Public Library in Chinatown?

I remember that I visit Chicago ten years ago. There is a Chicago Public Library branch in Chinatown. So
I thought that all the major Chinatown will have a public library with Chinese collection, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Toronto, Montreal.

I was in Montreal recently. I made a special trip to Chinatwon with a hope that I will find a public library mainly serves the Chinese population. I found none. ("sigh") Then I found out that you can find some Chinese materials at the Grande Bibliotheque in downtown. - well it is NOT the same though.

University Libraries in Montreal

There are three major universities in Montreal: McGill, Concordia, and UQAM (Univesite of Quebec at Montreal). Among three universities libraries, I have to say UQAM the best. The library is extremely clean and quiet. The library even has a post indicating that noise is "0" tolerance at the library. Students are well-behaved, compare the US students I experienced (I am just be honest.). Books are clean and well-organized on the shelf. It is very pleasant to walk around the library.

Concordia university is the most user-friendly library, among three academic libraries in town. Staff drives extra miles to help library users - from my observation. The shelves are well-maintained. It is only librry that provides electronic articles/documentary delivery to students.

McGill library is the most "dirty" one, among three university libraries. It`s probably because it is the old building. Students are still using copiers to make copies for the journal articles they need for classes. The electronic journal delivery services is very behind, compare to other university library. You won't get too much help from library staff as well. When I asked the staff about the electronic articles, she gave me a special look - it seems that I come from Mars.

Public Library NOT FREE anymore?

I have been touring the public libraries in Montreal areas. I found out that all the libraries are NOT connected to each other. In other words, if you live in a different town, even though it might be only five minutes away from the next town, you will have to get different library card to use the library.

Ile des Soeurs Public Library: It is a French-speaking library. You can get a library card for free if you are the resident of Ile des soeurs. However, if you want to check out the new books, you have to pay $3.00 per item!

Atwater Public Library - it is a English speaking library. The books are old but well-organized. If you want a library card, you have to pay an annual fee. Plus, if you need to use the Internet, you have to pay a fee as well. Of course, you also have to pay for the printing. Everything is fee-based. And you cannot even use the bathroom if you are not the member of the library. ("sigh")

Westmount Public Library - it was established in 1899. It is said that it is the most popular public library in town. The building is very impressive - it is a "castle"! It is located at the edge of the Westmount Park. Beautiful! You do not have to pay a fee for a library card. If you bring your laptop, you can use the wireless for FREE! But the connection is extremely slow.

All the public libraries do not access to the university library's site! The access is very limited.

5 ans Grande Bibliotheque - Five years The Grand Library

Main library is no necessarily better than small local library in terms of services. That's what I have experienced.

I visited the Grande Bibliotheques and found out that library users cannot access to local academic libraries' databases. Instead, the small local Ile des Soeurs Bibliotheque provides elctronic resources, including the academic libraries in the region.

In addition, the main library is located in the heart of the city. I saw more security guards than library staff at the entrance.

I would prefer the small local library, wouldn't you?

An extraordinary book!

I visited the Ile des Soeurs Bibliotheque and found this book titled, Aisline's Shenanigans. Aislin is a cartoonist for the Montreal English newspaper, The Gazette. He uses his cartoons to express what a general Quebecois feels about his/her country. Here are some highlights:

Pas d'innigrants icitte! - Caption: "The town of Heronxville a code of conduct for any possible immigrant that might arrive there." 

The snow? The weather? Potholes? The economy? Things could be a whole lot worse. - Caption: "You could still be a smoker."

Canada ranks, like, really high on list of world's marijuana used.

I am a Quebecaholic - (Caption) "Turn back, your watch 400 years."

I understand why Qecbecois do not like immigrants. The umemployment rate is over 9%. And they do not like people who does not speak Qecbec French (not proper French).

I am not sure whether the US readers can find this book in the US. If so, you shouldn't miss this book.

Comic Books as Universal Language Books?

When you read comic books, you do not necessarily know the language. I picked up a French comic book, Fun Home which is written by an American author. I do not know enough French to read the dialogs, but I understand by the well-defined illustrations.

1001 Children Books You must Read before You Grow Up

I found this thick red book on the shelf. It is a great resource not only for children librarian, also for parents and teachers. This book is arranged by age group, up to early teenagers. I am hoping that we will see another similar book for late teenagers.

What can you do when you have "problems" with your professor at Graduate School?

I got a very tough question from one of my regular library users, a graduate school at the university. He told me that he has "problems" with one of his professors. He asked my advice how to handle it. Oh boy! It is a tough question. Honestly. I would rather answer research questions than give advice on this issue.

I ended up to advice him to read some "literature" about the issue - there are books how to survive at Graduate School...

I do hope I am able to give him some useful advice.

