tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35517192446906480152024-02-07T00:52:06.853-05:00Librarian in CyberspaceDigital reference libraries and online resources to help with information literacy, the education of future librarians, and to do our part to reduce the digital divide.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-82147954443433360252010-10-27T09:47:00.003-04:002010-10-27T09:50:30.585-04:00The Little Librarian KitThanks to Nancy Picchi for alerting me to this <a href="http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_36d669ec-d8a6-11df-a482-001cc4c03286.html?ref=nf">"Little Librarian" kit</a>! As she says, it could be the start of a new trend...maybe a good gift for the holidays.<br /><br /><a href="http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_36d669ec-d8a6-11df-a482-001cc4c03286.html?ref=nf">http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_36d669ec-d8a6-11df-a482-001cc4c03286.html?ref=nf</a>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-71417101445605894592010-10-20T09:10:00.003-04:002010-10-20T09:22:04.248-04:00Fall Change and NaNoWriMoAfter a brief but intensely empowering experience as director of a small public library in southern Delaware, I'm turning a corner, returning to Maryland AskUsNow! as Operations Assistant, and keeping on as the Statewide Coordinator for Delaware's Ask a Librarian project. It's going to take me home, still a pauper but with more time and in a supportive, more restful environment. Freer to be creative, encouraged by my managers, with laughter and joy all around. It's a wonder how an experience can affect one's perspective!<br /><br />And here comes November. Which means, now I'll have time to tackle another novel. I'm calling it "Flatland," (anyone ever read that math allegory?) and while I walk my little dog, Sophie, I plan it out.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;" href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">November is for NaNoWriMo!</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-40241126547858676712010-10-05T20:08:00.003-04:002010-10-20T08:26:37.239-04:00Underpaid and overworkedHow many public librarians feel satisfied with the pay they receive? Out of those, how many justify the low pay with statements like, "I didn't get into library work to get rich," and "Well, we're in a recession..."<br /><br />True, on both accounts, but self-sacrificing can certainly backfire. I've commonly taken on part-time work, through another library or as a tutor (or similar) to help supplement my income. Flat-lining salaries creates a lowering of annual take-home pay since prices continue to rise. Unfortunately, it also creates a mind-set in those who have the authority to accept or reject a budget request. <br /><br />In public libraries, this is often the board of directors (also called the board of commissioners). Frequently, the overseeing board members are well meaning volunteers who take up the banner of their community library through serving, but their overseeing and managing can actually decrease the effectiveness of the library's administration when decisions are based upon limited information and/or assumptions. For example, a commonly held belief is that a female library staff member is supplementing her family's income through her part-time job at the local library. Women have taken on librarianship as a profession, but the image remains and it's not easy to break out of a stereotype. It takes generations, sometimes.<br /><br />You may be reading this, disbelieving that particular view. It wasn't until I stepped back into a rural setting that I was reminded about how slow change can be. People may want change, but when it comes to questioning one's own personal views...well, that's hard. Very hard. Like sleeping on a rock.<br /><br />I love library work. But I also love having the support of my supervisors and staff, colleagues and administrators, to take my work as far as it can go. My quest has been to be the most effective I can be, to enhance library work for patrons and communities, and to make the daily tasks as pleasant for staff as possible. <br /><br />But in the meantime, I need more income. Perhaps I'll try for a couple of tutoring jobs. Maybe I'll search for another academic library job for a night or two a week. Or stretch outside the box of literacy and try my hand at buying and selling. I recently read about eBay and see that there are other options (see: <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/206305/skeptical_shopper_tired_of_ebay_consider_these_alternatives.html">"Skeptical Shopper: Tired of eBay? Consider these alternatives" </a>October 1, 2010). But <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">November</a> is coming up and so I'll hunker down to indulge in my favorite work; writing. It's time to get ready for my next novel.<br /><br />Maybe I'll come into a load of funds someday, somehow. I read enough stories to understand that there are some things I just don't know, so I might as well believe something good might occur. And a huge pile of money certainly sounds good right now!Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-32254570652805052532010-09-06T20:28:00.001-04:002010-09-06T20:29:39.266-04:00Time to Revive the Library!<a href="http://moreintelligentlife.com/blog/time-revive-library">This article</a> (from More Intelligent Life.com) certainly focuses upon another significant effect of our dismal economy, but it could be good news for libraries. When bookstores began popping up, libraries were hard hit and finally opened their eyes to the need for marketing and rethinking their physical spaces, including how shelves, books, and lighting work with foot traffic.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-68225939054100850732010-08-29T10:11:00.003-04:002010-08-29T11:20:46.606-04:00Summer flashHow many times do we ask ourselves, "Where did the [hour, morning, afternoon, day, week, month, season, year, last decade] go?" It's been two months since I've posted here!<br /><br />As a new public library director, I've had the pressure of learning new skills on the fly while digging deep into my personal toolbox for adaptive ways to use what I have, both in theory and in practice. Although the little library I oversee has a timeclock (it really does), I work way more hours than I can measure - and those that are tallied are calculated at 10 to 20 hours over the required "full-time" expectation. Well, I guess that's expected, too, but on top of needing to supplement my income with an additional part-time library job in chat reference (no, sometimes being a director doesn't mean earning a salary that pays all the bills), my goodness it's a busy working life I have these days.<br /><br />The challenge for me is to keep on top of the projects, keep the library operating at a forward pace (not status quo), and keep my health and well-being. But once in a while the pace and pressure get a bit pushy. I've had a couple of nightmares.<br /><br />A couple of nights ago, I dreamed that it was my turn to carry the rectangular wooden box around. I don't know who handed it to me, but I just knew I had to, that I was selected. The box had a handle, kind of like a tool box but with no latch or opening that I could see.<br /><br />No matter where I was going or doing, the box and I were to be inseparable. There was a cord or security cord tying me to the box, too. I could set it down when I sat to work, etc., but it had to be by my side. And somehow, as in dreams when there is knowledge but no reason, I knew what it contained.<br /><br />A small nuclear bomb.<br /><br />I knew it was going to go off to destroy me sometime in the future. It would not hurt anyone else, just me. My time was coming up.<br /><br />My only concern was to get everything done, as much as possible, before that happened.<br /><br />No time to worry about it now...Back to work!Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-80031991614369888492010-06-13T11:06:00.003-04:002010-06-13T11:32:25.342-04:00Welcoming a new directorWhen I was told that a reception and open house were in the works for my second week of work, I was relieved that I didn't have to be the lead program planner, but apprehensive about what was really going to occur. I'm a 'detail person.' I like knowing the names and titles of who is invited (show me the list) but I didn't want to overstep the planners' process and held my tongue. And I'm glad I did.<br /><br />This was a delightful event. As a planner, I try to challenge myself to be more spontaneous. An old and dear friend of mine addressed this part of me two decades ago as I was getting the itinerary ready for a vacation at DisneyWorld. He was great at helping me move out of what could be rigid down-to-the-wire lists showing every hour's event to having blocks of loose time, play time, free time, down time - when anything could happen. Last minute changes are so much easier, of course, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV74y1nVFmVYObUKLPEXCEFawhDuEoElv0UfTEt6Xe_HDtRip6qhxlB5QPBL6KRWkWFrpeEWwPM9wxZ2PoPVZYEHVeAi1PV-gfle2oPXEhUM1PuOvO2e2f7_CNLscx_ZNJGBWb1lsWllz/s1600/pollock.moby-dick.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV74y1nVFmVYObUKLPEXCEFawhDuEoElv0UfTEt6Xe_HDtRip6qhxlB5QPBL6KRWkWFrpeEWwPM9wxZ2PoPVZYEHVeAi1PV-gfle2oPXEhUM1PuOvO2e2f7_CNLscx_ZNJGBWb1lsWllz/s200/pollock.moby-dick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482278130333688946" border="1" /></a>but what I really value is what I learn from others during these unplanned engages. The risks of saying too much or too little, of not forming the exact words in the moment, my body language, eye contact, what I am hoping will come out of a conversation or social meeting - these are like a <a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/pollock/">Jackson Pollack painting</a>. I've grown to like the messy colors and exciting exchanges. Even when I step on my words and stumble over a thought to try to truly listen, I can say that I now enjoy the ride of these types of social events.<br /><br />I was honored to meet so many representatives from the community, civic and political leaders, the local schools' administrators and librarians. I was happy to have the physical presence and support from most of the library's board and the Friends and staff (those who could make it on a Saturday were there!). Local press and two local bloggers snapped pictures and took notes. For the Delmar Public Library, I truly believe this marks the stepping off point into a new era.<br /><br />But for the rest of today, I think I'll just plan to have some down time!Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-19588732735505175652010-04-27T14:43:00.009-04:002010-04-27T16:12:11.447-04:00Difficult Decision - Now Set in Motion<span style="font-weight: bold;">Moving on from Maryland Libraries</span>...