Cataloging fiction used to be simple. These days, with a proliferation of fiction genres and sub-genres, it can be a challenge to decide where to shelve books in the library. Take mysteries for example. Besides the classic mystery story, we now have suspense, thrillers and crime fiction, all of which share some aspects of a mystery but not all of them.Read More
Blog Post: Gravitate to the Library – Change for Charity
One important aspect of an employee’s job at Laramie County Library System is being a “Greeter.” The Greeter Desk is positioned at the entrance to the library near the gates. Chances are, when you’ve entered the library previously, you’ve seen someone standing there. Each employee serves in this role; it is our pleasure to interact with our patrons and be of assistance when needed.Read More
Library Lingo: Test Your Library Snuff!
Have you ever conversed with a librarian? Searched for titles with our shelvers? Ordered a beverage from the café with a side of caf-half-foam-whip-mocha-java (stirred, not shaken)?Read More
Blog Post: LCLS hosts 1,300+ 1st Graders for Wyoming Reads
More than 1,300 first graders descended upon the Laramie County Library System on May 17th 2016 to listen to tales of lore, humor, silliness and fun. The students were arranged by class throughout all floors of the library—and each group had a volunteer storyteller that hand-chose stories for their groups. Children were encouraged to participate, yelling out answers to questions (like “Who is going to make this flour into bread?” from The Little Red Hen).Read More
Blog Post: LCLS mends books?
A common question in libraries is, “If a book is in need of repair what should I do with it?” Please do not tape it back together. Just let a staff member know it needs attention. Most likely, you would not be charged for the damages but this is not guaranteed.
Books needing mending are marked for staff to inspect. We look to see how bad the damages are. Then we decide if it would be better to just replace the book or spend time mending it. Many books could have nine lives if mending is done early enough. Some books do go to the book graveyard.Read More
Blog Post: #PLA2016: A Conference of Librarians
It probably won’t surprise you to know that there are professional conferences for librarians out there. There’s a conference for everything, right (http://www.pcma.org/news/news-landing/2013/09/03/the-world-s-weirdest-conferences#.VwxNSOIrKUk)? The PLA, Public Library Association, conference was in April 2016, and a litter of librarians descended upon downtown Denver (to paint a better picture, imagine thousands of well-read people wearing sensible shoes and carrying advance copies of books) in a bevy of excitement.Read More
Blog Post: From the Circulation Desk – Finding What to Read Next
You’ve found an author or read a book you really like and want more of the same. What to do? Ask at the Ask Here Desk. We have training and experience in reader’s advisory. As you might imagine, reader’s advisory is the skill (or is it an art?) of recommending books. One way we attempt to come up with books you might like is by learning out what authors you currently enjoy and suggesting books by authors who write in the same genre.Read More
Blog Post: Young Volunteers and Boy Scouts Make Our Library A Better Place To Be
You might be surprised by the number of volunteers who help our library. There are many tasks associated with keeping a library this size clean, orderly and functioning well. Normally our volunteers are 12 years old and up (and up and up and up!).
Recently, I came to work at 9 a.m. and found 6 little boys working with Larry, one of our facilities guys. They were Tiger Scouts, all 7 years old, and were at the library to volunteer along with their Cub Scout leaders.Read More
Blog Post: Ten Reasons to Use Laramie County Library’s Computer Center
Located on the third floor of the Laramie County Library, our computer center is—well—awesome. Our staff members are always on hand to monitor usage and assist with minor concerns. Because we’re often front and center, we see a variety of different things happening on the computers that often makes our space tucked away on the upper floor seem like a community hub.Read More
Latino Americans: 500 Years of History at Your Library
Did you know that prior to 1960, if your family was of Hispanic origins, you were not allowed to live in housing north of Pershing? Or that your grandfather might have been passed up for certain jobs due to his race? In Laramie County, 17.4 percent of the population is of Hispanic origin. (http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00).Read More