Binary America

Recently, I read yet another article pertaining to the digital divide. The Washington Post article—Binary America: Split in Two by a Digital Divide peaked by interest due to its take on who’s online? And who’s not? The article went beyond comparing the percentage of Americans who own a personal computer, but highlighted the percentage of Americans with access to broadband Internet versus modem dial-up. In addition, it spoke of the apparent lack of concern by the present presidential candidates toward the “Internet” and reducing the digital divide. As usual, libraries were mention as the only place where disadvantage people can go to access high-speed Internet.

Web designer

Working on this homepage assignment confirms what I already know--I'm not a web designer! I'll probably take a beginner's web design or html class once I complete the MLIS program because many librarian positions are asking for web design experience or at least the ability to maintain the library's site.

Home Page

I’m still working on my home page assignment. For some reason I thought this assignment would present me with little or no problems. However, republishing my site with the modifications (especially images) is taking me a little longer.

Librarians are hilarious

I finally received a day of rest on Friday after spending 6 days in Pittsburgh for the on-campus visit,and five hours in Philly's airport for a thirty-five minute flight home! Overall, I had a good time during my on-campus visit to the University of Pittsburgh. The campus was beautiful, I met a lot of interesting people in the Cohort, and the professors were great. I'm really glad I applied to Pitt! One thing that I learned on my visit that really surprised me was: Librarians are hilarious. The professors had a great sense of humor and so did a lot of the students.

Career Options

Today during the FastTrack on-campus learning experience, librarians from various types of libraries spoke to the cohort about their professional experiences. Academic, special, school, and public librarinship were all represented in the discussion. While they all advocated for their particular librarianship, I found the presentation by the academic librarian very informative. I don't know, maybe it's due to the position description hand-out that she shared with the group!

Now I'm considering looking at an academic instead of public librarianship. I also want to work with cataloguing old photographs and by working in university library I might get that opportunity. I think I'll talk to my advisor about that idea tomorrow!

Pittsburgh II

It's been three days now since I arrived in Pittsburgh to attend my on-site campus visit. The cohort seems like a good group of future librarians! Some students, like myself have no library experience, while the majority of students already work in a library.

I have taken a couple of pictures, and if they look ok I will post to the blog at a later day.

Pittsburgh

I’ve been very busy today preparing to leave for Pittsburgh for my first FastTrack weekend. I’m looking forward to meeting the members of Cohort 7 that I didn’t meet on the tour at the Library of Congress in June. Well—I’m going to get back to the Kompzer assignment which is giving me a slight problem.

Google and Privacy

In the August 2007 issue of PC World, the News & Trends section features an interesting article pertaining to Google and what the company’s pending purchase of DoubleClick can have on one’s private information. I found the article timely because lately I’ve been wondering what the impact of downloading all the various programs for LIS2600 will on my personal online profile. I figure thus far, interested parties know I’m a student of library science with interest in historical photographs.

Jennifer

I'm still unable to create a title for my post. However, I'm really too busy working on my Kompozer assignment to bother with that issue now. It seems there's always some glitch or one wrong step and the program doesn't work. Anyway, back to Kompozer!

Here is my Koha link. I selected southern folklore as my topic. My favorite selection from the books listed below is Folk beliefs of the Southern Negro.

On another note, I'm having technical issues with my blog so I'm unable to give my post a title.

Storytellers: folktales & legends from the South/0820312673
Folk beliefs of the Southern Negro/0486224600
Roots of a region: Southern folk culture/9781934110201
Shared traditions: Souther history and folk culture/0252015215
A Treasury of Southern folklore/0517336472
Why the possum's tail is bare, and other classic southern stories/0380768577
The hidden feast: a folktale frm the American South/0874837588
The Upland South: the making of an American folk region and landscape/1930066082
Southern folk medicine/1570032890
From my people: 400 years of African American folklore/0393047989
Identity, family, and folklore in African American literature/0815318642
Every tongue got to confess: Negro folk-tales from the Gulf states/0060188936
American folklore & the historian/0226158683
Negro folktales in Michigan/083715989X
Handbook of American folkore/0253327067

I recently viewed an interesting article in the Baltimore Sun pertaining to seniors and their increased use on the Internet. It seems seniors are using the Internet to receive updated information on Medicare, purchase lower-priced items, and connect with younger generations in their families. Of course, libraries are one of the few locations outside senior citizens homes where they can receive computer training.

