Garden delight

It finally feels like summer outside! I have been taking advantage of this consistent sunshine by eating my lunch outside on the benches behind the library. What some of you may or may not know is that this garden, where many of us sit and enjoy the sun, will be the setting for a free outdoor concert on Sunday, August 19th at 4:00 pm . If it rains the date will be switched to August 26th.

Joseph Milo will be conducting the Musicians of the World orchestra in the garden and it will surely be a splendid way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. The orchestra will be performing works by Mozart, Brahms and Rossini as well as other musical gems. So bring your hat, shades, sunscreen, chair or blanket and let the music sweep you away.

Harry

A couple of hours ago, I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The weekend has been filled with bouts of concentrated reading interspersed only with sleeping and eating. I had to get through the book quickly; not only did I not want anyone revealing what happened before I got the chance to find out myself, but it seemed fitting, given that this whole last week has been namely about Harry.

On Saturday, we had our Harry Potter Extravaganza in the library and it was really great fun, for those organizing it as much as for the kids. It felt awesome to be partaking in what was a global phenomenon – celebrating the close of an amazing chapter in literary history. For every person who has been following these characters for the last decade, the end of the series is sad, but the closure necessary. We can now release our breath as we learn what happened to every figure we had come to love or loathe.

The thing about the Potter books is that they will endure. They are already classics, beloved by children and adults alike, and it’s not about sales figures (which are astronomical), or good reviews, or anything like that. It’s about magic, not the wand-driven variety, but the kind that you feel within you as you read these books. You get into that world and don’t want to leave. The characters are as wonderful as the settings; the friendships, as strong as the animosities. Every person finds within those pages a person with whom s/he identifies.

When I give people the Harry books for the first time, I am excited for them and the wonderful journey that lies ahead. Many newcomers to the series were up to this point too young to read the books; others hadn’t gotten around to it but meant to. In fifty years we will still be reading them, and probably in a hundred too.

As I closed the last book for the last time, I knew that I would visit these friends again someday. I have to.

Is anyone reading?

For the last couple of years I’ve been hearing about the downfall of the printed word. From Al Gore to Bill Gates the word is that we are living in unreaderly times. Apparently no one is reading anymore…at least not fiction. According to the “National Endowment for the arts” only half of North Americans are picking up books and the numbers are declining year after year at an alarming rate.

In his new book “The Assault on reason”, former vice president, Al Gore claims that we’re too wired in to take the time to pick up a book. From the ipod to the internet, laptops, Blackberrys, and television sets that sit in our homes…he claims that this new wave of technology dominates our time and our lives. Is he right? Have we put down our books in favor of a quick and easy buzz?

If that’s the case could someone please tell the oh so popular Danielle Steel, who just recently published her 7th book in 3 years, to stop writing! If no one‘s going to read them what’s the point? While we’re at it… let’s tell Khaled Hosseini that he’s wasted his time and energy writing “A Thousand splendid suns” despite the close to 200 people waiting to read his book here at the library. And let’s not forget the many people who attend the Library’s book clubs and reviews. If half of North America isn’t reading why are there so many excited people filling the seats to talk about books?

While I’ve never been a big TV fan and can count the shows I’m loyal to on one hand, I have always been a reader. It helps that I’m surrounded by books all day long. I have a hard time not checking them out, promising myself to take the ones I will truly read front to back. It doesn’t matter if it’s light reading or serious political thinking. I’ll give every book its due so long as it’s interesting and entertaining but I’m not alone because Côte Saint-Luc is filled with readers just like me.

Yes it’s true we have Wi-fi access through out the library and a revamped AV department with cool leather sofas and slim, sleek screens to watch our brand new DVDs on but books are still flying out of here. Romance, mystery, thriller, and non-fiction…it all goes. There’s something here for everyone and a good number of Côte Saint-Lucers are reading despite the technology wave and all the new gadgets out there. We may be wired in but we haven’t put our books down but if you have, then you need to come in and let us hook you up. We’ll find something for you to read no matter what your taste or preference is. Come in and find out.

Hogwarts at the Library

The countdown has begun and as I write this, there are 9 days left till the new Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, is released. My son and I are very excited to read this book. There will be a big tug of war in our house over this book and who gets to read it first. I’ll actually have it in my hands on the 21st but sadly I will be unable to start reading the book right away. Why? The library is hosting a Harry Potter extravaganza on this day to celebrate the release of the book and I will be working at this party, which promises to be lots of fun. I will be reading snippets of the book during the party as well as helping everyone make potions and crafts. The best part is that everyone can dress up as their favorite character….you will have to come to the party to see who my favorite character is. I invite everyone to come over the Children’s point of service desk to discuss Harry Potter with me and while you are here, pick up the ultimate Harry Potter quiz (you could win the book). Alright, only 8 days, 10 hours and 34 minutes to go (but who is counting)!

Sweet and stylish brochures - get them while they are cool

It is the hot and humid season of travel, trips and time spent relaxing and what better way to entertain yourself to and fro than with music and audiobooks on Compact Disc. Your favourite local library has brand new brilliant brochures to guide you through the vast array of grand new material.

The previous quarterly brochures served their purpose well, though they could be cumbersome to wield. We have pondered how to make your experience easier and ever more enjoyable, thus deciding on the portable, almost pocket-sized format you will find in stock presently. The guide books are in limited supply so it is imperative you pop over to visit as soon as possible to pick up your map to new classical, jazz and popular music artists. And so too with the audiobooks, worlds of adventure, education, entertainment, intrigue and satisfaction await as talented readers bring books to life for your ears.

Before you go to Boston, New York, the Laurentians, the Townships or points farther flung, do come to the Audio Visual Department for your copy of the guide, some friendly banter and a bundle of goodies to sustain you for three weeks.

A fresh face for an old friend

The AV Department is something that has always been close to my heart; it’s really special to me. Not only is it where I first started working when I joined the library team in 2001, but it’s also the place that I feel I have had the most influence on. We’ve always dreamed of a fun department, with something for everyone. A place where you could come to learn a language, listen to a course, a book, or music on CD, and just connect with others who share similar interests.

Five years later, we’ve come a long way! Gone are the days of having to stand in line to request the audiovisual material from the clerk at the desk. Patrons can now browse the material freely and at their leisure, without having to wonder about all the “good stuff” that they can’t access behind the counter. I urge you to come and revisit the department, speak with our wonderful and knowledgeable staff, enjoy the revamped lounge, and our new collection; I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Just recently Joel Goldenberg of the Suburban wrote an article about the expanded department, which was published in the June 20, 2007 City edition of the newspaper. So if I haven’t convinced you to come in and take a look, maybe the article will; by the way, we have copies of that too! I look forward to seeing you all browsing through the shelves soon.