<br /><br />To tell you that this has been a difficult decision for me is quite an understatement. However, my need for full time employment couldn’t be ignored or postponed any longer, and I was motivated to send out a few resumes (and Julie worked very hard to make it so I could stay!! Thank you Julie!). To my surprise and –mostly – delight, I was offered a full time position as library director with the Delmar Public Library, in southern Delaware. Usually, news of this type is really good, but honestly, it is with a mixture of happiness tinged with sadness that I am leaving Maryland libraries, effective May 18th.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRF9Z9jlaJn0YI-G7wenw3RJA9rMi7Au21XJV9zwkZrGyOoQO9PFS2On2vbX1Ha2Q9Ho9mriNfXSN_7SyV0BWw7T3H8ugiH_2XbrxDGuZPfS7fApDZ-0ULpFNh30iVPuPQTjJTVTSsKF4/s1600/DelmarPublicLibrary.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRF9Z9jlaJn0YI-G7wenw3RJA9rMi7Au21XJV9zwkZrGyOoQO9PFS2On2vbX1Ha2Q9Ho9mriNfXSN_7SyV0BWw7T3H8ugiH_2XbrxDGuZPfS7fApDZ-0ULpFNh30iVPuPQTjJTVTSsKF4/s200/DelmarPublicLibrary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464890103066303858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">...to the Delmar Public Library, Delaware</span><br /><br />This small, rural library sits right on the Maryland/Delaware border just a few miles from Salisbury, Maryland and about 30 minutes from Ocean City. <br /><br /><br />My puppy and I are also relocating to the area. I have found a little <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E2CMclW7j4m82Korx7mMYWMnWkm7eblzno07i9uNWC5m76i4aqef_-fq2uS7VtQg4s_PtLwaCLRFT6OtSYZWNzDRVn4Khc_XFWwOiZhlmuEWPCG7G4uFE-TkexH5DgXM6WnpAg7_c7on/s1600/CottageFrontDoor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5E2CMclW7j4m82Korx7mMYWMnWkm7eblzno07i9uNWC5m76i4aqef_-fq2uS7VtQg4s_PtLwaCLRFT6OtSYZWNzDRVn4Khc_XFWwOiZhlmuEWPCG7G4uFE-TkexH5DgXM6WnpAg7_c7on/s200/CottageFrontDoor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464890483970753026" border="0" /></a>cottage just minutes from the library, with a pool and lovely garden. It's interesting that, during this time of securing a full time job and home, I have been involved with <a href="http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=WALK">Delaware's "Walk It Off</a>" (10 miles each week for 10 weeks) program. As of today (just completed week 8), I've logged in over a hundred miles and I realized this is about how far it is from my Newark home to my new place in southern Delaware. <br /><br />I am pleased <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-rd9rUaZn1ee4b6KNe70jEY0gGZ56lQFkSGpIInCO3mTfpPh1Hjw1vYGnYqIysJg4ZFx9MJTk72komyWLt9o5kpvCReQWJTuzuIidksGZTR7frT4FpuVeSitQ6Ih8WuMGRoerB8nX1vR/s1600/CottageinGardenPool.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-rd9rUaZn1ee4b6KNe70jEY0gGZ56lQFkSGpIInCO3mTfpPh1Hjw1vYGnYqIysJg4ZFx9MJTk72komyWLt9o5kpvCReQWJTuzuIidksGZTR7frT4FpuVeSitQ6Ih8WuMGRoerB8nX1vR/s200/CottageinGardenPool.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464892951598767362" border="0" /></a>to be able to work and reside in the same state, and if you know anything about Delaware's size, you understand this challenge. This will be great for taxes and to greatly reduce my commute, but most of all, I will learn more about the community I will serve by living there.<br /><br />By extension, I will also need to learn the systems, processes, and atmosphere of Delaware's libraries. I've lived in Newark, Delaware for quite a few years and have enjoyed my local free library. But I've always wondered about the fragmented system - fragmented only in comparison to Maryland's statewide services. I know I'm not alone in this. I also see changes in Delaware's libraries through its OPAC and Ask service, and in other, subtle ways. And I'm excited to be stepping into this.<br /><br />So it's time to start packing and getting my new office and home organized. It's time to rent a truck, get help moving, scout out a new band and martial arts school, figure out where to go for groceries, the vet, walking my dog, find the bank and post office and parks, oh my! And while I'm at it, whenever I feel afraid, I'll listen to Julie Andrews' version of "I Whistle a Happy Tune" - with the Muppet Monsters, and I know I'll smile again!<br /><br /><center><object height="310" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qLIDuu1XsRc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qLIDuu1XsRc&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="310" width="400"></embed></object></center>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-24815101824203665932010-04-04T09:01:00.014-04:002010-04-04T14:24:09.457-04:00Destination: Change! Despite the messiness of it allMy previous post focused on these seasons of transition, alluding to changes within ourselves and extending outward to our environment. I have so much change going on right now that if I were a compass, I'd be uselessly and frantically spinning (or, maybe of<span style="font-style: italic;"> some</span> use to a crazy like Jack Sparrow).<br /><br />Is change good? I believe that yes, usually it's a welcomed chaos that moves us out of complacency and into maturity. It stretches our limits and defines new boundaries and discoveries about ourselves. Change is challenging.<br /><br />But it is also stressful and unsettling. Sleeping lightly, I easily awaken to all the chatter in my head - the details regarding what I need to do in a fixed set of time. What difference is this from having a baby, starting a new school, changing careers? None, really. On a smaller scale, even bringing in an <a href="http://lictalk.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-did-i-do-this-puppy-thing.html">eight-week old puppy last fall</a> was right along a similar vein.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1Iz7IBrWJjongrX9nM47TmJgaRa8hkptusOLvWpRs3X6tmm4juyfZxCjSWkutgvh9rxlahd0QvC3eG9rTQH-6e8nwntIuEygXPugCxVISFblSBEYshbDMTO9nBdc6_1_kShYQYhbY4Ss/s1600/18537-Clipart-Illustration-Of-Two-Orange-People-On-Blue-Puzzle-Pieces-Reaching-Out-For-Eachother-To-Connect-Symbolizing-A-Connection.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1Iz7IBrWJjongrX9nM47TmJgaRa8hkptusOLvWpRs3X6tmm4juyfZxCjSWkutgvh9rxlahd0QvC3eG9rTQH-6e8nwntIuEygXPugCxVISFblSBEYshbDMTO9nBdc6_1_kShYQYhbY4Ss/s200/18537-Clipart-Illustration-Of-Two-Orange-People-On-Blue-Puzzle-Pieces-Reaching-Out-For-Eachother-To-Connect-Symbolizing-A-Connection.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456288742661021010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I rarely recount my personal life, but I'm taking a plunge here to describe some events in my life in order to, perhaps, connect with you.<br /><br />For the most part, I am rewarded by the changes I embrace. Usually these are changes that I have opted for, though, and this new set of challenges have really been forced upon me. I think back upon the Great Depression as a setting for "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089385/">The Journey of Natty Gann</a>" and how her father chose to take a job 2,000 miles away; there just weren't any other options.<br /><br />I'm in a similar situation: I need full time employment <span style="font-style: italic;">now </span>(actually, a year ago would've been better!). The sustainability factor compels me. I must earn enough to live on as a single woman with my now eight-month-old puppy. And in this age of the Great Recession, I'm lucky enough to find something wonderful. Wonderful in that it is a perfect career step (from 'assistant' to 'director') and the project -running a small public library - will be fascinating and exciting.<br /><br />I'm sad that I have to leave my present jobs, though. This is a very hard switch and, like most times of change, one I wouldn't choose for myself. My work with J has been terrific and she's been the best supervisor anyone could ask for. But when she told me that the funding for our project may be reduced so much as to eliminate my part-time position, that clinched it.<br /><br />I also have two other doors open that I'll have to close soon: a job interview already set up (but not until June) and, I am told, I am a strong candidate for another position I applied for. But the interviews are not to take place until after April 15th. And after delaying this small public library a little, the final deadline is April 8th. I had to decide, with determination, fortitude, and confidence I lacked.<br /><br />I can't say it any better than: It's scary! I have a to-do list, and I'll start at the beginning with my personal transformation. Then we'll take a look at how this can be applied to a more general process of change:<br /><ul><li>Find a full time job (I've been hoping my present part-time job would be able to blossom into full-time, but the economy even threatens its p/t existance). Check.<br /><br /></li><li>Find a place to live (I have narrowed down some possibilities - I think I'll have something settled by next week). Almost check.<br /><br /></li><li>Finish my obligations (this is important! - Besides not wanting to burn any bridges, it's just good to do)<br /><br /></li><li>Move, from reserving a "UHaul" to making all those address changes, banks, driver's license, etc. etc.<br /><br /></li><li>Settle in (The late Mr. Rogers said that it takes six months to fully adjust to such a major change, and to relax and enjoy it. I like that advice.)</li></ul>Now we can look at this more broadly. The factors that compel us to change (for most of us are compelled and don't often seek it out) usually come from an outside source. When change has to happen, it can lead us to great adventures, growth, and, when the dust settles, a beautiful new life. Based upon the steps above, we can say it usually involves:<br /><ul><li>Find and pursue the thing that will lead you to change (a new job, career, beginning grad school, enlisting in the Peace Corps - something along those lines. Careful not to put "change" on someone else - such as marriage or a new puppy. Although we have to adapt to those situations, they involve the complexities of another personality. )<br /><br /></li><li>That commitment will affect other areas of your life - you may have to move, give up some luxuries, change some behaviors (like, get up really early in the morning!). Clean up the old, tie up loose ends as much as possible, and then fully face the new horizon.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Give it time! I'd say six months for a major change is a good amount, in my personal experience. This will vary, depending upon how quickly a person adapts. Once the honeymoon period is over, the reality of the situation will challenge us and at times, can cause doubt. Give yourself time to feel these uncertainties and move through them.</li></ul>As I told J the other day, I am relying on quotes these days to fall back upon - my mind is quite muddled by all the details and stress at times. I tell myself I'll be okay, hang in there, think of the positive. I breathe as slowly and fully as I can, and stretch my arms to the sky and the earth. And I count my blessings. And read some quotes.