Sunday, November 6, 2011
Goodreads book challenge finished
I wanted to post a widget showing my GoodReads progress, and the list of completed books. It is just easier to only update it in one place. Anyway, I can't seem to do it, so I will just say that I finished my goal of 200 books for the year. And, it is only the first week of November. So, YAY!
Friday, July 29, 2011
My Jing Presentation on how to use Worldcat.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
First Week of May
Books:
Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Illusions by Aprilynne Pike
Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Illusions by Aprilynne Pike
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Book Lists
I can't actually remember where I left off on the book listings...I know I need to make more of an effort to keep this up. I swear, it seems like keeping up with the reviews takes longer than the actual reading.
Books finished since the last post (I think):
ttyl by Lauren Myracle
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy) by Lauren DeStefano
Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Shadowspell by Jenna Black
Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
The Lucky Ones by Stephanie Greene
Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey
Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
I Am J by Cris Beam
Changeling by Delia Sherman
E. E. Cummings: A Poet's Life by Catherine Reef
I think that might be all but I could be forgetting a few. I look forward to actually reading some adult books over the 2 week break, as the intense amount of YA literature is starting to mess with my head. I don't know if I will ever finish all of the reviews, so I think I may have to come up with an easier way of doing them.
Books finished since the last post (I think):
ttyl by Lauren Myracle
Forget You by Jennifer Echols
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy) by Lauren DeStefano
Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Shadowspell by Jenna Black
Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard
The Lucky Ones by Stephanie Greene
Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey
Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
I Am J by Cris Beam
Changeling by Delia Sherman
E. E. Cummings: A Poet's Life by Catherine Reef
I think that might be all but I could be forgetting a few. I look forward to actually reading some adult books over the 2 week break, as the intense amount of YA literature is starting to mess with my head. I don't know if I will ever finish all of the reviews, so I think I may have to come up with an easier way of doing them.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Library Analysis: Reflections
After conducting these interviews, the thing that struck me as most significant was the high level of job satisfaction the librarians shared. Each person I spoke with seemed to have found a perfect niche to fill; and they all appeared genuinely happy in their roles despite the differences in the job descriptions themselves.
Library Center Analysis #6: Special Library
For a Special Library, I chose to visit the Research Institute Center of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The RIC is a technical research library maintaining resources on a range of marine science and environmental issues in the State of Florida. It is located at 100 8th Ave SE in St. Petersburg (near the USF St. Pete campus) and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A visitor's pass is required to gain admittance to the library and is obtained from the receptionist in the main lobby. Information about the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is available at the website http://myfwc.com.
Library Center Analysis #5: Government Documents Depository
The Government Documents Depository was a unique part of the library tour. First, I took a bit of a tour through the government documents depository at the University of South Florida, located in the basement of the library building. I asked Merilyn Burke about the government documents, before wandering through that section of the library. Burke explained that the government publications were stored there, but that most patrons utilized the online sources for data, and that the depository acted mostly as an archives for preserving the documents and as a resource for researchers searching for specific information.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Library Center Analysis #4: Academic Library, Research Institution
The next library that I visited was the Tampa Campus of the University of South Florida Library. This library is located on Fowler Avenue in Tampa, with on line access at http://www.lib.usf.edu/. The University library is larger in scope and function, and is larger than all of the other libraries I visited combined, with a staff that would exceed that of the combined libraries as well.
Library Center Analysis #3: Academic Library- Community College
The next library that I visited was the Tarpon Springs Campus of the St. Petersburg College M.M. Bennett Library. The libraries affiliated with St. Petersburg College, a 2 and 4 year college now, are unique in that they serve as both academic libraries for the institution and also as community libraries in their areas. I interviewed the Information Services Librarian, Matthew Bodie, about working in this library.
Library Center Analysis #2: Public Library
The next Library that I visited was the Palm Harbor Public Library, located on Nebraska Avenue in Palm Harbor, FL. (http://www.palmharborlibrary.org/) Working my way up through the age groups, I decided to visit with the teen services librarian at this library.
Katie Banks, the librarian in charge of the teen services, also graduated from USF School of Information (before the name change, of course.) She chose to be a teen librarian because she felt it was more fun, and loves engaging the younger patrons and working with the teen advisory board.
Katie Banks, the librarian in charge of the teen services, also graduated from USF School of Information (before the name change, of course.) She chose to be a teen librarian because she felt it was more fun, and loves engaging the younger patrons and working with the teen advisory board.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Library Center Analysis #1: School Library
Ok, so I am a little behind on the writing part of this assignment. I will try to catch up, and hope that the notes I made are sufficient and that I didn't rely too much on my memory, assuming that I would write the blog entries right away! (I know, I just should have, but I have been busy.)
The first type of library that I visited was the School Library, at St. Paul's School in Clearwater.
The first type of library that I visited was the School Library, at St. Paul's School in Clearwater.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
LIS Blog Analysis #2
The second blog that I followed (as much as I could follow along anyway) was The Librarian in Black. "Amazingly informed and therefore properly opinionated" is the tagline, and never have I read a tagline so accurate as this one. The reason that I was drawn to this blog is that it is almost entirely dedicated to technology in libraries, a subject with which I am not entirely familiar. The author, Sarah Houghton-Jan, works as the assistant director of the San Rafael Public Library (where she was recently hired, having previously been the Digital Futures Manager for the San Jose Public Library System.) and is also a consultant for InfoPeople. The librarian in black is also very active in professional organizations, and blogs about her presentations and reviews and opinions of seminars she attends.
