We are all too familiar with how differently different people react to the same thing. Just think about the recent 'crisis' about the white/gold or black/blue dress controversy. Who would imagine that this would strike such a responsive chord. But the reality is that we have no idea how other people literally see things. My kids and I have spent many a summer afternoon quizzing my husband about the colors of the boats in the harbor - and then laughing (yes, we are that cruel) as we argue about his answers. He sees dark blue, black and dark green very differently than we do.
So I was fascinated to come across an article about seeing (or not) colors. This simply is the most mind blowing (forgive the 60's reference)article and concept that I have even come across. I really encourage your reading the article and especially looking at the color test given to a tribe in Namibia. Amazing. Truly, we see the world around us in hugely different ways. It is amazing that we get along as well as we do!
So it is no surprise that some people think the new main floor arrangement is great, others don't care, and some hate it. The same with the BISAC project. Some of our users are lamenting the loss of Dewey, others apparently aren't noticing the difference enough to comment. The trick is to strike a positive chord with the majority, since as John Lydgate: "You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time".
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Dreams come true?
Have you heard that a sequel of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird has been unearthed and will be published later this year? There have been a number of responses to the news, with George R. R. Martin's (of Game of Thrones fame) perhaps being the best. It is stunning news as it was long believed that Ms. Lee had never written another novel, let alone one that builds on her classic.
And that is the scary part. How does an artist ever step out of the shadow of a phenomenon and continue? We have long heard of actors that never escape an iconic character. I just read the other day that John Wayne turned down the lead in Gunsmoke to avoid being typecast as a cowboy - don't know if that's true since that ship had sailed by that point. We hear of one hit wonders in music all the time. How many best new performer Grammy winner has sunk into obscurity? Look at JD Salinger. He never published a book after the huge impact of Catcher in the Rye. Just how do you overcome the over-blown expectations based on one piece, one book, one film? More locally, what about the amazing performance of Patriot Malcolm Butler? Will expectations be so high that anything Malcolm does from now on will seem so much less? Will he be able to step out of the shadow of expectation and not let that burden interfere with his mental game?
On the other side of that coin is our concerns about being disappointed by the sequel, the next song, the next book. So while many of us will be eager to read the book, others are going to be a bit hesitant to have something one loves potentially diminished. So we will keep our fingers crossed and wait eagerly for Harper Lee's next book and trust that it has been well worth the wait rather than something that was hidden away with good reason.
And that is the scary part. How does an artist ever step out of the shadow of a phenomenon and continue? We have long heard of actors that never escape an iconic character. I just read the other day that John Wayne turned down the lead in Gunsmoke to avoid being typecast as a cowboy - don't know if that's true since that ship had sailed by that point. We hear of one hit wonders in music all the time. How many best new performer Grammy winner has sunk into obscurity? Look at JD Salinger. He never published a book after the huge impact of Catcher in the Rye. Just how do you overcome the over-blown expectations based on one piece, one book, one film? More locally, what about the amazing performance of Patriot Malcolm Butler? Will expectations be so high that anything Malcolm does from now on will seem so much less? Will he be able to step out of the shadow of expectation and not let that burden interfere with his mental game?
On the other side of that coin is our concerns about being disappointed by the sequel, the next song, the next book. So while many of us will be eager to read the book, others are going to be a bit hesitant to have something one loves potentially diminished. So we will keep our fingers crossed and wait eagerly for Harper Lee's next book and trust that it has been well worth the wait rather than something that was hidden away with good reason.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Happy New Year!
It is that time of the year that I look back at the past year - putting together a number of different annual reports. All the loose ends need to be dealt with, and it really is a time to take a breath and make a few (dare I say) resolutions. Promises to keep up with the paperwork and projects, promises to finally get that Facility plan completed, promises to get to that stack of folders that seemed like such a high priority months ago.
But it is a time to look back, as I said. And I really just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a great year - our wonderful library users, our hardworking and welcoming staff, the community for their awesome support of the library. You are deeply appreciated.
It is that time of the year that I look back at the past year - putting together a number of different annual reports. All the loose ends need to be dealt with, and it really is a time to take a breath and make a few (dare I say) resolutions. Promises to keep up with the paperwork and projects, promises to finally get that Facility plan completed, promises to get to that stack of folders that seemed like such a high priority months ago.
But it is a time to look back, as I said. And I really just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a great year - our wonderful library users, our hardworking and welcoming staff, the community for their awesome support of the library. You are deeply appreciated.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
It's December, it must be time for some changes
I realized this week, that I just like to move things around for a fresh look, and a new approach. Luckily, the library offers a lot of opportunity for this - and for some reason, it always seems to be in December. And this month is no different.
