Once, a long time ago...

Dearest Patrons,

I know you've missed my posts. I haven't written for several reasons.

1) I didn't feel like it. (Probably not the best reason but I won't lie to you about it.)

2) Nothing exciting is happening here that needs me to spend 20-30 minutes writing.

3) I'm starting to doubt your readership.

4) Well...there isn't a #4.

I'm trying to find better ways to advertise our library services but it's like searching for buried treasure. You dig a million holes, only to find all of them empty or worse...only containing a penny each and all the pennies are the old, gunky kind with crud over them and you have to clean them up or they're worthless.

Anyway, I'm tired of cleaning, crud-covered pennies--errr---I mean of not being heard and you not knowing what we here at the library have to offer.

Of course, that still leaves me wondering what the best way to reach you guys is. I can post it in the paper, on Facebook, our website, the blog here and post flyers everywhere but somehow I don't seem to reach as many people as I'd like.

So, I'll be experimenting with new ways to get your attention next week.

Consider this a fair warning.

Yours-in-attention-seeking,

Sarah

Current Read: The Archived by Victoria Schwab (also, please see my review of the Ruby Red series by Kerstin Gier on Facebook Book Club wall.

Current Mood: Giggly--I played a prank on my sister. No, I'm not twelve.

Current Location: Heading home, back tomorrow!

BANNED

Good Monday to you patrons,

This week libraries across the country are celebrating Banned Book Week (September 21-27, 2014). We aren't going to be the exception. I have a display set up with frequently banned books that you can check out!

I'm also looking to buy more scratch-and-sniff bookmarks--now how to convince the board that they are necessary for our patrons...

Keep you posted on any new news!

Yours-in-Banned-Books,

Sarah

Current Read: Still on The Potluck Club

Current Mood: eh

Current Location: Going to post flyers...in the Other World (Non-Library World a.k.a. the Real World).

Weekend READiness...

Good Friday to ya, SAPL folk!

Today has been filled with massive amounts of creating and thinking and planning in Library World.

I'm pleased to say that soon October will be upon us and our Book Sale will be underway.

Of course, before we get to October we must first finish out September, and September has a few things left for us.

Next week is Banned Book Week! During the week of September 21-17 the Library will be celebrating your right to read! I've had a display up for a while, so stop on by and check out what books have been banned by other libraries and schools.

Also, Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. is our first Friends of the Library meeting. Some of you may have received a letter in the mail but if you haven't and are interested in this informational meeting, stop by and join us for coffee and a short presentation about the Friends group.

Enjoy your weekend.

Yours-in-weekend-READiness,

Sarah

Current Read: The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd

Current Mood: 45 minutes

Current Location: Vacuuming office

P.S. I have been posting flyers on dying my hair pink....it's still on, SAPL crowd.

Patron Assistance Needed

Good Afternoon!

Today has been a lovely day here in Library World. GED classes our going on and we have had the Junior High come down for a visit.

I've also ordered some new fiction novels and DVDs!

Check with us next week to see if they've made it on the shelves.

I am also looking to schedule some new programs this year. I'd loved suggestions from you guys...the one's who attend the programs. If I don't hear anything from you I'm going to assume you don't want programs and I'll just go cozy up with hot chocolate at home. : D

I've been getting calls for donation dropoffs this week! We have a ton of novels headed our direction and a huge book sale coming up. Keep in mind that Saturday, October 11, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. will be our book sale. Stop by and get some reads!

Yours-in-Patron-Opinions, 

Sarah

Current Read: The Potluck Club  by Linda Evans Shepherd. 

Current Mood: Exhausted

Current Location: Wal-mart for contact paper or computer chair for comfort?

Working

Hello SAPL patrons,

Sorry about not posting for the last few days. Monday was board meeting night and mini director had me busy rescuing calculators and cords and whatever else was in her line of sight.

Tuesday...well, nothing really happened Tuesday except I started working on projects and finishing projects and had a migraine.

Now it's Wednesday and I'm happy to report that we've gotten our new teen and juvenile books in. The teen books should be on the shelves and hopefully, the juvenile will be done tomorrow!

