Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Brava, as usual, to the Unshelved Guys

There are many times I wish we could do something like this for parents who don't pay attention to their children. As usual, Bill and Gene manage to reach into our brains and write what many of us are thinking.

It's a small number of parents who do this, but it makes for occasionally scary moments and sometimes really bad endings.

Monday, July 28, 2008

What Brings You Here Today?

One of the fun features of Feedburner is finding out what searches brought up my blog...

Unusual things I've seen?

"Wrinkle in Time is a bad book."

"good text message forwards" (This crops up a lot and points you to an entry where I talk about hating forwards)

"Leonardo TMNT" (Heroes in a half shell...I see a lot of searches for Leo)

"jonas brothers sign" (I imagine I was a disappointment )

"Quote for weird" (weird what I ask you?)

"my fantastic" (they are redirected to my ability to procrastinate...again, not what they were looking for)

"teen male heartthrobs" (see Jonas brothers)

"business card title interesting" (hmmmm)

It's quite an interesting peek into search engine optimization to see what resulted in me being brought up.

Everybody Wants October

I'm going through a number of resources I have on paper and trying to assimilate them into neat Google Documents. Have I mentioned my love for the Google Doc? [Excepting of course when it goes down and everyone is scrambling to figure out what is in there.]

There are mostly mundane documents floating about in my account at present

"Things I Want to Read" (Often the pre-pub reading the reviews list...)
"Things I Have Read" (Not comprehensive but so far this year 100 titles)
"Which of the Cat Who Books do I own?"
"Christmas Card Mailing List" --yes, I have one of those, I'm that type of person.

etc etc.

And then I was working on this one (a standard set of need to know for those working with the public): "Month Themes and Ideas"

Scroll down and review October. It's National XYZQRSETIEOUWERIOP Month. Perhaps this comes as little surprise when you think about school. It's past August or September, when children are heading back and teachers have had a chance to establish routine. It's prior to the holidays. It's around a good time to start reminding people of charitable giving before the year end.

Btw--if you see anything missing from that list, drop me an email or comment and I'll add to it.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Writing...just not always online

Perhaps because it's summer and I've got the same lazy attitude of our students. Perhaps because there has been summer reading program (albeit much less stressful this year). But I like to think that I haven't been blogging as much because of other writing projects. Capturing my words cannot always be done in a public forum and this has been one of those times.

My most recent 'brilliant idea' is to write a thousand words on each of a number of people who have influenced me or about whom I have a strong memory. These are summaries of friendships now gone by the wayside, coworkers with whom I've lost contact, or casual acquaintances where I can still remember being a thorn in their side.

One memory I want to capture is of a resident supervisor I knew during undergrad. He was a graduate student about whom none of us knew very much. One night, as I sat in the building lobby chatting with friends I saw him and called out to him. He sighed and turned, waiting for one of the infamous questions I would drop on him.

"Yeah?" he asked, waiting to hear some strange challenge to long time policy.

"I need a hug."

You could see palpable relief as he extended his arms and I dashed over into them. He headed off then and I went back to those friends, who were now staring at me. They'd never considered that he was a huggable person. Their loss--he gave awesome hugs.

Though I doubt it's a memory he probably shares (one hug in the middle of a dorm lobby?), it's something I want to capture. For their privacy though, I will keep these thoughts offline, because these will be real people and real events--as best as my memory will serve.

But that's what I'm working on--what are you up to?

Blogiversary the Second

And here I am, running a couple of days late even on my own anniversary. My actual anniversary was Wednesday--so we'll just say I saved the celebration for the weekend.

Again, I'm overwhelmed at the changes that have come in the past year. As days drift slowly by and hours sometimes seem endless--months are fleeing rapidly and I'm wondering where the years are going. Last year I noted

"A year ago today I began this blog, living in a different state, working a very different job."

Today, I repeat that sentiment. This year finds me happier in my work, sad about the distance between me and many of my friends (not drivable), and wondering what comes next. It appears I may keep my new year's resolution of not moving in 2008. Trying to break a cycle I've had since the age of 16 of at least one move a year. I think a decade of that truly enough, don't you?

Two years and 485 posts later...***noisemakers*** ***champagne pop***

Thank you for joining me.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Book Review: Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy





















The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy
Diane Stanley


It's an incredible opportunity: a boarding school for the most bright and brilliant stars willing to offer a family full tuition for their three children because of one daughter's potential. A gorgeous campus, amazing mentors, and vitamin filled yummy brownies served every day at lunch!

