Sequels. Love them or hate them?

I don’t know what it is, but in general, I tend to loathe sequels to books. Is it just that the author puts so much time into the first book to draw in readers, and then has to race to get a sequel out in order to satisfy the demand for more? Or is it that I usually read sequels that come out at least a year after the initial book, and I can’t get back into the momentum? (And yes, I’ll admit, I forget half the stuff that I loved about the first one…just that I loved it.) I can’t decide.

Recently, I started the sequel to a book I read last fall, and I had high hopes for it.  In fact, the first one was so good, I thought this could be the next Hunger Games series.

1st book – DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Book 2 – INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

I figured kids would be clamoring to get their hands on this one and we’d need extra copies.  Not so much. I’m disappointed. And now, I’m rethinking sequels altogether. How many times should I go through disappointment to get the idea that the sequels just aren’t worth it? Or should I wait until a series comes out in its entirety and then read them all? For now, I’m going to continue on through the sequel, but it may be a while before I try another series.

Do you enjoy sequels as much as the first book?

Five Library Things

The library is a constantly forward-moving institution, even though many people don’t think of us in that way.  We aren’t just books and card catalogs anymore.  We’re technology and books and people. It’s always changing.  So, for today’s blog post, I’ll talk about Five Things that We’re Doing at the Library Today.

#1.  Blog posts, Twitter & Facebook

If you’re reading this, you might know we’ve been blogging for almost five years.  That’s a lot of posts. Not only do we blog to keep you up to date on things going on in the library, but we also aim to entertain and educate.  Our posts are about language, books, reading, writing and so much more. It’s something we enjoy doing, and it has made a real mark for us as a Public Library.  And for the last few years, we’ve also had a Facebook page and we’ve added our thoughts on Twitter. We’re looking into expanding our online presence into Pinterest and other social networking sites in the future, so keep your eyes here for more information.

#2. We’re adding to our Genealogy Room.

Did you know we have a Genealogy room where we keep local history, microfilm and many bits of information about Carleton Place and the people who have lived here?  We have a dedicated computer where you can search Ancestry.com for a few hours, or you could use the microfilm machine to search through old issues of the Carleton Place Canadian and more.  Order in a microfilm from Library and Archives Canada to do more focused research on your family tree or ask us how to get started.  We have a quick quiz to help us help you focus on what you’re looking for.  And we’re always adding to the room, getting more local history documented in book form or on disk, so ask us what we have available.  Even if we don’t have it ready now, it might be in the works!

#3.  Expanding Our Collections

Did you know we don’t actively purchase paperbacks?  We rely solely on the donations from our generous patrons who drop off their gently used new books and allow us to add them to our shelves.  You’ll always see new books, whether it’s in fiction, non-fiction or in the children’s area.  We put  more than 150 new books each month into our collection, which also means that we have to constantly clean our shelves of older books to make room (otherwise, we’d be bursting through the doors!). You can often find “new” books on our sale table, so don’t forget to check for a great deal when you come in!

#4.  Preparing for Summer Programs

Even though it’s only May, we’ve been preparing and thinking about our summer programs since about February.  A lot of work goes into the process, and we hope the kids enjoy it when the time rolls around.  This summer is no exception. We’re in the process of hiring our summer student and getting our decorations and programs ready.  It’ll be different this year, with posters and booklets aimed at both the middle grade readers and our youngest set (based on our Ready for Reading program).  It’s going to be a fun summer, with lots of crazy events and programs.  Keep watching in mid-June for our summer Calendar.  Just imagine what we’ll be doing this summer!

#5. Keeping up with technology

Yes, we’ve had eBooks and audiobooks available at the library for a while now, but you probably didn’t realize that we are constantly learning.   With the development of many new devices, our initial training has had to be expanded.  We’ve offered a workshop early this year to help new eBook users and we have a kids workshop in the works as well. While many people are still trying to work their way around the idea of eBooks, we’re here to help with the questions.  It isn’t easy, and with the development of wireless devices, it makes downloading eBooks both easier and trickier at the same time. Hopefully, the publishing companies will continue to work out ways to allow libraries to offer eBooks to their patrons and more authors and publishers will make their books available.  We’d love to have every book available to our patrons whenever they want it, but for now, placing holds and making wish lists will have to do.  It’s an exciting process and just another way we can offer books to the public. We’re looking forward to seeing where this will go in the future!

