Reading my friend's Genealogy Blog reminded me that a new "cousin" found me a couple of weeks ago.
The phone rang and the caller said "Are you (so-in-so) from Barber County, Kansas.?" Uh, well no, not really. I don't live there. "I found your name on a genealogy post regarding NG." Oh - yes, well, he's my husband's grandfather... BB, the caller did find who he was looking for. As it turned out he tried an old email address of mine that I don't have any more, so he went Internet searching and found my phone number.
It turns out we are not really related at all. He's not even related to my husband. Not technically, but he is connected. I hope you can follow this: Norman was married three times. His second wife is my husband's great-grandmother. Norman's first wife was Alice. Alice later married a Hart. Hart's grandfather had a brother, who was the ancestor (great-grandfather?) to my caller. Did you get that? Basically, the tree forked; went up and came back down again on the other side and rooted. Turns out he had information I didn't and vice versa. I also put him in touch with a half cousin of our's who would be connected to my caller, because she connects to Norman through the first wife, Alice.
I haven't heard from BB now for a week or more. We were emailing and mailing there quite heavy for a couple of weeks, but life has calmed back down to normal. It showed me, though, that I need to get my home computer situation turned around and upgraded. But I won't have time for that till later this summer. (See: "Announcement," my last post.) Boy - I miss doing my genealogy!!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Announcement
At our last Faculty meeting, which was February 12th, Dr. J. C. (academic dean) read my resignation to the faculty. This is about a month earlier than when these are usually done, but it was prompted by a pre-mature announcement from another organization about my husband being called as pastor to a church in Arkansas. Well obviously it would be next to impossible (on this salary anyway) to live in Arkansas and work in Kansas City, MO. So I will be leaving the end of the school year, probably around the end of May to mid-June. My last working day will probably be the last Friday of the month, then I'll have tacked on what vacation days are left.
We are both looking forward to this move, but it will be an emotional departure to leave CBCTS. It's been a good 7 years for me, and hopefully for them as well. I have probably learned more than I have given. At least I feel like I have. But I hope I have helped this institution in some small way to further the education of students and therefore their future ministry.
Already we are spending every other weekend in Arkansas at the church where he has been called to pastor. I am even writing this tonight from the hotel where we are staying. We came down early Saturday to look at houses. So the transition is already in the works.
I know the Lord already has in place who is going to follow in my footsteps. He also already knows where He will lead me next in looking for employment in our new area of residence and ministry.
What will be the future of this blog? I haven't decided as it is named after the mascot of CBCTS. I may see if I can successfully change the name, or continue under the same, or leave it and start another. Time WILL tell! Stay tuned.
We are both looking forward to this move, but it will be an emotional departure to leave CBCTS. It's been a good 7 years for me, and hopefully for them as well. I have probably learned more than I have given. At least I feel like I have. But I hope I have helped this institution in some small way to further the education of students and therefore their future ministry.
Already we are spending every other weekend in Arkansas at the church where he has been called to pastor. I am even writing this tonight from the hotel where we are staying. We came down early Saturday to look at houses. So the transition is already in the works.
I know the Lord already has in place who is going to follow in my footsteps. He also already knows where He will lead me next in looking for employment in our new area of residence and ministry.
What will be the future of this blog? I haven't decided as it is named after the mascot of CBCTS. I may see if I can successfully change the name, or continue under the same, or leave it and start another. Time WILL tell! Stay tuned.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
New website for christian devotions
Christianity.com has a neat website for studying the bible online. I just came across this today on Facebook.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Loren Jewitt Adams
It is a fact of life that everyone at some point and time will leave this earth for eternity. It’s the nature of life as we move through it to make friends and as events come and go, lose touch with those same friends.
This is the case with our friend, Loren. Once I left for graduate school 8 years ago we did not keep in contact with him like we once had. I was thinking of him again recently off and on and decided to see if I could track down his phone number. I once had it memorized but I’ve not only “slept since then” – I’ve had long nights of doing homework when I didn’t sleep. So that bit of information escaped. I could find nothing.
I finally contacted the local library in the town where he lived and where I also worked before going to grad school. On Valentine’s Day I had a response. Loren had passed away a year and a half ago. This has really hit me rather hard. I was sad to hear of his passing but probably just as sad for not knowing about it at the time.
I was “there” when his mother died; we were “there” when he had to go to a VA hospital and home again; I was “there” when he remarried his 2d wife, and divorced her again. I saw him go through struggles with his boys and his step daughter and grandchildren. But we weren’t “there” when he died. My heart ached for him as I knew his burdens and heartache could be carried by our Lord, but yet he was “too educated” to need a saviour. He could not accept things by faith, he had to have an explanation for everything. I couldn’t outwit his academia.
