Are You Our Friend? You Could Be

Are you our Friend?  You could be, if you were to join the Friends of Mooresville Public Library.  Our promo trailer elaborates.

FOL Promo Trailer

(Click Image to Play Video)

FOL Book Sale Room at the front of the Library

Being a Friend of the Library (FOL) makes you indispensable in our mission to assist our patrons with their informational needs.  Friends raise money (through book sales and other activities) to fund collection purchases and programs at MPL.  They help with decorations and events.  They work with community connectivity and promote library services.  Plus they leave tasty treats outside for moi.  (Actually, I don't know who does that.  I'm just assuming, because the Friends are so nice!)

What does it take to become a Friend of the Library?  Naturally, we have a bullet list.  I like it in question form:

• Are you committed to helping others?
• Do you enjoy making a difference?
• Can you organize?
• Do you like to promote?
• I'm pretty sure chocolate is involved somewhere.
• Are you willing to serve as one of my minions?

Okay, maybe that last one isn't an iron-clad requirement (but it oughtta be!).

If you answered affirmatively to any of these questions, then you're PERFECTLY QUALIFIED to be an FOL!  So, what are you waiting for? Oh, you'll need a form to fill-out.  Easily done.

Hey, I just thought of something!  The Friends of the Library need their own theme song!  Something composed by The Music Man, I'm thinking. I'll give this some serious thought.  Minions, make it so.



Friends For All the World to See,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
FOL News Beat

P.S.  I've used this song as a musical closer before, but it just fits so nicely with today's topic.  "Friends," by Elton John and Bernie Taupin (performed by Elton John), is from the movie soundtrack of the same name (1971).

Happily, No Felons, But Lots of Legged Critters

Crafty Gal and Sammy the Toucan recorded another early literacy vlog (video blog, I'm guessing), which, happily, didn't involve any felons but had lots of legged critters (Sammy notwithstanding).

I think Crafty Gal is getting quite the hang of these videos. I wonder who she will have replace Sammy when she's (Sammy's) gone? She (Sammy) and Broadway Gal are hitting the easterly trails, you remember. (Indefinite pronouns?  Where?)

Crafty Gal had lots of interesting books and crafts for younger readers. Sammy, of course, had many insightful and witty comments, but Crafty Gal had some great rejoinders. That background check comment had Sammy on the ropes for a second.  But Sammy is no comeback slouch herself.  Engaging banter, as always.

I see from the video that Crafty Gal had her charges paint some "dirt" on a picture of a hoggerpig.  Did you know why hoggerpigs cover themselves in dirt and mud?  It's to protect their delicate skin from the sun, keep cool in hot weather, and shelter against biting insects.  Hoggerpigs are actually quite clean critters. That's what Scowl-Face's father told him, and he (father) won grand champion for a prize hoggerpig at the Indiana State Fair a gazillion years ago.  Was that before horseless carriages?  Maybe not that long ago, but still.

Sammy seems to be hung-up about this whole legs business. She must have claws--how else could she hold onto the edge of the bookshelves? She's rather touchy about the subject, though, so I had best tread lightly.

What's MY favorite book about a hoggerpig?  Well, here's my favorite book trailer on the subject.  Will that work?

Dreaming Big Moiself,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Early Literacy News Beat

P.S.  George Harrison's "Piggies" is an intriguing social commentary on the Beatles "White Album" (1968).  The harpsichord is a nice touch.  Was Beatles' producer George Martin playing it, or was that Paul or John?  I could look it up, but it's nap time.

Just in Time For Gift-Giving Holidays

by Junior, of Junior's Farm
MPL Special Feline Correspondent
Arts & Crafts News Beat







AND

by Harley Quinn
MPL Feline "Cub" Reporter
Whatever News Beat



2013 UPDATE:  This event has been completed.

 

Basket-weaving returns to the Library with a workshop scheduled for Saturday, November 10, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. As always, the Lady With the Red Hair will be the instructor. You'll need to register for the class either using our online events calendar or by calling (317) 831-7323 (ask for Meghan). The cost is $10 per participant.

