Daily Thoughts 11/5/2009

David Laing, 1862, by William Fettes Douglas (1822-1891)

Daily Thoughts 11/5/2009

Today was another solid day. We went over how to rearrange the storage area for a little bit. We also looked at the layout of how the library is arranged. We are going to make a number of changes to the layout. I enjoy working with my colleagues.

We are also looking at how the Baker and Taylor is sending us items automatically. It is funny starting to think of things as we. But, I think I have to. It is a much better way to think of things.

I am reading The Peter Principle Why Things Always Go Wrong by Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. It is quite funny. It is about how and why people rise to the level of their incompetence. There are lots of made up words and ridiculous examples. It is an unbusiness book much like there are unconferences. This version is c2009, published by Collins Business.

Daily Thoughts 11/4/2009

The North Room, Astor Library, Lafayette Place, New York. 1876, Print, Leslie's Magazine, Mid-Manhattan Pictures Collection, New York Public Library

Daily Thoughts 11/4/2009

Last night, I went out and voted at the local school near my house. It was not very busy and the process went quickly. I did my civic duty. I hope wherever you are, you take the time to vote in your elections.

We had a collection development meeting today. I put in my orders for books. It went quite well today. I also did a little bit of clean up of the display area.

I picked up two books to read, The Peter Principle Why Things Always Go Wrong by Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull and The Continual Condition by Charles Bukowski. The Continual Condition is a posthumous work which should be interesting. His poetry mellowed a bit in his old age.

I did not read anything on the train home.

Daily Thoughts 11/3/2009

The portable manuscript books of "Tsukigase Kisho/Getsurai Kisho (月瀬記勝) written by Saito Setsudo (斎藤拙堂)" in 1884, published by Shikada Seishichi (鹿田静七). Book size (WxHxD): 8.5cm x 12cm x 0.8cm . Another Wikimedia find.

Daily Thoughts 11/3/2009

I am still reading Small Unit Leadership A Commonsense Approach by Colonel Dandridge M. Malone. It is a very interesting book. Everything is very definite. For example the author describes how training in specific skills leads to increased will to do the activity the person is trained in. There is a reminder that in the army, the mission is more important than you are.

This is a truly excellent book. There are a whole bunch of things which he reminds you to do to keep organized; keep a calendar, keep a notebook to write down things all of the time, and in the morning create to do lists and cross out the things which you have finished. The book is very well organized into a variety of lists.

The only parts I don't get completely are about the military aspects of command. The other parts I understand quite well. Some of the book is clearly written solely for squad leaders.

The last chapter on how to ask questions to get the kind of answers you need is very interesting. I think the book is useful in general not just from a military standpoint.

The layout of the book is easy to read, there is an index, and there are many simple black and white illustrations. The book includes lists that are both bullet pointed and numbered. Malone is considered one of the United States armies leading experts on leadership.

I watched some more of The Color of Magic on dvd. It is a fun movie to watch. The film follows the book very closely. It is about fantasy and wish fulfillment. I like Terry Pratchett's original book, The Color of Magic as much as I like the movie. The discworld resting on the back of the giant turtle is the best part.

Daily Thoughts November 2, 2009

Ukrainian Stamp. I am not sure what it says. I found it on Wikimedia and liked it.

Daily Thoughts 11/2/2009

They moved the clocks an hour back today, so I am up too early. I am not sure what to think about this.

Today, I finished weeding the trade paperbacks and the mass market paperbacks. I am also watching the volunteers shift the nonfiction collection. It is moving steadily along. Also, we are working on a new layout for the mezzanine. It should make it much easier to find the fiction books.

This morning, I put together another display, this time for Veterans Day which is on November 11, 2009 in the United States. I picked out both dvds and books on wars of the United States, veterans, and the GI bill.

I'm also working with a colleague to help write the new monthly report. Things are going very steadily.

Daily Thoughts 11/1/2009

Quote from Henry David Thoreau on Library Way in New York City. Taken on February 28, 2007. By Kathleen COnklin. From Wikimedia. Creative Commons Attribution 2.5

Daily Thoughts November 1, 2009

I am finding reading Small Unit Leadership A Common Sense Approach to be quite enlightening. It explains the difference between civilian leadership and military leadership. In a military situation the objective is to win without exception. There are also descriptions of the difference between leadership and management. The concept of chain of command in the military is also given a detailed explanation. It is quite interesting.

I have been watching the concert Pulse by Pink Floyd also. I watched it while I was doing my floor exercises. It reminds me of when I was younger. I really do like the lighting effect that is part of the concert.

On Tuesday it is election day so I have to remember to vote. I always go vote. Sometimes, I wish I had better choices.