After fires, still ‘unimaginable need’ among Santa Rosa schools

Following the October firestorm, there is still “unimaginable need” in the Santa Rosa City Schools community, and the best way to help, according to SRCS, is to donate money or gift cards. The district website has a PayPal link, and also provides a mailing address for the Fiscal Services office. There’s also a link to “Fire Recovery Information” about local disaster relief.

‘Getting Started Knitting Socks’ by Ann Budd

Books on library science aren’t the only essential occupants of my keep-on-hand reference shelf. Another title I turn to consistently is Ann Budd’s Getting Started Knitting Socks — especially when I’m ready to break out the double-pointed needles and cast a new project on. From start to finish, Budd’s easy-to-follow explanations are with me every step along the way to creating beautiful and wearable socks.

Originally posted to Goodreads

‘ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science’

Certain books deserve a permanent place on my professional bookshelf, as essential go-to resources for my library career. One title that I keep readily accessible is the ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science (fourth edition, published by the American Library Association in August 2013). Whatever the profession, there is terminology and jargon that marks the user as an “insider,” and the library as a workplace is not immune from this tendency. Plus, given the dynamic and ever-changing field, there is always something new to learn. But with the ALA Glossary, I can quickly look up library terms and functions.

Originally posted to Goodreads

Canceled book-contract lawsuit draws attention to editing’s significance

An editor’s markup of a conservative media pundit’s manuscript — now part of a lawsuit’s documents — draws attention to the craft of editing and its role in publishing books.

Study examines prejudice against people on autism spectrum

A study published online in February 2017 proposes that, based upon “thin slice judgments” that occur within seconds of meeting a person who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, neurotypical peers are less likely to pursue social interaction with that person.
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‘DDC 22’ among books on my professional bookshelf

Books on my Goodreads “Currently Reading” shelf include titles that are essential resources for my vocation as librarian. Among them: DDC 22 (OCLC, 2003).

Under the Dewey Decimal System (DDC), informational books are grouped in order according to the number assigned to them. This consistent application means that, once you know the Dewey number for a subject you are interested in, you can easily find books on the shelves of any library that arranges materials by this system.

DDC 22 is the 22nd edition of the classification system, originally authored by Melvil Dewey.

The DDC is under continual revision by a committee of editors under the OCLC, a global library cooperative, and at the time I purchased my four-volume set, the OCLC had recently published its 23rd edition. Well, being on a budget, I couldn’t justify a purchase of several hundred dollars, but a used set of DDC 22 was thankfully within my reach. It lists Dewey Decimal classifications numerically and also provides an index to quickly look up specific subjects.

Yarn Bombing: Library Elf discovers a certain book

“Check This Out,” In a newspaper column, Anne DeGrace with the Nelson Public Library (Nelson in British Columbia) describes what happens when a Library Elf discovers the book about yarn bombing.

Posted to Yarn Bombing at Your Library on Facebook

‘Miles Morales’ by Jason Reynolds

Miles Morales is a 16-year-old from Brooklyn who lives a secret identity as Spider-Man. His father knows Miles' secret, as does his best friend Ganke, who rooms with Miles at a boarding school.

Lately, Miles’ “spidey-sense,” which warns him of imminent danger, has been going haywire in the class of a history professor who has a romantic view of slavery in the pre-Civil War South. Slavery, according to Mr. Chamberlain, was “the building block of our great country,” and the U.S.’s enslavement of criminals is what keeps the country alive.

Miles is also plagued by disturbing dreams of fighting a blurry assailant that becomes his uncle Aaron, but then becomes ... something else.

Sonoma County Library: ‘Next generation’ app

A new version of the Sonoma County Library app is now available for download from Android and Apple stores. As detailed on the SCL blog, this “next generation” app offers patrons “speedier and more detailed, direct access to our systems and services.” With it, mobile users (both library staff and patrons) can search for library materials using familar search fields, directly access eResources, locate information about and secure directions to the nearest library branch, manage personal account information and more.

