oh happy day....

I can't tell you how many articles I've read in professional journals (for librarianship) in the past several years that have said reference work is dead and that patrons are now helping themselves so librarians need to find something else to do. Well, let me tell you that I'd like to sit a couple of those librarians and their dusty reference/customer service skills down at our service desk and see how they do. This week (and last week for the most part) has been InSaNeLy BuSy! Question after question, fired at the speed of light, demanding instant answers....and these are not just your run of the mill, where-are-you-dog-books kind of questions. There are several big social issues and literary criticism assignments going on at the high school as well as several find-the-most-obscure-african-american-and-write-two-pages-using-nonexistent-sources assignments YOU CAN POSSIBLY FIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These teachers need to look this shit up and make sure there is something to find before assigning the work. I do not want to belittle ANYONE'S accomplishments or contributions to civil rights or the world, but some of these people the teachers have assigned did not do ANYTHING that got put in a book, which teachers are requiring as a source....a WHOLE BOOK! They might be mentioned here or there, or have a Wikipedia entry (which, OF COURSE, the teacher will not accept) but no one wrote a whole book on them alone.

Anyway, on to more happy topics! As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, KT and I joined Sparkpeople. Prior to that I'd lost 5 lbs on my own, then I gained a pound my first week on SP, but then last week I lost 6.8 lbs! I'm really enjoying this online community (and the fact that it is free!) and I have found it to be v.v. motivating. I've been exercising nearly every day and making what I think are abfab food choices. I've lost major weight two times in the past and I plan on this being the LAST time!

Now, back to work!
htw