Saturday, May 7, 2011

Librarian Twitter Army

Ok,

I'm trying to generate a Librarian Twitter Army. This would be for information and reference professionals (and willing and qualified amateurs?) who are on twitter and would like to take the time to offer reference help via the tweety box. Unfortunately, I chose the name @LibTwitArmy without even thinking. Now twitter is acting up and it won't let me change it to @librarianarmy- which I intend to do as soon as allowed.

I'm asking people to send their questions to @librarianarmy or include #librariantwitterarmy in their tweeted queries. Kind of a Plea, kind of a MANDATE!


The point would be to provide links and references to people in need. This could maybe be a resource for people involved in the Arab Spring or Green Revolution type movements that need info, or simply homework help and everything in between.

Basically, I envision it this way- the tweet would be sent to @librarianarmy or include the aforementioned hash tag, and the @librarianarmy would retweet it to all followers, who would then answer.

Why? BECAUSE, that's why. Also, because we need to show that librarians have a place on twitter more than just an echo chamber. Plus, maybe it will save some poor soul from using Yahoo Answers. Who's in?

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Another Day, Another Problem Solved

Hey! Yeah, you! Yeah, you schools that are running Sorry, couldn't help it.
out of money, listen up. First, what have you been thinking? Well, whatever it is, it isn't working. Technology and dollars are not the answer. Give me your ear and I can solve your whole tangled mess, but I won't do it now. No, now I will solve one small part of it. Ready? Strap your helmets on, because you're mind might explode without extra external support!

Here we go... are you ready? Get rid of any and all school libraries that are within a walking distance to a public library branch. That's it. Problem solved. That budget is already looking better isn't it? Well, it's not writing it all off See, it's not that hard!
the books. What you need to do is PAY THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 25% of what you are saving. That way they can support the extra use and maybe even a staff member too. Do your teachers need to take a class to the library to research an assignment? Walk them there.

Now, here's the hard part, get your teachers working with the public librarians. Let them know what projects will be done, what subjects there will be a need for. Schedule trips. Trust me, the librarians will be more than glad to help you. They're seeing these kids right after school anyway, so most of them won't be strangers. Also, public libraries will EAT THE NUMBERS UP! It's called synergy. Let's make it happen.