Is Dewey Excluding Our Patrons?

As I led a very nice (and very loud) 15 year old over to the Oragami section of the library today, I wondered to myself “Is the Dewey Decimal system, for all it’s positives, an exclusive system that disenfranchises our patrons in the quest for knowledge?”

This might seem a little heavy for a routine trip to the stacks, but really, most patrons don’t understand Dewey and they have to come to us to 1) find out where the secret code says the treasure is and 2) help them decode the clue once we find it. I know its purpose isn’t at all to make patrons confused, but unless they know how to use it (and most don’t) that puts us, librarians, in the position of ultimate knowledge dispenser. But isn't that my job? Of course, I just wish I could empower patrons more in their quest for information. Perhaps the Dewey Decimal System (a series of numbers that correspond with various topics in specific locations on the shelf, oft times without really making logical sense – check out the 700’s) creates a system where patrons are required to access information via a map reader (us) instead of being able to navigate the system on their own. Marx would cry Hegemony! but that seems a little too far for me. …and patrons could just…you know…learn how to read numbers from low to high…

I’m not saying that I’m in favor of switching over to bookstore style organization for non-fiction as a few libraries throughout the country have done, but I am interested in ways of making libraries more user friendly.

Persepolis

Who knew I'd ever really like a graphic novel? I just finished "Persepolis: A childhood" and it was fabulous. Really. Here is my review

For sassy young Marjane Satrapi, growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979 is pretty confusing. After growing up in a relatively modern society, Marjane is now forced to wear a head scarf in public, wear her jeans only in secret, and stop listening to tapes where people might hear, as these things are now against the law. More seriously, she watches as family and friends are taken away, tortured, and sometimes even murdered.

Told through the eyes of a child, this graphic novel is stunning in its ability to capture the complexities of Iran in the early 80’s while remaining accessible and informative. A really great read for anyone interested in the region.

It Peaveth Me

Ok, I was reading the "mailbag" in a book review magazine today and I read something that is uber irksome to me. After complaining for a while about the latest book in her favorite series taking forever to come out, Lillian DeMeritte of Silver Spring, MD writes
"I wish there was something publishers could do to encourage their authors to put limits on the amount of time between books written within a series. It's one thing to allow time to create suspense, but to leave your readers hanging by fingernails, teeth and toenails is a bit much."

I don't know at what point readers think authors become their own personal dancing monkeys, but this kind of attitude drives me crazy. I guess it happens with all "artists", like when music fans are ticked about a band's new album that "isn't like the real them at all" (... but who else could it be?). But it happens a lot in this particular genre.

ok, I'll spill it. It was a romance book review book catalog I was reading and the kicker about this letter was that the responding editor thought it was a perfectly reasonable complaint. If you don't know, the Romance world is a fascinating, if disturbing place. I don't mind saying that it is almost entirely devoid of artistic, organic endeavors. And maybe that's fine, I don't want to be too snotty. The Romance industry is completely based on marketing, and economics drives EVERYTHING about it; plot, character, length, quantity...quality. I'm not saying that's bad, ok, I think it is, but good for them for turning a buck if they can stomach it.

I guess my main point is what a shame it is when readers think they ought to have complete control over writers, and what an even bigger shame it is in the Romance world when they do! Is my idealism showing?

Que Triste!

So, I was updating the community hallway in the library today and I heard uproarious laughter and shrieking coming from the girls bathroom. I went inside and it had, sure enough, turned into the Provo High School bathroom in a matter of seconds. Hairspray, tons of eyeliner, and the ever popular butt-showing lowriders. Since it was during school I kindly asked the girls what they were doing at the library during school hours. (I should point out that were all 15 year old sassy latino girls - it doesn't really matter, but it helps you imagine it) "Um, like somebody dropped us off, 'djou know?" "We just had to use the bathroom."

"So, you're done by now, right?"

At this point they all looked a little nervous and one of them bolted into the bathroom. When she came out a few minues later she had a pregnancy test and she looked really relieved. But then her friend said to her "No, you have to wait three minutes stupit". It was killer.

My first thought was 'oh my heck, she needs help' So old lady library kicked in and I went through all of the adoption resources we had in the library and all of the pamphlets on dealing with teen pregnancy (not that we have many, really this is provo). But then I thought 'if she isn't pregnant she needs to know about how to not get pregnant!' But then I knew I would get fired for sure. I was just so struck with how young she was and how much she didn't know about having a baby, or not having a baby (obviously, since she was taking a pregnancy test). Eak.

