Honours Convocation - Library Award

Dear friends,
On May 30, the library at Carleton College was one of three (1 university, 1 college & 1 community college) awarded as an outstanding college library of the year! This prize, sponsored by Blackwell's Books and awarded by ACRL (the Association of College and Research Libraries) is one very prestigious award. The Carleton College library was honored for intellectual curiosity and collaboration. This means that the library brings the community together across departmental boundaries. It has a true service ethos. Not just in regard to policies or best practices but as each student and faculty member as an individual connects to provide excellent service. The library is successful in assessing both academic needs and academic aspirations; it teams with departments and disciplines to provide the set of service resources to meet those needs and aspirations.
Intellectual curiosity comes from the deep desire to know and understand. Sometimes it is of a new discipline; sometimes it is of a deeper level of a known. But it is a gift given to all people everywhere if they but open their eyes to see it. Collaboration is working together for the benefit of all -- truly another gift for humanity. As each one helps the other, all receive the help they need.
It is that kind of service to which all libraries aspire. That is how the customer or patron will be helped to the best of one's ability. The one with a true heart can do more than just follow the rules or meet expectations. It really goes beyond mere performance of job duties; it is an inner working which is more important, at the end of the day, than the mere job performance. One would be wise to remember the words of the librarian head who said, "True service comes from the heart."

Closing in on the end??

Dear friends -- the school year is almost over and thus final words begin to be spoken. I understand that MILI as we know it today will not be around next year. I'm certain that it will emerge in a different form, for the work is too important to end. We all must continue to embrace the challenge! Now, having said that, I also want to say that the Athenaeum Bard will continue to post -- albeit around a larger range of topics. So, keep reading and commenting if you'd like; the Association of College and Research Libraries gave its 2008 award to the Library at Carleton College and both my son and daughter were honored at the Spring Honors Convocation last week. Transitions can be hard on students and teachers; mixed feelings abound. My son's Carleton orchestra performed last week as well; Central High School's spring orchestra/band concerts used the same format -- soloists performing concertos as well as whole-ensemble pieces.

"Watch for more blogs, my online friends,
the time for weeping is o'er;
for we won't gently turn the page
but admire this one more."

Until later then...

Wikis -- again

Hello,
I just set up a family wiki to help dispose of Dad's things and house, etc... It was pretty easy to do with pbwiki.com. I won't really know how successful it is until my siblings log on and work at it. So we'll wait and see.
Now that we have less than 2 weeks of school left (and we assistants have only 1.5 days per school left), it seems like it becomes more difficult to stay focused. Much of the day is spent checking books and textbooks in; especially for the senior who need to get all books in so they can pick up their cap and gown for graduation. So teaching by the librarians is mostly finished. there is still the occasional student who needs this or that for a class or for a final, but there are no full class lessons being given. And at Central, of course, the new computer lab construction has begun! All the books are boxed up in the center of the room and huge plastic containment curtains are keeping folk out of the construction zone.
If anyone knows of a library assistant job, please let me know! I need something soon!
There will be at least a couple more posts before MILI closes up shop for this year. So do keep reading, there is more ahead! :-)

Above is the trading card for my dad (photo taken on June 19, 2005); the complete poem reads as follows:

Dear Dad
"Dear Dad, you've been my model of compassion, love and peace --
Of always doing what is right,
You serve as haven, a harbor light;
Your caring does not cease.

Dear Dad, I have admired you; Your faith, your strength, your joy, your wit;
You speak fondly of the friend
of years ago, or the joys days send;
From a loving dad, I benefit.

Dear Dad, my love for you just grows as year adds on to coming year;
A word of wisdom to all you tell,
You are a strong, tall sentinel;
In the praise of God you are sincere.

Dear Dad, I cannot speak the words to say what's in my heart;
I learned love is always strong;
I learned compassion must be long;
Thank you for everything from the start."

...Webb

written for Dell McDonald Colwell
father, husband, grandfather & friend

And so another chapter begins; a new existence, really, because everything is now different from what it was before. A great adventure lies ahead...

A quick sad note

Dear Friends,
Just wanted to let you know that my dad passed away last week and his funeral was Sat. 12 Apr. He was a great man and good role model, a loving dad (+ granddad) and a good friend. So, that's why you haven't read any new posts for a while. I intend on making a trading card for him like I did for my mom; you can look for it soon.
It is hard, but I carry on.

Thanks!

More Thing 19

I visited "imagechef" and found that it could be lots of fun, ...I guess. My point is that the time one spends at sites like this -- where one just "goofs around" -- could be spent on other things. I envision people playing cards, or walking around the lake, or going on a bike ride to Dairy Queen, or writing a letter to one's mom and dad or grandparents, or visiting friends, or playing music together, or ... well, you get the point. Taking time to "goof around" on the computer to me seems like a sad waste of time. Life is meant to be physical, to be metaphysical, to be connected in real time and place with others. I just couldn't see the point of creating an email message or picture on "imagechef" because there is so much else that one could be doing!

Music on Easter Sunday (and on the Saturday before) went well, thank you. And today, via UPS, came another fun surprise. For my birthday this month I ordered a tenor recorder. It sounds one whole octave below a soprano recorder (the one you probably think of when you think of a recorder). It is built for those of us with small fingers. :-) I am a very happy camper now!
<---Soprano Recorder
<----Tenor Recorder [it really is much bigger, just ask :-) ]

Thing 19: Internet trading cards

I wanted to post something tonight since I have to plan music for Sunday's church service. (Did I tell you I am leading worship at a Native American church in Minneapolis?) I created this trading card about my mom, God rest her soul. [She passed 3 years ago last February and ...]

She loved giraffes (there are two on the refrigerator) and all her family! And we still miss her!

More later