Hi, Lissi and all,
Well, Lissi, if that isn't enough motivation to make me keep my vow to
dive in, pluck up my courage and begin scanning ASAP, I don't know what
is. There are so many excellent scanners and proofers here, and while
I've primarily spent years here learning and experiencing from the
sidelines, I do most definitely remember days brimming over with
enthusiasm on this list. I began my journey here thinking proofing was
my forte, but although I did a bit of that successfully, it has become
clear that the deep need is for scanners. I was having a discussion
with one of our veteran scanners about this topic very recently.
while I can't take up this torch immediately, I will do my absolute best
to do so in the winter months. I'll have more time, more disposable
income to spend on books when necessary), and the ability to give
patient practice to learning the craft of scanning. I have exacting
standards, and want to give my very best.
I know that this is an amazing place with plenty of amazing, supportive
people, and you guys can help me find my footing as I begin. Like
Lissi, the state of things on the checkout list is a huge concern to me,
and I'd love to be able to do my part to turn that around ASAP. I
personally feel that I owe that much to a community that has furnished
me with so much amazing reading material for my own education and great
pleasure, and to all the great ladies and gents who have shared their
hard-won experience and knowledge with me as I've learned some of the ropes.
Warmest Wishes,
Kim
On 10/30/2015 6:08 PM, Estelnalissi wrote:
Dear Booksharian Friends,
Is anyone as worried as I am about the state of the check out page? Only 2 of the books there are available to anyone and the other 9 have holds.
The scanners we have are working hard and many of them have dedicated their time for years scanning for people they don’t know with their only motivation being to enrich the Bookshare library. I’m not asking that the regulars take on the responsibility for this disaster. I’m asking if anyone knows anyone they can inspire to Take up this important volunteer work.
I try and help by searching out books that aren’t in the collection, buying them as cheaply as possible and mailing them to people I know will scan them. I also buy the books that have holds for me and make the scanner’s life easier by mailing them the books to scan and by being satisfied with the work they do and not demanding that they be perfect or follow my personal rules beyond Bookshare’s requirement. If a scanned book is perfect, and they never are, then what would be the value of proofreaders? It takes careful scrutiny to find and correct errors in well scanned books.
If we proofreaders can’t help by recruiting scanners or providing them with books we can help by not racing to grab every available book and checking it in lightning speed but by taking time during this crisis working on no more than a couple of books at a time leaving other books available for other careful proofreaders who are showing like consideration.
This isn’t any one person’s fault. The scarcity of scanners seems to be at the core of the problem, that and the fact we have to work harder now to find books that aren’t already in our fabulous Bookshare.
A somewhat exhausted scanner friend of mine said something pretty funny but true.
Remember the TV show Beretta. He said:
If you don’t want to do the time,
Don’t do the crime.
The Bookshare version is:
If you don’t take the time to look,
Please don’t check out the book.
I suggest that we proofreaders be generous and actually read the books we’re promising to tidy up by the act of checking them out.
How many people are still around who remember that we used to broadcast far and wide, that we were deranged perfectionists? The list is so quiet now. Nobody blows their own horn but enthusiasm and sharing accomplishments isn’t bragging. I think it’s inspiring! Volunteers that are new here might not have heard how we shared our journey toward improving our skills. I’ve been doing this nonstop except for computer trouble and illness for about ten years and I’m still reading every word of the books I proofread. When I suspect my mind’s wandered I go back and read some pages just to be sure I didn’t drowse and miss something. I know there are plenty of proofreaders here who do the same, but how can they with no books to check out?
I’d also be interested to know if anyone who is new is learning to proofread to earn credits for their membership. If so, how can they with no books to check out? If anyone is rushing through books to get credits in time to renew their membership I have plenty of credits I’d be glad to share so you can relax and take your time getting to know how to proofread carefully. And remember this list is a source of understanding and help. There are scanners and proofreaders just waiting for a chance to answer questions from newcomers who will gain skill and help newercomers in turn.
Oh, and we enjoyed welcoming new volunteers and celebrating their accomplishments, so chime in and tell us you’ve arrived.
I didn’t mean to preach or wave my arms and stomp around on my soap box. I was just shocked to see the check out down to 2 books. It’s like seeing a loved one bleed to death.
Hoping to hear some ideas, thoughts, interest, concern etc from anyone.
It is what it is,
But it will become what you make it.
Always with love,
Lissi