MEG-A-RAE, the TARDIS, and Grimm Talk

Episode three of MEG-A-RAE, the Library's new vlog or vblog (video blog) series, features a round-table discussion about the BBC television program, Doctor Who, plus Rae and Meg discuss some time travel reading suggestions.

Episode four gets Grimm when Meg and Rae talk about fairy tales and folklore stories.

Lots of great reading suggestions, plus Doctor Who.  That's a full plate, I'd venture.


Nice Special Effects,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Library Vlog News Beat

P.S.  I know that there was a new Doctor Who theme song recorded in 2010 for the modern series (now beginning its seventh season), but you probably haven't heard the theme music from the original (or "classic") series, which ran from 1963 through 1989.  Here's the TV theme used during 1963-1969.

Meet the "New Wild Thang"

Meet Michelle Peltier, my Library's new early literacy associate for the MPL youth services department.

Miss Michelle comes to MPL from Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, where she served as a librarian assistant.  Prior to that, she was banquet room manager at Chateau Thomas Winery.  She is a graduate of Indiana State University and Plainfield (Indiana) High School, and she resides in Monrovia, so she is nearly a “Mooresvillian.” (Plainfield is about seven miles north, and Monrovia about five miles west, of Mooresville.)

Miss Michelle will be undertaking all early literacy programs and initiatives at the Library.  Coming from Plainfield library, she is already well-versed in Evergreen Indiana, our online open-source integrated library system (or catalog, in the traditional librarian parlance).

Welcome, Miss Michelle!  Our staff and patrons look forward to working with you in our youth services programming.

Of course, Michelle's "Cauli name" can't be "Wild Thang" or even "new Wild Thang" (because Miss Jaymi is the one-and-only Wild Thang).  So we'll have to wait to see what "Cauli name" best fits Miss Michelle.  One good thing about my nicknames:  They can make you famous.  Or infamous.  Right, Scowl-Face?

Welcome, Miss Michelle!  Now Get Moi Some Din-Dins,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Staff News Beat

P.S.  Speaking of names, "I Got a Name" (1973) was a big single hit by Jim Croce and was the theme song to the movie The Last American Hero (1973).  It was one of the few songs that Croce recorded that he did not himself compose.

Sammy's 2012 CYPD Conference Interviews

Sammy the Toucan has made some great video interviews (or viderviews, if that were a real word) at the 2012 CYPD (Children & Young Persons Division) annual conference.  CYPD is a division of the Indiana Library Federation (ILF).

You may watch them on Broadway Gal's YouTube Channel.

Enjoy!

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Youth Services News Beat

National Slobberdog Day, To Moi

Today (August 26, 2012) is National Slobberdog Day.  Okay, officially, it's National Dog Day, but anyone who knows moi knows that I call all canines slobberdogs, because, well, they do.  Slobber.

You might be surprised to learn that I am totally down with having a national celebration of slobberdogness.  Contrary to popular belief, felines and canines get along quite well.  What we cats can't tolerate is stupidity, and, although slobberdogs have that in spades, they're pretty sweet about it and, regardless, they're great protectors.

So let's celebrate today in honor of slobberdogs!  Special treats, some nice, healthy chews, extra portions at din-dins. and a romp through the local park (on a leash--better safe than sorry).

There must be a gazillion YouTube videos featuring slobberdogs.  Shall we feature one?  Can do.

Talking slobberdogs.  On command, yet.  Thankfully, we felines have much more dignity.  Still, it's pretty funny.

Happy Slobberdog Day to All My Canine Pals,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Holiday News Beat

P.S.  Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart produced the first Monkees album and wrote many of the group's memorable songs.  "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" is certainly their funniest.  It appeared on the group's self-titled debut album (1966).  Few, if any, of the Monkees' tunes captured the madcap humor of the prefab four as well as this one.  Micky Dolenz and the late Davy Jones were clearly having fun recording it.

A New Video Champion -- Wild Thang!

