255. Brooks Public Library, Brooks, Alberta, Canada

There are some very creative people at this library, and with their permission I'll tell you that they are Cassandra and Jill. Where shall I start with what they are up to? First, the children's area has a total castle and fairy tale theme, with a tall arched "doorway" and murals on the walls with thematic pictures. This area is called Karen Armbruster's Kids Castle. And how about programming for boys 7 to 12 that includes "Fear Factor" (I think the poster had a reference to "What would you be willing to eat?") and Amazing Race? The same board displayed promos for Wii for Tweens, Ramadan Story Time, and Spa Day for Girls. [I was told that when school kids were told about the boys' program, girls very much wanted to do it, too, and were not satisfied to be told that they would have a spa day. You go, girls--equality!] How's that for variety?

Within the kids area are tall windows, big floor cushions, board books on one windowsill and a padded bench in front of a long bench by the windows. I like the sign that says "Three ways to read a book: Read the pictures, Read the words, Retell the Story. What a great message to convey!

Teens have not been forgotten. They have the opportunity to vote for a movie they want to see, there are volunteer opportunities, something called Teen Scene meets on Wednesdays from 6 to 8, and best of all: Extreme Water Fight for ages 13 to 18, bring your own water gun if you wish and prepare to get wet!

I hope my daughter is reading this blog post, because I think she'd enjoy this sign by the computers, with a picture of grumpy cat: "I can haz cheezburger? NO, YOU CANTZ. Please, no food or drink at the computers."

The biggest surprise to me was to see books with their Dewey numbers covered, shelved by category. I was told that this practice is called BISAC. Google didn't help me with the acronym, so all I can tell you is that it means shelving books as a bookstore would. Great for browsers, and would simplify shelving, but I should have asked how it works with the catalog. What if you are looking for a specific title? Hey, Cassandra and Jill, answer that one in a comment, will you please?


Aside from the library's location being COIC (Clear Only If Known), this is a terrific place with very lively programming.

For more, go to http://brooks.shortgrass.ca/ and https://www.facebook.com/BrooksPublicLibrary.

7/5/2014, car