tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60313202618326780832024-02-06T20:50:55.661-08:00Heard Around the StacksPublic Librarian Discusses Library LifeChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-20472588512844951662011-09-21T10:34:00.000-07:002011-09-21T14:46:21.962-07:00This Blog Has Moved!This blog has a new home!<br /><br />CLICK <a href="http://heardaroundthestacks.wordpress.com/">HERE</a> TO GO TO THE NEW STACKS!<br /><br />Follow me on there for more library related posts!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-47704236326283589332011-07-10T20:55:00.000-07:002011-07-10T21:28:10.440-07:00Review: Barnes and Noble Nook ColorThis post has been a long time coming. I purchased a Nook Color at the end of May and it was one of the best purchases I have ever made. As a librarian, I feel it is my duty to read as many books as I can get my hands on. To me, I think that any librarian should be able to give a patron a :30 second "<a href="http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/">Book Talk</a>." When a patron asks for a recommendation and they receive a halfhearted response, they will be less likely to check out a potentially life-changing book. By purchasing the Nook Color, I will be able to read books that have a shorter reserve list and also keep the physical book on the shelf for patrons.<br /><br />Barnes and Noble Nook Color:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Unboxing</span>: The box the Nook Color comes in is exceptional. Sleek and innovative, it makes you feel like you have purchased something truly special. The box is elongated and uses a magnetic closure at the bottom. When I was sliding the Nook out of the box, I felt a tinge of excitement. The Nook was much larger than I anticipated, as I had only seen an Amazon Kindle and I enjoyed the weight of the device in my hands. Once the Nook was out of the box, it had a very informative tutorial for you to go through when you turned it on.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Turning the Nook on</span>: On the upper left corner of the Nook Color, there is a power button which turns the Nook Color off and also puts it into hibernation mode. There is also an "n" on the bottom-center of the device, which wakes the device from hibernation mode.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Weight and Size</span>: The Nook is quite a bit larger than the Amazon Kindle and the Nook 1st Gen. Even though it is larger than the Kindle, it isn't too heavy and can be easily held. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Backlit Screen</span>: Unlike the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes and Noble Nook Color uses a backlit screen. Though it is not as easy on the eyes as the Kindle, it allows me to read in bed before I go to sleep without worrying about where the light source is. You can adjust the screen brightness and I have found it makes it easier to use in different light sources (night, outside in bright sun, in the car w/ limited light).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Touch Screen</span>: The touch screen is large and fairly responsive. Every so often, the touch screen is a little sluggish in its response. It appears to respond to turning eBook pages well, but when using the web-browsing feature it can "lock up" for a second. Even with the slower response time, however it does not hinder the web experience to the point of frustration.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ease of Use</span>: Once I set up my Barnes and Noble account on the website and tied my credit card to it, I was able to make "Wish Lists" and download books right away. Books can be downloaded via the B&N website or directly from the Nook. Barnes and Noble also offers magazine subscriptions, which can be viewed in full-color with the Nook Color. <br /><br />To Be Completed:<br />-cont. Ease of Use<br />-Purchasing: Books, Magazines, Newspapers<br />-Downloading an eBook from Overdrive<br />-Transfering Files: Music, Pictures, ePub files, Documents<br />-Browsing the Internet<br />-Using Apps<br />-Overview of Settings<br />-Special Features: Searching, Bookmarks, Article View, Sharing, Text, Notes, Highlighting, Look Up Feature, Auto-rotate function, Viewing Video, Using Audio<br />-Wi-fi Connectivity<br />-Setting Up Shelves<br />-Using the LendMe FunctionChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-71772496808896859452011-06-22T15:17:00.001-07:002011-06-22T15:52:56.450-07:00Giddy Up and Read: Wild West Story TimeAs the children's progammer I am in-charge of our Pre-school Story Time every wednesday.<br /><br />This Wednesday we had a Wild West Story Time, which the kids really enjoyed!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Books read</span>:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Widdermaker</span> by Pattie Schnetzler<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Desert Rose and her highfalutin hog</span> by Alison Jackson<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I want to be a cowgirl</span> by Jeanne Wills<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Other books displayed</span>:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The foot-stomping adventures of Clementine Sweet</span> by Kitty Griffin<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The cowboy ABC</span> by David Hamilton-Murdoch<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa</span> by Erica Silverman<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The brave cowboy</span> by Joan Anglund-Walsh<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Tyrannosaurus Tex</span> by Betty Birney<br /><br />I had all of the kids sit around on the floor and made a "fire" using toilet paper tubes, sticks and made construction paper flames. I read <span style="fhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifont-style:italic;">Desert Rose and Her Highfalutin Hog</span> and then we sang a campfire song called "The Campfire Pokey" (see below) which got the kids up and moving. After that I read <span style="font-style:italic;">Widdermaker</span> and we played a ring toss game. I had made a quick cactus out of cardboard and rings out of pipe-cleaners, they had a lot of fun and I gave them sheriff's stars with their names on them that I had cut out using the Cricut. We read the final story <span style="font-style:italic;">I want to be a cowgirl</span> and then colored cowboys/girls that I got from <a href="http://www.makingfriends.com/friends/f+cowboy.htm">HERE</a>. We finished by gluing the dolls together and I sent them home with "take home paper." I make a take home paper every week and it is normally a two column sheet. In the first column I type a little poem or song, paired with some cute clip art that fits the theme. In the second column I paste a picture they can color or a bookmark they can cut out. On this weeks take home paper they got "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain" and a section of "Cowboy Lingo." The coloring side had a cowboy with a lasso.