Ditters - What In the Heck Were You Thinking?

There's a story behind Ditters... and one day soon I'll write that up, but today I must tell you what our crazy, spooky-in-his-old-age, "good for nothing" doggie did last night.

But first, some background:

Ditters has become quite skittish around floor vents. You know the kind: they blow hot air at you in the winter as you walk by, or you stand on them to get warm after stepping out of the shower. Yes, those vents have become a source of angst for our nearly 9 year old pup. Since moving to our new home, the problem has increased. There are vents *everywhere.* When Ditters walks by one, he'll stop and stare at it, only to spastically scurry away. It's really quite entertaining!

Now back to last night:

I had just laid down for the night, and was just entering that good sleep that happens right before drifting off to dream land, when all of a sudden I hear whimpering. Not whimpering from being hurt, or whimpering from wanting to go out, but the kind of whimpering that Ditters makes when something isn't right in his little puppy world. I started to turn over to see what in the world was the matter, when all of a sudden, he jumps up on the bed, scurries around my pillow, and promptly jumps down on the other side of the bed to lay down on his makeshift dog bed made of pillows. I thought to myself - what is this dog thinking?... But I didn't even have time to get up before he did it again! He jumps up on my side of the bed, around my pillow again, and then jumps back down onto his real dog bed.

He *knows* he's not supposed to be on the bed... so that was problem #1 in his doggie mind that caused some whimpering.

He also knew that there was an evil vent at the foot of the bed... so that was problem #2 in his doggie mind that caused even *more* whimpering.

So, all he could think to do was to jump onto the off-limits bed in order to get to the other side.

Now what *I* can't figure out is why he wanted to be on the other side in the first place...

So with that, I leave you with a picture of my spooky dog. He's loved, spoiled, and I wouldn't have it any other way!













Ditters lounging on the back of the couch

Online Collaboration: The Next Big Thing Is Not You.

The Next Big Thing Is Not You.

View more presentations from danielgoh.

I frequently read a blog by Buffy Hamilton, a High School Librarian in Canton, GA. She recently posted the presentation above that got me thinking about my own online identity.

Since switching jobs from the public library sector to the academic library, I find myself with less and less time to collaborate/participate online. It's important to note that my academic library is not a traditional library. I work in a very small post-secondary, proprietary institution that is aimed at business, public and medical industries. The library was non-existent 2 years ago, but a heavy push for academic standards was made, and libraries at the different campuses have been created. Most of our resources are online and accessed through library databases, and each location has begun a small "core" collection that is housed in the "library" setting. I use the word library very loosely when talking about the setting, though, since we actually refer to it as the Learning Resource Center (LRC). It's within the size of a regular classroom housing 4 bookshelves and 12 computers that students can use for research and homework project purposes. My desk sits right inside the door and is the first thing anyone sees when they enter.

Now I've set the stage to explain what my duties cover:

• Reference and Instruction -- I enter classrooms at the instructors request to provide research help for certain classroom projects. Students are then encouraged to stop back by the LRC for additional help.
  
• Cataloging -- All new materials are cataloged and added to the collection.
• Inter-Library Loan -- We do quite a bit of this since our physical collection is so small.
  
• Collection Development -- As programs of study evolve, new materials for the core collection must be evaluated, and old materials within the current collection are weeded.
• Subject Specialty Areas -- I am in charge of Project Management, Gaming/Interactive Media, and Computers/Keyboarding. This Quarter, the librarians have been identifying standards for each area of study. This has taken quite a bit of work to dig through relevant information.
  
• Adjunct Instructor -- I will be teaching 3, yes 3, Information Literacy classes during the Winter Quarter. Two will be ground classes, and one online section. YIKES
• Various Committee Involvement:

1. ILS Search Committee
   
2. LibGuides 2.0 Committee
3. Campus Student Satisfaction Committee

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but as you can see, I stay quite busy! Now, let me get back to my reason for writing this whole bit. If you perused the slides above, you see just how far social media and the like has come in recent years. I have a pretty heavy online presence, and most of it has been geared towards library collaboration and gaining ideas from others in the field. I have an online presence on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Friendfeed (Library Society of the World) -- This place is GREAT for asking questions and getting instant feedback from librarians at the forefront of our industry.
  
• Goodreads
• Flickr
• Blogger
• LinkedIn

You get the idea. With so many online areas, it's been difficult to keep up with everything. It truly is information overload.

