America's Library - majestic, awesome, comforting
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Writing to a deadline
Project started but interrupted again. I am pretty sure I cannot write well enough to support myself, but I do intend to follow through on book project. Life just keeps getting in the way and since last post I have had a roller coaster of ups and downs, good civic programs, health issues and flooding issues to deal with. In amongst all that I have thanked God for the many blessings of family, friends and health that allow me to recognize the trials as opportunities to build faith and stories! We start out with a blank page and all the good and bad things that happen create the story of us on that page. The more interesting ones have ups and downs, climaxes and successes, danger and difficulties, otherwise the journey to the end would not be any fun. Here is to a good journey.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Inspiring Words
Friends of the GRCC Library set up a NLW bookmark contest similar to the one I did in 2009 but they chose Inspiring Words instead of Positive Words as the theme. We had as of last Thursday's deadline 62 entries and 2 disqualified. Even something as simple as a bookmark contest in prison creates opportunity with whatever meager prizes available for some people to cross the line and break the rules. Re-entry programs going on across Kentucky and encouraging progress aside there will always be one or two who do not open themselves to the message of rebuilding and the opportunity for something better. Sad as it makes me I must celebrate the 62 entries that were sincere whether simple one word pieces of art or thoughtful choices of classic sayings. Come back soon when I can announce the words of some of the winners - after the judging.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Inspection time
Special libraries as part of larger organizations have to focus on the mission of the whole as well as the ordinary library goals of education, enlightenment and entertainment. Within the special system of Corrections, the mission of the whole includes passing rigorous inspections for American Corrections Association standards. The annual practice before the review is taken just as seriously as the real one.
Books at attention and shelves dusted were not a new concept, but oh the challenge of cleaning off my desk.
I have always said that small or large, pieces of paper do not have Dewey Decimal Classification numbers so that is why they do not have their special place. Trying to "tigthen" up the ship before review I escaped to closet mode and filled one folder with all the papers on the top of my desk and called it the TO DO folder. Neater, although I may take a good while to find what I am looking for, it still has possibilities...we will see!
I personally wish that scrap notes and requests for reference information would come with color codes and CIP already on board.
Sometimes library work is hectic and you just have to poke fun at yourself to get through the day!
Books at attention and shelves dusted were not a new concept, but oh the challenge of cleaning off my desk.
I have always said that small or large, pieces of paper do not have Dewey Decimal Classification numbers so that is why they do not have their special place. Trying to "tigthen" up the ship before review I escaped to closet mode and filled one folder with all the papers on the top of my desk and called it the TO DO folder. Neater, although I may take a good while to find what I am looking for, it still has possibilities...we will see!
I personally wish that scrap notes and requests for reference information would come with color codes and CIP already on board.
Sometimes library work is hectic and you just have to poke fun at yourself to get through the day!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Talents used
Last night I attended the Rich Little program at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in Madisonville. His life story of Jimmy Stewart in which he did impressions of Stewart and over 25 of his contemporaries such as Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, George Burns and a host of others was fantastic. At 72, Little is articulate, funny and still using his talented voice and body language to entertain and impress. He closed the Jimmy Stewart program by presenting Jimmy as telling God that he comes to him having used up all the talents God gave him. I think Little is trying also. While I did not appreciate some of his more ribald humor, he captured the essence of Hollywood glamour and hard working craftsman that most celebrities were, people who worked at what they were doing to the best of their ability.
Using the talents God gave us to the maximum is a responsibility of good stewardship. So, we must not look for the point of satisfaction with our lives that we have nothing left to do. There should always be a mission to use the talents to help others, teach others and inspire others in anyway that we can. Words in story and words in books pass on like ripples in an ocean not a small pond. You never know where they will land.
Positive words will create positive ripples. Have a day where you can say at the end, I created a pay it forward moment that will have positive results!
Using the talents God gave us to the maximum is a responsibility of good stewardship. So, we must not look for the point of satisfaction with our lives that we have nothing left to do. There should always be a mission to use the talents to help others, teach others and inspire others in anyway that we can. Words in story and words in books pass on like ripples in an ocean not a small pond. You never know where they will land.
Positive words will create positive ripples. Have a day where you can say at the end, I created a pay it forward moment that will have positive results!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Selection vs Censorship
A non-librarian supervisor recently mentioned to me that it appeared I was censoring my choices wisely. Well, I kindly explained that I was selecting carefully. I have a unique clientele and several missions to accomplish with a limited budget of course. (All budgets to some extent are limited now as the never ending annual increases have reversed to cuts or standing still, regardless of library size for the most part). Whenever you have more possible good choices than you can afford, why would any professional make a bad choice deliberately.
