Since You’ve Been Gone

Since You’ve Been Gone

Morgan Matson

ISBN:  9781442435001

This is a book that I picked up at the Texas Library Association annual conference.  One of the great things about going to the conference, I discovered, was finding new authors or even new books by some of my favorite authors.  When I was sorting through the books that I picked up and trying to decide what to read first, I settled on this one for no particular reason.  Mostly it seemed like a good summer read on a good topic.  But, I was pleasantly surprised by this one.  Where I initially expected fluff and a quick, “fun” read, I found a novel with real substance.  I loved every minute of reading this book.

Summary

Emily has always been the quiet side of the dynamic duo of Sloane and Emily.  She’s quieter, more in the shadows, and content to just tag along on Sloane’s adventures.  And Sloane has plenty of adventures planned for this summer…until she’s just not there.  Emily can’t imagine a summer without Sloane.  But, Sloane has left something behind – a list of 13 tasks designed to pull Emily out of her comfort zone and into the world.  Emily’s not sure that she’s up for everything on the list, but she knows she has to do something.  Maybe this summer can still be the epic summer it was planned to be after all.

What I Liked

I loved that this book was real.  I could really relate to Emily.  Her struggles to come out of her comfort zone really rang true with me, and I could picture myself (or remember myself) facing similar challenges.  And, Emily didn’t always succeed the way that she wanted to.  The author avoided having the story work out perfectly all the time, because that’s just not realistic.  I also felt that the author really captured the raw emotions associated with losing someone.  It’s easy to think that death is the only way to lose someone, but distance and losing touch and other factors also count as loss.  As someone who’s lost people to a variety of factors, I could really relate with the emotions and complexity that the author portrayed.

What I Didn’t Like

Once again, this turned out to be one of the books that I absolutely loved.  The one thing that I found a little frustrating with this book was the use of the running playlists.  They seemed to be important to the characters and added to the plot, but at the same time, I wasn’t familiar with many of the songs and felt like I was missing some of the subtleties of the plot.  I felt like the playlists should have been better explained or perhaps not as many included in the story.  But, I loved at the end how the playlist was incorporated as part of the story.

Overall Feeling

This was a great book and one that I highly recommend reading.  I felt like this book really spoke to me and that I connected with the characters.  I loved that this book encouraged me to explore my own emotions and look critically at my own responses to situations.  Even though it was a work of fiction, I felt like this story really had a purpose and a message for the readers.  You can enjoy it just as a good story, but I think you do yourself a disservice.  This is a book meant to be enjoyed thoroughly, read repeatedly, and shared.

Emerging Trends in Information Literacy

Today I’ve been thinking about trends in information literacy.  As a librarian, information literacy is something that I want to teach to my patrons.  But, how do you define it?  At its core, information literacy is your ability to do the following:

1. Define an information need.  In other words, what do you need to know?
2. Follow a logical process to search for and locate information.  In other words, you have the ability to think about where you will find what you need, then actually go find it.
3. Synthesize and utilize information appropriately.  In other words, you know what information you need from all the information that you have found, and you are able to apply it to what you are working on or what you know.  You build relationships and connections with the information.
4. Evaluate the overall effectiveness of your process.  In other words, you are able to say what worked, and what didn’t, for the next time you need to look for information.

But, what does that mean for library users today?  What strikes me as the most interesting think (or maybe the biggest emerging trend) for information literacy is that it is no longer one-dimensional.  Information literacy today is multifaceted.  Library users must learn how to navigate a variety of settings in order to effectively communicate their needs.  Where the library was once a physical building, now information encompasses mobile technologies, apps, and a variety of digital reference.  It’s not enough to be able to navigate the card catalog and find the right book.  Today, you have to decide if you want a book or a website, a peer-reviewed article or just a magazine.  You have to know what is available in each format, how to evaluate it, and the most effective use of it.

