Interesting makeover of Smokey the bear, but I find it odd that the message needs to be dumbed down. Does positive reinforcement really work better than the old fashioned explanation of the consequence?
New Smokey Bear Gives Hugs, Not Just Warnings – NYTimes.com.
We will see…
Edie
I thought to share this blogpost by Sarah Houghton because I feel it may help someone who is on the cusp. Of course all libraries are different, all do come with their own set of challenges, but never the less there is a great divide between being on the librarian side and being on the Director side.
So You Want to be a Director | Librarian in Black Blog – Sarah Houghton.
Thanks for sharing, Ms Houghton
Edie
Filed under Library
Being a librarian at this time, is both exciting and challenging. Despite all the negative that is circulating about demise of the (ink-on-paper) book, I firmly believe that books, as well as libraries and librarians will be around for a long while. All will adapt accordingly to meet the needs of their community.
About the ink-on-paper book: Writers will continue to write creative works that need to be promoted and displayed in windows and shelves. People need to be able to browse through it, pass it over to someone else, leave it behind on vacation.The book is a product, a physical item that represents a creative piece of work, and all formats that follow are means of sharing . A piece of art is an expression of an artists creative thought, and digitizing is a way of sharing that image, A movie is released in theaters, pressed on DVD, and available online. When dealing with a creative piece the best way to be introduced, and promoted is to have a tangible product. After this point, it has a life of its own, and its success or failure is based on public opinion, and a successful promotional campaign.
With the introduction of digital readers, comments that “books are doomed” and libraries are in trouble were heard everywhere. Libraries are hurting, just as many other institutions are hurting during this time of economic hardships, however it is not because e readers entered the picture. Digitization is just another format to share a creative piece. As the movie industry has a set release structure: concept, screenplay, movie, DVD, streaming, so too, the book industry has: concept, hardcover, paperback, digital. In my previous career I ushered in the movie-to-video age, and there was never any talk about the demise of the movie industry, and there hasn’t been, has there?
As far as Librarianship as a career, I would continue with that path, knowing that it is an ever-changing field. Know that it is no different from any other career in that you bring to the table a unique skill that you have, and change is inevitable. Books , electronic devices, internet are all part of the sharing of information. Finding, sorting, navigating and empowering is the larger part of this career.
Libraries are still the beacon for information and education. Without them, there would be no trace in the future as to who we are now or where we came from. How information is formatted and dispersed is not the issue here, rather it is the ability of accessing information in the future. Libraries and Librarians will always be needed, no matter what the shape or form. They are running right along side as we move forward cataloging, labeling and dispersing information making sure we know where we came from, so we have a clear vision as to where we are going.
Filed under Library
I personally feel that computers and technology are both a blessing, and a curse.
Filed under Library
Written originally in July, blogger Anthony Molaro makes excellent points on the best way to approach Librarianship. In troubled economic times, I believe we need to approach Customer Service as if we were a business, and this article is right on point, in my opinion.
Filed under Library
I have been called many things in my time. Aloof, Snob, Isolationist (all untrue in my opinion), but one thing I was very surprised to hear was “helicopter parent” coming from a college professor at meet and greet breakfast
Now that, I will take a stand on. I am NOT nor have I ever been a helicopter parent.
This article: Grounding the helicopter parent – The Washington Post. has a very thorough and sensible approach to how to deal with children going off to college. I feel this has been our approach over the years, in fact it has been our approach since our first child took her first step onto the school bus for kindergarten.
It is important to nurture and guide, It is unhealthy to take over and do. We all must remember that we are really not helping at all by interfering, we went to school already. Let them experience it now.
As a librarian I can’t tell you how many parents I have helped “assist” their kids with projects. I do help, but I will remind them that the child should be the one to come in and learn the research process. They do not see that they are hindering the growth of curiosity, exploration. It is parental GPS: “now look here” “write this now”,”don’t waste time reading all those resources.” They are so dependent on the voice telling them where to go they have no idea where they are, they’re just following directions.
College is good practice for drawing the line. Let your child grow and explore, guide them, be there as a shoulder to lean on. Let them get places on their own. As I have heard many times before, it is a parent’s job to give their child roots and wings. Send them on their way, and don’t forget to turn off the GPS.
Filed under Library
Fun alternative to standard Facebook and Tweets:
10 Interesting Ways to Use Instagram for Your Library | iLibrarian.
Filed under Library
Here we go again.
Just when I thought it was safe to eat “happy meat” as I call it- Organic, Antibiotic free, pasture raised, cage free, etc., out comes this post from Food Safety News.
Exploring the Link Between Animal Health and Food Safety.
When Michael Pollan’s book was published, it opened my eyes to the practices of the agribusiness giants. He showed how the industry treated animals by never letting them experience light of day, penned up unable to move, shot through and through with hormones and antibiotics, these were the horrors that developed from the need to feed a nation.
But now it seems happy meat can be tainted as well, all because another part of the industry needs to look at its standards and practices. It never ends.
We need to clean up our act. Maybe by taking a look back to the days when we had no fast food and supersize and slow down a bit we will be able to see just what kind of mess we’ve created.
Filed under Library
Before I go any further, let me say this is my opinion only, I do not promote any industry, nor am I condemning anyone, or anything. It’s just a blog, I am putting my thoughts out there for anyone to read or delete. So there, that’s my disclaimer.
Now what I want to point out to everyone is that this is a nation of extremes. If scientific data says “vitamin e is good for …whatever, not one week after it is mentioned on the news, labels are smacked on food product everywhere “CONTAINS VITAMIN E” or “A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN E” . Fast forward a year scientific data says “Uh-oh vitamin e is the cause of ….whatever.”
Well, yes, uh-oh, now what?
Lets take look at soy. The jury is still out, in my opinion, about soy. A few years back a woman I worked with mentioned in a casual conversation that she stayed clear of soy because there was a history of breast cancer in her family, and so this comment stuck in the back of my mind. I started doing my research, consulting databases, journals, books, blogs, websites, reading everything I can get my hands on. My conclusion was: if there is that much question about soy, it is best to stay clear of excess soy, especially as you approach Peri-menopause, menopause and post menopause.
The food industry has changed drastically starting in the 80’s. What has happened to the food we put on our tables and feed our children is the topic of many books and medical journals. I suggest if you have any specific questions go to your library’s online research databases and get up to the moment articles in peer reviewed journals. Its the only way you can come to informed conclusions for yourself. Don’t let the media or anyone else tell you that something is a sure thing, because sooner or later another sure thing is going to prove it wrong.
I will leave you with this thought: my parents always said “eat everything in moderation” and that was what their parents told them. If it was good enough for them, it’s good advice for me.
Do your research, especially when it come to food trends. Talk to professionals, keep up with your annual physicals. Don’t follow news blindly. Libraries have research databases that you can access remotely from your own home, take advantage of your library’s ILL services, you can get information from practically anywhere in multiple formats. You only have one body, make sure you practice preventative maintenance.
Filed under Healthy lifestyles, Library
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 | grafedie on GardenSpot |
| grafedie on GardenSpot |
Footnotes to life start in the Library
a shared passion for handspun yarn
Growing and harvesting a bounty of blessings in my potager.
Raku pottery, vases, and gifts
Chronicling a delusional gardening experience.
Grafedie in the Library 