My Not-So Brilliant Career

I was notified yesterday that my part-time librarian position will be downsized to half time (20 hours versus 30 hours)in July if the city budget is passed in June. So far I've managed to keep calm. It's a victory that I didn't burst into tears and have to take the rest of the day off. This is at least the fourth time in my career I've had such a notice, but it hurts.
My career hasn't been as brilliant as I'd hoped it would be; it's hard to look forward and not backward. Dr Djonz assures me we'll manage. To be realistic, I'm unlikely to get these hours reinstated -- or a future full time or part-time job that pays as much. I'm thankful that I still have my job as others in the system have been given layoff notices. I've worked for the city for over 16 FTE years. Generally speaking, I enjoy my library work, but I've had hopes and dreams that I've held too long that have not been realized. Years ago I left my full-time academic library position in Australia to come to the U.S. and have since worked part-time, not always by choice. It's been hard to be positive. Yes, I'm more than my library work. From time to time I'll report on what's been happening. Stay tuned.

Nearest Book Meme

"There are two alignments on the page centered flush and left. "

From The Non-Designers Design Book:Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice. Robin Williams. Peachpit Press, 1994

Rules (for nearest book meme)

1. Get the book nearest to you. Right now.
2. Go to page 56.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Write this sentence - either here or on your blog.
5. Copy these instructions as commentary of your sentence.
6. Don't look for your favorite book or your coolest but really the nearest.

The Non-Designers Design Book was the nearest book. Okay, it was the second nearest. The nearest was The Adventures of Johnny Bunko by Daniel Pink. That manga-style book lacks pagination, so the next was this above yellow cover-covered paperback that I finally bought ten days ago after eyeing it for ages at the Willow Glen Bargain Box Thrift Store.

Looking over my notes on Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, I notice that Pink's taken a design suggestion from graphic designer Williams (who is neither the US actor or the Australian media scientist.) = Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, Contrast. Williams takes up the concepts in this order but suggests the reverse for a memorable acronymn.

Was this selection serendipy or unconscious memory recall?

Leading the Way: California Library Association Conference 2008

What I did at CLA 2008 Santa Clara Convention Center November 14-17

Friday: Adobe Systems Tour. Adobe is now one of the few Silicon Valley high tech corporations with a library. The library or resource center is organized under Adobe's Corporate Marketing. All 6 information specialists have MLS degrees.The Adobe Resource Center is next to the cafeteria, open 24/7 to employees with badges. Goldmine information portal supports internal research. As well as internal documents e-collection includes subscriptions to Springer Link and Overdrive. (employees are encouraged to get SJPL library card to access Safari) Information specialists answer online reference queries (mainly by email), help with creating custom search strings, tagging items, developing taxonomies, RSS, email alerts; also develop and give InfoU skills classes (in person and online).

Seminars I attended:

Saturday:
Opening General Session: On being writers: Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman. Not worth noting except that the session was diagramed by John Ward (see below)

Drawing CLA: John Ward. Ward is a graphic facilitator who captures verbal and emotional content of in diagrams. Ward drew diagrams for all Saturday sessions that I attended, and for William Crossman's talk (below) His CLA Diagrams are posted online.

Developing a Whole New Mind: Daniel Pink. Pink's Whole New Mind is one of the most challenging and inspiring works I've read recently. Pink's quote: "Libraries are the life of the mind."

Discussion with Joan Fry Williams and George Needham on Pink's presentation and how his ideas relate to libraries.

Sunday

Bilingual Teens and Spanish Speaking Seniors: Partners in Health Information Marin County Free Library / This pilot program, still in progress, trains teens to train senior citizens using MedlinePlus.

Open Source Instruction and Reference: Stanford Librarians described and demonstrated development of web-based open source software (Drupal) for their websites.

Next Generation Subject Guide: Contra Costa Library Virtual Services librarians demonstrated LibGuides by creating subject page.

