iHCPL Next Gen #30

For this one we are supposed to clean out the different drives. I really never put stuff on the S drive unless I'm sending to the printer and then I clean it out after I get the print job. I also only save stuff on the P drive to my YA folder and I try to keep that as concise and clean as possible. I actually went through in January and deleted a bunch of files I didn't need anymore. I think it is a good idea to clean these drive out once in a while.

iHCPL Next Gen: #29 email cleaning

Well, I went through and cleaned out my inbox (which I've actually been meaning to do for a couple weeks). I tend to clean out every couple months and shift stuff to different folders/delete etc. I probably won't clean out my inbox every day, but I'll try to hit it at least once a month. I'm pretty good about moving emails to folders or deleting as needed. There are a lot of emails I get that don't fit in any folder though, or something I need to remember to do. If I move an email out of my inbox, I forget about it.

iHCPL NextGen: #28 - Cleaning Pt. 1

I actually like Google calendar (except that you can't just have it open on your desk top...you have to sign into it). I used Google calendar to map out when the main meeting room at our library was available during the summer. The children's programs move into the room in the summer, so having an average week mapped out on a visible calendar made it easy to see when I could book the room.

iHCPL #23

Finally done, yay!

I have enjoyed parts of "THE 23 THINGS", such as the Library Thing, Blogging, and You Tube. I think some of these things could be used to in the library. For example, since we don't keep records of items that were checked out once they are returned, a patron could use something like Library Thing to track his/her books. I also think that blogged book clubs could be a possibility, but you would need a core group. While I am not sure that most of what I learned is something patrons will be asking about with any regularity, I have enjoyed parts of the process, so here's to iStar.

Cows with Guns and Kitty Cat Dance

iHCPL #22

I looked at both the ebranch and the other sound sites listed by iStar. I found a few titles I liked on each of the sites, but a lot of titles I looked for were not there. I might have been doing something wrong. I thought it was a nice feature on WOWIO that it told you when something was in progress, so you would know to look back for it later. I think that HCPL's ebranch is easier to use than LibriVox, but I did like WOWIO's set up...

iHCPL #21

I looked under both podcast.net and podcastalley.com and didn't find either of them to be particularly user friendly unless the user knew exactly what they were looking for. When I searched for 'learn an accent' I got results including audio erotica spoken by a british man (that goodness I looked at the details before trying to listen). Eventually I found a couple podcasts that might prove inteteresting: "Write to Learn" and "Uncontrolled Vocabulary". "Write to Learn" is a podcast created to help people figure out how to write academic papers and "Uncontrolled Vocabulary" is a podcast about current library issues.

iHCPL #20

I usually look for amusing videos on You Tube. I found a few "Kitty Cat Dance", "Free Running", "RvD2" and "Cows with Guns" that are pretty amusing. I tried to embed the videos into a post (and I'm pretty sure I figured out how) but I can't actually see embedded videos on this computer, so I took them out.

One thing You Tube-esque videos could be used for would be "How to get a print card" which we get asked multiple times daily. : )

iHCPL #19

I wrote the following in Zoho and posted it to my blog:

This would certainly have been easier to use in college when I was having to write papers between work and home and didn't have a laptop.

I think that I might really like this feature... One question though: what is the securtiy for this site like? If you are working on a story or something personal, does someone who is not you stand a decent chance of getting your work?

Thoughts...

iHCPL #18: Social Networking i.e. Stalkerweb

As the title of my post probably tells you, I am not a big fan of "Social Networking" sites like MySpace. Facebook is not quite as offensive, since you can make your page exclusively private and only allow people you have approved to view it. But still, I don't like them. I realize I am one of the few people who don't like online social networking; and I know I sound kind of paranoid about them. I just don't want people all over the world (whether I know them or not) knowing everything about me. I have friends who have put all kinds of information about themselves online, including pictures etc. Why would you do that? Maybe I value my privacy more than other people. If I want someone to see my pictures, I'll show them myself. I don't want everyone and their mother to see them.
Perhaps if I moved overseas and needed a way to stay in touch with friends from home I would feel differently. But as it stands now, I keep in touch with people I want to keep in touch with. I don't want some of the people I went to high school or college with to "drop a line" out of the blue. Part of what I enjoy about the Internet is the anonymity it provides. Social Networking sites infringe on that anonymity.

Elfquest

New versions of the colored graphic novels are becoming available! YAY! I love Elfquest and was very excited to learn that DC comics has rights to EQ and that they planned to reissue the color versions as well as other comics...
So here is the update:

• The old color EQ graphic novels are being re-released as EQ Archives Vol. #.
• B&W versions are being released in manga form
• A new story "EQ: The Discovery" is available
• A newly released storyline in comic form "Wolfrider" following the exploits of Cutter's father, Bearclaw, is available in B&W manga form.

