Check It Out: Sewing Books

I already posted that I own Sew What! Skirts, which I have used to make a-line skirts. Normally, I do not buy a sewing book without previewing the library copy because I do not want to be stuck with a book that is over my head or written in a style that does not suit me (not enough photos, illustrations or hard to follow directions). The following are books that I have checked out and will return to this winter when I have sewing time.

Simple Gifts to Stitch - the bag on the cover inspired my pocketed Target library tote!

Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew

Hip Handbags

Last-minute fabric gifts

Fashion DIY : 30 ways to craft your own style

Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects

Simple sewing with a French twist

Step-by-step sewing course

Cincinnati/NoKy: Paul Otten Live @ the Library

Friday, August 8, @ 7pm Paul Otten will perform at the Main location of the Boone County Public Library.

When I get behind a library program, I really get behind it and have been encouraging others to come to the concert and (literally) check out his album, Bad Parade, from our collection. If you have never had the delight of hearing him, plan to attend, it is FREE!

You can listen to clips from his debut album, Bad Parade, below. Rudy is my fave for the following lyrics, but I also like Drown Me and Kimberly.

Rudy never knew my name / because he was the shit way back in high school / now he looks like Bill Murray / and apparently his fashion sense has stayed the same / as it was in '88

The Affictionados Reading List

Yesterday, we had our selection meeting for next year's book discussions and I realized I have not been posting what The Affictionados are reading each month so here is a recap.

Feb - The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell
March - The Sparrow
April - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
May - Ines of My Soul
June - Unwise Passions: A True Story of a Remarkable Woman---and the First Great Scandal of Eighteenth-Century America
July - The Camel Bookmobile
August - The Wild Girl

The Camel Bookmobile was my favorite and Ines of My Soul was the toughest for me to get through, I think because it was written in Spanish and translated. It is one that I probably would have done better with the audiobook, which is what some preferred for Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I tend to stir away from Sci-Fi/Fantasy, but The Sparrow is good pick if you would like to dip your toes in that genre. I thought Unwise Passions was surprisingly good while others had trouble keeping track of names, although there is a family tree in the beginning of the book that I found very helpful!

If you are in the Northern Kentucky area and interested in discussing our picks, The Affictionados meet the second Monday evening of each month. Contact me for time, location and upcoming titles.

Library: Breaking Dawn Ball

breaking dawn ball
Originally uploaded by udandi

If Breaking Dawn and Twilight mean nothing to you than, than you apparently are not eagerly anticipating the release of Stephenie Meyer's fourth book in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn on August 2.

Just as bookstores will have release parties, libraries will have programs to celebrate this new book. Trivia, costume, art and fan fiction contests...oh the fun is endless!

I had I thought about it earlier, I could have whipped up some Team Edward or Team Jacob tees since I still have some black tees and supplies from the days of my online shop. Instead, it is an easy DIY project for any crafty chick!

Cake Pans for Loan? @ Your Library!

Yesterday, I posted about people not realizing all the great materials you can get from libraries and then I learned a library in northeastern Ohio loans cake pans! Skip over to Pop Goes the Library to read her interview with the children's librarian about this creative collection at the Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna, Ohio.

By the way, the photo of my sister-in-law's Dora the Explorer cake is my all-time most viewed photo on Flickr!

Libraries + Brown Bagging

It's Sunday...I'm printing photos out on my printer for a project while catching up on the blogosphere. JP asked How Cheaply Can You Brown Bag Your Lunch? because of a WSJ article about brown bagging it. For as much as I love Coco-Cola, my lunchtime drink is water and you get more crunch with nature's chips (aka carrots) than potato chips. A 16oz bag of baby peeled carrots are about $2 where as chips are what $3.50 for probably less then 16oz? You know, you're going to eat those chips for more than just lunch!

I liked Boston Gal's post title You know the economy is bad when the WSJ rediscovers libraries and then one of her posters remarked on having seen the third article of frugality in the Wall Street Journal. Some people don't realize in addition to books, CDs and DVDs some libraries even have software to checkout. Or that you can access your library's catalog online, place requests for materials available in the entire system and then choose to pick them up at one location (however this is not an instantaneous action). That's just the beginning of what your library probably offers, go find your library and see what else it does (than take your librarian some Simply Lemonade! because she's just drinking water, you know!)

