tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post752586561213845996..comments2024-03-18T21:16:14.441-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: It All Happens at the Library!Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91227917025849117522015-09-04T23:30:36.847-04:002015-09-04T23:30:36.847-04:00Chelty, the spooky Victorian library sounds fabulo...Chelty, the spooky Victorian library sounds fabulous! There’s something so wonderful about an old building full of books!<br /><br />Chris, that’s awesome that you volunteer your time at the library. Volunteers are such an asset and so appreciated! <br /><br />Thanks so much, Pat! Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys were some of my favorites, too. I loved going to the library and coming home with an armload of mysteries. <br /><br />Mary, your library book club sounds so fun. We’ve been talking about starting one at our library. It’s always great to get together to discuss books. I have belonged to a book club with several of my friends since college, and we have the best times!<br /><br />Your library sounds great, Ann. I love to hear of libraries offering a lot of great resources and programs! <br /><br />Kate, I love your childhood library story! Picking out a good book at the library and then reading it while drinking coffee at the lunch counter sounds like the perfect day. What great memories!<br />Ashley Weaverhttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshleyWeavernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37010915023746134742015-09-04T22:24:46.675-04:002015-09-04T22:24:46.675-04:00The library branch in Tumwater, WAS was the first ...The library branch in Tumwater, WAS was the first place I was allowed to walk alone. I was twelve and the branch was in a little strip mall. I loved it. It was weird and cramped and kind of dark, and no judged what I checked out. I tended toward the adult section, biographies in particular. But the best part was that the grocery store in the same strip had an old-fashioned lunch counter. I would take my book and go get coffee. :D Tumwater has a very nice "new" 20 year old library, but no coffee.<br /><br />I love my current library too, an old Carnegie with a coordinating addition on the back. They really get that the library is a place of community with multi-lingual staff and a computer tech, after-school programs and story hour for babies pre-schoolers and kids with autism. And this summer the whole Seattle library system not only had a book and adventure club for kids, but summer bingo for grown-ups with independent bookstore gift certificates as prizes!katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249658451051437343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53327781467656066752015-09-04T21:27:40.265-04:002015-09-04T21:27:40.265-04:00Chria R-so lovely that you give back! xoxoChria R-so lovely that you give back! xoxoHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24255144280528003022015-09-04T21:26:46.037-04:002015-09-04T21:26:46.037-04:00Mary, how wonderful! (And you can of course expla...Mary, how wonderful! (And you can of course explain they all work as stand-alones.) Happy to send a stash of bookmarks and loot! Just tell me where. And oh, thank you. <br /><br />Ann, are you a fellow Hoosier? I did not know that!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66193368559189759512015-09-04T21:22:33.290-04:002015-09-04T21:22:33.290-04:00Chelty, so great to see you! Where are you from? ...Chelty, so great to see you! Where are you from? <br /><br />A haunted library, Pat D? I love it!<br /><br />Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8180479130203084682015-09-04T19:40:39.068-04:002015-09-04T19:40:39.068-04:00The Eckhart Public Library in Auburn, IN is the on...The Eckhart Public Library in Auburn, IN is the one I went to as a child. And still do. From its history to the fountain outside, it's a great place to go and read. They now have a genealogy department across the street and a teen library two doors down. They have great historical things, authors, book clubs, and other events. :D <br />pmettert@yahoo.comAnn Metterthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02290723620871351744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56993021150376107312015-09-04T17:55:32.064-04:002015-09-04T17:55:32.064-04:00I carried your greetings and one of your bookmarks...I carried your greetings and one of your bookmarks to our group, and our leader is now considering adding one to the request list for book club sets (much trickier than adding single titles). <br />We were discussing _Tell the Wolves I'm Home_, very compelling book, very lively discussion. It's a fun phenomenon, libraries as gathering places. The Spencer Library renovation included a large meeting room and many small ones.