Anime Fest 2008 in NYC
I went to Anime Fest in NYC yesterday and the above pictures are just a sampling of those I saw cosplaying. The Fest was fun (although the commute into the city was not) but not at all geared toward professionals.
One unique and surprising feature was the manga library sponsored by AnimeNext. There was a separate room away from the exhibit hall where you could select a manga in exchange for your badge. I spent a half hour reading Death Note volume 1.
There were several vendors but the discounts were minimal so I went home empty handed. The best vendors were those selling artbooks and other imports from Japan. I did pick up some cards, the most interesting being Squishables! They are so nice to HUG that I will definitely get one soon.
Overdrive’s Digital Bookmobile @ Somerset County Library
The Task Force recommended a similar vehicle – a mobile technology trailer – as part of their findings presented at NJLA 2008. Our proposal envisioned a trailer that highlighted: digital features available from libraries across the state offer (including digital downloads: music, movies, book, audiobooks), gaming equipment, computers (also offering computer instruction), etc.
Overdrive’s trailer was certainly impressive but it spoke to only one vendor, offering one type of service. It was clearly geared toward adults (let’s not forget the kids!!) and there was really no place for detailed instruction. So, it provided a good model for something the state could use (a mix of the traditional bookmobile with a high tech interior)… Regarding Overdrive, the ease of installation and usuablity is questionable. Online Library services still have a long way to go.
- A picture of the enormous trailer that is the OverDrive Digital Bookmobile.
- This TV, and two others inside the trailer, run on a two minute loop, introducing people to OverDrive and its services.
- This gentleman led us on a tour through the trailer.
- Information panels were found throughout.
- Computer stations were set up throughout to allow users to browse (and listen to) the collection. There was a heavy emphasis on ease of use.
- A table with various hardware for storing digital downloads was a good idea but corporate sponsorship would have been even better. Why promote other products for free?
- Our guide explains how to use the video download feature.
- Information, quotes, and statistics lined the top walls of the trailer. Very nifty.
- The video download feature display.
Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
I never really loved Goodnight Moon, but I do love Goodnight Goon! Just in time for Halloween, this parody is funny and perfect for read alouds.
Old Bear – Kevin Henkes
Yet another simply elegant picture book by the talented Henkes. We follow Old Bear’s dreams as he sleeps through winter; dreams of youth, sleeping in a Spring flower, blueberry rain during the Summer, the vivid orange, yellow and brown of Autumn and finally the cold, icy Winter. When Old Bear awakes, the beautiful Spring days fells like a continuation of his dreams. I can’t wait to use it during my next Good Morning Stories.
Library Funding: An OCLC Report
OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. The findings of this research are now available in the OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America. Though this study was based on data from the United States, there are findings in the report that could be applicable to any library seeking to understand the connections between public perceptions and library support.
Among the findings from the report:
- Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation
- Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support
- Voters who see the library as a ‘transformational’ force as opposed to an ‘informational’ source are more likely to increase taxes in its support
The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.
Read it here.
Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems
I cannot even begin to talk about how much I adore this Geisel Award winning series. Mo is a genius. And I’ve just learned of the release dates of the next two books in the series.
Are You Ready to Play Outside? – October 14, 2008
Watch Me Throw the Ball – March 17, 2009
A fourth grade teacher came in last week asking for a funny book that the kids could act out. I thought for just a moment (after all, it was the first time anyone asked that question) and I thought of two books immediately: Who is Melvin Bubble by Nick Bruel and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. It took a moment form me to think “Easy Reader” but when I did, BAM. Elephant and Piggie! So I showed her There is a Bird on your Head! and it was a hit. She planned to use Melvin Bubble and Elephant and Piggie but not the Pigeon (“but he’s funny so I’m going to read it to them.”). Success. Great Success.
The 39 Clues (Book 1): The Maze of Bones
I picked up a copy of The Maze of Bones yesterday and aside from being tricked into buying a card pack that “goes with it” (according the the sales clerk), it’s been a good experience so far. I created an account on the 39 Clues website (the39clues.com) and I’m in the Tomas branch of the Cahill family. I enjoyed adding my cards and solving the puzzles. I’m eager to see this play out. I’m about half-way through the book and greatly enjoying it (Riordan’s writing in this book is superior to some of his later Percy Jackson books). It’s like the Da Vinci Code for kids! And I love that the follow up book is only 82 days away. While this is has been a heavily marketed book and clearly designed to suck up your dollar on accompanying cards, if the experience is worth it, I don’t have a problem with it.
“Fortunately, the librarians were having a slow day, and Amy wasn’t shy around them at all. She loved librarians. When she told them she was doing a summer research project on Benjamin Franklin and needed to use historical documents, they fell all over themselves to help her.” (p 89)
Now that sounds exactly like Librarians 
