257 posts
Latest Posts by jjayolsen - Page 3
Don’t give up what you love
”So I feel like this is the perfect time for a film like this. I feel like the film has become more important and more relevant today, which is a sad thing.” – Oscar Winner Taika Waititi in the Press Room
FINALLY!!!
“I dedicate this to all the Indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance and write stories, we are the original storytellers and we can make it here, as well.”
Congratulations, Taika Waititi, on a historic win at the Oscars. Thanks for another beautiful film.
Dunder Mifflin is a part of..Say-ber (Sabre)
Hopped of the train in Scranton, PA
Another cloudy, grey afternoon
Home of the Railriders and Scranton Miners
Did you pack your snow shoes?
Jumped in the cab
Here you are for the first time
Look to the right and you see the-electric-city-sign
This is gonna be a good day
For Dunder Mifflin and Sabre
The stock markets going crazy and you really don’t know us
Too much pressure and you’re nervous
That’s when the taxi man turned on the radio
And the music took over your brain
And you thought this might be insane
But you decided to try and stay
So you put your hands up
You take a deep breathe
The butterflies will fly away
Your noddin’ your head like yeah
Straighten your tie like yeah
You got your hands up
You’ve done this before
We’re all gonna be o-kay
Yeah, yeah, ye-eh-yeah
Dunder Mifflin is a part of Sabre
Get to the office in your taxi cab
Everybody’s looking at you now
Like “Whose in charge, whose calling the shots”
Is this gonna all work out?
So hard with the sun down by seven
Hope you don’t get seasonal depression
‘Cause it all gets cold and starts to snow
I guess you never got the memo
The stock markets going crazy and you really don’t know us
Too much pressure and you’re nervous
That’s when the Andy and Erin jumped center stage
So they could sing you a welcome song
So we could all sing you this song
And we hope you sing along
So you put your hands up
You take a deep breathe
The butterflies fly away
Your noddin’ your head like yeah
We’re noddin’ our hears like yeah
You got your hands up
You’ve done this before
We’re all gonna be o-kay
Yeah, yeah, ye-eh-yeah
Dunder Mifflin is a part of Sabre
Feel like skipping on that flight (on that flight)
Tallahassee’s just alright (alright)
Something her feels just right (just right)
It’s that welcome song that let’s you know you’re gonna Be! Al-right!
So you put your hands up -> Dunder Millfin is a part of Sabre (x2)
A Pen of Chocolate and Exhaustion (not bad)
Your YA novel title is:
A (object closest to you on the left) of (last thing you spent money on) and (your current emotion)
Add your results in the tags!
Parts Unknown
Only 7 days remain to watch the some of the still streaming Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain episodes before they are removed from Netflix (in the US--December 26th).
With 8 episodes per season and 5 seasons listed (seasons 7-11) it is possible to binge in the last remaining days. However, to get at the soul of Anthony Bourdain and his series of using food to show off the different parts of the world I would recommend these seven
1. The Greek Islands (Season 7 episode 3)
2. Houston (Season 8, episode 5)
3. Minas Gerias, Brazil (Season 8, episode 7)
4. Laos (Season 9, episode 3)
5. Antartica (Season 9, episode 5)
While I haven’t seen it yet, given that we are now living in seven months of Chinese unrest with the Hong Kong protests
6. Sichuan with Eric Ripert (Season 8, episode 3)
7. Hong Kong (Season 11, episode 5)
**As previously mentioned, Buenos Aires (Season 7, episode 8) he shared a lot about his opinions and story about mental health**
For nearly a decade, Diana Ramirez hadn’t been able to take a book home from the San Diego Public Library. Her borrowing privileges were suspended, she was told, because of a mere $10 in late fees, an amount that had grown to $30 over the years.
Ramirez, who is now 23 and stays in Tijuana with her mother, attends an alternative education program in San Diego that helps students earn high school diplomas. To her, the debt she owed to the library system was an onerous sum. Even worse, it removed a critical resource from her life.
