Thursday, January 31, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/31/2019

File:Passports to adventure LCCN98517816.jpg
Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress).; Date stamped on verso: Sep 7 1939.

Daily Thoughts 01/31/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of The Future of Humanity.  I read about solar sails and self replicating robots.

I also read some of Farsighted How We Make the Decisions That Matter Most by Steven Johnson.  This is about how people make important decisions.  It describes processes of decision making.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.  February is Black History Month.  I have some posters from the New York Historical Society program called Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow which we we are including in our display.

I also spent some time working on programming and scheduling this morning.

Our Spanish and Literacy library is starting a Citizenship Exam class this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Web Bits


American Library Association Announces Caldecott and Newberry Winners

Medieval “Merlin” Pages Found in Bristol Library

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/30/2019

File:2018-06 NSA security motivational poster 6614790.jpg
  National Security Agency (NSA) security/motivational poster from the 1950s or 1960s.

Daily Thoughts 01/30/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some of The Future of Humanity.  I am reading about the United States space program and the recent switch to focusing on private enterprise in space.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I called Black Westchester magazine about advertising rates.

I finished checking the 500s.  I have started checking the 600s.  I spent some time checking the oversize books and the fiction books in the mezzanine.

I handed out a few more bookmarks today for the Givegab campaign.  It is ending tomorrow.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

There is a beginning Javascript tonight at 5:30 p.m.

I put in some orders for new books today.  I also ordered some equipment.

I spent some time working on our Creativebug account.  We should have it set up soon.

Web Bits



ALA Grow With Google




Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/29/2019

File:Ellen Julia Hollond. Coloured drawing, 1841. Wellcome L0043937.jpg
Ellen Julia Hollond. Coloured drawing, 1841.

Daily Thoughts 01/29/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

Last night, I read some more of Before the Ballot.  I am reading about challenges to libraries from different sources like local cranks, people who oppose members of the board, and anti-tax people.

I finished reading Before the Ballot Building Political Support for Library Funding by John Chrastka and Patrick "PC" Sweeney.  The last part has a 36 month plan for putting a budget on the ballot for libraries.  There is also a reminder of the need for every day advocacy.  John Chrastka and Patrick "PC" Sweeney work for Every Library which is PAC for libraries. http://www.everylibrary.org

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I spent some time working on the 500s.  I also checked some fiction books in the mezzanine.  In addition, I checked some biography books in the mezzanine.

I spent some time discussing the budget vote today.

I also spent some time pulling together small details.  We have a contract for Creativebug for the video learning service.  A number of programs are being prepared including an alternative lending program for small business in April of 2019.

I checked out the book Farsighted How We Make the Decisions That Matter Most by Steven Johnson and The Future of Humanity Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, And Our Destiny Beyond Earth by Michio Kaku.

I got another donation for Givegab today.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

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

Web Bits



New Chicago Buildings Combine Libraries With Public Housing

Libraries= Strong Communities Tour Reaches Seattle

The Organic Role of Libraries As Centers of Inclusiveness and Support

Monday, January 28, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/28/2019


Daily Thoughts 01/28/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I spent some time working on the Givegab campaign today.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

I read some more of Before the Ballot on the way to work.  I am reading about the concept of the library being both an agency for economic development and an agency for social services.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I worked on two orders of new books.

Web Bits



The Value of School Librarians

Libraries should not be about nostalgia-- my kids have taught me that

A Man Uses Library System's Free Access to Create Dyslexia App

Millenials Rely on Free Library For More Than Books

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/27/2019

File:A man of learning (Avicenna?). Oil painting by a Ne Wellcome V0017691.jpg
A Man of Learning (Avicenna?), Neapolitan Painter, 17th Century

Daily Thoughts 01/27/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

There are four more days in the Givegab campaign.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

I read some more of Before the Ballot yesterday.  I read about how the strategic plan has to be aligned with the budget.  The book describes how to create a library budget combined with a strategic plan which the public will vote for.

I checked the purchase alerts.

Web Bits

ALA Midwinter 2019: Melinda Gates to Chair National Library Week

Are Libraries the Key to Teaching Digital Literacy?

