Winter

"Winter" by William Carlos Williams from Collected Poems:1909-1939, Volume 1, copyright in 1938 by New Directions Publishing Corp., reprinted by permission of New Publishing Corp.

Now the snow

lies on the ground

and more snow

is descending upon it-

Patches of red dirt

hold together

the old

snow patches

This is winter -

rosettes of

leather-green leaves

by the old fence

and bare trees

marking the sky -

This is winter

winter, winter

leather-green leaves

spearshaped

in the falling snow

eLearning

Education isn't what it used to be. Books are being supplemented by online content. Classrooms are being replaced by hot spots. Libraries are going online. In this ever-changing learning environment, it's good to know you can look to one place to make it all work together, and this would be Microsoft.
Read more at Microsoft.com/DeliveringMore.

Proficiencies for Instructional Librarian

There are global perspectives for instructional librarians bases on politics of pedagogy, the new expectations and reality for information literacy in academic librarianship -

• administrative skills
• assessment and evaluation skills
• communication skills
• curriculum knowledge
• information literacy integration skills
• instructional design skills
• leadership skills
• planning skills
• presentation skills
• promotion skills
• subject expertise
• teaching skills

The question is where to learn these proficiencies? Well two-thirds of the proficiencies are acquired from the professional education, the library school, plus persistence in professional development, and yet all of them primary acquired on the job or self-taught proficiency where work experience is essential number one priority.

Quick Impact

If you give yourself a gift nobody else can, it would be time! Productivity scores high! The list of things to do never gets any smaller. Scheduling may help to allocate time for everything. With this new approach, you'll begin to get a handle on how much disposable time you have (or don't have.) The main secret ingredient stands for simplifying the season for quick impact. Or you can take a course in Time Management 101, just kidding!
Carve out some quiet time. Tote pillows and blankets to the backyard to watch the sunset and see winter's spectacular night sky unfold. Don't try it at north!

Sea Grapes Have a Story

I found a local haven
Right here, in zone eleven,
At golden sand of South Florida beaches
And Caribbean Islands features.

A haven under sprawling shrubs -
Sea grapes of Eden guarded by cherubs.
Purplish fruits, grape - like clusters
Framed by large leaves, "the dinner sauces."

Under the sun, my entire head turns gray as I age.
The entire sea grapes' leaves turn purple and red as they age.
We both unable to survive the frost
Making from tropical days the most.

We both compete for shade at the beach edges.
I enjoy eating the fruit right off the branches.
Chew and eat,
Spit the pit.

I am cooking jams and jelly
To invite my friends and family!
Heavenly sweet and lovely pulp
In every sea grape syrupy gulp!

by Ida Tomshinsky

I Only Know a Little Spanish

"? Habla usted espanol?"- Do you speak Spanish?
"Si, un poco." - Yes, a little.
"Muy poco." - Very little.
"No muy bien." - Not very well.
"Lo hablo mal." - I speak it poorly.
"No lo hablo muy bien." - I don't speak it very well.

E-Book Readers

E-Books readers Amazon Kindle like owed their respect for responsiveness, navigation, and overall viewable display size and readability. The best buy according the "Buying Guide 2011"

• Amazon Kindle
• Sony Reader Daily
• Sony Reader Touch Edition
• Barnes & Noble Nook
• BeBook Neo

If you wondering what means "readability," just a measurement of how well the e-reader can be viewed in various lighting conditions. The e-readers are evenly good to use in the bright sunlight and in the average lit room. Happy readability!

Mammoth and Other Diminished

There are things that simply disappearing such as opera gloves, training bras, traditional letter writing, 5 o'clock tea time, soap bars, shaving brushes to work in the shaving cream, shoe polishing cream, etc. You got the idea.

Professions or careers are disappearing too. For example, travel agents, cashiers, phone based customer service support, bank tellers, and, the entire business of accounting, plus, web site programming are endangered spices.

In the distant future, a very small percentage of people employed as cashiers right now will be able to keep their jobs. In the past century, the phone customer service and tech support 800-lines were moved overseas. Unfortunately, this trend is going to continue. Digital banking will drive tellers out of business. New modern applications are advancing in software technology and to build an e-commerce web site is not a big deal anymore.

It is hard to imaging, but the brick and mortar libraries have competition. E-books, e-publications and other e-resources will be more and more easy access online or download on special kindle like devices. Therefore, the need for traditional librarians will be greatly diminished.

More people prefer to read and write in digital format and that will reduce the printing business as it will have less customers. Newspaper delivery might disappear, bookstores will be only for gift ideas and special occasion business.

NaNoWriMo

The first ten days are behind, and the people who successfully joined the National November Writing Month contest again or for the first time should be done by 30% of total 100%.
To write a novel is completely different from any other major forms of literarure, it is not a piece of a flash fiction literature or an essay. Also, it is not a short story.

"NaNoWriMo," -

Says my memo.

What is a Nanowrimo?

Is it a promo?

Is it a rhino?

Is it a hippo?

How far is it from Limpopo?

Perhaps, ten thousand miles and more.

No, it is the November novel writing month!

Are you ready to take a writing chance?

Get ready, my friends,

Sharpen your brain, no need of any pens,

Use the modern trend

From the intro to the end.

In Florida, we have the MiMo

And a baby rhino,

The pink flamingo

And several places to play bingo.

The dark hair bimbo

Dances the rumba.

Rhika and Rocco

Came from Morocco.

Look, they smile in my promo,

Drinking the mocha.

What we learn that Nanowrimo

Is not a rainbow,

Is not a hippo

From Limpopo,

Is not a coco

From Morocco

Instead of run after the kite

Let's get ready to write!

2009-2010 IT

Extreme Brevity

Flash literature is a style of fiction literature or fiction of extreme brevity. There is not a clear definition of the length or terms of this category. Some self-described marketers for flash fiction literature impose 300, while others consider stories as long as one thousand words.
Many people use sudden fiction, micro fiction, micro story, short short, postcard fiction, and even prose poetry, as an equivalent to flash fiction literature.