Franny is an ordinary kid, impulsive, goofy, and awkward, and she knows she's only at Allbright because of her little sister. But it doesn't preclude her making new friends with self described "hybrid" poet Brooklyn, sad parentally abandoned Calpurnia, and even condescending Prescott. And after a few months at her new school she's seeing life in a new way: her mother's home cooking is incredibly fattening and artery clogging, her best friend's sloppy hair defines others first impressions of him, and she's constantly concerned with politely deferring topics that make her remotely uncomfortable. Calpurnia (Cal) (joining the family for the holiday) is now perky and no longer worried about her absentee father. Oh, and the poet? He's now going by Brook and working on non-fiction.

Franny doesn't want to believe her best friend Beamer when he says she's changed, seeing only her new opportunities because of the school. But after they get back from the horrors of Thanksgiving meal (in all it's triptophan glory), Calpurnia's appendicitis kills her appetite and she comes to the realization that once she stops eating the brownies, she feels differently. It's now up to this foursome of eighth graders (assisted by Beamer) to figure out just what's in the brownie mix and to figure out who is in on the scheme to create "perfectly Allbright" leaders.

This was an enjoyably quick read. Franny is allowed to shine, despite not being the star child of the family and her friends are given time in the spotlight. Franny doesn't make the initial discovery of what's going on with the brownies, and it takes a lot of teamwork to lead up to the big reveal. Along the way there are some helpful adults and Franny's parents get points for trying to give their children opportunities but not ready to abandon their children. (I'd say brownie points but that's just an unnecessary pun.)

In the end one doesn't seem boarding schools or specialized education as the problem, but a few minds who tried to go too far. Emphasized is a need for individuality, personality, emotions and friends. Highly recommended for those who like mystery and those who might not be interested in the more common fantasy boarding schools (dragons, etc...).

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Random Quote Sunday: the Wednesday Wench

I was really coming up with good lines of Wednesday

"95% of the world can be defined by picture books. The other 5% needs a time-out or a nap."
---to my managing editor at the end of a non-work related email

"Some things in life shouldn't be taken seriously and there are many days when I'm one of them. "
---from an email to the host of last weekend's party

Friday, July 18, 2008

Moment of Random...

Alright...who was looking for "Hedgehogs around LaCrosse" and ended up at my blog?

Probably not quite what you were looking for but I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

My Starbucks is Closing!!

Though certainly not as bad as it was when I lived in New York and passed three Starbucks on my way to work, I have a mild addiction to Starbucks. In the winter, it's vanilla lattes and blueberry scones. In the summer, venti iced green tea with a single pump of classic. I wrote my undergraduate thesis at one on the north side of Indianapolis; I have had innumerable talks with friends, addressing all kinds of drama at others.

It was something Sibling-the-Elder pointed out as a bonus when I moved to La Crosse that I wasn't really that far from the local Starbucks. Not an around the corner stroll but certainly right on the way to work and I could rollerblade.

It's one of the 600 they are closing
.

There's a lot of whining going on at Chez Hedgehog. It was a super long tough day filled with completely uncontrolled children, parents who are more interested in their laptop screens than they are their four year olds (seriously--one got outside today before anyone noticed), and just not enough sanity to go around. My business manager and Madame Director both came by for piece of chocolate and I think the RefQueen was headed down for it this evening.

Ah well, there's still three independent coffee shops downtown and I own an espresso machine and a coffee maker. And a tea kettle that gets a ridiculous amount of use when it's not eleventy-hundred degrees out.

I suppose I'll survive. Somehow.

Thought Challenge Response

As yet, I have had the good fortune not to have a book challenged specifically to me. Occasionally, if asked, I've discussed more controversial books with parents (why was there so much fuss about the Higher Power of Lucky?). I've also found myself explaining a suggestion to a parent and seeing them shut down on me when they realize the book has a quality they find unacceptable. This I usually don't take personally--there are books that would have deal-breakers for me as well. But generally, I've been pretty fortunate.

Blogger/Librarian Jamie Larue provided the transcription of a challenge response for a new picture book that he expects will be challenged over the coming year. I share the link with you and strongly encourage you to read it--even if you're not a librarian. It's thoughtful, open minded, and practical. And I hope that I am able to be as thoughtful and considerate should the need arise.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Official Posting Notice for Youth Service Manager Job

Madame Director informs me that the formal job posting is up and I've seen it on a number of job boards. To the resumes!!

