Annotation #5 - December 05, 2007

This is my last annotation for the readers’ advisory class I took this Fall 2007 semester at Dominican University. 

I waited a long time to take this class, and finally I’ve completed it, and feel really  enthusiastic in applying this service at my current job.  I really enjoyed reading, writing and discussing books with my instructors and classmates.  This class struck a new interest in me and I look forward in spreading this appreciation for reading.

Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns -Audio Book
Author: Khaled Hosseini - Narrator: Atossa Leoni
Publication: 2007
Number of Pages:  book 384, 11 discs (12 hours)
Genre: Literary Fiction/Best Seller
Geographical Setting: Kabul, Afghanistan
Time Period: 1960’s-2003
Series: N/A

Plot Summary:  A Thousand Splendid Suns tells the heartbreaking stories about two young women, Mariam and Laila, growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan between the years 1974-2003.  The women are born a generation apart, and they both come from two different social classes. Mariam is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy man, and Laila grows up in a well-educated family. Despite of their 20 year age difference, against a back-drop of war and hostility, they both struggle and survive the horrific turmoil of their country, and coincidently their lives intertwine after they are forced to marry an overbearing man thrice their age. This audio book consists of 11 discs, each one an hour long. The narration is in English, done in first person and the narrator’s voice is a pleasant female voice with original Afghan accent.

Subject Heading:  Kabul, Afghanistan, Middle East, Islam, Muslims, Afghan culture, misogyny, Afghani suffering/strength, Soviet invasion-1978, the Taliban, social classes, family relationships, miscarriages, poverty, coming-of-age stories, girls, young love, women, women’s lives, victimized women, arranged/forced marriages, self-sacrifice, love, intergenerational friendship, intergenerational, death, betrayal, political turmoil, war, abuse, torture, survival

Appeal:  striking second novel, searing epic, audio cd/audio book, unabridged, organized in four parts, women’s lives, one narrator, compassionate narration, compassionate storytelling, some foreign words used/Farsi, intense women’s point of view, descriptive, plot-centered, tone of book is sad, thought provoking emotional/powerful, violent beating, cruelty, torture, brutal, graphic, various characters, ambitious and spiritless characters, autobiographical, Afghan culture, historical details/chronicle, hopeful, heartbreaking, struggle/suffering, bittersweet, emotional triumph, unforgettable, best-seller

Similar Authors and Works (Fiction): Charlesworth, Monique—The Children’s War (A compelling story about two young children from two different social classes growing up in the midst of WWII, both seeking to survive extreme turmoil in their lives.), Marillier, Juliet—Daughter of the Forest (A fantasy tale about a young girl who self-sacrifices her life to save her brothers from an evil spell.), Umrigar, Thrity N.—Space between us, the novel (Story of two women from Bombay, India. Despite their social differences, they equally suffer similar heartaches.)

Similar Authors and Works (Nonfiction): Doubleday, Veronica—Three Women of Herat: A Memoir of Life, Love and Friendship in Afghanistan (An author and her husband move to Afghanistan to do research and write about their experience in Afghanistan.), Logan, Harriet—Unveiled: Voices of Women in Afghanistan (Award winning British photographer, documents the courageous lives of Afghan women.), Sulima and Hala, Swift, Batya—Behind the Burqa: Our Life in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedom (The memoir of two sisters who fled from Afghanistan 20 years apart. They reveal the sacrifice and survival of their lives and the women of their country.)

Annotation #4 - November 28, 2007

Title:  Rubyfruit Jungle
Author:  Rita Mae Brown
Publication:  1973
Number of Pages:  246
Genre:  Aternative Lifestyle
Geographical Setting:  York, Pennsylvania, Gainesville, Florida and New York City
Time Period:  1950-1960’s
Series:  N/A

Plot Summary:  This is the story about Molly Bolt, a strong-willed young girl adopted by a poor Southern couple. Growing up in the 1950’s, in a small rural town of Pennsylvania, Molly is an excellent student, an attractive young lady, and she discovers her lesbianism at an early age. As she grows older she rebels and ventures out with her cousin Leroy, and gets into mischievous trouble. Her adopted mother cannot tolerate her behavior, and she continuously belittles her, and kicks her out of her house. Although, Molly is not afraid to speak her mind, she yearns to learn about her past, so she runs off alone and penniless to New York in search of herself.

