Loutit District Library

Two weeks ago, I met my dear friend, Amy, in beautiful downtown Grand Haven for a library tour!

We started our afternoon with a delicious lunch at Lucy's Market and Deli. I'll definitely go back and you can see why:

Lakeshore Special: "Boar's Head Premium Oven Gold Turkey
with Dill Havarti Cheese, Honey Mustard,
Tomato and Lettuce on Sourdough"

Afterwards, we headed to the gorgeous Loutit District Library for a complete behind-the-scenes tour with Library Director, John Martin.

Library Profile

• Class Size: 5 (serves a population 26,000 - 49,999)
• A library that is a class 5 requires that the director have a Level 1 certificate (MLIS degree + four years of full-time employment post-MLIS) and at least one Level 3 staff member (Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university + beginning workshop) for every 20,000 people living in the library's area
• According to the 2012-2013 State Aid Report, Loutit serves 35,540
• Loutit is quite a bit larger than the libraries in the Thumb area which typically range from Class 1 - 3
• I currently work at a Class 3 library, which serves a population of 7,000 - 11,999, with an actual population of 11,833
• The library's service area is comprised of roughly 83 square miles
• The library occupies 49,723 square feet and has a collection of 131,771 (includes digital content such as ebooks and databases)
• Loutit has two library millages - one of which was voted in perpetuity
• Operating income (local + state + federal): $2,408,429

 Notes From My Visit

I geek intellectual freedom
(hint: it is right underneath
the sticker and underlined)

• Lots of parking - all of which was free (including a covered parking structure)
• The main lobby area occasionally plays hosts to concerts 
• Loutit Library hosts children's art for the community's ArtWalk (similar to ArtPrize in Grand Rapids)
• Loutit is participating in the Geek the Library campaign
• The library's lower level features ample seating for working on group projects, vending machines (beverages are allowed in the library), and two meeting rooms
• Flat screens mounted on the wall loop through a series of informational slides about upcoming library events
• In the near future, the library will begin intershelving its paperback collection which will free up floor space
• Grand Haven has a bus system - Harbor Transit. There is even a phone with a direct line to the bus company in the foyer
• Loutit has a self-check out kiosk
• The library also has a self-service holds pick-up for patrons - books are wrapped in white paper for privacy purposes
• The children's area has reference copies of Newbery and Caldecott books for projects
• Board games are available for kids to play
• Via a Great Start grant project, the library has a number of backpacks in circulation which are filled with theme-based books and activities
• Very popular items and are hardly available during the summer months
• At the end of the semester, the youth programming room is turned into a study hall for kids
• Loutit Library houses a collection of materials for Ottawa County's literary group, R.E.A.D - Reading Enables Adult Development
• The library has a local history and genealogy room which has 6 computers just for genealogical research
• Lockers are available for patrons - no food or bags permitted  

Thank you to John Martin and the fabulous staff at LDL
for their time and hospitality! 

 To view more pictures from my tour, please visit my
Loutit District Library album on Flickr.

A Case of Credential Fraud?

When I was mulling over my 30Y.30L project in 2011, it was a no-brainer to include Brandon Township Library as I had grown up in the neighboring town of Oxford. Further, having worked in the new Oxford Public Library, I learned that BTL was deemed a sister library, of sorts, sharing the very same architect.

I have much to write about; however, each time I start working on the post, I begin having doubts and questioning my professional ethics -- see, there is a bit of a scandal coming to light in Michigan library-land...

The issue: Brandon Township Library hasn't received State Aid in the past 5 years and the library board wanted to know why. Upon calling a special meeting, the library director tendered her resignation effective immediately and subsequently retired.

Here are the relevant articles in the press:
11.20.2013: Brandon Twp. Library Director resigns; investigation underway
11.27.2013: Brandon Township Library on administrative lockdown
12.4.2013: Brandon Township Public Library director resigns after library receives no state funding for five years
12.20.2013: Brandon Township library hires forensic auditor, tightens finances after director’s resignation

A case of credential fraud?

Having just jumped through all of the hoops in order to complete my MLIS...and the fact that I currently hold a nonprofessional/non-salaried position in the LIS-field, this is a very bitter pill for me to swallow...

When I attended the library board meeting back in November, I was surprised that the board refused to directly respond to any of the comments or questions raised by taxpayers and former employees. I am not sure if that's their standard operating procedure...or if it's due to the open investigation. (Note: I serve as a trustee on a township board and that is not how we conduct our meetings.)

