Communications beyond the MLIS classroom

New year + 1 month...

2009-01-31T00:33:00.000-08:00

Posting will resume on www.abookloversblog.blogspot.com

Please join me there.

Thanks,

mb

IFLA

2008-08-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

I'm going to post my comments and observations from IFLA '08 shortly.

Final Day of Classes

2008-08-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

Today was my final day of classes for this stage of my Masters. Yipee...

However, my professor's final summation of our learning experience leaves me feeling somewhat bittersweet about leaving the classroom for a bit. I'm sad to leave behind so many great classmates and discussions. I'm thankful for the experience and the chance I had (though short) to know some of my classmates. I have to say that my professor's final quotation from Leonard Cohen's Anthem was striking for two reasons: it reminds me that learning for the sake of learning is always importation (sometimes growing as a person does not provide immediate utility). This lesson echos my experience watching the History Boys by Allen Bennett. Second, it makes me realize that challenging technology and societies uses of technology is an ever necessary task. Having the curiosity and fortitude to take on this task is something I hope I never loose.

From Cohen, Leonard. Anthem. spoken by Professor Gopal, Information and the Human Factor in a TechnoSociety:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

August 7, 2008.

Am I falling behind?

2008-08-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

I found a record in my University's OPAC (catalogue) dated 2011. Isn't that 3 years in the future?? The record is accessible too... bizarre.

I'd like to borrow one from this collection

2008-08-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

a Mclean's article on Living Libraries. If you could take any one person out from a library (to be used as a book; a reflexive tool) who or what type of person would you chose?

Spare time? Want to know about the crazy people who steal from archives and libraries?

2008-07-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

Look here.

Count down...

2008-07-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

1. 9133 posting (July 27)
2. 9105 paper (July 28th)
3. archives manual (Aug. 4th)
4. 9133 paper (Aug. 6th)

Marketing Directly to Librarians - by a major brand?

2008-07-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

How often does this happen?

We are "Masters of Locating Information and Stuff"!

2008-07-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had our MLIS Student Council/LWB Scavenger Hunt. It was a success. We have three very excited and creative teams. They went out and found each of the 27 questions, shot photo documentation along with a representation of the number for each question and returned after about an hour. The pictures were great. The planning process was well coordinated. (Thanks all!) I had a great time, doled out prizes and visited with members of Librarians without Borders. A perfect Friday evening at the Grad Club.

12

2008-07-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

is the number of interviews I completed over the last 10 days. It's now time to focus on finishing up this semester. I plan to spend sometime with my family too. Wish me luck!

mb

An integral part of life at FIMS in the MLIS program

2008-07-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure if I should blog about my experiences this semester regarding co-op, but I've decided that the experiences I'm having are more important to my overall life to forget. I know that interviewers have my resume, which lists my blogs and that they have checked them out. Perhaps they might even be reading this post. (Welcome!). Anyway, in the interest of not self-censoring I'm going to write about my experience over the past week or so.

First, I'd like to say that it's been hectic. I'm not sure how my sister did this all throughout her undergrad, but I know she should be glad to have had the experience and that it paid off when she found her job right after her Masters. Second, three interviews in one day, is well - quite a challenging experience. Sort of like speed dating for professionals. It was a rude awakening, but I'm glad for the opportunity and preparedness it's awoken in me. Third, I've realized that the interview process is just as much for me as it is for the voice on the other end of the phone/ table. I've found out information about organizations and people's personalities that will help me with my final rankings.

I'm not going to go into specifics about each interview, but I just want to note that it's exhilarating to wake up every morning and think, "who am I going to have a conversation with today?". Every day's been a new great experience, I wouldn't trade for free time.

In the thick of it!

2008-07-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

Research week break is over. Back to work. Interviews, projects, proposals and slide cataloging. I'm a busy person and I'm loving it. Some comforts that are helping me get through this: CBC Radio 3, cupcakes, my parents, sleep and believing that I will succeed. Maybe the release of a certain book around midnight August 1st... ;)

~ mb

For all your thoughts and MLIS scribbles...

