Last one.

Papers are submitted in the LMS drop box. Presentations are spoken and finished. The snow has finally stopped. What can I say; it’s been a wacky, weird and wonderful semester learning about LIS and the profession.

There have been highlights and slaps of reality this first semester. I found a group of people who are as excited and passionate about librarianship, but I also found out the reality of the profession. I learned that there are going to be times when I need to be an independent learner, and organize assignments and find questions to answers myself. Most importantly, I found out I want to be in this profession, and realized I need to expect the unexpected.

Instead of blabbing in run-on sentences about things I learned, here are some concepts:
• Be amused, not annoyed, when people ask “Why are you going to be a librarian?” to “You need a degree for that?”
• Buy an APA stylebook because most assignments require this format for citations.
• Start assignments early because they take a long time.
• Speaking skills and preparations are important for speeches and presentations.
• Visit professors outside the classroom and attend guest lectures on campus.
• The library world is constantly changing; don’t expect it to be predictable.
• Libraries have been around for thousands of years-the format, not the need for information changes.
• Be aware of new trends and technologies in the field.
• Start to form connections, whether it be with another student, professor or individual in the field.
• Not every librarian likes to read or owns a cat.
• Social networking is huge in the profession, so joining Twitter and other sites are helpful.
• I still don’t know what area of librarianship I want to pursue.
• Reference is cool.

One last thing I learned is that it’s important to keep a portfolio. So, this shall be the last entry on this blog until my online portfolio is created. Peace out, Girl Scout

Hey, reference is kinda cool

Reference is difficult. After receiving numerous sets of reference questions to answer in our 605 class, I have a newfound appreciation and respect for reference librarians. These librarians need to know a little bit about everything, and most importantly, they need to know how to find answers to questions that patrons have.

Questions can come in any shape or form. They may be simple, or they may involve in-depth research. Reference librarians may automatically know where to find the answer to these questions, but at times, they may have to dig through databases.

Before my reference class, I did not use databases or reference books if I needed to find answers to questions. Instead, I would Google everything. But, Google does not always provide a reliable or credible answer, so it is important to know what databases or books provide correct answers. After spending a semester in this class learning about different ways to search databases, directories, book and catalogues, I am more confident in my need to not use Google all the time.

Since October, I have been able to gain experience as an intern reference librarian for the Onondaga Historical Association. I literally get to man the reference desk for 5 hours every Saturday, waiting for members to come up and ask for help to questions. I was terrified my first day, hoping no one would come into the research center to ask me questions. Now, I want people to ask me questions. After helping members find answers they were looking for, I am comfortable conducting research and showing members how to find information.

One of the hidden treasures of reference is the fact that I’m learning along with the members. Reference librarians can add to their knowledge base and learn countless trivia. I’ve learn to expect the unexpected, and this makes each day unpredictable and exciting.

One, two, three, four-time to start a library war

Because of economic hardships, libraries have been one of the numerous public services that have fallen victim to countless and heavy budget cuts. Some libraries have had to cut staff positions, reduce hours and limit collection development. But, could it get worse than that? Yes, it can.

According to an article on NRP.org, there are currently more than 100 public schools in the Chicago district that do not have in-school libraries because administrators have allocated funds toward other resources and programs in schools. Parents, teachers and ordinary citizens are staging sit-ins and protests for the opening of school libraries. These protestors claim that administrators and policy makers are overlooking the need for libraries, instead favoring renovations to schools that include new science labs, bigger cafeteria space and new athletic complexes.

Albeit, these renovations and additions are beneficial to schools and students, libraries should be one of the chief items on the budget agenda. If there are no libraries in schools, how are students supposed to find books to read and conduct research for projects? In regard to education and the intelligence of the average student, the United States is no longer a contender in the global race. We are lagging behind more advanced countries like Japan and China.

If the United States wants to continue to be a worthy opponent to other countries, it is vital it continues to provide resources and places for children and young adults to learn. By having no libraries available in schools, of all places, it shows that the country is not putting a great effort to promote the education of its citizens. Instead, school budgets go toward increased administrator salaries and new athletic complexes, once again, proving personal agenda and athletics at times take precedence over academics.

If students do not have access to resources and research, how are they supposed to pass countless tests the state requires them to take? How are they supposed to prepare for life after high school? How are they supposed to develop a love for learning and books? Where can they go after school to feel safe and build a sense of community?

There has to be some satisfying medium between administrators and protestors. All monies do not have to go toward the funding of school libraries, but they should not be left out of the discussion when it comes time to discuss agendas and budgets.

To listen and view the article, click here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131208982.

The customer is always right

You might think the library is one of the few places where items are censored. Information and books with questionable material are subject to review and criticism by people only in a library setting. WRONG.

Amazon.com recently pulled a book from its e-book collection, entitled The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-lover's Code of Conduct. The company was faced with pressure from social networks, who wanted the book banned and not sold.

Initially, Amazon.com advocated the right to sell the e-book, not for its content, but for the right to produce it for people who wished to purchase it. The company claimed it would be censorship to dictate what people could and could not buy at the site.

However, after being challenged by social networks that were openly against the book for its objectionable content, Amazon.com took it off the shelves. Not wanting to lose its customer base, Amazon.com caved to their demands.

I was surprised to read that Amazon.com did not stick to its original statement of keeping the e-book on the virtual shelf. As a private company, it does not have to adhere to government regulation or policy regarding censorship; instead, officials within the corporation set their own policy and agendas.

