Libraries Are Relevant ...Part Three Getting Down to Business

When asked what does a library provide,  the most common answer will be books.  In terms of marketing this is what would normally be called the library's image or "brand".  While librarians should not complain about the brand, which has served libraries well over the years, something more should be added to give it depth.  What are in books?   Entertainment in the way of stories and poetry.  Education in the form of information.  Both of these elements bring positive changes to a person's life.  In this last post  of this series, the biggest surprise for readers to find out how libraries not only change lives but also change to the local economy.  How?   Public libraries across the country have formed specialized collection to serve businesses and entrepreneurs. 


It is a natural fit that libraries fill this need.  After all most small businesses don't have the time or the money to invest in costly business resource.  This is where libraries fill in the gap quite well.  From everything from stock performances to forms for filing for a new business. Established businesses can find a valuable asset in a business librarian who can guide the research process or provide the services where information is gathered for the business patron. Entrepreneurs will find that the business collections have databases, journals, and forms that every new business should be aware of in the planning stages of opening a business.   Most libraries will provide free  meeting rooms, providing a private and professional place to meet with clients.  (Some libraries will charge a small fee for using the meeting space, but most often it is cheaper than what is available from hotels or other conference venues.)


 In addition to that,  libraries  offer networking and informative workshops to bring leaders of local business together to share expertise, success stories of opening a business or the pitfalls of business ownership.  It is a positive outreach that directly impacts the local economy.  Chamber of commerce have taken notice of these types of library services, and will often promote them on their websites.  City halls have followed suit to promote the gems in their libraries, as an incentive to lure businesses to open their doors in within the city.  This can be quite enticing to perspective homeowners as they see a city growing with new businesses.


Books, databases and workshops are all wonderful but once in awhile some libraries get creative.  Social media has taken communications and marketing to a whole new level.  The need to get the message out quickly has become the norm of modern business.  With that business owners need tools to create web content that will capture the attention of the intended audience.  One tool that they may need but do not have the funds for is  video equipment or perhaps a  green screen.  For a mere $80.00 libraries can purchase a green screen which allows users to place any background behind the subjects before the camera.  Think of the local weatherman.  Everyone sees the map behind him, but in reality if the weatherman were to turn and face the screen all he would see is "green".  This provides a polished look to the video, that can be uploaded to a webpage or YouTube in minutes. 


Libraries are relevant, now more than ever.   If the last three posts have not convinced library deniers,  then nothing will.  From tracing family roots to bridging the generational gap with teens to providing tools for business development  there is indeed something for everyone.  It just may be that the deniers don't need services at that this time but eventually there will be something that draws them in and they'll get hooked.  Just like everyone else does. 






 

The Complete List ot Why, When, Where, Who and How to READ. From A To Z

It's time to get back to basics.  Maybe this feeling comes on stronger now because school is starting soon.  It's that time when the mind goes back to the days of reading, writing and arithmetic. It is this time of year that libraries will be filled with students and backpacks clamoring for the books on the reading lists assigned to them.  It is also the time when reading skills are tested.  It has been suggested  that due to the digital age reading is becoming a lost art and form of entertainment.  Perhaps it is for some but not for all.  This list is for those who have forgotten why  reading is so important.  It is also for those who love to read and need help in defending their addicting habit.  Even perhaps get their families hooked on reading.  The challenge is always to come up with ten ways that an certain activity will improve life.  Well, overachievement is never an understatement here.   Getting carried away with the alphabet to list when, why where , how and who should be reading from A to Z was far to easy and fun.  It is hoped that it is inspiring as well.

A  Anytime is a good time to read.  Anywhere is a good place to read.  It's really quite simple, reading is an activity that can be done virtually anywhere.  Well, not in a dark cave unless you have a flashlight handy. 

B Babies and books naturally go together.  Reading to babies stimulates vocabulary, imagination and love of books.

C Classic Literature is always in style.  Whether it's a classic children's book that has stood the test of time or classic literary novel that was read in high school.  Classic literature bridges the gap between generations of readers. 

D Donating books to the library or school is an act of paying it forward.  Clear out the bookshelves and spread the joy of reading to others.

E  Everybody in the family should read.  Even if it's only fifteen minutes a day, the routine of reading everyday is a tremendous investment that results in value.

