Christmas Luncheon

At Red Bridge, there are two volunteers that come in every Tuesday to help shelve our children's books.  I have only been at the branch for less than a month and had previously only seen them in passing.  Today, I was invited to a Christmas Luncheon at Center High School.  I had no idea what to expect, besides free food.  What I gained was so much more than free food.

Our two volunteers are part of a School-to-Work transition program.  From the ages of 18 to 21, they learn life skills so that they may go out into the world and provide for themselves.  These young adults typically have mental or physical conditions that make it harder for them to process things and be self-sufficient.  However, that doesn't mean that they can't attain that.  Far from it, these two volunteers invited us to this luncheon.  They prepared the menu, shopped for all of the ingredients, fixed the food, and served it to us.  Then, they provided us with good company as we ate.  I never had a chance to talk to these two before today, and seeing the kinds of things that they can do now, in part because of the library, really touched me.  Not only do they volunteer at Red Bridge, but they also volunteer at a not-for-profit dance studio where they organize materials and even measure fabric for adjustments and mending.  They also love playing with the dog there.

I went to the library many times as a kid, and I always loved reading the Goosebumps books there.  When I got to high school, that all changed and I hardly ever went to the library.  It wasn't until I started working in Blue Springs that I realized how infinitely important libraries are.  Libraries are not just about books.  The services that they provide are invaluable.  These aren't even the most telling stories of the importance of libraries.  The most telling stories are the ones like Josh and Sarah.  These guys have lived through adversity and are poised to make it through the world knowing that they can do what they set their minds to.  They are applying for jobs, and are also applying for the THRIVE program at UCM, designed to help them the extra steps of the way and offering them a certificate of life skills that will help them in the workforce.

I fell in love with libraries 3 years ago, and days like today make me proud that I can be a part of something like this, and a part of people's lives.  As we were getting ready to leave, Sarah gave me a hug.  I had only met her today, but she came to me with arms outstretched, just as the library did with her.  Hug a librarian this week, just to thank them for the things that they do, even if it's not overt.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Today, the computer pods were put into place.  Thankfully, they were only SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR for two days.  Besides the fact that the final blueprint changed thrice since we had last talked about them, they look really great!  I think that the patrons will really like them.  The print station is even between them so it is more accessible.

After lunch, I decided that I should put up the Christmas Tree that we got from my former branch, Blue Springs South.  I have to say that everyone was pretty excited to have a tree.  Granted, there weren't a lot of lights on it, but I think just having the tree up helped the atmosphere of the library.  For an added touch, we wrapped some boxes (and maybe a ream of paper) as gifts to place under the tree.  It was a lot of fun, and again I was told that it was nice to have me there.

When I first took the job, I was very excited.  Then, when I started the job, I was distraught.  I didn't think that I was cut out for managing, or even for the Red Bridge Branch.  I'm starting to get the feeling that maybe I was meant to be here.  You can call it whatever you want, but I like to think that the branch librarian knew exactly what he was doing by hiring a person with an opposite personality.

I am glad that someone likes my ideas though.

Rooms & Pods

Even though today was a very long day, it was a good day.  Besides the theatre, I was able to actually voice my opinion about branch issues.  That wasn't all; I felt like someone listened to me.  Red Bridge is getting new computer tables.  Instead of rectangular tables for 12 computers, we will have two pods that are hexagonal.  They are apparently modern and cool, but I guess I'll find out on Monday when they are dropped off.  These pods will be great for patrons because the computers will be positioned in such a way that they will have more room and more privacy.  I think it's a good thing; it'll just take people a minute to adjust.  The regional manager came out to talk to us about the computer pods and the future page room.

When I set out on my adventure to Red Bridge, I wanted two things:  a sorting room for the pages, and some kind of video game system for the library.  Because of the small teen population for Red Bridge library, the latter probably won't happen.  However, the first will definitely happen because it is penciled into the budget.  I am so excited; I wish that the pages were too.  The pages are afraid that a page room in the current location would be too small to sort things.  Well, they're right.  So, I talked about measurements and fire code, but the hardest part was convincing the regional manager that the page room needed to be bigger in order to accommodate all of the items that need sorting.  I brought forth my case, laid down the evidence, and in the end, I think I may have made some headway.  Work areas should be separate from browsing areas.  Though it may be nice for patrons to pick through recently returned items, there needs to be a separation so that sorting can be done efficiently in order to return items to the shelves.  Also, have a page area out in the open doesn't really look that great.  I'm big on functionality, but I think I'm bigger on aesthetics.  An enclosed work space would solve these issues.  To that end, he said, "I'm usually not this agreeable but..."  Then he trailed off.  Fingers crossed for a new page room?

Theatre 2011

What a long day.  After being at work since 8, I drove straight to the theatre for the 6th performance of Scrooge! The Musical at Blue Springs City Theatre.

image courtesy Blue Springs City Theatre

Even though I have somehow ended up in a Christmas show niche, this year's weight load was lessened by the fact that I am only a small part in the show.  I say small with reservations because one of my fellow actors told me that a part is as big as you make it.  Playing Topper, I feel like I've had a lot of room to enlarge my part.  I am biased, but I think that the scene that I am in is the most natural.  It's a party, so how can it not be?

Whilst sitting at a table in 54th Street last week, I had the pleasure of entering into a conversation about theatre, and most importantly, community theatre.  Many community theatres cast whole families in shows, and often they return for multiple shows.  For Scrooge, I got to meet some new theatre families and reacquaint myself with ones of my past.  Everyone has a different story about the theatre, just as everyone has their own reasons for doing theatre.  It is community theatre, yes, but through community theatre, I have seen friendships born, lovers meet, shy children become more outgoing, and introverts have fun by expressing themselves in their own ways.  Everyone has their reasons, and I think mine is the family that I have found in theatre.  I always seem to meet some great people, and I'm always sad when a show is over.

However, it will be nice to have a break, and maybe even a social life again for a little while.  So, until Willy Wonka, adios!