Daily Thoughts 11/30/2017

Essay In Abstract Design, Roger Fry, 1915

Daily Thoughts 11/30/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of Opening Up by Writing It Down.  The book describes how it is not always a good idea to describe traumatic events that happen to people immediately.  Many people adjust without help.  Part of the process is having people who you are comfortable talking with, not just therapists, and having a place to write things down privately.

I checked the displays and the gift books.  I spent some time working on a final report for a grant.

I also discussed the collection development policy with the director.

I printed up some new fliers for the Lets Build Robots! fundraising campaign.

I  spent some time checking the 800s.

There is an Introduction to Blogging Class from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today in the computer lab.

I read some more of Opening Up By Writing It Down.  The authors describe a process where when pewrite down traumatic or negative experiences, they create a narrative that has closure.  The closure allows people to stop thinking about the experience.  It also allows people to create a story with negative and positive emotions.


Web Bits

White House Library Lowers the Tones With Its Christmas Book Tree

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2017/nov/29/white-house-library-lowers-the-tones-with-its-christmas-book-tree

The Brooklyn Public Library is Now Home to a Tiny Mollusk Museum

http://mentalfloss.com/article/518159/brooklyn-public-library-now-home-tiny-mollusk-museum

Daily Thoughts 11/29/2017

Large Boston Public Garden Sketchbook: A woman reading in the park

Maurice Brazil Prendergast (American, St. John’s, Newfoundland 1858–1924 New York)

Daily Thoughts 11/29/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I spent some time discussing the games night and a possibility of having a chess club in December.  I am waiting for a photograph so we can create a flyer.

We went to city hall today to drop off some fliers for a local author reading.

I contacted some more people about our fundraiser Lets Build Robots using Facebook and LinkedIn.

We also worked a little bit on an order of e-books.

I read the Bookpage for December.

I also spent some time putting together some notes on marketing.

I checked out the book Artemis by Andy Weir.

Web Bits

Climbable Built In Bookshelf Doesn't Need a Library Ladder

https://www.curbed.com/2017/11/28/16709210/built-in-bookshelf-ideas-design-shinsuke-fuji-architects

Community Group Sues to Oppose Privatization of Escondido City Library

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/nov/28/community-group-sues-oppose-privatization-escondid/

Daily Thoughts 11/28/2017

Woman Reading a Book on a Beach, James Jebusa Shannon, circa 1891-1896

Daily Thoughts 11/28/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Today is Giving Tuesday, November 28.  The library is having a fundraising campaign called Lets Build Robots.  https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/let-s-build-robots

I checked the displays this morning.  I also looked some items that were not in the catalog.

The Crochet Group met today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I put in some orders today for new books.

I spent some time in the afternoon focusing on Giving Tuesday.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers Class and a Beginning Microsoft Word class today.

Web Bits


Op-Ed: The Role of Libraries in the Defense of Our Nation
https://lbpost.com/news/2000011739-op-ed-the-role-of-libraries-in-the-defense-of-our-nation

Not All Book Startups Have Died

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/75472-not-all-book-startups-have-died.html

The Library of Congress Acquired A Rare Mesoamerican Codex

https://aleteia.org/2017/11/28/the-library-of-congress-acquired-a-rare-mesoamerican-codex/

Daily Thoughts 11/27/2017

Samuel Van Hoogenstraten, Self Portrait, Created between 1647 and 1649

Daily Thoughts 11/27/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Opening Up By Writing It Down.  They have short writing exercises of 20 to 30 minutes at the end of each chapter.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

I talked with a clerk about shelving and items that needed to be put back in the system.

I spent some time working on orders.

I read through a copy of the Times Literary Supplement.

I also read through the reviews in the latest Booklist.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers class and a Beginning Microsoft Word class tonight.

Web Bits

The Places We Read

http://lithub.com/the-places-we-read/

Daily Thoughts 11/26/2017

Still Life With Books, Henri Matisse, 1895

Daily Thoughts 11/26/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Giving Tuesday is on November 28, #givingtuesday.  I have been contacting people about it every single day.

I read some more of Opening Up By Writing It Down this morning.  I am reading about what makes for express writing that works to deal with emotional issues.

I placed a hold on the novel Artemis by Andy Weir.

