The Soapbox

Beginning September 1, if you have a Skokie Public Library card or if you have registered a card from your “home” library in order to check out materials here, you will use your card number when you sign up for a program online. You will enter your card number and your last name to “log in” to our online calendar, and then your full name, phone number, and email address will automatically appear in the sign-up form as that information currently appears in your Library account. You will be able to verify the information without having to type it every time you sign up for a program. This will improve accuracy and speed the registration process. If you call to register, please have your Library card number handy for staff members to enter for you.

If you do not have a Skokie card or another card with current borrowing privileges, call the number listed for the program you would like to attend, and our staff will be happy to sign you up.

Like all vehicles, the Bookmobile requires occasional maintenance. Being something of a specialized vehicle, sometimes that takes a little longer to put it through its paces.

As a result, the Bookmobile will not be available next week, from Monday, August 16th through Saturday, August 21st. Regular Bookmobile service will resume on Monday, August 23rd. All holds for Bookmobile patrons will be available at the Library.

Have you checked up on your own vehicle? Our Auto Repair Reference Center contains detailed instructions, schematics, and part listings for over 25,000 makes and models, as far back as 1954. You can access this database from anywhere using your Skokie Public Library card.

We have added two new display cases as part of our permanent library art exhibition. Come up to the 2nd floor to have a look!

The New Ellsmere Chaucer is a replica of an early illuminated manuscript of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. In addition to the illuminated text, the book contains 22 portraits of characters from the Tales, including a drawing of Chaucer himself.

The original dates from the 15th century (believed to have been made between 1400 and 1405), and is kept at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. This numbered edition was a gift from library visitor Yusuke Kihara, and can be found at the 2nd floor landing near the elevator. For more information on bookbinding history (and how to create your own handmade books), consult our collection.

Our second new display piece is a set of sculptures from American artist LeRoy Neiman. Neiman is famous for his sports-themed artwork (serving as the official artist for ABC’s Olympic telecasts in 1972, 1976, and 1980), and these pieces continue that trend. The “Horse Racing Suite” is a set of three bronze sculptures, titled “Female Jockey,” Male Jockey,” and “Pulling Up.” These were produced in 1977 in a set of 100.

The suite was a gift from library patron Jay S. Levey. They can be found near the travel section, and complements the Neiman painting “Carousel” hanging near the biographies on the 2nd floor.

In addition to these treasures, there are many other paintings, prints, and works of art located throughout the Library. For a detailed list, visit our page highlighting Art in the Library.

The Library hit a major milestone last week when we checked out our 2 millionth item of the year. (Our fiscal calendar starts in May, so the counter runs according to that schedule. We surprised the lucky patron (and her young son) at the circulation desk, and gave her a few goodies as a token of our appreciation.

See how it all happened here:

Reporters from the Skokie Review and TribLocal were on hand. The Skokie Review article is online, and we’ll post the TribLocal article as soon as it goes live.

Over the past 20 years, the library has enjoyed a steady increase in checkout activity. During the 1990-1991 year, 834,705 items were checked out. We hit our first million-checkout milestone in 1994-95, and circulation activity has taken off ever since. Last year, over 1.7 million items went out.

Of course, if you’re reading this, you’re most likely a part of this new record. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support, and we hope you help us to keep breaking this record each and every year down the road.

We understand that there are many potential library users that may not be able to visit us, either due to illness or injury. We don’t want that to keep you from enjoying the collection, or one of our many great services. As a result, we offer Homebound Delivery to cardholders.

Gary Gustin, our Skokie Accessible Library Services librarian, has provided us with the following guidelines regarding this service. Here are the facts on homebound delivery, in convenient FAQ format.

What is the purpose of Homebound Delivery? To provide delivery of Library material to residents of Skokie who are unable to come to the Library because of extended illness, injury, physical disability or infirmity.

Who is eligible? The person must have a library card. Homebound patrons may register by providing proof of Skokie residence.

How can I register for Homebound Delivery? You can register by calling the Community Services Department at 847.324.3163.We will ask your permission to keep a record of materials sent to you in order to prevent duplication.

How often will I receive new materials? Material is picked up and delivered every three weeks.

What items can I check out? Only material which can be charged out for at least three weeks will be delivered through the Homebound Delivery service. This excludes videos, dvds and books from the “Most Wanted” collection. You may request specific books for each delivery, have books picked by the Library staff or a combination of these two.

Can I place reserves? Reserves can not be placed through this service. If the patron has reserved a book through usual reserve procedures and is notified that the book is available and the hold period coincides with a scheduled home delivery date, the book can be delivered.

What if I need an item delivered sooner than the 3-week interval? You may reserve the item through the LibraryExpress delivery. The item will be mailed to you and normal loan periods will apply. This service carries a $2 per-item delivery charge.