F Fictional characters become life long friends.   Don't misunderstand, reading will not have you walking around speaking to imaginary friends.  However, some fictional characters have a way of staying with readers long after the last page has been read. 

G Goodreads is the  Facebook for bookworms.  It is one of the best sources to get honest reviews of books from friends, which helps in picking out he next must read book.  Sign up with a Facebook account or at www.goodreads.com.

H Holiday are always better with a story that brings out the best of the season.  Ever tried reading a Christmas book in July?  It's a real treat when someone asks "What book are you reading?"  The look on their face is hilarious.  What ?  Why read that now?  Because I can!

I  Independence is the goal for all readers.  It has been clearly demonstrated that once a person learns to read their confidence is increased.  This naturally leads to a reader becoming independent thinks.

J Join a book discussion. Local public libraries have wonderful programs for i for readers who just can't get enough of the book they are reading.   Sharing with peers views about the author's style, characters and plot makes for interesting conversation.  Not only that, it encourages the reader to find more books to read and discuss.  It's a wonderful never ending cycle.  By the way, if your library does not have a program be daring, start one of your own.

K Kindle may have changed the way readers pick up a book but it hasn't transformed readers into non readers.  (Thank goodness)  In some cases, Kindle may have converted a few non readers to lifelong readers due to mobility of the gadget.  Will Kindles ever replace hardcopies of books?  The verdict is still out on that idea.  There are futurist who predict electronic versions of books will completely replace hard copies in five years.  While others say there is a growing consensus that there is a place for both digital and paper copies.

L Libraries are here to stay. As long as there are readers in the world who demand to be nourished by the written word (and yes, admittedly this is a bit dramatic) there will be a need for libraries.  The statistics have proven that in a rapidly changing technological era, libraries still remain relevant in our society.

M Movies need books, writers and readers. Since movies began taking the books to the silver screens, readers have faced the age old questions.  Should the book be read first?  Yes.  Always yes at least from  the avid reader's view.  Will the movie ruin the book's plot and intent?   Sometimes and when it does, have pity on the director for he (or she) will have to face the wrath of many angry readers and fans.

N Night time reading is always the best time to get ready for sleep. It works wonders with children and for adults as well.  Turn off the tube and pick up a good book.

O Once upon a time never gets boring.  There will always be that special place that every reader wants to revisit as a child, as an adult or as someone looking for a place to escape.  How many times can Camelot be visited?  Many, many times over.

P Picture books are the perfect entry into the world of reading.  Why?  The illustrations do so much more than just help tell the story.  Some are just wonderful works of art that engage and engulf the readers into the story.  To see a child get lost in the words and pictures of a book is nothing short of magical.

Q Questions arise and curiosities are stirred when reading becomes a habit.  The quest to know, read and learn more becomes part of the readers life.  It is an addicting habit but what better addiction could one have?

R Rebel against authority. Read a banned book.  September marks the celebration of Banned Book Week when the American Library Association puts out the list of books that have over the years been banned from schools and libraries.  If ever there is a time to get a teens attention, this would be it.  Tell them the adults don't want them to read book X.  That book will fly off the shelf faster than any magician can make his rabbit disappear from a hat.

S Silence is something that children today need to be taught.  In a world that is filled with noises, gadgets and screens, children need to be taught to have moments of silence and appreciate them.

T Thinkers are not born, they are made. Abraham Lincoln did not become one of the greatest Presidents by being elected president.  He read continuously which helped him become one of the greatest political minds in history.

U Universally in every school, every country, and every city it is accepted that one of the surest way to success is to read. It may sound corny to say but it still is true that reading is fundamental.

V Vocabulary improves with daily reading.  It's easy to spot the child or adult who is an avid reader and one who does not.  Oral and writing skills for readers are superior than those who don't.

W Weapons against poverty?  Books, reading and libraries.  Once a child or adult learns to read, the opportunities are endless. 

X Xenophobes is an ugly word.  It denotes that someone can not accept another person because of their ethnic or religious background.  In other words they can not accept anyone who is different.  Books open a path to the world for readers of all ages.  It is the best way to communicate what everyone has in common and what makes cultures unique.  Quite frankly, it what makes this world wonderful.

Y Yet another reason to read because a person can.  No one should ever take that pleasure away from another.

Last but not least...

Z Zero excuse not to read a book a month or every other month.  Yes, we are a busy society.  However, as stated previously just as a child needs to learn the value of silence,  adults need to relearn that as well.  There should never be a moment when one says no to reading.

