It's a Rainy Day, It's a Rainy Day!

It really is a rainy day and we haven't had too many of those lately. We probably need two or three days of soaking rain to get our water levels up. We will still complain, however, about getting wet and ruined plans and how just plain annoying it is to have a truly rainy day.

Rainy days at the library are never fun. People stay home and don't come visit us or they dash in and drop their wet books on the counter and run back out between the rain drops. We look around for paper towels to dry off the wet items and plastic bags to put books in for a the few people who do show up. There is a whole rainy day routine.

A rainy or snowy (hate to mention that word in September) day doesn't have to separate you from your library, however. By accessing the library homepage on your computer at home, there is a plethora of opportunities waiting for you. I know you use the homepage or you wouldn't be reading this blog, but do you really use the homepage? Have you clicked on all the links to check out library programs, on line data bases and related Ledyard homepages? Just by clicking on the library catalog and going to my account, you can view the items you have checked out, renew any coming due before the rain stops and check to see if any of your requests have arrived at the library, so you can decide if a trip out in the rain is worth it. You can also search the library catalog and request books, movies, audios or magazines that are of interest to you. Check out the downloadable audio link to view the titles that are available to download to your computer and portable listening device (MP3 player, not Ipod), no matter where you are in the world, rainy or not.

So even though it is a rainy day and we can't go out and play, there is still so much that your library offers you.

Read a Good Book Lately?

While you were sitting on the beach or under the wide blue sky this summer, did you read a really good book? Every time someone comes in the library and asks me that question, I never quite know what to answer. Yes, I read a lot of good books over the summer, but my good books may not be your good books. Do you like to read fiction or nonfiction? Do you like mystery or romance? You may think the newest Stephen King is great but I would be scared to death just thinking about one of his books. I wouldn't read a James Patterson book if you paid me, well yes, if you paid me I would, that is just an expression, but I would never pick up one of his books by choice. I wouldn't open a Danielle Steel or a Nora Roberts. In fact, I almost never read anything that appears on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Best sellers, or I must be a changin', however, because I just looked at a recent list and I have read three of the top fiction and one of the nonfiction. I will leave the titles to your imagination, but let me know the good books you have been reading lately and I might just tell.

What is a library?

It is a very changing world we live in. Everyone knows communication and access to information have changed tremendously in a few short years. The library is in the business of dispensing information, yet I wonder if your perception of the library has kept time with the other changes you have accepted in your daily life.

I am hopeful that when you think of a library, the image you get isn't an elderly lady in a bun saying ssh! and guarding her books. We have gotten beyond that, haven't we? After that, I assume your images are all different. Maybe you remember the colorful picture books of the children's department you used to visit or the magazines you browsed through while waiting for your children. Possibly you were a mystery reader once upon a time or loved paperback romances. Do you think those items are all gone? Or worse, do you think we have the same ones on the shelf and there is nothing new for you?

I work in a library, so obviously my perception could be different from yours. I picture a busy place, with patrons browsing shelves of every imaginable genre of fiction and both scholarly and popular nonfiction. People are typing away at computers, paging through the newest issue of a variety of magazines or checking out the latest cd or dvd. A man is chatting with a librarian about the latest David Baldacci novel or someone is stopping by on their way home or to the soccer game to pick up their items they have on hold.

When you think of a library, what do you see?

Summer Reading is Over! But That's Not All

Yes, summer reading is over, or it will be on Saturday, August 2 at 1:00. Get those reading hours and read to me sheets in before the clock strikes 1. We will also be drawing five winners at each library of the Bug Your Parents to Read contest. It has been great seeing all the entries from our reading families.

For those who have been procrastinating all summer, there are still over three weeks before the school buses run. So stop in to pick up the books from the school recommended summer reading lists. If you or your high school student are planning on reading the One Book One Region selection, Life is So Good, there is a waiting list, so get your request in as soon as possible.

Teens don't forget the ice cream social at Gales Ferry Library on August 15 at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded and you get to brainstorm ideas for future teen programs.

One Book One Region programs run through out August with the culmination of the program coming September 23-25 when co-author Richard Glaubman returns to the area to speak in Norwich, New London and Groton. For more information go to www.onebookoneregion.org.

Summer reading may be over but there is more summer to come.

One Book One Region

One Book One Region, or OBOR, has been around for several years in Southeastern Connecticut,
It is a collective effort of area libraries to select one book annually for everyone in the region to read and discuss. Over the years, we have read classics, like Fahrenheit 451 or newcomers, such as, The Kite Runner. All of the chosen titles have touched on current topics of discussion including prejudice, censorship, illegal immigration and poverty.

