Toolbars Galore!

As you may already know, the Librarian created a downloadable internet browser toolbar back in 2008.  In 2010, he created a web-based version of the toolbar (Pearl Edition) for those times when a library patron couldn't install the standard toolbar (while traveling, for example or at a public computer).

In 2012, the Librarian helped the Massage Therapy Foundation create their own toolbar.  Take a look at their new video:

Ever Wonder Why The Grotto Library Smells So Nice?

There are a few reasons why the library smells nice.  We have plenty of plants, and it's a bit of a joke that when you enter the doors, you are entering the library and arboretum.  We have plenty of windows, and of course we have a caretaker in the form of a librarian.  Except for the sanitizing wipes near the computer stations, there are no unnatural things making up the cleaning and 'odorizing' of the library.

There is the fun little secret of librarians that we're sharing with you now.  The books themselves absorb odors, and they also produce that old book smell. 

Functional Literacy vs. Information Literacy

As the winter days roll on past us here in Seattle, we are also starting a new term at Seattle and down at the Federal Way campus.  Discussions of late involve the students, and being able to functionally manage the healthcare needs of their clients with a dose of information literacy.  What's the difference?

Functional Literacy is a term used to describe reading and writing skills that are "adequate to manage daily living and employment tasks that require reading skills beyond a basic level."  You can, of course, include business skills and massage skills, and as this if a library for Massage Therapy, we will do so for this post.

Information Literacy is the term used to describe the "ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand.”

So, you can be technique rich, but do you know why they work or in which cases they should be employed?  How would you know that you needed to know?  How could you find out?  What information source would you trust?  Why?

The Librarian will be increasing the visits to classrooms in the upcoming terms to help students be a bit more information literate.  Based on general assessments, public school venues are producing a surprising number of adults who can read and write, but have no skill in engaging in dialogue (say, with a client about ethical boundaries).  Some haven't used a computer all that much, and whereas they know of engines like Google or Bing, they have no idea why they work or why they should be avoided for healthcare and medical information (Google Scholar being a good exception in some cases).

In new classroom activities provided by the Library, functional literacy will be wrapped with information literacy to solidify everyone's experience.  Some students have many degrees, and some are just out of high school.  All will be treated to an Amazing Race style of activity, though confined to the campus!

Clients need the skills of good therapists to not only manually affect change, but to also know when it can be managed or by what technique, a changing environment these days.  Best keep up!