Reading is good for stress!

'Tis the season. . .to be stressed. I love Christmas. But the week before is intensely stressful. I am one of those people who get packages in the mail just in time to get there, am wrapping gifts for stockings at midnight on Christmas Eve (unless I focus on doing it bits at a time for two weeks, which requires thought and personal reminders and, oh, yes, stress because I haven't done it yet), holds the family dinner and wants everything to look as perfect as possible, even though the tidy results of all that cleaning last for about thirty seconds after everyone walks in the door.

I saw the title of an article today on the cover of December/January 2011 issue of Natural Health magazine. It was "Instant Calm - A simple cure for days that feel crazed". I focused on that for a moment before I snorted. We can all eliminate stress instantly. It's simple. That's why so many people suffer from so much stress, right?

All the things I have read about dealing with stress require us to do something. Meditate. Eat right. Eliminate caffeine. Exercise. Sleep more. Sleep less. Make a list and don't lose it. Prioritize. Eliminating stress requires those who are already trying to keep up to do something else to eliminate the consequences of what you are doing. Does this seem counterproductive to anybody except me?

Well, I read the article. You never know. It might actually have one teeny suggestion I could implement without making a special trip for new vitamins, changing my bedtime or giving up coffee and chocolate, especially in the middle of the holiday season. As usual, it suggested vitamins that aid in calming, exercising, being in the sun 20 minutes a day without sunscreen or sunglasses, prioritizing, giving up caffeine, and meditation.

But wait. Under 'cultivate active rest', reading was listed as a form of meditation that gives focused attention to the moment! Finally, something that I do every day. Reading relieves stress and I don't have to feel guilty about it. I can remind myself, and anyone else who questions this expenditure of my time, that too much stress causes long term health problems and reading can help that.

So pick up a good book this holiday season - one you actually want to read - and enjoy yourself. The library will be happy to help you reduce stress.

They are tough on overdues in Texas!

A 25 year old woman in Bayton, Texas, was taken to court after she did not return overdue library books for seven years. She didn't show up in court and was jailed on contempt of court charges, in addition to the charges for the overdue books. This was on the day before Thanksgiving. Her reason for not returning the books was that they were burned in a fire, which she said her landlord and the fire department could verify. But she never told the library and she did not show up for court.
A detective in the Bayton Police Department said this case is uncommon, but he also added, "It's a part of the deal, part of the agreement that you enter. It's just like anything else. . .you can't take something that doesn't belong to you and just hold onto it."
This is a rather extreme reaction to overdue books, although if you bring up the subject with almost any librarian, they will probably start grinding their teeth before unclamping their jaws and responding in a reasonably civil manner. Library books and materials are returned late everywhere. Usually it's just a matter of forgetting about it, receiving a notice from the library or finding the things yourself, returning the materials and paying a fine. Librarians understand that. When you are busy and the kids are in sports and the dog is at the vet's and your husband has the flu, library books are about the last thing on your mind. But at some point, most people with overdue books return them which makes everyone happy. There is no reason for a librarian to grind their teeth over the run-of-the-mill overdue book.
It's the patrons who have them out for years that cause the angst. It's when someone comes in and says, "What do you mean we owe $112.00 in fines? We couldn't return them, we moved to California! But we're back now. Are you SURE we can't check out?" It's when the library sends overdue notices and gets them back because the person has vanished. It's when a brand new book or DVD or video game gets checked out and apparently the patron thinks it now belongs to them forever. "Cool! The public library is free!"
Yes, you can check the materials out for free. But you can't keep them. They are paid for by the funding entity (city, county, school system) and legally belong to them. Besides, if you check something out and don't bring it back, you can't check anything else out. Think of what you might be missing! And think of what other patrons are missing because you didn't return it.
We appreciate our patrons. The Arthur Johnson Memorial Library is used by a large part of our community and you should know that we are not going to go as far as the library in Bayton, Texas, when books are overdue. (No need to change your name or leave town.) Just keep turning in those things you have checked out so we can keep checking out new things to you. It's what we are here for, what we like to do, what we hope you enjoy, over and over and over.

Public Libraries Administered by Private Companies

There is a new trend in this day of cost cutting. (Actually, it's not brand new, but it does have to do with cutting costs.) Public libraries owned by cities and municipalities and formerly funded and operated by the same, are being turned over to private companies to operate. It's all about the bottom line. Theoretically this saves the city or municipality money. This is actually true. The private company looks upon the library as a money pit. This means fewer employees are hired, hours open to the public are cut, book budgets are slashed and the bottom line is a lot lower.

