scrabble down your fines

We have an excellent program at my library where kids 16 and under can read down their fines and fees. I have a teen who is in the midst of reading down more than $30 and he's been coming into the library a few days a week to tackle the sum. Yesterday he wanted to know if he could go on the Internet and I said "Yes, but we prefer you stay away from sites like MySpace." Next he asked if reading about sports was okay and I responded, "Yes, definitely." Then he eyed the board games on a cart next to me. "What about games. Can I play a game?" I laughed and said, "No." He thought for a moment and said, "How about Scrabble? That's a learning activity." As my friends know, I am completely nuts about Scrabble and still mourning the loss of Scrabulous, so I gave him the thumbs up.

And thus, Scrabble Down Your Fines was born.

all together now ... again

School Library Journal is running a Learning 2.0 program, and I thought I'd join up. Even though I adapted one for Queens Library I thought it might be fun to do as a participant. I'd love for us to re-run QL L2.0 and I thought it might be fun to see how the program has been tweaked over the last year. We're in cohorts according to place and it was fun to see all the SLJ staff (based in NY) joining in. I've added all the NYers to my bloglines.

Eep! A customer just asked me what I was reading and I had to fess up and tell her I was "between books." I don't know why I feel guilty. The last thing I read was a "sample" of Sherman Alexie's forthcoming YA novel, Radioactive Love Song. It won't be out until Spring 2009 and I'm not sure I can wait that long to read what comes after page 29.

book review

A teen just posted this review to our summer reading website. I had to share:

i LOVED this book. it described the characters and their feelings so well. it was so good, it got a Newberry Medal! i picked the right book, right when i needed it most. i needed a good story, and i got one.

submerged leader

It is quite possible that I will never leave my library system (or even apply for a promotion)because I absolutely loathe updating my resume and writing cover letters, personal statements, or any other response to a career-y prompt.

That said, I finally finished my application for ALA Emerging Leaders, a program designed for librarians under 35 or those with less than five years experience. I'd like to land the gig because I don't have any side projects on the horizon, but I can continue to apply the next three years.

I'm about to visit Austin for the bazillionth time in the past seven years and Susan promises we will do the two things I have never done: see the bats and visit one of the libraries. She also claims she is going to take me to the some place called "Hobby Lobby," which I'll probably post about on Squid vs Squirrel, a craft blog I do with my friend Milwaukee Megan. There will also be the usual assortment of biking, swimming, breakfast tacos and cheap beer.

Foam Monster Robots

Foam Monster Robots
Originally uploaded by hood and hat

This was too cute not to post. It's from a "That's Crafty" a couple weeks ago and made by one of our regulars (Nancy) in the children's room.

the groove, the grid

Normally working on a new board guarantees happiness, but as my Facebook status indicates, it was a "horrible no good very bad day." (Apologies to Alexander.) I managed to upset a customer so thoroughly that he complained to my supervisor three separate times. He was -- of course -- an adult and it was -- of course -- related to the computers. I hope to finish the "ya theme" grid by Monday.

tuesday night club

I'm having a hard time deciding what to read tonight.

, , or finish up ?

I lead such an exciting life. In my defense, I am a poor poor girl until Friday when I get paid and receive my economic stimulus payment.