Getting Back Into Reading

I used to read so much. So, so much. From a very young age. I could finish 1-2 books a day. I remember that two things happened at bed time when I had an unfinished book. The book would get tucked in my pants, I'd say I needed to use the bathroom, and finish the book either sitting on the toilet or lay in an (empty) tub. OR I'd pull out the mini flashlight I kept under my pillow and read under my covers. My mom worried so much about me because all I did was read. I rarely watched TV, I rarely went out to play. I went to the library, filled a bag with books and that was the good life.

As I got older I no longer needed to worry about taking such drastic measures. I continued reading all through high school but then I got to college. My reading for pleasure decreased significantly. I was reading way too many articles and textbooks. I still read releases for my favorites authors and books people raved to me about. Then college ended, shortly after I began graduate school. The amount of articles I read for class left my eye sight a bit on the worse side. Because I read so much for school, all I wanted to do when I got home was watch TV to give my eyes a break. And so my love for reading turned into a love for shows.

Its been hard to break the cycle, I've been forcing myself to read more. But for every book I read, I've watched a season or two. I've gone from reading half a book a month to reading 2-3, and I think its horrible. I want to read more. Have you ever been stuck in this rut? Are you still in it? If not, how did you get out of it?

My IFLA First Timer Experience

What is IFLA?

IFLA is the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. They are the leading international body that globally represents users whose interests are in library and information services.

Why am I writing about it?

Because I went! For the first time! Let me back track. 

A couple of months ago I received an email from my ALA Emerging Leaders Coordinator suggesting we look into a grant that was being offered by IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) to attend IFLA. After a little research, I applied. A couple of weeks later I received the grant and found myself scouring their web page looking for what to expect. I attended an online webinar that talked about IFLA taking place in Columbus hoping to gain more perspective and still was unsure. Shortly after, a Facebook group popped up that consisted of other grant recipients. As people began introducing themselves on the group, it became even clearer what it is that IFLA was. These were librarians from across the globe. Countries that I had never heard of (I've never been good with geography) and countries I could only dream of visiting but sat on my bucket list still unattainable. 

Before I knew it, I was driving up to Columbus, Ohio to meet new people and attend a new conference. 

As someone who is new to attending conferences within the library world, this conference had me turning in circles and grinning from ear to ear. I've always been interested in the working of others. As I walked the halls of the conference center, I found myself catching bits and pieces of conversations. Some in English, some with heavy English accents and many in different languages. And I loved every second of it. This is what IFLA is about. Bringing the world together through our love for the written word. This was solidified when I went from session to session listening to ideas and actions taken to bringing literacy to libraries, bringing programming to better the community, events to add to our culture, to add to our experiences as humans living together. 

(a session on literacy)

But it wasn't all about the sessions, there were many opportunities to network through the events that IFLA had hosted. Whether it was going to the COSI (which was amazing, if you ever get a chance, you need to go), to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, to the Columbus Library itself. Admittedly, I felt an extreme sense of longing and jealously upon seeing their library. 

(View of downtown from COSI)

(One of my favs from the Billy Ireland Library) 

 (Columbus Library, they have their own underground parking!)

However, nothing was quite like meeting my fellow grant recipients. These were the people who I attended sessions with. People who I went to eat with. People who I walked around with. People who, to be honest, I felt like I knew for years rather than days. I met so many good souls who I still stay in touch with. People I hope to one day be able to visit their country and take the tour as they have taken it here. Some of the kindest, most accepting souls I have ever met. I heard stories about their homelands, I was given trinkets to remember them by, and memories that I constantly talk about whether at work or in my personal life.

(Some of the other grant recipients and myself posing for a group picture!)

Thank you, IFLA for an amazing experience.

Ain't this beautiful

Once a year, one of the blocks in our community closes for a block party. A few days later we receive an art gift from the kids of said block. This year, I fell absolutely in love with their art piece.

Each hand is either a representation of where they come from, or a beautiful design they created. Every hand is overlapping and circling the earth. Every hand is growing from the same tree. A tree whose roots are watered with Love, Hope, Passion and Commitment.

These hands that are attached to young souls who are growing to love those around them, no matter where they come from. These hands that are found around the world because no one is born with hate inside them. These hands that came together to create something beautiful. These are the hands that hold our communities together.

When patrons form their opinion based on research

A couple of months ago, I had a patron come into the library looking for books on Islam. She asked me a couple of questions, came back the next day and took the books I offered her from my personal collection. About a little less than a week after that, handed them back with a smile and a thank you.

Over the next couple of months, whenever I saw her, I was greeted with a genuine smile and a 'how are you'? Neither of us mentioning the books.

