Our Love Affair With Superheroes

When I was 12 years old, I fell in love with Christopher Reeve and Superman.  Those dreamy blue eyes and nerdy lock of hair curling on his forehead made me crush hard (to be honest, I've never completely gotten over that crush).  And what's not to like about Superman?  I mean, he can fly faster than a speeding bullet, leap tall buildings with a single bound, etc., etc.  But he's also Clark Kent, the geeky, mild-mannered reporter with glasses who's charmingly klutzy.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who's a fan of one superhero or another.  Our collection of graphic novels (a more respectable rendition of comic books) keeps growing and being used on a regular basis.  Of course, we have Superman graphic novels, but we also have Batman, Aquaman, Iron Man, Captain America, Captain Canuck, Spiderman, Green Lantern...you name it, we probably have it.  And naturally, we have TV shows and movies which are popular and get checked out often.  Just look at all the hubbub the new Wonder Woman movie has been generating in the cinemas.

So, what is it about superheroes that captures the imagination of so many?  Granted, they're all good looking and incredibly muscular, but I think it goes beyond appearances.  In a world that's riddled with problems and tragedies, it's nice to imagine that people with superhuman strength can swoop in and save the day quickly.  It's also comforting to see that all superheroes have a secret identity as everyday, ordinary people who look just like us and deal with normal issues just like us.  Clark Kent loves Lois Lane, but he wants to be loved for himself because Superman is what he can do rather than who he truly is.

Centuries ago, the Greeks and Romans had gods who were capable of extraordinary feats while at the same time exhibiting human shortcomings such as jealousy and hate.  Today, superheroes have taken the place of ancient gods, inspiring us to possibly become our own superheroes and try to make our imperfect world just a little better in our own human way.  And for the record, I actually prefer Clark Kent to Superman because of his vulnerabilities rather than in spite of them.

Wishing you superhero daydreams from the perch.

Manners in the Library

The following post is an oldie but a goodie from 2014, but I thought it was worth a revisit.  It's wonderful to have so many people coming into the library with the Summer Reading Program in full swing.  Yay!  However, please remember to practice good library etiquette.

So here's a basic refresher on how to behave in the library:

• No running in the library.  The library isn't a playground.  Although we're happy to see kids excited about getting their books, we don't want to see them running and getting hurt.  We also don't want to see them playing tag and disrupting other library users who are trying to read and get work done.
• No shouting, yelling, or screaming in the library.  Again, the library isn't a playground.  Please remember to use your library voice (a.k.a. quiet voice or whisper) when you come in so you don't disrupt other people.  Save your loud voice for outside.  And parents--if your children are loud, we're grateful when you take them outside for a moment and return with them once they've calmed down.
• Don't throw library items around.  Books and other library materials aren't intended to stay on shelves unused.  They're supposed to be used and go on visits with borrowers to homes, work, school, and other places.  However, they're not meant to be thrown on the floor and other places where they can get damaged.  If you don't want an item, please leave it at the desk or at other designated areas.  It will be re-shelved properly.
• Don't scribble on the desks (or anywhere else).  You wouldn't scribble on your kitchen table or countertops, would you?  Then please don't scribble or allow kids to scribble on tables, chairs, books, or anything else in the library.  We want to keep the library a clean and inviting place for everyone.  If you or your kids have the need to scribble, we'll be happy to supply you with scratch paper and even crayons!
• Please and thank you are not bad words.  Politeness will get you far in the library, and we at the desk always like it when kids and adults have good manners.  We're here to help you and are happy to do so, but we never get tired of people asking us nicely for our assistance.

Let's make the library a safe, fun, and exciting place for everyone this summer and throughout the year!  After all, it's your library.  Treat the space and the materials in it like you own them, because you do.

My ever humble 2 cents from the perch.

Patriotic Movies

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, I was thinking of what can put us in the mood for the holiday beside barbecues and fireworks--movies!  After spending time outside in the heat, try cooling off inside with one of these patriotic picks (which can be checked out from our library, of course):

• American Sniper  A Navy SEAL is one of the nation's best snipers in history, saving countless lives while doing four tours of duty.
• Apollo 13  When something goes wrong on a mission to the moon, NASA has to find a way to bring three astronauts safely home.
• Born on the Fourth of July  A marine accidentally kills a fellow soldier and becomes paralyzed during his second tour of duty in Vietnam.
• John Adams  Depicts the life of the Founding Father and second president.
• The Patriot  A peaceful South Carolina farmer turns patriot and fights the British in the American Revolution.
• Patton  Focuses on the American general, George S. Patton, during World War II.
• Pearl Harbor  Presents the Japanese attack on the American naval base in Hawaii and how it impacts the lives of those involved.
• Saving Private Ryan  After D-Day, a small band of soldiers searches for an army private who lost three soldiers during the course of the war.
• Top Gun  Elite fighter pilots push each other to be the best at the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School.
• Unbroken  An Olympic athlete joins the military during World War II, survives a plane crash in the Pacific, is stranded on a raft for 47 days, and is captured by the Japanese who send him to a POW camp.

Enjoy one of these good movies or whatever it is you're doing this Fourth of July!

Wishing you a happy, fun, and safe holiday from the perch.

Books and Tea

Like many perch librarians, I like tea.  Hot tea, iced tea, sweetened tea, unsweetened tea, black tea, white tea, green tea, boba tea.  Get the idea?  I like tea.  There's just something about that little cup full of happiness that fills you with peace and calm.  The hot varieties make you slow down to avoid scalding your tongue, and the cold varieties make you slow down to savor the flavor.

And beside a scone, what goes perfectly with tea?  Books, of course!  Picture this: a cozy nook by a window, a comfy chair to curl up in, a cup of tea to sip on, and a book you can't put down.  Now honestly, fellow book lovers, does it get any better than that?

