IM Action

I had my first experience using Instant Messenger today!! I must confess that I was confused at first. This is a good thing. It helps give me perspective when I teach our patrons Introduction To E-mail here at Mt. Pleasant Regional Library. I thought I could just dive right in and pick IM right away as though I had been using it for years. I did not realize that you created messages in the small box underneath and the dialogue ensued in the larger box up top. I sent an IM to Main reference. I wanted to let them know that I had just checked out a book by John Madden One Knee Equals Two Feet. They book circulated 31 times from 1990 to 1996 then stopped. I thought for sure it was lost. However, when I put it on hold it headed my way. It does indeed exist. I enjoy the give and take that is possible with IM. Good experience.

Lifelong Learning

I have always considered myself a "lifelong learner". I formerly worked in the school system and that phrase was used quite frequently. I have continued to read and learn new things. My primary interest is History. I have had my Charleston Tour Guide License since February of 1994. I also enjoy learning about new developments in the Field of Quantum Mechanics. However, as mentioned, you must enjoy what you are doing. In the past, I have started to read books that were written poorly or I just did not care to read. As a result, did I force myself through these volumes? No way! I ditched those items in favor of something else.
I have the most difficulty having an end in mind when learning new things. Again, I enjoy jumping around while learning new things. For me, If I sit down and say "now what is the end result of all this new information" I feel as though I have drained some of the enjoyment away. Planning my learning process reminds me of a school environment. I am not interested.
Oddly, I find accepting responsibility for my own learning to be the easiest part of the process. I will often think of a period in history or an area of science about which I wish to know more information. I then will search the library catalog and look online for further information. In fact, since working at the Mt. Pleasant Library, the scope of my life-long learning as increased. Part of my duties include checking the records of all new adult items. In the process of performing my duties, I often will spot interesting non-fiction books I would not otherwise know existed.