“I felt disappointed in myself because I wasn’t able to check out books,” Ramirez said. “I wasn’t able to use the computers for doing my homework or filling out job applications. I didn’t own a computer, so the library was my only option to access a computer.”
In April, Ramirez finally caught a break. The San Diego Public Library wiped out all outstanding late fines for patrons, a move that followed the library system’s decision to end its overdue fines. Ramirez was among the more than 130,000 beneficiaries of the policy shift, cardholders whose library accounts were newly cleared of debt.
The changes were enacted after a city study revealed that nearly half of the library’s patrons whose accounts were blocked as a result of late fees lived in two of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. “I never realized it impacted them to that extent,” said Misty Jones, the city’s library director.
For decades, libraries have relied on fines to discourage patrons from returning books late. But a growing number of some of the country’s biggest public library systems are ditching overdue fees after finding that the penalties drive away the people who stand to benefit the most from free library resources.
From San Diego to Chicago to Boston, public libraries that have analyzed the effects of late fees on their cardholders have found that they disproportionately deter low-income residents and children.
‘We Wanted Our Patrons Back’ — Public Libraries Scrap Late Fines To Alleviate Inequity
Illustration: Connie Hanzhang Jin/NPR
I still read
but I definitely read for different reasons now as there is less companionship that I need to fill in books or stories from far away
Relatable
Relatable
Ravenclaw Stats
87% of Ravenclaws are stressed out at this very moment.
Meishu, Leider, Ledare
Today, many in the US celebrate a world of chocolate, candies and fantasy. While books tells us the stories of ourselves, our community, those we don’t know and those we will never meet the public spaces we can enjoy these stories, explore and grow. But while many of these stories are true and these public spaces not all in libraries, many of the libraries would be empty if existing at all if not for...authors.
November 1st is National Author Day, Gracia!
Whoops—
As we work to improve access, equality of access, and diversity some of us will get there faster than others as some have more pressing matters to focus on. For many young girls, their time is mainly taken up walking miles every day to bring clean water home to their families. For them, having a book that describes their personal story or an ancestral connection is first dependent on whether they were in school long enough to know how to read. Other challenges such as those taken on by Malala Yousafzai, deal with female suppression, war and tyranny and of course children who are currently walking hundreds of miles to escape violence, war and famine.
Not all have the ability to begin to think about education, our stories and our futures as they can only think of reaching tomorrow. But for those that in the midst of this chaos, there is still hope and those who work to bring books to those who don’t have the ease of going whenever they can.
(1) https://litreactor.com/columns/the-10-most-unusual-libraries-in-the-world
The Common folk, Contribute to their Community
Australia has approximately 25.2 million people but because of the size that equates to only approximately 3 people every square kilometer (8 people every sq.mile). Similar population countries are Taiwan with 23.7 million (671 people every square kilometer) and North Korea with 25.6 (213 people every square kilometer). Countries with a similar people per mile are Iceland (3 people every square kilometer) and Canada (4 people every square kilometer). (1) Because it is so spread out, Australia has had to make some adjustments to how they hand local libraries.
Increased use of university libraries, high priority of public libraries supported by local state and government endeavors are only combined with school libraries when the community or local communities are not large enough for individual need. Ensuring all residents have at least one local library of access. Similar to the Netherlands, there are also specialized libraries that focus on art, feminism, Indigenous people, Lesbian and Gay history and legislative history and procedure. What is most telling about the importance, care and thought of those in Australia is the introduction page about how Australian’s public libraries and the Australian Public Library alliance meets” at least 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals” that do not focus on just environmental book policies
The Alliance itself is also a note to the goals of the country as it was only formed about ten years ago, July 2009, to work towards creating a national goal and concentration on resident’s free, equal and diverse access to information
(1) https://www.worldometers.info/
(2) https://www.alia.org.au/node/184/public-libraries
Krijasto
It should not be any surprise that a majority of the Happiest report countries in the world, also have the highest reported intellect, education and success. One such country, Finland, is consistently praised for various reasons. It has great access to nature (including the Northern Lights) and a clean environment, there is a real sense of community as it is not uncommon for people who have lost their wallet to have it returned and high parental leave for all parents; and there is a great freedom to express oneself as seen with the creativity that has pushed design boundaries, created mobile games and metal music.
