Patty's Palaver

One Month

2009-06-23T14:20:00.003-06:00

It was right after the May board meeting that I had knee surgery, and just before the June meeting when I came back. That does not mean I am a healed bionic woman, but I am on the mend. And I am still in the phase of daily amazement about how well -- or not so well -- my body heals, or does not heal.

Of course, being off work is always a humbling experience in library land. The library does operate -- and it operates very well -- with or without me. I don't have to be here to check out a book for you. There are plenty of well trained people in the building who can help you with books and research.

It was a curious three weeks for me, staying home, sleeping a lot, finally getting bored enough to wash windows and woodwork. That is really bored. And I had curiously good care from my husband who kept my knee ice packed whenever he saw me sitting or reclining.

I have met an interesting group of professional physical therapists, who despite their reputation have not made me cry. They have made me laugh, and we share goofy stories as they distract me from the monotony and discomfort of knee repair work.

It is only a month. I do have to remind myself as some mornings I hobble to work.
It is only a month. And I do still groan when I roll over in my sleep.
It is only a month. I am gaining, and I will conquer.
It is only a month......

May already!!!

2009-05-01T12:30:00.002-06:00

How did this happen! How did I miss a whole month of blogging! I definitely have plenty of things to say -- so why didn't I? We finished up on the budget work at the library; now we wait. We've had some good training days for GIS and downloading eaudio and dvds. We've been bemused by the fluctuating spring weather. And I moved my mother from Arizona to Buffalo, WY.

Yep. I have become my mother's keeper. I have resisted -- and so has she -- but the time has come to bring her home to her birthplace. She has insisted that she would never leave Arizona -- she loves that summer heat. But last week she and I drove from Casper to Buffalo in on-and-off snow storms. I'm sure she must have been questioning her sanity. I was heaving a big sigh of relief -- we made it.

I think this is going to work. I think she is in a good place, and ready to be here. I think I can manage my work life and her retirement home life and my home life. I think I can because I have support from my family and my workplace.

May Day has long been my favorite holiday. It is usually a sane time of the year, but this year I forgot May Day. So I am already starting the month behind myself. As I leave work today, I will pick up flowers for my in-laws and good friends and deliver them en route. I started this tradition 20 years ago -- longer if I think about the years my little boys delivered baskets for me.

I like the soothing delivery of a little gift outside the norm. The "hi-how are ya" thinking of an unexpected greeting -- not Christmas, not Easter, not wedding. My sisters-in-law would miss my delivery -- they do call if I forget. So I will finish my day with a visit to them this year. Just as I have finished my visit with you.

"We're tough girls!"

2009-03-27T12:54:00.005-06:00

"We're tough girls" chortled one of my lady-like librarians as she faced her evening shift after a two day blizzard. And indeed we are. In spite a day of shoveling out driveways. In spite of roads still covered in 15-20 inches of snow. In spite of a yearning to cover our heads in our quilts and pillows. A full staff opened the libraries of Campbell County on Day 3 of the blizzard of 2009. Now the city and county tell us that it will be another week before all the roads are cleared, but we "tough girls" showed up with smiles and welcomed library visitors with good cheer.

And there were plenty of visitors -- lots of men snowed out of their construction and mining jobs, lots of small group meetings who had missed their Monday - Tuesday gatherings. Everyone trying to catch-up. And that's one of the reasons the "tough girls" made the effort to get to work. We are needed.

The Post Office has nothing over us. Through rain, sleet and snow, library workers know that we are a necessary service when other organizations are closed -- evenings and weekends we still have a notary service, FAX, copy machines, internet access.

We have free books, magazines, newspapers, videos. We have meeting space, study space, reading space. All the amenities of your office, when you can't get to your office. Those are all reasons the "tough girls" get to work.

We are grateful every day for road workers who clear the main arteries of our community -- and our parking lots. If they were not working all night, we could not open the building to rescue the other stranded residents and visitors.

Spring blizzards are not unusual for us. It a challenge of wit and wills, and the tough girls came through with flying colors -- again.

Essential vs Nonessential

2009-02-24T07:35:00.007-07:00

It's budget time. The necessary evil process that prepares us for next year. This year there are real challenges real threats, real fears. Not so much as other states and other libraries, because Wyoming economy is still fairly healthy. But we expect the downturn that has hit the national and international markets. How do you prepare for that? Our County Commissioners, our primary source of funding, are taking a serious look at all county agencies and the core functions of those agencies. That is their job.

My job is to protect the library, the building, the employees, and the service provided to library users. But the charge is essential versus nonessential services. Do we do anything at the library that is nonessential? We don't think so -- or we would not be doing them. Detractors point to the teen room, as a new service. But teen literature has been designated for nearly 20 years, and teen programs have been part of library services for more than ten years. The remodeled teen space improved access to the book collection so much that circulation of teen books immediately increased by 30%, and it has remained that high. Teens are reading. And the teens have an advisory board to help supervise events and a volunteer group learning about public service. Is that nonessential?

