heat makes people crazy

It hit the 50s today in Wisconsin. This is apparently enough to drive people a little nuts, because the library was out of control today. You know how they say that the first really hot weekend of the summer murder rates go up? Well, apparently a nice day in January makes the public get demanding, cranky, and plain old strange. (And yes, I mean more demanding, cranky, and strange than some of them normally are!)

It was a long day at work today. All of us were having a rough day. And yet even at the end of this day from hell, I honestly can say I would not have wanted to be working anywhere else. I got to make some book displays, I talked to a lot of different people, and I managed to talk one older lady through downloading and using an app on her iPad over the phone. The sound of accomplishment in her voice when it worked properly was worth every second. I put several people on the waiting list for computer classes; while it is a bummer that they are full already, at least we know we're filling a real need. (I teach intro to computer classes to the public.) Plus I got to give people books! What could be better?

Public libraries = the best.

This has nothing to do with libraries.

Parkers at Purple Stride Chicago 2010

I know I said I was going to stop posting non-library stuff here. But. I'm not. Because I'm posting this.

Come and be a part of Purple Stride Milwaukee with us! It is June 4, 2011, and we are so excited to celebrate with all of you and remember my dad. We are so so excited. Please join us. Donate or join the team by going here.

Hope

Lately there have been lots of new stories about gay children and young adults killing themselves after years of bullying due to their sexual orientation. I have lots to say about this issue, but it boils down to this:
1) This is not new. The media just decided to start talking about it.
2) I will never understand people who hate others because of who they love.
3) This whole situation is frustrating and I feel like there is nothing I can do.

You've probably seen this, but I figured the more exposure it gets, the better. Dan Savage, of Savage Love fame, started a Youtube channel called It Gets Better. It is supposed to show young LGBTQ people that life gets better after you grow up, get out of high school, and have the opportunity to move away from the people who hurt you.

Please check it out. Send it to people. Send it to teenagers you know, gay or straight. You never know who it will help.

It Gets Better.

A Reader for Life

Who made you a reader? For me it was my dad. A love of reading is one of the best gifts he has ever given me. Thanks Dad. I love you.

And now for something completely different

Dad, me, Noah, June 2009

Late last night, I got a call from my father. He has been battling pancreatic cancer for 4 months. In the past four months, we've seen amazing kindness and compassion from our entire community. His phone call concerned a touching article detailing one of those many acts of kindness. Please click over to Marquette Hoops. Thank you to Jim Ganzer, Buzz Williams, and the entire Marquette team. You could not have bestowed your kindness and faith on a more grateful person or family. Ring out Ahoya!


For more information on pancreatic cancer, please visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network