Welcome to another fall semester at the always-exciting ClubUGL! It’s been an adjustment from the quiet of the summer semester (minus the CATs, of course!), which has its pluses and minuses. It's nice that the hours are passing quickly and there is no time to be bored. However, the questions this time of year are VERY repetitious, to the point where I know which text they want when they say, “It’s called Nutrition…” and whether we have it or not. (Answer: Nutrition: Concepts and Applications and yes, we have it, but it is probably checked out.)
Our favorite patron seems a little out of sorts, with the new GSAs (welcome to you both, by the way!) and the students who sit at his favorite computer terminal. There was a theory brought forth that he is actually an anthropology student and is doing a study on our Information Desk culture. He’s doing enough observing to write a solid thesis already!
Several people have come up to me lately and asked, "Do you have any information?". I don't know why they think this is terribly funny. My reply is "no, we are all out of information for today." Apparently this satisfies them.
Have a great fall semester! And don't be shy-post to this blog!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Behold the Marvels of Club UGL . . .
...in which, on a Monday, when the DPL main branch is closed and Club UGL is busier than normal, and on the hottest day of the year, in the midst of a siren-and-strobe-light extravaganza with all the visual and aural pleasures of a fourth-rate pop tart concert, I have the pleasure of telling Cranky Telephone Lady that I am hanging up to pursue more interesting activities, such as evacuating the library
…in which, using a distinctly unlibrarianly voice, I shout over the cacophony of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza instructing people to pack up their belongings and leave the building
…in which I shout over the din of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza AND patrons’ grumblings that no, really, they need to pack up their belongings and leave the building
…in which, while (mandatorily) standing inside, herding patrons toward the doors, I explain to reluctant passersby, over the racket of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza and patrons’ grumblings and the building supervisor’s evacuation announcement over the speaker, that no, I don’t know how long this will be, but yes, I really must insist that they leave the building
…in which, finally standing outside, I watch with wonderment and awe as the oblivious and the self-important walk up to building, stare at the few hundred people milling in the courtyard, tilt their heads and listen with a slight look of confusion, and attempt to swan or storm their way into the building
…in which I, with my intimidating 5’1” frame and menacing high school looks, join ranks with the other ladies of Club UGL, now turned bouncers of UGL (maximum height: 5’5”), to block the doors and assure people that, yes, they must wait outside until we have been given the all-clear. . . no, it doesn’t matter how urgently they need to update their MySpace profiles . . . yes, you do need to back away from the building . . . no, you may not sit on the window sill. . . because those are the rules . . . no . . . no . . . yes . . . no. . . only in months ending in “R”
…in which, having determined that someone pulled the fire alarm in the unlocked loading dock, and in the absence of flames and smoke, the responding police officers inform us that the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza will be shut off shortly and give the all clear
…in which, despite the siren ‘n’ strobe extravaganza, stampede back into the library to unpack their belongings, spread out their stuff, update their MySpace profiles, grab a community computer, and even occasionally to open a book or write a paper
...in which a patron, attempting to be helpful and thinking that perhaps I might not have noticed, shouts at me over the din of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza that “the alarm” is still going off and wonders if I might be able to “do something about that” (Answer: no)
…in which a growing number of students, having discovered that the study room doors locked behind them when they evacuated the building, gather in front of the InfoDesk waiting while I search for someone with keys
…in which, after experiencing the wonder and glory of the siren ‘n’ strobe extravaganza for 10 minutes, much to everyone’s relief relative peace finally descends over Club UGL
…in which the patrons of Club UGL are once again jarred into inaction just minutes later when the smell of burning rubber and electrical outfittings wafts gently through the air and the siren-and-strobe extravaganza begins yet again
…in which, in my unlibrarianly voice and over the hullabaloo of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza and patrons’ grumblings and the building supervisor’s evacuation announcement over the speaker, I must explain to the two-thirds of patrons who seem to have forgotten the building evacuation skills they learned just 20 minutes ago that yes, now would be a good time to leave the building . . . yes, you really do have to back away from the building . . . no, you still cannot sit on the window sill . . . no . . . no . . . yes . . . no. . .seriously, back up
…in which, though amused, I ignore one persistent individual who wonders aloud in my general direction whether he might sit inside the building until we’re sure there’s an emergency, in order to better tap into the wireless network
…in which the bouncers of Club UGL and I explain repeatedly that no, we don’t know how long this will take…we don’t know if we will be able to go back in 10 minutes…no, we don’t know if we’ll be able to go back in 15 minutes…don’t know about 20 minutes either…see that library right over there? You can go there
…in which some of the Crazy CATs and shadier patrons of Club UGL decide that glaring at the bouncers of Club UGL will help the building staff to diagnose all the ills of the building and thus hasten their return to the community access computers
…in which, while waiting for the acrid stench of a burned out ventilation fan motor to dissipate, the police officers join the bouncers of Club UGL in guarding the doors and discuss share their insight and wisdom on some of the finer headcases of Club UGL, especially everyone’s favorite creeping staring “student”
…in which for the next several days patrons passing the InfoDesk ask whether it’s safe to come in the building and whether the siren ‘n’ strobe extravaganza will start up again and then burst into laughter
Long Live Club UGL!
