A Mitzvah

Today's Temperature 35 feels, like 25, it’s BRRRR outside.

The Tremont Library hosted a workshop this morning on healthcare and Medicare Part D. There were about 6 or 7 attendees. One particular attendee, Patty, had on a very light-weight jacket, on this very cold day.

At the end of the program, Ms. Burns, another attendee, asked if I knew of any coat giveaways, for Patty.

I had a coat in a bag, which I was, suppose to drop off at a local coat drive.

I went into the office, where that coat has been for almost a year, took it out of the bag, and insisted that Patty take it.

She immediately put the coat on, said thank you, and left.

Jewish people call that a Mitzvah, an act of human kindness.

I’m no saint, but I was glad to be able to help someone in need.

Not Again

The top phrases heard on a daily basis, in the Chldren's room.

• I'm bored
• Miss
• You Suck
• Shhhh
• I don't like reading
• How old are you?
• No teens in the children's room
• Ms. Lyles, Can I borrow:

$2, a pen, a pencil, a library card, etc?

• No hugging
• No kissing
• But I don't have any homework
• Can you do my homework
• No candy, unless you brought some for the librarian.

The Randy Librarian

Just Be Thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of a few things, for which I am thankful for.

Some obvious and some not so obvious.

• A roof, a bed and a warm place to sleep.
  
• A job to go to everyday.
  
• A checking account
  
• Happy hour
  
• An understanding professor, I lost my flash drive, with my paper which was due a week ago.
  
• The semester is almost over
  
• All of my real teeth.
  
• A friend who does my laundry
  
• That I can help someone in a small way.
  

The Interview Process

5 Tips for Asking Questions During the Interview Process
An interview is a two-way street–you’re evaluating me and my company just like I’m evaluating you. If you don’t ask thoughtful questions, how are you supposed to accomplish this goal?

A few tips to get you thinking:

If you can find it on the Internet, you shouldn’t be asking it. Regardless of whether the position is an unpaid internship or salaried entry-level job, you need to do your homework. I have high expectations of candidates, and so do other hiring managers. Please don’t ask me something you can easily find on your own.

Don’t ask about the typical day. I just hate these questions. First of all, very few positions have a “typical” day. Second, did you read the job description that included the responsibilities? While there will certainly be “other duties as assigned,” most of your tasks will come from that list. This is a wasted question!

Culture rules. As a hiring manager, I need to find a candidate who fits well with my organization’s culture. As a candidate, you should be seeking the same thing. So, ask me how I would describe our culture in three words, how employees typically interact with each other and their supervisors, etc. Show a strong interest in cultural fit.

Micro-manager or hands-off? You’ve already asked about the organization’s culture, but what about my management style? Your relationship to your supervisor is an important one, so don’t forget to ask how you will interact on a regular basis.

Think about the future. What are my organization’s plans for the future as a whole or specific to a certain product/service? A question like this serves several purposes. First, it gives you a glimpse into where our organization is headed. Second, it lets me know you’re thinking long-term–always a good thing!


from: http://libgig.com/

People In The Neighborhood

DISCLAIMER: These characters are all FICITIONAL, any similarities to any persons living or dead is purely the author’s imagination.

In a recent article in the New York Times, about libraries across the country, this one particular statement, stood out:

…working with anxious and often depressed patrons who say they have nowhere else to go.

Let’s explore this statement.

I have heard about a particular public library, located in any city, USA, where many of the same patrons visit daily and who, like the article states, have nowhere else to go. Here at Tremont, we may have one or two.

There’s Mr. Sera, a regular, he‘s at the door by 9:30 A.m. (Most branches opens at 10) everyday, faithfully. I hear he goes to the branch which is open on Sunday.

Mr. Sera is a tall Hispanic man, who does not lift his feet when he walks, so he shuffles along. He’s also talks really fast, and often times he over shares, (i.e. “I missed my medication this morning, that’s why I’m sweating.”)

He comes in mostly to use the computer, and to peruse the travel guides to Chicago. Apparently he has met a woman on line from Chicago. He says he has planned a trip and will be going soon, that was 6 months ago.

Mr. Sera is almost a volunteer employee. He’s very knowledgeable about the computers, no surprise there, and sometimes staff members use him as a Spanish translator. He also plays chess every Thursday, and has volunteered to assist with the Adult Chess club.

Mr. Sera is mostly pleasant, and overall not a problem patron, if they could all be like him.

to be cotinued.....

