James LaRue - myliblog

I arrived today in this lovely region. Tomorrow I give a talk to area trustees. The day after that, to trustees and directors closer to Altoona. I was met by Cambria County Library Director Lyn Meek, Mary Lou Repsher, and Linda Young. In addition to taking me to a fine dinner leavened by fine conversation, they also took me to the high, wooded hills above the river valley. Two pictures: First, the "incline" - a device to haul up a cage large enough for two cars along steep rails. Think an enormous cable. Then, the amazing view of the town from atop the selfsame hill. Below, the Stoneycreek River.

[Click on the image to expand.] The above is from a series of surveys, conducted by JVA Consulting, LLC, at the end of 2011, and during the first part of 2012. JVA questioned more than 3959 community and staff members (the results are still being tallied) about a host of library issues. The key takeaway from the above slide was this: "Borrowing patterns vary greatly by subgroup. However, purchasing and obtaining books elsewhere remains equal among groups." Note: in this case, "non-user" means "uses once a month or less." "Non-supporter" means "would be unlikely to vote for a library funding increase." Does using the library mean that you buy more books? In Douglas County, apparently not. Regular readers are no more likely to buy books than non-library users. On the other hand, they are no less likely. Using the library doesn't steal anybody's sales. The library probably does have an effect on which books they buy, tho...

The Occupy Movement interests me. It gives me hope. So yesterday I wrote some lyrics, and sometime this week, I hope to work out the banjo chords. But here are the words: You don't own the building but you pay the rent you're the 99 not the 1 percent You don't drive the limo though you paid for the road you don't get to keep the crop that you sowed A respected worker at the local plant your daddy never felt like an ant He made good things took home a good wage he contributed in a different age Now it's your job to make the rich richer if that makes you poorer well don't be a bitcher So occupy the park my friend occupy the street occupy downtown my friend post on Facebook and re-tweet Let them see your face my friend the face they would deny Remind them that you share this world and when they ask you why Tell them that you're on to them Tell them that you're wise Tell them that you're not so blind Tell them you ...

I do a lot of walking around. And sometimes, I find living spirits, then snap a photo of them with my cell phone. For instance, while walking in a park in Littleton, I found this wood serpent, the Park Ness Monster, rising from a fallen branch: Walking home one day, I found this in a front yard in Castle Rock, a wood lion, Simba of the Rockies: Pretty cool, huh?