Keeping a blog

Being given the job to keep the Te Takere blog up to date has made me more aware of how useful a blog can be. When there is a definate point to the exercise it makes sense! So if you want to keep up with building progress for our new FANTASTIC community centre and library check out tetakere.blogspot.com for regular updates. We are really excited about it and want to share!

the Te Takere blog

The next challenge was to set up another blog to record building progress for our new Horowhenua Community and Cultural centre which will also incorporate our library and a youth centre. All a very exciting concept. If you want keep up with progress see tetakere.blogspot.com or visit the Te Takere website at http://www.tetakere.org.nz/index.php

Time flies don't it!

I've just been privileged to attend the NDF in Wellington last week. A fantastic glimpse of the future which has arrived in some places already, and continues to fill me with wonder. It sparked a discussion with a collegue about what technology was available when you were 21... or rather - what technology wasn't available. For me it was colour TV, cell phones, home computers, automatic cars, electric toothbrushes, microwave ovens and so many more things I'd hate to be without now. Makes me think of Chippie in my blog title - my beloved Dad. He learned his trade with a hand saw, hammer and chisel and made beautiful things all of his life. But he was always the first to adopt a new tool to make work easier or better. (Mum despaired of the proliferation 'gadgets' in his workshop - but never complained about the things he produced). So keep on innovating, keep on thinking and enjoy every minute!

EReaders and all that

And I thought that EReaders would appeal mostly to the younger generation! WRONG! Today we held a session to introduce a few different readers to our customers. Our librarian has wisely purchased 4 readers and 2 tablets so that staff can get the hang of the new technology. We've all had a play with a few of them. No one had really looked at all of them. Today made us do that. All 6 devices in the same place at the same time, and a couple of extras that belonged to customers added into the mix made for a great opportunity to compare and contrast. We were astounded firstly be the response to our publicity - 25+ people turned up at the beginning of the session with more trickling in for the whole hour or more until we were able to make our escape.
Lots of discussion and interest from everyone. The age range of our audience was from mid 20s to mid 80 with the majority of our participants being over 60s. We were not offering advice on which device to buy - just giving people the opportunity to try a few out. All in all - a really successful session with requests that we repeat it in our other branches as well as doing it here again. The only problem I see is that we are not going to be able to afford to keep up with the latest and greatest devices - there are so many and they are developing so quickly.
I still like my books on paper (though I am tempted by the convenience of a portable ereader) - but I can really see ebooks taking off in our area much faster than I would have thought.

It's not work but its still technical!

Spent some time in the weekend learning to digitize designs for machine embroidery. It's incredible what a bit of imagination and a clever computer can do. the problem I'm having though is that the machine I'm working on is a Mac and I've always been a PC user. So much that looks as if it should be the same but isn't!

Finally she realises that she should be putting in titles on Blog Posts!

Progress on 23 things - I have now reactivated my old twitter account - not that I have much to tweet about. It's midwinter and I firmly believe that people should all hibernate for the winter. Or curl up in front of the fire with an endless supply of good books...

Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen would have to be my favourite book for June 2010. I know it was written in 2006 but I've only just read it. A really sensitive look at what it is to grow old and have everyone except you forget what a wonderful and exciting life you have led. Makes you wonder about all of the older folk in the community - I'm sure they have great stories to tell too.

What is Christine Rankin thinking of suggesting that anyone who doesn't want to read Breaking silence: the death of the Kahui twins is not worried about child abuse. Why would I want to read a self promoting excuse for child abuse and how would that make me understand the problem better. Having a lousy childhood does not excuse being a lousy parent!

Spent the morning at the Horowhenua Learning centre being introduced to the joys of Word 2010. I can see us using lots of the new features in our library. The HLC picked up their game and delivered at a reasonable level today!

A disappointing presentation on communications last night - example of how now to gice a presentation.

It's great to see that many of my collegues are going to be joining the programme. Looking forward to comparing notes and experience....

Great afternoon yesterday playing Ukulele with the Ukulele ladies of Levin in a local rest home. Just goes to show you are never too old to sing and dance!

Just had a great meeting with the Senior citz of our town to talk about Te Takeretanga o Kura Hau Po, our new library development. It got the green light from our local council last night so now it's full steam ahead. Check it out at http://www.tetakere.org.nz/

Almost a year later I'm starting again. Life is just too busy but it's time to bite the bullet and learn more new stuff. Since my last post (not with a bugle) I've take up learning to play the mandolin (difficult) and the ukulele (easier) and gone back to playing my beloved clarinet thanks to our local Folk music club. Only 2 1/2 years to retirement but still time to learn.