Library Log 12/30/08

Kieran’s notes from the back room:

Ever have one of those days where it feels like 9 million people need something from you and hours are flying by like minutes? I was having one of those days the other day and decided to look and see how many people actually used the library. I found some pretty interesting statistics. Nationally, there were 334 million uses of public-use internet terminals for the year. Here at the John C. Fremont library there were 11,670 uses of the public-use internet terminals. Across the United States for the year, 2.1 billion transactions were made between public libraries and their users. That translates to an average of 7.3 transactions for every individual living in a library service area. In our corner of the woods, we circulated almost 35, 000 items this year, which is right around 7 transactions per person in our service area or 14 check-outs per hour that we are open. We house 16, 250 items in our 4000 sq. ft. building and have 5000 people in our service area (60% of which have a library card!). We’re right on par with the nation! Size-wise our building is a bit smaller than other libraries with a population our size. We are at about 1.25 patrons per every square foot of our building. (.25 of a person… hmm… don’t worry, we won’t chop anybody into fourths to fit you in! Although, that might explain a few things…) We have a few less public-use internet computers on average too. On that front, we are taking action. Soon there will be a patron-use laptop for email checking and the like. If you would like to get involved in the library, stop by our director’s office and sign up for the Friends of the Library group or see Gypsy about becoming a volunteer! And as always, feel free to stop by my desk and say hi!

January 2009 Programs

Teen Group for the Month of January

Every Wednesday from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

Teen group is open to anyone in grades 6-8. This month we will be doing puzzle races, playing puff pong (a crazy version of ping-pong ball), having a scavenger hunt, and a drawing and painting day. Stop by and join us!

January Featured Artist: Ivy Carter

Stop in and view the artwork of Ivy Carter throughout the month of January. Ivy is a mixed media Artist that is originally from Ohio, but since being here for the last 10 years, now calls Colorado her home. She graduated from Ohio State University with a B.Sc. in Fine Arts Education and later did post graduate studies in painting and drawing at the Art Institute of Chicago. During the course of her career as an artist, Ivy’s work has been exhibited in numerous solo shows, as well as juried group exhibits, winning awards and grants along the way. Her work can be found in private as well as public collections nationwide.

Guest Speaker: Author, Beth Groundwater.

Thursday, January 8th at 11:30 a.m.

This Colorado Springs mystery author was recently nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel for her book A Real Basket Case. The Agatha Award is a prestigious award within the mystery genre that puts her in the company of past nominees such as Janet Evanovich, Nevada Barr, and Carol Higgins Clark. Beth is a former software engineer who is finding much success in her newly chosen career. Join the John C. Fremont Library’s Book Club and Writing Group on Thursday January 8th at 11:30 a.m for Beth Groundwater’s presentation and audience discussion. This program is free and open to the public and no reservations are required.

BECOMING DEBT FREE.

Monday, January 12th at 6:00 p.m.

Why not take a fresh look at your finances to start out the New Year. Theresa Long of Primerica will present a seminar that will teach you the difference between good and bad debt and how to manage your credit cards and mortgages to become debt free. This is a free, educational seminar that is open to the public. No reservations are required.

ONE GOOD DEED

Presentation and Discussion by local Authors Bob Gaines and Dr. Michael Barnes.

Tuesday, January 27th at 2:00 p.m.

Local Authors Bob Gaines and Dr. Michael Barnes will discuss their new book One Good Deed, an adventure novel that follows the challenges and personal growth of a young man in The Coast Guard. This novel was inspired by and incorporates both authors’ actual life experiences working for The Coast Guard.

