What's going on?

3 weeks until school is done. For this year at least.

What's new stuff to think about?

Stuff that came up for classes:

1. Classmate said libraries shouldn't try new things. Response by me:

" Libraries still matter and how they embrace change really matters. There is a whole host of research coming about the "library as place" as an "information commons" as a "social/cultural/civic/media center for community" as a "culture of participation" -it's an exciting time for libraries that realize the needs are many, the places few, and the reason to change (and change quickly) is to remain relevant. Many cities, counties, universities and colleges have closed the doors and gutted a part of their soul: the library, for libraries were seen as useless, dusty stacks taking up a square foot of space (any true administrator thinks in cost per square foot and how to maximize this.) Libraries must find new ways to add value. The one great thing about libraries is that they can change -while still meeting current needs."


2. In Europe, they showcase the Devil's Bible. Here we ban books and consider a folk tale book obscene. Fortunately, they're are some sane people in the town who actually recommend reading banned books. Read some more thoughts on it.


3. Leadership is about preventing things that should not happen. While it's a leap and I don't know all the facts and yes I'm getting into the game late but how is it that we do not have a network that any library or library system can tap into for emergency help?

Far-fetched? Let met tell about this place that gives you things for free allowing you to get rich and even when you return them, you're still richer. Crazy right? What kind of world are we living when we let a little piece of ourselves die quietly? Where's the net to catch the weak; where are the strong and passionate to rally round the fallen, where was I when the last book drop was locked?


4. Oh how I love to teach the lazy, the I don't care the too--busy researcher and the deeply thorough researcher about ways to mine citation data. I also like to learn myself about the accuracy and efficiency of WoS, Google Scholar, and Scopus.


5. IT don't matter! or does it for libraries? Next up, the greatest use libraries can make of technology is the strategic use of IT. Don't just buy more "Internet terminals" rather make technology your b....[deletes derogatory word]...most beneficial tool.

Is this me?

this is meme.

I live on gulf in Ft Myers, Fl.

I work in a library. I work to make the web, and the technologies we can access seem natural -because it is. (The present web has tools which aren't so easy to use; but they're getting better. Most of the time I don’t know what I’m doing either. I mean look at this photoshop file. A five-year old could do better.) I think of the people who work in libraries as the collective intelligence (brain), and the web as this body of connective fascia, muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments and bones. Brain+brawn=? As a whole, we could move the "library" into places it's never been.


As individuals, we will feel like leaves scattering on the wind. That’s not so bad as Jennimi and Melissa and I hug trees. Maybe we are just leaves after all. I have a vision of libraries as these special places where people connect, as these great halls of free inquiry, as these local forums for social/political events, as a connector through the web, as a place to be lazy and chat online or off. I've only begun to venture into figuring out how to tap the hidden power of libraries; but I feel strongly that what makes libraries special are the people. I work with brilliant people. Next is the technology, then the building, and of course the information (not really in that order though.)


Believe in the people. Encourage those who do not want to believe to uncover why they don't or, please move I want to advance in line so I can ride next. I am "library feet, web inches tall." I know change is coming. Change always sits down after it is done working, lets out a deep breath and says, "Now, that wasn't so bad was it?" Getting up, wondering what hit me, I say, "Nah, just surprising..." Then we both laugh.


I believe that strong, quiet, clear, dynamic leadership will come to matter as the only consistent actions that can make libraries thrive. I didn't write: save libraries. I said thrive. I meet more and more of these movers-shakers-bailiwicks-bakers every day. (Yes I know a librarian who bakes.) If you're going to library school read about leadership and put it into practice. Because you need to be a leader. Don't forget to welcome the WWW into your library, your leadership style and life; learn to play nice instead of just watching. You may be the only one who can create a sandbox where everyone can play together. And remind your staff what purpose they serve while they're at work.


I live in Ft Myers, Fl, and I live on the web, and I'm Ron Burgundy? and congrats on the new job Rachel!