Novelist is a wonderful tool for patrons who are just "looking." I looked up the Stephanie Plum series by Evanovich, and sure enough, there were her books all in order.
I like J.A. Jance and her Joanna Brady series, so I looked up "readalikes." Think I'll check out Aimee and David Thurlo and see if I like their books, also Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder series.
I loved the genre/sub-genre section and found an adventure book with a female protagonist that looks interesting. That's next on my "read" list.
My hubby likes Brad Thor, so this will help me find "like" reads for him, too.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Task #11--Who has time for all this info gathering?
Thank goodness for people who like to gather and organize all this information. Book Report Network is a good clearing house for all kinds of bookish information. Liked the idea that a couple of the sites listed Oprah's current selection. Noticed that Book Reporter had a link to Facebook. Had good reviews. Reading Group Guides provided nice guides for book clubs. Pity the poor authors that have to come up with the questions. Faithful Reader looked like a good source for those who like the inspirational genre. It's sometimes hard to find a good source for that. Authors on the Web besides listing websites, lists blogs and tours by authors. Author Yellow Pages supposedly gives addresses, etc. for authors, but the two I looked were "approachable" only through their publishers. Probably a really good idea. All of the sites had good points, but I think the I'd probably use Book Reporter, Faithful Reader, and Authors on the Web the most. BTW, loved the Kids' Reads particularly for the list of books in series.
Looked up Janet Evanovich on Biography Resource Center. Discovered she studied art in college, not writing. She married (and is still married) to her high school sweetheart and has two children. This sounds suspiciously like me. (Okay, I didn't study art in college, but I did study music--close--and I did marry my high school sweetheart, and I do have two kids, and I write.) And she's older than I am. There's hope yet.
Looked up Janet Evanovich on Biography Resource Center. Discovered she studied art in college, not writing. She married (and is still married) to her high school sweetheart and has two children. This sounds suspiciously like me. (Okay, I didn't study art in college, but I did study music--close--and I did marry my high school sweetheart, and I do have two kids, and I write.) And she's older than I am. There's hope yet.
Task #10
Ebsco is a great resource for journal aritcles research. Although I've used Ebsco a lot, and even filled several ILL requests through Ebsco, I found the short video informative and discovered something I didn't know. I loved the image feature and looked up the flag for Belize.
Since we're in the digital camera age, I looked for an article on digital cameras in Consumer Reports and set the year 2009, as I wanted the newest information. Found two articles, one from July 2009 and one from September 2009. Anybody want to lend me some money? I've got my eye on a couple of really nice cameras.
As for Biography Resource Center, I looked up three of my favorite movie music people--Alexander Courage (1 article); Jerry Goldsmith (2 articles); and James Horner (1 article). Horner is famous for composing the scores for "Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan," "Legends of the Fall," "Braveheart," and "Titanic," as well as numberous other scores and has won an Academey Award, Golden Globe, Grammy, and others. All three composers are linked by Star Trek. However, Courage and Goldsmith are linked beyond Star Trek--at least 30 times, if not more. For you enterprising trivia junkies out there, you'll have to dig to figure out how these two are linked.
BTW, Goldsmith has won at least two Academy Awards and numerous Emmys.
Since we're in the digital camera age, I looked for an article on digital cameras in Consumer Reports and set the year 2009, as I wanted the newest information. Found two articles, one from July 2009 and one from September 2009. Anybody want to lend me some money? I've got my eye on a couple of really nice cameras.
As for Biography Resource Center, I looked up three of my favorite movie music people--Alexander Courage (1 article); Jerry Goldsmith (2 articles); and James Horner (1 article). Horner is famous for composing the scores for "Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan," "Legends of the Fall," "Braveheart," and "Titanic," as well as numberous other scores and has won an Academey Award, Golden Globe, Grammy, and others. All three composers are linked by Star Trek. However, Courage and Goldsmith are linked beyond Star Trek--at least 30 times, if not more. For you enterprising trivia junkies out there, you'll have to dig to figure out how these two are linked.
BTW, Goldsmith has won at least two Academy Awards and numerous Emmys.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Task #9--Web Page--Again?!
I've successfully (sort of) gotten a picture into my header and some info added to my Weebly
Definitely think I'll leave the web page design to my nephew.