Information literacy today includes print literacy, but also digital literacy, media, visual literacy, and more.  Library users must learn to develop a more comprehensive search strategy utilizing a variety of formats, and understand the process of determining the most effective resources for a specific question.  I love being a librarian and being part of that.  Introducing others to new ways to locate information, and meeting that specific need, is one of the highlights of my job.

I have no doubt that information literacy will continue to evolve in the years to come.  While I was at TLA in April, I was able to sit in some great sessions on information literacy and library instruction, and learn new tips and tricks for helping users connect with information.  I look forward to the opportunity to continue exploring these tools, and even more to being able to share them with others.  In the constant changing dynamic of information and access, libraries (and librarians) can’t afford to stay stagnate.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

John Green

ISBN:  9780142424179

After hearing so many good things about this book (and a good bit of curiosity seeing that they would be making it into a movie), I decided that I had to read this book.  And, I’ve found that recently there have been some really great young adult books on the market that even adults can enjoy.  So, I went out and picked up my copy.  Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I literally finished this book in two days. It was one of those books that I enjoyed so much, it felt like my “normal” life was interrupting when I couldn’t read.

Summary

Cancer patient Hazel Lancaster is living with a terminal diagnosis.  Although her therapy has been successful in giving her a few more years, there is no doubt that her case is incurable.  Hazel has come to terms with this, until she meets the fabulous Augustus Waters at her parent-mandated Cancer Kids Support Group.  Suddenly, life isn’t as black and white as it had seemed.  Where Hazel once had everything figured out, she’s now about to discover what a plot twist can be in real life.

What I Liked

I loved that this book was fluid, emotional, and real.  As a narrator, Hazel tells her story exactly the way that I would expect if she were a teenage girl sitting across from me.  There is sarcasm, there is confusion, and there is emotion, but it rarely seems forced.  I also love that this book doesn’t shy away from difficult issues – death and decisions are real in every page.  Not everything is an easy choice, and the good guys don’t always win.  But, the book is more powerful for that.

What I Didn’t Like

Honestly, it’s hard to find something that I didn’t like about this book.  It was well written, had excellent plot development, and addressed issues that many books won’t.  If I had any complaints, it would be that perhaps a few of the supplemental characters, like Kaitlyn, were not really developed in story.  But, being the love story of Hazel and Augustus, that’s also something that I’m willing to overlook.

Overall Feeling

This was one of the best books that I’ve read in a long time.  I love a book that inspires emotion in me, and this book definitely did this. I laughed, and I cried, and I lived every moment of it. I definitely put this book on a must-read list for anyone who appreciates a good love story, or even someone just looking to take a harder look at themselves and life.  It may be a work of fiction, but this book is one of those true gems that inspires us to look in and beyond ourselves.

Really Simple Syndication – Better Late Than Never!

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I’ve never used an RSS feeder before.  Here I am, working my way through professional development activities that started in 2009, and I’ve just realized that I’ve been missing out on a great tool that could make my life so much easier.  Now, to be fair to myself, I didn’t really have a need to subscribe to a lot of different content.  In 2009, I was still in grad school trying to figure out the best way to meet my career goals.  But, now that I’m starting to take the next steps in my career and really looking at the opportunities and technologies available, I have to say that RSS feeds are a great invention!

What I love about this is having all the content available at once, without having to open several different blogs and windows to see what’s new.  Previously, I had subscribed to different blogs via email, but I often found myself deleting emails because I didn’t want to spend the time sorting through whether the particular entry was relevant or interesting that day.  Now, I can see different content at a glance and see if it’s something I want to pursue, or even look back to see what I might have missed that is now helpful.  I’m currently using a feed reader that allows me to have different tabs with different content, and I love that I can sort and group the content into categories and go right to what I’m looking for.

I can see this being a great professional development resource for me in the future.  It helps keep me connected to the library community and information, and the ease of access lets me quickly see what’s going on and what I want to spend more time on.  While I don’t have an immediate use for this in my current position, I would definitely recommend it to my students as a way to keep up with what is going on in their professions.

