JCLS seeks relief from library management contract

Officials with Jackson County Library Services in Jackson County, Ore. are exploring options for getting out of a contract for library management with Library Systems and Services (LS&S).

Hat from ‘cycle-hacked’ garments

Talk about a win-win situation: I chop the hemline of a dress or long tunic so that I can wear it, paired with pants or leggings, while I ride on my bicycle. This saves garments that, while loved, might otherwise never be worn because they weren’t biking-compatible. Here, leftover fabric from recent alterations found purpose of their own when assembled into a “newsboy” hat. The crown, band and brim of the hat were assembled out of fabric from a sunflower-print dress, an embroidered long tunic and a long lace skirt. Shown with it are “cycle-hacked” garments that contributed its fabric.

Also posted to Librarian on a Bicycle

Hats in golds, browns and reds

It’s a treat to see pieces I’ve assembled for Hat People of southern Oregon, in the hats’ final completed form. These varigated creations seemed especially cheerful with their rich golds, browns and reds — so much so that when I saw one of the finished hats at the Lithia Artisans Market, I couldn’t resist snapping a photograph.

Hand-made banner for ‘Religious Explorations’

It’s great to employ my creative abilities for the benefit of employers. In this instance, I assembled and hung a banner depicting the names of famous Unitarian Universalists at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. (I work for the church as web content editor and administrative coordinator for the church’s “Religious Explorations” program.) The sweatshirt from which the banner’s applique panel came, was donated to Religious Explorations and I made the banner with the donor’s permission to make use of the sweatshirt this way.

‘Classroom Friendly’ pencil sharpener

‘Classroom Friendly’ sharpener in ‘Groovy Green’

Between looking up call numbers or doing homework or some other writing, someone, somewhere, in the library, is going to need a pencil, meaning a fresh supply of sharpened pencils needs always to be on hand. If you understand this, you’ll know why a quiet, efficient manual sharpener is a really wonderful thing.

Recently, I was privileged to try out a really great pencil sharpener, courtesy of Classroom Friendly Supplies. I had a bundle of unsharpened pencils at the ready when my “Groovy Green” sharpener arrived.

Scholastic Book Fair at Bellview school

Check out these tables and display cabinets of books! It’s the Scholastic Book Fair, set up for business in Bellview Elementary School library. Our ever-supportive Bellview PTO will staff the Scholastic Book Fair before and after school each weekday through Monday, May 23, with online shopping also available through Tuesday, May 24. During “Art Night” on Thursday (6 to 7:30 p.m.), be sure to drop by the library, because Book Fair will be open then too. Proceeds go toward the purchase of books in school classrooms and library, and it’s such a great feeling at the end of fair to receive that tub of books.

Exercise bikes at library

Photo courtesy of Troy University Libraries

Highlighted in the May 2016 issue of American Libraries: Troy University Libraries in Troy, Ala. equipped exercise bikes with stations for laptop computers so students can work out while studying. “I want students to view our libraries as places where they want to be,” writes Christopher Shaffer, dean of library services, in his essay for American Libraries. “I like the idea of them coming in, checking out a video for pleasure, and watching it on their computer while they exercise for an hour. If they enjoy being at the library for reasons other than academics, maybe they will be more comfortable visiting the library — and approaching librarians — in the future.”

Also posted to Librarian on a Bicycle

Real-life example for lesson in information literacy

In my news feed this morning, I encountered a real-life example for a lesson in information literacy, specifically helping students identify possible bias in the way information is presented. I couldn’t resist sharing it, in case library media professionals wanted to use it in a class.

‘Superman, Before Truth’: Academic guide

For those library personnel who work with young adults, I want to share a free reading and discussion guide for Superman, Vol. 1, Before Truth, a D.C. Comics publication authored by Gene Luen Yang (National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and National Book Award nominee).

You may wish to share this resource with educators at your schools.

Before Truth deals with the issue of online privacy versus public sharing, as Superman receives anonymous text messages from someone who has discovered his secret identity as newspaper reporter Clark Kent.