Oktoberfest is around the corner and we've gotten raffle tickets to sell and a book sale coming up! I just want to remind everyone that our tickets are a $1 each or $5 for 6.

Lastly, I know I haven't been nagging you guys about it, but I am still wanting to get the Online Book Club up and running. I'm willing to dye my hair pink if you're willing to read and post! Please join and read our four book picks for September:

Read, post and dye your library dictator's hair pink!

Yours-in-belated-posts,

Sarah

Current Read: The Potluck Club  by Linda Evans (I'm reading #1 so I can read #2).

Current Mood: Numerical

Current Location: Hot glue guns and old, torn up books

Coffee and Silence

My Dearest Patrons,

Sorry about yesterday--our internet went down and after a sluggish day and no hope of completing my internet-related tasks, I went home and did housework. Not very exciting.

I also can't seem to read. I have reader's block. My head is stuck in a series and until I pull myself out of it, I won't pick up anything else to read!

*le sigh* If only the series would end before January 2015. :/

On a happier note, our internet is working today and I shall have the mini director with me tomorrow! I might have the Dictator-in-training as well, but I'm thinking she's due for a fishing lesson from Daddy (our -not- so- tyrannical family member).

I've also ordered new Juvenile and Teen books for this month.

They should be out on the shelves sometime later next week!

Lastly, my hair is still brown. Please, please join the library's book club! Please, please read books and talk about them and please, please dye my hair magenta. Today, I was told I looked identical to my mother and sister, this isn't necessarily a bad thing (they're pretty good-looking), but I get tired of people asking which one I am. :P

Being the pink-haired one might be a nice distinction!

Yours-in-coffee-and-silence,

Sarah

Current Read: Oh Reader's Block

Current Mood: Why is it so quiet here? Oh, right I'm in Library World.

Current Location: 30 minutes until homeward bound.   

Quick, Oktober's Coming Look Autumny!

Dear Patrons,

Sorry about not posting yesterday but I had mini director with me and, if you aren't already aware of this fact, she a bit of a handful.

Top that with being on circ by my lonesome and it's a hot mess.

We survived and the library stayed intact. Naturally, I got very little done yesterday, so today I've played catch up.

I would like to announce that we've got Oktoberfest Raffle tickets available. I meant to post about this sooner but my head hasn't been with it lately. (I keep checking to make sure it's on my shoulders...so far so good.)

Please purchase a ticket! I would but they won't let directors win prizes...something to do with nepotism. *shrugs*

Anyway, I know its rainy but stop by between bouts of rainfall for your rainy day read!

Yours-in-Oktobers,

Sarah

Current Read: Well, it's off with my head and on to Fancy Nancy Super Sleuth

Current Mood: What the heck?

Current Location: Fall

Falling into the Season

The weather is cooling off and soon the leaves will be lazily drifting towards the earth. Naturally, this means two things: 1) pumpkin spice lattes and cappuccinos are available 2) you should read more.

You can't say that yard work is the number one reason you haven't been by to see us! I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons, but why wouldn't you want the opportunity to check out FREE books and movies?

I'm still on my quest for more Book Club members so please keep my head of hair in mind as you go about your day.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781


Nothing new on the Library front.

Yours-in-nothing-Mondays,

Sarah

Current Read: I have the Lobster Quadrille stuck in my head.

Current Mood: Slightly more deflated than Friday

Current Location: 1 more hour of Library World

STraNge

Dearest patrons,

Today is Friday. Which for me means that I've got two days to read books that should've been read last weekend, that is...if my chores and children let me. There is nothing less exciting than weekend chores, expect maybe weekday chores.

Never-the-less, I shall strive to read my books and finish up the series I've been lingering over for sometime. I'm pretty sure the universe has been sending me signals all week to read these books.

It has been a strangely quiet day and without patrons our library has felt sad and lonely. I've been working to create a wonderful Banned Book Week display for you and have continued on my quest to get more members for our Online Book Club!

