WPLDirector

eReaders

2012-01-20T10:33:00.001-08:00

Although I’m fascinated with the escalating availability and versatility of electronic gadgets, I keep a pretty simple inventory. Recently I added an ereader to the stable, and it took me about 3 pages to realize I have a new addiction.

I took my little ereader on a date of sorts to a local bookstore. Its face lit up when I took it out of the case, and it realized it was among friends. Even though I plan to borrow most of my ebooks, I had to buy just one (well, two) to see what it felt like. I have to admit, it felt good, the ease of getting it, the lightness of holding it while I read, and knowing I won’t have to dust it on my shelf. I just can’t lend it to friends. I could lend them my entire ereader, but then I’d have to buy another, since I’m not sure I can be without it. Publishers of electronic books want to make sure that we can’t send their books willy-nilly through cyberspace, and I understand they are entitled to a sound economic model.

Digital rights management is a controversial debate, and libraries are part of it. Some publishers refuse to publish books electronically, even though I have yet to meet anyone who’s figured out how to share them illegally. I’m sure there’s someone out there, but there always have been those who pirated, and the publishing economy has survived. We may need to develop a new model to work with ebooks, and I applaud the publishers who are trying to make this happen. I applaud even louder for the SOPA protestors who demonstrated what happens when we overreact to online piracy.

In the meantime, enjoy those who do provide electronic access by using your local public libraries’ collections of downloadable ebooks. No snow, no traffic, and no searching the shelves. Directly from our e-stacks to your home, downloadable books are environmentally friendly, convenient, and fun.

Harry Potter @ the WPL

2011-11-09T11:49:00.001-08:00

This morning a colleague asked me about a management book I highly recommended back in 2008. I can’t remember a single word from that book. But ask me about Harry Potter’s first days at Hogwarts, I will immediately relive mental images of fantastic interiors, murky classrooms, piles of gold, streets bustling with wizards, and woods full of unpleasant surprises. The fantasy world of Harry Potter has been so well-loved that it will be with some of us for life.

Those scenes are somewhat the creation of my imagination, but not entirely. Warner Bros. pulled out all the stops in creating sets for the visual telling of these tales, but on December 29, the DVDs go into the vault (Gringotts, I presume) and new copies will no longer be made available for sale. Because of current technologies, I doubt this will be as devastating as when Disney used this same marketing technique that made parents of my generation quickly buy every Disney classic on VHS, but it’s still noteworthy.

The UNI Rod Library, the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries are hosting a series of Harry Potter events this fall for all ages. In December the public libraries will create our own Diagon Alley, and it will be accessible not only to wizards, but also to families of local muggles. After we explore the shops, we’ll settle in to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Other happenings, including a traveling exhibit titled “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic & Medicine, Horcrux Hunts, and author Amy Stewart discussing her book “Wicked Plants” will also give us another chance to experience the Potter magic . What better way to celebrate this fantasy world that we’ve followed for almost fifteen years? Visit our websites at www.cedar-falls.lib.ia.us and www.waterloo.lib.ia.us for more information.

New Overdrive Titles

2011-10-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

Two of the most unpleasant phrases I’ve had to utter over the last few years have been “but not for Kindles” and “they’re really popular, I’m so sorry they’re all checked out.” This always happens after I speak to a local organization, and encourage them to check out downloadable ebooks and audiobooks from the library.

I will retire those phrases, because now library downloadables DO work with Kindles, along with Nooks and hundreds of other devices. In addition, the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Public Libraries launched a new consortium this week, making many more titles available to you.

A few years ago, most people said “I still need to feel that paper book in my hands, and smell the ink.” That feeling is not as prevalent now. Over the last year, over 7500 downloadable books were checked out from our two libraries. This is another advantage of everyone pooling a few of their tax dollars to purchase library materials. It’s not unusual to pay $20.00 for a downloadable book, which means the library provided $150,000 of downloadable books for a tiny fraction of that amount. You don’t get to keep the book on your ereader forever, but would you really read it again? If you would, you can download it a second time from the library.

Go to our websites, www.waterloo.lib.ia.us and www.cedar-falls.lib.ia.us and check it out. If you need help stop by and ask our staff to help you. There are also some great videos on the Overdrive site.

Recently I finished The Man in the Wooden Hat, by Jane Gardam. Companion novel to Old Filth, it is an intriguing mix of an intimate glimpse into the lives of Edward Feathers and his wife Betty, and yet just elusive enough to make you long for more. Beautifully written, fantastic characters, this story of a British lawyer working in Hong Kong will stay with me for a long time.

Books You May Have Missed

2011-09-09T11:16:00.001-07:00

I know that too often when I have my heart set on reading a particular book, someone else beat me to the shelf. I can place a reserve on it, but I don’t want to go home empty-handed. There are still thousands of great books on the shelves, no longer new, but still just as good as they were when released. None of us has time to read everything that’s new, so here are a few recommendations by library staff that may be a little older, but you won’t want to miss them.

If you liked The Thirteenth Tale, try The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman. Journeying to the luxurious Bosco estate, a writer's retreat, in upstate New York to work on a book based on the troubled events that took place there in the summer of 1893, novelist Ellis Brooks uncovers the dark secrets of the wealthy Latham family. If you’re an adult who loved Twilight, try Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton. Chloe Hobbs, a sorcerer's daughter and owner of Sticks & String, a knitting shop in Sugar Maple, a Vermont town populated by warlocks, vampires, witches, and other paranormal inhabitants, believes that she has finally found Mr. Right, Luke MacKenzie, the all-too-human cop investigating the town's first homicide.

In New England White by Stephen L. Carter, Lemaster Carlyle, president of an elite New England university, and his wife, Julia, the divinity school dean, discover the body of a professor who was once Julia's lover, and their teenage daughter may have been involved. Julia struggles to protect her entire family while doggedly pursuing the truth, even if the cost is her peace of mind.

Before he became a best-selling author, Don Winslow spent over 15 years as an arson investigator and his expert knowledge shows in this riveting thriller, California Fire and Life. Investigator Jack Wade sorts through the remains of a L.A. mansion where a young mother was killed. Southern California is captured with all its quirks.

Sherlock Holmes has never been portrayed in a better light in the first book of a series about Mary Russell, a 15-year-old American girl who apprentices herself to the great detective in the early years of World War I. In The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, Laurie King has created a fitting partner for Holmes who equals him in intelligence.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle follows the family struggles of the Sawtelle family, who raise a special breed of dog on their Wisconsin farm. David Wroblewski's retelling of a classic piece of Shakespeare is often sad, but the beautiful writing and nuanced cast of characters keeps one reading even when any chance of a happy ending seems elusive. It's a story that manages to pack an emotional whirlwind -- love, family, betrayal, revenge, jealously, loyalty, loss and hope are all to be found in Edgar's story -- but rarely bogs down or becomes unbelievable. If you didn't pick it up when it first came out, it's well worth the read now.

Languages at the Library

2011-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve noticed over the last few years that more and more signs are posted in more than one language. I gaze at the words that are not English, trying to decipher them, generally unsuccessfully. I stand across the desk from someone who is trying to communicate to me in a language I don’t know, and I wish I could help. I realize that the five-year-old accompanying that patron is bilingual, and wonder why her skills in that area should surpass mine, but my high school Spanish has abandoned me. I don’t have a lot of spare time in my day, but I know that some of the time spent on the Internet or in front of the television could be invested better. With that time, I could explore another language.

Both Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries have World Languages Collections. Books, movies and music in Spanish populate the collection, with other languages growing. But if you haven’t already mastered these languages, we also provide the means to get you there.

Mango Languages and Rocket Languages are both available online by using your library card. Spanish, German, French, Italian and even American Sign courses can be pursued at your own speed. Interactive lessons help with pronunciation, spelling and grammar. You can even practice the words out loud, and have the program evaluate your pronunciation. Online communities can offer support and answer questions. And if you skip class tomorrow to catch up on Mad Men, no one will know, but you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off when you go back.

Books, both print and on CD, and Playaways are also available to help learn another language. If you haven’t heard me push the Playaways lately, remember that they are mp3 players with a pre-loaded book. You just supply the earbuds and push the “play” button. They’re great companions for walking and gardening.

Learning another language can be a great leisure time activity that not only helps you communicate with other members of your community, but can also strengthen your employment potential. Find the tools to do that at the public library.

DVDs for Summer

2011-07-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

One thing we know for sure about August—it’s going to be hot. The popcorn is optional, but when it’s hot, it’s nice to stay inside and watch a movie. Practice a little cinematherapy by curling up with a good movie, and see how much better you feel. You may not realize that the public library offers a lot of choices when it comes to DVDs, and we think we should have something for everyone.

Do you ever have that dream where you’re not prepared for class or a big meeting? Fight that anxiety by bringing yourself up to speed for Part 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Borrow the first seven to review before the big day. For more adventure, check out the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Battle Los Angeles or True Grit. Unknown, with Liam Neeson, will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you’re sad, or stumped by the opposite sex, go for laughs and some light romance with Date Night, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell. If you need a lesson on why lies and romance don’t mix, try Just Go With It. Hall Pass puts a little twist in comedy and marriage, while Big Mommas Like Father, Like Son mixes comedy with undercover detective work.

For more serious fare, try American Experience: Freedom Riders, or The King’s Speech. Temple Grandin, is an award-winning HBO original about an amazing autistic woman.

Round out your month with Red Riding Hood, Love and Other Drugs, and Sucker Punch. Don’t forget to check out Cedar Rapids, and see how our neighbors to the south come across on film. If you prefer to watch your movies on the big screen, make sure you check out the schedule at the Library. All movies are free of charge, and even include popcorn. We offer Family Night, Matinees for Adults, and Teen Movies, and hope you’ll stop in.

Summer Reading, Part 2

2011-06-24T09:54:00.001-07:00

I know you’re probably not a teen if you’re reading this article, but I hope you’ll stay with me anyway. After devouring teen fiction back in the sixties, I took a long hiatus once I discovered Victoria Holt and her cohorts. But recently, I’ve rediscovered the Young Adult section. Don’t think “Sweet Valley High” here, I’m talking about literature that’s well written, with subject matter that mirrors what we find in adult fiction. If you haven’t read teen literature lately, you need to check out one of these titles.

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak comes up frequently when intense readers start tossing around titles. The story entwines the Holocaust, death, defiance and heroism in beautiful prose. Or, try Banished by Sophie Littlefield, full of fast-paced action, drama and romance, with a few zombies and healers mixed in on the side.

I’m fascinated with the surge of dystopian teen fiction. As a result, Divergent by Veronica Roth is next on my reading list, and I’m hoping it is as good as the Catching Fire series. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi sounds like another excellent choice for fans of that genre. Matched by Ally Condie reveals what happens when teens rebel against The Society, tiring of life without freedom of choice. The best thing about all of these titles: they’re first in a series!

