Why Continuing Education?

Even though I received my Master's of Library Science in 1983 and was considered well educated in my field, library science has changed drastically. This was a year before the Apple personal computer first appeared. MS-DOS came on the market in the mid-80's as a new operating system for personal computers. As for the Internet, the ordinary person had never heard of it, let alone the World Wide Web (aka www).

It is very important for myself and the library staff to try to stay as well trained and informed as possible about new trends effecting libraries. So periodically throughout the year, I attend workshops and the annual New York Library Association Conference. I bring this information back to the Board of Trustees and my staff to share and learn about. Some of my staff also attend local workshops conducted by the Pioneer Library System. Is this worth it? Most definitely YES!

I enjoy learning, especially if it has practical applications to my job and will help us better serve our public. However, these workshops and conferences are also a change to just casually chat with other librarians whom I might only see once a year. And sometimes that personal exchange is just as enlightening as the workshops.

Books to Sink Your Teeth Into

Waiting to read "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer like I am? Are you fascinated by the idea of vampires, whether they are good or bad? Were you a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" or "Angel" fan? Then I have some good authors for you to try - I have read several of them myself.

Maggie Shayne has written many stories about vampires starting with "Wings in the Night." While it is part of a series, each book is a stand alone story but if you are like me - you then have to read all of them. Brooding, dark good looks for both the male and female vampires as well as great powers and sex appeal. Shayne offers a very different take on who can be made into a vampire. Just fascinating reading!

Of course, Anne Rice started things rolling with "Interview with a Vampire" in 1976. I read this book in my first couple of years in college and truly enjoyed it. Little did I know until many years later that a series had been developed due to it. Lestat, the featured vampire in the series, certainly has led a charmed life.

A few other authors you might be interested in include:

Christine Feehan

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Laurell K. Hamilton

Stephen King

and many others too numerous to mention.

And don't forget the granddaddy of all the vampire books - "Dracula" by Bram Stoker!

Resources for the Job Seeker

Lyons is getting hit hard with unemployment. One of our largest employers, Parker-Hannifin, is closing their plant later this year. Many of their employees haven't had to look for a job in a long time and it's different now doing a job search than 5 or 10 years ago. Here is a link to some helpful resources: http://owwl.org/Outreach/jobs.html.

Booker on Parade

Here are a couple pictures of Booker B. Owwl, the mascot of the Pioneer Library System. Booker is riding on a float created by the library for the Peppermint Days Kiddie Parade.

Recommended Author

In recent months, I have started reading an author that is "new" to me - even though he has been writing for many years. Michael Connelly writes several series but the one I have been reading the most is about the character Harry Bosch. Harry is a detective with the LAPD; he is very good at what he does but has little respect for cops afraid to buck the system or those who are corrupt. Harry is a flawed individual but that makes him very real and easy to understand. He is not a supercop but tenacious at following a trail. What I particularly enjoy about these novels is that they are not police procedurals or a typical mystery. While murders occur the emphasis isn't on the details of the crime scene but on the characters and the motives that they have. These books are very character driven with fast moving plots. I find myself able to read them within a day or two. Hollywood is just now starting to discover this wonderful author - hopefully they won't trash his work as they have done with other great books. His books are located in our library under his last name in our regular fiction section. Good Reading!

End of an Era

This week was the last meeting for Board Chairman, James Frind. Jim has been on the Board of Trustees since the summer of 1991. His leadership helped us achieve our long sought goal of a new library. It was a struggle at times but he always managed to rally us when we were discouraged and thus we were able to forge ahead. Jim is going to enjoy his retirement and will continue to take an interest in everything the library does. Bye Jim - we are all going to miss you!

Thank you for your support!

This is just a simple and heartfelt thank you to those who have supported me for the past several months. Whether it was just a few words you said, a note you wrote, a card you sent, a call you made, an email you sent, flowers delivered, a hug you gave me or you came to my brother's memorial service all of your thoughtfulness has been appreciated.

My brother's ashes will finally be laid to rest in the Adirondacks at the end of this month next to our parents and maternal grandparents. In fact Stuart will be surrounded by a large family section of aunts, uncles, cousins, great-grandparents, etc. Somehow it seems fitting and right that he is buried there.