2008-06-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend Fieldnotes. These handy little books were the bane of my existence in First term, when I had to present on this topic for 70 minutes. The recent incarnation of Fieldnotes are perfect for quick thoughts, call numbers, and taking notes during Doctoral lectures ; )

Edward initially ordered them to cheer me up after my First term presentation. Funny how ever since he ordered a stack of them and gave them for christmas gifts and to a few friends, people around us have been secretly, and not so secretly carrying them around, writing in them and using the accompanying writing implements. My mom whipped a Fieldnotes pencil out of her purse the other day at the hairdressers, proving that these objects are mighty useful. Some of our friends have even blogged about them.

I'm on my second already... the last one had a single my little pony sticker affixed to the back. It filled up pretty quickly with notes and drawings. My newest one has a collection of Martha Stewart stickers tastefully arranged on the front and back cover. One thing these notebooks are not, is archival and I'm willing to live with this.

Public Doctoral Lecture: Biotechnology and LIS

2008-06-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I attended a Public Doctoral Lecture on Biotechnology and LIS given by my first term Stats teacher. As is quite typical I was the only student there among a sea of Doctoral students, Faculty and Deans. Tough crowd. The content of the Lecture was surprising closely related to a wide range of topics that I've been studying; Canadian policy, Information Ownership and reactions to the commodification of information.

I'd read some Canadian legal cases brought up against seed companies and control of genetic information, last semester in Information Ownership and Governance. I'd thought a bit about the information seeking behaviours of Farmers... a majority now graduate from University, but after that point, have little to no access to research information other than through company publications.

I'm very proud of myself for having comment on the notion of relevance to LIS and adding another link regarding the restrictions placed on online journal materials (currency is a necessity in this industry) to current students, despite the fact that Alumni can have access to the in library materials. So while we often undervalue farmer's information searching abilities, they know that good authoritative information is out there... the vendor and licensing practices of vendors create an information equity issue. (My dad tried to get access from his university.) If farmers want to have decent information to make decisions regarding their seed choices, they should have access to this information. I'm thinking of comparing this with Legal societies that provide document delivery, perhaps there are some professional farm associations that provide research articles to farmers. Or if not, then this could be a future information dissemination possibility. Even if they can get guest access in library, how practical is this for Canada's farmers dispersed and not necessarily living within 100 km of their alma mater? Not to mention I bet the majority of them still have dial-up.

Dans un rêve...

2008-06-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night that I was reviewing a library's website. Quite vocally. I equate this dream with the type of magical dreams that can be had when learning a new language. Dreams where you dream partially or entirely in that new language. I've had a few in French. One that was especially significant to me included a song I learned working at a summer camp in 2001 and then had promptly forgotten. Too bad my short term memory isn't all that great. When I woke up I'd remembered the song being in my dreams but had one again forgotten the words. Anyway, the library dream means I must be fully engrossed in my Masters and the concepts I'm learning in class. My subconscious is reminding me to keep up the good work... or at least that's what I'm deciphering the dream to mean. The midpoint in the term is next week, midterm feedbacks are close to being finished... my life itself is almost like a dream. Time doesn't really move this fast does it?

Books are in my family...

2008-06-24T09:04:00.001-07:00

or rather published about my family. We've just had our second family history book published. Here's one of the authors, my cousin Karen sharing some of the highlights at our 110th Annual Family Reunion. This book has taken advantage of better imaging techniques and printing to allow readers closer inspection of photos (mostly of Reunion attendees). It also includes scanned primary source materials found at the homestead in an old tin box. I haven't looked closely enough to see if our recipe for cough syrup was included - its a miracle cure. Trust me.

Add this to my resume!

