TASLA 2011: One More Time

Eighth year for my very favorite professional gathering!

The Texas Association of School Library Administrators conference...a small group of school library folks, about 75-100. Heard attendance is around 90 this year even in the midst of the changes and cuts. Many, many new folks on board...lead librarians were really encouraged to come this year.

Remember when you read this...it is a rough cut!!

Selecting Multicultural Materials and the Tejas Star Book Award

Good list of books from ESC Region One for the 2011-2012 award.

5th year for this award. Let's get more students involved in these books..from across the state.

These books were originally written in Spanish or true Spanish/English bilingual format.

The year's list are all in the bilingual format.

Other lists to consider when working on collection development:

Pura Belpre Award

Mildred L. Batchelder Award - published in another language and translated into English

Americas Book Award

Tomas Rivera Mexican American Book Award

more later!

Facts worthy of thinking about:

English language learners in Texas schools - involves 86 different languages...86!!! 830,713 students. Almost 91% of these 830 thousand + students are Spanish speakers learning English.

Hispanics currently make up 16% of the U.S. population but only 2% of the books published have Hispanic characters and Hispanics make up only 2% of authors publishing.

African-Americans currently make up 12% of the U.S. population but only 5.2% of the books published have Black characters and African-Americans are only 2.7% of the authors publishing.

Advocacy for School Library Leaders: A Call to Action

Advocacy Action wiki

Judy Moreillon

What ONE role of the five that we do will save us!

The group voted this way:

leader 24

instruction partner 15

info specialist 11

teacher 7

program administrator 0

her group when she initiated this study chose instructional partner as the most influential.

My personal choice is teacher...in order to survive I believe we must be seen as a teacher first and foremost because the power brokers understand that position, that term itself. The other roles are natural partners to being an effective teacher.

As is my problem often, I think instructional partner is a semantic issue...to me collaborative teacher is the same thing!

And what I have know for a VERY long time is we must be ALL FIVE all the time!

But I still stick with teacher being my primary role if I am to survive as a school librarian.

Feel free to share your own thoughts!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

God bless her, Gloria Meraz of TLA is trying to update the legislative/school financial issues as best she can with the positive approach she always presents. I just can't capture all the ideas in my head, much less try to put it on the blog. Read the papers, go to the internet, read what you want, write to who you think can influence the issues...it is just TOO much for me at this moment...maybe I can make sense out of it later. And remember one of the best ways to tell them how you feel...whatever side you are on, whatever group you support..VOTE. The primaries in March, the general election the next November.

Questions

SB8 vote next week

SB6 / HB6

instructional materials allotments

use the money to purchase databases, technology or textbooks "super fund"

must be spent on things that related to assessments....STAR, the tests

another version...must be spent on things that cover the TEKs

remember that allotments do not always get funded!

Moving from ratings to distinctions

School can earn distinctions in

fine arts

physical fitness

acquisition of foreign language, 2nd language (ASL)

academics

21st century workforce

and the new 6th one advanced learners - high performers ...this one is still in development

it will still be a "competition"

but think about how you as a librarian can help your school achieve these distinctions!

Remember - SILENCE GETS YOU NO WHERE

Ok...I need to close out this session...more later. I am overwhelmed thinking about all of this AND all the side conversations going on both in sessions and breaks and meals!!

Social Media Has Gone to the Dogs!

I love watching the Westminster Dog Show every year...and found this article describing all the uses of social networking at this year's event just as interesting. All kinds of devices, including QRs, were in use to keep people updated and informed.

Have YOU experienced a QR (Quick Response) code yet? Is your phone smart enough to do so? Check out more info about them here. Here is a sample of one.

Hickory is enjoying his filet mignon reward for winning. Lucky dog!

Photo credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

004.09 Did You Know 4.0: Stats about Our Current World

Ok, it is time to be reminded that what we have been doing in the 2.o world is NOT being done in isloation...we are playing and learning and testing and learning and practicing and learning the very things that more and more of the world is doing every day as a part of its normal, everyday world.

Is it a perfect world? No. Is it a totally safe way to do the business of everyday life? No. But neither is the other world!

It will take you a little more than 3 minutes to catch up with the latest and be reminded that it is ok to move forward and think differently, communicate differently, react differently, and most importantly in our little education corner of the world, learn differently!