So, you can see, we always have plenty of new things on the go at the library. It’s an exciting place to work!

Movies Galore!

The library isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to borrowing movies, but we do a good business of loaning movies as well as books. Right now in our collection, we have over 1000 DVDs, ranging from documentaries to musicals to dramas.  We have movies for young people and older people and everyone in between. You can have our movies for one week at a time, four movies out per family and they’re free to borrow! (You’ll only pay a fee if you return them late….and then it’s only 10 cents per day/per movie. No wild late fees here!)

So, how do you go about looking for movies in our library? You can do one of two things…..search for them on the computer, or flip through the cards. If you’re going to use our online catalog, just type in “DVD” in the search box.

It’ll bring up a list that looks like this.  Just scroll through the titles and you’ll be able to see if a movie is available or not.  If you have your library card and PIN, you can place a hold on a movie and we’ll call you when it comes in. (And if you know the movie you’re looking for, just type in the title in the search box….it’s easier than trying to find the card with the number on it.)

If you’re IN the library and want to look through our movies, we have them on the desk near the windows.  The cards are sorted by age group…..the kid movies are together, family movies are together and non-kid movies are together.

Just find a movie you like, grab a piece of paper from the pot and jot down the number from the upper right corner of the card.  It’s better to make a nice long list to bring to the front, in case some of your movies aren’t here.  We’ll check the list and grab a few for you and voila, it’s movie night at your house!

Come to the library for a movie! You’ll be glad you did!

The “F” Word.

Yes, that “F” word.

Watching TV the other night, I started thinking about the fact that the majority of television programs don’t allow the use of the word.  And do you miss it?  No. You still know when a character is angry or frustrated.  You can still tell that something bad has happened and someone is upset. But the lack of the word doesn’t make the conversations sound any less realistic, as far as I can tell.  Or maybe we’ve just become used to a Pollyanna version of life?

While literature can span the gamut of clean speech to text riddled with swearing, once again, it isn’t needed. So why do we hear it used so often in everyday life? (Okay, I’ll admit, I  probably go a few days without hearing anyone utter the word, but you get the point.) Why do we develop these types of words in our language and what purpose do they really serve?  Are they just words that undereducated people use? Hardly.  So, why do they even exist?

The F-Word has been around since the 15th century, in a variety of versions. The taboo nature of the words make them powerful, but it doesn’t explain why people use them in everyday conversation, especially when a strong moment isn’t needed. However, linguists believe people use them when speaking to one another (especially friends) to give some intensity to their conversation.  We get the point when someone says ” That was a great concert.”   But, it has no emotion.  Pop in the “f” word, and it becomes description that gives more emphasis to the sentence. If someone is willing to cross acceptable social boundaries to use the word, their idea must be important, right?

But then, how do they get around not using it on TV?  We’ll probably hear it pop up as time goes on (it seems that TV becomes more “realistic” all the time), but for now, they’ve proven we don’t need it. And there are many substitute words that work just as well.

Do you think the F-word would just phase itself out of our world if we didn’t use it?  Or would we just come up with something else instead? Does it matter?  Is it an important word, or just a word that needn’t be discussed?  I haven’t decided yet. 

Do you have any thoughts about that?

Recently, I came across an interesting site called Thought Catalog. It is filled each day with thought-provoking articles, lists and information.  They say they strive to be positive and make you think about a subject in a slightly different way, and I have to agree.

The website is uncluttered, with simple one-block photos above each article.  And while some of the articles  contain subject matter or language that isn’t suitable for everyone, for the most part, the articles are funny and well written. There are topics like Where Have all the Single People Gone, and 5 Things I Miss about Childhood. If you have a few minutes and want something interesting to read, scroll through the list and you’ll find a fun article or two. It’s not your typical news site or single-subject blog and you might come away thinking about life a little differently. Just a thought…….

It’s another Holiday Weekend!

Just a reminder to our patrons, the Carleton Place Public Library will be closed on MONDAY,  May 21st. Please keep any returns until Tuesday morning when the blue return box will go out at 9am.  You will NOT be charged fines for the days we’re not open.  And if you’re really worried, call us and leave a message on our answering machine.  We can renew your books over the phone and save you some late fees!