Been having fun using Flickr. I uploaded some personal photos and avatars, then I uploaded a set of photos form our Labor Day visit to the Henry Doorly Zoo. Finally I created the above trading card using an image already posted to Flickr.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Librarian Trading Card
Been having fun using Flickr. I uploaded some personal photos and avatars, then I uploaded a set of photos form our Labor Day visit to the Henry Doorly Zoo. Finally I created the above trading card using an image already posted to Flickr.
Technology R'nt Us
I Can Haz Water
Well, I'm am so thrilled to find all of the wonderful Web 2.0 widgets, gadgets, and apps on the web. Who would have ever thought that we can have so much fun creating our own presence, and then share it with everyone.
I first heard about Web 2.0 in March 2008 when I saw the bookmarks for del.icio.us on a co-workers Internet Explorer page. I quickly learned how to add that to my page as well. I realized what a boon web-based bookmarks were over browser-based, and since I use three different PCs in the course of my day, a bookmarking site is very helpful. Those bookmarks are always there.
I also learned the value of a web-based calendar for the same reason. Plus, my wife's schedule can be added to mine, or mine added to hers via the same host. Since I'm a Mac user, I use iCal at home and .ics calendar files to share with others. I found a free calendar hosting site (www.icalx.com) on the web, and then tried Mozilla's Sunbird open source calendar app. Sunbird work's pretty well, but the program has to be installed on each client computer. Someone told me about Google calendars, which can import .ics files. So, I set up an account and formated my calendars. Now, just like my del.icio.us bookmarks I can take my Google calendar everywhere I go.
OK, now for the Technology R'nt Us phase: I noticed a Ligit widget on a friends blog and wanted to add it to mine .You'll see that I have it entered as a blog post. Not where it should be, but I can't figure out how to embed it in the page's html. Likewise, the cool speaking avatar I made on Voki. So, maybe some savvy geek out there can help me learn a little more code so that I can spruce up my blog.
Anyway, I am enjoying this O! What a Geek class, and we are having fun at work talking about our projects. Great idea! Thanks!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Convergence of the Spheres on a Venn Diagram: Ethics, Data and Information
On Saturday our MLS class in Reference Resources discussed various levels of “information.” The levels were listed as: data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. Members of class were asked to list two descriptors under each heading, and we then discussed the significance of each class of “information.” It was clear that data referred to raw alpha/numeric sets and images. To move from data to information required manipulation and interpretation. For instance, how data sets were analyzed by a particular statistic provided a level of interpetation on the part of the researcher. Thus, tables, charts, and graphs all convey a level of interpretation, and therefore bias. It was noted human communication carries bias, and that it was neither good nor bad; we just needed to be aware that it was present.
The class also discussed the obligation of the librarian to provide information that was as neutral as possible and to allow the user to interpret the data. This sentiment was echoed by a panel of professional librarians who answered class questions about library ethics. In one example, a librarian working near Lincoln had been called by prisoners on multiple occasions, and had been asked to supply the address and phone number of particular individuals. Most of the class stiffened a little bit upon hearing that request. There have been stories in the news about prisoners harassing witnesses and plaintiffs from their trials. Can you imagine supplying that kind of information? However, the librarian explained that this information was already public, being printed in phone directories, and no ethical situation was encountered by giving the prisoners free access to this data.
Near the end of the session a student raised a question about Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, who as mayor of a small Alaskan town asked the head librarian if she would consider censoring the town’s library collection. Well, that animated the class! A lively discussion would have ensued had we not run out of time. But, I thought, this was very germane, not only for our discussion on library ethics, but also because I had been reading the republication of press reports on a major library journal’s webpage.
Journalistic ethics, as well as American’s sense of fair play, used to require that reporters verify facts, and not just allegations. And if an allegation were printed, in the effort to inform the public, it would not be repeated without verification of the facts. Now, it seems in the case of Gov. Palin, that the media, who sent hundreds of reporters to Alaska to investigate her, has continued to repeat the allegations in stories, even though they have not been able to learn anything further. Their verifications are: yes, someone has alleged this impropriety; not: yes, this is a fact.
As poor an example of journalistic prudence as the media’s behavior has been, I am absolutely appalled that a major library journal would link to, or republish, these allegations. It should be noted that no further action was taken by Gov. Palin. She asked once, never again raised the subject, never presented a list of books, and let the matter drop. There has been no evidence to suggest that the subsequent resignation of the library director was linked to any harassment on the part of then Mayor Palin. The fact that the press has not been able to learn anything further, in a small town where everyone knows each other’s business, suggests that there is nothing of significance to the story. Thus further dissemination of the unsubstantiated allegations has an obvious aim to harm to Gov. Palin’s candidacy.
Whether or not we prefer a Democratic administration to a Republican one in 2008, we should not be mixing our personal preferences with our professional duty as librarians to disseminate complete and accurate information. Where is the journal editor’s ethical behavior in these decisions? Is this the example our professional leaders would like new librarians to follow? And more so, where are the other professional librarians who should be taking the journal to task for its unethical behavior?
Or, perhaps electing Sen. Obama by any method is more important than maintaining our professional ethics. Do we agree, then, with Machiavelli that “the ends justify the means?”
The class also discussed the obligation of the librarian to provide information that was as neutral as possible and to allow the user to interpret the data. This sentiment was echoed by a panel of professional librarians who answered class questions about library ethics. In one example, a librarian working near Lincoln had been called by prisoners on multiple occasions, and had been asked to supply the address and phone number of particular individuals. Most of the class stiffened a little bit upon hearing that request. There have been stories in the news about prisoners harassing witnesses and plaintiffs from their trials. Can you imagine supplying that kind of information? However, the librarian explained that this information was already public, being printed in phone directories, and no ethical situation was encountered by giving the prisoners free access to this data.
