Making It

“One of the strangest things is the act of creation.

You are faced with a blank slate—a page, a canvas, a block of stone or wood, a silent musical instrument.

You then look inside yourself. You pull and tug and squeeze and fish around for slippery raw shapeless things that swim like fish made of cloud vapor and fill you with living clamor. You latch onto something. And you bring it forth out of your head like Zeus giving birth to Athena.

And as it comes out, it takes shape and tangible form.

It drips on the canvas, and slides through your pen, it springs forth and resonates into the musical strings, and slips along the edge of the sculptor’s tool onto the surface of the wood or marble.

You have given it cohesion. You have brought forth something ordered and beautiful out of nothing.

You have glimpsed the divine.” -Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Put simply, a Makerspace is "a place where you can make your ideas come to life." Although some associate the concept with hackerspaces, creations can range from robotics to fabric stenciling  to math manipulatives - and even a makerspace itself!

These tinkering labs might appear in pop-up spaces, social clubs, museums, or, increasingly, public, university and school libraries.

 My passion for photography led me to start some Pinterest boards:

• My Photography Resources  
• Photography and Creativity Books on my Bookshelf
• Photography Projects

With the third of these Boards, I hope to demonstrate that, beyond the beauty of the images themselves, it is possible to create interesting and useful products that incorporate photographs. I've begun (trying) to duplicate the crafts I've bookmarked for sharing with teachers and students. As the Pinstrosity blog demonstrates, projects are not always as simple as they might seem at first glance, so trial runs are necessary prior to recommending classroom activities.

The Facebook group, MakerSpaces and the Participatory Library, is full of wonderful examples and suggestions, appropriate to all types of libraries, and schools, as well.

 "Making Something" by dmcordell
"Personalized water bottle" by dmcordell

Photowalks: The Art of Observation

After remotely participating in the Podstock PhotoWalk last week, I decided to learn more about this type of activity.

Let's start with some definitions: according to Wikipedia, "Photowalking is the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting." A more specialized version of the photowalk is street photography, which focuses exclusively on people, captured candidly in public venues. Another variation of the photowalk is the photo safari, a term used to describe a structured photography learning experience in a class or workshop environment.

Successful photowalks usually include:

• a pre-planned route so that participants can join a walk in progress or duplicate the experience at another time. Scout the area ahead of time to be sure that it is accessible and pedestrian friendly. A map is also helpful.
• a specific date and time Photowalks are inherently social, so decide on an agenda and let people know about it well in advance. Invite local photo clubs, add it to your newspaper's events calendar. Promote the activity on social networking sites.
• a ringer Although photowalking is meant to be fun, that does not preclude acquiring new insights and skills. Some organizers intentionally include a professional photographer in their group. A savvy "amateur" would serve the same purpose: offering tips and suggesting ways to capture images in unique ways. 
• a designated sharing space and tags After the walk is done, people will want to share and compare their photos. Set up a Flickr group or similar site, choose common labels, and enjoy reviewing the day's products. If your photowalk is sponsored by a club, set aside meeting time to reflect on the experience and discuss future expeditions.

Necessary gear:

• a camera It's not the device that matters, it's the photographer's eye. Too much equipment (multiple lenses, tripods, etc.) will only get in the way (and become quite heavy, as the day wears on). Photowalkers can achieve success with a simple point and shoot or even a smartphone. Be sure that the camera is charged and you have enough memory (include an extra memory card, if necessary) for a goodly number of photos.
• appropriate clothing This is a walk, after all! Comfortable shoes are a must, and, depending on the weather and time of day, dressing in layers might be a good idea. Remember, though, as with the camera gear, you will be carrying whatever you bring along, so choose wisely.
• a water bottle and light snack for hydration and energy.

Variations

• Virtual photowalks I was a virtual member of the Podstock PhotoWalk group, setting out at approximately the same time and in a similar environment to that chosen by the Kansas photowalkers. I have recently learned of a different type of Virtual Photowalk, one where a person who is unable to physically participate remotely chooses shots for an on-site photographer to take. John Butterill realized the potential of this type of partnership, and has created a Google+ site for volunteers who "Walk the walk for those that can't".
• Tourist photowalks Find yourself in a new city and want to explore a bit? Join a photowalk and learn more about the local architecture, history or landmarks. Either sign up for a commercial tour, or enquire about area photo clubs that might be hosting a public event.
  
