Librarian.net was the very first library related blog I came across when I suddenly discovered there was a whole world of library blogging out there. I don’t exactly remember how I found her, I think from a reference in some article I read, but I sure am glad I did! Her blog is still the first I read when I check my Bloglines feed updates. I particularly remember some posts and a video sometime last year of her installing Ubuntu (Linux) on a couple of compters that had been donated to one of the small libraries she consults with. That was very cool so I expected in voice she would be as exceptional as she is in typed word on my computer screen, she didn’t disappoint.
No question this is someone who sure knows her stuff and is exceptional at spreading the gospel! I want to be like Jessamyn West when I grow up because I want to be as comfortable and at ease with Web 2.0 “stuff ” as she is. Actually I’d be happy to be comfortable and at ease with a fraction of the things she is. And frankly I’d also like to be as confident a presenter as she is; being able to be interesting, informative, and entertaining in front of an audience is something I’ve always desired to be able to do. It’s always a pleasure being the audience of someone who can do all those things.
Between what we have been doing with the SEMLS 2.0 course and listening to Jessamyn yesterday things are really beginning to fall into place. My library already has a couple of wikis, I’m mapping out in my mind how we can use del.icio.us, and I really want to do something with a blog now that I’m hooked. I know I’m in trouble with this blog; I found myself composing this post in my head in the car today! Jessamyn reinforced everything we’ve done so far and I am going to take my time reviewing the rich collection of examples she gave us in the coming weeks.
I hope SEMLS has her back again! When I got back to work I told, yes told, several people that if she’s ever back they are coming with me! I’m trying to spread the word here but she does it so much, much better.
BTW I just went and found those posts on librarian.net about the Ubuntu install, it was back in May of last year, and I completely forgot she got a shout out from Cory Doctorow calling her an “Internet folk-hero” after she posted the video of that install. Yup, I want to be like Jessamyn West when I grow up!
Didn’t you love that Jessamyn thinks she’s old?
I chuckled at that too. Ah to be forty again!
I always say “when I grow up” because the way I look at things each new life experience or learning experience adds to growing up not growing old.
I love that I’ve picked a profession where I’m a spring chicken at 40. I am so happy people got a lot out of that whole talk. It’s a challenge to take a wild guess at what sorts of things people will know and not know. [fun tip: you can use Google's blog search to find out when people are talking about you
]
http://blogsearch.google.com/
I want to be Miss Daisy when I grow up….but I’ll keep my age to myself in order not to depress everyone! I was one of the people who was “told” I MUST go to the next Jessamyn West lecture. Not that Daisy would have to drag me there…she sounded so excited when she got back to the library that I already made up my mind to go to the next one (if SEMLS has her back…which they should according to Daisy’s description). We are trying really hard to use technology to reach out to our patrons (and, yes, to our staff……sigh) and Daisy is the one usually leading the charge. I probably am right behind her with the flag.
Ok, better get back to work. It’s Saturday! I hate Saturdays! Boo to Saturdays in the Children’s Room.
Jessamyn’s site is the first librarian-related blog I ever read, and was one of the reasons I looked into getting my MLS. She rocks, hardcore. She is definitely one of my sheros!
And, Daisy, you are following in her footsteps really well. I came upon your site last night, and it is fab!