Saying hello and good-bye at the public library

I waited for the woman at the library to load her returned books in the bin so I could return my one book. But I had another book in my hand I was going to donate to the library. "The Secrets we Kept" by Lara Prescott, an historical fiction about women who worked for the CIA in the 1950s to get "Dr. Zhivago" smuggled INTO the USSR to help create unrest and distrust for the Soviet government. The cover was classy and colorful (red), so she asked me what it was about. I told her I didn't particularly like it (although it is about history). It was 2014 before the CIA involvement was revealed in its role of Pasternak's famous semi-autobiographical novel about the Russian revolution. Prescott filled in the gaps with fictional D.C. women, of course, but included the actual mistress and wife of Pasternak (from diaries/letters). The stranger I'd just met expressed interest, so I handed it to her instead of donating back to the library sale. I told her I'd studied Russian in college, and she said she did too! до свида́ния we two strangers said as we parted at the library today (Russian for good-bye).

 
Prescott had a good story going, she's a fine writer, although the CIA is so creepy and the actual story of using a book to destabilize the USSR is true. But she then revealed she really wanted to write about lesbians. I finished the book, but wasn't interested in keeping it, so I gave it to a stranger.

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott Reveals the Story Behind Doctor Zhivago - Historical Novel Society

When the CIA Used 'Dr. Zhivago' as a Cold War Weapon | HISTORY

Splat! I fell at the library

The death rate from falls among the elderly is increasing, and no one seems to know why. In 2007, the rate of death due to falls was 47 per 100,000. This rate increased to 61.6 per 100,000 in the year 2016. Is it better records, or the baby boomers still taking risks?

I fell today. It wasn't far, and I wasn't hurt, but I sure felt foolish and I don't think anyone saw me. I was at the library which always has a nice display of used books for sale. They are arranged low on 3 shelf book trucks. So I sort of squatted down to get a better look and I tipped over! I kid you not. Splat. I was on the floor. So I sort of rearranged my legs to look like kids do sitting on the floor to browse the books. Of course, then I had to get up from that position! It was a struggle, but I did it. For just $2.00 I got 2 nice books I didn't need.

Update from my 84 year old Lakeside neighbor, Dorothy?

Oh boy, DO I IDENTIFY!!!

Back a few weeks, I fell out of bed trying to get to bathroom, hit my head on nightstand (black eye resulted), happened at 3:30 a.m. SO NO ONE AROUND to SEE. Bleeding profusely from leg wound that scraped metal part on walker which was close to bed (required 9 stitches).  YES, I drove myself to ER, no one ahead of me, got right in - I wasn't about to call 911 & have WHOLE neighborhood awake & asking questions the next day, NO WAY. WAS FUN going thru ALL RED LIGHTS, at 3:30 a.m. NOT MANY OTHERS OUT & NO Police cars IN SIGHT .

A trip to the library

I went to the library this morning to return a book that had been sent by mistake (same title as the one I wanted) and ended up spending a lot of money. It wasn't open yet, so I took a walk around the park for 10 minutes—it was a beautiful day and not cold, plus the land is flat there and doesn’t bother my bursitis.  Then  I went to Giant Eagle to do a little after x-mas shopping (always a shock since I usually buy groceries at Marc’s).  Then on to Macy's to check out some sales. While there I found a "little black dress" and used what was left of my Sept. birthday balance from my daughter. Now I need some place really nice to wear it. Libraries can be very expensive.

Mid-Ohio Food Bank and Upper Arlington Public Library

The cover of the slick PR magazine for the Upper Arlington Public Library shows two staffers, a stack of packaged food and boxes, plus a banner in the background about "Donate food and reduce fine" with a logo of Mid-Ohio Food Bank. I couldn't find an article in the magazine to go with the cover so I googled it. The January 31, 2011 issue of This Week Community Newspaper Upper Arlington explained it: one Saturday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. library patrons could donate one non-perishable item and get $1.00 off their fine. Other people could donate too. I wonder about the time and effort to do this. And then, did the people just pay off the rest of their fines, was that the point? If you donate a 79 cent can of beans and get $1.00 off the fine--and you spent time and gas money to get to the library, how does that work out? Or do you just take something out of the cupboard you weren't going to use anyway, like past due date noodles from Israel or canned mushrooms from China? I've worked at the food pantry, and really, the odd things people donate. . .