The OBOR group meets during the winter to chose a title. Many books are reviewed before the final selection. An attempt is made to find a book with a living author willing to visit the area and also available in different reading and listening formats. The author visits the area in the spring for the kick off and returns in September for several appearances. During the summer, area libraries hold book discussions and programming involving the chosen topic.

The book selected this year is Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. The book follows the life of Mr. Dawson through his 100 + years, with the theme of overcoming adversity and life getting better. Since George Dawson did not learn to read until he was 98, it also explores the benefits of literacy.

Using these themes, Marty Hubbard, Senior Assistant Librarian, has organized a wonderful selection of activities for adults this summer. I am a bit late in writing, to invite you to the first two excellent movies, "Nightjohn" and "There Was Always Sun Shining Someplace", but both are available to borrow from the library. Don't miss the next two movies "Resting Place" on Wednesday, July 30 and "Pride of Jesse Hallam" on August 5. Both will be shown at Bill Library at 7:00 p.m.

Two more programs will also be held at Bill Library this summer. Wednesday, August 6, representatives from Elderhostel and Adventures in Lifelong Learning will speak at 7:00 p.m. The following week, August 13, at the same time, Susan Townsley, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Southeastern Connecticut, will speak on literacy and their programs.

The Ledyard Libraries will hold their discussion of Life is So Good, on Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m at Bill Library. Susan Topping from Three Rivers will lead the discussion. If you haven't read the book yet, call either of the libraries or go online to reserve your copy.

One Book One Region. What a great idea! Join in.

Summer Reading

The last two weeks have been very busy here at the Ledyard Libraries. School is out and children are pouring in to play the summer reading games. I just haven't had the time to write. Hopefully, you have all been too busy to read because you were preparing for your own summer vacations. Probably not the ten week variety like the school children, but at least a week or two in some warm, sunny location where you can just relax, forget about work and read a good book.

That's right! Haven't you all just been waiting for those great beach reads that seem to hit the shelves every year, just as you are heading off to soak up the sun. While you are packing for the long weekend coming up or daydreaming about your plans for August, here is a list of new books that will fit nicely in your beach bag. Library books, however, prefer to stay high and dry.

If you are looking to solve global warming or find world peace, I will do another list for you later. This list is for pure enjoyment.

Fearless Fourteen. Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum rides again.
The Host. Stephanie Meyer-The Twilight author for grownups.
Sail. James Patterson- Yes, another Patterson book.
Chasing Harry Winston. Lauren Weisberger- More gossip from the author of The Devil Wears Prada
Love the One You're With. Emily Giffin- Depends on who you are vacationing with?
Nothing to Lose. Lee Child- The latest Jack Reacher.
The Beach House. Jane Green- The first of several that just scream summer reading.
Summer Blowout. Claire Cook - The second " " " ".
Moon Shell Beach. Nancy Thayer - The third " " " ".
Odd Hours. Dean Koontz - Scary and odd once again.
Sleeping Arrangements. Madelaine Wickham - The real Sophie Kinsella.
Phantom Prey. John Sandford - The umpteenth prey novel.
The Queen of Babble Gets Hitched. Meg Cabot - For those who loved the Princess Diaries.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames. David Sedaris. Only 3% fiction but a great read.
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. Chelsea Handler- For those having a fun vacation.

A little something for everyone to enjoy for summer reading.

What was Dewey Doing?

Many of you have some knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System, but do you know who came up with the system? In the library world, we have many reasons to be thankful for Melvil Dewey.

Mr. Dewey was born in the hamlet of Adams Center, New York in 1851. For those of you who didn't grow up in another hamlet, not far from Adams Center, like I did, more information might be necessary. Adams Center is located in Jefferson County, which borders Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in northern New York State. Adams Center is about ten miles south of Watertown, the largest city in the county. It was reported in Melvil's obituary that he walked to Watertown to purchase his first dictionary.

From his humble beginnings, however, Melvil Dewey went on to Amherst College, where he received both bachelor and masters degrees. It was while working in the college library that he came up with his decimal system of classifying books. This system uses numbers to divide all subjects into ten main classifications. Those ten sections are further broken down into subject areas that are represented by decimals. Although subjects have changed over the last 130 years, Dewey's system has accommodated those changes. He may have never forseen computers, but they were able to fit nicely into 000-099. Take a look in the 100's for philosophy, 200's are religion, 300's social sciences, 400's language, 500's pure sciences, 600's technology and applied sciences, 700's the arts, 800's literature and 900's geography and history. Since most public libraries use Melvil's system, you can be assured of finding what you are looking for whatever library you visit.

Mr. Dewey didn't stop with his decimal system, however. He went on to establish the first library science school and found the American Library Association and the Library Journal. He was even on the organizing committee for the Lake Placid Winter Olympics in 1932. Unfortunately, he died in December of 1931, but not before accomplishing much in his 80 years.