<br /><br />Just take a look around. There are many people going through hard times and many who offer their support and wisdom. We've all been there (or will be), and we can give something of ourselves to each other in this way. I took a look online and came to a Universalist Unitarian's sermon, with the following excerpt:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>And so it is that I charge us to messiness. If you live a relatively sanitized life, get messy. Engage in the muck. Have a crisis. Get dirty. </p><p>If you already are living with the mess, then reconcile yourself to it. Reconcile yourself to the fact that indeed the marvelous doesn’t come from the sanitized life, it comes from engaging in the muck. </p><p>As Nietzsche wrote: “That which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.” I have a friend whose grandmother used to say, “things that hurt us instruct.” He asks the questions of us, who has ever understood life without first having his heart broken? Who has really seen, except through tears? Who really lives, without the mess? </p><p style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.uuutica.org/uuuminister/sermon2.html">From: "Despite the Mess" sermon by Kaaren</a></p><br /><br />Broadening my view even further, I can see how small my problems are as compared to so many. At least I have fresh drinking water, vitamins, food, a family's love, friends, great colleagues, and a job to look forward to. <br /><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.sherylcrow.com/">As Sheryl Crow sings, "God bless this mess."</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It's good to keep things in perspective.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Congratulations to each of us who embrace - and live through - these changes!</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /></blockquote><br /><p></p></blockquote>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-75278104604570721872010-03-29T18:33:00.007-04:002010-03-29T19:20:44.250-04:00What does it take?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1LM_oJDKpbK32BnAc5aV9EAxZvmzCkMLVyp_AfRmHartPRG7S2CKrW5Z4zpk3B_TrimxhnUl2NacuWG2MawmWiKUbUTXWlJqMng-_qtXvgFKiU6NDCWIWxT3lm4SNZC1qA9ZKsHqaQYF/s1600/boypeeringovercounter.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454193229832353858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1LM_oJDKpbK32BnAc5aV9EAxZvmzCkMLVyp_AfRmHartPRG7S2CKrW5Z4zpk3B_TrimxhnUl2NacuWG2MawmWiKUbUTXWlJqMng-_qtXvgFKiU6NDCWIWxT3lm4SNZC1qA9ZKsHqaQYF/s200/boypeeringovercounter.jpg" /></a>Ever since my first library job took me behind the desk where the librarians worked and I began to join them in their mysterious process, I have had a increasingly distorted view of information seeking. From that point on, finding library materials and information is very different from what I remember as a patron. It's not that I can see over the counter any better, although I'm taller than I used to be. It's more that I understand some of the secrets librarians learn in library school and while on the desk, helping patrons and each other.<br /><br /><br /><br />And there are many! It just depends upon who you talk to; if you find a colleague entrenched in 'library-speak,' you can really gain some valuable tips. Like, calling audio books "nonmusical recordings" so that you remember to use this search term on the catalog. And that's sure to impress patrons.<br /><br />Or is it?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjG4Ar1W3pVPl5mbvuEnIUqap_4rMesb5hWOlHAO_13e8tzfr6XR-fitNpMPBj_Hc0w1RMwd2AAzNQ6XXzfxmKagDudAhyQGdm-4LDCBHaiA79bCbhI1vNBpG1XHrg1Jwlb5m-qZ2Bw_p/s1600/Double-alaskan-rainbow.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454194681376889986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjG4Ar1W3pVPl5mbvuEnIUqap_4rMesb5hWOlHAO_13e8tzfr6XR-fitNpMPBj_Hc0w1RMwd2AAzNQ6XXzfxmKagDudAhyQGdm-4LDCBHaiA79bCbhI1vNBpG1XHrg1Jwlb5m-qZ2Bw_p/s200/Double-alaskan-rainbow.jpg" /></a><br />In my ideal library, patrons can look up audio books through a variety of terms; audio books, recorded books, talking books, books on tape, downloadable books, ebooks, and yes, nonmusical recordings will all bring the same results. Exactly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We use our expertise to help, and that's impressive enough. When we click with a patron, it's amazing. And when we work together to find, learn, discover, and locate the treasure of information, that's the relationship building aspect of library work that lasts forever. It can happen with children, students, peers, adults, home-bound, seniors and teens. It's a social interaction that provides substance to the questions asked. It's the tension of the moment of internalizing, growing those synapsis, and always respectful of the customer's turf in which we are invited (or sometimes subtly need to invade) to participate in the world of our patrons.<br /><br /><br />Instead of correcting and instructing, maybe we can someday make our catalogs and resources reflect each side of the desk, like a double rainbow.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-38336895295269077142010-03-21T08:23:00.004-04:002010-03-21T08:44:24.839-04:00Transition Months Bring TreasuresThe last few early spring mornings and lengthening evenings rouse even the most grumbling, sleepy lives. Each day moves onto our streets and yards and into our homes as we go through our routines, bringing rosy-golden light and relaxing warmth, like the palm of a loving mother on our backs. The birds and squirrels play and chase. Songs fill the air and I catch myself humming a tune I really don't like, so it surprises me. But then I nod and acknowledge that it is, indeed, appropriate:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Every day is filled with surprises. I shy away from the darkening clouds and bad news (of which there are plenty to last a decade) in favor of a smile at these charming discoveries: a nest building here, a compliment from a neighbor, an unexpected "thank you" email from a library patron, a funny story, sweet talking telephone calls.<br /></div></div><br />Here, to help greet you with a silly video is Hugh Jackman singing...yes, you guessed it. "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'!" complete with farmer's garb. (Honest, it's Hugh Jackman!)<br /><br /><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CFjxMGM36Hk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CFjxMGM36Hk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object><br /><h3>Have a wonderful week!</h3>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-32216208679224425922010-03-13T10:06:00.004-05:002010-03-13T10:39:59.359-05:00Shoulds are invasive<span style="font-family: arial;">Lately, "should" is a word that has been creeping in around me, infusing my thoughts and conversations like an unwanted ivy that has invaded every space of my garden before I realized it was there. Now I see lengths of wiry green tendrils drape my deck, trees, swinging chair, statuary, even the bushes. And when I look closer, I see new ivy growth everywhere. The "shoulds" are buds sprouting into my life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Personally, I am on a brink of a major change. These life-changing challenges affect every aspect of my life, from my daily awakened world of work and play to my nightly dreaming world of processing and rest. "Should" comes knocking, politely asking questions as it enters my home;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Should I allow myself to feel...what? Sad? Happy? Relieved? All of the above?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Should I show these feelings? Should I scream and be dramatic or be silent and calm?" </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Should I stay away or continue on as if these moments are a continuation of a string of changing days?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Should I seek help or refuse it?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Should I rejoice or mourn?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"Should I plan or wait to make any decisions?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">But then, the Should starts showing signs of worry, coloring the innocent questions like a drop of food dye in a crystal glass of water. I begin to hear judgments;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"She should've known."</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"She should've known better."</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">"She should've been a better [fill in the blank with a noun]."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Is this the cousin of the innocent Should, or just another side to its personality?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead of becoming overwhelmed, I decide I can find a reasonable solution. Options:</span><br /><ol style="font-family: arial;"><li>Change - stop using Should.</li><li>Accept - so what if "should" is used?</li></ol><span style="font-family: arial;">Should can be a harsh and fierce judge standing on the soapbox of Assumption. I hope to be careful about my use of this word as I work with patrons, students, my family, and myself. Although I sometimes "should've known," I am capable of not knowing and even defiance (though not so much as when I was a teen). Despite knowledge of what we should do, we can choose to try some new style, accent, plant, life lesson...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">...but with the steps in that direction comes the responsibility wrapped up in choice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And that is a topic for another time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">May each of us balance Should with Want and find our heart's desires!</span>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-42986983289403279392010-02-28T12:35:00.006-05:002010-02-28T13:39:42.708-05:00Last Day of February 2010, with a St. Bernard and a Goat<span style="font-family:arial;">This has been quite a year so far. It came on with a fierceness like the White Tiger's pouncing attack and play. It came to my home and family, my neighborhood, my community, and my library work from many directions, from the snapping teeth of winter to the growling threats of something predatory lurking just beyond my door.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Oftentimes in such challenging days and nights, a person can feel shell-shocked and unsettled. I think of the Haitians and Chileans who look to the sky and sea and earth, waiting for the next strike. How many years will it take to feel secure again? How many years before the anxious worry abates enough to experience a deep, restful sleep?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Personally, a similar sense of fragility exists around my jobs' budgets. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Wh</span><span style="font-family:arial;">at once was accepted is now coveted. It seeps into </span><span style="font-family:arial;">my daily finances, and, as with all my neighbors, affects our future spending decisions regarding the new car, a vacation, how to afford our children's tuition.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I work two to three part-time jobs and have no health insurance, and I consider myself lucky as I move from day to day, week to week, and look forward to a new month.