Archive for November, 2005

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Nix the first six!

Monday, November 7th, 2005

Registrar of Voters SCC I voted today. I am a permanent absentee voter but every election, especially special elections, I make the trip to 1555 Berger Dr. Bldg. 2 *hint hint* and drop off my ballot in person. I do it mainly for the “I Voted” sticker but also for the experience and energy of the voting. I really do think it’s important to have pride in voting and one small way is to show it is by wearing that little sticker.

I Voted! Not everyone realizes that the Registrar is open the weekend before to accept absentee ballots. Today, I saw at least four people at the post office dropping off their absentee ballots and this was after 1pm. I know people want to vote but it’s important that vote is counted. I don’t think they realized that their ballots might not make it in time. People, ANY polling place will accept your absentee ballots. ANY. Look for the Vote sign. Okay, enough said.

Thanks to Emily R for the Nix the First Six slogan. It’s a great way to remind voters that the the first six ballot measures are bad for California.

In related news. The AP reports that Congress is poised to split the 9th Circuit Court. The conservative power grab is still in full swing and they want everyone to know it.

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Last Goodbyes

Saturday, November 5th, 2005

My work had another going away party for me on Friday. The best part was a bunch of people dressed like me. I didn’t really notice that everyone was in black until I saw the head of Tech Services with spiked hair. Kind of funny considering that I’m going to have to upgrade my wardrobe a bit to seem a little less informal. I’ll post pictures when I get a chance.

They had a quick “Reference Question” guess the famous Paul game. from pictures and a few clues. Paul Klee, Paul Getty, Les Paul, and Jean Paul Sartre.

A clerk I used to work with at a different library eight years ago pointed out that this was the second time that she dressed all in black to goodbye to me. Back in the 1900s before I got this job, that library held a wake instead of a going away party. It was pleasantly morbid.

I spent today cleaning out my office, getting rid of stacks of paper, etc. It hurt throwing out 4 years of printouts of web statistics (because our systems folks couldn’t archive them electronically–go figure). I sure hope the library and maybe the state library enacts some measure of web standards compliance along the lines of what Project Counter is advocating. I’m surprised ALA hasn’t taken this up with any seriousness.

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ILL Killer

Saturday, November 5th, 2005

Let’s see how far this goes but, Google Print Beta seems to be live. I’ve been pretty skeptical and actually wary of the whole process. Brewster Kahle has some really valid points about the whole process but…

I looked up a few nonfiction books that my library didn’t own and had to ILL for patrons in the past six months. I found a some of the titles in their entirety and searchable online. I had to log in once with my gmail account to view the content of one but otherwise, it works as advertised, it’s free, it’s simple, and actually has content, both old and new.
For example: glass salt dishes

I’m going to remain willfully ambivalent about the whole thing for now, but will use probably it on the reference desk every opportunity I can, especially if a patron is looking for something specific that we don’t own or can’t own. I would still like our library to provide a list of links for freely available ebooks and more in other languages, I know they exist. Google may seem free, I’m just worried about the long term costs to libraries and freedom of information.

Currently watching: The Safety of Objects (based on the book by A.M. Homes)

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AJAX, California Cafe, and Coffee Beer

Friday, November 4th, 2005

Two stories via Slashdot…
AJAX again sneaks into mainstream media in a WSJ article about how AJAX is attracting a venture capital and creating buzz. I do believe that it does show a shift from software to webware. Hopefully the 400 lb gorillas don’t rinse it down the drain before it cleans house.

Coffee Beer… did we hear someone patent a “fermented coffee beverage?” Sounds more like a gimmick.. I’ll still try it though.

The PLS department treated me to lunch at the California Cafe in Los Gatos today. I didn’t know they had a Bento Box for lunch. It was a very eclectic mix: Vegetarian fried gyoza, asian chicken salad, half an open face crab melt, and beef fajitas… Not bad but an interesting mix. A big thanks to all my PLS coworkers, I’ll miss you.

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Going Away Party

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005

My work threw me a going away party today complete with apple pie (my favorite), vanilla ice cream, root beer floats, juice, and thanks to Cindy, some Tejava. Even though today’s not my real last day, everyone will be gone on Friday attending CLA in Pasadena. I wish things were a little less crazy so I could go.

I’m working on a Historical Fiction assignment for my Children’s Lit 6-12 (LIBR 261) class.
I did a mock Book Discussion Group for The Giant Rat of Sumatra or Pirates Galore by Fleischman. Who can resist making Pirate hats? Arrrgh!

Currently watching: Hackers

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