Sign of the Times?

I just launched my monthly circulation report to the powers that be: last month saw a 10% increase in borrowed items. My boss seems pleased with the continuing upward trends regarding patrons served and materials circulated. Initially, I thought perhaps more people were taking advantage of the Outreach Program because of the tanking economy. People are tightening their belts, staying home and enjoying low-cost or no-cost recreational activities. The library is an excellent source for free entertainment: books, CDs, and DVDs are great tools to keep folks occupied and entertained. Remember, though, I work with the elderly. Most seniors tend to stay in regardless of the economic climate. I began to think in earnest about the reasons for the higher numbers. As much as I would like to assume credit for my winning personality (wink, wink) and excellent customer service skills as the driving forces of those ascending numbers, I am but a small part of the equation. The real reason the numbers continue to rise is attributed to a simple matter of inclusion. The seniors are now part of a larger circle, one that extends beyond the four walls of their apartments. The Outreach moniker applies not only to the library program but also the to seniors themselves. They are getting involved in their residential communities. Many of them have started book clubs or coffee klatches. They look forward to discussions about books and current events. They recommend reading materials to one another and to me, too. The Bookmobile is a treasured community service for our elderly city population, and I feel privileged to administer an outreach program that fosters such positive growth among its participants.

War, Romance, and Murder

January was an exceptionally busy month for me in Bookmobileland. Two new stops provided many new patrons and many more challenges to my fraying memory with regard to preferred genres and authors. For the most part, my male patrons prefer non-fiction work: they enjoy stories of war and/or presidential courage in times of adversity, biographies, and travel. The overwhelming majority of my female patrons prefer romantic fiction penned by Debbie Macomber, Fern Michaels, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, and Wanda Brunstetter. I work with two ladies who are quite taken with the work of Susan Wiggs: I managed to procure a copy of Just Breathe for both of them, and they were beside themselves with excitement and appreciation. One of them actually caressed the book jacket and murmured fondly, "I do love to read Susan Wiggs." I do have one female patron who reads non-fiction exclusively. She's such a gem -- 90 years old (yes, ninety) and a voracious reader of true crime novels. She prefers crimes of passion, specifically those dealing with spouses. When she felt she had exhausted the supply of interesting tales in that subject, she requested that I choose similar material. I delved into serial killer profiles and forensic evidence explanations. Initially, I was fearful of offending her delicate sensibilities with such subject matter, but she has a strong constitution and was pleased with my selections. I make sure I peruse these books, too, in preparation for the discussion upon my return trip. The next time I see her, we'll talk about Patricia Cornwall's assertion that Jack the Ripper's true identity was that of renown artist Walter Sickert. If anyone would like to suggest a true crime novel this lady would enjoy, please comment.