What your librarians are thankful for.

It may come as a surprise to some but even us crotchety and withdrawn librarians take time during Thanksgiving to be thankful for things. For instance, we are thankful for quietness and order. There is nothing that pleases us more than being able to hear the breathing of our patrons in the adult reading area 50 feet away, and in case it gets loud, we are very thankful for the invention of Shhhhh. Also, we are thankful for books and periodicals but only the type you can hold in your hands with covers, bindings, and pages – eBooks and electronic formats of information definitely don’t make our list of things for which we are thankful.  Furthermore, we are thankful for our domain – the library – where we can enforce rules and exert our will ruthlessly.

Hopefully you’ve realized after reading the paragraph above that it was written facetiously and with much sarcasm.  In asking the staff here at the Orange City Library what they are thankful for in regards to their work, it occurred to me that none of the answers sounded like one coming from a stereotypical librarian. For example, our children’s librarian is very thankful for the great attendance we had at the summer fun shops and programs. She was excited to see so many kids involved and participating in events at the library. Another library staff member and fairly recent hire is thankful for her new library friends – both staff members and library patrons. Similarly, a staff member said she is thankful for such friendly and respectful patrons. The staff as a whole is thankful for continued growth and support for the library. 296 new patrons have been added since this July, which means our patronage is growing and the community is learning and being entertained. With that growth in mind, we are also thankful for the support we receive from the community monetarily. It allows us to keep up with new trends and offer new things in digital as well as traditional formats. And finally, I’m thankful for the staff members I work with - their answers indicate that the old stereotype of librarians is dead. We have a staff that is eager to help children and adults, a desire to build relationships with community members, and a willingness to continue utilizing new technology. So these are a few things that the Orange City librarians are thankful for. What are you thankful for? 

Fall is officially here.

Isn’t it exciting! Fall is officially here. It’s a season for the senses: crisp leaves, pulpy pumpkin carving, corn mazes, harvest, and beautiful colors – all accompanied by biting black bugs, corn dust, slow combines on the road, frost on car windows, and those straggling days of summer that only happen when you dig out a warm sweater. Yes, fall is an exciting time, and like all times of transition it comes with the good and the bad. Yet, you’ll only find the good things of fall here at the library.

For instance, if you stop by the library you can pick up a fall recipe sheet off our autumn display table. The recipes utilize produce that has likely been freshly harvested out of your garden or purchased from the farmer’s market. If you’ve never had apple bread, candied acorn squash, or dinner in a pumpkin then you’re missing out. These recipes will really help you celebrate the season.

If you come in to pick up a recipe sheet from our autumn display, you might also notice that the library is having a pumpkin carving contest. Pumpkins can be brought to the library October 29, 30, and 31st (by noon) to be judged in three separate categories: scariest, most technical, and funniest/most gross. Prizes will be awarded to the top carvings in each category. On Halloween night from 6:30 to 7:30 all the pumpkins will be lit up and displayed in the library parking lot. It’s sure to be an exciting experience for kids and adults, so please stop by. It would be a perfect start to an evening of trick-or-treating or even a good break for the kids after walking from house to house. Besides, anyone showing up in a costume will get candy! We just ask that if you take part in the carving contest you take home your pumpkin that night or pick it up by November 3rd. Pumpkins smell nice freshly carved but after a little exposure to air and the elements they often turn into odorous blobs, which make them an item we don’t want to add to our collection. Rather, we will catalog them in the landfill.

Our final tribute to fall is a community book tree that we hope will fill with autumn colors. Any patron, young or old, can come to our fall display table and color a leaf or use a previously colored leaf to add leaves to the community tree. Each leaf has a line on it for one to write down and share his/her favorite book title and author. The idea behind the community book tree is that people can come and look at the tree for new reading ideas or to see what’s popular. Since it works in reverse of fall in that leaves are actually going up rather than falling down, it keeps the colorful part of the season alive a little longer. Please stop by and add your favorite title and author, or you can even post it as a comment to this blog and we’ll put it on a leaf for you. Developing a healthy reading list in this way is the perfect way to prepare for…dare it be mentioned - winter.

Books and activities for all seasons.

