Rainy Reads

I just barely missed having a wet car seat, thank you summer shower. The rain is pouring right now and so I present you with a few of the SAPL Staff rainy day reads:

Blackberry Pie Murder by Johanna Fluke
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Splat the Cat: Goodnight, Sleeptight  by  Natalie Engel
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

We have a ton more rainy day reads (a whole library full) so stop by and check them out. I am also sending you a link to a great Rainy Day Reads blog that I stumbled upon: http://rainydayreadsreviews.blogspot.com/.

Library world is currently working on getting our Summer Reading Program going and I'm getting excited! I have prizes picked out and books ordered and a huge party to plan. In the past we've only had 2-6 participants, but I'm hoping this year we get at least 10! I will keep you posted about the programs and reads we are offering our summer readers this year.

I ordered the next set of teen books for our Another Back 2 Book Grant. I ran into some trouble with Baker & Taylor out of stock on two books, so I had to order them from Amazon and it may be a month or so before we receive them.

 I'm open to suggestions about what to purchase next. E-mail, call, visit, carrier pigeon me and I'll respond as fast as my congested-sleepy head allows.

Opal and Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout will be a little late getting here. 

For the most part, this wonderful Friday has been full of selecting wonderful reads. We are open tomorrow, Saturday, May 31st from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and closed Sunday. Make sure to stop by and check out a weekend read!

Yours in rainy reads,

Sarah

Current Read: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss (Warning: You may experience the bizarre urge to rhyme words after reading this book.) 

Current Mood: Fuzzy headed and singing Frozen songs--I've gotten a lot of request for "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" over the past few days.

Current Location: Starring out the window.

Stop and read the...

...new books! I know everyone is busy outside these days, but with the forecast calling for rain and your summer vacations calling you away, please consider our new books for your occansional sit in or beach trip. http://www.steelevillelibrary.org/new%20books%20in%20may.html

I would like to remind everyone that our summer reading program is only a few short weeks away and to sign up and get your book logs now! Students K-5th are welcome to track their reading from June 19-July 26, 2014 with the help of their librarian and at the end of the program celebrate their achievements with a huge party! I am planning the party now, so students get ready.

https://www.facebook.com/events/285686421605827/

In other news, I am looking ahead to next school year and student reads. Anyone with suggestions should stop by and tell me. So far I've got Pete the Cat, Aldo Zelnick Comics and Gayle Forman books on the way. 

I didn't know this, but along with The Fault in Our Stars  by John Green being movified, so is If I Stay  by Gayle Forman and  Maze Runner by James Dashner. The things you learn...so I will plan some movie release parties this fall! 

Anyway, let me know what you want to read! That goes for adults as well. I have a huge folder full of suggestions and I can't keep track of every new release so fill free to help me out. 

Why buy a book when you can borrow one for free? 

Yours in very excited book buying, 

Sarah

Current Read: Allergy medicine boxes

Current Mood: Stuffy and warm

Current Location: Library World

Patrons, Patrons...

stop in and visit! Summer vacation is almost here...like a few measley days away and as with every summer, our patrons start to spend more time outside and less time visiting us. I can't blame you for enjoying the sunshine, but please stop posting pictures of your Puerto Rican Vacay. Honestly, some of us have serious jealousy issues. Just kidding, but really what's so great about the beach? I can provide you with air conditioning and a book about the beach. Isn't that like... even better?

No. Well, it was worth a try.

The rain drove a few of you inside today and I hope you noticed the new display. Sadly, author and poet, Dr. Maya Angelou passed away today. She is well known for her memoir,  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, as well as, several other works and poems, such as, "On the Pulse of the Morning" which she read at Bill Clinton's 1993 Presidential Inauguration. She has won awards for her literary achievements and recognition for her Civil Rights work. She was 86 years old.

