In Loving Memory of My Dear Skippy Cat

I had to let my best friend go a few weeks ago and it’s been by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done and most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever dealt with. She spent most of her last day outside in the yard snoozing in the grass smiling her precious little kitty smile and purring nonstop. I miss her terribly and am sad that she won’t be along for the next camping trip, but glad she was still able to enjoy one during her last summer.

She was in my opinion, and I believe in many other’s opinions, a very special cat. She was super smart, loving, loyal, steadfast, calm, and so brave. She was like a stoic-type dog in a cat’s beautiful soft and fuzzy body. Never needy, but always happy to be loved and always there when I needed support myself. She often tried to fix my migraines with her purrs… I guess it’s the thought that counts in that case.

I know there’s no way to keep them with us forever, but I wish I had just a little while longer with her. Still, we had a great 18 years together. I’ll always miss you Skippy, but I feel very privileged to have had such a close and wonderful relationship with such an amazing cat. Thank you for spending your life with me.

In loving memory of Skippy.
August 1991 – August 2009
You will be missed always.

I met Neil Gaiman today. :D

That’s me in the black right up front and center!  Woohoo!  (Neil Gaiman took this pic and tweeted it!)

Libraries should use Linux

Why do libraries spend thousands of dollars a year on Microsoft Windows licenses for pc’s that are only used for access to the internet? 

I’m no expert by any means, so it’s possible that they think it’s worth it so they won’t need a separate server for those computers, but in reality they probably already have a dedicated server for them anyway…  Or maybe they think patrons can’t adapt to a different operating system – more likely they don’t want to themselves!  Most patrons wouldn’t even notice the difference, and those who did would quickly adapt.

These computers often do absolutely nothing except provide access to the internet.  So why not use Linux?  And while we’re at it throw some open source software on there like Gimp and Open Office?  All free, all useful to patrons - how can this not be the right thing to do?

Just a thought on how we can save everyone a little money. 

And now I shall prepare for some relaxing in the good-smelling open air of Wisconsin with a wacky web developer and Skippy the camping cat.

Read Green – Live Green

If you’re reading this blog you’re probably reading pretty green, at least when you can.  But…  are you really living green as you can? 

Check out these tips from The Onion to see what simple changes you can make.

Seriously though, Read Green and Live Green!

Netflix has a long tail. It’s true, I saw it in the library.

Library Journal published a short article last year about small libraries using Netflix to supply movies to patrons.  It’s a short article and doesn’t say much, but the interest and ideas it sparks make up a hundred fold for the small amount of screenspace it needs to be read – at least for me. 

At the time I thought this was a great, economical way for libraries to provide more of what patrons want without running out of space and budget.  I even remember rumors and ideas circulating in the library world a year or so before the article in Library Journal was published.  I think the first place I came across the idea was at Jenny Levine’s blog – see The Shifted Librarian: The Exeter Public Library Does Netflix .   

Here I am two years later still wondering how Netflix is working in libraries.  Is it still working?  Have the executives at Netflix shut everyone down?  Did all the ‘naughty’ libraries get a copy of “There Will Be Blood” as recommended in that NEWSWEEK article?  I really wanted to know. 

So, I decided to just go ahead and ask. 

I chose to check in on the Cook Memorial Library way up in Tamworth, NH from that article in Library Journal.  Library director Jay Rancourt had this to say about Netflix’s successful and continued use in her library:

Yes, we are still using Netflix. We are circulating two at a time now. Very popular service. Even more so in this lousy economy. There are (red) cards on the circ desk to be filled out by the patrons with their request. We queue the patron requests up on the Netflix website, and loan only one unit per person at a time. Then the patrons must queue up again.  It’s a two-day rental to keep the queue moving. I think it’s well worth the $13.99 per month it costs…

I did the math and I’d say she’s getting a great deal.  Economically, it’s like buying one new DVD a month, but having access to around 30.  Smart, smart, smart.  Why not take advantage of an easy and inexpensive way to provide users with what they want?  Way to go Jay!

It looks like no one has seen any kind of ‘reminder’ from Netflix the corporate entity banning libraries from using this service.  I’m sure they realize how many new subscribers they will gain from the pool of people who have access to their service through libraries.  Impatience is commonplace in America, eventually everyone wants their own subscription.  Netflix should consider paying libraries to offer the service!

Public libraries aren’t the only ones taking advantage, academic libraries are getting in on the deal, too.  University of Washington libraries offer Netflix service for UW  instructors.  That’s especially helpful for film classes I’ll bet. 

Any other great pairings of libraries and Netflix that I have yet to unearth?  Share please!

Nooks and Crannies at the Library

I just wanted to share a quick thought I had this morning about nooks and crannies.  And, no it was not because I was eating an english muffin with nooks and crannies.  Although I do like them, and probably would have preferred one over my morning oatmeal. 

I started out thinking about how people usually feel comfortable in a bookstore, and often less so in libraries.  Myself, I feel more comfortable in a library, but that’s only because I know I’ll get pulled in by the rows of clearance books and will never leave the bookstore… 

Bookstores, even though they are big and open like libraries, have lots of little nooks and crannies where people can be alone while exploring the books.  In libraries I think there’s often a fear of people doing things they shouldn’t in those little nooks and crannies.  Especially in the teen sections – am I right?

So, I got to thinking.  How do the bookstores get away with it?  It’s simple.  There are always bookstore workers wandering around the building.  They’re there to help and also, in a way, to hinder unwanted behaviors - more reasons why roaming librarians or assistants would be a beautiful thing.   Hold up now, that’s not all.   They also have plenty of security cameras around bookstores, just like any retail space.  And, the customers know it.

