Coffee and friends

  Coffee, My Old Friend

By Karie Lesly

An aroma that fills the room with warmth brewing gently, steady and

calm.

Two friends together in stolen moments sharing soul, heart, life.

Weaving through the years

like a fine delicate lace.

The design unravels details,

simplicity, sometimes flaws.

And even still, meshing together

bonded by each cup.

The tenderness of solitude

occassionally with a good book.

As I take the first sip

of the first cup

I realize again that I am blessed.

To share this cup with such a friend,

sometimes it being only me.

So much more than flavor, roast or blend...

A way of life.

Bean Peace

A poem by Drew K.

A mystery wrapped in brown,

A fragile enigma,

Enveloping the senses,

With the earthy steam

Of a bean.

The mind wrapped in warmth,

The essence of dark roast,

Heating from within,

The senses thrill,

With every lingering

Sniff of the aroma

In the mug

What better way to spend some time than catching up with good friends whilst drinking good coffee? 

 http://cocoajava.com/java_poetry.html

Reality bytes..

Reality has well and truly hit!! My prac has finished and I am back to the real world. Back to my beloved family and home - no glamorous apartment at Roma St Parklands to walk home to, and back to my real job.

Thank you to those staff members who were interested in what I learnt at my prac. It was so nice being able to share what to me has been a very important part of my 'learning' process. Apart from missing my muffins (thanks to Amy and Emily for filling in whilst I was gone), I think the nicest thing I heard was that as I have learnt things and passed them on, it has inspired others to want to learn about some of the new things that are happening in Libraries. What a compliment, and thank you.

I spent my last week finishing off my assignment on prac, and posted it via email yesterday, such a good feeling. Only one more subject to go, with three assessments, so am definitely on the downward slope. I will be learning about digital preservation, which will be very interesting I am sure.

On the tech front, am trying to justify why I need an iphone. I have a severe case of technolust, and thought it could be an early graduation present! (one of the reasons on my list). I read all I can on them, and can't wait for their arrival in Australia. Actually, am going to shout myself to the New Librarians Symposium 4 in Melbourne for my graduation present to myself. What better way to finish off my studies than by attending a conference designed for new librarians.

Thanks for taking the time to read and have a great day!

Wordle

I have just discovered Wordle and must admit that I could become very addicted to this!! Just like a tweet cloud but I chose to use as text my posts on my prac in Brisbane. What fun. Also great for making posters on library events and information, in fact for making Wordle clouds on almost anything and everything!

Had better get back to writing my assignment, see ya.

THANK YOU

THANK YOU
Originally uploaded by Werner Schnell

What can I say but THANK YOU to all staff at BSQ Library for allowing me to complete my prac with you all. I had the most marvelous time, and woke up each and every day so excited about what I would be learning.

As I spend the next few weeks completing my written report on my prac, I am going to use the time to really reflect on many of the things I observed at BSQ, in particular the notions of customer focus, customer service, the idea of roving reference vs the reality of it, user education, upselling, and some of your ideas on training. As my mind percolates on these matters, I will also be tossing into the equation the notion of Library 2.0 and looking at how it impacts upon these ideals and processes.

Just to say once more thank you so much for all the time you guys put into answering my many questions and for allowing me to constantly shadow your each and every move! I will miss you, and your workspace very much!! I do look forward to keeping in touch, and can't wait to hear how the new 23 Things training will be put into practice in your work environments, and actually seeing how you implement what you'll learn by creating an even better library service that has at its heart user participation! I am so jealous!!!!

Thank you, I will miss you all, and think of you often as I go back to my own Library.

Wonderful Week 2

neon glow
Originally uploaded by yinyang

Another great week of prac! I can honestly say that I wake up each morning so excited about going to the Brisbane Square Library and what I am going to learn about each day. I feel truly lucky to be there.

Many people have asked why BSQ? To see first hand the concept of roving reference, which I first heard about in a library tour in 2004. It has been really interesting observing the reality of this service compared to the concept.
Secondly the notion of a floating collection and the many libraries that operate under the banner of Brisbane city council libraries. Our recent council amalgamations have meant we now have 8 or 9 (can't remember) libraries that will need to operate as one, with a floating collection, one library management system and lots of staff that will need to communicate with each other and get to know one another without feeling threatened .
Also, to see in action the concept of all staff being able to perform all duties whilst on the library floor. This works really well, and I have loved watching this process flow. Obviously great staff training and education needs to take place for this to exist, but from a customer's point of view imagine talking to a well trained staff member who can meet their information needs, be it for reference information or general enquiries as to how things work.

I have learnt heaps this week and am so looking forward to my last week there. I think it will be very hard for me to go back to my own workplace!

Brisbane Square Library

Brisbane Central Library
Originally uploaded by petaj

I can't believe that I have completed one whole week of my prac! Time does fly when you're having fun! I forgot my trusty camera this week but found this great photo on flickr to use. It really capture the sense of space quite well.

Where to start? Firstly the building! I just have to say that I haven't sneezed once! To those that know me at my current work, this must seem like a miracle!! I can only assume it has to do with the newness of the building and maybe the massive space the collection is housed across.

The staff basically work across all four levels of the library, from the workrooms in the basement, to self check out on the ground floor, to computers, learning lounges, meeting rooms, children's and young adults on the first floor to signing up customers, fiction, non fiction, reference and large print on the second floor. I am going to take my pedometer in next week and count my steps for a day!

The staff are great! I was worried that no one would talk to me, but they are all very friendly and willing to share freely of their knowledge. I have spent this week truly understanding the depth of this library service. I basically tagged alongside many different staff members, learning about their jobs as I observed what they were doing.

I feel very grown up and Brisbane city like as I wear my sand shoes and backpack to walk to work!! I try to walk along different streets every time so I can always be seeing new things.

And still my favourite part of the week is the online reference desk!! Very nerdy of me I know, but I just love hearing the sound of an incoming question, and the process of being able to provide access to information in a format that is current and relevant to those that are used to working/learning/communicating like this.

I still have sick kids so I'd better go. Thanks for stopping by!

One day down, 20 more to go!

Well, first day of prac is completed! I travelled down on the bus to Brisbane Square Library for the day on friday, where I spent the day generally learning about the library and its spaces and collections. Most importantly though, I was able to spend some time learning about the virtual reference service 'ask a Librarian'. After doing assignments on this area last year, I was very excited to see it in practice, and am hoping to be able to spend some serious time with the librarians who run this service.

I go back to Brisbane tomorrow, and will spend the next three weeks completing my prac. My high expectations have already been met, so here is hoping for a great rest of my prac!

On a quilting/stitching note, I received my japanese quilt back from Bev the incredible machine quilter! She stippled the quilt with gold thread, effectively tying in all the different japanese fabrics. I truly love it, and just love wrapping myself up in it on a cold night (as do the cat and dog and kids!)

You may notice a new chiclet on the sidebar of my blog. I am part of a Quilting Gallery of Bloggers from all around the world. A great site to spend hours reading quilting/stitching blogs from around the world!!