I truly hope that you and your family had a wonderful holiday! I’m a bit late getting my update written, so please forgive me. It has been a busy, yet relaxing few days.
On Monday, we got quite a wintery mix of weather. The day started with rain and freezing rain. It eventually changed to snow. As the temperatures dropped, the accidents were piling up. All throughout the day, there were messages on social media and on the news about the roads being icy.
Sam had to work Monday, so I was worried about her driving. She promised that if the roads were too bad, that she would turn around and call in. The weather wasn’t a surprise, and the main roads were salted pretty good, so her drive was not too bad. The drive home was a bit trickier, but she made it home ok.
Christmas Eve morning I knew I had to get out and clear the driveway. My sons were planning on coming over and I wanted to be sure it was clean. Ella and Andrew, who have been in the house TOO long, wanted to go outside with me. They ran around the yard, made some snow angels, played tag, and enjoyed the snow. Despite me telling them that it was not “scooter weather,” they played with them anyway!
The boys arrived about noon. They brought pizza and we all had lunch together. When they walked in, each of the two little ones ran to one of the older ones and hugged them. My second oldest was caught off guard by this. All I could say was, “They miss you, obviously.”
It was a nice time catching up. Phone calls between us are often cut short, possibly because of “listening ears.” Texting is hit or miss, so to have them with me and in conversation was very nice. My oldest and I talked about his job and his girlfriend. He also told me of his plans to move in with a friend from work. My second oldest told me that he had a girlfriend, too. He showed me a picture of them from when they went to the homecoming dance. My ex’s family had their holiday get together the previous weekend. Both boys were allowed to invite their girlfriends to the party. They both seem genuinely happy. This makes me happy.
They were able to stay for a couple hours, but my second oldest had to work that night. He works at a movie theater, and the holidays are always a busy time for them. I was glad that they were able to come over and spend time with me and their siblings. Of course, I am THAT dad who has to get a picture of all four of them together. You’re guess is as good as mine as to how many photos were snapped before getting one with all of them looking at me.
The little ones and I hung out for a bit as we waited for Sam to get up. We watched some Christmas cartoons and snuggled on the couch. Sam joined us in the living room and told us that her folks were coming by. They were going to drop off the kid’s Christmas gifts on their way to church.
I had to laugh because when they arrived, I went out to help bring stuff in. There were three boxes. I brought the first one in and set it on the floor. Ella was like, “Is this mine? Can I open it now? I wanna see what it is?” Sam’s folks weren’t even in the house yet and she was ready to rip off the paper!
Once every thing and everyone was inside, Ella was allowed to open her gift. It was a table top vanity. It came with fake cosmetics, but we didn’t know that. Sam bought some cheap – real – make up to go with it. This led to her giving everyone a makeover!
It was not exactly my shade of lipstick ….
She really loves it. I hope it is just a phase. She’s too young for makeup.
Andrew got something called Squigs. I guess they are toys that he uses at Physical/Occupational Therapy. He loves them. They have suction cups on them, and he can so all sorts of things with them
Nana and Pa couldn’t stay too long, because they had to get to church. Thankfully, they both made it out with out a makeover.
About 5:30, we grabbed out coats and hopped in the car. It was time for our yearly Christmas Eve tradition. We drove over to the county park where it was totally lit up for Christmas. For $10 a car, they have it set up so that you can drive through and see the lights. (During the holidays, they have a Christmas Train ride that we like to go on, but didn’t get the chance this year.) As you drive through the town, Christmas music plays and it is really beautiful.
They really do a nice job here. The old houses are even decorated in period decorations.
This tree always amazes me. The detail is brought out so well with these lights.
They have things like this at the Detroit Zoo, too. I wish we had been able to come up for the train ride and village walk. That way we could have gotten a picture in that ornament bulb.
By the time we got home, it was time to get ready for bed. The kids knew that their Elf on the Shelf was leaving with Santa that night. They loved seeing the craziness that she’d do every morning. They wanted a picture of her with them before bed. After hugs and kisses, they thanked Twinkles and told her they’d see her next year.