I am SO TOTALLY PUMPED about this basket-weaving workshop!  It will be fun, fun, fun!!!  You'll learn to make a neat, homemade basket all by yourselves, and you can fill it with kitty treats and give it to moi, as Cauli would say.  Nothing could be better!

[All right, Harley.  'Nuff said.  Better let Junior take over again.  --Cauli.]

Thanks, Cauli.  But Harley has a point.  It IS mighty exciting to think that you could learn to make a special gift for the holidays.  What says you care more than a unique creation you've made with your very own paws?

Space for the workshop is limited, so you'll want to sign-up early.  I think we have a photo of the basket you'll be making in the class.  Minions, make it so, as Cauli would say.

Click Image to Bigify

What's the basket called, you may ask?  So do we.  We forgot to ask the Lady With the Red Hair.  Check the comments to this posting to see if she tells us the name of this basket.  It has many uses, too!  Again, we forgot to ask.  But we hope she'll tell you in the comments.

[Editor's Note:  This is why they're "special correspondents."  --Cauli.]

It Makes a Great Gift, Anyway,

Junior & Harley

MPL Special Feline Correspondents

Arts & Crafts News Beat

P.S.  Actress and singer (1940s-1950s) Diana Decker recorded "Kitty in the Basket" in 1954 (or thereabouts).  Here's a puppet cover version.

MEG-A-RAE Tackles Banned Books Week

MEG-A-RAE presents a video blog about 2012 Banned Books Week (September 30 to October 6), as well as a virtual read-out of two banned or challenged books.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). Visit the ALA Banned Books website for more information.

We have made promo trailers for BBW over the past three years.  Want to reprise them?  Sure you do.

Visit the Library & Browse Our Banned Book Displays,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

BBW News Beat

P.S.  Speaking of censorship, "Big Brother" (1973) was a song David Bowie intended to use in his musical interpretation of the book 1984 by George Orwell.  Sadly, it never materialized.  Instead, the song appeared on Bowie's album Diamond Dogs (1974).

Dining to Donate Night at Applebee's Supports Our Library

Want to support Mooresville Public Library and have a great meal, too?  Of course you do.  Check out this flyer.

Click Image to Bigify

On October 16, 2012, if you visit the Applebee's restaurant at 10680 Enterprise Drive, Camby, Indiana  (i.e., along State Road 67, in the Heartland Crossing business district), portions of proceeds from your meal purchases will be donated to MPL.  Thanks to the MPL Friends of the Library (FOL) for facilitating this event.

Right-click the flyer above and select "save image as."  Save it to your wherever drive and then open it using an image viewer like Windows Paint.  Then print the flyer and present this to your Applebee's server on October 16 (between 4-8 p.m.), and you'll be supporting your favorite library.  It's that easy!

What Kind of Tuna Does Applebee's Serve?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Support News Beat

P.S.  "Help Is On Its Way," by the Little River Band, is a good theme song for this post.  The tune was included on the album Diamantina Cocktail (1977).

P.P.S.  "Cool Change," also by the Little River Band, is my favorite song by the group.  It was released as a single and appeared on the LP First Under the Wire (1979).

The Best Job You'll Ever Have

Hey, all you youth services librarians:  Looking for the best job you'll ever have?  Are you lucky I came along just now.

Broadway Gal's position as head of MPL Youth Services is up for grabs.  It could be yours, if you have the right stuff.

For a complete job description and application form, you know where to click.

It will definitely improve your chances of employment here if you'll slip moi a few cans of tuna-in-oil.

[EDITOR MINION'S NOTE:  No, it won't.  Sorry.  Cauli isn't even on the hiring committee.]

So let's start seeing those cans roll in to moi.  Just drop them off in the Indiana Roving Reporter Room.  They'll get to moi in due order.

No Canned Tuna-in-Water, If You Please,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Employment News Beat

P.S.  Want to learn more about my Library?  These three promo trailers might help.  Then again, they might not.  Just saying.  Take a look and see what you think.

Twin Daughters of Different Species

In the latest episode of Sammygrams, Sammy the Toucan had a teleconference interview with Broadway Gal.  This you simply must see.