‘Claws’ by Mike and Rachel Grinti

Emma, a young girl, occupies a world very much like our own — except that creatures of mythology exist as second-class citizens, lumped together by the slang term “Crag.”

Emma’s family has been in upheaval since her older sister went missing; her father sacrificed his career as a chef to pursue any possible leads into Helena’s disappearance.

The family has moved to a trailer park inhabited by various enchanted creatures, and shortly after their arrival, Emma meets a cat named Jack. He has a plan for how Emma can find and rescue her sister, but in doing so, Emma embarks upon becoming a magical creature herself.

This story appealed to me for its depiction of creatures of mythology living alongside humans in a modern-day setting that includes web browsing and the Internet. The “CragWiki” facts of the day add an interesting framework at the start of each chapter as well as added dimensions to the types of mythological characters.

Disclosure of material connection: My taxes support local libraries’ acquisition of this and other resources. I consider the access I enjoy to be a “priceless” return on my investment.

At CDC: ban on words, or rhetorical technique?

There are “no banned words” at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a series of Tweets by CDC director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald.

Volunteering for UUCSR Library

Volunteered for a couple of hours this morning in the Social Hall lending library, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Santa Rosa.

Teen librarian creates ‘Black Voices’ book list

At Rincon Valley Regional Library, Teen Services Librarian Lara Mayelian shares my belief that “Everyone should be able to walk into a library and see books that mirror their own life experiences.” (That’s Ms. Mayelian writing for the Sonoma County Library blog.) She asked me to help promote a new teen book list she’s created, titled, “Black Voices, Black Lives” — and each of her selections include shelving information to help you locate these resources in the library.

Library ‘diversity’ needs to include autistic perspectives

An autism parenting memoir, To Siri with Love, that was published in August, is now subject to calls for boycott in the autistic community for its representations of autism. A reaction by “Justin Spectrum” to autism-parenting books underscores the value of autistic perspectives when building a library’s collection.

‘The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade’

I thoroughly relate to stories about people who stand up to bullying, which led me to select The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade from the new-books shelf at my local library.

Sixth-grader Maverick Falconer carries a toy sheriff’s badge that was given to him by his father. It reminds him of his dad, who was killed in Afghanistan. And he also keeps it to inspire himself to make things better for the people around him. But somehow, things go disastrously wrong.

I think many young people will be able to relate to the situations that Maverick finds himself in, and hopefully some readers will be inspired to kindness and bravery.

Disclosure of material connection: My taxes support local libraries’ acquisition of this and other resources. I consider the access I enjoy to be a “priceless” return on my investment.

Winter-theme in SRCSA library

These winter-themed decorations at SRCSA Library really capture the beauty of the season; they’re the work of Library Technician Shannon Williams. SRCSA parents, maybe you’ll see them for yourselves if you attend “Coffee with the Principal” at 8:15 a.m. today.

SCL: Resiliency book list for teens

“During these times, when it seems like our reality can’t possibly get any worse... it can be incredibly helpful to reach for examples of resilience, survival, strength, and courage.” On the Sonoma County Library blog, Rincon Valley Library teen librarian Lara Mayelian has created a Natural Disasters and Resiliency book list for teens.

4,000 items cataloged in SRCSA resource inventory

Since May 2017, when I started working for Santa Rosa City Schools, I’ve created listings in the district’s resource-inventory catalog for more than than 4,000 items at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts (SRCSA). That’s according to a “Resource Inventory Change Analysis” generated by Follett Destiny’s “Resource Manager.”

Online access aided by public library

First weekend in a new apartment in Santa Rosa, Calif., and freelance work as an editor brought me to Sonoma County Library. I often make use of print and digital resources (including books, eBooks, DVDs and audio recordings) but today found me making use of access to the Internet. I’ve long celebrated the role of libraries to bridge the “digital divide” between people who do, and who do not, have reliable access to the Internet, so SCL especially deserves a “shout-out” today as I relied on it in that capacity.

