Task # 9 Universal Class

Wow!!!!!   What a wonderful new resource!  I did option B, but I did register in case I wanted to take a class later.   I can see thousands of applications where this site could be invaluable for our patrons.  For example: Maybe you have trouble writing letters with the proper grammar - take the grammar class.  You want to do your own taxes or design your own budget - take an accounting class.  Want to brush up on your medical skills - take the medical course.  The list goes on and on.

I think that we should have a staff meeting to go over how the site works and discuss other possible uses, since I feel that it will become very popular.

I think that when a patron goes to our home page, there should be a scrolling pop up like the ones we currently have such as: Get the Library App, Consumer Reports, etc.  It could say something like:  New at all Mesa County Libraries:  Over 500 online courses to sharpen your skills.  Or something to that effect.  Anyway, its a great new site.  And what a coincidence.  As I am sitting here at the computer lab desk, I just had a patron want to sign up for one of the classes!

Task #8 Espanol Libguide

I was a little dissapointed in my score of 60%, but since I didn't attend the meeting on Spanish Libguide, I guess I can live with it.  I did however, go back and check the answers that I had wrong and was able to find the correct answers to each.  I found this site very interesting and I can see how it would be very, very helpful to our ever increasing Latino population here in GJ. Also, it was very easy to convert it from English to Spanish and vice versa

Task #7: Cloud Computing

Although I am not using either Google Docs or Dropbox at this present time, I think that Google Docs would be my first choice.  Since I only have one desktop computer at home, I probably wouldn't use most of the Dropbox features.  One of the things that I would use from Google Docs is the file sharing.

I would definitely suggest both of these to patrons as it is another good tool to make our lives easier.

Task # 6 Helping Patrons

Most of the questions were common sense.  However, I did get #4 wrong but when I did more research on it, I figured out where I went wrong.

A patron has requested information on magazine articles about gardening

a) Tell them that you don't garden so you wouldn't be much help to them

b) Show them how to access Masterfile on the Library Database

c) Suggest Newspaper Source since there could also be good articles available in various newspapers about gardening

d) b and c

One of the Rolling Stone Articles that I saw for 01/09/92 was:  Michael Jackson   The Making of the King of Pop.

Please put towards gift certificate

Task #3 Extra Credit

Task #3 Extra Credit

One of the articles on Rolling Stone from  1/9/92 was  Michael Jackson  The making of the King of Pop

Gift certificate

Extra Credit #2 A Google a Day

Today's Google a Day question was "Wild Oxen" in the New American Standard Version of the bible were referred to something completely different in the King James Version.  What were they called?  The answer was unicorns.  I found it by typing wild oxen in the search option in the NASV and 2 bible verses came up.  When I crossed referenced these same 2 verses in the KJV, they both referred to these animals as unicorns.

I thought this was a fun exercise because I like to problem solve and have an inquisitive mind.  It took a few minutes but I found the answer

Please put my extra drawing towards the $100 downtown gift card

Task #5 Chilton Library

I used my old beater as an example, 1999 Honda CRV.  I clicked on repair and then wiring diagram and then selected brake lights.  Although it didn't make any sense to me, since I am not very mechanically inclined, I found this resource extremely helpful and user friendly.

If I was a mechanic or just owned a vehicle and wanted more info on it, I can see where this resource would be invaluable.

I also clicked on maintenance for my vehicle and was impressed on how it listed all the routine maintenance that I should be performing to keep my car running more efficiently.

Task #4 Downloading ebooks

I pulled up an article entitled eReaders for everyone and it listed the most popular ones on the market today.  My perference, if I were to purchase one today, would be the Nook from Barnes and Noble.  It seems very easy to operate and is supported by our library.

Some of the features that I liked about the Nook were:  easy to operate-just touch and read, ultralite, thin and long lasting battery life, 6 inch display with easy to read fonts, world's largest bookstore.

To download an ebook to the Nook:

1. Get your Mesa County Library Card
2, Download Adobe Digital ebook software
3.Get an Adobe.com username and password

Make sure the Nook is on and not in sleep mode.  Then choose a title from the ebooks library.  Then simply follow the directions and hit download

Task #3 Intro to Master File

When I got to Consumer Reports, I simply typed in "Best Smartphones" and 6 articles came up.  I read each article and that if I was a person seeking this information, it would be very helpful

Discovery Task #2 Website Scavenger Hunt

I learned the value of all the resources we have at our disposal to assist our patrons, especially all the various data bases

Task #1 Create a blog

Hello, my name is Dennis Mercier.  I have been working at the library for 4 months now and absolutely love my job and the people I work with.  I have lived in Grand Junction for 2 and half years now.  Before this, my wife and I lived in a log home in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina for 15 years.  I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.

I am 60 years old, married, 5 kids, and 14 grandchildren.  I love to garden and read.  My wife is a hospice nurse here in town.  We are currently renting a house, but hope to purchase a home in the near future.