The Open Library Faces the Society of Authors




Saturday, January 26, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/26/2019


Pot, Glass, and Book, Pablo Picasso, 1908

Daily Thoughts 01/26/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some more of Before the Ballot on the way home last night.  I am reading about the concept of "librarian as candidate" or the idea that everyone who works in a library represents the library for voting purposes.

I read some of Before the Ballot on the train to work as well.  I read about the "library as a cause" which is the second reason people support libraries. 

I spent some more time checking the 500s in the mezzanine and on the main floor.

I also finished putting together the list of superhero films.

The Garden Club met today at 10:00 a.m.

There is also a lecture on Broadway today in the afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Grace Greene Baker Community Room.

Web Bits


Who Maps The World?

What's Inside the Morgan Library's Enchanting JRR Tolkien Exhibit

XR Portal Is An Immersive Content Library Specialising In Education

Friday, January 25, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/25/2019


Kitagawa Utamaro, Reading a Letter, 18th to 19th Century

Daily Thoughts 01/25/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I read some of Before the Ballot on the way to work.  I am reading about how to identify library supporters.

I checked the displays and the gift books.

I worked a little bit with the oversize books.

I spent some time working on a list of superhero films with a colleague.

I discussed doing a reading with a local author today.  His book is Poor Joshua: The DeShaney Case and Child Abuse in America by John R. Howard.

I spent some time checking the 500s.  I also checked some of the fiction in the mezzanine.

I worked on a small order of new books.

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

Web Bits


Eric Klinenberg: Libraries and Social Infrastructure

Library Of Congress Exhibition Pairs Herblock with Other Socially Engaged Art

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Gaining Momentum

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/24/2019

File:Amerling-Reading Woman.jpg
Friedrich von Amerling, Reading Woman, 1834

Daily Thoughts 01/24/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I checked the displays and the gift books this morning.

I spent some time checking the fiction books in the mezzanine.

I also reviewed some of the oversize books.

The book, Before the Ballot Building Political Support For Library Funding by John Chrastka and Patrick "PC" Sweeney came in for me to read.

I handed out some more bookmarks for the Givegab campaign.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

I finished putting in the schedule for next month for ADP for the people who work for me.

Web Bits



A Citizen's Vote on Boise's Library and Stadium?  That's Unconstitutional, City Says

What if You Can't Raise 90 K for a Library? In Philly Schools There are Haves and Have-nots

Letter-Reading Series to Explore Desegregation of New Orleans Libraries

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/23/2019

File:Chaplin-Girl in a Pink Dress Reading, with a Dog.jpg
Girl In A Pink Dress Reading with a Dog, Charles Joshua Chaplin,  19th Century

Daily Thoughts 01/23/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading Introducing Quantum Theory: A Graphic Guide by J.P. McEvoy and Oscar Zarate.  This book took a historical approach to the ideas of quantum physics.  It made them understandable by focusing on what each of the major figures in quantum physics accomplished.  The black and white images were a montage of photographs, drawings, textboxes, and speech balloons.  They made the subjects interesting by adding small tidbits about the eccentricities of each scientist.  I liked the sections on Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein.  The focus was mainly on the 1920s and 1930s.  There was not a whole lot on Richard Feynman.

I enjoyed reading this book.  It made the subject easy and clear which is not easy to do with quantum physics.

I checked the gift books and the displays this morning.

I spent some time checking the 500s and the biography in the mezzanine.

I also discussed programming with a colleague.  We are planning programming for the next six months.

I did evaluations for two of my colleagues.  I also got evaluated.

We got some charging strips for USBs today so people can charge their phones or devices.

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

Web Bits


Library of Congress Needs Volunteers to Digitize Its Records

Library of Congress Visitors Can Now Reap Rewards of Library's  Crowdsourcing Labors

Library Systems Embracing Their New Roles As Social Service Hubs



Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/22/2019

Seated Man Reading
Seated Man Reading, Jean Honore Fragonard, 1774

Daily Thoughts 01/22/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning

I read some more of Introducing Quantum Theory: A Graphic Guide.  I am reading about Albert Einstein.

I checked the displays and the book sale this morning.

