Okay, this isn't a preview, but a plug for my favorite online comic: Unshelved.
http://www.unshelved.com/
I have mentioned this comic strip in a previous post, but I thought that it deserved its own shout-out. I'm not entirely sure how "universal" the humor is, but if you are at all familiar with public libraries then you will get a kick out of this. Though to be honest, I'm not sure how many libraries allow naked people to freely walk around. The closest I have ever come to that was this summer when a young man in his 20's came running into my library wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. I just calmly explained to him in my best librarian voice, "I'm sorry sir, but you are just too naked to be in the library". He just looked down at me and said "oh" and quietly left... a little flummoxed, I think, to imagine exactly what amount of nakedness is allowable in a public library.
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Free Software Tip Sheets
These one page tip sheets are free to print out and distribute to patrons. With budget cuts, computer labs in libraries need all of the free resources we can get! Of course there is curriculum that you can buy from this site, but their one page tutorials work just fine for the library setting.
http://www.customguide.com/quick_references.htm
They are mainly for Microsoft Office products but unlike the Microsoft site, they cover versions 2002 and 2003. There is also tip sheets for Mac, Adobe products, FireFox and Internet Explorer.
http://www.customguide.com/quick_references.htm
They are mainly for Microsoft Office products but unlike the Microsoft site, they cover versions 2002 and 2003. There is also tip sheets for Mac, Adobe products, FireFox and Internet Explorer.
Monday, July 27, 2009
A funny thing happened at the library today...
The great thing about working at a public library is that I never ceased to be amazed by the questions that I get asked at the reference desk. Some border on the insane, while some are so amazingly complex and obscure that I can never help but wonder what prompted such a question. Today, however, I had a question that would fall into the latter category.
Today at the reference desk I had probably the funniest interaction with a patron I have ever had. So a man comes up to the reference desk and very nicely asks me where the books that have photographs of ancient Greece are. As I was in "librarian mode" I instantly started the usual reference inquiry. My first question: was he interested in the history, art, architecture or just wanted quality photos of the ruins of Greece.
He answered no, he was more interested in photographs of Hercules.
I then started in on the question: was he looking for photographs of statues, paintings, pots... ?
Apparently by this point he was getting a little exasperated with me because he said to me: "look, I just want a photograph of the living guy, not some statue or painting, I would even take a photograph of Zeus if you had it."
Hmmm... Really? At this point I was still too much in shock to believe that he had really wanted an actual photograph of the body of Zeus or Hercules. It really did take all of my self control to tell him, "well I want a picture of Jesus, but it just isn't going to happen". Instead I smiled my best "Oh God, how stupid can you possibly be" smile and very politely informed him that photography wasn't invented during the time of Hercules and Zeus was a Greek God, not a physical being. Though he was known to manifest himself into various forms to seduce young maidens.
From the expression on his face, I don't think he quite believed me. But I told him if he just wanted pictures of muscular men I had some body building books that would probably fit just as well.
Today at the reference desk I had probably the funniest interaction with a patron I have ever had. So a man comes up to the reference desk and very nicely asks me where the books that have photographs of ancient Greece are. As I was in "librarian mode" I instantly started the usual reference inquiry. My first question: was he interested in the history, art, architecture or just wanted quality photos of the ruins of Greece.
He answered no, he was more interested in photographs of Hercules.
I then started in on the question: was he looking for photographs of statues, paintings, pots... ?
Apparently by this point he was getting a little exasperated with me because he said to me: "look, I just want a photograph of the living guy, not some statue or painting, I would even take a photograph of Zeus if you had it."
Hmmm... Really? At this point I was still too much in shock to believe that he had really wanted an actual photograph of the body of Zeus or Hercules. It really did take all of my self control to tell him, "well I want a picture of Jesus, but it just isn't going to happen". Instead I smiled my best "Oh God, how stupid can you possibly be" smile and very politely informed him that photography wasn't invented during the time of Hercules and Zeus was a Greek God, not a physical being. Though he was known to manifest himself into various forms to seduce young maidens.
From the expression on his face, I don't think he quite believed me. But I told him if he just wanted pictures of muscular men I had some body building books that would probably fit just as well.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Beyond the Stacks invitation
Why I do it.