Enjoy the current update of the wildly popular Shift Happens.

P.S. I'm intrigued by the method used in creating the text strips and some of the graphics. Pretty cool and worth the time as well!

In case the embedded video is blocked in district, here is the link. You should be able to see it through teacher sign-on of your computer.

741.6 ObamiconMe: A "Sign" of the Times

The Obama Hope campaign poster ...and the more recently created inauguration poster ...by Shepard Fairley have inspired another creative group to develop ObamicomMe, an image generator where you and I can play around with the technique. Here are few of my favorites from the gallery of creations.

From these examples above, I see lots of ways they can be used in libraries and classrooms. Don't you?

Here are some of my efforts.

It does require you to register in order to save your creations, but it is super easy and a whole lot of fun!

image 1 & 3 of my creations: Microsoft Clipart

image 2: personal colection

363.12 The Hudson Miracle

I have been watching the news on the Hudson River air crash the last few days and have truly been amazed at the stories that have come out of the event.

The Captain and his strength, ability and level-headedness at landing the plane so carefully is of course, a wonderful part of the miracle that occurred. But the individual challenges of all aboard are really something. Everyone helped each other, pitched in where it was needed, gave a hand out or an encouraging word...and turned the praise they received back towards the others.

And the images...gives new meaning to the old saying "on a wing and a prayer."

973.932 Seven Years: 9-11 Thoughts

This day was spent preparing...preparing my final thoughts for a workshop I was giving in the afternoon...preparing another load of belongings for their new life in a new abode...preparing for the oncoming hurricane, a "seriously"serious threat according to all the news reports.

But my thoughts...at least some of them kept going back to that day...7 years ago. Gosh, seems so long ago one minute and then the next, hardly a blink.

Why did I wrap my mind around that day? I was not "personally" affected...no one in my personal circle was affected...and yet, in the list of markers in my life...it is right up there with that day in November over 40 yrs ago and a handful of personal dates on my life timeline.

I was reminded about the event a little earlier this week when Daughter #1 relayed her classroom experience when her young students ask her about it. These sweet children only know it as a "history" lesson and were awestruck when their teacher could remember it actually happening and described her point of view. She was worried she would go too far and asked her students to talk with their parents about details.

I was reminded over the last 24 hours because I got to spend time with Daughter #2 and all I could think about was how I wanted my girls with me on that day...one being across town and the other down the hiway at school...and me thinking they might as well be on the moon because they were not right THERE with me...so I knew for sure they were safe.

Yes, this day was spent preparing...but with thoughts not too far away from remembering when.
May all Gulf Coast readers of this blog be safe...let's hope Ike blows through, but not with a vengeance. All readers take care...and hug any and all loved ones a little tighter the next few days.

Photo: American Memory collection.

9-11-2007

025.1 TASLA The Last Day: The State of the...

Gloria Meraz

We have foothold in two agencies...State Library & TEA. Policies about school libraries may be the next step. Encouraged by Karen Kahan's statements.The barriers are loosening...still a tough battle. Not a simple solution/

State mandated librarians on every campus is the dream, but there is a lot to do to even come close to that.

Work through the two agencies as to what is best...maybe a tiered approach to the change.

On the question of getting librarians classed as teachers..have to take the good with the "bad"..example--same assessments!

The big issue--resistance to this change...both on control and financial

The Humble ISD issue...the general attitude of the powers that be: I don't want to do this, BUT they are not manadated, yada yada...

The power of the grassroots...and the strength of these groups

She & P. Smith recently met with a regional PTA group on some topics and broached some of these topics along with the planned agenda...630,000 member strong across the state.

Advocacy happens at home...behind the scenes. One-on-one relationships.

Having TEA look at research that positions us in the mainframe is a HUGE thing! They now "recognize" something we have known all along

Different type of Legislative session...all hinges on the database program and how to prove its success. The vehicle to showcase the survey, etc. will be the key essential ingredient in making our point. " gonna take it for a spin and see how far it goes!"

Audience:Do we know the process for the writing of the report? key people from each agency plus a task force including Librarians

Report needs to become a strategic plan for next 10 yrs--audience comment

Audience: Any premlim data on which agency would be best fit for us?

