Custom spine labels on lending library books

Bright, catchy graphics paired with a brief phrase, affixed to the spine of a book: subject classification labels provide an immediate display of what a book is all about.

The UUCLC Lending Library has a special “chalice” symbol on the spines of particular books. These books specifically address our Unitarian Universalist beliefs and heritage.

A library supplier provided “Fiction” labels that adorn our fiction books. Look for other, non-fiction, labels to adorn other books as well. I’ve found, however, that unique characteristics of our lending library require a custom approach. Hence, the chalice labels affixed to several of our books.

Other labels draw upon heros of civil rights and the Unitarian tradition. The books that are labeled “Biography” bear the likeness of Margaret Fuller, whose Bicentennial is being celebrated this year by the UUA.

The labels designating “Civil Rights” bear the likeness of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Watch for other labels to debut that further highlight the unique character of our UUCLC Lending Library.

While it is true that a reader cannot always judge a book by its cover, the subject classification labels are purposely designed to say a lot about a book’s character.

Cross-posted from the UUCLC Lending Library’s WordPress blog.

Daniel J. Vance interviews me as editor with Asperger’s syndrome

Daniel J. Vance, author of “Disabilities,” interviewed me as an editor who has Asperger’s syndrome. We talked about my childhood experiences being bullied, food sensitivities and the benefits of a special interest (in my case, the Society for Creative Anachronism) as the basis for forming friendships. Read his columns at www.danieljvance.com.

Bartimaeus tells it like it is

Do you have someone in your life upon whom you can depend to always tell you the truth, even when the truth is something that you would prefer not to hear? It was that quality in one of the main characters that appealed to me when I read The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud.

The stories: The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem’s Eye and Ptolemy’s Gate are set in present-day England but in a world where magicians rule the "commoners," or the non-magical folk.

As the story opens, the magicians' hold on power is increasingly threatened by the commoners' rebellion. There are also unknown traitors operating in the midst of the British government. The magicians' hold on power relies upon their use of otherworldly magical slaves like djinni, imps and foliots.

Toastmasters has policy of non-discrimination

As president of my local Toastmasters club, I am making a presentation to remind our club about Toastmasters International’s policy about maintaining member privacy, about its position of non-discrimination and about ethical conduct expected of us.

‘Big Read’ puts everyone on same page

The book arrived from the publisher without any fanfare, wrapped in plain cardboard and sent through the U.S. mail. With no more effort than it took to tear open the perforated strip that sealed the package closed, the small church library that I oversaw was now part of a "common read." What an exciting moment!

Commitment to an animal lasts a lifetime

Kitten season is upon us again and a greater number of unwanted animals is being added to the county surplus. During this time I hear of kittens and cats that wandered into the care of people who are not able to keep them but who want to do the right thing.

‘Hattitude’: Cat mask from Venice

Carnival mask, brought by my sister Lauren back from Venice, Italy. There are mixed opinions regarding its inclusion in the “Hattitude” photo album. I view it as akin to my brother Andrew’s clone trooper helmet, hence acceptable for inclusion, whereas a co-worker ventures the opinion that “Masks are for faces, hats are for heads."

Observer American, part of county history

The Clear Lake Observer American turned 75 years old on Saturday. I hope that the paper is as integral today to the lives of its readers as it was when it made its debut.

More shelters needed at bus stops

Balancing my textbook and portfolio in the crook of my arm, I hold my umbrella over me while fishing in my pocket with my other hand to produce my Lake Transit pass. The arrival of rain, while otherwise welcome, necessitates this balancing act.

Traveling by bus on week-long system pass

The car has been out of commission this week. Something is wrong with the struts and we've been afraid to drive it. For $15 I got a week-long system pass. I used it to get to and from work and also used it to get down to Calistoga.

All victims of bullying need support

Cover image: Perfect Targets: Asperger Syndrome and Bullying

PACER Center, a national group, is encouraging everybody to take a stand against bullying this Wednesday. Oct. 20, 10.20.10, is “The Day We Unite Against Bullying.”