While not the only foundation of these achievements, another instrument of this success is the love Finland has for their books and public libraries. Noted as the country that takes out/borrows the most libraries in the world these libraries truly are epicenters of the community where new and established residents may learn, explore, think, question and grow
(1) https://s3.amazonaws.com/happiness-report/2019/WHR19.pdf
(2) https://www.visitfinland.com/article/greatest-things-about-finland/
(3) https://www.buzzfeed.com/frankmartela/12-surprising-things-in-which-finland-is-the-best-fvkn
(4) https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/15/why-finlands-cities-are-havens-for-library-lovers-oodi-helsinki
St. Catherine’s Monastery
While not always the most exciting, important or useful; there is something to be said about being “first”. Believed to have been opened around 560 CE, St. Catherine’s Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt is believed to be the oldest, continually operated library in the world.
There is also an older, and probably still not the oldest or first, the Al-Qarawiyyin opened first in approximately 860 CE has had to be closed and access restricted due to structural damage.But it is still beautiful, as is St. Catherine’s, and rich of history to share just by walking around
(1) https://matadornetwork.com/trips/15-super-unique-libraries-around-the-world-pics/
(2)
(3) https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-oldest-library-al-qarawiyyin/index.html
Vereniging Openbare Bibiotheken en meer
Outside of Amsterdamn, the Netherlands are a wonderful place to live. As one person writes, there is a lot of diversity creating a space of different languages and environments, but while there is a separation between true locals as those who don’t fully integrate (i.e. Learn Dutch) there is still an openness and friendly culture. Even while striving for the achieved academic, educational and intellectual excellence, there is also a note that it is not forced (1).
Focused on overall growth, personal acceptance and diversity the School 7 library in Den Helder won the International Federation of Library Assocation’s best library...in the world (2)
But there is still more. Throughout the country there are various specialized libraries (libraries focused on new immigrants, feminism, Jewish and African cultures) and a focus by the VOB (their library assocation Vereniging Openbare Bibiotheken) that encourage residents to ask for help with legal and business needs, how you can use the resources for advocacy and how proud they are that approxiamtely 50% of their users are under the age of 18 (3)
(1) https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/Pros-and-cons-about-living-in-Holland-from-an-Americans-perspective
(2) https://www.frameweb.com/news/school-7-library-netherlands-van-veen-mars
(3)http://www.debibliotheken.nl/
Freedom, חופש, Vrijheid
While libraries should be for everyone, not everyone will be able to use them the same way. Some will use them for tutoring, others for book clubs, some for research and other for light novels readings among other uses. Here are BLANK libraries that are working with those different needs (1)
Multiple studies recently released indicated a difference in male and female brains; (2) while not specifically divided by gender, the Tromsø Library has set different temperatures on different floors allowing those who operate best or have different comfort levels for reading or needed for their focus to all use the library together at the same time. Separately, the Biblo Tøyen, is selective in it’s audience. Only open for residents ages 10-15.
While not limiting patron wise, the Levinksi Garden Library operates with a specific function and purpose, as a haven. Open 24/7 this library has no closed off structure (no walls or doors) and operates as an encouraging, open space to receive refugees and migrants in Israel. (3)
Throughout the world, many countries also have libraries specifically for prisoners as they are held within prisons. Libraries in prisons however are not universal but some countries that also provide more equality and freedom to prisoners while serving their time have libraries and librarians focused on goals for the inmates after they are released and have seen less recidivism back into the criminal justice system (as defendants).
(1) https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/art-culture/literature/6-libraries-you-need-to-visit/
(2) https://time.com/5592353/office-temperature-study/
(3) https://litreactor.com/columns/the-10-most-unusual-libraries-in-the-world
Leabharlann and dhachaigh, Dhachaigh and Leabharlann
Extending what you can and cannot experience
What you can and cannot find
You take what you can get
As sometimes your connection, the community and history is only met if you don’t hold yourself to the expectations and goals and resources of others
图书馆
China is an extremely complex country, while many question why Chinese are okay with censorship and high government regulation, others understand that there are positive and negatives of why they operate and how. I do not extend this to the current situation in Hong Kong, where the people re adamant about wanting to remain separate from China as promised but with the pros and cons of any decision and particularly the decisions and lifestyle in the mainland.
