Live from Illinois Immersion 2007!

Hello to everyone at the Tredway Library!  I write to you from a computer lab in the Milner Library on the campus of Illinois State University in lovely Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where I’m busily working on an assignment…ok, perhaps not so “busily” at the moment.

Why am I at ISU?  Why am I working on an assignment over the summer?  I’m here with my fellow reference librarian, Amanda, participating in an intense 5-day workshop about teaching, learning, and information literacy.  Our teachers are librarians who are at the cutting edge of information literacy, doing great things at their colleges and universities to help their students and faculty navigate the ever-changing and expanding world of information.  “Information literacy” includes so much more than just using the library for academic research; it’s about using information throughout our lives to be informed citizens, intelligent consumers, and empowered individuals. 

Amanda and I are looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned with all of our colleagues back in Rock Island.  See you soon!

–Anne

Overheard

I have fallen behind in my postings, and wanted to let you all know about something I heard this summer.  One of our professors, who has an office here in the library, asked for some reference assistance.  After one of the library staff suggested he try a particular database, he came back and was extremely excited about the results he received.

I know, I know.  You’re asking yourself, “How excited could he possibly be?”

Excited enough to make this statement:  “This is why librarians are in my top 5 people.  First, it is my wife; second, my daughter.  Then comes librarians.  My mom is fourth, and of course, Courtney Love is fifth.”

So, to that my friends, I can just say, “Wow! Look what happens when you come to the library.”

Wow! I’m going to be a Flower Dog!

My good friend (and recent Augie alum) Laura Gibbs has invited me to be a flower dog in her upcoming wedding.  As a circulation worker, Laura always took very good care of me, making new outfits for me and even creating a blog for me that pre-dates this one!

Given our longstanding history, you can understand why I agreed to be her flower dog in a flash.  It’s such an honor and a thrill!  The picture above shows me as I try on my wedding garb.