February 29

I couldn't pass up the chance to blog on February 29. After all, you only get that chance once every four years.

Since it only appears once every four years, I don't think the date gets much respect. I distinctly remember the old rhyme from elementary school - Thirty days has September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31, except February which has 28 and then my memory is completely gone. It was just too hard to remember, even though it probably rhymed. Poor old February 29 is just like Rodney Dangerfield and it can't even try harder. I have not seen any movements afoot to have it every two years, for instance.

There is one benefit, however. If you are born on February 29, you only have to celebrate a birthday every four years. That could come in handy, except for those occasions when you really do want to own up to your age, like turning 60 and not having to pay library fines anymore. So everyone who turned 15 today make sure you get your library record updated!

Good bye February 29. See you again in four years!

Hard to Say Good Bye

Kathy Drury has been the library secretary forever. Well, maybe not forever, but it seems like she invented the position. She was there when I first worked at the library in 1988 and there when I returned in 2000. After today, she won't be there. The Ledyard Libraries will never be quite the same.

Kathy didn't just type letters, create catalog cards and spine labels, process books, order supplies, pick up papers and the mail, file and do video/audio swaps . Kathy kept us all from taking ourselves too seriously. She always had a remark to cover the occasion perfectly. I will always remember her glee when I sat down at the computer next to her desk to struggle with the library commission treasurer's report. My fledgling computer skills and frustration were her entertainment for the day. Or how she continually asked if I had gotten that boy a cat yet. For the record, that boy is 23, so I guess she has been here almost forever.

Kathy has been both the backbone and the heart of the library. We will try to stand strong without her. We will welcome her replacement and look forward to her expertise and style, but it just won't seem quite right without that impish grin and chuckle as we go about our day here at the Ledyard Libraries.

I welcome others to post their Kathy stories.

Keep Your Chin Up

So your season didn't turn out to be perfect after all, Patriot fans. In a few days, or weeks, 18-1 won't seem so bad, but right now I know it hurts. Fortunately for me, I don't have to feel that hurt, being a New York Giant fan. And not having won a Super Bowl since 1991, unlike three in the 2000's, it seems only fair. Of course, I could be a Cleveland Brown's fan and never had a taste from that "bowl." As some talk radio hosts suggested, however, the Giants victory in no way makes up for the Red Sox comeback in 2004! Football and baseball are two very different things. I doubt all Giant fans are Yankee fans or Patriot fans are Red Sox fans. The Mets must have a few fans out there.

While I have been rambling on about Giants and Patriots, I think I may have come up with a theme for the Adult Winter Reading Program next year. So cheer up Patriot fans, there is always next year. While you are waiting, stop in at either library and answer the quiz question to enter the weekly raffle. You never know, your luck may be changing already!

We Still Have Books too

It was wonderful to see everyone at the Bill Library Open House last night. Those of us who don't work with children, don't often get to talk to such a fine group of good listeners. It was fun being able to share all the new features of library service with you. As someone commented to me afterwards, it was also good for you to hear that we still have books.

In our effort to promote all the new and exciting tools we have to offer, it may seem that we have lost sight of books. If I have anything to say, that will never happen. Books are still the backbone of every library. In this "hurry up" generation, the downloadable audio book may be music to your ears, but for many of us the heft of a book and the turning of a page are what satisfy our souls.

The nice thing is you can have the best of both worlds. By using our new technology, you can find new books, similiar to your favorites, using ICONN or Librarything. You can search for books in the library catalog and put them on hold from the comfort of your own home. We even have a favorite author list. You give us a list of authors that you always want to read their new book and we will put the hold on the book for you. If you are homebound, we will find a volunteer to bring the books to your home. Unfortunately, we can't do that for everyone, but we will hold them for up to a week, so you have time to get here to pick them up.

Stop in and peruse the new book shelf or search on line, there are many interesting books just waiting for you.

Are You Missing Out?

There are so many things going on at the library these days, that my head is spinning trying to keep up with them. I am responsible for sending out press releases, so I know all of the events that are happening over the next couple months. I am wondering, however, if we are reaching all the people who would like to take advantage of the free programs that the library sponsors. I am probably preaching to the choir if you are reading this blog because you had to go to the library web page to access it. The web page is an excellent source of library information. This blog was created to enhance the web page information and give people a chance to give us feedback. I haven't seen much feedback but I am still hoping.

In January, alone, we have had a family friendly hike, the beginning of a new story hour session, a Stitch and Dish gathering, and teen writing workshop. Coming soon are a book discussion and the beginning of the winter reading program for adults.

February we will bring you a travel program, Russian cuisine to sample, a hike at Morgan Reservoir and the monthly book discussion, teen writing workshop and knitting groups.

I hope we are reaching everyone who wants to attend all these interesting activities, but if you know anyone who hasn't heard, please pass the word around.

We are trying all the time to find new and interesting activities to offer our patrons, so please samply our offerings and let us know what else you are interested in. We'd love to hear from you.

New Year's Resolutions

Did you make any resolutions for 2008? Every December as the new year approaches, my mind always always shifts to the things I should be doing better. Whether it be personal improvement or job related, there is a buzzer that goes off in my head every year approaching January 1. This is probably the result of years of subliminal advertising or outright questions.

This year I have decided to try very hard to subvert the process. Isn't it ridiculous that we only make the effort to change our bad habits on January 1? Why can't we make July or September resolutions? I certainly need improvement all year long. I know the intention of those New Year's resolutions is to make them last forever, but what if you want to make a change in August. Do you have to wait until January to start it? From now on, I am going to make resolutions all year long, but hopefully not the same ones!

So I am going to make a resolution now, that has nothing to do with the fact it is January 4. I am going to do a much better job of blogging from now on. And that is not a New Year's resolution!

Christmas Cookies

The library staff had their cookie swap this week, which got me to thinking about Christmas cookies. Why are cookies associated with Christmas? I did a little research, as librarians are wont to do. Apparently Christmas cookies have been around since medieval times. The Germans are thought to have had the first cookies specifically made for Christmas, the lebkuchen or gingergread. They also made the first animal crackers. These, however, were used as edible ornaments on the Christmas tree. The Dutch brought the Christmas cookie to America in the early 1600's. And, as they say, the rest is history. For more recent history, the cookie exchange or swap, is first mentioned in publications in 1963.

Today, everyone has their favorite cookie recipe that must be made this time of year. I have three or four that my family anticipates. Often when participating in cookie swaps, I like to try new recipes. Of course, the place to look for those are in the December editions of magazines each year or the row of cookie cookbooks on the library shelves. Stop by and take a look.

Enjoy your baking and eating!