If you’re a mystery fan, try the fun whodunit, The Deadly Sister by Eliot Schrefer. It will keep you guessing until the end. Fallen, by Lauren Kate, tells the tale of Luce, sent to reform school only to learn that it’s full of dark, dangerous secrets. In Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater, Grace discovers that one of the wolves in her backyard seems hauntingly familiar. An Iowa teen is sent to prison for a heinous crime, leaving behind a legacy of secrets in These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf. And in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (the title alone makes it worth investigating), the mixture of eerie photographs with a thrilling story add up to a chilling read.

If you prefer nonfiction, try The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive by Marvelyn Brown, an inspirational memoir that is both cautionary and inspiring. Smile for the Camera is the memoir of then-teen Kelle James, who fled an abusive father and entered the 1970s New York model scene. Enjoy a summer read!

Summer Reading

2011-06-15T09:45:00.001-07:00

I’ve just felt our temperatures plummet from high-nineties to low sixties. Since this is Iowa, I am convinced that the gray skies will soon turn blue again, and Cedar Valley residents will be able to lounge in the shade, or on the beach, and read a book. In case you’re looking for some suggestions, let us help you out.

I’m currently reading The Widower’s Tale, by Julia Glass, and I hate to put it down. 70-year-old Percy discovers love again, but this is so much more than that, as are all of Glass’s stories. Family relationships, gentle humor, and the ethical dilemmas of college students and immigrants are so beautifully blended, I feel like I’ve just visited their little part of New England.

If you’re looking for a little lighter love story, try The Pioneer Woman: From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, by Ree Drummond. Drummond’s cooking blog is very well-known for the great recipes, the photography, and the down-home chat. Check this one out if you want to know how she and The Marlboro Man of her dreams got together. Try The Paris Wife by Paula McLain if you like your novels to have a little historical twist. Ernest Hemingway’s first wife, Hadley, does for this story what Mamah Cheney’s fictional diary did for Loving Frank.

If you haven’t read Room by Emma Donoghue, grab it. Every book group in town either has or will be discussing it. It’s unsettling, about a kidnapped woman and her child (I’m not going to spoil it by telling you more), but that’s what makes it interesting. Alice Hoffman’s The Red Garden is a great read about the settling of a New England town, with a little mysticism sprinkled throughout. Start charting a family tree right away, and be prepared to not put it down until you finish.

A great nonfiction choice is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. I never dreamed there was such a painless and interesting way to learn a little about DNA, and cells. That’s because there’s such an interesting family story woven throughout the science. And if you would like an interesting fictional twist on local history, pick up Dave Hoing’s Hammon Falls. A fictional love story, set against early Cedar Valley history leads to puzzles on several levels. Have a great summer!

Summer Happenings at the Library

2011-05-26T08:20:00.001-07:00

How many bottles of shampoo live in your bathroom? A newly-married colleague once complained this was one of the hardest adjustments he had to make. One for dry hair, one for oily hair, one for dandruff, and maybe one that works as shampoo, conditioner and shower gel all in one? Then there are the conditioners, the gels, the mousse, the volumizer, the spray, the wax. And of course, all of the equipment: blow-dryers, brushes, clips, combs. After decades of taking care of my hair, with all of those choices, I still don’t have it under control.

Imagine that you’re suddenly entrusted with taking care of hair that’s not your own, and in fact is very different from your own. Quoting Wikipedia, “All hair is not the same; indeed, hair is a manifestation of human diversity.” Partnering with DHS, the WPL is sponsoring the “African American and Biracial Hair & Skin Care” workshop. This program is free and includes refreshments and a puppet show. Register by calling 291-4496, and learn something new at the library.

Learning will be fun at the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Public Libraries this summer. Both organizations have summer library programs for all ages, enticing you with prizes and fun events in order to get you to read some books. Reading isn’t required, but it’s certainly one of the possibilities. SLPs help prevent student brain drain that takes place over the summer months, gives everyone a chance to expand their horizons, and it’s just plain fun, free entertainment.

Don’t miss two author visits this summer. Jael McHenry, former resident of Janesville, will visit the WPL on June 18. Her novel The Kitchen Daughter, published by Simon & Schuster, debuted in April. This program is sponsored by the Friends of both WPL & CFPL. Mark Twain, played by Dave Ehlert of Branson, will visit CFPL on June 21, and is sponsored by the CFPL Friends. Twain, one of our country’s most well-known authors, is revered for his wit and humor, so fortunately for us, he lives on. We hope to see you at the library this summer, because we have many ways for you to spend your summer days.

Summer Reading

2011-05-06T14:36:00.001-07:00

It’s time to start gathering your summer reading choices. First, pick up author Jael McHenry’s new novel The Kitchen Daughter. The protagonist, a woman with Asberger’s, discovers that cooking leads to family secrets. Why start with this particular novel? McHenry was raised in Janesville, and has agreed to visit this summer to kick off the Waterloo Public Library summer library program, and is also partially sponsored by the Cedar Falls Public Library.

Next, pick up Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos. The All Iowa Reads choice for 2011 is set in Nebraska, and interweaves family and love, sprinkled with irony. If you’re interested in a subdued but witty British love story that gives hope for those of us over the age of 50, check out Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson.

If you haven’t read Room by Emma Donoghue, make sure you have a block of time since you probably won’t be able to put it down. Told through 5-year-old Jack’s eyes, it’s the story of a young woman, and eventually her son, kidnapped and held hostage in a small room. To tell you more would be a spoiler. I found The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman to be another book I couldn’t put down. From the very first hardy settlers in a New England small town, a little Hoffman mysticism follows these family lines to the present.

Stephen King’s Full Dark, No Stars will keep you up nights for two reasons: the page turning novellas, and the subtle horror. Local author Dave Hoing’s fictionalized account of a family tragedy, set in the fictional town of Hammon Falls, will have you guessing just what bits of early Waterloo history he’s alluding to.

If you prefer your summer reading to stick to the facts, be sure you read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Even if you don’t like nonfiction and science, you will engage in this story of how the DNA of a poor African American woman has been the building block for fighting disease for the last fifty years. These books and many more are waiting to bring you a little summer escape, courtesy of the public library.

New Book Alerts

2011-04-22T11:52:00.001-07:00

For several years now, you’ve been able to do some of your library business from home. Reserve and renew materials, browse the catalog, or email a reference librarian. But I’ve always thought our online catalogs look a little bit like jazzed up cards from the old card catalog, brought to you on a screen. And while we have created lists of new materials, the most interesting way to browse what’s new on the shelves seemed to be by visiting the library. Of course, if something was checked out when you visited, you didn’t know the library owned it. Or if may not have been convenient to come to the library when you had time to browse.

Both Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries now subscribe to “New Book Alerts,” available from our websites. Click here, and you’ll see a more interesting interface that allows you to browse what’s new with fewer clicks, and more information. You can browse from your computer, phone, any device that allows you to be online. Different tabs will show you covers and detailed descriptions of new titles that we’ve received. Not only books, but movies, audio books and music CDs, too. A “Categories” tab provides you with subject lists, like Romance, Crafts & Hobbies, Children’s Books, Teens and Foreign Languages. You can check the lists when you’re in the mood to browse, or sign up for an RSS feed or newsletter version.

Click on a title, and see reviews written by readers like you, and add your own. From these pages, you’re just a few clicks away from reserving your choices online so we can notify you when your book is ready for you.

How is this different from browsing Amazon, GoodReads or similar websites? Titles don’t appear on “New Book Alerts” until the library owns them. You don’t have to go from another website to the library’s, because you’re really already there. Be sure and check out this new service.

Evolutions

2011-04-01T09:03:00.001-07:00

This week I’ve watched the DVDs, music CDs, Blu-Rays, Books on CD and VHS for adults move to the second floor of the Cedar Falls Public Library. There wasn’t much to move in the VHS category, it’s been whittled down to the few that still checkout. But the remaining formats will have room to stretch out and expand, and show off. In turn, that allows more room for popular fiction and large print on first floor. The older nonfiction print on second floor has been slowly and quietly receding, chased away by the Internet. It’s like watching an evolution of sorts. The afternoon of April 16, the Waterloo Public Library will celebrate an anniversary in our current building. Thirty years ago, the original two Carnegie public libraries went their separate ways while library services were consolidated into an updated post office and federal building. In this relatively short time, the paper card catalog was first computerized, and then put on the Internet. Video discs turned into tape, with that little skirmish between Beta and VHS. All for naught maybe, as movies slid back onto discs on their way to streaming. Expansive reference collections were digitized and put online, while other things remained in the original format: the people who use the library. Children who listen to stories, people who sit and read, and residents who need help wading through information sources. Reflecting back is like tracing our genealogy. The Waterloo Public Library is celebrating Genealogy Week April 18-22, with sessions on lineage society applications, courthouse research, Googling your family tree, and much more. There’s even a trip to the cemetery. The Cedar Falls Public Library is celebrating Poetry Month in a big way this year. Visits from Scott Cawelti, Duffy Hudson and Vince Gotera will be fantastic celebrations of the rhythm of words in our language. Spending time at the library is a great investment of your time. And who wants to miss out on cake?

Author Visit: Dan Buettner, The Blue Zones and Thrive

2011-03-04T12:25:00.001-08:00

What do you do if you’re in the middle of your life, and suddenly realize that you may have to be a little more proactive if you want to live to be a happy, healthy centenarian? It may be a little more complicated than watching what you eat, and getting off the couch a little more often, but not as difficult as you might think.

Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones and Thrive, is coming to the Cedar Valley to get us started. You don’t have to do it on your own, it involves your family, your neighbors, your entire community. He’s been on Dr. Oz and Oprah, is a writer for National Geographic, and has made a study of happiness and longevity.

You don’t have to hide vegetables in the canned ravioli to get your kids to eat healthier. Buettner maintains that happy family meals foster a multitude of blessings. Children eat more from the healthy food groups, they improve their performance in school, and reduce the risk of eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse when a positive, focused family meal is the norm at home.

The key to happiness can be a simple formula also. What you eat, your outlook on life, staying close to family members, and exercise are all key ingredients to adding healthy and happy years to your life expectancy.

Buettner’s visit will feature a public presentation at the UNI Commons at 7pm on April 7 at the UNI Commons. His books will be available for sale after the presentation, but you can also pick them up beforehand at the local public libraries. This presentation is sponsored by the Robert & Shirley Berg Fund at the Cedar Falls Civic Foundation, Western Home Communities, Sponsored Programs—UNI, and University Book and Supply. Join us to learn how to make the Cedar Valley an even better place to live.

Teen Tech Week 2011

2011-02-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

March 6-12 is Teen Tech Week. This is not an event aimed at celebrating that every teen we encounter now seems to have at least two electronic gadgets attached to their fingers and ears, but instead one geared towards promoting intelligent use of all sorts of technology.

Librarians, at one time nervous that the internet spelled the end for libraries as we know them, soon came to realize that we’re the perfect resource for instructing others in its use. This comes easily for us when teaching adults how to search the internet, use a Nook, set up an email address, or manage digital pictures. Which one of those things do you think teens need help with? Right—none of them. For teens we hope to offer something else: ethics, safety, and good judgment.