Web Bits

Navigating ACA Open Enrollment at Your Library

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/navigating-aca-open-enrollment-at-your-library/

Why Protest Camps Have Libraries
https://ideas.ted.com/why-do-protest-camps-have-libraries/

Daily Thoughts 11/25/2017

News Depot, Cos Cob, 1912

Daily Thoughts 11/25/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I rested on the way to work.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I spent some time checking the 800s.  I also looked over a few books and dvds that were not in the system.

I spent some time cleaning and organizing my desk. I found a reminder to purchase some new chairs for the computer lab.  I also have to go over a database list.  In addition I have to write a report for a grant which I finished the programming for.  There is usually exit paperwork for grants involving programming.

I checked out the graphic novel In Search of Lost Time: Swann's Way A Graphic Novel Marcel Proust Adaptation and Drawings by Stephane Heuet, Translated by Arthur Goldhammer.  This is an adaptation of a classic novel.

It is a story about French society.  It is about love and relationships.  I love the illustrations.  They have a wonderfully aristocratic quality to them.  It is very different than what I usually read.  I enjoyed reading a story that has a genteel quailty to it.  The intrigue is one of the illicit affair, the mistress, and where ones place is in society.  

Web Bits

The True Worth of Libraries Is Much Greater Than You Think

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/fleur-morrison/the-truth-worth-of-libraries-is-much-greater-than-you-think_a_23249688/

Our Love Affair With Digital Is Over

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/18/opinion/sunday/internet-digital-technology-return-to-analog.html

Library Is Considering Ending Late Fees for Kids

http://www.omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/library-is-considering-ending-late-fees-forkids/article_812ccdc7-3450-5082-b378-c4d0a3596f2e.html

Daily Thoughts 11/24/2017

Boy Reading (The Artist's Son), Samuel Peploe, 1903

Daily Thoughts 11/24/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Opening Up By Writing It Down.  The book comes from a number of studies which show that writing down traumas helps reduce the feelings associated with the trauma as well as the health effects which occur.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I spent some time checking the 800s.  Also, we finished checking the 900s today.  I also checked some books that were listed as not being in the catalog.

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

There is a new program that is part of Humanities New York called Your Silence will Not Protect You-- The Writings of Audre Lorde.  I think this would be an opportunity to do something interesting.  Audre Lorde once worked at the Mount Vernon Public Library.

http://humanitiesny.org/our-work/programs/reading-discussion/your-silence-will-not-protect-you-the-writing-of-audre-lorde/

I checked out the book, Drawing Physics 2,600 Years of Discovery From Thales to Higgs by Don S. Lemons.

Web Bits

Neil Gaiman Leads Authors Demanding Action to Halt Decline of School Libraries
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/nov/23/neil-gaiman-leads-authors-demanding-action-to-halt-decline-of-school-libraries

Help In History: A Triumphant Library Story

http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2017/11/23/help-history-triumphant-library-story/857838001/

The Harold Robinson Library Rehearsal Rooms Offer DIY Music Therapy

https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/harold-washington-library-practice-piano-rooms/BestOf?oid=22604854

Daily Thoughts 11/23/2017

Leo Tolstoy, Ilya Repin, 1887

Daily Thoughts 11/23/2017

Happy Thanksgiving.

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read a little bit of Opening Up By Writing It Down How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Pain by James W. Pennebaker, PhD and Joshua M. Smyth, PhD.  This book is about the relationship between expressing yourself emotionally and psychomatic illnesses caused by stress, keeping secrets, and other psychological behavior.

Web Bits

NYPL Unveils Plan for Schwarzman Building

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2017/11/buildings/nypl-unveils-plans-schwarzman-building/

FCC Plan Would Give Internet Providers The Power to Choose the Sites Customers See and Use

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/21/the-fcc-has-unveiled-its-plan-to-rollback-its-net-neutrality-rules/?utm_term=.1627f4c8fa23

Get Local and Host A Meetup

http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2017/11/20/get-local-and-host-a-meet-up/

Daily Thoughts 11/22/2017

The Inattentive Reader, Henri Matisse, 1919

Daily Thoughts 11/22/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.  I contacted several people about the Lets Build Robots Fundraiser.

I spent some time discussing shelving this morning with colleagues.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I spent some time in the public computer area today.