…in which, using a distinctly unlibrarianly voice, I shout over the cacophony of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza instructing people to pack up their belongings and leave the building
…in which I shout over the din of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza AND patrons’ grumblings that no, really, they need to pack up their belongings and leave the building
…in which, while (mandatorily) standing inside, herding patrons toward the doors, I explain to reluctant passersby, over the racket of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza and patrons’ grumblings and the building supervisor’s evacuation announcement over the speaker, that no, I don’t know how long this will be, but yes, I really must insist that they leave the building
…in which, finally standing outside, I watch with wonderment and awe as the oblivious and the self-important walk up to building, stare at the few hundred people milling in the courtyard, tilt their heads and listen with a slight look of confusion, and attempt to swan or storm their way into the building
…in which I, with my intimidating 5’1” frame and menacing high school looks, join ranks with the other ladies of Club UGL, now turned bouncers of UGL (maximum height: 5’5”), to block the doors and assure people that, yes, they must wait outside until we have been given the all-clear. . . no, it doesn’t matter how urgently they need to update their MySpace profiles . . . yes, you do need to back away from the building . . . no, you may not sit on the window sill. . . because those are the rules . . . no . . . no . . . yes . . . no. . . only in months ending in “R”
…in which, having determined that someone pulled the fire alarm in the unlocked loading dock, and in the absence of flames and smoke, the responding police officers inform us that the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza will be shut off shortly and give the all clear
…in which, despite the siren ‘n’ strobe extravaganza, stampede back into the library to unpack their belongings, spread out their stuff, update their MySpace profiles, grab a community computer, and even occasionally to open a book or write a paper
...in which a patron, attempting to be helpful and thinking that perhaps I might not have noticed, shouts at me over the din of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza that “the alarm” is still going off and wonders if I might be able to “do something about that” (Answer: no)
…in which a growing number of students, having discovered that the study room doors locked behind them when they evacuated the building, gather in front of the InfoDesk waiting while I search for someone with keys
…in which, after experiencing the wonder and glory of the siren ‘n’ strobe extravaganza for 10 minutes, much to everyone’s relief relative peace finally descends over Club UGL
…in which the patrons of Club UGL are once again jarred into inaction just minutes later when the smell of burning rubber and electrical outfittings wafts gently through the air and the siren-and-strobe extravaganza begins yet again
…in which, in my unlibrarianly voice and over the hullabaloo of the siren-‘n’-strobe extravaganza and patrons’ grumblings and the building supervisor’s evacuation announcement over the speaker, I must explain to the two-thirds of patrons who seem to have forgotten the building evacuation skills they learned just 20 minutes ago that yes, now would be a good time to leave the building . . . yes, you really do have to back away from the building . . . no, you still cannot sit on the window sill . . . no . . . no . . . yes . . . no. . .seriously, back up
…in which, though amused, I ignore one persistent individual who wonders aloud in my general direction whether he might sit inside the building until we’re sure there’s an emergency, in order to better tap into the wireless network
…in which the bouncers of Club UGL and I explain repeatedly that no, we don’t know how long this will take…we don’t know if we will be able to go back in 10 minutes…no, we don’t know if we’ll be able to go back in 15 minutes…don’t know about 20 minutes either…see that library right over there? You can go there
…in which some of the Crazy CATs and shadier patrons of Club UGL decide that glaring at the bouncers of Club UGL will help the building staff to diagnose all the ills of the building and thus hasten their return to the community access computers
…in which, while waiting for the acrid stench of a burned out ventilation fan motor to dissipate, the police officers join the bouncers of Club UGL in guarding the doors and discuss share their insight and wisdom on some of the finer headcases of Club UGL, especially everyone’s favorite creeping staring “student”
…in which for the next several days patrons passing the InfoDesk ask whether it’s safe to come in the building and whether the siren ‘n’ strobe extravaganza will start up again and then burst into laughter
Long Live Club UGL!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Library 2.0
At some point in the too-near future, I will have to start interviewing for jobs. At some point during these interviews I will have to discuss up-and-coming issues librarianship in a somewhat intelligent manner.