Flash fiction has roots going to Aesop's Fables. Among the practitioners are famous writers such as Anton Chekhov, O. Henry, Franz Kafka, Ernest Hemingway, Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut.
Digital life aka Internet gave new beginning and new demand to flash fiction literature.
Extreme brevity could be illustrated by a short story about six-word flash written by Ernest Hemingway: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Deerskin Dress Gloves

Gloves, gloves, gloves. We do not use them in Miami because of the weather condition. Sometimes, when it get cooler, between November and February, you can see children in gloves.

The era of opera gloves, expired in 50s. Some costumes include gloves. Working gloves have different purpose and different history.
But generally, gloves or mittens have a natural purpose to keep our hands warm, save, and protective from cold and harm.

Leather or deerskin dress gloves were a staple of a refined Victorian wardrobe, the finishing touch for any outfit. Slip your hands into a pair of butter smooth dress gloves and you will likely refuse to take them off! Dress gloves are featuring traditional styling suitable for men and ladies, and as any fine gloves are unlined for a trim elegant fit.
Ladies' Emporium is the brand name for authentic products and old-fashioned service. Bench-made in USA of fine American deerskin, the dress gloves are available in sizes 6 to 11. As usual, they are available in black and in chocolate brown.

How to find your glove size? It is pretty simple. You measure around your dominant hand at the widest part, excluding your thumb. The measurement in inches is your size, and if you have long fingers, you may need to round up.

Ants

When I am watching the ants
The anthology with teamwork of do and do not's
Comes to my re-construction visions
That came with new glasses
And transitional lens
Letting me see from sunlight to indoors.
Wow, changed mission and vision statements?!
What it has to do with ants?
Ants, ants, ants:
Social interacts.
Ants, ants, ants
Always around, so focused and organized,
Very talented insects, wingless,
From a different time-frame, and fearless.
Adopted survivors of cold and hot,
Could be the messengers of God.
Personal characteristics -
Detailed oriented, check;
Extremely organized, check;
Affable, easy to get to know, check;
Action-oriented, again a check!
So, who they are hiring?
Customer service representatives
Dedicated to accomplish the organization's
Mission and goals.
O, my God, they are looking for ancient ants,
The social interacts,
Talented arcane brigade,
The amazing wingless insects,
Endless ants,
Ants, ants, and more of ants.

by Ida Tomshinsky (2010)

A Little Local History

Calle Ocho (S.W. 8th Street) could be called the "Main Street." Also it is known as Highway 41 or the Tamiami Trial. It was built between 1915 and 1928, the Trial connects southeast Florida with central-west Florida. It received the name Tamiami Trail because it connects Tampa with Miami (Tampa-Miami.)
From the 1930s through the 1950s, S.W. 8th Street was filled with Jewish owed and operated businesses. For the last four decades, its dominant by Cuban business groups.
Currently, the trial known as a main street of parades, protest marches, and the famous Calle Ocho Open House, which takes place on second Sunday of March each year, and stretches deep into East Little Havana.

New Library, No Books

The University of Texas at San Antonio opened a new Applied Engineering and Technology Library that has no any printed books in its collections. Instead of storing physical volumes, the library offers to students electronic resources, including 425,000 e-books and 18,000 e-journals subscriptions. (A lot of e-books!)
The new library space can accommodate eighty people, includes ten desktop computers (not so many, assuming that their students use laptops), a printer, a scanner, and five large LCD screens. To support team study sessions, the library also provides a series of study niches and three group study rooms equipped with whiteboards. (This is the new "normal.")
Love it!

Now More Than Ever

Now more than ever, when people are being asked to do more with less, many help people reach their full potential. Catch them doing something right! How? Acknowledging the essence of body of knowledge, having it, to use it. Something like that Confucius said thousands years ago.
Now more than even, people do not care how much you know, people will remember you ONLY by how much you helped and how much you cared.
Help and care are both action verbs that alone are not enough. You need to have the modern equipment, the instrumental tools, and skills to work with them.
In two month, we will smoothly merge into the next decade of digital work enforcement union, in general, as a solution to increase productivity, profits and prosperity.

Keep on Top of Your Reading

Reading it self as an educational and recreational process is priceless.
As we, in the library community, continue to guide people to read the recommended lists of books, we are forcing and shaping the minds of the next decade of the twenty-first century. But it is the reader source for practical wisdom on how you can live richer life, and even change your daily existence, your community - and the world - instead of setting for the status quot or something else's outdated idea of the unrealistic dreams. With so much to read, how do you sift the good from the goofy? Well, what about book reviews and clippings from local newspapers, commentaries, firsthand reports, interviews, and even cartoons.
I like to read the editorials in the magazines, enjoy photo essays by cutting-edge photographers, useful introductions to excerpted articles that place issues and ideas in context, good slogans that steer my imagination, expedite to express it in lyrics with creativity.

Overwhelmed

She came home with red chrysanthemum, a plant with red showy flowers. She was overwhelmed with the attention and respect from co-workers. Her cheeks turned red. People say, "the kindest hearts expect no reward and deserve it all the more."
So, what is the key to her success and popularity? -

"Well, success comes in different faces.

It is always a race.

Everybody has his own case

To get advanced and raise.

Hard work and integrity,

Great goals for the prosperity.

I say it professionally, and literary:

It is only in "Webster's Dictionary"

Success comes before work." IT

Such a warm October day! A sunny afternoon embellishes the chain of events. The lady in black pants and black-and-white blouse was overwhelmed. Her appreciation notes were unfolded in her purse. I could not see her face, it was covered in red chrysanthemum, a plant with red showy flowers.

"Apples and Oranges"

You cannot merge Digital Literacy with Computer Literacy.

Digital Literacy is beyond Computer Literacy. Digital Literacy encompasses computer hardware, computer software, the Internet, cell phones, PDAs, and any other digital devices.

In 1997, Paul Gilster introduced the concept of digital literacy in a book of the same name as the term that is now generally used.

Libraries are using electronic games to increase awareness about the digital literacy.

A person that is using digital literacy skills to interact with society may be called a digital citizen.

Where Did the Fabric Go?

Every lady knows that she should dress up appropriated for holidays. When did Halloween became the holiday to dress provocatively? There are hundred of costumes, and they all are using the word "sexy" or retail horrors. How you suppose to Trick or Treat comfortably while costumes are too tight, too small, too short. Costume designers created modern unsuitable and unrealistic costumes. Do we teaching young girls that dressing provocatively is OK?
To my knowledge, Halloween was meant for scaring not whoring! Does recession reflects on the low taste and economical use of fabric?