Over the past few months, many of the blogs have centered around the e-book issue, and particularly the controversy surrounding Harper Collins. (If you don't know what this is about, then you have NOT been reading any blogs relating to libraries at all in the past few months...) The LIB is opinionated- and that is good, because hearing the arguments and debates from a passionate point of view is good. Also, I happen to read a number of blogs relating to writing and publishing...and the opinions don't always match up, but sometimes they do, and that is important too. I don't know that this issue is going to be resolved any time soon, but it is certainly important to the future of digital collections in libraries, and therefore worth following. In addition, entries on digital music collections and Digital Rights Management are informative (and did I mention, opinionated?) and mostly written so that a novice like myself can follow and learn.
Also, she blogs about the seminars of the Computers In Libraries Conference of 2011, which I found to be very helpful in understanding many of the issues related to technology. I feel that in a few minutes of reading the entries, I can at least obtain a basic grasp of the issues and a rudimentary understanding of the directions in which library science is headed. Among the interesting panel discussions blogged, the ones regarding search engines, and how to get the best value for the search were particularly enlightening. These panels are relevant to me not only as a future librarian but as a current student. Learning how to search effectively, and where to do so, certainly saves time when conducting research and improves accuracy, so thank you LIB for bringing me these tips.
One of the entries which I was most interested in was a survey posted for a friend, a student at library school, who was conducting research on book challenges and removal in libraries. The results of the poll were disturbing, particularly as this related directly to the topic on which I was writing my research paper at the time. The greatest part of the blog setup, though, is not the blog itself, but the comments- stories and opinions from librarians all over the place, chipping in their opinions and anecdotes. The stories in the comments give a much clearer view of real life situations that we will encounter in our future careers. Plus, the stories of the patrons hiding materials and peeling off stickers, or of library assistants simply throwing away an entire series of books because he felt 'they were trashy' are funny, but wait they are true- so not that funny- but still kind of funny.
One of the things I found most fascinating is the manner in which many of the librarians seem to echo the idea that the ethics and lessons taught in library school just don't make it out into the work force; Putting your job on the line to defend intellectual freedom is a risk that many are not willing to take. In addition, it seems that some view challenges as an insult to their collection development and selection process, and that many feel that there is no reason to report challenges or removals to the professional organizations.
For this assignment I followed a variety of blogs to try to get a bigger picture of the field of information science. This included blogs about cataloging, about books, about libraries, and about librarians. But sometimes you have to just laugh. So...
As a parting note, one of the other sites that I followed while bookmarking blogs is Unshelved, by Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes.
Be warned, I have lost hours scrolling through these...
Over the past few months, many of the blogs have centered around the e-book issue, and particularly the controversy surrounding Harper Collins. (If you don't know what this is about, then you have NOT been reading any blogs relating to libraries at all in the past few months...) The LIB is opinionated- and that is good, because hearing the arguments and debates from a passionate point of view is good. Also, I happen to read a number of blogs relating to writing and publishing...and the opinions don't always match up, but sometimes they do, and that is important too. I don't know that this issue is going to be resolved any time soon, but it is certainly important to the future of digital collections in libraries, and therefore worth following. In addition, entries on digital music collections and Digital Rights Management are informative (and did I mention, opinionated?) and mostly written so that a novice like myself can follow and learn.
Also, she blogs about the seminars of the Computers In Libraries Conference of 2011, which I found to be very helpful in understanding many of the issues related to technology. I feel that in a few minutes of reading the entries, I can at least obtain a basic grasp of the issues and a rudimentary understanding of the directions in which library science is headed. Among the interesting panel discussions blogged, the ones regarding search engines, and how to get the best value for the search were particularly enlightening. These panels are relevant to me not only as a future librarian but as a current student. Learning how to search effectively, and where to do so, certainly saves time when conducting research and improves accuracy, so thank you LIB for bringing me these tips.
One of the entries which I was most interested in was a survey posted for a friend, a student at library school, who was conducting research on book challenges and removal in libraries. The results of the poll were disturbing, particularly as this related directly to the topic on which I was writing my research paper at the time. The greatest part of the blog setup, though, is not the blog itself, but the comments- stories and opinions from librarians all over the place, chipping in their opinions and anecdotes. The stories in the comments give a much clearer view of real life situations that we will encounter in our future careers. Plus, the stories of the patrons hiding materials and peeling off stickers, or of library assistants simply throwing away an entire series of books because he felt 'they were trashy' are funny, but wait they are true- so not that funny- but still kind of funny.
One of the things I found most fascinating is the manner in which many of the librarians seem to echo the idea that the ethics and lessons taught in library school just don't make it out into the work force; Putting your job on the line to defend intellectual freedom is a risk that many are not willing to take. In addition, it seems that some view challenges as an insult to their collection development and selection process, and that many feel that there is no reason to report challenges or removals to the professional organizations.
For this assignment I followed a variety of blogs to try to get a bigger picture of the field of information science. This included blogs about cataloging, about books, about libraries, and about librarians. But sometimes you have to just laugh. So...
As a parting note, one of the other sites that I followed while bookmarking blogs is Unshelved, by Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes.
Be warned, I have lost hours scrolling through these...
LIS Blog Analysis #1
The first librarian blog that I chose to follow was The Gypsy Librarian. This blog is written by Angel Rivera, an Outreach Librarian in Texas, who has also been a Research librarian, a high school teacher and a college adjunct professor. The Gypsy Librarian has a companion blog as well, The Itinerant Librarian, which he uses to discuss issues with a more personal, opinionated tone.
