 Yesterday, a reference question landed in my inbox. One of our faculty members is working with an educational program this summer and was looking for free children's books to hand out to families in attendance.
Every kid should have access to books at home. Studies have shown that simply having books within reach improves literacy rates. (Here's a recent open access article about just that!) When kids have access to books, something shifts. This book is mine. These words are mine. This story is mine. I am all about getting more books into kids' hands. Here are some places you — or your organization — could reach out to:
If you have other resources or ideas, please share!
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On my way to work this morning, I saw two separate people reading physical books while walking. Not phones. Not e-readers. Books.
Now, I often see people reading their phones. It's a common sight. The phone readers are head down and thumb scrolling. Occasionally, a person will look up to regain their situational awareness. More often, I will have to dodge out of the way as these folks barrel down the sidewalk without looking up. So the book walkers stood out. But I have a question for these book readers. Namely, how do you do it? It's impressive! They were holding their books open with both hands, bags slung over their shoulders. They had their texts at an angle that let them keep an eye on what was in front of them. (Thank you.) But, as I passed, I could see their eyes darting across the page. It was a nice feat of multitasking. I am not this skilled. I would stumble over my own two feet or crash into a sign post. My second question is: why? Why do you read a physical book while walking? I mean this with curiosity and without judgement. I also prefer physical books. But I admit they are unwieldly. E-readers and phone apps make reading on the go so much easier. I genuinely wish I had stopped to ask why they chose this format. Was the book only available in a physical format? Do they prefer reading on a printed page? Is it a battery life thing? One less device to charge? Are they rebelling against an increasingly digital world? I don't have answers. Just admiration. Do you read while on the move? If so, how? What makes a good reference librarian?
There's the obvious stuff - knowing where to look, technical search strategies, and an abundance of persistence. But some of my best reference moments have had less to do with professional training and more to do with my life. I grew up in Cooperstown, New York - the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. So when a student asked for help researching rules changes in baseball, I didn't just point them to a database. I practically inundated them with material none of my colleagues would have been able to rattle off the top of their heads. Then I became a parent, which meant searching and absorbing all things kids. When another parent asked about playgrounds within walking distance of campus, I didn't have to dig. I had a list of options in my head with some opinions to go with them. Living in DC has been its own kind of training. Local government resources - looking at you DMV! - are notoriously hard to navigate. That firsthand frustration makes me a better guide when someone comes to the desk not knowing where to start. And then there's leisure reading. When a student came in looking for something like Fourth Wing, that is my wheelhouse. I read a lot of romantasy. I just had to figure out what tropes this reader preferred before I gave some options Being a reference librarian is funny like that. You can be professionally trained and educated in all the ways a librarian should work, but most of what you know comes from personal experience. Literally everything I do in life could, one day, turn into a reference question. I have many flaws as a human being, but one that really only affects me (well - sometimes my husband, when I complain about it) is that I cannot put down a book once I’ve started it. No matter how rough it gets, I feel compelled to finish the whole thing.
And it’s not just standalone books. If I start a series, I will - eventually - read every last installment. This leads to some pretty frustrating weeks when a book just isn’t working for me. Instead of taking a break or setting it aside, I force myself to push through. What should be a few enjoyable evenings turns into a nightly slog where I’m struggling to read five pages before giving up. Worse, I procrastinate by scrolling my phone, which only drags the whole experience out even more. This is on my mind because I'm struggling with my current book. It's a series that started out with a bang and, now, it's a complete mess. Instead of doing the smart thing and putting it down, I keep chugging away one chapter at a time. What makes it worse is knowing there’s at least one more book coming. And I already know myself well enough to admit that I’ll read that one too. I’m already dreading it, which feels ridiculous. Reading shouldn’t be a chore you suffer through out of obligation. This is exactly why I’m always telling people to read what they want. There are so many books in the world - lyrical books, weird books, emotional books, comforting books - books that will speak directly to you. Pick those. Pick the ones that light you up at that moment of your life. I’m not totally sure why I’m like this. The closest explanation I have is that I’m a completionist at heart. I like finishing the whole of a thing. My brain gets itchy when there are loose ends. Even if a book isn’t resonating with me, I can’t shake the feeling of “but what if…” until I see it through. Those dangling threads take up way too much mental space - space I could absolutely be using elsewhere. I wish I were better at letting books go. Maybe one day I’ll get there. For now, though, if I start it… I’m finishing it. I recently filmed a short video for work about why books make great gifts, and it got me thinking more personally about why I give books as gifts.
