Mountlake Terrace Library

Tech Coaching This Weekend

2012-01-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

Are you an adult who is running into some trouble figuring out how to upload photos onto the internet? Or maybe you just want to start an email account, or learn how to Skype with far away family or friends? Do you feel jealous of friends with teenage children or grandchildren who can help them figure this out? Do we have the solution for you!

This Saturday, January 21, 2012, we are having our monthly Tech Coaching session at 1pm and 2:30pm. Teen volunteers from United Way's Youth United program will be on hand to help you figure out what you need to know about the internet, or whatever gadget you are feeling challenged by. Our teens have gotten rave reviews from adults attending previous classes...in fact, most folks who try Tech Coaching return to gain more skills :)

Our focus this month is Flicker and Other Photo Uploading Sites, but you can reserve a space to get help with other internet skills such as email, Skype, and Facebook if you like. Just call the library and let us know what you want to learn about when you sign up!

As of this minute we have 3 spaces left in the 1pm class, and 7 in the 2:30 class. Give us a call at 425-776-8722 to sign up today!

Are You a Foodie? Do We Have the Bookgroup for You!

2012-01-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the first Foodie Book Group for 2012. If you have read Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, you are welcomed to join our potluck discussion.

We meet the second Monday of each month, and have a potluck based on the book we have read. It is great fun, and a good way to get yourself to cook more or expand your horizons. We pride ourselves on being a safe environment for newbies...either to bookgroups or cooking! To see what sorts of things we have enjoyed in the past, you can check out our blog here.

Questions? Just contact Dawn at the Mountlake Terrace Library, or email her at teen@sno-isle.org :)

A Library Blogger's New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

Sigh.

It’s that time again when many of us make resolutions to be better in some way, whether it’s eating better, losing weight, dropping that bad habit or spending less. It’s not difficult to come up with something but very difficult to change.

But nevertheless, here are mine.

The last time I wrote a blog featuring nattily dressed canines, there were comments from readers that my blogs were starting to scare them, so I have resolved to stop using wise-cracking babies and dogs in costumes as a cheap way of getting a laugh, and instead, will work to be more serious about the topic at hand: the greatness of the public library.

I also plan to eat better, lose weight, drop a bad habit and spend less. Right.

But for those of you who either don’t make resolutions or need a little help coming up with something really good and original, I thought I would give you some help.

So Dear Reader, here are some very good resolutions from which you can choose.

Pick at least three and I promise you, your life will be changed for the better.

• “Book a Librarian” to help you download free e-books for your Kindle, Nook, IPad or other device. Or to learn how to use our library web page, place holds on items you want, do research and more. This is a free one-on-one service. Just call us or come in to set up an appointment.

• Bring your child or grandchild to our Family Night at the Library , which features "Reading with Rover," where your child can read to a loving and “interested” canine (not wearing a costume). Also "Saturdays at the Library" feature quality programming provided by our Friends of the Library. Check us out on a Saturday. "There's Always Something Going On!"

•If you don’t have a library card, get one. It’s free and is your ticket to so much: free DVDs, computer usage, and databases where you can find car repair information, genealogical research, newspapers and much more, all from the convenience of your own home. And you can't find this free on the Internet. We purchase this information for you.

• Speaking of DVDs, why pay a service for them when you can check out 10 DVDs at a time at the library for free? We have the latest releases and you can place your requests online via our web page.

• Never got around to learning how to use a computer? Sign up for our free computer classes and learn how to use a mouse, find what you need on the Internet, use your email effectively, send attachments, copy and paste, all those things that have you stumped. And if you are a job hunter, we have a class highlighting job hunting resources on the Internet, as well as a laptop you can use in the library for as long as you need to.

• Need help preparing your tax return? We partner with the AARP every year to help people fill out their tax returns. The service is free by appointment. And we have tax forms too!

• Know anyone who will be taking the citizenship test? We provide a 5-week course to help people pass the U.S. citizenship test.

• New in town and want to meet your fellow residents? Join us for one of our free movie showings or join one of our book groups – one is a “foodie” group where participants read a book about food and then bring food inspired by the book to the meeting to share. Yum.

• Is your little one just starting to read? We have books especially focused on new readers. And our baby and family story times are designed to help your little one succeed in kindergarten.

• Have a slow Internet connection or no Internet? Free computer usage is available at the library, and if you have a laptop, we also provide free Wi Fi. Rumor has it that our Wi Fi projects out into our parking lot for after hours access. Almost like a drive-in. Remember those?

This is just a taste of what awaits you at the library if you resolve to make your life better this year.

So get yourself to the library and start on those resolutions!

Old habits die hard.

I'll start mine tomorrow!

A Steampunk Library Story for the Holidays...with apologies to Charles Dickens

2011-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ebenezer Scrooge was in a bad mood as he headed to his office. He was always in a bad mood.

He encountered his nephew Fred.

Fred: Happy Holidays, Uncle! I’m off to the library!

Scrooge: Bah, Humbug! What right do you have to be happy? You’re poor enough. And what do you want with the library? What good is it to you?

Fred (laughing): And what right have you to be dismal, Uncle? You’re rich enough.

Scrooge: (grumbling) What else can I be, when I live in such a world of fools as this? Happy Holidays. What are the holidays but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer?

Fred: All the more reason to go to the library, Uncle. When times are hard, the library is a good place to go. I am getting some DVDs which I can borrow for not a pence and I can use their computers to print out my holiday greetings. I am going out of town, so I am also going to check out some audio books to listen to on the plane. But join us for our holiday dinner. We are going to watch the Dr. Who Holiday Special on television. Good day, Uncle!

As Scrooge enters his business premises, two other people follow him in. They are portly gentlemen and stand with their hats off in Scrooge’s office.

Gentleman #1: Scrooge and Marley’s, I believe. Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?

Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago this very night.

Gentleman #2: We are from the Friends of the Library and are asking for donations to fund our classes and programs. At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should have events and activities to benefit those in our community who are finding these economic times difficult and, who suffer greatly at the present time due to the bad economy. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries, hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts. Coming to the library is of great comfort to many.

Scrooge: Are there no prisons? And the workhouses? Are they still in operation?

Gentleman #1: (cautiously) Both very busy, sir.

Scrooge: Good. I was afraid from what you said that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course. I’m very glad to hear it.

Gentleman #2. But people would rather die than go there.

Scrooge: Then they should do it and decrease the surplus population.

Gentleman #1: (thinking Scrooge is joking): We choose this time of year because it is a time when Want is keenly felt. What shall we put you down for?”

Scrooge: Nothing

Gentleman #2: (hopefully) You wish to remain anonymous?

Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry during the holidays and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned – they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there. Who cares about libraries? Now leave my premises.

That evening, Scrooge takes his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern and reads all the newspapers, and beguiles the rest of the evening with his banker’s book and then goes home to bed. He lives in chambers which had once belonged to his deceased partner, Jacob Marley. They are a gloomy suite of rooms that suit Scrooge’s personality.

As the candles flicker, Scrooge nods off to sleep --- only to be awakened by a clanking noise, as if some person were dragging a heavy chain. The door flies open and he beholds an apparition.

Scrooge: Who are you? What do you want with me?

Ghost: I am Marley’s ghost.

Scrooge: What? You’re not Jacob Marley.

Ghost: Jacob Marley? I thought they said Bob Marley.

Scrooge: Well my partner’s name was Jacob Marley.

Ghost: Whatever, mon. The message will be the same and here it is.

(reciting) It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen and travel far and wide and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. I wear the chain I forged in life. I never walked beyond our counting-house in life and never believed in the power of libraries. Seven years dead and travelling all the time. The whole time. No rest, no peace, incessant torture of remorse, because I spent all of that money on Netflix when I could have had 10 DVDs at a time for free or that I never learned how to use a computer because I didn’t know the library had free classes.

Scrooge: Huh?

Ghost: (shaking his head) Basically, mon, Marley didn’t live a very nice life, never helped anyone, lived only for himself and didn’t get it that libraries are life-changers and would have saved him all of that precious money he cared so much about. But you have a chance to change that. (getting back into character) Scrooge, you will be haunted by Three Spirits. Without their visits you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first tomorrow when the bell tolls One.

And the spirit disappears. Scrooge feels a draft, shivers and closes the window. He examines the door by which the ghost had entered. It is double-locked and the bolts undisturbed.

Scrooge: Hum…

He stops after the first syllable, goes straight to bed and falls asleep upon the instant.
Suddenly, the curtains of his bed are drawn aside and Scrooge finds himself face to face with another ghost.

Scrooge: Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?

Ghost: I am.

Scrooge: What and who are you?

Ghost: I am the Ghost of Years Past.

Scrooge: Long Past?

Ghost: Your past. Rise and walk with me.

All of a sudden in the blink of an eye, Scrooge and the spirit are standing outside looking up at a large brick building.

Scrooge: This was my boyhood library!

Ghost: You recollect the way?

Scrooge: Remember it, I could walk it blindfold.

They walk around the library, Scrooge recognizing his favorite childhood books.

Scrooge: The library is deserted.

Ghost: The library is not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his family, is left there still.The Spirit touches Scrooge on the arm and points to his younger self intent upon his reading.

Suddenly they are surrounded by storybook characters: Curious George and The Wild Things from “Where the Wild Things Are.".

Scrooge: I had forgotten what a lonely boy I was and how the library was a place I went to escape that loneliness and the misery of my family. All of those lovely books. Without the library, I would have been miserable indeed. The library saved me.

A beautiful and glamorous librarian appears.

Librarian: Happy Holidays, Young Scrooge. Here is the latest book in the Hunger Games series. I saved it for you.

Scrooge: (his face lighting up) She was always so welcoming and wonderful to me. She smashed the librarian stereotype. She never wore a bun or practical shoes and never shushed me. All of the library staff were welcoming and friendly people. And the place was so alive, full of people using the computers, attending the classes and events, gathering with their neighbors…

Ghost: A small matter, to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.

Scrooge: Small?

Ghost: (Looking at Scrooge sincerely) People spend but a few pounds of mortal money for library service. Is that so much that they deserve this praise?

Scrooge: It isn’t that…The happiness and help they give is quite as great as if it cost a fortune. Books and the teen gaming days at the library helped me through some sad and lonely times. And where else can you go to find information on all sides of a subject and not be judged? The library protects our rights to information and is the backbone of what makes this country great.
But somehow I lost my way. Spirit…show me no more. Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me?

The spirit disappears under the door in a burst of light. Scrooge is overcome by drowsiness and barely has time to reel to bed before he sinks into a heavy sleep.

Scrooge jolts awake from a prodigious snore. A strange voice calls him by name. A light shines from an adjoining room. A woman who bids him enter.

Ghost: I am the Ghost of the Present.

She is clothed in a green robe and jewels, but her nametag clearly indicates she is a librarian.

Ghost: You have never seen the like of me before.

Scrooge: No, actually I recognized you as a librarian right away. I am used to glamorous librarians.

Ghost: Touch my robe.

As Scrooge does so the room disappears and they stand in the threshold of Bob Cratchit’s dwelling. Bob Cratchit is Scrooge’s employee. Mrs. Cratchit is there dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown but brave in ribbons.

She is laying the table with her daughter and two smaller Cratchits are also there. Bob Cratchit appears with Little Tiny Tarquin on his shoulder. Bob is sad and Little Tiny Tarquin is crying.

Scrooge: Spirit, tell me what is wrong with Little Tiny Tarquin?

Ghost: You cut Bob Crachit’s hours and he was no longer able to keep up his car payments. They no longer have a car to get to the library and they can’t afford bus fare either because of the meager wages Bob receives. Little Tiny Tarquin worries that he will not do well in school if he doesn’t get to attend the Ready Reader story times at the library. He doesn’t want to start kindergarten without the same skills that other children will have. I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney corner. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will not succeed in kindergarten or in life.

Scrooge: No, no. Oh, no, Spirit, say he will be spared.

Ghost: Let him go to the prisons and the workhouses and decrease the surplus population.

Scrooge hangs his head when hearing his own words quoted by the Spirit.

Suddenly the bells toll and as the last stroke ceases to vibrate, Scrooge remembers the prediction of Bob Marley and lifting up his eyes, beholds a solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming like a mist along the ground towards him. It is shrouded in a dark garment, which conceals its head, its form and leaves nothing of it visible save its nose and one outstretched paw…er, hand.

Scrooge: Am I in the presence of the Ghost of What is Yet To Come? You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us. Is that so, Spirit? Ghost of the Future, I fear you more than any specter I have seen. Will you not speak to me?

The Ghost remains silent and leads Scrooge through the darkened town. The Spirit stops beside one little knot of business men.

Man: No, I don’t know much about it, either way. I only know all of the libraries have been closed.

Man 2: When did they close? What happened? I thought they would be there forever.

Man: So did I. But no one supported them and they disappeared.

The spirit leads Scrooge to a dark building. The Phantom’s claw points to a sign.

Scrooge: Before I draw nearer to that sign to which you point, answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that WILL be or are they shadows of things that MAY be?

Scrooge creeps towards the sign, trembling as he goes; and following the pointing claw reads upon the sign

LIBRARY CLOSED.

Scrooge: Oh, no, Spirit, no. Spirit, hear me. I am not the man I was. Why show me this, if I am past all hope? I will honor libraries in my heart and support them all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on that sign.

Holding up his hands, Scrooge sees an alteration in the Phantom’s hood and dress. It shrinks, collapses and dwindles down into his bedpost.

Scrooge: They are not closed. They are here—I am here—the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled. They will be, I know they will.

Scrooge dresses and sets out to town. He has not gone far when coming on towards him he beholds the portly gentlemen from the Friends of the Library who had walked into his counting house the day before.

Scrooge: My dear sirs. How do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. If you please, accept this donation to the Friends of the Library. And I would love to support my library in any way possible.

Gentleman: I don’t know what to say about such munificence.

Scrooge: Don’t say anything please. Come and see me. I would like to be active in your group.

Scrooge then heads to his nephew, Fred's, home.

Scrooge: (knocking on Fred's door) Fred, Fred, let me in. I've come to watch the Dr. Who Holiday Special with you!

The next day, Scrooge is early to his office. If he could only be here first and catch Bob Cratchit coming late. That was the thing he had set his heart upon. And Bob was late.

Scrooge: (growling but hiding a grin) What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?

Bob: I am very sorry, sir. I am behind my time. It’s only once a year, sir. It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.

Scrooge: Now, I’ll tell you what, my friend. I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer…and therefore I am about to raise your salary! I will raise your salary and endeavor to assist your struggling family. I want to take Little Tiny Tarquin to the library. They have family story times that would be fun for all of us to go to. And we can take him to the Ready Reader story times so he can get ready for kindergarten. We want him to succeed, don’t we, Bob. And I want you to improve your computer skills. They have free classes.

Scrooge couldn’t stop talking about the library and he was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more.

He became a library story teller and ambassador.

He shared his enthusiasm with everyone he encountered. And he became a donor to the Library Foundation which supports a book for every baby born, citizenship classes and other events. And to Little Tiny Tarquin he was a second father. He enjoyed attending the Ready Reader story times with him. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh and little heeded them: for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset. His own heart laughed; and that was quite enough for him.

Scrooge had no further visits from Spirits but lived upon the principle that libraries mattered ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep the holidays well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.

And so, as Little Tiny Tarquin observed,

“Arf, Arf, Arf, Arf, Arf Arf!”

Happy Holidays everyone!

Black Friday Craftacular - An Alternative to Shopping

2011-11-19T10:42:00.001-08:00

With money tight this year, and many teens (and adults) having trouble finding jobs, Black Friday may be a grim day for shopping.

But Sno-Isle Libraries is offering a fun, free, gifting alternative for teens and families the day after Thanksgiving this year! Six of our libraries are offering free craft programs:

BRIER LIBRARY - 1:00 p.m. Fun crafts for the whole family.
SULTAN LIBRARY - 11:00 a.m. Fridge magnets and bird feeders.
MILL CREEK LIBRARY - 1:00 p.m. Buttons, duct tape creations, gift bows,and holiday cards.
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE LIBRARY 1:00 p.m. Duct tape creations.
MUKILTEO LIBRARY - 1:00 p.m. Angry Bird pom poms.
OAK HARBOR LIBRARY - 2:00 p.m. Duct tape creations.

All programs take place this coming Friday, November 25, 2011.

A.J. Explains It All: Lifelong Learning

2011-11-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

Hi, everybody. A.J. here.

It’s been a few months since I’ve checked in with you.

Now that I am almost 8 months old, I want to reflect on those last 8 months and the meaning of life and lifelong learning.

This is how I look when I am reflecting.

Now that I think of it, the last eight months constitute my whole entire life. Wow.

I have been learning all that time and the learning curve has been HUGE!

I guess I am already a lifelong learner.

Eight months ago, I was all swaddled up, could barely move, subsisted on a liquid diet, didn’t make eye contact and, (my mother wants me to add), cried a lot at night. Sorry, Mom.

But today, I can crawl, stand in my crib and rock out to tunes, eat solid foods, laugh, flirt and generally look adorable. And I even have a couple of teeth.

See?

So as I reflect on my life so far, I try to have no regrets, but, really, drooling just isn’t cool and teething is h-e-double-hockey sticks, if you know what I mean.

So I won’t miss that.

And I am sorry that I cried every night so my parents had to get up with me. They both work very important jobs, and I know I tired them out. I couldn’t help it. I was a growing boy. But there was that one night I was just goofing around to see how long it would take my Dad to make it from the bedroom to my crib. I was bored. So I regret that.

Though I have made a lot of progress in eight months, I know I still have much to learn.

I think I overheard my parents talking about when I start walking.

They sounded concerned.

There are all these new things in the house – gate sort of thingies on the stairs. I don’t know what my parents are so worried about. It’s just me, A.J., gettin’ my mobile on! Yeah! It’s part of life and my lifelong learning. They ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

And that brings me to my favorite subject. The Library.

I have already talked to you about what a great place the library is for babies and toddlers. Ready Reader storytimes and other activities at the library help us get ready to succeed in school.

But the library isn’t just for babies or toddlers or children or even teens.

The library is also there to provide a life-long opportunity for adults to continue their education on their own or to pursue any interest or desire they have.

And did you know that the library web site is always there and librarians are also on duty to provide answers and information at any time of day or night 24/7 via chat or email?

It's called "Ask a Librarian."

How convenient is that for busy adults like my parents?

By the time my parents commute back and forth to the Big City for work, get home, cook dinner, play with me, and read my favorite books to me, they might not have time to get to the library, no matter how much they want to.

But even though they can’t get to the library itself, they can visit the library’s website to place holds on items they want to pick up at the library later (like my favorite picture books!), download books and audiobooks, and find answers to their questions, using the many databases the library provides on all kinds of subjects like auto repair, genealogy, health, you name it.

And when my parents can’t find the answers themselves, they can email or chat with a real live librarian 24/7.

This is made possible through a network of librarians across the country and abroad, who are scheduled throughout the day or night, to help busy people with their information needs. So if you are up in the middle of the night, somewhere in the world it’s daytime and a librarian is on duty to help you.

All you have to do is "Ask a Librarian!"

How cool is that?!

Speaking of cool, see what I can do?

Here I am sitting up and modeling headwear.

Here is that "looking adorable" thing I mentioned earlier.

This is harder than it looks. It’s not easy keeping that thing in your mouth when you are asleep!

Anyway, I can’t wait to learn to talk and type, so I can chat or email the librarians 24/7 when I need help.

And I also want to learn how to surf and play football and ride a motorcycle and bake a pie and collect baseball cards and dance the cha cha cha and play the piano and take care of a pet and drive a car and write the great American novel and take care of my own kids…

So much to learn.

It will take me my whole life long!

I’m glad the library will be there all along the way – 24/7!

A Fashion Blog ---With a Twist

2011-10-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us and it's time to put away our summer clothes and think about what to wear for fall.

As Heidi Klum says on "Project Runway," where fashion is concerned, "You are either in or you are out."

We don't want you to be "out" this fall, so we have some experienced models to show you what's "in" for fall for teens, adults and babies.

Our teen model, Mildred, who models under the name "Lassie," is sporting a hoodie, a teen favorite. Wear it to the mall, to a movie or out for lunch with friends. You are always in fashion.

Mildred, I mean Lassie, is ready for a night out on the town in her Beatles tee and red hot boots. Her "Bats in the Belfry" fascinator is right in character and is perfect for any Halloween party.

This fall, what's in fashion at the library for teens?

Tech Coaching.

Here is an opportunity for teens to show off their Internet skills to adults who need help while at the same time getting much needed community service hours.

Sign up to be a Tech Coach with our partner organization Youth United
or email Dawn at teens@sno-isle.org for more information.

Adults who are curious about email, Skype and Facebook can sign up at the library for one on one sessions with tech savvy teens. Call us at 425-776-8722.
Email - Oct. 29 at 1pm or 2:30pm
Skype - Nov. 19 at 1pm and 2:15pm
Facebook - Dec. 17 at 1pm and 2:30pm

What's in fashion for adults for fall?

Color blocking, that's what. It's all the rage.

Frederic is ready for anything in this turquoise turtleneck and gold jacket, just right for those chilly fall days

And a jaunty cap and bag comes in handy for those much needed shopping trips to get the latest styles.

No matter what time of the year it is, a crisp, white tuxedo shirt is always in fashion. Frederic is ready for everything from a night on the town to a trip to the library.

Speaking of libraries, it's fashionable to "Book a Librarian."

This is a free library service where adults can make an appointment for a one-on-one session with a librarian or other staff member to learn how to use the catalog, set up an email account, use one of our many databases, such as Ancestry or Heritage Quest for genealogy research, fill out a job application, or learn some other skill.

If you need extra time with us, book it!

Babies also like to be in fashion.

Baby Tarquin shows his Huskies Pride wearing this darling chullo style knit cap and wrap sweater.

And capes are the hottest item in the fall fashion lineup -- even for babies.

This red cape is reminiscent of a classic fairy tale, like "Little Red Riding Hood."

Baby Tarquin thinks this is perfect to wear to the Trick or Treat Puppet Show at the library on Oct. 29th at 1pm or to the Little Red School House's Toddler Play and Learn, the facilitated Play Group, that meets at the library every Wednesday morning at 10:30am. This is not only fun for Baby Tarquin, but his Mom and Dad can meet other parents of toddlers.

So according to Heidi Klum, we may either be "in" or "out," but one thing that is never "out" is your community library.

Gathering with your friends and neighbors for free quality library programming is never out of fashion.

For other upcoming events, go to www.sno-isle.org and click on the Events and Programs tab.

Stay tuned for our next blog titled, "Life's Little Disappointments."

Here's a taste: "One of life's little disappointments is the realization that your dogs don't really like dressing up in cute outfits."

Do You Love Manga?

2011-09-30T16:54:00.001-07:00

I've always been fascinated with Japanese culture, and while I'm not obsessed with anime, I do love following some manga series. It is amazing how these comics can give you insight into life in another country...or take you to whole new worlds of imagination.