The library extension service may be nonessential; it is unusual. But it has been part of the library for close to 20 years. We make home deliveries to shut-ins of all ages -- non drivers, handicaps, injury and surgery patients who are recovering at home. We service mini-libraries in senior centers. We coordinate volunteers for library projects and for one on one computer classes. Our adult and teen volunteers donate more than 1500 hours a year, saving the county $24,000 in salary. Are these things nonessential?

Are adult programs, collections, reading challenges nonessential? Are story times nonessential? Where do we draw the line for developing literacy, creating a passion for reading, encompassing the pure joy of learning, sharing, exploring that the library offers?

Historically, the State of Wyoming has accepted public libraries as a core service. The first WY library laws built the library into the county system of 12 mil funding as an essential county agency. Why? Because like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Wyoming legislators recognized the need for informational services to maintain a public strong enough and knowledgeable enough to run the government. Voters need information. Reading skills and access to information are requirements for a strong democracy. In 1916 a horseback librarian, Mabel Wilkinson, rode across a couple of WY counties surveying residents for their interest in opening a public library in their county seats. Andrew Carnegie included WY libraries in his building program. Recently WY legislators have continued to support the public library systems by funding the on-line systems for the card catalog, circulation, and acquistion of library materials. Wyoming continues to support their libraries.

Now you may argue that the only essential services are police, fire, roads. Really? Is that enough to keep your community healthy? No need for childcare, education, cultural opportunities. No, siree. You don't need reading for pleasure or to find answers. You don't need information to help with decisions on car buying or elections. But national statistics show that is exactly what we need especially in times of recession. Library use increases steadily as book and magazine buying declines. That makes sense. Right?

This is a tough year at your library. It looks like we may have several tough years and tough decisions to make. So you'll probably be hearing more from me on essential versus nonessential. Let me hear from you too. I'll be needing your advice.
Patty

Lucky Week

2009-02-12T12:37:00.005-07:00

The first week of February was incredibly good to me. I attended the American Library Association, which is a true perk of my job. Going to a national conference allows me to grow as a librarian, and this meeting gave me an opportunity to become acquainted with Denver. I usually drive through the city enroute to other places. Not only did I attend wonderful workshops and programs -- I won an iPod, an iTouch iPod. And I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it. Yes, the children are helping me.

When I got home I attended the AVA annual fund raising event and totally enjoyed the festivities with a Russian theme, music, and food as well as the art auction. And I won a bright red, curvaceous teapot made by Ariane Jimison. I have been coveting that teapot for several months, ever since I saw it first at her exhibit. I thought maybe they knew it, and the drawing was rigged, but they assure me that it was not. It's just good luck.

Now all this good luck has made me nervous, because after winning a car last summer, a pick up drove into my basement. So I'm counting by threes now. If I count all the nice spoiling that I received for my early February birthday, it's time for my luck to change. Uh, oh. Does this mean my next blog will reflect the change in luck and I will only have my happy memories of the first week of February????? I can only hope not. I'm still repairing my house.

Denver ALA

2009-01-30T10:41:00.003-07:00

Last night I heard on the Denver news about the two librarians who died in a car accident enroute to the airport after their American Library Association meetings. Tuesday that could have been me and another librarian as we returned from the weekend of meetings in Denver. It was my first extended visit to Denver, and the meetings were held in hotels and the Convention Center. We were shuttled through the streets of tall new buildings and the great old ones. But best of all were the meetings and the opportunities to visit with the wide variety of visitors. I was appalled and sympathetic to the number of people from low altitude who were truly suffering in the mile-high climate. Most of them were not uncomfortable, but some were truly stricken.

Still it is the programs and training that are of the greatest value to librarians. Hearing a Nobel Peace Prize winner describe the beginning of his bank as a small town rescue effort when he learned of a village of 44 people who were in debt to the money lenders for $27. He loaned them the money in order to remove the threatening presence of the loan sharks from the village, and he was paid back every cent. His philosophy of loaning to the poor and to women was new to India, and new to most banking institutions. However, he now has a branch in New York City that is proving equally successful. Dr. Muhammad Yunus has two books about his social business concept, the Grameen Banks and microloans.

There was a morning speaker series that included Leigh Rubin, a cartoonist who uses his family situations to create "animal" cartoons; science fiction writers Kevin J. Anderson and Dom Testa interviewed each other and shared writing habits and stories about their stories; Richard North Patterson talked about his new title ECLIPSE which combines his knowledge of North African history and modern day events.

In addition to the program this winter meeting is focused on the business of American Library Association. For many years I have worked with committees on "intellectual freedom." Recently I have become fascinated with the sound of these combined words. INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM intellectual freedom intellectual freedom
In the Library world, the term embodies the first amendment rights of freedom of speech which translates to patron privacy, collection development that provides both sides of every argument, meeting rooms and gathering places without prejudice, and much more. But as I age and mull over those words, I love the challenge of them -- intellectual freedom. I have the freedom to be intellectual --- or not. I can think -- or not. I have a place where I can find information on everything. I have the source -- the font of all knowledge -- at my library. AND SO DO YOU.

Now I have an extended to-do list and not enough hours this week, but I also have a new balance and a reminder of why I love being a librarian, and the special gifts of my current job.