Unfortunately, this does not add up to real public service. A patron told me a story the other day about the library in his daughter's Texas town. It is going to be turned over to a private company to operate. Not only would the hours be cut and the people doing the work be more like clerks than librarians, the actual library administrative work and decision making would be done from the company's office in the east. That meant there would be no librarian on the premises to make purchasing decisions, be familiar with the needs of the public using the library, be acquainted with a single person who entered the building, have any idea if the lighting was adequate, if the books should be shifted, if another book shelf could be fit in to hold more in certain sections, if things like reference books were properly updated or even if the floor was vacuumed and the doors were unlocked on time to let people in.

The patron's daughter had seen what happened to a library in another town close by when it was turned over to a private company. No new materials (books, DVDs, Cd's, etc.) had been purchased for two years. Yes, it was a money saving deal.

Public libraries have traditionally been supported by public money. Yes, they have their business aspects. Bills have to be paid, physical plants (the actual building) have to be kept up, contracts signed, equipment purchased, building codes and federal requirements, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act, have to be met. Patrons are a lot like customers, and librarians have to use the funds at their disposal to serve the largest patron base possible. But there is a lot more to libraries than the business side. There is real public service where trained people familiar with the collection and with computer usage do their best to help others. They may be paid with public funds, but that is appropriate, since they are providing a free public service. If you live in a small town, it is comforting to know who you are going to be dealing with when you go to the library. The librarian does not live in another state. You can actually talk to him/her face to face.

As for the patron's daughter, she has taken her children to the next town and gotten library cards at that public library - because that is what it still is, a real library that serves real people.

Raton Science Cafe : "Giant Waves and Rogue Waves"

The Raton Science Cafe will meet at the library Thursday, December 9, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. The topic will be Giant Waves and Rogue Waves. A collection of the best 90 slides from five different sources will be shown. Giant waves can be surf waves, tsunami waves, and rogue waves. Their power is illustrated by many photographs of damageed ships and oil rigs; and in a few instances - the actual rogue waves. A handout shows 21 of the favored locations of rogue waves. Viewers may also have a CD-ROM copy of the presentation. If you are interested in reading up on the subject beforehand, the library holds a copy of "The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean", a best-selling non-fiction book by author Susan Casey. The presentation will be followed with food and drink refreshments.

Dennie R. Gum has published a new book!

Dennie Gum, the assistant librarian at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library, has published a new book titled, "Unknown Lover". This is a modern romance involving three friends and their struggles and personal decisions regarding their attachments for one another. Dennie has previously published "Winter Dreamer" and has a third book in process. We are proud to have her books available to the public. If you wish to read "Unknown Lover", call and reserve the book. The library has two copies, both of which are flying off the shelf as our patrons enjoy this story by our very own library employee.

Vote "Yes" for Bond B for libraries on November 2, 2010!

As libraries are more used and needed in this time of economic recession, their budgets are being cut because there simply isn't enough money to go around.
On the statewide election ballot Bond B, if passed, will provide $7,000,000 to go to New Mexico public, school, tribal, college and university libraries to update their collections, equipment and databases. This money is not distributed until the library has purchased and paid for books and materials, computers (including parts, and needs to make the patron computer experience as up to date as possible), and online data bases that charge for their information. The State of New Mexico checks all submissions for reimbursement from libraries to make sure that the funds are used properly before each library receives any of these funds.
At this library, we have been able to purchase new computers, new headphones, new parts such as increased memory, as well as many books, DVDs, audio books, music and periodical subscriptions. While the city does provide many things for the library, including funds for the books and materials, necessary budget cuts have left us with only the GO Bond funds to keep our public access computer network up and running.
Not only will public libraries benefit from much needed funds, but the school libraries throughout Colfax County will also benefit. The following figures are based on charts prepared using existing distribution formulas, population figures and existing libraries in Colfax County. These figures give you an approximate idea of how much money libraries in this county will receive if Bond B passes on November 2, 2010.
Public Libraries
Arthur Johnson Memorial Library $11,233.68
Eagle Nest Public Library 3,080.30
Fred Macaron Public Library (Springer) 4,200.30
Shuter Library of Angel Fire 3,983.44

Public Schools
Cimarron Municipal Schools $10,501.60
Maxwell Municipal Schools 6,098.27
Raton Public Schools 11,329.76
Springer Municipal Schools 8,201.66
Moreno Valley High School 3,127.45

TOTAL FOR COLFAX COUNTY: $61,756.46

Please vote "Yes" for Bond B and help all the libraries in the county provide the much needed materials and computer services for our citizens. Every penny of it is needed.
Thank you!

