Lines from Libraryland

G-d Bless America

2009-01-20T11:16:00.002-06:00

This morning, as I was watching ABC, one of the commentators noted something to the effect of "People are gathering on the mall to witness the peaceful transfer of power." What a wonderful testament to our American Democracy. We are able to relish the tradition, to marvel in the history, to enjoy the inaugural balls. At no point in our history have we ever needed to worry about chaos ensuing as we swear in a new administration.

Whether you see yourself as a Democrat or Republican, as an Independent or a Libertarian, we are all Americans, and we are truly blessed.

It's a privilege

2009-01-12T17:43:00.002-06:00

I work in a public library and it's a privilege to serve the public. It's also a great deal of fun. Sure, we have all the stress of any public service job. Someone is looking for something they cannot find and their frustrated. They take it out on us (though a smile goes a long, long way in defusing their ire). Or someone is searching inappropriate sites on the Internet. That may make for an embarrassing or even disturbing situation, but generally not life threatening. Other times we may not be on the same wavelength with co-workers and we need to negotiate a bit. But, by and large, we have it good. We get to help people and when they find something they want, they get to take it home for three weeks -- for free!

Sometimes I think we forget what an essential service public libraries offer, or how fortunate we are to be able to help people use them. US News & World Report (http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2008/12/11/best-careers-2009-librarian.html) listed librarians as a "best career." I heartily concur. I look forward to the time when I will be able to identify myself as a librarian with a capital "L."

Widening Horizons

2008-12-28T21:22:00.002-06:00

When I grow up I want to be a librarian. Here is where my adult children start laughing. After all, from their point of view, I am grown up. I know how to cook, clean, do laundry, write a resume -- all the things about which they regularly call me for advice. I also know such things as how often to change furnace filters and get the oil changed in my car, or when to renegotiate my mortgage and what makes a good hostess gift.

But I'm still learning -- and I'm finding that I like learning in a formal setting. I like being in school. I don't think I would have said that 30 years ago. I know I wouldn't have. I was unfocused and shortsighted. Now that my sight need not be as far, I look into the future and know that it's tomorrow. I also know that I can change the future -- both in terms what I'm doing in it, and now I feel about it.

So I'm in school. Will I ever work at a library service desk or be a library director? Maybe. Maybe not. I may spend the rest of my career as a public relations manager. I like it. I'm good at it. I like the flexibility and the uncertainty (Will the reporter with his own agenda call me today for a story? Will my story come through the reporting?). I like telling the library's story wherever I go. I like showing people the treasures within our brick and mortar wall -- and within our cyberwalls. It's fun. I never do the same things two days in a row.

So why am I in school? I'm doing something I love to do. Well, someday another opportunity may present itself -- or something may change and I am have to go looking for opportunities. I just want to keep my options open -- and keep adding to the options available.

And I like school. Yes, I panic. Yes, I sweat over papers and tests and grades. Yes, I worry about measuring up in the eyes of teachers and classmates half my age. I also worry about measuring up in the eyes of my husband and daughters. I don't want to fail them. But I still like school. I like that being in classes is broadening my horizons. I like that I'm finally connecting the dots in libraryland. I know why things are done. It makes a big difference -- maybe not in the doing, but in the understanding. I look at my co-workers, and wish they'd all make the decision I have. That they'd go to school -- with no surety other than opening their own eyes -- and gain perspectives on our chosen career and the place of libraries in the world. Or they could study mathematics or science or philosophy or anthropology or dead languages, for that matter. School broadens your horizons -- and there's not one of us who couldn't benefit from looking at the world from outside of ourselves.

Would reading do it? Sure -- except that in school, you learn from teachers and classmates as well as from reading material. The more opinions the merrier.

And on that note. Celebrate whatever you celebrate at this time of year! Enjoy.

Oddly -- my favorite time of year

2008-12-18T15:37:00.002-06:00

It's bad form to say this at this time of year, but I don't like shopping. I do it. I buy holiday gifts for my children, my husband, my friends and about a score of great nieces and nephews (family traditions die hard -- even when the family grows geometrically), but I love one of my December projects -- and it only involves a little shopping in my favorite kind of store. Yes, I get to shop in a book store for my library's Best Gift Ever program. We collect new, unwrapped (see how easy this is) books for underprivileged children. I get to box them up and deliver them to the distribution point. People love it. I get to skim children's books my own children are too old to want to read -- and I get to give them to children. It's a life altering task. I don't know if it does anything for the kids (though I'm guessing the books do make the recipients smile), but it does wonders for me. I am very fortunate that I'm able to donate to a number of causes. Usually I just write a check. I also put coins in Salvation Army collection buckets. I also give of my time. But there's something about shopping for a book and placing it in the collection box that makes me appreciate all I have. Maybe it's thinking about reading those books to my children, or wishing I still had little ones around the house who wanted to hear them. Or maybe it's because I really do believe that a book is the best gift ever.