You sign up by liking the facebook wall...tell your friends...we get 100 likes and some book club posts about books...I dye my hair magenta for 6 months.

See:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781

You could have the most awkwardly, awesome looking librarian in the county! Just read a book, click on the link, comment about said book on the wall and we're on our way.

Please read.

Yours-in-Strange-days,

Sarah

Current Read: Anna and I just finished a croquet game with the Queen of Hearts and Chessy almost lost his head (if that's possible). Next stop the Mocking Turtle.

Current Mood: Deflated--my hair is a rather dull brown.

Current Location: Home to the wee ones.

Flying Away

Good day SAPL patrons,

I apologize for my absence but due to many rather avoidable, yet unavoidable instances, I did not feel the need nor have the time to post a lot last week and this week.

Don't fret, you've missed nothing of import.

I have been busy working. I started a little project that I thought would be nice and perhaps fun for the library. I haven't gotten any feedback from any of you on anything. So to pass the time waiting for your response, I put my creative juices (usually reserved for programming) to decorating the children's/juveniles/teen section.

Behold my delightful, pinterest-inspired work:

The quote on the walls reads: "Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." this is supposedly based on something Plato once said. After hours of cutting and ladder climbing, I wasn't about to question the source, especially when the quote was perfect. 

I have also ordered new books--they are already on the shelves so you should really stop by to check them out! 

Oktoberfest Raffle Tickets are on sale now! $1 each or $5 for 6. The prizes include: $200 gas cards from Hucks&Casey's, Ionic Jewelry Cleaner from Wickers ($250 value), $100 gift certificate to NAPA, $100 First National Bank, $100 gift certificate Dave's Food Center, $50 gift certificate to Steeleville Healthmart Pharmacy. Stop by the library and get your tickets!

My last act for this week is to come up with a brillant Banned Book Week Display (most likely also inspired by Pinterest) and get our Author's Day set up. 

I hope to report of more charming library news tomorrow.

Yours-in-wings-and-ladders, 

Sarah

Current Read: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland  by Lewis Carroll (Anna and I have been reading a chapter or two a day and watched the movie.)

Current Mood: Slightly bitter and chewy.

Current Location: Not on a ladder.

Story Hour Postponement

Hello SAPL patrons,

I know I've been determined to bring back story hour next month but without a clear understanding of the communities' wants and needs in terms of library programming, I've decided to wait.

I'm not a patient person.

I know I look mild-mannered and librarian-ish, but deep down I can be just as impatient as the next soul. I get excited about programs that I feel will help my patrons, I just haven't figured out how to get my patrons' excited about them.

So, respecting your silent wishes (I've haven't heard from any of you) I'm retreating to my corner of Library World to hash out a more detailed plan to draw you into my lair of doom and get you excited about reading.

In other news, I finished Across the Universe by Beth Revis. Summary and review are on the library Book Club wall! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781

Surprisingly, I've had 37 likes on the wall since I've offered to dye my hair pink if we get 100 likes and some posts from someone other than me.

Please keep checking out the Book Club and please, read and review a book! Start a conversation about one you've liked in the past. TALK! Everyone is always talking and texting, yet I find my patrons to be silent about their reads....

Yours-in-Impatience,

Sarah

Current Read: I'm going to have to finish the Lux series. I've had it stashed in my bag for a week now...I don't want it to end!

Current Mood: Impatiently Waiting for a response from someone...anyone?

Current Location: Library World

P.S. I bought a bag of Cappuccino flavored lays--I'm not a huge fan but I figured I'd put them out tomorrow and let you guys decide.

Plagues and Pink Hair

Hey,

Sorry for the no-post yesterday. My 5 year-old brought the plague home from school as a sort of science experiment and I've been dealing with affects since Saturday morning. I got called Rudolph yesterday and that sort of sealed the deal for me and working. I might survive but Clarabeth has it as well and getting up every 3 hours to comfort her has me beat.

Chances for a full recovery--50/50 at this point.

Anyway, I'm here until noon. I had to get time sheets in and bills paid.