Among the specific topics discussed on this blog are teaching libraries, library 2.0, the use of subject encyclopedias, and on reference services preferences by patrons. Having not particularly focused on academic or research libraries, these topics were mostly new to me, and I found the articles and entries to be quite educational.
One of the things that I found most useful about this blog was the article reviews. Rivera examines articles from other sources which pique his interest and provides commentary and/or rebuttal to the views expressed within. For example, the blog entry regarding an article in Library Trends about "Library 2.0" makes some very relevant points about the need for balance in library skills, particularly for students recently emerging from library school. Rivera points out that students should be up to date on emerging technologies, but that the importance of the role of the librarian is to use these technologies to help the patrons; finding a balance between the technological aspects and the interpersonal skills is a necessary part of learning to be a librarian. This entry reminded me that knowing how to use all of the web 2.0 technologies is less helpful than knowing how to teach others to use them, and understanding how the tools can be useful.
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/03/article-note-on-becoming-librarian-20.html
The rebuttal to the "libraries are dying" hysteria, and the intended satire posted in The Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/article/Death-by-Irony-How-Librarians/125767/) also offered some very valid arguments and reasons why librarians are still necessary and useful. (And a bit of humor as well)
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/01/can-we-please-stop-library-is-dying.html
Finally, I would like to add that one of the things that I found most useful about this blog didn't have to do with actual library issues at all. Rather, it seems that Angel Rivera and I have very different tastes in reading material. Frequent entries in this blog are reviews of books which Rivera has recently read, with reviews and links to his GoodReads reviews where applicable. I have never been a fan of science fiction, or of history, or of manga, or of graphic novels, necessarily. I recognize, however, that at a library, patrons are going to ask about genres with which I am not familiar. Reading the reviews of books that I can honestly say I will never have time or desire to read helps me to develop an understanding of the genre; a review by someone that has done enough research and reading to justify my acceptance of their opinion on the subject is helpful. Also, the reviews are detailed and clear, with explanations for what he dislikes or likes and why, based on his preferences for reading. I won't be using these reviews as a recommendation for what to read next, but I enjoy reading them and learning about the writing style and plots of the books which I may otherwise never have examined.
Among the specific topics discussed on this blog are teaching libraries, library 2.0, the use of subject encyclopedias, and on reference services preferences by patrons. Having not particularly focused on academic or research libraries, these topics were mostly new to me, and I found the articles and entries to be quite educational.
One of the things that I found most useful about this blog was the article reviews. Rivera examines articles from other sources which pique his interest and provides commentary and/or rebuttal to the views expressed within. For example, the blog entry regarding an article in Library Trends about "Library 2.0" makes some very relevant points about the need for balance in library skills, particularly for students recently emerging from library school. Rivera points out that students should be up to date on emerging technologies, but that the importance of the role of the librarian is to use these technologies to help the patrons; finding a balance between the technological aspects and the interpersonal skills is a necessary part of learning to be a librarian. This entry reminded me that knowing how to use all of the web 2.0 technologies is less helpful than knowing how to teach others to use them, and understanding how the tools can be useful.
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/03/article-note-on-becoming-librarian-20.html
The rebuttal to the "libraries are dying" hysteria, and the intended satire posted in The Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/article/Death-by-Irony-How-Librarians/125767/) also offered some very valid arguments and reasons why librarians are still necessary and useful. (And a bit of humor as well)
blog entry: http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/01/can-we-please-stop-library-is-dying.html
Finally, I would like to add that one of the things that I found most useful about this blog didn't have to do with actual library issues at all. Rather, it seems that Angel Rivera and I have very different tastes in reading material. Frequent entries in this blog are reviews of books which Rivera has recently read, with reviews and links to his GoodReads reviews where applicable. I have never been a fan of science fiction, or of history, or of manga, or of graphic novels, necessarily. I recognize, however, that at a library, patrons are going to ask about genres with which I am not familiar. Reading the reviews of books that I can honestly say I will never have time or desire to read helps me to develop an understanding of the genre; a review by someone that has done enough research and reading to justify my acceptance of their opinion on the subject is helpful. Also, the reviews are detailed and clear, with explanations for what he dislikes or likes and why, based on his preferences for reading. I won't be using these reviews as a recommendation for what to read next, but I enjoy reading them and learning about the writing style and plots of the books which I may otherwise never have examined.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
books, and books, and lists of books
Ok, so I realized that I didn't actually list the books since the last entry...for my own record keeping, I feel that I should. I am not going to list the M4C books, but only the YA novels. If you don't care, please skip this post.
Now you see why I haven't had time to update? Reading projects like mad, I tell you.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner
Coffehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfours
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti
Lament: the Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Waiting for You by Susan Colasanti
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
Overnight Sensation by Trish Cook
Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater
If I stay by Gayle Forman
A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
The Farther You Run by Davida Wills Hurwin
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
The Seer of Shadows by Avi
Now you see why I haven't had time to update? Reading projects like mad, I tell you.
I haven't been slacking...
I just haven't had a chance to update at all! (I have been updating the wiki, though, as much as I can.)
In case you don't believe me, here is the finished list that I submitted for the Materials fro Children reading project. Each link on that page goes to a separate page for the review. Also, I have been slowly updating the links for the Materials for Young Adults (same wiki, different class), and the partial list is here, but only updated are mostly books which I took out from the library and wanted to return, leaving stacks of completed books without completed reviews all around me. Tread carefully getting to the computer.
I promise that I have also been following my blogs, and working on my library analysis, but I just haven't had the time to catch up with writing them here. The remaining few 23 things have fallen to the wayside, but I won't forget them.