Broadway Gal and Sammy spend A LOT of time together, so they occasionally mimic each other's vocal patterns and phrasings.  But you can clearly tell that they are two different personalities.  If you ran a voice-print analysis, you'd find that Sammy's voice is totally different than Broadway Gal's.  Perhaps that's because of the speakers on the Indiana Roving Reporter Room computer.

Anyway, it was an amazing interview.  Too bad Sammy and Broadway Gal didn't collaborate more in front of the video camera.  Maybe they will, now that they are both bound for the Indiana State Library.

Still Time For More Sammygrams, Sammy, Before You Depart -- Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Video News Beat

P.S.  My blog title is a paraphrase of Twin Sons of Different Mothers (1978), a musical collaboration between Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg.  Here are the "Twins Theme" and "Intimidation," the album's first two tracks.

P.P.S.  "Lazy Susan" was the third track on Twin Sons of Different Mothers.  The title character's name similarity with my blog post subject is just a coincidence.
 

Sammy Interviews Cataloger Queen

Sammy the Toucan interviewed Cataloger Queen earlier this week.  They talked about books and patrons.  Mostly books.  That's a cataloger for you.

Boss Lady made it official this morning.  Sammy the Toucan WILL be accompanying Broadway Gal to the Indiana State Library.  Will this, then, be Sammy's last interview?  Well, she has two weeks before she leaves for ISL, so I think she could squeeze another couple videos, at least.

Hopefully More Videos, Sammy,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Talking Bird News Beat

P.S.  "Talking Bird" was included on the CD Narrow Stairs (2008), by Death Cab for Cutie.  I suspect the song is not about an actual winged dinner. People imply all kinds of things in their words.  Most of the time, I can't figure them out.  But they're people, not felines, so I don't lose any snooze time over it.

Et Tu, Sammy?

Et tu, Sammy?  Now that Broadway Gal is leaving my Library for the bright lights of Indianapolis and the Indiana State Library (ISL), will Sammy the Toucan be far behind?  Sammy sticks pretty close to Broadway Gal.  I think Sammy is Broadway Gal's boss bird, so she (Sammy) will want to continue bossing her (B.G.) around at ISL.

Sammy the Toucan

If, indeed, Sammy is also leaving us, then who shall be Crafty Gal's "sidekick" in our early literacy videos?  Sidekicks are quite important to programs such as these.  Crafty Gal could fly solo, but she really needs somebody with whom to banter.

Naturally, I have the perfect suggestion for a replacement.  She even has her own press hat.  That's true show business, I'd venture.  All she needs now is a cane.

Well, not to put too fine a point on it, Cauliette also needs a "helper," if you catch my drift.  The BizMeister created Cauliette, but I got the definite impression that she doesn't puppeteer.  So where does that leave us?

Okay, MPL minions.  Somebody is going to have to step forward to do the puppeteer thing with Cauliette.  I'll expect you in my office by no later than next Wednesday, September 26, 2012, with a plan of action.  You know where to find moi.

Just to be clear--Scowl-Face is right out.  He can't keep ahold of anything, let alone Cauliette.  A "helper" must have a sure grip and dexterity.  So that rules ol' Scowlly out-of-bounds for this job.

So, to summarize:

• If Sammy the Toucan heads east with Broadway Gal, we'll need a new sidekick for Crafty Gal.
• My vote for replacement is my namesake, Cauliette.
• Some lucky MPL staffer will need to be Cauliette's "helper."
• Not Scowl-Face.

Maybe helping Cauliette would mean bonus pay.  (Hazard pay, more likely.)  What about it, Boss Lady?  Just saying.

Is Sammy a Toucan or a Budgie?  She Looks a Little Pudgy,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Early Literacy News Beat

P.S.  Crafty Gal uploaded her latest early literacy video to our early literacy YouTube channel.  Is this the last time we'll enjoy Sammy the Toucan playing sidekick?  Say it isn't so!

Winged Dinners Strike Back

No story is more frightening for us felines than one in which the prey strikes back.  That's what the winged dinners do in The Birds & Other Stories, by Daphne du Maurier.  Our book trailer explains.

MPL Book Trailer #160

The Birds & Other Stories, by Daphne du Maurier

First published in 1952, the novelette is even scarier than the Alfred Hitchcock movie adaptation (1963), which was plenty frightening.  You should definitely read this and the other short stories included alongside. Watch the movie, too.  October (i.e., Halloween) is coming to give us quite a fright, so the timing is right.