Independence Day

In honor of Independence Day, I though I would share links to a couple of interesting sites pertaining to the history of our country. Our Documents, contains l00 digitized images of important American documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Also, review the American Rhetoric, which includes a partial database of the 100 most significant American political speeches of the 20th Century, according to over 100 scholar of "American Public Address" as compiled by two university professors. Enjoy!

The Cult of the Amateur

I just read the book review of The Cult of the Amateur : How Today’s Internet is Killing our Culture, by Andrew Keen. Keen seems to make some good points pertaining to the reliability of Web 2.0 sites, but I believe the positive aspects of these participatory sites out weight the negative. Also, I don't see a problem with traditional resource sites which rely on experts, co-existing with the so-called “noble amateur” sites.

ZoomClouds Assignment

The following are the URL's for the ZoomClouds assignment: http://zoomclouds.egrupos.net/ctags/previewCloud/

http://zoomclouds.egrupos.net/btags/previewCloud/

http://zoomclouds.egrupos.net/dtags/previewCloud/.

As you can see, I had problems with getting all the Connotea tags to show up in ZoomClouds. I deleted Connotea Zoomcloud, added more entries,and created two other Connotea clouds, but I still only have a few tags in my cloud.

URL for Bloglines LIS2600 Folder

Here is the URL http://www.bloglines.com/public/JSM39 for my LIS2600 folder. I know it's really late, but I was having problems with this assignment. It wasn't a hard project, I was just making little mistakes and leaving out little steps. For instance, it took me awhile to figure out how to edit subscription and place them in the LIS2600 folder that I create.

"The Modern Librarian"

In recognition of the 128th annual American Library Association convention, the Washington Post featured a cute article pertaining to Ann Seidl’s premier of “Hollywood Librarian,” which took place at the convention. According to the article, Seidl’s motivation for creating the movie is rooted in changing the “sourpuss bookmarms” [bookmans] image of librarians long depicted in films.

A point of disagree with this article is its assertion that “the profession lacks an infusion of young blood.” It’s my opinion that technological advancement is and will attract younger people to the profession. When I decided to pursue my MLIS, most librarians that I spoke with were really surprised how “popular library school has become within the last decade.” Besides, librarianship is often thought of as a second career and few high school graduates are serious enough to pursue the profession.

However, maybe a viewing of “Hollywood Librarian” during career day will influence young adults to purse the profession.

LOC Tour

Last Saturday, June 23rd, I joined a few members of Cohort 6 and 7 for a personalized tour of the Library of Congress (LOC). At first, I wasn’t going to attend, because I’ve already taken a behind-the-scenes tour of LOC. However, I’m really glad I decided to participate. I gained so much information pertaining to the history of the library and the symbolism contained within. For example, if I remember correctly, the torches throughout the Jefferson Building symbolizes enlightenment. I was equally impressed with the scope of the collection: I had no ideal that both Whoduni and Hilter’s libraries form part of LOC’s collections. Lastly, the presentation given by staff members of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) was excellent! It’s just amazing what types of opportunities are available to librarians.

Oh before I forget, I had time to speak with several individuals from Cohort 6 (Virgin Islanders), and they were very supportive and encouraging! They gave me several tips for surviving LIS 2600.

Wikis

While reviewing ALA’s website, I came across an interesting article in the Association of College and Research Libraries division on wikis. I must admit, my previous experience with a wiki only includes reading information on wikipedia. I was especially eager to view the article because a forthcoming class project depends on my ability to create and edit information in pbwiki.

The article, Using a wiki to manage library instruction program: Sharing knowledge to better serve, offered good points for the support of employing a wiki to manage library programs. However, the lack of monitoring information included in a wiki is my only issue with using this technology.

URL for Historic Photographs Search Engine

Daguerreotype Source: Library of Congress, LC-USZC4-3937


Here is the URL for my Historic Photographs search engine created by using Google Co-Op.

