The more things change.......by Andrea K.

You may have read about new services theStillwater Public Library is offering, such as netbook checkout and (coming soon) e-book and downloadable audio checkout.  The library may be going even more “E,” but hard copy books and the CDs and videos we offer aren’t going anywhere soon.  The new “E” services are just a continuation of what the library has always done: provide access to information and literature in the best formats of the time, and teach people how to use them.

In the past, customers asked for assistance from librarians in using the card catalog and large reference tomes, so they could find what they were looking for.  When tech developed, the acquisition of an online catalog and computers with internet access required the assistance of librarians for everything from getting started using a mouse to showing patrons the best, most credible online resources out of millions of bad ones.

Now we have patrons coming in and asking us what this e-book thing is all about, how to use them and what devices we recommend.  We saw the demand for this new format and have taken steps to incorporate it into what we offer. We also will be teaching people how to use our new netbooks, just as we do our desktop computers.  AND we will continue to check out old fashioned books for the people who need their paper fix.  It is important that no segment of the population get left behind when it comes to traditional literacy and computer literacy. 

Intellectual property like novels, music, movies, and even non-fiction won’t be legally offered from their creators for free anytime soon, so until then we’ll continue our role of pulling the community together to share resources and providing them to those who otherwise would have no access.  And as the world changes and technology advances, we’ll be right here, providing educational opportunities for all Stillwater citizens and leading our customers into a new generation of information.

Young Adult's for All Adults by Recilla

As I work in the library’s Teen area, I discover more and more adults browsing for something to read.  At one time I might have thought they were picking up reading materials for their children, but that is no longer the case.  Adults often are choosing books written for teens. This trend began with the Harry Potter phenomenon. Adults wanted to know what was creating so much excitement among young people, and they found they were just as entertained and engaged by the series. The Twilight series then emerged and attracted 20 and 30 somethings to Young Adult literature. 

Although YA fantasy seems to be the main attraction, there are many YA books that would be of interest to adult readers. There is mystery, historical fiction, drama, and, of course, teenage angst.  YA lit is intriguing, thought-provoking, and humorous.  Although it is not devoid of sex and language, it is usually not explicit and will be essential to the story, not just for sensationalism.

Also you will find some of your favorite adult authors such as James Patterson, Robert Parker, and John Grisham now writing YA fiction.  Every month as I read new book reviews, I discover at least one review that states the book’s author is an adult fiction writer.

I, myself, am an avid YA reader. In fact, I haven’t had an “adult” book in my hands for years.  Today’s YA books are not the teen books we grew up with.  In fact, I don’t really remember finding books written to appeal to teens when I was in junior high and high school---a fact which I am sure quelled my reading for pleasure for many years.  So why don’t you join me in the Young Adult section and discover the variety and pleasure of reading YA literature?

The 10 Best Young Adult Books for Grownups

35 Going on 13: The Best YA for Adults 2009

Teen Books for Adults

My Stuff by Stacy

Three weeks ago right before Christmas, my sister came and “clean sweeped” me.  We sat up in my third floor hoarder’s nest all night and got out every box where I’d been squirreling away my “stuff” for the last ten years.  Now mind you—I’ve already been “clean sweeped” before, but that was at the height of my 20+ years “collecting” phase and we “sweeped” from insane down to only slightly problematic.  Now, it is time to let go of everything else. 

It really wasn’t that hard for me once we started—I’ve been clutter clubbing the last two years and by far the most important thing is that I have stopped bringing things into my home.  The second most important thing I’ve learned is that so many of us are THISCLOSE to being the people on the TV show.  All it takes is one illness or a bad patch in our lives for everything to go from bursting to the seams to falling down on us.

I’ve learned that two things mask my problem.  First, I love plastic Rubbermaid tubs, so all of my stuff goes into the tubs and gives me the false sense that everything is organized.  But instead of ever getting to the “doing”—decorating with the items, making necklaces, etc.—I just end up sorting, resorting, and taking time to house my stuff. 

Second, I’m a “collectoré,” (I added the e with the accent so it would seem fancy).  This means I don’t hold onto things like apple cores and toilet paper rolls.  Instead, I have items with monetary value that are usually super cute and would be valuable to others----adorable grape-shaped crocheted trivets made from old pop bottle caps (except I have 25), framed old calendar prints of cottages and dreamy landscapes (except I have 30), and miles of vintage bead necklaces.

Shannon Cowan who leads our organizing classes said it so that I could finally understand---What do you call someone whose home is filled with gold bullion?  Answer: a hoarder!

So—if you are feeling pressured by your “stuff,” if dealing with your stuff is taking too much of your time, or if you just want your life to run a bit more smoothly, join us at the upcoming organizing classes Thursday, Jan. 13 & 20.  (Enroll at askalibrarian@stillwater.org). And in the meantime, check out some of our many organizing books, including these titles that address the most complex parts of the issue:

·             Stuff: compulsive hoarding and the meaning of things by Randy Frost (616.85 FRO)

·             Buried in treasures: help for compulsive acquiring, saving, and hoarding
by David Tolin (616.85 TOL)

·             Overcoming compulsive hoarding: why you save & how you can stop
by Fugen Neziroglu (616.85 NEZ)