However, Amazon.com has a reputation to protect, and to stay competitive, it relies on sales from books and other products. If tens of thousands of customers began to openly boycott items from the site, other people would wonder why and questions Amazon.com’s credibility. With the boycott, sales and incoming revenue would decrease because nothing would circulate out of warehouses.

No matter what the customer thought, I think Amazon.com should have fought to keep that book on its virtual shelf. Though the subject of the book is not popular and thought to be heinous by many, it’s the principle of access to information that should be fought for. If one book is taken off the virtual shelf, what will the next one be? A book about suicide? History of terrorisim? Same-sex marriages? The possibilities are endless.

I can now understand why Amazon.com, a private company, would choose to censor its books in this situation. Private organizations rely on consumers to make a profit, and if the consumer is not happy, the private entity rights the wrong. In this case, I guess the customer is always right (even if he or she is wrong).

Don't chain the books, torch the policy!

In Connecticut, there is talk of creating a policy that censors specific books and magazines in prison libraries. Republican Sen. John Kissel is firmly advocating the removal of violent and questionable books from prison libraries, only allowing inmates to read books approved by a committee and that follow policy guidelines. Kissel claims that sadistic novels and fiction will promote brutal behaviors and thoughts among inmates; this idea is a reaction to a recent Connecticut court decision.

According to the Americans Libraries Magazine, promotion of this policy was put into motion “after jurors returned a guilty verdict for the first of two defendants in the murder of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters Hayley and Michaela in their Chesire, Connecticut, home, and the brutal beating of their husband and father William Petit.” The article continues to say that this suspect read books of a violent nature, while serving a sentence for a prior conviction.

Books like In Cold Blood by Truman Capote have the possibility to provide ideas as how to kill people and evade capture. But, not every inmate wants to continue murdering people or has thoughts of murder. True, there are some criminally insane and cruel people in prisons, but not every individual is a cold-blooded killer. Kissel is defining the future all prison inmates’ intellectual freedom based upon the actions of one man, which I think itself is cruel and unusual punishment.

In a recent podcast by NPR, prison librarian Avi Steinberg gave an interview about what books prisoners at Suffolk County House of Correction read. One man read all classics during his sentence, claiming he finally obtained the education he never had. His teachers were authors like Machiavelli and Homer. Female book clubs were popular, and another inmate wanted to read books about how to start his own business. The prison library also provided creative-writing classes and GED courses.

The Suffolk County House of Correction library provided a place where inmates received information and read book of their own choosing. Though a prison library, this library advocated circulation of materials and education.

If this current policy is passed in Connecticut, it’s another library that has bitten the dust to censorship. Who is this senator to say that prison inmates do not deserve the chance for education and ability to read any books he or she wants?

If approved, this will become an issue for the American Library Association and librarians who believe in intellectual freedom. According to the Prisoners Right to Read, it is most likely that they will uphold this strong argument if compelled to provide a defense: “When the prison gates slam behind an inmate, he does not lose his human quality; his mind does not become closed to ideas; his intellect does not cease to feed on a free and open interchange of opinions; his yearning for self-respect does not end; nor is his quest for self-realization concluded. If anything, the needs for identity and self-respect are more compelling in the dehumanizing prison environment.”

You say potato, I say I don't know what librarian I want to be!

Nov. 10 is drawing near. It’s a day that could determine our future as librarians. It’s intimidating, yet thrilling. It’s class-registration day.

The events of this day have been on my mind, as well as some of my classmates. The past few weeks, we have been presented with a number of speakers from special, school media, academic and public libraries. Each speaker has brought something interesting and unique to the table, and I am not sure of which dish to dip into.

Because I am intrigued in each different library career, I’m not sure what courses to take, or even if I want to pursue a certificate of advanced study in cultural heritage preservation or digital libraries. I know I have three semesters left after this one, but choosing electives actually can determine which area of librarianship I’m interested in and what jobs I will apply for in a year in a half.

Working in special collections and archives would be fascinating because I would get to work with old manuscripts and preserve the past. Albeit, digital libraries produce cutting-edge technologies; it would be beneficial to have digital skills because that’s where part of the field is heading. But, school librarians help students conduct research and provide a place where social activity and community happen. A public reference librarian interacts with new people and helps find answers to fascinating questions.

See what I mean? So many decisions to make.

But then why not take a class in each discipline? Who says I have to have a specialization or cultivate a specific knowledge-base?

After looking at numerous job ads, I have concluded that employers are looking for librarians that know a little bit about each field of librarianship. True, there are some jobs that specialize in metadata, information technology or cultural preservation, but it’s important to have a foundation based on the cores of librarianship and acquire knowledge about everything, ranging from collection development to cataloging to literacy in schools.

If worse comes to worst, and I don’t what type of paper preserves books the best or what is the newest social-media trend, I know have taken a reference class under my belt, which will help me discover the answer.

Bring it on, Nov. 10. I’m ready for you.

You scratch my back, all I need is a "thank you"

A few weeks ago, librarians from the United States, India and Pakistan met at a conference to discuss the future of Pakistan’s libraries. In August, massive floods destroyed hundreds of libraries and took lives of more than 1,000 people. Homes were destroyed, and crops and agriculture were wiped out.

Financial aid has been given to Pakistan, but most of that has gone toward food and health care, rarely leaving any money left for the rebuilding of the libraries. At the conference, Leonard Kniffel, American Libraries magazine editor and publisher, gave the keynote address. Kniffel stated that preserving and modernizing Pakistan libraries is currently not the most important item on the country’s agenda, so it is a struggle to promote the need for libraries.

