In the beginning...there were card catalogs.

In the beginning...there were card catalogs. 

Every book in the library had 3 cards typed or handwritten for it so they could be searched (by flipping through the cards) by either author, title or subject. A metal rod was run through the holes in the cards to keep them from being rearranged maliciously.

We finally wised up and got computers to do the job for us, because they're so easy to use-unlike pieces of paper. (Yes, the above really is a photo of my work computer screen, lol).

The Melvindale Public Library is down to clearing out its LAST small bunch of old cards, which we are using as scrap paper for patrons. I used 50 cards to create this modified (accidentally) polyhedral/rhomboidal lampshade:

The elementary Geometry: if you superimpose the rhombus (diamond) just right over the cards you only need 30 slotted cards and no scotch tape. That didn't quite (whoops) happen so 5 "plus-sign" shaped centers were needed to fill it out a bit better. The design works better with the proportions of poker playing cards, as done here: http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/50207/making-polyhedra-from-magic-cards-a-guide-with-t . 

A MUCH easier intro to paper polyhedra (way cooler shapes that the average youngster could assemble) are available in printable templates that usually require only a single sheet of paper here: http://www.korthalsaltes.com/visual_index.php .


If you'd like one of these cards as a souvenir, they're in the scratch paper box next to the OPAC: Online Public Access (cardless computerized) Catalog. Once they're gone, they'll be gone for good. 

As of 10/1/2015 we've still got a small bunch left in the scrap paper box.

Every Hero Has A (usually radioactive) Story

Every Hero Has A (usually radioactive) Story

Summer Reading 2015 program theme is "Every hero has a story" so I grabbed some scrap paper and put superheroes all over our 7' display board, took a photo and turned it into an activity sheet for the kids next month: name the hero. Some are kinda hard (Nick Fury, Black Widow, etc.)

I was going to have each character do a word balloon (in the classic Comic Sans font) that hinted at their origin: 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-"I was a turtle that got irradiated in the sewer"

Hulk- "I was a scientist that got hit with radiation"

Thing-"I was radiated...I think...probably..."

Spiderman- "I was bitten by a radioactive spider"

It got boring with all the radiation, so I just went minimalistic:

I had fun with scrap/garbage pieces of paper I saved and made random super hero faces--and Cat Woman, who somebody pointed out was a villain, LOL! It was actually a complaint from my boss, whom I placated by doing a Bat Girl face (bottom center).

I had to fill Seven feet of display board, and I also took a picture of and made an activity-sheet for next month's Summer Reading Program weekly thing: Name as many as you can.

People used to be impressed with nuclear energy and hopeful of its future; then they were afraid of the nuclear bombs--now people seem to know nothing about radioactivity or nuclear particles or science in general...besides it's effect on spiders-and the men they bite!

And no, my facial hair was not totally inspired by X-Man superhero Wolverine, it was mostly inspired by the guy in Kiev whose photo shows up if you search "modern ukrainian cossack playing bandura" in Google/Images.

Anyway, I'm patiently awaiting for a delivery from United Nuclear to build my own irradiating Neutron Gun!