For me, it started as a practicality. In high school I worked at the local used bookstore. My work came with a decent employee discount. Many books are already affordable (at least in comparison to other gifts) but the discount was an even better savings for my part-time earnings. Also, since I saw books all the time, I constantly came across titles that made me think, "I know who would like this!" Back in my high school days, Amazon was just getting off the ground. My job gave me easy access to something I didn't have to order or travel a distance for. (We lived in upstate New York. Nothing was really close.) These days, books are still practical because you can buy them just about anywhere. Plus, you can find something at pretty much any price point. Heck - you can even get them for free if you visit your local little free libraries. I also like to give books because they let me say, I thought about you. Choosing a book means paying attention to what someone enjoys, what they’re curious about, or what kind of escape they might need right now. (Not to spoil for my family this year... but I think I nailed the book for my mom.) Books let you extend a happiness that already exists in your giftee's life. I also love giving books because they don’t demand anything. They don’t need to be charged, filled with batteries, or updated. And, you don't need to worry about expiration dates. They wait quietly until the moment someone is ready for them. Furthermore, there's no obligation to keep them once the giftee is done with them. Books live on because they can be shared, regifted, or given away. Finally, as someone who is not a skilled at it, these square objects are simple to gift wrap and decorate with bows and ribbons. It’s Election Day!
While today might not be a national presidential election, there is still going to be a lot of information coming out. Whether you want to keep up with everything, or just check in with the races and issues that matter to you, I have a few recommendations. 1. Remember: Early results aren’t final Election night numbers are unofficial. Mail-in and provisional ballots often get counted later. Wait for official certification before assuming the outcome is set. 2. Check your sources Stick with official election offices or well-known news outlets. Be cautious with posts that don’t list an author, date, or original source. 3. Watch out for AI-generated content Artificial intelligence tools are now used to write news updates, social posts, and fake articles. Look for clear bylines, publication details, and corrections policies. If something feels “off” - odd phrasing, mismatched images, or overly dramatic tone - double-check it elsewhere before sharing. 4. Don’t take social media at face value If a story sounds shocking or too perfect, verify it before you repost. Search for the same info on a reputable site or check your state’s election office. 5. Watch for updates It’s normal for numbers to change as ballots are processed. (I repeat - THIS IS NORMAL!) Follow official dashboards or state election pages, not just cable news chyrons or social media flurries. 6. Be patient - and kind Democracy takes time. Accurate counts matter more than fast ones, and it’s okay to log off and check back later. To help you find what you need, here are a few places to check out.
Finally, if there are elections in your area, go vote! Do it for democracy! Do it because you have *thoughts*! Do it for the donuts! Whatever your reasons, it's important to participate. Your voice matters. Use it. As a parent, I feel like half my vocabulary is made up of the word “No.”
