Week 16 prompt response

I’m probably really showing my age here, and figure I might very well be the oldest person in this class!  There was absolutely no technology whatsoever when I was a child.  We read books, not e-readers.  Of course, thinking back to that time, there was no computer in my home until the Commodore 64 came along and that was just a means to play a few games lol.

My favorite hobby has always been reading.  Whenever I received my allowance, I begged to go to the bookstore to buy my favorites.  Mind you, I always went to the library to check out books, but if I found some that were my favorites, I took my money to actually buy them because I read them over and over again.  Checking out books back then meant you filled out a card in the back of the book with your name and the librarian replaced it with a card showing the date it was due back.  And the books I bought at the bookstore were usually about $0.25 each.  While nothing will ever replace that feeling of actually holding a book in hand and turning the pages, I have gotten used to my kindle because these old eyes need the ability to make the font bigger and easier to read.

As for the future of reading, I believe e-books and audiobooks will be the way.  I think books may still be published, but I believe we will see far less publishing and far more technology based applications for reading, which makes this old timer a little sad.

FYI - I'm 47 going on 90  lol

Week 15 Prompt Response

I would use the following methods for marketing a fiction collection:

Displays

I’m a big fan of displays in the library.  I think they are eye-catching and draw attention to items that patrons wouldn’t normally consider.  And while it might be corny to some, I would like to have displays that coincide with holidays or events.  For example, right now in my town, the Kentucky Derby is a huge event, so any library you go to at this time most likely has a display about Derby history, horses, and bourbon.  I would have themes for Valentines Day (romantic reads), Halloween (horror/suspense), etc.

Book Clubs/Talks

I had never attended a book club prior to this class, but having done so, I am now a fan.  I would like to have more open type clubs, like the one I attended, where the readers don’t necessarily read the same book, but discuss what they have been reading in general to open up a vast array of new titles to other club members.  I would set up the clubs by genre (mystery, literary fiction, etc).

Library Recommendations

I love the idea of staff recommendations, and I would include this on the library website for patrons to view at their leisure.  I would ask the staff to give just a brief commentary on the book and why they liked it, also providing a method for the patron to email the staff member to ask questions about the book.  I would post signs in the library to bring the program to the attention of patrons in case they were unfamiliar with the website.  Not only does this market the fiction collection, it markets the website as well.

Week 14 Prompt Response

Another caution this week, and I apologize in advance.  I'm on my soapbox again, probably because this is an issue I might see a little differently than others.  As a woman who is married to a woman, I do not want to feel like I am categorized or put into some special box because of just one piece of who I am.  I do not want special rights, just to be treated as another human being on this planet who likes to read what I want and not feel discriminated about it.. 

I have to admit, the articles really irritated the hell out of me.  I felt like the community was presenting itself as tolerant and accepting, but when the petitioner commented that they just have pity for people who are confused and transgendered, it made my blood boil.  I don't think they feel pity at all, I believe they are trying to hide their homophobia under the guise of tolerance.  I particularly enjoyed the comment made by Board member Mabel Mantel, who said that banning the book is counterproductive, and that it's parents' responsibility to monitor their children's reading.

So, of course, my response is that you do not separate the books.  First, I believe it promotes segregation, and if we start separating books, where will it ever end?  Second, I believe it is discriminatory and a violation of privacy to separate books.  Perhaps a patron has some curiosity about a subject, any subject not just LGBTQ, and is seen browsing in that special section.  Will there be speculation about that person?  Who wants to be judged for what they read? Who wants to feel like they are being labeled because they might like to try something new? And maybe nobody needs to know what other people are reason, because frankly it is none of their business.  And last, but certainly not least, I think keeping books together does promote the possibility of expanding a patron's reading horizons.  Maybe they wouldn't normally pick a book with a special theme, but they find that they actually enjoy it.  I also think it is important in the children and teen sections as well, because parents should be investigating the books their children are choosing.  The library is supposed to be a safe haven for a diverse population, and that should include its collection.

Off my soapbox.  And yes, it was a little strange to "come out" to you all over a blog posting  :)

LGBTQ Annotation

	The Devourers – Indra Das Lambda Literary Award Winner - Horror Pages: 306 Publisher: Del Rey Books Language: English ISBN: 9781101967515

Synopsis: Under the light of a full moon, college professor Alok decides to stop in at a local tavern Kolkata, India to have a drink.  Alok ends up getting a lot more than he bargained for.  He encounters a mysterious stranger with a bizarre confession and an unbelievable story. Tempted by the man’s unfinished tale, Alok will do anything to hear its completion, so he agrees to transcribe the stranger’s collection of notebooks, parchments, and once-living skins.  From these documents, Alok learns the history of a race of people that are half human and half beast, ruled by instinct and a desire for blood.  And with every chapter of beauty and brutality that Alok transcribes, his interest in the stranger evolves into something dark and urgent.

