I have, however, had a lot of questions recently from people who save documents on their home computers and come to the library to print and run into a problem. Many people have Microsoft Works installed on their home computers, not Microsoft Word. Our computers will not open Works documents. So... I am suggesting one of 2 free, downloadable solutions: OpenOffice, and Abi Word. (I feel obligated to tell you to be careful of anything that you download from the Internet, but both of these programs have been around for awhile and I've heard good things about them.) You can use either of these programs to save documents as Word documents that you can then email to someone or print from the library.

The main stumbling block, in my experience has been employers asking that resumes be emailed to them. They generally want them sent as Word documents. What do you do if you don't have Word? You can either download one of those programs, or come to the library and use our public access computers!

I was so glad to be there with my daughter so that she could hear these important facts from an impartial source. It's not just her mom that is scared for her safety, but it is a fact that the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24 is automobile collisions. According to a letter from Kathleen Rice, "Last year in Nassau County alone, there were more than 100 fatal incidents and hundreds more that caused serious physical injury."

The first point that Ms. McCormack made is that many fatal accidents involve not alcohol, but speed and distraction. Speed and distraction kill. She said that distraction -- fiddling with the radio, ipod, cell phone has become a huge problem for this generation of new drivers.

She told the teens not to get into a car with "that idiot." She explained that we all have at least one friend who is "that idiot" -- the one who takes unnecessary risks, who doesn't think things through, etc. Don't get into that car. Call your parents, call a friend, call a cab, but don't get into that car.

Her advice for dealing with aggressive drivers, was to put your pride aside and just get out of the way. Don't engage -- just let it go. This is great advice for every driver!

She made a very interesting point about the type of vehicle you allow your child to drive. If you buy your son or daughter a powerful sports car that can go 130 mph, there is a chance that they may just test that out. If you drive a powerful BMW or Mercedes, then pass it on to your child -- it may just be too powerful for a new driver. Think about this before you give your teen the keys. It is more important to keep them safe than to worry about their social status. Maureen McCormack said that her son drives a very old Gremlin! He won't be gunning the engine and showing off for his friends, but he will be safe!

We can empower our children to make the right decisions and to drive safely by educating them and by driving by example. Remember, our children are watching us -- drive the way you'd like to see them drive.

Why an mp3 player? Well, to download audiobooks, of course! So, come in and give us a little love -- and we'll give it back in return!

Why do we hold programs in Martin Luther King's honor and not instead remember him by closing the library? Because his message was so important, effects so many people and is just as relevant today as it was then. Some of the values that Dr. King taught through example are: courage, truth, justice, compassion, service and nonviolence. I don't know about you, but in this election year, these are qualities that I am always looking for (and don't often find) in a potential Presidential candidate.

This year, it seems that lots of young people are coming out to vote and have the possibility of ultimately swaying the vote. An essay on the Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, written by Coretta Scott King, says, "This is not a black holiday; it is a peoples' holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream."

Bravo to today's young people for being an active group. And, as Mrs. King said, "May we who follow Martin now pledge to serve humanity, promote his teachings and carry forward his legacy into the 21st Century [and beyond]."

See the official website for suggestions for more information and/or activities. For other thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, from previous blog posts: 2006, or 2007

Julie collected giraffes -- not just because they are beautiful animals, but because of the life lesson to be learned from them. Giraffes give birth standing up. This means that each baby giraffe hits the ground from six feet and must immediately stand and keep up with the herd to survive. Julie knew and taught his family (and now, his friends) that we must hit the ground running and persevere in order to do well in life.

Each generation of his family spoke about Julie. Through their eulogies, we understood what drew Julie to the library. He clearly had a passion for books, reading, education, and storytelling, At the end, one of his granddaughters-in-law spoke to the great grandchild generation about what she thought Julie would want them to remember about him. There were three things: the importance of family, a love of New York City, and to support your local library. She said that the library houses all sorts of wonderful things and there is lots to discover there. Then she told them to visit the library often and to think of their great grandfather when they do.

I know that we'll be thinking about him.

The baskets were raffled off and $425 was raised for the Roslyn Rotary Club Scholarship Fund. What does Rotary do anyway? Here's what they say: "Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries."

Our own library director, Cathy Mealing is the Vice President of the Roslyn Rotary, and we were happy to contribute to such a worthy local cause!

We have six titles available right now: Amagansett, Bel Canto, The Book Thief, The Tender Bar, The Thirteenth Tale and Water for Elephants.

Now, hosting a book club couldn't be easier -- all you have to do is put up the coffee! Let us take care of the rest!

All of these services are free of charge to Bryant Library cardholders. So, what are you thankful for this year? Have a happy holiday!

This letter was sent by the Assemblyman to Newsday, the Long Island Tribune and the Long Island Herald on Monday, November 5.

To the Editor:
So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the
Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the
media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our
public libraries.
- Kurt Vonnegut

The front desks of our public libraries are not only the gateway to broader horizons -- offering us access to virtually all the literature and information we see - they are a touchstone of their community, reflecting the values and priorities of their constituents. The library is the hub of local activities, a place for personal growth and social experiences, a place to take pride in, a place to feel connected, a place to feel at home.

But our county leaders have proposed to consolidate the county's 54 public libraries into a single library system governed by a single appointed board threatens to make one library indistinguishable from the next.

