Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/31/2019


Bamboo Slip Book, (18th Century)

Daily Thoughts 12/31/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I spent some time checking books in the mezzanine.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

We are moving along on our shifting project for the main floor books.

I rested on the way to work.

I worked on the scheduling a little bit in ADP.

I put in two orders for new books for the adult collection.

I looked through the New York Times Bestseller list and the Publishers Weekly Best Seller list.

I looked through copy of Library Journal and the New York Times Book Review.

Web Bits


Let’s Not Lose Libraries in 2020!


Monday, December 30, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/30/2019

File:Other worlds science stories 195112.jpg
Other Worlds, Science Stories, December 1951

Daily Thoughts 12/30/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of How Science Works.  I am reading about aging, genomes, and gene therapy.  By the time I will be done with this, I will have read a few pages about most of the different topics in science.

Web Bits



Toxic for Libraries KKR Investment Firm to Buy Overdrive Biggest Library Ebook Company

Future Flexible New Landmark Libraries 2019

Houston Public Library Launches A Mobile Technology Lab



Sunday, December 29, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/29/2019

File:Reading - William Collingwood Smith - Collingwood-Smith-98025.jpg
Reading by William Collingswood Smith, 1830s

Daily Thoughts 12/29/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also read some more of How Science Works.  I read about photosynthesis and respiration.

I got sent another political book Journeys An American Story 72 Essays About Immigration and American Greatness compiled by Andrew Tisch & Mary Skafidas.  I have no intention of reading it.  It is supposed to be sympathetic.  I have no idea how I got chosen to receive this.  It is kind of like being asked to join Who's Who In America.  It does not really do much for me.


Saturday, December 28, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/28/2019

File:Two complete science adventure books 1953spr n8.jpg
The Complete Science Adventure Books, 1953

Daily Thoughts 12/28/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of How Science Works.  I am reading about evolution and the development of the first life on Earth.

Web Bits


Two Myths of the Internet

14 Budget Friendly Tabletop Games Which Your Library Should Have



Friday, December 27, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/27/2019

William Stott of Oldham (1857-1900) Lesen bei Gaslicht, 1884.jpg
Reading Woman, William Stott of Oldham, 1884

Daily Thoughts 12/27/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read a little bit more of How Science Works.  I am reading about biology and genetics.

I took a day off to rest yesterday.

Web Bits



Equity Firm Agrees To Buy Overdrive

Our Towns Looking At Libraries

Los Angeles Public Library Ends Late Fees

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/25/2019

The Musician’s Table
The Musicians Table, Juan Gris, 1914

Daily Thoughts 12/25/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of How Science Works.  Each description is two pages.  I read a little bit about string theory, relativity, and gravity waves.  It is a kind of comprehensive overview of science.

I spent a little time looking at information on the census.

Web Bits



Italian High Schoolers Are Helping Bring Secret Vatican Archives to the Masses


Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/24/2019

File:1895 HoughtonMifflin HolidayBooks Armstrong.jpg
Houghton Mifflin and Company Holiday Books for 1895

Daily Thoughts 12/24/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also read some more of How Science Works The Facts Visually Explained.  I am reading about concepts like gravity, flight, and buoyancy.

Happy Holidays. 

Monday, December 23, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/23/2019

City Life (Boston Public Library) (cropped).jpg
City Life, De Vos, Chromolithograph, Issued between 1861 and 1897

Daily Thoughts 12/23/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this afternoon.

On the way to work, I read some more of How Science Works.  I am reading about energy production.

I read a copy of the New York Times Bestseller list and looked through a copy of the Times Literary Supplement.

I worked on two orders of new books.

I put in schedules for next month for ADP.

I spent a bunch of time covering the public computer area.

