Author Topic: The Library (Read 2297604 times)

JeanneP · « **Reply #11240 on:** June 04, 2013, 05:30:20 PM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives

I did think of doing lots of work today but went for a walk first at noon. Stopped at one house and I think I may have gotten someone with time to do my tiling in both bathrooms. I may trade me doing some painting walls for him.. On way back got stopped again for a chat .got back in house after 3pm. Day shot. That is all for me for today. Nothing done

Frybabe · « **Reply #11241 on:** June 04, 2013, 07:52:19 PM »

It was a gorgeous day today. My sister and I took a trip to the Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown. When George and I went, we became part of a group who got the tour conducted the whole way through with a docent. This time, Sue and I were it. We sat through the video and then wandered through on our own. The few people working explained what they were doing and pointed us on to the next exhibit. This time, I got to go out on the second floor balcony and we went down into the "dungeon" to see where they store the clay until they use it. I splurged and came back with four small tiles. The one I really, really liked was a mosaic of a bird with tree branches as a background. It said "Silva vocat", translation, "The forest calls". Unfortunately I wasn't about to splurge $400 worth. Sigh!

This is the second time I've been there, Sue's first. Since we stopped for breakfast and lost some time with very slow service, we got there later than we originally planned. We decided not to tackle the Fonthill Mansion or Mercer Museum; we did not want to get in the middle of after work traffic in the Philly area. Sue has a brand new car. Understandably she didn't want to get tangled in a ton of traffic. We'll have to make another trip if we want to go back to see the mansion and museum. However, our next endeavor will likely be Longwood Gardens which neither of us has seen in many, many years.

maryz · « **Reply #11242 on:** June 04, 2013, 08:18:42 PM »

Longwood Gardens is a wonderful place. And the Andrew Wyeth museum at chadd's Ford is very close.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11243 on:** June 04, 2013, 08:56:26 PM »

Sue and her husband are big Andrew Wyeth fans. Believe it or not, I have never been to Chadd's Ford, Brandywine, or Valley Forge.

Steph · « **Reply #11244 on:** June 05, 2013, 08:41:02 AM »

I was delighted to hear from friends. Yesterday a huge amount of library supporters showed up at the meeting. Since the crowd was not permitted to speak, they worried, but the chairman of the board asked for a show of hands for the library to remain public and 98.5 percent of the people in the room voted yes.. She was delighted and the two men who had suggested hearing from the private group withdrew the petitition.. The theory is they will probably try again, but not right away.
My doctor is amazing.. One of the reasons I am staying in Clermont..She is wonderful. She talks to you.. the tests are mostly in her office with a really good nurse. She is a bit younger than I am, thank heaven.
But my broker is retiring in mid October and that one worries me.

jane · « **Reply #11245 on:** June 05, 2013, 09:47:19 AM »

Steph...sounds as if the Library supporters may want to organize a bit and make sure one or two people attend each of the Commissioners meetings so the group will know if this kind of talk surfaces again, for I'm sure they will try again.

We in this small town were aghast when the City Council had one or two who thought a wonderful way to raise revenue was to charge people for a library card. The Board of our Carnegie Library was NOT amused and we stated we were 100% opposed to any such idea in our Board minutes (copies of which go to the City Council.) [I was on the Board at the time and you might say I went ballistic at the suggestion!

]

Luckily, here the City Council cannot set policy. That's exclusively to the Board.

salan · « **Reply #11246 on:** June 05, 2013, 06:26:04 PM »

Our city council voted to greatly reduce our library's budget. They wanted to close the library on Saturdays and reduce the hours and staff. The head librarian fought to keep the library open 1/2 day on Saturday and the rest of the staff agreed to cut back on their hours. We have been taking donations for purchasing new books and supplies. I can only assume that the majority of city council members are not readers and do not use the library. It really makes me angry. Two of our more experienced librarians have since retired and we are really feeling the pinch.
Sally

MaryPage · « **Reply #11247 on:** June 05, 2013, 08:46:26 PM »

There are some things that should just never be turned over to private enterprise, and libraries are most certainly one of these.

You were speaking of Mary Howland, and I remember (I live in Annapolis, where she taught) one day we arranged, while we were all in SeniorNet, that the two of us would meet down at City Dock in front of the city webcam and have a blue balloon (so no one would mistake someone else for us) and would wave at the camera. We did this, and it was one of several delightful times Mary and I met for lunch. One time, right here in my apartment, she took my all time favorite photo of Bob and me.