Next Wednesday the Mountlake Terrace Library will be hosting Jason Thompson, author of Manga: The Complete Guide, as he speak about Manga: Past, Present, Future. If you have any curiosity at all about where manga came from and where it is going you won't want to miss this cool presentation.

Never read any manga? Here are a few of my favorites to get started with:

Yotsuba
by Kiyohiko Azuma

Follow the life of a weird little girl with green hair, her dad, and their next door neighbors. Reminds you of the wonder of childhood, and gives great glimpses into Japanese daily life.

Saturn Ap artments
by Hisae Iwaoka

Mitsu, the lowly son of a window washer, has just graduated junior high. When his father disappears and is assumed dead, Mitsu must take on his father's occupation...washing windows outside the space station housing all of humanity.

Chi's Sweet Home
by Kanata Konami

Adorable kitten gets separated from its mother and litter-mates. Gets adopted by nice family who must keep him a secret. But this tiny cat is full of insatiable curiosity...how can he avoid getting caught? And will he ever find his mother again?

Library Services from a Very Different Perspective

2011-09-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hello. My name is Mildred.

But don’t call me that. My mother named me after some ancient movie called "Mildred Pierce" starring some ancient dead actress. What teenager wants to be called Mildred? Why couldn’t she have named me Miley or Brittany or something cool like that? Anyway, I want to be called Lassie. I don’t know why – it just has a certain ring to it.

Anyway, I heard that the library is doing a survey this week (September 18-24) wanting to know how people feel about the services that the library provides.

On behalf of my fellow teens, I wanted to let you know how we feel.

We want a place where we can hang out and our little yelps, growls and occasional whining won’t bother anybody when we are meeting our friends. We like to come to the library to socialize, use the computer, and play games. But also, some of us don’t have quiet homes to go to so we need a place where we can concentrate and study.

It might not seem like we are doing something productive by gaming and attending movies at the library, but what adults sometimes don’t realize is that in order for us to thrive, we need support from adults besides our parents. We need positive role models, we want to feel valued and we want to feel safe.

We get that at the library.

At the library, we can get the latest Twilight books and romp around a bit, but we also see adults who like us, who smile at us when we come to the library, who we can see are respectful to others, who set reasonable boundaries for us and who are serving their community. We may not show it, but we appreciate it. And when we see this, it makes us want to serve our community too. We are glad we can do community service at the library. It makes us feel a part of the community. And that’s important to us, because we may act silly and get frisky soemtimes, but we really do want to be successful.

So that’s my two cents.

Sincerely, Mildred “Lassie” Pierce

Hello, my name is Frederic, and I am a senior.

Not only am I a senior citizen, but I am also the senior member of my pack..er, community.

As a senior, I am weighing in on the services of my community library.

I want the library to have large print books, so I can read more easily, quiet areas and places where I can gather with other seniors to talk about the issues of the day, such as the desirability of off-leash parks and local businesses providing water dishes outside their establishments. We want classes to teach us how to paw a mouse on the computer (good thing I am not a cat or that would be funny), and ESL classes to help us communicate better with humans. Other class ideas would be "Grooming for Dogs – Pros and Cons of Shaving in the Summer" or "Are Working Dogs Being Adequately Compensated?" Just a couple of ideas I had.

Anyway, I also see the library as a volunteer opportunity. I have friends in the "Reading with Rover" program who find it very enriching to help children with their reading. I also miss my grandchildren who have grown up and moved away, so it feels good to work with other young people. My library has some intergenerational classes where teens help us old folks understand our laptops or cell phone.

By cracky, when I look at it, I can see that my library is doing a very good job serving seniors such as myself. Thank you for caring what your community wants. I really appreciate the opportunity to give my input.

Sincerely, Frederic Alexander Poodle

Hewwo, my name is Baby Tarquin.

I think my friend A.J. wrote something recently about the Ready Reader Program. I wanted to be sure you heard from babies about what we think of the library. We like board books we can easily handle and Mommy and Daddy won’t have a fit if we chew, I mean, gum them a bit. During Baby Story Time, I like when you show my parents how to do things that baby's enjoy, so that when we are home together they won't just plop me in front of the TV. I enjoy songs, I enjoy puppets, I enjoy rhyming games and for them to read to me. Your baby and children's story times help my parents learn how to engage me and get me ready for kithergarten(sic).

And I like treats.

I don’t like the words “no” or “stop that!”

Thank you for listening.

PS I love my librarians and my library. They are doing a gr-r-r-reat job for my parents and me. Sorry, I didn't mean to growl.

Sincerely, Tarquin A. Baby

Please take the time this week – Sept. 20-24 – to fill out the survey at your community library to weigh in on your community library’s services.

We want to hear from you!

The End of Summer

2011-09-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

Sigh, goodbye summer.

Since my husband managed to lock himself in a BC ferry restroom and couldn’t get out, this is a good time to reflect on what went right and what went wrong over the summer.

Let’s get back to that incident with my husband on the BC ferry.

We were in the “quiet” room on the BC ferry from Victoria. The one restroom was set up to help people with disabilities, so it involved pushing a button to get in, even though the door had a handle. It took me a minute to figure that out. What I didn’t realize was that I had to push a button inside the restroom to lock the door. Fortunately no one came in. But while there, I did figure out that I also needed to push a button to get out.

Next, enter my husband. He made it in alright, but after a short period of time, a tentative rattling of a door handle pierced the quiet of the room, followed by a light tapping on the door. The tapping became more and more insistent. When I heard the strained yelp, I figured I had better take action.

So I nonchalantly meandered over to the door to talk my husband down from the ledge…er, out of the restroom, all the while pretending I was heading to refill my coffee cup.

“The big button over by the toilet. Push it,” I whispered into the door. I felt like I was in a spy movie. When he came out, the others in the room practically broke out into applause.

So to avoid similar embarrassment, here’s what I learned.

When entering an unfamiliar restroom, before locking the door, make sure you know how to get out.

On a more positive note, the end of summer also means the end of the library’s Summer Reading Program. And this was definitely something that went right!

All of the libraries in the Sno-Isle Libraries family participated and provided activities and incentives to keep kids reading throughout the summer.

Based on the findings of a recent three-year study by Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library Information Studies, it was discovered that students who participate in their local library’s summer reading program significantly improve their reading skills – in fact they found that kids who participated were 52 Lexile points ahead of their peers who didn’t. Also participation helped kids retain their learning during the summer months.

This is not news to us librarians who have participated in summer reading programs for years.

A landmark 1978 study had already determined that children who read at least six books during the summer maintained or improved their reading skills while kids who didn’t read at all saw their skills slip by as much as an entire grade level. And the time spent reading improved vocabulary test scores as well.

A 1982 study confirmed those findings when it found that by the end of 5th grade, students who didn’t read during the summer lagged two years behind their classmates who had read, and that summer learning loss accounted for most of the achievement gap between students who lived in poverty and those who didn’t.

So that is the practical side of children and teens participating in Summer Reading.

But there are other benefits as well. It’s fun!

This summer, children and their families attended weekly programs – everything from the Magic Tree House to learning about science to a play presentation of “The Emperor and the Nightingale.”

Children entered drawings and won bikes (thanks to the Mountlake Terrace Masons)

and cookies the size of their heads.

They marched with their library in a parade. Second and third graders who were reluctant readers worked with teens to learn to enjoy reading in the Book Buddies Program. Teens submitted book reviews online and watched movies at the library. Adults participated, too, and “best” reviews won a Nook Reader.

Here at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 357 children from 63 different area schools signed up for Summer Reading and 101 read 10 books or more.

But just because Summer Reading is over, that doesn’t mean the fun and adventures at the library end.

Here is just a sample of what is happening this fall:

• Computer classes
• Citizenship classes
• Weekly baby and family story times where parents can learn skills needed to get their children ready to succeed in kindergarten
• “Reading with Rover,” - children can practice their reading with an attentive and quiet canine

• “Teen Wednesdays,” - teens can gather to play games and watch movies

• “Book a Librarian :” You can make an appointment with a librarian to get help with the computer or research project
• “Saturdays at the Library-There’s Always Something Going On!” - special events, such as learning how to Travel Journal or teens helping seniors one on one with how to email, Skype, use Facebook or upload photos to their computer, sponsored by the Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library
• Family Night at the Library, where a variety of activities are offered: Lego challenges, stories, etc.

• The Foodie and and Second Tuesday Book Groups lure adults with yummy food and great books to share.

Summer is over, but your library is still there for you offering you reading adventures, opportunities to learn something new and just plain fun!

But don’t spoil your fun. Remember what I said about restrooms. Plan ahead!

How was your summer?

A.J. Explains It All: Ready Readers

2011-08-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone. A.J. here.

I was only a month old when I talked to you last. I was crying, sleeping, spitting up – you know, the whole newborn thing. Now I am a whopping 5 months old. I’m still spitting up, which is humiliating and drooling isn't so cool, but other than that I am holding my head up high and will be toddling all over before you know it (Get ready, Mom and Dad!).

What I wanted to talk to you about was what the library can do for babies.

That’s right, I said babies. I would bet when you think of the library, you don’t think of babies. But you should because the earlier you start teaching me literacy skills, the more likely I am to excel in school and beyond.

My library has a commitment to providing early literacy instruction for families with children from birth to 5 years old. That’s right, you heard me. Birth. The goal is to play an important role in helping children prepare for success in kindergarten and it starts right when we are born. My grandmother told me that she even read to my Dad before he was born! Not sure how that works, but maybe I will understand it when I am older.

Anyway, what I am talking about is called Ready Readers.

The library wants babies and their caregivers to come to the library. They provide a collection of materials including easy picture books, board books, readers and media as well as current parenting materials. Also, child friendly spaces,instruction for parents, grandparents, babies, toddlers and preschoolers, help for parents to find appropriate materials and early learning information and, most of all, library staff who love working with children.

I may only be 5 months old, but I already think books are very cool items to toss about. Yes, it’s true I can’t read yet, and I kind of act like I don’t understand words, but my Mom reads to me anyway and that is helping me learn those skills.

In the meantime, I have these cool board books that are shiny, smooth, and I can’t lie, chewable, but that’s fine because I am learning to handle a book, which is a big deal to me and my development. It’s OK that right now a book is a sort of toy.

So when my Mom or Dad or grandparent takes me to Baby Story Time, important things are happening even though I am still a…geez, I hate this word…infant.

At Baby Story Time I and my fellow babies and toddlers are learning

to make a connection between pictures and real things and people

to respond to movement and music

to share books

increase verbal skills

the importance of shapes and letters

how to interact with other children and adults, not to mention total attention on me by my Mom and Dad or Grandparent.

That's right. Story times are not just for my Mom and Dad and me. It's a a great chance for me to do something with my grandparents too!

And my Mom, Dad and Grandparents are learning activities and techniques we can do together at home that will give me the Ready Readers core skills I need to be a good reader:

(My Glammy told me to tell you not to look at her hair in this picture.)

Telling stories together and encouraging pretend play teaches narrative skills.

Helping me identify the first letter in my name and finding it in books, on signs, etc. teaches me letter knowledge.

Helping me discover how to hold a book and turn the pages teaches me print awareness.

Pointing out the names of things, like vegetables in the grocery store, teaches me vocabulary.

Finding books I like teaches me print motivation.

Singing songs, playing games and sharing rhymes helps me with phonological awareness.

Also when you read to me I learn about language and I am comforted by your voice.

When you play Peek-a-boo with me, I learn that you are always there, even when I can’t see you.

Clapping, stomping, dancing and finger tapping to songs as they are sung teaches me sound awareness.

So when you take me to Baby Story Time at the library, sure, we walk around in a circle shaking cans with beans in them (or in my case, I am carried) and sing silly rhyming songs, but now you can see how important something like that is to someone like me. I am learning the skills I need to be a success in kindergarten and beyond.

And most of all we are all learning that my library cares about my development…even if I am just a (gulp) baby.

But, I won’t be a baby for long.

Soon I will be a toddler, then I will be in school and then off to live my own life, where I will be a lifelong learner - all because I was given this good start, and learned early that the library is important to my personal development at every age. And when I am a Dad and a Grandfather, I will take my children and grandchildren to story time at the library so they can have that same good start.

Now I need to take a nap. That all wore me out. I am still a baby after all.

Digital Photography Scavenger Hunt and Mini-Golf?

2011-08-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend teens in the Mountlake Terrace Library will come together for the Ultimate Teen Challenge. An event that tests their physical stamina, creativity, and ability to have fun. That's right, its time again for our annual Digital Photography Scavenger Hunt, and this time it has a brand new twist: library mini-golf!

Teens are encouraged to bring a group of friends to the Mountlake Terrace Library this Saturday at noon. Bring a digital camera (or phone with room for lots of photos), comfortable shoes, and a water bottle.

Each team will be given a list of 50 clues from around the downtown Mountlake Terrace area which they must race to photograph (often in silly poses). Once the teams come back they will assemble mini-golf holds using books and other library accessories. Then the teams will compete against each other while the librarian tallies up their scores.

Every time we have done this it has been super fun! Encourage any teens you know to come take part! Prizes are funded by the Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library.

As always, this teen event is FREE!

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

2011-07-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Good Idea: Let’s move to Seattle. It’s lovely and green and has a better summer than we have.

Background: We lived in the Monterey Peninsula area of California for over 30 years. I never quite got California. Not enough deciduous trees to suit my Michigan soul. And where we lived should not be confused with sunny Southern California. The weather on the Monterey Peninsula is very much the same as San Francisco of which Mark Twain may or may not have said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” If you have ever stood out on the street in San Francisco in July waiting for a bus, you know what he means. So we became used to foggy, chilly Junes, Julys and Augusts. So, I reasoned, yes, it rains in Seattle. That’s why it’s green. Yes, it’s gray in Seattle, but I like gloom. And darn it, for two months a year there is warmth and sun.

Reality Check: As I write this, it’s cold, it rained yesterday and July is almost over. If summer is defined as those minutes when the temperature is 80 or more we have had 351 minutes of summer. When you can define your summer in minutes, you know you are in trouble. So people out there, it really does rain in Seattle, it’s dark by 4pm when the time changes in the fall and now you can’t even count on the summer. But hey, it’s green.

Good Idea: Let’s get a third dog. Better yet, let’s make it a collie.

Background: We started out with Freddy, a miniature poodle, and Gemma, a German Shepherd. Freddy provided the one-on-one companionship poodles are so good at and Gemma did the fetching and protecting. But when Gemma died unexpectedly, Freddy was left alone. I wanted another dog so Freddy wouldn’t be lonely when we went to work, so along came Tarquin, a toy poodle. All of that was a good idea.

But then I had another idea. We need a big dog to take Gemma’s role. I feel better with a big dog around. So along came Mildred Pierce, the collie. I got this brilliant idea, because I had grown up with a beautiful collie who looked just like Lassie. Remember, “What’s the matter, girl? Is Timmy in trouble?” Anyway, the collie I grew up with, Echo, was a wonderful dog who roamed the neighborhood and did good deeds, just like Lassie (which dogs were able to do in the olden days).

Reality Check: That was then. This is now. And Mildred, you are no Lassie, you are no Echo.

I know, cute, isn’t she?

If you only knew. One thing about collies. They shed. Yes, I know that German Shepherds also shed, but not like collies. There is long collie hair everywhere she roams. You just need to hang an article of clothing in the closet, shut the door and within minutes it is covered with dog hair. I know she plots her whereabouts depending on when I am getting ready to leave for work and whether or not I am wearing black pants. As soon as I come downstairs, she suddenly appears and is all over me like a cheap suit. When I walk out the door I look like one of her relatives.

And she barks. Not like Gemma who barked to alert us to intruders. She barks just for the sheer joy of hearing herself. And let me tell you, the neighbors do not share the joy. So now, even though the poodles don’t bark, they all must be kept inside when we are gone.

I don’t mean to belabor this, but I have to add that collies have long aristocratic noses and pea brains. That little lump on top of their heads is the brain, I think. When I found out that the breed originated from a cross between a Border Collie and a Borzoi, all became clear. Yes, the Borzoi gives the collie a “noble head,” but not much room for what should be inside it. And Borzois aren’t known for their smarts either.

But Mildred’s breed notwithstanding, two dogs are companions for each other. Three dogs are a pack. She barks, they all bark. And when the pack mentality kicks in, don’t be making your way down the stairs in heels holding something in each hand.

This is what a pack of dogs looks like.

Good idea: I want a Miata.

Background: Now that doesn’t seem like a bad idea on the surface, until you realize that when I said that, I had two small children and my husband worked an hour and a half away. So I would be doing most of the carting of the kids around – in a two-seater.

Reality Check: You get the picture.

Good Idea: We should spend our summer vacation taking our son on a tour of Eastern colleges.

Background: He wanted to go to school in the East. He certainly had the academic chops for it and all kinds of other 17-year-old credentials. Why shouldn’t those highly rated schools be just waiting to meet him?

Reality Check: Let me just say that I have this problem – when I get an idea I think I am the only one who thought of it. So naturally I am surprised and sometimes horrified by the number of other people who thought it would be fun to tour houses in Magnolia or attend the greased pig races or whatever cockamamie thing I think is an original idea. I now know that if I get an idea, it’s one that everyone else gets too, except possibly coming to my garage sale.

So when the counselor at Dartmouth asked what number they were, I intelligently replied, “Huh?” He rephrased his question. “How many other colleges have you been to on your tour?” Tour? Like he knew that we were going to seven schools? You mean, other families are spending their summer visiting the highly rated colleges of the East too? Oh. And then we saw them. The other hopeful mothers and fathers, their freshly scrubbed potential freshmen and the little brothes or sisters who have been dragged along, whining. It was like a cattle call to try out for a Broadway show.
I replied to the counselor, “You’re the first.” He didn’t hear me. He had already moved on to another family.

Good Idea: I am going to cut my hair very short.

Background: When I was young, I was an actress.

Reality Check: My short, trendy hair worked out fine when I played “The Kid” in "Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd." Not so good when I played Miranda in the Shakespearean play "The Tempest." I had to wear a wig and looked more like Mary Todd Lincoln than a Renaissance ingénue.

Good Idea: I need a TIVO.

Background: I know that I watch too much TV. It started when I was about four, when I stood on a neighbor’s porch watching the only television in the neighborhood through their front window. When I was five, my Dad bought our first TV and I was hooked. So being aware of my addiction and wanting to take steps to combat it, I reasoned, that if I had a TIVO I wouldn’t watch so much TV, because I wouldn’t be a slave to the clock. I could watch it when I wanted to, instead of when the TV schedule dictated.

Reality Check: My TIVOs are like monkeys on my back. Sigh. Yes, that’s right. I have two. I am not proud of it. And when I turn them on and see all of the programs my Season Pass has recorded, it’s like my inbox in my email. I feel I have to do something about every one of them and get them out of that inbox before I can relax. And that doesn’t count the amount of time I spend rearranging my Season Passes, perusing my To Do list and searching for even more shows to add to my lists. So if you are looking for me, you know where I am.

So those are some things that seemed like good ideas at the time and turned out to be “What was I thinking?” moments.

But here are some really good ideas…I promise.

Really Good Idea: Take your kids to the library and sign them up for summer reading.

Reality Check: Studies show that when children do not read over the summer, they lose months of reading, vocabulary and other literacy skills.

Really Good Idea: Walk with us in the Tour de Terrace Parade on Friday, July 29. Pre-parade party starts at 5pm.

Reality Check: Participating in library events as a family promotes family togetherness.

Really Good Idea: Point your teen to our regular teen events at the library.

Reality Check: The community library provides many of the 40 Developmental Assets adolescents need to thrive, such as the perception that adults value youth, service to others and safety. At the Mountlake Terrace Library we provide regular teen programming from 4pm-6pm every Wednesday as well as special events. Teens can come to the library and participate in gaming, watch movies and do community service, all in a safe engaging environment.

Really Good Idea: Join a book club at the library. Or help your Friends of the Library group raise funds for library programming.

Reality Check: As per Robert Putnam’s book Bowling Alone people are isolating themselves more and more, not socializing like they once did or even going on as many picnics. Our community bonds are deteriorating. As Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t go to somebody’s funeral, they won’t come to yours.” Gathering at the library for community events is a fun and interesting way to stay connected to your community.

Really Good Idea: Participate in National Night Out.

Reality Check: We'll be there. Stop by our booth Tuesday August 2 between 6pm and 9pm at the Evergreen Playfield. Find out more about all of the free services and events available at the libary. Book giveaways and activities for children will be provided as well as safety information. When the community gathers outside library walls, your community library stays connected.

And the next time you get one of those “good ideas,” check it out at the library first. We can save you a lot of grief.

Want to share your bright ideas?

Top Ten Things You Must Do This Summer

2011-07-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Ah, summer.

It has finally descended on Seattle –albeit kicking and screaming-but it’s finally here. Now we get to enjoy our two months (give or take a few weeks) of nice weather before hunkering back down into the gloom.

But let’s not think about that right now.

Let’s talk about fun and (mostly) cheap things you must do to enjoy what Seattle and its environs have to offer this summer.

There are so many things to do and explore in Seattle and Snohomish and King Counties but these are my personal favorites. All of these activities have been personally tested by "moi," so I can vouch for the fun you will have!

1. Seattle Stair Climbing.
I adore outdoor steps, especially the hidden little gems that populate Seattle. I always want to know where they go.

Here are the stairs I climbed on a recent trek – almost 900 steps up and 300+ steps down -

but this was the payoff.

What better way to get exercise? Ok, couldn't walk very well for the next couple of days but nice to know I can still haul myself up and down steps!

For other stair climbing opportunities, look here. (And I am going to climb every one of these!)

2. Eat Your Way Through Pike Place Market.
Granted you can do this any time of the year, but on a sunny summer day it’s just that much more fun. Note: This day is not aimed at people who don't eat much.

Get there early to watch the Market come alive. Grab an espresso at the original Starbucks (before it is full of tourists) and a piroshky from the Piroshky Bakery a couple of doors down. Enjoy a blackened salmon sandwich sitting at the counter at the Market Grill for lunch and later have a martini on the deck at the Pink Door and take in the view and the sun. There are a wealth of options for dinner, but a personal favorite is the Steelhead Diner (can’t resist the poutine).

Later, walk past the gum wall to the Alibi Room for a nightcap and some people watching. If movie people are in town, you might catch a famous face.

When you are not eating, you can watch flying fish, shop for produce and crafts, listen to street musicians, relax in Victor Steinbrueck Park and take a picture with Rachel the Pig.

3. Take the Clipper to Victoria.
“More British than Britain,” Victoria is one of my most special places. It's a walking town so walk, walk, walk.