<br /><br />Next Story Time Theme: Bang! Boom! Crash! A Fourth of July Story TimeChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-27032665261115280882011-06-17T08:16:00.001-07:002011-06-17T08:16:59.145-07:00Bookstores: Going Extinct?<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/15/entertainment/la-et-last-bookstore-20110615">The Last Bookstore</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Before launching a business, some people invest in market research and feasibility studies. Josh Spencer is not one of those people — otherwise he might never have opened his downtown L.A. used bookstore in December 2009, let alone moved it a few blocks away this month to a 10,000-square-foot space.</blockquote><br /><br />I find this fascinating. People are praising Mr. Spencer for opening a bookstore "in these dire times" and yet they seem to forgot about the thousands of independent booksellers who have remained open in spite of the eBook boom. I'm glad that this has seemingly renewed the interest in bookstores, but I don't understand why we haven't been trying to save the bookstores we already have.<br /><br />I know that I'm partly to blame. I bought a Nook Color recently and I am exceedingly excited to start using it to read my books. I also, however, purchased the entire <span style="font-style:italic;">A Song of Ice and Fire</span> series in paperback because wanted to keep them in my permanent library. Am I a bad person for preferring to read books on an eReader vs a physical copy?<br /><br />Answer these 10 questions:<br /><br />1. When was the last time you bought a book from an independent bookseller?<br />2. How many books do you buy from independent booksellers in a year?<br />3. What influences you most when it comes to purchasing books?<br />4. Why do you choose to buy a book vs. checking it out from a public library?<br />5. Who recommends books to you?<br />6. Where do you buy most of your books?<br />7. In what format do you buy most of your books?<br />8. Do you lend books out that you buy?<br />9. Would you be more willing to lend an eBook vs a physical copy of a book?<br />10. If your local independent bookseller had an online catalog, would you be more willing to purchase from them?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Next Post</span>: Nook Color ReviewChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-11720199169187040402011-06-12T09:59:00.000-07:002011-06-12T10:07:14.075-07:00The First of ManyA book review by yours truly:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A Game of Thrones</span> by George R.R. Martin<br /><br />Winter is coming. In the first installment of George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, summer has lasted for ten years, yet winter is almost upon the many compelling characters of Westeros and Essos. Told from the point of view of eight distinct characters, Martin had me hooked from the first chapter in which Eddard Stark’s young son Bran witnesses his father exact justice on a deserter of the Night’s Watch. One of the most intriguing aspects of A Song of Ice and Fire, is that Martin does not explore the world only through the eyes of what many would consider good characters. Many of the characters who help make up the story are malevolent, morally corrupt, inhumanly awful beings who quickly enrapture you and tangle you in webs full of lies and deceit. By moving back and forth between the lives of so many well-crafted characters, you begin to form alliances against certain characters drawing you even further into the world that Martin has created. <br /><br />Within just <span style="font-style:italic;">A Game of Thrones</span>, you become a well-traveled citizen of Martin’s stunningly imaginative landscapes. As you move within Westeros, you are introduced to families whose houses go back centuries and who have played the game of thrones for almost as long. Within the continent of Westeros, you are also involved in the political intrigue that makes up the backbone of this first A Song of Ice and Fire book. Crossing the Narrow Sea, you are allowed into the lives of Daenyrs Targaryen and the vast, wild plains that Khal Drogo’s khalasaar roam. Along every step of the way, you begin to find yourself falling deeper and deeper into the world these characters inhabit, rooting adamantly for the survival of certain characters.<br /><br />This book has finally given me a series to look forward to, much the way Brian Jacque’s did with his <span style="font-style:italic;">Redwall</span> series when I was younger. I can not wait to read on and live, or die, with the characters that George R. R. Martin has created. Winter is coming is definitely coming and I can’t wait.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-2242414729960926232011-06-06T20:01:00.000-07:002011-06-06T20:04:35.225-07:00A Library is Many Things<a href="http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/05/library-is-many-things.html">Letters of Note</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Early-1971, in an effort to attract as many youngsters to the premises as possible, Marguerite Hart — children's librarian at the newly-opened public library in Troy, Michigan — wrote to a number of notable people with a request: to reply with a congratulatory letter, addressed to the children of Troy, in which the benefits of visiting such a library were explained in some form. It's heartening to know that an impressive 97 people did exactly that, and below are just four of those replies, all from authors: Isaac Asimov; Hardie Gramatky; Theodore Geisel; and E. B. White.