When doing school work, the Internet is the primary source of information for teens. They spend one-third of their day either on a computer, playing video games, watching television and movies, or reading. Sometimes it seems like they’re doing all of those things at once. While they may be digital natives in figuring out how the gadgets work, their judgment in how they should use them is not fully developed, so don’t let them fool you. It is important that any adult with a teen (or pre-teen) in their lives take part in teaching them the non-hardware skills needed to survive. And it is a matter of survival, because it is nearly impossible to avoid technology while earning a degree or searching for a job.

Ask your teen to unplug one of those earbuds long enough to have a discussion on technology. Ask questions about how they search the internet, how they determine what to believe and not believe. Talk about the ethics of using someone else’s images, or copying and pasting their words into your report. Talk about how much time we budget to spend on Facebook, and what is appropriate to post. This is just as important as the “Just Say No” and sex talks, and a lot more fun, because you’ll probably learn something, too!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm in a stage of life where I'm trying to focus on what I'm thankful for, rather than what I don't have. And as you're reading this, I'm probably standing in line at a grocery store, thankful for stores that stay open late so I can buy what I forgot to buy last weekend, and fulfill my Thanksgiving dinner promises.

I'm thankful for my 60+ coworkers, because they are dedicated to bringing you quality library service. I'm thankful for your tax dollars, because you're willing to pool them so that we all have access to over 300,000 items in our local libraries. I'm thankful for our Friends groups and volunteers, because their purely altruistic spirit enhances our services. I'm thankful for the generosity of donors who give money above and beyond their taxes, and allow us to bring interesting programs to the library. And, I'm thankful for my GoodReads and Facebook friends, where my professional and personal life blends, because I think I finally "get it" about social networking sites.

When I was little, I loved to compile a little catalog of my entire book collection, and a list of what I wished for, so that my family would know what books to buy me for Christmas. Holiday lists have now gone electronic. The Waterloo Public Library has compiled a Wish List on Amazon. Find our list by clicking on the Wish List link on our website. I'm asking you to buy a holiday gift for the library, but when you do, consider that you are buying a gift for the entire community. We'll even put a gift tag in it, so that everyone will know that you made it possible for them to read this book.

Millions of readers loved Freakonomics, the non-fiction book that taught us that it's more deadly to have a swimming pool than a gun, and now it has a sequel. Don’t miss Super Freakonomics, "bold, funnier and more surprising than the first." I loved Freakonomics, so am looking forward to the sequel. I like to sample many different genres so I can recommend books, so I'm expanding my horizons this month to include a few "bonnet rippers,” the Amish romance genre. I'll let you know how that goes.

I hope that you are as thankful for your public library as I am. I’m thankful not only for a job that brings surprises every day, but for the opportunity to bring that service to you.

End of the Fiscal Year

2009-06-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

You probably won't find any parties on June 30, the eve of the new fiscal year. There won't even be any last minute scramblings for us as the year winds down. Hopefully we have enough postage to last. We averted a materials line item crisis, thanks to alert staff.

FY09 was the year of constant parking complaints, the loss of some talented staff members, and termites. FY10 promises to be a scary year for funding, since the State Library's & Enrich Iowa's appropriations can have a direct impact on us. Our LSA's contribution to our budget will be smaller, and will have an impact on our materials budget. City funding is lean, but at least no less than last year.

We try to increase and improve our services. In the private sector, this is often rewarded with increased revenue. For us, the reward has to be more intangible. A patron's smile of satisfaction, a Board's words of approval, an increase in statistics, good media coverage...And then back to the spreadsheet, facing the ever-rising cost of books and overhead versus the constant need to reduce costs. Happy New Year!

WPL's New Amazon Wishlist

2009-05-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

When times get tough, good staff members get creative. And that's exactly what they did. When faced with too many titles and not enough funds, the Waterloo Public Library staff created some Amazon wishlists.

We are fortunate to have many community members who help make our materials collection more robust, either by contributing materials, or money that can be used to buy materials. We've tried to make it even easier.

Visit our website (http://www.waterloo.lib.ia.us/wishlist) to see how to do it. Then, if you're so inclined, visit Amazon to give your library a gift that the entire community can enjoy. One contributor will win a free dinner for two at CU, one of our great downtown restaurants.

2009 All Iowa Reads

2009-04-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'm finding it rather daunting to blog, after my preliminary foray into Twitter. I kind of like the limitation of characters. Keeps it to the point.

This month I enjoyed participating in two All Iowa Reads events. The Rope Walk, by Carrie Brown, is a great discussion book. That's not to say everyone enjoyed the story, or believed that a 10-year-old girl is really that perceptive, or all of the other nuances that made us go "Hmm?" as we read. But it's a great discussion book, and it's not always easy to find one of those. If your book is looking for a title, this is a good one. And of course, you can still enjoy it as a non-book-club title.

All Iowa Reads is administered by the Iowa Center for the Book. The program encourages all Iowans to read and discuss the year's chosen title. The Rope Walk is the 2009 choice, and I think it's one of the best ever. It does fall into the "precocious motherless girl coming of age" genre, and there do seem to be a lot of those around, but the characters are great, and the writing is very good. The Waterloo & Cedar Falls Public Libraries do have multiple copies for your club members to borrow. Let me know what you thought of it.

I was elated to hear yesterday that Olive Kittredge, by Elizabeth Strout, won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. This one received a big "thumbs up" from our WPL Book Group when we read it earlier this year.

....Wishing you were in a book group? Or wanting to join another book group? The WPL & CFPL book groups are open to all, and we have a lot of fun. We talk about this month's book, and anything else we're reading. Join us!

National Library Workers' Day

2009-04-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today is National Library Workers' Day. There's no parade, no special greeting card, no presidential proclamation. But--we don't really care about that. Library workers do what they do because they love the library and what it entails. The thrill of the hunt for information, the satisfaction of introducing the customer to just the right resource, the joy of hearing satisfied buzz as a group leaves a library program. That's what it's about.

The Waterloo Public Library staff, consisting of 29.68 dedicated FTEs, circulated 413,525 items last year. We facilitated 259,144 patron visits, and answered 78,400 reference inquiries. We deal in statistics, but our real measure of success is your return visit. We probably don't feel very comfortable giving ourselves a pat on the back, but today, let's make an exception.

We hope you feel welcome at the WPL--stop in often!

National History Day

2009-03-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

Last Friday, I served as a judge at the Grout Museum for the local level of the National History Day competition. I make no secret of my preference for history lessons sprinkled with some fiction to make them more interesting, but felt that agreeing to judge would be a nice thing to do.

And I'm really glad I did. Over 300 middle-school-aged youth were part of the competition. It was hard to judge, but that was only because the entries in my area were really great. The kids had obviously put their hearts into researching and presenting their individual within a venue designed to capture their audience. According to the website, every day is National History Day, and in addition to encouraging students in "discovering the exciting world of the past," NHD also serves to help develop researching skills, critical and problem-solving skills, builds self-confidence and much more.

Often in my position I hear primarily about the problems with teens. And as a librarian, I do have a particular interest in research. So, it was wonderful to see this age group hand over a multi-page annotated bibliography. They'd done the research! It was mostly internet-based, and not necessarily sources I might have chosen, but I was also given the opportunity to make suggestions. There are thousands of students out there who are interested in excelling at more than their MySpace profile (not that there's anything wrong with MySpace....)! And I was handed a great opportunity to reach out and humbly contributed to their research skills. I was impressed, and I enjoyed my history lessons

Performance Evaluations

2009-03-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

I hate performance evaluations, even for excellent employees. I like numbers, I like other sorts of assessments, but it's just no fun for me to do performance evaluations. As a result, I procrastinate. I reward myself with a small piece of chocolate when one is completed. And the day seems brighter when they are all behind me for another year. No profound point to this paragraph, but I do think about library performance evaluations--we do get a little informal feedback. Not a lot, when you consider the number of people through the doors. Always feel free to offer feedback when you get the urge.

I am on disc 3 of the 7 disc set of "The Shack." Sometimes I read just to see what the fuss is about. I am hoping with this title that there's a big surprise coming, because so far, I'm not getting the fuss. I get the part about God, so far. But the conversation going on in the shack right now seems a little ... goofy. I'll stick with it, and assume there's a reward at the end.

Need a tutor?

2009-03-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

Does your student need a tutor? Students of any age can now use their library card to access TutorVista, live online computer help available through the Waterloo Public Library. Visit our website and click on the TutorVista link. This is another way we use to link a learner with information.

Our first Chocolate Lovers Love the Library was a success! The Friends of the Library sold over 100 tickets to chocolate lovers of all ages. The event started a chocolate binge for me, but I've gone through withdrawal now. I survived, and I'm willing to do it again next year. The Friends will follow this fundraiser with another popular event, the Book Sale. The special preview for Friends members is on March 5, and the sale is open to the Public on March 6 & 7. It is very inexpensive to join the Friends if you would like to attend the preview, and the money goes for great things at the Library, like the Genealogy Gala. If you can't make get to the sale until the weekend, there will still be lots of great choices.

TutorVista Available at WPL

2009-02-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

An economy that is struggling is never a topic to celebrate. However, the silver lining is that during tough times, people turn to their public libraries. The State Library of Iowa found that our Iowa public libraries are following the national trend of increased circulation, foot traffic, and computer usage. Residents are more likely to borrow books, use the library’s internet connection, and take advantage of free programming when they’re stretching their home budgets.

The Friends of the Waterloo Public Library have made it possible for area families to have their own personal “tutor.” By using your library card to access the TutorVista service, live online help is available for students of all ages. Educating our children results in a multitude of positive returns, and the long range effect on our economy will certainly be exponentially larger than the dollars we invest now. Thanks to the Friends for providing TutorVista to our children!

Twiglight

2009-01-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I read a book just to see what the buzz is all about. I remember when Twilight was published. It caught my eye because of the vampire angle. When I was younger, I tended to sink myself into one genre and stay there. I went through a horror phase, and vampires were certainly part of the attraction. I remember staying up all night to read 'Salem's Lot. Those vampires were a little off-putting, not nearly as charismatic as Barnabas Collins, a favorite in my teen years.

I haven't read horror for years. Either the writing got worse, my nerves got weaker, or my tastes just changed. But my former love of horror, and knowing my newly-turned-30 daughter got up very early to stand in line for a free Twilight tote bag made me put it on my "to-read" list.

And I'm hooked. "Sucked" in to use a bad and I'm sure very old pun by now. I find that Twilight is drawing me away from books on improving work culture, mysteries set in Minnesota, and even Heart-Shaped Box, by Joe Hill. Hill is Stephen King's son, so I know I need to read it, I've been waiting for months for the book on CD, and I'd better get at it before it's overdue.

Listening to Twilight makes me ponder one of my favorite mysteries--what makes a story compelling? It doesn't have to be great literature. It doesn't have to be life-changing. It doesn't have to be plausible. With this one, I get little nostalgic flashbacks of the angst of being a teenaged female, and all that goes with it. The romanticism of first love, although that usually seems a little more comedy than romance, looking back. Maybe it's the intensity of the feeling, the speed at which those chemicals and phernomes start vibrating.

In any case, Twilight is one of those books. And most importantly, in my view, it's one of those books for teens. Any story that can inspire so many teens to read as much as this one can gets my attention any day.

