Today I was able to get so much done.  Sometimes I find myself so capable.  It feels good when you really accomplish things.  

My husband is great.  He put all of the plastic on the windows today.  He washed the dishes and he went shoe shopping with me.  I had coupons for shoe store.  I was able to find some real nice black flats.  

My dog has gotten really good at jumping on bed.  He is so small.  For him to be able to jump on a bed is a really cool trick.  However, when he jumped on my sisters bed he had an agenda.  He grab the tissue box and chewed it.

Alicia

Hello,

I know it has been a while. I decided to write today because I'm really happy. so many thing has happen. We have a new President. President elect Barack Obama. The has changed and I didn't see it happen. The steps were so small and so quietly. When did it become okay to accept someone solely on there character. Things have really changed. I know that there are still ignorant, bigoted son of bitches out there. Now I know there are more people that think like me than think like them.

I also find myself finishing another semester of school. I really don't know what I'm doing right but I'm completing assignments and they are receiving good marks. I hope I'm not speaking to soon!!! i want to finish and I hope I make it through another semester.

Alicia

Too much to do

I have been staying up late and waking up early. I don't have enough time in a day. I would like spend a little time with my husband. When I go upstairs my husband will be in bed sleep. Oh well, this will end and I will have my life back. I'm finally focusing on my school work. I want to do well. The drugs that my doctor gave made me so sleepy for the past two weeks.

My dog has an eye infection. My husband has sore back. I haven't had time to talk to my friends. I feel like I have abandoned them. I have to find time.

Alicia

Hello again,

I haven't been in a while. The class that I was taking required that I blog for class. I'm not the type of person who reveals to much of myself to strangers. I found it very hard to write about insightful things. The class is over and I bet you are wondering why I'm still blogging. Well I decided to write about fun things that I discover throughout the day.

What was fun today? Well I will have to say talking to people today about politics. I will be voting for Obama. I'm not all together behind him but who is? I do know there is nothing about McCains plans that thrill me. He really pushed me over the fence when he picked governer Palin. A women that is David Duke's younger sister. Not only is she a racist she is also someone who doesn't feel that there is anything wrong in censorship. If I was in the state of Alaska I think I would be harassed and threaten to keep my mouth shut. I know many of my sister's will feel compelled to vote for a women and for good reason but just think about the content of her character before you blindly vote for a women who hates anyone that doesn't look like or believe like her. What a fun discussion?

Alicia

I have tried to post this last assignment and I'm not having any luck. I really hate this. When I did it the first time I was able to see the site. This time all I get is error codes. I don't think I have done anything different. I just don't know what to do.

Alicia

I'm still having a hard time posting my Thoreau assignments. I thought I finally understood how to submit my files. The first Thoreau doc. took me two days but it was finally placed in the folder and I was able to view my web site. So I thought I knew what to do. Boy! was I wrong. I tried to file my 2nd Thoreau doc. this whole evening and I keep getting an error code. I have checked everything several times and still nothing has changed. I'm tired!! I finally wrote to Dr. Tomer. I hope he gives me guidance soon. :(

Alicia

Nothing new! I'm still working and trying to finish my final projects. I pick up my mother-in-law from the airport today. She will spending a week with us. She is from California. She comes here to relax. I have been cleaning to make the house presentable. I hope she has a nice time with us.

The library had raffle and my husband won. He will be picking up a ride bicycle. He was surprised because he has never won anything before. I won a gold bracelet a couple of years ago. I still have it.

Alicia

Hello,

I have had a very trying day. Work is brutal!!! I have been dealing with some really bad kids and I don't know what to do anymore. Anyway, I guess it will work itself out.

I did read the Free Culture and Code:2.0. I still have to read the other two books. It is a very interesting topic. Copyright law and the free exchange of information. Is the internet the last free frontier? A decentralized environment to express yourself anyway you want. The only thing that limits you is your imagination. Do governments really believe that they can set rules through copyright laws? I really don't know but they are sure working toward that end.

On another topic! My web page is not great. I did create it but I don't think it is very good. I don't know what to do. I'm going to be working on it the rest of the night. I just hope I don't stay up until morning.

I'm reading today about copyright laws and how it affects the public. I can't believe how the laws changing and how the public doesn't know or perhaps care about our freedoms. As companies tighten their hold over the what is consider their properties we are losing our creative freedoms. The thing that really makes me scratch my head we are willing to pay for something that we use to get for free. Our expectations have diminished greatly! I wonder why??? Well, I guess it something that I will have to think about.

Alicia

I created my Thoreau document today. I think it looks good. I used Komopzer and Filezilla to create and post my assignment. It took me three days to finish this part of my assignment. I will start on the second part of my assignment on Monday. Tomorrow I will start my writing assignment. I hope to have my reading one tomorrow night. Then I can start writing. I started to read my books on Tuesday so I do have a leg up and I see no foreseeable problems.