</blockquote><br /><br />All of the letters have been posted <a href="http://troylibrary.info/letterstothechildrenoftroy">here</a>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-83978961122489823302011-06-01T18:21:00.001-07:002011-06-03T00:23:37.827-07:00I Feel Like a Filthy TraitorI have been eyeing a Barnes and Noble Nook for some time now. Every time I see a commercial on television or receive a B&N email, it renews my eReader fervor. I have become completely convinced that I must have one. I do, however, feel like this makes me a terrible librarian. I keep fighting to keep my beloved books stocked on library shelves and yet I feel the need to venture over to the dark side, the side of eBooks. <br /><br />I feel like this begs the question. Does it make someone less of an advocate for "physical literacy" if they own an eReader? Is it ok for me to have an eReader as long as it jives with our libraries current Overdrive system? Am I really a dirty traitor?Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-64041798674851531422011-05-27T06:59:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:09:16.237-07:00First Ever, Found Object FridayWorking in a library I come across the strangest things left inside books. I thought that it would be an interesting idea to make a "Found Object" post every Friday! That way I can share my findings with you.<br /><br />The first found object, which I think is one of the best, is a copy of the Kansas City Star from 1969. The fact that the paper has stayed relatively intact since 1969 is pretty amazing, but what is even more amazing is the content of this particular paper:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUoE91CjHd3blzYObDyPzoIyV1DJTwAfqMsmXNq0BR74uqCdwoJxgQxJ7uJTBt3J7vaQBjWFmpHRXavoWc3E1_uNgn4oRs3YFWXirc7v5DZuhCIO7CSSX7af_AvIF4hwrO4sk9XdFDg/s1600/paper.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUoE91CjHd3blzYObDyPzoIyV1DJTwAfqMsmXNq0BR74uqCdwoJxgQxJ7uJTBt3J7vaQBjWFmpHRXavoWc3E1_uNgn4oRs3YFWXirc7v5DZuhCIO7CSSX7af_AvIF4hwrO4sk9XdFDg/s320/paper.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611396876740884034" /></a><br /><br />The date on the paper is July 26, 1969. At that time the cost to purchase it was 10 cents. Incredible! I was very excited when I opened the donated atlas (which was in terrible shape) and found this newspaper. I am going to try and see if we can preserve it and frame it. The inside has some really incredible 60's infographics about the mission and the space craft and I would love to frame it.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-85609546941990281002011-05-20T16:37:00.000-07:002011-05-21T07:02:42.438-07:00Librarians: Privacy SuperheroesLibraries must be<a href="http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/hyperpublic/2011/05/18/rebooting-library-privacy-in-the-age-of-the-network/"> beacons of privacy</a> in an increasingly public world.<br /><br />Even the small pubic library where I work does it's part in keeping with our patrons right to privacy. In fact, we take it extraordinarily serious. Everyone who works at the library has undergone extensive training in regards to our privacy policies and all of our staff were required to take online courses in library law/policy. Our LISTEN system allows us access to extremely sensitive patron information, which we never give out, nor do we allow other patrons access to it. Information such as home addresses and email addresses are never used inappropriately (i.e., spam marketing or solicitations). <br /><br />Another way we protect our patrons is by shredding all documents and labels that contain patron information. This means that every reserve wrapper is shredded almost immediately after it is removed from the book. We also fiercely protect the privacy of our patrons when it comes to what they are reading. I have had friends, husbands, siblings and bosses ask me what 'so in so' has out and that information would never cross to the other side of the desk. <br /><br />The article was quite interesting and I very much agree with the author that libraries need to set the standard in terms of individual privacy and community based. <br /><br />What do you think? Do you believe that the library goes above and beyond in regards to your privacy? Is there something more that libraries could/should do?Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-21796554299042302762011-05-19T07:28:00.000-07:002011-05-21T07:06:28.620-07:00Kindle Books Now Beating All Print Versions Combined......<a href="http://gizmodo.com/5803480/kindle-books-now-beating-all-print-versions-combined">on Amazon</a><br /><br />This statistic is coming from Amazon re: Amazon, it is not encompassing the entire book industry. Even though Amazon has quite the market share when it comes to books, they don't have all of it!<br /><br />Amazon is, for lack of a better phrase, the "Wal-Mart of the internet" and people treat it as such. When I want to buy a book, I do not normally think to purchase it off of Amazon, rather I venture to Barnes and Noble or an independent book-seller. Especially now that Borders is gone and B&N is the only major chain selling books, I will try to take as much of my business to Barnes and Noble as I can. <br /><br />How does this affect the library? So far it hasn't. We still have people clamoring for the newest paper copy of James Patterson's book of the week and I don't see it affecting rural/semi-rural public libraries in the immediate future.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-72504021930215411582011-05-13T13:24:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:24:08.614-07:00Mike Matas: A next-generation digital book | Video on TED.com<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_matas.html">Mike Matas: A next-generation digital book | Video on TED.com</a><br /><br />Software developer Mike Matas demos the first full-length interactive book for the iPad -- with clever, swipeable video and graphics and some very cool data visualizations to play with. The book is "Our Choice," Al Gore's sequel to "An Inconvenient Truth."Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-274456298364993592011-05-04T18:58:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:22:51.975-07:00Interesting Studies I Have Stumbled UponWhen I have some downtime, I like to read library/literacy related studies/articles (because I am a massive nerd). Some of the latest studies that I have come across I figured I would share!<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.washington.edu/news/articles/college-students2019-use-of-kindle-dx-points-to-e-reader2019s-role-in-academia">College students’ use of Kindle DX points to e-reader’s role in academia</a><br /> <blockquote>A study of how University of Washington graduate students integrated an Amazon Kindle DX into their course reading provides the first long-term investigation of e-readers in higher education. While some of the study’s findings were expected – students want improved support for taking notes, checking references and viewing figures – the authors also found that allowing people to switch between reading styles, and providing the reader with physical cues, are two challenges that e-readers will need to address in cracking the college market.</blockquote><br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/quiet-the-power-introverts/201104/how-reading-improves-your-social-life">How Reading Improves Your Social Life</a><br /> <blockquote>...a study[*] suggesting that fiction readers tend to be more empathic than non-fiction readers. This could of course be correlation rather than causation -- maybe the kind of person who likes fiction is more empathic to start with -- but the researchers think not.</blockquote><br /><br />*I can not seem to find this study, so if anyone actually finds an active link, let me know!<br /><br />3. <a href="http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com/2011/04/04/21-things-that-will-disappear-from-education-in-the-next-10-years/">21 Things that Will Disappear from Education in the Next 10 Years</a><br /> <blockquote>While libraries as a whole are not schools, they are directly related to the education field and academic libraries are of course impacted even more. As a librarian at a two-year college, we are being asked right now to create our vision for the next ten years and then to extend that to what we believe the college classroom will look like in ten years.</blockquote><br /><br />4. <a href="http://xrefer.blogspot.com/2011/05/red-letter-day-for-darwin.html">Red letter day for Darwin Correspondence Project</a><br /> <blockquote>The project mapping Charles Darwin's life and work in the 15,000 letters he wrote or received during his extraordinary lifetime will be completed after a £5 million funding package was announced. The awards, announced by Cambridge University Library and the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), will ensure the full completion of the definitive, award-winning edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin.</blockquote><br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.teleread.com/library/petition-against-harpercollins-ebooklibrary-policy-garners-53786-signatures/">Petition against HarperCollins ebook/library policy garners 53,786 signatures</a><br /><br />Ok, so 5 isn't really an article, but more of a HUGE PAT ON THE BACK TO LIBRARIANS EVERYWHERE!! Libraries totally made their voices heard by boycotting HarperCollins over the eBook scandal of 2011. Go libraries!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-21739177205630160392011-04-25T13:31:00.000-07:002011-04-25T13:50:59.132-07:00Getting it on at the library, digitally<a href="http://gizmodo.com/#!5795309/new-york-libraries-come-on-in-and-watch-some-porn">New York Libraries: Come on in and Watch Some Porn</a><br /><br />We have this issue now. We currently have filters setup on our public computers, but it doesn't completely prevent people from viewing sites with adult content on them. Unless we remotely access the computers or someone complains, we can not see what the patron is viewing. Its a difficult position to put our circulation staff in as they are the ones that have to monitor the computer usage. Most of the time, a redirection towards proper behavior is enough ("Sir, there are children present in the library and that is not the most appropriate material to be viewing publicly."). <br /><br />People are very creative with their "adult content" viewing though. We have several patrons that use YouTube (VS bra advertisements, pole dancing competition videos, work out videos) and FanFiction sites. These same patrons enjoy checking out erotica (Zane mostly) and have found out that Negima contains fairly graphic images and adult situations. <br /><br />As far as the freedom of speech aspect, I agree that it should be protected. In Missouri, however, we have policies that regulate the the public display of offensive or sexually explicit materials (RS MO-573.060) and this allows us to revoke computer privileges for the display of sexually explicit materials on the computer. The library system is also required by CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act, PL 106-554) to have filters on all library computers so that minors are protected from viewing sexually explicit materials. Individuals (17+) can request that the filters be removed, but when we remove the filters we will be able to see if the site is suitable for the patron to be viewing. These "Internet Acceptable Use Policies" are posted next to every computer and are available upon request for any patron that asks. <br /><br />Missouri has some fairly tough laws on <a href="http://www.lectlaw.com/files/sex08.htm">cyber porn</a> and it helps to have these laws backing publicly funded libraries!