Group items tagged

I think I have a Tumblr account (?) but obviously I don't use it. Anyone have one? Tumblr got me a job. Being intimidated by the prospect of a "full-size" blog, I joined Tumblr in February 2011. Since then I've shamelessly promoted my "name" and stalked down as many libraries/librarians on the site as I could find. I've connected with libraries, librarians, library students, publishers, writers, readers, Doctor Who fanatics, and cat lovers.

A bit too much of a fan piece but a general description of how librarians can use Tumblr as networking. The basic function is similar to Twitter--namely microblogging, but post aren't limited to 140 characters of text and can include image, videos, and audio clips.

Much like the recent lawsuit by Edwin Mellen Press against a librarian who was critical of the company on a blog, OMICS in based in India has also sued a librarian, in this case Jeffrey Beall who runs the Scholarly Open Access blog. I remember seeing and reading his comments on OMICS. What is notable is the extent of the lawsuit, threatening not only civil but criminal charges in India and the US, and demanding from Beall $1 billion dollars, plus $10,000 just for sending the notice of the lawsuit out.

A really interesting way to define librarianship. He says that librarians provide expertise in making accessible, navigating and making sense of the social transcript. Do you agree?

In this well-researched and provocative article, the author argues that a "philosophy" of librarianship is needed that is based on "praxis, not practice."  She argues that rather than explaining our value to the public, librarians should explain their philosophy-- "why we do what we do"-- as that will better help librarians adapt to changes in procedure ("practice") that come with changes in technology. Frustratingly, the author never prescribes an actual philosophy of librarianship for her own part, choosing instead to review the work done by others and recap the current philosophy debate in the field.

Librarians made the list of "Least Stressful Jobs of 2013" according to CNBC. This blog post covers the top reasons why CNBC is completely wrong.

"The nation's librarians will be recruited to help people get signed up for insurance under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Up to 17,000 U.S. libraries will be part of the effort to get information and crucial computer time to the millions of uninsured Americans who need to get coverage under the law."

"You're not familiar with the Incunabula? Are you a librarian?"" If not, that's okay. "Our profession's new demands require librarians who can write regular expressions, tweak stylesheets, and manage databases."

If you want to read something that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy about being a librarian... this is it.

A little librarian "humor" in McSweeney's. I've certainly had something similar happen on more than one occasion... (I actually think that the "An Open Letter to the People in Charge of Commercials Targeting Women" is even funnier, but it doesn't have anything to do with libraries.)

An article that notes the dwindling demand for general information specialists at the Free Library of Phildadelphia, which used to field 400 phone calls a day among a rotating staff of 14 librarians, and is now done to 1 librarian and 9 assistants who deal with only a handful of phone calls and more often do front line customer service and technical support work, with many information requests now handled by online chat.

Supreme Librarians in Metaspace! Definitely take a look at this promotional comic by Emporia State University School of Library and Information Management. Click on the cover to go to the comic.

Surprise, surprise... Metaspace is populated with cats.

This is just for fun-I had to post it! Let's face it, a lot of us librarians are geeky, and thus we enjoy geeky office supplies in the workplace. Here are 10 suggestions for stocking up on geeky stuff for this winter. (AKA most of my Christmas list)

The librarians of Mali are doing as much to conserve literature as to save their heritage. A vast majority of manuscripts have not been transcribed and remain in their original form, with some dating back to the 13th century. Timbutku is known for it's manuscript libraries, with several publicly accessible collections and at least 24 private collections.

This article looks at a legal but somewhat controversial practice in some municipalities where employees can retire and receive a full pension, but still come back to work full time on a salary. In the case in question a librarian who retired 8 years ago was hired over 66 other candidates at a salary $22,000 higher than an an entry level hire would be paid. Some concerns are also raised about how retire/rehire may prevent young educators from getting jobs.

That's quite an honor.

"In Our Mothers' House" was removed from shelves of elementary school libraries after a group of parents objected to the content. Librarians are being asked to supply names of other books containing gay and lesbian characters.

People are turning to libraries with tech-fueled questions about everything from e-readers to social media - and librarians have the answers.

People are turning to libraries with tech-fueled questions about everything from e-readers to social media - and librarians have the answers.

I think this is a pretty interesting fundraiser.

Haha. I like the tattoo on the guys calf that's just the generic/universal library icon.

This is a really great speech. Read it only if you want to feel inspired about being a librarian. I would like to see MOBIUS take the lead on redefining success and redefining libraries. Who's with me!?! 

Stories from library patrons talking about positive interactions with libraries, librarians, and library workers.