Librarians & library staff may be cool, but I don't know any cool pickup lines to have come from us. This post from the LISNews Librarian shows why (via Filipino Librarian).
My favourite is, "So what's your Cutter Number, baby?"
BTW, chances are you've encountered a Cutter Number before. The next time you borrow a book from the NLB public library, look at the Call Number label at the spine of the book. The Cutter isn't a "number" per se. In simple terms, it's the first 3-letters of the author's surname (in some cases, the book title) to identify fiction works, and to add further identification from other Dewey Decimal numbers.
For instance, for fiction titles:
. Tom Clancy's books - Call No. = CLA
. John Grisham's - Call No. = GRI
. "Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien = TOL
Aah, librarians like to complicate things... ... fictional works like Graphic Novels are classified under DDC "741" (because they are classified as "Art") and a Cutter Number added to differentiate from all the "741s".
Like "Orbiter" (a graphic novel) - Call No. 741.5973 ORB (the ORB follows the title, 'cos in this case we don't take the comic artist as author).
Hmm... trust a (rambling) librarian to overload you with too much information. :)
Tag: libraries, library classification
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Happy Birthday SG: We are 40 today
I'm not one to celebrate my own birthday, let alone a nation's. National Days come and go but somehow I'm paying more attention to it this year.
Maybe it's because 40 is a nice round number. Maybe because of it's a nice round number, the respective grassroots and government machinery has been out in force with the celebrations, and I can't help but notice it.
1965.
Wasn't even born yet.
My parents were, but they don't really tell me and my siblings "war stories". Oh, my dad sometimes goes into those "Back-in-those-days" storytelling mode but rarely.
Personally, I think there's are two books that everyone ought to read if they wish to delve a bit more into Singapore:
This is volume 1 - The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew
NLB Call No.: 959.57 LEE (Singapore Collection)
ISBN: 0130208035
Click here to check for item availability
It surprised me that I found it engaging and enjoyable. "Unputdownable" even, because it read like a political-thriller novel... like Tom Clancy without the military hardware. It's a blunt and personal look at the events that led to Singapore's Independence -- the Japanese Occupation, leading strikers against the colonial government, and then against the communists, the riots, merger with Malaysia and The Separation.
Volume 2 is titled From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000
NLB Call No.: 959.57 LEE (Singapore Collection)
ISBN: 0060197765
Click here to check for item availability
Where Volume 1 gives insights as to how Singapore achieved independence, this volume tells how modern Singapore was built. Chapters like "Going It Alone", "Building an Army from Scratch", "Britain Pulls Out", "Surviving Without a Hinterland", "Creating a Financial Center", "Winning Over the Unions", "nurturing and Attracting Talent", "Keeping the Government Clean", then insights into relationships with global neighbours like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the then Soviet Union, America, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and a few more chapters on China.
From the National Day video - "40 Today" - (source: www.sg):
This wasn't said today, or two years ago. It was said on 11 August 1966 by the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. And it still holds true today on our 40th birthday.
I'm not sure if people from overseas can make sense of the video. Basically it shows old photographs contrasted with the modern equivalent. Upon reflection, I noticed the video is all about the people of Singapore. In many sense, that's what Singapore only has, really. Its people.
BTW, there's a shot of the library at the 4:50 mark in the video. You can't really tell unless you're familiar with the place because they didn't feature the library that prominently.
I only have one grouse with the video.
Where's the librarian?
Happy birthday, Singapore.
(More well-wishers can be found at this Tomorrow.sg post)
Tag: singapore,ndp
Maybe it's because 40 is a nice round number. Maybe because of it's a nice round number, the respective grassroots and government machinery has been out in force with the celebrations, and I can't help but notice it.
1965.
Wasn't even born yet.
My parents were, but they don't really tell me and my siblings "war stories". Oh, my dad sometimes goes into those "Back-in-those-days" storytelling mode but rarely.
Personally, I think there's are two books that everyone ought to read if they wish to delve a bit more into Singapore:
This is volume 1 - The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew
NLB Call No.: 959.57 LEE (Singapore Collection)
ISBN: 0130208035
Click here to check for item availability
It surprised me that I found it engaging and enjoyable. "Unputdownable" even, because it read like a political-thriller novel... like Tom Clancy without the military hardware. It's a blunt and personal look at the events that led to Singapore's Independence -- the Japanese Occupation, leading strikers against the colonial government, and then against the communists, the riots, merger with Malaysia and The Separation.
