‘Brief’ catalog records, rehabilitated

This item’s catalog record includes a summary and identifies grade-level interest

One of the ways I utilize my training in library technical services is to augment “brief” catalog records. A “brief” catalog record contains only the bare minimum of information about an item in a library. Maybe it includes the item’s name, the name of the author, the ISBN, and the assigned call number, maybe the name of the publisher and the date of publication.

SRCSA library’s ‘Scholar Dollar Store’

Check out the new and improved “Scholar Dollar Store,” which I operate out of the library at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. Appreciation to School for the Arts Community Organization, which provided available wares. In so many ways, this organization supports and enhances our school, and providing merchandise for the Scholar Dollar store is one of those myriad ways. Posters cost five “Rock Stars” or “Scholar Dollars” apiece, and pencils and bookmarks each cost one. Among store highlights, school-logo “Narwhal” pencils are especially popular.

National Poetry Month in SRCSA library

This collage, featuring print-outs from the cover-art for various books of poetry, is part of a display honoring National Poetry Month in SRCSA library. With it, I put out books of poetry from the library collection. We serve a Kindergarten through eighth-grade population, so my hope is that there is something for all ages represented among the images and books.

Book-cleaning rags from old towel

“Greener” tools for book care in the library: this stack of book-cleaning rags were repurposed from an old towel. I cut the towel into smaller pieces, and bound the raw edges with my Serger. Now they’re ready to embark on their new life, used for cleaning books.

SR libraries Friends sale, last day is today

Made some great finds in children's books during the spring book sale, hosted by Friends of the Santa Rosa Libraries at the Veterans Memorial Building (1351 Maple Ave. in Santa Rosa). Here's a photo showing a few of the selections that I brought back with me. If you haven't yet had a chance to visit the Friends spring book sale, it continues today (Monday, April 8) from 2 to 6 p.m. Today is "Bag Day;" for $5 per bag, you can stuff a bag full of books. Proceeds benefit Santa Rosa libraries in the Sonoma County Library system.

Measure Y supports book-repair class, makes me better librarian

In honor of National Library Week, which begins today, here’s appreciation to Sonoma County Library and supporters of Measure Y. That investment by voters helped to support a recent book-mending class, which will enhance my ability to provide great customer service at Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts. Here’s a bag of book-mending supplies that I brought back from the class; I’ve already put them to use in SRCSA library.

Teen Poetry Slam at Rohnert Park library

Here’s something that our middle-school students might be interested in: a Teen Poetry Slam at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library. “This Sonoma County-wide event is open to performers between the ages of 13-19, and Sonoma County teens will also serve as the emcees, judges, and scorekeepers.” The order of events includes an open mic at 3 p.m., a performance by featured teen poet Estrella Pacheco at 3:30 p.m., and the Poetry Slam at 4 p.m. Sign-ups for the open mic will be taken at the door. To compete in the Poetry Slam, email temerson@sonomalibrary.org.