Subject Headings:  feminist fiction, Southern states, poor families, adoption, lesbianism, lesbians/gay, lesbian teenagers, gay/lesbian relationships, growing up/coming of age in America, sexuality, sexual exploration, homelessness, self acceptance, individuality, friendship, mothers and daughters, morality, filmmaking student, cinematography

Appeal:  early literary lesbian novel, strong-willed protagonist, feminist causes, early childhood, teenagers, humorous, inspiring, witty, feisty, boisterous, sarcastic, fast-paced reading, short chapters, anger tone, dysfunctional families, strong language, swearing, slang, gutsy, expressive, social customs, character-centered, adopted orphan, written in first person, middle school, high school and university setting, goals and education, realistic, sad, sympathetic, conversational, teenage-sex, explicit sex, courageous, survival, rural and small town, exploring big city

Simalar Authors and Works (Fiction):  Carla Trujillo—What Night Brings (Young Marci has an abusive father and at a young age she discovers she like girls. She dreams of becoming a boy so she could express her feelings freely.), Bett Williams—Girl Walking Backwards (Sixteen year old, Skye has complex issues, she feels out of place in school, alienated by her parents and suffers from self mutilation.), Shay Youngblood—Soul Kiss (Mariah is abandoned by her mother and raised by two women in rural Georgia.)

Similar Authors and Works (Nonfiction):  Terry Castle—The literature of lesbianism: a historical anthology from Ariosto to Stonewall (Literary works on the subject of female homosexuality.), Helen Eisenbach—Lesbianism Made Easy (A self help book on understanding lesbianism.), Jeanette Howard—Out of Egypt (One woman’s journey out of lesbianism.)

Annotation #3 - November 14, 2007

Title: The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publication:  2003
Number of Pages:  371
Genre: Literary Fiction
Geographical Setting: Kabul, Afghanistan and San Francisco, California
Time Period: mid-1960s-2001
Series: N/A

Plot Summary: The Kite Runner is a heartbreaking story about the friendship between two young boys, Amir and Hassan, growing up in Kabul. Although both were raised in the same household, they both come from two different social classes. Amir is the son of a wealthy man and Hassan comes from a servant family. They become inseparable friends and enjoy competing together in kite running tournaments. Until one unfortunate event changes their lives. Their friendship is intertwined with feelings of jealousy and betrayal, and their fates are separated by the tragedies surrounding them.

Subject Headings: Kabul, Afghanistan, Middle East, Islam, Muslims, Russian occupation, Soviet invasion-1978, social classes, coming-of-age stories, boys and friendship, father and son relationships, brothers, family and love, childhood choices, personal salvation, kite flying, tournaments, betrayal, child abuse, male rape, gang rape, bullying, The Seventies, immigrants, American Dream, exile communities, the Taliban, Taliban-ruled, political turmoil, war-torn countries, effects of war, writers/novelists.

Appeal: striking debut novel, passionate writing, fast-paced, page turner, first person narrator, tone of book thought provoking, memoir, autobiographical, war, death, flashbacks, foreshadowing, realistic, well developed characters, plot-centered, sad, eye-opening, sensitive, child abuse, loss, brutal, tragic, torture, scandalous, guilt and regret, intriguing, astonishing, cruelty, violent, graphic, historical details/chronicle, Afghan culture, descriptive (descriptions of San Francisco, California and Kabul, Afghanistan), occasional foreign words/Farsi, heartbreaking struggle, bittersweet, emotional triumph, hopeful.

Similar Authors and Works (Fiction): Masha Hamilton—Staircase of a thousand steps: a novel (Set in the time of the Arab/Israeli war, this is the story of the coming of age of a psychic, gifted young girl who has to walk the line between a world of tradition and a world of change.), Ian McEwan—Atonement (In the summer of 1935, three children lose their innocence and their lives change forever.), Camila Way—The Dead of Summer (Debut novel of a young thirteen year girl who witnesses three murders and seven years later she reveals her experience.)

