It's that time of year that we all look back over the past year at our accomplishments (or lack of). We are no different here at the library. We were curious to see where we were a year ago, and how we got where we are now. We had made a few plans for the year, and were interested to see whether we had been able to work on the plans, or whether life had gotten in the way - as it has the nasty habit of doing.
I had started the year talking about our plans at going green and remarkably, we did make some real progress. We have reduced the number of notices we mail and print - saving paper that way. We have introduced a very successful recycling program for our daily trash. So successful that we now have easily 3 times as much waiting for the recycling pick-up each week than we have waiting for the garbage pick-up. We reduced the temperature in the winter and raised the temperature in the summer with not much complaint - except for some of those really hot days. We found a non-profit that will pick up our old computer equipment for reuse or recycling. The books that don't sell in our book sales are now being passed on to another non-profit that distributes them around the world. So we are kind of proud of our successes, but are well aware of the long way we need to go, so we will continue the green challenge in the new year.
We were one of the first libraries in the state to offer a circulating Kill-a-Watt tester so that our users could find out what the power usage for their appliances was, and to help find ways to cut back on power use. Just recently, we received 6 more as part of a state library/NH utility companies initiative so that we now have plenty for our patrons. We added significantly to our collection on how to curb your power usage, how to live more 'green', how to do business in a green way, and how to invest in a green future. So we did a bit to help everyone have the opportunity to become a bit more thoughtful when using natural resources.
We also wanted to make the library a bit more welcoming. I think we have some achievements that we can point to. There is that nice comfortable reading area in the back off of the reference department. We made another seating area right in front of the desk, nestled between a new display table and the paperbacks. We gave the children's room a fresh paint job that has perked up the room and the spirits of everyone using the room. We made new signage, cleaned the carpets, created a puzzle table and got a nice big flag to welcome you to the library. We also started a quarterly newsletter to let you know what all is going on at the library. We streamlined the process for booking museum passes so that the process is quick and easy. We got receipt printers that have made the checkout process a bit quicker and easier too. Now you can really know exactly what you have out and when it is due. We moved some of the collections around (not too many and not too much) so that there is more room for what many of you are looking for. So there has been some progress, but again, there is much that we can do in the coming year.
We are kind of proud of what we accomplished this year, as each of you must be thinking about yourself, your family and friends. Even if it is just making it through the year, considering what 2009 challenged us all with, it is an accomplishment to be proud of. Now we can all start fresh with a new year and a new decade.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Giving thanks, giving back
This Saturday (the 12th) is the Library Board of Trustees annual Holiday Tea. This event is the trustees way of thanking the community for supporting the library. It is a delightful event offering good music and delicious treats. The music is a tradition - the Windham Flute Ensemble. They are planning an upbeat selection of Holiday favorites. Enjoy the music while selecting from a wide variety of teas, hot chocolate and cider, fine pastries and cookies. Join us between 1 and 3.
But what is important is that the Board of Trustees takes the opportunity to thank the community, to give back. And what more appropriate time of year? It seems right during this traditional season of giving to give back and consider ways to express your caring for others.
There is another tradition that is all about caring for others that the Kelley Library has long embraced and will continue this year. We put up a tree in the children's department and one upstairs and decorate them simply, with lights and candy canes. The candy canes can be taken and enjoyed, but only when you give something to our community. The children's tree is for donations of warm mittens, gloves and scarves. These articles of clothing are then passed along to the Salvation Army to give to those in our community who need them. The tree on the main level trades candy canes for food donations. These donations are passed along to several food banks here in Salem, offering a helping hand in these tough times.
So come to the Holiday Tea and enjoy an afternoon of fine music. And next time you come to the library, consider helping your neighbor with a food or mitten donation. We will give you a sweet thanks - remember to take a candy cane.
But what is important is that the Board of Trustees takes the opportunity to thank the community, to give back. And what more appropriate time of year? It seems right during this traditional season of giving to give back and consider ways to express your caring for others.
There is another tradition that is all about caring for others that the Kelley Library has long embraced and will continue this year. We put up a tree in the children's department and one upstairs and decorate them simply, with lights and candy canes. The candy canes can be taken and enjoyed, but only when you give something to our community. The children's tree is for donations of warm mittens, gloves and scarves. These articles of clothing are then passed along to the Salvation Army to give to those in our community who need them. The tree on the main level trades candy canes for food donations. These donations are passed along to several food banks here in Salem, offering a helping hand in these tough times.
So come to the Holiday Tea and enjoy an afternoon of fine music. And next time you come to the library, consider helping your neighbor with a food or mitten donation. We will give you a sweet thanks - remember to take a candy cane.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thanksgiving redux
I have talked about books in this blog on occasion, but this time I want to talk about a few movies. Three of my favorite movies are set at Thanksgiving, and I try to revisit them each year. I would like to recommend them to you also.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a great little comedy that catches you off guard at the end, and suddenly you are moved by the loneliness that hides in plain sight around us all. John Candy and Steve Martin are on the top of their game in this film, smoothly moving from slapstick comedy to exposing the humanness of us all. I'm sure this film is known to all, but it is about 2 men trying to get home for Thanksgiving and the challenges they face together to achieve that goal.
Next is Pieces of April, a movie I reluctantly watched after it was recommended to me a number of times. What a wonderful gift of a film it turned out to be. It is a emotionally demanding film, revolving about some sad and tough themes, but well worth the process. How there can be comedy in the midst of a film like this is amazing, but just right. The film is about a ne'er do well daughter living in the big city preparing to provide the family with her first Thanksgiving meal. There are many layers of issues, problems and story. For instance, the mother is fighting what seems to be a losing battle with cancer, and the whole family is having trouble coming to terms with that. I know, it sounds awfully grim - remember I was reluctant to watch it - but if you haven't watched it, try it. It will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry.
The best of the bunch is Home for the Holidays, probably because it celebrates the good and bad about family together - and who can't relate to that? This is one crazy family, but whose family isn't on some level? In this film, one of the daughters who has 'escaped' to a bigger life comes home for Thanksgiving with her life in shambles, a reality she tries to keep to herself. Once again, there is a great deal of comedy blended with serious moments. Nothing is fully resolved, but the underlying strength of family is reaffirmed no doubt to be tested again at another family get together.
What do these films share besides a Thanksgiving theme? Family - in its many forms, with its many challenges and its many rewards. Family may test us at times, but in the end, they are the ones we turn to for support, caring and love. But then, maybe that is just an extension of the Thanksgiving theme. Anyway, give these films a try and let me know what you think.
Planes, trains and automobiles
Pieces of April
Home for the Holidays
Book - I only say this because I love you: how the way we talk can make or break family relationships throughout our lives, by Deborah Tannen
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a great little comedy that catches you off guard at the end, and suddenly you are moved by the loneliness that hides in plain sight around us all. John Candy and Steve Martin are on the top of their game in this film, smoothly moving from slapstick comedy to exposing the humanness of us all. I'm sure this film is known to all, but it is about 2 men trying to get home for Thanksgiving and the challenges they face together to achieve that goal.
Next is Pieces of April, a movie I reluctantly watched after it was recommended to me a number of times. What a wonderful gift of a film it turned out to be. It is a emotionally demanding film, revolving about some sad and tough themes, but well worth the process. How there can be comedy in the midst of a film like this is amazing, but just right. The film is about a ne'er do well daughter living in the big city preparing to provide the family with her first Thanksgiving meal. There are many layers of issues, problems and story. For instance, the mother is fighting what seems to be a losing battle with cancer, and the whole family is having trouble coming to terms with that. I know, it sounds awfully grim - remember I was reluctant to watch it - but if you haven't watched it, try it. It will make you think, make you laugh, make you cry.