Librarians all serve a diverse population whether they are the general public, a professional group or inmates in an all male prison. The range of interest and reading levels in lots of cases is wide and varied. Within that range of interests, there are lots of materials, beneficial to the goal of the institution. Prioritizing purchases to meet the goals of the institution and needs of the patrons, will almost always provide a clear cut reason for choosing not to purchase "junk."
Lending libraries in Ben Franklin's day, the earliest in America were not about foolishness. Dime novel paperbacks existed back then, but that is not what libraries were about. Sharing the new ideas, information and sciences, histories and leading literature of the period were the mission of libraries and probably still should be so more than a popularity contest with whichever sleazy or violent paperback one can find.
And while the paperback format is useful, and abundant in this day and age, since pretty much anyone can print anything they want to in paperback format, getting a book published is not a sign of quality in message, print or anything else. National reviewers - whether librarians, or magazine and newspaper critics, tend to focus on the sensational books that are popular in large metropolitan areas, or that they want to make popular in large metropolitan areas. So while reviews can be a tool, they are often not an unbiased informative tool, but a continuation of advertising.
I encourage all librarians to have a clear mission for their library and SELECT their materials with that in mind. You cannot please all the people all the time, but you can do your best to serve them with a well-stocked library collection.
Librarians all serve a diverse population whether they are the general public, a professional group or inmates in an all male prison. The range of interest and reading levels in lots of cases is wide and varied. Within that range of interests, there are lots of materials, beneficial to the goal of the institution. Prioritizing purchases to meet the goals of the institution and needs of the patrons, will almost always provide a clear cut reason for choosing not to purchase "junk."
Lending libraries in Ben Franklin's day, the earliest in America were not about foolishness. Dime novel paperbacks existed back then, but that is not what libraries were about. Sharing the new ideas, information and sciences, histories and leading literature of the period were the mission of libraries and probably still should be so more than a popularity contest with whichever sleazy or violent paperback one can find.
And while the paperback format is useful, and abundant in this day and age, since pretty much anyone can print anything they want to in paperback format, getting a book published is not a sign of quality in message, print or anything else. National reviewers - whether librarians, or magazine and newspaper critics, tend to focus on the sensational books that are popular in large metropolitan areas, or that they want to make popular in large metropolitan areas. So while reviews can be a tool, they are often not an unbiased informative tool, but a continuation of advertising.
I encourage all librarians to have a clear mission for their library and SELECT their materials with that in mind. You cannot please all the people all the time, but you can do your best to serve them with a well-stocked library collection.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Selection vs Censorship
Reading about one of last summer's big news children's books today on Amazon, gave me reason to be glad I am no longer a children's librarian at work. I will always be one at heart and I am the librarian in the family that gifts books for birthdays and Christmas and baby showers. The discussion I read continues over Lane Smith's "It's a Book" which ends with, "It's a book, Jackass".
As a parent and a children's librarian I am appalled at so called professional people who defend the use of spiteful name calling in the end of a book as a reason to celebrate it and push it on a group of unsuspecting young children. Calling it a joke and not acknowledging that as bywords go - it will be repeated ad infinitum at other children, teachers and parents, regardless of whether or not they have long ears and a tail such as the character in the book, is humorously naive or deliberately subversive. Inspiring masses of elementary age children to get smart with their elders and then say, the book said it, should not be the mission of a children's book, its author (perhaps except for some self-published teenager), publisher, or the librarians that are for whatever reason (like being kin to the author in their own language development) that are defending it on Amazon.com.
Parents, teachers and librarians have a responsibility to "select" books that provide entertainment, education and yes positive role models. There is not time for every book in this day and age. There is not money enough either. People with any common sense therefore would choose to prioritize those things that have value in order to provide the "best" possible choices for the young people in their trusted care. Where in that goal is there room to buy smart alecness, snarkiness or hatefullness in a picture book targeted for elementary school children? Well, truthfully, even if you have room and money to burn, there is no reason to accept that and call it art. We have been told that we must, to be politically correct, politely use special not handicapped, gay and not queer and other variances on what is socially acceptible, but the same people who shoved that through the media are now telling us to celebrate and award children's books that use jackass, scrotum, and a variety of other unpleasant or downright vulgar expressions as intellectual freedom for the masses. Those "librarians" they claim to be say they need to be exposed to that in their elementary school library because their parents should not sheild them from the real world. Wait, a minute! Shielding small children from the bad parts of the world is still the responsibility of grown ups. Just because a lot of them are not doing it because they take their 3 year olds to R and X rated movies rather than find a baby sitter, does not mean your child or mine should be told to read that on his Accelerated Reader assignment at school. Come on people, grow up and act like grown ups. Selection requires that you choose to choose or not choose, not that you let intellectual freedom fanatics tell you what to choose. Your intellectual freedom should not be shoved in my child's face at school or the public library. *Personal note, my kids are over 21 - and would laugh, but they will never see this book nor will any of my great nieces and nephews if I can help it.
