Mothers, Libraries, and Reading

I am thinking of my mother today on Mother’s Day.  At nearly 91 years old, she is still going strong, for which I am grateful.  When I think about Mom, there are a lot of different directions my thoughts go—but today, for some reason my memories are related to books and libraries.

We didn’t have a lot of money to buy books, although we did have a few.  But mostly we got books from the public library.   My sister, who was in high school, worked at the public library.   I couldn’t wait to get my own library card, and was very proud when I did.  But books were in the house long before that.  My mom read to me at nap time and bedtime.  We shared favorite stories, and talked about the tales we read.  Favorites included books by Robert McCloskey, Lois Lenski, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.  A river ran through the park on our side of town, and both the river and park were well-liked by a variety of ducks.  To this day, when I see a duck and ducklings crossing a street, oblivious to the cars, I say “Make Way for Ducklings!”  My mother does too, and that always makes me smile.

I know that people still read books, of course, even with downloadables becoming more and more popular.  But on this Mother’s Day, I’m wondering if the joy of sharing children’s books and illustrations, of reading to children as they fall asleep, of favorite quotes like the one my family shares at the sight of ducklings crossing the road, will be something that will eventually be lost to technology.  I don’t think so, at least not entirely; but it may happen in some families.   And time may show us that families will still share those same experiences, by listening to stories and watching videos together.  Time does march on, and I’m not wishing to stop it (really!).  I’m just wondering about all this, today, as I think of my mom on Mother’s Day, and remembering those ducklings.

 

 

 

Fifty Shades of Libraries

So, have you heard or read about the controversy over the “Fifty Shades” trilogy?  As I write this, the books hold spots 1, 2, and 3 in the New York Times Best Seller Fiction list, spots they have held for the last 8-9 weeks.  They are:

1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. Fifty Shades Darker
3. Fifty Shades Freed

So what’s the problem, you might ask, if they’re that popular, the library should buy them, right?  Ah, there’s the rub.  You see, the books are often described as “erotic fiction,” and it seems they have gotten mixed reviews.  Does it matter?  You be the judge:  Should you buy the books because they are bestsellers and/or because your patrons are requesting them?  Should you not buy them because you deem them inappropriate?  If you bought them should you now remove them because you deem them inappropriate, or want to avoid the controversy?  If you bought them should you keep them because there is demand and the purchase is in keeping with your selection policy?

There are other options too—and although some options are clearly better than others, in the end library directors, selectors, and boards will have to make the choice that is best for them, and one they can reasonably defend.    I will make two points:  1) Every library should have a well-crafted selection policy, which describes criteria for selection, and the process for dealing with challenges (and follow that process!);  2) All of the hoopla over this trilogy is no doubt creating an even greater demand for the titles.

• ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) Statement
• E. L. James website
• Associated Press release
• WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News article

RIP, Maurice Sendak

The library community mourns the passing of the well-known and well-loved children’s author Maurice Sendak, who died yesterday at the age of 83.   That is, I think of him as a children’s author.  He was also an illustrator, producer, director.   I think many of us have a favorite Sendak memory or moment.   Many years ago as a branch library manager in a small community, I remember discussing how some of Sendak’s books were challenged.  At that time In The Night Kitchen was attacked because Mickey is naked in much of the story.  A library user commented that didn’t bother her so much, but as a dietician, it bothered her how unsanitary it was for the little boy to be in cake batter!  I am still so amused by that early lesson that different people object to different things in books, but that doesn’t mean they should be challenged.

Maurice Sendak, author of the children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are. Sendak was instrumental in the creation of Sesame Street, and attended Lesser’s curriculum seminars in 1968. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have a hard time choosing my “favorite” Sendak work; I love so many of them.   I wonder if public libraries are having special Sendak celebrations—this seems like a great opportunity for people to discuss his works, watch clips of movies and TV shows, discuss his writing and illustrations, as well as the “philosophy” and messages of his works.  I think it would be fun for people to share how they came to love books or their library, through their connection to Sendak’s books.  Not to mention, you could discuss the controversy surrounding some of his books.

Personally, I love how so many of his stories end with everything turning out all right.  In Where the Wild Things Are, Max’s supper is still hot when he gets home.  In In the Night Kitchen, Mickey floats back into his own bed.  And Pierre, who always says “I don’t care” learns indeed, to care.  There’s a lesson there for all of us, I think:  the world, whether the world of a child or an adult, can be scary, messy, complicated, but so often, things do turn out all right.

Thank you for your stories, Mr. Sendak.

• The World Of Maurice Sendak (Harper Collins/Pinterest)
• Maurice Sendak Scared Children Because He Loved Them (The Atlantic)
• Fresh Air Remembers Author Maurice Sendak  (NPR)
  
• Maurice Sendak (Wikipedia)

 

 

Playing Well With Others

college of law trial courtroom (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week, I had a very unique opportunity.  Though I’ve lived in Dane County Wisconsin for over twenty years, I had never been called for jury duty.  Until now.

The jury selection process was long and interesting.   Partly because of my answers to the questions asked, and partly due to randomness, I ended up serving on the jury for a very interesting trial.  I spent the week with a very diverse group of individuals who had previously been total strangers.  By the end of the week, we knew each other very well indeed.

As a juror, I had to put aside many of the characteristics and skills I’d spent a lifetime cultivating.   Understandably, we were not allowed to do any research on the case, the people involved, or any of the topics related to it.  We were not allowed to talk to each other, or anyone involved in the trial or the case (or anyone else for that matter!) about the case.  We were not allowed to read newspapers or watch the local news for fear that we might read or see a story about the case or the trial.    I had to turn off the part of my librarian brain that wanted to search the internet to learn about the many new subject matters I was encountering daily—I could only consider the evidence and testimony presented.  I also had to squelch my tendency to discuss what I was hearing with my fellow jurors.

Having set aside my propensity for research and discussion, what other library-related skills was I left with to make it through the week?  In retrospect, I realize I relied on (and refined) my customer service skills.   Though we could not talk about the one great big elephant in the room, there were many things we could talk about.   In a way, I conducted reference interviews, learning where the others live, what they do for a living,  and the makeup of their families.   We talked about our interests, what makes us laugh and cry, during breaks and shared lunches.  We developed a rapport that we were going to need, when we finally not only could, but were required to discuss the case, during deliberation.  Now I really needed to make use of many of those customer service skills.  I needed to:

• Listen
• Communicate
• Make eye contact
• Pay attention to body language
• Show respect
• Work as a team
• Find ways to get to “Yes”
• Compromise
• Choose words carefully
• Take egos out of the equation and remember we were all equal.
• Focus on points of agreement

I didn’t consciously employ these skills, but as I look back now, I think my research, training, and deliberate practice served me well.    I think I made a pretty good juror.  What other new experiences has my “life in libraries” prepared me for?

My New Chapter

After over 30 years in public and academic libraries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, I am now happily retired.

I look forward to sharing what I have learned from my years of experience with others in the library world.  See How May I Help You? for a list of topics.