Learning, learning, learning

Do you remember the old "school of hard knocks"? That's the location of jobs, family and experience that teaches us skills. In my world of professionals -- librarians, administrators, historians, and professionals -- there are even more opportunities to learn: workshops, conventions, meetings. There is an amazing the overlap of technique and experience.
For instance, at a recent class on listening skills the instructor talked about how mothers learn early to get on their knees and listen intently to the explanations of their 2 or 3 year old child who is struggling with language skills. Moms are successful listeners. How then do we carry those skills into business meetings and customer service? We do, you know.
At a recent class via internet there were a group of librarians talking about the future of libraries as part of the community. Just like the old rural schools, libraries have become an essential part of communities for sharing cultural events, information, and reading and research resources. Many Hispanic communities maintain their libraries to maintain their identity as well as to adapt to their new world. I think CCPL has long recognized the role of the library as the center of community information. Reference librarians keep information and contacts about social services right at their desks to answer questions. There are frequent telephone calls to the library to ask about locations of meetings and events. And the meeting rooms are continually busy; so busy that people often come here first to find out that their meeting is somewhere else; so busy that people often come here to meet and congregate at the study tables or quiet corners. This is exciting for all of us, because it means we are a natural source of space and information for our communities.
Lifelong learning is more than a catch phrase. At the library we continuously combine what we have learned in the school of hard knocks and in the professional training that is available to us. It creates exciting, changing opportunities for all of us, and I hope it helps all of you with better service and possibilities for learning too.

Book Discussions

How can this be? And why is the cold weather hanging in here so long! I've been wanting to tell everyone about the wonderful books I am reading right now. They are memoirs written by modern American women writers. They are outstanding. Every chapter I've read has been a treasure in itself. I'm reading the series called Ordinary Lives, which is the Humanities Council series for the Wright Branch Library book discussion which will be held in March and April. I don't know when I've enjoyed a series so much. The writing is beautiful, and the memoirs vary from Ann Dillard 1950s urban area to Pat Mora memories of five generations of her family who have all lived in her home. Mary Clearman Blew is somewhere in between, but her Montana ranch family stories are so familiar to me as a Wyomingite that I feel like I know her relatives. I've read the Madelieine L'Engle memoir before, but I'm anxious to read it again for the comparison to these other outstanding writers.

Gillette book discussion series is Writing Wyoming with books by Wyoming authors. WOW, a whole series by Wyoming writers. And Jeanette Lukowski from Gillette College will be the discussion leader. I'm looking forward to sharing those sessions too.

The book discussion offers readers an opportunity to share their opinions about books, to explore new writers and writing styles, to love or hate a book and still have the pleasure of discussion with other readers. If you want to get excited about reading again, join us in Wright or Gillette for a book discussion this March. Books will be available at your libraries, and schedules and times are available there too.
Patty