In brief: Recreational reading

I have been seriously remiss concerning posting both juvenile book reviews and discussing recreational reading materials. With the focus at work on web pages and Meebo, I have not opened a new juvenile book in what seems like forever; this is something I hope to change in the upcoming weeks. A few titles have been added to my recreational reading shelf, three of them are:

First on the list is J.D. Robb's newest "In Death" entry, Strangers in Death. I know I complained profusely about not being able to get this title at the stupid Wal-Mart locally, they had shelves of Grisham, King, and Patterson but no J.D. Robb or Jayne Ann Krentz. Why? I was, however, able to purchase it easily at a Giant Eagle outside of Pittsburgh (thank you very much). Interested in learning more? There is a excerpt of Strangers in Death on the J.D. Robb website.

I have recently finished Linda Fairstein's newest Alexandra Cooper thriller, Killer Heat. I enjoyed this one much more than the previous title (I have yet to finish). Interested in more?

Check out Fairstein's web site; choose Killer Heat from the novel menu and listen to and/or read the first chapter. Additionally, there is a podcast where readers can listen to Fairstein discuss her novels and utilize a reading guide complete with discussion questions.

A few days ago I started reading Lady Killer, by Lisa Scottoline. This title returns to the all female Philadelphia law firm and features fan favorite Mary DiNunzio. I am having some trouble immersing myself with this title, but will be happy to see how Judy and Bennie are as I move along through the story. The first chapter of Lady Killer is available on Scottoline's web site.

I noticed this afternoon that a new Jonathan Kellerman novel has arrived for the library's recreational reading section. Still in the box and wrapper it is difficult to determine what the title may be, but if Amazon is to be believed it is Compulsion, an Alex Delaware novel.

Time will tell. More about these titles on another post ... if I remember!

Yearly performance reviews & job satisfaction

Appropriately enough, April 1st is the due date for annual performance review submission to the personnel office. Non-tenured academic faculty members, librarians are on a yearly contract renewal based upon performance. My boss subscribes to the self-evaluation model for performance reviews and as such I am required to submit documentation supporting goals from the previous year, a listing of accomplishments, and set goals for the next academic year. Sounds simple, right? Not so much.

An organized soul, though in all fairness anal is probably more fitting, I learned early in my career here to keep a detailed calendar (paper, believe it or not) and a document listing monthly activities. These items are irrefutable life saving measures when the inevitable email arrives scheduling our review conferences with the director. Now the challenge will be locating last year's review on my desktop and coordinating it into some semblance of order with my list. As with so many other ventures I am not looking for brilliance; I want to appear knowledgeable, confident, and have a positive impact on the library.

While pondering my performance review document, I found an article in the February 1, 2008 edition of Library Journal. Take this Job and Love It, by Andrew Richard Albanese, is part of the LJ series on job satisfaction.

"The survey, however, also amplifies some persistent challenges facing librarians, including keeping up with rapidly changing technology, stressed budgets, management and career advancement issues, campus politics, concern over their role in the academic enterprise, and, of course, low pay." (Albanese -- Library Journal, 2/1/08)

There were many interesting points raised within the article, several of which caught my attention. In particular issues regarding the MLS education:

"If there is one great irony in librarianship, it is this: librarians can't afford to get the MLS, and libraries can't afford to hire those with it." (Albanese -- Library Journal, 2/1/08)

I was in that position, still am for that matter as I have a year left on my student loan for my MLIS (from Pitt it is a master's in library and information science). Prior to getting my masters I was working in a public library making minimum wage. The only librarian on staff was the director, the rest of us were support staff. Caught between the proverbial rock and hard place, no promotion without a degree and not enough money in the current position to afford the degree, I chose the debt route and worked straight through getting the degree in one year. Now, at least, I can afford to pay for the degree that helped me get this job.

