Library Log 11/19/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

So, a few of the staff went to the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) Conference this week. It was up in Denver. There were three days of workshops and a myriad of librarians from all over Colorado. The workshops were educational, and the opportunity to share ideas and stories with other librarians was invaluable. Meeting with colleagues helps us figure out better ways to do things in our library. The staff all picked different workshops to go to so we could bring back the most information possible. I am currently attempting to coerce them into jotting down some of their observations for this column. Hopefully next week around this time you will be reading about all the new and exciting ideas they are going to try. I think it is important for our library staff to be active in the larger library world. Shoot, you never know when a good idea or two might present itself or leap out from under a rug. I had won a scholarship to attend this conference from the CAL board. To thank CAL for my scholarship, I volunteered one day to help with the tech set-up. Truth be told, I mainly carried a bunch of things to and fro and tried to look like I knew what I was doing while attempting to hook up laptops to projectors and the hotel internet network. I was also accepted to speak at this conference, and got up in front of a roomful of folks to talk about the great 2.0 technology we use at the John C. and how we get’er done with free and low-cost software and applications. If you want to hear in greater detail what I spoke about at the conference come by the back room and I will bore your socks off… I mean… wow your socks off with library tech things, or you can just say hi and I will restrain myself from my usual geek speak.

Library Log 11/12/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

I love it when the new books come in. It’s fun seeing all the new shinny covers and titles. I am inexplicably drawn to the juvenile non-fiction (that’s librarian for – true books for kids). There were a couple books this week that I almost had to take home just based on their titles (I know, I know, there I go again judging books by their covers). One was called, “It’s disgusting and we ate it!” (which I thought would be about my lunch, but was actually food fact from around the world). But I am pretty sure, “The Encyclopedia of Immaturity” was written for me (if not about me). I tell you there is an entire chapter called ‘How to pop a French fry’!! Awesome, well, strange, but awesome! (Now you know, never invite me to dinner!) Yes, there were other books that came in this month, do not be afraid. Those of you who have been patiently awaiting the new Diana Gabaldon, come get on the waiting list! Or if you have been wanting to see how fashion and diplomacy intersect, Madeleine Albright has a book for you. Yes, there is an entire book detailing her pins and their significance. It is called “Read My Pins : stories from a diplomat’s jewel box.” Check it out, and while your here, have a look at the calendar of upcoming events, we have some good things coming your way. You can also stick your head in the back room and tell me about your favorite books or your favorite lapel pin or broach. Heck, maybe we can even ‘pop a French fry’ or make sounds with our armpits.

Library Log 11/5/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

“Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” If this isn’t enough instruction for you to operate a motor vehicle, you might try checking out the DVD, ‘Rules of the road’ (Dewey number 629.2 in the non-fiction DVD section). Or, if you take the saying on a more metaphysical level, while looking at your self in the mirror, you might need a few books from the philosophy section (Dewey Numbers 100-150). Of course it might be that you were looking in the mirror to fix your hair, shave, put on make-up, straighten your tie, in which case you might be interested in fashion (Dewey 391.2 & 646.4). Or perhaps the phonology of the phrase intrigues you, in which case the Dewey 800’s may be your source of excitement. Maybe it is the deceptiveness implied in the phrase the catches you, in which case magic tricks and deceiving the audience (that is now gathered around you) would appeal. Head to 793.8 for the secrets. Dewey numbers are like addresses for non-fiction books. At bookstores, the organization is by subject. In the Dewey Decimal System items are organized by disciplines or fields of study. The consequence of this is that there is likely to be no single place for a given subject. So you might ask, “Where is the fashion section?” And the answer might be, “Well, the psychology of fashion is in the 155’s, costume in 355, customs 391, manufacture of 687, sewing 646…” We truly are not trying to confuse you… it is a system of organization and once you get the hang of it, it works. And we can also help you find what you need (or help you find the computer catalog, which will find where we hid what you want). If you would like to see the four enormous books that explain the Dewey Decimal Classification System in more detail than you will ever want, come by the back room and give me the secret hand shake and all will be revealed.

Library Log 10/28/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

Strangest thing happened the other day, I met a woman who reads this column… and she seemed perfectly normal and nice. She actually came in to the back room to say hi! (… to me! …a scary prospect I am sure.) We talked about audio books. There are quite a few different kinds of formats for audio books. CDs, playaways, & MP3 discs are the John C.’s main formats, but we also provide access to Talking Books and down loadable audio books. CD’s comprise the majority of our audio collection, but I think sometimes people mistake the discs for coasters or Frisbees judging by the amount of scratches they often get. MP3 discs are similar, but one MP3 disc can contain four or five times the amount of data as a regular CD, so there is less to get scratched. Of course MP3s only play in certain kinds of CD players or on computers, so there is less demand for them. Let’s face it, most of us just want to toss a CD in our old boom box and call it good. Playaways are an alternative to discs. They are wee little (think cell phone sized) boxes that have a book in them. Plug in headphones, hit play and off you go. Of course to make up for the convenience, they are pricey, so we only have 40 titles available. Enter the realm of the down loadable audio book. Cheap! Lots of them! But a bit more complicated. The patron (that would be you) has to own a device called an MP3 player or Ipod, use the internet, and put the books onto the device. We installed a new computer back in the teen area to make this process easier. It is our Download Station/Teen computer. It is FAST! We also provide access to the Talking Book program from the Library of Congress. It is a ‘National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’. The program is free for those who qualify. They send you a machine and you can pick the titles you want to hear – books & magazines. So, if you are brave enough to follow in Trish’s footsteps, come to the back room and say hi…. apparently I am not scary!