The best of the bunch is Home for the Holidays, probably because it celebrates the good and bad about family together - and who can't relate to that? This is one crazy family, but whose family isn't on some level? In this film, one of the daughters who has 'escaped' to a bigger life comes home for Thanksgiving with her life in shambles, a reality she tries to keep to herself. Once again, there is a great deal of comedy blended with serious moments. Nothing is fully resolved, but the underlying strength of family is reaffirmed no doubt to be tested again at another family get together.
What do these films share besides a Thanksgiving theme? Family - in its many forms, with its many challenges and its many rewards. Family may test us at times, but in the end, they are the ones we turn to for support, caring and love. But then, maybe that is just an extension of the Thanksgiving theme. Anyway, give these films a try and let me know what you think.
Planes, trains and automobiles
Pieces of April
Home for the Holidays
Book - I only say this because I love you: how the way we talk can make or break family relationships throughout our lives, by Deborah Tannen
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is approaching, and as always it is a time to reflect on the many gifts in life. We have been the lucky and thankful recipients of some generous gifts throughout the year. Patrons and community organizations have generously donated. We have a constant river of donated books to stock our book sale area. Recently, we have been given some furniture, the chairs I spoke of earlier and just yesterday two magazine spinners that have been a welcome and wonderful addition to the book sale area. Thank you to all library supporters of all kinds - we couldn't do what we do without you.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Moving on, moving up
We here at Kelley were all sorry to hear that Andy, our new Assistant Director, had accepted a position elsewhere. Sorry, but not entirely surprised as we all knew that he was meant for a real leadership position. I took a moment of Andy's time to talk to him about his reasons for leaving, his tenure here and a look into the future.
Alison: Why are you leaving Kelley?
Andy: It is exclusively due to an offer for a position long seen as a prime match to personal and professional goals. The timing was entirely due to the unexpected opening at the Rye Public Library, creating a shorter than planned tenure at Kelley.
Alison: What accomplishments are you most proud of here at Kelley?
Andy: Having the programming here take new directions with the success demonstrated by the new ideas paying off. I hope to have the programs mapped out through 2010 before I leave. I also am proud of my role in creating a sense of team here at Kelley. I find it very rewarding seeing the results.
Alison: What are your professional goals?
Andy: To grow in the regional library community. Kelley provided a valuable perspective in terms of scale and demographics. I came from a small library and community and was pleased to be introduced to the breadth of service that can be offered. I will be moving into a community between these two in scale. I am also planning to continue my education. I will have to see how to fit it in between work and family, but I have done it before and enjoyed it.
While I was talking to Andy about his plans, I thought I would take advantage of it to kick off a regular feature of this blog - 5 Questions with the Kelley Staff. I will be asking different members of our great staff the same 5 questions to let you know a little more about the people you see when you visit here.
1. Complete this sentence: When I am not at work, you can find me: with my family doing family activities, particularly outdoor activities.
2. Describe your perfect day: Autumn weather for the cool and the sunshine. Setting out early on some adventure, ideally leaving the car behind. Finishing with good food and friends.
3. If you had to live somewhere else than NH, where would it be?: The Pacific Northwest, or possibly in Alaska.
4. What 3 things can you always find in your fridge?: Cheese, salsa and pickles.
5. You would be surprised to find out that I: was a magician as a youth.
Join all of us here at Kelley in thanking Andy for all he has done for us and the library, and the best of luck in his future. He will be missed.
Music cd: The Very Best of Peter, Paul and Mary.
Book: Finding the Hat that Fits
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Times do change
We were discussing the annual Holiday Tea and the idea of using card tables this year. Thinking of card tables took me back to when I was a kid, watching my mother get ready for a bridge party. The tables were out and set up with decks of cards, pencils and scorepads. My dad would be busy setting up the bar, making sure there was plenty of ice. My mother had spent some time preparing a variety of good things to eat, of course using the cookie cutters shaped like the various suits.
She would be wearing a dress, heels and pearls - shades of Mrs. Cleaver - and a hostess apron. In case you are too young to remember hostess aprons, these were lovely and frivolous. They were often made of organdy and were really just decorative. But most women had a few, some themed for holidays. It was a standard gift for women, like a tie for a man.
But what struck me was how this form of entertainment, the bridge party, something so central to married life for many years disappeared so completely. While I play cards, I never played bridge, never thought of having a card party. It is remarkable that something so central to our daily life can vanish and not really be missed. The bridge party, the card suit themed kitchen gadgets, the hostess apron, the wacky recipes have all faded away with the Greatest Generation.
I can think of some examples in libraries. Card catalogs, card sorters, typewriters. Just last week we saw another standard library tool get retired - our due date stamper or charger as it is known in the library world. It was invented in 1930 and it was the revolutionary invention for libraries at the time. Automation had begun, and it served us well for many, many years. But, we no longer could get them repaired and we knew we were on borrowed time. So, we gave them a well deserved retirement, and started using receipt printers. We, the staff, are thrilled with the printers, and so are the majority of you. Sad to say, something so central to our lives wasn't missed a bit. Thus the march of time, the voyage onward into the future, kicking the past to the curb.
But if you haven't seen the printers work yet, be sure to check something out - they are really cool!
Book: The Apron book, by EllynAnne Geisel
Book: Antique Trader Kitchen Collectibles
Book: Bridge for anyone, by Shelly De Satnick
She would be wearing a dress, heels and pearls - shades of Mrs. Cleaver - and a hostess apron. In case you are too young to remember hostess aprons, these were lovely and frivolous. They were often made of organdy and were really just decorative. But most women had a few, some themed for holidays. It was a standard gift for women, like a tie for a man.
But what struck me was how this form of entertainment, the bridge party, something so central to married life for many years disappeared so completely. While I play cards, I never played bridge, never thought of having a card party. It is remarkable that something so central to our daily life can vanish and not really be missed. The bridge party, the card suit themed kitchen gadgets, the hostess apron, the wacky recipes have all faded away with the Greatest Generation.
I can think of some examples in libraries. Card catalogs, card sorters, typewriters. Just last week we saw another standard library tool get retired - our due date stamper or charger as it is known in the library world. It was invented in 1930 and it was the revolutionary invention for libraries at the time. Automation had begun, and it served us well for many, many years. But, we no longer could get them repaired and we knew we were on borrowed time. So, we gave them a well deserved retirement, and started using receipt printers. We, the staff, are thrilled with the printers, and so are the majority of you. Sad to say, something so central to our lives wasn't missed a bit. Thus the march of time, the voyage onward into the future, kicking the past to the curb.
But if you haven't seen the printers work yet, be sure to check something out - they are really cool!
Book: The Apron book, by EllynAnne Geisel
Book: Antique Trader Kitchen Collectibles
Book: Bridge for anyone, by Shelly De Satnick
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Looking for collectors
I mentioned in a previous post that we were looking for some local artists that would want to display some of their artwork in our 'new' quiet reading area. Be sure to contact us, there is still space to fill.
But speaking of space to fill, we also have some display cases in the lower lobby area. There are times of the year, like right now, that these cases are filled with displays from local organizations. However, there are many times of the year that one, two or all display areas are empty. I would love to be able to showcase a collection that you might have and want to share with the public. I used to have a varied collection of Beatrice Potter items (figurines, dishware, lamp, books) that made a nice display. A woman who made decorative Easter eggs often would display her work, and I had another patron who would display interesting finds she had picked up in her travels.
I know that almost all of us have some kind of collection, so if you are interested in sharing it for a few weeks, we would be delighted to highlight it in one of our cases. Be sure to contact me at the library in person, by phone (898-7064) or by email abaker@salem.lib.nh.us and we will schedule your display right away.
Book: Antiques Roadshow 20th Century Collectibles, by Carol Prisant.
Book: Special museums of the Northeast : a guide to uncommon collections from Maine to Washington, DC, by Stuart Murray.