A few quick things before I pass out, the new Book Page is in and ready to be sampled. Don't worry I washed my hands before handling anything. I'm buying hand sanitizer once I get off work.

Also, I finished a Splintered by A.G. Howard and posted a review on the Book Club wall. Please read the review then go and read the book. After you've done that, please then post a review on the Book Club wall about said book. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steeleville-Area-Public-Library-Book-Club/537497213020781

I'm serious about dying my hair pink (more magenta really) if I get 100 people signed up and posting for our Online Book Club. I'd probably look awesome/awkward with magenta hair so please, please join and I'll let you gawk at me for 6 months before returning to my boring, librarian self. 

Lastly, I know the heat is killing us, but don't be afraid to hop in the car and drive down to visit your library. It's been a slow and agonizing three weeks and the only excitement I've had in this building has been the students' forced return. 

Bring back some excitement and check out a book!

Yours-in-plagues, 

Sarah

Current Read: Unhinged  by A.G. Howard (I'm close to finishing but this sickness has slowed me down.)

Current Mood: "Bring out your dead!"  Oh, Monty Python. 

Current Location: Getting ready to leave work and return to bed or more realistically, get the kids and survive until 8 p.m. tonight. Well, hello there Casey's pizza.

P.S. Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore has just arrived!!!

Story Hour Troubles

Hello dear patrons,

I know I've been trying to bring back story hour. I've talked-the-talk but now that it's coming up to that time, I'm finding the walk a bit trickier than anticipated.

The snag I've hit is how do we get the kids into the library? Or better yet how do we convince the grownups to drop the kids off at the library for a little fun and some reading?

I know how grownups are, I think my age qualifies me as one, though my family isn't convinced. Saturdays in my family are riddled with errands, chores and the oh-so-tedious tasks of looking ahead to next week's schedule.

Thankfully, my five-year-old hasn't started the endless cycle of basketball-volleyball-softball-music-dance-clubs and I'm not taxi-driver extraordinaire yet.
Still, when it comes to story hour it's easy to find an excuse not to go:

"I have to get my shopping done."

"I'm in the middle of mopping the floors."

"Clarabeth is eating."

"Sock monster ate my sock."

I have more lost soles in my house than any other person I know. Totally blaming this guy.

What I'm getting at is that we need the kids and the grownups to help us with story hour. We really can't have it without you guys. If you have better day or time or place where story hour would fit into your schedules we'd love to hear it! We welcome suggestions. 

I'll offer free coffee to parents who which to stay and socialize while their children get read to and play games.

I'll throw in an hour of babysitting services to those who have a quick errand to run and can't stay the whole time.

I think I sound a little desperate, but I'm sad to see this great service, traditionally offered by libraries, being discarded by ours due to lack of attendance.

Please give us some WORK! You pay taxes for our services and it's you who decides what services we offer.

Let us read to your children. Let us take away one hour of their usual boredom. Let us help you encourage of love of reading that can last a lifetime.

Yours-in-sorrowful-need-of-story-hours,

Sarah

P.S. Did I mention this would be FREE?

Current Read: Splintered by A.G. Howard I'm preparing to write the review on the Book Club wall...wait for it!

Current Mood: Furiously glancing at current read and then at the clock--why is this day so looong?

Current Location: Wonderland

The Return

Yeah, our students are back! Today marked the first day of our students visiting the library.

I'm happy to say that some branched out and tried our newer books and others were content to start the year with a secure favorite. Overall, a great start to a wonderful year.

I also ordered Large Print books today. I don't have a large budget for Large Print so I went with only 2 this time and hopefully, as the year progresses, we'll get more money for this section.

 I must admit that this week has made me ready for fall. The final heat wave of summer has arrived and I can almost smell the pumpkin spice lattes. Of course, I now think it's too hot to go outside and I should stay in, enjoy the AC and a good book. 

What building has AC and books? 

Yours-in-heat-waves, 

Sarah

Current Read: I'm too tired to read. (I am hoping for a second wind and for Leona to cover Splintered).

Current Mood: Tired.

