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INFORMATION INTEGRATED
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DATA SOURCE: IMLS

Sources:

• ALA Library Fact Sheet
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Data
• Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Northwestern University Libraries information
• MIT Library Data
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Census.gov – Public Libraries in the U.S. 2009
• ALA – Funding Technology Access Study
• Volunteer Match – Engaging Volunteers
• Pew Internet – Libraries, patrons & ebooks

• ALA Quotable Facts – American Libraries
• Harrison County Library – Facts and Figures
• Stanford University – Library Facts
• Library of Congress – Fascinating Facts
• Libraries for Real Life
• Houston Library – Facts
• Library Journal – Annual Library Budgets Survey
• ALA – State of American Libraries Report – 2012
• NationalService.gov – Benefits of Volunteering
• ALA – Library Operating Expenditures

Thank you to StateStats.org
for providing this infographic and other free web guides and tools.

Between the Covers…

We saw the Mashable photo contest and looked at not only our laptop bag but our book bag as well…more than the laptop and books!  So we wondered–What’s Between the Covers of your laptop or book bag?  Feel like sharing? Upload a photo of the contents of your bag to our facebook page.  All entrants will be entered in a drawing -the winner will receive a Friends of the Library Tote Bag worth $10.    (Contest begins Saturday August 5th ends August 26th. Contest open to all RLPL facebook fans. Drawing August 27th)

$10 Value

 

 

Twilight- Starring Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer…

So I’m struggling with this book.  I cannot force myself to read more than two pages before I find an urgent chore (cleaning the bathroom for example) that HAS to be done Now! Every time I digest a line or two I have sudden urges to tidy and clean.  (I should explain that a good book has Always trumped chores in my world.)  Then I discovered BrianFreeman…now that’s an author who makes you turn pages!  It’s hard to put his book down anyway but to put it down to read Twilight seems wrong.   As mentioned in an earlier post I set a goal to read a chapter a day of Twilight (I am not doing so well but I refuse to give up.) Tonight I finished my chores (ironing this time while listening to Keith Richards Life–he’s narrating and I’m thoroughly enjoying this audio book) and am determined to get through a full chapter in one sitting. My son was watching Two and 1/2 men while was trying to read and in my head I was hearing Charlie and Allen’s voice narrating the words I was reading. Okay, now, I am amused! I think I have discovered a way to continue reading this book.   I hear Jon Cryer’s voice as Bella and Charlie Sheen as Edward-most entertaining!

Twilight the first few chapters…

My goal: Read a chapter a day.

My hope:  that it becomes several chapters a day as most everyone I know that read this book did so in one day.

My reality:  after one chapter it is that book you read in high school where you force yourself to read just enough to get through the daily discussions and chapter quiz.  I did make it through two chapters before a migraine interfered with my reading schedule.  

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• Bella uses big words and sprinkles synonyms of said words throughout her sentences (yes, I’m jealous–I lack the total recall to insert intelligent words into my conversations
• If Bella did not sacrifice the sun and move to Washington where her Char…I mean her father is–not only would her mom not be able to travel with her husband, the minor league ball player, but her father would starve! (or at least not eat as well…she marinades steaks–Charlie, I mean, her dad, probably just salt and peppered his)
• Bella gets angry when beautiful boys look at her, don’t look at her, talk to her, don’t talk to her (I’m told I’ll understand this later)
• Bella thinks sarcasm is funny and mature (defense mechanism)
• Beautiful boy, aka Edward, has some sort of super power (I know, I know I did see the movie but I’m reading as if I didn’t know…and it’s hard)

Rolled my eyes at this quote on page 1:  ”When life offers you a dreams so far beyond any of your expectations, it’s not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end”

Laughed out loud at this quote on page 30 : “…I made the cowardly lion look like the terminator.”

I’m no writer and obviously Stephenie Meyer wrote well enough to sell millions of copies and have movies made from the series, however,  as a reader I would not have continued past chapter one.

That being said I am on page 63 (work assignments)  and as soon as I finish this cynical sounding summary I will pick it back up and admittedly curious as to what happens with the beautiful boy and sarcastic drama queen.

My daughter assures me it becomes less horrible as you read on.

Will I become a Twihard? Stay tuned.

My apologies to any offended Twilight fans.

Would I recommend this book? Not so far.

Twilight–(I have not read it)

Have you read Twilight  or am I the only one left on the planet who has not?  I’ve tried–and tried, and tried.  I just cannot force myself  past the first chapter.  I mean no disrespect to the Stephenie Meyer –I’m not doubting she’s a great author.  I wonder: is it just bad timing when I start the book? Is it that all the hype has me expecting WOW on page 1? or is just me? Perhaps I don’t appreciate good literature.   I asked  my daughter, who has read the books and listened to the audio versions so many times she recites quotes randomly.  Her answer:   try reading it again and blog about it as I go.   Stay tuned as I keep you posted on my journey!

NEW PROGRAM FOR ADULTS–GAME NIGHT!

Missing the opportunity to go out and mingle at the local game or community activity?  Tired of sitting inside?  Feeling the effects of Cabin Fever?

Join us the last Tuesday of every month for Game Night for Adults.

 

Adult Game Night

This month, Tuesday January 25th at 6:15, we’ll learn the game Bunko.

Ask people who have played the game and you’re likely to hear the words “FUN” and ‘EASY”

What is Bunko?

Bunko dates back as far as the 1800′s and over the years many variations of the game have passed from generation to generation.

