The In Season Christian Librarian

2008-07-22T12:25:00.002-04:00

Psalms of Ascent.

Since summer is the main season for travel, my church is running a series on the Psalms of ascent. Today, I thought the pastor said a psalm of assent. Assent to what? So much for not paying attention...
Eugene Peterson’s A Long Obedience in the Same Direction was cited in the first of the series, and I thought, "I'll look at that book again." I don't own it, and I think I'll have to locate a copy because MPOW doesn't own it either. Guess we didn't "assent." I was also surprised about the small number (around 300) of libraries who own it in WorldCat. Somehow I think the classification "meditation" precluded its purchase for scholarship at other places. So I checked LibraryThing for mention of owners and the number of holders/readers was almost identical to WorldCat. However, LibraryThing pointed me to a thumbnail of the updated/revised version at Google Scholar. I'll just have to wait until I can obtain a copy to reread this book again.

However, I have found a different kind of "assent" in that the related material provided by LibraryThing and Google Scholar were once not considered by libraries as part of the "experience" necessary for readers. The digital age has changed that in that the community of users which libraries pride themselves on knowing has enlarged considerably. We must beware of becoming only an inn on the trip, and maybe a Motel 6 instead of a Marriott.

2008-07-17T08:03:00.002-04:00

Viewing Season

You may be thinking, "Wow! the ISCL has really taken her own advice from yesterday to heart!" Would that that were so. I just happened to find some videos yesterday and wanted to share them with you.
With the New Yorker Cover, we're reminded once more of the power and ambiguity of pictures. Whether or not adding motion and sound to a picture deepens or inhibits meaning is a matter for others to debate. Here are three videos of broadcasts taken 10 and more years ago of Billy Graham from Ted.Com. They won't take you more than 45 minutes to see them.
Billy Graham at TED.
Two part interview of Billy Graham by Woody Allen. The comments are also interesting. No satire but the character and humor of Reverend Graham shines through even with Woody Allen.

And if you like satire--and I do--go to the latest JibJab.com satire on the 2008 campaign. They are certainly equal opportunity. Once again--you can comment.
If you're interested in satire in the Bible, check this out. along with irony and sarcasm. Do you think satire is a focus for bias or a foil for hypocrisy?

How does this relate to libraries? you ask. Our Instruction area is working with the First Year teachers to create links to articles on bias in the media. We've created a wiki and our summer students and I are locating materials for those areas.

2008-07-16T10:39:00.002-04:00

A Season to be self-disciplined

I’ve noticed that many of my favorite bloggers have slacked off in their posting. The reasons range from physical injury to other interests. Since my blogging activities have also suffered a decline, I feel I am in good company. However, there is much to be said for practicing the discipline of writing. Part of the problem I have found with the blogging issue is that I want to create links to other blogs and to websites, rather than just writing, These activities create additional steps usually come at the end of the writing so I don't lose my thought and at exactly the time I am interrupted by a phone call or student.
So I decided to create blog entries offline and enter them. thus practicing writing and creating the initial stage so that the hyperlinks can be identified and quickly added. One of my favorite reads on discipline is Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary. You can also find audio recordings and workbooks if you are so inclined.
Now back to my irregular life.

2008-07-08T10:56:00.002-04:00

Star from my Feed

Like the old joke about the man who didn't know where to start on a potato because there were too many eyes are you overwhelmed with decisions. This star highlights a simple tool --look ma no computer--which you could do even without the tool! The Nothing Else clearly reminds us that we have to set priorities and those aren't always work but spiritual or familial. If I achieve nothing else today, I will pray or call a relative or if I can't do that just smile. Somehow in the long scheme of things that will prove most satisfactory.

2008-07-08T07:40:00.002-04:00

Another News Aggregator

Since Religion and politics do mix, albeit somewhat like oil and water, I came across this Get Religion.org blog which focuses more in depth coverage of religious events. According to their "about us" statement they "want to highlight the good as well as raise some questions about coverage that we believe has some holes in it.
Most of all, we want to try to create a clearning house of information and opinion on this topic. This is what blogs do best." Just reading their rationale is interesting. Who would have thought that missing news is like "holy ghosts" except a journalist?
Recent topics include such titles as "Missing Missions," Put a cork in it" Sports Scribes hurdle religion, and "This sentence no verb."

Whatever your preference--all politics to no politics, this blog will both inform and entertain.
By the way, I'm using Google Alerts to help mine for new information and found this blog through that service.