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-66947373409876603562011-03-31T12:44:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:24:50.912-07:00Erin McKean redefines the dictionary | Video on TED.com<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/erin_mckean_redefines_the_dictionary.html">Erin McKean redefines the dictionary | Video on TED.com</a><br /><br />Is the beloved paper dictionary doomed to extinction? In this infectiously exuberant talk, leading lexicographer Erin McKean looks at the many ways today's print dictionary is poised for transformation.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-33163044947199054432011-03-26T08:53:00.000-07:002011-03-26T09:50:13.456-07:00Reader's Advisory ListsSince working at the library I have come up with several Reader's Advisory Lists so that we can better serve our patrons.<br /><br />Some of the lists are as follows:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sink Your Teeth Into...</span>- Zombie, werewolf, vampire books<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">History in the Making</span>- Modern warfare novels (fiction/non-fiction)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Muy Caliente!</span>- Spanish books (we don't have very many :( )<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Black is brown is tan</span>- Children's books on diversity<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">You Think You Have Problems</span>- YA books covering tough YA issues<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">On The Battlefield</span>- Civil war novels (fiction/non-fiction)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Literary Critic</span>- Books considered "classics" <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fireside Fav's</span>- Books that are good for curling up beside the fireplace and reading<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bone Appetit</span>- Culinary mysteries and cozy mysteries<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">History Buff's</span>- J/Y list of historical fiction<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Super Sleuths</span>- J/Y mystery books<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">VIB's</span>- Very Important Biographies<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Geeking Out</span>- Fiction Science books<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1-2-3 Read</span>- Books on math for young readers<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bank on Books</span>- Personal finance books<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Its a Perfect World</span>- Utopian novels<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Its an Imperfect World</span>- Dystopian novels<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Popular Reads (Year)</span>- This changes each year and we rotate them out<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Doctor! Doctor!</span>- Medical books (fiction)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Here's to Your Health</span>- Nutrition and fitness books<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pwning Newbs</span>- Fiction books on video games and gamingChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-59524793334287706922011-03-20T13:46:00.000-07:002011-03-20T13:49:13.132-07:00Gaiman, put your money where your mouth is!If you haven't already heard: <a href="http://ca.gizmodo.com/5776518/harpercollins-forcing-libraries-to-re+buy-ebooks-after-26-checkouts">Harper Collins is Evil</a><br /><br />We had a meeting about it at our branch, so I decided to highlight some points for you:<br /><br />- HarperCollins chose 26 checkouts because the standard loan period is 2 weeks, this gives the library about one year worth of use for the eBook. Apparently books only last for a year.... <br /><br />- OverDrive, which is the distributor that most libraries use for downloadable eBooks, didn't really stand up to HarperCollins, they rolled over and let libraries take another hit. Apparently OverDrive agrees with Harper Collins that libraries replace the majority of their physical collection every year! <br /><br />- The way OverDrive works is that the library systems have to buy a license to use it and then purchase the books separately (at around $100 a book). This means that you will have to renew your license every year with OverDrive as well as re-purchase the book every time it hits 26 check outs. OverDrive doesn't allow for libraries to purchase pre-selected collections for the price of the license, so that means paying for the service and for the product separately. <br /><br />- The 26 check out limit poses a problem for librarians. "Do you have this book?" becomes a guessing game. "Well it was here yesterday, but it may have been removed from our collection because it hit 26 check outs." It will also delete the hold that someone has on the book, so if you reserve a book and it’s checked out 26 times, it will cancel your reserve. I so look forward to patrons wondering why they are no longer on reserve for the eBook. "I'm sorry, according to HarperCollins, this book would have been removed from our collection after 26 check outs and it looks like you would have been check out number 27." <br /><br />- The consortium of libraries (ours includes 13 libraries) means that we are sharing the 26 check outs and thus every library within the system only has around 2 check outs. Sorry small public libraries! <br /><br />-HarperCollins is requesting the library card policies of libraries who distribute their eBooks. They want to make sure that non-residents can not get a library card and download books<br /><br />This entire situation has really rubbed me the wrong way. As someone who deals with the in's and out's of the library system daily, it is scary to see something like this happen. Some publishers have just flat out said, "No way" to letting their eBooks exist on OverDrive and the general consensus is that libraries are suppose to be happy that HarperCollins has decided to give us any books at all, but that (to me) is just backwards. <br /><br />I hope this doesn't sway other publishers to start doing the same thing, if that is the case then many of the smaller libraries will no longer be able to afford to carry eBooks through OverDrive.