ILA

2008-10-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

I've just returned from the Iowa Library Association annual conference. I enjoyed it, most of it. Lots of notes to share with others, and even more for my own personal pondering.

One moment will stick with me for awhile. I went to a session on understanding the Millennial generation. They don't like to stand in line. They are not brand loyal, and they have no particular music genre. Because they can get it all--on the Internet. They text constantly, email has fallen by the wayside. The environment is important. They expect results quickly. Etc, etc.

So, a fellow librarian asked the question "What do we do about these Millennials who have such a sense of entitlement, and show us no respect? I've paid my dues, they haven't, and they need to quit being so demanding." I suspect she ignored everything said in the entire session.

You know how you always think of the perfect comeback too late? I was busy feeling embarrassed for my profession, because there were Millennials in the room, but later it occurred to me that I could have responded with "When we--the public library--give them what they are entitled to, they may give us some respect." We're getting better, but we're not famous for the stuff Millennials are looking for. Want a best seller? Get in line. We'll reserve it, or get it on ILL. It will only take a few weeks. Want an answer to your reference question? Sure, but no, you can't text me, and I'm certainly not able to text you. Need me during the hours you're likely to have free time? Probably not there, sorry. But you can download a few audiobooks. Need that video for a month, because you just haven't had time? Too bad--try NetFlix, they'll let you have it your way.

There was that scare awhile back about the Internet making libraries obsolete. The Internet won't make libraries obsolete. We'll do it to ourselves.

Fine Forgiveness

2008-09-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

We sometimes do "fine forgiveness" in the library world. We're doing it this weekend for school-aged children. This morning at a staff meeting, we clarified that it was only for fines--not for lost materials. This made me think.

Forgiveness--it leaves an uneasy feeling with me. It makes me think I've made someone grovel because they simply did not return their library books in my imposed time frame. Why is it so important to us that we charge that overdue fee? Once we have it back, it's available for someone else. It was not available for someone while it was overdue--but it wouldn't have been available for everyone anyway--someone else could have had it, whether it was overdue or not.

And why not forgive a child who has lost a book? How long do we hold that grudge? There is no statute of limitation for murder, and maybe not for those that sexually abuse children. I can see that. But to forever hold onto a fee for losing a library book? Something seems out of balance there.

Teens and Computers

2008-08-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

We have four computers in our teen area. Hurrah! This is a big step for the WPL. Our after-school teens keep us hopping. They're drawn to the computers like bees to honey. They only get an hour, and it's never enough for them. And, to keep the noise level down for others, they can only have two teens to a computer in the general computer area, and that doesn't suit them, either. So there was extensive staff discussion that went into this project, trying to forsee the pitfalls.

The new computers give the teens additional time. They don't have the limit of two per computer, although they still have to make sure they don't disturb the entire floor if things get loud. Mike Dargan, our Reference Department and Technical Systems Librarian, pointed out to me today that play is a youth's "work." We're accustomed to watching children play house, build with blocks and trucks, just play at all sorts of things that mimic adult behavior, both good and bad (anybody still feel good about watching kids play army?). But I had not thought of playing on a computer in that light, but it makes a lot of sense.

There may come stress with these new computers, but I believe it's the right thing to do.

Weather, 2008

2008-07-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

It seems almost impossible to have a blog and not comment in some way about the weather of 2008. The Waterloo Public Library had a few inches of water in the basement. The Cedar Falls Public Library did not get any water. Both libraries were closed for a period of times, and have provided services to those affected by tornadoes and floods this year.

The FEMA project worksheet makes my head hurt. It appears to be a spreadsheet that expands into about ten dimensions. Also on my desk is a dirty page from a children's storybook. It appears to be the last page of the story, as the picture shows smiling dad holding a little red-clad girl high in the air, as a grinning woman waves good-bye. The text: "And from that time on, Little Red Riding Hood never, never stopped to talk with strangers."

I found it in my yard on the night of May 25, "the night of the tornado" as we refer to it now. I gathered that it was from Parkersburg, because of addresses on other documents I picked up. That's about 80 miles southwest of me. Seems like there should be a trite conclusion to draw from these words, ripped out of some child's room and blown eighty miles away....

ALA 2008

2008-07-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

I’ve just returned from attending the American Library Association’s annual conference.
The sessions were fine, I learned some practical tips, and took plenty of notes. But what I took away as my major lesson didn’t happen in a formal session. It came from visiting the acres and acres of convention center space occupied by vendors. All of the traditional companies were there: publishers, library supplies and furniture, automated system vendors. And then I saw the Nintendo booth. A salesman in jeans, a t-shirt and a faded t-shirt introduced me to wii. I tried to hit soccer balls with my virtual head while he explained that I was getting a balance workout (and that he had seen worse). Many vendors had librarians playing wii, Guitar Hero, or Dance Dance Revolution.

It was like an amusement park, but it was much more than a bunch of librarians cutting loose at their annual convention by playing games. The encyclopedia sets looked lonely as everyone watched presentations about web-based resources on plasma screens, just like in the real public library. There were new books all over the place, but there were just as many DVDs, Playaways, databases and ebooks.

My attorney/librarian daughter also attended ALA. I believe she attended only one session, but along with many other attendees, she participated in a conference-wide virtual game similar to a scavenger hunt. Along with scavenging some free advance copies and tote bags, the game was her major engagement with the conference. While hunting for clues, she learned a lot about library services and products in a fun and creative way. She turned up her nose at the formal lecture-structured sessions. And watching her learn was my major lesson, not that budgets should link to strategic plans, or that broadband in the United States needs to get faster and cheaper. I learned that current generations aren’t learning the way I was taught. Gaming is much more complex than what many of us realize. It’s not just about frivolous recreation (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Gaming is huge, it’s a legitimate learning method, and it makes learning fun. And if some next-gen librarian is standing next to you recording your wii debut, that learning experience can end up on the internet, so watch out!

My Waterloo Days at the WPL

2008-05-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Nature seems to be really struggling with a chilly spring this year, but most of us are eager to spend time outdoors anyway. Pulling last year’s debris out of gardens is not my favorite chore, but it does go a little better when I’m listening to a book. But even downloaded audio books from the library are going to take a backseat to the My Waterloo Days activities this week.

Library staffers were really excited to hear that the celebration is happening in our backyard this year—downtown Waterloo. As a result, they’ve planned several activities to coincide with this year’s event. On May 29 at 7 pm, we’ll blend education with entertainment in a unique combination of music, history and storytelling. Bob Welch performs songs of the Civil War period, accompanying himself on the guitar, banjo and mandolin. The songs of the 1860's literally bring history to musical life. This event is free to the public, and funded by the Friends of the Waterloo Public Library, as many of our programs are.

The Friends of the Library raise funds in many ways, but their book sales are fundraisers that bring benefits to many. It’s Book Sale time again. Friends members can attend the special preview from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on May 29. The sale is open to the general public from 9 am-3 pm on May 30 and 31. We’re going green by recycling the books, you get them at a low cost, and the proceeds benefit the library. What’s not to like? And while you’re at the Library, check into the scavenger hunt.

In addition to audio books, I also happen to be a hot dog fan. The Friends of the Library will be selling hot dogs outside the Library, so I intend to check into that. And I’m sure I’ll still have room to partake of all of the other great food opportunities of MWD 2008. Be sure that when you are ready to take a break that you stop in at the Library, where are there are many opportunities to exercise your brain.

Exploration

2008-05-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

Latitude. One of those words that seems to have a simple definition, yet actually has a lot of depth. What came to your mind? Was it the distance from some specified point; or how about the freedom of action given to people who may otherwise be governed by a set of rules. Exploration is another one. Do you travel for adventure or discovery, or do you investigate, study and analyze as your way of exploring?

Both words are pertinent to the public library. We encourage exploration, we try to encourage a lot more latitude in exploration methods than printed matter has allowed until our generation. Print is still my favorite, maybe yours too. I run across books from time to time that remind me of returning to textbooks in the fall, or I have a book in hand that allows me to close my eyes and return to the youth department of Waterloo’s old east side Carnegie library. And occasionally I pick up a new book that I absolutely cannot put down (“Three Cups of Tea” this week). But to envelope other formats and methods only increases the richness of our exploration for new experiences. We live in an incredibly busy society, and to fight for a share of your time takes strategy. It takes particular skills to select the books that will tempt you to take them home, and it takes particular skills to select a program that will tempt you to leave your home, or other responsibilities. The key is to give staff latitude, and they present some great venues for the rest of us to explore.

“Juno” will be the adult matinee on May 20. Our book group will discuss “Three Cups of Tea that same evening. The Youth movie will be National Treasure 2 the evening of May 28 (Nicholas Cage, in a tuxedo, in the Library of Congress. Sigh). Our youth department has also started offering puppet shows, a wonderful variation of story times. Don’t overlook the program opportunities if you have time to do more than dash in and grab a book. They’re informative, they’re social, and they’re always free.

National Library Week 2008

2008-04-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

During April 13-19 of 2008, we will celebrate National Library Week. Your local public libraries will have special celebrations for you, but I thought it would be a good time to reflect on something we provide year round, something many people take for granted. Not among library staff, however. What we provide and protect is the freedom of information, and your right to privacy, no matter what your age is. If you check out a book on divorce, sex, homosexuality, abortion, incest or bomb building you may not want your interests to be widely known. Laws are in place to protect your privacy, and while the Privacy Act now provides law enforcement some privilege in this area, by and large your right to privacy is protected, no matter who you are.

The social networking phenomena seem to fly in the face of this need for privacy. For example, Facebook and MySpace participants are willing to provide fairly private information to the cyberworld at large. It interested me to read that some young adults don’t want to accept their parents as “friends” on internet sites that might reveal too much about their personal lives, when it appears to me that posting on the internet appears to strip privacy right out of our lives. I felt very exposed when I began to provide boxes on my blog that reveals what I am reading and viewing, but I don’t know if that’s my generation speaking, or my librarianship.

Whether freedom of information, and the privacy that protects your access appeals to you or not, be sure and stop at the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries during National Library Week. In Cedar Falls, bring a non-perishable food item (or two) in to have your old or new library fines zapped. These donations benefit the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, and your library account. You can also enter drawings for prizes and enjoy cookies, provided by the Cedar Falls Friends of the Library. Waterloo will feature “Curbside to Go.” Call the library between 9 am and 4 pm Monday-Thursday, April 14-17, and tell staff what you would like to check out. We’ll have them ready to run out to your car between 4 pm to 6 pm, and you won’t even have to get out of the car. And don’t forget to check my blog (available from the library’s website) to see what I’m reading!

Friends of the Library

2008-03-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Who could survive without their friends? We probably could, but life wouldn’t be as fulfilling. The public libraries could survive on tax dollars, but they wouldn’t be as rich. Many public libraries are fortunate enough to have Friends organizations. Friends groups are separate entities from the library itself, and operate solely to support the library. They raise money through membership dues, and other fund raising efforts. They advocate for the library throughout the community. They also donate many hours of volunteer time in support of the library. Volunteers nationwide are honored during National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3.

