Top 25 most famous librarians in history

Top 25 most famous librarians in history I found this on another blog and thought it was interesting. I never knew that Mao Zedong was a librarian! go figure!

The beginning of a new semester

I am just now beginnng the fall semester of my library science classes. This semester I am taking Cataloging and Classificaton and Information Sources and Services. The latter is the last core class, I have left to take. Cataloging is something, I dont really plan to ever do as a librarian, but I figured what could be the harm in knowning more about. It the job of the librarian to be a source of information, and in order to do this, librarians need to have knowledge on a variety of topics. Bibliographic records are the foundations of all library material. Each item has its on invididual record. How these records are created serve as one of the fundementals of librarianship as a profession. In this sense, I look forward to cataloging. As for the other class, information sources and services also represents a vital function of a library. In order to better serve patrons, in any given library environment (public, school, academic, or special) the first and most important occupation is providing for the informational needs of patrons. In taking the class, I hope to learn more methods of information discovery, that I can use daily at the public library I work at. As always, I will continue to do my best in updating my work and progress. Wish me luck! :-)

More work updates

So yea, I know its been awhile since I put more of my masterpieces from library school on here, but the wait is finally over. Here is the blueprint for a project proposal im doing for my public libraries class: The project is called Bouncing Books for Babies. (I admit maybe not the best title, but it was the only one I could think of so Im rolling with it lol) -BBBP is a storytime program that incorporates music, movement, and education designed for infants and toddlers ages six months to 2 years.

-Project will use a variety of formats including but not limited to print, audiovisual, and computer software.

-The program is targeted at the undeserved age group of babies and toddlers. Thus the program will need the participation of adults with very young children in the surrounding community.

-Project goals include the introduction of educational elements such as colors, alphabet, words, and reading along with an introduction to library services and materials to both patrons and their children.

-Project will work in conjunction with local daycare facilities for marketing/advertising purposes in addition to future co-affiliated programs

My Review of Patricia McKissack's The Dark Thirty:Southern Tales of the Supernatural

Author Patricia McKissack's 1992 Coretta Scott Award Winning book, The Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural is one of five books I reviewed and analyzed written by McKissack. As our final project in my children's and YA literature class, we were given the option to write a profile of a living author that would include a lengthy biography, reviews of five books and an annotated bibliography of all children's and YA titles written by the author. Here is my review of one of Mrs. McKissack most well known works. It is a collection of African-American ghost stories. The "dark thirty" is the half hour before sunset. This is the time of day where evil in its many forms comes out to create chaos and keep you awake at night. Or so goes the urban legend. Typically Im not a huge fan of scary books, or really scary movies because Im a scaredy cat! lol So needless to say, I read this book during the daytime hours. Though its nowhere near Stephen King horror or even R.L. Stine suspenseful, its intriguing enough to keep the reader wanting to read the next story. At the beginning of each story, McKissack gives a brief summary of the historical background of the story, given the stories a touch of realness. Here is my review, enjoy! :-)
McKissack, Patricia. The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc, 1992. Ages 8 and up
Summary: A collection of 10 southern ghost stories. The Dark-Thirty is the half hour before sunset. It is at this time that monsters would come out. The stories are rooted in the African-American oral tradition. “The Legend of Pin Oak” is the tale of runaway slaves that turn into birds after jumping to their deaths to avoid slave catchers. “Justice is the story of a Klan member’s mysterious comeuppance after he murders an innocent black man. The “11:59” is an urban legend native to black train porters. The “Gingi” is an African folklore inspired ghost story. The last story was a “semi-autobiographical” tale of the young Patricia facing down a chicken coop monster.

Analysis: As with most urban legends, these tales have a basis in some truth. They were inspired in part by the stories told to McKissack by her grandparents. In her author’s notes she encourages readers to read these stories during the dark-thirty when it is “neither day nor night and when shapes and shadows play tricks on the mind.” The stories are written in such a way as to convey suspense. “Nothing was clear anymore. It didn’t matter, because it was daylight. He could set, maybe open the station. Where were the keys? It was so hard to remember. That’s when he saw the curious hazy substance on every windowpane in his bedroom.” (From: “Justice,“ pg. 29-30)

Potential Use: This book would make an excellent Halloween display item, and it could also be used in a classroom discussion on African-American oral tradition its components and origins.

Reader’s Appeal: Children who like ghost stories will enjoy this book. The black-and-white illustrations are lively despite the absence of color, and portray a sense of foreboding and fear. See the paranoid Hoop Granger washing his window, over a black shadow. (pg.31)

Value-added information: This book received both a Newberry Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Award.

Review excerpts: “Each tale is told in a simple, lucid style, embellished by a few deftly inserted macabre details and by one of Pinkney’s dramatic, swirling scratchboard illustrations.” Kirkus Reviews Oct. 15,1992

