A sleek silver rocket glints on its launch pad. The crowd anticipates hearing the roar of takeoff and seeing the beautiful trail of white smoke marking the rocket’s progress into the atmosphere. The countdown begins: “five … four …  three … two … One! The wait is over and the rocket streaks away on its mission. Unlike many of its bigger counterparts, this rocket isn’t taking off from an air force base or Cape Canaveral, nor is it headed to space to drop off a satellite or convey astronauts, it’s mission is to entertain.  For more than a decade model rockets have been lifting off and touching down on the Orange City soccer fields to the applause of adults, parents and children alike. In fact, between three hundred fifty and four hundred model rockets have taken to the skies since the library began its annual rocket launch night. Tonight, Tuesday – June 30, that tradition continues at 7:00 at the Orange City soccer fields by the community pool.

Launch night has always been entertaining and interactive for families and kids. While library staff load rockets and oversee the launch pads, children press the launch buttons and retrieve the rockets that slowly glide back to earth on their parachutes and streamers. Usually the flights go off with out incident or mishap, but every once in awhile a rocket takes off never to be seen again after being carried away by the wind or from falling into a pond near the golf course. Yet, this year will be even more entertaining as local model airplane enthusiasts will be flying their planes at the start and middle of the program. Between the rockets and the airplanes, it will be an exciting evening of flying.

On a completely different note, the summer reading minutes are adding up. Over 153,964 minutes or 2,566 hours have been read so far! Yellow leads with 40096.5 minutes, purple closely follows with 39887 minutes, green has 37,180 minutes, and blue is still dragging its feet in last place with 36800.5 minutes. Blue and green need to make up some ground and come on stong in the last two weeks of the reading program. We watched as the reading packets were handed out and noticed that blue and green have good readers on their teams, which means it will likely come down to the wire in the last week. We are all excited to see who can claim to be the 2009 summer reading champions!

Have you seen the Map of Science? This study, published a few months ago in PLoS One, analyzes the relationships between scientific disciplines based on clickstream data from over a billion user interactions with online databases and publications. Data spanned a period from 2006-2008, making the analysis almost real-time, and much more timely than citation analyses. Participating data providers were: Thomson Scientific (Web of Science), Elsevier (Scopus), JSTOR, Ingenta, University of Texas (9 campuses, 6 health institutions), and California State University (23 campuses).

The resulting map is remarkable, both as a striking visual representation of data, and for the subsequent connections it illustrates. By illustrating the links between the different areas of interest for information consumers, the researchers hope to eventually produce models that “explain the online behavior of scientists and how it relates to the emergence of scientific innovation”. These innovations can be revealed in the “unexpected relations between scientific domains that point to emerging relationships that are capturing the collective interest of the scientific community—for instance a connection between ecology and architecture,” according to the Los Alamos National Laboratory release on the paper.

Bollen and colleagues were surprised by the map’s scope and detail. Whereas maps based on citations favor the natural sciences, the team’s maps of science showed a prominent and central position for the humanities and social sciences, which, in many places, acted like interdisciplinary bridges connecting various other scientific domains. Sections of the maps were shaped by the activities of practitioners who read the scientific literature but do not frequently publish in its journals.

Hmm… practitioners like librarians, perhaps?

It has been an eventful week so far at the public library.  Here are just a few of the fun things that make me laugh.

1. Yesterday I was working at the circulation desk and calling patrons who had requested books when I had this particularly funny/disturbing experience.

Me, “Hello, this is the Public Library calling for Ms. Smith”

Smith, “Yes, this is she”

Me, “We have Thong on Fire ready for you to pick up at the circulation desk.”

All of this took place while my co-worker was laughing in the background at the words “thong on fire.”  Apparently it is series of books told from an urban-erotic perspective.

2. Our library has an honor system of paying for pages you print.  Rarely do people actually pay.  The other day a woman came up to pay for $0.40 in printing.  I took her change and rang it up in the cash register.

Me, “Thank you.”

Her, “Don’t I get a receipt for that?”

Me, “For $0.40?”

Her, “Yes.”

3. On Saturday I met my fellow man-brarians for an early breakfast of french-toast cooked in our break room.  It was a fantastic start to a wonderful day.

      Wed. July 8, 7 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, FROM MULTIFLORA ROSE TO BLUESTEM: 30 YEARS OF CHANGE: Members-$3; NONMEMBER- $5;VOLUNTEERS –FREE. Rich Patterson has seen much change in his 30 years at the Nature Center. The landscape has changed greatly–for the better–over those years. Join him on a two-mile walk at a leisurely pace to parts of the Nature Center more ecologically healthy because of the dedicated work of Nature Center staff and volunteers. CALL 362-0664 TO REGISTER.