In case you don't believe me, here is the finished list that I submitted for the Materials fro Children reading project. Each link on that page goes to a separate page for the review. Also, I have been slowly updating the links for the Materials for Young Adults (same wiki, different class), and the partial list is here, but only updated are mostly books which I took out from the library and wanted to return, leaving stacks of completed books without completed reviews all around me. Tread carefully getting to the computer.
I promise that I have also been following my blogs, and working on my library analysis, but I just haven't had the time to catch up with writing them here. The remaining few 23 things have fallen to the wayside, but I won't forget them.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Time Flies Away
It happened to me again. I picked up a book for the YA class that was the first in a series, and then the next thing I know, I have to finish the series. I mean, I HAVE to finish the series. So, a quick read becomes a major undertaking that I just do not have time for...but how else do you know how the story ends?
So this weeks reading:
Foundling, Lamplighter, and Factotum of the Monster Blood Tattoo series by D.M. Cornish
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Pride & Prejudice the graphic novel adapted by Nancy Butler and Hugo Petrus
Plus, a lot more children's books than I can add to the list.
More on the 23 Things and my Library visits tomorrow.
So this weeks reading:
Foundling, Lamplighter, and Factotum of the Monster Blood Tattoo series by D.M. Cornish
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Pride & Prejudice the graphic novel adapted by Nancy Butler and Hugo Petrus
Plus, a lot more children's books than I can add to the list.
More on the 23 Things and my Library visits tomorrow.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring Breakdown
I had every intention of finishing my 23 things and a few papers and projects over spring break, but instead I spent it in bed. On Sunday, my husband came down with a stomach virus. On Monday, my youngest came down with a sinus infection. By Tuesday, mommy had both and has been bedridden since. (I know, waa waa.)
The point is not sympathy, but to explain my lack of writing or reading or doing anything productive for a whole week.
Now, to play catch up.
The point is not sympathy, but to explain my lack of writing or reading or doing anything productive for a whole week.
Now, to play catch up.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Reading List and Updated Wiki entries
Books read this week:
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Lost Flower Children and Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle
Avielle of Rhia by Dia Calhoun
Pop! by Aury Wallington
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
Also, I have finally gotten around to at least posting the reviews of the books used for the reading project in Materials for Young Adults onto my wiki. The Wiki is thelarvallibrarian at pbworks, which is the wiki I used last semester for my education class in Diversity in Literature. Links provided, just in case someone is bored.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Lost Flower Children and Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle
Avielle of Rhia by Dia Calhoun
Pop! by Aury Wallington
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
Also, I have finally gotten around to at least posting the reviews of the books used for the reading project in Materials for Young Adults onto my wiki. The Wiki is thelarvallibrarian at pbworks, which is the wiki I used last semester for my education class in Diversity in Literature. Links provided, just in case someone is bored.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Library Analysis entries
I will be using this blog to enter my library and information center analysis entries as well. The tag will be library analysis. Thanks!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Things 16 and 17...Wikis
I think that we already discussed wikis at the beginning of this exercise. The discovery for thing 16 was to learn about Wikis, particularly Confluence, which is where the SLA Wiki is. I have already signed up for Confluence and linked to the (still blank) wiki page in a previous post. I also mentioned using pbworks wiki with Education classes here at USF. It is a great way to have students complete projects and enable other students to share the lesson plans and research after the class is over, while still allowing the instructor to have access and follow progress. I can see this as very useful in an education environment.
I also think that a wiki would be useful in the library environment for keeping up with material, if each librarian posted thoughts about books- say in the Young Adult section- then all of the librarians could access info and know what the book was about without everyone having to read every book.
Thing 17 was to sign in and add to your home page on the Confluence Wiki for SLA 23 things. And, done.
I also think that a wiki would be useful in the library environment for keeping up with material, if each librarian posted thoughts about books- say in the Young Adult section- then all of the librarians could access info and know what the book was about without everyone having to read every book.
Thing 17 was to sign in and add to your home page on the Confluence Wiki for SLA 23 things. And, done.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Reading and more Reading
This week's list:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Ida B by Katherine Hannigan
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
The Fortunes of Indigo Sky by Deb Caletti
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Ida B by Katherine Hannigan
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
The Fortunes of Indigo Sky by Deb Caletti
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thing 14(no2) and 15...
I think I know now what happened to Thing 12...It seems that SLA lists two Thing 14's. You would think that they would be able to figure this out. Anyway, Thing 14 (no2) is to build a bookshelf on LibraryThing. I already have a bookshelf on Living Social's Visual Bookshelf, but I did it anyway. The objective was to add at least 5 books, so I added the stack of YA novels sitting next to me that I have already read but not yet reviewed for Materials for Young Adults. Here is the link to my Library Thing. And in case someone actually cares, the link to my Visual Bookshelf.
It also suggests you can explore Shelfari and some other similar sites. I think I may actually have an account on that one too. I tried a few to decide which I liked best. I never did decide though I guess. I promise to pick one and load the books into it, but the trouble is it is hard to remember to go add every book that I read. I will try to keep them up though.
Oddly enough, Thing 15 is the Rollyo search engine site...Which if you have been reading, I already explored and deemed useless. So I am not going to write about it again. But I will add, that after exploring it a bit more, I could see that it would be useful for writing an extensive paper, or a thesis perhaps. Or researching for a book...but not for everyday use for me. I will however admit that it does have a practical purpose, just no bearing on my life.