The Raton Science Cafe Meeting on Oct. 14th, 2010

The Raton Science Cafe will present the DVD, "The Electromagnetic Spectrum". Earth Science Week is October 10 -16, 2010. This year's topic is "Exploring Energy". The electromagnetic spectrum is one of many types of energy, with light being the most common example. This 35 minute DVD will cover radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light waves, ultraviolet light waves, x-rays, and gamma rays. Although we call the latter two types 'rays', they are really waves. The video explains how these waves are formed by man or other processes, their unique properties, how we use them, and other fascinating facts. We thank Ms. Susan Welch, of the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, Socorro, NM, for the large packet of educational material she has provided. It will be donated to Raton High School after the meeting.
The presentation will be followed with food and drink refreshments.

Donations Welcome!

The Arthur Johnson Memorial Library has always accepted donations. The most frequent donations have always been books. We also accept magazines (which are placed on the Friends of the Library sale shelf, but are given away free of charge), as well as DVDs and audio books. These donations have added enormously to the reading, viewing and listening pleasure of library patrons over the years. While we cannot put every book, movie and audio book we receive on the shelves, we do go through each donation item by item. Those not added to the collection are given to the Friends of the Library. The FOL sell these donations and the money made by this independent support group is used entirely for the library's benefit.
In the past we have received donations in the form of art, items to display, a DVD player and holiday decorations.
Recently we have received book shelf donations from Mr. and Mrs. Steven Havill. We have used these shelves to expand the youth fiction section, the adult fiction section and the large print section.
And, as always, we accept monetary donations from generous individuals and groups whose pleasure in and support of this library has made it possible to serve our many patrons with even more materials in a pleasant environment.
Thanks to all of you who have thought of us as recipients of your donations.

Pre-School Story Hour - Introduce Your Child to the World of Story Books!

Young children love to have someone read them a story. The magic of a story book is one of the best gifts you can give a child too young to read to themselves. Early introduction to books (with lots of pictures!) teaches a child early about reading. Since reading is something they will do their whole lives, whether it is in school, for fun, with a book, or on the computer, the library would like to help awaken your child's interest in reading. Come to Pre-School Story Hour every Wednesday morning at the library, 10:00 A.M., and bring your pre-school children of any age. Not only will they listen to and look at great story books, they will interact with other children and make a project to take home each week. Just one hour a week in the world of books will do your child a world of good!

School Days

Now that school has started again, don't forget the library serves students of all ages throughout the school year. Class tours can be scheduled, books for reports checked out, ideas for science fair projects found, there is a fine selection of Native American books on different tribes, and we do have encyclopedias that can be checked out for three weeks.
Teachers, there are materials to aid you as well; books to aid in teaching math, English, social studies and activity books for the lower grades; books to inspire and aid teachers to do their best; books on teaching students of all ages, including advanced students and students with various handicaps; and specific materials that have been requested in the past by teachers for their students. If you have a lesson plan that requires a certain book down the road, call the library and see if we have it. If not, we may be able to purchase it.
Books on homeschooling children (not text books or home school curriculum) are also available
Books can be checked out by teachers on 'program'. This means that the books can be used in the classroom for nine weeks in order to aid students in specific projects and reports. The limit of six is extended to however many books the teacher needs and can be responsible for.
Computers for research after school hours are available. Sign up at the front desk.
The library is open Thursday nights until 9:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. This gives students more time to utilize the collection for their educational needs.
Remember, students, it is always first come, first served. If you need a book on a specific topic, come early and check it out. If you do not have a library card, bring a parent or guardian to co-sign the form with you, and we will be happy to issue you one.
Get into the school year right by using the public library!

Library Report for Fiscal Year 2009 - 2010

At the last Library Advisory Board meeting on July 21, 2010, Thayla Wright present a report on various functions of the library during the fiscal year than ended June 30th, 2010. Included were a Usage and Checkout report, Meetings and Programs report, and Financial Take-In report.

The Usage and Checkout report included a breakdown of materials used in the library and checked out from the library of various types, including adult fiction/nonfiction, juvenile fiction/nonfiction, youth fiction/nonfiction, DVDs, audio books, music CDs, computer games, and periodicals. Services in house, such as computer usage, internet usage, reference aid and computer aid were also included in this report.