"Tell-Tale Heart" and Other Great Tales and Poems

If you enjoy detective stories, tales of horror, and mysteries, thank Edgar Allan Poe. Alfred Hitchcock, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen King, and Jules Verne were inspired by Poe's dark tales of world puzzles. Did you know that Poe invented the detective-fiction genre and contributed to science-fiction genre?
He continues to be a cause of a tragic, but fascinated life and mysterious death. There are several theories on how he died including: epilepsy, rabies, alcohol, and even voter fraud.
Halloween is almost here and get all of us pumped up for a night of ghosting tricks and glory treats the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Broward County Library (BCL), is dedicating this month's Big Read event to the master of horror, Edgar Allan Poe.

"On October 3, 1849, Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore delirious, "in great distress, and... in need of immediate assistance", according to the man who found him, Joseph W. Walker. He was taken to the Washington College Hospital, where he died on Sunday, October 7, 1849, at 5:00 in the morning. Poe was never coherent long enough to explain how he came to be in his dire condition, and, oddly, was wearing clothes that were not his own. Poe is said to have repeatedly called out the name "Reynolds" on the night before his death, though it is unclear to whom he was referring. Some sources say Poe's final words were "Lord helps my poor soul."All medical records, including his death certificate, have been lost. Newspapers at the time reported Poe's death as "congestion of the brain" or "cerebral inflammation", common for deaths from disreputable causes such as alcoholism. The actual cause of death remains a mystery."

Did I said that he passed away in the age of 40.?!! Why in Baltimore? He departed to New York.

On Miami Population

In 1900, Miami population was 1,660, and 5,400 in 1910. In 1920, the young city claimed nearly 30,000 residents. The highest population increase per capita of any city in the country!

Success of economy powered by two essentials tourism and real estate, plus agriculture was a factor too.

In 2010, the Miami population is .... I will not let you know. Do your homework!

Bromstad on Miami

Who? Which Bromstad? David Bromstad, the H&G TV host that won the "Design Star," is an inspiration to design of South Florida's hotels and the newness of its building. He thinks that "Miami is one of the top three design meccas in the county - New York, L.A. and Miami."
What makes Miami one of the top "design meccas?" -
It's the South American influence that makes the city so unique. It's American Rivera - hot and spicy. "People in Miami are not afraid to use fuchsia pink, lime green and yellow - people are really color educated down here."
For the video highlights of the Bromstad interview, visit www.southfloridabusinessjournal.com

Before Breakfast

"There is no use trying," said Alice;
"One can't believe impossible things."
"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen.
"When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I believed as many six impossible things before breakfast."

Lewis Carroll

Virtual Effectiveness

Today, the mobile workforce is opening the door to greater productivity, access and collaboration. The virtual effectiveness and virtual success depend on effective communication plan and leadership.
In the Industrial Age, business focused on their capital assets.
In Information Age, virtual business dictates to balance results with business relationships and virtual communication.
The 4BigV's of Information Age increase -
a. Volume of information,
b. Variety of ways to get information,
c. Velocity at which information is bombarding us,
d. Veracity to assess information.
Due to Worldwide Mobile Worker Population 2007-2011 Forecast (March 2008). IDC #209883E,

• 73% of the workforce will be virtual by 2011.

Librarian Poem

LIBRARIAN POEM

We started to use less ink

When things started to think.

The modern digital revolution

Is the continuation of the computer evolution.

As we are researching for any trivia,

We worship in the multimedia

With admiration and affection.

Many technical deals are based on

Networking operation,

Organizational administration, and education.

There is an impact on servers and clients

To move on.

There is an impact on

Hardware and software concepts.

The Internet and Intranet services

In technical education of masses

Survived with technical education, the IT supports,

And easy access.

Digital

Versus non-digital,

Ask-a-Librarian online

And offline,

Anywhere , and anytime.

Please, do not forget, books are the best gifts

For people of all ages.

Books are unique source if ideas.

Imagination expands far beyond the pages.

Ida Tomshinsky, 2007

Miami Has 10,000 Years of History

According Dr. Paul George' s overview of Florida History, Miami's history began 10,000 years ago when the first human beings for whom we have record lived along south Biscayne Bay. An archaeological excavation in 1985-1986 uncovered this information, which pushed our awareness of humans in the area back by several thousand years.

University Life

University life at the university
Is not the same as at the municipal city,
It has it's own style and rhythm.

Day -by-day you study,
Time - to- time you party.
Body language
Will help to connect with friends from any majors,
Body knowledge
Will own you personal wages.

Choices, decisions making,
Time management, and professional judgement
Will teach you social issues.
Assessment of any case studies
Will make you sharper
And street smart-er.

You test yourself every day
In a classroom and outside it
To become a good citizen
With parents foundation and academic diploma.

Remember your best training years
At the student's city,
The university;
This is your beginning and start
To get on the road
And walk, and work.

Walk, and work more,
Because the road is endless.

Ida Tomshinsky, c. 2005

Telling Stories

Telling stories
Is not the same as reading stories
Because people are saving a story
To tell the human history.

Passing down stories
And the love for storytelling,
And the art of story listening
By using the literacy and new media tools,
Useful skills learned at school
To tell the wisdom of folk tales
Dealing with repetition details.

Telling the story
Is to build a legend -
In general, those do not have an end.
A story, a tale, a fable
Make the chronological history able;
Preserve the past and present -
The professional
Essential -
From the front porch
Or at the beach,
Perhaps, on the bench
Under the big tree's branch.

IT 2010

Premier Speech

"So many faces, so many memories..."

IT

I just came from a historical event - the IFAC reunion 2010. If I would have a chance to say a speech, I would acknowledge the IFAC educational journey and the beginning of the new tradition to celebrate the honorable IFAC institution that factually does not exist anymore.
In my opinion, it makes this event special and unique!
For me, it felt almost like looking back in a retrospective order by watching a good documentary story. Many of the alumni lived the American fantasy dream to use their enthusiasm, creativity and individual talents to acquire professional skills for the betterment of our society, our home-town Miami and the other new places in where many of the alumni moved on with their careers and lives as serving the great Greek God Apollo, the God of sun, light, art, science and healing.

