List by Danielle
'Lord! when you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book.'
~ Christopher Morley
This post is to salute the tireless efforts of all of the cataloguers, processors and acquisitions librarians out there - or, as one of them describes the profession, 'de-confusers'. Thank you to those women - without you there would be no searchable library catalogue, no New Books list, and no NextReads to fill my 'to-be-read' shelves!
Today is my last day working in a shared office with our local team of 'de-confusers', and while I will miss the trolleys of shiny new books, CDs and DVDs that trail them like delicious chocolate boxes of fresh treats, I will miss those hardworking ladies even more. Even though we are moving to the exciting new Manukau Library and Research Centre - we will miss you so much!
Showing posts with label trolley-finds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trolley-finds. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Top 5 teen reads of 2010
List by Danielle
"I don't know about you, but I'm kind of fed up with realism. After all, there's enough reality already; why make more of it? Why not leave realism for the memoirs of drug addicts, the histories of salt, the biographies of porn stars? Why must we continue to read about the travails of divorced people or mildly depressed Canadians when we could be contemplating the shopping habits of zombies, or the difficulties that ensue when living and dead people marry each other? We should be demanding more stories about faery handbags and pyjamas inscribed with the diaries of strange women. We should not rest until someone writes about a television show that features the Free People's World-Tree Library, with its elaborate waterfalls and Forbidden Books and Pirate-Magicians. We should be pining for a house haunted by rabbits."
~ Kelly Link
In 2010, I found out that one of the easier ways to keep reading in the cracks and crannies of time left while raising two pre-schoolers was to a) read short stories and b) read teen fiction. It's no hardship - teen fiction is a treasure trove of smart, insightful writing, memorable characters and twisty-turny plots. When I'm reading adult fiction, I'm a big fan of fantasy, horror and paranormal, and it's no news that teen lit is going through a mighty big supernatural phase right now, so there's plenty to love.
In 2010, I found out that one of the easier ways to keep reading in the cracks and crannies of time left while raising two pre-schoolers was to a) read short stories and b) read teen fiction. It's no hardship - teen fiction is a treasure trove of smart, insightful writing, memorable characters and twisty-turny plots. When I'm reading adult fiction, I'm a big fan of fantasy, horror and paranormal, and it's no news that teen lit is going through a mighty big supernatural phase right now, so there's plenty to love.
Hand in hand with this rediscovery of the goodness of teen fiction goes my dependence on the Teen NextReads eNewsletter, which delivers a smorgasbord of tempting titles to my inbox every month. Every month! TOO MUCH. But too much of a good, good thing.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Top 5 items I spied on the processing trolleys while stalking cataloguing staff
List by Tosca
"Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you."- Harold Bloom
I very firmly believe that. I also believe that reading badly (i.e. so called 'trashy') is another great (albeit guilty) pleasure of mine, too :) Both are time well spent. I heart our cataloguing people. They let me browse the new books trolleys at all hours of the work day and never say a word when I go madly racing off clutching the next round of interesting books/dvds/cds for a top 5 post. Even though I'm sure I resemble nothing short of Gollum feverishly brandishing his precious :0)
A quick-ish post from me that is simply the most recent top 5 titles I 'discovered' while stalking our ever patient cataloguing staff. Enjoy!
"Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you."- Harold Bloom
I very firmly believe that. I also believe that reading badly (i.e. so called 'trashy') is another great (albeit guilty) pleasure of mine, too :) Both are time well spent. I heart our cataloguing people. They let me browse the new books trolleys at all hours of the work day and never say a word when I go madly racing off clutching the next round of interesting books/dvds/cds for a top 5 post. Even though I'm sure I resemble nothing short of Gollum feverishly brandishing his precious :0)
A quick-ish post from me that is simply the most recent top 5 titles I 'discovered' while stalking our ever patient cataloguing staff. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Top 5 trolley-find titles that caught my eye this week
List by Tosca
"I do not believe they've run out of surprises."
- Larry Niven
By jove, Mr. Niven, I do believe you're right! The cataloguing team never run out of surprises for me :) I spend at least 5 or 10 mins a day stalking the cataloguing staff and pouncing on their trolleys with squeals of delight. I'm a loud person and I know no other volume other than full bore and the poor cataloguing team often have to hear me cursing loudly at my computer & generally moaning about something or another over the wall. Oh, the joys of open office planning. As if that isn't bad enough I then invade their work space on a daily basis and browse through every trolley looking for titles of interest...while providing a running commentary on every single book I find *shamefaced look* They're awfully patient and for that I am most thankful because, to be truthful, it's one of the highlights of my working day. It's a timely reminder of why I do what I do - I want to share my love of books (the good, the bad and the indifferent) with anybody & everybody who sits/stands still long enough to hear/read. Today's post is nothing more than a quickfire list of titles I saw while stalking our cataloguing staff this week :)
"I do not believe they've run out of surprises."
