I suppose bad is relative though.  I did break up with the Mister.  Long distance relationships wear you down after a while, and for me, our relationship got worn down to nothing.  There’s no he said, she said, just an end and a new beginning.  I am happy being single and it isn’t that different from being in a long distance relationship.  At the moment, I’m happy being me.  Maybe someone else will come along that is also happy with me being me and we can be happy together.  There should probably be a law against using the word happy that many times in a paragraph.

Libraryland has been wonderful.  I’ve been participating in our programming committee and feel like this is a group who’s work will make a difference.  I got approved to have a Teen Space at my branch too, in addition to Teen Advisory, so now we will have a once a month hang out spot just for teens.  Reading Marathon is coming up in about a week and we go next week to the middle school to promote it at lunch hour.  I love having a specific program to promote–ok, I just love tabling and all the teens I see.  I feel like a mini celebrity bribing the kids with candy to love me (I mean, love the library of course). Oh and we got a new regional manager.  Yup, another new manager.

The Boy is very nice to have around.  He’s at an awkward phase where he wants to be a gentleman, but he forgets sometimes and lapses back into teen sas.  I am diligent in reminding him to “be nice” and he’s always pretty quick to come around.  Unless there’s school work involved, then it takes him a little longer.  He got a bit of a scare this quarter though, so even that attitude is changing.  For now.  I understand wanting to be in charge of your own life but failing school isn’t a good way of proving you’re ready to be a man.  Oh, and when it takes you two days to empty the dishwasher, that means I have to wait that long to do the dishes. (That’s an exaggeration, in case you’re wondering). We’ve been having a nice time together generally.  The power struggles have gotten shorter and we have some pretty good conversations when we sit on the couch in the evenings.

This snow is awesome.  I had Wednesday off to take The Boy to his doctor appointments, but of course they were all canceled.  I stocked up on groceries on Tuesday night and I’m super glad because I haven’t been outside for the last 2 days for more than taking pictures and taking out the trash.  I got the house clean and organized yesterday and now am enjoying the warmth and quiet.  I think I’m going to go hang out in my newly reassembled bed for some quality reading time.  Hopefully my legs will not atrophy before my 6 mile run on Sunday.

Why do I feel guilty?  My fellow public librarians know.  I should be using the opportunity to educate the public.  I should smile and tell about all the wonderful services we provide to those who need them.  But when you tell me that “they” should take 25% of the public library budget to create a free 4G network so that people can download books for free?  How does that provide access for all?  That serves the upper middle class single male.

I should have told him about all the free digital books we already provide–for free–as well as about the great services we can provide him when he loses his cozy coding job over at Acorp.  Living out of your car?  Get a shelter address and you can have access to 90 minutes a day of computer time, take advantage of the free wireless and download books to the e-reader you bought just before you got that pink slip.  At least till you sell it for food money.  Don’t think it could happen to you?  Watch The Company Men.  The only thing saving Bobby Walker from life on the street is a loving family.

I recently read Rotters by Daniel Kraus.  It’s a hard to believe tale about a boy who’s mother dies sending him to live with an unknown father one town over who turns out to be a grave robber.  Yes, the story is a bit unbelievable, but the situation of going from a living wage family to being practically homeless is not.  This is what our middle class male that works in tech forgets.

And what about the other people they have to share the earth with?  What about the elderly patron who can’t use a mouse?  Those who can’t imagine reading on a screen?  Those who need audiobooks on CD because they are blind and can’t see the readout?  There are many more scenarios, but I think you get my drift.

This description applies to two of my brothers and my brother in law.  I find them to be a bit more enlightened about society than many, but they still don’t quite realize how good they have it.  Doesn’t everyone have extra money every month?  And I know I shouldn’t just pick on men, but they are the majority that have these blind spots and are in the tech field.

My excuse for not educating this guy?  Google+ comments didn’t seem like the place.  It would have taken too long and too much space on someone else’s post.  Internet etiquette (netiquette?) tells us to blast away on our own forum, so here I am.

I absolutely love having a teen advisory group.  As I said before, I looked at a lot of programming ideas before I settled on on TAG (I’m a dork, I like to say “TAG, you’re it!” on publicity.  The teens forgive me.) but after talking to Jackie I just felt like this was the right fit.  Our branch has a lot of teens and younger kids, a lot of families.  We lose the teens for a while in high school because they just have so much gosh darn work to do–I don’t think I would have gotten this group if they hadn’t started out in middle school last year.  Now they are in high school and they bring in their friends.  That means more teens using the teen area and the homework table.  More teens being a positive presence in the library.

