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Thursday, May 31, 2012

北岛:恢复汉语尊严殊不容易

"北岛为中国当代朦胧诗代表人物,曾经被提名诺贝尔文学奖。他在香港书展的名作家讲座系列中,谈到伟大的作家要对语言、时代和生活保持批判精神。他认为,汉语现代化转型不到­一百年,当中可谓多灾多难。受到商业化的冲击,又面临网络语言泡沬化,要真正恢复尊严殊不容易。

他认为,香港书展成为大中华地区建立名气,名作家讲座系列能聚集两岸三地的作家,让他们畅所欲言,也吸引很多听众,在别的城市是难以想象"



北岛简介

http://www.chinapoesy.com/xiandaiauthore9ce721c-74c1-4003-a9ba-3f3847ed3f05.html

北岛: 古老的敌意

" 旅居香港的中国诗人作家北岛,其作品被译成超过30种文字,并获得多种国际文学奖和荣誉。他出席香港书展名作家讲座,引用奥地利­诗人里尔克诗句「生活与伟大的作品之间,­总存在着某种古老的敌意」,指作家应离开文化主流,要对自己所处的时代、自己的母语以及­自己「过不去」和「维持紧张关系」,才能创作出好作品。"

书展2011:「名作家讲座系列3」古老的敌意  

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

耳穴按摩




"示範老師笑容可掬, 讓人覺得做起來, 神清氣爽."

Monday, May 21, 2012

The quality

When you’re a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you’re not going to use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it.

You’ll know it’s there, so you’re going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back.

For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through.

---- Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011)

I think that is why Apple win the hearts of the users!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Artistic leisure

At time when I like to pursue artistic leisure, I might prefer to be on my own most of the day.

Without exteral interuption, I can buckle down to personal projects and give free rein to my imagination.

Most of my artistic leisure project may not be practical, nevertheless the process of doing it is very enjoyable.

It is quite natural for me to act on the spur of the moment when I have some ideas to explore. If someone is around and I am being questioned on the what, why and how, the flow of the artistic thought will be destroyed and I will feel very frustrated.

I think my water colour teacher and classmates who enjoyed the flow of the strokes in their quiet moment will experience the same. We need to lock some time for ourselves and our work. The union of the soul and creative work have to be in a chamber which is forbidden to other.

Dexterine Ho

Friday, May 18, 2012

You are the window

Better keep yourself clean and bright;

you are the window through which you must see the world.

-- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish Playwright


Thoughts lead on to purposes;
purposes go forth in action;
actions form habits;
habits decide character;
and character fixes our destiny.

-- Tyron Edwards (1809-1894)



It is who you are that makes the world the way you see!  If your window is not clean and bright, the day look doom ever it is sunny outside.

Sometime we do not know that our window is not clean and bright, so step out of the house once in a while will make us realise what we see from inside our house is very different from the way we can see from outside.

When you look at a person, you are looking from the perspective of your own window.  You will always have the same view as you cannot avoid the anger that your window lead you to.

Just step out of your own shell and discard your prejudice. You can then see a person in a new light, the one that you always missed when you are viewing from your own window.

Dexterine Ho

Friday, May 04, 2012

REGISTRATION OPENS- LAS WSQ Support General Reference and Enquiry Work (5 - 6 Jun 2012)

Just received the following announcement from Library Association of Singapore (LAS)

=====
LAS is pleased to organize the sixth run of the WSQ/LAS Level 2 training for Support General Reference and Enquiry Work on 5 – 6 Jun 2012.

This 2 day course will be held at NTU@OneNorth (map).


This is one of the 5 competency based programmes at entry level which together form the WSQ Higher Certificate in Library and Information Services.

Important Note:
  • Upon successful registration for the training, you will receive a confirmation message & email.
  • The registration page will also display a message when the class is full. You will not be able to key in personal particulars when this happens.
  • The course fees are listed here.
  • On enrolment, you are deemed to have committed to both the training and proposed assessment dates.
  • Participants or institutions who wish to withdraw from an enrolled course must submit reason(s) in writing to training@las.org.sg. Where notice of withdrawal is given before the start of the course, an administrative fee of $25 is payable to facilitate the withdrawal from the course.
  • Please view full Terms & Conditions for LAS WSQ Level 2 courses.


For more information on the module, please refer to the training page.
Registration will close with maximum of 17 registrants.


Organized by:
LAS Training & Development Committee
=====

RDA in MARC

If you’re looking for a list of new RDA MARC 21 tags, the following link from Sally McCallum, Library of Congress, may be of interest to you:



"MARC 21 Updates 9, 10, 11, and 13 include all changes to MARC for use with RDA approved through 2011. The list has been updated to include changes approved in June 2011."