Book: The banana sculptor, the purple lady, and the all-night swimmer : hobbies, collecting, and other passionate pursuits, by Susan Sheehan
But speaking of space to fill, we also have some display cases in the lower lobby area. There are times of the year, like right now, that these cases are filled with displays from local organizations. However, there are many times of the year that one, two or all display areas are empty. I would love to be able to showcase a collection that you might have and want to share with the public. I used to have a varied collection of Beatrice Potter items (figurines, dishware, lamp, books) that made a nice display. A woman who made decorative Easter eggs often would display her work, and I had another patron who would display interesting finds she had picked up in her travels.
I know that almost all of us have some kind of collection, so if you are interested in sharing it for a few weeks, we would be delighted to highlight it in one of our cases. Be sure to contact me at the library in person, by phone (898-7064) or by email abaker@salem.lib.nh.us and we will schedule your display right away.
Book: Antiques Roadshow 20th Century Collectibles, by Carol Prisant.
Book: Special museums of the Northeast : a guide to uncommon collections from Maine to Washington, DC, by Stuart Murray.
Book: The banana sculptor, the purple lady, and the all-night swimmer : hobbies, collecting, and other passionate pursuits, by Susan Sheehan
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Now accepting donations - of books
The Salemfest weekend is coming up fast, and that is when Kelley Library has its big book sale. We have quite a collection ready, but more is always better. If you have any books, music cds, video, dvds, etc. that you were looking to get out of your house - please consider giving them to us. The money raised at the sale goes right back into our budget to help subsidize a variety of things here at the Library. So, we are looking for items in good condition, no Reader's Digest Condensed or really old text books please, mildewed, falling apart or missing pieces. Children's books are always welcome and sell like hotcakes. Bring any and all donations to the lower lobby under the sign on the stairway wall. Our thanks in advance and hey, come to the sale and stock up on some new stuff.
DVD: Life is worth losing, with George Carlin
Book: Throw out fifty things, by Gail Blanke
DVD: Life is worth losing, with George Carlin
Book: Throw out fifty things, by Gail Blanke
Friday, August 28, 2009
Another little change of interest
We decided to move the big study carrels out of the back corner in the Reference Department, mostly to have all the computers together. Once they were moved out of the space, we found we had quite a nice area available. We pulled in the more creative and artistic members of the staff for suggestions and by the end of the morning we had a new quiet reading area.
I'll grant you it has a bit of the look of a doctor's waiting room, but it won't be that way for long. There is plenty of wall space available there, just right for displaying artwork by our patrons.
The Kelley Library has been lucky over the years to host in the Beshara Room an ongoing and ever-changing display of the wonderful artwork of the Salem Artist's Association. Right over the audiobooks and occasionally elsewhere, Lawrence Welch has his artwork on display. Now we have another space for other artists to use. So if you are of artistic bent and have some pieces you want to display, let us know. You can talk to Alison or Andy about it. Not an artist yourself and know someone who is? Recommend them to us. We will also be delighted to hang examples of needlework - quilts, needlepoint, cross-stitch, crewel.
We want to showcase the great talent of Salem in a variety of ways. Musicians are welcome to our music showcase programs, artists of a variety of types are welcome in this new 'gallery'. We have the venues, let us know about the artists.
I'll grant you it has a bit of the look of a doctor's waiting room, but it won't be that way for long. There is plenty of wall space available there, just right for displaying artwork by our patrons.
The Kelley Library has been lucky over the years to host in the Beshara Room an ongoing and ever-changing display of the wonderful artwork of the Salem Artist's Association. Right over the audiobooks and occasionally elsewhere, Lawrence Welch has his artwork on display. Now we have another space for other artists to use. So if you are of artistic bent and have some pieces you want to display, let us know. You can talk to Alison or Andy about it. Not an artist yourself and know someone who is? Recommend them to us. We will also be delighted to hang examples of needlework - quilts, needlepoint, cross-stitch, crewel.
We want to showcase the great talent of Salem in a variety of ways. Musicians are welcome to our music showcase programs, artists of a variety of types are welcome in this new 'gallery'. We have the venues, let us know about the artists.
Friday, August 14, 2009
How times change . . .
We all recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of the moon landings and as is common with such events, it led writers to talk about how far we have come since then. That is just a nicer way of saying what we oldsters remember is now ancient history.
I came across one such column in Wired magazine - well the online version. It was a timely piece considering how many of us here at the library are in the midst of evaluating our webpage, trying to decide whether to use Twitter and/or Facebook for marketing our events, and generally trying to decide what newfangled thing is right for the library. It is a delicate balance between keeping at least on the curve while not losing the personal aspect that makes a public library a part of a community.
Anyway, the column was talking about what the younger generations won't remember that are all too familiar to the older generations. You no doubt have seen these kinds of things in the past, but the skew of this article was interesting as it focused on electronic changes, and still included a few library things.
#96 is "Libraries as a place to get books rather than a place to use the internet". I will argue that one. Sure, we do have lots of people using the library for computers and the Internet, but the vast majority of all ages come in for books, magazines, music and movies. I actually think that people who 'back in the day' wouldn't come to the library at all, are now coming to use computers - so we are actually serving more of the community.
Then there is #86: "Finding books in a card catalog at the library". I still hear from people who miss leafing through the cards in a file. Since my first library job was filing catalog cards at a university library (an inch an hour was the expected rate which equalled 100 cards), I remember card catalogs with a mix of fondness and delight that they no longer exist. We all are nostalgic for things in our past, but if we went back to that I believe the nostalgia would vanish quickly. My 3rd library job - this time a small public library in NJ - seemed to involve helping people to unlock the mystery of a card catalog quite often. So much so that I actually created a small book "Bookworming Your Way Through the Catalog" (hey, I was young) to help. Of course it was typed on a typewriter, first printed with a mimeograph, later with the new copier. Remember the old copiers that put a powdery coating on the pages? Just in that one activity, I dealt with 4 things that most young people have never experienced.
So take a look at the article and judge where you are in the generational changes. It is interesting to see how times change in a short time, yet some things remain for generations. I just came back from Maine, having stayed in a cottage that is some 120 years old. There are old pictures on the wall of how it looked back then and we can identify almost all the furniture. That old table works just fine for cards, dinner and our laptop, the chairs remain comfortable, the dishes and silverware work fine for baked beans made from my grandmother's recipe or microwaved meals. Real quality lasts and remains useful, books and libraries are just two such things.
DVD: The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
CD: There is a Season, by The Byrds
Book: Future Shock, by Alvin Toffler (just as a hoot)
I came across one such column in Wired magazine - well the online version. It was a timely piece considering how many of us here at the library are in the midst of evaluating our webpage, trying to decide whether to use Twitter and/or Facebook for marketing our events, and generally trying to decide what newfangled thing is right for the library. It is a delicate balance between keeping at least on the curve while not losing the personal aspect that makes a public library a part of a community.
Anyway, the column was talking about what the younger generations won't remember that are all too familiar to the older generations. You no doubt have seen these kinds of things in the past, but the skew of this article was interesting as it focused on electronic changes, and still included a few library things.
#96 is "Libraries as a place to get books rather than a place to use the internet". I will argue that one. Sure, we do have lots of people using the library for computers and the Internet, but the vast majority of all ages come in for books, magazines, music and movies. I actually think that people who 'back in the day' wouldn't come to the library at all, are now coming to use computers - so we are actually serving more of the community.
Then there is #86: "Finding books in a card catalog at the library". I still hear from people who miss leafing through the cards in a file. Since my first library job was filing catalog cards at a university library (an inch an hour was the expected rate which equalled 100 cards), I remember card catalogs with a mix of fondness and delight that they no longer exist. We all are nostalgic for things in our past, but if we went back to that I believe the nostalgia would vanish quickly. My 3rd library job - this time a small public library in NJ - seemed to involve helping people to unlock the mystery of a card catalog quite often. So much so that I actually created a small book "Bookworming Your Way Through the Catalog" (hey, I was young) to help. Of course it was typed on a typewriter, first printed with a mimeograph, later with the new copier. Remember the old copiers that put a powdery coating on the pages? Just in that one activity, I dealt with 4 things that most young people have never experienced.