It also suggests you can explore Shelfari and some other similar sites. I think I may actually have an account on that one too. I tried a few to decide which I liked best. I never did decide though I guess. I promise to pick one and load the books into it, but the trouble is it is hard to remember to go add every book that I read. I will try to keep them up though.
Oddly enough, Thing 15 is the Rollyo search engine site...Which if you have been reading, I already explored and deemed useless. So I am not going to write about it again. But I will add, that after exploring it a bit more, I could see that it would be useful for writing an extensive paper, or a thesis perhaps. Or researching for a book...but not for everyday use for me. I will however admit that it does have a practical purpose, just no bearing on my life.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Things 13 and 14: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Thing 13 was pretty simple for me- facebook and LinkedIn. I already have a facebook- you are welcome to add me as a friend if you would like to receive dozens of updates each day regarding what my daughter does or does not do on her farm, in her city, or with her zoo and Smurf village. Know who else has a facebook you can follow? USF School of Information, ALA, YALSA, and the American Indian Library Association, for starters. Also, everyone you ever met or knew in high school and before. It has its uses. It can be loads of fun. It can also be a vortex designed solely to suck away the greater part of your day with no warning, so use caution.
Ironically, I also have a Linked In account as well. It says that I am an Arts and Crafts Professional. This is because there was no profession choice for Stay at Home Mom. I am a member of one group- The USF Alumni Association. I assume that as my studies progress, I will be using Linked In more often, as it is geared towards professional users, not friends. It is for making contacts, and job hunting, and networking. I don't actually do any of those things. So, I hate to judge Linked In, but it doesn't have any real life application for me right now.
Thing 14, however, I have been dreading. I don't really want to join Twitter. I just....don't. I don't need to tell everyone what I am doing all day, since it usually is not very exciting, and I have found through experience that everyone does not care what my kids are doing all day. (I know! I don't really understand it myself, but apparently some things are only interesting to the parents, grandparents, and people who love you enough to not tell you to shut up.)
However, for the sake of completion, I did. I have a twitter account, despite arguing that I would never have one. It is Krysalid Krysalid75 too. You can follow that if you want to, but I doubt I will use it. I signed up, though. And I picked the 10 people to follow- which of course included Neil Gaiman, some other authors, and some book publishers and reviewers...and one friend who was always trying to get me to join Twitter but I wouldn't. I even went through the process of changing my colors and connecting it to my cell phone, so that I can tweet in style from wherever I happen to be- if I can find my cell phone. Here is my first Tweet. Enjoy that.
For the record, I have a new Windows phone and it is Awesome and much cooler than my husband's iPhone...or at least it will be if I ever figure out how to use it properly. I wonder if there is a Thing on here for how to use your smart phone? Anyway...I can write papers on Word and do anything you can do in Windows 7 from my phone, if I could find it. So, I could, hypothetically, even be writing this on my phone while I was driving. Just kidding. Don't do that. Also, if your friends drink, hide their phones (and their keys)...they will thank you in the morning.
ETA: I actually realized today that I spelled my own twitter name wrong. It is now Krysalid75. Silly me.
Ironically, I also have a Linked In account as well. It says that I am an Arts and Crafts Professional. This is because there was no profession choice for Stay at Home Mom. I am a member of one group- The USF Alumni Association. I assume that as my studies progress, I will be using Linked In more often, as it is geared towards professional users, not friends. It is for making contacts, and job hunting, and networking. I don't actually do any of those things. So, I hate to judge Linked In, but it doesn't have any real life application for me right now.
Thing 14, however, I have been dreading. I don't really want to join Twitter. I just....don't. I don't need to tell everyone what I am doing all day, since it usually is not very exciting, and I have found through experience that everyone does not care what my kids are doing all day. (I know! I don't really understand it myself, but apparently some things are only interesting to the parents, grandparents, and people who love you enough to not tell you to shut up.)
However, for the sake of completion, I did. I have a twitter account, despite arguing that I would never have one. It is
For the record, I have a new Windows phone and it is Awesome and much cooler than my husband's iPhone...or at least it will be if I ever figure out how to use it properly. I wonder if there is a Thing on here for how to use your smart phone? Anyway...I can write papers on Word and do anything you can do in Windows 7 from my phone, if I could find it. So, I could, hypothetically, even be writing this on my phone while I was driving. Just kidding. Don't do that. Also, if your friends drink, hide their phones (and their keys)...they will thank you in the morning.
ETA: I actually realized today that I spelled my own twitter name wrong. It is now Krysalid75. Silly me.
Thing 12?
Thing 12 is not there. Trust me, I searched. And searched. And searched. I looked everywhere for Thing 12- but no, it just skips from 11 to 13.
So I searched Google. And old blogs.
Finally, in what may very well be a fitting definition of paradox, I found that Thing 12 used to be learn to create your own search engine with Rollyo. Ha. But it is NOT there now. Now either someone else has the same dry sense of humor that made me choose Sinatra's "The Last Dance" as my first dance at my wedding, or they have removed this for some other reason.
I went ahead and looked at the Rollyo site, and decided that the reason probably just was that it isn't really that practical. And I would never use it anyway.
Here is why- everything is already, at this point, of course, tagged and labeled and bookmarked and defined and linked together seamlessly, right? All the information and metadata is there! Hypothetically, of course. All of my information is still on 15 different tabs and 2 different browsers and piles of papers and notes and books all around me, because that is how I like it. I feel more at home that way! But this isn't about me, it's about....okay. It is supposed to be about me. And I don't need a special personal search engine, because there is a search tab on all of those sites. They built it right in for me. So there.
