Thursday, March 31, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/31/2016

DeCamp Joseph June Sunlight 1902.jpg
Joseph De Camp, June Sunlight, 1902

Daily Thoughts 03/31/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook today.

I read a little bit more of She's Come Undone on the way home last night.  The tragedy in this novel never stops.  I rather liked the ending because it wraps up into something positive.

Mary C. Bounds is going to read from and discuss her nonfiction book at the Mount Vernon Public Library, A Light Shines in Harlem: New York's First Charter School and the Movement It Led from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the community room.  We had a nice group for the book reading.   Mary C. Bounds signed a copy of the book and give it to the library.  We now have two copies of the book.  The story was quite interesting.  It was about more than just charters school.  There were also some references to civil rights and education.

I spent some time working with the new ADP system for tracking people.

I have copy of the Times Literary Supplement and the New York Review of Books to read.

There was a beginning Microsoft Powerpoint class tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

On the way home, I read some more of The Complete Guide to Acquisitions Management.  I am reading about gift programs and donations of books.  We give our donations to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Public Library and they sell them in their book sales.


Web Bits


How We Need Diverse Books Is Working With Libraries

In San Jose, Poor Find Doors to Library Closed

The Necessity of Extremism In Library Advocacy and Political Outreach

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/30/2016

Portrait of a Scholar - Adriaen van Ostade
Adriaen van Ostade, Scholar, 1665


Daily Thoughts 03/30/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

On the way to work, I read some more of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.  I am reading about the main character, Dolores Prices descending into madness and being institutionalized.

I spent some time in the computer lab today.

I also spent some time working on weeding.

I checked on programming and am working a bit on the Preservation Assistance Grant.

I ordered some score books from Hal Leonard Publishing.

Web Bits


Core Customer Study Analyzes Library Demographics

Restoring the World's Oldest Library

Closing Libraries Is a Fine Way to Keep the Poor Powerless-- United Kingdom

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/29/2016

Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren - Mary Cassatt
Mrs. Cassatt Reading to Her Grandchildren, Mary Cassatt, 1880

Daily Thoughts 03/29/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

On the way to work, I finished reading Magruder's Curiosity Cabinet by H.P. Wood.  There is a little bit on the historical background of the book at the back.  In the early 1900s there were brief experiences with plague in San Francisco and Honolulu, Hawaii.  This book is very much a speculation on what may have happened.   I like that there was an element of both trickery and chicanery in this books.

I also read a little bit more of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. The main character, Dolores Price is in college at this point.

I have a copy of the New York Times Book Review to read today.  I read a copy of the Times Literary Supplement as well as a copy of Bookpage.

I spent some time working on putting together a summary of leads for the Mount Vernon Public Library Foundation.

I also spent some time discussing grants with some colleagues.

I also spent some time looking over timesheets for part-time employees.  It is administrative work which is something that I have to do.

I checked out the book, Your Body is Your Barbell.  No Gym.  Just Gravity.  Build a Leaner, Stronger, More Muscular You in 28 Days! by BJ Gaddour.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers Class which is an hour long followed by a Beginning Microsoft Word class tonight in the computer lab.

Web Bits

Editorial: Defund Libraries:  Create A Nation of Fools
http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/the-platform/editorial-defund-libraries-create-a-nation-of-fools/article_8623dedf-dc1f-5a66-8f8a-417922cdad5e.html


Libraries Lose A Quarter of Staff as Hundreds Close-- United Kingdom

Why Some Libraries Offer Amnesty to Scofflaw Borrowers -- And Others Call the Cops

How Librarians Can Save the Internet of Things from the Web's Centralized Fate

Monday, March 28, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/28/2016


Boston Sunday Herald Opera House, Next Sunday, March 8, between 1893 and 1897.

Daily Thoughts 03/28/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of She's Come Undone at the laundromat.  The book is very tragic, there is rape, death, divorce, and all kinds of dark happenings.  This makes the book very dramatic.  It also creates weight issues for the main character.  The story also brings out the characters prejudices and fears making the characters very human.  The writing is excellent as well.

I also read some more of Fundamentals of Acquisition Management.  I am reading about Integrated Library Systems and Electronic Resource Management Systems.