Volume 2 is titled From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000
NLB Call No.: 959.57 LEE (Singapore Collection)
ISBN: 0060197765
Click here to check for item availability
Where Volume 1 gives insights as to how Singapore achieved independence, this volume tells how modern Singapore was built. Chapters like "Going It Alone", "Building an Army from Scratch", "Britain Pulls Out", "Surviving Without a Hinterland", "Creating a Financial Center", "Winning Over the Unions", "nurturing and Attracting Talent", "Keeping the Government Clean", then insights into relationships with global neighbours like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the then Soviet Union, America, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and a few more chapters on China.
From the National Day video - "40 Today" - (source: www.sg):
Friends and fellow citizens.
This is a constantly changing and forward-moving society.
Singapore has changed, but more important, you and I , not only have we grown older, our own thoughts, our thinking has changed.
As the world around us changes, so we change to meet this new situation.
This wasn't said today, or two years ago. It was said on 11 August 1966 by the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. And it still holds true today on our 40th birthday.
I'm not sure if people from overseas can make sense of the video. Basically it shows old photographs contrasted with the modern equivalent. Upon reflection, I noticed the video is all about the people of Singapore. In many sense, that's what Singapore only has, really. Its people.
BTW, there's a shot of the library at the 4:50 mark in the video. You can't really tell unless you're familiar with the place because they didn't feature the library that prominently.
I only have one grouse with the video.
Where's the librarian?
Happy birthday, Singapore.
(More well-wishers can be found at this Tomorrow.sg post)
Tag: singapore,ndp
Monday, August 08, 2005
IFLA 2005, Oslo: What I'm going to miss from home
What's this post got to do with IFLA? Absolutely nothing!
I'm going to miss my wife and the dog for the duration of the trip. But this isn't my first trip away so that's not what perplexes me. I'm almost embarrassed to say this but I'm going to miss... a ... a Korean Drama!
Yes, I'm addicted to this show:
Image source: Official site of Korean National Tourism Org (or see Google cache)
I'm no new-age whatchamacallit Metrosexual male. I don't watch serials as a rule -- not English ones or otherwise. Just so happens that I like this particular show.
First time my wife asked me to watch it, I pooh-poohed the very notion of me watching a sappy drama serial. But my wife waved a packet of snacks and patted the seat, so I... ahem... humoured her (i.e. gave in to food craving) and told myself once the snacks are finished, I'm outta there. Ah, but I was hooked.
Why? Because the show is educational (you learn about Korean food), it's full of suspense, laughs, excellent storytelling that leaves you wanting for more each episode. It helps that the actress is pretty (though I wish my wife would stop gushing, "Handsome man!" everytime the hero of the show appears. I think she does it to spite me).
Watching the early episodes, the young Chang Jing was such a tenacious little tyke. Plus the way she said ‘yes’ in Korean (like “Yee-yay”, only demurely) was so adorable.
But lots of shows have that qualities right? (I mean the suspense and laughs and storytelling). So what's the true and honest reason for my mild obsession?
Honestly?
Because like any good story, it inspires and leaves me wanting more. Every episode weaves a story of hope, love, courage and perseverance. Each episode – like all good books – leaves a calm, contemplative aftertaste that says to me, “Have hope and courage, Ivan, and things will turn out OK”.
BTW, I found this blog dedicated to the show. It's not the typical gushy fan-site. Quite informative and educational, so much so that I've subscribed to it. And judging from this post, looks like my "addiction" is justified. : )
Tag: IFLA, korean drama
I'm going to miss my wife and the dog for the duration of the trip. But this isn't my first trip away so that's not what perplexes me. I'm almost embarrassed to say this but I'm going to miss... a ... a Korean Drama!
Yes, I'm addicted to this show:
Image source: Official site of Korean National Tourism Org (or see Google cache)
I'm no new-age whatchamacallit Metrosexual male. I don't watch serials as a rule -- not English ones or otherwise. Just so happens that I like this particular show.
