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The Newsletter of the Friends of the Johnson City Public Library Spring 2009
National Library Week Bring your membership card for
admittance to the preview. If you can’t
This year’s National Library Week will find your card, we will have a
be celebrated during April 12-18th. member’s list at the door. If your
This is an opportunity to show our membership has expired, you can
appreciation to the many people who renew it at the sale!
contribute to our library. The Friends
will be treating the library staff to a Books Gone Wild: The
catered lunch. FYI – Jamie Lee Curtis Digital Age Reshapes
is serving as the Honorary Chair Literature
nationally.
I know what you are thinking –
young editions running wild without
Did You Know? Spring Book Festival any covers sneaking in to late-night
clubs, right? Well, you’re close. These
Friends of the Library are excited to
Johnson City Library is hosting its 2nd books have shed their clothes in a
announce our annual Spring Book Sale
annual poetry contest to kick off sense by going digital. In a recent
and that we have teamed once again
National Poetry Month. During the article in Time, Lev Grossman
with the library for the 2nd Annual
month of April poems of any length describes technology’s effect on
Book Festival. The theme of the book
and any form can be submitted at the traditional publication. In his words,
sale is “Dress like your favorite
Adult or Youth service desks in the “something has changed … the
author” in honor of our Book Festival
Library, emailed to danielw@jcpl.net, publishing industry is in distress.” He
special guest author Lisa Alther. You
or mailed to the Library addressed to uses newcomer Lisa Genova as his
can catch Lisa at the Book Festival
Poetry Contest at JCPL, 100 W. primary example citing the recent
and at the upcoming author dinner.
Millard St. Johnson City, TN 37604. internet-published novel Still Alice (see
Please see insert for more details.
Please limit entries to one poem per Becky McNight’s recommendation).
person. The poems will be divided JCPL Book Festival: Publisher’s Weekly predicts that this year
into three categories: adult, teen, and Starring Books will be the “worst year” for high-
children. Winners will be announced profile publishers; however, publishing
Saturday, April 18, 10 am – 4 pm
during Poetry Night on Thursday, isn’t dead or dying, but rather, as
May 14th at 6 p.m. in the Jones Dinner with the Author: Grossman puts it, “evolving” through
Meeting Room. Lisa Alther technology and that “the novel itself is
about to become cheaper, wilder,
Saturday, April 18, 6 pm trashier, more democratic and more
Carnegie Hotel - Tickets $30 deliriously fertile than ever.”
Friends Members Book Sale The problem is not with readers; in
fact, literary reading by adults has
Preview:
increased almost 4% since 2002. So,
Friday, April 24, 6 pm – 8 pm what is the problem, Grossman asks?
Friends Book Sale: You guessed it – the economy. The
risks associated with the publishing
Saturday, April 25, 9 am – 2 pm industry have become too great of a
load to bear. Considering that the
industry pays out nonreturnable
advances and offers full-refunds from In the past year, we have seen a huge number research, planning, learning, implementing,
bookstores that return unsold books, of Information Technology improvements. We maintaining, and upgrading. I am responsible
it’s no wonder. upgraded all the public and staff computers, for over a hundred computers, nine servers, a
As a result, books have shrugged implemented a new time and print large switched network, a telephone PBX, all
off their “clothes” literally by going management system, installed a new video audio/visual equipment, video surveillance
digital. Google has already scanned surveillance system, replaced our backbone equipment, connections to the Internet and
more than 7 million books. Grossman network hardware, improved our Internet network services, our e-mail system, our
talks about tech-heavy reading devices filtering and firewall, added high-quality color website…the list goes on and on. My current
like the Sony Reader that are attracting printers for the public computer users, docket is writing the Three Year Technology
loyal followers. We can even use some installed audio/visual equipment in the Plan (FY2009-10 through FY2011-12),
cell phones to download these books. library’s Board Room, introduced our first updating software on all public computers,
Don’t count out the printed page all-digital microfilm/fiche reader system, and upgrading eight back-end servers, and
just yet, though the only sure thing is increased our Internet bandwidth 330% with developing a brand-new website for JCPL.
that changes in the print and digital a connection to a fiber optic service.
worlds are going to continue at a wild Ok, I’m dizzy. Let’s talk books.
pace. What specific effects does advancing Favorite author? Recent read?
technology have on our library? Dare Eric - My favorite author is C.S. Lewis and
to make any predictions? I recently read Digital Portrait Photography:
Eric - Every iteration of new technology at Art, Business and Style by Steve Sint.
