Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month will be observed in March, and in Bellview library, I plan to put out books that commemorate women’s achievements. Here’s a collage-style sign I made last year to be part of the display.

Read Across America Day: Time to bring out my hat

Sewing helper Starfire and friend

Time once again to bring out my “Cat in the Hat” hat for Read Across America Day, which is being observed on Monday, March 2 to commemorate the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. I made this hat out of felt, and the appliqued cat is from a repurposed potholder. The lovely model is Miss Starfire.

The “Dr. Seuss Wall” (actually a length of paper from a newspaper end-roll) is up again in Bellview library too, and I’m hoping that staff, students, parents and visitors will share their favorite Dr. Seuss quotes.

Friends of Medford Library ‘clearance event’

Source of image:
Friends of the Medford Library

From Friends of the Medford Library, comes word of the “biggest clearance event” it’s ever had, from noon to 3:30 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 27, and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. If you haven’t yet been to the book shop that Friends operates out of the Medford library, it’s definitely worth a visit. “This special ‘sale’ lets you take books for free and donate whatever amount of money you want.” Proceeds help Friends support the Medford library by “enhancing library programs and services for children and adults.” Medford library is located at 205 S. Central Ave.

Bookmark: ‘Bully-Free Begins With Me’

Bookmark: Bully-Free Begins With Me
from Cynthia M. Parkhill

Originally created last October for Bullying Prevention Month, my “Bully-Free Begins With Me” bookmarks have been a steady source of interest among students visiting Bellview library. And so, this past week, I photocopied more bookmarks to replenish my supply.

The image came from the website of the Pacific Alliance On Disability Self Advocacy, but I’ve encountered it on numerous education and non-profit websites around the Internet. Its depiction of people, each unique but all holding hands, seemed a fitting image to emphasize the importance of accepting and even welcoming differences.

Autism Speaks 10-year anniversary: Autistic people and allies answer back

On 2/25 Autism Speaks turns 10-years-old! Tell us how AS has touched your life at AS10Years@gmail.com #AutismSpeaks10 pic.twitter.com/HNoaDgyZgG
— Autism Speaks (@autismspeaks) February 21, 2015

A special hashtag, promoted by Autism Speaks to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, has been co-opted by autistic people and their allies to deliver stinging messages of rebuke.

Religious Explorations: Recent posts to social media

Image credit: Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice

Here are recent posts to social media in my professional role as Administrative Coordinator for the Religious Explorations program at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Library services to children: Certificate of specialization

Certificate of Specialization in Library Services to Children
from Cynthia M. Parkhill

My certificate of specialization in library services to children arrived from Cuesta College this week. With my Associate’s degree in Library and Information Technology, it represents an official completion to my library coursework.

Value-based language to promote library benefits

At Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS), guest author Cate Loveday addresses the benefit of using “value-based language” when talking about the services that libraries provide.

Online discussion of diversity in library profession

Courtney Louise Young

In her column for American Libraries, January/February 2015, American Libraries Association president Courtney Young invites readers to join a “Diversity Membership Initiative Group to advance a commitment to diversity: “not only fostering the diversity of the profession but also working to ensure that we are serving all segments of our populations.”

For reasons that are both professional and personal, I share this commitment to diversity. On Dec. 29, I applied and was accepted for membership in the Diversity MIG.

One of my ‘hats,’ in more ways than one

My part-time work sewing bills and crowns for Hat People​ in southern Oregon now has tangible representation. My newsboy hat, in brown-and-green plaid, brown herringbone, plus dark-green and teal solids, turned out every bit as fabulous as I imagined it would.

Library yarn-bombing, aided by fire-engine lift

The profile picture at Yarn Bombing @ Your Library features a yarn-storming installation by Common Threads of Richmond Hill.

I had the luxury of knowing about this project ahead of time, thanks to a Google Alert that is tied to the words “Library” and “yarn bomb.” On Jan. 29, Google Alerts sent me a link to an opinion piece written by Maike George, in which she outlined the group’s plans to yarn-bomb a large pine tree in front of the Richmond Hill Public Library.

Yarn Bombing at Your Library: Book cart with knitting books

Image credit: Robyn Wade

I like to feature other crafters’ projects in “cover” and “profile” pictures at Yarn Bombing at Your Library. Among recent activity: Robyn Wade contributed this photo of yarn bombing a book cart at the Lexington Public Library, circa Jan. 6, 2015. Check out (literally) the knitting books on the cart and Yarn Bombing by Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain being read by one of the knitters. The books have got library barcodes on them, and are available through the library.

‘The Book With No Pictures’ read-aloud competition

A woman named C.L. Murphy came by Bellview Elementary School library yesterday. She brought with her a book tied with a ribbon, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett. She is giving it to Bellview library for “International Book Giving Day,” which is Feb. 14.

Murphy also submitted a video to a read-aloud contest of B.J. Novak’s The Book With No Pictures. If her video gets the winning votes, she will win a visit by Novak, plus $5,000 for young readers in Ashland schools. So please consider voting for the video that benefits our young readers. You have until Feb. 28 to vote.

Real-estate investment education website goes live

Among this week’s highlights, my husband Jonathan’s real-estate investment education website went live. Jonathan attends classes and is an independent marketer of the Renatus school of property investing. As his education partner, I’m able to take the courses as well.

Jonathan and I are learning about buying real estate as a business investment. With part-time hours increasingly prevalent among library jobs I see advertised, what inspires me is being able to work at what I love, without having to worry about whether or not I can get full-time work.

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s auto-caption fail

Via contact form, I wrote to express my concern with Oregon Public Broadcasting for accepting YouTube auto-captioning as a substitute for genuine transcripts.

‘Hattitude’: Plaid with herringbone and solids

I’ve assembled bill and crown of the most fabulous hat yet for Hat People in southern Oregon: panels of my favorite brown-and-green plaid complimented by brown herringbone plus dark-green and teal solids. This hat is going to be mine.

ALA youth media awards

At its Midwinter Meeting in Chicago, Ill., the American Library Association announced this year’s winners of the ALA Youth Media Awards. Complete list at http://live.webcastinc.com/ala/2015/live/doc/yma_15_wrap_final.pdf with on-demand webcast coming soon.

Posted to the Southern Oregon Education Services District listserv for school library/media center personnel

Crocheted cat ears hat with fabric liner and ties

I spent “Caturday” adding a fabric liner and ties to my fabulous cat ears hat, originally crocheted from Kelley Freeman’s pattern on RamenNeedles.com.

And as there often is with my favorite projects, there’s a story attached.