Using the national cultural analogy, the talented young people followed "the yellow brick road" from Wizard of Oz, and reunited with old friends: Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion, befriend with kindly Pumkinhead. IFAC brought to everybody, respectfully, brain, heart and courage.

When I came to work for IFAC, I felt as an Alice in the Wonderland that went "down the Rabbit Hole" and on my journey, I met you all: The White Rabbit, The Queen of Hearts, The King of Hearts, The Duchess, the Dodo, The Lory, The Duck, The Pat, The Turtle, and the Dormouse.

And in the end of my speech, I would thank all hosts and hostesses for the beautiful evening and would thank The Porter's family for hospitality: "Today's event was all about the IFAC's forty years that shacked the true international fine arts community locally, in Miami, and beyond it that based on fundamentals of strong respect and reputation of the past, and I am sure, each guest looks in the future with optimism, with the Miami style, because the power of trinity of the past, presents and future is in separate."

October 16, 2010 IT

Manicurist Dorena and Sidney Shelton Book

Here is little story. Yesterday, I was walking through my neighborhood. We have a lot of beauty salons and many dry cleaners in the business district. I wanted to make my nails fast without waiting in line - to get in and out quickly as I have to be at work in noon. So, I went in to the first place. Oops, they only accepted cash. I went to another place, and they offered me to come in one hour ping-ponging me from one person to another. OK, not a big deal, I walked out from one salon and walked in into another. God bless them, all three people came toward to meet and to great me. The manicurist Dorena in a fastest way made my hands beautiful.

I cannot stop thinking about the simple and good customer service at Nina's and the cultural aspect of the employees. Next to the nail polish supplies I spotted a book, a feminine novel by Sidney Shelton titled "The Other Side of the Midnight." We are living today in the digital world. It felt simply good to have a gleam of the information literacy in action. Our conversation became professional between a Librarian and a Library Patron as we discussed how to get a rare book through Interlibrary Loan. Darena said that she knows she can download and read this book in an e-book format online, but she wants to have her own hardcopy. Dorena likes to buy her novels, and she owns a personal Library Collection that is overgrown. I suggested that she may like to donate a part of her collection to a local public library at Miami Dade Public Library System.

You're Invited to Florida

"Pink flamingo dances,
Ripe mango juices,
Dolphin's splashes,
And Marlins successes
Do not explain
An extraordinary ecosystem.
If you want to know more
Come to Florida and explore!
You can capture the weather
In high temperatures,
Experience the wildlife creatures.
We have a spectacular time,
O, mine! O, mine!"
Ida Tomshinsky c. 2005

On the Beach in the Fall Time

When you come from the highland
To the ocean side island,
There is always a breeze
That moves the leaves.

The aroma of the single wild flower
From the sand dunes
Brings strength and irresistible power
To sprint with Atlantic tunes.

Embrace with the greatest joy
The morning walks to employ
At the sand space
That is overgrowing with grace.

Absolutely forget about any pain!
The blood is running through the main vein.
The ocean helps to keep calm
And strong as palm.

The wind passes
And shakes the tall grasses.
The morning rays of sun
Learn to move fast, almost run.

The sky gets black.
The clouds are moving forward and back.
I am running away,
To come again, the next day.

After all, it is not bore,
Beach is full of life at the Surfside shore.
Please come to Miami Beach in fall
To experience the great entertaining in whole!

The weather matters for every guest,
As they are coming to us to rest.
The Miami itself is a gem
That admired by them.

For a moment, please, freeze!
Listen to the breeze,
The conductor of the Miami’s century old trees,
And the evergreen leaves.

Ida Tomshinsky, October

I am Fall

If I look very broad,
I am on the road.

I did not reach the winter faze,
I am spending time in a different maze.

I will not take the race
To get to the destination place.

Not yet, not at all.
Currently, I am fall.

Life, please bless,
And keep me out of the mess.

I am not in a hurry to run in it.
First, I must, I have to learn about it.

Obviously, I passed my summer time.
It was generous, kind, and fine.

Everybody needs time to grow
From the first row.

Since summer, I forestall.
Now, I am fall.

I stocked between summer and winter,
And within every autumn I am getting brighter.

Red, yellow, crimson
It is the fall season.

Ida Tomshinsky, October

Inspiration as a First Step

Writing is not an easy process.
But if you have a story to tell, the story itself will lead you to the description of the happenings.
The form and the shape of the story is secondary.
The story itself is a primary factor. If you will not tell it, it never will be told.
And if you are inspired and inflamed by the story, you enthusiasm will be showed, and, in the end, the story itself will make your writing creation a successful experience.

Voyages of Columbus

When Columbus sighted the New World's shores, he thought he found Japan. Instead, Caribbean Islands Indians welcomed him.

Columbus three ships under sail, the nao Santa Maria, the standard full-rigged ship of that time, and the square-rigged caravels, Nina and Pinta, eagerly looking for the land.

The apprehensive seamen and natives demonstrated sighs of friendship and hospitality in the first early voyages to the New World. The tensions of hope, search, and discovery were the essential part in Columbus pleading his cause before Queen Isabella of Spain.

10-10-10

Look on this date. There are three tens in one number. Also I see that it is finalizing the first decade of the first century.
That the fall season is in. It came and shook off the last year leaves, clean up the branches and prepared room for winter affairs. The gardeners picked up the carrots and the cauliflowers. Every last head of nice fresh lettuce gathered. The ladies of the house cut all the flowers along the fence. The beautiful perfect pumpkin picked up to use as a centerpiece. Wait, it will be coming wonderful celebration parties indeed.
As a number it has power, as a date it is, perhaps, another date in October with many more to come.

Limits of Vocabularies

The latest assessment by observation on information research demonstrated that the most difficult part is the limitation of using vast of vocabulary.
For example, the Student X could not communicate "crime by different social classes" as crime by blue and white collar, crime by poor and rich, crime by gender, crime in different age categories, crime within groups of different status of education, etc.
The social aspect content was not explain how to identify, construct, and maintain vocally description of the research information.
The focus on transactions of keyword searching, compound terms, and Boolean operations was absent.

