Newtown

I grew up near and still live very close to Newtown, CT. I am so overwhelmed by the tragedy there, and last night I took a break from watching the news because I just couldn't see anymore. A friend of a friend of mine was killed during the shooting. I can't believe that a place I know well is on international news. I don't want to go into the debate of mental illness and gun control and whatnot, I just wanted to blog to say that we should all keep our loved ones close and remember what happened last week. Also, there are relief efforts and scholarship funds being set up, so check those out and determine their legitimacy before you donate. You may also go to the website of the Newtown Town Hall here and get the details of the fund set up by the United Way of Western Connecticut.

Ex libris,

Marissa

Woohoo for Katie Woo!

Katie Woo! Her name sounds like an exclamation! Katie Woo Rules the School, released yesterday from Capstone Young Readers, is refreshing. Maybe it's because I read a lot of YA books, but it was nice to step back into a linear storyline with a handful of characters, headed by the bespectacled first grader Katie Woo. This book is actually a collection of several shorter stories, almost episodes. I like that the stories address minor problems without a lot of fanfare and not to much adult interference. For example, Katie is picked on by the class bully in one of the stories. She handles it in her own way and resolves the problem-- no parent-teacher conference or class assembly on bullying needed. She's empowered, for a first grader.

Written by Fran Manushkin and illustrated by Tammie Lyon, this early chapter book for kindergarteners and up is a nice new entry in this field which has been dominated by another bespectacled girl, Junie B. Jones, for some time now. Simultaneously available is Katie Woo and Friends and twenty-four Katie Woo paperbacks (as opposed to collections like this one). If you've burned through Junie B. but aren't quite ready for Ivy and Bean or (my favorite) Ramona, Katie Woo may be your go-to girl.

So.much.fun.

Ex libris,

Marissa

A REAL librarian

I am a real librarian, friends. Graduation was a few weeks ago and I'm taking a break from my final paper to write this blog post. I will turn it in and the graduate school will issue my degree in August. It feels great and also weird. Going to school and working full-time is HARD, yo. But it was worth it because I'm doing what I love!
Next week is Art Adventures, a four-week mini art history and craft program. We're doing Mondrian first. I went to the art store on Friday morning and got all my supplies. I showed actual restraint and didn't buy anything for me, which is very hard at an art store.
I say this every time I blog, but now that school is pretty well done I hope to blog more. And read more. Quick book recommendation: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour.

Ex libris,

Marissa

Of the Book, By the Book, For the Book

I took a course in History of the Book this summer, and it was breathtaking. No other way to describe it. Handling old books, learning about how things were printed, seeing treasures from centuries ago...it was awesome. Then in July, my aunt Marcy suggested I read People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It centers around a book conservator who has been invited to work on a Haggadah (special book recited at the Seder meal in the Jewish tradition) that was thought to be lost. The history of this particular book is traced through artifacts that the rare book conservator finds in its binding. There is a twist at the end, too. I highly recommend it!

Ex libris,
Marissa

Summer reading!

Today is the last day of school in the town where I work, which means it's time for summer reading! I always loved summer reading. Here are a few of my goals for this summer.

1. Get through the top ten of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. My sister and I started the list and she's already through the top thirty! You can read about our progress on The 1001 Books Project (shameless plug). :)
2. Read the next few of the Luxe books by Anna Godbersen. They are pure YA escapism.
3. Read a few more of Cara Black's Paris mysteries. I love Paris so much and these bring me back.
4. Read a lot of YA! I love YA books. I'm looking at my "to read" list and a lot of them are YA.

I have a class starting July 6, so we'll see how I do with these goals. What are you reading this summer?

Ex libris,

Marissa

The Sketchbook Project

First things first-- done with my fall semester! It's such a relief. So now I need to get started on the Sketchbook Project!

The Sketchbook Project is run through a very very cool group called Art House Co-op. The project works like this: After I signed up, I received my theme for the sketchbook. Then I received the sketchbook in the mail. It has a barcode on it and a book pocket. The theme is also printed next to the barcode. I have to complete the book and send it back, and it will be in several exhibitions. Then it will be in a permanent library of sketchbooks and the barcode will be linked into a database! It's the best of both worlds for me-- libraries and art. Full deets are here, but the deadline to sign up is long gone (sorry).

The themes are randomly assigned out of thirty possible themes. My theme is how to save the world. I have tentatively titled it "Live Simply/Simply Live" because I feel like everything is way too complicated these days. The world would be a better, cleaner, and more peaceful place if we just simplified things. I want to incorporate the Shaker song "Simple Gifts" into my piece as well.

What do you think? Any ideas on how to save the world? Once I get my project going, I'll post photos in my Art House profile. I can use it as an online portfolio, as well, which is super cool.