The government is choosing to focus attention on rebuilding homes and providing refugees with food and health care, and those are vital needs for survival, but some attention, if not money, should also be placed on the future of libraries.

Kniffel stated that much of Pakistan’s citizens do not view libraries as community places to gather, research and learn, but as “book warehouses.” Attendees of this conference are trying to promote more innovative ways to boost the image of Pakistani libraries. They want to be able to eventually provide access to Internet and have libraries become a community place where any member of the public can go, while still preserving tradition and books.

“Librarians in Pakistan are struggling with technology and how to pay for it, with public perception that libraries are irrelevant in the age of the Internet and in a political climate that is isolating the country,” Kniffel said. “I visited a number of libraries and talked with many librarians, university faculty and students. The need for renovation, preservation and staff training is extreme, but there are visionary librarians in Pakistan who understand what must be done.”

In a country that is currently facing struggles, it is important for libraries to have a seat on the agenda for policy making in order to preserve culture and tradition and promote innovation. Policies supporting libraries could provide citizens with the best resources possible, therefore, helping the country grow as a whole.

It makes me pleased to see that librarians in America are reaching out to others in foreign countries, though we have a large number of obstacles on our plate to tackle. In the ever-changing world, strength in numbers proves to be the best way to handle problems, and through comradeship and exchange of resources and ideas at these types of conferences, I’m hoping that Pakistan libraries will be able to achieve its goals for the future.

You have a tattoo? But you're a librarian!

People think librarians like cats, cardigans, books and Colin Firth in a wet T-shirt. This may not be true for some people, but it is for me. Does this make me the stereotypical librarian? The past few days have made me start pondering how librarians define themselves, and how people outside the profession view us.

Honestly, before talking to professors and students, I thought it was a fact universally acknowledged that librarians love to read books. I was wrong. There are numerous people in the program who do not love reading.

Librarians don’t only express themselves through books, but by helping communities and advocating for intellectual freedom (one of my favorite concepts now). These people have an appreciation for information and promote unlimited access for it to patrons.

Every profession has stereotypes it must handle, and we are no exception. How we deal with these preconceived is what’s important in the future.

P.S. Literary tattoos are becoming more popular in the media. Here is a website that showcases some nifty quotes from famous poems and books. Who knows, maybe this will be the new stereotype for us: Librarians have literary tattoos! Or QR code tattoos!
http://www.contrariwise.org/

Speaaaaaaaaaaakkkkkkk

Once again, the book Speak is being challenged as to whether or not it’s appropriate literature in schools and libraries across America. Written by central New York native Laurie Halse Anderson, this is not the first time the novel has been a controversial topic among libraries, parents and administrators.

In Missouri, Wesley Scroggins is attempting to encourage his district to ban this book because it deals with rape and violence. However, Scroggins’ summary of the book proves to be incorrect; I don’t even think he read and understood the context of the book as a whole.

Albeit rape and teenage sex are not the most positive topics found in young-adult literature, they are important because they are issues teens face in reality. Speak does not provide graphic illustrations or porn details about rape and sex, but it provides a realistic aftermath of these circumstances and how teenagers handle them.

Also, Scroggins is against sex education in schools and the circulation of these materials in libraries, claiming they are inappropriate for the youth of America. Like it or not, most teenagers know what sex entails, but providing information about sex education should be encouraged, not denied to these students if they wish to pursue it.

Libraries are supposed to provide information for teenagers about a range of topics-from healthy sex alternatives to dealing with depression. These are heavy topics, and a library is the place where people can receive information with no questions asked or judgments passed.

Individuals like Scroggins, who are attempting to censor what is in libraries and read in English class, are unknowingly harming and negating access to information of which these teenagers have a right to know if they so choose.

This type of ban and censorship restricts intellectual freedom against teenagers. Instead of encouraging them to explore new ideas and topics, people like Scroggins are attempting to limit what teenagers read.

In this information and digital age, access and promotion of knowledge and information should be encouraged. The more educated a young adult becomes, the more easily he or she can handle the adult world and realistic situations. Without preparation, the future of these individuals could be uncertain.

If I was the librarian in the community where Scroggins lived, I would support the circulation of this book, though it deals with the rape of a young girl and its aftermath. It’s important to fight for books, because if we don’t, then who will?

P.S. I can’t think of one book that does not contain swear words, sexual assault or some kind of discrimination or violence toward a person or group of people. If you know of one, let me know!

Like a good neighbor, collections are there

There has been much talk about collection development this past week between class and an interview with my librarian who works in the acquisitions department at Bird. Collection development is a vital step toward increased intellectual freedom and more available information, but it's important to look at the context of the community, and see what its needs and wants are because the members matter.

Each library community is going to be different in how it approaches the collections-development process. Depending on where the library is located and the physical makeup of the community, there are going to be more wants and needs in some areas of development than others.

For instance, the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. will most likely have more reference materials focusing on engineering, graphic design and computer programming than Russian philosophy or ancient civilizations. Since RIT is a more science- and technology-based school, student and faculty needs and wants would be in this area; so, it would be no surprise to find more of these materials in the collections.

Also, my local school and public library have a large collection that helps ESL individuals. In Solvay, N.Y. there has been a large influx of Ukrainian and Russian individuals who have settled in the area in the past two decades. These people do not know much English, so the public library and the school (especially this one) have obtained materials to help them learn the language.