In addition to walking, I have my little rituals – shop for my supply of tea at Murchies, go next door to Munro’s Books to buy an autobiography only published in the UK by some obscure British television actor only I have heard of, take the “putt putt boat” across the Inner Harbour (note my cool British spelling) to the houseboats for fish and chips at Barb's, and teatime at the James Bay Tea House (locals laugh at you if you have tea at the Empress, but do it at least once). However, you definitely want to go to the Empress for drinks in the Bengal Lounge for a taste of Old World British Rule (at Current Rule prices), and as night descends, take in the lights that outline Parliament.

You don’t even have to spend the night if you don’t want to. You can get on the Clipper at 8am in Seattle and be in Victoria by 10:30 in the morning and have the whole day to enjoy Victoria and still return home in the evening.

A little bit of England just a few hours away.

4. The Ferry to Bainbridge Island and back.
One of the cheapest cruises you will ever take.

Walk on, enjoy the sea breeze, stroll around Winslow, have a bite to eat, and then head back to Seattle.

The trick is to plan your return for sunset or later so you can sail right into the jewel that is Seattle at night.

Or for another day cruise, hop the King County Water Taxi over to West Seattle.

A bus awaits to take you to “The Junction,” where the West Seattle action is, and then you can wind your way back on foot.

Here is how to do it.

5. Ballard Locks and the Fish Ladder
I will never forget the first time I visited the locks. My husband, my children and I were visiting Seattle for the first time and went to the locks to see the salmon make their way up the fish ladder.

There we were, noses pressed to the glass excitedly awaiting the leaping, flying salmon as they make their way up the ladder.

We waited and waited and waited.

Nothing.

Finally, along came one lone little minnow who reminded me of Don Knotts in "The Incredible Mr. Limpet." It was almost as if he was mocking us.

However, salmon or no salmon, the locks are situated in a beautiful park, and as you walk across the locks, you can watch a lock fill up, chat with the boat people as they wait, envy their boats, and then make your way over to the Magnolia side for a pleasant walk around the neighborhood. If you are feeling especially energetic, you can walk over to Discovery Park.

6. Take your dog to an off-leash dog park.
Or even if you don’t have a dog, go anyway. It’s a hoot. Or should I say a woof!

You can watch a yorkiepoo intimidating a Great Dane, a white fluffy Bichon Frise rolling around in the dirt much to its owner's consternation, German Shepherds fetching Frisbees out of the water and then shaking the water off themselves onto their owners, and the general sniffing that occurs as dogs say "hello" to each other.

A personal favorite is the scene around the communal drinking bowl.
Have you ever noticed that when a dog finishes drinking and looks up, there is total disregard about the water that continues to ooze out of both sides of its mouth? (Can be funny unless the water is dripping from a particular collie's long snout onto your wood floors. And she knows who she is. Never mind. My issue).

Anyway, along with the canine shenanigans, dog parks are often in prime locations. Mountlake Terrace has a nice new park in a wooded area by the Pavilion; Edmonds has one right on the Sound; and the one at Magnuson Park in Seattle is ginormous.
Your little Fido could think he was a free dog there.
(And for you etymologists, yes, ginormous is a word and made it into the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in 2009. It’s definition? Humongous. )

7. Snoqualmie Falls
Lovely drive into the foothills.

For those of you who are of a certain age, it is difficult to not think of the TV show "Twin Peaks" when standing near the Salish Lodge overlooking the Falls.

As the mist rises, so do images of the dancing dwarf and FBI Special Agent Cooper drinking his cup of “damn fine coffee.”
(Speaking of "Twin Peaks," is it me or was Season 2 strange and obscure beyond words? I digress.)

8. Wine Tasting in Woodinville
When I moved here eight years ago, there was Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Columbia Winery and that was about it. And the tastes were free.

Now there are almost 100 wineries and tasting rooms populating the Woodinville area and tastings are anything but free unless you are a member. But on a lovely day, a drive into wine country for a picnic, strolling the grounds of the Chateau, or discovering a new wine tasting room or a new wine is a nice, relaxing getaway. You can also strike up conversations with happy strangers and bond over the experience.

Just be wary of “palate fatigue,” if you know what I mean.

9. Bumbershoot
This is an end of summer affair that is intrinsic to Seattle.
Hard to believe that it was once a free event, but it is still a good deal if you are a music lover. This year Hall and Oates are one of the headliners, so attending is an absolute must.
(What's the word for someone obsessed with Hall and Oates? And he knows who he is).

10. Visit Your Library. Make it a destination.

Free Activities abound at the library in summer.

Take your grandchild to a library story time.

Bring your baby to hear a story and play with other babies.

Get a library card.

Take a class.

Learn how to download free e-books to your portable device.

Check out some DVDs to share with the family such as "The Incredible Mr. Limpet".

Or check out Twin Peaks and tell me if I am wrong about the second season.

Sign up for summer reading.
It’s not just for kids.
Teens can submit book reviews on line to win an IPad 2.
Adults can submit reviews for the books they read for a chance to win a color Nook E-reader.

Attend our free weekly programs: puppet shows, "Whose Line is it Anyway?" fun for kids and teens, musical stories and stories from Cajun country, movies, global games and a live performance of the “Emperor and the Nightingale” by Last Leaf Productions (sponsored by the Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Library).

March with us in the Tour De Terrace Parade on July 29 – come early for crafts and a free T-shirt.

Win a bike!
Bikes for Books starts July 11 at the Mountlake Terrace Library. Children who read ten books and write a review of their favorite one can enter to win a bike thanks to the Mountlake Terrace Masons.

So what other incentives do you need to make the library a favorite destination?

Oh, I forgot, one more thing. It’s also nice and cool inside!

What are some of your favorite summer activities and destinations?

What I Learned on my Summer Vacation

2011-06-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

Well, since I just came back, I guess it’s not exactly a summer vacation, but since it’s the only vacation I will be taking for a while, its close enough.

Taking a vacation is important so you can relax and regroup and come back to your work refreshed. Adding travel to the equation takes you away from your routine and outside of your comfort zone, so you can gain some needed perspective on life. I won’t bore you with my personal epiphanies, but I will share some insights that might help you enjoy your own trip and avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered.

First, having just returned from two weeks in Europe (Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Iceland), traveling on our own via trains, planes, boats and buses, one thing I learned is that four countries and seven cities in two weeks is not recommended. By the time you pack up, wait for train, boat, plane or bus, take the trip, get off train, boat, plane or bus, get to destination, unpack, eat, change money, use the WC, eat - and repeat - you don’t have any time left for touring let alone relaxing.

Here are some other things I learned that I will call:

“Rosy’s Tips for a Great Trip (and what to avoid) and how the Library can help.”

When someone tells you the city center is an easy 20 minute walk (with your bags) from the ferry, double that. Better yet, take a cab.

Avoid schlepping.
Definition of schlepping: following your husband whose nose is in a map while you are carrying and pulling your bags as he takes you all over creation and eventually gets you lost. A fight usually ensues.

If you want to shop, don’t travel with your husband.

No matter how charming your hotel room, if there is a disco across the street that doesn’t even open until 11pm, you will not get any sleep. Do not tell yourself this won’t be a problem. Ask for a different room immediately.

When the train conductor tells you the train has gone, even when the train is right in front of you, wagging your tickets at him and frantically saying, “But we have tickets” will not get you on the train. “The train has gone.”
(Long story).

If you go through airport security in Finland, do not think that the little plastic wine bottle opener you have carried through security in your purse through more airports than you can count will make it through. It won’t. They do not mess around in Finland. And to avoid acute embarrassment, make sure you don’t have any metal at all in your carry-on (such as a belt), or you run the risk of a young Finnish security guy thinking you have something scary in your bag. Well you do, but it’s not what he thinks. It’s seven days’ worth of dirty laundry – and, oh, yes, a belt.

Travel with someone who shares the same habits as you.
For example, if you like to sleep in a bit (hey, it’s a vacation, isn’t it?) , and your companion likes to hop out of bed as soon as the sun peeks through the curtain, and sunrise is 3:30am in this part of the world, you have a problem.

When placing a wish on Yoko Ono's Wish Tree, perhaps you should wish for world peace instead of winning the lottery.

When your husband sings Bryan Ferry’s “Love is the Drug” during karaoke on the overnight boat from Stockholm to Tallinn, and he is such a hit that the MC asks him to end the night, which he does with all of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” be sure to have the video camera handy.
Moments like that can’t be repeated.
(What we couldn’t figure out was why every time someone sang an Estonian folk song, the picture on the monitor was a mushroom).

(On the ferry.)

You are supposed to feel humble when people from other countries can speak perfect English, and you can barely say hello and goodbye in their language – and you are in their country!
Sitting in a restaurant in the Sodermalm district of Stockholm (you Girl With the Dragon Tattoo fans will know this well), I got chills listening to a Swedish bartender and a French customer talk to each other in English. It was cool, but humbling at the same time.

I also learned that Iceland is cold.

But what I learned most was that no matter where you travel, whether you speak the language or not, there is kindness everywhere. People went out of their way to help us without being asked.

As a traveler, I am thankful.

I thank the young Swedish girl on the train who wanted me to be sure to know that Malmo Central was three stops from Copenhagen Airport (it was two the last time I was there) and what to do if my tickets wouldn’t work (part of the long story); I thank the bartender at the Aquavit Restaurant in Stockholm who offered to go find the maître d' for us so we would be sure to get a table that evening (I think it was my complimenting him on his ability to pour a glass of wine and a beer at the same time); I thank the young chef in Uppsala who helped us translate the Swedish menu;I thank all of my Swedish cousins who I hadn't known before, who came together to welcome us, feed us and teach us how to play Kubb.

(Taking a walk with the Swedish relatives after lunch)

And it was heartening to hear so many of the people we encountered talk positively about the United States.

So if you are getting ready to plan your summer vacation, I hope these tips help, and as promised, here is how the library can help.

The library provides language instruction on our website via Mango, Learn a Language and LiveMocha. Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to teach 23 different languages.

Travel Guides are available covering a vast number of countries - Rick Steves, Frommer's, Fodor's, Lonely Planet and more.

And remember now that we have our new computer system, Polaris, you can freeze your holds while you are on vacation and you won't lose your place in the queue. If you don't know how to do this, we would be happy to show you.

How to pack for airport security might help you avoid embarrassment.

If you think you might find yourself in a karaoke situation, try this

If your partner is an early riser and you’re not, your husband won't let you shop and other compatibility issues, this might help: Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage.

Speaking of laughing, for a successful vacation, be sure to pack your sense of humor -- and remember, you can find your library anywhere in the world on the Internet www.sno-isle.org.

Happy traveling!

(The house in Sweden where my grandmother was born)

Summer Reading is Here for Everyone

2011-06-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was a little kid I would get so excited about summer reading. My library was of the sort where for every single book you read you could put up a little construction paper shape on the wall. It gave me such a thrill to pick out my name and book from all the others, and to gradually see the library walls covered by the love of readers.

Here at Sno-Isle Libraries, we want to not just keep kids reading over the summer (it is proven to help them retain more of what they learned during the school year), but to celebrate EVERYONE's love of books.

For kids the theme this year is One World, Many Stories. We encourage young readers to pick up a passport at any Sno-Isle library to earn a free book and the chance to have the bookmobile come to their own door. Then, they can travel the globe with our summer lineup of fun, fabulous and free activities.
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At Mountlake Terrace be sure to check out "The Fisherman and His Wife" Puppet Show, Open Up & Say Ha! With Kids Comedian Rick Huddle, and Are You Smarter Than a Villain? to start out the summer.

As always, we are also offering an exciting option for teens, too. Their theme is the slightly more zen, You Are Here, and teens can enter our Book Review Contest from any computer for a chance to win an iPad, an iPod, Sno-Isle Teens earbuds and pouch, or here at Mountlake Terrace a $100 gift card for Amazon! Simply by writing book reviews. Free teen events include a Bollywood dance class, Tick Tock Beat the Clock mini-challenges, a super fun Improv Games for Teens workshop, and the Ultimate Teen Challenge where they must photograph each other all over Mountlake Terrace in a scavenger hunt, plus build and play a mini-golf course!

And don't worry...we haven't forgotten about adults. Your reading will take you to Novel Destinations this summer, where you can just kick back and relax and read. For each book you finish, write a review for a chance to win your own Nook, or a chance to be our Reader of the Week!

Want to share the reading experience? Mountlake Terrace has not one, but two bookgroups. Our Foodie Book Group meets the 2nd Monday of each month, and if you don't like cooking...try our Second Tuesday Book Group.

How do we do it all? With a lot of help from our friends! If you get a chance, please tell The Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library and the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation how much we appreciate their support. It wouldn't be Summer Reading without them!

Why Oprah Matters

2011-05-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

Oprah has taped the last episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and said goodbye to her fans as she moves from her daily talk show to concentrating on her OWN network and other projects.

Why should we care?

For 25 years, Oprah has been coming into our living rooms and kitchens, interviewing guests on the topics of the day, and sharing her views, but most importantly, sharing herself.

When Oprah first went into national syndication, her show wasn’t much different from Donahue’s or Geraldo’s. And Jerry Springer had not yet gone to the dark side. She had the usual shows like “Librarians Gone Wild” and “I’m in love with a librarian. Does that mean I have to read books?”

But it was during a program on skinheads that she had an epiphany. She didn’t want her show to be a vehicle for spreading hate, so she made a conscious decision to move away from the sensational and to use her show as a platform for good. And she has never looked back.

Why does Oprah matter?

She practically single-handedly revived the publishing industry with her Oprah’s Book Club where people reported not having read a book in years until she told them to.

She has raised over $80,000,000 with her Angel Network.

Her seal of approval has gone on countless “favorite things,” thus assuring their success: from Spanx to Miraclebody jeans to Barack Obama’s bid for the Presidency.

She launched the careers of Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Suze Orman, Rachael Ray and Nate Burkus.

She has made dreams come true with her Wildest Dreams tour, helped audience members figure out their true bra size and given Pontiac G6s to all 276 of her audience members.

But more importantly, Oprah took the talk show format and turned it into a platform for good. She exhorted us to make a difference, to be ourselves and produced shows that helped us to do that. She assured us that when we know better, we do better. She showed us that we are not products of our circumstances. The past does not define us. She did it and she made us believe we could do it too.

It was important television.

She confronted the fear of AIDS in a 1987 show where a town drained a public pool rather than allow a person with AIDS to swim there. She went to Forsyth County, Georgia, to talk to the residents about the racial hostility there.

Her shows made a difference.

Oprah tells the story of a woman who came up to her in a store and told her that she used to beat her kids. And then she watched an Oprah show about how you weren’t supposed to beat your kids. At first that didn’t make sense to her because her mother had beaten her and her mother had been beaten. But she kept watching the show and she said that Oprah had been consistent about this issue. So she said she was going to try to not beat her kids for one week. She tried it for a week and then a second week. And then she said, “Now I can’t remember how long it’s been. I don’t beat my kids anymore---and I got different kids.”

One particularly moving show was with Dr. Phil. A woman could not get over the murder of her 18 year old daughter. Dr. Phil asked her if she had ever thought of celebrating those 18 years of her life instead of mourning them. The woman said she had never thought of it like that. And then she revealed that she had planned to go home after the show and kill herself but Dr. Phil’s question had stopped her.

For me personally, it was Oprah herself that I tuned in to see every day. Oprah was like a close girlfriend for 25 years, sharing her own story which included child abuse, issues with weight and her “aha moments.” Her sincerity urged me to make a difference and to be my best self. Her programs always seemed relevant to what was going on in my life at the time. When I would share some new idea with my family about family time or how we might want to change something, my son would yell, “Mom’s been watching Oprah again.” When the change was something he didn’t like, he would cry, “I hate Oprah!”

Oprah has also been a champion of reading and libraries, even if she never did fill her audience with librarians for one of her Favorite Things shows, despite my many emails to her producers. Didn't she realize that librarians needed new cars and washers and dryers too?

Her Book Club spawned new interest in reading discussion groups and rocketed every selection to the top of bestseller lists. She boosted sales for each title from thousands to hundreds of thousands or, in many cases, millions. The publishers of Oprah’s Book Club selections distributed more than 600,000 free books to libraries.

Growing up poor, Oprah said, “Books were my path to personal freedom.”

By noting on her television show that, according to "Good Housekeeping," 77% of elementary teachers had said that children return to school reading below or at the same level because they just have been out of practice over the summer, Oprah boosted summer reading by telling her viewers that too many kids “really are taking the summer off.” She suggested that to encourage a young reader, “you have to insist on 15–30 minutes every day to read. You just do.” Winfrey credited her stepmother with having done so. “We would go to the library and would draw books every two weeks. I would take out five books, and I would have a little reading time every day. That’s what encouraged me to become a great reader. Who knew I was going to grow up to have my own book club? But you have to do that with your children, and your children need to see you reading.”

Oprah said that it is not enough to simply tell children to read, but there should be books in the house. She said, “You make a field trip of a day to the library and make a big deal out of getting your own library card. “ And try to get them hooked on a favorite author or a series, like when I was a girl it was Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski and that whole [regional United States] series by Lois Lenski.”

(The Sno-Isle Libraries Summer Reading Program begins June 1.)

In 1997, at its Annual Conference in San Francisco, the American Library Association bestowed its highest award on Oprah, Honorary Membership for life. The award citation reads: “Oprah Winfrey, through her Book Club, has done more to revitalize and promote the importance of reading among American citizens than any other public figure in recent times. Through libraries, she has helped make books available free of charge to many who might not have been able to purchase their own copies. She has refocused attention on the important role of the library in the community.”

Oprah deserves all of the accolades.

She is one of the most powerful women in the world, and she has chosen to use that power to help others. She has made TV a better place. She will be missed.

I just wish I could have been on one of those Favorite Things shows!

Did The Oprah Winfrey Show have an impact on your life?
If so, please share it with us.

Could YOU Pass the U.S. Citizenship Test?

2011-05-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

With all that is happening in the world and Memorial Day approaching, I reflect on what it means to be an American. I also think about those who choose to be Americans – who have traveled to the United States and started their lives over again to head down the road to American citizenship. It is certainly not an easy or inexpensive road to travel.

The Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood libraries are happy to participate in this journey by offering classes to community members seeking U.S. citizenship. Other Sno-Isle libraries will also soon be offering these classes.

The classes concentrate on the 100 U.S. civics and history questions that students will need to answer during their citizenship interview. Though only 10 questions are actually asked at the interview, prospective citizens won’t know what will be asked, so they need to be prepared for all 100 of them.

Let’s pretend you are seeking citizenship and I am the interviewer and these are the 10 questions I will ask you.

Let’s see how well you would do – and no cheating!

Question #1. In 25 words or less, please solve the U.S. deficit problem.

No, no, I am just kidding.

Here are the real questions:

1. What is the supreme law of the land?
(And don't say your Mom.)

2. What is the “rule of law?”

3. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
(Hint: Don't get hung up on the fact that some don't bother to vote).

4. What is one responsibility that is only for U.S. citizens?
(Hint: One thing is something people try to get out of and the other is something not enough people participate in).

5. Why did the colonists fight the British?
(Hint: tea was very, very expensive in those days)

6. When was the Constitution written?
(and don’t say 1776 because that would be wrong.)

7. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(Hint: Federalist is not a last name).

8. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
(Hint: It’s not the kite story.)

9. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
(Hint: If you answer lots, you would be right, but it's not the required answer.)

10. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
(Hint: It’s not because 13 was Betsy Ross's favorite number).

How did you do?

Rather sobering, isn’t it, when we have lived here all of our lives, taken U.S. History and Civics classes and these answers don’t roll off of our tongues? – Well, they don’t roll off mine, anyway.

To see the rest of the questions Click here

Classes are ongoing at the Lynnwood Library on Tuesdays at 1pm and classes resume at the Mountlake Terrace Library in 5 week sessions beginning June 23. We are currently taking registrations. For more information call the Lynnwood Library at 425-778-2148 or the Mountlake Terrace Library at 424-776-8722.

Answers:
1. The Constitution
2. Everyone must follow the law
Leaders must obey the law
Government must obey the law
No one is above the law.
3. 435
4. Serve on a jury
Vote in a U.S. election
5. Because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
Because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
Because they didn’t have self-government
6. 1787
7. James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Publius
(I didn’t know who that was either)
8. U.S. Diplomat
Oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
First Postmaster General of the U.S.
Writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
Started the first free libraries
9. Fought for women’s rights
Fought for civil rights
10.Because there were 13 original colonies
Because the stripes represent the original colonies

The Royal Wedding - Reporting Live from My Living Room Couch

2011-04-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading this blog, it should come as no surprise that I would stay up all night to watch the Royal Wedding in real time. With the wedding at 3am Pacific Time and the kiss on the balcony scheduled for 5:25, it’s going to be a long night, but I had two cups of black tea at 8:30pm, so I think I am good to go.

9:15pm. Arrive home from work.
Oh, good, my William and Kate paper dolls came in the mail today.
Can't wait to watch the Royal Wedding.
This calls for my best PJ’s – the ones that say “I (heart) London"- and of course, I must wear a fascinator.
The dogs have to get ready too. A bowtie for Tarquin; a tiara for Mildred, and Freddy will be in full livery as he will be buttling during the event.
Pimm’s Cup anyone?

9:30-11:30pm. Killing time until the wedding guests start arriving at Westminster Abbey.
Watched “American Idol.” (Casey was kicked off). Watching an “ International House Hunters” episode. Yawn. Next an old Bill Maher I had Tivo’d, and the latest episode of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Sigh.
Bored, but doing pretty well so far.

11:30pm. My son calls.
He tells me his mother-in-law will also be staying up all night. He comments that I am talking fast and loud. Must be the tea kicking in.

Midnight. – toggling between ABC, BBC and CBUT – can’t decide which one to watch. An awful lot of blathering and fluff going on no matter what channel I choose.

1:20am. The Beckhams arrive.
Love her dress. Not sure about her hat.
My husband is trying to show his support by staying up, but is struggling. He is on his 3rd cup of espresso. I, on the other hand, am full of energy and chattering like a magpie.

1:30am. Oh, there’s Elton.
He’s sitting in the back on a plastic chair (Sharon Osbourne later comments that it was probably the first time Elton’s fanny ever sat on a plastic chair!)

2am. Prime Minister Cameron arrives.
His wife isn’t wearing a hat. Scandalous.
I look over on the other side of the couch. Freddy has collapsed and ceased buttling. Tarquin’s bowtie is askew and Mildred’s tiara is lopsided.

2:10am. Prince William emerges from Clarence House with Harry. Uncontrolled clapping on my part ensues.
They look splendid. Tall and handsome in their uniforms, but of course they would look wonderful. They are Diana’s boys.
Harry looks a bit hung over, though.

2:20am. Harry and William arrive at Westminster Abbey.
They visit with the guests.
Can’t help but think how happy William looks, unlike Charles when he married Diana.

2:38 am. Kate’s mother and brother have arrived.
Some of the Royals are entering the church. Barbara Walters calls them the “lesser royals.” I wonder how they would feel about that. I have never seen so many fascinators in one place.
Glad I have mine on.

