There is nothing so compelling as a message written with bright blue chalk in a childish hand right in front of the library door.

WELCOME


The excitement is here. This is the library.

Hot, hot, hot

Despite the heat, the library has an aura of excitement even outside its doors.
A school bus is blocking the parking lot for the summer reading magician. Nobody seems to care.

People are sitting on the benches and in the outside alcoves with laptops. I think they're crazy. We're air conditioned inside, after all. Of course, outside, they're free to drink, eat and smoke, so it's a trade-off.

Chalk drawings on the sidewalk outside, free-styled by young visitors. Looks pretty festive.

Stop by and visit. The excitement is here, after all.

Here's the thing.

Libraries speak to each other.
They share knowledge.
They grant experience.
They mentor each other

We are experts at finding facts.
We are experts at saving money.
We are experts at cooperation.
We are learning ....quickly.... to think outside the box.

We are not big business.
We strive not to compete, but to support.

The excitement is here. This is the library.

It's always most gratifying when people who seem to be ambivilent about what you do end up being your biggest supporters.

In light of this, I need to make sure that people around me know when I think they're doing a terrific job.


The excitement is here. This is the library.

At one table, a mom is sitting and reading the newspaper while a little boy sits with her reading a picture book. He stumbles over a passage. She leans over, points to words as she "whisper" reads to him.

Two steps away

Two women are sitting close together. One is tutoring the other in English. It's time for a practice test.

Two steps away.

Two young ones are trying to choose one DVD. It's too hard. They try to talk the adult with them into two. It's too hard to choose between them.

Two steps away.

I almost crash into the delivery man, bringing materials that people requested from other libraries. It's time to watch where I'm going.

The generosity of people where you least expect it.
Case in point:
This week from two women who participate in our Books to Go program.

Both legally blind
Both with smiles in their voices.

One calls the library, excited about an audio book donation to share with others.
Another, excited about a wreath she created to thank the volunteer who delivers books to her.

And ripples form.

A library employee answers the phone and walks with a spring in her step for the rest of the day.
A volunteer accepts the gift and is inspired by the person he is helping.

Good people are out there.

The excitement is here. This is the library

I'm surrounded by all the good stuff.
But some people can't get to it, or can't use it the way it is.

So, we're looking for a solution.
I need a simple mp3 that a visually impaired person could use.
Push a button, make it play. That's all.

I need to be sure that people who need loud print can navigate the menu of a reader.
I think I'm close, but I'm afraid to say it out loud.

Any suggestions?


The excitement is here...this is the library