- Larry Niven
By jove, Mr. Niven, I do believe you're right! The cataloguing team never run out of surprises for me :) I spend at least 5 or 10 mins a day stalking the cataloguing staff and pouncing on their trolleys with squeals of delight. I'm a loud person and I know no other volume other than full bore and the poor cataloguing team often have to hear me cursing loudly at my computer & generally moaning about something or another over the wall. Oh, the joys of open office planning. As if that isn't bad enough I then invade their work space on a daily basis and browse through every trolley looking for titles of interest...while providing a running commentary on every single book I find *shamefaced look* They're awfully patient and for that I am most thankful because, to be truthful, it's one of the highlights of my working day. It's a timely reminder of why I do what I do - I want to share my love of books (the good, the bad and the indifferent) with anybody & everybody who sits/stands still long enough to hear/read. Today's post is nothing more than a quickfire list of titles I saw while stalking our cataloguing staff this week :)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Top 5 processing trolley titles I have my eye on this week
List by Tosca
"A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is - full of surprises."
- Isaac Bashevis Singer
Working right next to the cataloguing area is a little like having my own personal magical lucky dip barrel that never runs out. My week is constantly full of surprises. Seriously *nods seriously* I see it as a treasure trove. It's kinda like Christmas every day :) Another bonus for me (because it's all about me) is that the staff who run that area are exceptional to work with and they are, now, quite used to my mooching around looking for interesting/quirky books, conversation, ideas or inspiration. In fact, when I popped in there today, the wonderful Claire had already anticipated my visit and had a title ready to suggest. She gave it such a great talk up that I've placed it at number #1 for this list :)
"A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is - full of surprises."
- Isaac Bashevis Singer
Working right next to the cataloguing area is a little like having my own personal magical lucky dip barrel that never runs out. My week is constantly full of surprises. Seriously *nods seriously* I see it as a treasure trove. It's kinda like Christmas every day :) Another bonus for me (because it's all about me) is that the staff who run that area are exceptional to work with and they are, now, quite used to my mooching around looking for interesting/quirky books, conversation, ideas or inspiration. In fact, when I popped in there today, the wonderful Claire had already anticipated my visit and had a title ready to suggest. She gave it such a great talk up that I've placed it at number #1 for this list :)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Top 5 new travel books
List by Danielle
'Regardless of which circle you deem the worst, I think we can all agree that hell is not a great place to visit.' ~ '101 places not to see before you die' by Catherine Price
I was scavenging the cataloguers' trolleys for goodies and noticed a theme developing; we have several intriguing new titles by intrepid explorers on the trolleys this week. If you've ever been bitten by the travel bug - or like to read about people who get bitten in your place while you kick back in a comfy chair - then take a look at these travellers' tales...
'Regardless of which circle you deem the worst, I think we can all agree that hell is not a great place to visit.' ~ '101 places not to see before you die' by Catherine Price
I was scavenging the cataloguers' trolleys for goodies and noticed a theme developing; we have several intriguing new titles by intrepid explorers on the trolleys this week. If you've ever been bitten by the travel bug - or like to read about people who get bitten in your place while you kick back in a comfy chair - then take a look at these travellers' tales...
Top 5 audiobook trolley-finds
List by Tosca
"It's just different discipline, just doing the voice over..."
- Blair Underwood
A long-winded intro follows - you have been warned! Up until late last year I hadn't tried an audiobook since I was a kid. Those who know me (either IRL, via Twitter, my blog or Facebook) will know that to date my audiobook experiences have been fairly disastrous and nothing short of hilarious. I belong to an online reading group as well as an IRL one (IRL=in real life) and quite a few of them listen to audiobooks. Being a fairly genial sort of person, I decided to give them a whirl myself *blinks* That was probably my first mistake. I picked a romance novel *whistles* That was my second mistake. I chose an author whose work I knew inside out *winces* And that was my third mistake. What I should've done was worked up to it. Slowly.
"It's just different discipline, just doing the voice over..."
- Blair Underwood
A long-winded intro follows - you have been warned! Up until late last year I hadn't tried an audiobook since I was a kid. Those who know me (either IRL, via Twitter, my blog or Facebook) will know that to date my audiobook experiences have been fairly disastrous and nothing short of hilarious. I belong to an online reading group as well as an IRL one (IRL=in real life) and quite a few of them listen to audiobooks. Being a fairly genial sort of person, I decided to give them a whirl myself *blinks* That was probably my first mistake. I picked a romance novel *whistles* That was my second mistake. I chose an author whose work I knew inside out *winces* And that was my third mistake. What I should've done was worked up to it. Slowly.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Top 5 new processing trolley picturebooks I think Mr. 6 should read to me!
