Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

Just received this email from Ohio State Librarian, Beverly Cain.  Even if you're not from Ohio, it's worth the read.  Even if you're not a librarian, it's worth the read.  The following message is sent on behalf of State Librarian Beverly Cain: Dear Colleague, The White House has released its new budget blueprint, an advisory document that proposes increases in spending to military programs and national security, coupled with major decreases to—or the complete elimination of—many programs supporting museum and library services, scientific data and research, human health, and environmental safety; social uplift, education, and protection for the poor; international diplomacy, cooperation, and aid; and the arts, culture, and history. The House and Senate will now begin offering their own budget resolutions, and a long process of negotiation—informed by the will of the people, as expressed to our elected representatives—will ultimately re...

The last time I was job hunting was 2012, and while that wasn't that long ago, it seems it. I am a firm believer that you should update your resume every 4-6 months, including every speaking engagement, lecture, paper published, etc., so that when you are ready to job hunt you won't be stuck scratching your head about the details of what you've done since * insert year here . On the other hand it's the cover letters--I've sent out at least 25-30 since I began my job search in September--that are giving me grief. I found some interesting articles this weekend and thought I would pass them along in case you are too! 12 Great Cover Letter Examples for 2017 31 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples

A patron walked into our Library Tuesday and announced, "there's a dead cat in your front yard. Just thought you should know." PrairieDawn and I walked out front, me wearing gloves and carrying a garbage bag, PrairieDawn with the shovel. We finally found the poor animal, laying seemingly asleep, under our front hedges. I thought I could be tough and just scoop the thing into a garbage bag and be done with it, but I started to cry, thinking of my own sweet cat probably asleep on my couch...These are the moments when I wish we had a maintenance man, or anyone else more capable than me, on staff. We went back inside and thought about who we could call. I was for calling the local vet, when PD suggested we call one of our patrons who's a vet in the next city over,  but who lives in Sticks. He wasn't able to come by, but sent someone else to retrieve the poor animal later that afternoon. I've been thinking about that exchange all week, our patron's kindne...

A friend just asked for a list of multicultural reads for 6th graders, and since reading multicultural books is so important I thought I would share it here. Multicultural Reads for 6th Graders: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, Christopher Paul Curtis Esperanza Rising, Pam Munoz Ryan Brown Girl Dreaming, J. Woodson (LOVED this book) One Crazy Summer, Williams-Garcia Inside Out and Back Again, Lai The Cay, T. Taylor Ties That Bind, Ties That Break, Lensey Namioka Witch of Blackbird Pond, Speare Chains (Book #1, The Seeds of America Trilogy), Anderson Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor Birchbark House, Erdich Starry River of the Sky, Lin Threads, Polonsky Dancing, Alma Flor Ada Tiger Boy, Perkins Ninth Ward, Rhodes Star in the Forest (story about illegal immigrants--timely), Resau Boys Without Names, Sheth How I Became a Ghost, Tingle

“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” -Thomas Merton

So we got engaged on Christmas Eve. During a walk in our favorite park, ChicagoBoy took me to a beautiful overlook and proposed.  And of course, I said, "yes."  And now I am in that golden glow of just not believing I really get to spend the rest of my life with this man. This wonderful, wonderful man. I am stunned. And overwhelmed. And so so happy.

This was in our book drop today. Wonderful wonderful.