weeks, some of you have increased our libraries customer touch points through your efforts.

Tied for my favorite part of Learn & Play is also the videos. Gerald 2.0 & Library4Joy, you two seriously rawk! These videos capturing the experiences of our the staff participants are in fact the very best testimonials of how this discovery learning program has helped and united staff. In my own L&P video installment, I truly meant when I said that the worse part of Learn & Play is that it’s going to be over soon and after hearing from several staff who also are expressing the same, let me just say to the entire CML team ( yes, that means you, all 700+ employees) … let’s work together to ensure that our learning together never stops.

Congrats to all on completing this journey!

Image: licensed by derekrogerson under CC.

Thing 22: MOLDI (aka downloadable stuff)

I have to agree with the consensus out there that MOLDI (Mid-Ohio Library Digital Initiative) is perhaps one of the worse sounding acronyms ever. However, that being said, the content from the service more than makes up for a the sour-sounding name.

For my “moldi” experience, I chose to checkout one of the eFlicks. Of the children’s eflicks available, I learned that “Animalland“ was the most popular title downloaded from the current 140 titles available for young minds. The video come in 9 parts and is a total of an hour and nine minutes in length.

I’m downloading it right now to see what the quality is, but I'm anticipating that it is good. Will follow-up with my Siskel & Ebert soon. :)

Thing 21: Podcasts

Like a lot of CML employees right now, I’m in the middle of the last dash to get my 23 things completed by Wednesday for Learn & Play. When it comes to podcasting, I have to admit, it’s been a while since I’ve done of these. Back in 2006 when I first created the Learning 2.0 program, I created a podcast for each of things. They are still accessible on my Odeo channel, which is the free podcast hosting site I choose to work with. Most of my podcasts were created using Audacity, another free audio file editing program and then uploaded to Odeo.

Here’s the last podcast I did for the original Learning 2.0 and I must say that the enthusiasm I had at the time for my former POW, is two fold this time around as I see and hear about all the excitement from staff who have completed Learn & Play.

My original podcast done for thing 23:

Listen to this podcast [1:17]-->powered by ODEO

Great job CML!!!

PS: Am wondering if any of you notice a change in my accent at all since I relocated from south? If I have, I not able to notice is myself.

Thing 20: YouTube

Ok, here’s another post to cross another Learn & Play activity off my list. I’ve been a fan and user of YT since long before (if you can call 14 months long) it was acquired by Google. Here’s a lost little video I uploaded in early 2007 that shows a collaborative art project that I created along with several dozen other strangers on TheBroth.com



If you haven't tried out the Broth.com, try it out. Collaborative art is fun!

Thing 19: CML Power Tools

For thing 19 of Learn & Play, we are encouraged to check out CML’s Power Tools page and since I’ve already blogged about power tools page before here on LibraryBytes, I’m taking the easy out on this exercise and just pointing you to my earlier post.

To date, I think I heard that 156 staff have already completed this journey, with many more trying to wrap up (as am I) before the December 6th deadline hits. For those of you still blogging and moving through your things, keep the faith. You can do it! The home stretch is almost here. Keep on learning … I'm right there with you!

Thing 18: Web 2.0 Fun

So for my 18th thing for Learn & Play, I chose the Fun Stuff category to explore. Hairmixer, listed as #2 on the this year’s Seomoz.org’s Web 2.0 Awards, looked too much fun to pass up. Here are my results. BTW feel free to giggle :)


I think it’s safe to say that I definitely can’t pull off the Pink and Paris Hilton looks and I just don’t have the locks to maintain a Catherine Zeta Jones. Still it was fun.

Ok, only four more things to do for L&P.

Thing 17: Online Applications & Slideshare

I am a big fan of online applications and online storage. Online apps not only allow people to easily collaborate, they are the ultimate storage safety net. For me Slideshare.net is a pseudo online app that has come to my rescue on more than one occasion. Although in the trust sense, some might not call it an online app (because you can't really create presentations slide with it) you can create slidecasts (audio slideshows) from presentations you upload.

Anyway, as I said Slideshare has come to my rescue on more then occasion. By hosting my slideshows on the web, I have access to them where ever I go – even when I forget to bring along my thumb drive.

So for my blog post about Thing 17 on CML's Learn & Play, I thought I'd highlight Slideshare. And i just noticed that they have a new widget that allows me to share all my upload presentations in a “presentation pack”

| Get your Presentation Pack

Pretty neat, hey? Just another reason to love Slideshare.

