Dr. Drew's Infrequent Blog

Celebrate Sandy Berman Appreciation Month!

2008-08-25T21:26:00.004-10:00

[LIS NEWS] "Jenna Freedman declares the six weeks or so from now until his birthday on October 6, Sandy Berman appreciation month. She's asking for participatiion by sending him cards, flowers, subject heading suggestions, and low fat schnitzel.
Sanford Berman
Room 615 - Bed 2
Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital
6500 Excelsior Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

He'll probably be at the above address for at least a month. While his condition isn't life threatening, it is very serious. He has two broken vertebrae in his neck and secondary injuries from the surgery and will be in a series of body, back and neck braces for some time. But don't feel that you have to know him to write to him. Sandy has long been a friend and mentor to librarians, LIS students, and activists that he's never met.

Further reading:

Sandy was one of many mentors who encouraged me to become a librarian back when I was an undergraduate. He helped me to see that one could make a difference as a librarian, and that it was such an exciting career.

I will put a card on my door from now until October 1st. If you've been touched by his vision or inspired by his life, I encourage you to sign the card and share your appreciation for all that he's done.

Exhibit: Daven Hee @ TCM

2008-06-08T10:38:00.009-10:00

I just wanted to spread the word about an exhibit of works by one of Hawaii's best ceramic artists, Daven Hee, @ The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center (999 Bishop Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813) [Directions/ Map]

The exhibit "Thrown: Ceramics by Daven Hee" and will be on display until 16 September. I haven't seen the exhibit yet, but am looking forward to it. Daven's work always exudes his playful enjoyment of life. You can see how he enjoys working with clay as a medium. I would not normally be so excited about that approach, but he is a real artist. (My favorite pieces still are his wood-fired rice bowls, but it is fun to see the range of his entire work).

In terms of background, Daven is from Hawai'i, but early on was recognized by Toshiko Takaezu and others. They encouraged by to find his own direction, and helped him study outside Hawai'i. He has a Master's in Ceramic Arts from the Australian National University. He used to teach at UH Manoa, but has since been recruited by the Mid-Pacific Institute.

The photo above is from this year's Raku Ho‘olaule‘a [more photos at the Hawaii Ceramic Arts group on flickr].

Discovering Treasures in the Charlot Collection: Using Artist’s Papers for Research

2008-04-18T00:23:00.003-10:00

Presentation by Bron Solyom, Curator of the Jean Charlot Collection, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa Library

Friday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.

Hamilton Library, Eugene Yap Room (A153)

Free and open to the general public.

Ariel Zúñiga, a researcher from Mexico and son of the famous artist Francisco Zúñiga, arrived at the Charlot Collection seeking information about another well-known Mexican artist, Emilio Amero. He was skeptical, not expecting to find much that he did not already know. Curator Bron Solyom will describe their surprising voyage of discovery and show the treasures they uncovered. As a collection of artist’s papers—the documentary and archival resources and artworks that contribute to our understanding of an artist’s life, work and associations—the Charlot Collection is exceptional for its size and depth, as well as the fact that it continues to evolve with a program of on-going acquisitions. It is an outstanding example of the value of preserving artists’ papers, a role that the Collection is undertaking with the initiation of the Archive of Hawai‘i Artists.

This presentation accompanies an exhibition, Image and Word: Jean Charlot and the Way of the Cross, to be held in the Hamilton Library Bridge Gallery through June 15. Throughout his life, Charlot revisited this subject many times in ink and paint, although like the rest of his liturgical art it is one of the lesser known aspects of his work

ArtMania 08

2008-04-04T01:02:00.001-10:00

From an e-mail:

You are invited to ArtMania, a lively and fun-filled free arts event at the Art Building, University of Hawai'i at Manoa on Sunday, April 6 from noon to 5 p.m.

This first-time art event, conceived and organized by graduate art students from the Department of Art and Art History, showcases studio demonstrations, live music, performances, fashion shows, sales of student and faculty artwork and t-shirts, and food for purchase by Papa Luck's, a popular campus food vendor. The event aims to develop community awareness and interest in the department's work and to raise funds to support the annual BFA and graduate student exhibitions.

Demonstrations include: ceramics, wheel-throwing and raku, glass blowing, live drawing and painting, bronze casting, printmaking, mold-making, indigo dying, paper-making, digital loom weaving, kinetic sculpture, and Hoyt's Karaoke Hut.

Performances include experimental dance by ruinedmap dance company, performance art, a fashion show by Stylus Honolulu, and music by the Shuji, Shingo and Tommy Band and 3rd Floor. Video art and art history poster sessions are also scheduled.

In addition, for a nominal fee visitors can participate in interactive art activities such as creating their own sun prints, indigo dying, and screen printing their own t-shirts (bring a light-colored shirt or purchase one on site).

Exhibitions include "The Commodity of Exchange: Prints from the Charles Cohan Collection;" Rick Holland's MFA thesis exhibition; graphic design exhibition; and an exhibition and sales of works by students and faculty.

A map and schedule of activities and performances will be available at http://www.hawaii.edu/art/artmania/.

We look forward to seeing you and your friends and family at ArtMania!

This was a fun event last year.

Bashofu, Japan’s Mingei Movement, and the Creation of a New Okinawa

2008-03-21T01:10:00.002-10:00

Bashofu, Japan’s Mingei Movement, and the Creation of a New Okinawa During the Occupation Years (1945-1972) By Dr. Amanda Mayer Stinchecum

Date: Monday, March 31, 2008
Time: 3:00-4:30 PM
Place: Tokioka Room (Moore 319)

From the time of his first visit to Okinawa in 1938, Yanagi Sōetsu, founder of Japan’s Folk Craft (Mingei) Movement, promoted an image of bashōfu (cloth made from the fiber-banana) as emblematic of an essentialized, idyllic and homogeneous Okinawan culture. Yanagi’s view of Okinawa as a “tropical country,” a southern island paradise, became the theme of the islands’ budding tourism industry after Japan’s surrender in 1945. Since the sixteenth century, bashōfu has clothed the people of the Ryukyu islands, from Ryukyu’s kings to its poorest villagers. The cloth is still worn for local celebrations in which Okinawans assert their own identity as “simple island people.” Bashōfu has become an emblem of that identity. Kijoka bashōfu, today purchased primarily by Mainland Japanese collectors, was designated by the Japanese government as an “Important Intangible Cultural Property” in 1974, through the intervention of Yanagi Sōetsu and his colleagues. The Mingei view of Okinawa has shaped an image of the islands that came to be held by both Okinawans and Mainland Japanese.

Dr. Stinchecum is an independent scholar specializing in the history of Ryukyu/Okinawa through the medium of textile production, use, and meaning. She is currently engaged in a study of a simple cotton sash made only in the Yaeyama islands of southern Okinawa. The history of minsaa reflects social, political, economic, and cultural changes in Yaeyama over the past one hundred forty years.

CJS seminars are free and open to the public. For more information about CJS seminars, visit our website. For disability access, please contact the Center at 956-2665 or cjs@hawaii.edu

Saving Hawaii's Maps: The WONDERS of Paper Conservation

2008-03-14T17:21:00.003-10:00

UHM Hamilton Library

19 March 2008
5:30 --7:30 p.m.

Presentation Archives Reading Rm. A-550

Kyle Hamada, UHM Preservation Dept: Can do!
Angelica Anguiano, UHM Preservation Dept: From Manoa Mud to Amazing Maps
J. Franklin Mowery, Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library: Leaf-Casting

PLUS all-star panel of visiting specialists:
Elena Amodei, Palazzo Spinelli Art Restoration Institute
Sonia Jor dan-Mowery, Johns Hopkins University
Kirk Lively, BELFOR USA
Peter Mecklenburg, MuseuM Services Corporation
Gary Menges, University of Washington Libraries
Barclay Ogden, University of California Berkeley
Linda Ogden, Paper Conservator, Berkeley
Jesus Sanchez, Bookbinder, Hilo.

ALSO: Open-house Preservation Department Rm. A-552
On-campus parking $3.00 after 4:30 p.m.

100th/442nd RCT Exhibit: Honoring the Legacy

2008-03-11T01:02:00.009-10:00

KCC Cybrarian Shari Tamaashiro passed on info about an upcoming 442nd RCT EXHIBIT

Kapiolani Community College Lama Library
March 24, 2008 to April 17, 2008

From March 24 to April 17, 2008, KCC Library will be presenting an exhibit honoring the 100th/442nd RCT. It also commemorates their 65th anniversary. The exhibit will feature artifacts and memorabilia from the 442nd Veterans Club Archive and Learning Center, as well as special displays on the 442nd Antitank Company, 232nd Combat Engineers, 442nd Medics, and 522nd Artillery. Additionally, the exhibit will contain a historical review and stories featuring the men of the 100th/442nd.

Lama Library Hours:
March 24 – March 28: 8 am – 4 pm
March 31 - April 17: 7:30 am – 7 pm (M-TH), 7:30 am – 4 pm (Fridays). Closed Saturday and Sunday.

PRESERVING AND SHARING THE LEGACY CELEBRATION
March 28, 2008

2 pm - 4 pm - Reception for nisei veterans. Come see the exhibit and learn how the Hawaii nisei legacy is being preserved and shared using digital storytelling.

RSVP to Shari Tamashiro at 808.734.9562 or by March 24th. Parking instructions will be provided. Please indicate if handicap accommodations are required. [Map]

Successive generations have no framework for the stories of their grandparents; they have difficulty understanding the meaning and relevance of these personal narratives. Digital storytelling seeks to connect the past to the future, by providing a framework for successive generations to better understand the stories of the past.

The Hawaii Nisei Story, a Web-based exploration of the experiences of local Americans of Japanese Ancestry leading up to, during and following the Second World War, is an example of digital storytelling.

It comprises the life stories of Hawaii-born Nisei veterans. Some well-known, some less so, these stories – drawn from oral interviews with veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd RCT, the 1399th Engin6eering Construction Battalion, the Military Intelligence Service and the Varsity Victory Volunteers – are deepened, complemented and complicated by the seldom heard stories of the veterans' wives and families.

5 pm – PANEL DISCUSSION: Hear from the veterans themselves. Moderator: Ted T. Tsukiyama

This panel discussion with 100th/442nd RCT veterans will cover their experiences from the attack on Pearl Harbor to their return home. Hear their stories and meet these heroes. Panelists include: Genro Kashiwa, Bert Nishimura, Ron Oba and Don Shimazu.

7:30 pm – HONORING THE LEGACY: Award-winning storyteller Alton Takiyama-Chung performs a tribute to the 442nd RCT. http://www.altonchung.com/

Coming off of his sold-out, standing room only show "Okage Sama De" (I am what I am, because of you), Alton Chung returns home to perform a tribute to the 442nd RCT. Alton gives voice to the stories of the men of the 100th/442nd in a mesmerizing performance. Alton will also be performing at KapiolaniCC on April 3, 2008 at 11:30 am.

Come hear and meet ALA President Loriene Roy

2008-02-13T08:54:00.011-10:00

The Hawai'i Library Association, University of Hawaii LIS Program, and UH ALA Student Chapter invite you to come hear and meet ALA President Dr. Loriene Roy.

The title of her talk is "An ALA Presidential Year: Service with an Indigenous Perspective" Dr. Roy is the first Native American President of the American Library Association. Some of you will remember that she kicked off her presidential campaign at the HLA Conference in Hawaii.

Beyond being the president of the world's oldest professional association of librarians -- with over 60,000 members -- Dr. Roy is a Professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Information and a fantastic researcher and storyteller.

The program will take place at the School of Architecture Auditorium (2410 Campus Road). A reception sponsored by the HLA and run by the ALA Student Chapter will follow the program. Analu Josephides will greet Dr. Roy with an Oli. She will also be welcomed by UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

Volunteering as a Librarian in Africa

2008-01-01T22:29:00.000-10:00

A few weeks ago I received a voice mail from Nancy Westcott (former UH Manoa Law Librarian) who wondered if any of our students would be interested in volunteering to assist with library development in Eritrea and other parts of Africa with a group called the The One Tribe Foundation

She later wrote that:

One Tribe was founded by Dr. Paul Comstock as a nonprofit organization "that leads the people, particularly the women and children of developing countries to health education, social services, financial stability through education and micro-credit loans, and ultimately, sustainability and independence." At the present time, there is a working relationship with the Minister of Health and other partners in the African country of Eritrea. The teams are working presently in the capital of Asmara.

Apparently, the One Tribe book project "has 60,000 library and text books that will be shipped to Eritrea, and a system is being established for a continuous program. The books will be inventoried, sorted and distributed to various schools in Asmara. The project is at the very beginning, so One Tribe is recruiting any interested volunteers with library experience. The plan is to have two MLS librarians or one librarian and a library paraprofessional."

I'll be honest and admit that one initial reaction was that Eritrea recently had a few major border conflicts since independence... but Nancy said it is calm now. My other thought was recalling the envy and respect I had for some teachers who had done Peace Corps work in LDCs during the optimistic period of JFK and early LBJ ("My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."). That seemed like a very different generation when I grew up. In my case I knew it wasn't an option since I could not afford to defray Student Loans and the like. There were even times when it seemed as if Reagan would cut the Peace Corps altogether.

In any case, I am happy to post this here in case any of you can afford to consider this. Nancy explained that the Foundation might be able to help with airfare if a student / graduate would be able to spend some considerable time there.

HoloHolo Review

2008-01-01T22:24:00.001-10:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions (for 2006, 2007..) was to upload reviews my LIS 615 students wrote for our HoloHolo Review. I had uploaded a few, but then was going to implement some changes kindly created by alumni Moses G, Mona K, and Mysti L. using a CSS and a new design. Alas, I never made the time to get it all up. This New Year's I decided to just create a wiki on Wet Paint, so please feel free to visit:

http://holoholoreview.wetpaint.com/

Let me know if you want to get an account to add reviews or modify your review, or add your own "About the Reviewer."

Propaganda, Orwell, Libraries and Open Society

2007-12-29T00:52:00.001-10:00

WHAT ORWELL DIDN'T KNOW: Propaganda and the New Face of American Politics Ed. by Andras SZANTO (New York: PublicAffairs Press, 2007) ISBN 13: 978-1-58648-560-3. $14.95 PA.

I rarely turn on the TV these days -- except to watch a video or the like -- but a few days ago I caught part of a very interesting mini-conference at the New York Public Library. The conference took place back in November -- one month before the 2008 election -- and 60 years after Orwell published his essay, Politics and the English Language.

I only caught one panel from the conference on [CSPAN]

PROPAGANDA THEN AND NOW: WHAT ORWELL DID AND DIDN'T KNOW
Moderator: Orville Schell; Panelists: Konstanty Gebert, Warsaw-based former Solidarity activist; columnist and international reporter, Gazeta Wyborcza · Masha Gessen, Moscow-based author and journalist; contributor to The New York Times, The New Republic, and US News & World Report · Jack Miles, senior fellow for religious affairs, Pacific Council on International Policy; distinguished professor of English and religious studies, UC Irvine · George Soros, chair of Soros Fund Management LLC; philanthropist and author

The talks by Soros, Schell, and Gebert were excellent. I will probably show Soros' talk in my Collection Management class. [You can read much of that talk online, although the Epilogue to the book is better]. Soros makes a good case on how American political discourse is no longer an honest discussion of ideas, but rather an effort to emotionally sway the public and influence not what people know, but how they feel. He calls for the public to stop politicians from using Newspeak. He said that whenever a politician uses Newspeak (like "war on terror" = "war in Iraq") we should do a Reaganeseque "There you go again!"

I rarely quote the Gipper, but could not agree more. Soros also called for the media and general public to demand a new set of ground rules on politics in order to return it to a cognitive discussion on policy:

...The cognitive function in political discourse cannot be taken for granted. It can be ensured only by an electorate that respects reality and punishes politicians who lie or engage in other forms of deception (197-8).

He also points out that now is an ideal time since the public is so aware of the real costs of how deception got us into our current political mess. Yes!

The conference celebrated the launch of the book, What Orwell Didn't Know. After watching the panel, I had to go get the book. Although some of the chapters were frankly somewhat uneven, I think it is an important volume for librarians and the general public, especially the Second Part (Symbols & Battlegrounds), Third Part (Media & Message), and Epilogue. It is too late at night to write a review, and I have too much to do, but I hope that this book makes it to readers in this important election year.

On Libraries
The book has been out for two months, but is not in a single public or academic library in Hawaii, and is only in 90 libraries according to OCLC. The book was published on 5 November 2007, and I am writing this on 29 December. I don't mean to say that this is the most important book of the year, but it is a very sad reflection on the impact of how library budgets are being crunched by many forces, including a decrease in public support. This takes a huge toll on book budgets, which are so important to making a public commitment to studying politics. Databases and serials are certainly important too, but many ideas are complex, and are best communicated in a book.

Personal Memories of Reading Orwell and Dystopian Fiction
This book and the conference really hit home with me for a few reasons, which probably explains my enthusiasm for the project. Of course, some reasons include that I teach Library Studies, do research on publishing, and am very committed to strengthening public discourse for American democracy. (I know this sounds absurd on a blog... but allow me to ramble). The other reason is that I was sort of obsessed with Orwell for years when I was in high school and an undergraduate. Of course everyone in school had to read Animal Farm and 1984. I remember both being taught basically as anti-Communist parables. I can't remember what it was that helped me to later understand that Orwell wrote 1984 as a warning of what democracies could become. After that I discovered his Homage to Catalonia, which retells of the betrayal of the Spanish Republic, which he observed firsthand. I became obsessed with the Spanish Civil War, which was a trial run for Hitler's and Mussolini's Fascist expansion in Europe. Later, I recall devouring Orwell's COMPLETE WORKS as well as some interesting biographies on him as well.

I also was obsessed with reading other dystopian (anti-Utopian) novels, like Brave New World (Huxley), We (Zamaytin), 1985 (Burgess), Handmaid's Tale (Atwood), Fahrenheit 451 (Bradbury). It sounds kind of depressing, and it probably was to some extent along with Hesse, Kafka..., especially when you compare it with the wider time in the late 80s, which can be typified by the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Despite living comfortably in the Midwest, these books seemed real to me since I had a good friend who told me countless surreal stories of life in the Soviet Union.