These libraries in central New York have looked at who their communities are, and they are attempting to purchase materials to meet needs and wants. This is exactly what the libraries should be doing: examining their population, and gaining feedback as to what the library should hopefully have.

However, it may be difficult to provide everything the community needs because of lack of funding or resistance to change among members. Decisions of what to buy and for whom will no doubt be a concern in our future as librarians, but it’s vital for us to remember to keep a level head and find creative ways to tackle these problematic opportunities.

But, the chief purpose a library is to serve its community, and these libraries in New York are doing that. If these libraries did not even take into consideration its population, the library would most likely not have much use for that public.

Mom, the fridge says we are out of Panda Paws

Imagine that you could receive wireless Internet from your refrigerator. When you are low on milk or eggs, a message could be sent to the grocery store ordering these items. This is now an innovation phenomenon in the information age as the Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal Sept. 22 that will allow unused broadband airwaves to connect to Wi-Fi networks.

This innovation has the ability to give people more access to more information at a higher and more efficient speed. People living in rural areas of the United States will be able use simple devices, such as toasters or washing machines, to obtain information from the convenience of their homes. This approved policy could help more people become information literature, thus widening and expanding their knowledge base.

Organizations, such as Google, are in favor of this policy because it will indeed bring wireless connection to areas that do not have access to it. Maybe some libraries and schools do not have access to the Internet in small communities; thus, these organizations now claim this new innovation will bring education and information to rural communities.

Also, some officials in favor of this idea are claiming that broadband should be considered a universal human right, now included with the right to freedom of speech and religion. But, is broadband a human right or privilege? This is a question that frequently comes to mind.

As a future librarian and according to the librarian code, I believe everyone has the right to information, but I’m still unsure whether broadband itself is a right or a privilege. When I think of universal rights, I think of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These are more traditional codes that we have attempted to live by for hundreds of years. When a person mentions human rights, broadband is not the first right that pops up. But, the way we obtain information is becoming advanced as new computer and Internet techniques are being implemented.

This innovation could be beneficial to libraries because it would provide more than the traditional outlet of computers for people to access information in the building. Libraries are supposed to help provide any and all help for research, education and leisure, so it could be a positive as more sources are now possible for its members. With this new policy, we could help expand intellectual freedom and access, too.

Now that we are in the digital age, there is a new set of rules and games to learn. What was once considered normal is now obsolete, making ways for new innovations that will eventually become the norm. Though these ideas, like new wireless broadband connections, are kind of eccentric-sounding in the beginning, they are the future. As a librarian, it’s going to be important for me to keep up-to-date with new policies and regulations that are approved by the government because more than likely they will heavily affect the library and its members, both positively and negatively.

Please, do something interesting

Don’t be boring. Surprisingly, this is a characteristic a librarian should possess. Traditionally, librarians have been portrayed as females with cardigan sweaters, buns and glasses, thus making the profession appear uninteresting, but that is only a stereotype. There is more to providing countless citations and answers to questions; true librarianship goes deeper than that.

It is vital for a librarian to be interesting and charismatic. There should be some spark and zing that inspires members to learn, read and research. By having this type of trait, it could help us build a reputation for being creative, yet helpful.

Blogging is one way to help us start our reputations as librarians. By providing insight and solutions about current issues facing librarianship, we are starting to slowly share our opinions with the online community. What we write has to be captivating, short and to the point.

I don’t think blogging is easy. Some blogs ramble about boring topics with too much terminology or other people simply don’t know how to write, therefore sounding downright idiotic and losing my attention and time.

Unlike scholarly papers, blogs ideally should have a quick point. There needs to be something about a post that makes me want to read and ponder about the context. It should make me think and yes, giggle at times.

Still, blogging is only a baby step to building a reputation. We need to be creative, and think of unique solutions for every imaginable and impossible scenario.

So fellow librarians, blog, drink and be merry. Inspire me to think about something I haven’t thought of before.

Does literacy mean the ability to read Anne of Green Gables? Nope.

Surprisingly, I thought that public libraries have been around for longer than 150 years, but soon discovered this was not true. Before the free library became a widely-used entity, the rich and elite had access to knowledge, therefore power.

But, as public education became popular, and required across the United States, so did the need for public libraries. Students, young and old, needed a place to research and to learn. People desired free books so they could learn how to read and educate themselves about a variety of topics. In other words, they became literate.

Today, millions of more Americans are literate than in the late 1800s because of libraries and public education. Then, I began to think what it means to be information literate in the 21st century. Does it mean understanding the phonetics of the alphabet or understanding the context of a book? Or does it mean understanding computers and the Internet?

The American Library Association states that "To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.”

Apparently, my assumptions were far from correct to the real meaning of information literacy. In today’s world, it means that a patron has to know when he or she needs a question answered and know how to efficiently formulate a process to locate and gage the information.

When patrons pursue information literacy at public libraries, they seek the help of reference librarians (a profession that also emerged with the concept of the public library). These librarians help patrons correctly identify the question and how find and understand an answer; therefore, helping the patrons increase their information-literacy skills.

Because information literacy is increasing among patrons because of the establishment of the public library in the 19th century, knowledge and power are also increasing among the population. With the help of reference librarians and the availability and access to information they provide, patron curiosity about anything and everything has the ability to increase.

Winnie the Pooh and dead man, too

At 17 months old, my niece (Leah) already likes books. Instead of playing with toys, she will snatch Stellaluna with her little fingers, toddle to the couch, and hold the book up for me to read to her. Albeit Leah doesn’t understand the context of the book, she is showing interest at an early age for literature.