Web Bits


Library Journal Names Urban Librarians Unite Founder(s) 2020 Librarians of the Year

“The World Looks More Fragile Than it Did When I Was Younger”—A Conversation With Paul Theroux

13 Beautiful Historic Libraries in Chicago








Sunday, December 22, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/22/2019


L. Prang & Co's Holiday Publications, Louis John Rhead, 1895

Daily Thoughts 12/22/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook.

I read some more of How Science Works.  I am reading about topics like air, matter, and crystals.  The visual explanations are quite clear.

Please support the Mount Vernon Public Library in its campaign for a new Teen Computer Lab.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/giving-tuesday-at-the-mount-vernon-public-library

Web Bits


Trump Will Look to Profit Off His Presidential Library

Full Line Up of Free Comic Book Day 2020 Comics Announced!

Looking for A Cause to Donate to Try the Library


Saturday, December 21, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/21/2019

Harper's: January
Harper's January, Edward Penfield, 1895

Daily Thoughts 12/21/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of How Science Works.  I am reading about solids, liquids and gases and their atomic structure.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I spent some time on shifting.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I spent some time working on scheduling as well.

Web Bits


IMLS Receives $10 Million Increase in FY2020

Ode To a Library

What Can Heal The Library-Publishers Divide? Data





Friday, December 20, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/20/2019


Cobbe Portrait of William Shakespeare, 1610, Anonymous

Daily Thoughts 12/20/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading Behavioral Finance What Everyone Needs to Know by H. Kent Baker, Greg Filbeck, and John R. Nofsinger.  The last part of the book is about cognitive ability.  It describes how as we age our cognitive ability declines and our experience improves.  There is an idea that around age 50 we are at our peak ability to make investment choices.  I found the book to be quite interesting.  It gives people an idea of how our personal emotional and cognitive tendencies affect the ability to invest.  It also describes crowd psychology and why the stock market often acts irrationally.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

We worked on shifting some books in the main floor collection.

I read the New York Times Bestseller list and the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list.

I spent some time working on scheduling.

I put in two orders for new books.

I checked out the books, You Suck at Cooking The Absurdly Practical Guide to Sucking Slightly Less at Making Food, How Science Works The Facts Visually Explained published by Dorling Kindersley, and How Things Are Made From Automobiles to Zippers by Andrew Terranova and Sharon Rose.

Web Bits


Is Trump Preparing to Order Public Access to Taxpayer Funded Research?

There Is An App for That Leon County Library Card





Thursday, December 19, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/19/2019

Maria Tenisheva by I.Repin (1896, Smolensk Art gallery).jpg
Maria Tenisheva, Ilya Repin, 1896

Daily Thoughts 12/19/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Behavioral Finance this morning on the way to work.  I am reading about decisions based on intuition and experience versus decisions based on analysis.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

A colleague is shifting some books on the main floor of the library.

I spent the afternoon covering the computer lab.

I am thinking a little bit about our citizenship classes.  We use USA Learns which quite a few libraries use.  https://usalearns.org/usa-learns-citizenship  It is a free program.  We also have an excellent instructor who helps with the process.

Web Bits


The Library A Story in 100 Words

Expand Your E-Library With Humble Book Bundle, Help Charity

Everylibrary is one of the options for charity for this book bundle.

Responsible Operatsion: Data Science, Machine Learning, And AI In Libraries



Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/18/2019

File:Edouard Vuillard - Ker-Xavier Roussel Reading - 713-1961 - Saint Louis Art Museum.jpg
Edouard Vuillard, Ker Xavier Roussel Reading, circa 1904

Daily Thoughts 12/18/2019

I went to the Digital Census Training this morning at the Westchester Library System.  There was a brief introduction.  Then there were two tracks.  One was for creating public access points for people to sign up for the census online.  The other was for community outreach and community building for the census.

My colleague went to the track for Community Support and I went to the track for Public Access.  The manual which we followed is online.

