Welcome to the Ephrata Public Library's 23 Things program & blog. Chances are if you've found your way here you're either:
- a patron of the Ephrata Public Library who's participating in the 23 Things Challenge.
- a member of the Ephrata Public Library's staff who's participating in the 23 Things Challenge
- interested in learning about and playing around (yes, playing is allowed in libraries) with some new web 2.0 tools that will help you expand your information literacy toolbox.
- or - - are just interested in earning a cool USB flash drive and the possibility winning a Kindle!
Either way… I'm glad you're here!!
23 Things Ephrata is an online learning program that encourages patrons and staff to learn more about emerging technologies on the web that are changing the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with each other.
Over the course of the next nine weeks, this website will highlight 23 Things and discovery exercises to help you become familiar with blogging, RSS news feeds, tagging, wikis, podcasting, online applications, and video and image hosting sites.
To familiarize yourself with this project, be sure to read the About page. The FAQs should answer most of your questions about this program. If not, then please add your question to the FAQ page as a comment.
In order to prepare for our adventure, you will need to open accounts with Google and Yahoo for use with some of our free online resources. To open a free Google account, click here. To open a free Yahoo account, click here. Don't forget to write down your username and password for your account.
So fasten your seat belts, grab your mouse and get ready for a discovery adventure… and remember, it's OK to play in the library and have fun!
If you need assistance with our 23 Things as we go along, please note that the library's computer lab will be open for 23 Things participants on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m.
***Thing #2 - Set Up Your Blog!
Now that you’ve done some exploring around this website and understand how this program will work, it’s time to setup your very own personal blog to begin recording your thoughts, discoveries and exercises. For this program, I recommend that you use Blogger*, a popular free online blog hosting service that is extremely easy to use.
Creating a blog using Blogger takes just three steps:
- Create an account
- Name your blog
- Select your template
Once you’ve created your blog here are two important things to know:
- To add posts: The maintenance interface that you will use to add posts, edit or change the set up of your blog is accessed online at http://www.blogger.com Be sure to write down your login and password.
- To view your blog: Your blog address is http://(xxxx).blogspot.com, (xxxx)=the unique identifier you entered in Step 2. Be sure to also write down your blog address.
If you run into problems or would like more information about blogs and using Blogger here is a discovery resource you can use:
OK -- Now, it’s your turn...
Discovery Exercise:
- Set up a blog for yourself through Blogger.
- Add a test post or two.
- Have fun!!!!
IMPORTANT NOTE: How you choose to identify yourself on your blog is your choice. You can blog under a screen name, anonymously, or as yourself. However, in order to qualify for the incentives and prize drawings, you will need to register your blog by emailing your name and blog address to ptalbert@ephratapubliclibrary.org
And don't forget - WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU! If you need assistance with any of these steps, you can visit our open lab time for participants on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. OR you can arrange a time with us to help you. Call 717-738-9291 ext. 102 to arrange an appointment.
* Use of Blogger is only a recommendation. If there is another blog hosting site that you are more comfortable with, please feel free to use it.
***Thing #3 - Register your blog with the 23 Things Ephrata staff!
Simply send at email to ptalbert@ephratapubliclibrary.org! Include:
• Your Name
• Your email address
• Your blog address (should be www.xxxx.blogspot.com) The xxxx is the name you've chosen for your blog.
Congratulations! You've completed the first three things - and the first week of our 23 Things Ephrata!