2:45am. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie..
Yikes! What is that on Beatrice’s head? Looks like a Lady Gaga moment! I wonder how they feel about their mother not being invited.

2:50am. The Queen and Prince Philip arrive.
The Queen is a vision in yellow amd carrying her everpresent handbag (matching, of course).
I wouldn’t mind being Queen.

3am. Kate emerges from the car.
I guess I shouldn't call her Kate. She prefers Catherine.
Oh, she looks gorgeous.
Her dress is reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s dress when she married Prince Rainier. Kate's, I mean Catherine's, sister Pippa looks beautiful – love her dress – and as she follows Catherine, holding the hands of the little flower girls, it is very touching especially with the dramatic music. (Later, there was much speculation on whether or not it was appropriate for Pippa to also wear white. And yes, it is. In the UK, the bridesmaids usually include little girls and their outfits mimic the bride’s. Just thought you would like to know).

Harry sneaks a peak back as Catherine comes up the aisle and says to William “Wait 'til you see her.” Yes, I can lip-read.
William keeps looking straight ahead. When Catherine arrives at the altar with her father, William says, “You look sensational, Babe. Really beautiful.”
Or that’s what I think he says.

I have been texting with my daughter-in-law who is up feeding her new baby. She said her husband (my son)"popped out to see the dress," which I find funny since he had told me earlier he wouldn't be caught dead watching. He had told me to "enjoy your Super Bowl."

The ceremony is lovely, but I find it anti-climactic once they are pronounced married. I wanted to see them get married, and then walk back down the aisle to trumpets and bell-ringing to greet the awaiting crowd.
The rest of the wedding is a bit of a snooze fest. Can’t believe I have to stay up at least another hour or so to see them on the balcony.
Dogs and husband sound asleep and those two cups of tea are wearing off.

5:30am. William and Catherine emerge from Buckingham Palace onto the balcony.
Not one kiss but two!! History is made!

Yay! I did it!

I was there as it all unfolded. Just as I was when Diana was married, and just as I was for her funeral.

As I write this, I am thinking about the days leading up to the wedding.
There was a lot of grousing about it, asking why we should care about this wedding when there is so much tragedy in the world, such as the tornadoes in the South, the earthquake in Japan, Libya and on and on.

But that is just the point.

It is because of all of that misery that we need a bright spot in the midst of the darkness and what brighter spot than a beautiful wedding starring beautiful people who are in love? With all of the chaos in the world, why not celebrate something positive?

What does this have to do with libraries? Nothing really – except to say, next time you are in the library, take a look at your friendly library staff and know that each and every one of them has interests, passions, and experiences outside the library that lends something unique and positive to your interaction with them inside the library. Great Britain, the Royal Family, Princess Diana – those just happen to be some interests of mine. And watching the wedding made me happy. I came to work today happy. And that’s a good thing, right?

Spring Clean and Spice Up Your Wardrobe

2011-04-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day! Recycling is great, but even better is to reuse unwanted items. This weekend the Mountlake Terrace Library can help you do that in style:

Is your closet so full, you can barely get in there? Are you drawers full of stuff you bought, wore once, and never took out again? Do you have too many shoes? Clean out your closet, purge your bookshelves, and lighten the load. Bring in unwanted, clean clothing and books in good condition for our first ever book and clothing swap! Pick up some new (to you) items.

I love clothing swaps. In fact right this minute I'm wearing pants and a sweater I got at a clothing swap. There is something wonderful about being able to get rid of things you are iffy about and have someone else love them!

Come into the library this weekend with your discards, pick up a few new things, and we will take all the leftovers to be donated to the Friends of the Library and a community charity.

Reuse, Reread, Rewear: Book and Clothing Swaps
Teen - Friday April 22nd, 3-5:30
Children and Adults - Saturday April 23rd, 11-2

Hope to see you there!

A.J. Goes to the Library

2011-04-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have been out in the world for almost a month now and I think I have the sleeping, eating and crying thing down.

Now I want to go to the library.

Maybe if I show some interest in Opening Day of baseball, my Dad will take me.

Nope. He's totally immersed.

M-m-m. What to do?

I need to get to the library to check out Polaris, the new online library catalog I've heard so much about.
It's all my Glammy talks about - how I can get better search results to find my library materials faster, how I can personalize my library experience by keeping track of my favorite books that my parents read to me, and I will even be able to rate, review and share titles with my other baby friends.

I have to get there.

I need to work on my Mom.

Pssst. Hey, Mom, over here. How can you resist this cute baby routine I am doing?

Well, that didn't work. Let's see if the adorable sleeping baby ploy works.

Score! She's got me dressed and ready to go, and I am stylin' if I do say so myself

Off we go!

Polaris, Tumblebooks and Baby Story Time, here I come!

There you are, Library. Yay!

OK, let's see. First I will hit the picture books - I want the latest Babar book, Goodnight Moon, Are you My Mother?...so many to choose from. If I can't find what I want, I will ask that nice librarian over there.

Then it's over to the DVDs (I can get 10 at a time - for free!), then off to Baby Story Time, and after that, I will probably crawl over to the preschool computers and give them a look. OK, I can't crawl yet, but my Mom will take me over there.

And then I'm going to...

***An hour later***

Z-z-z-z-z.

There is just so much to do at the library, I think I overdid it.

But I will be back. The library has materials and services for all ages of my life.
My parents have given me a good start by making the library an important part of my life.

I love you, Library!

And I love you, too, Polaris -- you are so easy to use, even a baby can do it!

Change

2011-04-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

How can you tell if a blonde has been using the computer? Answer: There’s whiteout on the screen.

C’mon, people have a sense of humor. Blonde jokes have been around since the beginning of time. Or, at least since the invention of peroxide. And I can tell this joke, because yesterday, I did something I never thought I would.

I went blonde.

I needed to do something with my hair and just didn’t know what to do. I did know I needed a change, so I went for it. Now I guess I can find out first hand if blondes have more fun.

And this small act got me to thinking about change and all of the changes that have occurred in my life over the last few years. My two children leaving home, my husband and I packing up and moving to Seattle after over 30 years in California, two weddings and a grandchild over the course of just 3 years…lots of change.

Change is hard.

For example, have you ever tried to change something as simple as your daily routine? When I get up in the morning, I go downstairs, have exactly ½ cup of orange juice mixed with Perrier or San Pellegrino (I know, I am a terrible snob), go back upstairs, turn on “Ellen” or “Inside Edition,” which I TIVO’d from the day before, shower, put in contacts, make the bed, get dressed, style hair, brush teeth, put on make-up, go downstairs, make tea, take tea to car and head for work.

Change one little thing and it will discombobulate my whole day.

For example, my husband almost always gets up before I do. However, if for some reason he is still in bed when my routine requires that it is now time to make the bed, I can’t continue to step 6, which is get dressed, until he has vacated the room. He has to get out of the bed so I can make it. He also can’t be in the room or either bathroom, because I need all of that space to get ready.

I also have an evening routine.

When I come home from work (if I am not going to the gym, where I must admit my motivation has flagged somewhat lately), I must take exactly seven almonds and something to drink (I will let you guess what that is) upstairs to watch” The View” (again which I Tivo’d earlier that day – I love you Tivo!). I might deign to talk to my husband a bit before that, but this is my evening ritual before I can eat my dinner.

I am sure I am not the only one with rituals.

Even my dogs can’t seem to proceed without their morning ritual. They get up with my husband so they are downstairs with him. As soon as they hear my footsteps upstairs – and I mean I can’t even tiptoe to the bathroom without them hearing me – the cacophony of whining begins. If for some reason, I take too long to get up, the littlest one, my darling Tarquin, sits outside the bedroom door whining. We have tried putting up a baby gate to keep them from getting upstairs before I get up, but Tarquin can collapse his bones like a little rat and squeezes through the stair railing to get to me.

And why all of this interest in my getting up?

Because I stupidly made the mistake of giving them treats in the morning when I arrive downstairs, and now I am part of their morning ritual and eternally associated with chicken jerky.

But just because it is difficult to change, it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do it.

When I yell at my husband to get out of bed so I can get dressed, I don’t feel good about it. And I am not particularly thrilled to think that my beloved dogs have a mental image of chicken jerky when they think of me.

Change is good.

Change can revitalize you.
Now that I am a blonde I feel younger and enjoy flipping my hair around. I think I get better service in stores too.

Change can help you discover something you might never have discovered.
When I moved to Seattle I discovered that I could reinvent myself – that even as a woman of a certain age, I could be an adventurer and adapt to new situations.

Change will get you out of a rut.
After I moved, I realized I had been bored and not getting out and doing things.

I am not saying that we must change just for the sake of changing. But we need to be aware of the signs that change is needed. Doing nothing will lead to just that – nothing.

And that brings me around to Polaris.

As I am sure you are all aware, Polaris has arrived.

Our new online library catalog is ALIVE – up and running.

This is the system we use to track books and other items owned by the library system, manage cardholder accounts, holds and other behind-the-scenes library processes. Over the last few months, library staff has been trained, and we have been learning new processes and overcoming some of the kinks that are inevitable when such a big change occurs. We thank our customers for their patience as we all get accustomed to the new system.

What would have happened if we had not made this change?

Yes, it would have been easier to stick with what we knew, but the signs that change was needed were there. Our old system was 20 years old and not capable of providing the services our customers have come to expect from today’s online environment. The old system’s company was not going to provide technical support anymore, and our customers were asking for services our old system could not provide. If we had stuck with the old and familiar, we would not have been responding to the needs of our library customers.

Now our computer system is revitalized.
Our customers will get better results when searching the catalog.

Now our library customers can discover new things.
They can save searches and be alerted via email when new items matching that search are added to the collection; they can easily see the number of copies we own, add ratings and reviews, choose their own login and password, keep a history of items checked out, if they choose and more.

And Polaris has gotten us out of the rut that the old system was in.
It couldn’t provide some of the services our customers were asking for, such as freezing and unfreezing holds without losing their place in the queue, keeping a history of items checked out, if they so choose, and adding ratings and reviews.

Will it be hard to learn?
No, just ask the blonde at the front desk. I will be happy to show you how easy it is.

Free Gadget Coaching This Weekend

2011-03-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Do you have a great new electronic gadget (cell phone, digital camera, mp3 player, etc.) but are frustrated trying to figure it out? Bring in your gadget to get personal help from our talented and patient Teen Tech Coaches. We expect to have 8 coaches this weekend, so there should be plenty of help to give you the personal attention you need!

Saturday March 25th from 1-3pm at the Mountlake Terrace Library.

Hope to see you there!

Rules for New Grandparents

2011-03-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

My first grandchild was born yesterday, a boy who my son and his wife named Atticus Jackson, also known as A.J. I think my son is already planning on his son being an athlete, so A.J. is a good athlete’s name. But he also named him after Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird fame – when my son was in law school he talked of becoming a civil rights lawyer like Atticus – so it is fitting.

The birth of my first grandchild gets me to thinking about the nature of grandparenthood.

I want to be the best grandparent I can be, but what makes a good grandparent?

Here is what I have come up with so far.

Respect the new parents. Yes, you have years of experience, but things change. When my son was born, parents were supposed to put the baby on his stomach with his head turned to the side. Now that is frowned upon. Babies are supposed to sleep on their backs. When my children were small, we were still listening to Dr. Spock. My kids think he is someone from “Star Trek.”

Be a good guest. When you visit your grandchildren, you are also a guest of your son or daughter who have set up their own homes with their spouses. Guests do not come in and take over. One time when my mother was visiting, I came home from work to find she had changed the curtains in my kitchen. That is not being a good guest.

Remember birthdays and holidays, but if you didn’t teach your own children to send thank you notes, don’t expect your grandchildren to. We aren’t born with good manners.

Show joy when you see your grandchildren, and be their biggest cheerleaders. Make them feel they light up the room and your life the instant you see them. That kind of joy aimed at them will go a long way toward good self-esteem.

Read to your grandchildren. When my children were little, the bedtime ritual was a ride on “The Old Gray Mare” to bed (me on all fours singing and swaying - not a pretty sight), and they were allowed to choose two books to be read to them. Never mind that they would always choose the longest books (The Velveteen Rabbit is so long). No matter how exhausted we might have been, if we dared to try to save some time and skip a page or even a paragraph, we would hear, “Hey you skipped that!” They knew every book by heart. Maybe that was because we had to read the same ones so many times.

Don’t break your son's or daughter’s rules. Yes, we want our grandchildren to love us and look forward to going to Glammy’s house, but if you want to continue to have a good relationship with your own child, better get hip to the new rules. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make them fun!

Leave the heavy discipline to your son or daughter. Make sure you know what your role is when it comes to discipline. You want your grandchildren to look forward to seeing you, not to go to Glammy’s kicking and screaming and crying child abuse.

You are not the only grandparent. In fact there could be four of you! If you didn’t learn to share when you were younger, you must learn to share now. I know, it's not easy.

Make memories together. Whether it’s watching old Bette Davis movies, playing Parcheesi or teaching the dog to flip a potato chip off its nose and catch it, those are all things your grandchild will remember fondly. Be a part of his or her world and really listen to their interests and ideas.

Skype. If you live too far away to see the grandchildren regularly, here is the next best thing.

Babysit. What better way to bond with your grandchildren?
I moved far away from my mother right after college. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Everyone in Michigan wanted to move to California. When my son was born, I had to hand him over to a stranger when I went back to work. It was very difficult. I remember asking my colleagues at work, "Who takes care of your children? The reply would inevitably be, “My Mom.” Never had I wished more that I had not moved away, California not withstanding. Besides, the Summer of Love was over and now I was awash in diapers and childcare issues. My mother would have loved to care for my son or daughter. Of course, they would have been in a high chair until they were 6, wearing bibs and eating toast every morning to “keep them regular,” but still… There is a saying, “A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of television.” That would have given me a peace of mind I never had as a working Mom.

Speaking of babysitting…

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…as I make this segue…C'mon folks, you know me by now.

If you have been reading this blog, you know it's all about Polaris right now. Our new computer system is due to go live on March 30, and in the meantime, we are asking you all to "Babysit-a-Book." Spend some extra quality time with your borrowed library materials, check out more than usual,and keep them until after April 9.

That will really help us. The fewer returned materials for us to check in means we can focus on getting Polaris up and running to serve you better. No library materials will be due from March 21 to April 9 (however, this does not apply to materials that are currently overdue).

So if you don't have grandchildren or you live too far away to babysit, you can babysit our books for us!

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go practice my “Good Grandparenting” skills!

And you experienced grandparents out there…Anything you want to share?

Weighing in on the Oscars

2011-03-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

You didn't actually think that I could let the Academy Awards come and go and not comment, did you?

I don't know if I go along with the Oscars being "The Super Bowl for Women," but it's definitely "The Super Bowl for Movie Lovers," and I am a "dyed in the wool" Filmophile, so I look forward to this event every year. Did I not call The Hurt Locker as Best Picture last year even before it was nominated? Yes, I did.

I love the Red Carpet, the cheesy production numbers (who can forget Rob Lowe singing Proud Mary with Snow White?) and all of the energy and, yes, flubs that live television can produce (remember the streaker and David Niven's quick response?). So it was with the usual excitement that I sat down on the couch in my Academy Award finery with my flute of champagne to watch the stars razzle and dazzle.

And then...thud.

Not only did I lose the family competition by one (I had 17 out of 24 which is darn good, I think, but not enough to beat my son's 18), but the show was boring. Now I know it has a general reputation for being boring to those of you who do not follow the world of movies religiously. But it was even boring for me. And when I say boring, I mean borrrrrr.....ring!!!! And Anne Hathaway and James Franco as hosts were even worse than Letterman (who can forget "Uma...Oprah...Oprah...Uma?).

What struck me at the outset was the lack of production numbers, which, as I said, I actually look forward to. Everything just seemed rushed from one award to the next. And yet...it still was three hours long. How was that possible?

Anyway, here are my awards for this year's Academy Awards.

Most Missed Award. There was a reason why Billy Crystal's entrance was greeted with huge applause. The show needed him. It makes me laugh just thinking of what he would have said after Melissa Leo's expletive or when Kirk Douglas wouldn't leave the stage. That kind of show needs someone with a quick wit and great sense of humor to make the most of those flubs and stomach-churning moments and keep the show rolling along.

The Award for Most Mystifying Moment. Please tell me why Anne Hathaway sang "On My Own" to Hugh Jackman followed by James Franco coming out dressed as Marilyn Monroe? How many people even knew he was dressed as Marilyn? Were we supposed to get that?

The Bob Who? Award. If Anne and James were there to attract the "young demographic," why bring Bob Hope into the mix? No one younger than 40 probably even knew who he was. And it was just a reminder to us older folks how much fun the show used to be when he was on!

The "Nobody Cares About the Irving Thalberg Award" Award. This is one of the big moments for someone in the movie business, and I didn't even realize Francis Ford Coppola had won it. Granted I was drinking the requisite champagne, but there he was, lumped in with Jean Luc Godard and Eli Wallach, who won Honorary Awards, and not one of them was allowed to give a speech! That is outrageous!

The Most Boring Red Carpet Award. I have always enjoyed the Red Carpet and trash talking the TV as the dresses paraded by. And now we have even been robbed of this innocent pastime. With all of the stars now having stylists, no one looks bad anymore...and what fun is that?

The Dead AND Forgotten Award. Cory Haim was left out of the In Memoriam segment AGAIN, first at the SAG Awards and again at the Oscars. What's the deal? He was a talented young actor who starred in Lucas and The Lost Boys. Peter Graves and Betty Garrett also didn't make the cut. Don't they qualify as much as Pierre Guffroy or Edward Limato?

The Twit Tweets Award. Can you believe that James Franco was tweeting all during the show? I noticed it as Anne and he first came out and then I thought "Isn't that cute? He's so excited to be on the Oscars that he is tweeting it." But then he not only kept doing it, he showed his lack of excitement by sleepwalking through the rest of the show! There was speculation that he was doing more than tweeting backstage, if you know what I mean.

The Award for Most Cringeworthy Moment. Kirk Douglas. Kirk, Kirk, Kirk. It takes quite an ego to prolong the agony for what is probably the biggest night of an actor's life. He must not have seen Helena Bonham Carter's face as he kept saying, "You know..." every time he went to announce Best Supporting Actress. She looked like she was thinking, "You bloody Yank. Get on with it!" And then they couldn't get him off the stage.

Best Cringe-inducing Speech. Melissa Leo's speech was a spectacle right up there with Sacheen Littlefeather and Jack Palance's one-armed pushups!

And finally, the award for Best New Library Star goes to....POLARIS!

If you haven't already heard, the new star of our show is Polaris. And it has all of the pizzazz, glamour and fast pace that the Oscars lacked.

This new computer system will have the ability to freeze holds during our customer's vacations so they won't lose their place in the queue, create reading lists, get better search results, and more.

Classes will be held in community libraries to introduce customers to all of the cool features Polaris has to offer and Webinar Preview Sessions will be available on Monday, March 21 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm. Email tkhau@sno-isle.org to register.

So stay-tuned for all of the excitement Polaris will bring.

We promise. Nothing boring or cringeworthy. Just a valuable 21st century community resource that will give our customers a more powerful library experience.

I wish that last Academy Awards show could say the same thing.

Baby Watch

2011-02-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

I am officially on baby watch.

My first grandchild is due to be born any time between now and early March, and I can’t wait to meet my little grandson. I know it’s a boy, but I don’t know the name yet, so I call him a variety of names…Herkimer, Jedidiah, Tarquin. However, don’t call me Grandma, Granny, Grammy or Grandmother. I will be Glammy and that’s that. No comfortable shoes, glasses perched atop my nose or old-fashioned clothes for me. So no offense to the little darling who I will love with all my heart. I will be more Auntie Mame than Auntie Em.

It’s difficult for those of us who came of age in the 1960’s to even imagine that grandparenthood has arrived. Many of us Baby Boomers enter the aging process kicking and screaming. But we can’t help it. We started the whole “youth obsessed” culture. A mantra of the 1960’s was “Never trust anyone over 30.” And Mick Jagger said, “ If you think that Mick Jagger will still be doing the whole rock star thing at age fifty, well, then, you are sorely, sorely mistaken.” (Sorry, Mick, I guess you were sorely, sorely mistaken. I saw you at the Grammys.)

We children of the 60’s who were supposed to value substance over looks have now succumbed to trying to stay young. How else do you explain Botox (Botox used to be something you got from eating dodgy tomatoes) or the plethora of diet books (“The Cookie Diet,” “The Cabbage Soup Diet” or – this one scares me –“The Slimming Soap Diet”)? And of course hair dyes (I don’t even know if I have gray hair or not), skin creams (seems that the economy hasn’t affected skin care products- the industry continues to grow) and, of course, plastic surgery and SPANX.

My son and his wife are trying to do everything right in preparation for the baby. They have the car seat that looks like it would take the baby into outer space and back, the jogging stroller and the fancy bassinet. And those of us who will be seeing the baby soon after birth are all immunized with our tetanus/whooping cough shots. Ouch.

But mostly my son and his wife are probably wondering how their lives will change.
That’s something a new parent can’t really anticipate until it happens.
Little do they realize what those first few months will be like, especially if the baby wakes them up every night and they have to work the next day. There is a “tired” quotient that doesn’t even register on the ”tired gauge.” But I will tell them what my mother told me, “Every day it will get better.” It did and it will.

But of all the changes a new baby represents, most will be welcome changes – the closeness one feels to one’s spouse, the unconditional love one feels toward the baby, the feeling of being a part of the circle of life…

Here at the library, we are waiting for a “baby” too.
Its name is Polaris.

As you all may know by now, sometime in early April our 20-year-old computer system will be replaced by a newer, better system named Polaris. Right now Polaris is waiting to be born, and we are eager for the birth.

Yes, Polaris is a computer system, but the challenges and changes that will occur when moving over to a new library computer system after working with the same one for 20 years is not unlike getting used to the changes that a new baby brings.

Just like my son and his wife, we are trying to do everything right too.

Sno-Isle staff members have been working behind the scenes for months, from choosing the best system to formulating the needed questions to processing the answers and implications. Training sessions are in place. All of this was done in preparation for not only a better computer system to serve our library customers, but to make this transition as painless as possible for everyone.

There will be many welcome changes.

Polaris will help our customers save time, will be easy to use and leaves our old system in the dust when it comes to efficiency. It also addresses many of the features our customers have been asking for. Customers will be able to suspend holds while on vacation without losing their place in the queue, opt in to a “Reading History” to keep track of books read, get cell phone notifications, save searches, write “Reader Reviews” and more. For those customers who like to use Google, Netflix or Amazon, Polaris will feel familiar.

But as in any big change, such as the arrival of a first baby, there is a learning curve, help and patience may be needed and some training required. There could be some unanticipated changes. And if that happens, I will think of what my mother said once again, “Every day it will get better.”