     Thurs., July 9, 7-9 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, BEGINNING BEE CLASS: SESSION I- MEMBER – $55/SERIES; NONMEMBER – $85/SERIES. This eight session series is designed for individuals serious about starting a beekeeping hobby. The series will take the participant through the annual cycle of beekeeping from establishing a hive to harvesting and marketing the honey produced. The class members will be actively involved in learning activities by working with the hives at the Indian Creek Nature Center. Call 362-0664 to register.

     Sat., July 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friends of Hickory Hill Park will have a garden walk in Iowa City. The walk benefits the group’s stewardship fund for maintenance and restoration work. Four gardens will be on the tour, plus tornado recovery areas on Hotz and Rochester avenues. Speakers will be at each site to discuss prairie plantings, Backyard Abundance and organic lawn care.  Start at 1167 E. Jefferson Street to purchase tickets and pick up a map. Cost is $10 per person or $8 per person if you bike or walk to 1167 Jefferson St. Families are $15. To volunteer or for more information, phone 319-338-5331. To make a donation:  Anyone unable to attend the Garden Walk but wishing to make a contribution should make the check out to LEAF and mail it to:  LEAF, P.O. Box 1681, Iowa City, IA  52244-1681.

    Sat., July 11, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Indian Creek Nature Center’s NATURAL HISTORY WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS. MEMBER -$3; NONMEMBER – $5; CHIDREN:$1. Join Indian Creek Nature Center’s naturalist on an urban adventure to investigate the fascinating cultural and natural history of downtown wildlife. Learn about the pre-settlement ecology of the downtown area and how it has changed with urbanization. This 90-minute tour begins at the old Cedar Rapids Public Library parking lot between 5th and 6th Avenues SE on 1st Street. Stroll along the Cedar Lake Trail near the library to discover native plants growing along the Red Cedar River and learn about urban wildlife along streets and buildings as you walk to Greene Square Park and then to return to the library. CALL 362-0664 TO REGISTER.

    Sun., July 12, 1-4 p.m.,  The Fairfax Parks Committee will have a walk, rain or shine, at five Fairfax gardens. Iowa State University Extension master gardeners will be available at the gardens to answer questions. The walk includes the garden of Megan McConnell Hughes, which is featured on the cover of the summer 2009 Country Gardens magazine. Tickets can be purchased at Fairfax State Savings Bank or Guaranty Bank in Fairfax. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event at the Fairfax North welcome sign at Williams Boulevard and Prairie View Drive. Cost is $5 for adults and $10 for families. Proceeds will be used to buy playground equipment for Hawks Ridge Park.

    Sun., July 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Project GREEN will have a garden walk in Iowa City. If you want to know how to garden with deer, this is the walk for you. Four large gardens at the edge of woodlands are featured on the walk, including one property that covers nearly four acres. All gardens are located north of Interstate 80, off Dubuque Street. Cost is $5 for adults. Children under 16 are admitted free.  Start at any of the following sites for a map, which becomes your ticket for the other gardens: Pat and Stan Podhajsky, 3817 Cedar Drive NE; Maggie VanOel, 8 Oak Park Lane NE;   Twila and Dick Hobbs, 9 Oak Park Lane NE; Bill and Michelle Welter, 15 Oak Park Place NE. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The weather may be hot and buggy, so bring along a bottle of water and bug spray.  To learn more, see: www.projectgreen.org              

     Sun., July 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Iowa Pond Society’s pond tour. Whether you are a serious water gardener, Koi keeper, casual pond owner, want-to-be pond owner, or just plain love flowers and water, you won’t want to miss the chance to view the ponds in this year’s 13th annual pond tour. As usual, pond owners and club members will be available at each pond to answer questions. Will also have a plant and small art/craft sale at one of the pond locations. This year’s tour will feature beautiful ponds in the Cedar Rapids/Solon/Swisher areas. Tickets and maps are $5.00 for adults (kids under 12 are free) and are available at all pond sites with all proceeds going back to the community for area landscape and beautification projects.  A good place to start might be 131 Rosedale Rd SE, Cedar Rapids or 3682 Douglas Dr. NE Solon. For more information please call Jackie Allsup 319-934-3665 or visit: www.EIPS.org

     Mon., July 13 – Fri., July 31 – Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, OWAA PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT. The Outdoor Writers Association of America Photography Contest winners will be exhibited. The work of noted wildlife photographers features both black-and-white and color photographs. Visit during regular business hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM-4 PM & Saturdays 11 AM-4 PM.