SEX ED ON THE WEB:

Everything you always wanted to know, and didn't know who to ask.

www.goaskalice.columbia.edu

www.teenwire.com

www.stayteen.org/quiz

www.teenhealthfx.com

www.youthresource.com

www.mysistahs.org

www.themidwestsexshow.com

Uncle Bobby Got Married

The American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Q & A defines intellectual freedom as: "[T]he right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.

We discussed Intellectual Freedom in class on Thursday.

I decided to conduct an informal survey. I asked some parents, relatively young, educated, open minded, and liberal so I thought, would they object to a book like Uncle Bobby’s Wedding being available to their children in their local library.

Three of the seven parents, I asked said they would strongly object, and would ask the library to remove the book. (Clutched my pearls and gasped).

It was interesting to hear how some of the parents felt, one parent said she believed her daughter did not to be exposed to this topic at a young age. She further went on to say she did not want to “confuse” her 5year old daughter. The father of the same little girl shared similar beliefs, although he said he would not write a letter to the library.

Another parent, objected strongly, and insisted that those topics should not be included in children’s book and not available to children.

My sister, a parent of two, said she did not see anything wrong with the book in the library; however a book like Uncle Bobby should not be part of a school’s curriculum.
Hmmmm. Perhaps, that will be the next topic of my informal survey.

to be continued....

T A G I'm It

The YA librarian, Mr. Knowlton is no longer with the Tremont Branch. He left to pursue other/better library interest and is now in a Manhattan Branch, and he has not been replaced.

On Wednesday, I led the T A G (Teenage Advisory Group) at the library.

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a YA Librarian, nor do I play one on TV.

However, I agreed to lead the group. Well not exactly. I appointed , Angel, a bookworm, as the leader, and she happily agreed. I asked her to pick a topic, write it down and discuss it. She decided the group should compare different versions Romeo & Juliet.

I asked her, did everyone in the group read the story, if no then pick another topic.

She then decided on Poetry, and picked the first poetry book in the section. I read a Langston Hughes Poem, Mother To Son. Angel suggested they reread and interpret it. Great, we were off to a good start.

I left the group and returned 20 minutes later to find they have moved on to other topics, songs, boys, Halloween, and were planning the next TAG meeting agenda.

SUCCESS, I think!
Snacks next time.

Survey Says...

According to Asylum.com....

The Best Profession To Date

Librarian

She'll be pretty smart about lots of random things, great at Googling and a good connection for free books. Bonus: say goodbye to those nasty overdue charges. Plus, everyone knows librarians are sexual dynamos waiting to explode. Right?

http://www.asylum.com/2009/10/12/the-best-worst-professions-to-date/

/www.asylum.com

I May Be A Librarian, but I Don't Have to Dress Like One.

During outreach this morning, a man said, "You don't look lke a librairan." I just smiled and said, “Yes I know.” What I really want to say was, how does a librarian look?

Ask anyone what image comes to mind when they think of a librarian, and inevitably they'll say an older woman, with her hair in a tight bun, wearing glasses, a cardigan, and sensible/old lady shoes, and she usually says "Shh" a lot. I have also heard the following statements:

• Librarians are old, have gray hair and are boring.



• But you don't look like one!



• You have a Master's Degree?!?



• I didn't know you had to go to school to be a librarian!



• You're too loud to be a librarian.



• You don't dress like a librarian



• I like to read, I should be a librarian too!



• That seems like a boring job.



• You’re so lucky your job is recession proof.
  

It’s amazing how many people make comments with and without thinking! A little advice, the next time you meet me, please DO NOT say any of the previous statements, or I’ll have to shush you.

Such A Big Ego

“Yo, Taylor … I’m really happy for you, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” Kanye West @ the VMAs.

We all saw it, some of us saw as it was happening, or maybe saw the countless replay on the news, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, etc.

Kanye West stole Taylor Swift’s moment during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video. Donald Trump, said his antics were “disgusting” even the President called him a “jackass”, off the record of course.

Kanye West was being Kanye West. This behavior is not new, did everyone forget about one of his most famous outburst on national television, “George Bush doesn't care about black people.” He appeared on the cover Rolling Stone as Jesus Chris on the cross. In A Playboy artice, he was quoted as having said "I'm definitely in the history books already." Yes, Kanye, no doubt about that.

Kanye clearly has a big healthy ego, and I am being polite.

