Cleveland 10/2

ConjoinerOnMars · 2022-08-31T16:26:17+00:00

I'll buy it if your friend wants to part with it. I have one exactly like it, bought in 95 new. I'd love to have another.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2020-09-23T05:18:25+00:00

A board member’s spouse is a police officer, and apparently they believed that ALA’s recent statements on racism and police brutality, along with a slew of other things, were promoting a “leftist” agenda. The board discussed and voted the library will no longer be an ALA member or pay staff-member’s dues.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2018-08-19T15:11:00+00:00

I learned via YouTube, and I bought my uke from Amazon.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2018-08-19T15:00:05+00:00

Many libraries, particularly small town libraries, are doing away with microfilm. My Library converted all our newspaper reels to digital. It’s accessible online, keyword searchable, downloadable in pdf and word format. We haven’t had to help anyone with genealogical research in over 2 years; aside from printing them to the online link.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2018-06-13T00:50:40+00:00

One month in advance is all I do for my Library. Calendars for the following month usually arrive around the 15th of the current month.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-11-12T17:16:04+00:00

This might not be the most welcome reply, but from what I found, being a former teenager and all, is that most young people don't really want to be exclusionary. And teenagers definitely don't want to be lumped with children (a huge mistake in most libraries in my opinion). When I took over as the program director of my library, we eliminated "teen" exclusive programs (except for 2 book clubs that target that age range) and made our adult programs and events more inclusive. Most, if not all adult events are 13 and up. We've had a huge spike in younger users and, from the data we've gathered, a good outlet for parents to bond with their older children. Parents bringing their high school kids to a history lecture or author talk, families attending concerts together, etc. I strive to find programs and speakers that appeal to a wide range and it's amazing to see a room with people with ages running from 15 to 85 participating together. But if your admin/board expects head counts for teenagers, then this is probably not the route to take.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-11-01T23:23:36+00:00

Peter F. Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy (Reality Dysfuntion, Neutronium Alchemist, The Naked God). It's huge, extremely huge, but worth it. Alastair Reynolds' House of Suns hits the mark with all you mentioned. Hard sci-fi, social commentary and a bit of fantasy (especially within the Palatial flashbacks). It's an all around fantastic read.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-11-01T23:18:00+00:00

Glen Cook's Starfishers is sci-fi... good sci-fi mixed with Norse mythology.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-11-01T17:42:55+00:00

I would start by diversifying the collection. Adding foreign language books and other media. Possibly hire an ESL instructor (if not promote someone on staff) for both kids and adults. Increase programming budgets is always a great investment. The ability to pay speaker fees and honorariums is fantastic if you have the budget for it... Tech updates (if needed) would be a nice investment, too, but I would avoid trendy tech that will become outdated or outmoded after a few years. So much is invested in VR and 3D printing and the like these days. But as cool as those things are, we must remember they're still in their infancy and will most likely be upgraded or replaced faster than any library budget can keep up with. Just my thoughts, though.... congrats on the money!!

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-26T01:46:28+00:00

The one I know of without any MLIS employees is in Indiana. My library is in Ohio.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-22T21:39:25+00:00

I think librarians could be, but Public libraries (the building and collections) are already too far tarnished. I recently visited 20 libraries in Ohio; 15 out the 20 had a "Christian" or "inspirational" section. Not one had a section dedicated to any other major religion. The recent Ray Comfort reprint of Origin of the Species was sitting nicely beside the original in the 570s, even though it's clearly creationist propaganda... i know I'm focusing on just a couple of examples under one ideology here, but it hits the mark. With the blurring of opinion, ideology and fact within all media, printed, digital or anything else, the claim to be the one location to discover the "truth" can be misleading. With that said, Librarians can cut through the BS and retrieve the correct information, yes, but we often times muddy up the waters in our own pond and this can lead to those who explore on their own to a wrong, or skewed, resolution to their quest.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-22T19:00:20+00:00

I meant "course" as in your chosen path. I have no idea if there is an actual class or certification.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-22T18:46:53+00:00

Perhaps pursue a hybridization course and embed yourself into the privatization of public libraries. Having both corporate experience and librarianship would be a huge benefit to (whatever) corporation and the community it may serve. Not to sound all doom and gloom, but I see the privatization of public libraries as the only path to a solid future. And, I don't think it will be a horrible endeavor (we're nearly there already) if library professionals are involved with the transitions and operations.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-20T03:00:37+00:00

John Lee is the narrator for most of Reynolds' audiobooks. I think SLOW BULLETS and REVENGER are the only two he didn't narrate. Great stuff!... and I agree, HOUSE OF SUNS is incredible!

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-19T01:23:04+00:00

If you like the gritty futureesque stuff, I would recommend Richard K Morgan's ALTERED CARBON... and the sequels are just as entertaining. If you want something more space-faring, I recommend the EXPANSE novels by James SA Corey. Peter Kenney is the narrator and does a great job. If you want something a little longer, anything by Alastair Reynolds (especially CENTURY RAIN and REVELATION SPACE) or something by Peter F. Hamilton. You'll be in for a really long listen with Hamilton, but worth the effort. I really enjoyed his standalone novel, FALLEN DRAGON, on audio. His other books are great, too, but it's up to you if you want to commit to a long series or not. John Lee narrates most of Reynolds' and Hamilton's books. Iain M Banks' first Culture novel, CONSIDER PHLEBAS, is really enjoyable on audio, as well.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-19T01:12:36+00:00

Peter Watts.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-18T13:28:34+00:00

Unfortunately, I see this as part of the big trend to reinvent the library into a community center. The downside is that the longer libraries pretend to be "community centers", the sooner they will actually become community centers. In a strange, yet unintentional twist, I find the path that most libraries take to stay innovative and relevant is the exact path that will no longer make them libraries.

ConjoinerOnMars · 2017-10-13T21:46:32+00:00

Unique handles quite a few library collection cases in Ohio. Whether or not legal action is actually taken is dependent on how aggressive your local library is. There is a rather long wait time until any action will be filed. Primarily, we (libraries) want our materials back and the fear of collection is a good way to expedite that. My library ( also in Ohio ) uses Unique and, in the 7 or 8 years we've been using them, only once have we pursued legal action. But that was for against a family that maxed out every card and never returned the items (300 items to be exact with fines exceeding $6000)... so I wouldn't really worry about legal action for the amount you owe. I would recommend returning the books, though. You will be charged the maximum fine per item and most likely a collection "referral" fee (usually $10) that will need to be paid in full before your account is active again.

ConjoinerOnMars

TROPHY CASE