Definitely think I'll leave the web page design to my nephew.
Task #9--Web Page???
Okay, I need to learn html language if I'm going to do this right. Or better yet, I'll just pay my nephew (who does this professionally) to do my site. Works for me. Still trying to figure out how to edit the header, etc. to change font and color. Maybe I can't do that with the style I've chosen.
You may view my site at:
I've also sent an email to the library list. Let me know if you can't get in.
I've also worked on a Weebly site, but got frustrated trying to paste a picture in the header. AAAAAAArrrrrrggghhh! I'll update you on that site
You may view my site at:
I've also sent an email to the library list. Let me know if you can't get in.
I've also worked on a Weebly site, but got frustrated trying to paste a picture in the header. AAAAAAArrrrrrggghhh! I'll update you on that site
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Task #8
As the ILL "go-to-gal" I have to be aware of copyright rules and regs and what constitutes fair use. However, no matter how many times I read up on copyright or attend copyright sessions at the annual ILL conference, copyright is still a very confusing and sometimes muddy issue. As a writer, I like the idea that you can copyright and protect your work. Afterall, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears goes into any work of art. (Yes that's what's known as fair use--if you're confused, ask.) Most people don't understand that titles cannot be copyrighted, which is why you see so many books with the same title. It's the content that's protected. Characters' names cannot be copyrighted, but recently there was a big copyright case involving the novel Wind Done Gone which was the slaves view of Gone With the Wind. Margaret Mitchell's descendents said the author of the new book couldn't use the characters from Gone With the Wind. For you enterprising staff members with nothing better to do (are there any of you out there?), look this case up and see what happened. I think it went to the Supreme Court.
As a writer, I'd like to use the chorus from Gordon Lightfoot's A Minor Ballad to introduce the third section of a novel I've written, but according to copyright (at least what I can determine), even quoting one line from a song requires the composer's permission. Aaaaaargh! Fair use doesn't seem to cover this area. However, I can use Barbar Walters as a real character in my book, because she is so well-known and is considered (loosely) as public domain.
As for Creative Commons--Nathan Kinkade (yes, he's one of the founders), spoke at an ILL conference about Creative Commons. I think it has it's place, particularly for audio-visual material. I like the idea you can do a limited copyright or a full copyright. This particular organization does have its place, but I think the copyright office still has a viable place where protecting our creative rights are concerned. And if you're writing a book you want published by one of the "name" publishers, they don't want you to get your own copyright. They will procure it for you and in your name. However, if you don't want to go through a "regular" publisher, CC might be a good way to get a copyright without all the hassle of the official copyright office.
Had trouble telling how you determine if a work is actually part of CC. Oh, well.
As a writer, I'd like to use the chorus from Gordon Lightfoot's A Minor Ballad to introduce the third section of a novel I've written, but according to copyright (at least what I can determine), even quoting one line from a song requires the composer's permission. Aaaaaargh! Fair use doesn't seem to cover this area. However, I can use Barbar Walters as a real character in my book, because she is so well-known and is considered (loosely) as public domain.
As for Creative Commons--Nathan Kinkade (yes, he's one of the founders), spoke at an ILL conference about Creative Commons. I think it has it's place, particularly for audio-visual material. I like the idea you can do a limited copyright or a full copyright. This particular organization does have its place, but I think the copyright office still has a viable place where protecting our creative rights are concerned. And if you're writing a book you want published by one of the "name" publishers, they don't want you to get your own copyright. They will procure it for you and in your name. However, if you don't want to go through a "regular" publisher, CC might be a good way to get a copyright without all the hassle of the official copyright office.
Had trouble telling how you determine if a work is actually part of CC. Oh, well.
Task #7
I'm not wild about social networking sites, so it took Webolution to nudge me back into Facebook. Now we have all these "reading" sites that one can belong to.
LibraryThing--(I wonder why it's not LibraryThang) This looked like too much work, too much trouble, and too much time, which I don't have in excess. All for just letting others know what you're reading.
Goodreads--This looked like a place you could post your own writing and have it critiqued. That looks good on the surface, but could be dangerous and non-helpful. The Boulder Goodreads did post some interesting questions.