What happens on delivery day? You will be called several days before the scheduled delivery with a reminder of the delivery date and to see if there are any special requests. If you have items checked out, the driver will trade out your old items for the new ones.

Can I renew my items? Items may be renewed if no one else has placed a reserve on them

What if I don’t want new items, and just want to return the old ones? You can request “pickup only,” when the Library calls, and the driver will only take the old items off your hands.

For more information on SALS (Skokie Accessible Library Services), please visit the library website.

On a cold evening in February, Terra Brockman came to the Library and led us on a virtual tour of the seasons on her brother Henry’s sustainable family farm in central Illinois. Not only did she bring some yummy root vegetables to sample, she also read excerpts from her new book, The Seasons on Henry’s Farm, which is a delightful mix of memoir and diary, with a little history and science about what we need to know about the soil, plants, and animals that keep us going. Oh, and some mouth-watering recipes, with fun comments, as well. The book was definitely one of my recent favorites, and I’m thrilled to see it being recognized.

Terra’s book is a finalist for the 2010 James Beard Foundation Award in the Writing and Literature category. I happened to see it on the shelf this morning in the New Nonfiction shelves on the first floor, so move fast if you want to read it next!

Hopefully you’ve received your Census form in the mail by now. This brief questionnaire will help the federal government learn more about the American populace, and in turn develop new programs and essential services across the nation.

If you haven’t received a form, we have forms available at the Library in the Community Services office. In addition to English, we have copies in the following languages:

• Chinese (中文)
• Korean (한국어)
• Russian (Русский)
• Spanish (español)

If you need assistance filling out your form, or have any questions, representatives from the Census Bureau will be here during selected times now through April 19th.

• Sunday: 1-5pm
• Monday: 9am – 12pm
• Wednesday: 5pm – 9pm
• Friday: 5pm – 9pm

For more information on the 2010 Census, please check out SkokieNet and the official Census website.

Comment: Please get rid of the “ChickLit” labels. I find them insulting and will never borrow a book so labeled. Thanks.

Answer:

We’ve had this question on several occasions ever since we created a separate ChickLit section several years ago. Ricki Nordmeyer, our former Popular Services Manager, crafted the following response:

I appreciate your concern regarding the term “Chick-Lit.” I wouldn’t want someone to call me a chick as well. However that is the technical Library of Congress subject heading for books of this ilk…e.g. books where the protagonist is typically a 20-30 something young woman who has a nagging mother, a bad boss (The Devil Wears Prada) a nonexistent or wavering boyfriend who overcomes all of these obstacles to be her own person/get her man/get a better job etc. And, you may have noticed, they all have bright pink or lime and white cover art. This is such a popular genre in the publishing world that publishers often use the same type of artwork even on those books which are not technically “Chick-Lit” to garner sales.

Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding is probably the benchmark book of this genre. Whenever we had a display of these novels, they flew off of the display unit and when the display was ended, patrons would come to the desk wondering where these books could be found, why aren’t they together, etc. So to introduce new authors in the genre to readers and to assist them in finding books of this nature, we separated them out into their own section. Patrons who love them call them Chick -Lit. Believe me, these authors know exactly who their reading base is. We did this to facilitate finding them for our patrons, much as we do by separating out Westerns,  Mystery, Romance and Science Fiction. People who are aficiandos of the various genres enjoy having them all together.

To widen our patrons’ scope, we often mix generes in displays where appropriate especially in the Staff Suggest bookcase. I hope this answers your question.

“Chick Lit” continues to be a somewhat controversial heading. A group of writers (including Aimee Bender and Francine Prose)  have even put together their own collection of short stories entitled “This is Not Chick Lit” as a response to this term. Stories about female protagonists (or by female authors) don’t have to fall into this category, and contemporary literature featuring women doesn’t have to feature designer shoes or lovelorn singletons.

Seating in the Used Book Sale room

Recently we’ve had a number of questions regarding food and drink in the building. We know everyone is busy and doesn’t always have time to stop somewhere to eat. At the same time, we have to keep the building clean for everyone.

When the weather’s nice, it’s easy to go into the courtyard or enjoy the sun out on the Village Square. But that’s difficult when it’s cold outside.

As a result, we’re now allowing snacking in the Used Book Sale room, pictured at right. There are a number of tables and comfortable chairs, and the soda and coffee vending machines are nearby.

You may enjoy drinks, with lids, throughout the library as long as you are not sitting at a computer.

Patron comment: Please have a game day.

Response: The Library has game days for everyone from kids to older adults. We offer Saturday afternoon “untuned, unplugged” board game days, “I Got Game!” after-school drop-in for junior high students, and larger-than-life gaming special events like Rock Band and Madden Football. Check the Library’s online calendar to see when the next gaming activity is scheduled.