Collective Nouns and Librarians

A discussion has been happening on the TL listserv just recently about collective nouns - and what would be the best suggestion for a group of Librarians.  Yes, I know ... the things we do! 

Below are some of the suggestions that have been made - what do you think? Personally, I like the idea of a community of librarians or a web of librarians.... however does anyone have any other suggestions?

A catalogue of

A web of
A gripe of
A genius of
A Dewey of
A Google of
A database of
A collaboration of
A community of
A full text of
A Boolean of
A shoosh of
A hush of
A coven of

For anyone that likes words, especially collective nouns - check out this site:

http://www.annexed.net/bthree/nouns.html

While we are talking words... A couple I came across a fair while ago are meant to describe the feeling you get when you enter a search into Google and find yourself faced  with millions of pages to troll through.  What do you think of the words gazillionised and info-whelmed? Descriptive?  Or otherwise? 

Language is a wonderful thing, isn't it? 

Not Just Valentine's Day today!

Library Lovers' Day 2022

About Library Lovers' Day....

Remember the wonder you experienced when you first discovered something as a child? Maybe it was an idea, a place in nature, new understanding, or the pure joy of becoming lost in a new imaginary game for hours.

This feeling of childlike joy is the feeling that we're encouraging people to remember on this Library Lovers' Day through the theme: 'Show the love'.

It's a day to remember that our libraries are a place where we can get lost in an idea we are following, find an adventure we are seeking in a book, discover more about an issue we feel passionate about or get help from someone about something we want to know. These are all the reasons (and SO much more) to celebrate the valuable roles libraries play in our lives and to re-engage with our libraries and 'show the love'.

Why Libraries Matter - even today.

Check out the links below for people's thoughts on that most solid of institutions - the LIBRARY.  Get a grip on why libraries are still around even after 3,000 years, give or take a few .. and why they are still so important even in today's world (or maybe, especially in today's world?)

http://www.jackiefrench.com/why-libraries-matter

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/24/palaces-for-the-people-at-the-library-everyone-is-welcome

https://www.readitforward.com/authors/13-reasons-why-libraries-are-important

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/civil-society-library.html

International Day of Maths and other links

 First week done and dusted and we survived.  Just 10 more to go!  Enjoy your weekend and remember - READING lowers the blood pressure!  

Below are a few Weblinks for you to check out. 

https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-libraries-are-essential-now-more-than-ever-43901

Just a quick promotion of Libraries and the benefits they offer.  It is talking mainly about Public Libraries, but a lot of the reasons are just as valid, if not more so, in a school library.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/safer-internet-day

This is celebrated in almost 150 countries around the world and encourages people to think about their safety and their presence online.

https://www.idm314.org/

March 14 is already celebrated in many countries as Pi Day because that date is written as 3/14 in some countries and the mathematical constant Pi is approximately 3.14.

The International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is a worldwide celebration. Each year on March 14 all countries will be invited to participate through activities for both students and the general public in schools, museums, libraries and other spaces.

How to restore Civil Society

Take a quick look at the link below - it is certainly food for thought.  Libraries are about SO much more than just a collection of books and magazines.  Today they are truly more about people and communities.  
Of course, they always have been, but in today's 'disconnected' world, they have the capacity to bring people and communities together - and in many ways, they offer a quiet haven in place of the hustle and bustle of today's uncaring world.  
And while 'disconnected' may seem like the wrong term - I do truly mean it.  Everyone is so 'connected' that they have no idea how to connect - with family, friends, people and community. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/civil-society-library.html

Week 10 - and 2 weeks break coming up.  Enjoy!

Carry on being awesome!  

In defence of Libraries

Take a moment and check out the link below.  

It's not just that I am biased (I am, of course) - but because it's true ...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2018/sep/06/neil-gaiman-and-chris-riddell-on-why-we-need-libraries-an-essay-in-pictures

Have an awesome weekend!

Unusual Improbable Libraries

Libraries just don't seem to be dying out despite all the predictions otherwise.  In fact, they seem to be popping up everywhere in all sorts of places and styles.  

Check out the link below for some of the more 'improbable' libraries seen around the world. This has been taken from a book with the same title by English journalist Alex Johnson.  

It all goes to show that the Library is a very adaptable artefact that apparently has no intention of being killed off any time soon - and is a definite testament to peoples ideas and ingenuity.  

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/the-world%E2%80%99s-most-improbable-libraries/6483292

Enjoy the long weekend - only one more left in the year after this one so make the most of them. Judging by the weather, a good book or two and a great coffee or hot chocolate would probably be the way to go.

Neil Gaiman on Children and Reading

"Gaiman said reading fiction was one of the most important things people can do and he was passionate in his defence of libraries, the closure of which was stealing from the future, he said. "It is the equivalent of stopping vaccination programmes. We know what the results are. In order to remain a global power, in order to have a citizenry that is fulfilled and fulfilling their responsibilities and obligations, we need to have literate kids."

Above is a direct quote from a speech made by Neil Gaiman, author, concerning closure of libraries and why it is so important for children to read fiction and to read widely.  Check out the link below.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/14/neil-gaiman-children-books-reading-lecture

Have an awesome long weekend!

The Future of Libraries and the Why of Daydreaming

Below is a website that has a talk by Neil Gaiman on the future of libraries, and the absolute need for reading, imagining and daydreaming.  

Although it is British based - it really is NO different anywhere else.  There are many salient points in the article - such as being able to work out how many people will end up in prison in the next 20 or so years.  It is done using a very simple algorithm which is based on the number of 11 year olds who can't read!  
Or why China is now finally allowing Sci-Fi conventions to happen there - or even why a book is like a shark!

I love Albert Einstein's answer when asked how we can make our children intelligent: "Read them fairy tales - if you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."

This article is something that we all need to read - even if it is the only thing you read this weekend.  

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Have an awesome weekend - and may the Force (of reading) be with you!

2016 - Welcome back!

Welcome back to everyone - and an extra big welcome to our new staff - looking forward to getting to know you all ... and don't listen to anything that the other staff tell you about me!  It is all exaggeration and untruths, I swear!! 
Hope you all had a wonderful break - lots of relaxing, and lots of reading happening.  

For the new staff - and a reminder for some of our previous staff - below is a list of some of what we can help you with. I put this list up each year, so if you go back through the posts, it is all there. 
Anything else? If there is something that you think we can help with, just come and have a chat. We are reasonably good at pulling rabbits out of hats and challenges are always interesting.

• Looking for a particular book or resource? Come and talk to us. We can organise an Inter-library-Loan or help you find where to purchase it.
• Resources: Books, DVDs, Magazines and Newspapers, iPad sets, Digital Cameras, Video Recorders, Computer Mice sets, Data Projectors, Teacher Reference, Board games, Chess sets, Kits........
• IWB area and a bank of computers, as well as laptops that are available to be booked for classes.  The Library laptop trolley is only to be used in the Library area, however.
• Help with research, proofreading of assignments, suggestions for books to read - we are your people.
• A place to display your amazing class work.
• Collation of websites for subjects/classes
• Booking sheets for: Library areas, F Block Laptops, Headphones, Ipads.

Students have a 2 week borrowing period while staff have a month. For most of the resources, we can adjust the loaning period for whatever is needed - at least till the end of term. However, this doesn't include the AV materials - that is a 1 week loan period only.

I am always looking for ideas or ways to use this blog with teachers and students - so if you have any suggestions, please see me.

Update from the Library

It has been a while since I posted on here.  Everything has been on hold for various reasons, but it is good to be back posting again.

I am not sure how long this blog will run for, at least in it's present format, as my postition has been deemed unnecessary by the Department but, I figure, why not go out on a high note?

I have had a fairly easy semester of it, with Miss Mckenna and Miss Jeanny keeping the displays current for me, with all their students work.  Thank you, ladies, it is much appreciated.

We have a number of new  Fiction books that have now been catalogued and are on the display shelves and ready for loan.  Everything from Horror to Mystery and Science Fiction, so come and have a look.  Feel free to take one or two home for closer inspection. 

All the usual plans are underway for the end of the year, which is a bittersweet feeling this time around.  So a reminder that I will be chasing down all resources to be returned by the end of week 8.  Count this as your first (polite) reminder.

If there is anything that you think the Library can help you with, please just ask.  Libraries do a lot more than most people may think and we are no exception.

So have a great day and carry on being awesome!