Library Log 12/26/08

Kieran’s notes from the back room:

U.S. News and World Report said in an article called ‘Best Careers 2009′ that librarianship is an underrated career. I decided that it isn’t as much the job of librarian that is underrated, but the library itself. I mean, what is a library anyway? Yeah, the dictionary has something about a collection of materials stored for use…but I know there is more to it than that! Crazy as it sounds, once a library was actually used as a wedding present! Although the romance between Roman general Marc Anthony and Queen Cleopatra ended in tragedy, it did involve one of the most expensive romantic gifts ever given – the Pergamum Library. (“With this library, I thee wed”?!?) At the time the Pergamum Library was the main rival to the equally famous Alexandria Library in Egypt. Marc Anthony raided the Pergamum Library and gave Cleopatra over 200,000 pieces of parchment and papyrus scrolls and books. Interesting gift, sadly the library was completely destroyed in the 3rd century AD, hope someone got to read them. Ok, so the John C. Fremont Library may not be the best Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone… but a library card couldn’t hurt!

Library Log 12/18/08

Kieran’s notes from the back room:

All the stuff for the new self-check system is coming together. After the library in Fort Collins gave us the self-check units, we got a bunch of security cases for CDs from the Pueblo City/County Library. We can’t use them yet because we don’t have the ‘magic’ opening device, but soon you won’t have to wait while the staff madly flips through 50 discs in a box looking for the one you wanted to check out. Should speed things up a bit. Not that we are trying to rush things, but honestly, I’d rather spend the few minutes chatting with you or helping you find the just right item, than reciting the alphabet in my head while wondering to myself why “‘Max & Ruby’s Easter” is filed under H. While I don’t believe in technology for technology’s sake, I do think that by automating the drudgery, we can make room in our lives for fun and beautiful things. Speaking of which, have you ever noticed the art work in the library? It changes on a monthly basis. All local artists. Libraries are vibrant places where quite a wide range of other things happen besides just books. Any building could be a book warehouse – that’s not what makes us “libraries”. I was just reading in a New Yorker article that between 1881 and 1917, Andrew Carnegie underwrote the construction of more than sixteen hundred public libraries in the United States, buildings from which children were routinely turned away, because they needed to be protected from morally corrupting books, especially novels. Back then fiction (novels), as apposed to non-fiction (true stories), was seen as a lesser form of writing. Some libraries wouldn’t even carry the stuff! Libraries back then were institutions for serious learning, not that that is a bad thing, but it isn’t what most public libraries are today. We have art, music and fiction, not to mention movies and video games and an entire section for children.

Library Log 12/11/08

Robin’s Observations from the front desk:

The Holidays are here and in full swing. We at the library have some programs to help get everyone in the Holiday mood! The first is the Holiday Open House from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18th. We are doing this in appreciation of our patrons and our community. This event is open to everyone and refreshments will be served (i.e. yummy holiday goodies). Then we’ll be having a Family Movie Day from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20th. Bring the whole family over for a screening of Wall-E, a movie about the importance of friendship. There will be free hot chocolate and cookies for all. Come by the library for some wonderful holiday events and lots of holiday cheer! And if we don’t get to see you before the end of the season, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!!!

Kieran’s notes from the back room:

When I was a kid I had a library card, and I remember checking out LPs (for those of you born in the digital age, an LP, or long-playing phonograph record, is like a CD except 12 inches in diameter, black and made of vinyl) I think one of the first LPs I checked out was Marlo Thomas and friends “Free To Be You and Me.” I remember it was pink and had a mirror on the front. I played it over and over again for a week and then returned it to the library as I did with many albums. That one, though, I checked out again and again. When Christmas came, Santa had left me that album under the tree. Dad said Santa knew I liked it because of how often I had borrowed it from the library. Hard earned money, even if it was Santa’s, was best spent on something that would be treasured. Using the library as a place to sample the goods so to speak, saved Santa from buying an album I wouldn’t like. Smart guy, that Santa. Bet he has a library card. Come say hey next time you are in the library. And remember our free shelf is a good place to stop by and get a free gift for yourself.

