lifelong learning, the MLS and beyond

New thing.  I read the American Libraries Direct newsletter each week and often fill my browser with tabs of the items I find most interesting, sharing some in facebook, others via email to library colleagues.  It occurred to me today that I could use this as a blogging opportunity and aggregate my favorites here.  My hope is that perhaps  my research foci will emerge out of this effort and that you, dear readers (if you exist), may find common narrowed interest.

So, truthberry is actually the more common Rasta reinvention of the word library.   That I more often call it a truthbrary (and ourselves as truthbrarians) is just to make the connection a little clearer.  But how nicely it serves my purpose here for the berries of truth I picked out of the interwebs this week.

It occurs to me Zotero will also be my dear friend in this effort.  So, stay tuned.

Why non-academics should be following the Georgia State U case (Copyright Librarian blog)  Did I mention this might be my favorite library topic?

…a ruling against fair use at Georgia State would do a lot to establish that any time a copyright holder is willing to sell a license, not taking them up on it is inherently infringement.

As an ACRL Legislative advocate, I’m always looking for succinct pointers to help communicate the value of academic libraries.  When talking about the library remember N3P3: an advocacy talking points framework for academic libraries (Ubiquitous Librarian blog) is a useful start.

A few nods to my Learner strength and some good tips for organizational effectiveness from your desk to your desktop.

• Professional Growth Through Learning Communities (Paul Signorelli and Lori Reed, American Libraries – Posted Mon, 06/06/2011 – 08:10)  These two presented a great preconference at ALA Anaheim (I think that was the one), have a book coming out that I’d like to read, and cite in this article the Learning 2.0: 23 Things program created by the Charlotte (N.C.) Mecklenburg Library that I looked into last year as a model when developing a new org & staff development council at my library.
• I could use every one of these 11 Gadgets to Organize your Workspace (Gigaom.com) . My birthday is in August.
• Perhaps somewhat obvious, but since this seems the topic of ongoing frustrated conversation, I say every little bit helps.

And, finally, because Borders declared bankruptcy and, thus, closed in my town while the little (and very awesome) local bookstore around its corner remains, a tribute:  Independent Bookstores in New Orleans say they’re thriving (Nola.com, via AL Direct June 8, 2011).  Also, yet another reason I am bummed to not be going to ALA New Orleans.