I have several problems with this gimmick for paying fines. First of all, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank is primarily tax supported--either by USDA food directly, by farm produce supported by the USDA, by direct payments from the federal government, by direct payments from the state government which probably dipped into a federal grant, through tax deductions given to businesses, or by donations from foundations which receive their money from gifts which are tax deductible. Second, the public libraries are also supported by local taxes. Third, the mission of the public library, a tax supported institution, is not to support other tax supported institutions. It has a very specific purpose in the community that no one else, no other organization can do. It should not be teaching people to read--the public schools do that; it should not be offering craft classes, hobbies, and art classes and other lyceum type programs--there are other community and private groups that do that.

If you can't make your case for being an outstanding library without this type of "volunteer" for the community poor, then hire a new PR staffer, or revise your fine schedule.

That reminds me, I have an overdue book. Crazy love by Francis Chan. It's a Christian book--a very rare find at the Upper Arlington Public Library. Take your food items to the collection box at your church. This is one area where I favor separation of church and state.

Browsing the new books at UAPL

I stopped by the Upper Arlington Public Library today to return 2 books I didn't read--one on laptops and one on i-pods. Or was it i-pad. But I did find the Teddy Roosevelt book we're doing for bookclub next month. The records are extremely difficult to read, so I had actually reserved one thinking they were all checked out, but one was on the shelf, so a staff person had to remove my reserve.

Then I went to the New Books Non-Fiction shelf. This is always an interesting exercise because I always look through the 200s--religion. Those darn Christians--the shelf is wiped clean as usual! Just other religions like wicca, four on Judaism and a "why I left the [right wing] church" title. You can't even find a Christian book on this library's "holiday" book list. But that's old news. I blogged about that before.

But I see on the new book list they do have Glenn Beck's new book on George Washington. One. With seventeen holds.

Ah yes, banning books in the selection process. A time honored tradition.

Still providing misinformation on libraries

The Upper Arlington Progressives still don't understand that "free circs" are not the responsibility of public libraries to distribute. They are rehashing 2005 again. The public meetings in 2005 were "packed" with outside, non-tax paying (in UA) liberal interest groups to force the library to maintain piles of sex-peddling free circs in the lobby. For those of you not in the biz, a "free circ" is basically boiler-plate articles with some original content, and like all newspapers and magazines they are completely dependent on advertising, but they are provided "free." They are also known as "fish wrappers." The result? The libs won, and the situation made worse when the free circs were moved inside to specially made cabinets. The objectionable sex publications were already cataloged and available in the magazine/newspaper section of the reading room, proof the protesters were just making a political move.

Don't let the word "progressive" in the name fool you. There's never anything new or original in socialism. Certainly not progress.

What's wrong with this book?

Nothing that I can see. Here's a review from Amazon by a reviewer who has eclectic tastes and writes frequently.

"The Way Into Torah" is a superbly written, highly accessible introduction for the general reading seeking guidance on how to effectively read, study, and understand the Torah, including the other books of the Bible and the related sacred texts that grew up around it. Norman Cohen is Rabbi and Professor of Midrash at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, and brings his expertise and experience to bear in presenting just what the Torah is and how it came about, the different approaches to studying the Torah, the various levels of understanding the Torah, and what the Torah study is an essential aspect of the Jewish experience. The Way Into Torah is an ideal beginning point for commencing a personal study of the Torah.

I checked the publisher, Jewish Lights, and it seems fine as near as I can tell from the other titles in its catalog. The copyright is recent--2000--at least for a religious book, and the Torah is thousands of years old so probably not much has changed. It's part of a 14 volume series, "The Way into. . ." which has many interesting titles. It's not damaged or moldy or water marked. No foxing. There's a smidgen of tomato sauce on the title page, but that might be mine from yesterday's lunch.

I found it in the freebie box at church, but its most recent provenance before it was purchased at a used book sale for $2.00 then donated to our church, was the Upper Arlington Public Library. So, it isn't only Lutherans and Evangelicals they don't like there. I went into the catalog and did a word search on "Torah," and found 2 titles, both for juveniles. Then I did a subject search on "Judaism," and found a hodge podge, bits and snippets. This book was truly needed for some balance and fleshing out of the collection.