Seriously, if you are interested at all, I do recommend applying. There is a lot of potential for growth and development of this department. There is also a lot of potential for baked goods and (if I'm productive) occasional knitted surprises.

What do I think we're looking for? Someone dynamic, enthusiastic, leadership, whimsy, forward thinking, and ready to experiment. Are we willing to look nationally? Absolutely. I came from IL/NY, another reference librarian from OR and a new hire starting next month in another department is from FL. So there's an interesting mix between people who have lived here their entire years and people brand new to the area (and yes, brand new lasts the first 10 years of residence).

Please check out my other post and the job ad. Again, please feel free to send questions my way (email on the blog site) and pass to those you think should be applying.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Comic Break

Mr. Raccoon shared this with me. It's good for the nocturnal procrastinating, I promise I'll do better later/tomorrow soul.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

What is Growing in Alongside my Roses?


Despite the fact that I have roses blooming, I'm not particularly inclined to have a green thumb. (Pay no attention to the 17 other plants growing in my apartment--anyone need a spider plant?) I can't keep an African Violet alive for money or chocolate.

I re-potted this little mini rose from the container the Ex had given it to me in recently. Now it's growing something else too. What's it growing and should I pull it out of the container?

Random Quote Sunday (EXTRA): EJ is awesome...

At a phenomenal surprise party that I got to attend last night, my friend EJ made a comment too excellent not to quote:

"My head hurts right now because it's so full of awesome."

So here is your reason for every headache you encounter: your head is filled with awesome.

Random Quote Sunday: Old School

"I recommend the punch!"
A quote from a party I attended four or five years ago. We all said it enough and used it in every day conversations for a while. Was haunting me this week--had to text the Blonde to get source. But seriously...good punch.

"Now that we've gotten mutual apologies and natural disasters out of the way...how are you?"
My phone--her email acting up; I have floods, thunderstorms and potential tornadoes--she has fires. Makes for an interesting conversation.

Oh..and btw...that building I described in detail last week? Yeah...former bordello. Thank you, Madame Director. (Although I'm told it's coolness factor just went WAY up by my-friend-the-lawyer.)

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Persistent Frivolity (or...Finding the Book I Was Looking For)

When I was in junior high/high school, I read through silhouette romances like one might expect teens today to go through magazines and TMZ entries--REALLY fast. The librarian in charge of buying them at the time (also, incidentally the teen librarian) was really good about getting new ones in and swapping things out so I almost always could find ones I hadn't read before. No question that those things circulated. :)

There was one I really really liked. And I've been on the hunt for it for about a year or so. This evening, in an amazing effort to waste my own time, I went looking again.

AND I FOUND IT! I ended up going to PaperBackSwap and scrolling through all the Series: Silhouette Romance (MANY titles...alphabetically) and suddenly a title looked correct. I plugged it into a search engine and within seconds had confirmed it.

Husband Next Door by Anne Ha

While this may not have been the most efficient way of locating the book, considering all of my other searches have been amazingly fruitless--I'll take this! There was even a copy on PBS so I've ordered it and hopefully it will be here soon. Otherwise, I may have to look for used copy on Amazon.

Happy dance as I enjoy my frivolity.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Where Do You Find This Stuff? Why You Should Play with RSS

A story and then some useful information:

Last year on my birthday I got an unusual phone call from a former coworker. Though she and I have stayed in touch through the occasional email--we haven't really been good about being up to date on everything going on so it was a surprise to see her name on my id.

But instead of an off-key chorus of the usual song, she was calling with a research proposition. Could I drop everything and do some work for her? You bet--let's add another log to the fire. :)

So we charged through a research project culminating in a big project for her in an important building in the nation's capital. Not sure which building but it was filmed and I got watch the snippets with her in it later (she thoughtfully sent me the times at which she spoke so I didn't have to watch all 3 hours). As time has rolled on, whenever I see something on her topic of interest in my feeds or around the intertubes, I shoot her an email and a link.

In a chat we had recently, she asked where it was I find all of this information? My RSS feeds, I responded. Anything something involving her key search terms crosses my headlines, I just automatically hit forward and her email address. And because I see a wide variety of resources, this means I usually have something to her several times a month.

(Transition to "Information Portion of the Blog Post)

So why does this matter? Because the information is out there as she develops her knowledge base on this subject. But she, like many people, isn't using RSS or may not be using it effectively.