Review: Neville by Norton Juster

2011, Schwartz & Wade Books
New York, NY
Unpaged, $20.99 (hardcover)
ISBN: 9780375967658; OCLC: 649077295

Author
Neville was written by Norton Juster, author of the classic children's book The Phantom Tollbooth.

Synopsis
Melancholic over relocating and skeptical about making new friends, a young boy takes a walk through his drab, monochromatic neighborhood where he begins yelling the name, "Neville." After just a couple of shouts, he is joined by a neighbor boy who begins yelling for Neville, too. Soon a gaggle of neighborhood kids, and dogs, are yelling and howling for someone named Neville. Curiosity overtakes the group and they enthusiastically begin asking the new boy all about Neville -- the boy in which they were all calling. As the boy answered more and more questions, someone cried out, "I like Neville already!" When the kids began parting company to make their way home, the group consensus was to meet up again tomorrow to continue looking for Neville. Feeling much better about the move, the boy's walk back home is illustrated in color. At bedtime readers learn the boy's name when his mother tucks him into bed and whispers, "Good night, Neville, pleasant dreams."

Illustrations
Illustrations for Neville were done by G. Brian Karas. Technique: mixed media. (He started with SketchUp!) Rather than droning on about his methods, I found a trailer for Neville:

The illustrations were supportive of the story and transmitted feeling/mood to the reader by way of the Karas's use of color -- e.g. the monochromatic neighborhood at the beginning of the story to depict the boy's melancholy. 

Accolades
Starred Review, School Library Journal, September 2011
Starred Review, Booklist, October 15, 2011
Parents' Choice Award, 2012

My Thoughts
While the story was predictable (it's a children's book), I found it to be humorous and heart-warming -- a great book to share in a classroom or a library story hour for early elementary school-aged children regardless if they have/haven't experienced a move in their life. In addition to the story showing readers that new friends can be made wherever you might be, it sheds light -- color in this case -- on how it feels to be befriended as the new kid. 

I plan on purchasing a copy for my private collection.

Tags 
children's picture book, life transitions, moving, making friends, illustrators,

Facebook

Via Facebook, I’ve “liked” a number of institutional pages mainly for the reason to receive news about upcoming events and, of course, I enjoy the opportunity to read relevant and interesting articles in which they choose to share.

Being able to “check-in” at a given location is also quite fun and has even encouraged others to stop by and visit! Aside from the “check-in” option, Facebook serves as a secondary website, of sorts – a place where agencies can share their hours of operation which is quite convenient.

From the 'What Bothers JC' files...
When institutions get caught up with how many “likes” they have and begin either: (a) campaigning/soliciting for more or (b) posting how many “likes” they currently have and setting goals – e.g. “Help us reach 1,000 ‘likes’ by the end of the week!”

I understand that one of the main reasons institutions employ Web 2.0 technologies is to increase visibility; however, I am a firm believer of quality versus quantity

Please don’t get me wrong, seeing several posts in my news feed from an institution doesn’t bother me as long as the content is relevant and meaningful – e.g. news that Ray Bradbury passed away, several response articles to Forbes slamming the MLIS, institutional blog posts, an upcoming exhibit at another agency.

Once again: it needs to be meaningful content.

Learning

 "...I think you should learn, of course, and some days you must learn a great deal. But you should also have days when you allow what is already in you to swell up inside of you until it touches everything. And you can feel it inside you. If you never take time out to let that happen, then you just accumulate facts, and they begin to rattle around inside of you. You can make noise with them, but never really feel anything with them. It's hollow."
--Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (E.L. Konigsburg, 1967)

Printz Award Display

After being up for just over a month, I dismantled the A Game of Thrones Read-Alikes for Teens display (note: clean reads, of course) and replaced it with a Printz Award and Honor Book display. This time around, check-in notes were added to the materials via the ILS so that returning books to the display won't be such a chore.

Being interested in YA lit, I was aware of the Printz Award prior to the start of library school, but was pleased to learn much more about it through my classes with adjunct professor, Suzanne Todd.

In case you're not familiar...

Q: What is the Printz Award?

A: Each year, the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature is awarded to one book for its literary merit. In addition to the award, the Printz committee also selects up to four "honor" books. The award and honors are announced at the American Library Association's mid-winter conference.

Q: Who is Michael L. Printz?

A: Michael Printz, an active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association, was a school media specialist at a high school in Topeka, Kansas. He passed away in 1996.

