Another 23 Things . . .

And so I return to the site of my first blogging crime experience . . . 

It was long ago - way back in August of 2007 - that I created this space on the web as part of a 23 Things program we did at work. Back then, blogs seemed rather cutting edge to many of us. I'd experimented with LiveJournal (and had no more success making myself post regularly to it than I ever did with the diaries my mom gave me as a kid). Social media wasn't a topic then, not yet. Instead, we learned about blogs and posting pictures online and aggregating content.

Since then, TENN-SHARE, a library information resource sharing consortium in Tennessee has hosted a 23 Things-inspired program called Learn & Discover each summer since 2008. The archived program for the first three years is here: Learn&Discover. Alas, Ning started charging, and they moved the course to the organization's website this year, but you can still find what we learned about RSS, photos, digital audio books, music online, book & library tools, Twitter, social bookmarking, Google Labs, organizing, geolocation, wikis, managing your online identity, social media & libraries, planning a trip online, backing stuff up, creating presentations, philanthropy and more. I helped out with the 'Tennessee Stuff' lesson in Round 1 and the 'Social Media and Your Library" in Round 3. You're all welcome to visit the archived site - just keep in mind that we're not making any effort to update it, so there are likely broken links in places.

I've signed up for this rendition of 23 Things because there is always something new to learn and new perspectives to consider. I also love the international scope of this program, and look forward to the exposure to ideas from other countries and the chance to interact with library/information professional folks from a wide variety of places. One of the best things I did while I was studying for my Masters in Information Sciences was to travel with the University of North Carolina to Oxford for a short summer session to explore libraries in the UK.

Professionally, I'm a round peg in a square hole... trained for academic/digital librarianship (focus: history, language) working as a public library consultant, most specifically with public relations and statistics. While I'm working with great people and doing work that I consider important, I also want to keep in contact with folks doing other types of library/information work. Like so many librarians, I was drawn to the profession because I love to learn . . . and to keep learning.  Besides, who knows what the future holds . . . or where it might lead.

Cheers!
Genny

Libraries Matter

The library world buzzes almost constantly - something that most people outside libraries often don't know. I suppose this is true of many organizations and institutions, but I think it's especially true with libraries in this internet / videogame / DVR kind of world we live in now. Those who don't regularly visit their public libraries, who aren't aficionados, tend to have a mental image of a historic and/or functional government building with shelves and shelves of books, a few tables, tax forms and perhaps a few computers.

This week I've worked on informational and promotional materials for two library events, and those activities brought home (again) the amazing scope of activities and possibilities that public libraries provide. It's not just about the books - and I love the books. It's more than catching up on magazines and newspapers, or bringing the kids in for storytime. It's about information - and the freedom and ability to access that information. It's about having a place where people who need information can find it - and with the ever increasing amount of information on the web, libraries - and the librarians within them - are more important than ever.

There have been quite a number of media stories about how people are flocking to public libraries because of the economic crisis - for a myriad of reasons: free access to books, CDs and DVDs, free / inexpensive programming and entertainment, homework help. Of course, all of those things were available before the banks and industries started crumbling at bases of their clay feet - but they've become more important to more people as money gets tighter. Rather than spending money with Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Blockbuster, Target and Regal Cinemas, people find books, CDs and DVDs at the library. The Tennessee Electronic Library provides magazines and newspapers online for the state's citizens - so if finances force you to cancel your subscription to People, Newsweek or PC Magazine along with your expensive local cable access, you can find articles online. You can also use TEL to help with your kid's homework . . . or to research for your job - or the job you will be applying for.

One of the most striking, though not surprising, trends is the number of people turning to their libraries to help them find a job. Many employers - including some low-tech/no-tech ones that would surprise you - require online applications. Workers who've been laid off often need training, and to prepare for entry into a new career. People who had been with the same company for 33 years suddenly need a resume. What did your resume and job application look like - in 1976? I was in elementary school . . .

American communities need libraries more than ever. In a time where budgets are tight, and cuts are common - let's not cut our library services.