Someone who knows more about the range of possibilities for good books on Judaism and its sacred texts needs to go there and review the collection. Not that you'll get far, of course. When I pointed out to them that their most recent book on Lutherans was over 40 years old despite having one of the largest Lutheran churches in the country right here in Upper Arlington, they made a real effort and bought ONE additional title, a collection of essays published in the 21st century. Wow. They're only nice to us when there's a bond issue, so have your list ready early.

Banned Books week is over for this year, but here's my friendly, insider reminder: objectionable books are banned before they ever get to the shelf--it's called book selection in library-speak. But "deacquisition" of one that slipped through is also a useful technique.

Ohio's Democratic Governor wants to cut library funding

It's hard to even imagine what Ohio's librarians would be doing if Strickland were a Republican (librarians vote 223 to one for Democrats). I'm sure they'd have a lynch mob ready, maybe they'd organized something like a tea party. But as it is, library patrons are getting e-mails (UAPL sent one to me) since there was only about a week's notice that his was going to happen. Oh, and also some day care funding for poor kids will be cut.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has proposed cutting Ohio Public Library Fund by a jaw dropping $227,000,000 in his biennium budget. This could possibly cause the closure of many libraries relying solely on state support. Ohio is home to many of the nations highest ranked and rated public libraries. LISNews.

Remember, all you liberals, Obama's economic plan was only going to hurt the evil rich. He had to poke his long, sticky government fingers into our economic dyke that had a leak, but all he did was enlarge the holes and create a flood. Just because Obama's plan is destroying investment in business which brings in taxes which pays your salaries, or directly employs you, it's all going to be sooooo fair. This man never intended to save anything--only to destroy. Wake up! FDR managed to drag out the Great Depression for a decade; Obama could even beat his record.

Federal bailout funds coming to Ohio

Upper Arlington, that wealthy suburb of Columbus, the same city that wants a $25 million levy for an addition to the library (last levy was 2 years ago), is hoping to snag a modest $500,000 of the more than $28 million in ARRA funds to install sidewalks along streets that serve as school and bus routes. No self-respecting, safety minded, SUV driving, Gen-X UA parent allows a child to walk or bike to school--so I'm not sure if a little foot will ever meet that concrete. I hope they don't get it. And if our city planners of the 1930s hadn't put the sidewalks up against the street, we'd all be a lot safer.

The process of getting this $500,000 could easily consume that much in employee time because like any government money, it has to pass through many hands. First our own UA city staff has to research it and work through complex applications; the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission which reviews, coordinates and makes recommendations; the Ohio Department of Transportation which administers the funding, makes sure all the applicants meet state infrastructure standards, and requirements; and of course, all the Washington career worker-bees, and party loyalists who are writing those standards and funding requirements. Just to get that little sum to UA city Manager, Virginia Barney, will cost a bundle. Even not getting it has a dollar cost to the tax payer--all over the country wherever ARRA funds are sought unsuccessfully. This is how our politicians, Democrats and Republicans, grow our economy; first you grow the government; second you expand what you just grew. (details from the UA News, April 22, 2009, opinions my own)

Then today's Columbus Dispatch reported that we're going to reinvent the Great Depression CCC and put men to work. Ohio officials are using federal stimulus money to "resurrect the idea and create the Recovery Conservation Corps" expecting to "create" 20,000 jobs funded with $47 million of the federal stimulus (maybe we could give them the library money and 10,000 jobs?), plus another $2 million of state money to transport these workers to their jobs of litter pick-up, building repair, and removing invasive plants.

Now, the snag here is there has always been money (grants) for this, so this is additional money, but these jobs are designated for low-income, disadvantaged, drop-outs, homeless and disabled. You see, Democrats believe that if low IQ men, or ex-cons, or mentally ill, or physically disabled people would just try harder, they could all have government jobs. With all the billions and billions that have been designated for that during the last 50 years, I wonder why we still have people sleeping under bridges? In recent years, when the economy was booming under Bush, disabled and disadvantaged were being incorporated into the regular income stream as tax payers--I saw them many places as grocery baggers, stockers, janitors, and in protected, sheltered workshops. Often with one-on-one, or two-on-one job coaches and supervisors, in part subsidized by the state. Sometimes it was a private-public partnership type thing, but often it was just a private business willing to spend the extra time training them. Workers with disabilities hired for REAL jobs put money into the community--into goods and services, transportation, restaurants, house. But not a program to pick up litter by the homeless (something state workers are hired to do). So this ARRA money will primarily be going for the social services required to assist minimally functioning people who either can't or won't or are too ill to work. More games with our money and with the wording of ARRA, which is pork distribution by Obama to those who supported him.