Maybe you have that special reading place at home?  Or maybe there's that special reading place somewhere in town?  There are a number of bakery cafes and tea houses that are inviting venues for reading.  I especially like this one bakery cafe (the Rockwood Bakery in Spokane) which is in an older building with big picture windows, high ceilings, rose colored walls, wood floors, and mismatched tables and chairs.  Whenever I go there, I can get lost in a book and cup of tea for hours.

Speaking for myself, I absolutely love the perfect cup of jasmine tea--nice, light, and floral (I like Two Leaves and a Bud).  When I'm in the mood for a strong, full-bodied tea, my little splurge is tea from the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC (you can order it online).  If I want a more fruity variety, I enjoy a cup of black currant tea from Ahmad Tea of London.

Do you have a favorite tea and a special reading place?  Share it with us!

Clinking tea cups with you from the perch.

Take a Hike (Or a Bike)

At long last the (somewhat) warmer weather has finally arrived in Spokane!  If you're like me, you're probably stir crazy from being cooped up through a cold winter and spring.  Maybe you're ready to burst outside, fill up your lungs with fresh air, and do something fun in the midst of nature.

Whether you're a hardcore athlete or just enjoy a little exercise, the Inland Northwest has a number of biking and hiking trails to get you out and about.

Some of my personal favorites include:

• Centennial Trail (WA) and North Idaho Centennial Trail (ID)
• Columbia Plateau Trail (WA)
• Mineral Ridge Trail (ID)
• Route of the Hiawatha (ID)
• Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes (ID)
• Tubbs Hill Trail (ID)
• Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (ID)

There are trails around Sandpoint, Idaho (the Mickinnick Trail has a good view of Lake Pend Oreille) and Libby, Montana (the trail to Kootenai Falls is a must-do).  If you're interested in exploring these and other trails, check out the following websites:

• Hikes Every Local Should Do
• Montana Wilderness Association
• MTB Project
• North Idaho Hiking and Biking Trails 
• Pedal the Palouse
• Priest Lake Hiking Trails 

Of course, the library has plenty of books on trails near and far.  Just stop by and ask your friendly neighborhood perch librarian what's available.

Wishing you happy trails from the perch.

Coloring for Adults

Remember what it was like when you were a kid and got a brand new coloring book with crayons that were never used?  Oh, the excitement of having a blank book just waiting for you to bring it to life with colors of your choosing!  And those pointy crayons with that familiar wax smell!  Coloring books and crayons were the keys to taking you away to a blissful world (and giving your parents a few hours of quiet!).

If you're missing those coloring days of your youth, you can re-live them again through the library's Coloring Club!  For one hour once a month, you can join your fellow adults in the library for coloring while you listen to soothing ambient music.  We supply the coloring sheets (which have a monthly theme), the coloring pencils, and the music.  You supply yourself and a desire to escape from the stresses of life for a short spell.

Ever since Johanna Basford came out with The Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book, the adult coloring craze has taken the country (and many libraries) by storm.  I remember at first being skeptical about coloring for adults, but it's something that so many of us need.

Coloring is like meditation--your mind clears as you focus on your hands maneuvering the pencils, filling pages with color.  It's a short break from whatever is going on in your life and a subconscious return to the happy, carefree days of childhood.  It also allows you to connect with your artistic side, something many of us have left by the wayside when we grew up and entered the adult sphere.

The library's Coloring Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  Why not take a break, relax a bit, and get in touch with your inner child?  After all, adults need to have some fun, too!

With ever colorful greetings from the perch.

10 Reasons Why Is the Library Important

This week is National Library Week, and it got me thinking: with information available electronically at our fingertips, why is the library still important?  There are many reasons the library has relevance in today's age, but for now I'll give you 10:

1. You can check out items for free.  Let's start with the basics.  You can check out everything including books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and more for free.  How many places loan things without charging a dime?
2. You can get free e-books and e-magazines.  Have an e-reader or tablet?  You can download books and magazines to your device for free as well.
3. Someone can show you how to use your electronic gadget.  Suppose you don't know how to use that e-reader or tablet you got as a gift.  The people at the store are in the business of selling products, not teaching how to use them.  Enter the library staff, ever willing to help for free.
4. The computers and Internet are free to use.  Maybe times are tough and you don't have a computer or are able to pay your Internet bill.  The library offers free use of their computers and Internet.  And if you do have an electronic device, you can use the library's Wi-Fi free of charge.
5. There are free programs and classes.  Want to learn how to knit or crochet?  Walk with other walkers?  Learn how to do computer basics?  The library has programs and classes to teach you these things and more.
6. It's the new community center.  Where can you get together with other people?  Where can you find out what's happening in the community?  You got it--the library, the modern town square!
7. There are still some things you can't get online.  Although a lot of things have been digitized, there are still so many more things that can only be found in print.
8. Librarians can proctor tests.  Taking a college class online?  Perhaps you need to take a proctored exam.  Well, library staff can serve as proctors.  For free!
9. It promotes literacy.  Maybe this is a no-brainer, but the library is in the reading business.  It has storytime programs for babies and for preschoolers.  Additionally, there are book clubs for young kids, teens, and adults.
10. It's both entertaining and useful.  If you're bored, you can always find something at the library to keep you entertained.  Something for home, something for that vacation you're taking.  If you want to learn, get information, apply for a job, or whatever, the library can help you do what you want to do.

The library is as essential as ever with its various offerings, most of which are free.  And not that you need any more incentive to come into the library, but this week in honor of National Library Week, we're giving away free book bags and other goodies, so come on in!

Yours truly from the perch.