grandmothers' secrets...

so, i originally started this blog as part of a school assignment. part 1: create a blog; part 2: discuss four different technologies and how they can be used in the library. now that the boring stuff is out of the way, i thought i'd try to keep the spirit of blogging alive. we'll see how it goes. what am i going to blog about? um, not really sure. right now, i work in an elementary school--i suppose that means i'll ramble about the awesome things my 2nd and 3rd graders say/do. and i'll probably rant about the ridiculousness of our education system. i'm a scrappy crafter (hence the url), or maybe i am a crappy scrafter. who knows, who cares? the point being is that i'll post projects i've completed (if i ever get around to finishing anything). quilting, crocheting, knitting...yup, i'm an old lady at heart. i also love food. mmmm...food. recipes, failed attempts (like purple soup--long story), and kitchen disasters to brighten your day. i also have a fat cat who enjoys sleeping on shoes. i guess i have a lot of content to shoot out into the unknown realms of the world wide web.

on to today's thought...

both of my grandmothers died before i was old enough to truly appreciate them as an adult. i feel a little like i've lost out on some great secret. what do i mean? let me try to explain. my dad was raised on a farm (for all intents and purposes). his mom was apparently the expert on making her own canned goods and preserves. i think that is an awesome skill. dad tells me stories about stocking up on supplies at the end of the summer, and filling the pantry with grandma's canned goods. it sounds awesome. i can barely keep my lavender alive. also, my last batch of strawberry jam--chunky syrup. what was her secret? why can't i effortlessly throw things into a jar and call it done? i wish she were here to give me the tips and tricks of the trade that i didn't want to learn at age 10.

we lived with my mother's mother until she died when i was 16. grandma took all of our clothes and mended them herself. when i sew, it kind of looks like i passed the machine to a four year old. yeah, i can do it. but the machine itself kind of intimidates me. i have grandma's old sewing machine and it's beautiful. she bought it new at montgomery wards for TEN DOLLARS!!!! it sits in a desk, was one of the first electric sewing machines, and if you want to change the style of stitch, there is a series of little turn knobby thingies that you need to switch. i look at it and want to cry a little. grandma looked at it and it seemed as though all of the pieces just...fit.

my maternal grandmother was also an excellent chef. she would make the best dinners. our holidays growing up always involved a very full house, and loads of food. i have yet to produce a timely dinner. nevermind one where the food is all piping hot and sitting on the table ready to be eaten! when i was 16, all i wanted to do was read in my room and hang out with my friends. i never once thought it would be jolly fun to hang out with my grandma and learn the nuances of baking. what i remember most about my grandma was her ability to make the world's best cookies (both of them actually).

to make a long story less long, this last christmas i decided that i wanted to pay tribute to my grandmother and make some grandma-style cookies. so after some creative googling, i think i found the recipe she used to make one of the cookies i remember most. i don't remember the taste or texture, but i remember they had red and green thingies inside, were rolled into a log, and shoved in the freezer. and the winning recipe is...

fruitcake cookies (not at all like the yucky cake)

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
  
• 2 1/2 cups flour, stirred together with 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• about 1 cup chopped candied cherries (both green and red)
• about 1 cup chopped nuts (i like walnuts)

cream together: butter and sugar
beat in: egg
gradually add: flour/cream of tarter
stir in candied cherries and nuts

divide dough in half, roll each half into a log (approx 2 in. in diameter), wrap each log in wax paper (i throw some cellophane over it to keep the log wrapped), and toss in the freezer 'til firm.

to bake: slice cookie rolls 1/2 in. thick w/a sharp knife. place on a baking sheet covered w/aluminum foil. bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges. cool on a rack. makes about 3 dozen

the results: yummy, yummy cookies. with pretty red and green sparkly fruit!

the modifications: my original search brought up a recipe that called for 3/4 cup each candied cherries, candied pineapple, and raisins (hence the "fruitcake" part of the cookies). my grandma just used red and green cherries. i had initially used 3/4 cup red cherries and 3/4 cup green. along with 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts. it was too much stuff for the dough. i think next time i might also try to use the cherries whole. i thought it'd make a pretty circular design. we'll have to see how it turns out. my mom was also thinking that grandma used some flavoring for the dough. i'll play around with almond and cherry to see if it boosts the cookie's wonderfulness...

the other cookies in the photo (if you're the least bit curious) are my attempt at grandma's chocolate whirl cookies...if you're lucky, i might just post that recipe here too!

well, there you have it. cookie excursion #1. check.

one final note...

as we finish up this semester, i thought it would be fun to share a video with you! it's from "flight of the conchords" and the song is...wonderful! if you haven't seen it, i hope you enjoy. if you have already seen it, well you can't get enough binary solos...

OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogs)

Do you remember the good old days, when you would go to a library and spend hours filing through the card catalog in search of your coveted books? I'm finding that less and less people even know what a card catalog is. On one hand it makes me kind of sad and nostalgic. On the other hand, the ease and convenience of searching an online catalog makes me really tingly inside! For those of you who are unfamiliar with libraries (shame on you!), the OPAC is more or less a database that allows users (that's you) to search for library items. Libraries store bibliographic data in a special place, with special codes (most commonly MARC records, if you're interested). This assists the institutions in tracking all sorts of information about any item: the author, ISBN, size of item, subject, publication information, title, etc.