Similar Authors and Works (Nonfiction): Steve Coll—Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 (Research details of the CIA’s involvement during the beginnings of the Taliban and Al Qaeda before September 11.), Rory Stewart–The Places In Between (A journal about a Scottish writer’s traveling experience in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban.), Stephen Tanner—Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban (An overview history of Afghanistan’s empire and military building and collapsing.)

Annotation #2 - October 17, 2007

Title:  Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Publication Date:  2006
Number of Pages:  334
Genre:  Nonfiction
Geographical Setting:  New York, Italy, India and Indonesia
Time Period:  2003
Series:  N/A

Plot Summary:  Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia is written by author Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a cinematic memoir about Gilbert’s one year journey away from home in search of her inner self. Around the age of thirty, Elizabeth had what many think is the perfect life. She had a successful career, recently married a loving husband, and had two new homes. Her life was content and she believed it was time to add another chapter to her life, and begin a family. Suddenly, one day she woke up and realized she felt differently about every thing she had and realized she was unhappy. Gilbert decides to make a drastic decision and leaves everything behind and set out to explore the world in seeks of her true destiny.

Subject Headings:  travel, traveling writer, women, American women, adventure, memoir, personal journeys, self-help, self-discovery, self-actualization, personal transformation, philosophy, spirituality, divorce, depression, and happiness.

Appeal:  realistic, cinematic, inspirational autobiography, first person narrated, memoir, chatty, intimate, self indulgent, emotional, candid, eloquent, easy read, leisurely and slow paced, impressive, courageous and gutsy, intriguing, down to earth, tenderness, humorous, witty, stylish, smart, adventurous, entertaining, love story, expressive, descriptive (descriptions of New York, Italy, India and Indonesia), and geographical details.

Similar Authors and Works (Fiction):  Niffenegger, Audrey—The Time Traveler’s Wife: a novel (Compelling love story of a married couple, husband suffers from a genetic disorder, CDP, causes him to unpredictably blank out and travels to his past and present life, his wife unfortunately has to cope with his constant absence.), Lipman, Victoria—Leaving Alva (Chole, a young woman, leaves her unhappy marriage to go on a journey across the country to find herself.), Nair, Anita—Ladies Coupe (After her father’s death, Akhila, a single woman who has sacrificed her life for many years, takes a long journey on a train to be alone in search of self-discovery.)

Similar Authors and Works (Nonfiction):  Rhonda Byrne—The Secret (A motivational, self-help about attracting the positive things in life and fulfilling them.), Ruiz, Don Miguel—The Four Agreements: a practical guide to personal freedom (An ancient Toltec cosmography, a wisdom book about personal conduct code), Tolle, Eckhart—The Power of Now: a guide to spiritual enlightenment (An analytical guide and inspirational ideas about finding happiness and enlightenment.)

Annotation #1 - October 10, 2007

Title:  Water for Elephants
Author:  Gruen, Sara
Publication:  2006
Number of Pages:  335
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Geographical Setting:  New York, Chicago, and Travels through other American cities
Time Period:  1931 – Depression-era
Series:  N/A 

Plot Summary:  Jacob Jankowski is a retired veterinarian, who lives in a nursing home and finds himself drifting in and out of his memories as a young man in the circus during the Great Depression.  At the age of 23, days before graduating from Cornell University, he finds out his parents are killed in an auto accident.  He is left penniless and distraught and wanders out into the middle of nowhere and encounters a train.  Overwhelmed with is grief he jumps into the train and discovers it’s a traveling circus train.  His journey begins and life in the Circus isn’t as fun and magical as one may believe.  Jacob is hired to work for the circus; he cares for the animals; struggles with various crewmembers and performers; and falls in love with Marlena, a circus performer and Rosie the elephant who brings self-fulfillment and hope to their lives. 