First time my wife asked me to watch it, I pooh-poohed the very notion of me watching a sappy drama serial. But my wife waved a packet of snacks and patted the seat, so I... ahem... humoured her (i.e. gave in to food craving) and told myself once the snacks are finished, I'm outta there. Ah, but I was hooked.
Why? Because the show is educational (you learn about Korean food), it's full of suspense, laughs, excellent storytelling that leaves you wanting for more each episode. It helps that the actress is pretty (though I wish my wife would stop gushing, "Handsome man!" everytime the hero of the show appears. I think she does it to spite me).
Watching the early episodes, the young Chang Jing was such a tenacious little tyke. Plus the way she said ‘yes’ in Korean (like “Yee-yay”, only demurely) was so adorable.
But lots of shows have that qualities right? (I mean the suspense and laughs and storytelling). So what's the true and honest reason for my mild obsession?
Honestly?
Because like any good story, it inspires and leaves me wanting more. Every episode weaves a story of hope, love, courage and perseverance. Each episode – like all good books – leaves a calm, contemplative aftertaste that says to me, “Have hope and courage, Ivan, and things will turn out OK”.
BTW, I found this blog dedicated to the show. It's not the typical gushy fan-site. Quite informative and educational, so much so that I've subscribed to it. And judging from this post, looks like my "addiction" is justified. : )
Tag: IFLA, korean drama
IFLA 2005, Oslo: More readings on Libraries in Norway
[Reference: 24 Jun 05 post]
Notes from my readings on libraries in Norway -- this one is from "A Voyage Through the Norwegian Library Landscape and Some Challenges on the Horizon" by Leikny Haga Indergaard (IFLA Journal vol. 31 no.2 (2005):
From p.137 - Figure 4. The Oslo Public Library. Deichmanske
Bibliotek. Main building. Photo: Chris Erichsen.
p. 142 - Figure 9. The bookmobile boat Epos, from the western part of Norway. Photo: Hordaland County Library.
Tag: IFLA
Notes from my readings on libraries in Norway -- this one is from "A Voyage Through the Norwegian Library Landscape and Some Challenges on the Horizon" by Leikny Haga Indergaard (IFLA Journal vol. 31 no.2 (2005):
- P.134. Public Libraries - For more than two hundred years Norway has had a public library system open to all. The first reading societies (Leseselskap) were established in the 18th century and were founded on the belief in knowledge and reason fostered by the Age of Enlightenment. By 1840 there were 230 public libraries in Norway.
- P.135. Challenges for Academic and Research Libraries - Academic, special and research libraries are undergoing change and many smaller libraries are being closed. The transition from printed to digital material is speeding up with the latter showing a 30 percent increase last year.
- P.136. The Library as a Centre of Learning - The introduction of Quality Reform influences pedagogic development and promotes professional cooperation within institutions. Many educational organizations have established their own centres of learning, making the library a physical, integral part of study work.
From p.137 - Figure 4. The Oslo Public Library. Deichmanske
Bibliotek. Main building. Photo: Chris Erichsen.
- P.138. The Norwegian Library of Talking Books and Braille
- P.139. Seamless Library Services - A significant change in the library sector, spurred on by the establishment of the Archive, Library and Museum Authority, is the consolidation of the public and academic and special library sectors into one.
- P.139. On the Norwegian Digital Library
p. 142 - Figure 9. The bookmobile boat Epos, from the western part of Norway. Photo: Hordaland County Library.
- P.142. Picture of the bookmobile boat Epos
- P.142. Public Libraries and the Purchasing Programme for Contemporary Fiction and Non-fiction -- Through the Arts Council of Norway a purchasing programme was launched, guaranteeing publishers a sale of a certain minimum number of copies of each book published. The programme has worked well for more than 35 years based on the original principles, although it has undergone some changes regarding the number of copies and what categories of books are included... The reading public benefits from the programme by finding complete collections of modern fiction in their local public library, however small it may be. Bringing together a book and its reader in this way is really what the programme is all about.
