Bookmarks, Part II

In my last post I discussed using bookmarks to keep your place in a book as opposed to dog-earring pages, which causes damage.  Going one step further, I'm going to address the subject of bookmarks themselves--what is appropriate to use as a bookmark and what isn't.

Generally, bookmarks are rectangular slips of paper or card stock that you put between the pages of a book to keep your place.  Other acceptable bookmarks include thin metal bookmarks (the kind you buy in bookstores), ribbons, or even crocheted strips.  The reason why all these forms are appropriate is that they do not harm books in any which way or form.

Sometimes, we don't have a suitable bookmark available, so we use whatever is handy.  In a pinch, we may use any of the following items: a (clean) tissue/napkin/toilet paper, a receipt, an airline boarding pass, a postcard, a Post-It, an envelope, a business card...I think you get the idea.

Things you should NOT use as a bookmark under any circumstances include toe tags, grass, dandelions, clumps of cat hair, socks, toothpicks (even unused ones), guitar strings, bacon (raw or cooked), or any other kind of food.  Th bottom line--don't use anything as a bookmark that could damage a book.

If you've purchased and own the book, you could theoretically do whatever you want with it (although I'd like to think you'd treat it with care).  However, if it's a library book, please make an extra effort to keep it in the same condition in which you borrowed it so that others can enjoy it as well.

Speaking for the safety of books everywhere from the perch.

Bookmarks, Part I

Not all of us are able to read an entire book, cover to cover, in one sitting.  When that happens, unless we have incredible recall, it's probably common for us to mark the page we're reading so we can find our place again.  Normally this is achieved with a bookmark of some sort, whether it's made from paper, metal, or ribbon.

Another way of bookmarking, which is frowned upon in libraries, is dog-earring a page.  If you're unfamiliar with dog-earring (and I hope you are), the practice involves taking the top corner of a book page and folding it over to allow you to find the place where you left off.  Although it may be convenient to do if you lack a proper bookmark, it does damage books. 

Lately in our library we have found an alarming number of books being returned to us with dog-eared pages.  Some of these books are old while some are new.  Regardless, all library books should be kept in good condition for future borrowers to enjoy.  You wouldn't want to check out a book that's been misused and abused, would you?

Please take care of library books.  If you need to keep your reading place, we have plenty of paper bookmarks that are environment-friendly, reusable, and absolutely free!  You can't beat a deal like that!  And if, perchance, you happen to forget our wonderful bookmarks, please, PLEASE don't dog-ear the book.  Put something between the pages as long as it's not sticky, icky, or inky (I'll discuss this more another time).

Yours truly, trying to save one book at a time from the perch.

Make Your Intentions

We're halfway through January.  I'm sure many of you have made New Year's resolutions such as dieting, exercising, giving up smoking, being better with finances, etc.  Many of you are probably doing well in keeping those resolutions up to this point, but I'm sure there's an equal number of you who have already given up on them.  Am I right?

Perhaps it's time for a new tradition--New Year's intentions.  Stop and think about it.  According to Lexico, which is powered by Oxford (the same people who give you the Oxford English Dictionary), intention is defined as a "thing intended; an aim or plan."  Compare that with resolution, which is defined as a "firm decision to do or not to do something."  Doesn't an intention sound more appealing than a resolution to you?

Personally, I think it's more realistic to set up an intention.  Let's face it, if you're resolving to do something, like dieting, you're going to feel like a failure if you don't stick to it.  An intention is kinder.  You intend to improve, but if you fall short, that's okay.  Just get up and try again without beating yourself up.

So make some New Year's intentions, like going to the library more often.  If you don't fulfill your intentions one day, tomorrow is another day.  Do the best you can to keep your plans.  And if you do make it to the library, you might also want to make an intention to stop by the desk and say hello to your friendly neighborhood perch librarian.

Wishing you many good intentions from the perch.

The End of the Saga

In case you didn't know, I'm a big Star Wars fan.  I grew up with the original trilogy, I watched the prequel as a young adult, and more recently, I've been watching the sequel trilogy as *ahem* a slightly more mature person.  If you have any interest at all in these movies, you know that the last of the nine movies will open in cinemas next week, just in time for Christmas.

I remember thinking it odd that the original trilogy started with Episode IV and continued through Episode VI.  What about Episodes I-III?  It would take another 16 years until those early episodes would be released in cinemas.  Until the prequel, I assumed Luke Skywalker was the main character of the franchise because he was the good guy, the one you cheered on.  Then it became clear--Anakin Skywalker, a.k.a. Darth Vader, was the center of it all.

It was great to see how, from humble beginnings, Darth Vader became the menace of a galaxy far, far away, but he died at the end of Return of the Jedi.  Peace was restored.  The light side of The Force triumphed over the dark.  What more could be covered in Episodes VII-IX?  Apparently, plenty.  A mere 10 years after the prequel, we saw what happened to Han Solo and Luke Skywalker.  We saw a new threat, the First Order, grow from what was left of the Empire and the Resistance, the new Rebel Alliance, fighting it to make the galaxy peaceful once more.

