About 15 years ago, I started watching foreign films. I really can't remember why I tried one, but I was immediately hooked. I'm a bit of a purist, meaning that I can't want dubbed films, only subtitled ones. I just have to hear the original actor's voice, inflections, and emotions.
But that's just a side matter. It's the foreign-ness of the film, or TV show, that is key. I just like seeing how people live in other countries. In reality we all face the same issues - family, love, survival - so it is endlessly fascinating how these common events and relationships are handled. How people live, what their homes look like, what their traditions are, what they eat, how they eat.
Libraries are the basis for life-long learning, of expanding out minds, of learning about the world around us so that we can understand everything better. Foreign films are an important element of this as they bring the world around us into our own homes vividly. We realize how alike we really are, while embracing the rich variety that exists in the world.
Give one a try - we have a nice variety at the library.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Early Spring?
Punxatawney Phil has "spoken" and claimed that we will be having an early Spring this year. Considering the kind of winter we have been having so far, it doesn't seem much of a stretch, but then, New England weather always keeps us on our toes.
I was told that Phil's record is very poor in terms of guessing right, so why does this tradition continue? I think we all get a measure of comfort, of a change of season on the horizon, a sense of possibility with this yearly ritual. Phil may not be right, but we know that he is marking the mid point of the winter and so no matter what, we are on the downhill slide to warmer weather, the reappearance of flowers and birds, and the knowledge that another season will then be on the horizon. It reminds us to start looking around for signs of Spring. It could be a that the days are clearly longer already, that the pussy willows are budding, that Monty the Groundhog is back making a mess of the library lawn, or whatever says Spring to you.
What Phil brings is possibilities, hope, and a renewal of spirit. Does he get the date just right? Does that really matter? His gift is that he gets us all thinking of the future. Oh and an added bonus gift of the reminder to watch the movie Groundhog Day of course!
I was told that Phil's record is very poor in terms of guessing right, so why does this tradition continue? I think we all get a measure of comfort, of a change of season on the horizon, a sense of possibility with this yearly ritual. Phil may not be right, but we know that he is marking the mid point of the winter and so no matter what, we are on the downhill slide to warmer weather, the reappearance of flowers and birds, and the knowledge that another season will then be on the horizon. It reminds us to start looking around for signs of Spring. It could be a that the days are clearly longer already, that the pussy willows are budding, that Monty the Groundhog is back making a mess of the library lawn, or whatever says Spring to you.
What Phil brings is possibilities, hope, and a renewal of spirit. Does he get the date just right? Does that really matter? His gift is that he gets us all thinking of the future. Oh and an added bonus gift of the reminder to watch the movie Groundhog Day of course!
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Reading Lists
A librarian friend and fellow Gilmore Girls fan directed me to the Rory Gilmore Book of the Month Club just announced. Now over 300 books were referenced during the course of the series, and it will be interesting what 12 will be selected for our reading pleasure. The title for January is 1984, by George Orwell. Mercifully I have read it already and feel no desire/need to read it again.
And that was my immediate concern about the Rory Gilmore book club. Like many of the recommended book lists that we are encouraged to finish in a year, in our lifetime, before we die, the books mentioned on The Gilmore Girls were usually classic, quality books that will transform your thinking, your outlook, perhaps even the course of your life. Perhaps as a librarian, I shouldn't admit that I have spent a lot of time and effort avoiding these kinds of books. Sure, I read them as assigned in school and college. And this is when I read 1984. But it was a grind, and I love to read! To this day, I remember having to read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, 500+ pages, aloud to myself because I couldn't stay focused on it otherwise. I have read my share of classics on my own, but they have been specific authors and titles that interested me: Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters, Far From the Madding Crowd, Louisa May Alcott, Last of the Mohicans. Are you seeing the theme?
But reading fills a variety of purposes for me: supporting my work, discovering new insights as a parent or as an individual, and most importantly, an opportunity to relax, enjoy, and escape a bit. Most recently I have been re-reading my way through the complete works of Georgette Heyer, an author my mother introduced to me ages ago, an author who brought the era of Jane Austen into the 20th century, creating the modern Regency Romance. It has been a delight rediscovering these wonderful books. Before that I was re-reading my way through the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman. I was surprised at how well I remembered them, and how much I continue to enjoy them. Maybe I will try revisiting Robert Parker's Spenser series - that should take some time! Or Dick Francis - gosh, what great books those all are.
