As I look over the 25 foot snow drifts in the library parking lot here in Lake Neverwuz I am happy to hear that Spring will arrive in 26 days, which means that we will have only 7 more weeks of snow and ice. In May we usually have the last of the snow melt and that will coincide with this year's Rural Libraries Conference. Yes, May 7-9 at Grand Traverse Resort we will all be together again. Don't miss our reunion by forgetting register or reserving a room. The Gates Foundation is a paying for the registration, which includes the meals, so your library has to pay for the cost of the hotel. What a deal!!
I am anxious to get there so you can all see the results of my Extreme Makeover. You know when one gets past 30 parts of us start to go "south". Well I took some of my DDA beautification fund and used it to do a tuck here and there. It's all part of the let's bring Lake Neverwuz into the 21st century, a program sponsored by our Downtown Development Authority (DDA). I also received some grants for our staff and you just wouldn't believe the changes including the increase in male usage of the library.
I also thought we should have a cell phone at the library. Our only problem is that the cell phone reception is very poor unless you cross into the next county. VeryHorizon,ATTTT, Sprinter is working on getting a tower in town, they first tried putting a tower on the bookmobile but found that reception was only good around the bookmobile and because it changed location so often you were easily cut off during a conversation, this proved to be very problematic when the mayor was talking with the Governor concerning the 50% cut in state aid. Their conversation was cut off just when he said______.
We do get USF discount for the phone. Our schools have 98 of the 100 students qualify for the reduced lunch program so our discount is 99.99999% so the phone only costs us 39cents a month, and with the kind of service we get that's about what it's worth.
Enough about us, register for the conference so we can get together at the bar and talk about services and about the librarians who are not attending the conference.
Marian
Friday, February 23, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Rural Libraries In Focus - WebJunction
In Focus Webinar: Social Software and the Rural Library
Each month the Rural Library Sustainability Project is presenting an hour-long webinar focused on a particular topic of importance to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. Join us next on February 28, 10:00 AM PST/1:00 PM EST for Social Software and the Rural Library: Blogs, Wikis, IM, and more! How are these tools being used in libraries? What is the potential? What might the future hold?
http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=13496 for more information and to register.
Each month the Rural Library Sustainability Project is presenting an hour-long webinar focused on a particular topic of importance to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. Join us next on February 28, 10:00 AM PST/1:00 PM EST for Social Software and the Rural Library: Blogs, Wikis, IM, and more! How are these tools being used in libraries? What is the potential? What might the future hold?
http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=13496 for more information and to register.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
MeL ReMix is here!!!
Click on the logo to check out the new look and functionality!
MeL features subject pathfinders and a new section — MeL Michigana — for images from Michigan’s past.
Brave new world!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Is Lake Neverwuz a candidate?
FYI from MLA....
2007 Spring Workshop - Library Extreme Marketing Makeover: Real Stories, Real Problems, Real Solutions
The Marketing & Public Relations Roundtable Board invites libraries to apply to have their materials or toughest marketing problems receive an Extreme Makeover by our board members and other marketing professionals within the library and marketing/public relations professions. Two libraries will be chosen based on answers to the questions in the application. At the workshop, marketing experts will present the before and after results to the group. Attendees will then have an opportunity to get their own marketing questions answered and materials assessed by our expert panel.
Marian - there may be something in this for marketing your wedding services...
2007 Spring Workshop - Library Extreme Marketing Makeover: Real Stories, Real Problems, Real Solutions
The Marketing & Public Relations Roundtable Board invites libraries to apply to have their materials or toughest marketing problems receive an Extreme Makeover by our board members and other marketing professionals within the library and marketing/public relations professions. Two libraries will be chosen based on answers to the questions in the application. At the workshop, marketing experts will present the before and after results to the group. Attendees will then have an opportunity to get their own marketing questions answered and materials assessed by our expert panel.
Marian - there may be something in this for marketing your wedding services...
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Fun? Anyone?
Never fear, we will have fun at RLC! The web page has been updated with information on keynote speakers and hints at the activities the hospitality committee is planning for us in the evenings.
The Gates curriculum will not be a boring, Ferris Beuller "anyone? something d-o-o economics?" type lecture. I promise. You will be networking, brainstorming, and rarin' to go by the end of the conference.
I've also heard that the coop directors will be hosting a party room I mean "hospitality suite" at GTR. That crazy band of 13! Marian - are you in on this? I've never asked about Lake Neverwuz's coop affiliation...
Keep warm, everyone!
The Gates curriculum will not be a boring, Ferris Beuller "anyone? something d-o-o economics?" type lecture. I promise. You will be networking, brainstorming, and rarin' to go by the end of the conference.
