Daily Thoughts 06/30/2017

Yosa Buson, Haiku Poet and His Poem, 18th Century

Daily Thoughts 06/30/2017

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

On the way to work, I read some more of The Laws of Wealth.  I am reading about different ways that people can prevent themselves from making bad financial decisions caused by overconfidence, impatience, and other psychological factors.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  We put some material for summer reading in the displays.  We also displayed some books on gardening.

I spent some time looking through the new books. I put the latest copy of Bookpage out.

I also checked the New York Times Bestsellers List and the Publishers Weekly Bestseller List today.

I checked out the dvd And Still I Rise about Maya Angelou.

On the way home, I finished reading The Laws of Wealth Psychology and the Secret to Investing Success by Dr. Daniel Crosby.  This book is about rules based behavioral investing.  Towards the end of the book, the author takes a strong stance supporting value investing.  He even makes an argument that value can be more important than profitability.  The best stocks combine value and low price combined with deliberate examination of whether the executives buy back their own stock or provide dividends.  It is a very rational approach to stock investing.

I read some more articles from the Planning and Management of Library Buildings Class.


Web Bits

Helping Homeless New Yorkers By the Books

https://www.citylab.com/life/2017/06/homeless-between-the-stacks/531918/

Cookbook clubs Share A Love of Food at Alaska Interior Libraries

http://www.newsminer.com/features/food/cookbook-clubs-share-a-love-of-food-at-interior-alaska/article_cf34243a-5bb3-11e7-8a94-03e04ea1f012.html

Build A Better World Collaborative Summer Reading Program 2017
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/06/build-a-better-world-collaborative-summer-reading-program-2017/

Daily Thoughts 06/29/2017

Reader Leaning Her Elbow On the Table, Henri Matisse, 1923

Daily Thoughts 06/29/2017

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

I also spent a little time looking at programming.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.  We are going to be working on a display of photographs of the library for next year.

I have a copy of the Times Literary Supplement to read.

I finished reading A Paradise Built In Hell  The Extraordinary Communities That Arise In Disaster by Rebecca Solnit.  Rebecca Solnit describes how people pull together from a variety of different philosophies in times of disaster to make life better.  She imagines that there could be a more civil society based on how people act in emergencies.

I read two more books to add to my Adult Summer Reading Total.  Both staff and the public participate in Summer Reading.  http://ny.evanced.info/mountvernon/sr/homepage.asp?ProgramID=2

There is a class tonight on Ipads and Ipods in the Computer Lab from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

We are working on arranging a set of teen computer classes in the computer lab starting next week.

Web Bits


Libraries Ready to Code
http://www.ala.org/tools/readytocode

How Libraries Won Over the Hearts of Millenials

https://education.good.is/articles/this-is-generation-uses-libraries-most

12 Must Follow Library Instagram Accounts

http://www.rivistas.com/12-must-follow-library-instagram-accounts/

Daily Thoughts 06/28/2017

Portrait of Adelaide Simonovich, 1889. Oil on canvas. The Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Daily Thoughts 06/28/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading Social Media for Writers Marketing Strategies for Building Your Audience and Selling Books by Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine.  I learned that for every minute spent creating video, it requires an hour of editing.  This is a huge amount of time.  It is why I am reluctant about things like Youtube.  However, the book also does remind us of the importance of having photographs and images with your social media.  This is a solid overview of social media for people who write books.

I also read a little more of A Paradise Built In Hell.  I am reading about the aftermath of 09/11 and the World Trade Center.  Rebecca Solnit describes how the people who are there at the scene of a disaster are always the first ones to respond.

I started on Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.  This is a combination of brain science and drawing class.

I checked the displays and the gift books in the morning.  I am continuing to work on an annual schedule for the year for my department.

We had a management meeting this morning where we discussed a variety of different subjects.

I spent some time discussing policies with a colleague.

I printed up some flyers for the computer classes.  There is a Beginning HTML 5 and CSS class tonight in the computer lab.

On the way home, I read some more of A Paradise Built In Hell.  I am reading about the Hurricane Katrina.  It is an example of government corruption, racism, poor planning, bad infrastructure, and improper reporting combined with a natural disaster.  I am finding this book difficult to read, it is very anti-authoritarian in its style.