OK, I'm on the home stretch for Learn & Play, only 6 more things to blog :)

Thing 15: JFK vs Nixon (aka The Blog vs Wiki debate)

Thing 15 of the CML Learn & Play challenge asks you to comment on your findings about wikis. Here's a discovery I made tonight... who'd have thunk that JFK and Nixon actually debated the merits of Blogs vs Wikis over 40 years ago. I'm Serious... have a look :)



PS: Watching this video makes me wonder how this topic might have played out in a Obama / McCain showdown. On second thought, I think we already know. But, if your curious at all on learning about how the Obama camp successfully engaged the public through social media like blogs and wikis, MIT Technology Review had a great cover story on his campaign's use of online tools last month titled, How Obama Really Did It.

Even if your not an Obama fan, from a social media standpoint it's an interesting read.

Thing 14: Thoughts & perspectives

I have to admit, trying to follow along with CML’s Learn & Play program by blogging each of things has had its challenges. Not because of time, but rather because 90% of the exercises in the program are one’s that I created. Indeed it’s been a strange sort of challenge to be on the “learner” side of the program this time. But the L&P team has been doing such a great job at coordinating and leading the effort, I feel in way obligated to try my best to support the program by participating along with staff.

For exercise 14, participants are asked reflect on a one or two perspectives on how 2.0 is affecting libraries. In answer to this question, I offer up one simple response … just read my blog.

In fact started this blog over four years ago in an effort to keep onto of the shift I was beginning to see. Here is first post.

In looking through the archives, Feb 05 marks my first entry with mention of anything 2.0. My good friend Michael Casey coined the phrase in what seems so very long ago and I guess in web-time is was. 4 years has truly gone by fast.

Anyway, if you’re wondering at all what my perspectives are on libraries and the shift, just grab any two month’s archives at random. You’ll see it’s forever evolving. :)

Learn & Play - " I say learn, you say ..."

Inspiring!! let me repeat... INSPIRING!! (that was more of shout, wasn't it? ... Good !) Wy? Because it's really the only word I can think to describe all the awesome things that I see when I take a look at the Learn & Play program and see what all the CML staff are doing.

Just read a few of the blogs from the over 400 participants and you'll see what I mean. Or, take a look at the videos created by Gerald2.0 and LibraryJoy. Here's the latest - an interview with Rock Me Like a Librarian.



There's lots more interviews and videos too. Check them all out here.

You say "Learn & Play" ... I say "INSPIRING!!"

Thanks CML!!!

Thing #13 Del.icio.us. It’s like putting away / pulling out toys …

I’ve been a fan of Del.icio.us for several years now and still fondly remember how liberating it felt during those first few months to be able to tag/bookmark websites without being chained to a local browser. I guess it’s still liberating in way, but it’s a norm that I have long gotten used to.

Today, whenever I do find myself promoting the use of Del.icio.us to others I often liken it to the analogy of a “toy box.” For me Del.icio.us is the perfect tool to tag interesting finds that you may stumble across during the day so that you can pull them out and play with them later. In essence it's my “toy box.” Where I store my toys, so that when I have 10 or 15 minutes free in my day, I don’t spend those precious few minutes searching the web for something new discover. Instead I just jump on over to Del.icio.us and click on find that I recently tagged “PlayTime” or “MustBlogThis” and use my time to explore these finds more. :)

Try it!

Image: Slide 32 from my presentation, From Players to Guides.

Thing #12 You say Tweet, I say Twitter

I’ve been using Twitter for about year now and here’s what I’ve noticed …

Twitter is …

• very handy as a back channel conference tool. During last three conferences/ workshops I attended, the back channel was very active and engaging.
  
  
• also handy at conferences in helping you make last minute plans with friends and colleagues. At ALA this year, I used Twitter to make lunch plans at the last minute when my schedule abruptly changed and to also get directions to vendor events.
  
  
• a fantastic source for breaking news. Since subscribing to NBC4’s twitter feed, it has become my primary source for breaking news, especially local Columbus news.
  
  and finally…
  
  
• the new election channel on Twitter… why is positively addicting. Last Friday while stuck in the airport for 6 hours ( yes 6 hours in Phily- uggh) the political fodder bombarding twitter before and during the debate was absolutely fascinating to follow. Both McCain and Obama have official twitter feeds (although I must admit that I think McCain’s was an after thought. Just take a look a the total number of tweets and followers for each and you'll see what I mean). It’s interesting to watch how both candidates are using social media channels for campaigning and even more interesting to me to see how people are reacting.

Twitter on … another post for Learn & Play down :)

Thing #10: Obama & McCain beware ...

Here’s my post for Learn & Play about online image generators. But instead of posting a static image generator, I thought I’d share this exciting news story about a new and emerging presidential candidate …


btw, icyww ... Yes, Fritz and I are related... He is my dog. :)

Create your own internet candidate sensation here.