Most said TEA (beyond the local entity)

Online resources are integrated into curriculum, fabic of instruction tends to make it fall under TEA. fundng issues could lean towards State library, but she doesn't feel it really matters

Audience: ELA new standards...the research piece will be a good arguement for the need for databases. description almost makes them a "mandate" so to speak.

Gloria: Is there a group connecting this group with TASL? we are essentially the same people wearing dfferent hats.

Report will be turned into Legislature in Dec. 08...prelim copies probably in October that will circulate for point and counterpoint talk.

Need for Libraries and certified Librarians issue is bigger than just us...need supt organization, principal group AND parents! Legislature needs to hear other voices than just us!

Going into the "transforming business" will be tough...some sacred cows may need to be sacrificied. Relationships with lots of groups will be necessary.

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Tejas Star Book Award 2008-2009

Region 1 ESC

Maria Elena Ovalle

The need to showcase books reflecting the culture of the area.

655,000+ students speak Spanish

Basic practices for ELL..."instruction that incorporates students' cultures and language"

Oral profiency [only] in the first language is not sufficient. Most be totally literate in the first language to be successful in the second language.

Dual language is best policy, but the problem is there are not enough qualified teachers!

So this reading program covers all these points (and others I didn't capture!)

Interesting comment she made...the books are windows to the worls, but they are mirrors as well! not a new thought, but I really haven't thought about the mirror part in awhile!

The authors do not need to be Hispanic, but must be immersed...Joe Hays is an example. Just being able to write in Spanish is not enough.

2007 winner

Juan and the Chupacabras/Juan y el Chupacabras by Xavier Garza

The newest list for 2008-2009. voting will be in February.

Cost is free. Rules and Forms

La fiesta de las tortillas ...she is going to use in a science integration...they are going to make torillas as the activity...the science behind it! article with chemical reactions oftortilla [ need to getthis information!]

Rene the boy...jumping off point for early research...researching people with your name!

025.1 TASLA Day 2, Afternoon

The SBISD team showed Student Products for the 21st Century and talked about Library2Play 23 Things. Despite the slow Internet, a fun time was had by all...we think!

Comments and ah-ha moments...stay tuned! here you go!
Thanks Dr. T T for handling this for us!

• ooh, I have to show my librarians this!
• I’ll be ready for the first of school now!
• Give kids cameras and let them go out and take pictures to use for this.
• This is way too cool.
• Where are you trying to go? Can I go there, too? How did you get there?
• Let’s GO! I figured it all out.
• It takes awhile loading, but is worth it.
• I’ve seen this before.
• SAVE IT FAST!
• This would be great for beginning of the year library orientation…If we take pictures of every point of interest, you can go back and narrate it all in this Photo Story. I begin to say less and less because I get tired.
• I could add to this every year.

Ideas you would have your students use? Things you are doing with technology in your district?

• Our senior English kids do Renaissance magazine covers. I framed some and put in the library. When Dr. Alan November did recording of kid who never would talk, they posted it on itunes and shared it with friends.
• 
  Research Vietnam War, do citations, videocast themselves as newscasters.
• I use Photostory and sent out questions and got librarians to speak and put it on google so new librarians can meet everyone.
• Best practices from veteran librarians.
• We have 5 year technology switchout and teach teachers the new downloads so they can use these in classes.
• Creating your own 23 Things
• Place in Florida has how to use and why you would use these.
• If teachers need 12 hours, we could copy and paste and create our own? YES
• This is a big, huge opportunity for those teachers who have dragged their feet.
• Christine McNew says we can offer credit in the fall. Barry will work out the details.
  

The book that Liz showed on podcasting
Podcasting at School by Kristin Fontichiaro
ISBN: 1-59158-587-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-59158-587-9
$30

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David talked about TEKSLink
It will be a community effort. We need to share our knowledge. "No one has time to do this all anymore."--a quote from David!
It is in the form a wiki making updating easy and an easy way to see who is working on what!

Then we went into the business meeting...and it was just that...business!

Of course, our day will end with a nice dinner and lots more bonding, discussions, and wonderful story-telling moments. Life is good!

