Saturday, June 30, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/30/2018


Daily Thoughts 06/30/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also read some more of Political Risk.  Condolezza Rice and Amy B. Zegart describe how political risk can come from individuals all the way up to international entities.

I placed a hold on the book, The New Human Rights Movement: Reinventing the Economy to End Oppression by Peter Joseph.

I also spent some time looking at programming.

Web Bits


Found: 3 Poisonous Books In A University Library

She Was Homeless Until A Detroit Library Stepped In To Help

Friday, June 29, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/29/2018

John William Waterhouse - Circe, 1911.jpg
John William Waterhouse, Circe, 1911

Daily Thoughts 06/29/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I read some more of The Library Book.  The book has lots of vignettes about different staff in the Los Angeles Public Library.  I was reading about security in the library.  There are a lot of very odd people who spend times in libraries.  Susan Orleans does a good job of being the outsider looking in in this book.  I finished reading the book this afternoon.  Harry Peake, the person accused of setting the fire in the Los Angeles Public Library is proven innocent.  There is not enough evidence to prove who started the fire. 

Web Bits


Roadmap to Advocacy -- Uncovering Your Library's Support System

Overdue Discussion
                                                                                                                                    

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/27/2018

File:Belle da Costa Greene, by Paul Helleu.jpg
Belle Da Costa Greene, Paul Cesar Helleu, 1913

Daily Thoughts 06/27/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Library Book by Susan Orlean.  I read about how Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in the basement of the Los Angeles Public Library.  I also read about some of the early directors of Los Angeles Public Library.

I read a little more of The Moral Economy.  I am reading about how incentives for things which people were doing for free often lead to people stop dong the activities which people were doing for free.

I started reading Political Risk How Businesses and Organizations Can Anticipate Global Insecurity by Condolezza Rice and B. Zegart.  This is a book with lots of new concepts in it.  It starts with the story of Blackfish, a film about mistreating Orcas which put Sea World in Florida out of business.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

I spent some time discussing signage with our marketing person this morning.

I got a set of Advanced Reading Copies for teenagers from my representative from Brodart.

We spent some time preparing for programming in July and August.

We got a list of all the ISBNs for items which we ordered during the last year for Select Reads.

I am off tomorrow so I cleaned off my desk a bit.

I checked out the book Organized Simplicity The Clutter Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tish Oxenreider.

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

Web Bits


2018: Spotlight on Wikipedia

I' m a public librarian. This why I'm also a civic-tech advocate by Tess Wilson

Library of Congress Celebrates Baseball's Role As An American 'Unifier'

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/27/2018


Portrait of a Scholar, Adriaen van Ostade, 1665

Daily Thoughts 06/27/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading Happiness A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill by Matthieu Ricard Foreword by Daniel Goleman.  This is a book of buddhist meditation focused on relieving suffering and creating happiness and compassion.  It is well written for the western layman.  There are a lot of references to western philosophy in this book.

I also read some more of The Library Book.  I am reading about how Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in the basement of the Los Angeles Public Library.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

I spent some time working on Adult Summer Reading.

I also did a little bit of weeding.  We are planning on shifting and weeding more in the oversize books.

We are going to get some signage priced soon.

Web Bits


ALA 2018 Librarian of Congress, National Archivist Trade Quips

Scarsdale Library Closure Where To Get Services

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/26/2018

File:Tikos Boy Reading 1843.jpg
Albert Tikos, Boy Reading, 1843

Daily Thoughts 06/26/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Library Book on the way home.  I am reading about book burning right now.

I have been talking with Dear Reader this morning.

I also spent some time looking at the patron requests sheet for items which our patrons want.

I am looking at the book, Political Risk How Businesses and Organizations Can Anticipate Global Insecurity by Condolezza Rice and Amy B. Zegart.

The first day of Adult Summer Reading and Teen Summer Reading is today.

We started the Adult and Teen Summer Reading Kickoff today.  We gave away lots of galleys, pencils, and candy and signed up a lot of people today.





Monday, June 25, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/25/2018

Lilla Cabot Perry - The Story Hour.jpg
Lila Cabot Perry, The Story Hour, 1848

Daily Thoughts 06/25/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read a little bit more of the Moral Economy on the way to work.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I also spent some time discussing summer reading.

