Author: James

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I Have A Dream!!

SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE, I will meet SOMEBODY who has never heard of the dreaded librarian stereotype. Someday I will read an article from the non-library press that does not start off with a disclaimer such as this one:

Forget the fast-fading stereotype of the hair-in-a-bun, eyeglasses-on-a-chain, shush-happy librarian. From: Modern librarians are hip, tech-saavy Monday, January 07, 2008 By Morgan Jarema The Grand Rapids Press

“Hair-in-a-bun, eyeglasses-on-a-chain, shush-happy librarian!” Sigh……
I am always sad to hear the librarian stereotype invoked – even when used to “prove” that librarians are really not all that bad. It makes me feel that our proud profession is not only under-valued – but positively trivialized. I try very hard not to dwell on it or take it personally. But there are days when it is hard to keep my teeth gnashing under control.

So…. what about this (more subtle) disclaimer?

As workstations replace dust-covered shelves in your district libraries, a new breed of librarian—the library media specialist (LMS)—has become an essential part of a school’s faculty. From: Meet Your New School Library Media Specialist By Eric Weil Scholastic Administrator

Don’t get me wrong. This is a great article. I was prepared to love the article when it was posted on LM_NET and talked about by Doug Johnson and others in Library Blogland. I do like the article. But here we go again. Starting off a fine article with a disclaimer: “Workstations replace dust-covered shelves!”
Who says our shelves are dust-covered? Double Sigh….
I don’t know about you – but I am proud of our profession. I am proud that we are always in the forefront of new technologies. Even if no one else seems to notice – our students and fellow teachers notice. But I am equally proud to be in the forefront of the book world. BOOKS!! BOOKS!! BOOKS!!
Book is NOT a four-letter word, folks. We are NOT old fashioned if we still see connecting kids and books as an important part of our mission. Just as important as blogs, wikis and podcasts – if not more so.

And as long as I am ranting…. I also resent the stereotype of the librarian as being OLD. What’s so bad about being old?

Here is an LM_NET posting of mine from a few years ago:

I think we “golden oldies” actually have a real advantage going for us. We are the ones who remember the agony of the card catalog and Reader’s Guide. We are in the best position to appreciate the information “dream come true” that we are witnessing in the internet age. When I was in Library School we had to create a mini database using punch cards. We were also learning about something called MARC records which were going to allow libraries to share their collections world wide. Looking back, I realize that we were working on the superstructure of the information age. We can be really proud of ourselves as information pioneers and we also have the joy of seeing the fruits of our labors in our own lifetimes. What a time to be a librarian!!!

Sensible shoes, or tattoos – it doesn’t matter. LET’S BE PROUD. Repeat after me:

NO MORE DISCLAIMERS!!!

NO MORE APOLOGIES!!!

We are LIBRARIANS! Hear us ROAR!!

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Feeling Stressed? Just Say No!!

LM_NET has a conversation going on right now about stress. One librarian wants to leave the profession completely because of it. Some of us might be thinking that retirement looks better every day.

I am feeling a bit hassled myself these days. I would kill for a day where I can just sit down and sip mint juleps and read one of the million plus books on my “must read” list. No computers, no phones, no demands. Ahhh! True peace and quiet. Yes – February break is next week – but it is filled with doctor appointments and prepping for an uncoming workshop. Sigh…..

Anyway – I fired off some “advice” to the stressed librarian. Now I just have to follow my own “words of wisdom”. I had a stressful year a few years ago. 4 resolutions got me out of my funk – but I have been breaking those resolutions big time these days.

So….starting tomorrow, I hearby resolve:

  1. Say no more often. Which committee should I give up? (School Improvement committee; Curriculum Committee; Literacy Committee; 21st Century Learning Committee)
  2. Take a planning period every day – and write it on the calendar so I don’t forget. I will go into my office and hang up a sign that says “Do not disturb unless you are on fire”.
  3. Stop eating lunch at my desk.
  4. Go home earlier. I guess folks would notice if I left at noon…… Still, I don’t think anyone will notice if I quit staying an hour or more beyond the end of the teacher day.

Just getting it all down in print might help. Let’s see how I am doing in a month’s time…..

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Who’s Right? Amazon or Steve Jobs?

Steve Jobs was quoted today on LM_NET in reference Amazon’s new Kindle book reader:

“Today he had a wide range of observations on the industry, including the Amazon Kindle book reader, which he said would go nowhere largely because Americans have stopped reading. ‘It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don’t read anymore,” he said. “Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore.'”
I wonder…. Has he shared this view with Jeff Bezos? I know, I know… Amazon is not just books. They have diversified their inventory. Still – they have done pretty well with books over the years. Truth be told, I have “warm, fuzzy” feelings about Amazon, because it was the first internet business I patronized. As a matter of fact – I patronized it so often that they sent me a thank-you present at the end of the year. Time to let the credit card cool down a little bit =)

Surprise If I had only bought stock with them….I’d be retired now, sipping pina coladas under a palm tree.

Anyway – I am always puzzled by statements like this reporting on the decline of reading. Perhaps it is just my community, but every time I go into a public library or Barnes & Noble, they are packed. If all folks wanted was a mocha latte, they’d be hanging out in Starbucks.

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Pop-up Books – Not Just for Little Kids

My husband and I attended an amazing event today – “The Artistry Behind Pop-Up Books” at R.I.T. in Rochester, NY. If you are in the area – don’t miss it. It runs through November 14.

I have always found pop-up books very appealing. One of my childhood treasures is a “Peepshow” book about Cinderella. I would eventually like to purchase more of the set. I’m sure you can imagine what turns up whenever I type the word “Peepshow” into eBay. Tongue Tied We won’t even go there!!

My husband loves paper art of all kinds and found the show mesmerizing. I envision the beginnings of a new collection and relish the possibilities for Christmas presents etc.

Anyway – on the way home I began thinking….. Yes – pop-up books are for children. They are also for big children (like Bob and me) who collect antique toys & dolls. But they extend beyond the realm of childhood. In the exhibit there was a pop-up book covering the history of the White House. Another one brought the tragedy of Pompeii too life. 2 more delved into the field of psychology – one on phobias and the other on nightmares. There was even a book about Alfred Hitchcock’s movies.

I began to think of the possibility pop-up books represent for older students – particularly the visual learners among them. Our GatesBeatles committee is brainstorming ideas right now for project-based and/or service based learning projects. How about older students creating pop-up books as a research product? They could demonstrate their learning in any subject you can think of by creating such books. Their products could them be used to teach concepts to other visual learners. Our 9th graders have started projects about Ancient Greece right now. That would be a great base for a pop-up book. What about our students creating all sorts of interactive “museum” exhibits on various topics? The exhibits could contain displays that would touch multiple senses and multiple intelligences. Perhaps they could become traveling exhibits. I’ll bet our elementary and middle school teachers would love it if our students would create learning centers for them to use with their students.

Lots of possiblilites here.