A Random Thought on Libraries and Reading

When one reads a text, whether that text is a book, magazine, newspaper, internet article, encyclopedia entry, you get the idea; one is gaining an attribute or a value. When we read, what are we doing, after all? We are learning a new word, phrase, idea, notion, parable, moral, fact, lie, etc. We also re-learn old ideas and idioms passed down to us through years of education, whether through the musings of a schoolteacher or whimsical Saturdays browsing through books in a Library.

So we learn, constantly, always through our printed pages, environments and experiences. As we learn, our brain develops and we evolve as human beings. So I position this: if reading, throughout its various forms, causes us to change and rationalize the world more independently and thoughtfully, does that mean the act of reading is the highest of human virtues? Going even further; are libraries the highest of places for knowledge and intellect? I believe so!

What Do We Mean To You?

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!

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

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

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

2010 U.S. Census

Check out this YouTube video from the U.S. Census Bureau about the 2010 Census!

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