My favorite Printz books:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, 

Here's a complete list of the award and honor books by year:

2013
Award: In Darkness by Nick Lake
Honor Books: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz; Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Dodger by Terry Pratchett; The White Bicycle by Beverley Brenna

2012
Award: Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Honor Books: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler (artwork by Maira Kalman); The Returning by Christine Hinwood; Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey; The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

2011
Winner: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Honor Books: Stolen by Lucy Christopher; Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King; Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick; Nothing by Janne Teller

2010
Award: Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Honor Books: Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman; The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey; Punkzilla by Adam Rapp; Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973 by John Barnes

2009
Award: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Honor Books: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 2: The Kingdom on the Waves by M. T. Anderson; The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart; Nation by Terry Pratchett; Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

2008
Award: The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
Honor Books: Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet by Elizabeth Knox;
One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke; Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins; Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill

2007
Award: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Honor Books: The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation; v. 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson; An Abundance of Katherines by John Green; Surrender by Sonya Hartnett; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2006
Award: Looking for Alaska by John Green
Honor Books: Black Juice by Margo Lanagan; I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak; John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth, a Photographic Biography by Elizabeth Partridge; A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

2005
Award: how i live now by Meg Rosoff
Honor Books: Airborn by Kenneth Oppel; Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton; Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

2004
Award: The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
Honor Books: A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly; Keesha’s House by Helen Frost;
Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going; The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

2003
Award: Postcards from No Man’s Land by Aidan Chambers
Honor Books: The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer; My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr; Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos

2002
Award: A Step From Heaven by An Na
Honor Books: The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson; Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century American Art by Jan Greenberg Abrams; Freewill by Chris Lynch; True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff

2001
Award: Kit’s Wilderness by David Almond
Honor Books: Many Stones by Carolyn Coman; The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci; Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison; Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

2000
Award: Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Honor Books: Skellig by David Almond; Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger

City of Oceanside Public Library

On April 24, I met with Kristina Moralez, Community Outreach Coordinator, of the City of Oceanside Public Library and received a full behind-the-scenes tour!

Notes from my visit:

• First thought: I was impressed by how much free public parking was available! A parking garage was located next to the library (and City Hall) plus ample street parking.
• The building was bright and fresh looking! The color scheme: white and royal blue, made me think of a Vera Bradley pattern -- Mediterranean White.
• Two-stories with library administration, the adult and special collections housed upstairs. 
• At the time of my visit, the children's department had a craft going and it was quite busy! 
• The library has separate areas for tweens and teens. Loved this idea. 
• The Helen M. Nelson Heritage Room houses the library's special collections and is available to the public by permission. I've included a few pictures of this room in the slideshow embedded below.
• Very active Friends of the Library group with an on-site store that raises around $700-800 a month. Book sales are even at the Farmer's Market. 
• While visiting, I purchased an Everyman's Library edition of Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison that looked to be brand new!
• The library has a centralized phone system which does not route directly to the circulation desk -- everyone (including the director) takes a turn running it. 
• Morning briefings help keep everyone in the know.
• Ample staff areas for behind-the-scenes work. I especially loved the children's programming area with workbenches and storage totes.
• The library has a very rich history and in a variety of different locations -- lots of moving around, but yet continually serving the Oceanside community.
• While touring, I was introduced to Mayra Turchiano, Children's Department, and Monica Chapa-Domercq, Principal Librarian. Thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them!

Slideshow:

Kicked to the Ditch

This morning, I renewed my membership to the American Library Association for the first time as a professional and not as a student. It was certainly a bittersweet moment which left my checking account a bit lighter...

What you are about to read is nothing new in the Michigan LIS-world -- a common complaint, which now I can officially join the ranks. With my ALA membership, two divisions (PLA and YALSA), and round table renewal, my overall cost was less than renewing my entire membership with the Michigan Library Association.

Setting cost aside and just browsing the conference notes from colleagues, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that the Michigan Library Association is geared more towards larger suburban and urban public libraries than smaller, rural libraries.

Newsflash? No...

Taking a gander at statistics compiled from the public library survey (2012), almost 60% of Michigan's public libraries are on the smaller end of the spectrum: Class 1 - 3. Am I missing something? Or is MLA?

At $170.00 for an unaffiliated individual membership (meaning that my employing institution is not a member and I am not getting a discount), I damn well want my State organization to at least acknowledge the existence of small, rural libraries and subsequently offer workshops/seminars that are relevant.

Kicked to the curb. Hold on...  

It's so rural where I live that we don't even have curbs. 
How about this: kicked to the ditch.

