Innovative library design
Recently I came across this library design. It's both green and unbelievably cool looking. Some cities like Vancouver and Seattle have done a very good job at creating architecturally noteworthy main libraries, and it seems that such architectural innovation has created vibrant communal spaces in what can be a fractured urban reality. My library system has some very well designed facilities, a few are even architecturally noteworthy, but what we don't have is a prominent main branch. I believe in the branch system (smaller branches diffused throughout the community serving the unique needs of each area), but I think a main branch can help focus attention on the library and serve as a focal point for the community itself. While this library might not be best for my community, I'd love to see what could be done where I live. In fact, there is a main library slated in my municipality's ten year plan--I hope it gets built, and I hope it's something special.
Gaming
It's been a while since I've done one of these, but sometimes my 47% geekyness comes out... I Am A: Neutral Good Elf Fighter
Neutral Good characters believe in the power of good above all else. They will work to make the world a better place, and will do whatever is necessary to bring that about, whether it goes for or against whatever is considered 'normal'.
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.
Fighters are the warriors. They use weapons to accomplish their goals. This isn't to say that they aren't intelligent, but that they do, in fact, believe that violence is frequently the answer.
Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy of NeppyMan!
I must confess, I did play the odd role-playing game in high school, and still remember those times fondly. I actually still have a bag full of dice in a drawer somewhere. In any case, I think that gamers get a bad rap. Gaming involves community, creativity and literacy, all of which are good things. Some people might label it escapist, and their certainly is an element of this in it, but the focus of gaming is storytelling, and storytelling is an instinctive human activity--one that helps us understand the world. It seems to me that gaming is actually a beneficial pastime, and in any event a far, far better use of time than sitting on the couch watching TV. Librarians who feel the way I do will likely be interested in Afternoon Adventures With Dungeons & Dragons. I passed this link on to one of our Children's librarians, but to no avail. In any case, I've filed it away and perhaps one day I'll make a pitch to run this program myself.
RIP Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs passed away yesterday at the 89. I've read her two most recent books, The Nature of Economies and Dark Age Ahead, and they were both profoundly influenced the way I see the world. Hearing about her passing has caused me to reflect on her work and activism, and there are two things for which I really remember her: Jane Jacobs' detractors came from both the right and left ends of the political spectrum, which speaks to her ability to follow her own creative reasoning and avoid being dragged down by ideology, which is a ability I wish I could better develop; she always maintained that she was merely a "regular person" and if she had a gift it was being articulate--if this is the case it gives me hope that through articulate discussion and thought that the human race can better understand and improve the world we live in. The world needs more people like Jane Jacobs, and while we are the poorer for her loss, she left behind a significant body of work. I plan on reading The Death and Life of Great American Cities in the near future.
A sad and unusual incident
A few days ago I worked at one of our branch libraries. This is a small library that serves a highly diverse community that is facing many challenges. I've personally witnessed problems in this community manifest in the forms of poverty, gangs, drugs, illiteracy and neglect. It's a tough place, but all the staff at the branch do a wonderful job, and go out of their way to learn people's names and make the library a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. Whenever I'm in charge of a branch I haven't been at for a while, I make sure to read the incident reports that have been filed since my last visit. Usual problems involve children and teens who are loud, disruptive and/or aggressive because of boredom or possibly drugs. Other incidents included unattended children left at the library and minor vandalism. This day, something unusual happened. Shortly after lunch, a patron approached the desk and advised me that there were fish in the sink in the men's room. I checked, and someone had plugged the drain of the sink with a wad of paper-towel, and there were two gold-fish swimming in it. I went to the staff room, found a Ziploc container, and then returned to the men's room where a I coaxed the fish into the container. I tried to make sure that the water was room temperature and that the lid was ajar so they could get air. One of the ladies who work in the circ. department volunteered to adopt them, but when it was time to go home, they were dead.
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