The World's First Notary PAWblic

UPDATE April, 2021:   Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library discontinued notary public services in April, 2021.

 

 

Folks visit my Library for the wonderful services we provide, such as our notary public service.  Our notaries public are available (assuming they're scheduled to work) to notarize your signature(s) FREE of charge!  Just ask for Scowl-Face or BizMeister.  Well, you'd better not call them by my nicknames--just ask for Bill or Sharon, and our circulation staff will find them, no matter how carefully they've hidden in the stacks.

Whoops!  Wrong Seal

That's It, Pretty Much

Now, it occurs to moi that this is such a terrific service that I should be involved.  What'd be better than having free notarizations from a celebrity feline roving reporter?  Certainly, it would be a conversation-starter at parties.

Obviously, I wouldn't be eligible to be a notary public, as such, since Indiana law implies that such public officials must be human.  To us non-humans, that seems like a silly requirement, but people make laws, not felines, so I guess we know where we stand (or curl up).  But there's no law against my being a Notary PAWblic.  In fact, I can become one simply by way of my own executive declaration:

WHEREAS, I am a world-famous feline adored by humans far and wide; and

WHEREAS, I have four paws; and

WHEREAS, I can ink one of those paws and place it upon human's written documents to validate their signatures, provided I'm in the mood, and I get proper treats afterwards; and

WHEREAS, everyone who knows moi will tell you how honest I am; and

WHEREAS, this service is PAWSitively adorable.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE OFFICIAL FELINE ROVING REPORTER OF MOORESVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY that:

1.  Cauli Le Chat is hereby empowered to serve as a Notary PAWblic for library patrons; and

2.  A notarization by Cauli Le Chat has no legal effect whatsoever.

Ordered this 29th day of December, 2017, by

Cauli Le Chat

Official MPL Feline Roving Reporter (Retired)

That certainly sounds legal enough.  (Scowl-Face insists that I emphasize that it's not.)  Now for my official Notary PAWblic seal.  Minions, make with the fancy:

Mighty official-looking, I'll venture

(click to bigify)

Ol' Scowlly also said I had to type void on my seal so it couldn't be used by unauthorized kitties (or other critters).

So, all you peeps out there--if you need something notarized, you've now got a feline option.  Of course, if you want that notarization to actually mean something, then you'd better ask for our human notaries instead.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Here's a funny video called Noter Republic (2010) from Justin Neal on Vimeo.

Crawl Under Our Flipperwaddler

The Decorinator and BizMeister have once again created a charming interactive decoration at the front of our youth services department.  Like the others, this one is a "crawl-through" for our younger patrons.  More like a "crawl-under," I'll venture.

 It's a Flipperwaddler!

 Humans call them penguins

 I wonder if there's an egg under there?

It's crawl-ready, youngsters!

Actually, in my previous blog posts, I've called them penguins more often than flipperwaddlers.  I blame my editor, Scowl-Face.  He's usually responsible for anything wrong.

Our kiddy patrons just love crawling around on the floor through these artistic displays leading into youth services.  I've walked through a few moiself, so I can vouch for the fun.

Great job, Decorinator and BizMeister!

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Here are a couple of our videos (a readaloud and a book trailer) featuring the children's classic chapter book, Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard & Florence Atwater.

 Casey-at-the-Bat (i.e., Ms. Casey) Reads a Chapter

From Mr. Popper's Penguins (2015)

 MPL Book Trailer #108

Surely I Don't Look Like That

The Decorinator and BizMeister have just put-up our October decorations around the library.  'Tis the season to be Halloweeny, to be sure.  The decorations are wonderful, as always, but I have to take issue with a few of them.

Surely, I don't look like the felines in these photos!  (As always, click the pictures to bigify them.)

That's Not Moi

Not Moi, Neither

Definitely Not Moi with Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty

Cute, But Still Misses the Mark

We black kitties are NOT always arching our backs and hissing-and-spitting, I hope you know.  I understand the reputation black cats have, especially around this time of year--it's an unfair stereotype (just ask the ancient Egyptians)--but we need to fight against unfair stereotypes, right, librarians?  Or should I play this game, too?

Deux Can Play At This Game, Librarians!

All Dolled Up For Work, Barbie?

Right Back At'cha, Shush Lady

Some of our old favorites have a new look.

Hank & Willy Are Ready For Trick-or-Treating

Haunted Kiddy Crossthrough Is New!