I went to a training session for Read With Me! MVPL's 2018 Summer Reading Program which is program where adults read to children.

I read a copy of the New York Times Book Review.  I also read the latest Book Page for July 2018.

I am discussing signage with a librarian from New Rochelle.

We should be setting up our Select Reads account tomorrow.

Web Bits


Time to Shelve Advocacy?  We Don’t Think So.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/24/2018

File:Los Angeles Public Library 1935.jpg
Walkway and front façade of Los Angeles Public Library  circa 1935, Los Angeles Daily News, Copyright Not Renewed.


Daily Thoughts 06/24/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also looked up some Overdrive Marketing Materials.
https://resources.overdrive.com/library/marketing-outreach/   

I read some more of The Library Book by Susan Orlean.  On p.86, Peggy Murphy who works in collection development in Los Angeles Public Library tells us that she started working in libraries at the Mount Vernon Public Library.  I am reading an Advanced Reading Copy of this book.  It is due out on October 16, 2018.

I also read some more of Happiness.  I am reading about meditative techniques to deal with anger and envy.

I read a little bit of The Moral Economy Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens by Samuel Bowles.  This is an argument against the idea of economic man.  It goes back to the ideals of Aristotle and Confucius who believe morality and ritual should be built into good governance.

I checked the purchase alerts tonight.


Saturday, June 23, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/23/2018


Ink Play, Jin Nong, 1687-1773, 1754

Daily Thoughts 06/23/2018

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

I read some more of Happiness on the way to work.  I am reading about our tendency to attach negative thoughts to emotions like anger and jealousy.

I also read a little more of The Library Book.  I am reading about how homelessness has become a part of libraries because of the closure of many mental institutions.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

We are working on an order of e-books this morning.

I spent some time discussing the pictures from an Ozobot event which we are sending to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Public Library.




Friday, June 22, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/22/2018


Portrait of English Writer and Illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, Felix Vallotton, 1898

Daily Thoughts 06/22/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some of Happiness A Guide To Developing Life's Most Important Skill by Matthieu Ricard.  Matthieu Ricard is a scientist is a scientist and a buddhist monk whose focus is on happiness as it relates to meditation.  He is known for participating in scientific research on meditation.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

We are looking at some library gardening programs.

Growing Library Gardens

Simple Steps to Starting a Seed Library
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/01/simple-steps-to-starting-a-seed-library/

We received our grant from Arts Westchester for the Salsa Dancing and Percussion Program.

I also placed an order of books for the Net Lender program.

I worked on scheduling for the month as well.

Web Bits


Brooke Astor Collection Heads to Research Room at Library

Federal Library Funding Remains Stable as FY 2019 Appropriations Process Moves Forward

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/21/2018


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

Daily Thoughts 06/21/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I finished reading The Perfectionists How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World by Simon Winchester.  The themes in this book are fascinating.  For example, one of the ideas is that craftsmanship cannot match industrial precision where machines make machines.  Another is that as measurements become more refined, machinery becomes more complicated and precise.

I also started reading The Library Book by Susan Orleans which is about the Los Angeles Public Library fire which was the largest fire in a library in the history of the United States.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I also spent some time working on Read Squared the new summer reading sign up system.  We printed up some sample raffle tickets for summer reading.  The theme this year is libraries rock.

I spent some time working on programming.

I also spent some time working on scheduling for the computer lab.

Web Bits


Every Library Launches A Political Research Institute

Four Baby Falcons That Hatched Atop an Evanston Library Are Named, Banded

A Literary Architect Is Erecting A Swanky Library In Queens

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/20/2018


Still Life With Book, Bullshead, and Candle Range, Pablo Picasso, 1938

Daily Thoughts 06/20/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of  The Perfectionists on the way to work.  I am reading about GPS technology.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I read a copy of the Times Literary Supplement today.

I spent some time working on orders.

I am working on Read Squared, the new platform which we have for summer reading. I put together a suggested reading list for Adult Summer Reading.  I also signed up as a patron. 

I am also double checking on some items which need to be paid for.

I spent a little time discussing signage.

There are a few other programming ideas which have come up.