2008-06-20T21:57:00.001-07:00

I learned how to mount slides today at work. I was surprised by my ability to line up the slippery polyester tape along the thin (millimeters wide) outlines of maps and art images. Maybe I'll consider taking up a craft/career that utilizes my awesome hand eye coordination - or maybe not. I'm not sure what I'd do if I got my family's Parkinson's genes. I don't think I could easily give up a passion as delicate as slide mounting. And perhaps sleep depravation makes me more agile and coordinated and can explain my success this morning.

Ughhhhhhh

2008-06-19T15:46:00.001-07:00

Uggs in June? You've got to be kidding me.

Today's discussion on 'authenticity' - Brilliant!

2008-06-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not even going to try to describe it. Today my Information and the Human factor in a Technological society class had a great discussion about the article: Constructions of Authenticity by Heather MacNeil and Bonnie Mak. My question to you is, have you ever read an article that articulates ideas/concepts that you've been contemplating (even fixating on), but never had the words to say yourself? It's a wonderful feeling... some would say the power of criticism was demonstrated in class today - to unite, but also divide. I know now that the job of a Librarian is getting harder and harder every day, especially if we remove or problematize all the definitions that seemed so concrete last week. How can we really develop a collection if everything is more or less authentic? [I know spacial constraints, user needs and budget constraints, but this still leaves a lot of options to choose from.]This awareness of 'authenticity' should never mean giving up, it just means working harder. Are you up for the challenge?

Current interpretation/ personal belief about the Digital Divide

2008-06-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

I think that the digital divide is polysemic.

I also agree with the perspective given in an article by Stoker reviewed today in my Information Equity class. The argument presented stated that the digital divide is meant to mask other social challenges that are less easily solved. If I had a spare moment - I'd like to review the article myself. Here's the citation from my classmate Michael's review document:

Stoecker, Randy. (2005). Is Community Informatics good for communities? Questions confronting an emerging field. Journal of Community Informatics 1(3), 13-26.

Could it be?

2008-06-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

That all this emphasis on the Internet as a method to bring Canadians into the market is just a continuation of Harold Innis' Staple Thesis? And by extension, that we shouldn't be blaming out problems on the influence of American neo-liberalized policy decisions? Are we our own worst nightmare?

Taken by Enoch Lau on 22 June 2004. Retrieved June 18th, 2008 at http://commons.wikimedia.org.

Ongoing illustration of Canadian DMCA

2008-06-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

by Michael Geist, Law professor at Ottawa University. He offers a realistic vision of how this Act will affect Canadians. I encourage you to review these blog entries and think about your daily interaction with copyrighted materials.

Frightening times ahead...

2008-06-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

What authorities are saying about the Canadian Copyright reform said to be announced tomorrow well that just doesn't bode well any Canadians.

Why?

It's the lack of consultation of regular Canadians, and information providers outside industry that makes this reform an ill reflection of Canadians' needs. This policy approach stands in the way of having a balanced system of copyright that benefits both creators/artists/writers and users.

Want to learn more?

Here are some of the sources I've been reading:

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3023/1/#akocomments_comments_start
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/06/11/canadian-industry-mi-1.html
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=580564

Yesterday...

2008-06-10T10:58:00.001-07:00

Some student council members tried to get up in the middle of our meeting to go and see if it was raining outside. Uhh... more on this shortly.

beware...

2008-06-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

the digital divide isn't as straight a line as it has been described. it's actually more like the root system of a tree hidden beneath the surface issues users face...

Female Library leader's life encourages me to keep pushing the limits!

2008-05-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080514.LIVES14/EmailTPStory/

My first Virtual Reference experience

2008-05-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

I'm using the online reference service offered free to patrons of my local library. It is called ASK ON. Here are some of my thoughts during the process:

My question is : What is the current price of a used Toyota Carolla from 1989?

- we've used both online and print
- various references
- not sure he had a actual knowledge of sites for this information (since we went to one that seems to be subscription, an american site and a site that doesn't go back to the 1980s)

we finally called it... under a 1,000$ no particular source though.

I'm happy. He was polite, resourceful and (despite complaining of having a slow computer) quite prompt.

