Belated Blues notes

There's a danger in jotting down blog notes every few days. You mention one thing and forget another. I'm sure there are many great programs out there that I haven't mentioned (you can help out here--let me know all about your successes,) but here's a big one that I'm late in talking about.

Mid-February, for 8 years now, the Media Department at the Main Library hosts a series of programs as part of the Blues Bash. We are great venue for this. The programs are free, smoke free, and the setting intimate. It's always a treat to walk down to the Auditorium and step inside, take a few minutes and steep yourself in the blues. It's the type of programming that is an eye opener to the public and a great way to introduce new people the many facets of CCPL. Thanks to Peter Paolini and Kevin Crothers the crowds continue to grow . So look for this again next year. And speaking of music, next month features Local Blend. It promises to be a great series. Come join us!

I Am Somebody

There's going to be an amazing program Monday evening here at Main. I Am Somebody: the Charleston Hospital Workers Strike will feature a screening of the documentary I Am Somebody, followed by a panel discussion featuring Mary Moultrie, Rosetta Simmons, Jack Bradford, Williams Saunders and Jack Bass. The discussion will be moderated by Congressman James Clyburn. You may have seen the article in today's Post and Courier. If you just glanced at it and didn't take the time to read it, you owe it to yourself to go back, sit down and absorb it. It's a summary of a tumultuous time in Charleston and the struggle for dignity, respect and fair wages.
Amy Quesenbery, South Carolina Room, and Mary Miller, Main Reference, deserve the lion's share of thanks for the incredible job of pulling this program together, although many others helped. It's something that all of us at CCPL can feel proud of--a well conceived and well planned program that focuses on our own history and gives voice to our community, warts and all. Fortunately Channel 5 will be here to tape it, so we'll have a permanent record of this significant event. I'm looking forward to being there.

Something to watch

Stephen Abram, among others, has a post with a link to a video on YouTube that's pretty amazing. It's been the talk for a week or two in the land of blogs, so you may have come across it already. If you haven't it's a visual presentation of Web 2.0 that's helpful, especially if you're not very familiar with the how the web progressed from HTML to XML and what all the talk about Web 2.o means. You've been experiencing Web 2.0 even if you didn't know it. You may not agree with the premise, but it's a fascinating video. Here's the YouTube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

Links in a chain

As you read blogs, you'll see that they refer to each other. Read one and it leads to another blog or a news article. It's all part of a different way to share information and to exchange thoughts, to spread conversation and comment.
In reading Helene Blowers' blog Library Bytes, (she's from PLCMC, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenberg County) http://www.librarybytes.com/index.html I found a blog I wouldn't have come across, but one that has relevance for us. She mentions Stephenie Weaver's blog. Experiencology is all about "how to turn businesses into great customer experiences." Take a look.
http://experienceology.blogspot.com/2007/02/8-steps-to-better-experiences.html

Not my job?

I followed my own advice and went to Tame the Web. Hadn't visited it in a few days. There's always an abundance of things I want to share or to talk with others about.
Here's a great conversation. Ever feel like you're doing different work than what you signed up to do? It's a common comment. Stephens' links to Steve at Blog about Libraries and I'm going to too. Stephens' says

Steve at Blog About Libraries presents and excellent answer to that question I get a lot at presentations: "What about about all of the stuff we've always done and continue to do? How can we possibly add anything new?":

Professions do not stand still.
We don't have a choice.
The jobs we signed up for may not exist anymore.

Please go read his explanations of each. I couldn't agree more. thanks Steve!

Read the full blog, with comments http://blogaboutlibraries.com/2007/02/i-didnt-get-mls-to-do-that.html

What do you think?

I can't wait!

OK, so today you all got notices about the upcoming Staff Day on April 27th. I'm excited about this year's event, for a couple of reasons. One, I think we'll enjoy being at James Island County Park and doing a small part of the challenge course. (Remember, Susan Bednar promises that our feet won't leave the ground, so don't worry about any rock climbing.) The second reason is that we have a truly incredible speaker coming--Michael Stephens. I saw Michael at the SC State Library's TechExpress in the fall. What a speaker! I contacted him shortly after we came back and, fortunately, he was available.
You'll be hearing plenty about Library 2.0, the changing nature of the web and the changing expectations of our users in the next couple of months, if you haven't already. Please take a moment to look over Michael's blog. He's a prolific, thought provoking writer and you'll want to be familiar with his blog before we all get together in April. http://tametheweb.com/

Local blogs

We have some library bloggers among us. I have two to share, but I'm sure there are more out there.
Nancy Wilson and Donna Pappas have started a Teen blog for their branch. Check it out at : http://www.johnsislandteens.blogspot.com/.