Educational DVDs for viewing in classrooms

Among this paralibrarian’s recent adventures in cataloging: Educational films, produced by National Geographic, can now be checked out to educators at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.

Our Library Technician, Shannon Williams, purchased the DVDs with Scholastic Book Fair dollars, and I barcoded and cataloged them in our automated database for textbooks and educational resources.

SCL ‘Food for Fines’ to combat hunger

Donation barrels are set up at all branches of Sonoma County Library, for its Food for Fines annual collection drive in partnership with local food banks.

‘Walk and Roll,’ school gates close each Wednesday

School is out this week, in observance of Thanksgiving, but I want to reinforce “Walk and Roll” each Wednesday at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.

SCL: Panel discussions address ‘hot-button’ topics

Via Press Democrat staff writer Christi Warren: Sonoma County Library is hosting a series of panel discussions around the “hot-button topics” of immigration, climate change, blackness in America, women’s rights, LGBTQI issues and income inequality.
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Yarn bombing commemorates library anniversary

Image credit: Manchester Community Library on Facebook

In Manchester, Vermont: Artist Trish Weill and Youth Services Librarian Janet Kleinberg spearheaded a yarn-bombing by community members of the Manchester Community Library (MCL).
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Musical instruments, barcoded and cataloged

Musical instruments are being sent home with students at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, just as quickly as I can barcode and catalog them. I am checking these instruments out to students, the same way that they would have a library book checked-out before they removed it from the library.

As the Instructional Materials Technician at SRCSA, I utilize an automated library-and-resource catalog to barcode and inventory textbooks. (I call myself a “curriculum librarian.”) As you can see from this post, the practice applies toward musical instruments as well. Shown are a couple of clarinets and a couple of trumpets that are destined to go home with students.

‘Walk and Roll to School’ Wednesdays at SRCSA

Wednesdays are “Walk and Roll to School” days at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts! For the first time this week, we closed the yellow gates to the school parking lot on Wednesday; I was out in my bright yellow-green, reflective vest helping to redirect motorists.

SRCSA: School resumes Monday, Oct. 30

What a relief to return to work at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. During the weeks that we were uprooted from the family homestead, we endured so much uncertainty. Going back to work helps to reassert routine and normalcy.

Students are scheduled to resume classes on Monday, Oct. 30. According to statistics from Santa Rosa City Schools​, professional cleaning crews worked around-the-clock for a week to decontaminate schools and reopen them after the North Bay fires. The crews cleaned 2 million square feet of surfaces, and changed 3,000 air filters.

Bringing ‘librarian-mindset’ to my work at SRCSA

Someone asked me, “What is the last thing you are really proud of accomplishing?” Most recently I’m proud to bring a “librarian-mindset” to the role of Instructional Materials Technician (IMT) at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.

Fire Relief Fund for victims of North Bay fires

In response to firestorms that ravaged communities in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa counties, a North Bay Fire Relief Fund has been created by Redwood Credit Union (RCU) Community Fund in partnership with the Press Democrat and California Senator Mike McGuire (District 2, North Bay).

‘The Road Virus’ mobile bookstore

Image credit: The Road Virus on Facebook

I’ve long been intrigued by bookmobiles’ capability to expand a library’s physical reach — and so, The Road Virus was an especially memorable aspect of our stay in Sacramento.

Half of SRCS campuses to reopen next Friday

In the California fires’ aftermath: Classes resume Friday, Oct. 27, at 13 sites, Santa Rosa City Schools. The group of 13 schools serves approximately half of the district’s student population according to an article by Eloísa Ruano González in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

District officials will determine on Monday, the re-opening date for 11 more campuses, among them Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. This SRCS employee, while eager to get back to work, appreciates that student safety is at the forefront in back-to-school considerations.

During emergencies: Information is essential

Image credit: Nixle

During the past two weeks, I’ve faced an ongoing need for up-to-date and credible information about the California fires. Compounding this issue, I haven’t always been in places that had access to the Internet.