• Cityscape photowalks Document the architecture of a community; the resultant images could be shared with county historians or museums.
• Themed photowalks for students: Get acquainted with a building or campus...promote your library...encourage school spirit...all through photowalks. The curricular applications are endless, from photographing geometric shapes (Mathematics) to recording plant and animal life for later identification (Science) to seeking out intriguing images for story starters (English Language Arts). 

Photographer Elliott Erwitt declared that "...photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place...I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

And Paul Strand reminds us that "Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees."

Additional resources:
10 Tips For A Great Photowalk 
Find a Photo Walk Near You
The Photowalk Daily
Ten Photowalk Tips



"Photographer" by E.B. White

Photowalk

Podstock is a tech integration conference, held each summer in Wichita, Kansas. This gathering has a reputation for being friendly, fun, and innovative; many of its attendees are part of my social network on Plurk, Facebook, and/or Twitter. While I was unable to physically be there, I took the opportunity today to join the Podstock PhotoWalk 2012 as a virtual participant.

I've never been part of an organized photowalk before, although I take my own little camera rambles all the time. For this event, I had to sign up on a Google form, choose one of the themes, tag my photos appropriately, then add them to the official Flickr group.

Since I was on my own, I chose to interpret "Take a Closer Look" as encompassing both macro shots and photos of things that sometimes go unnoticed, like the impressive gargoyles that jut out from a local church steeple.

I took my walk in the nearby city of Glens Falls, NY, reasoning that its charming older buildings might parallel the Old Town area of Wichita where my virtual colleagues would be shooting. Rather than begin at the same instant as the Podstockers, I set out an hour earlier (my time) to be sure the natural lighting would be comparable.

The social aspect of a normal photowalk was lacking for me, as a virtual participant, but I look forward to seeing everyone's photos in the Flickr group and chatting online about the experience.

And next year, I intend to be walking those Wichita streets in person, camera(s) in hand and friends by my side!


Podstock PhotoWalk - Glens Falls Edition

Ignite! Six to Succeed

As promised, I've added presenter's note to my Ignite! slides and uploaded them to SlideShare. While this is a reasonable approximation of my remarks, I spoke directly to the audience and may have deviated from the "text." In fact, I know I did: I wanted to! Passion can't be canned or recited, it must be felt and shared in the heat of the moment.

If you are considering doing an Ignite! talk (which is a bit scary but ultimately energizing and very satisfying), here are six tips that might help:

• understand the difference. Your 20 Ignite! slides will be on the screen for exactly 15 seconds each. That can be either an extremely brief or an unexpectedly long period of time, depending on the message you are trying to convey. There is neither time nor space for the "transition" slides that are part of a self-timed presentation.
• don't be afraid to tinker. I kept changing the images I wanted to use, as my concept became clearer and more focused in my mind. I even changed the title (but not the core content, of course).
• be wary of text. If your slides display a lot of words, your audience will be distracted. I did read one quote, but prefaced it with spoken commentary.
• remember that you are telling a story. Be passionate, use personal anecdotes, make what you say interesting and universal. Bring your story alive for the audience.
• practice, practice, practice! While I didn't memorize my talk, I did write out key points that I wanted to make and timed myself via PowerPoint. On the day of the session, I carried a single index card with a few keywords for each slide, in case my mind went blank. Once the Ignite! began, however, I really had no problem "telling" my slides because I was comfortable with what I wanted to share.
• get a friend to film your talk. I didn't think of this beforehand, so I have no live recording of my presentation. Then again, that might not be an entirely bad thing. If I ever do this particular Ignite! again, I won't feel constrained by prior outings.

Ignite -if you give a kid a camera (with notes)

View more presentations from Diane Cordell

If You Give a Kid a Camera

I've just returned from ALA Annual, and my mind is brimming with ideas. A much more detailed posting is in the works, but right now, I'd like to share the slides from my Ignite talk, which focused on a passion for photography and its relevance for students.

Ignite -if you give a kid a camera

View more presentations from Diane Cordell.

Mosaic

It's difficult to settle down and write an extended posting, when life is so interesting. So here are a few bits and pieces, shiny thoughts that distracted me today while I skimmed and skittered through my various social networking sites.

Dance (from Facebook)

A high school classmate quoted William Butler Yeats: "Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame!" which, in turn, reminded me of the Celtic variation on a 19th century Shaker tune, Simple Gifts,

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!

I love the idea of the deity as a dancer, joyous and brimming with vitality.


