Just a quick note about something sort of technology-related. A week or so ago, the tech services division of the public library where I work sent out an e-mail saying that because self-checkout will soon be installed and operational at our branch, they are no longer going to put pockets inside the front cover of the new books they process.
In the past at my library, these pockets have been used to hold computer-generated receipts which recorded the record transaction, but there will no longer be a need for that as self-checkout becomes more prevalent.
This is interesting to me because book pockets seem like one of the quintessential facets of checking out a book at the library. This is like a sign / indicator of how much and how rapidly libraries have changed / are continuing to change technologically; even basic things are going to be completely different. It wasn't so long ago that libraries were filling those same pockets with date due cards that circulation staff would stamp manually.
It is exciting that I get to be part of changes like this (changes on the macro level that are represented by changes on the micro livel), but the only thing that really makes me sad about it is that with manual date slips and even with the computer generated receipts (if they were left in the pocket) you could check out a book and see a rough timeline of its use, and in that way you're sort of interacting with everyone else who has checked it out in the past. This sort of tacit relation to other patrons whom you've never met is a personal aspect of going to the library that will definitely change with new library technology.
I don't know, just some random thoughts.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
just something fun
Heather's Dewey Decimal Section:
112 [Unassigned]
Heather's birthday: 1/26/1986 = 126+1986 = 2112
Class:
100 Philosophy & Psychology
Contains:
Books on metaphysics, logic, ethics and philosophy.
What it says about you:
You're a careful thinker, but your life can be complicated and hard for others to understand at times. You try to explain things and strive to express yourself.
Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com 112 [Unassigned]
Heather's birthday: 1/26/1986 = 126+1986 = 2112
Class:
100 Philosophy & Psychology
Contains:
Books on metaphysics, logic, ethics and philosophy.
What it says about you:
You're a careful thinker, but your life can be complicated and hard for others to understand at times. You try to explain things and strive to express yourself.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It's that time of the semester. . .
I've noticed that a lot of other people in the class have made posts about how stressful things are right now, and I just want to say. . . . I totally second that! There are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done. That said, I am definitely not taking 12 hours next semester like I did this semester. . . I'm sure I'll be glad I got these classes out of the way come the end of the term, but right now, it is a huge understatement to say that school is ruling my life. So, I have resolved to only take 9 hours next semester.
I wonder how other people do it. I mean, I'm beyond stressed out going to school full-time and working part-time (and trying to throw in a personal / social life with all of that). If I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, how do people who work full-time do it? And I know many of my classmates have families to attend to in addition to work and school.
I feel like I've learned a lot this semester. However, I just hope I've learned enough of what I'll need to know. I mean, this is practical information that I will be using in my career (if I make it that far - fingers crossed - right now, I'm just hoping to make it to Christmas), and it's all been such a flurry of information (about information) that I'm not sure how much of it I've truly absorbed, and how well. I guess we'll see. Scary, huh?
I'm trying to have heart though (trying. . . sometimes failing, but still trying). : ) At least it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels like she's struggling. Hang in there, everyone.
What is perhaps the most frustrating thing for me right now is that I am struggling to find time to finish reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer (with which I am completely enamored and obssessed). Twilight is an obstacle to homework and homework is an obstacle to Twilight. . . Sigh. . . : )
I wonder how other people do it. I mean, I'm beyond stressed out going to school full-time and working part-time (and trying to throw in a personal / social life with all of that). If I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, how do people who work full-time do it? And I know many of my classmates have families to attend to in addition to work and school.
I feel like I've learned a lot this semester. However, I just hope I've learned enough of what I'll need to know. I mean, this is practical information that I will be using in my career (if I make it that far - fingers crossed - right now, I'm just hoping to make it to Christmas), and it's all been such a flurry of information (about information) that I'm not sure how much of it I've truly absorbed, and how well. I guess we'll see. Scary, huh?
I'm trying to have heart though (trying. . . sometimes failing, but still trying). : ) At least it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels like she's struggling. Hang in there, everyone.
What is perhaps the most frustrating thing for me right now is that I am struggling to find time to finish reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer (with which I am completely enamored and obssessed). Twilight is an obstacle to homework and homework is an obstacle to Twilight. . . Sigh. . . : )
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Halloween
Halloween is on Friday (!) - my very favorite holiday. At the library where I work, we are allowed to dress up for Halloween (within reason, of course - nothing crazy). So, happily, I will be going as one of my favorite children's literature characters - Amelia Bedelia! At least, during the daytime. (At night I'm going to convert the costume into a zombie maidservant. . . Beware! : ) )
But I thought I'd post about it, since it's maybe slightly a little bit library- / book-related. . .