This is the Annapolis City Dock Webcam, but you will have to look at it in the daytime to get a sense of where Mary and I were. I liked her a lot.

http://www.annapolis.com/community/historic-annapolis-city-dock-web-cam/

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #11248 on:** June 06, 2013, 04:16:29 AM »

I think there are ways libraries could save money - but in the UK they are not very adaptable and resist change as they always see it as some kind of threat. For example - as I've mentioned before - they will not countenance the idea of using volunteers for anything (threat to staff jobs) and they are only allowed to buy books from certain 'approved' suppliers - so they pay full price all the time, whereas if they bought from Amazon, the Book People, Postscript Books, etc they could buy so much more for so much less. They also don't like book donations - I bought them good copies of several Barbara Pym novels as they alleged that you couldn't buy them new (you can, but presumably not from their supplier) and they immediately relegated them to the storage basement.

All in all, they don't help themselves, much as I love them and vociferously oppose any closures, cuts, etc. I agree Salan, the people who are allowed to make the decisions seem to be mystified why anyone would use a library at all. They just don't get it. I am amazed at how many people I speak to who have lived in this area all their lives and don't even know where the library is - yet we have a fabulous new building, complete with meeting rooms, local archive, new local museum, etc. It is all well used, but by a very keen and book-active part of the community - the other part ignores it. The councils - who are under massive pressure from central government to cut, cut, cut, see libraries as soft options - and whilst I certainly don't agree with that, I suppose if you are left with a choice of paying for social care or libraries, the former is going to win. That's why (IMHO) the library service should be more open to new ideas, such as volunteer help & donations.

Rosemary

salan · « **Reply #11249 on:** June 06, 2013, 04:31:26 AM »

I finished Benediction by Kent Haruf, and am a little confused by why it called a trilogy. The setting is the same as his first 2, Plainsong and Eventide; but doesn't bring in characters from them. Haruf is a good writer and this book was well written; but I found it a bit of a "downer" and did not enjoy it as much as I expected. Have any of you read it, and what did you think?
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #11250 on:** June 06, 2013, 08:43:48 AM »

I have not read Benediction, but am disappointed if none of the characters from the first two are not there. I will still read it, but not just yet.
Libraries. Not quite sure but our local politicians do not seem to understand the point of libraries. Ours does so many things besides books.. Low income with no computer access use it. We have conversational classes in English for non english speakers. We teach all sorts of computer classes. We had a chess club.. some other sort of club for teens that they love.. Opera at the library once a month.. It is a community treasure, but I would guess that our county commisioners do none of the normal human things in life. Sad..

LarryHanna · « **Reply #11251 on:** June 06, 2013, 08:58:54 AM »

We have a large library system in our county and in the last three years they have experienced significant cuts in funding. Now our libraries are open less hours, staff has had hours cut and the budget for acquisitions has been greatly reduced. However, there has been no talk of making them private. They did suggest selling some bookmarks to the public but think that idea was scrapped as not being viable.

JoanP · « **Reply #11252 on:** June 06, 2013, 10:05:20 AM »

I've got Benediction on top of the TBR pile...as soon as I finish Karen J. Fowler's latest...very weird - how will she end this? Sorry to hear that none of the characters from the first two books of Haruf's "trilogy" appeared in the last one, Benediction. Hoping you missed someone, Sally!

Was it a downer because you did not meet any of the characters from the first two?

nlhome · « **Reply #11253 on:** June 06, 2013, 01:56:15 PM »

We have been fortunate that our community supports the library. We have a very active children's program, including a Lego club. Somehow the librarian manages to work books into that club, and it's very popular. Adult programming has been very important also. We do have to stay vigilant, though.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #11254 on:** June 06, 2013, 04:50:44 PM »

I must ask a question, and it might be a silly one: In the Archives of Discussions, did you read "The Girl With the Pearl Earring"? And if so, where is the discussion archived? I even went to the older archive. Please send a link if it was discussed, or had Readrs Guides?

Steph · « **Reply #11255 on:** June 07, 2013, 08:43:47 AM »

To some extent libraries are funded in many different ways.This probably makes a difference in the way they are perceived by politicians. In Florida, they are funded by the county and then some of the towns fund them andreceive partial funding from the county.
I liked the system in Massachusetts.. The town was the primary..We had a library board elected from the community and the community felt very protective of the library. With locals as the method of control, it helps a lot.

JeanneP · « **Reply #11256 on:** June 07, 2013, 09:50:11 PM »

We are having the same problem with the large Library in my twin Cities. Our 175 year old one seems to be fine but now the one that was built 3 years ago at I believe the cost of over 15 million dollars (Has been voted one of the Best Libraries in the USA and it is beautiful. But not in good financial at this time.
They now want to close on Sundays. Cut the hours from 9am to 7pm M-F and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. Also want to charge for a library card . They already have started that for people who live out of the city limit. Its not going over well. But its true they don't pay Real Estate Tax to the city but to the county. Lots of the money from taxes does go to both the libraries along with to the schools.
All still being voted on.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11257 on:** June 08, 2013, 08:27:40 AM »

Some interesting bookstore stats from Publisher's Weekly:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/57631-where-the-stores-are.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=6983c26c54-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-6983c26c54-304806741

While PA is down there on the list, I am happy to see that it still has more independent bookstores. In fact, it looks like it is near the top in independents.