As a library user, you do not need to know all of the data stored in a library's database--this is where OPACs come in handy. They take all of the complex information held in a library record, and translate it into user-friendly, non-librarian language. The OPAC is exactly what it claims to be; an online database that provides public access to library catalogs. Nowadays, if I wanted to look up a book title, I would hop online (either from home or at the library), and simply look it up. I can search by keyword, title, subject, author, whatever strikes my fancy. Voila! The OPAC has guided me to my desired results!

Now these systems are not without their flaws. In today's techno-savvy society, we are conditioned to use various search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, Clusty (my personal favorite) and so forth. Oftentimes a person will use his or her own vocabulary to search for items through these search engines--simply type in a keyword or a phrase, and you're off! OPACs do not generally work this easily. Remember, they are reading library-created data from a library-created MARC record. Catalogers use a strict set of vocabulary guidelines when creating MARC records, and this makes it difficult for the average Joe to quickly find information. If you do not enter the predetermined (or controlled) vocabulary, chances are that you won't find the information you need.

OPACs are not all Doom and Gloom...

With the increased use of Internet services, OPACs provide an excellent stepping stone for the transition of how libraries used to operate (i.e. card catalogs) to how the can/will operate in the future! OPACs and society are co-evolving; in a sense, they significantly impact each other. The OPAC had initially been an extension of the card catalog, using standard library procedure to assist individuals in finding their desired items. This worked well in an era during which librarians were the sole providers of information. Now people can easily find and access their own information, without the help of a librarian. They are forcing the OPAC to abandon Library of Congress controlled vocabularies, and adapt new user-friendly search mechanisms (such as tags, tag clouds, and folksonomies). With these new features, OPACs are evolving in such a way that they increase information access for the public. OPAC searches were once frustrating and challenging; they are increasingly becoming more user-friendly. This is another means through which information access is spreading across the world.

Podcast

Okay. I'll be honest here. Up until about a week ago, the word "podcast" truly disturbed me. I'm not entirely sure why, they are really awesome! I think it has to do with the fact that I just could not wrap my head about what they were and why we needed them. It's probably best (for everyone's sake) if I start with an amazing breakdown of the term "podcast" from podcast.com:
POD: Portable On-Demand
This means that it's something that is portable (you can take it anywhere), and available on-demand (you can view/listen whenever).
CAST: Broadcast
In layman's terms: It is something that is broadcasted directly to you! Isn't that convenient?!
What exactly is broadcasted to you? And how? First let's look at the what. Any audio or video file that can be transmitted through the Internet directly to you. Everything from television and radio to the made-from-home video and audio files! There are so many selections for your viewing pleasure! Podcast.com's top 25 podcasts include: BBC, CNN, PBS, NPR, Discovery News, President Obama...and those are just a few of the top 25!!! You can download them directly onto your computer, or even your iPod! Simply go online and either subscribe to a podcast directly, or use one of the many online podcast finders (podcast.com, podcastalley.com, apple.com/itunes/podcasts, etc). Browse for something that catches your eye, and voila! You have your first podcast!
Why the need for podcast? It's all about convenience. When I was growing up, if I missed a radio broadcast, I was s.o.l.! Short of contacting the station and requesting the tape, there was nothing I could do. If I missed a television show, I had to wait for the rerun. With podcasts, you can catch what you've missed, and save what you will miss! Then, you have the added convenience of watching/listening to your podcast wherever and whenever you like! It sounds like a lot of fun! Almost like RSS (not entirely), but with audio and visual files!!!
Yeah but, would I ever use a library podcast?
Of course! You just need to know where to look! Libraries offer podcasts telling stories/reading books, they have historical podcasts featuring people from our nation's past, children/teen podcasts, and so much more! They also have internal podcasts discussing library-related issues, everything from merchandising to weeding! It seems like these technologies (RSS, blogs, podcasts, etc), while they have been around for a while, are beginning to be more widely used by the library community. As Internet usage increases, and with the NetGeners on the way, podcasts have a very big place in the library. They can podcast segments of GED courses, computer courses, basic ESL (all of which have been offered face-to-face in libraries I've worked for). The leap from face-to-face to podcast is not that far! Similarly, book clubs, events, and community issues can all be podcasted from a single institution...such as the library! The use of podcasts within the library is currently minimal, I think that as time progresses and a new wave of librarians enter the field, podcasts will be used with a greater frequency!
Podcast use and society
Podcasts are widely used for the entertainment industry (t.v., movies, radio shows, etc). I see a great need and use for them in society as a whole. They can be the means through which libraries reach out to the non-user community. As their usage increases, so can their purpose. Tutor briefs can be issued via podcast from a child's school; this could assist with homework, paper writing, math, and science. People (once again) have worldwide access to information, podcasts are one more way to help them get it. The next generation (NetGen) is growing up in a highly technological era. Two of the traits most commonly found in this group is their ability to multitask, and their preference for visual stimulation. Podcasts provide them with a medium that is a perfect match for their abilities!

