It has been quite a bit since we last posted on our blog. The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy here. Between teaching computer classes, planning new and exciting programs for our patrons or just simply dishing out answers on the Reference Desk, there has been an explosion of incoming patrons. We believe this shows an urgent need in the Sumter community for a library.
The Library means so much to our community because we do more than just check out books. We help people fax, make copies, scan documents, find older articles on microfilm, find research for an assignment, use Ancestry.com to form their family tree, assist in building resumes, teach computer classes...you get the idea.
If you are a patron of the Sumter County Library, please visit our website and fill out an online form telling us why the Sumter County Library is the best value in town.
Here is the link:
Comment Form
Also check out what other people have been saying at:
Patron Comments
Have a great weekend!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Keeping Track Of Your Books
Sitting here at the Reference desk, I notice there are a lot of younger children up here rather than downstairs in the children's department. Odd, I thought, but the children are reading and being relatively quiet, so all is good and well here. As I notice them reading I realize how many books I read when I was a child, and how many of those books ive forgotten.
Have YOU ever thought about all the books you previously read? Did you want to make a list? There are now several great sites out there for anyone interesting in cataloging all the books they have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Here is a list:
1. Shelfari
http://www.shelfari.com/
2. GoodReads
http://www.goodreads.com
3. Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com
4. BiblioPhil
http://www.bibliophil.org
I, myself, prefer Shelfari, for no particular reason. Enjoy, and good reading to you!
-Winniford A. Simmons
Have YOU ever thought about all the books you previously read? Did you want to make a list? There are now several great sites out there for anyone interesting in cataloging all the books they have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Here is a list:
1. Shelfari
http://www.shelfari.com/
2. GoodReads
http://www.goodreads.com
3. Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com
4. BiblioPhil
http://www.bibliophil.org
I, myself, prefer Shelfari, for no particular reason. Enjoy, and good reading to you!
-Winniford A. Simmons
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A Saturday Snapshot
Our Reference and Information Services Coordinator was recently featured in The Item, the newspaper for Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties. Check it out here:
Winniford A. Simmons, Saturday Snapshot
Winniford A. Simmons, Saturday Snapshot
Friday, January 15, 2010
What This Librarian Learned From Haiti
As the weekend ushers in hopefully everyone will have a little time to reflect on the important things in our lives; our family, friends, health and the ability to think and feel so many different, yet incredible feelings and ideas. As I woke up this morning I turned on the television to find images of bodies being thrown into pits, people crying and mourning their lost loved ones and news reporters in pure shock at the tragedy continuing to unfold in Haiti. I could not help but shed a tear or two as I packed my things up to head to a job I loved doing, however in the long run, trivial it may be.
Then I realized what I do isn't trivial in the long run. Being a librarian, which is the art of helping others become better people through cultural enrichment and education, is something to be grateful for. I should be lucky enough to even have a job, to work with other great librarians and the ability to travel to meet with other librarians and people who care about information, knowledge, books and education. The sadness and despair Haiti is going through right now is horrible and I know I could never, ever imagine being in such a situation.
I mean, im on Twitter and writing a blog as part of my job! Its amazing!
But it makes me know how important it is that librarians and educators continue their work. We must give people hope that they can achieve whatever they set their minds towards. I don't care if that sounds cliche, but its more than true. It is life itself. Life is about improving oneself in order to become a better person that is better to everyone in their environment. Librarians can do this through awesome customer service, expert knowledge and a little hard work.
I know im just lucky enough to be slingin' books for a living.
Have a good weekend,
Winniford A. Simmons III
Reference and Information Services Coordinator
Then I realized what I do isn't trivial in the long run. Being a librarian, which is the art of helping others become better people through cultural enrichment and education, is something to be grateful for. I should be lucky enough to even have a job, to work with other great librarians and the ability to travel to meet with other librarians and people who care about information, knowledge, books and education. The sadness and despair Haiti is going through right now is horrible and I know I could never, ever imagine being in such a situation.
I mean, im on Twitter and writing a blog as part of my job! Its amazing!
But it makes me know how important it is that librarians and educators continue their work. We must give people hope that they can achieve whatever they set their minds towards. I don't care if that sounds cliche, but its more than true. It is life itself. Life is about improving oneself in order to become a better person that is better to everyone in their environment. Librarians can do this through awesome customer service, expert knowledge and a little hard work.
I know im just lucky enough to be slingin' books for a living.
Have a good weekend,
Winniford A. Simmons III
Reference and Information Services Coordinator
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Ravens (Not the Baltimore football team)
Today we are going to mix things up a bit. Here is a book review from The Item, written by Reference and Information Services Coordinator Winniford A. Simmons.
Ravens by George Dawes Green
Some people believe winning a massive amount of cash is a life-changing experience. In "Ravens," written by George Dawes Green, winning the lottery is a life-changing experience, but not necessarily for the better.
The Boatwright family in Brunswick, Ga., wins $318 million in the Georgia Lottery and believes their financial troubles are over. It just so happens that two dead beat and bored young men traveling to Florida hear about the lottery winnings. They take the family hostage hoping to get away with some of the money. Of course, all hell breaks loose, driving everyone – captor and hostages -- insane.
