LibraryTechtonics

I’m sitting in Logan Airport, waiting for the 10:10a flight to San Antonio, partaking of decently-priced wifi. I was originally here at 5a for a 6:05a flight, but due to a crew delay, the entire flight was rebooked, and I only got the voicemail about it after I’d been through security.

Travel is interesting when you have laryngitis. That’s right, kids, I’m headed to the Midwinter meetings with no voice. Trying to explain to the ticket counter rep that I got a voicemail saying what needed to be done wasn’t easy. I wanted to just give her my phone and have her listen to the message. In any case, I have gotten a first class flight out of the whole thing, which is *perfect* because I’m sick. The downside now is that all I want is a nap.

Post-nasal drip is the work of the devil. Like sequins.

I’m hoping that the horrible choking cough will cease and desist after a good night’s sleep, but I am anticipating the need to whisper all weekend. I’m sure that’ll be a huge surprise for people who’ve met me. Luckily, I know American Sign Language, so if I can find an interpreter, I’ll be set.
Hopefully the dry, warm air of the southwest will help to cure what ails me.

Or, alternately, for the circ office, if your library is stuffy like that.

I think I need to get one of these for our circ office, at least. And I’ll definitely want one of my very own.

Rex Libris, the guy in the poster, is the brave, mighty, and smart protagonist of the Rex Libris comic book, which recently released issue 2 to the wild. Go go gadget super comic book writers!

OK, I’m a bit worried.

Microsoft shuts down Chinese blog
[MSNBC.com 6 jan '06]

This is the country I’m going to visit in March. I’m going there to work with public librarians. I’m a librarian with a blog, and perhaps, dare I say, a “librarian blogger,” who is a big believer in free speech and a dissident when it comes to subscribing to “blogger ethics” (I have my own, thank you).

I’m wondering what this will mean for me on my trip. I’m still trying to get details on what internet access will be like (how much it might cost me, how fast are we looking at, and whether or not it will be wireless). I’m also looking into what I will and will not have access to on the web. I’ll need to call the folks from the program to ask whether or not even blogging the trip will be OK, given this hoopla and other issues that might come up.

Crazy.

Everyone knows about the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. You may have heard of the Running of the Brides at Filene’s Basement. But have you ever in your life heard of the Running of the Patrons in Reading, Massachusetts?

My library keeps the most recent 24 issues (I think, I’m not at the library right now) of any magazine we subscribe to in the Magazines and Newspapers section of the library on the first floor near the Information Desk. However, we keep another 2 (or so) years of copies in the basement near the Movies and CDs. All but the most recent copy of our magazines can be checked out just like our other items.

Every year, we purge our older magazines and newspapers in the basement. I’ve only been at Reading a little over six months, so I’ve never experienced the Running of the Patrons first-hand, but I’ve heard stories. People wait outside the library, much like shoppers waiting at the doors of retail stores at 4:30am on Black Friday, just to be one of the first to rummage and grab. It’s all done in a first-come fashion, so if you snooze, you will lose. From what I’ve heard, everything goes, there’s little left over, and it’s pretty much chaos all around. There have even been small squabbles.

I just got the email stating that February 18 is this year’s Running date. Luckily, I don’t think this is the year we’re giving away the 2004 stuff, which means that we have the Red Sox stuff for another year or two, at least (I think we even took all that stuff out so as not to lose it; we might be selling that stuff on eBay or keeping it or something). But I do know that the magazines that get stolen most often (Cooking Light in particular) go first and quickly.

I’m not working that Saturday, but I think I might go up, just to experience it for myself. And I’m *so* taking pictures.

The holidays were crazy, but festive. The new year is already sizing up to be very busy, and festive.

I’m currently getting bloggers ready for the ALA Midwinter conference in San Antonio, Texas. If you’re going, and interested in meeting up, drop me a line and let me know. If you’ve got IM, leave me your handle (regardless of service, I’m on a bunch of services and I use Trillian at home), since it’s the best way for me get in touch with people these days.

I love hearing from people, especially my readers. But I find that I’m drowning in my email. I’ve been in denial about it for some time (although I know I’ve mentioned it now and again), but it’s become overwhelming, seriously imparing my ability to get things done. I think I’ll make it my resolution to diversify my communication avenues, so that email isn’t the weed that tries to choke off my motivation and productivity. So yeah, if you email, leave me your IM handle, if you’ve got one, and I’ll be spending more time playing with VoIP (Skype, Gizmo), so that communication can flow freely.
I’ve got draft posts coming out my ears about the ramp up to my trip to China, stuff at Reading Public Library, and just librarianship in general, not to mention the desperate need to update my about page. Once I’ve got the PLA Bloggers somewhat squared away, you’ll be seeing lots more from me here.