Tales from the library

[Purplelady1040]

Book sales might not offset the cost, but our Friends group's book sales help us out a lot.  The last book sale made over $10,000, and the one before that was over $12,000.  Might not sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it allowed us to buy badly needed book carts, octagonal display units, office chairs (one for me!) and a host of display units.  On the Friends' anniversary last year, they tied balloons to all the items that had been purchased with the book sale money through the years.  I never realized how much they had contributed.  Shelving units, all the chairs at our circulation and reference desks, book carts, slat walls, and the list goes on. 

Support your library!   

Oh I agree, it may not sound like a lot but it has bought a new Children's section in our library and a new media area. I love going to the book sales and support it and buying books and even movies and CD's.

[AbbyTC]

Last week we moved our adult collection around.  The fiction is now where the non-fiction was and vice versa.  The mystery, sci-fi, bios, audio books and oversized books moved, too.  Although we had signs up stating the move, and put up signs where the collections now reside, patrons still come in with a look of confusion on their faces.  Sometimes it is a bit amusing watching them walk into a section where they think the book they want is and then coming out of the stacks and look around with an almost panicked look upon their faces.     We keep a watch out for them and quickly point them in the right direction. 

[AbbyTC]

In case any of you wonder what a reference librarian truly does, this is from an article my co-worker wrote.  She's the reference librarian and here are two of her stories:

"Asuzu grew up in war torn Biafra.   She married, had eight children and put herself through medical school.   After serving as a missionary doctor in Africa, she and her family moved to Harrisburg. 
She decided to earn a law degree to "make the world a better place by changing legislation/statutory laws, and serving as an advocate for the less privileged."   
She used library resources to apply to law schools and seek financial aid. Because of a lingering language barrier, she relied on staff to correct her grammar and punctuation.
Her husband so disapproved of her studies, he took her car keys so she couldn't drive to the library. So Julie walked. It took her three hours.  She was accepted by ten law schools. She'll graduate in 2017."   

and this:

"Or how about the guy who approached the Desk asking for books on the stomach.   He hadn't eaten in three days; couldn't keep anything down.  He had a job but no insurance, so he couldn't, or wouldn't go to the doctor. While he tried to focus on some books, I researched the Mercy Van, a mobile unit staffed with medical volunteers who assess and treat walk-in patients for free.  I gave the information to the man and asked that he promise to go.   He managed a smile. "Thank you," he said.  "I didn't know where else to turn." "   

She has told me many more stories of how she and her fellow reference librarians have helped people along.  It's pretty cool knowing that a library is so much more than just books. We have computers for public use, give free classes in Microsoft Word and Excel, free GED classes, free movies (movie night at two of our branches), programs for adults, kids, and teens and almost all of it is free.   If you haven't visited yours in a while, I strongly encourage you to do so and see all the wonderful things it does!

[Purplelady1040]

In case any of you wonder what a reference librarian truly does, this is from an article my co-worker wrote.  She's the reference librarian and here are two of her stories:

"Asuzu grew up in war torn Biafra.   She married, had eight children and put herself through medical school.   After serving as a missionary doctor in Africa, she and her family moved to Harrisburg. 
She decided to earn a law degree to "make the world a better place by changing legislation/statutory laws, and serving as an advocate for the less privileged."   
She used library resources to apply to law schools and seek financial aid. Because of a lingering language barrier, she relied on staff to correct her grammar and punctuation.
Her husband so disapproved of her studies, he took her car keys so she couldn't drive to the library. So Julie walked. It took her three hours.  She was accepted by ten law schools. She'll graduate in 2017."   

and this:

"Or how about the guy who approached the Desk asking for books on the stomach.   He hadn't eaten in three days; couldn't keep anything down.  He had a job but no insurance, so he couldn't, or wouldn't go to the doctor. While he tried to focus on some books, I researched the Mercy Van, a mobile unit staffed with medical volunteers who assess and treat walk-in patients for free.  I gave the information to the man and asked that he promise to go.   He managed a smile. "Thank you," he said.  "I didn't know where else to turn." "   

She has told me many more stories of how she and her fellow reference librarians have helped people along.  It's pretty cool knowing that a library is so much more than just books. We have computers for public use, give free classes in Microsoft Word and Excel, free GED classes, free movies (movie night at two of our branches), programs for adults, kids, and teens and almost all of it is free.   If you haven't visited yours in a while, I strongly encourage you to do so and see all the wonderful things it does!

Thanks for those stories. It is amazing how some people persevere despite having a roadblock set up on them so to speak. I am glad the  person who was sick got help.

[AbbyTC]

Today was Star Wars Reading day.  Our children's director had story time and invited the local Stormtroopers group to come in.  Unfortunately, I wasn't there, but my daughter (who works there as a page) was.  She didn't know the Stormtroopers were coming in, and was startled when two showed up where she was shelving.  Another page saw her expression and said, "I wish I had my camera to capture that face!"   

[me]

I can imagine since they would be dressed in what would appear to be riot gear.....

[Purplelady1040]

Today was Star Wars Reading day.  Our children's director had story time and invited the local Stormtroopers group to come in.  Unfortunately, I wasn't there, but my daughter (who works there as a page) was.  She didn't know the Stormtroopers were coming in, and was startled when two showed up where she was shelving.  Another page saw her expression and said, "I wish I had my camera to capture that face!"   

I bet that was cool and lots of fun for the kids. I think our library does something like that. I know they have a group show up that brings exotic animals for the kids to see. I took our kids one time and it was informative.

[AbbyTC]

I can imagine since they would be dressed in what would appear to be riot gear.....

I'm not trying to be smart, but you do realize Stormtroopers dress in all white unlike riot gear that is all black?  The outfit wasn't which caught her off guard, but because they showed up in the stacks where she was and she didn't know they were in the library.  It's not everyday you have Stormtroopers coming in and checking out books!   

I think if someone in riot gear came in, she would have been scared.   

[Purplelady1040]

I'm not trying to be smart, but you do realize Stormtroopers dress in all white unlike riot gear that is all black?  The outfit wasn't which caught her off guard, but because they showed up in the stacks where she was and she didn't know they were in the library.  It's not everyday you have Stormtroopers coming in and checking out books!   

I think if someone in riot gear came in, she would have been scared.   

[AbbyTC]

I bet that was cool and lots of fun for the kids. I think our library does something like that. I know they have a group show up that brings exotic animals for the kids to see. I took our kids one time and it was informative.

Last year for the party at the end of the summer reading program, they had the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers come to the event.  Darth Vader even showed up.  Here's a link of them if you are interested.   http://501stgarrisoncarida.org   

[Purplelady1040]

Last year for the party at the end of the summer reading program, they had the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers come to the event.  Darth Vader even showed up.  Here's a link of them if you are interested.   http://501stgarrisoncarida.org

Thank you! That was very interesting. Do you know if they go to events all over the U.S.?

[AbbyTC]

Thank you! That was very interesting. Do you know if they go to events all over the U.S.?

I'm not sure.  That group serves PA and Delaware.  I'm sure there are other groups around.

[AbbyTC]

I'm not sure.  That group serves PA and Delaware.  I'm sure there are other groups around.

Went into librarian mode and found this:  http://www.501st.com  If you scroll down a little, on the right side is a search to find a group near you. 

[Purplelady1040]

Went into librarian mode and found this:  http://www.501st.com  If you scroll down a little, on the right side is a search to find a group near you.

Thank you so much. I am going to pass this on to our youth service librarian here.

[AbbyTC]

Thank you so much. I am going to pass this on to our youth service librarian here.

Cool!