There it is, from A to Z, why reading is an activity for all ages.  Maybe this may turn some heads.  Better yet, maybe it may cause more people to turn pages.  Lots of pages in the quest to read, learn and grow.  Happy reading!

What Wine Would Go With That Book?

For a little adult fun with books and beverages, here's an idea that picks at the brain for a little creativity with entertaining and reading.   Kick back on a  weekend and consider the following topic:  Women, books and wine.  Three ingredients that if mixed to the right proportions it makes for a pleasurable evening.  If not mixed well, let's just say be prepared for  a little wine on the carpet. In order to help with keeping the carpet clean,  wine flowing and  book discussions lively provided below are wines that would go well with these tales.   Of course it is advocated to drink responsibility but for goodness sake feel free to go overboard with the books.

Where Angels Fear to Tread E.M. Foster
 

   A classic novel set in Tuscany about love, family ties and keeping up with appearances. The author of this book also wrote a Room With A View.  Both works are wonderful but this particular novel is bittersweet because it deals with love lost, lost found and love denied.  It is truly a classic.  What wine would be suggested for this book?  Well, a Chianti of course.  Bold, dry and very Italian.

A Rage in Harlem, Chester Himes

An American tale of murder, mystery and mayhem.  It's very gritty but the characters are appealing.  Chester Himes does a wonderful job luring the readers into a his classic noir novel. It is complete with unpredictable twists here and there to keep readers on the edge of their seats.  The first wine to come to mind here:  Pinot Noir.  Could there be anything better?

Count of Monte Cristo   Alexander Dumas

How could someone not love this novel about betrayal, revenge and forgiveness?   Dumas is the classic French novelist who forces his readers to do look beyond the surface of the human condition in order to see the soul.   Seeing the world through the Count's eyes is a lesson in how the human heart chooses life over death. Choosing victory over defeat.  The wine for this book: Chardonay.  A classic French wine for an equally classic  French story.  

Flowers from the Storm   Laura Kinsale

If readers are looking for the romance stories that ware not very sugary and sappy.  Kinsale is the author to discover.  This story of how love can transform two people who need each other gives the heart a gentle tug.  Even the most arrogant, womanizing man can be brought back down to Earth to realize that he may not be God's gift to all women.  However, for the one women who he falls far, she is hone destined to see his faults and love him all the more.  Please pass the White Zinfadel.  It goes perfect with this book, for love is sweet and so is this wine!

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman is one of those rare writers that gets non-Fantasy readers to read his books.  He is wonderful at storytelling, and to be quite honest, he's good for readers of all ages.  This particular work is a blend hair splitting action and mind teasing.  Gaiman goes beyond the call of duty and lays out a world that is unforgettable and  will want to revisit again and again.  If this book does not grab  the readers attention,  perhaps The Graeyard Book is more to their liking.  Although it is a children's book, adults will find this story a little on the unbeaten path but well worth taking the journey that Gaiman wants you to take with him.  His imagination is quite unique.  Without a doubt the best wine for either of these Gaiman books wold  be; Cabernet Sauvignon.  Not only is it bold with taste but it is also known to be the best wine to drink for the heart.  After reading Gaimna's works,  your heart is going to need a little something extra to keep it ticking.

Enjoy the books and the wines, Ladies.  Of douse men can participate too.  Perhaps this short list can be revisited and additions can be made.   

 

Read To A Child...