2008-07-03T17:32:00.002-04:00

Have a Great Fourth

Picture from BigFoto.com

http://www.bigfoto.com/themes/fireworks/fireworks-feuerwerk-l9.jpg

2008-06-30T11:26:00.002-04:00

This Book Changed My Life

Ilibrarian posted a great blog from LifeHacker whose topic I've occasionally used to spur conversation here but never online. The top books were

The Bible
The Works of Ayn Rand
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
The Stranger
The Works of George Orwell
The Works of Richard Dawkins
The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings Trilogy
Ender’s Game
Dune

I haven't read everything on this list but for me I would add C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity under the Bible. And I would also add, that it was when the I encountered the books that created more impact on my life than just the book itself. For instance, I've just read most of the Canterbury Tales and realized how much differently I view it now than I would have as a young adult. I'm not saying they were my favorite, but I have a greater appreciation for the skill, themes, and storytelling ability of Chaucer.

Do you agree with the list which only 250 persons voted on, or would you compile a different set?

2008-06-26T13:23:00.002-04:00

EOY
That's my acronym for the end of the fischal year (duh) which for us is June 30, next Monday.

Although my to do list includes

Finishing Reference and Instruction Statistics
Updating all the Spreadsheets and document folders for the 2008-09 FY
Preparing the annual reference report
Relabeling print folders--yes, I still keep them but fewer than in the past.

it also includes

renewing my blogging efforts after a busy month of conference and post conference activities. ilibrarian's post on tips for better blogging is timely. If you are starting or revamping a blog these are worth considering.

I definitely have to work on tracking and analyzing better.

2008-06-17T08:54:00.003-04:00

Day(s) after Conference

Since my institution nor my personal budget doesn't extend this year to covering a second national library conference, the ACL conference was the full conference I attended this year. However, I'm open to looking at other more local learning experiences as I agree with others that librarians need to explore other conferences and learning opportunities--maybe as salt and light for our profession?

I was surprised to find a travel tip for the Chautauqua Society in my local newspaper and as a result I am seriously considering a one-two day trip there. There is also a religious component to the Institution and looks intriguing. I grew up in a town with a Chautauqua park and at the time just took it for granted, although the annual symposiums were no longer held there. I'll certainly keep you posted if I attend.

Otherwise, I'm going through post-conference withdrawal. The excitement is over; the presentations done; the keynotes and business concluded; friendships have been renewed or made. I am back to the relative isolation of a small academic library in summer mode--until next year, everyone!

2008-06-06T09:33:00.002-04:00

Nearly here

I should be reviewing my notes for my presentation but i hab a small sinus code and between sneezing and coughing, I'm reviewing the stars in my reader.

2008-06-04T11:16:00.001-04:00

Adventures of a Reference Librarian

One of the best parts of reviewing the starred blog posts in my Google Reader is discovering old material--and I do mean old--which I didn't have time to listen to earlier.
If you haven't found these scripts from Prairie Home Companion yet, you are in for a treat and a good laugh. [via]

2008-06-04T09:57:00.002-04:00

June is...
Materials about weddings always disappeared from my libraries. However, since weddings and June and religious materials are often inextricably bound together, one of the books we keep on our reference shelf is Monger's Marriage Customs of the World: From Henna to Honeymoons. (ABC-CLIO, 2004)

The subtitle is misleading as the book does go from a-z. Almost any question you or your patrons may have about wedding customs and culture is found here accompanied with references to other resources. This book is recent enough to include mention of current developments in marriage. I plan to use it to locate other books-- even if they also disappear.

2008-05-28T07:54:00.002-04:00

Conference Season

It's that time again! I've nearly finished my preparations for my presentation about games and information literacy in academic colleges. The good news is the topic is timely; the bad news is I'm going to miss other great presentations going on at the same time. I'm also collaborating with another group on Web 2.0 materials. My section is on social bookmarks, del.icio.us in particular.

One of my goals for any physical conference I attend is to meet at least one to two new people and renew acquaintances. I'm looking forward to all the activities that the conference provides for socializing as well as networking. (Note to self: pack sunscreen and a hat.)

2008-04-15T09:11:00.002-04:00

Time for a Break
As you can tell, I've not been very systematic or faithful with entries in any blog recently.
One reason is that I have been writing for a class I'm auditing and am preparing material for two presentations.

Please accept my apologies for not adding material for until after July. I hope to come back with new material and links by then.

2008-04-09T09:42:00.002-04:00

One more advertisement about Get Expelled because I haven't heard about it except on the ACL discussion list and when I was drowsily watching Fox network a few days ago. Interested in free speech or dogma? I have just finished reading the Tale of Melibee by Chaucer in whicn some of Melibee's so-called advisers shout down other advisers because their words are contrary to what they want to hear. The Wikipedia reference does not do the Tale justice, but unless you are willing to follow medieval format, you probably won't want to read the whole thing.

