Changes

Hello. I know it's been quite a while since I have posted to this blog. There have been quite a number of changes in my life since my last post. I moved, got engaged and found out that I'm going to have a baby. The baby is due in January. Dealing with life's changes, may have put a backseat to the continuation of the overall project and to the update of this blog. I just wanted to let everyone know that I have no plans on abandoning I am a Librarian. I hope to continue it as possible and I will continue to update the imalibrarian portion of the web page as I learn of additional libraries or changes to the existing IM services. Thanks for your continued support and interest.

Hipster Haiku

Hipster Haiku by Siobhan Adcock

Siobhan evokes the spirit of hipsters from all over. Some of her poems had me cracking up and other made me think about life and how things came to be this way. There were also many haikus that revolved around the bar scene, due to her work. I can understand that because I have written some poems at bars too. Many cultural statements are included in this work. Some I would go so far as to say are a bit more punk than hipster, but whatever...

My co-worker Beth gave this book to me. She stated that it made her think of me. It's funny how the haiku thing actually transpired from my twin sister and her co-workers. I think it's a great and simple way to de-stress.

5-7-5.

Want more: http://www.hipsterhaiku.com

A Day in the Life has been published (Note: Chapter 63)

Some of my writing has been published in a new book...

Shontz, Priscilla K. and Richard A. Murray, editors. A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science. Libraries Unlimited, 2007. 464 pages. ISBN 1591583640.

Check out Chapter 63 Member Support Coordinator. This chapter was written before I was promoted to Associate Manager, Support Services at PALINET, but many of the duties are still a part of my job.

Table of contents, excerpts, contributor information, and more at http://www.liscareer.com/dil.htm.

Many people, not just those new to the field of library and information science, are curious about their career options. The editors of LIScareer.com have assembled 95 authors, each of whom describes a "typical" workday or work routine, sharing joys, sorrows, and annoyances in refreshingly candid fashion. In the process, they offer those interested in finding a similar job exposure to useful skills and advice across a wide variety of traditional and nontraditional jobs. In addition to public, academic, school, and special libraries, consortia, associations, LIS programs, vendors, publishing, consulting, and other non-library fields are also covered. This is a perfect guide for library and information science students, prospective information professionals, new librarians-or anyone considering a career change.

Librarians on YouTube

Tonight I went to the InfoTubey Awards. Information Today hosted the awards for libraries that created videos on YouTube to promote their services. They chose 5 winners from approximately 60 entries.

Here are the winners:

New Jersey State Library:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeQI25n8qPQ&mode=user&search

Seneca Library - Canada:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMVMgDWnoaA

McCracken Library - Kentucky:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjxkQKwkP3M and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu-TijjVs_g

Williams College Library:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwCUtpbUWgk

Arlington Heights Memorial Library:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZcw9Zx4ejA

And since the library from Canada could not afford to send someone to Virginia, here is the Acceptance Speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nntN8J5TSxU

PALINET sponsored the snacks and coffee, which was a fantastic idea by the marketing team.

And since my co-worker Catherine likes the book cart drill teams, I thought I'd feature this one from Pitt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFtjnxm_wiQ

And one that I think it pretty clever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrtYdFV_Eak

What are some of your favorite library videos?

Fairies: An Anthology of Verse and Prose

In March, I read Fairies: An Anthology of Verse and Prose published by Peony Press. It was a beautifully illustrated book that broke down some fairie lore into segments and presented a sweet collection of poetry. My only criticism is that I would liked to have seen the items chronological within the chapters. I think it would have helped put into perspective how the views of fairies changed throughout time or how they remained the same.

This book reminded me of a woman I met who draws beautiful fairie pictures. I was at a craft festival and deciding on one item that I was going to allow myself to buy within a limited budget. It was between two items and I felt a special connection to her print of a fairie with 4-leaf clovers. (Sometimes four-leaf clovers are said to be protection from fairies.) I often carry around four-leaf clovers and I decided to give one to this women. She stated that she had been searching for a four-leaf clover to put with her original painting. Since I gave her the clover that she was looking for she gave me the print of the picture I wanted. It's good to know that in this day and age you can still make a good barter. :) To see her work check out: http://www.lindabiggs.com/

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

In February, I spent time reading Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. My co-worker, Catherine, lent it to me some time ago and I finally got around to reading it. Most of us know how that goes.

The story encompasses the student/teacher relationship and focuses on a world view through tales of creation and evolution. In many ways it makes you think outside the box and with a more global view of our time here. I could see how to many this would be a life altering work. I felt as if I had read similar stories before in the mystical student/teacher relationship, mostly in the Native American realm, so it did not resonate with me as much as it did with some of my co-workers. What struck me as interesting was the number of people who commented on the book as I carried it to and from work and in my travels around the city. Some read it for class others for pleasure, each time the comment came accompanied with a smile, that speaks volumes to me. I'd recommend this book.

For more information, see: http://www.ishmael.org/welcome.cfm

Find Ishmael in a library

March of the Librarians

Linda Gabel from OCLC sent me a link to a video on YouTube that was taken it Seattle at the American Library Association Mid-Winter conference in Seattle. It's great!

Have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td922l0NoDQ

Lava Library

IMG_2328
Originally uploaded by I am a Librarian!.

This is the library at the Lava Community Center in West Philadelphia.