So this holiday season give a book, and read a book, and celebrate in whatever way makes this holiday season special for you.

the integrity of blogs

2008-12-17T11:40:00.003-06:00

Its been about six months since I've blogged, so I pretty much know that I don't have a following. Nevertheless, if anyone read this, here's my view on the blogosphere.

You will note that Lines from Libraryland is not authored anonymously like so many others. I started out in journalism school, and there I learned about truth and libel, about objectivity and subjectivity, and about fairness. If I'm going to write something, I'm going to put my name on it -- and stand behind it. If proven wrong, I will admit my mistake.

Yet many bloggers seem to think that they can write anything -- without substantiation. Otherwise responsible newspapers -- newspapers who would never allow anonymous letters to the editor (they even double check with writers when the letters are signed) are now encouraging anonymous comments to their news articles. Where's the journalistic integrity? Where's any kind of integrity?

Then, we have bloggers who seemingly report the news. But have they researched anything? Have they checked their sources? Yes, I do think spouting opinions masked as news is irresponsible and frankly, at times, despicable. And especially so for librarian bloggers who professionally probably pride themselves on offering access to all sides of issues.

So that's my opinion. Thank you!

Change is Constant

2008-06-19T15:52:00.002-05:00

It's been so long since I've added anything to this blog that I could not remember the email account I used to create it. So much for my devotion to Web 2.0. Time to turn over a new leaf -- now that we finally have leaves on our trees in Wisconsin.

I made it through my first semester of graduate school. I did well. That really wasn't a surprise. I worked very hard. What did surprise me, however, was how much I enjoyed being in class! It's been a long time and since I'm taking courses online, everything has changed. For instance, now I look at a computer screen, not a teacher. I know my classmates by their login names, not their faces. Notes are not written on blackboards, but in PowerPoint presentations. And, in case you haven't figured it out by now, I'm older than my teachers.

It was wonderful! I loved the courses and the research and the interaction with classmates from all over the world. One classmate was teaching English in Baku on the Caspian Sea. The teacher checked in from his vacation in Uganda. And I chimed in from the spare bedroom, feet propped comfortably on a footstool, and the rest of me wrapped in a great big pink bathrobe (perfect for embarrassing teenage children). I learned that there are dozens of career opportunities in library science, and I also learned that I still like public libraries.

I'm looking forward to next semester. I am also hoping that I can be more organized. It should be possible now that I know how to logon to D2L, the distance learning software at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Go Panthers! Any organizational tips are much appreciated!

Talking Books

2008-01-22T11:56:00.000-06:00

I came by my second career naturally. I'm a reader; I came from a house full of readers; and I live in a house full of readers. It's a good life.

By the way, the word for today is "swivet." It's a noun meaning a state of extreme agitation. I've got to find a way to fit this one into conversation. Actually, I can use a couple of my new words in the same paragraph: I'm in a swivet trying to determine what I need to access to successfully navigate my online course. Maybe I will be gruntled by the support of my classmates.

Yes, "gruntle" is another of the new words introduced to me by my Page a Day Calendar. We've all been using disgruntled forever. I suppose "gruntle" was just a matter of time.

Anyway, one of the things I really enjoy is talking books. I email friends and family with book recommendations, and here at the Library I stop people in the halls and stacks to share a favorite title. A friend recently recommended Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish, and now I am recommending it to you. What a marvelous book about women and their friendships! Occasionally the language is a little blue, but it's real. It combines vignettes of real life with a real life fantasy of many women -- just getting away for awhile.

So pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, curl up on a comfy sofa or chair, spread a blanket across your lap, and open Kris Radish's book. And when you're done, call a friend!

The library as a community center

2008-01-14T16:54:00.000-06:00

I plan and promote library programs for a living. Well, there are some other requirements in my job description, but there's a lot of planning and promoting. To date I have scheduled 30 events for 2008, separate from the regularly scheduled youth, young adult and adult programming. A public library should certainly be a center of community life. The more that is happening at the library, the more it will be perceived as that center. We're trying to make the library relevant in the life of everyone in our community. We want them to find themselves on the shelves, to be entertained and educated by our programming, and to feel that the availability of the public library is essential to a quality life. Too grandiose? I don't think so. It's a process, and it won't be quick, but what a pleasure to try!