Once again, the Library's composer, whom I call the Music Man, has crafted a music score to heighten the terror.  That "still" for the book trailer above is pretty terrifying, too.

Let's just say that, for these winged dinners, I'll gladly pass, thank you very much.

Hiding Under my Desk in the Indiana Roving Reporter Room Right Now,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Readers' Advisory News Beat

P.S.  Let's watch Alfred Hitchcock's movie trailer for The Birds (1963).  The master of cinematic suspense certainly hit the mark in this film.

BAWK! BAWK! BAWK!

This week's early literacy video blog, or vlog, is definitely for the birds, as it features Sammy the Toucan and a chicken with a clever set of clothespin legs, courtesy of Crafty Gal's creativity.

Nice button, Crafty Gal.  Isn't she doing a wonderful job as the Library's early literacy specialist?  It's only her second week, I'm thinking.  Pretty spectacular, I'd venture.


Is That Chicken a Winged Dinner, Sammy?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Early Literacy News Beat

P.S.  The Muppets' Great Gonzo conducts "The Blue Danube," chicken-style.

How Will We Manage Without Her?

I am so TOTALLY bummed out, but am also surprisingly happy for Broadway Gal.  If you follow her on Facebook (and who doesn't, right?), you have already seen her post that she will be leaving my Library to work at the Indiana State Library.  She has a really important new job, which involves working with youth services at libraries across Hoosierland.  Not many people could do the job, but she will shine gloriously.

Broadway Gal

All Smiles at MPL's 2012 Summer Reading Kick-Off Event (Last May)

Meanwhile, what are WE at MPL going to do without Broadway Gal?  Who will develop exciting ideas for videos and programs?  Who will handle all the truly tough assignments, like steering the library collection development policies committee or chairing the staff in-service committee? Who will design, direct, assemble, and edit our library music videos?  Who will give impressive presentations at state and national library conferences?  Who will manage the Library's Cook Endowment?  Who will handle summer reading?  I could go on for hours.

Certainly we won't find a single person who can do everything Broadway Gal has done for the Library in her five-year tenure as head of MPL Youth Services.  Perhaps we could hire a half-dozen people.  That might cover 52 percent of what Broadway Gal does.  We'd need a dozen to do it all.

I'm happy that Broadway Gal has new opportunities for professional growth and all that jazz, but I'm also truly SAD that she will no longer be at MPL to do the heavy intellectual lifting and the even heavier chore of corralling --er-- guiding (no, mentoring is more apropos) young humans from ages zero to grown-up.

We have many great talents at my Library, but we also have Scowl-Face.  Still, it could be worse. He could have a clone working here, too.

Congratulations, Broadway Gal!

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Staff News Beat

P.S.  "He said that I must soldier on."  That's one of the lyrics in "Shine On Brightly," by Procol Harum, from the group's LP by the same title (1968). We, too, must "soldier on."  If you'll excuse moi, I'm planning to cry now.

P'TOOOOWIE!

That's what I say about my enforced, unreasonably harsh, and certainly not requested dietary change.  The V-E-T, who torments moi once or twice a year, says that I may no longer eat canned tuna-in-oil.  It is allegedly too fattening.  Now, I ask you, do I have a weight problem?  The only wait problem I have is waiting too long to get my din-dins!

Now this is simply going entirely too far.  According to my journalistic colleagues at US magazine, somebody supposedly snapped a photo of moi showing a "baby bump" or a "plump rump" or some such crude descriptive.

Now, I know that US photographers are probably under all kinds of publishing deadlines, so maybe they think that any ol' black kitty picture will suffice.  But when someone is suggesting that these photos represent moi, we're getting into deep libel territory.  Anyone who knows moi (and, if you follow my blog, I hope that's you) can tell that these photos are of other black felines.  To-wit:

• Note BOTH ears are up-standing;
• No white mark on the chest;
• My hindquarters are MUCH slimmer and muscle-toned.

So, obviously, these are fakes.