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-77813382888354771502011-02-23T19:21:00.001-08:002011-02-23T19:24:33.028-08:00Outreach: TeensI have GREAT program ideas, I really do. I just don't know how to get teens to actually come to the library. When I have my outreach presentations at the middle school/high school, the kids are super excited and they all sign up for the programs. The day of the program, however, I get 1-3 kids who actually show up. <br /><br />So I suppose that my questions would be....<br /><br />1. How do you continue the excitement up until the day of the program?<br />2. How do you get the teens to actually participate in the program?<br />3. What kinds of programs do you have that keep the teens coming back to your library?<br />4. How do you fun your programs?Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-76078778159236013752011-02-12T06:48:00.001-08:002011-02-12T06:53:12.310-08:00Power Shelving: Before and After<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYpjNF0zsPbeTkhXioZ_B37ewuLFNy4AFsUP8CkjUXuw0bwJQv73M0e1rQP8L2z4_m4WTfTnRfIY_qNqx33KSqnsUIzE2X4HFHqEs9MBiRwJbo0sbivCMCnywvjrhoujaKVm9FR9RJw/s1600/fullcart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYpjNF0zsPbeTkhXioZ_B37ewuLFNy4AFsUP8CkjUXuw0bwJQv73M0e1rQP8L2z4_m4WTfTnRfIY_qNqx33KSqnsUIzE2X4HFHqEs9MBiRwJbo0sbivCMCnywvjrhoujaKVm9FR9RJw/s320/fullcart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572815102548793138" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBCv_NY4wc7A5fzkezGE-ffWKht2DNK8ExOWzXFbCJZnXbEwA_7XlPhyphenhyphenqb8FpqDJ5AXic-RrABubDyfCHMOv1_a6RWHQvqvRHKFA1fyVSsY8UwskiyaJ8k_EDKIPLpLAQ1PM-CWbK_w/s1600/cleancart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBCv_NY4wc7A5fzkezGE-ffWKht2DNK8ExOWzXFbCJZnXbEwA_7XlPhyphenhyphenqb8FpqDJ5AXic-RrABubDyfCHMOv1_a6RWHQvqvRHKFA1fyVSsY8UwskiyaJ8k_EDKIPLpLAQ1PM-CWbK_w/s320/cleancart.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572815405466909058" /></a>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-36452708148876064002011-01-22T06:11:00.000-08:002011-02-12T07:16:51.082-08:00The Reserve Wrapper ConundrumSince I have started working at my little library, we have always used rubber bands to secure our reserve wrappers. Since I have started working at my little library, I have hated this. I have brought it up to my manager several times that we need to figure out a new system for wrapping our reserves. He has given me several reasons why this will never happen, the number one reason being that our library system is mostly comprised of tenured librarians who dislike change. <br /><br />Now the system isn't <span style="font-style:italic;">terrible</span>, but it is <span style="font-style:italic;">bad</span>. There are many reasons why this system does not work, here they are:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">It wastes paper.</span> <br /><blockquote>An entire 8x11 sheet of paper is used. If you can print the reserve wrappers on scrap paper, it saves on the amount of paper you use. We don't, however, generate enough scrap paper to cover all the reserves. The problem with this is that you can not re-use the reserve wrapper paper because it contains patron information and that needs to be shredded.</blockquote><br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The rubber bands are hard on our paperback books, especially graphic novels. They also do not work on magazines.</span><br /><blockquote>When placed on mass market paperbacks, the rubber bands tend to destroy the edges of the books and leave marks on the cover (after repeated "rubberbanding"). Flimsy magazines and graphic novels are also difficult to manage with rubberbands. I have since begun to use paperclips on the flimsy reserve material, but the paperclips are just as hard on the books.</blockquote><br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The reserve wrappers have to be folded a certain way which isn't an efficient use of staff time.</span> <br /><blockquote>Each reserve wrapper has to be folded so that the necessary information is displayed. This means that for each form of media we have in the library the reserve wrapper must be folded a different way. Thus, you have a folding technique for library bound books, mass market paperbacks, DVD's, CD's, children's books, magazines, graphic novels, audiobooks and newsletters. This takes a considerable amount of time when you begin to realize that each item on the the retrieval list must be scanned 2-3 times, the wrapper has to be printed, then folded, then wrapped/banded around each book. We spend 30-60 min just wrapping books in the morning. </blockquote><br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">The reserve wrappers are easily seen by the general public.</span> <br /><blockquote>We are constantly being reminded of patron confidentiality, but the reserve wrappers (large, bold black letters on white paper) are easily seen by anyone who comes to the desk. This means that if you check out a book for a school project on pornography, a friend/family member could see your name + the name of the book you have reserved. This could lead to some awkward conversations. Just the other day we were scanning reserves in and the stack of books next to me was being read off by a patron standing at the desk. I have put the books on the floor, but that is not physically efficient. I have tried to get all of the books scanned before we open, but the names of the patrons are still visible on our reserve shelf.</blockquote><br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I doubt it is cost effective.</span><br /><blockquote>I can not begin to imagine how much our library system spends on paper each year, but it can't be pretty. Not only do we print reserve wrappers, but also advertisements, brochures, signs, flyers, personal forms, etc... The reserve wrappers are by far our most printed item and I think that we could improve/streamline the system so that our budget could be adjusted.</blockquote><br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Librarians within our system print off multiple wrappers for batch reserves.