I handed out a few more bookmarks for the Givegab campaign.  Someone was interested in how we did the bookmarks.  We use Microsoft Publisher 2013 to make our bookmarks.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

I spent some time checking the 500s.

I checked some of the fiction in the mezzanine.

I worked on some orders for new books.

I also read the latest copy of the New York Times Book Review.

We had cake for Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday and listened to his I Have A Dream Speech at 4:00 p.m.

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

Monday, January 21, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/21/2019


The Bookworm and Her Favorite Book/Will Houghton, Puck, December 1913

Daily Thoughts 01/21/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I posted about the Givegab campaign
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab



I finished looking through Comic Book Collections and Programming A Practical Guide for Librarians by Mattew Z. Wood.  There are a lot of practical ideas and tips in this book.

I am looking at a Drink and Draw fundraiser type activity with a local comic artist.

Free Comic Books Day is on May 4, 2019

I checked the purchase alerts tonight.

Web Bits



Obituary: Mary Oliver

To Engage or Not To Engage? Social Media In Public Libraries

Library Corner: Diversity In Libraries

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/20/2019

File:Nikola Tesla, with his equipment EDIT.jpg
Nikola Tesla, Next to His Equipment Reading, 1899, Dickenson V. Alley


Daily Thoughts 01/20/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I posted about the Givegab campaign.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

I read some more of Introducing Quantum Theory The Graphic Guide.  I am reading about the beginnings of quantum mechanics focused on Max Planck.

I also read some of Comic Book Collections and Programming.  I read about the idea of the 24 hour comic. http://www.24hourcomicsday.com/

I got my VIP Pass to Book Expo America 2019 which makes me very happy.

Web Bits



Breaking Down Financial Woes for Writers

Librarians, Let's Make 2019 The Year of the Book

Finland's Flagship Library So Popular It's Running Out of Books

Minneapolis Central Library Opens Vinyl Listening Room to Share Collection

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/19/2019

Young Woman with a Book
Young Woman With a Book, Miyagawa ( Katsukawa) Shunsui, mid 18th Century

Daily Thoughts 01/19/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

A colleague is going to talk about the Teen Computer Lab fundraiser this morning to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Public Library.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

I finished reading Mind Hacking How to Change Your Mind for Good in 21 Days by Sir John Hargrave.  The last part was about repetition of affirmations over time.  Sir John Hargrave writes about how reaffirming your goals every single day helps you achieve them.

I read some of Quantum Theory A Graphic Guide.  The first part is about classical physics.

I rested for most of the day.  It is raining outside.

Web Bits



Public Library is a Measure of a Strong Community

DC Comics to Library Patrons: "Read a Book."

Friday, January 18, 2019

Daily Thoughts 01/18/2019


Pierre-Auguste Renoir - La Lecture du rôle.jpg
Pierre-Auguste Renoir - La Lecture du role, 1874 to 1876

Daily Thoughts 01/18/2019

I checked the library Twitter and Facebook this morning.

I finished reading This Is Marketing by Seth Godin last night.  It is a solid read.  It covers the basics of marketing.  I did not find it to have a lot of new things in it.  I thought that it would be good for someone new to the subject.

I also read some more of Mind Hacking.  I am reading about why it works to affirm what you want to do every day to put your goals thoroughly in your mind.

I checked the gift books and the displays.

I checked some oversize books and some fiction in the mezzanine.
I spent some more time contacting people for Givegab.
https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/teen-computer-lab

We have our Rokit Smart class in the computer lab today at 4:00 p.m.

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

I spent some time working on scheduling for next month.

The book, Comic Book Collections and Programming A Practical Guide for Librarians by Matthew Z. Wood came in for me to read.  I also checked out Quantum Theory A Graphic Guide by J.P. McEvoy and Oscar Zarate as well as Mind to Matter The Astonishing Science of How Your Brain Creates Material Reality by Dawson Church.

Web Bits

Coolest Library Cards From Around the World

A Look Inside the West Loop’s Newly Opened Bow-truss Library

The Library of Forbidden Books

Rare Autobiography of Muslim Goes Online via Library of Congress