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">March may come in as a lion tomorrow, and with it, the promise of a calm, warm spring in just 21 days (well, I know that is the equinox, but it's nice to have a date to look forward to).<br /><br />I believe that in these next three weeks something good is going to happen, and this is why:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjo51hWt8Lz8ajvV53x_GWMqHaOj_GfgB7McLsuIvoT3h7zjNPD661RkQAWe3JMHeEO7stZmPro5Bv7CYKGxs-pwgCh0yWbG8qiQnqUrtEvpCzUIjf9nS8s5Ky3rFG3JWK6qWtiwRs_Pi/s1600-h/goat-eye.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjo51hWt8Lz8ajvV53x_GWMqHaOj_GfgB7McLsuIvoT3h7zjNPD661RkQAWe3JMHeEO7stZmPro5Bv7CYKGxs-pwgCh0yWbG8qiQnqUrtEvpCzUIjf9nS8s5Ky3rFG3JWK6qWtiwRs_Pi/s200/goat-eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443361653721364434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This morning, after taking my puppy for a walk and getting the laundry going, I zipped to the store and then to drop in on a friend I hadn't seen in a while. I needed a shoulder to cry on and sound advice from this level-headed woman. After cups of herbal tea (from Seattle) and a good visit (thanks Joan!), I was ready to get on home.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I took the back way; it is a scenic, Sunday drive road. As I moved past the apple orchard, I saw two animals crossing the road in the distance. At first I thought these were deer, but as I neared, I saw that the one in front was a St. Bernard and following, a dark gray goat. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The goat had stopped although the huge dog seemed to try to get the goat to follow it up the snowy drift. But the goat bleated and protested as it stood in the ongoing traffic's lane. Luckily there was very little by way of cars at this time of day on a Sunday.<br /><br />I slowed and pulled up beside her and rolled down my window. The goat immediately turned and looked me right in the eyes and bleahed at me. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />"Hey now," I said, always believing that animals somehow understand our tone if not our words. "Get off the road," said, shooing it with a wave of my hand. "Go on. It's not safe here."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Bleah," said the goat with a tremolo effect as she took a couple of rapid steps toward me. So much for understanding.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Just then, the huge St. Bernard then lumbered off the snow bank and headed toward me at a trot. I immediately thought "Cujo." My heart picked up its pace and my hand reached for the button to quickly move the window up. By then another car was in view behind me, so I thought I'd just get going, that they had probably noticed this event.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Sure enough, while I tooled on down the road I saw the silver Volvo slow down and come to a stop by the pair. It wasn't long before they, too, followed me down the road.</span>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-88598469283883757872009-11-22T11:54:00.002-05:002009-11-22T12:52:07.195-05:00Why Did I Do This Puppy Thing?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGQq2VFaGxpu-b9nAEcuvrq889MCJt1nzNXX8AYdPRaXk0WYEw8WsBX_1xGeN6vcxILRkThO6RwVZIP506mchaSmuYdc9DuyM7oAmXemZoqd5-_QNqhPeSAmuk3e9csj7G1SCAOBDLQ3k/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGQq2VFaGxpu-b9nAEcuvrq889MCJt1nzNXX8AYdPRaXk0WYEw8WsBX_1xGeN6vcxILRkThO6RwVZIP506mchaSmuYdc9DuyM7oAmXemZoqd5-_QNqhPeSAmuk3e9csj7G1SCAOBDLQ3k/s200/IMG_1508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406987144932733650" /></a><br />It's not like I am asking this question out of desperation or any regrets. On the contrary, I'm literally amazed about what this "puppy path" has done for me. From my innermost place where there are no words, I finally began to form some coherent realizations to my "Why did I get a puppy?" question. After all, I'm more often a cat person. My disposition and life-style have demanded a less social and more independent friend and that has not changed.<br /><br />What has changed? <br /><br />It could be my age. I'm a mother with two young adult sons. Maybe since they don't need my attention so much I could turn my skills and nature toward another (and loving) being, to nurture and play, train and care for.<br /><br />It could be my lifestyle. I'm a librarian who now holds three part-time jobs, and I have the blessed employers who are foresighted enough to allow some work from my home office. So I'm here more often than not and like the company. She reminds me to get up from my computer every couple of hours or so (we're house-training, after all). She's quiet, not yappy or wild, though she can get puppy-crazed at times. She likes routine as much as I do and she doesn't mind when I plan out the day as a schedule. We kind of let each other lead although really, I'm the boss and she seems to know and like that (maybe that will change during her adolescent phase).<br /><br />It could be the puppy herself. I think this is the bottom line. Sophie is amazing. Her size (small, not toy), breed (Maltipoo), disposition, intelligence, and eagerness to learn are making this whole adjustment time work. She's the closest thing to a perfect puppy that I've ever seen. For the first time, I feel that I will miss her puppy-hood. Usually I'm drudging through the potty training, teething, mouthing, high energy, and initial training (sit, down) with a forced-upon patience. <br /><br />This time, I'm laughing and playing and catch myself wondering what I did to deserve such a good friend. It's just what I needed to get me through this bleak recession and the winter months ahead.<br /><br />I checked out a few books and did some research, of course. It took me about a year to come to Sophie after a couple of trials and errors. Books about the breeds, puppy training, and Dog 101 are essential and I'm a fierce advocate for puppy prep prior to bringing the bundle home. You just don't know what to expect, though.<br /><br />Many people equate the new family member as similar to having a new baby in the house. I believe this is true to a point. Puppies grow a lot faster than humans and her needs are, in a sense, more basic. This little fluff ball is delightful, but there is no way I would confuse my daily interaction with her as anything more or less than the human-dog relationship. Yes, I coddle her some. I have to admit that. She goes with me just about everywhere I can take her. <br /><br />But Sophie is no wimpy lap dog, either. The Maltese is a traditional royal dog, and I can see that in her. Her mix of Maltese and Poodle initiates intelligence and loyalty. She guards me with a growing love - and it's mutual. Her full white and apricot non-shedding coat keeps her from getting chilled during rain and chilly fall morning walks while we romp around the leaf-strewn paths.<br /><br />And here's a bonus: Thanks to my Prius's GPS, I can see the park-lands in green with little evergreen trees identifying them, scrolling by while the map follows my car's route. Before, I had no reason to pull off my main errand-running ruts. Now, I say to Sophie "Let's go!" and her little tail gets a-waggin'. With leash and clean-up bag in hand, we see which way the path leads us. If a runner or another dog-walker approach, Sophie is delighted but is learning to also be polite. <br /><br />Yesterday's revelation - that I would miss these walks in the woods, by creeks and riverbeds - hit me hard enough to bring tears to my eyes. This little being had brought me to places I really needed to see and be in. The early morning sunlight, fresh air, and exercise are generally a good thing. But combine that with a devoted look of love and delight from my black-eyed pup, and I am stunned. <br /><br />This is why I have a puppy, and not just any puppy, either. This is why Sophie and I are friends forever. She is precocious and fun and challenges me to re-examine my wants, needs, and self. She is a gift as precious as any new found friend, and I am truly lucky.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-46247609735483873952009-11-08T12:28:00.003-05:002009-11-08T13:14:40.948-05:00DarkeningStandard time resumed a week ago. It's one of those things that cause cyclical feelings, which never seem to be resolved. As a librarian, I look forward to the inevitable question(s), "Why do we have Daylight Savings Time?" and "What's it all about, anyway?" because I can't ever remember this one. I know it has something to do with farms, or maybe school-aged children and safety, or perhaps it is really a way to save electricity (Daylight "Savings" is my clue). None of this really makes any sense to me however I look at it. So, every year I find the answer through a very good source, pass it along to my patron, and promptly forget. <br /><br />Where I live (Delaware), when winter approaches I end up going to work in the dark and by the time I return, it's, well, dark. So what is the relevance of changing from Daylight Savings to Standard Time? How does it apply to my life and to those around me? <br /><br />It's mysterious, like a ritual performed for a long-ago and shadowy cause. There are so many other problems that are screaming for attention, like the current debate surrounding universal health care and the double digit unemployment figures, the unsolved wars and threats of new wars - domestic and abroad. When I recall this week's shootings in Orlando and Fort Hood, I shudder with worry, helpless as a bowl of Jello facing a tsunami. The whipped cream - the upcoming holiday season - doesn't stand a chance.<br /><br />How does the U.S. measure our anger index? The strength of such an emotion is made evident in a variety of ways, from seething silence to loud destructive behaviors. <br /><br />I recall President Obama's words while on the campaign trail:<br /><br /><blockquote>One of the things I think the next president has to do is to stop fanning people's fears. If we spend all our time feeding the American people fear and conflict and division, then they become fearful and conflicted and divided. And if we feed them hope and we feed them reason and tolerance, then they will become tolerant and reasonable and hopeful. And that I think is one of the most important things that the next president can do, is try to bring us together, and stop trying to fan the flames of division that have become so standard in our politics in Washington.</blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmEoEvOVufg"> — Barack Obama, You Tube </a><br /><br />His message rang true and it fed the flames of hope in many of us. Fear is a short-term but effective way to control a nation. But where are we now? Why does my stomach still tense up when I face another month of bills and wonder if my and my family's health will hold on, our income will hold on, we need to hold on and get through this. It is a bleak time in America and I believe our complacency is wearing thin.<br /><br />If only I could hibernate through the dark of our winter. Yes, a teasing and fleeting thought, but not this librarian's path.