This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen (2002)

When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He

certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about? Remy's father is singer whose only hit was a lullaby to Remy as a baby. Now deceased, he never played a part in her life. Nice story, but underage drinking, smoking, and language. Remy has a promiscuous sexual past - details not given but referred to several times.

Ages: 18+

Snow by Uri Shulevitz

A tongue and cheek look at snow - from the first flakes to a city buried under feet of the white stuff. Good story time selection - short text. As snowflakes slowly come down, one by one, people in the city ignore them, and only a boy and his dog think that the snowfall will amount to anything. Aah, the magic of snow.

Ages: Preschool+

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Great story time picture book! Snow people are made of every conceivable ordinary item. Opens vertically so pictures are large and very detailed. Some children create a family out of snow. Includes labeled pictures of all the items they use, as well as information about how snow is formed. A quick and fun read!

Ages: Toddler and Preschool

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (2010)

Inexplicable events start to occur when sixteen-year-old twins Tennyson and Brontë befriend a troubled and misunderstood outcast, aptly nicknamed Bruiser, and his little brother, Cody. Brusier absorbs all pain, physical and emotional, unto himself from those he cares about. His unconscionable uncle and guardian knows Brusier's secret and keep's him secluded to hoard Brusier's healing powers. Even after his uncle's death Brusier's suffering gets exploited, even by friends, flawed friends. 2010-2011 Lone Star List. Some violence.

Ages: 7th Grade +

House Rules by Jodi Picoult (2010)

With Asperger's syndrome, teenager Jacob Hunt is unable to have the same kind of social life other boys his age have. However, like other kids with AS, he has homed in on one particular interest: forensic analysis. He normally shows up to crime scenes and helps solve the case, but this time he is the prime suspect. When a murder leads police to question Jacob, they interpret his AS symptoms as a sign of guilt and cast a very public spotlight on Jacob and his family. Jacob is severely affected, public meltdowns, strict adherence to color coded food and clothing by days of the week, stimming, etc.

Ages: 10th grade+

Reflection (23 of 23 Things)

I've learned a great deal from the 23 Things experience. Previously I had a general idea of what Web 2.0 was and knew only a small handful of Web 2.0 "Things." I was intrigued by many of the Things; my favorites being Delicious, Pandora, YouSendIt, GoogleDocs, Hulu and Blogspot. However, to be honest, I have started using all of these but in a completely non-social manner. All are for my own personal or professional benefit and I neither look at or care about what others post or what others' favorites might be. Who has the time?

As for libraries and social media, I believe it belongs in certain places. Blogging or Facebooking as means of library communication and promotion makes sense. Do patrons really comment on our blog? I'd be interested to know how "social" our blog has become. Teens seem drawn to technology, so social media might be a drawing card for teen involvement.

I am against YouTubing/streaming story times and other programming because it physically removes the patron from the library, especially harmful to children. Kids need to be in the library, attending programs, gaining socialization experiences and skills and getting their hot little hands on the books, music, puppets, etc. and not at home or daycare center passively sitting in front of a monitor!

As for what FPL should/should not be doing with social media, I stand on the side of caution. Social media sites are labor intensive because they need to be kept fresh and timely. How much work per patron impact do they require? Are enough patrons regularly interacting with, or, at the least, hitting our social sites?

This was a fun and enlightening journey. Who knows maybe I'll continue the count with Mr. King and Mr. Porter!

Upcoming: Events and Things to Do (22 of 23 Things)

Upcoming won first place in Seomoz's 2008 Web 2.0 Awards. Quick question: how come the awards are two years old - in cyberspace that pretty much spells antiquity? Did they only try handing out awards for three years; from what I can tell they ran from 2006-2008.

Anyway, I digress. Upcoming is a WEB 2.0 site that allows it's users to view, comment on, and add upcoming events from anywhere. This site can then link the user to the event's website, if it has one, or to a ticket purchase site. There appears to be no requirements for type or size of event. From my browsing you can find professional sports events and big name concerts to high tea on Mother's Day at the local Bed and Breakfast. Organizers appear to be making use of this site. Upcoming's calendar goes out for at least several years (I got tired of hitting the forward arrow) and past events are archived as well. Archiving past events - seems like almost useless information.

It's quite obvious that a library could easily use this site to advertise storytimes and other programming, my only concern is the amount of staff time versus benefit. The site looks well run, but I never saw many "users" - I think 9 was the highest. This number is arrived at by viewers clicking on "I'm interested" or "I'm going" buttons. So how to tell if the site is getting much traffic if viewers do neither?

I'll keep this in mind next time I have company or just need something different to do. Checking things out when going on vacation would be another good use of this site.