Then I started thinking if children in school are reading good literature. At my high school, we read books written by dead white men. Fitzgerald, Shakespeare and Steinbeck were popular and appropriate choices in central New York. Schools simply didn’t have money to buy additional, or different, books. That is still a shame today because there are other notable authors for school-aged children to explore.

It wasn’t until college and receiving book recommendations from librarians that I explored other literature. As an English major, I was required to take global, British lit and poetry. My eyes were opened up to a new world filled with no dead white men’s works. Jhumpa Lahiri and Kiran Desai soon became some of my favorite authors. Reading about different cultures by new authors has helped me grow intellectually.

Some people may ask why it is important to read books by different authors and different genres. It is vital because countries are now connected and interacting; cross-cultural information is increasing and shared, so an understanding about the people and culture it’s coming from helps us appreciated and know information better.

So, next time Leah wiggles her way onto the couch with a book, I just might slip something new along with Winnie the Pooh.
P.S. I just remembered what my favorite book is: A Room with a View by EM Forster. Go figure, Allie.

Squeal like piggies, or remain silent as the grave

In my reference class last Thursday, we discussed the fine line between keeping our mouths silent or shouting about a patron’s book selection that could potentially lead to harmful problems toward him or others. But, do librarians have the right to object when we are ideally supposed to follow the golden rule of ethics and intellectual freedom?

With the ever-increasing use of the Internet and the publishing of books, the practice of protecting patron confidentiality comes into play. If patrons are using the library to research and view uncertain or unpopular information, it is questioned whether librarians have the moral obligation to inquire further into the situation or produce patron information if requested by an outsider.

If a patron checks out a book on suicide, does that automatically make the librarian think he or she may be contemplating the deed? Maybe or maybe not. Perhaps the patron is only doing a research project on suicide for a high-school or college course.

Let’s say that the patron’s high-school principal finds the book in his locker, therefore, demanding to know what other books the patron has checked out. In this situation, I believe freedom of privacy and intellectual freedom are being abused. No one has the right to this person’s library records.

However, if people subpoena and demand the patron’s records, it goes against the intellectual-freedom code. If librarians and outsiders do not value confidentiality rights, then the rules should be rewritten, as to not make them two-faced. There should be no exception to the code: All or none.

The chief purpose of libraries is to provide intellectual freedom where patrons have the guaranteed, written right to study and research without fear of persecution or question. If we break this freedom, we are being hypocritical.

I’m not sure what the correct answer is to this question because I have not encountered it yet. However, I think that though each case is different, ethics and intellectual freedom should be upheld no matter what the situation encompasses. If librarians and patrons cannot rely on those two fundamental foundations, then what is the purpose of a free library and community without interference?

Librarianship dead? I think not

When asked how many students have had experience in a library setting, about half the class did not raise their hands, so not everyone was familiar with this field. This made me relax a bit because I have not had any experience or library internships at all.

Right when I got my acceptance letter for SU, I was a journalist, and about to accept another job as a copy editor in Oneonta. When I told my friends and family I was going to pursue a library and information science degree, numerous believed I was going from the dying journalism/newspaper field to another field with limited opportunities. However, after researching and physically being in last night’s first class, I’m going to prove my people wrong.

Libraries have been around for thousands of years. From ancient Egyptian libraries with diplomatic and royal scrolls to medieval monk illuminations to the digital library, the field has kept evolving. The idea that libraries are dead is not true; but the way information is used and presented has changed drastically. The general population does not fully comprehend and see this difference, yet.

Still, information will always be around, but they way it is presented has changed. The functions of libraries in the 21st century have changed. Because of the Internet, more and more information is found online. To keep with the trend, libraries are digitalizing books, artifacts and articles because people find information online. The important thing to remember is that patrons are still seeking information, but receiving it in a different method.

Because information is now moving online, some automatically assume books will not be around in the future, therefore, libraries and librarians will be eliminated. Once this innovation becomes the norm, I think people will realize that books may not be as popular, but librarians will still serve a purpose to help others obtain information.

Similarly, people think that newspapers are dying, but only the physical print publication is suffering. People still want and seek news, but they move to online publications for it. Journalists and bloggers create multi-media stories with photo slides, videos and articles. News is still presented to people, but again, the format and functions have changed.

Though print edition of books may be obsolete in a few decades, people will still hunt for information, but through a different format. We realize that knowledge and information are power, and we want to cultivate our minds and interests to the best of our abilities. Librarians, myself included, will help people understand and obtain information they require in the future, no matter what the current and popular method may be.

Cookies or Career?

A few days ago, my friends and I talked about feminism, and I’m honestly not sure what the 21st century definition of it means. As we gathered around to talk about our career aspirations and goals after college, no one but me wanted to get married and have a family. When I spoke this fact, they were surprised that I would pick a family over a career. This got me thinking about the “F” word.

Back when feminism hit the big wave in the later part of the 20th century, it was girl power. Careers, no husbands, no shaving, burning bras. Activists wanted to get women out of the kitchen and into the work force. But, what if some women wanted to stay there because they enjoyed cooking or spending time with children?

Now, these radical feminist are trying to make decisions about what will make us happy. Isn’t that what the patriarchal society did to us before the wave? So, basically, we are shifting from one dictator to another.

Personally, I think women should have the right to choose what they want to do, whether it is a cook or a corporate executive. Each person knows what he or she is good at, so ideally that should be enough.

