October 15, 2011
July 14, 2011
We Want a Librarian on GLEE Poll
What a great idea!
School librarian positions are being lost in alarming numbers throughout North America. The popular image of a school librarian needs to change so more people--school decision-makers and voters especially--will understand what is at stake. Perhaps a good first step in affecting the image of school librarians in popular culture would be to have a librarian character appear in the popular TV show, GLEE.
If you agree, please respond and spread the word about this survey:
May 25, 2011
(Most of) cohort 9 graduates from Pitt!
I want to congratulate and wish best of luck to my fellow "cohort 9ers" who graduated this spring semester. I can't believe how fast these past 2 years have gone by. I just started my final class in the program and I am looking forward to graduating in August!
February 25, 2011
Penguins collecting books for kids
The Penguins organization will host its third children’s book collection on Saturday, March 12 for the benefit of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used children’s books to CONSOL Energy Center on Saturday afternoon, March 12 when the Penguins battle the Montreal Canadiens. The books will be distributed to Carnegie Library branches in the Pittsburgh area to foster summer reading programs. Monetary donations are also welcome and will be used by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to purchase new books.
The Penguins Wives Association and Booster Club will accept donations at the American Eagle Gate, Trib Total Media Gate, and Verizon Gate when gates open to the public until the puck drops. Fans who contribute will be eligible to win autographed Penguins memorabilia!
February 22, 2011
Advocacy works!
From ALA, 2/17/11:
Advocacy works: Garrett backs down on amendment to zero out IMLS
Good work, everybody! Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated! This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library supporters all across the country.
As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries.
Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” for a vote on his amendment. Once the House passes H.R. 1, – likely today or tomorrow – the budget will be sent over to the Senate where they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this year’s budget bill.
Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done. H.R. 1 still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.
Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request sent to Congress on February 14. In his request, President Obama cuts funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the Department of Education. ALA needs you to continue your calls to Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.
Now, more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted.
Advocacy works: Garrett backs down on amendment to zero out IMLS
Good work, everybody! Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated! This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library supporters all across the country.
As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries.
Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” for a vote on his amendment. Once the House passes H.R. 1, – likely today or tomorrow – the budget will be sent over to the Senate where they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this year’s budget bill.
Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done. H.R. 1 still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.
Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request sent to Congress on February 14. In his request, President Obama cuts funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the Department of Education. ALA needs you to continue your calls to Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.
Now, more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted.
February 17, 2011
Library funding in jeopardy
From American Libraries, 2/15/2011:
A bill is coming up for a vote this week in the House of Representatives that calls for the elimination of all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding, for the remainder of FY2011.
The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office has posted a link to its Capwiz email interface to facilitate library advocates contacting their congressional representatives to urge them to oppose Amendment 35 to the Continuing Resolution because:
* Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring that library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
* LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, and public libraries.
* Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the Internet and are active in assisting the public with online job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.
Amendment 35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all federal funding specifically for libraries.
More information and ways to respond can be found at the following link (it's really easy to do):
http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=28204516
A bill is coming up for a vote this week in the House of Representatives that calls for the elimination of all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding, for the remainder of FY2011.
The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office has posted a link to its Capwiz email interface to facilitate library advocates contacting their congressional representatives to urge them to oppose Amendment 35 to the Continuing Resolution because:
* Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring that library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
* LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, and public libraries.
* Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the Internet and are active in assisting the public with online job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.
Amendment 35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all federal funding specifically for libraries.
More information and ways to respond can be found at the following link (it's really easy to do):
http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=28204516
January 21, 2011
Fun reading, and school reading
As I previously mentioned I am currently reading (or rather, listening) to Dead Until Dark, the first book in Charlaine Harris's series, The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels. At the same time my husband and I are watching season 1 of True Blood, the HBO series based on the Harris's novels. Normally I wouldn't do this simultaneously, but they are both so good and different enough to keep my attention. The book and TV show are an entertaining, occasional break from my studies. 
I look forward to reading the rest of the series and watching the other seasons of True Blood. I believe they are on season 4 now. We may need to join Netflix temporarily to watch the other seasons of True Blood because buying the DVDs are too expensive and I'm sure there is a long waiting list at the library for the DVDs.I didn't get much pleasure reading done over the holiday break, unfortunately. I was just too busy. I did read the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and have requested the audio books
from the library for the other two books in the series. I enjoyed the Hunger Games, but did find it a little disturbing to be labeled a young adult book, but I guess teens are used to reading about and watching violence today. I heard the second and third book are even better than the first one, and I plan to listen to them while I paint the interior walls of my house. A project that is long overdue.
from the library for the other two books in the series. I enjoyed the Hunger Games, but did find it a little disturbing to be labeled a young adult book, but I guess teens are used to reading about and watching violence today. I heard the second and third book are even better than the first one, and I plan to listen to them while I paint the interior walls of my house. A project that is long overdue.
I have 3 textbooks to read this term for school - 2 books for Cataloging and 1 for Medical Informatics. (Not to mention the required online reading of many articles!) Both classes are proving to be challenging, already. I definitely need some enjoyment reading for a break.
January 8, 2011
Audio Book Challenge
I've joined Teresa's Reading Corner's audiobook challenge. I'm really into audio books these days so I will definitly end up in the "obsessed" category. I am currently listening to Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, the first book in her Southern Vampire Mysteries series featuring Sookie Stackhouse. It's really good so far, especially on audio. This is the series that HBO's True Blood is based on. I received season one of the TV series for Christmas, but I want to read some of the books before I start watching the series, since a book is usually better than the movie (or television show) that it is based on.I'm doing the opposite, however, with Fox's Bones, one of my favorite TV shows. I've watched just about every episode featuring Temperance Brennan, but have not yet read any of the books by author Kathy Reichs that inspired the TV series. They are on my (increasingly long) reading list.
I've recently begun downloading audio books from the library, using Overdrive. I haven't quite gotten the hang of it, but I'm working on it. Audio books are expensive, so borrowing them from the library is such a great opportunity. I've requested the second and third books in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Kathy Reichs' new YA novel series, Virals.
January 4, 2011
Connect with ipl2!
After a short holiday break, the ipl2's Ask an ipl2 Librarian service is up and running again. Volunteer librarians and library and information science graduate students are ready to answer questions and help with research from people of all ages (even kids), so ask away!You can also connect to the ipl2 on many social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter, and the ipl2's Community Blog.
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