Book 2.0

I went to the Book 2.0 session at the MLA conference. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I knew we'd be hearing from, Sean Stewart, one of the authors of "Cathy's Book." I thought about purchasing the book before the session to familiarize myself with it a bit. I looked at it and someone told me it was a great read for teenage girls. I decided not to buy it.

Sean told us all about the experience of an interactive book and how the readers experience can go beyond the book if they so choose. He mentioned how the character has a myspace page and that if you call the number on the book you actually reach the character's voicemail and leave her a message and retrieve her messages if you've read the book and figured out the code by reading into the clues given. It's like "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure" with and entire online community to help you. Suddenly I was upset that I hadn't bought the book.

Cathy's book has been out for about 6 months now. When they were trying to market the book they gave every teen two books. One book was for their own reading pleasure and the other book was to be left somewhere where another teen would pick it up and, hopefully, read it. It's supposed to be someones lost diary so this was an ingenious idea!

The author is already 50 pages into a sequel and is planning to stop writing after the third book is done. It will be very interesting to see if and how the websites and phone messages will coincide with the next two books. Think about it. A book is forever. My daughter will someday read this book. Will the phone numbers still exist? Will the online community be the same? The story will remain the same, but will all the fun choose-your-own-adventure-like be able to stay in place? I find it fascinating. That's why I bought the book. It took a few days to read it, and all I can say is COOL! It took me back to the mystery novels I used to read as an adolescent and, yet, it is different. There is a whole online phenomena taking place around this book.

I hope you didn't start reading this blog expecting to hear more about the book. I have a lot of trouble writing about books or movies without giving it away, so you'll have to read the book for yourself. Let me know if you do!

Getting my children involved

Yes, I'm going to be the proud mommy for a minute and talk about my daughter.

Caitlyn didn't have school Monday and, although I didn't want her to, she came to work with me Monday. She's a very well behaved child for the most part, so it wasn't a big deal. She helped me a bit and played with her brother's PSP and colored and suddenly it was lunchtime! I thought maybe she would eat a grilled cheese sandwhich from Crossroads so I hadn't packed a lunch. We got our food and sat down to eat. She took a few bites of her chips, which was all she had for lunch because the grilled cheese "looked funny," and she said, "Mommy, are we going back to the library alone?"

I wasn't really sure what she meant so I said, "When we're all done with our food we'll go back to my office. We can't bring this food in there."

"I know. But why are you in the library alone?"

"I'm not. There are a lot of people in the library right now. It's testing time."

"Then why do you say 'I'm in the library alone' when you answer your phone?"

After I composed myself I let her know that I actually say "Interlibrary Loan" and we both laughed for a long time.

I love kids. I was a kid myself once. -Tom Cruise

Who would have thunk?

I have a very professional label for my non-librarian self! Paralibrarian. I love it! It has such a nice ring to it...maybe I won't get my MLS after all.

Last week I attended the MLA conference. I had never been before, and my lovely name badge said so right on it! FIRST TIME ATTENDEE. Well, it did get a lot of people to ask if I needed help a lot. I won't miss the label next time, though.

My experience started with a breakfast especially for the MLA Paralibrarian Section. I even got to vote for the officers as a new MLA member. I didn't have the guts to second any motions, but I'm thinking I might get courageous next time!

After breakfast they presented the awards for OUTSTANDING PARALIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR. There were 18 nominees from all over the state. Laurie Christie from Morse Institute Library in Natick was the winner. Laurie's Director wrote an outstanding letter about her which ended with the great statement, "Laurie makes everything perfect." She got up and thanked her "guinea pigs" and told us that they do whatever she asks. What a great honor for her. Congrats Laurie!

Then they gave out the award for PARALIBRARIAN ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR. There were 4 nominees. Marjorie "Marny" Oaks from the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton was the winner. It was said the she won because she "does" for her library and it's staff members and she created an environment of excellence. She got up and thanked her staff members who were there and said, "nobody can advocate for people who don't want to be advocated for." I had the pleasure of having lunch with Marny, and what a wonderfully humble woman she is.

Lynne Riley, from WPI, is on the Executive Board for the paralibrarian section. I spoke with her briefly about the P.A.R.A. (PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement) program. She convinced me to start right then and there. It's a nice achievement to add to a resume or to get so you can simply say you did. We all need that sometimes. I'm not going to go through the whole process in this blog (I think it's getting a bit long already) but there is a website you can go to and print out the program guidelines. I truly encourage you to do it if you are a paralibrarian and you are looking to take your career in libraries a bit further. I've already started, so I'm on my way!

...and, as I always try to do, I leave you with a quote...
Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.- The Book of Common Prayer