She came in last week looking for me, asking if she could talk to me for a couple of minutes. She had many questions about Islam, and she came ready for answers about various aspects of it. I answered her questions as best I could. As she asked her questions, I saw that they've changed from the first time she asked them. This time, there was a real passion, wonderment, and a need to know.

So I asked if I could ask her a question in return. A question that, to be honest, I wondered about after our first conversation a couple months back. I asked her what got her interested.

She smiled and says, "I've been feeling lost for a while. And it's because I NEED religion in my life. I am Christian, but something doesn't feel right to me. The first time I asked you, I'd been looking deeper into Christianity, I studied Judaism, and I looked into Islam. And what I found about Islam is that it did not add up with what I was seeing in the media. It's all about good. How to live a good life. How to be a good person. How to give. How to be kind. And the more I read, the more I found peace here (she points at the center of her chest). I stopped feeling lost and I wanted to know more. I feel like I'm finally home because I'm not lost".

In that last line. "I feel like I'm finally home because I'm not lost". I definitely teared up. I felt my heart ache. Many of us had/have our obstacles with religion. Obstacles we generally don't talk about. Where we fall off the path a little. We stop praying. We get angry. We blame the world. We blame God. And we move further and further away from him. And then someone says something in passing that rings a bell. Or you watch someone on TV and something strikes a cord. Or out of nowhere, it's almost like God himself is say it's time, and you find yourself praying. Or you find yourself breaking down and the only words you repeat is "oh God" over and over again.

And in that first millisecond of your intention to do it, to go back to Him, you feel everything fall into place. The world stops spinning. The weight lifts off your shoulder. You're "home".

And isn't that all we ever want? May she and anyone else looking to feel "home" find their way. Amen.

When patrons want your help then dont listen to you

I had an elderly woman come in requesting help with her tablet through a book-a-librarian appointment (an uninterrupted hour of one on one help with a librarian). I sat with her to see what she needed. She wanted to access her email, her Facebook, the news and to look up obituaries of people she knew.

As I was taking her across different platforms we ended up on American Action News. In the top right hand corner there was a survey that was titled "DO YOU SUPPORT TRUMP" (yes) or (no). She turns to me eagerly, "yes, yes I support him, how do I support him?". Me, being the hijabi librarian that I am , who is probably going to get deported or forced to wear a label if Trump becomes president. Even though (and this might be mind boggling for him) I was born here, smiles and says "you can click here and fill out the form" (because of course, job comes first).

As she fills out the form she turns to me again and says "I really like Trump". I smile and nod pointing out what she needs to fill. "even though I am a Democrat, I support Trump and want him to know". I smile and nod, encourages her to continue in order not to get into a political debate. "Now Trump will know and my vote will count". I smile and nod... no wait.

Me: "This is not actually voting, you need to go to the polls during the election for that"
Her: "No, no. I am voting now, this is what it is."
Me: "No... this is just an online survey, you need to go to the polls for that during the election for it to count".
Her: "No, they do everything online now, this is where I vote".

*continues attempting to tell her how voting works*

Me: *attempts to correct her again, sees the determination in her eyes, and stops* "okay, since you're done, hit submit"

As an information professional, it is my job to pass on CORRECT information. However, if you choose not to believe me, that's on you. Here is to many more Trump supporters who support him online and don't actually go to the polls.

As Dewey says, "I don't have to like you to help you".

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child book review!

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Cursed Child spoilers that aren't really spoilers.

When I first heard that an 8th book was happening I was beyond elated. Reading that "19 years later" at the end of Deathly Hallows left me angry. Because I wanted more. I remember thinking "she should have written another book, what is this epilogue crap". And more I got, although not in the way I wanted. The rumors that weren't really rumors aretrue. The book is a script of the play that was performed in London. It is not an actual novel, that was the most disappointing part for me. Once I got past that, once I was able to go back to visualizing the characters, I found myself speeding through the book. Whatever J. K. Rowling touches, it is spun gold. Following the trio 19 years later, meeting the cursed child, my eyes flew across the page and transported me back to the days I would curl up on the couch and not move until the book was done. My have I missed those days. The hardest part for me was realizing that this is actually the end. That anything else, should it happen, that is Rowlings Magic related, will be in the form of a spinoff. And it's left me as heartbroken as the day I finished Deathly Hallows. However, every and all spinoffs that should happen shall be consumed eagerly by me. The magic will always live on. Always. 

If you were apprehensive about reading it because you aren't sure if it'll ruin the series for you, read it anyway. No one will do you justice like the form of Rowlings writing style. And you REALLY don't want to know what happens when you accidentally read spoilers. Read it. Read it. Read it. 