So...what is RSS? The official words are (I believe) "Really Simple Syndication" but a more accurate phrase is probably "Read Stuff Simply." I will borrow the Common Craft video on Intro to RSS because I think it's probably one of the best descriptions one can find out there:



Obviously, the majority of my readers already access this blog through RSS feeds that go into Bloglines, Google Reader or another type of aggregator. But how many of your coworkers are similarly inclined? How many of your friends or patrons? When was the last time you mentioned reading something and someone was surprised how much information you were aware of? I fully accuse myself of being a feed junkie--I feel like a walking sniplet some days.

When to suggest RSS? Hopefully before someone feels overloaded--but overload is a good point. Another time is when it applies to a hobby or research project. In a perfect world, I would set up a specific feed for said friend in the above story and filter all the things she's looking for her way. It's something I may suggest if we actually talk on the phone again. David Rothman and other medical librarians have talked at length about setting up educational feeds for doctors that the library staff manages for them.

But it's something to pass casually on as well. Don't assume people know about RSS and Readers--many people may have only heard vaguely of them and written them off as too technical or unnecessary when they "only check 5-10 blogs." I recently had a conversation with a really hip septuagenarian about various blogs and she said, "Oh, I just can't add anything else that I have to check every day." My ears perked up at that--wasn't she using a Reader? She was thrilled to hear of a tool that would collect her blogs in one place whenever they updated so she didn't have to go to each individual site. I talked her through the basics of Google Reader (sans computer, we were at a knitting shop) and, hopefully she navigated it successfully when she got home. I was relatively confident on her behalf.

A few people may not like having a separate RSS Reader but they would like to get feeds in their email. A handful of you do access my blog that way also. If a blog or site has a feed but doesn't have a "subscribe via email" --it doesn't mean you're left out, just that you need a different tool. One like RSS Fwd. Keep in mind that this works best with lower volume and fewer feeds, otherwise unfiltered email can get overwhelmed very easily. This might be a better option for a new baby blog to family members but not necessarily for all new recipes on recipezaar.com (usually 1000+ a week).

But consider suggesting to that coworker who is into Harley motorcycles, quilting, the latest tech gadgets, or fly fishing that they look at RSS. Talk to people you know who have a huge list of bookmarks/favorited--often many of those can be pulled into readers so nothing is missed. Recommend to the student or local historian with an ongoing project that a feed might be set up for their area of research. Print out this blog post and hand it to someone who wonders how you've already heard the news that's in the latest professional journal making the rounds. It could be an added value service your patrons would really appreciate or the gateway you always wanted to a community revolving around your hobby.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Heffalumps... the Acquiring Of

I have a somewhat limited tolerance for street and other sorts of park festivals. I suppose I would enjoy them more in the throng of other people of similar age with whom I might attend but in the last few years, I've generally found myself wandering about them alone. Varying only slightly depending on the city (NYC, CHI, LSE) and time of day, this has seen me surrounded by people who aren't wearing quite enough clothing, people who don't understand being polite in their usage of shared space, overpriced but sometimes quite yummy food, the occasional interesting craft booth, alcohol of various varieties, and loud music that is only sometimes to my taste.

Still, they are popular and with the gorgeous weather we had this weekend, I ventured out to one of the ones here. We have many festivals in this locale, with thousands of Harley-Davidson (and other motorcycle) owners descending upon on last weekend and more festivities forthcoming later in the year. Btw, if you're coming for Oktoberfest, I need to know in the next month so I can plan accordingly.

After meandering about the current festival, sitting down by the river to enjoy the view, and rejecting the beer tent on the knowledge that I had to drive myself home, I headed back towards my car. I detoured upon seeing an "Antiques" sign on the sidewalk outside of one of the buildings. It is named, my receipt tells me, the Antique Center of La Crosse Ltd.

The city has a number of antique shops both downtown and on the north side. But this was one I'd not been into before and truly, it is a gem that should not be missed.

The buildings on that section of Third Street were all built together--so the north wall of one is the south wall of the next and, while giving you a lovely continuity, it hides the size of the building. One sees cluttered windows from the outside but stepping in--one could be transported.

