Instant answer?

I am surprised how often my conversations turn to something library related as soon as I mention to someone that I plan to be a librarian. For example, someone asked the other if librarians were hesitant to do IM reference with slow or one-key-at-a-time typists. I remember in my reference class practicing IM reference on the chat fuction of D2L--the online course facilitator my university uses. The person playing the patron would ask a question and the "librarian" would usually ask another to start the reference interview process. The idea of IM is instant answers, and what I remember is being afraid of keeping the patron waiting too long. I would try to type something like "I am searching for an answer...be back in a minute." The other issue as with any IM conversation was keeping track of what was happening if we each sent more than one response.

I suppose, on the other end, it would be a little frustrating to deal with those who hen-peck in a virtual setting. I have found that people who have a difficult time typing usually try to avoid it. I wonder if they would use IM at all. I am not the fastest typist in the world, so I would probably be fairly patient if someone seemed to struggle. I would want to provide the best service possible even if it meant waiting. Although IM reference was not as fun for me as face-to-face transations, I see its value. I think it will be become more prevelent because the adults of tomorrow are so used to being online. Slow typing may become a non-issue. On the other hand, reference transactions will probably need to take place in several formats because we do not want to contribute to the information divide.

900 Million People?

Dear Blog,

Hmmm...not quite the same for me as when I wrote "Dear Diary" for the first time when I was seven. Soon my "diary" became a journal, where I could write anything. Writing for me has always been a way to view my own thoughts. Often writing lets me work through something without the pressure of instant decisions as in a conversation. I just read Nardi, Schiano and Gumbrecht's Blogging as a Social Activity or Would you let 900 Million People Read your Diary? I found the case studies true to what I know of my generation and maybe others too...we like to speak our minds in anonymity. My Space denotes more than networking, for my generation it is an attitude--I need MY SPACE. Blogging provides yet another way to distance oneself from communication, while in the thick of it. I think Nardi and company's findings about most people not wanting a lot of feedback on their blog entries is probably true. For me it is flattering to think that people read what I am writing, whether or not they like it.

Everyone needs ways to vent and express their opinions, blogs and other non-face-to-face communications usually provide ways to do that in a less emotional way. Whatever the topic, when I blog, I do try to keep in mind that other people are reading this. So, while I won't be moving my journal to an online forum any time soon, blogging does add another demension to my love of writing for reflection.

Questions Raised

I am taking a class in Multicultural librarianship this semester. One of the assignments requires me to watch a film which deals with one of the groups we are studying (African Americans, Native Americans, Latino/as, Asian Americans). I was discussing possible movie choices with a friend outside the class. I am thinking of watching Freedom Writers--the story of urban teenagers and their teacher, Erin Gruwell. My friend suggested that the film presents Gruwell in a messianic role--rescuer of the teens in her class who represent the groups mentioned above. He made the assertion that persons of color do not need white people to rescue them.



While I completely agree, Gruwell's story is a true one, and I am sure she would argue it's NOT all about her. Regardless of her race Gruwell helped give her students a voice and an understanding of tolerance by allowing them to write about their own experiences. Which brings me to the question, should multiculturalism be exclusive of people based on their race. specifically if they are white? I realize that in this society other cultures have been marginalized far too long. However, I do not necessarily think that film or a book which includes a white character should be dismissed or have its potential for being multicultural ignored.

Battle of the Sexes

It has been a few months since my ALA experience, but since American Libraries was still talking about all things conference related as of last month, I guess I can too. I attended a session called He Reads/She Reads. David Wright and Katie Mediatore presented gender line takes on fiction and non-fiction for men and women. I have say I laughed almost the entire time. It is amazing how stereotypically we think about the opposite sex.

I thought the greatest commentary on gender presented in that session were David Wright's magazine comparisons featuring Eva Longoria. In men's magazines Eva was downright sexy from her pose to her clothing. In the women's magazines she was neatly dressed and almost professional--a successful woman. Not that she can't be both, but if there was ever a case for media stereotyping this would be it.

Mediatore and Wright brought to light the truth behind reading habits and made great recommendation for readers of both sexes. And, while I have never read a true Romance novel, as far as you know, I do read Chick Lit between semesters. I am convinced it is the only way to keep my brain from going numb. Keep writing, Lauren Weisberger!