Government cannot and has never created jobs. It only redistributes money from workers by handing it off (for a fee) to other workers. No job is "created."

Vote No on Issue 4 (Library) of $25 million

This information comes from the letters in the UA News, April 22

If a school levy fails, people lose jobs, children's education is strained and communities suffer. But the library levy is not one of those. It is an overpriced, ballooned request upon citizens in a challenging economic climate.

This is the third time the library tax has increased since 2001, and should it pass, UA taxpayers will be paying nearly five times what they paid to the library just 8 years ago.

Of the 3 plans presented to the library board, the most expesive was chosen, and added to.

Operating costs are not included in this request. Therefore, we can expect more down the road.

No library employees will lose their jobs if this levy fails.

Over half the UA library patrons live outside the city of UA and do not pay UA property tax.

One letter writer counted 18 chairs in the atrium, 4 in the video area, 3 being used. Saw children using study cubicles for coloring books. [Actually, I applaud the parent for bringing something to keep the children busy, rather than letting them run loose disturbing others.]

A $25 million dollar levy is over the top for unnecessary expansion. Most seats are vacant. There are a dozen DVD copies of the movie Elf. [And 15 copies of anti-Bush books, and every movie Michael Moore ever made.] Proponents arguments are not for literary or educational need, but for more free entertainment.

People are losing their jobs. Why gold plate the library? Does it really need a cafe, a gathering place, fireplaces--after an outcry these perks were removed, but do they think the taxpayers have forgotten? A $25 million levy goes far beyond "improvements" and is empire building.

If issue 4 passes, UA tax payments to the Library will rise from $996,000 in 2001 to almost $4.7 million annually.

Of the proposed 35,000 sq. ft. Tremont (main) expansion more than 1/3, 14,000 sq. ft. is for the library's staff/mechanical storage space, and the entire lower level will be off limits for patrons.

Two of the library's trustees voted against the levy, citing the bad economy.

Critical repairs are needed: the library has $3 million+ on hand for that.

Other details at changeinua.org.

The recent Miller Park (south of Lane Ave.) branch totaled about $1 million--administrators said no public funds would be used, but records show otherwise.

Residents opposed the "cafe" originally proposed; now it's called a vending area.

Advice from a resident: rein in tax increases, budget for necessary maintenance, prioritize services, heed board members Magill and Perera; be accountable to voters.

Why I won't be supporting the Upper Arlington Library levy

The signs are popping up in yards like daffodils. Can you imagine a worse time to ask people to raise their real estate taxes for a non-essential service? This town is getting grayer and grayer; retired people have lost bundles in collapsing retirement accounts. Our city can't figure out what to do with the little taxable property we do have (like Kingsdale) which only leaves our homes. And it approved a terrible housing experiment for Tremont Road which stands empty.

I'm not at all saying that public libraries are non-essential (although they become less so in an internet world). But this increase is definitely not needed. They just came to us. . . when? Three or four years ago so they could build a drive through book drop and then didn't get it the correct height. And although they want us to voluntarily increase our taxes, when we came to them with our concerns (pornographic and gay sex materials in the lobby) they let the gay activists who don't even live here tell us we have no right to decide what the children see because the library gets money from the county. No concerned parent told the library director that there should be no purchased and cataloged gay material in the library collection. No, the parents of UA said don't leave the free circ trashy newspapers and magazines in the lobby. Let the distributors put them in bars and clubs. This was solved by bringing the objectionable material inside, spending money on special height shelving, and leaving the lobby empty. Great use of resources and input, wasn't it?

No, this library board and director don/t listen to the people, don't buy what we want if we're conservatives, but love to pass the collection plate (oops, can't say that--they don't want church groups to meet in library space if they pray). Sorry. I'm saying NO to this one. I'd say YES to the zoo or the MRDD (or whatever the current acceptable term is) or the schools, but this librarian is saying NO to more money for the public library.

Update: I was wrong. I just checked my blog and the last levy was two years ago. All the reasons I listed then, still exist. That blog content went to the local paper but was never published.

