Monday, April 14, 2014


             Random Word of the Moment

A generous round of applause, please, for Noah Webster. Thanks to him, it's our lucky day - April 14 is Dictionary Day!

There are many people to thank for the glorious gift of the dictionary, but I'll showcase just one: Noah Webster.

According to the Dictionary of American Writers, Webster published The American Spelling Book in 1783. Webster went on to deliver his first dictionary in 1806, but didn't rest on his laurels. Instead, he started working on a comprehensive study of the English language, and in 1828, his dictionary of 70,000 entries was published.

In honor of Webster's dictionary, I'll occasionally post a "Random Word of the Moment." The words won't be common or archaic. They're just words that aren't heard too often. If we all use them a time or two, maybe their popularity will rebound. 

The first Random Word of the Moment is: MELEE.

'may-,lay (French 1648) noun. A confused struggle, especially a hand-to hand fight among several people. From: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

Example: When shoppers heard about free Swedish meatballs, a melee broke out in Ikea. 

  

Sunday, April 13, 2014

                  "This is my library"

Josh Hanagarne: "A library is a miracle. A place where your mind can come alive. At its loftiest, a library's goal is to keep as many minds as possible in the game." from "The World's Strongest Librarian"   


Once upon a time a river rose up and swallowed a city. In June 2008, the Cedar River was transformed from quiet and meandering to fierce and bloated. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, experienced a flood like no other in its history. Precious items and homes were lost. Business owners worried if their livelihoods could be rebuilt. Boats, not cars, were used to travel around the city's hub. A hospital was evacuated; houseboats were set adrift.   

The downtown library was destroyed first by water and later by mold. The staff rallied and created an interim library in a shopping mall. For their hard work and dedication, they were collectively named the Library Journal's 2009 Librarian of the Year. A new director was hired, and plans took shape to build and create a library that was truly 21st century. Society was rapidly changing, and the new library had to reflect those changes.

And the dream came true. In August 2013, the library's doors opened in a new downtown location.


Welcome to the Cedar Rapids Library! (Fourth Avenue entrance)

Many of us had been holding our breath, waiting to step into the future while enjoying memories of our past. We had waited for five years to hear children's excited voices as they skipped into Story Time, to see walls filled with artwork, enjoy a cup of tea in the library cafe and, of course, browse the shelves filled with crisp new books.

On grand opening day, each guest speaker began with the statement, "This is my library." And it is. It belongs to the toddler clutching a picture book. It belongs to the volunteers who are proud to guide newcomers around the library. It belongs to the downtown business people who stop in for an afternoon snack and coffee. It belongs to tweens & teens who flock to the library on spring break(!) to play video games and check out novels or DVDs. It belongs to the city's elders who sign up for classes to learn how to navigate the Internet or use email. It belongs to book groups who meet in the unconventional and perfectly named "Unconference Room."


The (middle)  Unconference Room's three glass walls
offer panoramic views of the library. 

It belongs to the readers who want comfortable chairs, and shelves filled with the latest bestsellers or much loved classics.


Second floor browsing and reading area


It has become common to hear, "oh, wow" when a visitor steps into the library for the first time. The new library is 94,000 square feet with more than 225,000 items available to check out. Another important role of the library is to serve as a community center. With seating for up to 200, the Whipple Auditorium will be used by music, drama or business groups. Weddings and birthday parties are already scheduled for the rooftop garden. If you need to exercise and catch up on email, reserve one of the treadmill computers!


Rooftop view of Greene Square Park and downtown Cedar Rapids

The library's walls feature artwork that remind us of Cedar Rapids' past. Among those are stained glass windows from the circa 1913 First Christian Church that was razed in 2012. The windows now welcome readers to the "den", a room for reading and quiet conversation in front of a fireplace. Another highlight of the den are bricks saved from the 1800s Sinclair smokestack. Ada Van Vechten, who worked hard to make the city's original Carnegie Library a reality, is honored with stained glass art in her memory.  


Stained glass windows circa 1913

Toddlers have their own special entrance to the children's room. On a recent Saturday, a little girl excitedly called out to her father "I love stories!" as she ran into the play area.


A floating alphabet wall featuring a magic doorway invites
 children into their own library space. 


National Library Week is April 13-19, with emphasis on National Library Day, April 15. Visit your library and thank a librarian. Check out a book or DVD. Discover the variety of classes offered. Reserve a room for your book group's next meeting. Or, settle into a chair and read your newest favorite book.

Thanks to the Cedar Rapids Public Library staff for making the downtown and Ladd libraries such a welcoming, vital and lively part of our community.

                            
                                 Happy Reading!