Road Trip: Miniature Book Exhibit

On 12.10.2012, Janet and I took a road trip to the Library of Michigan in Lansing to check out the miniature book exhibit put on by the Miniature Book Society. Naturally, we took some time to browse the stacks...our beloved Z class. Here's a few photos from our visit:

Practicum

My practicum site has been arranged: Caro Area District Library. I start in September.

Very geeked...and yet quite nervous.

In other news, last night I attended a lecture at the Holocaust Memorial Center -- Hate Speech in Cyberspace -- by Dr. Jack Kay, Eastern Michigan University. Tomorrow, I am attending a workshop hosted by the Michigan Historical Society -- Copyright Issues for Historic Collections.

White Rock

Just over a year ago, I wrote a piece for the Sanilac County Historical Society titled Peeking in the Past: Glimpses of White Rock and now have some recent photos to share of the famous rock! As always, you can enlarge the images by clicking on them...

Please pardon my crazy hair -- I was enjoying my Sun and Sound package.

From the Desk of JC Brown

Notes from this week:

• I've always appreciated Maya Angelou's quote: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." After complaining about issues pertaining to Facebook, I finally deactivated my personal account yesterday afternoon. I just admitted to complaining, yes, but that wasn't all I was doing. I've been thinking about how I could make Facebook be a positive part of my life rather than the negative it has grown to become.  By the next day, I ended up reactivating the account...but with some changes that will be taking place.
• I'm now officially sick with the gunk that's been going around: aches, chills, head congestion, and a sore throat. I feel completely miserable.
• Writing a paper while on cold medication is not only a challenge for me, but I think more so for my spellchecker...
• If I am taking on the project of revamping the museum's military exhibit (yikes), I need to ILL a few books on military patches and purchase the better ones for my collection. I am feeling both excited and bit overwhelmed.
• I am totally geeked that SLIS professor Dr. Robert Holley will be presenting (Digital Resources and the Rural Library: Not as Simple as It Seems) at the Rural Libraries conference in May.

Museum: Military Exhibit

Loop-Harrison Mansion

For some time now, the accessions committee for the Sanilac County Historical Society has been talking about reworking the military room at the museum. We've talked about getting folks from the local VFW chapter to help us identify many of the unknown artifacts so that we can create some order amidst the chaos. Like most organizations, arranging the "us" part was challenging -- in other words, getting members to step up to the plate in order to work on the project. Considering my love of military history, I was eager...even giddy; however, with the 30Y.30L project in full swing, three kidney stones still doing the cha-cha in my side, not to mention the three graduate classes I was carrying last semester, I was stretched pretty thin and unable to pick up any more projects. Of course, after the holidays and winter term was underway, I knew that I would be able to devote time and energy to a new project.

I am pleased to say that the day has finally come! Early this afternoon, I'll be picking up a pizza in town and cruising over to the beautiful mansion to meet two of my favorite museum comrades and a local veteran. I'm downright giddy. Photos to come...

Fact: Did you know that the Society's archives collection has original letters from Sanilac County soldiers writing home to their families during the Civil War? I was pretty much in awe when Clarkson and Spellmeyer were working on their digitization and transcription project last summer.

30Y.30L Update:
Thank you notes are almost done! I've managed to kill a brand new pen. (Lots of writing!) I also hope to have two more posts written and published by the end of this week.

Unpainted Fence Post

Since books and archive materials do not judge, I have decided to no longer wear make-up when working at the museum. In the words of a former colleague, "But JC, without make-up, you look like an unpainted fence post." In this context, I do not care... (and when have I ever cared?)

Rationale: Wearing make-up usually makes my eyes and nose itch which, in turn, I end up attempting to scratch while wearing the cotton preservation gloves (worn to help protect the materials from dirt and oil). If I am touching my make-up-covered face, it really defeats the purpose of wearing gloves. Follow my thought process? Archivists, please note that I have caught myself before actually touching my face with the gloves.

Conclusion: No more make-up on museum days.
Photo by Birchfield Studios 2011