Have you met Betty?

I'm sure most of you have met Betty - her cheery face is there at the desk greeting us all, making us laugh and adding a bright spot to every day. She has become a bit of a celebrity this week because of the Baked Bean Cook-off - not because she won or she was a judge, but because she was front and center in the local paper's picture of the event. So many people have seen it and commented on it to her, she is almost regretting having come to taste the beans. Almost, but not really, because Betty belongs right there in the mix of things, bringing that ray of sunshine with her. But as much as we all know Betty, we don't really 'know' her so we are asking the 5 Questions of her this time.

1. Complete the sentence: When I am not at the library, you can find me:
At home cleaning.

2. Describe your perfect day: Lounging by the pool on a beautiful, warm and sunny day

3. If you had to live somewhere else than NH, where would it be? Florida

4. What three things can you always find in your fridge? Hot and spicy V8 juice, cheese and salad.

5. You would be surprised to find out that I: Have lived in the same house since I was 2.

After this, Betty decided she was boring - "I have lived in the same place since I was 2, married to the same man for 47 years, and worked at the same place for 31 years". She's anything but boring, she is fun, funny and you never know what she is going to say next.

Our New Assistant Director

Our new Assistant Director started this week. Her name is Michele Garneau and we were lucky enough to steal her from Manchester City Library. Michele has a wide and varied experience professionally and personally that will be a wonderful asset to our library, our community and our staff.

Michele is from New England (Rhode Island), but as the wife of a career Army man, she has lived and worked in many different places in the US as well as a stint in Germany. With each new Army posting, she found a new job and new experience. With her husband’s retirement from the military, they resettled in New Hampshire, leading to her working at Manchester for eleven years – first as a children’s librarian, then as a cataloger, then as department head.

She is looking forward to the new challenges of working at Kelley and also looking forward to becoming a part of the Salem community. Manchester is part of the GMILCS system, and as a result Michele already knew some of the Kelley staff from meetings and committee work. She is fitting in smoothly and already feels like a long-time member of the staff.

It seemed only right to have her be the second staff person to face the 5 Questions with the Kelley Staff:

1. Complete this sentence: When I am not at work, you can find me: Singing.
2. Describe your perfect day: Getting up early, and having coffee on the deck or at a picnic table. Then a long walk and a lunch at a nice restaurant with good food. Spending the day with my husband.
3. If you had to live somewhere else than NH, where would it be?: In Arizona to be near my daughter and grandson.
4. What 3 things can you always find in your fridge?: Yogurt, salad fixings, eggs - nothing exciting, I am a simple person.
5. You would be surprised to find out that I: ride a motorcycle.

The thrill of competition

I am excited to announce the First Baked Bean Cook-Off at the Kelley Library. We are hosting a cooking competition featuring that pre-eminent New England dish - baked beans. There are two categories that cooks can compete in - traditional from scratch baked beans and 'altered' beans which will feature creative changes to a can of baked beans. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded by our Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges headed by Fire Chief Breen. The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 20. Slots for competitors will be limited, so registration is required. Pick up a registration form at the library or print off our website starting Monday, January 18. Watch for details as the event approaches.

Film: Blazing Saddles
Book: The Beans of Egypt, Maine, by Carolyn Chute

Looking at the past year

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.

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.

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

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.