Yeah online reference!

It was no different than talking to Ed or my dad on Adium.

Last full semester

2008-05-14T05:34:00.001-07:00

courses/intellectual pursuits
-collection development
-information equity
-information and the human factor in a technological society
-conservation and preservation

other activities
coop
job
student council

Please wish me luck! Oh and don't think that you'll see me around an awful lot. Except for a few weddings, it looks like I'll be hanging about campus or stuck in my basement office.

My newest hobby

2008-05-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

is reading the privacy policies and terms of use statements of online services. Here is a frightening quotation from the terms of use statement from Twine (tm) found at http://www.twine.com/legal:

(Paragraph 13 section 9)

"You retain all ownership of and copyright in any User Content you post or submit to the Site. If you post User Content to the Site, unless we indicate otherwise, you grant Radar Networks and its affiliates a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, edit, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such User Content throughout the world in any form or media."

Outraged

2008-04-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to the voice of an Official from my local Catholic School District (on the radio of course). She stated that schools did not have a responsibility to educated kids on using social utility programs and so they had decide to filter their internet (which they've been doing since I went there). No HOTMAIL for you!!!

Anyway, I'm outraged because educating kids on information/media literacy issues seems exactly what they should be doing, they always educated kids on social behaviours on the playground, it just now happens we have a social online playground. Rather than deal with these issues upfront, I predict that the administration will have to deal with these issues or the fall out of these issues sooner or later. Why not be prepared? Use a little information literacy, instead of pushing it off on students when/if they get to universities? (which I might add are struggling to cope). Ugh. Can high school educators see the short sightedness of their actions? Well I guess in this town, it's hard to find a role model for information literacy (the local library system filters their machines for the most part). I think the education system in this conservative town just lost my offspring's patronage and my support.

conclusions...

2008-04-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

This week:
Forward paper edits/reading report #2 *Tonight by 12:00
law readings (4 articles)
3rd reading report (2 pages)ASAP
Defense of design (2:00-3:00) (Tuesday)
Final submission/presentation Programming project (Wednesday)
Group Usability meeting (need to watch videos)
DESTRESSOR
11-15 page paper with colour/museum mock ups (Thursday- max deadline - next Monday by 2:00 to the drop box)
1 Usability report (3 pages + appendices)
Last student council meeting...

Next Week
Final draft LIS768 (15 page, review citations, re-edit quotations, + two pages)
Fridge cleaning 12:30 Student Council
2nd committee meeting Monday at 1:30

'Spring Break'
Website redesign (during holiday)
Resume Review (during holiday)
applications (UWO, elsewhere)
Sleep --->
Talk to shaun
possible living/arrangements

Monday

2008-04-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

1 week left starting Monday.

1 semester of classes left.

:)

Hmmm... I'm considering it.

2008-03-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Anyone know any good positions for a knowledgecartographer?

Google Search: website with chm files

2008-03-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

"In response to a complaint we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 1 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint that caused the removal(s) at ChillingEffects.org."

http://www.google.ca/search?q=website+with+chm+files&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Overheard at the Grad club

2008-03-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

I overheard two professors talking about Ontario at the Grad club yesterday. It was quite an interesting conversation. My favourite part was when they discussed the usage of the word "hydro" by Ontarians, in place of "electricity". Ed pointed this unusually usage to me when he moved here. I'd never thought about the usage before, but I guess as far as Ontarians are concerned whatever the method for deriving your energy, its always "hydro".

All the more reason to read An uncommon reader

2008-03-03T13:32:00.000-08:00

Keep in mind this quote from Jan/Dec edition of The Economist article titled "Worth a Thousand words" when reading Alan Bennett's work:

"Nightingale hoped her charts would liven up her publications; the queen, she thought might look at the pictures, even if she did not read the words". (p. 74)

Free Advice on a ticking clock

2008-02-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

Please take a minute to read this insightful article from Wired on the changing impact of the internet on free goods/ economics and culture in general. I came across it in my blog reading yesterday. One of my common feelings (that people underestimate the value of their time when using the internet) is finally articulated in print by the article's author Chris Anderson. Okay, back to work - it's only the third day of reading week and I'm already behind schedule.