So take a look at the article and judge where you are in the generational changes. It is interesting to see how times change in a short time, yet some things remain for generations. I just came back from Maine, having stayed in a cottage that is some 120 years old. There are old pictures on the wall of how it looked back then and we can identify almost all the furniture. That old table works just fine for cards, dinner and our laptop, the chairs remain comfortable, the dishes and silverware work fine for baked beans made from my grandmother's recipe or microwaved meals. Real quality lasts and remains useful, books and libraries are just two such things.
DVD: The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
CD: There is a Season, by The Byrds
Book: Future Shock, by Alvin Toffler (just as a hoot)
Monday, July 27, 2009
My extended family is gathering this weekend in Maine, and I am off to join them in a few days. Thinking of making the now short, but previously long annual trip to Maine brings memories of traveling in the big family station wagon to visit our grandparents. That trip was something we prepared for for weeks. My mom would seal all open packages of food in the cupboards and clean the house. My dad was in charge of making sure the car was ready for a long trip - washing it inside and out, checking the 'fluids' and so on. My brothers and I would carefully consider and reconsider what we would be sure to take, since we each had only one small suitcase that we could take. The best part of the preparation was going to the bookstore and selecting one book each for the trip - we were gone the whole summer so library books were not an option. We tended towards collections of comics: BC, Peanuts, Pogo. My mother would get a few magazines. My dad didn't get any since he drove the whole way, of course. We weren't allowed to look at the books or magazines until we were actually in the car and on the road. I can remember sitting in the dark car (in the middle of the back seat on the hump of course) waiting until it got light enough to see the pages. We set out as soon after 4 AM as possible, so it was quite a wait. Of course the book was read in the first couple of hours, leaving the next 6 - 8 to travel games like trying to find all the license plates for all the states (no trucks allowed) or racing to do the alphabet from signs along the road (you can do the whole alphabet driving through Worcester either way).
When I started traveling with my own children, then driving the even longer trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Maine to visit the next generation of grandparents, I followed the family tradition - but thought about the voracious appetites my kids had. We went to the bookstore (didn't want to risk forgetting the library books in Maine) and got stacks of books - 5-6 each kid at minimum. The books had to last the whole trip there plus the few days before we could hit the local library. We would leave the books in Maine and get another batch to travel home with. It resulted in a nice library of books there in the cottage in Maine, waiting for our annual visit, inviting us to revisit books we had enjoyed a year or two before, these new books joining old favorites from my childhood - (I read An Old-fashioned Girl the very first night every year). Books are a big part of travel reading still for me, but I acquired my mother's habit of always taking magazines.
There is nothing more comforting than traditions. We embrace them, build on them, and hand them down to the next generation. I am sure my kids will just assume that they need to stock up on books for a trip with their future families - my son stopped on his trip north and had a bunch. This time of year, I see many families coming onto the library to stock up for their trips. More movies than books nowadays, but maybe that is part of that family's traditions. As long as they continue to think of including the library as part of their tradition, I won't quibble.
Book: The book of new family traditions, by Meg Cox
Book: Travel with children: 101 games and ideas to make family travel fun for everyone, by Mary Rodgers Bundren
Movie: Fiddler on the roof
When I started traveling with my own children, then driving the even longer trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Maine to visit the next generation of grandparents, I followed the family tradition - but thought about the voracious appetites my kids had. We went to the bookstore (didn't want to risk forgetting the library books in Maine) and got stacks of books - 5-6 each kid at minimum. The books had to last the whole trip there plus the few days before we could hit the local library. We would leave the books in Maine and get another batch to travel home with. It resulted in a nice library of books there in the cottage in Maine, waiting for our annual visit, inviting us to revisit books we had enjoyed a year or two before, these new books joining old favorites from my childhood - (I read An Old-fashioned Girl the very first night every year). Books are a big part of travel reading still for me, but I acquired my mother's habit of always taking magazines.
There is nothing more comforting than traditions. We embrace them, build on them, and hand them down to the next generation. I am sure my kids will just assume that they need to stock up on books for a trip with their future families - my son stopped on his trip north and had a bunch. This time of year, I see many families coming onto the library to stock up for their trips. More movies than books nowadays, but maybe that is part of that family's traditions. As long as they continue to think of including the library as part of their tradition, I won't quibble.
Book: The book of new family traditions, by Meg Cox
Book: Travel with children: 101 games and ideas to make family travel fun for everyone, by Mary Rodgers Bundren
Movie: Fiddler on the roof
Friday, July 17, 2009
Puzzled
Have you noticed the jigsaw puzzle on one of the tables on the main floor of the library? We are putting out puzzles this summer, letting anyone interested the chance to sit down and try to put in a few pieces. Being a jigsaw puzzle fan from way back, I thought it would be something to do to while away a few moments, be something to do when waiting for a friend or family member to finish browsing, and test the interest in offering puzzles to circulate.
So far it has been a huge success. I put out our first puzzle on Monday - I don't think many of the staff thought there would be much interest and I thought it would take some time to catch on. A young man discovered it early in the morning and worked on it the rest of the day. He put together the 1000 piecer in about 5 hours. So I put out another on Tuesday, and by Wednesday that was done too. I put out the 3rd (again, 1000 pieces, and a bit tougher than the others) on Thursday, and it was slow going. But late this afternoon we noticed a pair of teens working on it. Friends? A date? Who knows. Just a nice thing to do on a hot and lazy afternoon.
We've had some interesting reactions. A number of people came to report that someone forgot their puzzle on a table - so we put out a sign inviting people to work the puzzle. Others have offered to donate their puzzles - a very welcome gesture. Even my enormous store of puzzles won't keep up with the interest being shown!
This all has gotten me thinking about what else to do. Maybe a speed contest. 5 copies of the same puzzle, 5 teams competing to see who finishes first. Maybe we should put out a chess set. It is all part of keeping the mind active, alive and sparking - one of the important roles of libraries.
Margaret Drabble has written a memoir of her life through the lens of the jigsaw puzzles she has done throughout her life. The book, 'The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws', is do out in September and talks about puzzling with her aunt and how doing jigsaws have helped her over rough patches in her life. Sounds like my kind of book.
The Pattern in the Carpet, by Margaret Drabble
Frannie in Pieces, by Delia Ephron
Jigsaw, USA (software)
So far it has been a huge success. I put out our first puzzle on Monday - I don't think many of the staff thought there would be much interest and I thought it would take some time to catch on. A young man discovered it early in the morning and worked on it the rest of the day. He put together the 1000 piecer in about 5 hours. So I put out another on Tuesday, and by Wednesday that was done too. I put out the 3rd (again, 1000 pieces, and a bit tougher than the others) on Thursday, and it was slow going. But late this afternoon we noticed a pair of teens working on it. Friends? A date? Who knows. Just a nice thing to do on a hot and lazy afternoon.
We've had some interesting reactions. A number of people came to report that someone forgot their puzzle on a table - so we put out a sign inviting people to work the puzzle. Others have offered to donate their puzzles - a very welcome gesture. Even my enormous store of puzzles won't keep up with the interest being shown!
This all has gotten me thinking about what else to do. Maybe a speed contest. 5 copies of the same puzzle, 5 teams competing to see who finishes first. Maybe we should put out a chess set. It is all part of keeping the mind active, alive and sparking - one of the important roles of libraries.
Margaret Drabble has written a memoir of her life through the lens of the jigsaw puzzles she has done throughout her life. The book, 'The Pattern in the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws', is do out in September and talks about puzzling with her aunt and how doing jigsaws have helped her over rough patches in her life. Sounds like my kind of book.
