Nomophobia--It's Real

Cell phones.  They seem to be almost unavoidable these days.  A number of people, including your own perch librarian here, have a cell phone in place of a house phone, a.k.a. "the landline."  I will even dare to assert that many belonging to older generations, like my parents, and people living in areas where no service is available are probably among the only people who don't use cell phones nowadays.

And of course, phones aren't just for talking anymore.  You can check the Internet, the weather, your e-mail, your home alarm system...heck, you can do just about anything on your cell phone to make your life easier and more convenient.  This convenience, however, can make us overdependent on the dang techno-gizmo which, in turn, can cause us to have nomophobia.

If you're not familiar with the term, nomophobia is a fear of not having cell phone contact (no mobile phobia--get it?).  People who can't seem to put their cell phones down for 5 minutes or who get the shakes if they're away from their phones for too long may have a case of nomophobia.  Sometimes I wonder if my husband has this because our dinners out have often become a threesome of me, him, and his cell phone (looking back, I'm amazed I never caught a glimpse of his cell phone on our first date).

As I may have mentioned on other occasions, I'm all for technology.  It can often be useful, but it has its time and its place.  Communicating with other people in face-to-face encounters is not the time or place to use your cell phone, as one librarian has attested.  One of the things I love most about being a perch librarian is the opportunity I have to talk with people in person without an electronic mediator.  It's courteous, but it's also human.

So when you come by the perch and approach me (or any other librarian or person for that matter), please do something that may be out of the ordinary.  Put away your phone, look me in the eye, and talk to me.  It may be scary at first, but you can do it.  I promise I won't bite.  And you can pull out your phone as soon as you're done talking with me.

Old-fashionedly yours from the perch.

Introducing...The Library Dragons!

They're protectors of the knight.  They're summer celebrities with the kids.  They're...The Library Dragons!  WooHOO!  There are three dragons in all: Duncan, Donut, and Munchkin.  They all love books and learning, but they have distinct personalities.

Duncan, the green dragon, is the biggest one, and he thinks he's in charge because of his size.  That doesn't make him mean, though.  He's actually quite protective of Donut and Munchkin, who are both small.  He's really excited that a book, Duncan the Story Dragon, has been written recently about him and that you can get this book at the library.

Donut, the red dragon, is Duncan's trusty sidekick.  Despite being smaller, he thinks he can do anything Duncan can (and he usually succeeds).  When Duncan needs a break from his duties at the library, Donut is more than happy to step in.  He's excited that Duncan got a book published, but he's hoping to get his own book sometime soon.

Munchkin, the blue dragon, is rather shy, so you don't see him as much as you see Duncan and Donut.  He likes hanging out in the back of the library where it's more quiet, but sometimes he comes out to see what's happening in the front.  Although he prefers being left out of the spotlight, Munchkin is willing to help Duncan and Donut whenever he's needed.

For most of the year you can see Duncan and Donut protecting our knight behind the perch.  During the summer, however, Duncan and Donut like taking turns hiding around the library in different spots each week and seeing if the kids can find them.  Munchkin spends most of his time in the back reading, but next summer he'll probably take a turn at playing hide and seek with the kids.

Next time you're in the library, don't forget The Library Dragons.  Be sure to give a nod to Duncan and Donut and pass on a hello to Munchkin.  And don't forget to read Duncan the Story Dragon.

Ever bookishly yours from the perch.

Correction: Dona has since informed me that Munchkin is actually a blue dinosaur who thinks he's a dragon because he wants to be cool like Duncan and Donut. -The Perch Librarian

The Bibliotherapist Will See You Now?

Maybe it's because I'm a perch librarian, but I must say I find the new concept of the "bibliotherapist" a bit strange.  The idea is you go to someone who will "prescribe" books according to what's going on in your life to help you feel better or overcome whatever you're going through.

Bibliotherapy is nothing new, although it's gaining more attention and popularity through books such as The Little Paris Bookshop, which centers on a bookseller who considers himself a "literary apothecary."  Many people have turned to books to read about others like them and see how they handle situations similar to their own.  For instance, a lonely, single woman may read books about how other lonely, single women live their lives to the fullest.  A recently divorced man might want to peruse books about others who have gone through the agony of divorce.  Bibliotherapy is a great way to gain validation that we're not alone in our experiences.

Earlier, we served as our own bibliotherapists seeking books that fit what we needed at the moment, and if we had trouble finding material, we enlisted the help of friendly perch librarians to recommend titles that would be helpful to us.  The librarians' services were and continue to be free of charge whereas bibliotherapists can charge roughly $125 for their services.  Ouch!

As far as I'm aware, there's no accredited program to train biblbiotherapists and there's no guarantee of privacy between bibliotherapists and clients.  In contrast, all librarians are required to have a masters degree from an accredited school of library science and they're expected to follow the Library Bill of Rights, which includes a provision for privacy.

To be clear, the relationship between librarians and patrons is similar to that between doctors and patients.  What you tell us stays with us; we're not supposed to tell others what library questions you've had.  We're also not supposed to tell anyone what library materials you checked out, now or in the past.  This is to protect your privacy and free speech, something ensured by the U.S. Constitution.  The majority of librarians are passionate about protecting the privacy of those they serve, but can the same be said about bibliotherapists?