So, to honor her, I gathered up several of her autobiographical works and poetry from around the library and placed it, along with the copy of the poem "On the Pulse of the Morning" (which oddly was lacking from both poetry books) on display by the entrance. Please feel free to stop by and check out her amazing work.

 

In other library world news, the latest Book Page has arrived and is full of father's day good reads and summer novels. Stop in to pick up your latest copy.

Finally, though the students are leaving for the summer to pools across town and beaches far from here, I am still working on our Teen Programming. We had Origami Crowns and now we have Origami Shirts! Yes, you can now make your own clothes with paper...or at least your younger siblings doll's clothes. I have the instructions and an example set out in the teen section. Here is a link to the instructions (Note: Step 5 was incorrectly translated and should read "Pull Forward" not "Sticky and to a hand".) http://en.origami-club.com/easy/clothes/shirt/shirt/index.html. Stop in and make yourself an origami shirt!

My not so brilliant origami shirt. Practice makes perfect?

Until our next fold...

Sarah

Current Read: The same as before.

Current Mood: Sneezing--that's a mood right? Darn allergies. 

Current Location: At the library with a kleenex box.

Long ago, last week...

...I may have fallen off the blog wagon. I know I tried to publish a blog over the weekend, but with two little ones this dream quickly faded away and was replaced with the dream of napping.

Don't get me wrong. I had a great weekend with the family, as we remembered the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country and our families. We have a lot to be thankful for and sometimes I think we forget that.

It's back to work this week and we have some exciting news from the library world: our Giving Tree is up!
Shirley and her husband Harry put the rest of us to shame and were hard at work here in the library. They took down the tree, re-hung it, posted the new leaves and are currently working on the baseboard for it. The tree looks amazing, as I am sure you'll agree:

Our awesome Giving Tree.

I didn't get as much done as Shirley and Harry. I spent most of my time torn between playing with the kids and rearranging furniture. I didn't even finish a book this weekend (I'm pretty sure this is a crime on some level)!

I did watch a new movie: The Wolf of Wall Street where Leonardo DiCapiro plays stock broker Jordon Belfort, who's earns his fortune playing the stock market in the 1980's and 1990's. For the most part, the movie is all about Belfort's excesses and addictions. (Rated R for all those 17 and under reading.) I'll be honest with you. It wasn't my cup of tea. The acting was great, but the movie plot seemed rather unbelievable or at least exhausting. This movie won rave reviews, but by hour two of three my husband and I  turned the movie off and went to bed. We just couldn't watch him take any more drugs and run around with women.  I think they probably could have cut the movie down even more without the viewer missing out, though from what I've read this was already done. If you want a bettter review of the movie check out this link: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-wolf-of-wall-street-2013. I would suggest this movie only if you have 3 hours to kill or are a huge Leonardo DiCapiro fan.

That's all for today. I promise to blog again tomorrow with more library news.

Yours in napping,

Sarah

Current Read: City of Lost Souls  by Cassandra Clare (I will finish it this week!)
Current Mood: Exhausted
Current Location: About to head home for the day!

Hump Day Notes

Dear SAPL patrons,

Happy Hump Day! Two more days and we get a three day weekend!

Sorry for not posting yesterday, but as parenthood goes, my littlest one had some serious allergy issues that needed tending. She right as rain now; talking up a storm to whoever or whatever is within her line of vision. Of course, tending to a baby and a preschooler left me with no blogging time yesterday.

Today in library world, we've had a sudden attack of donations which Betty is working her way through and some patron questions about computers, otherwise, all is quiet on the Steeleville homefront.

I am planning on having computer/social media/electronic devices workshops again. I've had some interested patrons requesting I do this, but haven't felt mentally prepared to provided adequate and intelligent answers until now (waking up every 3 hours to feed a baby will do that to you). I know not everyone can come during working hours, so I will try to host a workshop one Saturday out of the month. So far, my thoughts were of hosting an open workshop every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m., patrons can stop by and ask me to work with them on Facebook, e-mail, e-devices, computer basics, etc. and then the last Saturday of the month from 10-12 p.m.

