Classes

Winter, particularly January and beyond, after the holidays are done, seems to be a popular time for classes and learning. At the library we have our usual series of computer classes, from the basic Intro to Computers (how do you log on, use a mouse, et) to Beginning Internet and Word. These are very popular, and this time around are filled with waiting lists.

We've also noticed an increase in the number of people writing resumes (or asking about writing one) so wanted to offer a class for that too. Luckily a local business came along offering to teach a series of job skills classes. Using the Internet for job searching, writing a resume, applying online - these are great topics and I think these will be popular too.

Adult Ed through the schools is another opportunity for learning. This year I'm teaching a "Get to Know Your Laptop" class for a local rural school district. Last year I taught a similar class, with the idea that people could bring their own laptop or use one of the school's. There were 3 people, each with their own equipment. That seemed to work better, since the school has Apple laptops - showing someone how to use that, then sending them home to their own PC didn't seem to be useful. So this year I suggested we rename the course. I have 2 people, which makes for great instruction. We sit in a row, with our laptops, and I can demonstrate and see how they are doing. Last week, the first session, we covered laptop basics and did fun things like changing the desktop image We connected to the wireless network, and discussed internet safety, passwords, anti-virus software and some open source options (AVG and Open Office, for example). Next week we'll do more internet searching and email.

I miss teaching classes at the library; I just don't have the time available but have been able to assist when necessary. So I'm really enjoying the Adult Ed class. It's rewarding to know at least a few more people are able to successfully use the technology that is out there.

Others do this too

I was very interested to read this blog by a Nebraska librarian - we're not the only ones learning 23 Things and Web 2.0. (Also interesting was the mention of 15 CE credits for doing it!). Our library staff hasn't jumped in to this; only a few have actually completed the entire list, which is surprising - there are just 10 lessons. Maybe we need to provide more constant reminders? Maybe 5 credits isn't enough incentive? I think it's seen as just one more thing to do, when the days are already filled with more than enough, and the value of learning these skills isn't obvious. But it's free! And can be entertaining and rewarding - it just requires a little effort.

I find this lack of interest very disappointing - we should be excited to learn anything new, even if it doesn't seem to have any practical application to our every-day jobs. Otherwise you just end up bored.

Updates should be illegal

After my relaxing weekend, with the extra day for Martin Luther King day (read the details on the TeamHenley blog)I spent the rest of the week dealing with the latest shared catalog upgrade. Some combination of networks conspired to make any automatic transition impossible - only one computer in the entire library was able to succeed. Apparently the download was traveling through mud - it would time out before completing. I was finally able to download the file (what should have been 2 mintues took 10), save it to a flash drive, and install it on individual machines.

But it's never that simple! Installing the update completely removes any settings. We realized this when the first machine no longer printed date due slips - all the information for the slips had to be re-entered. Luckily we could get all that from an un-updated machine. So we thought real hard to make sure we didn't miss anything. One last setting was discovered this morning, but I think we've finally done it.

But wait! There's more! Recently a volunteer and I installed the latest Adobe Reader (v.9!) on our public internet machines. What could be bad about that? Strangely, people suddenly weren't getting an entire .pdf document when they tried to print, only the first page (or whatever page they selected). Another stroke of luck here - a class was being held in the lab, so those machines didn't get the upgrade and, funny thing - they still worked! So this morning we downgraded Reader to v.8 (and that's a fun experience, trying to find an older version - it takes some real digging to find those!). Problem solved.

I don't know if I can take any more upgrades and updates. When things are working nicely, they should be allowed to continue. Don't tell me a little improvement will make things so much better. Maybe there was a time when that really happened, but I sure can't remember it.

January Update

It almost feels like spring, and that's a scary thought at this time of year (but not unusual - I remember bulbs popping up in January and thinking it was much too early, but they couldn't be stopped!). MSU is back in session, and more foreign students have arrived. Spring will come eventually.

This morning the City offered a session on communication and dealing with problem customers (patrons, to us library-folk). We first we divided up into groups, based on various adjectives (printed on different colored cards - I ended up with a totally red collection, but there were blue, green and yellow too). It was interesting - the Red group was predominately female, the Blue group had police and firemen; Red was the "touchy-feely" group, Blue was the no-nonsense, practical kind. I'm curious about how other library staff ended up - it would be nice to do something similar with all the staff, because I can see how these characteristics influence our interactions.

The end of the session talked about problems - how to diffuse situations so everyone leaves feeling like their goal was met, rather than one person "winning" and the other backing down. The first step? Keep calm! That's always difficult, but essential, and I've gotten better at it with practice. Realizing it's not personal helps, too.

