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I've been blogging since 2007 and have enjoyed every minute, especially meeting people who recognize me as the "Lively Librarian". I've met some amazing librarians, brilliant authors and fellow book lovers in the past 5 years and look forward to meeting many more.

Exciting news! My blog Lively Librarian has been nominated for a Fascination Award: 2012's Most Fascinating Librarian blog.

I'd love your vote which you can do by clicking on the VOTE FOR ME badge on my homepage and selecting my blog from the list (www.livelylibrarian.blogspot.com is listed as the 17th blog on the list). Voting is open until March 6.

Thanks for your vote and THANK YOU FOR READING!

"I live in 2 worlds"

One of my favorite television shows was the delightfully odd Gilmore Girls. The show was charming...hysterically funny with eccentric characters, lovely small town setting, beautiful homes and oddball stories. The show centered on quirky single mom Lorelei and her straight-laced bookworm teenage daughter Rory. Rory had one of the best quotes ever with, "I live in two worlds. One is a world of books". The quote continued with her explaining the characters and places she's experienced through books and ends with her discussing the charm of her real world which is equally full of interesting characters. For anyone who has seen the show you'll understand why the real characters in Rory's world were just as interesting as the characters in the books she reads.

Rory's quote has me thinking about the different worlds we live in. The real world of:

• Family
• Friends
• Work

and the other worlds where we escape to:

• Books
• Movies
• Video games

I've always escaped into books and movies and many of my "other worlds" have been documented here (Films of style and romance, books by Katie Fforde). But what about the world that can transcend the real and the imagination? For me it's my home. My little nest where I can hunker down, brew some tea or pour a glass of wine, linger over my Parisian decorating books, watch Bette Davis float down yet another grand staircase, enjoy my rare books or take out my jewelry, elbow length gloves and play dress up. For awhile I forget the real world outside my door and I can walk around in a home I'm building from my imagination.

The Gilmore Girls shared an amazing little world in the house that Rory shared with her mother Lorelei. You can see photos of it's eccentric, messy charm here.

So thanks Rory, for getting it. Book lovers live in different worlds.

Enjoy this short clip of some of Rory's best book moments, love when she smells the book. I'm there with ya!

Library Volunteers are the Heart of the Library

A couple of years ago I was contacted by a local school counselor about a potential volunteer for the library. (In addition to my job as the technology resources librarian I have also been the adult volunteer coordinator for the past 5 years.) I was eager to meet the young man who had recently graduated from high school into the Transition Adult Program through the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. After meeting him, he began volunteering at the library on a weekly basis which evolved into a regular position each afternoon.

"J" is a quiet, hard working, gentle man who recently turned 21. He has always arrived at the library with a determination to do his best, learn on the job and complete the tasks assigned to him. In the years that I've been supervising "J" I have quietly marveled at his work ethic and his sweet demeanor. He has definitely taught me more than I have taught him.

From the beginning of his volunteer work we had talked about the possibility of finding a paying job for "J" as his desire was to work permanently in a library. In February of this year a new job was created at the library which turned out to be almost custom made for "J". I talked to his school supervisor and we agreed that if "J" wanted the job, we would be happy to have him on staff at the library. On the day he was to transition from volunteer to staff member he arrived at work, not in his customary black t-shirt and jeans, but in a suit. He was there to formally interview for a job that he didn't understand was already his and he wanted to look his best. As he left my office to meet with his new supervisor I cried and the ladies who share my office cried with me. We were so proud of him. We were proud of the pride he showed for the opportunity to work and at the happiness he had at being given a chance.

This evening "J" received the Shining Star Award from the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization in front of the school board, teachers, staff, family and friends. I was honored to be invited and to stand at his side as he received his award. "J" was honored for his diligence and hard work and for his success in obtaining employment in the community. "J" is the perfect example of the difference volunteers make in a library. His dedication to the library during his years as a volunteer resulted in a job and the chance for him to continue to do what he loves and I couldn't be any prouder of his success.

Let's Say Thanks

During this week of Thanksgiving there is a great website for saying "Thank You".
Let's Say Thanks, allows users to submit a message of thanks to US troops overseas. Your message will be printed on a personalized postcard and mailed to servicemen and women.
I've always been a believer in the power of the written word, especially a thank you card. This website shares the message.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week

This week is Volunteer Appreciation Week and as one of my responsibilities at work is volunteer coordinator I have a luncheon planned to honor the library volunteers. Volunteers at the library contribute hundreds of hours a year assisting both staff and patrons and truly the library could not operate with out them. I've had the privilege to work with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and have enjoyed getting to know everyone who cares enough to give the most precious gift...time.
Over the past year I have been co-chairing a fundraiser for a local woman's club along with 2 close friends and after months of planning our fundraiser was held this past Saturday. The luncheon was a celebration of 75 years of the club as well as a fundraiser for The Cynthia L. Bischof Memorial Foundation, the Northwest Community Hospital and other local charities. With just a few dozen volunteers, wonderful donations from local businesses and the support of the community, the fundraiser was a huge success and thousands were raised to make a difference. Being a part of such an event and watching volunteers dedicate their time and creativity is truly a privilege.
I'm blessed to work with volunteers in my work and personal lives and am so appreciative of the work that gets done.

Guardian Angels

After a lovely girls night on Friday I loaded the beagle in the car on Saturday morning and headed to Michigan for the long weekend. While on the Indiana Toll Road I hit some metal debris and my right rear tire was history. As I tried to find a safe spot on the side of the road I passed about half a dozen stranded cars who had also hit the debris and finally pulled in front of a huge semi tractor who had his emergency cones out. After a wasted call to Triple A I was going to attempt to change my own tire when the truck driver behind me walked up and asked me if I had a spare. When I showed him my jack and spare he changed my tire and gave me directions to the nearest TA truck stop to have it fixed. Daniel, the trucker from Nebraska, thank you. Not a lot of people would have helped me, I hope your lunch was good and the beer was cold.

That is the 2nd time a trucker has saved me from what could have been a disastrous situation. At 19 I was driving around Ohio looking at colleges when my engine started on fire late at night while driving in the middle of nowhere in a thunderstorm. I left the car on the side of the road and started hitchhiking because all I was thinking was to get to a public place. A trucker driving an empty car transporter pulled over and offered me a ride. There was no front passenger seat so he threw down a suitcase and gave me a towel to dry off. He took me to the nearest truck stop with a "Good luck little lady" and he was off. So to both my trucker Guardian Angels, thank you for being in the right place at the right time.