Clearing the Library desk

2009-01-17T12:50:00.005-07:00

It has been a ridiculous week at my library office, and the desk top proves the total chaosof the week. So I came to work this Saturday morning with the intentions of being prepared for next week -- which is a short week already, which means I will be behind again. The first thing I did was review minutes of the Library Board meeting, and of course spent time with the thesaurus and dictionary until I found the perfect word -- acquiesce. It fit perfectly, but even to write this sentence, I had to go back and verify the spelling.

The week began with a domino effect of maintenance issues: no heat in the building; the gas meter froze; no hot water, which we thought was the gas issue, but it turns out there was a broken part on the new water heater, only a $1.50 part, but a second day for repairs. Then the City Water guys came to discuss changing out the meter, and that took some time. And there was time spent on a housekeeping walk through for immediate and long term fix-its. Thank heavens for maintenance workers and housekeepers. They are truly the ones who maintain your public buildings, and they do it well.

Above and beyond these issues I've been working on WLA (WY Library Assoc) meeting plans, WYLD (WY Library Database)issues, ALA (American Library) issues and meeting plans. It's not very often that all the organizations fall into the same week, but for some reason, January became the planning month and I've been tied into email and phone conversations with everyone this month.

Local meetings have included planning for staff training, Library board, Red Hat Society and a spring event, courthouse Halls of Art, and several meetings I just could not attend. I do work at the Library and take turns with lunch coverage and space supervision. So now it actually makes sense. My desk is a mess. Today's goal
is to get it under control. Is is possible or is a monster of behemoth appetite that just will not let go of me? The sun is shining, and I'd really like to be outside -- and I will be. Soon. Ho hum.

Year End

2008-12-30T12:25:00.004-07:00

It was almost too much this morning. Another windy, snowy day in Wyoming. It seems like we are getting punished this month, and bad weather did interfere with our Christmas week plans. But now it's noon -- there is still lots of wind, but the sky is blue and the sun is shining. Yes, I know, I need to write more than a weather report -- and that is my intention.

I met today with the Library Foundation Board. It is a group of volunteers who have worked hard on the Endowment Challenge fund raising effort for six months. I am proud of them, and I am proud of the library staff who have diligently volunteered hours of planning, promoting, baking, donating to library efforts for this matching fund. We have raised close to $45,000 thus far. And it seems to me that is huge for a group of amateur fundraisers.

Of course, I then have to moderate my praise, because we can raise as much as $295,000 for an equal amount of matching fund. So how do I sustain that effort? How do we maintain a nice momentum over the next five years?

Never say Never. Praise, praise, praise. Thank, thank, thank. Are you bored and tired of me yet? I'm sorry. But I can't stop. It's my job. And I have been blessed to be placed among hard working, giving people. Both volunteers and co-workers. So what is the motivation? The LIBRARY of course. We see the LIBRARY
as the source of all that a community can be -- a people center, a resource center, an information center, a recreation center, an internet access, a literacy resource, and reading, reading, reading. We understand the skills and talents of the people who work here who will help the people who use the LIBRARY, not just today, but tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. We appreciate and understand that endowment building is not for us, the people of the present, but for tomorrow's people. If you want a library tomorrow, then you take care of it today and plan for tomorrow. That is what endowment building incorporates.

As 2008 ends, we have barely begun the Endowment Challenge. I look forward to the coming year with special events, raffles, sales, programs. I look forward to working with volunteers and staff who share the LIBRARY enthusiasm and energy. And I hope you will join us in the endeavor that will help sustain your
library far beyond us.

Happy New Year -- Patty

Weekend -- blues or good news !

2008-11-23T14:37:00.003-07:00

I have spent Saturday and Sunday clearing my desk of fall paperwork. Why is this so hard for me? I seem to have been born with a gene that collects paper. It is a true curse. I use the paper as my reminder to do something. So every piece of paper I handled this weekend required me to do something. That's fairly rare -- because usually when I have this paper clearing freezy I've completed most of the tasks that they have reminded me to do. But the last couple of weeks have been a terror of meetings, and meetings, of course, create labor. Now I am feeling totally satisfied that I am caught up -- until next time.

I love my job. It offers huge opportunities to try new things, meet new people. But this fall has been a true whirlwind of activities. I'm looking forward to the holidays in November and December where I can walk away for a few days. Besides I do have grand-babies in my life, and it's time to smell the roses -- or least the smell of baby powder, junior high sweat, and the silliness of being a grandma.

My husband cleared the garage of boxes last week -- bringing me a stack of 8-10 boxes
of -- you guessed it -- paper work. Some of it is serious to keep stuff -- history research, documents, family papers. Most of it I will be able to cheerfully pitch out because I am no longer interested in the topics. I do have a box of material, scraps from my quilting and embroidery phase, which I'll need to keep for those
retirement years -- I wonder if it is mildewed yet. Oh, my. I guess I'll have to open that box too.

So it's time to go home. Yesterday I struggled with my computer problem and had a helper find my word processing. And tried to watch a DVD but the new television box wouldn't let me in -- my helper says I need to check the plug-ins. Who knew? I thought Bresnan had me all attached.

Is this a good weekend? I think so. I feel fairly satisfied, energized, ready to go -- literally. We are driving to Lincoln, NE for Thanksgiving. I'll talk to you later.
Patty

It's dark outside...