There is a Library Guide for the 2020 New York Census.
http://libguides.senylrc.org/census2020

The manual which we used for the training is online as well.
http://libguides.senylrc.org/ld.php?content_id=51010569

It was an interesting discussion on the first census which will be online.  There are descriptions on how to set up chromebooks as dedicated public access points for the census.  In addition there are plans for using mobile hotspots for the census.

After the program I went back to the library and gave a copy of the manual to the director.

When I got back, I also checked the displays, did a little bit with ADP and checked some books in the mezzanine.

On the way home, I read some more of Behavioral Finance.  I am reading about how banks can use the psychology of the lottery to encourage people to save money.

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook.

Web Bits

Fewer Students Are Going to College:  Here's Why That Matters
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/16/787909495/fewer-students-are-going-to-college-heres-why-that-matters

Opinion: The Uncomfortable Limits of Human Knowledge
https://www.the-scientist.com/reading-frames/the-uncomfortable-limits-of-human-knowledge-66725

Getting A Library Card In Los Angeles is Pretty Easy
https://boingboing.net/2019/12/18/getting-a-library-card-in-los.html








Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/17/2019



Bradley His Book, The Kiss, William Henry Bradley, 1896

Daily Thoughts 12/17/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Behavioral Finance on the way to work.  I am reading about investor behavior.

I also read some more of Creating Mindful Leaders.  I am reading about self awareness and self confidence.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I spent some time on the ADP payroll.

I shifted some books on the main floor of the library.

I also checked some books in the mezzanine.

I looked through the Times Literary Supplement.

I checked the New York Times Book Review.  I also worked on two orders for new books.

Web Bits

Educational Publisher Makes the Switch to 'Digital First'
https://www.siliconchips-services.com/educational-publisher-switch-to-digital-first/

Monday, December 16, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/16/2019

Harper's: February
Harper's February, Edward Penfield, 1898

Daily Thoughts 12/16/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also did a little bit with keeping track of programming.

I have to check the time clock later today.

I took a day off from posting yesterday to relax.

I read some more of Behavioral Finance What Everyone Needs to Know.  I learned that the more political active you are the more likely you are to be an investor.

I also read some more of Creating Mindful Leaders.  I read about how meditation improves health and safety.

Web Bits



Is 350 Books Enough?

Seattle Public Library to Eliminate Overdue Fines in January

Help The Mount Vernon Library Create A Teen Computer Lab
Our fundraiser is showing up in a local online newspaper.

Page Through the Diaries of Louisa May Alcott at Harvard's Houghton Library Archives


Saturday, December 14, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/14/2019

Hans Eworth - Portrait of Lady Dacre - WGA07581.jpg
Hans Eworth, Portrait of Lady Dacre, circa 1555-1558

Daily Thoughts 12/14/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Behavioral Finance What Everyone Needs to Know.  I am reading about emotional biases in investing.

I also read some more of Creating Mindful Leaders.  I am reading about the benefits of paying attention and meditating for people in management positions.

Web Bits



Where Do Patrons Get Lost? A Study of Library Navigation

Why It's Time to Quantify The Library's Role In the Reading Marketplace

Something to Chew On: Tracking Down the History of Library Cake

Friday, December 13, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/13/2019

Carstian Luyckx - Still life with a globe, books, shells and corals resting on a stone ledge.jpg
Carstian Luyckx - Still life with a globe, books, shells and corals resting on a Stone Ledge, 1660-1677

Daily Thoughts 12/13/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Behavioral Finance on the way to work.  I am reading about different kinds of biases in decision making.  There are some which I have never heard of before like self serving attribute bias, hindsight bias, and control bias.

I also started reading Creating Mindful Leaders How to Power Down, Power Up, and Power Forward by Joe Burton.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

One of my colleagues is shifting books in the nonfiction books section.

Today is the Friends of the Mount Vernon Public Library Book sale from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..  It is also open tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I had a few cookies and a cup of coffee and looked around at the books.

Web Bits


How The Library of Congress Unrolled a 2000 Year Old Buddhist Scroll

Is My Library Liable For Fake News?