From the website Tricia\’s Bunko Rules: ”Strictly speaking, Bunco is a game of dice, played in rounds. Players take turns rolling the dice and trying to accumulate as many points as possible to win each round. The game is played at tables of four in competing teams of two.”

Last person holding the Bunko fuzzy dice gets their name put in for a drawing for FOL library bag.  Highest score at the end of the game earns FOL loot good for 2 books from the Back Alley Book Store.

Prizes, snacks, mocktails, and Fun!!! Hope to see you Tuesday Night January 25th!

Tax Forms 2011

Tax Season is upon us and this tax season started with a printing delay as Congress made late tax changes.What this means for you:

• IRS Forms ordered in August are only now beginning to trickle into the library.
• IRS forms, however, are available to download.
• WI forms are not expected until mid February
• Some WI forms are available to download (check daily for updates)

We at TheRLPL are able to assist you in obtaining the forms you are looking for if you know your form number. As much as we would like to assist you further we are unable as we are not trained in tax matters.

Helpful Links:
• IRS home page
• WI DOR home page
• Online Directory for Tax Preparers in the Rice Lake Area

DE-stress at TheRLPL:
• Go to the movies—for free! Once a month join us for Saturday Cinema. January 15th at 7:00 pm The American with George Clooney is showing. Snacks provided
• Play Games! The last Tuesday of every month join us at 6:15 for Adult Game Night. January 25th.
• Work on a puzzle! January 29th is National Puzzle Day. Patrons of all ages are encouraged to put together puzzles located in both the youth services area and the Friendship Room. That day also kicks off TheRLPL Puzzle Exchange. Swap one of your puzzles for a new to you puzzle. When you have put that together bring it back and exchange for another!
• Read –take a break with a favorite magazine or paper while enjoying a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Beverage—$1.00
Newspaper/Magazine—Free
Peace of Mind—Price less

TheRLPL on Flickr

Books and media arriving from other libraries

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your library?  Here at TheRLPL we strive to get the books, audio, and DVD’s you want to you in a timely fashion.

Did you know that before the book, magazine, audio book or DVD gets to your hands it goes through several phases and if it’s a brand new book it goes through even more?

We are documenting, through photographs, some of these steps and other behind the scenes happenings on our Flickr Page (TheRLPL ) You’ll also find Library Events and Day to Day activities chronicled here through photos and video.

…and enjoy watching the seasons change as we try to capture a snapshot taken around 12:30 pm each day of the view outside our front doors.

NoveList and One Way I use it…

How often do you finish a book series and miss the characters? Often characters will stay with me long after I have finished the book. Every so often an author will introduce me to a character (or more) that I become so engrossed in their story it’s hard to read the last chapter as my desire to find out how it ends clashes with my reluctance to say goodbye to the characters.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned a book series I was reading by Laurie King and finishing this book brought me closer to the end of the series and finding myself dueling with the desire to continue my literature friendship and the reluctance to say goodbye to fictional friends.. The two main characters, Ann Russell and Sherlock Holmes are those friends I can catch up with them after work and travel to far off places where a mystery is always waiting. The further I got into the series and started thinking like the characters, my friends, I found myself keeping a couple of steps ahead with Mary and what a thrill! I often found myself laughing at their intellectual bickering releasing much of the day’s tension. “Who would want that to end?” Not I! But I have requested the next book and am ready to explore my options of another series similar to that of which Laurie King has so brilliantly created.

A quick and easy way to do this is through NoveList Plus, one of the many databases free using your library card. The link below will take you to our YouTube channel and walk you through getting started with NoveList.

If you’d rather see this in person stop in at the reference desk and we’ll be happy to show you around NoveList! Want to start now? Log onto the RLPL site and select NoveList Plus along the right side of the page. At the prompt, enter your library card number (without the spaces). You’ll find yourself at the EBSCO Host page where you can choose from a list of free databases. Select NoveList once more and your set. Have Fun!

In a book club? NoveList also has Book Discussion Guides for you.

Are you a teacher? There’s a version of NoveList for you too—NoveList K-8 featuring picture book extenders, teaching with books, Lexile reading levels and more.

Where Do You Go When You Read?

I have my warm cup of tea, cozy blanket, and new friends via a great book now to find a cozy place to curl up and read.  The living room where my favorite reading chair is located also holds a few laundry baskets of wrinkled clothes waiting for the iron.  I, however, am waiting for the latest audio book I’ve requested to arrive.  My two, least favorite chores (cleaning the bathroom and ironing) have become something I look forward to at the end of long day.   What better way to end the day than to get lost in another world, say Ireland, which was where I was while listening to Patrick Taylor’s an Irish Country Doctor series.   
 I’ve also met some great people telling me about their lives as in the book I am currently listening to James McBride’s The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to his White Mother.  When several requested audio books arrive on the hold shelf at once my family is thrilled as not only is the house clean, they find their chores complete with fresh baked goodies to boot!  With the living room occupied with the beginnings of new adventure I wander off to the den, place a music cd in the computer and settle myself on the couch as soft Celtic music floated out of the computer speakers.  Wrapped in my cozy blanket, hot cup of tea in hand and my little dog cuddled in my lap I catch up with my new friends embarking on yet another mystery this time in India.  I know it’s a good day when I actually debate over housework or cuddling up on the couch as my book selections both printed and audio have created two getaways for me to escape and rejuvenate for a spell!