Friday, October 31, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/31/2014


Fountain Pen Nib, Egypt, 18th to 19th Century CE

Daily Thoughts 10/31/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library this morning.

I read some more of How Google Works.  I learned about Jeff Bezos's idea that the right size of a team is two pizzas (The Two Pizza Rule.).

On the train home, I read Mount Vernon Revisited.  There were a few photographs that were related to the Mount Vernon Public Library which were quite relevant.  I also learned some local history.

I watched part of this webinar.  It should be very useful for libraries.
Webinar Archive Available 2.2 Billion Reasons Libraries Should Care About WIOA
http://www.districtdispatch.org/2014/10/webinar-archive-available-2-2-billion-reasons-libraries-care-wioa/

I rewatched the webinar and learned quite a bit.  It looks like a huge government initiative.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  I also did a little work with programming.  I did a little more shifting in the 900s.

I put Volume 2 of The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel on hold.

I read some more of The Summer of Yes by Karen Leahy.  This book is more than a memoir about becoming a nun then leaving the convent.  It is also about art and music.  The author becomes an english teacher when she joins the order.  Her family tells stories and sings. The writing is superb.The book was a finalist for the Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association.  The book is self published.

I read some more of How Google Works on the way home.  The book has a lot of content about the idea of the "smart creative".  My impression is that Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg are writing about engineers with design skills, or artists with strong computer skills.  The triad of technology, design, and business which drives modern technology companies.

Web Bits

US Adds Poverty to Dangerous Reading Lists

Telescope Checkout Program Comes to City, County Libraries
This is the first time I have seen anything like this.
                                                                   
Google's Secretive DeepMind Startup Unveils a "Neural Turing Machine"
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/532156/googles-secretive-deepmind-startup-unveils-a-neural-turing-machine/

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/30/2014

Still Life With Vase and Fruits, Ion Theodorescu-Sion, 1920
Daily Thoughts 10/30/2014

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some of How Google Works this morning.  The book tells me that google was founded on computer engineering.  That more than half of the staff is computer engineers.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  I spent a little time working on the display for new art books.  I also did a little more shifting in the 900s.

I called Lifetime Arts today about a program. http://www.lifetimearts.org/

The book Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie came in for me to read.

I placed the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up:  The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo on hold.

I am looking through Mount Vernon Revisited Images of America by Larry Spruill, Ph.D. and Donna Jackson with a Foreword by Ernest D. Davis.  There is a very nice acknowledgement that many of the photographs in the book came from the Mount Vernon Public Library Virginia McClellan Moskowitz Local History Room.

There is a Beginning Internet Class from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Web Bits



Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/29/2014

Albrecht Durer, A Lectern With Books

Daily Thoughts 10/29/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook this morning for the library.  I also did some shifting in the 900s.  We are ordering some more book ends.

I checked the displays and the gifts.  I put together a display of some of the new art books.  I also read a copy of the Publishers Weekly and Library Journal.

I checked out the book, How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg.  My initial impression is that it looks like a public relations piece.

I printed up some flyers for programs as well.   I also ordered a copy of Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain't that Funkin' Hard On You? by George Clinton and Ben Greenman.

I spent a few minutes looking through the Arts Westchester Directory.
https://artswestchester.org/directory/

I spent some time going over some things with the new part-time public computer person.  We may have someone to help with the public computers in the morning as well soon.

There is a class tonight for Beginning Microsoft Powerpoint from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The poetry workshop is continuing.  They are talking about doing a final class performance on November 19, 2014.  We also have to work on a chapbook for the people in the class.  One of the students showed me her book, The Summer of Yes by Karen Leahy.  I have started reading it.  It is an interesting book.  Karen Leahy was a nun in a convent for 11 years, then chose to leave.   The writing is very presentable and grammatical. 

Web Bits

Librarian As Futurist Changing the Way Librarians Think About the Future
http://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/49667/Librarian_as_Futurist_Mathews_July2014.pdf?sequence=1

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/28/2014

Portret kobiety czytającej gazetę, Stanisław Dębicki, Polish painter, 1866-1924, 1900s

Daily Thoughts 10/28/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library this morning.

