Tag Archives: Resource

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

Online Privacy Protection

Image by The Italian Voice. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by The Italian Voice. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

In a world that is increasing dependent on cloud technology, privacy concerns will never be too far behind. Many patrons rely on libraries as their main resource to acquire software and web access. As a result, the  task of protecting privacy defaults, to some extent, to the providers. Libraries are important stakeholders in these conversations.

In the article, Libraries & Privacy in the Internet Age (2013), Eric Phetteplace stated, “Privacy almost always involves some kind of trade-off, for users and for libraries. We need to ensure we’re making the right trade-offs with due diligence.” Phetteplace noted that an important key is to isolate user sessions by supervising access. More proactive approaches to prevention include modifying browsers and educating the public about why their privacy matters.  Click here to learn more about online privacy for your library.

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

The Role of A Publisher

Image by Drew Coffman. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.
Image by Drew Coffman. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons licensing.

Before “it” is in print or available online, many writers seek assistance from a publisher. So, what role can a publisher play in the process?

This October, the Scholarly Kitchen circulated a list of 73 Things Publishers Do (2013 Edition.) This post is a broader, continuation of tasks originally identified in 60 Things Journal Publishers Do (2012.)  The author, Kent Anderson, is the CEO/Publisher of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.  Anderson includes a quick reference to the potential expense(s) for each of the 73 tasks listed ($-$$$$.) He also identifies the difficulty of navigating each undertaking using a metaphoric scheme describing the terrain.

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

Who Should Deal With Cyberbullies?

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

Recently on the ISTE Connects Blog, Nicole Krueger wrote a great piece titled, Who’s Responsible for Teaching Kids Not to Be Cyberbullies? This type of bullying has gotten a fair amount of play in the media recently, often leading to tragic endings. In first person, Nicole describes what it is like in the  life of a bullied middle schooler before social media, and after. Her post made me realize how much additional stress is placed on kids who are bullied today, and it is time to figure out who should address this topic. Sometimes, parents think schools should handle it, while school administrators say they cannot ensure what students do outside of the school day. An interesting conundrum, but worth addressing.

Krueger goes on to  write….“In a typical classroom of 30 middle or high school students, 21 students  will have experienced some form of cyberbullying, according to the Annual Cyberbullying Survey 2013, which included responses from more than 10,000 teens worldwide. Of those 21 students, more than 10 are daily victims. The top venue for bullying: Facebook, which is used by 75 percent of respondents — more than half of whom have been bullied there.” And now that Facebook has loosened its privacy rules for teens, allowing minors to post publicly instead of just to their friends, the door to bullying has gotten a little wider for everyone from “mean girls” to sextortionists.

Does cyberbullying happen in your school? Who is responsible for teaching  this important content, and does your school develop its own curriculum on this subject?

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.