Without the Friends, we wouldn’t have puppets, puppet theatres and bulletin boards in the youth department. We wouldn’t have crafts and prizes for summer library programs. We wouldn’t have refreshments and prizes during National Library Week, April 13-19 for this year. We are able to have eye-catching and interesting display of materials because of the Friends. The Friends pay for special library programs for adults, like author visits, computer classes, antiques appraisal, wine and chocolate tasting, and so many more. They pay for the popcorn at the afternoon movies, and sponsor book discussion groups. They are our strong allies in promoting literacy. The citizens of the Cedar Valley are very generous in supporting the public libraries with their tax dollars, but the Friends put the icing on the cake.

Society seems to have a harder edge than it did twenty years ago, maybe because tragedy and violence are the items that catch our attention. From what I see around the library, caring and giving still abound. For a very reasonable amount, your dollars and time will pool to make your library a greater place. And if you aren’t a Friends member—you can join at any time!

Privacy on the Net

2008-02-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

I was recently surveyed about my views as a library director regarding privacy perceptions on the Internet. It appears from this research that librarians worry about privacy alot more than the people whose privacy we protect. So that I have a better understanding of Web 2.0, I've set up accounts on Facebook, GoodReads, and Second Life. I balked about putting in my email password, but when I did, I found other people that I know on GoodReads. Facebook was ready for me--as I setup my account, Facebook was eager to provide a list of my friends who already reside there. Flickr lets me see my family's photos, and also their friends. Not only photos, but comments. This all is new to me. We have staff members who do not wish to wear nametags with their last names--yet we have people posting all kinds of personal stuff all over the web. We protect our identity out of fear, I believe, in "real" life. Yet, we are posting more and more about our private lives for the entire world to see. Takes some getting used to, and I have no expectations of privacy on the net anymore.

Widgets & GoodReads

2008-02-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

Look at my GoodReads box, thanks to blog-envy. I've been intrigued by how my infant grandson's blog shows the world what the grown-ups in his house are reading. I figured it out today, as I'm kind of held captive at home by our current blizzard of the week. Now, I think I'll go do some reading so I can add more titles.

Genealogy Gala

2008-02-01T14:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to reference librarian Teresa for authoring this post.

If you’re climbing the walls at home, try visiting the Waterloo Public Library and climbing your family tree instead.

From February 24th to 29th, the Waterloo Public Library will be holding its second Genealogy Gala, again with help from the Northeast Iowa Genealogical Society, and some talented community members.

Check out the following list of classes. All classes are free of charge, and you can register for them by calling 291-4476. We hope to see you there!

Beginning to Advanced Genealogy
Featuring the extremely knowledgeable Ruth Tucker and Allaire George, long-time members of the Northeast Iowa Genealogical Society (NEIGS), this class offers advice to new genealogists, and a chance for those with a little more experience to ask for tips to continue their research. Join us from 1 to 3 p.m. in Meeting Room A at WPL.

NewspaperArchive.com and Google Books
NewspaperArchive.com is a database of keyword-searchable digitized newspapers from across the country.
With some newspapers dating back to 1700s, chances are you can find something new on your family members. Google Books is an initiative by Google to digitize books from libraries across the nation, making them keyword searchable. Many of these books are contain historical and genealogical information. Join us on Monday, Feb. 25th at 6 p.m., or Wednesday, Feb. 27th at 10 a.m. for tips on how to get the most out of these databases. The class will meet in the 2nd floor Learning Center at WPL, and registration is required.

Gravestone Markers
Join us for a field trip to Black Hawk Memorial, where we will learn the history of grave markers, how to tell the difference between granite and marble markers, and the best ways to clean and preserve them. Information on tombstone art and engraving will also be presented. The class will be offered at 10 a.m. on Feb. 26th and 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 28th. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at Black Hawk Memorial.
Researching and Preparing Lineage Society Applications
Are you interested in joining a lineage society such as the DAR, SAR or the Mayflower Society? If so, this is the class for you. Join Ruth Tucker of the NEIGS to find out what you need to do to properly document your ancestry for these and other lineage societies. The class will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wed., February 27th in WPL’s Learning Center. Registration required.

Genealogy Lock-in at WPL
The grand finale for this Gala will be our after-hours lock-in on Friday, February 9th. Join us from 6-10 p.m. for 4 hours of uninterrupted access to WPL databases, books & microfilm. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about resources. Registration for this event is required, and we will accept a maximum of 30 participants.

Downloadable Books and ipods

2008-02-01T12:46:00.001-08:00

When we purchased our subscription to downloadable audio from NetLibrary/Recorded Books, we knew the files could not be played on an iPod. This was a tough decision. The downloadable books come in .wma files. The iPod cannot play these files, and that's not our choice, but Apple's. There are other services out there, and we priced them, and we could not afford them. We would have paid the same amount for three months maintenance as we did for an entire year's subscription if we had gone with the other company. And we would have had hardly any titles. It came down to money. We only have so much, and while we knew we weren't going to be compatible with one of the most popular listening devices, we knew it was either that or nothing. As the other services become more reasonable in their pricing to libraries, it is possible we might switch, but in the meantime, there's only so much money, and there are a lot of demands to fill.

I am not endorsing this in any way, but by using Google, I did find that some people claim you can convert the wma file to an mp3 file for the iPod. You might check out download.com if you would like more information.

Customer Service 2008

2008-01-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

I have a few librarian jokes (define “joke” kindly, please). How many librarians does it take to screw in a light bulb? Two. One to screw it in, and one to SHHHHHH!!!!!! her. I suppose it’s funny if you’re my generation of librarian. Younger people won’t get it. They’re used to noise level that many of us can’t tolerate. And where was the librarian when the lights went out? In the dark. Things have changed dramatically in public libraries over the last twenty years, due to the choice to install computers and make Internet available for public access. If we hadn’t, I’m afraid we’d be in the dark now.

Across the United States, 68% of library users enter libraries to use technology. This is a significant change in what people desire in their public libraries. They’re still reading, but often it’s on a screen now. Sometimes that’s hard in the public library setting, especially when a small group needs to use a computer. We need to accommodate this somehow, in buildings that were designed for SHHHH! Public access computers, wireless computers, and gaming stations grow in use, even though more and more people seem to have computers in the home. National trends are frequently true for almost every library. However, your two local libraries would like local input on our customer service. Both libraries will now have electronic surveys available on our websites. Please let us know what you’re thinking, so we’re not left in the dark once we get that light bulb screwed in.

One thing we do know for 2008—you still need tax forms. The Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries are proud to present the basic forms, including the rent rebate form, free for your taking. Other forms can be printed on (you guessed it) the public computers for a small charge. Some patrons even use those computers to file taxes, as they clip along at the speed of light. Both libraries will have special book displays for Black History month, and are always looking for community groups that would like to use the display cases to promote their purpose. UNI currently has a great display at the Cedar Falls Library. Downloadable television shows and movies, available from the library’s website, continue to be available, with travel a hot topic right now. And treat yourself to the time it takes to read a book. New titles still fly off the shelf, so we know good old-fashioned reading is not dead yet.

BHCGA Grant for the Learning Center

2007-12-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

We were notified last week that we will receive a grant to expand the Library's Learning Center. These funds were granted by the Black Hawk County Gaming Association. We are ecstatic! I think this is a great way to invest in our community. The LC is used for informal help sessions on Monday and Wednesday, from 3-7pm. Staff members provide one-on-one help on computer questions, and homework help. Everything from how to use a mouse or create a resume, to high school math. The LC also is the training center for computer classes. Several classes are offered each month, and registration fills quickly. This popularity prompted staff member Kim VanDeest to apply for a grant to expand the center. Capacity will double!

The LC is also the location for Internet classes provided in the Spanish language. The LC is a great place for learning, and we are all very grateful that the BHCGA is investing in this venture.

Library Staff on Cable TV

2007-12-11T09:09:00.001-08:00

Catch some WPL staff members on The Buzz, Mediacom Channel 17 on Tuesday, December 18th at 9:30 pm. We want you to know what's happening here at the Library, and think a cable tv show might be the way to get the word out. We may be doing more shows in the future.

It's hard to know how to best let people know about library services. This blog is one way. Our teen services librarian has a MySpace account. The Insider publishes a column about what's happening at the Library, and a list of new books. Our website (waterloopubliclibrary.org) has lots of information about what's going on, and also allows you to renew your own materials, or place holds 24/7. We send press releases to local media. And yet...we're still not sure the word gets out. We'll keep trying!

A Lesson in Web 2.0

2007-11-27T14:08:00.001-08:00

Remember the old excitement of bringing up a website, and leaning back to absorb all it had to tell you? Schedules, news, gossip, pictures, maps…the Internet has eagerly fed us all we can bear to absorb, and then some. The next generation of Internet, Web 2.0 is here, and it would like our help. Web 2.0 means that the content on the Internet is more user-initiated. YouTube and MySpace are two examples that you have probably heard of. The website is there, but much of the content is contributed by anyone who cares to put their selves out there.

YouTube (http://www.youtube.com ) is a fun video place to browse. Search for Waterloo or Cedar Falls Iowa and see anything from recent candidate visits to concerts to a pretty impressive wall cloud. Add your own video to share. If you’re younger, you might have your interests and friends listed on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/). Libraries like to have a presence on MySpace in hopes that teens will find us. I’ve heard that as you get a little older, you probably move to FaceBook (http://www.facebook.com/) and you will take your community of friends with you.

If you’re still emailing digital pictures to friends and family, get a free account on a space like Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/). You load the pictures on the web, and anyone can go to your site to look at them. Sound hard? No—I figured it out faster than I figured out the camera itself. Even if you’re not sure you know anyone on Flickr, search for Waterloo or Cedar Falls to see some great local photos.

The organizationally challenged among us can benefit from Remember the Milk (http://www.rememberthemilk.com/). Receive email reminders and have your to-do list and calendar available from any computer you’re near, and it interfaces with Google calendar (www.google.com/calendar). I love Google email and the chat feature that comes with it, because I can chat from any computer I’m at. If Remember the Milk isn’t quite what you want, organize photos, make lists and set reminders on Backpack (http://backpackit.com/). Once you get all that taken care of, tell the world what you’ve been up to with your own blog (https://www.blogger.com/start).

For those of us who never quite got around to creating our own website, I’m not sure it’s even necessary now. These sites can store almost any information we want to on the web, for all of the world to see.

ILA, 2007

2007-10-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

I went to the annual Iowa Library Association conference last week. It was great. Here are some highlights.

Opening Session: Chris Crutcher was great. I’ve had a greater respect for teen fiction ever since my YA Literature course during library school, and am now planning to read more Crutcher. Here is some of what I learned from him: YA literature is just as thought provoking as adult literature, but often gets right to the point. The story is “monstrously important.” Kids who hurt look for a character with problems similar to their own, so they don’t feel so alone. If they don’t feel alone—it helps to survive. The feeling of “alone” can lead to suicide. Banning a book with gays, teen sex & pregnancy, incest, etc, says to kids with those issues—“I don’t want to hear your story.”