As we and our customers discover the functionality of Polaris, any discomfort at the outset will change to joy.

So we, your library staff, are currently gearing up for the arrival of our new “baby.”

We look forward to sharing our enthusiasm with you and helping you learn the new system.

And you didn’t even need to buy us a shower gift!

Foodie Book Group News

2011-02-07T18:41:00.000-08:00

Mountlake Terrace Library's Foodie Book Group continues to grow!

We now have our own blog where you can find updates, such as this:

Our February meeting was scheduled on Valentines Day, but apparently people have plans that night? So by popular demand, we will be having our next meeting on Tuesday February 15th, 2011, 6:30-8:30. The theme is Mexican Cookbooks. Bring your favorites, or check out a few from the library to explore, then cook a dish to share. We will discuss what we feel works best in these cookbooks, special features to look for, etc...

A Valentine for My Library

2011-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Ah, February, the Month of Love.

I wanted to send some love to my library, not just for all it currently does for me, but for the changes that will be occurring in the coming months (I will get to that later).

How do I show my appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere, the dedicated staff, the cool website chock full of research aids and databases, the free programs I can attend with my family, the WiFi, the computers, the free DVDs and CDs, the downloads to my Nook or other eReader…I could go on and on (and you KNOW I can!).

How can I express my love and appreciation?

Perhaps I should look to the movies for some inspiration.

Who could forget Tom Cruise saying, “Library, you complete me.”

(Can you get this at the library? Of course the library has it!)

or Daniel Day-Lewis staring intently and saying, “Stay at the Library! I will find you!”

(Yep! We've got that one too).

or the classic “Of all the libraries in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

(Do we have it? Yep!)

I have fond memories of Heath Ledger saying, “May I ask your name, My Lady Librarian? Or perhaps angels have no names, only beautiful faces.”

(You want it? We've got it!)

There is the memorable “A library can touch us one time and last for a lifetime and never let go till we’re gone.”

(Need you ask?)

And finally, “If you love your library you say it…you say it right then, out loud…or the moment just…passes you by.”

(Again, yes!)

So I don’t want the moment to pass me by. I love you library! There, I said it.

And it’s important for us all to say it because a big change is on the horizon.

Polaris is coming!

What is Polaris?

Polaris is the name of the new computer system we will be introducing in the coming months. Our current system is 20 years old and you know what that means in “computer years…” More like 100. We want to remain a relevant, valuable community resource as we move through the 21st century and Polaris is going to help us do that. This also fulfills our promise to you as to how we would spend the tax money voters invested in the 2009 levy increase.

There will be a bit of a learning curve for staff and our customers, but this new technology will give you, our customers, the features you have been asking for.

You will have more control over your holds
You will save time and get better search results when you search our catalog
It will be easier to use
It will contain features you expect from sites like Netflix, Google and Amazon

And that’s just the beginning! Stay tuned.

But as I said, as with most changes, there is a learning curve so library staff will be getting ready for this big change with lots of training and dealing with all the tweaks needed to make this a smooth transition.

So that’s why I particularly want to show the love for my library this month.

So what should I say? Those movie quotes are great but don’t quite express what I want to say.

Perhaps it’s best to reach back to the classics for my inspiration. And who showed the love better than Elizabeth Barrett Browning?

Ahem, here we go (with my apologies to Liz)

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
I can reach as I try to pull the latest Sue Grafton from the top shelf (Yes! Score!).
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need as I sit in the library and read by sun and lamplight.
I love thee freely, as men and women strive for the Right to Read whatever they want.
I love thee purely as I turn page to page of “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” while listening to Usher’s “Versus” CD (just one of the 10 CDs I may check out free from the library).
I love with a passion put to use
For all the do-it-yourself books you have (I will build that deck this summer, I will!) and other resources that save me money and make my life easier.
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith I remember the story times my mother took me to at the library that helped me get ready for kindergarten (and we’re still doing it!)
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
Until I discovered I could close my Netflix account because I could get all the DVDs I wanted for free at the library.
I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life!...
I shall but love thee better when Polaris arrives.

One more movie quote:

“A library is like a box of chocolates, you never know all the great services you’re gonna get unless you go there (or check out our website).

(Do we have it? What do you think?)

So sometime this month, go to your favorite library and discover or rediscover the programs and resources that we love to provide. And while you are at it, why not send a little love to your library. We love hearing from you!

It's A Wonderful Li......brary.

2011-01-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

OK, now be honest. How many times did you watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” over the holidays?

Oh, yes you did!

Most of us know the story –

Clarence, an angel who needs to earn his wings, comes down to earth to help a despondent George Bailey, who is contemplating suicide, to show George what life would have been like if he never existed.

It’s a fairy tale, but we watch this uplifting tale over and over because we all need reminding that we matter…that the world wouldn’t quite be the same if we were not in it.

(George has discovered his brother Harry’s tombstone)

Clarence: (explaining) Your brother, Harry Bailey, broke through the ice and was drowned at the age of nine.
George Bailey: That’s a lie! Harry Bailey went to war – he got the Congressional Medal of Honor, he saved the lives of every man on that transport.
Clarence: Every man on that transport died! Harry wasn’t there to save them, because you weren’t there to save Harry.

Clarence goes on to tell George, “You’ve been given a great gift, George. A chance to see what the world would be like without you.”

So this got me to thinking,

What would the world be like without libraries?

(sound of me thinking) Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do

FADE IN – NIGHT SEQUENCE

CLARA’S VOICE (that’s me – I’m Clara the Angel)
You sent for me sir?
FRANKLIN’S VOICE (He’s the Head of the Angels)
Yes, Clara, People on earth need our help.
CLARA’S VOICE
Splendid! Are they sick?
FRANKLIN’S VOICE
No, worse. They are not appreciating their libraries.
CLARA’S VOICE
Oh, dear, dear! Their libraries! Then I’ve only got an hour to dress. What are they wearing now? (I must be fashionable! – wink)
FRANKLIN’S VOICE
You will go to earth and show the people what the world would be like without libraries.
CLARA’S VOICE
Sir…If I should accomplish this mission – I mean—might I perhaps be able to secure library funding in perpetuity? I’ve been waiting for over two hundred years now, sir…
FRANKLIN’S VOICE
What’s that book you’ve got there?
CLARA’S VOICE
LIFE by Keith Richards
FRANKLIN’S VOICE
Darn. I’m on the waiting list at the library for that.
Anyway, Clara, you do a good job showing the people how valuable their libraries are and you will get that funding.
CLARA’S VOICE
Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.

The stars fade out from the screen, and a light, an indistinguishable blur is seen. The blur on the screen slowly begins to take form. We see a group of young boys on top of a snow-covered hill.

EXTERIOR FROZEN RIVER AND HILL – DAY

The group of boys is preparing to slide down the hill on large shovels. One of them makes the slide and shoots out onto the ice of a frozen river at the bottom of the hill.

BOY: (as he slides down and reaches the bottom)
Yippee! I can’t wait to get to the library and get the next Harry Potter book.
OTHER BOY: (shaking his head)
You idiot. Don’t you read the papers? All the libraries have closed. Everyone took them for granted and they disappeared.
BOY: (crying)
Oh, no. My dad lost his job and said there is no money for anything extra. How will I get that book?

DISSOLVE
Boy’s home
INTERIOR LIVING ROOM

BOY’S DAD: (talking to his wife)
Sorry, honey. I have been looking for a job for six months now and there just isn’t anything. I had to cancel our Netflix, newspaper, Book of the Month, magazine and investments subscriptions. And we can’t afford our Internet access anymore either. But we can always go to the library for free DVDs and books and can read the magazines and newspapers there. We can use their computers, and I know they have investment materials too.
BOY’S MOTHER: (gently)
Oh, George, haven’t you heard? There are no libraries anymore.
BOY’S DAD (let’s call him George. I’m tired of typing “Boy’s Dad):
Oh, no. I was taking their free computer classes to improve my computer skills to help me get that job. And the librarians were so helpful when I needed assistance filling out the online job application forms. What am I going to do?
MILDRED: (the wife)
Well, at least we can go to an Internet Café for internet access, can’t we?
GEORGE: (shaking his head)
I had to sell the computer.
MILDRED:
Remember the last time we were asked to vote to support the library and we thought it was too much? Now that we have to buy our books, DVDS, subscriptions, Internet access, investment newsletters, and all of the other services the library provided, what will it cost us?
GEORGE: (looking miserable)
I can’t even contemplate it.
MILDRED:
When I put it all together, what we would have to pay to get everything we were able to get at the library – all in one place – it was really a bargain. I guess I will have to give up my genealogy research too. I was using Ancestry and HeritageQuest at the library. They provided those databases for free. Even if we had a computer and Internet access, we wouldn’t be able to afford our own subscription. What will I do? I had just found my ancestor from the Revolutionary War, Ezekiel Tufnell.

DISSOLVE
OTHER BOY’S HOUSE
INTERIOR LIVING ROOM - DUSK

OTHER BOY (let’s call him Bill so I don’t have to type OTHER BOY all of the time) is sitting at the table with his mother, Mary, and his little 3-year-old sister, ZAZA.

ZAZA:
Mama, Mama, can’t wait to go to library to see Miss Susan and hear stowy.
MARY:
Oh, Zaza, Mama is so sorry. There is no library anymore and Miss Susan is gone. She had to move away because people didn’t realize how important her story times were and how many children she was helping with the skills they needed to be successful in kindergarten. Last I heard she was working in a diner in Cle Elum.
ZAZA: (crying)
No stowy?
BILL:
Mom, I need you to help me with my algebra tonight.
MARY: (sighing)
Oh, Bill, you know I’m not good at math. Can’t you use the Homework Help at the Lib…Oh, no…No more free Homework Help either.
BILL:
And where will I go tomorrow after school when you are at work? You know I always go there to get my homework done and use the computer. Dawn, the teen librarian, has some great programs on Wednesdays for teens too. And it's freezing outside.
MARY:
I’m sorry, Bill. I, I, I just don’t know. Let me think…
MARY’S VOICE:
Oh why did I take my library for granted?

DISSOLVE
INTERIOR – LIVING ROOM
Several adults of all ages are sitting around a table.

ADULT #1:
I am glad we can meet here for our book club now that the library is closed. But I hear Maury and Angela won’t be joining us anymore, because they can’t afford to buy the books. I don’t think people realized what an asset the library was for people like us. I’m a senior on a fixed income and going to the free programs at the library enriched my life immensely. It also got me out of the house to meet my friends and other seniors. It was a destination for me. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.
ADULT #2:
I know. My cousin has his green card and was taking citizenship classes at the library. Who knew? Those were the only free classes available. Not sure what he will do if he has to pay someone. He was also getting help with his English at one of their ESL classes.
ADULT#3:
I was going to the library to get help researching my book. The librarians were really helpful with the computer and making sure I was getting accurate information. I don’t know what I am going to do now. And without libraries, I am sure book sales will suffer. Libraries buy a lot of books!
ADULT #4:
I didn’t really think about the library. I just thought it would always be there.

Do-do-do-do-do-do-do

DISSOLVE
An indistinguishable blur is seen. The blur fades to a starlit sky.

CLARA’S VOICE:
Strange, isn’t it? Each library touches so many lives. When they aren’t around it leaves an awful hole, doesn’t it?
FRANKLIN”S VOICE:
I think you made your point, Clara.

DISSOLVE
CLOSE SHOT –Zaza and her mother at the entrance to their public library. Shot of church bell ringing.

ZAZA: (pointing)
Look Mama. Miss Susan says, every time a bell rings a library gets funding.
MARY:
That’s right, that’s right.

FADE TO BLACK

I said it was a fairy tale.

And if you really didn't watch the movie over the holidays, the library has it!

(With acknowledgment to the film It's a Wonderful Life for some of the dialogue)

2011 - Are You Kidding Me?

2010-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that 2011 is almost here.

So once again it's time to make those New Year's resolutions.

Every year I make them, but I usually don't go back and review them to see if I accomplished what I planned.

So, in 2010, did I do what I said I was going to do? Let's see...

2010 Resolution #1. Lose weight.

No.

2010 Resolution #2. Exercise more.

Nope.

2010 Resolution #3. Pay more attention to my husband.

Oops.

2010 Resolution #4. Watch less TV.

Ouch.

2010 Resolution #5. Cut down on visits to Woodinville for wine tasting.

Uh-uh...that's no for "I can't believe how badly this is going."

2010 Resolution #6. Stop spending so much on clothes.

OK, you know what? This isn't working. Let's try something else.

At the end of 2009, I blogged about my library-related New Year's resolutions, so let's review those and see if I did any better.

A Librarian's New Year's Resolutions for 2010

Make every patron feel welcome?

Yes, I think I did that and will continue to do that, except maybe for that guy doing his back exercises in the men's room who is getting on my nerves so I might not say hello to him. I'm only human.

Give all patrons' questions my undivided attention?

Yes, and I will go one further. I will not only answer their questions, but also ask questions and engage them, so they will know I care and am happy to see them.

Continue to provide programs the community wants and needs?
Yes - 9 people have become U.S. citizens since we started our citizenship classes a year ago, our "Reading with Rover" program continues to delight our new readers and our beginning computer classes have waiting lists. I will continue to provide programs that will enhance our community's desire for lifelong learning and that help the community's children get ready to be successful in school.

Handle building issues with good humor?
Well, sort of. But why is it that I am always wearing a cute new outfit when an emergency cleanup is needed in the men's room? They didn't tell us about that stuff in library school.

Read more?
Yep.

Support my staff?
I hope they think I do.

Share my enthusiasm about a librarian's work?
Daily -- and I think my biggest testament to this is the fact that my only daughter wants to follow in her old mom's footsteps and is currently in library school at the University of Washington.

So what about 2011?

I want to continue what I resolved for 2010 and add these:

I resolve to not only accept change but to welcome it enthusiastically.
A new computer system is coming in March. Though it will be so much better than our current one, there will be a learning curve for staff and customers alike. I will keep a cool head, learn everything I can, and patiently and cheerfully teach our customers how to get the most out of it.

I resolve to continue to provide services to the community in the most innovative and responsive ways possible and to make our library a destination for adults and young children alike.

I resolve to "sharpen my saw"
-to grow as a leader, network with the community, keep learning, and to share with all who will listen that their library is one of those things that is right with the world.

How will you hold me to these?

Well, you will just have to come to the library frequently to check it out.

Or invite me to talk to your group about what the library can do for you.

Or when you see me in the community, tell me what you would like to see the library doing.

Or ask our teen and children's librarians to visit your classroom to inspire your students to read and connect with the library.

Or call us for help when you have a question.

Or check out all the cool features on our web site.

And my personal resolutions for 2011?
#1. Lose weight.
#2. Exercise more
#3. Pay more attention to my husband
#4. Watch less TV
#5. Lay off the Woodinville wine tasting trips
#6. Stop buying clothes

Sigh. Here we go again.

Best wishes for a happy and productive New Year from us to you!

Great Clay Animation Mountlake Terrace Kids

2010-12-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

Saturday we had a wonderful program sponsored by our wonderful Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Library. Kids and teens were able to learn how to do clay animation! Here you can see the delightful videos they made:

Without our Friends, we would be unable to offer such great opportunities for folks in our community to try new things, learn new skills, and have the sort of fun and adventure we who love libraries know we are all about. We would love to have you as a Friend! Click here to join today :)

Royal Watch - And Some Thoughts on Libraries

2010-11-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

I am officially on Royal Watch, now that Prince William has popped the question to his lady love, Kate Middleton, and the wedding date has been set (April 29 – the same day of the month of Charles’ and Diana’s wedding).

I am getting ready to celebrate, and I've already decided what I am going to wear. It may be in the middle of the night here, but I won't be wearing pajamas!

I couldn’t be more chuffed (that’s Brit-speak for happy), as I have been a fan of the Royal Family and all things British since practically birth. When I was growing up, I remember books around the house about the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, so I think my mother must have started me down that road. I was born the same year as Prince Charles, so she probably had some thoughts about her little princess marrying a real Prince.

And of course the "British Invasion" of the 1960’s, and the Beatles, also set my imagination awhirl, as I fantasized about marrying Paul, wearing cute Mary Quant dresses and moving into a lovely home in the British countryside with Paul.

(I know this picture is not the Beatles - this is "British Invasion" part.)

Since then, I can’t get enough of the UK – TV shows, books, visits, movies…. I have been watching the British soap Eastenders for over 25 years, I have adopted such expressions as knackered (tired), peckish (hungry) and adverts (advertisements, which I never have to watch because I have TIVO), and when I hear a British accent, I swoon. If I have lived before, it had to be as a Brit.

What does this have to do with libraries?I

I’m not sure, but I will think about that while I run upstairs to put my Princess Diana doll back into her wedding dress.

It was Diana who most sparked my imagination.

I loved her from those first moments as Shy Di and as she walked down the aisle to marry Prince Charles.

Like millions of other Americans, I woke up in the middle of the night to watch the wedding.

It was cause for celebration.

I followed her through the births of her boys

to that sad interview where she revealed there were “three of us” in her marriage to her even sadder death.

I was up all night watching the funeral and crying my eyes out as her two boys walked behind her coffin with Harry’s card on it that said “Mummy.” I feel choked up just thinking about it. I’m still not over it.

Lest you think I don’t have much of a life (well, I kind of don’t), I am not alone in my fascination with Diana. Diana evoked something in people, something far greater than mere celebrity watching. I just felt happy to be in the world with her. Loved her, loved her clothes, loved the work that she did, loved her sons.

And now we have some things to celebrate again --

A Royal Wedding...

And Diana’s legacy…a son who will be King but a different sort of King. Yes, there will be the traditions, but Diana strove to bring her sons up knowing something of the world besides those royal traditions, to have a purpose beyond being just Royal.

And watching Prince William and his Duchess mature and rule will bring some of Diana back to the British Monarchy (I told you I didn’t have much of a life).

So how are libraries related to this?

…let’s see…here are some things I was thinking while getting my Diana doll ready for the big occasion.

Libraries Rule! Well, that’s true but, no, that won’t work.

Libraries are majestic…well, yes, but…mmm…

Actually I think the fascination that many Americans have with Royalty is the fact that we don’t have it as a tradition. Look how we tried to turn the administration of JFK into a sort of royal reign by calling it "Camelot."

Traditions move and uplift people.

Take for example, the Coronation of Elizabeth II. It still gives me chills thinking of her walking down the aisle at 23 with the chorus resounding all around, ready to embrace her destiny and carry out the royal traditions– ahem, not that I am old enough to have actually seen it at the time.

But traditions are also comforting.

It is comforting to know that from generation to generation certain things will always be there, that they can be counted on, that they will happen again and again.

And that’s what brings me around to public libraries.

They are innovative and awash in technology, but the pillars that hold public libraries up are the positive traditions they uphold as a haven for free thought and learning that embodies what democracy is all about.

Generation to generation...

Public Libraries will always be here (despite what people say about the Internet, trust me).

Public Libraries can be counted upon to offer a warm, welcoming environment for children to learn reading skills, do their homework and just laugh and play during family story times. They offer free services, quality classes and programs and a wide range of materials that cover all interests and points of view.

Public Libraries will again and again work to meet current community needs by providing materials and services that help people make sense of the world they live in.

We may not have the tradition of a Royal Family, but our free and open public libraries keep alive a tradition that embraces freedom: freedom to read, freedom to watch, freedom to seek whatever information one needs to live one’s life.

And that is also something to celebrate.

Stuff That Should Not Happen

2010-11-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

Something happened that made me think there are some things that just should not happen.

Last night I was innocently standing in the kitchen surrounded by what is left of my loved ones, (my husband and three dogs), when all of a sudden I felt this sharp pain in my leg. I looked down and saw a puncture wound and blood. I realized I had stumbled into a drama between my beloved little toy poodle and our collie, as they battled over a bit of potato salad in a plastic container I had set down on the floor. The poodle had chosen to sink his chompers into my leg in an effort to wrest the container from the clutches of the collie. I know it was the poodle because the plastic carton was missing and the only evidence of the poodle was the tuft of his tail sticking out from under the dining room chair as he savored that last bit of potato salad.

My leg hurt, but what hurt most was the realization that my little doggy son, who every evening sat contentedly on my lap, licked me when I was sad and acted happy to see me when I came home, was in fact not my little doggy son, but a dog, plain and simple, who would always choose the plastic carton with the remnants of potato salad in it (and bite me for it, if necessary), no matter how much love I lavished upon him.

That just shouldn’t happen.

So I started to think about other stuff that should not happen like…

School buses should not be allowed to operate between the hours of 7am and 8:30am, when I am on my way to work. Is it me, or do the moms really have to stand outside the stopped bus and chat with the driver after their little darling is already in his seat? I know the little tykes need to get to school, but we adults have enough stress to deal with besides sitting behind a stopped school bus when we are late, and trying to get to a meeting with our boss. Why can’t these kids walk to school? I had to.

Also something else that should not happen is Bristol Palin winning “Dancing with the Stars.” Granted she has improved, and I have even been rooting for her a bit (she seems like a nice girl), but enough already. She is no Brandy or Jennifer Gray. If whatever force that is currently at work keeping her on the show is able to win it for her, that shouldn’t happen.

And what about about deep fat fried butter? Should that happen?

As for libraries...in tough times, when libraries are needed more than ever, they should not have to cut hours and close branches.

We at Sno-isle are fortunate to be a part of a library district where we can ask the voters to fund the library. And fortunately, they have. But many library systems are not so lucky.

Seattle Public Library, a world class library by any definition, is part of the City of Seattle, so must ask the City for funding. Unfortunately, the library is one of many departments asking for money, and there doesn't seem to be enough to go around. So hours have been cut, staff must take furloughs (that means no pay) and the collection suffers.

The Salinas Public Library in California, home of the archives of native son, John Steinbeck, closed for a time due to lack of funding, giving Salinas, a town of over 100,000 people, the dubious honor of being the largest city west of the Mississippi with no library service.

These are not isolated incidents.

Public libraries all over the country – Denver, Camden, Queens, Phoenix, Minneapolis - have all suffered branch closures and curtailment of services and hours due to federal and state budget decisions.

This not only shouldn’t happen, it is a blow to democracy.

Equal access to information is a basic right in a democratic society. Use of public libraries is free and not limited by race, religion, income, age, disability or education. Everyone is welcome.

The library is a lifeline for many.

Not everyone can afford to buy books, subscribe to newspapers and magazines, to get DVDs from Netflix or go to the theater to see quality programs. Not everyone has a computer and Internet access. And every child does not have a quiet place to study.

In tough economic times, people look to the library for these services and a place to work, study or gather as a community. Families can attend free quality programs. Newcomers come to the library for help with English and help seeking citizenship. People who can’t read look to the library for literacy help. Those who don’t know how to use computers take free classes at the library.

Public libraries level the playing field and help people pursue the American Dream.

