Our library has a subscription to Book Page, a tabloid-style publication chock-full of stuff about authors, new books, the world of writing and publishing. It is a sort of double-edged sword. Patrons love skimming through Book Page to see what upcoming books they will like to read. On the other hand, those very same patrons, bless ‘em, call the library to reserve those books that haven’t even been published yet. We have tried, but so far we haven’t been able to concoct a plan that would allow us to put someone on the reserve list for a book that doesn’t exist yet. Be patient; we will keep working on it.
Our subscription provides us with 50 copies each month. We used to share a subscription with the Slater Public Library. Each of us took 25 copies to share with our patrons. Recently Slater backed out---they just didn’t have 25 patrons interested enough to pick it up every month. So, now we have 50 to give away. They are free to the public. Pick one up—help us get our money’s worth.
Some of the stuff I learned in the August, 2011 edition:
Book of Fortunes Column is a new feature. A reader volunteers his/her favorite authors and type of reading. The “fortune teller”, column author Eliza Borne, will predict that reader’s newest favorite. Aw, that’s just regular old reader’s advisory prettied up to look like something new! For Melissa, a reader who likes chick-lit and thrillers and Jodi Picoult, Eliza recommended a new book by Chevy Stevens called Never Knowing. He wrote Still Missing. If you haven’t read it, you have missed a scary, late night reading binge you won’t soon forget. Rest assured; I ordered Never Knowing. I’m hoping that I can grab it straight out of the shipping box and sneak it home before anyone else knows it has arrived. Stevens is that good.
Julie Hale’s monthly Book Clubs column offers suggestions of books that are newly released in paperback and just perfect, in her opinion, for book clubs. I’ve found that most of the stuff she recommends could be described as smart or charming. That doesn’t mean that individually her book suggestions aren’t really good reads, it just means that you will rarely find anything deep, dark or mysterious to read mentioned in her column. Often, charming is just what I’m in the market for.
The Author Enablers column, written by Kathi Goldmark and Sam Barry, is advice for would-be writers. It is always interesting to look at how an author goes about the process. Often we non-writers have never given a thought to how an author manages to give us a feel for a particular time or place or character. There is a Whodunit column by Bruce Tierney that I never skip. He has the knack of making mewant to read every book he reviews. I’ve never been disappointed in a book he recommended.
There is a column called Lifestyles which reviews parenting and relationship self-help books. The Cooking column recommends what else? Cookbooks. I read about (and then ordered for the library) a new one called Heartland: The Cookbook, said to be an ode to the Midwestern kitchen.
There is a column for readers of romance, one for the best recent audio books, and one about children’s books. There are lots and lots and lots of book reviews of all sorts of new books, and several interviews with authors. There is something for any reader, writer or listener.
Stop by and pick up your complimentary copy of Book Page at your library.

Full Moon?