I really think that having a feed reader will allow me to keep up to date on content and information and more easily organize the information that I am interested in.  Whether it is personal interests or professional ones, I will definitely be using this to continue exploring content and following topics.  I may be late, but better to have discovered this now than to keep missing out, right?

Libraries and Instant Messaging

Instant messaging.  I remember when, at work, we first started really using the instant messaging system.  Suddenly, it seemed like our lives were so much easier.  We didn’t have to wonder if someone was available for a quick meeting – we could send an IM and find out.  Instead of wandering around campus to get information that we needed, we could ask a quick question – and get an instant response – instead of having a lengthy email chain.  Since then, it’s hard to imagine not having that capability.  How many times a day to I opt for an IM for an instant answer to a question that doesn’t really warrant an email or a trip to another office?  How much more connected do we feel as an organization being able to instantly converse with each other, even when we don’t have time for a break or a longer visit?

Instant messaging is not something that we currently use at my library, but I love the concept of it.  I definitely see where it could become a real benefit for libraries.  One of the biggest advantages to me is that it is in real-time.  Yes, you can send an email and get a response, but sometimes it is easier to have that conversation take place on the spot.  I’ve found that in my professional life, an IM can be an easy way to bounce ideas off someone else when I get stuck on a project.  Instead of waiting for a response from email, I can get instant feedback.  For librarians, I see this as particularly beneficial for the reference interview.  If you are working via IM, you can check with the patron immediately to see if he or she is getting the information needed, or ask any number of questions to clarify what the real need is.  With the instant messaging software that we use at work, I am able to share documents with my coworkers, send web links, or even share my screen.  If libraries can offer these services as well, it opens up an entirely different dimension of remote reference and truly meeting patrons where they are at.  And, after all, isn’t that what we do as librarians?

Of course, IM does have its disadvantages.  It’s often more informal, I’ve found, and, like email, it’s harder to gauge the emotions and intent behind what is communicated.  You don’t have the nonverbal cues to interpret what the other person is saying, so you have to be careful to convey your message appropriately and seek that feedback in other means.  And, the expectation with IM is often an instant answer, but this is not always possible.  Some questions require more time and research, and it can be frustrating to find that what you thought would give you immediate help doesn’t provide what you want.  Or, if someone is not available to answer your question at the exact moment that you send it, there is the possibility of frustration.  After all, you want an instant answer – why isn’t someone there to give it to you?

Overall, I think that IM is a great way to reach patrons at a different level.  I think that, when implemented correctly, it provides another means of connecting with patrons, and introduces a different method of reference interaction that may be more comfortable for some users.  As a librarian, I constantly look for ways to meet my patrons where they are at and in a manner that they find comfortable.  Offering IM services is, I think, one way of doing this.  Of course, there are considerations for staffing and availability – I envision a program that has dedicated hours for this service where questions will be answered and staff are clearly assigned responsibility for when they will handle virtual reference.  But, I see this as a great way to embed the library into the lives of users and make library services more available.  While it’s not a service that I am likely able to offer in the near future, it is definitely something that I will file away for potential development in the future.

Lifelong Learning

During a webinar I recently attended, I learned about the Nebraska Learns 2.0 program.  Essentially, this program was put in place back in 2009 to encourage librarians in Nebraska (and other states) to actively explore the different tools available online for libraries and their patrons.  I have to admit, this is a great idea, and I wish I knew of a similar program here in Texas to be able to do the same thing.  But, since the Nebraska Learns 2.0 content is available online and you are welcome to join in (although without continuing education credit) from any state, I thought, “Why not?”

That being said, I decided to start at the beginning.  So, I’ve gone back to the archives of 2009 to find the original 23 Things, plus all the other Things (the list is now at 80, I think) that have been mentioned.  While I know that not all of these resources will still be relevant, or even still around, I thought it would be an interesting journey to see what has held up over the past 5 years and what has changed.  Plus, as I get further along, I’ll be able to see the more “current” things and add them to my repertoire as well.  Which brings us to:  Thing #3:  Grab yourself a blog in three easy steps.