My point? Reading doesn't have to be about exceptional quality or deep meaning. You can learn a bit of something from most books. The ones I mentioned about are filled with references to things I didn't know and have to look up - like all the odd fabrics and styles of dress in the Regency era (thank goodness for the Internet - now I can see what these clothes actually looked like). These books provide a bit of escape from the world around us, from the demands of daily life, home, family and work. They make me want to read more, and other authors, and other genres, each book expanding my life no matter how light and entertaining them may be.
After all, all those classic, high quality, and improving books Rory read didn't keep her from going off the rails for quite a while.
And that was my immediate concern about the Rory Gilmore book club. Like many of the recommended book lists that we are encouraged to finish in a year, in our lifetime, before we die, the books mentioned on The Gilmore Girls were usually classic, quality books that will transform your thinking, your outlook, perhaps even the course of your life. Perhaps as a librarian, I shouldn't admit that I have spent a lot of time and effort avoiding these kinds of books. Sure, I read them as assigned in school and college. And this is when I read 1984. But it was a grind, and I love to read! To this day, I remember having to read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, 500+ pages, aloud to myself because I couldn't stay focused on it otherwise. I have read my share of classics on my own, but they have been specific authors and titles that interested me: Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters, Far From the Madding Crowd, Louisa May Alcott, Last of the Mohicans. Are you seeing the theme?
But reading fills a variety of purposes for me: supporting my work, discovering new insights as a parent or as an individual, and most importantly, an opportunity to relax, enjoy, and escape a bit. Most recently I have been re-reading my way through the complete works of Georgette Heyer, an author my mother introduced to me ages ago, an author who brought the era of Jane Austen into the 20th century, creating the modern Regency Romance. It has been a delight rediscovering these wonderful books. Before that I was re-reading my way through the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman. I was surprised at how well I remembered them, and how much I continue to enjoy them. Maybe I will try revisiting Robert Parker's Spenser series - that should take some time! Or Dick Francis - gosh, what great books those all are.
My point? Reading doesn't have to be about exceptional quality or deep meaning. You can learn a bit of something from most books. The ones I mentioned about are filled with references to things I didn't know and have to look up - like all the odd fabrics and styles of dress in the Regency era (thank goodness for the Internet - now I can see what these clothes actually looked like). These books provide a bit of escape from the world around us, from the demands of daily life, home, family and work. They make me want to read more, and other authors, and other genres, each book expanding my life no matter how light and entertaining them may be.
After all, all those classic, high quality, and improving books Rory read didn't keep her from going off the rails for quite a while.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Armenia Exhibit
We are proud to be hosting an exhibit of photographs highlighting the beauty of Armenia during this 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. it is estimated that some 1.5 million Armenians were killed between 1915 and 1917. If you are interested in finding out more about this horrific event, we have some wonderful books dealing with this genocide.
This terrible time in history is something I am ashamed to admit that I knew nothing about until, of all things, hearing about it through the Kardashians. It is a sorry state of affairs when an event that involved the death of so many gets lost in the overwhelming number of other stories of genocides, stretching back into the earliest history of civilization, all the way up through the WWII, to Rawanda, to today. It seems that the numbers are just so high, and the reality just so unimaginable, that we just can't think of it at all. I found a list here of the worst genocides of just the 20th century. Apparently in spite of knowing how awful something is, there seems no stopping it.
So it is important to remember, to think, to find a way to understand the unthinkable, and it is usually done through personalizing the event. We understand the Holocaust most because of our familiarity with the story of Anne Frank. We can feel the impact of the genocide in Rawanda because of it being personalized by the film Hotel Rwanda. We can wrap our heads around Pol Pot because of the film The Killing Fields.
So personalize the Armenian genocide, and stop by to see the exhibit sometime this month or next. It starts Monday, December 7th in the Beshara Room. And consider coming in January to the talk given by Tom Vartabedian, who is responsible for the exhibit.