Putting distance between ourselves and fires

Midweek found Jonathan and me, with Starfire, in the Sacramento area. After our evacuation Sunday night from fires in Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino counties, we decided not to remain in the area where we’d resettled once it received an advisory to evacuate.

We knew that an advisory could, too-quickly, become the real thing and increasing our distance made a vital difference — not only for our physical safety, but for psychological peace of mind. Also, by being well away, the air we breathe is much healthier too.

Walking Starfire at Woodland library

As a paralibrarian, I appreciate the uniqueness of a historic Carnegie library, still used for that purpose today -- even if the circumstance behind our visit to Woodland Public Library was to remove ourselves from proximity to fires in Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties.

With Starfire on her harness, the two of us explored the Woodland library exterior before continuing our journey with Jonathan. This writing finds us safely installed at a hotel in Sacramento.

Here’s a description of the Woodland library from its Facebook page:

“Woodland Public Library is the oldest working Carnegie library in California. Built in 1905, the Mission Revival building continues to be an ideal place to pursue interests, learn, attend programs, and socialize, as well as borrow reading, viewing, and listening materials.”

Starfire’s carrier, her special safe space

What a valiant little traveler our sweet cat Starfire has been during recent events. Jonathan and I, with Starfire, had to quickly evacuate during an initial outbreak of fire on Sunday evening, Oct. 8. After that, we moved around while we looked for a safe place to settle — and while being put in a carrier is not Starfire’s favorite thing, she came to accept it as her special safe place during on-the-road uncertainties.

Evacuated, but safe

Jonathan and I were evacuated late Sunday night because of fires in the Sonoma and Napa County areas. Know that our precious cat Starfire is with us, and we are safe.

SRCSA Spirit: Narwhal hoodie with gold trim

Beginning Friday, Oct. 6, every Friday will be “School Colors Day” at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.
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I’m a ‘Curriculum Librarian’

I’ve referred to myself as a “Textbook Librarian” to describe the similarities between my current work as Instructional Materials Technician, and my past job as Library Assistant — but the term, I’ve decided, doesn’t convey everything I do.

Banned Books Week: 2016’s ‘Top 10’

Each year, the last week in September is observed as Banned Books Week, an annual expression of support for “the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”

SRCSA: New books to catalog and barcode

Check out these wonderful new books for Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, delivered by Santa Rosa City Schools. Between cataloging, barcoding and delivery to classrooms, there are busy times ahead for this “textbook librarian” — and that’s exactly how I like it.

Children’s books for resistance to climate of empowered bigotry

The current U.S. President, with his expressions of prejudice, uniquely empowers people to engage in bigoted behavior openly — and the worst and longest-lasting legacy of the “Bully-in-Chief” may be lessons in how-to-hate that adults are passing on to children. At Bustle, contributor Aisha Saeed recommends six picture books she is reading to her children to help them navigate current events.
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‘Location’ enhances ability to track library resources

Cataloging is essential to tracking a library’s resources — in this case, inventory of educational items among Santa Rosa City Schools. Bringing a librarian-mindset to my job as Instructional Materials Technician, I’m creating records for resources in-use at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.

Accession of new instructional materials at SRCSA

Cataloging is essential to tracking available resources

Friday was another active day for this Instructional Materials Technician, who regularly makes deliveries to classrooms at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts.

Yarn Bombing at Your Library: Centereach, N.Y.

Credit: MCPL on Facebook

At Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, N.Y., volunteers are yarn-bombing trees with thousands of crocheted circles created earlier in the year through the “Crochet It!” community project.
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SSU Library, highlight of move back home

Image credit: SSU Library

One of the highlights of our return to the Sonoma County area is the Sonoma State University Library. When I attended classes, the library was housed in the Ruben Salazar building — and it was easily one of the most significant places on the SSU campus for me.

‘Schooled in Magic’ by Christopher G. Nuttall

I’m a long-time enthusiast for fantasy, especially with female protagonists.