This worries me.
While I feel I have a cursory understanding of various library-related issues, as yet I don’t quite qualify as a library guru. I think, or at least I hope, that my current knowledge of library issues falls somewhere above library quackery. However, when I start interviewing for jobs I should sound like I have the potential to be a library guru, even if I am pitiably far from being one now.
This all rolled through my mind when I saw “Web 2.0” and “Library 2.0” being discussed and mulled over in most of the recent issues of Library Journal and American Libraries. While skimming through all this, I began envisioning an uncomfortable interview in which an employer asks me to discuss implementation strategies for Library 2.0, and the only answer I can come up with is “ummmm…something with the Internet?” In her Library 2.0: A Librarian’s Perspective blog, Laura Cohen writes:
They can actively seek out patrons comments and suggestions for improving library services, and then follow through on those suggestions
They can take the library to where the patrons are: senior centers, university dorms, shopping centers (the Genessee District Library has a branch at the Genesee Valley mall in Flint, Michigan), MySpace, and in patrons’ Second Life.
They can adopt or borrow ideas from the Web which work.
They can turn their static Web pages into blogs. They are (in my opinion) easier for staff to quickly update, and offer the opportunity for patrons to post comments and participate in their libraries. The Ann Arbor District Library web site (http://www.aadl.org/) is frequently mentioned in Library 2.0 literature, as well it should be. In addition to all the regular functions, the AADL catalog features tagging (user-generated subjects) and audio, video, and book blogs. My favorite feature in the catalog, which I first read about in the September 1, 2006 issue of Library Journal, is that on each record there is a link to a “virtual” catalog card. Users can make notes and comments (such as “this books sucks!” or “if you like this, try reading…”) on the virtual catalog cards (there are varying styles of cards and handwriting).
They can bring their book clubs into the 2.0 world by creating online discussion forums on their Web site. This would extend the libraries events to those who cannot make it to the physical book club, and would also keep patrons coming back to the library’s Web site.
Feeling the thrill or trepidation of Library 2.0? Learn more by exploring these resources:
Articles
Anderson, C. (2004). The long tail. Wired Magazine. Retrieved on May 20, 2007 from http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html
Casey, M. E. & Savastinuk, L. C. (2006). Library 2.0. Library Journal, 131 (14), (pp?).
Huwe, T. K. (2007). Surfing the Library 2.0 wave. Computers in Libraries, 27 (1), 36-38.
O’Reilly, T. (2005). What is Web 2.0: Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software. Retrieved May 20, 2007 from http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html
Stephens, M. (2006). Exploring Web 2.0 and libraries. Library Technology Reports, 42 (4), 8-14.
Blogs
ALA Techsource: http://www.techsource.ala.org/
Library 2.0: An Academic’s Perspective: http://liblogs.albany.edu/library20/
Library Crunch: http://www.librarycrunch.com/
The Shifted Librarian: http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/
Tame the Web: http://www.tametheweb.com/
TechCrunch: http://www.techcrunch.com/
Books
Page 41 of the April 2007 issue of Information Today provides a bounty of books of books the company is selling which are applicable to Library 2.0. A few of the more interesting titles are:
Casey, M. E. & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0: a guide to participatory library service. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
Farkas, M. (2007). Social software in libraries: Building collaboration, communication, and community online. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
Block, M. (2007). The thriving library: Successful strategies for challenging times. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
This worries me.
While I feel I have a cursory understanding of various library-related issues, as yet I don’t quite qualify as a library guru. I think, or at least I hope, that my current knowledge of library issues falls somewhere above library quackery. However, when I start interviewing for jobs I should sound like I have the potential to be a library guru, even if I am pitiably far from being one now.
