Spring Weeding

If you're not familiar with libraries, you're probably thinking...weeding? In a library? Uh, there aren't plants in there, are there?

Nope! Just lots of books, that were once loved and have become forgotten, torn and twisted, or just plain gross.

It's always a sad thing, weeding books. Though necessary, it feels as if you are sending away a close friend. Maybe even one that held your hand through childhood. As library staff, it's nerve-wracking to consider you may be doing the same thing to someone else's childhood friend.

I tried to do what I could before Spring Break, but this week has been a lot of catching up on tiny tasks. The last bits of mail, weeding more and more books, and starting inventory. I realized weeding before inventory=good, weeding after inventory=really bad use of time!

I'm also working on the Greenhill Goes Global displays for the library. It should be coming along soon, but there is seriously not enough hours, nor arms on my body, to seem to get everything done when I want it.

The Winner Is...

 

Ten Rules You Must Absolutely Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus

by John Grandits

If you are in Texas, and are in grades 3-6, most likely you were able to participate in this thing called the Texas Bluebonnet Award! In case you haven't heard, it's kind of a big deal. It's like an Oscar, or rather an Independent Spirit award for books.

20 books are nominated each year, and to be eligible to vote, kids have to read a minimum of 5 books. We were a bit frustrated this year at the lack of enthusiasm some students showed towards the importance of the Bluebonnet award. Regardless, our two winning classes had a TON of readers, and they were all super excited.

This book, however adorable it may seem, has caused a stir of controversy as of late. The simple summary of this book is that it's about a young boy about to go on the school bus for the first time. He's scared, as I would be, too, so his older brother gives him a list of things he must do to survive simply getting to school. 

Ten Rules is absolutely adorable. It captures what children fear the most, such as eye contact, scary school bus drivers, and having to sit next to girls. I can see why many kids may have voted for it. I can also see why it's creating such a stir.

Some teachers and librarians feel that because it is a picture book it should not have won. Heavens, their children are in 5th or 6th grade, they couldn't possibly read a picture book. They shouldn't enjoy a picture book.

Wrong.

You see, the Bluebonnet committee picks books they think actual kids will like. Not lofty, pretentious titles that no kid in their right mind would touch. Granted, I think some of the books nominated this year, as well as on the master list for next, are a bit challenging. That's not to say it won't resonate with a certain child.

There are ALL types of kids in this great state of ours. There are different types of families and situations, economic levels and stability, and interest. Maybe children voted for this book because being terrified of a new experience is commonplace; it is something they can not only relate to, but experience more often than some adults.

Though our students for what we thought would be the shoo-in and is actually the runner-up (Wonder by R.J. Palacio), I feel it is thought they don't ride the school bus, so the winning book is somewhat foreign to them. Their circumstances are different than those of kids at public school--and that is ok.

Hullabaloo has been made over the fact that 6th graders are subject to read "childish" literature. Well, if anyone has taken a look at most of these picture books, they would see there is hearty dialogue in most, and a vast vocabulary to enrich the story. It's not "baby" at all. Picture books can be good for all sorts of readers, beginning and not.

Perhaps there needs to be a discussion with those that are displeased that they should read more to their students, join the Bluebonnet committee, or something I'm not thinking of. We should be happy that these children voted for a book that obviously struck a chord with them, instead of belittling what a fabulous story this is. It's great that some of these children even voted at all.

Congratulations, John Grandits!

Books don't cover themselves.

Today I actually have time to write, which is nice. It has been so swamped lately; either Carrie or I have been sick, we've had an early release because of ice, then late start, then meetings, and miscommunications. It's okay, because it's Wednesday, the third day of a four-day-week, and we are doing pretty darn good considering the looming vacation ahead.

With our newest book order, we've been using something called a CoLibri machine. It's pretty much the easiest way to cover a book without ruining the book with acidic tape or the potential of the cover ripping or coming loose. Our CoLibri machine is a newer model, I believe, because it has an automatic covering pedal and button. The hardest part is literally getting the plastic book pocket on, not so much the sealing it.

It's pretty much a food vacuum packer, but for books.

I adore this thing. Granted, I do love covering books with the good ol' acrylic covers, the book tape; the noise, on the other hand, drove me bananas. I don't like interrupting or even seeming like I am a burden in any sense of the word. That's what the noise from traditional book covering made me feel like. NO MORE.

In other news, we've finally finished all the Grandparents and Special Friends Day stuff. Phew! We are grateful that we received such an abundance, but it was definitely a bit overwhelming. Carrie and I are both glad this is giving us the opportunity to beef up certain parts of our collection, replacing some of the gnarly (in the bad sense) copies that have been taking up precious shelf space.

Last week was a bit tough for me. Tuesday was the culmination of pure crazy. Carrie was sick, which left me in charge. I love being able to teach and spend more time with the kids. However, when there's only one of us, it is totally crazier than normal. There were our regular classes (only 4 that day, I think) plus our littlest friends in the CDC, plus two entire 4th grade classes coming to get biographies, plus volunteers, which I was so glad could help out, plus all the other library stuff I have to do (sort/input/process mail and periodicals, checking out, other projects that have been assigned to me, covering books, etc.).

IT WAS STRESSFUL.

But I've heard what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am glad that I've grown a lot, not only in this job, but as a person. I'm not afraid of speaking up for myself or an idea any longer, but look forward to the opportunity to do so. I am making this blog a priority more, now that my brain is kind of functioning normally again.

I had a concussion in December, and have been feeling foggy, groggy, and constantly tired since then. I've been fighting telling myself that it's bad, that things are going to get worse.  Now, I feel like my mental clarity has greatly improved and I'm also trying to speak more. Speaking is a little hard for me, don't know why. Fighting that thought, too.

