It Was a Blast!

Thank you, 23 Things Team!

This program was the most fun I've had at work in a long time. Not to mention the fact that it was a phenomenal learning experience. Every exercise was interesting, challenging, and educational. I have so many new tools to put to use both at work and at home. And I feel so much more techno-savvy than I did 13 weeks ago.

What did I enjoy the most? There wasn't any project that I didn't enjoy but, by far and away, my most favorite activity is Blogging. Flickr ran a close second. Any endeavour in which I can stretch my creative wings gets my vote every time.

I am looking forward to delving more deeply into many of these applications on my own, as well. As I mentioned in a previous post, Facebook and Diigo are both places where I will want to spend more learning and participation time. And I still have most of my collection to add to Library Thing.

I can't say enough about 23 Things. I feel grateful that the Library felt that these were worthwhile skills for us to learn and gave us the opportunity and the time to participate.

With that, I can't resist telling you about one more ghost (although I plan to continue to Blog as ghostgirl in the future). I think Library ghosts are too much fun and there are so many. I would love to continue to compile their stories here.

For my final "23 Things" haunting I have chosen the Brand Public Library in Glendale California....

The building itself was constructed in 1904 and was originally the home of Leslie Coombs Brand. He lived there until his death in 1925. In his will, Brand stipulated that the house be converted into a library. Legend has it that it is the ghost of Leslie Brand that haunts the library to this day.

According to an L.A. Times article, "Stories are passed on of a...shadowy male figure ascending the stairs, of a presence in the tower, of the feeling, when standing near his portrait, of being watched".

If you're feeling in the mood for a good healthy dose of adrenaline, click on the postcard image below for a more detailed story.

And don't forget to check back from time to time. I'll be the first to let you know if our own local paranormal activity heats up in the future. On some dark and stormy night when the Library is deep in slumber and the stacks are silent, I just may attempt some EVP's...





Sliding into Home Plate

I have a confession to make. Although I've been tempted to work on my 23 Things assignments at home, I've been able to resist until this week. Library Thing demanded some at-home time. I have so many books in my personal library that I would never be able to add them all from memory. For instance, I added 34 books about Yoga and still have a few stragglers left.

I love Library Thing and will put it to very good use in the future. I found that the fastest and easiest way to add books is by ISBN. Once I made this discovery, it was a breeze!

I did attempt to embed the Library Thing widget in my Blog but was unsuccessful. Blogger just refused to accept the code that was supplied. From reviewing the Blogger discussion forums, it sounds like this is a common problem. I was quite disappointed...Library Thing has a very cool widget and I would have loved to have it on my Blog.

Wordle was just plain good fun! At first I tried entering the url from my Blog but didn't quite get the effect I was hoping for. So I tried to use several different websites that I thought look promising. Still, limited success. Finally I decided to "Paste a bunch of text" and was very pleased with the result. What do you think?



A Secret Location Revealed

Good day fellow psychic sleuths. This will be a brief, though very exciting, blog.

Finally, after weeks and weeks of keeping you all in suspense, I am ready to reveal the top secret location of our very own haunted library! It is cleverly hidden in my Community Walk map entitled (you guessed it...) Haunted Saskatoon. See if you can find it, then put on a pair of good walking shoes and take a stroll through eerie, ghastly, frightening, nightmarish, Saskatoon! Happy Ghost Hunting!



Social "Things" and a Book Loving Ghost

I've experimented with Facebook in the past and wondered about its potential. It is definitely something I will want to further explore at some time in the future. Especially now that I know how to better protect my privacy. On a personal level, at this point in my life I have so little time to spend on my computer that I can't see myself adding the care and feeding of a Facebook account to my "to do" list. But some day...

That said, the various library pages that I reviewed were interesting and informative. I can understand how Libraries would find Facebook to be a useful tool for keeping clients up to date on current Library events. So many people these days are Facebook users. It just makes sense to use it as method of advertising your wares.

I appreciated the fact that the 23 Things Team offered up some alternative social networking sites for our consideration. I love Dogster and could really see myself spending some time there...

This little fellow is Jacob the Werewolf...my best friend and the main reason

why I do spend some time on dog-related websites. He may look sweet and innocent,

but he's a handful (especially when the moon is full) and I occasionally find

myself looking for advice from other dog owners.

On Twitter, I searched for Library-related sites and found a few that I thought would be interesting to follow. The New York Public Library's was particularly enjoyable with its refreshing mixture of Library news and interesting articles, interviews, etc. Following this site feels like time well spent.

For fun, I decided to follow some very cute and funny animal-related sites. Amongst my favorites is the "Simon's Cat" page. If you've ever been owned by a cat, or have been close friends with one, this is for you. Check out the "Films" tab. They are hilarious!

This blog is a compilation of my experience with a number of "Things" so I'll briefly comment on Diigo. Running late, as ever, I was able to view a number of the tutorials and experimented briefly with some of the available features. It seems like an instrument with enormous potential. As with Facebook, I will return to Diigo in the future to become better acquainted.

You will see the results of my experience with Thing 18 - Widgets in the upper right hand corner of my Blogger page..."Mysterial"...the search engine for all things paranormal.



