Thursday, August 25, 2016

Why We Weed: Outrageous Lies!

Sometimes you come across a book that just rubs you the wrong way and you know that it must go!


"Too Many Kittens"?! What a load of crap!

In all seriousness, books like the above that are fraying around the edges, smell like an actual litter box and haven't checked out since 2009 can probably go.

So say farewell to this one from Helen Hoke along with many, many, many others.


Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Why We Weed: Computers edition

Libraries are excellent about doing more with less. We know how to be frugal and reuse, recycle, reduce! And thank goodness for donations from the community.

However, not all donations are appropriate to add to the library's collection. Medical books from 1980 for example, should be placed directly in the recycle bin.

The same can be said for outdated technology.

When weeding a book, it's easy to determine the condition. You just flip through the pages and look for tears, missing pages, water damage, smell.

Evaluating a computer or printer is not as easy. You have to plug it in and turn it on. And use it.

Is the computer used only as a last resort? Is it slow? Does it crash often? Can you have more than 1 program running at a time? How old is it?

I am giving you permission to discard your donated Windows98 machines.


Go ahead and say thanks but no thanks for dot matrix printers.


"But," I've had Librarians say, "this can be used for a children's computer. It has games like Magic School Bus." Played on CD-ROM or (gasp) possibly even floppy discs.
My answer:  If the computer is three times as old as the little kiddo you think will play on it, you're going to be disappointed. Sure it was cool to play on the first word processor typewriters, but I'm not going to seek one out today. Kids won't want to play the pixelated, slow, and dated games that play on WindowsME or 98. There are lots of great online sites and games that will hold their attention and suit their needs better.

So, here is a list of computers to weed:
Windows XP, WindowsME, Windows98 or older
Computer  that takes 10 to boot and another 10 to load
Dot Matrix Printers
Printers that constantly Jam.

And remember, having more computers isn't always better, if no one wants to use them. It is better to have 3 or 4 Windows 7 or Windows 10 computers that 8 outdated computers that sit unused.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Why We Weed: Outdated Reference

Today I officially wrapped up the nightmare weeding project that was my juvenile fiction collection.


But as I was reminded today, my overall weeding is nowhere near complete.


Monday, August 15, 2016

BookGeek2 learns about Yoopers!

Mr. GookGeek2 and I went on our annual adventure to the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) this year.  We found the scenery delightful and the locals (a.k.a Yoopers) were just awesome.
Enjoying one of many waterfalls. I pushed the Mr. in right after! (just kidding).
The Mr. captains the pontoon boats along Pictured Rocks in Munising, MI.
BookGeek2 pretending NOT to be winded from the hike.
Look! Another conquered waterfall!





Nope, [gasp!] still not winded.


The Mr enjoys a Lake Superior sunset. It was awesome but not "superior" to a Kansas sunset. ;-)

Friday, August 12, 2016

Why We Weed

Summer is officially over for me! And I have been remiss in my posting lately because of the chaos that summer brought along with it. That being said, my first summer wearing my new Youth Services crown was a wonderful success. And I haven't lost my touch as a teen librarian either: 82 teens signed up for my teen program! Rock on!


While half didn't complete a thing after they picked up their gameboard, that left 42 teens that did! Not too shabby for my first summer here.

But now it's time to start a new series here at Two Book Geeks entitled: "Why We Weed."