Shelfari--Nice site for those who want to spend their time "social networking" with others about what they're reading. Not for me.
Litlovers--Looks like a good site to work on your literary reading and form book clubs. Again, not for me.
Allreaders--This was fun! I went through the detailed search--plot, setting, character--and put in a lot of stuff. Got back a list of almost 100 books to look at. Gave me new authors to look into for myself and my hubby. I also liked the adds at the top of the page. One was for a publisher that I may submit some of my writing to. There's no signup necessary on this one, that I could see, anyway. This is the place for me! Such fun and might even (with a little luck) boost my writing career.
LibraryThing--(I wonder why it's not LibraryThang) This looked like too much work, too much trouble, and too much time, which I don't have in excess. All for just letting others know what you're reading.
Goodreads--This looked like a place you could post your own writing and have it critiqued. That looks good on the surface, but could be dangerous and non-helpful. The Boulder Goodreads did post some interesting questions.
Shelfari--Nice site for those who want to spend their time "social networking" with others about what they're reading. Not for me.
Litlovers--Looks like a good site to work on your literary reading and form book clubs. Again, not for me.
Allreaders--This was fun! I went through the detailed search--plot, setting, character--and put in a lot of stuff. Got back a list of almost 100 books to look at. Gave me new authors to look into for myself and my hubby. I also liked the adds at the top of the page. One was for a publisher that I may submit some of my writing to. There's no signup necessary on this one, that I could see, anyway. This is the place for me! Such fun and might even (with a little luck) boost my writing career.
Task #6
These two sites are quite thorough in their purpose for enabling library staff to do their jobs better. The Ohio Library Council's tutorials are well done, and we should consider implementing our own version. I know we have our "Policies and Procedures" along with other things on the wiki, but not pulled together like these two sites have done. These sites are very "visual" which helps with the learning process. Part of our new employee orientation should include our library's history. This helps new staff to see the changes that have been made over years. We do have a mission statement and a workable strategic plan, as suggested on the Ohio site. I liked their heading "We live to serve!" Our library has, over the years, been very good at serving our patrons. We constantly get compliments about our service. We cover, very well, all the areas Ohio listed. I also liked their section on "Confidentiality." This is extremely important in our profession.
The Houston library's site was equally informative. Good reminders on why customer service is so important to the "life" of the library. Customer service is EVERYONE'S job, so no slacking when you're not in a visible position. What you do still reflects on our library. I like the question, "How would the last 3 customers you worked with rate you?" We'd all be more aware of our interactions with patrons if we thought we were going to be scored. Remember, not everyone is a Paula Abdul--some of our patrons are Simon Cowell.
The Houston library's site was equally informative. Good reminders on why customer service is so important to the "life" of the library. Customer service is EVERYONE'S job, so no slacking when you're not in a visible position. What you do still reflects on our library. I like the question, "How would the last 3 customers you worked with rate you?" We'd all be more aware of our interactions with patrons if we thought we were going to be scored. Remember, not everyone is a Paula Abdul--some of our patrons are Simon Cowell.
Facebook--take two
I enjoyed getting back on Facebook. Connected with writing friends, including Jane Healey (she volunteered in the Children's Center until she moved to SD), my family--sons, sister-in-law--and took a personality test. Apparently, some people think the results are "so you." Guess it was more accurate than I thought. Hmmmmm, maybe some changes are needed. :-)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Task #5
I tried both methods for placing holds. Actually preferred the second one--creating a book bag and requesting all at once. Thought the first one was a bit cumbersome.
Task #4
I had to resurrect my old Facebook account, but that was good. Took a while to remember my password. Did find old friends and family there. Also signed up on LinkedIn--we'll see what happens there.
Checked out the Facebook pages listed. Although Coca Cola is my favorite soft drink, don't think I want to waste my precious time looking at their blog. The others were interesting and now I'll have to check to see if my Congressmen have Facebook accounts. If so, they'll be hearing from me.
Checked out the Facebook pages listed. Although Coca Cola is my favorite soft drink, don't think I want to waste my precious time looking at their blog. The others were interesting and now I'll have to check to see if my Congressmen have Facebook accounts. If so, they'll be hearing from me.
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