Kind of a big deal.

Hello fair readers!

I love me a good mommy blog.

Does that last lady look like Amy Sedaris or is it just me?

I could read Heather Armstrong’s wonderfully sarcastic wit until the cows come home.  I just find something really great about women harnessing a new(ish) technology in order to create a commons in which other women can either vicariously have children or just relate to their experiences.  Children are weird and amusing.  And of course, that makes for good bloggin’.

So now I would like to introduce you to a new blog, created by my sister.

Adventures in Oscar

Oscar waiting for the bus.

Colleen is an excellent writer and her baby…well I’m partial because he is my nephew, but let me get you in on this secret….

he’s kind of a big deal.

Seriously. That big.

So get thee over to Adventures in Oscar.  And enjoy another wonderful addition to our blogging family.

Have a wonderful weekend fair readers.

This is just to say…

Hello fair readers!

Just a little note to say that I love love love this post:

Getting deeply local at our libraries

And I definitely think you should read it.  I love it when articles/postings can relate not just to the public arena but to academic and special libraries as well.  Her points are well made, pertinent and extremely useful.  Fodder for your local cannon.

pew pew pew!

Enjoy and have a lovely Wednesday!

Open forum on technology in libraries.

Hello fair readers!

Over there in the wide world of Facebook, a pretty grand discussion about the influence of technology in libraries has been going.  It was suggested that we move it over to a more user-friendly format that doesn’t restritct you in terms of how long you can rant!

Yes, I mean you Facebook.

What's with the comment cutoffs guys?

So here is a little background info and then you are more than welcome to go at it in the comments.

I placed a link to this article:

Not-So-Splendid Isolation

An opinion piece written for Library Journal in 2007 about the melding of library services with technology.  It sparked a wonderful conversation/debate on the role of libraries.  I referred to it as “A disturbing article by the guy who wrote a particularly nasty letter to the ed. about my article. He is obviously not a fan of technology…or even delivery of materials at home for seniors…which is a bizarre thing to be against. I think he needs to head back to library school and refresh himself on the ALA Code of Ethics.”

But there are really good arguments on both sides.  Most put a little more eloquently than mine. One commenter has noted:

“ i think technophiles and free-market drones are causing restructuring where educators and librarians would do better. and i think too in a wider sense, the issue is ’should markets be the core of society, market aesthetics or logic?’”

And then it spread into videogames and literacy and beyond.  One commenter noting:

“Regarding the Wii issue, I just don’t think it’s the job of a librarian to decide that kids shouldn’t be allowed to play video games. I’m not a politician, or a clergyman, or any other role involved in imposing rules on society.”

So do you have anything you would like to add to this debate?  Do you think that technology in the library is about more than just the spread of information?  I welcome this debate onto La de da and as I’m sure we all know, keep it friendly folks.

Taken from Olivander's flickr

An Argument for More, Not Less, in Tough Times

Hello fair readers,

An annoucement today has really made me sit back and think.  Chicago Public Library is considering laying off workers and I’m sure they are not the  only ones.  What library isn’t suffering from massive budget cuts right now?  The economy is hitting its bottom, correct?

I blame you...and you...and that short one in the middle.

And  this has been going on for awhile now.  A quick Google News search pulls up many articles from the past year or so commenting on libraries during tough economic times, with headlines like: Patrons flock to libraries as the economy struggles.  The news is the same.  Patrons needs are increasing.  Meanwhile library budgets are being slashed.

This, my fair readers, is a huge mistake.

This is the first image that comes up when googling "huge mistake"

Libraries, in every setting, are invaluable during these times.  What has led us to this point? Ignorance and a lack of common sense or knowledge.  I’m not saying the people responsible are undereducated.  In fact many have their MBAs I’m sure.  But there is a degree and then there is knowledge.  And these can be two different things.

Libraries provide information.  They are the safety net in times of woe and in times of need.  We are here to arm citizens with knowledge and information to prevent future economic crises.

Knowledge is power...not just a cliche.

Slashing budgets, cutting corners, laying off workers, decreasing hours.  These are not the answer.  Not right now.  I am not saying that all libraries are in perfect fiscal working order.  I’m sure some need fine tuning.  But that is certainly not the case when CPL has announced it may be laying off over 100 workers, which is sure to hit every branch and every neighborhood.

