Just chillin'...
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
I seem to be having a hard time deciding on a true theme for this blog. Sure, my job is a big part of my life so I have a lot of stuff about library science, but that's not all I have interest in writing about. So I guess it's going to be a mishmash of subjects.
I just found out that a good friend of mine is going to be a daddy! It's hard to believe really. He'll be a wonderful father, I have no doubt, it's just weird to think of myself as the age where some people get married, have kids, and do that whole sort of thing. I may do the same someday, it just still feels like a whole different universe.
Speaking of dependents, Sammy (the cat) decided to wake me up this morning at 5am. He didn't do this by meowing or yowling. No. In the true spirit of the Sammy-way, he came at me, butt-first, sat on my head, leaned over and proceeded to both bite and lick my ear. Gross! Once I swatted him off the bed, he ran at top speed over to my dresser, on top of the TV and straddled it (which, let me tell you, is quite a sight to see a 14-lb cat with his weigh equally distributed on two sides of a TV). He is quite the hellion in the morning. Levi, on the other hand, would prefer to sleep as late as possible (I can't say as though I blame him). Sure...they're my "kids", but I can lock either of them out of my room at 5am and not have any doubts.
A good reference question:
"What day is Good Friday on?"
I just found out that a good friend of mine is going to be a daddy! It's hard to believe really. He'll be a wonderful father, I have no doubt, it's just weird to think of myself as the age where some people get married, have kids, and do that whole sort of thing. I may do the same someday, it just still feels like a whole different universe.
Speaking of dependents, Sammy (the cat) decided to wake me up this morning at 5am. He didn't do this by meowing or yowling. No. In the true spirit of the Sammy-way, he came at me, butt-first, sat on my head, leaned over and proceeded to both bite and lick my ear. Gross! Once I swatted him off the bed, he ran at top speed over to my dresser, on top of the TV and straddled it (which, let me tell you, is quite a sight to see a 14-lb cat with his weigh equally distributed on two sides of a TV). He is quite the hellion in the morning. Levi, on the other hand, would prefer to sleep as late as possible (I can't say as though I blame him). Sure...they're my "kids", but I can lock either of them out of my room at 5am and not have any doubts.
A good reference question:
"What day is Good Friday on?"
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
a little geeky librarian humor...
It's a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use even a child can operate it. Just life its cover. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere--even sitting in an armchair by the fire--yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM.
Here's how it works: each BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. These pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. By using both sides of each sheet, manufacturers are able to cut costs in half.
Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. The book may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward and backward as you wish. Most come with an "index" feature, which pinpoints the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval.
An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open the BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session--even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers.
Portable, durable and affordable, the BOOK is the entertainment wave of the future, an many new titles are expected soon, due to the surge in popularity of its programming tool, the Portable Erasable-Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus...
from http://www.ifla.org/I/humour/humour.htm#book
My first experience with preservation
Yeah, it didn't go so well. A faculty member donated a young adult book to the library. To put it nicely, it was not in the greatest condition. Pages falling out, the cover was extremely worn on the corners. Personally, I love old books, even ones that are falling apart. There's just something special about them to me. However, for a library that hopes to move toward circulating part of its collection, it's not such a good thing.
So first I tried to glue the pages back into the binding using a special book binding glue. Apparantely the book's pages were not acid free (something I should've known right away since the pages were yellowish-brown and very brittle) so the glue seeped into each page individually making them extra dry and crackly. Okay, bad choice. Next I tried using book binding tape to put the pages back into their seams. Because of my spectacular skills as a seamstress, NONE of the pages were aligned and most were at least half an inch away from the cover of the book. As you know, they're either supposed to be flesh with the cover or shorter. Finally, to top it all off, after I taped and glued these suckers back in, I reviewed my work and noticed the pages were...yes...out of order. I HATE BOOKS!! Okay, no, I don't hate books. But I was so frustrated I had to set the book somewhere far from my reach and work on something else. Otherwise the book was destined to be destroyed. Oh well.
Other than the preservation disaster, I have to say I really like my job (knock on wood). I feel like my skills are being used, people respect and appreciate me and value my professional opinion...it's so bizarre. Plus they're paying for my way into the American Library Association's annual conference this weekend in Chicago! I'll be able to geek out with other library geeks all weekend! Yes!
So first I tried to glue the pages back into the binding using a special book binding glue. Apparantely the book's pages were not acid free (something I should've known right away since the pages were yellowish-brown and very brittle) so the glue seeped into each page individually making them extra dry and crackly. Okay, bad choice. Next I tried using book binding tape to put the pages back into their seams. Because of my spectacular skills as a seamstress, NONE of the pages were aligned and most were at least half an inch away from the cover of the book. As you know, they're either supposed to be flesh with the cover or shorter. Finally, to top it all off, after I taped and glued these suckers back in, I reviewed my work and noticed the pages were...yes...out of order. I HATE BOOKS!! Okay, no, I don't hate books. But I was so frustrated I had to set the book somewhere far from my reach and work on something else. Otherwise the book was destined to be destroyed. Oh well.
