Love and Marriage Zine!

I'm getting married in 12 days!! Wow. To prep, I've been doing the librarian-artist thing - first research, then make art (interchangable). Here is a little illustration that's going in.

And the questions I'm asking: describe your current relationship status/primary relationship(s) (can include family, non-romance) What is love? (definition) if you're not married, do you want to get married? why or why not?if you are married or have been married, why? do you have advice/experience with isolation in relationships, and how to avoid it/how can romantic relationships fit into the worlds outside it? do you have advice/thoughts/experience with heteronormativity and ways to dismantle/circumvent it? what advice do you have for me and my partner?

Being flexible

Something I've learned about this past year is being flexible. I've been told over and over again that being flexible is the mark of a good librarian: with everything from funding cuts to volunteer management, life can be unpredictable. Luckily in my artist life I've learned a lot about being flexible. Especially in Laos, where I was on a Fulbright in 2010-2011 (see my muraling blog for more info!), I had to learn to roll with the lateness, not showing up, miscommunications, misunderstandings, my lack of cultural competency, etc! I learned how to not be disappointed, and not be sad when the workshops are much less attended than I hoped, and to adapt adapt adapt and try to meet people where they were. Being aware of why folks don't come, being self-reflexive about my own position and work, and being forgiving of myself were the main skills I had to utilize. This year, I started in the fall desperately looking for something library related to put on my resume (since I just jumped into this field blind!). I emailed an Oakland school about an internship they posted, even though I couldn't get credit for it yet. I came and tried to do a workshop on art and the library - we were going to make beautiful displays about their favorite book. However, it didn't work out - the schedule kept changing, the students were super busy, the librarian didn't get back to me - and so it fizzled. I was bummed, but by then had enough on my plate to know something new was coming.

And then in the spring, I worked with a librarian, Susan Maldonado, at the 81st Avenue branch in Oakland to create a mural workshop. I met her at the CLA conference. There was a room full of youth librarians talking about how to get more Facebook likes and discussing cute programming ideas, and she asked if they could look for resources for libraries in communities that were experiencing crisis. I really appreciated that perspective and offered to do a mural workshop. In the end though, I could only come Thursdays form 330 - 5 (when the library closed), and teens couldn't make it down the hill from their high schools in time. I had planned a big curriculum that was based on a group of teens coming every week and building on last week, and then realized I needed to shift into a drop-in style workshop, and then realized that the time was just wrong. I had tweens showing up, but they would flit in and out because their parents would come, etc. - and they weren't quite the right age to be making the mural for the teen zone. And so, we decided to make it a one-day summer workshop. I'll be working with two teen interns, Carlos and Alejandra, who seem awesome. Pictures to come soon!

Long story short - I ended up working hard on some things that didn't work out. But in the end, I think they led me to interesting and realistic activities in the end, and I don't regret it at all. I have learned a lot from every dead end!

Collections Intern debrief!

I spent last semester working as a Collections Intern at the Novato Public Library. It was a super cool project: a librarian there, Jen Robinson, got a Eureka grant to change the children's picture book section from a Dewey Decimal system to one sorted into "glades" (ie can't see the forest for the trees), or subjects, to make things easier to find. The stated mission on the website was: -Make it easier for children and parents to find picture books they'll like -Increase circulation of picture books -Involve our community in deciding how best to organize the collection

The project used local partnerships for sorting parties, in which the patrons themselves (the toddlers) sorted books into glades and gave us feedback on the books that were more ambiguous, as well as their favorite books. The idea was to use the Novato and South Novato libraries as pilots with this grant, and then spread system-wide from there if it worked. In the end, we completed two sorting parties, lots of meetings (which were across departments in the Marin system, which doesn't happen very often!), and sorted and categorized most of the children's picture book collection. Next steps are to create a kit and learning commons website, as well as make it go system-wide.

I learned a lot from this project. I got to see the politics of library staff (this project was definitely new and kind of revolutionary, and definitely had some folks that weren't too excited about it: we talked a lot about how to create staff buy-in), how to be flexible (Jen learned she was pregnant soon after starting the grant, the Novato branch got closed for renovations, folks retired, etc etc etc), and I learned about the complications of cataloging and change in a floating system that is part of a consortium. One of the main lessons I learned was also my place in the project. I was volunteering for this work - it was too early in my SLIS times to get credit for an internship, and I wasn't getting paid - but I could find my own passion and excitement for doing something that was community-based and innovative. I also found my place as a visual artist. I designed the logos for the glades, as well as the Junior Librarian badge (we had the Sorting Party participants all take oaths!), and the brochure. I got to listen and learn from librarians in many departments, and in many stages of their careers, about how to implement a project and meet needs across the board while still implementing an innovative project. I tried to contribute create space design ideas for the new "reading destination," and think about fun ways that the kids could participate in the Sorting Parties.

