Tag: library

A thousand or so books with no place to go (in my house)

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn books, writing6 Comments

DCFC0011.JPGI’m glad the new public library is open. As the busiest library in the regional system, the Jefferson, Georgia public library needed to get out of its old, cramped facility. The new facility opened June 27 in half of an old grocery store building and the result is a lot of upscale space.

This is where the books in my garage play into the equation. After years of moving stuff from one house to another, my wife and I are downsizing. I’ve already taken about forty sacks of old magazines to the recycling center. But the books–some 15 boxes–aren’t going to be thrown away.

These usually don’t go into the library’s collection. Most are sold by the Friends of the Library group at the annual book sale to help raise money for more programs. Our library will probably have this year’s sale in the fall. Meanwhile, a few books went to the Berry College Library, a couple of boxes went to the library in nearby Talmo, and the rest have been waiting for the Jefferson library to finish moving from the old building to the new building.

In general, I don’t like disposing of books. On the other hand, the place where I’m sitting right now is a home and not a book storage facility. I hope the books find new readers when the next book sale comes along. Needless to say, I’m not going to the sale. I know it’s for a good cause, but seriously, I don’t want to see a thousand books coming back into the garage.

One box went to the library today, but there are more to go in the coming weeks.

—Malcolm

Deltona, Florida Regional Library to host authors book fair in October

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn authors, books1 Comment

The Deltona Regional Library’s second Authors Book Fair Celebrating Writers and Readers will take place Oct. 15, 2011, in the library.  The doors open to the general public from 11:00 to 3:00 preceded by two workshops for authors from 8:45 to 11:00.

The book fair attracted 70 authors its first year and served as an introduction to authors and poets in Florida or those who call Central Florida readers their audience.

“This is an idea that took off,” said Melinda Clayton, author and co-chair of the event. “The Deltona Library is the perfect venue with indoor space for authors and rooms for speakers and workshops.”

“Our library receives many calls every year from authors who would like to do a book signing and this is the perfect opportunity to bring writers and readers together,” said Suzan Howes, regional librarian.

A single table at the book fair is $50 or $25 for a shared table.  “We want to keep our fees really reasonable for this fundraising event sponsored by The Friends of Deltona Library,” said Clayton.

The event is available for additional business sponsors to join those all ready committed: Ruby Tuesday, Holiday Inn Express and the Scrub Jay Café.

Workshops for Authors

 7 Steps for a Wildly Successful Book Tour presented by Sarasota author, Liz Coursen, who will have just completed an 81 city book tour.

Pamela Starr, Regional Development Director for Constant Contact will be conducting a social media workshop entitled:  How (and why) to incorporate
social media into your marketing strategy.

 Both presenters were enthusiastically received in other Deltona Library workshops.

Authors and publishers interested in setting up a table at the fair should call Christy Jefferson at 386.574.9376 for information.

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I’m happy to say that my publisher, Vanilla Heart, will be attending the fair with an exciting assortment of books.

–Malcolm

Contemporary Fantasy Adventure

Your Library: Myth v. Fact

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn books2 Comments

from geekthelibrary.org…

Myth: I’m already funding my library by paying my late fees and purchasing items at book sales.

Fact: Late fees and book sale dollars provide a very modest contribution to libraries and support replacement of materials lost and items not returned. Fees and fines are not sufficient to support operating or program activities.

I worked my way through school as a student and graduate assistant at the libraries of Florida State University and Syracuse University. While college library funding is different than your public library’s city budget allocations, I saw first hand how far the fines and fees we collected at the desk did NOT go.

Whatever you geek (love, like, adore), the library is there to support you. Today, I needed to find an old book about Glacier National Park. My local library didn’t have it, but they found it quickly within our regional library system.

geekbanner

Sometimes a discussion beats sales

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn books

I went up to the Maysville, Georgia, public library today for a Jackson County Authors Showcase. Along with me were authors Caine Campbell, Pamela Dodd, and Jackie White.

Including the assistant librarian who sat in on the whole event, there were four authors and four in the audience, two of whom had to leave before it was over. I sold one copy of “Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire.”

A waste of time? Not at all. The two people who came both had a lot of questions; one of them has a grand daughter interested in writing and wanted to know if we had any tips. Of course we talked about our books, how we got started, and how we try to market our work.

I had a good time. Plus, it was nice to get away from the house on a sunny Saturday and drive 30 minutes on a country road from my small town to the next small town north of here.

The discussion was worth a lot. Oh, and the library gave each of us a fancy jar of pears, something a starving writer doesn’t buy for himself!

—Malcolm

P.S. Don’t forget this is National Book Store Day, the day in which each of us is expected to go out any buy a pickup truck full of literature from (hopefully) a locally owned store.
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New Jock Stewart satire posted at the Morning Satirical News: “Love is the Morning and the Evening Star”