With my savings, I opted to join the Freedom to Read Foundation -- a cause near and dear to my heart -- and will likely attend a few workshops hosted by the Historical Society of Michigan.

I wonder if they will miss me... Doubtful.

Source
Library of Michigan. (2012). Michigan public library survey statistics. Retrieved from
http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_61707---,00.html


Author's Note: I've considered trying to be part of the solution by collaborating with area libraries in order to develop a conference presentation which will target small, rural libraries; however, it seems that MLA membership is pretty sparse in this region... Thoughts: Lack of interest? Or do they feel as though they haven't been adequately represented?

Librarian Confession #1

I lose respect for a book if the Library of Congress cataloging information is not included on the book's verso. Subject headings are a must for me.

A Satisfying Day

Today at work, I tapped on the reading I did for my BA in psychology (Oakland University) as well as professional  experience working with clients in the human services field in order to cull through a list of materials for a patron in order to address her information needs on a very specific topic. While assisting the patron, I was pleased that I had read several of the materials on the list -- even personally owned a few -- and was able to provide her with on-the-spot summaries. This moment helped to cement the fact: varied academic and/or professional backgrounds contribute to the LIS-field, specifically in the public libraries arena.

Just a short time later, I was asked to develop a reading list comprised of historical fiction books focusing on two specific time periods. Producing a list of materials in which the library actually owned involved use of Library of Congress Subject Headings in order to generate meaningful search results using the library's OPAC -- not something the average John Doe could do merely using Google or a basic catalog keyword search using "historical fiction." Books and Authors, a database by Gale, provided me with a short list of materials which the patron could borrow via ILL (inter-library loan) if/when the main list gets exhausted. Since the patron had showed an interest in non-fiction materials relevant to these time periods, I supplemented the list with said materials.

And...at the close of my shift, I was down to just 3 shelves left to review for the 745 (Decorative Arts) weeding project. 

It was a very, professionally, satisfying day...

Amtraking Across America: The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

Boarding the Southwest Chief
at Chicago Union Station

At 3:16a last Monday, I was home and finally crawling into bed. My trip was downright amazing and I was exhausted as a result.  

Now that I've been home and settled back into the groove of my life and feel as though I can pull together a few semi-intelligible sentences, I'll attempt to begin catching readers up to speed on my Amtrak trip!

Why a trip to California? Here's the short answer: My beautiful niece, Kailin, is temporarily residing in Encinitas, California -- with my upcoming graduation, I felt it would be the perfect time to take a trip out West to spend some time with her and, of course, tour a few libraries while in the area.

As most travelers do, I contemplated booking a flight. It's quick, pretty affordable... And, in my opinion, downright horrible. I recalled my last experience which entailed being herded like cattle through airport security -- complete with a pat down -- and onto a tin can with wings. Once upon the plane, I witnessed a man groping his wife (mere inches from my face) as she proceeded to make her way to the restroom...and...the groping session resumed upon her return. And how could I forget the fact that I am 5'10" tall and a curvy woman which resulted in me feeling smothered while seated on the plane?! The claustrophobic feeling came soon after the gentleman in front of me decided that he wanted to take a nap during the flight. That experience flying was one that will never be included in the category of a "good time." Flying was quickly ruled out.

My second idea was to drive, but soon realized when looking at possible routes, that I would be a prisoner of the highway for roughly three days and my sightseeing opportunities would be pretty limited. For the same reason, Greyhound was ruled out.

Beyond a trip to Toronto when I was still in diapers, I haven't traveled by train. It would be exciting...an adventure. And if you know me, I love a good adventure...

Enter Amtrak.

Using the other seat as a foot
rest and a place for my books!

Another 'who' question that has been asked: was I alone? Yes, I traveled cross-country alone. To those closest to me, it didn't come as a surprise. One of my best friends said, "I know how independent you are...I'm so chicken, I'd never venture out like you..." My thoughts on traveling cross-country alone: you definitely need to be comfortable with yourself.

Now for some of the 'how':
My trip involved a total of three different Amtrak trains. The Wolverine (Royal Oak - Chicago), Southwest Chief (Chicago to Los Angeles), and the Pacific Surfliner (Los Angeles - Oceanside). I had sleeper accommodations on the Southwest Chief because I was on that train for about 40 hours.

The awesome folks at Enterprise in Oceanside (*waves to Joey at the Coast Highway office*) picked me up from the Amtrak station in an American car (per my request) and after a quick bit of paperwork, I was headed to my accommodations at Carlsbad by the Sea Resort.

More soon on my train experience as well as the sights and adventure!