The Pattern in the Carpet, by Margaret Drabble
Frannie in Pieces, by Delia Ephron
Jigsaw, USA (software)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A welcome change
I don't know if you have noticed, but we have made a change with our DVD collection. Previously the collection was too small for the demand, and we have worked hard over the years to increase the size - without neglecting the other parts of our collection, of course. Recently, we decided the time had come, the collection was at a sufficient size, and there was no need to put it off any longer.
You can now reserve our DVDs - old or new. Maybe it doesn't seem like that big a change, but it is already making a big difference to many of our users. Instead of having to haunt the check-in desk trying to grab something good, you can just put a reserve on it and before long it is ready and waiting for you. In addition, we can watch the reserve lists and know just what titles to buy additional copies of to meet the demand. We do this already with our new, popular books and it has worked well for years. We see this as a wonderful enhancement of our service to you.
And as a nice side effect, we are now able to supply DVDs to users of other libraries in our consortium. Our patrons were already calling in DVDs through the online catalog and we thought it wasn't right that we weren't able to share our collection back. Now we can, and the huge benefits to us of being part of GMILCS is reciprocated from us to the other member libraries. It isn't often that a simple change can have so many positive ramifications.
So, reserve away!
1001 movies you must see before you die, edited by Stephen Jay Schneider.
You can now reserve our DVDs - old or new. Maybe it doesn't seem like that big a change, but it is already making a big difference to many of our users. Instead of having to haunt the check-in desk trying to grab something good, you can just put a reserve on it and before long it is ready and waiting for you. In addition, we can watch the reserve lists and know just what titles to buy additional copies of to meet the demand. We do this already with our new, popular books and it has worked well for years. We see this as a wonderful enhancement of our service to you.
And as a nice side effect, we are now able to supply DVDs to users of other libraries in our consortium. Our patrons were already calling in DVDs through the online catalog and we thought it wasn't right that we weren't able to share our collection back. Now we can, and the huge benefits to us of being part of GMILCS is reciprocated from us to the other member libraries. It isn't often that a simple change can have so many positive ramifications.
So, reserve away!
1001 movies you must see before you die, edited by Stephen Jay Schneider.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Taking risks
We are all uncomfortable with trying new things, but there are such benefits. A few weeks ago, Kelley Library hosted the Pontine Theater of Portsmouth for a presentation of their program about ee cummings. I have been coming to all the programs this year, many of which weren't on topics that I would jump to attend. I haven't regretted any of them, and each has spurred me to explore the topic in some way or other.
I mention the Pontine Theater program particularly because ee cummings' poetry was a real trial for me in high school. I just didn't get it at all and came to the program sure that I would still not get it. Let me say that I lucked into one of those wonderful aha moments early in the program. Several poems were projected for background and reference during the overview of ee's life. There it was, the lack of punctuation, the lack of caps, the odd layout - the high school nightmare was returning, when one of the presenters said the simplest of comments. ee was creating a pattern that would mirror itself in the poem - the beginning mirrored the end. The content was important, but the precision of pattern was equally important. There was the aha. Suddenly it all fell into place, made sense and I could finally appreciate this respected poet.
I have had similar ahas over the years - watching the history channel (another thing I normally avoided) the cause of WWI suddenly made sense due to one simple sentence (and it wasn't just the Archduke assasination we all learned). Watching remedial math years ago (desperation early in the morning with a cranky baby) fractions suddenly made sense. The list goes on. I have often wondered why teachers didn't provide these simple explanations, but thanks to trying something different, something new, I finally did get the explanations.
Libraries often talk about lifelong learning, too often creating the idea that as we age we will be busy studying like back in school. Lifelong learning to me is finding these nuggets of information when I least expect it and heading off to find out more on the topic. I think this is why non-fiction has grown in popularity at libraries. No longer the dry books of the past that challenged even the most dedicated readers, there are now wonderful books being written as interesting, thrilling, and fun to read as any fiction book. I never used to read non-fiction and started to mostly due to my job. Now, I find it the best read there is.
So, take a chance, try something outside of your comfort zone, say yes to something new. You might be surprised where you end up going.
Yes Man, by Danny Wallace (way, way, way better than the movie)
Wild Trees, by Robert Preston
Round Ireland with a Fridge, by Tony Hawks
I mention the Pontine Theater program particularly because ee cummings' poetry was a real trial for me in high school. I just didn't get it at all and came to the program sure that I would still not get it. Let me say that I lucked into one of those wonderful aha moments early in the program. Several poems were projected for background and reference during the overview of ee's life. There it was, the lack of punctuation, the lack of caps, the odd layout - the high school nightmare was returning, when one of the presenters said the simplest of comments. ee was creating a pattern that would mirror itself in the poem - the beginning mirrored the end. The content was important, but the precision of pattern was equally important. There was the aha. Suddenly it all fell into place, made sense and I could finally appreciate this respected poet.
I have had similar ahas over the years - watching the history channel (another thing I normally avoided) the cause of WWI suddenly made sense due to one simple sentence (and it wasn't just the Archduke assasination we all learned). Watching remedial math years ago (desperation early in the morning with a cranky baby) fractions suddenly made sense. The list goes on. I have often wondered why teachers didn't provide these simple explanations, but thanks to trying something different, something new, I finally did get the explanations.
Libraries often talk about lifelong learning, too often creating the idea that as we age we will be busy studying like back in school. Lifelong learning to me is finding these nuggets of information when I least expect it and heading off to find out more on the topic. I think this is why non-fiction has grown in popularity at libraries. No longer the dry books of the past that challenged even the most dedicated readers, there are now wonderful books being written as interesting, thrilling, and fun to read as any fiction book. I never used to read non-fiction and started to mostly due to my job. Now, I find it the best read there is.
So, take a chance, try something outside of your comfort zone, say yes to something new. You might be surprised where you end up going.
Yes Man, by Danny Wallace (way, way, way better than the movie)
Wild Trees, by Robert Preston
Round Ireland with a Fridge, by Tony Hawks
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Survey revisited
We have gotten a lot of surveys returned either from the webpage or in hard copy and I want to thank everyone that has done one. There is still a couple of days for you to fill one out if you haven't taken a moment to do so. Pick up a survey at the library or take a quick moment to go here to do it. Why? Because we want to hear what you think. A few minutes of your time will have a big impact on your library. You can be confident about one thing, I pay attention to what our users are saying and follow through. Your time is far too valuable to waste. I already know some things we will be doing in response to this survey: expand the audiobook collection focusing on new titles and big authors; expand our large print focusing on best sellers, big authors and non-fiction; and we will be keeping videos of movies that we don't have and/or can't get in DVD. You told us, we listened.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Outreach
One of the many services offered by the Kelley Library is one that not many people know about. However, it is a service that has a huge impact on those that benefit from it. For many years now, the Library has offered home delivery of books and other materials to residents who are unable to get to the library due to age or infirmity. Anne Pepin (who you probably know from her work at the main desk and is famous for her work on our garden) has been doing the home delivery for over 25 years after taking it over from someone who had also been doing it for years. Home delivery is now an expected service of libraries, but Kelley has been doing it longer than most.
It is an enormously rewarding service. The people who get home delivery have a limited world beyond contact with caregivers, family and trips to the doctor. A visit from Anne with a fresh supply of reading is a bright spot in a quiet life. It is someone new to talk to, a fresh source of news about the community, and a chance to have something new to read or listen to. Anne has many stories that she will share here at a later date, but it all comes down to a deep understanding of how important this service is to her people. It makes it worth trudging and driving through snow, ice and rain to make her monthly visit.