Web Bits

Support Net Neutrality
http://action.everylibrary.org/netneutrality

Diversifying Librarianship

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/diversifying-librarianship/

Net Neutrality at the End of 2017: What Libraries Need to Know

http://www.districtdispatch.org/2017/11/net-neutrality-end-2017-libraries-need-know/

Daily Thoughts 11/21/2017

A philosopher reading. Oil painting by a follower of David Teniers the younger.

Daily Thoughts 11/21/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

We sent out our email blast about the Lets Build Robots fundraising campaign.

I read some of The Stone In the Skull The Lotus Kingdoms Book One by Elizabeth Bear.  This is a fantasy novel.  It has a lot of eastern elements in it drawing from India, Asia, and the Middle East.  At the same time, it still keeps many of the western fantasy tropes.  I rather like the clockwork man made of brass in this story.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I spent some time looking through the 800s.

I placed an order for new books today.

We put out a flyer for the Lets Build Robots Campaign.  We also sent out a press release to the local papers about the campaign.

I finished reading The Stone In the Skull, The Lotus Kingdoms Book One by Elizabeth Bear.  This is story is catching.  I like how the author mixes magic, technology, and religion in this story.  Wizards build clockwork men and improve pistols.  Magicians create illusions, and poetry is combined with history.  The magic in this story is seemless and believable, something which is very hard for an author to do.

The heroes in this story are different.  They have suffered tremendous losses. Even the noble queen has lost her husband and is being pushed to remarry.  I like the suffering in this novel, it adds to the beauty of the writing. 

This is a novel written for adults.  There is some erotic content.  Also there are some ordinary scenes like one of the heroes of the story visiting the public baths after spending time traveling as a guard.

I also read Zita The Space Girl by Ben Hatke.  This is a graphic novel for tweens.  The main character has the name of one of Ben Hatke's children.  It is fun to read and very colorful.  The characters don't just fight, they escape and trick the bad guys.  I like the art in this graphic novel series.  It is very easy to look at.  The language is fast paced, appropriate for tweens, and humorous.

The aliens in the book are cute.  There are giant mice, robots, tentacled beasts and other creatures.  I recommend this highly.  Also Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke is a fun read. 
http://www.benhatke.com


Web Bits

Booksellers Prep for Small Business Saturday

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/75430-booksellers-prep-for-small-business-saturday.html

I am interested in the Online Course To Build Support for Library Funding

https://pcsweeney.com/2017/11/20/online-course-to-build-support-for-library-funding/

Grad Students Under Tax Siege

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/grad-students-tax-siege-article-1.3640678

SF Public Library Hires Bill Collector to Track Down Patrons With Large Overdue Fines

http://www.sfexaminer.com/sf-public-library-hires-bill-collector-track-patrons-large-overdue-fines/

 

Daily Thoughts 11/20/2017

Norman Saunders-- Marvel Science Stories, April May 1939

Daily Thoughts 11/20/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Start With Why.  The author describes different tactics for short term sales like novelty, rebates, and aspirations.  It is clear that he is selling his idea as a long term sales tactic.

Web Bits

Library of Congress Launches Three New Learning Apps
http://edscoop.com/library-of-congress-launches-three-new-learning-apps

The Culture Being Fought Over Tomorrow's Libraries

https://www.fastcodesign.com/90151650/the-culture-war-being-fought-over-tomorrows-libraries

Serving Diverse Populations

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2017/11/01/serving-diverse-populations/

Scotland Launches Single Library Card Pilot

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/scotland-launches-single-library-card-pilot-676661

Interview with Patrick Sweeney of Every Library

http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2017/11/interview-patrick-sweeney-every-library/

Daily Thoughts 11/19/2017

"Dig". Poster by Sadie Wendell Mitchell showing a woman sitting in a room filled with books reading a work titled Economy. A sign with text "Do It Now" hangs on the wall above the woman's head. Part of the artist's "Girls Will Be Girls" poster series. Chromolithograph by Close, Graham, & Scully, Inc., New York, 1909. Public Domain

Daily Thoughts 11/19/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I worked on a press release today for the Lets Make Robots fundraising campaign.  It is the second one I have ever done.

I also started reading Start With Why How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek.  I am finding it more analytical than action oriented.  Simon Sinek is asking the question why do people succeed.

I checked the Purchase Alerts this evening.

I also bough some notebooks which I use for daily planning.