You guys are still welcome to stop by most days and request my help. I'm in the office, just knock on the door!

If anyone has any suggestions about computer workshops or books or anything concerning the library please let me know via a comment, phone, etc. SAPL wants to better serve the community and we can only do that when we hear from you!

Your semi-conscious director,

Sarah

Current Read: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (I know..I need to finish it up already.)
Current Mood: Sleepy
Current Location: Under my desk with a pillow. Just kidding. Still, the floor looks comfy right now.

P.S. My Clara is going for her 4 month shots tomorrow so blogging may be beyond my capabilities if she gets cranky. I apologize in advance. I am hoping to blog about the latest Hunger Games movie and with any luck my latest read. Stay tuned!

Monday Blues

It's hard to believe that librarians can get the Monday blues, but it does happen, especially, when we start saying goodbye to our students for the summer. Many students aren't able to come in and visit during the summer and we here at SAPL get a little sad when we see them leave.

Of course we do have the Summer Reading Program which allows us to hand out fabulous prizes to awesome readers!
 https://www.facebook.com/events/285686421605827/

I probably mentioned it in an earlier post, but it never hurts to remind everyone that our Summer Reading Program will begin June 19, 2014 and end July 26, 2014 this year. We aren't doing the weekly craft/story hour due to poor attendance, but are planning a HUGE party to celebrate summer reading success! Please stop by and sign up if interested.

We also have a board meeting tonight. I can't promise any exciting talk (unless you find budgets and baseboards exciting), but we'll be here from 7-8-ish. Stop in if you have any suggestions for the board and I about the library!

Your slightly blue director,
Sarah

TGITWAICRM!

That's right, it's the weekend! So TGITWAICRM (Thank Goodness It's The Weekend and I Can Read More)!

 I am leaving early today because I will here tomorrow. Yes, your friendly librarian- dictator will open the library doors Saturday morning. I expect a line of people to be waiting... or at least the newspaper.

Things aren't too slow or too busy today. Friday has that affect on the populace and so I can't promise an exciting blog.

J/K Things are always exciting in library world. For instance, I have some great plans for the juvenile/teen section. Our wonderful Library Board President, Irvin Harvey, is helping me create a blackboard for students to write comments about books, offer book suggestions or draw pretty pictures of book-related thingys.

It starts with this donated easel. Donated by Irvin, of course.

Then, Irvin will cut me a fairly good sized piece of plywood which I will paint with chalkboard paint. The end result being a marvelous blackboard! 

This project is in the works so keep checking for updates. I'm eager for the students to make use of it. : )

Next Monday, May 19, 2014 is our monthly Board Meeting. If anyone wants to stop by and listen in or offer suggestions we start at 7 p.m. and generally go 'til 8:30-ish. The agenda is posted on the North bullentin board for interested persons. 

Of course, Steeleville Library History & Genealogy Club is meeting Tuesday, May 20, 2014 and in honor of the recently donated Roscoe Misselhorn work (see: http://svillelibrary.blogspot.com/2014/05/rain-rain.html?spref=fb for details) , they are taking a field trip to the Roscoe Misselhorn Art Gallery in Sparta, Illinois. 

 

If you want to go for an after hours tour, please meet the group at the gallery. The donated Misselhorn work is still on display with other local history pictures and artwork at the North entrance. 

If anything new or exciting pops up on Saturday I will post it here; otherwise, I will talk with you on Monday.

Yours in library excitement,

Sarah

Current Read: Still City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, I found a skunk under my house and have been a too distracted by the smell to read.

Current Mood: Slightly uneasy about the skunk but excited about the library.

Current Location: Away from the skunk.

Oh the library door chime...

...how sweet the sound, that mean our patrons are back! Yes, it's a sunny, 60-ish day and people have found our building once more. After three days of rain, it's nice to see the sun and your smiling faces again.
Now, I can keep that money I was planning on putting towards the hermit cave.

