Winter weather or so they say

When I was a kid I loved looking forward to a snow day. Growing up in the South - snow days were almost as exciting as Christmas morning...almost. I grew up on a street with lots of kids. On a snow day, everyone would meet outside, and the building would begin. There were snow forts, snowmen, sculptures, and yes, the never ending snowball fight. One of the oddest things we would try is bike riding in the snow. It never really worked, but we tried.

Because winter weather was not the norm, finding matching gloves was always difficult. We were not prepared for the day to day winter attire that some kids in other parts of the country would have to prepare for. I would have to dig deep in the closet of our playroom. If one of my brothers or my sister got there first then I would have to use socks. Yes, socks. Sounds pathetic and it was.

I have been asked multiple times...what's with the milk and bread? Folks would ask, Why is it that when there is threatening winter weather in the South that everyone goes out and buys milk and bread? Well, that's easy, French toast. Now that this little secret is out of the bag, can we move on?

Today, it is different. It seems that ice storms are more prevalent. Freezing rain gathering on power lines and trees. It's just not what I remember. Anyway, it's where we are.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning. Rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Those who know me, know that I love watching the weather. NOAA is my "drug" of choice. Everyone else, The Weather Channel included, base their predictions on the information that NOAA's atmospheric explorers provide.

On Sunday evening, the first prediction of winter weather on Thursday was mentioned. A 30% chance of a wintry mix. Today, at 5:17pm, it is now a 100% chance. So, here I sit...looking toward the West. From my vantage point, I can see my alma mater, Pine Street School. I bet it was crazy today! Just the small mention of snow, and kids go nuts.

There are two things that I have learned from today's school kids. If you want it to snow then you must sleep with your pajamas inside out and backwards and you must sleep with a spoon under your pillow. Now, a quick Internet search shows a reference to these rituals. There seems to be some debate on whether you should use a silver spoon or a wooden spoon. Sacred Heart University's newspaper, The Spectrum, has an article on this phenomena. One ritual mentioned is putting a frozen white crayon under your pillow. Hmmm. I don't know. I guess it is better than an ice cube.

Anyway, the sun is setting and clouds are slowly starting to move in. Is this it? Or will we wake up sorely disappointed? Just in case I need to turn my PJs inside out, put a spoon (wooden and silver) under my pillow, and find some gloves. My sock days are over!

Yesterday in History

I about missed the boat on this one! On January 29, 1802, John J. Beckley was appointed as the first librarian of the Library of Congress. From the Library of Congress:

On January 29, 1802, Pres. Thomas Jefferson appointed the Clerk of the House of Representatives, his political ally John J. Beckley, to serve concurrently as the first Librarian of Congress. Beckley was born in England on August 4, 1757, and was sent to Virginia eleven years later to work as a scribe for a mercantile firm. He was the first Clerk of the House of Representatives, as well as the first Librarian of Congress. His salary as Librarian could not exceed two dollars a day. John Beckley died on April 8, 1807. His son Alfred inherited a large tract of unsettled land in what today is West Virginia and built the first house in a village that became the city of Beckley, named so by Alfred to honor his father.

For more information you may click on Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress .

Septaquintaquinquecentennial

The City of Spartanburg sponsored an essay writing contest for the City's 175th birthday (1831-2006). By the way, 175 is referred to as Septaquintaquinquecentennial. The contest was titled "Living in Spartanburg."

On January 22, 2007, City Council recognized the winners of the contest. One young man from Pine Street School was recognized. The title of his essay, "The #1 City" caught my eye. In his one and a half page essay he writes, "The thing about Spartanburg that makes me happy to be living here is that this City holds so many fun events. There's Dickens of a Christmas, the annual Spartanburg Easter Egg Hunt, and the Spartanburg Library's Jamboread."

Well said, young man! The outcome of this effort is a $500 saving bond, and his essay is placed in the City's time capsule.

I wonder...if in 100 years...if Jamboread! will become Jambotelepathy!

Jamboread!

Jamboread! is March 3. Go here for details:

A bit of news: The John Cotton Dana selection committee met at the American Library Association's mid-winter in Seattle and selected the John Cotton Dana Award winners. We did not make the cut.

Disappointed? Well possibly, but we don't have time for disappointment. We are 5 weeks out from Jam, and there are things to do.

As always, we are grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, partners, and staff.

Jamboread! is trademarked by the Spartanburg County Public Libraries.

