‘Practica hace Perfecto: Tiempos verbales españoles’

(En español / In Spanish)
Este libro me ayudará a aprender español: Tiempos verbales españoles por Dorothy Richmond. Señora Richmond es una maestra de español, y la autora of cinco libros en la serie Practica hace Perfecto. Aprenderé mucho de este libro.

(In English / En inglés)
This book will help me learn Spanish: Spanish Verb Tenses by Dorothy Richmond. Mrs. Richmond is a teacher of Spanish and the author of five books in the Practice Makes Perfect series. I will learn a lot from this book.

‘Stories Alive,’ student writings in Bellview library

A beautiful bound collection of students’ writing, circa 2016, can be read in Bellview library courtesy of “Stories Alive.”

ALA resists cuts to federal library funding

At “District Dispatch,” American Library Association President Julie Todaro shares ways that library professionals can fight U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts in federal funding. Todaro states that while it is unclear at this time how deeply federal library funding will be impacted, “One thing we all know for certain: Real people will be impacted if these budget proposals are carried through.”

Animal photographs illustrate ‘fake news’

With fake news the subject of enormous concern in education/information communities, I want to highlight a new arrival in Bellview library that broaches the subject with young readers. The April 2017 issue of National Geographic Kids presents outrageous animal photos and asks if they are “real or fake.” It also presents guidelines to help readers separate “real-life headlines" from “phony-baloney stories.” This is a very timely subject, and I think the animal pictures make it especially accessible, something that children can relate to.

Patricia Gallagher Picture Book Award

In Bellview library, I’m drawing staff attention to the Patricia Gallagher Picture Book Award. This year’s nominated titles are available in Bellview library, with voting open until April 30.

‘Se requieren habilidades bilingües en español’

(En español / In Spanish)
Leyendo un anuncio para trabajar en una biblioteca: “Se requieren habilidades bilingües en español.” Quiero hablar con los usuarios de la biblioteca en el idioma que entienden. Por ahora, hablo y entiendo sólo un poco de español, pero estoy estudiando. Las entradas de mi blog escritas en español son parte de mi práctica regular. Busco palabras que no conozco.

(In English / En inglés)
Reading an advertisement for work in a library: “Spanish bilingual skills are required.” I want to talk with library patrons in the language they understand. For now, I speak and understand only a little Spanish, but I am studying. Blog entries written in Spanish are part of my regular practice. I look up words I don’t know.

Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County

Image credit: Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County

Among things seen that I liked during a recent visit to Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa, Calif., the Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County gives away free books at locations throughout the region.

Library professionals combat ‘fake news’

According to Julie B. Todaro, American Library Association president, “one of the biggest assignments” facing the library professional is to combat “fake news” and help readers to verify credible authors as well as accuracy and purpose of content.

“We have decades of research data, curricula, best practices, tutorials, and marketing approaches to combat this scourge. But now more than ever we have to step forward on this topic because it’s no longer business as usual.”

Todaro suggests library workers can learn from a powerful shift in language being engaged in by journalists: “Reporters and anchors who used to say that ‘X is speaking today on Y’ now say ‘X is giving his or her impression of Y.’”

‘Friends of the Library’ sales yield treasure

I often find such wonderful treasures during “Friends of the Library” book-sale events and this morning I ducked into the Spring 2017 Book Sale during a visit to Sonoma County Library’s Central Library in Santa Rosa, Calif. Amid sale offerings, How to Get Your Child to Love Reading by Esmé Raji Codell seemed perfect given my deep interest in library service to children.

Women’s History Month in Bellview library

For Women’s History Month, I brought out this posterboard display that I created during my first spring in Bellview library: a collage of cut-outs featuring U.S. astronaut Sally Ride, Sacagawea, who guided Lewis and Clark on their expedition; and First Lady Michelle Obama. The posterboard is accompanied by several titles from the library’s collection of biographies: civil rights activists, artists, aviators, politicians, sports figures and more.

bodyCushion2™ promotional carousel slide

I’ve worked part-time since April 2015 for Body Support Systems, the creator and manufacturer of the bodyCushion™, a set of cushions specially engineered for use during massage and other physical therapy treatments.