Purple Binding, Written Words, Old Fashioned?

A decision that I made a few days after the New Year was to keep better track of my books that I have been reading.

I’ve got GoodReads (I do accept friend requests, you just need to ask!) but sometimes I just don’t feel like turning on my laptop and all that just to update a book status. I do also have the app for my ipod touch but again, just like with the laptop, I need to have wireless and a battery life in order to update.

Its amazing how much we rely on the internet, both with a connection cable and wireless, just to keep track of books, goals, pets, kids, etc. I know I use my laptop a lot when I am writing. I’ve totally destroyed a laptop’s hardrive because I had so much stuff (writing pieces, inspiration for writing, templates for various things, etc.) on it.

Okay, let me get back on track.

This year I have decided that all writing (short stories, novels, poems etc.) will be handwritten and I will be logging all my books that I have read; along with comments and feelings, into a notebook. Mind you this will be two different notebooks. My inspiration for doing this was my cousin who does the same thing, sort of, but not nearly as detailed as I will be.

I am not quite sure exactly what I am going to be putting down but it gets an entire page of the notebook; which consists of both sides of the paper. My goal is to fill a book a yearish and have fun doing it along the way. Then once a month I will add which books I have finished onto my GoodReads account. If I feel I have a decent amount of coverage in my Purple Binding then I will perhaps put up a review or at least my thoughts and comments about the book/short story here on my blog! Keep a look out in the Purple Binding area for further updates!

This year my goal is to read 50 books! Help me get there by suggesting books that YOU like in the comments below!

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Lab Results #2: The Debriefing of a Librarian Technician in Training

Today’s lesson in my multimedia class was (insert drum roll here)…BLOGGING! It was very interesting to see how different library blogs are run and what kind of effort the page is being subjected. Read down for more!

::Todays Debriefing Questions::

1. What new information did you gain from today’s lab on blogs?

 I found it very interesting on how many different types of blogs are out there and seeing how it is possible to make webs with them by just linking one blog to another through hyerplinks and cool techiness.

It impressed me on how the response of the readers does have an effect on what happens in a blog being created if the parent website is getting interaction with a specific member of the team or whatever floats the views at that point in time. Its a pretty genius idea: driving your website readers to more of the good thing by setting up a blog dedicated just to a section of your news paper.

2. Out of the 5 blogs you looked at in Activity 2, which one(s) did you prefer?
I was definitely impressed with the blogs from Georgia State University Library Collection, Waterloo Public Library Bookclub Book Reviews, Mohawk College Library Brain Blog for Students and The Unquiet Library- High School Media Centre. I have even subscribed to three of them becayse they impressed me so much. Why? What was of interest to you on it? First thing that impressed me was that the layouts of the blogs were all user friendly. In my mind that is a very important aspect to every blog since you want people to be able to interact with them. Second I was highly impressed with how much time and effort has been put into those sites to keep them updated with a fresh look and feel. I almost didn’t want to go away from them and their articles are brilliant. (Which is why I subscribed.) On the other hand when I clicked the link to the Hillsdale Public Library Teen Blog I immediately felt like it was a waste of time being on the site! It just seemed like it had been put up there for the sake of. It has not been tended since its last blog post!

3. In your own words, discuss the ways in which you think using a blog in libraries could be useful to patrons. I think that a blog for libraries is an important thing because it adds a human and personal touch to an already fairly inhuman/alien cyberspace for many people. If someone is unsure about using the internet then it is nice if a library has a blog which is so user interactive that even someone who has never been on the internet before has a feeling of comfort.

Blogging for a library would also be a good investment as advertising since many people do go through their catalogs online. The blog should enhance the patron’s experience with the library rather than take away anything. It should be informative, updated, and give more than just book facts but other relevant posts (such as interesting facts, or news about big authors and publishing houses) that would be of interest.