In the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to be interviewed for leadership roles in other academic libraries. One example was for a peer institution, where I was asked to present my perspectives on challenges facing liberal arts college libraries to a wider audience during my on campus interview. As is usually the caseContinue reading “Challenges facing liberal arts college libraries”
Author Archives: The OW Factor
Five laws of library data
I propose a Ranganathan-esque set of laws for library data. I do this without any grand conceit or purpose, and for all I know, someone else might have come up with this before and done it better. I haven’t checked. I simply began thinking recently about library data and how it can be used, re-used,Continue reading “Five laws of library data”
Dealing with profound disappointment
Sooner or later, you will almost certainly encounter a time when you are profoundly disappointed in your career. Suggestions for handling those periods is the focus of this post. Causes for disappointment are quite varied and the following might not apply to every situation. I have not “solved” this common problem and that is notContinue reading “Dealing with profound disappointment”
Trying out iOS 16 beta
The Apple hype machine is a key aspect of their success, and I am increasingly reluctant to add to it. Even so, this post is about aspects of their newest iOS release that I really like, and perhaps this post will be useful to others with Apple devices. I recently enrolled in Apple’s iOS 16Continue reading “Trying out iOS 16 beta”
Things that annoy
This won’t be a feel good post. Sorry. Just move on if you’re not up for a bit of negativity. Sometimes I’m told I’m opinionated, overly critical. I think that is true while I also reject the automatic corollary that that’s a bad thing in every situation. As I often say, I’m not negative, I’mContinue reading “Things that annoy”
The Northwoods
Some people think the tropics, the beach, the sun — those are the best ingredients for a good vacation. Not me. Give me the Northwoods, give me cool temperatures requiring layers to keep warm. Give me a wood fire and plenty of mosquito and tick repellent. A little sarcasm there, but really, my ideal locationContinue reading “The Northwoods”
Forest bathing
Have you heard of forest bathing? I have, but only in vague terms. This NPR story talks about it in more detail and I encourage you to read it if this concept intrigues you. Forest bathing to me is just a fancier way of describing a walk in the woods, which I happened to doContinue reading “Forest bathing”
Food
In my family, a lot of talk revolves around food. I doubt we are much different from any other large family. The older we all get, the more we seem to talk and reminisce over food. This past weekend, my wife and I were able to spend time with extended family and we enjoyed someContinue reading “Food”
Neglect
I’ll admit it: I’ve neglected this blog lately. I’m not sure of all the reasons why although the most common one is that it has felt like one more thing to do. And I don’t need or want “one more thing to do.” I read an interesting article recently about someone in higher education whoContinue reading “Neglect”
Menagerie
Welcome to the new year, all. New year, new start, including (hopefully) more regular posting on this blog. We are a family that loves animals, and we have a bit of a menagerie now: three dogs, two parakeets, and the most recent additions: two kittens. You guessed it, the kittens were Christmas presents for twoContinue reading “Menagerie”
The OW Factor 