Web Bits

This is the Future of Libraries In the Digital Age

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/future-of-libraries-in-digital-age

ALA 2017: Graphic Novels Supply Diversity

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/74104-graphic-novels-supply-diversity-at-ala-2017.html

This 400 Year Old Jewish Library Survived Hitler and the Inquisition

https://www.jta.org/2017/06/27/news-opinion/world/this-400-year-old-jewish-library-survived-hitler-and-the-inquisition

The Royal Archives and the Library of Congress Plan Major Joint Exhibition Exploring the Two Georges

https://www.royal.uk/royal-archives-and-library-congress-plan-major-joint-exhibition-exploring-two-georges

Daily Thoughts 06/27/2017

Edward Robert Hughes, Idle Tears, Unknown Date

Daily Thoughts 06/27/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of A Paradise Built In Hell on the way to work.  I am reading about how governments often fail when they do not effectively deal with disasters.  In ancient China this was called the Mandate of Heaven.  Disasters often destabilize governments.  Gorbachev said that the Chernobyl incident was destabilizing to the Soviet Union.

I  also read some more of Social Media for Writers.  I am read about Tumblr, podcasting and Facebook.  Podcasting takes a lot of time to do.  It is not something that I am prepared to spend time on.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.  I also printed up some flyers.

I have a few grants that I have to work on.  We are going to apply for a grant from the Westchester Community Foundation.

We got our first two donated games today requested from the publishers.

I spent some time working on a calendar for planned events and displays today.  It will run through December.

Web Bits

The Librarian Who Guarded the Manhattan Projects Secrets
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/manhattan-project-library-charlotte-serber-oppenheimer-fbi?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8f6634d700-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_06_27&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-8f6634d700-65914937&ct=t%28Newsletter_6_27_2017%29&mc_cid=8f6634d700&mc_eid=4ca8781d5a

Indie Pub Two Dollar Radio To Open Bookstore

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/74060-indie-pub-two-dollar-radio-to-open-bookstore.html

The Benefit of Tabletop Games for Libraries

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/benefits-tabletop-games-libraries/

Sarah Jessica Parker Unveils ALA's Book Club Central

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/sarah-jessica-parker-unveils-alas-book-club-central/

Not Your Mother’s Library

https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/10/not-your-mothers-library/381119/?utm_source=atlfb

Daily Thoughts 06/26/2017

Old Woman Meditating, Gabriel Metsu, 1660-1662

Daily Thoughts 06/26/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I am taking the Planning and Management of Library Buildings for my CPLA-- Certified Public Library Administrator course today.  I finished the first assignment today.

I also went over some ideas about merchandising.

I read some more of Social Media for Writers.  The authors suggest if you have blog, blog at least once a month.

I also read some more of  A Paradise Built In Hell.  Rebecca Solnit is describing how social change often happens when there is a disaster.  This is often catalyzed by government that is corrupt and fails to provide services or steals from people during the disaster.  I am reading about how unions were formed in the garment district in Mexico after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake.

Web Bits

A Portal to Unite The Smithsonian Artists' Book Collection

https://hyperallergic.com/182306/a-portal-to-unite-the-smithsonian-libraries-artists-books-collection/

Madison's Library Takeover

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/madisons-library-takeover/

                                                                                                                                                                        

Daily Thoughts 06/25/2017

Woman Reading Under A Mosquito Net, Fuhiken Tokikaze (active first half of the 18th century) , circa 1720

Daily Thoughts 06/25/2017

 I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading Leading the Unleadable How To Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People by Alan Willett.  The last part is about maintining yourself and keep your energy up so you can manage other people.

I checked the New York Times and Publishers Weekly Bestseller lists today.

I placed a hold on Extreme Ownership; How the Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink.

I started reading Social Media for Writers Marketing Strategies for Building Your Audience and Selling Books by Tee Morris & Pip Ballantine, Foreword by Chuck Wendig.  This book starts off on the right foot, it states that no one else will talk about your book unless you talk about your book.  It also says you should market your own book.

 Sometimes people bring in self published books.  One of the first things I ask is did you take the time to market this book.  Did you put it on a blog or list it on social media.  The second question that goes with that is have you got third party reviews going.  This can be anything from the local paper to a column on a website.  This is an indication that the author took the time and cares about what they wrote.