Clearly these people are not familiar with his big ego, or his very strong internal assets, as listed on the 40 Developmental Assets. Kanye was just displaying his very health “Self Esteem” Honesty, and Integrity and Personal Power.

Kanye a little work on caring and restraint might be a good thing.

September 11th

Three web resources for information, pictures, articles and video of September 11th.


http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/oct07/911.html


http://makehistory.national911memorial.org/


http://www.archive.org/details/sept_11_tv_archive

The Smart Card

The library card is the smartest card in my wallet.

Sign up for yours today.

Zora N. Hurston Quote

It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It is beyond me.

Happy July 4th

Denise --
This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.
Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
With very best wishes,
President Barack Obama

N O W Update

Unfortunately the Now Is the Time 09 team lost the election by a mere 6 votes, clearly it is NOW's lost.

The NOW... team was dynamic, eloquent, powerful and super smart women, who will continue to do great things.

Ain't That Good News

NYC Libraries Saved!
As of Wednesday, June 17, it was reported that:

"A 22% budget cut of proposed for New York City’s three library systems, which would have led to some 900 layoffs and devastated service, has been scaled back significantly, preserving six-day service, with no layoffs."

THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT

NEW YORK - After years on the defensive during the Bush administration, the National Organization for Women is elated to have a president sharing many of its goals. Yet NOW heads into its own leadership contest — a sharp contrast of age and race — mindful of the need to energize its ranks.

Kim Gandy, a savvy former prosecutor, is stepping down as NOW president after eight years leading the battle against many Bush-era policies.

The election to succeed her, set for NOW's three-day national conference starting Friday in Indianapolis, is both an unusual clash of generations and an opportunity for activists to confront some of the challenges facing the feminist movement.

Delegates will be choosing between Latifa Lyles, a 33-year-old African-American who has been one of Gandy's three vice presidents, and Terry O'Neill, 56, a white activist who taught law at Tulane University, who was NOW's vice president for membership from 2001-05, and who most recently has been chief of staff for a county council member in Maryland's Montgomery County.
The two have waged a polite campaign but are aware of the contrasts. Lyles would be NOW's youngest president ever; O'Neill one of the oldest at the start of a term.
Gandy speaks respectfully of O'Neill, but she has enthusiastically endorsed Lyles.
"It's hard to ignore the fact there's been a generational shift in the country, and an organization that doesn't recognize that is living in the past," Gandy said. "Latifa's youth is not a detriment, but an advantage. ... She'll take NOW to a different level."

Yet one of NOW's three current vice presidents — Olga Vives — is backing O'Neill, as are former NOW president Patricia Ireland and many other NOW regional leaders.
Improving profile or outreach?Both contenders expect the election to be close, and both are promoting themselves as best able to bolster NOW's membership.

"We are not the strongest grass-roots movement we can be — we both agree on that," Lyles said. "The question is how we deal with that."
Noting that she contrasts with NOW's mostly white and over-40 membership, Lyles said she could help give NOW a new image of youth and diversity that would appeal to younger feminists and reinvigorate the broader movement.

"The profile of NOW is just as important as the work we do," she said. "There are a lot of antiquated notions about what feminism is."
O'Neill, in turn, says she has the edge over Lyles in regard to grass-roots organizing and membership recruitment.

"I keep hearing 'Terry, I want to see more activism in my community,'" O'Neill said. "The press releases, the media exposure, invitations to the White House — these are excellent things, but they're not enough. The grass roots are not personally engaged."

Like many feminists, O'Neill said she is still celebrating Barack Obama's election as president — and his appointments of numerous veterans of the women's movement to key posts in his administration.
"But even with a friend in the White House and a lot of friends in the Congress, it's going to take well-organized, grass-roots movement to advance our agenda," O'Neill said.

That agenda — more or less common to both tickets — includes ensuring that women's needs are taken into account in health care reform and economic recovery initiatives. Feminists also bristle at continuing opposition to steps that would make birth control and abortion more accessible.
Reaching younger womenIreland, NOW's president from 1991 to 2001, says she is backing O'Neill — and serving as campaign treasurer — based largely on an assessment of the candidates' tactical skills.

"There is a role that requires us to take unpopular stands and push on our friends," Ireland said. "That's what I think Terry really gets. She's the one I believe will be very willing to use a wide array of tactics — not just traditional letters and e-mails, but also engage in civil disobedience, organize fasts, be at some congressman's district office."

