Anne Lamott lauds librarians and libraries in her third collection of essays: Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith, c2007. Indeed, in these days of embattled library budgets, it is refreshing to fall upon this delightful chapter entitled “Lost and Found.” Lamott fearlessly names librarians as healers, magicians, and trailblazers and leaders who threaten libraries as “clueless, bullying, non-reading, numbskulls.” No, Lamott does not mince words and in so doing warms the hearts of readers everywhere. Being a woman of conviction, Lamott joined writers and actors in an “emergency read-in” to protest the Governor’s attempt to close three California public libraries located in “Steinbeck country.” After all, “reading and books are medicine” much needed in this sick society. Libraries house the stories we need to hear. Libraries safeguard democracy and freedom by making knowledge and information available to all. When libraries are threatened by the misguided, we the people must recognize “a great danger” is in the land and act. It’s an old story, we so enjoy rereading.

Time & Perspective

Working with Teens is a challenge and a delight, especially in the month of May when we see the highs and the lows, and adolescents do drama, oh so well.

Today I stumbled over a book title that gave me pause.
What Was I Thinking? Things I’ve learned Since I Knew It All, c2006, written by Steve Brown who is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor, and author. The title alone sells the book!

Aging is not well regarded in our youth-crazed culture; however, aging has its benefits. Given enough life experience and maturity, older adults may rethink former positions. As we gray, we tend to see more gray and less black and white. Vive the second half of life!

“I often say to my students, when they are being especially strident about a subject, ‘you haven’t lived long enough, sinned big enough, or failed nearly enough to even have an opinion on that.’” (Steve Brown) Perhaps you’d like to use that line?

Intrigued? Read the book jacket, table of contents, or provocative excerpt at CBD.

An advocate for the lost art of reading and with a few gray strands...

Creative Copyright Tutorial

Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines can create mental confusion, even for educators. Thankfully, the University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL has launched A Visit to Copyright Bay to guide those in non-profit,educational settings. Have fun navigating the island icons to answer your burning questions.

Why Do Libraries Want To Be #2?

We used to aim at being #1, but for some strange reason, libraries are content with working towards 2.0. Actually, there is quite a movement underway in library land called Library 2.0. How did this escape you? Well, there's that pile of paperwork on your desktop... Allow me to give you the nuts and bolts of the matter.

Library 2.0 is providing library services to users who are invited to contribute content and provide feedback via comments, tags, and ratings. This online environment incorporates such social software tools as: Flickr, RSS Feeds, Wikis, Blogs, Del.icio.us, etc.

Intrigued? Want further clarity? Read Library 2.0 by Michael E. Case and Laura C. Savastinuk in Library Journal, 9/1/06 or just settle for their illuminating definition:
"What makes a service Library 2.0? Any service, physical or virtual, that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes use of customer input is a Library 2.0 service."

That in a nutshell is why libraries want to be 2.0. It's all about customer collaboration and satisfaction.

What's in Your Bookbag?

Some folk wait on tip toe for a movie release; others for the publication of a new book. Librarians definitely fall in the latter group, along with those who wander the aisles of Borders, Barnes & Nobles, and independent booksellers. See USA Today's review of hot summer reading.

Picture yourself on the beach or under a shady bough reading. Here's what I plan to stuff in my canvas tote: Cabin Pressure by Josh Wolk, The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by Alexander McCall Smith, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling, Here If You Need Me: A True Story by Kate Braestrup, I Love You Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick, Maytrees by Annie Dillard, On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It's going to be heavy, but that's why I work out at the gym.

Search Engines Run Down

If you are the experimental type and love locating facts and fiction, check out 11 search engines highlighted in PC Magazine: "11 Ways to Search without Google"

Okay, so Google holds 40%-50% of the market, and in combination with Yahoo and MSN, 90%. But remember who you are, an individualist, a maverick in the information world. Give Ms. Dewey, netTrekker, Technorati, or your personal favorite a test drive.

Welcome to Rambling in an Information World

I have been hacking my way through the overgrown information jungle for quite some time. The time to speak is now. Consequently, I am launching Rambling in an Information World in May 2007 to place before my readers a bounty of resources, information literacy skills, and kernels of Christian concepts. My expectations are lofty: to traffic in ideas and information which may shape teaching, learning, curriculum design, and interactions with students. Research and technology go hand in hand in the twenty first century. Integrating information literacy skills, reliable resources, and a faith perspective throughout the curriculum may be combined creatively to the benefit of all. My hope is that faculty may be motivated personally and professionally, informed of the riches of the information world, and empowered to dabble and adopt new methods of connecting with colleagues and students. My hope is that our students will benefit from our efforts and experience. Today's students need to sharpen their critical thinking, to improve their research repertoire, and to renew their minds. Achievement and success are just around the corner.

I plan to post weekly. Please join me, the Rambling Reference Librarian. I am committed to the renewal of all things. Your comments are welcome. Visit my Library Web Page if you like.

With whom are you rambling? Allow me to introduce myself. I am an academic engaged in God's world. I am a reader, researcher, lifelong learner, and librarian. Credentials for the hesitant?

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, M.A. Church History
Simmons School of Library Science, M.S. Library Science
Dickinson College, B.A. English and French

My career path has been up hill and down dale:
Library Director at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy High School
Technical Librarian at U.S. Industrial Chemicals Company
Reference Librarian at the University of Cincinnati