I am reading a bit of Magruder's Curiosity Cabinet by H.P. Wood.  This is an advanced readers copy.   The book is due out in June of 2016. The story is set on Coney Island at the turn of the century.  Many of the characters are part of the sideshows.  The main setting is in a Curiosity Cabinet where strange things are kept like madagascar cockroaches, shrunken heads, fake mermaids, and other oddities.

The story is very inventive.  It becomes much bigger when a strange plague strikes New York City leading to quarantine.  It is one of the more unusual books that I have seen recently.

Web Bits


A Day In the Life of a Bookmobile Librarian
https://medium.com/@PAPress/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-bookmobile-librarian-824255650b5c#.5hxphbxq8


8 Librarians Who Lend Out More Than Books


Library of Congress Approves CoFIRED Petition

Check Out These Books Where Local Libraries Play A Starring Role
                

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/27/2016

Sekka Kamisaka, 1909, Reading Lady

Daily Thoughts 03/27/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I tried out the Westchester Magazine online calendar last night.

I read a little more of She's Come Undone.  It has turned into a deeply tragic and dramatic story.  The main characters problems with her weight and her life are poignant.

I also read some more of The Complete Guide to Acquisitions Management.  I am reading about Vendor Services: Outsourcing which is the 3rd chapter.  It focuses on things like processing of materials, cataloging, and electronic records which are increasingly done by outside companies for libraries.

I placed a hold on Your body is your barbell : No gym. Just gravity. Build a leaner, stronger, more muscular you in 28 days by  B.J. Gaddour.

I placed a hold on Into the Maelstrom by David Drake which is military science fiction.

Web Bits


Can Carla Hayden Reinvent the Library of Congress?

Billy Joel, The Supremes, Metallica, and more Inducted into Library of Congress

NEH Grant Will Preserve Afrika Bambaataa Archive

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/26/2016

File:Santiago RusiƱol - Romantic Novel - Google Art Project.jpg
Santiago Rusinol, Romantic Novel, 1894

Daily Thoughts 03/26/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some articles on philanthropy in the Mount Vernon Daily Voice.

I read some more of I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb.  The novel has a very middle American feel to it.

I also read some of The Complete Guide to Acquisitions Management by Frances C. Wilkinson, Linda K. Lewis, and Rebecca L. Lubas.  The second chapter is about changes in the publishing industry and how they have affected libraries.

Web Bits

The Most Important Obama Nominee No One is Talking About
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2016/03/25/the-most-important-obama-nominee-no-ones-talking-about/



Victorian Doctors Thought Reading Novels Made Women "Incurably Insane"

Top 10 Medieval Book Curses

Friday, March 25, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/25/2016


Client in Court Securing His Papers, George Harvey, 1827

Daily Thoughts 03/25/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook.

On the way to work, I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am learning a little bit more about Vienna.  I am reading about how Haydn instructed both Mozart and Beethoven.  I am also reading about how Sigmund Freud collected archaeological objects.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

We have a new biometric time clock.

I spent some time working on reports on items that never went out in Report Station.  I also spent  a little time looking over the Preservation Assistance Grant.

I checked the New York Times Bestseller list and the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list as well as a few patron requests.

On the way home, I finished reading The Geography of Genius A Search for the World's Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley by Eric Wiener.  This is not just an investigation into people, it is also about places.  I rather like the descriptions of Viennese coffeehouses.  The last place in the book is Silicon Valley, a modern place which we think of as a place where genius comes from.  This was enjoyable reading.

Web Bits


Patience or Fortitude? New York Public Library CEO Tony Marx Picks His Favorite Lion

A Japanese AI Program Just Wrote A Short Novel, And It Almost Won a Literary Prize


Thursday, March 24, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/24/2016


Morris Shulman, WPA Works Project Administration, The Writing Lesson (1935-1943)
New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Black Culture, Art and Artifacts Division


Daily Thoughts 03/24/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.


On the way to work, I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about Vienna where Mozart and Freud came from.


I read some more of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.  There is an introduction to the novel.  The edition I am reading is the 20th Anniversary Edition.


I checked the gift books and the displays.


The Adult Board Games Night is tonight.  I helped a colleague pull some books on gardening for a program she is doing.  I also selected some books on games to bring to the games night tonight.