It is not something I regret, in fact this is without a doubt the best job I have ever had. But I do wonder about the status of librarians and librarianship in academics. The first article in this series, Great Work, Genuine Problems (10/1/07) is available on the LJ web site and it is reported the third article in the series will be/was published in March (wonder where our March Library Journal might be?).

Why I use spell check

Your Spelling is Good!

You got 9/10 correct. Your spelling is generally pretty decent. You are prone to a few mistakes, but the mistakes you make are pretty forgivable.

How's Your Spelling?

While I was out

The odd thing about taking vacation time during spring break is there are still people on campus; offices were open, the library was open, and the IT department was not only open, but also updating unsuspecting vacationing librarian's computers. It's always a bit disconcerting to wander in to my office after a break or vacation and find an IT handout on top of my computer and a "call me if you have any problems" message attached.

A few weeks ago we were notified IT was going to begin migrating to Microsoft Active Directory. In all honesty I paid little heed to the notice other than to correctly file it so I would have the directions when it happened. As luck would have it, other than having to choose a new password (and one that was complex enough for the server), all went well. All I have to do is remember the password when logging into the system tomorrow.

What other fun things needed my attention? I waded through 300+ email messages (someday I will learn to sign off list serv when on vacation), remembered to send payroll through so my students get a check this week, talked to financial aid to find out why a student's federal work study monies were suddenly significantly less than detailed at the beginning of the academic year, and opened much snail mail that accumulated in my mail box. There was fun stuff as well! My Ellison Die order arrived, along with another Prestige Pro freebie machine (Ellison has great coupons & promotions), and I was able to try out the new items, take a picture, and post it on the resource center blog for all to see. This is always money well spent. In fact, three student lead tours came through the resource center this morning and each one mentioned the die cut machines.

I have heard rumors there were actual chat sessions via the new Meebo IM widget on the library web page. I put it on my resource center update for the students and will probably send info to some of my buddies in the college of education (especially since there will be students looking for help finding book reviews soon) to talk it up with more word-of-mouth advertising. Let's get this thing moving!

Now? Lunch is over and my GA just called to say the cash register is giving her fits, seems it does not want to calculate sales tax.

Hypothetical spring break musings

Over the last few days, local newspapers and the Internet have been reporting the possibility, aka serious rumors, regarding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows being made into two movies. Rumors, I might add, that seem to have been substantiated by the news release from Warner Brothers and everyone else; part one of Hallows will be released in 2010 with part two following the next year.

I'm not sure exactly when the sixth movie is due out (I could look, though I am more interested in the Pitt vs. Marquette basketball game right now), but would guess since they are currently filming Half Blood Prince it would be this summer or nearer the holidays.

In the meantime, here are a few links to Deathly Hallows information:

• The Leaky Cauldron: Harry Potter Books, Movies, and More
• David Heyman Talks Splitting Deathly Hallows, Both Films Possibly Two and a Half Hours Long
• Empire Magazine Article: David Heyman
• Deathly Hallows" To Be Split into Two "Harry Potter" Movies: MTV Movie News
• UK The Daily Mail: It's Harry Potter and a film of Two Halves
• Final "Harry Potter" book will be split into two movies - Los Angeles Times
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Trailer, Cast, Showtimes: New York Times

It's early yet, but Pitt is winning!

Update: later that evening ...

I could not let it rest. According to the Internet Movie Database, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due in theaters November 21st. And ... Pitt is still winning.

Update: 3/18/08

From Library Journal - Book News: Rowling's Deathly Hallows Split into two Films

From RTE Entertainment: Final Harry Potter film to be split in two

"According to Warner Brothers, it is with the length of the novel and the complex storylines in mind that Rowling, the movies' producers and the studio decided they would need two parts to tell the story."

"Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry in the movie version, and his co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are all filming the sixth movie 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'. All three have confirmed that they will appear in the final films." --RTE Entertainment

Testing IM over break

In the midst of all the snow excitement I forgot to mention library web page updates are currently in place for the new IM service, Ask Us. Before closing on Friday I tweaked the new IM page by adding the following note: "Navigating away from this IM page or closing your browser will effectively end your chat/IM session." While most students using the service will undoubtedly have multiple windows open, we felt it necessary to place this notice for those who may not. I added the IM service to our "what's new" page and then placed it prominently on the main library page. Allowing for the two hour staging server time, these changes were effectively in place by 5:00 pm on Friday and will be ready for a test run during spring break.

A quick check this evening shows all three pages reflect the changes made. My dial up connection is having issues with connecting to Meebo (sigh), so I'll have to email my partner in crime and have her check things on Monday morning. Another oddity? Using IE6 this evening our widget is a different color, does not reflect the change in name we instituted, and is basically nasty. Viewing the page with Mozilla there are no problems.

In addition to email, I left two offline Meebo messages. May as well use the technology!

Let the sun shine

Day two of the weekend snow event featured sunshine; after springing ahead I was awakened by the tell-tale sound of the back alley being plowed. The sun and noise were both welcome. It was became obvious I would have to locate my shiny new snow shovel, remove the snow pushed against the garage door holding my car hostage, and find the front sidewalk.

The alley and garage? Not so bad. For the first time since moving in, my neighbor had garaged his vehicle (I'm not bitter) and with little effort I was able to happily toss the snow into the alley to melt in the sunlight. As you can see by the first photo, the front sidewalk was another matter altogether; a foot of snow awaited. With the bright morning sun keeping me company, I shoveled out my door and down to my neighbors house. My other neighbor has a small dog, a shih tzu, that closely resembles my sister's first dog. Every morning at 5:30 am she sends it out to the back patio to "go potty." My back patio was a foot deep in snow and all I could think of was that poor thing sitting in the house with crossed legs. Praise be the snow was deep, but light.

I finished in time to see the opening play of NBC's hockey game of the week, the NHL on NBC, featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. This was the second NBC game to feature the Pens (the first on New Year's Day). Next Sunday the Pens play the Philadelphia Flyers.

The second photo? Looking out one of my upstairs bedroom windows between the first and second period of said hockey game I noticed someone had not only shoveled their sidewalk, but had also a path to, and around, the front yard tree! Now that's ingenuity.


Let the sun shine!

Spring break ... let it snow?

More lovely snow accumulations today were accompanied by cold temperatures (it's 7 degrees right now), poor visibility, and blizzard conditions. Since I have that family gene, I took a plethora of photographs - including one outside of my garage with a bright yellow ruler - that have already been loaded to my computer.

After talking with many members of my family today, two in Ohio and two in Pennsylvania, I seem to be the only looking out the front window at snow. The PA family branch members have less than an inch. The Ohio relatives, one south near Marietta and one actually more a Michigan relative (near Toledo), were reporting the same.

I told them to call me back when they had some snow. Please.

With level two and level three snow emergencies surrounding the area, tomorrow is destined to be a day for digging out. Out of state travel and driving plans are still on hold; tentatively scheduled for Monday morning after rush hour. A few minutes ago I actually heard cars on the front street. So either the snow emergency has been lifted or the county/city is actually getting to the street.

I really should take some time and read a few of the books I brought back from Midwinter ...

A view of Spring Break

Today students were gleefully departing campus for points unknown, probably somewhere south to beaches, warm water, and places that serve pretty drinks with umbrellas, to celebrate spring break. This is the sight in their rear-view mirrors; one more snow storm bashing the area with predictions of a foot of snow before it is finished tomorrow evening.



My own plans, though no less important, are much less exotic. A week of vacation time for a quick trip home will begin later than planned due to the outside festivities. Luckily I have plenty of food staples at home and will not need to fight for milk, bread, or toilet paper at the local market. Midwest weather is a funny thing in late February, early March. We have had more snow in the last three weeks than throughout most of the winter.

About now I wouldn't mind a tart green salt-rimmed beverage of my own.