Web Bits

A Year After Their Win-- Nevada County Libraries

http://everylibrary.org/year-win-nevada-county-libraries/

In Kennebunkport, A Small and Mighty Library Continues to Attract Big-Name Authors

http://www.pressherald.com/2017/11/19/in-kennebunkport-a-small-and-mighty-library-continues-to-attract-big-name-authors/

Linda Eastman Was First Woman to Lead A Major Library

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/11/linda_eastman_was_first_woman.html

This Street Library in Bulgaria Encourages People to Read

https://www.boredpanda.com/rapana-the-street-library-of-varna/

Daily Thoughts 11/18/2017

Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of "RUR" at the Marionette Theatre, showing abstract image with text.WPA Project between 1936 and 1939.

Daily Thoughts 11/18/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Yesterday, I read some more of Finish Give Yourself the Gift of Done.  I am reading about how we sabotage our goals by focusing on things which we don't want to do and often find no joy in.

I placed a hold on Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for LIbrary Funding by John Chrastka and Patrick "PC" Sweeney on hold.

I am watching the show How Does the Brain Work narrated by Neal De Grasse Tyson.  They have a segment on Watson the supercomputer and Jeopardy.  It looks like Watson might eventually make a good reference tool in libraries.

The fundraising campaign for Lets Build Robots is up on the Mount Vernon Public Library Website.
http://mountvernonpubliclibrary.org/lets-build-robots/

I finished reading Finish Give Yourself The Gift Done by Jon Acuff.  There is a lot of light self deprecating humor in this book which is about completing goals.  It focuses on the idea that perfectionism kills your ability to finish things.  John Acuff gives examples of how he and other people failed then encourages people to do less, extend the time to get things done and finish.  He shows how data does not lie to you and you need someone other than yourself to help you out in the end sometimes.  This was worth reading.

Web Bits

Kansas City Public Library's Top Missing Books

http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/kansas-city-public-library%E2%80%99s-top-missing-books

A Struggling Historic Library Says It Needs to Sell Its Art

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/arts/design/sothebys-james-prendergast-library-jamestown-art-sale.html

Commentary: Don't Privatize Control of Vineland's Public Library

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/11/16/commentary-dont-privatize-control-vinelands-public-library/871773001/

Daily Thoughts 11/17/2017

The Philosopher, 1878, Ernest Meissonier

Daily Thoughts 11/17/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

Right now, I am in the computer lab.

I checked some of the books that are listed as not in the system.  I also checked some of the 800s.  I wrote a post on LinkedIn about the Lets Make Robots campaign.

I printed up some fliers for programs.  We also put up some signs for the public computer area.

I read some of the book, Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff this morning.  Jon Acuff describes how perfectionism limits what you can do.  He reminds us to not over plan or plan to do too much at once.

I arranged for some classes for the staff in December and January.

I also read several copies of Publishers Weekly and worked on my order for next week.

Web Bits

Check Out Seeds at the Library

http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/check-out-seeds-at-the-library/

House Passes Open Act to Improve Public Access to Government Data

http://www.districtdispatch.org/2017/11/house-passes-open-act-improve-access-government-data/

Public Libraries Offer A Hallowed Spaced in the Community and Public Consciousness

http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/drexel-public-libraries.html’

Libraries of the Future Are Going to Change in Some Unexpected Ways

http://www.businessinsider.com/libraries-of-the-future-2016-8

Daily Thoughts 11/16/2017

"Adversity Is Not Without Comforts and Hopes", -- Francis Bacon Quote, Edith Mahier - 1915 "Jambalaya" (Tulane University yearbook) 

Daily Thoughts 11/16/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some of Guide to Electronic Resource Management.  The book mentions the Charleston Conference which focuses on library acquisitions.  It is a conference that I hope to go to one day.

We have our Give Gab campaign live.   https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/let-s-build-robots

I spent some time looking over books that were not in the system.  I also spent some time checking the 800s.

I checked out the book, Start With Why How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek.  I also checked out the book, Finish Give Yourself The Gift of Done by Jon Acuff.

I worked on some scheduling for next months programs.

There is an Introduction to Blogging class tonight in the computer lab from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..  They might even look at this blog.

We are reading the book, In The Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende as next months book club.

The modern library is about more than books.