Class in library supervisor skills

I’ve enrolled in another half-semester course, since LIBT 101 ends as of midnight tonight. The new class is LIBT 108 and addresses supervisor skills. I’ve purchased my textbook from a used-book seller online and hope to have it soon. In the meantime, there have been online discussions to post to.

Sustainability begins at home

The visiting speaker presented a simple message: vote against Proposition 23 in the November election and receive the gratitude of successive generations for stopping climate change.

A stainless-steel water bottle was nestled at the speaker's feet, but in the back of the meeting hall, snacks were being served on paper plates with paper napkins and plastic silverware. The majority of those present did not have reusable bottles or travel mugs, so beverages were being drunk from disposable cups.

Bookmobiles bring information to you

Circa 1929: Book truck that served
Davidson County Public Library
(Bookmobile Library Timeline)

The bookmobile has had a long and illustrious history in the development of library services.

The purpose of this paper is to advocate resumption of bookmobile services in Lake County, particularly in those communities not presently served by a branch library. I suggest that in order to do so, the Lake County Library should apply for federal funding available through the California State Library.

The first “Library Wagon” debuted in 1905 in Washington County, Maryland, according to Mary Lemist Titcomb (qtd. in Dickson 53). Furnished “with shelves on the outside and a place for storage of cases in the center [it] resembled somewhat a cross between a grocer’s delivery wagon and the tin peddlers carts of bygone New England days.

San Francisco Public Library Bookmobile

Jonathan and I spent Tuesday walking around San Francisco, first viewing Van Gogh, et. al. at the deYoung Museum, then walking from Alamo Square on the corner of Fillmore and Staynor down to City Hall. The bookmobile was parked in front of the San Francisco Public Library.

Originally shared on Facebook

Work of Challenge Day begins now

"Be the Change" jar
at the Record-Bee

The "Be the Change" donation jar for Challenge Day at Clear Lake High School was on the table next to my desk on Monday morning, its cloth cover partially torn off the jar's opening. My co-worker Greg DeBoth gave the sad news to me when I passed him in the parking lot: someone had stolen the money out of the "Be the Change" jar; he'd found the jar outside next to the dumpster.

I felt deeply disappointed in whoever stole this money. It wasn't just a collection of bills and pocket change; this money was supposed to help "Be the Change"  for Challenge Day. As someone who'd endured bullying and rejection throughout my time at school, it was vitally important to me that students at Lake County schools enjoy a climate of acceptance that was denied to me.

Library work: I’d love to incorporate graphic design, journalism

I would love it if my experience in journalism could be somehow incorporated into my work as a library professional: such as producing a library newsletter or working for Library Journal.

I created a letter­-fold brochure for members of my congregation to inform them about the lending library.

Through social networking, I promote a “book of the month” for the UUCLC Lending Library. I also write columns in my local newspapers that express support for the public library.

Composed for my studies toward an Associate of Science degree in Library/Information Technology

School libraries keep up with emerging technology

“[S]chool libraries also share with academic libraries the responsibility for promoting information literacy” (55)

— Libraries in the Information Age
by Denise K. Fourie and David R. Dowell

Library media centers appear to be particularly geared toward keeping abreast of emerging technology, which, in my opinion, would make them an excellent place to work if a library professional wanted to continually update her own information literacy.

Public libraries: Services and roles

“The mission of the public library is to meet the needs of its particular community” (43)

— Libraries in the Information Age
by Denise K. Fourie and David R. Dowell

My public library contains historical resources specific to Lake County: copies of government ordinances, history books, etc. It also includes work by Lake County authors, many of whom have donated copies of their books to the library system.

Public library service boundaries becoming blurred

“Public libraries serve a wider range of needs and objectives than most other libraries” (42)

— Libraries in the Information Age
by Denise K. Fourie and David R. Dowell

It's certainly true that, unlike school and academic libraries, which served me only for as long as I maintained an affiliation with the school in question, I have relied upon public libraries for my entire life.

