July 2010
A few months ago, I wrote an article about why people use their public libraries. Most people I surveyed said the number one reason they use the library is for the books. Sure, they used their libraries to check out DVDs and CDs, for programs, and for information gathering. But it was the books that kept them coming back. A recent shopping experience got me thinking about one other excellent reason for people to use their public libraries.
I bought a set of sheets at a local department store over the weekend. The price was right, the color was perfect and I had money burning a hole in my pocket. I took them home, put them on the bed, and later that evening, snuggled in for a good night’s rest. Ah, sleep.
And then it happened. Three hours later I was tossing, and turning, and I didn’t think I could stand it any longer. Those darn sheets were so scratchy, I just couldn’t get comfortable. So, at 2:15 a.m. I told myself I was going to return the sheets the next morning, and spend a little more money to get non-scratchy sheets.
From 2:15 a.m. all the way to 9:00 a.m. when I returned the sheets, I fretted. I worried. I tossed and I turned. Would the store take the sheets back? Would I have to explain that I really only slept on them for three hours? Would they think I was some crazy sheet lady who roams the country buying and returning sheet sets?
All of this got me thinking about the books I check out from the library. If I check out a book and discover that I don’t like it or just can’t get into the storyline or the characters, I never worry about returning the book. I never worry about having to explain why I didn’t like the book. And I never lose sleep over thinking the people at the library are going to think I’m some crazy book lady who roams the country checking out library books and returning them.
Life is too short for a book you don’t enjoy. Return it, guilt free, and check out one that isn’t so scratchy.
Friday, August 20, 2010
June 2010
I’ve been writing a Beloit Daily News column for almost three years now and sometimes it takes me a while to come up with new topics. So, when I can’t think of anything to write about in a given month, I like to just sit down, start typing and see what happens. I let my mind wander as my fingers move across the keyboard and hope that something magically appears. What should I write about this month that I haven’t written about before?
Should I write about the new public capital campaign? The one where our customers can donate money to the library to help with programs, computer replacements, supplemental signs for the library and art displays? If I write about that, I should probably let them know that they can donate online using PayPal, or by sending a check to the library. Or should I write about how our customers checked out over 500,000 items last year from the library? That’s an increase from 430,000 items in 2008. Or maybe I should write about the fact that in just the first three days of the Summer Library Club program we already have over 300 kids signed up? That’s pretty impressive so far considering we signed up a total of 649 kids in 2009. I know! I’ll write about all the great computer instructional classes we offer throughout the year. No, wait, I think everyone already knows about those.
I don’t know… maybe I should just keep typing? Something’s bound to hit me…
Should I write about the new public capital campaign? The one where our customers can donate money to the library to help with programs, computer replacements, supplemental signs for the library and art displays? If I write about that, I should probably let them know that they can donate online using PayPal, or by sending a check to the library. Or should I write about how our customers checked out over 500,000 items last year from the library? That’s an increase from 430,000 items in 2008. Or maybe I should write about the fact that in just the first three days of the Summer Library Club program we already have over 300 kids signed up? That’s pretty impressive so far considering we signed up a total of 649 kids in 2009. I know! I’ll write about all the great computer instructional classes we offer throughout the year. No, wait, I think everyone already knows about those.
I don’t know… maybe I should just keep typing? Something’s bound to hit me…
May 2010
If you had told me years ago that one day my library career would revolve around taking care of a gangly group of fish, I wouldn’t have believed you. After all, I got my Masters in Library Science so I could teach the world about the love of books, right? Well, just this past week I got to stick my arm, past the elbow, into the library’s fish tank to move a rock to create a hidden cave for the stressed-out Regal Tang. I was then bitten by the Tomato Clown Fish, who was gallantly defending her territory and protecting the Sea Anemone. I’m pretty sure the Banded Coral Shrimp gave me a dirty look as I moved the rock on which he was feeding. And while I will admit the Sea Urchin and the Yellow Damselfish didn’t look like they cared much about all the goings-on, I think they were just secretly plotting their next plan of attack on my exposed flesh.
I love those crazy fish. Really, I do. In fact, the fish will be the main attraction this summer at the library during our Summer Library Club. This year’s theme is Make a Splash: Read!, and all of our “tween” and children’s programs will be about fish, pirates, bathtubs, sea people and just about anything else water-related. The Summer Library Club starts with our Kick-Off event on Saturday June 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with games, crafts, prizes, Scoopie, Culver’s frozen custard, and a chance to sign up for the reading program. Then throughout the summer kids and their families are welcome to come to story times, watch movies, see performers and make arts and crafts projects. The Teen Summer Library Club theme is Make Waves at Your Library, and the Kick-Off event is also on Saturday June 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teens can sign up for the reading program, play Guitar Hero and enjoy some snacks. The Adult Summer Library Club, Water Your Mind: Read, starts in July.