Near the end of the session a student raised a question about Republican vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, who as mayor of a small Alaskan town asked the head librarian if she would consider censoring the town’s library collection. Well, that animated the class! A lively discussion would have ensued had we not run out of time. But, I thought, this was very germane, not only for our discussion on library ethics, but also because I had been reading the republication of press reports on a major library journal’s webpage.
Journalistic ethics, as well as American’s sense of fair play, used to require that reporters verify facts, and not just allegations. And if an allegation were printed, in the effort to inform the public, it would not be repeated without verification of the facts. Now, it seems in the case of Gov. Palin, that the media, who sent hundreds of reporters to Alaska to investigate her, has continued to repeat the allegations in stories, even though they have not been able to learn anything further. Their verifications are: yes, someone has alleged this impropriety; not: yes, this is a fact.
As poor an example of journalistic prudence as the media’s behavior has been, I am absolutely appalled that a major library journal would link to, or republish, these allegations. It should be noted that no further action was taken by Gov. Palin. She asked once, never again raised the subject, never presented a list of books, and let the matter drop. There has been no evidence to suggest that the subsequent resignation of the library director was linked to any harassment on the part of then Mayor Palin. The fact that the press has not been able to learn anything further, in a small town where everyone knows each other’s business, suggests that there is nothing of significance to the story. Thus further dissemination of the unsubstantiated allegations has an obvious aim to harm to Gov. Palin’s candidacy.
Whether or not we prefer a Democratic administration to a Republican one in 2008, we should not be mixing our personal preferences with our professional duty as librarians to disseminate complete and accurate information. Where is the journal editor’s ethical behavior in these decisions? Is this the example our professional leaders would like new librarians to follow? And more so, where are the other professional librarians who should be taking the journal to task for its unethical behavior?
Or, perhaps electing Sen. Obama by any method is more important than maintaining our professional ethics. Do we agree, then, with Machiavelli that “the ends justify the means?”
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Bald Frog and the Wig
My Random Question: “Hurry! The children are waiting. Please tell them the story about the bald frog and the wig.”
The bald frog wanted to visit the King at his castle, but he couldn't find his wig. No one would dare go to the castle without a proper wig; it just wasn't done. So, the frog thought, "What can I do?" Then it hit him. "I'll visit my cousin in Savannah, GA, and grab some of the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. The color will blend perfectly with my skin, and it will be the curliest wig in the kingdom."
When the frog returned from visiting his cousin, he placed the Spanish moss on his head and proudly strode into the castle. The King was glad to see his favorite frog and invited him to dine with the royal family. Everything went fine until the Queen looked for her salad. She mistook the frog's wig for bean sprouts and promptly pulled the moss from his head, put it on her plate, and poured salad dressing all over the frog's wig.
The King was startled to see one of his subjects dining at his table without wearing a wig. He looked at the frog and saw how embarrassed he was. The frog felt small and naked without his elegant wig of Spanish moss. The King took pity on the poor frog and said, "Mozart and Haydn with their powdered wigs have been dead for over 20 years now. Beethoven doesn't wear a wig, why should I?" With a big SPLAT! the King threw his wig into the soup. Then the King declared that all his subjects were modern beings, after all they lived in the Nineteenth Century. No longer would wigs be required just to visit the King.
The bald frog wanted to visit the King at his castle, but he couldn't find his wig. No one would dare go to the castle without a proper wig; it just wasn't done. So, the frog thought, "What can I do?" Then it hit him. "I'll visit my cousin in Savannah, GA, and grab some of the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. The color will blend perfectly with my skin, and it will be the curliest wig in the kingdom."
When the frog returned from visiting his cousin, he placed the Spanish moss on his head and proudly strode into the castle. The King was glad to see his favorite frog and invited him to dine with the royal family. Everything went fine until the Queen looked for her salad. She mistook the frog's wig for bean sprouts and promptly pulled the moss from his head, put it on her plate, and poured salad dressing all over the frog's wig.
The King was startled to see one of his subjects dining at his table without wearing a wig. He looked at the frog and saw how embarrassed he was. The frog felt small and naked without his elegant wig of Spanish moss. The King took pity on the poor frog and said, "Mozart and Haydn with their powdered wigs have been dead for over 20 years now. Beethoven doesn't wear a wig, why should I?" With a big SPLAT! the King threw his wig into the soup. Then the King declared that all his subjects were modern beings, after all they lived in the Nineteenth Century. No longer would wigs be required just to visit the King.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to the first post on my new blog. Last week the library where I work, Omaha Public Library, started a web 2.0 - or Library 2.0 training program called O! What a Geek! Part of our experience is to create our own blog.
Actually, I've been considering starting one for awhile. Recently I joined LibraryThing and have been getting involved in some discussion groups. I also started a sports blog on MyESPN. I'm an avid Ohio State fan having graduated from there and having performed in the famous TBDBITL.
This summer I also began working on a Masters degree in Library Science at the University of Missouri, through its Omaha extension program.
So, this new blog will allow me to journal my progress as a professional librarian through on the job training and academic study.
I really enjoy working at OPL. My first 6 months were spent as a Public Service Assistant at the Millard Branch. Now I serve as a Clerk at the Charles B. Washington Branch, which is in North O. I like helping the patrons and learning how to do new things everyday.
So, if there are any friends or fellow library workers who stumble upon my blog, please post a short comment to say "Hi" and let me know you're out there.
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