Librarian by Day

I’ve been busy gearing up for MRRL’s Library Learning 2.1 program. Our official kick off date is January 7th, 2007. Things are going to be a little different for this round. For example:

• The program will last all year.
• Each week there will be only one lesson, a micro lesson, that can be completed in one hour.
• Library staff and patrons are welcome to participate, as well as anyone else who wants to!
• Staff participation will be through comments on the original posts only, no extra blogs to maintain for them
• I’ll be providing on-on-one lessons with any staff member who wants one.
• I’ll be keeping track of staff participation and handing out prizes accordingly.
• I’ve created that handy dandy little logo you see in this post!

Right now Robin and I are working out our list of topics and trying to come up with fun, exciting (but cheap) prizes.

Since my position at the library is new and the idea of a digital services is still emerging and the idea of a digital librarian is evolving, there are a lot of changes. I just finished writing my job description last week and already my title has changed. With all the tasks, responsibilities, and initiatives my position involves it’s been bumped up to manager level. Since no one actually reports to me, I get the title of Digital Services Coordinator. My responsibilities don’t actually change other than they seem to constantly be growing and developing. Today I worked with vendors to pay bills, schedule training sessions and promotions for next year. Work on the Library’s Facebook page, had two long meetings, talked with people in Public Relations, Children’s, IT, and Reference. This week I have one-on-one meeting with two different staff members to wrap up questions from Learning 2.0. Then I’ll be writing Library Learning 2.1 lessons. Plus 20 other things that will pop up that I haven’t thought of yet! I can’t wait! If you’re interested in minute by minute updates follow me over at Twitter.

Everyone is writing about this, so I’m not even gonna add my two cents.

• CNet
• New York Times
• Newsweek
  
• Bloggers

I will be keeping my eye on it though. I think Amazon is aligned to make an ebook reader a success if anyone is. I just don’t know if they will.

A fun video from The Organe Couty Library System in Orlando Florida directs Teens how to locate music cds in the library.

This week has been a bizarre, if not ironic, clash of work and personal life.

I love social networking sites, Facebook, Myspace, Flickr etc. In fact I teach my coworkers and patrons at the Library about them. I present to other Librarians about them and why they should do them. I spent a lot of my personal time on Flickr and blogs. I have a pro Flickr account, but a couple of weeks ago I made the choice to move a LOT of my pictures to private due to some weird comments and emails. Then Monday Robin points me towards this article about Library Flickr accounts and polices regarding them. I read it I think about my Library and our policy and how I will write it the policy, becuase that’s my job. I think about what I’ll do if someone “favorites’ a picture of child and when I look at their pictures or profile it seems inappropriate to me. How will I write a policy that address freedom of speech and expressions and interests of the individuals and at the same time protects the children and patrons of my Library. I’ve been roughing this all out in my head and have yet to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys).

Then this happens in my personal life. It was nice this weekend, nice enough to wear flip flops, so I take a picture of my feet in my flip flops to post on my blog. I put it on Flickr and leave it public and tag it “feet” and “shoes” because I tag, I organize, if I ever want a picture of my feet I’ll be able to find one. Then something else happens – it gets viewed. A LOT. Then someone I don’t know comments. Then someone else marks it as a “favorite” and they have a lot of feet pictures in their account and as favorites. It’s funny, sort of, in a creepy and weird way that I’m not completely at ease with. Then tonight someone else adds it as a favorite. Now I am uneasy. These are only my feet, but I’m disturbed by these strangers taking such an interest in them. There is nothing scandalous or sexy about them. But because someone else has taken such an interest in them I’m almost hesitant to share the picture here. A picture of my feet, boring.

So while my business side was busy writing a policy for my library where I was concerned about the freedoms of everyone, my personal side feels very uncomfortable.

On a personal note…

I have a Myspace account and a Facebook account, but I’m never sure if they’re really worth the time I put into them. Until now. I found one of my college professors, from my Bachelors degree, you know waaaay back in the day. Here is the message I got from him. How’s that for making my week?

I can’t believe it. A message from my favorite student of ALL TIME! How are you doing? I thought you were in Australia or some place like that. I like Missouri for a while. A librarian? You’re living my life! I’d trade you professions. Things are the same here; nothing at [University] ever changes.

I will send another message, because I have to run to band practice. Write back using my hotmail account [edited]

You really are my favorite student of all time. You were the best student and you are a great person.

Dr. B.

Wow I still don’t have all of my notes typed but, but I wanted to get moving so I’ll do those later. The great thing about this conference (other than the amazing people and Monterey) is all ideas I get to bring back. I have so many things I want to implement where to start, will we have the staff, the time and the resources?

Two things are on the top of my list and are already moving ahead

First is our Flickr account. I was able to get approval for a pro account just before I left for IL2007. In the next two weeks I’ll get pictures from the major events in 2006 and 2007 up. Then I’m hoping to have event pictures up within a week of the event. We have a lot of successful programs and we’re taken pictures, we need to get them out there where our patrons can see them!

Second is our library blog, I’ll be posting regularly about library news and events. I’m hoping some of the other staff will be interested in posting too. If I weren’t already excited enough about this look at the great comment we got! This is exactly the interaction and feedback we’re looking for!

The only libraries I have known before moving to Jefferson City have been big ones in Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas. My expectations were greatly exceeded upon getting my library card at MRRL. There can be no doubt that the librarians and other staff are invested in public access to books, learning, and culture. They consistantly go above and beyond the call of duty in their dedication to these goals. I did not expect arts and crafts sessions, and have been delighted to find them offered. Book clubs, the Capital Read, and day festivals are all engaging. The librarians deserve special commendation for providing lunch at book club meetings and refreshments at other public discussions!
There are times that I would love to attend an evening movie or book discussion or a weekend musical concert, but cannot. This is a complaint directed toward the City and Jefftran rather than to the library. If you would, though, when scheduling events, please consider that some of us rely on public transportation.
Many thanks for all the grand opportunities that you provide to the community!