Library Log 10/22/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

I like the quote by Linton Weeks, “In the nonstop tsunami of global information, librarians provide us with floaties and teach us to swim.” The imagery of the tsunami gets me. I picture this giant wave of papers and books falling all jumble mumbled together onto a classroom of folks… which is kind of how the back room has felt these last few weeks (or has it been months?) Too much good stuff and not enough shelves. But we are getting it organized! Yup, a new table (thank you Fremont Middle School!), a bit of organization in the closet (thanks Cheryll!), and it is taking shape. While we didn’t find Jimmy Hoffa, we did find the pickle, and will be hiding it for you to find as part of the Merchant’s Christmas festivities. A ‘find the pickle’ contest I guess – Cid is our public pickle liaison and will answer all of your pickling questions. While you wile away the hours pickle hunting, relish the new books, DVDs and music on your way back to Cid’s desk for the latest information about the upcoming programs (and if you are the artistic sort, let her know and she can sign you up to display your art on our walls – she will be pickled pink). If you make it all the way back to Grand Cid-dill pickle central, pop your head in the back room and we can discuss the proper use of pickles (which is on a sandwich!) Suddenly, I’m hungry…..

Library Log 10/15/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

“It was a dark and stormy night”… not to plagiarize either Edward Bulwer-Lytton or Snoopy (or the other nine or ten folks who have used that as an opening line..), but as a classic line, it does get one in the Halloween spirit, and a literary mindset. Speaking of literary, author and historian Sandy Dexter will be presenting “Lost Souls of Purgatory” on Saturday, October 31st at 2:30 pm. She will talk about the mysterious happenings that occurred in Southeastern Colorado. If that doesn’t frighten you enough, we have books; ‘The complete book of ghosts’ by Paul Roland, ‘Scary stories to tell in the dark’ by Alvin Schwartz, and many others! So, come by the library to get scared! (of course you can also stop by the back room and I’ll yell, ‘Boo!’ at you.) Now if ALL of that doesn’t scare you, how about talking about money. (Ha! That got you didn’t it?) Actually it is good news. The VHS and book sale at Farmer’s Market and Pioneer Days went well and we will continue with a “by donation” book/VHS shelf in the back (by the science fiction section.) So feel free to contribute a bit of cash as you hustle that armload of free books out to your car, heck, I will even help you carry them! See you in the back room (and wear your Halloween costume and see if I recognize you!)

Library Log 10/8/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

I am already thinking about next year. “What!”, you say, “But it isn’t even Halloween yet!?” Yeah, I know, and as much as I like to enjoy the moment, here at the library we like to keep our head in the game. And we like to be prepared! So, next year’s tentative budget is ready for the board, our tech plan is prepared and Gypsy, the director, has the overall flow and direction mapped out for 2010. Be not afraid, the future looks bright (shades recommended!); and yes, it will include more new books, DVDs, music, video games, programs and the internet! So what bright lights will we be shining on you in the future? Well, self-check is a biggie, and that will be rolled out in the next few months. Checking out your own book will be an alternative to going to the desk, but don’t fear the desk will still be there. Along with self-check, we want to really push the email notification system. Yes, we are trying to save postage and envelopes. So, if you have an email account that you already use, let us know the address and we will notify you electronically of your overdue books and such. Don’t worry if you don’t have an address out there in the electronic world, it isn’t necessary, just an added convenience for those who like to use “teh internets”. We also are unveiling the homeschooling project. Mary has been working hard to gather resources and space to assist folks looking to supplement their homeschooling resources. Space is at a premium here at the John C., but we managed to find a corner for Mary and the homeschooling resources. (I thought we would have to hang books down from the ceiling, but Gypsy and the whole staff have made the most of our cozy space!) Being a staff member, I got a sneak peek at some of the upcoming programs… WOW!.. You will be excited! So come on by the back room and see if you can wheedle some of the titles and names from me.