He was a widower and a divorcee; retired military; and lived alone. He had two errant sons and a brother who didn’t know me. So I figured the only way I would hear about his passing would be if anyone at the library would think of me at the time. Understandably, they didn’t. I mused more than once whether or not I would ever hear about his passing whenever he would die. I was afraid I wouldn’t. I didn’t.
Loren had a huge wealth of knowledge when it came to genealogy and computers – both of which were a big help to me. He was influential in my getting our first computer. It took me 3 mos. to get my genealogy on. There were many a call to Loren for help – both over the phone and hands-on as well.
He was very involved in the genealogy community. He volunteered at the LDS church; he was a member of the local genealogy society as well as our state organization. He sponsored the local county website for the USGenWeb project. He taught classes both locally and statewide as well. He qualified and joined many other genealogical organizations as well. He was proud of his contribution in the military and witnessed some significant history during the 50’s and 60’s. But I think he was most proud of his Kentucky Colonel certificate he received as he used that in his email address: "kycollja".
The saddest part of this story is that he has probably passed into eternity without knowing the Lord Jesus as his saviour. And, I don’t think I was a very good witness in sharing with him the Good News he needed to hear.
Loren Jewitt Adams, born 5 September 1936, died 4 July 2006.
This is the case with our friend, Loren. Once I left for graduate school 8 years ago we did not keep in contact with him like we once had. I was thinking of him again recently off and on and decided to see if I could track down his phone number. I once had it memorized but I’ve not only “slept since then” – I’ve had long nights of doing homework when I didn’t sleep. So that bit of information escaped. I could find nothing.
I finally contacted the local library in the town where he lived and where I also worked before going to grad school. On Valentine’s Day I had a response. Loren had passed away a year and a half ago. This has really hit me rather hard. I was sad to hear of his passing but probably just as sad for not knowing about it at the time.
I was “there” when his mother died; we were “there” when he had to go to a VA hospital and home again; I was “there” when he remarried his 2d wife, and divorced her again. I saw him go through struggles with his boys and his step daughter and grandchildren. But we weren’t “there” when he died. My heart ached for him as I knew his burdens and heartache could be carried by our Lord, but yet he was “too educated” to need a saviour. He could not accept things by faith, he had to have an explanation for everything. I couldn’t outwit his academia.
He was a widower and a divorcee; retired military; and lived alone. He had two errant sons and a brother who didn’t know me. So I figured the only way I would hear about his passing would be if anyone at the library would think of me at the time. Understandably, they didn’t. I mused more than once whether or not I would ever hear about his passing whenever he would die. I was afraid I wouldn’t. I didn’t.
Loren had a huge wealth of knowledge when it came to genealogy and computers – both of which were a big help to me. He was influential in my getting our first computer. It took me 3 mos. to get my genealogy on. There were many a call to Loren for help – both over the phone and hands-on as well.
He was very involved in the genealogy community. He volunteered at the LDS church; he was a member of the local genealogy society as well as our state organization. He sponsored the local county website for the USGenWeb project. He taught classes both locally and statewide as well. He qualified and joined many other genealogical organizations as well. He was proud of his contribution in the military and witnessed some significant history during the 50’s and 60’s. But I think he was most proud of his Kentucky Colonel certificate he received as he used that in his email address: "kycollja".
The saddest part of this story is that he has probably passed into eternity without knowing the Lord Jesus as his saviour. And, I don’t think I was a very good witness in sharing with him the Good News he needed to hear.
Loren Jewitt Adams, born 5 September 1936, died 4 July 2006.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Leadership Now Website
Found another website from a friend's blog. (Thanks, JR.) Good Stuff! I also added it to my misc. links.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Unshelved - 100th Posting
I have heard of this a long time ago, but once again came across the webpage for it. So here it is. I have also added it to my misc. links.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Information Responsibility
In a world of high tech, librarians today have an even heavier responsibility in carrying out their duties. Besides providing unimpeded, uncensored information, we need to be accurate as well. It was once said ‘the pen is mightier than the sword.’ When we read something in print we tend to believe it as being true. There is a proverb that says something to the effect of, whoever tells the story first tends to be believed as telling the truth – whether they are or not. Wars and historical events have risen and fallen based on what someone has written.