Perhaps I'm biased as a perch librarian, but I can't help wondering why someone would spend their hard earned cash for the services of someone who has no degree or certification and who has no obligation to keep matters private, while they can seek the services of a bona fide professional for free?

Bibliotherapeutically yours from the perch.

September Tech Tuesdays

The summer's almost over (sniff-sniff) and it's just about time for the kids to go back to school and the rest of us to go back to work.  That means getting back into the groove of things and brushing up on our computer know-how.

So on that note, I'm here to tell you about something special going on in the library during the whole month of September--Tech Tuesdays hosted by yours truly, the perch librarian! *Applause*

Here's the scoop: laptops will be set up in the library conference room every Tuesday during the month of September between 12 and 3 p.m. (you're also welcome to bring your own laptop or electronic device).  If you have questions about how to use the computer, programs, online databases, or anything that's electronic or Internet related, feel free to stop by for some one-on-one help.  No appointment necessary!

Of course, you can always call or stop by the perch with your questions and concerns at any time the library is open.

Always helpfully yours from the perch.

Summer Travel and Books

Here we are in the middle of summer.  The weather's great and the road beckons.  Maybe you're looking to take that great American summer vacation with all the bells and whistles, or maybe you're interested in a simple local day trip.

Whether your trip is near or far, big or small, why not stop by the library for some travel ideas and information?  We got plenty of books on attractions and things to do in the local area and beyond.  For the most current information on your destination, you can use our computers to check some things on the Internet as well.

If you've already made your travel arrangements, don't forget we also have lots of recreational reading for you to enjoy while you're relaxing on the beach or camping in the forest.  Need a break from reading?  Check out an audiobook, CD, or DVD.

Whatever you need or whatever you're planning, chances are we have something that can be of use to you.  Just come on in and load up on the goodies.

And don't forget--the summer reading program continues until August 31 for kids, teens, and adults.  There's still time to do those log sheets and turn them in for prizes and a chance to win the drawings at the end of the summer.

Wishing you happy summer reading from the perch!

Handwriting Making a Comeback?

I'm sure you've probably heard that younger generations are no longer taught cursive handwriting in schools.  Typing lessons have become de rigueur, which is all fine and understandable, especially with computers being an unavoidable part of our lives these days.

On the down side, younger people aren't able to pen their signatures, which have become printed scrawls more easily replicated by forgers than cursive script.  Additionally, younger people can no longer read script, which means they can't read letters written by grandparents or other people from the past who wrote in cursive.

There is hope, however.  Apparently, cursive and calligraphy have become the new rage.  Younger generations are now finding "old school" handwriting with all its imperfections amazingly cool.  Just like other crafts done by hand, such as woodworking and knitting, calligraphy is viewed as another example of handcraftsmanship.

Many people today regard a handwritten note as something special.  After all, the person who did it took considerable time to craft each letter on the page with a writing instrument.  Unlike a laser or ink jet printer, the writer didn't spew out multiple pages in seconds.  It's something personal and more intimate. 

Additionally, beyond their personal and aesthetic qualities, calligraphy and cursive promote cognitive and fine motor skills in the hands.  In other words, handwriting makes your brain think and your hands work in ways they wouldn't otherwise.  Even more reason to give something "old" a new chance.

Old-fashionedly yours from the perch.

Still Alice

I know I'm usually your cutesy, bubbly perch librarian, but today I'd like to be a little more serious and share a book that's personal for me.

Still Alice is by Lisa Genova, a Harvard neuroscientist who uses her background and knowledge to write a story about a college professor dealing with early onset Alzheimer's disease.  It's a human story taking us along on Alice's journey from when she starts recognizing that her memory is beginning to fail to when she can no longer recall family members and must be constantly supervised.

My grandmother started dealing with Alzheimer's disease sometime in her late sixties, and she struggled with it for roughly 10 years until she passed away this year at the age of 81.  I started to read Still Alice when I was flying back from her funeral, and oddly enough, I found some comfort in reading it and having a better understanding of what she was probably going through.

Alzheimer's is a disease that takes its toll not only on the person with it, but also on everyone around that person.  It's scary for the afflicted person not to know where they are and who are the people around them.  They're not able to follow conversations or formulate responses because their brain cells no longer transmit information between each other.  As for those around the person, it's heartbreaking to see their loved one struggling and turning into a person who's only a shadow of  someone they used to know.

Genova does a great job of conveying information about Alzheimer's without being too technical and without losing the human, emotional side of the disease.  When I was reading Still Alice, there were many moments when I recognized my grandmother in Alice, and I'm sure others besides me will see a number of similarities between Alice's behavior and the behavior of someone they know or have known with Alzheimer's.

If your life has been touched in some way by Alzheimer's disease, Genova's Still Alice will help you understand both its physical and mental progression.  And if you don't know someone with Alzheimer's, the book is a well written human story about a person and a family dealing with an unexpected turn of events in their lives.  I highly recommend reading it.

Yours ever sincerely from the perch.