Let's pray that everything will run smoothly,

Alicia

This was the last day of Cohort 8 conviention. Everyone I meet were very nice. I learned a lot and smiled a lot. I put on my listening ears and really tried to hear everything. I also started my Thoreau project today. So far I seem to be okay. I had to stop and write my blog. I have a headache and I need to stop looking at the screen. I will be waking up my early tomorrow morning and getting back to work. Hopefully I will finish and start on my paper.

Sue and Barbara was great. I really enjoyed there company. Every time I talked to them I felt as though I meet people that I can relate to. It was a real treat for me and I can't wait to see them in the fall.

I also decided to take the second class. I have been afraid that I can't keep up but I think I have to try. Making a decision based on fear is not a good decision. I have to try.

Alicia

Hello,

Today was informative. Dr. Tomer explained to us why we haven't been graded. We should get our grades soon. I'm afraid!! I have made several mistakes and I hope my grade will not be affected to the point were I'm asked to leave. I have allowed fear to dictate my work and I know that it is not good. I will have to talk to my advisor and what I need to do better.

Over the past two days we have heard several presentations from the student groups and they were all pretty informative. The last presentation made me think about my privacy or the lack of it and I have to agree with Dr. Tomer I really don't want privacy. If you look at my blogs, you can see I have exposed myself and find no shame in doing so.

Alicia

Today was a very nice day. I meet my colleagues of cohort 8. It was great!!!!! They are a great group of people. I now have faces to names. We found we had more in common than we thought. I also went to my first baseball game. I had a nice time. I did not stay to the end because I was tired and I wanted to be refreshed for the next day. Ed and I went with expectation of being bored but found ourselves having a nice time. I can't to see happens the rest of the week.

Alicia

Happy Anniversary!!

15 years of marriage :)!!! I finished my 2nd Essay today. I was late :( ! I'm just a slow reader and I have a hard time reading all the material in a timely matter. It is a problem that I'm working on. I have a friend who speed reads. I asked how is she able to read books and comprehend them so fast. She told me she took a class and she was given instruction on how to read and retain information. It's like shortcuts. Maybe I should find a class and learn how to speed read. I'm happy I turned in my project. Now I can read material for this weekend and maybe read a little ahead. Dare to dream!!

I was allowed to go home early today to complete my assignments. I am now up-to-date in class 2600 LIS. I have one more assignment with 2000 LIS and I will be finally caught-up. This is a relief to me. This Saturday we will be meeting everyone who is participating in our on-line classes. I'm looking forward to the meeting. I have recently talked to a couple of my colleagues in my class and I look forward to meeting them in person. We seem to have a lot in common.

My husband and I 15 year wedding anniversary is tomorrow. I'm very happy that we still are having a great time with each other. He is still my best friend! How wonderful is that!!!

Alicia

This week my goal was to catch -up with my assignments. That did not work. I didn't realize that I had to finish my Jing assignment at the end of June 29. So I turned it in late. You can see the screencast stream. I had a great time doing it. It was easier than I thought. I have to complete a couple assignments before my class meets July 12. I think I will be caught up but I won't say for sure because each time I say that I'm caught up I seem to prove myself a liar.

My 4th of July was nice. We were invited to a picnic and thank goodness the rain wasn't as intense as predicted. There were a few drizzles but nothing that stop anyone from celebrating our Independence day.

Alicia

Well, I finished my 1st essay today. This essay is my second attempt. I really think this paper is better than my second paper. Now I can concentrate on this weeks assignment and to complete my second essay. I hope this weekend I will catch up.

Work is less demanding since we have our new librarian. She is whipping things into shape. Every librarian that I have worked for has impressed me and I guess that is why I strive to become like them or even better.

Alicia

I was looking on www.stumbleupon.com and found this cool video. Take a look http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=00smw4c4bs. I will also put the link on my web page. I really like stumble upon. You see so many cool things especially if you keep your interest wide.

I also found several open source sites and you can find them all on www.sourceforge.net. I have to go now. I have a lot of work to do, talk to you later.

Alicia

Today I was able to complete a few assignments. I'm redoing an assignment. I didn't do well. I hope the second time is the charm. I'm rereading the material. Learning about open access in both classes. Free access to a lot of journals and books is great. I'm finding a lot of articles on open access and computer networking.

Yesterday, there was another storm. I was afraid that our electricity was going to go out because we have had a lot of blackouts when electrical storms occur. This is a recent phenom. This June has been one of the worst months when it comes to storms. Each time the power went out we did not have it turn back on until early the next morning.

Alicia

I'm putting in my blog today under duress. Another storm is coming and I'm afraid that it disrupt electricity. I do have a lot of work today so I better get to it. Talk to you late under friendlier circumstances.

