Laboyraryan. Storyteller. Demigod.

It is quite appalling that sometimes, even librarians do not know how to pick up and read a book just for leisure and pleasure. Yes, it is quite understandable that everyone is busy with his/her own work, which his/her job description requires. But isn't it also challenging that despite those loads of work, one could still find the time to read and really see its importance ESPECIALLY in our profession?

We are so much overwhelmed with the advances and new trends in technology e.g. Library 2.0, automations, and the likes, that sometimes we forget that we, as information professionals, should also take part in the advocacy for the love of literacy -- learning and reading. I have nothing against these new ideas for a more efficient delivery of services, I just want to stress out that -- Isn't it because of these technologies that sometimes we find our work routinary or mechanical? Isn't it because machines nowadays could almost do everything and what-have-yous that sometimes one feels insignificant?

I guess this is a challenge for us librarians, that in this era, we cannot just live with what is just being offered to us. We should find different avenues where we could show our clients that we have much to contribute. 

That we are not just "robots" who check library materials in-and-out. 

 That we don't just stamp books the whole day. 

 That WE. ARE. SIGNIFICANT. AND. VALUABLE. MEMBERS. OF. THE. COMMUNITY. 

Hence, my advocacy and challenge for all librarians --especially school librarians -- to go back to basics.

Time to go home. Some chitchats with a fellow demigoddess, Gracia, over a plate of pork inasal. Decided to head to one of the favorite places to hang out: a bookstore! Transformed yet to a bookworm again. Totally absorbed by the book that was being read : The Magician [2nd book, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series]. Suddenly noticed the big red banner:

Eyes went wide open. Mind boggled. Closed the book and kept it in the bag. Toured around the bookstore. Picked up a book. Asked for its price.

Checked wallet. No money [that much!]. Customer service approached, "Sir, it's 40% off!" Eyes went totally wide. Asked the cashier to compute.

Mouth gaped. Couldn't believe. Asked the customer service, "Until when?". Mr. Customer Service replied, "February 28, sir!". Decided to go home first and then go back and buy the book.

Well, knowing that Gracia is a fellow book[shop]aholic, I immediately texted her about the promo. And we'll be checking some books later. Oooooh! I couldn't wait to get my hands to touch a new book that I would soon purchase.

While Mariah Carey may have wished for YOU last Christmas and Kelly Clarkson prepared a shopping list of wishes which she called her Grown Up Christmas List, I decided that I should also make a "wish" list -- a booklist that is [which I may be uploading soonest] -- of the books that I have read and wish to read [just like Shelfari]. I just feel that if I do my own list, it would have more of a personal touch rather than having it template-ready just like Shelfari's.

Well to start off, here's a little heart-warming story [Ha Ha!]:

Last Christmas season, while everybody was busy shopping and wrapping gifts for their loved ones, I, of course, joined the flow -- the celebration I mean. I did not want to miss that out. So, I went to different malls and stores to look for gifts for each member of our family. After buying everyone his/her own gift, I realized that I missed someone out ... ME! And so, as I have mentioned in my previous post, I decided to buy a book for myself.

It was a good start I think because honestly, I was never really a fan of books, I never even imagined myself being a librarian. The habit of reading just introduced itself to me while I was in college. I never really bought books. If I wanted to read a book, I would just borrow [or have someone borrow] from a friend. And in fact, the books that I've got now [at home, my personal ones] are all gifts and prizes. The habit of reading was just developed in me while studying college and intensified now that I am already working as a librarian. So, I guess I am still a young bookworm. More pages to go!

And with the start of 2011, I made a promise to myself that, aside from allotting a lot to food, I would a lot a part of my income to buying books and I plan to buy a book, if not every payday, at least every month.

I really wish that I could soon have my own library composed of the books that I have read and wish to read. That would take a lifetime of course!

**DISCLAIMER: All pictures are from Google.com

There is more in this classic fairy tale than the usual damsel in distress and happily ever after.

Originally written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, this Disney animated classic is [should] definitely [be] a part of everyone's childhood.

Belle is more than a beautiful lady with the kindest of heart. She may not have been born with a golden spoon and a tiara but Belle definitely deserves to be a princess. More than her demure and finesse manner, her captivating beauty, her undying love for her father, and her ability to see the goodness in everyone, Belle is notable because of her love for knowledge. Belle is a bibliophile!

Unlike Cinderella, Aurora or Snow White, [who could afford to have the Library of Congress inside their castles -- with the dwarfs and fairy godmothers helping them], Belle is just a common villager. Living her life within her means. So, she just usually borrows books from the local bookstore just around the corner.

And when the time came that his father left home and never came back and she needed to look for him, she found this majestic but dark castle where she found her father locked inside a room. There she also found the beast, whom she eventually learned to like and love and, the beast, in return, gave her a surprise.

Which of course, is a big big library [aside from the happily ever after, of course]!

Beauty and the Beast"

The New York Public Library released its Children's Books 2010, an annual list consisting of 100 titles that are notable within a year [obviously, it's 2010 this time]. 

Among the list are two creations of a friend, George O' Connor. Ever since I saw his blog, I never got tired of reading his articles and I always anticipate for new entries and new books that he would soon illustrate. [My own blog is also inspired by this Greek-themed stories.] Here are the two books he illustrated that got into the list:

Another notable title is Sharon Draper's Out of my Mind.

I remember my friend Bee and I were just talking about this book and she promised me that she'll borrow this book for me as a present this Yuletide Season. Here's the synopsis of the book:

Click here for the complete list of NYPL's Children's Books 2010: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, in PDF. Enjoy! ☺