Other than the preservation disaster, I have to say I really like my job (knock on wood). I feel like my skills are being used, people respect and appreciate me and value my professional opinion...it's so bizarre. Plus they're paying for my way into the American Library Association's annual conference this weekend in Chicago! I'll be able to geek out with other library geeks all weekend! Yes!
Friday, June 17, 2005
A fun new search engine
Today at work, I ran across a search engine that exclusively searches for acronyms. How awesome is that?!
http://www.acronyma.com
Oh, and, coincidentally, I did NOT get paid today. I got the dates wrong. Stupid pay check. I didn't want one anyway so there. Okay, that's a big fat lie.
My project today at work was creating short bibliographies of credible online resources for various subject areas. I worked mostly on law and business websites today but I'm going to continue in the other areas as well. For those of you who might read this and know of a site that would be beneficial in any of these areas, please let me know! Here are the areas I'm researching:
law/paralegal
business
economics
human resources
management
computer applications
medicine/nursing
general sciences
general humanities
I'm getting to the point at work where I'm ready for more responsibility. I've got a giant folder filled with resources I think the library should collect. However, I also have to research space savers because the library is...well...tiny, and we're rapidly running out of room. They're starting to train me to help out with the bookstore (textbooks) as well. I'm beginning to realize that they want me to do a LOT. It's good because that means I'll never be bored and that's 10 times worse than being too busy. I just hope it's a manageable workload. But I know I'm getting ahead of myself.
Oh my gosh it's past my bedtime...TGIF everyone!!
http://www.acronyma.com
Oh, and, coincidentally, I did NOT get paid today. I got the dates wrong. Stupid pay check. I didn't want one anyway so there. Okay, that's a big fat lie.
My project today at work was creating short bibliographies of credible online resources for various subject areas. I worked mostly on law and business websites today but I'm going to continue in the other areas as well. For those of you who might read this and know of a site that would be beneficial in any of these areas, please let me know! Here are the areas I'm researching:
law/paralegal
business
economics
human resources
management
computer applications
medicine/nursing
general sciences
general humanities
I'm getting to the point at work where I'm ready for more responsibility. I've got a giant folder filled with resources I think the library should collect. However, I also have to research space savers because the library is...well...tiny, and we're rapidly running out of room. They're starting to train me to help out with the bookstore (textbooks) as well. I'm beginning to realize that they want me to do a LOT. It's good because that means I'll never be bored and that's 10 times worse than being too busy. I just hope it's a manageable workload. But I know I'm getting ahead of myself.
Oh my gosh it's past my bedtime...TGIF everyone!!
One point for the good guys!
A couple of days ago, I posted a website that was a petition to try to amend Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Well guess what! It happened!
From the American Library Association webpage June 17th, 2005
(WASHINGTON) Today, in a stunning 238-187 victory, Rep. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) amendment to the House Science-State-Justice Subcommittee (SSJC) appropriations bill passed. The appropriations bill funds the Justice Department and Sanders’ amendment bars the Department from using any of the appropriated money to search library and bookstore records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Like the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157) also sponsored by Congressman Sanders, the Sanders Freedom to Read Amendment restores legal standards and warrant procedures for investigations of library and bookstore records that were in place before passage of the USA PATRIOT Act. The text of the amendment reads, “None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to make an application under section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1861) for an order requiring the production of library circulation records, library patron lists, book sales records, or book customer lists.”
Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act dramatically expanded the scope of materials the FBI can access with a warrant from the government's secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or "FISA" court. This section gives the FBI the power to search for any "tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items)" in any location without having to name the subject of the search, permitting “fishing expeditions” in library records. Millions of people across the country, including librarians and booksellers, are concerned about the chilling effect of this legislation, which encourages users to self-censor their reading choices. Seven state legislatures, 44 state library associations, and 381 cities and towns representing nearly 62 million people have passed resolutions expressing their concerns with Section 215 and other specific provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
“Library patrons should be thrilled that their champion, Congressman Sanders, has finally prevailed,” said Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office. “People from every political persuasion supported this amendment, and we are grateful that members of the House listened to librarians’ concerns.”
From the American Library Association webpage June 17th, 2005
Sanders Amendment passes: library users again free to read
Like the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157) also sponsored by Congressman Sanders, the Sanders Freedom to Read Amendment restores legal standards and warrant procedures for investigations of library and bookstore records that were in place before passage of the USA PATRIOT Act. The text of the amendment reads, “None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to make an application under section 501 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1861) for an order requiring the production of library circulation records, library patron lists, book sales records, or book customer lists.”
Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act dramatically expanded the scope of materials the FBI can access with a warrant from the government's secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or "FISA" court. This section gives the FBI the power to search for any "tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items)" in any location without having to name the subject of the search, permitting “fishing expeditions” in library records. Millions of people across the country, including librarians and booksellers, are concerned about the chilling effect of this legislation, which encourages users to self-censor their reading choices. Seven state legislatures, 44 state library associations, and 381 cities and towns representing nearly 62 million people have passed resolutions expressing their concerns with Section 215 and other specific provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
“Library patrons should be thrilled that their champion, Congressman Sanders, has finally prevailed,” said Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office. “People from every political persuasion supported this amendment, and we are grateful that members of the House listened to librarians’ concerns.”
"Sanders Amendment Passes: Library Users Again Free to Read." American Library Association. 2005.
(Accessed 17 Jun, 2005)
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Dog geek in heaven
That's right, I've finally found at least one crowd where my geekiness is wholeheartedly welcome here in northern KY. After work, I came home, put Levi in the car and off we went to the Pioneer Dog Park in Covington, KY. It was wonderful! Levi got a chance to act like the puppy he is without me yelling at him. There were all sorts of dogs there from schnauzers to rottweilers and everywhere in between. There was even an Italian Greyhound which I have to say is the wimpiest looking dog ever. It looks like it would break in half if you looked at it crooked.
Other than that, there's nothing but a whole lot of suckiness around here. Work was long and frustrating, I have a million loads of laundry to do, I really need to do some straightening up, and I still haven't had dinner. But on the bright side of things, I'm pretty sure I get paid tomorrow.
Other than that, there's nothing but a whole lot of suckiness around here. Work was long and frustrating, I have a million loads of laundry to do, I really need to do some straightening up, and I still haven't had dinner. But on the bright side of things, I'm pretty sure I get paid tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
the immortal questions of life
why are clear plastic utensils so incredibly small?
shoe horns. what's the deal? who uses those anyway? and why is it a horn?
and speaking of utensils, how come they don't make a stronger version of a spork? those are awesome and i would use them all the time.
who thought it was a good idea to allow the work week to be 40 hours and 5 days? it's just absurd! and i've only been doing it for a few weeks!
well, i had a bunch more questions but i seemed to have forgotten them all. something odd happens to me when i leave work. my smart switch is turned to the "off" position and i have a hard time creating sounds that are anything other than monosyllabic. food. more. sleep. now. i'm usually okay at work but that's debatable of course. it appears that i also have a hard time capitalizing. very strange...
okay, i'm boring myself now. hopefully no one will read this unless they are about to go to bed. actually, that sounds pretty good. but first i should go find something i should do and then not do it. yeah, that sounds about right for a wednesday night.
shoe horns. what's the deal? who uses those anyway? and why is it a horn?
and speaking of utensils, how come they don't make a stronger version of a spork? those are awesome and i would use them all the time.
who thought it was a good idea to allow the work week to be 40 hours and 5 days? it's just absurd! and i've only been doing it for a few weeks!
well, i had a bunch more questions but i seemed to have forgotten them all. something odd happens to me when i leave work. my smart switch is turned to the "off" position and i have a hard time creating sounds that are anything other than monosyllabic. food. more. sleep. now. i'm usually okay at work but that's debatable of course. it appears that i also have a hard time capitalizing. very strange...
okay, i'm boring myself now. hopefully no one will read this unless they are about to go to bed. actually, that sounds pretty good. but first i should go find something i should do and then not do it. yeah, that sounds about right for a wednesday night.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Protect reader privacy!
Sign this online petition to protect reader's privacy from the USA Patriot Act Section 215. The protection against Section 215 is set to expire in December of 2005. Let our representatives know how we feel!
http://www.readerprivacy.org/index.jsp
For more information, check out the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom,
http://www.ala.org/oif
http://www.readerprivacy.org/index.jsp
For more information, check out the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom,
http://www.ala.org/oif
Monday, June 13, 2005
Woe is me
This weekend, I regret to inform you, Kevin and I found out that Pizza Hut does NOT deliver to my apartment complex. You can imagine the despair we experienced upon receipt of this knowledge. I'm seriously considering moving back to Bloomington. This just goes against all laws of human nature.
