CDP 23: THING 3

While I realize that branding has migrated from the Western plains to Eastern corporate America and across the Pond, I have not decided whether I want to join the wagon train. My blog is obviously of the canned, pick-and-choose variety, but I rather like it that way, with a tasteful sprinkling of birds winging off toward unseen horizons. After thinking it over, however, I did decide some concessions were in order. Not intending to sound gruesome, I realize that when I read obituaries I tend to focus on those with accompanying pictures. Hence, my picture along with the Librarian tag.

My mouse almost pounced on some of my other interests : freelancing, sports, nature but I decided against it. After dutifully googling my name as Thing 3 suggested, I decided there was more than enough of my sports personna out there anyway and not enough of a library presence. My rationale for seemingly one-sideness is that it is nice to take a break and concentrate on something entirely different. Perhaps I need to rethink that a bit.

laura clark

CPD23: THING 2

It was fun to ramble around the maze of tags. The first I investigated was freelance, thinking perhaps it might turn out to be me. Clearly, I was not thinking--how boring to talk to yourself! But it turned out to be Beth who sounded eerily like my cousin Kate. I roamed around a bit and offered advice and friendship but I think perhaps I was successful only with Beth. The others required your account and then verification, whcih I did, but when I checked back a few minutes later my comment was not posted. But perhaps there is an approval lag where the authors judge whether or not I pass muster?

I also followed the extra credit link to random blogs and was amazed a how much was out there and how many folks had found the time to communicate so heavily. Maybe when I retire!
laura

CDP23: THING 1

Dr. Seuss' "Cat in the Hat" does it backwards, introducing Thing 2 and then Thing 1, but I guess librarians prefer the normal order of progression. My blog, however, is leftover from Polly Farrington's CDLC 10 Things learning experience so maybe that does qualify as a Thing 2.

I am a Children's Librarian at Saratoga Springs Public Library in Saratoga Springs, NY--a small town that expands in the summer to host a premier flat track venue. I also enjoy running and snowshoe racing and writing about my experiences in a number of publications including Adirondack Sports & Fitness and UltraRunning Magazine and the online Snowshoe Magazine.

I am old school, graduating from a pre-computer library program when filmstrips and overhead projectors were the media of choice and self-correcting electric typewriters were hot off the shelves. So what I really want to do is feel comfortable with at least some of the overwhelming media choices besides my fall-back email account. I am not sure what I am searching for, but at the very least I would like to be able to speak the language and comprehend the necessity of it all. Ideally, I would like to become more familar with publishing media available to new authors.

What I absolutely hated the mostin our Thing 10 series was RSS feeds. It is beyond my comprehension how folks could have that many hours in the day to devote to media bombardment. There is somethig to be said for concentrarion and focus. Oh well, in case you were taking bets--I am 64 years old. But I do churn out 50 milers, which is more than some folks can safely drive in a day, as well as marathon library Gingerbread workshops. So I teetering at the top of the hill but by no means over it.

laura clark

THING #10: Future Trends

Already, there is a widespread trend toward basic online research and utilization of library subscription databases from home. I imagine new technologies like netbooks, etc. will go the way of the original transistor radio and casio wristwatch--becoming super affordable and ever-present. But there still will be a need for guidance and selection and this is where the librarian will enter the picture.

Also, as more folks are working at home online there will be a need to meet in person (besides webinars, etc) just because at some point folks do need a certain amount of contact. Our meeting rooms now are almost always full and I see that trend continuing and with more technology available in each room.

Still, for the youngest and their parents, I imagine much will remain the same. Kids need to socialize, learn how to sit still in storytime and parents need to interact with other parents. And in the summer, the library performs that same function for elementary school kids and their parents. Teens, too, despite their reliance on technology, need to get together in a central setting.