There is a Beginning Programming in Javascript class tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the computer lab.


Web Bits


Graphically Speaking Spotlight on Graphic Novels

President Washington, Your Library Books Are Overdue

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/19/2018


Halls, Richard,, 1906-, artist. WPA Federal Theatre presents "It can't happen here" dramatized by Sinclair Lewis & J.C. Moffitt : Adelphi Theatre, 54th Street East of 7th Ave. N.Y.C. : Federal Art Project, [1936 or 1937] 1 print (poster) : silkscreen, color. Notes: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress).

Daily Thoughts 06/19/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Perfectionists on the way to work.  I am reading about two people, Henry Royce one of the founders of Rolls-Roye, and Henry Ford, the founder of Ford motor company.

I worked on two orders of books this morning.

I also worked on arranging for a collection assessment.

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

We got our Summer Reading Read Squared acount today.

I checked out the book, Happiness A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill by Matthieu Ricard who is a buddhist monk.

We finished ordering our Adult Summer Reading swag.

We have a Fundamentals of Computers Class and a Beginning Microsoft Word Class tonight in the computer lab.

Web Bits


ALA 2018 Spotlight: Watch Your Language

Monday, June 18, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/18/2018

Fan with Poetic Verses, Wood; painted, gilded, and lacquered
Fan With Poetic Verses, 1883-1884, Tehran, Iran

Daily Thoughts 06/18/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Perfectionists.  I am reading about the beginning of the creation of interchangeable parts and machines being created to make other machines.  It is about precision, repeatability, and accuracy.

I checked the ADP schedule.

I also looked at Bluecloud Analytics for some statistics for ordering.

Web Bits


The Importance of School Librarians

Donation Allows Iowa Library to Get a Full Kitchen




Sunday, June 17, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/17/2018

New School Library, Carlos Anderson (American, born 1905), Lithograph
New School Library, Carlos Anderson, Published by WPA, 1935-1943

Daily Thoughts 06/17/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read a little bit more of The Perfectionists. I am reading about the creation of the Bramah lock which was one of the first locks that you could not make a wax impression for a key.

I checked the purchase alerts tonight for items on hold.

Web Bits


Editors' Mystery Picks: Top Titles from Top Publishers: Day of Dialog 2018

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/16/2018


Inspiration, John Honore Fragonard, 1769

Daily Thoughts 06/16/2018

I checked the library Twiter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Perfectionists.  I am reading about James Watt who invented the steam engine as well as John Wilkinson who is famous for his ironmongering.

A patron provided a short list of romance novelists they are interested in.

I spent a little time looking at signage.

I am looking at the Association of Bookmobiles and Outreach Services.
http://abos-outreach.com/

Web Bits


The Growler

Friday, June 15, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/15/2018

File:Juan de Echevarría - Vase with Bananas, Lemons and Books - Google Art Project.jpg
Vase With Banana, Lemons, and Books, Juan De Echevarria, circa 1917

Daily Thoughts 06/15/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I started reading The Perfectionists How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World by Simon Winchester.  I like the style which Simon Winchester writes in.  The book starts with trying to define what accuracy and precision is.

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

Web Bits


Libraries Directors' Describe Them As Community Hubs and Beyond

In Practice: Civility


Thursday, June 14, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/14/2018

File:Antonio Sicurezza still life with books and mandolin.jpg
Antonio Sicurezza, Still life with books and mandolin, Secondary School "Dante Alighieri", Formia, 1957

Daily Thoughts 06/14/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of One Goal.  The book reading and book club is tonight at 6:30 p.m..  I am looking forward to the presentation.  There is a powerpoint that goes with the the reading.

I met with Roxanne Mapp and we walked around the building looking at signage.  We are looking at different kinds of signage including shelf signage, hanging signage, and outdoor signage.

We discussed some things for Summer Reading today.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I looked at Library Reads for July today.  http://www.libraryreads.org

We also are getting Select Reads.  http://www.dearreader.com/select-reads/

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

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/13/2018


Still Life. Vase With Flowers on the Window. Paul Gaugin.  1881

Daily Thoughts 06/13/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of One Goal on the way to work.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

I am looking at the licensing agreement for Select Reads.

