Thursday, December 16, 2010

Filter Your Google Searches by Reading Level

Google has added a cool function to its advanced search. You can now Filter your results by reading level. Go try this out by goint to advanced search and selecting an option from the "reading level" dropdown. I chose the "annotation" option which annotated each result as either basic, intermediate or advanced and put a distribution graph at the top of the results page. You can then choose only the basic, intermediate or advanced results by clicking on those links in the graph. Very nice!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

25 Years of Windows

Hard to believe that the first version of Microsoft's Windows was released on 11/20/1985 - 25 YEARS AGO!!! I guess I'm showing my age when I admit the first version I ever used was released in 1990: Windows 3.0. Felt like a time warp as I paged through the photos of this Visual Tour from Computerworld! Did any of the screenshots take you back to a particular moment in time?

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Keep Your Eye on Net Neutrality

I've been following the Net Neutrality issue over the last few years, but it has always seemed so confusing. Well, the 12/2/10 episode of Rocketboom, The Case for Net Neutrality, really sums this issue up nicely and makes it understandable. Watch it below and keep your ears and eyes open to this issue.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Boost Morale in Your Library

I was priveleged to attend the Morale Issues in Your Library webinar, a part of WebJunction's Serving the 21st Century Patron Online Conference. This was a wonderful session packed with lots of useful information and ideas. Be sure to watch the archive and see a host of other resources available on the webinar page. Also, make this image your next desktop wallpaper. Thanks to Lori Reed and Maurice Coleman for this well planned presentation!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

OverDrive eBook app for iPhone Almost Here...

How cool, looks like the OverDrive app will combine audiobooks and eBooks together!



They mention that an iPad app and Android app will follow soon after. Yeah!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Quote for the Day

“If you think your local library shouldn’t be funded because you haven’t used it in a while, think of it this way: Would you want the government to close your local hospital because you’ve been healthy for a while?”

—U.K. researcher John Kirriemuir, “Are UK Public Libraries Expensive to Run?” in Use Libraries and Learn Stuff, Oct. 31.
-Seen in November 3rd's American Libraries Direct.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

We Will Survive

Libraries are definitely taking a hit, but who isn't these days. I love the attitude behind this video from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in VA. I think many in libraryland would agree this is exactly what every library out there is doing, We Will Survive!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Keith Richards... Please Have Sympathy for America's Public Libraries

Good job Shiela Redcay from the Matthews Library in Fredericksburg PA. She's doing everything she can to get Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards to come and visit her library. She got the idea after reading a preview of his autobiography, Life, in which he mentions his thoughts at one time of becoming a librarian.

Join her Facebook Group to support the cause and take a shot at winning a $50 gift to Amazon in this video contest:

Thursday, August 26, 2010

ALA Learning Wiki

For anyone who is involved with training in libraries, you don't want to miss the new ALA Learning Wiki! The wiki is just starting up, so go over and contribute what you've already done and see if there is information on there that could help you in a current project. I'm anxious to see what gets added to the Needs Analysis page in the Managing Training - Best Practices area as I'm currently developing one of these for my System. Read more about this great new resource here.

Friday, July 23, 2010

An Op-Ed from Bonnie Powers

My coworker, Bonnie Powers, works in our Collection Development / Technical Services Department. She only has 9 more credits to go until she will have her Masters in Library Science! Bonnie recently wrote an op-ed that I'd like to share with all of you. Yes, again, I'm preaching to the choir most likely, but you never know who's going to see what you throw out to the Internet! Thanks Bonnie for this wonderful article in support of libraries. Articles like this are needed now more than ever...

How long has it been since you've been to your local public library? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? Never? In the midst of all the talk about funding cuts to libraries in the past year and the turmoil in the library community and among library advocates as a result, have you ever found yourself wondering, "Why do libraries need so much money? The books they lend out are free!"

Of course everyone is aware (or should be aware) that while the books are free to patrons, they're not free to libraries. And neither are the DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, downloadables, databases, facilities, professional staff, internet access, wireless connections, programs, computers—you get the picture. To provide free public services costs a lot of money.

If you don't use your library, you're probably asking yourself, "Why should I care?" Well, maybe you owe it to yourself to find out, and you don't have to leave home to do that. Check out your local library's Web site--most (if not all) have them. Find out what they offer. Ask yourself if the information you find there is useful to you. If not, ask yourself if it could be useful to someone else for different reasons.