Either way, the idea that I spent all that time searching for an entry on how to build a search engine made me laugh. Still, I think it would have been nice if SLA had put some kind of explanation for why 12 was missing- unless they really did just want me to search for it. Librarians are a funny bunch, after all...
So I searched Google. And old blogs.
Finally, in what may very well be a fitting definition of paradox, I found that Thing 12 used to be learn to create your own search engine with Rollyo. Ha. But it is NOT there now. Now either someone else has the same dry sense of humor that made me choose Sinatra's "The Last Dance" as my first dance at my wedding, or they have removed this for some other reason.
I went ahead and looked at the Rollyo site, and decided that the reason probably just was that it isn't really that practical. And I would never use it anyway.
Here is why- everything is already, at this point, of course, tagged and labeled and bookmarked and defined and linked together seamlessly, right? All the information and metadata is there! Hypothetically, of course. All of my information is still on 15 different tabs and 2 different browsers and piles of papers and notes and books all around me, because that is how I like it. I feel more at home that way! But this isn't about me, it's about....okay. It is supposed to be about me. And I don't need a special personal search engine, because there is a search tab on all of those sites. They built it right in for me. So there.
Either way, the idea that I spent all that time searching for an entry on how to build a search engine made me laugh. Still, I think it would have been nice if SLA had put some kind of explanation for why 12 was missing- unless they really did just want me to search for it. Librarians are a funny bunch, after all...
Thing 11: Adding feeds to your Reader
Thing 11 provides lists and lists of useful blogs and links to add to your reader- Oh my! This is going to be a long day of exploring. Many of the feeds would be more useful for different types of librarians. Government documents and news from think tanks are interesting, sure, but they do not actually apply to my life right now so I think I will have to pass.
LISNews, though, is a keeper!
Internet public library, gets a bookmark for future reference.
Several of the librarian blogs were funny and/or intriguing, but the trouble is they link to other blogs, which are also...and those link to other blogs, which are also. This could go on all day, so I am going to have to just stop it here!
I have added several new blogs to my bookmarks for later reading, and added a few to my feeder. I skipped the law library and government documents links, although the reading was interesting- because they just don't fit my life right now. Maybe I will have to remember this page though when I grow up and get a job (Ha!) in case they do apply at a later date.
LISNews, though, is a keeper!
Internet public library, gets a bookmark for future reference.
Several of the librarian blogs were funny and/or intriguing, but the trouble is they link to other blogs, which are also...and those link to other blogs, which are also. This could go on all day, so I am going to have to just stop it here!
I have added several new blogs to my bookmarks for later reading, and added a few to my feeder. I skipped the law library and government documents links, although the reading was interesting- because they just don't fit my life right now. Maybe I will have to remember this page though when I grow up and get a job (Ha!) in case they do apply at a later date.
Thing 10: Google Reader and iGoogle; RSS feeds
Thing 10 directed me to read about RSS feeds, and their history, and to watch a few videos on using RSS feeds. Next, the project was to set up a myYahoo or iGoogle page. Since I was using Google blogger for this blog, I chose to stick with Google this time. My new home page is set up- with the content changed slightly from its original form. I added the Google reader to the page. I subscribed to some feeds, and put those on my page. I still can't get the "quick blog" links to work from my Google page, but I am sure it will eventually get figured out.
I also found that when I click to subscribe to a site, it automatically puts that RSS feed into my task bar, not my google page- so I have to go back and move it, and then delete from the task bar. I don't know how to solve this yet, but it isn't really that big of a deal. I am excited to figure out how to organize the blogs as well, so that I can keep the library blogs separate from the blogs of friends and former classmates that I follow- and also perhaps a tab for author blogs too, since I follow some of those. I think this will certainly make it easier to keep track of things- especially since I often forget to check someone's blogs, and then end up with months worth of reading at once. It is going to take a little more practice, though.
I also found that when I click to subscribe to a site, it automatically puts that RSS feed into my task bar, not my google page- so I have to go back and move it, and then delete from the task bar. I don't know how to solve this yet, but it isn't really that big of a deal. I am excited to figure out how to organize the blogs as well, so that I can keep the library blogs separate from the blogs of friends and former classmates that I follow- and also perhaps a tab for author blogs too, since I follow some of those. I think this will certainly make it easier to keep track of things- especially since I often forget to check someone's blogs, and then end up with months worth of reading at once. It is going to take a little more practice, though.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Death Valley Mosaic for Flickr Fun
Here is an example of the photo mosaic made with the Mosaic Maker from my flickr photos...See all of the things I am learning to do...
Things 8 and 9
Thing 8: Flickr
As you could probably already tell by the lovely attatched photos, I set up the flickr account as directed by the 23 things. I tagged the photos and linked the blog, posted photos to the blog, set up the groups, tagged the photos, geotagged the photos, and bookmarked them with delicious, etc. Just thinking about the amount of metadata I have just created and cast upon the web makes the heart race. I also, as instructed, explored the flickr groups, and joined several of the library groups which were full of beautiful pictures of libraries and books and the memory of card catalogs.
I also explored several of the other photo-sharing sites, a few of which I use for sharing photos of my children with family and friends.
Thing 9
The 9th activity includes "playing" with flickr...making a color montage to match your mood, making a map of photos, creating a mosaic of photos, and creating a slide show with one of your photos...see above. I could have done without the super poke pets around it, but this is what it is. I made the mosaic as well, and generally just played around on all the links provided. Good fun. The mosaic would be useful for book covers, perhaps, when doing blog lists or reviews. Lots to learn.