Here are the headings in the update:

Content, Media and Carrier Types and Characteristics

RDA Content Types

RDA Media Types

RDA Carrier Types

RDA Carrier Characterisitcs

Attributes of Names and Resources

New MARC Authority fields for name attributes:

New MARC Authority and Bibliographic fields for work and expression attributes:

Relationships
Name to resource
Resource to resource
Name to name

Miscellaneous other changes to MARC for RDA


Source of information:
http://www.loc.gov/marc/RDAinMARC29-9-12-11.html

Monday, April 30, 2012

Cheer yourself up

Most of the time positive thought generate a steady and creative influence on us at work.

We might gain success if we channel our creativity into working well under pressure.

Occassionally, petty disputes may arise with people, so be sure you don't say anything that will add fuel to the fire.

When you are depressed or your mood is low, spend some quiet time reading a humorous book or watch a funny movie to cheer yourself up.

Alternatively, do some exercise, or just walk away and you may change your focus and recharged yourself!


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

On Employment

Employment gives health, sobriety, and morals.   

Constant employment and well-paid labor produce general prosperity, content, and cheerfulness.



-- Daniel Webster

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Learning and teaching ...

The mediocre teacher tells.

The good teacher explains.

The superior teacher demonstrates.

The great teacher inspires.


-- William Arthur Ward


When I conduct training, I like to share the ideas of learning the reference points instead of learning the fact and remembering them.

I think it is through telling, explaining and demonstrating that we transfer our learning and knowledge on certain subject matter, which is limited in range.

If we can lead them to learn by "referring" to the pool of knowledge with good indexing tools or reference points, the power of learning will be endless.

With the "reference learning method", one can expands on the knowledge domain and boarder one's zone of understanding.

Do not be afraid that you cannot remember all the facts and details, no one does.

If you know where to get and verify the facts and details when you need them, you will have no problem of creating your knowledge domain in the long run.


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang




Friday, April 27, 2012

Two roads diverged ...

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -  I took the one less traveled
by, And that has made all the difference.

-- Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet
I learnt the quotation when I was in university and like it very much. I think it is good to take a road less traveled as it gives you a chance for new discovery!

研究遺憾: 歷史學

「歷史學就是研究遺憾的一門學科,它專門來發現總結:原來人們可以這樣做,不是那樣做。所以歷史學家研究這麼多遺憾,他常有扼腕之痛。」

上海大學歷史系朱學勤教授談及辛亥­­革命時如此說!

Source of information:
鏗鏘集 百年一願



Thursday, April 26, 2012

MARC tag 550 and 710


After doing assessment today, I just like to share some points on use of MARC tage 550 and 710 for a serial entry:

I search "British Economic Society) and found the:

The economic journal : the quarterly journal of the Royal Economic Society.

In the MARC record:
550
__ |a Vols. for 1891-1902 issued by: British Economic Association; 1903- by: Royal Economic Society.
555
__ |a Vols. 1 (1891)-10 (1900). 1 v.; v. 11 (1901)-20 (1910). 1 v.; v. 21 (1911)-30 (1920). 1 v.; v. 31 (1921)-40 (1930). 1 v.; v. 91 (1981)-100 (1990). 1 v.
and two added entries is listed:

7102_ |a British Economic Association.
710
2_ |a Royal Economic Society (Great Britain)

As some candidates who are doing serials cataloguing will experience change of publishers and it is good to note the use of MARC tag 550 to add the notes and create MARC tag 710 for added entry.


Some other good reference pointers from the folloing ppt maybe of interest to some readers: 

[PPT] 

Serials adding training

www.columbia.edu/~cc179/Serials_adding_training.ppt

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards

OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards
http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/

Bibliographic Formats and Standards is a guide to machine-readable cataloging records in WorldCat. It provides tagging conventions, input standards and guidelines for entering information into WorldCat.

Biblographic Formats and Standards assumes you are familiar with Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, second edition, 2004 Revision, and other standard cataloging reference material. Some sections also assume you have a general knowledge of data processing and databases.

It provides all the Marc tags explanation, e.g., 0xx to 9xx fields in PDF files

Source of information:
http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/

Understanding MARC

Understanding MARC Bibliographic: Machine-Readable Cataloging
http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/

The information on this web site is written by Betty Furrie in conjunction with the Data Base Development Department of The Follett Software Company Eighth edition reviewed and edited by the Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of Congress

Published by the Cataloging Distribution Service, Library of Congress, in collaboration with The Follett Software Company

Source of information:
http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/
What is a MARC Record, and Why is it Important?
Part I: What Does MARC Mean?
Part II: Why Is a MARC Record Necessary?
Part III: MARC Terms and Their Definitions
Part IV: Where do MARC Records Originate?
Part V: MARC Data Issues
Part VI: In Conclusion
MARC 21 Reference Materials -- Parts VII to X
Part VII: A Summary of Commonly Used MARC 21 Fields
Part VIII: A List of Other Fields Often Seen in MARC Records
Part IX: The Leader
Part X: Field 008 for Books
MARC 21 Reference Materials -- Parts XI to XII
Part XI: A Sample Record in Various Formats
Part XII: AV Records: From Cards to MARC 21
Selected Bibliography
MARC 21 Content Designators: A Review

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

RDA & AACR2: What's the Difference?