March has been designate as National reading month. This proclamation seems kind of odd since many assume reading comes was to most and why celebrate reading? Good questions. The answers are obvious, at least from the perspective behind the librarian's desk. It is reading that promotes life long learning and self-sufficiency. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to explain the benefits. A child can demonstrate it beautifully in action. Children who are read to have better speaking sills, learn to read sooner then their peers who are not read to, develop a better vocabulary and have a longer attention span. So much is gained by just fifteen minutes a day. Children who learn to read at an early age are more likely to succeed in school. This is not just an opinion, it's been documented by educational researchers and anecdotal evidence as well. A study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, "Double Jeopardy" (2011). The statics found here are startling. In this study it was found that children in Third grade who had poor reading sills were less likely to continue through to graduate from high school. Quite frankly, this is an unacceptable situation. Children in every neighborhood deserve better schools, better libraries and better homes. But how can they demand anything when they can not vote. They need someone to be their voice. This trend can be reversed with one small step at a time. It can begin with countering to read to a child in your neighborhood. For the educational professional, it could begin with taking every opportunity to promote reading in the classroom and in the home. Schools and public libraries can find creative ways to work together to co-sponsor programs that get children excited about reading. It can begin with summer reading programs (which children librarians are all ready in the planning stages for Summer 2014) and possibly stretch into other months of great programming ideas. The list of programming ideas are endless. When collaboration begins between two like minded professions it is amazing what can be done. More importantly it is a positive step to help children from any neighborhood and every home. There are very few people who would disagree with the notion that reading is not an important skill for children to learn. However there are too many who will dismiss the value of reading to a child or taking children to the public library on a regular basis. The main complaint is that there is not enough time to read or to go to the library. Let's put it in perspective that might make the picture clearer. Time is a precious commodity for children as well. Everyday they are not read to, encouraged to pick up a book or taken to the library is time lost and wasted. It's only in a blink of an eye and they will be responsible adults of the community. How sad will that be that these future adults won't have the reading skills needed to survive? Think that's over the top? Read a prescription bottle. Now think of someone who has to take that medicine and has no idea what it says on the label. READ to a child .... today.

Bullying -- Helping Children Through Books

Is there anyone who has never, ever been bullied? Even just a tiny bit? It is safe to assume that everyone has experienced the "humiliation" of being bullied at one point in their lives. On the playground. In the classroom. By siblings or peers. Bullying has been around it seems since people have begun recording history. It's even in the Bible isn't it? The snake bullied Eve into eating the apple and in turn she bullied Adam. Okay, that might be a stretch but the point is every generation has witnessed bullying in their lifetime. However it seems that this generation is experiencing bullying in a whole new way then perhaps their own parents did as children. There are many ways that it is different and quite frankly thank goodness for authors who have provided librarians with resources to help children and their parents deal with this all too painful problem of childhood. Before any adult goes off and exclaims that we are pampering children when it comes to this topic, there are several thins to consider. Picture this scenario. A girl is walking home from school on a cold winter's day. There are a group of children walking behind her laughing and making comments about her hat. One girl whispers to another, they give each other a glance and it happens. One is ready with their smart phone to take a picture of the accomplice coming up from behind the inspecting girl and grabs her hat. This "surprise" causes the girl to lose her balance and she ends up falling on the sidewalk with her books flying everywhere. The picture is taken at the right moment and sent to a group of kids from their class. The picture goes semi-viral where almost the entire school has seen the picture and laughed at the girl's expense. The girl who was bullied is mortified. She doesn't want to go to school to face the laughter. Sounds like something that could happen in a made for tv movie? Yes, it could very well be but the reality is this is what bullying is like for today's children. One of the best way to help children deal with bullying is to talk about the problem. One step further, there are three wonderfully books that can help start the discussion. First, for the younger reader One by Kathryn Otoshi is reminiscent of Little Blue, Little Yellow by Leo Lionni. It is a book about quiet little blue who teaches all the other colors that differences among each other is good and it only takes one to say something to make a difference. Great story about acceptance without hitting the reader over the head without being preachy. Second, for the little older child who is in elementary school, Patricia Polacco's book Bully is a contemporary portraying the reality of how Facebook can be a tool to aid in bullying. Children will be able to relate to how two friends can be separated when one makes the cheerleading squad and the other does not. Lyla, the heroine of the story, demonstrates how true friends stand up against bullying by standing by their friends. It's a classic tale that helps the reader to see how it is possible to do the right thing even when peer pressure says differently. Third, perhaps the best book, is by Jerry Spinelli. Loser is also known as Zinkoff. However, Zinkoff does not know his other name nor does he pay attention to what all the other kids say. He is the typical character in a Spinelli's novels, quirky, fun and different. It's Spinelli's specialty. From the reader's point of view, Zinkoff is someone they can relate to. Either it's someone they know at school or they might even see themselves in this character. The best lesson from this book is that every Loser has the potential to change their name to Hero. There are many more wonderful books but these are the best of the best. If looking for a concise list of books about bullying drop an email to lvnlibrarian@yahoo.com.