Web Bits



Challenge to Education Law 259

The Libraries of Herculaneum: Not Quite Destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/23/2016

Parable of the Rich Man, Rembrandt, 1627
Daily Thoughts 03/23/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook.

I finished reading Researching Prospective Donors Get More Funding for Your Library by Susan Summerfeld Hammerman.  The book starts with the process of how important it is to do fundraising.  Then the first chapter is about confidentiality.  Each chapter is on a specific subject like real estate holdings, family foundations, political donations, creating biographies, and finding salaries and net worth.  Each chapter ends with a form to fill out and a number of suggested websites to use both fee and free.  In addition, there is an index and an annotated bibliography at the end of the book.  This book is a practical how to do it book for prospecting funders.

I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about Rabindrath Tagore and the Bengal Renaissance.  The subject is completely new to me.  I have not read much of the history of India nor about Calcutta.

Web Bits


Plainfield Library District Referenda Lose to Robocalling

NYC Owes $22M to Public Library System Forcing Cutbacks

What Should A Library Be?

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/22/206

Scholars at a Lecture, William Hogarth

Daily Thoughts 03/22/2016

I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about the idea that greater population density leads to more ideas and inventiveness.

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook today.  I also sent out some announcements through Constant Contact.

I also checked the displays and gift books.

I  printed up some new flyers.  I also printed up some flyers for a colleague to take to an event later this month.

Last night we updated the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Paperwhite so they would not turn off.

An advanced reading copy of Magruder's Curiosity Cabinet by H.P. Wood came in.  It looks like weird fantasty title.

Two books came in for me to read, Researching Prospective Donors: Get More Funding for Your Library by Susan Summerfield Hammer and The Complete Guide to Acquisition Management by Frances C. Wilkinson, Linda K. Lewis, and Rebecca L. Lubas, Second Edition, Libraries Unlimited, 2015.

I read a copy of the New York Times Book Review.

There is a workshop on essential oils tonight by Shanna Maria Wallace from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Trustees room.

Web Bits


Jeff Kagan:  Amazon’s Mistake Is Costing Authors

The Harvard Library That Protects The World’s Rarest Colors

Lifelong Learning and Technology—Pew Research

Former New Rochelle Library May Get Historical Designation

Library Makerspaces: Bringing Access to Knowledge In A Whole New Way

Monday, March 21, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/21/2016

Nelson's New Century Library, Each Volume Complete $1.00
Daily Thoughts 03/21/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about Renaissance Florence, specifically about the Medicis and their patronage of Michelangelo and other prominent artists.  Eric Wiener is describing how the invention of double entry bookkeeping and shipping insurance generated tremendous wealth which was then used to fund art.  The art was often a way to please the Catholic church and create indulgences so that the rich men in Florence were more likely to go to heaven.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

I am planning for May programs, summer reading, and working on some grants.  A lot of this is scheduling when programming will happen.  We are also thinking about displays.   April is National Poetry Month.

I am also working on a schedule for the computer lab and the public computers.

There is a Scratch programming class for K-6 children in the computer lab this week from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

On the way home, I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about David Hume who is a philosopher from Edinburgh, Scotland.

I also started reading She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

Web Bits


Reimagining Libraries in the Digital Era:  Lessons From Data Mining the Internet Archive

Finding Funds:  Libraries Diversity Efforts to Raise Money 


Sunday, March 20, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/20/2016

The Sons of the Wolf Tales of the Far North by Jack London

Daily Thoughts 03/20/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook today.

I looked at some library budgets today like New Rochelle Public Library, Chappaqua, and Greenburgh.

I also spent a little time looking at grants.

I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  Eric Wiener has a conversation with Jack Ma founder of Alibaba the largest e-commerce company in Hangzhou, China.  Shortly after he is on his way to Florence, Italy.

I read Prometheus: Fire and Stone and Aliens: Fire and Stone on Hoopla Digital, they are both science fiction graphic novels set in the universe of Aliens.  It makes for an interesting mix  of science fiction and horror.  The setting is common between Prometheus: Fire and Stone and Aliens: Fire and Stone.  It is an alien terraformed world filled with aggreesive and dangerous creatures.  Both are from Dark Horse Comics .  I found the original film of Alien to be too terrifying to watch when I was young.



