Metropolitan Library System Magazine Review

Info Metropolitan Library System Magazine

Reviews & Recommendations

n info METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM magazine n August 2009

August 2009. 636.7/D858t on shelf

The ancient Romans called these the caniculares dies, the “days of the dogs,” referring to those weeks of late summer when Sirius, the dog star--the second brightest one after the sun itself—rose at or near sunrise. It’s August and the dog days of summer are nipping at our heels, but what’s really hot this summer are the things that are happening at your neighborhood Metropolitan Library System library. In this issue we’ve got an article about some computer instruction classes you can sign up for at three different libraries, andanother article on the resounding success of our downloadable audio books. Cool your puppies with a trip to the library for a basketful of good books, DVDs, and audio materials. We won’t send you barking up the wrong tree.Looking for something different to read, watch, or listen to? Check out the books, DVDs, and CDs that caught our reviewers’attention this month.

Tales From a Dog Catcher

by Lisa Duffy-Korpics

Reviewed by Phyllis Davidson

Having good writing skills isn’t a prerequisite for getting a job as a dog catcher, but the two certainly make a good combination for the author of Tales From a Dog Catcher.

She worked as an animal control officer for four years and has preserved 22 of her most interesting and moving memories from that time. Most of the stories begin with a call to go check on an animal’s welfare or to resolve a complaint. More often than not, they turn their focus on the people who love the animal, hate the animal, or neglect the animal. One is an elderly lady with dementia who knows exactly how many cats she has—which is about twenty more than she can afford to feed. One is a woman who complains that two voyeuristic raccoons watch her undressing through the window in her bedroom—closing her curtains isn’t an option. Another is a woman who thinks the black dog that appears in her backyard is the reincarnation of her late husband. One of my favorites is the episode in which the author was invited to give a presentation at a school. That visit convinced her to choose teaching as a profession. Some stories are funny--some may move you to tears. I may be barking up the wrong tree, but I think they will appeal to animal lovers, and even those who don’t care for pets will enjoy reading about the eccentric people involved in these tales from a dog catcher.

-Phyllis Davidson is a reference librarian at the Downtown

Library. She is the editor of a family newsletter, teaches geneal-

ogy classes to customers at the library, and delves into her own

family history outside the Library walls.

INFO is the official magazine of the Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County, info, is published monthly by MLS Marketing & Communications, 300 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City OK 73102.

Welcome Puke Ariki, Taranaki New Zealand

Puke Ariki is one of the few, and perhaps, the world's first combined library, museum, and visitor center that offers a wide variety of educational experiences including multimedia and interactive learning stations. Puke Ariki tells the many amazing stories of this fascinating region, rich in Maori history. The Puke Ariki Library is located along the west coast of New Zealand's north island in New Plymouth, a cosmopolitan city that offers the ability for one to ski and surf, not only in the same day, but within about a 30 minute ride! If Mount Egmont/Taranaki looks familiar, it may be because it was used as the backdrop for the Tom Cruise Film The Last Samurai. Thanks go out to Puke Ariki for including Tales from a Dog Catcher as one of your nonfiction selections for your library. For more information about visiting Taranaki you can go to www.taranaki.co.nz/.

I Love Libraries! - Welcome Aviano Airforce Base in Italy & Ketchikan Public Library in Alaska

I've always loved libraries. Even as a very small child, I remember going with my Mom to the library on Marion Avenue in the Bronx, New York. Lucky for us - the library was only a few feet away from our apartment building. She would bring home stacks of books and finish them in only a few days, a habit I picked up myself as well. So, having libraries select my book, out of so many worthy choices, to include on their shelves - is so meaningful to me.

I'd like to welcome readers from two very different parts of the world; The Aviano Airforce Base Library in Italy and the Ketchikan Public Library in Ketchikan Alaska. Ketchikan is the largest southeastern city in the state, and only a 90 minute flight from Seattle. Known as the salmon capital of the world, it is a frequent stop on Alaskan cruises due to its natural beauty and wide array of activities. Additionally, the library website is fantastic - so much to choose from and really eye catching, especially for kids! I also noticed that All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot was one of the high school summer reading choices - an excellent selection!

Aviano Airforce Base is the home of the 31st Fighter Wing of the United States Airforce. The Aviano Airforce Base is located at the base of the Alps, in the northern end of the Po Valley. You can read more about what the Aviano Airforce Base here.