Stop in this month (or next month when it will be all done, except for some fine-tuning and tinkering) and see what's new and different. Now, I don't do this willy-nilly and without good reason - really! We are always analyzing the layout to make sure that we are meeting the changing needs and expectations of our users in the best possible way. This change is going to be pretty big, but we feel that it will ensure that we (the staff) are out where we are most needed.
Live with it for a while and let us know what you think - we are always looking for suggestions.
Stop in this month (or next month when it will be all done, except for some fine-tuning and tinkering) and see what's new and different. Now, I don't do this willy-nilly and without good reason - really! We are always analyzing the layout to make sure that we are meeting the changing needs and expectations of our users in the best possible way. This change is going to be pretty big, but we feel that it will ensure that we (the staff) are out where we are most needed.
Live with it for a while and let us know what you think - we are always looking for suggestions.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated
I know, that is not the actual wording of Mark Twain's famous statement, but it is the one we all feel familiar with.
That being said, in light of a recent article in the Washington Post, and echoed in many places elsewhere, it seemed just the right statement. The article was addressing the flattening of eBook sales. Right now, after several years of double and triple percent increases, the latest figures are no more than 5%. Wow, that is a change from the many articles saying that the print book is dead. The article goes on to give a possible explanation, saying:
We may be discovering that e-books are well suited to some types of books (like genre fiction) but not well suited to other types (like nonfiction and literary fiction) and are well suited to certain reading situations (plane trips) but less well suited to others (lying on the couch at home). The e-book may turn out to be more a complement to the printed book, as audiobooks have long been, rather than an outright substitute.
It is what I suspected from the start - after being in the library business for as many eons as I have, you learn not to buy into the hyperbole. eBooks are definitely here to stay, and will represent a sizable portion of reading materials, but unlike the reports of the past few years, the print book will remain a viable method of delivering books into your hands. Now that the dust has settled, we feel more sure of how best to offer books, whether print, digital, or audio. That is why we are careful to offer access to as many formats as possible.
What will the future bring and look like - I can't answer that, but it is an endlessly exciting mystery that continues to unfold.
Oh, and try out our new Kindle that is dedicated strictly to classic books - those great books that libraries want to have, but rarely have the space for them all. Paul, our reference librarian, has been selecting and adding many titles just to make sure that we do offer the widest range of reading materials possible. This is a great use of eBook technology.
That being said, in light of a recent article in the Washington Post, and echoed in many places elsewhere, it seemed just the right statement. The article was addressing the flattening of eBook sales. Right now, after several years of double and triple percent increases, the latest figures are no more than 5%. Wow, that is a change from the many articles saying that the print book is dead. The article goes on to give a possible explanation, saying:
We may be discovering that e-books are well suited to some types of books (like genre fiction) but not well suited to other types (like nonfiction and literary fiction) and are well suited to certain reading situations (plane trips) but less well suited to others (lying on the couch at home). The e-book may turn out to be more a complement to the printed book, as audiobooks have long been, rather than an outright substitute.
It is what I suspected from the start - after being in the library business for as many eons as I have, you learn not to buy into the hyperbole. eBooks are definitely here to stay, and will represent a sizable portion of reading materials, but unlike the reports of the past few years, the print book will remain a viable method of delivering books into your hands. Now that the dust has settled, we feel more sure of how best to offer books, whether print, digital, or audio. That is why we are careful to offer access to as many formats as possible.
What will the future bring and look like - I can't answer that, but it is an endlessly exciting mystery that continues to unfold.
Oh, and try out our new Kindle that is dedicated strictly to classic books - those great books that libraries want to have, but rarely have the space for them all. Paul, our reference librarian, has been selecting and adding many titles just to make sure that we do offer the widest range of reading materials possible. This is a great use of eBook technology.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Digital Focus
The Library Board of Trustees put their money where their mouth is and kicked off a new focus on digital services here at the Kelley Library by funding the installation of a new, interactive projector system in our main meeting room. As we look forward, we are planning to increase our support of digital products and services. What does that mean? Well, we will continue to expand our funding our 3 sources for eBooks and downloadable audio: GMILCS 3M, the NH Downloadable, and our own Overdrive purchases. We have a variety of online products to replace print items that date quickly (travel information, auto repair, medical information) and are expanding these selections as well.