Web Bits

Becoming Catalysts In a Changing World
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/becoming-catalysts-changing-world/

Harper Collins to Offer Multiuser E-book Access to Libraries

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/74043-harpercollins-hoopla-to-offer-multi-user-e-book-access-to-libraries.html

ALA 2017 Spotlight:  Librarians Gear Up for the 'Fight of a Lifetime'.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/74003-ala-2017-spotlight-at-ala-librarians-gear-up-for-the-fight-of-a-lifetime.html

A Brief History of the Strand as the Legendary Bookstore Turns 90
http://gothamist.com/2017/06/08/history_of_the_strand.php
 

Daily Thoughts 06/24/2017

Still Life With Fruit and Vegetables, 1914, Thomas Hart Benton

Daily Thoughts 06/24/2017

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

On the way to work, I read some of Leading the Unleadable.  A lot of this book is about how to communicate with people and listen to them so they will be motivated to work.  It is also about what is the baseline amount of work you should accept from people.  It starts from a premise that you should expect excellence.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

We are going to have two programs today, a reading by Jennifer Kitses of her book, The Small Hours from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and a Reading from the Journal Kaleidoscope which is made by the Senior Memoir Class led by Karen Leahy from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Karen Leahy gave two copies of the Journal Kaleidoscope to the library to be added to the collection.

I spent some time discussing programming today.  We are planning for an Author Fair which should be interesting.

I read some more of Leading the Unleadable.  Alan Willett describes how to rate people so they will perform better.  It is not about complaints, it is about creating changed objectives.  He also describes how to rebound from failed projects.

Web Bits

MIT Press, Internet Archive Collaborate to Digitize Titles

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2017/06/academic-libraries/mit-press-internet-archive-collaborate-to-digitize-titles/

10 Most Challenged Books of 2016

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/74017-the-top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2016.html

ULX: 10 Libraries as Community Hubs

https://urbanland.uli.org/planning-design/ulx-10-libraries-community-hubs/

Daily Thoughts 06/23/2017

Reading, Julius Leblanc Stewart, 1884

Daily Thoughts 06/23/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Capture today on the way to work.  I especially liked the description of Winston Churchill describing depression as the "black dog."

We have been working on the summer reading things.  The summer reading theme today is "Build A Better World".

We spent some time discussing computer things in the morning.

Right now, I am signing up people for the Adult Summer Reading.  We are giving away books for signing up as well as pens.  I am near the rotunda gallery right now.

The book, Leading the Unleadable How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People by Alan Willett came in for me to read. 

We had a good turnout for out start of Adult Summer Reading.

I checked some biographies today.  I also spent some more time discussing technology.

The books for the reading tomorrow, The Small Hours by Jennifer Kitses came in.

Web Bits

KHCPL to be the First Library in the World to Display Work  by Banksy

http://www.kokomotribune.com/news/local_news/khcpl-to-be-first-library-in-world-to-display-work/article_cabc1a2e-55d3-11e7-bc9ight -637c2d6fcc90.html

New York Public Library to Display Declaration of Independence Copy for Holiday Weekend

http://www.amny.com/things-to-do/new-york-public-library-to-display-declaration-of-independence-copy-for-holiday-weekend-1.13756174

ALA, Google Partner for Phase III of Libraries Ready to Code
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/ala-google-partner-phase-iii-libraries-ready-code/

Daily Thoughts 06/22/2017

Jeanne Reading, Camille Pisarro, 1899

Daily Thoughts 06/22/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I attended the Mount Vernon Public Library Board of Trustees meeting.  There was some discussion of written policies as well as the central library status.

Last night I read some more of Capture.  I am reading about what drives people to become killers.  There is a discussion of why Sirhan Sirhan, Ted Kaczynski, and Eric Harris became murderously insane.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.  I also did a little more work on programming. I also spent some time working with a new librarian the Literacy program.

Tonight we have an Immigration Forum in the Grace Greene Baker Community Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

There is also a Tablets and Smart Phones class from 5;30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

I posted a list of CD Audiobooks to Bookletters.