Things 8 & 9 : RSS & Newsreaders ( & a few favorite blogs)

Over the past three years I’ve done a lot of talking in and about web 2.0 tools and technologies, but if I had to select only one (& only one) to focus my attention on, my response would be easy … learn about RSS and setup a newsreader.

Why? Because time is valuable! Learn how to get information to travel you (via RSS ) and stop wasting your time chasing it down.

Ok, now for #9 - a list of few favorite blogs… And because I’ve been tagged with meme before, I’m just going to point you to my previous fav-five list since after a year, four of the five are still are my list. I’ll let you guess which one has dropped off (& no it’s not the obvious Charlotte-connection blog). I still follow Gorman’s blog and admire how he’s stepped up communication style in the past few months. :)

Thing 7: The technology post

Ok, so I've got an hour to kill at the airport as I wait for my flight to depart, so I thought I'd write a post about “something technology” and fulfill my Learn & Play commitment.

Starbucks is my favorite place at CMH to hang out before flights and it helps that it's located kitty corner from gate B22 (USAir's designated gate for traffic in route through CLT). What makes this event any different from any other time that I've waited in Starbucks for a flight to leave, is that this time I'm traveling with a new companion, my Asus Eee PC. And from the looks I occasionally catch from the 13+ folks around me, my little compact laptop is envious for sure.

In Starbucks, all 14 available seats are currently taken up by travelers like me. They all have laptops open (Yes, all 14) and are busy typing away or reading a screen. I'm the only one with a sub-laptop and I must it admit, its both amazingly sweet and liberating to not have to carry around a separate laptop case and lug it on the plane. At 9 inches across, this laptop is smaller in size then most books I read. And best of all it fits in my purse.

My Asus Eee 901 has also introduced me to more then the benefits of size and weight. For the first time I'm using Linux as the operating system and sticking to OpenOffice apps for all my computing needs. I've used OpenOffice for years – in fact at mfpow we installed it on all staff PCs – but Linux as my primary OS is new to me. So far I'm liking it and find it extremely user friendly and intuitive. Wireless connections are breeze and it even runs my all my PowerPoint presentations. Last night I gave a talk to a group of about 30 and had no problem running my 39mb presentation on OpenOffice – even my slide transitions worked. :) The only glitch I had was display problem with some small text. But this was an LCD connection thing, not my new PC.

Anyway, I'm loving my new travel friend and am so happy to be leaving my 14” 7lb couch companion at home. I'm not abandoning my old laptop forever (the larger keyboard & storage size are still major benefits). But when traveling, I'm sticking to my new friend. Two lbs is far better then 12... and I've gotten rid of a carry on bag. :) My arms are dancing about this too!

Thing 6: Flickr Fun @ CML

So I took some looking around the 300+ participant blogs on L&P@CML tonight to see what fun folks are having and I discovered that trading cards are wildly, widllly popular followed by motivational posters.

What’s the best part about this whole experience for me is the funny little odd things that I learn about the amazing staff here at CML. For example, who’d have known that …

...Mclovin is a vanity plate on a CML staffer’s car
...There is someone who raises alpacas
...Todd had chicken parmigiana for lunch.

Yup, who da figured? especially the last one :)

Thing 5: Exploring Flickr (and some of my favorite blogging tools)

Since I've been a Flickr user for at least three years now, I've had the chance to excplore and discover all sorts neat little applications that have grown out of Flickr's api's and devloper community.

For this blog post for L&P@CML I thought I'd share some of the neat little Flickr gadgets and widgets that I've discovered over the years that let you embed some of your Flickr images into your blog.

• Flckr Slidr- by far this is my favorite tool for creating and embedding slideshows from Flickr into your blog. Just enter your user name, set, or tag, select the pixels for your size and the tool does the rest and even supplies the code for you to copy and paste into your blog. It's really that easy. :)
  
  
• Bubblr is a great little tool for adding conversation bubbles to your photos. Simply specify your Flickr user name and tag and it pulls up your Flickr images so you can drag and drop conversation bubbles and then save the images.
  
  
• Cover Flow Although I must admit I haven't played this one yet, the tool looks as easy to use as the Slidr, but the rotating display is tens time more awesome. Definitely noting this new find here, so I have easy access to it in the future.
  
  
• Finally Flickr badge (see my badge on my side bar)... this is one Flickr gem that I always seem to have a difficult locating on Flickr itself whenever I need it. For some reason it's buried pretty good in the Flickr site itself, so for those who are wondering, I thought I take the next 10 minutes to search for it again... [time lapse 3.5 minutes] Ok, I'm back. that took less time than normal. I remembered I had to search the Flickr Help Forum to find it last time... so I could provide you with the link. Here it is.