In Cincinnati, the Anderson Township Library Association's used book sale raised $56,700, which was the most successful sale in the organization's 28-year history. The ATLA benefits two branches of The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Library: Web Developer postions

If you are a web developer/master looking for a non-corporate position you might consider a position with a library:
Dayton Metro Library - Web Specialist
Washington Centerville LibraryWebmaster
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County - Web Developer

Unfortunately, the Franklin-Springboro Public Library, who could use a little tweaking on their web site, is not hiring a web designer.

Library: Dip-off Day!

Today, was the dip-off at work. I entered bagel cheese dip, which was renamed Bagel Dippin' Cheese by my coworker, LE, who made the table tag. I made it because it is easy and I would be happy to take home leftovers, not because I thought it would win. As it turned out, someone else brought the same dip, but with plain, not everything, bagels. It's all about the bagels, my friends!

In a field of 10, LE had the come from behind win with her Dip in a Jif - aptly named because she ran out to the grocery during her lunch break and then made it on-site in a matter of minutes. It is actually a bacon cheddar dip served with potato chips. I'll post the recipe when I get it. I was excited she made something because I really enjoyed her taco dip when she came over to craft!

You may remember I won the brownie bake-off* so I was doubly excited someone from my department won, because the score is now: Reference - 2, Youth Services - 1.
Circulations, Tech Services and Administration need to step up their game! ;)


*Yes, I am still reveling in that win because it is the first and probably last time I will win a cooking honor!

PSA: Public Service Announcements

1. Your inability to articulate your information needs despite my reference interview does not constitute guffawing at me.

Customer: I need you to get my WD-40
Librarian: Do you need a blank 1040 form from the IRS? I can set you up on a computer to print one off.
Customer: My friend did my taxes on TurboTax, I just need you to log in and get my WD-40.
Librarian: If your friend filed your taxes through TurboTax, I would not have your login information. But you can login using our computers to print off copies of your 1040.
Customer: No, I need you to log into my stuff and get my WD-40, can't you log into the IRS and get it? I'm gonna work for the Y and my employer needs it.
Librarian: The IRS web site does not have a system for you to log into and see your tax forms that is why when you file it is suggest you keep copies for you own records so in cases like this you have them available. Additionally, check with your employer to find out what they are requesting. Most new jobs I have had only need a social security card and driver's license.
Customer: UGH! so you can't login and get my WD-40 for me?

The thing about this 30-something lady who has probably had to file taxes at least once before and should know it is a 1040, not a WD-10, was that if she would have PAID ATTENTION to her new employer and what I was saying as much as she did her cell phone, she probably would have satisfied.

2. If your cell phone or text message is that important, please take it, away from me. Realize you are being rude when you continue talking on your phone while motioning at me trying to indicate what you want me to do. If you wonder why move on to another customer or walk away, it is because I am questioning where your manners have gone and giving you a chance for a do-over. Take it and be thankful I am not the staffer who gives you death stares :)

3. Your failure to plan does not constitute my emergency. It is not that I can't help, but you have to be flexible and work with me because seriously the paper was due yesterday, so you started the research today and you somehow think it is the librarian's problem when some other customer had the nerve to check out the same blasted book you might want to use?!

4. Come to the library prepared! Bring your reusable grocery sacks to not only carry your books out of the library, but while you walk around the library. Also, if you do not not want to get $9 in coins back from the soda machine, bring smaller bills or change.

I love public service, but there are times when I just say are ya kidding me?!

Library: Denver PL goes crazy for comics

from USA Today's Pop Candy:

I just received an e-mail that made me grin from ear to ear. Pop reader Amber H. works as a librarian for the Denver Public Library, and she says a new display was inspired by Pop Candy's Comics Crash Course.

It's not so much that the Denver Library did a comic display (or graphic novels as we call them) it is that they have similar library furniture and with the table riser that caught my eye! See our furniture and displays in my library displays set on Flickr.

"The library helped start my business"

Woman’s Day and the American Library Association introduce you to four women entrepreneurs who got so much more from the library than books.

Article

Are Librarians Cool?

Enjoy the "Are Librarians Cool?" segment of "Lin's Bin" from Lin Brehmer at Chicago's XRT on January 18th. The mp3 file runs approximately 5 minutes.