Friday, December 30, 2011
Year drawing to a close
2011 is drawing to a close. The roads are so quiet. They said on NPR this morning that only about 1/2 of the US population is working this week! My library got our book deliveries early. This is most likely because the colleges are closed for their break. This is such a good time to reflect on what we want to continue, what we want to create and where we want to be.
The New Age people tell us that there is only the present. No such thing as time. That is all an illusion. Still, I have to put that meeting into my day planner. And, it seems to me that we need to learn constantly. A teacher who I like says that there are no mistakes.....So, if you did something last year....like not get that big weeding project done or miss the ALA midwinter conference....no mistake....Just plan to get it done this time!
One thing that this leaping libertine librarian loves is lists. Sure, we may not get everything done that is on the list. Simply writing down that plan, that dream....putting pen to paper or keyboard to cyberspace....means that maybe, just maybe, this will be the year you write that grant proposal for the literacy program or for the E Readers that you want to demonstrate at your library.
What are you planning to keep the leap in your librarian in 2012?
The New Age people tell us that there is only the present. No such thing as time. That is all an illusion. Still, I have to put that meeting into my day planner. And, it seems to me that we need to learn constantly. A teacher who I like says that there are no mistakes.....So, if you did something last year....like not get that big weeding project done or miss the ALA midwinter conference....no mistake....Just plan to get it done this time!
One thing that this leaping libertine librarian loves is lists. Sure, we may not get everything done that is on the list. Simply writing down that plan, that dream....putting pen to paper or keyboard to cyberspace....means that maybe, just maybe, this will be the year you write that grant proposal for the literacy program or for the E Readers that you want to demonstrate at your library.
What are you planning to keep the leap in your librarian in 2012?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Books make the woman (or the man!)
They made me the person I am today....Francie Nolan sitting and reading her precious books...
"From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood."
- Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Ch. 22
or Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind
Scarlett: Sir, you are no gentleman.
Rhett Butler: And you, Miss, are no lady.
Pippi Longstocking
“But Nightshirts aren't dangerous," Pippi assured her. "They don't bite anybody except in self defense.”
― Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking
Ah, the books! Put them on kindles, nooks, between the pages, write them on lined paper....they sing to us day and night!
"From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood."
- Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Ch. 22
or Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind
Scarlett: Sir, you are no gentleman.
Rhett Butler: And you, Miss, are no lady.
Pippi Longstocking
“But Nightshirts aren't dangerous," Pippi assured her. "They don't bite anybody except in self defense.”
― Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking
Ah, the books! Put them on kindles, nooks, between the pages, write them on lined paper....they sing to us day and night!
Recharging Ourselves and Our Users
Sometimes the library is just the place to be. People are sitting and reading. Some of them are reading magazines, others are looking at the screen. They are reserving books and checking to see when their request might be in. Many, many people have just gotten devices as holiday gifts and are entering the world of downloadable ebooks and audiobooks. They are still coming in to the library to find out what all the hoopla is all about.
"I downloaded this book for my mp3 player, but now I have a kindle. What do I do?"
"My computer literally burned out. Do you have a laptop I can borrow?"
A woman whispers, "I've never used the internet before. I'm so embarassed. Can you help me?"
Someone is hoping to read the book that they just read about in the Boston Globe.
One of our jobs here in the library is to help people find what they are looking for in various formats. We serve ourselves and our customers best when we keep the faith and learn how to teach the formats to our hopeful users. Of course, yesterday, I had to ask my son to show me how to register my new ipod nano....Hey, it gave him an opportunity to be a teacher and that's not a bad thing!
We teach our customers and they teach us. They show us what it is that we can do to help them. They teach us what we need to become in this digital environment. We help them on their way.
Not to mention the museum passes.....and on a holiday week, they are a high demand item!
One of the joys of being a librarian is that, in order to be our best, we need to keep learning along with our users. Some moments are bumpier than others.....like when the person can't get the tax forms in hard copy because we don't have them yet. And they simply don't want the online version.....Still, I wouldn't trade it....Even on the days when I'm limping and need to recharge....hey, maybe I can plug me into the laptop next to my ipod nano!
"I downloaded this book for my mp3 player, but now I have a kindle. What do I do?"
"My computer literally burned out. Do you have a laptop I can borrow?"
A woman whispers, "I've never used the internet before. I'm so embarassed. Can you help me?"
Someone is hoping to read the book that they just read about in the Boston Globe.
One of our jobs here in the library is to help people find what they are looking for in various formats. We serve ourselves and our customers best when we keep the faith and learn how to teach the formats to our hopeful users. Of course, yesterday, I had to ask my son to show me how to register my new ipod nano....Hey, it gave him an opportunity to be a teacher and that's not a bad thing!