This all rolled through my mind when I saw “Web 2.0” and “Library 2.0” being discussed and mulled over in most of the recent issues of Library Journal and American Libraries. While skimming through all this, I began envisioning an uncomfortable interview in which an employer asks me to discuss implementation strategies for Library 2.0, and the only answer I can come up with is “ummmm…something with the Internet?” In her Library 2.0: A Librarian’s Perspective blog, Laura Cohen writes:
"So is knowledge of Library 2.0 a litmus test? For me, yes. I'm not saying we should hire only true believers. But I'm looking for awareness, knowledge and well-articulated opinions. This can spill over into other areas - openness to new ideas, willingness to keep up with change, interest in learning new skills, ability to weigh options and priorities, curiosity about the future of the profession, and more. Of course, knowledge of 2.0 is not the only indication of all these things. But it's a very good one."
Which means that I and other job seekers need to start studying. Here’s what I’ve come up with thus far:
Old-school libraries and the old-school Internet (Library 1.0 and Web 1.0, if you will) are characterized by content creation and dissemination. During the 1990s the Web was used to post information. In the past libraries have often been (but perhaps should not have been?) keepers and purveyors of information.
The Library 2.0 model is one which strives for more interaction and collaboration between libraries and their patrons, both in person and online.
Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 do not refer to a specific technology, but rather are a shift in the philosophy, mindset and/or mode of service in libraries and on the Web. The Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 models focus on user interactivity and collaboration, rather than simple content creation and dissemination. Think of blogs, wikis, tagging, social networking sites, and other Web interfaces and technologies which promote online collaboration. How can these and other Web-based resources be used to promote the library and encourage patron interaction? What can libraries do “off-line” to support the principles of Library 2.0?
They can actively seek out patrons comments and suggestions for improving library services, and then follow through on those suggestions
They can take the library to where the patrons are: senior centers, university dorms, shopping centers (the Genessee District Library has a branch at the Genesee Valley mall in Flint, Michigan), MySpace, and in patrons’ Second Life.
They can adopt or borrow ideas from the Web which work.
They can turn their static Web pages into blogs. They are (in my opinion) easier for staff to quickly update, and offer the opportunity for patrons to post comments and participate in their libraries. The Ann Arbor District Library web site (http://www.aadl.org/) is frequently mentioned in Library 2.0 literature, as well it should be. In addition to all the regular functions, the AADL catalog features tagging (user-generated subjects) and audio, video, and book blogs. My favorite feature in the catalog, which I first read about in the September 1, 2006 issue of Library Journal, is that on each record there is a link to a “virtual” catalog card. Users can make notes and comments (such as “this books sucks!” or “if you like this, try reading…”) on the virtual catalog cards (there are varying styles of cards and handwriting).
They can bring their book clubs into the 2.0 world by creating online discussion forums on their Web site. This would extend the libraries events to those who cannot make it to the physical book club, and would also keep patrons coming back to the library’s Web site.
Feeling the thrill or trepidation of Library 2.0? Learn more by exploring these resources:
Articles
Anderson, C. (2004). The long tail. Wired Magazine. Retrieved on May 20, 2007 from http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html
Casey, M. E. & Savastinuk, L. C. (2006). Library 2.0. Library Journal, 131 (14), (pp?).
Huwe, T. K. (2007). Surfing the Library 2.0 wave. Computers in Libraries, 27 (1), 36-38.
O’Reilly, T. (2005). What is Web 2.0: Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software. Retrieved May 20, 2007 from http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html
Stephens, M. (2006). Exploring Web 2.0 and libraries. Library Technology Reports, 42 (4), 8-14.
Blogs
ALA Techsource: http://www.techsource.ala.org/
Library 2.0: An Academic’s Perspective: http://liblogs.albany.edu/library20/
Library Crunch: http://www.librarycrunch.com/
The Shifted Librarian: http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/
Tame the Web: http://www.tametheweb.com/
TechCrunch: http://www.techcrunch.com/
Books
Page 41 of the April 2007 issue of Information Today provides a bounty of books of books the company is selling which are applicable to Library 2.0. A few of the more interesting titles are:
Casey, M. E. & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0: a guide to participatory library service. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
Farkas, M. (2007). Social software in libraries: Building collaboration, communication, and community online. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
Block, M. (2007). The thriving library: Successful strategies for challenging times. Medford, N.J.: Information Today.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Finals Frenzy - Day 1
Later this week, we will be probably be inundated with requests for books and articles and citation style guides. Today, however, students have mostly had different kinds of issues.
******
PIC : A girl just said that the photocopier ate the papers she was trying to copy.
Me: Okay, I'll have IKON come out to un-jam it.
PIC: Well...That's not really the problem.
Me: (Tilts head)
PIC: The girl said the multiple-page feeder sucked in the stack of pages she wanted to copy, charged her account, but never made the copies and never gave back the originals
Me: The copier doesn't have a feeder.