Check out your local library's Facebook page--many have them. Follow your local library on Twitter or YouTube—yep, they’re there, too. Test your library's services from home. Using your library card, you have access to downloadable ebooks and audiobooks. You can try most of the library's databases from home, too—the ones that still exist after funding cuts took away most of Power Library last year. You can place books on hold and renew books from home as well. You can search the library’s catalog.

Instead, maybe you decide to pay a visit in person to your local library. In light of funding cuts, which have facilitated cuts in paid staff at many libraries, you might encounter a volunteer at the desk. A volunteer is a wonderful asset to any library. But a volunteer is not a replacement for a professional librarian or paraprofessional staff (yes, those cost money, too). Generally, a librarian has to have a Master’s in Library Science (MLS) degree to secure a professional librarian position, which usually requires 36 credit hours of coursework in a graduate program accredited by The American Library Association—that’s not free, either. I know because I have 9 credit hours left to complete in my two-year program.

Librarians today are required to know much more than the Dewey Decimal System. They are required to be technologically savvy and to instruct users on how to use the (free) internet access on the library’s computers. They have to know how to troubleshoot technical problems. They have to know and, more importantly, understand how to use the internet. Despite a perception to the contrary, the internet is not the librarian’s enemy. Librarians love Google as much as you do. However, they are trained to use it as a tool, along with other tools, including the online research databases libraries provide for free, so that the information found there can be verified and validated and therefore become more useful to the user. And of course, as always, librarians have to plan and develop new programs and services (children's programming and job search/resume assistance are two good examples) and market them; they have to institute and follow budgets; they have to build quality collections; and, in some cases, they have to facilitate the construction of new buildings. They also have to advocate for their libraries to local municipalities in order to secure funds.

Like volunteers, your monetary donations to the library are appreciated. However, a library cannot survive on donations alone. And they cannot go forward from year to year having to generate support for every dollar in funding secured. Libraries need to have a solid foundation for funding and know, with some degree of certainty, how much money they will have to depend on in order to plan for those services, collections, and programs. They have to know how many hours per week they can afford to operate. They have to know who they can and cannot hire. The yearly scramble to advocate for state and local funding takes away from the time needed to do all of those things.

I came to libraries late in life, as a second career. Before I began working in the library world about 7 years ago, I was like many of you—uninformed. I wanted to work in a library because I like books and I like to read. Still a good reason, but not good enough, not nearly good enough. Like the internet, the library is a source of unlimited information. But unlike the internet, the information found there can be contained and turned into true knowledge with the help of trained professionals and validated resources. And you can borrow the latest feature films—for free, get books to listen to on your portable device of choice—for free, browse the stacks—for free, use the computers—for free, or just sit, have a cup of coffee and read. But please, don’t confuse free services with services that are free to offer. And please, if you haven’t explored what your local public library has to offer, get on your computer or get in your car and find out. You owe it to yourself to find out what you’re missing.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Libraries to rival Cupcakes?

I encourage you to read a recent blog post the NPR blog, Monkey See titled "Why The Next Big Pop-Culture Wave After Cupcakes Might Be Libraries". This is making it's way around the blogosphere, but thought I would point you in that direction in case you missed it.

Call it a hunch, but it seems to me that the thing is in the air that happens right before something — families with a million kids, cupcakes, wedding coordinators — suddenly becomes the thing everyone wants to do happy-fuzzy pop-culture stories about. Why?

-Libraries get in fights
-Librarians know stuff
-Libraries are green and local
-Libraries will give you things for free...


Go read the whole post and spread the word. I think that Linda Holmes is on to something...

InfoWhelm and Information Fluency

From the 21st Century Fluency Project...

We live in a 24/7 InfoWhelm world. We have access to more information than we will ever need. This video will tell you just how much information there is out there. It requires a different set of skills than the ones we leave school with today.




Thanks Marianne for buzzing about this!

Monday, July 19, 2010

PLA Offers Free Online Library Advocacy Training

Read the full article from American Libraries.
PLA is offering Turning the Page Online, an interactive advocacy training course, free of charge to all ALA members.
This advocacy education, originally designed for public libraries participating in the Gates Foundation Opportunity Online hardware grants program, has benefited more than 3,500 librarians and library supporters across 32 states. Following training, the vast majority of participants were better advocates for their libraries—feeling more confident in their abilities and more excited about advocacy. As a result, more than 98 percent of participating libraries achieved their funding goals. Through the generosity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PLA is now able to offer this training to all ALA members.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Have You Registered for OverDrive Training?