It should be another fun month at the library.  We've got several Halloween-themed programs happening later in October, so visit our online events calendar to see dates and times.

Remember--if you see a black cat crossing your path, it means s/he is going somewhere.  Black cats always bring good luck to everyone who knows them.  Just ask all of my library colleagues and friends.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Life's a Long Song

I thought I'd end this blog with one of my favorite songs.

"Life is a Long Song" by Jethro Tull (1971)

(composed by Ian Anderson)

(Lyrics courtesy of AZLyrics.com)

When you're falling awake and you take stock of the new day,
and you hear your voice croak as you choke on what you need to say,
well, don't you fret, don't you fear,
I will give you good cheer.

Life's a long song.
Life's a long song.
Life's a long song.

If you wait then your plate I will fill.

As the verses unfold and your soul suffers the long day,
and the twelve o'clock gloom spins the room,
you struggle on your way.
Well, don't you sigh, don't you cry,
lick the dust from your eye.

Life's a long song.
Life's a long song.
Life's a long song.

We will meet in the sweet light of dawn.

As the Baker Street train spills your pain all over your new dress,
and the symphony sounds underground put you under duress,
well don't you squeal as the heel grinds you under the wheel.

Life's a long song.
Life's a long song.
Life's a long song.

But the tune ends too soon for us all.

We will meet in the sweet light of dawn, my friends.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

The Holodeck, It's Not

Lady RaDA sent my minions an email announcing that my library now offers a virtual reality headset (called Cynoculars) to checkout at the circulation desk.  The holodeck, it's not, but it's a start. Here's what the headset looks like:

Or Not

Something Like This, I'll Venture

Yep, Pretty Much

You'd Better Not Grab My Tail

(You've Been Warned)

This is what Lady RaDA had to say about the new Cynoculars:

"We now have a Virtual Reality headset available for circulation. It has a 7-day circulation period with no renewals, $.25 per day overdue fine, and $20.00 replacement fee. It is holdable. Please note that the patron will need an iOS or Android Smartphone that will fit into the cartridge. Larger Smartphones may not fit, so you may want the patron to see if theirs will work. The patron will need to search “VR” in the App Store or Google Play for apps to download and use with the headset.

"Here is a link to the Cynoculars website: [NOTE:  LINK IS BROKEN]  I strongly advise you to view the video on this website to learn about how it works (and to enjoy some rather bad acting)."

Can-do, Lady RaDA.

Introductory Video courtesy of Cynoculars.com

Lady RaDA continues:

"For now, we are going to keep the VR headset in a kit bag. The bag includes a remote control with 2 AAA batteries and a polishing cloth. It also has 7  laminated instruction cards on a ring."

To checkout the device, you'll need an Evergreen Indiana library card.  Ask about it at our circulation desk.  If you have the correct technology to work with the headset, it's yours for the taking.  Well, the checking-out, anyway.  You can't just take them.  Unless you're on the holodeck.  But that's not until the 24th century.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  The pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) introduced us to the holodeck.  Here's a clip with Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) discussing the technology.

Have DVD, Will Travel

As part of a pilot program, soon DVDs will transit between Evergreen Indiana libraries. That means, if my library has a DVD you want, and your "home" E.I. library is elsewhere (say, for example, in Clinton, Indiana, where Clinton Public Library's famous cat, Oliver, lives; or Thorntown, Indiana, where Thorntown Public Library's famous cat, Chance, lives, and where the even more famous cat, the late Tober, lived), you may place a hold on the desired DVD using your Evergreen Indiana library card and designate delivery to your "home" E.I. library.  Our DVD will be sent to you there, just like books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and other cool stuff you may checkout from the consortium.  When you're finished watching, just return it to any E.I. library, and it will be sent back to us through our transit system.  Pretty easy!

Click the E.I. Card (Above) to View the E.I. Online Catalog

Of course, the whole thing works in reverse--our patrons may place holds on other participating E.I. libraries' DVDs (only a certain number of libraries have been selected to participate in the pilot program), which will then transit here for our patrons to pick-up and return.

Our promo trailer (video) elaborates.

Evergreen Indiana DVD Transit Promo Trailer,

by Mooresville Public Library

How soon will DVDs begin to transit?  The Indiana State Library is still putting the finishing touches into our computerized system, so it will probably be sometime in March or April 2017.  But it's coming, and soon you'll be able to see lots of movies that your local E.I. library may not have. It's just another aspect of the wonderfulness that's Evergreen Indiana--your access to over seven million items!