Andrew fell asleep pretty quickly. Ella, on the other hand, was talkative. Typical “night before Christmas” stuff. She is so sweet, though. As she turned over to close her eyes, she stopped and looked at me. She said, “Daddy, I really hope that Bubby (Andrew) doesn’t get coal from Santa. He doesn’t mean to be bad all the time.” I told her that he would probably be just fine. I made sure she was aware that Santa knew that he was good “most of the time.”
When the kids were asleep, Santa got to work. There were a few toys to put together, but nothing too complicated. I think the house was asleep by 11:00pm. That is always good, because you know how early so Christmas mornings can be!
Lucky for us, it was just after 8am when Ella burst into the bedroom and said, “It’s Christmas!!! Time to get up!!” If we hadn’t stopped her, she probably would have been out the door, into the living room and had all the presents unwrapped before we could put on our slippers! Andrew was still asleep, but once we told him that it was Christmas, he shot up and was ready to go.
They each got a Santa gift. Ella got a balance beam that she can practice on. Andrew got a Paw Patrol Big Wheel!
Andrew got new books, an explorer kit, Bluey toys, and a set of construction vehicles that you can put together and take apart.
Ella got some things for he Gabby’s Dollhouse, a Barbie changing room, Pocahontas pajamas, and a Tiana cookbook.
They had just the right amount of things to open. It wasn’t overly elaborate. There were not hundreds of gifts stuffed under the tree. It was simple and they were happy with everything!
Someone posted this on a Facebook page and I completely agree:
“I understand now. The Christmas magic I experienced as a child wasn’t about the decorations, the food or the gifts. It came from my parents and the effort they put in throughout the year to make the holiday special for me. I’ll always be grateful for that. Now, I have the privilege of sharing that same joy and magic with my own children.”
When everything was opened and the playing commenced, Sam was off to make her homemade cinnamon rolls. I made a pot of coffee, and called my brother. As we sat and enjoyed breakfast, I chuckled as Bitsy, our kitten, looked at the piles of wrapping paper and boxes. She would eventually make the boxes her new toys.
There were plenty of wonderful memories made this year. I will look back on them fondly. I’m already looking forward to next Christmas!
Last month, you may remember, I hosted a week of guests blogging about their favorite childhood toy. I felt that it went really well and have had many positive comments about it.
Recently, I was asked by readers and a few of the contributors if I planned on doing another round. I have decided that I will, but it will post after the holidays.
Perhaps you would like to take part in the next round? I would love to have you take part. If you are interested, feel free to drop me an email: nostalgicitalian@yahoo.com.
I was thinking we could talk about childhood reading. Maybe you could talk about a favorite book you read as a child or one that was read to you? Perhaps you have a book from your past that you shared with your children? It might even be a book you love reading every year.
Think about it and if you’re interested in participating, let me know. I was thinking of running it the second week of January.
This is the third book that I have read from David Grann. He wrote The Wager and Killers of the Flower Moon, as well. This book is a collection of articles that he had written for various publications between 2000 and 2009 and some of them have already been adapted for the screen (Trial by Fire in 2018, Dark Crimes in 2016, and The Old Man and the Gun in 2018).
The book features twelve true stories. Each a bit different from the other. Admittedly, some were better than others, but I still enjoyed it. Here is the Goodreads synopsis:
Acclaimed New Yorker writer and author of the breakout debut bestseller The Lost City of Z, David Grann offers a collection of spellbinding narrative journalism.
Whether he’s reporting on the infiltration of the murderous Aryan Brotherhood into the U.S. prison system, tracking down a chameleon con artist in Europe, or riding in a cyclone-tossed skiff with a scientist hunting the elusive giant squid, David Grann revels in telling stories that explore the nature of obsession and that piece together true and unforgettable mysteries.
Each of the dozen stories in this collection reveals a hidden and often dangerous world and, like Into Thin Air and The Orchid Thief, pivots around the gravitational pull of obsession and the captivating personalities of those caught in its grip. There is the world’s foremost expert on Sherlock Holmes who is found dead in mysterious circumstances; an arson sleuth trying to prove that a man about to be executed is innocent, and sandhogs racing to complete the brutally dangerous job of building New York City’s water tunnels before the old system collapses. Throughout, Grann’s hypnotic accounts display the power-and often the willful perversity-of the human spirit.
Compulsively readable, The Devil and Sherlock Holmes is a brilliant mosaic of ambition, madness, passion, and folly.