Well, I’m already ahead of the game with this one.  I established an account with WordPress years ago, but now I’m ready to really start taking advantage of it and more fully explore the blogging world.  My blog doesn’t really have a name, since it’s associated with my professional portfolio, but it does have a template and a dedicated page, so I think we’re good to go.  So, moving ahead to the discovery exercise, in which I actually create my first blog post.  Following the recommendation of the program, I’m going to take a little time to talk about lifelong learning.

The Nebraska Learns 2.0 program started out with the 7 1/2 Principles of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners, as presented by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.  I have to admit, I found the list fascinating.  I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner. I love learning new things. I love taking classes online, attending discussions, learning from those around me, and constantly building my skills.  But, I hadn’t really taken the time to really define what lifelong learning meant.  Instead of talking about which habit is easiest for me, and which is hardest, I’d like to look at each of the habits individually and just take a minute to reflect on the whole lifelong learning process.

Habit 1:  Begin with the end in mind.  I have to admit, this one is a little challenging for me.  A lot of the time, I look at learning as an in-the-moment opportunity – what can I learn right now?  What is interesting to me right now?  What will help me do my job better right now?  You get the idea.  But, I think this habit really made me think.  Instead of looking at the immediate gratification, it’s time to think about the bigger picture.  What is the greater plan?  How is what I’m learning now going to help me in the long run?  How does it contribute to my greater professional plan, or even just the specific project that I’m working on?  I think what I need to focus on here is not learning for the sake of learning, but learning with a specific purpose.

Habit 2:  Accept responsibility for your own learning.  To me, this one is obvious. I have to be willing to put in the time and effort to learn.  I have to be willing to seek out the opportunities.  I have to be willing to recognize what I need to learn and accept when I need to ask for help.  If I’m not responsible for my own learning, no one will be.

Habit 3:  View problems as challenges.  I think this is something that I’ve heard often in my professional career.  Instead of looking at problems, we should be looking at the solutions and what we can learn from the situation.  While I know this is not always easy to do (and I admit that I’m human and sometimes have days when problems just seem insurmountable), I love the idea of looking at problems as a challenge and digging into the toolbox to see what I have that can address the specific concern.  It makes it into a process, instead of a roadblock.

Habit 4:  Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner.  I think you have to believe that you can do it in order to do it.  I’ve been hesitant before to try new things because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be any good at them.  Instead of being afraid of doing new things, I’ve learned to be confident that I can learn and adapt and take on new challenges, because that is where I grow the most.

Habit 5:  Create your own learning toolbox.  This is something that I think I’m fairly good at.  I’m a stickler for keeping notes and information about trainings I attend, and I often find myself making notes of where I can apply something in the future.  The more I learn, the more I store away to put to good use later.  I think this also comes into knowing where I can find learning opportunities. I’ve learned to make use of conferences, webinars, online courses, and even personal experiences to make the most of every learning opportunity that I get.

Habit 6:  Use technology to your advantage.  I think we can all agree that we are in a technologically advanced age.  I’ve found that technology can be a real benefit in allowing me to learn more than I might be able to otherwise.  I can attend virtual classes, view webinars from people in other states, or even consult blogs and websites to find out more from others.  The information and technology are out there, so I hope to make the most of them to continue to grow and learn.  I consider this adventure a case in point.

Habit 7:  Teach/mentor others.  I was once told that the best way to learn something was to teach it to someone else, and that’s something that I have tried to continue doing.  If I have a great technology that I think would benefit someone else, then I want to share that.  I love the joy of being able to share even a part of what I’ve learned with someone else at the point of need, to be able to solve someone else’s problem with something from my toolkit.  Even more, I find that I learn more from those that I’m teaching because they force me to look at things in different ways and from different angles.

“You cannot help but learn more as you take the world into your hands.  Take it up reverently, for it is an old piece of clay, with millions of thumbprints on it.”  ~ John Updike