025.1 TASLA Day #2 Morning

A High School Program -Engaging YAs
Northwest H.S., Justin, TX

We were shown an Animoto and a Photostory as ways to increase interest in YA books.
The presenter discussed the value of blogging...and how fun it is when authors leave you a message on your blog. We listened to some podcasts that she has done on some new titles. She showed Shelfari as a way to display your collections or genres on line. She talked about the Gale Books & Authors program...there is a free trial. [I can't seem to find info on how to "get there"...stay tuned!] Her deaprting activity... the 212 Degrees motivational video. [didn't take time to find embedded version..hopefully this comes right up]

The link at the top will take you to her library page and you can see the activities, the book lists, etc.


It's break time...guess what we are doing!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TEA Report Karen Kahan

Karen discussed the reorganization structure of TEA and those divisions that may affect our group.

Celebrating Where We Are

• Support standards
• K-12 databases
• Good news reports...various media pieces
• School Libraries Work!
• Leaders with technology !!

Audience comment: this needs to be shown to administrators (superintendents).

Setting The Course for Where We Can Go

• TSLAC/TEA Study and the survey
• Requests to the Legislature...funding TLC resources for equity...Rider 88!
• Cooperation with State Library, Region 20
• Long range plan for technology...progress report due in Dec 2008 ...we need to help with documentation on how databases are making a difference...how are they promoted...how they have affected student achievement (success stories)...have you met the recommendation in the plan

Providing Resources to Help Us Get Where We want to Be

• Curriculum website at TEA...hotest news about the LA/Reading standards changes!
• New area is research in these new LA/Reading TEKS
• Tx Higher Ed College Readiness Standards
• Kids' House & Senate Kids
• http://www.tea.state.tx.us/list to get on the mailing list...THE "To the Administrators' list"
• Star Chart...librarians should be filling this out..we are teachers! Big discussin about this issue...amny had been told not to fill it out on themselves!
• http://www.tea.state.tx.us/communications.html new NCLB reports requirement for technology (how many computers, documentation for technology literacy, technology literacy of personnel--teachers, librarians, administrators!) She stated it is critical to get on this list!
• The Texas Virtual School Network online courses..education thru electronic resources...ESC 10 & Harris Co. Dept Ed. central operations; several entities will provide training on how to teach online ..Region 4 is one.
• Internet Safety for students, educators, parents
• Vision 2020 grant...in review at this time

Reminded us we want !00% activiation and 100% regualr usage!! of all those databases. it is critical we have the proof that they are used to be able to keep them!

New format to TEA website...starts in July...there will be portals...buttons viewable on the homepage

she finished up with more resources...will have to wait for the PPt to be sent out...I will try to update when it comes out.

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During discussion time, Dr. Bishop talked to the group about the upcoming Administrator's Conference next April during TLA 2009. Start talking to your principal, etc. about attending. The date is April 1st.

What do you wish your principal can hear? other ideas to make it better

• need to have saying this stuff...not self-promoting speakers (which they really weren't)..we clearly need more administrators
• problem with the date...we know, but we have no choice
• time format changes becasuee of adminstrators who leave
• lots of theory..need more practical stuff like today's presentation, the principal/librarian from yesterday...less theory
• stats are very important...keep Keith Curry Lance...the impact of collaboration, we are the 5th content
• a local adminstrator from local area becasue majority will be from there...TASL winners have been used before
• dynamic librarian telling principals' what they need to do (non-$ support especially!)
• think of yourself as principal.....should it be divided by grade level...group consensus, yes.
• how to take advantage of your librarian..Use, not Abuse
• the new LA/Reading standards might need to be focus; using databases as starting point
• Involving PTAs, PTOs, ...the parent influence
• the new LA/Reading standards might need to be focus; using databases as starting point
• evaluation needs to be more important...not the last day of school, may have to get a new one!
• include TEA rep, National Board Librarians
• video cnferencing or vid-cast for those who could not attend
• what did the principal say about wanting their librian to do
• need for critical thinking skills...using databases as way to accomplish this, how they are helping to them (the admin themselves)
• having a strand for non-campus administrators
• communicating to the 1/3 of the campuses that are not in this room!
• share what is being talking about with the librarians at some point...so that they can be aware what is needed...maybe a reporting or fact sheet that comes out of there...many of the speakers have sites with all their points
• pinpoint specific sessions, booths they could go to ...principals' guide to TLA...please go with your librarian
• Coordinate with TASA maybe?
• using kids' presentations

It's lunch time!!