Getting back to normal
Well I guess it's about time to change my Blogger profile. I actually graduated school...believe it or not...and I am now a full-time college librarian. It's all kind of surreal. It happened so fast I barely had time to sit down and make sure I was remembering to pack my toothbrush. I am now a bonafide Kentuckian once again and proud of it. Of course my heart will always belong in Indiana being that I am a TRUE Hoosier. When I was getting my master's, one of the assignments in my reference class was "What is the original meaning of the term Hoosier?" I don't remember exactly but I do remember that there was at least 3 different answers. Basically, we come back to the fact that nobody really knows what a Hoosier is, but we're all (varying degrees of) proud to be one.
My boys are doing fine. When I say boys, I mean Levi and Sammy, my 4-legged furry companions who get me through the day. They're both shedding like crazy and Levi is constantly trying to fit Sammy's entire head (if not more) into his mouth, but it's worth it. They remind me of the importance of unconditional love and forgiveness, not to mention the importance of vacuum cleaners, stain removers, cat nip (kitty crack as I call it), and the amazing power of a brightly colored squeaky ball. I bet I spent $30 each on toys when I first got my pets. Turns out all I needed was a squeaky ball, a little laser pointer, and some plastic bags. Go figure.
Times have been rough all around these days. Times of transition, uncertainty, insecurity, vulnerability, and just general chaos. But these issues of mine pale in comparison to recent news. My sister has just been barraged with bad news of loved ones. It's just hard to understand how and why these things happen. The phrase "it's not fair" has never had a more powerful meaning and less level of appropriate illustration of emotion as they do right now. I just don't get it.
I wondered the other day if maybe this is just what happens when you grow up. You are more aware and more in tune with what is happening to those around you. And as you grow older, your circle gets wider and wider and therefore you are aware of more and more people and more and more potential for things to go wrong. But it's a delicate balance. I believe that it's crucial to be aware of all sides of the experience. It breaks my heart to think about what people go through on a daily basis. But at the same time, the strength I see is inspiring. To see people band together for a common cause, to see them support each other with no questions asked, and to see the unbreakable bonds of family and friends is what makes me certain that there is in fact good with the bad.
Plus I always always remember how much life is around me everyday. I have the most gorgeous, phenomenal amazing neice there ever was; my gorgeous, phenomenal amazing cousin is expecting equally gorgeous, phenomenal amazing twin boys; Levi thinks Sammy is so gorgeous, phenomenal and amazing that he tries to eat Sammy whole; and above all else, my family. There aren't even words to describe how much joy my family, immediate and extended, bring me on a daily basis. I wouldn't be where I am without them. ...Velveeta cheesey anyone?
Please forgive the long entry. I sat down at my computer thinking I didn't have much to say...guess I was wrong. Hopefully now that I'm back on track, I'll have better entries. Ciao...
My boys are doing fine. When I say boys, I mean Levi and Sammy, my 4-legged furry companions who get me through the day. They're both shedding like crazy and Levi is constantly trying to fit Sammy's entire head (if not more) into his mouth, but it's worth it. They remind me of the importance of unconditional love and forgiveness, not to mention the importance of vacuum cleaners, stain removers, cat nip (kitty crack as I call it), and the amazing power of a brightly colored squeaky ball. I bet I spent $30 each on toys when I first got my pets. Turns out all I needed was a squeaky ball, a little laser pointer, and some plastic bags. Go figure.
Times have been rough all around these days. Times of transition, uncertainty, insecurity, vulnerability, and just general chaos. But these issues of mine pale in comparison to recent news. My sister has just been barraged with bad news of loved ones. It's just hard to understand how and why these things happen. The phrase "it's not fair" has never had a more powerful meaning and less level of appropriate illustration of emotion as they do right now. I just don't get it.
I wondered the other day if maybe this is just what happens when you grow up. You are more aware and more in tune with what is happening to those around you. And as you grow older, your circle gets wider and wider and therefore you are aware of more and more people and more and more potential for things to go wrong. But it's a delicate balance. I believe that it's crucial to be aware of all sides of the experience. It breaks my heart to think about what people go through on a daily basis. But at the same time, the strength I see is inspiring. To see people band together for a common cause, to see them support each other with no questions asked, and to see the unbreakable bonds of family and friends is what makes me certain that there is in fact good with the bad.
Plus I always always remember how much life is around me everyday. I have the most gorgeous, phenomenal amazing neice there ever was; my gorgeous, phenomenal amazing cousin is expecting equally gorgeous, phenomenal amazing twin boys; Levi thinks Sammy is so gorgeous, phenomenal and amazing that he tries to eat Sammy whole; and above all else, my family. There aren't even words to describe how much joy my family, immediate and extended, bring me on a daily basis. I wouldn't be where I am without them. ...Velveeta cheesey anyone?
Please forgive the long entry. I sat down at my computer thinking I didn't have much to say...guess I was wrong. Hopefully now that I'm back on track, I'll have better entries. Ciao...
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