In teaching college students, I have included how one can determine if a webpage is accurate in making them internet-savvy. A good example of this is the IRS refund emails that are circulating, with website attached. The real IRS symbols are used as well as legitimate words that should take you to government links. But in just a few short minutes of investigation one can tell this is not a true government site. “…be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.”
All this to say: – last week I posted the article on Starbucks. Well, I found out that at least two people read my blog. Maybe you are one of the two. If you’re not, did you believe what was posted? Did you forward it on to someone else without verifying it? Do you know if it is true or not? Two people commented on the story as being false, as substantiated by Snopes.com. No one else commented one way or the other. This story is being circulated by email forwards by well meaning citizens who themselves took what they read as gospel. “Why would someone write something like that if it weren’t true,” you might think. That’s a very good question. And as librarians it behooves us to make sure that we not only provided uncensored, timely information but also accurate information.
This little experiment proves that we all sometimes fall down on the job one time or another. If it’s not this situation, it may be another. Some were on top of their game and checked things out for themselves. But others I suspect either believed it or at least don't bother to see what was true and what wasn't. Beware, Be Accurate, Be Professional.
In teaching college students, I have included how one can determine if a webpage is accurate in making them internet-savvy. A good example of this is the IRS refund emails that are circulating, with website attached. The real IRS symbols are used as well as legitimate words that should take you to government links. But in just a few short minutes of investigation one can tell this is not a true government site. “…be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.”
All this to say: – last week I posted the article on Starbucks. Well, I found out that at least two people read my blog. Maybe you are one of the two. If you’re not, did you believe what was posted? Did you forward it on to someone else without verifying it? Do you know if it is true or not? Two people commented on the story as being false, as substantiated by Snopes.com. No one else commented one way or the other. This story is being circulated by email forwards by well meaning citizens who themselves took what they read as gospel. “Why would someone write something like that if it weren’t true,” you might think. That’s a very good question. And as librarians it behooves us to make sure that we not only provided uncensored, timely information but also accurate information.
This little experiment proves that we all sometimes fall down on the job one time or another. If it’s not this situation, it may be another. Some were on top of their game and checked things out for themselves. But others I suspect either believed it or at least don't bother to see what was true and what wasn't. Beware, Be Accurate, Be Professional.
Monday, February 04, 2008
The ever popular Starbucks did this?
*Recently, Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee.
So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street-to-street and house-to-house.
And if that isn’t bad enough, when the Twin Trade Towers were hit, the firefighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by, for water for the survivors and workers, and Starbucks charged them! ! !
*(from the Kansas City Star)
My opinion: example of capitalism taking advantage of the hand that feeds it, the shooting it. If it weren't for those boys "over there" and all the ones before, Starbucks wouldn't have the privilege it has to operate in this country with all its freedoms.
So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street-to-street and house-to-house.
And if that isn’t bad enough, when the Twin Trade Towers were hit, the firefighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by, for water for the survivors and workers, and Starbucks charged them! ! !
*(from the Kansas City Star)
My opinion: example of capitalism taking advantage of the hand that feeds it, the shooting it. If it weren't for those boys "over there" and all the ones before, Starbucks wouldn't have the privilege it has to operate in this country with all its freedoms.
Monday, January 28, 2008
winds of change
The winds of change are a-blowin'! I'm dying to "tell you" but I do need to put it off a little while longer. But we're excited (my husband and I). We spent some time last week on this mystery. We got in a nice little bit of rest and relaxation at the same time in a beautiful setting. With it always comes worrying (oops, "be anxious for nothing") about timeline and dovetailing. Good things are happening and beginning to happen.
Stay tuned. :-)
Stay tuned. :-)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Depersonalize
It is so easy to let our emotions get in our way of making wise decisions and directing our reactions. But one must strive to maintain objectivity when reaching for a goal.
I have steadfastly, for some time now, contended that a cataloger, even without a degree or previous experience needs to be paid more than any other entry level staff position in this institution.
I have researched, compared, and reported my findings to my A. D. He even agreed with me that they should start out at a higher level. The business manager shot it done because it’s not the current policy.
However, policies should serve the people not dictate/rule over them. Today I was encouraged to learn that the administration is going to review how the wage rates are determined. Hopefully this will end up with “this” entry level job getting paid more then “that” entry level job. It’s not always apples to apples. In fact, hardly ever is.
…Sometimes it’s a fruit salad! (whatever that means!)
I have steadfastly, for some time now, contended that a cataloger, even without a degree or previous experience needs to be paid more than any other entry level staff position in this institution.
I have researched, compared, and reported my findings to my A. D. He even agreed with me that they should start out at a higher level. The business manager shot it done because it’s not the current policy.
