The Truth about Library Computers, and Virtual Libraries are cool, but not for me.

One of my only jobs is one that I rarely perform, but when I do, I am always in awe of what I find and clean. So I thought this was humorous, because it is so true.


I wouldn't like virtual libraries. Libraries are my retreats that I actually physically go to. I do too much online already and need an escape. It would be like having a virtual coffee shop. NO FUN! I love libraries for their existence as a physical entity. I love the people I interact with, the people that go. The way i get lost in the stacks, the CDs, and DVDs. Yes, it is a bit like flea store shopping, all that rough and tumble, I want it first kind of feel. I even love the smell of the library. I love how there is a coffee shop always next to them and how they don't prohibit food and drink. To me, I stare at a screen too much already. Give me flesh and blood books and people to help me in person, not on a chat, not somewhere in the vastness of cyberspace.

Thing 2 before I do Thing 2

As the world becomes more dependent upon technology and electronical sources of information, the library should in fact respond to this change by intergrating and incorporating these technological developments into the way libraries work.

This was said better when I first responded to Susan's quick notes when I asked her just 'what was Library 2.0.?' (she has outstripped me on things.)
Her thoughts were:
constant change
reaction to this change
people's response to the libraries would increase

And before I delve into this whole 'thing', I can foresee that yes, libraries should keep on track with technological developments and try to implement them into their systems, but at the same time, do this without compromising what a library is first and foremost meant for. Not everyone has a computer or knows technology well, due to some circumstance whether economic or age for example. Then in this case we must not fail our public by outstripping them in this field also.
Or we must provide alternative help or resources to those who do not understand this technology.

On a happier and less philosophical note. My co-workers have really cool avatars.
Check out my links on the side.

Otherwise, I have a school project that is proving just how fast Clicnet's interlibrary loan process is. I hope everything is in tomorrow!

Thing 1 cont'd

Aha, the fine type catches me again. I have finally added the final touches of Thing 1. I have added my avatar. After a thorough investigation of Yahoo Avatars page http://avatars.yahoo.com/ I have completed my export of my avatar. My personal instructions to the whole Avatar thing is to
1) Create one at the Yahoo page. I am not certain if this means one has to have a Yahoo account to create an Avatar. Have fun! Dress it up, make it crazy. I think it's hard to make one that looks like oneself.
2) To "export" ones Avatar to this blogger, there is an "Export" link in blue on the right side of the Avatar Home page. It is in the green grey box with a bunch of links, under Yahoo!Avatars in orange.
3) This will take you to the export page. Copy the html code which is displayed in the main box (it is the weird computer language code), or cut if you so desire.
4) Now. Log into your blog. Go to customize on your blog. On your customizing page of your blogger will be a dashed box saying Add A Page Element. Pick the HTML/ Javascript Link. Paste your previously copied HTML script.
5) Save and voila! An Avatar.

No folks, it doesn't blink, or make faces like it does on your Yahoo! account.
Thats about all.
Thanks to my coworker who helped get through the mass of information to the right direction!

Difficult Blogs

How hard is hard? Truly, this blog system is the worse. To navigate this system is like swimming through a piranha-infested Amazon jungle river. A strange new world and unfortunately my conquistador armor is filled with flesh eating fish.
I guess I'm not the only one. My co-worker, who had an interest in blogging started enthuistatically and then all plummetted downward. She said that 23 things on a stick made it seem easy and to her horror, the editing and blogging system google sets up was so discouraging that she completely deleted her blog. (I am trying to persuade her to continue to blog through a different system, xanga, myspace, livejournal, so that she can continue on her 23 things.)
So onward. Now I only have to figure out what Thing 2 is and then complete it. Hmm...
I'll go comment on my expert "blogging-23 things-crazy" co-worker's blog.

Thing 1

Mission complete.

It was the most difficult navigation of a blog page I have ever encountered. But since I have survived the ordeal...here it is.