Review:Jump at the Sun: A Novel

Jump at the Sun is the story of a woman trying to define her life as a mother. Motherhood and the sacrifices that result is a theme throughout the novel. Grace's mother Mattie was abandoned twice by Gracie's grandmother Rae. This abandonment causes Grace's mother to try to "buy" her mother's love at one point,at the cost of her, Gracie and her other children's well-being. Mattie tries her hardest to be the best daughter, but comes to the conclusion that in the end "{Rae} was a terrible mother." For Gracie, her two daughters make up the sole of most of her existance, but she feel trapped and is suffocating under the constant stress. She plots throughout the story to find her grandmother and then possibly leave her family, before she "dies" mentally from the pressure. Unlike her mother and other family members, Gracie can relate to her grandmother Rae and how she must have felt when she left Gracie's mother. "She had no other choice," saids Gracie. Gracie is a socologist. She tries several times to validate on a social-science level her feelings toward motherhood. At times, she loves being a mother, at other times she wants to leave and never come back. The novel make me think about my own feelings toward motherhood. I wonder how different my life would have been had I not had my daughter at 19. Who's to say? Through the help of my own mother, I was able to finish college so I did not become a statistic like so many girls that leave college because of pregnancy, never to return. Are the sacrifices we make as mothers suppose to "pay off" at some point? Both Grace and her mother Mattie felt this way, but Rae did not. The only thing Rae understood was that she lived her life and did what she had to, to survive. No more, no less. Isnt that really what any of us can hope for? As mothers do we desire some type of pay off? or watching our children grow into their own reward enough? It is an interesting and complicated enigma. I highly recommend this book. In fact when I get my shelving together for my personal library I will be purchasing it. Thanks Portia!!!

Librarian Lays Down the Law

She Just Snapped! This is what can happen when library staff dont have their coffee breaks in the morning! lol Whoa

My Review of Who Comes with Cannons by Patricia Beatty

This semester I am taking a Children and YA literature class. We are currently doing book analysis on titles in the historical fiction genre. I chose this book, Who Comes with Cannons, because its background historical event is the American Civil War (my personal favorite war) Yes I said that. Im a total history nerd, and historical fiction is my second favorite genre, over historical biographies and non-fiction titles. Historical fiction novels, especially juvenille titles, have to find a way to make history come alive, while trying to tell a good story. Often children, did not care for history as a subject because of the infamously boring history textbooks. They focus too much on facts and not enough on quality in my opinion. Below is my review of the book about a 12-year old Quaker girl sent to live with relatives in the South, in the year 186l. The first year of the Civil War.


Beatty, Patricia. Who Comes with Cannons? New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1992 ages 8-12.

Summary: In 1861, Truth Hopkins, a 12-year-old Quaker from Indiana, moves in with her Uncle and his family in North Carolina after her father's death. She discovers that her new home is a station on the underground railroad. With the start of the Civil War, Truth and the lives of her new family is never the same. They witness firsthand the horrors of war, but come to understand the true meaning of giving and the importance of family.

Analysis:Beatty stays true to the genre, and follows the guildlines of good historical fiction novels outlined in the textbook. First, she has the protagonist is a young girl faced with obstacles she must overcome in a setting set before her time. It is clear, however, that she did the necessary research on the Quakers. At the end of the book, in the author's notes, she describes their origins, customs, and beliefs. She does this also several times during the story. Truth and her family would attend "First Day" meetings at a meeting house, where members or "friends" would seek out the "inner light" of God. When someone (and it could be anyone: man, woman or child) chose to speak they could, expressing what God had put on their hearts to say from their inner light. Because the Quakers did not condone slavery and help escaped slaves to freedom, they were treated often badly by their slave owning neighbors. In the story, at one point, Truth's male cousins were beat up, because their neighbors believed the Bardwells where "stealing" property {slaves}. Quakers are also pacifists and do not believe in fighting. Truth's cousins are captured by Confederacy forces before the first battle of the Civil War at Manassas Junction (Bull Run) and force to stand out front, in the hopes they would be killed. Some confederate solders referred to Quakers as "cannon fodder." (pg. 68) Thus she does not sugar-coat the realities of the time. She describes the locations of she discusses in the book, and how they are related to the events of the Civil War. At the end of the story, Truth is trapped at her cousin's wife house in Bentonville, because of the battle of Bentonville. The only Civil War battle to take place in North Carolina in 1865.

Potential Use: As with all historical fiction novels, the highlighted historical event or setting can be used in a social studies or history class of older children. In the case of this book, the American Civil War is the background and Beatty provides a plethora of information about it including, how battles would start, what weapons were used, how men were drafted into the war, the outcomes of important battles (such as Gettysburg), how the war affected those on the homefront, and so on. Beatty also discusses at length, the way of life of the "Society of Friends" since the protagonist of the story is a Quaker.

Readers Appeal: Children will admire the bravery of Truth in the story. She goes above and beyond to save the life of a family member. For children, whose families are important to them, they will be able to relate to this story. They will also be able to have the Civil War seem more personal to them, in compassion to how it is described in textbooks. Thus, they may come away with a better appreciation of the past.

Value-added information: Patricia Beatty and her husband author John Beatty (both now deceased) were great admirers of the history of the state of California. A "John and Patricia Beatty" award is given annually to a book that most depicts awareness of California and its people.

Review excerpts: "The late Beatty— dramatizing the Quakers' courage in opposing slavery, staying out of the war, and enduring harassment while their men and property were conscripted by armies on both—gives a new perspective on what it meant to be an active, dissenting minority amid the strong feelings on both sides of this bitter conflict." Kirkus Review. October 15, 1992.

New Path

I have decided to turn over a new leaf, with my blog. I recently discovered that I will have to get a record of my work to complete my library science studies. Thus, it seems logical to update my blog with new information on my progression. As of today this is my first entry. Right now, Iam taking two classes. Children and YA literature, and Information and Communication Technology. I will be establishing links and updates on projects that I am doing in my clases on a monthly basis. Also anything that I might find interesting during my coursework. It is my hope that this blog will function to assist me in my career goal of becoming a librarian. I know that it will :-) And I look foward to starting down this new path.