LONG time...

Man, I didn't realize how long it's been since I've been on the blog. =O

You can blame Mr. Clean, he's been on my butt for so long it ain't fair! Anyhoo, news news, what is happening in REF's life. Dude!!!! I can't even begin to tell you, first off, I'm not looking forward to the Summer Reading Program. Reason, half our staff was laid off, thus I get to read to the little kiddies. Ugh!!!!

Going on, reason for lay off, not enough funding. It's getting harder and harder to get grants and federal funding so there is less for us to provide for the public. It's a sad fact that I hate to admit, even my work load has doubled, thus Mr. Clean's constant prodding. Thank goodness he hasn't gotten a cattle prod. Those things hurt!!! Don't ask how I know.

So the summer is on it's way, the library is in constant transition with new volunteers. And what fun it's been!!! I'll tell you about all those wonderful stories in the weeks to come. Hope I can continue to get away with this. *looking over stacks of papers for Mr. Clean* Let's just cross our fingers and hope.

You got to love Librarian-Hood...

History

As it turns out, after spending a day stuck to a keyboard, you really start getting interested in the history of super glue. Since my friends keep telling me I need to stop pranking people and telling, I decided, hey why not tell you guys the history of super glue.

The actual name from the chemical we all know as super (and/or crazy) glue is in fact called, cyanoacrylates. Yeah, real tongue twister. As it turns out it was discovered in 1942, but was quickly abandoned because, face it, it sticks to EVERYTHING. Well about ten years later a couple of researchers saw it's value and thus we have it today.

An interesting fact about super glue, is during the Vietnam war it was used as a wound adhesive because doctors could not sew up patients fast enough. It was fast, effective and dried over wounds. I know, pretty disgusting, but at the same time I have to admit I might be trying it the next time I have a paper cut.
(Those boogers hurt!)


Another interesting fact is a radio station had heard about super glues and decided to put them to the test at a local junk yard. Among the super glues tested were many of the National Brands on the market today. The test was to hold a hanging car from a crane and the Super Glue Corporation product was the best! (Some of competitor's currently have "hanging things" like people, & television sets, but nothing compares to the strength of hanging cars!) Amazing right, HERE'S a picture for ya.

So with this new found knowledge, I have a feeling I'm going to be very mean to Mr. Clean for doing this to me. *evil grin*. (Yeah, I'm a sucker for punishment.)

You got to love Librarian-Hood...

Sound Smart

Alright, it's time to stop talking about the craziness of the library and look at a little something more interesting. (I can be smart, when I want to.) One of my friends that has taken the time to look at my blog has asked I talk about the libraries and at least talk a bit about my job. (Why?)

So okay, let's talk something smart, how about the fact that across the U.S.of A. libraries are being closed because of budget cuts in the government. If you don't believe me, just click it HERE. In just Boston area alone four libraries will be shut down within nine months.This is something that is becoming more and more prevalent in the US, if not the world.

Most people don't realize how important libraries are in the grand scheme of things. In just our library alone there has been a 20% growth in circulation, and about a 30% rise in patron count. If that isn't saying something then THIS should. (I got to say, I have a lot a questions asked to me in a day. I feel like I'm working the front desk sometimes.)

So think about it, help the library out some, volunteer a bit, give us some donations, who knows that little penny could mean keeping our doors open or not. (Not to mention allow me to continue sleeping at work.)

Like one of my favored peep's said: 'Without libraries, there can be no form of government.'

You got to love Librarian-Hood...

The Attic

Alright, our library is pretty big... as you can probably guess from the fact we have one too many librarians, and assistant librarians, and, and, and... So to make it simple I'll explain our library, it's two stories, with a large attic that can one day be converted into a third.

(A fact for all wayward patrons: A library is built to last for well over thirty years. What is taken into consideration when a library is built is the fact of growth in the community, and patron usage of the library. Our library was built ten years ago and thus contains another floor for further use in the future. It's called the 60-40 rule.)

So the attic as we all call it now, is huge, kind of like a basketball court double-sized. For us librarians, it is a sanctuary, especially for me and the mattress that has *somehow* found it's way up there. The attic consists of boxes of decorations for every plausible holiday, craft supplies for the summer, rewards for the summer read program, and shelves of books for our 'closed-off' reference books. So when we each have our ten minute breaks, we either go up there and read at one of the long tables that are up there for when the time comes to open up shop, or sleep on the mattress.

But!... there is a door  there leading to a very scary place... a place the idiot assistant will be going to soon... *evil grin*