Thursday, December 12, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/12/2019


Daily Thoughts 12/12/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some of Behavioral Finance last night.  I am reading about mental biases which cause us to make financial mistakes.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I worked on shifting some books on the main floor.

A colleague and I are going to The Capstone Workshop for Sustainability at the Earth Institute of Columbia University which is being held at the County Executive's office in White Plains.  We are looking at doing some more environmental programming.

The presentation was interesting.  We got to see a few local politicians and met someone who wanted to a documentary program.

I did a little bit of work with programming.

Web Bits


Learning for a Living

Public Libraries Are Now Mental Health Resource Centers






Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/11/2019


"DAILY SCANDAL MONGER" Criticism of journalism in 1897 art detail, from- The "new journalism" beats him - Ehrhart. 

Daily Thoughts 12/11/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading The Intelligent Investor, The Revised Edition by Benjamin Graham Preface and Appendix by Warren E. Buffet, Updated With New Commentary by Jason Zweig.  This is a classic book on investing.  It is the second time I have read this book.  The last part of this book is about different investors who used value investing successfully.

This morning, there is an early meeting for the staff at 9:30 a.m.

I finished writing my monthly report.

The staff meeting went well.  We discussed the payroll system, hiring more people, and the upcoming budget.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I checked some of the material in the mezzanine.

We worked on shifting some books on the main floor of the library.

I discussed some science books to purchase.

I started reading Behavioral Finance What Everyone Needs to Know by H. Kent Baker, Greg Filbeck, and John R. Nofsinger.

Web Bits


Preparing My Library for the 2020 Census




Preparing Your Library for the 2020 Census-- Youtube Video



Bill Gates' Top Five Holiday Book Picks



Iowa Man Spends Months In Library to Become Teacher


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/10/2019

File:The Census at Bethlehem by Pieter Brueghel (II) Bonnefantenmuseum 677.jpg
The Census At Bethlehem, Peter Breughel The Younger, Between 1579 and 1638

Daily Thoughts 12/10/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about a variety of stocks to not invest in.

I shifted some books on the main floor of the library.

I checked a few books in the mezzanine.

There is a meeting of the Complete Count Committee for the Census which a colleague and I are going to at noon.

The meeting was interesting.  We joined the subcommittee for CBO's Community Based Organizations.

I looked through the latest copy of the New York Review of Books.

The Crochet Group is having their holiday party today for members.  The room is packed.

Web Bits


Public Libraries, Events and Book Sales, A Panorama Projects Survey

Chinese To Punish Library Officials for Burning Books- But Only Because They Did It In Public

The Library’s AI Chatbot Can Help You Pick a Book and Stream Movies


Monday, December 9, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/09/2019


Box for Books With Waterfall, Japan, 16th Century

Daily Thoughts 12/09/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about why an index fund beats most investors.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I looked through the latest copy of the New York Times Book Review.  It is the giant holiday issue.

I shifted some books on the main floor of the library.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I looked through a copy of Library Journal.

The Intergenerational Games Night program is tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

There is a Beginning Microsoft Word 2013 and a Fundamentals of Computers class in the Computer Lab.

Web Bits


Britain Has Closed Almost 800 Libraries Since 2010, Figures Show

Boston Public Library Considers Adding Apartments to 4 Library Branches


Sunday, December 8, 2019

Dialy Thoughts 12/8/2019

Flag of the Most Serene Republic of Venice

Daily Thoughts 12/08/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about how to compare different companies and decide which ones are the better ones to invest in.

Web Bits


The World's Most Beautiful Libraries: Stuttgart City Library

Behind Amazon's Doors Is A Library

“Rosa Park In Her Own Words:” Reveals The Real Person Behind the Icon

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/07/2019

Memento Mori 'To This Favour' by William Michael Harnett, c. 1879.JPG

Memento Mori 'To This Favour' by William Michael Harnett, c. 1879

Daily Thoughts 12/07/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am learning about accounting tricks in publicly traded companies.  There is a reminder to read the fine print in the annual reports.

