Survey Says

One-Fifth of Americans Have Never Used E-mail

via Switched by Will Safer on 5/19/08


Do you know anyone who isn't spending time online, sending e-mail, reading blogs and reviews or just shopping for the best deal?

Apparently, plenty of people are still not using the Internet, whether for communication or anything else, according to a new survey issued by Parks Associates.

According to the analyst firm, one-fifth of U.S. households have never used e-mail and 18 percent have no Internet access at all. That's 20 million households that are somehow able to get by without Internet access, a number that reveals a very real digital divide.According to Parks' research director John Barrett, "Nearly one out of three household heads has never used a computer to create a document."

Does this surprise you? Barrett points out that those who are not using computers or going online won't likely be doing either anytime soon. The survey found that only seven percent of the 20 million "unconnected" homes plan to subscribe to an Internet service within the next 12 months. Age and economic status do play a small role, but more important is the overall attitude of those who are not connected that these tools would offer no significant benefit to their lives on a daily basis. [Source: News.com]

The Pen Is Mightier...

The higher ups are threatening to terminate Saturday, or six day service at our local libraries. As a newly employed librarian-in-training, I would like to remain that way.

So people get your pens out and write to the Mayor, the borough president and your council person. Please use this form letter, or write your own.


I use the (branch your frequent) library, exclusively.
Thank you for increasing funding to open my library six full days a week. Having six day library service is important to me, because (state your reasons).

Please maintain funding for The New York Public Library to keep all libraries open six full days a week! Libraries are essential to New Yorkers and should remain open more.

Sincerely,

Tax Paying Concerned Citizen.
Address & Email Address

A POEM FOR THE DAY

I, TOO
I, too sing America.
I am the darker brother,
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare say to me,"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed
I, too am America.

Langston Hughes

Today the library celebrated Shel Silverstein and his poetry. The Children’s Librarian asked the each staff member to read a favorite poem to the kids. I choose this langston Hughes poems introduced me by y 5th grade teacher, Ms. Braithwaite who was very fond of the Harlem Renaissance poets and it was then I learned to appreciate Langston Hughes too.

Currently reading: The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes

TAKING A MOMENT

My three month anniversary of my employment with the NY Public Library, Tremont Branch, as a Librarian Trainee is fast approaching, its May 12th.

I absolutely love, (love does even convey) my job.

After 10 months of working with at an independent bookstore, this is a piece of cake, a walk in a park, a dream and all of those other clichés.

I work in a clean, newly remodeled building.
The Tremont Branch is on the corner of Washington Avenue and East 176th, one block south of East Tremont Avenue and has served its patrons since 1905. The brick building is one of the 65 libraries erected with funds given to New York City by Andrew Carnegie.

I have all of the latest magazines and books, right at my fingertips, for free, located on the main floor of the library along with the reference, adult, and young adult collections.

The second floor is devoted to an expansive children's room and a large programming room, (with a TV & DVD/VCR). I spend several hours a week there, that’s my reading time.

My boss, Mrs. Pugh, the supervising librarian is extremely supportive and very knowledgeable. She also attended library school while working full time, so she knows.

I learn at least one new thing, each day. Today I learned where Goth culture originated (Germany). Two teenagers were doing a report.

Oh yeah, I get to help people, who really appreciate and need my help. I showed a patron, how to type his resume in one of the Microsoft templates. He was delighted and thanked me for being “very helpful.”

Often, I take a moment and say thank you for a great job, in a good location and a pleasant boss.

Currently reading: Foundations of Library Science study sheet for my final exam on Thursday.

SMART, FUNNY & IRREVERENT!

I read Newsweek magazine and Maria Shriver described, Barack Obama’s wife, Michele Obama, as smart funny and irreverent.

I thought, "that sounds like me." I could be definitely described that way.

Smart is defined as mentally alert, bright knowledgeable.
Sounds familiar.
I access and disseminate knowledge daily, 90% (yes 90) of it is in my head, the other 10%, I get from the internet.

Irreverent means lacking proper respect or seriousness, Me, again.
My friend Diane and I would talk about the man in Austria who locked his daughter in the basement for 24 years.
My only question “did he allow her to celebrate Christmas?”

Merriam-Webster, defines funny, as affording light mirth and laughter: amusing seeking or intended to amuse, that’s definitely me.
Knock, knock, who’s there? C’s. C’s Who? C’s the day. lol

At the end article, Shriver also described her husband the same way.!.

Currently reading: The Complete Persepolis