But I thought I'd post about it, since it's maybe slightly a little bit library- / book-related. . .
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Second Life - ALA Island
Because this is a technology class, I figure should probably talk about it at least a little bit in my blog. : )
This week in my email I received my weekly American Libraries Direct e-mail (Yay! I'm a member of ALA now) and of course it was very informative and interesting as usual. But every week (and this week was no exception) something in particular catches my eye and even elicits a chuckle from me: every week, there is an article in American Libraries Direct about what has been going on lately on ALA Island in Second Life.
I am fascinated by this for some reason. I'm not a Second Life-r myself and have never used the program, but I think it's great that ALA is endorsing it so persistently. I guess it just exemplifies the extent to which the information profession has had to alter its professional model / outlook to encompass the various technologies not only for practical purposes, but to alter the public view of the profession and its general attitude. I think ALA Island is a great way for information professionals to shrug off that old "Marian the Librarian" stereotype and to stay relevant. Staying relevant doesn't just mean using new technology to extend the library's traditional purposes; it means letting the world know that libraries are "hip to the groove," if you will. ALA is using ALA Island and Second Life to show the fun side of libraries and librarians. And they're teaching while they're having fun.
There are always programs going on on ALA Island; it's like it performs the "community center" function of the library for the entire ALA community and other interested individuals. Recently there was a naming contest for a garden that was created there. The garden ended up being named "Story Hour Garden," and it is my understanding that you can "go" there and hear "book and other literary audio features," including StoryLines America. I have also seen articles in my American Libraries Direct e-newsletter that talked about authors "visiting" ALA island (in avatar form, of course) and doing readings of their work.
Also in keeping with the "community" aspect of ALA island is the idea that you can go there and "meet" and communicate other information professionals (or people interested in the profession) of all kinds. It is an area for librarians who might have never gotten the chance to meet in person to "socialize."
How crazy is that?! : )
This week in my email I received my weekly American Libraries Direct e-mail (Yay! I'm a member of ALA now) and of course it was very informative and interesting as usual. But every week (and this week was no exception) something in particular catches my eye and even elicits a chuckle from me: every week, there is an article in American Libraries Direct about what has been going on lately on ALA Island in Second Life.
I am fascinated by this for some reason. I'm not a Second Life-r myself and have never used the program, but I think it's great that ALA is endorsing it so persistently. I guess it just exemplifies the extent to which the information profession has had to alter its professional model / outlook to encompass the various technologies not only for practical purposes, but to alter the public view of the profession and its general attitude. I think ALA Island is a great way for information professionals to shrug off that old "Marian the Librarian" stereotype and to stay relevant. Staying relevant doesn't just mean using new technology to extend the library's traditional purposes; it means letting the world know that libraries are "hip to the groove," if you will. ALA is using ALA Island and Second Life to show the fun side of libraries and librarians. And they're teaching while they're having fun.
There are always programs going on on ALA Island; it's like it performs the "community center" function of the library for the entire ALA community and other interested individuals. Recently there was a naming contest for a garden that was created there. The garden ended up being named "Story Hour Garden," and it is my understanding that you can "go" there and hear "book and other literary audio features," including StoryLines America. I have also seen articles in my American Libraries Direct e-newsletter that talked about authors "visiting" ALA island (in avatar form, of course) and doing readings of their work.
Also in keeping with the "community" aspect of ALA island is the idea that you can go there and "meet" and communicate other information professionals (or people interested in the profession) of all kinds. It is an area for librarians who might have never gotten the chance to meet in person to "socialize."
How crazy is that?! : )
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
As promised. . . (alternate title: there's more to librarianship than smelling books) : )
I'm getting a strong inkling that I'm not very good at blogging. It's not that it's an extremely difficult or highly complex thing to do; I've just never been good at keeping regular journals or diaries or anything like that (though in the past I HAVE tried, and sincerely), and it seems the convenience and proximity of doing it via technology doesn't affect my tendancy to slack off on updating. . . I guess that's a roundabout way of admitting that I'm lazy. . . : ) Oh well.
Anyway, onto entry # 2. This one will be about libraries; specifically and as promised, it will be about why the information profession appeals to me; i.e. why I want to become a librarian (Hopefully this won't get too "what I did this summer" -ish - you know, like some essay a kid in grade school would write. )
Some people who know me well say that I just want to be a librarian so that I can smell books all day. . . which may be more than a little true. . . (I'm a huge bibliophile, obviously - I even love the physical attributes of books). Though it's a huge part of it for me, there's more value to becoming a librarian than proximity to books.