For all the good that libraries do…for what they represent in our democracy…

When it comes time for the powers that be to hand out the money, libraries should be at the top of the list.

That is what should happen.

What shouldn’t happen…a mother left in an empty nest with a toy poodle who would sell her out for leftover potato salad.

Expert Technology Help for Seniors

2010-11-10T12:27:00.000-08:00

This Saturday we are offering another Gadget Coaching session. Tech-savvy teen volunteers will be available to assist senior citizens with their questions about their cell phones, mp3 players, laptops and other hand-held devices.

You don't have to be a senior to participate...the teens are happy to help anyone with questions about their gadgets!

Saturday November 13, 2010 - 1-3pm
Mountlake Terrace Library

What is a Friend?

2010-10-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

National Friends of the Library Week is October 17-October 23.

That gets me to thinking about the nature of friendship.

What are the acts of friendship that define a real friend?

Here is what I think.

When you ask if you look fat in your tie-dyed leggings with the midriff top, she tells you ("Yes."), unlike your husband who has been lying to you for years, and now it's his fault you gained 50 pounds (because you believed him when he said no).
When you have spinach on your front tooth while telling a particularly funny story at a cocktail party, she pantomimes to you in such a tactful way, that you are able to rid yourself of the annoyance unnoticed, deliver the punchline and still be the life of the party. Likewise, when you walk out of the ladies room with toilet paper stuck to your shoe.
She doesn't say a word when you tell her you have been a fan of Geraldo Rivera for years.
When you are sick, she brings you Baked Chicken with Fennel and Quince and Crispy Aged Goat Cheese with a Strawberry-Rhubarb Relish (you thought I was going to say chicken soup, didn't you? But we foodies have standards, even when sick).
She is just as excited about the start of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" as you are.
She always answers your emails and picks up the phone when she knows it's you (unlike some people who will remain anonymous, but their names begin with "son" and "daughter.")
She doesn't begrudge you your successes or your closet full of designer shoes.
She would drive 20 miles to unzip you when you are stuck in your Victoria Beckham knockoff (with the trademark zipper all the way down the back that you can't get out of on your own).
She knows everything about you, but loves you anyway.

These are all acts of friendship, and the greatest act of friendship is giving one's time to help others.

And that is what our Friends of the Library do.

Their tireless work is not only an act of friendship to the library, but an act of friendship to the entire community. Their efforts raise money for their community libraries, and that money generously supports free library programs for children and families: special events such as musical programs, educational classes, puppet shows, science presentations and other programs and classes that would otherwise not be available to many members of the community. They also support their library's special needs with furniture, children's educational toys, carpeting, etc.

Why do they do this?

Because just as your friends would go out of their way to help you because you matter to them, the Friends of the Library know what a valuable asset the library is to the community and that the library matters.

Next week, thank your friends for their friendship and thank a Friend of the Library too!

If you want to help, on November 6, please stop by the Mountlake Terrace Library to donate your gently used, but no longer needed, books to benefit the Mountlake Terrace Friends of the Library's One Day Book Drive. In partnership with Once Sold Tales, all proceeds will be used to fund quality programming at the Mountlake Terrace Library. When you stop by, take a minute to thank them for their efforts and why not find out how good it feels to be a Friend of the Library? Membership materials will also be available.

Thank you, Friends!

How do YOU define friendship?

October is Teen Read Month

2010-09-29T13:24:00.002-07:00

Here at Sno-Isle Libraries, we spend the month of October celebrating the joy of teen reading. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) supports an annual Teen Read Week in October, but we feel that is just not enough time. But we often do enjoy the themes they pick out.

This year the theme is Books with Beat. Teens with an artistic inclination can enter our annual Teen Read Month Art Contest, or a chance to win one of four $25 gift cards to Amazon.com

At the Mountlake Terrace Library we are interpreting the theme to refer to books about music and are having fun book and music related events!

Wednesday the 6th from 4-6pm - Teen Jam Session.
Saturday the 23rd from 1-4:30pm - Zombie Thriller Party!
Wednesday the 27th from 4-6 - Rock Band Tournament.

Also during Teen Read Month, every time a teen reviews a book, they will be entered in a drawing for our very cool Sno-Isle Teens orange and red 2GB flash drives!

Should be a ton of fun. Tell any teens you know all about it!

Banned Books Week

2010-09-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

September 25 marks the beginning of Banned Books Week.

This is an annual event sponsored by the American Library Association that celebrates the freedom to read and the importance of our First Amendment rights. Held during the last week in September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information and stresses the importance of making all viewpoints available no matter how unorthodox or unpopular the viewpoints may be.

This intellectual freedom concept is the foundation of your public library.

One activity central to Banned Books Week is featuring books that have been banned or targets of attempted banning.

Just in this last decade, American libraries were faced with 4,312 reported challenges. (A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness).

Let me challenge you.

From this list of books, can you identify the titles that have been censored, banned or challenged?

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor

Forever by Judy Blume

Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

From Here to Eternity by James Jones

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

If you guessed all of them, you would be correct.

Ironically, Fahrenheit 451 is about censorship but in 1998, the book was removed from the required reading list in Foxworth, Mississippi because a parent complained about some expletives.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble was challenged in numerous states because the characters are portrayed as animals and the police were represented by pigs.

Between 2000 and 2009, the Harry Potter series tops the list followed by The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, which are perennial favorites.

What next? The dictionary? Oh, wait, that too.

In 1978 the American Heritage Dictionary was banned in Missouri, because it contained 39 "objectionable" words, and in 1987, it was banned in Anchorage, Alaska for similar reasons.

Fortunately, in the majority of cases, books that are challenged are not banned, thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers and members of the community who believe in our First Amendment rights and the power of literature.

Banned Books Week draws attention to the danger that exists when restraints are placed on our rights to read what we want and find the information we need.

Your librarians are dedicated to protecting those rights. So go to your library and exercise your right to read!

For more information:

look here.

Mountlake Terrace Summer Reading Winner

2010-09-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Priyanka S. who won the iPod Touch in the Mountlake Terrace Library's drawing for our summer reading prize. Priyanka is a student at Brier Terrace Middle School. Here is her winning review!

Jinx
By Margaret Wild
Description: Jinx is a normal girl named Jen who thinks she has a boring life until her boyfriend Charlie dies. After a few months her other boyfriend Ben dies. A girl in her class then calls her Jinx and she adopts the name.

My Thoughts: My favorite part was when Jinx forgives Cal for killing Ben.

Recommendation: middle school kids.

Much thanks to the Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library for their generous support of Teen Summer Reading.

Next up: Teen Read Month. Watch here for more ways to win!

What One Librarian Enjoys

2010-09-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

No, this blog is not about baseball. Well, not exactly.

Last week was my husband’s birthday so I decided to make the ultimate sacrifice and take him to a Mariner’s game. I thought it would be a good one, because the Mariners were playing the Red Sox and my husband hates Red Sox fans. He thinks if they love Boston so much they should move back there. What I didn’t realize was that my husband had already given up on the Mariners because they were so bad this season. But it was an unusually lovely evening, and we were only 17 rows behind 3rd base so it was a good night for baseball. Until we lost.

I say “ultimate sacrifice,” because I don’t really like sports, except figure skating, and there is some debate as to whether or not figure skating is really a sport. So as I sat watching the game wondering when was a suitable time to excuse myself to go get more food (or something!), my mind wandered away from Jose Lopez and Ichiro to what I really enjoy doing.

“Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo...” (Twilight Zone theme)

I love walking on the beach at sunset.

Who am I kidding?

It’s more like pink fuzzy slippers, a bowl of Ben & Jerry’s and the latest episode of Survivor.

Or receiving my new cookbook from "The Cookbook of the Month Club" and trying five or so of the dishes in one day only to be thanked for my efforts by my husband saying, “Who’s going to eat all of this food?” and “What were you thinking? (That part kind of ruins the enjoyment).

I also enjoy attending outdoor concerts at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. You can take your hamper of food, purchase wine and settle in to listen to some great music (Jackson Browne, Moody Blues, Harry Connick Jr.) as the sun goes down behind the trees. However, be cautious with the purchasing of wine part, as it can result in not remembering the second half of the concert. (I’m not talking about myself, of course, but it could happen).

Going to the gym is enjoyable as long as I have a juicy celebrity biography to read while on the elliptical (currently reading Andrew Morton’s take on Angelina Jolie – yum).

I enjoy long walks around Capitol Hill in the fall at dusk.
I love kicking up the damp leaves and ending the evening with a meal at one of Seattle's great restaurants and a night cap at the Fireside Room in the Sorrento Hotel.

Speaking of great meals, I not only enjoy eating, but I enjoy reading about food, especially restaurant reviews. I have a list of all of the fine dining restaurants in Seattle that I want to try, and I have been making my way through them alphabetically. I made it through "F" before I was forced to sidetrack because of so many new restaurants opening with names that began with letters between A and E. What's a foodie to do?
Latest discovery: Cascina Spinasse. The Chef, Jason Stratton, was selected as one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs for 2010.

Musicals at the Fifth Avenue Theater and the Paramount.
I have loved musicals ever since watching Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald movies with my Dad. To pass on the tradition, I weened my daughter on them too. Though I have seen many of the “new” musicals like "Spring Awakening" and "Bombay Dreams" (awful), I keep coming back to the classics – West Side Story being the best of the best.

Reality TV.
Duh. I’m sure you have figured that out already. I Tivo so many programs that when I had engagements two days in a row last week, I had to do a reality TV marathon to get caught up. My husband has to watch too if he wants to spend any time with me. The other night while deeply embroiled in the latest episode of Project Runway, where there was a discussion about tailoring and whether or not Jackie Kennedy would have worn the garment, my husband asked me, “Are you surprised I watch this program with you and care about this stuff?” Sad.

When my kids were teens, I thought it would be cool if they got on Real World. Now that they are educated and in the workforce, I fantasize about one of them being on The Apprentice. Then I would at least see them every week. Even sadder.

(But, hey, can't you just see him on "The Apprentice?")

My dogs.
I especially enjoy dressing them up.

I enjoy traveling to Europe, especially if I am in business class on the plane. Ah, pasta in Bologna, lighting a candle in Notre Dame Cathedral and a kiss on the Millenium Bridge in London. My version of Eat, Pray, Love.

Oprah.
Even though I am currently mad at her for inviting her “most loyal fans” to her opening show this season and didn’t invite me, probably the most loyal of the loyal. I have been there from the very beginning and invoked her name from everything to disciplining my children to what to eat on my diet. I have followed her from the days when she had programs like “Sixth Graders Gone Wild” to her adoration of Marianne Williamson and Elizabeth Gilbert. I have also repeatedly entreated her to devote a show to librarians since she loves teachers so much and loves to read. But noooooo. I have been there through it all and to add insult to injury, she gave all those wannabes trips to Australia. Oprah...whyyyyy?

I also enjoy my job.
When people learn I am a librarian, they invariably say, “You must love books!”
Yes, I reply, I do love books, but I also love people. You have to love people to work in a library, because that is the nature of the business – people. What many people don’t realize is that libraries are in the customer service business as much as they are in the book business.

I love the little old lady who calls me “dearie” as I print out the latest recipe from her favorite Food Network show.

I love the earnest 8-year-old boy looking for a Star Wars book who shares his obsession with me in great precocious detail.

I love the little preschooler who crawls up on the chair next to my desk and stares at me intently and giggles when I admire her pink ballet slippers.

I love seeing the light bulb go off for the students in our computer classes.

I even love the teens who ask for their library card numbers for the millionth time(especially when they are polite).

I am working on the seemingly annoying caller who asks the same question every day and the guy who scares customers by doing his back exercises on the floor of the men’s room. But I have learned that a little patience and kindness goes a long way, even when it isn't easy.

We librarians have the power to make a difference in the lives of everyone we interact with. Most of the time we don’t even realize it.

And that is something I enjoy.

What do you enjoy?

Online Classics Bookgroup

2010-09-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Starting in October, Sno-Isle Libraries is going to try out a cool new thing: online book groups! The first one will be for discussing classics and will be on a trial run for three months.

October - Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
November - Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
December - Daisy Miller by Henry James

You can sign up here: http://sno-isle.ning.com/

I'm really tempted to sign up myself, except I'm already in two bookgroups!

The Best (or Most) of Everything

2010-08-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy Seattle Weekly's Reader's Choice Best of Awards with such quirky categories as “Best Place for a Non-Kid Birthday Party” or “Best Place to Splurge on your Pet.” As summer winds down and the days become rainy, I thought it would be fun for us all to share our “best” lists.

So my Peeps, weigh in as I am sure you also have your favorites, and some of my picks might stir some controversy.

Most Handsome Actor (not married to Angelina Jolie)
Since Brad has won People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive Award more than once, I thought I would take him out of the running. And I know you think I am going to say Tom Cruise, but I also have a thing for brooders and no one broods like Ralph Fiennes. See The English Patient.

Most Beautiful Actress (who isn’t Angelina Jolie)
No one has ever been more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun.

Honorable Mention: Charlize Theron

Honorable Mention – no longer with us: Hedy Lamarr

Funniest Musical Film (that Wasn’t Supposed to be Funny)
Moulin Rouge
Now tell me Ewan McGregor did NOT look like a Muppet when he sang.

Best Movie featuring a dragon.
Dragonworld.
Hard to find but worth it. Who can resist a Dragon named Yowler? And you movie buffs? Did you spot a young Alistair MacKenzie (of Monarch of the Glen fame) listed in the credits as Sam MacKenzie?

Best Film of All Time
Citizen Kane – no arguments.

Honorable mention: Paul Blart, Mall Cop.
Just kidding.
But it is a surprisingly fun film.

Best Lifetime Movie
“Chasing the Dragon” was a particular favorite. Markie Post as a heroin addict was quite entertaining. But the all-time best Lifetime movie title is “Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?” (We have Tori Spelling to thank for that one). Even after seeing the movie, I still don’t understand the title.

Best Athlete (who didn't use steroids or run around on his spouse)

Phar Lap.

Best Restaurant when Someone Else is Paying.
I would bet you think I am going to say Canlis. But I am not. I am interested in The Corson Building, one of local celebrity chef Matt Dillon’s ventures (He also owns Sitka & Spruce). It’s not so much a restaurant as a dining experience where you sit at communal tables. The more the merrier and the more the costlier thus my desire for someone else to pay.

Best Food to eat while reclining and watching "The Housewives of New Jersey" Reunion Debacle, I Mean Show (or some other bad reality TV.)
Skinny Cow White Chocolate Truffle Bar followed by a chocolate covered raspberry bar followed by...

Best Coffee Drink
I once ordered my favorite in San Francisco – “Nonfat, sugar-free caramel latte, no whip” – and my daughter-in-law said, “Rosy, this isn’t Seattle!”
What’d I say?

Best New Year’s Eve Resolution (one you can actually keep)
Not to make New Year’s resolutions.

Best Travel Experience (that doesn’t involve wine)
Standing at the Eiffel Tower on New Year’s Eve counting down to 2010, (even if we were on the wrong side for the light show).

Best Day Trip
Recently a young girl and her Dad decided to visit all 21 Sno-Isle Libraries in one day. I think that’s so cool.
Read About It..

Honorable Mention: Woodinville Wine Country (this does involve wine).

Best Dog Breed
Poodles.
No shedding, they are smart, and they really want to be with you.
And they let you dress them up in cute outfits.

Honorable Mention: German Shepherds, but, boy do they whine.

Best Name for the cutest, most darling-est toy poodle on earth.
Tarquin

Best Way to Spend a Rainy Day (Get ready folks!)

Drum roll please.

The library, of course. The library is a destination. You can not only curl up with a book in a quiet corner or travel to fun websites on the computer, but you can also attend classes and quality family programs – all for free.

Honorable Mention: Stay home and watch Lifetime movies or cook something to eat while lying down watching Lifetime movies.

Best Way to Spend a (Rare) Sunny Day
Take the long way to the library.

Honorable Mention: Sculpture Garden or driving your convertible with Bob Seger blasting from the CD player.

Best Book from your Childhood Memory
Does anyone remember the “twins” series by Lucy Fitch Perkins? She wrote “The Dutch Twins, “The Italian Twins,” “The Colonial Twins of Virginia...” You get the idea. It was always a boy and a girl twins. I loved those books and remember my anticipation as I headed to the library to check out yet another in the series. I read every single one and then my friend, Chuckie and I would act them out. Early acting bug.

Best Return for your Tax Dollars
We pay the price in taxes for just about everything but how often do you actually have to use the services you pay for such as the fire department or the police? Do you get personal service and a smile from the roads or the DOT? For the small amount you pay to maintain your library, you get books, DVDs, CDs, talking books, teen programs, children’s story times, computer classes, citizenship classes, quality family programs and much more – all delivered to you with a smile by friendly, approachable people who love what they do. That’s pretty priceless.

Best Blog.
Ahem.

Best Sno-Isle Library Experience.
You tell me!

Two Weddings and a Baby

2010-08-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

July 31st was Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. As Bill and Hilary Clinton’s only daughter, it is understandable that they would want to throw her a big wedding.

July 31st was also my only daughter’s wedding day and, though it didn’t equal Chelsea’s in expenditures or attendees, it was a lovely affair. Did I mention that the wedding and reception were not only held outdoors but outdoors in our garden.

My son was married last summer so that makes two weddings in one year. I have been the mother of the groom and the mother of the bride, so I feel I am well-placed to offer up tips to those of you who are currently planning a wedding (or if you just want some laughs about the pitfalls).

I will get to how this fits in with the library later (and you know I will).

Here is what I learned:

If you decide to have the wedding and reception at your home, as the day approaches and you notice the windows are dirty, the kitchen needs to be cleared out and you haven’t seen your spouse for days because he has been completely redoing the yard, you will find yourself muttering, “What was I thinking?” You will also start checking the weather every day starting months before the wedding date.

If the wedding is outside at your home, you must make sure to ask your neighbors to not use power tools during the ceremony. However, that will not stop the guy down the street from yelling to his wife and belching during the “I do’s.”

If you are the Mother of the Bride (MOTB), you and Bridezilla...er, I mean, you and The Bride, call the shots. If you are the Mother of the Groom (MOTG), you don’t.

The MOTB might either attend a shower for her daughter or host one herself –a shower, as in “showering” the bride with gifts. You will play games at this shower such as trying to guess the celebrity whose face you have so meticulously pasted onto a picture of a wedding gown or making wedding gowns out of toilet paper in teams.

The first meeting between the respective parents can be awkward. To avoid that, plan to meet somewhere where the atmosphere takes over such as Teatro Zinzanni or a rodeo.

Whether you are the MOTB or the MOTG, be sure to find a dress that has some wiggle room. Don’t think you will lose weight by the wedding day in order to fit into a smaller dress. So plan for that. In fact, you will probably gain weight under the stress of wedding planning (I have fond memories of late nights with just me and Baby Ruth). I can’t think of anything worse than on the day of the wedding your dress won’t zip up. Well, I can actually think of worse things (and I thought of them), but let’s not go there.

During the reception, when your sister yells out “The food is cold,” it is best to ignore her and pour her another glass of wine.

If a big karaoke machine with 18,000 songs is your main reception entertainment, try to keep the FOTB (Father of the Bride) from hogging the microphone, even though he is a great singer (he told me to add that). However, ending the evening with a group-sing of "Bohemian Rhapsody will be a high point.

After you have invited everyone back over to the house for breakfast the next day, you will again mutter, “What was I thinking?” This comes up again when you are still finding half empty beer bottles in the strangest places weeks later.

Psychological help will be needed after the wedding is over when you realize your child is gone for good (unless you didn’t like your child and, in that case, you would still need psychological help).

But despite the work and stress, there is satisfaction that your child has found love and happiness, and you hope that the bride and groom will be great partners.

Speaking of great partners....

(I told you I would get back to libraries).

Just as in marriage, where two people join together to form a partnership that is beneficial to both, so the library is a community partner.

In fact the Williamsburg Regional Library System patterns their levels of partnership after a courtship that can lead to marriage:

It starts with a "glance" (any contact), a "date" follows (an agreement between the library and a group/business to accomplish a specific activity) and then an "engagement" (a formal agreement to work together toward a marriage). If all goes well, in library partnerships as in life, a "marriage" will take place (a formal agreement between the library and the community partner to share the work, the risk and the results).

These levels of partnerships can take many forms.

Knowing the importance of keeping teens involved in their local communities, a business might regularly supply refreshments for the Teen Advisory Board meetings.

Or wanting to help children get ready to be successful in school, a group might want to give money and add their sponsorship to an ongoing literacy project.

Or a local senior center might encourage its members to volunteer at the library so that the seniors can be active.

And in return the library provides local businesses with resources to help them succeed.

They partner with the schools to provide homework help and study areas.

They partner with senior centers to provide life-long learning opportunities for adults.

They partner with health agencies to provide literacy information to new mothers.

The levels and possibilities for partnerships are wide-ranging.

Continuing to initiate and maintain strategic partnerships is part of the Sno-Isle Libraries Strategic Plan, and I am proud to be on a team working on how this might take shape.

As we move forward, you will see many positive changes at the library and library staff more and more involved in community events outside the library.

Your community library is a great partner!

Oh, I suppose you are wondering about the “baby” in the title of this entry?

Remember I said my son was married last summer?

Lots of positive changes - at the library and at home.

Getting Crafty With Duct Tape, And So Much More

2010-08-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday from 4-6pm at the Mountlake Terrace Library we will be having a really fun program for teens called DIY and SIY: Duct Tape Wallets. DIY stands for Do It Yourself, and SIY for Sing It Yourself as we will have our karaoke machine available for extra fun.

Often people ask why we offer teen programs that do not have a clear tie to literacy. While books and reading are a huge part of our mission, we also care very much about helping create great communities, too:

The mission of Sno-Isle Libraries is to be a community doorway to reading, resources, and lifelong learning, and a center for people, ideas, and culture.

With a program like DIY & SIY, we are encouraging teens to have fun with learning new skills, and think of learning as something more than just what happens at school. Our teen programs are a place where teens can share ideas and take part in all kinds of culture. Also, we follow the philosophy of The Search Institute. They have a list of 40 Developmental Assets, things that help kids develop into happy, healthy, community minded adults. When developing our programs, we keep these in mind.

So while a program like duct tape wallets might just seem like fun on the surface, we hope we can provide these assets for teens, too:

#3 Other Adult Relationships | Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
#7 Community Values Youth | Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth.
#17 Creative Activities | Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.
#25 Reading for Pleasure | Young person reads for pleasure three or more hours per week.
#33 Interpersonal Competence | Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills.
#34 Cultural Competence | Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds.
#37 Personal Power | Young person feels he or she has control over "things that happen to me."
#38 Self-Esteem | Young person reports having a high self-esteem.

Tour de Terrace

2010-07-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

We had a great time marching in the Tour de Terrace this year!
Hope you can join us next year!

