Librarians and Swimsuits

Can you believe it ? Instead of librarians and/or their library boards selecting/censoring materials that may not be appropriate for their local collections, now TIME, Inc. is doing it for us !!! Maybe it really is time for me to think about retiring - things are changing WAY too fast. The following article will explain what I'm talking about...

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Library Journal
Sports Illustrated Withholds Swimsuit Issue from Libraries, Schools
— March 8, 2007
In an unannounced policy change that already has librarians fuming, Sports Illustrated decided this year to withhold copies of its risque annual swimsuit issue from classrooms and libraries.
In an unannounced policy change that already has librarians fuming, Sports Illustrated (SI) decided this year to withhold copies of its risque annual swimsuit issue from classrooms and libraries. SI spokesman Rick McCabe acknowledged to LJ that publisher TIME, Inc., neither offered to let libraries opt out of receiving the issue nor announced it beforehand. Though reader mail doesn't indicate that the issue is any racier than before, McCabe gave this explanation: "Over the course of time, we've received feedback from some of those institutions saying it wouldn't be an acceptable thing for them to have or to share with their constituents, and the decision was made that this was one way to hopefully alleviate that issue."
Nor was the publisher able to differentiate among academic libraries, public libraries, and school libraries. "It's done as a block," McCabe said. Those institutions that didn't receive an issue can request it either through a toll-free customer-service number or the web site, he said; already some have done so through their serials vendor. While libraries of all types have suffered from the "Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue disappearance syndrome" and thus kept the issue behind the desk, that doesn't mean librarians wanted SI to stop sending it. Writing on the SERIALST electronic discussion list, Lynne Weaver of Randolph-Macon Woman's College reported that her customer service representative told her that the publisher decided it was inappropriate to send to "institutions." She observed, "It seems to me that if one has a subscription to a title, all issues for that subscription period should be sent. It is up to the recipient to decide what to do with the issue once it is received."

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H-m-m. I always wear a different hat at the beginning of my 'Director's Memo' in each month's online issue of WVLS' nwsletter, The Lamplighter. If I had known what TIME, Inc. was up to, maybe I would have worn a swim cap this month... ;->

DST and other/better dates to celebrate

Are you ready for Daylight Savings Time?The latest crise du jour stems from the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which moves daylight saving time forward by about three weeks to March 11. The result? This time change is likely to throw off computer users’ operating systems and Outlook calendars. Find out how to fix it here....PC Magazine, Mar. 5
(As seen in the 3/7/07 issue of American Libraries Direct)


Microsoft: Daylight Saving Time Help and Support CenterThis guide helps users of computers with Microsoft Windows operating systems make sure that their computers are updated for the new daylight saving time. "Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time (DST) will be extended in the United States. DST will start on March 11, 2007, which is three weeks earlier than usual, and it will end on November 4, 2007." Include sections for home and workplaces users, IT professionals, and PDAs and cell phones.URL: http://support.microsoft.com/dst2007
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/23457 (As seen listed in LII New This Week 3/8/07)

WVLSers are Party Animals

Those who know WVLS well know that we really like to eat. Passersby are often seen gazing through the office window...eyeing the always-interesting array of tasty tidbits on display. If we can find a legitimate reason to mark a day as 'special' for some reason so that we can point to a REAL reason to have treats, so much the better! We've even been known to tailor our dress and treats in appropriate colors for special days. So, yes, we DO like to celebrate.

I just noticed a couple of upcoming notable dates that may be worth celebration - dates we've never recognized in our office before that might well make for interesting clothing and food.

Just next week on Monday, March 12th we could celebrate the beginning of the Girl Scouts. Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912 for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid. Today Girl Scouts of the USA has a membership of nearly four million girls and adults...more than 50 million women in the U.S. today are Girl Scout alumnae...(about 1/2 of the WVLS staff have Girl Scout/Brownie connections...a couple even admit to being 'thrown out' of their troops for......(h-m-m-m, maybe that's fodder for another story, another time). Anyway, we could wear brown or green, dig out our old badge sashes, check to see if we have any frozen Girl Scout cookies to bring to the office, bring in S'mores candy bars, etc.