California

I have so much to write about, but either haven't had time or internet access to do so. Alive, I am, and doing extremely well. I thoroughly enjoyed my Amtrak experience to California and have full faith that my journey home will be just as positive.

I've been spending as much time with my niece, Kailin, as possible and we've managed to see some pretty spectacular sights thus far including Swamis Beach, City of Oceanside Public Library, Encinitas Library, and even a meditation garden.

Stay tuned for more blog posts and pictures...

Lesen

Recently, I finished reading two books:
These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 by Nancy Turner
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø

Currently, I am reading (and anticipate finishing before the weekend):
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

For my upcoming train trip to California:
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam

Hotel California

In about two weeks, I'll be boarding Amtrak's Southwest Chief and heading to California!
The route:

I was completely geeked when I found out the Amtrak serves Hebrew National! (Nom nom nom.)
 
Once in California, I have plans to officially tour Oceanside Public Library and at least one USMC library on either Miramar or Pendleton (or both)! Unofficially, I'd like to visit two northern branches of the San Diego Public Library -- Encinitas and Del Mar.

Stay tuned for updates and photos from my trip...

How to Cook a Wolf

Nearly a month has passed since my last post and I pleased to note that I am not at a loss for news! I think I'll write a few posts just for simplicity...

Last semester, the director of Caro Area District Library -- who was my practicum supervisor -- asked me if I would be interested in a paid position working on special projects and covering the circulation/reference desk from time to time. As you can imagine, I was completely geeked and, of course, accepted the offer. I started working at CADL in early February -- after I sufficiently healed from my surgery and had the drainage tube removed. (Ick, I know.)

Discovering an old "date due" slip

While being trained on the desk, I couldn't help but ponder how much the field and its practices have evolved over the years. Even looking back just 25 years, when I first started using libraries, the changes which have taken place with the advent of the OPAC and the retirement of the traditional card catalog. I made a conscious effort to take in my surroundings in hopes that I'll be able to accurately recall, someday towards the end of my career, what my first few days as a newly minted LIS professional felt like and what the work entailed.

So what have I been working on? My first project focused on weeding the library's business collection (the 650s) and building a pathfinder to assist patrons with navigating the materials. I found using an Excel spreadsheet to be the easiest method as it afforded me with an actual visual of the collection as well as greatly aided me with building the pathfinder as I included subject headings. Now that the 650s are weeded, I've turned my attention to the culinary collection (the 641s) which consists of about 15 tight shelves of materials. I got to work with M.F.K. Fisher's The Art of Eating which included How to Cook a Wolf! Loving it thus far.

Both the director and the assistant director are whom I consider to be "veterans" in the LIS field and therefore a wealth of knowledge. I've enjoyed my experiences and look forward to each and every shift at the library.

A partial view of the business collection
after reviewing some 430 books...

Culinary collection: four of 15 shelves weeded

A bookplate from when the library used to be
Indianfields Public Library

The renowned Art of Eating which includes How to Cook a Wolf (1942)

Goodreads

Love it...

Big Talk From Small Libraries

Attending the Big Talk From Small Libraries webinar hosted by the Nebraska Library Commission! #btsl

Road Trip: Miniature Book Exhibit

On 12.10.2012, Janet and I took a road trip to the Library of Michigan in Lansing to check out the miniature book exhibit put on by the Miniature Book Society. Naturally, we took some time to browse the stacks...our beloved Z class. Here's a few photos from our visit:

Stubbornness

Since fall term ended, I have been asked by many friends as to how I've been spending my time. I've been working on my e-portfolio, but to be completely honest, I haven't been feeling all that well.

CT scan depicting 1 of 4 kidney stones doing the cha-cha-cha

What's up with that? In fall of 2011, I had a bit of a surprise when I found out that I had both kidney stones and gallstones. This is going to sound crazy, but I promised myself that once I finished classes, I would deal with my gallbladder and consult with a surgeon about a possible cholecystectomy.

Well...it's time.

My surgery is slated for Wednesday, January 16.  

Note: I would've scheduled the surgery for Monday, January 7, but alas with the New Year's Day falling on the first Tuesday of the month, the township board meeting was rescheduled for the following Tuesday: January 8. Being new to the board as well as having a lot to learn (and prove), I am not comfortable with missing a meeting. My stubborn-self waited nearly 1 year and 3 months, a few more days won't kill me...

Currently reading: Eragon by Christopher Paolini and A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

Upcycling

Upcycling!

Image courtesy of 1,000,000 Pictures