- P.143. Lifelong Learning and Reading Programmes
Tag: IFLA
Sunday, August 07, 2005
IFLA 2005, Oslo: Reading up
It's almost 4am now and I'm still reading up on Norway and Oslo for my trip for IFLA 2005. Picked up two travel guides from the library a few days ago:
1) Norway (series title = Lonely Planet guidebooks)
NLB Call No.: 914.81 N -[TRA] (Travel Guides section)
ISBN: 174059200X
Click here to check for item availability.
2) Norway: The rough guide
NLB Call No.: 914.81 N -[TRA] (Travel Guides section)
ISBN: 1843530546
Click here to check for item availability.
Reading the guide books thus far, I have three major impressions of Norway:
Maybe I should go search if there are any Norwegian librarians who are blogging (in English preferably). That might be helpful, I think.
Tag: IFLA
1) Norway (series title = Lonely Planet guidebooks)
NLB Call No.: 914.81 N -[TRA] (Travel Guides section)
ISBN: 174059200X
Click here to check for item availability.
2) Norway: The rough guide
NLB Call No.: 914.81 N -[TRA] (Travel Guides section)
ISBN: 1843530546
Click here to check for item availability.
Reading the guide books thus far, I have three major impressions of Norway:
- It has beautiful wilderness areas (which I doubt I'll have the chance to visit, as the conference is in the city area)
- It's a cold country (highest average temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius. Brrr... I can't stand cold)
- It's terribly expensive and things are heavily taxed (which means being a miser, I'd be doubly miserable. At least it's a good excuse not to buy presents for the missus)
Maybe I should go search if there are any Norwegian librarians who are blogging (in English preferably). That might be helpful, I think.
Tag: IFLA
Library staff jamming at the library
Ever so often, a few library staff would get together and jam (as in, play music) at library@esplanade (EPCL). Friends of one of the EPCL Library Officer would also join in.
Here's a recent picture (from Isaak).
EPCL is a Performing Arts library, for those who aren't aware. So it's most appropriate for library staff and friends to have the jamming session there. It's a public performance, and free. Part of the gig is also to get people from the audience to sing, but none have done so for the sessions I was at.
In recent gigs, in between songs, the band would explain things like the origin of the song, information about the singer etc. To add that learning-dimension to the whole programme.
I missed out from playing at the last two sessions. OK, I chickened out 'cos my guitar-playing skills are really rusty.
The band isn't a formal grouping, and there are usually one or two practice sessions before the event. On at least two previous occasions, we actually pulled it off without practicing. The audience didn't walk.
Songs are mostly from the 90s, with a preference for Rock Ballads. Last session featured quite a few Bon Jovi hits, and I think the latest session had some songs from Skid Row (one of the singer can really hit the high notes. Powerful lungs.)
Oh, here's a thought: What if we started podcasting the jam sessions?
Tag:library event
Here's a recent picture (from Isaak).
EPCL is a Performing Arts library, for those who aren't aware. So it's most appropriate for library staff and friends to have the jamming session there. It's a public performance, and free. Part of the gig is also to get people from the audience to sing, but none have done so for the sessions I was at.
In recent gigs, in between songs, the band would explain things like the origin of the song, information about the singer etc. To add that learning-dimension to the whole programme.
I missed out from playing at the last two sessions. OK, I chickened out 'cos my guitar-playing skills are really rusty.
The band isn't a formal grouping, and there are usually one or two practice sessions before the event. On at least two previous occasions, we actually pulled it off without practicing. The audience didn't walk.
Songs are mostly from the 90s, with a preference for Rock Ballads. Last session featured quite a few Bon Jovi hits, and I think the latest session had some songs from Skid Row (one of the singer can really hit the high notes. Powerful lungs.)
Oh, here's a thought: What if we started podcasting the jam sessions?
Tag:library event
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Our local version of Desperate Housewives (revised)
PREAMBLE: Encouraged by the comments from local and overseas readers about a recent post that I'd (willingly) removed, I've decided to post this edited version so that it still meets my original intent to (1) highlight a minor but real problem faced by my public library colleagues, (2) share with non-librarians of another aspect of working in a public library setting, (3) simply engage my blog readers in meaningful conversation about a library-related issue.
So enjoy, and I look forward to your comments:
==================================
There's what I'd call our local version of "Desperate Housewives" in the libraries. Forget about the sexy & glam-looking ones from the ABC drama series though.
