The Tactile Librarian

Taxes

2012-02-11T19:51:00.002-06:00

I guess I'm an adult now.
I owed federal taxes for the first time.

Thank you tax software, for both sucking my money away but also reducing the amount of stress that doing taxes could be.

heat makes people crazy

2012-01-31T18:43:00.002-06:00

It hit the 50s today in Wisconsin. This is apparently enough to drive people a little nuts, because the library was out of control today. You know how they say that the first really hot weekend of the summer murder rates go up? Well, apparently a nice day in January makes the public get demanding, cranky, and plain old strange. (And yes, I mean more demanding, cranky, and strange than some of them normally are!)

It was a long day at work today. All of us were having a rough day. And yet even at the end of this day from hell, I honestly can say I would not have wanted to be working anywhere else. I got to make some book displays, I talked to a lot of different people, and I managed to talk one older lady through downloading and using an app on her iPad over the phone. The sound of accomplishment in her voice when it worked properly was worth every second. I put several people on the waiting list for computer classes; while it is a bummer that they are full already, at least we know we're filling a real need. (I teach intro to computer classes to the public.) Plus I got to give people books! What could be better?

Public libraries = the best.

To be continued...

2012-01-28T07:06:00.003-06:00

I just finished reading The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. Horowitz is an acclaimed author in his own right, but this book is special because it is an authorized continuation of the Sherlock Holmes series. I suppose this means that, technically, the stories, actions, and events of House of Silk are now canon.

As all Sherlock Holmes stories are, this one is narrated by Watson and appears as a manuscript published long after both of our Baker Street friends are dead. (For those who are uninitiated in the Sherlock Holmes stories, I highly recommend you read them pronto. They are best discovered, I believe, between the ages of 12-16, but you won't suffer reading them now. Then, go watch the BBC series Sherlock. Stay away from the Robert Downey Jr movies. Far, far away. Just watch Sherlock and marvel at Benedict Cumberbatch and squeal over the sweet relationship between Cumberbatch's Sherlock and Martin Freeman's John.) The language and tone of the book felt very much like a real Conan Doyle story to me. However, I haven't read an actual Holmes story for awhile; I did read Study in Scarlet last fall but the actual tone and pacing of the story aren't fresh in my mind. It would be interesting to immerse myself in the original stories and then read this to see how it matches up.

I can't go into much detail about the plot without spoiling, but I will say that at two distinct times I felt like there was too much misdirection. At one point I was like, oh, they'll say [x] happened but really it will have been [y] because [x] is too obvious. At another I had a thought about how a certain situation wasn't necessarily what it seemed, and a few sentences later Watson has the same thought. That was kind of irritating.

I will spoil this for you, so skip down if you don't want to know:

Moriarty. All I can hear now is "Westwood!"

Anyways, while I recommend the House of Silk for Holmes fans, it reminded me of how complicated the legacy of authors who wrote successful serials can be. Growing up I loved Nancy Drew books, but the "new' Nancy Drews (not written by Carolyn Keene) just didn't feel the same. It's really important for an estate to pick an author who can bring the same storytelling power and tone to a series while still infusing new energy. The Conan Doyle estate has been very careful and protective of Sherlock Holmes (rightfully so) and overall, I think they did a good job finding a writer with enough skill and appreciation for the originals to bring our heroes back to life.

Reflections on Kindle So Far

2012-01-20T16:23:00.002-06:00

I recently finished my first full book on the Kindle Fire I got for Christmas. It wasn't as different from reading a paper book as I'd expected, but there were several parts of the experience that were odd enough worth mentioning.

1) The book I read was "Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman" by Robert Massie. It was excellent, as all the reviews suggested. It was also loooooooooong. I toted that puppy with me everywhere and it wasn't a bother. Toting a thick hardcover from the library would have been significantly more cumbersome and honestly would have discouraged me from reading in certain situations, like when I went to get an oil change.

2) Reading for more than an hour or so did hurt my eyes. I suspect this is because the Fire, unlike other Kindle models, is backlit. Do those of you with an E-ink screen find that your eyes hurt after an hour or so? Or is it comparable to print? I often read for stretches of two plus hours at a time and with print it has never been a problem.

3) I did not have a problem being immersed in the book for the most part. Flipping pages is easy (yay touch screen. I would feel very differently if I had to use buttons to navigate.) and mimicked "real" reading to the point that it grew to feel very natural to swipe. The smaller page size did mean I was flicking pages a lot more often, but it was a small price to pay for having a much much lighter version of the book. However, I did find that small things that you do unconsciously while reading a print book were impossible. For example, I apparently rub the page that I am about to turn. This was pointed out to me by my friend and roommate Emily in college. It is something I never noticed until she pointed it out--and then I realized I do it EVERY TIME. With ebooks, I soon realized I was drumming my fingers on the back of the device. Most likely far annoying for anyone around me than simple page rubbing. (Sorry everyone in the library staff lounge.) In addition, not knowing how far I was in the book was super annoying. Yes, you just tap the bottom of the page and a little bar comes up showing your progression and percentage of the book read. Guess what, I have to choose to do this! When reading in print, I can feel the heft in my hands and see, without even consciously thinking to check, how much of the book is left. No, I won't know an exact percentage, but a rough idea is all I need. This may have been the single most annoying thing.

4) I dropped it! AH! PANIC. Seriously, when you live with a small, fast animal and are kind of a slob/klutz, you're gonna drop things. Dropping an expensive piece of electronics is scary.

Okay, the number one thing I love about the Kindle Fire:

INSTANT ACCESS!!! Last weekend I was really really bored and having a bad day. I was lonely and whatnot, and sick of all the books I had to read. So what did I do? I went online, even though the library was closed, and got new books! This is by far my most favorite thing about it. I just loaded my Fire up with two new ones in anticipation of a few train rides this weekend. (The other result of my boredom/loneliness/panic attacks was a lingering idea of a day trip, which resulted in a last minute, very fast trip being planned for tomorrow. Yikes!)

I still feel odd about buying books on my Fire; I don't feel like I actually own them. I mean, technically I really don't own them and the evil Amazon empire can snatch them away (like it did with "1984" a few years ago...really? You had to magically erase copies of a book, and you chose to do it with "1984"??? Amazon, you asked for it with that one.) But as for borrowing books from Overdrive-- I'm into it!

New Year. New Meagan. Old blog.

2012-01-12T06:48:00.002-06:00

Hey!

Sorry I abandoned you little ole blog. I'm sure no one is reading you, but I kind of forgot about you after I finished writing up my 24th year of reading posts. I've been plugging away at it in my 25th year and will have lots of cool books to share. I'm not sure if I've yet had a reading experience as deeply emotional as "The Book Thief", for example, or as motivating as "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from Consumer Culture." (Just checked and it looks like I read both last March. March 2012 has a lot to live up to!)

In glancing back now at what I was reading a year ago, I have to laugh. My interests align! I'm reading the new biography of Catherine the Great and last January I was also read historical fiction based in Russia! I was reading a novel about Sherlock Holmes fans and I just checked out the newest authorized Sherlock Holmes book, "The House of Silk."

In big news:
--I bought a new paper calendar. Woo real objects, not digital ones! This year my home wall calendar is art deco train advertisements. My work desk calendar is "Wisdom" themed. And the biggest news...I've returned to having a little planner that I can carry around! I found one that I LOVE. It mimics the best planner I ever had, which was one my dad got free at work and gave me in 2007. So I'm pretty psyched about that puppy and find myself just flipping through the months randomly at work. I love being able to see my entire month on one page.

--G got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas. This means I've crossed over to the dark side of e-readers! AH! I am not sure yet how I feel about it, but damn. It is convenient. I'm currently reading Catherine the Great on it. I'll let you know when I'm done how the experience ranks.

Happy reading. I hope 2012 is a good one for us all!

Reflections: I don't know what happened to me.

2011-08-09T19:48:00.002-05:00

Hi.

So, after looking back at what I read: I'm really embarrassed.

Romance novel book club was AMAZING. IS Amazing. But damn. I read a lot of trashy romance novels. Part of this, not going to lie, is that all my coworkers read them and are totally into talking about what they are reading. (I work at a library, this is our version of "water cooler" chit chat. We're that nerdy.)

After looking at reading patterns, I think what happened was pretty simple. I have been struggling in my personal life and escapism via book has become incredibly important to me. I spent a lot of my life feeling like all the reading I needed to do should be "enriching" and "important." I moved away from that this year. I'd like to explain why.