Apparently, the V-E-T considered them to be genuine.  How else did he conclude that I needed to watch my caloric intake?  I am a freedom feline AND a roving reporter to boot.  I'm fit and trim--it's part of my job description--and that's a fact, Jack.

It is totally bogus that I have to forgo canned tuna-in-oil.  Have you tasted canned tuna-in-water?  It's hardly worth the bother.

So I hereby protest any further attempts to withdraw my favorite food.  Oh, I'll eat canned cat food--who doesn't?--but rest assured that I will not tolerate these draconian dietary measures.

Serve Moi the Good Stuff, Right Quick, Minions,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Libel News Beat

P.S.  The definitive weight parody is "Fat," by "Weird Al" Yankovic, from his album Even Worse (1988).  Weight-challenged folks might be offended, and I'm sure "Weird Al" apologizes for that.  It's a Michael Jackson video (and song) parody, really.  The original MJ song "Bad" morphs into WAY's "Fat" as a convenient monosyllabic title.  "Weird Al" often uses food as a subject for his music parodies.

Shiver Moi Timbers! AAARRRRRRR !!!

What could be more fun than talking like a pirate?  This Wednesday (September 19, 2012), you have my permission.  Well, actually, you have permission from whoever created International "Talk Like a Pirate" Day.  It's the real deal.  You can look it up.

How do you talk like a pirate?  This website tells you.  But it's much easier (and much more fun) to watch our latest episode of MEG-A-RAE.

We've blogged about "Talk Like a Pirate" Day before.  For moi, the celebration wouldn't be complete without a quick look at our book trailer for my favorite pirate novel.

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson

(MPL Book Trailer #49)

You should dress-up like a pirate, like Sammy the Toucan did in the video, to get in the proper mood.  Talking like a pirate may look easy, but it takes lots of practice to get it exactly right.  Try it out at work or at home this Wednesday.  Strange looks mean that you're doing it perfectly.

Shiver Moi Timbers,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Fun Holidays News Beat

P.S.  Want to learn more about talking like a pirate?  This documentary-style, short subject video is hilarious.

Two-Point-Two Especially 4 U

Version 2.2 of Evergreen Indiana, our online catalog (or ILS, i.e., integrated library system, in librarian-speak), is now up and running.  The public computer terminals at my Library (where you can search the online catalog) are called OPACs (Online Public Access Catalog).  Online catalog searching is also available through our new website.

The New Evergreen Indiana OPAC

(Click Image to Bigify)

Search for something already!  Drawn a blank?  Try searching for items about cats.  We have plenty.

Do I Circulate?  You Betcha,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Evergreen Indiana News Beat

P.S.  Something New (1964), by the Beatles, was a summer release to please the hordes of American fans who had gone a whole three months without a new Beatles album.  "I'll Cry Instead" appeared on this LP, as well as on the soundtrack to the movie A Hard Day's Night (1964).

Vampires, a Two-Story Heart, and Vampire Slayers

This week’s episode of MEG-A-RAE visited the two-story interactive heart exhibit that I.U. Health-Morgan Hospital brought to the Library this past Monday. Our “vampire slayers,” Miss Meghan and Miss Rachel, also reviewed their favorite vampire novels. But don’t be too scared! I think the blood on the stakes is just red crêpe paper.

Watch out for the vampire stalking outside the Indiana Roving Reporter Room in the video around the 4:15 to 4:21 marks.

I Like Steaks, Not Stakes,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Readers Advisory Video News Beat

P.S.  Allan Sherman recorded some great parody and novelty songs in the early 1960s.  "My Son, the Vampire" (1963) is a good example of his work.

Crafty Gal's First Early Literacy Video

Crafty Gal has created her first early literacy vlog!  As usual, Sammy the Toucan played “sidekick.”  As a video veteran, Sammy made sure everything ran smoothly, or at least as smoothly as could reasonably be expected with Sammy’s exuberant screen persona.

Great job, Crafty Gal! You’ll be an ol’ pro like Sammy in no time.


Has Sammy Put on Weight?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Early Literacy News Beat

P.S.  Random House has a promo trailer for Wild About Books on iPad.  Isn't technology great?

