This Week on the Web, 8/27/08

Roll up your sleeves.  It’s a big week.  I think it might have something to do with the start of the school year; or maybe it’s the upgrade to Firefox 3 that has the technoblogophiles abuzz.  Either way, there is a lot going on.  I actually scaled this down.  Maybe I’ll include the entries this didn’t make this week’ cut to next week’s report.  We shall see.  In the meantime, here are some of my favorite finds this week:

I know it’s still technically August, but Fall will be here before we know it.  In some areas, it already IS Fall, so how about something to set the mood?  Perhaps a little comfort food?  Maybe a little soup and sandwich?  Lifehacker suggests instituting a soup and bread night to save a little..uh….bread; and the Simple Dollar describes how this method has saved the author over $300 a year.  This got me thinking about a favorite soup recipe of mine: Immune Booster Soup.  The ingredients are simple.  Preparation is minimal; and the rewards are substantial.   It calls for exotic mushrooms so it’s not quite going to help you save any cash, but it will make you feel good about yourself.  Could be especially good with a grilled tomato and cheese.

Movie Love in the Fifties by James Harvey was featured on NPR this week.  It’s not just about drive-ins and McDonald’s, but, as reviewer Anthony Giardina writes, Movie Love is “about who we were as a country 50 years ago, a country where onscreen relationships — like those between the very white Lana Turner and her black maid in Imitation of Life; Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun; and Janet Leigh and her various bras in Psycho — all tweaked a postwar nation into thinking more deeply about race and sex and fashion.”  Makes me want to update my Netflix queue.

ACRL has two announcements: registration for ACRL’s 2009 National Conference in Seattle will open in September.  The 14th iteration of this conference promises to implement eco-friendly practices, allowing you to help make the conference more environmentally sustainable.  Discounted housing rates, scholarships, and exciting tour options will also be available.  Complete details are available from the ACRL events website.  Also, for the LinkedIn folks out there, ACRL now has a profile.  Not sure how exciting that is, but…thought you should be aware.

According to a Microsoft press release, the folks in the PNW are once again offering their Ultimate Steal program.  Office Ultimate 2007 includes the entire Microsoft Office toolset: Word 2007,  Excel 2007,  PowerPoint 2007, Outlook 2007, Access 2007, Publisher 2007, OneNote 2007, Groove 2007 and InfoPath 2007…all for $59.95.  The Steal site states that eligibility requires a “.edu” email address and course enrollment.  A NYTimes report, however, states a senior MS VP confirmed all one needs is “.edu” email address.  Comments from the blogosphere seem consistent.  Most universities offer the package to students at an even better price so the student verdict is split; but this could be a good deal who university employees who aren’t eligible for a local student discount.  Ahem.

And now for the Firefox fun.  When I got to work this morning and opened up my Firefox, it automatically upgraded to version 3.0.  Maybe you noticed the same.  Well, there are some tweaks you can do to the configuration.  You can view richer color profiles in digital photos.  You can change the URL bar’s behavior and more.  The most useful tweak I’ve found is switching the ‘mailto’ link from Outlook to Gmail.  No more right-click, copy email address, open Gmail, compose, paste…no.  No more.  After this configuration all you have to do is click on the mailto link and a new compose message Gmail window appears with the mailto email address already in place.  Lifehacker has some instructions on how to do it, but I found my own instructions a little more precise:

1. Open Gmail in Firefox
2. In the tab where Gmail is open paste this script into the address bar: javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler(“mailto”,”https://mail.google.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s”,”GMail”)
3. Firefox will ask for your permission to Gmail as a default mailto.  Click the ‘add’ button
4. Hit the Tools button along the top, then Options, then the Applications box.  Scroll down the alphabetical list of applications to ‘mailto’.  Next to it there will be a pull-down menu.  Select Gmail, click OK, and you’re done.

There are also some pretty cool add-ons you can consider too.  One that caught my eye in particular is called “Read It Later” from Idea Shower.  Read It Later is an extension that allows you mark a news story, blog post, video..whatever.  The item gets added to your reading list with the click of a button.  Then, when you have the time, open your reading list, click an item to read, mark it as read, and it’s gone.  (Or you can permanently bookmark it).  Sounds like a great solution for someone like me who has a lot of trouble organizing all of the stuff I want to….read later.

Till next time.

Megan P.