Wild Thang, former MPL early literacy specialist but still willing to sub for absent Library staff when she can fit it into her new work schedule, made the "Animal Alphabet Song" video for her early literacy blog. Within the next few days, hers will become the most viewed video on the MPL YouTube Channel.

Which video did "Animal Alphabet Song" leave eating its dust?  Well, as it happens, our most popular book trailer.

Both videos should clear 32,000 viewings next week.  But it is clear that Wild Thang's will be our new most popular video.  It currently is watched over 8,000 times a month.  For us, that's staggering.

Congratulations, Wild Thang.  Too bad you're not still working here full-time.  We could really use your creativity.  Now we're stuck with Scowl-Face for video ideas.  You can imagine how that's working out.  Fortunately, Savvy and Programma Mama are working now on video blogging, so we're looking forward to their continuing development.

Maybe I Should Become MPL Chief Video Producer -- Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Video News Beat

P.S.  "The Winner Takes It All," by ABBA, seemed like an appropriate musical closer.  The song appeared on the album Super Trouper (1980).

Dinner Won't Be the Real Mystery

The fourth annual MPL mystery dinners have been scheduled for October 19, 2012 (7:00-9:30 p.m.) for adults and October 20, 2012 (7:00-9:30 p.m.) for teens.  Registration is required, so call (317) 831-7323.  There is a nonrefundable $10 fee per person to reserve your place in the fun.

Sift through the clues and solve the mysteries before dinner--or the bodies--get cold.

Actually, "dinner" is something of a misnomer.  Appetizers and beverages will be served.  So it's more of a mystery in the stacks sort of event.

Are Cats Allowed at the Mystery Dinners?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Programs News Beat

P.S.  Mystery writer Miranda James is a real live cataloging librarian whose main character is a feline detective named Diesel.  Here's our book trailer featuring File M For Murder, the latest in the "Cat in the Stacks" mystery series.

A Heart Two Stories High!

Wild Thang returns to her working roots (here at the Library, I mean).  She has arranged a program with the Indiana University Health-Morgan Hospital (in Martinsville, Indiana), which will be providing blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at MPL on Monday, September 10, 2012, from 1-5 p.m.

Want to hear the really exciting part of this program?

A Heart Two Stories Tall!

Yep.  I.U. Health-Morgan Hospital will have an inflatable two-story heart that patrons may walk through to learn more about how it works.  Well, you have to put air into it . . .  Oh, wait.  They mean how the heart works, not how the inflatable model works.

Anything that large has got to be fun to romp around in!  If you can attend, by all means do.  You'll learn more about your heart and get some important health screenings to boot.

I'd Love to Romp Through That Inflatable Heart,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Health Programs News Beat

P.S.  "Heart of Gold" was a huge hit single for Neil Young, but you should really listen to the entire album, Harvest (1972).

The Meg-a-Rae Invasion (Episode 2)

Episode two of the Library's vlog, MEG-A-RAE, is now available on the MPL YouTube Channel.  Save a hyperlink and watch it here.

YAZ Would Make a Great Kitty Room--Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Vlog News Beat

P.S.  Since Savvy and Programma Mama began by talking about the 2012 summer Olympics in London, I titled this blog posting along the lines of the "British invasion" of the American pop charts during the mid-1960s.  The Beatles, of course, were largely responsible for this musical incursion, which began (in America, at least) with the group's first number one U.S. single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (1963), which reached Billboard's number one slot in early 1964.  "Love Me Do" was an earlier single release (1962 in the U.K.), which also topped the American charts in 1964.  "Love Me Do" appeared on the album Please Please Me (1963).



Attack of the MEG-A-RAE!

MEG-A-RAE is the latest vlog (video blog) at my Library.  Savvy and Programma Mama chat with viewers about the readers' advisory thing.  They review new, exciting books for teens (young adults) and grown-ups ("old" adults), plus they discuss current events and how they like their tea.  It is quirky, off-beat, and informative, as you would expect from an award-winning library.

