Things and Stuff

It is now Mid November and my programs are almost finished. I don't have to much planned for December except for a few Story times for schools and day cares. I'm very hesitant about going to these locations because I'm pregnant, and kids are dirty. My Doctor who is in Quebec(vive le Quebec) doesn't want me near kids. She said that if I worked in Quebec I would of been pulled out of work immediately. Wow, Imagine being off work for 9 months then 1 year?? Dream come true, since I feel like I've been working full time my whole life. Anyhoo, not the case for Ontario workers. I have to go to work. She did write me a note to give to my boss, stating that I should not be around kids. I would feel like a wimp or a hypochondriac if I were to actually take advantage of that. But we'll see!!!
On another note, I had my first meeting with the boys book club and it turned out to be really fun, because I'm like a 12 year old boy myself, so we got along great. I gave them the option of choosing their next book, and they chose a R. L Stine book titled "boarding school and the big blueberry barf off! I figured that would be right up their ally. Of course, what I feared the most happened. I got an e-mail from an upset parent telling me the book wasn't appropriate for her boys and that I should choose a "classic". I should mention that these are home schooled kids, and I was worried that the parents would want me to give them an English class. English was my worst subject, so I was not prepared to do that nor should I, I'm not a teacher.
Anyways, I said to myself "I don't want to read any of the classics why would the boys"? What was I going to do? The fun was going to end. So, I got some advice from a very smart and diplomatic librarian and she said to tell the parent that the book club was for recreational reading and a chance for the boys to socialize. I was like" yes brilliant. Otherwise, I would fought back with words I would of regretted later and canceled the book club. I can be feisty! Instead, I laid my ground and I wasn't going to do something I didn't want to. Turns out the parent was very gracious and didn't realize the goal of the book club. She said that she would herself introduce "classics" to her boys during school time. Perfect!
It's not always easy dealing with parents. They have certain expectations from the library and staff. But really we are there to promote the love of reading and help people find these great books and important information, NOT TEACH!

gaming and boys book club

I have two pretty fun activities coming up at the end of October, which I was a little hesitant about doing at first. However, after getting a couple of kids to help me set up the Wii, I realized what an easy program to have running at the library. It's 1 1/2 hour long event, and all I have to do is make sure the little rug rats don't steal anything. Eventually, I would like to get one of those steal proof cabinets for the Wii and then I wouldn't have to worry about a thing. So, yeh for gaming at the library.
The other event is a boys book club, which will also turn out to be fun. I was worried that I would of have to know everything about boys books, which I don't. I hate fantasy, and mystery, and I didn't think jack Kerouac's drug induced stories would be appropriate for these boys. I'll wait until they are a least twelve. Anyways, I asked around and got some ideas about what 8-10 year old boys like, and I think I can handle it. I decided to start with the Time Warp Trio series, which packs in adventure and history, which I like very much. We are reading one book a month, and going to let the kids choose the other books.

End of Summer

So, the end is near. Thank God~! I know, I should'nt wish for summer to be over, but please send your kids back to school, now! Vanier library has been very busy the last couple of months. We are located beside a day camp, so the camp counsellors like to dump their kids on me twice a day. The kids are not interested in reading, they would much rather scream and play tag. What else would you do in a library? It's very frustrating, because they don't even take out books. So, I have nothing to prove statistically that the library gets turned upside down twice a day, and us workers have to pick up after them.
I have to say with all the bustle, I met some really cool kids over the summer. I have kids from Wabano Aboriginal Centre for health, who come for my weekly Summer Reading Club activities. they are seriously funny kids, and my new source of comedic material.

