I am approaching my study of internet from three major points of interest:
1) I am a Library School student, very interested in the impact digital publishing has on the library, the publishing industry, the librarian and the book.
I am curious about the future.
I believe the library of the future will become more important in the future, despite the digital age. Libraries are already providing open access to information, protecting our first amendment rights, and closing the digital divide. Library websites contain links to important social services in the community, and provide onsite help in computer skills, tax preparation, and a myriad of other subjects. The library also features activities for children, teens, artists, film buffs, and poets, while having changing displays of interest.
I see that the library is in many ways the library is already the library I envision for the future. My-vision-of-library-of-future.html
2) I am an author of stories and songs, wondering where and how to publish.
I self published 'A Recipe to Leaving an Abusive Relationship' through Smashwords, and have had 84 downloads so far. It is a free essay, but it pleases me that I might help some other woman caught in the same situation as I once was.
3) I am a future promoter wanting my author to achieve her goals. What are effective methods of promotion on the web? Is it possible to bring an unknown author to the attention of the reading public without support from paid alliances with internet giants? My author has had a hap-hazard history with spotty promotion attempts before losing interest. To be an effective marketer, I need a systematic, well planned approach, taking stock of what works and what doesn't.
To put it baldly, I suck at promotion but I know the things to do. Any kind of mass promotion is better than dribbles here and there, through newspaper, radio, television, or podcasting. Create a buzz, then play the show.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Ants, Stars, and Libraries
There are starts and finishes, but no beginning or end.
The infinite is in ants and stars.
The finite is in ants and stars.
Go in, in, and further in to an ant's eyelashes, and in, in, further in to the teardrop wobbling on a single lash,and in and beyond to worlds and causations behind the tear, and it goes on and so on until it's too much, and too little to see.
Dream of God with the universe as your ceiling, the stars rushing by, bigger and bigger, and bigger still until it's too much too much and too big to fathom, and find yourself right back with the ants.
Humanity is more ant than star, but ants are not forgetful of their Oneness.
To continue to elevate humanity, no one must be left behind. All of the world's citizens must have their basic needs met, and have at least the opportunity to love the library.
The library is bigger than four walls. It is concrete dedication to freedom, and must be protected for the sake of our future generations.
The infinite is in ants and stars.
The finite is in ants and stars.
Go in, in, and further in to an ant's eyelashes, and in, in, further in to the teardrop wobbling on a single lash,and in and beyond to worlds and causations behind the tear, and it goes on and so on until it's too much, and too little to see.
Dream of God with the universe as your ceiling, the stars rushing by, bigger and bigger, and bigger still until it's too much too much and too big to fathom, and find yourself right back with the ants.
Humanity is more ant than star, but ants are not forgetful of their Oneness.
To continue to elevate humanity, no one must be left behind. All of the world's citizens must have their basic needs met, and have at least the opportunity to love the library.
The library is bigger than four walls. It is concrete dedication to freedom, and must be protected for the sake of our future generations.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
My Vision of the Library of the Future
The Library of the Future has a prime spot in the community, a large piece of land protected by a Land Grant, and positioned on the community power grid, with back-up generators so it always has power.
It will be a community meeting place, a place to go in emergencies, a place where people can gather.
The building is large---like Grand Central Station. The First Amendment is above the entrance.
Inside are oasies of green, fountains, chairs, places to play checkers, for people to drink coffee, eat, and chat, large maps, large screen tv of the U.N., Congress, State Congress in action, Stock Exchange Reports, travel information.
The Library is sustained by revenue from food courts and rentals, handled by a 3rd party.
The building includes a post office, social service representives, a passport office and other information related services.
Non-profit agencies who serve the public have offices in wings, at reduced or no cost.
Our information is proactive. If a dangerously depressed old woman limped in on her last good leg, the future librarian could connect her with an actual person on the premises---someone who can actually help her.
It is accepted information that if a person wants help, it is available, but I can attest that sometimes its too much to be able to find it.
A person in acute pain does not have the capacity or energy to chase down that care.
People are suffering behind closed doors, and under bridges.
If you've lost your capacity to make money, you are at the mercy of a very cold world.
If the one-legged lady can make it into the Library of the Future, she is delivered with compassion to people who can actually help, and when she can stand on her one foot, she can hop to the Library of the Future and learn what she can do next.
We see gardens as information too, especially in urban environments, and the grounds provide beauty and respite for the community.
We have auditoriums inside and out, a variety of smaller meeting rooms.
Following the model of the shopping mall, information related services are consolidated in one building.
The same way that 'links' drive traffic to websites, the Library of the Future will create liasons that provide information and drive traffic to the Library.
We have achieved diversity by accepting college graduates as Jr. Librarians, able to do work towards a Master's in LIS as they work. We ensure qualified specialists in this way, rather than manning our desks with bored teenagers.
