‘Who Let the Blogs Out?’

Cover shot of Biz Stone’s book, “Who Let the Blogs Out?”
Source: http://www.bizstone.com/2004/09/who-let-blogs-out.html

Spontaneous finds characterize the time I spend volunteering at the Middletown Library. Whenever I shelve non-fiction returns, I never know where I’ll end up.

Today’s discovery: Biz Stone’s “Who Let the Blogs Out?” in 006.7.

I’m fairly new to blogging; I’ve been given the privilege of posting to blogs that were maintained by other people. An original homily, “The Lesson of the Sorting Hat,” is archived at http://uucsrwriters.blogspot.com/2009/09/lesson-of-sorting-hat.html. I also blog about the “Book of the Month” at a small church lending library at http://uuclc.org/category/uuclc-lending-library/.

But you are now reading an entry in what is the first blog that I have created and maintain for myself.

Because I’m new at blogging, I look forward to reading what is sure to be an informative book. I look forward to gaining its insights and I’ll share my impressions when I’m further along reading it.

Vigil for people with disabilities murdered by relatives and caregivers

Summarizing takes practice. Thanks, work-Tweets!

Screen-capture of thAutcast logo from http://thautcast.com/drupal5/

In his March 25 entry, blogger Landon Bryce (thAutcast) emphasizes summarizing as an extremely important skill after identifying similarities and differences:

“Because it can be especially difficult for people with autism, it is especially important that we work on it.”

Bryce offers practical suggestions for exercising this crucial skill:

“You can practice summarizing often:  try doing it during the commercials while watching TV or talking a few seconds to summarize the YouTube video or blog post before moving on the next one. 

“Summaries do not have not to be in words: try drawing a picture or a map.”

My work as social media curator for the Lake County Record-Bee (www.record-bee.com) affords me a daily opportunity to practice this important skill.

A post on Facebook allows the viewer to read a story's opening paragraph but when I promote a story on Twitter, I am limited by the number of characters.

My objective: try to communicate as much information from that story's opening paragraph in my Twitter post.

Summarizing takes practice and I exercise it daily. Thanks, work-Tweets!

To read Bryce's complete post and view an accompanying video, go to http://thautcast.com/drupal5/content/autism-and-summarizing

Does this yarnbombing tag make you want to visit a library?

“746.43” crocheted yarnbombing tag
Photo by Cynthia Parkhill

One of my classes this semester has me studying what is called Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP), specifically, data about the book's classification via Dewey cataloging and the Library of Congress schedule.

The publisher prints this information on an inside page called the “verso,” just after the title page.

So I was savoring “Yarn Bombing” by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain on my second check-out from the library and looking at its CIP gave me a cool idea:

Make a yarnbombing tag with a book’s Dewey number and put it up at a public library. Patrons can then go inside and check the non-fiction stacks.

New Middletown Library

Yarnbombing tag: “New Library” on fence surrounding construction site for Middletown Library
Photo by Cynthia Parkhill

What a great view I have from the Middletown library each Saturday as I shelve returned books: the new library and senior center directly across the street. Steel frames have been erected and make a dramatic sight.

My husband and I have walked over for closer views of the new Middletown Library. We can see the outline of what will be a parking lot, as well as molds for pouring the foundation.

David Petri, president, Friends of the Middletown Gibson Library (FMGL), calls the new library a “soon-to-be-realized 10-year effort by county officials, grant writers, volunteers, countless book sales and the constant and steady support of our beloved current library by FMGL.”

As a volunteer shelver, I will be glad when the library collection will have room to grow. There simply isn’t enough shelving available in the current library, which means books and audio resources are stacked where we can make space.

Gehlen Palmer, Middletown Library director, notes in “Library News” for February, that it is hoped the new library will be finished in time for Thanksgiving. He also reports that Calpine has presented the new library with a circulation desk, work table, office desk and two storage cabinets.

Published March 27, 2012 in the Lake County Record-Bee