025.1 TASLA Day 1, Part 2: Texas State Library & Archives Commission

Peggy Rudd, the director, is back to give us a report on the State Library and its role of supporting all Libraries, including those of us in school Libraries. She began with the state-wide resource sharing that now includes a component for us in schools.

[please excuse the informality of this posting...am trying to keep up as best i can!]

50th Anniversary of the Reading Club...for elementary children, pre-school reading program and for the first time ---Game On! for YA readers. There are lots of promotional materials. There was a big celebration yesterday at the Capitol.

The renovation of the deZavala building on the Capitol grounds...it is underway...grand re-opening, May 2010. A learning space will be available for educational programs. A conservation lab with picture window where you can see it happening. [sign me up for that for sure!]

Federated search engine: The Library of Texas

The issue of the union catalog that we used to have...there was a question about that..will it becoming back...how do we start that discussion, who do we bring together?
A discussion ensued about this issue regarding how it would look, improving ILL across the state and who would take on responsibility be it Auto-Graphics or not. Possibly, membership in Tex-Share could move from law to rules...don't have to wait for Legislature to make changes.

A passionate discussion of where we (school libraries) belong, who we belong to, and how are we going to get the recognition from the Legislature..and who needs to spear-head this change. One audience member brought up the need to get parents behind the idea that unstaffed Libraries is not what should be happening as maybe a way to change the focus of this drive.

The Legislative budget request to be submitted in October for the next year was also a topic.
One audience comment: Use 21st Century sKills, Tx college Readiness Skills and AALS standards when trying to accomplish these tasks

sorry..this really rough..will try to clean up

Lunchtime! More bonding...and eating!

025.1 TASLA Day 1: The Fun Begins

My fifth year at what has turned out to be one of my favorite things to do with regards to this fun job I have (and my second year to blog it). State-wide Library administrators, lead librarians, and generally all-around good folks who work (and work hard) to bring good Library experiences to kids! We are having an ice-breaker to meet each other. It is good for me because I am terrible with names. I know all these people's faces, but names escape me. I will try to "know" my clock buddies from this point forward. I really will try! Thanks Mary, yes, I grumbled, but it was important for us (and me especially) to do this.

I will expand on the results of our first small group session later. It is worth its own post!

Collaboration & Curriculum - A Principal & Librarian's Story Corpus Christi ISD
Josie Alvarez, the principal, spoke first. It does need to be a partnership. It is a team effort made up of many people. But the Librarian has to be part of the team. Physically, in their school, the library is the hub. It is in the center where everyone see the action!

The Librarian, Molly Wyatt, is well-trained in flexible scheduling and open access. At first she was worried about the wide-open-ness of the new facility. Now she calls it heaven...a perfect place to work and learn their skills for the kids. The kids do their own book check out. 5-6 classes at a time! The kids are not bothered by open halls...it is part of the culture. It has taken 8 years to get to this point.

Principal Alvarez : "People without a vision, perish."
She talked about the book Rainbow Fish...the primadonna fish had lots but didn't share. Her first librarian was not what she expected. The old "this is MY library" philosophy. It took her five year to find the right person at her first school. Molly is just the opposite!

In her new school, the campus did some work with inquiry-discovery learning. Together as a staff they took a class over this. All must become facilitators in the kids' learning. The Librarian is part of the instructional planning committee, learns the scope and sequence as it changes.

Science was an issue immediately. Among the many things the Librarian did was to go thru her opening day collection and looked at what would work for science. She also has developed a professional collection that has basically been paid for from extra funds, not the regular library budget.

A portion of the library became the needed science lab...training started on how to use and respect. There is a science parents' night. Molly talked with the parents about how to work with their kids for the science fair.

In math, Molly did a lot of work finding literature tie-ins for math lessons. She also models lessons. Instead of tutoring a few kids in reading, Molly did enrichment with the larger groups of successful kids, while the classroom teacher works with the struggling students. She did an collaborative lesson with art over the Little House books and quilting. Her Wildflower reading program brings the parents into the reading circle of success as well. They also have Treasure reading lists of classics for every grade. 60,000 books circulated for 500+ kids.