Web Bits

New Film Search Engine

Why Academics Should Care About What They Wear

600 Year Old Cambridge Library Offers Rare Glimpse of Collection

The Koch Brothers' Vision for America Includes Destroying Your Public Library


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/19/2016


Alcibiades Being Taught by Socrates, Francois-Andre Vincent, 1775


Daily Thoughts 03/19/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.



I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about Thucydides who wrote the History of the Pelopponesian War.

I read a copy of the Ingram Advance for April 2016.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.


I spent a little time looking at some fundraising material.  I downloaded the package for the Preservation Assistance Grant and started filling in the generic information including things like address, zipcode, DUNS number, project director and similar information.


I printed up some flyers.  I also printed up a dusty book list for the 100s.

I placed holds on the book, She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb for the book club on April 21st at 1:00 p.m.

On the way home, I read some more of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about the Song Dynasty in Hangzhou China.  The author is describing the poet officials of the time period.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/18/2016

Homer Reciting His Verses to the Greeks, Jacques-Louis David, 1794

Daily Thoughts 03/18/2016

Last night, I started reading The Geography of Genius a Search for the World's Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley by Eric Wiener.

We received some Advanced Reading Copies.  There are three of them which look interesting to me, Warlock Holmes A Study In Brimstone by G.S. Denning, Grit The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Ducksworth, and Spain in Our Hearts Americans in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, by Adam Hochschild.

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

I checked on the computer lab this morning.

I spent some time on my programming calendar for April today.

I also downloaded the form for the Preservation Assistance Grant.

I spent some time ordering books.  I looked at some Prepub Alert material from Library Journal online.

We got a small amount of money from Poets and Writers for a Creative Nonfiction writing series at the library.  Karen Leahy is going to be teaching the series of four classes.

I read some of The Geography of Genius.  I am reading about the ancient Greeks and why they were so innovative in politics, art, and philosophy.

Web Bits


Pay With A Poem Coffee For Poetry Deal Spreads Around the World

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/17/2016

The Writer  - Carl Spitzweg
The Writer, Carl Spitzweig, 1880

Daily Thoughts 03/17/2016

On the way to work, I read some more of The Seer by Sonia Orrin Lyris.  I am enjoying the book.  It features intrigue between the nobility and mages.


We had the book club from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Trustees Room.  We discussed Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland.  People enjoyed reading the book.  We were choosing between Wally Lamb and a book on Nina Simone as our next book for the Brown Bag Book Club.

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.




I checked the displays and the gift books.




I spent several hours in the afternoon in the lab.




I can apply to Staples for grants.  There are two options, academics or job skills.




We are going to do a 3D Printers for adults class on May 13, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the computer lab.  It should be interesting.  We use Tinkercad to choose things to make.


Today was quite busy.



Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/16/2016

Guitar and Music Paper - Juan Gris
Guitar and Music Paper, Juan Gris, 1928

Daily Thoughts 03/16/2016

Last night on the train home, I read some of Sonia Orrin Lyris The Seer  which is a fantasy featuring a young girl with an ability to briefly see the future.

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library.

We had a departmental meeting for part of the Electronic Resources department to discuss skills and customer service in the morning at 9:00 a.m.

I looked over the requirements for 2016 for the NEH Preservation Assistance Grant.
http://www.neh.gov/files/grants/pres-assist-grants-may-3-2016.pdf

I am in the computer lab right now.

I spent some time discussing new programs for technology.  We are planning a 3D Printer demonstration for adults.

Web Bits

Need to update Kindles or they will stop working by March 22, 2016
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/your-kindle-is-going-to-stop-working-unless-you-update-by-22-march/ar-AAgBBrq


How To Print Coloring Pages Huge

The Freedom to Read The History of ALA's Vital Statement On Intellectual Freedom

Sydney is Getting the Library of the Future


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/15/2016


The Muses, Maurice Denis, 1893

Daily Thoughts 03/15/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read a copy of the New York Times on the way to work today.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

I read two copies of the New York Times Book Review and a copy of Publishers Weekly.  I have a copy of the Ingram Advance to read along with two supplements, one for christianity and one for business.

I printed up a few more flyers today and sent out an email blast.  We are renewing our subscription to Constant Contact.