And Now......



Well, not really....just kidding... Our next ghost really isn't all that frightening. But he was a hero in his past incarnation. We, as Library folk, will find a special appreciation for his love of books that ultimately (and so very sadly) was responsible for his death. So, without further delay, I would like to introduce (for your spine-tingling pleasure)...The Ghost of Felbrigg Hall!

Welcome to Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk, UK.

This castle-like structure dates back to the 17th century and stands on what was once one of the largest estates in Norfolk. Today, the Felbrigg estate covers almost 7 square kilometres and boasts breath-takingly beautiful gardens....

Stunning architectural features....

And...of course...a Library!

...Wherein lies the tale of William Windham III, the purported ghost of Felbrigg Hall.

William lived at Felbrigg in the latter half of the 18th century. He was a scholar and is said to have had a great love of books.

On a summer evening in 1809 William was returning to his lodgings in London when he noticed that a nearby house was ablaze. Only a few doors away was the home a dear friend who possessed an impressive library of valuable books. Fearing that the books would be lost in the quickly spreading fire, William almost single-handedly removed them all to safety. In the course of the rescue however, our hero fell and badly bruised his hip. Eventually a tumor grew at the site of the injury. William underwent surgery to remove the tumor but went into shock shortly afterwards and did not recover. His remains lie in the family vault at Felbrigg Hall...

   

Ever true to his great passion for books, even in death, the ghost of William Windham III is frequently seen in the library of Felbrigg Hall. He sits in an armchair by the fireplace, beloved book in hand. After a time he will place the book on the table beside him and gradually fade away. According to estate employees, William can be coaxed to appear by setting out specific books that were given to him by his friend, Samuel Johnson....

...Sigh...what bibliophile could ever hear such a tale and remain unmoved? I ask you!



Wikis, Flickr, and other things

I was totally impressed with the Wiki concept. Of course I had heard of Wikis, but didn't have a clue what they were. I was familiar with Wikipedia and knew that content on that site is added by users, but didn't really make the connection between the two.

My family and I are currently in the midst of a situation where communication is crucial and emails are flying thick and fast. Not to mention all of the phone calls. It's difficult to keep up with them all. I'm going to suggest a Wiki to my brothers as a possible solution. Thank you, 23 Things Team!

I've just completed my "Flickr Thing". It was fairly easy to use although I did experience some frustration. When I was adding captions to the photos that I uploaded to the site, I found that the "Save" button kept disappearing on me and it took me quite awhile to figure out a work-around. My other complaint is that, after alot of experimenting, I realized that photos appear in a set in the reverse order in which they are uploaded. And I couldn't find a way to re-order the photos after they were saved. Not great because it's important that the set I created be viewed in a specific order, especially if viewed as a slideshow. But I got the job done.

You've probably realized by now that I'm as much about having fun as I am about learning new skills with "23 Things". My Flickr project was no exception. So, I'd like to introduce you to Vince:

Most people don't realize that the Travelocity Gnome has a brother (Vincent), and that he lives in Saskatchewan. But it's true. And while his more famous sibling is known as a globe trotter, Vincent is a bit shy and prefers to explore interesting destinations closer to home. I've posted some photos of one of his daytrips on Flickr. Please enjoy!

Update on Activity of Local Library Ghost    

As recently reported by one of our Caretakers....

This gentleman is a been employed as a caretaker in this building for many years and as become familiar with the strange sounds the eminate from the stacks late at night when the Library is cloaked in darkness. He and his colleagues also commonly experience chilling draughts and the sensation of being touched by invisible hands. He says it makes the hair stand up on the back of his neck, but he has become accustomed to these occurances over the years and has overcome the urge to flee when they happen. As previously noted, paranormal activity in this Branch has always been confined to the stacks. However, it seems to be explanding. Caretakers have reported that doors on the main floor have begun to inexplicably open and close by themselves and some individuals have had the sensation of being pushed or having another body brush past them when they are all alone in the staff work area.

Just a theory....perhaps all of this new activity can be attributed to the fact that certain Library staff have recently become fascinated by the possibility that our Branch may be inhabited by spirits of those who have passed on in a nearby medical facility. Maybe they are trying to convey that, yes, they really do exist! As I said...just a theory.

 
BOO!

For this entry I have the pleasure of being able to combine "Thing 9" with more ghostly endeavours. As well, to fulfill "Thing 10" I added an RSS feed to podcasts of my all-time favourite radio program (Vinyl Cafe Stories) to my blog. If your in need of a good, therapeutic laugh, I would highly recommend that you listen to some of these programs.

One of my favourite television programs is Most Haunted. It is a weekly documentary in which paranormal investigators visit (most often under cover of darkness) locations throughout Europe that are believed to be haunted. Often these British Ghostbusters fail to turn up any evidence, but when they do...well, I've seen a couple of episodes that just might convert the most staunch nonbeliever.

To my knowledge, only one segment of the program has ever been filmed in (you guessed it!) a Library - the Dartford Borough Museum and Library in Dartford, Kent, England.

