The new covers for adults also made me think about Orca Soundings. They are books designed for teens with a lower reading level. They feature short sentences , simple vocabulary and plots that would interest teens. A few are pretty scandalous and a library friend of mine talked about they often get challenged. Here is a link to one I think is a little scandalous. But if it gets teens reading?!
Charmed
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Blog Post # 5
I found this article because of the title Harry Potter gets a bootleg makeover
I'm a very big fan of Harry Potter so I thought I would read it and see what had happened to my favorite wizard. An American designer posted new covers for the Harry Potter Books for adults who wanted a more grown up cover. The writer of the article was not allowed to show the link to the covers. According to to the writer they were great covers featuring penguins and only subtle hints about the book's title such as a snake coiling around a sword.
I understand why these covers cannot be shown- although I am a little sad because I'm really interested now! It got me thinking about patrons who like children / young adult books but are shy to check them out because of the covers/ implications that go along with the books. Other adult covers have been made and sold for Harry Potter in the UK. I remember buying one with just a simple picture of train when I studied abroad. I also remember reading about how well they sold and how often the more adult covers were read on public transportation.
Is this something that would be beneficial to libraries? I love children and YA books and have no trouble checking them out and reading them around others. What about other patrons who may have a lower reading level or would be drawn to the books with a more adult cover? Would a new cover attract more readers and patrons or should they just man up and admit children and YA books are ok with them?
I'm a very big fan of Harry Potter so I thought I would read it and see what had happened to my favorite wizard. An American designer posted new covers for the Harry Potter Books for adults who wanted a more grown up cover. The writer of the article was not allowed to show the link to the covers. According to to the writer they were great covers featuring penguins and only subtle hints about the book's title such as a snake coiling around a sword.
I understand why these covers cannot be shown- although I am a little sad because I'm really interested now! It got me thinking about patrons who like children / young adult books but are shy to check them out because of the covers/ implications that go along with the books. Other adult covers have been made and sold for Harry Potter in the UK. I remember buying one with just a simple picture of train when I studied abroad. I also remember reading about how well they sold and how often the more adult covers were read on public transportation.
Is this something that would be beneficial to libraries? I love children and YA books and have no trouble checking them out and reading them around others. What about other patrons who may have a lower reading level or would be drawn to the books with a more adult cover? Would a new cover attract more readers and patrons or should they just man up and admit children and YA books are ok with them?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Blog post #4
I've noticed that Facebook has been a popular topic for this weeks blog posts. I had already thought about this idea and decided I still wanted to blog about it . Sorry for the Facebook repetition! Recently Facebook took down pictures of mothers breastfeeding. This ruffled a lot of feathers! This article from the LA Times talks more about it.
Both of my sisters recently had babies and are breastfeeding. They were both bothered by the removal of the pictures. Although neither one likes to breastfeed in public places. One of my sisters is a nurse and will pump in a special area at work. She often complains about how excluded she feels during her break time.( the special area also used to be a closet so not alot of space is available) This made me think about the library. IF is usually promoted at the library and lots of mothers visit with their children. Does breastfeeding factor into this? In many museums a new mother room is available for breastfeeding. I thought of the libraries I have visited during my lifetime and could not remember a special area for new mothers.
If a mother does breastfeed her child in the children's department, would this cause patrons to complain or children to ask questions their parents do not feel comfortable answering? I do not currently work in a library or have children so I can't use my life experience to answer this question. When I worked in a school we had a few teachers who would pump in the teacher's lounge. I personally had no objection but a few teachers complained and a special area was created. Having to go to this special area would take away from the little free time they had during the day. It seemed as though the mother's freedoms were being taken away. On the other hand if you find it offensive or if it makes you uncomfortable isn't it your right to complain?