So I ask you, how in the heck do you keep up with everything online when other work demands keep you focused? How do you continue to stay abreast of every new trend/technology when you simply don't have the time to stay current throughout the week? And... if you DO find the time (say, when you make it home from work), how do you balance your online presence with your family obligations. A weary mind wants to know!

A New Look

Welcome to the new digs. I figured I would spruce up the blog a bit in hopes that it will help me to begin posting more frequently. I've never been able to keep up with blogging in past years (and you can see that just by scrolling down a bit and looking at the date range), but I have many exciting things (to me) going on, that I really need to start documenting things better.

Since finishing my graduate degree, I really thought I would have more time to do the things that I like to do. Things such as:

• Designing a website for my husband to help market himself in the trombone world - - he's an orchestral trombonist.
• Blogging - - you see how far that went!
• Reading - - I think I've only read a total of 4 books...I repeat...4 books since May. P.I.T.I.F.U.L
• Knitting - - This is the one area where I have been doing more. I've finished several projects since the weather has turned cool.
• Cooking - - I really like to cook, but my crazy schedule makes it difficult.
  
• Losing Weight - - We won't be discussing this one...

You get the idea. Life always seems to always get in the way. Since taking a new job as a campus librarian here in Northern Indiana, I have been so stinkin' busy with everything work related. With a new job comes new things to learn, as well as oober preparation for presentations and teaching opportunities. Eventually it has to settle down right?!? I am thankful to have a husband that helps around the house, cooks, and keeps me sane. The nature of his job is such that he's home during the day, and works a couple of hours at night throughout the week. Sweet gig if you ask me!

So, in the coming days, I plan to post about some knitting projects that I have going, some Christmas cookies that I need to bake, and any crazy library related things that pop up. Pictures of Ditters are always free game too...which means I need to take my new camera back out!

That's it for now.

QR Codes - The Possibilities Are Endless

I've been doing a bit of research recently in regards to QR codes and their uses in libraries. I first heard about QR codes while listening to a new-to-me podcast this past week. You can find the podcast HERE ... and I do hope you'll take the time to listen. So what is a QR code? Here are a few brief points:

• QR stands for Quick Response
• QR codes are linked to information online
• That information is transmitted through a phone's camera, sending you to the linked website that can be saved to your mobile bookmarks
• The QR code phone application that I'm using with my blackberry is from beetagg. You can find a list of supported phones HERE. You will need this in order to scan the image below.
  

What might be some uses for QR codes?
If you were to grab the QR code to the right, you would be taken to my linkedin online resume. This is just one example of how people are using these codes. Businesses are also linking them to their Facebook pages, and I can see where libraries could do the same. Libraries are also placing these codes in their online catalogs. This is especially beneficial for University libraries that are multi-level. Students can search for a particular item, see the QR code on the holdings page, snap a picture of the code which sends them to the mobile version of the holdings page, and they are able to take their phone with them to find the book/material. No more writing down long call numbers or trying to find pen and paper in the first place. The possibilities are ENDLESS and I'm already formulating ideas for utilizing this new media format in my library. For further reading about QR codes, follow the links below for better explanations:

• What Is a QR Code
  
• Embeddable Information: QR Codes and Libraries
• QR Codes and Books
• LibSuccess Wiki: QR Codes Being Used in Libraries (note: tonight, I'm having trouble accessing this site)

What are your thoughts on QR code usage?

Sony DSLR A-230

The following are some of the better pictures that were taken during the first couple of days of owning this new camera. The colors don't pop...not sure how to make them pop...and the focus isn't great either. Also, the pictures aren't 100% clear (probably because I need to invest in a tripod). Each picture was taken on some sort of auto setting, but I'm giving the specs as well in hopes that some of you may have some suggestions on what could have been done to make the picture better. All specs are taken from Flickr after the upload.



