This Friday November 14 is Indie Author Day. This is a day for readers to connect with authors and libraries. Normally, I would have been better prepared for this event, … Continue reading Indie Author Day
Tag: libraries
Promotion?
Did I forget to mention I received a promotion at the library where I work? Wow…
Yes, I’m moved up…well,so to speak. I’m no longer at the Reference Desk. I’m currently working in the Technical Services Department, on the lower level. Whenever you check out a book from the library, take a look at the plastic cover on the hardcover and paperback books, and think of me 🙂
You Caught Me Reading “Do What You Want”
It’s still May, which means it’s still Get Caught Reading Month. Today, you caught me reading Do What You Want: The Story of Bad Religion by Bad Religion and Jim Ruland. I asked my local library to purchase a copy of this book and they were kind enough to do so!
Bad Religion is a punk rock band founded during the 1980’s in California. I’ve been listening to them lately in order to gain some inspiration to write the next set of books in my Our Lady of Righteous Rage series. To be honest, their sound reminds me a lot of old-school Green Day, and I’m loving it (especially the song “Recipe for Hate”). When I searched online for a list of the best books about punk, Do What You Want showed up. I was disappointed to see it wasn’t already in Hampton Public Library’s catalog, but that was an easy fix: I filled out a request for them to purchase a copy, and they did.
Being a fan of punk and reading more biographies lately, this book is perfect for me. I’m enjoying the stories behind the founding of the band, along with all of the personal journeys of it’s members. I hope all of you continue to ‘get caught reading’, and remember: you can always find a good book at your local library 🙂
Building An Audience Through Free Books
One of my favorite lines from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” It’s a line spoken by Heath Ledger’s Joker, … Continue reading Building An Audience Through Free Books
Things I’ve Learned While Working During the Coronavirus
I’m fortunate to still have a job..for now. So, I’m very grateful for that. I have learned a few interesting things while remaining at work during this tragedy, and I’d like to share. I work in a public library. Right now, we’re sanitizing EVERYTHING. The books, CD and DVD cases, shelves, computers, tables, chairs—everything. I’m in charge of sanitizing the fiction books, and let me tell you, there are A LOT OF THEM. But, this humble little activity has helped me discover a few things.
1. Many of the movies I love were based on books. Just Cause, starring Sean Connery and Blair Underwood was based on a book by the same name. Plus, I came across Forest Gump and Rosemary’s Baby. Both books have sequels, to my surprise.
2. I had no idea Amish Fiction was a genre. I have cleaned a ton of Beverly Lewis’s books.Â
3. James Patterson basically needs his own private bookshelf in the library. His place in fiction takes up five shelves.Â
4. Actors Hugh Laurie and Ethan Hawke have published fiction. Laurie’s book is The Gun Seller, released in 1996, while Hawke’s book is Ash Wednesday, 2002.Â
5. Those 1980’s/1990’s Avon romance novels all seem to have similar, awful plots.Â
6. Incest is the name of the game in most of V.C. Andrews’ books.Â
7. David Lagercrantz continued Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, etc). Because of their last names, their books aren’t too far away from one another on the shelves.
8. After Ian Fleming’s death, 6 other authors inherited James Bond as a character.
9. Spic and Span is good at cleaning the plastic that was used to preserve the covers of the books.
10. My “want to read” list may be getting out of control.Â
I’m sure there will be more in the days to come.Â
Do You Know About Worldcat.org?
Let’s say you head to your local public library, in search of a particular book. However, you discover your local library doesn’t own a copy of the book you want. What should you do? There’s a few options. You could try and purchase a copy of the book online, via Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or another website. Or, maybe check with a different library. The best option, may be this one: have your library check the World Catalog.
Most public libraries participate in a program known as Inter Library Loan, or ILL. Some academic libraries participate as well. This allows libraries to receive materials from libraries outside of their city, state, and in come cases, country. Maybe you use the Queens Public Library in New York, and you need a copy of Of Mice and Men, and they don’t have one listed in their catalog. Perhaps a local library in Atlanta, Georgia has a copy to spare. Queens can use the ILL system to borrow the book from the library in Atlanta, so that you can borrow it from Queens. Pretty sweet, right?
This is where the World Catalog comes in. It lists materials available at libraries all over the world. So, if you’re looking for something, but can’t seem to find it at your local library, you may want to ask your librarian to check the World Catalog, to see if its available elsewhere. The borrowing time may differ from that of your local library, but at least you’ll have access to what you need.Â
Check out the World Catalog when you have time!
Books For Books Campaign
March is coming, and it’s time for me to pick a new theme for a new month. I’ve been thinking about this particular idea for some time now, but I hesitated to go forward with it. But hey, it’s 2019, and this is the year for bold moves and fresh ideas. With that in mine, success or failure, I’m doing this.
I’ve created something known as the Books For Books Campaign. With the Store on the Woolaston Entertainment site up and running, this is the perfect time for me to make this move. For every book that is purchased through the Woolaston Entertainment site, I will donate a book to a library or organization in need. I have a list from the ALA (American Library Association) website or libraries and organizations that need books. I’m going to select three from that list, and donate to them. In order for this to work, I’m going to need everyone’s help. If you’re reading this, I hope you will consider joining me in this campaign, so I can put books in the hands of readers who need them. If you would like to recommend a library or organization for donations, please feel free to do so! You can leave the info in the comments on this post, or via the contact page on woolastonentertainment.com Â
This campaign is for March, but I’m going to start it now during the month of February. Thank you in advance, and I’m looking forward to donating as many books as possible!Â
woolastonentertainment.com 