Teach Your Children*

I'm taking two classes again this semester--Digital Libraries and Bibliography of the Sciences--and they're each challenging in different ways. In the case of Digital Libraries, it involves material that might not flummox a 25-year-old recent college graduate, who had far more exposure to computers in their lives than I have in mine, but is definitely making me play catch-up.  I'll talk about this at some point, but today's bug under my saddle is the Bibliography class.  Nothing against the professor--he's a guest professor from Carnegie Mellon who seems to have a great knack for asking the right questions--and today's are real doozies.

I just finished reading ten articles (!!!) between the two classes--six for Science, mostly about the relationship between libraries and child and young adult patron's needs in the Science area--from toddlers to twelfth graders.  He posed the questions on one of the discussion  boards: 

1)My first question would be ... what other information exists on high quality science literature? Surely I haven't unburied all there is to be had.

2) Did you notice that engineering never seems to be the topic of children's books? Isn't it cool enough? Perhaps nobody has the knack of introducing it to children yet?

Perhaps the answer is found in the question itself.  It assumes that children should be introduced to science by reading about it first, rather than experiencing it. I'd like to (respectfully) toss that idea out with the trash. 

I have a son who's in Boy Scouts--Life Rank--one 50-mile bike ride and a service project away from Eagle.  God, I'm so proud of him.  He DOES possess that Calvin-like (Calvin and Hobbes, that is) evil 6-year-old persona, though, as evidenced by his reaction (he was 12 at the time) when I made the mistake of telling him about the Missouri University of Science and Technology summer explosives camp***.  You read that right.  The kids learn all about explosives (dynamite, primacord, C4, TNT, gunpowder, etc.), and the end of the camp is highlighted with a fireworks show that the campers create  themselves.**  He got the same look that Calvin gets when he visits the dinosaurs in the museum--and I smile when I think about not only Calvin's imagination, but my son's (and I suspect a LOT of other people's sons). But there is a risk involved in expanding the boundaries of the imagination. In the words of Jeff Foxworthy, "Famous last words--"HEY GUYS, WATCH THIS!".

A good story, well told, can be captivating.  But nothing beats first-person experience.

*--Graham Nash (performed with Crosby, Stills, and Nash), No Nukes, 1980.
**--To those of you wondering about why a school out in the middle of Missouri would have such a thing, it would be helpful for you to know that the Missouri University of Science and Technology, which used to be called the University of Missouri-Rolla, was originally called the Missouri School of Mines.  Mines make extensive use of dynamite, TNT, explosives, etc. so this camp would be a natural extension of their work (albeit a unique one)
*** Here's the link, just in case you think I'm kidding:
http://futurestudents.mst.edu/precollege/explosives.html

Run for the Roses, part 1*

Two recent decisions--one by the International Olympic Committee and one by the US Department of Justice--makes me wonder about what's happened to sports.

First,  another monumentally stupid IOC decision.
To whit:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/blank-headline-received-111718465--spt.html

How can they DO this?

They saved rhythmic gymnastics, badminton and golf, yachting, equestrian events, and ping pong.  What's next, duplicate bridge? Scrabble, for God's sake (don't get me started on the hierarchy in [i]that[/i] game)?
Reasons they gave included ticket sales (yeah, 97% sold out in London is a real failure)number of countries involved (71 for wrestling, 34 for equestrian) and tv coverage.  Really? Ask any American sports fan whose interests don't include swimming, gymnastics, figure skating, or any of the women's sports about the quality of NBC's coverage for the Winter OR Summer games.  If they're like me, you'll get an earful. I know that they're gone, but give me Howard Cosell and Jim McKay and ABC any day over these clowns.

It was widely thought that the Modern Pentathlon, a melange of shooting, riding, swimming, and I'm not sure what else was on the chopping block, but one of the current members of the IOC, the son of Juan Antonio Samaranch, lobbied to keep it and in the end wrestling got the heave-ho.  Just like that.

I want you to think and think hard about all the kids you know who are involved in youth sports of any kind, especially one where the Olympics are held up as the highest standard of their sport.  All those wrestling coaches get to go back to all those kids and explain how a bunch of overstuffed high-priced suits are destroying their dreams.  You may not have a youth wrestling program where you are but just apply it to football or soccer or volleyball, take your pick. Softball and baseball already got the IOC shaft, and now wrestling is next.

If you support youth wrestling, high school, college, whatever level, whether you have kids in it or not, I strongly urge you to do whatever you can to help the idiots at the IOC see the light.  Wrestling has been part of the Olympics since the outset.  There are too many kids who will be hurt by this outrageous action and we mustn't let another day pass without doing something.  If you're in a state where wrestling is big (at least it is in Pennsylvania where I live), go to a meet (state tournaments are going on right now), volunteer, write letters, make phone calls, emails, do it today!

*--Dan Fogelberg, The Innocent Age, 1981.

I'll get into the DOJ nonsense later.
Bronx Cheers for the IOC.
Cheers for all my brother wrestlers and their parents, siblings, teammates, opponents, and coaches and their staffs, and yes, even the guy scrubbing the mats.

