Red Light District, We're Clearly Not

That flashing red light is back again at my Library.  A red light district we're clearly not, but there it is.  Big flashy thing.  Even more flashy than in the Men in Black movies.

Click Play Button to Watch Video

Men in Black in Five Seconds (2008)

by That Guy Without the Glasses

Our flashing light means that we have some state and federal tax forms available for patrons to pick-up.  These are printed-on-paper types, but, as you probably already know, state and federal governments are printing a WHOLE lot FEWER paper forms now.  You're expected to use the Internet to obtain your forms and print them on your dime.  (Wasn't it your tax money being used to print the old paper forms before?)  Well, less paper is good for the environment, unless, of course, everybody prints his/her own copies off the web.  Then the carbon pawprint remains roughly the same.

Need hyperlinks to the tax form websites?

• Federal Tax Forms:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Website

• Indiana State Tax Forms:  Indiana Department of Revenue Website

If you stop by the Library to pick-up paper copies of the tax forms, just look for the flashing red light.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  The absolute best tax song ever written is George Harrison's "Taxman," by the Beatles, from the LP Revolver (1966).

Time For Ts (or Tees or Teas or Tease or ...)

This week, Crafty Gal and Aggie McPooch were all teed-off or something. You'll see why when you watch the latest episode of our early literacy video blog (vlog).

Miss Michelle @ MPL:  Early Literacy Fun at the Library

(Week of January 27-February 2, 2013)

Besides her usual barrage of creative crafts, Crafty Gal featured several fun reads for her young charges.  We particularly liked the craft accompanying the folk tale The Princess and the Pea.  That truck is cute, too.

Naturally, I was most excited to see a fellow feline featured in the vlog.  T is definitely for TIGER!  I'm surprised Aggie McPooch wasn't at least a little bit scared by the tiger's fierceness.  Slobberdogs are pretty brave, though.

That trumpet player sure got into hot water.  It just goes to show that where you toot your horn makes a big difference to some people.

Not much said about turnips, I noticed.  The less said the better, perhaps.

If you aren't attending Crafty Gal's early literacy programs (i.e., Baby Time, Time For Twos, Little Listeners, Pajama Time, and Ready, Set, Read!), and if you have young humans stampeding around your house, you really should get out more.  Come to the library!  These programs fill quickly, so you should act now.  Or sooner.  Visit our online events calendar for program dates and times.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Last year, Wild Thang and Sammy the Toucan did a vlog about the letter T, too.  But there was no tooting in that one, so Crafty Gal has one-upped there, for sure.

Sinking Some Money Into Renovations

Library renovations are underway at the Circulation Desk.  Gone with the kitchen sink are the lower cabinets, but we now have a nifty corner sink.

Click Images to Bigify

Cute Corner Sink

These structural changes were needed to accommodate the new self-sorting book and media drop box monster machine that we will be installing soon.  It looks like this:

Candy Sorting Scene from the

Classic TV Comedy Series, I Love Lucy (1951-1957)

Just kidding!  Actually, it will efficiently and mechanically sort returned items and automatically check them in.  Machines are better than people, so says this dude.

Terminator

Again, just kidding!  Machines are useful tools to help humans work more efficiently.  That's what our new book and media sorting device will do for our staff.  Now they'll be able to roam the stacks helping patrons. Well, some of them will be looking for food.  (Hey!  My joke is walking here!)

I'd show you a photo of what the new sorting machine looks like, but I don't actually know moiself.  I'll have my minions snap a photo once it arrives. You'll see it here first!  Unless you see it somewhere else.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  I was thinking about sinks channeling water. That's what rivers and waterways do.  These often empty into lakes or oceans. That's the setup for "Nightswimming," by R.E.M., from the album Automatic For the People (1992).  What a beautiful song.

P.P.S.  Keeping to our water theme, I'll add "Find the River," also by R.E.M., which is the last track on the CD Automatic For the People (1992) and was the sixth (and final) single from the album.  This is the Lady With the Red Hair's favorite R.E.M. album.

Not Cauli TV, But Still Worth Watching

It's not Cauli TV, but it's still worth watching.

Click Images to Bigify

Our New Monitor Display

We'll be running our MPL CONNECT slideshow (originally created by Broadway Gal) that announces upcoming library programs, services, technologies, and materials available.  Scowl-Face called it the MPL Town Crier, but we like MPL CONNECT much better.

I know one addition that would make it MUCH more interesting to watch.

Yours Truly

Yep.  Pretty much sells itself.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Techie or Tekkie; It's Your Call

This week's episode of MEG-A-RAE covers techies.  Or tekkies.  But not trekkies.  That's something altogether different.