2008-11-07T17:43:00.005-07:00

and it has been a long week for most of the library staff. We had a wonderful event at the library on Sunday. It was a Tea Party -- or a Tea Pot Extravaganza. The party was one of those examples of a plan coming together for the good of the community -- or the library in this case. Campbell County is blessed with long-term employees who really have a lot of expertise about a lot of things. So in the midst of reorganizing our staff structure, in the middle of a series of author visits, in a continuation of heavy duty events from rummage sale, to book sale, to fright nights, to regular working hours and expectations, we hosted a tea party.

And it was beautifully done with staff donating hours of planning and work, decorating tables, borrowing teapots galore, and cooking and creating tea-foods. How lucky is this institution! How lucky is this community that you have employees who go the extra mile.

Now it's Friday night. It's dark, and it's cold. We have had our second attack of winter, and everyone was ready to go home tonight.

At home I have an interesting challenge. I've had an unused computer in my house for two years. I bought it for my mom as a bribe to get her to return to WY. She did not. Now I have a series of her manuscripts to type up for family. And I have a series of oral history tapes from a Buffalo pioneer to transcribe. I have no word processing on my computer. How did that happen? I don't know. But I am determined to get a new program installed tonight. So I can't be tired, or hungry, or cranky tonight. I still have work to do. You do know the old adage "no rest for the wicked." Somewhere along the line I must have been very naughty. Yeah. Right.

Domino Effect

2008-10-26T18:25:00.006-06:00

Or do you prefer "when it rains it pours"? I am normally an upbeat sort of person but the last couple of months have not been particularly kind to me. You may have heard a teenager drove his pickup into my basement wall, so I have been pursuing the holy grail of contractors and insurance adjusters -- with minimal success. I am worried, not so much about the corner of my upstairs collapsing over the shattered concrete wall, but about the whole concept of insurance that would accept a bid that I don't think will do more than patch the problem -- not restore the building to it's intended stability. And I have finally gotten mad at the driver who has put me through two months of angst -- I really am slow to anger, aren't I.

Work remains a salvation in a time of stress at home, but even work has been trying because like so many others in Gillette, we work hard responding to the increasing use of our facility. There are a lot of people visiting the library -- with good cause. There are outstanding people working here who understand the concepts of public service. These past weeks have involved multiple programs, fund raising and evaluations. What can I tell you -- work has been work and stress.

Two weeks ago I went to see my Mom in Arizona. She is in a nursing home there.
Should she be? I don't know. But she won't move closer to her children, and she has five options. So I go down to visit her, follow up on her finances and other needs.
On my way home, I jumped out of my car in Casper and twisted my knee, involving a week of crutches and a shot of cortisone while I recovered. No good deed goes unpunished.

So finally, today, I am feeling healthier. I am feeling a little more level headed, ambitions, ready to go. It's almost spooky -- will the shoe drop again. Or
have the dominoes fallen altogether now. I should now list some good things for you:
the drive was beautiful; hunting season is almost over; my husband bought a used car for me on the internet; my Mom seems healthy and content. Tomorrow will be a good day.

Patty

October daze

2008-10-08T18:30:00.003-06:00

Last weekend I drove in the Big Horns, and I was horrified to see the colors were nearly gone on the higher altitudes. Clear Creek canyon was still stunning, but how fleeting is this season when we move from too hot summer to too cold winter. This weekend I'm driving to Arizona to visit my Mom, and I'm worried about leaving in a snowstorm on Friday. AccuWeather assures me I'll be fine coming home on the following weekend.

I'm sneaking this break as it is -- between a vastly busy fall library season. We have authors, book discussions, film, and Fright Night in the final weeks of October. And November begins with a bang with a Teapot Extravaganza, a classical guitarist, Poetry Alive and another author. It's mostly Fate that brings us to this pinnacle of programing -- artists are traveling and offer to appear at our library. Who could say no to them? And we have author funding from the Recreation District to bring in these creative programs for all ages.

In between all this we are raffling a Honda scooter for the Endowment Challenge. Evidently we just don't know any better. It's a syndrome I see a lot in Campbell County. That drive to work well, steadily, consistently, graciously, and intelligently. If we have activities, we should combine them with our fund raising effort for the Endowment. But holy smokes, sometime I need to sneak in that trip
to see my Mom. I just hope it is a leisurely visit and an beautiful drive so I can
return home jazzed for the coming weeks.

I hope your Indian summer is more tranquil than mine.

