DRUPAL 101

Drupal is an open source (free) content management system (CMS) and development framework. It offers modules, themes, and translations. It is very popular and growing, so it is worth learning about and following. Warning: large learning curve or "cliff". InfoPeople hosted an introductory webinar on Drupal for libraries. Laura Soloman presented and answered questions. Check it out -- the webinar and handouts are archived.

Here are examples of websites created in Drupal:

• Kansas City Public Library
• Palos Verdes Public Library
• Federal Express
• Recovery.gov

There are websites and YouTube videos about Drupal, including a weird Drupal Song:

Widget for Sharing -- "Share This"

Tom Kahn shared a cool tool -- a widget called "Share This" so I experimented with it on a number of my blogs. It allows me (and readers) to share a post with other social networking accounts. I shared an item from my Advocate4Libraries blog with my Facebook account, but could also share (re-post) with my Twitter and other accounts.

How would you use this? Here is an example: Members of the California School Library Association could post a message on their personal or library blog account about the California School Library Association's popular, free, online educational technology tutorials for teachers called "Classroom Learning 2.0" and "Discovering Assistive Technology". For those who have completed or almost completed School Library Learning 2.0, they could add a testimonial about how much they learned and enjoyed the discovery learning format. You get the idea! The more who hear about the CSLA professional development and program tutorials, the more visibility for school libraries. Remember, strong school libraries build strong students and lifelong learners!

Social Media is NOT a fad... - YouTube Video

Tom Kahn alerted me to a YouTube video he saw on the LM_Net listserv. Title is Social Media Revolution. Check it out.

Google Followers

OK. I've added the "Google Followers" gadget to my 2CoolTools blog. This is a new Blogger feature, so I noticed it when I created several new blogs for the California School Library Association. Not sure why I instantly had 2 followers. Now to see who else follows this blog.

BlockPosters - Turn Image into a Poster

Here's a useful tool for educators and librarians, especially those with big walls, windows, or bulletin boards for displaying art and posters. The web 2.0 tool is called Block Posters. You create a poster by first uploading a picture or image, slice it, download the PDF, then print it. Just decide how many sheets wide you want it.

Check out the Block Posters' Gallery for ideas. How could you use it to promote your school, library promotions like "Banned Books Week" or "Library Card Sign-Up Month" or great art masterpieces? Or just one word, "READ".