Thursday, May 29, 2008

Big trucks and cool cards



Yesterday we started issuing brand new library cards. This is our first complete redesign in a number of years, and I think they look great. We won't be doing photo library cards any more. This will save time (yours and ours) and money since printing the photo cards was expensive. You can pick from any one of five designs, or keep your old photo card if you prefer.

I stepped outside today, and noticed the biggest cement pouring operation I've ever seen. They are pouring the foundations for Library Place, and it was an amazing sight.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Changing of the Guard




I think all of us here at the library are in a state of denial over Margaret Riddle's retirement next week. We've known she was going to do it, but now that the end is near (May 30 is her last day), I find myself looking back at all the things Margaret has accomplished just in the 9 years I've known her, and realizing how much I'll miss her.

Margaret has quietly but persistently pushed us to be the best possible resource for local history. Her ability to track details and see the big picture, her interest in preservation, and digitization...well, I could go on and on extolling her virtues, but I know it would embarrass her. Margaret would always rather talk about history, so I think I'll focus on her most recent project instead. And that is the preservation and digitizing of our Sanborn Insurance Maps.

These valuable resources are used by homeowners and historians to see the location, footprint, and type of structure on a particular piece of property. The first set of maps was published in 1914. In 1955 the original maps were updated, allowing patrons to see changes over time. These have been given a new life in mylar protective sleeves and a very heavy duty binding. They are also now available on our website. We've scheduled a day-long farewell for Margaret in the Northwest Room on May 30. Stop by to see her, and to check out these very special resources.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Books and Relationships



My husband passed along an article he had printed off from the New York Times entitled "It's Not You, It's Your Books." It's an amusing article about the pitfalls of dating someone whose taste in books is not yours.

We are both dedicated readers, but his taste is much more eclectic than mine. He also has a lot more time to read than I do, since it is his major interest in life--while I spend time gardening, knitting (well, not that so much lately), etc. I seldom recommend books to him. I don't exactly know why, although I think he wouldn't be that interested in most of what I read. I'm a big mystery reader--he's not.

He often recommends books to me, and although he's sometimes frustrated that I don't seem to get to all of them, I have to say that I almost always really enjoy the ones he tells me to read.Over the years he's recommended A.S. Byatt's Possession, Absolute Friends by John LeCarre,and The Sixteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga.

There's never enough time to read, but it's reassuring to know the library has something to suit almost every reading taste.