While in some ways more advanced, early last year China’s public libraries were ordered to have a major overall with a standardization of access to all. This included set open hours of operation even during holidays and on weekends, open public spaces, service programs and easy access to information. (1) Additional focus was put on protecting individual’s research and information protected from hackers, special services and safety access for the elderly and disabled and educational activities focused on children. These activities are also multicultural, physical and conversational with centers including family reading campaigns, foreign language training, art and culture exhibitions including books and other community activities available in various foreign languages. (2)
Multi-layered, China has successfully educated and increased their residents access to certain aspects of information and has promoted the access and diversity of information that does not hold the mirror close
(1) https://news.cgtn.com/news/7859544d35637a6333566d54/share_p.html
(2) https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/librarians/management/viewpoints/china.htm?part=5
Combat, Cure & Craft
Some of the most prosperous and advanced countries have the comfort and ability to create and provide access to libraries. But with education and knowledge having the ability to create and improve communities, even in times of despair there are still those who promote the beauty of books
The National Library of South Africa (Cape Town, South Africa)
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria, Egypt)
Syria’s Secret Library (Damascus, Syria)
Access, Access, Access
Today is the last day of the original “Libby app” free book club reading of “After The Flood” by Kassandra Montag ends. Along with the freedom, increased access, and connection this personal book club brought there are also many advantages provided by libraries who have set up electronic lending of books.
First, the access greatly increases. There is approximately one library for every 173,224 people in Japan, 15,932 people in the UK, 12,011 people in Switzerland, 58,178 people in Canada, 6,875 people in Norway, 2,799 people in the United States, for every approximate 600,000 people in China, 29,500 people in the Netherlands and 15,100 people in Australia. Some of the discrepancies can be understood as some countries have institutions similar but not considered traditional public libraries. For other countries, (UK and Japan) people are close enough to each other where for the most part a smaller number of libraries doesn’t necessarily mean less access as it does for other countries (China, the US). Countries with public libraries that aren’t able to be as spread out may increase the access to residents through downloading and while a good portion of these areas may also have issues with internet access mobile libraries or programs that can take back the books once the due date occurs will give residents opportunities they otherwise didn’t have.
Second, it should not come as a shock to many that have been in school that the books students are required to have for school are massive, cumbersome and have been somewhat linked to posture and other spine difficulties. Electronic books, even strictly for entertainment or so you can take many when going on a trip because traditional books would add too much weight to your luggage allow you more freedom and access by taking away both a physical and space-related con.
Finally, a great instance with electronic books (depending on the library), is that it’s right there! You don’t have to wait to get home, get in the car or the bus, get your card, travel to the library or have to wait a few days to get the book. You can get it right when you’re in the mood to read it (I believe, that is how it should be set up—I go traditional)
Nasjonal bibliotekdag
The population of the entire country of Norway (less than 5.5 million) is less than NYC (8.4 million), allowing for greater oversight of resources and focus on what these resources can do. First off, have a lot of resources. Following the insight of someone who has been to Norway; (1) their libraries focus on the community and this is first highlighted in their listed priorities (2):
To argue and emphasize the importance of libraries in the democratic process and promote freedom of information and speech
To ensure the principle of the free lending right, independent of technological and political changes in society
To develop and strengthen libraries as promoters of knowledge, information and culture
To develop and strengthen libraries in building and supporting education, and as an arena for learning, research and innovation.
To promote an effective and robust library service of high quality.
To ensure development and innovation in the Norwegian library sector, amongst others promoting the realisation of a Norwegian digital library
To build alliances and co-operate with relevant national and international organisations within the fields of research, education and culture.