As you could probably already tell by the lovely attatched photos, I set up the flickr account as directed by the 23 things. I tagged the photos and linked the blog, posted photos to the blog, set up the groups, tagged the photos, geotagged the photos, and bookmarked them with delicious, etc. Just thinking about the amount of metadata I have just created and cast upon the web makes the heart race. I also, as instructed, explored the flickr groups, and joined several of the library groups which were full of beautiful pictures of libraries and books and the memory of card catalogs.
I also explored several of the other photo-sharing sites, a few of which I use for sharing photos of my children with family and friends.
Thing 9
The 9th activity includes "playing" with flickr...making a color montage to match your mood, making a map of photos, creating a mosaic of photos, and creating a slide show with one of your photos...see above. I could have done without the super poke pets around it, but this is what it is. I made the mosaic as well, and generally just played around on all the links provided. Good fun. The mosaic would be useful for book covers, perhaps, when doing blog lists or reviews. Lots to learn.
Reading Lists Still
This past week or so:
One of those hideous books where the mother dies by Sonya Sones
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
Freak Show by James St. James
Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang
Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justine Chen Headley
Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen
Stand Tall by Joan Bauer
One of those hideous books where the mother dies by Sonya Sones
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
Freak Show by James St. James
Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang
Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justine Chen Headley
Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen
Stand Tall by Joan Bauer
UK
Somewhere in England or Scotland...Maybe on the moors of York? I can't remember. But I have added the photos. Stay tuned for lots of pictures of my cats.
Thing Next: Add Flickr to your blog
Welcome to the exciting world of my old vacation photos! I know, but I had to add photos to flickr for this Thing 8...and this is what you get. So enjoy these photos of my trip to the UK circa 2001...and I will be back to blog about flickr soon.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
23 Things: Things 5, 6, and 7!
Thing 5
The 5th Activity requires a trip to Delicious, and learning how to use a social bookmarking site. I had put off using Delicious because I heard there was some issues with whether or not they would still be around soon...but I have since heard they are staying put. I hope so, because I think I am really going to like this once I get all of my current bookmarks transferred over and tagged accordingly. It will really make it easier to go back and forth from my laptop to the desktop to the iPad. This is a great idea, and one of the things that I think will get the most use so far out of these activities. I am loving the idea of the bookmarking site. The activity also required signing the blog up on delicious with a tag of SLA23Things, so that it may be linked to their blog lists when open. Check.
Thing 6
The 6th activity involves tagging and folksonomies and blog directories. It is interesting to see how you can track who views your blog, and using the folksonomies and tags allows for constructive browsing- and also presents the temptation to just websurf all afternoon, so use with caution! The activity also includes joining Technorati and listing this blog, which I did.
Thing 7
Thing 7 has to do with Library 2.0 and how it is used today. I have to admit, no offense to the traditionalists, that I love the OPAC at my local public library. I search entire lists of school recommended texts, make a list of them and save it in my profile, and then place requests a few (or 10) at a time. Then I can sit back and wait for them to be sent from all over the county to the library a few blocks from my house, pick them all up at once at the desk rather than looking for them, and thus avoid the showdown between my 2 year old and the other patrons while I am searching for books. Don't get me wrong, there are days when we go and hang out in the kids section...and there are days I go to browse and shop the friends of the library bookstore...but some times you just want them practically delivered to you. I love it. And, it helps me keep track of what I need for the rest of the semester, and what I have already covered.
I admit the idea of random patrons commenting on resources is a bit scary to me...but then, I read the reviews of both customers and Consumer Reports before making other purchases, particularly kid related items as the researchers obviously do not have children when they make and/or promote some things. Why should it be different with books? Do I always believe their reviews? No. Of course not. Some things should be taken with a grain or shaker of salt, and some people love to complain. But I am sure that we will eventually have a way of dealing with that as well. I look forward to the changing library environment.
Also,some of the blogs for the Library 2.0 gang were really entertaining...
The 5th Activity requires a trip to Delicious, and learning how to use a social bookmarking site. I had put off using Delicious because I heard there was some issues with whether or not they would still be around soon...but I have since heard they are staying put. I hope so, because I think I am really going to like this once I get all of my current bookmarks transferred over and tagged accordingly. It will really make it easier to go back and forth from my laptop to the desktop to the iPad. This is a great idea, and one of the things that I think will get the most use so far out of these activities. I am loving the idea of the bookmarking site. The activity also required signing the blog up on delicious with a tag of SLA23Things, so that it may be linked to their blog lists when open. Check.
Thing 6
The 6th activity involves tagging and folksonomies and blog directories. It is interesting to see how you can track who views your blog, and using the folksonomies and tags allows for constructive browsing- and also presents the temptation to just websurf all afternoon, so use with caution! The activity also includes joining Technorati and listing this blog, which I did.
Thing 7
Thing 7 has to do with Library 2.0 and how it is used today. I have to admit, no offense to the traditionalists, that I love the OPAC at my local public library. I search entire lists of school recommended texts, make a list of them and save it in my profile, and then place requests a few (or 10) at a time. Then I can sit back and wait for them to be sent from all over the county to the library a few blocks from my house, pick them all up at once at the desk rather than looking for them, and thus avoid the showdown between my 2 year old and the other patrons while I am searching for books. Don't get me wrong, there are days when we go and hang out in the kids section...and there are days I go to browse and shop the friends of the library bookstore...but some times you just want them practically delivered to you. I love it. And, it helps me keep track of what I need for the rest of the semester, and what I have already covered.
