New York Public Library is letting kids and teens work off their fines by reading a set amount of time. Here is an article.
(With thanks to the YALSA Blog.)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A Brave New World
Hey Y'all,
This is an exciting time to be a librarian. Sure there are hardships and hurdles, but I would not trade this job for anything in the world. I LOVE libraries, and have since I was kid. It’s not just about the books and magazines and films and art and so forth, it’s not just about the media. For me the satisfaction comes from helping people further their understanding and enjoyment of the world through the use of the media.
One of the most exciting things for me about being a librarian in the dawn of the 21st Century is seeing the paradigm shift in the way information and recreation are being redefined by libraries and library patrons. I think that many of our patrons spend little to no time reading books, yet spend hours on end in the library. They immerse themselves in user created content: games, blogs, fanfic, facebook, youtube, memes, mmorpgs, and music in video and audio formats which has never been through the recording industry process and is therefore raw and direct in a way that is both new and primal: bards had no record producers. In essence the patron becomes the record producer, deciding what music will make it to the market of their ears and iPods. The patron is now the editor deciding what fiction, again often untouched by publishing middlemen, will reach the market of their eyes. The patron is now in charge of deciding what film will be distributed to their senses and again in this arena there are many and varied ways for filmmakers to reach their audiences directly. With the rise of mmorpgs and online communities, the ideas of interactive storytelling and interactive media production on a grand scale are being born before our eyes with our patrons serving as both creators and consumers simultaneously.
How do we help patrons navigate this ephemeral world? First we have to make a decision: we have to admit that the patron who comes to the library and spends hours on end on the computer without ever touching a print source is EXACTLY as important as one who never gets on a computer. Next, we need to school ourselves in the virtual shelves, byways, and sources our patrons are accessing. Lastly, at least some of us need to immerse ourselves in online culture so we can develop a lingua franca in order to relate to such patrons and continue to act in an advisory capacity. We are supposed to be brief here, so let me close by saying what an honor and privilege it is to face the challenges of tomorrow knowing I have such talented and knowledgeable cohorts at my side.
Sincerely,
Craig Bertuglia
This is an exciting time to be a librarian. Sure there are hardships and hurdles, but I would not trade this job for anything in the world. I LOVE libraries, and have since I was kid. It’s not just about the books and magazines and films and art and so forth, it’s not just about the media. For me the satisfaction comes from helping people further their understanding and enjoyment of the world through the use of the media.
One of the most exciting things for me about being a librarian in the dawn of the 21st Century is seeing the paradigm shift in the way information and recreation are being redefined by libraries and library patrons. I think that many of our patrons spend little to no time reading books, yet spend hours on end in the library. They immerse themselves in user created content: games, blogs, fanfic, facebook, youtube, memes, mmorpgs, and music in video and audio formats which has never been through the recording industry process and is therefore raw and direct in a way that is both new and primal: bards had no record producers. In essence the patron becomes the record producer, deciding what music will make it to the market of their ears and iPods. The patron is now the editor deciding what fiction, again often untouched by publishing middlemen, will reach the market of their eyes. The patron is now in charge of deciding what film will be distributed to their senses and again in this arena there are many and varied ways for filmmakers to reach their audiences directly. With the rise of mmorpgs and online communities, the ideas of interactive storytelling and interactive media production on a grand scale are being born before our eyes with our patrons serving as both creators and consumers simultaneously.
How do we help patrons navigate this ephemeral world? First we have to make a decision: we have to admit that the patron who comes to the library and spends hours on end on the computer without ever touching a print source is EXACTLY as important as one who never gets on a computer. Next, we need to school ourselves in the virtual shelves, byways, and sources our patrons are accessing. Lastly, at least some of us need to immerse ourselves in online culture so we can develop a lingua franca in order to relate to such patrons and continue to act in an advisory capacity. We are supposed to be brief here, so let me close by saying what an honor and privilege it is to face the challenges of tomorrow knowing I have such talented and knowledgeable cohorts at my side.
Sincerely,
Craig Bertuglia
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday Meeting Minutes
I'm off most Fridays and am beginning to feel out of the loop. Is it possible to publish a summary of the Friday Meeting discussions? lreeves
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Glass Display Ideas!!!
Hello everybody!
Since I know we have a whole bunch of creative-minded people on board, I was wanting to get your feedback. What I am looking for are eye-wowing ideas for the glass displays that will definitely make people stop and notice. These ideas have to have some sort of theme and be of educational value. Please drop by my desk in 455 and either leave a note with your idea, or email me. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance and have a great week.
Sheetal
Since I know we have a whole bunch of creative-minded people on board, I was wanting to get your feedback. What I am looking for are eye-wowing ideas for the glass displays that will definitely make people stop and notice. These ideas have to have some sort of theme and be of educational value. Please drop by my desk in 455 and either leave a note with your idea, or email me. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance and have a great week.
Sheetal
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Pet Peeve Time
The 4th flour lounge freezer on the fridge is packed, nearly always. Yet for over a month now there have been two bags of party ice in there from some long forgotten event. Said bags are taking up like a quarter of the room in there. I would put this down to frugality except there is a working ice machine LESS THAN FIVE FEET AWAY!
I tried to take matters in my own hands and put the ice in the sink to melt but came back the next morning and someone had replaced them... unless they replaced themselves in which case we probably need an exorcist.
I say we gather our pitchforks and (especially) torches and rid ourselves of our icy oppressors!!!! WHO'S WITH ME?????
Craig
I tried to take matters in my own hands and put the ice in the sink to melt but came back the next morning and someone had replaced them... unless they replaced themselves in which case we probably need an exorcist.
I say we gather our pitchforks and (especially) torches and rid ourselves of our icy oppressors!!!! WHO'S WITH ME?????
Craig
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Parliament Translation services?
I had 2 customers come in today looking for this company.
When I google the phone number, I get the library's address.
Anyone know anything about this?
Parliament Translation Services - Houston
Reported to not exist. Not true?
500 McKinney Street, Houston, TX 77002
(832) 413-4904
parliamenttranslation.com
I dialied the number, but nobody answered...just went to voice mail.
When I google the phone number, I get the library's address.
Anyone know anything about this?
Parliament Translation Services - Houston
Reported to not exist. Not true?
500 McKinney Street, Houston, TX 77002
(832) 413-4904
parliamenttranslation.com
I dialied the number, but nobody answered...just went to voice mail.
McDonald's Gift Card
Please let me know if anyone is interested in purchasing a $15 gift card for McDonald's for $15.
Thanks,
Saima
Thanks,
Saima
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