Does she mean liberals?

Liberals have been in charge of the education of our young people, especially on the college campuses, for the last 40 years at least. So is it them she's writing about?

"[Susan] Jacoby argues [in her book The Age of American Unreason] that a mutant strain of public ignorance, anti-rationalism, and anti-intellectualism has developed over the past four decades and threatens the future of American democracy."

If she were a conservative, she wouldn't be speaking on the college campuses, right? Maybe she should have a heart to heart chat with the various feminists, area studies administrators, and feel-good, non-intellectual professors and see what they can contribute to her theories? Could they be squelching honest inquiry? Surely not! I still remember the young man who worked for me who was taking a women's studies course as an elective, and was terrified to use the word "human" (because it contained the word "man") in his paper. And then there was the OSU student I worked with during the McCain campaign:

"He told me that he has seen every one of Michael Moore's movies in his college classes! It was required. One was a biology course, one was a political science course, and I've forgotten the other two. For one class final in a Latin American history course the only question was to write an essay on the seven best things Fidel Castro had done for Cuba. In another course where the students needed to write a persuasive paper, he chose "Why the U.S. needs to drill in ANWR." His instructor, an honest but not particularly ethical woman, told him at the outset he'd need to choose another topic. She'd have to flunk him because he'd never be able to persuade her, no matter how good his argument or bibliography, she said. He says the ridiculing and trashing of the Bush administration has been relentless in all his classes."

Oh yeah. That really encourages intellectual honesty and debate. I looked through some reviews and found the usual collection of villains--fundamentalists, conservatives, Bushies--really odd since they haven't been in charge of Hollywood, the media, TV late night, gaming industry, cable entertainment, and have a tough time getting their books on to the shelves of the public libraries. Straw man up; knock him down. Yawn. Maybe she needs to check under the covers elsewhere?

There are 3 copies in our public library, which is going for another bond issue. Yes, right on top of all the stimulus applications our city government plans. Maybe we could get a 2-fer? Just got one about 2 years ago--maybe 3--I voted against it. Now that they don't have to buy 16 copies of anti-Bush titles, they should have enough money to run the place without putting their hand in our pockets again.

No grown-ups allowed

The public library in my community has some terrific resources--not for Christians, not for conservatives--but great for those fascinated by entertainment, popular culture, audio-video, business, computer technology, scrapbooking, gourmet recipes, painting, travel and fiction readers. However, this is beyond the pale.

READ DOWN FINES
Tuesday, Janury 8 at 7 p.m.
Lane Road Branch Library

Got fines? Arrive at the Lane Road Library downstairs meeting room at 7 p.m. and read for one hour. You will receive a voucher for up to $8 off of existing fines for overdue materials. Be sure to arrive on time and with reading material in hand.

This is worse than last year's joke: a list of nine new "holiday/seasonal" titles none of which were about Christmas. "Up to $8?" Does that mean you might only get $6 off your fine if the librarian doesn't like your selection? What if your fines were for overdue DVDs? Can you watch a DVD for an hour if you don't read? What about one of those ear blasting, air guitar programs the library does for the kids? Can you bring a real guitar and work off your fine that way?

I don't know how many Upper Arlington library users have fines at a level that they are willing to work them off at minimum wage in the basement of a library on a cold January night, but I'm willing to bet, not many. And does the library get money by doing this? Of course not! It's just a way to insult and belittle people who owe you money. Why not, 1) write off the fine and take away their library privileges, or 2) send them a letter after dunning them with phone calls at dinner time, 3) Hire a collection agency if the fine is really large.

Upper Arlington has a median family income of $90,208, the average home is valued at $324,200, 98% of the residents are high school graduates and 68% are college graduates. A deadbeat is a deadbeat, no matter what the income. However, reading for minimum wage doesn't sound like it would have much appeal for this community.

Disclaimer: I do not owe any fines to UAPL. I do, however, owe OSUL $12, and have for about 15 years. They don't expect you to pay unless you owe $50. I did try to pay it before I retired, but there was no one in the business office that day who knew how to do it.