Good Old Fashion Branding

2008-02-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

Remember Library = Books.

leaps tall buildings

2008-02-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

in search of new experiences. Ok... today was the first day of my fifth class this semester, Information Ownership and Governance. Its going to be good. Law students aren't that scary... most of them were hidden behind their laptops. My fellow classmates from the Library and Information Science program were strong, prepared and answered questions promptly. My suggestion for anyone in a library program tired of the same old course selections, is to take a chance... be brave and confident. This class is going to be amazing... I can't wait two weeks for the next installment. Now back to my paper research.

7 months to grow up or till Graduation

2008-02-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

I was at the Ontario Library Association conference last weekend volunteering. It was quite an exciting experience. It would have been more exciting had I not been sick. I had a quick look around the Exposition Hall (where all the publishing houses, library "automation" businesses and other venders were hocking their goods). A couple of my favourite comic book stores were there as well. This is the conversation I had with the guy from one of these stores:

Comic book guy: Hello?
Me: Hi
Comic book guy: Are you old enough to run a Library?
Me: umm... do I look like it?

I'm going to put some more thought into co-op next semester. That experience or going to Korea might be the best plan.

Missed Opportunity

2008-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

I recently attended a public lecture on the upcoming National copyright legislation held at my local public library. It was given by one of the professors from my Masters program. An opportunity for dialog between academics and citizens like this doesn't come up often. Two things happened that made me feel it was a missed opportunity. First, the speaker's ideas were hard to follow. His lecturing aimed to inform a primarily absent university level audience. There were several citizens and citizens' groups at the event whose questions were poorly answered or answered with precedents that many of them would never have come across.

Solution: I wrote a paper on the history of science, medicine and technology in my last undergraduate year. I came across an article that argued that the history of SMT was loosing possible PhD. candidates and scholars because its writing lacked clarity and economy. I'd like to echo how this was also the case for the copyright lecture. As well, writing or public lectures should always take into account their intended audience. Citizens aren't stupid... they're just used to getting information in a less complicated manner.

trying to make it stick

2008-01-08T13:47:00.001-08:00

Having been corrected twice the correct meaning of i.e. in class today, I'm posting the wikipedia entry from the List of Latin Phrases (F-O) in an attempt to make it stick in my brain.

Latin: illud/id est (i.e.)
Translation: "that is" "That is (to say)", "in other words", or sometimes "in this case", depending on the context. Never equivalent to exempli gratia (e.g.).[1]
Notes: Illud est, i.e., "that is", is commonly abbreviated "i.e."; in this usage it is sometimes followed by a comma, depending on style.[2]

Found online at Wikipedia, the Online Encyclopedia.

Branding, the extreme

2007-12-02T07:23:00.000-08:00

We spoke about what patrons' felt a Library's brand was the other day in class. Books. Quite simply, libraries are about books to the public.

Check this collection out!

kicking myself

2007-11-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I go, I am hearing about the Library school I didn't choose. My management textbook, in blogs, from experts in the field and the podcast I'm listening too right now - oh, and the other morning I woke after a dream of being at said school. Why did the Dean, have to tell me to attend a school in my area?

Challenging ...

2007-10-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

After presenting in a panel on the Economics of Information on the topic of open source, a week after John Buschman's class visit, I'm wondering if a PLG chapter at my library school would be accepted? My alternative option for library school, already has a chapter, I feel its time to speak out!

Stuck?

2007-10-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Try out the open access database, Dspace. Part of the MIT Libraries, it contains scholarly works on various subjects (mostly subjects taught at MIT).

Dspace

Division

2007-10-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

I have decided to blog on this site about my experiences during my MLIS degree and to keep abookloversblog.blogspot.com strictly for personal thoughts.