However, policies should serve the people not dictate/rule over them. Today I was encouraged to learn that the administration is going to review how the wage rates are determined. Hopefully this will end up with “this” entry level job getting paid more then “that” entry level job. It’s not always apples to apples. In fact, hardly ever is.
…Sometimes it’s a fruit salad! (whatever that means!)
Monday, January 07, 2008
Policies, politics and frustrations!
In “Library World” especially in the academic realm, it is well known how we continually struggle with ‘the powers that be’ in trying to get accomplished what we see as a need in the library – whether it is who has the final say in what is bought for the collection, to the need for changes in facilities, to recognizing the level of work library staff people do (whether professional or paraprofessional) compared to other office workers in other departments.
Such was the case recently here. I lost my cataloger of over 2 years to a better paying job. She was finally worth her salt but, alas she was gone! She is a divorcee and is therefore the only source of income for her household-of-one. In preparing to hire a replacement, I was attempting to convince folks the need to pay a cataloger more than just an entry level amount. On top of the convincing task I had, we are also a private, small institution therefore our pay scale is low anyway. When I discussed this with my academic dean, he asked me to do some research with other like institutions and report back to him. This was also broadened to include my need to replace my circulation supervisor that quit last August. The research was done and handed in.
In the meantime, the dean has had his own world events to deal with which ended up increasing his load this semester, not to mention the stress. Now throw Christmas vacation in the mix.
I found someone to hire last week and went back to him for a decision. We came up with a dollar amount and I then was given the task of talking to our business manager. I contacted him, gave him the information and was greeted immediately with “but that’s not our policy” – end of sentence! I told him I did not like being the ‘middle man’ and suggested that he get with the academic dean and discuss it with him. Two minutes later the phone rang and the b. m. said “it is $X.” Okay – I told him. That was such a quick response that I would be willing to “bet” there was no discussing about it between the two individuals. It was probably more of a one way conversation of this is how it’s going to be. Period.
Well, I tried. Life is too short. But I have an appointment with the a.d. later this week, and I know I will have his full attention. So, I am going to pursue this one more time. I don’t die easily. I know there are times you’ve got to buck the system. Policies are made to serve the people, not dictate. Me-thinks we have a dictator here.
Such was the case recently here. I lost my cataloger of over 2 years to a better paying job. She was finally worth her salt but, alas she was gone! She is a divorcee and is therefore the only source of income for her household-of-one. In preparing to hire a replacement, I was attempting to convince folks the need to pay a cataloger more than just an entry level amount. On top of the convincing task I had, we are also a private, small institution therefore our pay scale is low anyway. When I discussed this with my academic dean, he asked me to do some research with other like institutions and report back to him. This was also broadened to include my need to replace my circulation supervisor that quit last August. The research was done and handed in.
In the meantime, the dean has had his own world events to deal with which ended up increasing his load this semester, not to mention the stress. Now throw Christmas vacation in the mix.
I found someone to hire last week and went back to him for a decision. We came up with a dollar amount and I then was given the task of talking to our business manager. I contacted him, gave him the information and was greeted immediately with “but that’s not our policy” – end of sentence! I told him I did not like being the ‘middle man’ and suggested that he get with the academic dean and discuss it with him. Two minutes later the phone rang and the b. m. said “it is $X.” Okay – I told him. That was such a quick response that I would be willing to “bet” there was no discussing about it between the two individuals. It was probably more of a one way conversation of this is how it’s going to be. Period.
Well, I tried. Life is too short. But I have an appointment with the a.d. later this week, and I know I will have his full attention. So, I am going to pursue this one more time. I don’t die easily. I know there are times you’ve got to buck the system. Policies are made to serve the people, not dictate. Me-thinks we have a dictator here.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Will e-books put old books out of business?
I just read an article (see URL) that talks about e-books and the coming and improving technology of having books online and downloadable, and what that will do to future authors – both those with narrow audience appeal and those bigger authors who like the idea of not having to share the wealth generated by their success.
The author’s point all came down to e-books eventually becoming successful and books as we have known them in the past as becoming obsolete. I think I would disagree with that point. Being a librarian and “keeper of the books” doesn’t completely have anything to do with my opinion. It’s more of realizing the nature of high technology today and what it’s going to do in the future.
Think about it for a moment. With every new invention, innovation, or change in technology it is always toted as the newest, biggest and of course the best. Information will last forever on this new “whatever.” Then within in a decade or sometimes even less another new form of digitization comes out. Look at the history of technology. We have gone from transistor radios, LP and single records, reel to reel cassette tapes, & 8 tracks (which were short lived), to audio cassettes, compact discs (“CD’s”) iPods and MP3 players, with many others and many variations in between.