You'll see them at new library openings without fail. They are the ones who will run towards the chinese Romance Fiction collection. I've personally encountered them in action when I was managing a few library branches before my reassignment.
Individually they look like any ordinary reader but it's their group behaviour in the library that stands out.
Working in book hunting-packs, they work almost SWAT-team style to grab books from shelves, book trolleys, and sometimes from opposing rival groups. Staff have been known to be scratched during their micro-second melees.
Reminded me of Piranhas feeding.
Their love for reading has really gone beyond what is reasonable. Some groups exhibit ungracious behaviour by blatantly grabbing and hoarding books, then dividing their spoils of war among their comrades. It wouldn't be so bad if they did not leave books lying around afterwards.
I'm not exaggerating. You've got to see them to believe. Personally, I'm desensitised to them and I don't have good ideas on how to change their behaviour. But I still think about it from time to time, especially when part of the NLB mission is to "promote a gracious society".
It just so... odd... and frustrating to have such people go nuts over books. What would the kids think when they see adults behaving like that? That it's OK for them to do that too?
I've been asked why don't the library just ban these people from coming in. My take is that it wouldn't solve the problem. The way I see it, they are just being ungracious and don't really break any library rules. No innocent bystanders hurt. They don't cause outright trouble for staff or other readers.
They are only guilty of making themselves look bad.
Can ungracious behaviour be corrected by shaming them? But how to do shame people when they are obviously not embarrassed in the first place?
I thought of suggesting to our local TV station to do a documentary on them. On why they are so hungry for Chinese romance fiction. I wonder if it was their way to make up for the lack of romance in their lives. If that's the case, the root cause of this phenonmenon may lies with their husbands!
Another suggestion was to stop acquiring those books, so that these desperadoes stop coming. But that would be like punishing the many for the ungracious behaviour of a few. Totally unfair to the majority of readers of whom we have no problems.
What gives hope is that some of them do listen and engage in more constructive use of their free time. Like one group who agreed to start a bookclub on romance-related themes. I have to take my hat off to one of my library manager colleague who convinced them to do so at her library.
Recently, I heard one of the "ex-desperate-housewife" share that she has since expanded to reading beyond Romance Fiction and is reading Singapore history even. Something she'd never have done if it weren't for the bookclub.
BTW, seems that the Desperate-Chinese-Romance-Housewives phenomenon isn't limited to Singapore. A librarian from a Hong Kong public library shared that the same phenomenon also happened in Hong Kong.
Strangely, I found comfort in knowing that.
Tag: customer service, public libraries
So enjoy, and I look forward to your comments:
==================================
There's what I'd call our local version of "Desperate Housewives" in the libraries. Forget about the sexy & glam-looking ones from the ABC drama series though.
You'll see them at new library openings without fail. They are the ones who will run towards the chinese Romance Fiction collection. I've personally encountered them in action when I was managing a few library branches before my reassignment.
Individually they look like any ordinary reader but it's their group behaviour in the library that stands out.
Working in book hunting-packs, they work almost SWAT-team style to grab books from shelves, book trolleys, and sometimes from opposing rival groups. Staff have been known to be scratched during their micro-second melees.
Reminded me of Piranhas feeding.
Their love for reading has really gone beyond what is reasonable. Some groups exhibit ungracious behaviour by blatantly grabbing and hoarding books, then dividing their spoils of war among their comrades. It wouldn't be so bad if they did not leave books lying around afterwards.
I'm not exaggerating. You've got to see them to believe. Personally, I'm desensitised to them and I don't have good ideas on how to change their behaviour. But I still think about it from time to time, especially when part of the NLB mission is to "promote a gracious society".
It just so... odd... and frustrating to have such people go nuts over books. What would the kids think when they see adults behaving like that? That it's OK for them to do that too?
I've been asked why don't the library just ban these people from coming in. My take is that it wouldn't solve the problem. The way I see it, they are just being ungracious and don't really break any library rules. No innocent bystanders hurt. They don't cause outright trouble for staff or other readers.
They are only guilty of making themselves look bad.
Can ungracious behaviour be corrected by shaming them? But how to do shame people when they are obviously not embarrassed in the first place?