I am trying a few new things with Reports Station in Sirsi.
The Mount Vernon Public Library Budget Vote is on May 3, 2016.

Web Bits


Libraries on Instagram

Moving Forward With Libraries Transform

Koch Bros Gunning For Small Town Library

Monday, March 14, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/14/2016

The Muse Inspiring the Poet, Henri Rousseau, 1909

Daily Thoughts 03/14/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also checked the Purchase Alerts for items that are on hold.

I placed the book,  Researching Prospective Donors Get More Funding for Your Library by Susan Summerfield Hammerman on hold through interlibrary loan.

I have been looking at the exercises in The Pilates Bible by Jo Ferris.  It reminds me a little bit of yoga.

I spent a little time thinking about programming.

I emailed my Senator and Representative about LSTA and IAL for libraries.
http://cqrcengage.com/ala/home

Web Bits

Library 's Game Lab Means Fun and More for Physically and Visually Impaired.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/13/2016

The Golden Man.png
Illustration for "The Golden Man" by Philip K. Dick from page 4 of If : Worlds of Science Fiction (April 1954), published by Quinn Publishing, not renewed.

Daily Thoughts 03/13/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook today.

I have been reading a graphic novel of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?  Omnibus Edition on Hoopla Digital.  This graphic novel of the book is a bit different.  It seems to contain the entire text for the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick.  This makes the graphic novel 643 pages long and incredibly detailed in both its illustration and speech bubbles.  This makes for a captivating story and a very deep interpretation.  I think it is as good as watching Bladerunner the film adaptation of Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep.  It is well worth reading.

The graphic novel is illustrated by Tony Parker with Blond.  The illustrated part ends on p.549.  After this there is commentary and a set of all the cover illustrations.



Web Bits


Happy Birthday Punk: the British Library  Celebrates 40 Years of Anarchy and Innovation

Library Traces Shakespeare's Paper Trail

New Life for Libraries Figuring A Future in the Digital Age

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/12/2016

Index
New York Public Library, Astor Library, Etching

Daily Thoughts 03/12/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I placed the book, The Seer by Sonia Lyris on hold.  It is fantasy.

I logged into Hoopla Digital and read a graphic biography published by Stormfront Publishing in 2015 called Amazing Storytellers written by Anthony Laplume and illustrated by Kent Hurlburt.  It is broken into 4 sections covering the lives of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George R.R. Martin.  I like the layout of Hoopla Digital it is very easy to read comics in their layout.  The biographical comic was enjoyable to read.  It focused on the writers lived surrounding their work.


Web Bits


I  joined the Libraries Transform campaign

How Libraries Are Becoming Modern Makerspaces


Friday, March 11, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/11/2016

Girl interrupted at her music  - Johannes Vermeer
Girl Interrupted at Her Music, Johannes Vermeer, 1658-1661

Daily Thoughts 03/11/2016

I rested on the way to work.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  I displayed some womens biography for Women's History Month.

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library today.

I also did a little bit of work with the Chilton's manuals.

I entered some data for Event Keeper for computer classes.  I also entered a few other events into the Mount Vernon Daily Voice.

I spent some time looking at nonfiction dvds.

I am going to a board meeting this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. today.

Web Bits


Koch Brothers Fund Anti-Library Robocalls in Plainfield IL.


Thursday, March 10, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/10/2016

File:The Public Library of the city of Boston - a history (1911) (14594087179).jpg

The Public Library of the city of Boston - a history (1911) 


Daily Thoughts 03/10/2016

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library.

I started reading The Supernatural A New Vision of the Unexplained by Whitley Strieber and Jeffrey Kripal.  The book opens with two testimonials from the authors about their knowledge of the supernatural.  The testimonials come across as a little bit infallible which makes me not want to read the book.

Last night, I finished reading Black Box Thinking Why Most People Never Lean from Their Mistakes-- But Some Do by Matthew Syed.   The book ends with a discussion of the growth mindset where people view mistakes as opportunities to learn and keep an open mind,  This is the central tenet of this book.  People should be open and honest about their mistakes, record them accurately, and take the time to lean how not to repeat them.  This book is worth reading.