My advice is not to shout this movie down or stop your ears--as some in the Bible once did when unwelcome news came-- until you read this.

Hope it is somewhere neare here so I can see it.

2008-04-07T11:31:00.000-04:00

NLW idea

Absolutely, maybe, definitely not? Has anyone done this?

2008-04-01T16:06:00.002-04:00

April 1 is
International Edible Book Festival [via]

2008-03-25T07:49:00.004-04:00

Christian Audio Book Winners
On December 3, 2003, I posted a link to the Faithful Reader which provides a satisfying amount of information on current popular Christian reading. For those of you who maintain a spoken word or audio book collection, This site reported on the list of Christian reading finalists from the Audies Award announcement. Which ones do you think will win?
Here they are:
Inspirational/Faith-Based Fiction
EVER AFTER (Zondervan)
NOT EASILY BROKEN (BBC Audiobooks America)
THE PENNY (Hachette Audio)
RENOVATING BECKY MILLER (Recorded Books)
RIVER RISING (Recorded Books)
Inspirational/Spiritual
ANA'S STORY (HarperAudio)
ANGER (Oasis Audio)
FINDING HOME (Oasis Audio)
THE GREAT OMISSION (ChristianAudio)
INSPIRED BY... THE BIBLE EXPERIENCE: OLD TESTAMENT (Zondervan)
VIENNA PRELUDE (FamilyAudioLibrary.com)

2008-03-19T09:22:00.003-04:00

Easter Wishes

Since I already have a survey question still out there, I was wondering if anyone does an Easter display of books and materials for this Holy Week. I'm surprised I've never mentioned The Encyclopedia of Easter Carnival and Lent. In publication since 2002, this compendium covers history, terminology, practices and customs of this season from all parts of the world. Nearly every article has references to both print and Internet sites. The one detraction for me are the illustrations which are entirely in black and white and mainly charcoal drawings. Hmmm Cheese week. Excuse me while I continue reading. Have a wonderful holiday.

2008-03-14T10:53:00.002-04:00

I've finally finished with classes for a few days and can work on other items which occur every Spring like this, this, and this. We may combine our efforts into one event with spin-off items during the month. And for those of you that are quilters, Happy Quilting Day tomorrow.

If you didn't see already here is an interesting article about God and Norman Mailer might prove an interesting discussion with humanities professors.

2008-03-13T07:57:00.002-04:00

Questions for you

Google has a polling addition to the blog and since I am considering changing the purpose statement for the blog, the first question I'm interested in relates to the variety of topics I have. Feel free to send comments as well.

I have at least three other posts lined up to write and the response or lack thereof will help me know which to choose first.

2008-03-03T08:19:00.002-05:00

Count the Days

A week ago I sat down with a teacher who had suddenly requested a library session for her classes. "I counted the number of classes in the semester," she said, "And I found I had an 30 instead of 29. And I want to add a library session."

I wish I were as good at counting the days and sessions. I completely missed writing about the Leap Day and I've even almost missed writing about the Lenten season. (I might still miss.) Apparently, this Easter is one of the earliest in the calendar. If you go to my archive for October 26, 2006, I blogged about multifaith calendars. Are there "catch-up" days in other calendars? Yes. Maybe if you missed celebrating that extra day last week, you can find another somewhere. The one online source which focuses on religious holidays and calendars is a book by that name now in its third edition (2004).

2008-02-26T08:04:00.003-05:00

More Heart.

The Book a Month Challenge featured stories related to heart this February. I need to add two "heart" nonfiction stories to that list: I call them stories more than treatises because they are less analytical than narrative.

Let My Heart be Broken by Richard Gehman, (McGraw-Hill, 1960) tells the story of start of World Vision and its founder.

Eternity in Their Hearts - now up to 5 editions, according to WorldCat by Don Richardson (Regal Books, 1981), describes the attraction of Christianity to people of other religions.

2008-02-21T07:53:00.002-05:00

It's All Good

In the course of following a CHE article about a new game announced at the Serious Games Summit , I found a link to this link which led to the 2007 book awards press release by the AAR. Incidentally, since I haven't found the connecting link, I will be updating this. No further comments, except I like looking through press releases and research links as they can locate environmental scanning material.

2008-02-20T08:47:00.003-05:00

Prophecies, prophecies...

picture uploaded from SpaceWeather.com

Tonight, the moon will turn to blood--actually an lunar eclipse will make the moon appear to be red. Does this fulfill a biblical prophecy even if it regularly? Likewise, do visions of

chaotic libraries become prophetic, or mortgage crisis indicate a true recession? Or do our fears and denials create self-fulfilling prophecies?