I admit the idea of random patrons commenting on resources is a bit scary to me...but then, I read the reviews of both customers and Consumer Reports before making other purchases, particularly kid related items as the researchers obviously do not have children when they make and/or promote some things. Why should it be different with books? Do I always believe their reviews? No. Of course not. Some things should be taken with a grain or shaker of salt, and some people love to complain. But I am sure that we will eventually have a way of dealing with that as well. I look forward to the changing library environment.
Also,some of the blogs for the Library 2.0 gang were really entertaining...
Reading Updates
This week:
Many many children's books, and
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Studying Boys by Stephie Davis
Uncle Daddy by Ralph Fletcher
Many many children's books, and
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Studying Boys by Stephie Davis
Uncle Daddy by Ralph Fletcher
Friday, February 11, 2011
23 Things: Blogging (Things 3 and 4)
I know it sounds a bit silly to blog about creating a blog, but that is what I am going to do. I explored the 23 things Thing 3 and 4, and the project was to create a blog and register it with Blogger Central on Technorati. Ok, done. (Well, mostly. I listed my URL, but have not "claimed the blog", because this requires adding RSS feeds, which is not until the next project.)
Part of the project for creating a blog was to explore other blog sites as well and to decide which one is right for you. I decided on this blogger blog, but I also have a blog with LiveJournal- It just isn't one I wish to share with others. One thing I have noticed that I do like about LJ but haven't learned yet on Blogger, is the ability to cut text and hide a portion of the blog post. I think this is especially useful for writing about books, because you can hide any spoilers under a "spoiler alert" cut, and then if someone does not wish to know how the book ends- they do not have to read it. I need to find out if this is possible on this site.
So, you already know about the blog if you are reading this, and so let us just say- things 3 and 4 are complete- and move on to the next project.
Part of the project for creating a blog was to explore other blog sites as well and to decide which one is right for you. I decided on this blogger blog, but I also have a blog with LiveJournal- It just isn't one I wish to share with others. One thing I have noticed that I do like about LJ but haven't learned yet on Blogger, is the ability to cut text and hide a portion of the blog post. I think this is especially useful for writing about books, because you can hide any spoilers under a "spoiler alert" cut, and then if someone does not wish to know how the book ends- they do not have to read it. I need to find out if this is possible on this site.
So, you already know about the blog if you are reading this, and so let us just say- things 3 and 4 are complete- and move on to the next project.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Reading lists still
Ok, I am still not caught up, but here is the list of what I read this week, just so I can remember.
Gates of Excellence and Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Gates of Excellence and Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Update, week 2 and 3 of classes
It has been a very bad week, and so I am a little far behind.
Books completed this week:
Akeelah and the Bee- James Ellison
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay- by Suzanne Collins
Wringer- Jerry Spinelli
Indigo- Alice Hoffman
Update on 23 things to follow soon.
Books completed this week:
Akeelah and the Bee- James Ellison
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay- by Suzanne Collins
Wringer- Jerry Spinelli
Indigo- Alice Hoffman
Update on 23 things to follow soon.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
23 Things...Thing 1 and Thing 2
I have chosen to work through the 23 Things program from SLA, and started this week with Week 1. (Novel, I know!) Make sure you watch the catchy little song they wrote about lifelong learning and the 23 things program. Very funny.
The first week consists of Things 1 and 2- read this wiki entry and the information about the program.
The first challenge was to register for the program and to set up a wiki in Confluence, the wiki chosen by SLA. (My home page, not yet expanded.) I explored the background information and comparison charts of the different wikis available, and the instructions and tutorials for designing and editing pages in Confluence. (I am a hands on learner, though, so most of that will come into use through actually creating pages with trial and error, not reading about it.) I have used the wiki at pbworks before for a previous class, but I did not know that there were so many available options. (What? You want to see my pbworks wiki? Of course! Here you go...It is an electronic literature anthology for LAE Literature in a Diverse Society, entitled Ideal4kids...)
I found the tutorials very informative, and I am sure that I will be revisiting them a lot.
Stay tuned for Week 2, Things 3 and 4, where I learn how to create and write a blog. (I know...)
The first week consists of Things 1 and 2- read this wiki entry and the information about the program.
The first challenge was to register for the program and to set up a wiki in Confluence, the wiki chosen by SLA. (My home page, not yet expanded.) I explored the background information and comparison charts of the different wikis available, and the instructions and tutorials for designing and editing pages in Confluence. (I am a hands on learner, though, so most of that will come into use through actually creating pages with trial and error, not reading about it.) I have used the wiki at pbworks before for a previous class, but I did not know that there were so many available options. (What? You want to see my pbworks wiki? Of course! Here you go...It is an electronic literature anthology for LAE Literature in a Diverse Society, entitled Ideal4kids...)
I found the tutorials very informative, and I am sure that I will be revisiting them a lot.
Stay tuned for Week 2, Things 3 and 4, where I learn how to create and write a blog. (I know...)
Poetry Alive!
I had the pleasure of observing this fantastic performance group at my daughter's school on Friday. I attended the grades 6 through 8 performance, rather than the one for her age group, and was really impressed. The performers had the kids interacting, chanting back, acting out the poems, and really having a good time. What a great idea for bringing poetry to life for younger students.
Check out their site to read more about them and see what poems they cover for each age group.
PoetryAlive!
Check out their site to read more about them and see what poems they cover for each age group.
PoetryAlive!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Getting started...
Ok, not really, as this is my second semester in the Master's program. But for the blog, yes. This is to be the space where I keep track of assignments, list the things I have read, and generally comment on things. A space where I try to link everything to one place. Organization. Such a beautiful thing.
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