    Thurs., July 16- Sat., July 18 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Road, Hiawatha. Solar Energy Workshop. This three-day workshop will provide information and experience in installing solar panels to generate electricity. The workshop includes hands-on exposure to assembling pole-mounted solar racks, installing solar modules and wiring of the entire system including modules, disconnects, inverters and grid tie. Approximately half the class will be in the classroom learning how solar energy works. Classroom instruction includes the basics of photovoltaics, racks, solar modules, inverters, basic electricity, design processes and safety. Instructor is Dennis Pottratz, Iowa’s first nationally certified photovoltaic installer (NABCEP). His company, GoSolar, has been in business in Decorah since 1996. He has designed and installed more than 100 working systems. Dennis is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter with I-RENEW. Fee: $250 for the first person from an organization or family; $200 for a second person. Fee includes daily lunch and handouts. Lodging is available at $45 per night.

    Sat., July 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nature Photography class at Linn County Extension, 3279 7^th Avenue, Marion. The class will be taught by Jim Messina, a professional photographer with many years of experience in photography and teaching experience.  Topics include exposure, metering techniques, tonality natural lighting, photographic equipment, digital photography and macro photography.  Teaching method includes slide presentations using dual projectors emphasizing comparisons with several examples.  The examples provide a framework of understanding basic principles and practical solutions in difficult field situations.  Extensive handouts are provided for the workshop topics.  You can bring your camera. Register by at the Extension office or call 319-377-9839.  Cost is $ 35.00.  Payment must be made when registering.  Registration will close on July 10.  

     Sat., July 18, 7:30 a.m. to noon, “Green” Day at Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market. Area environmental organizations will have space set up at the farmers market.

      Sat., July 18, 9 a.m. to noon, Prairiewoods., Mulch Sheet Beds for Flower and Vegetable Gardens. This workshop will include classroom and hands-on experience building mulch sheet beds for soil used in gardens. Mulch sheet bedding is a permaculture technique used to enrich the soil and decrease weeding. This is a sustainable way to work the soil while retaining water and and to maintain the soil without tilling and the use of chemicals. This workshop will not be held is there is heavy rain. Fee: $10

    Tues., July 21, 1-2 p.m., Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center 10260 Morris Hills Rd. ,Toddville.  Toad Adobe! (Repeat from June 23.) OK, so not everyone finds toads attractive. However, a single toad can consume about 110 beetles, slugs, moths, armyworms and other bugs in a day! Meet our live toad. Make a house for a local amphibian to hang out in your yard. House is made of a clay pot that will be decorated with paint. For all ages. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Register by July 18. Cost is $5 per toad house. Call (319)892-6485.

    Fri., July 24 – Aug. 2, Rummage in the Ramp at Chauncey Swan Ramp, Gilbert and Washington Streets, Iowa City. Ten-day-long garage sale benefitting several area non-profit groups aimed at waste reduction and affordability (most items are priced under $20). Items for donation should be dropped off at the ramp on sale days.

     Sat., July 25, 1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, GREEN AND SIMPLE: COOKING WITH A SOLAR OVEN. MEMBER -$5; NONMEMBER -$8. Create a simple solar oven for backyard cooking. Collect heat energy from the sun to cook simple, tasty meals. Take home basic recipes and techniques. Sample solar-baked foods. REGISTER BY 4 PM ON THURSDAY, JULY 23. CALL 362-0664 TO REGISTER.

     Sat., July 25 and Sun., July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Garden of Zora and Paul Ronan, 5031 North Marion Road, Central City, gardens open for viewing. The garden of Zora and Paul Ronan is located in rural Linn County.  The garden covers approximately 1 acre surrounding the house.  The remaining 32 acres uses no-till cultivation and wild-life habitat to conserve the soil and prevent erosion. Herbicides are used for weed control but no insecticides are used in crop production.  Over the last 10 years the soil has become healthy again.  Twelve years ago the soil was lifeless and heavily fortified with chemicals and we were never visited by wildlife.  Now, earth worms, birds, critters and varmints both are in abundance.  (Some are more welcome than others.) You may find gopher and moles disturbances in the grass, so walk carefully.  Directions:  From I-380:  Exit at Toddville.  Travel east on County Home Road to Alburnett Road.  Turn north on Alburnett Road.  Turn east on Justins Road (gravel).  Justins Road dead ends at North Marion. Turn north and the garden is on the right. From:  Highway 13: Travel north on Highway 13 to Central City.  Turn west on E-16 (Center Point-Central City Road).  Turn north on North Marion Road (gravel) and travel 1.6 miles.  Garden is on the right. From Marion:  Travel north on North Tenth Street.  Tenth Street changes name to North Marion and becomes gravel when it crosses County Home Road.  Since North Marion is gravel for quite a long way, it is better to travel north on either North Alburnett Road or Highway 13.