My exciting news today is the making of origami crowns. Not me making origami crowns, though I was pretty excited when I made mine a couple of days ago, but the junior high making origami crowns. After the origami box incident two Christmases ago, I had my doubts about the origami crowns, but the students have proved me wrong.

Proof that they did make them!

I was happy the students enjoyed making origami crowns, though I found out they were not allowed to wear them in school. I can't say I blame the teachers for that call. 

Can you imagine 20 students walking around, pretending to be royalty all day? I can. I witness them pratice their princess wave. It was pretty regal and that doesn't bode well when you have to assign homework.

As happy as I am to see origami crowns, I'm also a little sad. Today marks the last day for grades 6th-8th to visit us this school year. I can't see them visiting too often during the summer, so until next school year, I will be practicing my origami skills and ordering teen books they can enjoy.

I would like to remind parents and students that if you haven't paid your late fees for this school year they will be here when you come back next year. Over $1.00 in late fees and fines and you can't check out materials. I want you to check out the new books, so pay those fees and fines and get a fresh start for next school year!

Until the next time we meet (hopefully, tomorrow), 

Sarah

Current Read: The City of Lost Souls  by Cassandra Clare

Current Mood: Slightly sad.

Current Position: Gazing longingly out my window.

Come Back Another Day...

...not you, I mean the rain. You should come back every day! I love a good stay-in-and-read-rain, but after a couple of days I miss the sun and our patrons. Surely, such poor weather can't keep you guys away from us?

According to our numbers (and the empty building) the rain can and has driven everyone home. I don't blame you, but let it be known that SAPL staff need some visitors or we will declare ourselves hermits and invest in a medium-sized cave.

An actual hermit cave located in New England. I believe it's on the market now.

All jokes aside, there is nothing new to report in our little library world. Books come in and books go out. Speaking of books, I've read a few lately and watched the movies. 

I know this is a heated subject: movie vs. book, actors vs. book characters. How dare Hollywood taint our pristine books by re-making them into half-decent films! I have a friend who refuses to watch the Harry Potter movies because she thinks they will be absolute rubbish when compared to the book. I have to admit, most movies can't hold a flame to our favorite reads. There is always that favorite scene that the screen writers left out or the actors come no where close to how we envisioned the characters. 

It's difficult to watch book-based films. I do it though. Recently, I've been watching the movies before reading the books. Please, withhold your utter disdain and disappointed looks for a few minutes while I explain why. 

I know from experience that movies can never match the book. So, why be disappointed in the movie when you can use it to pique your interest?

Before two months ago I had no interest in reading Cassandra Clare's The Mortals Instruments Series. Why would my 20-something self be interested in some teen fantasy? Then I watched, The City of Bones and I thought...can the books be anything like this movie? 

I have now read the prequel series The Infernal Devices and am on book five of The Mortal Instruments Series. I am suprised to be enjoying them so much and I never would have picked them up had it not been for the half-decent film which just barely followed the book. That's right film makers, you didn't get it right again.

Last week, I finally buckled down and watched I Am Number Four which is based on a book by Pittacus Lore in the popular series the Lorien Legacies. I have never read the books (which helped me get through the movie no doubt). Can you guess what's on my summer reading list? The movie wasn't great, but I've seen worse. It always seems like the actors forget to develop the characters and the movie makes up for the lack of development with explosives. I watched and craved more information. What were these characters really like in the book? How does Four grow as a person? How does his relationships with humans change and evolve? Did anyone else think of Superman as they watched this film? 

Well, I won't find these answers in the movie. So it's to the shelves for me and perhaps the next time you see a book-based film coming out, instead of groaning about its undeniable rubbishness compared to the book, think about those who haven't read the book and might be give it a try based on the movie.

The movies that encouraged me to give the books a shot.

Well, it's stopped raining. Did the door just chime? 

Let's hope the sun comes out and you guys come to visit.