Also featured in the book is the story of a NYC fireman whose entire station was killed in the Twin Towers on 9/11. He awakens not knowing how or why he survived. There is a story in the book for sports fans, too, about the great base stealer Ricky Henderson.
All in all, it was a good read with a variety of true stories. If you like non-fiction, you might enjoy this one.
It is a cult classic and one of my favorite movies. The Princess Bride is such a fun movie. It is part fairy tale, part adventure story, part love story, and so much more. It is a film that all can enjoy, and that is why it really didn’t do well at the box office. The marketing department didn’t know HOW to promote it!! That and other wonderful stories are found in Cary Elwes’ book.
Cary says this:
Storm the castle once more
Standing on the stage for the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Princess Bride, I felt an almost overwhelming sense of gratitude and nostalgia. It was a remarkable night and it brought back vivid memories of being part of what appears to have become a cult classic film about pirates and princesses, giants and jesters, cliffs of insanity, and of course rodents of unusual size.
It truly was as fun to make the movie as it is to watch it, from getting to work on William Goldman’s brilliant screenplay to being directed by the inimitable Rob Reiner. It is not an exaggeration to say that most days on set were exhilarating, from wrestling André the Giant, to the impossibility of playing mostly dead with Billy Crystal cracking jokes above me, to choreographing the Greatest Sword Fight in Modern Times with Mandy Patinkin, to being part of the Kiss That Left All the Others Behind with Robin Wright.
In this book I’ve gathered many more behind-the-scenes stories and hopefully answers to many of the questions we’ve all received over the years from fans. Additionally, Robin, Billy, Rob, and Mandy, as well as Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Chris Sarandon, Carol Kane, Norman Lear, and William Goldman graciously share their own memories and stories from making this treasured film.
If you’d like to know a little more about the making of The Princess Bride as seen through the eyes of a young actor who got much more than he bargained for, along with the rest of this brilliant cast, then all I can say is…as you wish.
I’m sure that reading a physical copy of this book is just enjoyable, but the audio version was just fun to listen to. Many of the people that Cary mentions above make appearances in the audio version.
This is truly a must read for anyone who has seen the movie. I have seen the cast on various talk shows and it always seemed like they had a special bond. As you hear (or read) these stories, you really understand just how much love they have for each other and for this movie.
For you to not love this book would be ….. inconceivable!
Here I am again with a book that has a recurring character in a series. I read Nita Prose’s book The Maid awhile back. It was one of those that kept popping up on my friend’s list of books to read. I picked it up and read it in just a couple days. You can read my initial thoughts here:
I was excited to see that there was a follow up due out and I went to NetGalley where you can sometimes get an advanced copy to read. I was lucky enough to get be able to read it there. Here is the Goodreads synopsis for you:
When an acclaimed author dies at the Regency Grand Hotel, it’s up to a fastidious maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty—in a standalone novel featuring Molly Gray, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning America Book Club Pick.
Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tea room floor.
When Detective Stark, Molly’s old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know who killed J.D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?
As the case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer’s identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery post-haste. If there’s one thing Molly knows for sure, it’s that dirty secrets don’t stay buried forever…
Molly reminds me a bit of Monk. She’s an odd bird, but very observant. It was nice to see what she’s been up to since book one. There are plenty of suspects and there were times I found myself going back and forth between who I thought was the killer.
I felt that this book lacked a little of what the first one did, but it was still a good read. Again, it didn’t take me very long to read it, and I almost felt like this fell into one of those “cozy mysteries” that people talk about. It was an easy read that kept me guessing.
The ending is left in a way where a third book is entirely possible, with possible big changes for Molly. It is left in a way where I will definitely want to read the next in the series – should there be one.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and offer thoughts here.
You may recall that a couple weeks ago I wrote about the Marlow Murder Club. It is very similar to the Thursday Night Murder Club books. I loved it. You can read about that here:
I was glad to see that the second book in the series was also available in audiobook form and I checked it out immediately. It did not disappoint, even though I had an idea of how the murder was accomplished without knowing who the murderer was.