"RDA is the new cataloging standard developed to replace AACR2. Susan Wynne from the University of Wyoming will examine the major differences, view RDA records, discuss the status of implementation plans in U.S. libraries, and consider RDA's possible effects on catalogers, public services, and users."

Source of information:
RDA & AACR2: What's the Difference?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkBpC0ALwwo

RDA Changes from AACR2 for Texts

"As the United States begins to prepare to test the new cataloging code, RDA: Resource Description and Access, this presentation explores the changes from AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed.) that the new code brings. The focus of this presentation is a brief overview of the changed instructions for cataloging textual materials. The presentation lasts 41 minutes, and the Q&A session afterward runs 35 minutes.

Speaker Biography: Barbara Tillett is chief of the Policy and Standards Division, Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate at the Library of Congress."

Source of information:
RDA Changes from AACR2 for Texts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzWGIMqbw-U

Friday, April 13, 2012

What Makes a Librarian

This was the first of a series of discussions that LAS planned for librarians, so that we can had dialogue on issues close to our hearts.

“What Makes a Librarian?”

Date:  Friday, 13 Apr 2012
Time:  6:00-8:30pm
Venue:  The Pod, National Library Building
*************************************************************************

What Makes a Librarian?

CEO NLB Mrs Elaine Ng shared her views on the qualities that distinguish librarians from other professions. I think I agreed with her that the way recorded information moved from printed source and toward interactive mode on Internet via Social Media, and the primary learning method shifted from printed text to media mode or interactive mode is something challenging the Librarian in the future!

Mr Choy Fatt Cheong shared from CISPIN (Committee on Information Studies Programmes and Industry Needs) report the views on the attributes and competencies of a library and information professional.

Mr Gene Tan, President LAS, shared his experience at the PPM/LAS confernenc in Malacca, and the opportunities for professional growth and development through Singapore hosting of the World Library and Information Congress by IFLA in 2013.  The Singapore Memory Project

We will also take the opportunity to recognise our fellow professionals who have been certified under the Professional Development Scheme.

Beside the senior librarians from NLB, Academic Libraries and other libriaries, many young librarians also shared their views on "What you think makes a librarian?" – a critical and yet ageless question for our profession.

I enjoy an evening of networking and discussions with fellow librarians and info professionals:

6:00pm    Registration and Networking (please be seated by 6:30pm)
6:30pm    Opening by emcee
6:35pm    Opening speech by GOH, Mrs Elaine Ng, NLB CEO
6:45pm    Presentation of LAS PDS certs
6:55pm    Speech by Mr Choy Fatt Cheong, University Librarian, NTU
7:10pm    Audience discussion
7:40pm    Speech by Mr Gene Tan, LAS President
7:55pm    Lucky draw

Lucky winner received a gift voucher from Gene Tan, President of LAS



The official sharing events ended with a lucky draw, and I am one of the lucky winner who received a Kinokoniya book voucher!  All the joys were reflected on my face when I received the gift from Gene!

Thanks Gene, Thanks LAS!

Updated and revised on 8 Feb 2013

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Bib Control links: pt 12 Call number search

Library of Congress Online Catalog

http://catalog.loc.gov/


The Library of Congress Online Catalog is so popular among cataloguers who do not have any paid subscription for Marc Records.

They are FREE and if you use "MARC Tags Display" and look for 050 and 082 tag, you will get the LC class number and DDC number for some records. Using this method, it may ease your job of finding the call number you need, be it LCC or DDC.

For example: the 2nd edition of "Brown, Abbie. Essentials of instructional design : connecting fundamental principles with process and practice / Abbie Brown, Timothy D. Green." published in 2011 have the following details:



05000 |a LB1028.38 |b .B76 2011
08200 |a 371.3 |2 22


Source of information: http://catalog.loc.gov/

The above information is free!

=====
Alternatively, the Classification web from Library of Congress at http://classificationweb.net/Auto/ provides correlation search.

Please note that it is a Fee based service (Paid Service).

If you are accessing it from the Library or the Organisation, it only works when your Library or Organisation subscribed to the service. You can view the contents without any login process as the system authenticates the access via institution's IP address.

From Menu  http://classificationweb.net/Auto/ you will be able to:

Browse LC Classification Schedules

Search LC Classification

Browse LC Subject Headings

Search LC Subject Headings

Search Genre/Form Terms

Search Children's Subject Headings

Browse LC Name Headings

Search LC Name Headings

Bibliographic Correlations (menu)

If you use the Bibliographic Correlations ( menu) at
http://classificationweb.net/Menu/corr.html

It will show the following links:

LC class number => Dewey class number
LC class number => NLM class number
LC class number => LC subject heading
LC class number => LC subject heading (including names)
LC subject heading => LC class number
LC subject heading => Dewey class Number
LC subject heading => NLM class number
LC subject heading (including names) => LC class number
LC subject heading (including names) => Dewey class Number
LC subject heading (including names) => NLM class number
Name as Creator (1xx field) => LC Class Number
Name as Creator (1xx field) => Dewey Class Number
Name as Creator (1xx field) => NLM Class Number
Dewey class number => LC class number
Dewey class number => LC subject heading
Dewey class number => LC subject heading (including names)

For example:

LC class number => Dewey class number

If you Key in LC class number "LB1050", you will get DDC class number:

http://classificationweb.net/min/minaret?app=Corr2&mod=Search&fkey=LB1050_00999999_00&fkid=1&lkey=LB1050_2E22_00&lkid=1&query=&index=classHeading&menu=%2FMenu%2F&ctype=l2sh&cmd=Search&F_stext=LB1050&F_stype=l2d&count=25

LB1050
428.4 (87)
372.4 (45)
372.41 (45)
428.407 (19)
428.4071 (13)
428.43 (10)
372.43 (7)
372.40973 (6)
418.4 (6)
372.6 (5)

Browse LC Name Headings
will allow you to browse name heading, i.e. Tan Wee Kiat will return you the details:
http://classificationweb.net/min/minaret?app=Names&mod=Browser&look=0&fkey=&fkid=&lkey=&lkid=&tid=1&query=&index=ez_heading&menu=%2FAuto%2F&auto=1&cmd=Browse&F_ez_heading=tan+wee+kiat&S_ez_heading=&count=25



Tan, Wee Kiat
Found in:  Naturally yours, Singapore, c1992: t.p. (Tan Wee Kiat)
National Parks Singapore WWW site, May 10, 2010 (Dr. Tan Wee Kiat; CEO of Nparks; retd. in 2006)
UF   Kiat, Tan Wee
Tan, Wee Kiat, 1940-
Found in:  Jack and the carnivorous pitcher plant, 1999: t.p. (Tan Wee Kiat) p. 83 (Dr. Tan Wee Kiat; lect., National Inst. of Education, Singapore; studies nature & stamp collector)
Singapore's monuments & landmarks : a philatelic ramble, 2007: t.p. (Tan Wee Kiat) back cover (Tan Wee Kiat; retd. lect., National Institute of Education; stamp enthusiast)
Email from author, Apr. 21, 2010 (b. Apr. 4, 1940)
UF   Kiat, Tan Wee, 1940-



Browse LC Name Headingswill allow you to browse name heading, i.e. "cohen, h. f " will return you the details



Cohen, H. F.
Found in:  His Quantifying music, c1984: CIP t.p. (H.F. Cohen) CIP data (b. 7/1/46) book t.p. (H.F. Cohen; Technical University Twente, Dept. of Social History of Science and Technology, Enschede) jkt. (H. Floris Cohen)
LC data base, 2/6/84 (hdg.: Cohen, H. F.)
LC manual auth. cd. (hdg.: Cohen, H. F.; b. 1946)
Lorentz, H.A. Selected works of H.A. Lorentz, 1987- : v. 5, t.p. (H. Floris Cohen)
UF   Cohen, H. Floris
Cohen, H. Floris
USE  Cohen, H. F.



As it is a subscription based service, it only works when your Library or Organisation subscribed to the service.  Otherwise, you will see a login page that demand for user name and password.  That means you have no access to it.

====

Happy searching!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

REGISTRATION OPENS - LAS WSQ Provide Loans and Membership Services (May 2012)

Just received the following email announcement:

=====
LAS is pleased to organize the fourth run of the WSQ/LAS Level 2
training for Provide Loans and Membership Services on 9 - 10 May 2012.

This 2 day course will be held at Agatha Room, Toa Payoh Public
Library

(map<http://www.pl.sg/PL.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=PlLibraryLocations_1_2&PlLibraryLocations_1_2_actionOverride=%2FIBMS%2FplLibraryLocations%2FlibraryDetailsDisplay&PlLibraryLocations_1_2BranchCode=TPCL&_pageLabel=PlLibraryBranches>).

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.

Register here
<https://wis.ntu.edu.sg/pls/webexe/REGISTER_NTU.REGISTER?EVENT_ID=OA12040417174738>.

=====
Source of information:
Email received on Tuesday, 10 April, 2012 10:48 PM from lassec@las.org.sg

M3 Bib Control: Activity 15

Refer to LG p.125.
Discuss and pool your answers to the questions based on the website and the FAQ

Goto website http://www.syndetics.com/
Locate its FAQ.
or
use the link:

http://www.bowker.com/en-US/products/syndetics/classic/faqs.html

Spend 15 mins on activity

Monday, April 09, 2012

LAS WSQ Schedule 2012

The current training Schedule 2012 for LAS WSQ course leading to "Higher Certification in Library and Information Services" can be accessed via:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/68168692/LAS-WSQ-Level-2-Courses-Schedule

Thursday, April 05, 2012

RDA ( Resource Description and Access)

As one of the trainers for next run of Module 3: Support Bibliographic Control Work for Higher Certificate in Library and Information Service (HCLIS), I just search for some update on RDA and found the following paper from OCLC:

=====
Incorporating RDA practices into WorldCat: A discussion paper 
http://www.oclc.org/us/en/rda/discussion.htm

Assumptions

This discussion paper assumes that the library community moves forward with the implementation of RDA: Resource Description and Access, an implementation that is currently envisioned to take place no earlier than January 1, 2013. It proposes a number of policies that may be put in place and actions that may be undertaken as part of incorporating RDA practices more fully into WorldCat. It also attempts to balance the dual roles of WorldCat as a catalog and as a repository of bibliographic data.
Initially, these proposed policies and actions are primarily focused on English-language-of-cataloging records that are created and maintained online by OCLC member libraries. As translations of RDA become available and as national libraries beyond the Anglo-American community make their policy decisions public, OCLC will expand these policy statements and action plans.
The paper is being made available for OCLC member libraries to comment on these potential policies and actions. Please send comments to rdapolicy@oclc.org by April 15, 2012.
====
Source of information:
http://www.oclc.org/us/en/rda/discussion.htm

Here are some points I extracted after reading the paper:

*Following the formal adoption of RDA: Resource Description and Access by the three national libraries in the United States, many libraries will begin creating only RDA records.

*Implementation is envisioned to take place no earlier than January 1, 2013.

*It would be more efficient if staff focused instead on learning a single standard, RDA.

*Use of spelled out forms in RDA removes ambiguities or confusion created by the use of abbreviations. Similarly, the use of English language terms in RDA in place of Latin terms used in older rules removes ambiguities. For example, [Place of publication not identified] is clearer to end users than [S.l.] or [N.p.].

*Proposed Future Cataloging Policy:
  • Catalogers are not required to update or upgrade existing records to RDA.
  • Catalogers may re-catalog items according to RDA if it is considered useful... The revised record would then be changed to Desc (Leader/18) coded as c or i as appropriate with 040 $e rda added.
  • Catalogers may update individual fields in pre-RDA records to reflect RDA practices if it is considered useful...
  • Catalogers should use access points as established in the authority file, whether those forms are coded as RDA or AACR2.
*Changing Pre-RDA Records
  • Content, Media, and Carrier Types: Fields 336, 337, and 338 allow for the recording of content, media, and carrier types using controlled terminology...
  • General Material Designations: Field 245 $h would no longer be input under RDA...
*Access Points: additional access points called for under RDA instructions may be added to older records. Additional access points do not have to be represented in any existing notes or statements of responsibility.

*Statements of Responsibility: Catalogers may also revise statements of responsibility in older records to record additional names optionally called for under RDA instructions.

*Abbreviations in the Language of the Cataloging Agency:
  • Abbreviations of non-transcribed elements may be converted to spelled-out forms.
  • In field 300 in English language based cataloging, for example, end users would be better served by seeing illustrations versus ill. or illus., portraits versus ports., volumes versus v., etc.
*Latin Abbreviations may be converted to their spelled-out non-Latin language forms. For example in English language based cataloging, end users would be better served by seeing [and others] versus … [et al.], [publisher not identified] versus [s.n.], approximately versus ca., etc.

*Brackets: Practice regarding the input of brackets changes under RDA so that individual elements are separately bracketed rather than combined with adjacent bracketed elements, e.g., 260 [S.l. : $b s.n., $c 1960?] would be formulated as 260 [Place of publication not identified] : $b [publisher not identified], $c [1960?] instead. RDA practice for input of brackets may be used when working with non-RDA records.

*Parallel Records: RDA-based changes may be made to records cataloged in English as well as in other languages of cataloging as coded in 040 $b, as long as the language of cataloging is retained and respected.

*Future OCLC Changes
  • OCLC envisions potentially making some widespread changes to existing records in WorldCat including a number of those outlined above.
  • Such efforts would be oriented toward reducing the need for catalogers to make similar changes as well as making the records more useful in the RDA environment.
  • This activity would supplement other data quality efforts such as authority control, duplicate detection, etc.
*Retaining Changes to Existing Records
  • Once an individual element in an older record has been changed to reflect RDA practice, it should not be changed back to a pre-RDA form even though the record is still coded AACR2 or earlier rules.
  • When performing copy cataloging, catalogers may locally edit these elements to reflect earlier rules but the master record should not be changed.
Please read the full text for more details:

Incorporating RDA practices into WorldCat: A discussion paper
http://www.oclc.org/us/en/rda/discussion.htm

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

I enjoyed a lot of good speeches and excellent talks from TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) for years, and I think it is a sites many readers would enjoy!

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

"On TED.com, we make the best talks and performances from TED and partners available to the world, for free. More than 900 TEDTalks are now available, with more added each week. All of the talks are subtitled in English, and many are subtitled in various languages. These videos are released under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license, so they can be freely shared and reposted."

Our mission: Spreading ideas. "We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other."

