#as a public librarian I don’t have funding to sponsor anything

[brunhielda]

Gonna throw out something crazy. See what sticks. Maybe nothing, hopefully something:

In about 3 months, the US is getting a total solar eclipse. I am a Librarian at a Public Library hosting an event.

Now, I KNOW every corner of the globe has mythology on this very cool astrological event. Many with neat monsters/creatures to go with. It is difficult to find images of said creatures. Sometimes even difficult to find the mythology from various parts of the world. Almost impossible to find coloring pages.

I live in a tiny town, and I am doing everything I can to expand the horizons of the kiddos who live here, and they go bananas for a good story out loud, especially if they have something to do with their hands while listening, like pictures to color in.

I call on the artists of the internet. If you know of a myth about Solar Eclipse, please add on to this post. Tell me the basic myth, tell me the country/culture of origin, and please please please, add a cool picture I can turn into a coloring page. Artist names will be left on pictures for admirers to go look them up, and I hope artists see this as a fun challenge.

I don’t even know if Tumbler in English language has that much of an international presence but… 🤷🏻‍♀️ Here’s hoping.

[tiny-personal-university-thing]

How to Research in a Scholarly Manner

Here are some tips when it comes to finding the right sources for your kind of intimidating research argument papers/research review papers. 

Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources

The CRAAP test is a method you can use to help you evaluate the information a source provides you with. Trust me, professors/graders/TAs will evaluate your sources.

C- Currency. When was this information published? Has it been revised/updated?

R- Relevance. This relates to the importance of your information. Does the information relate to your topic, or answer your research question? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at an appropriate level? Generally, you don't want to cite Ms. Smith's 3rd Grade History blog in your collegiate/scholarly essay. Try to aim for sources at a "higher" level than you.

A- Authority. This is the source of the information. Who is the sponsor/publisher/author? This also relates to an author's credentials. Is the author even qualified to write on this topic? When using web sources, look at the URL. (Examples: .com, .edu, .org, .gov, .net)

A- Accuracy. Is the article truthful, reliable, and correct? Has the information been peer-reviewed?

P- Purpose. Why was the article written?

You can also use the SMELL Test 

The SMELL Test is very similar to the CRAAP test. 

Source. Who is providing the information? Humans are incapable of objectivity. Every author is biased in some way. 

Motivation. What is the author’s impetus in providing me with this information? To persuade? To inform?

Evidence. Trustworthy providers of information should attempt to confirm/verify their claims. 

Logic. Is it logical? Information that jars you, or “is too good to be true,” probably is.

Left Out. What is not being said can occasionally tell you more than what is being said. Beware of omissions! 

Don’t be afraid to utilize your personal librarian. 

If your college/university has personal librarians for your major use them! They know the library and search engines like the back of their hands! 

Become familiar with scholarly search engines.

This doesn’t necessarily exclude Google; however, try using Google Scholar instead. What many students do not know is that their college/university pays for hundreds of search databases. They are free to use because the university uses your tuition money to fund their subscriptions. Some of the most popular databases I like to use are Academic Search Complete and EBSCO. There are also more focused databases you can use to do your research/find sources, such as Web of Science. Again - ask your librarian. They can tell you all about them. Again, the cool thing about using these search engines to find sources is that because your school pays for you to be able to use the sources you find - you won’t have to pay for them. Otherwise, you may be asked to pay an outrageous amount of money to read the source in its entirety. 

Try to avoid shady sources like Academia.edu or ResearchGate.net. According to some professors, it indicates you used regular old Google. 

You found the PERFECT source, and then you found out your university doesn’t have it in their collection... but another one may... 

Many universities are part of a network where sources are sent/loaned/traded to other universities. This can be referred to as Document Delivery or InterLibrary Loan. You probably can’t call up Harvard’s library to ask if you can borrow a source; however, your school’s library might have a rapport with them through InterLibrary Loan type services and can request the source for you. Just ask a librarian. These sources are typically “free” to students because that’s where your tuition goes.