Subject Headings:  20^th Century/the thirties; The Depression; Historical Fiction; Young Men; Parent’s Death; Love; Interpersonal Relationships/Triangle Love; Men/Women Relationships; Circuses; Train Traveling Circuses; Circus Animals; Elephants; Circus Performers; Human and Animal Relationships; Manic Depression, Veterinarians, and Gerontology 

Appeal:  easy read, narrative, romantic, fast-paced, page turner, character centered, adventurous, amusing, mesmerizing, emotional, tender, thoughtful, sad, melancholy, flashbacks, mournful depressed, historical detailed/chronicle, bittersweet, dramatic, somber tone, sensual, racy, sadistic, cruel, violent, fearful, intriguing, suspenseful, daring, hopeful   

Similar Authors and Works (Fiction):  Iain Lawerence—Ghost Boy (A lonely young man runs away from home and joins a circus, works with elephants and searches for self acceptance), Cathy Day – Circus in the Winter (A collection of interconnected short-stories of the lives of circus descendants from Lima, Indiana.  Recounts of sideshow adventures, family stories and historical research set between the years if 1884-1939), Robert Hough – The Final Confessions of Mabel Stark: a novel (A story based on the life of Mabel Stark, first female tiger trainer in Ringling Brothers Circus in the 1920s, she flees from her life tribulations and finds skillful connection and communication with tigers)

Similar Authors and Works (Nonfiction):  Bruce Feiler –Under the Big Top:  a Season with the Circus (A memoir of Feiler’s life after joining a circus to fulfill his dream and study American Circus life.), Nell Stroud – Josser: Days and Life of a Circus Girl (an autobiography of Nell Stroud, at the age of 18 she runs away and joins a series of circuses in American and Europe, she writes about her experiences and her efforts to come to terms with her mother’s unfortunate accident), Janet M. Davis—The Circus Ages: Culture & Society Under the American Big Top (American studies professor, Davis captures the historical and cultural process of the oldest entertainment show, the fascinating circus, research and illustrations)

LIS763-Reader’s Profile Response

September 26, 2007

I’ve been introduced to a reader who enjoys reading a variety of genres which include humorous stories, historical and literary fiction, a little adventure and some fantasy and science fiction. Such titles include, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, an Arthurian legend told through the eyes of a young woman who is coming of age; Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, a funny story written in a journal/diary format about a thirty-something year old woman on a quest for self-improvement and Mr. Right; The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams, an up-beat novel about a mad, Holistic detective working on another mystery.

I carefully reviewed the titles and authors, and discovered the reader enjoys books with immeasurable humor, which include realistic or fictional protagonists written in a candid and colorful style and a touch of British slang. Besides humor, the reader also enjoys fiction novels with engrossing storylines that are leisurely paced; and that are character centered, and found in a historical or imaginative setting. The reader also enjoys a brainteaser tale with a mystical or suspenseful tone which could include closed endings or sequels.

 

After reviewing the reader’s titles of preference, I have carefully searched for books with similar storylines and plots in three different online databases and websites such as Novelist, Amazon and AllReaders.com. I first searched Novelist to read a synopsis about the books and the book reviews written by credible journals. Furthermore, I reviewed the available facts about the author’s biography and style of writing, and switched over to the readers’ advisory tab and skimmed through the lists of authors found in the specific genre’s I selected to evaluate.

 

After reading about each book, I used the database to search for similar characters, plots and settings. Then I looked at Amazon to get a glimpse of the customer’s reviews and the public’s read-a-like titles. Here, I got a sense of what the public thought was interesting and entertaining. I later, looked over the website AllReaders.com and compared the titles and authors that came up in Novelist and Amazon.  AllReaders.com was a quick and straight forward site which selects titles that are very close in storyline and mood.  The website hooked the themes together and found other stories available by different authors.

 

I selected titles and authors that complimented my reader’s profile choice of descriptive characters and lasting storylines. For more Arthurian fantasy and adventure, I suggest – Guardian of the Balance by Irene Radford, this is volume one of a series of three books. This is a fast-paced fantasy novel about a young magical heir who falls in love and fights to maintain balance in England.  Like Bradley’s dark over Arthurian stories, Radford’s story is narrated by the voice of a young girl and includes significant key characters surrounding King Arthur.  Although the frame and setting are dark and misty, they have an episodic and historical appeal; her characters are strong and intriguing and they grow into their fate which gives the storyline a resolved ending or open-ended for another sequel.