No, we can’t buy that toy. No, we don’t need more snacks. No, you can't wear that fancy dress to the playground. No, we don’t have time right now. It’s exhausting for both me and the kiddo. Saying “no” is part of parenting, but sometimes I hate how much it shuts down everything. "No" is so negative. It's full of can'ts and don'ts. It also takes some of my kiddo's engagement and autonomy away. I'm not letting her do what she wants to do. On a recent trip to our local library branch, I realized that's one place where I finally get to say "Yes!" Yes, you can grab that stack of books that’s bigger than you can carry. Yes, you can play with that puzzle or game. Yes, you can randomly join Mandarin story time. Yes, you can do the glow in the dark face painting. Yes, you can sit in a cozy chair and ask me to read book after book after book to you. The library is one big "Yes!" to possibilities. We’re not spending money, we’re not cluttering up our house, and we’re not shutting down what the kiddo wants to do. Instead, we’re exploring, learning, and connecting. Honestly, it feels like a gift. The library gives me a chance to nurture my kiddo’s curiosity without worrying about saying "No." And, that’s pretty magical. It feels like January has been 34 years long. It's just one thing after another after another. As a DC resident, the news of the plane crash in the Potomac hit me especially hard. Normally, I consume current events with abandon. This week, I found I just couldn't do it any more. My inbox was awash in breaking news alerts about the crash, new presidential administration, events in the Middle East, and various local concerns. It was all just too much.
But I can't completely stop paying attention. It's important to be informed. The issue is how to be informed without being overwhelmed. The chaos this week reminded me of the webinar I gave last summer about creating your news diet. The session focused on how to keep up with current events while maintaining your mental health. The webinar is worth a watch, but I thought I would tl;dr the most important points below.
How do you stay informed without becoming too stressed? A few months ago, we hosted our kiddo's birthday party at a local bowling alley. While it was a roll-in/roll-out event, it was not cheap. Last year, we held her birthday party at a local playground with a splashpad. We had to get a park permit, purchase lots of food, put together goodie bags, decorate, and handle all the set up and break down ourselves. When it comes to kid parties, it seems that your options are cheap but hard or easy but expensive.
That got me thinking, why can't the local library be a birthday venue? For a small fee, you book a custom story time based around the kiddo that includes a few books, songs, and maybe a game. The library would plan and provide the materials for that. Then, you wrap up the event with a quick cake or dessert the family provides. That's it! Everyone leaves happy and no one is stretched too thin in terms of money or time. But, I also get why this is not a thing. Libraries already do too much. They are social work centers, healthcare providers, and daycares. They are on the frontlines of the overdose crisis. During disasters, they become hubs for Wi-Fi access and recovery services. And they do all of this with decreasing budgets and staffing. Libraries are places that hold communities together and the staff are tired. They don't need one more thing to worry about. But a parent can dream, can't she? This summer, our family opted to get a membership to a local hotel pool. Our kiddo adores being in the water and we thought it would be a lot of fun. We were right about that. What I was not expecting was how interested I would be in the poolside reading choices. Since this is a hotel, there are a ton of folks on vacation or simply spending some time away from "real life." When I'm not supervising our kiddo, I keep peeping the book covers. (Call it a professional hazard.)
First, I'm struck by how few e-readers are at the pool. It's possible people are worried about being splashed but given the amount of phones I see, I'm not entirely sure that's the case. I think there's just something about reading a physical book at the pool that feels leisurely. Plus, I've seen some folks set up Instagram shots with their chosen titles. A kindle is just not as photogenic. I've also noticed that a lot of the books are hardcovers. That's surprising! Paperbacks are easier to travel with and not nearly as heavy. I always find it quite daring when people get into the pool with their book so they can cool off while they read. This pool always has splashing kids and it amazes me that these readers can keep their books dry. Next, in terms of what titles I see, the vast majority of books - easily over 75% - are fiction. It's a lot of your typical beach reads, romance, and easy fiction. Weirdly, I have yet to see a YA book. How I've gone an entire summer without spotting Iron Flame is beyond me. I figured that would be all over the place. Here are some of the books I have spotted:
Of all the reading I've spotted, the one that tickled me most was when a heavily pregnant woman had her feet propped up with towels on a lounger and a snack on her belly as she read Bringing Up Bébé. What would you read at the pool? *Bookshop.org affiliate links |
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