Yours in fairly-decent-movies and great reads, 

Sarah

Current Read: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Current Mood: Rain, rain stop chasing my patrons away.

Current position: Curled up under a blanket.

“Never put off till tomorrow what...

may be done the day after tomorrow just as well". Thank you, Mark Twain. I couldn't have said it better myself.

 It's rainy and chilly outside, in case you haven't stuck your head out in the past 12 hours, and our patrons have decided to stay away (though our library is warm and has coffee). This leaves us working on other projects and gazing longingly at the library entrance. Apparently, reading will just have to wait to the day after tomorrow.

I'm not casting any blame, but I would appreciate seeing a face or two...I'm starting to develop a social relationship with my computer. Let's hope the sun will come back and encourage you guys to visit us!

Since it's been slow, I decided to create a new teen program for the month.

That's right! Origami crowns! Nothing makes you feel more like a princess (or prince) than a beautifully made origami crown. I made this one out of scrap paper and had fun making the perfect set of directions for our students to use to make their own crown. 

This took me about ten minutes...but the end results were awesome.

Now I am definitely in charge!

Nothing else to update you on. I have started planning for 2014 Fall/Winter programs. I am trying to get Ben Fainer back for his Holocaust Presentation (aiming for September) and am looking at a Civil War presentation and perhaps a History of Halloween one as well. If anyone has suggestions about what they would like to see presented or discussed, let me know (618-965-9732). 

You are dismissed.

Yours regally, 

Sarah

Current Read: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Current Mood: Slightly bummed..Jace is missing. 

Current Position: On my computer throne.

Rain, Rain...

...please stay and let me read all day! I know, it's summer time and everyone has something that needs to get done outdoors (oh, where to start?), but sometimes it's nice to take a break and enjoy a rainy afternoon with a cup of coffee, a good book and perhaps a nap.

Naturally, I'm at work, but seeing these storms clouds gives me hope for this evening. Maybe the kids will go to bed early?

In other, less wet news, we hope you all had a great Mother's Day with those important women in your life. We can't thank them enough for all the hard work they do!

The library world has us sending home notices about student fee and fines today! Yes, for grades 2nd-8th the teachers will have a copy of which student owes what and for older grades 6-8th we will also send a note home. Please try to pay up! If your child has a fine of $1 or more he/she will be unable to check out a book and we definitely want them to check out a book!

Last Friday, whilst I was enjoying a vacation day, Charlene Joost a member of our History & Genealogy Club dropped off a generous dontation from Harold and Jean Harmsen owners of The County Framers. The library now has a wonderful, original Roscoe Misselhorn work of the original Steeleville School 1874 and Presbyterian Church 1875. I've gone ahead and surround the work with various photos from Steeleville's past and another copy of a Misselhorn work. Stop by to check them out!

Yours in reading,

Sarah


Current Read: In between books...in the middle of a two different series! (The Mortal Instruments and The Goddess Test)
Current Mood: Book tired (I read way too much this weekend...not really.)
Current Position: At work, jumping on and off my computer.

Aahh the sweet smell of pickle-scented bookmarks...

...is the best way to start or end your library day. Technically I got these in yesterday. Thanks, UPS guy!

Lovely bookmarks to encourage you to read!

There wasn't time to blog about them yesterday though. So, I'm going to brag about my favorite bookmark scents (the kids love the dirt/worm scented ones) and how I got them on sale, in this blog.

I mustache you to check out my mustache! #librarianselfie

I got several scratch-and-sniff bookmarks earlier this year for National Library Week (April 13-19), but they were so popular I found myself short a few hundred bookmarks by the end of the month! Soooo...to remedy the situation I bought more bookmarks. Pickles, gummy worms, campfire with roasted marshmallows now hide in my desk drawer, along with some mustaches, masks and joke bookmarks. If you want cool scents to smell as your read, please feel free to stop by and pick up a new bookmark!