I attended “The Future of Library Education” because I suspected that Jim Elmborg would also tie in the future of libraries in general, and I was right. He believes technical change has peaked—but social change has not. It doesn’t do us any good to romanticize what we do—our competition is too strong to rely on romanticizing. Reference does not fit the traditional model anymore—the traditional model is “dead.” We need to respond to what patrons want from us. Focus on literacies (information, technical, visual), not services. Focus on online access, not holdings. Reinvent our buildings and spaces. Focus on connecting within our communities in authentic and creative ways (not just current users). Elmborg predicts that within 10 years, our collections will all be digitalized—and if you doubt this, remember that just 15 years ago, most of us probably didn’t know about Windows. Change is now happening exponentially faster. As staff, we need to become power users of technology, learn to produce the info, not just provide access to it. Embrace open source and open systems, user centered technology and web 2.0. No one is impressed anymore that we have computers—they’re just natural now. We need to look outward. Communities that thrive will be diverse, creative, dynamic and open. If you find yourself saying “This is the way we do it” you’re in trouble. Those with power in an organization need to share with the creative and innovative changers. Make them feel free to move thru the agency and operate. Think global. The physical library building should now be warm, inviting, noisy, a collaborative learning space, contain technology, food, and community events. “The constant is now change” and the director is the change agent.

“Social Libraries: The 2.0 Phenomenon.” This was Stephen Abrams, who scared me with his statements. Gaming is not just a frivolous pastime for twelve year old boys--a 32 year old woman is the average gamer. If you take gaming into consideration, boys read more than girls. Surgeons who play a video game a few hours before surgery decrease your chance of dying during cardiac procedures. Missie mentioned that the Millennials IQ is 20 points higher on average than us Boomers, and I will add that their brains work twice as fast. They are: direct, nomadic, have high expectations, are confident, gamers, patriotic, achievement oriented, more liberal and more conservative, format agnostic, and have great respect for intelligence. If they have to read Romeo & Juliet—why settle for the book? They want one stop shopping to get the reviews, a podcast of the performance, the story…Only 30% of library websites follow rules of how people expect to search. Primary navigation is on the left-hand side; websites should be written in xml. Real Scary: 80% of people cannot identify an ad on Google—the average user believes those ads are “better links.” Google is now making 1 BILLION dollars of profit every quarter, and probably weight their search results by who is advertising with them, so how much do you trust their guidance? Special interest groups and advertisers drive Google. Within 18 months, Google will default all searches to local links—they will know where you are searching from, and what you’re looking for. China & Japan light years ahead of us in technology; 25% of Chinese readers prefer e-books. Search engines answer what, where, when, who. Reference people should focus on How & Why—because the search engines can’t. The number of questions answered by Google in 15 minutes equals the number of questions answered by reference librarians in eight hours. The book is not at risk—circ and publishing is up. Librarians are at risk. Look up “library dominoes” on Youtube. Your collection is essential, and you can beat Amazon by putting it in the context of your local community (e.g. at this point, Amazon will not tell you what gardening books are best for Iowa). CDs are “gone” as a format, because of mp3 players and downloading. DVDs will be gone in 5 years. 30-40% of library circulation is due to DVDs—what do we do when they are gone? Get your stuff online (digital). Video games outsell all books and periodicals, combined. 37% of 18-21 year-olds are publishing on the web. Do we have paths to our community publishing from our website? Whew.

All in all, a good conference.

Library Displays

2007-10-26T12:29:00.001-07:00

If you’re reading the newspaper, you are probably familiar with the term “literacy.” Not only has the definition evolved over the years from the very basic, learning your signature, to more advanced expectations including reading, writing, listening and speaking, but it now encompasses more than the printed word. Striving for technological, art and multimedia literacy is now prevalent. One practical justification for desiring higher literacy rates is that it appears to be linked to higher socio-economic status. Some analysts believe that literacy rates are a crucial measure of a geographical region’s human capital. You might argue that our “human capital” is our most valuable and irreplaceable asset.

You already know we push books at the library. What you may not realize is that we also push visual literacy. I believe this literacy is the purpose of the library display cases. These cases are open to local community organizations in order to make a statement to you, the community. In the Cedar Falls Library, we had a striking 9/11 display. It started with local resident Marvin Brewster offering to display a large puzzle of the Statue of Liberty, honoring 9/11 victims. Our local fire department brought in memorabilia and gear that without words, spoke to the thousands of library visitors about a day in our history that may be better described visually than verbally. That display has now evolved into poster winners in the annual fire safety contest, showcasing local youth’s talents.

The display case list is endless, and most change every month. The Waterloo Library has hosted toy sewing machines, agricultural and nutritional education, the Button Club, the Prairie Rose Embroiderers’ Guild, and Black History. Both libraries have an “Earth from Space” display coming soon, courtesy of the University of Northern Iowa, to promote the visiting Smithsonian traveling exhibit. The Black Hawk Gem & Mineral Society, the Cedar Falls Historical Society, Cedar Valley Hospice, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill have all graced the display areas in Cedar Falls. One memorable display was the Scout bonfire, which “lit” on a timer. Approximately 20,000 visits happen at each library, every month. Please take a moment to “read” the displays.

Celebrate Your Right to Read

2007-10-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

The week of September 29 through October 6, 2007, marks the 26th anniversary of Banned Books Week, ALA's (American Library Association) annual celebration of the freedom to read. Kim Traw, Cedar Falls High School Librarian, Sheryl Groskurth, Director of the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Public Libraries, and Lucille Lettow, Youth Collection Librarian at the University of Northern Iowa, will discuss the issues they face in ensuring students the freedom to read on Tuesday, October 2, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at University Book & Supply.

This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited bring their favorite banned book and read a small passage from the book at the Tuesday, October 2nd event. "Throughout history, there always have been a few people who don’t want information to be freely available. And this is still true," said ALA President Leslie Burger. "The reason more books aren’t banned is because community residents - with librarians, teachers and journalists - stand up and speak out for their freedom to read. Banned Books Week reminds us that we must remain vigilant."

First observed in 1982, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. The event is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and\nAuthors and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

The top 10 banned and/or challenged novels of the 20th century, according to the Radcliffe Publishing Course, are: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald; Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger; The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck; To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee; The Color Purple, Alice Walker; Ulysses, James Joyce; Beloved, Toni Morrison; The Lord of the Flies, William Golding; 1984, George Orwell; and The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner.

--Patty AcheyCutts

Empty Shelves

2007-09-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Nothing gets my blood pumping more than Tim Jamison handing me a piece of paper at City Council meetings. This signals that a “Call the Courier” question has been lobbed into my court. Although I’m a fan of the witty responses supplied to some Courier questions, I figure I’d better play it straight with mine, and answer responsibly to tax payer concerns.

Our latest call questioned the emptiness of some shelving units, and asked why we don’t keep the magazines longer. I answered, but one of our reference librarians urged me to explain our second floor revolution more thoroughly. Our second floor housed teen and adult nonfiction collections, newspapers, magazines, microfilms, and the reference desk. We are now are at twenty-nine pcs, so that everyone in the community has access to the internet and computer applications. Over the last few years, people stopped using the older nonfiction books and magazines quite as much, with the rise in informal and formal internet research. We had shelves full of books that were outdated, or no longer desirable. We added a Learning Center, for homework and research help, and computer classes.

We wanted to carve a place out for teens to gather. They gravitate towards the computers, and have no interest in being associated with the younger kids on the first floor. And along with libraries all over, we were noticing a difference in the way younger people use space. Instead of the solitary student, people tend to work in groups more. Our spaces weren’t fitting right. Lots of shelves of dusty books, not enough room to gather.

Thus began a series of meetings with staff and planners. Our second floor needed to evolve from a research facility to a gathering place that includes technology, but still maintain space for print and quiet study. So we began carefully but ruthlessly weeding the collection, based on statistical information. Our system tells us the last time that something was used, and anything not used in the last three years was examined. Some of it was withdrawn, some of it stayed, as we do tend to keep local and regional materials, and classics, used or not. Older magazines have never had a strong following, and definitely have become has-beens with online periodical access. Down came some of the shelving (that’s where we are right now) to create an inviting teen area, increase the size of the Learning Center, provide more work space at the public computers, and to build “subject displays” of nonfiction books that still have a following, such as gardening, biographies and cooking. Some first floor materials may migrate upstairs, to create more seating areas on that floor. So yes, we have a few empty shelves right now, and we’re parting with obsolete materials. But if you can bear with us, the new second floor of the library will be a great community asset.

Reading Is Essential, and We're Losing the Battle

2007-08-21T08:53:00.001-07:00

It’s that time of year again. As you read this, school is in session. And as I write this, I still have a fresh memory of a trip to the Iowa State Fair yesterday, and my happiest memory is my son reading to his one year old son in the back seat of the car. Remembering the painful year that I bullied my son through Huckleberry Finn in high school English, I was elated to know that he is taking reading to his children seriously. Studies show that promoting literacy to children as young as one year old increases both receptive and expressive vocabulary skills. Toddlers recognized fifty-one words, as compared to thirty-nine words for the control group, and could express twenty-two words, as compared to about sixteen.

The National Assessment of Educational Process reveals that by age 17, only about 1 in 17 seventeen year olds can “read and gain information from specialized text, for example, the science section in the local newspaper.” These skills are directly linked to success in college. That’s a depressing statistic. We short change children if we do not instill a love of reading for fun. Those who do, score higher at school. There is a relationship between how many different types of reading materials a child has at home, and test scores. We have noticed at the library that we lose children somewhere in the teen years, and have recently increased our efforts to pull them back. I was pleased to hear Floyd Winter proclaim the Cedar Valley Promise’s goal of putting books in the hands of our local youth, and then to witness many kids choosing free books at the recent Celebrate Reading, Celebrate Song events. Our youth are busy these days; sports, shopping, movies and gaming all call their names. And while all of these activities help them develop skills that they need, I think it is imperative to remember that reading is an important building block that must be the basis for the construct of their intellect. The local public library is a natural resource, with thousands of interesting and fun books for all ages. Story times for ages zero through five instill an interactive approach to involved reading, and are available throughout the week. Please remember that it is never too early to put a book into a child’s hands.

Authors at the CFPL

2007-08-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, the last thing I really wanted to do was hang around work for the evening. I’d already put in a long day, and an especially rough week. However, the Cedar Falls Public Library was hosting author Norma Cutsforth, who has written Keeping Starwatch. And in the interest of supporting our adult programming efforts, I decided to stay. We have had some fantastic and well attended programs this year, an area that has struggled in the past. But recent research on our baby boomer generation, now coming into retirement, shows that they are intensely interested in health, genealogy, culture, and much more. They seek programming not only for entertainment, but for mental stimulation. This is a generation that has worked hard, whether it was blue color or white. They’ve put in long hours, built thriving businesses, and developed communities. Now they find some extra hours in their schedules—and they want to pack them full. The library community needs to respond to this need.