Some of my friends criticized me for wanting to have both a career and family, while others thought I would waste away my talent on a heinous husband. Why can’t I have both? I plan to have a career as a librarian and a family one day.

My career doesn’t define who I am; neither does the person I marry one day. I define me. Those other things are part of my life, but they aren’t my being.

So, the next time my friends decide to burn their bras defying The Man, I’m going to make chocolate-chip cookies for myself because they are delicious.

Ohhh, me so hungry

Santa Clara County officials are proposing a ban of eliminating Happy Meal toys with high-calorie children’s meals. Unless fast-food restaurants can provide health alternatives, children may not be receiving toys in their food bags.

To fight the obesity epidemic in the United States, Supervisor Ken Yeager supports this proposed action. He claims that banning promotional toys will keep obesity levels down among children. The proposal states that unhealthy food includes any meal that has more than 485 calories and more than 600 mg of salt, sugar or fat.

However, it is unsure if this ban will be helpful or not because children can receive unhealthy meals at places besides fast-food restaurants. Schools and the home are a few of the many places that supposedly add to childhood obesity.

But, instead of blaming fast-food restaurants and vending machines for making children overweight, why is there no blame administered on parents? All I see on the news is blame of corporations and companies, never the person ultimately responsible for what goes into a child’s mouth.

Parents take children to fast-food restaurants. Parents give children money for soda and candy in school vending machines. They are as much responsible as these companies for the obesity epidemic.

Fast-food restaurants offer an easy, quick meal for busy people. There is no prep time or clean-up needed. You sit, order, and eat. Parents may be too busy, or lazy, to prepare a healthy meal for themselves and children after work and school, so McDonald’s is on the menu one night and Taco Bell the next.

I understand this is a problem the country is facing, but fault lies with the individual, not the whole. People do know what is right and wrong, so they can tell the difference between healthy and unhealthy food.

They are too lazy to take time out of their schedules to do anything about it, though. But after a long day at work, is it worth the effort to cook a healthy meal? Maybe yes or no, depending on the person speaking.

Another reason contributing to the obesity epidemic is lack of exercise. Adults and children can spend hours watching television or sitting at a computer playing games. Many video games are a sit-down activity, and those are highly popular among children.

Again, these games are bought by parents or children. Again, the individual can be blamed for the fatness of America. It is up to the individual to take care of his or her problems. It’s a strict mindset, and it will be a tough one to get out of.

If America really wants to get out of this fat funk, maybe more programs and education about food needs to happen rather than banning toys in Happy Meals. Ultimately, if you want someone to do something, you can’t just say “No.” There has to be reasons and examples how to fix a problem. The average American is dumb; we literally need things to be outlined for us on a plate.

Still, I’m not sure how effective this proposed ban will be if it passes in Santa Clara. Maybe it’s crazy; maybe this proposal will have some positives in the future. But, if fatty wants a burger, nothing will stand in his way of oozing calories and salty heaven.

Sick day? Nah, I have to go to work

According to a survey conducted by the Thomson Reuters’ health unit, nearly three-quarters of Americans will go to work even if they are sick. Though snot may be hanging out of the nose and coughing is more frequent than speaking, it’s a challenge the working American has to face.

The study shows people will not take off work because they do not want to lose that day’s wages. Also, a missed day at work means work will be double the next day back. Today, a measly $100 means a lot, and apparently it’s not worth it to miss a day of work.

Employers stress the importance of taking time off to recuperate from an illness, but rarely does that happen. If a sick person attends work, he or she increases the chance of infecting co-workers with that ailment and prolonging the illness.

I look at my office, and I can hear someone hacking away every few days. Noses are blown loudly, and the smell of sickness hovers in the air. People are constantly using hand sanitizers and spraying desks with Lysol to exterminate germs.

It’s hard to take a day off where I work. Because of the nature of my work, we need to meet certain goals every month for projects. If we even miss a day, it will double our workload the next. One day can throw off an entire month’s productivity; if we don’t meet our goals at the end of each month, we will be written up. After a certain number of write-ups, a person may lose his or her job.

So, is it worth it to suffer through the day and infect other co-workers than get fired? The answer is yes.

My company provides excellent sick time and benefits, but rarely do I hear or see a co-worker take advantage of this time.

For now, I’m going to keep using that Lysol in my area and maybe start wearing a protective mask to work.

French President Proposes New Ban on Fashion

Currently, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is attempting to propose a law that would ban women from wearing Islamic veils and coverings in public.

In an NPR article, Sarkozy said clothing of this nature is demeaning toward women and unwanted in France. He also claims Muslim clothing “threatens the dignity of women.”

But when wearing this clothing is a part of a culture and a tradition, how can it be threatening, especially if it is by choice and free will? If this legislation is banned, it will be taking away free will for women who chose to wear the Islamic veils.

It is as if Sarkozy is no better than his ultra-conservative counterparts around the world, Like those extreme traditionalists, Sarkozy is attempting to tell women what they can and cannot wear. While he claims he is trying to preserve dignity, he is destroying it. Additionally, he has no evidence if this is demeaning or not because he is not a woman and he has not had the experience of wearing these clothes on a daily basis.

Women should have the right to choose what they wear in public, but even this will not be exercised in the 21st century when people like Sarkozy are making fashion choices for us. Besides, isn’t it a truth universally acknowledged that women have better fashion sense than men?

