Tag Archives: just for fun

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Halloween How-To

Image by air_jordanpj. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by air_jordanpj. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Here’s the Trick:

In the spirit of Halloween,in our  Just for Fun this week, CMLE shines a light on the time honored tradition of pumpkin carving  which originated in the mid-1800’s. Learn more about this tradition at Hungry History, The Halloween Pumpkin: An American History (October 2013.) Then click on the following links to inspire your next carved creation;

For an Added Treat:

In 1983, Michael Jackson released his iconic Thriller video.  Just for fun, in the spirit of Halloween, CMLE also links you to an interesting remake by Braulio Cesar Linares called Library Thriller (8:39) featuring a young man struggling to follow library rules.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Futuristic Libraries by Design

Image by Steven A Johnson. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by Steven A Johnson. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Good design takes into consideration 1) what the structure will house/display, and 2) determine how people will interact and move within the space. In the future, will libraries require large structures to secure volumes of collections? Will they be characterized as meeting spaces to inspire various creative pursuits? Or, some unique combination of the two reflecting the mission based on the intended library type? Only time will tell the fate of tomorrow’s libraries. However, this week just for fun, CMLE highlights existing national and international libraries sporting futuristic designs.

Click here to see 10 Futuristic Libraries  identified by Open Education Database (OEDb), August 2013.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

The Word According to TEDEd

Image by Krossbow. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licencing.
Image by Krossbow. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licencing.

Just for fun, CMLE features a series by TEDEd called, Mysteries of Vernacular.  This original educator’s series, consists of more than 20 video lessons pertaining to popular words such as x-ray, fizzle, gorgeous, etc.  The origin of a word’s history, evolution, and application is tracked through a short, professionally animated, video.

Who is TEDEd?

“TED-Ed’s commitment is to creating lessons worth sharing as an extension of TED’s mission of spreading great ideas…” Click here to read more.

Tip: Consider using these videos in a flipped classroom lesson.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

17 Ways To Be Happier at Work

Image by keterha. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by keterha. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Regardless of the type of library you work in, librarians are almost always a member of a team. Lets face it, at some point in our careers, we all have had that one person who continually takes credit for other people’s work. That one person, who makes decisions without thinking through the ramifications of that singular action. Or, that one person who disengages, leaving you to jungle even more pieces to the puzzle. Finding ways to build positive relationships are essential.

What most people don’t realize is that the key to success starts (and may even end) with themselves. For example; How a person talk themselves through less than ideal situations, is important. And, that mindset is mirrored in their interactions with colleagues and/or patrons.

How can you bring light to a difficult circumstance, group, work environment, etc?

This week, CMLE is highlighting a post by INC which lists 17 Ways To Be Happier at Work (March 2013.)  Just for fun, try one thing this week to see if it helped change your perspective at work.

Note: As an eternal optimist, who hopes for a long life filled with learning, I am partial to # 17.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Minnesota Remembers…

Image by Joe Shlabotnik. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Common's licensing.
Image by Joe Shlabotnik. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

This post is for our readers born and raised in the land of 10,000 (+) lakes and others that have merely migrated here from somewhere warmer. This week we look back at highlights from Minnesota’s eclectic and somewhat eccentric past.

Click here, just for fun, to see a list of the top 21 Things Minnesotans Are Too Nice To Brag About compiled by Buzzfeed.