Stress - less

2008-09-16T17:09:00.004-06:00

September already. It has been another too-busy month. And I've had problems at home -- a pickup drove through my basement wall. Yes, that was me--or at least my house on the front page of the paper. I was not in the house, and frankly I was relieved that the house was not burning down when I had the telephone call from the fire department. But now, a week later, I am in the throes of angst while I try to find a fix for the damage. I keep thinking about the good ole days when the insurance man showed up with the repairman to fix things that were broken. Hmmm.
And it's evaluation time at work. I rather like evaluations. I like the opportunity to look back over the year and see what has been accomplished. I have outstanding library workers, people who give that extra hour when needed without complaint. Librarians are natural care givers, and they want everyone who comes to the library to leave feeling successful -- with a book in hand or finding the information they sought. Still evaluations are time consuming with three steps of time consumption, documents following the chain of command, and a fiduciary responsibility tied to the merit raise system. So evaluations become a stress.
My free time, if you want to call it free, has been interesting too. I worked with the Historical Society to host the statewide annual meeting here in Gillette. I worked with Pearls of the Prairie to submit nominations for the Governor's Arts Awards. I worked with the state library organizations for a directors' retreat and program. STOP. That's enough. No wonder I'm tired this month.
I read where Sarah Palin had asked her local librarian about censorship and banning books. Banned Books Week is the end of September. The librarian was not offended nor worried. It is a frequently asked question, and she accepted the question as inquisitive, not judgmental. It is such a common question that most librarians have a standard answer which includes an explanation of procedures for filing a complaint. Still in this election year, where everything is being scrutinized to death, it is way more interesting to think about than a pitbull with lipstick.
Ah, yes. It has been an interesting month -- and I really am not stressed at all.

Raspberry picking

2008-08-16T09:59:00.006-06:00

Yesterday morning I went outside in the morning cool The grass was wet and the air smelled of that wonderful combination of soil, plants, and a touch of summer heat. The raspberry bushes were beckoning. This is my third summer in my Gillette home, and these bushes have been an unexpected summer treasure. I've had multiple picking crops this summer, and this morning picking was near perfect -- fruit just the right size and color, cooled by the night, and rinsed clean by the rain. I don't know if the pleasure was all in the moment or in the memories picking fruit brings to me.
I recall the misery of childhood picking gooseberries and chokecherries with grandma. The silent drudgery of working in the hot sun. Still I took my own children on lots of chokecherry picking trips, because by then I was making my own jelly, and they loved that sweet treat. I don't remember those trips as being a punishment, but more of a raucous competition to see who can pick the most cherries. I do remember that August heat, hot kitchen cooking, lots of flies, and the steadfast determination that I would make jelly, can corn, beans and peas, peel and freeze apples. It sounds almost pioneer like, but you and I know it was nothing like the pioneer effort. If I ran out of homemade, I could always go to the store and buy a can.

So what is the lesson of raspberry picking? Honest labor. Success with a tough task. Preparation for winter.
Are these the traits that carry into my library world? Where is public service? Technology? Well, they could be there too. Isn't public service a form of care taking? Looking out for the future. Isn't technology a form of improving methods, changing methods? Are these traits I bring from learning and changing from childhood? Maybe. Or maybe those darn raspberries have carried me into a world of nostalgia, and I best escape and get back to work.

July in Library Land

2008-07-25T13:31:00.001-06:00

Sue Knesel and I attended the American Library Association conference a couple of weeks ago. It's one of those mind boggling events that puts 14,000 librarians under one roof -- well, one convention center and adjacent hotels for additional meeting space. Plus 1,000 or more vendors who are selling books, furniture and equipment for libraries. It's like a gigantic carnival -- with special events and booths, a gazillion things to do. Now you know I have three adult sons who cannot visualize 14,000 librarians altogether --"Are they all like you?" the smart alecks ask. "What do you do all day?" "What do you talk about?" "Well, never mind, we really don't want to know."

Nevertheless, librarians never run out of things to talk about, to compare, to seek answers and solutions. It is a surprisingly congenial crowd, and yes, there are men in every meeting. Sue concentrated on training and information for young adult users and children's programs. I focused on management tools and enjoyed a series of keynote speakers and authors. Both of us learned about and attended the celebration for the Library of the Year award which honored Laramie County Library, Cheyenne, as the outstanding library in the nation this year. Both of us were thrilled to hear the authors who won the Newbery and Caldecott children's books awards give their acceptance speeches. Wow. They were articulate, funny, original, and touching.

How does this trip affect our work in Campbell County? What do we as taxpayers get out of library travels?
Sue has, over the years, made exceptional contacts nationwide with writers who make commitments to visit Gillette and spend time in the public schools and at the library. For instance, Greg Mortenson, best selling author of THREE CUPS OF TEA, said he would come to Gillette. She has worked with librarian-writers who include Gillette as an example of excellence in youth services. I watched a program with astronaut Sally Ride who is writing a series of children's books about Earth using photographs from space flights. Wow. We have got to have them. And we are working on a staff development plan for library staff with information garnered at workshops.

Conferences are a combination of education, contacts and camaraderie. Every library worker who attends a workshop or conference brings something back to our working community by sharing with me, other staff members, and the library board. This month we have trained notaries, paper rescue for disasters, and one leadership class. All of them will improve services at your library. Aren't we lucky to be living in Campbell
County where we have the opportunites for growth and improvements!

Patty

The week that was....

2008-06-19T07:39:00.002-06:00

It was a terrific week. The first week of June was a real adventure. As president of the WYLD Network Consortium, I spent three days in Buffalo at the annual meeting -- which is a series of workshops and business meetings. I even had the pleasure of leading a tour at the TA Ranch. It was a gorgeous outing -- primarily because the spring rains stopped long enough for us to walk from the old ranch house to the barn
without getting stuck in mud or drenched in rain.