Celebrity Authors and Children's Literautre

For the record, Children's Literature is a fine art. It looks easy. It reads easy. However it is rare that anyone can someone can come along and produce a masterpiece. At the very best, a fine piece of work that stands the test of time. Publishers like to promote well known celebrities as authors thinking that this is a goldmine of an opportunity to cash in on sales. While it's true in the first shout out of the book and publishing date, most consumers are curious and want to take a peek at what the book is like. They may even venture out to buy it if they are fans of the author. Which makes pre-sales rise pretty quickly. Okay, so the publisher makes a few extra bucks on the "fame" of the author but what is painfully obvious is the reader is left with a crappy book. Maybe "crappy" is too harsh a phrase. Perhaps a better phrase would be quickly read, quickly forgotten. This week the theme of this blog is exploring the good, bad and the ugly of celebrity children's authors. First it would be important to point out what makes a good children's book. Every children's book must have illustrations that flow with the text. This seems easy to do but ask any illustrator and writer it takes time to get it perfect. The ultimate magic comes when you can not have the words without the picture and vice versa. They become as it were mirror images to each other. Secondly, never take your audience for granted. Eric Carle, well-known children's author and illustrator, once stated that he never underestimated the mind of a child. He's right. A child's mind is complex and simple all at the same time. When trying to tap into their imagination to help them dream or learn, the author has to find the right words to convey the complex yet simple without "dumbing" it down for the child. Children know when they are being talked down to or treated as if they are simpleton. The result is that they will turn off to reading the book. Bad news for the author and for that matter the publisher. Third, the plot of the story has to be the right combination of fiction and reality. For example, Plots that take the child to another place or time must be consistent with that place and time. Plots that feature good and evil must make it clear who the hero is and who is the villain. Plots which talk about events that shape every child's life should touch the child's mind with a "Aha" moment and they see themselves in that situation. Finally, the magic of the book must bring the reader back again and again and again. How many times have you seen a child read Green Eggs and Ham, only to realize they have memorized the book forward and backwards? It's that magic that lets the child experience the fun one more time and they never grow tired of it. It's the same thing with books that become a series. The young reader has to connect with the character in order to want to visit with him or her in another book. That is not as easy as it seems. With the foundation set forth here for important criteria in Children's books, it will be easier to discuss why author's make the cut and why others do not. It may be quite a shocker for some of the authors to find out that their books do not stand up to the test of great or even good Children's literature. Avid fans of books for the young ones can't really fault them. Frankly, it should be the editors and publishers who should have stopped them in their tracks from writing the books in the beginning. However, there should be applause for those editors and publishers who have unveiled noteworthy works from celebrities that were wonderful surprises. These will be the treasures that will be explored first. Which author's work will be explored first? Here's a helpful hint: one came from a famous Hollywood family and the other has starred in some many genres it's hard to say which they are best at. However, both authors have made the good list for children's books for different reasons. Try guessing who it is until next time. As we all know, the author must keep a title suspense to keep the reader's coming back