I've also heard that the coop directors will be hosting a party room I mean "hospitality suite" at GTR. That crazy band of 13! Marian - are you in on this? I've never asked about Lake Neverwuz's coop affiliation...
Keep warm, everyone!
Monday, February 05, 2007
A Funny Thing Happened at the Library
The general public thinks that we work in a very dull place and that nothing happens funny in libraries. Well I'm here to tell you that plenty happens and when the temperature dips as it has this week a few funny stories will get the blood flowing and help you through the cold. Here are a few jokes to lighten your day.
Chickens in Libraries A chicken walks into the library. It goes up to the circulation desk and says: "book, bok, bok, boook". The librarian hands the chicken a book. It tucks it under his wing and runs out. A while later, the chicken runs back in, throws the first book into the return bin and goes back to the librarian saying: "book, bok, bok, bok, boook". Again the librarian gives it a book, and the chicken runs out. The librarian shakes her head. Within a few minutes, the chicken is back, returns the book and starts all over again: "boook, book, bok bok boook". The librarian gives him yet a third book, but this time as the chicken is running out the door, she follows it. The chicken runs down the street, through the park and down to the riverbank. There, sitting on a lily pad is a big, green frog. The chicken holds up the book and shows it to the frog, saying: "Book, bok, bok, boook". The frog blinks, and croaks: "read-it, read-it, read-it".
Light Bulb Jokes:1. How many academic librarians does it take to change a light bulb? Just five. One changes the light bulb while the other four form a committee and write a letter of protest to the Dean, because after all, changing light bulbs IS NOT professional work!
2. How many catalogers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one, but they have to wait to see how LC does it first.
3. How many cataloguers does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one provided it is in AACR2.
4. How many reference librarians does it take to change a light-bulb? (with a perky smile) "Well, I don't know right off-hand, but I know where we can look it up!"
5. How many library system managers does it take to change a lightbulb? All of them as the manual was lost in the last move (or flood).
6. How many library managers does it take to change a lightbulb? At least one committee and a light bulb strategy focus meeting and plan.
7. How many library technicians does it take to change a lightbulb? Seven. One to follow approved procedure, and six to review the procedure. (8 if you count the librarian they all report to)
What happens when you cross a librarian and a lawyer?A: You get all the information you want, but you can't understand it.
Why did the librarian slip and fall on the library floor?Because she was in the non-friction section.
A young boy refused to do his homework, and his father was trying to convince him to do it. He said to his son: "When Abe Lincoln was your age, he was studying books by the light of the fireplace."
The son replied: "Well, when Lincoln was your age, he was President!"
Did you hear about the schoolgirl who was so excited about a book she found in the library called How to Hug?It turned out to be volume eight of an encyclopedia.
A kindergarten teacher asked the children just before she escorted them to the library, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in the Library?"Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping."
What did the detective do when he didn't believe the librarian's story?A. He booked her!
When a goose goes to the library, what books does she look for?A. Peoplebumps books!
If you travel to Eastern Europe, why won't you find any books in Prague's public library?A. They're all "Czech"ed out!
What building has the most stories?A. The library, of course!
Where does a librarian sleep?A. Between the covers.
Jim said, "My dog tried to eat my library book."" What did you do?" asked the librarian." I took the words right out of his mouth."
Once a blonde went to the library to get a book. A few days later, she returns and says to librarian at the counter, "This book was very boring. It had too many characters and too many numbers, so i would like to return it." The librarian says to the other librarian, "So here is the person who took our phone book!"
Fire Destroys Bush Presidential LibraryWASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tragic fire on Monday destroyed the personal library of President George W. Bush. Both of his books have been lost.
For more library humor join me at the Grand Traverse Resort May 7-9 we can share stories about library patrons and have a great time. Remember registration is taken care of with the Gates Foundation grant, we won't make fun of Bill or Melinda, so contact the Grand Traverse Resort and book your room. Don't forget to nominate a librarian or trustee from a rural library even someone who has been to every and I mean every rural conference.
Chickens in Libraries A chicken walks into the library. It goes up to the circulation desk and says: "book, bok, bok, boook". The librarian hands the chicken a book. It tucks it under his wing and runs out. A while later, the chicken runs back in, throws the first book into the return bin and goes back to the librarian saying: "book, bok, bok, bok, boook". Again the librarian gives it a book, and the chicken runs out. The librarian shakes her head. Within a few minutes, the chicken is back, returns the book and starts all over again: "boook, book, bok bok boook". The librarian gives him yet a third book, but this time as the chicken is running out the door, she follows it. The chicken runs down the street, through the park and down to the riverbank. There, sitting on a lily pad is a big, green frog. The chicken holds up the book and shows it to the frog, saying: "Book, bok, bok, boook". The frog blinks, and croaks: "read-it, read-it, read-it".