Banned Books Week

BBW is over for another year (wasn't that the name of a magazine for large women?). Banned books goes on all year at my library because banning begins at selection by the staff, not complaints from the patron. Today, I picked up a magazine, AudioFile June July 2007. Glancing through it, I noticed it had a religious section, so I decided to see if my public library had any of the religious audiobooks reviewed in the issue. The first one I tried was a James Dobson, Focus on the Family issue. Didn't surprise me that they didn't have it. Even though his company produces top-notch audio and video, he is politically a conservative--an anathema at this tax supported, public library**. So I read the review of R.C. Sproul's audio book The Holiness of God read by Grover Gardner (6.5 hours, unabridged). Reviewer noted that the print version published 20 years ago had become a standard work, and that the audio did justice "to a deep work on a subject often taken for granted."

I bring up the catalog again (which doesn't work well and is an aggravation) and punch in "Sproul, R.C." One item--a contribution to a King James Bible version. A search of Amazon.com brings up over 200 titles, because Sproul, a Presbyterian, is extremely prolific (note: his son uses "R.C. Sproul, Jr," although they don't have the same name). Although he focuses on theological themes, he has also written for children and youth, and I think has tried his hand at fiction. He has written books on home schooling, cultural issues, biography, Bible studies, The Westminster Confession, marriage, apologetics, the reformation, death, and the life of Jesus. He is a well known as a Christian author, teacher and speaker. There are a few duplicates on the Amazon listing--some titles are published both in Spanish and English; several have audio; some are both paperback and hard cover.

However, I counted 46 distinct titles with publication dates between 2000 and 2008 (it's possible some could be his son's--hard to tell). Forty-six titles in eight years, and Upper Arlington Public Library couldn't find a spot on the shelf or in the budget for even one! Richard Dawkins, the non-religious bigot who sees religion as a human construct and the source of much evil in the world is much more acceptable at UAPL. His Blind watchmaker has 3 copies; The God delusion has 7 print copies and one audio.

And this, dear readers, is what I call banned books.
------------------

** If you check the UAPL catalog by publisher, you will find Focus on the Family, all from the early to mid-1990s--the library staff was a bit less "focused" and rigid in those days.

4176

Just bought two best sellers

They aren't in the library. Clarence Thomas' My Grandfather's Son is on order at the Upper Arlington Public Library, and has 8 holds from people who want to read it; Laura Ingraham's Power to the People has one copy, checked out, and 6 holds. However, if I wanted to read about Katie the real story there are 3 copies, all available; and Maureen Dowd's Are men necessary? has 3 copies, all available, plus one for sale for $2 on the Friends shelf (hard cover, book jacket, looks unused). There were 2 DVD sets of the first 6 episodes of "30 Days." I checked Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus--they seemed to have been alerted that there might be an interest in the Thomas book, and they had circulating copies (all checked out) with multiple holds.

When I asked the tattooed, earstudded clerk at the store for the Ingraham book, he didn't seem to know of it, and looked it up on the computer. He found it, and led me to the back of the store, to a bottom shelf in the history section. "Isn't this an odd place for a #1 title?" I asked. "Oh, it's probably up front; I just didn't want to look for it," he groused. Then I asked for the Thomas book. He turned on his heel and nearly ran to the front of the store and pointed. And there it was; under the table in plain view. How could I have missed it? With my two books in hand, I carefully looked at all the tables. Laura wasn't there.

However, both rang up for 30% off even though there was no sticker on her book.

If you live in Columbus and want to read one of these, let me know. It will be a long wait for the library to take action. You know it is BBW and they are probably busy dealing with cranky conservatives.

4140

Laura proves the point

David Frum has this to say about Laura Ingraham, whose new book Power to the people came out September 11. I think it's on the best seller list.

Laura was among the very first to come out in opposition to the Harriet Miers nomination — not because she is undeliberate, but because she is one of the best-informed journalists in America on everything to do with the legal system and the courts. It's not just that she knows a lot of law (although she does). She also does the work to stay plugged into the discussions among lawyers and legal scholars.

Laura's show is truly very funny, but it is also very sophisticated and smart. For all that we are supposed to denigrate the evils of life inside the Beltway, there's no substitute for being connected and knowledgeable.

Best of all, Laura's radio persona remains remarkably untainted by ego. Radio is no medium for the bashful, of course, but when I listen to Laura, I hear the voice of someone who has much to share — but also never pretends to know all the answers.

Her new book has one copy in my public library with 4 saves (holds, requests, etc.) and one audio-book copy. If she were Michael Moore or Bob Woodruff, they'd be handing copies out with the book bags.