Conferences (from a librarian ListServ)
An academic library assistant wrote:

I am in the process of applying for scholarship funds to attend the ALA conference in Chicago from little old New Zealand.  I need to justify why I should go, the benefits of attending for myself and others in libraries as well as education in general and what I'm likely to get out of it.

My response was:

I would say the number one benefit for me is the face-to-face networking. That helps me to deepen understanding of, and forge new collaborations with, professional colleagues from around the world. Sessions can be viewed virtually, but nothing compares to being able to carry on an extended conversation with someone whose ideas help expand your thinking. Social networking helps me to maintain relationships, but meeting f2f is what expands them, turning acquaintances into friends and learning partners.

How would you have replied?

Grandparenting (inspired by various blog postings and articles shared online)
One of my chief "distractions" these days is my new granddaughter. She is surrounded by books and toys and boasts an extensive wardrobe. But, more importantly, her world is filled with people who love and cherish her. Morgan will always have literature, and technology will be part of her life; her digital footprint began when she was a tiny entity, months before her birth day. Our baby will have what she needs to survive and thrive, physically and mentally. It makes me even more aware that this is not universally the case.


Embedded Librarianship (from Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Flickr, email)
Opportunities abound for "retired" folks like me to remain active and involved in library pursuits, both formally (collaborating on a White Paper for AASL, helping to plan Fall Forum) and informally (gathering, creating, and sharing resources for friends and colleagues on a variety of topics). I have the gift of time now, and still enjoy a reference challenge. Being a librarian is a lifetime job, and I love it!


Photography (from Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, Skype)

 Part of the aforementioned embedding is sharing my passion for photography. I've Skyped into classrooms to answer students' questions about taking, editing, and sharing photos. My Flickr tagging sometimes results in interesting interactions. I've been contacted about locating headstones in area cemeteries for amateur genealogists; fielded requests for permission to use my shots on various websites (most of my photos are Creative Commons licensed); received inquiries about my availability as a wedding photographer (that was a "no" - too much responsibility!) and a free-lance operative (maybe). Most fun of all has been hearing from "long lost" cousins on Facebook. We initially connected on the Troy, NY Memories page and have since shared information and images of our common ancestors.


Quotations (from social networking sites and Google searches)
I love a good quote, frequently pairing them with my 366 photos. So I will leave you with some thoughts about "journeys"

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." -Ursula K. Le Guin

"We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls." -Anais Nin

"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." -Henry Miller

"Not all those who wander are lost." -J. R. R. Tolkien

"Twirling Princess" by dmcordell
"Heaven: Morgan and Grandma" by dmcordell
"The Balthazard Family" by dmcordell
"Walk in the woods" by dmcordell

Please Turn Off the Lights When You Leave (Rule #5 Mountainside Free Library)

 I love to take photos of libraries when I travel, yet one of the more unique examples I've encountered is located not far from my home.

The Mountainside Free Library, near Dunham's Bay, Lake George, NY, has electric lights, but few other modern conveniences: no automated check-out system, computers, heat, or air conditioning. It relies on donations and volunteers to function. Patrons can unlock the door at any time to borrow reading material, using a simple honor system.



According to the facility's informational pamphlet, Mountainside is an original Carnegie Library, "built in 1904 with funds from private donors and Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist..." It does not meet the stringent requirements for a public library, but is designated a "reading room." Although used most heavily during the summer season, Mountainside is "open" year-round.

A quick scan of the shelves reveals a respectable collection of current titles and classic literature. There is a children's section and an assortment of magazines, with comfy chairs and rockers, for those who wish to linger for a while.

 When you turn the key and step inside the Mountainside Free Library, you enter a timeless haven for books and their readers. Sometimes, simple is best.

"Mountainside Free Library" by dmcordell
"The key is always available" by dmcordell
"Interior, Mountainside Free Library" by dmcordell
"Check-out is on the honor system" by dmcordell

Pocket Poems

Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day, a celebration sponsored by the Academy of American Poets as part of National Poetry Month. Since I no longer have classes of my own, Illinois elementary librarian John Schumacher was kind enough to invite me to Skype with a group of his second graders.

The students formally welcomed me, listened to the poem I had selected, then shared some of their own favorites. Each child was engaged, enthusiastic. It was evident that a lot of care went into the preparations for this activity. Other age groups Skyped with classrooms in Iowa, Michigan, Maine, Georgia, and Massachusetts.

