Copyright Video

Here is very amusing little video about copyright that was forwarded to a listserv I belong to.

Just a librarian...?

This past weekend I had the joy of going home to Kansas City to attend my twin sisters high school graduation. I had not been home since Christmas, plus they were graduating number 1 and 2 in their class and both making speeches--I did not want to miss this. The graduation and their speeches went outstanding, but while I was there I saw a girl that I went to high school with--her sister was graduating in my sister's class. Since I had not seen her since high school, her first question to my was if I was still doing meteorology (my "decided" career path in high school). I said, No, I'm getting my master's in library science. To which she replied, "Oh, you're going to be just a librarian" (now if I would have told her the "mantra" of my master's program is "completion, not perfection", she would have had every right to say that). But that matter aside, I was saddened. Even though she claimed she didn't mean it and that it came out wrong, I still have to wonder. How many people look down upon librarianship? I had always thought it to be a noble profession. Is this how the younger generation (of which I proudly say I am a member of), views the library profession? If it is indeed, we need to reach out and remind all ages of just how valuable a librarian and their library is to everyone.

Nice Building

What's next...a Nemo library? I wonder if the baby octopus that "inked" itself was the inspiration for this design.

"Completion, Not Perfection"

It was with this phrase, "Completion, Not Perfection" that Dr. Sue Alman ended her email describing the details of one of the summer classes to Pitt FastTrack students. Apparently this phrase is the mantra of the FastTrack program. The moment I finished reading the words, "Memorize the FastTrack mantra: 'Completion--Not Perfection!'", was the exact moment I officially became disillusioned with an academic program I have yet to begin.

Yes, her intent for the meaning of this mantra may have been something totally different (I hope); yes, other fellow FastTrackers may find a totally different meaning in the mantra, but I can only speak to how I read it--Getting through the program is more important than how much effort you put forth while in the program. Now I admit the quest for perfection can be taken to unhealthy levels by some, but for most striving for perfection is a healthy thing to do. Even if you don't always reach the hollowed ground of perfection, at least there was an attempt. If you are not striving to achieve perfection, then what are you striving to achieve? Mediocrity? Paltriness? Shoddiness?

I have been thinking about how this mantra relates to not only my education, but also to my future. Do I want my potential employers to know the mantra of my Library School was "Completion, Not Perfection"? No one remembers a baseball pitcher for the complete game(s) he throws, but a baseball pitcher will be remembered for a perfect game. The IRS is hardly expected to be forgiving, when in the middle of an audit as they are asking for answers to the mistakes on your taxes, you say "I approached my taxes this year with the mantra of 'completion, not perfection'". "Completion, not perfection" is exactly the reason why, after eight months of my landlord "completing repairs" on my leaky bathroom ceiling, water still drips on me every time it rains.

It is not my intention to offend anyone or disrespect Dr. Alman's words. I merely wished to express my disappointment and disillusionment with the FastTrack mantra. Had I seen this mantra anywhere, on any literature from the University of Pittsburgh or the FastTrack Program, I would not have applied to this institution of higher education.

So may it secretly begin...

And just like that I begin my graduate school career. After graduating in December with a B.A. in History from a small liberal arts college in northern Wisconsin, I immediately began working full time at the college library. Soon after that I began my search for a masters program in library science and stumbled across the the Pitt Fast Track program, applied, was accepted, and as the historians like to say "the rest is history". Ever since I finally received my Pitt computer log in (I've wondered if my beginning the program has been a secret to some at Pitt.), I have explored Blackboard--reading the forums with eager eyes hoping to glean some spark with which to ignite my imagination's process of generating previews for the next two years of my life. For the most part, I have found that the other students in my cohort have just as many questions and as few answers as myself, which I have found comforting. While I may not have the clearest picture of what the program will throw at me, I'm ready to make the adjustments to hit whatever is pitched. So may it secretly begin...