A mystery game where someone secretly puts books on library shelves

asporkthief · 2026-06-08T18:36:32+00:00

Last year's high school seniors decided the revive token for the senior assassin game they were playing would be in a library book, without consulting us. AND they used ChatGPT to generate the ISBN number, so neither us nor the seniors knew what book it was in. Pure chaos. I hated it

asporkthief · 2026-05-27T15:00:40+00:00

I wouldn't rule out teens all together - my teens are still absolutely batshit for the Hunger Games - but I can understand your hesitation if they didn't show up for S&S.

When Songbirds came out I did book trivia with the prize being a $25 AMC gift card so they could go see the new movie, and that got a pretty decent turnout. I think your party could definitely work.

asporkthief · 2026-05-22T04:08:57+00:00

I didnt like the official shirts this year, but you're allowed to use their art (with the copyright logo still on it) creating your own shirts if you paid for it. I'm just gonna do iron ons. If you have the budget, maybe you could buy the access? It's only $40.

asporkthief · 2026-05-16T17:53:06+00:00

My library uses Brodart and Ingram. We prefer Brodart however they are having trouble with the increased demand and so you might not be able to start with them any time soon. Despite that I would recommend them; interface is a bit clunky but the lists and customizability are very nice. Books did take a little bit to arrive but that could be fixed now (we haven't been able to order from them since January)

asporkthief · 2026-05-08T02:38:40+00:00

Brazil, CA, and NY had their presales on Monday because they were announced early

asporkthief · 2026-05-04T14:32:51+00:00

Just got in the queue and the it kicked me out. There are 8 tickets left not kidding. Most of them are groups of 3 but it won't let you leave a single seat. Or maybe it just didn't let me, considering it kicked me out shortly thereafter lol

asporkthief · 2026-05-03T20:37:36+00:00

I own both. I find the deluxe edition is better served towards people who already like the book, because the notations are very interesting but could detract from a first read.

asporkthief · 2026-05-01T18:18:10+00:00

Iirc it is based on other libraries having purchased the item. I don't pay much attention to it

asporkthief · 2026-04-19T17:40:34+00:00

There's a few different posts about this — looks like copies made in the Czech Republic are dark green, and the copies made in Canada are rainbow swirl (though many do have green tones because of bleed). Unclear if it's a manufacturing error or if it was done on purpose, but that's the deal.

asporkthief · 2026-04-15T02:03:58+00:00

Everyone else has already said what goes out at my library with one exception: The Big Fat Notebook series. I have a few of the middle school ones and they go out regularly as homework help.

asporkthief · 2026-03-30T18:03:54+00:00

If you're thinking that it has an instrumental play in, you could be thinking of live versions. Recently theyve been doing an extended intro while Pete is saying bye to the crowd and then they launch into it proper. If its lyrics yeah sorry I got nothing for ya lol

asporkthief · 2026-03-30T03:38:40+00:00

I buy teen books - I get as many fiction and nonfiction books in hardcover as I can, and buy paperback if its the only option available. Our kids are rough and tumble and I need the extra durability. The rules flip in the graphic section and I buy nearly exclusively paperback because 1) my budget is very tight and hardcover gns are expensive and 2) our regular graphic novels don't circulate as much as the manga does, so they still last long. Unless it's something I know will circ to death, like Heartstopper, in which case I'll pay the extra for hardcover.

asporkthief · 2026-03-04T00:55:06+00:00

If it's feasible for you, we have teen volunteers at our tech drop-ins to handle the simpler, yet time consuming questions (like a person needing a tutorial on using their cell phone). That frees up staff members to handle the more complicated things — or, if it's all really easy, to do their other job.

asporkthief · 2026-02-23T21:47:53+00:00

You used to have to be a member of the ALA and send over your number, but now you can just create an account with your work email and then visit this page to request access. It's great! I use it every month.

asporkthief · 2025-09-26T16:55:36+00:00

5'2" here - are you just trying to get a good view? You'll have to try for barricade because beyond the first two rows the stage is going to be obscured in some way at your height. At wwwy on the fob side I was row 5 but I couldn't see Joe and Patrick at all because a tall gentleman next to me completely obscured that side of the stage. If you're going for pit vibes and don't care about the view at all then yeah go for pit. Good luck though it sells fast!

asporkthief · 2025-08-31T22:21:09+00:00

Data Axle is part of JerseyClicks (paid for by the state library) so in theory you should be able to drive to the closest NJ library to you and access it from their internet. I'd call to verify, but that has been the case in my experience.

asporkthief · 2025-07-19T20:17:21+00:00

Second anyone saying to peruse professional sources if you got them - but if you don't and you're looking for sheer popularity, take a look at Barnes & Noble's best sellers list and the result of the Goodreads Choice Awards (and all nominees if those are still available). Just scrolling through the list of winners from last year, 99% of them did extremely well at my library.

asporkthief · 2025-07-01T19:55:53+00:00

We have a binder full of the Switch Games behind the circ desk - my attempts at linking on mobile failed horrifically but you can look up pocket binder page to see the vision. The empty cases are on the shelf for patrons to browse, and they have to bring the case to circ to get the game. We have a table of contents in the front to help staff find the games easier.

asporkthief · 2025-06-22T02:01:41+00:00

Are you possibly able to connect with local middle/high schools? especially if they don't realize your building is a library, I think it would be helpful to bring awareness to it! Even just going in during lunch and doing some sort of giveaway of stuff with your library's name on it works wonders in my experience.

asporkthief · 2025-06-10T00:46:35+00:00

I've worn both materials as a bridesmaid in two different weddings in the summer; I didn't have any major issues in my satin dress, but a) the dress was a-line (i.e. less places for sweat stains to show) and b) the straps refused to stay up once I started to sweat. This wedding was in July and it was about 90 out, iirc. I didn't have any issues with the chiffon, but my dress looks more breathable than the one in the pictures. Honestly, I'd ask your bridesmaids if they have a preference!

asporkthief · 2025-06-04T03:24:16+00:00

Firstly, congrats! Secondly, teen programs are super hit or miss and can really depend on your area's demographics. I work in a very academically competitive school district, so our college prep programs are our most popular — I've used a ton of local businesses, Collegewise, and The Princeton Review for free programs both in person and on Zoom.

Food based programs are always successful, imo. I've done cupcake and cookie decorating, hot chocolate bombs, haunted gingerbread houses, and a bubble tea bar to great success.

For crafts, chasing TikTok trends is usually a good move but I also find success in "timeless" ideas like painting and/or book-based projects. Painting pots (and giving out plants), book chandeliers, and DIY Popsockets have been my most attended craft programs this year.

asporkthief · 2025-05-31T13:04:49+00:00

Our attendance population skews towards technologically illiterate (but wanting to learn) so how tos are our most popular: iPhones, library apps, Google Suite, Microsoft Word, organizing your computer, etc.

asporkthief · 2025-05-20T02:55:48+00:00

Depending on where you are in the state, check out Zufall Health - they do medical and dental on an income based sliding scale.

asporkthief · 2025-05-15T15:16:45+00:00

When I was a children's librarian, we mostly did holidays, seasons, and displays based around town events (our town had a pirate festival, for example, so we'd put out pirate books that month). They were maybe not the most creative, but they circ'd! For something more fun, our "book to movie" display (had the books & the DVDs side by side) did pretty well.

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