Internet wins out over sex

My friend Mimi sent me this story with a note reading "This one's for you!!" What are you implying Mimi? :)

"God Rest Ye Weary Journalists"

Librarian makes the cut for best careers of 2009

Librarian has made U.S. News & World Report's list of the top 30 careers for 2009.

You'll get no argument from me on that point. After all, I'm a librarian myself and welcome any opportunity to tout my career choice.

However, I have to acknowledge there is some validity to the comments made on the article by people disputing the number of jobs available in the field. I'm not going to say finding a job is impossible, but job hunting in this field is a process that requires lots of patience and often relocation, which was the case for me. (My nine-month search ended with a move from my home state of Wisconsin to Ohio.)

That said, I don't believe finding a library job is any more difficult than finding a job in any field, particularly in the current economic climate.

I welcome librarian making any list that gives the career the positive attention it deserves.

The death of news is greatly exaggerated

Weekend America had an interesting story this weekend on the changes affecting the news industry and how rumblings about its demise have been greatly overstated. From the promo:

“In light of the Tribune Company bankruptcy and the massive loan the New York Times just leveraged on its own building, the future of daily journalism looks to be on life support. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Weekend America’s Ben Adair debunks the top three myths of the media meltdown and tells us why reports of newspapers’ demise have been severely exaggerated.”

Thank to j for the heads up.

Presidential inaugurations

Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009. Until that day, you can satisfy your interest in all things presidential by checking out the Presidential Inaugurations collection of historic photos and documents on the Library of Congress' Web site.

The collection can be searched by keyword or you can browse by subject or a specific president's inauguration.

Down on love ... at 14

My friend Em, who is one of my Netflix friends, recommended that I give "This American Life" a try. I watched six episodes from Season 1 over the weekend and overall, I would say it was a mixed bag. Some of the episodes I really enjoyed, like the senior citizens making a film and others I didn't care for at all, for example, the hot dog stand in Chicago where employees and customers hurl insults at each other.

The episode I enjoyed the most was "My Way," which featured a teenage boy named Joe who says he never intends to fall in love, calling the act "barbaric" and saying it makes people act like idiots. I was a bit troubled however when he said that while he likes his parents and that they are good people, he doesn't really love them.

Here's a brief preview:



Another segment in the episode features photographer Marcus Halevi, who was working for the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune on December 3, 1990 and went out to shoot photos of a storm hitting the shores of Plum Island, Massachusetts.

Halevi shot a photo of a woman, Sandra Cook, standing near the shore. Literally seconds after he got the shot, a huge wave came ashore, knocking out the area where Cook was standing and pulling her into the water.

Halevi saw a lifeguard run toward the water to help Cook, so he kept shooting photos. Another person got to the water before the lifeguard and started to help Cook, but then drew back. A huge wave, which Halevi estimated to be around 20 feet in height, came and pulled Cook under the water. Her body washed ashore three hours later.

Ethical questions arose about whether Halevi should have made an attempt to save the woman instead of shooting photographs of her last moments, a question Halevi still struggles with.

"How Social Networking Sites are Helping Me Through my MLS"

Anna, who was a student in my management class this summer, wrote this great blog post reflecting on how social networking sites have helped her as she pursues her MLS degree. I felt her comments were thoughtful and on target and too good not to share. Thanks Anna.

Family Circle does Facebook

I was delighted this evening to see that "Family Circle" Magazine has a fan page on Facebook.

I'm a subscriber to the magazine by way of my mom. She was getting mildly annoyed when I'd come home on vacation and would monopolize the magazine before she had a chance to read it. (With all the time I spend in airports and no Internet access while staying with my parents, I do an incredible amount of reading.) Being the smart mother she is, she just bought me my own subscription.

It will be interesting to see how many of the magazine's long-time readers will jump on the Facebook bandwagon now that the magazine has a presence there.

The year in review: 2008

My spotty Internet connection has been resolved and I'm back online at home. I nearly went stir crazy the one evening I was without Internet access, so I'm glad this problem has been resolved.

Since I'm making up for lost time this evening and wasting time surfing the Web, I thought it would be fun to complete a personal year in review. To quote a certain famous novel "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Thanks to the library school student (I apologize for not remembering who you are) whose blog I got this idea from. Here we go:


1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before

Get burned for the third time, but I finally learned my lesson.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't make them, there's no point.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?

None. (I imagine many of you have quit reading by now.)

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A healthier lifestyle.


7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

Nov. 4, 2008, when Barack Obama was elected President. What a historic day for our country.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being able to continue doing what I love.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Opening a door that should have stayed closed.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No and I'm so grateful for that.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I haven't bought it yet, but it's going to be a digital camera.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Me. You don't know how strong you are until you're faced with an incredible challenge.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

TS, who I wish I had never met.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Plane tickets to Wisconsin.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The Presidential election. I find politics fascinating.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

"Love is a Losing Game." (I just love the song.)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

Happier.

ii. thinner or fatter?

About the same.

iii. richer or poorer?

Richer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Exercising

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Procrastinating. That's a habit I fear I will never break.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

In Wisconsin with the family.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?

No.

23. How many one night stands?

I don't think so.

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

"The Office," "Ugly Betty" and the original "Law & Order."

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Oh yes.

26. What was the best book you read?

I still need to finish one before I can tell you.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Amy Winehouse. I just wish she wasn't such a train wreck.

28. What did you want and get?

Closure.

29. What did you want and not get?

I needed a kick in the pants, but didn't get it.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

I liked too many and couldn't pick.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Grade papers and none of your business.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Have you ever heard if you can't say something nice, don't say anything? I'm going with that.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?

Comfort.

34. What kept you sane?

Routine

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Alec Baldwin. He's so hilarious in "30 Rock."

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The presidential election.

37. Who did you miss?

Friends from library school.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

The students from my summer management class.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

When you close a door, keep it closed.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"And now the final frame."

I hope Amanda, Kristine and Megan will do this review as well so we can compare notes.

Liz Donovan

All news librarians were saddened to learn of the death of one of our own, the incomparable Liz Donovan. Derek has written a beautiful post honoring her and I couldn't say it better than him, so thanks Derek.

And thank you Liz for everything you've done for our profession and for paving the way for those who can only hope they will be half the news librarian that you were.

You will be missed.