Every time a new technology is introduced, a whole new industry has to be invented to support it. But not with books. A book is a book is a book. Now, I don’t deny the various qualities of books over the years, (and centuries). Books produced on pulp paper in this last century don’t hold a candle to the one’s from previous centuries. But all in all, book technology is a much more stable technology than “hi tech” is. We have books that go back for centuries and are still discernable and readable. Even cave writings are ‘readable’. How many people can still listen to their 8-track, (provided they even own one)? Every time a format changes in technology, you have to transfer your information over to the new technology or you lose it; it becomes useless in its former state.
Okay, on the aside here, I do sometimes think “they” purposely try to make something obsolete to force the creation of new jobs, or the generation of making more money. But that’s another issue.
Then we are dealing with lost information.
Hopefully, we will not get so taken up with technology that we – in our hurry to stay up with the times – don’t throw out all those books, because they take up too much room, or they cost too much money to maintain, or… whatever, only to discover that when they did and the ‘new’ technology has become unstable and is upgraded, we discover we have lost information that will never again be regained - unless we want to repeat history and go through the Dark Ages and out again.
It scares me when I think of all the union catalogs are thrown out because we have it on-line now. (Okay – that’s a librarian’s thing.) What if the OCLC WorldCat database crashes? They have now reached over a billion records. How long did it take to get to that many the first time? How long do you think it would take to do it all again? It wouldn’t be done overnight, that’s for sure. Okay, so they have backups. But it’s all the same technology. What if – for some reason, not too unreasonable – something goes wrong with that technology? What then? You can’t look a CD and ‘see’ what information is stored on it. You can a book.
Hopefully we’ve learned that lesson not to do that. Let’s not get carried away here and throw away the baby with the bath water (baby being the Information and bath water being the technology it’s sitting in.) Our new technology is a wonderful thing and it has done things for our world, cultures, economies, governments etc that even the inventors never dreamed of. But as wonderful as that is, we need to step back, take a look at all of the history of information and analyze the statistics of it all, it’s impact and it’s potential for disaster. Now, I’m not meaning to sound all “doom and gloom” about technology. I love it. But let’s not get in a big hurry here.
So will books with pages you can turn be completely replaced by the e-books technology? E-books may become very popular and more accepted by the grassroots populace, but doing away with old books completely? I don’t think so.
The author’s point all came down to e-books eventually becoming successful and books as we have known them in the past as becoming obsolete. I think I would disagree with that point. Being a librarian and “keeper of the books” doesn’t completely have anything to do with my opinion. It’s more of realizing the nature of high technology today and what it’s going to do in the future.
Think about it for a moment. With every new invention, innovation, or change in technology it is always toted as the newest, biggest and of course the best. Information will last forever on this new “whatever.” Then within in a decade or sometimes even less another new form of digitization comes out. Look at the history of technology. We have gone from transistor radios, LP and single records, reel to reel cassette tapes, & 8 tracks (which were short lived), to audio cassettes, compact discs (“CD’s”) iPods and MP3 players, with many others and many variations in between.
Every time a new technology is introduced, a whole new industry has to be invented to support it. But not with books. A book is a book is a book. Now, I don’t deny the various qualities of books over the years, (and centuries). Books produced on pulp paper in this last century don’t hold a candle to the one’s from previous centuries. But all in all, book technology is a much more stable technology than “hi tech” is. We have books that go back for centuries and are still discernable and readable. Even cave writings are ‘readable’. How many people can still listen to their 8-track, (provided they even own one)? Every time a format changes in technology, you have to transfer your information over to the new technology or you lose it; it becomes useless in its former state.
Okay, on the aside here, I do sometimes think “they” purposely try to make something obsolete to force the creation of new jobs, or the generation of making more money. But that’s another issue.
Then we are dealing with lost information.
Hopefully, we will not get so taken up with technology that we – in our hurry to stay up with the times – don’t throw out all those books, because they take up too much room, or they cost too much money to maintain, or… whatever, only to discover that when they did and the ‘new’ technology has become unstable and is upgraded, we discover we have lost information that will never again be regained - unless we want to repeat history and go through the Dark Ages and out again.
It scares me when I think of all the union catalogs are thrown out because we have it on-line now. (Okay – that’s a librarian’s thing.) What if the OCLC WorldCat database crashes? They have now reached over a billion records. How long did it take to get to that many the first time? How long do you think it would take to do it all again? It wouldn’t be done overnight, that’s for sure. Okay, so they have backups. But it’s all the same technology. What if – for some reason, not too unreasonable – something goes wrong with that technology? What then? You can’t look a CD and ‘see’ what information is stored on it. You can a book.