Yearly total: 69, 984 Weekly average: 1,345

The Meeting and Program Report showed a total of 207 meetings/programs held in the library with a total attendance of 2,763.

These meetings and programs included everything from pre-school story hour to hosting New Mexico Census Training. Local individuals, groups, classes, discussion groups, clubs and others use this building throughout the year. So do groups on a state level. Programs that come from inside and out of the state are hosted when possible at the library. Programs and meetings are forbidden to be held on a 'for profit' basis in the library.

The Financial Take-In Report showed money coming in from donations, memorial book donations, fines and fees and copies and faxes, totaling $10,673.34
Grants and GO Bond money totaled $24,878.66.

It was explained that funds that come from fines/fees and copies/faxes go back into the city's general fund. Memorial book money is used to buy those books specified as memorials. Donations are used as the donors specify. If that is left up to the library, it is used to aid in programming, the purchase of books and materials, or other ways that benefit the patrons of the library.

The New Mexico State Library Grant-in-Aid has limitations on what it may be used for as well criteria that must met to qualify for this yearly grant. The GO Bond funds must also be used in specific ways (materials and computer needs) and have a time line by which those funds must be spent.

Make a splash!

Looking for something to do? Summer Story Hour happens every Wednesday morning at 10:00 A.M. for children aged pre-school through the 6th grade. In the first three weeks, total attendance has been 232. Each of the group leaders are members of the library staff, and we are enjoying watching the children pour into the library every Wednesday morning. "Make A Splash At Your Library" has four more weeks to go. Come and discover books, projects and the Black Pearl, where you can spend Sand Dollars earned by filling out and turning in reading logs each Wednesday.
It's summer time! Come to the library for "Make a Splash!".

Did you know. . .

. . .that throughout the year, we have averaged approximately 650 visits per week? Why do people come? They come for:
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Audio books
Movies
Video games
Internet
Copies
Faxing
Research
Computer classes
Used books from the Friends
Meetings
Programs
Tours
Sometimes they just need a map, or they want to look at the paintings hanging throughout the library. Occasionally they drop in to say hi or get out of the rain.
Your library is about more than books (although they are still our favorite things!). It's a world in itself, and it's populated by all of you.

Audio Books at the Library

The library has just added 14 new Louis L'Amour, two Clive Cussler, two Nicholas Sparks and one Dean Koontz audio books to the collection. These audio books on CD were donated by Kathy Harris. The audio book collection has both CDs and tapes, although audio tapes are being phased out slowly. If you have a car trip to make, an exercise routine, just want to shut out the noise, come take a look at the audio book collection at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library

Raton Science Cafe to Meet August , 2010, at 7:00 p.m., Prospecting in Utah

Have you ever planned a trip using only information on the Internet? Your regular host did this for a Father's Day vacation to visit his daughter in Ogden, Utah; and they planned a side trip to Moab to prospect for uranium. Some 100 lbs. of ore were found. It was worth only $30.00, but the fun was priceless.
Sixty slides will be present in about as many minutes. You will share in the excitement of exploration, discovery, and in learning how the uranium prospecting boom exploded in Moab during the early 1950s. You will also learn about how to prospect, minerals (uranium in particular), geology, teacher workshops, radiation, and the history of Charles Steen and his impact in the region. Did you know that prospectors found a fossilized tree and a fossilized dinosaur, both
made of high-grade uranium ore?

The AJML/Longellow After School Program books available for checkout.

The Arthur Johnson Memorial Library has published two volumes of the "My Story" competition entries from the contest sponsored by the library for the After School Program elementary students. Each student entered an original story with original illustrations for judging. Dennie Gum, assistant librarian, has bound copies of each entry in two volumes that are available for checkout at the library. Congratulations to all the students who participated. You are now published!

Library Advisory Board Meeting

The Library Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at 5:30 P.M. This meeting is open to the public.

The library will be closed on these scheduled holidays

New Year's Day Friday, January 1st
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 18th,
President's Day Monday, February 15th
Good Friday Friday, April 2nd
Memorial Day Monday, May 31
Independence Day Monday, July 5th
Labor Day Monday, September 6th
Veteran's Day Thursday, November 11th
Thanksgiving Thursday, November 25th
Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 26th
Christmas Friday, December 24th
Christmas Saturday, December 25th
New Year's Day Friday, December 31st
New Year's Day Saturday, January 1st, 2011

"Defending Our World" - from asteroids and comets.

