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.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
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.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Freedom Shrine
Next time you come by the library, be sure to stop in the lobby and see the new location of the inspirational Freedom Shrine, donated by the Exchange Club. The shrine is made up of large scale copies of 32 important documents highlighting American history, ranging from the Mayflower Compact up through WWII. The group of documents have been on display for many years, but in an area of the library that didn't have a lot of traffic. We decided to bring them out into a more central location, near two other original documents that the library is honored to have. The new location is awesome (if I do say so myself!), bringing distinction to the documents and to the lobby itself. These are important documents, especially in a period of our history when we seem to be discussing the role of America. These documents reminds us of our past, providing guidance for our future.
The two additional documents, one the map of the Veterans Markers here is Salem, and the other a list of local soldiers from WWI remind us of the high price of our freedom as well as reminding us to remember all the sacrifices made by Americans throughout our history.
The display will be completed by August 10th, with all but 2 of the Freedom Shrine documents currently in place.
The two additional documents, one the map of the Veterans Markers here is Salem, and the other a list of local soldiers from WWI remind us of the high price of our freedom as well as reminding us to remember all the sacrifices made by Americans throughout our history.
The display will be completed by August 10th, with all but 2 of the Freedom Shrine documents currently in place.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
We all have opinions
We are doing a little, fun thing at the library this month. It is called You Choose, and it is a weekly squaring off between two books, two movies or a book and a movie. Anyone coming to the library gets to vote on which of the two is the better. We started this week with a challenge between Sherlock Holmes: do you prefer Robert Downey Jr.'s version or Benedict Cumberbatch's?
We all have strong opinions about the books and movies we read/view. And even stronger ones when we have loved a book and were horribly disappointed in the film version. I was thinking about why this is, and it really is all about the fundamental reason we continue to read, or watch movies. We love hearing stories. And if that story speaks to us, touches a nerve, brings back an experience, then we have strong feelings for or against that story. If you read a book at just the right moment in your life, when the book connects in a way that it may not at any other time, then it really becomes a part of your life and continues to have an impact throughout your life. I know one odd book that had that impact for me is The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende. I read it many years ago and the central themes of the book were reflected in my life at that time. As a result it has stayed in my mind as a favorite, although I have never revisited the book. I made the mistake of watching the movie - awful! Why? Well it didn't capture the underlying meaning well, so the movie didn't connect. Other movies based on books that I have read don't anger me when they are a poor translation of the story generally because the story didn't speak to me. The various Charlie and the Chocolate Factory versions (film and book) are examples for me. The book was just okay, so whatever was done to it in the movies didn't matter to me. I could watch the movie versions just for themselves. I know that other people have very strong feelings about all the versions. And of course, there are those book to movie translations that really stand alone. The Shining comes to me as an example. Loved the book, loved the movie in spite of it not keeping to the book.
So I hope you will stop by and cast your vote. And if you have some suggestions for inclusion in the You Choose challenge - send them along to me: abaker@kelleylibrary.org.
We all have strong opinions about the books and movies we read/view. And even stronger ones when we have loved a book and were horribly disappointed in the film version. I was thinking about why this is, and it really is all about the fundamental reason we continue to read, or watch movies. We love hearing stories. And if that story speaks to us, touches a nerve, brings back an experience, then we have strong feelings for or against that story. If you read a book at just the right moment in your life, when the book connects in a way that it may not at any other time, then it really becomes a part of your life and continues to have an impact throughout your life. I know one odd book that had that impact for me is The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende. I read it many years ago and the central themes of the book were reflected in my life at that time. As a result it has stayed in my mind as a favorite, although I have never revisited the book. I made the mistake of watching the movie - awful! Why? Well it didn't capture the underlying meaning well, so the movie didn't connect. Other movies based on books that I have read don't anger me when they are a poor translation of the story generally because the story didn't speak to me. The various Charlie and the Chocolate Factory versions (film and book) are examples for me. The book was just okay, so whatever was done to it in the movies didn't matter to me. I could watch the movie versions just for themselves. I know that other people have very strong feelings about all the versions. And of course, there are those book to movie translations that really stand alone. The Shining comes to me as an example. Loved the book, loved the movie in spite of it not keeping to the book.
So I hope you will stop by and cast your vote. And if you have some suggestions for inclusion in the You Choose challenge - send them along to me: abaker@kelleylibrary.org.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Old and New
I have talked a number of times of changes here at the library and as we created yet another new seating area at the back of the library, I was thinking of old and new. There are those of us that want only the old and comfortable, others want new all the time, and then there are the majority of us that want to keep our favorites and embrace some fresh things. One thing led to another in my mind, and an idea for a challenge was born.
Starting at the end of the month, we will be having a weekly vote-off between a new and old version (movie v remake, book v filmed version). When you come to the library - take a moment to cast your vote and check on the results of prior contests. This will all culminate at the end of August with the final face-off: classic TV Man From Uncle, or the new movie version due out in mid-August.
Watch for the first face-off the week of June 22nd.
Starting at the end of the month, we will be having a weekly vote-off between a new and old version (movie v remake, book v filmed version). When you come to the library - take a moment to cast your vote and check on the results of prior contests. This will all culminate at the end of August with the final face-off: classic TV Man From Uncle, or the new movie version due out in mid-August.
Watch for the first face-off the week of June 22nd.
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