Both of my sisters recently had babies and are breastfeeding. They were both bothered by the removal of the pictures. Although neither one likes to breastfeed in public places. One of my sisters is a nurse and will pump in a special area at work. She often complains about how excluded she feels during her break time.( the special area also used to be a closet so not alot of space is available) This made me think about the library. IF is usually promoted at the library and lots of mothers visit with their children. Does breastfeeding factor into this? In many museums a new mother room is available for breastfeeding. I thought of the libraries I have visited during my lifetime and could not remember a special area for new mothers.
If a mother does breastfeed her child in the children's department, would this cause patrons to complain or children to ask questions their parents do not feel comfortable answering? I do not currently work in a library or have children so I can't use my life experience to answer this question. When I worked in a school we had a few teachers who would pump in the teacher's lounge. I personally had no objection but a few teachers complained and a special area was created. Having to go to this special area would take away from the little free time they had during the day. It seemed as though the mother's freedoms were being taken away. On the other hand if you find it offensive or if it makes you uncomfortable isn't it your right to complain?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Blog post #3
Yesterday in one of my classes we broke into small groups and talked about different groups of patrons at the library. This made me think about the homeless population and their rights at the library. This group is usually viewed as undesirable and the few librarians I know usually talk about them as a problem in their library.
For a person who is homeless the library may in fact be one of their most valuable resources. Many jobs applications are only online and information is available about current issues and problems. Also most of the shelters available have time limits such as only being open during certain hours. The library provides a safe environment to go during in between times.
When I lived in Chicago and worked as a nanny , I would often go to story time during the day. The library housed two groups during this time normally. Kids and their caretakers and the homeless. The services provided and treatment of the two groups were as different as night and day. The librarians created programs and were always available to answer questions that the kids and their caretakers had. The homeless seemed to be merely tolerated and services / programs were not provided.
How can this problem be addressed? The homeless tend to make other groups at the library uncomfortable. Mental illness is an issue that tends to affect the homeless, this can result in usual behavior that would make others in the library uncomfortable. But they also have the same rights as other patrons and may need the support from the library more than others.
For a person who is homeless the library may in fact be one of their most valuable resources. Many jobs applications are only online and information is available about current issues and problems. Also most of the shelters available have time limits such as only being open during certain hours. The library provides a safe environment to go during in between times.
When I lived in Chicago and worked as a nanny , I would often go to story time during the day. The library housed two groups during this time normally. Kids and their caretakers and the homeless. The services provided and treatment of the two groups were as different as night and day. The librarians created programs and were always available to answer questions that the kids and their caretakers had. The homeless seemed to be merely tolerated and services / programs were not provided.
How can this problem be addressed? The homeless tend to make other groups at the library uncomfortable. Mental illness is an issue that tends to affect the homeless, this can result in usual behavior that would make others in the library uncomfortable. But they also have the same rights as other patrons and may need the support from the library more than others.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Blog Post #2
The other day I was checking my gmail account. I had just read an e- mail from a friend and in the e mail they talked about watching Full House on tv. After I read the e- mail I went back to my inbox and noticed an add for Jesse and the Rippers t shirts. I was freaked out! Does google read my mind now? I sent an e- mail to the friend who was watching Full House ( since I decieded to write about this I'm wishing a much cooler show was the subject of the e- mail!). They immediatly responded with yes google scans your e- mails so they can post ads that might interest you it was the term of use you signed.
Hmm the terms of use I signed . I remember this I checked yes I agree without reading a word of it. In fact I do this often. I always just assume I have no choice because I want to use the service and if I don't agree I can't use the service. I have have been limiting my own IF!
From now on I'm going to make sure I read before I check accept. I'm also going to investigate my options if I do not agree.
Hmm the terms of use I signed . I remember this I checked yes I agree without reading a word of it. In fact I do this often. I always just assume I have no choice because I want to use the service and if I don't agree I can't use the service. I have have been limiting my own IF!
From now on I'm going to make sure I read before I check accept. I'm also going to investigate my options if I do not agree.
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