Be Prepared*

For some people, the words of Anne Frank say it best: "I am a bundle of contradictions".  On the surface, that may appear to be true of a lot of people. In my case, people may say that regarding a whole host of opinions that I've given over the years.  I prefer to think of the immortal Ralph Waldo Emerson and "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" when thinking politically.  I don't subscribe to everything in the GOP Talking Points Manual** but for many in the liberal camp, to believe one conservative point is to believe them all (and I KNOW it works both ways, especially on the pro-life issue.  Don't call it pro-choice--the baby doesn't GET a choice). And the Libertarians wonder why they don't make any headway.

So I think I talked previously about my work with my son's Boy Scout troop (We call it Boy Scouts here in the United States.  The USA is the only country where Scouting isn't co-ed). On Monday, www.scouting.org had a statement regarding an issue that has been hotly contentious for many years.  In it they acknowledged that the national organization is considering local options on whether gay Scouts and leaders may be active members.  It would be up to the chartering organizations to determine standards for membership/leadership.

UPDATE:  It's Wednesday and National is meeting this morning on this very issue.  It'll be interesting to see how this goes.  There are more than a few who are steadfastly clinging to the way things were and are, but I think in the end that it will be left up to the local chartering organizations, which will lead to the organization admitting anyone with a pulse after hundreds of lawsuits are filed.  Personally, I think that the organization is missing the boat.  There are thousands of worthy men out there who could help boys in myriad ways whose only offense is not being straight.  Gonna make for one heck of a parent meeting.

UPDATE 2:  It's Tuesday the 12th and the BSA decided to table their decision pending a national board meeting in May.  Hope people can wait that long--or can be civil enough to allow Scouting to hash this out.

*--Tom Lehrer, Songs by Tom Lehrer, 1953.
**--published by Pagliacci Press, 4/1/2012 (note the date)

Baby, It's Cold Outside* (but the job search is heating up)

With regard to temperature, this is our first time in the teens (Farenheit) this winter, and the wind chill is near zero.  Certainly a good day to stay inside with a good book!

Yesterday there was a bit of activity on the job front.  I had applied for the research library internship at Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square PA) and as part of the application process, had asked one of my professors to supply a letter of recommendation.  She did, and it couldn't have glowed more if it was radioactive.  Suffice it to say that I feel pretty good about myself right now.

But it continues: Early in the fall, I had applied for a position as "music library technician" at the Presser Music Library at West Chester University. Didn't even get a call.  Disappointed, but carried on--I was busy with Management and Cataloging classes and didn't have time to brood.  Yesterday I'm going through my email and I get a letter from the Presser Library saying that the job had re-opened and would you like an interview?  Are you KIDDING ME, I thought to myself.  Zipped a response back (I said yes, of course).There was much rejoicing!  I don't have the job yet, haven't even scheduled the interview, but

Don't get me wrong; the public library world needs good people like my co-workers Kate and Lois.  My goal is to work at the college/university/research level and be that go-to guy on which students can depend  for help.  Competent writing in the appropriate style is crucial for collegiate success, and if I can make it easier for them than it was for me, then I've done my job.  Onward!

Cheers...

*--Frank Loesser, 1944; recorded by many, many artists of all stripes, but first performed by Mr. Loesser and his wife, Lynn Garland, as a reminder to party guests that it was time to go. 

PS: Didn't get it--although I was heartened by the librarian who said he wished he had had two positions available so that he could hire me.

Leader of the Band*, part 2

Just a short note to congratulate Dr. Scott Boerma, soon-to-be former director of the Michigan Marching Band, who will assume his new duties as Director of Bands at Western Michigan University in the fall. Hail Sinfonia!

Cheers!

*--Dan Fogelberg, The Innocent Age, 1981.

The Chairman Dances*

First, to all my readers, I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

This post has more to do with my work with charitable and other non-profit groups outside the library from where I'm typing this.  Over the course of my adulthood, I've had opportunity to do a lot of paid and volunteer work for non-profit organizations, from Protestant and Catholic churches I've attended to the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, from the Chester County Library System to the Boy Scouts of America.  I even taught  the SCRABBLE badge to a bunch of giggly Girl Scouts at one of my daughter's troop meetings.  I still can't understand why 10-year-old girls giggled when I made them say the last name of SCRABBLE's inventor--good and loud (google it).

Until recently, though, I've never been in a position to be in charge of a group, try though I might.  Within the last month, I became what Rachel Singer Gordon refers to as an "accidental" manager--in this case, the acting committee chairman of my son's Boy Scout troop. (I'm also acting principal trombone of a local orchestra and its acting librarian--but I've never been much of an actor ;-)). The circumstances were to say the least, delicate.  The health of the last chairman had been declining to the point where it became clear to all involved that his continued participation was going to be impossible. Papers needed to be signed, and the work of the troop needed to go on.  In that spirit I offered to be the "co-chair" so that the boys could get their Eagle badges, and my offer was accepted.  So far I've led two meetings, and while things have gone relatively smoothly at the meetings, there has been a palpable uneasiness on the part of some of our group.