The Real Librarians of Snohomish County

2010-07-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

Orange County, New York, New Jersey and Atlanta have their housewives, but Snohomish County has its librarians.

Like many librarians, they were not always librarians, and bring to the profession a wealth of knowledge and interesting experiences.

And oh, the drama behind the scenes.

Let me introduce you to some of them...

Lucinda Lovabook, Library Manager

Lucinda didn’t always want to be a librarian. Educated at a well-respected liberal arts college, she discovered that though her education had provided her with the knowledge to converse on a wide range of topics, thus making her a sought after guest at cocktail parties for her scintillating conversational skills, she realized that she did not have enough depth to get a good job. After a brief stint as an actress on the short-lived vampire-inspired soap, “Marry me or I will Bite You,” where she was killed off early, she was hired by the Post Office as a postal clerk until a colleague actually did go postal.

Lucinda decided it was time to find a profession.

Many of her fellow liberal arts college graduates had found themselves in the same boat and had become librarians. She liked books, so why not? So off she went to library school where she discovered that libraries were not just about books, but about protecting people’s intellectual freedom and providing information and resources to help people make sense of their lives. Her organizational skills learned at the post office and the stage presence she honed on the soap opera (she was told her dying scene was one of the best they had had) held her in good stead for a life as a dynamic librarian. No shrinking violet she.

She embraced the tenets of public library service: intellectual freedom, equal access to all and advocacy for literacy and lifelong learning and never looked back. She spends her spare time in Community Theater and selling on EBay (she didn’t get into librarianship for the money).

Techs Andrews, Assistant Manager

It wasn’t easy for Techs to decide to enter the world of librarianship.

He believed all of the stereotypes: “women’s profession,” a quiet boring environment where nothing ever happened. But he had grown tired of his job as a rodeo clown – the clown makeup was wrecking havoc on his skin– and decided that the computer experience he had acquired at his off-season job as a telemarketer would be of use to libraries.

He was right about that and wrong about libraries being quiet boring places.

He spends most of his time helping the ever growing number of people coming to the library looking for work online, teaching the free basic computer classes he offers and answering all of the computer questions posed by the computer users. He is also kept on his toes by the many responsibilities he has: from scheduling the employees he supervises to purchasing library materials that reflect community needs to facilitating a book group. He never realized what it takes to run a community library and how varied the job would be. Never a dull moment. He also enjoys having lunch once in awhile with Novella, the Teen Librarian.

Ima Noitall, Reference Librarian

Ima often modestly says, “I don’t know everything. I just know where to find the answers.”

Along with her modesty, Ima is also the epitome of good customer service. Nordstrom’s could learn a thing or two from Ima. She not only cheerfully finds the information her customers need, but she goes that extra mile to make sure the question is answered completely. She does everything with a smile.

She not only has an excellent literary background and reads voraciously, she also keeps up with popular culture (she TIVO’s Oprah,) so that she instantly knows what her customers are talking about, thus representing librarians as the knowledgeable and with-it information specialists that they are.

Ima came to librarianship from a background in waste management. OK, she drove a garbage truck. She enjoyed that job, but decided she prefered the smell of books to other people’s garbage.

Novella Graphica, Teen Librarian
Even though Novella is well past her teens, she is a bit of a hipster and her open and playful personality appeals to young people. She has created a community place where teens feel welcomed and where they can actively participate in the planning of library programs, thus giving them a sense of contribution and ownership. Her programs help teens build relationships with library staff and make new friends, which in turn help the teens feel a part of their community and comfortable asking the librarians for help when needed. They may act like they are too cool to be appreciative of libraries, but she knows she is setting the stage for them to be successful adults.

Novella started her career writing fortunes for fortune cookies but decided she would much rather use her skills to blog and Twitter to local teens about the great programs she provides for them. She has been instrumental in getting the library involved with social media.

Suessie Story, Children’s Librarian

Suessie is just out of library school. She went from college to library school without a break, but that was fine with her, because she always wanted to be a children’s librarian. She only works part-time, so she has started her own small business as a knife sharpener to supplement her income. She also writes children’s books, but has yet to get one published.

She loves going out into the community and to the schools to talk about the library. She never tires of seeing the delight children have in her story times and puppet shows, and she is proud of all the work she does to get children ready for school (and what Seussie doesn’t yet realize is that she has already made a huge impact on these children’s lives. When she is older they will come back and tell her how meaningful her work was to them and how much they value libraries because of her).

The librarians of Snohomish County are a diverse and interesting bunch. These are just some of their stories.

Disclaimer: These stories are based on actual librarians, but in certain cases incidents, characters and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes. The librarians depicted here are composites, or entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to real librarians, living or dead is on purpose because librarians are very cool people who bring a wealth of knowledge and life experiences to their jobs. They are dedicated to public service and are an asset to their communities.

Get to know them!

Teen Pirate Week

2010-07-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Teens! Do you love pirates? What is it about those bad boys (and girls!)? Is it the cool clothes? The swords? The complete lack of respect for authority, except their own code? They are the ultimate rebels, thinking of no one but themselves and their freedom. Probably jerks to know it real life, but fun to daydream about on a summers day.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 21st of July, we are having a Pirates of the Caribbean Marathon. That’s right…we are showing all three movies in their entirety, starting at 11 in the morning and going until 7 at night. The Friends of the Library are supplying popcorn and soda. I’d recommend bringing a lunch, and/or snacks to share. I’m going to bake some muffins!

Then Saturday we are once again having a Digital Photography Scavenger Hunt! Last year this was SUPER fun and everyone who participated begged us to do it again. This year we are making it even better. Bring two or more friends, a water bottle and a digital camera (or phone that can hold 60 photos). Wear comfortable shoes…you’ll be running all over Mountlake Terrace for 2 hours. Oh…and dress up like PIRATES! There will be prizes for the team that completes the most photos off our clue list within 2 hours, a prize for most artistic photo, a prize for funniest photo, and a prize for best costumes. After you are done running all over the place, cool down and watch the classic movie Goonies while I score the photos. Show up right at noon if you are going to participate in the contest. You won’t regret it!

A Librarian's Bucket List

2010-07-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

One dark and lonely night (we have a lot of those around here), I came upon the movie The Bucket List. I had never heard that expression before. A little research shows that there is not agreement on how old this phrase is. Some believe it originated with the movie. Others feel it has been around longer. But all agree, it is based on the phrase "kicking the bucket.

For those of you who haven't heard of this, the "bucket list" is that list of things you want to see or do before you "kick the bucket," ...er...die.

So here is my "bucket list," from a librarian's point of view:

Before I die, I would like to see the librarian stereotype go away.
Throughout my career, when I have replied to the question about what I did for a living, I have had to hear comments like these:

"You don't look like a librarian,"

or

"You must read a lot of books (at work),"

or

"Shhhhh," (followed by chuckling because for some reason people get a kick out of themselves by saying that. I, on the other hand, do not enjoy it).

Since I interact with librarians on a daily basis and see the diversity that makes up the profession, it makes me wonder, "What is a librarian supposed to look like?" But ask the "civilian," and nine times out of ten, you would probably hear described an intimidating, dowdy spinster whose only goal in life is to hush people up and be disapproving.

So my ultimate "bucket list" goal would be to see a movie starring a librarian as a superhero, flying about protecting people's free speech and right to read, pummeling censorship and basically teaching people good manners.

She is glamorous, yet practical (yes, it's a woman...we deserve superhero status), plucky (I love that word) and witty. She is also well-read (though she would never dream of reading books on the job), not just in the classics, but in popular culture as well. And she can match the "right book to the right person at the right time." She never shushes anyone, though when battling the forces of evil, she sometimes must be blunt. As she stares down the bad guy, she says , "If you had just read that book I recommended, none of this would have happened!"

I would like to see libraries viewed as educational institutions instead of the often mistaken view that we are only recreational entities.
Yes, people come to us for recreational reading and entertainment DVDs, but we are also instrumental in getting children started on the road to literacy, well before they enter kindergarten. We offer homework help to children and teens in school, and we are there for the adult lifelong learner who needs to learn new skills. When the money is handed out by the powers that be, it should be a no brainer that libraries are as important as schools. I have seen libraries closed as funding was reduced. Thanks to the voters of Snohomish County, that hasn't happened to us here at Sno-Isle Libraries, but for every library system like Sno-isle Libraries, there is one laying people off and closing its doors.
This shouldn't happen in a country where education and literacy is so prized.

I would like to leave this world with the knowledge that every man, woman and child not only uses the library, but knows what the library has to offer.

I never again want to hear someone nervously say to me, "I haven't been in a library in years" or "Why do I need the library?"

I have always thought that if people really knew what we offered, they would be pounding down our doors.

We offer quality databases (and these are not the same as going on the Internet) that would help small business owners make more money, that include free online newspapers and magazines and information on a myriad of topics to help people with their research and daily lives. We offer downloadable ebooks, classes to help people with their English, computer classes, family events, meeting rooms, I could go on and on. All free and open to all.

But for some reason, despite hard work and attention to this, for every person who uses the library, there are several more who not only don't use the library, they have no idea all that we offer.

Why do you think that is? What do you we need to do to put libraries at the forefront of people's minds?

As a librarian, these issues are on my professional "bucket list."

But I am also human, so I have my personal "bucket list" too.

And, as usual, I am compelled to share.

Win "The Amazing Race"with my husband as we bicker our way around the world.

Kiss Tom Cruise (platonically, of course) - Do you see a pattern here? - (He had me at "Taps").

(He's the cute one in the red beret.)

Become a famous character actress (I've missed my chance to be an ingenue, I guess).

Write a juicy best-selling book about what really goes on at the library.

Star as "the old one" on "Big Brother"and win or "Survivor" where I "Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast" them all wearing adorable swimsuits and cute sandals. (It's easy to lose weight on "Survivor".)

Find out that face lifts don't hurt (and I can get one for free).

Become fluent in Italian and drive my own boat glamourously through the canals of Venice as I head to my villa.

Become a YouTube star (I am sure I could think of something stupid enough to do to get myself on there), and be interviewed by Oprah who then asks me to become her best friend. And she gives me my own show.

Sigh. I guess those aren't very realistic - I guess that's my "dream" bucket list.

More realistically, if I can live near enough to my children that I can often enjoy them and any grandchildren who arrive, travel to Europe when I get the urge, stay well enough to bicycle in the Cotswolds, live comfortably, continue to make and keep good friends and hear more people say,

"I go to the library all of the time. I don't know what I would do without libraries."

and

"I think librarians are cool. You look just like one!"

Then I could die happy.

A Librarian's Perfect Day

2010-06-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

I wake up and the sun is streaming into my bedroom. There is not a cloud in the sky and it is already 75 degrees outside.

I weigh myself and I have lost 10 pounds since yesterday. Excellent!

I get dressed, eat breakfast and skip happily out to my car with my nonfat, sugar free caramel latte (with no whip), excited to head for work.

I arrive at the library early to teach a computer class. The class is full and everyone has just the level of skills needed to get the most out of the class. We are teaching a new Computer Basics class that includes how to post resumes to websites, how to send email attachments, cut and paste, etc., all of the skills we get asked about during the course of our work day. At the end of class, one student says, “I’ve learned more today in 15 minutes than a full-day’s class that I took somewhere else.”

When I am finished with my computer class, all staff members scheduled for the day have arrived, ready for work. No one calls in sick; no one has to leave early.

Staff is all getting ready to welcome our customers. We love books, but we love people more.

At 10am, we open the doors and 50 people are waiting to come in, all smiling. Even the guy who does his back exercises in the restroom is coherent today.

I am at the reference desk when a staff member tells me I am needed in the lobby. A customer wants to tell me something about the restroom. That’s OK, because I am even wearing my toilet-plunging shoes today. But no worries. The customer wants to tell me how beautiful the library is, how clean the restrooms are and how much she loves the display we have in our lobby display case – a collectibles display from a community member. (We make our display case available to community members as well as staff).

I look around the library, and I see a mother sitting in our rocking chair with her toddler on her lap. She is reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to her little girl and they both are laughing.

There are several other small children in the children’s area. Their parents are all with them and none of the children are crying or screaming.

The teen room is filling up with teens who are talking quietly and using the computers. An occasional bit of laughter wafts over from the room. The adults at the computers nearby smile indulgently.

A senior asks for help with the large print books. I find just the right book for her and she thanks me, calling me “young lady.”

Several people come up to thank me for the change in the number of free copies available on the computers now – 70 per week instead of 10 per day. They tell me this has been a lifesaver for them since they are job hunting.

A gentleman approaches and says he has a question he knows I won’t be able to answer, but he thought he would try anyway. When I pull up the answer in a matter of minutes, he smiles, shakes my hand, and walks away saying, “This library is the best thing since sliced bread. I am going to tell all of my friends.”

After lunch, I go out for a walk through our new Farmer’s Market which is in front of the library every Thursday. Everyone I encounter knows my name. I am invited to speak at the Businessman’s Association lunch and the PTA. I am glad because I have some new videos promoting our small business and homework databases put together by our Community Relations Department that I want to show them. A Lions Club member stops me. His group has heard about some of our programs and wants to talk about some partnership opportunities and to donate some money to our Friends of the Library. I am glad that I have been keeping in touch.

I return to the reference desk and answer several more questions during the afternoon, amazing all who ask.

As the day draws to a close, I look up from the desk and there is Tom Cruise.
He asks me where the pencil sharpener is. I show him and he tells me about the movie he wants to make in Mountlake Terrace. He has heard about the library and all of the interesting programs we have, such as our citizenship classes, our Russian and Spanish Family story times, our Foodie Book Group, our Book Buddies program, our "Family Night at the Library" and our "Saturdays at the Library" programs series, and he wants to do a movie about the library as a community gathering place.

He asks if I would like to go to dinner with him to discuss the possibilities.

I say yes. He had me at “Where’s the pencil sharpener.”

This has been a librarian’s perfect day.

"The persons, incidents and situations portrayed in this account are almost all true.”

I will let you figure out what isn’t...

Here’s a hint: The sun doesn’t shine here much.

Summer Program for Reluctant Readers

2010-06-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

We still have room in our wonderful Book Buddies program for 2nd and 3rd grade reluctant readers.

If your 2nd or 3rd grader needs some reading encouragement Book Buddies is a fun way for them to practice their skills this summer. This program is a fun, confidence-building opportunity for your child to practice reading with a specially trained teen volunteer.

Book Buddies group sessions will be Monday afternoons from 3 to 4:30 pm, July 12 to August 23, 2010. August 30th we will celebrate our reader's achievements with a pool party the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion from 4-5:30 pm.

Space is limited...we have room for 11 more kids, so fill out an application at the library ASAP!

Once again, we thank the kind support of our wonderful Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library, plus the Lynnwood Rotary Club, Half Price Books, and the Mountlake Terrace Recreation and Parks Department.

Imagine That!

2010-06-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

That is what my Dad would say in response to everything from a man landing on the moon to my barely passing geometry. Imagine that! He was full of wonderment, not just about good things, but about the foibles of human nature as well. "Someone cut me off on the highway and I almost had an accident. Imagine that!" "Echo (our collie) stole a pound of cheese off of the kitchen counter. Imagine that!"

But he was also the epitome of the lifelong learner. His curiosity was easily sparked and his interests were wide-ranging, vast and contradictory. When he had an idea or heard something interesting, he would want to find out more. And he loved to share his findings with others.

Drag Racing.
My Dad loved big American cars with big engines.

No British sports cars for him. He was definitely a Chrysler man. Mustangs were even too wimpy for him (and he hated Fords. It would irritate him when I would slam the car door. He would say, "It's not a Ford!").

The family car, a 1957 Chrysler New Yorker, was souped up, and my brother and he would take it drag racing at a local race track. When I learned to drive, I would go to McDonalds and all the guys would ooh and ah over the car (I wished they had been oohing and ahing over me) and ask what was under the hood. My brother made me memorize it's attributes, so I could do the car proud..."It has 325 horsepower, dual four barrels, it's bored and stroked and it can go 0-60 in 5 seconds." I didn't have the slightest idea what "bored and stroked" meant, but I said it like I knew. Of course the car also had huge fins and got about seven miles to the gallon. (Ah, the good old days when we didn't ever wonder where all of that gas was coming from).

It also had glass pack mufflers. The mufflers were not strictly street legal, if you know what I mean. They were loud. When I took the car out, my Dad would say, "If you get stopped by a policeman, tell him I have an appointment to get the mufflers fixed tomorrow." Of course he didn't.

My brother also drag raced the car around town. I am not condoning street drag racing, but that was a big pastime in the 1950's. His arch enemy was the "Wicked Ruby," a red Edsel. I did a bit of that myself, learning how to give the driver in the car next to me "the look," to indicate I was going to step on it when the light changed.

My Dad couldn't resist the urge, either. I can't tell you how many times I would hear my mother say, "Slow down, Frederic!" He was even in a drag race as we made our way to my first day at college, the car full of my suitcases and bedding, my Dad chuckling at giving that whippersnapper a run for his money. Later my Dad had a 1969 Dodge Charger 440 and one of the last street cars with a hemi engine, a Plymouth Barracuda. I can't tell you how impressed boyfriends were with those cars. More impressed with those cars than with me.

Guns.
My Dad was a lifetime member of the NRA and had a huge gun and rifle collection, including a 44 Magnum ("Go ahead, punk, make my day.") I remember him going clay pigeon shooting and shooting at targets, but he didn't have the stomach for hunting. His love of guns was more about his really wanting to be a cowboy. He loved John Wayne and "Randolph Scott". He collected holsters and other cowboy accoutrements and even had a carved saddle in the basement where he hung out, though I never saw him ride a horse. Unfortunately, my Dad was also a very trusting person and sent his collection to a friendly gun collector for evaluation and the guy went bankrupt taking my Dad's gun collection with him. It was all a bit fishy. I don't think my Dad ever got over that.

My Dad also collected spoons.
(I told you his interests were wide-spread and contradictory).

Trains.
Model trains were also a passion of his when I was growing up. Our whole basement was taken up by a model train table with tracks and little towns and little people. He had several "Lionel Steam Engines" that would probably be worth a lot today, but he ended up selling them when money was tight.

Television.
My Dad loved to watch television, mostly old movies. I would sit up late with him and watch movies from the 30's and 40's starring Fred and Ginger, "Ronald Coleman", "Maureen O'Hara", stars who are mostly forgotten today. He was a softy and would tear up during the sad parts, but to hide his tears, he would laugh and pretend he was wiping his brow. He didn't fool me. In the basement, he had two TVs going on at once, one on top of the other. He would have the sound off on one and the sound on the other. He didn't think that was strange at all. Just a way to see more. He was resourceful that way but it was difficult to explain to my friends.

Inventions.
My mother swears my Dad invented the first "sippy cup" to help my sister learn how to drink out of a cup. She would tell me of all the ideas he had that "if only he had done something with them we would be rich!" He really was inventive. He made my sister a laptop study desk out of plywood with a cut out so it would fit around her stomach as she sat in her chair. He was even building his own racing car. It sat out in the garage for years much to my mother's irritation. He bought them both a red, white & blue coat he thought would look great on them as they rode through town in that car. The car was never finished and my mother said, "I wouldn't be caught dead in that car or in that coat!"
(My Dad had a "Cord" when he was a young man and ended up selling it, because my mother thought it was too flashy and she was embarrassed to ride in it. I think of what that car would have been worth if he had kept it).

Generosity.
A favorite pasttime for my Mom and Dad was window shopping. They both loved nice furniture and lamps and my mother loved hats. All we had to do was take notice of something we really liked and more than not, he would remember that and surprise us with the item. He bought my mother some beautiful hats.

If I needed the car, he would often walk where he had to go so I could use the car. My parents were not rich but he was generous with his money and his time. He was thoughtful that way, and I hope that some of that rubbed off on me.

Music.
Music was also a passion. My Dad was very musical and could play the banjo, piano and other instruments. But his main passion was the trumpet. He played the trumpet in a dance band, and he also did all of the musical transcription for the band. He loved Big Band music and Dixieland and was a big fan of Louis Armstrong (though he hated it when he sang) and "Harry James". He would buy a new trumpet and say that perhaps this was the one that would help him hit the really high notes, like "Doc Severensen". I have one of those trumpets on a shelf in my family room where I can look at it every day. My Dad played at my Prom and at first I was mortified that he would be there. But when he stood up for his solo in "Wonderland By Night", I was secretly proud.

Jobs.
As was probably fairly common in my parents' generation, my Dad worked 8-5 and my mother stayed home to raise the children. He handed over his paycheck to my mother for household expenses, but because my Dad had so many interests - guns, spoons, cars, trains, TVs, hats, trumpets - he needed his own money to satisfy his desires. So for as long as I can remember, he worked part-time jobs, sometimes two other jobs in addition to his 8-5 job. He ran a bowling alley, worked at a men's clothing store and on a bakery assembly line in addition to his weekly gigs in a dance band. Those are the ones I remember. There were probably more.

My Dad grew up as an only child. His mother worked (which was unusual for those days - she was a high school music teacher), and I think many of his passions sprang from the loneliness of a little boy who went to a lot of movies and must have wondered what it would be like to be a cowboy or a racing driver or a train engineer. He pursued those dreams in a fashion. He played in the dance band and was interested in many things right up until he died at 82. And though I of course feel my Dad was a special man, he is probably not unlike many other fathers out there who have diverse and wide-ranging interests, who as boys dreamt of being something other than who they ended up being.

The mission of Sno-Isle Libraries is to "be a community doorway to reading, resources, and lifelong learning, and a center for people, ideas, and culture."

My Dad would be happy to see all of the "Auto Repair Databases" and materials about cars that are available, information on gun collecting and model trains, Big Band music CDs, DVDs of his favorite movies, how-to-do it information and ideas for part-time jobs.

In fact, the library offers opportunities for lifelong learners to pursue whatever their imagination conjures and wherever their needs, dreams and desires take them.

Imagine that!

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Share your Father anecdotes and how the library has helped you in pursuit of your lifelong learning.

The Good Old Days

2010-06-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you have received email spams from your friends, who forward various versions of email chain letters to you. Some are urban legends supposedly alerting you to carjacking schemes, perfume poisonings or computer viruses; others are more benign, extolling the power of friendship or sisterhood. But all of them tell you to pass the email on to 10 of your friends. Old chain letters would threaten you with bad luck if you didn't pass them on. Now you are just made to feel you don't really care for your friends if you don't. Either way, friends, I don't really like getting these...because I DO feel guilty if I don't send them on, and even worse, depressed when I can't think of 10 friends to send them to.

However, one I received lately made me reminisce. It was aimed at baby boomers-- about all of the things we and our parents used to do and that are now frowned upon. It brought back memories of the "good old days".

So those of you over 40, after you read this blog, sit back, close your eyes, and think of all of the politically, medically, and socially incorrect and non-technical things that used to be the norm when we were young. (If you are under 40,this might help you understand your parents better).