Of course, my growing up Jewish was very important in all this. Ever since the 4th Grade I spent hours trying to understand the Holocaust. I devoured every book in my elementary school library on the war, and then read a good deal of the many books on the Holocaust in my public library, as well as the library at my temple and the Hebrew school I attended a few afternoons a week. I became really frustrated because I never could answer how it happened. Don't forget that Hitler came to power during the Weimar democracy (which is key in Orwell's mind back in 1948). I still don't have a good answer, but much of the National Socialists' "success" can be attributed to censorship (direct and indirect) and advances in propaganda. The other key is that so many people went along with the NAZI policies. [One can debate the findings of Hitler's Willing Executioners, but there were many levels of cooperating with NAZI policies... (As a related aside, America also has blood on its hands for refusing to allow many refugees to seek shelter here, but that is another story, and it is late)].

It is depressing to reflect on all this after Darfur (getting worse), Yugoslavia, and Rwanda, but that is the point. We librarians as intellectuals and citizens must not turn our heads from such depressing news. Materials on the war (especially the underside of the war), genocide, and the like won't get lots of advertising or free PR in the mainstream media, so they probably won't fly off the shelves, but we have a social responsibility to contribute to intelligent discourse on critical questions facing this country, such as what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and what kind of future we want for America and the world.

On that note, I wish you a Happy New Year.

Continuing the Discussion: Hiring for HSPLS

2007-12-23T12:59:00.002-10:00

[I've received several encouraging comments from recent alumni regarding the excerpted quote in this week's Advertiser article (see below), but also might have ruffled some feathers along the way without intending to do so. Outgoing State Librarian Jo Ann Schindler kindly sent me a copy of her Letter to the Editor, and also gave me permission to share them here on my personal blog.]

To: Stephen J. Downes, Deputy Editorial and Opinion Editor, Honolulu Advertiser
From: Jo Ann Schindler, State Librarian
Subject: Advertiser Article "Hawaii libraries face challenges ahead" 071219
Date: December 22, 2007

Dear Stephen:

Thank you very much for the Advertiser’s interest in the Hawaii State Public Library System’s (HSPLS) challenges and initiatives to improve services and collections for the public. I appreciated and enjoyed our discussion yesterday afternoon.

I thought I would clarify two matters which I did not address adequately yesterday.

The 82 or so vacancies, which we update the Board of Education about each month, are not the same vacancies from month to month. For example, on December 6, 2007, I reported the following to the Board:

“As of November 30, 2007, after filling 340 vacancies since April 2003, our initial 70 vacancies stood at 82 out of 583 positions (557.55 FTE). Fourteen of the vacancies are librarian positions. Approximately 63 recruitments are currently in progress. One hundred fifty eight employees have been recruited from outside HSPLS. With the help of DHRD and the UH Library and Information Science program, HSPLS has decreased its vacancy count from a high of 135 vacancies in August 2004.”

As you can see, while we started out with 70 vacancies in April 2003 and ended with 82 on November 30th, we actually filled 340 vacancies in the process. Of these 340, we attracted 158 new employees from outside HSPLS. Since vacancies are open to internal applicants first, we usually experience a domino-effect, as staff apply for and successfully move from one HSPLS position to another. Each successful recruitment leaves new pukas in the system, until we finally recruit externally and can bring in brand new staff from outside. All the while, staff (like me) continue to retire due to boomer demographics or otherwise leave the system, so it is a constant challenge to keep our heads above water, in terms of vacancies.

On a second related matter, we have been long indebted to the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) for its ongoing help. DHRD’s Directors and staff have been concerned about HSPLS’ vacancy situation and extremely supportive in their efforts to attract both local library school graduates and experienced mainland librarians to fill HSPLS’ vacancies. DHRD has adjusted recruitment periods to align with UH LIS’ graduation dates, have scheduled open recruitments for shortage categories of library vacancies, and conducted an extraordinary promotional campaign to attract library school students. This effort featured very attractive recruitment posters and brochures with photographs of recent graduates who were employed by HSPLS. An application package, complete with application forms, instructions and tips, an invitation to apply from me, and quotes from new graduates about their experiences working in public libraries, were put into the hands of every student. A similar web-based promotion was developed for experienced local and mainland candidates.

HSPLS administrators and staff were very distressed that the front page December 19th article about Hawaii’s libraries painted an uncomplimentary and inaccurate picture of HSPLS’ relationship with DHRD. We are very grateful for DHRD’s efforts and support over many years. We, and I’m sure they, would certainly like to see recruitment times shortened, and it is our hope that this will be accomplished. However, as we know from our own experience in the library world, external mandates and internal requirements, such as reference checks, are sometimes imposed which add on time and effort, but which are necessary to avoid more serious problems down the road.

Thank you very much for this opportunity to share these thoughts with you.

Aloha,

Jo Ann

I responded to her with the following:

Dear Jo Ann:

Thank you for kindly sharing your letter to the Advertiser with me.

I hope that my comments regarding recruitment did not step on toes vis-a-vis your relations with DHRD. I am sorry that I did not realize that the recruitment poster was by DHRD rather than the HSPLS PR office. I knew that campaign was a major advance, especially after the hiring freeze years. In my quoted comments, I was voicing the frustrations of some good alumni who were unable to secure a permanent position as well as comments from HSPLS professionals who shared with me their frustration that they could not hire because of problems with the List.

I'd be happy to meet with you or Richard and anyone from DHRD if there is anything the LIS Program could do to assist with this process. We in the LIS Program are working on a recruitment campaign too, and will appreciate the help of HSPLS in distributing fliers and posters to the branches. We are also trying to improve our distance education offerings so we could better serve current and potential students on neighbor islands. We realize that positions on neighbor islands are often the hardest to fill.

I've also been meaning to say thank you for all of your efforts and work together. You've made some real advances for libraries in the state, including the start of a statewide discussion on digital libraries (when you brought the OCLC team). I also appreciate your active participation in the LIS Advisory Group. You helped greatly to improve ties between HSPLS and LIS, for which we are most grateful.

I am sorry that we were unable to send an official delegation to a reception honoring your retirement, but haven't heard a date for any event. My point is that we really do appreciate all you've done.

I regret that I'll also be unable to attend Richard's reception since I'll be at ALA/ ALISE in Philadelphia, but hope some colleagues will be able to represent LIS in order to show our warm feelings towards our friends in the HSPLS.

Thank you again for all you've done.

Yours with Aloha,

Andrew

[I corrected my previous post, since I did not realize that the poster and brochure were created by DHRD. We do value our warm relations between the HSPLS and the LIS Program. Dr. Harada and I are working on a recruitment campaign also, to help bring more future public librarians to the LIS Program. It is good to be able to have an open discussion concerning this question since educating LIS professionals is key to both of our futures -- in order to best serve Hawaii's future library / information needs.]

"Challenges Ahead for Libraries"

2007-12-19T09:37:00.001-10:00

There was an interesting front-page article in this morning's Honolulu Advertiser about the agenda of incoming State Librarian Richard Burns.

I was very pleased to see that recruitment will continue to be a key item on Burns' agenda. I had a very encouraging, pleasant talk with Burns at this year's HLA conference about this and other topics. The article's graphic box highlights the huge number of impending retirements, which will be a huge challenge for the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS).

As the article makes clear, outgoing State Librarian Jo Ann Schindler (left) also made an important push in this direction, launching a recruitment campaign (see their poster below) in order to start the recovery from the dark days of the hiring freeze.

[UPDATE: Jo Ann Schindler e-mailed me on 12/22/07 that this poster and other recruitment materials were actually created by DHRD.]

On the other hand, after the campaign ended many graduates of our LIS Program ended up in temporary positions -- without benefits or job security. I truly hope that the HSPLS will be allowed some autonomy in hiring because the DHRD (state personnel) system caused some real problems in that we had good graduates wanting positions, and the HSPLS had positions needing to be filled. There was a lot of anxiety about who made "the List," and who got left out by small problems, such as not checking "Willing to do shift work" on a form. Such mistakes caused some people to not make the List, which was only open about once a year. That is a long time to wait for people who invested two years in a Master's degree, and were being courted elsewhere by employers interested in UH's quality, diverse graduates.

The LIS Program tried to work with HSPLS to overcome the situation by bringi ng in Hawaii State Library Director, Florence Yee, to discuss the hiring system.

We hoped this helped our grads and HSPLS avoid many problems with the List, but it was frustrating to hear and read stories like the experience of Annie Thomas, (ALA Student Chapter Newsletter, p. 3+) [PDF] in temporary or other positions for over a year. The good news is that Annie and many others are now in full time positions with HSPLS. The system has to be improved if they won't lose good librarians. I'm thrilled that Burns will work with DHRD on this.

I think Burns' other agenda points are also very important, such as improving service to many areas, including several where libraries could make a real difference in terms of improving literacy and school performance. It is also terribly important to make a real commitment to improving the system's 24/7 online offerings. This does not only mean bandwidth, but should also mean working on local content with partners in the State Archives, UH System, School Library Services and others to create digital libraries to provide access and preserve Hawaii's cultural heritage. We in LIS Program would love to be a part of this endeavor.

I've heard only good things about Burns, so I am very pleased that the Board of Education selected him. It says a lot to hire people like Burns and Schindler, who have worked their way up the system, and are familiar with people here and our diverse culture. The state will loose a lot of strategic intelligence and connections with the upcoming retirements of Schindler, Yee, and many others. HSPLS and DHRD will have to continue to work not only on recruiting new

librarians, but also on how to mentor and reward future leaders.

We in the UH LIS Program value our warn relationship with the HSPLS, and look forward to continuing this in the future. Richard Burns wants to continue to this, and has already agreed to join our Advisory Board.

I should point out that in addition to Loren Moreno's fine article, there also is a nice piece in the Hawaii Section announcing that Governor Linda Lingle has agreed to release $3.8 million to continue to provide service to Manoa residents while the Manoa Public Library is being replaced. I'm on the Board of the Friends of the Manoa Public Library, so I am partial to this. It is exciting to see plans develop, including cooperation between the DAGS, HSPLS, and Manoa community to make it a library that is environmentally sound (LEED standard) and matches the architectual sense of community.

Many of Hawaii's libraries were built around the time of statehood -- when we could receive federal Library Services and Construction Act funding (back in the heyday of LBJ's "War on Poverty"). It should be no surprise that many of these buildings are in need of serious repair or replacement. It will be exciting to see how HSPLS and DAGS handle the Manoa Public Library, and what lessons we can learn in terms of continuing to provide service during construction.

There really is a lot to be thankful about now.

Honolulu Printmakers Sale

2007-11-24T21:52:00.001-10:00

You still have 7 hours of print shopping possibilities on Sunday. The Honolulu Printmakers benefit sale continues on Sunday (25 November) from 10 am to 5 pm at the Academy Art Center at Linekona. It is a great way to support local the art scene, and get some great prints.

When I first came to Hawaii I was really overwhelmed by the kitsch masquerading as art in galleries. The image of "neon dolphins" comes to mind as an example. It was really revealing to check out the Hawaii State Art Museum (free!) (next to Iolani Palace) and to discover some of the diverse art created here.

A "Multinational Force" of One

2007-11-24T21:11:00.001-10:00

Do you remember Bush's rhetoric about "our" occupation of Iraq being part of a major Multi-National Force, which he called the "coalition of the willing"? Pretty much everyone in the world is calling the Occupation of Iraq a foreign policy disaster. The few governments that fought public opinion in order to "stay the course" are now paying the price by being thrown out of office by voters.

Just this weekend, Australia elected a Labor government, which has pledged to withdraw from Iraq in 2008
Poland's new Prime Minister has vowed to do the same.
South Korea is expected to bring home its forces next year.
U.K. Prime Minister Brown will continue to cut force down to 2,500 next year. Even Bush-friend former-PM Blair said that the invasion and occupation had “so far been pretty much of a disaster.”

American voters realized this too, which is why we voted for change in 2006. It is well past time for Congress to bring the troops home, and end this unwanted occupation.

On a somewhat related note, as much as I'd like to support a female presidential campaign, I am not going to vote for a Presidential candidate unless she/ he is fully committed to ending this war, and establishing some investigation as to the roots of this war. This means that I cannot vote for Hillary unless she admits that her vote to authorize war powers was a mistake. The next occupant of the White House will need to do some major spring cleaning in Washington in order to regain moral authority. Failure to accept responsibility now, will make it impossible for her to launch a real investigation and dramatic change of policy.

Mahalo Dr. Michael Stephens

2007-11-14T23:32:00.001-10:00

We had a special guest in the LIS Program today. Dr. Michael Stephens is Assistant Professor at Dominican University's Graduate School of LIS, and creator of the well-read blog Tame the Web, as well as an author of many works on works on 2.0 web librarianship.

Bilger 319 was full of LIS 653 students and others who came to catch up with his take on the cutting edge of social networking as it relates to libraries. Alice Tran and I both videotaped the lecture. We'll try to edit our tapes and upload one to the LIS website, so that other students on Oahu and neighbor islands can also enjoy his comments.

I was going to e-mail a PDF of his PowerPoint slides to everyone via LIS-STU, but it is too large to e-mail as an attachment. I'll have copies available in the LIS Office on Friday afternoon in case you want to try out his links and references over the Thanksgiving holiday. Neighbor island students, please e-mail me if you want a copy mailed to you. I also tried GoogleDocs, but it does not support PDF.

This will be our first time to upload video to the LIS website, so it is pretty exciting. Please give us some time to make it happen.

I just re-read Michael's CV, and was surprised to find that we both received our MLS from Indiana University in 1995. I took my classes at Bloomington, while he took many at IU-South Bend, so I am not sure if we ever crossed paths. We have a few IU SLIS alumni at UH. Professors Knuth and Quiroga also received their Ph.D. there. Indiana University emphasized IT when we were in school, so it is no surprise that it also was where Libraryman (aka Michael Porter) also received his MLS there four years later.

It was an interesting time to be at IU. The dean dramatically shifted resources from education for future librarians (which most of the students wanted to become) to exploring the cutting edge of Information Technology/ Information Science. Some faculty introduced interesting new ideas, but it was rather hard for those of us in this transition period to bridge ideas like museum semiotics with professional practice, especially when new faculty taught core classes. Some faculty members did not have any understanding or appreciation of libraries that could have made that possible. I was frustrated because I wanted to study with three faculty members who had either retired or were encouraged to leave (Kaser, Passet, and Serebnick). It might seem funny to people today, but this was before the growth of the web, so I only learned about such faculty changes from the school's semi-annual printed bulletin. (Just to date this, I recall learning about Gophers, "fingering someone," and mastering basic HTML in Dr. Rosenbaum's course). I have many more memories (Professors Fitzgibbons, Nisonger, Shaw, Silver... and the final semesters of Abrera, Harter, and Whitbeck). I am tempted to write more, but my e-mail and work awaits.

Michael, thanks so much for agreeing to talk with our students. I can see that you sparked a lot of interest and questions. Thanks also UHM ALA Student Chapter for arranging the visit (Eric, intro; Mary Louise, lei), and UH Librarian/ HLA conference maven David Brier for helping to make this possible.

War Update: The Cost/ Watada/ Protest/ Iran

2007-11-13T00:43:00.001-10:00

Nobody likes it when someone rants about anything, but I really can't stay quiet about this war. People are dying (Iraqi and American).

I just wanted to pass on a few links/ items about our war in Iraq:

Did you read the report that the war is costing the typical family of four $20,000?! That could have been a lot of school lunches, New Orleans homes, or money in our pocket. No wonder the dollar is tanking.
I was pleased that U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle issued a preliminary injunction against Lt. Ehren Watada's court martial trial. Lt. Watada is a hero in my book for having the moral courage to resist this war.
If you have a chance, check out Bill Moyer's journal on "Taking it to the Streets". It is an interesting account of antiwar protest, especially when you consider that he was working for the Kennedy and Johnson administrations during the Vietnam War.
With all of these problems, it is even more amazing how Bush keeps trying to inch us closer to war with Iran. I hope that I am wrong, but it seems just like a repeat of his strategy to have us invade Iraq.
One way to stop this would be to join the Progressive Democrats of Hawaii in their effort to Impeach Bush and Cheney.

Thanks HLA!

2007-11-12T14:29:00.001-10:00

I just wanted to thank David, Vicky, the HLA Board, guest speakers... and everyone for another great HLA annual conference. It was good to see so many friends and colleagues.

It was my first trip to the Garden Isle. It is a beautiful place. I could have taken more photos of the red soil or people, but these are best experienced in person.

Open Letter to the Honolulu Advertiser Editorial Board

2007-11-09T09:58:00.001-10:00

Dear Honolulu Advertiser Editorial Board:

I could not believe your headline this morning: “U.S. has the military means to take on Iran if necessary” (A6). One needn’t be a “moonbat” to realize that the current administration has sent us into an un-winnable war next door in Iraq. Yes, Military Writer Robert Burns pointed out that we may have the technology and firepower to attack Iran. The point is that we don’t have the human resources, intelligence, or long-term policies that could create positive change in the region. Any attack would simply fuel a worsening situation. As a former journalism student, I have to point out that the headline was unforgivable, and the article itself was completely unbalanced.

Many other media outlets engaged in serious reflection on how their lack of critical reporting in the days before the Iraq War contributed to that tragedy. I hope that you will be more careful about ensuring greater balance about such important stories. We need an intelligent and balanced fourth estate to help the nation avoid an even more deadly foreign policy mistake.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Kyoto Poems

2007-11-06T03:40:00.001-10:00

Perhaps the best advice you can give most poets is to not quit the day job. Despite the fact that I once wrote a poem called "If Poets Learned Assertive English," the same advice applies in my case. You will be able to judge for yourself shortly.

I was in Japan again late in October. I was there for a seminar at Doshisha University that celebrated the University of Hawaii Centennial, and Doshisha's long relationship with UH. Doshisha also gave UH System President David McClain an Honorary Doctorate.

It was my first time to hear presentations by Professors Yoshida and Okita and Asato in Japanese. I wish that my Japanese was better, so that I could have understood more.

