Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was the first Harry Potter book I've read. I was intrigued by the story once I saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think because it takes place with Harry as a teen having to deal with love and relationships as well is impending doom. Also, because it's the second to the last of the books, so I know there is an ending in sight. I could not force myself to read 7 books knowing that the first 5 are just fillers.

*spoilers*The story was very exciting dealing with the back story of Lord Voldamort and how he was bad from the get go. Draco and the rest of the Death Eaters are plotting on taking over Hogwarts therefore, getting to Harry. I have also placed my theory on why Snape is so sneaky. I do think he is working on the good side because he was on the bad side in the beginning but changed his mind after LV killed the woman he loves. AKA Lilly Potter. Yea that's right! That is why he is so resentful of Harry. Well that is my theory.

I also enjoyed this book because it is a great source of new and unique names. Each page has wonderfully crafted names that can be used either on pets or future children. :) Can't wait to get a new tabby cat named Snape. :)

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The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
*Spoilers*This was my first Holmes mystery I read and was disappointed. I was hoping for more action, crazy clues and surprise endings. Honestly I knew it was Stapleton from the get go. Only because he was only one who was not tied down to the area and recently arrived.

Since this book was written after Holmes' famous demise and reappearance, I think I will give his adventures another chance and read his earlier stories.

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Day in the life of a librarian. Day 2

As part of "Library Day in the Life" project, here is my entry. Click here if you'd like to see more postings of other libraries.


8:30 am - 11am
Open library, turn on lights, walk library. Turn on computer and check emails. Open safe and count money.
Checked last night's receipts because amounts were not balanced. Made notes on collection report to reconcile at the end of the month.
Turn in books I checked out and place in shipment box.
Upload book review to shelfari.com, goodreads and blog.
Wrote out and displayed "shelf-talkers" for the "We the People" bookshelf.
Work on teen Summer Reading video and try to add music that is not copy written. (2hours!!)
Fax warrant release to regional office.
Go over with assistant on the collection report discrepancy.
Short break - ate banana.
Read email
12pm Opening library
Make sure only children are on the children computers.
Check new materials for proper processing.
Add new books to shelf and add rest to shelving cart.
Read, answer and forward email.
Open mail.
Do computer reservations.
Assisted children with finding the answer to our art trivia question.
Try to order new copy of "Sister Wendy's 1000 Masterpieces" because someone cut out pages of the favorite works of art. (Held back curse words.)
Book no longer available for purchase. (Held back more curse words).
Give out SRP prizes to children guessing our trivia question.
Customer wanted calligraphy books.
Handed Page list for call number corrections received from Cataloging.
Updated status on facebook and twitter accounts for tonight's show.
Help order books.
Go through cart full of donations. 90% not for our collection.
Tallied the entry forms for the Teen SRP, to determine last week's staff winner of sign up.
1:30 - 2:00 lunch
read emails and return calls.
F/up on performer's status for today's show.
Planned storytime for special ed HS students class visit tomorrow.
3 - 5 Reference and crowd control during the performance.
5pm Give instructions to closing staff, go home. :)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Day in the life of a Librarian

As part of the online project to post a day in the life of a library, here is my entry. If you want to see others check them out here

Monday:
9 - 12
Open up library, turn on lights. Walk through and make sure building is in tact. Open safe and count money. Make deposit slip for assistant to take to bank. Open email and read all the headquarter instructions for the new printing system that will be implemented that morning.
Print out NY Times and LA Times best sellers lists.
Read the new policies and procedures.
Use personal library card to test new procedure on public library computer. Program not functioning as it should. Used spouse's card to test system again. Computer not responding. Tried item payment again. Called IT to get override code. 4th attempt. Computer not responding. Frozen. Try to log out and use another computer. Login out button not visible. Turn off and re-start computer. Unable to log back in as user. Give up.
Continue with opening mail and emails. Forward emails to assistant and print out policy for aides.
Fill out time adjustment sheet for staff that did not work on Friday.
Work on monthly report.
Research teaching techniques for students with special needs for class visit on Wednesday. Received call from aide, who wont' be coming in due to jury duty.
Take short break and eat bannana.
Staff starts coming in and update them on new policy. Move poster announcing new fines to front of circulation desk.
Give assistant deposit to take to the bank.
Meet with assistant when she gets back to review policy.
Discuss with aides new policy and go over any questions.
Remind them of the increase in fines and provide them with a copy of the new circulation policy.
12pm Library opens.
Reference: Children turning in SRP forms and give prizes.
Computer reservations over the phone.
Review new materials and make sure they are processed correctly.
Add to new book shelf and organize display.
Check library yahoo account, myspace and facebook.
Reference questions.
1:30 - 2:30pm lunch
2:30 return calls and help customers with their questions.
3pm - 5pm Reference
3:20 Parade of HS students walk through library on their way home and use the water fountain. Try and engage them to participate in the SRP.
Work with aide and assistant to sort out the kinks on the new printing system. Review new policy with second shift of part time staff.
Reference: which includes ordering books, helping children print pictures of homework assignments, sign up kids for AWE computer, order books for customers, etc...
Confirm SRP performer for tomorrow.
Explain to a teen that we have the volunteers we need and give her resources of where else she can go to complete her hours.
Answered questions for customer who had received a collection letter for her large amount of fees. Contacted our ILS office and cleared up the confusion.
Made computer reservations.
5 - 6Work with assistant and aide to print out SRP certificates of completion.
Fax time adjustment forms.
Email accounts to be deleted to ILS department.
Review cart full of donations. Only 5% can be possibly added to collection, 5% sell for book drive and 90% discards.(If it's water damaged, more than 5 years old or full of writing, we don't want it.)
Review to do list for tomorrow and leave instructions for closing staff.
Go home. :)

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley


My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great mystery that takes place in 1950's English countryside where Flavia de Luce lives with her family. When Flavia discovers a dead body in her family garden, it is up to her to clear the name of her father who is the main suspect. What makes Flavia up to the challenge is her keen knowledge of chemistry and her eagerness to learn the truth. The story takes her beyond the walls of her home and she has to overcome obstacles due to her age and her two sister's blase attitude towards the situation.



This story is filled with great descriptors of the countryside. It is well written and one forgets the story is being told through the eyes of an 11 year old child. It does not read as a children's book such as Harriet the Spy and is not dumbed down. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a good English mystery.


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