This lovely old building was constructed in the 19th century and has a long and diverse history. Over the decades, it has served as a family home, a bank, and a Second World War air raid watchpost, to name but a few of it's roles. Its current incarnation as a district Library was made possible in 1916 through a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Please put on your headphones, turn up your speakers and enjoy the following clip. I think our phantom must have been a Reference Librarian in a former life. What do you think?

  

  

Wow! That Prezi exercise was a challenge! But I'm pleased with the final results. One more "Thing" under my belt. I completed the Google Docs and Spreadsheets exercise quite awhile ago. Thought they were neat and a good alternative to Microsoft.

I've always loved baroque music and lately I've been teaching myself to play the recorder. I was one of those kids who missed that in my elementary school music curriculum and, being a flute player, I felt that I had missed an important piece of my woodwinds education.

For those of you that don't know, recorders come in all shapes and sizes...From the tiny Sopranino...

To the massive Subcontrabass...

Each of which is suited to a different genre of music. If you're curious to learn more and would like to hear a piece of lovely recorder music, here is the link to my Prezi:

http://prezi.com/kxzzwvo0qja-/the-recorder/

The ghost story I've selected for this entry is truly bone-chilling (especially for Library folk).

So don't read this in the dark, don't read this alone, and please don't read it in the Library on a dark and stormy night!

Hmmm...I wonder if this Library is built on low ground?











Just a Sunday Blogger

Sunday seems to be the best day for me to catch up on a few things around the Library and to relax long enough to do some blogging. This could become an enjoyable habit. And judging by the number of Library ghosts that I've uncovered with just a bit of research, I could be blogging long after "23 Things" is officially over.

I'm slowly catching up with my weekly "Thing" assignments and enjoying them thoroughly. This past week it was RSS Feeds and Google Reader. Marvelous inventions! It's great having the information that I regularly look for delivered at one site with no effort on my part. I'm utilizing RSS feeds at home, too. I'm a bit of a yoga nut and visit several yoga blogs on a regular basis but it's a slow process. Living in the country, I'm restricted to dial-up internet, which can be painful at times. What a time saver my Google Reader has become!

And now, without further delay...



This week I thought I would introduce you to a ghostly gal who haunts one of our sister institutions, the Illinois State University Library. Her name is Angeline Milner and she was the first Librarian at Illinois State over 100 years ago. Click on Angie's image below and you'll be taken to her fascinating story.





Putting Myself Out There

Well, I finally registered my blog. Being a fairly private person, it took a fair bit of courage to actually post my first entry. But I decided to have fun with this, so I finally thought "why not" and hit the "Publish Post" button. I am expecting each posting to become a bit less stressful as I become accustomed to having a 'public voice'.

Time will tell if anyone actually every reads my blogs, but as mentioned in my first posting, I plan to introduce readers to a different Library ghost or haunted Library each week. Perhaps others will find these spectral patrons as fascinating as I do and this blog may take on a life of it's own!

This week, may I present for your consideration, the Ghost of the Grey Lady, said to haunt the Willard Public Library in Evansville, Indiana. And she's not a solitary spook, it seems. To quote the fans of the Willard Library website, "According to Para-Vision Investigations, who investigated the Library in October of 2000, there are likely 9 ex-persons haunting those Hallowed Halls (or what Para Vision calls "non biological entities"). Various CamWatchers have reported at least one man, several children - both male and female (one appeared to be a young black boy), and at least 2 different women".

 Yes, Willard Library takes its spectral inhabitants so seriously that it has installed a number of  throughout the Library. Click on the image of the Library above and you'll be taken to their website. So until next week...Happy Ghost-hunting!

Working to Catch Up

Yes, I've been a bit slow to begin, but I hope to make up for lost time.

I signed up for "23 Things" because, while far from being a techie, I do love my computer and I am fascinated by new technology. And, well, in my life-away-from-work, I have little time to explore and learn about what's out there. Would you believe my 25 year old niece just taught me how to send text messages about a month ago? Always wanted to learn...never had the time.

My first project was, of course, setting up my iGoogle page. I found many useful gadgets that may be handy tools on the job. And some fun stuff, too. I love my virtual hamster, but I'm thinking of setting him free. It drives me crazy that the poor little guy is confined to a 2-inch square cage on my desktop. And I'm forever forgetting to feed him! I guess I don't "get" virtual pets. Oh well.

And now for some fun! As an after-hours denizen of an often silent, sometimes eerie U of S Library branch, I've developed an interest in other, less worldly, creatures who may choose to call Libraries home. It's no secret amongst the night-time workers in this building that strange things have been known to happen when the journal stacks are quiet and few witnesses are about. I began to wonder....


To my delight, I have discovered that Library Ghosts are not uncommon. Some are even quite famous. For instance, do you recall the 1984 hit movie "Ghostbusters" starring Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray? The very first ghost they encounter is none other than the deceased New York City librarian Eleanor Twitty, an odd little ghost with an inclination to make piles books in mid air...

...and a tendency to become a bit grumpy when the stacks in disarray!



For for the next few weeks, as I muddle my way through the remainder of my 23 adventures, please join me in a bit scary good fun as we go.