Speak up for Libraries' Access to Ebooks (and craft requests for Children's Library)

If you have not yet heard, there's a controversy out there.

Many of the newest, most popular books, are not available to libraries as ebooks.  Some that are have prices (to libraries) that might cause your jaw to drop.  Luckily, action is possible now.  Several websites are hosting information or petitions. Facebook has a group.  [Did you know Facebook changed the rules recently on "liking Pages"?  Now you not only have to like the page, but then, on that page, click on the little box with a gear and select "add to list"--and you may need to name that list the first time--in order to ever see that page's posts in your regular news-stream.]

One library advocate made a short video, comparing which titles you are accustomed to seeing in hardback at the library and which are still not available to libraries electronically.  http://youtu.be/l5anyt9jooI or

The blog where this video first posted is:
http://ebooksforlibraries.com/news/libraries-advocacy-and-ebooks-whos-doing-what/
It is one place to keep current with developments on this issue.

One library system is leading the charge.  Here is their specific list of actions to take: http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/books-materials/audiobooks-ebooks/Default.htm#scrooge

Does this affect you? Let us know in the comments or chat with us during your next visit.

P. S.: The Children's department hopes to collect stacks of the following items for this year's Summer Reading Programs crafts:
styrofoam trays (the kind under meats or produce at the store)
oatmeal containers
metal coffee cans (1 to 2 lb and 5 lb)
scrap 2x4s (about 5 inches)
net bags (the orange mesh around fruit and root vegetables)
everlasting flowers, or fresh flowers to dehydrate into everlasting displays
And just as a reminder: the rolls in wrapping paper or paper towels
the lids on juice bottles or milk jugs

Several Book Reviews

Book reviews have been popular blog posts in the past, so here are a few more.

Fool by Christopher Moore

What is Shakespeare's play, King Lear, like when told from the court jester's point of view?  That was Moore's goal when he wrote this book with dark humor.  As in Shakespeare, the words are often coarse, the jokes quite lewd, and dialogue is exquisitely crafted.  Unlike the tragic play, this book is definitely a comedy.

Readalikes include Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen.






Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

This is Cashore's third book with Graceling characters. These books may be read in any order--each story will enrich the history of other characters, but no need to fear spoilers.  Why am I drawn to Cashore's books?  I believe it is the diversity of characters and their acceptance/tolerance of diversity.  Perhaps it is more to the point that when I have the chance to escape reality in a book, I really want to leave the mundane behind.

Readalikes: Across the Universe or Hunger Games



Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

If you still doubt the power of a graphic novel, Wonderstruck may convert you.  Brian Selznick presents two separate stories, one in words and another in pictures (referencing the power of silent movies).  But you don't have to take my word for it: see what Abby the Librarian wrote, or read Jeff Kinney's comparison of Wonderstruck and Okay for Now.  Brian Selznick's other novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret became the movie, Hugo, last year.





Neverwhere written and read by Neil Gaiman
Before Gaiman wrote a script for Dr. Who, even before his books, Coraline and Stardust became movies, he wrote about how it feels to disconnect from the world.  Gaiman reads this story himself, and does a wonderful job (though it may not be optimal in a car as the quietest whispers and loudest shouts tend to happen one-after-another).  Neverwhere is a modern fairy-tale, dark, uncomfortable at times, and rich with imagery.  
Read-alikes include: Susanna Clarke, Clive Barker, or Kurt Vonnegut, or Walter Moers

A Crack in the Edge of the World written and read by Simon Winchester

Winchester studied geology at Oxford before becoming a journalist and writer.  A Crack in the Edge of the World came about decades later when an editor asked if geology  had any great stories to tell.  This book covers Winchester's road trip across America's geology, the history of San Francisco's growth, and the impact of the San Andreas Fault today (Alaska pipeline, anyone?).  Winchester's elocution is inspiring and soothing, at least to my ears.  The print version has an amazing fold-out cover (no longer possible to view on the library's copy or any paperback) covering all of Winchester's books.




Where do you go for book suggestions?  Are there books you have heard of, but would like to read more about?

Tax Time and more Money Smarts and booktalks at the library

The IRS wants your tax return by April 17.

by Images_of_Money at Flickr

If you are unable to make that deadline, you have options.  Here's a bit of explanation about what is due today, and here's some information on how to get an extension on the deadline.  Remember, you can file the extension online, right now.