So, ultimately I decided to let them have their moment alone in the bathroom and I don't know how things turned out. I realized that If I were to be High School librarian and I got to know the kids it would be hard for me to remain objective about their personal lives. Can you imagine coming home from school and telling your parents that your High School librarian had talked to you about contraceptives...can you say fired? Well, for sure here anyway. I don't know. I don't mind saying that I think abstinence only sex education is ridiculous and I can't beleive the government funds it. But maybe my job isn't worth that issue? But really, when you think about this lives of teens and their possible unborn children...maybe it is? Not yet I guess. I'll wait 'till I'm a sassy old woman with nothing to loose and some serious clout to swing around.

A Gem

Ok, so my favorite book is "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer and if you haven't read it...this quote will kind of overwhelm you but give you a glimpse into what it's like. Think Walt Whitman meets Thomas Pynchon...in Derrida's Bathroom. Oskar's Dad died in 9/11 and here is a conversation he has with his mother in the book.

The next morning I told Mom I couldn’t go to school again. She asked what was wrong. I told her, “the same thing that’s always wrong.” “You’re sick?” “I’m sad.” “About Dad?” “About everything.” She sat down on the bed next to me, even though I knew she was in a hurry. “What’s everything?” I started counting on my fingers: “The meat and diary products in our refrigerator, fistfights, car accidents, Larry—“Who’s Larry?” “The homeless guy in front of the Museum of Natural History who always says ‘I promise its for food’ after he asks for money.” She turned around and I zipped her dress while I kept counting. “How you don’t know who Larry is, even though you probably see him all the time, how Buckminster just sleeps and eats and goes to the bathroom and has no raison detre, the short ugly guy with no neck who takes tickets at the IMAX theater, how the sun is going to explode one day, how every birthday I always get at least one thing I already have, poor people who get fat because they eat junk food because it’s cheaper…” That was when I ran out of fingers, but my list was just getting started, and I wanted it to be long, because I knew she wouldn’t leave while I was still going. “…domesticated animals, how I have domesticated animals, nightmares, Microsoft Windows, old people who sit around all day because no one remembers to spend time them and they’re embarrassed to ask people to spend time with them, secrets, dial phones, how Chinese waitresses smile even when there’s nothing funny or happy, and also how Chinese people own Mexican restaurants but Mexican people never own Chinese restaurants, mirrors, tape decks, my unpopularity at school, Grandma’s coupons, storage facilities, people who don’t know what the Internet is, bad handwriting, beautiful songs, how there won’t be humans in fifty years…”

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close pg. 42

Templar Man

Ok, so we have this fabulous patron who insists on giving us 20 minute lectures about government corruption, Dick Cheney (one and the same?), History, who really killed Jesus Christ -you name it- every time he comes to the desk. He's always taking on city hall AND the federal government, and we have no idea how difficult it is to fight the man...who is taking away all of our civil liberties. Today the Templars were introduced to the crazy stew. Somehow in the course of our "conversation" he said "You know my ancestors built this nation - they were Templars. Do you know what the Templars stand for?" And in my best, most unintended, George Bush I responded "Freedom?". (It was more like John Stewart doing George Bush if you've ever heard it). Well, I guess that's not really what they are about, BUT they are are about beards apparently. He has a scraggly long beard and "it's not just a hippy thing"...he's taken a Templar oath to uphold the legacy of his heritage. Really? I love my job.

Some Good Old Victorian Shizzle

THE THIRTEENTH TALE: Diane Setterfield: Contemporary Gothic

When Margaret Lea, a waif of an antique book collector and amateur biographer, is summoned by the most beloved, and secretive, writer of her time, Ms. Vida Winter, to finally write her true biography she is hesitant to say the least. Winter has a history of supplying false "biographies" and keeping her identity securely locked away. But Winter, on her death bed, begins to reveal her sad and oft times violent tale of growing up at Angelfield and the real story is better than any she has or ever could manufacture. In this process of recording Winters' life, Margaret comes to learn more about herself and her own secret past than she ever expected.

Complete with twisting (and sometimes not so twisting) family trees, obsession, Gothic violence(think Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights), Madness, Love, Loss, and secret pasts this book is a page turner from the beginning. Likened to a Modern day Jane Eyre, this book will certainly keep you guessing and ultimately make you believe in the power of storytelling...and ghosts.

Bad Childhoods make for Good Writers?

THE GLASS CASTLE: A MEMOIR: Jeanette Walls: Scribner: Biography: 2006: 288 pages

Growing up Jeanette Walls’ parents weren’t exactly Ma and Pa Cleaver. In fact, they were negligent at best. This book is largely about Walls’ nomadic parents who follow their free spirited whims to many parts of the country—with four children in tow.

While based on a mostly sad childhood, this book doesn’t have an ounce of self pity or really, bitterness. I felt angrier about Walls selfish parents at the end of the novel than she did. To some extent she champions her parents for making life seem like an adventure and teaching her about ‘truth’ as the dedication states. In addition to a memoir of an outrageous childhood, this novel explores the vices that make us human, but also the breaking of unhealthy cycles. A quirky, entertaining read…even if almost ruined by a “Family Christmas Letter” last chapter.

