Ah, poetry. The beautiful, less popular older sister of prose. April is National Poetry Month, which means it’s time to give poetry all the attention it deserves. There’s something about the raw, condensed language of a poem that makes us feel connected on a whole different level. As American poet Paul Engle says, “Poetry is… Read More 10 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month
Where: Hespeler Idea Exchange, program room When: March 18, 6:30-8:00, March Break Ages: 10-19 Attendance: 21 attendees (approximately half under 12 years old and half over 12, 5 boys, 16 girls), 2 volunteers Type: Drop-In Description: Wreck This Journal by Kerri Smith is a special kind of book that encourages its “readers” to think outside… Read More Make Your Own Wreck This Journal Teen Program
That awkward time between Valentine’s Day and Freedom To Read week is approaching…which means it’s time for a new display idea! This one’s got a pun, a bunch of snowmen having a snowball fight, and an unconventional way of selecting books. So you know it’ll be a hit. Plus from where I’m stationed in Southwestern… Read More “Got a Case of the Winter Blues?” Library Display
This year I made my library conference debut at the OLA Super Conference, and I expect to return for many years to come. It was the perfect combination of so many things I love: meeting new people, learning about innovative library programs, sharing ideas, and of course free books! (Also, Winterlicious, lattes, taking the train,… Read More OLA Super Conference 2015: Think It! Do It!
“In the last few years, we’ve moved from an information-scarce economy to one driven by an information glut. According to Eric Schmidt of Google, every two days now the human race creates as much information as we did from the dawn of civilisation until 2003. That’s about five exobytes of data a day, for those… Read More Obligatory Post on Neil Gaiman and the Importance of Libraries
“Seriously though. How many MLIS-learned skills do you feel like you’re actually applying in your jobs?” I was recently reconnecting with a couple lovely MLIS (Master of Library and Information Sciences) grads. We were all talking about our shiny new jobs when one of them asked that question. My instinctual response was “Yes, of course I… Read More How does an MLIS transfer to the real world?
Weeding. Ever since my first job as a library page in 2007 I’ve been hearing about weeding. I’ve seen librarians pull carts of books off the shelf, and painstakingly consider each item. I’ve seen them create piles. I’ve seen them cringe. In library school I learned about it. I studied the CREW weeding manual, and… Read More 6 Things I Love About Weeding
This month as I begin my career as a public librarian at two different libraries, I’m doing a few things. I’m moving to a new city and buying a car. I’m memorizing piles of important information about the different systems. I’m meeting dozens of new (amazing) coworkers. I’m trying to master the “neat” bun hairstyle.… Read More 3 Best Librarian Characters in Fiction
Don’t worry: This post contains no explicit spoilers. Out of the 7 books I took with me on vacation to New Brunswick, The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker gripped me deepest. Forget beaches: I’ve read this book on foggy interstate highways, in a hotel room beside Mount Washington, on a dock overlooking the harbor,… Read More Implicit Spoilers and Readers’ Advisory
harrypottercharacterreadalikes.wordpress.com I created a coping mechanism for muggles in denial: a Harry Potter Reading Map. I wanted to create a reading map that was as universally appealing as possible, so I decided to choose the most widely read contemporary series I could think of: Harry Potter. This story/character driven series appeals to readers of all… Read More My Latest Readers’ Advisory Tool: Harry Potter Secondary Characters Reading Map
Ontarian Librarian 