Do you watch disaster movies? If so, you have probably seen "Armaggedon", starring Bruce Willis. In a last ditch effort to save us all from a planet killing collision with an asteroid, NASA sends two space shuttles loaded with drilling equipment and an atomic bomb to see if they can destroy the asteroid. Guess what. That is not as far fetched as you might think.
The January/February 2010 issue of "Planetary Report" focuses on collisions between Earth and asteroids, both past and future. According to the articles, it's only a matter of time before another asteroid hits the planet, and this time it wouldn't be just the dinosaurs that vanish. In 2036 "we now face the potential for another detected collision. In 2029, asteroid Apophis (270 meters in diameter) will pass withing 40,000 kilometers (24,800 miles) of Earth. . .In 2036, Apophis will make another close approach, and this time it could hit our planet (the current probability of impact is 1 in 250,000)."
Those odds make it more likely that this particular asteroid will hit Earth than that any one of us will win the big one in the lottery. And of course there are many more NEO (near earth objects) than have been spotted.
So are there any plans for either destroying or deflecting this or any other asteroid? And whose responsibility is it to see that a known threat is deflected? This issue of "Planetary Report" is available at the library for checkout. Come and find out what those who study these matters have on their minds.

Raton Science Cafe

The Raton Science Cafe will meet May 13, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. in the meeting room of the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library. One of the following DVD videos will be shown:

• The FBI Files (Discovery Channel)
  

• The Universe (History Channel)

• Dreams of Flight (Smithsonian Air/Space Museum)

• IMAX Space Station (Lockheed-Martin & NASA)

Regular attendees have also received a CD-ROM, a summary and review of Dr. Michael Kaku's 1995 book about String Theory. Attendees can have a brief roundtable discussion of his book if there are questions. This book, "Hyperspace - A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimension", is available for checkout at the library.

Used books for sale!

The Friends of the Library host "The Corner", inside the front door of the library. Here you will find used books for sale. Paperbacks are a quarter, hardback books vary in price from 25 cents to $1.50. Come stock up on reading so you are never without a good book!

Pop Bottle People!

Come see the Pop Bottle People Biographies done by Mrs. Pafford's 5th grade class. They are on display in the juvenile section of the library, inside the front door. This year's class did a wonderful job of researching and portraying historical figures.

Memorial Book Program

The Arthur Johnson Memorial Library sponsors the Memorial Book Program. This program has been in effect for decades and has added many wonderful materials to the collection in memory of many loved ones. Individuals may give any amount of money in memory of someone. The materials selected can be chosen by the family members, the library, or the person donating the book. Occasionally materials themselves are donated, if first approved by the librarian. (This avoids donations of materials already held by the library.) The book or material may be paid for at the time of the request, or paid for when the book or material is purchased by the library and in the collection. At the time of the request or donation, the library sends a card to the family member specified by the donor, informing them that a book has been donated in memory of their loved one. This type of donation lasts for years and benefits the many patrons who use the library.

New Memory Card Readers now available for use at the library

The AJML now has two memory card readers available for patrons to use at the library. These memory card readers support all versons of SD, SDHC, XD, CF, MS & MMC memory cards. These readers will aid you to look at or email photos, listen to music, and view videos or data held on your personal storage devices. They will also aid in transfering from one device to another.

"Getting To Know Your Computer" is a class for computer beginners. This class will teach you how to turn your computer on; how to navigate using the mouse or touch pad; what programs your computer has and how to find them; familiarize you with your desktop icons; show you how to set up a personal email account, including how to log into your email and use it; how to insert a DVD, cd, and the use of media player. Those wishing to take this class MUST sign up with the library, as class space is limited. The library will provide the computers for students to use during the class.

Beginning Fiction Writer's Workshop, 2010

Steven F. Havill, well known author of the "Posadas County" series, modern police procedurals set in New Mexico, will be conducting his Beginning Fiction Writer's Workshop, starting Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library. This workshop is an eight week program and a schedule will be provided during the first workshop for those in attendance. Mr. Havill has written westerns, southwest, and historical novels. His work sells all across the country. He uses his experience as a published author to help beginning fiction writers do the best work possible, with an eye to publication. If you have started a novel, want to write a novel or are interested in learning the ins and outs of writing for publication, come to Mr. Havill's Beginning Fiction Writer's Workshop and hone your craft.