Google has so many great free tools!  I am kind of old-fashioned when it comes to calendars.  Every year, I buy a small planner that I carry with me to work.  Because I have two part-time jobs and an irregular schedule, it is helpful to keep track of where I’m supposed to be when.  I don’t always have the planner with me, though.  This is where Google Calendar could come in handy.  If I’m near a computer with Internet access, I could check my calendar that way.

I decided to do a trial run.  I already have (and love) a Google account.  I created a Google Calendar and, within minutes, copied what was written in my planner.  I added my Google Calendar to my iGoogle homepage and voila!  I now have my schedule in two convenient places.  I’m not going to give up my planner, but I’ll keep up with Google Calendar for a couple of months and see if it works for me. 

I could see how Google Calendar and its sharing feature could come in handy for libraries.  As a staff member, I wish our library would use it.  Our website is difficult to navigate, especially in a hurry.  If we had a Google Calendar on the homepage, both staff and patrons could see right away what was going on that day.  I see potential for an increase in program attendance and less phone calls.