IM ready

Following extensive discussion and philosophical discourse regarding the necessity, use and feasibility of IM/chat services for academic library reference, we are now officially "live" with the library's new Ask Us! IM reference service. The updated help and chat page were sent to the staging server around 11:30 am; when I refreshed my browser at 1:30 pm, all was well. As soon as lunch is over, my partner in crime and I will do a widget test run, followed shortly by an email notification to all librarians complete with login reminders, web addresses, and information regarding basic statistics we would like to collect.

We have a soft marketing and word-of-mouth target strategy planned. Tomorrow, I have permission to add a "new" link to the main library page. It will then be featured on the "What's new" page and link to the existing help section of the library web site. The director also plans to place a blurb in the weekly student email that will highlight the new service. Additionally, next week is spring break. There will be ample opportunity for librarians to play with the technology and become more comfortable with it's use.

This is a major step for our library. Moving several librarians out of their safe areas, dragging them into a bit of library 2.0 technology, has been a challenge. I am crossing my fingers that students will utilize the service and prove it is a viable resource to offer.

Managing the consumable collection

Listening to the sirens call, as well as the library director and acquisitions librarian’s request, I am taking time today to work on my remaining resource center budget, specifically the necessary consumable supplies that are a significant part of my spending.

I start each year with a twelve line resource center budget (separate from the library budget); two lines are in place for running the center (phone and postage), ten lines are targeted to the resource center, and one of the ten lines accepts deposits allowing me to run our little store. I mention this because my spending today already totals $500 in laminating film (desk-top and roll-top) and upwards of $300 in basic office supplies (scissors, construction paper, transparencies, etc.). It is a challenge to manage budget lines specifically expended on consumable products, don't get me stared on printer parts and paper (we have free printing on campus). I am lucky that once the initial funds within one supply line are spent, it is possible to be self-sufficient by depositing funds garnered by charging for supplies back into the account. I do not make a profit from laminating and such, but use the funds to my more film.

Within the last few years I have not had to make a decision between copy paper and juvenile books, but budget cuts once or twice have necessitated that decision. I was most unhappy, and sadly pragmatic, to realize I could make a list of things to buy with the next budget year's funding, but had to have toner and copy paper. As I browse through the campus bookstore office supply catalog, I am pleased to note funds also remain for collection items in the form of my February Booklist, Follett half-price textbooks, and maybe a few more activity books!

Here they are ....

Here is the cast for Dancing with the Stars!

Marlee MatlinPenn Jilette
Marissa Jaret Winokur
Adam Carolla
Kristi Yamaguchi
Christian De La Fuente
Monica Seles
Mario
Steve Guttenberg
Jason Taylor
Shannon Elizabeth
Priscilla Presley

Dancing with the Stars!

I just learned the new cast of Dancing with the Stars will be announced tonight during the season finale of Dance Wars: Bruno vs Carrie Ann (don't watch it, sorry). The season premiere is scheduled for Monday, March 17th at 8:00 pm. A few rumors include:

• Adam Corolla to go Dancing With the Stars - Access Hollywood
• New Cast of Dancing with the Stars Revealed - Platinum Celebs
• New Cast of Dancing with the Stars Revealed - Dotspotter

Not much to go on at this point; guess I'll have to wait for Dance Wars or check the Dancing site later!

Passing it on

"Be the first on your block to sign up! Each free and non-spam-generating issue of our new monthly newsletter, debuting the first week of March, highlights a small stack of new children's books of particular interest to parents and other adults who just need a little Horn Book help at the library or bookstore. In the March issue I interview Jon Scieszka, review some books about nature, spot some sequels, and answer some totally made-up questions in the advice column. Pass it on." - Read Roger, Notes from the Horn Book, 2/15/08

I signed up for this newsletter on Friday afternoon and already have my confirmation email. It does ask for more regestration informatino than your email address, but nothing I considered not sharing. Sounds like another nice resource from Horn Book. So, Roger, consider it passed ...