Orlando Adventures and #ALAAC (2/3)

ALA '16 was a very important conference for me.

Not only was it my first ALA annual conference, it was also where I would be part of my first panel called "No Room at the Library: The Ethics of  Diversity"

The key-note speaker was Loida Garcia-Febo, and my fellow panelists were Anastasia Chiu and Jeff Sowder. After Loida gave her speech, there were 3 skits each followed with discussion between the panel and those sitting in the audience.

The first skit targeted Islamophobia in the library.
The second skit targeted the LGBTQ community in the library.
The third skit targeted Race in the library.

(The three skits can be found here under the attachment in the middle of the page)

 I have to admit. I was EXTREMELY nervous going in. Public speaking is NOT my forte and is something I normally avoid at all cost. So how did I find myself on a panel in the middle of a library conference with over a 100 people in attendance?

A couple of months before the conference, I was approached by a fellow library colleague I met on Facebook. She asked if I would be willing to look over/add to a anti-Islamophobia Resolution that her and other members of the ALA Council were looking to propose at mid-winter (this was also my first time seeing a resolution being done). I happily partook in this opportunity.

I was contacted sometime after to see if I would like to be part of something another group was putting together for Annual. Jumping at another opportunity, I said yes, and did not realize until much later that it would involve me speaking in front of a large group of people. By that point I was so far in that I really WANTED to be a part of it and needed to work to keep my nerves at bay.

(seeing my name up there quenched my nerves for 2 minutes)

While I felt that the panel went extremely well because of the amount of discussion that went on. I also felt a little lacking on my end. I was so nervous that I did not speak as much as I would have liked. I went in with all these great ideas and things to say in my head and yet found myself freezing. Other times I would force my mouth to start moving because that was the only way to get through my fear.

(the room was packed, all seats were filled, and there will people standing/sitting in the aisles and along the back, it was amazing)

Some of the points that were made and discussed:

• As long as you are being respectful and depending on the vibes of the person in front of you, it is okay to ask Muslim people questions about their religion.
• People will have issues with Muslim Librarians and Muslim patrons, knowledge is power, please share books and other materials to educate people.
• Please do not make assumptions about a persons' gender.
• People will have issues with members of the LGBTQ community especially in the debate about bathrooms, listen to their concerns as politely as possible, it might be time to take a look at your policy and make some changes in favor of including everyone.
• A Black Lives Matter group and a White Supremacist group are NOT the same thing.
• Be aware of what is happening in your library, what flyers are going up, be prepared for backlash, on popular topics of discussion. Be prepared to handle it.
• There is a 75% chance (I just made that number up) that someone will have a problem with how things are run at your library especially if it is made to include EVERYONE. Especially if it is something they do not understand. Work with your staff/coworkers, be united, be patient, be educated, and find help when needed. You are not alone. 

This entire experience held so many firsts for me. First time seeing how a resolution was formed. Attending an Annual conference. Meeting so many new people. Visiting Florida. Being on a Panel. Talking in front of what I would consider, a large group of people.

Yet somehow, I managed to do it, and I was/am VERY proud of myself. I learned so much and it opened my eyes to the world of possibilities one can do being part of a library.

I graduated with my MSLIS 11 months ago. While I have been part of my current library for 10+ years, there is so much to learn. So much difference that can and will be made if we all stick together and move as one.

Dont get me started on the exhibits and the authors. Every book lovers' dream. I met so many amazing authors including some of my favorites and obtained such a haul that I had a bit of difficulty getting my luggage across at the airport.

My favorite though, was meeting Gayle Foreman for the second time and Laurie Halse Anderson for the first time. I completely teared up when I met Laurie, she was SO sweet (we even semi match(!), it was meant to be). Her book "The Impossible Knife of Memory" has left the biggest impression on me and I recommend it to everyone who asks for a book recommendation.

(can you tell how excited I am?)

I was also VERY excited for the children books I got. Some of them were absolutely beautiful in illustration and some really filled me with joy. 

One of my favorites was "Beautiful" by Stacy McAnulty. It gives such a POSITIVE and EMPOWERING lesson to little girls that I believe every little girl and grown woman should have one. 

I read the story to my niece who turns 3 on Halloween and she LOVED it. She would NOT let go of the book. She kept saying "Sara, she's dootyful" (beautiful) and would point at a girl covered in mud, then she would point at herself and say "I'm dootyful!" She then took the book, placed in her tote, and said "mine" and so it was.

(The cover, as found on Google)

All in all, I had such an amazing time in Florida and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity. I truly hope that there are many conferences in my future. 

(I'll leave you with a picture of my haul after sorting it when I got home. Not everything is pictured since I found another tote filled with things after taking this one)