Google Books

OK, I just think this is about the coolest thing on the Internet:

Google Books

I know ALL books aren't on here yet, and I'm sure there are some (OK, lots) of copyright issues. But I think, overall, it's one more step to making the Internet a place for good, not evil!

Meanwhile, I've been thinking a lot lately about how to make the shift from a school library to an academic one. Wishing I'd made time in the grad school schedule for that academic libraries class.

This probably won't be an issue until sometime next year, so hopefully I'll have plenty of time to think and pray about it. More to come!

More March Thoughts

Spring is the mischief in me.

OK, so it's not quite Spring, but it has felt like it all week!

Combine that with the fact that I haven't had a day off since Christmas and that Spring Break is coming up, and I've been a bit antsy this week!

Jason and I are traveling to lovely Fort Worth for the holiday, so please keep us in your prayers. I'm excited about seeing the area, especially the Book Collector. However, I don't think we're going to get a chance to visit Southfork.

Maybe next time.

To combat my weather-induced itchiness at work and at home, I've been reading and watching movies!

Some of my favorites:

Movies:

Crash--so so so glad this won the Best Picture Oscar, especially compared to the other nominees. I'm not usually what you'd call a "PC" person, but this made me think twice (or three or four times) about racism.

Walk the Line--again, so so so glad Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress. She gives a phenomenal performance in this, and it's worth watching for the music.

Proof--a bit on the odd side, but I liked it anyway. Hey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins--you can't go wrong.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire--who could turn down the fourth installment? And I suggest checking out the other three first, just to remind yourself of the plot.

Books:

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.
He gives a great explanation of the most basic Christian beliefs and argues in favor of them with such logical arguments that it would be hard to think of a counter-argument!

Old School by Tobias Wolff.
Interesting, easy read. Kind of fun look at authors Robert Frost, Ayn Rand and Ernest Hemingway.

Sacred Time by Ursula Hegi.
As Sally Tomato says in Breakfast at Tiffany's, this is a book that would break the heart. I haven't even finished it yet, and I love it! Her characters are real, her descriptions are engaging. This is just a fantastic book (but watch the language).

So, happy reading and watching, and enjoy the mischief Spring brings out in you!

March Thoughts

I have been berating myself for failing to post in a timely manner! So, dear (two) readers, I do apologize! ha

Seriously, things have been quite busy on this end, so I'm doing the best I can!

Here's the news for March:

First day of Lent--giving up pizza and magazines. I think it's a good practice, even though I'm not Catholic. Those are going to be tough, especially my US Weekly! But I think I can live for 40 days/nights without hearing the latest in the Jessica-Nick divorce war.

Moving on, the jury is still out on the new Tab energy drink. I'm just not sure about it. It tastes like Tab with a shot of grenadine. It's OK, but part of me misses just the plain ol' Tab.

Lastly, a couple of cool links:

www.irishamericanheritage.com

https://home.comcast.net/~josh.hosler/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

The first link will help you broaden your cultural knowledge and become a better citizen of the world.

The second link is just fun.

Again, I apologize for the posting delay. I hope to do better this month! So, happy March!

PABBIS

Received a somewhat hysterical e-mail on the SLIS listserv this morning concerning PABBIS and that group's comments about the ALA.

While I admit that PABBIS members hold some disconcerting views, I also have to say they're right-on when it comes to the ALA.

PABBIS says, "What started, purportedly, as a professional union-like organization for librarians has morphed into a powerful, dangerous, leftist, extremist organization. The ALA issues numerous, all leftist, 'positions' on many matters beyond library issues. World affairs, hunger, global warming, etc. - there is nothing the ALA feels they, as a powerful librarian association, don't need to issue a position on."

Meanwhile, let me go on record as saying I do NOT agree with banning books on the basis of "good taste" or just because "some of the material in books is extremely controversial and many people would consider it objectionable or inappropriate for children."

As a librarian, I find that troubling and a bit ridiculous. But, come to think of it, that's also how I find many of ALA's press releases.

Happy Irish-American Heritage Month!