September 2010 is OverDrive's Training Month. Read all about it in my latest post at ALALearning.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Old Spice Man Rocks the Library World!

Okay, this is just so brilliant! I love social media and this genius campaign from Old Spice just blows me away.

But the icing on the cake is that Andy Woodworth was able to get a resonse for libraries! Take a look:



Way to go Andy!! You should go read his whole post about the experience. It contains a lot of great links too.

And way to go Old Spice, you have just broken new ground in social media marketing. So, are we all ready to watch the copy cats now?...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Life in a Day

Okay libraries or anyone at all, here's your chance to star in a movie!! YouTube is sponsoring a historic cinematic experiment called Life in a Day.

Basically it will be a user-generated feature film shot in a single day by ANYONE on planet earth on Saturday July 24, 2010. The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film and will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2011! So go for it and show the world what exciting things happen in YOUR library or in YOUR life. I can't wait to see this film!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Great Article in the Philadelphia Inquirer

I know I'm preaching to the choir when sharing this type of information... but PLEASE share this article with those NOT in the know about what's happening to our nation's libraries. Marilyn Johnson has written a beautiful article that says so much in such a brief article. Take the time to read it and pass it on.

Here are a few golden nuggets...
...if you visit public libraries, you will see an essential service in action. Librarians help people who don't have other ways to get online, can't get the answers they urgently need, or simply need a safe place to bring their children.

The people who welcome us to the library are idealists who believe that accurate information leads to good decisions, and that exposure to the intellectual riches of civilization leads to a better world

While they help us get online, employed, and informed, librarians don't try to sell us anything. Nor do they broadcast our problems, send us spam, or keep a record of our interests and needs, because no matter how savvy this profession is at navigating the online world, it clings to that old-fashioned value: privacy. They represent the best civic value out there - an army of resourceful workers that can help us compete in the world.

Communities that support their libraries will have an undeniable competitive advantage.

...those who own computers or have high-speed Internet service and on-call technical assistance, will not notice the effects of a diminished public library system - not at first. Whizzes who can whittle down 15 million hits on a Google search to find the useful and accurate bits of info, and those able to buy any book or article or film they want, will escape the immediate consequences of these cuts. Those in cities that haven't preserved their libraries, those less fortunate and baffled by technology, and our children will be the first to suffer.


Thanks to Margie Perella from the Pequea Valley Public Library for pointing me to this great article. Now go share it!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Geocaching in a Library

I think this is one of the most creative ways I've seen to bring patrons into your library. Participate in a Geocaching game!

Spring Township Library right here in my home state of PA is doing just that! They created a fake book and drilled a hole in it to hold the cylinder. They even gave it a call number. Take a look:




Be sure to check out the cache page and read the first finder's web update. Have any other libraries done this? Don't you think it's a great idea?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Augmented Reality Explained

Nobody explains better than Common Craft. If you've been hearing the latest buzz words, augmented reality, and wondered what they mean, then check out Common Craft's latest video explanation:

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Are You Using Mind Maps?

See my recent post on ALA Learning to learn all about mind maps and how they can help you in your work.

Lori Reed Proves One Person CAN Make a Difference

I posted about SaveLibraries.org in March. My good friend Lori Reed had a great interview on her local news this week. Check it out. Keep up the good work Lori!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Is it Real or is it Phishing?

These days you really need to be able to tell if an email is legitimate or not. Phishing is rampant so the need for vigilence is high.

Here is a great Phishing and Spam IQ Quiz from SonicWALL that only takes a few minutes to complete. You are given 10 samples of emails that you have to determine whether they are legitimate or scams. When you get your results, you are given great information as to why something is a "Phish".

Thanks to the Swiss Army Librarian for pointing me to this great training resource that was seen in Slashdot.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Management Development Program at ACPL

My hat's off to Allen County Public Library for

1. Seeing a need
2. Addressing a need
3. Being transparent while doing so

Jeffrey Krull states "...improve our management skills so we can have a better organization". Well said!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A Library's Annual Report or a Pop-Up Book?