Soon after I started here, Joan Fardella, now a Library Trustee, came to me with an idea for providing this service. She knew I had worked with a bookmobile service which brought books to elderly people in assisted living facilities, and thought we could start our own 'bookmobile' - Joan in a car. When she discovered that we already provided that service, she was delighted that she would be able to help expand the program. That idea has grown over the past months to Mobile Books, an extension of the fine work Anne continues to do. Joan is providing home delivery to anyone who can't get to the library due to illness, physicial handicap or any limitation. The program kicked off on May 1st, and Joan is now accepting requests for service. Interested in arranging for home bound delivery to someone you know? Please call the library at 603-898-7064 or email me at abaker@salem.lib.nh.us and we will get the process started.
Book: The Camel Bookmobile, by Masha Hamilton
Book: Mystery of the Bewitched Bookmobile, by Florence Parry Heide
Website: Floating Bookmobiles
Website: Camel bookmobiles - (scroll down the page a bit)
Website: Mule Bookmobiles
It is an enormously rewarding service. The people who get home delivery have a limited world beyond contact with caregivers, family and trips to the doctor. A visit from Anne with a fresh supply of reading is a bright spot in a quiet life. It is someone new to talk to, a fresh source of news about the community, and a chance to have something new to read or listen to. Anne has many stories that she will share here at a later date, but it all comes down to a deep understanding of how important this service is to her people. It makes it worth trudging and driving through snow, ice and rain to make her monthly visit.
Soon after I started here, Joan Fardella, now a Library Trustee, came to me with an idea for providing this service. She knew I had worked with a bookmobile service which brought books to elderly people in assisted living facilities, and thought we could start our own 'bookmobile' - Joan in a car. When she discovered that we already provided that service, she was delighted that she would be able to help expand the program. That idea has grown over the past months to Mobile Books, an extension of the fine work Anne continues to do. Joan is providing home delivery to anyone who can't get to the library due to illness, physicial handicap or any limitation. The program kicked off on May 1st, and Joan is now accepting requests for service. Interested in arranging for home bound delivery to someone you know? Please call the library at 603-898-7064 or email me at abaker@salem.lib.nh.us and we will get the process started.
Book: The Camel Bookmobile, by Masha Hamilton
Book: Mystery of the Bewitched Bookmobile, by Florence Parry Heide
Website: Floating Bookmobiles
Website: Camel bookmobiles - (scroll down the page a bit)
Website: Mule Bookmobiles
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New Survey says . . .
A while back we conducted a survey concerning the Children's Department. It brought to light what users of the department liked and disliked, enjoyed and wanted more of, and what suggestions they had for us to improve the department. In previous posts I have discussed what we have done in response to the survey suggestions. It worked out so well, we have developed a similar one for the Adult Department.
You can find the survey link on the main page of our website or click here. It is only 10 questions, so I hope you will take a moment to give us your thoughts and ideas. Ask your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to fill one out too - especially any that don't use the library. We want to hear from as many people as possible. We will have some paper copies for those of you that prefer the more traditional way to take a survey.
And as with the Children's Room survey, I will keep you posted on the results and what we will be doing to meet the ideas from the survey.
You can find the survey link on the main page of our website or click here. It is only 10 questions, so I hope you will take a moment to give us your thoughts and ideas. Ask your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to fill one out too - especially any that don't use the library. We want to hear from as many people as possible. We will have some paper copies for those of you that prefer the more traditional way to take a survey.
And as with the Children's Room survey, I will keep you posted on the results and what we will be doing to meet the ideas from the survey.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
What's new for April
We are offering a variety of programs aimed at adults this month. That's something new for Kelley Library right there. We saw a need to expand programming at the library and thanks to Andy, our new Assistant Director, we are offering three.
Of course, we are offering the next in the KLAS series (thanks as always, Deb)on April 16th and this month's session is sure to be fascinating, building on the growing desire right now to eat local and homegrown. Liz Barbour from Creative Feast is presenting a program exploring cooking and gardening with herbs. I have had extensive personal experience with both these as my mother was a member of the Herb Society of America for years, has extensive herb gardens (outdoors in Maine and NJ, and in her greenhouse in NJ), lectured on the topic, edited the Herbarist, and used herbs in everything. I highly recommend your exploring this varied and fascinating topic. It can range from a plant or two on your kitchen windowsill to enhance your cooking to exploring your inner gardener and creativity with an herb garden.
On April, 22nd we are celebrating Earth Day with a panel of experts discussing alternative and green energy sources and practices. On hand will be Peter Rudd from Salem's Atlantic Biodiesel, Jack Lin from Woodlins Renewables also here in Salem, Jeff Goodman from the Wind Guys USA in Rye, and Howard Coffman of Fuel Cell Info Network in Nashua. We are lucky and honored to have these well-respected individuals on hand to help us all explore the future of alternative energy and to answer our questions. It is a timely topic - wind energy is being vigorously debated in NH right now. Alternative fuel is sure to be a part of our country's future, and here is the perfect opportunity to learn more about it all.
Rounding out the month, we are offering a Job Search Workshop on April, 23rd. Although New Hampshire has not been as hard hit by the recession/depression/bad times as other areas of the country (like our neighbors Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont), many are looking for jobs in this exceptionally difficult job market. Michael Markham of the Northern Essex Community College will be at Kelley Library to offer tips, guidance and insight into what employers are looking for in prospective employees.
Three remarkably different programs, yet similar in the end - helping us to understand the world around us, find new ways to live in these challenging and changing times, and ideas to challenge, inform and spark creativity. That's a library in a nutshell. A single source for a broad spectrum of information and resources to enhance your life.
Little herb gardens, by Georgeanne Brennan.
How to say it: job interviews, by Linda Matias.
Farewell my Subaru: an epic adventure in local living, by Doug Fine
Of course, we are offering the next in the KLAS series (thanks as always, Deb)on April 16th and this month's session is sure to be fascinating, building on the growing desire right now to eat local and homegrown. Liz Barbour from Creative Feast is presenting a program exploring cooking and gardening with herbs. I have had extensive personal experience with both these as my mother was a member of the Herb Society of America for years, has extensive herb gardens (outdoors in Maine and NJ, and in her greenhouse in NJ), lectured on the topic, edited the Herbarist, and used herbs in everything. I highly recommend your exploring this varied and fascinating topic. It can range from a plant or two on your kitchen windowsill to enhance your cooking to exploring your inner gardener and creativity with an herb garden.
On April, 22nd we are celebrating Earth Day with a panel of experts discussing alternative and green energy sources and practices. On hand will be Peter Rudd from Salem's Atlantic Biodiesel, Jack Lin from Woodlins Renewables also here in Salem, Jeff Goodman from the Wind Guys USA in Rye, and Howard Coffman of Fuel Cell Info Network in Nashua. We are lucky and honored to have these well-respected individuals on hand to help us all explore the future of alternative energy and to answer our questions. It is a timely topic - wind energy is being vigorously debated in NH right now. Alternative fuel is sure to be a part of our country's future, and here is the perfect opportunity to learn more about it all.
Rounding out the month, we are offering a Job Search Workshop on April, 23rd. Although New Hampshire has not been as hard hit by the recession/depression/bad times as other areas of the country (like our neighbors Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont), many are looking for jobs in this exceptionally difficult job market. Michael Markham of the Northern Essex Community College will be at Kelley Library to offer tips, guidance and insight into what employers are looking for in prospective employees.
Three remarkably different programs, yet similar in the end - helping us to understand the world around us, find new ways to live in these challenging and changing times, and ideas to challenge, inform and spark creativity. That's a library in a nutshell. A single source for a broad spectrum of information and resources to enhance your life.
Little herb gardens, by Georgeanne Brennan.
How to say it: job interviews, by Linda Matias.
Farewell my Subaru: an epic adventure in local living, by Doug Fine
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Changes
We have all done it or experienced it. A rule, policy or procedure is created to solve problems at hand and it works great. Over time, the rule becomes ingrained in life and we no longer really think about it any more. It is just part of daily life, part of doing business, part of running the household. Unfortunately, too often the reasons that made the rule a great solution change or disappear over that same passage of time. What's left is a rule we continue to follow and enforce without any basis.