The “U” Curve Transition

If you’ve ever read Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine, then you may be familiar with the column that appears in every issue called “Aha! Moments.” It usually features someone sharing a particular event, encounter, or experience that subtly or radically changed their perspective or understanding of themselves, the world, or maybe both. I had such a moment at the Minnesota Institute for Early Career Librarians in July. I’m sure my fellow attendees would agree that we were overwhelmed by “flashes of understanding” nearly everyday of the Institute. However, if polled, we would likely name different theories and/or models as having the most resonance.

My “Aha” moment came in the form of the U-Curve. It was introduced on a day when our Minnesota Institute facilitators led a session on organizational culture. No matter the size or the budget, every library has its own unique culture. Future librarians please note that understanding the culture of your organization is imperative for productivity and survival. Does this happen automatically? Of course not, but the U-Curve may help you understand the process.

The U-curve model is a framework that depicts the transition from one culture to another. It is made up of four phases that are referred to by different names in varying sources. However, to keep it simple we’re going to use: Home, Adjustment, Adaptation, and Host. There is no time limit for a phase. The length of each phase is relative to the individual and the impacting cultures. I’ll use myself as an example to discuss the model.

My Background:

I began my residency in September 2007. This involved moving to another state and to a dramatically larger library. Therefore, the cultural adaptation includes everything from organizational culture to regional culture.

The Home Phase:

Home is the starting point of cultural transition. It is sometimes described as the “honeymoon” phase because it is a time of new beginnings and anticipation of what is to come. Often the person is open to learning new things and working with a variety of people. They are a clean slate with minimal biases and want to establish a reputable rapport with colleagues. This phase is also described as a period when the person is comfortable with who they are, where they are, and what they’re capable of achieving.

I started my residency by telling myself what a great adventure the next two years would be. I anticipated learning new skills, working with seasoned librarians and staff, and gaining experience that would improve my marketability in the field. I felt very confident because I knew I had been chosen over other candidates and felt that I was capable of accomplishing the tasks set before me.

The Adjustment Phase:

It is during the adjustment phase that a person begins to see and feel the differences between themselves and the new culture. The person will often explain differences by shaping stereotypical opinions. This phase is also referred to as the “hostility stage” or the “downward slope” because the person may become unhappy within the new culture, resentful of doing things in a different or unfamiliar way, and possibly unreceptive or apathetic towards making a successful transition.

I accepted the position thinking I knew what I was getting myself into. However, two weeks after I began there was a pivotal moment where I realized how different my previous library compared to the new one. The moment basically boiled down to the fact that there were more people in the single department I was working in than the entire library staff of my old institution. This was very intimidating to me because I realized the volume of work that was taking place. I also began to note the difference in operations of a private (home) vs. a public (host) institution. I experienced a significant amount of frustration with the bureaucratic structure and seemingly endless separation of functions that often slowed the workflow. The difficulty of the transition seemed to be exasperated by my adjustment to the Midwest culture and climate as well. I would often leave work at the end of the day feeling a bit isolated and longing for the southern hospitality of home. I perceived Midwesterners as a mostly gruff and stoic bunch that seemed as dreary as the unending winter season. In addition, two months into my residency I was made acting department head during my supervisor’s medical leave. I was overwhelmed by this responsibility and felt wholly unprepared for the task, hence the downward slope…

The Adaptation Phase:

This phase usually denotes a period where the transitioning person begins to acclimatize to the new culture. They have begun to recognize cultural cues and form relationships with veterans of the new culture. Growing familiarity allows the person to increase productivity and troubleshoot different situations. This phase is also referred to as the “upward rise” or the “humor phase” because a level of comfort and stability is achieved and the person is able to view the transition more favorably.

By the end of my stint as acting department head, I had a different view of myself and my new culture. I was surprised to learn that I was indeed capable of handling the responsibility of managing an entire department. I should point out that the largest factor contributing to my success was the extremely competent department staff. The people I worked with proved to be a supportive and resourceful network. It was also helpful to receive critical yet positive feedback from colleagues and staff within my department. Increasingly, I begin to understand the reasoning behind the bureaucratic operating structure. I still find it frustrating on occasion, but I am learning to navigate the system. Being placed in a leadership position also forced me to become more assertive and assessive. Aside from the benefits in my work life, it also helped me to establish friendships and learn more about my new city and regional culture. While the winter was a shock I had to overcome, I realized there was much to love about the Midwest, especially the people. Slowly, I’ve come to appreciate the differences between my home and host cultures.