You decide.

A big kudos to the Topeka and Shawnee County (Kans.) Public Library!

This year’s report is an audiovisual extravaganza laid out whimsically as a pop-up book.

Read more here.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Library Advocacy Day Contest

The American Library Association is hold a video contest. Check out the rules and go for it like Springfield Township (PA) High School did:

Imagine (Library Advocacy Day) from Joyce Valenza on Vimeo.

Monday, May 10, 2010

A Letter to the President from an Unquiet Librarian

PLEASE take the time to go over to the Unquiet Librarian and read Buffy's letter to the President. He really needs to take her up on her offer of teaching him about transliteracy. Here's just a glimpse of her great letter:

I also find it incredibly irresponsible for you to label devices like iPods and
iPads as instruments of “distraction” and “entertainment” that are not capable
of “empowerment” when you admit within the speech you don’t know how to work
these gadgets.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Hosting Tomorrow's T is for Training Show

I'm filling in again as the host of tomorrow's T is for Training show at 2pm Eastern. See all of the details here. Please come and join the fun, I could use the support! We'll be discussing:

Computers In Libraries 2010 - Reports from those who went in person or attended virtually. What did you learn, how did your presentations go, favorite and least favorite moments...

Thoughts on the use of the backchannel when presenting. Are you for or against?

Competencies and Training Needs Assessments - how do you do it, have you done it, what works and what doesn't work... We'll be discussing WebJunction's wonderful resources.

If you cannot join us, catch all of the episodes in the widget on the handy sidebar of this blog.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Digital Photo Management for Libraries

Don't forget to always check the Library-Related Training Opportunities calendar that I maintain (note it's always at the bottom of this blog). I recently updated it and ran across a webinar that sounds great from Infopeople.

Digital Photo Management for Libraries

Have digital photos? Now what? Discover online management services that can make organizing photo collections easier and learn about free web-based photo editing tools that can help you to fix those not-quite-right pics. Get direct comparisons of these tools that can help you decide which are best for your needs or your library.

At the end of this one-hour webinar, attendees will:

* Be able to identify at least three differences between Flickr and Picasa
* Be familiar with the photo management capabilities of Photoshop.com and Facebook
* Be able to evaluate at least two online photo editor tools

This webinar will be of interest to staff that would like to work with photos for websites or online photo management tools, and to Reference who may get questions about digital photography and other staff working with local history archives.

Webinar: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Time: 12pm-1pm PDT (That's 3pm for EST)
Speaker: Laura Solomon

Friday, March 26, 2010

SaveLibraries.org

Last week I followed along through the social web as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library held a board meeting to discuss closing branches and laying off over 100 employees. My good friend and fellow library trainer Lori Reed works there.

Now, she, Heather Braum, and many others have decided to take action by setting up SaveLibraries.org Read all about it in her latest post. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

Here's the message from the site and fan page:

"Our slogan is, “When one library is in trouble, ALL libraries are in trouble.” There is a trend happening in this country and it’s one as a society that we should be appalled at. Our libraries represent the freedom and democracy that our country was founded on. Can you think of another place where all are welcome? No matter what your color, religion, or economic status the library is there with open doors.

However when libraries close and communities accept library closings as “the new normal,” then all libraries are in trouble. Other states, other communities, and other politicians are going to get the message that it’s ok. If it was ok for _____________ to close it’s libraries, then it’s ok here.

Well here’s a message. It’s not ok! Especially now. Communities need their libraries more than ever. I realize that we are in a recession. I get that state and local governments are out of money. But as library professionals, it is up to us to come up with a solution. Be a part of the solution!"

Now go show your support with a Twibbon!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Making Microsoft Office Sing

Be sure to check out my latest post on the ALA Learning blog for ways to implement Microsoft Trainings.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Hosting T is for Training Today

Please come to today's T is for Training show. I am filling in for Maurice Coleman and would love for you to make it. Read all about the details here. Hope to see you at 2pm EST today!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

OverDrive Audiobook App Now Available in Android Market

Be sure to read the latest press release from OverDrive. Good news for Android users! Be sure to let your patrons know!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Library Day in the Life - Round 4

I'm finally finished with my picture/video tour of what a typical day looks like for me. You can see my first participation in the Library Day in the Life Project at these previous 5 posts. Sadly, I missed out in Rounds 2 and 3, but I'm back for Round 4. Thanks to Bobbi Newman for all of her efforts on this project!!




