Library Thing again

So as a different person Library Thing seems to accept me at last. I feel like Sally Field at the Oscars - it likes me, it really likes me!

Library Thing

I had so many problems with this, that were technical glitches. How frustrating. No matter how I tried I couldn't load any books into my catalogue. When I investigated my profile etc I kept getting a message that I had been removed! Kelly D tried to help and in the end I signed up again as a different user and voila! it worked. So Library Thing doesn't like me. I eventually got an error message that said (honestly) that "trained monkeys were working on fixing it".

It really doesn't like me. My own book is listed as being written by Michael Gorman. I've tried to change that but the information has clearly been input by someone else and I can't. On the other hand, if people read my book because they think Michael Gorman wrote it that's no bad thing.

The Book Lover's Ball

It was a very enjoyable event, and I worked hard to promote Ryerson and the Library. I had great fun introducing myself to people who I thought would make very engaging speakers at the Library.


Over the course of the evening I chatted with former PM the Honourable Paul Martin; Colin and Justin, the manic Scottish design duo; Debbie Travis, design diva; Brian Bailey, fashion designer and Project Runway maven; Peter Robinson, mystery writer; Stuart Maclean, CBC host and Ryersonian; and Marina Endicott, Giller-nominated writer, actor and dramaturge. Every one of them said they would be happy to come for an informal session with students at the Library.


I was really impressed with the event itself. A reception allowed mingling and silent auction bidding; then a dinner with CBC's Diana Swain hosting; a live auction with trips, fur coats etc. going for astonishing amounts of cash; and finally a fashion show with a history of Harlequin Romances theme. Each table had a designated author: ours was Marina Endicott who was absolutely charming, down to earth and easy to talk to.

I met several members of TPL senior management, including Jane Pyper, the new Chief Librarian. One director asked if I would come and talk to their senior team about the Student Learning Centre. Of course I readily agreed!

I am more keen than ever to see us have a fundraising Ball for the Student Learning Centre. Robert Ott, Chair of Fashion, agrees! I shall approach Advancement about it.

The Book Lover's Ball

Tonight I am going to the Toronto Public Library's fundraiser, The Book Lover's Ball, and I am really looking forward to it.

An author is assigned to each table, and at mine is Marina Endicott, who was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. She has lived in BC, Nova Scotia, the Prairies and London, England, and has an acting background, so I am hoping we'll have lots to talk about. Tish Cohen will also be there so I hope to say hi to her. Peter Robinson, one of my favourite mystery writers, will also be there - he once signed one of his books for me "To a Yorkshire lass". And maybe I'll rub shoulders with ex-PM Paul Martin who is also planning to be there. I wonder what he thinks of Harper's deficit budget?

Wouldn't it be great to have a fundraiser for the Student Learning Centre? We could have Ryerson celebrity alumni in attendance; performances by theatre and dance students; and an auction of student artwork.

Social tagging and Deli.ci.ous

I enjoyed this exercise! I had some knowledge of it before and it really is an easy way to keep your bookmarks. This will be a boon when I'm travelling to meetings somewhere.

I like the democratic nature of it. Yes, I know we are trained in libraries to deal with a controlled language but social tagging is quite evolutionary and allows us to see how students perceive the best way to find library resources. Bring it on is what I say!

flickr photos

I opened a flickr account last year to start organizing my photos of libraries. I began with the CARL Study Tour I took in 2007.

wikis

So I did a small edit to our wiki entry, about the fourth floor. I can't believe how stressful I am finding this stuff! Perhaps it is reviving those deep rooted insecurities from when I was a student and always behind on assignments. I also find it somewhat uncomfortable that whatever I put could easily be changed by someone else who thinks they have something better to say! Nonetheless, I think this is a very pracical assignment to get us to update our wikipedia entry. I don't like seeing out of date material about us on the web.

I'm looking forward to the petting zoo! The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and Family Day is coming up!