I took a few moments to look at the Diamond Comic Book Distributors list of the Top 100 Graphic Novels for October 2019.
https://www.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/3/597?articleID=236985

I checked the displays.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I worked on shifting some books in the main floor nonfiction collection.

We discussed some future ideas for the budget.

Teen Tech Week has been replaced with a month long celebration called Teentober.
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teentober-web-graphics

Web Bits


Retired?  Head to Your Local Library

Inside Odd Obsession:  Chicago’s Volunteer Run Video Library

Friday, December 6, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/06/2019

Vogue cover November 1st, 1915, by George Wolfe Plank.jpg

Vogue magazine cover, November 1st, 1915: Women sitting in a forest, by George Wolfe Plank

Daily Thoughts 12/06/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook.

I finished reading Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings by Philip A. Fisher.  It is a classic on how to invest in growth stocks.  I had read it earlier.  This is my second reading of the book.  It is both practical and conservative in its investing philosophy.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I checked some of the books in the mezzanine.

I worked some more on shifting the books on the main floor of the library.

Web Bits


Westchester Libraries Are Moving Beyond Books and Becoming Cultural and Community Centers

Public Libraries Bridge The Digital Divide

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/05/2019

Frank Bramley - Delicious Solitude 1909.jpgDelicious Solitude, Frank Bramley, 1909

Daily Thoughts 12/05/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about how to choose a stock adviser.

I also read some more of Conservative Investors Sleep Well at Night.  I am reading about what the right price to buy a stock at is.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I did a little shifting of books on the main floor.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I spent a little time working on programming.

There was a Holiday Candle Tin Craft today from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room today.

There was also a class on Downloading Pictures and Video in the Computer Lab from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

We also had a management meeting today at 3:15 p.m..  It has been a very busy day.

I posted on Nextdoor about the campaign for the Teen Computer Area.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/giving-tuesday-at-the-mount-vernon-public-library

Web Bits


In the UK, the 'Library of the Future' Looks A Lot Like Lego

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/04/2019

File:A hermit reading, Louvre.jpg
A hermit reading, Louvre, Paris, formerly attributed to Rembrandt, 1630

Daily Thoughts 12/04/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about mutual funds and whether the average investor can beat the market.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I placed two orders for new books.

We met to discuss grants and partnerships with PCSB bank today.  It was an excellent meeting.

I spent a little time working on the Givegab campaign.

Web Bits


Toy Libraries Are Building Communities and Keeping Toys Out of Landfills

My Library Card, My Constant Friend


Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/03/2019

Charlotte Bosanquet - The Library at Dingestow - Google Art Project.jpg
Charlotte Bosanquet-- The Library at Dingestow, 1840s

Daily Thoughts 12/03/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I posted about the Give Gab campaign at the Mount Vernon Public Library.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/giving-tuesday-at-the-mount-vernon-public-library

The library has raised $585 dollars so far.

I read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  The book has a second book in it, called Conservative Investors Sleep Well.  It is about how to protect your assets in the stock market.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I worked on some orders for books.

I did a little shifting in the main floor nonfiction collection.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers class and a Beginning Microsoft Word class tonight in the computer lab.

Web Bits

How To Become A Librarian Your Guide

Stretching Library Card Metadata for Community Diversity Needs

Monday, December 2, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/02/2019

ShadowOutOfTime.jpg
Cover of Astounding, June 1936

Daily Thoughts 12/02/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I posted about Giving Tuesday at Mount Vernon Public Library, starting December 3, 2019
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/giving-tuesday-at-the-mount-vernon-public-library

I spent some time relaxing today avoiding reading about investing and playing the gamebook, Dust and Salt which is a Narrative Adventure Game.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ne5mzq/a-narrative-strategy-game-that-confronts-the-nature-of-power

I also did a little work for Arts Westchester.  We have been working on creating a few different events.  There is a banner that is being worked on for the children's room as well as a series of acrylic painting workshops.