I love those crazy fish. Really, I do. In fact, the fish will be the main attraction this summer at the library during our Summer Library Club. This year’s theme is Make a Splash: Read!, and all of our “tween” and children’s programs will be about fish, pirates, bathtubs, sea people and just about anything else water-related. The Summer Library Club starts with our Kick-Off event on Saturday June 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with games, crafts, prizes, Scoopie, Culver’s frozen custard, and a chance to sign up for the reading program. Then throughout the summer kids and their families are welcome to come to story times, watch movies, see performers and make arts and crafts projects. The Teen Summer Library Club theme is Make Waves at Your Library, and the Kick-Off event is also on Saturday June 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teens can sign up for the reading program, play Guitar Hero and enjoy some snacks. The Adult Summer Library Club, Water Your Mind: Read, starts in July.
April 2010
I recently conducted a highly scientific survey. The question asked was: If you use your public library, why do you use it?” What methods did I use to conduct this highly scientific survey? Why, I asked my Facebook friends, of course. Now you might think you can’t trust the results of this survey because I was asking my friends, and my friends are probably predisposed to using libraries. Again, using highly scientific methods (“guesstimation” and “making up stuff”), I would have to say that about 85% of my friends use libraries. 10% of them don’t know where their public library is located, and 5% are teenagers who think they can find everything on the Internet. By the way, they’re wrong about that.
But back to the results of my survey. Ann said that she uses the library because it’s a great way to connect with her community. Erin uses it to check out DVDs and Audio CDs. Dan said he just can’t get enough of that Dewey Decimal System. Phil and M.T. both said they enjoy the programs at the library. And at least two of my friends mentioned cute librarians as their reason for using the library. No, I didn’t pay them to say that. Overwhelmingly, the number one reason my friends said they use libraries is for, drum roll please, … the books. Alyssa said the library is the only place where she can afford to read more about people and places she discovered while reading historical fiction. Kimberly loves the knowledge, the stories and the history she finds in books. And Mike just likes roaming the stacks to see what book will jump out and grab his attention.
Yes, the library has Internet access, DVDs, CDs, programs, story times, study rooms and meeting rooms. But people from every walk of life will always come to the library for the books.
But back to the results of my survey. Ann said that she uses the library because it’s a great way to connect with her community. Erin uses it to check out DVDs and Audio CDs. Dan said he just can’t get enough of that Dewey Decimal System. Phil and M.T. both said they enjoy the programs at the library. And at least two of my friends mentioned cute librarians as their reason for using the library. No, I didn’t pay them to say that. Overwhelmingly, the number one reason my friends said they use libraries is for, drum roll please, … the books. Alyssa said the library is the only place where she can afford to read more about people and places she discovered while reading historical fiction. Kimberly loves the knowledge, the stories and the history she finds in books. And Mike just likes roaming the stacks to see what book will jump out and grab his attention.
Yes, the library has Internet access, DVDs, CDs, programs, story times, study rooms and meeting rooms. But people from every walk of life will always come to the library for the books.
March 2010
The award-winning Beloit Public Library. I like the way that sounds. Go ahead, say it out loud. Don’t worry, there’s nobody around to hear you talking to yourself. Say it slowly and stretch out the words award-winning. It just kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? The award-winning Beloit Public Library.
The award-winning Beloit Public Library is proud to have received several different awards in recent months. The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers awarded Cindy Gall of Engberg Anderson, Inc., their Gold Level Award for her interior design of the Beloit Public Library. Cindy worked tirelessly to blend together all of the library’s fabrics, paint colors, carpets and furniture into one amazing design palate. The library was also named one of Wisconsin Builder Magazine’s Top Projects of 2009. This award is given to new developments that have made a difference in their communities.
And finally, just this past week, the library was named the Spring 2010 Community Asset Builder. This award was given by Partners in Prevention, Rock County, Inc., which recognized the library for its support and dedication to the children and teens in the Beloit community. Along with this recognition, the library received a huge container full of arts and crafts supplies that we will use in all of the upcoming programs in the Youth Services Department. For more information on these fabulous awards, visit the library’s website, www.beloitlibrary.info.
The award-winning Beloit Public Library is proud to have received several different awards in recent months. The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers awarded Cindy Gall of Engberg Anderson, Inc., their Gold Level Award for her interior design of the Beloit Public Library. Cindy worked tirelessly to blend together all of the library’s fabrics, paint colors, carpets and furniture into one amazing design palate. The library was also named one of Wisconsin Builder Magazine’s Top Projects of 2009. This award is given to new developments that have made a difference in their communities.
And finally, just this past week, the library was named the Spring 2010 Community Asset Builder. This award was given by Partners in Prevention, Rock County, Inc., which recognized the library for its support and dedication to the children and teens in the Beloit community. Along with this recognition, the library received a huge container full of arts and crafts supplies that we will use in all of the upcoming programs in the Youth Services Department. For more information on these fabulous awards, visit the library’s website, www.beloitlibrary.info.