Schooled in Magic by Christopher G. Nuttall (Twilight Times Books, 2014) brings Emily, a girl from our modern world, into a world of magic, based on an interpretation by an evil sorcerer’s minions of a prophesied “Child of Destiny.”

Once arrived in this world, and rescued from the evil sorcerer by an enigmatic wizard named Void, Emily finds herself enrolled in a school for magicians.

An ongoing premise concerns the “modern” conveniences that Emily wishes she could have brought with her, including some ideas that she manages to introduce among this new world’s populace. These passages inspire taking a fresh look at conveniences often taken for granted.
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SRCS board to review ‘Summer School’ highlights

Among highlights of the Sept. 13 meeting of the Board of Trustees, Santa Rosa City Schools, is a summary of general data and highlights of Summer Extended Learning Programs.
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‘LearningExpress’ through Sonoma County Library

I wasn’t able to vote “Yes” for Measure Y in support of increased funding for Sonoma County Library; at the time I had not yet relocated back from Ashland, Oregon. But I encouraged area readers to cast their votes in support.
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FOSS Kits, special-delivery to SRCSA classrooms

Active day for this “textbook librarian” at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, with a delivery of “Full Option Science System” Kits.The several-box Kits feature hands-on components for science education. I sorted boxes delivered from-district into complete sets and then delivered them to classrooms: two for second grade and two for sixth.

‘Asshole Survival Guide’ by Robert I. Sutton

Regular readers will know that I place ongoing importance upon the subject of bullying, which is not merely confined to childhood. Adults can be the targets and perpetrators too.

Since writing his book about “building civilized workplaces,” The No Asshole Rule, author Robert I. Sutton was besieged with questions by readers about what they should do to deal with abusive people at work. In The Asshole Survival Guide (Houghton Mifflin, September 2017), Sutton shares strategies and tips that he developed over the years.

Sutton cautions readers that there is no one strategy that will work for every type of jerk, nor easy and instant relief; his intention is for readers to decide for themselves, “which survival tricks and moves are best for navigating the particular ugliness you face.”

Autism symbology: Puzzle connotations are negative

A study finds that the puzzle-piece representation of autism creates associations that are overwhelmingly negative: “imperfection, incompletion, uncertainty, difficulty, the state of being unsolved, and, most poignantly, being missing” — all of which are regularly exploited by “Autism Speaks” propoganda.

The study asks, Is it time to ditch the puzzle piece as a symbol of autism?

In the authors’ words: “If an organization’s intention for using puzzle-piece imagery is to evoke negative associations, our results suggest the organization’s use of puzzle-piece imagery is apt. However, if the organization’s intention is to evoke positive associations, our results suggest that puzzle-piece imagery should probably be avoided.”
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Cataloging textbooks: mobile set-up brings librarian to the books

This librarian is mobile! At Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts this week, I began cataloging textbooks in our resource-management system. Portable set-up lets me bring my work after-school into classrooms, where I can create item records and then check items out to educators.

Back-to-school prep in SRCSA library

Finished out a busy week preparing for the new school year at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. By the end of my shift on Friday in SRCSA Library, I’d successfully located boxes of curriculum from a large go-through pile. I compared these resources against a check-list of items that had been requested by teachers. Then I loaded items onto a book-cart, and delivered them to classrooms. The “other side of the coin,” of course, is clearing away out-of-date items. With a book-truck and cart, I removed items from a classroom in preparation to send them back-to-district.

Escondido considering outsourced library management

For the San Diego Union Tribune, reporter J. Harry Jones relates that the Escondido Library Board of Trustees unanimously decided to recommend that the City Council not outsource library operations to Library Systems and Services.

Bicycle in SRCSA library

Brought my bicycle to work with me on Wednesday in the library at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. Once we’ve fully effected our move, this workplace scene will be a daily reality. I’ll be able to commute every day on foot, via public transportation, or on bicycle.

Also posted to Librarian on a Bicycle

‘The Blue Girl’ by Charles de Lint

Charles de Lint is one of my favorite authors, for his infusion of magic and fantasy into everyday modern cityscapes.