In other news, I get to go on vacation up North to Iqaluit for a week. I will be kayaking, boating, mountain biking and hiking. I can't wait. My wonderful friend Jen sent me a ticket to go visit her. She's so generous. The last time I went was in January, so it will look completely different this time around. She talks about a river, but I didn't see any last time. Oh yeah, here's the kicker!My boss, who I should be getting away from, will be staying right next door to Jen's place at the bed and breakfast. It's purely coincidence, and our vacation will only be overlapping for 2 days. We do plan on going for a hike or visiting the Iqaluit library, because that's what librarians do on vacation. Visit other libraries. NERDS

Francophonie

Alex and I did a little promoting today outside of the Vanier Library. A few hundred kids came to the park to celebrate La Francophonie. This was the perfect opportunity to promote and talk about the summer reading club, which is themed AGENT 009, detectives and spies.
Although, it's my first year with the whole SRC experience, I'm glad that the theme is a good one. I didn't realize until now, all the work that went into these summer reading clubs. When I asked Alex to give me a brief explanation about the SRC, I couldn't believe the planning I was going to have to do. Eight weeks of activities!! I was like "^%#%&". Then I was like "*&^", seriously? For real?
I figured my summer, my summer was going to be consumed with this SRC. However, I later calmed down, and Alex said I can do whatever I want in terms of planning activities. Thank gaawd! So, I brought it down a notch and hopefully it will work out good, and I can still go on holidays this summer! Pheewf!

Months and Months

Wow, I almost abandoned this blogging crap, but lots has happened in the library world since, so I figured I would give you an update. We had the Author Frieda Washinsky come and do a reading for some kids from the Islamic school, and the from Assumption Catholic School. Frieda did a great job presenting and reading from some of her books. Although, she was unhappy with the mattress at her hotel, I think she enjoyed Ottawa.
We had a week long Cabane a Sucre festival here in the Parc Richelieu. The weather could of been nicer, but overall there was a good turn out. Over 1000 people came through the library that weekend, mostly due to Rays Reptiles. So, I spent a lot of time schmoozing and cleaning bathrooms. During that same week, we had an inauguration for a new Program called HIPPY. It's a free program for parents, to encourage them to read to their children before they start school. The library looked fantastic that day, and we had tons of people, reporters, and some TV crews. It was all very exciting. Earlier this week, french author Martine Latulippe came to Vanier to do 3 sessions of readings. I invited 3 different schools, and they all loved her. She was sooo nice, and we got to spend a little time together. When Vanier hosts authors it's interesting toto get to know them. For instance, I got to hang out with Meg Tilly(famous actress now author)back in September and she gave me some advice about men. It was pretty funny!
Today, on the last day of April I went to the Islamic school down the street to read stories to the whole school in honor of the readathon. I love the kids at that school, they have such big characters for little people. They are also highly intelligent and are constantly testing me on my knowledge of books, which is not that great. I only started getting into children's literature recently, due to my new job.
I'm pretty much loving it.

Alright Alright facebook!

I already have a facebook account, but I use an alias, and I have no friends. I would like to keep it that way, because facebook is a complete waste of time. I used to be an active member when facebook was first on the scene. However, they booted me off because I was using the alias Assbook Finckelstein, and they threatened to kick me off unless I used my real name. So, off I went and created a new alias, no biggy for me. I was also worried when I herd that some companies will ask to look at your facebook profile to determine what kind of person you are, and whether they should hire you or not. Not cool! Also, police, use facebook to track down illegal parties. That all said, so far with all the partying I do, I have managed to come out unscathed. I don't need any obstacle or evidence to ruin my professional life.

BATGIRL

So lately, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the crew from Rideau, because it's under renovations. I share my office with the lovely Alexandra, and she came in the other day with a bag that said batgirl was a librarian. I totally forgot that batgirl had a day job. I think that's the coolest thing. It beats the following personas of librarians....

In the public psyche, a librarian is a woman of indeterminate age, who wears spectacles; a person with either a timorous disposition or an austere disposition, wearing a long sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck; someone who loves silence, likes books, and suffers people. Librarians don't laugh. They are covered with a thin film of dust. They have pale skins, which, when touched (as if one ever could) might flake and prove to be reptilian scales."~ Alison Hall, "Behind the Bun, or Batgirl was a Librarian "




So, my question is "why do men like librarians so much"?
If we all looked like batgirl, then maybe. But common'.