JeanneP, I am one of those non-professional librarians that you talk about.  But, I was lucky in that I worked in a mid state NY library and was involved in almost every job that needs doing in a public library, including reference work, which I loved.  Libraries are only as good as the government that controls their funding.  In our system our governing board felt libraries were very low on their list of funding so it was difficult.  Here in Wake Co., NC, our wonderful and very large library system ranks high on the governing board's list and it shows.  We have so many libraries and more new ones being built almost every year and they are all well used and always busy.  Furthermore, if it weren't for part-time staff and volunteers most libraries would have to close their doors.

What interested me was that the main library here had an ad out for a part-time person to do just about exactly what I am doing at the branch as a volunteer. The only reason I didn't apply is that I didn't want to go the exta miles to the main branch for the wee bit of money  I'd get that would be almost certainly taken up mostly by taxes, not to mention the emergency service charge that the county is allowed to charge for those who work out of their own township. Not worth the hassle.

We've been trying to clear out and give away many shelves full of books.  It's a difficult task, deciding which books to keep, and which ones to donate to local thrift shops.  Even a few First Editions . . . From Here to Eternity, being one.  You would think that it might have some value, but I looked at some online books sites as well as ebay, and see dozens of copies for sale, and nobody buying.  Some even had the dust jackets, and looked brand new! 

Many are books that I would like to read again some day, like Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, and a couple by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Sad to say, but I don't think my adult children or grands would be interested in any of them. My youngest daughter and my dil, read all the time, but I doubt that either of them would know who Ann M Lindbergh is!  If they should ever in the future want to read anything by her, or Rachel Carson, or James Jones, they would most likely just order it on their Kindles or ipads.  Times have changed! *big sigh*

They are being a little ruthless here too. With the pending move downstairs they have been pulling lots of books that haven't been checked out in a long time.  Since our branch is so small, the manager likes to keep mostly the current and near current stuff so we see a large volume turnover in check-outs rather than keep books very few if anyone wants to borrow any more. The more check-outs we have the more we can receive in the budget.

The withdrawn and donated books go down to the Friends of the Library shop for sale at a minimal amount. I've seen the bookstore volunteer take loads of books that have been donated to the dumpster. There are a lot that sit on his shelves unsold and there are a lot of duplicates of the once popular sellers such as Baldacci, Scottoline, Stuart, Steele, Patterson, etc. I should ask if they ever think to ask some of the nursing homes and assisted living places want any. The place we had my Mom at had a nice wall full of books above the cabinets they kept the board games in.

MarsGal, our Friends of the Library has books sales 2-3 times a year - books taken off the shelves plus donated books.  Any that are left at the end of a sale are first taken to McKay's (a big used book store).  Books they won't take there are taken to the recycle center. 

Both our libraries have the Book Sales about 4 times a year now if not more.  Not as many people seem to line up to get in anymore. Use to be people who owned Used book stores . they would get in line at the first opening. (5pm on a thursday. ) They would be there about 2pm.  I use to try to find Crochet books and go through the DVDs. Now best places seem to be at Estate Sales.
The end of the library book sale on the following Monday can fill bags with what not sold FREE. Also the post office has a place to gave books to go the the Prisons.  We have Drop Boxes for Books all over town for that also. And same amount to drop of SHOES.
The big drop off place all closed because people where dropping Mattresses, Furniture all kinds of dirty things at them. Got to be a real mess. Now get fined if found doing it. $500 I believe. Seems to be working.
I don't buy now other than some I want to keep on my Ipad or Tablet.
I have a great collection of Cook Books.  Some going back to the 1800s. Love them. My girls in family don't want any.   They don't even like to cook and other than one Grandson and now a Great Granddaughter love reading books.  So sad....

I've been rereading that wonderful American classic novel, My Antonia, by Willa Cather.  It's a beautiful story, and one that is worth reading again and again. I'm sure many of you were assigned to read it in college or high school English class?  If that's the last time you read this book, I think you will understand and appreciate it more, now that you're older and wiser.

For those of you who haven't read it, it takes place between about 1880 and 1910, on the plains of Nebraska. Although it's considered to be a historical novel, it's written more like a memoir.  It's about the Northern European immigrants, who came to America at that time, and formed settlements in the farming communities in Nebraska and the surrounding frontier states. The settlers were from Norway, Sweden, Russia, Denmark and Bohemia. (later called Czechoslovakia)

The first part of the story is about the hardships that the new immigrants faced, in adapting to their new life on the frontier.  Antonia Shimerda, a Bohemian girl, is the featured character, and the story follows her throughout her lifetime.

Willa Cather wrote the story from first hand knowledge.  She was an American, who grew up in Nebraska, in a rural farming community.  She wrote about true incidents, that actually happened during her lifetime, involving the immigrant families.  That's the reason why the book is sometimes referred to as a memoir. 

