The economy, she is bad.
We know this at the Public Library, our jobs might be in question later this year. I find it ironic that the county is cutting our library budget and we are in a hiring freeze until July, while we have record numbers of patrons attendance and checked-out material.
Even MSNBC says that libraries are the hip place to be. While I doubt anyone uses the word 'hip' in an actual sentence these days, MSNBC's article is dead on when it says that 'buisness at local libraries is booming in this harsh economy'.
Told 'ya it would.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Lockdown Podcasting
I realize that I have written about Podcasting and Jail, but I have not written about Podcasting in Jail. It’s quite an experience!
This is the first Podcasting program that I have facilitated at Jail North. I was thrilled that Jail Administration was allowing me to conduct this program at all. People are starting to catch on to the many benefits of Podcasting, but I was afraid that Jail Admin would not see it as a worthy inmate program. However, I was cleared for the program and I have been having a blast. Thank you, Jail North!
It is an interesting experience to facilitate a tech-heavy program with patrons that have spotty or non-existent computer skills. Using a mouse, recording on Audacity and exporting a file as an MP3 can be challenging. Many of my patrons do not have a point of reference for those activities. The digital divide is very apparent within facilities like a jail. However, somehow we are muddling through. Repetition is our friend. Saving and exporting a file is done the same way every time and the guys have caught on quickly. I learned a long time ago to not make patrons use the touch mouse on our laptops because that is difficult to maneuver. I supply a USB mouse for each computer, and the guys handle that fine. Interestingly, they are very helpful to each other and the guys that are a little more tech savvy help out the ones who need assistance. That is nice to see.
The guys enjoy Podcasting, but they also like the concept of Podcasting. I showed them the Podcasting directory on iTunes and they were amazed that there were so many Podcasts available and for free. I have played several Podcasts that have covered topics such as politics, movies, manners, and sports. As we listen to the Podcast, we talk about what we like and don’t like about them. The guys practice reading poetry and record themselves on Audacity. Anything by Maya Angelou is excellent to use as she has relatable work and her poems sound wonderful when spoken out loud. Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Lauren Hill are also great to use. We’ve recorded samples of Hamlet’s soliloquy, and next week I’m going to have them record the first four verses of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.
Along with technology skills, the guys are learning how to be better public speakers. They are critical of how they sound and work hard to ‘get it right,’ often re-recording a poem several times because they want to sound their best. I don’t know what opportunities these guys will have to Podcast when they are released, but I hope that they are able to utilize the skills that they have learned during the class.
And perhaps have an abiding love for the spoken word.
This is the first Podcasting program that I have facilitated at Jail North. I was thrilled that Jail Administration was allowing me to conduct this program at all. People are starting to catch on to the many benefits of Podcasting, but I was afraid that Jail Admin would not see it as a worthy inmate program. However, I was cleared for the program and I have been having a blast. Thank you, Jail North!
It is an interesting experience to facilitate a tech-heavy program with patrons that have spotty or non-existent computer skills. Using a mouse, recording on Audacity and exporting a file as an MP3 can be challenging. Many of my patrons do not have a point of reference for those activities. The digital divide is very apparent within facilities like a jail. However, somehow we are muddling through. Repetition is our friend. Saving and exporting a file is done the same way every time and the guys have caught on quickly. I learned a long time ago to not make patrons use the touch mouse on our laptops because that is difficult to maneuver. I supply a USB mouse for each computer, and the guys handle that fine. Interestingly, they are very helpful to each other and the guys that are a little more tech savvy help out the ones who need assistance. That is nice to see.
The guys enjoy Podcasting, but they also like the concept of Podcasting. I showed them the Podcasting directory on iTunes and they were amazed that there were so many Podcasts available and for free. I have played several Podcasts that have covered topics such as politics, movies, manners, and sports. As we listen to the Podcast, we talk about what we like and don’t like about them. The guys practice reading poetry and record themselves on Audacity. Anything by Maya Angelou is excellent to use as she has relatable work and her poems sound wonderful when spoken out loud. Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Lauren Hill are also great to use. We’ve recorded samples of Hamlet’s soliloquy, and next week I’m going to have them record the first four verses of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.
Along with technology skills, the guys are learning how to be better public speakers. They are critical of how they sound and work hard to ‘get it right,’ often re-recording a poem several times because they want to sound their best. I don’t know what opportunities these guys will have to Podcast when they are released, but I hope that they are able to utilize the skills that they have learned during the class.
And perhaps have an abiding love for the spoken word.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I heart Stephen King
Check out this action:
Smackdown of the Week: Stephen King vs. Twilight's Stephenie Meyer
http://www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20090204/b82354/
Oh, Stephen. How I love you. True, mocking Stephenie Meyer and her fandom is probably not a great idea, but I doubt that his readership will be fazed by his honesty. There is something truly affirming that one of your favorite authors feels the same way about Twilight. I'm not a Twilight hater per se, but I agree with King when he says that the books are just not that well written. They aren’t.
And while you might not agree with me, King has sold an estimated 300-350 million copies of his books, many of which are best sellers, not to mention to awards he has won…well, his opinion carries a little more clout than mine.
If possible I heart Stephen King even more!
Smackdown of the Week: Stephen King vs. Twilight's Stephenie Meyer
http://www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20090204/b82354/
Oh, Stephen. How I love you. True, mocking Stephenie Meyer and her fandom is probably not a great idea, but I doubt that his readership will be fazed by his honesty. There is something truly affirming that one of your favorite authors feels the same way about Twilight. I'm not a Twilight hater per se, but I agree with King when he says that the books are just not that well written. They aren’t.
And while you might not agree with me, King has sold an estimated 300-350 million copies of his books, many of which are best sellers, not to mention to awards he has won…well, his opinion carries a little more clout than mine.
If possible I heart Stephen King even more!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Blogging is the new Black
My poor, sweet, ignored blog. No, I have not bandoned you. Yes, I know I am a bad blogger. I apologize. I have no excuse but my own laziness and lack of motivation.
There. All better. Now, let’s update this thing.
Things that have happened in January 2009:
1. My husband and I returned from a fabulous trip in South Africa, visiting family. I will post a little something about that later on. (No, I promise, I really will). Nothing like the African sun, good food, rock climbing, and family to rejuvenate you for the new year.
2. We got a new Prez!
Way to go, Barack Obama. Nothing like the historical election of a new president to rejuvenate you for the new year.
3. I am back in school.
4. My library programs are taking off. Check back for more details.
5. I am still a Snarky Librarian.
There. All better. Now, let’s update this thing.
Things that have happened in January 2009:
1. My husband and I returned from a fabulous trip in South Africa, visiting family. I will post a little something about that later on. (No, I promise, I really will). Nothing like the African sun, good food, rock climbing, and family to rejuvenate you for the new year.
2. We got a new Prez!
Way to go, Barack Obama. Nothing like the historical election of a new president to rejuvenate you for the new year.
3. I am back in school.
4. My library programs are taking off. Check back for more details.
5. I am still a Snarky Librarian.
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