Okay...so...

Yeah...I haven't had a lot to talk about lately and that's why I've been a bit lazy in blogging. (Apparently, there are people who do actually read my blog and I've even had some comment that it's been awhile!) Anyways, not only have I been lazy about blogging, I've been lazy about programming this past fall too. But, I'm in the process of planning some super cool stuff for 2011!

Here's what I can tell you so far:

On Wednesday, January 12th at 6:30pm our Big Read Book Club will be meeting for the third time. "What is the Big Read Book Club," you ask? Well, it is a new book club that I introduced here after receiving free materials from the National Endowment of the Arts. The purpose of the Big Read is to promote literacy and reading within communities. And of course, to pick up a really good book! Here's a link for more info: http://www.neabigread.org/ Our selection for January is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I know there are several copies available in the system for checkout, and I will also have some available (hopefully) by the middle of December. There are also readers guides that give wonderful insight into the book and the authors, that will be available behind the front desk for those interested. I hope to see some new faces!

For those of you with kids in school, on Monday, January 17th at 2pm, Alicia and I will be giving a demonstration on a super new uber cool program we now offer called Brainfuse. Brainfuse connects students with live tutors via the internet to offer them homework help in a number of subjects. There are also practice tests for various school subjects, as well as the SAT and ACT. It's a really neat-o program that I wish I would have had access to when I was in school (eons ago...). So, for those interested, I will have a sign up sheet at the front desk.

On Saturday, January 22nd at 4pm, I will be hosting a cookie swap. That's right, I said it...cookie swap. Because in all honesty, who needs vegetables?! Everyone will need to bring a copy of their favorite cookie recipe as well as a hearty sample to share. I will be making copies of the recipes that evening for everyone to take home! Sign up is required and is limited to those 18 years and older. Cookies! Cookies! Cookies!

Finally, on Thursday, January 27th at 6:30pm, I will be offering a class on JobNow and other excellent job search databases. JobNow is another extension of Brainfuse, but is specifically for job skills. They offer live one-on-one job coaching, resume help, and interviewing skills. I will also be sharing some wonderful information I received from an online class I took this fall about job searching. If you're struggling to find a job, or need some help tweaking that resume, this is the place to be! I will have a sign-up at the front desk! Don't wait!

Well, that's about it for now. I'm in the process of trying to finalize some more programs for February.

Until my next whine...peace out...

Old School

Patron: "Do you know if this book has one of those numbers that you can put into easy bib to get the record?"

Me: "I honestly don't know, I always did my own bib records when I was in school."

Patron: "Yeah, that's how we do it these days."

It's official...I am now old school.

I had nothing to do with this...

For the record: I had nothing to do with sticking Pat in the book drop bin. It was Laure's idea. And yes, that is Pat's hand sticking out of the book drop hole in the desk. And yes, we shoved her under the counter so that she could do that. All in a day's work...

Free to Read, You and Me

HAPPY BANNED BOOKS WEEK!


Remember: "A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone"-- Jo Godwin

Heck yeah, programs!

First off, can I just say that if you missed our Edgar Allen Poe program on September 17th, shame on you! It was A-MA-ZING! And just to prove to you how amazing it was, here's some pictures that our handy dandy, bearded wonder, Len Struttmann, took that evening:



Duffy Hudson (the actor who portrayed Poe) was an absolute delight as a performer and afterwords as himself. His riveting performances of The Tell-Tale Heart, Annabelle Lee, and The Raven captivated the entire audience. So if you missed it, well, too bad for you! It was awesome!

But have no fear, we still have some other fun programs in store for you. Coming up on Thursday, September 30th at 6:30pm is the newest book club to join our ranks here at Hiawatha. The Big Read Book Club will make its dazzling debut! Our first selection will be none other than To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I chose this one first because it is the 50th anniversary of its publication and also because it seemed a fitting way to celebrate Banned Books Week. Believe it or not, To Kill a Mockingbird was the 4th challenged book in the United States for 2009. 4th! After 50 years, people still find a reason to challenge this book! Most ironically, the number one reason for the challenges is racism. Evidently they haven't read the book...anyways, to get back to the whole point of this, come out and join our new book club! I should mention, that sign up is limited to 8 participants, and each one receives a free copy of the book and a nifty little reader's guide.

On Wednesday's in October from 5:30-7:30pm you can learn to crochet with the lovely Katy. She will be sharing her expertise and mad skills with anyone who wants to learn! And when I say mad skills, I mean the woman can crochet! There is no cost for this program except that you will need to purchase the materials for whatever project you wish to complete. Here's a list of the projects you can choose from:

Fall 2010 - Crochet Classes for Hiawatha Library

Easy Crochet Gifts for the Holidays

#1 - Spa Cloths - Crochet them in several colors, tie together with a ribbon or add to a pretty basket of bath goodies.

Materials:

1 ball cotton worsted sized yarn ie: Sugar’n Cream or Peaches and Cream, etc

5.0 mm [US H-8] crochet hook

Scissors

Yarn needle (Fat eye)

#2 – iPod/MP3 Holder - A handy way to carry around iPods, or cell phones! Add embellishments to personalize for a fun gift.

Materials:

1 ball worsted sized yarn – Varigated yarns work nice for this

5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook

Scissors

Yarn Needle (fat eye)

Sewing thread and sewing needle

Embelishments:

Cute buttons, or lace, or ribbon, or small sew on patches, etc.

#3 – Cozy Neckwarmer – Quick to crochet these buttoned mini-scarves make easy gift giving and easy wear for the lucky people who receive one.

Materials:

150 yards Worsted sized yarn – wool, wool blend or acrylic

2 – 3/4 inch buttons – match or contrast button color to yarn

5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook

Scissors

Yarn Needle (fat eye)

Sewing thread and sewing needle

#4 - Winter Bucket Hat - Made plain it’s a perfect gift for men or women, add crocheted flowers for extra cuteness.

Materials:

2 balls Bulky or Super Bulky yarn; wool, wool blend or acrylic

9.0 mm (US M/N) crochet hook

Scissors

Yarn needle (fat eye)

For Crocheted Flower:

1 ball contrasting Sport weight yarn: wool, wool blend or acrylic

5 mm [US H/8] crochet hook

Well, that's about all for now. I hope to see you all at one of our programs this fall! Yippee!

Which of these things is not like the other?

Can you guess what's wrong with these two pictures?


Jean had made the top for our little announcements board several weeks ago. It was only today that Alicia realized that it said "Dancing with Scissors" instead of "Drawing with Scissors" like the one below! Whoops! We think that she may have had other important things on her mind, like who made the cast of the next season of Dancing with the Stars. :-)

Many thanks to Jean for a good laugh, even if it was an accident!

Blue Screen of Uh Oh!

It's been one of those days where you remember just how terribly frustrating and irritating computers can be. Don't get me wrong, I love technology as much as the next person. But alas, today is not one of those days! For one, our computers have been terribly slooooow. I mean really slooooow. As in, I can't do my job slooooow.

Then I had a patron come up and say that the screen on her computer went blank. And when I went to check on her computer, number eight to be exact...I saw the dreaded blue screen of death. (Hence, the funny cartoon) So all in all, here's hoping that tomorrow is a better day for these obnoxious little machines! And for me too!