I know there are currently libraries that have roaming librarians – two that I know of off hand are Skokie Public Library and Indian Trails Public Library.  They have staff that are scheduled to roam around the library looking for people to help.  Those libraries also have security cameras. Not everywhere like in a retail store, but in tempting locations.

So, you’d think maybe if we put the two together – roaming librarians and security cameras we’d have a winning combination.  Although, I think there is one missing component here – we need our customers to know.  What’s the best way to do that without alienating them or using signs they probably won’t notice?  I don’t know. 

Library 2.0 is really all about changing how we serve our customers.  I know this has been pointed out time and time again.  It’s nothing new, but even though it seems an obvious change all libraries can make it’s not being done enough.  So, I feel it’s worth mentioning again.

Meebo, where are you?

I’m noticing this same problem on some other pages, so I’m wondering…  Did meebo do some kind of update that means I need to grab new code for my widget?  I guess I could just do it, but I’m feeling lazy today, and I liked it the way it was.

Oh meebo, meebo, meebo.  Where, oh where, can you be?

On the Go? – Text a Librarian

I’m not a big texter.  I text, but I’d rather call or email.  I get frustrated not being able to have all five fingers on a keyboard typing 100 wpm…  Texting takes too long for me, but I’ll admit it’s still rather convenient sometimes.

Although, it’s not my usual mode of communication I do know there are more and more people graduating from high school every day who use texting to communicate almost exclusively.  I know, because I get texts from them, and well, okay “Pieces of Flair” on Facebook. 

For these people texting a librarian is a brilliant adaptation to their needs.  After I left my position at the Brookfield Public Library they adopted a utility that allows them to accept text messages at the reference desk.  Unfortunately, since it happened after I had already moved to another library I don’t know exactly how it works, but I tried it and it worked from my end.  If you’re at all curious, go to the website and check it out for yourself.

I was reminded of this twice in the past few days.  Once while talking to a colleague who told me that her high school aged son always responds to her immediately when she texts him.  He won’t answer the phone if she calls, but he automatically answers a text.  The second reminder was an ad for a new product in one of my magazines – can’t remember which one…  I think it was YALSA’s magazine.

Anyway, this all boils down to a new service offered by Mosio for libraries that are interested in welcoming the texting generation -  Text A Librarian.  This is how it works. I’m not endorsing this particular service, but if you watch the video you can get a good idea of how this works from the librarian’s point of view. 

I think this is ultimately worth considering very seriously as an added patron convenience option at every library.  Let’s face it, texting is big and it’s not going away anytime soon.

Storytelling Open-Mic Night

I love telling stories and hearing stories. Who doesn’t? I went to the National Storytelling Festival for the first time last year and loved it! I heard the most amazing storytellers, and learned so much from them. It got me geared up and ready for my own scary stories night at the library for Halloween, which turned out to be a huge success and a blast.

However, as the saying goes ‘practice makes perfect’, and while I don’t think any storyteller can ever be perfect – (the imperfections are part of what makes each storyteller unique and wonderful) – a little practice and observation is good for everyone.

So, if you’re a storyteller or just enjoy hearing stories you should check out this free monthly open-mic night at Dominican University in partnership with Illinois Storytelling Inc. I certainly plan to take part, even if I just feel like sitting back and listening in… I might, at the very least, learn a great new story to share.

 

This following info is from the Illinois Storytelling Inc. calendar online:

 

April 4 – River Forest Open Mic Storytelling

DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY is now sponsoring a ONCE A MONTH open mic event for storytelling. Open Mic Night will be the first Saturday of the month, so mark your calendar and bring your stories. Bring your friends who want to learn how to tell stories. Bring your neighbors who want to hear stories. Eight minutes each.

7:00pm in the Rebecca Crown Room – it’s in the Springer
Suites on the lower level of the Rebecca Crown Library at Dominican University in River Forest.

Park in the west parking lot and go down the ramp; Springer Suites is direcly to the right as you enter.

There is a cafe just outside the room with coffee drinks and sandwiches.

7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305

View Map

For more information: jdelnegro@dom.edu or megan@meganwells.com

A Librarian and Her Cat

Although this isn’t library related, I’m sure there are a lot of pet lovers in the library community who will relate, and can appreciate this.

The past few weeks brought back a lot of not so pleasant memories for me. It’s been two years since my wonderful, little old cat Skippy became a victim of the Menufoods pet food recall. She’s been fighting like anything for those two years with only 30% of her kidney function left, and heart problems to boot. The fight is getting tougher.

A couple of weeks ago she ended up in the hospital again with heart failure brought on by the subcutaneous fluids she was receiving to support her kidney function. She’s still fighting.

She made about three trips to hang out on the porch this morning before I had to go in to work. She just wanted to enjoy the morning sun and fresh air. She’s that kind of cat. And, she’s super cute. Here’s a pic of her on one of the many camping trips we’ve taken with her since she became sick.

Skippy in the woods at Roche-A-Cri State Park in Wisconsin.

Here’s to you Skippy the cat!! You’re the best cat in the whole, wide world!

I know there were a lot of cats out there who weren’t as fortunate as Skippy cat, and my sincerest sympathies go out to their owners. I saw many of them in the veterinary hospital waiting room every day that we went to visit Miss Skippy while she was herself fighting for life.

I’m very thankful that we were so lucky, but I also wish it had never happened. I learned a lot about the pet food industry the hard way, and I hope people will start putting more thought into what they feed their pets. I know I do.

For Skippy all it took was one week off her usual prescription diet food eating Iams select bites, and it changed everything for her and for me.

Today I came across a great article about what ingredients to look for in pet food on the SoulMates Animal Care Weblog. You can read it here.

There is great power in knowledge, and even greater power in knowing how to use it.