Hopefully we’ve learned that lesson not to do that. Let’s not get carried away here and throw away the baby with the bath water (baby being the Information and bath water being the technology it’s sitting in.) Our new technology is a wonderful thing and it has done things for our world, cultures, economies, governments etc that even the inventors never dreamed of. But as wonderful as that is, we need to step back, take a look at all of the history of information and analyze the statistics of it all, it’s impact and it’s potential for disaster. Now, I’m not meaning to sound all “doom and gloom” about technology. I love it. But let’s not get in a big hurry here.
So will books with pages you can turn be completely replaced by the e-books technology? E-books may become very popular and more accepted by the grassroots populace, but doing away with old books completely? I don’t think so.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
You never know what you're going to find
Well, our holidays are over and so is my vacation. I really like my job, but it was nice to have a couple of weeks off.
Before we closed down for our semester break we had an unusual visitor at the library that I thought I would tell you about. EB in acquisitions was helping SS go through boxes of donated books. She opened a box and gasped. "Is that a real snake?"
Well you know that got everyone's attention real quick! We all got up to look and sure enough, stuck to the outside of the box on some of the tape was a small dead and dried baby snake!!! Believe or not, I took the little critter and put him through our small laminator so I could "preserve him forever." Thus he is laying here on my desk in front of me as I type.
Well, one of the ladies commented, "Wouldn't it be something if we found the mother snake in here!" The mind-picture and the thought of that got me laughing. But it was preceeded with an intake of air. One of my staff ladies thought that gasp of air meant I saw Mama! She sorted of shrieked and jumped back. "What!? Did you see it!?" she asked. Then I really did laugh! Finally everyone calmed down when we all realized the "gasp" was from the THOUGHT of seeing a Mama snake, not because I really did see one.
You know, not everyone that comes in the library is there to read a book. Some just like to be next to one - up close and personal. Hopefully we won't get another one like that for a while - not even a dead one.
What unusual visitor have you had?
Before we closed down for our semester break we had an unusual visitor at the library that I thought I would tell you about. EB in acquisitions was helping SS go through boxes of donated books. She opened a box and gasped. "Is that a real snake?"
Well you know that got everyone's attention real quick! We all got up to look and sure enough, stuck to the outside of the box on some of the tape was a small dead and dried baby snake!!! Believe or not, I took the little critter and put him through our small laminator so I could "preserve him forever." Thus he is laying here on my desk in front of me as I type.
Well, one of the ladies commented, "Wouldn't it be something if we found the mother snake in here!" The mind-picture and the thought of that got me laughing. But it was preceeded with an intake of air. One of my staff ladies thought that gasp of air meant I saw Mama! She sorted of shrieked and jumped back. "What!? Did you see it!?" she asked. Then I really did laugh! Finally everyone calmed down when we all realized the "gasp" was from the THOUGHT of seeing a Mama snake, not because I really did see one.
You know, not everyone that comes in the library is there to read a book. Some just like to be next to one - up close and personal. Hopefully we won't get another one like that for a while - not even a dead one.
What unusual visitor have you had?
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas Blessings
What blessing did you receive this Christmas? What was the center of your focus?
This year our Christmas was quiet and low key. We had a white Christmas here in Kansas, USA. The day after we even got an additional snowfall. It was so beautiful as it quietly came down and blanketed our world. Christmas evening we attended our Christmas Eve service, opening our gifts before leaving for the service. Christmas day was spent with our daughter while my husband slept (during the day) or worked (that night). Our "big" Chrismas day with our sons and families will be on New Year's Day.
When something is so familiar as the Christmas story, it is hard to see it from a fresh point of view. This year I heard a song on the radio that gave me that "fpv". I don't even know the name of it, but it talked about the Magi's expectations and what they actually found. They were looking for a King (ruler?), and a grown man. What did they find? A child, yet God, Himself! They came away with much more of a blessing they ever dreamed. Their encounter with God was way beyond what they ever dreamed or expected. It gives a new meaning to "Emmanuel = God,...with US!"
What has been your encounter with God this Christmas?
This year our Christmas was quiet and low key. We had a white Christmas here in Kansas, USA. The day after we even got an additional snowfall. It was so beautiful as it quietly came down and blanketed our world. Christmas evening we attended our Christmas Eve service, opening our gifts before leaving for the service. Christmas day was spent with our daughter while my husband slept (during the day) or worked (that night). Our "big" Chrismas day with our sons and families will be on New Year's Day.