Now, keep in mind this transportation takes some heavy imagination. Bear with me if you will and picture walking into an extremely successful dry goods type of store from the turn of the century. An enormous room with ceilings probably of the fifteen or twenty feet and a lovely red staircase at the middle back that takes you up first to a mid level room (currently has security system in it) and then another full floor, or down to a basement probably mostly for stock in the old days. The upstairs is sectioned into two rooms while the basement has the damp mustiness that basements almost always seem to have. But coming down the stairs from the second floor you are struck by the magnificence of the staircase, the glorious sunshine streaming in large front windows, the spaciousness of the room--and a strong feeling that there should be floor to ceiling shelves and glass counters where men in collars and vests or neat shop girls are attending men in suit jackets and bowler hats or ladies in long sweeping gowns with Gibson girl hair. I kept waiting to find myself swept at very least into a film set or to have some nice young man with oil slick hair and mustache offering to assist me. Considering I was in a knee length cotton sundress, I would have been most out of place, but the idea suggested by the building was certainly there.

Into this space there are CRAMMED antiques. Thirty-five different independent dealers is what I was told. Their cases are open or locked, stacked or shelved. China cabinets and curio cabinets and everything packed to the gills. Furniture, figurines, china, toys, spoons--not much in the way of costumes or clothing but all other manner of things.

And not a hedgehog in the place. I know. I looked.

Fortunately, I do also collect elephants. This is a much longer standing collection which the Incredibly-Patient-Mother has been helping me develop for years. I have elephants that are representative of many times in my life: the tiny green figurine purchased from a street vendor near the Met, the stuffed elephant received for my senior recital, the elephant creamer from my visit to M last fall, the elephants said Mother brought back from a trip to South Dakota--one on purple stone (amythest or quartz?) and the other carved of a stone that hopefully she'll identify in the comments (cream ish?).

So here I was sailing through, lost in thoughts about the building and eyes sharply peeled in search of an elephant. There were many that were not what I wanted to follow me home, though I could have easily picked up fifty new pachyderms to add to the herd. Apparently I like Japanese elephant figurines, although one heavy pottery teapot that I picked up was probably the most hideous elephant I've ever seen. The elephant looked like a pig with a trunk--white with gold tusks painted on and floral blanket on the back with figure sitting on top. There's one for sale on ebay at the moment. The one I saw didn't look that nice and was much more expensive.

I did come away with five new elephants. One, which isn't photographing well, is a Wade Whimsie. Another is glass--which my camera is not pleased to show off. But I will share the coolest one that followed me home. It's a mug, though I won't be drinking out of it anytime soon, and it's was made in Occupied Japan--according to the bottom.

Indulge me my adoration of elephants. Isn't he cute?

Random Quote Sunday: Not Your Usual Plans

"If you have the reception there you can have an animal come to visit...but not the penguins, they have an 8 p.m. bedtime."
--a friend's comment at a Kiwanis luncheon while describing a wedding reception at the Minneapolis Zoo. Her friend was having a sloth come.

"I think I spent more time on this outfit than I did figuring out what I was wearing to prom."
--Hopefully it will be a better time than prom was too...

And the most bizarre headline I saw this week---which I will have you click through to see. Yes--it's a real headline.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

LigGig vs. LisJobs....My opinion

Although I've seen job ads floating around for Library Associates, I've never actually known anyone who has gotten a job through them, so I can't speak for the value the recruiters offer. I sat down with one in New York about four years ago but she didn't really seem to have a solid feel for the library field, which didn't inspire a lot of confidence on the part of me the job seeker. They are generally focused around major metropolitan areas: Washington DC, some areas of California, and a few New York jobs.

I still get their monthly newsletter, good to skim and find out what's going on even if one isn't actually job hunting, and so I heard the initial announcements a couple of weeks ago that their "career community" site LibGig was going up.

My initial reaction was one of skepticism. How very LisJobs of them, I thought. But I took a quick look to see: I'm as nosy as the next hedgehog. And below, for your edification, my comparison to LisJobs.*

Homepage:

LisJobs: The homepage is clean and straightforward. A sidebar clearly leads one to the sections of the site one may be seeking, with information in the center on blogs/newsletter/site ownership. The side bar remains for most of the sites (job search/posting pages excepted).

LibGig: The homepage is incredibly cluttered--to the point my eye didn't know where to look. The WIDE variety of font types and sizes is confusing. Menu bar across the top allows for navigation but one is not drawn to it because of the other visual stimulus.

For Employers:

LisJobs: Employers can submit jobs on a pre-publish-reviewed form for posting. There is not a charge for this and employers can choose how long the job should appear on the site. The form is pretty straightforward and do-it-yourself. Employers can also choose to review hosted resumes to find a match for their position.