Exciting New Logo For MEG-A-RAE

Savvy, MPL Teen Librarian, has created a cool new logo for MEG-A-RAE.

Click Logo to Bigify

Pretty snazzy!  We should have another video blog (or vlog or vblog or whatever) ready to upload later today or tomorrow.  Check our MEG-A-RAE playlist to watch the latest (or previous) videos.

Great Logo, Savvy,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Video Blog News Beat

P.S.  The "world's largest kite" (in 2004) was the Al Farsi kite team's Mega-Ray, shown here at the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival (2004). Where does a kite stop and a hot air balloon begin?  Just asking.

Early Literacy is for Slobberdogs, Too

2022 UPDATE:  PAWS to Read now meets on Tuesday evenings at 6-7 p.m.  See my library's online calendar for details.

 

 

Early literacy is for slobberdogs, too.  PAWS to Read is an early literacy program held at the Library every first Saturday of each month (10:30-11:30 a.m.; registration required), except for this month, when it's going on today as I paw these remarks.  We've talked about this program before, but we have some new photos featuring Lilly, a patron who is MPL youth services & special projects staffer Biker Babe's granddaughter, and Bella, a Great Pyrenees slobberdog.

Bella turned ten (which is something like 70 in slobberdog years) this past May.  Bella has been a PAWS to Read pooch for three years.  Her caretaker, Tina Jenkins, told moi that Bella is especially patient and loves to read with children.  The kids love it, too.

PAWS to Read critters must be officially certified to participate in the program.  This involves training, which slobberdogs are pretty good at, especially when treats are included as rewards.  (Two words:  Operant Conditioning.  Just saying.)  Participating pooches must be re-certified every two years, and Bella just completed her re-cert last March.  Good to go for another couple of years of fun reading adventures.

Although I call all canines "slobberdogs" (because they do, after all), make no mistake about their intelligence.  They understand exactly what's going on when a story is read to them.  They're smarter than they look.  (Cats, of course, are as smart as they obviously look.)

This is a great program that gives early readers a chance to polish their read-aloud skills while having some great canine companion time.  Everybody enjoys a good read-aloud.

I'd Like to Participate, But I'm Always Doing the Roving Reporter Thing,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Youth Programs News Beat

P.S.  "Was Dog a Doughnut?" from the LP Izitso (1977) was Cat Stevens' foray into electronic instrumental music.  Definitely metaphysical, it has some pretty cool musical qualities.

When I Get a Round Tuit

Today (September 6) is National Fight Procrastination Day.  Don't let another minute go by!  Fight procrastination now!  Well, I will when I get a round tuit.

Yep, that's the ticket, pretty much

Everybody puts off something she or he (or s/he) doesn't very much want to do.  For us felines, it's called prudence.  We think through everything quite carefully before we commit to any action.  It may look like procrastination, but appearances are deceiving.

Seriously, don't let time pass by when there is important work to do.  First and foremost, there's my din-dins.  Minions, you know what I like.  Next, I need a nice, safe, warm, dry, and comfortable place to snooze.  Around here, that's outside the Library, but I've got my favorite spots "marked," if you catch my drift.

MPL Kinder Garden has many sheltered spots for moi

Well, I'd better finish this blog posting.  These things don't write themselves.  Wait, I think a nap takes priority.  Later is good.

Much Later, I'm Thinking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Fun Holidays News Beat

P.S.  "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" was Bill Phillips' biggest hit, which peaked at #6 on the Billboard country charts (1966).  The song appeared on the album by the same name (1966), which peaked at #11 on Billboard's country album charts.  The Decca Records version included uncredited harmony vocals by the song's composer, then-relatively unknown Dolly Parton.

Where'd the Books Go?

Where'd all the books go in Adult Fiction A-C?  Those books surely aren't invisible.  I jumped onto the vacant spaces, and there was nothing in my way.

Click Images to Bigify

Hey, wait a minute!  That first shelf range is SHORTER than it used to be! What's up with that?

Something fishy is going on here.  It had better be canned tuna-in-oil.

I just saw Technigal lurking among the stacks, shifting fiction books.  In an exclusive interview, she told moi that she herself disassembled the first bookshelf range nearest this emergency exit so that the door could be converted to open access to the MPL Courtyard outside.  There will be security gates installed, which is why the extra open space was needed.