In conclusion: three weeks until spring break!

(Sidebar: If this wasn't my professional library blog, I would totally link to a gif of James Franco as Alien from Spring Breakers saying "Spring break, spring break forever". Aren't you lucky this is a work blog?)

The Flying Beaver Brothers graphic novel series

Brothers Ace and Bub, distinguished only by the stripes on Bub's shorts, are two fun-loving beaver brothers that are hardly on the same page. Ace, the talented adventurous beaver brother, is showing off for Bub, as he takes a nap while guarding Ace's surfboard.

To both of their surprises, two evil penguins come and snatch up the surfboard! This sends the brothers on a mission to retrieve it, since the surfboard competition is the next day. Evil penguin meetings held in refrigerators, confusions over penguins and puffins, and even more shenanigans make up this first volume.

Throughout the monochromatic tones of the book, these brothers are goofy and fun. Similar to the Lunch Lady series, this is definitely great for younger crowds. There is enough text to keep them moving along, especially once the brothers discover what the penguins have in store for them.

This is only the first in the series,with four graphic novels so far. I can't wait to see what our kids think of it!

The Ghost Prison by Joseph Delaney

Billy Calder was dealt an unfortunate hand in life. An orphan, Billy was forced to get a job at age 15 simply because he wanted to prepare himself for getting out of the Home for Unfortunate Boys.

He is late to his first shift with Adam Colne, the night manager of the local Castle Prison. Though Billy had already has his training, he was not aware that he would become a night watchman. Someone had specifically asked for him during the evenings--Long Neck Netty. Colne warns him of the ghost prisoners, the ones who were executed for being witches or criminals, and how they terrorize the regular prisoners...and staff.

Billy is given a harsh warning to never enter the Witch Well. In it resides a monster unfathomable, in which Colne and Colne alone must feed, due to the danger of the witch. This warning is ignored when Colne is out sick, and the gateskeeper is too much of a coward to feed whatever is in there.

Fast paced and quick to read, this 98 page book is somewhat predictable as far as ghost stories go.The illustrations add to the story by showing the spooky atmosphere of this 17th century England world. Some of the illustrations don't fit the description of the characters (our protagonist is described as having curly hair, when is definitely sporting a Bieber hair-do), but they overall add much more meat to this otherwise tiny story.

This book also contains chapters. I really, honestly, could not tell you why. It seems like it should just be one tiny, long book, and that would be okay. The suggested age range for readers of this book is 12-16 years old, but I honestly think it's just for the subject matter alone. There is a gruesome scene that not even I was expecting! It's written at the level of a third or fourth grade student.

All in all, The Ghost Prison is a quick, fun spooky read, with the biggest twist happening at the end. Maybe save it for October, and ease on in to the spooky books for Halloween.

Happy New Year!

2014 came in with a mild clang in my household this year. The biggest change is in my self; I'm more determined, focused, and excited than I've been in a very long time. I thank my new husband for this; he's so encouraging and supportive of my creative and professional efforts, of which I have MANY. His is to branch into a creative field he's never done before (which I'm sure he will do so successfully), and mine is laborious and would take a whole other blog to describe.

I think I'm also going to reevaluate my Folio goals. My new priority: master the art of covering a book with the CoLibri machine. The first time I tried it, with the CoLibri lady present, piece o' cake. By myself? With a donated book? HA. It wound up covered and everything but it looks a little goofy. Just, slightly goofy, but enough that only I could notice.

Another is to make sure I take care of my tasks on time. I like to think I'm fairly decent about this, but I have a stack of book review magazines I need to get moving on, Bluebonnet party plans/decor, then good old Valentine's decorations, plus this, that, and the other thing. And then reading the books. Actually finishing them. I'm terrible at finishing things if I can't get into them, but I'm bound and determined to be better than the kids at this.

As long as we're going through unofficially official goals, my other one is to move more. Everyone has that yearly resolution to lose weight or become more active. I've decided since I spend a lot of my days at work, obviously, I should start using my time in a more efficient way. Getting up at least every 30 minutes, wandering through the shelves, making sure things are generally taken care of.

I'm also trying to reteach myself Adobe Premiere. This is annoying and challenging. Ugh.

Overall, I know 2014 will be an amazing year. I will continue to work with great people, stretch myself professionally, academically, and creatively, and strive to be the happiest Christine I can be.

Daredevil by Mark Waid Vol. 1

Daredevil hasn't had the easiest career in the Marvel universe; Matt Murdock is blind, has a profound love for Hell's Kitchen, New York, and unfortunately received the Ben Affleck treatment in 2003 (don't get me started on this). I was never totally familiar with Daredevil, his world, even though it happens to be our own, or the bad guys he faces. After reading Daredevil Vol. 1 by Mark Waid, I feel like Daredevil is definitely one of the more likable superheroes. Now I know what my husband is so crazy about.

The graphic novel opens up with your average, run-of-the-mill Mobster running, quickly destroyed by The Spot. Of course, Daredevil is blamed for ruining the nuptials, and everything breaks loose. After the wedding, I found out that he was a lawyer. Not just any lawyer, though; apparently in this universe (or 52, I'm not sure which), Matt Murdock is exposed as Daredevil, but constantly denies it. So does his goofy, pudgy and loveable partner, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson.

The rest of the story is your typical superhero story line. In trying to expand my knowledge of things outside of Batman/X-Men, I found that Daredevil is an enjoyable series. The art is very traditional, even though it is a newer series. It's reminiscent of 1980s comics, with the shading and portrayal of villains.

It was fun reading this novel, and perhaps I'll read volume 2.

Most likely, I think I'll start Court of Owls.