After a busy summer, things are quieting down here at the Orange City Public Library.  Almost all of the kids are back in school and summer programming is over.  The library definitely doesn’t  have the same buzz and busyness as when the out-of-school children were around or when the fun shops were going on two or three times a week.  It’s almost as though the building has lost a little life or its gone into a sort of late summer hibernation before the fall and winter programming begins.  However, in this time between summer and fall programming, the library still has a lot to offer adults, families, and kids.  The offering isn’t in organized activities but in the books and materials it holds.  Let me explain.

Late summer brings the anticipation of fall sports and fall activites.  For adults this likely includes football, hunting seasons, watching volleyball/cross-country, harvest, canning, productive late season fishing, and watching the leaves turn (to name a few).  The library is a resource to enhance any one of those interests or activities.  One can read up on the latest sports news and updates through our extensive magazine section or the daily papers.  I’ve already seen a couple articles about the top picks for fantasy football drafts.  Also, one can browse our hunting and outdoor section to brush up on those pheasant and deer hunting pointers.  Or perhaps your son or daughter is part of a sport you need to learn more about – it’s likely we carry the information you need.  And for those of you who work hard in preserving this years harvest over the hot canning stove – we even have materials and tips for you.

On the other hand, late summer and early fall can bring a lot of excitement for children and a lot of opportunities to utilize the library.  School is back in session but the weekends still seem like islands of summer in a sea of learning and homework.  So make the weekends interesting by trying things that only come in the late summer and fall.  For instance, birds and retired couples aren’t the only things to go south.  Monarch butterflies begin congregating in large numbers on maple trees, ash trees, and various evergreens this time of year before they head to warmer climates.  Take a walk on the Puddle Jumper Trail in Orange City or find a park in your area with an assortment of trees to view this colorful assembly of butterflies.  It won’t excite everybody, but if it does, come to the library and check out our section on insects to learn more about a monarch’s life.  At the same time, one can learn about caterpillars and take the kids for a caterpillar hunt on milkweed and carrot plants to look for monarch and swallow tail butterfly caterpillars.  Or if you go out when the leaves are starting to change, a book can help explain why the trees that were so green in the summer now glow with the hues of a good sunset.  And finally, try teaching your kids golf or disc golf in the cooling temperatures.  Cooler temperatures often mean more patience and cooler tempers.  However, be sure to stop at the library a few days in advance to get some books to help explain the basics.

As one can see, even though organized programs are at a lull in the late summer and early fall, our shelves hold great resources for children and adults.  Also, if you ever need help finding  fun things to do for any time of the year, stop by the library and ask the librarians for ideas.  I’m sure we can put our heads together to think of something.  So, just remember that your library holds books and activities for every season.

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

Are you a person that gets songs stuck in your head?  Well, if you are, let me help you get the current one out and a new one in.  Here it goes… Sunny Days – Sweepin’ my clouds away. On my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street…

That should do it – I bet you’ll be humming or singing that for at least two or more hours if you’re like me.  As I started typing, I felt it fair and necessary to get that song in your head to put you in the right mood to want to learn about Sesame Street.  But let me explain further why you’re now humming or singing that in your head.

Very recently, Becky Bilby, our children’s librarian, discovered the continuing issues of the magazine Sesame Streeton the internet!  This was good news for the library, which circulated the magazine until the hard copy (paper) was discontinued in 2006.  Many parents and grandparents appreciated the educational and entertaining value of the magazine – just like the TV show – so there was genuine disappointment when it was discontinued. Furthermore,  we couldn’t keep on the shelf – it seemed as though the issues were always checked out or on hold for our patrons.  You probably didn’t miss this publication if you never knew it existed or that it was discontinued, but now you do, so feel free to utilize this link to see what the online magazine offers. 

If you don’t look at the link right away, then I’ll just say that the magazine is designed much like the TV show.  On most of the pages are learning activities that should keep most kids interested – even first or second graders.  In addition, each magazine features a letter of the alphabet and a prevailing theme, which aids in teaching and growing the reader.  Seemingly, the magazine continues to be effective because the same characters that hold childrens’ attention on TV interact and educate in the pages of the magazine.  For example, the August issue contains underwater identification activities with Grover.  Now Grover isn’t my favorite character so I’m not particularly excited to look at those pages; however, I know many children or even some adults might find him entertaining.  