I am totally psyched!

For more info go to www.dccomics.com look under Graphic Novels, then DC Comics, then scroll down...

Beautiful Cathedrals

I was browsing around on Flikr and found these picks. I can't blog the photo since it is not mine, but they were so beautiful, I wanted to let you know. This photographer, "Stuck in Customs", is extremely talented. Breathtaking!
http://flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/sets/72157594201844069/

Check it out...

Goblin King, Goblin King!

YAY!!!

Finally someone is continuing the story started in the classic Jim Henson fantasy movie "Labyrinth". I found mangas in the book store yesterday that follow Jareth and Toby in further adventures. YAY!

Buffyverse Update

For all of those not already in the know, Whedon and company are planning to start a comic version of Angel starting in November 2007. My understanding is that the comic will pick up where the TV series left off (in an alley with hoards of demons and a dragon descending on the weary heroes). I might be incorrect in that information, but I am sure about the new comic.

I have also been keeping up with the Buffy Season 8 comics and can't wait for the next issue (Issue #8) November 11.

So Viva La Buffyverse!

YA Book Reviews

ddddd = the highest ranking

Avalon High by Meg Cabot dddd
Ellie moves to a new high school where everything seems normal. That is, if normal includes King Arthur and his court. Reality or fairytale, Ellie is determined to discover the truth. This book is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Ms. Cabot does a very good job of writing from the perspective of a teenage girl. The secondary characters are not as well developed as they could be and the ending occurs rather abruptly, but this does not detract over much from the reader’s enjoyment. The possibility of another book set at Avalon High is left open, so keep your eyes peeled.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan ddddd
The Arrival chronicles the journey of a man who immigrates to a new country filled with strange animals and new customs. This graphic novel is both beautifully drawn and moving. Executed entirely with pictures, the author/illustrator conveys the loneliness and isolation of a new immigrant while emphasizing the hope the main character feels. This book is worth reading.

Hana-Kimi - For You in Full Blossom ( Volumes 1-3) by Hisaya Nakajo ddddd
Synopsis: Mizuki is a Japanese-American track-and-field star who transfers to a high school in Japan. To be close to her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, she's going to an all-guys' high school disguised as a boy. As fate would have it, Sano and Mizuki are more than classmates, they're roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in the classroom, the locker room, and her own bedroom. And her classmates, and the weird school nurse, must react to the new transfer student who looks like a very pretty boy… So far the Hana-Kimi series is one of the more entertaining and well drawn mangas I’ve read. There is plenty of humorous tension as Mizuki tries to maintain her male façade. I look forward to reading more of these mangas as I can. Definitely recommend for more mature readers.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy ddd
Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney are highly lauded in British society. He is the most foppish dandy about Town and she admired for her rapier sharp wit. Though in public he plays the fop, Sir Percy is actually a master of disguise who rescues French nobles from the forces of the French Revolution. When his identity is compromised, Lady Blakeney must find a way to warn him without compromising his mission. As one of the first novels written about a masked hero, I have to say I really enjoyed this book. Yes it is a classic (it was originally published in 1905) but it is entertaining and very readable. I would suggest it to readers who enjoy political intrigue and adventure.

Dance with a Vampire by Ellen Schreiber ddd
The latest book in the Vampire Kisses series. Jagger and Luna have finally left Dullsville, but just when Raven and Alexander think life is getting back to “normal” , the youngest Maxwell sibling arrives. Now Raven and her beau have to stop an adolescent vampire from making Raven’s younger brother one of the undead. On top of everything else there’s Prom to think about! This newest book in the series stays true to form and is an enjoyable read. The only criticism I have is that not very much happens in the book. However, Raven’s personality and quirkiness more than make up for an absence of action.

iHCPL #17 - Techno-something

I like and appreciate the benefits of technology as much as the next person, where would we be without electricity and combustible engines? But I also do not particularly enjoy how invasive much of modern technology has become. My home and phone number should be private; I shouldn't receive phone calls at 9am on Sunday morning from a sales person in another state or country trying to sell me something useless.

I saw a study recently (I can't remember where or I would site the source) that found that most people do not worry about their privacy very much. That boggled my mind. Who wants everyone to know their business? But, given my own personal experiences, I have to conclude that the study was at least somewhat valid in their findings. I have heard very personal conversations had by people talking loudly on their cell phone. One of my friends (who is far more socially outgoing than I) listened for about 10 minutes to the girl sitting across from her complain on the phone about the state of her romantic relationship. When the girl finally hung up, my friend started talking to the girl about relationships and gave her some advice (I think my friend was deliberately trying to make a point : )). The cell phone talker was appalled that someone had been listening to her conversation and my friend pointed out that if she had wanted to keep the conversation private, that she should not have been talking so loudly or so long.

