WIAW (What is a Wiki)

Wiki --
Is this the name of a new , fun drink or is a "Hawaiian word that means quick?"
I am learning how to create and use a Wiki. If I can learn, anyone can! Thanks to our stellar Staff Institute Technology Team, I am moving along at a pace that I never thought was possible. I have embarked on a journey to learn some best practices for creating a Wiki that will maximize and simplify how I communicate with my co-workers. If I am going to embrace the Web 2.0 paradigm, I need to get with it! More to come.

Conferences

Illinois Library Association Annual Conference September 24 - 26, 2008 at Navy Pier, Chicago.

ILA Conference Reflections

The breathtaking view of the Chicago skyline as it reflected off of Lake Michigan, and the synergy of hundreds of Illinois Librarians, offered a welcoming respite from my daily routine. One of my goals at each conference that I attend is to meet and chat with someone that I do not know, so I enjoyed every opportunity to network . The location, the timely keynote address, The New Inquisition, presented by Jamie LaRue, the awards ceremony, the author's Luncheon featuring Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum, creators of Unshelved, the library comic strip, plus a plethora of additional programs, embodied the essence of this year's theme, Libraries=Access: Provide, Promote, Protect. What an opportunity to become recharged and rejuvenated by participating in such innovative educational opportunities. One of highlights of the conference was Style From the Stacks: Project Runway featuring fashions designed and modeled by members of the Illinois library community. One of our own Youth Services Librarian's, Storytime on the Go, fashion statement was totally awesome! Congratulations. Until next year in Peoria, Illinois, a special thank you to the staff of our Illinois Library Association office for all of the countless hours of hard work to make this year's conference happen.

American Library Association, Midwinter J anuary 23 - 28, 2009

Denver, Colorado

American Library Association, Annual July 9 - 12, 2009

Chicago, Illinois

Neighborhood Book Club

Our first Neighborhood Book Club of the season met at my house. We discussed The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson. I thought that it was an average story, but it did not grab me because I thought the character development was a little shallow. We have a core group of members that love reading and discussing, so we take turns facilitating the discussion. It was a chilly rainy evening so we snacked on hot tea and my special homemade Biscotti. We meet September through May on the second Monday of the Month. Forthcoming book discussions include:

• Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund
• Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon
• Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

In the Beginning

I am a novice so kindlly bear with me. I have always been so quick to yell, HELP, but since our awesome Staff Institute Day last Friday, I am anxious to embrace Web 2.0 and try to set up my first ever Blog. I know I have made some quirky mistakes , but I will get better. Just learning about the myriads of free tools out there to assist me with this exciting task has allowed me to take a deep breath and believe that yes, I can do this. More to come.

My Garden

Summer 2008

My Passions

The Relay For Life

I walk in memory of my sisters, Lil and Weesie. The pain of their passing is often unrelenting, but I know that for every mile that I walk, the funds that others so graciously give will fund research to find a cure. I also walk for all of the survivors and for the caregivers of those that are fighting this dreadful disease.

My Family