Phewwww, I really need to get back into art. I hope this is a great jumping off point.

Ex libris,

Marissa

The Whisper Initiative

There was a complaint the other day that the Children's staff was too loud.  I find this a little bit hilarious because the kids are loud, so I feel our loudness is justified.  Nevertheless, libraries are supposed to be quiet places, so my pal Ketti and I launched "The Whisper Initiative."  It was her idea and she named it, but I was totally onboard.  We were both on the Children's desk and whenever we got asked a question, we spoke in a whisper to the patrons.  And you know what?  They lowered their voices as well!  So maybe that is the answer...sort of a "monkey see, monkey do" type thing.

Unrelated: my class is chugging along.  I have a lot of work to do, plus my job, so it is tough, but only about 5 more weeks of reference, then a mini-break before the fall semester!  Yay!  And also, it was my birthday on June 17.  I'm 26 now, which is scary, BUT I know what I want to do for a career, so that is awesome.

Ex libris,

Marissa

The grind. I'm back to it.

I had a brief break from school in which I read books, chilled, and basically soaked in free time after work.  My summer semester just started this week (Monday).  I find it rather amusing that I blog when I have homework to do, but don't blog at all when I have free-ish time.  Hmm.

Went to the CLA conference last month which totally rocked and reaffirmed that I'm in the right career.  Phew.  Oh and I got a scholarship!  Yay!  Thanks to the Fairfield Libraries Administrators Group.  

Got my grade back for cataloging: A- omggggggg!  Thank God.  Cataloging is tricky business.  This semester I'm taking my reference course.  Lecture notes are staring at me accusingly from my bed.

I'll make up a recommended summer reading list soon and post it.  Please comment if you read (or have already read) a book from the list.

Finally, if you aren't playing Farm Town on Facebook, I am sad for you and you should add it and become my neighbor so I can get a trophy.  This is also what I did on my summer vacation.  :)

Ex libris,

Marissa

Respect the catalogers.

I have an assignment for my cataloging class due on Sunday and it has been tough. We're collecting bibliographic records for Doris Lessing-- 20 books by her and 20 books about her. Then we have to use the Library of Congress rules to make a shelflist with the items in the proper order. Sounds simple, yes? Not quite. The Library of Congress has these rules, but not a lot of information on how to apply them. It's like an ancient society where the traditions are passed down orally but never actually written down or explained. I've been struggling with it for awhile now, but today I made a breakthrough. I have seen a pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel. I still have to check my formatting and dates and I need to find out if we're supposed to include subject headings. Then I have to write my commentary on why shelflisting table is tricky to use. Hmm. Because it is totally arbitrary? And there is no explanation? What if the last person who knows how to catalog properly dies? There needs to be a backup person. This could all end in tragedy and misshelved books.

Ex libris,

Marissa

Schooled.

I'm done with my first semester of library school! All in all, it went well. I got my grade back for Intro to Information Technology-- A minus. I'm still waiting on my grade for Foundations of Librarianship, but I was more concerned about the other class. Next semester I'm taking a course in cataloging. But in the meantime, I'm on school break! I'm reading for pleasure! I'm currently engrossed in Murder in the Marais by Cara Black. A change for me-- I usually read Scandinavian crime fiction. In fact, I did a display table at work featuring Scandinavian crime fiction. But this mystery is set in France and I'm liking it a lot. I'm going to try and cram in as much pleasure reading as possible from now until January 26, which is the first day of spring semester.

More on Cara Black and her mysteries set in Paris.

Ex libris,

Marissa

UPDATE: My grade for Foundations of Librarianship-- A plus.

Yay for September!

It's almost fall! The leaves here are beginning to turn very slowly. There are a few trees with some fiery tips, but that's it so far. Other things that are new:

-- I began my MLS on Tuesday, which is part of why I've been remiss in blogging. So far it's a good chunk of reading and I have an essay to work on. I am kind of nervous, but I always get back-to-school jitters. I can do it. :)
-- Two bits about Stephenie Meyer:
1. The FAQ for Breaking Dawn are posted on her website, and I think they're great at clearing up some of my questions about the book. Check it out and decide for yourself, but SPOIER WARNING!
2. Apparently, Stephenie's draft of Midnight Sun was posted without permission and then distributed all over the Internet, and now she doesn't know if she'll ever finish it. Some people can spoil things for everyone! Read what Stephenie wrote regarding this breach of copyright.
-- If you like reading my blog, please add yourself to my "Readers" list over there under my Etsy shop. I just added this new Google widget today and I think it's really cool. And, as always, feel free to comment.
-- I found this article about ways to catch up on reading that has some good advice. I don't like it when people are obnoxious in waiting rooms, either, and reading a book is a great way to pass the time anywhere.

That's all for now.

Ex libris,

Marissa