Web Bits


Helping Patrons Navigate Online Banking




Sunday, December 1, 2019

Daily Thoughts 12/01/2019

Weird Tales March 1944.jpg
Cover of the pulp magazine Weird Tales (March 1944, vol. 37, no. 4) featuring The Trail of Cthulhu by August Derleth. Cover art by John Giunta.

Daily Thoughts 12/01/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I bought a bunch of gamebooks on Steam last night.  There was a weekend special where many of them were less than $2.00 each.  Game books are a form of fantasy or science fiction novel which is combined with a game, they are a more complex version of choose your own adventure books.  Many of them have maps, dice, and are heavily illustrated..  Most of the things which I bought were from Tin Man Games which is an Australian company.  Most of the early Fighting Fantasy Games are not that prominent in the United States.  They are more popular United Kingdom and Australia.
http://gamebookadventures.com/  My favorite book so far is from a Spanish company, it is a Lovecraftian horror adventure story called Omen Exitio Plague.  This was originally a Kickstarted game book.  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matteolana/omen-exitio-plague


Web Bits


Meet the Bookmobiles's Cousin

A Reminder That Fake News is an “Information Literacy Problem” Not a Technology Problem

Photograph of Climate Activist at Standing Rock to Be Preserved by Library of Congress

The Authoritarian's Worst Fear?  A Book
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/opinion/books-censorship.html




Saturday, November 30, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/30/2019

Charles Green, Something Wrong Somewhere, 1868

Daily Thoughts 11/30/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor as well as Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  There are some common themes in both of these books, do not follow the crowd and do what everyone else does, look for well managed companies with strong sales forces and understandable products, and plan for investing long term to make money

Web Bits


We Wanted Our Patrons Back Public Libraries Scrap Late Fines To Alleviate Inequity

The Post Truth Archive

Opinion: Gratitude for Museums, Librarians and Historians

Friday, November 29, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/29/2019

Nikolay Ge - Léon Tolstoï. 1884.jpg
Nikolai Ge, Leo Tolstoy, 1883


Daily Thoughts 11/29/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about why it is a bad idea to invest in IPO's.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I shifted some books on the main floor of the library.

I placed some orders for new books.

We spent some time discussing programming for January and February of 2020.

I looked through the New York Times Bestseller list and the Publishers Weeklyn Bestseller list.

I looked through a copy of the Times Literary Supplement.

Web Bits



New York Public Library Pokes Fun At Black Friday Deals in Ad Campaign

How To Find A Book In the Library Your 101 Guide

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/28/2019

Hans Heinrich Bebe, The Sun, 1852

Daily Thoughts 11/28/2019

Happy Thanksgiving.  I am a little sleepy with some turkey and some wine.

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about the choice between hiring a broker and doing your own research.  I prefer to do my own research.

I also read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  I am reading about what not to do with stocks.

Web Bits


Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library Now Open In Indianapolis

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/27/2019


Arab School. John Frederick Lewis, 1841-1851

Daily Thoughts 11/27/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  I am reading about when to buy a stock and when to sell a stock.

I also read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about how attention and time are more important determiners on your style of investing than your age.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I spent a little time shifting books on the main floor of the library.

I looked through a copy of the Times Literary Supplement.

I spent some more time looking at the census.