Here is the Goodreads synopsis:
It’s been an enjoyable and murder-free time for Judith, Suzie and Becks – AKA the Marlow Murder Club – since the events of last year. The most exciting thing on the horizon is the upcoming wedding of Marlow grandee, Sir Peter Bailey, to his nurse, Jenny Page. Sir Peter is having a party at his grand mansion on the river Thames the day before the wedding, and Judith and Co. are looking forward to a bit of free champagne.
But during the soiree, there’s a crash from inside the house, and when the Marlow Murder Club rush to investigate, they are shocked to find the groom-to-be crushed to death in his study.
The study was locked from the inside, so the police don’t consider the death suspicious. But Judith disagrees. As far as she’s concerned, Peter was murdered! And it’s up to the Marlow Murder Club to find the killer before he or she strikes again…
For a long time, I tried to steer away from some of the books that featured the same main character(s). Many years ago I read the Ben Kincaid series from William Bernhardt. I enjoyed the first couple, but then I felt like each book after consisted of recaps from the books before. It got old and I stopped reading them.
Lately, however, the series I have read with returning characters have been fantastic. Much like watching Columbo, Perry Mason, or Murder She Wrote, it is a joy to revisit these main characters.
There was a point in the middle of the book where a piece of evidence is presented and I began to realize just how the murder was committed (in a sense). Despite that knowledge, I didn’t know who the killer/killers was/were. It was a satisfying ending and another great mystery.
The third book of this series was just released to bookstores and it is called “The Queen of Poisons.” I will be looking for that one soon!
You have probably noticed that I have been talking about a lot more books recently. This is not by accident. I am reading more. I have always loved to read, but never seem to find the time to do it. I have made it a point to read more and am utilizing the local library more than ever.
It is sad to think that people don’t believe that libraries are important anymore. It is true, though. Many just don’t realize how important they are. My brother, Christopher, has worked in a library for many years and I thought it would be interesting to take his answers and post them here as a guest blog. I truly hope that you will enjoy reading this as much as I did.
Without any further ado, here is my brother Christopher:
My Journey in the World of a Public Library
Libraries have always had a special place in my heart and being offered the opportunity to spend some time sharing my experiences, answering questions, while also providing some thoughts on what I see as the future of libraries is special gift and I am grateful for it. I’ll start by providing a little background of my career.
I started my library career as a Page at the Walt Whitman Branch of the Warren Public Library in Warren, Michigan in 1991. At the start, it was simply a much better after school job than working in fast food and would be a means to allow me a decent pay check to do what I wanted to do. However, the longer I worked there and the more I demonstrated my enthusiasm, the more responsibilities I was assigned. I loved it. I was learning so much and enjoying what I was doing.
However, despite the director telling me multiple times that they’d get me full time, the bureaucracy of the city and the unions, made it seem impossible. At first, I was determined to stick it out, but then I visited a library in Columbus and it changed my mind. I had been contemplating moving out on my own for a while and seeing this beautiful library inspired me to take an application (yes, this was still when applications were on paper) that day and truly considered moving.
In August of 1994, I was hired as a General Aide in the Technical Services Department of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. It was the start of one of the greatest journeys I’ve ever taken. I’m proud to say that I started at the ground floor and worked my way up to where I am today, a Customer Service Manager.
On to the questions:
(Keith: So I asked a bunch of random questions, in no particular order. Please excuse the “all over the road” order of them.)
At one library branch close to home, they actually have a booth for podcasting! What do you think the future of libraries looks like?
The role of libraries has evolved dramatically over the years and many will debate if all are true fits. Library’s are no longer the solemn little rooms where librarians shush you for making too much noise. Libraries today are vibrant and active community hubs where customers from all walks of life enter to enrich their lives. We have to continually adapt and evolve to meet the needs of our customers and sometimes that means offering services and programs beyond books. For example, during the pandemic we immediately saw the impact moving the majority of resources to online only was to our lower-income families. Customers who never used a computer before were now desperate for help in filing for unemployment, job searching, getting their children logged in for school. Libraries were the lifelines for so many people. Where else can you go and get help for free?
What’s the most interesting question you’ve been asked by a patron?