Chiefly, libraries are, in my opinion, the last bastion of democracy. I know it sounds cheesy and idealistic, but it seems like in today's highly capitalistic world everything and everyone can be bought and sold. They say that nothing of value in life is free, but those people have obviously never been to a library. I think librarianship is a highly respectable and altruistic profession, one of the few left that actually caters to the values of democracy, both fostering and embodying it.
In an age of pervasive consumerism (money seems to make the world go round now more than ever) it occurs to me that the most precious and remarkable tool possessed by citizens of the United States, though not widely recognized as such, is that of the library system. Despite the fact that you can be shut out of many circles because of inability to pay (I cite health care as an example here in the US), one institution remains true to the Enlightenment rhetoric of the founding fathers; you can still go to a public library and have free and open access to information with which to edify yourself in the face of a changing world. It's information for information's sake - no one is buying or selling information (in most cases and for the most part); librarians are simply the guardians and brokers of information, ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to get at it.
In our ostensibly democratic nation, even an individual’s education reaches a point (the end of high school) at which it becomes restricted to those with the money to pay for it. However, libraries are open to all people, without exclusion. I'm a big advocate of "learning for learning's sake," and the library allows people to do that - as well as learn what they need to learn to advance in life when other institutions have failed them.
Also admirable to me is the stand taken by information professionals (spelled out in the ALA bill of rights, which I will post at the end of this entry) against things like censorship, and for intellectual freedom.
I want to be involved in this field because I want to be proud of what I do, and because I want to help others to gain access to the information entitled to them as citizens of a democracy: information which will help them navigate a confusing modern landscape. There are more reasons why I want to become a librarian, but this one has always been foremost in my mind. Librarianship is an authentic, agenda-less profession with a conscience, and I find that extremely refreshing.
Library Bill of Rights*
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
*taken from http://ala8.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.htm
Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; amended June 28, 1967; amended January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 24, 1996.
Anyway, onto entry # 2. This one will be about libraries; specifically and as promised, it will be about why the information profession appeals to me; i.e. why I want to become a librarian (Hopefully this won't get too "what I did this summer" -ish - you know, like some essay a kid in grade school would write. )
Some people who know me well say that I just want to be a librarian so that I can smell books all day. . . which may be more than a little true. . . (I'm a huge bibliophile, obviously - I even love the physical attributes of books). Though it's a huge part of it for me, there's more value to becoming a librarian than proximity to books.
Chiefly, libraries are, in my opinion, the last bastion of democracy. I know it sounds cheesy and idealistic, but it seems like in today's highly capitalistic world everything and everyone can be bought and sold. They say that nothing of value in life is free, but those people have obviously never been to a library. I think librarianship is a highly respectable and altruistic profession, one of the few left that actually caters to the values of democracy, both fostering and embodying it.
In an age of pervasive consumerism (money seems to make the world go round now more than ever) it occurs to me that the most precious and remarkable tool possessed by citizens of the United States, though not widely recognized as such, is that of the library system. Despite the fact that you can be shut out of many circles because of inability to pay (I cite health care as an example here in the US), one institution remains true to the Enlightenment rhetoric of the founding fathers; you can still go to a public library and have free and open access to information with which to edify yourself in the face of a changing world. It's information for information's sake - no one is buying or selling information (in most cases and for the most part); librarians are simply the guardians and brokers of information, ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to get at it.
In our ostensibly democratic nation, even an individual’s education reaches a point (the end of high school) at which it becomes restricted to those with the money to pay for it. However, libraries are open to all people, without exclusion. I'm a big advocate of "learning for learning's sake," and the library allows people to do that - as well as learn what they need to learn to advance in life when other institutions have failed them.
Also admirable to me is the stand taken by information professionals (spelled out in the ALA bill of rights, which I will post at the end of this entry) against things like censorship, and for intellectual freedom.
I want to be involved in this field because I want to be proud of what I do, and because I want to help others to gain access to the information entitled to them as citizens of a democracy: information which will help them navigate a confusing modern landscape. There are more reasons why I want to become a librarian, but this one has always been foremost in my mind. Librarianship is an authentic, agenda-less profession with a conscience, and I find that extremely refreshing.
Library Bill of Rights*
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
*taken from http://ala8.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.htm
Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; amended June 28, 1967; amended January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 24, 1996.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)