Also, France is predominately Catholic, so why not restrict what Catholics can wear? Some nuns wear the traditional habit; the only skin showing is the face. They wear coifs or veils that cover hair and part of the face. There has been no mention of nuns uncovering themselves in public, only those who wear the Islamic fashion.

Sarkozy is committing a heinous act of chauvinistic pigism. He is segregating Islamic women in France, wanting them to become more French by not wearing the coverings. Instead of promoting culture and peace, Sarkozy cares about the French national image rather than what the people have to offer.

Coming from a wealthy background and named one of Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed list, it is apparent image is important to Sarkozy. However, the type of image vital to Sarkozy is coming off as superficial and arrogant.

Instead of censoring what women should wear in France, Sarkozy should focus on the image France is portraying; right now, it’s disrespectful and shallow. Those should not be the front-running qualities of a country as big as France.

With the financial crisis around the world and the never-ending threat of terrorism, Sarkozy should be focusing his effort and attention on matters more pressing than fashion choices.

By dictating what people are and are not allowed to wear is only the beginning of more demands. Though this type of action may not explode into a dictatorship, it’s a small step in that direction.

When Hitler began his expenditure to extinguish those of Jewish descent from Europe, he started small by forcing hem wear yellow stars on their clothing. This act took away free will and identity.

In other words, I think this proposed legislation is a cover-up for public image. Sarkozy doesn’t want France to be associated with ultra-conservative terrorist culture, but the thinking behind this idea is backward and medieval, as well.

Let’s just hope that the rest of the French government doesn’t worry about the latest Gucci clothing line or sparkling white teeth, but will focus on preserving free will and other central issues.

Hello Lawnchair, Goodbye Blood, Sweat & Tears

America is trillions of dollars in debt. Hundreds of thousands of people are unemployed. There are increased taxes on the smallest items like soft drinks and cigarettes.

These are only some of the many problems facing the average American today. Hope is scarce for a better tomorrow, but Americans have no problem blaming the government for the current economic struggle today.

True, the American government overspends and money should be utilized at home in cities and towns, not abroad. But, when push comes to shove, are Americans blaming the government for lack of money and jobs instead of themselves because that is the easy way out? By George, I think he’s got it.

The government is like a parent to its citizens, but there comes a time when the baby has to leave the nest. America has finally let the flocks fly from the coop, but the flocks are not taking responsibility for themselves, therefore crashing and burning.

Americans have the resources to better conditions and lifestyles. We have a free public education. However, dropout rates are high. It is almost impossible to find a job without a high-school diploma or GED. The fact is that people are too lazy and stubborn to continue their education.

Instead of trying to better themselves, people will hold signs on street corners hoping a Good Samaritan will lend out food or money. This is not an acceptable use of time, and it’s pure laziness. That time could be spent looking for jobs or opportunities to finish an education.

We blame the government for overspending, but have we examined our own pocketbooks recently? Americans overspend like the government does, but on a much smaller scale.

Let’s face it: Americans are materialistic. We need to have the latest technology, the designer labels and expensive vacations.

I’ve heard people complain they can barely pay rent, but what else is the paycheck going for? Cell-phone plans, iPods and cigarettes are not necessities in life, but people will spend money on these items instead of bills and rent. How is that responsible?

To not be in debt, Americans should curb their costs and budget like there is no tomorrow. A vacation to Cancun may have to wait a year or the new text-messaging plan may have to be cancelled for a few months.

America is in so much debt because Americans spend so much money and live on credit. Simplicity and the essentials have long been obsolete to the American mind. We should focus on the things we need, not the things we want.


Also, we blame the government because we are selfish. It makes so many mistakes, what is one more added to the list? The government acts as our scapegoat, when in fact we should take responsibility for ourselves. Blaming a third party is immature and irresponsible.

I remember hearing stories of hard-working immigrants coming through Ellis Island in high school. These people came to America hoping for a better life than the one they left in the old country. They were not afraid to work hard, and they had the dream of a better tomorrow.

But whatever happened to the American dream? Immigrants dreamed American streets were paved in gold and a poor man could become rich. Not all people who came to America succeeded, but there were thousands who worked hard and flourished, creating better lives for them and their families.

They took advantage of education and job opportunities. They saved money for a new house or for their families. Poor men and women became millionaires.

Maybe it’s time Americans get this kind of work ethic back. It’s in our blood from our ancestors from hundreds or dozens of years ago. We need something to wake up this potential that runs in our veins. Or, maybe we are ignoring the call for greatness because we are fat and lazy.

The struggling economy is not going to go away overnight. It’s going to take years and years for things to be right again; even that hope is a far cry out into the wild. It is up to each person to take responsibility for his or her actions and work hard. Maybe then, we can have a happier America.

When I grow up I wanna be famous, be on TV

“What do you want to do with your life?”

Well, I’m finally able to ask the what-do-you-want-to-do-with-your-life question I am asked at every family function. Now, I can answer this question to strangers and friends without hesitation or awkwardness.

I want to be a librarian. I’m planning to receive my Master’s in this at Syracuse.

However, this new-found statement brings another series of questions people ask. “Why would you want to be a librarian,” “You don’t look like a librarian,” “You have to go to school for that” or “Don’t you mean high-school librarian?”

These are only a few of the many questions I’ve received in the past few months, but before I knew more about the program at Syracuse or the profession in general, I had the same stereotypes fixed in my head as my questioners. After doing some research, I realized how wrong and ignorant I was.

