Thursday, July 28, 2011

Mulligans

I don't golf; twenty-four hours ago, I had no idea what Mulligans were. Apparently, in the game of golf among the very determined, an informal system of "do-overs" has been set up whereby one can purchase the privilege of setting right that last slice without losing a stroke. These "do-overs" are called Mulligans. Genius, I say!

This past week, over at the Ojibwa Golf and Bowl, the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce had its golf outing, sponsored by Ojibwa Golf and Bowl and Lee Beverage of Wisconsin. For some reason, unprompted by anyone or anything I am aware of, the proceeds from the sale of "Mulligans" at that outing were routed to the Chippewa Falls Public Library. Just a few minutes ago, I was hand delivered a check for $406.00.

I am told this was the idea of Mr. Chuck Wagner, and for his generosity and for the generosity of all those noble souls involved, I extend my thanks to them on behalf of the Chippewa Falls Public Library and the Friends of the Chippewa Falls Public Library.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sign of the (Story)times



Above you see Diane Bergeron, a circulation paraprofessional and our resident sign language expert, interpreting "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" (puppetry and voice performed by the unseen Librarian Colleen Crowley and valued volunteer Kathleen Larson) for an audience including Deaf and hard of hearing children...Ms. Bergeron has worked extensively for the Wisconsin Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is fluent in this amazing language of gesture.

It's fascinating to watch the two parallel interpretations going on...

If you want to see it first hand, come by on the 21st of July at 2pm; we'll be presenting it again.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

New Books Relocated



One thing they warn about in business is bad product placement. I once worked in book retail, and the store manager told me that the reason all the new age and religion books were tucked in a quiet corner on the second floor while mystery and romance were next to each other at the top of the escalator was because of the different personality traits of the readers of those respective genres.

Mystery and romance readers tended to be busier, quicker-moving folks while the type of person who wanted to read St. John of the Cross was a more introspective sort...less apt to be "in and out"...and less likely to really browse (and buy) if forced to hang out in a high-traffic area. Magazines and computer manuals were near the coffee shop on purpose; research showed that computer geeks and magazine readers drink coffee. And so on.

With that kind of thing in mind, we've moved the new books--which used to be tucked away in the lounge on the north wall--up closer to the check out.

Now the lounge can be used for its real purpose: a reading area. As it was, there was a good deal of traffic in and out of the lounge, which disturbed the "Sit and Read" library users. Also, the new books are in an area of higher traffic, making it more likely that an interesting new selection will be spotted by someone not specifically looking for that particular book. Before this, new books were a destination. Now they can be more of a wayside, which we hope will expose more people to them.

The Career Collection and Civil Service/Test Preparation books have been moved to where the new books were, by the way. What better place to work on one's resume'?