NASA AMES CERTIFIED...


Last Friday, I had the pleasure of being trained to become a Certified NASA AMES Instructor! It was an exciting experience, especially for those Librarians in the room who have long had a fascination with space. (My colleague informed me that she once dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I responded, "There's still time.")

As part of our official training, we were given experiments and hands-on activities to solidify the information (those NASA folks have a pretty good inclination of how learning happens--through fun, of course). In addition to the expansive knowledge throughout the day, we also learned about attrition with brightly colored Play-Doh and active Librarian role-play (I can still hear my colleague playfully yelling out her role of "ASTEROID").

Some participants also had the joy of inserting red hots into Rice Krispie treats and rolling them into tiny "moons" with chocolate powder for the "crust" (Did you know our moon has a core, similar to Earth's? Did you also know there's water on the moon?) Many trainees then took advantage of the unique opportunity to then "eat the moon" -- by readily consuming the sugary treats. Being an aspiring vegan, I opted to photograph the situation instead. I'm not sure who had the most fun!

Overall, a good time was had by all, we learned a lot, and we are all extremely grateful to NASA AMES and, especially, to our impressive instructor Karen for all the useful information. We have one final portion of training next month, and then we will all be certified--and able to borrow genuine moon rocks to show our library friends! Watch for my upcoming library program, "Is There Life on Other Planets?" There may or may not be aliens involved.

Meanwhile, check out this article about the planned "Lunar Library."
What would you send to the moon, for future intellectuals to locate and learn about humans?

HRC at ALAAC2017

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

KEYNOTE SPEAKERALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017

"We know that scientists can literally see the synapses and neurons firing when parents read, talk, and sing with their children."

"Statistics show that only about one in three low-income children are read to on a daily basis in their first two years of life."

"By 4 years of age, children in lower-income families have heard 30 million fewer words than their more affluent counterparts."

"Years of data suggest that reading fiction builds empathy. It helps us put ourselves in others' shoes. One study even found that young people who read the Harry Potter books, which first came out 20 years ago this week, were more compassionate toward immigrants, refugees, and members of the LGBT community."

"(Libraries) are places for communities to come together."

"Libraries are one of the few places in America shared by people of every income, race, background, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, everybody is there."

"At a time when 70% of teachers assign homework that requires the internet, and you have 5 million kids who don't have access to the internet at home, the library becomes an irreplaceable resource for those children."

"When an elementary school in Wisconsin recently canceled an event in support of a transgender student because they received threats from a hate group, it was the local public library that stepped up to host a reading of 'I Am Jazz' for 600 people."

"The third reason why we need libraries is because we need critical thinkers more than ever."

"Long before fake news and alternative facts were familiar terms, Librarians were teaching media literacy."

"As Librarians, you are guardians of the First Amendment and the freedom to read and to speak."

"We should all be reading books that challenge us."

"The work you do is at the heart of an open, inclusive, diverse society."

"I believe that libraries and democracy go hand in hand."

"As Librarians... you have to be on the front lines of one of the most important fights we have ever faced in the history of our country, the fight to defend truth and reason, evidence and facts."

"One book at a time, one library at a time, one person at a time."

TO WATCH HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON'S ENTIRE KEYNOTE ADDRESS, CLICK HERE

LINKS:

She Persisted Book by Chelsea Clinton
Marley Dias's 1,000 Black Girl Books
We Need Diverse Books
I Am Jazz Book by Jazz Jennings

Pablo Reads

When I brought this book home from the library, I had no idea Pablo would enjoy it so much. It should come as no surprise, since this book has pages and pages of adorable, meditative canines. Photographer, Alex Cearns, snapped each shot at the perfect moment of Zen. She also included uplifting quotes to help set the tone. Zen Dogs makes a great coffee table book, and it's a terrific gift for any dog lover--or any dog, for that matter.

FYI.

Legal disclaimer: Any and all views expressed on this blog are exclusively mine. My words are in no way reflective of any other person, individual, corporation, business, library, bookstore, nonprofit, entity, animal, vegetable, mineral, or otherwise. They only represent my own unique perspectives and interests.

Thank you.

David Horton performs undiscovered masterworks: Leopold Godowsky's Sonata in E-minor to benefit the Salt Lake City / Wasatch chapter of nonprofit organization, Room to Read. Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

Purchase your $20.00 ticket at the door.
Proceeds to benefit nonprofit Room to Read Salt Lake City / Wasatch Chapter.

Date & Time:
Aug 23, 2015: 7 pm - 9 pm (Sun)

For more information on this or future SLC Room to Read events, please visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoomtoRead.SLC.

NetGalley Challenge 2015

I just joined the NetGalley Challenge! "Join media, librarians, booksellers, educators, reviewers and bloggers who use NetGalley to discover, read and share reviews about new books before they are published. It's easy to get started: just sign in or join for free." https://www.netgalley.com/

 

 

Calvin's Library Book

Thanks to SirsiDynix for sharing this on their Facebook page. <3 Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

Love Your Library Contest Winners!

Check out these inspiring stories from the SirsiDynix Love Your Library Contestants:

http://librarylove.sirsidynix.com/contest-winners

Do you love your library?

Library Photographs

There are others out there, like me, who admire the beauty of libraries. Those of you who do may also appreciate this wonderfully informative article by Mantra Roy: http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/photographs-tell-the-tale-of-libraries.html

All about BOOKS about LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPHY!

Temecula Public Library

Temecula Public Library: 30600 Pauba Rd., Temecula, CA 92592

Urban Transit Transformed

Hey, how about a jaunt over to the library in a POD that DRIVES ITSELF?

Check. It. Out. >> http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/07/living/cnn10-better-by-design/index.html?frame=3&hpt=te_t1



Image From CNN, Courtesy Transport Systems Catapult

 

Lackadaisical

Credit: Grammarly

I actually think lackadaisical can be directly translated to "lacking daisies," and it is that (metaphorical) lack which causes one to become lackadaisical. Sort of like "lacking pep." This does not, however, explain how one can continue to be lackadaisical when surrounded by a lovely, lackadaisical field of daisies. Happy Day of Reading, Dear Friends! :)

Library Chairs

Check-Out THESE "Beautiful Library Chairs for Literary Abodes" by Alison Nastasi of Flavorwire: 
http://flavorwire.com/421091/beautiful-library-chairs-for-literary-abodes

THE HUNTINGTON

And now, visually experience The Huntington, from the gardens, to the art, to the most exquisite library. We attended on a weekday, so it cost us a bit less at $20 per adult and $12 for the kiddos. At first, I was concerned about paying this much to visit "just" a garden and library. Wow, was I ever wrong! This is not simply a garden and a library. This is heaven on earth! Be sure to wear good walking shoes, comfortable clothing, sunscreen, and a hat. Drink plenty of water, and plan on spending as much time as possible.There is much to see! These 50+ photos give you a brief glimpse into the world that is The Huntington...

Because sometimes pictures tell the story much better than words. And being there in person is so much better!

LJ and "Tree Stars"

Indeed, I did.

Jasmine smells sooo...

Hummingbirds love the smell of Jasmine, too.

But, what happened to the picture of me in front of ALL the copies of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin in the EVOLUTION room of the library? Sigh, I suppose I must return for another photo-opp. Any excuse will do. ;)