Books in Hand

On Thursday afternoon I hosted my One Book One Community book discussion or my "Train Wreck" as my supportive colleagues were calling it. I had the cutest Florida plates, chocolate-dipped coconut patties (key lime and plain), key lime cooler cookies, old fashioned cookies from Publix, and unsweetened and sweet tea in Florida-themed pitchers. Very festive! Smashler attended to provided moral support (i.e. watch the wreck live). How many of our One Community did this One Book deliver to my door? Two. One Book One Community One to One ratio of staff to participants in my book discussion. It was a hoot. I know both women from my monthly adult book discussion. My favorite comment was, "it wasn't your fault." Grace watched The Sopranos so the violence wasn't really the problem. We talked about Kay's trip to Italy and what else we are reading and we laughed - alot. I had a lovely little tea party, despite the book.

This morning I finished The Poet of Tolstoy Park. I loved this book. There was literature within the novel. The main character undertakes a personal quest. He has a strong religious background but does not go for organized religion. I would like to have have known him and am looking forward to this discussion.

Finally, I have started a "me" book for the interim. At lunch today I began The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. This book is going to be very interesting. As some know, I struggle with issues of faith and use my non-fiction time for this pursuit and other studies of religion. I am looking forward to seeing how the author's quest for the literal interpretation of the Bible may have lead him to faith.

If I'm reading for pleasure, Library Journal will soon come calling. Bring it on, Wilda. My November book is Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden.

Green Bag

Several months ago I bought Green Bags from Publix and have been using them exclusively. I can't remember the last time I walked out of Publix with a plastic bag. I bought 4 (for each car) at $1.49 each and so far 4 has been a sufficient quantity to see me through my biggest shopping trips, even preparing for a baby shower. I try to remember to tote them into other stores, as well. Even though I recycled my bags in the bins at Publix, I'd still rather not get the bags in the first place and these bags hold much more than the plastic bags. Plus...I feel very European when I shop with them.

Time to Catch Up

This has been a very eventful couple of days for me. On Sunday I had dinner with a friend from college. She lives in Minnesota now and was coming to Sanibel for a conference and asked me to meet her for dinner. I was reluctant because we have drifted apart and our last meeting went very poorly, mostly my fault, and I was uncomfortable with that. There are some friends you can have sporadic contact with and pick up where you left off while others seem to require constant attention or else you spend the bulk of your time explaining why you haven't been in touch. You can guess what type this friend is. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to see this person who knew me well for a short while, a long time ago, and has not really known me for a long time now. Our dinner was fine. I feel great about my life. I felt sad about parts of hers. I think it healed the last visit. Mission accomplished.

Yesterday was the First Monday in October...opening session of the Supreme Court. I am always aware of it and am always excited by it. This year we will see a major constitutional test of gun owners' rights and that should prove to be interesting.

Finally, today I was fully cleared by Internet Public Library to be a volunteer Reference Librarian. As soon as things calm down this month, I'll dive in and see what that is all about.

Renewed Dreams

Four years ago I was searching the Internet for examples of reference librarian goals and objectives and stumbles upon a PowerPoint presentation by a librarian in Miami. The PowerPoint did not really tell me what I wanted to know so I backed up the URL until I got to the librarian's Web page. Her resume was posted and I read that one of her jobs had been with Internet Public Library (IPL) Reference Center. I wondered how I could do that so I went to the IPL Web site to search for a link that would take me to opportunities. Forty minutes later, I was applying. The date was 9/18/03. I applied to IPL to be a reference volunteer but at that time, they weren't taking any applications. I think they were in a period of transition. Flash forward to last week...I was at the Reference Desk with a colleague who has just started library school and he was telling me that one of his classes is requiring that he become a reference associate with IPL. Turns out that IPL is now being run by Drexel University Library School in cooperation with the library schools of FSU and the UofI. Feeling a renewed shot at my dream, I immediately dashed off an email and initiated the application process. On 9/18/07, exactly 4 years after my initial application, I was invited to choose a username to enter the IPL system and answer the practice question, my final step in the training process. "Fairy tales can come true..."

Magical Properties

I would love to know what magical properties I seem to have that allows me to make Web sites appear or library card numbers work to allow patrons access to the computer or to make reservations or to make their print jobs appear on the print release station when mere moments ago, when I was summoned like a taxi, these events were impossible. I'm not talking about the the miraculous "num lock" key, which I swear, some days I wish I worked on a commission for that one. These patrons say they did the same thing I did, but when I do it - poof - like magic. Too bad magic fingers don't work on a slot machine or ATM.

Addy Will Know

Librarians have a new theme song by the band SNMNMNM out of Chapel Hill, NC. The song has a catchy tune. The coolest part is the call numbers at the end.

Battle of the Bands Continues

Although it has not been reported for some time, Battle of the Bands has continued on Librarian Boulevard. Since 8/15 we have had the letter "C" posted. This is the letter that started the game and amazingly, we do not have as many bands as I would have thought. The "B" bands made a more interesting list. I am officially closing "C" and opening "L" in a few moments. Let the game continue.