I only made 2nd Class when I was a Scout nearly 40 years ago, and (for a variety of reasons) I have not taken what most would consider an active role in either my son's Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop. I  helped out where I could--as a merit badge counselor, and on the annual Scouting for Food drive--but I left the weekly 'heavy lifting" to the uniformed leadership.  I make no apologies for that.  My son needs to get the perspective (if not wisdom) of adults other than his parents.  I'm not an expert in everything--no parent is--but I'm appreciative of those folks who are in areas I lack knowledge.

Nonetheless, there are those who wear the uniform who are suspicious of those who haven't worn it, and I imagine that out loud, the questions might sound something like this:

"I've been a Scout leader for (years/decades/my whole adult life/Lord Baden Powell was in my troop) and now he's going to tell ME what to do?"
"What training does he have?"
"Why doesn't he wear the uniform?"
"Why is he just stepping up NOW?"
"He doesn't act/sound/look like his predecessor--why not?"

Answering these questions may shed some light on how this came to pass.

1) "I've been a Scout leader for (years/decades/my whole adult life/Lord Baden Powell was in my troop) and now he's going to tell ME what to do?"

Well, no.  If you're doing your job the best it can be done and everyone who needs to be served is being served, then I may just give you an "attaboy" and be done with it.  If I perceive that you're falling down in some aspect of your position or role within the troop, and I can do something about it or can pass on some knowledge, I will. I've been a firm believer in not fixing what isn't broken--but if something can be done differently that will benefit the organization I will explore it.

2) "What training does he have?"

While my BSA training is limited to "safe Scout" training that all adult leaders are required to have, I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music (from the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University, respectively) and am  in the process of completing a second graduate degree in Library and Information Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  Part of the MSLS degree coursework involves management of nonprofit organizations, knowledge that I find immensely helpful in working with the Boy Scouts.

3)  "Why doesn't he wear the uniform?"

No good reason.  If enough people feel that it gives me added credence, then I'll wear it.  Until then, I'll continue to do the work dressed in business wear.

4)  "Why is he just stepping up NOW?"

This assumes that 1) there was no need up until now, and 2) that I had no previous experience.  Wrong and wrong.

First, there is always a need for effective leadership in any organization.  Life happens.  People move, kids age out of the organization or quit, and in our case, our committee chair passed away after a long illness.  Just because you're not in charge of the whole shebang doesn't mean that you aren't responsible for the good of the organization.

Second, nearly eighteen years of my life were spent teaching in some of America's poorest school districts.  I have taught students who lived in the colonias on the Texas-Mexico border, in homes with dirt floors; many of my students in Plainfield NJ and Philadelphia PA were in similar straits.  They sought nothing from me save a shot at a better life, and for me to come to work the next day/week/year.  I made a point of telling my students on the first day of school that I would learn more from them than they did me.  What I took from that experience was the knowledge that people mean well, people want to succeed, but that good intentions don't guarantee success. Love what you do, but do it (or learn how to do it) competently.

5) "Why doesn't he look/sound/act like his predecessor?"

Because I'm not my predecessor. I like a cartoon show called Camp Lazlo.  The Scoutmaster (in this show about a fictionalized "Bean Scout" camp, Camp Kidney) is named Lumpus, an older, skinny moose (!) who reminds me (and numerous other Scouts and leaders) of people we've known in the organization. We recognize him as a stereotype (albeit a loving one) because we're not all like that.

In the 1980's, E.L Doctorow wrote a novel called Billy Bathgate which was a fictionalized account of the last days of the Dutch Schultz gang.  In it, the title character recalled a conversation where he was asked who was a better shot--the gangster who sprayed every corner of the target, or the marksman who aimed carefully and hit precise marks on the target.  The implication was that there was room in the organization for both--that both styles were vital to the success of the organization.  He went on to say that the nature of the business was changing, that they would need "smart, quiet boys who had been to college" (rather than hardcore gangsters who learned on the job).  We understand and appreciate and will certainly learn from the history of (and the hard work and dedication put in by)  our predecessors, but while the organization's standards may not have changed, the method by which they are carried out may need to.

With that in mind, we move forward.  Cheers.
(Obscure composer reference alert)
And I wasn't, wasn't, wasn't repetitive, repetitive, repetitive...



*--John Adams, Nixon In China, 1987.

Leader of the Band*

I just came home from my son's HS band concert.  I'm not going to spend time here critiquing the performance--Mr. Trujillo, the band's director, did a fine job with his assembled forces.  Rather, it was news that I received from a fellow band parent and Scouter--that Jeff Scott, longtime Troop committee chair, had passed away this morning.  I blush to confess that I don't know how he became wheelchair-bound; I can only talk about how he kept coming to parent/leader meetings and quietly taking charge until he simply couldn't any more.  He truly cared about the boys and about Scouting and I know he'll be missed.  As troop committee co-chair (and now chair) I have big shoes to fill, but I'll find my way.

"The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old, but his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul;
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man, I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band".

Onward. 

*--Dan Fogelberg, The Innocent Age, 1981.