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-61132425496103095302015-09-04T17:46:22.051-04:002015-09-04T17:46:22.051-04:00I loved the first book and can hardly wait for boo...I loved the first book and can hardly wait for book two of Amory and Milo's latest adventure. When I was a kid I visited the county library that shared the grounds of my elementary school. It was tiny but it had Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, all the mystery "classics" that the city library would not carry. I did go to the big city library in downtown Houston when my dad would drop me off. That was a magical building; I found out years later it is supposed to be haunted. Everytime I've moved, one of the first things I do is get a library card. I have fond memories of libraries in Texas, Ohio, and Minnesota.Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46142200940377525162015-09-04T16:47:53.913-04:002015-09-04T16:47:53.913-04:00Ashley, your books sound wonderful -- more to add ...Ashley, your books sound wonderful -- more to add to the to-be-read mountain. My favorite library is in my hometown of Avon, NY. It was the source of hours of delight when I was a child (does anyone else remember a series of biographies for kids that all had orange covers?) and where I fell in love with mysteries. And, when I was a bit older and started working there after school, the wonderful library director, Bernice Freiburger, took me under her wing and set me on the path to my MLS and a career in libraries and research. Now I get to give back with volunteer time.<br /><br /> ChrisRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13207756904871487732015-09-04T16:17:43.855-04:002015-09-04T16:17:43.855-04:00So excited to read Murder at the Brightwell and De...So excited to read Murder at the Brightwell and Death Wears a Mask. I have debating about these purchases, but as the author has been nominated and y'all say it's a great read, I am ordering from amazon today! I loved my hometown library because it was over 100 years old and very Victorian in architecture, and a little spooky. I had a library card as a teenager and could wander for hours or choose up to three books to take home. Exciting. Made me feel mature and smart!cheltyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09048588040595603833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54848659564598347432015-09-04T14:00:53.120-04:002015-09-04T14:00:53.120-04:00Thanks so much to the Hank and the Jungle Red Writ...Thanks so much to the Hank and the Jungle Red Writers for having me! You ladies are fantastic! Susan and Deborah, I appreciate your comments! I was thrilled to get blurbs from both of you (as well as from Rhys) for Murder at the Brightwell! And Hank was kindly blurbed Death Wears a Mask. You have all been so gracious! <br /><br />I’m loving all these fabulous responses! It’s so fun reading all the different library stories and sharing the great memories. That’s one thing that’s so fabulous about libraries. They come in all shapes and sizes, yet they always seem to be able to accommodate the shifting needs of their communities. They truly are magical places! <br /><br />Thanks so much to everyone for the kind comments on Murder at the Brightwell. Being an author has always been a dream of mine, so it’s so exciting for me to have people reading and enjoying what I’ve written! I hope you enjoy Death Wears a Mask just as much! <br /><br />Lucy, in answer to how I juggle a full time day job with writing, I stay up VERY late! I’ve always been a night owl, though, so it works out well. Plus being a librarian gives me great access to research materials! <br /><br />Hank, I got an after school job at the library my freshman year of high school, and the rest, as they say, was history. I kept working in libraries all through high school and college and then decided I might as well pursue the graduate degree in Library and Information Science. I knew I couldn’t possibly enjoy a job more! Plus it’s a perfect complement to life as a writer!<br />Ashley Weavernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67872995308842702272015-09-04T13:44:09.277-04:002015-09-04T13:44:09.277-04:00Say hi to your book club from us all, Mary! Say hi to your book club from us all, Mary! Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-83191692771832919912015-09-04T13:43:30.849-04:002015-09-04T13:43:30.849-04:00SUch fun to hear these ideas..one of my scenes (wh...SUch fun to hear these ideas..one of my scenes (which I should be writing RIGHT NOW) takes place in the room where the students' dissertations are shelved. Such perfect timing to have all these juicy descriptions--winding staircases, rickety elevators, doors wedged open. Lovely! <br /><br />My sister and I used to go to the library in Zionsvlile, Indiana. ALL the time. I don't remember ONE thing about the inside of it. That is--weird.