Blogs (a.k.a. WebLogs)

When I was younger, I would hide my diary between my mattresses (cliche, I know), and the key for my diary could either be found in my favorite puppet or under a broken Caboodle drawer. God forbid my little brother read it and found out all about what we had for dinner the previous night (I've always gotten bored with diaries). WebLogs, more commonly referred to as blogs, are essentially Internet diaries--minus the secrecy. They are sites dedicated to the innermost thoughts of anyone who wants to share with the world. This site is a blog!! Fascinating, isn't it. Blogs are most often a personal journal of some sort. Their topics vary, and anything goes! Now I say that blogs are most often personal journals, because they can range from journals to news coverage to event/community information. Blogs are flexible. Dedicated bloggers (i.e. one who blogs) will update their sites at least daily (sometimes more), while novice or more lax bloggers might update a site every couple of days, weeks, months, or even years. The best part is that their blogs are (mostly) governed by them. Fitcher and Carvone point out that blogs are special because they tend to be written in a specific voice, with blatant opinions--they are highly subjective (Technology for the Rest of Us, p. 56). I think that this is an important trait to note, especially under the pretext of an online journal. You, as a writer, are unrestricted in what you say, do, think, and feel.

I bet by now you're thinking, "Boy, this blogging thing sounds great!" Well, I'd have to agree with you. Once you get into it, it's a lot of fun. You might ask, "How do I create my own blog?" It's as easy as pie:

1. Choose a host site (you need somewhere to broadcast your blog from). I recommend Blogger, but you can also use LiveJournal. These ones are free. If you'd rather pay for service, you can use something like TypePad. Why pay when you can get it for free? Essentially, each host has its pros and cons. To start out, I'd suggest one of the free sites. If you find out that you love it, and want to do more, check out a paid service. You'll have more flexibility and control over your site.
2. Sign up! You'll need a blog title (i.e. 'Twas brillig and the slithy toves...), and a URL (i.e. http://www.thescrappycrafter.com), a template (supplied by the service, or find your own online--I like http://www.bloggertemplatesfree.com), and you're ready to get started!
3. Begin your blogging adventure!

If blogs are "personal journals" then how could they be used in the library???
I'll admit, that was my first question too! It turns out that libraries use blogs in a couple of different ways. Libraries like the Library of Congress are using blogs to share fun and random (but educational) information with their readers. Other libraries use blogs to share library news, information and events with their patrons, update them on community news and events, and they even use blogs as an internal mode of communication among staff!
Blogs and Society
Blogs are an effective tool for expressing yourself to the world. Once again, access is key. With a blog, I can say anything I want and reach a global audience. This is true for libraries too! The blogging revolution has expanded our communication system as a nation, and united users from around the world! They are (in my opinion) more in depth versions of information access through Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, or any other networking site. In reaching out to the world, you encourage the world to reach back to you!

RSS (Real Simple Syndication)

The question for the day is, "What exactly is an RSS feed?" Well, I will tell you! First, it is NOT a rodent of unusual size--that's ROUSes, and a completely different thing. RSS stands for "Real Simple Syndication," and in layman's terms it is a means through which you can funnel information from all of your favorite websites into one central location. Why would you ever want to do that? In what possible world would this be useful?! These are valid questions, here are your answers:

1. Every time i log onto the Internet, I check my email, the news, a blog or two, and a handful of other sites. This takes both time and energy on my part...waiting for the page to load, sifting through all of the information, waiting for the grass to grow...RSS changes all of that. Once I subscribe to my favorite sites, I can conveniently (through the clever use of "newsreaders" and "aggregators") visit one site for all of my information-seeking needs!
2. This is useful in the best of all possible worlds! All of my newsworthy information is available in real time, and easily accessible. My RSS feed gives me the pertinent information and lets me quickly scroll through the headlines (ignoring those I find b.o.r.i.n.g., and linking to others I find interesting!).

RSS in the library? Not possible, you say!
Well, I say you're wrong! RSS feeds are used in a variety of ways. Libraries can improve services provided to their patrons through one simple RSS button! Patrons can subscribe to feeds for their account, library events, and even create custom search feeds. The Cincinnati Library even goes so far as to break their feeds down by genre, and staff created lists. After subscribing to a feed for World History (for example), the library will notify you whenever they receive a new book for that category! As a user, it allows you to stay on top of your reading/viewing lists without the hassle of remembering dates, titles, or authors!
RSS will! impact society...
Let's face it, if you had asked me 10 years ago (goodness, if you had asked me last year) if I thought people would actually opt to have all of their daily news and events into one convenient Internet location, I probably would have laughed and thought, "No way, Jose!" I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong (don't get too excited, it won't happen that often). RSS feeds are really pretty nifty. As more and more people continue to use and create blogs, gather their news from online resources, and utilize the Internet in general, I think that RSS feeds will be the way to go for effortless access to information. The World Wide Web is at our fingertips, it is not too far a leap to place all of that exciting data in a centralized location. This technology will spread information like wildfire! It takes time and energy to keep up on the many facets of online information. RSS makes it easier to maintain your current news desires, and allows for the possibility of significant information expansion.