It seems like an effective way to enjoy poetry, nurture reading fluency skills, and connect with new friends in far-flung places.

John shares book trailers at Watch. Connect. Read and blogs with his collaborative teaching partner, Shannon Miller, on Two Libraries, One Voice.

The poem I chose to carry in my pocket is "If I Had Wings" by Pie Corbett:

If I had wings I would touch the fingertips of clouds and glide on the wind’s breath.
If I had wings I would taste a chunk of the sun as hot as peppered curry.
If I had wings I would listen to the clouds of sheep bleat that graze on the blue.
If I had wings I would breathe deep and sniff the scent of raindrops.
If I had wings I would gaze at the people who cling to the earth.
If I had wings I would dream of swimming the deserts and walking the seas.

 

"Skyping with Mr. Schu's Second Grade" by dmcordell

"If I Had Wings" by dmcordell

Cultural Icons

 Almost thirty-five years ago, my husband and I were captivated by the first of the Star Wars movies, now called Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Princess Leia Organa, one of the main protagonists in the original Star Wars trilogy, is capable, strong, has a dry sense of humor, and doesn't back off from challenges. She trained as a Jedi warrior and fights with the Rebel Alliance to defeat the evil Galactic Empire.

Yesterday, my daughter and I went to see the film version of The Hunger Games. Both of us had read Collins' trilogy, and agreed that the screen adaptation was reasonably faithful to the original book.

Hunger Games' Katniss Everdeen hunts to provide food for her family.  When she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place as the female Tribute from District 12, Katniss' skill with a bow might be her only chance to survive the games. Despite the savage nature of the competition, Katniss remains compassionate; she will ultimately become a symbol for inhabitants of all the districts, as they fight to free themselves from the oppressive rule of the distant, corrupt Capitol. 

In 1977, I was pregnant with Ellen; she is now days away from giving birth to our granddaughter. Like all mothers, we dreamed of the children we would bear: intelligent, strong, caring daughters...someone like Leia or Katniss (and, yes, sons like Luke Skywalker or Peeta Mellark).

The baby got quite active during the climactic scenes of The Hunger Games. I'm going to take that as a good sign.

"Digital Painting: Princess Leia" by sk art
"The Hunger Games" by film_poster

Picturing Poetry

April is National Poetry Month, a celebration of verse initiated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.

Last year, inspired by friend and professional colleague Buffy Hamilton, I created a SlideShare that linked poems and images, using both my own photographs and some found via a Creative Commons search.

In 2012, I challenged myself to use only images I had captured to illustrate the words of poets - and to provide one slide for each day of April. While the finished product may lack some of the visual impact of last year's effort, it provided me with even more personal satisfaction.

Picturing poetry

View more presentations from Diane Cordell

There are many ways to celebrate National Poetry Month in the library and classroom. April 26 is Poem in Your Pocket Day. Last year I Skyped with students in a number of states, sharing a favorite poem and listening to the children read their own choices.

This year, I've already read about an interesting Poem in Your Pocket Day activity from Cathy Jo Nelson:

"All the 'pockets' have poems ready to be had, and the pockets also have a qr code to poems from poets.org so kids can save them to their smart-phones as an option."

...and I'm sure that John Schumacher and Shannon Miller, of Two Libraries, One Voice, will have some wonderful, interactive celebration planned, as they did last year.

Some useful resources for educators include

• The Children's Poetry Archive
• Children's Poetry
  
• Poetry 180 (a poem a day for American high schools, from the Library of Congress)
• 30 Great Poems Everyone Should Know
  
• 30 Ways to Celebrate
  
• Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month with the New York Times (an impressive collection of links and resources)

In her essay, Why We Should Read Poetry, Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Amy Lowell called poetry "the height and quintessence of emotion, of every sort of emotion" She concluded,

"We should read Poetry because only in that way can we know man in all his moods - in the most beautiful thoughts of his heart, in his farthest reaches of imagination in the tenderness of his love, in the nakedness and awe of his soul confronted with the terror and wonder of the Universe. Poetry and history are the textbooks to the heart of man, and poetry is at once the most intimate and the most enduring."

So share a poem, write a poem, illustrate a poem, memorize a poem, recite a poem. The possibilities are endless and rewarding.


Related postings:

• In My Grandfather's Voice: Found Poetry
• A Poetry Sampler
• The Journey
• From the Heart
• The Reader
• 365 Project: April
• The Rainbow Connection