When we have programs, our meeting room is right in the front of the library and everyone looks in to see why we are having so much fun.  If it’s a TAG meeting, we get curious gazes.  When we have a program, I make sure to put a sign in the window so that everyone knows what’s going on.  We celebrated National Gaming Day on Saturday and we got about 15 teens right at the start.  Later, families started to show interest and as the teens were game, we invited them in to play with us.  Moms, Dads and kids all came in and played Apples to Apples and Mario Kart.  I got to tell them why gaming in the library is so cool and they told me how wonderful it was to do something on that rainy day outside their house.  I invited everyone back to our inter-generational game and craft day in late December.

Building these bridges with teens, kids and parents is invaluable at the library. Giving teens a library connection to hold onto when they get into high school is key to getting them to return as library users when they become adults.  Having friends that advocate and sell library with the air they breathe helps that happen, as does seeing that friendly librarian face as they’re racing towards the lunch room at school.  I table a couple of times a year and offer candy for library cards.  I revel in the teens that can recite their library barcode numbers to me.  The ones that don’t have them want to know what all the fuss is about so I end up giving out applications with a “you’re going to need this for school” talk.  Teen advisory group members stopping by to say hi helps pave the way.

I also try to draw the community into programs.  When we had the neighborhood scavenger hunt last session, some of the locations were local businesses.  I took the opportunity to talk with the employees and managers of the businesses to let them know that they would have visitors and that there is a library, right down the street.  I’ve made acquaintances with some of them–we nod and smile now on the street–and one place has become very connected.  The employees use the library and the manager has offered to help with some prizes in another program down the line.  Full disclosure; I’ve been buying coffee and doughnuts there for a couple of years now.  I don’t frequent the other businesses as much and my coworkers don’t talk about the library as much as I do (they probably think I’m crazy ;)  I wear my badge proudly and talk about books and services when I’m out and about.  Stalkers be damned.  But my point is that if I spread my spending money out a bit, I would probably have a wider impact.

I don’t have to tell you that community is the lifeblood of public libraries.  Some libraries get sleepy, though.  They forget.  They serve the people who come in their doors with excellence, but don’t take the extra steps to bring in more (and yes, even when we have more patrons than we know what to do with, we need more advocates, more users).  What do you do to entice people through your doors?

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a PhC student at the University of Washington asking if I would be interested in taking part in an educational project at a local high school.  A peer from my cohort recommended me; she is someone I see in my work neighborhood and knows a bit about my work with teens.  The volunteer experience entails giving instruction in database use and being a professional contact for students after they have chosen a research topic.

I also helped the PhC student get in contact with librarians at the county library system when I found out that the school would be in their area.  I was able to do this easily because I know their cluster manager. I gave her the information on the program and let her decide if it was something that was supported by the library system’s goals.  She conferred with the librarians and they decided to support it.

I met with the teachers and other librarians last week, then today I taught my two database classes.  The other two librarians are teaching tomorrow.  The biggest challenges teaching these classes had little to do with navigating the website.  One was to NOT show how much better my system’s website is than the county’s.  That wouldn’t help.  The second was to keep the workshop within a half hour.  The first one went over and the second one I left out authority.  I was sad when I realized that.

The good news is that I wasn’t nervous.  What I learned is that I want to get better at my delivery, so that is what I’ll be working on the next few months.  My poor adult computer learners will be my guinea pigs.  I’m sure they’ll love it.

Other things I do in my own time to supplement my resume?  Mentoring a teen in the juvenile rehabilitation system, taking part in my P-Patch government, being a board member for my union and participating in conferences–although that last one is partially on work time.  I say only partially because there’s a lot of effort that goes into getting myself to a conference.  Some of the cost is covered and some of my time is paid, but not all, and if I didn’t have a will, I wouldn’t find a way.  Over the next couple of years I plan to focus more on local conferences, as it will minimize the time I’m spending away from home and be a bit easier on the pocket book.  I’m looking forward to participating in the Washington Library Association conference this year, where I will probably be facilitating a round table discussion.

I love visiting classes and my regional manager happened to be in house yesterday, so I was able to say yes. I have the weekend off, so I had to prepare that day. Luckily I found materials in my library that covered all three subjects that the students would be reading about (that’s really unusual) and I had the experience of searching for them using our catalog fresh in my mind, so showing the search mechanisms is going to be a snap. I’ve been wanting to do a Prezi for a while, but I can’t be sure of the internet filters and I really didn’t have time to do it right anyhow. Next time.

Life at home has been pretty normal. The Boy has a lot of homework, I’m at a new level of geekdom–watching The Guild–and crocheting a lot to try to get some projects done for the holidays.

What’ve I been reading? The City of Thieves by David Brnioff, Adult fiction with teen appeal. Lev Beniof is 17 and living in the middle of a Nazi siege of the city of Leningrad during WWII. One night a German soldier’s body drifts to earth and Lev is caught looting the body. Usually this means instant execution, but instead he and another detainee from the night, a deserter named Kolya, are sent on a mission for the Colonel. To find a dozen eggs in a land where bread is made of sawdust. Well written and intriguing, I’d recommend this book to almost anyone.