Web Bits

Syrian Students Library Helps Arabic Culture Blossom In Berlin

http://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2017/6/5947cef54/syrian-students-library-helps-arabic-culture-blossom-berlin.html

The Original Wonder Woman Slays the Crowd at Library of Congress

https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/06/20/original-wonder-woman-slays-crowd-library-congress/

24,000 Vintage Cartoons from the Library of Congress Illustrate The History of This Modern Art Form (1780-1977)

http://www.openculture.com/2017/06/24000-vintage-cartoons-from-the-library-of-congress-illustrate-the-history-of-this-modern-art-form-1780-1977.html

Library and Archives Canada Launches Its First Enhanced E-book

http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/news/Pages/2017/lac-launches-first-ebook.aspx

Daily Thoughts 06/21/2017

Grace Reading at Howth Bay, Sir William Orpen, Circa 1900

Daily Thoughts 06/21/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I placed a hold on Leading the Unleadable:  How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People by  Alan Willett.

On the way to work, I read some more of Capture.  David A. Kessler, M.D. describes David Wallaces writing of the novel Infinite Jest.

I also read some more of A Paradise Built in Hell.  The book is very radical in its content.  Rebecca Solnit is describing the anarchist, Kropotkins view on the concept of mutual aid.

I checked the displays and gift books this morning.

I printed up some flyers.  There are some bookmarks being printed up for the Build A Better World Summer Reading program.  We looked through some of the galleys to use as giveaways.

I spent some time going over the procedures in the computer lab.

I created the sign up sheets for the July computer classes.

I checked out two more books, Social Media for Writers Marketing Strategies for Building Your Audience and Selling Books by Tee Morris and Check Wendig and Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.  One of our librarians is going to teach a drawing class using Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

Web Bits

Librarians In the 21st Century: We Need to Talk About Library Security

http://lithub.com/librarians-in-the-21st-century-we-need-to-talk-about-library-security/

Millen ials are the Most Likely Generation of Americans to Use Public Libraries

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/21/millennials-are-the-most-likely-generation-of-americans-to-use-public-libraries/

Daily Thoughts 06/20/2017

Velimir Khlebnikov by M. Larionov (1910)

Daily Thoughts 06/20/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of Capture.  The author uses many examples of famous people with problems as examples: Jim Belushi, Anne Sexton, and Robert Lowell.

I checked the gift books and the displays today.  I also did some weeding.  We are getting a few donated games.

I also did a little more work on ordering.

I spent some time going over Content Reserve for Overdrive Advantage.

We also had the Crochet Group today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There are two computer classes tonight, a Fundamentals of Computers class and a Beginning Microsoft Word 2013 class.

On the way home, I read some more of A Paradise Built In Hell.  I am reading about the idea that disasters bring about social change.

Daily Thoughts 06/19/2017

Still Life With Raisin Cake, Fruit, and Wine, William Michael Harnett, 1876

Daily Thoughts 06/19/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I spent a little time working on programing and flyers for programs.

I also read some more of  Capture. I am reading about how people get drawn into bad habits like drinking heavily, falling for the wrong lover, cutting oneself, and other destructive actions.

I read a little bit more of A Paradise Built in Hell.  I am reading about how William James and Dorothy Day experienced civic engagement during the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Web Bits

Library Advocacy Efforts Gain Steam

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/74016-library-advocacy-efforts-gain-steam.html

Lynda Carter Presents Wonder Woman Film Script to Library of Congress

http://comicbook.com/dc/2017/06/19/lynda-carter-presents-wonder-woman-film-script-to-library-of-congress

Meet Lori Rivas, Library Advocate                   

http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2017/06/meet-lori-rivas-library-advocate/

Daily Thoughts 06/18/2017

Walter Shirlaw, Among Old Poets, 1909

Daily Thoughts 06/18/2017

Happy Fathers Day!

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Unf*ck Your Habitat today.  I am reading about how to negotiate cleaning with the people who you live with.  I did a little more cleaning and found my old bag of change in one of my drawers.  I used it to fill up the Sharper Image change jar which I had bought for five dollars which counts how much change is put in it.

I also read some more of Capture. I am reading about William James and Sigmund Freud.

I finished reading Unf*ck Your Habits You're Better Than Your Mess today by Rachel Hoffman.  I found it inspirational.  I even took some of the advice for cleaning.

I looked through the Purchase Alerts tonight.