In other words, next time you’re babysitting or trying to keep your own kids entertained, look up the Sesame Street online magazine.  One would think you can’t go wrong with Elmo, Grover, Big Bird, and the rest of the neighborhood.  They’ve been around since 1969, so they not only carry wisdom but a tried and tested approach of appealing to kids. Again, here’s how to get to Sesame Street.

Lets Talk About It – The Rope Walk

The wait for the next “Lets Talk About It” is over, or at least almost over!  The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown has been chosen as the next book to be discussed on Thursday, August 20.  As usual, the first discussion will take place at 2:00 in the afternoon at Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community and the second gathering is set for 7:00 pm at the library.

If you are unfamaliar with “Lets Talk About It,” it’s a book discussion sponsored by the library that meets about four or five times a year, mainly during the school year or the months that lend themselves to crawling up and staying warm with a good book.  But, in this case, due to demand, our own yearning to read and discuss, or even being fooled by the unseasonably cool weather, we have scheduled it for the aforementioned date.  The discussions vary from one book to another – sometimes people have a lot to say and structured questions aren’t used, but sometimes the books require more organized questions which provide a framework for words and thought.  Since The Rope Walk is the All Iowa Reads Book of 2009 and a very popular title, many discussion questions have already been created – you can see a list of thought provoking questions about The Rope Walk by clicking here.  What is most exciting about ”Lets Talk About It” is how everyone interprets what they read differently – its very likely you’ll leave with new insight or at least a greater understanding of the story. 

In other words, come to the library and check out one of our many copies of The Rope Walk and give “Lets Talk About It” a try. If you hesitate because you may not like the book – think of it as a growing experience or a little journey out of the comfort zone.  Also, your input will be appreciated no matter if you like the book or not.  There’s plenty of time to read the book yet so pick up a copy and hopefully we will see you on August 20!

The end count.

The end of the summer reading program has come and passed and the totals are in! Overall, the reading teams combined for 6,304 hours of reading, which is also the equivalent of about 262.5 days. Just think of all the brain matter utilized for imagination and reading rather then being deadened in front of a TV screen or the computer. It’s exciting to think how many children and adults grew and learned as they read in support of the reading program and their reading teams. And speaking of reading teams, here’s how they finished…

The 2009 summer reading team champion is the blue team who finished with 98,851 minutes! The runner-up was the green team with 95,342 minutes! Third place was purple with 83,876 minutes, and fourth place was yellow with 79,522 minutes!  An additional 20,649 minutes were contributed by people unassigned to teams. The library staff is proud of everyone who took part in our summer reading program. Some have already pointed out that we didn’t hit our reading goal of 8,000 hours, but to see totals like the ones written above really says something about the devotion and persistence of our patrons. The one thing we noticed which might have contributed to the lower reading total is that many people didn’t turn in their minutes this year. We had 466 summer reading participants but not nearly that many participants turned in minutes. Also, our turn-in method was a little different this year and we didn’t see as many teenagers submit minutes as years past.  However, to all who took part, and especially the blue team for prevailing in the end, pat yourself on the back and feel free to brag a little. If you weren’t part of the winning team this summer, bide your time and prepare for next year. If you have any suggestions on ways to make the reading competition even more exciting, feel free to put up a post.

Since summer reading is over, next week will mark the start of new topics in the blog or at least topics we haven’t covered in awhile. It might be anywhere from book reviews, getting to know the library staff, or posts about local destinations, day trips, or weekend explorations one could do in this region. All posts about destinations will be supported by library materials, which means one could come to the library and find out more if the post is of interest. In other words, come back regularly to see what’s new!

Three days to go!

There are three days to go in the summer reading program and the current team standings are as follows: Blue leads with 68, 495.5 minutes read, purple is second with 66,453 minutes, yellow is third with 61,536.5 minutes, and green is fourth with 57,277 minutes. The overall total in hours read is 4,229.4.  As one can tell based on other posts and this one, the lead changes frequently so no team can be ruled out. Its exciting that blue, who was in last place for so long, has surged ahead and even built a slight cushion of minutes to maintain the lead.  However, with less than 5,000 hours turned in, it seems the library’s goal of 8,000 reading hours will be out of reach. We might be pleasantly surprised yet, but there is hardly enough days left to accumulate the necessary hours. In three days we will know, but until then – read hard!

