Trying to build a life worth re-reading.
The past two months have been quite busy. Summer reading at the library was in full swing which coincided with the mid-year grant writing season. So, my work life has been a mixture of helping with programming with lots of grant writing in between. As such, I haven't felt like doing too much personal writing in my free time, but that means I've been reading instead. I also rewatched all of The Big…
Bookstores, like libraries, are full of possibilities. The possibility of adventure, education, learning a new skill, the exploration of ideas. For us readers, these institutions of amalgamated human knowledge are sacred ground. Books allow us to explore real places, other lives, made-up worlds, different cultures, religions, careers, and human experiences without leaving the comfort of our own…
I fulfilled a life-long dream yesterday by becoming a published writer. The Texas Library Association published an article I wrote in the Texas Library Journal about an ongoing project we have at the library called the Community Care Corner or C3. My article, “Community Care Corner: Small Shelf, Big Impact” is about a partnership the library formed with an area non-profit to provide basic hygiene…
Every year, the State of Texas requires all public libraries to submit an annual report to maintain accreditation status with the state. I have to submit statistics, financials, and a plethora of other metrics to keep the library’s accreditation. This exacting process is important as it provides access to state funding, grants, and resources that we would otherwise be denied, or unable to afford…
I'm beginning to see a pattern in my monthly reading recaps. They tend to start with a statement similar to “I didn't read as much as I wanted to in (insert month).” Sadly, May is no different. I could lay down some excuses like life has been busy, my health has been sub-par, I've been playing video games instead of reading, etc… all of that is true, but I've honestly just not felt like reading…
Conversations at the circulation desk are rarely just about books One of the most interesting, and challenging, aspects of being a librarian is that you never know what problem a person is going to walk through the door with at any given moment. It could be something simple like needing to print from their phone or help with downloading an ebook. Some people may just need computer access. Others…
Tales from the Territory is the latest installment to the Legends and Lattes universe. While this anthology of short stories won't scratch the itch that a full new novel would provide, it does offer up some great backstory for characters we all know and love from the main books. We learn a bit about Zyll and Breadlee in Goblins and Greatcoats . Just a Thimbulful provides the backstory to my…
Humble has half a dozen definitions in the dictionary, but the one that resonates most with me is "claiming little for one’s self; not proud, arrogant, or assuming, modest." In my childhood, I was taught humility at church through the Bible. Verses like James 4:6, “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble,” were often quoted in services. In my study of the Stoics, I came across…
I only managed to finish three books in April. It was a bit of a crazy month. I spent a ton of my free time working on my new online portfolio , and trying to keep my lawn in check from the spring rains. Work has been quite busy too, with National Library Week, building projects, and outreach events. I've had to work a few Saturdays this month, which is pretty rare for me. "Trade of Blood" by…
I spent the final days of May in Houston at the annual Texas Library Association (TLA) conference. A full three days traversing the massive George R. Brown Convention Center attending sessions, volunteering, and catching up with friends. TLA is always an enjoyable, yet exhausting experience. The social battery was definitely drained when I got back home. This was an unusual conference for me as I…