Ah. It's been a tough fall and winter. I totally forgot about this blog while confronting budget issues, retirements, family illness, 66" of snow in the D.C. area, and more budget issues. Hopefully, 'things' have settled down.

Twenty years ago I could not have dreamed of where we are today with computers, the Internet, online resources, social networking and Web 2.0.

Now the question is: What is the future of school libraries? More and more school library departments are merging with technology departments. Has this happened to you? How has the role of the librarian changed? What do you envision for the future?

Make Your Own Snowflake

Click on the Need a Snow Day? gadget on the left side and create your own snowflake. Great fun!

Library without books

Sadly I post this item as the first of the new school year. I suppose a library without books was bound to happen. I just didn't think it would be this drastic or soon, and I'm speechless.

ChaCha

Being a reference librarian at heart, this service/application/.... makes me want to buy a new cell phone and start texting. ChaCha is basically your local public library reference librarian at the other end of your cell phone. They say it "is like having a smart friend" who has the answers to almost any question you can ask. Thousands of "guides" answer the questions (though I do wonder who these people are and their backgrounds). The system supposedly works with most providers and cell phones (but not land lines). One calls or texts a question and in a few minutes the answer is sent to the cell phone in a text message. The service is free except for the cost of the text message. (The website is loaded with ads.)

Questions can be who, what, where, when, why and how -- fantastic! The questions and answers are also available on the website. Examples: What is the minimum wage in the U.S. What area code is 469? When were the Salem which (sp.) hunts?

Has anyone used ChaCha?

Bilbiotopia

What a great little book. BIBLIOTOPIA or, Mr. Gilbar's Book of Books & Catch-all of Literary Facts & Curiosities compiled by Steven Gilbar is wonderful collection of all book and literary trivia. From "Origin of the 'book'" to "Some Memorable Closing Lines" and "Famous Last Words," BIBLIOTOPIA has list after list of nothing but trivia. If you don't like lists, then this book is not for you. The book has no real arrangement -- I think the lists are entered as created by the author.

Origin of the 'book' = "The word comes from beech because the ancient Saxons and Germans usually wrote runes on pieces of beechen board.

Closing line = "That might be the subject of a new story, but our present story is ended." Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment"

Last words = "Blaise Pascal: My God, forsake me not."

Book Jewelry

I am always looking for items to give to librarians or book lovers. The bookmarks available through Book Jewelry fill the need. The ribbon, beads and charm make a great bookmark (approx. cost $10). I haven't tried beading. I wonder if I could make these?

Stupid questions....

Yes, I've been there and have/had all those same thoughts as The Vampire Librarian . In March The Vampire Librarian wrote "whoever said there are no stupid questions has never worked a public service desk." Amen! It's not that the questions are stupid so much as the ding-battiness of the questioner. You know, two slices short of a loaf of bread.... Which reminds me of that Mercedes Benz commercial with the blonde girl in the library ordering a burger. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.