One of my colleagues also gave a paper, so I was a guest of a guest at this HAWAII WEEK celebration. It was good to be in Kyoto. I regret that I did not have time to see many Kyoto friends, but I had some brief quality time with family and Doshisha colleagues before returning.

The trip also revived my poetry muse. My muse is usually hiding after long days of responding to e-mails, bureaucratic memos, and grading papers... but I was happy it made a brief return. I should not be surprised since Japan and Japanese poetry inspired much of my own love of poetry (from Basho to Sakaki Nanao).

Well, I should get back to those e-mails and memos, so here are the two poems I wrote. I promise not to quit the day job.

Hikari 337

I: Conductor

In the uniform
With the Sakura of modernity
On one shoulder
She bows
And punches tickets
As the Hikari
Slices down the coast
As if dividing urban sprawl
Into cities
Called Japan.

II: Counting Stops
I count the stops
To Kyoto
And dream
Of getting off
Somewhere off the tracks
Like a pottery town
Connecting
Tradition and creativity
Shigaraki or Imbe
Wanting to appreciate
Not just the mass passion
That creaked the Shinkansen
But the individual
Who makes a rice bowl

--- Japan. October 2007.

At the College Guest House

Early morning sounds
Of the city
Wake me up
From jetlagged dreams

I was recalling the beauty
Yesterday
Of moss on a trail
Revealed
By raking
(Sounds and smells of autumn)
and my muse suddenly recovers from years of slumber.

And I understand what inspired Snyder and Corman
Kyoto poets

Helping us to transcend modernity

And then
My mind
Interrupts
The waterfall of dreamy words
And realize
The morning sound
Was
A leaf blower.

--- Doshisha-Amherst Guest House, Kyoto, “Hawaii Week,” October 2007.

I have more Kyoto Photos online. It is an amazing city for photographers. It is such an amazing place of beautiful temples that you really can almost shoot anywhere. I took GB of photos, especially at the Jidai Matsuri, which happened to start only a few blocks from the place I was staying at.

Jazz Friday Downtown: 'TASTE OF THE ARTS'

2007-09-13T19:50:00.001-10:00

Jazz pianist Satomi Yarimizo (seen above) sent out the following announcement:

TWO BIG EVENTS IN DOWNTOWN THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th.

'TASTE OF THE ARTS' - food, wine & jazz festival on NU'UANU AVE.
Outdoor event celebrates the food, wine, art and entertainment of the Arts District.
6 PM - 6:45 PM @ the corner of Nu'uanu Ave. and Hotel St.

The Satomi Jazz Quartet

Reggie Padilla (tenor saxophone)

Jeremy Ward (bass)

Adam Baron (drums)

Satomi Yarimizo (piano)

and New Jass Quartet will perform from 7:15 PM.

Outstanding pianist JACOB KOLLER's concert @ The rRed Elephant 7:30 PM -

Jacob Killor (piano)

Dean Taba (bass)

Darryl Pellegrini (drums)

DeShannon Higa (guest artist on trumpet)

Map and Schedule Online

The 2007 Festival of Resistance

2007-09-04T00:16:00.001-10:00

It has been a busy summer and fall. Now that I am serving as LIS Program Chair my e-mailbox continues to overflow. This is frustrating, but I'm getting the hang of it. I hope that I can be a good chair. I am trying to work on a vision as chair, but also want to make progress on research and the like. I'm also enjoying teaching our first archival seminar.

In other news, the Festival of Resistance will be on campus on Wednesday, (5 Sept.):

Tables and displays will be up between 10am and 2pm. Films will be showing at Hemenway Theatre from 10-12:30, and then again from about 2-4. The forum is scheduled from 12:30 to 1:30 (and may run a little over).

Don't miss the concert and slam poets in the evening beginning at 5pm. The line-up will be Mass Dissent, Golfcart Rebellion, Black Square [as seen above], and then Rob K and his Co-conspirators. The concert was moved from Campus Center to Manoa Gardens, where you can get refreshments. Mass Dissent and Golfcart Rebellion are both punk bands; Black Square is ska. Rob K defies description -- rock-rockabilly-punk-rant? He'll close the show (probably 8-9), and while he may be constrained by a lack of rafters to swing from, we're sure he'll put on an amazing show.

I just read an e-mail that our GWB will be in Oahu on Saturday. I won't be out at Hickam Air Force Base to greet him with an antiwar message, but might try to catch a bit of reggae or antiwar poems. A little but if socially engaged poetry is good for the spirit.

Speaking of poetry, Beat Generation Bookseller / Publisher/ Poet/ Scholar Lawrence Ferlinghetti is the topic of today's Democracy Now. It is an interesting 1-hour long interview.

Most Honorable Son: 17 Sept 2007

2007-06-12T02:39:00.000-10:00

Some of you might recall that I was interviewed for a documentary on Japanese American history, which will show on PBS this year.

I just heard from its producer, Bill Kubota that Most Honorable Son will run on PBS on 17 September at 10 pm (just a few days before the Ken Burns' special series on World War II). Mr. Kubota was kind enough to add that part of my interview will be included... so stay tuned. It is the interesting story of Nebraska Nisei Ben Kuroki. It is an honor to be interviewed in the same film with Gary Okihiro and other Nikkei historians.

A few years ago I had some e-mail and phone discussion with another documentary producer about exploring the possibility of a film on the history of libraries, but this has been my first time to be a historical advisor. It really has been an interesting experience to learn how documentaries come to reality.

Does anyone know someone who might know about Lofts?

2007-06-11T14:42:00.000-10:00

Does anyone know someone who might know something about lofts in Honolulu? We started looking at a few condos here, and have not been terribly impresssed. They are so expensive, and many come with amenities we don't need, like a swimming pool and bowling alley. That means you have to spend a lot on monthly charges beyond paying off the mortgage. Many of these units are chopped into small rooms too.

I read that lofts are legal in the Chinatown area, but I've never seen one for sale. Please let me know if you know of someone who might be able to make some suggestions on how to make this happen. Mahalo.

Friends of the Library of Hawaii 60th Booksale

2007-06-07T18:52:00.000-10:00

"Over 100,000 books will be on display for your shopping pleasure. Show your support for Hawaii's public libraries while you shop this incredible sale full of bargains and discoveries. All profits benefit Hawaii's public libraries."

When: June 29 through July 8, 2007
(closed on July 4th)
Where: McKinley High School Cafeteria

June 29, Members Preview Sale, 5-9pm
June 30, Opening Day, 9am-9pm
July 1, 9am-9pm
July 2, 10am-8pm
July 3, 10am-8pm
July 4, Closed
July 5, 10am-8pm 10% off
July 6, 10am-9pm, 25% off, Local Authors Night!
July 7, 10am-9pm, 50% off
July 8, 9am-2pm, 50 Cents Day

This goes to great things like helping support public libraries and LIS student scholarships. It also is a fun way to add to your own collection.

Bill Moyers on the Recent Postal Rate Hike

2007-05-26T12:50:00.001-10:00

If you have a second, check out Bill Moyers' video commentary on how the recent postal rate hike is harming access to our diverse media -- and also indirectly harming libraries which pay the increasing price. You can hear more about this on Democracy Now or read about it in the Nation, but this is an issue that should unite left and right.

I urge you to act. Click on the link below.

Have a good summer!
Now that classes are over, I go into research hibernation, so please understand if I am slow to reply to your e-mail. I won't be checking my campus phone often either. Thanks for understanding!

Congratulations LIS Graduates!

2007-05-14T01:41:00.000-10:00

May gradingfest continues (sigh), but I wanted to say Congratulations to the class of 2007! I have more photos at flickr.

Changing topics, it was interesting to reflect on the address by the commencement speaker, Dr. B. E. Pruitt. The University of Texas A&M Professor was primarily introduced to the faculty beforehand as a specialist on abstinence education. Interim Chancellor Konan also mentioned that State Senator Gabbard (famous for his anti-same-sex marriage activism) was also attending that day, so I jumped to the conclusion that the presentation probably would be something supporting a neocon moral agenda. The Bush Admin. has spent millions on abstinence education, despite the fact that several studies have challenged its effectiveness. What I did not know was that Professor Pruitt had published government-financed studies which demonstrated they don't work. Even before I learned that (on Monday morning) I was pleased with his presentation. He called for graduates not only to "go forth" -- as usual -- but encouraged them not to be afraid of engaging in the political process. He also encouraged grads to challenge themselves to dialog with people with different political opinions. I could not have agreed more.

OK, that's all for today. Have a great summer everyone!

A Pause for Jazz

2007-05-08T10:42:00.000-10:00

I've been trying to grade today, but I have to take a quick break to encourage you to tune in to some cool New Jass with Justin on Tuesdays from 9am to noon on university station KTUH (90.3 FM). You can audio stream online too if you catch this today.

Justin is in the great group New Jass Quartet, which plays on Tuesdays nights (9 or 10ish-2ish am?) at THIRTYNINEHOTEL in a cool Chinatown loft/ gallery space at 39 Hotel St. in Chinatown.

My other Hawaii favorite jazz group gr00ve.imProV.arTiSts featuring DeShannon Higa is also playing at THIRTYNINEHOTEL on Thursdays. He's also playing on Mondays at another Chinatown spot as Quadpod @ The Dragon Upstairs (1038 Nuuanu, above Hank's Cafe, 8:30pm-) TEL: 526-1411.

I have to update my online jazz guide one of these days. There are many more events at JAZZ MINDS (1661 Kapiolani Boulevard) and all over town. Jazz life in Honolulu is good.

Italian Journalist Carlo Bonini on Junk Intel

2007-05-08T01:18:00.000-10:00

In wartime your enemy is the lies, is the propaganda. No matter if it's the propaganda of your enemies, or if it's the propaganda of your government."--Carlo Bonini on Moyer's Journal

PBS's Moyer's Journal has another fascinating report this week. Moyers interviewed Italian journalist Carlo Bonini, who co-authored the book COLLUSION: INTERNATIONAL ESPIONAGE AND THE WAR ON TERROR. Bonini tells the story of the "junk intelligence" that was the basis of Bush's accusation that Iraq had nuclear material. I can't encourage you enough to check out this brief clip. It is chilling to reflect on the cost of this fabricated rational for the war. If you want more, check out his BUYING THE WAR documentary. This is the kind of investigative journalism we really need. I just did a keyword search of the Honolulu Advertiser online (keywords=Carlo+Bonini), and the only result was an AP sory about Moyer's show. The Star-Bulletin did not have any story using the same search. Sigh.

I hope some of our libraries will get this book as it seems like an important summer read.

---
For those of you who've been waiting for news on Lt. Watada's 2nd Trial, the Court Martial is supposed to begin on the week of 16 July. Senator Akaka had some kind words to say about Ehren recently on Democracy Now.

Graduation & Vann Award Thanks

2007-05-05T01:24:00.000-10:00

I know it sounds corny, but today was one of the happiest days of my professional career. I’m always proud at Graduation Dinners, although it is mixed with a tinge of sadness as I see students transform into graduates. Today we had a large crop of some real future leaders who showed their intelligence, creativity, and kindness while they were in the program.

To be honest though, today was more than that since our ALA Student Chapter presented me with the 2007 Sarah K. Vann Professional Service Award. I felt both very honored, but also quite guilty since there are many professionals here in Hawaii who’ve put in years of service to intellectual freedom and international librarianship. The award is named in honor of LIS Professor Emerita Sarah K. Vann who taught both subjects – and library history -- at the University of Hawaii. I’ve enjoyed meeting with her, and have been inspired by her real internationalism and social responsibility. She’s also so charming.

It is an honor to join to the ranks of Dr. Knuth, Lynn Davis, and Gail Morimoto in this group. Our ALA Student Chapter really makes me so proud too. It really has been a treat to be their advisor over the years. It is fun to see how each group creates its own culture and priorities. They really are so creative and hard working.

I know that some students think that I play favorites among those who are active in various professional groups, but it seems obvious to me that these groups are the leadership factories for all LIS students, and these groups do so much for all students.

At today’s ceremony I was really moved by the beautiful nomination letters that ALA-SC Past President Christine Cipolla read. Service is often a rather thankless task. For university professors this comes after teaching, which comes after research… and service to our professional associations probably falls well below scholarly societies… so this would not be the smartest chart to tenure or fame, but I really believe that it is so important. I’m happy that I see the students also treating service with such seriousness. They really do great things in so many different organizations. It is amazing how many groups run – especially compared to our small student size – compared to other LIS schools.

Well, it is late. Perhaps I should just call it a night. I have a huge pile of papers to grade, but I’m too tired to grade now. It was draining to be the faculty MC tonight.

I’ll miss many of the graduates this year. I suppose I usually feel this way. We’ve all gone through a lot together. I should just say Congratulations to the grads, and thank you again for all of your support.

Graduates, Gail asked me to remind you to send her your updated addresses. Award winners, please sign the paper and send it to her this week. Thanks! And, yes, I uploaded 77 photos from the dinner up to flickr as a set. Sorry some were far from ideal, and that I didn’t get shots of everyone.

Support the Library!

2007-05-02T15:21:00.000-10:00

As you have heard, the UHM Library had a deficit this year which is the direct result of inflation under a flat budget. The librarians need your input. Please take the time to look at: http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/collections_review/sd/

There will be a librarian in the Yap Conference room (A153) of Hamilton Library all day Wednesday, May 2nd, Friday, May 4th, and Tuesday May 8th to answer your questions and listen to your input. This cut will hugely impact the Sciences but will affect everyone who does research. We need to hear from you.

--Kris Anderson, Collection Development Officer, Hamilton Library, 956-2474

Part of the problem is our budget at UH, but there are other issues that are larger in terms of scholarly publishing. I wish we could have a public discussion on tenure and changes in scholarly publishing. Those interested should check out the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) website.

Haruki Murakami on Campus

2007-04-02T10:15:00.000-10:00

For those of you who live in Oahu and loved A Wild Sheep Chase, you might be interested in the following message:

Opening Speaker 2007 Celebrate Reading Festival:
Reading Stories and Writing Stories: A Reading and Talk by Haruki Murakami

Thursday, April 26, 2007, 7:30PM @ Campus Center Ballroom, UHM

Haruki Murakami is one of the most widely translated Japanese novelists, having built an international following with his daringly original fiction. He is best known for the novels Kafka on the Shore (2005) and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1999). His latest short-story collection, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (2006), has been awarded the 2007 Kiriyama Prize.

This event is sponsored by: Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, UHM; College of Languages Linguistics, and Literature, UHM; Bruce Arinaga Distinguished Lecture Series, UH Hawai‘i Literary Arts Council; Mānoa: A Pacific Journal

My First Podcast Interview (Call Me A Luddite)

2007-03-08T23:44:00.000-10:00

I just came across my first podcast interview. Wesley Fryer (Director of Education Advocacy, AT&T-OK; author of the Blog Moving at the Speed of Creativity) interviewed me in one of his weekly podcasts).

Podcast105: Thinking Critically About Library and School Technologies

Fryer was one of the keynote speakers at the 2006 Hawaii Library Association conference. At the start of the interview he mentions that someone in his audience critiqued his talk. "Creativity and Updating Mindware: Hardware and software are not holding us back!" for demonstrating a lot of tech toys, but offering little content. Not surprisingly, I was the critic. On the other hand I tried to balance my critique with praise of his mention of Neil Postman, an education theorist who wrote such influential and highly readable books Amusing Ourselves to Death and Technopoly. He seemed to take my comments in good spirit, and asked to interview me along with another keynote speaker, super-librarian Jessamyn West. I'm not sure how many people will ever listen to this podcast, but it was a pleasure to talk together about ALA and Postman.

Wesley apparently posted the interview in December. He later filed it under "luddite," so maybe I haven't been forgiven. Oh well, I've been called worse things.

That HLA conference was a great chance to dive into Web 2.0 for libraries, but I strongly believe that we need to think carefully about each technological shift and the impact of each decision on society. Wesley's talk was a perfect example. He was a master of communication technology, using Skype, webcams, video and other tools to capture the audience's attention. In my opinion, the problem is that his talk revealed that you can talk with people all over the world for an hour, but never really say much of substance. I certainly don't mind chatting with friends that way, but don't think it should be the future of education. I'm sure Postman would agree!

It reminded me of my friends who were amateur ("ham") radio enthusiasts years ago. They were always excited to could talk with people abroad, but their content was usually limited to the weather or what type of equipment they were using. To me, that got old very quickly, so I only listened to shortwave radio after that (like BBC World Service or Radio France Internationale). These broadcasts were not interactive, but I learned much more from them, and also enjoyed them much more.

The bigger issue obviously is not about how I spent my teenage years listening to shortwave radio, but that we need to reflect on this technological shift, and its socio-economic impact on our fragile democracy. This was very well expressed in Part 3 of the PBS Frontline documentary NEWSWAR, which you can watch online. Check it out!

End the War in Iraq

2007-03-08T21:46:00.000-10:00

I've been busy just keeping up with everyday work these days, so I haven't passed on much political news in some time. Perhaps that might be best, but I can't keep some of the recent days news to myself any longer.

Let me start with the latest news on the Court Martial of Lt. Ehren Watada. Did you read that the Army has decided to retry him again even after the first judge declared a mistrial?! Watada's lawyer argued then that double jeopardy should protect him from a second trial, but the Army is ignoring that and plowing ahead with a second trial. We'll have to see if there really is a thing called military justice.

In other news, you doubtlessly have heard or read that:

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has approved a request for an extra 2,200 military police to support the security drive in Iraq's capital, Baghdad. Speaking to Congress, Mr Gates said the deployment would be in addition to the nearly 24,000 combat troops and support personnel approved by President Bush.(quote from the BBC)

This is despite the Congressional elections, polls, and any common sense.