On Friday, April 6th we could all wear some kind of plaid to work to mark America's National Tartan Day. This day has been officially recognized by the US Senate a a celebration of the contribution generations of Scots-Americans have made to the character and prosperity of the United States. There are over 20 million people who claim Scots descent in the US (I'm one of them through my mother who was a Fulton, a direct descendant of Robert Fulton of steamboat fame). But what to bring for food? Haggis? Porridge? Scotch Whisky (only the Irish and Americans spell this word whiskEy).

Celebrating all kinds of events/milestones in the office every once in a while might seem rather frivolous to some but, to us, it adds a bit of fun, learning, and always, always, good food.

BOOKs

BOOKS...

It's a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use even a child can operate it. Just lift its cover. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere--even sitting in an armchair by the fire--yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM.

Here's how it works: each BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. These pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. By using both sides of each sheet, manufacturers are able to cut costs in half.

Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. The book may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward and backward as you wish. Most come with an "index" feature, which pinpoints the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval.

Portable, durable and affordable, the BOOK is the entertainment wave of the future, an many new titles are expected soon, due to the surge in popularity of its programming tool, the Portable Erasable-Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Stylus...

Courtesy of IFLA as seen in the February 2007 INFOcus column of www.LYPonline.com

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Every once in a while I see the above piece and it never fails to amuse me. The first time I saw it was in a library school class taught by Muriel Fuller at the University of Wisconsin School of Library Science back in, I think, 1963 or 1964. Computers were just beginning to be widely used in the military, business and the university and they seemed SO far away from meeting any of our everyday needs. The idea of the BOOK (above) was something we could really grasp and assure ourselves that we were really hip ;-> 'cuz we understood the computer 'connections' in the piece. At any rate, it's another example of 'what goes around comes around'.

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I came across the following piece this past week-end while cleaning out a drawer at home. I cut it out from something I was reading thinking that I would use it somehow as an example of how easy it is for us to jump to conclusions. Since I haven't yet used it, I thought I'd put it here in the blog so that (1) I might be able to find it again and (2) so that someone else might have access to it for some useful purpose.

Why are we there?

Every day there are news reports about more deaths.
Every night on TV, there are photos of death and destruction.
Why are we still there?

We occupied this land that we had to take by force,
but it causes us nothing but trouble.
Why are we still there?

Their government is unstable,
and they have no leadership.
Why are we still there?

Many of their people are uncivilized.
Why are we still there?

There are more than 1000 religious sects
which we don't understand.
Why are we still there?

We can't even secure the borders.
Why are we still there?

They are billions of dollars in debt and it will cost
billions more to rebuild - which we cannot afford.
Why are we still there?

It is becoming very clear

We must abandon California !!!

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Got'cha I bet !

Blogging, Marching, and Matrimony

Alex MacDonell spotted the phrase 'Nom de Blog' in the New York Times of 15 February. "It looks," he suggests, "as though 'blog' is joining 'plume' and 'guerre' as an American-French appellation." It turns out to be fairly common and has already reached several online glossaries of terms. There's also "nom de Web" and the much older "nom de Usenet", which is recorded as far back as 1990. (From: World Wide Words 2/24/07)

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'March of the Librarians' is a video about the latest convention of the American Libraries Association, done as a take-off on March of the Penguins. "How they know to congregate in the same spot, no one knows. They come to learn, network, collect free stuff and, possibly, to mate."

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td922l0NoDQ
(From: www.LibrarianOfFortune.com 2/13/07)


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Just for the record, I've been married 41 years today - to the same person no less !

A Matter of Perspective

The Lone Ranger and Tonto stopped in the desert for the night.After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep. Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says,"Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see?"