Amanda Holling, Business Reference Librarian at Main, has a Business Reference blog too. http://businessnotesonline.blogspot.com/.

I know that Amanda was blogging before we had the TechTracks class and that Nancy was inspired by her TechTracks Blogging session. What about you? Do you have a blog to show us? Or do you know someone at your branch or department who's blogging?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I was lucky as a child, I think, for my family always celebrated Valentine's Day as a day for everyone. You didn't have to be a sweetheart, merely someone you valued. It was a day to show appreciation, in addition to love. So here's to all of you, on this day. Thanks for all that you do.

Staying Alive

I got my Monday morning look at The NY Times Books Update email that comes weekly. On the side there was a small article and link to an online diary of the Director of the Iraq National Library. I know many of us heard about the huge losses of materials there when the war began, but I must confess I hadn't thought about their day to day struggles. While many of our public libraries are facing budget issues, the issues faced by the staff of the INLA are staggering and sobering. Here's a chart, from the Diary of Saad Eskander, Director the Library.

The Impact of the Sectarian Violence on the INLA's Staff (December 2006)

Type of impact Number

Unlawful Death (assassinations) 4
Unlawful Death of Relatives (e.g. Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Nephews) 66
Kidnapping 2
Kidnapping of relatives (e.g. Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Nephews) 6
Death Threat 58
Displacement 51
Plundering 3
Damage to Houses 3
Other Material losses 3
Note: Total Number of the INLA's staff is 464 (including 39 Guards).

This diary is being hosted by the British Library. If you are interested in reading more, visit http:////www.bl.uk/iraqdiary.html.

New professional reading

I have copies of two new professional titles in my office. I haven't done more than scan a few pages, but these look promising.
Black Belt Librarians: Every Librarian's Real World Guide to a Safer Workplace, Warren Graham. Graham knows what he's talking about. He's in charge of security for PLCMC (Charlotte). It's a short book, less than 60 pages, with concrete tips.
Title 2 is Out Front with Stephen Abram: A Guide for Information Leaders, Stephen Abram. Abram's an innovative thinker, an astute observer, and a great writer. Some of you may read his blog, Stephen's Lighthouse. I heard him speak at a State Library workshop in September and was blown away.
Anyway, I have these--two copies of the Black Belt and one of Stephen Abram. If you'd like to borrow either one, just let me know.

Simple is good

Sometimes being simple is complicated. It often seems that way in libraries, where we have a difficult time saying what we mean in simple and effective terms. Allen County Public Library has figured simple and direct out. What a great sign!

We're dazzling!

Just saw a cool T-shirt, that says She Blinded Me With Library Science. And what about these temporary tattoos ? The action figure librarian doll that shushed was just the beginning. There's a world of fun library merchandise out there. Who says that librarians don't have a sense of humor?

Employee of the Year

I hope you all noticed that lavender piece of paper in your pay envelope today. It's time to do our version of the Oscars. We all know someone who is an amazing employee, but we don't all take the time to fill out the form. Please do! We want as many deserving people as psossible to get the nod for being outstanding. Nominations have to be in by next Friday, Feb. 9th. Don't put if off too long...

More IM news

There's a great article in The Post and Courier today, Feb.1st, about our new IM service and there was a news spot earlier this week with Misty Jones (they also called her Misty Rodgers!) and Steven Schwengel. Let's hope the PR pays off. IM is mainstream out there, if not in libraries yet, so it's something we need to all be more aware of than we might be now.

I just finished reading an article by M. Kathleen Kern, Column Editor for RUSQ (Reference User services Quarterly, I believe.) In it she says:

Sprouting--Instant Messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is a growing mode of communication for reference services. It is already huge with our users, particularly for teenagers, who use it more than e-mail. 3 While not for every library, if you've not looked at IM (lately) then look again. There are new services out there such as MeeboMe and CuteChat, which, while new and perhaps cloyingly named, have potential for libraries. I am not yet ready to sound the death knell of traditional chat software, given the alpha state of MeeboMe and newness of CuteChat to the library market, which has heavy consortial demands. However, these should be raising the concern of some library chat vendors and the interest of more than a few librarians.

3 Pew Internet and American Life Project, “Teens and Technology: Youth are Leading the Transition to a Fully Wired and Mobile Nation,” July 27, 2005

So, take a look at our homepage, follow the links and send an IM to Reference. It's an easy way to learn what to do and an easy way to get a quick answer to your questions. We'll be learning more about IM in the TechTracks class next week, so you'll be hearing more about this.