Molly has had a assistant off and on..not every year...300 parents are patrons and a strong volunteer group.

Principal Alvarez was asked: what happened to you that made you aware that this is what you wanted in a Librarian? She first said the bad experience of having to work with someone who would not change and not be open. Then she spoke about what does an administrator want to have happen in their school...training on collaboration and vision.

Basically, listening to this presentation, it boils down to the people involved...a principal who recognizes the essential place of the Librarian and a Librarian who is willing to do what it takes to make success happen!

Ok, it's break time...and in this group...that means food!.....and now even more bonding with these fine people.

912 News Globe: Multitasking

Think Google Earth is the only way to see the world up close and personal?

Nope, it's not!

Add Yahoo News Globe to your interactive WWW experiences. Catch up on the news of the day anywhere in the world and see where all the action is in relationship to your point of reference on this great big blue marble we call home!

It is really cool to watch the world spin around on its own as it reveals the various world-wide headlines...that's the autoplay mode. In interactive mode, you can control the Earth's movements and you can spin the world any direction you want. If you want to read about the behind-the-scenes stuff and the "history" take a look here.

The world news stories are an interesting thing, but I love just looking that the geographic details...ice/snow were there is "real" or year-round winter, deserts that take up huge chunks of land, tiny specs of land in the midst of huge oceans that humans have traveled to successfully for thousands of years...without the benefit of GPS!

Go have some fun!

384.5 Cell Phones: Novel Sources

Ok, I climbed outta my hole this morning and "discovered" cell phone novels...currently a huge hit in Japan...coming to your neighborhood bookstore...? My favorite light-weight news program CBS News Sunday Morning did a piece on the literary format.

First off, let me make it very clear...this is adult (very adult) reading entertainment for the most part, so I am not a supporter of its content! I do find the delivery system interesting and was wondering why I had not heard of it here. The main reason for that I quickly found out is...it is not here!

So I did my research and here is what I found:

This young lady is named Rin, currently 21 and her first best seller was "texted" when she was a senior in high school. The TV report indicated that at one point she was measured texting 1000 characters per minute.

From a NY Times article (Jan. 2008) I read that from Japan's 2007 10 best-selling novels, 5 started out as cell phone virtual novels. The growth of the industry is due to price structure change in text messaging...something we have experienced here, but just not for books! Although many writers actually "wrote" on their phones, one publsiher commented that one author's vocabulary increased and her sentences got longer...when she abandoned the phone for a computer keyboard & screen!

In the if book: Project for the Future of the Book article (Mar. 2005), serializing the stories (a la Dickens' original form) allows the author to change the flow if the readers aren't following. Apparently, this feature is the strength of the newly-developed genre. Wired AP article (Mar. 2005) carried many of the same statements.

Yes, there is a basic introductory article Mobile Phone Novels entry from Wikipedia which states the first cell phone novel was published in 2003 and went to sell 2.3 million copies when it went into print.

From an ABC News feature (Jan. 2008) came the interesting statement that Japanese trains are so crowded, no room for opening a book! Hence, the popularity of books on cell phones. As far as whether text novels will come to the English-speaking world:

For Japan, it's that intersection between a tech-savvy population, a
language written in characters and time \spent commuting that
make cell phone novels so popular to both read and write and why Americans will probably never see versions of the new novel form, said Paul Saffo, a Silicon Valley-based technology analyst.

Romance stories have made a small entry in the UK according to another ABC News report (April 2007), but the biggest drawback...no steamy, lustful voices a la i-pod upload!

In an article in ComputerWorld (Jan. 2008), the problem of decreased reading in the United States is discussed. Cell phone books are not necessarily seen as one of the solutions to the problem however even though in Japan that seems to be just the opposite. Among the several reasons why is the Japanese have learned how to make the books participatory--the readers tell whether they like the way the story is going or not. That idea is not available here...yet.

x

So, I'm not behind the times now...at least on this topic. I'm sure there are many out there who will sigh and say "old news."

976.4 Speaking of License Plates: More than One Winner!

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDoT) took advantage of the interactive nature of the Web this month when it held an online vote for the next car license plate. Several choices (including the one released in 2000) were available and 1.2 million "voters" cast their choice.