This terrible time in history is something I am ashamed to admit that I knew nothing about until, of all things, hearing about it through the Kardashians. It is a sorry state of affairs when an event that involved the death of so many gets lost in the overwhelming number of other stories of genocides, stretching back into the earliest history of civilization, all the way up through the WWII, to Rawanda, to today. It seems that the numbers are just so high, and the reality just so unimaginable, that we just can't think of it at all. I found a list here of the worst genocides of just the 20th century. Apparently in spite of knowing how awful something is, there seems no stopping it.
So it is important to remember, to think, to find a way to understand the unthinkable, and it is usually done through personalizing the event. We understand the Holocaust most because of our familiarity with the story of Anne Frank. We can feel the impact of the genocide in Rawanda because of it being personalized by the film Hotel Rwanda. We can wrap our heads around Pol Pot because of the film The Killing Fields.
So personalize the Armenian genocide, and stop by to see the exhibit sometime this month or next. It starts Monday, December 7th in the Beshara Room. And consider coming in January to the talk given by Tom Vartabedian, who is responsible for the exhibit.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Don't put off til tomorrow . . .
A recent event has given me a strong push towards getting at all those things I have put off until tomorrow. I am sure that there are lots of folks who are extremely organized, have all their important papers organized and up-to-date, have a house that is neat as a pin, is all ready for Christmas, let along Thanksgiving. Sadly, there are a lot of us that have that all accomplished only in our best intentioned imagination.
I fall into the best intentions list. Normally, I look around and say this weekend I will get this all organized, or I read the great book 5@Fifty, by Judith D. Grimaldi, and am making to-do lists.
But this time I am hoping things will be different. My lists are all made, my plans are set, and now it is time to do it all. It is times like this that I am glad I am a librarian and work at a library. It may be natural for me to procrastinate, but at least I know that I can find just how to do whatever needs to be done right here at the library. The Library has suggestions and how-tos for everything. Cleaning? Check. Organizing? Check. What documents should I have to prepare for the future? Check. Investing? Check. Planning for retirement? Check. Remodeling or redecorating? Check. Getting a new job or helping my career? Check.
Of course the list can go on and on, but you get the idea. The Library has what you need, even if it is just another way to procrastinate!
I fall into the best intentions list. Normally, I look around and say this weekend I will get this all organized, or I read the great book 5@Fifty, by Judith D. Grimaldi, and am making to-do lists.
But this time I am hoping things will be different. My lists are all made, my plans are set, and now it is time to do it all. It is times like this that I am glad I am a librarian and work at a library. It may be natural for me to procrastinate, but at least I know that I can find just how to do whatever needs to be done right here at the library. The Library has suggestions and how-tos for everything. Cleaning? Check. Organizing? Check. What documents should I have to prepare for the future? Check. Investing? Check. Planning for retirement? Check. Remodeling or redecorating? Check. Getting a new job or helping my career? Check.
Of course the list can go on and on, but you get the idea. The Library has what you need, even if it is just another way to procrastinate!
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Budget Season
As surely as the leaves start changing color, the annual Budget Season is upon us once again. The Budget Season you may ask? It is that 7 or 8 month process that the Town of Salem (and thus the library) works through to achieve an annual operating budget. This month is the most interesting of the process, with the budget being carefully scrutinized by the Budget Committee line by line. I know there are those that see this as a tedious process, or a nit-picky one, but as someone relatively new to the concept of a Budget Committee I find it fascinating.
I have had to produce budgets my whole career, and defend them as well. However, the process elsewhere was entirely different. There was no real philosophical discussion of the purpose, need, or use of the funds in a line. There was no lively repartee between committee members or between the committee and those of us defending the budget. It wasn't televised so that the meeting could be followed remotely, or followed at an individual's convenience. Generally it was done in quiet obscurity, nearly forgotten by the citizenry, who were confident that it was somehow being handled by someone.
Here in NH, we savor the process, watching the interplay of concerned citizens, elected committee members, and employees, learning the inner workings and needs of the various departments, coming to understand the complexities of funding town services just enough. What a wonderful way to see our government at work. If you have never taken the opportunity to experience the process, be sure to at least dip into a session or two. You can always drop in at the meetings, or more easily, watch it in the comfort of your home (but you really miss some of the nuances on TV). You can find the schedule here. I highly recommend giving it a try.
