It's True.

As mentioned by Joyce already, I'm moving away from the Missoula Public Library. I recently accepted a job as a Library Director in Iowa.

I'm really going to miss this library. MPL is progressive and not afraid to take risks. We've been trying to push the envelope technology-wise and I think the patrons of Missoula benefited from it greatly. I learned more than I could ever have hoped while working here, and plan to use what I've learned as I move forward.

If you want to follow my adventures eastward, you can follow me at twitter.com/bmmsben. It's been great working with the patrons and staff of the library for all these years. I'll truly miss Montana, and Missoula specifically

PS - If you want free cake, come to the library this Friday and go to the reference desk at 4 pm. I'll be there as well.

Farewell and Adieu

We're having mixed emotions here at the library as two of our fantastic staff members are preparing to leave us. We're very sad to see them go, but excited for their new ventures. Anita will be heading West, while Ben will be moving East. So we at least know that no matter what direction our own traveling takes us, we'll find friends along the way. Join us to wish them luck at a Farewell Party on Friday, June 19, at 4 p.m. in the reading area near the reference desk. We'll have goodies to eat to help ease the pain!

The good news is, we are already working toward filling their positions here at the library so our staff will be as available as always to help you find something fun to read/watch/listen to this summer. They'll be hard acts to follow, but we're looking forward to welcoming new, innovative faces to our staff.

Book Review Blooper Reel

This is the footage you weren't supposed to see! All the bloopers from our one minute book reviews this week. I had to limit the number of times I used myself, because I messed up A LOT. Enjoy.

EDIT: I posted the wrong video. Talk about a blooper reel! Here's the real thing.

Ben's One Minute Book Review

Today, yours truly reviews a book of technology essays by Cory Doctorow. To get a free copy of this book go to his website. We also have it here at the library, of course.

The More You Know

To help our patrons use our new Self Checkout machines, I made a quick tutorial video. So, if you want to learn something while watching me make a fool of myself, this video is for you.

Librarians on Parade

This weekend was a busy one. Not only did we have a party, we also represented the library at the annual Parade of Lights parade. None of us really know what we were doing, but we got lots of cheers and heard, "I love the library!" more times than I could count.

We gave away two full bags of magnets, candy canes and temporary tattoos. I had no idea marching in a parade was such fun, I guess that's why Missoula has parades all the time. I know we'll participate in parades in the future after this one.

Special thanks to Joyce's husband who took some great pictures of us marching. See more of his work at edoylephotography.com.

Lib"Scare"ians

This year the library is filled with Halloween spirit. I'm pretty sure that in the close to 4 years I've worked here this is the most dressed up we've been. I took the easy road by just bringing in my Ronald Reagan mask. But that still counts, right?

Then I ran into Heather, who dressed up like Eddy from Eddy's coffee shop in our lower lobby!

And our staff room is filled with treats, my favorites? These awesome witch fingers that Kathy from tech services brought in. They're almost too creepy looking to eat, but they taste delicious.

MLA 2008 Official Day 1

Today was the "official" first day of MLA, so things finally got going in earnest. And yes, I did hit up the Casino last night, but didn't win any money. Too bad.

Our very own Honore Bray got things started by introducing the two "John Does" who were issued a National Security Letter from the NSA and subsequently placed under a gag order. The whole story was disturbing from a civil liberties standpoint. Not that I was a big Patriot Act believer before, this re-enforced the contempt I have for people who take away civil liberties under the guise of "safety."



After lunch, myself along with Branch librarian Fern Kauffman and Reference librarian Marje Doyle attended an update on the e-content downloadable service that Montana libraries are hoping to adopt. Both vendors we are considering were there, and the workshop quickly turned into both speakers giving their sales pitch for the group. It made up my mind on one of the providers, but I won't say who...



Then I gave my talk with Matt about Open Source software. It went really well, the room wasn't packed by any means, but we had lots of questions and a good discussion where we talked about file type standardization, creative commons, a little consumer rights, DRM, and more. You can get a good idea of what we talked about here. Feel free to add to this wiki if you are an open source devotee, The password to edit is "torvalds" Unfortunately none of my compatriots attended, and I felt it might be a little vain to make an attendee snap a picture, so you'll have to take my word that I really did it.

More tomorrow. Now I'm off to Chili's so I can get back to the hotel in time to watch the office.

Second Degree Fame

I just finished the book the hermans - Stalking America and discovered my picture appears twice throughout, my old band is mentioned more times than I could count, my old, old band was mentioned once, and my old house/music venue was mentioned twice. Pretty good. I was the first person here at MPL to check the book out and I would recommend it for more reasons than just some obscure references to yours truly.

The book was put out by Running Press and chronicles the bands attempt to "make it." Between knowing the hermans pretty well and being in a band myself, it's a pretty accurate description of life in a band. Check it out here at the library or lend your support by buying it.

Back to the Cold

I'm back.

I spent the last week in sunny Mexico getting slightly tanned, and taking (in my opinion) a well deserved break from the library world.

One thing that makes me glad to be back is the lack of humidity. I'm not sure how libraries can exist in such humid conditions. I bought a brand new book (Lamb by Christopher Moore) and by the time I left, with it almost finished, the book is on it's last legs. And being a librarian, I'm kind to books, other than the occasional dog-earing of pages. I think another few days on the beach and the pages would have started to fall out.

For proof that I really was in Mexico, here is a picture of me at Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Back In The Saddle Again

I've been away on a noticeable two and a half week hiatus from the blog because I was off in Minnesota getting married. Now I'm back getting settled into married life and getting back to work. The wedding was great and we toured Wisconsin for our honeymoon. Let's just say it hasn't been easy getting myself back into my work schedule.

Bag it

These irresistible canvas bags are available at Missoula Public Library. How much for these beauties, you ask?

Ben, by the way, is not for sale. He's already taken. But he models bags like no other. A natural, don't you think?

The plain bag on the left is $10, the blue handled bag on the right is $12. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Missoula Public Library. The perfect birthday present. The perfect Mother's Day present. Or, just because.

Stop by the checkout desk to get yours today!