When something is so familiar as the Christmas story, it is hard to see it from a fresh point of view. This year I heard a song on the radio that gave me that "fpv". I don't even know the name of it, but it talked about the Magi's expectations and what they actually found. They were looking for a King (ruler?), and a grown man. What did they find? A child, yet God, Himself! They came away with much more of a blessing they ever dreamed. Their encounter with God was way beyond what they ever dreamed or expected. It gives a new meaning to "Emmanuel = God,...with US!"
What has been your encounter with God this Christmas?
Monday, December 17, 2007
Let it snow!
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the picture outside the window is delightful!!!! (to "pare a phrase.")
We had some ice last week through about Wed. The temps rose just enough to melt most of it. The roads were all cleared. Now, today, Saturday we have woken up to a little bit of snow. We didn't get as much as predicted (3-5 inches), but I'd say there's at least an inch out there. Glad I'm home!
I did have a student worker ask me Monday of last week – when the ice storm was still being anticipated: "if classes are canceled, will we still be open?" I told her, sure, I was here (I stay over night twice a week on campus) and the students were here, of course we would. Somebody might want the chance to get some extra studying done. The look on her face told me how she felt about that! But fortunately we didn't have to test her commitment to her job.
Have you ever looked at an individual snowflake? Did you know it is always made up of 6 sections and there are never any two alike? And there's been a LOT of snowflakes dropped on this ole world! What an imaginative Creator we have.
This definition, "White ice crystals that have combined in a complex branched hexagonal form" was found here.
We had some ice last week through about Wed. The temps rose just enough to melt most of it. The roads were all cleared. Now, today, Saturday we have woken up to a little bit of snow. We didn't get as much as predicted (3-5 inches), but I'd say there's at least an inch out there. Glad I'm home!
I did have a student worker ask me Monday of last week – when the ice storm was still being anticipated: "if classes are canceled, will we still be open?" I told her, sure, I was here (I stay over night twice a week on campus) and the students were here, of course we would. Somebody might want the chance to get some extra studying done. The look on her face told me how she felt about that! But fortunately we didn't have to test her commitment to her job.
Have you ever looked at an individual snowflake? Did you know it is always made up of 6 sections and there are never any two alike? And there's been a LOT of snowflakes dropped on this ole world! What an imaginative Creator we have.
This definition, "White ice crystals that have combined in a complex branched hexagonal form" was found here.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
More Advent Calendars
Snowflakes - Here’s a cute advent calendar for teachers to use with their kids.
Okay here’s one with ideas, but is a rather boring presentation.
Here’s a Wallpaper Advent Calendar.
Most appropriate of all I found is this one.
I haven’t had a lot time to just hunt, but I like the last one given above I think the best. I'm sure there can be more found like it. If you know of one, let me know.
Okay here’s one with ideas, but is a rather boring presentation.
Here’s a Wallpaper Advent Calendar.
Most appropriate of all I found is this one.
I haven’t had a lot time to just hunt, but I like the last one given above I think the best. I'm sure there can be more found like it. If you know of one, let me know.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Christmas online Advent Calendar
Another blog mentioned this advent calendar. I thought it was rather interesting, so I'm sharing it here as well. This one shares library books that have to do with Christmas. Here's another one but of a different kind. It deals with the art work that depicts different parts of the christmas story.
I'll have to look for some more. I think this a neat idea!! If you know of one let me know.
One thing they both do that I don't care for is the numbers are not sequintial. You have to hunt for the number. In the second one the numbers are a little hard to see. But it also messes with my penchant for wanting things neat and in order. It gives me the feeling of chaos. (AAAGGGHHHHHHH).
oh, by the way, Merry Christmas. :-)
I'll have to look for some more. I think this a neat idea!! If you know of one let me know.
One thing they both do that I don't care for is the numbers are not sequintial. You have to hunt for the number. In the second one the numbers are a little hard to see. But it also messes with my penchant for wanting things neat and in order. It gives me the feeling of chaos. (AAAGGGHHHHHHH).
oh, by the way, Merry Christmas. :-)
Monday, November 26, 2007
VISITORS
Last week I had two very interesting visitors come by the library – but totally different situations.
The first visitor was a gentleman that came in, dressed in army camouflage fatigs, accompanied by our admissions counselor, CE. The visitor was in the army reserve (which is “next door”). So since he was “in the area” he wanted to stop by. I was confused at first. Why would someone in the army reserve want to visit a bible college/seminary library?