Web Bits

Popular Authors: Keep the Old Copies?

https://librarylostfound.com/2017/06/16/popular-authors-keep-the-old-copies/

Comic Book History, Legends at Library of Congress  Exhibit

http://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/Comic-Book-History-Legends-at-Library-of-Congress-Exhibit-428872763.html

Daily Thoughts 06/17/2017

Jean Beraud, La Lettre, 1907

Daily Thoughts 06/17/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I started reading Capture Unraveling the Mystery of Mental Suffering by David A. Kessler, M.D.  The suicide of David Foster Wallace, the author of Infinite Jest is described.  David Foster Wallace was medicated for depression.

I received an advanced reading copy at home from Hachette Books, Memory's Last Breath, Field Notes on My Dementia by Gerda Saunders.  It is coming out this month, it is a memoir.

I read some more of Unf*ck Your Habitat You're Better Than Your Mess.  I'm finding it motivating, I cleaned out my refrigerator, put away all my laundry away, and wiped down most of the surfaces in my house.  Like many people, I would rather be reading than cleaning.  The book reminds you to clean anything that can smell bad first and start at the top and move to the bottom.  Right now, I am reading about how to clean small spaces like apartments.  During the last week, I also took some time to do some work so that the area around my desk is cleaner.  I had some items added to the collection next to my desk, looked over some materials I had questions about, sent a few boxes back to Humanities New York, and sorted a variety of paperwork.

Web Bits

Chicago Public Library's Youmedia Program Expanding

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/06/chicago-public-librarys-youmedia-program-expanding/

The Impact of Libraries As Creative Spaces (Australian)

http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/manage/research/libraries-as-creative-spaces

Heroin Tourists Check Out of McPherson Square Library, Courtesy of the Police

http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/mike_newall/heroin-tourists-check-out-of-mcpherson-square-library-courtesy-of-police-20170616.html

Daily Thoughts 06/16/2017

The Bookman Advertisement, March 1895

Daily Thoughts 06/16/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading This is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Librarians, Communities, and Access to Information by Kyle Cassidy.  This book has lots of pictures of libarians.  Each picture has a brief statement about what they believe is central to libraries.  In addition, there are essays.  My favorite essay is by George R.R. Martin, it is about how librarians curate and preserve science fiction.  This book promotes libraries.  Kyle Cassidy asks the question, "What can you do for libraries?" He also worked with Everylibrary which is a political action committee to make sure copies of this book were sent to all the United States senators.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.  I also worked on scheduling for July.

In addition, I spent some time working on programs.

Web Bits

The Library of Congress Wants More People to Get Into Webcomics

http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-library-of-congress-wants-more-people-to-get-into-w-1796091094

Library of Congress Names Tracy K. Smith as New Poet Laureate

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/library-congress-names-tracy-k-smith-new-poet-laureate-180963708/

Daily Thoughts 06/15/2017

Still Life, Henry Fantin-Latour, 1866

Daily Thoughts 06/15/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of A Paradise Built In Hell.  I am reading about the 1906 Earthquake in San Francisco.  It gives a different account about how people lived after the earthquake.  Rebecca Solnit describes how soldiers and elites were often more interested in protecting their property then helping everyday people.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  I also looked over some of the books that are not in the system.

I checked out the book, This Is What A Librarian Looks Like by Kyle Cassidy.

I spent some time checking the biographies.

We talked to Literacy Solutions at Yonkers Public Library today.

I am working with a new librarian going over weeding.  We are also discussing the Spanish language films in our collection.

I read some of This Is What A Librarian Looks Like on the way home. It has lots of color photographs of librarians.  The book opens with a short essay on the Library of Alexandria, there is also an essay on The Library Company of Philadelphia.  The book is a tribute to librarianship.  There are several authors who write about why they love libraries including Jeff Vandermeer, Neil Gaiman, Cory Doctorow, and Amy Dickinson.  I am about to start reading the essay by John Scalzi.  The design is superb

Web Bits

The Hidden Treasures In Italian Libraries

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/13/travel/italian-libraries-hidden-treasures-books-architecture-art.html?_r=0

10 Things You Don’t Know About Authors On a Book Tour

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-on-book-tour-scalzi-20170420-htmlstory.html

In the Smartphone Era, Students Still Head to the School Library
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/smartphone-era-students-still-head-school-library

                                        

Daily Thoughts 06/14/2017

Reader Leaning Her Elbow On the Table, Henri Matisse, 1923

Daily Thoughts 06/14/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I have to work on planning for Summer Reading today.  I spent time discussing programming for summer reading.  We are going to start with two book clubs and an end of summer reading party.  I also spent some time working on a visit from St. Paul's Church and the Women's Enterprise Development Center.