I am looking at the 2015 Preservation Assistance Grant guidelines.  The 2016 should be available soon.

http://www.neh.gov/files/grants/pres-assist-grants-may-5-2015-edit.pdf

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

I spent some time working on central library orders.  I am ordering for three things, automotive, parenting, and occult today.  I read a copy of the New York Times Book Review.

I had printed up some flyers, some bookmarks, and a few brochures.

I spent some time in the local history room talking about it with a colleague.  Larry Spruill has written some books on the history of Mount Vernon, New York.  Mount Vernon Images of America, Mount Vernon Revisited, and A Time to Remember A Portrait of African American Life in Mount Vernon.

There is an Android Phones class tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tonight.

I have to enter some more events into the Event Keeper calendar tonight.

Web Bits


Findaway Expands Preloaded Launchpad Tablet Line to Teens and Adults.

Celebrate Pi(e) Day at the Library

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/09/2016

William Brymner - The Picture Book.jpg
William Brymner, The Picture Book, 1897

Daily Thoughts 03/09/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of Black Box Thinking.  I am reading about the concept of marginal gains or constantly testing small things to make continuous improvements.  This is the counterpoint which works together with large scale innovation to create change in organizations.

I checked the gift books and the displays.  I am working on an order for books from the central library budget.  I plan on ordering a few parenting books and some books on automotive restoration.  I have a copy of the latest New York Times Book Review to read.

I have a copy of The Firebird by Misty Copeland on my desk to look at.

I spent two hours training a new on call reference librarian on the reference desk today.

My colleagues are doing teen programming for Teen Tech Week this week.  One of them has been working with Tinkercad for the 3D printer we have.  Tinkercad is a free program.

There is an Intermediate HTML and CSS class tonight in the computer lab from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

I checked out two books What Happened Miss Simone? A Biography by Alan Light.  Nina Simone is from Mount Vernon, New York.  I also checked out The Supernatural A New Vision of the Unexplained by Whitley Strieber and Jeffrey J. Kripal.

Web Bits


Creating A Public Space: Open Access, Book Theft, and Epigraphy in Ancient Libraries


Morgan Library To Offer A Weekend With Free Admission, April 15 to 17

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/08/2016

In Thought, Walter Crane, 1896

Daily Thoughts 03/08/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also put some listings for events into the Mount Vernon Daily Voice.

I read a little bit more of Life In Motion An Unlikely Ballerina.  I am reading about Misty Copeland working with the musician, Prince and how it improved her stage presence.

I did my monthly report.

I read some more of Black Box Thinking.  Matthew Syed is describing how industry often aims at failing quickly and iterating new products fast.  He is describing ideas like failing forward, releasing products early and often, shipping as soon as you have something designed, and testing products in the market directly.  He describes how it is often better to systematically test a product through many generations making many incremental improvements instead of trying to design the perfect product.

I reviewed a webinar on the Preservation Assistance Grant for Smaller Institutons and took a lot at the guidelines on the site.
http://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-assistance-grants-smaller-institutions

I finished reading Life In Motion An Unlikely Ballerian by Misty Copeland at the laundromat.  There are some interesting things in the book.  Misty Copeland works with the Boys and Girl Club which is a very important institution in Mount Vernon, New York.  She also wrote a children's book called the Firebird which I plan to read before the book club discussion on March 17th at 1:00 p.m..  I thought this book was very well written and inspiring.   The writing was very clear.  It fits with the theme of Women's History Month for our programming at the library.

Web Bits


To Charge or Not Charge? A Tutoring Story

Dominique Raccah: 'The Surprise Transformation In Our Industry

JK Rowling Accidentally Heightens Feud Between Two Scottish Libraries

Cedar Rapids Library Volunteers Help Sort Donated Books
We also have a sorting area for the Friends of the Mount Vernon Public LIbrary



Monday, March 7, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/07/2016


Poynter - a day dream.jpg
Edward Poynter, A Daydream, 1862

Daily Thoughts 03/07/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I went to the dentist this morning.

On the way there, I finished reading Failure Why Science is So Successful by Stuart Firestein.  I liked this book.  It gives excellent arguments on why scientists should take risks and try new things.  Part of the argument is for the value of basic research and going into unknown territory.  Stuart Firestein argues that we should be more open to failure and take bigger risks rather than stick to known pathways with incremental results in science.  He also argues for the plurality of ideas.   This book is worth reading if you want to understand the value of failure in technology and science.