Where do you find DVDs at my library?  I've got a map for that.  Make with the photo, minions.

Our Media Alcove in the Adult Services Area

(As It Looked in 2011)

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  My more senior readers may recognize that I based my title to this blog post on the television series, Have Gun -- Will Travel (1957-1963), starring Richard Boone as Paladin. Here's the series' theme song, "The Ballad of Paladin," sung by Johnny Western.

How Much Moore Moo? Just Asking

CircMaster recently emailed my minions about a change in our Evergreen Indiana "short name."  (All libraries in the Evergreen Indiana consortium go by abbreviated names in the computer system.) Previously, ours was MVPLM, or some such.  It didn't exactly roll off one's tongue.  Now it will be MOORE-MOO.

Click Logo (Above) to Learn More About E.I.

This poses a curious question:  How much more moo (or, if you prefer, "moore" moo) do we need? And who's going to provide this moo boost?  I've got a few suggestions.

Moo

Perhaps this Moo will do.

MPL Book Trailer #349

Moo: a Novel, by Sharon Creech

We've got plenty "moore" moo where that came from.  Stop by and see for yourselves.  Only don't expect any free moo-juice.  That's all reserved for moi.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Apparently, Canadian cows have "moore" moo, as this video shows (2007).

Our Thomas Tunnel

For several months the Decorinator and BizMeister have been creating cute tunnels for our little patrons to climb through at the entrance to our youth services department.  Here's their latest venture.  As always, click the photos to bigify.

It's Thomas the Tank Engine!

Too much flash, minions--you can't see Thomas' face

That's better

See how you can crawl through?

Here's where you end up

Our Miss Jess tested the tunnel after it was completed to ensure that it was safe for our young patrons to climb through.  She gave the thumbs up, so you're good to go.

If you enjoy crawling around, this is definitely a fun way to exercise.  Just be careful not to be too rough--it's cardboard, after all.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  "The Carpet Crawlers 1999," by Genesis, was a reunion song issued on Genesis: Turn It On Again (The Hits) (1999).

We Can't Spell Ukulele Without U

For several months, my library has offered a beginning ukulele workshop for folks interested in learning how to play.  There's a new batch coming next month (see our online events calendar for details).

If these famous dudes can learn to play ukulele, why can't you?  You can uke, Luke, even if your name's not Luke.

L to R: Jake Shimabukuro; Barack Obama; George Harrison

But, wait, you protest.  You don't have a ukulele, so how can you attend our workshop? We're way ahead of  you.  Checkout a ukulele with your Evergreen Indiana library card, and then come to the classes.  How easy is that?

Our promo trailer (video) explains.

Can't make the workshops?  Checkout our books and DVDs to learn to play ukulele. They, too, are available in our Evergreen Indiana catalog.

This could be you among these ambitious beginners.

Or how about these guys?  (I think they're actually instructors.)

Anyway, you're out of excuses now.  Come on in and have some fun!  You could use it.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  In 1994, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr performed "Ain't She Sweet?" on ukulele.  You can't get much more fun than that.

Not For the Bibliophobic

Our technical services director, Lady RaDA, has just mentioned on Facebook this bizarre little pop-up book that came across her desk, which we presume is not recommended for those suffering from bibliophobia.

The Pop-up Book of Phobias (1999), created and written by Gary Greenberg, illustrated by Balvis Rubess, with pop-ups by Matthew Reinhart, is listed in our Evergreen Indiana catalog as missing. Apparently, it has been found by Lady RaDA.  Better her than moi, I'd venture.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Don't let the Lady With the Red Hair see this next one.  Or Indiana Jones, for that matter.

The one below looks a bit like the giant spider in that sci-fi film that Mystery Science Theater 3000 riffed (The Giant Spider Invasion).

I'm really getting creeped-out now.

Okay, I'm outta here!

This must be a grown-up parody of children's pop-up books, I'm hoping. Maybe adult humans will get some laughs.  But for us felines, it's just too freaky.  We like things in our environment to look normal, as we cats see things.  That's why it scares some of my housemates when Scowl-Face wears a hat--or just enters a room, actually.

Let moi know if you think of a way to un-see all this.  Thanks.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  We close with "Phobia," by the Kinks, from the album Phobia (1993).