Category: LIBR559M

I have been thinking.… Occasionally I have found a cause, or a Facebook group that I support and want to spread, but for the most part, I am a lurker.  This is probably due to lack of time and feeling that I have nothing significant to contribute that someone else has not already contributed.  But last week, I was inspired to create a tumblr account (http://thoughtsfromabuddhist.tumblr.com/).  After reading the Sullivan article, I realized that I could put something out there that I’m passionate about: I created a blog about Buddhism — not Buddhism quotes as there seem to be an abundance of these blogs.  Buddhism is a living entity that allows each person to discover the truth for himself, so suddenly, I wanted to document this process.  Even if no one ever reads it, it will be away for me to remember discoveries.  I’m looking forward to being a creator.

I was born and raised in Louisiana, and I consider myself a Cajun.  I began working in libraries as an undergrad, and then I moved to Austin where I began my degree in Information Studies at UT.  I currently work at one of the campus libraries as a library assistant in technical services.  I never knew what my calling should be in life, but I seemed suited to library work, so it chose me.  I believe that future reference positions will rely heavily on social media, so I’m hoping to become better acquainted.  I currently use Facebook, but I gave up on twitter since it always seemed to be crashing, and I have used foursquare……but not faithfully.

I believe that libraries like bookstores will need to reach users through technology.  For example, Barnes & Noble has done this with the Nook.  So as a future information professional, I believe that I will need to familiarize myself with social media tools.

For this class, I think I will focus on the idea that social media can simultaneously help and leave behind the disabled.  I’m interested in exploring this subject.