Then the truly unexpected happened. Becky N. called to say "we won the car!" And indeed we did. She and I bought a raffle ticket on a cute, red Audi coupe, and for a week we shared custody of our new toy. It was a great ride, and Becky decided she could not resist that fun. The car is hers.

Then Art Smelser brought a couple of treasures to the library. The family history of Blue Gate Creek homestead, the George Amos property, and other family memories have been compiled, and the two books are on the library shelves. Or you can buy the Smelser Family story at the Rockpile Museum. For the library which continues to honor George Amos, the information is of special value.

Meanwhile, library work continues at a rapid rate. The Children's Department counted 1,306 kids attending the first two weeks of summer reading programs, 11 sessions. The adult and teen readers are earning prizes too. The Library Foundation is tackling the intricacies of the matching funds for the Endowment Challenge-- and yes, we want your donations beginning July 1.

Altogether it was a fantastic, workaholic, surprising week. I'm truly lucky to be your county librarian.

Library Endowment Bill

2008-06-02T16:43:00.003-06:00

It's a challenge in Fund Raising 101. Campbell County Public Library has been extremely blessed over the years with good financial support from the county, so fund raising has been fairly minimal in recent years. However, the one to one match created by WY Statutes 18-7-201 through W.S. 18-7-205 is a challenge we cannot ignore. Matching the $295,000 creates an endowment fund of nearly $600,000. And when the state challenge reaches $2.3 million, CCPL will earn another $100,000. $700,000 cannot be ignored.

Why not, you ask? Why do we need an endowment? There are many reasons, primarily the boom and bust cycle in our county's economic history. The Library Foundation, Inc. is the nonprofit group that provides the extras for the Library system that the county budget cannot provide. Do you remember the years when buying books and computers for the public library was not a priority? We do. The Library Foundation provided additional funding for those items. Currently The Foundation is a serious supporter of volunteer programs for both students and adults. It provides funding for additional staff training, public programs, and even some frivolous items that do not come out of your tax dollars.

Once the endowment is in place and earning interest money, it is the interest that The Foundation can use to enhance the goals of the library: maintain our professional workforce; provide the services required by our changing community's needs, and raise awareness of the diverse library opportunities.

Endowments are building blocks for the future. In this case we can even applaud the legislative effort to "bring bucks back" to Campbell County. Some of those tax dollars paid to the State are being funneled back to our county. Whoopee!

Wyoming has been endorsing "rainy day" funds for a long time now. July 1, 2008 begins the campaign for public libraries to earn endowment funding. Based on the recent efforts by the junior college system, public libraries across the state will be working separately and together to create some stablility for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is a noteworthy event for all librarians -- all library users -- and even those of you who appreciate the concepts of free access to public information, books, knowledge, education.

Please join the Library Endowment Challenge by thinking of a monthly donation, an annual donation, an occasional donation, no matter the size. Right now I am focusing on increments of $10,000. That's do-able, isn't it? I would love to be able to start the Endowment Challenge with $10,000 donated on July 1 -- not before. It doesn't count if a check is dated or deposited before July 1.

How many of you can donate $5 or $500 on July 1? Oh, yes. I'll take anything in-between -- anything larger and anything smaller. Hmmm. That does sound fairly greedy. But it's not for me. It's for your grandchildren.

If you want more information about the Endowment Challenge, just call Patty at 687 -9201.

Remarkable writers

2008-05-13T16:23:00.004-06:00

Twice this month -already-- Campbell County has had the great good fortune of hearing from two outstanding writers. Terry Tempest Williams, in partnership with the University of Wyoming, presented a writers workshop in Gillette. Kent Meyers, the author for Wright's One Book, One Community event, spoke in Wright. Both were remarkable. Both are entirely different. Both were very special for their audiences.

Meyers' book THE WORK OF WOLVES is a beautifully written story about four unrelated people who are drawn together by the plight of starved horses. Meyers', a college professor (Black Hills State) in Spearfish, described the book as a modern western. He talked about his job as a writer, and he said all westerns carry the themes created by Owen Wister's THE VIRGINIAN, with a bad gunfighter, a good man, and a series of tense situations, not unlike STARWARS. Meyers talked about his original story and how he combined the other characters with their stories and tensions. He said the book took 5.5 years and six drafts to write.

The most powerful part of Kent Meyers' presentation was him -- he was very comfortable talk about the craft of writing and the work of putting a novel together in all its layers. The novel definitely reflects that effort. Most western readers will recognize his characters, and non-westerners should learn an appreciation of the
themes. It was a great evening at the Wright Branch Library.

Terry Tempest Williams brought one of her "weather reports" to Gillette. She is checking on "community climates" and looking for the voices within the communities that she visits. The award winning writer is from Utah and appreciates the natural wonder of our western states, but her visit to Gillette revealed her as an outstanding listener and a gifted teacher. She met with a group of local people, primarily writers, who shared with her their stories of life in Gillette. On Saturday she led them through an apparently simple writing exercise which led to an astonishing variety of stories connected to nature and to our county. It was an amazing event that touched every heart in attendance.