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-60050332777065365272009-10-02T09:03:00.004-04:002009-10-02T09:45:48.541-04:00It's October...and thoughts about PoeThe darkening chill entered our living spaces with a suddenness that surprised each of us. Most upset was our cat who took to burrowing under the blankets until the warming of a mid-day sun melted her disposition enough to emerge from a semi-hibernation. Thoughts about activating the heater with the initial smelly blast, or at least getting a fire going in the livingroom's fireplace creep into my thoughts. I find I am checking our candle supply, making lists of winter needs for hands and feet, and am urged outside to prepare the garden and pond for the icy cold north wind's soon arrival.<br /><br />I also find I am looking at our collection of books and movies and am drawn to the spooky ones. "I am Legend," "The Sixth Sense," "The Masque of the Red Death." My mood embraces Poe.<br /><br />Edgar Allan Poe's death is said to occur on <a href="http://www.houseofusher.net/bio_poe.html">October 7th, 1849</a>. In honor of that, here are some resources to share and delight!<br /><br /><ol><li>A lengthy list of Poe's works are available through The Project Gutenberg. Scroll down about two-thirds of the page to find "Poe". Some are available as audio versions: </li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/p">http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/p</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> 2. Five works are listed through Literature.org. These include "The Cask of Amontillado",<br /> "The Pit and the Pendulum", "The Assignation", "The Tell-Tale Heart", and "The Tale of<br /> the Ragged Mountains":<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/">http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> 3. A well-known (and often humorous) tribute site to Poe is called "The House of Usher."<br /> This site offers a biography, myths and legends, works, films, and more:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houseofusher.net/">http://www.houseofusher.net/</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> 4. The "Poe Decoder" is a site 'started by a small group of Poe enthusiasts,' who offer literary<br /> criticisms and resources:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.poedecoder.com/">http://www.poedecoder.com/</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> 5. Baltimore (Maryland) is rich with Poe history. Two resources offer interesting biographies and information:<br /><br /><ul><li>The Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore, online at:</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eapoe.org/">http://www.eapoe.org/<br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Enoch Pratt Library (of Baltimore) provides an online resource regarding its special Poe Collection:</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.prattlibrary.org/digital/index.aspx?id=180">http://www.prattlibrary.org/digital/index.aspx?id=180</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Curl up with those lap blankets, a cup of tea, and a loving pet and experience Poe's world, deep into the recesses of madness and despair! But only for a while...we want you back in the real world by the morning!<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-17777312550478226982009-09-26T17:40:00.002-04:002009-09-26T17:49:01.198-04:00Banned Books Week Web Resource ListIt's here! Banned Books Week for 2009, September 26 through October 3. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.ala.org">American Library Association's website</a> states: <br /><br /><blockquote><h1><span style="font-size:100%;">Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read</span></h1> <p>Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.</p> <p>Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.</p> <p>The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.</p> Banned Books Week is sponsored by the <a class="" title="American Booksellers Association" href="http://www.bookweb.org/index.html" target="_self">American Booksellers Association</a>; <a class="" title="American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression" href="http://www.abffe.org/" target="_self">American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression</a>; the <a class="" title="American Library Association" href="http://google.ala.org/search?site=default_collection&client=default_frontend&output=xml_no_dtd&proxystylesheet=default_frontend&proxycustom=%3CHOME/%3E" target="_self">American Library Association</a>; <a class="" title="American Society of Journalists and Authors" href="http://www.asja.org/" target="_self">American Society of Journalists and Authors</a>; <a class="" title="Association of American Publishers" href="http://www.publishers.org/" target="_self">Association of American Publishers</a>; and the <a class="" title="National Association of College Stores" href="http://www.nacs.org/" target="_self">National Association of College Stores</a>. It is endorsed by the <a class="" title="Center for the Book at the Library of Congress" href="http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/" target="_self">Center for the Book in the Library of Congress</a>.<br /><br />For more information on getting involved with Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read, please see <a class="" title="Calendar of Events" href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/calendarofevents/index.cfm" target="_self">Calendar of Events</a> and <a class="" title="Ideas and Resources" href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/index.cfm" target="_self">Ideas and Resources</a>. You can also contact the ALA <a class="" title="Office for Intellectual Freedom" href="http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/index.cfm" target="_self">Office for Intellectual Freedom</a> at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4220, or bbw@ala.org. </blockquote>Resources and a delightfully entertaining puppet show are also linked on ALA's site, on: <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm">http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm</a><br /><a href="http://www.resourceshelf.com"><br />Resource Shelf</a>, a blog for information professionals, educators and journalists, offers more information about this important week. See the "<a href="http://www.resourceshelf.com/2009/09/21/begins-later-this-week-resources-for-banned-books-week-starts-saturday-september-26-2009/">Banned Books Week for September 26, 2009</a>" posting.<br /><br />Celebrate the week with awareness and advocacy!Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-30459221545916704932009-05-23T11:09:00.004-04:002009-05-23T12:10:36.373-04:00The transformation of passion into compassionA deep and consistent thread of personal growth that I am sharing here concerns our culture's "awakening of the heart to compassion," as recounted by Joseph Campbell (The Power of Myth, 1988). The context of this quote and the title of this posting is important - interviewer Bill Moyers asked Campbell for elaboration on the "sign of the cross" as a symbol for our culture. Besides its association with "the one historic moment on Calvary," the underlying meaning holds a connection between the physical and spiritual. Campbell begins his response with:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>The big moment in the medieval myth is the awakening of the heart to compassion,<br />the transformation of passion into compassion...</blockquote><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq_YH7uAgA-OOdwoDaWTpqaZkKlPQzO7phyTDVzr34u-YXoTcRXcyEo8P6YPZpNq0LH0Ki7n9XLIlMzMFTqXVZxxMX8aVEhU43edmHXldHPEtw_jJXxHu7fe_LAk_lOWDBcq_yeJrGA30/s1600-h/CelticCrossMedievalIreland.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339052340726832674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq_YH7uAgA-OOdwoDaWTpqaZkKlPQzO7phyTDVzr34u-YXoTcRXcyEo8P6YPZpNq0LH0Ki7n9XLIlMzMFTqXVZxxMX8aVEhU43edmHXldHPEtw_jJXxHu7fe_LAk_lOWDBcq_yeJrGA30/s200/CelticCrossMedievalIreland.jpg" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />In light of a recent annual library conference in which I was a co-presenter, I gave a lot of thought to the question of motivation. What gives us the desire to do the absolute best we can do? In library work, what moves us to provide that extra element for each patron? What is the passion that drives us to be librarians?<br /><br />My personal passion is a great generator. Passion raises the level of my personal commitment to the quality. It challenges me to do more, be better, provide excellent service. It motivates me to learn and to seek information and the tools in finding that information so that I can bring this to my patrons in timely and effective ways.<br /><br />Passion is a strong emotion, however, and can become enmeshed with my beliefs about myself - my ego. If I believe in something and become passionate about it, the playing field of my vunerability is exposed. I may have a passion about a politician, about intellectual freedom, my children and husband, my home - which in reality I do.<br /><br />So I began to think about Campbell's words and meaning, moving from passion to compassion, in the context of my own work and life. I can have a passion for library work, but without compassion I have a hollow, egotistical career.<br /><br />I must have compassion for those librarians, historians, educators, curators before me. I must have compassion for those who have tried to represent the best interests of freedom of information and the value of education. Most of all, I must have compassion for those who seek answers no matter how trivial it may seem. A young patron asked how to get unstuck in a Nintendo DS game. A student seeking research about the psychology of the interpretation of dreams. Another patron wanted to know how child custody laws work when each parent lives in a different state and told me her son hadn't seen his father in five years.<br /><br />Moving the passion for library work into a compassionate realm moves our hearts from fear of attack (and being on the defensive) to quietly listening in a place of calm care. It's easier to calculate how best to help our patrons when we are confident enough in ourselves to focus upon their needs.<br /><br />Have a wonderful Memorial weekend! I hope your days are restful and pleasant.</div>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-62524651462498442212009-05-02T19:05:00.001-04:002009-05-02T19:07:21.761-04:00Wordle - Library Services<a href="http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/804840/Library_Services" title="Wordle: Library Services"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/804840/Library_Services" alt="Wordle: Library Services" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 4px; width: 263px; height: 204px;" /></a>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-13064106701956984802009-04-06T09:33:00.003-04:002009-04-06T09:35:58.671-04:00Goodbye President PapadakisIt is sad to hear of the passing of someone who has had such an effect on so many students, me included. Goodbye President Papadakis. Drexel University has been greatly influenced by your style and enormous presence.