In my first semester of library school, I was assigned to a group that was supposed to explore the theme of education vs. entertainment in libraries. It was such an awful project, but it really forced me to defend recreational reading. As in, people in my group seemed to think that reading anything not deemed "literary" was not as important as pure entertainment and escapism. I've thought long and hard about why that bothered me so deeply. That idea of some reading being better than others not only goes against my own experience of reading, but also creates and enforces ideas of cultural superiority. The literature that is considered "good" by many people in the publishing world, the review world, the "culture creators" and, yes, by librarians, is often written by fairly financially comfortable, highly educated white people. And you know what? I refuse to support a belief that because something is written for young people, ethnic minorities, urban youth, women, or "housewives" that it isn't as worthy of our attention. All reading has value to the person doing the reading. If that means that for a few hours you forget that your kids are pulling you in a million directions, that your life has not turned out the way you wanted it to be, that your job is mindless, that the socioeconomic system in which you are trapped hates you and systematically oppresses you--go for it. Read it.

Secondly, to be a good librarian, I need to not only know that certain genres exist and are popular, but I need to actually understand what is appealing about those genres. So while I read a lot of "trashy" romance novels, I 100% understand why they are popular. They are total escapism. As someone who has been very lonely for a long time, the idea that there is someone out there who would do anything to be with you, who loves you above all else, is pretty damn appealing. So I get it. I don't think romance readers believe that real life is like those books--I mean, that is the whole point of it. You read something that is so far removed from reality to forget your reality. I get it. I appreciate it. And frankly, I can enjoy it while still acknowledging the problems that exist in romance.

I've recently gotten into thrillers. These are also often derided by people who only read "literary fiction." But I've got to say, some of these books explore some interesting themes. I just read Michael Koryta's "The Ridge." It explores various themes of morality, death, religion, local superstition, etc. And while it does so on a surface level, any reader who wishes to can explore this further. And you know what? It was FUN to read.

Reading has always been a big part of my life. The books that I truly love are a part of my identity. The books I read this year included some truly amazing books, which I plan to highlight in the next few weeks. I spent too long reading books that I thought would make me a better person. But you know what? I'm a reader. I'll read anything. As long as a book makes me feel something deeply, that is a valuable reading experience.

So what did I take away from this practice of recording what I read? Mostly, that it is super exciting to be able to look back and say definitively, "Yes! I did read that!" It motivated me to finish books that I may have otherwise lagged on. The project also has helped me overcome some shame at reading things that aren't literary. I have some very dear friends that I know sneer at some of the books I read. And that is okay; to each his own. But I won't stop reading books that entertain me and make me a happier person because I'm worried about what someone else thinks of an author.

My goal for my 25th year is to read even more books and explore more genres. I hope to try to read more current books--I often don't read a book til months after it comes out, if not years later! It would also be nice to read more history. I love history and always enjoyed learning about different countries through history and literature. I would like to explore Norwegian and English history in more depth. I have read a lot about the Tudor period of English history, but not others. Finally, as I grow as a librarian, I want to read more YA literature. YA literature contains some of the most amazing books being published right now. It is an exciting field that is growing and changing. It isn't all vampires! Plus, I would like to extend my service area to teens and work more closely with them. I admire their energy, passion, and potential. They really inspire me, so I want to make sure I can relate to their reading habits.

So, that was being 24, in books. So far 25 has been great. Check back soon for highlights of my favorite books of 24! Thanks for listening. <3

April Reading Brings May Reading which brings us to June and the end of my 24th year

2011-08-08T10:52:00.004-05:00

Spring!

When spring comes to the Midwest, everything seems to change. People are happier, the air smells different, and everything seems possible. It also draws us outside again, no longer bundled up in layers of thick wool and polar fleece. You can tell, from a distance, that we're human. Experiencing the great outdoors also means that reading usually takes a backseat to frolicking in flowers, eating fresh spring veggies, and doing other warm weather activities. That definitely happened to me this spring. I hardly read anything!

April:
The Lady Elizabeth--Alison Weir (Why can I not get over my obsession with English history, particularly Tudor history? Why?)
Water for Elephants--Sara Gruen
When You Reach Me--Rebecca Stead (So unexpectedly poignant.)

May:
I'd Know You Anywhere--Laura Lippman
Bossypants--Tina Fey (my girl yo!)
Call Me Irresistable--Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Golden Compass--Phillip Pullman (a Mark Reads selection and OMG I WANT A DAEMON)
Vision in White--Nora Roberts (I read this series because my coworkers wouldn't stop talking about it. The characters are stereotypes, but it was kind of fun fluff for a spring that had a lot of wedding stuff going on in my real life.)
Between Shades of Gray--Ruta Sepetys (I finished this book just before a really bad storm that included the tornado sirens going off. It was very appropriate.)
Bed of Roses--Nora Roberts
Savor the Moment--Nora Roberts

June:
The Tiger's Wife--Tea Obreht (I liked it but couldn't help but be irritated that the author is younger than me and yet so incredibly talented and successful.)
Happily Ever After--Nora Roberts
Allison Hewitt is Trapped--Madeline Roux (Kind of a Madison style Shaun of the Dead in novel form. If they make the movie I should play Allison. Not joking.)
In the Garden of Beasts--Erik Larson
The Snowman--Jo Nesbo (LOVE)
Don't Tempt Me--Loretta Chase (Terrible.)

Reflections on my 24th year of reading coming soon!

Winter Reading, or How I Learned to Love TV on DVD and Downton Abbey

2011-07-31T19:39:00.002-05:00

Okay, not gonna lie: in winter 2011 I watched a LOT of TV. I got really sick in January (and again in February, and again in March) and each time I watched a lot of TV on DVD. Plus, you know, Downton Abbey premiered, so I was a bit preoccupied on Sunday evenings.

Either way, here are my winter reads--now with commentary!:

December 2010
The Kitchen House--Kathleen Grissom
The Heir--Grace Burrowes (this was supposed to be for romance novel book club, but we still haven't met to discuss this book. We did, however, read aloud during whoopie pie baking. So, maybe that was more appropriate. Also: all the reviews said it was clever, witty, etc. It was not.)
At Home--Bill Bryson
The Committment--Dan Savage

January 2011
Remarkable Creatures--Tracy Chevalier
The Help--Kathryn Stockett
Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins
Ransom--Julie Garwood
The Sherlockian--Graham Moore
Barely a Lady-- Eileen Dryer

February 2011:
Finger Lickin' Fifteen--Janet Evanovich
The Witness House--Christiane Kohl
The Romanov Bride--Robert Alexander (this actually inspired me to learn more about Russia! Woo historical fiction!)
Three Fates--Nora Roberts (ugh. Stop taking book recs from coworkers.)

March 2011:
Sizzling Sixteen--Janet Evanovich
Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer--Novella Carpenter
The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentleman Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir--Josh Kilmer-Purcell
The Book Thief--Marcus Zusak (AMAZING.)
Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from Consumer Culture--Shannon Hayes
Deeply Rooted: Unconventional Farmers in the Age of Agribusiness--Lisa K. Hamilton

Fall Books

2011-06-18T10:40:00.002-05:00

Continuing the list of books I read when I was 24:

September:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack--Rebecca Skloot
Your Scandalous Ways--Loretta Chase
Mockingjay--Suzanne Collins
Dead in the Family--Charlaine Harris
Twelve Sharp--Janet Evanovich

October:
Made by Hand--Mark Frauen
Lean Mean Thirteen--Janet Evanovich
The Devil Wears Plaid--Teresa Medeiros
The Great Typo Hunt: Jeff Deck & Ben Herson
Not Quite a Lady--Loretta Chase
Half the Sky--Nicholas Kristoff
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows*
Fearless Fourteen--Janet Evanovich

November:
The Convenient Marriage--Georgette Heyer
Lady Vernon and her Daughter--Jane Rubino and Caitlyn Rubino-Bradway
Austenland--Shannon Hale
The Pursuit of Alice Thrift--Eliner Lipman
Indiscretion--Jude Morgan
Hundred Dollar Holiday--Bill McKibbon
The Town That Food Saved--Ben Hewitt

*I do re-read books, but I will only list them here and denote them with an asterisk if I read the entire thing, cover to cover. I often read my favorite passages of books over and over again, but I'm not counting that in this year long record of reading.

Results! Results! Results!

2011-06-17T20:28:00.005-05:00

Hello! I have returned.

A year ago, I started recording every book I read. In that 24th year of life, I also endured some bad shit. So...I read a lot of fluff. Like. A lot. I'm almost ashamed. But then I think about it, and those were hilarious books, and there is nothing like watching your friend read love scenes aloud while you make over 100 whoopie pies with your dearest friends and her boyfriend squirms. And then dancing drunkenly with nutcrackers. And then frightening your boyfriend's brother by drunkenly doing impressions of his adorable Southern mother. Or reading books because your middle aged coworkers won't shut up about them. Or reading books because a blog tells you to, and finding that you love all the suggestions.