How does your state rate?

Steph · « **Reply #11258 on:** June 08, 2013, 08:53:46 AM »

I am in an area in North Carolina with several used book stores, along with two or three library used book stores, so I feellucky,
But back home in Florida, rents are so high, there are very very few used book stores left in central Florida

maryz · « **Reply #11259 on:** June 08, 2013, 10:23:33 AM »

Good grief! Tennessee is #5. Who'd've thought we'd have that many readers.

joyous · « **Reply #11260 on:** June 08, 2013, 11:23:35 AM »

According to what I see (and read) in here, most cities are having an economic problem, closing libraries,
etc. Well, here in Baton Rouge, LA we in the process of building and opening new libraries-3 to
be exact, and the 4th (which, BTW, is practically "in my front yard" just opened about a month ago (just when I am moving :')
The MAIN library is HUGE, state of the art, and will open in a very short time.
JOY

jane · « **Reply #11261 on:** June 08, 2013, 03:28:31 PM »

Tomereader...Girl with a Pearl Earring sounded so very familiar to me, but I'm unable to find it in the Archives. It may have been discussed, but couldn't be retrieved before SeniorNet shut the doors on us. Someone else with a better memory may recall.

jane

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11262 on:** June 08, 2013, 04:52:53 PM »

Yes I also remember we read the book but cannot remember the discussion leader however, I can see the heading in my minds eye and I am wondering are we mixing it up with The Girl In Hyacinth Blue that was written by Susan Vreeland where as The Girls with the Pearl Erring was written by Tracy Chevalier.

jane · « **Reply #11263 on:** June 08, 2013, 05:13:35 PM »

We did Girl in Hyacinth Blue in 2003. We have that archived discussion:

http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/fiction/GirlHyacinthBlue.htm

I find references where people talked about Girl with a Pearl Earring and I remember the talk about it, but I can't find a discussion of it.

Steph · « **Reply #11264 on:** June 09, 2013, 07:45:29 AM »

I read and liked the Girl with a Pearl Earring, but I know that we simply talked about it, not sure we read it. I think we had it on the list once.

ANNIE · « **Reply #11265 on:** June 09, 2013, 04:18:35 PM »

I listened to nice interview with Tracey Chavalier on PBS yesterday and she talked about visiting the painting wherever it hangs. She said she always asks the girl what she is really thinking about.

JoanK · « **Reply #11266 on:** June 09, 2013, 04:19:21 PM »

That's my memory, too. A number of us read it and commented, but I don't think there was a discussion.

Thanks for the memories of Deems (Mary Howland). I also met her several times (she lived a few blocks from PatH) and liked her a lot. And her discussions were wonderful. We all miss her a lot.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #11267 on:** June 10, 2013, 07:11:21 AM »

Hey Folks: Did you see the newest movie of The GREAT GATSBY, read the book- again? Do you know of F. Scott Fitzgerald's tragic life, his wife, Zelda, an author also, ending her life in a mental institution.

Our short story this week is one of Fitzgerald's, somewhat autobiographical.

Come read and discuss it with us here:

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3830.msg193405#msg193405

Steph · « **Reply #11268 on:** June 10, 2013, 08:14:01 AM »

There are so many versions of F. Scott's life and love.. Also Zelda actually has at least one book that got published ( not very good). But they were interesting people, very self involved. Their daughter ??lived in Hollywood as a columnist ( I think).

MaryPage · « **Reply #11269 on:** June 10, 2013, 05:20:51 PM »

Scottie Fitzgerald. I feel as though I have been hearing about and studying the Fitzgeralds all of my life, sigh; but actually only for about 71 years. Anyway, that is quite enough. I did feel rather sorry for Scottie.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11270 on:** June 10, 2013, 05:27:04 PM »

MaryPage what short story authors do you like? Are you into the newer ones or do you have some favorites. Christmas is when I love reading a slew of the same short stories year after year.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11271 on:** June 11, 2013, 07:25:44 AM »

For all you Dickinson fans, I just discovered on Project Gutenberg, a volume called Dickensian Inns & Taverns by B. W. Matz. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42908 Matz also wrote a volume just on the taverns in Pickwick Papers. http://manybooks.net/titles/matzbwetext04nspwk10.html

Steph · « **Reply #11272 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:16:18 AM »

I am doing battle with my medicare prescription company, actually their mail order side.They sent my prescriptions to my old address, even though I had changed it on their web site.. So I did not get them. But the refuse to deal with me and told me basically to file a grievance on the AARP site. When I tried that yesterday, their computers were updating(

?) and could not file anything.. grrrr. I will try again today, but if I keep getting the run around, I will start making serious angry noises with Medicare itsself. Also AARP, which shares responsibility. I know the post office returned their package, so the AARP prescription site must know this as well.They also charge me for this, and I did not get it.. They dont seem to care at all.

ginny · « **Reply #11273 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:53:34 AM »

Hola from overseas. I have been very interested in your comments here on F. Scott Fitzgerald. Because I found the perfect airplane book, beach book if you will , and you won't believe what it is!