A New Use for 45s

iPod meets the 45 rpm record. So, what's a 45? A 45 is a small vinyl record with one song on one side another song on the other, and it is played on a record player. Personal note: I suddenly feel very old. Anyway, here is a picture of a record player and a 45 rpm record.

A creative entrepreneur has found a new way to use those old 45s. As ironic as it may seem, the hole in the 45 is the exact size of the control wheel on an iPod. So, 45 iPod Cases has created an iPod case made out of 45s. The product, 45 iPod Cases, has 45 different 45s molded to fit iPods. The cost? Well, $45...of course. For more information go here: 45 iPod cases. For the "record" the yellow case is K.C. and the Sunshine Band. hhhmm...I think I will refrain from commenting.

Happy Trails

Todays' Spartanburg Herald- Journal featured out going Librarian, Jackie Todor. Jackie, a Louisiana State Library School graduate, is retiring after 33 years of service to Spartanburg County. Click here to read the article.

So, what does one say to someone after 33 years of service? I guess the most likely thing to say is, "Job well done." But, just for kicks I am adding a link to "Happy Trails" sung by, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans & Perry Como. Click on this YouTube link. I think that pretty much sums it up!

All in 4 Days Work

It's been a busy week. Due to MLK Day festivities, we have crammed 5 business days into 4. The week has been packed with meetings. There has been staff meetings, Board of Trustees, lunch with donors, job interviews for an open position, and a legislative budget hearing.

Our legislative work began on Tuesday. The State Library presented its budget to the House Ways and Means subcommittee (Chip Limehouse, Lanny Littlejohn, Denny Nielson, and Jim Merrill).

The Association of Public Library Adminstrators presented as well. I was given the opportunity to address the committee on behalf of the State's public libraries. You may click here for a more detailed post on our budget request. It is hard to determine the most important part of our budget request.

One item that is important to all libraries is a request to increase Aid to Public Libraries from $2.00 per capita to $3.00 per capita. The total for this item is $12,119,457 or an increase of $3,929,819. This would also bring the minimum grant up from $50,000 to $60,000 for smaller counties. For Spartanburg County we would realize about $760,000.

Aid to Public Libraries may be used for collection development, staff and programming. Aid is money that goes back into the communities for services to the people. As the legislative season unfolds, we will have to keep libraries in front of our lawmakers. It is going to be a big legislative year. Stay tuned.

More on Teens

I thought today's Zits kinda sums it up. (You can click on the strip for a clearer version.)
Dad says: "I predict that our grandchildren will be giant-thumbed multitasking beings."
Mom says: "Well, as long as we can find baby clothes that fit."

For more on Zits and Jeremy's (15) adventures you can checkout this site - King Features/Zits.

Zits is created by Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman and is distributed by King Features.

Teens and their Space

Today's Spartanburg Herald-Journal put the Spartanburg County Public Libraries front and center. "Libraries give teens their space", written by Monica Mercer, focused on some of our challenges and our successes when providing services to teens. This article was written as a result of the Maplewood Library's (NJ) decision to close from 2:45pm - 5:00pm to curb teen access.

While on the subject of teens, Harry and the Potters were here last week. We had 175 teens in the Barrett Room. Thanks to the Teen Advisoy Group and Teen Services staff for the cool party.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 15 is Martin Luther King Day. A relatively new day of honor for an individual who had a tremendous impact on our society. "America's Ghandi" used peaceful demonstration to create social change.

The Libraries received the Martin Luther King Diversity Award from the Spartanburg Human Affairs Commission in 2005. This award recognized the Libraries' work toward providing services to a diverse community.

Spartanburg's 2007 Celebration announcement:
The City of Spartanburg will host its annual Unity Celebration at 7 p.m. Monday at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. U.S. Attorney Reginald Lloyd will be the keynote speaker. The Voices of Diversity, a choir filled with folks from churches across the community, will perform (SHJ - 1/10/07).

Take a look at the links below:
YouTube: I Have a Dream - The August 28, 1963 speech from Washington, DC. The film lasts about 17 minutes.

Nobel Prize Foundation - This site includes a biography and provides the text from King's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. You can listen to a two minute segment from this speech.

The King Center - The King Center is the official, living memorial dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Joe Leaves No Regret

Joe is taking a trip. He is packing up and taking a three and a half month Cruise. So, why do you care? Well, I don't know if you should, but here is some quick background.