February 2010
My husband and I recently spent an expensive evening out watching the gazillion-dollar blockbuster movie, Avatar. The movie has made gazillions of dollars because people like us were willing to shell out a small fortune just to see it. Between the popcorn, the soda and the extra ticket cost for the 3-D special effects, we came home broke. Was it worth it? Heck yes it was. Seeing it in 3-D on a big theater screen with those cool glasses was truly amazing. But did I actually like the movie for itself? Was the plot compelling? Did the characters really come alive? Not really. The story line was a bit predictable and the infiltrator-falls-for-native-girl theme has been done to death.
Last weekend, all of Beloit played host to the 5th Annual Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF). 20 feature-length independent and foreign films, 19 documentaries and 80 short films were shown throughout the weekend and thousands of people watched them. Film festivals on the local level have been gaining in popularity and I think it is partially because audiences crave films with some substance. Audiences want to see award-winning films with characters and themes that touch their hearts and stir their minds.
In October of last year, the Beloit Public Library started a new program called the Reel to Reel Film Series. On the 1st Tuesday of each month we show an award-winning independent feature film and a short film. This month’s film, Mine, will be shown on Tuesday March 2nd in the Public Meeting Room at 6:30pm. It is a film about the human-animal bond and Hurricane Katrina. And just like all other library programs, there is no admission fee to the see the film. Take that, Avatar.
Last weekend, all of Beloit played host to the 5th Annual Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF). 20 feature-length independent and foreign films, 19 documentaries and 80 short films were shown throughout the weekend and thousands of people watched them. Film festivals on the local level have been gaining in popularity and I think it is partially because audiences crave films with some substance. Audiences want to see award-winning films with characters and themes that touch their hearts and stir their minds.
In October of last year, the Beloit Public Library started a new program called the Reel to Reel Film Series. On the 1st Tuesday of each month we show an award-winning independent feature film and a short film. This month’s film, Mine, will be shown on Tuesday March 2nd in the Public Meeting Room at 6:30pm. It is a film about the human-animal bond and Hurricane Katrina. And just like all other library programs, there is no admission fee to the see the film. Take that, Avatar.
January 2010
When I got my first digital camera a few years ago, I found that I started taking more pictures than I ever did with my old 35mm camera. Back in the pre-digital days you had to buy the rolls of film and lug them around with you. On a typical vacation I would take 5 rolls of film and get about 100 fairly decent pictures. That seemed like a lot at the time. By comparison, on the last vacation my husband I went on, I took over 250 pictures on my digital camera in just one day.
With my 35mm, I had to really think about what pictures I wanted to take. I didn’t want to waste expensive film on blurry shots of the dogs chasing each other around the backyard. Now, I can take as many shots as I want and just delete the ones that don’t turn out. I’m not sure which is better. Taking the time to get one quality shot? Or taking lots of shots hoping I can use at least one of them?
In the first half of the 20th century, most people probably didn’t have the time or the means to take a lot of pictures. So, the pictures they did take really meant something to them. Whether it was a picture of a home, of a child, or of a family gathering, pictures held a special place in people’s hearts.
Last fall, the Beloit Public Library proudly displayed a collection of photographs from the Beloit Oral History Project. Most of the photographs were of people and places connected with the Fairbanks Flats. The photographs captured moments of family life and community fellowship. They are photographs that show the true quality of the people who took them and of the people who posed for them.
In honor of National Black History Month, the library is happy to announce that these photographs will be on our website as of February 1st. They are part of our Digital Collection and are available for both viewing and printing. Visit www.beloitlibrary.info, click on Electronic Resources and then click on Digital Collections. Each photo is indexed by the year it was taken and by the people or places in the photo.
With my 35mm, I had to really think about what pictures I wanted to take. I didn’t want to waste expensive film on blurry shots of the dogs chasing each other around the backyard. Now, I can take as many shots as I want and just delete the ones that don’t turn out. I’m not sure which is better. Taking the time to get one quality shot? Or taking lots of shots hoping I can use at least one of them?
In the first half of the 20th century, most people probably didn’t have the time or the means to take a lot of pictures. So, the pictures they did take really meant something to them. Whether it was a picture of a home, of a child, or of a family gathering, pictures held a special place in people’s hearts.
Last fall, the Beloit Public Library proudly displayed a collection of photographs from the Beloit Oral History Project. Most of the photographs were of people and places connected with the Fairbanks Flats. The photographs captured moments of family life and community fellowship. They are photographs that show the true quality of the people who took them and of the people who posed for them.
In honor of National Black History Month, the library is happy to announce that these photographs will be on our website as of February 1st. They are part of our Digital Collection and are available for both viewing and printing. Visit www.beloitlibrary.info, click on Electronic Resources and then click on Digital Collections. Each photo is indexed by the year it was taken and by the people or places in the photo.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Everybody starts out small...
Okay, here it is, my official first blog for the Beloit Public Library. Not much to it so far. Be sure to check back soon for my thoughts on the libraries in general and the Beloit Public Library specifically.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)