#7 Google BookSearch

Google Books is a useful place for a broad search on book titles. I was interested to see how many Australian titles were included and based my searching around school library, information literacy and some of the topics I will be doing with classes next week at work. I was pleased to see that there was a broad range - including many from Australia and many known to me that I would expect to see!
The uses I can see for Google Book Search in an educational setting is to ask students to do a search similiar to what I did and find titles that are available. And, then get them to check our library and other libraries they use. It could also be used in conjunction with a range of tasks including gathering information for bibliographies etc.
The fact that the book covers are included is a good thing as it adds some visuals to the search and work you could do with it.
Students are keen to use Google so if we can promote Google tools such as Google Book Search to them it is a win-win set up!

#6 Google Maps

Isn't it wonderful when you have the need for something! I need to go to a part of Adelaide I am sure I haven't visited before on Thursday evening to meet up with the staff from the other campus of one of the schools I work at. They will have travelled the 300+ kms this time (instead of me) and so I checked out the venue on both Google Maps and with Whereis.com.au and feel confident I will find it easily on Thursday. But just in case I used the feature in Whereis.com.au to email myself at work a copy of the map and the directions. And, as navigating to places I don't visit often is a bit of a chore for me I can see I will be using these sites a bit more often. And, I will share them with the students who are often looking for directions to get to places for job interviews etc. So, all in all very useful!

#5 More Google Docs

Checked out the list of other Google options. Have tried a few but now need to extend the range I use and also get others organised and using them too! Last year a couple of us 'played' with sharing a Google calendar - so think it is time I went back and checked that out too and did some updating!

#5 Google Docs

Loved the features and ease of use of Google Docs. Having some thoughts about uploading some files and sharing folders for other library staff to access too. Need to check out first they all have a Google account! We are lucky these aren't blocked at our school and so people can use them whether they are on-site or not. As I work in a library shared by 2 schools that both run separate (and different networks) I am always on the look out for ideas where all library staff and students can see the same things without having to load into 2 systems. Google Docs offers great possibilities!

#4 What is this Library 2.0?

A collection of interesting articles and sites to check out! There seems to be broad agreement from the authors/presenters that Web 2.0 and as an extension of that Library 2.0 needs to be user centred, not constrained by walls (real or virtual), constantly updated and encouraging participation anywhere and anytime. As well as us as Teacher Librarians making changes to our libraries to accommodate these new ways of using our resources we need to take our staff and the teachers on the journey with us. Many students will already be 'out there' but there will also be others who will need assistance to join in and participate in using the 24/7 library!