Maybe it comes down to social etiquette and common courtesy (which is becoming more uncommon by the day). Maybe along with home ec. and computer classes there needs to be some technology etiquette classes offered. I'm not sure of the answer. I truly do appreciate the advances and convenience of modern technology, but I do not love how others use of technology effects me on a daily basis. ; )

iHCPL #16: Wiki-mania

I actually like wikis. I don't really edit them, but I think it is interesting to browse through them. Wikipedia is one of my faves (and also very dangerous since you can follow links for hours...). I also find Wikipedia is a good source for starting out research. Not all the info on the Wiki is correct, but lots of people post their sources and it can give a researcher an idea of what materials to start looking in.

I love Whedonverse and Buffyverse Wikis b/c I can discover all sorts of facts and trivia that I didn't know. It also helps fill in plot holes.

As far as library wikis go, I think that in some instances they could be very useful. It would be interesting to have a "researchers wiki" that gave basic facts and resources for common middle school and high school research projects. A wiki book reviewing sight like the Book Lover's wiki is also a good idea and a way to get library patrons involved.

iHCPL #15

Okay, the geek in me really likes this exercise. As an English major I love writing responses involving my opinions and thoughts. So here goes:

In response to the Librarian 2.0 Manifesto, I must say that it was far more realistic and reasonable that I thought it might be. I especially liked the points that librarians will not fear Google and will let go of old practices when new/better methods become available. The part about not becoming frustrated with Library Bureaucracy is also a good point, however I think a point should be made about library administration and administrators listening to their branch "operatives" (librarians and staff) as well as the patrons. A balance between librarian/staff wants and needs and patron/customer wants and need must be met to best serve all concerned. All in all, I'd say that I agree with most of the points made in the manifesto.
I also read the articles "Away from the Icebergs", "Into a New World of Librarianship", and "A Temporary Place in Time". While all of these articles had some very interesting and provocative points, I am only going to discuss a few.

"Icebergs" made a few points that, in an ideal world, I would agree with but do not find realistic given the world and its people today. The first point I wish to contend is Anderson's argument that libraries should stop collecting print materials for the "just in case" scenario. I would argue against this if only because when it comes down to it, in my mind librarians (and therefore libraries) are the protectors of knowledge and access to knowledge. Moving into an entirely digital collection would be both foolish and irresponsible. What happens when the power goes out? Or when print sources are required for a project/assignment? What happens if the unthinkable occurs and there is a nuclear war? (Granted, if the last happened we would have more issues that whether people could access information. Or even if nothing so physically drastic happened, what if a super virus infects and corrupts the Internet and most of its information? I know, I know, these scenarios are unlikely to happen, but there are some crazies in the world and you can't predict the behavior or logic of insanity. Anderson also states that libraries should adapt themselves to their user's education level. I think, in a lot of ways, we have already begun to do so. People are constantly working to make better, more user friendly search engines; libraries offer classes from ESL to computer literacy and more. The final point that I somewhat disagree with is that libraries should abandon the "come to us" mentality. I agree that we should be available online and that we offer that as a service, but I don't think that it is asking too much for a patron to have to come in to use certain parts of the collection. If you want to try on a article of clothing or buy a cup of coffee you go to the store that sells the item...
Moving on.
In "Into a New World of Librarianship" Stephens argues that libraries will/should become "engaging centers for learning and experience". Now, I would LOVE this, but I don't think it is very likely (at least in public libraries) unless there is a fundamental change in the attitude of the public. The majority of public library patrons do not attend the library to learn or gain experience, they are here to access their email, or myspace, or facebook; to look up a favorite author's new book. In short, most people come to public libraries seeking entertainment (as shown by our fiction and dvd/cd circ stats...). There is nothing wrong with this, but it does underline the basic difference between our present patrons and the patrons in Stephens's future world. I think that there will have to be a fundamental shift in the thought process and lifestyle of the public for libraries to be these wonderful "centers for learning and experience". Perhaps if public libraries played up their non-fiction and reference sections as well as their databases that would help change the attitude. Hopefully I am wrong. It would be nice if libraries truly became as Stephens predicts.

iHCPL#14

I don't really have much to say about Technorati. I guess in my mind it is similar to the library Elf; it is a nice feature, just not one I am personally interested in using. (I just don't read that many webpages or blogs.) I did find an interesting link on a blog I found using Technorati about Buffy studies...

iHCPL #13: De.lico.us etc...

I am actually somewhat familiar with De.lico.us. I had a friend who raved about it, but I never got into it. Probably because I'm not very much in to online social networking. I don't really want people to see what I've marked as my favorite sites and me to see there things. I enjoy my anonymity.
Anyway, I can see how the site could be useful (I did find a fun Buffy link using HCPL's account), but I don't think that it is something I personally will use.