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-35273540349637367132009-03-17T11:45:00.003-04:002009-03-17T11:57:40.376-04:00Exciting Week at DrupalCon DC 2009DrupalCon DC <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTV8b9L_khiQKjBwLmsoPTm89iFoiYdUO4TFjLQZ_aly-9qj6cXuzCu4kB1wgActtISDqTT-Fpa_FqsiJrjAslv39BckYrm8SwOaLOM8wFpdd8QOLzvohsAqrnkmv-HzHeBXd5RZmg8uU/s1600-h/NotallGamersAlwaysPlayElectronicsDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg"></a><br />March 4-7, 2009 <a href="http://www.dcconvention.com/" target="_blank">Washington Convention Center</a><br /><br />* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *<br />This was one of those “intense learning environment” conferences. I went to DrupalCon to <a href="http://drupal.org/">learn a</a><a href="http://drupal.org/">bout the software</a> from the ground floor, and ended up learning a great deal of unexpected information.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TBsEy6_hsAwkmDAJkgLobhdNuKRLVnDqdrK2UjFk_eje5wobbUkMDmTB6hOLfzgSKekdqeeXDfqpeOepB96zhPSUYSatT0-pGdJZgWXDtZ3ZXFw_C6-qdL6nf2vldjCX4ve-7mv-HuHw/s1600-h/starterthemecharthm6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314184486181310642" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TBsEy6_hsAwkmDAJkgLobhdNuKRLVnDqdrK2UjFk_eje5wobbUkMDmTB6hOLfzgSKekdqeeXDfqpeOepB96zhPSUYSatT0-pGdJZgWXDtZ3ZXFw_C6-qdL6nf2vldjCX4ve-7mv-HuHw/s200/starterthemecharthm6.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />There were 1400 attendees (up from 40 eight years ago), and over 100 workshops and sessions. My Baltimore County Public Library colleague, Jason, and I attended from the same office but with different web projects. While his involves the complexities of a large library’s website, I’m completely satisfied to be working with the Maryland AskUsNow’s Statewide Project Coordinator, Julie Strange, to move our current “<a href="http://askusnow.info/partners/">Partners Page</a>” site from its current foundation (shaky as it sometimes seems) into Drupal. Our site has twelve main areas, plus the home page. Julie’s previous work to incorporate widgets and to get all updated information uploaded via shortcuts set a tone for this next step.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpNH4r2RKeVpyRS0YM2M5RcvihTkslz7aVVmuD4wRDO59z8RVVy9WhHA-SiAvVs3JdXFx-b64mIz2b8XL2zaEkE8b9Z37e_AFIwNGQThQ6jJwfsCACM3RwvLCRD7CvRZa0rIQi35hNAc/s1600-h/starterthemecharthm6.jpg"></a><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ZRT_r1FS3GnzRXxzZ7wRcDH-aB7sZKbRSOEPlRPA2nKynk3r2_81JZH_o7ri8WmAtSiuc0nd1U91XrclLu_HrEtkfhkmLsAKuYiV8mWRuJ84O-GTVUnnSELsFgFw8IMn2I9y6xi2ktz/s1600-h/MuchLearningatDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314184484009016018" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ZRT_r1FS3GnzRXxzZ7wRcDH-aB7sZKbRSOEPlRPA2nKynk3r2_81JZH_o7ri8WmAtSiuc0nd1U91XrclLu_HrEtkfhkmLsAKuYiV8mWRuJ84O-GTVUnnSELsFgFw8IMn2I9y6xi2ktz/s200/MuchLearningatDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />I looked at DrupalCon as an immersion prior to the event (here is a link to <a href="http://dc2009.drupalcon.org/schedule" target="_blank">the </a><a href="http://dc2009.drupalcon.org/schedule" target="_blank">list of sessions</a>), and while it was like this it was also a lot like a graduate school course condensed into a very small amount of time. The organization of the sessions made it possible for a newbie like me to target “how to start” and “where to go from there,” types of sessions.<br />I also picked up on three other very important things:<br /><br /><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasRw8ywMDc6mvbjcguZP6ZMFDZm1e15cdkyB6lorhHxnXPgf0GIKMDPHChDOsoFZttBackjV0NQ8fQ2dasu7pEAoaHzTC3AQtGtE8P-UenurbuDQ0nIEj3TnJ104kEHnxMBEOuYO2PNcq/s1600-h/NotallGamersAlwaysPlayElectronicsDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314184486352415282" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasRw8ywMDc6mvbjcguZP6ZMFDZm1e15cdkyB6lorhHxnXPgf0GIKMDPHChDOsoFZttBackjV0NQ8fQ2dasu7pEAoaHzTC3AQtGtE8P-UenurbuDQ0nIEj3TnJ104kEHnxMBEOuYO2PNcq/s200/NotallGamersAlwaysPlayElectronicsDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><ol><li>No conference is a conference without a certain amount of networking.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKJTli52bflkd0f87PIYjHCZC7Lioh0LVO5pHS_ulo4tMLnDqFsURteGn0fCFDBHz32NPEgyROfXlh33_UK5hXbrqodqoNSuHTDj-ILFAJBat740YxEmvNsQbgkM2-zjlytdao3SGHVtP/s1600-h/IntheHallBetweenSessionRoomsDrupalCon2009web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314184477039128226" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKJTli52bflkd0f87PIYjHCZC7Lioh0LVO5pHS_ulo4tMLnDqFsURteGn0fCFDBHz32NPEgyROfXlh33_UK5hXbrqodqoNSuHTDj-ILFAJBat740YxEmvNsQbgkM2-zjlytdao3SGHVtP/s200/IntheHallBetweenSessionRoomsDrupalCon2009web.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was accomplished at DrupalCon as well, including the Birds of a Feather meeting with other librarians who are working with, or looking to work with, Drupal. This put me in touch with a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f_6AdMzRKOwE63qC5wz1iFW9I0CXfL63pzMbmDi7upH_hLhyphenhypheni6xCHndRWabuC6RbtoOigzFfh13UY5LPuj6s031niY543xyosOgxwu0umagGrOZ_YZFIzeuiq3h8r6woDMG9AYWdCaE/s1600-h/MuchLearningatDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg"></a>place called <a style="FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://groups.drupal.org/node/13473" target="_blank">Drupal.Groups online,</a> which has many libraries involved (you’ll have to have a login to view the libraries and interact with them, but you can access the front area). Unfortunately, I was naïve to the attraction a meeting like this has for vendors, especially free lance web developers and companies who could provide everything we’d need for a price.Nonetheless, it was a good opportunity to at least meet the 20 or so others who are in various stages of “Drupal and library” web development. Some of the topics included how to work with catalog systems and the beginnings of basic planning to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVJP8DXReIbbSWr6gOQHuphN_o4aY0X9Gfjco8YnHGfxrEXGX53NwNGzn0CFZoBSpAj63HLUhO0t3HpUFJaAuLGz0Bk24FeqAXGAqsVCznVnXebQzchG7EKlroEZLw6E2bZ3LWhCHJJ8/s1600-h/TypicalSessionDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg"></a>design a library site.<br /><br /></li><li>Drupal uses applications and modules as ways to build upon a core. For example, if a site wants a <a href="http://drupal.org/project/calendar" target="_blank">calendar, there is a separate module</a> to download and then incorporate into the desired area of a site. I not only gained more of an understanding of which modules may be usable for our site, but also where these modules are at in their own development stages. There are earlier versions of Drupal – the most current is version 6, and version 7 is in the works. However, many of the modules are still in earlier version form.<br /></li><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOKStPMZwSou8SkRNjtlF6oaG3i72_27d_d0_hdUY6itmSFFLNPzZuV5y5tjtp6HY-lzex3ZHG6jbBAr-NmfcRC4fZJJgtWv74uR3drM4Vc8vAInALZCVeCqkzHDUioZN2tVXQhl-P_DG/s1600-h/TypicalSessionDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314184491798667314" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOKStPMZwSou8SkRNjtlF6oaG3i72_27d_d0_hdUY6itmSFFLNPzZuV5y5tjtp6HY-lzex3ZHG6jbBAr-NmfcRC4fZJJgtWv74uR3drM4Vc8vAInALZCVeCqkzHDUioZN2tVXQhl-P_DG/s200/TypicalSessionDrupalConMarch2009web.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><li>Finally, and to me just as essential as learning about the software is to fully fathom the organic, lively quality of what “open source” really means. I was amazed at the overlap of mission between the world of librarians and the Drupal community. On a deeper level, I was moved by the commitment to share quality information. This theme presented itself as a cornerstone for the growth of Drupal, the standard of its software and the future <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMIQxHPwtkSS5LmrOi_HV1YXCfQlZiy-mjb2eIATqmPHtvDMOaHzJoLCiViNhz0guaHR7D4kyc2maA7qvkNGzULGrzQ_wklyo59JxheRaxGvCPYX9Ukn4aeZPUJx3nPOTWE1rsZ3FXaA/s1600-h/IntheHallBetweenSessionRoomsDrupalCon2009web.jpg"></a>of its community (which is its users and developers). Those who use Drupal often tend to shape it in some way, from involvement as a source of support for others, to testing modules and apps, to making new parts of Drupal. Somehow, it works well in this way. I know nothing else like this. Two of DrupalCon’s keynote speakers, the <a style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.archive.org/details/DrupalconDC2009-DriesKeynote" target="_blank">foun</a><a style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.archive.org/details/DrupalconDC2009-DriesKeynote" target="_blank">der Dries Buyta</a><a style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.archive.org/details/DrupalconDC2009-DriesKeynote" target="_blank">ert</a> and Twittering <a style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.archive.org/details/DrupalconDC2009-OurIdentityOnline" target="_blank">Chris </a><a style="COLOR: rgb(153,51,153); FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.archive.org/details/DrupalconDC2009-OurIdentityOnline" target="_blank">Messina</a>, addressed this aspect of Drupal very well, as well as to bring in some of the future aspects of social net - working. (I divided “net” with “working” to give the indication that I am talking about something more than FaceBook/MySpace. More like, “working with each other on the net” in a fun but productive way.) If you have any interest in social networking, please watch the hour-long recording of “<a style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-FAMILY: arial" href="http://www.archive.org/details/DrupalconDC2009-OurIdentityOnline" target="_blank">Chris Messina’s address, “Our Identity Online.”</a> </li></ol><br />I’m not a programmer. In my past, I’ve looked at open source software and dabbled a little in this and that, but found the available software and easy-to-install applications (like widgets) just enough to work well enough for my uses. I have created a few simple websites and worked on design aspects of others. I went into the conference with some trepidation, somewhat like Dorothy entering the Land of Oz, and came out with an excitement to get started! With our community and connections, with some careful project planning, and with plenty of flexibility and testing, I believe Julie and I will find Drupal to be a frontier that offers us just what we need to create a site that offers information, multimedia options, and with ease of design appeal that will encourage frequent use by all Maryland AskUsNow! providers.