23 Things introduced me to the work of Helene Blowers. I saw a reference to it on another library blog and curiosity about the name prompted a web search.
23 Things is an online self-discovery program that encourages the exploration of web 2.0 tools and new technologies. The project launched in August 2006 with 352 participants from the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and additional guests.1
The technology covered was comprehensive at the time and is still relevant today. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about blogs, RSS, tagging and fun-with-images to check it out.
This may be the best online library project I’ve seen to date (and I’ve seen many over the past two months). It’s well conceived and fully executed. It’s concise, functional (no 404 messages) and uses the technology properly. This is a web project, not a bricks’n'mortar project using the web. It’s also a great model.
Helene wisely recruited participants in advance. She stated the program’s goals clearly and tied them to the library’s mission of “Expanding minds, Empowering individuals and Enriching our community”.2 Weekly events and the use of technology to make this a community endeavor built in a sense of fun and mutual support. And not to be overlooked, Helene offered staff prizes and incentives for participating.
23 Things is an effective training program for library staff. Its widespread availability on the internet also reinforces the library’s role as stewards of life-long learning.