Remember defrosting meat on the counter?
Whoever heard of e.coli in the 50's?
(And I must confess I still do it).

Remember when you were little and it was OK to go off on your own?
I was given the "don't take candy from a stranger" speech, but my mother had no qualms about telling my 10-year-old self to ride my bike over a mile away to Keeler's, the butcher she preferred. There I would purchase a pound of ground beef for 49 cents. And I would stay out until 8pm playing with my friends until my mother would stand on the back porch and yell at the top of her lungs for me to come home (I think she tried ringing a bell for awhile but decided her voice had more power over me). It did.

Remember when we had to get up out of our chairs to change the TV channel and adjust the rabbit ears?
Did putting aluminum foil on the rabbit ears really help the reception?

Remember getting vaccinated at school?
Didn't mind the sugar cube. Hated the shot!

Remember when everyone smoked?
I was amazed when I went to college and there were ash trays in the class rooms. Naturally, I smoked. It was cool then. When I went to a Dylan concert, I even sported a cigarette holder and called everyone "Dah-ling." (I think I was in my Edie Sedgwick phase).
And a pack was only 25 cents.

Remember when you could actually buy something for a penny?
I would go to the local corner store and point to each piece of candy I wanted and walk out with a bag full of candy. If you had a quarter, you could choose 25 different pieces. "I would like that one, and that one, and that one...please." Can you imagine that multiplied by 20 or 30 kids? That must have driven the store clerk nuts! (And there weren't even signs limiting the number of children that could be in the store at a time as you sometimes see these days).

Remember when dogs ran free in the neighborhood and no one carried bags to pick up after them?
We had a collie that looked just like Lassie and was a friendly guy, well-known in the neighborhood and wandered all over the place. One dog I particularly remember was a little 3-legged miniature doberman named PeeWee, who was a nasty piece of work. He would charge anyone walking by his house. I had to go that way to get to my friend Chuckie's house and dreaded every moment, waiting for the snarling little weasel to come running out. I hated that dog.

Remember when libraries were old, musty buildings with disapproving librarians?
Now, I know I am generalizing here, but there must have been something to that for there to be the stereotype librarians have had to live with for so many years. I can remember feeling very scared of the disapproval of the library staff when checking out certain items, if you know what I mean. When I discovered the list of "100 Best Books Ever Written" (or something like that), and decided I wanted to read every one in alphabetical order, there were moments when the librarians would raise an eyebrow or two at my adolescent self. Not to mention when I tried to check out
"Peyton Place"

And I would break out into a sweat if I had an overdue book. We not only had to pay a fine but got a lecture as well.

Remember when libraries had closed sections and you had to fill out a form and then a library staff person would retrieve the item for you?
Never did figure out what the criteria was for those books kept locked up.

And what IS the deal with the librarian stereotype?
How did that happen? Did most librarians actually wear buns and dowdy clothes and keep the risque books under the counter (for their own use)? I can't tell you how many times I have fielded that question.

How things have changed. Were they really the "good old days?"

Today we worry about e.coli, watch our kids "like a hawk" (as my mother said to me when my children were born), pay way more than 49 cents for ground beef (unless we are vegan, at which point we wouldn't buy it at all), have hundreds of TV channels to choose from without getting up from our couch, we are vaccinated at birth for just about everything, few smoke, we could live without pennies, and dogs must always be on leashes and even often carry their own "you-know-what" bags.

And as for libraries...

Today public libraries are cool, hip places staffed by people who like people.

Their basic services provide a welcoming atmosphere, friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers, we check our your items without judgment, we happily assist you with your directional, informational and computer questions, we provide free programming for all ages including early learning opportunities for ages 0-5, our collection of library materials includes books, DVDs, CDs and other formats, we share our "best reads advice" with library customers, and we provide computers and free WiFi access.
The librarians are not stereotypes. They are smart, thoughtful, fun and care about what they do. And keep nothing hidden under the counter.

I could ask you to share this with ten of your friends, but instead, share your memories here of growing up and your past and present library experiences.

Better then? Or better now?

Book Buddies is Back

2010-05-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful Book Buddies program is Back!

Teens...looking for a great volunteer opportunity this summer? Help a child improve their reading skills! You will get community service credit while having fun reading and playing games with a child who needs your help. Training will be Monday, June 21 at 4 p.m. and is required for teens to participate.

Parents...does your 2nd or 3rd grader need some reading encouragement? Are they a reluctant reader? Perhaps Book Buddies is for them! This program is a fun, confidence-building opportunity for your child to practice reading with a specially trained teen volunteer.

Book Buddies group sessions will be Monday afternoons from 3 to 4:30 pm, July 12 to August 23, 2010. August 30th we will celebrate our reader's achievements with a pool party the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion from 4-5:30 pm.

Space is limited, so fill out an application at the library today!

We thank the kind support of our wonderful Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library, plus the Lynnwood Rotary Club, Half Price Books, and the Mountlake Terrace Recreation and Parks Department.

People I Admire.

2010-05-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Oprah.

(I know I should talk about a religious figure or a president or someone like that, but I'm not going to. I'm the "Pop Culture Queen." I can't help it.)

I know that Oprah has fallen out of favor from time-to-time, but I have been a supporter since Day One, when in 1986 her Chicago talk show went into national syndication. Being a Michigander (yes, that's what we are called) and her show originating in Chicago, I was privy to early ads promoting the national syndication. There were weeks of promos before it aired, and I knew right away I would like her. I have missed few shows since VHS tapes came along and none since Tivo.

I have seen her weight go up and down, shared her teary moments and emotional "aha" moments.

And that is why Oprah has endured.

She may be one of the richest women in the world who wields enough power to become President herself (except Oprah's smart -she knows she has more power with a TV show and less aggravation), but we know she is one of us. She may have all that money, but it can't buy her a skinny body. She may be famous, but she shares her life as if she was our best girlfriend. (Actually I have always wished she was mine.) She has enlightened me on many topics, urged me to be empowered and given me ideas on how to better myself. And she uses her money for good.

My love for Oprah was well-known in my family. I remember one time when my children were young, I came home from work and announced to the family that Thursday nights would forever after be "Family Night." The TV would go off, and we would do things together as a family. My son sighed and asked, "Mom, have you been watching Oprah again? I hate Oprah!" But Family Night it was.

And now after 25 years, Oprah is ending her regular talk show reign to do other things, and I think the best is yet to come.

Paul McCartney.

I know he can be insufferable at times but, hey, he was a BEATLE! There are few female baby boomers who did not feel the allure of THE BEATLES!

I actually was able to see them in Detroit in 1964. I bought my tickets six months in advance and my girlfriend and I begged and begged her parents to take us to Detroit. Before the show, we hung out by a hotel where a bus was parked, and we were absolutely certain this was the getaway vehicle for the Fab Four. While we were doing that we missed the motorcade a block over!

When we got to Olympia Stadium, we found out there was something wrong with our tickets and our seats didn't exist. Oh, noooooooo... They asked us if we wanted our money back (Are you kidding me?) or did we want to sit in the press box? (Now you're talkin').

During the opening acts (Jackie DeShannon and The Blossoms ), I was staring at Paul McCartney's arm leaning up on the entrance to the stadium (I knew it was his arm because I recognized his ID bracelet - I told you I was a big fan). When they finally came out, they sang for 20 minutes, and we couldn't hear a thing because of the screaming. Didn't matter. We were there.

Anyway, I digress. I admire Sir Paul not just because he was a BEATLE and wrote some of the most enduring songs of all time. I admire him because despite his wealth and fame, he still wants to rock, he was a good husband and father, and he uses his money for good.

Audrey Hepburn.

It's difficult for me to believe that there is probably an entire younger generation who doesn't even know who she is. It makes me sad that the stars from the 1930's -1950's are almost forgotten. But in her time, she epitomized a kind of gamine elegance that was difficult to describe. Watch Breakfast at Tiffany's or Roman Holiday. She was elegant looking, elegant sounding and lived a life of not only elegance, but thoughtfulness and kindness. She didn't let her fans down through scandal and inappropriate behavior. It seems her only vice was smoking. When she died she was an ambassador for UNICEF. She died when she was only 64.

Elizabeth Taylor.

In my opinion, she was and is the most beautiful woman who ever lived.

I knew this even as a young girl. I remember writing her a fan letter and telling her I wished she was my mother (I hope my mother didn't know that). My parents, of course, did not approve of her at all because of "Le Scandal" and her many marriages (for the best book I have ever read on the Liz and Dick years read Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Marriage of the Century).

Eight marriages (twice to Richard Burton) shocked many people. But I have a theory about that. I believe that she married every man she ever loved (or thought she loved)because she didn't think it was right to just live with a man she wasn't married to. M-m-m. There is a certain morality to that.

My admiration for her stems not just from her beauty, but because she was the consummate movie actress and she had a sense of humor about herself. And when everyone was scared to death of AIDS, she was in the forefront raising money to fight it - and still is. Despite having more illnesses and injuries than most humans could stand, she has endured and is one of the last of the actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Princess Diana.

Her death hit me hard. I stayed up all night to watch the funeral and the final procession to her resting place, crying my eyes out the whole time.

Why did it hit me so hard? I don't know exactly. I guess I just liked being in the world with her.

I have always been a Royal watcher. I got that from my Mom, I think, because I was born the same year as Prince Charles. She might have even had the thought her little girl could grow up to marry a prince. But instead Diana married him, and as we know now, it was like a lamb to the slaughter. But despite all of the sturm und drang and her personal unhappiness, she was able to make something of her life on her own and become not just a style icon, but "The People's Princess." A princess who was not afraid to touch a leper or an AIDS patient, who cuddled her young sons instead of treating them formally as Queen Elizabeth had treated Charles, who really did marry for love and who singlehandedly revitalized the English monarchy.

Librarians.

C'mon, you knew it was coming, didn't you?

But I really do admire the librarians that I know and have known.

They are certainly not in it for the money. Unless they are running a big library, most of them will never make a lot of money. They are in it because they care.

Every day I see librarians going the extra mile.

Where else can you go to ask a live human being to help you with your problems and expect to be greeted with a smile?

I see my colleagues spending the time to rescue a resume from a timed out computer; calling other libraries to unite a child with just the book he wanted; teaching an email class so a newcomer to the U.S can send an email to her son in Korea for the first time; planning just the right educational story times to help children get ready for school; finding that one book or article that makes a big difference in a customer's life; talking passionately to customers about really good reads; putting together free quality programs that families can share together; providing a Third Place for our communities.

All of this is just a day in the life of a librarian...because they love what they do and care about their communities.

Oprah, do you hear me?

I know you love teachers, and you have rewarded them by filling your audience with teachers for your annual Giveaway Show. I know you must like librarians, too, because you have promoted reading with your book picks.

So how about it?

Your next Giveaway Show should be for us librarians who are working hard providing the tools people need for these tough times.

We librarians need new washing machines, cars and weed wackers, too!

C'mon, Oprah. Have your producers call me! Remember, I am your biggest admirer...and I am a librarian!

Anyway, those are just a few people I admire. Now let's hear from you. Who do you most admire?

What My Mother Said

2010-05-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought I would pay tribute to my mother by reflecting on the things she used to regularly say to me and that I didn't appreciate at the time. I am wondering if what she said holds up today.

"Stand up straight, Rosellen!"
We lived about two blocks from the high school and she would yell this at me as I slouched off to school. In my teenage angst, I felt nothing but humiliation.
But she was right. If you stand up straight and suck in your stomach, you will look at least five pounds thinner.

"Smile, Rosellen."
Again, teenage angst plays a role here. I didn't want to smile. I wanted to suffer Bergman style and talk about Sartre.
But I must confess, again she was right. Smiling makes us look much more approachable, which is important when you are in the customer service business.

"Stop sighing."
I did this alot. Rolling my eyes was also common. I was certain I knew way more than she did, and if she would only recognize that fact, we would get along much better. And did she always have to embarrass me so much?
I see now how sighing can be very annoying, since I have had to experience this from a mother's point of view.
Touche, Mom.

"Don't borrow trouble."
I think this was the 1950's equivalent to "Don't worry, be happy" or the glass half full theory. Not much talk about feelings in my family.
But trying to stay positive is probably good advice.

"Only crazy people talk to themselves."
I think this was something she said when she was talking to herself.
Not sure how right she was on this one, since I find myself talking to myself quite a bit, not to mention humming.

"Don't worry about me. You worry about yourself."
This was usually in response to our asking her how she was doing as we hauled her up a steep hill in San Francisco. I think she was in her 80's at the time.
I have since adopted this retort.

"If you read, you will never be lonely."
My mother wasn't what I would call a sophisticated reader, but she was a reader. Her reading habits leaned more toward the "Book of the Month Club" and the "Readers Digest Condensed Books." And every night my mother would sit out on our screened-in porch and read the evening paper. In the 70's, I gave her a gift of "Ms. Magazine," thinking I would raise her consciousness. Later she said I didn't need to resubscribe for her. She didn't care for the "bad language" in it. I think she missed the point.
But she was right about reading being a companion. If I am on my own, cuddled up with a good read, I may be alone, but I am not lonely.

"Let's go the library."
The Hackley Public Library in Muskegon, Michigan is an imposing three story structure built in 1888 with funds from Charles Hackley, a lumber baron. He gave so much money to the town of Muskegon that we celebrated Hackley Day and only had to go to school for a half day in celebration. In the morning there was a tribute to Hackley and then we had the afternoon off. We loved him for that. Who said money can't buy you love?

The children's room took up the entire second floor, and I remember the story times, sitting in a circle on a large rug while the librarian read us stories. Afterwards I would choose the Babar and Madeline books. For awhile, I was addicted to the "twins" series by Lucy Finch Perkins (The Dutch Twins, The Belgian Twins etc.). I don't think this series is popular anymore, but I have vivid memories of acting out the stories with my friend Chuckie.

My mother was the child of Swedish immigrants and the only one in her large family to finish high school. She valued education highly. And so she valued the library. I had a library card from a young age, and she took me to the story times regularly. She understood the importance of early learning and reading to prepare me for school. This was a time when preschools were not prevalent, so preparing your child for kindergarten was pretty much up to the parents.

Today the library is still dedicated to this goal.

The National Research Council recommends that children enter school with specific early literacy skills that serve as the foundation for learning to read and write. Children with more of these skills are better able to master reading when they start school.

Narrative Skills - Tell stories together, encourage pretend play, and let your child be a storyteller

Letter Knowledge - Help your child identify the first letter in his/her name and find it in books, on street signs and package labels.

Print Awareness - Help your child discover how to hold a book and turn the pages

Vocabulary - Teach your child the specific names of things, like vegetables at the grocery store.

Print Motivation - Find books that speak to your child's interests and share them often.

Phonological Awareness - Sing songs, play games and share rhymes to help your child play with the smaller sounds in words.

And teaching these skills is an integral part of the story times available free to families at the library.

The Mountlake Terrace Library also provides baby story times, toddler play and learn sessions in partnership with The Little Red School House and story times in Spanish and Russian.

My mother understood that reading to her child, encouraging her to play pretend, handling books, singing songs, and playing games were all fundamental to my being prepared to start school, and she looked to her public library to help with this even then. I am happy to say we are continuing that work.

When my mother said, "Let's go to the library," she knew she was providing her daughter with a head start in school. What she didn't know was that she was planting the seed that would give her daughter a most challenging and rewarding career.

So, Mom, you might not have thought I heard what you said when I was growing up, but I did.

Thanks, Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

If I Hadn't Become A Librarian...

2010-04-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

...I think I would have been a talent scout.

I am rather a savant at spotting those who will be big stars, if I do say so myself.

I "discovered" Sandra Bullock in Speed, Antonio Banderas in Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down, Sharon Stone in Total Recall, Denzel Washington in A Soldier's Story and Tom Cruise in Taps. Whether it was Sandra Bullock's plucky humor or Tom Cruise's intensity, I knew they all had that something special that would give them megastardom. In fact, I remember turning to my spouse and saying "Spouse, that person will be a megastar."

I come by this talent naturally.

My father was a big movie fan, and I remember sitting up late with him watching old movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood on TV (when I was supposed to be in bed) - Stella Dallas, Now, Voyager, The Philadelphia Story, The Quiet Man, Deanna Durbin movies.

My Dad was particularly susceptible to the tear-jerkers. When he would tear up he would emit a little guttural laugh and pretend to wipe his forehead with his handkerchief when he was really wiping the tears from his eyes. He didn't think I noticed.

But he also loved the corny movies. Francis the Talking Mule series was a particular favorite.

We loved to spot famous actors appearing in bit parts early in their careers and comment on their impending star power. He also taught me the love of watching the credits for names of famous actors appearing in small parts before they were big or the odd little fact - did you know that the real name of the dog who played Old Yeller was Spike?

I just recently watched the credits for Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire, and not only noticed the name Grace Hightower, but recognized her as Robert DeNiro's wife. Like I said, I'm a savant when it comes to this stuff. Try it. Reading movie credits is fun.

What old movie memories do you have?
Have you spotted any now famous actors early in their careers?

Anyway, if I should decide to take this talent of mine and turn it into another career, where would I go for help?

You see where I'm heading.

The library, of course.

Our Tools for Tough Times leads job seekers and career changers to resources that will help them decide where their talents lie, which careers are right for them, what the job trends are and where the jobs are. We also provide practice tests and Microsoft applications tutorials(Learning Express), as well as resume, cover letter and interviewing help.

Another important local resource is a library partner, WorkSource, which is a one-stop reemployment system for the job hunter and career changer. Funded by state and federal funds, services include employment counseling services, onsite hiring events, workshops and seminars and a computer resource center, which provides fax and copy machines, phones and typing tests in addition to computers. There are offices in several locations in Washington. The Lynnwood Office is located at 20311 52nd Avenue W. in Lynnwood. For more information call 425-673-3300.

You do not need to be unemployed to access these resources and services.

You might just be someone like me...thinking of that *other* career.

Movies I Have Questions About

2010-04-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever watched a movie and when it was over, went Huh?

Here are a few I have wondered about:

The Time Traveler's Wife
Henry is a librarian. When was he ever around long enough to get a library degree?

Gone with the Wind
What on earth did Scarlett see in Ashley Wilkes when she could have had Rhett Butler?

Ashley?

Or Rhett? You be the judge.

The Neverending Story
If it's neverending, how come it ended?

Alien
"In space, no one can hear you scream." Is that really true?

District 9
How did the malnourished sick aliens get those huge weapons down out of the spacecraft? And why did they come to earth in the first place?

Mulholland Drive
Just in general, whaaaat?

***SPOILER ALERT***
If you haven't seen The Sixth Sense yet, read no further but for the rest of you:
How can Bruce Willis not know he is dead? No one talks to him except the kid who sees dead people.

See what you think.

If you haven't seen these films or want to see them again, they are available at the library. I have provided links directly to our catalog.

And by the way, is there a better deal out there than the free DVDs at the library? You can check out 10 DVDs at a time for free!

When times are tough, your library is there to help! Now that does make sense.

Take that Netflix!

What films do you think have plot devices or scenes that just don't make sense?

Things I Thought I Would Never Say

2010-04-08T13:01:00.001-07:00

Disclaimer: Now I realize that some of what I am going to say might offend those of you who say these things all of the time, so I apologize at the outset. But, hey, libraries are places for people to gather to find information and talk about issues that they care about and sometimes these issues can be controversial. And this library blog is no different - it's an electronic gathering place for us to share our ideas and opinions, so I don't mind if you disagree with me if you don't mind that sometimes I might say something you don't like.

So, that said, here we go...things I thought I would never say.

"I love Tammy Wynette."
I was never much of a country music fan. I grew up with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, so Dusty Springfield was about as country as I would get. However, as the celebrity bio junkie you know I am, I am drawn to their stories and right now I am reading a fascinating book about her. Tammy Wynette: Tragic Country Queen. When I am reading about a performer, I often want to listen to his or her music or go back and watch the films, so naturally I had to download some Tammy Wynette iTunes onto my iPod, and I am lovin' listening to her standing by her man and 'til she can make it on her own.
Great stuff!

And Dusty's story was pretty tragic too! Here is her biography and some tunes.

"Chuck, you are right."
Chuck is my spouse, and actually he told me to put this one in.
I've actually never said that.

"Nanny McPhee is the greatest film of all time!"
I really did say that, but it was right at the end, I was crying my eyes out, and I think there might have been some wine involved.
In hindsight, I guess it's not "Citizen Kane." but it's a really good family movie.
Check it out.

"Is that a gray hair?"
If you are a baby boomer, you probably also never thought you would say that. We were all Peter Pan. But I guess that's what Clairol Coppery Red is for. (I wonder if there is a "statute of limitations" on dyeing your hair before it affects your brain.)

"The kids are not coming home for the holidays."
This happened for the first time last year. Both "kids" went to their beloved's parents' homes for the holidays, so for the first time in 24 years, we were childless. I guess I thought they would want to come home every year. Who wouldn't want to come home when it's pizza on Christmas Eve, 10 presents each, and a car ride looking at holiday lights while singing carols?
Oh, well...it used to work.
So we went to Paris instead.

"Because I'm your mother."
And other things like "Because I said so," "Life isn't fair" and "Go sit on your hands for 15 minutes."
Maybe that's why the kids aren't coming home anymore.

"I'm going to be a librarian."
The inclusion of this statement might seem strange to you, since I am a librarian and have been one for 30 years.

But I didn't always want to be a librarian.

When I was in college, my college roommate told me that she was considering going to library school after graduation. I remember saying, "What!? Why would you want to do that?" as I conjured up the librarian stereotype of the little old lady with a bun wearing double-tread floor gripper shoes, shushing everyone. Something like this.

Despite my horror, she became a librarian and worked at the Library of Congress.
I, on the other hand, put flowers in my hair and headed for San Francisco. Unfortunately, my liberal arts education didn't qualify me for much, except lively conversation at cocktail parties, so after two years of toiling in the trenches, I reassessed my situation and realized I needed more education. By that time, I had several friends who had found themselves in a similar situation and had become librarians (what does that say about a liberal arts education?), so I thought, why not?

Having cut my hair short in the then fashionable Sassoon,

I couldn't supply the bun, but I was sure I could supply the shush, so off I went to library school.

Boy, did I get an education!

What I learned was that as a librarian, I was a member of a noble profession. We are woven into the fabric of what makes America great. We help protect the right for all Americans to have the information they need and want, without restriction and without judgment. And we are hip!

I have been working as a librarian ever since. I have been a medical librarian, a research librarian and a college librarian, but working in public libraries has given me the most satisfaction and pride. The hours are not great and, yes, I have to plunge the occasional toilet and sometimes interact with an unruly customer, but we who work in public libraries are the frontline defenders of the freedom of speech. I sure didn't think I would be saying all of that when I was 22.

And by the way, if I may quote the Houston Public Library's Annual Report,

"Shhhhhh...has left the building."