BCLA 2008

Today after work I have the honour of representing LTAIG at the session planning meeting for the 2008 BCLA conference. At our LTAIG committee meeting last week our executive said they'd like to see more practical sessions and, of course, more sessions geared towards library support staff. I am certainly going to try my best to represent library technicians and assistants.

So, what I'm curious about is this; what would your ultimate conference session be? It doesn't matter what field you work in as long as it's something you are passionate about.

I think mine would have to do with how students with disabilities are served in African schools. Are they able to attend school at all? Are there any services for them or are they shunned by their community members? What about students with AIDS? Would include case studies and examples from people working in schools in Africa.

Whitecaps vs LA Galaxy

I'm at home sick today but the posting must go on if I want to make it to the end of the month. This posting every day stuff is harder than it seems.

Today I give you a photo from last night's Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy International Friendly. The game itself was, frankly, a bit underwhelming but it was still fun and hey, I got to see David Beckham shirtless!


The Whitecaps get ready for a penalty kick.


Shirtless Beckham


This streaker got more cheers than any of the plays during the game.

Gifts for library/book lovers

{Updated Nov 2011: renewed links and added photos!}

Being a library and/or book nerd myself I know that sometimes we are hard to shop for. We have somewhat particular, if not peculiar, tastes and most people think that, if it's worth reading, we've probably read it already. While that is not always the case I thought I'd provide a couple of gift ideas for the nerd on your list.

1. Don't be afraid to give a copy of your favourite book or something you recently read that you loved. Books are ALWAYS welcome and if you go the extra step and add a personal inscription, the gift will be extra special.

2. Since most book nerds have large collections, their friends tend to want to borrow books from them. Need an easy way to keep track of what you've lent out? Try the Personal Library Kit.

3. Any book nerd will tell you that they have long lists of books to read and sometimes it's hard to remember all of them. This Book Lover's Diary provides one handy location to record all of the books that you've read, are wanting to read, quotes that you like as well as other information.

4. Sometimes even the most well-read person gets stuck for something to read. An easy place to turn to for recommendations are books filled with just that. Book Lust by Nancy Pearl or 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die by Peter Ackroyd are two such books.

5. Most library nerds I know are really into anything that is aesthetically pleasing. Candida Hofer's Libraries is a hefty hardcover book filled with gorgeous photos of libraries from around the world - a lovely addition to any coffee table. Another popular option is this Renaissance Library Calendar. {Updated Nov 2011: no longer available.}

{This is the UK cover, but frankly I think it's nicer.}

6. And, as we all know, reading IS sexy. Let your nerd proclaim it loudly with this t-shirt by Sarah Utter. (Here's the guy's version.) Another option for the grammar nazi in your life is this bad grammar makes me [sic] shirt.

Happy Giving!

I'm (still) loving... Handle Me

I already posted this video on Facebook but I love this song so much I just couldn't help it.

Sweden's Robyn (yes, she of "Show Me Love" fame) is reentering the spotlight with this catchy song. The video is kind of bizarre but I've been playing this song on repeat for the past couple of weeks and haven't gotten sick of it yet!

Oh happy day...

Happy Anniversary A.! It's been two wonderful years - here's looking forward to many more...

Runaway

Book 27 was Runaway by Alice Munro.

Incredibly, this is the first year I have ever read any of Munro's short stories and frankly, I don't know what took me so long. I love her writing style, her landscapes are familiar and the characters are interesting. If you've never read Munro before this is a good place to start as it's easy to see why she is called one of the greatest writers of our day.