We teach our customers and they teach us. They show us what it is that we can do to help them. They teach us what we need to become in this digital environment. We help them on their way.
Not to mention the museum passes.....and on a holiday week, they are a high demand item!
One of the joys of being a librarian is that, in order to be our best, we need to keep learning along with our users. Some moments are bumpier than others.....like when the person can't get the tax forms in hard copy because we don't have them yet. And they simply don't want the online version.....Still, I wouldn't trade it....Even on the days when I'm limping and need to recharge....hey, maybe I can plug me into the laptop next to my ipod nano!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
phantom librarian Minuteman
"I was working at my laptop in a Minuteman Library. The
Reference Desk was to my right. All of a sudden, the Library Director
started scolding the Reference Librarian (probably not her actual title)
and the woman ended up in tears. This should never have happened within
earshot of a patron. I let certain people know about it (I have friends
in high places)."
My goodness....the leap leaves a library when something like this happens. Luckily, the phantom reported the incident.
Let's resolve to avoid such instances in the New Year!
Christmas Conversations, good book to read
I was in Connecticut with my partner's family. The young woman was saying that she did not want her books on a machine, thank you very much. She is 21 years old! She likes the feel of real books and does not want them on a device. That was very interesting to me. Also, my partner seems to be sticking with the regular book type book more often than not. Hmmm....looks like the sound of turning pages may not be going anywhere too quickly.
Speaking of books, you may want to read Orientation and other Stories by Daniel Orozco
here's an article about the book . The book is beautifully written. The author creates scene and character with an effortless brilliance that leaves me gasping. The title story is hilarious. Anyone who has ever worked in an office will appreciate it. The story about food binging is so wonderfully written...The author seems to have a real insight into people...he could have been a psychotherapist or a Shakespeare or both. He knows how to create people and paint the picture of their lives with a verbal brush that leaves me gasping....The runner in the story about running is so believable. Brilliant! Five leaping libertine librarians up!
Speaking of books, you may want to read Orientation and other Stories by Daniel Orozco
here's an article about the book . The book is beautifully written. The author creates scene and character with an effortless brilliance that leaves me gasping. The title story is hilarious. Anyone who has ever worked in an office will appreciate it. The story about food binging is so wonderfully written...The author seems to have a real insight into people...he could have been a psychotherapist or a Shakespeare or both. He knows how to create people and paint the picture of their lives with a verbal brush that leaves me gasping....The runner in the story about running is so believable. Brilliant! Five leaping libertine librarians up!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
librarytopia
As a holiday gift, I got a librarytopia. Our budget is unlimited, we are building a cafe that has plenty of room and a library book and media store. We have a gift shop that has lots of adorable items with our library logo on them.
We have a coach who takes unruly teens and adults and forces them to run around the track and/or swim laps until they are so tired and mellow that they can follow library policies with no difficulty whatsoever.
The librarytopia has a drive up hold pick up window that is staffed by our top notch personnel.....oh, and the parking lot. First of all, it is free. Second of all, it is unlimited. There is so much space.
The staff enjoy the free trip to Canyon Ranch that they get twice a year to refresh, rejuvenate and recharge. They can take their family and loved ones of course as this is considered essential to one's well being.
The library has tantalizing displays. The books are always clean and in excellent condition. It is so nice that the budget for books and non print materials is always increased.
We love the library kiosks that are located throughout the community where one can get books, playaways, dvds, cds, kindles, nooks, ipods and other goodies for no charge.
The new wing...what can I say? So lovely since we had all of the best space planners in to plan. Thanks to Kimberly Bolan for her help with the young adult room.
Thanks to our full time outreach librarian, we are now offering ESL, computer, tech talk, and job hunting classes in six different languages.
What a blessing!
We have a coach who takes unruly teens and adults and forces them to run around the track and/or swim laps until they are so tired and mellow that they can follow library policies with no difficulty whatsoever.
The librarytopia has a drive up hold pick up window that is staffed by our top notch personnel.....oh, and the parking lot. First of all, it is free. Second of all, it is unlimited. There is so much space.
The staff enjoy the free trip to Canyon Ranch that they get twice a year to refresh, rejuvenate and recharge. They can take their family and loved ones of course as this is considered essential to one's well being.
The library has tantalizing displays. The books are always clean and in excellent condition. It is so nice that the budget for books and non print materials is always increased.
We love the library kiosks that are located throughout the community where one can get books, playaways, dvds, cds, kindles, nooks, ipods and other goodies for no charge.
The new wing...what can I say? So lovely since we had all of the best space planners in to plan. Thanks to Kimberly Bolan for her help with the young adult room.
Thanks to our full time outreach librarian, we are now offering ESL, computer, tech talk, and job hunting classes in six different languages.
What a blessing!
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