Want to see the first episode?  Sure you do.

Stay tuned for Episode Two!  Coming to a YouTube channel near you.

Any Tuna-Flavored Tea, Savvy?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Vlog News Beat

P.S.  The theme music for Meg-a-Rae was written by the Library's composer, whom I call the Music Man.  It is "The Andromeda Cometh," from the CD Andromeda (2011).  Here is the entire song for your listening pleasure.

2012 Banned Books Week (Sept. 30-Oct. 6)

My Library has just made a promo trailer for 2012 Banned Books Week, which is September 30 through October 6, and which this year features a virtual read-out of banned books.  It is the 30th anniversary of BBW, and this year's theme celebrates "30 years of liberating literature."  For more information, visit the American Library Association (ALA) website.

We have a banned book trailer playlist on the MPL YouTube Channel.  Fight censorship.  Read a banned book.



Or Have Your Minions Read To You--Works For Moi,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Banned Books News Beat

P.S.  "Should I See" was an anti-censorship song by Frozen Ghost, which appeared on the LP by the same name (1987).  Here is the group's official music video.

The Appreciation We So Justly Deserve

Today (August 17) is Black Cat Appreciation Day.  Just ask Browser the Library Cat.  Sparkle the Designer Cat has a great guest blog feature (by Selina) about this justly deserved holiday for us "fur of the night" felines. Selina has some insightful comments, as does Romeo (i.e., the other hyperlinked blog article in my first sentence above).

Anything on Sparkle's blog is a must-read, so jump over there straight away.  Check out Romeo's blog, too.  Browser's, too.  You know where to click.

Black Kitties Rule, Plain & Simple,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Black Kitty News Beat

P.S.  "Black Cat" appeared on Janet Jackson's album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989).

My Paws Would Love to Bat These Around

My paws would love these dolls to bat around.  I could catch them in the air with my claws, grab them in my mouth and run wildly through the stacks, sending miniature plastic body parts asunder all around the Library.  But that would be bad kitty, so says Broadway Gal.  So they're safe from moi behind glass in the MPL Youth Services display case.

Click Images to Bigify

Close-ups?  Can do.

These beautiful creations were generously donated to the Library by Jim & Carolyn Cox.

Handy, these post-it notes

(or should I say, "Pawty"?  Probably not.)

Stop by MPL Youth Services to see the display in person.  Just watch out.  I saw some of those dolls move, I swear.

Beautiful Attire & Detail on Those Dolls,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Decorations News Beat

P.S.  Of the current 166 book trailers on the MPL YouTube Channel, only one is clearly best suited to serve as our posting closer.  Watch and see.





Southpaws Celebrate Today

All southpaws will be celebrating today (August 13), which is Left-Handers Day.  If you lead with your left, then you're entitled to some party favors.  As for moi, I'm ambidextrous.  Actually, I'm quadridextrous.

Left-handed people are notoriously creative, imaginative, artistic, and visual-oriented--so they tell moi.  As a feline, I can't actually tell much difference between left- and right-handed humans.  They're still humans, and, therefore, they lack feline intellectual capacities.  Still, they're smarter than slobberdogs.

My older minions (the over-fifties) tell moi that left-handers were often compelled in primary educational institutions to learn to write with their right hands instead of their dominant lefts.  I wonder how right-handers would have liked that treatment (in reverse)?  Seems like another case of the majority (right-handers) exercising tyranny over the minority (left-handers).

When the Lady With the Red Hair and Scowl-Face were in college together, there were huge lecture halls with stiff-backed wooden seats that had tiny writing surfaces affixed to--you guessed it--the right sides. There were a few left-sided desk/chairs in each room--roughly five percent of the total number of seats--so it was clear who was being favored.

Scowl-Face has long advocated that classrooms should be equipped with tables (at which, say, three pupils could simultaneously sit) instead of individual chair/desks, but, as usual, nobody cares what he thinks.  It would certainly place lefties and righties on an even playing field, as far as notebook writing is concerned.  (Wait--Does anyone actually use pencils/pens and paper in classrooms anymore to take notes?  Still, a table would have more room for student laptops or other electronic gizmos.)

