BLT, Easy on the Malaise
It’s been almost a month since I last posted here (and I said I intended to post more, ha ha!), but the fact is, I’ve been feeling…well, bored with Libraryland. I still love libraries, I still love being a librarian, but I don’t have anything to say about libraries or librarians.
So, don’t expect to see much posting until I get all fired up about something. In the meantime, if you’d care to, leave me a comment telling me what’s getting you all excited or angry or ecstatic about libraries. Or, hell, leave a comment about what’s getting you all excited or angry or ecstatic about anything.
June 8th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Bow ties!
June 8th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Heh. You know, it’s been so warm in Kansas City lately, I haven’t worn a bow tie in a while. Maybe that’s the problem…
June 8th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
how about how we’re turning reference desks into information desks, and neglecting people who actually need real reference instead of acknowledging there are at least 3 contact points. Or that some of us preaching 2.0 are focusing on what librarians and libraries are doing wrong instead of right. Or in the new era of Creative Commons and Share and Share Alike what constitutes plagiarism. Or maybe you should just go with a Unshelved cartoon.
June 8th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I know the feeling, my brain has been a bit dry for libraryish posts lately too.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Bobbi, you should definitely write about those things.
Chad, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in the desert.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:56 am
i know exactly how you feel.
i think over the past year I have had all excitement beaten out of me here at work.
you can only have so many ideas crushed before you just stop having them all together. and yeah, people other than department heads and managers can have ideas!
best of luck on getting the fire back.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Royce, I’m really sorry you’ve had your excitement beaten out of you. I think mine has just leaked out like a flat tire. I hope we get it back soon.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’m excited about the possibilities for change inherent in any ILS upgrade (we’re getting one in a few months), about MPOW’s growing interest in innovative technology applications, and in the possibilities inherent in some recent conversations with our IT folk.
I’m generally enraged by the way that librarians interact with vendors, or, more aptly, fail to stand up for libraries when negotiating with vendors. What happened to The Customer Is Always Right? When did we begin to believe that The Customer Must Settle For What They Are Offered?
Also, I’m psyched about the D&D campaign that’s about to restart ’round these parts.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I was never much of a fan of D&D 3.x–I played it a few times, was kind of meh about the rules, preferring the Basic D&D I played in junior high. I was completely apathetic about the release of 4th edition D&D, until I started reading some actual play write-ups by some people who I respect a lot, and they’ve been talking about how much fun it is. The coolest description I read was “It feels like playing Basic D&D, as rewritten by Days of Wonder.” That hooked me. I was looking at the new books yesterday, and it really does look awfully cool. Now I’m really excited about it.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
We’re currently playing a heavily modified version of 2.0 (since that’s what most of us cut our teeth on), but a bunch of our friends are burning with creative wildfire over 4.0. So we shall see!
June 9th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
You’re definitely not alone. I have a two-week vacation as current excuse, but somehow don’t expect to see loads of inspired posts before ALA Annual…
For that matter, I’m less than inspired as regards long-form writing at the moment, which could result in a short or late C&I. Maybe the summer doldrums?
June 10th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Maybe it is the summer doldrums, Walt. But long-form writing…yeah, I’m just not feeling inspired enough to do that.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
[...] wanted to check in. I haven’t been posting much lately, but I don’t feel exactly like my beloved nerdboy Josh who says he’s bored with “Libraryland,” if not libraries and librarians [...]
June 13th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Discussion topic:
Many members of the public who would rather utilize a home delivery service, may be willing to pay fees for the added convenience of such services and transactions, that otherwise would be free of charge if done in person. Others may be willing to pay a fee for a shorter hold period. The library staff and Board will need to determine whether and in what circumstances such ‘convenience fees’ would be in the public interest.
The use of “service fees†rather than “fines†is a more positive method of maintaining fair boundaries and limits in regards to library resources. Requiring a deposit when placing an item on hold, then redeeming the deposit at the time of pick-up for credits at the Friends’ book sales are more attractive ways of implementing limits on library resources.
June 13th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
That’s an interesting topic to think about and discuss. But I wish you hadn’t submitted it anonymously.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Josh:
I want to reply to anonymus. Homebound or outreach is for people who cannot come to the library. The service is free, they get longer checkout periods, no fines and can choose the most current items.
Signing families up for the summer reading program you find that with the economy the way it is, we are the only entertainment they can afford. As long as items are returned or renewed on time there are no charges. Libraries need to emphasis we are here to serve the public. You do an excellent job with all you offer the patrons. I keep telling my coworkers check-out Josh’s site. So many ideas!
Darlene (Mom)
June 16th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Nice response, Darlene. Thanks!
Hey everyone, if you want to discuss library stuff here in my comments, go for it. Pretend I’m not here. Carry on!
June 17th, 2008 at 10:12 am
It is such an exciting and great time to be a librarian! But, then we have those that want to kill excitement-every idea one has squelched and teasing because you are ethusiastic and excited about service to our users, and told don’t do it for them because you go the extra mile! No wonder us new librarians get discouraged!