As a public librarian I have one of the most rewarding jobs I can imagine. I spend day after day connecting people to information, giving people the tools they need to live better lives and expand their horizons. It gives me a small thrill whenever I see the light of understanding in my patron's eyes as they gain the knowledge to seek their own answers.
Another large part of my job is Reader's Advisory. Connecting books to readers has always been a secret passion of mine, even as a child I would share my favorite books with friends. To be honest, my approach as a kid was almost pushy as I would often insist that my friends read this excellent book I had just finished. As I grew older (and my friends grew more weary) I transferred to this love of Reader's Advisory to my boyfriends. I remember one boy in particular that I insisted read "Bridge to Terabithea" with me over the phone. I think it took us a month, (and needless to say we eventually broke up) but in the end we read the entire book.
As a librarian I've learned the subtle art that goes into recommending a book. How to find books that relate to a person's interests, hobbies, profession or prior books they have enjoyed. I've learned how to "sell" a book. Sometimes I view my job 3/5 librarian 1/5 babysitter and 1/5 used car salesman.
When recommending books I f0llow one golden rule that I have kept ever since I was young: Only recommend books you have read. For some librarians, this just isn't possible. However in my lifetime I have read thousands upon thousands of books in all genres. Of course I have a few favorite genres and authors, but I've always prided myself on the diversity of my reading. I also have been blessed with a great memory. I can remember the plot lines, characters and whether or not I liked every book I have ever read.
Recently I discussed with a coworker of mine this ability I have to remember everything I read. I've always toyed with the idea of starting my own blog, but to be honest I've been too shy to ever put my ideas and opinions into print. But my coworker made me realize that by sharing online what I have created for my library I can help others to connect to some wonderful books they may have never considered. And while I'm at it I can also share some great resources I have discovered for both school and public librarians.
So please enjoy. And a few "legal" notes. All images are the copyright property of the artist. Please email me for permission for use. All fliers and brochures are free of use, just please drop me an email and let me know. They are my original creation and it's great to know that they can be of use. I may also be able to change elements of the brochures to suit your need. If you have ideas or suggestions for books; resources or brochures you would like to see me publish, please leave a comment.
Thanks and happy reading!
As a public librarian I have one of the most rewarding jobs I can imagine. I spend day after day connecting people to information, giving people the tools they need to live better lives and expand their horizons. It gives me a small thrill whenever I see the light of understanding in my patron's eyes as they gain the knowledge to seek their own answers.
Another large part of my job is Reader's Advisory. Connecting books to readers has always been a secret passion of mine, even as a child I would share my favorite books with friends. To be honest, my approach as a kid was almost pushy as I would often insist that my friends read this excellent book I had just finished. As I grew older (and my friends grew more weary) I transferred to this love of Reader's Advisory to my boyfriends. I remember one boy in particular that I insisted read "Bridge to Terabithea" with me over the phone. I think it took us a month, (and needless to say we eventually broke up) but in the end we read the entire book.
As a librarian I've learned the subtle art that goes into recommending a book. How to find books that relate to a person's interests, hobbies, profession or prior books they have enjoyed. I've learned how to "sell" a book. Sometimes I view my job 3/5 librarian 1/5 babysitter and 1/5 used car salesman.
When recommending books I f0llow one golden rule that I have kept ever since I was young: Only recommend books you have read. For some librarians, this just isn't possible. However in my lifetime I have read thousands upon thousands of books in all genres. Of course I have a few favorite genres and authors, but I've always prided myself on the diversity of my reading. I also have been blessed with a great memory. I can remember the plot lines, characters and whether or not I liked every book I have ever read.
Recently I discussed with a coworker of mine this ability I have to remember everything I read. I've always toyed with the idea of starting my own blog, but to be honest I've been too shy to ever put my ideas and opinions into print. But my coworker made me realize that by sharing online what I have created for my library I can help others to connect to some wonderful books they may have never considered. And while I'm at it I can also share some great resources I have discovered for both school and public librarians.
So please enjoy. And a few "legal" notes. All images are the copyright property of the artist. Please email me for permission for use. All fliers and brochures are free of use, just please drop me an email and let me know. They are my original creation and it's great to know that they can be of use. I may also be able to change elements of the brochures to suit your need. If you have ideas or suggestions for books; resources or brochures you would like to see me publish, please leave a comment.
Thanks and happy reading!
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