Farm Cat
6/19/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
400
Focal Length (Lens):
300mm
Flash:
Auto, Fired









Country Lane
6/19/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture:
f/6.3
ISO:
100
Focal Length (Lens):
130mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire












Country Lane #2
6/19/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture:
f/6.3
ISO:
100
Focal Length (Lens):
90mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire













A Peek Through the Trees
6/19/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture:
f/4.5
ISO:
400
Focal Length (Lens):
160mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire












Sunset
6/19/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture:
f/4.0
ISO:
125
Focal Length (Lens):
90mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire




Sunset #2
6/19/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture:
f/4.0
ISO:
250
Focal Length (Lens):
85mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire




Macro - Weeds
6/20/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
258
Focal Length (Lens):
50mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire






Macro - Dandelion
6/20/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
258
Focal Length (Lens):
50mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire




Macro - Flower
6/20/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
258
Focal Length (Lens):
50mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire




Deer (what we bought the camera for!)
6/20/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
258
Focal Length (Lens):
300mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire



Deer #2
6/20/2010

Sony DSLR A-230

Exposure:
0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture:
f/5.6
ISO:
258
Focal Length (Lens):
300mm
Flash:
Off, Did not fire





I am up for any and all critiques. I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing...I know how to change settings, but still am not 100% sure I understand what to change, and when. Any photoshop tips would be great too so I can maybe make the colors pop a bit more.

New Library Website & Something To Ponder

Here she is folks. A full year and half worth of work has finally come to fruition. I should also mention that I by no means call myself a web-designer, or even a webmaster. While that is part of my job title, I don't think I'm very good at it, and I'm sure if you looked at my coding, you would find ways to do what I've done differently/better/*insert your own words. However, I did learn a TON during this process...and I feel like I've accomplished something worthwhile that will be beneficial to my library. That makes me giddy!

If you're interested in seeing more, especially my Kids and Teens pages (digital scrapbooking came in handy for those), then head on down to:
http://www.elwood.lib.in.us

Comments and critiques are always welcome...although I'll warn you - if you make a suggestion, I may not know enough to even understand what you're telling me. I'm strictly book and self taught here! I'm still learning as I go :-)

And now for something to ponder:
A new book came in today and one of our catalogers brought it back to my office thinking I would get a kick out of the concept. The title is 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam. The idea that we all have the same hours in every day/week/month/year is mind boggling to me, simply because I can never seem to find time for what I want to do! For years I have sacrificed my time/career/life/EVERYTHING to finishing school. Both my husband and I were committed to that challenge of being 100% fully and completely done before starting a family. Just last month, I graduated with my MLS, and this summer, my husband will be finishing up his Doctorate (so our plan has worked!). I give you all of this background to say that I had it in my mind that I would always have more time to really do what I wanted once I finished school. Unfortunately, it seems that my life is even more busy! So this intriguing book crossed my desk and it got me thinking. Where am I putting all of my hours? If you want to do the same, it's pretty interesting to see how much time is being wasted! Here's the breakdown:

168 Hours in a Week

• 40 hrs Work
• 7.5 hrs Commuting back and forth to work
  
• 56 hrs Sleep (8 hrs each night - wishful thinking right?)
• 10.25 hrs Eating (I only take a 15 min. break at work for lunch)
• 4 hrs House Cleaning/Folding Clothes/Dishes/etc...
• 2 hrs Errands (not very accurate, but it will have to do since each week is different)
• 7 hrs Hot Bath every night (SO very relaxing! and too much info I'm sure)
• 3 hrs Church Services

Total: 38.25 hrs left over
Where does this time go? What the heck am I doing to where I feel like I have no time for anything? I will ponder this further...

If you're interested in reading more about the book, the author has a blog located HERE, and there's a challenge beginning Monday, June 14th which can be found on Facebook.

The whole point of this for me is to find out where I am putting my time (and being honest about it) in order to make the necessary changes. I'm willing! Who else wants to join the challenge??

A New Look

I simply don't have the time to design a blog layout for myself, partly because I have devoted so much time for the library website redesign...which hopefully will go live tomorrow. With that being said, I wanted a fresh new look for this blog with the hopes of having it be enticing...therefore making me want to blog more!

Enjoy the design, and check back tomorrow for a link to the library's new website.

What I Learned Today

Today was a Monday, and for me that usually means problems galore will be put on my plate. As I settle in to this job more and more, I am gaining a sense of how to "let things go" if they really aren't top priority. This means fixing the big issues first and moving on to the little things as I can. For anyone who knows me well though, you know how difficult this is for me! I am a person that likes...no, I NEED projects to be completed and checked off of my to-do list. Unfortunately, this job is just one big to-do list that is never ending. I'm dealing with that though...and doing ok.

Now, for what I learned today.