the library improves the patron experience
and provides patrons with more, and better, Do you ever use technology to access
information tools. Also, behind the scenes, books?
new technologies improve our efficiency and Actually, no. I’m more of an old fashioned
our customer service. While my predictions book guy. Books have characteristics that
Get-2-Know are not commitments, I will suggest that electronic versions don’t, such as weight,
within five years, patrons will benefit from a volume, illustrations and photos, various
By Josh Archer
central computer lab located on the first floor tactile qualities due to paper choices, etc. And
In honor of the “tech” theme of this
and enjoy self-service options for checking out there’s something special about bringing home
newsletter, I chatted with Eric Job, the
books and paying library fines and fees. a big bag of books to my kids and watching
library’s technician. Talking to Eric, I
Also, new ground will be broken in the realm them devour them.
was amazed at the changes that we’re
of table-top computing that I think will
undergoing at the library. See if you
delight children and adults alike. A large When you are not working, what are
can keep up. How did you become
number of reference materials, currently in some things that you like doing?
associated with JCPL?
print, will be available to our patrons online. Eric - I enjoy spending time with my family
Eric - I became acquainted with the library
I’ll even go out on a limb and suggest there and helping out at my church. Also, as time
as a subcontractor during the construction of
may be an exciting new media library here. allows, I like to take pictures, write articles,
the new building. My role was to assist with
publish newsletters, create websites for people
network planning. In time, that role grew
What do you feel is the best advantage I know, and work on computers.
into a part-time, then a full-time,
that technology has to offer libraries in
Information Systems Manager position.
general? Are you from this area? Where did
Eric - Technology enables libraries to remain you go to school/graduate? Are you
How long have you worked there?
relevant in the Information Age. At a time married? Kids?
Eric - I’ve been with JCPL for ten years.
when knowledge and answers are gleaned Eric - I was born in Indiana but have lived
from Internet sources, we offer a portal and in Tennessee since I was thirteen. As for
Can you tell me about some specific
expert assistance to guide those seeking clarity education, I have bachelors and masters
technological "stuff" that's going on in
among a dizzying array of sources. Also, one degrees in computer science from ETSU. I
the library? I’ve heard a bit about
of technology’s best uses is automation, which am married (fifteen wonderful years) to Kassi,
"going-green.”
we’ve been using for years to manage our and we have three awesome kids, Erika,
Eric - The facilities management has more to
items and patrons. Anna, and Tommy.
do with the green project than the Information
Technology area. So far, engineers have
Can you take me through a "normal" What is something about the library
replaced our building’s HVAC unit with a
day at the library? Can you offer a that few people know but should?
high efficiency unit that will reduce our power
glimpse into what it means to be the Eric - Donations are going to play an
consumption and undertaken a massive
library-tech? increasing role in enabling our library to
overhaul of the library’s interior lighting
Eric - Information Technology support works remain technologically relevant—to maintain
system. We are experimenting with sensors
in a cyclic fashion due to the rapid pace at our systems at the state-of-the-art.
that turn lights on and off automatically in
which it is improved and upgraded. Thus, my Information Technology equipment, services,
lightly used sections of the library.
position spends its time in a continuum of and software are expensive. Patrons are
asking for more public computers, faster A Demon in My View by Ruth Rendell. really happened. There are many
wireless, new self-service options, and access to This is the same Rendell that writes parallels between the life of Averbuch,
more media. This demand is in addition to the Richard Jury mysteries. This one is and the author who tries to piece
what we already offer and support. We very scary, very real, very possible. together the mystery.
struggle in the budget areas to keep up and You do not have to suspend your
depend on gifts, grants, and selling our disbelief. Karol Lynn Johnson - If you can get
outdated equipment to fund our technology used to an omniscient narrator who
budget. Donations may be made directly to Susan Burkey - I just finished reading has died a horrible death, Amy Tan’s
the library, or to the Johnson City Public Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews. It is Saving Fish from Dying is an interesting
Library Fund at the East Tennessee a delightful novel about a rising star tour of Myanmar (the new Burma)
Foundation, 625 Market Street, Suite on the Cooking Channel - sort of a with many features that seem familiar
1400, Knoxville, TN 37902. take-off on the Paula Dean story. It from recent news reports. A diverse
takes place in Georgia and is just group of tourists, led by an
Spring Book delightful to read with a little romance inexperienced guide, are kidnapped by
thrown in. One thing I especially liked a jungle tribe who are convinced one
Recommendations about the book is the recipes at the of them is their long-awaited savior.