And for those people who think this isn’t possible, that people will not want to continue to fund libraries in times of need.  Let us take an example, one I commonly turn to, with Kalamazoo Public Library.  As mentioned in a previous post, this library went up for a millage renewal at a time when most libraries would never want to and this millage passed on May 5, 2009.   This is a perfect example of a community that realizes it needs the library in times like these.

And they do.

So this is my argument for more, not less, when it comes to supporting our libraries in tough economic times.  This is when people need us the most.  This is our time to shine.  But in order to shine, we need our funding and staff protected and maintained.  Because we are not just the preservers of the past but also the building blocks for the future.

library addition at CSU - Dominquez Hills

If your library is having funding issues, contact your elected representatives and let them know about the importance of this issue.

Have a great weekend fair readers.

A Vote for KPL

Hello fair readers,

(specifically those in Kalamazoo, Michigan)

Important news update.  The Kalamazoo Public Library has a millage renewal vote coming up on May 5th, this Tuesday.  For some good info and details check out this site:

http://www.vote4kpl.org/index.htm

But first…let me tell you a little about KPL.

Reference Area of KPL

I have worked and been in many libraries in my 26 years of living.  But I can tell you that KPL is special.  There is just something about the connection of the people who work there and the way they provide amazing resources to the citizens of Kalamazoo.  I’m talking not just book groups but free monthly legal clinics, grant writing classes, art exhibitions and this is on top of the collections of books, DVDs, specialized sections for small businesses, history buffs and local attorneys.

from KPL's flickr page.

This library literally has something for everyone.  From the local artwork in the children’s department to the Westlaw terminal in the Law Library.  Kalamazoo is truly blessed to have such an amazing library at their finger tips.  The library won the Library of the Year award in 2002 but that isn’t even the half of it.  This library *is* Kalamazoo.  It embodies what is wonderful about that town: an open, educated, cultural location in which all are welcome.

Taken from kzooblue's flickr

So get out and do your part.  Your small part in keeping this library alive and thriving.  Get out and vote on May 5th.  I promise you will not regret it. Not one bit.

Have a lovely week fair readers.

Good News for People Who Like Good News (vol. 2)

Hello fair readers!

Just a small note to celebrate

My first article is being published in the May 1st edition of Library Journal.  Here is a linky for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6652439.html?industryid=47106

I hope you enjoy it. <3

Have a lovely weekends fair readers!

Is that a poem in your pocket?

Hello fair readers!

Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day in honor of National Poetry Month!

toothpaste for dinner!

So I thought I would share my favorite poem with you!

Its a Billy Collins poem and a long favorite of mine, called

Another Reason I Don’t Keep A Gun in the House

The neighbors’ dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rhythmic bark
that he barks every time they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.

The neighbors’ dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast
but I can still hear him muffled under the music,
barking, barking, barking,

and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,
his head raised confidently as if Beethoven
had included a part for barking dog.

When the record finally ends he is still barking,
sitting there in the oboe section barking,
his eyes fixed on the conductor who is
entreating him with his baton

while the other musicians listen in respectful
silence to the famous barking dog solo,
that endless coda that first established
Beethoven as an innovative genius.

Taa daa. What’s your favorite poem?

Have a lovely day fair readers! And don’t forget to put a poem in your pocket.

Happy National Library Week!

That’s right fair readers! Its that time again…..

National Library Week!

Hooray!

In honor, my co-worker and partner in crime, Sarah and I set up a little display in our library.  It has a read alike theme but instead of being based on books, the suggestions are based on pop culture websites like Flickr, hulu and even Adult Swim.  Here are some pictures of the display…enjoy!

The entire display is called "If you like...@ your library"

We went with a circle/bubble theme for all the signage.

If you like Adult Swim then check out...

If you like Hulu then check out...

If you like Google Maps then check out...

The whole display.

We also did one for Politico, Flickr, and IMDB.  Its a fun theme to do at a law school because I find that students forget about all the super cool resources they have available to them!  So we provide just a little gentle reminder.

Well, have a happy National Library Week fair readers!!

Shooting Ourselves in the Foot

Hello fair readers!