Since things are so bad, I feel a need to pass on parts of an e-mail newsletter from World Can't Wait/NION announcing the following events:

Wednesday, March 14, 11:30-1:15
Teach-In: "Impeach Bush for War Crimes" UH-Manoa Art Department Auditorium Sponsored by World Can't Wait and NION-Hawai`i

The teach-in will begin with a 27-minute DVD segment of testimony presented at the Bush Crimes Commission in NYC. Witnesses presenting testimony in the video include: Scott Ritter, former UN weapons inspector; Amy Bartholomew, professor of law, Carleton University; Larry Everest, author of Oil, Power & Empire; Dahr Jamail, independent journalist; Jeremy Scahill, writer for The Nation and former correspondent for Democracy Now!; Camilo Mejia, Iraq vet and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War; David Swanson, organizer of Camp Democracy; Dr. Thomas Fasy, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and expert on depleted uranium. This is a powerful DVD that everyone should own. You can purchase a complete set of the DVDs at: Bush Commission for only $20. Or you can pick burned copies at the teach-in for $5.

The teach-in will feature a talk by Ann Wright (former State Dept diplomat and retired Army Reserve Colonel who resigned in opposition to the war in Iraq). Ann was a judge at the Bush Crimes Tribunal, as well as at other war crimes tribunals. She has met with hundreds of veterans of the Iraq War. Since the war in Iraq began she has been speaking at colleges, anti-war rallies, and churches, and is involved in building a grassroots movement to impeach. Check out her article "Blood Diamonds and Blood Oil" dated March 6, 2007 at: Ann Wright. "We're really privileged to have Ann speak at this teach-in at UH-Manoa! Don't miss it!

End the War NOW Rally and March
Meet at Ala Moana Park (Diamond Head end across from Macy's)
Rally at 3pm; March begins at 4pm; Concert immediately after the march

It is crucial that we all join forces and make our voices heard on March 17th, the 4th anniversary of the war on Iraq. On February 15, 2003 millions of us marched against the war on Iraq. We failed to stop it, but we were a powerful international voice of opposition. And while time has proven just how illegal and unjust the war is, and the majority of people are now against it, the war is continuing and [Bush] is now threatening to attack Iran. Once again, we must hit the streets to demand an end to the war in Iraq NOW, and stop plans to attack Iran.

Other events:

Friday, March 9: 2nd in the Mililani Trask Symposium Series. Focuses on the history of the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Richardson School of Law. 4:30-8 pm. Free

Sunday, March 11: 3 pm. 2nd Sunday at Revolution Books.
Special guest author/speaker: Monisha DasGupta
Monisha will speak on her newly published book: Unruly Immigrants: Rights, Activism, and Transnational South Asian Politics in the United States. Monisha teaches in Ethnic Studies and Women's Studies and is also active in the struggle for immigrant rights and against the war. For more info: 944-3106

Sunday, March 11: 4 pm. Lecture by Sister Helen Prejean
Mystic Rose Chapel, Chaminade University
A free public lecture by Sister Helen Prejean the outspoken death-penalty opponent and author of Dead Man Walking.

Tuesday, March 13 Talk by Ann Wright at Windward Community College
An event Celebrating Women's History Month at Windward Community College WCC, Room 107, 12:40 pm
Talk by Ann Wright on her opposition to the Iraq war, and and her resignation from her position as a U.S. State Dept diplomat in 2003.

Wednesday, March 14, 11:30 am.
Impeach Bush for War Crimes
Teach-in at UH-Manoa Art Department Auditorium, featuring special guest Ann Wright.

Friday, March 16, 4:30-6pm
Signholding at the Federal Building

Friday, March 16: 3rd in the Mililani Trask Symposium Series
"Racism in United States Jurisprudence."
William S. Richardson School of Law, 4:30-8pm. Free.

Saturday, March 17: March and Rally at Ala Moana Park:
Rally at Picnic Area #1 (across from Macy's) at 3 pm; permitted street march begins at 4pm; concert/rally at Ala Moana Park immediately following the march. Call 534-CALL for information.

Saturday, March 17: Media Justice Conference sponsored by People's Fund.
9am to 4pm: Kapi`olani Community College, Ohi`a Building (cafeteria). Registration begins at 8:30 am; $15 advanced; $20 at the door. A conference to increase awareness of media justice, to understand local challenges, and provide opportunities for networking. For more info e-mail or call 845-4800.

Saturday, March 17: Youth Speaks Hawai`i Grand Slam Final 2007
Kaimuki HS Auditorium, 6 pm; $5 youth; $7 general
20+ poets will compete to be among the 6 who will represent Hawai`i in San Francisco

Sunday, March 18, 2pm Kamau, a play by Alani Apio
Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant Street, $25
(a fundraiser for The People's Fund)
A complex and poignant story of tradition, change and land development centered around Hawai`i. Panel and audience discussion follows with playwright Alani Apio, director Harry Wong and UH Hawaiian Studies professor Jonathan Kamakawiwo`ole Osorio. Regular performances start Thur 3/15. Runs through Sun 4/15).

Friday, March 23, 7 pm: "The United States vs. George W. Bush et al.
First Unitarian Church (2500 Pali Hwy)

A performance of retired Federal Prosecutor, Elizabeth de la Vega's mock Grand Jury indictment of George W. Bush et al. Featuring a terse dialog between prosecutor and witnesses, with prominent local actors reading the parts of this courtroom drama. The first 20 people in the house will become mock Jurists and may even have a dialog as a part of the performance. No admission and free parking, but because there's limited seating you should make your reservations by e-mail (uuchurch@hawaii.rr.com). For more info phone 347-3249.

Respecting Native Culture and Sovereignty (at the University of Arizona)

2007-03-08T21:40:00.000-10:00

UA Ethics Roundtable Keynote Address to feature American Library Association President-elect Loriene Roy.

TUCSON - American Library Association President-elect Loriene Roy is coming to Tucson on Friday, March 23, to share her views on balancing the need for respect of native cultural property and traditions with intellectual freedom and the free flow of information. The event begins at 6:00 pm in The University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law Auditorium. There is no charge, and the public is encouraged to attend both the talk and a reception immediately following.

Today’s information explosion fueled by the Web and other information technologies has highlighted longstanding struggles over who owns and controls the knowledge, art, medicine, artifacts and traditions of native cultures and the world’s indigenous populations. The social, political, legal and ethical concerns affect a broad spectrum of professions including librarians, journalists, anthropologists, authors and publishers, health industry professionals and artists, to name a few.

Roy will draw on her own background as both a librarian and American Indian in order to focus on the need to respect tribal sovereignty and respect and observe intellectual and cultural property rights within a framework of intellectual freedom and access to information. Roy’s talk is the featured keynote address of the 2007 Information Ethics Roundtable to be held on the campus of The University of Arizona March 23-25. The Roundtable’s theme this year is Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Property: The Ethics of Cultural and Environmental Sovereignty and Stewardship.

Roy, enrolled on the White Earth Reservation, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, is professor at the School of Information and also the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She works tirelessly to promote library services and cultural heritage programs nationally. Roy is instrumental in developing and promoting library services and cultural heritage initiatives with and for native populations. She directs a national reading club for Native children and manages a federal grant-funded scholarship program for indigenous students. She will be inaugurated as President of the American Library Association this coming June. Roy received her master’s degree in library and Information Science from The University of Arizona in 1980 before pursuing her doctorate from The University of Illinois, Urbana. Roy was named UA Outstanding SIRLS Alumna in 2002.

This year’s Ethics Roundtable has been organized in consultation with The Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, Research Group on the History and Philosophy of Information Access, and The University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science. It is supported by funds from the Morris K. Udall Foundation and the School of Information Resources and Library Science. Additional funding for Roy’s reception is courtesy of the Arizona Library Association. The James E. Rogers College of Law Auditorium is located at 1201 E. Speedway in room 146. For more information about the Information Ethics Roundtable,
visit http://sir.arizona.edu/ier/ or call 520-621-5219.

Contact: Kay Mathiesen, University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science
Phone: 520-621-5219 Web: http://sir.arizona.edu/ier/

Pacific Islands Studies Conference

2007-02-21T15:56:00.000-10:00

A Pacific Islands Studies Conference

15-16 March 2007
Imin Conference Center
Honolulu, Hawai`i

This conference seeks to bring attention to Pacific collection materials that are
not well known but that have special value to Pacific communities and to the general public. It also seeks to focus attention on issues and developments regarding access to these materials, as well as to digitizing projects underway. An international group of Pacific librarians will share information about their collections and discuss common concerns.

The keynote speaker for the conference is award-winning poet, author, and former librarian Robert Sullivan, a UHM assistant professor of English. Other featured speakers include David Kukutai Jones, Maori specialist at the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, Aotearoa/New Zealand; and Ewan Maidment, Executive Officer of the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, Canberra, Australia. The conference convener is Dr Karen Peacock, UHM Pacific curator and head of Special Collections.

Conference registration information is on the Web. Registration is $20 general and $5 students. The registration deadline is 1 March 2007.

The conference is sponsored by the UHM Center for Pacific Islands Studies through a US DOE Title VI National Resource Center Grant. It is also supported by the UHM library system.

For more information, contact CPIS outreach coordinator, Tisha Hickson. For program information, contact Karen Peacock.

Apparently A "Museum Band," but Back Together

2007-02-13T00:40:00.000-10:00

Back together.... I have to confess that I thought the Police was the coolest rock group for years. I could live without the hair, but the songs were great, especially the antiwar and pro-human rights selections on SYNCHRONICITY.

I hope the revived band will make a strong pitch for Amnesty International and other good causes.

UH History Forum: "The Dilemmas of French Jewish Identity, 1789-2007"

2007-02-12T10:14:00.000-10:00

This program looks interesting if you are in Honolulu:

I'm afraid that Prof. David Bell just wrote to say that he must postpone his visit to Honolulu. Thus, there obviously will be no talk.

Prof. David A. Bell of Johns Hopkins University will discuss "The Dilemmas of French Jewish Identity, 1789-2007" next Wednesday, February 21st, from 12:30 until 1:45 in Sakamaki Hall A201, the History Department Library at U H Manoa. The talk is free and open to the public. Please join us for this special History Forum co-sponsored by the U H Fund for the Promotion of Jewish Life and Studies.

Dr. Bell is Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at The Johns Hopkins University and a well-respected expert in French history. His most recent publication is "The First Total War: Napoleon's Europe and the Birth of Warfare as We Know It" and he has published extensively on questions of French nationalism and politics, as well as the history of Jews in France since 1789.

The talk will consider the ironies of the "Republican model," ironies which are most apparent in the paradox that the same country which was the earliest, and went the furthest to achieve Jewish civic emancipation, has also been one of the most anti-semitic. The talk will cover the period from the Revolution and Napoleon up to the current situation.

Please join us. Prof. Peter H. Hoffenberg, Department of History

More on Lt. Watada: The Mistrial, and A Bit of History

2007-02-11T02:07:00.000-10:00

Judge Head declared a mistrial last week before Lt. Watada could present his own eloquent (albeit greatly proscribed) defense. This was a surprise -- after the Judge had ruled out discussion of the legality or morality of the war. I don't understand if the Pentagon was afraid of letting him testify... or if they were more afraid of the result of not allowing discussion of the war; sending a true leader to prison for a decision that most Americans agree with (i.e., the war is wrong).

Perhaps by simply delaying this trial they are blocking the impact of his eloquent defense. I wonder if the White House feared that he might win his Court Martial. Reporters from around the world were covering this story, even though it did not really get full coverage at home.

Whatever the appointed leaders at the Pentagon decide, I bet they will try to delay this process for many more months. If they concede, I predict it will be announced on a Friday at 4:45 pm, as the Bush Administration usually does with any story they want to bury. Sigh. We'll just have to keep our eyes on this case.

There is an interesting analysis of the situation at Courage to Resist. You can also see his lawyer and mother speak at the press conference following the mistrial announcement (on You Tube).

By the way, some of us in Hawaii have only heard the impressive story of the heroic acts of the Japanese American soldiers in the 100th Division and the 442nd RCT (as well as the MIS in the Pacific). Their sacrifices were important steps towards reversing prejudice against Japanese Americans during World War II. However, I was saddened that some Nisei veteran leaders tried to claim that Lt. Ehren Watada's courageous resistance against Bush's war in Iraq somehow blemishes this proud heritage. The truth is that Japanese American history -- like American history at large -- is much more complex. There was a lot of debate about the idea of volunteering (or being drafted) especially from within America's concentration camps during WWII. Check out:

Eric Muller's Free to Die for their Country: The Story of the Japanese American Draft Resisters in World War II (University of Chicago Press, 2001); or documentaries
Conscience & the Constitution by Frank Abe
Rabbit in the Moon by Emiko Omori

If you know that history, you might be interested in a historic video on You Tube: Lt. Watada talking with some of the surviving draft resisters from Heart Mountain. The film is not the best quality, but it was a historic event.

You Tube also had a video of Ehren's talk in Honolulu (I missed that since I was away at ALA):

I should point out that I'm not Japanese American, but studied the Nikkei experience for years. Lt. Watada really impresses me as an ideal citizen who should make the Nikkei community proud. We need more soldiers, reporters, and politicians(!) who think, ask tough questions, and are willing to take a stand -- even when it might be far from popular. This "Common Sense" courage is fundamental to my hope for our future.

Two Humorous Interludes from You Tube

2007-02-11T02:00:00.000-10:00

If you have a few minutes check out these two quick videos on You Tube:

Lt. Watada is still on trial

2007-01-27T11:48:00.000-10:00

Lt. Ehren Watada on Refusing to Serve in Iraq

Despite the Congressional elections, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee non-binding resolution and other news showing resistance to the war in Iraq, the Pentagon is continuing its court martial trial against Lt. Ehren Watada. I thought I'd pass on some local events that will take place here in Honolulu -- Ehren's hometown:

Saturday, February 3, 10:30 am to noon, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai`i, 5th Floor

Panel discussion on Lt. Watada: Dissenter or Deserter?
Panelists include Jon Okamura, Ph.D., Karen Nakasone, and Ernie Kimoto. Sponsored by JCCH; phone: 945-7633 ext 27 for more information; Admission free

Monday, February 5, 3:30-6pm;

Press Conference at 4 pm., Fort Shafter Gate
Demonstration to Support Lt. Ehren Watada. Help bring out hundreds of people to support Lt. Watada on the first day of his court-martial! Plan car pools (parking is available in the neighborhood just beyond Fort Shafter), or catch rides from the Church of the Crossroads parking lot at 3 pm. There will be signs and banners, or you can make your own. Make sure your organizations is there, and represented at the Press Conference.

PS You can hear Lt. Watada's on the fine NPR talk show "Fresh Air" for 25 January 2007.

Seattle

2007-01-27T11:30:00.000-10:00

I had a good week in Seattle; attending the annual conference of ALISE, where I gave two papers, and the Midwinter conference of ALA. I hate leaving Hawaii during the school year since I have to miss class, and usually deal with a long flight. Seattle is about as close to Hawaii that I can get, though, so I should not complain (although the red eye is not the way to go for night owls). ALISE and ALA were good conferences this year, so I had a good trip.

I also enjoyed being in Seattle. Hawaii is great, but I miss some of the urban stylings of other cities. I didn't make it to any museums this time, but I saw the opening of Seattle's Sculpture Garden (fun, but it is nothing compared to the ones in Minneapolis, New York or Jerusalem!), a few fine new and used bookstores, and enjoyed peoplewatching (I miss black clothes); and a bit of shopping (can you say "clearance sale?!). The chance to schmooze with colleagues, and talk about each other's research, teaching tips and personal lives made it very worthwhile.

One of the highlights of this trip was checking out the new Seattle Public Library. Many of my colleagues thought that it was cold, and that it would not age well. They might be right, about it not aging well, but few interesting buildings do. I thought it was a great public space. I took over 200 photos there, and posted quite a few on my Flickr site. I am looking forward to my students' reactions.

Now, I just have to dig out my inbox and deal with all of the committee work I said yes to.

Falafel, Shawarma + Hummus @ Kailua

2007-01-26T22:22:00.000-10:00

I'm not a great cook, but I love food, including falafel, shawarma, and hummus, so I might be crossing the Pali to check out this new place once it opens in February. I know there are many foodies out here, so I thought I'd pass this e-mail along:

Former University of Hawaii Hebrew Teacher Opens Health-Focused Mediterranean Restaurant

Kailua, HI—February 1, 2007—In a move that will bring the flavor of the Mediterranean to Kailua, Iris Yoeli, former University of Hawaii teacher of the Hebrew language, has opened a new health-savvy restaurant: Paprika, An Inspired Mediterranean Cuisine [35 Kainehe St., Kailua; TEL: 262-3777; HOURS: Daily: 11AM-10PM].

Mediterranean Food—From the Mediterranean
Both Yoeli and her chef, Chef Isaac Leib are from Israel, the cradle of Mediterranean cuisine. Leib is a graduate of Tadmor, the most celebrated culinary school in Israel. "I grew up with the taste of the pita on my lips," says Yoeli. The restaurant bakes its own pita bread on its premises. Some of their featured dishes are:

A Falafel made from a recipe handed down from generation to generation.
Shawarma, made with grilled chicken and 13 different spices,
collected from the furthest deserts of Arabia to the remotest villages
of India.
A daily soup served with pita chips and sprinkled with homemade seasoning.

Keiki Friendly Dining
The Keiki Delight Menu includes Noah's Ark, Pizza, Schnitzel and
Kebabs, straight from Grandma's kitchen. Auntie's chocolate cake is
made with genuine Israeli chocolate, brought directly from the Holy Land

Mission: Rich in Flavor, Rich in Health Benefits
"Most people love Mediterranean cuisine for its rich flavor," says Yoeli, "but it can be very healthy as well." An American hamburger may have lettuce and tomato. But an authentic Mediterranean pita will contain a succulent blend of five or six different vegetables. Add to that a variety of spices, a hearty helping of lamb and no grease.
Belly Dancing? March 3, 2007!
Paprika-Inspired Mediterranean Cuisine will be holding its Official Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday March 3, 2007. There will be live music and a belly dancer. "Please come and enjoy the festivities," says a very lively Yoeli, "We are going to have fun!" Lovers of Mediterranean food, health food or simply flavorful cuisine are encouraged to visit the restaurant before March 3. The restaurant opens on February 1, 2007.