Librarian-ness ahoy...part two

Yahoo! I got an email today from the San Jose State graduate school admissions...and they accepted me! I start in January, but I don't have to move to California or anything. I am beyond excited. I feel really blessed and can't wait to start!

Librarian-ness Ahoy!

About a month or so ago I applied for a library class (kind of like professional development) through University of North Texas. They actually have a Masters Program in Library Science and while this isn’t one of the Masters “classes”; it is still an opportunity to learn more about working in libraries, and, let’s be honest, a great resume edition. Well, today I got an email saying I had been accepted to the course! It’s not the hugest deal, but I’m pretty pumped about it. It lasts for a few weeks during October and I start tomorrow!

I should also note that I applied for Grad school at San Jose State. It is their Library and Information Science program. Yikes! I'm pretty excited. I didn't really think about doing it until the second to last day before it was due. One of my co-workers was accepted into the program and she really got me thinking about it. The program didn't require the GRE so I plunked down my 50$ and said "here goes". I would really like to get in, but if not I'll just apply again for Fall semester. woa.

Library Perks

I think I'll start sharing some of the funny/wonderful/puzzling things that happen to me at the library on a daily basis. Max has to put up with them all the time, so I thought I'd share the love.

Yesterday a little girl of about 9 came into the stacks on the second (nonfiction) floor and asked for help looking for some pretty grown up books about remarkable women in history. We talked for a while and she told me that her mom would only let her check out 6 books at a time and wasn't that so lame? I looked down at her and said "you are a little bookworm aren't you?" She immediately responded "Bookworms turn into Butterflies...it says so on one of my bookmarks." Is that so cute!

Book Review: The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner: Khaled Hosseini: Riverhead: General Fiction: 352

This aching exercise in redemption and self-knowledge centers around two young Afghan boys. Amir is the wealthy son of a prestigious man in Kabul and Hassan is his racially inferior servant. Though Amir has all the bounty that life has to offer, it is Hassan that has all of the courage and character of nobility. When Amir's cowardice stops him from intervening in a brutal attack on the ever innocent Hassan, the shame of the haunting memory permeates his whole life - even after he moves to America. Amir finally finds redemption when he travels back to war torn Afghanistan to face his demons and the characters from his past.

This book was as sad and epic as I wanted it to be, and then some. It did all of the standard "literary" things beautifully: Christ figure, mirroring characters, self discovery, the return home, issues of redemption and forgiveness etc... I thought the story was thought provoking and heartbreaking, not to mention an insightful view into modern Afghanistan. I guess what I liked the most about it was the idea that people have both parts to them; good and bad, and even the bad can "make it right again" as the book suggests - but it won't be easy.

Split Me To The Core

THE MAYTREES: Annie Dillard: Harper Collins: 2007: Adult: 224

The narrative of this book follows sturdy and simple Lou who lives at the edge of the sea with her carpenter husband Maytree. Maytree is easily distracted and after 14 years of marriage moves away to Maine with longtime friend, Deary. The two return 20 years later when Deary is dying and needs hospice that only Lou can offer.

Simple, and seemingly callous in its plot, Dillard's "Maytrees" is anything but. Maybe it’s about the courage it requires to live a life of commitment, or the nuances of forgiveness...I'm not even sure. Either way, the language Dillard uses to describe the sea and this small cast of tragic characters is fresh and truly haunting. This is the first book I've read that was really too much for me: too beautiful, too sad, too poignant, and too otherworldly. It was unreal - in a good way.

Cute, Quaint, Hungry and Romantic: The Aesthetics of Consumerism:Daniel Lopez: Basic Books: 2000: Nonfiction: 270

Cute, Quaint, Hungry and Romantic: The Aesthetics of Consumerism:Daniel Lopez: Basic Books: 2000: Nonfiction: 270

In his book, Daniel Lopez doggedly "show(s) how the aesthetics of consumerism are the lies we tell ourselves to preserve our individuality even as we enjoy the luxuries of the mass market." Throughout reading this I couldn't help but feel paralyzed by any and everything I have ever been inclined to buy. Lopez sardonically examines almost every aesthetic that is used to sell us suckers things we don't really need: Cuteness, Zaniness, Deliciousness, and Quaintness to name a few.

This book was relentless in its cynical approach to consumerism. In most cases it was a lose-lose situation - you were trendy and shallow if you fell for the advertising tricks or pretentious and self righteous if you didn't. However, except for a few chapters of one rant too many, it was a fascinating read. In a chapter about food Lopez suggests that the can (as in canned food ) had the "same effect on the kitchen as television had on culture, leveling regional cuisine, internationalizing food, and producing a kind of dietary Esperanto in regions once dependent on meats and vegetables of local farmers." Well worth the wade through Lopez' wordy sentences and Ph. D language.