Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Lovely Bones;

By Alice Sebold is a very creepy book. I wasn't able to read it physically, so I listened to it. Sebold's writing is very descriptive and draws you in.


Susie Salmon, 14 year old girl, is murdered and we as readers experience her journey through heaven and viewing how her family copes with her death. It is very endearing how she describes her family and the life she lead in her small town. It makes you realize that this can happen anywhere. This creeps me out. I recommend this book because it expresses the human emotions that a family goes through during this tragedy.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Best job ever!! (one of)

Read this article from U.S. News. Turns out "Librarian" is a great career to get into in 2008. Take that, you non-believers! I knew I picked the right one. :)

Ebooks

I have found Ebooks to be very annoying. What is the point of having to read the text on a screen and then maybe even print it out to read it. I prefer the real thing or audio books. But here is a guy that really describes the evilness of Ebooks.
The Top 9 Reasons Ebooks are Evil lists good points about Ebooks. Like did you know the "E" stands for Evil? True story. ;)

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

My reading evolution

While going over our collection and having to "weed" the fiction, I had a conversation with our lead reference librarian about authors we love and hold closely to our hearts. They make us re-read our favorite titles over and over. Judy Blume is definitely credited with getting me hooked on reading at the age of 11. The first book I read (I think) by her was Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing which led me to Superfudge which begat, Then again, Maybe I Won't. My reading progressed from there to the more daring Are you there God? It's me Margaret. My evolution of the reading taste moved onto V.C. Andrews. I don't remember how I got to reading her books, but after My Sweet Audrina I was hooked. I went on to Flowers in the Attic, Dawn, If there Be Thorns, and on and on until I read everything she had ever written at that time.

My library shelved V.C. Andrews books in the adult section so I was exposed to more sophisticated authors. Enter Danielle Steele. But before her I had a short stint into the Romance novel genre which I try to forget, but I admit it. I read them. But after I read one you read them all. So after I devoured all of Danielle Steele I found my favorite author of all time. Sidney Sheldon. I was awestruck with Master of the Game. If you have not read this book, go out and get it. NOW! Trust me. You wont' be able to put it down. Sheldon exposed me to openness of fiction and the lives of others, to the complexity of life and the cruelty that is man. I was able to engross myself in a world I had never known and was willing to read more.

From that point I knew I was a READER. I couldn't stop and I didn't want to. I found new authors and my tastes continued to grow. So I would like to credit Judy Blume for helping me find my reading gene. I still have fond memories of reading new books and finding a new author and reading everything they have ever written. My most recent author that I have fallen in love with is Nancy Martin's Blackbird Sister's murder mysteries.

So excuse me while I go pick up My Sweet Audrina I am craving some V.C. Andrews. Feel free and tell me what inspired you to read.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Fequently asked questions.

Q: How do I get a computer?
A: Well, what you do is, you go to the store and buy one.
(Actual question should have been: How can I reserve a computer? or; Can I reserve a computer here?)

Q: Do you work here?
A: No.
(Correct question should have been: Can you help me with...?)

Q: Computer?
A: Yes. Yes, it is. Thank you for asking.
(The question we were looking for: Can I reserve a computer? see above question.)

Q: The computer is asking for a code.
A: Yes, computers tend to do that. Good luck deciphering it.
(How about: Can you sign me into the computer so that I can use it please?)

Sounds like...?

Library Patron Etiquette:
"The" and "fiction" alone, are not useful tools in helping me, help you, find your book. This is sometimes less useful than you describing the actual physical appearance of the book. Don't get frustrated with me when you don't remember a title.

Friday, February 08, 2008

My worst day ever.

My day consisted of subordinates calling in sick, librarians switching shifts at the last minute, librarians coming in 2 hours late after their off-site meeting was over, scheduled tours that no one knew about, neighboring library asking for "coverage" from our staff, a power hungry colleague, a frantic assistant that makes things worse rather than assist, and to tie it all up a mysterious package arriving in a sealed box with no explanation for its arrival and possible threat.

Yup that was my day in a nutshell.

-_-...ARGH!!!!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

May I pick it up for you as well?

Patron Stories:
(Conversation over the phone)
Patron: Hi I would like to find out if you have movies.
Me: Yes we do. Which movie are you looking for?
P: That one movie with Johnny Depp, I need to know if you have it for me to check out. Do you have it at this library over here?
M: I can check. Do you know the title?
P: Yes, "Blow". B-l-o-w, with Johnny Depp. Do you have it over here at this library? Which branch are you?
M: We are located on 3rd and Atlantic. Which branch do you want it from?
P: The one over here at 3rd and Fairfax. Can you tell me if they have it?
M: I'm sorry but that's another system, let me check if they have it on their online catalog.
P: Do they have it?
M:I'm still searching. Do you know the name of the library? or the zip code where it's located?
P: No.
M: Ok, I found it. Yes, they have it. Would you like their phone number?
P:No. Can't you put it on hold for me?
M: I'm sorry I can't. They are on a different system. I can give you their number and they can put it on hold for you.
P: But you said you found it! Why can't you put it on hold.
M: I found it on their online catalog which you can access as well from your home computer or you can call them.
P: Whatever! click

You're WELCOME!!! -_-...

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Stupid question of the day.

One patron asks another patron waiting in line, who clearly has ash on his forehead, "Is it ash Wednesday?"

(insert canned laughter here)

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Pet Peeve #9

Flip Flops in Winter:
It's cold, rainy and windy outside and you want to look cool by wearing flip flops. I can't stand it when people where flip flops in winter. Especially to a library where they squeak their way down the hall with their wet flip flops, showing their ashy skin. Put some lotion on for Christ's sake! Oh and please don't put on socks with your flip flops. Get some real shoes. What's wrong with you?! Jeesh!