Light Bulb Jokes:1. How many academic librarians does it take to change a light bulb? Just five. One changes the light bulb while the other four form a committee and write a letter of protest to the Dean, because after all, changing light bulbs IS NOT professional work!
2. How many catalogers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one, but they have to wait to see how LC does it first.
3. How many cataloguers does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one provided it is in AACR2.
4. How many reference librarians does it take to change a light-bulb? (with a perky smile) "Well, I don't know right off-hand, but I know where we can look it up!"
5. How many library system managers does it take to change a lightbulb? All of them as the manual was lost in the last move (or flood).
6. How many library managers does it take to change a lightbulb? At least one committee and a light bulb strategy focus meeting and plan.
7. How many library technicians does it take to change a lightbulb? Seven. One to follow approved procedure, and six to review the procedure. (8 if you count the librarian they all report to)
What happens when you cross a librarian and a lawyer?A: You get all the information you want, but you can't understand it.
Why did the librarian slip and fall on the library floor?Because she was in the non-friction section.
A young boy refused to do his homework, and his father was trying to convince him to do it. He said to his son: "When Abe Lincoln was your age, he was studying books by the light of the fireplace."
The son replied: "Well, when Lincoln was your age, he was President!"
Did you hear about the schoolgirl who was so excited about a book she found in the library called How to Hug?It turned out to be volume eight of an encyclopedia.
A kindergarten teacher asked the children just before she escorted them to the library, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in the Library?"Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping."
What did the detective do when he didn't believe the librarian's story?A. He booked her!
When a goose goes to the library, what books does she look for?A. Peoplebumps books!
If you travel to Eastern Europe, why won't you find any books in Prague's public library?A. They're all "Czech"ed out!
What building has the most stories?A. The library, of course!
Where does a librarian sleep?A. Between the covers.
Jim said, "My dog tried to eat my library book."" What did you do?" asked the librarian." I took the words right out of his mouth."
Once a blonde went to the library to get a book. A few days later, she returns and says to librarian at the counter, "This book was very boring. It had too many characters and too many numbers, so i would like to return it." The librarian says to the other librarian, "So here is the person who took our phone book!"
Fire Destroys Bush Presidential LibraryWASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tragic fire on Monday destroyed the personal library of President George W. Bush. Both of his books have been lost.
For more library humor join me at the Grand Traverse Resort May 7-9 we can share stories about library patrons and have a great time. Remember registration is taken care of with the Gates Foundation grant, we won't make fun of Bill or Melinda, so contact the Grand Traverse Resort and book your room. Don't forget to nominate a librarian or trustee from a rural library even someone who has been to every and I mean every rural conference.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Back from Seattle
I recently attended the ALA Midwinter Conference in Seattle, Washington and my head is still spinning. I toured the new Seattle Public Library and was amazed at what I saw. This building is glass enclosed, with the various levels in the building kind of floating inside. The colors were vivid with the conference level painted automobile red, floor, walls and ceiling. As usual I picked up a number of ideas that I will implement at Lake Neverwuz. They have four hundred computers available for the public to use. It makes our 10 Apple IIe's and the Commodore Lab look sick. The Seattle Public Library has been so popular that the library has even been rented out for a wedding. At Lake Neverwuz we are taking that a step further. Our staff is being trained as wedding planners. We are a one stop shopping place as long as you have a library card. We help with the proposal, planning for the wedding and the food and assist with selection of gowns and tux. We've had so many pe0ple coming in to the library to find out about weddings that we came up with this new service. Jack, the maintenance man, drapes the library in toile and lights, Tussy, does the bouquets, (we get the flowers from the local funeral home and save a bunch), we have a special collection of previously owned wedding dresses. One dress was never worn, the groom ran off with the maid of honor the night before the wedding. We have made arrangements with the local churches for ministers to preside and even have our own Elvis. John from the Friends does an Elvis impersonation and this helps the Friends raise some extra cash. We have been working to get a Melville Dewey to also perform weddings but this guy has been so busy at ribbon cuttings for new libraries that it may be months before we can get him. Prior to the weddings we hold classes on etiquette, planning the honeymoon and a special "Prozac can be your friend"for our bridezillas. It's been very popular. I was hoping to do a session at the Rural Conference but Deb wasn't sure this would fly with the committee.
Oh well, I think the programs Deb has lined up for us are exceptional. Please remember to nominate deserving people for the various awards, sometimes the people you see everyday are deserving of an award, or even the people who write blogs. Make your reservation today for the Rural Libraries Conference.
Oh well, I think the programs Deb has lined up for us are exceptional. Please remember to nominate deserving people for the various awards, sometimes the people you see everyday are deserving of an award, or even the people who write blogs. Make your reservation today for the Rural Libraries Conference.
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