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38226132834163702632015-09-04T13:29:12.621-04:002015-09-04T13:29:12.621-04:00I have such fond memories of walking or riding bik...I have such fond memories of walking or riding bikes to the little library that shared space with Overland City Hall, checking out as many books as I could, and leaving the cool air conditioning to go home for lunch in the heat of a St. Louis summer noon. <br />My now-favorite library is McClay branch of the St. Charles libraries, about a five-mile drive, but ideally located near FHN and right on the way home when I still taught. My library is generous and accommodating, ordering books I suggest because I lack $$ and space for all the books I want to read. They also host book club (in an hour actually), craft groups, and our storytelling Story Swap on the 2nd Monday of every month. <br />I do have a fondness for the Kansas City Library, with the painted mural of giant books on the outside wall, and lovely hosting of much of the Story Celebration every fall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39276362049565916802015-09-04T13:14:35.952-04:002015-09-04T13:14:35.952-04:00P.S. Favorite libraries/coolest library experience...P.S. Favorite libraries/coolest library experiences: I was invited to the National Book Festival several years ago and the authors were given a dinner at the Library of Congress. I was speechless, it was so amazing. Book tour before last I got to speak at the Mechanics Institute in San Francisco--now that is a cool library, with its beautiful spiral staircase. But my favorite library is--can you guess? <br /><br />The British Library! I was proud when I got my reader's card.<br /><br />The London Library is wonderful as well but one has to be a member to use it and it's quite expensive.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9995854835072706102015-09-04T13:09:08.210-04:002015-09-04T13:09:08.210-04:00Hi Ashley!!! You know how much I loved Murder at t...Hi Ashley!!! You know how much I loved Murder at the Brightwell--I got to read an ARC and was tickled to be asked for a quote. I'm going to order Death Wears a Mask right now! Can't wait to see what Amory and Milo are up to:-)<br /><br />Libraries, love libraries. From the time I learned to read my grandmother took me to the Richardson Public Library--it was the highlight of my week. (Richardson, where I grew up, is now a very large suburb of Dallas but it was tiny in those days, and the original library was a branch of the Dallas County Library.) The current library opened in 1970. I've spoken there a number of times and it's a very nice feeling to give something back. <br /><br />Years later, when I lived in Dallas, I began volunteering at the Oak Lawn Branch of the Dallas Public Library, and I kept it up even when I moved forty miles away. I wrote A Share in Death during that time, and that branch was also my daughter's first introduction to libraries. Sometime during that period I heard P.D. James speak at the main downtown Dallas library, and I think those two things were the jump starters for my own writing. Yay, libraries!!!!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30264513723373066672015-09-04T12:47:12.134-04:002015-09-04T12:47:12.134-04:00Hank, the coolest part at OSU was the old elevator...Hank, the coolest part at OSU was the old elevator in the main library which gave access to the upper library stacks--it was slow and creaky and, if you wanted, you could take the stairs instead--these were 1-person wide and wound around the elevator shaft somehow. You could literally run down the winding stairs--14 floors, quicker than the elevator. But the stairs were spooky, too, and when you pushed open the door, you'd wait to see if you heard any footsteps coming your way before you started down. And many times, you'd come across a door to one stack level wedged open--they were hard to push--and I always thought someone was in the stacks who was afraid of the elevator and afraid they wouldn't be able to get the stair door open again! <br /><br />And Julia, please tell Smithie to watch for an opening for library director here--our 'system' consists of 2 libraries--a remodeled Carnegie in Milan and the 'branch' in Berlin Heights. I think we've had 5-6 directors in the past 10 years. Both communities are hugely supportive, but we've either had ineffectual directors or those who use us to move on to bigger places. We would love to have someone who a) wants to be here, and b) really loves the libraries!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31845170510591320332015-09-04T12:40:42.482-04:002015-09-04T12:40:42.482-04:00My favorite library was the Old Library in Vacavil...My favorite library was the Old Library in Vacaville, California in the 1960-1970's. Grand old building, with a broad series of stone steps leading up to the heavy doors. I think it might have been an Andrew Carnegie library. The rooms were quiet and air-conditioned. It was my favorite hang out in the summer. Last I heard, it was a restaurant. My favorite librarian was in high school, a crusty old lady whose name I unforgivably have forgotten. She let me whisper; she liked me.Keenan Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15180595123265556559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73218195636064100082015-09-04T12:26:59.179-04:002015-09-04T12:26:59.179-04:00I hadn't seen Ashley's books come across m...I hadn't seen Ashley's books come across my desk before; I adore the British between-wars period and will rush out to get MURDER AT BRIGHTWELL now!