Thinking Out Loud: The Library of the Future

On a Saturday afternoon most libraries are buzzing with activity. Children are exploring their areas and favorite books. Computers are constantly on and the printers are just as busy. Adults casually browse books or movies for something to with the family or for quite time. The scene as it is played out here is similar in every public library. It's a very nice scene but a nagging question keeps turning up like a bad penny, What happens when everything goes digital? Will citizens want or need to go to a library? To put it bluntly, how will the library survive? This is by no means a gloom and doom post. It is merely observing the changes that have come about in the past ten years, taking note at the technology of today and predicting what may become a reality ten years from now. For example, the iPod gave music lovers the ability to carry all their favorite tunes with them everywhere they went. The demise of audio cd was close at hand. Are they still used today? Absolutely, but iTunes has made purchasing and downloading painless. How long will physical audio CD be around? Hard to say but it would be a guess that it won't be much longer before children today will be telling their kids what a CD looked like and how it was used. Another example that pops to mind is the GPS systems that help drivers navigate their way through unfamiliar areas. Again, a tool that has made life simpler but has not destroyed all print formats of maps. At least not yet. Books too have become questionable in the next several years. Frankly, it is hard to believe that e-readers and tablets have made it at least conceivable that printed books are on the way out. So again the question remains how will the library survive? Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to think about the needs of the typical public library patron. They need and want information as quickly as possible. Entertainment, whether it is reading, viewing or listening, is also important. They like to be self-reliant in retrieving their information yet on certain occasions when they've hit the proverbial brick wall, they seek the advice of a library professional. Put all of this together and it becomes a very interesting future indeed. Indulge these questions for just a moment: !. Will the "physical" library card be needed in or will it be a digital card? 2. When will publishers stop printing books switching totally to digital form? 3. When the majority of the library's collection is digital, will patrons still need or desire hard copy editions of books? 4. More importantly than questions one to three: Will patrons still come to library for their information or entertainment needs? These questions are quite loaded to be sure, However, they are important to explore. Taking on the library card issue, there will always be a need to issue a identification number for each patron in order to give them access to the library's resources The question here is whether the library card will be an e-reader encoded with the library's information and GPS given to patrons to use to download materials they desire. First reaction is that e-readers/tablets are very expensive. Yes, they are now but in five to ten years there could an economical e-reader produced just for the libraries purpose to buy in bulk and provide them to their patrons. Especially those who do not have the means of purchasing their own e-reader. Books are still be printed today obviously, but go to any bookstore and check out their inventory on display. Just as with the library, there is a mix array of books in the traditional forms, e-readers and the accessories that go with it, games, toys, and stationary products. The book areas are getting smaller due to the fact that technology is claiming more space. This is especially true in the libraries. At the moment the collection development budgets of most libraries are split down the middle to pay for databases, subscription to services like Overdrive, and printed books. It won't be long before the printed book budgets will be smaller due to the lack of printed books to buy. This lumps in to what the patrons will desire. Sales of e-readers are increasing, not decreasing. Sales of printed books, are not on a decline at the moment but as more readers get comfortable reading digital books, will they still want the printed. Think of the die hard vinyl record fans. There are those who claim they would never go to a CD, the music didn't sound the same. That's true, it didn't sound the same, it was better. Once audio CD were accepted, the rest is history. There will be those who will cling to the pages and hardcover books, and to be sure there are plenty of them out there. (Myself included) As time rolls on, even the diehard fans of books will be looking at e-readers as an acceptable evolution of the written word. If everything becomes digital, it may be a harder sell to get patrons into the door. This is where library programming will have to become the top service they provide. Storytime, book clubs, discussion groups and other programming will be the only reason why the community will come together at the library. In essence, the library will become a social gathering place. However, that is not as bad as it may seem. Books and stories have always had the ability to bring people together and libraries will always be the conduit for authors to get their message out. No doubt that the staffing of libraries will be greatly effected by the change. This is not the time to fret over what's the come. This is the time to plan to make the future what librarians' envision it to be in order to serve future patrons. If the profession as a whole ignores the planning process, and goes along with the flow then surely the libraries will fall into the pages of history as a really wonderful place that use to be there for everyone. For the librarians, who are not afraid of what the future holds, than this is the time to plan. Whether you are in a position of leadership or not, the moment is ours to carve out the future and make it a good one. Think of it this way, future library lovers are depending on this generation of librarians to bravely go where no librarian has gone before. The devoted library patrons deserve no less than the very best planning now for the future.

What If ....

Steve Jobs had an ability to tap into what his customers wanted when it came to producing computer products. Some would actually say that he was a genius at not only tapping into this "Knowledge" but also being able to tell his customer what they "needed" even before the customer could dream it up themselves. That is a gift that very few people possess, yet it is a trait that leads to survival in a competivtive field. Looking at the latest Apple "got to have" products, the iPad, there are many what ifs that come to mind when thinking about future applications of this little but mighty tool.

Going back a decade or so, there was chatter that the printed book would be on the way out the door. It would come as no surprise that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs both envisioned a world where computers would do everything, including replacing books. In this case, Jobs was more of a visionary than Gates. Industry leaders cointed the term "ebook" but it doesn't seem to fit the description of the product since it is not truly a book. It should be named for what it is: digital text. Which makes Jobs seem even more of genius for recoginzing that his product was not a book but a digital pad. Anyone who is familiar with the device knows that it not only downloads digital text of boos, it's also a tool for email, composing text, and surfing the web. Allaccessible by the touch of a fingertip. Using the iPad is also a Apps paradise. Everything one could ever want is available via an App. How wonderfully simple. So now what?