University as Publisher

Please read the article from the current issue of the NEXTSpace newsletter from OCLC.

"The Future of Publishing: Libraries and the Changing Role of Creators and Consumers" by Andy Havens and Tom Storey. -NEXTSpace, August 2010, N0. 16, p.4-9.

The vast new world of publishing offers libraries some interesting new opportunities to connect with users and extend value to the communities. There new economical ways to connect and use new technologies to the communities we serving.

The library as publishers opens doors to local book manufacturing and delivery. The avenue between author and creator as editor and reader as consumer is very promising and special that proved by past cultural and educational experiences to walk side by side embedded librarians within digital revolution in modern technology, within national and international scholarly communication issues, and the new academic opportunities producing custom course materials (publisher on campus, course packs.)

Sun and Wind

"In Miami, ordinary days are always victorious
And filled with the same warmness and gentleness;
The summer is endless for us -
Fulfilled with triumph and kindness…

In the hot summer time the King of Sun
Rules until the hurricanes season –
Taking time off for disputes
And following the fable from Aesop –
The Sun argues.

The mighty Wind from the far seas
Blows on trees
And throws,
And sways
The branches and leaves.

Miamians hurry indoors
And looking for water, ice, and shelters;
Then, barricading the homes,
And waiting and waiting for the contest victors.
People try their best as the Wind might.

Every year we learn more –
Easier influence masses
With kindness and gentleness
Then with force and war!"

by Ida Tomshinsky

Professional Periodicals

To find out about the professional periodicals, the first place to go would be the professional organizations. In fact, many professional organizations have their own newsletters, magazines, or journals that are available to the public.
Forensic Science
1. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
2. American Polygraph Association Newsletter
3. Forensic Science International
4. Scientific Testimony: An Online Journal
5. Wound Ballistics Review
Law Enforcement
1. American Police Beat Magazine
2.The Backup: Law Enforcement Publication
3. CLEAF: Computers in Law Enforcement Advocacy Forum (on-line)
4. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
5. International Game Warden Magazine
6. Law Enforcement News
7. The Marshals Monitor
8. The Online Journal for Crime Scene Investigators
9. On Patrol

Constitution Day Celebration

Every year we are Celebrating the Constitution Day with themed activities that help to obtain the body of knowledge. There are vast of educational ways to keep the fun of learning , engaging, and one-of-a-kind experiences for students. For example the Activity N.1 listed below.

Constitution Day Activity
Do your students are ready to learn about Presidential Elections and the functions of the Executive branch? The knowledge includes the information about past United States presidents, historic elections, and presidential powers throughout the history. The activity encourage to elect a classmate to be the next president while learning the platforms and watching the most famous campaign ads of all time.
So buckle up... because the road to the White House has many twists and turns!

John Updike, "September"

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

1 in 5 Teens

One in five teens suffers from hearing loss thanks to iPods and MP3 players. A current study shows that listening to personal music players such as iPods has contributed to hearing loss among teenagers rising by nearly a third in 20 years. Between 2005 and 2006, one of five young adults suffered some form of hearing problem.

Football Literacy

You know that boys and young men like books, the NFL books and databases. Librarians and educators may score a touchdown with your male readers. Football literacy will give educators the information tool they need to understand how the NFL resources in the library will get boys reading, whether it's a print book or on a computer. The Football season starts on September 9th, and it is a perfect time to kick off the Football Literacy.

Back-to-School IT Projects

Back-to-school IT projects reshaping campus life. Many changes show a broader shifts in enterprise and consumer technology.
Not surprisingly, wireless is fast becoming the default network connection for campus users, who typically own two of four wireless-enabled mobile devices. Virtualization and growth in cloud-based services are centralizing and offloading IT functions. This changes, coupled with soaring video traffic, are triggering bandwidth upgrades at all levels. There are five major areas of technology change:

• 802.11n and all-wireless access,
• the rising tide of mobile devices,
• centralization of IT through virtualization,
• increasing clouds,
• bandwidth or bust.

August 26, 1920

August 26, 1920. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, giving women the right to vote. Ninety years after, I am exercising the right to vote. I am proud to be a woman, and I am proud that I'm an election ready.
During the beginning of the twentieth century, as women's suffrage gained in popularity, suffragists were subject to arrests and many were jailed.
As the history goes, finally, despite President Woodrow Wilson's opposition, Congress passed what became, when it was ratified in 1920, the 19th Amendment which prohibited state and federal agencies from gender-based restrictions on voting. And this is what had been said in the Nineteen Amendment:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

August

Outside is August -
Dark evenings dusk.
Fall season is on the way,
Birds learned to obey.
Twilight from the smiling moon
Do not fool…
Eat, love and pray,
Fall season is on the way.
Outside is August,
Summer is in the past.
Rains and winds moving in land,
This is the official summer season end.

Literary Quotation

"Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to create, so that he can add to what he's been given. But up to now he hasn't been a creator, only a destroyer. Forests keep disappearing, rivers dry up, wild life's become extinct, the climate's ruined and the land grows poorer and uglier every day," written by Anton Chekhov in his play "Uncle Vanya" in the end of the Nineteenth century. "Uncle Vanya" was published in 1897 and first got to the stage in 1899.
Now, wait a little bit, does not it sounds as someone would say hundred years later, in the beginning of the Twenty-first century? Sounds very current and actually engage in the local news from "New York Times."
Also it demonstrates the incredible vision of Chekhov, one of the greatest Russian playwrights of the 19th Century.

Library Marketing

There are two useful Web sites to help to create a marketing library plan " Marketing Our Libraries" and "Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki." Each contains a wealth of links to marketing plans, success stories, articles, and vast of resources for successful marketing for your Library and its services.
Also, Brian Mathews published his first book, "Marketing Today's Academic Library: A Bold New Approach to Communicating with Students" (ISBN 978-0-8389-0984-3) in March 2009 by ALA Editions.
I met Mr. Mathews at FLA fall conference at Edison College where he gave a presentation on how he managed his responsibilities at Georgia Tech, at his previous workplace.
Currently, he is an assistant university librarian for outreach and academic services at the University of California in Santa Barbara.
The content of Library marketing could be different, but it's all about storytelling. This is a birthplace of creative juices for any type of library.