I also checked the displays and the gift books.

The Brown Bag Book Club is meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Trustees Room.  We are discussing Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Jennifer Chiaverini also has a new book out, Mrs. Lincoln's Rival.  Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker is almost entirely from the book, Behind the Scenes. By Elizabeth Keckley, Formerly A Slave, But More Recently Modiste, And Friend to Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.  Behind the Scenes is public domain and is available on Project Gutenberg. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24968

We are reading Mount Vernon Revisited by Larry Spruill and Donna Jackson for the next book club meeting.

I spent some more time shifting in the 900s.  Things are getting a little more organized.

I have to work on the calendar tomorrow.

Our computer lab hours have changed officially to 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and we now have more coverage for the public computers.  We are working on getting even more coverage.

There are two computer classes tonight, a Beginning Microsoft Word Class and a Fundamentals of Computer Operations class.

I finished reading Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie. It is the story of Peter Schoeffer Gutenberg's apprentice, the adopted son Johann Fust.  Johann Fust financed the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.  The story is about secrecy, technology, and the kind of underhanded rivalry that occurs in business.  I enjoyed reading the book.  Alix Christie shows a deep understanding of printing in this book.  There are very deep descriptions of the artistry involved in early printing.   This book is well worth reading.

Web Bits

What Book Should You Read Next Putting Librarians and Algorithms to the Test
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3037181/what-book-should-you-read-next-putting-librarians-and-algorithms-to-the-test

7 Things Kids Who Only Practically Grew Up In a Library Can Understand
http://www.bustle.com/articles/44205-7-things-only-kids-who-practically-grew-up-in-a-library-can-understand

How Andrew Carnegie Built the Architecture of American Literacy
http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/10/how-andrew-carnegie-built-the-architecture-of-american-literacy/381953/

Monday, October 27, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/27/2014


Daily Thoughts 10/27/2014

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie.  I am reading about the early process of book printing.  It describes making ink, forgining tin and lead letters, and setting type.

I was at Barnes and Nobles last night looking at books.

 I watched Wall Street Money Never Sleeps with Michael Douglas this afternoon.

I watched a webinar on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act today.

Web Bits 



Libraries Boost Communities Economy: My Word

Posman Books Being Forced Out of Grand Central
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/64524-posman-books-being-forced-out-of-grand-central.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=c7e487e1ca-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-c7e487e1ca-304551865

I sometimes stopped in here.  It really is too bad.  They had a neat, clean, well organized store.

New Proposed Legislation Requires Public Disclosure for New York City Libraries
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/10/legislation/new-proposed-legislation-requires-public-disclosure-for-new-york-city-libraries/#_


Sunday, October 26, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/26/2014


Daily Thoughts 10/26/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library this morning.

I also spent a little more time looking at grants.

I read some more of Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie.  I am reading about how one of Gutenberg's first contracts is for a missal or prayer book because printing guaranteed uniformity of content unlike copying.  This contract was canceled and Gutenberg decided to create a bible instead.

Web Bits



Wealth, Philanthropy, and Libraries

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/25/2014


Daily Thoughts 10/25/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library.

I also spent some time looking at grant information for libraries.

I read some more of Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alex Christie.

I put Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie on hold.  No, Really Read Ann Leckie http://bookriot.com/2014/10/25/ann-leckie-ancillary-justice/


Friday, October 24, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/24/2014

Ohne Titel (Handstudie), vor 1872, Vintage-Albuminabzug. 9,7 x 13,8 cm, Josef Lowy

Daily Thoughts 10/24/2014

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I finished reading Ancillary Justice.  There is an interview of Ann Leckie in the back of the book.  She describes how she took elements from Roman history.  I rather liked that in her dedication she names a number of libraries which she used as research.

I checked out a historical fiction novel, Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I did some shifting this morning in the 900s.  We also had a management meeting.

