Remembering LCP

I’ve been spending a rather dull day at the library today. (I had been booked to teach “Introduction to the Internet” but the student didn’t show up.) I browsed Library Dust, a blog written by my friend Michael McGrorty. He had devoted several blog entries in 2005 about Lawrence Clark Powell, the founding dean of the UCLA School of Library Service. (I refuse to use the current name of the program.)

Powell was the dean of the UCLA library school when I applied for admission. The year I came in ('66-'67) UCLA went on the quarter system. The program was originally two semesters and a summer session. I entered in the summer, largely because LCP taught Introduction to Librarianship.

He viewed the computer as a tool rather than something that would replace the book. I think UCLA was the first library school to require its graduates to take a class called "Data Processing in the Library." The objective was to enable librarians to communicate with systems analysts. Bob Hayes, whose degree is in mathematics, taught the class. He later became dean of the school.

You can lay my activism in ALA at his door. He told me (and my friend Joe Sabatini, with the Albuquerque Public Library) to go out and raise hell. I have. (Eric Moon provided the preface to the second volume of LCP's memoirs. When I told him that Larry had encouraged my activism, he signed the book "To Sue Kamm, for whom Larry Powell is largely responsible.")

Powell and his successor, Andrew Horn, were Bookmen with a capital B. The faculty consisted of people who valued books. Betty Rosenberg, who taught acquisitions, special libraries, academic libraries, and a class known as "Reading and Reading Interests," turned her knowledge into Genreflecting.

My Fifteen Minutes of Fame?

Yesterday's Los Angeles Times carried a story on security problems at Los Angeles Public Library's Hyde Park branch. I sat down at my keyboard and composed a letter to the editor.

People tend to look at libraries as safe, peaceful oases in an increasingly violent and noisy world. NOT! We host the homeless, mentally ill, drunk, people with reactions to medications, and others on illegal drugs, as well as students researching for reports, children attending storytimes and other programs, and adults seeking information on small business.

Libraries stopped being safe, quiet havens when budget cuts forced states and local government organizations to turn many people into the streets rather than maintain them in custody. Murder, arson, kidnapping, rape, and other crimes against people are not uncommon in urban areas and even supposedly safe suburban and rural areas.

A Beautiful Day for a Ball Game

Last Monday was Opening Day for the Dodgers. As usual, it’s my floating holiday.

I got to the ballpark around 11:30 a.m. Walking up from the bus stop was difficult, although this year I managed not to fall flat on my face! I’m sitting on the third base/left field side, which offers a different perspective on the game. The Dodgers have reconfigured the left field entrance – there’s a team shop outside the gate, and the gate itself is in a slightly different place.

I did some of my usual pre-game routines – getting my drink (and a Dodger dog) from my favorite vendor, and warbling “It’s a Beautiful Day for a Ball Game,” stopping at Jody’s concession stand (they didn’t have Opening Day t-shirts, and she was out of the pin) and the yogurt stand. I didn’t get a chance to see one of my favorite ushers.

Pre-game ceremonies were much as usual. The Dodgers had a country singer performing (and she sang the national anthem). The Navy’s Leap Frogs (parachute team) dropped into the stadium, one of whom had the ball for the first pitch.

Both visiting and home teams were introduced. The Dodgers have returned names to the backs of the jerseys, so one doesn’t need a scorecard to see who’s on first. Along with a presentation of colors by a group of Boy Scouts, a huge flag was unfurled on the outfield. Two people who were decorated for heroism in Iraq were introduced. An Army sergeant sang “God Bless America” before the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Two Air Force jets flew over - no B2 Stealth this year. Steve Sax threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He made a good throw; at least the ball didn’t wind up in the dugout seats!

The game got off to a bad start when Jason Schmidt, the starter, served up a pitch that wound up in the Dodgers’ bullpen. Fortunately, no one was on base then! Schmidt returned the favor at his at-bat and blasted one into the left field pavilion.

That was a highlight. Lowlights included having Matt Kemp dive into the auxiliary scoreboard and injure his shoulder (he’s now on the DL). Andre Ethier played the rest of the game. Schmidt tweaked his hamstring covering first base defensively and was replaced by our long reliever.

Final score: Dodgers 3, Rockies 6.

Attendance: 56,000 exactly.

Another Day on the Reference Desk

Today I'm on the reference desk from 12-1 - although my replacement may not get here until after 1 p.m.
Besides the usual directional questions (Where do I go to get onto a computer? What classes are you offering this month?) I've had a couple that required some searching.
A man had a ticket with a section of the California Penal Code noted. He needs a copy of the code section.
We have West's California Codes, Annotated. I find the section he needs. He wants a copy - it's a pain in the patootie to go upstairs where there's a copy machine. I go to Findlaw and after some manipulation, find the text on the state's website. I print it out for him.
People requesting exam books. We have a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) -- whatever's available is what's on the exam shelves. There's a heavy turnover for many of the popular exams (post office, police officer), and a lot of them get stolen, i.e., checked out and never returned. I just hope some of those who have ripped off our police exam don't make it onto a police force.
In between querents, I'm testing a database we're considering: Chilton's Auto Repair. I'm sorry we didn't have this available yesterday, as I had someone asking for a repair manual for a 1984 Cadillac Seville. Our copy, like Elvis, has left the building, but the information is available online. (I suggested he try the Los Angeles Public Library; they have an auto repair manual online, which people can access using their LAPL card.)
We've had a free income tax preparation service. Volunteers have been here Saturday mornings since early February. They won't be here this weekend, but will next weekend. Our assembly representative is sponsoring them in City Hall.
There's no one at our information desk to screen calls, which means that anyone calling the library for whatever reason gets sent to me. Luckily I don't have many walk-in clients, so I can direct callers to the library division they need.
Just another day in paradise.

Monday Morning Musings

I'm back at the salt mine following a three-day weekend. (Inglewood observes Cesar Chavez Day on his actual birthday. Since that was a Saturday, we got the preceding Friday off.)

Since I knew I was going to have Friday off, I scheduled a doctor's appointment for that date. This cardiologist has a very busy practice, as the waiting room was wall-to-wall people when I arrived and as I left. He told me to lose weight (like no other doctor has told me that :) ) and he would get authorization from the insurance folk for a stress test.

I had planned to go to the Pasadena Center on Saturday, since one of my favorite former Dodgers, Jim Gott, was appearing at a home show. After that, I was going to a yarn store to take knitting lessons. NOT! I stayed home, reading mysteries and playing games on my computer.

My friend Cherie and I had brunch at an Acapulco restaurant near my house. Food was good, and we got a senior citizen discount. (I'm a senior; she's not.) Spent the rest of the day reading mysteries and playing games on my computer. (Do I live a dull life, or what? )

This morning I timed everything right. The first bus I take sneaked up on me (I was reading). The second bus came along just as I crossed the street. I had to wait a couple of minutes for the third bus, but the upshot was I got to work about 8 a.m. - nearly an hour early!