In July

Summer time, everybody very kind.
I watered my mind
And spelled the story one of a kind
By read indoors
And “sit down a spell” outdoors.
Sit down at the porch,
Get the best bench.
Wild oats in golden crowns
Head-shaking
Send me the welcome greetings,
Sea grapes dressed in green dresses
Taking photography classes
Ready for the summer parade,
Yellow daisies and purple vines
Compliment the green environment
Birds are taking risk management
Avoiding the ambush cats
And showing up in visual arts.
In the practicalities
Of self-deliverance,
Envision the greenery dance.
Move with wind
And use some ink.
Ida Tomshinsky © 2010

Wild Oats

The early guests
Meet and greet
By beautiful wild oats,
Those stand six feet tall
Accessorized in golden crowns
And simply guarding the ocean.
It literary steers my emotion.
“Hello, my dear,
How are yah,” –
“Hanging out with birds and cats.
Those are taking my breath away.
Anyway,
I cherish to convey."
Ida Tomshinsky © 2010

Digital Resources

eBooks Library Collections are a growing part of the research process in the academic libraries. Adopting to the digital resources demonstrates advantages in the areas of accessibility, functionality and cost-effectiveness. Just imagine, instead of going through the hassle of tracking down a specific work of inquiry and checking it out, eBooks provide an easily access in your own convenience and leisure. eBooks are great for research: cover to cover, plus print rules.
Even the print books are still preferred for heavy reading, instant access to information is increasingly important and advantageous. You do not need to wait for eBooks to be returned to the Library. It is faster to find specific information by using search option instead of flip-flopping pages.

Keep Watching the Skies

Keep watching the skies,
See things from the outer space
The heaping roller coaster race,
Hot air balloon dangerous tricks
Making travelers to risk;
Imagine the prehistoric monsters,
Learn about Texas rangers,
Look for lost satellites
Or notable railroad tunnels;
Find the discarded lunar rovers.
Examine, engage, and explore –
Just follow the flow
From rails across American Dixie
To Solar System galaxy.
Keep on watching the skies
And the full moon at nights
Perhaps, you will look at the star
And play a little guitar;
Start play one song only for you
Start sing and play
The song of truth
From my youth.
2010 © Ida Tomshinsky

Michael Connelly Books

The NINE DRAGONS paperback is coming out one week from today in the USA & Canada.

Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly
www.michaelconnelly.com
Official web site of Michael Connelly, bestselling author of mysteries, thrillers, and the Harry Bosch LAPD detective series.

I am a fan of Michael Connelly, and always advertise his books in our Library at ITT Tech Institute in Miami. Here it comes, enjoy the new book "Nine Dragons."

You're Clueless

You're young, you're hungry, and you're clueless.
The kitchen looms before you like something from The X-Files. There's food in there, but then what? It'll have to be cooked...or at least peeled. Probably both. And you can't afford to keep ordering pizza. Aaarghhhh!
How to Boil an Egg?
Running egg-2,5 minutes;
Soft egg-3 minutes;
Soft egg with no gooey spots-4 minutes;
Hard-boiled egg-15 minutes
Serve it and eat it out of a nice little egg cup with your favorite spoon.
It guaranteed to give yourself a perfect cooked egg.

Hot City

Hot city –
Cool people!
Tell me where and which? –
On the South Beach.
Ellis Perry,
And other art and fashion merry,
There are no better times to rate
For Mr. and Mrs. Fahrenheit!
They are having the perfect time -
“Please taste the berries so kind!”
During the height of picking season
There are nature treats for everyone.
They are making splash
And staying fresh.
Summer party is fun
Without winter vinegar.
Instead, they're serving cake with marzipan
For their entire family clan.
Impressive fondue
Is not overdue.
Summer roll dough
And heaping flour.
Tomato,
Risotto,
Prosciutto.
Plus “uno” espresso
For their own “peso.”

Ida Tomshinsky 2010

Happy Father's Day!

"I am indebted to my father for living but to my teacher for living well."

(Alexander the Great)

Percent of dads who say moms are treated better on Mother's Day than they are on Father's Day: 84%

Number from Googling "father": 270 million

Summer Heat

At season’s peak
A have my greatest week!
Beside the sweet treat
For the summer heat,

The Florida wonder lust
Brings energy robust.
The time of the year is precious,
And due to the rumor, perfectly delicious.

The cool juice of your kiss
Very difficult to resist,
Vast of cool treats help beat
The summer dog-days summer heat.

I have to confess
The little floral dress
Set for progress
And summer success.

2010 © Ida Tomshinsky

Summer Reading Programs

It is interesting that when people take summer vacations, they associate the free time with reading. And what could be better than a mystery or a romance book! Imagination of visual literacy takes over the relaxation time and recuperates for next level in life.

The time was not wast, it was planned and spend wisely. How fortunately, should we all be, as we are able to see and know how to read, many in several languages! More than two milliard of people do not know how to read! Beside, library services are free of charge.

Any way, summer is coming, and holidays and vacation time follow, children are out of school, and the bid read is on! Are you the person who takes a book to the airplane? Are the person who takes the favorite book to the beach? Are you the person who cannot stop reading the book and go on sleepless over the night? O.K., this is you, one of your goals, and the summer reading is your thing!

I Love Everything That's

I love everything that is old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old paintings. These things we call vintage or antiques. Also I love things that are new: New Times, new technology, new ways of cooking, new books, new beginning of life, new awakening of the nature, new seasons, etc.
Please let me know what do you love? Thank you in advance.

10 Tips for Weekend Cooking

1. Dining atmosphere
2. The courage to create
3. Cooking ahead
4. Quality over quantity
5. Good time management
6. Efficient kitchen tools and supplies
7. Spices
8. Oil, vinegar & seasoning sauces
9. Drinks and beverages
10. Guide to ingredients to guarantee no waste

Starting Power of Story

Again and again, librarians telling the stories and there is a science behind it. The nature of human life is a story itself. Educational and linguistic researcher Mark Turner (1996) said, "There is a general story to human existence: it is the story of how we use story and parable to think."

The great philosopher Jean-Paul Satre (1964) said, "A man is always a teller of stories. He lives surrounded by his own stories and those of other people. He sees everything that happens to him in terms of stories, and he tries to live his life as if he were recounting it."

