Recently a library patron stopped by to tell me that the e-book choices in Freading are no more desirable than those in our NEIBORS Overdrive e-book program. I know. I’m so sorry. Authors and book publishers are still arguing about how they should be fairly compensated for their work. I understand, everyone wants to be paid well for what they do. Meanwhile, the whole industry has left libraries in the lurch. As soon as it is figured out and everyone is happy, we will have the newest and the best available in e-book format. Meanwhile, we have a great selection in regular, old, hard cover books. If you have been frustrated with what the library has to offer in e-books, don’t forget that whatever it is you want or need, we can almost always provide it one way or another in an old-fashioned book.
The discussion that I described led into another one with a couple of library patrons: How often we are disappointed in books. It’s one thing if we have checked a book out from the library shelves. It’s altogether different if we have paid for a book either in e-book or real-book format. One reader told us how she had been tricked by an Amazon ad. Amazon’s glowing report of a certain book led her to believe that it would be the perfect choice for her to use when she next reported to her book club. The book arrived into her Kindle. She read a few pages and realized that the premise of the book was not what she had been led to believe. Now she will report to her book club that she was disappointed and unhappy with her selection. Folks, Amazon and every other bookseller wants to SELL you something. Don’t believe their commercials that are masked as book reviews. If all those automobile insurance ads on tv were true, State Farm would be paying me for the privilege of providing my with car insurance. Save hundreds of dollars per year? Hah! The amount they say they will save me is more than I pay in the first place. As with anything else, book -buyer beware!
Those conversations led us to thinking that there should be a method for Humboldt readers to tell one another about what they are reading. Share what books you liked, and share what books what disappointed you. There are some rather formulaic systems designed just for this. Good Reads is one of them. But, we wanted a place just for us. I created a Humboldt Reads! Facebook page. You can find it at www.facebook.com. Just type in Humboldt Reads! in the search box. This page is about three hours old and has six “friends” already. Join us. We will have fun!


Photo is a collection of pie birds loaned to the library by Candis Drechsler and Sharon Strutzberg

This week, April 8-14, is National Library Week. Recently American Libraries magazine ran an article that listed twelve ways that libraries are good for the country. Being an unabashed fan of public libraries, I think that there are many more than twelve, but below I’ll paraphrase the ones mentioned:
1. Libraries sustain democracy. At a library you may find information and access to all points of view that will help you make knowledgeable decisions concerning public policy. Libraries guard against tyrannies of “ignorance and conformity.”
2. Libraries level the playing field. By providing information access and technology to all, regardless of income or background, libraries help to close the gap between the rich and the poor. There are more public libraries in the United States than there are McDonald’s restaurants.
3. Libraries break down boundaries. Libraries of all sorts, public, school, church, etc. help destroy the fences that separate people of all ages, abilities, English skill level. Persons with disabilities, homeless, imprisoned or homebound all have access to a library.
4. Libraries value the individual. The library door swings open for independent thinking. Library collections and services offer global, historical cultural and political perspective that will foster the spirit of exploration.
5. Libraries nourish creativity. Libraries provide a setting that stimulates curiosity. A library provides opportunity for unstructured learning and serendipitous discovery, as anyone who likes to browse library shelves can attest.
6. Libraries open young minds. Librarians for children and teens care about the unique developmental needs of each child. They make a difference because they care.
7. Libraries return high dividends. Strong public libraries make a town more desirable as a business location. Public libraries return to the community up to $10 for every $1 invested in libraries.
8. Libraries build communities. Libraries are gathering spots for all segments of society to share information and engage in community discussion.
9. Libraries support families. Libraries provide an alternate venue. Whether a place for parents and kids to engage one another in books, games and puzzles or a place to do ones homework, libraries are family-friendly.
10. Libraries build technology skills. Almost 100% of American libraries offer internet access for patrons to search for jobs online, polish resumes, keep in touch with others through email or brush up on computing skills.
11. Libraries offer sanctuary. Libraries offer an atmosphere conducive to reflection and quiet thought. (Except our library on early-out-from-school Wednesdays. Then, we are quite lively!)
12. Libraries preserve the past. Libraries are repositories of community history. Thanks to our active genealogical society, we have an excellent place to search Humboldt history and your local ancestors.
Stop by to see what you may have been missing at the Humboldt Public Library. While you are here, tell a librarian how much you appreciate her. We have the hardest working, most enthusiastic staff you could ever hope to meet!