Visit a Library in Costa Rica with Sandi Neary!

Even though I leave the US, can't stay away from libraries. In Costa Rica they are called la bibiloteca two of the pictures are of the library at Tilaran Costa Rica, one of the outside and one of the librarian, Pamela Mejies. She did not speak English, but loved having her picture taken. I have pictures of the inside, but will share those after I get back, if you are interested! Notice the shortened "La bib" over the entry door.

Ed and Leslie Woods are the overseers of the Casa de Sol (house name we rented). Anyway, Leslie is starting a library in Nuevo Arenal, village about 11 Kms from here. She just hired a librarian last Saturday. They are working with a librarian from Nicaragua using interns from the US to establish libraries in many small CR towns. I think one day next week they will be in Nuevo Arenal and Leslie said I could go with her to meet them.

The libraries concentrate mainly on children's books and activties. This is the easiest way to introduce library use, and educate kids. More use of the library as the kids become adults. It will perpetuate itself! There are a few English paperbacks in the libs just to help the English speaking residents. These are donated by the residents. Leslie said also she is meeting with the "city council" next week, to see if they can get "public support" for the Neuvo Arenal lib. Sound familiar? Notice the international lib sign includes a child!

Just couldn't resist telling you about this! Weather is about 85 in the day and 60s at night. We are enjoying immensely.

Promoting Books-Reading Blogs

If you are reading blogs these days then perhaps you've seen this site: The Red Room which is a wonderful place to connect readers to authors and consequently librarians to books! It's a Great place for insight, for blogging ideas and for finding out what's new in the world of books.

Or check out this website from Michael Sauers. He was a speaker at the Small Libraries conference. If you missed him, at least you get to see what he's writing these days: Traveling Librarian.

There are countless children's lit blogs. So many that you could spend considerable time during your day just glancing at each one. I recommend choosing one or two and then enjoy those over a cup of coffee. They're great fun.

At any rate, if you're not reading blogs...catch up! (Good start if you're at this site!) If you are reading blogs, please tell us which ones you enjoy so we can share!

25 Skills Every Librarian Should Have

So you're a librarian! Aren't you amazed and challenged by the complexity of the job! Librarians are incredibly talented, funny and creative people. The things they need to be able to do would challenge most normal people, but we do it and make it look like the easiest job in the world. This is the librarian's job list. We have to be able to:

1. Cover books.


2. Organize and run meetings.


3. Negotiate with employees, city hall,Supervisors.


4. Be Flexible!


5. Repair books.


6. Manage 2-4 year olds in a story hour.


7. Shovel the walk in the Winter.


8. Know basic computer troubleshooting.


9. Know some basic household fix it tricks, like how to stop the toilet from running.


10. Be able to navigate computer data bases like SILO, EbscoHost,First Search.


11. Do Reader's Advisory-hook people up to the books they love.


12. Read Blogs and Wikis


13. Use RSS feeds.


14. Multi-task.


15. Operate a digital camera and be able to download pictures and touch them up.


16. Read books to kids using 'voices'


17. Form relationships with teenagers.


18. Develop a 'contacts' list of people who can help you out for programs or for fixing things at the library.


19. Shmooze with the locals-you need others.


20. Promote the Community.


21. Be calm in crisis.


22. Be passionate and enthusiastic about your job.


23. Embrace change, because it's going to happen no matter what!


24. Be an Advocate


25. Be Flexible!

Please add your two cents worth. Everyone of these 'skills' deserves a blog post of its own!