From: http://www.ted.com/pages/about

Here are some talks that set me thinking on various issues lately:

Peter Saul: Let’s talk about dying
http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_saul_let_s_talk_about_dying.html

To talk about end-of-life wishes is not easy, yet Dr Peter Saul an ICU Specialist from Newcastle, Australia, have a profound talk on the topic and introduce the concept "occupy death".


Ayah Bdeir: Building blocks that blink, beep and teach
http://www.ted.com/talks/ayah_bdeir_building_blocks_that_blink_beep_and_teach.html

"Imagine a set of electronics as easy to play with as Legos.  Ayah Bdeir introduces littleBits, a set of simple, interchangeable blocks that make programming as simple and important a part of creativity as snapping blocks together"

It is like a growing library, and I know a growing library will work in a creative way beyond our imagination!


Martin Jacques: Understanding the rise of China
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imhUmLtlZpw

"Speaking at a TED Salon in London, economist Martin Jacques asks: How do we in the West make sense of China and its phenomenal rise? The author of "When China Rules the World," he examines why the West often puzzles over the growing power of the Chinese economy, and offers three building blocks for understanding what China is and will become."

Monday, March 26, 2012

So much information all day long

Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.
-- Gertrude Stein (February 3, 1874 – July 27, 1946)

For some one who was born in 19th century, Gertrude Stein's insight on the interruption of information in daily life is even more valid in 21st century.

Today we live in a world with Internet that connected lot of information for our access and with social media that demand our personal time.

Social medias turn our life to fragmented pieces.  Time unit in our work is smaller and our work is like a  fabric for small patch work.

You need focus to piece information together to create meaning which is long lasting and valuable. A life patch work needs a focus theme, unique design and perseverance in the stitching process.

If you are just doing lot of connection without focus, all the e-stitching will be similar to the building of sand castle.  The beautiful things you build and all the unique features you painfully designed will be nice for the eyes, yet it is not long lasting.  New trends, will come and it will be like tide that wipes the sand castle away and leave no trace of of it.

Do you like to have to take more time, do more thought processing and create a meaningful patch work to warm your heart and soul, and make it a heirloom piece for the next generation!


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

March 15-17 PPM-LAS Conference

Attending the PPM-LAS Conference last week was a good social and academic holiday for me.

31 of us from Singapore made our way to Malacca for the PPM-LAS Joint Conference and the travel details were as follows:

Singapore to Malacca, Thurs 15 March 2012.
Time to meet: 1:45pm
Pick-up point: Kranji MRT, outside the Money Changer.
Exit the gates and turn left and you will see the money changer.
Drop-off in Malacca: Seri Costa Hotel and Hotel Mahkota only.

Malacca to Singapore, Sat 17 March 2012.
Time to meet: 5:00pm (Tentative)
Pick-up point: Seri Costa Hotel and Hotel Mahkota only. (Tentative)
Drop-off  in Singapore: Jurong East MRT/Bus interchange only at around 10pm.

The package I had was the "all inclusive twin-sharing package" which cost only S$210 as LAS sponsored coach transportation costs for all LAS Members.

Ms Janice Chia is the Chief Co-ordinator for our conference's trip, and with "her calm" and organised work, we all "felt very much at ease", quoting Mr Gene Tan's words!

Thanks Janice for her great job and LAS for sponsoring coach transportation!

I think my ex-colleague, Ms Yvonne Yin from NIE has brought back fond memories of the Malacca trip:
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"I went bowling for the first time in my life! Soo Miang kindly told me to look for a no. 7 ball, which is the lightest, and showed me which fingers to insert into the holes. The 1st 2 balls were gutterballs (i.e., went into the drain/longkang), but I manage to down a skittle at the 3rd attempt! I was very touched to see Ms Sylvia Yap (NUS Chief Librarian) clapping enthusiastically!"

"On the way back, Mr Gene Tan (President, LAS) asked if we had enjoyed ourselves. I shouted "Yes", and Soo Miang said, "Especially Yvonne! She went bowling!" I added, "For the first time in my life!" Gene Tan apparently didn't catch what Soo Miang had said because he asked, "You went shopping for the first time in your life?" I started laughing, and it was Ms Sylvia Yap who said, "Bowling! She had a few strikes!"



=====

Cheers to Yvonne for making the attempt!

I am sure there are more stories from other LAS members and I look forward to their sharing!
====
Notes: The official LAS blog has the full write-up:

LAS-PPM Conference Melaka 16 to 17 March 2012
Reported by Hilary Ho from NIE Library is posted on http://www.las.org.sg/wp/sjlim/2012/03/las-ppm-conference-melaka-16-to-17-march-2012/
 

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang
Updated LAS links on 27 March 2012

A book holds a house of Gold

A BOOK HOLDS A HOUSE OF GOLD

书中自有黄金屋
The Arts House celebrates its 8th Anniversary, transforming into a House of Proverbs.
 
They named the theme 'A book holds a House of gold', and it encourages visitor to delve into the treasures of knowledge a book has to offer.
 