Thanks go out to the Ketchikan Public Library and Aviano USAFE Libary for putting Tales from a Dog Catcher on their shelves.

Greetings New Zealand Readers!

If you happen to find yourself in New Zealand, (where I would love to happen to find myself someday!), you can stop by a few libraries in the country to take out a copy of Tales from a Dog Catcher. I would like to thank the Christchurch City Library System in the mid north-east coastal region of New Zealand. You can read more about this lovely area here at the Christchurch and Canterbury region offical site. The photographs alone are breathtaking. Thanks also go out to the Napier Public Library in the Hawkes Bay section on the north eastern tip of New Zealand, the Nelson Public Library in Nelson, which is closer to the center of New Zealand and the Marlborough District Library in Blenheim located in the lustrous wine country in the north east of the south island. Many years ago, my best friend from elementary school moved back to New Zealand from the Hudson Valley. I remember being heartbroken when she left in the way that only young girls in their early teens can be! (Now that I have one of these myself, I see even better the drama that can ensue!) So, welcome my New Zealand friends, I hope you enjoy Tales from a Dog Catcher. Thank you for selecting it as one of your choices for new nonfiction ...and if you see Helena anywhere, tell her I miss her still!

An Amazing Man, Writer and Teacher

He didn't start writing until well into his 60's. He taught writing in New York City high schools for years, yet it wasn't until he found a way to remove himself from the painful memories of his youth by writing about them from a detached child's viewpoint, that he was able to complete his own novel. The result was the Pulitzer Prize winning Angela's Ashes. Frank McCourt, in my opinion, was the father of modern narrative non-fiction. He could tell a story that could make you cry and laugh at the same time, his words were lyrical, he didn't tell - he showed...he made it seem effortless. He was pure talent.

He was a child who dreamed of a better life, a man who found a way to pursue a college degree by working hard to make it happen. He was a teacher who loved his students yet yearned to have a book of his own, and finally, once he was a well known and widely respected author, said that in spite of all of his new found fame, he would always be in his heart, a teacher.

Frank McCourt passed away today at the age of 78. He was, and will always remain, one of my idols.

Welcome Readers from the Chukchi Consortium Library in Kotzebue Alaska

Just found out that the Chukchi Consortium Library in Kotzebue, Alaska has a copy of Tales from a Dog Catcher. I thought this was so exciting, that I map quested them and found out that this area in the Northwest Borough of Alaska sits along the Chukchi Sea near the Bering Strait! Currently, they are experiencing about a month of uninterrupted daylight - although in the Winter months it's pretty much the other way around. Some more research enlightened me to the fact that Kotzebue may seem like an isolated three mile long area off the northwest coast of Alaska, but actually it's a thriving city with lots to do and great schools....also some of the most famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Racers make their home there. Due to its location on the Bering Strait, Kotzebue was a famous trading center for people from the east of Russia. So - there you go New Yorker's...here we are thinking that we are the center of the universe sometimes...we definitely have a lot to learn!

Thank you Chukchi Consortium Library for selecting Tales a Dog Catcher as one of your new non-fiction titles for the library. I hope you enjoy it - and I would love to hear some feedback from you should you get the chance!

Questions about Blog Tours, Book Chats, and a scheduled Third Printing, (woo-hoo!)

I feel like I am always putting out information on the blog about my book...so much so that I'm starting to get sick of myself. Really...I look in the mirror and go "ug", and then of course I check my Amazon numbers like the writer-geek that I've become. I am an enigma...or just predictable, possibly neurotic. Probably all of those things.

I did enjoy writing the post on Sasha the now official pet therapy dog, and of course about Tanya Turgeon, an up and coming actress/model/ circus trainer for children to help with social skills, and also an actress. Check out her blog - hire her for some film work, the lady is a beauty on top of all the brains!

Now I have a question for you expert bloggers out there. I would like to do a blog tour. I hear that this is a pretty popular way for authors to go "on tour" but still get to stay at home where they can still be seconds away from picking up little girls from their friend's houses and buying more bacon and eggs for big teenage boys sleepovers...exciting stuff. A line from one of my favorite books On Writing by Stephen King says: "Art is not a substitute for life". It is his words I hear in my head when I start to become frustrated at starting and stopping and trying to put together new chapters for a possible sequel and being constantly interrupted by requests.