Enjoy Flickr!

Thing 3: Lifelong Learning – a little bit of back story

Ok, So I’m a little delayed in keeping up with my Learn & Play blogging. But after being gone for a week and half (sans all wireless and laptop I might add) I’m still swamped a bit in trying to catch up. For thing # 3 I’m suppose to blog about my Life long learning habits and since I was actually there at the beginning when Lori Reed was searching to come up with the original idea for the tutorial, I thought I’d blog about this as my “thing.”

The funny thing was that when I developed the Learning 2.0 program approach in the first place, I intentionally left the first few exercises open to cover a series of “lifelong learning” posts. I can still remember the day when Lori walked into my office and asked is I had any suggestions for an online tutorial that might be good for her to develop to help fulfill an online learning course that she was participating in. We brainstormed a bit about options and talked about the L2.0 project I was working on and then Lori came up with this amazing idea to cover Lifelong learning habits in the form of an online tutorial. It was brilliant... nuff said!

7 habits of highly “effective” lifelong learners was the first working title for her creation as I remember, but since Stephen Covey’s empire disapproved of her request -- some copyright thing, you know :) -- she did the next best thing and altered the title to reflect 7.5 habits that highlighted 'successfula' -- who needs effective, when you can be successful? :) --lifelong learning.

Lori Reed’s tutorial is incredible and really sets the foundation for the entire online discovery adventure and I’ve been privileged to watch Lori rise from a branch technology trainer to a featured presenter at Web Junction... and to think it started with a small idea sbout learning.

Anyway, for those that might be curious about my own struggles/successes with lifelong learning habits, the easiest habit for me has always been 7.5 – Play! The most difficult one? That’s hard, but if I had to chose one it would probably to have to be to “view problems as challenges.” It’s not a natural inclination, but rather one that I’ve worked hard to develop. Once I can view problems as opportunities, my brain seems to open up more to creative problem solving - which of course, means stretching myself to learn and grow more. :)

PS: If you're interested in learning & libraries, I highly recommend Lori's blog, Library Trainer, as well.

Learn & Play @ CML

I’m really excited about CML’s Learn & Play discovery program because…

1. I know from my experience in leading the original program how much it generated knowledge sharing and a greater sense of community.
   
   
2. I’m eager to see how my new colleagues embrace this type of peer-to-peer learning environment and to discover what new opportunities it will open up for our library.
   
   and …
   
   
3. This time around, thanks to the L&P@CML team, I don't have to lead the effort. [insert huge smile here] Hats off to Gerald, Joy, Sam, Tonya, Jon & Tammy for not only improving the program, but kicking it off in style!!

Since active participation in the program is really the best way that any manager or administrator can support this system-wide learning effort, I’ve been a little bit torn about how best to actively support it. Being the creator of the original program and concept, it seems artificial for me to blog each of “things” along with all the participants. So instead, to lend my support, I’ve decided that I will follow along and use my blog to actively comment on what I’m noticing and share with you what I’ve learned in the last two years from other libraries who have launched Learning 2.0 programs of their own.

So be on the lookout for a new series of 23 Things posts... but this time around instead of commenting on things, I'll try and just focus on observations and lessons learned.

Oh... and btw, my advice for those participating is still the same...

1. Give yourself and others permission to PLAY
2. Make time for DISCOVERY
3. And have FUN!

To all those at CML starting this journey - E.N.J.O.Y!

Don't hold back...

In just over a week, CML is going to launch it's own version of 23 Things called Learn & Play @ CML. This video made its debut yesterday at the managers meeting. As you might guess, it was hit. :)



Hat's off to the awesome team leading this effort. Gerald, Joy, Sam, Tonya, John & Tammy (hope I haven't forgot anyone) You guys rawk!

PS: If you're interested in following along with us on this journey, by all means don't hold back. :)

Join us August 12th for a conversation with ...

Tonight I'm really excited on two counts because ...

1. Michael Stephens will be here at CML on the 12th to help us kick off Learn&Play@CML for staff.
   
   
2. if you're in the Columbus area and would like to attend, we have limited number seats available for other libraries and library staff to join us.

CML UNIVERSITY PRESENTS:
Michael Stephens

The Columbus Metropolitan Library is pleased to extend an invitation to neighboring area libraries and library professionals to join us for a conversation with Michael Stephens, renowned library speaker, author and Dominican University Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Columbus Metropolitan Library
Main Library Auditorium
96 S. Grant Avenue

View the online invitation for more details.