The information on the 2 days of exciting programmes is available at https://www.facebook.com/theartshouse and visitors will stand a chance to win iPads and Kinokuniya vouchers when you participate in the crossword puzzle competition!
 
Here are some interesting programmes I like:
 
PAPER SCULPTURES
The Arts House \ 26 - 28 Mar
Artist: Yenn Ang

Yenn Ang’s paper sculptures and installations address the absence and presence of our memories; the fragility of things and a loss of wholeness in our physical and mental space. Proverbs, commonly a form of one’s language, culture and identity tend to get lost through the generations. Through her sculptures, Yenn attempts to forge and awaken these strong memories within us.

Yenn was an artist-in-residence at Sculpture Square last October.
 
STAND-UP COMEDY
Blue Room \ 28 Mar \ 9.30pm
Comics: Fakkah Fuzz, Jinx

Come let your funny bone be tickled by two local up-and-coming comedians! Fakkah Fuzz is possibly the last Malay comic to ever come out of Singapore and contrary to his name, Jinx’s deadpan comedy is anything but bad luck.

Fuzz was featured last July as part of New Word Order discussing his comedy writing.
 
SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE
Chamber \ 26 - 28 Mar \ 8pm
Poet: Jay Bernard
Musician: Bani Hakyal

... In an improvised music and poetry performance based on the Mandarin proverb, “I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand”, poet Jay Bernard and musician Bani Hakyal will explore the fluid relationship between teacher and student.

Jay is the first international recipient of the Creative Writing Residency jointly organised by the NUS University Scholars Programme and The Arts House.
 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fitting Facilities for Today’s Library Users

Today, I attended the seminar "Fitting Facilities for Today’s Library Users" at Li Ka Shing Library, Singapore Management University.

The speaker is Janine Schmidt, former Director of Libraries, McGill University and University Librarian at the University of Queensland.

I like her way of creating humours in her speech.  The bank of wisdom she shared on the factors to consider when planning library spaces for today’s users make my mind feel full and contended.  It is a fulfiling afternoon for me and I am sure those who have a chance to hear her will feel the same. 

Details of the seminar extracted from LAS Email notice are as follows:

Summary

Today’s users are plugging in, powering up and prowling the Internet. They communicate constantly, tapping and swiping.
 
Information and communication technologies and user behaviour and expectations are developing in a mobile, wireless, cloudy world. E-books are outselling real books and print journals have been displaced by e-journals.
 
Library design, once focused on the construction of monuments to knowledge, containers for vast print collections, places for products and processes rather than people, and hallowed halls for serious contemplation, has shifted to the creation of interactive spaces that interpret people’s way finding and information behaviour preferences.
 
What is the role of the space and the place? How do we ensure that today’s library meets the needs of today’s learners?
 
Speaker’s Biography

Janine Schmidt is Director, Mukurta Consulting, Brisbane, Australia and advises and consults on library facilities design and strategic planning, assisting libraries in change management and reviewing service delivery.

Janine was formerly Trenholme Director of Libraries, McGill University, and Montreal, Canada, where she led the re-shaping of library and information service delivery, including the revitalization of physical spaces. 

Other appointments include University Librarian at the University of Queensland and Director, Collection Services, State Library of New South Wales. Her qualifications include a B.A. (Q’land), M.Lib (UNSW) and completion of management training at the Australian Graduate School of Management. She has published widely and spoken extensively at conferences and is a Fellow of the Australian Library and Information Association.

Date:Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Time:3:30 to 5:30pm
Venue:Li Ka Shing Library, Singapore Management University, 70 Stamford Rd, Level 5
Map:


“Fitting facilities for today’s library users” by Janine Schmidt is available on Slideshare.

Source of information: Email from LAS and SMU Li Ka Shing Library

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Spirit vs circumstances

I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we face them, that constitutes our comfort.

-- Elizabeth T. King

Sunday, February 26, 2012

OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru: My experience today

Being a resident in Tiong Bahru since 1972, I thought I should know a lot about the estate, yet, I realised there are a lot more for me to explore today!


Joining the "OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru" this afternoon allows me to visit 6 homes, 1 temple, walk through many back lanes and view the works of 15 local and overseas artists.


For the official website of "Oh! Open House at Tiong Bahru, visit:
http://artitute.com/2012/02/17/oh-open-house-at-tiong-bahru/


For photos of the artists' works, view them via:
http://flickriver.com/photos/artituteart/sets/72157629302663309/


==============================
OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru: My experience today
==============================


Today is the last day of the Open House "Occupy" Tiong Bahru.  The event started last Saturday, only run for 2 weekends (on Saturday and Sunday, 18-19 and 25-26).


It is curiosity that drive me to sign up.  I like to see art works in general, and being a resident here, it is interesting for me to see how the interior of the my neighbours' apartment look likes.  Most of the people prefer to keep their home private, so it is hard to have the opportunity to enter other people's house nowadays.