The Host Phase:

This phase, also referred to as the “at home” phase, occurs when the person begins to identify with the host culture. There is no longer a sense of discomfort and being an outsider. The person has a better understanding of organizational climate, operational structure, and the tools necessary for success. It is during this phase that the person has achieved cultural immersion and enjoys activities and interactions that once seemed daunting. It should be noted that acceptance of the host culture does not equate with reaching a state of nirvana. Problems will arise, but the person will no longer relate them to the host culture, but as a part of everyday life.

I am approaching the end of the first year of my residency. I was amazed to look at the calendar and to realize what a difference a year makes. I now have a sense of belonging in my host culture and also feel more adept at getting my job done and communicating in ways appropriate to the culture. There are still times when things feel chaotic, but I now have experience to draw upon when needed. When new projects come my way, the first feeling is no longer panic or fear. It is not always happiness or anticipation either, but I do feel confident in my ability and with the assistance of those that I work with to allow me to get the job done.

Concluding comments:

Seeing the U-curve model and framework during the Minnesota Institute created a genuine “Aha! moment” for me. It allowed me to see that the struggles and adjustments I experienced in a new organizational culture and new city were perfectly normal. It provided some needed objectivity and language to describe the experience. U-curve rhetoric also created a space to share stories and discuss lingering challenges, which lends to an ongoing understanding of myself and the culture.

–Dracine H.

This Week on the Web, 8/20/08

Library Journal reports that the St. Paul Public Library has a website, St. Paul-itics, “aimed to increase awareness about local and national issues and encourage civic involvement.” It includes politically themed movies, speakers of national reknown, local groups committed to civic engagement, candidates’ forums, and information on voter registration, lists of relevant books, and links to helpful web sites. The purpose of the site is to:

• “Create an informed citizenry and provide a forum for Saint Paul residents to discuss the democratic process.
• Help Saint Paul residents find ways to connect to the national excitement and interest in the Twin Cities that hosting the RNC will create.
• Create opportunities for those interested in politics to connect to others with like interests and to expand their base of knowledge.

The Saint Paul Public Library is a non-biased agency that offers balanced information about current issues, political candidates, and political parties.”

Veerle wows me again. This time she’s showing us how to make that curly command shape on the Apple keyboard. 7 steps and you’ve got some crazy command curlies. Thanks, Veerle. The colors make me happy.

The folks over at Lifehacker found a pretty cool instructional video for a new add-on called pptPlex. It allows you to slide around a canvas during a presentation, zoom in on charts or stats you want to highlight. pptPlex is a free download for Windows systems with Microsoft Office 2007. Sounds like fun.

Are you looking for a way to free up some time? Zenhabits gives us a list of 20 different ways to make more free time. Some suggestions include cutting out meeting, cutting back on email, learning to say “no”, and more. While you’re there you can check out the list of 50 novels they recommend for enriching your personal library. I was happy to see Murakami, Sedaris, Kundera, and Hornby made the list; but can’t someone make a list of essential reading that doesn’t include Joyce, Tolkein, or Rowling? Either way, in taking their suggestions or making your own list, you’ll probably eat up all the free time you just created. Go figure.

Till next time.
Megan P.

Map of Library Residency Programs

“Where are the residency programs?”

This is a question I hear quite often from current students who are interested in learning more about the institutional and geographic location of active library residency programs. To help answer this question, I created a Google map of residency programs. This map will show you placemarkers for each of the different residency programs. It also contains URLs for the individual program descriptions, where they are available. The image below links to a PDF version of the map which shows placemarkers but also contains a printed list of each of the programs represented.

I hope you find them useful.
As always, comments, complaints, suggestions, and feedback is welcome.
Cheers,
Megan P.

First Year Review

Yesterday, Melissa Mallon wrapped up her tenure as an ACRLog contributor.  In her final post she summarizes some of the most important lessons she’s learned during her first year as an academic librarian.  I’m paraphrasing here, but her list looks something like this:

• Don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues
• Don’t underestimate your students
• “Try [fill in the blank] at least once!”
• Build you interest in publishing gradually through blogs, newsletters, and reviews
• Take advantage of free online professional development

Fair enough; but how about we use this as a moment to pause. There are a number of you who are just beginning your second year as a resident.  So, what have you learned?  What do you know now that you wish you knew 9 months ago?  What advice would you offer for people just starting their residency?

I have some thoughts, but I’d like to hear your ideas first…

Megan P.