At times captivating, other times maddening, "Ravens" is a book one would expect to be jam-packed with action. This is not the case. I found the book to be focused much more on the characters; Shaw, the main villain, is a reprehensible human being, willing to take advantage of his hostages using kind words and false promises. His soothing, yet always threatening manner is a light for the captive Boatwrights.
The Boatwrights are portrayed as an insecure bunch; the mother, Patsy, a chronic drinker, is obsessed with the lottery; the father, Mitch, lacks self-confidence because he can't pay the bills; and Tina is good-natured at heart but easily swayed by the ways of the world and men. They eventually lean upon Shaw, finding some release in his sociopathic behavior.
"Ravens" is full of twists and turns, with the biggest shock happening at the end. It's an excellent twist and ending to a good read. Green, who lives partly in Georgia, truly captures the Southern lifestyle as we know it, one rapidly assimilating into a broader American culture. Find these books and others at the Sumter County Library.
-Link to The Item
Ravens by George Dawes Green
Some people believe winning a massive amount of cash is a life-changing experience. In "Ravens," written by George Dawes Green, winning the lottery is a life-changing experience, but not necessarily for the better.
The Boatwright family in Brunswick, Ga., wins $318 million in the Georgia Lottery and believes their financial troubles are over. It just so happens that two dead beat and bored young men traveling to Florida hear about the lottery winnings. They take the family hostage hoping to get away with some of the money. Of course, all hell breaks loose, driving everyone – captor and hostages -- insane.
At times captivating, other times maddening, "Ravens" is a book one would expect to be jam-packed with action. This is not the case. I found the book to be focused much more on the characters; Shaw, the main villain, is a reprehensible human being, willing to take advantage of his hostages using kind words and false promises. His soothing, yet always threatening manner is a light for the captive Boatwrights.
The Boatwrights are portrayed as an insecure bunch; the mother, Patsy, a chronic drinker, is obsessed with the lottery; the father, Mitch, lacks self-confidence because he can't pay the bills; and Tina is good-natured at heart but easily swayed by the ways of the world and men. They eventually lean upon Shaw, finding some release in his sociopathic behavior.
"Ravens" is full of twists and turns, with the biggest shock happening at the end. It's an excellent twist and ending to a good read. Green, who lives partly in Georgia, truly captures the Southern lifestyle as we know it, one rapidly assimilating into a broader American culture. Find these books and others at the Sumter County Library.
-Link to The Item
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
So, who was her Second Cousin?
What a busy day here at the library. From teaching computer classes, monitoring computers, riding on the Bookmobile and recommending readers, our Staff is constantly working towards providing the community with their personal, educational and recreational needs. We have had a good turnout for our computer classes so far, and everyone who takes the class learns something new.
As a librarian, I must say the chance to fill a patron's information need is probably the most rewarding aspect of the position. The feeling is especially strong when a patron brings in a very hard question which make take a good deal of time researching. At times these questions are few and far between, but when they do come, the time spent researching is rewarding because the answer is usually exciting.
So, random Q and A for you guys:
So what is possibly the toughest thing for a reference librarian to find?
I'll take Genealogy for $1000, Alex.
Genealogy questions take a good bit of time to research and often times we do not have the historical records to answer. Even though the internet has a ton of resources to assist with this research, we often times do not have first or last names, birthdates, or much of anything at all offered up by the patron. That does not mean we won't attempt to find answers. It just makes it all the more interesting!
If you have a question for us, please shoot us an email at sumref1@gmail.com!
-Winniford A. Simmons III
As a librarian, I must say the chance to fill a patron's information need is probably the most rewarding aspect of the position. The feeling is especially strong when a patron brings in a very hard question which make take a good deal of time researching. At times these questions are few and far between, but when they do come, the time spent researching is rewarding because the answer is usually exciting.
So, random Q and A for you guys:
So what is possibly the toughest thing for a reference librarian to find?
I'll take Genealogy for $1000, Alex.
Genealogy questions take a good bit of time to research and often times we do not have the historical records to answer. Even though the internet has a ton of resources to assist with this research, we often times do not have first or last names, birthdates, or much of anything at all offered up by the patron. That does not mean we won't attempt to find answers. It just makes it all the more interesting!
If you have a question for us, please shoot us an email at sumref1@gmail.com!
-Winniford A. Simmons III
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Reconceptualizing the Library, Or, We Aren't What You Think We Are
"Libraries are useless, I can find all the information I need on the internet."
"Isn't that a place where a bunch of old books that smell sit on shelves that are, like, 100 years old?"
"I have a computer at home, whats the big deal about the library having computers?"
Go out in public and sometimes you will hear people say those exact statements. Some people, no matter what, believe the idea of a well-funded, well-rounded library is an antiquated notion. They believe libraries were important during the time when there was no internet, no Google, no e-books. Whatever. The average person who holds such a belief about the library does not make them correct.