SO, with no further ado: here are the first 3 months of my 24th year of life, in books:

June:
Wolf Hall--Hilary Mantel
Seven Up--Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight--Janet Evanovich
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest--Siegg Larsson
To the Nines--Janet Evanovich
Pets and the Planet: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pet Care--Carol Frischmann

July:
The Hunger Games--Suzanne Collins
Not Quite a Husband--Sherry Thomas
Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming--Paul Hawken
The White Queen--Phillipa Gregory*
Catching Fire--Suzanne Collins

August:
The Hedgehog's Dilemma--Phil Warwick
Something Wonderful--Judith McNaught
Girl in the Arena--Lise Haines
Ten Big Ones--Janet Evanovich
Eleven on Top--Janet Evanovich
His at Night--Sherry Thomas
Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life--John Conroy
Almost Heaven--Judith McNaught
The Red Queen--Phillipa Gregory

Gosh, I read a lot of trash. Summer, you know? Depression, you know?

Next up: Fall, and a return to some more serious subject matter.

*I'm sorry, but every time I see the name Phillipa after this I will only think of this hottie.

Young Professional

2011-04-15T19:30:00.003-05:00

This happened awhile ago, but I decided to share it with you all. I was featured as the Fond du Lac Reporter's Young Professional of the Week on Sunday, April 3.

It was kind of terrifying to realize that I would be in the paper, mostly because I knew patrons would see it. That said, it was also a huge honor to be recognized after only living and working in Fond du Lac for 10 months. The people at the Reporter were really nice and I got to have my picture taken in a studio and everything.

So far, only one patron has talked to me about it, and he was really cool! He was really pumped about me wanting to hike the Inca Trail and asked how I got interested in that. He is planning to hike the Appalachian Trail, and is starting to train now that the weather is a bit better. Since he is retired and in good physical condition, he figured he might as well try. How cool!

That's so radical.

2011-03-28T07:59:00.003-05:00

Can you believe it is only two short months (and some change) until my 25th birthday? It blows me away. So much has happened in the past ten months. I won't lie, they were pretty awful months. Hopefully spring will show up soon and things will stop being so lonely and cold.

On my 24th birthday, I decided to start recording every book I read while I was 24. It has been really fun and a lesson in humility. Guess what? I don't read that much! It is shocking how few books I'm reading a month. Some months are heavier than others, of course, but it looks like I'm averaging a book a week. That doesn't seem like a lot to me, especially considering how bored I am in FDL. TV on DVD has certainly been a contributing factor to this. Whoops.

In June I'll be sharing the results of my year of reading record keeping, but until then, I had to share this book with you. It is called "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture" by Shannon Hayes. It looks at the "movement" of people deciding to take themselves out of the rat race and live in ways that honor four basic tenets:
1) ecological sustainability
2) social justice
3)community engagement
4) family well-being

The book goes into a ton of detail (obvi) but what I appreciated most was that Hayes explores both the historical background/evolution of homemaking and profiles real people making these choices. There are areas in which I disagree with her, quite strongly.

Hayes profiles many homeschoolers and people who do not have health insurance, some by choice. The "negatives" of homeschooling are not, in my opinion, adequately explored, nor are the advantages of attending school. Of course, not all people have access to amazing public schools or can afford a good private school. I truly believe there are solutions to making our schools better and that parents can make a huge difference, regardless of the quality of a school.

After watching several family members endure serious illness and disease, I believe that while the health insurance industry is totally screwing us, I won't be without health insurance by choice. I also think that school, even regular ole public school, has some benefits. And, of course, I love me some academia.

That said, this book took a lot of things I've been pondering and summed them up. It gave me a nice background, a construct, to understand some of the choices I'm contemplating. At this point in my life, there seem to be nothing but choices. For how long do you put career first? Do I feel comfortable putting my career aside for a partner's career? Do I go full on vegetarian, even though food is such an important way for me to connect with others and meat is a part of those people's lives/cultures/traditions*? How do I contribute to the well being of a community that seems hostile to so many of my beliefs? Ah! Even as this book challenged me, it reassured me. "Radical Homemakers" is highly recommended for anyone trying to decide how to create a fulfilling, socially responsible life. It won't give answers, but it does give ideas. And who doesn't need some inspiration now and then?

*To answer this, I guess what I've decided is that I'm not going to go vegetarian. I believe we're animals, and animals do eat other animals. Fact. Watch the Discovery Channel. However, I am disgusted by the policies of industrial agriculture and the way it disregards the souls and well-being of animals. (Yes, I believe animals have souls.) So, I will only be purchasing meat from small farms where it has been raised humanely. As for dairy, I'm WI born and bred, and there's no way I'm giving up cheese. As far as eggs, I plan to source them from locals who have a flock in the yard. This is a lot easier given that I live in Hicksville and that my aunt has chickens. In the end, my diet will be largely meat free, as I cannot afford humanely raised meat very often. This seems like a reasonable choice for me and I hope that my vegetarian and vegan friends can respect it.

This has nothing to do with libraries.

2011-02-10T22:27:00.003-06:00

Parkers at Purple Stride Chicago 2010

I know I said I was going to stop posting non-library stuff here. But. I'm not. Because I'm posting this.

Come and be a part of Purple Stride Milwaukee with us! It is June 4, 2011, and we are so excited to celebrate with all of you and remember my dad. We are so so excited. Please join us. Donate or join the team by going here.

Keeping Track

2011-01-04T20:48:00.002-06:00

In the battle between the tactile and digital world, there is one area where I have tried so hard to go digital and have failed. I've not only failed, but I've failed multiple times. What has done me in?

Calendars.

I cannot, for the life of me, use a digital calendar effectively.

It does not matter if it is Google Calendar (which I like) or my iCal (which I used to update obsessively, never to check), or the calendar in my Outlook at work (which will even set alarms to remind you to go to meetings!) Nope. It doesn't work. The only things that work are nice big wall or desk calendars. I like the boxes to be large enough to write in, I like to see the whole month at a time, and I like there to be a pretty photo. Since 2008, my home calendars have been: Ireland, Georgia O'Keefe, Natural Parks, and John Singer Sargent. At work I have the largest desk calendar Staples sells, and it is island themed. Actually finding the date on a piece of paper and writing it down, then looking at it multiple times a day, keeps events fresh in my mind and helps me to remember.

In addition, calendars bring a little bit of art into my life. Until recently, my apartment calendar was always in the kitchen. Now it lives in my bedroom. In both places, it brought color and energy to the space. It takes more energy and thought to sync my work and home calendars, but it seems that only the really important "work" events end up on my home calendar. Isn't that how it should be anyways?

NYE Resolutions

2010-12-31T22:01:00.002-06:00

My resolutions for 2011:

1) Drink more water.

2) Better posture!

3) Work towards making the life I WANT, not the life I think I "should" lead.

4) Write more letters.

5) Dance more.

Moving (on, forward, away)

2010-12-26T17:36:00.002-06:00

Hello blog world. It has been so, so long. I've sort of abandoned this project. It started when I was in a different place in my life, figuratively, literally, emotionally, etc. I will continue to write here once in awhile. I don't harbor any illusions that this blog is going to make me ultra famous in Library Land, and I know (through the power of Google Analytics) that pretty much everyone who reads this thing is a friend or relative of mine. It's useful as a place to push around ideas, and I guess it doesn't matter if it is widely read or read at all.

That said, 2010 is drawing to a close. We have less than a week to go of the worst year ever, and I am just hoping to get through it without any more illnesses, accidents, or deaths. There has been a lot of sadness, pain, disappointment, and despair this year. There has also been a lot of love and support. Unfortunately, at this point all the "good things" were connected to something so terrible that it kind of dims the brightness. For example, a community rich with kindness, support, friendship and love appeared to take care of my dad and our family, but it was connected to my dad's cancer and death. Would trade all those outpourings of love for him. I got a job, but it involves living in a town I don't like, alone, with NO friends and away from my bf. Financial security, yes. Loneliness, anxiety, depression, and paranoia? Would trade the cash for some friends close by and a sense of community. Really.

The one truly good thing, that has no "bad" side attached, is my cat, Winston. In July he came home with me and has since provided more love than I can express. He has become my best friend. Today I came to my apartment, sat in a chair and he curled up in my arms, just like a baby. I feel for him the way I imagine people feel about a child. It was just what I needed.

So, after a lot of thought, I'm moving on. I'm moving forward to a new year. Things will be better, because I will MAKE them better. In 2010, things happened and I reacted. In 2011, I am going to DO things. Even if those decisions aren't the most "rational" (ie, move again! Get a different job, even though I love mine, so that I can have friends again and live someplace where I am happy!) it will be for the best. Life is short, and hard, and often quite brutal, but it also can be beautiful and sweet and fun. I want to laugh more. Part of that is moving these sorts of thoughts into a new space. This will still be updated once and again, but I'm going to put more energy into a new project I'm doing with an amazing friend. Look for casualdecadence.com to be up sometime in 2011.