I was very inspired by Jen, who was both funny and relaxed AND a badass librarian who is awesome at her job: looking out for ways to serve her community in creative ways, doing the basics well (storytime, etc, leading staff and taking care of them at the same time, and looking at the long and short term simultaneously. I was also really inspired by my co-intern, Celia, who is the coordinator for the Books for Wider Horizons program and just graduated from SJSU. She is also an artist, and she's a passionate children's librarian. I appreciated her mentoring me and giving me lots of advice. I hope I can mentor someone someday as well! See below for images I designed for the project.

81st Avenue Branch library workshop

So I've started a 3 month mural workshop with young people at the 81st Avenue Branch library in East Oakland. It's so exciting! Totally at the intersection of what I want to do. I planned a very elaborate curriculum, and after my first workshop I'm realizing that I need to shift the structure. Doing the work in Laos has really helped prepare me for being flexible, not being disappointed when things don't go according to elaborate plans, and for shifting the structure around quickly. That being said, I'm working today on how to shift from a curriculum to a drop-in style class for a group of friends, and it's difficult. Working with a group that might shift a lot, some of whom think they are good artists and others who don't (and who haven't taken much art instruction before), and different ages, might mean mural that is a bit random, will be quickly dated, and not be very time intensive.

So, I need to shift towards a workshop where the teens are generating wonderful drawings/images that can be turned into a composite image and then painted, Precita Eyes instant mural workshop style. I need to have some activities that involve lots more pre-class work/prep on my part so supplies are exciting and involving. I need to work discussion into the project in a structured way, and figure out how to change the physical space - right now we're working in a corner without tables...maybe if it was more classroom like we could be less scattered and it could facilitate some collaboration.

Ideas: 1. snacks and cool books on the table (it's important to make the space art workshopy), just hang out. 2. Groupwork: talk about what you’re hopeful for (divide into 2 groups), making collages on a big piece of paper (sketch/composition) (supplies: books to cut from, magazines, etc). 3. Individual: draw/paint from collages (supplies: fun paints, markers, pastels, bigger pieces of paper!) 4. Timeline: print out pieces, have them hang it up, and add what hopeful for – talk about sketchbooks, journals. 5. Prompt for next week: think about how you want the mural to look, be about. Sketch your ideas.

Ideas: Making collages, and then drawing from collages. Big pieces of paper that students work on together - lots of color and an accessible prompt. Take home prompts for students to work on their own - send them home with good materials.

My favorite books I read this year!

In the spirit of joyful librarianship, this list is a compilation of my favorite books I've read this year - they're not necessarily from this year though, so don't be thinking this list is contemporary. Graphic novels: Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel This novel exquisitely traces historical understandings of therapy and self alongside Bechdel's self-discovery in relation to her mom, therapists, and lovers. Her drawing style is beautifully simple but you get a sense of the humans shining inside. Love this one a lot!

The Making Of by Brecht Evens A beautiful beautiful book with a fairly interesting storyline - the story really doesn't matter particularly much because the watercolors are one of the most luscious things I've ever seen. (Great for artists/curators - that's what it's about)

Epileptic by David B. This French comic artist tells of his childhood with an epileptic brother, and how it affected his ideas of who he was. B. sought salvation in drawing, and you can tell - his work is obsessively beautiful black and white graphic deliciousness, and the story rolls on and on in a wonderful way. I couldn't put it down.

Palestine by Joe Sacco Sacco is a graphic journalist - that is, he illustrates stories, usually from war zones. His drawings are incredible and his stories use interviews and self-reflection to build a multi-faceted story to life. If only all journalists could do this!

Young Adult: Cruddy by Lynda Barry This book definitely made me feel uncomfortable - it describes some difficult situations, the protagonist feels so disgustingly human, and the scene is dirty, fucked up, and painful. However, it also is impossible to put down. Barry includes some of her incredible illustrations and the story weaves between past and present skillfully. The main character's teenage angst is well-earned and not in the least grating. It matches one of SJSU Library professor's assertion that “Teens want books that reflect reality without sugar- coating it—books that can help them find out what experiences, good and bad, are waiting for them and for their friends. They want a chance to experience reality vicariously before meeting it head on, and they know the safety of having those experiences through books” (Bodart, J. R. (2006). Books that help, books that heal: Dealing with controversy in YA literature. Young Adult Library Services, 5(1), 31-34.)