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=003237279863033178046%3A7r5iagfq6di

Libraries and Facebook

Today while viewing a visual studies listerv, I came across an interesting post relating to Facebook and North Suburban Library System (NSLS). As most people know, Facebook is a social networking website originally used by college and university students. However, according to the post, NSLS “has created a Facebook application that lets users add a search box for the Digital Past online history collection.”

The researcher is then able to download historical images from various libraries and cultural institutions to their profile. I think this is a really ingenious use of modern technology to connect with the public, especially, younger demographics. I wonder has visitation risen at the participating institutions since creating the Facebook application. Also, what copyright issues did they consider during the selection of materials? I’m sure not all the images are in the public domain.

To view the original post click here.

EndNoteWeb

I’ve been feeling a bit frustration with my LIS 2600 class. I’m having technological difficulties, well really, EndNoteWeb issues, pertaining to importing files. I’m sure it’s something minor that I’m not doing which is causing the problem, but it’s frustrating all the same. I find the EndNoteWeb help, not so helpful and the blog offers more details than I’m ready to delve in.

When I talk with librarians who received their MLS or MLIS ten years ago, most said “boy has technology changed library school. . .you’re doing what!” It makes me wonder what technological advancements may impact me as a future librarian. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself here! I have to conquer importing files to Endnote first.

J

Black Music Month

June is Black Music Month--to celebrate I’m including links to information pertaining to Madame Lillian Evanti (1890 – 1967), the first recognized African American to sing with a European company. In 1925 she made her operatic debut in Delides’s Lakmé in Nice, France, and performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934. To read the 2006 Black Music Month Proclamation by President Bush click here.

To view Madame Evanti Wikipedia enter here. However, Cultural Tourism DC, African American Heritage Trail contains more information.

Smithsonian Network Community

It’s been brought to my attention that the Smithsonian will join the social networking community. Smithsonian Networks Community will allow individuals and organizations that are fans of the Smithsonian to create a profile and communicate with each others via blogs, discussion forums, and share photos and videos.

It makes me wonder if technology will change the role of curators, and if they will embrace technology with the same enthusiasm as librarians? On another note, it seems the Smithsonian is trying to reach a younger audience by creating this online social community.

Smithsonian Networks Community mission statement includes providing "the tools to share the experiences that connect us to our American heritage, to explore science and discovery with like-minded passionate people. . ."

Wow, it will be interesting to experience this endeavor once its launched!

Relax!

Relax--that is what I was telling myself on the way home from work today. Ok, this is what happened, I was reviewing one of my syllabus at lunch today and noticed that I didn't complete an assignment that was due last week (Sunday). So I left the break room with sandwich in hand to complete the assignment before the last fifteen minutes of my break was over. I completed the assignment, but while driving that hour long commute home, I was thinking, "how did I overlook that!"

Then one of my favorite songs from the 80s popped into my head: Relax! by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I told myself "relax" for the remaining time on the road and felt much better when I arrived home. If you don't know this English band, here's some information from wikipedia.

Double Fold

I recently read Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper, by Nicholson Baker for my LIS 2000 class.

I found the publication very entertaining. Baker tells his story for the quest to preserve newspaper print in its original format with such passion that at times you find yourself questioning the library and preservation communities that he criticizes for disposing newspapers. Even though newspapers are generally preserved with microfilm technology, Baker views this technology as limiting the wealth of information contained in print and denying individuals of their viewing and reading experience.

As a future librarian, this book made me realize the library profession is also prone to criticism from the general public, and we must continue to educate the public and our patrons on several issues. Including, what we do? How we do it? Why we do it? Other wise, individuals like Baker can convince the general public that librarians are destroying our national and local resources without rhyme or reason.

Electronic Publishing

I often wonder how simple life would have been if I had access to electronic journals during my high school days or even better, my first few years of college.

Youth and young adults of today have various resources to consult when completing research and scholarly published journal seem to gain popularity as a source for reliable information. However, I wonder how instructors and librarians who assist young researchers rate these journals? This is a new subject for me to ponder, and I have lots of questions. For instance, Do you have to belong to a professional organization to publish in some of these journals? How are the submissions reviewed and who reviews them? As a future librarian, how will my profession give creditability or merit to these journals before recommending them to the public?