The newest movie, The Rise of Skywalker, marks the end of a long era.  A very long era--42 years, to be exact.  Many of my generation who grew up with the movies are now seeing the last installment with their kids or even grandkids.  If you ask for my personal opinion, the nine movies George Lucas envisioned may be completed, but I don't see the Star Wars universe being gone forever.  I'm sure more movies will be made (think Rogue One and Solo).

In the meantime, we can watch the newest movie in the cinema and go to the library for Star Wars DVDs and books (you knew I had to plug the library, didn't you?).

Wishing you peace in your galaxy this Holiday Season from the perch.

Holiday Stress Busters

Here we go again.  The holidays are upon us.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner with Christmas on its coattails just 4 short weeks later.  Considering all the planning that goes into cooking, traveling, decorating, gifting, and whatnot, it shouldn't be surprising that so many of us feel frazzled to the point of no return.  And yes, even your normally mild-mannered perch librarian feels a little overwhelmed this time of year (though I try not to show it).

So, how do we survive the holiday season?  How do we keep ourselves from going crazy and maybe even enjoy ourselves a little?  

Here are some holiday stress busters to help you get through the most wonderful time of the year:

• Read.  Come on.  You know I had to put this at the top of the list, didn't you?  Take at least a few minutes each day to read a good book.  It will get your mind off things for a while.
• Sip.  Researchers in the UK have found that the act of brewing and sipping tea is relaxing, lowering your levels of cortisol, a.k.a. the "stress hormone."  And did I mention tea tastes good?
• Laugh.  Watch a funny DVD.  Get together with friends.  Tell a joke.  Dance a goofy dance.  Act dorky.  Whatever you do, have a good laugh.  That will be sure to lower your stress.
• Hug.  Another thing that lowers both cortisol and blood pressure is hugging.  That simple human contact does so much.  Don't have anyone to hug?  Hug yourself.  Seriously.  Don't worry--I won't tell.
• Breathe.  It's basic, but it does the trick.  Just sit down and focus on your breathing.  Breathe in, breathe out.  Your parasympathetic system will be activated and you'll feel better.  Why do you think meditation has become mainstream lately?
• Walk.  A little exercise does the body and the mind good.  You're moving those legs and swinging those arms.  Let those endorphins (the "happy hormones") flood your system.  Soon you'll be thinking: "Stress?  What stress?"

Keep in mind that you don't have to be Superman or Wonder Woman to get through the holidays.  Simplify, prioritize, delegate, and budget.  You don't have to do everything.  Be as kind to yourself as you would be to your best friend.  Self-care is especially important during the holidays.  And if you need some books, DVDs, or CDs to help you take a break, stop by the library--we got plenty of free things to get you relaxing.

Wishing you a happy and stress-free holiday season from the perch.

Seriously Ghoulish Books

Warning: This post is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach.

Here's something just in time for Halloween--anthropodermic books.  What kind of books are these, you ask?  Simply put, they are books bound in human skin.  Yes, you read that right.  Actual human skin.  Now how and why did such a practice ever start?  Well, allow me to explain.

Anthropodermic bibliopegy, as the practice of binding books with human skin is formally called, has been done over centuries.  It was rumored to have started in the Middle Ages, but the first reliable accounts of the practice go back to 17th century Europe.  Anthropodermic books became more common during the Reign of Terror in France when the skin of those executed was used in book binding (ironically, a copy of the Rights of Man was bound in human skin).  In 19th century Great Britain, the skin of hanged criminals was also sometimes used in book binding as an additional punishment (you gotta love those Victorians).

So, how many anthropodermic books are there?  The exact number is unknown, but according to The Anthropodermic Book Project, 50 books have been identified as allegedly anthropodermic and 18 have been confirmed as human.  Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your opinion), our library does not have any anthropodermic books.  If you must see some of these books, however, you can find them at Harvard University, Brown University, and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, among other libraries in the world.

I can't say that I'm a big touchy-feely person, so handling a book bound with human skin wouldn't be up my alley.  I have nothing, though, against leather-bound classics.  On second thought, maybe I'll just play it safe and stick to paperbacks.

With safe Halloween wishes from the perch.

Ever Evolving Libraries

Libraries.  I probably don't have to tell you, but they're places traditionally associated with books, silence, and shushing librarians.  Although books are still the mainstay of libraries, the silence and stereotypical shushing librarians are gone.  Libraries have evolved to become community spaces where people can learn in open environments filled with chatter.

Many librarians today specialize in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), teaching both children and adults things you would have normally learned at one time in a classroom.  Storytimes are made to be fun and informative, educating children on everything from human bodies to celestial bodies.  Libraries are going beyond the promotion of reading and literature.

Additionally, libraries and librarians are dealing with electronic devices and information.  People of all ages with questions about using computers or finding information on the Internet can get help from librarians. There's a reason why the library degree today is called an MLIS as opposed to the older MLS--it's a degree in library and information science.

Libraries have always been gateways to information, but today they are so much more than simply places to get books.  If you want to read a classic, though, that's okay, too.  Just choose whether you want to read that classic in print or electronically.

Actually and virtually yours from the perch.