Their priorities are noted by strong examples of free access. While they close like all libraries, there are over 800 public libraries; therefore a minimum of one library per every 6,875 people. While that would be a lot of people to all be in one library at once, that is easily one library per small town not including University libraries that are open to the public. This access is increased as one library card gets you access to any and every library in the country including mobile libraries that increase access to those far away.
As of April 2019, the US is the highest GDP in the world, account for 23.6% of the global economy. Taking away the other top 9, the rest of the world still makes up less as 21.2% (3). While both countries have overall well educated and successful; Norway is getting a lot more bang for their buck and has tried to make sure all members of their country and communities are succeeding and have access to opportunities.
(1) https://www.lifeinnorway.net/libraries-in-norway/
(2) https://norskbibliotekforening.no/om-foreningen/about-norwegian-library-association/
(3) https://www.investopedia.com/insights/worlds-top-economies/
Hailed, Held, Hung
While my main venture into a library will be for books, as previously stated they are also community centers and should me a resource to increase opportunity and equality of the local residents. A recent episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj looked at another form of inequality, unequal access to the internet.
The internet had become an additional resource all residents in the U.S. and in other developed nations need to have in order to be a successful part of society. Further than the internet, more accurately it’s the instant access to the internet via smartphone but even if not instant the internet has replaced many telephone, mailing and older forms of communication and information access, especially when it comes to research, employment and getting assistance. And again, libraries were part of making up for these inequalities for those who cannot afford, understand or otherwise access the internet.
Unfortunately, again libraries and the communities who need these opportunities and access are hit the hardest. Closing libraries, shorter operating hours and fines related to late library books are creating a further divide. As the world progresses, we have to make sure that not only we don’t leave people behind but that we are doing what we can to rise everyone up together
Unequal, Shattered, Abandoned
The United States is Big as FUCK. While not reaching the billions such as China or India, the US is the 3rd most populated country in the world being 25% larger than the next largest country (Indonesia) more than one and a half times the size of the 5th largest (Brazil) and two and a half times larger than the 10th most populated country (Mexico). (1) Unable to discuss US public libraries in their entirety and not an official determinant of success, I’ve looked at the libraries between the state with the highest life expectancy (Hawaii: 81.5), the average (North Dakota: 78.6) and the lowest (Mississippi: 74.5)
Not the best example, Hawaii only has one public library located on the island of Honolulu. This makes some sense as Hawaii is an island-based state with a smaller population; however, in comparison North Dakota only had 5 registered public library districts and Mississippi had 14. In this context, it would seem those who live longer either read less or fared better without library access; but when compared to much larger states NY (132) and California (155) quantity of libraries is more determined on population than other things to some degree as Texas (97) and Florida (65) have less libraries than their population should. Regardless, library access is very much linked to community and wealth as rural communities and the poorer parts of urban communities having little or no access. (2)
In a country of such prosperity, equal access and opportunity should be considered and implemented at a Federal level and not center on the self-fulfilling prophecy of only those who can afford the best opportunities are able to provide the best opportunities and resources for themselves. An additional note of importance is that part of the official Library Servers website, there is “Books You Really Should Have Read” advertisement, of noteworthy books and how to get them on Amazon
(1) https://www.census.gov/popclock/
(2) http://www.lib-web.org/united-states/public-libraries/
Inequality: Indifference x Insufficiency
Today 300,000 plus Chicago students didn’t go to school today, spending the day at home, hanging out with friends or joining their fellow classmates and over 25,000 educational workers in Chicago who are striking against working conditions and educational opportunities of the Chicago Public Schools.
Along with adequate nursing staff, emotional and mental health support a main complaint from parents is that there aren’t libraries in schools and how that lack of community space deepens the fractures occurring. Linked to the lack of community space in the schools, there is also a lack of bilingual teachers creating another barrier for students who either rely on other students to help them with their work or give up.
The strike has two sides to it: the teachers and the students. The teachers need more pay in order to lessen their financial and connected emotional stress and anxiety so they can focus more on their students and be the best teachers they can. But they are also fighting for their students. By demanding smaller class sizes, mental health resources so student can be assisted before they hit that breaking point, and pushing for school libraries they are fighting for their students now, in their next grade, their next school and the rest of their lives
Displaced, Deserted...Degraded?
