Information Access Avenger

ACRL Preconference Unconference

wrmarsolek — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:08:43 +0000

I am not attending the ACRL 14th National Conference in Seattle. But if I was or if I was even remotely close to Seattle March 12th-15th I would TOTALLY attend Radical Reference’s ACRL Unconferene 2009.

Please check out this link for more information on the ACRL Unconference 2009

Fleetwood Mac

wrmarsolek — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:44:05 +0000

My first visit to the University of Minnesota as a perspective student eleven years ago was the day after a Fleetwood Mac concert.

Guess what. Guess who I saw last night …… Lindsey, Stevie, Mick and John.

Totally blew me away. Teri and I walked, skipped, jumped and ran our way into the arena as Tusk was playing; unbelievable. Don’t Stop, Gold Dust Wom[y]n, Landslide, and Silver Springs were just a few songs played. Mick totally knocked my socks off with his loony, tripped out drumming tactics and little red shoes. Lindsey’s voice, incredible. John rocked it. And Stevie, amazing. A full set and two encores later even for an arena show, I was was not let down, not even a little bit.

The house was packed, mostly with…..the Minnesota nice who sit real still in their seats. WHO SITS STILL AT SUCH A SHOW?

And we launched Twitter today from the basement

wrmarsolek — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:47:44 +0000

Today was the day I sent out the e-mail memo from my cubical in the basement of a university building to all the Dynamic Digital Signage administrators and users at a higher ed institution located in a largish Minnesota metropolitan city that has an East Bank, a West Bank and a Saint Paul. Approximately….well….several people received the email explaining to them why the department is using Twitter and why they should too. I understand it may take some time to catch on, but by the “end of the work day” today, five clients are following us.

I am kind of really excited about this.

To be blown away by the CTS Dynamic Digital Signage Twitter AWESOMENESS click here

Libraries too could benefit from this new, now almost mainstream technology….Branding at it’s finest, some may say.

DDS on Twitter

wrmarsolek — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:09:34 +0000

So….

For months I have been talking about Twitter in the office I work at located in a basement in the center of Minneapolis on the East Bank of a campus.

and….

today …..

together with my Dynamic Digital Signagepartners in crime Eric and Jade, we totally set up a Twitter account. We will be using the HOTTEST social networking site for FAQs, Tips, marketing, etc, etc, etc. Essentially, creating a dialogue with and amongst our clients as well as…well, having a presence. Its all about branding, someone somewhere once said.

Stay tuned

Now,

if that other place I worked at would jump on this wagon, all would be good.

Meet me at T!<$L{$

wrmarsolek — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:46:47 +0000

There is a newish piano bar/sports bar (I know, something for everyone) in the 612. Check out their website here.

I recently visited this newish bar with Teri where we watched the Oscars Sunday night. Probably the best Oscars I have seen. I really enjoyed the solidarity I observed on that stage. Unfortunately, prior to the award show, I had only seen one of the movies nominated and obviously it was Milk. But after watching the Oscars, I started to think of all the really great bad films I have seen. And it took me back to 1985:

The Peanutbutter Solution

Every time I mention TPS, everyone thinks it is a myth, an urban legend. Well my friends, above is the proof. Up until now, only two people I know were aware of this film, my sister and Guy. And now, like Paul Harvey says, you know the rest of the story.

Solarbabies

OMG, has anyone else seen this? BODI? Love it. I think I watched this one every other day from 1986-1989.

Empire of the Sun

Ok, this is an amazing movie. Just sayin. It should not even be in this post, but I was thinking about it the other day and wanted to see a clip. So then I decided you should see the clip too. You can thank me later for reminding you this film is out there.

Favorite Music Video of the Week

wrmarsolek — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:37:57 +0000

So I am driving to the northern suburban library, and it is like whoa, far (a 7 hour walk according to mapquest) and I am listening to the radio and a super fantastic song comes on, but I don’t know what it is. So I pick up my phone, turn on Shazam and tag the song as it is playing on the radio. What is this song that I need to know the name of?

You’re a Wolf by Sea Wolf

I spend about an hour in the car a day to get to and from that library. When I tell people this, they are like, OMG, that is a long commute. Yes, it is, but I love what I do, and I love having the opportunity to listen to 89.3 The Current and discover new music that I may have not been aware of earlier. You can totally listen to The Current on-line as well. Just click here

the 612 and the 651 represent like mad in Austin

wrmarsolek — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:49:44 +0000

I am all about the music festival. I have been to my fair share and hope to go to many more. However, a music festival that is even overwhelming to me is SXSW in Austin, Texas. Tons and tons of bands and tons and tons of venues. Seems almost dreamy, and then I panic at the thought of the scheduling chaos, how to get from one venue to the next, which band to see and which to skip…I am almost hyperventilating right now. So even though it almost sounds hellish to attend this grandiose pot of wonderfulness, I would do it, and hopefully one day I will. But in the mean time, I appreciate music festivals as they give the up and comers a time to shine and introduce themselves to us.

Six of the bands who are performing at SXSW March 13-22 are from MPLS/STP: Grant Hart, Doomtree, Brother Ali, Dosh, Haley Bonar and Mark Olson and Gary Louris.

If your music collection sounding a little stale? Check out the SXSW line-up, introduce yourself to a few of the performers, download a song here and there and broaden your musical horizon and that of your friends.

SXSW line up

RNC 8 on Democracy Now

wrmarsolek — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:22:21 +0000

ok, I know this is a late posting, but better late then never, right?

The RNC 8 on Democracy Now! Weds. Feb 18

The RNC 8 case will be featured on Democracy Now! The
show can be heard live at 7amCST on WBAI 99.5 in NYC (http://stream.wbai.org)
and at 12pmCST in the Twin Cites on KFAI 90.3 (http://kfai.org) Check local
listings for other areas.

In Minneapolis, Democracy Now! is aired on MTN TV channel 17 at 7am and
10pm, and in St. Paul it’s aired on SPNN channel 15 at 7am and 4pm.

Attorney Jordan Kushner and his client Luce Guillen-Givens will be on the
air in the second half hour. They’ll discuss the latest in the case, the
ramifications of prosecutions, and some other surprises. Democracy Now!
archives their shows in audio and video right away at
http://democracynow.org.

Turn on, Tune In, Fight the Power!
Defend the RNC8!
http://rnc8.org

http://www.myspace.com/rnc8support
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33661596527
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32230462519
Get updates with Twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/defendthernc8

Sign a petition to Defend the RNC8 at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/defendthernc8

podcast @ your library

wrmarsolek — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:29:51 +0000

How great would it be if all of the amazing events that were held at your library were recorded and could be found on the library website. Awesome, I know. Even if patrons were unable to attend the event, they would still be able to benefit from the event. Wait, what if you could even keep track of the hits the video or audio recording received, what if you could add that to your numbers of those in attendance?

A few libraries that are podcasting:

Free Library of Philidelphia

Denver Public Library

Seattle Public Library

Not sure how to get started podcasting your library events? The Librarian in Black has some great materials she is willing to share with you, obviously some credit will need to be given.

Embrace 2.0

wrmarsolek — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:28:39 +0000

If someone came up to me and said: Hey, we don’t have any money, but we really need to boost the library’s presence and image. Do you have any ideas?

I would say:

and

examples of libraries using Twitter: Hennipen County Library, Danbury Library and DC Public Library

examples of libraies using Flickr: Lester Public Library, Cape May County Library and Hennepin County Library

This one thinks libraries need to be where our users are.

Why not?