Last week at the library was one of those weeks that sent us all home re-thinking our career choices. One of those weeks where nothing made sense, peculiar events occurred that none of us understood and most of the things that we usually expect in the library didn’t happen at all.
The summer reading program is over. The kids don’t seem to realize that and are still coming in droves. That’s great except that once they get here, they don’t seem to have any purpose but to loiter. Young people are prone to do that. Remember that malt shop on Happy Days? That’s us without the ice cream. Most of the time the staff is delighted to see kids just hanging around, paging through magazines, visiting, playing board games, visiting. Some even read. Last week they were loud and unruly. One group, when confronted, quickly confessed all their library sins and banned themselves from the library. The staff stood looking at one another wondering how this all came to pass…..children who turn themselves in, confess what they have done and assign themselves punishment?
What is going on?
Our custodian was on vacation. We have a lovely lady who has filled in for her in the past. I handed the sub a set of keys, thanked her effusively, once again grateful that she’s willing to add us to her schedule. The first day her door key wouldn’t work. Fixed that. The second day she got into the building in good order, but her key to the custodian’s supply closet didn’t work. She could empty wastebaskets but not much else. By the time we got it all straightened out, it was time for Shelly to come back to work.
I tried to do some tidying up of our computer patron files. That is the information you provided when you applied for a library card. I worked a couple of days on some cards that had messed up addresses. Since we are not perfect typists, we do make the occasional error. That went fairly smoothly, so I thought I’d run through the library cards and eliminate everyone who hadn’t used their card in five years.
When I fill out the report to the state library every year, there is this question: “How recently were patron records reviewed and brought up to date?” Boy, I thought if I zip through and delete those unused library card files, I could answer that question proudly this year! When I set about configuring a report to provide a list of unused cards, I found that I would have 1497 pages of names. The state report is due in Des Moines by October 1st, so I realized that I wouldn’t have time to work through 1497 pages of folks who have died or moved away or otherwise stopped using their library cards. I consulted with the library director in Algona who is many decades younger than I and more than a little more familiar with our computer system. Kyle guided me through the report over the phone and it was reduced to 177 pages. I’m hoping that I may live long enough to get this project done after all.
I encountered some young’ns trying to figure out how the open/closed sign works on the library door. I gave them a quick demonstration. One of the young ladies eyed me seriously and asked “Do you own this library?” I wasn’t sure whether that was a compliment or an accusation, so I gave her a quick, two sentence civics lesson about tax payer supported institutions.
Several mornings last week no one came into the library for the first half hour or so we were open. That always makes me worry that something awful has happened and that no one thought to let us know. We turned on the television. No new wars had been waged, no statewide disasters looming. I suppose our usual bustling group of morning people had all overslept.
Long about Friday we noticed that a full moon was due to arrive. Was that at the heart of our peculiar week? Must have been. This week is moving along more normally. But just in case, if you are out and about in Humboldt, please stop in to make sure we are all still sane and awake.

One of the most interesting parts of a librarian’s job is also one of the most challenging: helping a patron to find something satisfying to read. In the library world it is known as Readers’ Advisory. Capital Letters no less. Every local, state and national conference I’ve ever attended had at least one session on Readers’ Advisory. Often, those sessions are even more specific: RA for Romance Readers, RA for Mystery Fans, etc. All those years when I was a library patron but not a library employee, I never once thought to ask a librarian to help me find a book to read.
For one thing, I’ve read a lot of books. I figured if I asked for assistance, she would be sure to recommend stuff that I had already read. Goodness knows, I’ve often settled down in my easy chair to read, only to discover that the new book I’ve chosen is one that I have already read. Besides, if I didn’t know what I was looking for; how could I explain it to someone else?
Often times, the best way to find something to read is to decide how you want to feel. Do you want something that will entertain you for a while? Do you want something that makes you feel glad to be you? Do you want something to take you back to your early adulthood, or even to your childhood? When you have answered that question, then ask yourself : do I want to learn something, too? Do I want a challenge? Do I want to be confronted with an ethical question with which to take sides?
Let’s say that you are in the mood for a book that will entertain you in the evenings while someone else in your household is hogging the television to watch sports. Ok, you probably don’t want anything too involved, too hard to follow. If something draws your attention to the next batter up to the plate, you don’t want to lose your place in the story.
Let’s say you have decided on something fictional. It’s always nice to read a good story. Nothing fancy. If mysteries are your drug of choice, you might like one of James Patterson’s newer books that he has co-written with a whole host of various and sundry assistants. In these, good and evil is usually clear. No complicated plot to follow. You can usually spot the bad guy right away. If you have the time to devote to a mystery that requires more attention, try a John Sanford or Jeffery Deaver or even one of James Patterson’s Cross novels.
If you like to read a story with a serious plot taken rather lightly, you can’t beat Fanny Flagg. Her characters always have some sort of a serious life crisis going on, but on the whole, her books are clever, humorous and fulfilling.
If family type dramas are your cup of tea, don’t overlook Jodi Picoult. Each of her books confronts some moral dilemma smack on. The reader can’t help but see both sides of the issue. Along the same vein are Chris Bohjalian’s books and some of those by Laura Lippman and Lisa Scottoline.
Often librarians have read a lot of books. Even those do haven’t, talk to lots of people who read lots of books. We often can be of help: Just ask!
Even when you don’t know what you want, there’s a book for that at your library.