Since I'm talking about writers, I want to mention Michael and Kathleen Gear again. I saw them receive an
award from Mountain Plains Library Association, and they gave a talk about their writing partnership, their affiliation with archaeology, Native American culture and history. I just checked their website, and it sounds
like them. They are a pleasure to listen to and to read, and I was so tickled that other states were not as familiar with them as we Wyomingites. The Gears converted a whole new audience.

Aren't we lucky! We are able to attract writers to our state and our communities. We have writers who truly express what we are feeling, what we know.
Patty

Libraryland

2008-05-03T15:47:00.006-06:00

My gosh! April flew by, and I have not managed a single blog. But I have been full of blogging ideas, because I have attended two major conferences this year where I have heard and learned so much about the library world and the possibilities for the future.

In the month of March, 2008, Campbell County Public Library increased it's people count by 2,000 people over March, 2007. 2,000 more people came to the library this March than in March a year ago. It is a tremendous number -- what did we do with those 2,000 extra people? We let them borrow books and movies. We encouraged them to try the databases for information. We provided free internet access.

At the Mountain Plains Library Association this week, I was reminded that Campbell County is really doing all the things libraries are meant to do. We provide both the traditional and nontraditional collections. We take pride in public service, and we work hard to make sure the library patron walks out the door with the right book or media to solve his quest or to fulfill is reading desires. I actually chortle when I hear other libraries explaining programs that they have just established, which CCPL has long maintained. It reminds me how lucky we are with staff who have who have been unafraid of innovation and who have worked hard to maintain service and programs.

MPLA honored three Wyoming people -- well, four because one of the awards was for Michael and Kathleen Gear, the Wyoming writers who have worked diligently creating fictional lives for early Americans -- we are talking 16,000 year old tribes and people. Another award was for Debbi Iverson, recently retired Sheridan College librarian, who worked tirelessly for MPLA and a leadership institute to encourage librarians to stay ahead of the pack for the western region. The fourth award went to a young, cowboy librarian at the University of Wyoming who has created unusual partnerships with in the University to develop lifelong learning skills which has impacted library instruction and services. That's exciting news for all of us.

Previous to MPLA, I attended the SIRSI/Dynix conference which is hard hitting, information packed sessions on the electronic products used by the Wyoming library consortia for card catalog and check out services. The products invented, improved, and maintained by the corporation changes the daily work life and possibilities for the incredible in all public libraries in the state. This is a "meeting of the minds" when software creators and librarians come together to talk about how the nuts and bolts work, what improvements need to be made, and where we are going. It's enough to take your breath away.

Thundersnow

2008-03-29T12:46:00.004-06:00

It's spring in Wyoming. And we know it is because Thursday we saw the phenomenon of "thunder snow." You got it. Thunder/lightening and a snowstorm all in the same instant. I remember old timers talking about winter and spring storms -- forever. I understand the theory of "too cold to snow" and rings around the moon and potato planting on Good Friday. Thundersnow, however, just takes my breath away. Wow.

Our office discussion this week circled around the arrival of spring flowers. My sister sent me a spectacular bouquet of iris and yellow tulips. It arrived in a cardboard box, delivered by FedEx. Why did these flowers even survive? Yet they have provided us spring colors as they have opened up and shared their beauty. Next came the daffodil delivery from the Cancer Society fund raiser. This morning I watched the Cherry blossom festival on a tv news program. The trees in Washington DC are in vibrant bloom.

But there are no spring flowers peaking up in my yard. In fact my flower beds are still covered in snow. I planted additional tulips, crocus and jonquils last fall, and I am anxious to see if they have survived. I need to know that they will harken spring for me for years to come. But it has not happened yet.

Obviously March 21 means nothing in Wyoming -- unless we use the date as one of HOPE. Hope does spring eternal -- or is it spring is hope -- or hope is eternal. Anyway, the thundersnow remains our strongest indication of spring on this last day of March. April showers will surely come -- as will my garden flowers.

Happy spring watching to you -- Patty

Perfection

2008-03-07T16:48:00.003-07:00

I just walked past the George Amos Room and saw the perfect library photograph. Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and three children were ensconced in the sofas and easy chair in front of the fireplace. Every one of them was reading a book.

How often do you make family visits to the library? Do you share that passion for reading that your grandparents or parents shared with you? One of my favorite memories raising my boys was the week they spent creating "Charlotte's Web" in a bedroom. There was yarn everywhere -- from doorknob to window frame, from ceiling light to bedpost. It was a work of art, sincere concentration, and great good humor. It was a pleasure.

As a grandmother, the pleasure continues with the little children as we work together on stories, words, pictures. I have a two year old who really doesn't want to talk, but he can make the sounds of every animal in the world. Really. I did not know what a zebra or giraffe sounds like -- but he does. He is equally good with mechanics catalogs because he can make engine, tractor, saw sounds too. Ah, my.

So you see, it's true. A simple picture is often worth a thousand words. My library picture today brought a rainbow of memories to me. It was a good reminder, because today was an early release day for school, and there was lots of after school energy bubbling through the building. Thank heavens for blue skies and good weather. Nearly all of our young visitors spent part of the afternoon outside throwing snowballs and tromping through water puddles.