I donated to the Libraries 2020 Campaign
http://www.libraries2020.org/?utm_campaign=donate_2020_pledge_est&utm_medium=email&utm_source=votelibraries

I worked some more on the Giving Tuesday campaign which is coming up on December 3, 2019.  A colleague is working on a flyer.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/giving-tuesday-at-the-mount-vernon-public-library

I signed up for Digital Census Preparation Training which is on December 18 at the Westchester Library System.
https://senylrc.regfox.com/digital-census-preparation-westchester

Web Bits


Small Bookstores Are Booming After Nearly Being Wiped Out

America Has a Digital Skills Gap Libraries Can Fix It


Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/26/2019

Niels-Frederik Schiottz-Jensen Reading lady.jpg
A Lady Reading in the Garden, Niels-Frederik Schiottz-Jensen, 1894

Daily Thoughts 11/26/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I am reading about stocks versus bonds in The Intelligent Investor.

I read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  Philip A. Fisher gives 15 points on what to look for in a company that is worth buying stock from.  These points seem to be a general guideline for what a well run company looks like.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I spent some time working on Givegab.  The online fundraiser is going to be going live soon.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

The Crochet Group met today from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I also gave a brief tour of the library to some students from Columbia University.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers Class and a Beginning Microsoft Word 2013 class in the computer lab tonight.

Web Bits



Rescuing the Forgotten Jewels of the Internet

West Virginia Charges Prisoners 3 Cents A Minute to Read E-books From Free Library, Despite Earning Less Than $1 An Hour

Read This: New York Public Library Selects Best Books of 2019

Monday, November 25, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/25/2019

File:Swing into books, Book week, November 1-7, 1964.jpg
Swing into books. Book week, November 1-7, 1964, Bruno Munari, Library of Congress, Public Domain


Daily Thoughts 11/25/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about how the DJIA Dow Jones Industrial Average affects stocks.

I also read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  I am reading about the importance of a company having a strong sales organization for it to be a good stock pick.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I shifted a few books in the main floor collection.

I read a copy of the New York Times Bestseller list.

I put two orders of books on order.

We are looking at Eventbrite as another social media platform.

Web Bits


Serving Writers and Readers: African American Literary Organizations

Looking for an Old Library Building?  There’s One for Sale In Lake Villa


Sunday, November 24, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/24/2019

File:Two white cats on a table with books.jpg
Two White Cats On a Table With Books, Public Domain, Gottfried Mind (1768-1814)

Daily Thoughts 11/24/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

New York Public Library is hiring people to work with the census.

The cost per person for not being counted at the median level is $1091 per person in 2015 from the 2010 census according to this report.
https://gwipp.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2181/f/downloads/GWIPP%20Reamer%20Fiscal%20Impacts%20of%20Census%20Undercount%20on%20FMAP-based%20Programs%2003-19-18.pdf

I read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits. I read some more about inflation and why it is necessary to invest to beat inflation.

Web Bits


Wikipedia and Libraries Revolution Through Collaboration

Art Lending Library Lets People Take Home Art for Free

Library Artificial Intelligence Program Wins National Award

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/23/2019

Books and Brush-Stand
Books and Brushstand, Kubo Shunman, 19th Century

Daily Thoughts 11/23/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about the place of inflation in investing.  I am finding it much more useful to read now because I have a little more knowledge about money than the first time I read it.

I am also reading Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  Kenneth Fisher who is the son of Philip A. Fisher wrote the introduction.  Kenneth A. Fisher is a long running columnist for Forbes magazine.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I worked on shifting some books.

There is a leather bracelet workshop this afternoon in the fiction room from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Public Library.  It is sponsored by Arts Westchester.

I spent a little time looking at new science titles.

Web Bits


‘Unhideable’ Book from Stephen Colbert Arrives at Coeur d’Alene Library

Why You Should Encourage Your Child’s Love of Graphic Novels

Friday, November 22, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/22/2019

Book or album cover
Book Or Album Cover, Henry- Auguste Fourdinois, 1875

Daily Thoughts 11/22/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits.  I am reading about growth stocks.

I also read some more of The Intelligent Investor.  I am reading about how it is easy for people to become overconfident with stocks.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I shifted some books.

I checked the New York Times Bestseller list and the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list.

I read some of the Ingram Advance catalogs.

I am looking through the patron request sheets.