I thought of suggesting to our local TV station to do a documentary on them. On why they are so hungry for Chinese romance fiction. I wonder if it was their way to make up for the lack of romance in their lives. If that's the case, the root cause of this phenonmenon may lies with their husbands!
Another suggestion was to stop acquiring those books, so that these desperadoes stop coming. But that would be like punishing the many for the ungracious behaviour of a few. Totally unfair to the majority of readers of whom we have no problems.
What gives hope is that some of them do listen and engage in more constructive use of their free time. Like one group who agreed to start a bookclub on romance-related themes. I have to take my hat off to one of my library manager colleague who convinced them to do so at her library.
Recently, I heard one of the "ex-desperate-housewife" share that she has since expanded to reading beyond Romance Fiction and is reading Singapore history even. Something she'd never have done if it weren't for the bookclub.
BTW, seems that the Desperate-Chinese-Romance-Housewives phenomenon isn't limited to Singapore. A librarian from a Hong Kong public library shared that the same phenomenon also happened in Hong Kong.
Strangely, I found comfort in knowing that.
Tag: customer service, public libraries
I only have a Masters degree in Information Studies
QQ*Librarian shares an encounter with a library customer:
I wonder what's the proportion of library staff getting harassed compared to sales and retail staff. Do libraries have higher incidences of unreasonable customers?
QQ*Librarian sugggests in her post that certain customers harass the service staff because those customers perceive that the service staff is lowly educated. I think the closer truth is that certain customers are just plain arrogant and nasty, who think highly of themselves.
Period.
Tag: customer service, librarianship
I used to have this guy who would come and harass staff. One day, he said to me in the most condescending tone and smirking expression, “What’s your qualification that you should sit here at the counter?” To Mr Smirking face, I said calmly, “Not very qualified, Sir. I only have a Masters degree in Information Studies to sit here at the counter.” (and that is true, because a number of my colleagues have double masters and PhD holders too). After that, I have not seen Mr Smirking face near our counter anymore.
I wonder what's the proportion of library staff getting harassed compared to sales and retail staff. Do libraries have higher incidences of unreasonable customers?
QQ*Librarian sugggests in her post that certain customers harass the service staff because those customers perceive that the service staff is lowly educated. I think the closer truth is that certain customers are just plain arrogant and nasty, who think highly of themselves.
Period.
Tag: customer service, librarianship
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Thoughts on blogging: What would you do if someone took issue with your blog post and think you should take it down?
I guess it had to happen sometime. I'm referring to the situation where a reader of your blog takes issue with your post, and you have to decide whether to take down the post.
PLEASE READ THIS:
OK, preamble over -- I'm referring to my previous post about some ungracious library users. (To those who didn't get a chance to read it, too bad. I've had comments that it was a fun piece).
The details of why the post was "discomforting" isn't the issue here. What I'm sharing are the thoughts that I went through. I view this as part of continual learning.
So what did I learn or observe from this episode?
1) If you are prepared to post it, also be prepared to take it down -- I decided to take it down because it was making some people at work uncomfortable (no, things didn't get ugly. All very civil). It was an easy decision for me to take down the post. Basically it had the potential of being blown out of proportion so you could say it was a "tactical withdrawal".
2) The "Principles of Pragmatism" works for me -- meaning, if I write about work, I have to give weightage to the opiniions my colleagues and employer. The post was meant to be entertaining and informative but if it made people uncomfortable, it's better to take it down.
3) This is no blog-crusade -- It's all an experiment. And in experiments, you need to step back, evaluate, review, and try again.
4) "Blog Smart" applies to the post, and after -- It occured to me that Microsoft's "Blog Smart" guideline for its blogging employees makes sense here. Being "smart" means that sometimes, to advance forward, you gotta take two steps back.
5) It would really help if the organisation had some guidelines on blogging -- that way, we cut down the "gray" areas, reduce subjectivity and ambiguity, increase clarity etc. It all adds up to productivity and empowering the employee.
6) In my case, not being anonymous helped! I think matters would have been worse if I blogged anonymoysly. Being upfront (about what I was blogging about, and who I was) helped prevent pointless prying and speculations over who wrote what. "Honesty is the best policy" is what I learnt from young.
