I think we all know that librarians come in all kinds. There are some mousy ladies in orthepedic Oxfords, some imposing Matriarchs of the Materials with beehives, and some wild cats with ink everywhere. The Texas Library Association is putting out a calendar of librarians’ tattoos in order to raise money for libraries affected by hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Good Cause… but really, I’m not sure anything could cause me to stick a needle in my skin to fill it with ink. Now... Read Full Story

Requiem for a Blog I think that my first understanding of blogs was as a sort of online journal or diary about the author’s everyday life, and so, while I really wanted to create one, and I did create several, using Blogger before Google devoured it, I was having trouble trying to continuously write about my fairly unremarkable day-to-day business.  However, as blogs continued to grow, people started to use them in different ways.  There are still tons of diary-like blogs, but there are... Read Full Story

I have to work on the 4th of July! That is definitely a change from the past. But more importantly, I won’t have any BBQ. I really don’t know how I’ll survive the holiday. I’ve also bookmarked a ton of interesting reading and language stories but this school and work thing has been a challenge. For the first time in two months I’ve actually cleaned my apartment (don’t vomit, please. It really wasn’t that bad.) I thought I’d celebrate this ... Read Full Story

I’ve been rare busy this summer.  A full school schedule and an internship have left little time for posting.  Still, I’d like to announce that I’m working on publishing a scholarly article, which is awesome and I’m generally beefing up my resume.  In the meantime, I am still looking for interesting “get-your-book-red” type news.  Here’s a neat video with Neil Gaiman discussing his Coraline and possible further Hollywood ventures.  One of the most int... Read Full Story

As a future librarian, I’ve heard the Wikipedia warnings a million times, coupled with a desire to embrace Wikipedia for what it is: a very useful way to get introduced to lots of topics.  But nothing quite brings misinformation into the spotlight than a big journalism mess.  Apparently, a sociology student put up a quote he wrote in the style of a famous dead guy and journalists were quoting it to high heaven… without verifying it.    And that’s not Wikipedia’s fault ... Read Full Story

I’ve been reading a book on Frank Lloyd Wright for an internship I’m doin. ‘m not terribly knowledgeable about architecture, but I love the interior spaces he managed to create by “braking the box” as they say, as well as his use of natural light.  However, besides the fact that I enjoy his spaces, I’m liking him less and less with each page, it’s raised some interesting questions.  First is one on bias.  I’ve always heard that women are harder ... Read Full Story

I’m gradually trying to learn design for my interest in web development. I figure that I can learn the coding (I’m already familiar with HTML/CSS; I really want to learn flash) but I find design to be an important but, alas, elusive aspect. Where should I place graphics? When should I place [...] Read Full Story

I’m always fiddling around on the internet when I should be working, but you all reap the benefit. I’ve found some great online toys for library geeks and book lovers. Check these out if you haven’t already: created using AmaztypeAmaztype: This great toy generates a movie of continuously piling media by an author, musician, director, or actor. So a search for “Jane Austen” under books, would make a picture of the name “Jane Austen” made entirely of... Read Full Story

I just did a user instruction session and I created my own book trailer for The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Harper. I’ve always loved this book and thought it should have been made into a movie. Book trailers would make a great book report project. more about "My Book Trailer", posted with vodpod Read Full Story

You know, a lot of times, people in train stations either feel very blah or even sometimes like crap.  You go to the train station to go to work or go home from work and you don’t think about having an extraordinary day. You think about the same old things day in and day out.  That is why this viral video about the Sound of Music stunt in a train station is so very, very awesome.  The people who witnessed this went about the day with a smile on their faces because some great people took... Read Full Story