We at Manitowoc Public Library are especially pleased to offer the 2008 Great Decisions Discussion Series. We're co-sponsoring the series with these fine organizations:

The League of Women Voters of Manitowoc County
The Manitowoc Public Library Foundation
The Friends of Manitowoc Public Library
Manitowoc Noon Rotary
Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary
University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc
Silver Lake College
Lakeshore Peacemakers
Manitowoc County Diversity Circles

How's that for a roster. Almost as impressive as our topics and speakers:

Talking to Our Enemies with John E. Katzka, retired diplomat, Senior Foreign Service Officer
European Union at 50 with Wolfgang Schmidt, UW-Milwaukee, Institute of World Affairs
Iraq End-Game with Richard Flannery, UW-Manitowoc/Sheboygan, Political Science
Russia with Clarence Davis, retired professor, Marion College, History
U.S. Defense & Security Policy with Michael Tobin, Executive Director Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission
Latin America: Shift to the Left? with Sr. Carmen Marie Diaz, Silver Lake College, History & Social Sciences
U.S.-China Trade Policy with Prof. Martin Farrell, Ripon College, Political Science & Global Studies
Private Philanthropy with Mary Beth Growney Selene, past governor, District 6250, Rotary International

This exciting series begins Monday, February 11, 2008, at 6 p.m., and continues for the following 7 Mondays. More info? Log on to www.manitowoc.lib.wi.us.

So yes, I like living in Libraryland. Let me know what you think.

A New Word -- Cybrarian

2007-12-27T09:15:00.000-06:00

I received a gift for the holidays, a Merriam-Webster 365 New Words-a-Year Calendar. Now, I know it's not 2008 yet, so I must admit that I look ahead -- plus the word I'm about to share with you was advertised on the box.

Our word for the new year is "cybrarian." It is a noun meaning, "a person whose job it is to find, collect, and manage information that is available on the World Wide Web."

It is the word for the day January 21, 2008. We'll have to start using it in conversation. "When I need information at two in the morning, I will have to log onto my computer to chat with a cybrarian." Since I'm going back to school, that's a sentence I may actually use.

I'll let you know if I come across other fun words to add to our vocabularies.

Generosity of Spirit

2007-12-19T16:19:00.000-06:00

I work in a wonderful community, or maybe it's the time of year. Whatever the reason, I am thankful that when I reach out to the people of Manitowoc County at this time each year, they respond!

Manitowoc Public Library collects new, unwrapped children's books each December. Hundreds are received and we, in turn, deliver them to the Salvation Army for their annual gift distribution to underprivileged children, so one one has to go without a new book at the holidays. Books that arrive too late for the SA party are taken to the Domestic Violence Center. Those children endure so much hardship -- especially during the holiday season -- that it's especially nice to give them the opportunity to get lost between the covers of a book!

I also ask people to make a gift to the Friends of Manitowoc Public Library during this festive season. Years ago our appeal took the form of a Cookie Walk. While a wonderful idea, there aren't too many folks who have the time they'd like to bake for the holidays. (Last night, for instance, was baking for the Foreign Language Week festivities [I found out about it at noon]. I'm sure the bars tasted good, but they certainly weren't "Cookie Walk-Pretty." Why do teachers think the high school students actually prepare the food?) Anyway, back to our fund drive. We simply ask our members to save themselves the shopping and baking and plating and shlepping, and send us a check for what they would have spent. And they do. Now, we don't raise enough to replace our book budget, but we certainly raise enough to present a program or two throughout the year that would not otherwise be possible. I'm so happy to send the thank you notes, but what really is fun is introducing those programs, and telling everyone that they're possible because of the community's generosity.

We think of the Library as a community resource. It's nice to pause for a moment or two and remember what a resource we have in the people of our community.

Great Reading

2007-12-03T14:25:00.000-06:00

I have been very fortunate. I have read some terrific books lately. I raved about A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, recommending it to everyone as the best book I've read in months. Then I picked up The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan. Wow! Another new author with another must read novel. I learned a great deal about different cultures overseas and here at home in both of these books (as I did in Hosseini's first novel, The Kite Runner). While I don't anticipate passing up new books by some of my favorite authors, after reading these works by Hosseini and Pradhan, I will certainly look for more titles by new writers -- and will certainly add these two to my favorite authors list.

My First Posting

2007-11-16T16:49:00.000-06:00

I recently attended the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference in Green Bay. I learned many things over the course of the conference, even things about myself. I learned, for instance, that I am a "digital immigrant." My children, however, are all "digital natives." Well, I'm not about to let the year of my birth stop me from taking advantage of Web 2.0, so I vowed there and then that by the end of 2007, there would be a blog from the Manitowoc Public Library. Welcome to Lines from Libraryland.

Let me tell you a bit about myself. I entered Libraryland seven years ago, with years of industrial and professional marketing experience. I loved what I did, but I could not have found a better niche for myself at this time of my life, which is why I've enrolled in UWM's School of Information Science. I want to be a Librarian with a capital "L."

I believe in free and open access to information for everyone and, in fact, consider ALA's annual list of challenged books to be a list of recommended reading!

Looking forward to meeting everyone out there. Glad you've visited Libraryland.