This is my semi-technology related post for the month. . .

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.

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

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. . . : )