Various articles about research papers, information tools, and new acquisitions will be appearing here on the Posts page.

My focus is normally on Education Policy (which is certainly enough to write about), but yesterday, Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio announced his plan to slash budget funding, and particularly funding for state sponsored libraries. This is too good to ignore, so I am going to tell it like it is.

First: cutting funding for the library system will not reduce the number of books in libraries. It will, however, reduce the number of anal-retentive librarians that use their iron fists to eliminate all talking in the library.

Okay, so that might be a problem… no one wants a loud (or disorganized) library. However, who said that the funds need to come from the state government anyways?

Ostensibly, the budget cut will hurt libraries. I beg to differ.

The State Government of Ohio is nearly 1 billion dollars in debt. Moody’s Investment Service just lowered the State’s bond rating. No one wants Ohio as their primary financier: the state has no money.

Strickland is giving libraries the opportunity to find new funding sources: maybe municipalities? Maybe foundations? Maybe something else entirely! If people really care about libraries then what is going to stop them from banding together and funding them? Isn’t that the same logical basis of the state anyways? A social contract between citizens?

If the libraries are truly valued, then I am sure the affected citizens will cough up some money to support the libraries.

Imagine: a non-profit 501c3 library, where every dollar you donate ends up being a tax write off. Well, that kind of system would preserve the Ohio library system and prevent the State’s fiscal-apocalypse.

The point is that the libraries do not have to die. In fact, they can survive as independent institutions, separate from the large  bureaucracies, regulations and technicalities that all come with State level funding.

Yesterday marked a dawn for the Ohio Library system. It was that kind of independent library that afforded Benjamin Franklin “the means of improvement by constant study, for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repaired in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended for me.” And yes, when Benjamin Franklin formed America’s first library, it was completely independent of the state.

The Publications Committee of the Alabama Library Association’s College, University, and Special Libraries Division requests nominations, including self-nominations, for the annual Outstanding Professional Publications Award. The award, which is open to all personnel employed in Alabama libraries, recognizes an outstanding contribution to the professional literature of academic or special librarianship within the past three years. The Publications Committee will consider the quality, as well as the quantity, of nominees’ publications. All publications will be judged in terms of contribution to the profession. Recipients will be presented with a certificate and a cash prize. EBSCO has sponsored the award for a number of years. The award will be presented at the April 2010 ALLA annual conference. Please send nominations by October 1, 2009 to:

Paula Barnett-Ellis
Chair, CUS Publications Committee
Houston Cole Library
700 Pelham Road, North
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL 36265
256-782-5249
pbarnett@jsu.edu

I just thought of something. I was oozing with envy as I surfed through book blogs and how these lucky people got all sorts of goodies in their mailboxes from authors and publishers alike. *sighs* I know I’ll get some books soon so I’m going to keep positive! (feels like grabbing a microphone and yelling over the PA: HEY I WANT SOME BOOKS TOO) So I decided to go to the library to make myself feel better.

I found some of these goodies:

The Virgin’s Lover – Philippa Gregory (was on hold and I picked it up hence another excuse to go to the library)

The Meaning of Night – Michael Cox (Victorian thriller)

The Templar Legacy – Steve Berry (Part of my Suspense and Thriller Challenge)

The Dark Queen – Susan Carroll (Was on my Wishlist)

Creepers – David Morell (Part of my Take a Chance Challenge) (because The Ruby in Her Navel didn’t work out)

voila there’s my treasure! anybody else go to the library and found something good?

Teaser Tuesday is coming up soon!

More than 1,000 children who’ve registered for the Mission Viejo Library’s SummerREAD program are enjoying creating their own books to read thanks to an 8th-grade student.
 
Courtney Ruef designed her Girl Scout Silver Project to benefit the kids in the popular SummerREAD program with a creative take-home activity. The library’s free summer reading program runs from June 22 through Aug. 3.
 
Ruef, who attends Newhart Middle School, got the idea for her project after reading a copy of “The Library Mouse” by Daniel Kirk.  She thought children would enjoy making their own books and that others might enjoy reading the youngsters’ creative works. She devoted 40 hours of service to her project, which also included creating publicity, blank books and instructions. 
 
“So far, the craft activity has been very popular, and it tied in well with our SummerREAD theme of ‘Be Creative at Your Library,’” said Director of Library Services Valerie Maginnis.

“It’s a wonderful project for children, who are encouraged to return their completed books to the library where they will be put on display.” 
 
For more information, visit the library’s Web site at www.cmvl.org or call 949-470-3076.