Future of Librarians in the Post-Literate Age: William Crossman author of VIVO [Voice-In/Voice-Out:The Coming Age of Talking Computers. Futurist Crossman predicts talking computers (VIVOs) will make written language obsolete, replace writing and reading with speech and graphics, recreating an oral culture by 2050. Crossman sees librarians as taking on functions of scribes and storytellers.

Discussion with Joan Fry Williams and George Needham on Crossman's pressentation and how his ideas relate to libraries. Crossman stayed and there was very lively cross-discussion.
Evening: I joined a group of six CLA attendees (librarians and a library trustee) at Il Fornaio.

Monday:

Librarians, educators and CLA in Second Life: Making a difference: Sandra Vella (UC Davis), developed a mentor program for CLA members learning Second Life. Jeremy Kemp (SLIS SJSU) described his introductory Second Life learning program for incoming SLIS students.

Which way should I Go? Leading you through a menu of delicious tools, IM, Digital Reference and Second Life Technologies. After reviewing new developments in Delicious.com, instant messaging and digital reference, Alma Ortega met Sandra Ley in Second Life. Together, through Skype , they gave us a tour of Second Life library and educational sites including Santa Clara University's Virtual Library (The university recently entered Second Life), the Sistine Chapel and Dresden Art Gallery.

Demon Hunting and other life lessons: Jeanette Wallis (Glass Castle ) Best-selling writer Wallis talked about how she came to write, what she has learned since publication and how relatives and readers have responded to her book.

Great fun collecting handouts, key chains etc. Didn't win any raffles. (I hoped for an IPod). Loved hanging out at the InfoPeople Space Cantina, testing new gadgets and tech items and listening to mini-talks.

Sunday Survival

LaSeal Djonz' guide for Sunday survival for part-time librarians

1. Wear interesting, colorful, but not too outrageous (or dangerous) clothing.
2. Adopt a mascot (stuffed animal or hand puppet). If someone asks you why you’re carrying or wearing the mascot make up a line. “Mousy doesn’t get much attention, I’m giving her some.” or let the mascot speak for itself – you don’t have to be a ventriloquist. Caution: Don't extend this to invisible pals.
3. Adopt a persona -- one that is friendly, but not too off-putting. Act on your persona and keep it in mind for tough times. ("I’m really a princess in disguise.”)
4. Compose a library jingle. If you need inspiration, there’s probably some procedure that you should review or be more aware of. Better yet, turn it into a limerick or song.
5. Be a rover. Walk around the perimeter of the room during slow times (provided it’s okay with your desk colleague.) Occasionally take your shoes off and walk barefoot
6. Think of an odd topic and follow through (I want to find out about okra ) broaden it (eating, growing, commercial use,folklore etc.)–see what your collection has on it. You never know until you look for it. Isn't this what library research is all about?
7. Smile.

Years ago Sundays was made part of our schedule, like or lump it, and reference librarians were rostered other departments, i.e. Youth Services and General Collections.
I had always assumed that when I got to where I am now, (okay, at my age and situation) I wouldn't be working Sundays. I had to change my weekend activities, chiefly place of worship (most of the place of worship activities happened late Sunday mornings and afternoons) I wrote this to try to put things in perspective.

Book Club Expo: Chapter Three

This weekend I attended Chapter Three of the Book Group Expo, a annual weekend for writers and readers which began in San Jose in 2005 and now has venues in Seattle, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago and New York.
Here's how it works:
Participants can choose to attend a number of “salons” where a group of authors discuss specific topics with one another, a moderator and the audience. Here’s a sampling of some this year’s salons: Write or wrong: the unreliable narrator defines virtue; Historical friction: characters in conflict; Foodies: writers eat, eaters write; Secrets of the suburbs: this is not the life I ordered.
Other activities included book signings, wine and chocolate tastings, performances by Brian Copeland (author of this next year’s Silicon Valley Reads book) and by the Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Here are some ideas that I found at Book Club Expo Marketplace that might be of interest for library book clubs and discussions.