However, Jessica Valenti, a prominent younger feminist who has been following the NOW campaign, says her contemporaries would be far more excited if Lyles triumphs over O'Neill.
"I never paid attention to a NOW election in my life until I knew Latifa was running," said Valenti, 30, founder and executive editor of the popular blog Feministing.com.
"This could be the moment where NOW becomes super-relevant to the feminist movement again," Valenti said. "NOW has done amazing work over the years. But younger feminists, online feminists — we haven't had a lot of connections with them."
"When you think of NOW, you think of white middle-class feminism — '70s feminism," Valenti added. "A lot of younger women are tired of seeing the same kind of leadership over and over. ... They're getting excited about smaller, local feminist organizations, more youth-led, doing more cutting-edge work."

Keeping issues out frontOverall, NOW says it has more than 500,000 "contributing members" — who are either paying membership dues at present or did so recently enough to stay on the mailing list. Gandy said there's been a recent dip in membership revenues, but it's modest enough so far that NOW has been able to avoid the staff layoffs occurring at many other nonprofits.

Gandy, 55, chuckled during a telephone interview when it was noted that both candidates to succeed her are promising to improve NOW's grass-roots outreach.
"Every candidate is going to say that," she said, recalling similar promises of her own. "The reality is that people who vote are from the grass roots, and every candidate is going to say 'You're going to get more attention from us.'"
Gandy was an early and passionate supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton during the Democratic primary campaign, but shifted firmly into the Obama camp when he won the nomination and remains a fan of his.

"There's no question that most progressives are giving President Obama some space to do the things he promised to do," Gandy said. "That doesn't mean that NOW's pressure on the Congress or state legislatures is unnecessary. ... You have to keep raising the issues, keep them in front of people.

http://www.msnbc.com/ 6/15/09

I Hate It When Wednesday

I listen to Hot 97, an urban radio stations in the morning, and every Wednesday there’s a segment called, I Hate It When Wednesday.” I’m tempted to call in, but I never do, so here’s my list.


I Hate It When:

Women & Girls wear Ugg books, especially the silver ones with summer skirts, c’mon people it’s May. That is so Brittany & Paris 2007.

People have very private conversations on their cell phone on Public Transportation. I don’t want to hear about “your son and his girlfriend cutting school in your bedroom.”

Jimmy Fallon laughs at his own corny jokes.

A friends leaves a message on Facebook and someone totatally unrelated responds and or comments.

When people call me and ask "are you asleep," I say yes, and they continue to talk.

My co-workers open my mail, and don’t apologize.

I hate it ehen the bar’s clock is 3 minutes faster than my clock and happy hour ends early.

TFLN

I discovered, well actually I saw it on someone’s facebook page, this website, TFLN (text from last night) “remember that text you shouldn’t have sent last night, we do,” is the tag line. You can just text in your area code and a funny and sometimes not so funny texts and tweets from the night before.

A sampling…


(603): Dude I got a text from you at 1:30 last night and you didn't use any vowels
(603) Haha, I didn't want to buy any... we're in a recession you know

(562): hot mess party of 2 ur bar is now available


(707) Did I ever tell you that the first person i made out with cried?

(773) Yeah, it was perfect until the end. Apparently women are super attracted to me until the sleeping with part.

(760): can "i'm close!" be our safe word(s)?(760): oh geez, wrong person.

(585): i'm signing you up for texting rehab

(310): I like bacon cheeseburgers and the pussycat dolls
(415): Does that mean you want me to loosen up your buttons at carls jr?

(703): when you find your car can you pick me up? his mom is here and im hungover

(305): your profile still reads that you like women...interesting? I think there is some photography and video that will show otherwise

(818): Just made out with a pet sitter. His biz card says "even hamsters". Lowest point in my life.



http://www.textsfromlastnight.com/

Take That Buget Cuts

"As the national economic crisis has deepened and social services have become casualties of budget cuts, libraries have come to fill a void for more people, particularly job-seekers and those who have fallen on hard times. Libraries across the country are seeing double-digit increases in patronage, often from 10 percent to 30 percent, over previous years."

Taken from today's front page article in the NY Times. http://http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/us/02library.html?_r=1&hpw=&pagewanted=print

What I Like About You

I wrote this post during the 25 Random Things about me Facebook phase/craze a few weeks ago, but then I didn’t want to be a like the other 5 million people and post it.