I'm not so sure about needing belly dancing while I eat, but that seems popular here... Kailua is a fun town to visit, although I am sad that the Lodestar Collective has since closed down.

2007 HLA Annual Conference

2007-01-26T11:02:00.000-10:00

News from Dave:

The 2007 Hawaii Library Association's Annual Conference will take place over the Veterans Day Weekend on November 10 and November 11 at the Grand Hyatt on Kauai. Preconference programs will take place on November 9. ...

You will hear more about program proposals in February.

Encyclopedia of Reference Services

2007-01-25T23:59:00.000-10:00

I just received an interesting e-mail from Professor John Richardson at UCLA. Check it out:

During the Fall 2006, my UCLA DIS 245 “Information Access” class created an Encyclopedia of Reference Services at http://ucla245.pbwiki.com/

Our overarching mission was to establish generally accepted reference principles (GARP). Ideally, these pages provide a sense of evidence and show a critical spirit of inquiry. Our audience extends to anyone interested in reference services in the United States and includes practitioners as well as researchers, but especially beginning graduate students in information studies programs who are interested in the research front in this field.

In terms of scope, reference service should be understood to include traditional reference work in libraries (of all types) as well as state of the art efforts such as live, virtual (aka digital) reference. Most of the biographical names and concepts have been drawn from “The Current State of Research on Reference Transactions,” In Advances in Librarianship, vol. 26, pages 175-230, edited by Frederick C. Lynden (New York: Academic Press, 2002).

Treatment is not necessarily in depth, but the nearly 200 entries contain a minimum of 500 words. Basic concepts are defined and biographical information on major contributors to this field are provided. Entries for deceased individuals strive to be evaluative, while entries for living individuals are more factual.

Each page concludes with full bibliographic citations in APA style to articles, books and other websites which will lead the reader to further, more detailed information about this topic in reference service. Special features include images, as appropriate, and cross references, as needed.

John V. Richardson Jr., Editor in Chief and Professor of Information Studies at UCLA
Debbie Weissmann, Co-Editor and Doctoral Student, UCLA Department of Information Studies

In Memory: Henri-Jean MARTIN

2007-01-23T00:53:00.000-10:00

One of the most influential print culture historians passed away in January. Check out the French-language obituary in Le Monde. or an English obituary from The Independent.

FWD: Tour: Law Library Microform Consortium

2007-01-23T00:40:00.000-10:00

Aloha HPC-SLA members and friends!

The Hawaiian-Pacific Chapter of SLA invites you to attend a presentation and tour of the Law Library Microform Consortium (LLMC) at Windward Community College in Kaneohe on Friday, Feb. 16, from 1-3:30pm. Jerry Dupont, LLMC Executive Director, will be giving the talk and tour.

LLMC is a non-profit consortium of libraries devoted to providing economical access to a wide range of legal and law-related materials. It preserves legal titles and government documents on film, and also makes copies available either in microfiche format or digitally through its online service. See the website at http://www.LLMC.com for more background information.

We plan to meet at 1pm in Room 112 of Hale Kuhina (see map at http://www.wcc.hawaii.edu/WCCmap.html ), and after welcome and introductions by Nancy Heu, Windward Community College Library Director, the talk and tour will begin at 1:30, followed by light refreshments and networking. The meeting will wrap up by 3:30pm, so you can beat the rush-hour traffic! No need to RSVP but please do arrange your own transportation.

DIRECTIONS & PARKING:
Windward Community College is located two long blocks from the central business district of Kaneohe at the mauka end of Keaahala Road. Here are driving instructions from several directions:

By way of the Pali Highway:
Turn toward the North Shore on Kamehameha Hwy, which joins the Pali at the first traffic light at the bottom of the mountain. Go about 8 miles until you get into central Kaneohe and then turn left onto Keaahala Road. The landmark on that corner is a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant. Go mauka two long blocks.

From the H-3 Highway:
Take the first Kaneohe exit, which will merge you onto the Likelike Hwy. quite close to the Kalekili Hwy. intersection, for which see below.

From Likelike Highway:
Turn toward the North Shore on Kahekili Hwy, which joins the Likelike at the first traffic light at the bottom of the mountain. Be aware that to get onto Kalekili Hwy, you must be in the far right lane as you are approaching the light. Once you are on Kahekili Hwy., go to the second light, which is Keaahala Road. Turn left and come up one long block.

As you approach the campus on Keaahala Rd., you will see that the road ends directly in front of the main administration building. On your right you will see a large parking lot. Use that parking lot and then walk to Hale Kuhina, which is the building to the left of the main administration building. We'll meet in Rm. 112 at 1pm.

Hope to see you there, Jan ;>
**********************************************
Jan Zastrow, Professional Development Chair, Hawaiian-Pacific Chapter Special Libraries Association

Responses to An Open Letter to Hawaii Mission Children's Society Board

2007-01-22T23:20:00.000-10:00

I was surprised by the immediate reaction to my open letter, which I posted here (only). The next day I was called by a Honolulu Advertiser reporter, who wrote up a story partly based on my letter. You can Rodd Ohira's article online.

Upon returning from the ALA and ALISE conferences in Seattle, I found a letter from Mission Houses Museum Trustee Robert L. Becker. He asked me to post his letter promptly on my blog. I have done so below:

To be honest, I am quite disappointed that that Mr. Becker sees no prospect for reconciliation after she gave over 15 years of service and leadership to HMCS, but I do not see what else I can do at the moment. This case might make an interesting case study for an article in non-profit administration.

An Open Letter to Hawaii Mission Children's Society Board

2007-01-15T00:04:00.000-10:00

Robert L. Becker III, President of the Board of Trustees
Hawaii Mission Children's Society
553 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

Dear Mr. Becker:

We are writing you as LIS educators, former archivist, librarian, and historians of Hawaii, who have had the pleasure of using the Mission Houses Museum Archives and Library several times over the past few years.

We understand that personnel issues are often very private ones with complex contexts, but we are truly troubled by the news that Marilyn Kanani Reppun was abruptly fired by the museum. To be honest, Kanani is one of the most knowledgeable and levelheaded archivists in the state. Her leadership is well known within the community of librarians, archivists, and historical researchers. We’ve met historians in Harvard, Doshisha (Kyoto) and other parts of the world who smiled when they heard her name. Experts know and appreciate her thorough knowledge of the collection. We think HMH also recognized her leadership judging by her many months as Interim Director of the Mission Houses Museum. She has been a mentor to several of our students, and is a leader in the Hawaii archival and historic community.

Whatever personal or professional reasons led to the Board’s decision to fire Ms. Reppun, we strongly request that you consider the possibility of negotiating a reconciliation that would allow her to resume the leadership at HMCS Library. We imagine that such reconciliation might be difficult, but we are most impressed by Ms. Reppun’s intelligent leadership, as well as her keen understanding of Hawaii history and the pioneering role of the missionaries.

We join our colleagues in the Association of Hawaii Archivists to encourage your Board to reinstate Ms. Reppun to her position as Head Librarian. We greatly appreciate your considering our personal request not only for the sake of the museum, but also for the sake of all concerned historians and LIS professionals.

Sincerely,

Andrew B. Wertheimer, Ph.D.
Noriko Asato, Ph.D

Attention "Radical Reference" or Zine Librarians

2007-01-13T12:25:00.000-10:00

Just in case any of you are interested in zine librarianship or progressive librarianship -- and will be in Honolulu next week, I wanted to let you know that Jenna Freedman of Radical Reference, the Barnard College Library Zine Collection and the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT), she'll be in town briefly doing some training.

Elena and some other LIS students might get together to meet her. I'm not sure if ALA-SC will co-sponsor this event, but it should be interesting. I'm sure they'd love to meet alumni and other library workers. In fact, this might be a great launch for our own Hawaii Library Association SRRT Chapter.

Restaurant Review: Bistro Sun

2007-01-12T22:20:00.000-10:00

I know it might sound funny, but I loved eating Italian-style food in Japan. Japanese chefs somehow know what al dente really means, and we had some interesting pizzas and other dishes... so I've really been wondering what Bistro Sun (920 Sheridan) would be like. We decided to try it tonight.

The décor was promising -- something between a bar and a Soho gallery.

We ordered two dishes Pasta Pescatore (which had the best ika rings and fine al dente pasta), but we waited 1 hour before giving up on the Pizza Margarita.

I don't remember the last time I walked out on a restaurant, but this was incredible, especially considering that the place was not very busy. I am happy that they must make items from scratch, but it seemed as if the waitstaff just ignored us after a half hour. They didn't apologize until I pointed out when it had been 55 minutes. At that point they offered a free desert tonight or the next time. We declined the offer. I don't think there will be a next time for us. Sigh...

Bush & I Agree on One Thing

2007-01-10T18:39:00.000-10:00

Yes, President Bush & I Agree on One Thing: "It is clear that we need to change our strategy in Iraq." Did you catch his "surge" address today? I heard most of it. Yes, he sort of admitted mistakes:

Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.

but he decided to compound any "mistakes" by sending over 20,000 more American soldiers to Iraq. The people clearly voted against this in the last election. It is time for Congress and the Nation to end this Occupation, which is fueling civil war in Iraq.

If you want to hear a more intelligent speech, check out Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy's National Press Club address. (There is a longer version online at C-SPAN).

I hope that our legislators will strongly support his efforts to pass:

The legislation claims the people’s right to a full voice in the President’s plan to send more troops into the Iraq civil war. It says that no funds can be spent to send additional troops to Iraq unless Congress approves the President’s proposed escalation of American forces. [Source]

I hope and assume that our Senators Inouye and Akaka would support this along with Representatives Abercrombie and Hirono would support Kennedy's bill. They continue to make me proud to be a Hawai'i voter.

Happy New Year!

2006-12-30T17:30:00.000-10:00

Happy New Year! I hope 2007 is a great year for you all, with peace, prosperity, good health, and the like.

BBC: Saddam Hussein, Gerald Ford & James Brown

2006-12-30T17:10:00.000-10:00

You probably already know that I am opposed to the death penalty -- even for tyrants, so you can predict my reaction to the execution of Saddam Hussein. I never cease to be amazed by the incompetence of our policy in Iraq. Whose idea was it to kill him on the Islamic holy day of Eid al-Adha?

If that topic is too heavy for you check out the BBC's Feeling good with James and Gerald. I never would have put the two together in my mind, but the article is a nicely-written pleasant distraction to read.

The Fifth Annual (2007) Kirk Cashmere Jewish Film Festival

2006-12-28T21:25:00.000-10:00

I thought some of you might be interested in this e-mail, which I received today:

Special Preview at Temple Emanu-el
Sunday, January 14 at 6:30 PM January

Jazzman From the Gulag
Dir: France, 2000 58 min.

Set mainly against the unfolding events of WWII, this film examines Eddie Rosner's legendary life to the height of his career as the premier jazz performer in Europe at that time. Born Adolf Rosner, the man considered by some to be one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century, is known mostly for having been king of le jazz hot in Stalin's Russia. He placed second to Louis Armstrong in an American jazz competition and was nicknamed the "White Armstrong" by Louis himself.
The son of Jewish-Polish immigrants. Eddie was a child prodigy on the violin, but left a promising career in classical music to pursue his love of jazz. When the Nazis came to power in 1933, Rosner, then a prominent jazz trumpeter, was on a European tour with his band, the Weintraubs Syncopators. Not to return to his homeland for another 40 years, Rosner began on a long journey east. Landing in Warsaw in 1939, Rosner soon headed a wildly popular jazz orchestra and married the daughter of famous Polish actress, Ida Kaminska.
They fled further east to Bialystok, freshly liberated by the Red Army and in the Soviet Union, Rosner's career rose to unprecedented heights. Thanks to mad jazz fans in the higher ranks of Stalin's army, Rosner found himself one of the biggest names in the union.
Thanks to fans in high places, Rosner and his band were hot stuff in Moscow for several years. But due to his own success and the logic of Stalin's regime, Rosner was declared, a "peddler of depraved Western music" and an "enemy of the state" in late 1946. A few months later, he was sentenced to 10 years in a Siberian labour camp for treason. Rosner's reputation followed him, and the camp commander soon ordered him to assemble a band. The power of Rosner's music, perhaps the purest expression of art, emotion and humanity in the Siberian Gulag, made life somewhat bearable for his fellow inmates.

The Fifth Annual Kirk Cashmere Jewish Film Festival
February 15 - 19, 2007 (No Friday screening)

Opening Night - Thursday, February 15 at 7 PM
More Than 1000 Words
Dir: Solo Avital. Germany 2006, 77 m

Ziv Koren's photographs have become instantly recognizable icons that have helped to shape our perception of the conflict in the Middle East. Director Solo Avital followed internationally awarded Ziv over a two-year period, shooting in the heart of riots, terror attack scenes, secret meetings with wanted militants, all the way to Israel's pullout from Gaza. This film is not about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, however; it' is about a married man's struggle with the history of a fierce war in which he is involved on a daily basis, and the place he finds for himself in it.
Playing with:

Naturalized
Director: Julia Kots. 2006. 8 min.

Russian-born parents are alarmed and somewhat bewildered at their Americanized son's decision to have a bris.

Saturday, February 17 at 7 PM
The Rape of Europa
Prod: Richard Berge, Bonnie Cohen, and Nicole Newnham 2006 U.S. 117 min.

This film tells the epic story of the systematic theft, deliberate destruction, and miraculous survival of Europe's art treasures during the Third Reich and Second World War. The Rape of Europa interweaves the history of Nazi art looting with the stories of contemporary restitution cases. The film also tells the dramatic story of the heroic efforts of the U.S. Monuments Men who were sent to Europe to safeguard and return displaced art at the end of the war.

Sunday, February 18 at 2 PM FREE SCREENING
Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness (with speaker Dru Gladney)

In 1939, Chiune Sugihara "the Japanese Schindler" was appointed Japanese consul to Lithuania just as Nazi Germany launched its attack on Poland. For the next year, Sugihara defied Japanese immigration laws by personally handwriting 2000 transit visas to Eastern European Jews seeking sanctuary from Nazi persecution and extermination--sometimes working up to 16 hours a day to secure the émigrés' safe passage through Russia and Japan. Remarkably, the modest Sugihara did so without any desire for compensation or regard for his own well-being (indeed, his actions prompted the Japanese government to ask for his resignation and virtually ruined his career) and his amazing courage remained unknown to the world until one of the survivors searched for and contacted him in the late 1960s. This film illuminate this inspirational figure through archival footage, voice-over narration, interviews with historians, and home movies, photographs, documents, and personal recollections of both Sugihara's surviving family members and the descendents of those he helped save.

Sunday, February 18 at 4:30 PM
Watermarks
Dir: Yaron Zilberman. 2004 Germany 88 min.

The story of the champion women swimmers of the legendary Jewish sports club, Hakoah Vienna. Hakoahwas founded in 1909 in response to the notorious Aryan Paragraph, which forbade Austrian sports clubs from accepting Jewish athletes. Its founders were eager to popularize sport among a community renowned for such great minds as Freud, Mahler and Zweig, but traditionally alien to physical recreation. Hakoah rapidly grew into one of Europe's biggest athletic clubs, while achieving astonishing success in many diverse sports. In the 1930s Hakoah's best-known triumphs came from its women swimmers, who dominated national competitions in Austria. After the political unification of Nazi Germany and Austria in 1938, the Nazis shut down the club, but the swimmers managed to flee the country before war broke out, thanks to an escape operation organized by Hakoah. Sixty-five years later, director Yaron Zilberman meets the members of the women's swim team in their homes around the world, and arranges for them to have a reunion in their old swimming pool in Vienna.

Sunday, February 18 at 7 PM
Live and Become
Dir: Radu Mihaileanu. 2006 Israel. 139 min.

This is the beautiful epic story of a nine-year-old Ethiopian boy who is airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel in 1984 during Operation Moses. Israel and the U.S. helped to transport several thousand Ethiopian Jews, so-called Falashas, to the Holy Land. Although he thrives as an adoptive son of a loving family, he is plagued by two big secrets. Schlomo, as the boy will be called later, is the son of a Christian mother, who persuades her child to pretend to be a Jew so as to avoid dying of hunger. Though not one of the boy's descendants was Jewish, he manages to get to Israel by pretending to be an orphan. And so he is adopted by a family of Sephardic Jews, who have emigrated to Israel from France. He is a very intelligent pupil, but he is living in constant fear that the others will discover that he is neither a Jew nor an orphan, but just an African goy . Growing up in Tel Aviv, he learns about Judaism and western values. But he also has to experience the war in the country's occupied zones and racism.

Monday, February 19 at 2:30 PM
Isn't This a Time: A Tribute Concert for Harold Leventhal
Dir: Jim Brown. 2005 USA 90 min.

"Wasn't That a Time" (1981) took a winsome look at the seemingly last reunion of the legendary folk group The Weavers. Nearly two decades later, The Weavers are surprisingly back - now well into their 70s and 80's, yet as outspoken as ever at Carnegie Hall, and featuring many of folk music's leading lights, to honor an unsung American hero: music impresario Harold Leventhal. A magical evening: that of a family of artists who were never stymied by hardship, censorship or even generation gaps - to bring an intoxicating, heart-stirring brew of American history, political chronicles and powerful music. Certainly no one could have foreseen Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman, Ronnie Gilbert and Erik Darling getting together again in 2003 joined by Peter, Paul and Mary, Theodore Bikel, Leon Bibb, Arlo Guthrie, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger. Then again, no one could have foreseen the incredible shifts and rifts in American society that have once again sparked The Weavers' irrepressible spirit of speaking out through music.

Monday, February 19 at 5 PM
When I Was Fourteen: A Survivor Remembers
Dir: Marlene Booth. USA 1995 57 min. (with filmmaker Marlene Booth in person)

Holocaust survivor Gloria Lyin tells her story to students of her experiences being in several different concentration camps. Shetravels back to Germany to see the home she lost, to see what is left of the camps, and to be reunited with the Swedish family that looked after her at the end of the war.

Monday, February 19 at 7 PM
Wrestling with Angels
Dir: Frieda Lee Mock. 2006 USA 98 min.

Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Tony Kushner is one of America¹s most prodigiously talented and politically engaged artists. In this entertaining portrait from Academy Award-winning director Freida Lee Mock, Kushner takes us on a trip through his life and times, from his Jewish boyhood in small-town Louisiana to his development as a writer, politically active gay man, and endlessly quotable globe-trotting force for a more literate and compassionate universe. Mock follows the now-50-year-old writer from just after 9/11 to the 2004 presidential election, capturing the fierce moral responsibility that pervades his work as well as the unique dynamics of his creative process. We go behind the scenes of early rehearsals and performances of his musical Caroline, or Change and the children¹s Holocaust opera Brundibar; visit with Mike Nichols on the set of HBO¹s Angels in America; and make a trip to Kushner¹s hometown. With Maurice Sendak, Marcia Gay Harden, Meryl Streep, Frank Rich and others.

Film Festival ticketing information
All individual film programs are
$6.00 at the door

A Five-film Festival Flash Pass is also available:

5-film Flash Pass: $25.00
All Flash Passes are transferable, and will admit an individual or guests to any film in this program. Available at Temple Emanu-El or at the auditorium on the day of performance. Cash only accepted at the door.
Passes available in advance at :

Temple Emanu-El
Visa and Mastercard accepted
2550 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96817
For more information call: 595-7521, star 814

Congratulations to the Class of 2006!

2006-12-09T15:53:00.000-10:00

Yesterday was the HUI DUI Graduation Dinner. The students themselves organize this lovely event. It was both quite elegant and informal -- which was ideally -- especially as there were so many friends and family members present.

You can see all of the photos I uploaded to my Flickr site -- or as a slideshow. I have another 40 more that are OK if you want something I didn't upload.

I regret that I won't be able to attend commencement later this month. Naomi kindly agreed to coordinate this year's graduation portrait. (Thank you!)

I really enjoyed celebrating the graduation of these students. It is nice to know that they will make really fine librarians. I'm sure they will make us very proud. There were some very intelligent, caring, creative future professionals in this group. It was fun to see themselves enjoying the evening.

Well, I probably should finish grading so that these students can really graduate.

Happy Holidays and Congratulations again to the UHM MLISc Class of 2006!

PS Thank you also to HUI DUI for the kind present. Trust me, I will put the thermos to good use.

PSS Thanks Margot and Jennifer for the offer and ride to Manoa. It was not a good day on the Bus.

Deborah Lee on Aboriginal Librarianship in Canada

2006-12-07T12:51:00.000-10:00

I am busy correcting papers once again, but wanted to pass on some upcoming events. I won't be able to make many, but they look very interesting

Tuesday, 12 Dec. 2006
You are invited to meet Ms. Deborah Lee of the Library and Archives Canada, who will speak about Aboriginal Librarianship in Canada"

TIME: 9:30-10:30 am
Place: Hamilton Library Room 113

Reconstructing Memories Exhibit/ Zero Burning

2006-12-07T12:47:00.000-10:00

Wednesday, 13 December 2006 from 1:30to 4:00 p.m.
Reconstructing Memories Closing Ceremony: Zero Walking & Burning

"Please join the University of Hawaii Art Gallery in the procession and burning of a life-sized Zero Airplane for the closing of the Reconstructing Memories exhibition.

Schedule:

1:30 p.m. Volunteers carrying the Zero leave the University of Hawaii Art Gallery; proceed eastward on McCarthy Mall to Kennedy Theatre; circle the Peace Monument; return to the mall; proceed west toward Varney Circle and place the replica on the site of a former WWII bomb shelter on the lawn fronting Hawaii Hall.

2:00 2:15 p.m. Zero will be set ablaze

3:00 p.m. Following the burning, light refreshments will be served at the UH Art Gallery.

Ann Wright, Watada, and the Iraq Report (19 Dec 06)

2006-12-07T12:37:00.000-10:00

If you've been following the news, you won't be surprised by the findings of the The Iraq Study Group. You can download the entire report. This might be my vacation reading.

Their report certainly is a welcome change from Bush's "Stay the Course" or his "Mission Accomplished," but seems a far cry from an acceptance that our military should pull out ASAP since we are the ones causing the most disruption there.

I am a pacifist, but this war made no sense from any point of view from the start. I think the majority of Americans expressed the same thoughts in their last congressional vote.

It will be interesting to see how Bush, the Media, and the new Congress respond to the Report. There are some very important aspects there, such as how the Pentagon has been underreporting the number of deaths, and the amazing price tag of the war. The importance of resuming the Israel-Palestinian peace talks is also important. I've been amazed by Bush's stance on this, which has been a barrier to peace in the Middleast.

Although there are some bright spots in the report, such as the above, I am amazed that it suggests sending in even more soldiers to do training. I haven't read the report yet, but this seems patently absurd since that has supposedly been Bush's main objective to date, but every report says that the Iraqi military is far from reliable. There are also many reports human rights abuses by US-trained Iraqi soldiers. A panel on this morning's Democracy Now pointed out that the Committee only spent around 8 days in Iraq. No wonder why it does not deal with how the war and occupation has made life in Iraq so miserable.

I don't have time to write more, but needed to express that. More importantly, I wanted to remind you that the campaign is continuing against the brave servicepeople who said that this war was wrong such as Lt. Ehren Watada. It is important not to forget about them.

I won't be able to make it, but Ann Wright will be speaking on Tuesday, 19 December 19 at the Church of the Crossroads at 7pm. I received an e-mail reminding me that "Ann was a witness in Lt. Watada's hearing in August. She was arrested at the UN when Bush came to speak in October. And she's been speaking out against the illegal war in Iraq every minute in between (when she's not in court for her actions or the actions of her fellow resisters)."

I've also heard that Lt. Ehren Watada also received permission to come to Hawaii during this same time period even though he is forbidden from engaging in major speaking activities or media events during his visit.

Interesting Links

2006-11-22T01:13:00.000-10:00

My e-mailbox is overflowing with interesting links. I thought I should share a few recent ones:

The Library Company of Philadelphia has an oline exhibit "Benjamin Franklin Writer & Printer" as part of the library's 275th anniversary celebration. Thanks to Library Historian Larry T. Nix.

A local artist named Jacqueline Lee sent me a link to her page about making art with books.

Archival Scholar Richard Cox has his own Blog called Reading Archives. (Thanks to Jim Cartwright for forwarding it).

Professor Toni SAMEK is editing a new activist online journal INFORMATION FOR SOCIAL CHANGE.

ALA President Elect Loriene Roy is interested in celebrating library history during her forthcoming presidential year. Send announcements at the Calendar link at her Presidential homepage.

What Is Needed to Educate Future Digital Librarians in DLIB (thanks Christian and Sunny).

Maybe I should consider using http://del.icio.us/ ("social bookmarking") (or not)

Lt. Ehren Watada Update

2006-11-19T17:30:00.000-10:00

After a marathon grading session today I went to a JACL program on Lt. Ehren Watada. It was one of the most informative yet. The three main speakers were Ehren's lawyer Eric Seitz, Ehren's father, Bob Watada, and UHM Law Professor Jon Van Dyke. The newest update is that the trial will be on January 4th. I hope you'll contact your legislators and talk with your friends about Ehren's principled stand. The elections were an important statement against the war, but that hasn't ended the Pentagon's campaign against Ehren.

Have you seen my wheels?

2006-11-12T15:07:00.000-10:00

After the HLA Conference I stopped for dinner and supposedly to correct papers at Cappuccino's Cafe. I locked my bike at Lewers & Kuhio, but it was not there an hour or two later. The bike was never an expensive one, and was rusting with Hawaii rain, so I thought I was OK with a small Master cable-lock. Apparently that was not enough.

I took the bus home, but was depressed by this since I feel so free on my bike.

Hawaii Library Association 2006 Ramblings

2006-11-11T14:07:00.000-10:00

Above: Michael Porter [aka "Libraryman" on flickr]

This weekend I've been attending the Hawaii Library Association annual conference. It has been nice that the conference was in Waikiki, so I've been able to bike and bus to the conference site today and Friday. I usually enjoy conferences. In addition to learning, I like to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. This year I met some recent graduates and saw how they are transforming libraries here and elsewhere. HLA is made up of wonderful folks, so I am always pleased to attend their annual conference. This is my 4th now (previous one were in Lanai, Kohala, Turle Bay). Conference organizers Dave and Vicky did a great job of organizing the event, and our Alumni Group did a great job of running the Silent Auction.

It was also good to see several good students and alumni being interviewed for positions by the Los Angeles County Public Library. They sent two librarians to recruit our graduates. They have 35 openings this year.

This year’s conference theme is "Emerging Technologies Affecting Libraries." It was great to meet some innovators, but I have to confess that the theme was a bit overwhelming. I almost have to laugh after hearing a few people seemed to imply that information has no value if it is not translated into bits and bytes. Life is not binary; we can enjoy analog and digital information. The question should be to find the right medium for the content and audience. I think a few presenters lost track of that. Blogs (such as this one) and other social networking tools are interesting, (I was fascinated to see what the National Library of Australia was doing on flickr), but I don’t think every librarian needs a myspace account just because it is in. Most librarians are already doing so many things, so we each need to seriously reflect on our priorities.

For example, a librarian from the State Library just asked the keynote panel if music CDs are on their way out. The panel’s initial response was that they are passé, which I thought was not helpful for libraries in Hawaii. I was pleased that Aaron Schmidt later pointed out that libraries still need to purchase materials for current users. Jessmyn West also made a good point that libraries have some advantages of buying CDs because of the property issues compared to downloading information.

As I always tell my classes, the answer always depends on the situation. We do operate in many real worlds. On one hand, we need to think ahead and be creative with some of the opportunities that new technologies make possible, but we also have to remember the digital divide is real, and there are many users who cannot or do not want to shift technologies. Whatever we do I can’t stand it when we either become absurdly only anti-technology or anti-book. I am not a ludite, but our recent experience with electronic voting machines should inform us that “e” certainly does not always make it better. LIS professionals have to experiment with many e-options, but we need to be creative and critical at the same time before we implement anything.

Panelist Wesley Fryer (AT&T) raised the topic of Creative Commons. I think that is an important discussion for LIS professionals, but I was pleased that Marshall Breeding made a defense for the marketplace approach to publishing. There are many things I like about CC, but there has to be some type of incentive for authors/ musicians/ publishers who either create or edit / distribute information. Creative Commons and wiki materials like Wikpedia are very interesting, but we need to find a way of rewarding artists who create information / entertainment as well as the producers/ editors who edit and do other important work. This is a question that we need to think about for a while. Of course, I am not alone on this. I use Blogs often, but am afraid when I see newspapers and other mass media organizations laying off staff. Blogs should not become the fifth estate. We need something that attempts to provide more balanced information.

Librarians and the public-at-large have to realize that there already is a huge cultural impact of libraries’ budgets’ shifting. We are seeing a shakedown in the traditional publishing world. As just one example, I sent two entries to the editor of a forthcoming print-based ready reference encyclopedia on the history of journalism. Just a few months ago the encyclopedia’s editor wrote me, explaining that the project was being cut in half, so he had to drastically cut the number if pages/ articles. Basically this reputable reference book publisher is trying to get out of the important print reference book market.

Librarians rely greatly on print and online databases for quality information. Wikis are convenient, but are from reliable sources. It is not only librarians that use such reference tools, but also teachers, media, and policymakers, so this question about the future of access to information sources should really concern us all.

As an aside, I should confess that Wesley Fryer interviewed Jessamyn West and me for a podcast. I’ll post the link if he uploads it. Jessmyn West has been a fun colleague whom I’ve respected from afar for quite a while. She is one of the progressive librarians who were involved with Revolting Librarians Redux. She also has an informative blog that I check from time to time. She also tried to balance technology and democracy issues on ALA Council for some time. I can only imagine how challenging that was.

The conference is over, so I have to get back to the “real work,” like grading papers, although I am thinking about what innovations I need to bring to my own teaching in term of style and content. Suggestions are always welcome.

Lt. Watada's Father on Radio France Internationale

2006-11-03T09:49:00.000-10:00

Si vous parlez français, on peut télécharge une programme au sujet du Lt. Ehren Watada et les autres soldats Américain qui sont contre la geurre de Bush en Irak. Cet «élections de la mi-mandat» aux Etats-Unis reportage d'Anne Corpet est vraiment sympa!

I don't listen to RFI so often, but I was very pleased to hear an interesting report (in French) on Lt. Watada. This was probably possible because Ehren's father is on a national speaking tour trying to raise funds for his defense campaign.

I am still amazed by how few American media outlets have really covered Lt. Watada's story. He is an eloquent critic of the war. The Pentagon continues to delay his Court Martial Trial. I had a feeling that Secretary Rumsfeld and other civilian leaders would want this held until after the elections since Lt. Watada would like to put the war on trial. The Pentagon keeps adding charges for his antiwar speech, and delaying the trial. He is now facing charges that could lead to eight years in prison, primarily for what he's said to the media.

Update

On Sunday, 19 Nov. from 3:30 to 6 pm
in the Architecture Auditorium at UH-Manoa

there will be a program:

"Ehren Watada: Conscience and Constitutionality"

Featuring speakers: Bob Watada (Ehren's dad), Professor Jon VanDyke (Richardson School of Law), and Eric Seitz (Ehren's attorney). Organized by the Honolulu Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League. Co-sponsored by many more, including World Can't Wait and NION Hawaii

UPDATE from an e-mail I just received:

"November 11, 2006

After an unexpected delay, the Army has announced the forwarding of charges against Lt. Ehren Watada by Fort Lewis Commanding Officer Lt. General James Dubik. Lt. Watada is to be court martialed for missing movement (article 87 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) and multiple counts of “Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman” for his public opposition to the illegal and immoral occupation war in Iraq.

In a pre-trial victory for Lt. Watada, the Army has retreated on all counts of “content towards government officials” – specifically President G. W. Bush. The last known prosecution of this article was in 1965 resulting from Lt. Henry Howe’s opposition to U.S. foreign policy during the Vietnam War. Lt. Watada’s defense team believe the military favors the conduct unbecoming charges for their overly broad nature, versus the more controversial “contempt of officials” that would have opened the door to the obvious question, “can speech be contemptuous, if it is factual?”

Lt. Ehren Watada responds

"The referral of the charges was not unexpected. I'm moving forward as I always have with resilience and fortitude to face the challenges ahead . . . I think the recent elections show more and more Americans are opening their eyes, but we aren't there yet. I hope that actions such as mine will continue to help expose the truth behind the fundamental illegality and immorality of the war," said Lt. Ehren Watada.

"The reason I spoke out, I saw that what was being done in terms of this war was so illegal and so immoral, and not being checked. It was a danger to our troops and a danger to our country. So, I think what needs to be done is some kind of accountability in Washington (D.C.) and also investigations into how this war was started in the first place."

Lt. Watada told reporters at a press conference last Thursday that "almost every day, someone from the military or the outside sends me some kind of correspondence or approaches me in person to render support or their respect.”

One more reason I love teaching LIS

2006-10-19T09:41:00.000-10:00

There are some days when being a professor seems more like an unending list of committees, correcting papers, and trying to squirrel away time for research. I am lucky that those days are rare since I believe in my subject and I have such great students.

I am also encouraged when I see students or graduates do great things, like the many who are becoming leaders in HLA and HASL. I celebrate their career successes, and am proud when they become leaders in the profession. A few days ago I received an e-mail that really made my week.

It was from Robin Fancy, who is the School Media Library Specialist at Lanai Public & School Library, as well as one of our students who is taking our MLISc Program via Distance Education courses. I met her in Lanai when I was there for the
Association of Hawaii Archivists Annual Conference.

I had her as a student in my Collection Management course about two years ago. She was listening when I encouraged students to work with publishers to create materials that are not in print. As a teacher and librarian, she knew that there were few basic books in Illocano, which is the language spoken by most Filipino immigrants in Hawaii. She worked with Lanai ESLL teacher Vala Welch, and the two came up with a book written in English, Tagalog and Illocano that will introduce the “'Concepts' of numbers, shapes, colors and animals." They also applied for grants to help with production, and publishing. They received $3,000 from the Hawaii Community Foundation to help make it possible, and have applied for much more funding if they can demonstrate an increased test scores on Lanai. They also secured some great illustrations by Ronny Lynn on Filipino culture.

I was thrilled to read that, "It was because of your class and support that helped make this dream come true." Robin and her team deserve all of the credit, but I am kvelling (a good Yiddish word for beaming with a happy pride).

Look out for this book from Bess Press in the next few months.

My First Earthquake

2006-10-15T23:22:00.000-10:00

October is fast becoming my least favorite month. The second anniversary of the Manoa Flood is coming up in two weeks, but today’s natural disaster was a 6.6 earthquake on the Island of Hawaii. The tremor woke me up shortly after 7:00 this morning. After a second tremor, six minutes later, I sought shelter under my desk. The violent shaking stopped shortly thereafter. Minutes later I tried to check online or on the radio for a detailed explanation. Alas, the power died minutes later. It was off for several hours, which has shut down much of Oahu.

I had a portable radio and kept searching for details. Most stations were knocked off the air, and the only three left were playing prerecorded information for at least 20 minutes. I have a non-cordless telephone and the lines were live, so I was able to call my family on the Continent to explain that I am fine. My mother is such a worrywart. With the apartment dark and the power off, I decided to go back to sleep.

A reporter from a Minneapolis radio station woke me up a few minutes later. I don’t know if they ran my interview on WCCO. If they did, it only shows you what a slow news day Sunday was. The problem obviously was on the Big Island, not in Oahu. Two hospitals and a few hotels around Kona have been evacuated because of gas leaks or structural damage, and at least one home seems to have gone up in smoke.

I don’t have much else of excitement to report. I am trying to be good about keeping the phone lines free, not using much water, and staying off the roads. I walked to the Manoa Marketplace to get some fruit at the Farmer’s Market, and check out the situation.

Long’s was closed, as were most places. The Farmer’s Market was still running, and a few restaurants were operating with gas grills. Safeway was also open until 4:00 using emergency generators to run cash registers, but without enough power for freezers, refrigerators or lights, so many items were available at half-price. I picked up a lox at half price for lunch.

