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Category: Libraries and Librarians

This American Library

Published by Iris on Monday, August 14th, 2006

I’m a big fan of the NPR show “This American Life.” These guys are amazing story tellers. I haven’t actually heard an episode since I moved here last summer because in this state it’s not on at a time when I can listen (and I’m not used to going online to listen to the radio…yet).

Well, my mom pointed me to this show (MP3 file) about how some libraries are re-imaging themselves. Very cool.

(My all-time favorite show is still this one (MP3 file — act three, so it’s a ways in) about Apple employees who, even after they’d been “let go” continued to sneak in to work in order to complete the project they believed in. THAT is the best story-telling I’ve heard in a while.)

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Phrases that Mean Something to Immersion Folks

Phrases that Mean Something to Immersion Folks

Published by Iris on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006

“Back Voice!”

“I’m craving pizza.”

“Sleepin’ on my slab.”

Immersion was great. I’m way to completely brain dead to say anything coherent about it now, but I’m glad I came. Tomorrow morning I’ll head back to Minnesota (and away from this 100+ degree weather). I sure hope this trip goes better than last time’s trip.

Today I spent the afternoon at the New England Aquarium (one of the few places I remember vividly from when I lived here 16 years ago). What fun to realize that that it really is as cool as I remembered.


I even got to see the same deep-sea turtle that was there the last time I was there. She’s getting up there. Myrtle the Turtle is about 70 years old now, and she’s been at this aquarium since it opened. (More pictures of Immersion are here, and of the aquarium are here.)

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Bowling and Information Literacy

Published by Iris on Monday, July 31st, 2006

Bowling is good, especially when you’re with a whole bunch of other librarians and the entire place (pool tables, 10 lanes, and food) are provided for you and only you. We each got one free drink, too, but quite a few people weren’t drinking, so a several people got LOTS of free drinks. That was kind of amusing.

Of course, bowling would have been a lot less hilarious if it had been actual bowling and not candlepins (which I haven’t played since I was 11). Those tiny little bowling balls and the skinny little pins sure do make the game a challenge, especially for those who were benefiting from the generosity of the non-drinkers in the bunch.

10:00 came sooner than we thought it would, though, and we all had to troop back to campus in our big ol’ touring busses. Now the next challenge is to get myself into a sleepy state so I can get all rested, fresh, and ready for another morning of classes.

[Update: Jason is the only one I know who took his camera along, and he’s posted his photos here.)

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Inwardly Dying

Published by Iris on Monday, July 31st, 2006

I made a fool of myself today. I guess that’s what happens when your brain goes into hiding to avoid the abuse to which you’re subjecting it after several LONG days, several longer nights (sleeping on plastic mattresses wrapped in polyester sheets really isn’t doing it for me), and all meals consisting of a choice of pizza, pasta with red sauce, or meat and potatoes, plus a salad bar. (Seriously, they serve these same three choices lunch and dinner EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!). But even so, I’m mortified.

I made a comment today that came out entirely wrong, almost the opposite of what I meant to say, and it sounded incoherent, stupid, judgmental. I’m trying to convince myself that people won’t remember this as their primary impression of me, but it’s just not working. It’s hard to forget stupid, judgmental people, especially when everyone’s tired enough to be moody and easily annoyed.

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