Book Club in a Box
Despite the title, this Toronto based company sells only comprehensive reading guides (print and/or pdf) for fiction, text not included. Sample available online.
Cost: approximately $19.00 per title. (discounts available with membership).

Great Books Foundation
Great Books Foundation publishes and sells anthologies with study guides. Most selections are from literature, though science, history, philosophy, politics are also covered. Discussion group program materials are available for various levels. Training available for leaders. Each anthology in the Great Conversation series has 15 discussions and costs approximately $25. Other anthologies grouped under subjects. (Each participant should have his or her own book—ideal for a group with long-term goals.) The Great Books Council of San Francisco puts on conferences and special events. Cost: approximately $25.00 per Great Conversation anthology. Other anthologies/guides less.

My California: Journeys by Great Writers
An anthology of travel and adventure stories by 27 California award-winning authors. Funds from sale benefit literature and writing projects and programs of the California Arts Council. Long Beach and Benicia used this book for their community “One Book” reading programs. Discussion questions available.
Other program ideas using this book available through the California Arts Council
Cost: $16.95 wholesale discounts for 12 copy minimum.

Reading Group Choices
Reading Group Choices selects books and suggests discussion topics for reading groups. The company produces an annual printed guide and through its website links to discussion guides and other materials of interest to book clubs. 2009 guide has discussion questions for 75 recent titles (fiction and nonfiction) Cost: Guides: $6.95 discounts available for groups.

Santa Clara County Library Book Club Kits
Each book club kit bag includes 12 copies of the book (may include one or two copies in large print) and a discussion guide compiled from library and internet sources. Kits may be checked out for six weeks. Approximately 50 nonfiction and fiction titles available. Santa Cruz County Library has a similar program. Cost: Free to Santa Clara County Library card holders

Bodyworlds2

On MLK Day, Dr. Djonz, LizCee and I went to Body Worlds. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, LizCee said she'd like to go, I got the tickets, then Dr. Djonz decided to come along, so I got a ticket for him, then LizCee wanted to drop out, but I persuaded her to come along. It was a rainy day, and the exhibition (and the TM) was crowded. I told LizCee that we had to have a debriefing afterwards, which we did at a local chicken place, though none of us had chicken.
Our conclusions after seeing plastinated ex-people displayed and sometimes flayed:
1. We saw the exhibition, we got our money's worth,but we probably won't go out of our way to see something similar again.
2. We won't volunteer for plastination.
3. We're glad we don't have to know all the names for all the parts.
I found the plastination appeared more dessicated than in photos. When I began to describe the X-woman, TeePee told be to stop. I liked the intricacies of the nervous system.

Welcome 2008

A time to begin again after taking a semester's break. During the time I was off blog, my colleagues and I delivered a seminar on how we did learning 2.0 at our library at CLA Long Beach.
My focus this year is on training. After a very good performance review, I have a tough act to follow. And as usual, we live in interesting times.
Some of the highlights of 2007 were:

1. Visiting with family and friends.
Visits from: relatives, especially CeeJayBee, Auntie and Uncle and friend Colin and Effie
Visits to: Long Island for Dr. Djonz's family, Thanksgiving and Christmas visits to cousins, aunts and uncles in the Central Valley.

2. Traveling new places. In late May we visited the Mt. Shasta area in Northern California on a bus trip:stops at at Turtle Bay in Redding, Shasta Dam, Burney Falls and took the Shasta Sunset Dinner train. Magnificent scenery.
Our longer train trip this year was to Long Beach for CLA. Yes, you can get to Long Beach by AMTRAK -- a roundabout way. Time to visit the Queen Mary and explore Los Angeles' Union Station before taking the Coast Starlight back home.