I think I will try and find My Antonia and read it again also.  Been so many years since I first read it.

My  Antonia is free on Amazon for Kindle.

There are several different ones on iBook.  JeanneP, the blue one is free.  I read it again a year or so ago.

My Antonia is on the shelf for me at the Library. In LP so I will just read theirs.

Yesterday I started reading a book, that I can tell, is going to be a winner for me . . . News From Heaven, by Jennifer Haigh.  The book is divided into ten stories, that are all linked together by some or at least one, of the characters.  It is set up in the same style, Olive Kitteridge. (different author.)  I liked "Olive" very much, and I think I'm going to like this one even more. 

So far, I have completed the first story, which takes place in the 1930's, and is about a sixteen year old Polish farm girl from Pennsylvania, who gets a job as a live in cook and housekeeper, for an orthodox Jewish family in New York City.  I enjoyed it so much, and didn't want it to end . . . but I'm sure the characters will reappear in later chapters. 

Marilyne.  That book sounds good but familiar. I should start keeping names of books read in a better list.  I keep picking up books now that I have already read.

News from Heaven does sound good.

   I was interested in the conversation about My Antonio here a little while back.    I had a couple books by Willa Cather on my Kindle that I read just a bit ago but didn't read that one.   Perhaps when I get caught up I will.   I am reading the third book by Winston Graham about the Poldark family back in the 1700s in Cornwall.    Even though I said I wouldn't  read another series right away.......I am.    This is the last one offered on Hoopla so I don't imagine I will read more of them right away.  Our library has one that is very late in the series but it is way to heavy for me.

    Is Hoopla offered by libraries across the country or is it here in the east?    My brother has it through the Western PA county where he lives but I don't know where it is offered.     It is a pretty good thing in that there are books, magazines, movies,and TV shows available.

I just purchased a $1.99 Kindle offer from Amazon.   It is by Adrienne Trigiani and called Don't Sing At the Table:Life Lessons from my Grandmother.   I have enjoyed her books some time ago so this caught my attention.

Please forgive me but here I go again....wandering off subject.   Yesterday we had a visit from a family who were our neighbors all the time our children were growing up.   Now they are scattered across the country but their daughter came home for her 50th class reunion and the rest of them came visiting friends and family in the area.     They were just here for coffee but it was good to see them all.   The mother of the family and I had good times when our kids were young, doing what all mums  did back in the 50s and 60s.    We shared recipes,  crafts,  garage sales, so we have lots of good memories.  We both had a daughter and three sons in that order and we both lost one of our boys.  My friend is 92 and not in such good health but she still loves to travel and her family sees  to it that she is able.  She lives part of the year in Texas with her daughter and part with one  son in AZ.   I marvel how they manage to keep her hooked up  with Drs. in all the places where she stays.   Its a good family.

I never heard of Hoopla, MaryC, so I looked it up. Interesting. They offer more than Overdrive, which is what we have at our library systems here in Cumberland and Dauphin counties. The Philadelphia Free Library also uses Overdrive. We can borrow only audiobooks and ebooks from Overdrive. I think I will ask about it next week when I go in.

We are very close, now, to moving to our new digs downstairs. The physical space is a little smaller than originally expected because first the split the space between the library and another group, and then, the County Commissioner decided he wanted to have a meeting room on the street level too. We will ge getting an extra computer station for patrons and a larger circulation desk. All we need is for everyone to get coordinated to help us move. That is not likely to happen until after Pumpkin Fest which is Oct. 8 & 9. Once we are downstairs, we will have direct access from the street and we will be open from a few hours on Sat.

maryc - please don't apologize for "wandering off subject".   I enjoy reading about how you and other members here celebrate the special events in your lives, as well as how you spend your ordinary days. We all live so far apart from each other, and at this stage of our lives, we will likely never meet in person.  It makes me feel close, to hear about everyone's  activities, families, neighbors, reunions, et al.

I've noticed that the message boards that are still thriving here on S&F, are the conversational boards, where members talk about anything and everything.  The boards specific to a single subject, are not doing so well.  It used to be that ALL boards were busy and active in S&F, but that is no longer the case.

MarsGal - I keep meaning to ask you if you live in Philadelphia, or in one of the outlying suburbs?  I like to look at my old AAA Atlas, and see where all members live. 

I enjoy the conversations, too.  I've always kept to the photo folders so I always feel like an interloper in the conversation folders as the members seem to know each so well.  However, I enjoy this folder even tho I haven't been doing much reading lately.  I'm afraid a cataract operation is my fate after the first of the year.

FlaJean - don't dread your cataract surgery.  It's usually a very easy procedure, with amazing results.  John and I each had both eyes done, and one of our daughters had the surgery when she was in her early 40s.  I hope yours is as successful.

