Interconnectedness. It occurred to me while listening to Joe Hutto; author of “Life in High Places”, how everything is interconnected.
In the study of human biology the beauty is in the inter-connectivity between the systems of the body; the respiration system needs the circulatory system, the structural system depends on the endocrine system, the nervous system works with the digestive system. They all function together, working on their specific purpose but dependent on one another. Small break downs in the system can be absorbed by the body, but as the breakdown begins to affect more systems, the changes are more difficult to adjust to, resulting in a diseased state.
During Joe Hutto’s discussion at the Rock Springs Library, he talked of how the changes in the composition of the atmosphere change the composition of rain, which in turn has effects in the chemical composition of the soil in the tundra, this effects what minerals the plants in the tundra have available, which in turn changes the diet of the high altitude animal populations. These changes, originally thought of as insignificant are magnified: starting as imperceptible but turning into significant dis-rupters as they move through the food chain system. Of course, we then think of the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, where the changes are not imperceptible or insignificant, but catastrophic and we all know that this event will impact, not only those who are close to the water, but all of us as the sea and the marshland, the fisherman and the fish eaters, the fish, the birds, the reptile and mammal populations find themselves struggling with living conditions into which they can not adapt. Not entirely out of the realm of the ecosystem, are the men whose lives were lost in the explosion and the families who are left to deal with the life changing consequences.
Successful families operate as a system, where the roles of moneymaker, child rearing functions, cooking, cleaning, yard work, bill paying etc. all work together. This becomes most apparent when a teenager resides in the house whose room is a disaster, who unknowingly leaves a trail of mud throughout the home, who can’t seem to get the garbage out the door or help carry the groceries in the door. These seemingly small things add stress and the family does not function as well when there is a breakdown in one or more of the necessary functions. This is another example of how we are interconnected.
The same may be said of a work group. Every person in a working situation has their purpose. Dysfunction within one member that out shadows the work, or presses against the ability of others to work successfully, causes a less than primo functioning atmosphere. We all recognize this, whether we are working in a dysfunctional system now or in the past. The only true positive change can come from within and working with others can be frustrating when there are competing values or purpose. Even at work, we are interdependent.
Communities work in much the same way. Some players are contributing; some are holding on, some are reaping benefits while others are working hard to contribute. Some communities are seen as healthy and dynamic while others may wither. Economics can cause catastrophic changes, some we can adapt to and some, if bad enough, lead to that diseased state or even death. All the players are connected, play a part and live under the conditions created. This brings me to libraries.
Libraries act as a cornerstone for communities. They provide services to communities that are not found elsewhere. They are a sign of a progressive, interested, informed, healthy and dynamic community. Having moved a few times, we have judged communities by the quality of the library. The first indication of this is the quality of the staff. They are part of the interconnectedness of a community and portray the friendliness of the area. If you think about such things; information, the library’s specialty, keeps us connected: to each other, to our community and to the world. Technology and Internet access connect us to information and to each other. Attending or participating in Summer Reading Programs, contributing suggestions or an interest keeps all of us connected to each other. Reading, although usually a solitary experience, connects us on a deep level to others and to humanity. I conducted a very small survey among our librarians that indicated they work in libraries for a greater purpose; that of access to information, of the freedom to read and the ability to connect with others. It makes life easier when we can depend on each other, it makes us richer when our efforts are combined and we have interconnectedness.
Literature Map – what are readers of one author also likely to read?
from The Centered Librarian by David Booker
Pop over to Literature Map and enter an authors name to generate a map of other authors also read by readers of the one you entered. Then click any of those to iterate the choices. Cool….
Mango is the fast, easy, and most effective way to learn to speak a foreign language!
Mango is an online language learning system that teaches real conversation skills for practical communication. Through fun and engaging interactive lessons, Mango makes learning a new language fast, easy and incredibly effective.
Mango’s unique methodology copies the way people learn when surrounded by a foreign culture – through practical conversation. Every lesson incorporates all 4 conversational components (Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Grammar and Culture), each of which is critical to your ability to communicate in a foreign language. At the same time, you’ll be increasing your ability to actually USE what you learn, with a variety of critical thinking and memory exercises. As you listen to and repeat after native speakers, you’ll learn more than just words and phrases. You’ll learn how those pieces can be rearranged and combined to make new thoughts, new conversations, and even more practical communication!
The Mango system is completely web-based and remotely accessible, so you can learn anywhere you have an internet connection — at the library, a coffee shop, or even at home in bed. Choose from 36 guided language experiences, 14 English as a second language experiences, and different levels of fluency. All you need is a library membership.
Mango is built to be both effective and fun. You’ll see progress with every session, and be encouraged to keep talking. In no time at all, you’ll be able to navigate all sorts of everyday situations — get directions, order a meal, make new friends — the possibilities are endless!
Hashtags, people, conversations, topics, etc. Sometimes it can be a bit daunting to look for what you need on Twitter. However, having the right tools sure helps a lot. I’ve put together a list of 50+ sites that you can use to help you find who or what you’re looking for. Enjoy!
Old Spice’s excellent viral marketing campaign has swept the web over the past couple of days, as the “Old Spice Guy,” Isaiah Mustafa, has been busily making tons of hilarious videos in response to Youtube comments, tweets, Facebook messages, blog posts, and Yahoo! Answers. In one of the most recent videos, the Old Spice Guy responds to a librarian’s tweet, which asks him to “say a few words about libraries.”
And so he does, offering the best defense of libraries we’ve heard in a while. The video below speaks for itself.
Check out other hilarious Old Spice Guy videos here.
Ellen Newell, artist, printmaker and librarian has made a donation of her artwork in collaboration with the City of Rock Springs and the Rock Springs Library Centennial celebration. The artwork depicts genres and humor found in public libraries under the guise of woodprint artistry. You might also find this series of painted woodcuts in the Sweetwater County Library in Green River, in private collections and now the series, in it’s entirety at the Rock Springs Library! Ellen has generously made previous donations of her art to benefit fundraisers for libraries across Wyoming.
The Rock Springs Library is thrilled to accept her donation on behalf of our legacy of reading, with library staff and patrons. Come help us celebrate our newest acquisition of artwork at the Rock Springs Library this evening, Wednesday, July 14th from 6-8. Iced Tea and New York cheesecake will be served.
Losing Libraries reports cuts and layoffs in libraries and library systems across America. The cuts are mapped using “Mapper” and annotated and indicate the various types of cuts, staff layoffs and furloughs, reduced services and hours and more that are happening to public libraries in the U.S. There is a mechanism that allows readers to update the map and add cuts and closures to the report.
With classes, homework, and projects–not to mention your social life–time is truly at a premium for you, so why not latch onto the wide world that Google has to offer? From super-effective search tricks to Google hacks specifically for education to tricks and tips for using Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, these tricks will surely save you some precious time.
Do you add Value?