3. Working and discovering new things and letting go of old ones.
I participated in a mentoring program for work and, through much soul-searching, came to a realization that I will probably not realize my dream of a full-time semi-managerial position. I work in an exciting library in an atmosphere that is changing (and I love changes)

4. Gardening, crocheting, etc. I continue to spend time gardening, crocheting and passing on what I have been given; this winter I'm a vegetable gardening coop use a corner of the back yard for their vegetable growing activities. I started and completed a magnum opus -- circular filet crochet tablecloth with a daffodil pattern.

5. Service and worship. Often challenging, discouraging, exhilarating and hard to pin down. I now often attend two different church services one after the other on Sunday -- and still do things with the congregation where Dr. Djonz worships.

6.Yoga. I joined the Athletic Club and have been taking yoga classes three times a week. Didn't think I would ever do this, but I love the spa (Hot water is one of the blessings of being human.)

I discover Feedburner

I've been searching for a way to add an RSS widget to this blog without complex XML instructions. I'm giving a workshop on RSS and I knew someone would ask how to do it.

I called Gothmom and she suggested Feedburner. Not only does the site have a simple form, it also has Feedburner 101, with good explanations.

Copyright Educational Video

An educational video on copyright!!

Literature, Arts & Medicine Database

I added a new link for one of my occasionally favorite websites, Literature, Arts & Medicine Database, a great resource not just for health personnel. The medical and health profession has some interesting cultural materials. I've loved reading the artwork sections of JAMA (usually featured on the cover-- click on picture) and the historical medical sleuthing in the Lancet. Unfortunately these sections don't have RSS feeds or I'd definitely subscribe! It's interesting that JAMA, and now the Literature, Arts & Medicine Database have published anthologies.

Wikis in Plain English

Commoncraft has done it again!
Their video, Wikis in Plain English explains it simply for simple campers and others who wonder what wikis are all about.

Library 2010

This week is Library and Information Week in Australia. Libraries Interact has asked for descriptions of libraries of the future and received some interesting contributions here. Read, watch, and enjoy! I especially like the user sensitive information bar!

Videos of note

Interesting videos that have come across my reading/viewing.

RSS in plain English I hope producer CommonCraft will put out others on Web 2.0 topics.

Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals courtesy of Vanderbilt University

Stationery Smiley and digitial audio podcasts

I'm listening to Technology Reviews audio version of "What can neuroscience tell us about evil?" in its digitized form. Weird and probably not the best medium for an article about the neurobiology of sociopaths. Two days ago this smiley crawled around an email message I received. I attempted to capture it, but I couldn't set it free. This reminds me that I have a lot to learn. Spring is here! I'm sorry to say that I'm battling snails, who like the basil seedlings I planted as companions to tomato seedlings.
I've come to the conclusion that one site where I've planted emerging sunflowers is doomed. Snails or other garden pests have cut the stalk twice.

Tai Chi Me

On Saturdays I Tai Chi

In praise of curb cuts and Learning 2.0!

Several weeks ago I broke a wheel on my shopping cart; I was going over a curb and the plastic inner cracked out of the axel. Dr. Djonz replaced wheels he'd salvaged from a previous cart (it's happened before). Whenever I wheel my shopping cart to Walgreens I'm made aware of the problems of those who depend on chairs, strollers and other wheeled carts to get around. And I appreciate curb cuts! Dr. Djonz says I should be more careful and lift the cart and its wheels over the cutless curb -- not easy with a full cart. Curb cuts help everyone, not just wheelchair riders. Sometimes what seems like an annoying and unnecessary accommodation for a special population has benefits for everyone. Like Learning 2.0 !

At last Thing 23!: In praise of Learning 2.0

What I've learned with Learning 2.0.

The journey's over? Definitely not! This has been just one rewarding segment of my lifelong learning experience. I only hope that future encounters with other new technologies will be just as rewarding. I can learn new things and maybe I can even create new learning tools!
All the same, I'm not one for being the first to adopt new technology. I still don't know (much) XML, don't have a digital camera, iPod or MP3 player (or television for that matter) I know that it's good to try things out, see if they work, and how they might be used in the future, consider the social consequences and if necessary, back off. I call this the Amish approach.