That's why it is vital to review the rules and traditions in our lives and see if they are still a good fit. We are doing just that at the Kelley Library - and we continue to find some that needed to be changed. I've been working the desk a lot recently - and I've had to enforce the rules. Being new, I wanted to know the reasons behind some of them and we all realized that the reasons were no longer valid.
For some years, there have been limits on the number of items that can be checked out - limits on music CDs, VHS, audiobooks of all kinds, DVDs. These limits made a lot of sense when they were created. These collections were small and slowly developing. To make sure there were enough for everyone, it was decided that a patron could only take out 4 of each. Well, these collections have grown, and in some cases, peaked in popularity and are now fading in interest. So, thanks to the service minded Board of Trustees, as of April 1, these limits are being lifted. Come on in and go crazy - we won't say no. And as a little added bonus, we dropped the fines on VHS - no more $1.00 per day. As of April 1, adult VHS will be $.10 per day and children's VHS will have no fines like the rest of the children's collection.
But we are keeping limits on the popular DVD collections - raised to 5 per card - but limits remain. Our new video game collection will also remain limited to 5 per card. Why? Because these collection are still too small to keep up with the demand. We are busy working to enlarge the collections, but for now, the limits - and the $1.00 fines - remain.
For now, but rest assured, we will revisit this rule regularly and when the time is right - changes will happen. In the meantime - we hope you enjoy what changes have been made.
Book: Strategies for successful career change: finding your very best next work life, by Martha E. Mangelsdorf
Music: Dance into the Daylight, by Phil Collins
Music: MTV Unplugged, by Bob Dylan
That's why it is vital to review the rules and traditions in our lives and see if they are still a good fit. We are doing just that at the Kelley Library - and we continue to find some that needed to be changed. I've been working the desk a lot recently - and I've had to enforce the rules. Being new, I wanted to know the reasons behind some of them and we all realized that the reasons were no longer valid.
For some years, there have been limits on the number of items that can be checked out - limits on music CDs, VHS, audiobooks of all kinds, DVDs. These limits made a lot of sense when they were created. These collections were small and slowly developing. To make sure there were enough for everyone, it was decided that a patron could only take out 4 of each. Well, these collections have grown, and in some cases, peaked in popularity and are now fading in interest. So, thanks to the service minded Board of Trustees, as of April 1, these limits are being lifted. Come on in and go crazy - we won't say no. And as a little added bonus, we dropped the fines on VHS - no more $1.00 per day. As of April 1, adult VHS will be $.10 per day and children's VHS will have no fines like the rest of the children's collection.
But we are keeping limits on the popular DVD collections - raised to 5 per card - but limits remain. Our new video game collection will also remain limited to 5 per card. Why? Because these collection are still too small to keep up with the demand. We are busy working to enlarge the collections, but for now, the limits - and the $1.00 fines - remain.
For now, but rest assured, we will revisit this rule regularly and when the time is right - changes will happen. In the meantime - we hope you enjoy what changes have been made.
Book: Strategies for successful career change: finding your very best next work life, by Martha E. Mangelsdorf
Music: Dance into the Daylight, by Phil Collins
Music: MTV Unplugged, by Bob Dylan
Monday, March 9, 2009
Survey says . . . part 2
Last month I talked about the Playaway audiobook collection purchased in response to the survey conducted recently about the Children's Room. By the way, the collection is now available - take a moment on you next visit to the Library to take a look. Programming for kids got a big response in the survey with a great deal of interest from kids and parents alike. We have been working on that too and I will keep you posted as we progress.
We have already kicked off programming for tweens and teens with a Teen Advisory Group. Cathy (Children's Department) and Andy (Assistant Director) are working with a group of kids to develop a teen page on the website. The first teen page meeting is scheduled for after school on March 26th and is cleverly called HTeenML. The kids are going to be responsible for the design, content and upkeep of the page. Not only will this offer a creative outlet for the kids and offer some experience in using web design software and languages, the library will benefit from the ideas, inventiveness and imagination of the kids. Talk about win win.
There is no limit to what will develop from the Teen Advisory Group - book discussions (Twilight?), Book Buddies mentoring younger readers, crafts (I would like to see 'trees' growing in the Children's Room - like this only more and bigger), video gaming - playing and creating - where ever their interests lead us. It will be a fascinating journey.
Create your own website, by Scott Mitchell
Creating web pages for dummies, by Bud E. Smith
We have already kicked off programming for tweens and teens with a Teen Advisory Group. Cathy (Children's Department) and Andy (Assistant Director) are working with a group of kids to develop a teen page on the website. The first teen page meeting is scheduled for after school on March 26th and is cleverly called HTeenML. The kids are going to be responsible for the design, content and upkeep of the page. Not only will this offer a creative outlet for the kids and offer some experience in using web design software and languages, the library will benefit from the ideas, inventiveness and imagination of the kids. Talk about win win.
There is no limit to what will develop from the Teen Advisory Group - book discussions (Twilight?), Book Buddies mentoring younger readers, crafts (I would like to see 'trees' growing in the Children's Room - like this only more and bigger), video gaming - playing and creating - where ever their interests lead us. It will be a fascinating journey.
Create your own website, by Scott Mitchell
Creating web pages for dummies, by Bud E. Smith
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sale of the month
We are in the midst of our annual magazine sale. Here is your chance to get a full year's (monthly) or a big bundle (weekly) of a magazine for a buck. How can you beat that? The Kelley Library subscribes to over 300 magazines so there are a lot to pick from. Being a recipe junky - I collect with good intentions, and occasionally actually try them - I am sorely tempted by those bundles of cooking magazines. I have already given in once and bought the bundle of Gourmet magazines - and have ripped out a ton of recipes to add to the pile. But you know, there are so many that are tempting - after all it is only a buck. Arthritis Today - could be helpful in helping with those aches and pains. New Hampshire to Go - tempting, since I am new to the area (but it is already gone - I snoozed and lost). Those needlework magazines, the In Style and other decorating titles . . . I could buy them all. And then when I think about my family I am further tempted. The only thing holding me back is knowing I will have to take them over to the transfer station to recycle and you know, that arthritis makes it tough to do.
So stop in and take a browse, it's amazing what a buck can still get for you: help in remodeling your home, world travel without spending more than a buck, inspiration for the garden you are making plans for now that spring is almost here, trips through history, valuable help in dealing with your kids. They talk about a bang for your buck - you can really find it at the Kelley Library right now.
Up for renewal: what magazines taught me about love, sex, and starting over, by Cathy Alter
Whatcha mean, what's a zine? : the art of making zines and mini comics, by Mark Todd
So stop in and take a browse, it's amazing what a buck can still get for you: help in remodeling your home, world travel without spending more than a buck, inspiration for the garden you are making plans for now that spring is almost here, trips through history, valuable help in dealing with your kids. They talk about a bang for your buck - you can really find it at the Kelley Library right now.
Up for renewal: what magazines taught me about love, sex, and starting over, by Cathy Alter
Whatcha mean, what's a zine? : the art of making zines and mini comics, by Mark Todd
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tis the season
It's February and tax season is upon us all. It is a busy time for a public library as people desperate for one tax form or another come in, confident that they will find it there. At the risk of showing my age, I can remember when forms were easy to find - at the post office, the DMV, federal offices of all kinds, local and state offices, even the liquor store! Those days are long gone. Between the various branches and levels of government trying to move to paperless filing and reducing their costs and the chore that providing forms is, the sources for forms has dwindled down to libraries and tax services. The easy excuse nowadays is that these forms are available online.
And that is why libraries still continue to offer the forms. Yes, the forms are available online, and the websites for forms are fairly easy to navigate. Yet, there is a presumption on the government's side - that everyone owns a computer or has easy access to one. We in the library biz know this is not accurate. Those who need access to forms the most are the least likely to have ready access to a computer. People don't all have friends and family that can help them find the right form. And those instruction booklets. Try using them online - it takes a sophisticated computer user to get at the information they need.