I checked the gift books and the displays today.  I also checked some of the biography books and large print.   We added a few new instructional videos.

A lot of new material is coming in to be added to the collection.  Our circulation is slowly growing.

I read some of Beyond Measure The Big Impact of Small Changes by Margaret Heffernan.  It is a TED book.  The book focuses on corporate culture.  It describes how managing conflict positively improves results.  There are also sections on why it is important to not work too many hours, get enough sleep, and avoid multitasking.

The book, A Paradise Built In Hell the Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster by Rebecca Solnit came in for me to read.

I had a chance to clear away some material from my desk.  I can see it clearly and hopefully will get a chance to organize things a little more.

There is an Advanced Excel class tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the computer lab.

I finished reading Beyond Measure The Big Impact of Small Changes by Margaret Heffernan. This book focuses on qualitative changes, not numbers.  It challenges hierarchy, asks people to look outside their organizations to find new ideas, and try to make environments where everyone can contribute.  It is about people and how people interact.  It is an argument for a workplace that values peoples contributions and flattens decision making.  There is no cure all in this book, just a lot of different suggestions.

Web Bits

How To Use Social Media to Attract Users to Libraries Columbus Metropolitan Library Insights

https://princh.com/how-to-use-social-media-to-attract-users-to-libraries-columbus-metropolitan-library-insights/

New Comic Book Exhibit Represents Resurgence In Industry

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/13/wonder-woman-part-of-library-of-awesome-pop-up-sho/

New York Public Library Main Reading Room Officially Enters Designation Process

http://www.citylandnyc.org/nypl-reading-room-enters-designation-process/

                                                                                                                                

Daily Thoughts 06/13/2017

Oliver Herford, Crocodile Reading, Circa 1891, Graphite, Brush, and Ink.

Daily Thoughts 06/13/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read How We'll Live On Mars by Stephen Petranek on the way to work.  It is a short book of 77 pages.  The writing is very concise.  Stephen Petranek writes about Elon Musk and Robert Zubrin two people who have influenced the space race recently.  He also writes about the basic technologies people will need to survive on Mars.  It is a good concise overview of colonizing Mars.

Two more TED books came in for me to read, Why We Work by Barry Schwarz and The Big Impact of Small Changes by Margaret Heffernan.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  I put in a few orders for books.  I also spent a little time with work on bookmarks.

I went through some items that needed to be reentered into the system.  I also set aside some audiobooks to be added as well as some mystery paperbacks.

The Crochet Group met today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  We are requesting some donations of games for games night.

The Fundamentals of Computer class and the Beginning Microsoft Word class are tonight.

I read Why We Work by Barry Schwarz on the way home.  It was a quick read.  Barry Schwartz is a psychologist.  His focus in this book is how to make work both meaningful and productive.  He presents ideas like people who are satisfied with their work have a purpose.  Purpose comes from giving meaning to work.  Barry Schwartz offers some insights like the more things are codified, the less meaningful work is.  He is arguing against scientific management in the sense of making work meaningless by making it simple and repetitive.  He describes a future where work has meaning and value which creates happiness.  This book is short and to the point.  It is 96 pages long.








Web Bits

Library of Congress Japanese Wood Block Prints

http://mymodernmet.com/library-of-congress-japanese-woodblock-prints/

Audiobooks and Engagement

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/06/01/audiobooks-and-civic-engagement/

                                                                                      

Daily Thoughts 06/12/2017

 

Paperweight, Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1902

Daily Thoughts 06/12/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Walkaway on the way to work.  I am enjoying the language being used to describe utopian technology in a science fiction setting.  I am reading about people getting brain uploads.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.  I also spent some time on scheduling.

I also put in an order for new books.  I finished putting together an order for Adult Summer Reading Prizes and an order for a book, The Small Hours which is going to be read on Saturday, June 24.

I have three new people I am working with, a part-time librarian, a full time electronic resources librarian, and new computer clerk.  I had to a variety of training today.