I put in two orders for new books and an order for books through the Net Lender account.  Some of the Net Lender books have already come in.

I read a bit more of One Goal on the way home.  The soccer team, the Blue Devils are trying to make it to the state finals.

There was an HTML 5 and CSS3 class tonight in the computer lab from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Web Bits


Baltimore’s Pratt Library Will Go Fine Free for Overdue Books

How A Hunt Through the Library of Congress Helped Get A New Movie Made

The Prime Real Estate of a Library Address

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/12/2018


Still Life With Book, Roman Selsky, 1926

Daily Thoughts 06/12/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of One Goal.  I am reading about how the coaches in Lewiston insisted on solid academics before they allowed high school athletes to be on the teams.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I read a copy of the New York Times Book Review and the latest Ingram Advance today.

I spent some time looking over circulation statistics for the library.

I have also been working on another order for the Net Lender program.

There is a Fundamentals of Computers Class and a Beginning Microsoft Word 2013 class tonight.

I helped out with another program, there was a master gardener from Cornell Cooperative Extension who talked about gardening in small spaces from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Web Bits


Librarians Shout N’ Share their Show Picks Book Expo 2018

Monday, June 11, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/11/2018

File:The Poster. Miss Art and Miss Litho. LCCN2002712611.jpg
The Poster. Miss Art and Miss Litho, 1896

Daily Thoughts 06/11/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I spent some time talking to a salesman from Select Reads this morning.  http://www.dearreader.com/select-reads/

I also checked the displays and the gift books.

I put in two orders for books with money from the Net Lender account.
I also put in some orders for new books for this week.

I finished my monthly report for May today.  I handed it in a little bit late because I had to wait for some statistics.

I read some more of One Goal this morning.  The book gives an excellent sense of what teamwork is all about.  We are going to discuss the book on Thursday.

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

Web Bits


Comic Books in the State Library ???

The New York City Subway Gets Its First  Little Free Library


Sunday, June 10, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/10/2018

File:American homes and gardens (1909) (18158687651).jpg
American Homes and Gardens 1909

Daily Thoughts 06/10/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Ray Dalio Principles.  I am reading about how to handle failures and mistakes.  I finished reading Principles in the laundromat.  There are some sections which are worth taking a second look at.

I also started reading more of One Goal.  This book tells a story of Somali immigrant teenagers who are on a soccer team.

I checked the purchase alerts today.

Web Bits



UVa Library’s Plan to Cut Stacks by Half Sparks Faculty Concerns

                                                          

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/09/2018

File:Woman reading in garden (2678236436).jpg
Woman Reading in the Garden, 1912, Unknown

Daily Thoughts 06/09/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Principles on the way to work.  I am reading about perspective and how it is important to have a larger perspective if you are managing people.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

I spent some time working on orders for the Net Lender account.  I looked up a set of books using Bluecloud Analytics and another set by looking at selections from Book Expo America.

I am also working on an order of graphic novels and an order of inspirational fiction.

I checked out the book One Goal, A Coach, A Team, and The Game That Brought A Divided Town Together by Amy Bass.  There is going to be a reading and discussion on Thursday, June 14, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Web Bits


We Need Diverse Books Presents Life Cycle of a Diverse Book-- Book Expo

Friday, June 8, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/08/2018




Daily Thoughts 06/08/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also read some more of Principles by Ray Dahlio.  I am reading about why it is important to hire people with different ideas and skills than your own.

We had a training session on Google Calendar this morning for the staff.

I also spent some time going over Net Lender program and the NEDCC Northeast Document Conservation Center plan.

The Teen Computer Games hour is this afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We also have the last Ozobots program from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Web Bits


International Games Week Update

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/07/2018


Daily Thoughts 06/07/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also prepared my final batch of books to bring to the library from Book Expo America.

I read some more of  Principles.  I am reading about how to handle mistakes without blaming people.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

We went spent some time discussing the Community Development Block Grant.  We are going to city hall this evening to make a short presentation.

I distributed the last of the books from Book Expo.

I also worked for a bit on the monthly report for May.  I have a few more statistics which I need.

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

There is also an Ozobots class from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow.