(Per Lori Reed's advice, for best results after clicking play, click the full screen icon in the bottom right corner, then click Show Info in the upper right corner to view my captions for each photo/video).

Friday, January 15, 2010

Are You Ready for The Sixth Sense?

The future is most definitely here. If you can spare 8 minutes, you gotta see this to believe it! A Sixth Sense is "a sense that would give us seamless access and easy access to meta information or information that exists somewhere that may be relevant to help us make the right decision about whatever it is that we are coming across". Like shopping, needing to take a picture, checking the time - all anywhere anytime.

This demo -- from Pattie Maes' lab at MIT, spearheaded by Pranav Mistry -- was the buzz of TED. It's a wearable device with a projector that paves the way for profound interaction with our environment. Imagine "Minority Report" and then some.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

SnapShot PA Results Are In

"179,702 people visited libraries across Pennsylvania on one day. That is more than attended both the Eagles and Steelers game last weekend or visited Hershey Park." That's the first sentence you'll see at SnapShot PA: One Day in the Life of Pennsylvania Libraries. I first wrote about this project in September. It's great to see the end results.

There is a page of results in detail, pictures, and the opportunity for patrons to continue to submit their stories.

Please promote this initiative by linking to the Snapshot website through your Website and Social Media avenues!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

TEDx for Libraries: Dynamic programming for FREE!

Read all about this WONDERFUL opportunity to get FREE programming for your library!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Feature YOUR Library on WebJunction Pennsylvania

I announced earlier that Pennsylvania is finally a partner with WebJunction. Here's your opportunity for any library in PA to get your library in the spotlight!! Copied below is the information you need to send in:

Featured Pennsylvania Library for WebJunction Library Spotlight

Instructions
The information that you supply here will be used in the Library Spotlight feature on the home page of WebJunction Pennsylvania (http://pa.webjunction.org). The Library Spotlight is updated regularly. However the information that you supply will also be included in the Pennsylvania Spotlights page (http://pa.webjunction.org/pa-spotlights). If your information changes and you would like this page updated, please send your updated form to webjunction@hslc.org.

Photograph
[Insert photo. Please include highest available resolution. Photo will be resized by HSLC for use in the space available.]

Library Information
Name of Library:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
Zip:
Telephone:
E-mail:

Mission Statement:

Fast Facts:

• Population served:
• Date built/renovated:
• Square feet:
• Annual circulation:
• Popular programs:
• Neat idea:
• With more money we would:
• Other:
• Link to home page:
• Link to online catalog:

WebJunction Pennsylvania - YIPPEE!!!

I am so excited to announce that the PA Office of Commonwealth Libraries has partnered with WebJunction and we are now WebJunction Pennsylvania. If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know what a huge fan I am of WebJunction. Here is the announcement received:

HSLC/Access PA announces the creation of a new professional development service for libraries in Pennsylvania. WebJunction Pennsylvania (http://pa.webjunction.org/) makes a large selection of online workshops and training courses available to library employees, library board members, and trustees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at a cost of $5 per course. The new service is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

To access the subsidized courses, eligible persons must create a free account on WebJunction, then request affiliation with WebJunction Pennsylvania (click on My Affiliations, when editing your account).

HSLC/Access PA created WebJunction Pennsylvania in partnership with WebJunction, an online learning community that incorporates social software features to encourage community building. Members of the WebJunction community share their ideas and experience and promote best practices in libraries. Pennsylvania joins over fifteen other states in this cooperative educational system. Course content is contributed by the cooperative. The WebJunction system keeps track of courses taken and can generate a certificate upon course completion.

HSLC's training for Access PA services will also be integrated into the WebJunction service, and additional courses will be shared as they are created.

What to do now:

Visit the new WebJunction Pennsylvania (http://pa.webjunction.org/).
- Create a new account, or sign in with your current WebJunction username and password.
- If you create a new account, be sure to check the box to request affiliation with Pennsylvania, when you get to the affiliations page.
- If you already have an account, after signing in, click on *Edit Account* and the My Affiliations tab to request affiliation with Pennsylvania.
- After you take a look around, we’d love to hear from you about your experiences in the member center (http://pa.webjunction.org/membercenter).
- Need help? Find help and support in the member center, or you can always contact us (http://pa.webjunction.org/contact).

