random musings from a serialist
Before I started working in libraries, I religiously returned my books on time, everytime. Now… not so much. I think having that late fee penalty waived has let me slump into delinquency. In any case, I’ve never been as bad as this woman.
Before I started working in libraries, I religiously returned my books on time, everytime. Now… not so much. I think having that late fee penalty waived has let me slump into delinquency. In any case, I’ve never been as bad as this woman.
The recent Supreme Court decition on CIPA regarding filtering in libraries is still getting some media attention. One public library director in Massachusetts had a few pointed comments: “Who is deciding what’s pornographic. Who’s decision is this? Some Midwestern software developer who may be homophobic? What I can’t stand is hate groups. Why are their … Continue reading “filtering”
The recent Supreme Court decition on CIPA regarding filtering in libraries is still getting some media attention. One public library director in Massachusetts had a few pointed comments:
“Who is deciding what’s pornographic. Who’s decision is this? Some Midwestern software developer who may be homophobic? What I can’t stand is hate groups. Why are their standards being imposed on my East Coast community?”
and
Having to pay for the filters in a time when public libraries are losing money for books and staff is what really burns, said Gilley. Adding insult to injury, more affluent communities who don’t rely on every penny the government throws out, may not have to comply with the filtering ruling, she said.
I wrote a short note to the company making the librarian action figure referenced on July 10th, and today I received a response. Here is my original message to them: I have a sense of humor. When I saw your design for the librarian action figure in the Seattle Times article today, I didn’t laugh. … Continue reading “generic response”
I wrote a short note to the company making the librarian action figure referenced on July 10th, and today I received a response. Here is my original message to them:
I have a sense of humor. When I saw your design for the librarian action figure in the Seattle Times article today, I didn’t laugh. That stereotypical image of shushing librarians is so tired and worn out that it has ceased to be funny. If we are superheroes because we “make sense of the world of information,” then why not make an action figure that represents that?
Here is the response I received from Jan at Accoutrements:
Greetings,
Thank you for your interest in the Librarian Action Figure. She should be available in Mid to Late September. For retail purchasing info and availability updates please stay tuned to mcphee.com. For wholesale info please go on our website at accoutrements.com.
Cheers
It is so heartening to know they read email comments and respond with thoughtful and appropriate replies. Here is my response:
I am curious – what part of my message to your company gave any indication that I would want to purchase this item? Your response definitely puts me off any thought of it.
If I receive a response on this, I’ll be sure to post it here.
Yesterday, Open Stacks author Greg Schwartz wrote about smart tags being used for books so that wireless phone users could point their phone at the book and call up information from the OPAC or websites like Amazon.com, and that got me thinking. My library Dean came back from ALA fired up about a new technology … Continue reading “portable information technology”
Yesterday, Open Stacks author Greg Schwartz wrote about smart tags being used for books so that wireless phone users could point their phone at the book and call up information from the OPAC or websites like Amazon.com, and that got me thinking. My library Dean came back from ALA fired up about a new technology in barcoding called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Right now it’s a hot topic among consumer advocacy and privacy groups, but the technology has been slowly creeping into libraries through technologies like self-checkout systems and collection inventories.
Personally, I’m divided on the issue. I think that libraries will likely use this technology responsibly by doing things like turning off the tags after they have been legitimately checked out so that they will not be able to track where the book is physically (except for the information in the patron record, of course). I do have some concerns regarding commercial use of the tags. I understand the security issues, but if the tags aren’t automatically turned off when the item is purchased, much like when the ink tag is removed from an item of clothing, then it does pose some questions about consumer privacy.
As for Mr. Schwartz’s wish for smart tags in books that talk to wireless phones, I expect that it shouldn’t be long before someone develops a technology that will facilitate the communication between RFID and smart tags.
I’m trying not to be frustrated by the design of this librarian action figure, but of all the things that librarians do, shushing isn’t our most useful action. If we are superheroes because we “make sense of the world of information,” then why not make an action figure that represents that? I do have a … Continue reading “librarian action figure”
I’m trying not to be frustrated by the design of this librarian action figure, but of all the things that librarians do, shushing isn’t our most useful action. If we are superheroes because we “make sense of the world of information,” then why not make an action figure that represents that?
I do have a sense of humor, but sometimes I get tired of the same old stereotype being drug up time and time again. Couldn’t they have modeled this action figure after the Librarian Avenger?
[added note: Apparently, I’m not the only person having this reaction.]
One of my big projects at work has been getting our SFX database set up. For those unfamiliar with the name, SFX is an OpenURL link resolver that connects (among other things) citations with content. My department head sent me a press release a couple of weeks ago about NISO releasing a trial standard for … Continue reading “OpenURL”
One of my big projects at work has been getting our SFX database set up. For those unfamiliar with the name, SFX is an OpenURL link resolver that connects (among other things) citations with content. My department head sent me a press release a couple of weeks ago about NISO releasing a trial standard for OpenURL. I have not attempted to understand all of the technical verbage used in the documents, but I am excited that the world of electronic resources is moving towards creating standards that will allow different resources to talk to each other.
Great Moments in the History of Technical Services!
An oldie but a goodie… Great Moments in the History of Technical Services. It’s only funny if you’re a librarian and know anything about technical services, which I do.
You can see how the Purdue University’s 2002 Poinsettia Trials are doing by watching them on the PoinsettiaCam [link updated]. Did someone say something about watching the grass grow? Remind me again why filters on computers in public libraries is a good thing? Flesh Public Library in Piqua (Ohio) had to change it’s domain name … Continue reading “flowers and filters and rock ‘n roll”
You can see how the Purdue University’s 2002 Poinsettia Trials are doing by watching them on the PoinsettiaCam [link updated]. Did someone say something about watching the grass grow?
Remind me again why filters on computers in public libraries is a good thing? Flesh Public Library in Piqua (Ohio) had to change it’s domain name because the filters on their public computers blocked access to their home page.
Maya Price has written an unpublished open letter to the editors of Rolling Stone magazine regarding their so-called Women in Rock issue. You’ll have to scroll down the page a little to get to it.
By RS standards, Rock is no longer a style of music but a trendy costume to be whipped up by expensive stylists and slapped onto the latest pop tart barbie doll. Give a girl some tight pants and a spiky bracelet and POOF! She ROCKS!
Someone actually sent me $5 for my Save Anna project! Woo-hoo! I’ll be starting a thank you page as soon as I can. Do you miss playing with your Mr. Potato Head®? Fret no longer – Mr.Potato, The Professor, Miss Onion & Mrs. Pepper are here to entertain you when the boss isn’t looking. Rep. … Continue reading “Did you eat your vegetables today?”
Someone actually sent me $5 for my Save Anna project! Woo-hoo! I’ll be starting a thank you page as soon as I can.
“In this putrid election season, every television ad seems to announce that the other guy sucks eggs, runs on all fours, molests small children and has the brain of an adolescent pissant. It’s tempting to join the “pox on both their houses” crowd. They’re close to right, but they’re still wrong.”
Lasty, the New York Times has printed some of the favorite questions and answers of the reference librarian who writes the Ask a Librarian column in the Folger Shakespeare Library‘s newsletter.
That’s right, I’ve been busy collecting all sorts of things to share. Women are striking for peace on November 11. Apparently, the British can’t rap, but I picked up a copy of Ms. Dynamite‘s CD, and it’s pretty good. The military’s homophobia could be a barrier in the War on Terrorism. Seven Arabic linguists were … Continue reading “Holy linkage, Librarian!”
That’s right, I’ve been busy collecting all sorts of things to share.
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