Elements of LGBTQ Genre
Pace:  The story moves rather slowly, but the author provides many details to paint a thorough picture of the scene.	Characterization: Characters are rather dark and mysterious, but well developed, and the reader begins to see a lot about them and what they have lived through.
Setting: The setting is based in Indian from the 17th century to present.	Tone/Mood: The tone/mood is very dark due to the fact that there is a good bit of gore and violence in this story.
Story Line: The story is about a mysterious stranger and the college professor who becomes completely infatuated with him, his life story and his history. The story floats between the past and present, but unfolds neatly so the reader can imagine the stranger’s previous life vs. his life now.

Read-a-Likes
Certain Dark Things Silvia Moreno	The Terracotta Bride Zen Cho	Vigil Angela Slatter

Week 13 Prompt

Caution: I am going to try REALLY hard to stay off my soapbox with this one, but I'm not sure how well I can do so.

My opinion is that as librarians we should definitely work to ensure that we serve everyone, even those patrons who enjoy young adult and graphic novels.  Why should we treat them any differently than any other patron? 

I get a bit heated about this topic.  I've heard comments that young adult novels are just drivel.  That graphic novels are just fancy comic books.  My question is: so what if they are????? Personally, I don't feel this way, and I think that both genres have great things to offer their readers.   Anytime we get a book in the hands of a patron and they enjoy it, I say that is a job well done.  Any reading is a good thing, I don't care what genre it is.  Personally, I enjoy YA novels, and find that they are well written and age appropriate.  I'm not a huge fan of graphic novels, but I'm certainly not going to criticize what anyone chooses to read.  Like I said before, any reading is good reading and gets the mind to think outside the box.  I think that is a great thing!

Annotation - Young Adult

	Marked (House of Night #1) By P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
	Pages:  306
	Publisher:  Signet
	Language: English
	ISBN: 978-0312360269

Synopsis:  Zoey Redbird is your average 16 year old, trying to make her way through her teenage years just like everyone else.  But one day she wakes up marked with a crescent shaped moon on her face, which is both an exciting and scary prospect for her, because it means she is a vampire.  Vampires have always existed in her world, but not all are chosen like Zoey.  As soon as she realizes she is marked, Zoey must enroll in the House of Night, a school where she must undergo the Change, but not all who enter the school will make it through the change process.  If she makes it, she will begin to train as an adult vampire.  While at the House of  Night, Zoey learns that she is not an average student, and she has been marked as special by the vampire goddess, Nyx.  She isn’t the only student who is special, and when she learns that one of the others is using their powers for darkness, she must take on the school’s most elite to keep them from misusing their gifts.

Elements of Young Adult Genre
Pace:  The story moves quickly, but does not fail to leave out any details.  It is an easy read and keeps the reader’s interest.	Characterization: Characters are typical teenagers – some popular, others not; some moody and angsty; all of them just trying to find their way in this new chapter of life for them.
Setting: The setting is based in a not-so-typical high school.	Tone/Mood: The mood is a bit dark at times due to the element of good vs. evil and vampires.
Story Line: Even though this is yet another young adult series about vampires, this one is quite different than any other I am familiar with.  This story is about typical teenage life while learning to become a vampire.

Read-a-Likes
The Coffin Club (Vampire Kisses) By Ellen Schreiber	Fade Out (Morganville Vampires) By Rachel Caine	Dark Visions By L.J. Smith

Non-Fiction Matrix

Author:                              Andrew Solomon

Title:                                   Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity

Publication Date:             November 13, 2012

Number of Pages:            976

Geographic Setting:       None specified

Time Period:                    None specified

Subject Headings:           Social Studies; Family Studies; Transgender; Disabilities; Diversity

Type:                                  Non-Fiction

Series Notes:                    Stand-Alone

Reading Elements: ·         Narrative Content – Far from The Tree reads like several short stories.  Each chapter of the book tells the story of a different family. ·         Story Line - The author presents the reader with stories of numerous different families and the challenges they are presented related to what society would consider a disability. ·         Detail – The reader is provided with immense details regarding the family situation, disability, challenges dealt with, and difficulties faced. ·         Pacing - The pace of the novel is slow, but not boring.  The author takes time to describe each situation in great detail giving the reader full insight to each family’s situation.

Book Summary:  Far From the Tree is an honest, thought provoking insight into the lives of families dealing with special needs children.  The author discusses families coping with deafness, dwarfism, Down syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, multiple severe disabilities, children who are prodigies, who are conceived in rape, who become criminals, who are transgender. The author shows how ordinary people are able to face these extreme parenting challenges by learning to accept their children for who they are and how they can help their child and entire family live the best life possible.

1-3 Annotation:  In Far from the Tree, the author discusses stories of parents who have learned how to deal with their exceptional children, but also have found profound meaning in doing so.  The book not only explores the fears and concerns of parents dealing with these difficult situations, but also discusses generosity, acceptance, tolerance, and the fact that love can overcome any prejudice.

Similar Works:  NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson                                 A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold                                 Shattered: From Grief to Joy After My Son’s Suicide by Rebecca Tervo                                 Raising a Child with Autism by Timothy Fountain

Name of Annotator:       Melanie Berry

Works Cited:

Wyatt, Neal. (2007). The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Nonfiction. Chicago, American Library Association. File found on Canvas.