So that is why libraries are a good fit for offering the forms. Libraries are here to help people find information that they need. Librarians are working to help guide people to the right source, to show people how to use the internet, how to fill out forms. So come on in - we'll be there to help you find the form you need. Try our website - we have easy links to the online form sources. We are there to help with everything except giving you tax advice - that is for a different professional. Of course we can help you find a list of those too.
America: who really pays the taxes, by Donald L. Barlett
JK Lasser's 1001 deductions and tax breaks: your complete guide to everything deductible
And that is why libraries still continue to offer the forms. Yes, the forms are available online, and the websites for forms are fairly easy to navigate. Yet, there is a presumption on the government's side - that everyone owns a computer or has easy access to one. We in the library biz know this is not accurate. Those who need access to forms the most are the least likely to have ready access to a computer. People don't all have friends and family that can help them find the right form. And those instruction booklets. Try using them online - it takes a sophisticated computer user to get at the information they need.
So that is why libraries are a good fit for offering the forms. Libraries are here to help people find information that they need. Librarians are working to help guide people to the right source, to show people how to use the internet, how to fill out forms. So come on in - we'll be there to help you find the form you need. Try our website - we have easy links to the online form sources. We are there to help with everything except giving you tax advice - that is for a different professional. Of course we can help you find a list of those too.
America: who really pays the taxes, by Donald L. Barlett
JK Lasser's 1001 deductions and tax breaks: your complete guide to everything deductible
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Survey says . . .
At the end of last year we conducted a brief survey about what we offer in and through the children's department. The questions topics ranged from the collection to the programming to computers. Like the best of surveys, we learned some interesting and very helpful things. The respondents fell evenly into 2 distinct groups - parents and teen/preteen users. What might be surprising is that their responses were fairly similar - except for computers.
We asked if we should offer internet access in the children's room. Right now, only the online catalog is available, and we thought perhaps it was time to revisit. Over half the parents saw no reason to offer the internet, citing concerns with policing it and it not being necessary since access could be found elsewhere. Overwhelmingly, the kids wanted it. So we are looking into a couple of options: 1) Offer access to our online databases only so that doing homework and research could be enhanced, and 2) Find some good filtering product so that policing usage would not be an issue. Our goal is to make sure that kids have the same quality access and services offered to our adult users while remaining mindful of protecting our young patrons.
Many respondents told us that the kids audiobook collection (cassette and CD) wasn't good enough. Improving that collection is a goal for this year. (In fact it is a goal for the adult collection too, but will be another day's topic.) We have started in a big way by putting together a collection of a new audiobook format - Playaways. These are a nifty product that has no tapes or discs to get lost or damaged, and looks and feels similar to ipods. They are book and player all in one, and we thought kids would be the perfect test group for them. Watch for this collection to be ready for use within a few weeks.
We want to hear your ideas and suggestions. Your comments do have significant impact. Take the time to let us know either by talking to us directly or sending your comments through this blog or our webpage.
Books: Julie and Romeo, by Jeanne Ray
How to protect your children on the Internet, by Gregory S. Smith
We asked if we should offer internet access in the children's room. Right now, only the online catalog is available, and we thought perhaps it was time to revisit. Over half the parents saw no reason to offer the internet, citing concerns with policing it and it not being necessary since access could be found elsewhere. Overwhelmingly, the kids wanted it. So we are looking into a couple of options: 1) Offer access to our online databases only so that doing homework and research could be enhanced, and 2) Find some good filtering product so that policing usage would not be an issue. Our goal is to make sure that kids have the same quality access and services offered to our adult users while remaining mindful of protecting our young patrons.
Many respondents told us that the kids audiobook collection (cassette and CD) wasn't good enough. Improving that collection is a goal for this year. (In fact it is a goal for the adult collection too, but will be another day's topic.) We have started in a big way by putting together a collection of a new audiobook format - Playaways. These are a nifty product that has no tapes or discs to get lost or damaged, and looks and feels similar to ipods. They are book and player all in one, and we thought kids would be the perfect test group for them. Watch for this collection to be ready for use within a few weeks.
We want to hear your ideas and suggestions. Your comments do have significant impact. Take the time to let us know either by talking to us directly or sending your comments through this blog or our webpage.
Books: Julie and Romeo, by Jeanne Ray
How to protect your children on the Internet, by Gregory S. Smith
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Looking ahead
So a new year begins, bringing with it all sorts of possibilities. We all enter each year fairly sure of what to expect during the year - your child is graduating, your parents are planning to move to a warmer climate, this is the year you plan to finally paint the living room. But by the end of the year, we look back and realize we have ended up in a far different place than expected.
Here at the library, we are trying to start the year right - we are going green, well at least greener. It is an ambitious plan and so we intend to move slowly but steadily in the 'green' direction. You may have already seen the blue recycling bins here and there around the library. We decided to take advantage of Salem participating in single stream recycling and expand our recycling efforts in the library. This small step has had a big impact - we now have 3 huge bins for our recycling pick-up and a much reduced amount of trash.
Next we reduced our temperature for the building by a couple of degrees. It hasn't been a tough change to adapt to, and we have reduced our fuel consumption quite noticeably. We just recently reduced the temperature another degree because you told us it was too warm.
Now on to our next step. We are reducing our paper consumption through a variety of changes in routines. One that will impact our users is our plan to reduce the number of notices we send out. Right now we send out a notice to let you know a reserved item is in for pick-up and of course, overdue notices. Each notice involves a full sheet of paper plus large envelope. We soon will be sending out only 2 overdue notices, rather than our current three.
This might be a bit of a shock for some of our users, so we are hoping to convince as many of you as possible to give us an email address. With an email address in your record, all notices - reserve and overdue - are sent electronically - you even get a reminder the day before that your books and movies are due the next day. We are even offering a bit of an incentive. Give us your email address and you can take a chance on winning a Dunkin Donuts gift card. If you already have your email in your account, you can take a chance too. The bonus for us all is that with an email address, we reduce all possible notices to just one in paper form - a great change!
Reducing the amount of mail we send - and currently it is running at about 75 letters a day - will reduce our paper consumption, our ink consumption (fewer catridges going into land-fills), there will be fewer letters to deliver, thus leading fuel savings for the post office.
This might be a bit of a shock for some of our users, so we are hoping to convince as many of you as possible to give us an email address. With an email address in your record, all notices - reserve and overdue - are sent electronically - you even get a reminder the day before that your books and movies are due the next day. We are even offering a bit of an incentive. Give us your email address and you can take a chance on winning a Dunkin Donuts gift card. If you already have your email in your account, you can take a chance too. The bonus for us all is that with an email address, we reduce all possible notices to just one in paper form - a great change!
Reducing the amount of mail we send - and currently it is running at about 75 letters a day - will reduce our paper consumption, our ink consumption (fewer catridges going into land-fills), there will be fewer letters to deliver, thus leading fuel savings for the post office.
That's what is interesting about the green process. Even the smallest of changes have a rippling impact on our environment and use of resources. We are very excited about the positive effects of our small changes. Maybe you will join us in this green plan. Make a few changes in your habits, and see the big changes that will happen. Check out how to increase the recycling of your household trash. Reduce the temperature in your house a degree. Give us your email and stop getting those pesky letters!
But as always, we can only imagine what will unfold as the year progresses. We will have to stop and take notice of just how green we are by the end of 2009. I'm sure we will be surprised to see where we are, I hope it is surprised pride at our level of green.
Books: The complete guide to a green home, by Philip Schmidt
This year I will: how to finally change a habit, keep a resolution, or make a dream come true, by MJ Ryan
DVD: Inconvenient truth
This year I will: how to finally change a habit, keep a resolution, or make a dream come true, by MJ Ryan
DVD: Inconvenient truth
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