Thanks for listening. Now go hug someone. I guarantee they need it.

Thank You!

2010-11-15T08:16:00.006-06:00

Thanksgiving is only a week and a half away-shocking, right? November has flown by. I can't believe how quickly time has been moving.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is time for all of us to think about what we are grateful for this year. There is a wonderful post up on Felt & Wire about thank you notes, and I'd encourage you to go read it. The author asks us to consider sending a thank you note to someone for something unexpected. I love writing thank you notes and am planning to do this. Maybe one of you will be a recipient!

Here are some of my favorite thank you cards:

Rifle Paper Co.

HelloLucky

Paper Source

Christmas is coming.

2010-11-09T09:10:00.004-06:00

It seems like the US can't get started on Christmas soon enough. In early October the stores were already setting up holiday displays. Now that Halloween has passed, all efforts at restraint seem to have disappeared. At the library we're just as guilty. We've got a holiday fiction display up. And believe you me, things are flying off the shelf. It's nuts.

It has even gotten to me. I'm already mentally planning a cookie exchange, making lists of gifts for my loved ones, and thinking of how to decorate the apartment. Since this is my first Christmas living alone and so far from friends and family, I've got a lot of freedom. I also have a cat that likes to bat at anything hanging...

I'm going to be replacing the beautiful glass ornaments that usually adorn my tiny tree with homemade ones. I'm planning on documenting the entire process up here, so check back for updates. Please feel free to send ideas too!

Weather

2010-10-19T19:24:00.003-05:00

Some people are really affected by the weather. I know several people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and it is a very real, very serious disorder. For all of those living in the northern hemisphere, there seems to be some level of SAD in our lives. However, I think each season, not just winter, brings with it certain feelings and moods. Autumn is here, which is my favorite season. The crisp air and cooler temperatures allow me to break out my fall clothes, but they also inspire me to spend more time on crafts, cooking, and reading "serious" books. I lamented awhile back that I couldn't concentrate on non-fiction; that has mostly gone away now that temps are in the 50s.

Libraries have a huge opportunity with these seasonal shifts in mood and tone. Why not tailor programming to them? Most libraries have dedicated summer programs but leave the other three seasons to be a grab bag of programs, activities, and book clubs. Our library has been trying to keep a theme going and discussed the idea of seasonal programs that mimic (on a much smaller scale) the summer reading programs. So far, I think it is going well. It is nice to have a focus. "Limits" or guidelines can force people to get creative!

Our fall program is centering around health and wellness. Our big test is this weekend, with our one big event-the health and wellness fair! A lot of local health professionals (alternative and mainstream) and other "wellness' type people are going to be setting up tables, giving talks, providing information, and even providing flu & pneumonia shots!

This health fair actually arose from a chat I had with a nurse while getting my venomous spider bite taken care of this summer. It has been exciting to see the program come to life. After the carefree feeling of summer, fall seems like a good time to step back and assess the ways we're taking care of ourselves, our family, and our friends. Are we really doing everything we can to lead a happy, full, healthy and fulfilling life?

I know there are lots of things that I wish I did differently. Maybe fall and the more reflective mood will help me, and lots of other library patrons, accomplish them!

Not Casual

2010-10-10T17:42:00.003-05:00

Hello from Boston!

I've been in Boston for the past few days, visiting George and seeing the sights. I've never been to Boston before, so this was an exciting trip. I got to see a lot of historic stuff. Today we went to Harvard Square for Oktoberfest and to see Harvard by day (we ate dinner in Harvard Square a few nights ago. Very delish.) While we were there I saw the Widener Library! You had to have a Harvard ID to get in, so I wasn't able to stop in and see Matthew Battles (hey LIS 450!). It was pretty cool. History is everywhere in Boston, as well as lots of literary goodness. My guide book says that Boston is America's most literary town. I'm going to say, after three days, that is 100% accurate.

I will post a pic later, but yay libraries! Yay traveling and seeing other libraries!

Hope

2010-10-04T11:16:00.004-05:00

Lately there have been lots of new stories about gay children and young adults killing themselves after years of bullying due to their sexual orientation. I have lots to say about this issue, but it boils down to this:
1) This is not new. The media just decided to start talking about it.
2) I will never understand people who hate others because of who they love.
3) This whole situation is frustrating and I feel like there is nothing I can do.

You've probably seen this, but I figured the more exposure it gets, the better. Dan Savage, of Savage Love fame, started a Youtube channel called It Gets Better. It is supposed to show young LGBTQ people that life gets better after you grow up, get out of high school, and have the opportunity to move away from the people who hurt you.

Please check it out. Send it to people. Send it to teenagers you know, gay or straight. You never know who it will help.

It Gets Better.

Neglect

2010-09-30T21:12:00.003-05:00

Oh I've neglected it again! In July I was all, "I won't abandon you again, my dear blog!" and then look what happens. Two months later and I'm MIA. Sorry blog. I still care for you.

Themes of neglect in our online lives seems to have become a recurring theme in my life. Here in my personal online life, I've neglected the blog. In my professional life, I decided to make an official Twitter account for the library, only to find that someone else on staff had done so--and then posted twice, on the same day, in May. Never posted again.

So, I tracked down the creator, found the password, and now our little zombie Twitter is up and eating brains with the best of them. (Don't you love Halloween and all the monster jokes that come with it?!)

Technologies like Facebook, Twitter, or many other social media tools are so easy to use that many people sign up and promptly forget about them. That, or they sign up and then they can't figure out how to effectively use it and abandon it. There are lots of reasons for this, but one seems to be the age old problem: peer pressure. Group think.

Everyone else is doing it.

At WiLSWorld, every single presenter made the same point, in one way or another: don't adopt a technology that doesn't serve your patrons. Don't adopt something because it is "cool." Don't do something because some other library that you admire does it.

DO adopt tools that will effectively serve various parts of your population. Our Facebook and Twitter presence means nothing to those patrons who come in every single day. They don't need a reminder about the booksale. But it does serve our patrons who come in once a month, and then only to pick up their holds.

Remembering to use technology effectively,and to keep it current can be hard. I love technology, I love social media, I love the interwebs, but even I find it hard. Like anything else, it takes discipline! I've started spending the first 20-30 minutes of my workday scheduling Tweets and checking up on followers, @ responses, etc. What about you? How do you keep on top of the social media world?

School Design & Social Change

2010-09-08T08:07:00.002-05:00

Felt & Wire is seriously hitting it out of the park this week. Check out this amazing project that pairs students with college and professional design mentors and helps them use design to change their school and address social issues.

My high school experience was pretty great. I wasn't cool, but I had such amazing friends that I thought we were cool. It didn't matter if we were popular, because we were so clearly the most awesome group of people around. (I am sure many people felt this way, but for real, Tosa East class of '04, my friends were the best.) What made us feel that way was that there was always room for a new friend, always room for us to be whoever we wanted to be, and always room for us to screw up or have emotional breakdowns or date the wrong person or totally humiliate ourselves. That kind of breathing room is rare in high school. Do I think design can change that? Eh. Do I think empowering teens to change their environment, with any given toolset, can? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Frankenstein Letterpress

2010-09-07T07:55:00.003-05:00

It isn't Halloween yet (but I'm already dreaming of it!) but a recent post on Felt & Wire made me think of everyone's favorite monster, Frankenstein. It's in reference to this awesome Print is Alive poster created by Martin Venezky and ThirdBay Letterpress. You should definitely check out the interviews about both the text and the art. Their description of the printing process makes you realize that print (as in old fashioned printing, on actual presses, not digital printers) is truly a living process. Small variations occur, the process works to make something new, and the end result is a poster ready to hang on a wall in your home.

photo source

The Memories of Items

2010-08-29T17:47:00.008-05:00

Five years ago today, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, devastating the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas. We all watched on television as people crawled onto rooftops, paddled through sewage and flood water, and stood dying on highways. It was terrible. Six months later, I had the privilege to lead a group of DePaul students to New Orleans to help in the recovery effort. We worked with Catholic Charities to gut homes. It was hard physical labor, but the real toll the work took was on our hearts. Seeing homes pulled off their foundations, cars on rooftops, and homes on top of homes was shocking. No words can describe what the people in New Orleans endured, and no words can express my amazement at their resilience.

The third home we worked on was actually in the process of being rebuilt. After gutting two homes, it was good to see something positive, although mixed with uncertainty. Outside this home, we found a birds nest with two eggs in it. The homeowner said and our team agreed they were a lovely symbol of the fragile hope that pulsed through some of those in the city.

