The Archdale Library Friends (ALF) booksale is coming Saturday November 19, 2005.

Until then, feel free to stop by the ALF continuous booksale booktruck by the circulation desk. All books are $2.00. We also have a paperback area. Each paperback is 50 cents. All proceeds benefit ALF and the Archdale Public Library.

Thanks for reading,
George

Did you know that you can get e-books from home?

Just visit any Randolph County Public Library Location and use NetLibrary on the NCLIVE website. Set up an account and then you can use it from home (make sure you set up the free account by clicking in the upper right hand corner of the NetLibrary site).

To get to NetLibrary from home, visit the Library's website and enter your card number. Once you type in your card, you will get the password for NCLIVE. From there, you can get to NetLibrary from here.

Thanks for reading,

George

Who Put the Alphabet in Alphabetical Order?

Thanks to one of my favorite bands, They Might Be Giants, I now have a new philosophical question.

Lyrics from Who Put the Alphabet in Alphabetical Order
All right!
Back in ancient times
You know that things then weren't that easy
So many different tribes
So many different ways of writing
So, who put the alphabet in alphabetical order?
I wonder
Who put the alphabet in alphabetical order?
Oh
Now I've got a question
With an answer that you might find easier
You've got to use your mind
To remember all the letters in order
Now, you put the alphabet in alphabetical order
Come on!
You put the alphabet in alphabetical order
We're going to put the alphabet in alphabetical order now
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y and Z
Now I know my ABCs
Next time won't you play with me?
Oh, I put the alphabet in alphabetical order
Yes, I put the alphabet in alphabetical order
I did it!

And I am singing it over and over in my head.

thanks for reading,

George

Can't Wait for a Book? Paris Can Help

Wow...book vending machines. What's next? Reference question vending machines...or even Librarian vending machines?

What kind of vending machine would you like?

George

Bush Hill Festival is coming...

George

What the Well-Dressed Librarian is wearing these days...

ALA introduces Banned Books bracelet.

Just in case someone was looking to buy someone a present. I should probably get the To Kill a Mockingbird bracelet...but I will probably end up with the Captain Underpants one. Gotta love Dav Pilkey.

George

"It must be wonderful to work in a library. You get to read all day."

Working in a public library, you hear this several times a day. Reading is a passion for most of us and we all dream of the perfect job that would allow us to read all the livelong day. But our job is to serve the customer--you.

We do get to read...book reviews, dustjackets, and library related journals. We don't get to read the fun stuff until we get home or (like me) on our lunch break. I get most of my reading done during lunch. What am I reading now?

Beach Music by Pat Conroy.

Pat Conroy writes beautifully. The words dance on the page and oftentimes I will read a sentence several times, just to soak in the mesmerizing imagery. I've read it once before, but I felt like I needed to revisit it. My favorite sentences are still there. Almost like an old friend that I had missed for so long. Reading Pat Conroy makes you realize that people are born with innate gifts. His is storytelling. He can build a perfect sentence that leaves you sated, while at the same time, salivating for the next line.

I fear to say much more. I don't want to ruin any of it and typing about it makes me long for the words right now. Needless to say, it is in my personal top ten. Actually, it might be in the top five.

Thanks for reading,
George

Welcome to the Archdale Public Library blogspot--By the Park.

We are actually neighbors of Creekside Park in Archdale (and Randolph Community College). Stay tuned for more information about us, Archdale, books and upcoming events.

Be sure to stop by and see us. You'll always feel welcome at Archdale Public Library.