If you know me, then you already know most of these things about me. I mean really who
cares, and I did not take it as seriously as some people did, and I didn't even list all 25.

I kissed a boy and I liked it.

I am very self absorbed, it’s all about me.

I hate shallow.

I have no tolerance for ignorance.

If someone bad mouths the president, I will throw a shoe at them.

I don’t like social networking I prefer the real thing.

I hate fake anything.

My teeth are real.

Everybody hurts

Jay-Z is NOT better than Notorious BIG.

I heart Gosspip Girl, the show and the books.

I like martinis and I cannot lie.

My favorite 3 words are Happy Hour, and Beeyotch.

I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be a rock star.

Oh and finally, whoever said it is better to have loved and lost, than not have all, is so wrong, that’s bullshit.

An Orange for the Librarian

On Sunday I worked at the Grand Concourse branch. I usually work there on Sunday two or three times a month. I am usually at the adult information desk. There’s a regular patron, a 3rd grader who comes in and always ask for my help with her homework packet.

Of course, I don’t mind. How tough can elementary school homework be, right? This week it was reference type questions. She needed to know was life was like 100 years ago. What was the price of milk, and a loaf of bread? How did people travel, were cars invented? I found the answers and I even printed out an image of the 1920 ford car. I guess since I was so helpful, she decided I help her with another assignment.

What was each month’s birthstones? I printed out pictures and each month and suggested she color them. She was extremely excited.

As she was leaving, she gave me an orange, and said thanks for my help.


Ahhhhhhhh.

An orange for the librarian.

Funny, You Don't Look Like A LIbrariran!

It’s amazing how many people make comments with and without thinking! The next time you meet me or a librarian, please DO NOT say any of the following statements or phrases, or I’ll have to shush your ass.




“You don’t look like a librarian!”


How does a librarian look? I like to shatter the librarian stereotype by any mean necessary. Do we all wear glasses, sweaters and a bun. Oh no wait, that's the sexy librarian. Or are we all old, and have been working in the library for the last 40 years.

“That seems like a boring job.”

Nothing could be further than the truth, everyday I lean something new. Why just a few day, I discovered, I love Skulls. Really, I love helping and teaching people. On Saturday, I helped three patrons rewrite their resumes, and upload them to Monster. On Sunday, there’s a little patron, who looks for me to help her with her homework. It may sound corny, but I absolutely love it. Not to mention all of the networking, conferences, staff developments workshops, etc. I am going to Chicago in July for the Library Association’s annual conference.

“You’re so lucky your job is recession proof.”

Not! People were in a recession, I read the article, did you read the article? Although I am not worried, if I get laid off, I will finish school a semester earlier, than if I were working full time. Not to mention, I would have time to complete a 150 hour internship.

Also, there are lots of freebies and advantages for unemployed people. I could spend even more time at the library, doing homework. I would finish school a semester early, and then move on. Hmmm.

NO CHOIRBOY

I read No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenagers on Death Row by Susan Kulkan.
Non-fiction, of course, a short but truly unforgettable read. The title pretty much sums up the book, prisoners sentenced to death as teenagers telling their story.

The book was divided into five stories, two convicted teens, currently serving time and two families directly affected by the death penalty, both powerful stories, and t the attorney who fights for Death row prisoner’s rights. The teens currently serving could not speak specifically about their cases, in case of an appeal. However, their stories were graphic and raw. They talked about their lives as they are now in prison, their thoughts about being there, and how they got there. I almost felt sorry for them.

The story that touched me the most was the last story, the family members of a teenager killed by another teenager in a robbery, gone bad. The victim’s parent advised the prosecution not to seek the death penalty for their son’s murderers. The dad said he felt like another parent should NOT a son, like they did. The victim’s brother wanted to meet with the murderer and let him know he forgives him. After all he has to live with the fact he took a young innocent’s boy life. Wow.

When I thought of death row, I always imaged hardened lifelong criminals, who probably deserved to be there. I am actually not pro-Death Penalty, I am not and if I were on the fence after reading No Choirboy, I am definitely not for it.

NERD Part Deux

I was walking to work on Tuesday, the morning after the noreaster and I noticed a Skull in the dirty snow. I would have taken a picture, and emailed the author, but I did not have a working camera with me, too bad.

It really was a skull.

Who knew, I would be fascinated by Skulls.


currently reading/viewing the frequently viewing the website, www.skulladay.com.