We met some amazing people, but I learned most from one of my own. The fourth home had not been touched since the storm. We had the monumental task of going through all of the items inside and decide what to save and what to destroy. Mold had eaten through most of the belongings. As we had all week, we worked with a team from Ohio State University. They were troopers. Together we sorted through the items, at one point throwing away a bundle of black ribbon. One of our DePaul teammates became quite upset. She explained to our group that in some African-American families, these ribbons are an important part of a mourning ritual dating back to slavery and are a vital tie to lost loved ones. She explained why we needed to save these items, why we couldn't throw them away despite water damage. Her words, her passion, and her sincere commitment to a woman and a family she had never met were touching. These items were a tie to more than just one person; they were a tie to an entire culture. I can never thank my teammate enough for the lesson she taught me that day.

As we remember the people of New Orleans and the disaster they continue to recover from, we should also remember that they are resilient, strong, and truly unique. With that, here's a photo of a group of New Orleans musicians doing their thing and bringing joy to all those who saw them:

Satellites

2010-08-26T17:49:00.003-05:00

Satellite locations have been on my mind recently. Once upon a time, my library had two bookmobiles which motored about the city and county, distributing books like largesse. It was all very picturesque and rose colored (because I've never been in any way involved) but then budgets got tight and circulation dropped and people started to point out that we are a city library, not a county library, and those trips far out into the countryside to deliver some Nora Roberts were maaaaaybe stretching the budget a bit far.

And so we parked one of the bookmobiles in an outlying community, that had no library of its own but was a heavily used bookmobile stop. It was outrageously successful. For one reason or another, the other bookmobile got parked at a grocery store in town for awhile and was also very popular. Then it went back to puttering about the Wisconsin countryside, being all cute and whatnot. Then budgets got even tighter, circulation dropped more, etc etc. So as of Labor Day, the second bookmobile is going back to the grocery store and will be parked. We're calling them "satellite locations" instead of "non-mobile bookmobiles" and so far a lot of people (in town) are very happy. People in the country...well, not so much but their taxes don't fund us. Sorry buddies.

Anyways, the idea of a location run primarily by volunteers, with a librarian out every once and while to spruce it up and direct those volunteers, is quite interesting to me. It doesn't offer all the other services we associate with libraries--reference, reader's advisory, programming, storytime, computers--but it gets back to basics: books. They are so popular! Then I saw this BBC story about a library in a pub! Gosh, I wish we had that here. I think there is a lot in common between Yorkshire and central-Wisconsin. Really! Anyways, watch it. I especially like that the man who runs this pub library acknowledges that volunteers and bestsellers alone do not make a library! You need the real library services. OR, as he really points out--people need their government to make things happen.

So remember that as we head into primary season here folks. Government isn't always evil, and they do provide some services (like libraries!) that are quite helpful.

photo source-- shout out to my sheffield ladies!

Catch Up

2010-08-23T21:23:00.005-05:00

I took an unintentional sabbatical from the blog, mostly due to real life events that kept me busy or away from a computer. First, my mom and brother came and brought me kitchen chairs, thus making it possible to eat like a real person and not a frat boy. Then my friend Lucas came to visit, and we spent lots of time eating and catching up. Finally, I went to Michigan for the wedding of two dear friends. It was so much fun and so full of laughs and reunions that I didn't check my email for two. whole. days. Insanity.

It seems more people than I thought read this blog, because I've gotten an amazing number of real, paper based, awesome letters in the last week. I'm responding to each one, as promised. Thank you to all of those who wrote and all of those who read this blog; I had no idea people actually cared what I thought. Well, maybe you don't, but it is nice of you to check in and read it anyways.

On to a more relevant idea: publication. I had an interesting conversation with a friend's boyfriend at the wedding about publication and what that means. He teaches debate and one of the categories requires that the piece being performed be a "published" piece. As of right now, that has been defined as "between covers." This presents an interesting debate, as many formerly print journals, magazines and newspapers are moving to a web-only publishing format. Is anyone with a blog a "published author?" (Yikes, that means me. Any forensics kids who want to perform my pieces--good luck placing! HA!) How do you deal with vanity publications?

These are questions we deal with in library land when selecting materials. There are so many titles that come out it is impossible to know everything about each one, so we rely heavily on reviews in a few trade journals and respected sources. These publications, however, review titles published almost solely by large publishing houses. Authors that are self-published (ie, use a vanity printer) or are signed to a smaller house often are not reviewed and so libraries never hear of them, much less buy them. For libraries that have collection development policies requiring reviews for purchase decisions, this means these titles will likely never be collected.

This is a big, thorny issue that libraries and library thinkers have been dealing with for a long time, but I want to get some non-librarian perspective. So, dear readers, what is your definition of a published work?

I know you are out there now, so you have to comment. :)

The Importance of the Tangible

2010-08-11T22:51:00.004-05:00

I spend inordinate amounts of time on a computer. I use a computer all day at work, and yet I often check my email and Facebook within an hour of getting back to my apartment. In many ways, my life revolves around technology. It allows me to connect with my family and friends, none of whom live within 60 miles of where I currently reside. However, after a recent loss in my family, I have had a hard time using various technologies (mostly the telephone) to communicate. Writing and reading are important parts of processing grief. Having an object to hang onto--in every sense of the word-- can make a real difference for some people when dealing with such intense emotions.

Something that I was not aware of, but have just learned about, is mourning stationary. In the past two months, I have yearned for the Victorian era and its rigid code of mourning. To have such ritual to help one process grief seems so much easier. A part of this was mourning stationary. Instead of explaining this, I'll ask you to hop over to Felt & Wire and read about it there.

I wholeheartedly agree that such tangible expressions of grief and mourning are helpful. At such dark times in ones life, it helps to have any help in conveying your emotions and I think stationary can do that. Despite all the technology in my life, all the options I have for communicating, I am finding that the written word, on a solid, thick piece of paper covered in dark ink from a fine pen, is the best way to truly express myself.

So, send letters. I promise to write back.

photo source

PS. My family did receive those pre-pressed thank you cards from the funeral home. They were a blessing, as it alleviated the stress of what to write. They are rather impersonal, but they do the job. And I still have, and always will, each sympathy card I received--Hallmark or personal. They are each a small token of love and support. Thank you, all of you. See, tangible things matter.

The Nets and Charitable Causes

2010-08-04T19:15:00.005-05:00

One thing that I've been thinking a lot about lately is how the internet has changed the way that non-profits and advocacy organizations do business. In my life I have been loosely involved with dozens of non-profits. I've recently become much more involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and have tried to use the various technologies available to me to spread the word. When my family and friends participated in PurpleStride Chicago, a fundraising and awareness walk, I used Facebook heavily to solicit donations, invite participation, and organize fundraisers. I have also used Facebook to post videos and links to other events benefiting this organization. So far, I haven't really used this blog to do anything, but it might creep in here someday. I also participated in Chase Community Giving, which uses Facebook to collect votes for charities. The winner gets a million dollars!

Twitter, however, is an explosion of information and communication about non-profits. I follow and am followed by various PANCAN affiliates, and it has been a great way to learn about events, advocacy opportunities, and research. Other celebrities, like Drew Carey have used it to drum up support for donations as well. Mr. Carey gave $1 for every Twitter follower he gained in a certain time frame to Livestrong.

This is an interesting (and a bit self serving?) way to raise awareness of a cause and to raise money. I think that these technologies allow non-profits to reach many more people than ever before. However, they can also get lost in the shuffle. There has to be a very concerted effort to make sure that a YouTube video gets a lot of hits, that your Twitter has tons of followers (who retweet to all their followers, etc, etc) and that your Facebook is dynamic. This is a full time job and requires a lot of creativity. In the end, it also relies on people (real people) connecting and working hard.

photo source

Delicious

2010-08-03T21:24:00.002-05:00

Nope, not about the social bookmarking service.

I want to be 4 and go to this party.

Can someone I (sort of) know have a child and let me throw them this party? But only someone I don't actually hang out with much, because some people (SARAH!) are too much fun to go and have a kid and screw it all up.

Not that I dislike kids or anything.

Anyways, check out this party. It combines innocence, tasty treats, aesthetics, and strawberries in the most perfect way.

Romance of Reading

2010-07-30T19:56:00.002-05:00

This writer is a romantic, but at least he is up front about it. I am too. In high school, I tried to write an essay about how the books a person reads (and keeps) reveal their true self. The essay failed, because at the tender age of 14, all I knew was friendship and crushes. I'd never seen my crushes bookshelves, so all I had to go on were my friends. Since their bookshelves were basically identical to mine, I pretty much just said, "my friends and I are brilliant dreamers who are sensitive and kind and hopeful and attuned to the needs of others." True or not, it wasn't the makings of a good essay. Thanks, Mrs. Barrington, for not letting me turn that in. But here are words, which express what I feel so much better than I ever could.