For more information, contact:
John Houser
Technology Coordinator
HSLC
houser@hslc.org
215-534-6820

Friday, January 8, 2010

A Get to Know Me Meme from TIFT

I contribute regularly to the T is for Training podcast (note widget in sidebar). Our fearless leader, Maurice Coleman, has challenged us to answer the following 27 questions in ONE SENTENCE. If you know me, then you KNOW this is a huge challenge for me. I mean, c'mon!? One sentence? Here goes (answers in bold)...

1) Your One Sentence Bio
A surrendering to something greater than myself mother and wife who likes to sing and is a training coordinator for a public library system.

2) Do you blog? If yes, how did you come up with your blog name?
Yes. I always warn the library-types I train that I am NOT a creative-type; I'm more of a math/science-type, and I don't come up with very original stuff; hence, the name of this blog...

3) What is your professional background?
I have a BA in Social Work with a minor in Spanish and I almost finished a tech degree in Computer Information Systems. See question 21 for more details.

4) What training do you do? staff? patrons? types of classes?
Strictly staff/volunteers. Millennium ILS, Microsoft Office, Social Media, and anything else staff/volunteers need to use a computer for in our libraries.

5) What training do you think is most important to libraries right now
How to do advocacy well - something I know nothing about but can see is desperately needed.

6) Where do you get your training?
I LOVE webinars, especially the free variety as that works well with my current budget.

7) How do you keep up?
If only I could! I do my best through RSS (just made the switch from Bloglines to Google Reader last week and LOVE it), tweets, Facebook, Friendfeed, podcasts, video, flickr, etc.

8) What do you think are the biggest challenges libraries are facing right now?
Funding, funding, oh, and funding!

9) What are biggest challenges for trainers?
For underfunded and understaffed libraries to see the value of time/cost needed for training.

10) What exciting things are you doing training wise?
Currently working on being able to offer some e-learning Microsoft tutorials through CustomGuide.

11) What do you wish were you doing?
Wish I were home with my 2 beautiful girls. For a more work-related answer, I wish I could be training the public; the patrons, on all things technology with a focus on social media.

12) What would you do with a badger?
Stand at least twenty feet away from it. Wait, make that thirty feet.

13) What's your favorite food?
Teff, an amazing Ethiopian grain. I gave up all forms of sugar, wheat and flour over 9 years ago and have discovered so many amazing foods.

14) If you were stranded on an island, what one thing would you want to have with you?
My family.

15) Do you know what happens when a grasshopper kicks all the seeds out of a pickle?
It's left with a seedless pickle.

16) Post it notes or the back of your hand?
Post it notes - everywhere...

17) Windows or Mac?
Windows, but wish I weren't.

18) Talk about one training moment you'd like to forget?
I had a training while working in private industry where we were shoved in a room big enough to hold a small round table and I had to train the president, vp and 2 other high ranking people (usually the hardest types to train as they usually have other people do everything for them) for 2 straight days; agony!

19) What's your take on handshakes?
They are a necessary evil.

20) Global warming: yes or no
I'm afraid the answer is... yes.

21) How did you get into this line of work?
Feel free to read the twisted tale here.

22) What is the best part of your job?
Watching someones eyes grow big and hear them let out an "oooh" or an "ahhh" when they learn how to do something really cool or something that will save them TONS of time on a computer.

23) Why should someone else follow in your shoes?
I have to agree with Peter here and suggest people find their own pair of shoes.

24) Sushi or hamburger?
Neither thank you. Refer to question 13.

25) LSW or ALA?
LSW, it's hip, it's what I can afford, and it allows me to wear a cape when I'm in the mood.

26) What one person in the world do you want to have lunch with and why?
Mary, the mother of God, to ask her how she survived motherhood and how to cultivate unconditional love and acceptance.

27) What cell phone do you have and why?
A Motorola E815 I got over 5 years ago because it still works, I only use it for telephone calls, and I'm too broke to afford a data plan.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Library Advocacy Day Promotion Video

Here's a video created by the ALA Washington Office for promotion of Library Advocacy Day (6/29/10). Take a look...

Library Advocacy Day from ALA Washington on Vimeo.