Use an annotated bibliography/value-added annotation to keep track of your sources (S+A+R)

An annotated bibliography goes one step further than just a regular bibliography. You can do this by remembering (S+A+R).

S = Summary

Briefly summarize the source

A = Assessment

Assess the authority/expertise of the author

Also assess institutional affiliations of the author

Make note of the author’s POV, and anything that may be left out

R = Reflection

Discuss how the source is helpful to your research!

Cite your source in the appropriate format (MLA, APA, Chicago, CSE, Turbanian), and then directly below it summarize, assess and reflect! 

You can use Wikipedia, just don’t cite it

Using Wikipedia to fill in the gaps in your knowledge on the topic of your thesis is a-okay! You can also make use of Youtube videos such as Crash Course - these are narrated by Hank and John Green. Yes, the John Green. 

Becoming a temporary expert, or even just more well-read on your thesis/topic will help you present better arguments, as well as aid in your ability to evaluate sources. Resources like Wikipedia/Crash Course/etc. are great to use when supplementing your own knowledge as they are typically conveyed in a manner that the neophyte can comprehend. So you won’t have to decipher out any subject-specific jargon. 

When your ancient professors say “no internet sources,” - ask for clarification

There are basically 2 internets. There is the “public web” that is accessible to search engines like Google, and then there is the “invisible web.” The invisible web is basically comprised of web resources that your university purchases that only your university community can use. Articles you find here using a search engine like Academic Search Complete exist in a physical, print journal. It just happens to be delivered to you via the internet to facilitate easier research. And if your professor is published - and they probably are if they want to keep their position at your university - then their work is more than likely accessible through the internet. 

I have found these tips incredibly useful when learning how to navigate my university’s massive library collection. And of course, a librarian imparted this wisdom to me. 

Happy researching. 

[gigslist]

11 Cool & Weird Film Funding Grants & Job Boards

Weird and Interesting 

Cool and Weird Funding & Job Orgs

11 Cool and weird arts and film funding grants, film job boards and a little weird bit of editorial.

I’m compiling a new gigs list of film and media job sites and job boards and film funding grants, film sponsors, scholarships, and residencies etc. Over 1000 resources. Billions of dollars every year in cash and in-kind resources. While surfing I found a few weird and interesting and cool resources GigsList.info readers might have fun reading or joining or applying for. These are not paid ads. I just happen to think they are cool and weird and interesting.

Anonymous Production Assistant

Anonymousproductionassistant.com 

“The TAPA blog is a place to freely discuss the life of a production assistant. And a  repository for the knowledge I’ve accumulated to future generations of PAs. Who the hell are you? I’m anonymous. It says so right there in the title. No, really, who are you? I’m not saying, bub. Deal with it. The New York Times recommended my blog. As did The Los Angeles Times. Also, LA Magazine. KCRW’s The Business interviewed me, as did as LA Women. That’s something, I guess.”

Burning Man

Burningman.org 

Funding art that is accessible to the public, civic in scope and prompts the viewer to act. Burning Man has a long and rich history of granting seed money to new and emerging artists around the world. To date, we’ve granted 202 projects in 34 U.S. states and 34 countries. “Burning Man isn’t a ‘place you put art’,  but a ‘context in which art is created.’ You don’t have to have been to Black Rock City to be a Burner. 

Cannabis Media

Fromtheheartproductions.com  

The grant seeks heartfelt documentaries, short films, features, and web series. Revealing how cannabis has benefited and changed people’s lives. With the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. Much of media focus has been on the business aspects of the cannabis industry. Cannabis Media Grant is for filmmakers to create films that show where the cannabis market is going.  How cannabis has become an important part of people’s lives, and how it’s improved those lives for the better.