Reading Habits + Stress

2010-07-26T21:20:00.003-05:00

Lately I've been noticing that I can't seem to focus on non-fiction or even weightier fiction. All that holds my attention is fun, fast, fluff. I'm not sure if this is due to summer or other emotional stressors. It may be that due to all the heavy stuff going on in my life right now, the lighter fare allows me to escape. Books that allow you to totally disengage from your real life and to not think about "the big issues" can be helpful at times like this. The escapism factor has been studied a lot in terms of romance readers. I totally understand this. In fact, some of the smartest women I know love romance novels.

During times of great stress or emotional depth, the computer can actually be distracting for me. The wealth of information and the ability to find so much makes it hard to break off and focus on myself. To focus on simple things, like the way I'm breathing, or if my heart is beating too fast, or if I feel like I'm going to vomit...you know, the physical signs that you've got to stop. Just stop. And get a hold of yourself. Well, reading lets me do that. Reading a book gives you a chance to slow down. There are no hyperlinks. No other tabs to keep an eye on. No one gchatting you and interrupting the reading process. Book reading is a mental but also a physical act. For this reason, it seems therapeutic.

While I normally try to balance my reading between non-fiction, literary fiction, plus the occasional fluff, I've given this summer over to fluff. So, if anyone has some light reading they would recommend, please send it along. I have a long list of other titles that will be attempted come fall and colder weather. For now, bring on the mysteries, romance novels, and adventure stories. This will be a time to dream of different worlds.

WiLSWorld

2010-07-22T18:18:00.002-05:00

I just got back from the WiLSWorld conference in Madison. It was my first conference as a "real" librarian and the experience was very informative. It was weird to go all alone; as a new employee, I haven't networked with anyone in the area and so there was no one I knew going. The few people who I knew at the conference were actually people that were (kind of) my supervisors at my student job! That said, I did meet a few people. I did get to meet a lady who works at a technical college close to my town and a woman who works at another library in our system. That was really neat and I hope to get to work with them in the future.

WiLSWorld is a technology conference. WiLS mostly serves academic institutions, although it does serve public libraries as well. Many of the programs were given by academic librarians, but there was some good base information that could apply to any library or library-like institution. There were some really interesting ideas for web design. After attending, so many ideas have popped into my head about our library's website and the design and technical possibilities. I have to synthesize those fast, as I have a meeting tomorrow at 8 am to pitch my ideas to the website committee!

One thing that almost every presenter stressed was that just because technology is available, that doesn't mean you should use it. Sometimes a certain software or whatnot just isn't right for your community. That is something that my team will keep in mind as we work to make a new, more effective website for our library. I also appreciated the comment made by one presenter that "the website doesn't have to be what the librarians like to use. We're good at learning how to use weird, difficult systems. Most people aren't and shouldn't have to. Make it easy for them to use, and let staff get over it." I know that we will never please everyone with our site redesign, but hopefully it will serve the patrons well. That is the most important thing and will be a guiding light in our process.

So fuzzy I could die!

2010-07-15T19:56:00.003-05:00

You guys, I don't mean to shamelessly plug something, but we've all felt like something was so. freaking. cute. that we couldn't take it. Like, our entire body was just going to explode with preciousness.

So watch this trailer, if only for the little girl starting at 2:00.

This kitten is clearly an example of something that is TOO CUTE.

Not Quite A Good One

2010-07-14T22:10:00.003-05:00

Not Quite a Husband, by Sherry Thomas, has a ridiculous cover. It has a ridiculous plot. In fact, almost everything about it is ridiculous.

At first, I was hopeful. This was a story about a female doctor back in the early 1900's. She was briefly married to a handsome, brilliant mathematician, but their marriage fell apart for undisclosed reasons. Several years later, he comes to find her in India. Her father is ill and they journey back to England together. Along the way, they endure malaria (him), painful memories (both of them), and an uprising against the British (again, both of them). It seemed like this could be a story about an empowered woman who made her own choices and found love by staying true to herself. In some ways, that is true. The main character, Bryony, does in fact practice medicine throughout the book and refuses to give up her career for her husband's. She does go off on exciting adventures around the world. She does play an integral role in a war, not as a weak female caretaker but as a skilled surgeon.

But.

The only reason that it's "okay" for her to get back with this guy, for her to sleep with him, is because they used to be married. The language is lackluster and is really graphic in its description of the sex. I mean, I just never need to read about someone being "fiddled." In addition, Thomas tries to impose some sexual tension, but it feels forced. As a reader of romance novels, I prefer stories that have more developed relationships, more realistic tension. The characters she created were a) not realistic and b)probably wouldn't have been so stubborn with each other. The tension wouldn't have existed between the types of people she wrote. And I love tension.

Overall, I'm disappointed. I had hoped for better. Perhaps "His at Night" will be better. One can only hope. Sherry Thomas is NOT living up to her titles thus far.

Obstacle Overcome

2010-07-06T18:17:00.003-05:00

As you may know, I have a hard time openly reading certain books. I also have decided to record each book I read this year. Today my resolve to read openly and publicly was tested for the first time.

I read a lot of review journals at work, and sometimes I read the fiction reviews for personal reasons, even though I don't buy these for the library. Today I ran across the most over the top review for what sounded like an over the top book. To make the situation even better, it was a romance novel! Some friends and I started a romance novel book club last summer and have thus far not picked a book for the inaugural read of Summer 2010. It seemed like the perfect choice. We didn't have it, but we had another, even more ridiculous title, on the shelf.

I had to read it.

However, I was embarrassed to a) be seen by the circulation people and b) ashamed to have to own up to reading it on my end of year list.

The solution to a? Self-check machines.

This wonderful machine, while *maybe* eliminating some human jobs in the long run, has made it so much easier for me to check out each and every book I want to read. I don't feel ashamed because no human (especially not a human that I work with) sees what I'm reading. It makes me feel a bit better. Library records should be private, but when you're working with the people checking you out, you know they notice what you're reading.

The answer to b? Well, I decided to tell you all right now so I can't lie later.

I'll let you know how it is.

photo source

Holiday needed

2010-07-01T22:10:00.004-05:00

This has been a hard hard 9 days. Some dark, sad family stuff happened. So I'm exhausted emotionally. And then, this blew up over the internets, and made me angry.

And then this lady made me smile.

Thanks to Lauren and Britni for pointing me towards those things, respectively.

I've got one more looooooong workday (9 hours) and then I'm heading home. A Friday night with my lovely mom and my naughty little dog, then a ferry trip across Lake Michigan to have the annual Fourth of July weekend with G's family. I'm looking forward to floating in a lake, waking up to boys making me waffles, and playing with bad kitties.

Hope everyone has a lovely summer weekend, put on some sunscreen!

A Reader for Life

2010-06-20T09:36:00.001-05:00

Who made you a reader? For me it was my dad. A love of reading is one of the best gifts he has ever given me. Thanks Dad. I love you.

PS

2010-06-17T20:32:00.002-05:00

PS I added a blogroll. It's not exhaustive. But. You should def check out Casual Decadence. Because the header is awesome.

Love
m

What is a Public Library?

2010-06-17T19:49:00.004-05:00

One of my coworkers sent this cute parody around today.

I have to say that I am a little confused about how other libraries are "checking out" iPads and Kindles. I know we have are considering it, but have also had some concerns about how many books could be on a Kindle...I heard one person say we would have a Kindle with one book on it. (No clue how we would determine that title.) Then if someone was looking for that book, they would have an option of getting it in a regular book, audiobook, large print, or Kindle. That doesn't seem all too practical, but I guess they've run into some legal issues with loading hundreds of titles onto a Kindle and then sharing it with the public. I'm hazy on details (obvi) but if I ever find out I'll let you know.

Does anyone else know how other libraries are handling the Kindle/iPad situation?

photo source

Technology Fail

2010-06-15T18:04:00.004-05:00

Today at my library of employment*, there was an unexplained (at least to me) power surge that killed our network. We couldn't get online, we couldn't open the "behind the scenes" catalog system, we couldn't open the OPAC. This happened at about 8:58. We open at 9:00.

People were not happy.

Patrons were unhappy because they couldn't use the internet or figure out where a book was in the non-fiction stacks. Staff was not happy because we couldn't get any work done or provide many of our services to our patrons. Everyone was unhappy because it was pouring rain out and there was no internet to distract them from the gloom (or tell us how long it would be pouring. Answer: all freaking day.)

Anyways, this was a huge technology fail. The nets didn't get back up til a little after noon. Lots of things got pushed back. Lots of people didn't get the computer time they needed. It was a really annoying problem.

One man came up to the desk and asked my colleague if the old card catalog was still around. When we told him we no longer had the old card catalog, his face fell. It made me wish that the non-fiction collection was easier to browse (but more on that later...)