January

Just when I think things will slow down after the holidays, events come along to remind me not to think that way! Next week seems to be one of those weeks when all the stars align, or whatever it is that makes everything happen at the same time. At my last dentist appointment six months ago we scheduled the next one for Wednesday morning. Then the MLA Board meeting came along, for Tuesday afternoon in Helena. The MPLA Board meeting is set for Wednesday afternoon - a conference call, so at least I won't be traveling to Denver. Tuesday morning there is a city presentation on the internal staff page, and city home page, that should be informative. I have another city-sponsored seminar Thursday morning - I can't remember what it's about but I'm sure it was important! And Friday, a Marketing Committee meeting. Luckily we have the MLK holiday, and since it's a usual day off for me, I'll take Tuesday too. That comes at just the right time!

To keep work and family news separate, I've started a family blog. It's also linked from our family website, and I don't expect much traffic, but it's another way for people to keep up with us. It's also a way to get more of the family used to some new technologies!

That's the time of year it is: time to try new things.

Ready for the New Year

It's been a crazy few months, but I think it's time to get back to library blogging here - that was the purpose of this, after all.

The Library was able to fill a new position recently, which brings benefits to many of us. Katrina is working at the Information Desk and Computer Services, which frees up some time for other staff. She is jumping right in to lots of projects, and has great ideas for organizing and improving things - like a notebook at the Information Desk with the meeting room confirmations. Why didn't we think of that? She does Saturday mornings for me, and the extra hours away from the desk are an incredible gift! Finally I can do those little things I keep putting off (like updates on catalog computers, which should be done but never seem urgent when I'm turning things on each morning).

I also trained a new substitute in Computer Services, and she was able to fill in several times during the holidays - another great help! The training list we'd developed a while ago certainly came in handy; I could make sure important items didn't get overlooked and the new people were sufficiently prepared.

This winter has brought more international students - groups from Peru and Chile have been using our internet and wireless. We were able to help 2 stranded students before Christmas when they discovered the jobs they'd planned on were no longer available. That's always so heartbreaking - I take the Mom point-of-view and try to imagine how I'd feel if one of my sons was in that predicament. We got them a place to stay, and transportation to where they needed to go. Hopefully things worked out for them.

Next up: Offline! My favorite MLA gathering (maybe the chocolate is a factor?).

That was Christmas...

So Christmas is over - it was so low-key I almost missed it! It was wonderful not getting caught up in the holiday madness (although I did feel a little guilty, and sorry for anyone who wasn't so lucky - sometimes you can't avoid stress, I know). Every so often I'd think back to the Christmases in years past when the boys were little and we went all out - that was enough to make me glad that's behind me now!

Jon-Erik enjoyed the wonderful snowfall Portland received (and was very glad not to be traveling!). He spent Christmas at a church dinner, volunteering and socializing, with his new friend, Mallory (little is known about her, except she's working on a Fine Arts master's degree with a job as a waitress at Old Chicago in Beaverton, where they met). I try not to interrogate him on this too much. He gave her a jar of MT Huckleberry preserves, and she baked him cookies.

Tom is still in Gainesville, TX hoping for warmer weather - they have been below freezing more than he'd like. He spent the holiday with some friends there. Next month he will go to Alamos, Mexico to work on our house there, and hopefully get it more ready to sell.

James-Philip and I had breakfast with my parents, then he went on to spend the day with more friends. I had a wonderful (quiet!) afternoon watching "Christmas with the Kranks" (not nearly as good as the Grisham "Skipping Christmas" book it's based on, but entertaining anyway). Since it had warmed up nicely I went for a walk and came upon 4 deer on the hill - picture perfect, if I'd only had my camera with me!

Of course, warmer weather often means snow, and this morning was no different: at least 9 inches overnight (other people have said 12), which, added to the accumulation in my driveway, meant my SUV just didn't have the clearance necessary! I ended up high-centered halfway out. Not many options at 7:45 a.m.! Even the roadside assistance on our insurance plan wasn't helpful: they don't come to a place that hasn't been plowed! So it was a call to my neighbors, and their pickup, who were able to drag me out. They get their driveway plowed, and I'm just a branch off that, so I've asked their snowplow person to do mine also (which I wish would just have been done automatically - wouldn't they think I'd also want a clean drive?). But I think it will be OK when I get home tonight. At least I got to use all the 4-wheel drive options on my vehicle!

Happy New Year to all!