 

The ever so popular “chick-lit” is captured in Boy Meets Girl, a contemporary novel by Meg Cabot, young Kate finds herself in a rut in her love department, when suddenly she’s involved in a legal arbitration and love finds her. This is a witty novel written in a modern and creative format which is told in a series of journal entries, E-mails, phone and instant messages, mostly in first person. I n comparison to Helen Fielding’s light and humorous writing, Meg Cabot is also a gentle and prolific author who writes fantasy, humor and “chick-lit” geared for females, both adult and teen.

 

To continue with another crazy adventure in an imaginary place read, The Colour of Magic by Terry Practchett is a story about a wacky interplanetary tourist who meets a wizard and embarks on a chaotic voyage and meets bizarre characters.  Terry Pratchett is a British fantasy and science fiction author who has won numerous awards for his satirical novels. In his writings he incorporates a major source of humor and imagination.  In his novels he includes numerous characters and some are parody of historical figures or well-known characters; for example Leonardo de Vinci or Conan the Barbarian.  Pratchett’s style is similar to Douglas Adams’, who is also a British author with an eccentric and bizarre writing style. Both authors also incorporate sequels to their stories.

 

This concludes my response to my reader’s profile.  My selections of titles were carefully chosen to please my reader’s taste in humor and engaging storylines.

LIS763-My Reader’s Profile

September 19, 2007

I don’t consider myself a disciplined fiction reader, because I mostly pick up non-fiction books pertaining to self-improvement, medical or history subjects. When I decide to read fiction my appeal primarily leans towards historical/literary fiction with a romance appeal. I enjoy inspiring stories with vibrant, detailed settings. I especially enjoy when authors vividly write about familiar family experiences and broad multi-cultural themes from around the world. I love a story that surrounds itself around art and history, the extra details makes the story flow faster, Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. I also enjoy reading storylines about iconic/historical individuals. Great examples of this genre are, Sor Juana’s Second Dream: A Novel by Alicia Gaspar de Alba or Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk. I like to recognize the main character in the storyline and I find the time-frames are informative and the characters are evocative.

I especially, enjoy translated literary fiction with a touch of international flavor and integrated foreign words, such as Laura Esquivel’s, Like Water for Chocolate and Isabel Allende’s, House of Spirits. It fascinates me, to see recognizable literary work translated and shared in the English language. It’s important that the grammar in these stories be translated correctly. It’s not always easy to translate literary work. It’s a plus when some of the books include a brief glossary or include literary notes. I also appreciate first debut novels which include evolving characters, which explore and are in search of their personal identity, Amy Tan’s, Joy Luck Club or Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. The main character or characters have to interest me first. I like to identify with the main character and the plot has to intrigue me. I like to follow a good story with characters that struggle and confront obstacles and later improve themselves as strong people. Some examples of stories are Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos or Eat, Pray and Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything by Elizabeth Gilbert. A common detail I recognize with all of these novels that I have read is that they are all written in first person and they involve family immigrant themes or personal struggles.

I like well crafted themes about women or men who share strong bonds between family and friends, Sandra Cisneros, Caramelo. I like to relate or identify with the characters, whether they are serious or humorous. I don’t mind reading about opposing traditions or powerful social issues between society or family generations. How the Garcia Sisters Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez, is a good storyline to use as an example to explore and understand the common social troubles.

A genre I don’t particularly read is fantasy or science fiction. I have read a few young adult stories, and I find, that I don’t enjoy the made up frame settings taken place in unknown planets or make-believe places. I don’t mind humor, it always make a story entertaining, but I don’t like silliness or excessive swear words. I don’t like extreme violence or torture, especially towards children or animals. Some excitement is good. I don’t mind a good spook here and there. Which means I don’t enjoy too many of Stephen King’s books. I don’t like gory violence, it seems to lurk in my mind and it makes me uncomfortable.

******Novels I Liked******

Laura Esquivel, Like Water for Chocolate: debut and translated novel, turn of the century Mexico setting, romantic tale/enjoyable love story, interpersonal relations and sensual, emotional and hopeful, culinary descriptions, family and folkloric tradition, mother and daughter relationships. First person narrative.Amy Tan, Joy Luck Club: rich exploration of Chinese and American culture, celebrates life, fast moving narration, female friendships, mother and daughter relationships, family values and tradition, personal reflection of growing up, writing is poetic, funny and heartwarming,

Kahled Hosseini, The Kite Runner: debut novel set in the mid-70’s in Kabul, historical setting, gripping coming of age story, good storytelling novel, relationship between father and son, family, culture traditions, emotional writing, first person narrative.

