Go Placidly

I've not forgotten about this blog. Promise.

Between class, my practicum, workshops/trainings, the election (yes, I am now an elected township official) and some unfortunate family drama, I've had quite a bit on my plate lately. My practicum has been going extremely well. I have been loving every minute and will be sad once I've reached my hours. Unfortunately, the library is not in a position to hire at this time.

Tomorrow is a homework day. I hope to have the outline for my research proposal for LIS 7996 complete or at least as close to complete as possible.

Until I can write a more substantial post, I'll leave you with a poem which was recently shared by a library colleague and is incredibly fitting...

Desiderata (1927) by Max Erhmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Words to Live By

A friend shared this image on Facebook and I couldn't help but think of one of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou:

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

Words to live by...

Review: How to (Un)cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block

How to (Un)cage a Girl
By Francesca Lia Block
2008, HarperTeen/Joanna Cotler Books
New York, NY
119 pp, $15.99 (hardcover)
ISBN: 9780061358364;
 OCLC: 191697276

How to (Un)cage a Girl isn't your typical book of poetry. For starters, the title and book's cover hints that this book is likely geared for girls, but the author's dedication, "For the girls," definitely sets this piece apart from other collections of poetry. The title alone is unique and has probably aroused the curiosity of many people; however, the publisher offers explanation by way of stating the purpose of the poetry collection: "It is a call to embrace the girl within, to heal her and set her free."

Heal? Set free? I, too, was intrigued – however, this blurb from the publisher set me straight and made this book even more appealing: "There are moments that every girl knows...for they are part of growing up, of uncaging yourself, from your childhood, your environment, your view of yourself." In other words, this is a book for the girl who doesn't fit in; the girl who has loved and had her heartbroken; and, the girl who isn't comfortable in her own skin. Who hasn't felt or experienced those things at least from time to time? If so, then this book is for you.

Block's collection of poetry is organized into three parts: (1) Years at the Asylum; (2) In the Lair of the Toxic Blonde; and, (3) Love Poems for Girls. Organizing the book this way is perfect not only for the casual reader, but for those who prefer browsing rather than reading a book cover to cover.

Loved this book! I found How to Un(cage) a Girl to be both light and curiously refreshing while deep and thought-provoking at the same time. While there are many poetry books written for the specific audience of teen girls, How to (Un)cage a Girl is unique in that it explores and sheds light upon some of the more difficult, elusive, and tumultuous times in a girl's life in a raw yet graceful fashion – not an expected find in a collection of poetry. Due to the explicit language used in a few of the poems and mature situations, I agree with the age recommendation of grade 9 and up as cited by School Library Journal. Worth noting, I also feel that this book could appeal to adults, as well. For public libraries, this book would be a good edition to any Young Adult collection.

P.S. My favorite poems are seventeen: war and vampire in the city of lost.
Read this book? Share your thoughts and favorite poems!

Friendship

I love this quote from Charlotte's Web by E.B. White:

"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you."

"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing."

Words

PC Term for Hoarders?

An LIS-related joke recently cracked via Facebook:
"Collection Development? Is that the new politically correct term for hoarders?"

That is a good one, but not quite. Without a collection development policy, a library could easily turn into a hoarding center.

According to Joan M. Reitz, author of the Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science, the definition of collection development is: "The process of planning and building a useful and balanced collection of library materials over a period of years, based on an ongoing assessment of the information needs of the library's clientele, analysis of usage statistics, and demographic projections, normally constrained by budgetary limitations. Collection development includes the formulation of selection criteria, planning for resource sharing, and replacement of lost and damaged items, as well as routine selection and deselection decisions."

Reitz also offers on the subject, "Large libraries and library systems may use an approval plan or blanket order plan to develop their collections. In small- and medium-sized libraries, collection development responsibilities are normally shared by all the librarians, based on their interests and subject specializations, usually under the overall guidance of a written collection development policy."

School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) course description for Collection Development (LIS 7340): http://slis.wayne.edu/cour​ses/lis_7340.pdf

Word: Hypochondriasis (Ready Reference)

I love words. And I love ready reference.

According to the University of Maryland, hypochondriasis can be defined as, "Hypochondriasis, or hypochondria, is an overwhelming fear that you have a serious disease, even though health care providers can find no evidence of illness. People with hypochondriasis tend to misinterpret normal body sensations as being signs of serious illness. Most people occasionally fear they have an illness, but people with hypochondriasis are preoccupied with their fear. This fear is severe and persistent and interferes with work as well as relationships. Hypochondriasis is somewhat similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder, because of the obsession with illness and the compulsion to do something to lessen their anxiety. An estimated 75 - 85% of people who have hypochondriasis also have anxiety, depression, or another mental disorder."

Origin of the word:
< Late Latin < Greek, neuter plural of hypochóndrios to the upper abdomen (supposed seat of hypo- + chóndr ( os ) ensiform cartilage. (dictionary.com)

And finally, according to the trusty Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition, text revision), the word can be further "defined", in a person, by the following criteria:

A. Preoccupation with fears of having, or the idea that one has, a serious disease based on the person's misinterpretation of bodily symptoms.

B. The preoccupation persists despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.

C. The belief in Criterion A is not of delusional intensity (as in Delusional Disorder, Somatic Type) and is not restricted to a circumscribed concern about appearance (as in Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

D. The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

E. The duration of the disturbance is at least 6 months.

F. The preoccupation is not better accounted for by Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, a Major Depressive Episode, Separation Anxiety, or another Somatoform Disorder.