Libraries do more than warehouse books

Cartoon image created with Bitstrips and added July 13, 2016

“[T]hose who see themselves as the keepers of books will be shelved themselves, and those who demonstrate that they can help solve other people’s information, imagination, and inspiration problems will always be in demand” (39)

— Libraries in the Information Age
by Denise K. Fourie and David R. Dowell

Each week when I pull hold requests at the Lakeport branch of the Lake County Library, the lion’s share of patron requests are among fiction and non­fiction books; however, library patrons are also requesting DVDs, audio CDs and books on CD or cassette.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson (Candlewick Press, 2006) is the first in a a two-volume series available through the library.

The story is set on the North American continent just before the American Revolution.

The lead character is a slave who receives a classical education, not knowing he is the subject of an experiment to gauge the capacities of his race and not knowing that society considers him to be another man’s property.

The book sheds an interesting light on a paradox of U.S. history: that while some settlers pursued freedom from the British crown, they were determined to keep their fellow human beings as property.

Originally posted to the Facebook page of the Lake County Library

Distance learning is viable option

Elizabeth on her very own shelf at my schoolwork desk.

After an interval of 15 years, I have returned to school. I am enrolled in distance-learning courses through Cuesta College.

Library training offers chance at new career

I have relied upon libraries my entire life, beginning with the Napa County branch library in my hometown of Calistoga. My mother arranged for my first library card and brought me at least once every week to my local library.

LIBT 101: Orientation in San Luis Obispo

We drove late Friday afternoon to San Luis Obispo, about five hours south of Middletown. I had an orientation to attend for LIBT 101, Introduction to Library Services, on Saturday. It was pretty informative and now I have weekly assignments to complete. I think the course will be interesting.

Tenacious Talkers: Select Distinguished Award

Left to right: Cynthia Parkhill and Jeff Shute

By guest writer Sharon Shute

FINLEY – Toastmasters International awarded Club No. 8731 — Tenacious Talkers, the Select Distinguished Award for 2009 – 2010. Jeff Shute, Division – G, Governor, presented the ribbon to Cynthia Parkhill, President of Tenacious Talkers.

Enrolled in Cuesta College for library and information certification

Fifteen years after earning her BA in English from Sonoma State University, Cynthia Parkhill has re-entered the community college system. Drawing upon her lifelong reliance upon and support of libraries, Cynthia is pursuing certification in Library and Information Technology.

Tie online comments to registered accounts

The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro, Mass. has implemented a policy to discourage obnoxious commenting on its online discussion threads: charge a one-time fee of 99 cents through a valid credit card and attach the user's name as it appears on that card to all comments the user makes, along with the user's community.

Abuse by priests causes lasting harm

I was standing in the recording studio at Cornerstone Media, Inc., preparing to voice a radio spot, when Father Don Kimball's hands abruptly began wrenching my shoulders from behind. The shooting pain in my neck and shoulders made me cry out in agony.

As abruptly as it had started, Kimball's "massage" immediately ceased. "It wouldn't hurt if you had regular massages," he said angrily.

His anger was so unexpected and sudden and the reason was unclear to me. I had not asked him for a massage and he had not asked if he could give me a massage before roughly grabbing and handling me. He acted as if the pain I was in was somehow entirely my fault.

Thank God Father Don Kimball never touched me like that again.

Cynthia Parkhill is Toastmasters club president

By guest writer Sharon Shute

FINLEY – Cynthia Parkhill has been named the new president for Toastmasters Club No. 8731, Tenacious Talkers.

Parkhill has been a member of Toastmasters International and the club since January 2008.

Starting Thursday, July 1, Parkhill will be club president for 2010-11.

Parkhill has earned Competent Communicator and Advanced Leader Bronze. She also served as vice president of public relation for two terms.

She writes a weekly column in the Lake County Record-Bee and has a weekly segment on a local radio station, KPFZ 88.1 FM.

Tenacious Talkers meets at 6:15 p.m. each Thursday at 2150 Argonaut Road in Finley. For more information about the club, call 707-263-5350 or visit http://tenacioustalkers.freetoasthost.net.