Having recently read and enjoyed The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, it was an unexpected treat to discover an uncorrected bound proof of The Blue Girl (Firebird, 2006) in my favorite second-hand bookstore.

This book is ideally positioned for inclusion in a Young Adult library collection. The protagonists, Imogene and Maxine, face bullying from the “popular” kids, plus having to deal with their growing independence while living under a parent’s rules.
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Sorting textbooks in SRCSA library

I returned this week, for the new school year, to Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts, where I work as a “textbook librarian.” (My official job title is “Instructional Materials Technician.”) Feels great to be at the renovated campus and in SRCSA Library, where I’m wading through math curriculum. I just feel so at-home when I am working in a library, and I’m grateful for this opportunity that allowed my family to return to northern California.

‘In Real Life’ by Cory Doctorow

Anda, a teen girl who has just moved to a new school, is inspired to join a guild in a massive multiplayer role-playing game, at the invitation of the guild’s organizer, who came to speak to her high-school computer class.

A more experienced player soon invites Anda on missions with real-world earning potential: money will be deposited in her PayPal account if she kills “gold farmers” in the game.

At first, Anda is excited by the opportunity to earn easy money; she dispatches gold farmers, and has money to buy snacks for her Sci-Fi Club at school.

But Anda discovers that the gold farmers she is killing are not game-generated “bots,” but people who make a living under grueling conditions: during 12-hour shifts at computers, they direct their in-game avatars to collect artifacts. Their employer sells these resources to players who want to “level up” or acquire online possessions without putting in their own effort.
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Xian Yeagan, arts council web master, dies

Source of image: Xian Yeagan’s Facebook timeline

Sad loss to the arts community in Lake County, Calif.: Xian Yeagan died at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, in San Francisco (according to posts on his Facebook timeline).

I knew Xian as an artist, and also worked with him through the Lake County Arts Council. He was its web editor, and I edited “ArtNotes,” the arts council’s quarterly members’ newsletter, from 2006 to 2010. I greatly valued his prolific contributions of photos and informative articles.

Diverse book collections begin with honest assessment

Image credit: The Children’s Chalice. Books showing diversity of language

In Olympia, Wash., a church’s director of religious education took an unflinching look with her students at how diverse the program’s book collection was — discovering that while they had many books showing people with diverse skin colors, there was still “a very tall pile of books” that only had white people in them, without “anywhere near enough books that feature diversity in ability, sexual orientation, or gender.” Honest assessments like this are a great starting place for determining whether every child in a library’s (or a classroom’s) population will find books that speak to their personal experiences and validate their cultural identities. My appreciation to “DRESara” for sharing this process with her readership.

‘Cat Zero’ by Jennifer L. Rohn

I found Cat Zero by Jennifer L. Rohn (Biting Duck Press, January 2018) to be very suspenseful in its treatment of a virus outbreak, and could emotionally relate to the urgency of keeping the virus contained.

The story was well-done, with characters who seemed like real people, complete with preconceptions and biases that affected the work at-hand. I foresee this book especially appealing to people who like medical thrillers.

The best parts of the story, for me, were when Artie and the other researchers attempted to piece together information and solve the mystery of the virus, and I kept waiting for the moment when someone would connect the lethal virus affecting cats, to the contagion spreading among humans. (That link was depicted in the story’s opening pages, so I don’t think this insight is a spoiler.)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinion expressed is my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

‘The Blue Cat of Castle Town’

One of the consistent joys of my life is reading fantasy stories involving cats.

The Blue Cat of Castle Town is a delightful story by Catherine Cate Coblentz, illustrated by Janice Holland. Originally published in 1949 by the Countryman Press, it was released by Dover in 2017 as an unabridged reproduction.

Blue cats are born with a rare ability to learn the song of the river — and one such cat is born near a small town in Vermont, during the 19th Century.