Library Log 12/4/08

Kieran’s notes from the back room :

Talk about hectic! It has kicked in to high gear around here. Part of that stems from the approaching holidays, and part of it from the end of the year stuff that we do for the library. December brings a lot of new books from publishing companies. We also have received awesome donations from patrons. The cart by my desk went from nearly empty to overflowing in a matter of days. The director, Bev, and Cid and I have been applying for grants and awards that will help us in the coming year. We do a lot of things to help stretch the funds we have. When Benjamin Franklin first conceived of a public library, it was funded by membership fees, and set up so that all could benefit from the collective resources. The times being so tough back then that the scholarly types couldn’t afford to send off to Europe for the latest Oprah pick or Old York Times best sellers. By banding together and sharing, they could all take turns reading the revolutionary how-to manuals. Similarly, in today’s economy, it makes sense to borrow a bag of books, videos and music from your local library. We even have some special books you don’t have to return. So if you are heading off on a winter holiday and need a light paperback, try our free shelf, which is conveniently located near my desk so you can pop in and say howdy.

December 2008 Programs

Regular Programs:

Craft Club: December 1^st and 15^th from 11:00 – 12:30

This is a brand new group that is just now forming.  They plan to meet twice per month to share ideas and work on various fun and simple crafts together.  Please contact Jackie Taylor at 784-6192 for more information or come to the first meeting on the first.

Writer’s Group: December 11 at 10:30 a.m.

This is also a new group and is growing quickly.  They will begin meeting twice per month in January (2^nd and 4^th Thursdays).  Vaughn Neeld leads creative writers through the writing process.  Participants bring their work in and share it for constructive feedback and discussion.

Book Discussion Club: December 4 at 11:00 a.m.

This lively group meets on the first Thursday of every month to talk in depth about the monthly book selection.  Discussions are facilitated by Linda Peri and books are selected several months ahead of time.  You can call us or check our online calendar to see what’s coming up and join them anytime.

Teen Group

This month Teen Group will be making Flexigons, a string and bead craft, and having a winter break party.  All Students in grades 6 – 8 are welcome to attend.  The group is free and no registration is required.  We meet Wednesdays from 2:15 – 3:15 except during the school break.

Special Programs:

Art Reception for oil painter Mary Waters.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 5th

The family and friends of Mary Waters will host a reception in her memory and in honor of her work being showcased as this month’s featured artist.

Make-n-Take family craft program

10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 16th

While the kids are busy with  pre-school story hour, Join Gypsy Kelso for a demonstration of some quick and easy craft ideas to do with kids at home.

Holiday Open House

4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18th

In appreciation of our patrons, the staff of the library will host an open house reception.  This event is open to everyone and refreshments will be served.

Family Movie Day.

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20th

Bring the whole family over for a screening of Wall-E, a movie about the importance of friendship.  There will be free hot chocolate and cookies for all.

Library Log 11/27/08

Kieran’s Notes from the back room :

For those of you caught unaware of the anniversary of a major event of our times, let me let you in on the big news. It is the 20th anniversary of the release of the first “The Sandman” comic book by Neil Gaiman. Yup, indeed, a milestone. I remember it clearly. It was the cover art that attracted me, then the story knocked me to my knees. “The Sandman” had a 75 issue run – that is 6 years of continuous publication, one issue a month, one chapter at a time. It may sound like hyperbole to say that “The Sandman” changed the face of the comic book industry but, “The Sandman” became a cult success for DC Comics and attracted an audience unlike that of mainstream comics: half the readership was female, many were in their twenties, and many read no other comics at all. It was not your typical adolescent boy comic book fare. By the time the series concluded, it was outselling the titles of DC’s flagship character Superman. Outselling Superman, dang. See, the thing about “The Sandman” that was really different was that it wasn’t about superheros. It incorporated elements of classical and contemporary mythology, and ultimately placed its protagonist in the role of a tragic hero. But no tights and cape, no good guy vs. bad guy motif, just classic storytelling and hot illustrations. Twenty years ago, it blew me away, and still does today. I guess that is what makes it a classic. You can find many classics in our library, and you can find “The Sandman” in the graphic novel section. Come by the back room next time your in the library and tell me about your favorite classic novel. Oh, by the way, Thursday December 18th we are hosting a holiday party. Stop by between 4-6 p.m. and eat, drink and chat with the library denizen.