Book: The Pearl of China -

This novel is based on Pearl Buck's legacy. It is a book about the life of Pearl Buck who was three months old when she was brought to China by her missionary father. She lived in China for over 40 years. I love Pearl Buck's books! SO when I knew a book based on her life is coming up, I was so excited. I am reading it and not quite finish yet. But this afternoon I heard from the public radio interview of the author, Anchee Min. I feel a little bit "disappointed" in a way.

Sadly the author, Anchee Min mentioned that she "cut off the root of China." How can one cut off one’s own root? It is quite impossible. We cannot imagine what kind of notion behind that statement. I feel sorry for her - she wants to deny her own root.

...

Book: The Girl Who Played Go

This book is recommended by one of my colleagues. I usually do not read novel. So I borrowed the book from library with an uncertainty.

The Girl Who played Go is written by Shen Sa. - This is NOT a book about the game, Go. In 1930s Japanese military invade Manchuria, the northeast China. A girl played Go with an aim to escape the confusion of growing up in wartime.

The historical setting is unique and the story is sensational.

When the professor made mistake ...

Most academic librarians are considered as a faculty members. YET it is hard to address when the librarian noticed that professor made mistake. That's happened to me. The professor gave student an incomplete citation. I pointed out t the student. Guess what? I am in "trouble". I guess some of the people who are in academia cannot accept any constructive comments. (sigh)

When the Professor "no show"

I am scheduled to the classroom to assist a professor for the information technology. I entered the classroom about 7:30 because I want to prepare myself for the class and hope to have a chance to speaker to the professor before the class. Students started walking in before 8:00. The class is scheduled to start at 8:15. We all waited, and waited until 8:45... Where is the professor? I have another assignment at 9:00. So I decided to leave...

It's the first time I experienced professor did not show up for class. It is NOT a librarian's nightmare; but it is surely very discourage.

I am wondering what other librarians will do when the professor "no show."

I learned an unfamiliar word

Last night I read an article titled, "Language learning in the library" which was published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship. What interesting about this article is that the author named the self-initiative ESL students as "self-directed" students. It is a term I haven't heard before and I am sure that I won't be able to find the definition in Oxford University Dictionary.

"Self-directed" refers to the ESL students who use the library not because they are asked to do so by the faculty member. The use the library for many ways with an aim to improve their English language skills.
...

I learned something news today.

Oh Boy! again qualitative and quantitative research

It is a "nightmare" for any new graduate student who has no prior training or knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research. - in the past two days I have been "digging" the literature about these two research methodologies, including books and articles. It seems that scholars make it harder than it is. They build more and more theoretical approaches when they explain these two styles of research. Confusing, for sure. ...

As a librarian, I surely should know the differences between these two approaches. Here is what I have experienced. I read and read until I thought I have a better and clear concept what they are and what the differences ... then a student approached me and asked me. As soon as I opened my mouth, trying to explain... I realize that I am not TOO clear on that ...Oh boy! I need to do more reading.

East Asian Library Journal

A student came to me asked whether she is able to have a "print preview" before she prints out the articles from East Asian Library Journal. My response is, "Sure!" Well it turns out it is not the case.

The journal is FREE for everyone and can be printed from the web. The articles are "supposed" in PDF file. But when you do the print preview, it only shows the first page. If you click on the "print" button, Voila! The entire article is there.

What a "strange" setting!

Is this familiar to you?

I read this the other day (fromWilliamLAwrence Neuman):

"My theory says that when people lose their jobs, they feel a loss of self-worth. Once they lose self-worth, they become easily frustrated, upset, and angry. Frustrated people often express their anger by directing violence toward those with whom they have close personal contact (e.g., friends, spouse, children, etc.)"

What Would Dewey Do?

When things all went wrong at the library - such as last night. Computers were NOT working. Called the IT Department and got the message, "The IT Department is now closed; please call back during the business hours." (???) I was supposed to show students how to utilize library resources and how to access via the library web page.

Eventually a gentleman came, but guess what? He is the facility person of the building! Oh boy! He told me that nothing he can do about computers. I just have to go by without the "technology."

Luckily I always have a Plan B - handouts!!!

My last night experience reminds me the an unshelved collections series, especially the book titled, What Would Dewey Do? - by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum

Scientific Research Cycle??

One of the graduate students came to me and asked, "Have you heard SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CYCLE?" - Well I have to admit that this is the first time I have this "academic question." Since I do not know what he exactly asked for, I told him come back after his class.

Here is what I found out via research methodology books and resources. Scientific cycle has seven steps:

(1) Choose topic
(2) Focus research question
(3) Design study
(4) Collect data
(5) Analyse data
(6) Interpret data
(7) Inform other (particularly the scientific community)

It's certainly a benefit to be a librarian. - have so many opportunities to learn on a daily basis!!