MEG-A-RAE #23:

A Very Special Tekkie Episode,

by Miss Meg & Miss Rachel

My Library is your techno-haven, for sure.  We have so much technology that we can't even remember it all!  Well, here are some highlights.

We have technology onsite available for your use and enjoyment.  Try our remote wireless printing, for instance.  We have computers and wireless connectivity all around the library campus.

This just scratches the surface of what my Library has technologically available to our patrons.  Drop by to take a closer peek.  Technology won't bite.  No guarantees about moi, however.  (Just kidding!)

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  By its title, "Eye in the Sky," by the Alan Parsons Project, suggests a future (present, now?) in which technologies monitor individual, personal human activities.  But the song is actually about a rocky personal relationship, in which the suspicious singer/narrator keeps pretty close tabs on his untrustworthy partner.  The song appeared on the LP by the same title (1982).

P.P.S.  "905," by the Who, was bassist John Entwistle's foray into a futuristic technological dystopia.  The song appeared on the LP Who Are You (1978), the last to include drummer Keith Moon, who tragically died in September, 1978.

More Title Changes Than a Lycanthrope

A few weeks ago, I blogged about Scowl-Face's new job at the Library. Apparently, his title has changed.  Again.

Let's run through a title history for 'Ol Scowlly, shall we?  He's worked at MPL for nearly 5-1/2 years.  During that time, his titles have morphed more than a lycanthrope:

• 2007-2010:  Indiana Room Librarian
• 2011-2012:  Indiana Room Historian
• 2008-2011:  Adult Reference Coordinato0r
• 2010-2012:  Social Media Manager
• 2012:  Website Manager (i.e., Webmaster, Webrarian)
• 1st week of January, 2013:  Information Specialist
• 2nd week of January, 2013:  Senior Information Specialist
• 4th week of January, 2013:  Information Director for Adult Services

This last one should stick, I'll venture.  Scowl-Face thinks job titles are a really big deal, but, honestly, nobody really cares what you're called. Patrons just want somebody who can help them find what they're looking for.  I doubt any of 'Ol Scowlly's various titles made him any more proficient in assisting patrons, but having them stroked his ego a bit.  He probably puffed himself up like, well . . . like this:

Scowl-Face's Ego, With the Spines

Even with this new highfalutin title, Scowl-Face will probably end up like this most of the time:

Sad, But All Too True

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  John Lennon may have been poking fun at himself in writing "I'm the Greatest," which Ringo Starr recorded for his self-titled album, Ringo (1973).  Egos have a way of inviting deflation, particularly if one is adept at self-deprecating humor.

P.P.S.  Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote "Ego" (1978), which was released as a single in the U.K. but did not appear on any albums released at the time (e.g., A Single Man [1978]).  The tune later appeared on the remastered version of A Single Man (1998 re-release).

Does It Get the Cauli Channel? Just Asking

This is new.

Click Images to Bigify

That video monitor by the adult information desk wasn't there a few days ago.  This bears closer inspection.

I wonder if it will show my promo trailer?

Boss Lady says that it will be used to run a "what's happening at the library" video, sort of like what we've been running at the Circulation Desk for the past couple of years or so (an MS-PowerPoint slideshow).  Not sure how it all works, but it should be running soon.  I'd say "up and running," but it's obviously already up there.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Speaking of big screen TVs, here's Bruce Springsteen performing an acoustic version of "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)."  It was released as a single but also appeared on the album Human Touch (1992).

Not By the Hair on My Chinny-Chin-Chin!

Crafty Gal and Aggie McPooch wondered if I wore shoes.

Miss Michelle @ MPL:  Early Literacy Fun at the Library

(Week of January 20-26, 2013)

"Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin," says I.  Yes, I said it, and I'm glad.

See?  Sans Shoes, Thank You Very Much

(Click Images to Bigify)

Need I Say More?

I thought Pete the Cat looked really spiffy in those white shoes, however. You will, too, if you read this picture book featured in Crafty Gal and Aggie's video blog (vlog) above.  You may check it out in our online catalog, if you have an Evergreen Indiana library card.

Alert early readers will recognize my line above as coming from the classic tale, The Three Little Pigs, also featured in Crafty Gal & Aggie's vlog.  Both versions are available in our Evergreen Indiana online catalog.  You know where to click.  And again.

Occasionally, I live in a brick house (well, it has some brick on it), especially when it has been as cold as lately around my neighborhood.  My Library has brick practically everywhere, or at least where there aren't glass windows.

Take That, Big Bad Wolf!

So I hope that clears up the entire feline shoe-wearing mystery.  Shoes are all right, but we felines need foot freedom for our claws!  Much too useful to keep covered up, I'd venture.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Sam the Sham (i.e., Domingo "Sam" Zamudio) and the Pharaohs released the single "The Hair On My Chinny Chin Chin" (1966) as a follow-up to their huge hit single, "Wooly Bully" (1965), which was written about Sam's cat.