The world of information-gathering continues to change at an unprecedented pace. Libraries have stayed relevant by adapting and evolving, while maintaining their commitment to the things that make each integral to its own community.

Libraries are a fundamental part of their community's identity. Local libraries work closely and cooperate with public schools. Local library trustees, the majority of whom in Nassau are elected, are members and leaders of their communities. Local libraries are sometimes the only public building open seven days a week in a community, providing a place for residents of all ages and backgrounds to read, study, reflect, meet with friends and participate in meaningful activities.

The county has so far failed to show how consolidation will he claims, save money but not cut facilities, employees, hours of operation or home rule. This seems all but impossible. Of course we would all like to see our property taxes reduced, but library budgets account for such a small fraction of local property tax burdens- from 1% to about 4% -- that any savings realized from consolidation would be drop in the bucket.

Nassau County's communities are not interchangeable. Each has its own distinct character, and their libraries should be free to reflect that. The diverse population of Nassau County will not be well served by a consolidation McLibrary system.

Harvey Weisenberg
Member of Assembly
516-431-0500
weisenh@assembly.state.ny.us ]]> Library News Michele 2007-11-09T13:37:24-05:00 http://www.nassaulibrary.org/archives/bryant/blog/2007/10/about_a_library.html There's a great article in the November 5th issue of The New Yorker magazine about libraries. It delves into the rich history of libraries, finally ending up in the digital world that we live in now. It takes you from Greece to Google and from alphabetization to digitization. Here's a quote from the article:

"Sit in your local coffee shop, and your laptop can tell you a lot. If you want deeper, more local knowledge, you will have to take the narrower path that leads between the lions and up the stairs. There—as in great libraries around the world—you’ll use all the new sources, the library’s and those it buys from others, all the time. You’ll check musicians’ names and dates at Grove Music Online, read Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus” on Early English Books Online, or decipher Civil War documents on Valley of the Shadow. But these streams of data, rich as they are, will illuminate, rather than eliminate, books and prints and manuscripts that only the library can put in front of you. The narrow path still leads, as it must, to crowded public rooms where the sunlight gleams on varnished tables, and knowledge is embodied in millions of dusty, crumbling, smelly, irreplaceable documents and books."

I like the idea that the library of today "illuminates rather than eliminates" the past. What a concept.

The quick wikipedia definition is: "Heutagogy is the principle of teaching based upon the concept of truly self-determined learning. It is suggested that heutagogy is appropriate to the needs of learners in the twenty-first century, particularly in the development of individual capability, individualised learning and independent learning using the internet-based systems including multimedia, virtual learning environments, online assessments and social software...It is a learning theory based on concept of self determined learning fostering independence in adult learning. It is a learner centered theory of learning emphasizing that adults learn when they are ready. It assumes that people have the ability to learn continuously throughout life and in real time. This is accomplished through various interactions with one's environment."

How does this apply to life in a library? In the past, the job of a librarian was to "give out" information. There are still some people who expect that and it remains part of our job. However, the expectations of librarians have expanded exponentially in direct relation to our use of technology, the availability of information and the role of the internet in our daily lives.

People don't just want "the facts, ma'am," but they want to know how to access the information themselves, from home or even from the road, if possible. This fantastic article talks about "knowledge sharing" as opposed to " knowledge hoarding."

So, as we adjust to the role of the "new librarian," we struggle to model and teach flexible learning (if one search isn't successful, try another), and increasing the capability, not just the knowledge of the patron. I'm writing as a librarian, but this also applies to our roles as parents. Don't just impart knowledge -- teach your children how to learn. What better gift can you give to your child than the ability to be a self directed, capable learner?

In the past, the American Library Association, together with individual libraries were basically alone in publicizing Banned Books Week. But, in today's world, it was also advertised on Second Life and Facebook, too!

You'll find Catch-22, Catcher in the Rye, Brave New World, Flowers for Algernon, and Song of Solomon, to name a few. Near the top of the list for 2006 was Harry Potter! These books have formed the basis of our literature and our imaginations over the years. I can't imagine life without them. What do you think?

She didn't see it as amusing, but just replied, "I knew it was something I wanted to go to!" I hope she remembers to attend!

In this post-9/11 world, when it is so difficult to convey an atmosphere of safety to our children, how do we even begin to explain what happened in our neighborhood last weekend? How is it possible that in 2007, living in an educated, intellectual, upper middle class, North Shore neighborhood that these types of incidents occur? Don't we know better? Don't we educate our children to know better? Scarily, no.

I had to explain to my own children that there are people right here in our own neighborhoods who hold these very ignorant beliefs. They belong to a white supremacist group that is worldwide. The group is called the National Alliance, and they "dehumanize both blacks and Jews, depicting them as threats to "Aryan culture" and "racial purity." What??!! And, not only do they maintain these beliefs, but they feel free to act upon them in a violent and destructive manner. This is not what we want to teach our children.

The good news is that the community jumped right on it, and the vandals were caught the very next day. And, everyone is taking the charges very seriously. Hopefully, parents are talking to their children, and the schools and religious institutions are doing their part to insure that our values are in the right place.

Here's the scary part... "Moreover, the NA [National Alliance] does not appear to be siphoning members from these declining groups but actually recruiting a fresh cast of educated, middle-class bigots and young, alienated racists." So, they're targeting our children and young adults. What can we do to protect them?

Let's begin the school year by redoubling our efforts at being kind and respectful of and to one another, and by talking to and educating our children.