Why my Library is Better than Your Library

Remember how I left my brief foray into local politics as the President of our Library Board because Douglas County Commissioners are duplicitous, lying pieces of shit and so are the ignorant shills they chose to put on the Board? Yeah, I may still be a bit bitter about that. That's what happens when work of the heart is ruined by political ambitions and self-aggrandizing personalities who don't really care about the work at hand, but only about their own power base and ego.

But I digress.

Recently, however, I realized that the fact that I haven't checked out any material in the last year or so was just stupid. I still love the library. Moe loved the library. The library staff still provides a valuable, life-changing service to my community, regardless of local political shenanigans. So why wasn't I using it? Because I let me emotions get the better of me, that's why. Stupid emotions.

So back to the website I went, looking for audio books in the series I'm working on, and discovered a new feature! My library has deployed Prospector, which is a large database of many other public libraries that allows you to order inter-library loans without manual interventions by librarians, and without you having to put in ISBN information. Works like a treat, and I'm currently in possession of three audio books lent to me by the Denver Public Library, the Pitkin County Library, and the Aurora Pubic Library, all titles my local facilities don't own.

I vaguely remember this service from the last budget meeting I attended, but I'm happy to see it deployed and in use.

Go, libraries, and go, librarians!

Ravenclaws, Unite!

Do you love the Harry Potter stories? Do you love to read, and want to share reading with underserved children who may not otherwise have an opportunity to develop a love of reading?

Then this fundraiser is for you!

The Harry Potter Alliance, a charitable organization dedicated to encourage Harry Potter fans to be active in advocacy, is holding their Annual "Accio Books!" fundraiser in support of the Friends of the Apparating Library initiative. The purpose of the fundraiser is to provide books to underserved youngsters:

For millions of children across the world, basic access to books and literacy programs is hardly a given. The Harry Potter Alliance is engaged in a permanent campaign to balance the scales. Our ultimate goal is to raise 1 million books for schools, community centers, and literacy programs across the world. We also endeavor to build 25 permanent libraries in places that need them. Last year, we had our most successful Accio Books yet, with over 100,000 books raised for 50 literacy programs across the world and a new library established at a new school in Masaka, Uganda!

This year, we are partnering with Words Alive, an organization that provides literacy and education services to over 5,000 children and families in Southern California. HPA chapters and members will raise thousands of books for Words Alive, allowing the organization to provide quality books to students of all ages for many years to come. Many chapters outside the western United States will choose to donate books to schools and programs in their local communities. Overall, we expect to match last year’s incredible effort, with dozens of communities across the world transformed by the generosity of our members.

As you all know, libraries are a passion of mine, and while I love to work with and donate to my local Library District, my County is hardly underserved in this regard. So it's a good thing to support communities who may not have as many resources to share in encouraging a love of reading.

Reading is fundamental, y'all, and lifelong readers reap the following rewards:

1. Reduces stress
2. Improves conversations
3. It may push back the effects of Alzheimer's disease
4. Increases imagination
5. Sharpens senses
6. Improves sleep quality
7. Boosts analytical thinking
8. Grows brain cells
9. Improves empathy
10. Increases success in life

But kids can't enjoy these benefits unless they have access to books and are encouraged to read. 
Are you a Ravenclaw (like me)? A Gryffindor? A Hufflepuff? A Slytherin? Support the cause by donating to your House Team, and get a chance at neat prizes!

Fusion!

So January was my first month as a member of the Board of Trustees for Douglas County Libraries. It's an exciting time to be involved with the Library, as there are three new libraries being built in the next several years, a new Library Director to hire, and many other exciting projects in both the near and the medium term. My head's still spinning a bit from all I need to learn and do, but I'm excited about all the DCL hope to achieve in the next several years.

On Saturday, the Smart Man and I attended the Grand Opening at the Parker Library of one of the technology projects that began before I joined the board - Fusion - A Media Lab. This a pilot project for us, and will act as a test bed for other facilities in the three new libraries. As the Chairperson of the Technology Committee, I'm really excited about this. From the website:

Fusion is a digital creativity space, located in our Parker Branch, where your ideas come alive. Use it to:

• Convert your novel into a published ebook
• Record a stand-up comedy routine and upload it to You-Tube
• Produce a manga or anime video
• Create and edit a musical composition
• Make a short film or video
• Create animated gifs for Tumblr
• Digitize old home videos
• Record a video resume for your professional website
• Make a photo poster
• Create your own brand
• Convert VHS to DVD
• More!

People of all ages and skill levels can use our state-of-the-art software and equipment to create top quality products. Fusion is available to any patron with an active library card. Reservations are available in three-hour blocks. 

The equipment is top-notch, and there are also opportunities to learn new software for those who may not be familiar with multi-media creation. There's a music station, a video station, a photography station, and more. And there's a Green Screen for those who REALLY want to get creative.

This is the type of project I'm excited to be a part of, and one of the reasons I wanted to serve on the Board - it's an opportunity to give people access to the technology that will drive our country into the 21st Century, and a chance to help close the digital divide for those patrons who may not have access to the complex technology that drives our world.

Well done, DCL staff. Well done, indeed.