Celebrity Scholarship

Celebrityscholarship.com 

Through costume, role-playing, props and self-expression. The person with the funniest, quirkiest and most authentic celebrity impersonation. Tell us about your celebrity and why you chose them. Send us your picture or video for scholarship funds. Feel free to use makeup, funky clothing and a smart caption. 

CJ Pony Auto Videos

Cjponyparts.com/cj-pony-parts-scholarship-video-contest

CJ Pony Parts is proud to offer two scholarships each year to students who are enrolling in post-secondary education in their next semester. Create a short video, under 3 minutes long, on provided topics. You can be inspirational, funny, serious, educational, or even musical! Winners will be selected based on creativity and content rather than video editing skill or how many views the video gets. Submitted videos must be your own work.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Cbldf.org 

Non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics medium. We provide Legal aid, education and advocacy. Protecting the rights of readers, creators, retailers, publishers, and librarians. All involved with comics, manga, and graphic novels. - GigsList Note: Ok so they don’t give money, but they are interesting.

Fine Awards Scholarship

Fineawards.com/scholarship

Competitive award for college students. To share their story about someone in their life deserving recognition. A person who helped, inspired and/or motivated you. A parent, sibling, friend or other role model. A stranger you saw paying it forward without expectation of recognition. Tell us your story.

RxLaughter

Rxlaughter.org  

Improving quality of life through positive entertainment research, therapeutic care and education. Founded in 1998 by ABC and CBS veteran primetime programming executive Sherry Hilber. Founded as a laughter research charity for children with physical illnesses at the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center. How comedy can ease pain and anxiety for children during painful medical procedures. Using the power of comedy to improve quality of life for people with emotional and physical challenges. Our programs are volunteer-based.  

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Thesisters.org 

Grants supporting small organizations and projects that provide services to underserved communities. Projects that are progressive grassroots projects. Promoting wellness and joy, tolerance and diversity supporting LGBTQ+ communities. San Francisco Bay Area projects preferred.

Stockade Works Film Producer Apprenticeships

Stockadeworks.org 

Apprenticeship program for Hudson Valley residents. Feature film and documentary production, admin and marketing. By learning as you work on local productions. Part internship part paid gig. The ins and outs of budget, pitch materials, social media and audience development. As well as hands on training in production and post production.

Tattoo Trends in Australia 

wsartsalliance.com/tattoo-trends-in-australia-a-big-yes-and-a-small-no

In depth article by the Washington State Arts Alliance. Tattoos are officially a serious fine art form. Excerpt: “Tattoos are rapidly finding their market in Australia compared to a few years ago when they were regarded as a tabloid. This massive growth was mostly led by the tattoos designs that included a word or a phrase category. However, a recently conducted surveys reveal that around 70% of Australian’s now prefer to have a symbol or picture...”  (GigsList note: Includes professional tips and howtoos about tattoos.)

Thiel Fellowship $100,000 to Drop Out of College

Thielfellowship.org 

Thiel Fellowship grants $100,000 to young people who want to build new things instead of sitting in a classroom. Some Thiel Fellows are programmers. Others have started nonprofits, created consumer products, launched media companies, and built hardware. We look to support young people who want to bring their ideas to the world. Not only film, anything.

GigsList Explains Apprenticeships 

And why apprenticeships can save your ass and your country’s economy. The short version. 

The other day I had to explain what an apprenticeship is to a person with a college degree. I was kind of very shocked. So... I've included a real apprenticeship and explanation of apprenticeships by a former apprentice. Me:)

Apprenticeships are the old school way of learning film business and production ropes. Where  you learn and make industry contacts and get paid. Apprenticeships are how I and my friends learned the biz and production. 

No college loans to pay back and more budget to create art and support our arts friends. Plus we’ve never had to surf job boards for gigs, it’s all who we know from learning on the job. You join a family not an industry. 

If everybody in film in the USA learned on the job. How much money could go back to the USA economy and funding film arts and underserved? And save the whales. Talk to your local entertainment unions and gov film offices. They should be more than happy to help with local apprenticeship programs :)