Sure, there are older libraries who have not quite adapted to the newly formed theory of what libraries should be. Maybe their funding is low, therefore not allowing them to keep up with the library Jones. It happens, it is unfortunate, but those are not all libraries.
The Sumter County Library is an example of what libraries are trying to become in this chaotic, evolving library landscape. The Sumter County Library is not just a library - we are a community hub where people all over the county come for many different reasons.
What are these reasons? Check them out:
1. Free meeting space. Groups from all over the country have come and used our meeting facilities for free. We have several different rooms for all sizes of groups.
2. Public computers. Many people in this rural area don't have a computer. They cannot afford one. They lack computer literacy skills and need a librarian to help them fill out job applications or find tax forms. Our free internet is a vital source. Even patrons with laptops may come in, sit in a comfy seat and browse the web.
3. Classes. In our Reference Department several librarians teach computer classes in the Fall and Spring. We teach everything from Microsoft Word and Excel, how to use Ancestry.com, Facebook, you name it. Patrons need these classes to form skills which hopefully will translate into a job, or simply being able to manage a household budget.
4. Entertainment. The number of programs we offer to the entire community is awesome. From our Classic Movie Nights at the Sumter Opera House, movies at the Main library, child storytimes in the library and community, author talks, Book Sales and on and on and on. There is always something going on in our library system.
I do not mean to brag about what we offer here. We are a hard-working library attempting to serve our community in many different aspects.
The next time you have a conversation with someone about libraries, tell them libraries are a hub of life, a center for the community, a place for everyone to enjoy life, obtain an education and attempt to harbor a better future.
"Isn't that a place where a bunch of old books that smell sit on shelves that are, like, 100 years old?"
"I have a computer at home, whats the big deal about the library having computers?"
Go out in public and sometimes you will hear people say those exact statements. Some people, no matter what, believe the idea of a well-funded, well-rounded library is an antiquated notion. They believe libraries were important during the time when there was no internet, no Google, no e-books. Whatever. The average person who holds such a belief about the library does not make them correct.
Sure, there are older libraries who have not quite adapted to the newly formed theory of what libraries should be. Maybe their funding is low, therefore not allowing them to keep up with the library Jones. It happens, it is unfortunate, but those are not all libraries.
The Sumter County Library is an example of what libraries are trying to become in this chaotic, evolving library landscape. The Sumter County Library is not just a library - we are a community hub where people all over the county come for many different reasons.
What are these reasons? Check them out:
1. Free meeting space. Groups from all over the country have come and used our meeting facilities for free. We have several different rooms for all sizes of groups.
2. Public computers. Many people in this rural area don't have a computer. They cannot afford one. They lack computer literacy skills and need a librarian to help them fill out job applications or find tax forms. Our free internet is a vital source. Even patrons with laptops may come in, sit in a comfy seat and browse the web.
3. Classes. In our Reference Department several librarians teach computer classes in the Fall and Spring. We teach everything from Microsoft Word and Excel, how to use Ancestry.com, Facebook, you name it. Patrons need these classes to form skills which hopefully will translate into a job, or simply being able to manage a household budget.
4. Entertainment. The number of programs we offer to the entire community is awesome. From our Classic Movie Nights at the Sumter Opera House, movies at the Main library, child storytimes in the library and community, author talks, Book Sales and on and on and on. There is always something going on in our library system.
I do not mean to brag about what we offer here. We are a hard-working library attempting to serve our community in many different aspects.
The next time you have a conversation with someone about libraries, tell them libraries are a hub of life, a center for the community, a place for everyone to enjoy life, obtain an education and attempt to harbor a better future.
Monday, January 11, 2010
What's Microsoft Windows?
Many of us are simply numb to computers. No matter what you try and do, you press a button and the big black box under the desk makes a funny noise and oops - no more computer. Trust us though - it's not your fault. The thing is - computers become far more easier to use once you figure out the very basics.
The same goes with Microsoft Word and Excel. Let's say you know how to use a computer, but need to make a household budget, or type out a letter to a landlord. If you aren't familiar with Microsoft Word or Excel, you should be! These programs allow you to simply create or edit documents. Once you learn how to use them, you will be equipped with valuable knowledge to use in your personal life, and professionally!
Where are we going with all this?
Take our computer classes!
Beginning today, January 11th, we have many computer classes available from Keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Computer Basics, Ancestry.com, How to Use The Library and more!
Sign up today by calling 773.7273! Ask for the Reference Department and one of our amazing librarians will assist you!
The same goes with Microsoft Word and Excel. Let's say you know how to use a computer, but need to make a household budget, or type out a letter to a landlord. If you aren't familiar with Microsoft Word or Excel, you should be! These programs allow you to simply create or edit documents. Once you learn how to use them, you will be equipped with valuable knowledge to use in your personal life, and professionally!
Where are we going with all this?
Take our computer classes!
Beginning today, January 11th, we have many computer classes available from Keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Computer Basics, Ancestry.com, How to Use The Library and more!
Sign up today by calling 773.7273! Ask for the Reference Department and one of our amazing librarians will assist you!
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