NERD

I knew this was going to happen. I have been trying for some time, but there is no avoiding it. It’s all this access to information, call it information overload. Access to too many (if there is such a thing) books and materials, or that young adult literature class. What ever the reason!


Dammit.


I am embracing my inner nerd.

I read/looked at the book, Skulls by Noah Scalin, and was totally impressed. It was Clever, weird and wonderful, and remarkable. Wait, what has happened? I’m not supposed to be impressed by a dude, who spent obviously way too much time carving skulls, 365 and counting Skulls, out of everything, from clay, a dollar bill, toothpaste, suds, yellow caution tape, sheet metal, organic vegetables and even hair (hopefully from his hair). Fascinating stuff.

Oh my goodness I even subscribed to the website/blog, WHAT THE?

I guess I am still fascinated by stuff.

My cool friends are shaking their heads saying, they knew this day would come.

Check it out and see what you think.
the skulladay.com

If I Were A Boy

I read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, last week for class today. A teenage girl, Frankie and her obsession to prove to her boyfriend and all the other boys at schools, that's she's good enough, and smart enough join her boyfriend’s secret male club, The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds.

I found myself thinking why does it matter so much to Frankie, let the boys be boys. I also read Fly on the Wall also by E. Lockhart, about girl who becomes a fly and spends a weekend on the wall of the boy’s locker rooms, and all of the different things she discovered. Again, why let the boys are boys.

Truth be told, boys can sometimes be fascinating, however I have no desire to neither be a boy, nor do I want to play one on TV.

I’m a girl, through and through. I like flowers, frills, ruffles, make-up and lip gloss. Ohhh lip gloss, later for diamonds it’s my best friend. Where was I?

I firmly believe there are some things better left to boys and men. Climbing trees, boys, fishing, boys. Hunting, boys/men, Policemen, men, firemen, rushing into a burning building to save me, better be men.

Ever wonder why The Dangerous Book for Boys has 270 pages. It’s all about boyhood. I repeat people, Boys.

The women’s movement is cringing somewhere right now, sorry.

I am a woman, hear me roar, E. Lockhart.

currently reading. Hotlanta by Denene Millner (required).

Fancy Meeting You Here

On Friday, I flew to Memphis, Tennessee to visit my college roommate and her family for the weekend. I had a connecting flight, and on the plane from Charlotte to TN.
I sat next to a lady reading a, and of course I the library bar code on her book, and thought, "oh she uses the library."

She was pleasant, she said hello and I did to. Everywhere outside of New York most people are cordial to one another.

I was all prepared to continue to read Hotlanta, however, she continued to talk to me.

We chatted, she asked was I flying to Memphis for business or pleasure, and where was I from, general airplane banter. I was in school, and she asked what I was studying. I said oh I go to “Library School”. She said “are you kidding?” I said no. Then, she said, I’m a librarian. If we were on Seinfeld I would have hit her, and said “get out”.

Well needless to say, we talked for the entire hour. Sylvie, is an academic librarian at a Pharmacy College in Philadelphia. She was originally from a very rural part TN, but got married to get out of TN. Sylvie originally worked for a construction company, and her boss asked her to organize the books in the company’s library. Having no experience or knowledge she called the American library Association (ALA) and soon attended their annual conferences. She also told me, at one conference she asked a librarian how she became a librarian, and she told her to go to Drexel’s Library School. She did and moved on to the Pharmacy College.

Sylie is 70 years old, and working only part-time she is not ready to retire, because she absolutely loves her job, and she learns something new.

I know what you mean, Sylvie.

ANNIVERSARY

Earlier this year I talked about how great working at the Tremont Branch of The New York Public Library is.

February 12th, marked my one year anniversary, of working at The Tremont Branch.
Although, some things have changed much has stayed the same.

We now have Site Managers, as opposed to Branch Librarians as of January 5th.
Site Managers are now administrators more than than actual librarians.

Luckily, my boss (site manager) stayed with the Tremont Branch and is still the best boss.

I’ve have become acquainted with many of the patrons, which can and cannot be a good thing. Overall, no real complaints, OK, maybe a few, but that’s another blog and the names will be changed.

I now teach one on one computer classes, and two to three times a month I schedule other classes and workshops for the patrons. I conducted “5 Minutes to Fabulous” Quick Makeup tips for Women on the Go. I also hosted a Film Noir series a few Saturdays, and a Breast Cancer Awareness program.