</span><br /><blockquote>Say that Mary Jane Manga reserves Inuyasha 1-54. I would print off 1 reserve wrapper for every 4-5 books. Our library system, however, looks down on that. I have been fussed at (not by my manager who agrees that we should print off as few wrappers as possible) by other librarians within our system that each book needs to have its own reserve wrapper. That means that instead of printing off 13-14 wrappers, they would print off 54 individual wrappers, which would then have to be shredded afterward.</blockquote><br /><br />As far as alternatives go, I have tried to think of other ways in which we could still label our reserves. Stickers, slips of scrap paper, no labels which requires an extra scan. As of right now I have not found a good way to label the reserves that would eliminate the problems we have with the paper/rubber band options.<br /><br />Ideas?Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-8118908778449345232010-12-02T06:55:00.001-08:002011-02-12T07:09:33.813-08:00Top 10 Library Pet PeevesI have to start keeping this updated. People have a need/right to know how a small public library operates. /sarcasm<br /><br />This morning I was discussing with The Boy that there are a few things about our library that I would consider "peeves." They are the little annoyances that have built up over time and that I now complain about on a daily basis (yes, <span style="font-style:italic;">daily</span>) because they tend to pop up with record frequency.<br /><br />So without further ado, a list:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Not reading our hours, WHICH ARE POSTED ON THE DOORS. </span><br /><blockquote>When patrons rattle the door 20 min before we open and look at me through the glass yelling, "I HAVE THIS BOOK TO CHECK IN!" *points at book* I have simply begun pointing to the sticker ON THE DOOR that says, "Book Drop At Rear Entrance." That is what the book drop is for and as much as I hate emptying it, I would prefer that you place the book there than playing charades with me through the window for 20 min.</blockquote><br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Treating us like a Kinko's/Staples.</span><br /><blockquote>We have a copier. Its old and its a terrible copier. It is, however, one of the only public copiers in our small town. I very much dislike when people plop their "To Be Copied" papers down on the desk and look at me. The conversation goes as follows:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patron:</span> I need you to make copies..<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Me:</span> The copy machine is in the back *points* and it is coin operated, .10 a page. I can give you change if you need it, as it only takes quarters/dimes/nickels.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patron:</span> *still standing at the desk* Well, you will have to show me how to work it *laughs*<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Me:</span> There is a diagram on the top of the copier..<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patron:</span> I'm bad with technology<br /><br />This wouldn't be such a big deal if it happened infrequently, but it happens multiple times a day. People will yell from the back, "I NEED YOU TO SHOW ME HOW TO WORK THIS" and they have never even looked at the diagram. Have we really evolved into a society who doesn't try to figure out our problems before we just give up and ask for help?<br /></blockquote><br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Patrons who put their overdue books into the book drop and then proceed inside.</span><br /><blockquote>We don't have overdue fines at our library, but we have a policy that if the books are overdue and can not be renewed then a patrons library privileges have been suspended until the books are returned. More often than not, a patron will put their books in the book drop and then come to the desk (the book drop is at the back of the library, down the steps and is kept locked mind you, while the circulation desk is at the front). The patron will want to check out books/use the computers/renew a book they just put in the book drop etc.. The conversation starts with the patron dumping a pile of NEW books on our desk and then us scanning their card. After that it goes something like:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Circ. staff:</span> You have 22 books that are long-term overdue, I can't let you check out those books until the others are returned.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patron:</span> Well I just put those books in the book drop.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Circ. staff:</span> Well, then we can hold these books until tomorrow when we get the book drop again.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patron:</span> Well I need these books now!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Circ. staff:</span> We check our book drop twice a day, morning/closing and then as staff time allows I am currently the only one here so I can't leave the desk to check it. We don't have the staff to check it every time someone puts a book in the book drop.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patron:</span> *walks off in a huff*</blockquote><br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">When patrons STEAL our newspaper/sections of our newspaper.</span><br /><blockquote>This has become more of a problem lately. Our FYI and sports sections are constantly gone. Even when we kept the newspapers behind the desk and patrons asked to look at it, they would end up leaving sections out and people would steal those. I have caught people several times and asked them to return the paper. Every time the patron seems agitated with <span style="font-style:italic;">me</span>!</blockquote><br /><br />5.<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Leaving a HUGE mess on the newspaper table.</span><br /><blockquote>I get it people, but newspapers are not hard. I hate putting them back together too, but its the decent thing to do. However, jumbling the 5 newspapers + the ads + the funeral announcements all together in one pile is <span style="font-weight:bold;">NOT DECENT</span>.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Leaving books randomly in the stacks.