When a customer doesn’t know the title of the book, but knows something about it. Sometimes this can lead to some of the most fun or the most frustrating interactions because it becomes all about the hunt. There are some amazing resources available to libraries that help with storyline and plot and others that are great with generalities. Speaking for myself just hearing a question along the lines of “it is a juvenile book about a female who worked for NASA”, brings me excitement. There are so many questions to ask because sometimes you might know right away and other times it could be something you have no knowledge on. The look of surprise and satisfaction on the customer’s face when you find it, it is priceless.
Is there one genre of books that seems to be the most popular?
This is truly based on the community the library serves. For example, there are 23 locations in my library’s system and while we try to ensure that all locations have materials and resources that meet the needs of a fair and balanced collection, the neighborhood itself has different needs and interests and will tend to have more on subjects and genres that are popular for that community. I’m going to purposely avoid children’s materials (picture books, board books, etc.) as they are always high circulating items, so my answers here are going to focus more on adult materials.
My current location is a high circulating branch where fiction and non-fiction both circulate really well. General fiction tends to be high here and subjects like cook books, graphic novels, and biographies are also popular. At other locations Mysteries or Urban / African American fiction might be the higher circulating items, while at another it could be Horror or Decorating. One of the biggest growing non-fiction collections over the years is Graphic Novels and Manga. It seemed for a while (early-mid 90’s) that libraries didn’t give much value to Graphic Novels as they were deemed “just comic books” and Manga was just a passing fad. I truly believe that part of that changed because libraries really started thinking about Teens and discovering that we couldn’t offer them the same programs or spaces in our buildings as we did for children. Once we started tailoring collections and programs to teens, Graphic Novels and Manga just exploded and it is an amazing cross-over between children and adult materials. I’ve read some graphic novels that are far better written and with a better storyline than some popular fiction.
Do your library host a community event that you enjoy or look forward to?
My library system hosts numerous events throughout the year. This year in particular is our Sesquicentennial (150) celebration so we are doing far more programs and events that we might in a normal year. On March 4, 2023, each location hosted a birthday celebration for their communities and offered special programs all day.
How has technology changed the role of a librarian?
One of the most noticeable changes is that libraries no longer have massive collections of reference materials. Before the internet, to locate the answer to many questions you had to look it up in a book. Libraries purchased more maps, atlases, encyclopedias, almanacs, car repair manuals, price guides . . . you name it. The internet changed that and now we have electronic resources that provide vast arrays of information; and actually, the information is timelier and more accurate.
Back when we were kids, dad used to rent that 8mm projector for us to watch movies. What kind of equipment is popular to rent today?
This is another of those questions that I just love to think about. I’ve worked in libraries for over 30 years now and I’ve seen things come and go (e.g. VHS tapes, Audio-tapes, CD-ROMs). Additionally, working with a cooperative of library systems in my state, I also see how vast and diverse the offerings can be. Some examples of things I know library systems circulate are: video games, records, hotspots, board games, and guitars). Some libraries also offer in-library use only for laptops and tablets. One of the newer editions we’ve added at my library system is Culture Passes. A culture pass allows admission to other Ohio organizations. Some of our passes included the Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Zoo, Columbus Symphony, and Ballet Met.
What’s the most unique item in your library’s collection?
I had to reach out to a friend who works in our Local History and Genealogy department for help on this. This stereograph is one of the earliest known photographs of downtown Columbus.
Our LHG department has really been working hard for many years to digitize as much of their collection as possible. During COVID closures and partial re-openings we were able to send them extra staff to help with scanning and they were able to get over a years-worth of work done in just a couple of months.
What is the biggest misconception about libraries?
“It must be such a calm and peaceful job where you can just sit and read all day”. I always laugh when people say that to me because it couldn’t be further from the truth. As I said before, libraries are vibrant and exciting community hubs where customers come to get support and information. As with any job, there are indeed quiet times but those are rare. On any given day you have story time taking place, customers have conversations, people using computers for research or job hunting, staff performing tasks as shelving and checking in materials. This is movement and life happening in our buildings.
At the same time, we are also open to all which means that we get customers from all walks of life coming in. We are a public institution which means we are dealing with the public all day long and some times it isn’t always easy. We have incidents where customers yell, argue, fight, sleep, and threaten staff. Thankfully, for many of our locations these are rare – but it is a fact of dealing with the general public.
What is the most important role that the library plays in the community?