The iPad as a reader has several advantages that the traditional book does not. Easier to read with brighter text, vivid picture color, no "pages" torn out and the list can go on. Keeping this in mind, the question begs to be asked: what next? If reading the classic Pride and Prejudice, will music begin to play when Mr. Darcy first asks Elizabeth to dance? Will youngsters be able to smell strawberries during Story time when The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear is read to them ? For book discussion groups, will the iPad be able to facilitate a virtual book discussion where text is highlighted and comments from other readers about the book be heard, shared and responded to in a mere moments, as if everyone were on a telephone conference? Will books written in Italian, for example, be translated to English via an App that translates almost in an instant? If any of these ideas are in the works, it wouldn't be surprising. Apple, and Steve Jobs specifically, have been known to tweak technology to add a little more oomph and wow to everyday routines. It stands to reason that reading will also be "tweaked" in ways yet to be imagined.

All the possibilities that technology offers are wonderful and exciting. As a curious society driven on innovations, it would be silly not to think about what can happen next. However, it is a bit of a scary proposition that technology may take away a person's ability to enhance their imagination. The power of the written word may be at stake here and what will be left is the power of imagery, with vivid color and 3D capability which takes one to another reality. With technology trying to do one more next "best" thing, it would seem that Deep Space Nine's Holodeck might not be a thing of fiction. Perhaps, reading experiences could be replaced with this type of technology. Frankly, it will be much better if Holodeck remain fiction. If books will eventually become digital text, let's hope that this is not beginning of the end of the power and beauty of the written word.

Economic Hardships at Home and at the Library

There is no denying that everyone is facing challenging times. As a librarian who serves young ones the economic crisis hits home in more ways than one. Parents, who only two or three years ago, visited the library during the evening are now coming in the mornings or afternoons. These same adults are now taking advantage of the career resources in the library, hoping this will lead to new opportunities. As a part time children's librarian, it is easy for me to relate to their situations. Library budgets are getting tighter, which means materials and staff hours are victims of the "necessary" cuts. However, for the children it is not so easy for them to understand why Mom and Dad are worried all the time. They see having Mom and Dad around all day long as a bonus. Which in some cases it is but the harsh reality is that paychecks are needed to sustain a household.

It has been become a "mission", for lack of a better word, to help parents discuss unemployment and tough economic time with their children. There are so many other resources out there on how to talk to children about Internet safety, bullying, and even sex education. All good topics, but when a family is struggling to make ends meet, other topics become important. For example, money management, security and becoming resourceful. In searching for books that would help parents discuss this topic, it was important to find resources that not only help children understand their situation but also emotionally support the parents who are trying so hard to make their children's lives "normal". It was equally important to find books that parents and children could read together.

This list is meant to be shared with friends, family and library patrons. The books listed here are not the end all be all about the topic. If there is a title or two that was missed, please feel free to send them to: lvnlibrarian@yahoo.com. As new titles come in, I'll post them to the blog. A full bibliographic handout, which includes summaries of the titles and publishing information is available.

Ramona and Her Father Beverly Cleary
The Gold Watch Bernice Myers
Everything You Need to Know When A Parent Is Out of Work Stephanie St. Pierre
Finding A Job For Daddy Evelyn Maslac
Twilight in Grace Falls Natalie Honeycatt
The Babe and I David A. Adler
The Effects of Job Loss On the Family Michele Alpern
What I Believe: A Novel Norma Fox Mazer
Trading Places Claudia Mills
When Times Are Tough by Yanitzia Canetti
Let's Work It Out: What To Do When Your Family Has to Cut Costs Rachel Lynette

Finally Understand The Lure of eBooks

It seems that everywhere online reports keep popping up that Amazon is selling more digital downloads than hardcover. First reaction, people have finally took the bait and are willing to see if digital is better. The question that is now begging for an answer is: Does this mean printed copies are on the way out? This debate has been going on for decades with no clear answers for the defense and the dismissal of the printed copy. Then the proverbial light bulb turned on and with it came the realization why eBooks are here to stay and perhaps die hard fans of books may have to give up the pages and ink.

If you are an avid reader the need for eBooks was not pressing. Why would we need an electronic device to do the same job that our hardcover and paperbacks have been doing for years. It is economically and efficient way of feeding our minds with information or imagination. Again why would we want to be bothered with downloads, memory chips and the list goes on and on. The art of reading has not changed in over 2,000 years. Why change it now? This is where the logic is fails. Ebooks are not changing the way we read, but they are changing the format and delivery of what we read. When books were first printed, they were expensive to produce. This meant they were not available to the general population. Which is one reason why most people could not read. With the advent of new technology, the printing press made it inexpensive to print and thus the written word was available to anyone who had the desire to read. Who can argue with that progress?