We have been providing one-on-one tech support for people using iPads and other devices to download eBooks, and have expanded that to provide general help and troubleshooting. Additionally we provide one-on-one assistance for people using our internet to apply for jobs, take exams, set up email accounts and so on. These services will be expanded so that everyone on the staff can provide this kind of help.
The library itself will be seeing changes that are driven by digital needs. Seating and table areas will have power nearby or as part of the furniture. There will be tablets with pre-reading apps for use in the children's room, a solution that will be expanded to encompass all ages of users.
Our website will continue to be the anchor for much of our digital services, and you should take some time now to browse through it for our current digital products. At the same time, there will be changes to the website as well as our services and support of digital products and users expands.
Will we ignore our print users - of course not! All this is just to provide right-sized services in the right format - print or digital.
If there is something you believe we should be offering - let us know! We want to hear from you. Email me directly at abaker@kelleylibrary.org, or stop by and tell me directly. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
We have been providing one-on-one tech support for people using iPads and other devices to download eBooks, and have expanded that to provide general help and troubleshooting. Additionally we provide one-on-one assistance for people using our internet to apply for jobs, take exams, set up email accounts and so on. These services will be expanded so that everyone on the staff can provide this kind of help.
The library itself will be seeing changes that are driven by digital needs. Seating and table areas will have power nearby or as part of the furniture. There will be tablets with pre-reading apps for use in the children's room, a solution that will be expanded to encompass all ages of users.
Our website will continue to be the anchor for much of our digital services, and you should take some time now to browse through it for our current digital products. At the same time, there will be changes to the website as well as our services and support of digital products and users expands.
Will we ignore our print users - of course not! All this is just to provide right-sized services in the right format - print or digital.
If there is something you believe we should be offering - let us know! We want to hear from you. Email me directly at abaker@kelleylibrary.org, or stop by and tell me directly. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Books last forever?
It is September, and for us here at the library that means that our big annual Used Book Sale is here. Yes, it will be on Saturday, September 20th from 9-2. It is the culmination of a year's work of back-breaking work for a couple of our staff members (a big shout-out to Chris, Cindy and Natalie) who sift through the surprising number of books we are given. They decide whether to add it to the collection, keep for the sale, pass along to another non-profit, or trash.
Trash? We throw out books? On occasion we get a few books as donations that are in really bad condition - buggy, wet, moldy - and we can't sell them, and we can't donate them along, so we are forced to put them to rest.
But for the vast majority of our donations, the annual sale is a chance for fresh, new life for a book. Once we have them all out on the tables, it is like a popularity contest, a vast adoption day for books looking for a new reader to take them home. Each one has the same chance as the next, but sometimes jewels are overlooked, and sometimes a flashy cover catches the eye of an unwary reader. But there is one constant. Everyone is so delighted at their find.
I have worked the cash register at the sale for 6 years, and every person comes through the line delighted with the treasures they have found at the sale. A few whisper about how their husband/wife will roll their eyes when they find out how many more books are being brought into the family. A few will moan about not having room for another book, but unable to resist one or two more. A few gripe at the cost (it isn't a dollar a bag until late into the sale, and this year, it will be a dollar a bag on Monday the 22nd as well), but most are delighted at how many they can get for so little. We are just happy that these books have found a new home.
So be sure to be here bright and early - we have some ravenous buyers first thing who get the cream of the crop. And bring your own bag - we will give you one free book! Tell me that you read this (there will be a brief test) and I will give you your whole stack for free!
Trash? We throw out books? On occasion we get a few books as donations that are in really bad condition - buggy, wet, moldy - and we can't sell them, and we can't donate them along, so we are forced to put them to rest.
But for the vast majority of our donations, the annual sale is a chance for fresh, new life for a book. Once we have them all out on the tables, it is like a popularity contest, a vast adoption day for books looking for a new reader to take them home. Each one has the same chance as the next, but sometimes jewels are overlooked, and sometimes a flashy cover catches the eye of an unwary reader. But there is one constant. Everyone is so delighted at their find.
I have worked the cash register at the sale for 6 years, and every person comes through the line delighted with the treasures they have found at the sale. A few whisper about how their husband/wife will roll their eyes when they find out how many more books are being brought into the family. A few will moan about not having room for another book, but unable to resist one or two more. A few gripe at the cost (it isn't a dollar a bag until late into the sale, and this year, it will be a dollar a bag on Monday the 22nd as well), but most are delighted at how many they can get for so little. We are just happy that these books have found a new home.
So be sure to be here bright and early - we have some ravenous buyers first thing who get the cream of the crop. And bring your own bag - we will give you one free book! Tell me that you read this (there will be a brief test) and I will give you your whole stack for free!
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