I went to the Community Development Block Grant meeting and the Director, Evania Thompson gave a presentation for a grant for some ADA improvements to the building as well as for a Teen Computer Area for the Mount Vernon Public Library.

I spent a little time checking the oversize books.

Web Bits


Impatient Former Hong Kong Library Worker Arrested After Stealing Customers' Personal Data To Borrow Books Faster

Eleven Reasons Librarians Rock

Pen America Presents:  Can Free Speech Be Saved? Book Expo

Library Journal Partners With Overdrive for Indie Author Program

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/06/2018


Memories, William Merritt Chase, 1910

Daily Thoughts 06/06/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Principles.  I ma reading about the concepts of Radical Transparency and Radical Truth.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.  This month is LGBTQ month.

I finished reading the latest copy of the New York Times Book Review and picked out some items to order.

I brought in more books to be added to the collection.  I also brought in a stack of comic samples from the show to be used as giveaways for different events.

We are preparing for a presentation tomorrow for the CDBG Community Development Block Grant meeting.

I spent some time working on some statistics for the annual report for electronic materials.

I also wrote a summary for Book Expo America which I sent to the board.

There is an HTML 5 and CSS 3 class from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the computer lab tonight.

Web Bits


Graphic Novels Find Their Place at Book Expo, Book Con, and NYRF

Book Expo: WNDB Panel Looks to ‘Diversity 2.0’

Modernizing Our Association

The Incredibles to Use Superpowers for Library Card Sign Up Month

Library Card Sign Up Tools

Why You Should Become a ‘Library Tourist’

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/05/2018


Daydreams, Thomas Couture, 1859

Daily Thoughts 06/05/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some of Principles by Ray Dalio on the work.  I am reading about work principles on how to run a successful organization.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I dropped off two bags of books from Book Expo America to be added to the collection and gave a tote bag to a colleague.

I spent some time working on a few new orders of books.

I also took care of some details around missing books, local authors, some books from Bilingual publications, and damaged materials.  It is always the little details which catch up to you.

I read a copy of Library Journal.  I am part of the way through a giant issue of the New York Times Book Review for June 3, 2018.  I have read two sections, the thrillers and romance section. I should read the sports section.  We need to order some more sports books.

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

Kanopy streaming services includes Public Performance Rights.

Web Bits


Judge Denies Author Attempt to Trademark ‘Cocky’

Brain Study Suggests The Type of Book You Read To Your Baby Is Important

A History of Ink In Six Objects

Monday, June 4, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/04/2018



Ike No Taiga,  Zhuangzi dreaming of a butterfly (or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuangzi), 18th Century

Daily Thoughts 06/04/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I spent some time working on scheduling.

I read some of Principles by Ray Dalio.  I like the list of things to do to succeed in the center of the book.  I especially like the idea of having an actively open mind.

I am going to be bringing some of the books from Book Expo America to the library tomorrow. It will probably take several trips.



Web Bits


These Portuguese Libraries Are Infested With Bats-- And They Like It That Way

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/03/2018



Branch with Cherry Flowers, Writing Box and Sheet of Paper for Poem Writing (Tanzaku)

Unidentified Artist Japanese, 18th–19th century

Daily Thoughts 06/03/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read the latest New York Times Bestsellers List and Publishers Weekly Bestseller lists.

I also checked the purchase alerts for holds on books.

Web Bits


Publishers Keep An Eye on Paper Prices

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/02/2018

Court Lady at Her Writing Table
From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 3, Yashima Gakutei (Japanese, 1786?–1868), Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan

Court Lady at Her Writing TableFrom the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 3 Yashima Gakutei (Japanese, 1786?–1868)

Daily Thoughts 06/02/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I also went and bought a new smart phone with unlimited data. Hopefully, this will bring me into the modern world.

I read some more of Rising Out of Hatred.  I am reading about how Derek Black lives a double life where he goes to college and at the same time promotes hatred on his radio show.   Some of the content is about racism, racist language, and hateful dialogue.  It can be quite offensive at the same time as being very revealing.  It shows how the United States is becoming more deeply divided.

I donated to Urban Librarians Unite for their campaigns for library advocacy.