All you right-handers out there should treat your lefty pals to some expensive din-dins!  You know what I would order, but lefties might have other ideas.

Just Don't Stick Moi With the Check,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Holiday News Beat

P.S.  The Beautiful Uglies released "Lefty's Lament" on their album, Soundtrack for an Unmade Film (2011).

Who Will Be the New Wild Thang?

The search is on for a new early literacy specialist at the Library. We are currently reviewing applications and are scheduling interviews for prospective candidates. Nobody could replace Wild Thang (Miss Jaymi Edwards), who is adored by patrons and staff alike for her legacy of early literacy programming. But we are confident that one gem shall be gleaned from the many highly qualified and capable youth services librarians vying for the position.

Sammy the Toucan will help select the new Wild Thang

Check with MPL Youth Services to see when our top job candidates will be demonstrating their young children’s programming skills. Maybe you will have a chance to see them in action!

Stay Tuned to Find Out Who We Choose,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

New Hire News Beat

P.S.  "Get a Job" (1958), covered here by the Mills Brothers, is a classic "doo-wop" song.



Flat Five at Old Settlers

"Flat" Cauli V, or Flat Five for short, was my official stand-in as feline roving reporter at the Old Settlers picnic and festival this week (August 5-7, 2012) at Pioneer Park in Mooresville, Indiana.  When the occasional strong breezes weren't blowing her off the Library's booth table, she was greeting patrons and distributing goody bags filled with free fans, pencils, magnets, bookmarks, and assorted informational brochures.

Click Images to Bigify

Great Job, Flat Five,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Old Settlers News Beat

Our Old Settlers Float Takes the Cake

The Library's 2012 Old Settlers float really takes the cake.  Our Float Team chose to celebrate the MPL centennial (1912-2012) at the parade on Sunday (August 5, 2012), which opened the annual Old Settlers picnic & festival at Mooresville's Pioneer Park.  We've got some snappy photos, which you may click to bigify.

Yes, it's a birthday cake.  Those are cupcakes surrounding it.  Probably not made with tuna-in-oil, but, hey, humans would probably like them.

This was before the Old Settlers parade, while the Float Team was putting on the finishing touches in the Library parking lot.

Decorinator (on right) supervises the project

Three cute cupcakes in a row

(Right, BizMeister?)

Boss Lady & BizMeister give the

100th anniversary card some extra support

Broadway Gal with a young Library volunteer

Broadway Gal & Boss Lady lead the way with the MPL banner





Further along the parade route

All waves and smiles

 

 

Looks like we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto

That last photo is not one of the Library's float, but it was pretty cute, so we thought you'd enjoy a peek.

"Flat" Cauli V, or Flat Five for short, was catting the Library booth at the Old Settlers festival, but she hasn't yet filed a report.  The wind kept blowing her off the table, so Scowl-Face said.

More as Soon as Flat Five Files Her Story,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Old Settlers News Beat

P.S.  Whenever I think of parade music, I think of John Philip Sousa.  Whenever I hear "The Liberty Bell," by Sousa, I think of Monty Python's Flying Circus.  But that's just moi.



Here to Stay

Earlier this week, my Library's website committee met to discuss planning strategies, work assignments, schedules, and such like.  One of the agenda items was blogging, and it was decided that some blog posts (for those blogs not granted their own blog pages on our new website) would be included in MPL Blog (on the new website), which those of us blogging would continue to post to our Blogger accounts.

That means my blog will continue right here!  No need to go elsewhere, although there will be a few postings uploaded to the new website blog section (under MPL Blog).

We consider this grand news and are quite happy about it.

Glad to Continue Where We Began,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Blog News Beat

P.S.  "Stay," by Pink Floyd, appeared on the LP Obscured by Clouds (1972).