******Novels I Disliked******

Isabel Allende, Law of Love: science fiction and romance combined, magic hectic writing, too many settings, unpleasant deaths, distracting accompanying musical CD.

Stephen King, Misery: psychological terror story, too much torture detail, violent language and dark humor, paperback had very small print and minimal open space.

Toni Morrison, Beloved: complex storyline about slavery, disturbing violence, death of a child and animals, creepy haunting story, multiple narrated stories, too many flash backs, racial hatred.

Post #6-Thoughts about my Website Project

I have enjoyed learning to create my first webpage. When I first found out I had to create a webpage, I fell into a panic and was nervous to read about HTML and start the project. Another part of me felt really excited and looked forward to it because this meant I would learn something new and I would be able to participate with my job’s future plans of creating a library home page.

My idea for this project was to create a library home page for the Cicero Public Library, since the library hasn’t had its own page since 1999. In the back of my mind I knew exactly what I wanted to do, I just didn’t know where to start. After practicing in class and reviewing the the in-class assignment and exercise pages numerous times, I decided to start with the library’s blue print picture which was used during the library’s renovation project between 2000-2001. I decided to use the library’s name and address as the standard header. Then I experimented and added a thin bar to separate the content following the heading.

For my table, I envisioned a simple table without the box, so I decided to use the pipe to separate my navigation links in my home page. My first tab displays the library’s general information, which consists the library’s hours, directions, services and a library application pdf. The second link connects to the SWAN catalog. I wanted this link to be accessible at the top of the page to attract the user’s attention after he/she explored the library’s general information. I then added a department and staff directory, in case the patron has questions about the library or a question about finding a book. After the contact link, I chose to keep the home page link, so that it easy for the patron to go back to the first page.

Once the patron goes back to the front page he/she has the option to view a couple of external links that connect to the Town of Cicero’s home page and Morton College’s home page. I adding these two links because they are two of the most common questions asked at the circulation and adult reference desk.

I decided to keep the website simple and neat, so that I wouldn’t get distracted with the purpose of the assignment, which was to design the page. As soon as I would add a color to the page, my mind would float and I was tempted  to continue experimenting with the art and forget about the set up of the page.

I came across several problems. At the beginning of the project, I kept forgetting to close the tags. I would open and type the content and forget to close. I quickly made myself remember this simple technique. I also had difficulty remembering to add the equal sign before inserting a link and image. I also struggled trying to find an images that matched in width and length. I managed to find a perfect image for the Morton College link, but I could not find one for the Town of Cicero’s town hall. After viewing several images, my professor helped me find one and he adjusted the size on his MAC computer.

This project has help me understand the basic skills of reading HTML. I found myself getting frustrated when I would miss typing the format. I didn’t feel comfortable copying and pasting. Even though this was a quick way of completing the page, I felt I was cheating. I have gained an interest in continuing reading more about HTML and really grasping it until it become second nature. I at least could say to myself that I managed to create one webpage.

Post #5 - Library Services and Non-English Speakers

This is my fifth posting on my personal blog, and I have to say, I have enjoyed this experience of learning and contributing my thoughts with this fascinating library course, offered at Domincan University and taught by the very talented Professor, Michael Stephens. I would like to continue this style of learning, creating and following new information on the web. Throughout these three months, I have become more confident exploring and using the new skills; understanding the current networking techniques; and an understanding of using HTML coding. This is a course that has opened a new door in my professional career. I now have new goals and ideas to apply in my current two jobs. As I learn these new skills, I think its important for me to apply these skills with the Spanish speaking patrons that visit the library.

This is a sensitive subject for some people in the library field because there are library staff members who strongly believe libraries should only offer English services; and everyone who walks into the library should speak English. In reality, many of our communities in Chicago have communities who speaking various languages. It is important for our libraries to update the technology services to help their existing communities. Libraries should be prepared to welcome new users, both fluent English speakers and non-English speakers.