I spent time in the computer lab, looking over the Spanish books, and discussing our Adult Summer Reading Plans.  I am going to be looking at the bookmarks I made earlier.  I still have all the templates.  We will be a bookmark for the Adult Summer Reading program and the Teen Summer Reading Program.  I also discussed the Hispanic Film Brochure with one of the new hires.

I checked out the book, How We'll Live on Mars by Stephen L. Petranek which is a TED book.

The trains stalled on the way home.  There were signal problems.  I ended up finishing Walkaway because of this.  It came across as very idealistic leftward thinking.  The Walkaways don't win the battles, but they grow anyway.  The story is about a clash between those who have nothing and seek to make a community where there is disaster and the ruling elite.  At the end of the book, there are acknowledgements for three titles which Cory Doctorow read, Debt The First 5000 Years by David Graeber, Capital in the Twenty First Century by Thomas Pikettty, and A Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit.  I placed a hold on A Paradise Built In Hell.

This book seems to draw from the recent commentary on the 1%, the Occupy Movement, and protests about inequalities in wealth.  There are also a lot of references to contemporary groups like Anonymous, the Maker Movement and open source manufacturing.

In addition it is easy to spot ideas about transhumanism, abundance, post scarcity, and future systems of economics.  The content is very speculative.  I found it entertaining to read.

Web Bits

Library of Congress making 'good progress' on IT management recommendations

https://www.fedscoop.com/library-of-congress-it-management-progress/


Why Social Media Isn't Working for Your Library
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/why-social-media-isnt-working-for-your-/library

Daily Thoughts 06/11/2017

Charlotte Bosanquet, The Library at Dingestow, created in the 1840s.

Daily Thoughts 06/11/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I started reading Walkaway last night by Cory Doctorow.  It is near future science fiction. The story is about people who build their own communities outside of regular society called "walkaways."  It describes the end point of a variety of technologies like 3D printing, open source manufacturing, emergency construction techniques, recycling, and fab labs.

I read some of Unf*ck Your Habitat You're Better Than Your Mess by Rachel Hoffman.  This is a book about organizing for people who lead imperfect lives.  It suggests doing 20 minutes of cleaning followed by 10 minutes of rest.  It also tackles issues for people who have disabilities like depression or back pain.

Web Bits

Libraries Transform Progress Report

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/06/01/libraries-transform-progress-report/

Vintage Photos of Traveling Libraries        

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/vintage-photos-bookmobiles-traveling-libraries

Korean Delegation Visits Amani Charter School and Mount Vernon's Library
http://www.mvinquirer.com/korean-delegation-visits-amani-charter-school-and-mt-vernonrsquos-library.html

In Oregon, A Struggling County Just Shut Down Its Last Public Library
http://www.vocativ.com/434974/douglas-county-oregon-last-library/

Daily Thoughts 06/10/2017

George Reimer, Librarian, Created Between 1850 and 1866

Daily Thoughts 06/10/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read Asteroid Hunters by Carrie Nugent.  This was originally a TED Talk which was turned into a book.  The book is a quick read of 108 pages.  It tells the story of how people discovered asteroids and how they look for them in the sky.  It also describes why people hunt for asteroids to make sure that none of them hit the earth and create an extinction event.  This made me want to read the other TED books, because it was quick, entertaining and informative. https://www.ted.com/read/ted-books    I want to read How We'll Live On Mars by Stephen Petranek.  I placed this on hold.  I also placed Beyond Measure, The Big Impact of Small Changes by Margaret Heffernan and Why We Work by Barry Schwartz.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.  I also spent some time looking at different library policies.

I spent some time working on Bookletters today and posted a few lists of books and DVDs on Facebook.

I subscribed to the I Love Libraries newsletter in my email today.

I checked out the books, Capture Unraveling The Mystery of Mental Suffering by David A. Kessler, M.D.  and Walkaway by Cory Doctorow.


Web Bits

Amazon Will Be The Fifth Largest Bookstore Chain

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/73837-bookexpo-2017-amazon-will-be-the-fifth-largest-bookstore-chain.html

The Library Is A Place Where All Are Welcome

http://tucson.com/entertainment/the-library-is-a-place-where-all-are-welcome/article_e513f5f6-772e-56fc-82a0-2276dfbe0696.html