Tomeboy has done another survey on library bias and used Laura Ingraham (Shut up and sing) as an example. I don't know how to crunch numbers, but I know how to wait in line for a conservative title at the library.

Why I won't answer a library survey

Your library or mine, it's a waste of time, so I don't even bother. I got an e-mail last week suggesting I go on-line and respond to a survey (isn't it too soon for another bond issue?) Gracious! I've composed enough surveys in my career to know how to word them so you look good! But more importantly, the staff (director) of my PL won't listen. I've made suggestions for purchase and complaints about problems with the on-line catalog; I've written the local paper; I've blogged. I've even complimented them when they do something I like (on-line genealogy sources, excellent art instruction collection, great book sales). The Diddly Squat retreat is the only movement or direction this group knows.

Here's today's example. I've only spent 5 minutes researching it, but you'll get the idea of my level of frustration. My husband just walked in from his Wednesday morning men's group. The current study (by the leader, not the group) is from Josh McDowell's The new tolerance, a 1998 imprint by one of the best known, popular conservative authors in Christendom--not a favorite of mine, but thorough and well researched stuff the last I checked, with oodles of references and a Christian world view. My poor husband has been assigned the "old and new absolutes about women" in the church.

So I googled the title, find out McDowell wrote it and check my library catalog. First, it tells me "there is no exact match for McDowell, Josh, please try Josh McDowell." Next, I'm about to move on thinking they are more anti-Christian than I thought, when I scan the list that did appear and see, "McDowell, Josh 5 titles." I haven't a clue why this glitch shows up--surely the hostility doesn't work its way into the query!

Then, I look at the 5 titles. McDowell is probably best known for a title he wrote about 30 years ago for youth called Evidence that demands a verdict. I used to have a copy, but loaned it, and it never returned. Yes, the library has that title and 4 others from the 1980s. 1980s? This author even gets reviewed in Publisher's Weekly and Library Journal (public librarians find it difficult to move beyond their own safe bible for reviews). He has a marketing machine! Where is Evidence for Christianity (2006) or American idols (2006) or Handbook of todays religions (1992)? He has produced tapes and CDs and DVDs. Why can my library buy every book and format for Michael Moore and 16 copies of anti-Bush titles, and continue to deny the Christian taxpayers their due? Actually, that is a rhetorical question--librarians are 223:1, liberal to conservative, and the place books get banned is during the selection process, not after they are on the shelves after parents or old ladies complain.

In today's multicultural, PC world, "tolerance," not honesty, or bravery or patriotism, or truth, or hard work, is the primary virture--tolerance for everyone except those in the Western Christian world.

3819

Librarian publishes her third book

Nancy Pearl is the 62 year old librarian who developed the program whereby a whole city or town reads the same book. She's now published "Book Crush: for kids & teens." USAToday story

Mine is hardly an unbiased opinion, but I don't think librarians are the best guides on how or why children read--or adults either for that matter. I've seen some fabulous book blogs, and the best are simply by people who love reading and want to share their joy. However, not everyone loves to read or wants to read. Nothing emotional, spiritual, or intellectual happens when they read like when they play guitar, or hit a golf ball, or feel the tug of a fish on the line, or smell the leather of a saddle against the sweat of a horse. Zero, nada, zip.

I read to my children when they were young (it's a great cuddle time), it was a positive experience for the three of us, and both could read by the age of four. We made our own books too, using the cards they received for holidays. We had spelling contests, illustrated stories, and played word games. They always got books for birthdays and Christmas from my parents. One loved school; one hated it except for recess. They had excellent teachers, in a great school system, and parents who had a good education and who read to them. One does read fiction selectively by certain authors, only in hard cover, and only what she purchases; the other never reads. Neither have a library card.

I also took them to story hour at the local public library within walking distance of our home. They both disliked this experience, but for different reasons. My daughter wanted to stay right with me in the adult section, clinging to my leg; my son wanted to go play in the park next to the library. Neither thought sitting with strangers on the floor of the library was a fun way to hear a story.

I just mention this so nobody gets too puffed up about her ability to inspire children to read. And don't have too many regrets if you didn't have the time, inclination or interest and you think you've failed your children. If they are readers, they will find a way. There are many studies on learning types, environment, accessibility, illustrations, word difficulty and choices. And the "research" changes from era to era. When I was a little girl, teachers and librarians discouraged books in series, now it is encouraged. Comic books in a library? They would have been horrified, but not today.

