Finding Jesus by Winston Rowntree

I absolutely loved this book. My undergraduate degree is in Religious Studies and Philosophy so this humorous take on the Son of God was not lost on me.  It's a Where's Waldo?-esque picture book featuring Jesus. However, I would not say that is necessarily for children, as it and the scenarios it presents are aimed more for the adults. Jesus is hidden in several modern pictures and you have to find Him. From a rave to the grocery, the search for the Savior of the world is on. The back of the book appropriately quotes Jesus as "Seek and Ye Shall Find." It's a nice reminder that Jesus (and God in the biggest sense of the word) is present in our every day life.

 This book would be appropriate for anyone who looks to add a bit of fun to their religion and bookshelf. It would not be appropriate for anyone who cannot find the humor in everyday  life.I would give it 3.5/5 stars.


**A free copy of this book was provided by www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for an unbiased review.**

Blogging for Books Review: Pilgrim's Wilderness: A True Story of Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier by Tom Kizzia

I found this to be an interesting read. I have always been intrigued by those who chose to live a different lifestyle. As interesting as it was, I was horrified that something like this was allowed to happen. I thought the journalistic view in which this case was presented, was perfect. It offered unbiased view of the events, leaving the reader both sympathetic and not to Papa Pilgrim.

I recommend this read to anyone interested in religion, politics, or alternative lifestyles. It kept me hooked from the very beginning. With the actions and descriptions of the events and wilderness. IT offered a good description of life in one of the harshest terrains left.

*Disclaimer* I was given a free copy of this book by www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for an unbiased review.

Blogging for Books Review: Brassicas by Laura B. Russell.

I first heard about this cookbook on an NPR article (http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/06/23/324895793/simple-tricks-can-tame-the-taste-of-broccoli-and-its-cousins.) I absolutely love broccoli and all its cousins, so I was super excited to receive this cookbook. It is a very beautiful book with richly colored photos. I was, though, surprised by how thin this book is.

I tried two recipes. I first tried the Citrusy Green Smoothie (pg 28). I loved it. It was a really simple recipe with ingredients that I stock in my kitchen on a weekly basis. I did not include the coconut oil though because I did not have any on hand. It had a good flavor and is something I will try again and maybe add different fruits to as well.  

I also tried the Spicy Kale Fried Rice (pg.28). I really liked this, but I had to make few modifications. I had to use shredded tofu instead of eggs (which they state are optional anyway) that I had seasoned myself. It had a really nice taste to it and it twas fairly easy to make. You could make it a side or your whole meal.

All in all, I thought it was a great book. Although I understand why it isn't, I was disappointed it wasn't a totally vegan cookbook. The author did provide a table in the back though to help the reader decide if it fits their diet. It is definitely a book I will keep and reference in the future.

***Disclaimer: I received this book free from Blogging For Books for an unbiased review.***

Final Reflections on Winter 2014

Wow. What a semester. Working in a library and having my core group of friends all be librarians, I was pretty well prepared for what to expect in grad school. That being said, I learned a lot about what it means, on a philosophical level, to be a librarian. And, although I have had an idea since I was little of what kind of librarian I want to be, it was neat to have a chance to explore different kinds of librarians and libraries. But, it has also reassured me in my choice to be an adult/young adult reference librarian in a large, but not urban, public library. I have essentially grown up in my current place of employment and so,  I look forward to growing and maturing into this profession.

I found myself really drawn to ethics portion of our studies. It really resonates with me on a personal level, because I have always tried to live my life with those principles. It is nice to see that there is a career where they are put at the forefront. Not that the profession is drama or problem free. It is just nice to see that we all strive towards those ethics. I have no doubt that as I learn more and work as a reference librarian, I will continue to understand and change (for the better, hopefully) the ethics on a new levels.

Hearing other perspectives of the librarian blogs that I followed and of my fellow classmates, has really made me stop and think about many of the aspects of the library including, it's role, it's responsibility at large and it's future. I like hearing everyone's thoughts and musings and will definitely continue to mull them over during my time at Wayne State and beyond.

I am also very hopeful about the future of libraries. I believe they will be around for years to come, even if they go through some major transformations. I am excited to be able to participate in the those transformations, whatever they may be.

Ultimately, I enjoyed my first semester here at Wayne State and look forward to all my subsequent semesters!

Assumptions II

After completing my first semester of Library School. I have reevaluated my assumptions about libraries in general.  My original assumptions were this:
 -Libraries are not going anywhere.
-Libraries are more than just a brick and mortar building
-Libraries are a vibrant community center.
After doing some reading on libraries in America today (Libraries are Dying? Think Again), I feel like I can be reassured that they will still be around in my life time. They, however, may not be the way they are today. But, they will still be needed by the local communities, as the articles states, they are still “staples” of communities. From a large, well-funded urban library to a small, struggling rural library that can barely afford to keep its doors open, each is important to its community. They may be forced to rethink their roles and work with less money, but they will be around.
Libraries are also more than just brick and mortar buildings, which also ties in with it becoming a vibrant community center. In the Guardian article, How US libraries are becoming community problem solvers, the library is described as “a grocery store that has become a kitchen.” In other words, we need to not just provide the resources, but show people how to use them. This pertains to Maker Spaces, human resources and employment help. Librarians not only do this within the library, but also bring their services out to career fairs, colleges and other places where they can reach potential patrons.
So, ultimately, I still have a really good vibe when it comes to the future of libraries. Communities need them, not only as repositories for our pasts, but as guides for our future selves and communities.