The blue cat faces a unique challenge beyond those of ordinary cats. “Not only must the kitten who sings the river’s song find a hearth to fit that song, but he must teach the keeper of that hearth to sing the same song. ... For if the river’s song rise no longer from the hearthside, then it is said, the very days of the land itself are numbered.”
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Trump’s speech to Boy Scouts ‘toxic beyond rhetoric’

Bullying takes on especially-high priority with a U.S. President in office who’s been dubbed “Bully in Chief.” One recent incident concerns interjection of “political rhetoric” by U.S. President Donald Trump into a speech that he delivered during Boy Scouts of America’s 20th National Jamboree. An invitation to the current president to visit has been a long-standing Jamboree tradition according to “ScoutingWire.”
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Library resources aid in fight against bullying

Among member libraries, the summer-reading theme this year for the Collaborative Summer Library Program was “Building a Better World.” In Scottsbluff, Neb., the Gering and Lied Scottsbluff Public Libraries wrapped up their summer reading programs with a bullying-prevention presentation by ventriloquist Kevin Horner.
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Bullying: Young age comes as no surprise

My ‘No Bully’ mugshot

In a piece for the Wall Street Journal (summarized by A Mighty Girl), Laura Barbour observes that children as young as 2 1/2 engage in relational aggression.

That is, they deliberately shun or withhold friendship in order to punish another child.

This revelation came as zero-surprise to me, as I was a school-wide outcast. I remember my first day of kindergarten at Calistoga Elementary; I felt completely awkward and alone, like an absolute alien — a visitor marooned on an unfamiliar planet with no guidelines to relate to its inhabitants.

This feeling of separation continued through my time at Calistoga Junior-Senior High. If friendship was offered to me, I had difficulty recognizing it; I have too-vivid memories of playground taunts, of being shoved in hallways, and of being told by one classmate that she would only be my friend in-secret, when no one else was around.

I could only react with suspicion when classmates showed interest in me — for example, inviting me to talk about a subject I cared about. I was convinced they were only doing it, so they could laugh about it behind my back.

With its summary of Laura Barbour’s article, A Mighty Girl recommends several excellent books about bullying; some (by Tracy Ludwig) were already familiar to me, but I look forward to reading some of the others through my crusade to speak out against bullying.

Yarn Bombing: ‘Maker Day’ at Bill Library

Artisans, crafters and hobbyists demostrated their skills during a Maker Day event at the Bill Library, Saturday, July 22, in Ledyard, Conn. The library started its maker program about two years ago and holds monthly hands-on classes.
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Sandra Wade, former poet laureate, dies

From 2006: Sandra Wade (center) inaugurated as Lake County Poet Laureate

Sandra Wade, a former Poet Laureate of Lake County, Calif., died Tuesday, July 18. Sandra was a staunch advocate for local culture as Lake County Poet Laureate, so supportive and nurturing of other Lake County writers. I always enjoyed learning about the different places she’d gone to read and represent Lake County to a broader artistic community.

The photo above is from the Summer 2006 ArtNotes, a quarterly newsletter of the Lake County Arts Council. Photographed by Xian Yeagan, the image shows Sandra, center, being inaugurated as Lake County Poet Laureate for 2006-2008. Flanking her are finalists Janet Riehl, left, and Fran Ransley, right.

Sandra’s obituary, published in the Lake County Record-Bee, relates:

“Former poet laureate of Lake County and local radio show host, Sandra Wade, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Sandra had returned to her native England where she lived in Halisham. She was surrounded by her loving family. She enriched the lives of many with her work as a massage therapist, a yoga teacher and a weaver of words. She is greatly missed.”

‘From Bully to Bull’s Eye’ by Andrew Faas

Many people, according to Andrew Faas, relate the word “bullying” to what happens in schools; they don’t associate workplace behaviors with bullying until, Faas says, he describes the dynamics of bullying with words like “abuse,” “coercion,” “exploitation,” “extortion,” “harassment,” and “threats.”