Current Location: Heading toward Du Quoin to drop off brochures. 

Hump Day Delights

Good day patrons,

I'm sorry about not posting yesterday, but nothing newsworthy happened and so I used my time to do newsworthy-ish things for today.

On my agenda, is grant writing and donation-seeking for the most part, but this last hour I've been working on adult fiction books and getting excited about tomorrow.

Why?

Because classes start coming in tomorrow! I can't wait to see the students and help them select novels to read. I plan on strongly encouraging checking out our, so-far, neglected Book Club (seriously, am I the only geek in Steeleville?) and make them an offer they can't refuse.

Go ahead, repeat the last part of that sentence with a Godfather's accent. You know you want to...

Okay, okay, enough rambling. Here are my adult fiction picks for August:

I will be ordering some large print later this week, so keep an eye out for it. And if we don't have a book you are wanting, please let us know and we can get it for you!

Yours-in-great-reads, 

Sarah

Current Read: Just finished up and looking for something new--Leona's got a book to cover that I'm dying for!

Current Mood: Excited for school to be back in session. 

Current Location: Avoiding coffee.

Board Meetings and Take overs

Good Monday,

Today has been rather uneventful in our Library World. I hovered over the new books and tried not to jump gleefully when I thought about how I was going to read them once Leona's covered them.

I have a board meeting tonight and in my world that means Clarabeth comes to play. Which means I get a little work done and spend most of my day trying to convince, the un-convincible Clara, to take a NAP.

That happened--at my expense (think high heels and carrying a 20 pound baby around for an hour).

*le sigh* Clarabeth is definitely in charge and she knows it. Here's the proof:

She was trying to grab the phone...Clarabeth is not into photography.

Anyway, to any interested parties, our board meeting will be from 7 p.m. to usually 8 p.m. and is open to the public. Mini-director will be there in all her glory and most likely in desperate need of sleep. 

Also, any interested parties are more than welcomed to try and put her to sleep for me. 

Yours-in-tyrannical-babies,

Sarah

Current Read: 168 Hours:You Have More Time Than You Think by Luara Vanderkam

Current Mood: Clarabeth is trying to bring me her Moby so she doesn't have to crawl anymore. Can you say "power struggle"? 

Current Location: Awaiting Clarabeth's orders. 

Uninteresting

Hello SAPL folk!

Sorry about the short and uninteresting post. We haven't seen many people in lately and it's been really quiet here. So most of my work has been looking for good books to draw you guys back in.

I do have some exciting news though, our teen books came in on Thursday and I totally geeked out when I saw them! Can't wait to read them once Betty's catalogued them and Leona's covered them!

Keep an eye out next week for them to hit the shelves.

Also, an early welcome back to our students! We've missed you guys visiting us and hope you enjoy the new reads.

See you next week!

Yours-in-slow-happenings,

Sarah

Current Read: Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout (I had to catch up on my Library Wars series and it's put me behind on my Lux novels.)

Current Mood: Over-caffeinated...if that's possible.

Current Location: Weekend errands time.

Mid-Week Reads

It's a beautiful day outside. The bees are buzzing and whatnot. I haven't seen more than a dozen people inside the library and part of me thinks "Geez, I should be outside reading."

Well, aside from moving my workstation outside, the best I could do was open the window and gaze longingly at the stack of unread books on my desk. (I've left a short review of Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout and on After the End by Amy Plum if you interested...check Facebook Book Club).

My mom visited me and needed something to do for the next 3 hours while she waits on her carpool pal.

I'm hoping she'll review some of these books for me...:P

In other news, I've prepared the last Teen Grant Flyer for you. I couldn't fit all the new books on it but I got as many as I could. So mentally add new copies of the Princess Diary series to the flyer. Thanks. 

I'm going to miss the hours I spent reading reviews and summaries for these books, but I've had to bookmark some of them so I can continue to buy the next in the series.

(FYI I think I'm going to be snatching up the Splintered series, Across the Universe and NewSouls (Incarnate, Asunder, Infinite) series. So don't be too surprised if they aren't on the shelves right away.)