Listening to Norma read from her book, describing the spectacular events in the Iowa night skies, and then explain what was going on in her life during those times reawakened an interest in amateur astronomy that I had years ago. The twelve chapters of her book, following the months of the year, describe her experiences in amateur astronomy—although her equipment and knowledge appeared to me to be much more than my perception of “amateur.” She made me want to run out and join the local astronomy club, and I still may. It was a great evening. If you missed it, we have another interesting opportunity coming up. Eric Smith will be at the Cedar Falls Public Library on August 23rd at 7pm to discuss his book Oak Hill, along with a multimedia presentation. Smith chronicles early 20th century migration into the first African American neighborhood in Cedar Rapids. Refreshments will be served, and it promises to be another interesting community event. Don’t miss it!

KBBG Interview

2007-07-18T13:06:00.001-07:00

I had a "first" today. Mayor Hurley needed a fill-in for his weekly radio show on KBBG, and I was invited. I've never been on the radio before, other than calling in on trivia contests. Thirty minutes seemed a little daunting, but the staff gave me great ideas on services to talk about. I had an entire page -- Celebrate Reading, Celebrate Song -- Verano de Libros -- Genealogy Extravaganza -- African American Book Club -- Afternoon Movies -- Harry Potter Party -- Computer Classes -- The Learning Center -- Storytimes.

We also discussed the importance of the book as a print entity. Will it be the same in the future if I can't actually hold my book? Maybe not--but will the people born one hundred years from now really care? If it's important to enough of them, they'll retain it. We really have only had the printed word for a short percentage of our history. The electronic word, or electronic image, or whatever comes after electronic, may make the hardcover book only a blip on the world's timeline.

Not only did I get a chance to try to entice listeners to use library services, but I was interviewed by Deborah Berry. What a wonderful opportunity! A state legislator as a captive audience for thirty minutes, while I talk as fast as I can about every way we try to help our community learn and relax at the public library. Kind of like a hot dog eating contest, but a lot more refined. The minutes flew by, and I truly appreciate not only the opportunity given to me by KBBG, but also the opportunity to reflect on what all the library has to offer.

2007-06-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

I have had a new experience this summer, in the interest of promoting my favorite local organization, the Waterloo Public Library. I’ve combined it with another of my favorite community staples, the Farmer’s Market.

At a conference I attended this spring, the speakers told us library people that we need to take the library outside of the walls of our physical buildings. People are busy—and if they’ve been away from the library for awhile, sometimes they forget about us, and what we offer. Egocentric as we are in the library business, we sometimes forget that not everyone has “visit the library” at the top of their list of priorities. We do outreach, so it’s not like I’m the first one at WPL to step outside of the building to talk about library services. Far from it. But packing up my tables and wares to peddle them at the Saturday morning Downtown Farmer’s Market is one way I can contribute in getting the library story out in the community this summer. And of course, then I’m there early enough to get first grab at all the best vegetables and baked goods.

My flyers and brochures pale in comparison to strawberries, cinnamon rolls, and wave petunias, but I still find myself handing out plenty of “samples.” The free issues of BookPage magazine go well. BookPage, published monthly, is available at the library also, and is great for reviews of new books and author interviews. Another item I sell out on quickly is our monthly schedule of computer classes. The list of popular new releases coming out this month at the library is another favorite among people who stop by to hear me give my library pitch. And it’s great to visit with the kids while they stop by to plant some seeds, grab a word find, or string alphabet beads on a necklace.

I appreciate Terry Poe Buschkamp and Community Main Street for allowing us this opportunity. Not only do we get to represent the library, we get a great experience. I’ve had samples of great food that is locally produced, watched an ice sculpture being created, and listened to some great musicians. I highly recommend our local Farmer’s Market as a community asset. And after you leave, be sure to stop down at the Library!

Author Ken Blanchard visits the Cedar Valley

2007-05-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits to living in the Cedar Valley is the appreciation and support of reading. Another benefit is the appreciation of great leadership. The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance, along with the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Chambers of Commerce and Jim & Cecelia Mudd have combined both to bring an author of world renown to the Cedar Valley. Ken Blanchard, award winning author of The One Minute Manager, and countless other books on management, leadership and customer service will be at the Gallagher Bluedorn on June 7th at 7pm. Blanchard has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in magazines such as Time and U.S. News and World Report. Blanchard will present "Learning At a Higher Level."

We have many excellent leaders in our community: public and private sector, education, religion, etc. We've made much progress developing the quality of life in the Cedar Valley, and I believe this is an opportunity not only for our leaders to be inspired, but for all of us to catch a breath of new life for our enthusiasm to support our communities. I'm hoping this is a sellout event--the profit will be the improvement to our community.

Tickets are $25.00, available by calling 319-266-3593.

Friends of the Library Used Book & White Elephant Sale

2007-05-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Friends Book and Magazine Sale will take place on Thursday, May 31, 6:30 - 8:30 PM (Friends Preview Only), Friday, June 1, 9 AM - 3 PM and Saturday, June 2, 9 AM - 3 PM.

The book sale takes place in the basement of the Waterloo Public Library. Come browse thousands of titles, many are new and in excellent condition. Hardcovers $1, paperbacks .50 and magazines .25. The book sale runs in conjunction with the White Elephant Sale.

The Friends White Elephant Sale will have the same hours as the book sale, except ending at 2 PM on Saturday, June 2. The White Elephant Sale takes place in Meeting Room A. Donations of gently used items (excluding clothing) will be accepted during normal library hours until Thursday, May 31 at 5 PM.

Lots of good bargains at both!

Poetry, Movies, and Good Books

2007-05-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

The WPL will host a Poetry Workshop on Monday, May 14 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A. Calling all aspiring poets and those who enjoy reading or listening to poetry! Join us for an evening of sharing and critiquing in a friendly and welcoming environment! Please bring copies of your work to share!

The WPL Book Discussion Group will meet on Tuesday, May 15 at 6 p.m. Join us in Meeting Room B as we discuss "The Glass Castle" (nonfiction) by Jeannette Walls. This book reads like fiction, and if you are interested in a quirky, dysfunctional family story, this one's for you.

Afternoon Movie to be shown on Tuesday, May 22 at 1 p.m. Join us in Meeting Room B for "The Pursuit of Happyness" starring Will Smith. As always, this is a FREE event and popcorn and soda will be served.

WPL@HCC

2007-05-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

Last week, the WPL signed an agreement with the Hawkeye Community College that will enable us to put a satellite collection in the HCC Library. HCC Librarian Jan Dellinger approached me with this idea several months ago. College students don't seem to have much time or inclination for reading outside their assignments, and academic libraries have had to prioritize their spending, just like any organization. Often the "fun" reading is the first to go, since it is the library's mission to support the curriculum. Double whammy to the students--less time, lack of fun books that are easily accessible. This is where the public library can step in. By fall, we plan to have a browsing collection starting with approximately 300 books (eventually growing to 500) in the HCC library . Students, faculty and staff can obtain a WPL card and checkout. In addition, this location might come in handy to the Waterloo residents who live in the vicinity. Anyone with a WPL card can use this collection, and we are hoping we may have to increase the size eventually. HCC will supply shelving and space, WPL will supply the books. We look forward to this partnership.

Farmers' Market

2007-05-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

I spent Saturday morning at the downtown Waterloo Farmer's Market. I've heard of libraries getting the word out in the community by setting up at local markets, so I thought we'd give it a try. I have to confess that the mist, the winds, and the temperature all seemed to be a sign to me at 7am on Saturday morning that this was not a good move. But by noon, I had changed my mind. I talked to dozens of locals, gave out flyers on the upcoming used book sale, the free computer classes, the new release checkoff reserve list, and copies of BookPage. Kids were supplied with materials to make a little Cosmos planter, and a farm animal word find. And--I was next to chef Louis Cutwright as he prepared ham with raisin sauce; it was great! Definitely a good investment of my Saturday morning, and we'll be back.

Why market? We want the business, and sometimes we have to go outside the library to get it. Staff members recently visited the HCC Metro campus, and gave out sixty library cards to students. The library participated in Cinco de Mayo, both during the parade and at Lincoln Park. It stretches us to send staff outside the building, but I don't believe we can always just sit back and wait for people to find us.

National Library Week 2007

2007-04-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought the major holidays were over, it’s National Library Week—a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide. Trained professionals are here to help in transforming our community through your lives. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance, and while it’s still difficult to find a greeting card to fit the occasion, public library staff in the Cedar Valley have put their heads together to make your library visit even a little more pleasant this week.

At the Waterloo Public Library, we’re celebrating with cookies and prizes. Grab a cookie and register for daily drawings. The grand prize is an mp3 player, so if you’ve been itching to listen to downloadable books from the WPL website, here’s your chance. Staff will be glad to instruct the winner on how it works. I’ve been hooked on audiobooks for years, but have gladly ditched fumbling with tapes and CDs in exchange for my mp3 player both in the car and around home. No overdues on those downloadable books, either!

On Wednesday, April 18th at 7pm join us in the library meeting rooms to hear a special presentation on the life and times of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by Humanities Iowa speaker and Wilder scholar Sarah Uthoff. Slides will be shown from all of the Laura sites. This presentation is open to all ages and is a free event. On Thursday, April 19th at 7pm, special guest Cherie Nelson will once again help us out with a middle school poetry night. Middle schoolers are welcome to bring their poetry, and prizes will be given. Prizes and programs for the week have been sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

In spite of the fact that we live in an age of materialism and seem to be driven by an urge to acquire and own rather than to borrow and return, Iowa public library visits have increased by 45% since 1996, and checkouts have increased 12%. In my position as library director, I have been pleased to have new community members tell me that the public library influenced their decision on where to relocate. Almost 64% of Iowans hold library cards, and use them regularly. If you’re not one of those library users, be sure and stop in this week to see what you’re missing. And if you are a library user—we want you to know how much we appreciate your support!

Computer Classes--worth your time

2007-04-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

The Public Library has broadened its horizons in how to get information into the hands of the citizens. You don't have to read it in a book to learn it. Sometimes that takes too long, and some of us are hands-on learners. Here is a recent comment from a satisfied customer:

"I just attended the Digital Camera computer class with Kim, and wanted to comment on how wonderful the class was. I learned so much and Kim is an excellent instructor. I would encourage everyone I know to attend her class. I just wish more time was allotted for the class because I know I could have learned so much more from her. Thank you for offering the class."--Sherry

Time is valuable to all of us these days, but it seems like there's so much more time needed to learn just in order to keep up with the everyday things in our lives. See the class schedule posted on our website. Folder and File Management, Microsoft Excel, MySpace for Parents are the offerings for April. No charge, of course!

2007-03-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Would you like a little dose of World War II history that’s not often spoken of? You don’t necessarily have to check out a book for this one. BUS-eum 2, “Vanished” is traveling to the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Public Libraries. The Traces Center for History and Culture in Saint Paul has retrofitted a school bus that tours hundreds of communities throughout the Midwest. Using narrative panels, an NBC Dateline documentary and a 1945 government color film, the exhibit intends to tell the story of a largely unknown portion of World War II history.

This exhibit explores the WWII internment of 15,000 German-American civilians, including 4,058 Latin-American Germans brought here and later exchanged for Nazi-held Americans. Perhaps the least known chapter of American World War II history, possibly because of its controversial nature, its legacy has implications for today. Housed in a school bus converted into a mobile museum with its own 21-seat theater, “Vanished” illustrates this unknown story through narrative texts, artifacts and multi-media, an interesting approach to exploring history.