Library Log 10/01/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

Don’t let people tell you that people are reading less. Library circulation is up across the nation (and I don’t believe this is entirely recession-driven either; sure, some of it is, but not all, but that’s another story for another day). See, I was reading the press release from the Association of American Publishers (AAP) – (I know I work in a library surely I could have found something more interesting to read, but no). The headline, “Book Publishing Sales Post Gains in July” caught my eye. The release said, “New York, NY, September 23, 2009— Book sales tracked by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) for the month of July increased by 2.0 percent at $1.54 billion and were up by 1.9 percent for the year. So, folks are buying more books. I also had just run some statistics on our library for the boss, library director Gypsy Kelso, and I knew our books were getting out and about, more than 3 times the amount they were last year at this time. Yup, people are reading more. There could be many reasons for this. Maybe literacy has spiked an all time high, maybe the economy has driven the masses away from other forms of entertainment… or maybe people just like to read. I know I do, why else would I be reading press releases from publishing associations! Yeah, I know, I should get more of a social life rather than sitting at home reading odd things, but I did ask my girlfriend to marry me and she said yes! So, stop by the back room and say ‘Hi’ and we can discuss the reasons for people reading more, and you can check out something to read on your way! Or, if you are looking for other forms of entertainment, the John C. is presenting some fantastic programs in October. On Tuesdays at 7:00 pm we have: on the 6th – Movie Night with the movie “Fresh – A Celebration of Re-inventing our Food System”, on the 20th – Phyllis Swenson and Mike Moser are speaking about Aardwolf Alpaca Ranch, on the 27th – the Canon City Food Co-op is having a presentation, and then a special program on Saturday, October 31st at 2:30 pm – an adult Halloween program about the mysterious happenings in southeastern Colorado in the 1600’s told by historian and author Sandy Dexter. (Kind of scary sounding isn’t it?)

Library Log 9/24/09

From Gypsy’s Corner:

It’s inventory time here at the library once again. Now I suppose that for a lot of libraries and other businesses inventory can be a boring, tedious task that merely gives one a long list of stuff that they own. However, I actually look forward to it because I see it as a chance to take a good hard look at our collection and get a good picture of what we have, what we need, and what’s really getting read. You see just because a book or magazine doesn’t get checked out a whole lot does not mean it isn’t being looked at, read, or referred to on a regular basis. For this reason, I like to do a full inventory of the library before we go through and weed out the stuff that is no longer needed. It also gives us an excellent idea of which areas need to be built up and which ones are okay for now. It never fails, every time I do inventory I come upon books that I very much want to read. Some go onto my endless “to read someday” list that I always have floating around my head, some actually make it to my desk with my highest of intentions to check them out, and the very best make it all the way to my nightstand where I eventually get to read them. Like most people I have my favorite genre and usually stick to it, but I think it’s important to branch out of my comfort zone once in awhile and read something unusual to me. This year I was struck by the amazing variety of biographies we have. To think that each book contains in words the story of an entire life is intriguing to say the least. Whether it’s a famous contemporary entertainer, an ancient ruler, for someone I’ve never heard of, the lives of these people can offer lessons to all of us by way of examples to follow or what not to do. I invite each of you to stop by and check out one of the many biographies we have here. You just might find yourself inspired, laughing out loud, crying, shocked, amazed, amused, or pleasantly distracted from your own hectic life by the fascinating lives of others. As always, stop in to see us anytime; we love hearing your recommendations and will gladly give you ours. Happy reading!

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

Often books float over my desk that I know I have to read. Last week the book I just had to take home was “Daughter of the air : the short soaring life of Cornelia Fort” by Rob Simbeck. Now I won’t give away too much, but the title itself tells you she dies, so I will tell you it is the biography of the first woman pilot to die on active duty in U.S. history. Her name was Cornelia Fort and she was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), a civilian unit established during WWII to transport newly manufactured military planes from the factories to U.S. air bases. The text is thoroughly grounded in Fort’s own words through her correspondence with friends and family. It was a good slice-of-life view of the post-depression era America and into the early war efforts. So, come on in and check it out, or one of the many other biographies. You can also stop by the back room and tell me the best story you have read recently!

Library Log 9/17/09

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

Back in the days of the founding of our nation, Ben Franklin came up with an idea to create a public library (probably after he got hit by lightning with his kite!) It was actually a subscription library, where a person paid a small fee to belong and those funds were used to buy the books and pay for a librarian to watch over them. That first library was in Philadelphia; and the idea caught on and Ben Franklin’s idea kept going, evolving with the times. Now-a-days the money to run the library comes from public monies; taxes and the like. In Philadelphia, the Free Library was chartered in 1891 and up until last year everything was going along just fine. That’s when budget shortfalls closed eleven of the fifty four library branches, then it got worse. The Free Library posted an announcement on its website last week, stating that “without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg,” Philadelphia will be forced to close all of its libraries – including the main branch – on October 2nd. Just like in the 1770’s when ‘We the People’ spoke to King George, ‘We the People’ spoke again in Philadelphia today. The Pennsylvania State senate passed bill 1828 by a vote of 32 to 17. According to the website, “More than 2,000 letters to state legislators were collected from our libraries, and countless others made calls and sent emails underscoring how important public libraries are to the economic, educational and social life of our city.” Somehow, if at all possible, I bet Ben Franklin is doing a little happy dance, not only for the library but that the people spoke up and democracy worked. So when you come in the library for the latest book in the public discourse, stop by the back room and we will do a little happy dance for Ben Franklin and his wacky ideas about providing for the public good.