7) If you don't dare to put your name to the post, you're probably better off not posting it. Enough said.
Oh, I'm IMing with a librarian from Sugargrove PL right now (Ms. B). Incidentally, she mentioned my post. We were discussing if a post like mine could have painted the library in a bad light. Here's an excerpt of what she shared (posted with permission):
Yeah, I thought it was a fun piece too. And no Ms B., things didn't "get ugly" at all. As I said, it was all very civil. I guess librarians tend to be that way : )
Tag:blog ethics
PLEASE READ THIS:
Let me clarify that (1) this is NOT a rant or a complaint, (2) the post was taken down willingly. No law or employee rules were broken. I'm discussing this as an issue relevant to blogging. Besides, a few people have asked me about it, so I'm pre-empting any unnecessary speculation.
OK, preamble over -- I'm referring to my previous post about some ungracious library users. (To those who didn't get a chance to read it, too bad. I've had comments that it was a fun piece).
The details of why the post was "discomforting" isn't the issue here. What I'm sharing are the thoughts that I went through. I view this as part of continual learning.
So what did I learn or observe from this episode?
1) If you are prepared to post it, also be prepared to take it down -- I decided to take it down because it was making some people at work uncomfortable (no, things didn't get ugly. All very civil). It was an easy decision for me to take down the post. Basically it had the potential of being blown out of proportion so you could say it was a "tactical withdrawal".
2) The "Principles of Pragmatism" works for me -- meaning, if I write about work, I have to give weightage to the opiniions my colleagues and employer. The post was meant to be entertaining and informative but if it made people uncomfortable, it's better to take it down.
3) This is no blog-crusade -- It's all an experiment. And in experiments, you need to step back, evaluate, review, and try again.
4) "Blog Smart" applies to the post, and after -- It occured to me that Microsoft's "Blog Smart" guideline for its blogging employees makes sense here. Being "smart" means that sometimes, to advance forward, you gotta take two steps back.
5) It would really help if the organisation had some guidelines on blogging -- that way, we cut down the "gray" areas, reduce subjectivity and ambiguity, increase clarity etc. It all adds up to productivity and empowering the employee.
6) In my case, not being anonymous helped! I think matters would have been worse if I blogged anonymoysly. Being upfront (about what I was blogging about, and who I was) helped prevent pointless prying and speculations over who wrote what. "Honesty is the best policy" is what I learnt from young.
7) If you don't dare to put your name to the post, you're probably better off not posting it. Enough said.
Oh, I'm IMing with a librarian from Sugargrove PL right now (Ms. B). Incidentally, she mentioned my post. We were discussing if a post like mine could have painted the library in a bad light. Here's an excerpt of what she shared (posted with permission):
it is a fine balance.
so many "Professional" lists dis-the customer and in the back room we each share stories. all under the "need to know" this situation and how i dealt with it heading.
it is likely (that the post was) too close to personal with the photos and too public for the comfort level of some.
all that said I STILL loved it. hope it wasn't too UGLY for you at work
Yeah, I thought it was a fun piece too. And no Ms B., things didn't "get ugly" at all. As I said, it was all very civil. I guess librarians tend to be that way : )
Tag:blog ethics
Monday, August 01, 2005
LKCRL rare materials collection
On Level 13, you'll find the Rare Materials Collection. Access is limited even to staff. I could only access the room housing the glass shelves but not to the other rare materials. The glass shelves themselves are locked.
The restriction is necessary to protect the materials, as normal handling would speed up the rate of deterioration (not to mention wear and tear). For details on access, ask the reference librarians or write in to the National Library via this link.
Some samples of what's in the glass shelves:
(click to see larger images)
Tag: new national library, national library board singapore
The restriction is necessary to protect the materials, as normal handling would speed up the rate of deterioration (not to mention wear and tear). For details on access, ask the reference librarians or write in to the National Library via this link.
"The Hikayat Abdullah 1849, autobiography of Malaccan Malay scholar, teacher & writer, Munshi Abdullah (1795-1854), is among the many precious items in the Rare Materials Collection."
~ See image link
Some samples of what's in the glass shelves:
(click to see larger images)
Tag: new national library, national library board singapore
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