<br /><br />Let me know if you would like access to the detailed notes of the daily sessions I attended, provided through Google Docs online. I’ll be happy to link you there. You can also browse through the recordings available through the Internet Archives, “<a style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)" href="http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=DrupalCon%202009%20AND%20collection:opensource_movies" target="_blank">DrupalCon 2009</a>” online at:<br /><a href="http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=DrupalCon%202009%20AND%20collection%3Aopensource_movies"><a href="http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=DrupalCon%202009%20AND%20collection%3Aopensource_movies">http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=DrupalCon%202009%20AND%20collection%3Aopensource_movies</a><br /></a><br />Here is a shortened (easier) link, which takes you to the same place:<br /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/dh559p" target="_blank"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/dh559p">http://tinyurl.com/dh559p</a><br /></a><br />---------<br />For more about Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal:<br /><a href="http://buytaert.net/">http://buytaert.net/</a><br /><div align="right"><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">(posted by Cathay Crosby, Operations Assistant, Maryland AskUsNow!) </span></em><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN8-kjL3sVlYRSUj3osIRivtYsolfWnngffJt2QATR99YYK3ymfOxDD1sdmvFe0NQuiG6bXyyhvT6h8uu0oF_TonbwZBYXxVoOlmM7Zj4YSu0dCXEAWI-A6Y4Eitvfvf8ExHITaIUmKo/s1600-h/ChinatownWashingtonDCMarch2009web.jpg"><br /></div></a>Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-25065661306628827842009-02-26T12:44:00.001-05:002009-02-26T12:45:30.544-05:00Jamaica Library Service’s 60th International Conference<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Fabulous Week at the Jamaica Library Ser</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">vice’s 6</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">0t</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">h</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">International C</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">onference</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Ocho Rios, Jamaica</span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD3ga31ckXqdbugyOaYTSQraKAs5hChWyAWRlcayj8euB3RLL_jtUllKX_FlPIbPSuGDbHoSAAS96kJaHeYR6r41qpfGOB3Qa1xrisb3g0wJ5is5eIErh-azvUXybxjLwi77IwKjkKC0/s1600-h/HibiscusJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD3ga31ckXqdbugyOaYTSQraKAs5hChWyAWRlcayj8euB3RLL_jtUllKX_FlPIbPSuGDbHoSAAS96kJaHeYR6r41qpfGOB3Qa1xrisb3g0wJ5is5eIErh-azvUXybxjLwi77IwKjkKC0/s200/HibiscusJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307154819374857586" border="0" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.jls.gov.jm/">http://www.jls.gov.jm</a><a href="http://www.jls.gov.jm/">/ </a><br /></div><br />Sometimes a librarian gets an opportunity to attend a conference outside her system, whether it is beyond the boundaries of her library’s community or job responsibilities. I have recently returned from the Jamaica Library Services 60th International Conference, and this is a good time for me to dive in with my first attempt at writing a blog posting for Maryland AskUsNow!<br /><br />The JLS conference was held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica during February 16-21, 2009. The theme of this conference was <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4nlz9GTNqa-8OUl7IoGhQdTOk7hyFzWgdHMcsTLEQ9AkmYKyWFa1uPfvb6nqQpb-xOMc1TaJ0OdbxDAHcfurDUt5FeVjSdq9eP6Hr_aOvHpvOB7K96YFBl2PTkG-C1XRL1VOFi5oAM8/s1600-h/FavoriteHangoutatResortJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4nlz9GTNqa-8OUl7IoGhQdTOk7hyFzWgdHMcsTLEQ9AkmYKyWFa1uPfvb6nqQpb-xOMc1TaJ0OdbxDAHcfurDUt5FeVjSdq9eP6Hr_aOvHpvOB7K96YFBl2PTkG-C1XRL1VOFi5oAM8/s200/FavoriteHangoutatResortJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307155439543964946" border="0" /></a>“Public and School Libraries: your partners in National Development” and centered upon Jamaica’s Vision 2030. It has been ten years since the previous conference. The level of excitement and involvement was nationwide, from the Minister of Education who spoke at the opening (Plenary) session to representatives from many of the island’s numerous libraries.<br /><br />Just for the record, JLS was started in 1948 (before Jamaica’s emancipation/independence from Great Britain). It has 13 Parish libraries, and within those, numerous branch libraries (148 in all). Jamaica’s outreach service extends to hundreds of stops all over the island. The library’s partnership with its schools is well enmeshed, and collaboration with the National Library and the University of the West Indies is apparent.<br /><br />I was a speaker who, with my husband’s assistance (he was my ‘live example’), presented a workshop on programming lifelong learning in public libraries. Throughout the week, other workshops covered e-resources, social networking, unified access of OPACs, and the overall theme of where the library is going. (Note: I am told that information, pictures, and recordings of my workshop and others will be available in the near future, from JLS online.<span style="font-style: italic;"> - CC</span>)<br /><br />As of a year ago, the JLS initiated free Internet access at all their libraries, and their new website (linked above) was rolled out just a few days ago. Plans for unification of the cataloging system, renovations, incorporating more activities and building upon ones they have now are underway. The island’s biggest program is the National Reading Competition, which now includes an adult category. You can see more about this at:<br /><a href="http://www.jls.gov.jm/Prog_serv.htm"><br />http://www.jls.gov.jm/Prog_serv.htm</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrRr-tPQAUIyat8Cjp9ELZdcFUWLBzjVYWjzDe00PRlqRiIgqTKvn0k5-pNZc_AT3U3FNUwCGwCxJ7fPUx62aJ4UImq1CqVGMAEv1toOYik1wzyMA_Q3h-YbudDK0JhcEir6UiAHcshk/s1600-h/MrsPatriciaRobertsDirGeneralJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrRr-tPQAUIyat8Cjp9ELZdcFUWLBzjVYWjzDe00PRlqRiIgqTKvn0k5-pNZc_AT3U3FNUwCGwCxJ7fPUx62aJ4UImq1CqVGMAEv1toOYik1wzyMA_Q3h-YbudDK0JhcEir6UiAHcshk/s200/MrsPatriciaRobertsDirGeneralJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307159190836798338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">From the overall organization of the conference to the information presented, I was newly impressed with the Jamaica Library Service.<br /><br />Its Director General, Mrs. Patricia Roberts, is an amazing woman of charm, energy and vision. She clearly motivates those around her. Her background in business and management is a grounding force for the library island-wide.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj6fsj3ggcj-Lcf4MqfaoGBrklNKk5EYowVHca2GdQOyAhcRfpTQFRK4n4ZSCFikHgGh2foRmqC02AL39CJ9lJztAFN3JkeoaNFqnr6oSZsOblSuDinmiCXWJRk5lWhsoU0ks-eZxMjo/s1600-h/LibrarymanagerStAnnParishJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj6fsj3ggcj-Lcf4MqfaoGBrklNKk5EYowVHca2GdQOyAhcRfpTQFRK4n4ZSCFikHgGh2foRmqC02AL39CJ9lJztAFN3JkeoaNFqnr6oSZsOblSuDinmiCXWJRk5lWhsoU0ks-eZxMjo/s200/LibrarymanagerStAnnParishJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307155122427264834" border="0" /></a><br />One event I was able to hook up with was a field trip to St. Ann’s Parish library.<br /><br />The library<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkGATJ4yFe7sC71Cju1b9SQEkczdwDUGT3UXO3KCUDMitNU2p25iX8FQBkvGE9JWAj_9DlEAW6-hMkWF8WmutiIL2oevomazi2_RATXXT4Ur5Mc6_rSE8_s5hNBAoeRFSla2WgPDRyH4/s1600-h/ReferenceDeptupstairsnewStAnnParishJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkGATJ4yFe7sC71Cju1b9SQEkczdwDUGT3UXO3KCUDMitNU2p25iX8FQBkvGE9JWAj_9DlEAW6-hMkWF8WmutiIL2oevomazi2_RATXXT4Ur5Mc6_rSE8_s5hNBAoeRFSla2WgPDRyH4/s200/ReferenceDeptupstairsnewStAnnParishJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307157305217042834" border="0" /></a>’s renovations include revamping the teen area, moving the reference department to a larger area upstairs, increasing the number of public computers, and the creation of <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeR-8nN6hG4S_wA5HV2DJCJOu1RE3CIKoNWjrgP_LQLkfwjB5icgVbEi5nwiCGWKzwil2eU33-BZi8-Ir2vKIYxHCDRtHL_Ma_oL7abjVhDr4b-HsXbdHR9HVV5VmyR-Xp8tTtnqwJv0/s1600-h/MarcusGarveyRoomJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeR-8nN6hG4S_wA5HV2DJCJOu1RE3CIKoNWjrgP_LQLkfwjB5icgVbEi5nwiCGWKzwil2eU33-BZi8-Ir2vKIYxHCDRtHL_Ma_oL7abjVhDr4b-HsXbdHR9HVV5VmyR-Xp8tTtnqwJv0/s200/MarcusGarveyRoomJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307158454912312418" border="0" /></a>the Marcus Garvey room (a huge event is planned for its opening).<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><br />The lib<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI29D6t8lYS8MUL4Vs3ANI1tb4VmWNDdf51GNI3GCC50EDa3lAcqXjRZQ08a36F2PRbbzaJmCoOqRL0MXQoCAwU0Zvbgm5r-onQ8xdF-posYE4tG3txrbPFGIh0lrWm7uQlHpn-aPkAU/s1600-h/MarcusGarveyStatueJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI29D6t8lYS8MUL4Vs3ANI1tb4VmWNDdf51GNI3GCC50EDa3lAcqXjRZQ08a36F2PRbbzaJmCoOqRL0MXQoCAwU0Zvbgm5r-onQ8xdF-posYE4tG3txrbPFGIh0lrWm7uQlHpn-aPkAU/s200/MarcusGarveyStatueJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307156499756634786" border="0" /></a>rary is surrounded by a park, and the Marcus Garvey statue stands solidly in front.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWVMKHzTPjorbvXHGGs1Gimdt6bqab9RBtGc6SL4Dxg5k1xrVQtet6JauIY4j_ACoSXV1l0VaTTG2SHJZ_B7IDUbpqbGwfcNQJVI_8t0GnmEdR89vQv3_39TFs4mJf_EqwqejithbzPw/s1600-h/ViewfromMysticMountainJLS2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWVMKHzTPjorbvXHGGs1Gimdt6bqab9RBtGc6SL4Dxg5k1xrVQtet6JauIY4j_ACoSXV1l0VaTTG2SHJZ_B7IDUbpqbGwfcNQJVI_8t0GnmEdR89vQv3_39TFs4mJf_EqwqejithbzPw/s200/ViewfromMysticMountainJLS2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307160351809009842" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><br />I feel extremely fortunate that I could participate in and attend the Jamaica Library Services 60th International Conference. The location (the Sunset Grande Resort in Ocho Rios) was almost secondary to the tremendous conference itself. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Almost</span>.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-34617938550332504222008-12-05T07:25:00.003-05:002008-12-05T07:41:25.428-05:00End of Year Reports - and Thank Yous!This has been quite a year. One that will go into the history books for the astounding achievement of electing an intelligent, strong leader who happens to be the first U.S. African American President, for the turmoil of the U.S. economy, the tracking of global climate changes and extreme weather, and personally, a year of stretches.<br /><br />It's interesting how a person's life-patterns can mimic those around her. We humans look for patterns, after all, to help make sense out of our daily lives. For example, I have taken yoga regularly since 2003 and up'd the pace with Shaolin kung fu three times a week. My legs are so much stronger and overall, I'm noticeably more flexible. I also feel a bit more settled and see a groundedness in my daily life. I'm sleeping better and reacting to potentially-stressful situations with much less emotion. Even my stomach problems are almost all gone away.