Since I miss the event in Marine Parade last year, this time, the event is so near and so convenient, I have no excuse to miss it. 


Entering strangers' house and look at the interior, their personal items and art collections, is something new for me to look forwards to.  As I do not like to walk under the hot sun and have to rush home for dinner around 7pm, the 4-5pm tour I booked in advance is the best slot for me!


Though the tour I signed up was scheduled to start between 4-5pm, it was delayed.  I think the reason could be that the response is so good that all tours are full booked. Hence, the groups took longer to visit all the sites as there are bigger in size. 


We have 18 participants in our group and we started at around 5.15pm, about one hours and 15 mins later than the actual schedule slot.  Fortunately, the waiting area this week is moved from ground floor to the air-con hall on the second floor of Tiong Bahru Community Centre.  Most of us have a good nap or good rest while waiting. When it is our turn to do the tour, the heavy rain just stop and we have a refreshing afternoon to start our walk!


As I saw a lot of tour leaders over last weekends were full of passion, I was looking forward to have an exciting tour with lots of anecdotes. I should not have this mind set to start with...


The volunteer guide who guided us is not a Tiong Bahru residents, the information she acquired is from her research, we are not able to hear personal experience and the main focus is on the artists and the history of some street name etc.  As the group is too big to hear her clearing, I wish I could have a copy of the written notes for future reference and hope that the feedback to the co-ordinator at the end of tour at 7.05pm would benefit both parties.


Even an old timer like me, looking at the neighbourhood from many front and back balcony of the six apartments is an eye-opening experience. With the unique art deco architecture and tastefully done interior of the apartment owners, it makes one yielding to stay in the apartment and admire the owner who own them.


Many visitors in our group feel that Tiong Bahru housing is rather unique: it is Singapore’s most eclectic neighbourhood! In the 1.5 to 2 hour tour, we learnt the name and the origin of Seng Poh Road, Eng Watt Street, Tiong Poh Road and other interesting facts and history of the estate!


The laid back rustic atmosphere of the pre-war and post-war housing, blended the contemporary art of the 15 artist, make it even more artistic for viewers like us to appreciate.  Art enhance the estate, and the estate make the art pieces more appealling to viewers!


For me and many of the tour participants, the welcoming owners or artists who are there at the door or inside the apartment during the arts walkabout are warm imprints that we will never forget.  I remembered Jason, the banker, offering us chocolates and Steven Black, the multi-talent artist,  giving us Ang Ku Kueh. Their kind gestures warmed both our stomachs and our hearts!  Many are humble and do not disclose their names and their smiling face made us feel comfortable and welcoming!


Some of the things I learnt in the walking tour include:


* the Swan sculpture placed in the centre of Tiong Bahru Garden, was sculpted by Mr Lim Nang Seng, the same artist of Merlion (the Singapore Icon now). 


* the Teochew Noodle stall inside the coffee shop next to the car park exit in Moh Guan Terrace was the Mee Po Man filming site.


Many participants do not know the different types of Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) and Post-war housing in Tiong Bahru. This visit to the 6 artistic homes may lead them to see Tiong Bahru apartment as their dream home.


Viewing the artistic interior design of the six apartments done by the owners or designers may create "Fairy Tale" images of the estate, and lead them to dream and have high expectation on Tiong Bahru Estate!  I know from my own experience that most of the apartments in Tiong Bahru are not the same as the six homes we experienced today!


Of all the artworks I view, the first whimsical mobile hanged by the window, made from plush and felt, in the shapes of traditional Singapore food is the one that I like most!






For more photos of the artists' works, please view them via:
http://flickriver.com/photos/artituteart/sets/72157629302663309/

The mobile is created by Tye Sok Kuan who is a well-known freelance illustrator known for her alter-ego, Sophie Black.

In this hanging mobile, Sophie Black is also the centrepiece.  I think most viewers would like all the yummy objects stringed around the smiling Nyonya, such as Ang Ku Kueh, Butterfly Kueh, Nine layers cake, Small Bao, Sue Mai, Kueh To To and many yummy and delicious local treats.

What I fall in love with is the bright and colourful hanging mobile theme with Paranaka ideas and the details stitches which is hard to match. To me it is like 3D painting using colourful treads as paint brush and felt as canvas!

I learn from this visit and meet some hosts of the homes. They were a nice mix of Singaporeans and expats and art is the one that transcends cultural borders. 

Tiong Bahru is not a big estate and the distance between each homes which host the exhibitions are not very far apart.  Nevertheless, all the apartment are without lift and walking up and down take time and energy. 

After the 2 hours sweaty walking tour, our thigh muscles were tire. The expected workout for me allow me to make excuses for not having much physical exercises next week!

How do I feel about the tour at the end of the day?  Well, like my tour mates, we feel intrusive, and on the other hand, was thankful to hosts who are so kind and so generous in giving us a change to peek, share and enjoy their way of living for a moment! 

Maybe it is a learning journey for us to be humble about what we received and learn to share the joys by being kind and generous to others in the future!


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang