The Bubbly Librarian

I'm moving to Edublogs

2008-07-23T11:41:00.002-04:00

School Library Journal is offering a very timely project on Web2.0 tools this summer called "All Together Now". Our first assignment was to create a blog. Woo-hoo! I already have one! Boo - hoo - they prefer Edublogs. It's already been suggested that I migrate to Edublogs, so I went ahead and did it. It was so easy! Jacquie, I appreciate your offer to help, but I decided to try it on my own and it took all of 2 minutes. Amazing! The only thing I'm having trouble with is my blogroll. I'll figure it out.

I will be at http://bubblylibrarian.edublogs.org/ from now on. I hope you will visit me there.

My 16 year old has reminded me that I have been online 20 minutes longer than I promised, so I'm off. I do have some new reflections on Will Richardson's book Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, but I'll post them on the new blog later.

Technology Irony

2008-07-18T14:22:00.002-04:00

I'm back to the blog after two days away for my daughter's jaw surgery. She had her underdeveloped jaw enlarged (?) on Wednesday and I had lots of time to think and reflect. The surgery took place in Rochester, NY, home of Rochester Institute of Technology, where I was twice accepted and twice opted not to attend. I was thinking about the three times I had the chance to become a computer programmer. When I enlisted in the Air Force in 1985, they tried to get me to go into computer programming. I thought they were crazy. Later, I took a couple of classes in programming and discovered that I really liked it! I would be disappointed if my program worked the first time because my favorite part was debugging. So, I applied to become a programmer in the USAF and also applied to RIT for programming. I was accepted to both and in the end decided that I would do neither because I couldn't imagine spending my days in front of a computer.

Now, I have a new job and the most exciting thing about it is that I will have my own computer lab and SMART Board in my library. I went from not being able to imagine spending my days in front of a computer to not being able to imagine functioning without one!

It makes me wonder what will be 20 years from now.

Professional organizations- which ones?

2008-07-15T21:27:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year. My membership in NY Library Association came up for renewal, and I renewed. I've also renewed my ALA membership and always keep my membership in my local organization, CNYMS, active.

I've been considering joining NYSCATE, and/or ISTE as well. It seems that technology is taking a bigger role in what I do every year. I wonder, how many school librarians belong to these organizations in addition to their library association membership? Do any of you choose to be a member of your state or national technology association instead of your library association?

My main reason for joining my state and national organizations is to receive their publications to stay up to date with everything happening in the field. I also enjoy attending my state conferences when conditions allow. (I have yet to be able to attend a national conference, but I will someday!)

Just some late night musings posted while my family watches "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." What will they think of next?

I have to have a title???

2008-07-15T19:59:00.002-04:00

Whew, what a terrific bunch of comments on my last post! They were very helpful and, while I still feel overwhelmed, I no longer feel totally inadequate. I need to take Jacquie's advice and focus on mastering a few select applications rather than trying to do it all at once. It's all just so fascinating!

My daughter is having surgery tomorrow to correct her underdeveloped jaw. I actually considered running out to buy a laptop today so I can use the waiting room time to read and explore online. I think I may be developing an addiction. Speaking of Rachel, she has requested recognition for my profile photo. She patiently spent a good 45 minutes with me trying to capture a decent shot of me and the bubbles, despite the fact that she thinks it's a dorky idea. She also wants me to post the "blooper" shots, but I haven't explored the photo posting features yet. I'll get there. Anyway, my profile photo was taken by Rachel, aspiring journalist, who her her first essay in the Syracuse Post Standard yesterday. She will HATE me for posting this. I guess I'll find out if she reads my blog. :-)

Web 2.0 - I'm drowning

2008-07-13T14:25:00.004-04:00

How do people stay on top of all of the emerging technologies??? I've spent over 4 hours in front of the computer today and I've only barely scratched the surface.

I'm trying to understand how Twitter might by useful. I'm msmolly27 on Twitter if you are interested in joining me there. I've been on Twitter for a couple of months, but I'm still not sure how it will be professionally useful. The people I follow do post some good links, but I also read many of their blogs where they also share that information. Do I need to follow them on Twitter, too?

I've heard a lot about the potential value of Second Life to educators, so I joined that today. I am Martha227 Bookmite in Second Life, but so far I can only run across water. :-) If you can find me there and help this poor lost soul, it would be appreciated. I tried to teleport to Kathy Schrock's community, but didn't get there. I don't know if it's my computer (a mac) or what.

At any rate, my teenagers are getting really annoyed by the amount of time I've spent on the computer today. I would be giving them grief for spending four consecutive hours here, yet, I feel I have so much more to do. How do people like Will Richardson and Kathy Schrock manage to have regular lives while staying on top of technology?

Vacation Ramblings

2008-07-13T12:20:00.002-04:00

We're back home after a week of camping at Letchworth State Park. We go every year and it's always a good time. There is nothing better than sleeping in fresh air and waking up to a cacophony of birds. I had a lot of time to think and reflect on my career while there. Funny how being away from technology helps the thought process.

I got a call just before I left and I should have good news to announce on the job front after tomorrow night. I am realizing that I have got to stop worrying about what other people think and follow my own instincts. It is so important to be visible and to constantly promote the programs and services the library offers. I have to do these things even if my colleagues are not so inclined. I have always deferred to the other librarians I've worked with when it comes to advocacy. Truthfully, I was glad they didn't feel it was a priority because I've always been uncomfortable about promoting myself. Isn't that bragging? Isn't it rude to brag?

One of the administrators who did not hire me during my job search advised me that I need to get better at promoting myself. She said my accomplishments and the comments of my references were outstanding but I downplayed it all during my interviews. I know she's right. For the record, I did not get that job because I lacked experience at the secondary level, which I guess I emphasized more than my interest in trying new things and the success I've had when pioneering programs.

As I look back over my years of experience, there are so many ideas that I've pushed aside for fear of looking like a show-off or fear of my colleagues thinking I'm trying to one-up them. I need to let that go and start showing what I am all about. I remember a song I learned when I was a kid - I think it will be my theme this year. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."

Another rejection

2008-07-06T17:42:00.003-04:00

I received another rejection letter in the mail yesterday. This one was not totally unexpected. The commute would have been long and they did ask about that. I think their concern is that I'll jump ship as soon as I find something closer. Still, I enjoyed the interview,and it was a nice school, so I had hoped they might give me a chance.

I am listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer's The Power of Intention and it supports my belief that the things that happen in this world are not random, but have a purpose. Even those things that seem bad. I have always believed that I would get another job... I guess I didn't think it would take this long.

Being an elementary school librarian is risky business in this economy. Schools don't HAVE to have us, so when times get tight, we are among the first people they consider cutting, especially if we are not a "special" providing planning time for the classroom teacher. Doug Johnson discusses the pros and cons of a fixed schedule and he nails it. My previous job was safe and secure with a fixed schedule. It was not ideal for promoting collaboration with classroom teachers, so when I was asked to apply for my most recent job in a school with a much more flexible schedule, I jumped. Being able to spend entire afternoons with classes working on projects was liberating. It was great to see a project finish in a reasonable amount of time. On the other hand, there were those teachers who didn't see a need for the library. Their students received far less instruction and read many fewer books. That is the downside of a flexible schedule.

I have a couple more interviews coming. It will be interesting to see where this journey takes me.

Artichoke stems - not disposable

2008-07-05T20:38:00.003-04:00

Okay, so my daughter is an aspiring vegetarian. The other night she wanted to make a roasted artichoke. She completed the prep work and asked what she should do with the leaves and stem. I told her to put them in the garbage disposal. She was skeptical, but I assured it would be fine. Well, it wasn't. This morning I watched in horror as my dishwasher first back-flowed up into the kitchen sink, and then began to leak from the bottom as well... all over the kitchen floor.

My husband spent hours trying to clear the mysterious clog, as we watched. Hmm... what is that weird stringy stuff??? (the stem was a strict secret) My daughter was having the time of her life grinning at me and mouthing "I told you so."

Lesson learned - artichoke stems should just go in the trash. There are few things worse than proving to your teenage daughter that she is smarter than you are.

Is bubbly everything?

2008-07-04T13:12:00.001-04:00

Now that school is out, there's finally time to focus on a blog. I've made a few attempts to get a blog started over the past two years, but pesky things like children and work get in the way. I still have children to deal with, but, thanks to budget cuts, I don't happen to have a job to distract me at the moment.

I came by the name for this blog following a job interview several years ago. When I asked the principal for feedback following the rejection letter, I was told, "You just weren't bubbly enough for us."

Since I learned that I was going to be excessed I have applied for every vacancy published and been interviewed for each. Sadly, I have yet to receive and offer. Twice I've made it all the way to the superintendent only to be passed over for someone "less expensive." At least they are not telling me I'm not "bubbly enough," but how does one compete in a market when expense is more influential than experience? I don't know how to respond when told what an excellent candidate I am but the district is choosing to go with someone less expensive.

I am living in this economy. I understand where they are coming from. But, where does that leave me? Nine years of experience seems to be a hindrance rather than asset. I wonder if they'd be willing to pay for the bubbly?