In preparation for the rest of this year, why not stop by Ruidoso Public Library Thursday for our Money Smart presentation?  From 4-5pm on April 19, Aimee Bennet of Lincoln County's Health Office will explore how your health choices today affect your money needs in the future.

Friday and Saturday mornings have author presentations.  April 20, Jerry Welch shares his book again, Corporacracy, and April 21 sees Gary Cozzens latest book on Capitan.

Budgeting for end of life choices, anorexia discussion, & Rainwater Harvesting @your Library

This week, the Money Smart presentation is by Danny Sisson of La Grone Funeral Chapel.  On Thursday from 4-5 pm he will explore the costs involved in funerals and memorials.  The US Federal Trade Commission and the library being a public/government building puts Mr Sisson in a bit of a tight spot.  The FTC requires any funeral director to provide a list of costs upon request; at the same time, the library cannot look like it is supporting any one company or providing advertising space.  So, this is a great session to learn the general issues of what to ask about and how to plan, but if you have specific questions about La Grone's specific prices, we ask that you contact Danny at a later time and place.  Thank you for understanding.

Another possibility to consider, that may be planet wise as well as financially smart, is Green Funerals. I talked with my mom about several variations and she remains open to (as she puts it) "whatever is easiest for you" (since I'll be there).  I know funerals and death are very difficult topics of conversation, but as a daughter, I am grateful my parents bit the bullet and let me know a few of their feelings.  Sometimes the discussions happened while driving to or from a memorial service, other times just when driving past a cemetery.  Just don't let it get you down for too long.

Friday at 10 am, local author Carol Keys will discuss her books, "Sharing Moments Over Tea" & "Behind Her Smile: A Mother's Walk Through Her Daughter's Anorexia."  


Saturday morning, Jim Miller will share his presentation on Rainwater Harvesting.  This information is often part of a course he teaches at ENMU-Ruidoso, so if you haven't made that yet, this is a great introduction.  Calculate how much rainwater your roof collects. Decide how many gallons your showers or landscape could use in a year.  Bring your questions.

On a lighter note, Spring has sprung at the library!

Building Common Ground: Engagement: Compassion & Peace Studies, and Adopt-a-Cat Friday

Friday, March 2nd, from 2-4pm, Lincoln County Humane Society will have cats available for adoption.  This event has a special adoption fee of only $10 to cover vaccinations, fixing, microchips, and other costs. 

Saturday, March 3rd, from 11 am to noon, Ruidoso Public Library begins our Building Common Ground, Civility, & Compassion program for all of March.  These programs, films, workshops, and guests are made possible through grants from the American Library Association, the Fetzer Institute, and support from Ruidoso's Friends of the Library.  Les Field, Professor of Anthropology at UNM and Director of the Peace Studies Program, will lead a discussion on social issues with a goal of identifying solutions.

Saturday, March 10th, from 11 am to noon, John Cianciosi, author of The Meditative Path, joins us from the National Headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America.  Explore mindfulness, breathing, and awareness cultivation through a guided meditation followed by discussion.

Coming up Saturday, March 17 at 11 am, join our director, Corey Bard, in a discussion of Karen Armstrong's book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.

We have eleven copies available, so drop in to read one before the discussion.  If reading (or the time for 222 pages) is not your thing, you are still welcome to participate.  Karen Armstrong has a talk at TED.com about her book, a webpage about the Charter for Compassion, and NPR interviewed her (listen to the 30 minute recording here).  The publisher offers a discussion guide with some questions to ponder before, during, after, or instead of reading, too.

Here are the Twelve Steps:

1.    1. Learn about compassion

2.     2. Look at your own world

3.     3. Compassion for yourself

4.     4. Empathy

5.     5. Mindfulness

6.     6. Action

7.    7.  How little we know

8.     8. How we should speak to one another

9.     9. Concern for everybody

10.  10. Knowledge

11.   11. Recognition

12.   12. Love your Enemies

Ruidoso Public Library also offers seven other books by Karen Armstrong (if not on the shelf, request it at the front desk):

The Spiral Staircase  200.92 ARM

Holy War: The Crusades and Their Impact on Today’s World  909.07 ARM

A Short History of Myth 398.2 ARM

Islam: A Short History  297.09 ARM

A History of God: The 4000 year Quest of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam  291.211 ARM

The Case for God  211.22 ARM

Game Wardens and a 9/11 responder this week (also an update on One Click Digital for Apple)

Thursday, 4pm, meet two of New Mexico's Game Wardens at the library.  They will explore some of the local wildlife and answer your questions.  Children welcome, too.

