Sometimes a Book Isn’t a Book
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia offers up an exhibit titled: “The Tower of Law”. Composed of law reporters this art piece spirals from the ground up, creating a symbolic and uncommon look at the letter of the law. Check out Stephen Colbert’s run-in with the tower (around the 4:27 mark) and start your Friday off with laughter and awe.
Thanks to Karen Helde for bringing this to our door-step!
President’s Message
by Crystal Sherman Norton
Have you read the Velvet Chainsaw Report? (“Observations & Recommendations, American Association of Law Libraries” / Velvet Chainsaw Consulting). The nickname of the Report alone piqued my interest – picture it – a velvet chainsaw, cutting and carving oh so softly! The Report came out in October 2011 and I’ve just gotten around to downloading it thanks to my involvement with the Seattle 2013 Local Arrangements Committee. I’ve been reading it during my ferry commute this past week, digesting a little bit at a time. It’s really fascinating!
If you’ve ever attended an AALL Annual Meeting & Conference, or ever intend to, you should read this Report in its entirety. It is an analysis of AALL’s AM&C start to finish, including comments as to what’s working, what isn’t working, and specific recommendations for change, beginning with the whole process of submitting program ideas. The Report is backed-up with some very interesting attachments, such as “Defining education, information & learning” and “Three types of adult learners”. Ok that might sound a bit dry, but it’s really not, IMHO. The Report is well-done, thorough, and honest. Check it out here:
http://www.aallnet.org/Documents/Leadership-Governance/Committees/vcc-report.pdf
Stylin’ in the Stacks
My fascination with all things sartorial was born in the playground that was my mother’s closet. Many hours of my childhood were wiled away in her walk-in, throwing myself a fashion party and donning her fabulous rags. I have a picture of myself when I was six, garbed in bohemian layers, opera gloves and puka shell necklace.
My fashion obsession is fueled by websites featuring photos of creatively clad people on the street. The Sartorialist and Street Peeper are among my favorites. I could die a happy woman if my photograph was ever posted on one of these sites. I’m way too matchy-matchy and yes, conservative, for that dream to ever come to fruition. More likely, my fear that I show up as a Glamour Don’t will be realized. Might be because of that sister-wife dress I scored at the thrift store. Continue reading 'Stylin’ in the Stacks'»
LLOPS Nominations and Elections: The Call to Serve
The LLOPS Nominations and Elections Committee is looking for candidates interested in becoming the future President and future Secretary of LLOPS. Serving on the LLOPS Board is a great experience. As a Board member you will make an important contribution to LLOPS and have the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of people. This election is a special one because the person we elect now will begin their Presidency just in time for the 2013 AALL Annual Meeting in Seattle.
Serving as President involves a three year commitment. The first year is spent as Vice-President/President Elect. You will attend Board meetings, be a member of the Programs Committee, and generally learn the ropes. The second year is your year as President. As President you will set the agenda for LLOPS, preside at LLOPS business meetings and Executive Board meetings, appoint volunteers to committees, and represent LLOPS at Chapter Leadership training at the AALL Annual Meeting. As Past-President you will attend Board meetings in an advisory capacity
Serving as LLOPS Secretary is a two year commitment. As Secretary you will play an important part as a member of the Executive Board. Responsibilities include attending LLOPS business meetings and Board meetings and preparing the official minutes of those meetings.
Additional information about both positions is available in the LLOPS Chapter Handbook.
We know the future leaders of LLOPS are out there. Please give it some thought. Volunteers and nominations will be enthusiastically accepted by any member of the Nominations and Elections Committee (Jonathan Franklin, Connelly Johnson and Karen Helde) prior to March 7th. If you have any questions about holding office, please let us know.
Who Should Teach Your Patrons to Fish?
Turns out I’m an extrovert. I know you are as shocked as I am to find this out, but I love people. Not all people, mind you, but most people. I love talking to people, laughing with people, and showing people how to do cool things on the internet, which brings me around to the topic of this post: training. Yes, once again, I have something to say on the subject, but I am more than a little excited to see a vendor reiterating what I have been saying for a long time: it’s far better to have a librarian training patrons on how to use services, than a vendor. Continue reading 'Who Should Teach Your Patrons to Fish?'»
Registration Now Open for Professional Development Workshop – Important Information!
It’s a bit earlier than previously announced but online registration and payment are now available for the Professional Development Workshop scheduled for March 14! However, please read through these important tips BEFORE you sign-up.
- We are using a contributed WordPress plug-in for the registration process. This means it’s not perfect and can’t do everything we would like it to do automatically.
- I am still NOT a PHP developer so I can’t easily make changes to the code to make it do everything I would like. (Though I am staying at a Holiday Inn Express this weekend.) Continue reading 'Registration Now Open for Professional Development Workshop – Important Information!'»
Get Out of Jail, Free Card
A recent phenomenon, thanks in part to Apple’s meteoric riser, is the term jailbreaking that has seeped into news streams and daily conversations. It’s an odd term and Wikipedia offers a concise definition: “iOS jailbreaking, or simply jailbreaking, is the process of removing the limitations imposed by Apple on devices….jailbreaking is necessary if the user intends to run software not authorized by Apple.” As of late jailbreaking has expanded to include any video-game console, tablet, or mobile-phone regardless of operating system. Comparing electronics to automobiles, running unapproved manufacturer software is akin to swapping out an engine for an off-make/model one or sawing off the roof for a do-it-yourself convertible. Continue reading 'Get Out of Jail, Free Card'»
Funding in Tough Times – Grant Opportunities
Your LLOPS Grants Committee invites you to apply for support to attend the Professional Development Workshop on March 14, 2012. Additional funding for the AALL Annual Meeting in Boston and other educational programs is also available. Visit the Grants Committee page for deadline details and the application form.
I Need a Hero
by Stina McClintock
When I was eight years old, I had an excellent Wonder Woman costume that I would wear for nearly every formal occasion. At one point I even started to believe that my wrist cuffs had special powers. Basically, I came to believe I was a superhero who moonlighted as a second grade student. I was thinking about this the other day when one of the librarians here told me about an article highlighting 20 heroic librarians. I have to admit that I have never seen the movie The Librarian (for shame) but the list includes some pretty awesome literary and movie characters that play librarian by day, world protectors by night. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Nothing makes a library cooler than a collection of books about the occult. Especially if you have already read Kardashian Konfidential and you need a spell to get four hours of your life back.
[editor’s note: Rex Libris is one awesome librarian dude, I recommend the comics.]