I voted for the winner!! Although the bluebonnet one was pretty, this one got me in the heart. The media describes it as the one with the big white star or Lone Star. I suspect that many, many of the 400,000 + voters that selected this one saw what I saw...the beautiful mountain range and powerful cloud formation...yup, a west Texas scene won!

O, by the way, changing the design was not the only reason for the change. Seems we have used up all the alpha-numeric combinations possible with the 6 character format. Took us 33 years to do so. TxDot needed to add a 7th character so they decided that it was also a good time for a design change as well. Personally, I'm glad...never cared for the tiny hodge-podge symbols on the current one.

As part of the 23 Things program that the SBISD Library Information Services Department is sponsoring, Players get to mess around with lots of image generators. One in particular is Image Chef that has a license plate (and yes, other states ARE available!) on which you can create messages. My "practice" plate for the 23 Things advertises the program.

Then I just played around a bit more to show you some other ideas for this fun Thing! Maybe the other states could be incorporated into the traditional states' reports we all have our kids do at some point?

Go see what kind of fun you can make!

428.1 Vocabulary: Here a w00t, There a w00t, Everywhere a w00t, w00t

Merriam-Webster Dictionary announced today its word for 2007 ...w00t...an interjection originally created in gamers' language known as "l33t (elite) speak" that means "yay", or a sound that is made after a "win" in a game. Texas Aggies might consider it a cousin of their own "Whoop" (and if they don't, I'm sure I'll hear about it!)

Among the other Top Ten is another 2.0 contribution...facebook (as a verb!), condundrum, a condition I think I find myself in way too often, and blamestorming, another interesting action word.

As for what l33t speak is...it is a combination of letter and numbers (those are zeros in w00t, not ohs).

Earlier this year, I wrote about Blog Day and the symbol of the that event 3108...reflecting also why it is held on August 31. Can you see B-l-o-g? That's l33t speak!

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From Wikipedia comes this explanation of another l33t... n00t and newb(ie) (something I know a lot about being these days, but now I'm afraid I might be a n00t and I'll have to work on that!)

Within Leet, the term noob, and derivations thereof, is used extensively. The word means, and derives from, newbie (as in new and inexperienced or uninformed),[12][15][20] and is used as a means of segregating the "elite" members of a group from outsiders. Though they are often used interchangeably, there is a widely accepted
separation of the definitions of newb and n00b: a newb is merely new to
something, which is forgivable, while a n00b continues to engage in "newb" behaviors long after they should know better. It implies that the target is being ignorant of his or her own failures, blames others without reason, has
failed to learn, etc. The word noob is a very common insult in most online games.

002.068 Kindle: An Example of Passion?

Last Monday was the latest BIG day in the personal technology world...the unveiling of amazon.com's (but probably more important,Jeff Bezo's) electronic book reader Kindle. The bloggers were "up" early in that I was reading info and opinions early that morning. Demonstration video

But the "special" part of the day occurred for me totally by accident. Later that night, way later that night in fact, I was channel surfing to find something that would lull me to sleep when I stumbled across Charlie Rose interviewing Jeff Bezo about his Kindle. Well, sleep eluded me for about 45 minutes longer + some thinking time because I was fascinated by what I saw...yes, the device was interesting, but that was not what was keeping me awake...it was the way Bezo was bubbling over and bursting with pride over his latest toy! I was watching someone talk passionately about something that meant a great deal to him on many levels and that had consumed many hours of thought and labor for several years, and yet, he was almost overcome with excitement as if it were the first day. For me, that was exciting. I loved watching his giddiness!

Points he made that stood out for me...

"we are not trying to out-book the book."

"there will be no out-of-print books."

And the most important thing for the archivist part of my"Five Little Peppers and How They Grew book-loving heart...any book, no matter how old or worn out will ALWAYS be around!

No, he did not accomplish the feat by himself and he knows it. It takes a team. The jury is still out as to whether the device itself is a real winner and judging by some of the reviews, some people aren't impressed with the device nor even the effort itself. But then some people just don't get the 2.0 world and the future of books, reading, learning, etc. And to the ones who think books are dead...wrong, only the format has adapted once again for a group of readers needing (or wanting) it!