It was an overcast day, so after about 4:30, I was living by candlelight and battery-operated light, radio, and Macintosh laptop. This lasted through the rest of the night until 11:00 pm in Manoa (almost 16 hours after power was cut).

In retrospect and summary, I am grateful that no one was hurt or killed here in Oahu, and that property damage was minimal here. Of course, the damage will continue for a long time beyond the original estimates. I am sure our state budget’s current windfall will go to paying for rebuilding Kona. I also fear that stories of trapped tourists will harm our state’s biggest industry, tourism. The many basic problems also reminded me that we are far from ready on a personal, state, or national emergency. On a personal level, it was almost more luck than planning that I had some bottled water, cash, candles, and a battery-operated radio. Had this gone on for much longer, I should have had a propane gas stove and more bottled water, canned foods, cash, and candles. The media and state also did a pretty poor job of communicating news. What if there had been a Tsunami? The radio announcers who stayed on the air did a fine job to some extent, but there were no announcements for almost a half-hour. A bigger problem was how they relied on callers to gather news. Many announcers just agreed with whatever a caller said even though it went against what experts had asked about staying home. The result was a lot of conflicting information, and tips for places to drive to. That is Aloha friendly, but hardly ideal for a state of emergency. I won’t even start talking about the federal response except to point out that radio announcers (and probably many listeners) started laughing when they were told not to worry, and that FEMA experts were on their way.

Everything is supposed to be back to normal by Monday, including my class. Something tells me normal won’t exactly describe conditions, but life must go on.

Next Semester

2006-10-11T11:59:00.000-10:00

This time of year always feels a bit crazy between lecture/ service/ correcting papers/ research, and all.

I sometimes have a hard time jumping gears, but it is already time to plan next semester since students have to select their spring classes soon. I just revised the syllabus for LIS 652, and uploaded a new class homepage. Students interested in archive work, should check out the updated Archival Studies homepage.

I am working on my 615 HITS class, but can't post it until I get the schedule finalized from HITS. I added a note about the textbooks though to that class homepage.

I've been getting many requests for recommendation letters recently. Please check out my page about Requesting a Recommendation Letter. I've already received three requests for references for the Beta Phi Mu Scholarship, and won't be writing any other letters for this year's applicants. I'm afraid Xi Chapter is only giving one award.

Hang in there everybody.

Brenda Kwon

2006-10-08T13:42:00.000-10:00

First Friday was a fun way to escape the heat. You can read my comments on the Flickr photo site if you are so inclined. Today I am continuing writing on my article and making syllabi for the spring. It is exciting to be able to plan two semester of archival classes. That really is required to prepare students to become future archivists.

My fun escape will be to hear Honolulu Community College professor Brenda Kwon (shown above) do a poetry reading at Revolution Books (2626 S King St). I haven't been up there in quite a while. She has a great poetry voice and vocabulary. It is at 3:00 if you are reading this on 8 October and have nothing to do.

First Friday & Art Music Events

2006-10-06T10:13:00.000-10:00

I'll post more about yesterday's antiwar demonstration later, but wanted to pass on two musical happenings that are part of the FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK in Chinatown today.

Keiko Bonk & Kazan will be at AMY'S PLACE (Corner of Hotel and Smith Streets) from 7:30-11:30 pm.

and there is something I had not heard of before called the One King Art Center at 184 N. King St. that will have an art show from 5-9 and live show from 9-2 with slam poetry, Fashion by Bad Sushi, Ong King Pins (band), etc.

...or if you are in Kailua this weekend, the Lodestar Collective (438-A Ulinui St) is having an opening for a WEARABLE ART SHOW from 1-5 on Sunday. The show runs rom the 8th until 11.Nov. TEL 262-4606.

Have a good weekend!

Approaching the 2-Year Anniversary of the Flood

2006-09-29T15:43:00.000-10:00

This week I talked with Honolulu Advertiser reporter Loren Moreno. He's doing a story on the progress on Hamilton Library Basement. I felt a bit guilty since Dr. Knuth has been working closest with the people in Hamilton Library and University administration, but she was out of town before his deadline. I think his story (along with photos by Debra Booker) will come out this Sunday or Monday.

I suppose this second year anniversary is kind of a watermark (sorry -- bad word choice) in two respects. The good news is that in December we are graduating two of our last regular students who were in my class (the class that escaped from the window). Many of our graduating students have been presented with floaties to mark their survival and victory (from another student survivor).

I always feel very warm to see these graduates, since they had to endure a lot, including lost computers, notes, books, cars... and especially a loss of security. Most of them are now working as librarians in Hawaii, including one in Hamilton Library.

I always feel very warm to see these graduates, since they had to endure a lot, including lost computers, notes, books, cars... and especially a loss of security. Most of them are now working as librarians in Hawaii, including one in Hamilton Library.

The more frustrating issue was that administrators were saying we should be back in Hamilton in two years. Of course, it now has been two years, and the latest news is that it will take another two years. It is frustrating, but I am very optimistic. Things actually seem very promising. We have a good architect now who is actually listening to all of the parties, and we have much of our original footprint back-- thanks to Dr. Knuth and our colleagues in Hamilton Library.

There were some really tense days though. There was one (former) UHM administrator who was rumored to have a plan to use our space and the insurance funds to put in a huge computer lab instead. That was not a help at the same time we were swamped by countless forms from UHM administration, the state, and FEMA. I was pleased that this plan never happened because I seriously doubt UHM could simply build us a new space. We also had some colleagues who argued over space issues. That was tense, but in retrospect I that was like a minor family quarrel. I am so pleased that Hamilton Librarians and university officials are currently so supportive of our return.

I'm also grateful that our ICS colleagues have allowed us to double-up and share office space in POST and a classroom in Bilger. None of these are ideal solutions for them, or us but they've allowed us to resume teaching the week that campus opened.

Events like the Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina reminded me that we were very lucky. There was only one very minor injury among our LIS Program students. For a while I had nightmares about how much worse things could have been if a student had been in the restroom then. That was in another part of the building, which also had extensive damage. It would have been even harder to escape that area.

I usually try to keep my problems to myself, but when I'm honest I have to admit that some days are much harder for me to focus or be patient. I'm sure that is the case for anyone who realizes he/ she escaped a life or death situation. Many of my colleagues, who were not present at the time of the flood, also had to deal with PTSD because of their material losses. Even two years later we all are struggling everyday with having to recreate new teaching and research materials to replace treasures lost in the flood. It is the same for all of my LIS and Hamilton Library colleagues who had offices in the basement.

We had one student drop the program largely because of the flood. I saw her last about a year ago, and was pleased to see that she was doing well.

I'm not sure if we'll have an event on this year's anniversary. I think we're all busy working towards the future. Even if we don't I hope all of us will take a minute to reflect; and to count our blessings that we made it, and should be back in a new state-of-the-art facility in another two years.

The time after flood has also shown me the best in people. I remember our students volunteering to help me salvage a few things from my office. Wearing boots, gloves, and jeans, they showed me their hearts. Most of my files and thousands of books had turned into greenish slime, but we were able to rescue a few boxes worth of papers. Lynn Davis and the rest of the Hamilton Library Preservation Dept. helped to freeze these documents. A few months later, my students joined me to hang up those papers to dry on a laundry line behind Hamilton. Some of these documents are very precious to me, such as the original scrapbook compiled by a librarian in a Japanese American concentration camp. This librarian had given it to me when I interviewed her for my dissertation. This is the kind of thing that can't be replaced.

Like my LIS colleagues, I've received some very kind donations of books from generous colleagues and friends all over, such as Professors Fiona Black and Norman Horrocks at Dalhousie University, and a large collection from Professor Margaret Stieg Dalton of the University of Alabama. Many others have done so much, including students and alumni from the past 40 years.

I am smiling now when I recall a gift that one student gave me in the week after the flood. Miko, a schoolteacher, knew that we were going to start teaching right away even though we were using empty borrowed desks or working from home. She gave each professor a cheery bright blue lunchbag full of office essentials, like pens, pencils, a mini-stapler and tape. It was a very warm way of saying "Gambarimasho!" I think we've been doing just that -- doing our best together everyday one step at a time.

Hawaii Votes Against the Military Commissions Act

2006-09-29T13:43:00.000-10:00

I just spent an hour checking up on the votes of Hawaii's US Senators and Representatives. I am very proud that they ALL voted along with the majority of Democrats in opposition to the White House's Military Commissions Act of 2006.
I especially applaud Rep. Neil Abercrombie for issuing a press release on why he voted NAY! It is very unfortunate that this became law. I agree with a recent Amnesty International Statement that:

By passing the Military Commissions Act, the United States Congress has, in effect, given its stamp of approval to human rights violations committed by the USA in the "war on terror". This legislation leaves the USA squarely on the wrong side of international law, and has turned bad executive policy into bad domestic law.

This kind of news should remind us again about the importance of voting. It is a very sad day for this country and the world. On the other hand, this makes me very proud to be a voter in Hawaii.

Anti-war Demonstration this Thursday, 5 October

2006-09-29T12:23:00.000-10:00

If you are also against the war in Iraq, I encourage you to consider joining on Thursday (5 Oct 2006) for a Community Rally Against the Bush Regime, which will take place at Thomas Square (Beretania/ King/ Ward/ Victoria Streets; across from Art Academy) from 4 pm to 7 pm. I received an e-mail that they will have

Speakers * Live Music * Poetry * Performances

There will be lots of "feeder marches." I'll probably join the one leaving Manoa's Campus Center at 2:30. Marching is good exercise, after all. Apparently activists will be at the Campus Center Courtyard "to help chalk, drop banners, leaflet and agitate from 9 am." They will also have a march on campus starting at noon.

I'll probably join up at Campus Center at 2:30 for the march to Thomas Square "down University Avenue, and then on King Street to Thomas Square."　This is part of a national day of protest. Don't forget, the majority of Americans are with us against this war, including many soldiers and veterans.

If you do go, let's help the keep event peaceful/ nonviolent/ creative/ festive, etc. To be honest, I haven't been to a protest march in Hawaii before, but I've seen other demonstrations elsewhere easily become a bit overexcited. Sometimes one person or group wants to break a window or spraypaint. I understand the tension, but that kind of destruction really hurts our cause and alienates people from our message. Thanks.

Info: World Can't Wait Hawaii or call 808/ 534. 2255.

Peace!

L'Shana Tova!

2006-09-25T01:35:00.000-10:00

I just wanted to wish my Jewish friends and family L'Shana Tova or Happy lunar New Year! This was one of my favorite holidays... with the shofar and taste of apples and honey.

I can't believe it is already 5766, my how time flies when you are on a lunar calendar (j/k).

The photo above -- in case you were wondering -- was from a Reform Temple in Buffalo, New York. It is famous to the rest of the world for its artwork by Ben Shahn (who is also one of my favorite artists). It is personal to me too, since my grandmother was the temple's librarian for many, many years.

Our Dr. Knuth in History News Network

2006-09-18T10:57:00.000-10:00

Alumni/Students/Fans of Dr. Knuth should check out an editorial she wrote that appeared in History News Network. You can even add a comment.

The Lt. Watada Court Martial as a Free Speech Issue

2006-09-17T16:45:00.000-10:00

I haven't written on the The Lt. Watada Court Martial in a while. Unfortunately that does not mean that nothing has happened. This eloquent son of Hawaii is being prosecuted by the Defense Department for speaking out against the war. According to his support group, Friends and Family of Lt. Watada:

If convicted of all charges, Lt. Watada could now face over eight years in prison, more than six of them for publicly voicing his opposition to what he considers an illegal and immoral war.

I join them in asking you to send a personal note requesting he be allowed to serve in Afghanistan (no, he's not a CO) or some other duties, and not to be pubished for taking a position as a citizen-soldier. Please write to:

Commanding General
Fort Lewis and I Corps
Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik
Bldg 2025 Stop 1
Fort Lewis WA 98433

According to the suppport group:

Lt. Gen. Dubik can be reached via his aide at 253-967-0022, and/or call the Ft. Lewis switchboard at 253-967-1110. We are aware that these numbers often refer "Lt. Watada's supporters" to the Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office at 206-967-7166.

I think that he and his family deserve a lot of credit for taking this position.

Professor Yehuda Bauer @ the University of Hawaii

2006-09-17T16:34:00.000-10:00

For those of you in Honolulu who are interested in hearing one of the leading scholars of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies, UHM Historian Peter Hoffenberg passed on the schedule of Professor Yehuda Bauer's talks the University of Hawaii this October.

October 9 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"The Relationship Between the Holocaust and Other Genocides"
Introduction: Dean Aviam Soifer, Wm. Richardson School of Law

October 11 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"World War II and the Contexts of the Holocaust"
Introduction: Prof. Herbert Ziegler, UHM History Department

October 12 from 3 until 4:30 in Poli Sci Seminar Room,
Saunders Hall:
"The Instrumentalization of the Holocaust"
Convenor: Prof. Manfred Henningsen, UHM Political Science Department

October 16 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"Darfur: Genocide and International Politics"
Introduction: Prof. Manfred Henningsen

October 18 from 12:30 until 2 pm in Sakamaki Hall A201, History Department Library: "Recent Holocaust Scholarship"

October 18 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"Is Genocide Preventable?"
Introduction: Prof. Robert Littman, UHM Classics Department

October 19 from 12:40 to 1:30 in the Moot Court Room,
Wm. Richardson School of Law:
"The Politics of Genocide Prevention"

-----------------
FYI: There are a few points on which I disagree with Profesor Bauer, but he is an eloquent speaker in the sense of an British senior lecturer; and he certainly provides a good deal to think about.

Hanauma Bay

2006-09-17T12:00:00.000-10:00

Yesterday I decided to take a break by driving out to the Blowhole. I haven't been there in a long time. It was amazing The sound, the fresh air, and the sights were spectacular.

Before doing work in a cafe in the Koko Head Marina, I decided to check out Hanauma Bay for the first time. (Kamaina get in free except for $1 parking). The obligatory movie is a bit slow, but it has an amazing beach and coral reef. There were very few people there too, so it was truly ideal. Next time I'll have to bring a bathing suit instead of my camera.

Celebrate International Peace Day with Amnesty International

2006-09-16T11:31:00.000-10:00

Anyone around campus this Thursday is invited to our UHM Amnesty International Student Chapter first big program. It will be Thursday, 21 September from 6.00 to 7.00 pm in campus center Room 310. We'll have a brief movie on human rights on Burma, and a 5 to 10 minute talk on this from a local expert. We'll also write some letters. We'll try to take less than an hour of your precious time. I hope to see you there.

On a related note, Senator Daniel Akaka just sent our AI chapter a very nice 2-page letter expressing some recent efforts to stop torture in this country. It is good to have such people in Washington for us!

Calling Socially Responsible Librarians in Hawaii!

2006-09-16T10:17:00.000-10:00

I just read that Jessamyn Charity West will be a speaker at this year's Hawaii Library Association conference in Waikiki. She was one of the co-editors of Revolting Librarians Redux (McFarland). It is an interesting revisit of the classic Revolting Librarians, which is now online.

I think it might be a good time to start a Hawai'i chapter of the Social Responsibilities Round Table. Anyone interested in helping to get one off the ground? We could start by passing around a sign-up sheet of people interested, and also find out what is involved in terms of paperwork next. Perhaps we could have a program in 2008. There are a lot of progressive issues we could tackle. For example, I'd love to see something on libraries and the alternative press in Hawaii. Green libraries would be another great topic since so many of our libraries will need to be remodeled.

I wonder if there used to be a state chapter of SRRT. I believe that ALA-SRRT took a leadership role in the B&T fiasco--unlike HLA. Of course, that is before I came here, so I imagine there is more to the story.

Waikiki Social and Absentee Ballot

2006-09-09T14:02:00.000-10:00

I've been plugging away on articles, and haven't had much to blog about recently. I sometimes make few comments on Flickr.

Yesterday, I went to a Special Libraries Association state chapter social in Waikiki. The chapter is always doing a good job of trying to reach out to our LIS students. I was pleased that so many SLA members and students came. Most of the state SLA members are our alumni, so I learned some interesting things for my research on the history of the school. It was also just a pleasant relaxed time since everyone was so nice. I might add that the view (and sound) of the ocean was amazing.

Today's big thrill was completing my absentee ballot. I decided that I wanted to do it this way, so that I could research the candidates more thoroughly. Sometimes there are some elections, like the Board of Education, that get less attention. These are important choices though, so I took time to look up information. This week's Honolulu Weekly also had an OK voter's guide. I am especially interested in the BOE election since the Board has so much impact over Hawaii's state system of schools and libraries. I wish HLA or another group would chart board members' votes on issues, such as library funding, library salaries, censorship, and educational issues.

Have a good weekend!

East-West Ceramics Collaboration IV

2006-08-29T20:19:00.000-10:00

If you are reading this here in Honolulu, check out the new exhibit at the University of Hawaii Department of Art Gallery.
The exhibit East-West Ceramics Collaboration IV is an interesting program that brought 15 ceramic artists from Asia to campus this past summer. The gallery is open M-F: 10.30-4.00 pm; and Sundays: Noon-4.00 pm (Closed Saturdays and holidays).

The photo is of a Buncheong Vase by LEE Jung Do.

Save the Hawaii Medical Library

2006-08-27T23:13:00.000-10:00

Queens Medical Center is reportedly discussing tearing down the building that houses the Hawaii Medical Library in order to make a parking lot. I hope this is untrue, but imagine we need to get the word out to make sure this does not happen. Please pass on your displeasure to any friends who work at Queens or are in the media.

There are two main reasons in my opinion to save the building. The first is that it is part of Hawaii's architectural heritage. It was designed by architect Vladimir Ossipoff (1907-1998) who created hundreds of historic homes and buildings in Hawaii. Ossipoff was recognized in the Honolulu Monthly's Top 100 "Legends who made this city." The other reason is that the building is home to the Hawaii Medical Library, which is a unique resource here for students, health care professionals, and the community. It is also home of the Mamiya Medical Heritage Center, which collects material on the history of health care workers in Hawai'i.

The Association of Hawaii Archivists, and some other groups are finalizing a resolution expressing our concern. I'll post that on the AHA website. Thanks for considering this, and helping to preserve the HML!

