Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Griffith on June 22, 2007 at 8:17pm

Here's an interesting idea.

www.1000journals.com/

Anyone have any ideas about how we might be able to do something library-related with this?

Permalink Reply by Bob Kosovsky on July 2, 2007 at 8:45am

The artist's way : a spiritual path to higher creativity
by Julia Cameron

Permalink Reply by Bob Kosovsky on July 31, 2007 at 9:58am

Actually, that's one of the first things Julia Cameron suggests in her book. Not only that, but she takes an entire chapter out to discuss how to discipline oneself to regularly make journal entries. It functions in several ways - discipline, learning openness of expression, communication, etc. Really great stuff!

Permalink Reply by Kevin Griffith on August 1, 2007 at 9:18am

I'm going to have to break down and read that book. I've heard good things about it for years, but I've just never gotten around to reading it. I'll definitley have to put it on my list.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Griffith on October 23, 2007 at 8:53am

Here’s a link to a fascinating article on the characteristics of the creative personality.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19960701-000033.html


And here’s one of the quotes that rings very true to me. It’s from an artist named Eva Zeisel and she's addresseing innovation for its own sake.

"This idea to create something is not my aim. To be different is a negative motive, and no creative thought or created thing grows out of a negative impulse. A negative impulse is always frustrating. And to be different means 'not like this' and 'not like that.' And the 'not like'--that's why postmodernism, with the prefix of 'post,' couldn't work. No negative impulse can work, can produce any happy creation. Only a positive one."

I’ve been trying to understand the notion of negative energy/negative impulse more fully for a few years now, and I recently had to do a bit of thinkshifting. I had originally grouped all negative energy/impulses into one huge monster category: Bad. What I’ve come to realize is that there are varying levels of negative energy and distinctly different kinds of negative impulses ranging from the relatively benign to the downright poisonous. It sounds like pure common sense, but I agree with what Eva says. I believe if we start from a negative impulse (or with negative energy) we are guaranteed to end up poisoning our efforts (and others). Maybe I need to reframe my current approach to something like destructive energy (poisonous energy?) vs. constructive/reconstructive energy (nourishing energy?)!

Permalink Reply by RefLibrarian on January 8, 2008 at 7:54pm

Steven Bell mentioned in a post on the Designing Better Libraries blog that he is looking for article proposals about creativity - including fostering creativity in the library, creative library programming, and fostering innovation. These articles are for the "Creative Library" themed issue of the Urban Library Journal. I look forward to reading the issue when it is published.
-Isabelle Fetherston

Permalink Reply by Terry Ballard on March 2, 2008 at 3:42pm

Okay, I'll be immodest and show off my pet project. As our reference e-book collection grew, I became intrigued by the idea of building a visual virtual library to house these. I tried very hard but couldn't find anyone who had done this, so I set out to build my own to cover the 120 or so most important holdings on our e-ref shelf. Originally, I was going to set the first screen to be an overhead view of our reference area, but found that most people don't fly into the library so I photographed a range of shelves as the patron would see it walking into a real library. The resulting project is now live at:

http://learn.quinnipiac.edu/verso/versomain.html

Permalink Reply by RefLibrarian on March 2, 2008 at 3:56pm

Terry, I really like your visual virtual library. I think that it makes the e-reference books more noticeable and inviting to patrons. It will be interesting to see if you have a significant increase in the use of these e-books, now.

Permalink Reply by Bob Kosovsky on March 28, 2008 at 2:41pm

Diane Coutu "Creativity Step by Step." Harvard Business Review 86, no. 4 (April 1, 2008): 47-51.

Available through ProQuest for those who have it.


Abstract:

Most people believe that creative genius is a predetermined personality trait reserved for only a gifted few. Tharp -- an award-winning choreographer who has revolutionized dance in our time -- firmly rejects that notion. "Everyone can be creative," she says, "but you have to prepare for it with routine." The winner of a MacArthur fellowship, a Tony award, and two Emmys, Tharp has been the artistic force behind her own dance company, Broadway shows, and TV productions, and has created choreography for movies (including Hair and Amadeus) and leading ballet companies around the world. In this conversation with senior editor Diane Coutu, Tharp shares her thoughts about what it takes to achieve creative breakthroughs: hardheaded practicality, discipline, and ruthlessness about the work. She is unsentimental in her advice to aspiring innovators who worry that they don't have the right stuff: Get over yourself. Get angry, throw a tantrum -- just do whatever it takes to get moving, and stop wasting time. Creativity is the result of habit, hard work, and constantly pursuing new challenges. Don't get hung up on originality or on failure; if you never fail, you'll stagnate. Mentors may help guide you to your goals, but don't choose people who will hold your hand. Choose mentors who can teach you, and invent them if you have to. In her no-nonsense way, Tharp also talks about her commitment to being uncompromising in her work, even when it exacted a price (such as forgone vacations and personal relationships) or was otherwise painful (when it involved firing extraordinary people). "It's a terrible analogy, but when it comes to your work, you have a war to win," she says. "Men are going to die.". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permalink Reply by Kevin Griffith on July 7, 2008 at 3:00pm

Here’s a really cool new blog on creativity. Enjoy!


Creativity Blog

Permalink Reply by Bob Kosovsky on July 16, 2008 at 10:48am

Urban Library Journal: The Creative Library 15.1 (Spring 2008)

An entire issue focused on creativity as necessary to our work.

Permalink Reply by Laura Berdichevsky on April 17, 2009 at 9:47am

Here's a cool interactive site for librarians: www.healthfinder.gov. I've heard their flash tutorial for librarians is a great resource- http://www.healthfinder.gov/tutorial/default.asp#librarian

FYI- they're also on twitter, @healthfinder