A Wandering Eyre

What is personal and what is private in a world where online is everywhere?

Today, one of our Five Weeks participants wondered aloud how we keep our personal and professional life separate online. My answer was, you don’t.

You can, of course, omit parts of your life online, but once you put any part of your life into the internet tubes, it will be found by people you never thought would think to find you. If you only put professional stuff online, people in your personal life will find it. If you put your personal things online, your coworkers will eventually find it. That is the nature of the world we live in.

If you are uncomfortable with people knowing your business, then do not share that particular business online. People will only know the secrets you put online for others to see. If you would not do it in public, do not do it online.

Online is the new town square; it is where the world goes to hear the town crier yell the news of the day, where we go to buy our goods, where we meet friends, conduct business, and gossip.

I think that this makes some people very uncomfortable. It is disconcerting the first time you write something and publish it online, for all the world to see. It is sometimes like walking through the town square naked, but participating online also means you are part of the community. There are benefits to putting a part of yourself online, to showing your human side.

Libraries can do this too. By exposing our human sides in the town square, we can cease to be the monolith and be the meeting place of the community, online and off. This past week, Michael said that 2.0 means being human, being real. Presenting yourself or your library online in an authentic way can have many unexpected rewards, not the least of which is a better relationship with those around you and with those you serve.

–Jane, is romping in the new town square

Dark Horse, my favorite vendor of comic goodness (they make the Serenity and Buffy comics!), will turn 21 this year. They always have great schwag at conferences too. Dark Horse is more then just a comic publisher. They also create a plethora of related material for your consumption. This shiny object is what I have been wanting…

–Jane, nothing but a fan girl

I have seen this a couple of places today, but egads it makes me laugh. It is a parody of the Mac & PC commercials from Allen County Public Library. They have other videos as well that are amusing.

–Jane, librarian

The Darien Library in Connecticut (pronounced dairy-ann) is a shinning example of what a library can be if they strive to search the horizon for what is ahead, trust their employees in deeds not words, and get involved in their community. I was privileged to have lunch with the Darien folks at Midwinter. After talking to them for a bit, I told them I would jump academic ship in a heartbeat if they were in my area. They are a library that truly gets it. If I had a transporter, I would commute to Darien every day.

I know they will be hiring soon, but right now they have a fellowship open. I strongly encourage anyone looking for a fellowship to apply and keep your eyes peeled for job openings. This is definitely a library to watch.

–Jane, the Cluetrain stops in Darien, CT everyday

Does anyone know if the rumor about ALSC not allowing Caldecott Committee members to blog their thoughts about the books they review is true? For those not familiar with the 2 billion acronyms ALA throws around (I had no idea what ALSC was…), ALSC stands for Association of Library Service to Children.
–Jane, did anyone just see the Cluetrain whiz by?

I have been passing on the radio this week in favor of pop culture fun, hence the last post and this gem.

I am counting the days until Lost starts up again in February. My friend, eprahs, sent me this video that the Lost cast made for a convention in Las Vegas. The receipt of this video proves my point that all eprahs does all day is search YouTube for clips to send to me.
Just a little bit of fun to start your day off right.

–Jane, so glad the good tv is finally kicking up again

I have been catching up on my podcasts the past couple of days on my drive in. I really only listen to two podcasts, The Signal and Firefly Talk. I am a woman of singular taste.

This morning, I listened to a bonus show of Firefly talk during which they replayed Joss’ speech during an Equality Now function. It is only about 8 minutes long and you can listen to it on YouTube (see previous link).

His speech is short and wonderful. He is the original BDH and I am happy to be a fangirl.
–Jane, “equality is not a concept”

This is my last post before I pack up and leave Seattle. It was fun.

From Slashdot, wouldn’t you love to live in a hobbit hole?

–Jane, shove the last things in the suitcase and go

John Blyberg has done it again and ADDL has once again proven why they are the coolest kid on the block.

Congrats!

–Jane, jealous

Yesterday was one of those days that started out great and became a swirling hole of poo. It did redeem itself later, but damn. Damn.

When the system fails you, it fails you. We came out ok, though I was very disappointed. The thing about big organizations is that there is always more red tape then you expect and in places you do not foresee. It is a very good thing that I am a committed member to my chosen organization - I am here to overcome, to change, and to improve. It is the path of the young.
Fortunately for me, I am in a trifecta of smartness and we have big plans for our future. Stay tuned.

–Jane, Welcome to the machine.