Libraries are Open to All. That means we welcome everyone into our spaces without judgment. We are a vast resource to communities whether it is for education or enjoyment. You want a great book – we’ve got it. You to do research on your family – we can help you. You need to apply for a job online for the first time – we’ll help you. You need resources on shelters and food pantries – here is a list. You need a space to study – we’ve got study rooms. You need a space to host your business meeting – we’ve got meeting rooms.
We may not always have exactly what you need, but we’ll do what we can to help you locate it or tell you where you can find it.
How do you stay up to date with new material? Do they advance books to you?
Most libraries purchase materials through one of two major book vendors, Baker and Taylor or Ingram. My library system uses Baker and Taylor and we are able to purchase items approximately 3-4 months before they are released. In our Collection Services department we have a team of selectors who primary job is to purchase materials for the entire system. Obviously, there are authors and subjects we’ll always buy (James Patterson, Danielle Steele, Cookbooks, Medical) and distribute throughout our locations, but the selectors also know what subjects are popular at each location and will attempt to send those items to those locations.
My library system is fortunate in that we have a very healthy budget for materials so we can order high quantities of materials to ensure we have plenty of copies and meet demands in a timely fashion.
What’s the most rewarding part of working in the library?
That I work for an organization whose values (Respect, Integrity & Inspiration) are ones that I believe in and support. That on any given day I could make an impact on a colleague or customer’s day just by being kind and approaching situations with an open mind. Seeing a customer cry with joy because I was willing to waive the replacement cost of an item is a feeling you can’t forget. I’ve had my fair share of customers who have called me every derogatory name you think of or use every curse word known to man, but those pale in comparison to the far more joyful examples I could share.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned working for the library?
When I started working in libraries I never realized how much I would learn about mental health, socio-economic issues, diversity, and education gaps. Being Open To All truly means you see all works of life every single day, no matter what part of the city you work in. Issues effect all classes, all genders, and all races, you have to be willing to put your own issues and bias aside and do what you can to provide service. Sadly, we can’t do it all and unfortunately some are not willing to hear that. However, you have to be willing to keep smiling and push on try to not become jaded.
Libraries are important to many people who don’t have Internet access. Do you have issues with people accessing things they shouldn’t?
In order to receive certain funding, we do have to have a filtering software on our computers to ensure that content harmful to minors is blocked. As with any software it is not 100% accurate and sometime things slip through or topics that shouldn’t be blocked (breast cancer) are. However, according to the law anyone over the age of 17 who provides a photo ID can request to have the filter removed. In those cases, a security screen is provided to the customer. We also will not remove the filter on computers located in children or teen areas or in School Help Centers.
Now, that is not to say that customers who request the filter to be removed are indeed viewing inappropriate things, as I said the filter is not always correct. However, it is possible. We have had police arrive in our buildings before and arrest someone at our computers for viewing child pornography. It is rare, but again a sad fact of life.
However, I would also say that since my library system re-opened during the pandemic I have not once removed the filter. The majority of customers using our computers are doing research, job hunting, resume writing, or just simply watching videos on YouTube.
With thousands of books coming out every day, is there a process for “weeding out” old material? Is there always one copy of something saved somewhere?
Libraries have to weed their collections regularly or they would simply run out of room on their shelves. There are many factors that go into how often your collection is weeded. Some of the things to think about would be: popularity (is it still circulating well, is the author still popular); does it include out of date information (e.g. old medical practices or out of date laws); has it been superseded by newer editions (encyclopedias); do we have the funds to replace or buy more. There are always certain authors and titles that we will routinely purchase replacements for. Examples would be titles considered classics like Hemingway, Shakespeare, and etc.
My library system would be considered a popular library because we tend to focus our materials on high interest and topical themes. However, that isn’t to say we don’t keep some older or rare titles. At our Main Library we have a department called Local History and Genealogy that focuses on rare materials related to Ohio. They have a rare book room but you aren’t going to find every copy of someone like James Patterson sitting there or even an old edition of something like A Christmas Carol.
How do donations or book sales/fairs benefit the library?