I think it's pretty darned amazing that Technigal took apart and reassembled that book shelving.  The things librarians can do!  It just goes to show the power of an M.L.S. (Master of Library Science) degree, which she, of course, has earned.

My minions tried to snap a photo of Technigal at work, but she's camera-shy.  We will just have to be a little bit sneakier, I'm thinking.

Hey, I'm a Cat -- Stealth Is My Business,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Library Shelving News Beat

P.S.  "Gone," by Pearl Jam, was released as a single and an album track (Pearl Jam, 2006).

Fall Decor @ MPL

by Junior, of Junior's Farm
Special Feline Correspondent
Arts & Crafts News Beat

The Decorinator has been busy changing library decorations to a Fall motif. That time of year, already. Click the images to bigify.

I don't know about you, but I find scarecrows unsettling.  There's something peculiar going on there.  They LOOK like people, but they sure don't SMELL like people.  What's up with that?  But these are pretty cute, I must say.

Willie and Hank must be Indianapolis Colts fans.  They could probably play for the team, if they had arms and legs.  Their heads would certainly be hard enough that they wouldn't really need helmets.

This certainly puts us here at the Library (well, I'm told to stay outside--there's the bum's rush, to be sure) in the Autumnal mood.  Soon there will be fallen leaves for kitties to pounce into.  That's a good way to find some meeces.

Autumn Leaves Must Fall,

Junior, of Junior's Farm
MPL Special Feline Correspondent
Arts & Crafts News Beat

P.S.  My tagline comes from "A Summer Song" (1964) by Chad & Jeremy. It was the duo's second single and reached #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 charts in October, 1964.

P.P.S.  "All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey."  So sang the Mamas & the Papas in "California Dreamin'" (1965), which was a huge hit single.  It is ranked #89 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

 

Crafty Gal is Here!

Meet Crafty Gal, new MPL early literacy associate, whose actual name is Miss Michelle.  Always on top of things, Sammy already gave Miss Michelle her "Cauli nickname" in this introductory video.

Crafty Gal is a MSTie (i.e., fan of MST3K--Mystery Science Theater 3000), so I know we will get along smashingly.

Welcome, Crafty Gal!  You've survived a Sammy video interview.  No mean feat, that.

Much More to Come, Crafty Gal, So Hit the Ground Running,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

New Staff News Beat

P.S.  Speaking of being crafty, here's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft," by Klaatu, from the Canadian group's debut album, 3:47 E.S.T. (1977), about which we have blogged before.  Okay, craft and crafty mean different things, but you try to find a good song with the word crafty in the title.  (The Beastie Boys tune doesn't count, because it's not sufficiently family-friendly for my blog.)

The Benchmark in Gothic Horror

If you haven't read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, you ought to give it a whirl.  Sure, that early 19th century Gothic writing style is tough to trudge through, but make a little effort, and you will certainly be well-rewarded.  If you don't want to apply your brain, I'm sure Victor Frankenstein could put it to good use.

Still Plenty Scary Even After Two Centuries,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Readers' Advisory News Beat

P.S.  When Universal Studios released the movie Frankenstein (1931), it must have shocked and amazed audiences accustomed to lighter fare. Here's the movie trailer.

Wild Thang & InsuraDude Are Engaged!

Wild Thang (former MPL early literacy specialist) and InsuraDude are engaged!  I don't mean they're busy (although they probably are), or that they're talking on a British telephone (and the line is engaged), or anything like that.  No, I mean marriage-engaged.  That is truly exciting news!

Congratulations!  Just one suggestion:  Tuna-flavored wedding cake.  It would be a huge hit with moi.

When's the Big Day?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Marriage News Beat

P.S.  I'm guessing InsuraDude has already been subjected to this joke a dozen times since the big announcement last week, but "Wedding Bell Blues" is a cool song, written and previously recorded by Laura Nyro (1966) but most successfully recorded (a number one hit single) by the Fifth Dimension (1969).

 

P.P.S.  Need a wedding planner, Wild Thang and InsuraDude?  Well, we have a book trailer for that.