Due to all the hoopla of the Cannes film Festival, and the new DiCaprio movie, the Great Gatsby is everywhere here. Harrods in London has done a series of windows some of which are animated featuring the roaring 20s. The great Gatsby book with Leonardo DiCaprio on the cover is everywhere.

I have tried many times to read that book. I've never been able to get through it. I read a review in the British press on how you have to be it's either 40 or 50 to really understand the book. I thought well I'm way over that, and having just passed a significant birthday. I thought let's see if I'm mature enough to understand it.

I couldn't believe the book. I didn't read the commentary or introduction. I just read the book. I've never read anything like in my life. It just blew me away. What strange characters. What a strange plot. I've never read anything like it.

And the writing! I would like to quote from it but I shipped it home in my junk I send home but when I get it back the writing on the snow at the end and the ice was just absolutely spectacular.

When I get home when I get the book I'll put in a couple of quotes. The writing is unreal. . It wasn't well-received apparently. And there's another one he wrote: the end of paradise or something like that which I can't find here so that's going to be my first purchase when I get home. I want to read more Fitzgerald and see what he was known for.

As for his personal life I'm not sure that you can judge an author or artist, or hold him hostage, about his personal life, except perhaps Anne Perry, so many of them are really very peculiar and quite sad people. Look at poor Van Gogh, but the BOOK!!! The art of writing. The unforgettable characters!

I can't imagine why I've never been able to read this book. But I'm glad i did and i certainly will never forget it.

JoanP · « **Reply #11274 on:** June 11, 2013, 09:38:18 AM »

HOLA, Ginny! It won't be long now that you will be home..and hopefully will post your thoughts on Fitzgerald's Gasby in our current discussion of his short story, Babylon Revisited. It seems that everything he's writing in his fiction is autobiographical. It's an amazing conversation going on there today and will be ongoing throughout the coming month.

Even if you don't find the time to read his short story (but you're missing something if you don't- The movie, "The Last Time I Saw Paris" was based on this short story), you'll enjoy this spirited conversation.

I hope others here will come into the conversation - whether or not short stories are your thing, or Scott Fitzgerald for that matter, his influence on great writers of his time and the endurance of his work - undeniable. Do come over and pull up a chair - http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=157.0

JeanneP · « **Reply #11275 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:27:32 PM »

Steph
If you paid for that undelivered prescription by credit card ,just call them and refuse to have them bill you. Seem to be the easiest way for me. Works for me . They cr.you and do all the contacting for you. I don't have patience any more to do it. AARP. Useless.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #11276 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:31:22 PM »

One of my regular stupid questions: Is the short story, Babylon, actually on line here in the discussion? Or is it something we have to locate and check out personally? I'm loving the discussion, but since I don't have the story...?

jane · « **Reply #11277 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:38:53 PM »

Tomereader...the link to the story online is in the heading for the discussion.

Here it is: http://gutenberg.net.au/fsf/BABYLON-REVISITED.html

salan · « **Reply #11278 on:** June 12, 2013, 03:20:08 AM »

Dealing with the red tape with Medicare, etc. can be very frustrating, Steph. It's hard to get hold of a regular person & when you finally do; no one seems to care. I have been dealing with that to some extent. I wrote earlier about my jaw infection which resulted in a titanium jaw implant and then to an infectious disease specialist because the infection wouldn't clear up. As a result I have been on intravenious (sp) antibiotics for almost 6 weeks. I will be finished on Mon and have the picc line removed, yea! I just pray that the problem is solved. Medicare would pay for the whole treatment only if I was checked into the hospital for SIX weeks. They won't pay for medicine sent to my home. Isn't that stupid??? They will pay for six weeks in the hospital & the medicine administered there; but will not pay for the exact same medicine if it is administered at home. So, I am having to pay for it myself. I really did not want to be in the hospital for 6 weeks. Doesn't make any sense, does it?
Sally

PatH · « **Reply #11279 on:** June 12, 2013, 04:16:53 AM »

No, it certainly doesn't make sense. Six weeks in a hospital could lead to all sorts of costly problems, including other infections, weakness from not being to stay active, etc. You're wise to handle it the way you did. I hope they have succeeded in clearing it up.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2297604 times)