List by Tosca
She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.
- Louisa May Alcott
There's no doubt that books have turned my brain. I fervently hope my 6 year old nephew Kalani - or Mr. 6 as I call him - is as fond of books as I am. I also hope that they turn his brain, too. What that means I'm not quite sure but for a bookaholic like I am, it can only mean good, right? I sure hope so. I decided, just today, that for a welcome change, I would like Kalani to read to me! I think it would be a nice switch in roles to be able to go home, kick off my shoes, settle down and have him do the funny voices and the funny faces and the big expansive gestures (yes, I do those for him, too, so it's only fair he do it in return). When mum read me bedtime stories as a child, I absolutely loved it. So many worlds and so many possibilities opened up. Admittedly, some of her choices were rather unusual. Oscar Wilde's 'The happy prince' is not really conducive to a 4 year old's restful night's sleep, mother! To this day, I hear the words 'Swallow, swallow, little swallow, pluck out my other eye' and immediately start crying. Eep. Maybe I won't start him on Oscar Wilde just yet, but I think the titles below (which are my trolley-finds from visiting Cataloguing staff) make a nice starting place. Each selection has a little explanation for why I've chosen that particular book. I suspect, though, that he may need help reading some of the bigger words :)
She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.
- Louisa May Alcott
There's no doubt that books have turned my brain. I fervently hope my 6 year old nephew Kalani - or Mr. 6 as I call him - is as fond of books as I am. I also hope that they turn his brain, too. What that means I'm not quite sure but for a bookaholic like I am, it can only mean good, right? I sure hope so. I decided, just today, that for a welcome change, I would like Kalani to read to me! I think it would be a nice switch in roles to be able to go home, kick off my shoes, settle down and have him do the funny voices and the funny faces and the big expansive gestures (yes, I do those for him, too, so it's only fair he do it in return). When mum read me bedtime stories as a child, I absolutely loved it. So many worlds and so many possibilities opened up. Admittedly, some of her choices were rather unusual. Oscar Wilde's 'The happy prince' is not really conducive to a 4 year old's restful night's sleep, mother! To this day, I hear the words 'Swallow, swallow, little swallow, pluck out my other eye' and immediately start crying. Eep. Maybe I won't start him on Oscar Wilde just yet, but I think the titles below (which are my trolley-finds from visiting Cataloguing staff) make a nice starting place. Each selection has a little explanation for why I've chosen that particular book. I suspect, though, that he may need help reading some of the bigger words :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Top 5 new large print romance titles that made me go, 'WTF?!'
List by Tosca
"Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell."
- Joan Crawford
I heart romance books. What isn't to love about a guaranteed happy ending? The guy gets the girl and they live happily ever after *sigh* It doesn't say anything about arguing over the dishes and how man colds are ten times than worse than woman colds or how the guy has to rub your feet just because but...it's all implied, right? Right! As much as I heart romance books, sometimes the titles make me go, 'WTF?!' and I either burst out laughing or get mad. The titles below are 5 large print romance examples I've found just in the last week or two alone in Cataloguing & Acquisitions.
"Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell."
- Joan Crawford
I heart romance books. What isn't to love about a guaranteed happy ending? The guy gets the girl and they live happily ever after *sigh* It doesn't say anything about arguing over the dishes and how man colds are ten times than worse than woman colds or how the guy has to rub your feet just because but...it's all implied, right? Right! As much as I heart romance books, sometimes the titles make me go, 'WTF?!' and I either burst out laughing or get mad. The titles below are 5 large print romance examples I've found just in the last week or two alone in Cataloguing & Acquisitions.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Top 5 titles foraged from the processing trolleys (20 August 2010)
List by Tosca
Early one morning, after a sandstorm had ripped through north Texas, I wandered into Mr. Tilly's circus. I wore a black suit and blood ran down my face. When some of the carnies came up to me, I said, "I'm numb." This became my name.
- Numb: a novel by Sean Ferrell
I think, sometimes, that when I venture in to the Cataloguing and Acqusitions areas they view my visits with some amount of trepidation. And yet I respect what they do. Wholeheartedly. It is an integral part of the overall service we provide. But I am a contentious, opinionated person who has quite vocal (read *loud*) views on what types of books I believe our customers would want and I consider it my duty - and a pleasurable one at that - to tell all and sundry about it ;) We have some quite 'spirited' discussions about books. So yes, their trepidation is somewhat warranted. I am forever grateful that they have not barred me (yet) and let me wander quite freely among the new books trolleys and oh! What gems I have found today. My cup truly runneth over :)
Early one morning, after a sandstorm had ripped through north Texas, I wandered into Mr. Tilly's circus. I wore a black suit and blood ran down my face. When some of the carnies came up to me, I said, "I'm numb." This became my name.