These are just a few questions that I look forward to exploring in my LIS 2000 class.

Computer Bug

I finally discovered how to create my rss feed for this blog. Basically, it was a problem with IE so I downloaded a rss reader on Netscape and that seemed to work. I was really scared because I though a virus was the problem, but all is well.

Speaking of viruses, I came across an interesting story on the Smithsonian National Museum of American History website pertaining to the orgins of the term "bug" and "debug" as used by computer programmers. According to the site, engineers working on a computer at Harvard University found a moth stuck in one of the components and taped the insect in their logbook and labeled it "first actual case of bug being found".

To view the story and a picture of the log book visit this link.

RSS Frustration

As you can tell by the title of this post, I'm really frustrated with the RSS assignment in my LIS 2600 class. I really don't know what the problem is! I've read the literature and viewed the video presentation. I understand RSS significance and why it's important to learn, but for some reason I'm having trouble. In viewing the DB I see others are or had problems with RSS also but this doesn't make me feel any better.

Anyway, I'll try to figure out again what I'm doing wrong before contacting the professor. I'm sure it's something simple that I'm not doing.

Jennifer

Professional Associations

Since last week's hot topic in LIS 2000 focused on "professional Associations," I though a short telling of my first experience with associations might be in order.

My first encounter with professional associations started with my joining of the American Anthropological Association (AAA). I guess since I was majoring in anthropology and possessed an interest in other cultures, which I still have, I thought that was the perfect association for me to join. During the eight years I was a member, I only attended two conferences and didn't present a paper or join a committee. Like most associations, it was a good opportunity for me to network and find a mentor. However, I just didn't participate in the various events and committees that would have enriched my experiences.

Like most encounters, you learn from them and move on. What I learn from my membership to AAA that I will apply to my pursuit as a librarian is not only join a professional assocation but become active. Yes, the journals that you receive are excellent but by participating you can develop professional relationships that last your entire career and beyond!

A few librarians in the National History division where I work are members of AAA. Here is a link if you're interested http://www.aaanet.org/

Completion not Perfection Mantra

Wow, the second week of this cohort is coming to an end and I'm starting to feel more confident about pursuing this endeavor. One of the things that helps is the discussion board is full of students like myself feeling confused and overwhelmed; therefore, I don't feel like I'm going through this situation by myself.

Also, Dr. Alman's explanation of the mantra "Completion not Perfection" during the presentation on professional associations helped to ease the anxiety. I do however still find the posting dates for the hot topics and discussion questions a bit confusing.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Smithsonian Photography

I recently read a post in the New Basement Tapes section on courseweb pertaining to the Smithsonian (SI) asserting copyright of photographs loaded on SmihsonianImages.SI.Edu.

The article noted that the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) asserts copyright and reuse restrictions on aviation photogrphs in their collection even in the absence of copyright. While I do agree that this policy is a bit extreme, I do believe the Smithsonian has the right to assert copyright in certain instances. For example, images of artifacts taken by Smithsonian employees should be copyrighted by SI.

The article also stated the funding received by SI was more than $650 million every year. However, the funds support 18 museums (all maintain libraries)and galleries, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo. The funding also is for staffing, maintaining the buildings, caring for the collections, and making the collections accessible through databases. Additionally, it's free to enter the various Smithsonian museum, which it should be so I don't believe that SI declaring copyright on certain images to obtain additional funds is so crimmal.

Lastly, check out this site which contains images from various SI museums http://photography.si.edu/

J

Slow Start

The first two weeks of this semester has definitely challenged me. First,I was feeling overwhelmed by configuring firefox and installing the series of extensions, that is until I started building my collection of items. I do believe the directions in the syllabus could have been clearer. Besides, I'm so use to working on the front end of databases and relying on others to complete the configuring.

Second, I was disappointed in my first book review for LIS 2000. However, I enjoyed reading other students perspectives on Kuhn's theory of paradigms and scientific revolutions, especially how they related the ideas to their particular interest and library studies in general.

Jennifer

First Blog!

This is my first blog--like several other LIS2600 students. Nevertheless, I plan to use this blog to get in touch with my creative side. I love photography, especially 19th century images so every once in awhile I post observations pertaining to photography.

Jennifer