I have had to produce budgets my whole career, and defend them as well. However, the process elsewhere was entirely different. There was no real philosophical discussion of the purpose, need, or use of the funds in a line. There was no lively repartee between committee members or between the committee and those of us defending the budget. It wasn't televised so that the meeting could be followed remotely, or followed at an individual's convenience. Generally it was done in quiet obscurity, nearly forgotten by the citizenry, who were confident that it was somehow being handled by someone.
Here in NH, we savor the process, watching the interplay of concerned citizens, elected committee members, and employees, learning the inner workings and needs of the various departments, coming to understand the complexities of funding town services just enough. What a wonderful way to see our government at work. If you have never taken the opportunity to experience the process, be sure to at least dip into a session or two. You can always drop in at the meetings, or more easily, watch it in the comfort of your home (but you really miss some of the nuances on TV). You can find the schedule here. I highly recommend giving it a try.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Buzzwords
Buzzwords are always cropping up. You know those terms or phrases that catch on with the public and swamp the press, but often aren't all that clear. There is a long list of puzzling, yet current ones here. Business, of course, is a hotbed of buzzwords.
Libraries are not immune to them, and one has caught on big: maker spaces. Libraries are now being encouraged to be maker spaces - offer equipment, space, supplies so that entrepreneurs and average folk can experiment and create. There have been some projects that are just mouth-dropping: libraries that have created space for metal and wood shops, foundries (well, small scale). At the other end of the scale are libraries that have carved out a corner and supplied it with a variety of basic office equipment and supplies for folks. The expectation has been huge for us libraries, but the nuts and bolts have been elusive. We all would like to offer a wood shop, but where do we find the space, the staff, the $$$?? And why libraries?
That really is an easy answer. We libraries are founded on the idea of providing access to materials that support lifelong learning, the exploration of ideas, concepts and activities. Access to materials that help you improve the quality of your life from spiritually to economically. Maker spaces are just another way to provide that access. Video brought visual access, online brought digital access, maker spaces provide physical access.
Libraries are learning that we don't have to build a blast furnace, but we can provide the tools. So libraries are circulating a wide variety of tools, tools that you might need to accomplish one thing, but you don't really want to invest in something you may only use once: post hole diggers, soldering irons, jewelry-making tools: the list goes on and on. Cake pans are a standard - several libraries in GMILCS circulate specialty shaped pans for that one time you want to make a Cookie Monster cake. So we are joining the buzz as well with our first of many tools for circulation: a sewing machine.
This machine was a generous donation. If you have a tool in great shape that you think might be of use to others via the library, please get in touch with me (abaker@kelleylibrary.org) and we will see what is possible. PLEASE don't bring it to the library before talking with me! Space and safety is critical, so let's just talk first to coordinate it all. but with your help, we can move maker space from buzz to accepted.
Libraries are not immune to them, and one has caught on big: maker spaces. Libraries are now being encouraged to be maker spaces - offer equipment, space, supplies so that entrepreneurs and average folk can experiment and create. There have been some projects that are just mouth-dropping: libraries that have created space for metal and wood shops, foundries (well, small scale). At the other end of the scale are libraries that have carved out a corner and supplied it with a variety of basic office equipment and supplies for folks. The expectation has been huge for us libraries, but the nuts and bolts have been elusive. We all would like to offer a wood shop, but where do we find the space, the staff, the $$$?? And why libraries?
That really is an easy answer. We libraries are founded on the idea of providing access to materials that support lifelong learning, the exploration of ideas, concepts and activities. Access to materials that help you improve the quality of your life from spiritually to economically. Maker spaces are just another way to provide that access. Video brought visual access, online brought digital access, maker spaces provide physical access.
Libraries are learning that we don't have to build a blast furnace, but we can provide the tools. So libraries are circulating a wide variety of tools, tools that you might need to accomplish one thing, but you don't really want to invest in something you may only use once: post hole diggers, soldering irons, jewelry-making tools: the list goes on and on. Cake pans are a standard - several libraries in GMILCS circulate specialty shaped pans for that one time you want to make a Cookie Monster cake. So we are joining the buzz as well with our first of many tools for circulation: a sewing machine.
This machine was a generous donation. If you have a tool in great shape that you think might be of use to others via the library, please get in touch with me (abaker@kelleylibrary.org) and we will see what is possible. PLEASE don't bring it to the library before talking with me! Space and safety is critical, so let's just talk first to coordinate it all. but with your help, we can move maker space from buzz to accepted.
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