New Professional Gig

I graduated in August of this year and last week was offered a web services librarian job in a new city . I begin my adventures in librarianship next month! I love the thrill of the unknown and I’m excited by new challenges and new people. Also it wouldn’t hurt to leave the past behind me, even if it’s just two hours away. I look forward to developing my abilities and providing “fresh blood” to the university that I will join.

I’m intrigued with both mobile apps and making websites accessible to mobile devices. I’m on the prowl for opportunities and places online to learn this. So far, I've been led to www.phonegap.com through a professional library association's listserv. I’ve got a serious learning curve to cover, personally, in learning JavaScript, being updated on HTML5, and being brought up to speed at my new job…so first things first! Also, at a recent conference, I met the President of a local Mobile Apps development company who forwarded me the link to a mobile apps development group online…but they’re rather too advanced for a newbie like me.

It would be cool to create a lab of some sort to create library apps like other larger universities do…but for me, on a much smaller, experimental and entrepreneurial scale. I think the most inspirational quote recently came from young entrepreneur Matt Mickiewicz, "People who say it takes money to make money are using the worst excuse ever. . . Create massive value for others by providing a solution where no other exists."

Flickr Mashups

I found this kewl site for Flickr mashups = http://metaatem.net/words/

Intro to Flickr

Flickr is a webspace in which users can upload their photos or collections. Other online users can search Flickr's database and view these uploaded snapshots. It is a virtual photo album where users can share their pics with the world!

I have found beautiful skylines of Houston here. One skyline gave me the idea to go to Tinsley Park in Houston and take a snapshot of my own. I must share one user's skyline view of Santa Fe that can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbach/19417306/ This is a beautiful place that I've written about in unpublished writings. It would be romantic to live their one day and write until my heart's content!

Library 2.0

I'll be honest... I was skeptical of web 2.0 at first. I didn't want to expand my world and contribute virtually online, I don't want my name anywhere and I like my privacy just fine. But a funny little thing happened nearly 3 years ago: I found the benefits of being "connected" quite thrilling. Under my liblogarian moniker, I have had the freedom to connect in ways that seemed unpolite or politically incorrect had I done so face to face. Personal space is an issue face to face, but virtually there is no translation.

So what does Library 2.0 mean for libraries? Virtual outreach for starters. I have seen public libraries like HPL (Houston Public Library) have followings on their twitter and facebook account that transcends the services provided by the walls of a physical library branch. What an encouraging phenom for us information professionals who are used as guides online to organize webspace and create a friendly, welcoming rapport for patrons and clientele. Personally, I can benefit from Library 2.0 from a professional standpoint...networking isn't so scary when I can represent myself as a willing library student in Second Life or Gaia and connect with contacts that I wouldn't ordinarily reach. I'm starting to get comfortable being a contributer to this webscape of ideas and collaboration.

Hello 23 Things about North Texas Blogger Participants!

Whew! It's been a while since I've posted. I am 2/3 finish with the Library and Information Science Program at the University of North Texas. I should be done by the end of 2010. I'm excited to learn about new technologies and networking with fellow North Texans (but...I'm from Houston!) So Howdy! Nice to meet y'all.

An Update

Well, the year is almost over and so much has happened! I started school in August. I received a grant for my first year through the University of North Texas. In September, I joined the Special Library Association (SLA) and the American Society of Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T). The graduate course I am currently taken is the Introduction to Information Organization. So far, I've earned 2 "A" papers and I'm hoping to get a 4.0 out of the class!

It's Official!

I have joined ALA and TLA (American Library Association and Texas Library Association) as a new member. I joined ALA's roundtable group under "Library Research" and one of their divisions under the ALCTS for "Cataloging and Classification". For TLA, I joined the New Members Round Table and Catalogers & Classifiers Round Table. Since I will begin classes in the summer or the fall less than part time, I am hoping for scholarship opportunities.

I decided on a concentration of "information systems" in my graduate studies, but I am also interested in cataloging and technical services. Hopefully the round tables I have joined will help me with learning as much as I can about that area of the field. Well, I am ready to meet new people and learn new things! Hopefully I can direct some traffic on this site for it to be a plethora of information and resources for Library Science.