Web Bits

New York Public Library Unveils $317 Million Master Plan

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/arts/design/new-york-public-library-unveils-317-million-master-plan.html

New Ulysses Grant Presidential Library At Home in the South

http://www.sfgate.com/news/education/article/New-Ulysses-Grant-presidential-library-at-home-in-12361753.php

Daily Thoughts 11/15/2017

Library Lamp, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Indian Hookah Design, 1910

Daily Thoughts 11/15/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I finished reading Making Sense of the Alt-Right by George Hawley.  This book reminds of how much politicians have been turning to identity politics to gain votes.  It shows a recent rise in organizations that support racism, sexism, anti-egalitarianism, and white nationalism.  It describes a movement that makes its primary focus race, the Alt-Right.  It is hard to read, but revelatory.

I started reading The Guide to Electronic Resource Management.  I am reading about the differences between managing physical materials and electronic resources.

I checked in with a few people.  We are creating a flyer for literacy.

I registered for Library Con Live an Online Fan Festival on December 6, 2017

http://borrowreadrepeat.com/register-librarycon-live-virtual-fan-festival/

I also registered as a VIP Librarian for Book Expo America on May 30 through June 1st

http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/

Web Bits

Google Training

Free Google Video Training        

https://grow.google/

Applied Digital Skills

https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/en/apps

"122 Things" You Will Be Able to Do In the Library of the Future That You Can't Do Today
http://www.futuristspeaker.com/business-trends/122-things-you-will-be-able-to-do-in-the-library-of-the-future-that-you-cant-do-today/

Google. Shmoogle.  Reference Librarians Are Busier Than Ever
https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-shmoogle-reference-librarians-are-busier-than-ever-1510763846

Daily Thoughts 11/14/2017

Brousov Calendar, Viktor Vasnetsov, 1871

Daily Thoughts 11/14/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

We should have our Giving Tuesday campaign ready soon for the library.

I read a copy of the New York Times Book Review today.  I also looked through the Times Literary Supplement.

On the way to work, I read some more of Making Sense of the Alt-Right by George Hawley.  I am reading about Richard Spencer who is an anti-semitic white nationalist and Milo Yiannopoulos who is a gay racist.  It is fascinating, but unpleasant reading.

I worked an order focusing on getting some more holiday books.

I also checked some books to make sure they needed to be put back in the system.

I spent some time working on scheduling for December and January for programming.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers class and a Beginning Microsoft Word class.

Web Bits

November 2017 Elections Bring Large and Small Wins for Libraries

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2017/11/budgets-funding/november-2017-elections-bring-large-small-wins-libraries/

Williamson Road Library Opens With More Space And Books And A Giant Scrabble Board

http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/roanoke/williamson-road-library-reopens-with-more-space-and-books-and/article_db8d9edb-86fe-5b66-a65a-bd1c38269239.html

Daily Thoughts 11/13/2017

The Mathematician, Diego River, 1918

Daily Thoughts 11/13/2017

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

On the way to work, I read some more of Making Sense of the Alt-Right.  There are short descriptions of the philosophies of a variety of right wing groups including the neoconservatives, paleoconservatives, libertarians, kkk, neo-nazis, and other groups.

I also read a little bit more of Thinking Machines.  Luke Dormehl is describing how creativity is a process which can be copied by artificial intelligence.  He also describes how machines can use evolutionary algorithms to create new products like microwave antennas.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I prepared some orders for new books.

I checked out Guide to Electronic Resource Management by Sheri V. T. Ross and Saram W. Sutton.

I spent the afternoon working with a giving platform called Give Gab for the Giving Tuesday campaign we are preparing.  http://www.givegab.com

On the way home, I finished reading Thinking Machines The Quest for Artificial Intelligence and Where It's Taking Us Next by Luke Dormehl.  I found it interesting that there are companies that will record your complete digital life before you die.  Some people believe that with artificial intelligence we will be able to upload our minds to machines.  This is a kind of transcendence without enlightenment. It is hard to predict what will happen when we do have artificial intellignece.  It will not be like us.


I also read some more of Making Sense of the Alt-Right.  Some of the more famous aspects of the alt-right are memes, trolling, and dark humor.



Web Bits

Readers First Survey:  How Can We Improve Library E-books?

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/75146-readersfirst-survey-how-can-we-improve-library-e-books.html