Alicia

History!

The one thing that love to learn about is history. Why things happen and what are the reasons behind what happened. This week assignment was great. These books gave me insight and some understanding about libraries. I also learned how things evolved. Now I must submit my assignment. I hope that I translate my thoughts well!

Alicia

Hello,

Work was very productive today. I was able to get so much done. It was great having a second pair of hands working at the circulation desk. Anna is a dream!!!

I have completed my readings for next weeks assignment. I'm a big fan Nicholas Baker. I'm a tactile person. I love the feel of holding a newspapers and books. How can we destroy something that could be preserved. I'm not really convinced technology can do better than paper in its original format can do in preserving our history. Too see the colors and the shapes and sizes of different font. Any other way of preserving that history get distorted. Why are we willing destroying what others have tried to preserve for centuries. Why are we so confident in preserving on microfilm or optical disks? Why is it so easy to give up trying to save our paper?

Today I surrendered!!! Last night I was doing homework and then the electricity went out. A transformer blew and my house was part of the gird that went without light for the rest of the night. Then I was awakened by a phone call at 4am. I had to take someone to the hospital. I was a zombie the rest of the morning. Later that afternoon I was took my mother shopping and that's when I ran into a friend who reminded me that I had to be at an event at 12:30pm. So I rushed to my mom's house, dropped her off and then rushed home got dressed and made it there with 5 minutes to spare. I looked crazed!! After the event I went to work. I finally finished my work day. I came home, ate dinner and started reading for my classes. I have started reading Double Fold today. This book reads more like a novel then my previous books. The book Glut was an easy read. I enjoyed reading that book. I love reading anything pertaining to history.

This book Glut is very interesting. The way we communicate is normal and embedded in our genetic make-up or so Mr. Wright writes. The way we communicate is symbolic and has a pattern. People who have known each other for years develop a way to communicate. We use words, things, or body language that tells a story and that way of storytelling is introduced again, again through generations. How does the information age translate our old traditions. I will let you know when I finish the book.

Alicia

I know you guys haven 't heard from in a while. I have been busy with schoolwork. I had to write and essay on libraries.

Libraries are going through metamorphosis. We are in the mist of change. Change is always difficult. I think we are handling it well. We have a new librarian and she is great. Our library is getting organized and we are becoming more computer savvy. When I help patrons find something on the computer I feel confident that I will find something useful. I have only been in school for a few weeks but I have learned a lot.

I wasn't feeling well today. I had to miss work. Yesterday was very nice. It was my birthday and I had a nice time. My husband bought me a nice present and took me out to lunch. He took me home after lunch. I came home and read. I had a wonderful day!!!

I find myself learning so much. I pride myself on being able to find information on the WWW but now I know its just a drop in the bucket as to what is out there. I have also completed my first draft of my first paper. Digital Libraries is promising but at what cost. It seems to be so much that it makes it harder people to find relevant information. I guess that is why I want to become a librarian because I will be able to find that relevant information.

So, I did not post my assignments. The paper is turning out to be more challenging than I thought. Because of me stressing about the paper I have not completed my other assignment. I still have time but time has a way of get away from you. I'm stressed! I need to calm down.

Tomorrow is my B-day!

I still have a dog that has not been potty trained. I have tried everything you would think the dog would just get a clue or maybe I need to get a clue and find a trainer.

The summer has started and my regular patrons have disappeared but for some reason I"m still busy.

I wanted to start a new program at the library in August but I need input from our patrons. So I guess I will be asking my patrons a few questions in the up coming weeks. I don't ask for written surveys any more people tend to run from you when you ask for a little time. I usually start a conversation and then ask them a few questions. People want to talk when you inquire about them.

Well that's enough of my rant,

Alicia

Websites for Digital Libraries

So I have read most of the required reading for this week. I will write my essay tonight. I was up most of last night just reading. I'm also completing the assignment for LIS 2600. I want to finish that assignment tomorrow. I let you know if MY MISSION is successful.

Alicia

Hello again,

Work was great today. There is a group from the University of Pittsburgh and Heritage health. The group is called Community 2.0. Their goal is to use technology based equipment for the betterment of the community. I gave a tour in Braddock. The group wanted to know what did I do when I was a kid living Braddock. So I walked Dave (he is part of the group) around and told him some stuff about me and the area. It was nice talking about my childhood and also helping them to gather information that could make my community a better place.

Alicia

Today was a great day. It was my day off from work so I was able to spend time studying and cleaning. My weekdays are so busy. I usually have to stay up late to get some study time in but not on Fridays. Fridays I can wake up relaxed and take my time with what needs to be completed. My Husband is usually off on Fridays too. He always wakes up before me and cooks breakfast (He is a dream!).

I find hard to believe that I am writing about my life. My life is pretty boring. I never have anything to say that I believe is relevant.