PIC: Precisely.
Me: So then how did she get the copier to suck up an entire stack of originals?
PIC: (shrugs)
Me: Oh...I...ummmm...that's pretty awesome.
PIC: Yeah, pretty much.
*******
Patron: I need a book about America.
Me: What about America? It's history, it's politics, it's geography, it's culture....
Patron: Uhhh....technology?.
Me: Any specific kind of technology? Computers, cars, factories...?
Patron: No...just...technology.
Me: Well, there are 544 books in the catalog that discuss "technology" and "America." Can you think of any way how to narrow down your search at all, or would you like to just start browsing?
********
******
Special Saturday Night Finals Frenzy Preview -- April 21, 2007
PIC : A girl just said that the photocopier ate the papers she was trying to copy.
Me: Okay, I'll have IKON come out to un-jam it.
PIC: Well...That's not really the problem.
Me: (Tilts head)
PIC: The girl said the multiple-page feeder sucked in the stack of pages she wanted to copy, charged her account, but never made the copies and never gave back the originals
Me: The copier doesn't have a feeder.
PIC: Precisely.
Me: So then how did she get the copier to suck up an entire stack of originals?
PIC: (shrugs)
Me: Oh...I...ummmm...that's pretty awesome.
PIC: Yeah, pretty much.
*******
Uhhh....Do You Also Have Books About...You Know...Stuff?
Patron: I need a book about America.
Me: What about America? It's history, it's politics, it's geography, it's culture....
Patron: Uhhh....technology?.
Me: Any specific kind of technology? Computers, cars, factories...?
Patron: No...just...technology.
Me: Well, there are 544 books in the catalog that discuss "technology" and "America." Can you think of any way how to narrow down your search at all, or would you like to just start browsing?
********
Maybe a Sledgehammer Will Fix It...
Noise Coming From Somewhere Behind Me: (Slam!...grumbling noise...Slam!...grumbling noise...Slam!...grumbling noise...)
Me: (turns head to discover from whence the slamming and grumbling noise came. Espies a typical specimen of the college undergraduate male - Homo moronicus - jamming a thick stack of papers in the woefully undersized plastic stapler. Homo moronicus balls hand into fist and brings fist down on stapler...Slam!...and grumbles ans staple falls pathetically out of stapler, slightly bent but unattached to any sheets of paper.) Can I help you?
Homo moronicus: Nah, I just gotta staple this. (Brings fist down on stapler again...Slam!...this time jamming stapler. Takes stapler and, using a clever and well-planned strategy, strikes stapler on the counter a few times...smacksmacksmack!) I think this thing is broke.
Me: I see that. But actually that stapler can't handle thick stacks of paper. You'll have to use a heavy-duty stapler.
Homo moronicus: You think so? (smacksmacksmack)
Me: Yeah, I think so.
******
A Finals Frenzy Joke:
Q: How many students does it take to break a brand new stapler?
A: One. Each and every one. Repeatedly. Throughout the entire day.
Hahahahaha....*sigh*
********
A: One. Each and every one. Repeatedly. Throughout the entire day.
Hahahahaha....*sigh*
********
You'll Also Need to Reimburse Me For The Amount Of Lead You Used From That Pencil.
Patron: Do you know where I can get a paperclip?
Me: (hands patron a paperclip)
Patron: Thanks....do you want me to return it?
Me: (smirks) No, that's alright.
*******
Me: (hands patron a paperclip)
Patron: Thanks....do you want me to return it?
Me: (smirks) No, that's alright.
*******
Because We Obviously Don't Have Enough To Do
Patron: I need to make a report. Someone tried to beat me and rob me yesterday.
Other GSA: You should contact Public Safety.
Patron: But someone tried to beat and rob me yesterday. I need to make report that.
Other GSA: Yes, and you can call Public Safety to make your report.
Patron: I already talked to them and they didn't do anything. So what are you going to do.
Other GSA: Well, there's nothing the library can do. You'll have to contact Public Safety.
Patron: Well isn't this Public Safety? What does that giant question mark on the wall behind you mean?
Other GSA: It means this is the information desk for the library, and I'm telling you'll have to talk to Public Safety.
Patron: Nah, that's alright, I'm kidding. I'm just trying to embarrass the girl over there (points to girl walking away, shaking head).
Other GSA: Well alright then.
******
2nd Floor Status Report
6 p.m.
Smells like sweat and hot dogs
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