I'm not saying we should keep card catalogs for the few times the OPAC is unavailable. I'm not. But, it was a day when we had to do without technology, pretty much all together, for about 3 hours. It was a tough 3 hours. It reinforced, however, that the modern library is not just a book depository, but a hub for the internet and electronic resources. Take those away from us and the library becomes much less relevant for a large segment of the population.

One good thing: I managed to remember what Dewey section education stuff is in and help a patron find a book on homework strategies. That was exciting.

Having technology taken away from us was hard and alerted us to just how much we need it to do our jobs. It also worries me that I am so dependent on it. There are many situations where someone could need urgent information and I have no clue where to find it without the catalog or the internet. I hope that as I become more familiar with our collection, this problem will somewhat diminish. Until then, let's hope there are no more power surges.

*Even though about 3 people read this, and they all know me in "real life" and where I work, I'm keeping that off the internet in case someone I don't know ever
finds this blog.

Photo source

GEEKING OUT OVER GEEK.

2010-06-11T19:53:00.002-05:00

I MADE THE SITE.

Check me out!!

Remember when I wrote about Geek the Library? Cause I did it yesterday? Well, I made the site.

I feel famous.

I'm a geek. Are you?

2010-06-10T20:18:00.003-05:00

My internet still hasn't been hooked up, so I'm jacking some nets from an unsuspecting neighbor. This will have to be quick!

Basically, I love libraries. Obviously, I work in one. BUT. They are so much more than a workplace for me. They are also these amazing buildings full of ideas and creativity and fun new people, places, and things to learn about from books, movies, and music...

This awesome website, Geek the Library, is well worth checking out. I submitted my story...No clue if it will ever show up. If it does I'll report back!

Support your local library! Geek something!

Recording

2010-06-06T18:38:00.002-05:00

Every January, I think to myself: geez, I should record every book I read this year. Then, at years end, I’ll have an idea of how much I’m reading, what I’m reading, etc.

Every March, I think to myself: geez, I really meant to do that. Too late.

This June, I thought to myself: geez, just do it.

So, since my birthday is coming up, I decided to celebrate this next year of my life by recording each book I read. At the end I’ll analyze it (to a certain extent) and see just what my literary consumption consists of (a literary audit of sorts). I’ll probably post a “year’s best” or “favorites” list, but that isn’t really the point. The point is to just figure out what it is I really read. As a librarian, people assume you read widely, but I am not sure that is always the case. Hopefully this project will allow me to identify some of the areas that I should explore more fully.

So, to help me start out the year with a bang, please send me (via a comment or an email) some reading suggestions!

Grrrr.

2010-06-04T19:43:00.005-05:00

I love the New York Times, but sometimes their tendency to report "trends" months after the blogosphere just reinforces why most mainstream media is having trouble. Slate even has an ongoing series chronicling NYTimes' slow (and anecdotal) identification of "trends." In addition, the trends they take note of are really just trends amongst an elite set of urban, educated, young(ish) consumers.

For example, uhhh yeah, thanks Style section. The people who are into design stuff/house stuff were talking about terrariums about three months ago.

PS. No disrespect to the old gray lady. I love her, and newspapers in general. No one else does investigative or long form reporting better, but these fleeting, lifestyle type stories are just better suited to blogs and online only publications (such as Slate). To each his (or her) own, you know?

Photo source

Summer Reading and Shame

2010-05-28T11:45:00.004-05:00

Some people have problems admitting what they read. I've always been one of those people. I've always felt like my chosen reading material needed to meet some sort of standard. I think a lot of people feel like this; sure, we may proudly display the latest Toni Morrison, but we've all got a James Patterson or Janet Evanovich hidden away somewhere. Library school helped me to become less ashamed of my leisure reading pursuits. I still love a well crafted, nuanced novel that's got all the critics raving and the bookclubs clamoring for more copies, but I've also been able to get over some of this shame and start openly reading things that I just plain enjoy.

Summer is often the season of guilty pleasures and casual decadence--a margarita on a Tuesday, boats (!!!), eating so much watermelon you feel like you might puke. It also is "beach read" season as the NYTimes points out. For the first 21 years of my life, summer was a time when I decided to read 'the big ones.' The books I thought I should read and not the books that would actually make me relax. Some examples: Ulysses (Joyce), Middlemarch (Eliot), The Odyssey (Homer). I wish I was kidding. I wasted many a golden summer trying to slog through things I had no real interest in reading at the time.

Last summer, some friends and I started a romance novel book club. This gave us the opportunity to read hilarious, "trashy" books for a reason. It was a huge success (meetings over nachos and margaritas? Hell yes!) but met with a lot of resistance from some of my more "intellectual and philosophical" library school friends. They didn't get it, because we weren't being enriched by these books. My message: no reading is bad! Reading is an escape! Reading should be FUN!

So, this summer, I'm going to let my trashy read freak flag fly. I'm going to read whatever I want, without shame. I'll start out by letting you know that I've read three Janet Evanovich books in the last three days-- books 3, 4, & 5 of the Stephanie Plum novels. Number 6 is waiting to be packed into my beach bag, along with Truck: A Love Story by Michael Perry. I've also got Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, but I think that can wait til next week.

So, what are your 'beach reads' this summer? Do you use summer as an excuse to read books openly that perhaps before were only read in the privacy of your bedroom?

Photo source

Swoon

2010-05-27T12:59:00.005-05:00

Check it.

I'm drooling.

Thanks to Natalie for pointing me to this. That room up above? In my mind, is in a French villa, surrounded by beautiful gardens and fields of lavender. And guess who is walking through those rooms in lovely floaty dresses? Moi!

photo source: booklovers never go to bed alone

Digital Tour

2010-05-25T13:21:00.005-05:00

Apartment Therapy is consistently one of my favorite sites, and their feed into my Google Reader is always a fun way to start the day. Today they pointed me towards the digital tour of the Robie House, a Frank Lloyd Wright building in Chicago. Robie House is located in Hyde Park, Chicago, right on the University of Chicago campus. I was lucky enough to tour this home in the flesh a few years ago. Wright's architectural style strikes a chord with me, perhaps because it celebrates and emphasizes the natural Midwestern landscape. Robie House is one of my favorite buildings (I've toured a few of Wright's buildings) and I am very excited that this restoration has been undertaken.

The digital tour online is a great example of how technology can be used to celebrate, enhance, and archive work done in "real life." While I don't think anything can compare to seeing the real house, this is a great way for people without the means to travel to see this masterpiece. It also allows a lot of information to be provided to these digital tourists. While preservation of websites is always a problem, for the time being this digital tour is a wonderful way to document the progress made on this historic site.

I highly encourage you to visit the Robie House if you're in Chicago anytime soon. You should also check out various points around Hyde Park, including the Roosevelt Chapel, pretty much all of the University of Chicago, and also all the bookstores near campus. Plus, you can check out President Obama's neighborhood (good luck getting very close to the house.)

If you're really into Wright, check out the offerings and work of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. They've got some great things going on. I had margaritas with a girl who works there once, and she was pretty cool, so they've got that going for it too.

Photo source: GoWright

Beautiful L!brary Book

2010-05-19T15:58:00.004-05:00

Look at this! I want to read and/or devour this!

Check out The L!brary Initiative. It is a book detailing how The Library Initiative paired New York City public schools, philanthropists (The Robin Hood Foundation), and designers, architects, etc to create beautiful, engaging, intellectually stimulating environments for children to read and explore. It basically is everything I believe should be a part of ALL library design. I want to read this so badly.

I mean, who doesn't want to go to the school library when it looks like that?

Thanks to librarian.net for pointing me towards this.

Photo source: Pentagram

monday monday

2010-05-17T13:14:00.003-05:00

So many changes are afoot!

Lots of big things are happening in my life right now. I have a feeling this blog is going to subtly change with them. I know it is designed as a blog to document my relationship with technology...but it is also about handmade lovelies and how I feel. And right now I'm feeling a lot. A lot of things, different emotions, but mostly just a lot of everything all the time.

One of these big changes is that I will be starting my first professional jobs in 15 days. This not only is a big lifestyle change, it means moving, buying a car, etc. The apartment has just been confirmed and is my first solo (no roommates!) apartment. I've had a few amazing roommates (flatmates too) in the past, but I'm ready and excited to live alone. This also will give me more opportunity to create new crafts, decorations, etc for this new home. I am planning on really working out my personal aesthetic and design inspirations. There are many limitations to this space, but I hope to find a way to make it mine.

So, no real post today, just a warning that this space might be little more cluttered and distracted than I would have hoped. For now, here is some inspiration from around the web:

Tiny bunny love

toilet paper tubes of awesomeness

serious dress crush

planter table

Pooh

2010-05-10T16:18:00.004-05:00

An enduring favorite thing of mine is when authors include hand drawn maps in books. It makes the world they have created so real. As a child my favorite projects were always the ones where we invented a country and got to draw a map.