I also read some more of Life In Motion by Misty Copeland.  I am reading about her joining the American Ballet Theater and her steady rise to becoming a star in the dance world.  There is a lot about the physical and emotional demands of dedicating your life to an art form.

The book, Black Box Thinking is turning out to be quite interesting as well.  Right now, I am reading about how to improve police lineups so people are not as likely to make mistakes with memory.  Memory is by its nature fallible.

I spent some time looking up recent examples of where local organizations received gifts or donations from philanthropists or local businesses.

Web Bits


Scottish Library Promises JK Rowling a Slice of Cake and She Actualy Turns Up

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/06/2016

Daydreaming Bookeeper (Adventure) - Norman Rockwell
Daydreaming Bookkeeper (Adventure), Norman Rockwell, 1924

Daily Thoughts 03/06/2016

I read some more of Life In Motion by Misty Copeland last night.  The story is one of being completely focused on dance to block out a very difficult childhood.  Her early life revolves around scholarships, workshops and competitions in ballet.

I checked the Twitter and Facebook for the library today.

I also checked the purchase alerts today.

I read a little more of Failure Why Science is So Successful.  I am reading about why it is important to record and keep track of failures in science.

Web Bits


Women Are Editing Wikipedia for Equality

Who Would Be A Librarian Now? you Know What I'll Have a Go.-- Anonymous

MIT's Future of the Library: Encouraging Social Knowledge Building

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/05/2016

In Mesquitas Classroom - M.C. Escher
In Mesquitas Classroom, M.C. Escher, 1920

Daily Thoughts 03/05/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook.  My colleague set up a Pinterest page for the library.  It is mostly new book covers.  https://www.pinterest.com/mountvernonpl10/

This morning on the way to work, I read some more of  Life in Motion.  I am reading about how Misty Copeland first started taking ballet at the Boys and Girl Club.  I also read a little more of Failure Why Science is So Successful.  I am reading about why infallibility in ideas leads to loss of progress.

I looked through a copy of the Times Literary Supplement and the New York Review of Books.  I am mainly looking for titles that other review magazines missed.

This morning, we have TASC Connect from the Westchester Library System which offers tutoring for the high school equivalency test from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

I spent some time going over the requirements for a grant to do a preservation assessment.  The due date is on May 3, 2016.

Web Bits


Library System Debates Downsizing—And Iconic Branch Is Caught in the Middle

How Presidential Libraries Work

Consultant Will Layout Options for New Rochelle Library

Artificial Intelligence

Google’s Artificial Brain is Pumping Out Trippy and Pricey Art


Friday, March 4, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/04/2016

Portrait of Dr.Ā LudwigĀ Deubner, writing
A Portrait of Dr. Ludwig Deubner, Writing, Auguste Macke 1903

Daily Thoughts 03/04/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way home, last night, I read some more of Life In Motion.  Misty Copeland is describing her childhood.

I also read some more of Black Box Thinking.  I am reading about wrongful convictions.  The author is describing what first happened when DNA evidence was introduced to the courts.  It showed how many people were innocent of crimes like murder and rape because not enough evidence had been collected or people were trying too hard to find people to convict.

I checked the New York Times Bestseller list today.  They send it to me in my email on Friday.


Thursday, March 3, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/03/2016

Still Life with Raisin Cake, Fruit and Wine - William Michael Harnett
Still Life with Raisin Cake, Fruit and Wine, William Michael Harnett, 1866

Daily Thoughts 03/03/2016

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

Last night, I read some more of Failure Why Science is So Successful.  I am reading about the natural tendency for things to tend towards entropy as well as serendipity.  I also read some more of Black Box Thinking. Matthew Syed is writing about United Airlines Flight 173 which ended in disaster.  He is describing how the collection of two books for flight recording reduced the chances for accidents in the future.

I checked the gift books and the displays.  I called a few people about programming.  I also printed some flyers to distribute.  There is going to be a play on April 2, 2016 sponsored by the Friends of the Library at 2:00 p.m. called W.E.B. Dubois, A Man For All Seasons.

I discussed scheduling with some people. We also have a new quarterly review process for people which I discussed with the assistant director.

