A Kindergarten Refresher

The new school year has started. Some are continuing their studies, others are at the very beginning of a long road of formal education. Of course, however, we learn throughout our lives, both in and out of the classroom, academic subjects and life skills. 

Years ago, there was a book that resonated with many called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, written by Robert Fulghum (available as an audiobook on Libby). Although it was first published in 1986, there are simple lessons that can be applied not only to kindergarteners, but to all of us. And at a time when it seems like we're surrounded by a lack of respect, courtesy, and kindness, I think it's worth taking a look at some of the kindergarten lessons Fulghum thought are important to remember:

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.

The list goes on a little further, but you get the idea. One lesson I remember learning in my own kindergarten--if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. 

Wouldn't it be great if we all remembered and practiced the not-so-little life lessons we learned in kindergarten? I'm not so naive to think they can solve all of the world's problems, but I think if we all tried to put these early lessons to use in our own encounters with others, whether in person or online, we've done our part. Maybe that's one of the reasons I enjoy being a librarian--when you're helping a library patron, kindness comes with the territory (or at least it should).

What are some lessons you remember from your kindergarten? Share with us!

Wishing everyone a great new school year from the perch.

The Return of the Cassette?

When was the last time you saw cassettes in the library? For me, it was probably around 10 years ago, and the few we had were books on cassette or language learning cassettes. Since then, they have been removed from our collection because they rarely got checked out, and most people told us they didn't have cassette players anymore. Could that soon change?

If you or someone you know is a Swiftie (fan of megastar singer Taylor Swift), you might decide to buy her next album on cassette. No, I'm not kidding. Swift's next album, Life of a Showgirl, will be released in October on streaming, CD, vinyl, and...cassette.

For decades, "records" (a.k.a. "vinyls") were the primary format for audio recordings, but they had their limitations--they scratched easily and weren't very portable. Cassette tapes came out in the 1960s and became popular with the public in the 1970s through 1980s because you could take them anywhere (think 1980s "boom boxes" and car tape players). As a teenager, I played the cast album of The Phantom of the Opera endlessly (okay, I was a weird kid).

So why the heck is Taylor Swift releasing her latest album on cassette, of all formats? Apparently, Gen Z want to connect with their favorite singers more closely through something old school and tangible. Cassettes are also different from streaming in that you need to listen to an entire side rather than skip from one song to another (technically, you can fast forward to the next song, but it's not so easy to find its starting point).

Will the library be buying cassettes again? I doubt it. As someone who grew up with cassettes in the '80s, give me a clean-sounding CD I can play in my car and skip to any song I want.

Do you want to see the return of the cassette? Why or why not? Share with us!

Ever truly yours from the perch.

(Photo Source: BRRT on Pixabay)

"Superman" Returns?

There's hype about Superman, the latest movie in the Superman franchise coming out this week. You may recall that I'm a big Superman fan, so I'm interested in this new take on the iconic superhero. Although I've enjoyed portrayals of the Man of Steel by different actors, Christopher Reeve's portrayal will always be the most quintessential to me and others.

In fact, a number of people like Reeve's Superman so much that they've created AI versions. Yes, there are actually videos on YouTube that feature an AI Reeve as Superman that eerily look AND sound like the late actor in his prime. Other videos present an AI Reeve as an aged Superman, something we sadly never saw in real life.

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) resurrected Peter Cushing to play Moff Tarkin in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 22 years after the actor's demise, but there's a difference between CGI and AI. Whereas CGI is created and controlled by artists, AI is created completely by computers and looks unnervingly realistic. Beside movie characters, some have even digitally resurrected loved ones, which raises a whole slew of issues.

As astonishing as it may be to see "Christopher Reeve" portray Superman, I can't help but wonder how his children must feel seeing a character on screen that's not actually their father but looks and sounds so much like him. Is it respectful to resurrect a person through AI? Robin Williams didn't seem to think so, since the comedian's will had a special trust that didn't permit the likeness of his image (CGI, holograms, etc.) to be used for 25 years after his death (Williams died in 2014).

What do you think about AI characters? Share with us!

Best wishes as always from the perch.

If You Want Your Kids to Read...

Yes! Summer is officially here, along with the Summer Reading Program. We have a good start with a number of kids, teens, and adults participating and collecting cool prizes. Those who haven't registered online are registering in person at the library, which is great--we always love seeing families coming in! One thing that surprises me a little, however, is parents signing their children up for the Summer Reading Program but not themselves.

I know, I know. We adults have no time for fun. The kids are home from school, and we're trying to keep them entertained while working, cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with the bills. We may feel we have no time for something that feels counterproductive, like reading. It's something for the kids to do, not the adults. Well, I'm here to change your mind.

If children don't see you reading, they will have less incentive to read. Kids love imitating the adults in their lives. If they see adults doing something, no matter what it is, they want to do it, too. And you know what's even better? When you read together with your kids. It's quality (and fun) time for everyone involved. Not to mention it's a great opportunity to nurture your relationship with your children.