I looked through Bookpage today.

There is a Teen Games Hour with video games in the community room from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m..  This week we added coloring.  Next week we will add graphic novels.

Web Bits


The Library of Congress Will House the Archives of the Famous AIDS Quilt

Amazon Book Orders on the Rise




Thursday, November 21, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/21/2019

Poul Friis Nybo Reading Woman 1.jpg
Poul Friis Nybo, Reading Woman, 1929

Daily Thoughts 11/21/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I read some more of the book, A Long Petal on the Sea.  One of the characters is Salvador Allende.  Isabel Allende, the author of the book is distantly related to Salvador Allende.  The book is very political and describes the conflict between the right and the left in Chile and Spain.  I am enjoying the characters in the story.

I also read some more of Walking One Step At a Time.  I like the authors sense of place and use of literacy in this nonfiction book about walking.

I am going to a Volunteer Session for the Complete Count Committee for the Census this morning at 12:00 p.m. in Mount Vernon City Hall Council Chambers.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

My colleagues are working on shifting books on the main floor of the library.

I spent some time working on grants for Arts Westchester.

I checked out the Revised Edition of The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham.

Web Bits



Sandler, Krasznahorkai, Sze, Broom, Choi Win National Book Award

Over 300 Books Are Available for Free Download in the Getty Museum's Virtual Library

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/20/2019

Pablo Neruda (1966).jpg
Pablo Neruda During a Library of Congress Recording Session, 20 June 1966.  Public Domain.

Daily Thoughts 11/20/2019

I read some of Walking One Step At A Time By Erling Kagge.  I am enjoying reading this book, there are many examples of literary walks where he follows in the footsteps of different books and authors.

I also read some more of A Long Petal On the Sea.  One of the minor characters in the novel is Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet.

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I worked on ordering new books today.

I checked some books in the mezzanine.

I also worked on shifting some of the books.

I worked on scheduling today.

I also set a whole bunch of appointments for tomorrow to do a variety of different things.  I am going to the Volunteer Program for the Complete Count Committee for Census at city hall from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m..  I think libraries need to be prepared for the coming census.  It will be the first online census.

Web Bits


From Banking to Books:  The KC Public Library Library’s Crosby Kemper III

Creating Libraries for Online Students Is Harder Than You Think

Keep It Crafty With the Library

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/19/2019

Kuniyoshi Utagawa, The actor 22.jpg
Kuniyoshi Utagawa, The Actor, 22

Daily Thoughts 11/19/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

We are displaying the holiday books soon.

We also have a display of Latino films.

There is a new USB power strip in the reference area.

I read some more of A Long Petal On the Sea.  The Spanish Civil War has ended in the story.  People are fleeing to France as Franco takes over.

I am reading the New York Times Book Review.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/18/2019

File:Lsted woman reading.jpg
Peter Ilsted, A Woman Reading, circa 1905

Daily Thoughts 11/18/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of A Long Petal Of The Sea by Isabel Allende.  The book is historical fiction.  I like the feeling of it.  It describes the fall of the Spanish Republic to Franco.

There is another complete count committee meeting for the City of Mount Vernon. One of my colleagues is going.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-census-volunteer-training-in-mount-vernon-day-and-night-sessions-tickets-82541617199?fbclid=IwAR19TnbNfFuqfbqCJ4xAdAPb9JAGC1hA0jnvF-flOxgcMPF5V---JPuk-9I

Web Bits



Let's Be Thankful for Libraries

Sex, Drugs, and Random Acts of Madness at SD Central Library

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Daily Thoughts 11/17/2019

File:Man reading newspaper.jpg
Man Reading A Newspaper, S T Gill

Daily Thoughts 11/17/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of A Long Petal Of The Sea.  The book is being released on January 21, 2020.  The beginning is set during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

I watched Ancient Skies Explore the Cosmos through the Eyes of Our Ancestors which is a PBS video.