I spent some time discussing tablets with a colleague as well.

There was a class tonight for Android Smartphones in the computer lab from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Web Bits 

Bob Dylan's Secret Archive
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/arts/music/bob-dylans-secret-archive.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/02/2016


Kathleen Newton In An Armchair, 1878, James Tissot

Daily Thoughts 03/02/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I rested a bit on the way to work.  I checked the gifts and the displays.

I spent some time entering events into Event Keeper.  This is a new experience for me.  It appears to work well.  I also sent in some information to have two flyers made.

I have a webinar to attend Writing Your Preservation Assistance Grant webinar on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 starting at 12:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)

I checked out the book, Life in Motion An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland.  We are reading it for this months book club on March 17, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Trustees Room.

There is a Beginning HTML and CSS Coding class tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the computer lab.

Web Bits


Peter Rabbit 50p Coin to be Unveiled for Beatrix Potter's 150th Birthday

Restoring a Home for Scholars at the New York Public LIbrary

A New Closeup for a Morgan Library Treasure


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Daily Thoughts 03/01/2016


Index
Annual Exhibition, Guild of Book Workers, 1917

Daily Thoughts 03/01/2016

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also checked the gift books and the displays.  March is Women's History Month.

I spent some time working on Directors Station generating reports today.  I also spent some time looking through the Westchester Library System statistics on electronic resources.  Overdrive is doing well, so is Indieflix.

I am going to be spending some time entering this months computer classes into the new calendar system.

I started reading Black Box Thinking Why Most People Never Learn From Their Mistakes-- But Some Do by Matthew Syed.  The book starts with a critique of the United States hospital system.

I spent some time working on Event Keeper putting in the dates for computer classes for this month.  I also checked on the computer lab.  There is a Fundamentals of Computers Class tonight as well as a Microsoft Word class.

There is a Special Mount Vernon Public Library Board Meeting today at 5:30 p..m.

On the way home I read some of Failure Why Science is So Successful by Stuart Firestein.  This is about how failure moves science forward.  In science it is as important to track things that don't work as the things that work.  The author reminds us to "Fail Better" as Samuel Beckett suggests.

I finished reading Postcapitalism A Guide to Our Future by Paul Mason.  There is a vitriol against the 1% in this book as well as financialization and austerity.  In some ways this is misplaced. Automation also eliminates jobs in finance and white collar work.  The traditional trading floor for stocks has ended. End of an Era as CME to Close Almost All Floor Trading on Futures.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/end-of-an-era-as-cme-to-close-almost-all-floor-trading-for-futures-1423100335  Automation does not discriminate on who it will eliminate in the white collar workforce.  Lawyers are as likely to lose their jobs as clerks.  Lets Automate All the Lawyers  http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2015/03/25/lets-automate-all-the-lawyers/

The things being described in this book affect everyone.  The use of leftist language is often misplaced.  The author correctly identifies the networked individual as not identifying as being part of a working class, or proletariat.  People are increasingly identifying themselves as being part of a network more than a class.  This changes politics in unusual ways.

Our economy is changing, near zero margin production is becoming a standard practice, there is a growing digital marketplace based on information where sharing is more important than market transactions.  Wikipedia demonstrates this.   We are seeing mass automation which eliminates jobs and makes work less relevant.  The term work smarter not harder is beginning to be more important.

There is a growing information technology infrastructure which is based on ephemeral, digital transactions.  Digital currency is growing.  Soon, with the internet of things, information technology will be even more prevalent.  This will feed nonmarket transactions like Wikipedia and peer to peer networks and make near zero margin production even more prevalent.  The cost of producing things will be about energy and resources, less about labor and capital.

The world is changing and there is conflict between austerity like in Greece and incredibly cheap abundant production of goods with automation.  State socialism and capitalism are based on scarcity of resources something which is changing.  There is no answer right now for this.  I have a mixed reaction to some of the solutions suggested at the end of the book.  The book Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis does an excellent job of explaining the concepts behind technological abundance.

This book is useful for showing us what is happening.  I find the political analysis to be irksome in some points, but the trends are here.  The book is a good read for what it says about the future, less so for its analysis of politics.

Web Bits

Everyday Fair Use In Libraries
http://www.districtdispatch.org/2016/02/16420/