A box of Advanced Reading Copies came in from Library Journal.  Two of them seem very interesting, Girl In the Dark A Memoir by Anna Lyndsey about a woman who becomes very light sensitive,  and Bad Days In History A Gleefully Grim Chronicle of Misfortune, Mayhem and Misery for Every Day of the Year by Michael Farquhar.

The November Book Page came in today.

I spent some time discussing green companies in Mount Vernon, New York.  There is a recent push for green construction training in the area.  http://sentineledu.com/?p=88

I started reading Gutenberg's Apprentice which is historical fiction.  It is about Peter Schoeffer who apprenticed under Gutenberg at the direction of his foster father, Johann Fust who financed Gutenberg's press.


Web Bits



Collection Directions: Some Reflections on the Future of Library Collections and Collecting

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/23/2014

Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797-1861), The Actor

Daily Thoughts 10/23/2014

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Larry Spruill and Donna Jackson will be reading and showing slides from their book, Mount Vernon Revisited on Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

http://mountvernon.dailyvoice.com/events/classes-lectures/808970/mount-vernon-revisited-images-america

On the way to work, I started reading Ancillary Justice.  I am enjoying it.  The main character is an artificial intelligence in a human body which is a bit different.  It is military science fiction.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.  I also did some shifting in the 900s.  It is steadily looking better.

I have a new part-time hire who covers the cybercorner in the afternoon who is being trained.  This allows us to open the computer lab for an additional hour every day so we have more computer time for patrons.

I spent some time getting ready for the Mount Vernon Revisited Program.  Poeple are very interested in the book.


Web Bits

Public Libraries Can be a Catalyst for Community Transformation
http://blog.imls.gov/?p=5345

We Need Diverse Books and School Library Journal Announce Collaboration
http://www.slj.com/2014/10/diversity/we-need-diverse-books-and-school-library-journal-announce-collaboration/#_

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/22/2014

James Abbott McNeill Whistler, 1873, Woman Reading a Book

Daily Thoughts 10/22/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library this morning.

I read some more of A Slip of the Keyboard.  Terry Pratchett discusses his love of libraries and bookstores in some of his essays.  For Terry Pratchett, the library is a place for literature.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.  A colleague is proctoring an exam in the computer lab.

The book, Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie came in for me to read.  It won the Nebula Award for 2014 as well as the Arthur C. Clarke Award for 2014.  It is science fiction.

I did a little more shifting of the 900s today.

I finished reading A Slip of the Keyboard. Terry Pratchett is writing about how he had a variety of alzheimers and his father passed away from cancer.  Part of these essays are about assisted dying.

There is a Gmail class from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the computer lab.  Also, the Poetry Workshop is meeting tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Web Bits

After Queens Scandal Bills Introduced to Open up Books at City Libraries
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/queens-scandal-bills-introduced-open-books-city-libraries-blog-entry-1.1982260

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Daily Thoughts 10/21/2014

Paul Gaugin's Armchair, Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

Daily Thoughts 10/21/2014

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of A Slip of the Keyboard.  Terry Pratchett's writing is light and enjoyable.  He is writing about different elements in fantasy like fan fiction and elves.  He confirmed something interesting about him.  He wrote public relations for the nuclear power industry in England.

This morning, I checked the gift books and the displays.  I also did some shifting in the 900s. We got some new book ends which helps with shifting.  I am hiring a new part-time clerk to cover the cybercorner (public computers) in the afternoons.

I registered for the a webinar on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act on October 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
http://www.districtdispatch.org/2014/10/ala-depts-ed-labor-host-webinar-workforce-funding/

Westchester Residential Opportunities has a workshop tonight in the community room for Fair Housing from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

We also have two computer classes, a Beginning Microsoft Word class from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and a Fundamentals of Computer Operations class from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. tonight in the computer lab.

Web Bits

Libraries Digitize Papyrus Collection
http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2014/10/20/libraries-digitize-papyrus-collection/

41 Final Entries for the Knight News Challenge
https://newschallenge.org/challenge/libraries/refinement/