Let's be social

In gentler times, you and I would linger over tea and discuss the merits of great literature. Today, we make a list of what we're reading and post it for the world - or at least for your GoodReads friends - to see. Yes, I can review the books I list and star them. So can you. And you can leave me a comment which I can read and then comment back to you. It could take us a year to finish "discussing" one book.
I do like the feature at GoodReads where I can keep an inventory of the books I want to read. But I've always done this - on paper - and that has served me well for many, many years. And before you snicker at that antiquated method, do know that I pay bills online versus check writing/mailing. Some things do work better with the newest technology. But some things, you will have to agree, work better the old fashioned way. Take making a doctor's appointment. Back in the day, it worked this way: "The doctor wants to see you in about 6 weeks" - the receptionist turns the pages in her big book and offers me different days and times because she can see the "big picture" at a glance. By computer it works this way: "Let's see, 6 weeks from now it's May 12th (type type type) - how about 9:30am?" I reply, sorry, I work that day. (Type, type, type) She suggests May 14th at 2pm. Sorry, that's my tap dance lesson. We ping and pong until finally we find a mutually acceptable time. Progress? Definitely not.

Social media networking at the library? Maybe a GBPL version of GoodReads for kids? good read-aloud lists for teachers? tips on XBox games for teens? Hmmm...I'll come up with more. Check out my GoodReads too - I am Kathryn in South Elgin or use my gailborden.info address. Leave a comment, I'll get back to you.

wiked wiki

#8 on the list of Gail Borden Learns - Wiki's. Overhearing a conversation, my granddaughter asked if I meant Wooki. I told her, no, wiki - like Wikipedia. She then asked if that was like an encyclopedia. Smartypants! (runs in the family)

So I did my wiki thing and added a book (The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage by Daniel Mark Epstein, 2008) to the Tapestry of Freedom wiki and visited a few suggested wikis. Library Success began with a warning update: because of vandalism, email comfirmation is now required - cannot add or edit until you register - then you will be sent a link to confirm your address - a loose translation of their actual verbage. This is the biggest "con" of wikis. You have a nice thing going and the general public steps in and watch out.....giraffes are native to Venezuela....Justin Timberlake is an ordained priest....you can only contract polio in Ohio. Hey, this is fun! Wikis do provide another avenue of information - if you can trust the information you are getting. And involving the public in our library wiki is a plus as well.

So will I use wikis? Probably not. There are just so many information websites that I can visit and find what I need to know and rely on for their accuracy. And would I ever be tempted to alter a site with fraudulent information? No. But I did miss my chance to make up my own "story of freedom" which might have become a best seller.