Yes, by all means expose children to good literature with good illustrations; just don't be alarmed if they go another direction.

3758

Why I'm not voting for the library levy

SNP Publications

The Editorial in the April 25 UA News urged readers to 'keep the library at top of the class.' I don't plan to vote for the levy, although I use the library frequently and appreciate many of its good features, such as pleasant, helpful staff, digital genealogy sources, circulating magazines, and easy parking.

What I don't like is the response to concerns of the people the library serves. When parents came to them about the free-circ, sexually explicit journals and newspapers stacked in the entry way for pick-up by anyone coming or going, the library's response was to bring the material inside and build expensive shelving for protection of the distributors, not the children. No public library has a mission or responsibility to distribute free-circ material, which essentially is an advertising medium. And then there was that recent dust-up reported on TV because the librarian says she can’t block inappropriate material for minors at check out.

Money for the recently hired PR person could have been much better spent to upgrade the salaries of current staffers, or to add a librarian who would balance the lopsided collection or improve the catalog.

The library installed a very expensive drive-through drop off, destroying some nice green space and spending foolishly while Lane Road's plumbing rotted. I don't know if an in-house coffee shop is still being planned for Tremont Rd, but that idea definitely is poorly conceived.

The turn-key, on-line catalog is awkward and difficult to use, riddled with mistakes, and contains 2-3 hot links for each entry that go nowhere. The subject headings are inconsistent, and if there is keyword access (the easiest method), I haven't found it. The library web page is more attractive and helpful than what most libraries have, but could be much better.

The library regularly prints wall size posters in vivid colors and individual announcements on upcoming events and new acquisitions, using its supplies budget carelessly if the cost of my ink cartridges are any indication. The lyceum programs it sponsors duplicate many other activities and organizations in the community and Columbus. It increases the gate count, but not much else.

The current selection policies reflect the tastes of the staff--15 hard copies of Bob Woodward’s latest book, everything Michael Moore ever produced in every possible format, every anti-Bush administration book, 30 new cookbook titles always on the new bookshelves, a stunning collection of scrap booking titles, and a college-level collection on film, media and celebrities. I don’t know much about music, but 17 drawers of jazz CDs?

At Christmas, UAPL couldn’t even find a Christian title to include in its recommended nine new Christmas books published for a local magazine. Although Upper Arlington has three Lutheran churches, one of which is among the largest in the country, it has only 9 books on Lutherans, 2 of which are biographies of Martin Luther. There is more on Wicca and Wiccans than Lutherans in the UAPL collection. Methodists and Presbyterians don’t fare much better, and the Baptist title count is inflated only because of books--probably over 100--on Martin Luther King. There are probably more titles on the Amish than other Christian groups combined other than Catholics. The blatantly anti-Christian books, however, cover many shelves in the 300s and 900s. They are biased, hate filled, and political. You want to raise our taxes by $800,000 for that?

You say we UA folks are only paying 40% of the library’s operating budget? No sir, we’re paying ALL of it--just from different pots of taxes.

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For other essays on UAPL where I site specific titles and subject headings, check here.

3746

Jazz vs. Rock

At the public library the other day I was browsing the CDs in the music collection. If I wanted Contemporary Christian I'd have a pretty small selection (it all sounds like secular music to me), but since I don't know much about choral or orchestral, the collection suits my needs. Something seemed a bit odd. There were 17 drawers of jazz and 13 drawers of rock. So I asked a musician friend of mine about this. "Isn't rock a much larger, more popular genre of music than jazz?" She thought for a moment, and then said, "It probably reflects the taste of someone on the staff." Then she followed that with, "Well, jazz lovers are probably more likely to use the library, and people who like rock are using a different source--either purchasing or downloading or sharing." I didn't look for the break-out of rap or hip-hop, so I don't know how that is cataloged. I'll have to look the next time.

I'm so glad my library allows journals to circulate. Some libraries don't. And good parking! I was talking to a Worthington Public Library user the other day and she said she likes to use ours just because the parking is so much better. Our new drive through drop off was a huge waste of money, however, as is the proposed coffee shop inside the library (at least I haven't heard that it has been removed from the proposed levy renewal) and the salary of a marketing director.