LibGig: After a promotional period that was supposed to end on July 1 (but may still be active), job posting rates are rather pricey!! One hundred dollars for the first position--for a month of posting. While costs do go down for multiple positions, do they really expect a library to be posting 25-100 jobs regularly? My whole library only has a staff of about 100 and that's covering three locations. Again, it's a "submit your own on a form" but this one has billing information.


For Want-to-Be-Employees

LisJobs: The combined job posting site. It's one of the most comprehensive out there, employers actively post there. I've applied for a number of jobs found via LisJobs and their very very accessible RSS feed--which can be customized to a specific search. On top of that, there are links to other job boards and resources by state. So if you find out tomorrow your significant other just got dream job in South Carolina (and you're in Washington state), you've got some places to start hunting. Other useful sections are more nationwide job sites and international (non-US) jobs AND--resume posting. There is a cost for this but it's a very reasonable $10/six months and allows you to update during that time. So if you finish a course, publish an article, etc, you can get the most accurate information in front of employers.

LibGig: While outside postings are accepted, the majority of the jobs posted are coming from Library Associates. As this is their host, this makes sense, but it means there aren't a lot of jobs available for job searchers to review. No outside tools are readily given.

Forums:

LisJobs: The forums went live earlier this year and are broken into groupings: Administrivia, Job Hunting, Professional Success and Education. Under each of these are further subject divisions that have many conversations going--with the most popular sub-grouping "Resumes and Interviews" having 58 discussions going on. This wide variety of subject material allows for discussions not only for immediate job hunters but those who are looking to add to their long term career progress or are considering applying for scholarships etc. While some of the threads appear more active than others, the majority of the sub-groupings appear to have been active within the past six weeks.

LisGig: There are only two sections to the forums: Ask the Recruiter and General. I'm not sure what all is supposed to fall under General but it doesn't inspire me to start chatting. These forums haven't taken off, with many of them without any responses. And the "Ask the Recruiter" starts off with a "READ THIS FIRST" sticky--which is private. So, if I wanted to ask, it's unclear how I could find out what they wanted me to read first. The conversation topics introduced look forced.

Blogs:

LisJobs: There are two primary blogs affiliated with LisJobs and two other useful feeds. Rachel Singer Gordon's blog, the Liminal Librarian, and a professional development blog, Beyond the Job. The latter is a wealth of information on publishing/contributing/conferencing and can offer ideas beyond the walls/cube/limits that you work in day to day. Other feeds from the site include the newsletter Info Career Trends and the Library Career People Q and A Blog. All have feeds readily apparent. As far as I know Liminal and Library Career People have comment active, but the others are more in the nature of announcement and less in the nature of conversation--so not having comments makes sense.

LibGig: The site promotes itself as being "all about community"--and then has an anonymous blogger. While I understand various and sundry reasons for blogging anonynmously, that made me suspicious. Couldn't they find someone willing to blog for them publicly? They have two other bloggers, a student and a government info specialist who is also currently an MLS student, and a third anonymous blogger. The blogs can be pulled into readers (at least, I got one into Google Reader for purposes of finding out it worked) but not obvious subscription links. One must register on the site to comment, which seems rather limiting if one is trying to create or promote community.

Random

LibGig:
The site is priding itself on having the "most up-to-date list of library schools." It says it's an exclusive directory--and I can't figure out what makes it exclusive. Doesn't ALA maintain the official list? They're the ones doing the accreditation. The use of the word "exclusive" causes for a raised eyebrow. It seems like most good librarians could track down what programs are available and accredited-perhaps here.

Overall:

LisJobs: is a free or extremely low cost site that has been built with job seeking and those working on professional development in mind. A wide variety of resources are available in an easily navigated structure--the majority of which can be fed into your reader of choice.

LibGig: is a promotional site to try and improve the image of Library Associates. While there may be some added value in talking specifically with recruiters, the majority of the information is available elsewhere without all of the attempted flash.


*Full Disclosure: I have written for Info Career Trends in the past, detailing my work in publishing and my return to traditional library work. This review is strictly my opinion and was not at the behest of anyone connected to LisJobs or LibGig.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Wordle Me This-Del.icio.us-ly

In case you ever wondered what my most frequent del.icio.us tags are:



Somehow, this comes with few surprises. Libraries, books, and knitting. Yup--that'd be me.