Tax dollars spent are a responsibility to spend wisely- - not an opportunity to anger your local public with the language or morals of least civil among us. Bar language and jokes, belong at the bar, not in picture books for little children.
As a parent and a children's librarian I am appalled at so called professional people who defend the use of spiteful name calling in the end of a book as a reason to celebrate it and push it on a group of unsuspecting young children. Calling it a joke and not acknowledging that as bywords go - it will be repeated ad infinitum at other children, teachers and parents, regardless of whether or not they have long ears and a tail such as the character in the book, is humorously naive or deliberately subversive. Inspiring masses of elementary age children to get smart with their elders and then say, the book said it, should not be the mission of a children's book, its author (perhaps except for some self-published teenager), publisher, or the librarians that are for whatever reason (like being kin to the author in their own language development) that are defending it on Amazon.com.
Parents, teachers and librarians have a responsibility to "select" books that provide entertainment, education and yes positive role models. There is not time for every book in this day and age. There is not money enough either. People with any common sense therefore would choose to prioritize those things that have value in order to provide the "best" possible choices for the young people in their trusted care. Where in that goal is there room to buy smart alecness, snarkiness or hatefullness in a picture book targeted for elementary school children? Well, truthfully, even if you have room and money to burn, there is no reason to accept that and call it art. We have been told that we must, to be politically correct, politely use special not handicapped, gay and not queer and other variances on what is socially acceptible, but the same people who shoved that through the media are now telling us to celebrate and award children's books that use jackass, scrotum, and a variety of other unpleasant or downright vulgar expressions as intellectual freedom for the masses. Those "librarians" they claim to be say they need to be exposed to that in their elementary school library because their parents should not sheild them from the real world. Wait, a minute! Shielding small children from the bad parts of the world is still the responsibility of grown ups. Just because a lot of them are not doing it because they take their 3 year olds to R and X rated movies rather than find a baby sitter, does not mean your child or mine should be told to read that on his Accelerated Reader assignment at school. Come on people, grow up and act like grown ups. Selection requires that you choose to choose or not choose, not that you let intellectual freedom fanatics tell you what to choose. Your intellectual freedom should not be shoved in my child's face at school or the public library. *Personal note, my kids are over 21 - and would laugh, but they will never see this book nor will any of my great nieces and nephews if I can help it.
Tax dollars spent are a responsibility to spend wisely- - not an opportunity to anger your local public with the language or morals of least civil among us. Bar language and jokes, belong at the bar, not in picture books for little children.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Road Trip to Philadelphia, home of the Declaration and Liberty Bell
Set plans in motion this week to attend the Special Libraries Association conference in Philadelphia, PA this coming June. I will be planning a road trip with my BFF - best friend forever, including before BFF was known. Along with the opportunity for fun and fellowship, the journey will provide inspiration and opportunity for research on my book project which will focus on Ben Franklin and other founding fathers.
Celebrating the historic places and people that made our country great in story and book form is my personal goal. Helping a new generation to understand that this country was founded by people who recognized that our sovereignty was wrestled from Great Britain, only with Divine assistance, and will continue only with God's approval, is part of a personal mission.
God gives us talents whatever they are. Reading, writing, storytelling are among those things that help me share his Word with others. I am not gifted with music or charm or lots of other ways that God's people share messages. But whatever gifts He has given me, I hope to harness to sharing His story with others. I feel blessed to be an American in this time and in this place. I want to share that story in a way that helps others know that they too are blessed to live here and they have a responsibility to protect and preserve that blessing for generations to come.
Celebrating the historic places and people that made our country great in story and book form is my personal goal. Helping a new generation to understand that this country was founded by people who recognized that our sovereignty was wrestled from Great Britain, only with Divine assistance, and will continue only with God's approval, is part of a personal mission.
God gives us talents whatever they are. Reading, writing, storytelling are among those things that help me share his Word with others. I am not gifted with music or charm or lots of other ways that God's people share messages. But whatever gifts He has given me, I hope to harness to sharing His story with others. I feel blessed to be an American in this time and in this place. I want to share that story in a way that helps others know that they too are blessed to live here and they have a responsibility to protect and preserve that blessing for generations to come.