<br /><br />A big test of this "new me" was the advent of a new job with a long commute down the I-95 corridor and onto the 695 Beltway during rush hour. Even during my interim, I felt centered and focused on what I could do - write a novel (check), dig and create a water garden (check), work on music and stained glass (check), and devote more time and loving energy to what matters most = my family and friends (continuous checking). <br /><br />As the year wraps its arms around us to huddle in a moment of reflection, I have to add that I am one of the luckiest around. And to whomever and whatever's responsible, a big 'thank you.' Thank you for the music, the words, the smiles from my kids and husband, the encouragement from my extended family, friends and colleagues, and the ongoing feeling of hope that we, as a nation and a community, can come out into the light. Who knows? Maybe by March, we'll really get into the spirit of some real, down-home spring cleaning (and I'm speaking figuratively as well as literally). <br /><br />Have a wonderful holiday season, and blessings to each of you throughout the year.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-32289552516780969192008-11-05T10:02:00.003-05:002008-11-05T10:23:17.544-05:00Embracing the hard work aheadChange is not easy for most of us. The majority of public librarians I know prefer 'organization with flexibility,' so when a new direction is thrown our way it is both exciting and scary. <br /><br />Fundamental elements of libraries - the foundations of classifications, cataloging, circulation policies - seem to be the fall-back for new adaptations. For example, librarians must weed out old, extraneous, and out-dated materials from their shelves (called "weeding") and have developed standards for their systems. This makes way for new books and materials and keeps their collections current and relevant. When the fairly recent introduction of electronic books came into libraries' collections, the development of weeding policies came out of the existing one. User services have adapted in many ways; from programs (such as taking digital photos and putting them on library websites) to library computer use and wifi access.<br /><br />Change is essential for growth. The climate of our nation has also moved in this direction; last night's incredibly positive election results are indicative of the majority's voice. We have made a choice for change on many levels, and it has renewed hope in this librarian's heart.Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-82040797724808288092008-11-02T10:10:00.005-05:002008-11-02T10:57:22.172-05:00Falling back to a time when...things were better?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWvfrIKSJSmcIst_h9T8_WoBgDdsX_JhqY5lWd464qDD2sXCb4oPhFSwmAeZ9VjcEWj_bm92vFmDkTSmwphtr8xCOJko6nFzwu6cnLOZ1CJqET5fuZHCubdI-7uXueV0Eg4rkcprQUCzr/s1600-h/AutumnoutsideNov22008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWvfrIKSJSmcIst_h9T8_WoBgDdsX_JhqY5lWd464qDD2sXCb4oPhFSwmAeZ9VjcEWj_bm92vFmDkTSmwphtr8xCOJko6nFzwu6cnLOZ1CJqET5fuZHCubdI-7uXueV0Eg4rkcprQUCzr/s200/AutumnoutsideNov22008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264079607260420418" border="0" /></a><br />It's finally here. Autumn is in full swing,<br /><br />Halloween is over, swing states are leaning towards Senator Obama, and we've gone back an hour.<br /><br />As we move into the deepening dark, Tuesday is a bright ray of hope for many Americans. Many have worked hard to endorse and support Barack Obama as the Presidential candidate of choice in ways that are certainly unprecedented. This election has found us united online to have a piece of the process, from small donations to blogging, telephone calls from our kitchen tables, to joining with others whom we had never met before to knock on doors and attend rallies. It has been an incredible experience and already has made history.<br /><br />I know I will be holding my breath as the counts come in on Tuesday. I'm almost tempted to turn off the news and close my laptop since the tension will run high, but I am too hopeful of the outcome. Like the recent Phillies game, I will take the time to root for my home team. And I am even more charged up, fired up, and ready to go! since I believe it will be victorious. One never knows, though, and the precarious "voting machine" situation has me a bit worried.<br /><br />For example, many electronic voting machines do not offer a paper receipt to ensure you are voting for who or what you intended when you pressed the button. Poll representatives do their best to assure us that what we press is recorded as exactly what it was labelled, but without something to take with us, some kind of read-out similar to what we receive when we make purchases, our vote is based upon trust. Then we hear stories of hackability...and wonder about those close races (Florida, Ohio 2004).<br /><br />Obama's site offers a brief video about "<a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phillyvote/">How to Vote in Philadelphia</a>." This is a great idea and will help those who access the video a way to prepare and to spread the word (the catch phrase is,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> "Solid red light<br />means<br /> 'You're all right'."<br /><br /></div> In Philly, the voting machines are set up so that if a voter selects all Democratic candidates, and then selects Obama/Biden, the light (selection) will go out for the Presidential candidate. This could create some confusion; having an instructional walk-through can help!<br /><br />To cover those who do not have access to this video, printable instructions are also available on the link above.<br /><br />Voting machines differ from state to state, even precinct to precinct. Taking the time to somehow ensure, in whatever way you can, that your vote is tallied correctly is important. There will be volunteers at the polling places to help with this, and early voting this election has made a big difference. Not feeling rushed when entering the booth is also important. The least busy times are around 10 am and 2 pm.<br /><br />Finally, here is a link to the music video called "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm5AO4S04r4&feature=related">Dear Mr. President</a>," by Pink. It is reflective of what the last few years have been like for so many. It's a good reminder. If you are still undecided this may help.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * * * *<br /></div><br />Good luck to each of us; experience the hope and, I believe, the glory of the moment with your loved ones and in good places. This is an important event that has already touched most Americans in beneficial ways. Hopefully it will get better from here on out!Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551719244690648015.post-6308754495402002362008-10-22T09:16:00.004-04:002008-10-22T10:19:14.517-04:00Perspectives in this unemployed worldI have a long-time, dear friend who has hopped from job to job throughout her life. She and I differ in that she has had no real ambition to "further her educational degree" or "establish a career." Her jobs have been with delis and diners, cashiering and slicing cheeses and meats. In talking to her about it, and even encouraging (okay, pushing) her to go back to school for some kind of degree, she has always been politely steadfast about her lack of interest to go that route. The minimum wage she received for the hard work she performed was enough.<br /><br />Sometimes I thought her decision was not really conscious, and wondered if a low self-esteem or a lack of any belief that she could do better (i.e., make more money per hour at a job that held more meaning for her) was holding her back. In all honesty, I think there is some truth to that. But 90 percent of it is something else.<br /><br />My dear friend's son and his wife gave birth to their first child, a beautiful little girl, about four months ago. Mom and Dad, and now Baby, live with my friend and her partner. They have a small modular home snuggling up to the foothills of the Cascades in Washington, south of Seattle. They and their community enjoy the quiet, deeply dark nights of the forested mounds, the wildlife (elk included), the predictable elements of Western booted life around them. Their gas-guzzling pickup is a rusted relic (that nowadays can't be sold even if they wanted to), but she sighs and says it's fine, they'll find the money for enough gas to get around somehow. She always has, so I believe her.<br /><br />She has been out of work probably as often as not. It doesn't seem to bother her too much. Each day goes by like any other and I wonder at the monotony and lack of,...well, what is it? I wonder. Or have wondered, until recently.<br /><br />Recently I caught up with her on my cell phone (pausing for the weird cell phone echoes and odd lapses in connection that have become common-place so acceptable, but that's for another time). We live on opposite coasts so timing has been a challenge. But now that I am out of work my flexibility (and energy) has increased. I have time to indulge.<br /><br />As we recounted what has been going on since I last saw her in June, I heard a coo and giggle and interrupted with, "Is that your granddaughter?"<br /><br />She gave a short laugh and her whole tone changed when she said, "Yes." In this new voice that relayed what felt like love, comfort, pride, happiness, and peace she told me about her and that Mom and Dad go off to work so she watches Baby. That's her job. Mostly I heard contentment come through, and like so many times before when talking to my friend, I wondered.<br /><br />I wonder about the completeness of a person, particularly a woman, who can find fulfillment in taking care of her children and children's children. It probably depends on the person and their path in life. There is so much controversy about this, from valuing the stay-at-home mother to discrediting her work ethics when she returns to the job fair some years later.<br /><br />In France the birth population diminished so much that the government began offering substantial subsidies to entice women to have French babies. Stay at home and have a baby and make an income this way. Sounds good to me.<br /><br />Back home, women juggle a lot. Look good, be the business professional, the excellent mother, the sexy, caring wife, the home-maker, organizer, blah blah blah. You've heard it before. The point of this blog is that I am trying to be content the moment I wake up in the morning without an office outside my home and a paycheck from somewhere else (and benefits, did I mention that?). I struggle with my ambition and sense of purpose, feeling lost without stacks of cataloged books and databases and patrons to help. I am working on a novel and that is good. I write these blogs (I have three) and network, and that is keeping my mind going. I'm applying for jobs as they come up, and I'm beginning to find appeal in areas outside librarianship but in the widening circle of education and social services. Not retail, not yet! Argh!<br /><br />Help me, Mr. Wizard, I think sometimes and then berate myself (pounding my fist on my forehead) since I know, I know I am the one that will help me. And I am no "Mister."Librarian in Cyberspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06388241292859910506noreply@blogger.com0