Another perk, one day a week I am scheduled to go out in the hood, to preach the gospel of the library, and register new patrons. I like to think of it as a Wednesday morning field trip. I was invited to two Christmas parties, and was able to get a coat for one our patrons, all doing outreach.

Due to the downturn in the economy, there’s talk of reducing the library’s operating hours and eliminating some positions. If the branch is closed one day during the week, then the staff works at another branch. I’d prefer to work one day elsewhere, then five days no where.

I heart the Tremont Branch, of the NYPL

Twlight Sucks, Pun Intended

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer 481 pages

I am trying to finish Twilight, tomorrow evening for class.

Am I missing something? I am on page 323 and I still don't get what the big deal is.

Ok I'll admit I am not a teen horror or adult horror fan. I asked one of the many teenager's at my branch who read Twilight, twice, what was the big deal? She explained to me that it's a modern day Romeo and Juliet, a beautiful and romantic love story. Wow I missed that, maybe I'm just too jaded.

I also listened to the Twilight soundtrack, and I listen to the song, Edward wrote for Bella. Cute. I did not see the movie, and based on the clips I watched, nor do I plan to.

Hopefully next week's readings will be better.

Freaks and Geeks

On Thursday evening, in My Class GLS 739 YA Lit, aka Not Just Book Y’all.

We watched an episode of Freaks and Geeks, a television show from the 1990’s depicting the different archetypes, in a mostly white high school, in suburbia, USA. The Geeks/nerds, and freaks/weirdoes, the cool kids and the uncool, the hip and the squares.
I was not familiar with this show, however I had extensive knowledge of this school experience via John Hughes’ movies.

During our post view the class then had a short discussion about the different high school experiences; I explained that I attended a high school in Harlem with mostly all Latino and Black students.

Professor Devious (DJ) asked was I familiar with any movie which depicted the “inner city” high school experience? I could not think of one movie or TV show closet to my high experience.

Two days later, I did remember a single movie, from 1975, Cooley High. Written by Eric Monte (Good Times, What’s Happening, oh there’s 2 shows).

Cooley High (1975) is one of the first movies in which I remember seeing a high school with mostly actually all black students, which took place in Chicago, in the late 1960’s and had an awesome Motown soundtrack

Again not exactly as my high school experience, however archetypes were present. The Internet Movie Database says,

In the mid-1960's, a group of high school friends who live on the Near North Side of Chicago enjoy life to the fullest...parties, hanging out, meeting new friends. Then life changes for two of the guys when they meet a pair of career criminals and get falsely arrested in connection with stealing a Cadillac. We follow their lives through the end of high school and the dramatic end to their school year

Two Harlem Libraries Landmarked

Two Harlem Libraries Landmarked



Today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled to create the first landmarks of 2009. Five buildings will share the honor including two public libraries on 125th Street in Harlem. The George Bruce Library (left) is located at 518 West 125th Street at Amsterdam Ave. The 125th Street Branch(right) is located at 224 East 125th Street near Third Ave.

http://uptownflavor.com/2009/01/12/two-harlem-libraries-landmarked/

currently reading: Bitter Sweets by Roopa Farooki

A Celebration of the Martini

Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini

The Top Ten Alleged Martini Inventors
1.J.P.A. Martini, Paris, France, 1763
2.Parker's Saloon, Boston, MA, 1850
3.Professor Jerry Thomas, Martinez, CA, 1852 (or San Francisco, CA, 1860)
4.Harry Johnson, New York, NY, 1860
5.Heublein Company, Hartford, CT, 1894
6.Martini & Rossi, Turin, Italy, 1890
7.The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, London, UK, 1910
8.Signor Martinez, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, NY, 1910
9.Martini di Taggia, Knickerbocker Hotel, New York, NY, 1910
10.Harry, Harry's New York Bar, Paris, France, 1911

More intellectual duels have been waged over the Martini's origins than for any other cocktail (and just as many feuds over its preparation have parted close allies).

All factions mutually agree, Martinis must be made and presented with style.

As in any rite of passage, neophytes must prepare for the initiation that takes them from the adolescent world of keg parties to the refinement of the Martini.

Elders of this growing sect are well versed in the enigmatic questions of mixology; they faithfully practice the prescribed rituals both in public and private.

They tell tales that have been passed down from generation to generation about the Martini's origins and its rise to elegance. They share the names and locations of sophisticated Martini shrines they've discovered along the way.

Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini - Paperback by Anistatia R. Miller and Jared M. Brown