What I learned on my visit to Hastings

Hi Everyone,
This morning I was at the Hastings on Georgia and ran into a Hastings employee (Pilar) I had met through an Amarillo Reads event. Since I was purchasing something for the library, she asked if I had my institutional account card which would give me a 25% discount. As I was filling out the paperwork she said, "You can use this for your own purchases as well. As long as no one abuses it, we don't mind."
Of course I needed to know more...
It turns out that libraries and librarians are included in Hastings' Community Partner Discounts and anyone who works at the library can sign up for a discount card which provides up to 25% off publisher's list price on books, 15% off list price of CDs and 10% off tag price of DVDs.
(An example of abuse would be buying things with your discount and then reselling them.)
If you want to sign up for a discount card, you should do so at the Hastings on Georgia. Go to the book desk and ask for Pilar or Patrick. They both work Mondays and Pilar is usually there until 6 except on Thursdays and Sundays. You will need your drivers license and a letter on library letterhead stating that you do indeed work for the Amarillo Public Library. Donna has graciously agreed to provide such a letter to library employees. So...let me know if you want one and we will get it to you.
Have fun!
Stacy

Do You LibraryThing?

Have you discovered this? It is either one of the best things on the Internet, or a disturbingly addictive creation to distract readers all over the world so the non-readers can take over while we are not looking. It is an online service that you can use to record, catalog, and track your books. Free for libraries of up to 200 books, $10/year, or $25/lifetime membership.

LibraryThing is the brainchild of Tim Spalding who is an active participant. There is more information about him here: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6535083.html

But be prepared. Your family, pets, friends may miss you if you find LT as habit-forming as some. There is a discussion component that for me personally, is the real reason to sign up. I find new books to read, join in trashing a movie made of a beloved book, wonder why someone would hate a book I love, and so on. You can see how your life as you know it could be in danger from this online community. LT has a group for everyone, and there is always a thread worth reading.

Curious? Go to www.librarything.com and see for yourself. Enjoy, and don't forget to feed the animals!

If you would like to be a blog author, please let Judith or me know so we can set you up! The more the merrier. If you are an author, why aren't you writing?

Cheers,
Melody

Pronunciations

Have you seen this website? I found it handy for pronouncing country names. There's also a section of author names, including my personal problem, Jon Scieszka. Skooshka. Scooscooshka. Something like that. The website has audio; it worked on my home computer but not on the SW computer.

http://inogolo.com/

Bridget

Friday Fun

Found a new website, http://www.jigzone.com/, via the Cook Memorial Library (IL) website that allows you to upload your own photos to make jigsaw puzzles. I made a puzzle of our entrance here at Central. Photo by Shawn Watson.



Clicking on the arrow will take you to the site so you can solve the puzzle. It was FREE and you could send puzzles of family photos, vacation shots, or wedding announcements, if that strikes your fancy. It it pretty easy to do, which is always a bonus.

You will see my time of 10:39. I had to stop and do other things. I expect you will solve it much quicker than I! Have a good weekend!

Melody