He makes some very good points about engaging the public and not being afraid to wow them with technology.  Some of the best interacations I have about digital materials are with people I can show that I know the technology.  It gives them confidence that I can help them.

I think a lot about roving reference and how difficult it would be with our current set up, at least at my branch.  The person at the reference desk is also the person that answers the phone.  The desk is the service point where many patrons know to go for help (which kind of help is another matter), and where circulation staff know to send people.

But this article is the first time I seriously started to think about solutions to those issues, and not just ones that required others to staff the information desk.

What if we had head sets so that we could answer calls on the fly?  We could refer some to the circ desk (because half of the calls are for them, really, even if I do usually just help them at the info desk). There could also be a pager (or even better, built into the headset) that would alert us if someone needed help at the front.  And how about having a tablet that would allow us to have access to email, infonet and horizon.  Oh my, and what if that tablet could be used for outreach?  With 3g so that internet access wasn’t an issue?

Yes, I know.  Pipe dreams at the moment with all our budget woes.  Does anyone else see a different future for reference?

xposted to work intranet

I considered a couple of different things.  Weekly programming seemed like an option, but keeping things fresh could be a problem and we don’t house our region’s gaming equipment, so getting it regularly would require more driving than I wanted.  Then I talked to my friend in another system about her teen advisory board and it sounded like the right fit.  I didn’t have any funding yet, so I thought I would start with a once a month meeting.  Now that timing seems right.  We have supplemental meetings when we need to.  And now we have funding, at least for this year, so they get to have pizza.

For the planning, I asked the librarians at the Teen Center for the forms they use for their Teen Center Advisors; an information sheet and a contract with a place for students and parents to commit to the time responsibility.  I edited these forms and sent them to the local high schools and put them out in the teen area.  I offer service learning credit for participating. Despite the fact that all the forms disappeared, I still had that moment where I didn’t think anyone would show up.

Instead I had 12 teens at the first meeting, and all of them stuck with me through the first year (two sessions, Sept-Dec and Feb-May).  We planned an author visit, celebrated National Gaming Day and helped with an all ages winter family day.  In our second session we made two videos, one for the ALA Why I Need My Library contest, the other to support our Steampunk Summer theme, and planned a community scavenger hunt.

I realized very early that I had to have an agenda and that it helps to write it up on the white board where everyone can see it.  I have a couple of strong personalities in my group and I’m still learning the best way to channel their enthusiasm.  But having a clear agenda with a few ideas for projects helps a lot.  I try to make sure the ideas are the teens, but within the limits of what I can do at the library and as relevant to library ideals as possible.  I was amazed by how many of those ideals the kids got when they made the Why I Need My Library video.  When we planned the scavenger hunt, it came about because of a box of prizes that I had that should be used.  I asked them how I should give them away, we brainstormed and the scavenger hunt idea was born.  They created the posters, helped me with the clues and the structure and helped with the program itself.

I require them to communicate with me by email.  Otherwise I would have to make 12 phone calls every time I wanted to talk to them. They have to write a blog post every month.  I’d say that is the biggest challenge we have is getting those in from a couple of people.  In the new session that just started, I introduced a log sheet for each participant to keep track of their hours and blog posts.  That way they can all see what’s expected and how they’re doing.

In my next post, I’ll talk a little bit about TAG’s, programming and community and how the library can build stronger ties to it’s neighborhood through TAG activities.

And “The Boy” just sticks for me.  I guess he will always be my boy, so not a big deal to call him such.  Especially here where he never bothers to tread.  I try to keep the embarrassing bits to myself anyhow.

So, libraryland is busy as always.  The new session of TAG is underway and while my group is smaller, it seems more solid.  I have a lot of kids back from last year and a few new people.  There are definitely a couple of dominating personalities, so I will be looking into learning about moderating meetings in that situation.

I took a beginning Excel class offered to city employees.  I expected to be bored for most of it, since I’ve been using Excel pretty often for the last 10 years, but I was pleasantly surprised that I learned something new through most of the training.  Part of it was learning where things are in the ribbon, which I admit has been making life difficult since the upgrade to Windows 2007.  I got my questions answered too, which will make me a better treasurer and would likely land me the temp job of my choice!

I also wrote my first “professional” blog post, over there–> It’s nothing revolutionary, but something I am interested in and not necessarily librariany.  I have some thoughts for a couple more, but need a few minutes at work to write them down.  Then I have some more reading and thought processing to do.

I had some fun with the pictures in the header.  They are all pictures I took, mostly around Seattle.  I like how they fit my mood and seem to fit my profession.

Ok, I’m off.  Lots to do this lovely Saturday that is likely to be the last sunny day in a while.  Ciao.