Friends Board of Directors and our end. When I was a little girl, my Compared to another hostage novel I
new Library Director share their mother used to bake a "Tomato Soup read recently, Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto,
recommendations for a good read. Cake" that was really good and I was this one has a relatively happy ending.
unable to locate the recipe. To my
Bob Swanay - A Short History of World delight, this was one of the cakes in a Josh Archer – I recently finished Into
War II by James L. Stokesbury bake-off in the book and there was the the Wild by Jon Krakauer. The book
I wanted to read a book on World recipe at the end of the story. chronicles Krakauer’s journey as he
War II, something that covered the retraces the footsteps of Chris
whole war while being a manageable Becky McNight - A recent read that I McCandless who died tragically in the
read. I’m listening to the audio found informative and engrossing was Alaskan Wild in the early 1990’s.
version, but to give a sense of the size Still Alice by Lisa Genova. It's a novel McCandless was an avid reader and
of the book, it clocks in at slightly less dealing with a Harvard professor who really liked the transcendentalists. He
than 400 pages in its book format, develops early onset also heavily favored Jack London and
impressively compact for a Alzheimer’s Jack Kerouac. McCandless was hoping
comprehensive take on the war. around age 50. to find peace by essentially creating his
Reviews of the book consistently give Apparently the own Walden. However, McCandless
the book high marks for factual progression of the wasn’t as successful as Thoreau. His
accuracy, which is a good thing, but I disease with those adventure proves fatal. Although you
was surprised how often the author developing early know the story is tragic, Krakauer’s
was able to interject some interesting onset is more narration keeps you wanting more. He
speculation along the way. These devastating than accurately describes the landscape as
“what ifs” make the book more than a with those who develop it when they well as the people that met Chris along
mere textbook-like relaying of facts. are older. The book was enlightening the way. Having similar personalities,
Still, the pace of the book is as to how the victim and her family try Krakauer makes his presence known;
whirlwind, as were the tumultuous to cope with the disease's frustrations, however, he leaves it up to his readers
years of warfare that constituted anxieties, and other ramifications. to form their own opinion of
World War II. McCandless.
Kevin Anderson - My book: The
Charles Moore - The Foreign Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon. Julia Swanson - I recently read People of
Correspondent by Alan Furst. This is a This novel is based on the actual 1908 the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It is a
different World War II spy story. killing of Lazarus Averbuch, a 19-year- novel in which a rare book expert
Furst seems to know his way around old Jewish immigrant who was shot analyzes and conserves an ancient
the business and he is fast becoming a dead by George Shippy, the chief of Jewish manuscript. The author
very popular author. Chicago police, after being admitted alternates between chapters that detail
into his house. The mystery remains the scientific effort to pursue the
Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules unsolved. Hemon moves back and book's secrets with chapters that take
Verne. Only the second Jules Verne I forth between his imagining of the the reader backward through time to
have ever read. It seems dated because case based on the available facts, and experience the book's journey from
we’re so smart nowadays about the story of a Bosnian-American war torn Bosnia to its creation in 15th
everything which is good reason to writer who gets funded to travel to century Spain. Vivid characters tell a
read his works. Maybe we have we lost Eastern Europe and unearth what powerful story of prejudice as well as
our sense of wonderment? courage in this well written novel.
Any adult age 18 and up is welcome
to volunteer. The library has five
Board of Directors
service areas that work directly with President: Karol Lynn Johnson
the public. Volunteers are needed in Vice-President: Betsy Austin
all five! Or, if you prefer to work Treasurer: Linda Gallagher
behind the scenes, we have Secretary: Susan Burkey
opportunities for you. Specific training Kevin Anderson
is provided by the staff members for Robbie Anderson
Be a Library Volunteer! all volunteers. Josh Archer
For more information about Harriet Cone
The Johnson City Public Library volunteering at the library, please
appreciates the outstanding work of its Harriet Masters
contact Ruby M. ElBasha, Volunteer Charles Moore
volunteers who play a vital role at the Coordinator at 423.434.4450 or click
library. By volunteering their time, Becky McNight
on the volunteer link on the jcpl.net Debra Soike
talent, and skills, they support and web site.
enhance the Library’s programs, Julia Swanson
services and missions.
FOL Spring Book Sale
Saturday, April 25th
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Special Friends Preview
Friday, April 24th, 6 - 8 PM
Friends of the Johnson City Public Library
100 W. Millard St.
Johnson City, TN 37604
