Week 6 of the fall semester

Wow. Week 6 already! Seems like we just started the semester.

Library 1 is coming to an end soon. Good class. This is the first semester I've taught it as a graded course instead of a CR/NC class. Quite a difference in student performance when a grade is at stake, which I appreciate. I've pulled the research project due date to week 8 to see if I get better quality work. Some projects seem very thrown together at the last minute. I have another section of Library 1 starting the last 9 weeks of class and it will be a very full class! Very full. Already have over 50 people on my waiting list. I'm going to see how many people I can pull in from that.

I really love Library 204, a great group of students and the first of the core library technician students. We've talked about concepts that are a good reminder for me about why I enjoy being a librarian. The ultimate purpose - we are here to assist our patrons with their information needs, whether that patron is standing in front of me or talking to me through instant messaging, sending an email or just visiting our website.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the Systems aspect of my job - the computers, the databases, the Voyager system (and upgrade), the statistics, the computer labs... that I feel further from the real purpose. I guess that is why I enjoy teaching my classes so much - gives me that one-on-one connection with the students and allows me to share some of my knowledge with them that hopefully they can take on to further places and share with others - their kids, friends, parents, and maybe someday their own students if they go on to become a librarian. Perhaps!

Well, this is my own 6 week reflection. All the students in my class probably hate the reflections I ask them to do - so I figured I'd do my own too. Just so I can enjoy the process as well!

Take care!

A Librarian's Lexicon for the Layperson

Highly recommended reading defining terms we have or will be talking about in our LIB 204 class.

A Librarian's Lexicon for the Layperson:

"As is quite well known, librarians are afflicted with a particular strain of linguistic debillitation known as jargonitis, or inflammation of the jargon gland. "

Another new Google tool

Being a Google fanatic, I enjoy learning about and using Google's new toys... I mean... tools!

Today they released the Google Chrome beta - Google's version of a browser. You can just type in searches in the URL address bar and it will perform a search for you. Smart. LOL.

Check out more about Google Chrome and download it to try it out!

I'll keep you posted on my thoughts about it. This could take some time getting used to!