Throughout my experience while working in a town where 60% percent of the patrons are now Spanish speaking patrons, has been a challenging one and it has also been very rewarding. Libraries face a big problem when they try to provide new services in other languages and they cannot find it. As we become professional librarians, we should be knowledgable on this subject and contribute with other librarians.

For example, in a recent article I found in the Library Journal-Criticas Edition; ALA and Spanish Speakers—Too Much of a Divide? By Aída Bardales — July 15, 2007. Bardales expressed a concern for the small amount of panels representing Spanish speaking librarians and services at this year’s ALA Conference in Washington, D. C. The need is out there and the tools are available, they just need to be explored. It is up to us, as information providers to express some concern and implement new ideas and support to help libraries with the needs of providing support for non-English speakers.

A year ago the manager of the interlibrary loan department I work for, asked me to translate a department brochure. The library members found it very helpful and their Spanish speaking patrons appreciated the information provided in their first language. The popularity grew and the manager has now ordered more brochures in Polish and Arabic.

This past week I attended a staff meeting and we were introduced to the new formatted SWAN catalog and a couple of staff members suggested the catalog be available in other languages. The idea was appreciated, and I was asked by the director to look over and explore other library catalogs that are translated in Spanish. I have looked at various libraries and the demand for other languages in libraries has become highly requested. Spanish is one of the many languages available in catalog and database translations. Polish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese and French are just a few more languages to mention. Check out Skokie Public Library’s catalog, it’s translations are automated by Google.

I was fiddling around with Wikipedia in Spanish and I searched for the word blog. Since its been added to the English dictionary, I wondered if it translated in Spanish, and it did.

A week ago I helped someone who spoke Polish and she needed to verify some information she had for the United States naturalization exam.  She wanted to read it in her native language first and then practice pronouncing the words in English. It took me a couple of minutes to help her and when I found the information she needed she was very happy and grateful.  This was major help for her.  This is why I say it is very rewarding and gratifying to help someone who is new to the English language. If libraries supply the help to fullfill the needs of non-English speaking patrons, these patrons will become motivated and they will learn to speak English.

Libraries should not be divided into places where you only welcome the patrons that are avid readers and technology savvy. Libraries and librarians should welcome all users and embrace the availability of other languages and apply them to the library’s collection development, technology and networking services. Cheers! “)

Post #4 - About a blog…

 Three years ago I was introduced to blogging and RSS feeds by technology savvy librarian, Jenny Levine, the Shifted Librarian and I remember her telling the employees attending her class that blogging was going to be the new way to communicate on the Internet.  I took her class and never got a chance to sit down and practice what I learned in her class.  Look at me now,  I am using this new trend for my Internet Fundamentals and Design class and I enjoy using it.  

When I first discovered blogs, I noticed they were popular among newspapers, online journals and various organizations.  Today, blogs are spreading everywhere, and more and more librarians are creating blogs and promoting library information through their blogs.

A Blog is an entry of comments entered in a website which are kept in chronological order, keeping the most recent entry at the top.  Some blogs are simple and others are very sophisticated.  A great example of a well organized blog is one like my Professor’s blog, Michael Stevens, Tame the Web .  His blog is a very informative and fun to look at.

Blogs fit libraries well, they are instant posts of information promoting the library’s information.  I also think this trend fits librarians like a glove, because librarians are known to gather and keep information and update it frequently.

Unlike a website, which could be a little tedious to update for someone who has just started to use HTML.  Blogs could be created instantly; they are easy to maintain and most blog websites are free or inexpensive.

Over the weekend I was checking out my home library’s website and I noticed they have started the new trend of using My Space, along with blogging.  I noticed it’s still fairly new and patrons haven’t started to respond to the blog, but regardless, I am just happy to see the young adult librarian at the Foutaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook, IL, start this great new trend of communicating with the public, especially for the young adult department.  The young adults are the perfect audience to start out this experiment.  In some instances, they are the library users that are experimenting with the cyber communities.

Many libraries use pathfinder brochures; public newspaper entries; their own newsletters and their websites, why not add blogs to this list of information awareness.  Blogs are another market libraries can look into, and start experimenting with a creative trend that will appeal to their patrons.