- Numb: a novel by Sean Ferrell
I think, sometimes, that when I venture in to the Cataloguing and Acqusitions areas they view my visits with some amount of trepidation. And yet I respect what they do. Wholeheartedly. It is an integral part of the overall service we provide. But I am a contentious, opinionated person who has quite vocal (read *loud*) views on what types of books I believe our customers would want and I consider it my duty - and a pleasurable one at that - to tell all and sundry about it ;) We have some quite 'spirited' discussions about books. So yes, their trepidation is somewhat warranted. I am forever grateful that they have not barred me (yet) and let me wander quite freely among the new books trolleys and oh! What gems I have found today. My cup truly runneth over :)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Top 5 titles foraged from the processing trolleys (11 August 2010)
List by Danielle
There was a time before. There will be a time after.
Let us build a bridge. A bridge that will carry us over the unbearable.
I am certain that as we walk back and forth, we will find love on both sides.
~ Over a thousand hills I walk with you, Hanna Jansen (translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford)
We're going Teen today, because that's what's on the trolleys. Everyone must be working really hard, because there's not a lot of pickings out there at the moment, it's all out on the shelves! That said, there are a few juicy-looking Grimm and ghostly offerings, an intriguing graphic novel, and the unimaginable based-on-fact story of a young survivor of the Rwandan massacre.
There was a time before. There will be a time after.
Let us build a bridge. A bridge that will carry us over the unbearable.
I am certain that as we walk back and forth, we will find love on both sides.
~ Over a thousand hills I walk with you, Hanna Jansen (translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford)
We're going Teen today, because that's what's on the trolleys. Everyone must be working really hard, because there's not a lot of pickings out there at the moment, it's all out on the shelves! That said, there are a few juicy-looking Grimm and ghostly offerings, an intriguing graphic novel, and the unimaginable based-on-fact story of a young survivor of the Rwandan massacre.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Top 5 titles foraged from the processing trolleys (29 July 2010)
List by Danielle
My first regret is the day I ate a urinal cake. What can I say? It looked like a delicious biscuit.
~ 'The world according to Warren', as told to Craig Silvey, pictures by Sonia Martinez
Oh such lovely things this week... treats and treasures soon to hit the shelves: a pompous dog, a trip to Ghostopolis, the darker side of the periodic table - plus how to embalm your loved ones in honey!
My first regret is the day I ate a urinal cake. What can I say? It looked like a delicious biscuit.
~ 'The world according to Warren', as told to Craig Silvey, pictures by Sonia Martinez
Oh such lovely things this week... treats and treasures soon to hit the shelves: a pompous dog, a trip to Ghostopolis, the darker side of the periodic table - plus how to embalm your loved ones in honey!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Top 5 titles foraged from our processing trolleys (22 July 2010)
List by Danielle
'It was an airport gypsy who told me that I had to kill my husband.'
~ Joshilyn Jackson, 'Backseat saints'
More goodies from the cataloguers: ghosts, cut-out covers and some very fashion-forward dolls for you crafty types out there! A bit of a teen thing going on this week, too, with two teen fiction and one teen on-fiction titles here.
'It was an airport gypsy who told me that I had to kill my husband.'
~ Joshilyn Jackson, 'Backseat saints'
More goodies from the cataloguers: ghosts, cut-out covers and some very fashion-forward dolls for you crafty types out there! A bit of a teen thing going on this week, too, with two teen fiction and one teen on-fiction titles here.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Top 5 titles foraged from our processing trolleys (6 July 2010)
List by Danielle
'i spit on you, poetry. this is me spitting on you. this is me
egging your cocker spaniel. this is me stomping
your children's halloween pumpkins. you are
dead to me, poetry. i was only using you for the sex.
~ Matthew Baker
More random goodies of great shininess and temptation from the shelving trolleys at Ronwood Ave...
'i spit on you, poetry. this is me spitting on you. this is me
egging your cocker spaniel. this is me stomping
your children's halloween pumpkins. you are
dead to me, poetry. i was only using you for the sex.
~ Matthew Baker
More random goodies of great shininess and temptation from the shelving trolleys at Ronwood Ave...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Top 5 titles foraged from our processing trolleys
List by Danielle
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen
Even though it is a total myth that we just sit and read all day (*big* sigh for that myth), one of the greatest pleasures of working in a library is the proximity to what seems like an endless stream of new books. Want to take a peek on our processing trolleys? Here is a Top 5 from the books we've unpacked recently, which are soon on their way to the shelves...
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen
Even though it is a total myth that we just sit and read all day (*big* sigh for that myth), one of the greatest pleasures of working in a library is the proximity to what seems like an endless stream of new books. Want to take a peek on our processing trolleys? Here is a Top 5 from the books we've unpacked recently, which are soon on their way to the shelves...
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