Librarians have a need to keep things in order. We like to have every little piece of paper in its proper spot, usually filed away in a file drawer, or neatly placed in folders on the computer for easy access. Problems occur when those poor files cannot be found! I ended up making a little boo-boo last week that almost cost us our entire long-overdue database. This would have been 5 years of steady, diligent work down the drain. *But*...I learned something!

1. If you are going to copy a file to a different location, make sure you save it as a different file name before altering said file. (I was in such a hurry that I started chopping up the poor database to make a template out of it that I forgot this very important step)
2. If you ever wonder if it's really that important to have a server backup files and e-mails every night...worry or wonder no more. It is DEFINITELY important! (For so long, those poor backup tapes went unnoticed, but today they were very helpful in restoring the data)

Lesson one learned.

Lesson two is that through this process of accidentally deleting data, I learned more about the workings of Backup Exec on our server, and how to recover files if its ever needed. I was oh so nervous to press the restore button in fear that I would wipe the tape somehow, but it loaded, found the file I needed, restored it perfectly, and I feel like the hero at the end of the day.

Lesson three: I think it's about time that we replace our black and white printer. Why this particular model was bought in the first is a mystery, but I'm finding that we can only get through 3 weeks of prints before needing a new printer cartridge. The specks say ink will last for 2,000 prints, or thereabouts, which isn't much for a main branch with heavy printing traffic. So, this lesson will involve learning about different network printers and making sure that I make the right decision when purchasing.

Now, to make another to-do list for the rest of the week that may or may not get done depending on what decides to blow up or break...

A New Beginning

I have recently been thinking more and more about blogging again. While I always seem to have good intentions, for one reason or another I end up letting the writing fall to the back burner. Life and my work takes precedence (as it should) and I just can't seem to find a good balance for the "extra" things I would like to accomplish. Personally and professionally, I have gained so much from reading other library blogs...particularly those by Bobbi Newman, David Lee King, and even The.Effing.Librarian (just to name a slim few). My GoogleReader account is overflowing with blogs from people that I have come to call my colleagues, and I continue to glean information and inspiration from each of them. I don't expect to have any real cutting edge ideas here, but it will at least come to be a chronology of my work, projects, and the like.

So how have I ended up at this point?
When I began this particular blog, I had just moved into a new library system and was working as a clerk/head of youth services for a small branch in central Indiana. While in this position, I had the opportunity to fully plan and implement an entire Summer Reading program for this very small branch. I remained in the position for one year until I had the opportunity to move into management at the main library branch. I became the Adult Services Manager, overseeing a handful of adult services staff, managing the interlibrary loan department, maintaining the fiction/nonfiction collection, as well as non-print materials, implementing adult programming, coordinating staff scheduling ... all while finishing my MLS degree! It was overwhelming, yet exhilarating because I was finally able to put my schooling to practice. The fun doesn't stop there though. Not six months into this position, a fellow coworker had the opportunity to move on to a new work environment, leaving our library system with an empty Information Technology Manager position. In my head, I thought this was right up my alley. Since taking this position, however, I realize I have SO much to learn! Every work-day feels like I'm back in school...but that's party why I love librarianship. The environment breeds continual learning. To just name a few things that I am now doing:

• Computer hardware selection, installation, and troubleshooting (this includes getting knee deep inside computer cases which was brand new to me...and I have become a reformatting hard drive whiz!)
  
• Software selection, installation, and support
• Network administration and security responsibilities (In 2 months time, I have already assisted in the installation of a new server)
  
• Security and stability of public computing environment (For future reference...don't use Centurion Guard security software. This is a headache and a half when trying to push things from the server to the workstations. Instead, work with group policies)
  
• Web page design and maintenance (We go LIVE with my redesign on Tuesday!!)
  
• General help desk functions
• Computer Class Instructor
• Grant writer
  
• Intranet support and design
• Staff and patron technology training
• Integrated Library System (ILS) maintenance, upgrades, and training
• Project management
• Creating technical documentation (Document Document Document...everything!)
• Overseer of E-Rate Funding

Ok...so that totally turned out to be a laundry list of responsibilities (and I'm sure I'm missing something). If you have made it to the end and are still reading, I welcome you to this new beginning. I have no idea what angles I will take with this blog, but I will make it fun and hopefully informative to anyone who ventures my way.

Happy Reading!