My blog is going to sleep for a spell. Where I thought I might be using this blog as a tool for organizing information I find on the web or as a place to write reflections about my library internship, I've decided to put the blog to sleep for a while until I can devote regular chunks of time to writing blog posts.
One of the things I've learned is that it's harder to make weekly reflections about my internship than maybe just looking over the internship experience over a larger period of time. I hope this makes sense.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The blog as an organization tool
I've used a journal in the past to record quotes and make lists, to mention a few things. I've started to use this blog to do similar things like paste links to articles I think I might want to review again later. Mostly, I find myself using the blog to capture information I think might be handy for school or for my library career.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits
This article challenges the assumptions we have about study habits and how students learn.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Internship Reflection
I started an internship at a local public library last week and I'm glad library school provides the opportunity of an internship. I'm happy for the opportunity to gain direct work experience in a public library.
The day started with a tour of the library and training with the main library management system. The training on the library system went very well and I was ready to work the circulation desk with supervision. I enjoy training, both as the trainer and student. The training method used was one I call "Talk, Show, Do." The training started with talking about the library system and then a demonstration of the major features. Later, I was given time to work at the circulation desk in order to practice what I've learned. The experience was lovely. I'm looking forward to more time working at the circulation desk because I like working directly with customers.
The circulation desk is at the front of the library near the entrance to the library. The reference desk is further back in the library behind the public computer workstations. The tasks at the circulation desk include checking in and checking out materials for customers. As well, print jobs from the public computers are managed at the circulation desk too. I had an opportunity to help two people with their computer tasks and I felt pretty good that I was able to provide the help they needed. One customer needed help with the computer desktop in order to view some of the windows that were giving her trouble. I showed her how to adjust the zoom and minimize the text size so that the information she wanted to read fit the screen. Another customer needed help printing a photo in the middle of a window that was being cut off because the print area was too small. I realize I know more about computers than I think I know.
I believe first impressions are important. I'm open minded enough to know that it isn't the only thing, but I was very happy to have a great first impression of my workmates, the library, and the community. My workmates were very helpful and made me feel welcome. I also felt great helping the customers that evening. Working in a community gem like a library is a thrill.
The day started with a tour of the library and training with the main library management system. The training on the library system went very well and I was ready to work the circulation desk with supervision. I enjoy training, both as the trainer and student. The training method used was one I call "Talk, Show, Do." The training started with talking about the library system and then a demonstration of the major features. Later, I was given time to work at the circulation desk in order to practice what I've learned. The experience was lovely. I'm looking forward to more time working at the circulation desk because I like working directly with customers.
The circulation desk is at the front of the library near the entrance to the library. The reference desk is further back in the library behind the public computer workstations. The tasks at the circulation desk include checking in and checking out materials for customers. As well, print jobs from the public computers are managed at the circulation desk too. I had an opportunity to help two people with their computer tasks and I felt pretty good that I was able to provide the help they needed. One customer needed help with the computer desktop in order to view some of the windows that were giving her trouble. I showed her how to adjust the zoom and minimize the text size so that the information she wanted to read fit the screen. Another customer needed help printing a photo in the middle of a window that was being cut off because the print area was too small. I realize I know more about computers than I think I know.
I believe first impressions are important. I'm open minded enough to know that it isn't the only thing, but I was very happy to have a great first impression of my workmates, the library, and the community. My workmates were very helpful and made me feel welcome. I also felt great helping the customers that evening. Working in a community gem like a library is a thrill.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
The New Yorker
While reading one of the July issues of The New Yorker magazine, Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions was mentioned in a letter to the editor and Ars Moriendi was mentioned later in an article. I knew those references because of taking LIS 2000 Understanding Information. I felt pretty good knowing this information.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Google and Verizon Near Deal on Pay Tiers for the Web
Why shouldn't some content on the web move faster than other content. Is it a good idea that video moves the same speed as an email?
See article below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/technology/05secret.html
See article below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/technology/05secret.html
Google and Verizon, two leading players in Internet service and content, are nearing an agreement that could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content’s creators are willing to pay for the privilege.The charges could be paid by companies, like YouTube, owned by Google, for example, to Verizon, one of the nation’s leading Internet service providers, to ensure that its content received priority as it made its way to consumers. The agreement could eventually lead to higher charges for Internet users.
Such an agreement could overthrow a once-sacred tenet of Internet policy known as net neutrality, in which no form of content is favored over another. In its place, consumers could soon see a new, tiered system, which, like cable television, imposes higher costs for premium levels of service.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
My Dinner With Andre re-enacted by bunnies
The 30-Second Bunnies Theatre Library
The term is coming to a close next week. I have 2 lectures and 2 assignments left. I'm happy the term is over. I think I've done about as much as I can do well.
I'm not sure if this blog will have any life left, but I figure this post kind of cleanses the palette, so maybe I'll keep it going. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything original to say, but I'm good with the cut and paste so maybe I can finds things to post here doing that.
The term is coming to a close next week. I have 2 lectures and 2 assignments left. I'm happy the term is over. I think I've done about as much as I can do well.
I'm not sure if this blog will have any life left, but I figure this post kind of cleanses the palette, so maybe I'll keep it going. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything original to say, but I'm good with the cut and paste so maybe I can finds things to post here doing that.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tech People and Content People
Interestingly, Dr Tomer spoke about how librarians of the future need to have technology skills and I had a post idea about the same topic. It seems regular folk who are librarians and have a sense of content areas (etc) will have to develop technology skills in order to best serve libraries. Perhaps this is true. Maybe the hardcore tech folks will need to have an intermediary that speaks with both them and the library folks so things can get done. This is a common role in other industries where tech people have a hard time communicating with regular folk and regular folk have a hard time speaking tech language, so a project manager acts as the go-between.
I'm not advocating for another layer of work, rather that librarians need to be lifelong learners, especially with technology.
Amazon Sells More E-Books Than Hardcovers
Image by jurvetson via Flickr
I wonder how this will effect gift giving. Hardcovers make nice gifts, but people may be reluctant to give them as gifts if they are not wanted. I'm not sure if an e-book can be given as a gift in the same way. How do you unwrap an e-book? (I know there's a thing called a gift certificate.)
Maybe the look of hardcovers or the features of them will change in order to make them desirable (and marketable.) Maybe there will be extras in the print version. Heck, maybe it will be the other way around - maybe there will be extras in the print version. Or special features. In any event, I think some type of innovation in coming down the pike that takes advantage of this trend. What? I don't know exactly.
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