I would like to direct your gazes to the following blog posting over at Tame the Web

News from Mishawaka Library on Facebook Ban

Now I have some strong feelings about the whole fuddy duddy culture of hate that has for some reason chosen Facebook as its target.  I don’t understand why people cannot see the validity of a site to collaborate, meet people, socialize, network, exchanges thoughts and ideas, debate, agree, and organize.  These qualities all sound to me like something libraries can relate to, foster, and quite frankly, see in themselves.  What is the public library, for example, if not a real world facebook?

Real World Facebook

I have never understood the need to remove and censor things that are perceived as a threat.  But I have a sense that’s what is going on here.  Perhaps by removing Facebook this library is thinking they are removing one piece of the culture that is making them feel inadequate or somehow threatened by the future?

from the rut

Then again, maybe they just don’t like teens taking up all their space having fun and I’m reading too far into this.

But I know this much is true, everytime a library bans something progressive, something useful, something forward thinking; something like facebook, they lose another customer.  They lose another teen or 20-something from walking in that door and using their resources.   And that, my fair readers, is a damn shame.

Have a lovely week everyone.  See ya on Facebook

Dealing With Chatty Cathy

Hello fair readers!

As some of you know I am in the process of doing a little research about cell phones in libraries.

taken by the Travelin' Librarian

If you are a library worker, please feel free to take my survey

But since I’m still in the process of collecting and analyzing my data, I thought I would share a couple of extremely intersting answers to my questions!  A little update of sorts!

For those who have already taken the survey, you will know there are several open ended questions.  One being

What is your library’s policy, if any, on cellphone use in the library?

Here are some interesting answers:

“Go out in the frigging hall”

“Cell phones not permitted on the 2nd floor (Reference Area). Cell phone permitted on lower level (Circulation), in Multimedia, and in Youth Services. So pretty much, it’s ok everywhere but Reference and Readers Advisory/Fiction. We have REALLY scary signs everywhere that say “NO CELL PHONE USE!!!” on all the study tables. This scares me.lol.”

“We ask readers to leave the reading rooms and take phone calls in “common” areas like hallways, staircases or the lobby. We allow study-use-only cellphone camera photography if readers cite in writing the collection materials they are photographing. We don’t prohibit or even monitor texting or other cellphone usage, provided that readers aren’t disturbing others.”

“We shall chop the heads off of people who use them. With a rusty fork.”

(HA!)

“We recently re-evaluated our “procedures” for handling disruptive patrons. We have not “policy” per se, other than our standard patron conduct policy – as long as you’re not distracting others or being disruptive, feel free to conduct your approved library business. However, prior to this paradigm shift, we had dozens of “no cell phones” signs all over the building.”

A very common theme among respondents was something similar to this:

“no policy” or “I don’t believe we have an official policy”.

Another question that gathered some thought provoking responses was the optional question at the end of the survey:

Do you have any other passions/comments/ethical issues that you would like to add about the usage of cellphones in libraries?

…

ready for it?

“It is frustrating dealing with patrons who insist on taking calls in the library. It is distracting to other users especially since my library is a small space. Additionally it is a privacy issue. Staff and other patrons DO NOT want to hear other people’s business…”

“My dream is that public places (libraries included) would bring back phone booths/rooms for customers to get a little privacy.”

“The camera phone feature is the only issue and that is true in or out of a library. What are people taking pictures of, how are the photos being used, etc. Not a problem for us but something to keep in mind.”

Both of these comments make a really interesting points about privacy! Something librarians love, right?

Here are some flipside opinions:

“It is wrong to asked patrons to not use their cell phones in a public library. Case in point, a parent was waiting for a call from their teen so they could be picked up. Should not allow the parent to answer a call from their teen… Get over it. Join the 21st Century.”

“i feel very strongly about this. i sort of hate monitoring cell phone usage (and we only monitor talking/loud ringing. i could care less whether people are texting, using the internet, etc. on their phones). i think that libraries should make policies addressing the behavior rather than the technology…”

What I’m finding the most fascinating issue with this research is that very few people are in the middle.  Most people feel strongly one way or another.  Like this person for example: “I don’t know why it’s not common sense not to use a cell phone in a library, but where I work it’s a “students tell you to jump, we ask how high” sort of environment.”

So my next step is going to be surveying library users about their opinions on cell phones in libraries.  More cell phone postings to come! I promise.  And again, if you are a librarian and haven’t taken my survey yet…..

feel free to participate!

I love this sign.

Have a lovely week fair readers!