I prefer to think of it as one man's treasure to be discovered by masses as they find need for it. I, not being the best adapter at all things technological, can see even me using this device...1. because it does appear to a light-weight 2. it doesn't take a computer to make it work 3. it is visual reading (I'm just not into "audio reading," but want all the proper devices available for those who are!) If it is not perfection, then someone will go back to the drawing board until there is the perfect device. How many time did Edison try elements for his perfect light bulb? Aren't we glad others improved upon the "horseless carriage" or I would have gotten really wet on my rainy drive back home today and would not have had my posse (of singers on CD) riding with me.

Bezos said that color was being worked on as he spoke...I hope that means that pictures (covers and other artwork) won't too long in comg?

Here are some releases, reviews, and blog posts regarding the Kindle. Take a look and see for yourself whether this is a good thing...or not. The specs are below.

Blue Skunk Blog 1
Blue Skunk Blog 2
What I Learned Today --go down into the post to "Next, as I mentioned yesterday..."
The Library Stream
ALA Tech Source
Hey Jude
Weblogg-ed
Newsweek release (cover article will be out on the 27th)
if:book discusses the Newsweek article...the future of reading
if:book some thoughts on the pricing (yes, it is outta my league, but most of technology is outta my league price-wise...you outta see just how old my cell phone is..my kids call it the brick!) they still sold out in hours and with no opportunity to "kick the tires!"
engadget
NYTimes old article but does comparison with other devices

If nothing else, please watch at least some the interview...it is a 57-minute feast of enthusiasm.
You might catch some of the fever!

025.04 Google: A Celebration

Happy 9th birthday to Google...can you believe it!

From the site:
Google opened its doors in September 1998. The exact date when we celebrate our birthday has moved around over the years, depending on when people feel like having cake.

I really don't remember BG (before Google!) I have certainly taken advantage of much of its growth and development. Here's the timeline from the site itself!

P.S. Don't you just love the clever artwork each and every time on special dates? I would love to know those creative people...bet they are fun!

973.931 Where Were You...

...six years ago?

The babies are first graders.

The first graders are in middle school.

The sixth graders are seniors.

The seniors are part of the grown-up world.

My personal touchstone...Alan Jackson's song...I still have moments when it comes on the radio.

Comments from the early morning news shows made me ponder...

Are we safe? Probably not.

Are we safer than we were? From the depths of my being, I hope so.

Are we the same? NO

92 The Davy Crockett Letter

Say it ain't so, Joe.

Recently, the Texas Historical Commission purchased what was described as the last letter the Texas hero and American legend Davy Crockett wrote.

Almost immediately, the news sources and internet came out with information about the letter being less than authentic!

Being someone who thrives on pretty much anything "historical," especially if it can be "touched," this set of circumstances is not good! (Ask anyone who happened to be with me a few years ago when I got to touch a Jefferson letter and pick up the oldest known Alamo photo during a special presentation at the Center for American History in Austin...it's a big deal to me!) The final decision has not been determined, but the evidence seems to be leaning towards a sad outcome.

Doesn't lessen the man's contribution, but does put a damper on the "excitement of history"...at least for me. Guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.

If you want to see the original news articles about the purchase and don't have access to the local paper's archive, you can get the articles from sources such as EBSCO...if your library subscribes. I checked...they are there. You can "google" Crockett + letter and get all the various reports and discussions about it being fake.

The Fine Books blog has a whole series of posts discussing the evidence that is piling up.

92 Madeline L'Engle: Thanks for the Memories

Madeline L'Engle passed away late last week at age 88.

I know I read her most popular titles including Wrinkle in Time, but remember better my time with her stories like Meet the Austins and Camilla...more my style.

Although her most popular books were not on my personal favorites list, I have many fond memories of giving them to students and watching them devour the stories and come back wanting more. These books have stood the test of time and would even pass the muster even if the covers were a little less appealing than the "new" books...once hooked, readers don't much care for packaging if the story is good!

I am sure many of you will have special memories with her various offereings. I hope they bring you a smile as you think about them. Here is a list of her titles. She has touched readers for 6 decades!

Here is some of the reaction to the author's passing that you may want to read ...and maybe share with her newest readers!
Madeline L'Engle's Official Website
CNN Report
Publisher's Weekly
Chair, Fireplace, Tea Cozy blog
Amazon Bookstore blog