He talked about wanting to do whatever he could to help us. (the army???) He was glad to be able to meet the library director (Okaaaaay. Ego stroking, but still puzzled). He handed me his business card. It wasn’t “army”. It said “Bxxxx Seminary”. He’s in the army and also attends Bxxxx seminary??? How does he think he can help us with anything? Then I read “library director”. Ahhhhhhhhhh! He’s the librarian from Bxxxx seminary visiting his colleague in our college/seminary library - moi!!!!
Oh, NOW I get it!! Duh! When it finally clicked I finally managed to have a descent conversation with him – I think. I hope, anyway!!!
Visitor #2. CE also brought this gentleman. They wanted to know if the library had a certain book. I said I didn’t know but we could find out. We went over to the OPAC and looked it up. Yup we had it. The visitor said it was probably a spiral bound copy and he had a better bound copy he would give us. We located it and found it was indeed spiral. He had also written a second book so he ended up giving us a copy of each.
But you need some background information. When grandpa died, mom found information her mother had recorded regarding her family tree. She had all her great grandparents except her paternal line, the Trasks. Within one generation the information had been lost as to who her great-grandparents were. So I decided to find out for myself. I had always been interested in our family and family tree. As a result (“long story short”) it led to library jobs and eventually my MLS degree and present position.
Back to the present moment: I had been given the title of the book and that it was by Paul Trask. Hmmm. Trask, huh? I made a mental note of that, while we talked. As we stood at the OPAC looking up the title, this gentleman, who still had not been introduced to me said, oh by the way, I’m Paul Trask!!! Well THEN the floor just about pulled out from under me! Of course they saw my reaction and wondered (I'm sure) why that was so striking to me.
Well, after I pulled my jaw up off the floor, I gave him a very short explanation. He had another appointment, but later came back to my office where we did a little bit of family-information-swapping. AND, he lives in the metro area where I work! How cool is that! I don’t think we’re related, but then again I have a preconceived idea where my Trasks came from, but NO I have not been able to find the missing names, either, so I can’t prove my presupposition either. But – you never know which turned over stone will tell! (Be still my heart!)
The first visitor was a gentleman that came in, dressed in army camouflage fatigs, accompanied by our admissions counselor, CE. The visitor was in the army reserve (which is “next door”). So since he was “in the area” he wanted to stop by. I was confused at first. Why would someone in the army reserve want to visit a bible college/seminary library?
He talked about wanting to do whatever he could to help us. (the army???) He was glad to be able to meet the library director (Okaaaaay. Ego stroking, but still puzzled). He handed me his business card. It wasn’t “army”. It said “Bxxxx Seminary”. He’s in the army and also attends Bxxxx seminary??? How does he think he can help us with anything? Then I read “library director”. Ahhhhhhhhhh! He’s the librarian from Bxxxx seminary visiting his colleague in our college/seminary library - moi!!!!
Oh, NOW I get it!! Duh! When it finally clicked I finally managed to have a descent conversation with him – I think. I hope, anyway!!!
Visitor #2. CE also brought this gentleman. They wanted to know if the library had a certain book. I said I didn’t know but we could find out. We went over to the OPAC and looked it up. Yup we had it. The visitor said it was probably a spiral bound copy and he had a better bound copy he would give us. We located it and found it was indeed spiral. He had also written a second book so he ended up giving us a copy of each.
But you need some background information. When grandpa died, mom found information her mother had recorded regarding her family tree. She had all her great grandparents except her paternal line, the Trasks. Within one generation the information had been lost as to who her great-grandparents were. So I decided to find out for myself. I had always been interested in our family and family tree. As a result (“long story short”) it led to library jobs and eventually my MLS degree and present position.
Back to the present moment: I had been given the title of the book and that it was by Paul Trask. Hmmm. Trask, huh? I made a mental note of that, while we talked. As we stood at the OPAC looking up the title, this gentleman, who still had not been introduced to me said, oh by the way, I’m Paul Trask!!! Well THEN the floor just about pulled out from under me! Of course they saw my reaction and wondered (I'm sure) why that was so striking to me.
Well, after I pulled my jaw up off the floor, I gave him a very short explanation. He had another appointment, but later came back to my office where we did a little bit of family-information-swapping. AND, he lives in the metro area where I work! How cool is that! I don’t think we’re related, but then again I have a preconceived idea where my Trasks came from, but NO I have not been able to find the missing names, either, so I can’t prove my presupposition either. But – you never know which turned over stone will tell! (Be still my heart!)
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