Sharon Shute is vice president of public relations for the Tenacious Talkers.

‘What happens in group, stays in group’

Alcoholics Anonymous is reminding friends in the media to observe its longstanding tradition of anonymity for its members. I’d like to suggest, as delicately as possible, that 12-step clients must also remember that “What happens in group, stays in group.”

Calistoga teachers should promote Poetry Out Loud

I am writing to encourage Calistoga educators to participate in Poetry Out Loud. As a graduate of Calistoga Junior/Senior High School, I would like to see this opportunity made available to CHS students today.

Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poetry. It begins with classroom competitions and the winners advance to school-wide, state and then to national finals.

This spring, I observed the Poetry Out Loud competition in the County of Lake. Three very talented young people competed for the responsibility of representing Lake County in the state competition. The students’ performances were very diverse and showcased the very different styles of poetry that are available through Poetry Out Loud.

I was disappointed to learn that my hometown school was not represented this February in the Napa County competition. I would have loved to have an opportunity like this when I attended CHS.

Kate Demarest with Arts Council Napa Valley has just sent word to arts supporters that Poetry Out Loud launches again in the 2010-2011 school year: “School competitions will take place in the fall, the Napa County finals early in the new year and the California State finals in February.

“If you would like more information on the Poetry Out Loud program please visit the California Arts Council at www.cac.ca.gov where you will find links to both the California and National competition.”

Calistoga educators who would like to participate are invited to contact Kate Demarest with the Arts Council Napa Valley at kate@artscouncilnv.org. Teachers’ guides and other tools are available at http://poetryoutloud.org/.

Published June 17, 2010 in the Weekly Calistogan
and June 18, 2010 in the Calistoga Tribune

A&E section is finalist in Better Newspapers Contest

The Arts & Entertainment section that appears each Thursday in the Lake County Record-Bee has earned a "finalist" mention from the California Newspaper Publishers Association in its 2009 Better Newspapers Contest.

Is your PR under a conspiracy of silence?

There are many events taking place in our community that organizers keep to themselves. The unfortunate consequence of such a decision is that the newspaper tends to get the blame when an event does not see print.

Hot cars can be fatal to animals

One month ago, at the Earth Day celebration at the Calpine center in Middletown, my husband and I saw a dog inside a parked car. There was shade over the car but we were still concerned. So we stopped at the California Highway Patrol booth. The officer there agreed to check on the animal and later reported that it seemed OK.

Original fiction: The Kingmaker Plays Her Hand

You think that you’ve got problems; try being younger sister to the most popular guy in school.

Children with autism don't just disappear

The 2010 TIME 100 poll includes Temple Grandin among its nominees for the world's most influential people. Diagnosed with autism when she was a young child, Grandin, 62, is a professor of animal science, an author and speaker.
Grandin has a unique perspective as a person on the autism continuum. She relates the qualities that give her insight into the fears and perspectives of animals in her book, "Animals in Translation."

Volunteering at Lakeport Library

For two hours today, I volunteered at the Lakeport Library. I pull items from the shelves for which people have submitted hold requests: books, audio books, DVDs and music recordings. I scan their barcodes into the computer to get their routing information, prepare a tag that indicates where in our three-county library system each item is to go and finally I pack them for delivery.

‘Defenseless’ from bullying at Calistoga schools

At JFActivist, moderator Frankie Mastrangelo shares information about bullying from the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation. She invites readers to comment, asking: “Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt any kind of physical or mental abuse from someone and felt the need to defend yourself from it? Did you ever feel defenseless to something outside your control?”

Animal predators prowl neighborhoods

Cover image: Dark’s Tale by Deborah Grabien

Few sounds are more chilling to me than the shrill yips and howls of coyotes. Whenever I hear these eerie sounds, my immediate concern is to bring my cat Elizabeth inside.

Library school: Researching city colleges

I spent some time on the computer last night, looking up city college programs accredited by the American Library Association. Paying $20 per unit seems much more reasonable to me than nearly $500 per unit. Particularly since I can hardly expect to dive into the jobs that require a Master's degree.