If you’ve been on the fence about seeing this, let this tip you towards it.  The documentary was very well done and I am sure that the band is very proud of how it turned out.  Their voices were all there, not just EV’s.  I loved learning all the quirks and how they came together, what made them different from other bands and how they dealt with their fame.  I am not the most hardcore Pearl Jam fan–I’ve only seen them live once, a few years ago at the Gorge–but this show made me feel like I know them just a little.  I can’t say that someone that dislikes them would appreciate it, as there is definitely an angelic glow that covers even the most tragic events in their career, but if you do like them, see it.  You won’t be sorry.

Books!  I’ve been reading them…somewhat slowly lately.

I finished book 2 in the Monster Blood Tattoo series.  Lamplighter is the continuation of the story of Rossamund Bookchild, foundling and now apprentice lamplighter for the emperor.  Rossamund goes bravely into apprenticehood, and even though he isn’t good at everything, he makes up for it in perseverance and smarts.  Soon after arriving–a week late, as he finds he can’t live down–a young woman, Threnody, also joins the ranks and becomes a sometimes troubling friend.  Circumstances push all of the apprentices out into their profession a bit early, and Threnody volunteers to accompany him to a difficult posting.  During their time there, much happens to cause Rossamund to question who he really is.  Don’t forget the monsters and subterfuge.  I think we will learn more in book 3, Factotum.

The adventure is wondrous and the story strange.  If it weren’t for the fact that this book keeps me racing to the dictionary, I would recommend it to everyone.  It is not a light read, but very entertaining.

I am finally finishing up Perdido Street Station by China Mieville, which also had me consulting a dictionary.  Two heavy reads at the same time, it’s lucky I got through them both and almost at the same time.  I think I need some fluff to bring my brain back to earth.

I can’t say enough good about Perdido Street Station.  In fact, I can’t seem to say anything about it right now. It is amazing, the world that Mieville creates is mind blowing.  That’s not as much of a metaphor as it would usually be.  You’ll just have to read it yourself.

I have my last Summer Reading Program this week–gaming.  The sun has finally come out in Seattle and unfortunately that means that kids probably aren’t going to show up to play games inside.  Hmmm, which reminds me that all of my table games are at another branch.  I’m going to have to get on that.

There will be a week of furlough, which will give me plenty of time to get The Boy (hmmm, he’s not much of a boy and I don’t want to perpetuate that now that he’s growing up.  Perhaps…) I mean, the K-Man ready for his new school.  Serendipity allowed him to get into the school I am responsible for and I am really happy that he will be in a place where academics matters, right along side of having fun and playing sports.  I feel like he will have a much better chance at succeeding here than at the area school he would have arbitrarily been assigned to because of our address.

What am I reading?

I got about 25% through Perdido Street Station before my check out time expired.  I really love it, as I seem to all things China Mielville.  I am finding that reading ebooks on my phone is not efficient–especially not adult novels.  Maybe a reader would be better, but I have my doubts.  I think I am going to save my ebook use for travel (of which I have none planned) and stick to paper for a while.  Since the hold list on Perdido Street Station has gone through the roof lately, I am going to borrow a copy from my sister to finish.

I also read several of the ARC’s that I got at ALA.  Most of these are quick reads, but satisfying.  Here’s a couple I remember fondly:

Tankborn by Karen Sandler–I believe this one is just hitting the shelves.  When earth became uninhabitable, the rich people packed up to head into space, but realized they needed laborers to build the ships and their new homes when they found a new home, so they brought some along as indentured servants.  This created an instant hierarchy and discord.  To placate the lowborn, the rich created another race to serve, these were the the Tankborn (rather than natural born).  These new people were enhanced with animal dna and given special skills that could help them in their labors.  Kayla is a tankborn and at the age of 16 she is assigned to help an old man with his basic needs, but things are not what they seem and Kayla finds herself in the middle of a quiet revolution that goes against everything she’s been taught.

Tankborn has a good balance of explaining the science behind the world and character development.  The class unrest and profiling felt very probable to me and everything was easy to follow.  The story was full of twists and I never felt like I knew what was coming, so it kept me interested all the way through.

Calli by Jessica Lee Anderson–I got to meet this author at ALA and we chatted a bit about our volunteer work with homeless and incarcerated teens.  She offered to Skype at the Juvenile Detention Center where I visit my mentee.  I’m not sure yet that I can pull off the technical side of things, but how exciting!

Calli and her two mom’s are inviting a foster sister into their lives.  Anderson captured the feelings of a young teen perfectly; the excitement of a new sister turning into the bewildered frustration of realizing that this person is not going to fit the mold that was in her mind.  The change in family dynamics and the maturity that Calli gained from the experience despite the embarrassment of realizing her mistakes all struck home.  Great book and would make a great addition to a foster family reading list.

I also have a copy of Anderson’s Boarder Crossing, which I am looking forward to.