People ask me why I want to go in this profession. I really can’t give a good answer because it feels right. It’s hard to describe a feeling.

As a child, I loved books. Some of my favorite memories would be the weekly trip to the library, rummaging through the shelves, seeing what books I would take home with me.

In middle school, I was the librarian’s teachers pet. She would always save the new release, giving me a change to read them before the other students even looked at them. Because of her, my love for stories and books grew.

In college, I majored in English, again cultivating my interest in books. Then I thought I would want to go into publishing or the library world. And it looks like I’m going to.

I want to work in a library more for the love of reading. It’s for the books themselves. You may discover a lone book among the shelves, covered in dust, waiting for someone to check it out. I want to be able to provide people with resources for research or the love of learning.

I’m not really sure what to expect from this journey or what graduate school will entail; everything is so new to me, but my experience so far has been enlightening, making me eager to find out more about this profession and what it can offer me.

Ever since President Obama announced his plan to deploy tens of thousands of United States troops to Afghanistan, I’ve been wondering if this plan could have any hope of success. The honest truth: I don’t know because it’s way too early in the game to predict an accurate statement.

Obama hopes to bring democracy to Afghanistan, but is this really plausible? Do the Afghan people want democracy or the United States to leave their country alone? I think there is a mixture of both sentiments. However, I don’t think the U.S. truly understands the Afghan people; representatives may say its citizens want a Western world in the country, but are those lies or the true wants of the people?

For the past few decades, Afghanistan has undergone a tumultuous history, never truly belonging to itself. The Russians came to invade the country in 1979, bring their Marxist ideals and laws. America took a huge interest in Afghanistan because it didn’t truly trust Russian and Marxist ideals in the country. During Russian rule, millions of people died and thousands upon thousands of people fled to neighboring countries. Instability and terror was a daily worry for a country of innocent people.

Eventually, the Taliban, who took the Islamic religion to another dimension, replaced Russian rule. Civil rights and liberties were stripped from the people. Laughing, singing and dancing were considered illegal and punishments could include imprisonment and public beatings.

During Russian rule, intellectual and prominent leaders fled the country to escape Soviet inquisition. This led to a loss of thousands of people who could represent the people, leaving room for tribal lords in rural areas to rise up and make their voices heard.

Like the Russians, the Taliban was forced from government, placing Western influence in the region yet again. America has tried to place Western ideas on a country that has followed its own tradition for thousands of years. This seems like a near-to-impossible task to me.

There has to be some way to incorporate modernization, but still maintaining Afghan tradition and culture. Americans can’t wipe out the culture; I think that most of us don’t even understand anything about the tradition and values of countries in the Middle East. We might like to say we do, but we can’t even begin to understand the hardship and trauma millions of people have had to face.

Also, people wonder why a country rich with history, culture and tradition could be so war-torn and degraded still. I think it’s because the country has not had a chance to prove itself. It always has had a babysitter or unwanted presence. I think the people have not had a chance to speak without fear of reprimand.

I don’t think the problems the country faces will be fixed with Obama’s plan. It’s going to take decades, if not hundreds of years before there is mostly peace in the country. There is so much hatred and fear of foreigners and of fellow countrymen. Trust and respect needs to be the dominant force to unifying a government, not fear and ignorance.

Education can dilute ignorance, but the U.S. would benefit for the need of the history lesson. We need to understand a problem before we can even begin to have a solution. I honestly don’t feel like America has done its research in regard to Afghanistan. I understand of the current threats that are being posed, but we have to know what we are battling before we enter. Preparedness and steadiness, not action and impulsivity will reap better, long-term results.

Each Afghan generation has had different reigns of rulers, and each generation has different views how the country should be run and what would be most beneficial for the country. Until the country can think like one, I feel it’s going to be numerous generations before we see a truly successful and happy Afghanistan.

Catcher Catches Me

When the news announced that J.D. Salinger died of natural causes earlier last week, I began to contemplate his famous character, Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye. Holden is one of the most notorious teenage figures in literary history. His intellect is dark and brooding, yet thoughtful, and he is a quiet rebel. With these unpopular characteristics, Holden becomes the unlikely hero for millions of teenagers.

Typically, one would think Holden is not a character one should admire because he ends up in a mental institution, but what makes him fascinating is his honesty despite his mental instability. While Holden’s peers are upper-middle class snobs who play hypocritical games and lives in denial, Holden doesn’t. Holden is aware of the lying and hypocrisy in the world, but there is nothing he can do but witness it. However, this hypocrisy causes him to become so depressed he becomes a brooding, condescending man.

These qualities do not make for the typical hero of a literary work. Normally, protagonists are happy individuals who must overcome a particular obstacle and everything is resolved in the end. I like Holden’s character because he is not a waif-like person waiting for people to help him. He realizes what is wrong around him and doesn’t deny reality, though there is nothing he can do about it. Ultimately, Holden realizes people can’t change the “phoniness” of the world. Unlike people around him, Holden doesn’t be something he isn’t.

If you think about it, would Holden be a person you would want to be friends with in real life? I would say no. Though he has a leg up on most people when it comes to reality, he is pessimistic and sulks. Instead of accepting the way the world works, Holden whines and broods over the world’s and people’s shortcoming. I don’t think he yet realizes there is nothing he can do; he is both pessimistic and hopefully optimistic at the same time.

Still, despite Holden’s numerous shortcomings, I still feel he is a real character. He is imperfect and doesn’t have a happy ending, and this characteristic makes Holden real and tangible, a figure to which people can relate.