I did complete my first assignments and I think I'm catching up for the time being. You know when think you have things under control things always goes astray and then you start all over again and again.

I had to order books and movies for the children library. I asked the kids through a survey what kind of books do they want. Most of the kids that were surveyed stated that they want more anime. So I began to select the material and I began to get interested in anime. I read and looked at so many that I got curious and now I hooked. This genre of entertainment is great. My favorite anime is Bleach. The story is about Shinigamis. Shinigamis are part of Japanese folklore. Most anime is based on the Japanese culture. There was one anime series that I really like that talks about feudal era. The series is called Basilisk. If you get a chance you have to watch it and believe me once you do you will get hooked.

Well, have to go!

Alicia

Last night I listened to the podcast. Mr. Tomer made me feel that I made a good decision of my recent purchase. Most of my adult life I used a PC. I loved my PC. My recent version had the software of Microsoft XP. I was able to move through the applications easily. The MAC seems easier but it's still different and I have just to use to the different application. I also have the Microsoft 2007 applications. The appear different on the MAC. I have to read the book so I can use the programs more efficiently.

Today I will be tagging reference sites. I have not done this before. I hope I catch on quickly.

Tell you about it later today!

Alicia

When we decided to get this computer I didn't realize how many output devices are part of the package. The computer has a web cam and speaker. We can take a picture off of our web cam and use it for our screen saver. I'm very happy with the new computer.


All of the information that we are consuming is a little overwhelming. I have not read this much since my senior year in college. I should have expected as much. After reading the material that was assigned, I see that the library community is going through a change or should I say that libraries are constantly evolving.

I didn't think of library science as being so thought provoking. I thought is was straight forward. I think I maybe a little naive. When I began my job in the library I thought I was part of a business. The consumer was the commodity that we strive to attain. I haven't thought beyond getting the patron in our doors but now I see that information age is changing the dynamics of library functions and what people want from libraries. We have to find new ways to entice patrons. We want them to use as a resource but libraries are now in competition. Books and other information material can be bought cheaply and obtained within a matter of days. We compete with coffee house and their Wi-Fi accessibility, home computers, and the portable computers. Libraries are seeking new and a diverse place in this technology age. We seek to find a balance with the old and the new. I hope we can make the rope into a plank so the balance won't be so black and white for our future success.

I got my MAC! Last week my computer died :{! So my husband and I decided we would get a new computer instead of trying to repair our old one. We had that computer for 7 years and it served us well. We we made the decision to get a new computer we knew we wanted to get what we really wanted. So we wanted to know what our friends had and did they enjoy their computers. We also had testimonials from people on why they loved their computers. Most of our friends swore that MAC computers were the be all to all computers. "Why were they so great we asked?"

The first thing that I was told by all MAC users I know "NO VIRUSES!!!!!"
The second thing was easy to assemble and use.
The third thing was memory. Most if not all MAC computers have a lot of memory. My old computer had less than 1 GB my new computer has more than 4GB of memory.

When we went to the store we were awe struck. Everything was shinny and new. Upon closer inspection we noticed something different with some of the computers. There were no towers! The brain was in the screen. We were assured that of tutorial classes and maintenance (if we get the protection plan) and 24 for hour support if any problems arise.

We inquired about the features that we wanted; which was more memory and software to accommodate school work and hobby activities, we got what we wanted and more. Now its just a matter of learning about and utilizing features that MAC has to offer.

Today we got new computers. We usually open at 2:00pm but today we were a little late. I mention this because the topic of discussion and our readings are about in my opinion commodities. What is it we have that they want? That seems to be the million dollar question for today. What do consumers want and how can we effectively give it to them efficiently. Kuhn's analyses on "Paradigms" made me think. What are the patterns or trends of our patrons. What would make them come to our library? Is it new computers? If so why? How can we use it to our advantage? Are our patrons willing to wait or come back for those advantages? These are questions that I think all libraries need to think about.

I also have to ask what other commodities can we pedal? What can we do to stimulate interest? Who should we target? Why should we target a specific target? Is that the library's goal? Are we forcing a square peg into a round hole?

So, now that I have asked the questions I will seek the answer!

May 18, 2007

I'm finally on the computer. Today was crazy for me. My computer crashed. I just had too much crap in my computer. The recent downloads took my computer to the point of no return. I also think there is a virus. I have another computer but I do not have it hooked up to the Internet until now. I had to download a lot of software but I'm finally done.

I panicked!!!!!!!!!! I have school work and work things that need to be done. That's over with and I can get back to work.

I also had to deal with a sick dog. I don't know what he ate but he has been throw-up and pooping. You think that would stop him from putting his mouth on anything else! You would be wrong. I was cleaning his latest accident and there he was eating the cat food.

I'm having a great day

Lee Lee