The State of Things

Earlier this week, we hosted a public libraries class that came for a tour and to hear about what we do here for our public and as professionals. Apart from the fact that they were really delightful, it hit me when we were talking that we really are a dynamic bunch.

I love this library. I love experimenting with new ideas and that we have the freedom to do so. I love trying to pull off really cool programs and watching people relish in the results. I love that our staff has some of their own and that they’re successful. I love that we keep adding new things and that our public is enthusiastic about it. I love that we work in the kind of city where even the City Manager has a book club. I love my management team, who really reinvented their respective departments to make them fabulous. I love that we have a volunteer program that allows residents to contribute to the betterment of the library. I love that we always look forward. I even love our new furniture.

I was toying with the idea of posting a year in review, recapping everything that happened in 2007, but somehow it didn’t feel right. Don’t get me wrong, I could go on and on about events like the one we had for Marie Antoinette, or our new AV Department. The truth is, I am always more excited about what is to come than what has been. In a library setting, resting on laurels means stagnation. We must always look ahead and strive for more.

Hot Picks from Behind the Scenes

Though the recent snow made it look a lot like the holidays were upon us, the Autumn New Music brochure is hot off the press and ready to provide a guide to the wondrous selections to warm your ears and heart. Do visit your favourite local library post haste to pick up a copy before there are none left. When you have your hands on the fine little bright orange number you will see the seven sweet categories with all manner of exciting music over the twenty one pages. There are brand new music discs from Canadian Reggae fusion stars Bedouin Soundclash, with Jay Malinowski and company, and even a fantastic compilation called Reggae 2007. These are a couple of hot topics. Polaris music prize nominees and the winner are to be found within the pages too, along with Classical, Jazz and Popular Music selections like Paul Anka and The Band.

The vast assortment of music is a marvellous delight. Everyone can come in to borrow four CDs for three weeks. I have said it before and I will say it again, there really is something for everyone. The Music Librarian, who you will find out a bit more about in a moment, and I do concur that J.S. Bach's Alles mit Gott, performed by the Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner to be an absolute aural treat. And for a new twist on an old favourite, Sting plays a lute and sings Dowland - this is my new discovery for the day and will keep me well pleased over the next while. Enough with the high brow, if you need a good Brit Pop fix like Maximo Park, Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Streets, The Verve, The Charlatans UK or maybe even some more Maximo Park then we have the ticket to the British Isles without ever leaving the neighbourhood. At length I could go on, though a visit to Audio Visual will set you right and if you're not sure what you need then please ask us. Or if we happen not to have it, do write it into the Suggestion Book.

And now, behind the scenes, sometimes on Reference and always diligently minding and enhancing the collection, we have Farah Mohammed, our trusty Music Librarian for the last dozen years and she has a McGill Music education, fifteen years participating as a soprano in The Orpheus Singers and is an accomplished piano accompanist. She has a flair for finding selections in Classical, Jazz, Jewish, Opera, Popular and World Music genres. Periodically she presents musical gems during the Passion for Music series which she hosts and speaks specifically on a certain topic. She is the one to go to with obscure and unusual music questions and is more than happy to share her knowledge about the collection. There are over two thousand five hundred compact discs at the ready and on display so there is no reason to leave the library without at least one or three CDs, even if it is something you have never heard of, you may discover a stylish new favourite form of music.

Concerts or bust!

It seems that not even inclement weather can keep our concert goers at bay. Despite the dreary weather yesterday a huge flock of you came to the library for the Musicians of the OSM concert. Our next and last concert for the winter season, The Three Sopranos, is from the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal and promises to be just as delightful and well-worth the wait. Leticia Brewer, Caroline Bleau and Marianne Lambert and their chevalier servants will perform at the library on December 6th at 7:30 pm. On the program for the evening are works by Rossini, Cantalani, Bizet, Strauss and Puccini just to name a few. For only three dollars you won’t want to miss this performance- rain, sleet, snow or shine. And to all the brave souls who made their way to the library last night I just wanted to say thank you and kudos to you for your dedication to the arts!

Need a suggestion?

If you're ever scratching your head and wondering what is the next thing you should be reading, take a look around the Reference desk and see the new things that were printed just for that purpose. Right now, there is a display of nine beautifully colored book marks---each with different genres to give you an idea of what is out there. Behind each of these book marks, you will find a list of authors who write that certain genre. Not only do you have a way to keep your place in a particular book you are reading, you are given more suggestions to keep you reading! I went crazy for these when I saw them, because even as a librarian, I sometimes turn to them for ideas---plus they’re just fun.

Other things to look for are the bibliographies that we have just put out at the Reference desk. The new ones for November are “Thrillers” and “Jewish Love Stories”. These booklets are filled with suggested readings with a little synopsis of what each book is about. If you can’t get enough of suspense and want to see what is recent, pick up a copy of the Thrillers bibliography. If you are in a more cozy mood and want to read a selection of older and newer books with Jewish romance, take a copy of the Jewish love stories bibliography. Bibliographies are made by the librarians and we try to release a new subject or two about every month. The last bibliographies that were on display were “Science Fiction” and “Chick Lit”. If these still interest you, you may come to ask for them at the Reference desk or ask to browse through the Reference copies.

The best thing about the bookmarks and bibliographies is that they are free! We try to give the best kind of reader’s advisory for those who need a little push for what to read next or maybe introduce a new type of book that someone has never considered to read before. Come on over to the Reference desk and ask what is out there, while picking up a few of these “helpful hints”. Remember, we’re always here at the desk to give you suggestions for any type of reading, even if it is not on a bookmark or in a bibliography. I hope you will see how fun these materials are to help you in your quest for the next great book, and we’ll make sure that you’ll never run out of things to read!

Word Search Game

This game is for those who are comfortable searching the online catalogue. It is an entertaining romp down the wide and wonderful, lush boulevard of periodicals. You may have seen the wondrous wall in the second lounge in your favourite local library, replete with all manner of journals, magazines, newsletters and newspapers. What you may not have realised is the collection is listed online as well. Before even venturing forth to the library you can have a list in hand of all the good things you need to read once here.

Let's begin. Think of a word, any word - art, film, music. The list could go on and on. Amble on over to the main search page of the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library catalogue and choose the fourth option, WORD, from the left menu. Click on it, you are whisked away to the second page, type in your word, tap the "Submit" button and then behold your lovely results.

But it does not end there. Wait. It gets better. At the top of the page you will see "WORD" in the left drop down menu field, your specific word queried in the centre field and then "View Entire Collection" from the right drop down menu field. Instead of seeing all the library has to offer, choose "Periodical Collection" and voila – a narrowed field, focusing on all the fine literature to read whilst taking time out of your hectic day to just delight in the glossy printed pages of magazines from all over the world. And if you happen to need some extra advice or want to practice the game with a pro, wander over to the library and ask your friendly Audio Visual Desk Clerk for assistance with the word search game.