I second Maryz's post about cataract surgery.  My ophthalmologist was planning a trip to Europe with his family when my cataracts were ready for surgery.  So he asked me if he could do one the first week he had free before his trip and the second the next week.  Everything went very well and I haven't had a problem since (except for seeing a specialist for a spot on my retina which has been there since I was a child).  No problems recovering from the surgery.  So I'd say Go for It!

And my library is having their used book sale on October 8 (I think!)  I'm trying to find someone to take me to the sale as I am still not driving since my fall in late April.

Sue

Oh, how I'm enjoying reading the recent message thread here!  I, too, enjoy sharing events in our lives.  I'm "in" two of the conversational folders but am finding more and more that I don't really have anything to add to those conversational threads.

Marilyne,  you and I are alike in looking up places connected with people we know.  In my case,  if Oklahoma City were a clock face,  I'd live "north of noon".  My oldest granddaughter, who has a Musical Theater degree, is moving to NYC next week.  She will be living in a sub-let apartment (shared) for the first month - in order to "eyeball" possibilities for something long-term.
Recently, she gave me the names of the streets that intersect near her sub-let because, she said,  "Gammy, I know what you'll do.   You'll get on Google street-view and look around."
She was right!

FlaJean,  I also encourage you not to dread the cataract surgery.   I was amazed.   
I was offered a big warm muffin with my choice of coffee, hot tea or juice while I was waiting for the post-op eye drops, etc. .   You might mention this to your doctor.   
About a year later, I did have to have each eye lasered for a film that developed - but that was a 5 minute office procedure (no muffins - although I did ask  ).

As most of you know,  I borrow e-books/magazines from my local library.  Overdrive is the program used for the books and Zenio is for the magazines.  I'm really enjoying those because I can read so many that I wouldn't subscribe to.
Currently,  I'm reading my way through the Low Country Tales series by Dorothea Benton Frank, have just finished the Harmony series by Phillip Gulley (gentle humorous stories about a Quaker pastor and his flock in Indiana) and am waiting for "Commonwealth" by Ann Patchett.

I love the suggestions that others post.  Most of them are available on the library e-book list and I can either put them on Hold or on a Wish List, which is a reminder of ones I want to eventually read.

Callie - I looked at my trusty road Atlas, and I'm sure I spotted you, a little North of OKC!  I do enjoy the old maps more than I do looking at locations online.  The maps are so colorful and beautiful, and easier for me to follow.  Of course I also love snooping on the Google street view! (Makes me feel like a peeping Tom!)

Congratulations to your granddaughter, for following through on her dream to live in NYC.  She is one determined young lady, and I will be waiting to hear about her first audition, and eventually a part in a Broadway show!

Speaking of Dorothea Benton Frank . . . my dil gave me a copy of The Last Original Wife.  This was about two months ago, and I haven't opened it yet.  Somehow, the title doesn't sound like DBF?  Have you read that one?

Sue - I'm so happy to see you back with us again!  Your fall, and subsequent rehab, was a long and painful ordeal for you.  You sound very positive now!  Please continue to visit us here in Library bookshelf, and also on the Television/Movie board. 

FlaJean - I join the others, in encouraging you to have the cataract surgery.  You'll be thrilled with the clarity of your vision!  The following morning, I looked out my kitchen window at the trees in the backyard, and was amazed that I could see the individual leaves, and the many different shades of green! I hadn't realized that all colors had become dull and drab for me, so it was an exciting surprise for me to see again!

Marilyne, the last few books by DBF that I've read are a bit more "edgy" (not sure that's the exact term I want) than her earlier ones in terms of love scenes and relationships.  Still good reading, though - at least, IMO.

Granddaughter is basically a dancer who can sing and will probably be a "theater gypsy" - auditioning for ensembles instead of specific roles.  I think she's looking at a broader picture than just "being on Broadway".  She says companies from community theaters across the nation hold auditions in NYC and plans to take part in those as well as general area theaters. I'm looking forward to hearing about her new adventures. 

Thanks to all of you for encouraging me about cataract surgery.  I'm such a wimp when it comes to anything medical.

I would agree with the others FlaJean regarding your cataract surgery.    Our son who is 60 just had both of his eyes done within a month and he is pretty pleased with the outcome.   He missed very few days of work over that time and he is a truck driver for a car carrier company.

I'm one of those folks as well who like to see on the map where someone hails from.   In my mind I like to "place" that person.    When we speak with our son when he is on the road,  I always ask where he is calling from and what his destination is.  Callie,   I sometimes do like you and looks at the Google map.   When our grandson moved up to Savannah from Miami I was able to see his home and that was a good feeling.    That reminds me that he has moved to a different house and I better get on that and see what the new one looks like.