Perhaps the sweetest, kindest story ever written had a map too:

Photo source

My Libraries: Wauwatosa, WI

2010-05-05T15:33:00.005-05:00

Continuing the series about libraries I've belonged to, we're going back to the very beginning. The Wauwatosa Public Library in Wauwatosa, WI was the first library I ever used. I got my first library card here when I was 7 years old.

The library is a really gorgeous building. The first floor is dedicated to circulation, administrative offices, and meeting rooms. Up a lovely staircase, we get to the adult and children sections. These are separate rooms, both quite large, and very different in style, tone, and atmosphere. I loved the children room. There was an amazing librarian with bright red hair who used to do storytime. She was a really lovely lady--kind, fun, and warm, just as a youth librarian ought to be. The story time room was renovated recently--within the past 8 years. It has these amazing doors that look like giant books. It's separated from the main room, which allows for separate events and noise levels.

The adult section, which I've been using since I was about 11 or 12, is much darker and quieter. There are some seating areas in the large glass window sections, near the magazines and newspapers. This was one of my favorite spots to read and study as a teenager. I still like to spend time there when I'm home for vacations or holidays.

My favorite thing about this library is the space. While the collections need to be weeded and the web page is actually embarassing (I almost couldn't bring myself to link to it here) the space is amazing. The staff is very helpful and fun. With some modernization and innovation, I think this could be one of the best libraries in Wisconsin. Whether that will happen remains to be seen. Tosa is not hiring, so I can't imagine any fresh blood will be injected to keep them fresh. It really needs it.

Although this library has some issues with its collections and online resources, it is very busy. People love this library and support for the library is strong within the community. With a proactive, innovative staff, this library could become even better. If you are a Wauwatosa resident, email your mayor, alderperson, or the library and ask for a new website, increased resources, or whatever you think it needs. The library exists to serve the people of Wauwatosa, and I know it would be pleased to hear from you.

Photo source: Wauwatosa Public Library

Design + Information = Love

2010-04-30T09:47:00.007-05:00

I recently stumbled upon Information is Beautiful, a lovely website that creates visual representations of data in eye-catching, pleasing, beautiful ways. Some of the designs also force you to dig a little deeper, work a little harder, to understand the information. Engaging people with data is a good thing and allows us some time to think, to ponder, to understand what the data means in our "real" life. It can be hard to do this in the usual ways that data is presented to us--in simple bar graphs or lists of statistics. Information should be engaging. David McCandless makes it beautiful too. I would argue it should also be fun. I feel like he might agree.

Libraries are often pretty generic. Some libraries have the benefit of beautiful architectural spaces, but otherwise we seem to be pretty "neutral" in every sense of the word. As far as intellectual freedom and freedom to read goes, I'm all for it. When it comes to the surroundings we find ourselves in, there could be a bit more soul. Libraries present a lot of information to their patrons, whether it is operating hours, loan periods, fine information, directional, or news about local events. Pretty often the person making those posters is a library employee with a working knowledge of MS Publisher or InDesign. While I'm not against these programs, it would be nice to see a library create an organized, thoughtful aesthetic for all their publications. (And just throwing the letterhead and little book logo on the top doesn't count.) Good design, as shown by McCandless, can not only make information pretty to look at, but engaging. It also can, in my opinion, lead to a better quality of life. I'd love to see a library hire a design team--and not a corporate, let's make this look like every other library in a three county area team-- to make the library more colorful, fun, and aesthetically pleasing.

What do you think?

Photo source: Information is Beautiful: Colours in Culture

My Libraries: Sheffield, UK

2010-04-21T21:03:00.006-05:00

In my short life, I've belonged to a few libraries. Not an alarming amount, but a few (like, 5. But for a young gal, that's a lot!) They each have their pros and cons, but I do have a favorite. And honestly, it wasn't the "best" library in terms of internet access or collections.

But it was the most charming.

Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the Broomhill Library.

I know! It's too precious!

I can barely type this you guys; it just brings back so many memories. This library is tiny. Like, the bottom floor of a very very old English home tiny. And it is precious. If only I had interior pictures! For such a small library, it has a decent selection of fiction and travel guides. I found the travel guides pertaining to Ireland and the UK to be particularly useful, as I was studying abroad at University of Sheffield at the time. There was also a fairly well stocked biography section, although it seemed slightly biased towards members of the British Royal Family. The fiction section was the majority of the collection. I don't recall if they had a lot of teen materials, or if YA lit was even separated. I do remember seeing an awful lot of "chick lit" in the stacks.

But most of all, the reason I loved this library was that it was exactly the library I imagined Miss Marple frequented: a sunny, inviting place full of kind librarians, good books, a few computers (okay, Miss Marple didn't have those), and other readers. I never once felt out of place there. While the library may not have a large collection, it was connected to the many branches in Sheffield and could get you pretty much anything, anytime (as any library should). It also was a quick bus ride to the Central Library (which was also excellent.) In fact, that is where I found the location of a pet store to purchase my English fish, Dorian and Mildred.

While modern construction and gleaming new libraries have their advantages, I think I could happily work around the problems of an old building if it was as sweet as this one. There are ways to expand and work with what you've got, and while it may not be ideal, I love that generations of readers have fallen in love with books here. Old buildings are often gorgeous, and retrofitting them should be considered an option more often!

In the end, who can resist a library in an old stone house, tucked in amongst neighboring homes, on a steep hill, with bushes and flowers all around, a bright red door welcoming you in?

Photo credit: Sheffield City Council

And now for something completely different

2010-04-17T10:45:00.006-05:00

Dad, me, Noah, June 2009

Late last night, I got a call from my father. He has been battling pancreatic cancer for 4 months. In the past four months, we've seen amazing kindness and compassion from our entire community. His phone call concerned a touching article detailing one of those many acts of kindness. Please click over to Marquette Hoops. Thank you to Jim Ganzer, Buzz Williams, and the entire Marquette team. You could not have bestowed your kindness and faith on a more grateful person or family. Ring out Ahoya!

For more information on pancreatic cancer, please visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Edible Book

2010-04-14T22:15:00.005-05:00

To combine libraries and handmade things for the first time on the blog, I thought I would bring you something happening at my very own school-- the UW Edible Book Festival. I was not able to attend (I was busy making dinner for some very special friends who just got engaged!) but there was a lot of buzz about it in SLIS (School of Library and Information Studies).

The idea is to create something out of edible objects that resembles a book or relates to the experience of reading. This kind of project can appeal to a lot of different folks: artists, kids, teachers, bibliophiles, chefs, or someone who's bored and has a lot of extra spaghetti sitting around. Until I got to SLIS, I had never heard of an edible book--and judging from the emails sent around, they were having a hard time getting people to participate. To me this is an example of poor library marketing. (We'll get into that later...)

Opportunities to make libraries centers of creativity and community are why I got into librarianship in the first place. Hopefully, the Edible Book Festival will continue to thrive and expand, in turn bringing new faces and ideas into our libraries.

For more information and pics of previous festivals, go over here.

Manifesto, Adopted

2010-04-14T13:36:00.005-05:00

Surfing the nets (I'm not a technophobe! Don't forget this!) this morning, I ran across a new print from the Keep Calm Gallery. It sums up a lot of things that I have been feeling lately and believe will make all of our lives a bit brighter.

So consider this an adoption of the Aardvark manifesto for my own purposes. I was in an all kazoo band in the Wauwatosa Fourth of July parade one year.

Photo source: Keep Calm Gallery

welcome

2010-04-13T15:27:00.003-05:00

Hello,

I've made a blog to document my personal war. The two sides? Handmade, tangible goodness and tech-y, digital resources. As a future librarian, I spend a lot of time at a computer doing reference and research. While I appreciate the ways that technology has opened up research and scholarly communication, I struggle to find a deep connection to these technologies. Unlike a physical book or a teacup, blogs, websites, and databases don't cause me to daydream and sigh away an afternoon. For me, that's a problem. Like many others, the amount of technology in my life has sent me searching for tangible objects with which to spend my free time. This connection to objects is not, in my opinion, materialism, but simply a yearning for a real connection to the creative part of my brain. So, if you are at all interested in libraries, books, crafts, the arts, or daydreams, welcome. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

You might be wondering why a blog is the way to do this: after all, if I am so sick of technology, shouldn't I be writing in a leather bound journal? I don't hate technology; I just want to explore my relationship with it. Blogs have an enormous potential for communication. Please comment or email me. I'd love to hear what you're thinking about these topics.

My current obsessions: milk glass, paper, cupcakes, picnics.

See you soon!