First Week Finished/ ARTafterDARK

2006-08-26T00:53:00.000-10:00

The first week of classes is over. It should be a good semester.

I always go a bit crazy when Noriko leaves, but am keeping busy with class prep and my research on the history of the Graduate School of Library Studies at the University of Hawaii. Please let me know if you ever find any sources or hear any good stories. I'd eventually like to launch a website with artifacts or photos from the past. I'm also presenting on this at the ALISE conference, and working on article about this (or a few, as there are several interesting dimensions). It combines many of my interests -- history of libraries, LIS education, ethnic history, higher education, Hawai'i, Cold War, East-West relations, etc.

After doing some research and attending a PhD Dissertation defense today, I biked to the Honolulu Academy of Arts to participate in ARTafterDARK. It is supposed to be for folks under 40, so I only have a few more years of approved attendance left. I think more than half of the attendees are beyond too, but I agree that it's important to present art as hip and fun. It is, but I rarely see this age group in museums or many cultural institutions. The Honolulu Symphony is trying to appeal to young and others too, but their campaign is just so tacky and unsophisticated that I cringe whenever I see it.

I enjoyed the exhibits and the building's architecture. I was surprised that I "found" another wing that was new to me. I did not realize that there is a big collection of art related to Hawaii above the movie theater. It was an impressive collection. The landscapes were amazing. The tattoo prints were most popular though.

Grooving to the music of the Universoul BeaT OrchestrA and watching some dancers was great fun too. I also felt so alive just biking around. I just wish drivers would spend more time looking at the road and less time on their cell phone.

Indiana University SLIS Alumni in Hawaii

2006-08-21T10:04:00.000-10:00

Aloha. Vicky Martin from the IU Foundation will be in Hawaii next month. She'd love to meet with IU SLIS alumni when she is on campus. Can we get together for coffee/ tea around 10 am on WED 13 September?

It is a new semester today

2006-08-21T08:46:00.000-10:00

The new academic year is now upon us. Have a good class if you are taking or teaching one.

Lt. Watada Press Conference on Tuesday

2006-08-14T23:02:00.000-10:00

For those of you who have been following the case of First Lt. Ehren Watada, I just received an e-mail today that there will be a press conference here in Hawaii at noon on Tuesday, 15 August at the Father Damien Statute in front of the Hawai`i State Capitol. In case you haven't heard, Lt. Watada has stated that he refuses to go to Iraq because he claims that it is an immoral and illegal war. He has tried to resign his commission, but has not applied to be a Conscientious Objector (CO). I think he is taking a very brave stance. The Bush Administration is prosecuting him basically for criticizing war policy. It is amazing how this quickly became a Free Speech issue.

Apparently Lt. Watada's Preliminary Article 32 Hearing at Ft. Lewis is scheduled for August 17, so a Consortium of Hawai`i's Clergy in Support of Lt. Ehren Watada "will gather to speak out in support of Lt. Ehren Watada"

"Clergy and church representatives attending: Paul Gracie, Acting President, The Interfaith Alliance of Hawai`i; Sister Joan Chatfield, Chair, TIAH Commission on Ethics in Public Life; Dr. Al Bloom, Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Mission; Reverend Sam Cox, United Methodist Church; Pastor Bob Nakata, Kahaluu United Methodist Church; Reverend Shoji Matsumoto, Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin; Reverend Bishop Stephen Randolph Sykes, Hawai`i Inclusive Orthodox Church; Warren Kundis, Muslim Association of Hawaii; Reverend Wallace Fukunaga, United Church of Christ; Rabbi Avi Magid; and Reverend Mike Young, First Unitarian Church."

The rest of the message is as follows:

Honolulu attorney Eric Seitz will also provide the latest developments of Watada's legal case . Seitz departs Tuesday evening for Ft. Lewis, Washington to represent Lt. Watada in the Article 32 preliminary hearing on Thursday, August 17.

Lt. Ehren Watada, born and raised in Hawai`i, is the first commissioned Army officer to disobey orders to deploy to Iraq as a thoughtful and deliberate act of conscience to refuse to participate in an illegal war. The Army has charged Lt. Watada with conduct unbecoming an officer, missing troop movement and contempt towards officials (in this case, President Bush). If he is convicted, he could face nearly eight years in prison and a dishonorably discharge.

The mission of The Interfaith Alliance Hawai`i (TIAH) is to promote a positive healing role in Hawai`i with people of faith, good will, and aloha; encouraging nonviolent civic participation, facilitating community activism, and challenging religion and political extremism.

I have to be at New Student Orientation that time, but will be there in spirit.

Looking to unload a 2 bedroom condo near campus?

2006-08-14T22:59:00.000-10:00

We're meeting with a real estate agent this week. If any of you dear friends happen to see a nice 2-bedroom fee-simple condo (preferably within biking distance of campus), please drop me an e-mail.

Congratulations Summer 06 LIS Grads

2006-08-13T13:07:00.000-10:00

Congratulations Summer 2006 LIS Graduates!!!

More photos are at my Flickr set. I regret that only a few came of the inside shots came out so well. One of these days I will get a zoom with stabilization. I deleted the worst ones.

Classes start up again in a week. I am excited, but wonder where the summer went...

Happy B-Day PC

2006-08-11T01:27:00.000-10:00

The BBC had a brief photo gallery to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the PC. I remember my family's first computer. It was an Atari. We later "upgraded" with a tape drive memory. My more well-off and high-tech friends had commodore vic 20s. It is amazing how small our networks were compared to the net today. Just think about how much has changed in these years?

Hiroshima

2006-08-10T00:12:00.000-10:00

In Memory of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It was a moving experience to visit Hiroshima's Peace Park last summer. Thinking about war in general, especially nuclear war, always amazes me. It is incredible how technologically advanced we can be, while being so backwards at the same time.

Today's Bento Box

2006-08-06T14:33:00.000-10:00

Yes, the new school year is almost upon us. Need a laugh?
Check out today's Bento Box by Deb Aoki.

First Friday Gallery Walk and Jaywalking

2006-08-05T15:03:00.000-10:00

Friday was a good day. I had a morning appointment with the archivist of the Hawaii ILWU about some projects for students in the future. We were joined by the librarian/archivist from the International HQ in San Francisco and UH’s preservation guru Lynn. It was a fascinating talk. They have an important collection that is central to the less well-known story of the democratization of Hawaii. It was my first time to see the impressive mural by Pablo O’Higgins.

We then had lunch at Paesano with Dr. Nahl to celebrate her promotion to full professor. It is a very exciting event in an academic’s career. You cannot go any higher than that except as an administrator.

That evening was First Friday, so we visited with Dr. Knuth and a visiting colleague. We sampled calamari and Kona Golden Ale at Murphy’s (one of the oldest bars in town), then explored the galleries of Chinatown. We ended up at the Hawaii State Art Museum, which is always a treat.

The only downside was the absurdity of getting a $70 ticket for jaywalking on Hotel Street. The police set up a dragnet there, and gave out many tickets to fellow gallery-hoppers. I understand how the city wants to cut down on Hawaii's high number of pedestrian deaths/ accidents, but this seems unfair to do so on what is essentially a pedestrian and busses-only street. This also goes against the city's and state's efforts to make Chinatown a safer place that people want to visit. It is even more absurd when there were many more criminal acts going on within a block. Sigh. I just wrote a letter to the mayor about this.

My Sister is Settling Down

2006-08-05T14:55:00.000-10:00

I am pleased to report that my sister's Hawai'i wedding went very well. I now have a nice brother-in-law. For days I was afraid that the Kaka'ako Beach event would get rained out by Tropical Storm Daniel, but everything went like magic. I think they had a great visit. They seemed so happy. We were too.

Peace

2006-07-25T10:52:00.000-10:00

The news out of the Middle East is so frustrating. I've walked the streets of Haifa, Safed (Zefat) (shown above) and even Nahariya, so I can imagine the anxiety facing Israelis. However, even from a pragmatic perspective I don't see how Israel could end the Katyusha attacks. Yes, Hezbollah is criminal in launching missiles from civilian neighborhoods, but that does not excuse the civilian death toll in Lebanon.

The State Department has to join the rest of the UN in calling for a cease-fire, and then try to resolve this problem.

Bibelot Gallery

2006-07-25T10:44:00.000-10:00

Since returning I've been wading through my mail. I received sad news that Honolulu's finest art gallery, Bibleot closed this month. Paul, Tom, and his mom had a fun place with funky artwork, and introduced me to the best potters in Hawaii. I am sad to see it go even though I did not visit so often this past year.

Most of our remaining art galleries seem to feauture neon oil paintings of jumping whales or copies of Hawaiian art -- all overpriced for tourists. Bibelot always had a range of affordable art for those of us who are just starting out. They were also very real people who enjoyed to talk with folks.

Sort of Blogging on Flickr

2006-07-17T15:03:00.000-10:00

I wrote a long diary on my trip to Paris, Amsterdam, Leiden, and The Hague, but don't feel like posting parts quite yet. I posted more than several photos -- some with comments on my Flickr page.

I hope you are all staying cool this summer.

back to work...

Pete Seeger

2006-07-03T19:32:00.000-10:00

I am not the biggest fan of folk music (especially banjo!), but when I was young, I was influenced by my father's old Pete Seeger LPs. Seeger is 87 now, but is still active. He was featured on Monday's Democracy Now. You can download the 1-hour program.

When I was in college or high school I heard Seeger and Arlo Guthrie in concert. That was a fun gig. Seeger told great stories and shared his political vision and love of humanity.

Moving and cleaning has been the theme of the week, but this was a very nice interlude.

More War News (Kerry-Feingold/ Watada/ Hamdan)

2006-07-02T08:11:00.000-10:00

I received an e-mailer from Senator John Kerry, on his “Kerry-Feingold proposal to redeploy American combat troops out of Iraq by July 1, 2007. Thirteen Senators voted for it,” including:

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), co-sponsor
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT)
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

I was very proud of Hawaii to see our two US Senators on the list. If you agree with me on this war, you might send our officials an e-mail in praise of their courageous stand.

I was in still in Lincoln on 27 June, but have been so busy that I did not contact local Nebraskans for Peace (NFP) to see if they were doing anything to support the National Day of Action to Stand Up with Lt. Watada. It seems like a success in other areas – even though the numbers seem so small. By the way, NFP produces a fine Cat Lovers Against the Bomb calendar each year. I haven't checked with our feline roommates about their “nookleyar” policies. Perhaps they would have to sleep on the question. ^^

In other national news, I was pleased by the Supreme Court’s Hamdan decision. It was interesting that they ruled against a ruling made by the new justice—Bush appointee John Roberts. It gave me some hope that we still have some checks and balances left despite all of Bush's numerous ideological judicial appointees.

Have a happy 4th!

ALA Annual Conference/ Part II

2006-06-26T20:56:00.000-10:00

I’m writing this en route home from ALA. I usually enjoy attending conferences, but I am happy to be heading home.

Saturday was relatively uneventful. I was so exhausted that I slept in. That was helped by the fact that – despite a reminder note – I forgot to pack my alarm clock. During the day I checked out Loyola’s library...

...and worked on some LHRT matters, and went to the exhibits and placement office. No, I am not looking for a job. I usually go, and try to encourage some of the major employers (library systems) to come to UH. I also pick up flyers about positions. Quite a few seemed interested in coming to Hawaii, even a few employers that had LIS programs on campus. We’ll have to see how this develops.

In the exhibits, I met a bookseller named Henry Hollander, who specializes in Judaica. We started talking about books and the situation of publishing and scholarship. Before I knew it I was invited to dinner because his brother, who lives in New Orleans, works with a Tulane University professor I know. It was good to see the professor, who used to work at the University of Nebraska. He was one of the few people I knew in New Orleans. I had worried about him, and kept Googling him for news. Within a week I found a great article that he wrote in the Forward on his experiences, and Jewish life in post-Katrina New Orleans. Tulane and Loyola seemed fine overall, although I understand that some students and faculty have not returned. Other schools were hit harder. I found that out when I wandered around the Marriott (in search for a payphone). Several of the hotel’s ballrooms were taken over by a college, which was damaged by Katrina. Students were doing their best to continue with their studies.

Sunday was my busy day. I am the incoming chair of the ALA Library History Round Table, so I had to be at the 8:00 Business meeting. Christine Pawley did an excellent job of running the meeting. We covered a number of key issues, including discussion of the next Library History Seminar. We have three sites competing to host it (details online at http://libraryhistoryseminar.blogspot.com/). After the Executive meeting, I chaired the LHRT Research Forum. We had three peer-reviewed papers, which were quite good. I hated to cut off two of the speakers, but was pleased that we ended on time. I’ll never forget one of my first LHRT meetings, which lasted one hour beyond the time. I joined many of the usual library history folks for lunch, before our first Edward Holley lecture. Dr. Jane Aiken and Dr. John Cole gave a nice talk on the development of the Encyclopedia of the History of the Library of Congress. This was especially interesting since I am gathering material for an encyclopedia on LIS education.

I had a few minutes between the next session, and was able to talk with LHRT veterans and friends Christine Pawley, Ken Potts, and Mark Tucker at a café about the next year’s slate of officers, and plans for next year. I am getting excited about being chair of LHRT, and hope to be a good chair. I decided that my main initiatives will be to invigorate the website, work on LIS education, and try to do outreach with other library history societies abroad. It will be good to work on these with UCLA Professor Mary Niles Maack (Vice Chair) and the rest of the Board, as well as Denise Davis and Letitia Earvin At ALA HQ.

Soon I had to walk up Canal Street for the ALISE Cooperative Reunion. Dr. Harada was at ALA, but had to leave beforehand, so I felt that I should represent the University of Hawaii, even though I am not an alumnus. A few recent and older alumni came.

After an hour we all left to the NMRT Student Reception. I wanted to be there to celebrate our ALA Student Chapter’s winning “ALA Student Chapter of the Year.” It is a great honor. I am so proud of all of our students, but especially those who were active in ALA-SC. They are good. As an aside, the Runner-Up Chapter was Indiana University Bloomington. Not only is this the school were I got my master’s, but one of the two co-advisors is Thomas Nisonger, who was my student advisor back then.

I also was at the meeting with Christine Pawley to promote the LHRT. We were expecting to give a 2-minute presentation, like they usually have ALA units do, but instead they encouraged us to do a free for all. I felt a bit like a salesman or politician, but hawked the pamphlets that I made. It was interesting talking with the students and recent alumni. Many seem creative and engaged in different issues. A few seemed interested, which was good. I talked with a few students from Drexel who expressed dismay that it didn’t offer any such class – despite their interest.

Christine and I were one of the last ones left in the room (most people scampered away to the 3M/NMRT Social), so we escaped for food in the Vieux Carre. It was good to just walk around and talk. Christine is a true intellectual, so this was interesting, and of course, I love walking around the French Quarter, including at least one fine bookseller. We eventually agreed on a nice restaurant, and enjoyed a very tender broiled salmon and Pinot Grigio.

Monday was much less exciting. I mailed papers back to Hawaii, worked on LHRT materials (a new logo, ideas for the website, 2007 Annual Conference Program proposal), packed, and dealt with the usual joys of airport shuttle, airport food, airport security, changing planes, etc. It is hard to believe that I used to love plane travel when I was young. I am excited to be almost home. I missed First Lady Bush’s address to ALA. Apparently she spoke for about 20 minutes, and also introduced a new IMLS Initiative to fund school library media specialist students. She is probably the most famous librarian today. I just can’t understand why she married George W. Traffic was backed up considerably because of Mrs. Bush’s motorcade.

Before concluding, I should say that New Orleans still has its charms intact. The buildings are spectacular. (It is hard to believe that they almost spliced the quarter in half with an interstate highway a few decades ago).

People were very kind. Everyone I talked with explained how grateful they were that 20,000 librarians were coming. Even the New York Times covered the conference on Saturday, pointing out how many other major conferences had cancelled their plans, and there is no major conference planned until the fall.

ALA Annual Conference/ Part I

2006-06-24T09:35:00.000-10:00

Home Repair and Cleaning week is on hold, as I headed out for ALA. As you probably know already, it is being held in New Orleans. The ALA is first major conference being held here after Katrina. It often attracts around 20,000 librarians from around the world. Being in New Orleans, you can see the devastation and real poverty in many places. Of course, economic problems were not new hee, but some areas look like a developing nation. I am happy that ALA decided to stick with ALA. I enjoyed a few minutes of walking around the French Quarter, which is a treat. I am always amazed to think that the federal government wanted to destroy it in the 70s by putting an interstate in the middle of this architectual preserve.

I am staying at the ALA set of dorms at Loyola University. The price was right in order to have a room of my own.

It is a nice Jesuit university campus, like a nice private college in Europe or Japan. I enjoyed stopping in the library. The campus is both attractive and quiet, which is unlike most of the hotels. It is a bit of a schlep to get there and back, but I saved about $100 each night. I had hoped to enjoy the lovely St. Charles trolley back and forth, but the tracks have not been repaired since the flood. I can still take the ALA shuttle (free) or the ST CHARLES city bus. The city seems to be rebuilding its public transit system. It is free for riders until the 30th of this month as a way to attract riders again.

I wanted to attend a COA meeting on Friday, but could not make it since my flight was delayed, and the airport shuttle took forever. I did make it to a meeting that trains incoming round table chairs, since I'll be chairing the Library History Round Table after the conference. In the evening I met one of my former professors from Indiana University for a nice seafood dinner. My final activity was celebrating at the reception honoring Loriene Roy's ALA Presidential victory.

Professor Roy is a real inspiration to me on so many levels. I am so thrilled that she was elected. Her 'formal' reception was very casual and comfortable, yet also elegant. It was the most diverse gathering I've attended outside of Hawaii, which was great. You could sense the enthusiasm and ideas flowing, since Loriene attracts people who network and actually create change -- rather than griping.

Library history students might be interested in a project that she wants during her presidency. She wants to add a sort of "this day in library history" to the ALA website. She will create a form that people can submit events and explanations. The theme is to celebrate different aspects of librarianship. I will post more details as I hear them.