Welcome back SCFSue.    I'm sorry that I didn't get it that you had your accident until quite a while after it had happened.   If I don't get in here almost daily it seems that I miss things that I shouldn't have missed.    I hope that you will continue to mend well and be able to do all those things that you enjoy.   

Marilyne, l live in Enola which is across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg, PA.

FlaJean, go for it. I was amazed at the difference my surgery made, not just in being able to see clearly, but also at the colors I didn't realize that I had lost a lot of the yellows, the blues popped out and the greens, well the greens, I never realized there were so may shades of green. I had congenital cataracts so I had to have mine taken care of when I was only 45. Nowadays, surgery is even better than when I had mine done (they still used stitches then), and the recovery time is much faster.

I echo what others have said about cataract surgery.  I was so delighted to regain colors.  Because the cataracts came on so slowly I hadn't realized how much I had lost.  It was wonderful to look out across the landscape and see those vivid colors again.  I had to have laser surgery done, also, because a light film had developed but that was a very quick and easy....and painless....procedure that only took a few minutes.

I used to read Dorothea Benton Frank every time I saw her latest book but I have been less enthusiastic about the most recent ones she has written.  I think authors tend to run out of ideas after several books with the same setting or same characters.  I know I would find it hard to keep coming up with something new and different.

Callie, you always have something worthwhile and interesting to contribute to any conversation.  It is nice to find you posting here.

Just finished reading Louise Penney's latest..."A Great Reckoning" with her central character of Armand Gamache.  This is the 12th in that series.  Each book can be read as a stand alone but to get a sense of the on-going characters and their lives it is better to read them in order. I know that many of you here do not like "mysteries" but Penney writes so well.   I love her descriptions of the village of Three Pines and all of the quirky people who live there.  I wouldn't mind living there myself.   

phyllis - I agree, that many good authors, seem to run out of ideas after the first two or three books, but they continue on, even though the storyline's become all too familiar.  In times past, when an author wrote a popular book, it was many years before they followed it up with another one.  Now they grind them out as quickly as possible, and all stories are similar. 

Nonetheless,  I'll probably start reading DB Frank's The Last Original Wife, sometime today.  I need something totally different, after finishing News From Heaven, yesterday. I was enthusiastic about "Heaven" after the first couple of chapters, but then it seemed to fall apart toward the end.  The stories followed the lives of different families who lived and worked in a coal mining company town, in Pennsylvania.  Some of the stories took place in the 1930's, and others in the '70's and '80's, when the mines began to close, and people were suddenly out of work.  I do recommend it, because it was different, and would be of interest to anyone familiar with life in a company town. 

MarsGal - Speaking of Pennsylvania, I found your city on my atlas, and I see that you live near two places that I've heard about all my life, and always wanted to see . . . the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the city of Hershey.  The Susquehanna River, looks so long and wide to me!  We don't have rivers like that out here in California.

Marilyne, the Susquehanna is one of the oldest rivers in the world and is the longest river on the East Coast. At Harrisburg, it is nearly a mile wide. I can remember when I was a little tyke seeing the boats on the river dredging for coal. They haven't done that in a long, long time so we have a lot of little islands popping up. We are getting to be quite a stopping place  for the birds on the journey north, and our bald eagle population is growing.

I had my cataracts taken care of about 8 years ago now.  I just use glasses for close up. For a few years after having them done I could get by without using any. He just gave me a proscription for a single vision.  I see him every 6 months to a year as he watches behind my one eye.  In the last fewyear now I am finding that i have to keep taking reader out  to see prices in stores and read LP books now better
My appt. last week I told him and he has given me a different prescription to have more of a bifocal pair made so that I can leave them on as I am shopping.  Now need to get them made and see how they work.  I still do fine driving, watching TV and out in the dark driving without wearing any.  I have never been able to walk around in glasses. Had them around y neck when working.  He thinks if I get really light weight frames I could get use to this new prescription and walk in them.

But Mary. The operation is fast and comfy one.  I prefer it to going to the dentist. My eyes were never where he could put me into Contacts.  I don't think I could have put those things in and out.  Have a hard time just putting eye drop in.

So many women southern fiction writers out there, with three names, that it's no wonder that I got Dorothea Benton Frank, confused with another author   The past couple of days I've been reading, The Last Ordinary Wife, and I kept thinking to myself that the style doesn't seem at all like the DBF that I recall from years ago?  That's because it wasn't DBF I was thinking of, but instead was Mary Alice Monroe.   It was  MAM's, The Beach House, and Time is a River, that I was remembering.  Both excellent stories, that left a lasting impresson.

However, my favorite of the Southern authors, (with three names), is Anne Rivers Siddons.  I just loved the novel Peachtree Road, and also read a number of other books by her, but can't recall the titles?  I'm going to look up all three women, and try to figure out what I've read, and what belongs to which author!  Then will order something from each of them!