Flat Five, Old Settlers Roving Reporter

Since there are WAAAAY too many people stomping around at the Old Settlers picnic, festival, and parade (August 5-6-7, 2012) for my taste, I'm sending "Flat" Cauli V (Flat Five for short) to serve as the Library's feline roving reporter for this event.  She will be hanging out at the MPL Old Settlers booth.  There's a photo op if ever there were one.

Flat Five Shines On Brightly

Drop by the Library's Old Settlers booth and chat with Flat Five.  She'll talk your ear off.  If she doesn't, Scowl-Face will.

Flat Caulis & I Have One Bad Ear Already,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Old Settlers News Beat

P.S.  "Shine on Brightly," by Procol Harum, gave its title to the group's second album (1968).  From the look of this video, that's the original LP release, which makes it a 44-year-old vinyl record.

The Music Man Garners a Merit Award

The MPL Composer, whom I call the Music Man, volunteers as a sound engineer at Theatre 7, the community theatre of Decatur, Illinois.  In the July 2012 newsletter, Theatre 7 announced that Danny Buckley (I'll use his real name instead of his "Cauli" name) was presented with a merit award (for sound engineering) for the group's 48th season.

We thought that was plenty cool, particularly because the Music Man is part of our volunteer library family.  He composes all of the original musical scores the Library uses in its videos.  We use other people's music, too (e.g., Wild Thang's early literacy song videos), but mostly we use the Music Man's compositions.

Beside being a composer/sound engineer, the Music Man is also a talented musician.  He plays guitar and piano.  His original compositions have been publicly performed (here's an example), as has he, or, rather, as he has, as you may recall from a previous blog posting.

Congrats, Music Man!  One of many awards, we are confident.

Awards Are Almost as Good as Canned Tuna-in-Oil,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Volunteer Award News Beat

P.S.  Here's a nice example of one of the Music Man's original scores being used as a soundtrack in the Library's book trailers.

Goodbye, Wild Thang (Sniff!)

Here is the Library's fourth and final installment in the Summer 2012 video series for Explore to Learn: Early Literacy Fun, the blog/video feature starring Wild Thang (Miss Jaymi Edwards) and Sammy the Toucan.

Tomorrow (Friday, August 3, 2012) is Wild Thang's last day working at MPL.  We are SO sad!  Sammy the Toucan gave Wild Thang a tearful farewell in this video.

    Farewell, Wild Thang!  Your patrons, fans, and colleagues will truly miss you!!    

Shedding Some Tears Moiself,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Early Literacy News Beat

 

 

P.S.  "Goodbye," written, and a demo recorded, by Paul McCartney (December, 1968) (composition credited to Lennon-McCartney, as was typical during the Beatles days), was, to the best of my knowledge, never released as a Beatles tune, but another Apple recording artist, Mary Hopkin, released it as a chart-topping single.  McCartney produced her debut LP, Post Card (1969).

 

We Have Lunch --er-- Launch!

Well, where's my lunch, then?  It's August 1, 2012, and we're supposed to have lunch.

Oh.

We have LAUNCH, not lunch.  Amazing what a single missing letter can do to a word's meaning (not to mention making my stomach rumble).

Click Image to Bigify

The Library's new website has launched!  You may access it by visiting the same old URL (http://www.mooresvillelib.org/).  Click the hyperlink, and you're there!

Navigate through the new menu bar and explore the available web pages through our drop-down menus.  Click the sidebar videos to watch them.  On our home page, you may search the catalog (and also under the Catalog tab), and you may also see current calendar events at the Library (or view the entire calendar).

Have fun!  Explore all the new and exciting features our improved website offers.  There's quite a bit to play around with.  Hopefully, you'll find our new website easier to use, informative, and engaging.

I'd Still Like Lunch, Though,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

New Website News Beat

P.S.  "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" is a music parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic, from his album, Dare to Be Stupid (1985).  It parodies "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," recorded by Cyndi Lauper (1983).