MLS degree: Tuition even higher than expected

I had a setback with applying to San Jose State University. The college is only offering what it calls the "special" sessions, unpaid for by the college. The tuition is nearly $500 per unit instead of $217. So enrolling in a Master's program for Fall 2010 turned out to be unfeasible.

Small handful of writers I can count on

There is a small handful of writers, perhaps two or three, whom I can count on to write to the Clear Lake Observer American in response to something that ran on its opinion page. So all is not totally an isolated endeavor, although it feels as-such. I try to promote more dialogue, believing as I do that the editorial and/or opinion pages should be the most vibrant in the newspaper.

Library work: Refreshing change in environment

During my weekly stint as a library volunteer, I see a growing stack of books — and CDs and DVDs — that will be sent to people who requested them. These successful connections are the direct result of my volunteer effort. Those 800,000 hold requests a year throughout our three-county system are tangible results. (Figure based on number of holds placed by Sonoma County Library cardholders during Fiscal Year 2009, as reported in the Winter 2010 issue, Sonoma County Library Newsletter.)

Lake County Library: What’s next after pulling holds

The column I wrote for next Tuesday’s Lake County Record-Bee is about the time I spent pulling requested items from the library shelves last Saturday. Today I got hands-on experience in the next step of the process.

Toastmasters ad lib Dewey-shelved books

For the Table Topics exercise on Thursday at our local Toastmasters meeting, I had the speakers pick a number between 1 and 999. I gave them the corresponding classification under the Dewey Decimal System and they had to describe a book, real or imaginary, that might be shelved under that category.

I noticed that 020 corresponds to “Library Science” so I went looking for books today while at the Lakeport library. I checked out a few that looked interesting: The Library in America: A Celebration in Words and Pictures by Paul Dickson, Getting Political: An Action Guide for Librarians and Library Supporters by Anne M. Turner and Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks and Gangstas in the Public Library.

Resigning from Lake County Arts Council newsletter

I have decided to step down as editor of ArtNotes in order to devote time toward earning my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.

Lake County Library: First volunteer shift

Today I worked my first volunteer shift at the Lake County Library, pulling requested books from the shelves so that they can be transported throughout our three-county network of branch libraries. I started at just before 3 p.m. and worked for an hour and 45 minutes.

Investigating MLS degree programs

I've begun investigating schools that offer Master's degrees in Library and Information Science. I'm also looking forward to volunteering on Saturdays to help out at the Lakeport library.

We need high school journalism courses

The days that the Oak Leaf arrived in bins was a recurring highlight for me at Santa Rosa Junior College. I read the student newspaper faithfully, frequently issuing submissions and rebuttals. During my final semester at JC, I was one of its student reporters and the paper's arrival took on renewed importance because it meant that I could view my bylines.

Lake County Library: Applied to volunteer

I filled out an application to volunteer at the Lake County Library. It looks like I can help at 3:30 p.m. each Saturday pulling hold requests from the shelves.

‘News Girl’ by Liza Ketchum

News Girl by Liza Ketchum is the story of a 12-year-old girl during the San Francisco gold rush.

Newsboys would hawk East Coast newspapers that had arrived by steamer ship. People would pay six times the printed cost of a three-month-old newspaper to get news from “back home.”

By selling these papers, at a dollar apiece, the newsboys could earn more money than their parents could earn in a day’s work: running a store or panning for gold. The heroine of Ketchum’s novel dresses up like a boy so that she can sell papers.

Lake County Library on Facebook

What a welcome surprise, when I moved to Lake County from the Santa Rosa Bay Area, to find that I was already a part of the Lake County Library system thanks to its shared network with Sonoma and Mendocino counties. I am a lifelong user of libraries and am glad to see the Lake County Library on Facebook.

Originally posted to the Lake County Library’s Facebook page

Support for animals means a lot

Sasha

Sasha looked so fragile in her cage at the Middletown Animal Hospital. Our tiny long-haired tortoiseshell cat was suffering from kidney failure and the veterinarians were working with us to give Sasha a fighting chance.