Can it be done?

The fifth week of the library’s summer reading program is slipping away and the reading totals are slowly inching up. There has been significant changes in the leader board since the last post, but there hasn’t been a tremendous jump in total minutes as many library staff members were hoping to see. The current standings are yellow in first place with 52,246.5 minutes, blue in second with 50,0470.5 minutes, purple in third with 50,299 minutes, and green in fourth with 47,844 minutes.  The minutes combine for 3,348 hours of reading, which is quite a respectable number. However, before any of us take a break from reading we must remember this year’s reading goal is 8,000 hours. Thus, we at the library ask the question: Can it be done?

Last year approximately 7,000 reading hours were recorded by the end of the program. With so many hours recorded we thought that 8,000 hours would be a challenging but obtainable goal this year. If we are to reach the reading goal by the end of the program next week Friday, each team needs to read 1,163 more hours or each individual needs to read about 10.5 hours. That’s about an hour a day of reading until next Friday arrives. The math shows it can be done so we believe our reading program participants will rise to the challenge. We know there are many minutes floating around yet to be turned in and there are always those determined readers who never give up. So please turn in minutes if you haven’t yet, and to those determined people I speak of, keep reading hard! Also, the reading title can still go to any team – blue proved this week they weren’t out for good after being down by almost 8,000 minutes recently. The end will be exciting and your minutes could make all the difference!

We have lift off!

A sleek silver rocket glints on its launch pad. The crowd anticipates hearing the roar of takeoff and seeing the beautiful trail of white smoke marking the rocket’s progress into the atmosphere. The countdown begins: “five … four …  three … two … One! The wait is over and the rocket streaks away on its mission. Unlike many of its bigger counterparts, this rocket isn’t taking off from an air force base or Cape Canaveral, nor is it headed to space to drop off a satellite or convey astronauts, it’s mission is to entertain.  For more than a decade model rockets have been lifting off and touching down on the Orange City soccer fields to the applause of adults, parents and children alike. In fact, between three hundred fifty and four hundred model rockets have taken to the skies since the library began its annual rocket launch night. Tonight, Tuesday – June 30, that tradition continues at 7:00 at the Orange City soccer fields by the community pool.

Launch night has always been entertaining and interactive for families and kids. While library staff load rockets and oversee the launch pads, children press the launch buttons and retrieve the rockets that slowly glide back to earth on their parachutes and streamers. Usually the flights go off with out incident or mishap, but every once in awhile a rocket takes off never to be seen again after being carried away by the wind or from falling into a pond near the golf course. Yet, this year will be even more entertaining as local model airplane enthusiasts will be flying their planes at the start and middle of the program. Between the rockets and the airplanes, it will be an exciting evening of flying.

On a completely different note, the summer reading minutes are adding up. Over 153,964 minutes or 2,566 hours have been read so far! Yellow leads with 40096.5 minutes, purple closely follows with 39887 minutes, green has 37,180 minutes, and blue is still dragging its feet in last place with 36800.5 minutes. Blue and green need to make up some ground and come on stong in the last two weeks of the reading program. We watched as the reading packets were handed out and noticed that blue and green have good readers on their teams, which means it will likely come down to the wire in the last week. We are all excited to see who can claim to be the 2009 summer reading champions!

A Lesson Learned

In the last post about the summer reading program I chided the purple reading team for a slow start, but times and totals have certainly changed. Purple now has a lead on the rest of the teams with 21,859 total minutes, green remains towards the top with 19,587 minutes, yellow has 16551.5 minutes, and blue claims last place at 14,610.5 minutes. The lesson I learned since the last post was to not be hasty in counting teams out. Thus, I won’t say anything about the blue or yellow teams and their totals. I know everyone is reading hard and doing their best to squeeze reading into busy summer schedules. Also, many adults amass minutes and wait until later to turn those in. So if you’re hoarding minutes please turn them in so we can keep the updates as accurate as possible.

The combined hours read as of Monday (6/22) morning is 1210.13. The library staff is looking forward to seeing the new totals by the end of the week because we would like to see the combined reading surpass 3,000 hours. That will be quite a jump from the current total but to be on pace to hit the goal of 8,000 minutes we need a big week.

Thanks for all your efforts so far and keep up the good work! Check back for an update at the end of the week!