“Vanished” can be viewed at the Cedar Falls Public Library on Tuesday, April 3rd from 4-7 pm. The exhibit will be at the Waterloo Public Library on Wednesday, April 4th, also from 4-7 pm. This educational event is free of charge to the public, sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library, and Friends of the Waterloo Public Library. It will appeal to all ages, and everyone is welcome.

If visual history appeals to you, and if you’re like many others, you have a digital camera. And if you’re like me, you have lots of pictures on the little disk, and you’re now wondering how to get them to your computer and actually do something with them. How do you get that red devilish glare out of the cat’s eyes? Well, wonder no more. Call 291-4476 to sign up for the Digital Images class at the Waterloo Public Library. Classes will be offered on March 24, 26th or 30th, so hopefully one will fit your schedule. Bring your camera and learn how to download, re-size and edit your digital pictures.

2007-02-26T12:24:00.001-08:00

Who doesn’t have a favorite family history story? Genealogy as a hobby has boomed, sending many of us to our family trees to discover who our ancestors were, and what they were up to. Many people trek to cemeteries and court houses across the country in search of great-great grandpa, but not all of us have the opportunity to make those trips. So what do we do? You guessed it—we travel through the internet. Of course, if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, searching for your ancestors on the web might be as time-consuming as traveling from county to county without knowing exactly where you’re going.

Enter Kim Van Deest. Kim is our Network Analyst and Information Literacy Administrator at the Waterloo Public Library. She started out in Grundy Center, but traveled the country working in different computer-related jobs. Boston, Orlando, Minneapolis and Long Beach were some of Kim’s stops, until she landed a position with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as one of the computer trainers in a program that gifted over 40,000 computers in over 10,000 libraries across the nation. Kim came to WPL as a network analyst, but we quickly decided to capitalize on her love of training. Our desire to expand the library’s internet classes was a natural match for her love of computer based learning. Kim has taken over our internet training and offers several free courses each month. Keyboarding, Introduction to Microsoft Word, Free Internet Email, Blogging, and Buying a PC are just a sample of what we have offered over the last few months.

This month, Kim has teamed up with reference librarian Teresa Dahlgren in offering “Genealogy on the Web.” Teresa, who has an interest in genealogy and history (see the Waterloo History link on our website) was instrumental in developing the content for this course. Join us for an overview of free genealogical sources on the Internet. Intended for beginners, we believe even experienced searchers will learn something new about climbing the family tree via the web. Sessions will be offered on February 24th, 26th, and 28th, and size of class is limited so call 291-4476 soon to register. If genealogy isn’t your thing, keep an eye on waterloopubliclibrary.org each month for computer classes that are guaranteed to be both fun and educational.

2007-02-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite quotations has always been “I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library” (Jorge Luis Borges). Since some of us are not finding ourselves in a tropical paradise right now, that delight can be satisfied by a local paradise—your public library, with a little imagination. I plucked the brains of library staff members to provide our version of nourishing tropical fruit, but the hot chocolate is up to you!

Travel along with author Susan Orlean, in "My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who’s Been Everywhere." Humorous and unconventional, Orlean describes her experiences from all over the world, and promises to entertain without our needing to leave our armchairs. Do you remember what John Berendt did for Savannah in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?" If not, you should read it, but if you already have, try his "The City of Falling Angels." Berendt’s ten year stay in Venice allows him to guide us through the city’s mysteries and traditions. You won’t want to leave your chair until you’ve finished it.

If you’re planning a trip, and want to go for the best, check out "The Ten Best of Everything, Passport to the Best: Ultimate Guide for Travelers," by Nathaniel Lande and Andrew Lande. Whether you’re looking for the best golf course, London pub, hamburger or flea market, these guys claim to know them all. My favorite recent read is "A Horizontal World: Growing up Wild in the Middle of Nowehere," by ISU professor Debra Marquart. Marquart’s coming of age and young adulthood in North Dakota is great—a time period similar to my own, beautifully written, and with a wonderful sense of place. If you like a little soul searching on the side with your travel books, try "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Realizing in her early thirties that she desires neither a husband nor children, Gilbert sets out for Italy, India and Bali, and pens her experiences in a witty offering.

"A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveler" by Frances Mayes (Under the Tuscan Sun) finds Frances leaving Tuscany to enjoy other European destinations, engaging those of us who must remain in Iowa right now with her wit and keen eye for beautiful detail. If you would like your fantasy travels to stick closer to home, give "Road Trip USA" by Jamie Jensen a try.

This list would not be complete without mentioning the wonders in our own backyard: "Midwest Marvels: Roadside Attractions Across Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin" by Eric Dregni. When it gets warm enough for me to poke my nose back outside, I’ll be armed with a list of new places to explore!

2007-01-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

Poets--Take note! Join us for a Poetry Workshop on Monday, February 12 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Join us along with our special guest, Cherie Nelson for sharing and critiquing in a friendly atmosphere. Please bring copies of your poetry to share with the group. All ages welcome!

2007-01-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

Are you both a bargain hunter and a reader? Mark February 1, 2, and 3rd on your calendar. The Friends of the Waterloo Library will host a used book sale in the basement of the library. From 6:30-8:30 pm on the 1st, Friends members are invited to a special preview. On February 2nd and 3rd, the sale is open to the general public from 9am-3pm.

2007-01-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Reading is a solitary hobby for me, but I do remember when I finally realized that I had to join a book discussion group. I had listened to Ice Bound, by Jerri Nielsen. You may remember the doctor who discovered she had breast cancer while she was in a research facility at the South Pole, in the dead of winter. I finished the book, and realized I didn’t like her, didn’t even trust her, and I was appalled that I could feel that way about an unfortunate woman who battled for her life with no way to get to a real hospital for treatment. It wasn’t that I disliked the book; I found it very interesting to learn about how the scientists spend their winters at the Pole, and I’m not really a nonfiction reader. I just really disliked her, and I had to talk with someone about it. So I formed a book group at the Waterloo Public Library, and since then, we’ve talked about dozens of books.

This need to gather and discuss what we read, either formally or informally, is worldwide. Your local library world promotes a rather large endeavor by sponsoring a community reading program, the All Iowa Reads Project, started in 2003. I would like to challenge you to read and discuss this year’s All Iowa Reads choice, Splendid Solution: Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio, by Jeffrey Kluger. Say the word “polio” to a young person today, and they’ll think “shot.” But many of us who are a little older think of “paralyzed” or “lung machine,” and I believe these memories will lead to some interesting and emotional discussions. We have several copies of Kluger’s book available at the Library. We will gather to discuss the book on Tuesday, April 17th at 6pm. Please join us.

What exactly is All Iowa Reads (www.iowacenterforthebook.org)? In 1998, the Washington Center for the Book (www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/one-book.html) initiated the “One Book” project. This community wide reading program has caught on throughout the country, both on a local and statewide level. The Iowa Center for the Book launched their participation in 2003, with Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger. Librarians across the state train to lead discussions on each title, and most libraries have multiple copies available for your own group, and discussions at the library open to everyone. The Waterloo Public Library can also obtain multiple copies of other titles your book club would like to read, contact us by phone or over the web. Hope to catch you reading!

2006-12-29T11:13:00.000-08:00

Good to Great

I’m taking a break from my escape to Miami with Carl Hiassen and his oddball mysteries to read another sort of book. An unusual departure for me—nonfiction. I belong to a book discussion group in Cedar Falls striving to create and foster leadership sparks in the community. To do so, we read and either use the inspiration in our own work and personal lives, or pass it along to other local leaders. As a result, I have just begun Good to Great, by Jim Collins. I’m only two chapters in, but I can tell it’s going to be an informative book about what took some companies from good to great. So far, it’s obvious that the culture of the company is one factor that is essential to the leap to greatness. The culture is created by the employees. Here at WPL, we’ve made very careful choices in hiring, looking for innovation, integrity, assertiveness, intelligence, problem solving skills, and creativity.

I would like to welcome new employee Seth to the Reference Department. Seth was hired using the hiring strategy we've come to trust and believe in. And I’d like you to know that as a library, we will not be settling for “good.”

2006-12-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the WPL participated in a Christmas Party for the Latino Community, distributing candy and children's books written in the Spanish language to Latino children. The party was sponsored by El Centro Latino America, with many local organizations participating. The books and candy were paid for by the Friends of the Library. Our diversity coordinator explained library services, materials, and location to an excited group of participants. Over the last year, we have improved our Spanish language collection and services, hoping to meet the needs of a growing segment of our community. Understanding that the concept of a free public library is not native to some cultures, we are working hard to get the word out. We also offer storytime and Internet class in Spanish, and include specific help on resumes and immigration. We are pleased to be able to offer this outreach to our community.

2006-11-28T07:51:00.000-08:00

Libraries have noticed a decrease in research queries asked of our reference desks over the last several years. Our nation of "do-it-yourselfers" use the Internet to track down research information now. Recipes, medical information, phone numbers, geneaology, all there at the click of a mouse. Or a click..and a click...and a click...and another click...

Recent research from The University of Michican Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that patients looking for useful information on the internet were much more satisfied with what they turned up by enlisting the help of a librarian. Only 4% of the patients were able to locate the same information on their own.

Sometimes searching the Internet can be frustrating. Remember that we're still here, and we're trained! Call 291-4476, or email infowiz.wpl@gmail.com for help with locating answers.

2006-11-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

There's still time to register for some free computer classes happening at the WPL this week. Learn Windows Basics on Tuesday the 14th, and Friday the 17th in our learning Center. Web Challenge: Turkey Day will allow teens to get an hour of hands on training on internet searching on Wednesday, November 15th at 7pm. Call 319-291-4476 or stop by the reference desk to sign up for any of these free computer classes. Maximum class size is six, so there's plenty of individual help.

The annual Friends of the Library volunteer recognition and lunch takes place this Thursday at 11:30. The Friends and all library volunteers make a great difference at the Library. This year, we can thank them not only for over 2000 volunteer hours, but for our new mural, summer library program for youth and teens, projector for the meeting rooms, popcorn machine for all of that great popcorn for movies and other programs, and much more. I hope to see you at lunch on Thursday!

2006-11-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to my blog. I am the director of the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Public Libraries in Iowa. In addition to doing administrative sorts of things, I like to keep an eye on future trends for the library. If you have anything you’d like to call my attention to about library service past or future, feel free to comment here.

My most exciting thing recently has nothing to do with library administration. I have a new mp3 player. People close to me know that I have struggled with getting the library’s downloadable audio books to work as I expected. That is—my first player didn’t hold a bookmark, despite what the guy at the store said, and I didn’t discover that until I was settled into a four hour flight and planning to listen to a book. I had no print backup. Very annoying. So now I have a Creative Zen player, and it’s wonderful. I am currently listening to The Bookman’s Wake, by John Dunning. Part of a series, Cliff Janeway, book dealer in Denver, CO. Fortunately, my daughter IM’ed me the meaning of the little symbols on the player, and I was off and running, and getting to listen to a book while doing mundane tasks (while not at work) makes life much more pleasant. I suggest you try it--holiday gift season approaching quickly!