Training and more training
Continuing Education
This past week I have attended the annual Common Core retraining at GRCC. We have as Corrections employees a lot of specific issues to learn and re-emphasize for safety of ourselves and the inmate population as well as the public we serve and protect by maintaining safety in the institution. Whether it is health issues that truly all who work in public places need to constantly be aware of to the specifics of dealing with manipulative inmates, each piece of information is necessary and should be taken seriously.
Many approach these classes with less than serious intent, just hoping to get it over with - in any profession.
Whether it is library conferences, security or health retraining, or medical retraining for those who tend to our lives in hospitals and emergency settings, we should all give the attention and care that the opportunity deserves. One of the leaders in our programs said, that just like the hand washing and universal precautions, you do it so you do not take bad stuff home to your family. It is not about just hearing it again. It is about doing the best job possible. If we did not need to retrain, then all those hot shot high school basketball players would not need to practice free throws after they land a college or pro team. But practice is part of every day, and we should be prepared to practice doing things right as well. Stay in shape to do the best job of your life, wherever you are in your career.
This past week I have attended the annual Common Core retraining at GRCC. We have as Corrections employees a lot of specific issues to learn and re-emphasize for safety of ourselves and the inmate population as well as the public we serve and protect by maintaining safety in the institution. Whether it is health issues that truly all who work in public places need to constantly be aware of to the specifics of dealing with manipulative inmates, each piece of information is necessary and should be taken seriously.
Many approach these classes with less than serious intent, just hoping to get it over with - in any profession.
Whether it is library conferences, security or health retraining, or medical retraining for those who tend to our lives in hospitals and emergency settings, we should all give the attention and care that the opportunity deserves. One of the leaders in our programs said, that just like the hand washing and universal precautions, you do it so you do not take bad stuff home to your family. It is not about just hearing it again. It is about doing the best job possible. If we did not need to retrain, then all those hot shot high school basketball players would not need to practice free throws after they land a college or pro team. But practice is part of every day, and we should be prepared to practice doing things right as well. Stay in shape to do the best job of your life, wherever you are in your career.
Friday, January 28, 2011
New books
First order of books for 2011 arrived this week. Excitement from workers and patrons alike reminds librarian of the joy of shopping. With lots of suggestions and a varied collection, lots to consider in building the next order. What weight on the ones that ask all the time for James Patterson as opposed to all those others who want other stuff? Selection is important, otherwise those with limited budgets would not have anything except James Patterson and Nora Roberts under one of her names or reprints. It is not about what is on the shelf at Wal-Mart. Even if the patrons ask for that---library is still a special collection of books to serve a particular audience - not a store selling, or goodwill giving away, but a place of service for the community. Selection must have goal and purpose to be effective. Selections matter. Time to shop again.
YES!
YES!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Library Up introduction
Library Up is a positive start to the new year. Thinking constantly of how the library can be the UP force in the lives of people it serves is my first goal. Library Up came from the expression Cowboy Up - which is older than the NIKE - Just Do It , meaning - let's get ready and do the job!
Libraries have always provided access to education and enlightenment. Personal libraries, and government - public or institutional - libraries have also included history to help us know where we have been to help us decide how to go forward. Libraries for just plain entertainment are a truly new concept because for the most part before this century - no one had large amounts of time for pure entertainment.
One thing I would like to personally encourage all librarians I meet is to remember to BALANCE their collection. Concept in college meant, balance expenditures for a variety of interests so your library was not only supporting current reader fads but providing overall access to variety of materials.
Balance should also be held in the views of positive and negative. Too much current publishing - books, magazines, movies and more are negative -political rhetoric is sometimes hateful, horror fiction is often dark, demonic, bestsellers abound with murder and drugs and general mayhem. Following trends on bestsellers, librarians could easily find themselves with negative collections. Not a good thought. Please check your selection plan for guidance and plan not to fall into a negative trap. The responsibility of selection is a professional choice not a popularity contest.
Libraries have always provided access to education and enlightenment. Personal libraries, and government - public or institutional - libraries have also included history to help us know where we have been to help us decide how to go forward. Libraries for just plain entertainment are a truly new concept because for the most part before this century - no one had large amounts of time for pure entertainment.
One thing I would like to personally encourage all librarians I meet is to remember to BALANCE their collection. Concept in college meant, balance expenditures for a variety of interests so your library was not only supporting current reader fads but providing overall access to variety of materials.
Balance should also be held in the views of positive and negative. Too much current publishing - books, magazines, movies and more are negative -political rhetoric is sometimes hateful, horror fiction is often dark, demonic, bestsellers abound with murder and drugs and general mayhem. Following trends on bestsellers, librarians could easily find themselves with negative collections. Not a good thought. Please check your selection plan for guidance and plan not to fall into a negative trap. The responsibility of selection is a professional choice not a popularity contest.
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