It now seems that modern readers are at a crossroads in history. Books are not on the way out tomorrow, but their usefulness is is being tested. Are eBooks here to stay? Yes, after all it is just a smaller, portable version of the desktop computer, and who now could live without their computer? There is a paradox here that worries this reader and librarian. Since the format is changing, the expense of reading has gone up a bit. When new technology hits the stores, the prices tend to be quite high. The Kindle is going for $189 while the iPad is going for about $499. Either way, its an expensive piece of technology that in these economic times, most can not afford the luxury of giving up that much income for a new computer. Add in the fact that one will not have a very fun time with their ebooks if they can't afford to download a copy. Where does this leave the economically challenged? Looking for the written word the old fashioned way: paper and ink. Is that such a bad thing? No. In our society, there has to be a level playing field for everyone to succeed. Reading is the tool that allows for everyone, rich or poor to find their own success, Which leads to libraries and why they are so important. No matter the format of reading, one constant should not change, libraries should be at the forefront to providing information for all. There will be a day in the not so distant future when eBooks will be inexpensive, making it affordable for everyone to clear out their bookshelves. Until then, the printed and electronic formats will have to coexist. However, in my personal library, there will be always be room for the printed books.

Ebooks Versus Books: A Book Lover's Dilemma

I am amazed at the many changes in technology during my own lifetime. Growing up in the 70's and 80's who would have even thought of sending someone an e-mail or texting a friend via a cell phone? It seemed virtually impossible. Especially when considering an cell phone in the 80's was about as big as a shoe box. At graduation in 1992 from Wayne State University, the hype was the internet and how it would change libraries forever. Indeed it has, some for the good and some for the bad. Let's be honest, I wouldn't be here pondering this question if it were not for the ease of communicating through a blog. While libraries have gone through major changes it seems that books are on the verge of a tipping point. That is the moment when the world changes with the birth of a technological advance. The news last week was buzzing with excitement over the new iPad. this product will rival the Kindle II, the Sony reader and the Nook. Versions of different types of electronic books. Now the race is on to see which will dominate the field. Personally, I'm not quite sure that any of them will be able to replace my need for a good book.

Do not make the mistake that I am like the Unabomber who maintained that a techno-industrial society would take away one's freedom I like technology because it has made many of the things I use to do manually easier. For example, typing. When I was in high school I used so much whiteout that the company who made the product should have made me their poster child r given me shares in the company as a reward for being their best customer. I still own a typewriter but give me my Mac when it comes to typing up letters, articles and so forth. Technology changes an idea or product because there is a need for a change. Typewriter to computer made a lot of sense to me. Books to a electronic reader? The need for change did not present itself to me immediately. Even now, the question of why still lingers.

Making a list of pros and cons of a an ereader, the pros are strong for certain types of formats or sources of information. For example, ereaders should be good for newspapers and magazines. It would be nice not to have a stack of newspapers waiting to be recycled every week. The ereaders would make a wonderful substitute to the heavy backpacks that students carry filled with books of forty pounds or more. It will be interesting to see if Professors will be able to highlight information that they deem important and sync it to their students’ ereader or iPad. That would be wonderful. so there is value in an ereader.

However, when it comes to leisure reading, this is where the problem creeps in for me. I love my books. They are like security blankets. Everything else in my life has gone digital. Can’t there be one thing left untouched? It is very difficult for me to conceive of getting all warm and comfy with an ereader, with my tea and begin a great story that will allow me to drift away for hours. Novels and books are personal to me because I get involved in the lives of Doctor Zhivago and his true love Larissa. or Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. These characters’ lives with all their trials and triumphs warms the spirit. To think that they will now be on a flat screen which may look like a book but it can not replace the textual feeling of the book. As a matter of fact, it seems computers are devoid of humanity. Literature is full of humanity and it is as if the computer will snuff out the humanity. It seems silly to say I know, but perhaps when radio plays were replaced by television the audience felt the same way I do about books. Once the words were joined with picture, the audience lost the use of imagination. The tube took away the intimacy of the voice. Will the ereader take away the intimacy of the printed word? There is a possibility that it will. Leaving a terrible void for those who love to read but can’t find the joy of the intimate connection with the characters. The only way to find out is to check out a Kindle II at my local library.