Library Tapestry


Breathe

March 9, 2012
Sometimes I try to do too many things. It's all Good Stuff. There's just too much of it. The family things, the volunteer things, the work things, the personal things. And don't forget to walk the dog!

Walk. Breathe. Listen.

Those things really need to be done today. The rest of it will happen in its own time. However: without walking, we stand still; without breathing, we cease to live to enjoy another day; without listening, we know nothing of those we care about. When I prioritize today, these will be at the top of my list.
 

ALA MidWinter

January 27, 2012
I recently returned from Dallas, TX, and the ALA MidWinter conference. What a thrill to rub shoulders with IMLS staff, librarians of all stripes, beginners and seasoned professionals, and even a 40-year veteran from the Library of Congress. My favorite author talk was John Green's reception and Freedom to Read presentation. I hope he accepts my invitation to visit Boise soon!

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The Unexpected

December 29, 2011
If I've learned anything in my lifetime, it is that I must expect the unexpected. Each time I think I have life figured out, I know what's coming next, I'm ready for the next five years, there's a sudden turn and I have to rethink everything.

I have my MLS now, and I have long expected that there will be a job locally that will allow me to work fulltime as a children's librarian. I'd like to spend my time doing what I love, helping kids, teens, parents, and caregivers to locate great children'...
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Quotations

December 11, 2011
It's funny. I've been interviewed for news articles about the library several times now. Each time, I choose my words carefully. Each time, I hope that whatever gets printed is approximately what I meant. Words taken out of context can be misleading, for better or worse. Words empower, but they can also mock or tear down. I've studied the transmission of information in library school for the last 2.5 years. The one thing I am sure of is this: Information is at the heart of what makes humans h...
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Time

November 16, 2011
"Time keeps on slippin' into the future." So true. When I last posted in March, I was buried in schoolwork, family life, and library work. Now it's November and I'm still "up to my eyeballs in alligators," but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. My library school experience will last for one more month and then that part of my library training will end. I won't miss the crazy schedules or the homework; I might miss the camaraderie of group suffering with fellow students.

As time moves ...
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The Simple Things

March 25, 2011
I have a newfound appreciation of the simple things in life. This week, after a prolonged (1.5 year) hiatus, a particular room in my house again has a sink with running water. Just turning the handle and watching the water flow effortlessly out gave me great joy.

Sometimes we think only the grand, the elegant, the time-consuming and the mind-boggling projects are worthwhile. It's not true. The simple things are good. Maybe even great. After all, where would I be without a sink and running wate...
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Who Knew?

March 20, 2011
Reading Anita Silvey's, "Children's Book Almanac," I discovered things about author Bill Martin I never knew. He had a Ph.D. and started his career in publishing. He mentored Eric Carle. He's no longer with us.

The journey we take as life moves along and careers progress is rarely a linear, predicatable one. My journey has had twists and turns too numerous to count. I've done work in my "career" that is vastly different than what I plan to do for the next 20 some-odd years. (putting electrodes...
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Pain, the great equalizer

February 28, 2011
I spent two days last week sitting in the hospital, hoping and praying that my teenaged son would be released soon. As much as I dislike experiencing pain, I find it even more difficult to watch a loved one suffer. Pain equalizes people. Whether we are great or insignificant, rich or poor, we have to stop and acknowledge pain. Pain halts everything; seemingly important events and duties fade into insignificance in its wake.

I hope I don't spend time in the hospital again any time soon. I am SO...
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On Recognition

February 7, 2011
I thought the term "personal branding" was edgy enough. Now I find another term, "Micro Celebrity," that encapsulates the idea even better. As we busily create another blog post, website update, tweet, profile pic, or other momentary announcements, what is our real hope? Recognition. Look at me! See what I can do! I'm a Celebrity!

Granted, some of the things we share are worthwhile, entertaining, or thought-provoking. Thank goodness. So many, however, are just that much more blah blah in the c...
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Resisting Change

February 3, 2011
There's something in each of us that wants things to stay the same. We resist change, to a greater or lesser degree, because often change is seen as equivalent to loss. And when things inevitably change, sometimes we go through the same gamut of emotions that accompany the grief of loss. All these ideas have been highlighted for me in readings this week for a class I'm taking. But they're nothing new. I'm not a particularly change-oriented person. I like adventure sometimes, but often I appre...
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About Me


Fiona F. May ** Twitter @FionaFMay. ** LinkedIn Fiona F. May. ** Email FionaFMay@gmail.com

My weaving: a Christmas project.

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