Don't think you need to read "grown-up" books to participate in the Summer Reading Program. Reading children's books with your kids is still reading; it counts for your reading logs and theirs. And listening to audiobooks is also reading. Bottom line--if you want your kids to read and take part in the Summer Reading Program, be sure to take part in it yourself--you'll be glad you did.

Wishing you a summer full of fun reading from the perch.

What I've Been Reading (and Liked!)

The Summer Reading Program is here, which means we should all be reading books we enjoy (though, if you ask me, that's what we should be doing year round). Reading something good on our vacation or our staycation, by the lake or by the sea, in the park or in the backyard. Personally, my favorite go-to place for reading in the summer is on my back porch, in the shade, with a glass of iced tea.

There are so many good books out there, old and new, but I'd like to share with you several which I've recently read and enjoyed:

• The Women (Kristin Hannah)  An excellent read, but not a light one. Vietnam Vets we're given anything but a hero's welcome returning home, but many Americans, including male veterans, denied that there were women serving in Vietnam as nurses and in other capacities. This book presents the horrors of the Vietnam War and the toll of PTSD along with the government's failure to support its female recruits.
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Toshikazu Kawaguchi) This is a different kind of time travel book. In a Tokyo cafe, a person can travel back (or forward) in time to meet someone, but whatever the person says or does will not change the course of events. It's interesting to see why someone wants to visit a certain time and with whom. Often, the time traveler ultimately finds some kind of closure and peace.
• The Boxcar Librarian (Brianna Labuskes) Big surprise, I enjoy reading books about libraries and librarians; I also enjoy historical fiction. This book, based on a true story, focuses on a Missoula librarian in the 1920s who has the idea of turning a train's boxcar into a library that travels to various mining camps around Montana.

Which books have you read lately and enjoyed? Share with us!

Wishing you great summer reads from the perch!

It's Time for Summer Reading Again!

The Summer Reading Program (SRP) is the Super Bowl for libraries. We plan for it months in advance, when snow is on the ground and the cold winds blow. When most readers are thinking about books accompanied by hot chocolate, we're choosing T-shirts and prizes for logging minutes read. We're planning fun programs and exciting activities for library patrons of all ages.

Despite all the thought and planning, it's always hard to believe it when the SRP is less than 2 weeks away! Yes, you read that right--LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY, starting this year on SATURDAY, JUNE 7! Where does the time go? Well, it went somewhere, possibly to a galaxy far, far away or back a few months with a time-turner. 

Anyway, keep in mind that the SRP is for everyone, and we mean EVERYONE! Whether you're 1 month old or 100 years old, you can participate (reading to someone else counts, for the reader AND the listener; listening to audiobooks also counts). There's no age limit for reading. Additionally, there are no required subjects for reading. The main idea and purpose is to READ! Read anything you like just for the fun of it, no matter how silly or serious. JUST READ!

If you have kids or teens, don't tell them that they're avoiding the summer slide by doing the SRP and keeping up on their scholarly skills for the following school year. Let them have fun exploring things they enjoy. Don't worry if they're reading graphic novels (a cousin to traditional comics), Captain Underpants, or some supernatural teen romance. The bottom line--let them READ! 

Don't know what to read? Then stop by the front desk to talk to your friendly perch librarian or another helpful library staff member and we'll have plenty of book suggestions for you.

Happy summer reading from the perch!

Put Some "Njuta" in Your Life

I think I'm going to live in a Scandinavian country in my next life. Not only does Scandinavia offer universal healthcare and free childcare, they have good concepts that enrich everyday life. Take hygge, for instance, something popularized in the U.S. some years back with a number of books by Meik Wiking and others. The Danes have the right idea in creating coziness with some candles, warm socks, a book, and a cup of coffee or tea, among other things. 

More recently, I've been reading Niki Brantmark's Njuta, which addresses the Swedish concept of enjoyment or delight. Njuta is a very mindful thing, all about savoring and being in the moment, taking pleasure in the little things right before you. For example, if you're hiking in a forest, stop to lean against a tree and take everything in--the sight of the trees and vegetation, the fresh smell of pine needles, the feel of the breeze on your face, the sound of the birds and other animals. Or think of a barbecue--it may taste great at home, but imagine how much better it will taste after that hike in the forest.

Njuta, however, isn't just about enjoying the outdoors, but also the indoors, bringing a little of the outside to the inside. This can be done both at home or even at work. It's why I have a live succulent (which I've nicknamed "Spike") along with a pearly string of "happy lights" at the perch (in the winter, I put out some actual pinecones for atmosphere). It's also why I take short walks outside during my 10-minute breaks; it's something I look forward to doing and something that keeps me completely present (not to mention it's good for health reasons and for increasing productivity at work).

Scandinavians have some good ideas with njuta, hygge, and death cleaning (which isn't as morbid as it sounds). Luckily for the rest of us, they're sharing some of their secrets to the good life through books (a number of which you can access through our library in print and digital formats). Why not put some Scandinavian practices into your own life and make the most of your everyday?

Wishing you good njutning from the perch.