Another library institution is school libraries, which if not more crucial to a community to a local library are at least equal. School libraries, as with education, can be a great building block and equalizer of the community and the current racial, economic, social, and other divides in our communities by bringing people together and expanding their horizons.
The city of Chicago has a lot of diversity with a portion of it having to do with it’s large immigrant communities. Separate from their history, the people of Chicago and from around the world come to see the renowned museums mixed with avid sports fans, corporations and religious organizations. But for a community with so much action and so many people working hard and creating, there are apparently few school libraries. While people can pretend the age of smartphones, video games, and ereaders are partially to blame and make this change okay, from 2013 to 2017 the school libraries decreased by 65% (from 454 to 157)(1). This drop has been noted by students, some who didn’t even know school libraries were a thing and it’s a bigger deal than even they may understand. Similar to local libraries that can be centers of community, education, exploration, personal and community growth while promoting opportunities; school libraries do all that earlier on while also introducing children to reading. By introducing students to libraries earlier in their school years and as a part of education where they can choose their path, learning about different people’s stories and encouraging them to see reading as an expansion of their lives and can be a guide to their futures. Even something as simple as a library cart can make a world of difference, but I hope Chicago continues to work to bring back their school libraries for now and for all of our futures.
(1) https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/chicagoschoollibrarians
Bibliotheque
Canada is another nation at the top of lists that look at math and science, income, education and other levels of success. Noted as more progressive, neither their progressive stature nor education balance can be seen when looking at their libraries. As stated in an article from 1948 (1) and seen when going through the, easily accessible, list of Canadian libraries, there is a discrepancy and a distinction between more populated and less populated areas (2).
This is even more concerning considering that Canada does libraries right. Three of their libraries came in the top 10 (3) because Canada has expanded their library to be a true communal spot including movie nights, helping with job seekers, being a place for new residents, public spaces for meetings and places where local business people can expand (4).
When it comes to their libraries Canada is doing very well, but as with most movements forward it’s had a bit of difficulty makings sure they are not leaving anyone behind.
http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/LibrariesinCanada-CanadianLibraries-Canadianhistory.htm
https://www.lib-web.org/canada/
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/15/risotto-robotics-and-virtual-reality-how-canada-created-the-worlds-best-libraries
https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/canadastackup/214109cef_how_libraries_stack_up.pdf
Re-imagined, Reinstated, Regretted
Today many libraries are closed because of…..ahhh!
For a few, today is Christopher Columbus day and with it being removed many have fought for it to remain as part of Italian’s contributions and mark on the U.S. But that’s stupid, whenever Christopher Columbus was celebrated or taught we learned about how he sailed for Spain and ate Turkey with Native Americans—not his Italian Heritage. Instead join in on the celebration and reflection of Indigenous people and the Native Americans slaughtered and create a separate day truly for Italian Americans as a whole or focused on the many Italian-American Nobel winners (six, who are literary focused and whose work is noted as different tones of their heritageà https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/six-italian-nobel-prize-winners-in-search-of-a-national-identity/) by dropping the loser who GOT LOST at best.
So why is this being mentioned during National Book month or as part of this celebration and spotlight on libraries? I wasn’t taught this distinction in class, I learned it on my own. After being taught and performed a play about how Christopher Columbus discovered America it was mentioned quickly that the Vikings discovered America and questions about the contradictory lessons were ignored and I looked on my own where I could. So thank you books on shelves up high, heavy and beaten. Thank you for making HIStory not the only story left
Closed
Ahhhhh! As someone who loves a local library and rare bookstores, getting up early in the morning to get to the next book in a series, or because a book you’ve been waiting for has come in or just thinking you want to reread a favorite you don’t own and then you see the “uh-oh” group of patrons who also forgot a schedule change, random holiday, short day the library is closed group is crushing.
I’ll never get over that feeling. I ended up looking forward to the summer being over because that’s when the library had better hours.