Libraries are non-profit and our budgets come from levies, taxes, and here in Ohio a public library fund included in the state budget. We have an organization called The Friends of the Library and a Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation that are separate entities from us and can actually raise funds to help supplement our budget. Book sales are huge events that bring in lots of money that the Friends of the Library then use to run a store in our Main Library as well as provide support to our Summer Reading Challenge and other events where our budget may not allow us to do all we want to do. The Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation also fundraises and seeks donations to help with building projects, support programs.
Is there an author that you have met that you found interesting?
While we have hosted many, many famous authors over the years, it is not always possible for staff to do much interacting with them unless you are working directly with their event. I’ve been able to meet numerous local authors and some famous authors in the Graphic Novel genre since we host events for a festival called Cartoon Crossroads. I got to meet Judd Winick who has written and drawn for Marvel and DC. He was so kind and personable.
When a book or item is checked out, it isn’t always properly treated right. How often do you find yourself replacing items because of this?
Damaged items are something that each location encounters on a weekly basis. Sometimes it may range from something as simple as a torn page to something as grievous as a book that is warped and mold due to some type of liquid damage. We really try to look at each damaged item and determine is this normal wear and tear or is this malicious. Something like a tear or a dust jacket that is coming loose or ripped would fall into the category of wear and tear and we would not charge the customer for it. It also depends on what type of material is damaged. Is it a kid’s paperback or board book? We probably have enough copies in the system that we don’t worry about it and don’t charge. Water damage, mold, urine, burnt, dog chewed, those are the types of damage that don’t happen just from every day use. We’re going to charge the customer for the replacement cost. Some libraries include processing fees and possibly overdue fees as well, but my library system doesn’t charge overdue fines or processing fees. Fees from damaged items goes back into our materials budget and our selectors decide whether to replace that item or purchase another item.
How often do you host signing events with authors – local or famous?
My library system hosts authors every couple of months and for different events. We have a series called the Carnegie Author Series where authors are hosted at our Main Library downtown with seating up to 500-800 people. During themed weeks like Teen Read Week we host Teen genre authors who do a presentation at Main and then maybe visits one or two branches as well. Local authors are also hosted, usually at the branch in their neighborhood.
Our local library has a story time for kids once a month. Does the library ever host something like that or maybe a book club meeting?
We love to program. Each location can tailor programs to their community’s wants and needs, but each location is doing something at least once a week. Here in my current location Story Time takes place twice on Monday through Thursday with each day geared to a specific age group (Babies, Toddlers, Pre-School, and Family). Monday through Friday we have a School Help Center open from 3:30-6:30. We have an art café’ program for teens twice a week and a once a week D&D club. We tend to take a three week break in May as we prepare for Summer Reading Challenge where we will have 3-4 programs a day June – July. August gets another three weeks break and then its right back into our standard story times and teen programs.
We haven’t done much adult programming here in a while and it is definitely something we want to bring back. We’re really hoping to bring more diverse options for not just adults but for all ages as well. We’re hoping to kick this off more once Summer Reading Challenge is over.
For the first time ever, we are hosting a Book Festival this July in honor of our Sesquicentennial Celebration. It will be a huge two-day event at our Main Library and the Topiary Park directly behind the building.
So many people feel like libraries should go away. Personally, I have been actively using the library for books, music, and many other things. What is your argument for why they are vital?
If the COVID pandemic taught me anything, it was how incredibly necessary libraries are for a community. The vast majority of customers who needed help navigating a new digital world that was not ready for it was overwhelming. Everything went online and sadly, if customers didn’t have the skills or comfort dealing with technology they just gave up.
Libraries across the country became the places where companies and organizations told customers to go – because they didn’t have the time or patience to help their own customers. Even before we allowed customers back inside the buildings we were copying and faxing through curbside service. Once we allowed people inside, it was helping people complete job applications, submit payments online, complete unemployment applications. Additionally, many of our locations offer summer lunch or afternoon snack for children and we had to adapt move to a grab-and-go service instead of being able to offer children a chance to sit down and eat a healthy meal.
Libraries became and continue to be lifelines to our community whether it is for education and knowledge, social services, and basic life skills.
Did a love for books growing up influence you to work in a library?
I would say that at first, I didn’t make that connection as I thought it was just a part-time job. However now that I am a bit older, I see my love of books helped me truly see the value and joy in what I was doing.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of working for a public library? Any suggestions for what they need to do?