Brown (1991) made a list of human universals. Storytelling prominently appears near the top of the list. Taylor (1996) spent a hundred pages building a case for his statement, "You are your stories."
I can add that human stories make the social history. We are a part of the contemporary history, and how we live, work, and dream, all those, are making the page in history of the 21st century, summarizing the 1st decade.

Poetry Review

The National Poetry Month celebration in April is something that joins under one roof the thematic scope event that regularly appearing in new work by people who establish themselves as poetry writers and the coming young voices.
In the last years, we noted a new interest in poetry apparent in the press. The poetry vision is in presenting poetry in a manner that will have a lasting influence, and lead to an increased readership.
The finest in contemporary poetry is in the tone of irreverent playfulness that catches the ear first - a willingness to juggle all the possibilities of language.
The contest is always more than separation between winners and losers. It always brings out the new force, the inspiration, and the proliferation juices in both the poetry writers and poetry readers.

Cats for All Seasons

Through we did not know this fact, cats are rather hardy creatures. They are able to meet the changing seasons with robust metabolism are shrewd about finding both warm places in the winter and cool spots in the summer.
In spring, we lose them a bit due to the spring once again, as birds and bugs and blossoms take their thoughts elsewhere.
On another hand, whatever the time of year, wherever we are, we know that a home is always a cozier place with a cat on your lap.

The Paperback Collection

The list of bibliography of my mini paperback collection include bestsellers such as The Simple Truth by David Baldacci, Judge & Jury by James Patterson, The Brethren by John Grisham, and John Sandford's Dead Watch, Silent Prey, and Certain Prey.
Pulse-pounding, page-turning excitement from the stories turned out to be superb reading and great entertainment worth losing sleep over.

My Mother and Me

I am on vacation.
I spend my quality time with my mother: from formal breakfasts in the morning to a great library collection of books from my childhood in my possession.
Unexpected to me, our conversations are very current, fresh, and up-to-date. I live in a different rhythm and enjoy the slowly mornings very much. Such a difference in the days passing by when you practically do not watch the time, take everything easy, and do not hurry up!
I feel very privileged to share the time with my mother.

Book Review for M. Johnson's "This Book Is Overdue!"

I almost finished reading my new book on library science titled "This Book Is Overdue!" by Marilyn Johnson. The first chapters kept my imagination as my expectations for the book contest was high. It was a high interest for both fields of librarianship, the traditional house of books and the cyber virtual resources, from my side.
During the past forty years, I worked in the different areas of traditional libraries and admire the virtual libraries for their endless possibilities. I wanted more long - deserved credits for the librarian behind the desk for the all-knowing information and, simply, for the willingness to help people in the world of ignorance, selfishness and, sometimes, bad customer services.
The author, Marilyn Johnsons, likes libraries and librarians for their services, but the book is written from a patron perspective as an active user of information and endless library resources, as a way to thank people of our profession for incredible service and the excellence overall for the work ethics as cultural servants in our society and for keeping the planet on our shoulders and for trying "to save us all." This part of the book is interesting.
I think that my disappointment will be understand by librarians. Personally me, I do not care about avatar and the "reincarnation" characters that building libraries in the process of the games online.
Hopefully, a new book is somewhere on the way to tell the fascinated story in the wide range of career development and career exploration - the endless opportunities to work with books in print and e-books, and information literacy, and the incredible help provided to our library users.
Obviously, it is a good beginning in recognition our profession. One more point, it is remarkable that the new book came out in the time when we are celebrating the National Library Month. Happy Librarians Week, the Librarians' nation!

What Do Not Work With Millennial

What Didn't Work With Millennial Optional attendance (It should be mandatory!)
Teaching specific resources (Do I really need to use these resources, I guess, I know how to google?)
Lack of human interaction (They do not ask questions.)
Info glut
No articulated goals (What is the most important thing for Freshman to learn?)
Limited assessment (Do not understand the value of academic resources! Believe that Google and Wikipedia are the main educational tools!)

Celebrating Spring

Spring highlights are all about your neighborhood and the community. As we are back for a spring rain, the usual 70s and 80s, it is pleasant to be out and outdoors. "I catch the sun to have my fun," - said my poet - friend.
It is the time of the year to enjoy working in the garden following Alice through the rabbit hall to the rick rock journey.
Hopping in the spring, sustainability is on my mind. What to do with my books that are printed before 2000? How to improve the capacity of the freshmen orientation?

Women's Month

I am very proud of young women that are doing it all: got education, raising children, and balancing the life between family and work! I'm saluting the women in technology that once again prove the ability to learn new skills and have a female touch to everything they do.

Today, women are in the network communication, in the computer engineering, and in the military. Women are looking into the future by obtaining professions and skills that allow them to stay independent and demonstrate scholarship, knowledge and camaraderie. Numerous members of our society and administrators are actively engage as leaders of the state and national levels.

In the 21st century, working women got the respect and loyalty both as professionals and as mothers taking care of families.

Wind in March

Wind in March, in Miami,
Is not welcomed by me-
Wind of March, in Miami,
Is a jolly fellow
That likes to play and to follow.

It puffs the cloud
And laughs aloud.
There is work to do,
For me and you,
Work, play and study all day;
It is time, to blow the chills away!

Barbie Gets Geeky

The all American doll has tried on a lot of careers since her debut in 1959, and the latest is Computer Engineering.
Both the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering helped design Barbie's new look, which includes geek-chic glasses, smartphone and signature pink notebook.
Women in technology concept is not new. The new Barbie will show girls that women can design products that have an important and positive impact on people's everyday lives.

True Fact

According to the source: CIO Magazine's IT Economic Impact Survey of 367 heads of IT, 37% of new IT spending currently allocated to projects that directly contribute to increasing top line revenue.

Another Story of Pearls

Came out a new book "Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls" by Stephen G. Bloom, another book on pearls, and this one is not by Steinbeck. But it has the potential as Mr. Bloom traveled 30,000 miles to trace the journey of a single pearl from the coast of Australia to the pearl-strand necklace.
He opens up the do of global pearl trade, including high-tech pearl farms and the international pearl lords who own the industry.
The history of the industry, and it is about the girls' favorites, pearls, that never are going out of style!

