Here we are, already near the end of December, with many of us (like me) near giddy with the anticipation of the joy of spending the holidays with family and friends.
It really has been a great year!
Now I don’t have a particularly philosophical bent, but the views expressed by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus certainly resonates with my career and with our work here in the library. In Libraryland, you see, the only constant is change.
This year a puppet theatre was installed in the children’s area, resulting in almost daily puppet plays (and the children are very creative).
This was made possible through donations from two generous library visitors. Funds raised by the 2012 Quiz Night helped purchase a new chair in the tween area and a new carpet in the tween area appeared there as well – thanks here to our fabulous volunteers, the Friends of the Hope Library. The Friends also purchased the snazzy red mini-couch, which provides seating for the puppet show audience.
The library system as a whole went a little greener and moved toward using less paper, using digital signage in many of the branches. In Hope, the display unit is on the wall behind the desk and has information about changing library initiatives and programs.
New databases include Naxos (music), Mango (languages), OneClickDigital (e-books) and Zinio (magazines). Mango, OneClick, and Zinio can all be used on mobile devices. How awesome is that?
Another innovation which ranks very high on the awesomeness scale are the new Community and Internet cards which both allow more universal access to the library’s collection.
Along the same lines, LiLi and Smitty, as Library Live and On Tour, have been visiting the Thunderbird Hotel and have been at Story Time in the Park and other events around town. LiLi’s mandate is take the library out of the library.
There have been staff changes too.
Bronwyn spent the summer in Abbotsford and then moved on to Port Coquitlam. Toni is going back into semi-retirement soon – and it has been a real pleasure to work with her for the last six months. Kristin G. moved from being a page here in Hope to working as a casual circulation assistant at many of our 24 libraries. And so, Sarah is now our new shelving wizard.
I’m still coming and going doing programs both in and out of the library. I suppose that hasn’t changed!
In the first few months of 2013, we have several author visits, exciting spring break programs, and a brand new book club for children. More change!
Toni, Jacquelynne, Sarah and myself – all of us – are looking forward to seeing you in the library in the coming year.
And a great big thank you to all of the people who make the Hope Library a bustling, busy place – may each and every one of you experience all the joys and happiness of the holiday season.
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On the Nightstand: Just finished Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovitch. I’ve read the first 18 Stephanie Plum mysteries and this is a good series for anyone who enjoys a light read. But with this latest, the plot and characters (and even scenes – for crying out loud, how many times does Stephanie’s car have to blow up?) are getting stale. Barbara Kingsolver’s latest, on the other hand, is fabulous.
Flight Behavior is the poignant story of Dellarobia Turnbow, a young woman dissatisfied with her life and family relationships in a small Tennessee community. Rich characters, brilliant writing, and a strong message about climate change make this a worthwhile and engaging read.