November 19, 2009

Still Stars

Quick note to let you all know that for the second year in a row, we are a "Star" Library! What an accomplishment! Congratulations to the Roslyn community and to the library administration and staff that make it all work.

Posted by Michele at 4:57 PM | Comments (0)

October 22, 2009

Friends of the Library

This is the 4th annual National Friends of Libraries Week, so we'd like to take this opportunity to thank our Friends! Thank you Friends, for your generosity, kindness and hard work!

Friends of Libraries are people who live in your community who want to contribute to the library. They are an active, fundraising body who meet with library staff to decide where to allocate and how to raise funds for the library. The most recent, exciting purchase of the Friends was the Museum Pass Program.

Posted by Michele at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)

October 9, 2009

Make Way for Ducklings

After 25-30 phone calls and way too much staff time spent on dealing with our abandoned duck situation, we said goodbye to them yesterday as they embarked on their journey to a new life on a farm. It was a sad situation, as they were abandoned and left in the park by their 'human family.' Presumably, the people thought that they would survive, just as the other ducks and geese here do, but Muscovy ducks are special. They bond with their humans and continue to desire human contact. In truth, I will miss them. It was cute to see them pecking on the window of the Children's Room, wanting the attention of the people inside. And, it definitely engaged the community -- people were angry, scared, happy... whatever the emotion, they couldn't wait to walk into the building and tell us about it!

I'm glad that we were able to find them a home where they will be well taken care of, be safe from other wildlife and not become someone's dinner. Thanks to Bryant employee, Joey for his help in finding them their new home. And, many, many thanks to the rescuers who tirelessly work to keep our local ducks healthy, happy and safe.

Posted by Michele at 9:34 AM | Comments (0)

October 6, 2009

National Information Literacy Awareness Month

President Obama has proclaimed October National Information Literacy Awareness Month:

"This month, we dedicate ourselves to increasing information literacy awareness so that all citizens understand its vital importance. An informed and educated citizenry is essential to the functioning of our modern democratic society, and I encourage educational and community institutions across the country to help Americans find and evaluate the information they seek, in all its forms.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the important role information plays in our daily lives, and appreciate the need for a greater understanding of its impact."

Please see the entire proclamation -- it's worth reading. It is so gratifying to have the value of information literacy acknowledged by our president. In today's world of 24/7 news, immediate, mobile gratification of information needs, the value of information literacy (and the role of the library in the community) is tremendous.

Posted by Michele at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)

October 4, 2009

Look Out... I Mean, Duck!

Our location in Gerry Park is mostly a blessing, but sometimes a curse. When we have difficulty leaving the parking lot on a snowy day, it's a curse. When we look out the window and admire the beauty around us, it's a blessing. Dealing with abandoned ducks falls into the curse category.

Upon arriving at work this morning, I was faced with a pile of notes left by yesterday's library crew. It was amazing to see that on a busy Saturday, the librarians took the time to call more than 10 different places to try to "rehome" the abandoned, aggressive ducks in our parking lot. Some of these places included Volunteers for Wildlife, Department of Wildlife, Department of Environmental Conservation, US Fish and Wildlife, Animal Control, two different people who do rehab, and the 6th Precinct. The wildlife organizations wouldn't help because... (wait for it...) these are Muscovy, domesticated ducks. They are not "wild" ducks. I'd love to know the difference. The police said that they couldn't help us contain them, but suggested putting up a "dangerous duck crossing" sign! Another rescue organization suggested spraying them with a strong stream of water. And, yet another person said, 'how aggressive could they be? no one's ever been killed by a duck before!' Tell that to the people that were chased and bitten by the ducks yesterday! At the end of the day, the ducks are still here.

These poor ducks have been abandoned in a strange place. The other ducks won't let them anywhere near the pond, and they've become quite aggressive. This is not the first time we've had a 'duck issue,' and I'm quite sure it won't be the last. Of all of the things we have to deal with 'on the job,' this is the oddest. I wish that people would find a humane way to deal with their unwanted animals. Abandonment is not the answer.

Posted by Michele at 1:46 PM | Comments (0)

September 24, 2009

Happy Punctuation Day!!

Did you know that there was a specific day set aside to celebrate punctuation? Me neither! I have been accused of over-punctuating, but I think there's no such thing!! If punctuation is used correctly, you can hear an author's tone in their writing. I have several favorites -- the dash (particularly, the double dash) comes in handy, as does the comma. You can't live without quotation marks, parentheses or question marks... but, oh, what happens when punctuation is used incorrectly! It makes me crazy!

In celebration of Punctuation Day, give yourself the gift of watching Victor Borge and Dean Martin do their bit about Musical Phonetic Punctuation. It's very funny!

Posted by Michele at 9:33 AM | Comments (0)

September 23, 2009

Banned Books Week

September 26th through October 3rd, the American Library Association, celebrates Banned Books Week. It is a celebration of the First Amendment and the freedom to read.

Take a look at the books that were banned in 2008 -- it's unbelievable! It's 2009 and books are still being "banned" because they contain homosexuality. Ummm... hello?!! Take a look at this list of "banned" classics. These are some of the most well-known and well respected books of our time!

Obviously, we're in the business of free access to books (and other library materials), and against censorship, so this is a big deal for us. Coming next week to a Reference Desk near you... a Banned Books display.

Posted by Michele at 7:08 PM | Comments (0)