In other news, Margo will be sending notes home about student fines. Please, please, please get these paid off so you have a fresh start next school year. We will also be sending home a notice about our Summer Reading Program "Paws for Reading" which will run June 19th through July 26th. Kids K-5th are invited to join us and read through the summer for awesome prizes at the end of the program. We are skipping the story/craft hour this year since only a handful of students could show up last year. Instead we are planning an end of the program party to reward our readers! Interested students and parents can stop by the library to sign up and pick up a reading log before June 19th. Any questions can be directed to Margo or myself. 

That's all for today! 

Until next read, 

Sarah

Current Read: City of Fallen Angels  by Cassandra Clare

Current Mood: Pleasantly waiting for my characters to save the day.

Current Position: At home, on sofa, with a baby and a computer on my lap...#multi-tasking

Once Upon A Time...

..there was this librarian. She grew up, moved away, moved back and took over your library. Not in the tryannical sort of way, more like the friendly-dictator-next-door type of way and she bought lots and lots of books. Now to inform the public and put tax dollars to use she is writing this blog, a blog about your local village library and its amazing services!

Okay, so Steeleville Area Public Library, which I will now abbreviate as SAPL to save fingers, has seen a lot of change in the past decade. We built a new library, went through 3 awesome directors and have rearranged said new library multiple times to find the perfect flow. While, change is scary (just ask me about the time I changed my detergent) sometimes it is necessary (unless you are a Dave's brownie...NEVER CHANGE THAT RECIPE, DAVE!). So to help us along and keep us informed, I, your friendly librarian- dictator will blog...mostly about books, but occasionally about other things.

This week in the SAPL world, new teen books are in and covered thanks to the efforts of Betty and Leona, now I just need the students to come in and read them. I am currently searching for more titles that area students want to read. Naturally, this would be easier if they told me the titles they want to read, but I'm having a blast reading through different book reviews to find the perfect title for the perfect reader. I'm still asking for advice though. Any complaints of my book purchases after the fact, will be dismissed due to lack of involvement during the selection process.

Flyer full of new books that I had to pick out by myself. 

We received $200 toward the Dorothy Sutton Memorial. The library has decided to spend the memorial money on books. I have already purchased some new titles but am waiting on Bob Sutton, Dorothy Sutton's son and our mayor, to pick some titles. Memorial books will have a book plate inside the cover with Dorothy Sutton's name on them and a memorial leaf will be placed on our Giving Tree. 

Speaking of the Giving Tree, if you happen to frequent the library or just stop by to chat with your friendly librarians (my office door is mostly open), you'll have noticed that we've removed circulation desk 3 and the weird poster hanging mechanism and painted KILZ on the wall. The library board and I have decided to move the Giving Tree to a more prominent place where everyone can see those who have given to the library in the past. We have also changed the leaves. We're ditching the small, wooden leaves, for slightly larger, metal leaves. The plan is to paint the wall next to my office a creamy-white shade, move the tree, attach the new leaves and make it look beautiful. 

The recently Kilzed wall awaiting paint. 

Our current Giving Tree location is behind the circulation desk, this fan, this cabinet
and next to the copier.

Also, Happy Mother's Day, Moms! To celebrate this year, I plan on finding five minutes to nap and redoing my front porch...that is if my kids and Mother Nature let me! In all seriousness, where would we be without the women in our lives, who are or have acted like our mothers? Not here that's for sure. So to honor the occasion, I put together a little display full of motherly books to read over the weekend as we call, send cards and buy mulch for our mothers (her idea not mine). 

Well, that's it for today. Keep in mind our hours are 10-7 Monday-Thursday 10-5 Friday and 9-12 Saturday. If you want something to read or watch this weekend, please stop by before Sunday!

Your Library Dictator...err… Director, 

Sarah

Current Read: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Current Mood: OMG are the characters ever just going to be in love?
Current Position: At the library...at my desk...on the computer.