The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."

"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.

The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meterologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow."

Tonto is silent for a moment, then says,"Kemo Sabe, you dumber than buffalo. It mean someone stole tent."

Sometimes all it takes to make sense of a situation (maybe even the world in general) is to look at it from a different perspective. Today we are more likely to hear words like 'think outside the box' but it basically means the same thing. Maybe that's part of why it's often good to talk things over with someone else. Individuals see things differently. Discussing those differences can help us reach useful conclusions...or compromises.

I have a sheet I've used in difficult situations that depicts a pig saying, "Oink, oink, oink" and a duck saying "Quack, quack, quack." This 'conversation' goes on for a while until both critters are saying "Quoink, quoink, quoink." In other words, they've reached a compromise and can get on with their lives/projects/etc.

What's a 'Brambly Hill"?

In the discussions about how to start up a blog, one of the questions the learners are often asked to deal with is to select a name or title for the blog. Usually the chosen names have something to do with the occupation of the blogger or his/her hobbies or interests...maybe the blogger even uses his/her name as part of the title. So, you ask, "what's with 'Brambly Hill'? It's the name I give my house. I live on a steep hill along the Wisconsin River. The hill is filled with large trees and prickly things (and Poison Ivy too)...I like the feeling of the words 'Brambly Hill' in my mouth. I haven't formally named the house so this blog seemed to be a place where I could use the words. OK?

I AM WOMAN - HEAR ME @ YOUR LIBRARY...or your grocery story mag rack

Every year, more than 500,000 entrepreneurs start new businesses in the United States. But how and where to they get the resources and support it takes to succeed? The answer is @ your library.

From now until May 10th, Woman’s Day magazine, in conjunction with ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries, is collecting stories on how its readers have used the library to start their small businesses.

Do you know someone who has been impacted in this way? Visit the article on the ALA website... http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Template=/ContentManagement/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=149969
about promoting this campaign, or encourage your patrons to submit their story.

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Talking about women (we were you know - in the previous entry) reminds me of a recent trip to the grocery store where I overheard a mom (presumably) say to her teen-age daughter that she had to learn that women weren't as important as men in our world and she needed to learn that lesson early or she'd be miserable for the rest of her life. I stopped in my tracks and looked around just to make sure that this wasn't a dream. What was I hearing? In this 'enlightened' day these things were still being passed on? Could it be true?

I am almost 65 years old. I guess I am very fortunate that the men in my life have always encouraged me to do and be whatever I wanted. I remember my oldest brother sitting me down when I was about 13 or so (at the time he was about 20) and telling me that one of the most important things I could do for myself in my whole life is to get an education or training where I would always be able to get a decent-paying job so that I could support myself financially no matter what else happened in my life. He pointed out that it would be even better if that education or training could be in a field that I liked but that 'basic survival' (and not having to be totally financially dependent on anyone else - ever) was at the bottom of his advice. I've always remembered that advice and even passed it along others. I found it to be empowering.

Hasn't our civilization grown yet to the place where we can quit making either men or women more important than the other and, instead, actively look for ways for everyone (men, women and children of both sexes) to give and receive our different gifts to each other and to our communities? Men are not always physically stronger and they are certainly not always smarter or more financially astute than women or even children. Then again, women are not always the best nurturers/cooks/cleaners/teachers/etc. By sharing our strengths, we can all be strong...at home or at work.

Teaching our children (or other adults) that one sex is always 'better' in any way is such a waste of human potential, don't you agree?

Journaling

It's Monday again. How come the time between Friday and Monday seems to go so much faster than the time between any two week days?

For many years I have kept a notebook in which I write/copy things I like. Once in awhile I review it. It's a kind of a diary in that, over the years, I can see the differences in what appeals to me.