Image at NM Dept of Game and Fish

Do you have a nuisance animal?  What is a safe practice around squirrels?  Come found out!

Image at Amazon

Friday morning at 10 am, local Bill Dement will discuss his book, Delay, Deny, Hope They Die. This is the story of a disabled 9/11 first responder, a former police Lieutenant, N.Y.P.D., who describes himself as an Ordinary Joe.  Learn about the man, two days shy of completing the retirement home he was building in New Mexico, who responded to the World Trade Center disaster. It vividly depicts his months at Ground Zero and more.  


If you have an Apple computer or product, this may be the update you've been waiting for.  One Click Digital has a new release of the Download Manager and the directions for MacIntosh/Apple users to work around within their own systems. 

Apple/Mac updates to One-Click Digital e-audiobooks, virtual book clubs, local author Events, and Downton Abbey reads

At last, One Click Digital has released instructions for Apple/Macintosh users. If you use an Apple or Mac to access the internet, please email me at jenniferstubbs at ruidoso hyphen nm dot gov, and I will reply with the directions as a pdf attachment.  If you are looking for the instructions to begin using One Click Digital, they can be found in the column to the right under "e Audiobook How to."  Just last week I tried downloading two books on my machine at home, without luck. But when I tried again the next day, both were just fine.  Que sera sera, no?

If audiobooks aren't your thing, how about an online book club?  Huffington Post has set up a site, along with a Twitter #tag if you prefer, for HuffPo editors and readers to share reactions to The Tiger's Wife.  The site discussion has only covered the first 4 chapters, though the second part, chapters 5-8, should be up this week--or take the initiative and begin filling the comments yourself.

Online or virtual book clubs allow you to participate when it fits your schedule.  My favorite aspect is how I can skip over comments that feel repetitive or non-productive, while focusing on those with insight from perspectives I missed. (Can you tell I have a patience problem?)  If you have any comments on virtual book clubs (Have you tried one?  Would you give it a try?), please add them to this post's comments.

If local, live events are your interest Ruidoso Public Library offers two this week. Wednesday, 2pm, Jamie Slack (a local author) will talk about the memoir process, especially from a drawing/visual perspective.  She will also sign her book, Now Here's a Thought: A Playful Journal About Life.

Saturday at 11 am, Steven H. Havill (formerly a local English teacher) will discuss and sign his newest book in the Posadas County Mysteries, One Perfect Shot. (Portions of both sales benefit the Friends of the Library.)

Finally, if one hour of Downton Abbey leaves you craving more history and drama, the library has several title suggestions to help fill the six days between (just ask for Jennifer and let me know if you prefer fiction or fact).

Support local authors @your Library

Click above for larger image

Saturday, Dec 10, 10 am til 2pm, Ruidoso Public Library will host 10 local authors with their latest books.  These are on sale, available for autographs, and a Friend of the Library will provide gift-wrapping, too!  Each author has agreed to make a donation to the Friends for each book sold.  Try out the shop-local philosophy this year.

This is a big week, both in history and at the library.  Wednesday, Dec 7, is the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.  People may choose to observe a moment of silence in memoriam.

Later on Wednesday, Dec 7, at 4pm, I, Jennifer, will sit down with up to 6 people to explore personal laptops.  Please call (575 258-3704) to register for the class.  There are a few spaces left!

Thursday, join us for "De-stress for the Holidays" also at 4pm.  Learn how to cope with family, situations, and learn how to enjoy yourself.

Finally, Saturday is also Melvil Dewey's 160th birthday.  This Dewey created one of the earliest systems for organizing information.  Several systems have been adopted around the world over the past century, but many public libraries, such as Ruidoso's, still use the Dewey Decimal System for our non-fiction books.