Computer labs are manned for on-the-spot computer assistance or training.
The Library is on the public transportation line, and includes a huge map of public transportation routes as well as a ticket office.
One wing is a museum with important archives and copies of documents are on display (Constitution, Bill of Rights). A reading room will have readable copies of old books.
Beleagured mothers seeking help for their families in one wing can check their children into the Children's Library so their children can enjoy learning experiences instead of waiting for help with nothing to do. Any parent seeking help, counseling, training can check their child in for a learning experience.
Major focus is dedicated to this wing in giving children opportunities for digital literacy, to hear stories, to have literary experiences. This wing is a colorful wonderland with literary inspired features, including some interactive beanstalks, rabbitholes, or pig's huts.
There are homework labs for all ages of youth for two or so hours each weekday. Liasons with local colleges provide extra assistance from future teachers during homework labs. Homework supplies are provided for any child who needs them and printing school projects are free. Businesses pledge support for literacy and digital literacy for youth allowing these expenses to be paid.
It will be a community meeting place, a place to go in emergencies, a place where people can gather.
The building is large---like Grand Central Station. The First Amendment is above the entrance.
Inside are oasies of green, fountains, chairs, places to play checkers, for people to drink coffee, eat, and chat, large maps, large screen tv of the U.N., Congress, State Congress in action, Stock Exchange Reports, travel information.
The Library is sustained by revenue from food courts and rentals, handled by a 3rd party.
The building includes a post office, social service representives, a passport office and other information related services.
Non-profit agencies who serve the public have offices in wings, at reduced or no cost.
Our information is proactive. If a dangerously depressed old woman limped in on her last good leg, the future librarian could connect her with an actual person on the premises---someone who can actually help her.
It is accepted information that if a person wants help, it is available, but I can attest that sometimes its too much to be able to find it.
A person in acute pain does not have the capacity or energy to chase down that care.
People are suffering behind closed doors, and under bridges.
If you've lost your capacity to make money, you are at the mercy of a very cold world.
If the one-legged lady can make it into the Library of the Future, she is delivered with compassion to people who can actually help, and when she can stand on her one foot, she can hop to the Library of the Future and learn what she can do next.
We see gardens as information too, especially in urban environments, and the grounds provide beauty and respite for the community.
We have auditoriums inside and out, a variety of smaller meeting rooms.
Following the model of the shopping mall, information related services are consolidated in one building.
The same way that 'links' drive traffic to websites, the Library of the Future will create liasons that provide information and drive traffic to the Library.
We have achieved diversity by accepting college graduates as Jr. Librarians, able to do work towards a Master's in LIS as they work. We ensure qualified specialists in this way, rather than manning our desks with bored teenagers.
Computer labs are manned for on-the-spot computer assistance or training.
The Library is on the public transportation line, and includes a huge map of public transportation routes as well as a ticket office.
One wing is a museum with important archives and copies of documents are on display (Constitution, Bill of Rights). A reading room will have readable copies of old books.
Beleagured mothers seeking help for their families in one wing can check their children into the Children's Library so their children can enjoy learning experiences instead of waiting for help with nothing to do. Any parent seeking help, counseling, training can check their child in for a learning experience.
Major focus is dedicated to this wing in giving children opportunities for digital literacy, to hear stories, to have literary experiences. This wing is a colorful wonderland with literary inspired features, including some interactive beanstalks, rabbitholes, or pig's huts.
There are homework labs for all ages of youth for two or so hours each weekday. Liasons with local colleges provide extra assistance from future teachers during homework labs. Homework supplies are provided for any child who needs them and printing school projects are free. Businesses pledge support for literacy and digital literacy for youth allowing these expenses to be paid.
The Library is Unique
No one could forsee the impact of the world wide web. A virtual world has been created, and as more and more of our information is digitized, there is danger that the public will view the physical library as unnecessary.
In my mind, the library is unique in its dedication to people, and to the preservation of our first amendment rights. Even if all the world's information were digital, and our society paperless, we still need people helping people with information. We still need a watchdog for our first amendment rights. We are still tactile beings who need tactile experiences, and we will always have a need for open access to information and tools for all of our citizens or future citizens.
For the Library to survive in the future, I think it needs to command a central place in society, and expand its idea of information and service.
In my mind, the library is unique in its dedication to people, and to the preservation of our first amendment rights. Even if all the world's information were digital, and our society paperless, we still need people helping people with information. We still need a watchdog for our first amendment rights. We are still tactile beings who need tactile experiences, and we will always have a need for open access to information and tools for all of our citizens or future citizens.
For the Library to survive in the future, I think it needs to command a central place in society, and expand its idea of information and service.
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