This morning my email offered me this bit to add to my journal....One way to strengthen your soul is to "Find your chocolate - and eat it too. Chocolate, particularly the dark variety, stimulates the release of natural endorphins that boost mood. If you don't like chocolate, find 'your chocolate' -- whatever makes you feel good when you're feeling low. It could be music, gardening, reading or talking with a loved one." Another soul-strengthener is to "Carry a small journal to record happy mements in your life."

Journaling - no matter the form - is a happy, healthy thing to do. It helps you 'dump' your negative feelings and record your better ones - all the while leaving a trail of who you were at that time in your life.

Give it a try sometime.

Pity the pig. Pauvre petite porker. He pokes his probiscus into often poorly ventilated piles of p---p (you get the point).

But pigs are pretty. They have pointy feet and pearly teeth.

Did you ever dream about being able to speak PIG? Not Pig-latin (igpay atinla) If so, say all these words in order...

Piggies
About
Talking
Wuz
Dummy
This
Long
How
Look

Then say the word pig before each word.
Piggies
About
Talking
Wuz
Dummy
This
Long
How
Look

Now say the word pig after each of these words.
Piggies
About
Talking
Wuz
Dummy
This
Long
How
Look

Now say pig before AND after each word.
Piggies
About
Talking
Wuz
Dummy
This
Long
How
Look

Now read the words going up begining with look.
Piggies
About
Talking
Wuz
Dummy
This
Long
How
Look

Hey, this is Friday of a week where I've stretched my brain...you expected pearls of wisdom maybe?

Maybe next week.

Thanks for your comments throughout the week - they've helped put some humor into this exercise.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese calendar has us off and running to find out about pigs (boars) because 2007 (beginning 2/18) is the Year of the Pig. Yesterday I shared my Technie Wanna-Be pig pal so today I'll share a porcine personality profile. Give it a try....use it on your family...try it on your co-workers at a staff meeting, share it with your library/library system/ or Friends board but first, test yourself.


PIG PERSONALITY PROFILE

Here's a fun personality profile activity that can be used to start or finish any number of training sessions.

Supplies: paper and pencil per participant.

On a blank piece of paper, draw a pig.
· The pig is of the animal variety.
· DO NOT look at your neighbor's pig.
· DO NOT give any further instructions.
· DO NOT influence how the pigs are drawn.
After participants complete the assignment. Explain that their drawing will serve to interpret their personalities.

If the pig is drawn on the top portion of the page you are optimistic and very positive.
If the pig is drawn in the middle of the page you are realistic and factual.
If the pig is drawn toward the bottom of the page, you are pessimistic or tend to have a negative outlook.
If the pig is facing left, you are traditional, friendly and remember birthdays and dates.
If the pig is facing right, you are innovative, action-oriented, not family or date oriented.
If the pig is facing straight ahead, you are direct, like to play devil's advocate and don't avoid issues.
If the pig is very detailed, you are analytical, cautious, suspicious.
If the pig has little detail, you are emotional, bored by detail, naive, and a risk taker.
If the pig has four feet, you are secure, stubborn, and have firm beliefs.
If the pig has less than four feet, you are insecure or going through major changes in life.
The larger the pig's ears the better listener you are.
And last, but not least the longer the pig's tail the better your social life.

A day for lovers

On the board in the office I drew a red heart and put the letters HVD inside. One of the staff members stopped by my office to tell me that it sounded like a STD. H-m-m-m Not exactly what I had in mind but, still, it created a giggle.

Today I'm trying to follow through on what I started yesterday, i.e., to create a blog. My self-assignment today was to learn how to put a photo/drawing/etc. in the blog.

This is part of a year-long staff assignment that each staff member should learn about something about two tech-related things this year...an opportunity to use staff time to stretch our brains a bit.

So, let's see if I remember how to send this (and check if there's a picture - you'll recognize it, it's a drawing of a lazy pig who must assume she can learn stuff with no work - just osmosis ;-)

editing

this isn't quite as easy as I thought it would be.............