"Roses are Red"

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
The SEFLIN Connect is great for you!
Always ask the PC Professor
For training obsession,
For every online session
In any location
For sweet information
And digital communication -
From e-mail beauty
To the cyber community!
Revealed are the dangers
Of interpersonal trainers
For future trends
Practically, without any ends.


Ida Tomshinsky February 10-12, 2010

Super Bowl in Miami

Super Bowl in Miami is here, arrived and the touchdown celebration started. The game time excitement is everywhere! Many people, including volunteers, make the game day safe and fun for everyone. Charter buses, limousines, guests from the west in public transportation meet the traffic on express way.
The South Beach celebrating, parties in Downtown, Miami Beach, Bayside, Aventura, etc. People shopping, dinning, and get ready for the sports and arts entertainment. Miami welcoming celebrates! The weather is cooperating, at noon was nice and sunny besides the cold norther wind. In January, big chill killed alligators, pythons, and manatees, or so called, "sea cows."
The most important for the fans in outdoors that it is not raining.
Fashinistas are dressed in sports uniforms, but golden and royal blue are dominating the fashion statements.
The Super Bowl in Miami is not a child, but more of giant of a national week-end holiday in our back yard. So, who it will be the Saints and the Colts?

Black History Month

Below is a quick list of milestones in 20th-century in African-American history for the Black History Month for the libraries:

Up-to-the minute political events
...the 1992 Rodney King trial and its aftermath...the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill hearings and their impact on African-American identity, feminist concerns, and harassment issues...

Civil rights landmarks
...the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott...

Significant cultural achievements
... Toni Morrison's Beloved winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988...

Remarkable people
... Malcolm X... Carl Lewis... Roy Wilkins... Rosa Parks...Thurgood Marshall...

The milestones of the African-American History help better to understand main ideas from important speeches, laws and documents to deepen the captivating experiences throughout the past century.

Dewey With Style

No wounder many librarians are very creative and enjoy several hobbies! Librarians I know, like to write, perform, play music, know how to cook, know how to sew, enjoy painting, make jewelry, great knitters and crocheters! I think, when you are surrounded by books and information 24/7, and when you carry out your professional obligation, the advocacy 24/7, you automatically pick up many other skills. The skills of interest are broader and wider because you are in a position to "Dewey with Style."
Thank you, for complimenting me on my crochet skills. I am really glad that you like them. I can teach you the same skills.
For me, it is difficult to resist to get the inspiration from the designers' books and benefit from expert advice every now and then. Whatever the scope of my project - knitting colorful purses or hats, researching on historical-social aspect of gloves or mittens - the ideas, tips, and tricks will help me clarify my vision and realize how better conduct my hands-on project or my intellectual research.

Creative Colors of Fire

Textile, perhaps more than any other art form, reflect the cultures from which they come.They are at once personal, social, religious, and political-invaluable vehicles for the spread of ideas from one culture to another. In Africa, woven cloth have served these functions for more than two thousand years, conveying the vibrant essence of an African aesthetic.
Kente, the type of fabric produced by people of the old Ashanti ?Kingdom of Ghana convey the theme of "voices of triumph."

Ashanti tend to favor strips of uniform color, the varying colors in the Kente cloth express many paths taken by all African people, and especially the multiple destinations of black slaves who were removed from the shores of Africa.

The traditional three colors of red, gold, and green recognized by people of African descent all over the world: red for the blood (shed by millions in captivity), gold for the mineral wealth (prosperity), and green for the vegetation of the land of Africa as a home.

151

Average hours per month American spend watching TV: 151

Increase in the risk of obesity in people who watch 60 hours of TV per month: 60%

Meet the Generation Y

The personality of a generation based on Generation Theory that briefly could be characterized as groups of individuals born in roughly twenty-year cycles that repeat approximately every eighty years. The theory is attributed to William Strauss and Neil Howe who describe the generations in their 1991 demographic history of America, titled “Generations.”

Many educators, employers and marketers are taking the theory seriously and adjusting their teaching/hiring/training/marketing strategies accordingly.

Millennials are a product of the 21st century and are real-life focused. They want to know exactly what is required and not likely to do a whole lot more. In addition, Millennials are digital natives, meaning that technology has always been a part of their lives. They are totally at ease with it. Team activities were just what they did in school. Millennials use MySpace and wikis and podcasting to collaboratively create knowledge. Millennials believe you are supposed to work together with a group to learn. This generation is also known for being multi-taskers, texting while simultaneously doing something else. Psychologists call it micro tasking- doing a little of each and going back and forth between the activities.

Major Characteristics of Millennials

· Sheltered-more easily stressed, look to authority/parents for guidance, accustomed to structured life where desires were easily and quickly met
· Digital native-while fluent in technology, it is just another tool; 24/7 on-demand lifestyle; media-based interaction with knowledge; adaptable
· Social and team oriented-live publicly online; staying networked is key: MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, plus texting and blogging
· Ambitious but unrealistic- focused on fame, money, big ideas, but have unrealistic expectations of workplaces and real-life opportunities, goal focused
· Globally, socially, environmentally conscious-embrace, accept diversity of all sorts, activists, and more politically involved than Gen X
· Action-oriented-focused on new experiences, trying things rather than thinking about them; virtual world acceptable substituting for real-world activities; highly mobile; “TV is boring”

1900-1924 G. I. Generation [or Greatest Generation]
1925-1945 Silent Generation
1946-1964 Baby Boomers
1965-1979 Generation X
1980-2000 Millennials or Generation Y

In conclusion,

college education helps to prepare learners of the second decade of the 21st century for high-priority jobs in local communities. The Generation Y is learning life skills; adult learning adapting to individualized instructions and privacy and call the digital natives to the rescue; all together as a team continue to work on professional development and worthwhile websites.

With Hope

As the new 2010 moves in, I am dreaming with hope -

With Hope

I am dreaming out of blue,
Thinking of you,
With hope,
It can work!
One can dream,
With hope, we can redeem!
Hope is looking forward,
Hope is an optimistic word.
Hope means anticipation
With great expectations!
I am holding dawn to eagerness,
With a dish of keenness.
Come on, and hope,
Make a wish, and hope,
It will come through.
It is simple true.

Ida Tomshinsky 2009