One Month Left to Shop For My Gifts

Hey, everybody!  There's only one month left until Cauli Le Chat Appreciation Day (February 22).  Still plenty of time to purchase my gifts.  Just saying.

Wild Thang's Banner From My 2012 Celebration

(Click Image to Bigify)

You're undoubtedly wondering how much would be appropriate for you to spend on moi.  Really, it's not a question of how much; rather, it's just a matter of spending a huge pile of cash.  You may decide how tall that pile should be.  Five feet, minimum, I'd venture.

Actually, the best gift you could give moi would be to generously support a cat and/or slobberdog rescue shelter of your choice.  Sparkle the Designer Cat has some great suggestions of rescues who need your kindly donations. Be sure to choose a "no-kill" animal shelter or rescue.  Here are some helpful lists by state.  Also check here.

Together, we can save feline and slobberdog lives and vastly improve humans' lives by having wonderful feline and canine companions.  That's a gift I'd truly treasure.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Sparkle's human, who is an award-winning author (like Sparkle herself!) and photographer, was interviewed at the 2011 Westchester Cat Show.  Sparkle's books are hilarious, insightful, and clever.  Both kitties and people will laugh out loud!  If you haven't read Sparkle's books, you should check them out immediately from my Library (if you have an Evergreen Indiana library card).  Click these pawdy (like handy, only for cats) links to our online catalog:

• Dear Sparkle:  Advice From One Cat to Another
• Dear Sparkle:  Cat-to-Cat Advice From the World's Foremost Feline Columnist

If you don't have an E.I. library card, then you may still purchase your own copies from Amazon.com.

• Amazon link for Dear Sparkle:  Advice From One Cat to Another
• Amazon link for Dear Sparkle:  Cat-to-Cat Advice From the World's Foremost Feline Columnist

Great holiday gifts!  Perfect for my appreciation day, too.

Easy as AtoZ

Guess which database is now available at my Library?  I'll give you a hint:  It's everywhere between A to Z.

AtoZdatabases is a premier job search, reference, and mailing list database. It includes 2.3 million job listings, 30 million business profiles, 1.1 million health care professionals, and much more. It's ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and much more! Click the logo below to access AtoZdatabases directly (if you're currently connected to our computer network or wireless on the library campus), or, if remote-accessing, log-in using your MPL-issued Evergreen Indiana library card.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

 

Must Be the "Shushing Power"

Click Logo to Bigify

This week's MEG-A-RAE examines a couple book series featuring librarians and libraries.  Why?  You know--Because librarians are so totally cool.  Must be the "shushing power."  You'll see what I mean in the credits at the end of the video.

MEG-A-RAE #22

A Very Special Librarian Episode

I know Savvy and Programma Mama were featuring just a couple book series in their video blog (vlog) to keep time from running amok, but I'd like to mention another great librarian book series that features a sleuthing feline:  Miranda James' Cat in the Stacks mystery series.  Naturally, we have a bevy of book trailers about it.

MPL Book Trailer #151

File M For Murder, by Miranda James

MPL Patron Book Trailer #2

Murder Past Due, by Miranda James

MPL Patron Book Trailer #3

Classified as Murder, by Miranda James

Cat and Librarian mysteries are hot items these days.  Several authors have entered the foray.  Personally, I could read feline books all day.  Well, have them read to moi.  Minions live to serve, after all.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  The Nancy Pearl librarian action figure has "amazing shushing action," but, sadly, that's not included in this cute video promoting clean desks and the Montana Shared Catalog.

P.P.S.  Watch the Nancy Pearl librarian action figure exercise her "amazing push-button shushing action."  Visit the Archie McPhee website for more information about this exciting action accessory.

Tape Measures at the Ready, Minions

Tape measures at the ready, minions!  Tomorrow (January 23) is Measure Your Feet Day.  I can't imagine why, but there you have it.

It Must Be Official If There's a Coffee Mug

Devoted to Measure Your Feet Day

(Click Images to Bigify)

Yep.  Pretty Much.

Do cats' paws need to be measured today, or is it just humans?

Good Luck Getting an Accurate Measurement

So I suppose some humans around my Library will now proceed to measure my paws.

PAWS!  Measure the PAWS!  For Crying Out Loud!

No harness for moi.  Just saying.

Don't think of trying ANY measurements of moi, minions.

Think Twice About It, I'd Venture

Well, it seems rather silly to devote an entire day to podiatric measurements.  But it's your call.  My time, however, will be spent dumpster-diving.  Put those paws to good use, I say.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Kermit the Frog shows off his "happy feet" (sort of) in this tap-dance number from The Muppet Show (series aired 1976-1981).