Joe Kita is an author of books, writer of magazine articles, editor, fitness buff, and a friend of the Spartanburg County Public Libraries. Joe has been with Rodale Press for 23 years. The last time I saw Joe he was some sort of VP of international market development or some fancy title. In other words, he helped expand Men's Health Magazine's international market.

As a reader of Men's Health Magazine for the last 15 years I have read Joe's articles and books on men's issues including fitness, fears, religion, relationships, fatherhood, and a host of related topics. Basically, Joe is a "guy's guy". He takes what we as guy's are thinking and he writes about it. He is funny, insightful and has a knack for boiling down the issue.

This past year, the Libraries hosted Joe for National Men's Health Week. He stayed in Spartanburg for two days, and we took advantage of the poor fella. He visited community gardens, he cycled through Duncan Park and on the rail trail, he toured a proposed outdoor leadership institute, he had lunches and dinners with folks from the community, and yes, he visited with JC at the Beacon Drive-In. In fact, he received a complimentary cup of sweet tea. I noticed that Joe did not jump on the opportunity for a hash a plenty (piled high with hash, onion rings and french fries).

When he wasn't pulled from here to there he conducted two sessions in the Library's Barrett Community Room. His first talk was 45 of the Best Health Tips for Men and his second was Another Shot: How to Live a Regret Free Life. Both were based on books that he either edited or written.

Now to the trip. Before Christmas I sent Joe an e-mail. Nothing special - I was commenting on the Santa Gets a Physical article I saw on www.menshealth.com (see previous post). He responded, but added that he was leaving Rodale to take a three and a half month cruise around the world. I quickly picked up the phone and gave him a call.

I found out that it's not exactly a pleasure cruise. On the cruise Joe will teach folks how to write their life story/memoir. Sounds like tough work...really. Sure the trip is nice, but serving as the personal writing coach to thirty or so folks sounds just a little trying.

The cool thing for us is that Joe may just come back to Spartanburg. After his tour of duty he may be available to come and speak on his experience and share tips for folks who are interested in writing a book.

I'm sure he may be interested in coming back, because the hash a plenty is too much to resist!

Here are three links of interest:
http://mhlife.menshealth.com/2006/12/joes_last_run.html (Peter Moore's blog. Peter is a MH Editor. Peter writes about, far better than me, Joe and Joe's new adventure.)
http://wheres-claire.blogspot.com (Joe's daughter, Claire, is going, too. As a school project she has to keep a blog on her experience.)
http://www.joekita.com/ (Joe's personal website)

Photo: Joe speaking in the Barrett Community Room on June 15.

Funding for South Carolina's Libraries

The General Assembly will convene the second Tuesday in January. In my world, there are two seasons: football and legislative. The legislative “season” or better said, “session” will last far longer than football season. A typical legislative session ends around the end of May. It always depends on the work and the possible need to carryover into June to complete unfinished business.

The last four years South Carolina’s Libraries have been able to successfully communicate the needs of their local communities. This year, the Association of Public Library Administrators (APLA) will urge the General Assembly to increase funding for public libraries. The justification for such requests is not complex or unreasonable. The argument is clear. Support to libraries is support that goes directly into communities benefiting people at the local level. State funding has been used for materials, staff, facilities and technology.

Dwight McInvail, Georgetown County Public Library, and I serve as co-chairs of APLA's Legislative Committee. Our responsibilities include organizing Library Legislative Day, direct communication with lawmakers regarding budget requests, working with APLA's lobbyist, Jim Johnson, presenting to the House Ways and Means Committee/Senate Finance Committee as needed, and cooridnating the State's public library director's to make certain they are communicating with their local Representatives and Senators.

The Association's request includes three areas:
1. Increase per capita State Aid to County Libraries to $3.00, additional $2,250,762 recurring funds for a total of about $12,119,457 [targeted for collections and salaries]

2. Lottery funds of $50,000 per county, $2,300,000 non-recurring [targeted for technology]

3. Public Library Construction funds for 12 projects, $13,250,000 non-recurring funds

The 12 projects and amounts are:
Abbeville $1,000,000
Greenwood $2,000,000
AHJ $1,000,000
Marion $1,000,000
Beaufort $1,000,000
Marlboro $1,000,000
Clarendon $1,000,000
Newberry $1,000,000
Fairfield $1,000,000
Union $1,000,000
Florence $ 250,000
York $2,000,000

I am looking forward to a productive legislative year. I'll keep you posted as we move forward.