The Annoyed Librarian and The Magpie Librarian

I followed the two blogs The Annoyed Librarian and The Magpie Librarian.

I chose The Annoyed Librarian because she focuses a lot on the profession as a whole. She comments on the professional organizations and looks at the big picture and how it affects everyone. It started out as a personal blog, but she was eventually hired by the Library Journal. At LJ, she writes a blog post just about weekly that has to do with issues surrounding the library profession.

Of the posts that I read, my favorite one was "Why People Hate Weeding Books (3/14/14). I was intrigued by this post because I am always a little upset when we weed books. I understand why we do it and how it is done, but I always hate to see a book go.

"People who don’t work with books professionally don’t think of them as commodities. Every book is sacred, and every magazine, too, judging by the old sets of National Geographic people are always trying to donate to libraries." I really loved this specific quote from the posting. I find books to very sacred and not just Holy texts, but all of them. They all tell someone's story, whether real or fictional, but they are someone's experiences, hopes and dreams and when we get rid of those books, it is almost like we are getting rid of those as well.

I first heard of the Magpie Librarian when I was at PLA in Indianapolis. She was supposed to be at one of the break out sessions I attended, "Out of the Closet and Onto the Bookshelf: LGBTQ Literature for Today's Teens." Unfortunately, due to a family emergency, she was not able to make it. So, I Googled her. She is a children's librarian in New York City. She is in her early 30s and would be considered very edgy. She was recently showcased in Kyle Cassidy's "This is What a Librarian Looks Like: and she also serves on the ALA Book Committee for the Rainbow List. On her blog, she talks a lot about programming and  the every day work of being a librarian. But, she talks about these things with a sense of the larger profession. She is an advocate for libraries.

One of her most recent posts has to deal with combating racism in the her  urban library. It is titled Racism is a giant, nebulous issue that I have no business talking about, but here’s a display
She did a really awesome display on stereotypes and how people are NOT stereotypes.  I thought this was a really neat display idea that will really affect the patrons and their worldviews. She admits that  "As a 30-something white lady working in a library where my teens are mostly People of Color, I don’t know if I’m the best person to be starting this conversation." I really liked this perspective because sometimes, it does not matter who gets the conversation going, but just that it is started. I think librarians, even those seemingly unqualified, are the best people to start the education. First off, we are bound to the ALA Code of Ethics that requires us to treat everyone equally. Secondly, we see such a diversity in our days at the library that it is easy for us to know that it is just a stereotype and finally, because librarians have outlets for getting their messages out there to the masses.

I really enjoyed following both of these blogs and will continue to do so for as long as the authors choose to write them.

 

School Library Journal and College and Research Libraries

School Library Journal is intended for school media specialists and teachers. It might also be relevant for children’s librarians since they so often go to daycares and preschools for story times.  It offers tips on how to buy books and use them effectively in classrooms. It also gives reviews of the books for teachers to evaluate whether or not they actually need to be in the system. They also offer events for teachers. Besides books it also focuses on multimedia in the classroom.

It is not peer reviewed. However, we do get several different ideas and opinions on books for kids. Especially with books, it is important because we all have different tastes and preferences for books. Also, what works in one school or classroom may not work in another, so it’s important to have multiple ideas.

I think it is great that school libraries have their own journal. The school library is sometimes the first brush with a library a child has, so it’s important that they stay as relevant as public libraries. Also, school librarians almost have it harder than public librarians, because they are seen as teachers in a way.

I also chose College & Research Libraries, this is a peer reviewed journal. This is a compilation of several different academic articles on the library profession in an academic setting. It is geared more towards professors and graduate students than public librarians. I do not know if it is something I would ever just pick up and read, but I am glad it exists, because I know how important academic research is.

After looking at both of these journals, you realize how a library can impact you from birth to older age. It shows how we don’t’ serve just one segment of society, but are ready to serve anyone and everyone who comes into a library.  I feel like School Library Journal focuses on librarians out on the front lines practicing librarianship, while the College and Research Libraries focuses on the keepers of the profession that focus mainly on the theory of our profession.

College & Research Libraries. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://crl.acrl.org/

School Library Journal | The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/#_

Mid Semester Reflections

I cannot believe we are at the halfway point in my first semester of grad school! As I have stated before, my whole life has been geared towards this profession. Libraries are all I know, and this semester has definitely solidified my choice in careers. The more I learn about the ethics and philosophies of the library and being a librarian, the surer I am. At times, it does feel overwhelming, but when I have worked through everything, I feel so accomplished and I really relish that feeling of being successful.  I have a better grasp on the foundation and I like knowing how what I have been practicing at my work for years, is supported on the foundational believes of this profession. 

After visiting the libraries and talking to a friend of mine, I feel like outreach may be something that I want to consider. I know that I want it to be a large part of my future job. Also, I got to attend PLA this past week with my work, it was definitely an eye opener. I love all the encouragement and camaraderie of the profession and its commitment to serving those who may not have access to resources on their own.   

I can see now how the library plays a critical role in all aspects our patrons’ lives. That even if we do not provide a specific service, we have the tools to put them into contact with someone who can help. That’s a very powerful thing, but not necessarily in a negative way.

Ultimately, I look forward to what the future holds, not only for myself, but for the profession as a whole. I look forward, as well, to continuing my studies at Wayne State!