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block I read this slim little gem once a year. No, really. It tells of Weetzie, a teen who lives in Los Angeles, who falls in love, loses her father, dances at punk clubs, drinks champagne at the beach, and above all just hella loves everybody. Block's love for people comes through the pages and the story kicks ass.

Fiction: Kindred by Octavia Butler I read a lot of Octavia Butler this year and really enjoyed it. Kindred, however, was my favorite. She blur boundaries between historical and science fiction in a way that seems effortless - that is, really fucking well. I love how Butler tells stories that tell many stories, weaving in race, gender, identity, context, history, psychology, etc etc in these glorious tales that push the reader into new places. I'd recommend any/all of Butler's work!

Non-fiction: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee My mom has had cancer twice, and it always has seemed like this monster that was beyond science, environment, genetics, and human understanding. This book helped me whittle down cancer to the size of a horrible disease - much better than a monster. Mukherjee uses the first half of the book to describe early research into cancer and the second half to explore recent research (which gets very sciencey). His tone is so kind and patient that it feels possible to understand the gobbledygook.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown Every US.American should read this book. Brown describes the history of the US.American genocide against those who were here first with compassion and a keen historian skill - somehow, all those names and dates don't feel dry or dead, they are alive - and it's the saddest group of stories that many don't know. Highly highly recommended.

Unit 5 Personal Skills Assignment: studying online and working as a team

ASSIGNMENT: Write a blog post with your reflections on the personal skills needed to succeed as an online student and as a member of an online team. Your comments should include references to some of the materials from this unit such as the readiness assessments, the tips for success, and the presentations by Dr. Haycock and Enid Irwin. While watching the videos by Dr. Haycock and Enid Irwin, I was struck by how many of the tips and frameworks for understanding how to be a good group member were familiar: I've heard many of them from doing some social justice and community organizing work. The idea of facilitating people to put their skills/enthusiasm/trust (as Irwin emphasizes) into common purpose, and people will act in the best way for their communities and themselves, is one that is very important to me. This framework values every human being and their contribution to shared work, and believes in the basic goodness and abilities of everyone.

Grand universalizing theories aside, collaboration is always challenging. I did a lot of groupwork in high school, as as an academic-minded kid, I did often do more work than others - because they let me, we didn't have good ground rules, and a majority of students were too busy being in high school and NOT caring to build good leadership skills for class assignments. I have learned better ways of listening, planning processes, and stepping up to roles I am not comfortable in, all to good results (and many hiccups). This challenge of collaboration is one of the most important life challenges out there, especially in the USA, where hyper-individualism and celebrity are often on people's minds.

I do forsee many challenges, however, with online work. The careful "submitting" of comments and assignments, the oddness of instant messaging, and the heightened sense of judgement that happens when we become so one dimensional in the online sphere can be collaboration killers. I enjoyed Dr. Haycock's statistics showing that learners retain 95% of what is taught to them when they are teaching someone else, and teamwork has that built in to it - but I'm afraid that just teaching without learning becomes more of a challenge when presented in videos and uploaded to dropboxes because of the loss of face-to-face accountability. It's easier to be a jerk online - just look at many comments below news stories or videos! There's a curious lack of self-reflection.

For my own studies, I hope to be healthy in my approaches. I appreciated the programs such as Password Safe, Diggio, etc, and think that having a good calendar will be important. I also plan on doing non-computer and social activities during the day when I am studying, as these huge chunks of screen time make my eyes, wrists, and brain hurt. Stretching, making art, and cooking are all on my to do list, as is remembering the positive aspects of getting a graduate degree online!

Starting Librarian School

This section has never really been a blog, but now with this new template it can be. I'm shifting to librarian school (pursuing an MLIS from San Jose State) starting in a week! Occasionally I feel as though I giving up on creativity/art, didn't even try, threw my hands up before I even started. However, I don't really see myself running after grants and working alone in that way, at least not at this point in my life. And the similarities between being a librarian/information sciences and art are extremely interesting to me - I think figuring out ways of giving access to and framing information are my favorite aspects of creating art.

In another note, I've come across some incredible comic artists lately. I'm so interested in how the information they present visually is absorbed, and the tricks and skill they employ to tell the reader something: Kate Beaton Wendy Macnaughton Dylan Maconis John Alison Alison Bechdel (her Are You My Mother is so good!)

This website is under construction!

Sorry for the mess, folks!!!!