Of course I don't hear it like an ominous sort of voice like in the Shining...that would be creepy. I hear it like Steve is my friend who is reminding me that after attaining all of the attention, fame and even wealth that comes with being a bestselling writer - it took a serious accident that put his life at risk, along with a supportive family, to return him to his priorities. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It's not just for writers, although of course it's slanted for that market...what is more fascinating about it is his honesty and background and pearls of wisdom from a gentle, sensitive and talented man who possesses the ability to write books that scare the hell out of people. I love that about him!

Anyway, if there is anyone out there who knows about author blog tours and how to go about it, (I've checked sites that describe how fun or successful it can be and how it's interaction with people without having to stand up in front of them...something I have yet to grow comfortable with) - but not a blueprint of instructions on how it all works and what I should do first. I need some nuts and bolts on it. It's summer vacation...I could even do this at 1 am - that really intrigues me!

Before I forget...a multitude of thanks go out to Ginny Neidermeyer from the Josephine Louise Public Library in Walden, NY who hosted a book talk for me last week. It was wonderful, she brought cookies and lemonade and some wonderful people came to listen and ask questions, including some veteran retired teachers who I have so much respect and reverence for - I was almost speechless! I was nervous up until the point I got there and she made me feel so comfortable and at home. Just when I thought I had no more intelligent things to say...in come five seniors who graduated in June to ask questions and give me support. As soon as they were there, I was in my comfort zone. I was honored that they took time out of their summer to come and support me and the book. Thanks you guys...you totally rock!

Now for one more shameless plug...Tales from a Dog Catcher was released on April 1, 2009 and is scheduled for a third printing in late July. Thank you everyone who helped make that possible. I never thought I'd sell out a first printing, (although I wished), but to have a third coming up is beyond anything I ever dreamed of. Besides the dreams about Oprah, and maybe Ellen DeGeneres...and seeing my name on a bestseller list...ah...it is good to have dreams! But now...I must load the dishwasher. Priorities!

photo courtesy of ooby.ning.com

Congratulations to Sasha - Official Therapy Dog!

Last school year, my Psychology Classes were privileged to enjoy a visit from Sasha, a beautiful Golden Retriever doing his "student teaching" in his final semester as training as an official therapy dog. His cooperating professor, (and Mom), Mrs. Marian Zaritsky is a retired Special Education teacher and had dedicated herself to this new career with incredible passion and enthusiasm. We just found out that Sasha passed his final exams. We learned in class that these exams are very challenging and difficult. Attaining this final certification is quite an achievement. Marian sent me a photo of Sasha, (yes...Sasha is a "he"...Sasha is a male Russian name!), for the blog along with this great email she gave me permission to post. Congratulations to Sasha and Marian for completing all the tests for Therapy Dogs International. Click on the link to find out all the amazing things that Therapy Dogs are trained to do. I guarantee that you will be amazed.

Hi Lisa,

Sasha and I wanted you to know that he passed the Therapy Dogs International
Therapy Test last Thursday and is an official therapy dog. We owe his
success to all those people who gave of their time and effort so that he
could practice his skills for success. You and your classes are DEFINITELY
in that group!!
Many thanks again for your assistance. If in the future we can be of any
help in reducing stress in your environment, please call us.
There is NO charge as we are a voluntary organization.

Have a great summer!

Hugs and slurpy kisses,
Marian Zaritsky and Sasha 

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The American Dog Magazine

Tales from a Dog Catcher is included in The American Dog Magazine's July - October 2009 Edition as part of their recommended summer reading. The American Dog Magazine Website describes their publication better than I ever could...so here it goes!

"The American Dog Magazine is sold in thousands of retail outlets nationwide and published quarterly in the spring, summer, fall and winter. We are a "Lifestyle" Dog Magazine that is devoted to showcasing the extraordinary lifestyles of dogs and the incredible rewards associated when a family embraces these amazing canine kids as a member of the family. We focus on the topics that are relevent in today's accelerated and spontaneous society. We cover the issues that need to be heard and matter to all Dog Parents out there. We want to bring you the outrageous, the funny, the entertaining, the in-depth editorial content and the thought-provoking, serious issues. We hope to inspire, amuse, inform, entertain and especially educate you as you scroll through the pages of The American Dog magazine!

All profits from The American Dog Magazine go to animal related charities. You can pick up a copy of the magazine at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods Market, B.Dalton Booksellers and other stores where books and magazines are sold.

Thanks go out to the editors of The American Dog Magazine for featuring Tales from a Dog Catcher as one of their "Bedtime Books for Summer Reading" for 2009!