Going back in time (a long time?), I should have been more flexible about the learning issues around trouble shooting of computer printers. I protested I was a librarian not a technician (that was when contractors had the responsibility (and keys) for the xerox machines-- which I saw as a comparable technology) . My supervisor told me I had to be both.

Problem: Will I be given time in the future to make new discoveries? I hope so, and would definitely participate in similar programs. Were that all new technology as interesting and exciting.

Problem: Will we be able to incorporate wikis and blogs in our library website? I have a number of ideas, ranging from using a wiki to make a San Jose History Timeline for the California Room web pages to future blogs for book discussion groups to making subject specific pathfinders (squibo?) .

Kudos to Helene Blower for starting Learning 2.0 at PLCMC.
There's still plenty to learn! In my bloglines yesterday (via Shifted Librarian) I was excited to see Sam Wallin's Library 2.0 in 15 minutes a day wiki-in-progress, which includes some excellent introductory material on blogs and sections on social networking.
A wheel may not need reinventing, but there's always refinement needed to make it better.
Library technology like wheels, needs to be adaptable and squeeky wheels sometimes provide the best inspiration!

Book versions: e- and digital audio- (Thing 22)

Thanks to e-book subscriptions, some titles that always go missing will remain in our library collections, provided that the library(s) continue to subscribe. Yes, as long as there's hard copy copies of ASVAB they'll never disappear, and ditto for Nolo titles (why do military examinations and do-it-yourself law books go missing anyway! What does that say about our society?) I love Project Gutenberg and it's great that they've got audios now. However, considering that I don't have a digital audio player or a portable e-reader, I don't expect to use these sites much.
If I had an MP3, or something similar I'd download the Pimsleur language series for modern Greek -- maybe even Vietnamese. Years ago I checked out the Pimsleur German cassettes before going to Berlin. When I got there and walked along the Schillerstrauss, I felt I was in a familiar place, since Vo ist der Schillerstrauss? was one of the pattern questions. I highly recommend the Pimsleur series; they give a good introduction to the spoken language.

Casting for pods-did you hear what I heard? (Thing 21)

Podcasts are fun and useful, provided you have the right software and earphones. This weekend PLA comes to SJ and a podcast tour is one of the offerings at King Library. In an earlier posting I showed how the SF Chronicle turned its voicemail complaints into podcasts; seems silly, but some people will listen to anything!
I like the NPR podcasts or is it streaming audio?-- I can now catch up on what I didn't listen to and can go back and make sure I heard what I heard.
Wish I had podcasts when I was a university student.

YouTube: Commercials, Opera and Web 2.0: Thing 20

YouTube has helped me catch up with television commercials. Not only did I find "poor chinese baby" of the 1950s Jello ads and the Apple Macintosh's famous 1984 commercial but the "Propostion Song" and "About time 89" from the California 2006 November election.
If chasing up on television ads is too lowbrow, here's an interesting suggestion about the educational use of YouTube: "Baritone Daniel Cilli suggests a visit to www.youtube.com for anyone curious about ''The Barber of Seville.'' For starters, try searching for ''Largo al factotum'' (the title of Figaro's most famous aria) and you will find performances, some dating back decades, by renowned baritones that include Robert Merrill, Thomas Hampson, Igor Gorin, Nicolae Herlea, Hermann Prey, Leonard Warren and Tito Gobbi.Play around: Searching for ''Giuseppe De Luca'' will bring up De Luca's extraordinary (and unusual) rendition of the same number. Each time you view a performance, Cilli says, follow the trail of ''related'' videos, which will take you deeper into the opera. "FIGURING OUT FIGARO San Jose Mercury News (CA)November 15, 2006 Author: RICHARD SCHEININ, Mercury News

I've seen the hilarious library videos, including Conan the Librarian, but my favorite so far is Web 2.0: the Machine is Using Us.