In From Bully to Bull’s Eye (RCJ Press, 2016), Faas argues that workplace bullying extends beyond an incident or conflict between a bully and target at work. According to Faas, “entire workplace cultures in many organizations are built on foundational principles that guarantee a toxic environment for all, not just a few select victims of particularly vitriolic harassment.”

Medford ‘Friends’ giant book-clearance event

Southern Oregon readers, note: Friends of the Medford Library​ is holding a “giant” book-clearance event, its “largest event ever,” noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 28, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the central library in Medford, Jackson County Library Services - Oregon​. The latest “Friends” newsletter features details of this event, as well as other news of interest. During the “sale,” you can take whatever — and however many — books you like, and leave a donation of your choice. Three rooms of books will include large selections of science fiction, fiction and other categories, including record albums and other audio/visual materials.

Starfire has shared our home for six years

Six years ago, our precious cat Starfire joined our household. Every day since then, she has been a perpetual delight.

Jonathan brought Starfire home on July 15, 2011. Here she is, peering out from beneath a dresser during her first night at home with us.

Starfire’s name evokes her color, which is nearly all black. She has white “stars” on her chest and belly. On her right hind foot, Starfire has a broken or deformed toe and she limps on hard ground or during cold weather. Her personality is full of zeal for exploration and play.

Starfire joined us shortly after the death of our 13-year-old cat Elizabeth. Starfire had been fending for herself after her former caregiver suffered a severe stroke.

Her arrival in our home was a case of us needing her as badly as she needed us. The place felt lonely without the presence of a cat and Starfire was in need of a caregiver.

Once over the stress of an unfamiliar environment, Starfire brought so much life and energy to our home; she continues to bless us daily.

‘Bicycling Rules of the Road’

Devin's mother gives him rules for safely riding his bicycle, but once on his bike, he tries but fails to remember what he should and should not do.

He agrees to give his friend Betsy a ride on his handlebars — with immediate loss of visibility and bicycle maneuverability.

Things go from bad to worse as, one by one, Devin acts counter to another bicycling safety rule and soon an entire basketball team, their goat mascot and a rescued cat are all precariously balanced with him and Betsy on his bicycle.

Kelly Pulley relates an entertaining story that carries a serious message in Bicycling Rules of the Road (Schiffer Publishing, November 2017). Brightly colored illustrations, rhyming text and humorous storyline make this book ideal when reinforcing for children, the importance of safely riding a bicycle.

The rules can all be found in a note to Devin from his mother, making them easy to reference and reinforce with children when reading the story aloud. Nothing is ambiguous; each choice by Devin has a consequence and the text makes cause-and-effect clear.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinion expressed is my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Also posted to Librarian on a Bicycle

Summer-School: Session 2 begins July 10

The second session of Santa Rosa City Schools’ high-school credit recovery begins on Monday, July 10.
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‘Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard’

Among books I’m reading, The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan is the second in his series featuring heroes and gods of Norse mythology, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard.

Like Riordan’s series that center around Egyptian and Greek and Roman mythology, Magnus Chase combines trademark action with wry first-person storytelling.

The protagonist, Magnus, was a seemingly ordinary teen, who was living homeless at the time of the series’ opening.

Magnus died early in the series’ first book, but he was transported to Valhalla by a Valkyrie, Samirah al-Abbas. The Valkyries gather the souls of people who have died a hero’s death, and Samirah’s judgement was critically challenged on the basis of her choosing Magnus.

SRCSA library, books and shelves moved-in

Source of image: SRCSA Library on Facebook

Posts to Facebook by Library Technician Shannon Williams afford glimpses of the library at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts (SRCSA) — of interest to me as my eventual work-site as Instructional Materials Technician, as well as through my “geekishness” for libraries.
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Library customer-service priorities reflected in posts to RVUUF blog

Image credit: inSpirit/UU Book and Gift Shop

I’ve left Ashland, Oregon, but continue to work as web content editor for Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Recent posts to the RVUUF blog are aligned with my passion for library customer-service; they draw attention to informational resources that enhance the church community.
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