Web Bits


Value and Impact

Libraries Are for Everyone

Invest In Libraries Petition for Residents of the 5 Boroughs of New York City

Vatican Library Makes 15,000 Manuscripts Available Online for Free

Friday, June 1, 2018

Daily Thoughts 06/01/2018

Jules Breton, 1865 - La lecture.jpg
La Lecture, Jules Breton, 1865

Daily Thoughts 06/01/2018

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I had to take care of some scheduling issues at work so I did not get to the Book Expo America until noon.  I missed the Librarian Shout and Share, and the Library Book Buzz.

I did get to go to the Book Expo 2018 Book Group Speed Dating Event where editors did very fast talks about popular books that might be good for book groups. The event was sponsored by http://www.readinggroupguides.com   They gave us a 68 page guide to some popular titles.  I was able to get a number of hardcopy books from this event, which were mostly fiction, As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner, The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott, The Removes a Novel by Tatjana Soli, Amity and Prosperity One Family and the Fracturing of America by Eliza Griswold which is about a family that sold their land to fracking operation which misled them about the environmental consequences of fracking, Happiness a Memoir by Heather Harpham, and many other books.

I had a chance to see most of the booths on the floor of the show.  There was not a lot of science fiction, nor horror.  Most of the show seemed to be focused on young adult titles which is not my specialty.  I got an advanced reading copy of Exile by Glynn Stewart which is space opera.

There were less vendors at the show and there were also no professional writing associations like Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America.

The show seemed to be focused on the big publishing houses like MacMillan, Penguin Random House, Hachette, National Book Network, IPG Independent Publishing Group, and Simon and Schuster.  There were also the big distributors like Ingram, Midwest Tape, Bookazine, and Baker and Taylor.  There were a lot less small publishers.

There were only a few graphic novel companies, Image, Abrams, Lionforge, Boom Studios, Diamond Comic Distributors, Oni and a few others.  Lionforge had a nice selection of titles that seemed to be unique in content .  I got a signed copy of Upgrade Soul by Ezra Clayton Daniel which the author described as a kind of existential horror.  .

I had been to the Graphic Novel Networking Event the night before at the Lamplight Bar.  They did not have any galleys at the event which I thought was a little unusual.  It was Viz, Boom Studios, Simon and Schuster, and Abrams.  Boom Studios does Mouse Guard, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Lumberjanes and a lot of different tween oriented titles (age 10-14).  I did get to talk to a few people and make a contact that might lead to an event at the library for banned book week.

I also looked around and found out there will be a graphic novel of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee illustrated and adapted by Fred Fordham on sale on October 30, 2018.  The graphic novels which I did see were very much oriented towards adaptations of popular books like the Dresden Files, tween and teen graphic novels like Snotgirl, comics lit (comics as literature), or slice of life comics.

There were a lot of companies that focused on extras like cards, games, t-shirts, and other products.  There were very few giveaways, mainly buttons.  Image had a stack of free comic books which I took for program giveaways.

There is a second show which comes after Book Expo America, Book Con.  It is consumer oriented and focused on selling books to the public.  There is also New York Comic Con which I am not going to this year.

The show itself was interesting.  I could walk the whole show floor without becoming exhausted.  Baker and Taylor provided lunch at the librarians lounge.  It was a chance to rest and relax.  There were a lot of librarians at the show.

I even had a chance to finish reading Packing My Library An Elegy and Ten Digressions by Alberto Manguel.  Alberto Manguel loves books and is a very erudite writer.  I like his comments on being the director of national library of Argentina.   The thing which struck me most was his idea that a library should actively work on building culture in the communities they are part of through partnerships. He even writes about reading to Borges.  There is a recognizable similarity in style between Borges and Alberto Manguel.

On the way home, I read some of Rising Out of Hatred The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow.  This is the story Derek Black and his disavowing of white nationalism.  It is also the story of the website Stormfront, the Klu Klux Klan, and the increasingly divisive language of white nationalism.


Web Bits


Book Expo 2018:  CEOs See A Stable Book Industry in an Unstable World

Why Prison Libraries Matter for Inmates, Jailers, and Book Donors

Attending National Library Legislative Day

Why Finland Is Home to the World's Most Radical Libraries