</span><br /><blockquote>We have carts throughout the library for patrons to place their books on if they decide they don't want them. However, most patrons believe that randomly inserting a YA book into the Christian fiction section is the proper way to shelve. I really want to put up a sign that says, "We get paid to shelve, you don't."</blockquote><br /><br />7. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Patrons who butt in front of other patrons while I'm helping them.</span><br /><blockquote>I get that you are Mr. Uber Busy or Mrs. I Think I Am The Most Important Person...EVER, but the patron in front of you, who I am already assisting, is also busy/important. I always stand up for the patron I am helping and politely ask the impolite patron to wait their turn, but it is often difficult when the same patrons repeatedly do it. </blockquote><br /><br />8. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Setting down return books wherever.</span><br /><blockquote>Walking from the back of the library to the front is a lot of work. Carrying books all that way is even more work. Setting them down on a random table in the back is easy though, you should just do that. That way, when I find them later and have to check them in or they get picked up by another patron you can yell at me.</blockquote><br /><br />9. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Letting your children re-enact <span style="font-style:italic;">Where the Wild Things Are</span></span><br /><blockquote>I love when children come into the library. I adore listening to them read to their parents. I love watching their eyes light up when they see all the books. I even like it when they are a little loud because they get so excited. I do not like it when parents let them pull every book off the shelves, tear up coloring pages, throw crayons, rip out the tape from the audiobooks, run into other sections or bang on the computers. </blockquote><br /><br />10. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Patrons who come in EVERY DAY to see if their book is in</span><br /><blockquote>WE WILL CALL YOU WHEN IT COMES IN.</blockquote> <br /><br />/endChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-47649064184689347942010-05-31T13:55:00.001-07:002011-07-10T20:53:58.659-07:00Librarian BlogsThe <a href="http://www.onlinedegrees.org/the-top-25-librarian-blogs/">Top 25 Librarian Blogs</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lisnews.org/10_librarian_blogs_read_2010">10 Library Blogs to Read in 2010</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.getdegrees.com/careers/_the-top-fifty-librarian-blogs/">Top 50 Library Blogs</a><br /><br /><blockquote>"Being a librarian these days is about a lot more than getting lost among stacks of books. It's a career of technology and of the transmittance of knowledge, and as such many librarians have taken to the web, sharing their thoughts and musings all across the blogosphere." - getdegrees.com</blockquote>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-61960450080178889302010-05-19T13:21:00.000-07:002010-05-19T13:26:34.071-07:00Dewey for GenealogistsSo, our library has had a difficult time setting up our genealogy section. We have it set up by Dewey decimal, but its difficult for the browsing genealogist. <br /><br />Does anyone have any ideas about how to make this already confusing section more browser friendly?Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-32191686694671622402010-05-12T10:43:00.000-07:002010-05-12T11:06:30.027-07:00Its Been a Long TimeSo I made some posts, vanished and now I have come back.<br /><br />I'm still working as a librarian in the same public library system and I still have the same sorts of problems as before. Weird how that works.<br /><br />My fellow circulation staff member A and I have been debating a lot lately on why patrons choose one side of the circulation desk over the other. It seems that most patrons return AND check on their books on the left side of the desk (right side if you're sitting at it). Why the preference? <br /><br />Our theories are as follows:<br /><br />1. If you come in from the outside, the angle of the open door makes it awkward to check-in at the right hand side (left side if you're sitting at the desk).<br /><br />2. It is the closest side of the desk when coming from the stacks which means people have to walk less.<br /><br />3. A is pregnant and people don't want to bother her (but they can't see she is when she is sitting down)<br /><br />4. People do weird things.<br /><br />I tend to lean towards number four, since PEOPLE DO WEIRD THINGS.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-73763619721467745042009-10-30T07:13:00.000-07:002011-03-26T09:28:28.122-07:00Problem PatronsI know this post is long overdue, but we have had major staff changes. One of the full-time staff and the part-time staff left, forcing us to replace both in a fairly short amount of time. The library was in turmoil for a few months, but we should be back on track now.<br /><br />The reason for this post, though thinly disguised as an update, is to ask other librarians how they deal with problem patrons. <br /><br />How do you reason with a patron unwilling to listen?Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031320261832678083.post-27740341772471562972009-06-17T09:01:00.001-07:002011-02-12T06:55:02.955-08:00Dismal StorytimesI only had two come for "Pre-school story time" and one was too young to really enjoy the activities. I wish I could get the word out that we had fun activities on Wednesdays for the kids. Today we made bug catchers (Tupperware containers w/ air holes that I had drawn bugs/flowers/leaves on) and colored bugs to put in our spider web on the wall. I read "The Flea's Sneeze" and "Diary of a Spider." Last Wednesday we read "Lost and Found" and "Serious Farm." We made a boat with a penguin in it and the kids did an activity. They were also able to color and take home farm masks. This coming Wednesday we are reading "A Bad Case of the Stripes" and making striped shirts.<br /><br />I really wish we had more kids come!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03077421107099485648noreply@blogger.com0