It's already March, and Sunday clocks spring forward. We are still looking for more snow, and all I want to do is curl up in front of the George Amos Room fireplace and read a good book.

Learning, learning, learning

2008-02-15T07:42:00.003-07:00

Do you remember the old "school of hard knocks"? That's the location of jobs, family and experience that teaches us skills. In my world of professionals -- librarians, administrators, historians, and professionals -- there are even more opportunities to learn: workshops, conventions, meetings. There is an amazing the overlap of technique and experience.
For instance, at a recent class on listening skills the instructor talked about how mothers learn early to get on their knees and listen intently to the explanations of their 2 or 3 year old child who is struggling with language skills. Moms are successful listeners. How then do we carry those skills into business meetings and customer service? We do, you know.
At a recent class via internet there were a group of librarians talking about the future of libraries as part of the community. Just like the old rural schools, libraries have become an essential part of communities for sharing cultural events, information, and reading and research resources. Many Hispanic communities maintain their libraries to maintain their identity as well as to adapt to their new world. I think CCPL has long recognized the role of the library as the center of community information. Reference librarians keep information and contacts about social services right at their desks to answer questions. There are frequent telephone calls to the library to ask about locations of meetings and events. And the meeting rooms are continually busy; so busy that people often come here first to find out that their meeting is somewhere else; so busy that people often come here to meet and congregate at the study tables or quiet corners. This is exciting for all of us, because it means we are a natural source of space and information for our communities.
Lifelong learning is more than a catch phrase. At the library we continuously combine what we have learned in the school of hard knocks and in the professional training that is available to us. It creates exciting, changing opportunities for all of us, and I hope it helps all of you with better service and possibilities for learning too.

Book Discussions

2008-02-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

How can this be? And why is the cold weather hanging in here so long! I've been wanting to tell everyone about the wonderful books I am reading right now. They are memoirs written by modern American women writers. They are outstanding. Every chapter I've read has been a treasure in itself. I'm reading the series called Ordinary Lives, which is the Humanities Council series for the Wright Branch Library book discussion which will be held in March and April. I don't know when I've enjoyed a series so much. The writing is beautiful, and the memoirs vary from Ann Dillard 1950s urban area to Pat Mora memories of five generations of her family who have all lived in her home. Mary Clearman Blew is somewhere in between, but her Montana ranch family stories are so familiar to me as a Wyomingite that I feel like I know her relatives. I've read the Madelieine L'Engle memoir before, but I'm anxious to read it again for the comparison to these other outstanding writers.

Gillette book discussion series is Writing Wyoming with books by Wyoming authors. WOW, a whole series by Wyoming writers. And Jeanette Lukowski from Gillette College will be the discussion leader. I'm looking forward to sharing those sessions too.

The book discussion offers readers an opportunity to share their opinions about books, to explore new writers and writing styles, to love or hate a book and still have the pleasure of discussion with other readers. If you want to get excited about reading again, join us in Wright or Gillette for a book discussion this March. Books will be available at your libraries, and schedules and times are available there too.
Patty

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T15:46:00.001-07:00

What a strange holiday season! Miserable travel weather, and the Tuesday holidays presented the challenge to all employers -- do we stay open or close on Monday. Thank heavens there are so many options in the modern world. Thank heavens people still have a sense of loyality to their jobs, to the public, to co-workers. The places that could close, did. And the places that need to stay open, did. Still it's flu season. Our staff has been ravaged with sinus infections and flu. It made me worry about the whole pandemeic issue -- at what point should we close just to survive?

Now why am I thinking such morose thoughts when I had a perfectly lovely week -- in spite of one miserable night for myself and surgery for my husband. We have three sons with families who were able to share the holidays with us. We have bright-eyed, active grand children who make me laugh aloud. Serves those boys right to have kids they have to run to keep up with!

I didn't make a resolution this year. I didn't even stay up to watch the crystal ball drop. But I did go to the bank this morning to establish a savings account, and the wellness program starts next week. What a sign of the times. Or is it aging when you know there is only so much you can do. Only so many hours in a day. Only so many projects that can be completed. It's a blessing really, because finally you can say "this I can appreciate and do." "That I can ignore."

For all of you, I hope 2007 brought satisfaction. I hope 2008 brings equal happiness and success.
Patty

Snow and cold

2007-12-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

Looking out the window today, the library parking lot looks like a skating pond, shiney and gray with a touch of overcast skies. It's just December, and with the steady cold and snow, it's hard to count my blessings. But a Christmas card from an old friend made me smile. He was filled with good cheer and listening to holiday music. He sent the challenge: Close your eyes and recapture you best holiday memories. That made me laugh because I already have some good memories from this year, and I look forward to more.

December is not just about snow and cold. It is the end of the year, and so much has
happened this year. The library has had two outstanding community read events. A stunning piece of artwork was added to the property. The work of the remodel is over and job routines are feeling like routines again. We are busier than ever with the number of new people in town, and we can actually help them learn about their new community and state. We help them stay in contact with the family they left behind, and we provide recreational and educational materials for their leisure and family time.

There are not a lot of jobs as satisfying as a librarian's. And right now, right this minute, I like the view from my window.