Be realistic in your expectations. Visit a library and actually look at what staff and customers are doing. Don’t assume that we just sit and read all day – we don’t. We’re there to serve the public and provide service to customers from all walks of life. It isn’t always going to be easy. Some days are definitely better than others. Budgets are not always great. Children will make a mess and be loud. Technology changes all the time. Be realistic and true to what it is you want. You can make wonderful connections and truly impact someone’s life without even knowing it.
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I cannot begin to thank my brother, Christopher for taking the time to answer these questions. Let me say here publicly that I could not be more proud of him. As he stated, he came up through the ranks and is a respected manager now. He is passionate about his work and his work makes a difference in his community. His library system is lucky to have such an amazing employee who truly cares about his co-workers and the patrons.
Final Thoughts
As I began to check more and more books out of the library, I knew I wanted to write a blog that would stress the importance of a local library. I kept trying to find a way to express this, but always seemed to come up short. Then I asked my brother if he might be willing to help. In a sense, he wrote this entire blog!
I guess the point I was hoping to make was that libraries are not obsolete, if anything they are the exact opposite. They are essential to local communities. They are more than just lending out books. They serve a vital role in our society.
Today I encourage you to visit your local library. Renew that library card. Check out the best seller lists. Get a Good Reads or Story Graph account. Find other blogs that feature book recommendations. Get lost in a good book. Let your imagination run wild! You will not regret it!
(Thanks Chris! I appreciate you taking the time to be a part of this, I love you!)
Today I finished The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. It was the Sherlock Holmes novel approved by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I really enjoyed it. To me, it read much like one of Doyle’s Holmes stories. I would imagine that there has to be a bit of pressure for any author who takes up an iconic character like this. I think he did a really good job. He also has written three James Bond novels that I may need to check out.
It is funny how my mind pictured various versions of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as I read this book. There were times I pictures Holmes as Basil Rathbone and times I saw him as Benedict Cumberbatch. Then there were times I saw Watson as Martin Freeman or Nigel Bruce. Not that it really mattered, but there were instances where I saw the situations with specific versions of the characters. It is hard not to visualize them. (How can anyone read a Columbo book and NOT picture Peter Falk?!)
If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, I don’t think you will be disappointed in this book. I recommend it. 4/5 stars.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, he has written a few books with a fictional version of himself working with a former policeman who is now helping the police. In a sense, it is a version of Dr. Watson and Holmes. The next installment of that series is on my “too read” stack.
Next up – a book I have been waiting to pick up for months. It is finally available. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch have a new offering in their “conspiracy” series.
The First Conspiracy was about the plot to kill George Washington. The Lincoln Conspiracy was about a plot to kill Abraham Lincoln (years before he was assassinated). This one is about the plot to kill FDR, Stalin, and Churchill. I cannot wait to dive into this one.
I often question whether I should post about books I read. Then I remember that more often than not, I only read that book because some blogger I follow posted about it!
Now I understand that just because someone praises a book doesn’t mean I will enjoy it. If, however, it sounds like something I find interesting, I will pick it up. That’s what happened with the latest book I just finished.
I don’t recall who suggested it, but the title caught my attention. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I recognized the name of his arch nemesis. Sure, enough, that is who the title is referring to.
I found out after I had the local library order it for me that he has actually been commissioned by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write a new Sherlock Holmes mystery. It was called House of Silk (which I have on order from the library now).
Moriarty takes place after Holmes and Moriarty are “killed” at Reichenbach Falls. A Pinkerton Security man arrives to investigate something connected with Moriarty. He meets a man from Scotland Yard who is working a case closely connected with him too.
At any rate, Sherlock is mentioned in the book, but is not a character. It did not take away from a good story. I found it entertaining enough to not only order the Sherlock Holmes story from the library, but to pick up another one of the author’s books. I am reading that one right now.
It starts with a woman who walks into a funeral home and pays for and plans her entire funeral. Six hours later she is murdered. That was enough to hook me. I just started it, but so far I am enjoying it.
I hope that the Sherlock story will be as good as Moriarty. You never know what you are going to get when you have a new author writing for a familiar character.
In the past that has worked. I enjoyed the new Columbo novels, the new Perry Mason stories, and hope the Sherlock one is just as good.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 