<br /><br />Libraries have played such a huge role in my life. Moving from post to post, state to state and country to country, the local library was always my mother's first stop. Nowadays I volunteer at The Very Small Library in Hollis, ME.<br /><br />My most important involvement with libraries, however, is the Smithie, who is on her last semester of graduate school, getting her MLIS. Like Ashley, the Smithie has been working or volunteering at libraries since her early teens, and at this point has experience in small rural, mid-sized suburban and large urban public libraries, as well as college ILL and The Bookmobile! Fingers crossed, all that will help her get her first career position after she graduates in January! Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72390232321182035232015-09-04T12:16:33.880-04:002015-09-04T12:16:33.880-04:00Tricia, I LOVE card catalogs. (Why is that?) I kee...Tricia, I LOVE card catalogs. (Why is that?) I keep thinking it would be fund to have one. They're sort of --treasure maps. ANd I am in love with the Dewey Decimal system. SUCH beautiful order. And imagine the brain that conceived of it! Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24536614571537897192015-09-04T12:15:10.593-04:002015-09-04T12:15:10.593-04:00Flora, I'm setting part of my new book in a co...Flora, I'm setting part of my new book in a college library..so I am devouring your descriptions!<br /><br />Yes, MArk, Andrew Carnegie was the Johnny Appleseed of libraries, right? (How are you liking the books on tape?? It's such a different experience..)<br /><br />Oh, my goodness, KAthy--what a wonderful experience! And you are related to THAT Boone? You'll have to write a blog for us about it, okay?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73914135487418836582015-09-04T12:13:20.145-04:002015-09-04T12:13:20.145-04:00My childhood library wasn't an Andrew-Carnegie...My childhood library wasn't an Andrew-Carnegie-sponsored one, but it had the feel of one: all dark wooden bookshelves, half-staircases leading to crannies stuffed with books and, of course, the room filled with the card catalogs. Today, I'm fortunate to have four (!) libraries within two miles of my home. And while I'm regularly at the Encinitas one, my heart belongs to the Del Mar branch as it's housed in a former church and retains all the dark wood of my childhood library, including an "ornamental" card catalog drawer. When I travel, I'm always amazed at the access granted to me at the local libraries; who doesn't love a library/librarian?<br /><br />I was lucky enough to receive Ashley's first novel through Stop You're Killing Me! giveaway and will now look for the second. Congratulations, Ashley!<br /><br />~TriciaTFJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145220939173150233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21891818495211463132015-09-04T11:57:04.463-04:002015-09-04T11:57:04.463-04:00Ashley, the cover of Murder at the Brightwell caug...Ashley, the cover of Murder at the Brightwell caught my eye when it came out, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. But, it's still calling to me, and with your appearance here on the blog, I'm thinking it was meant to be. So, I will definitely be reading it before long. Your new novel, Death Wears a Mask, has another beautiful cover, and no matter how much people might try to deny they choose a book by its cover, great covers do ensure the pick-up and perusal in the bookstore and library. <br /><br />Libraries have always been an important part of my life, and I think that there is a special attachment to those libraries from our youth. The small elementary school library where Miss Donna Root was the librarian of my dreams and who many, many years later still inspired me to get my Masters in that field. The public library in my hometown, the old one, where I had my first guilty pleasure with books, looking at the crime novels and their somewhat bold covers. As an adult, the greatest library thrill I have had is sitting in the reading room of the Library of Congress and ordering up some books concerning my ancestor Daniel Boone. It was fairly simple to obtain a reader's card for the library that gains you access to the reading room. I was in complete awe as I sat in that beautiful room looking around and up at books and gorgeous architecture. So cool! Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44304674854337745632015-09-04T11:31:04.667-04:002015-09-04T11:31:04.667-04:00I haven't read the first book yet, but it soun...I haven't read the first book yet, but it sounds like so much fun. Must add it to my TBR list.<br /><br />I grew up coming to a library in my home town built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie. It was from the early 1900's, and it was so much fun. You could feel the history in it. They built a branch within walking distance of the house where I grew up when I was just starting at the local community college, and I liked that, but it never had the same appeal for me.<br /><br />I've now moved from that town, and I'm using my local libraries much more right now since I've started listening to books on tape to help get some of the best sellers I've always meant to try off my TBR list. I've really been enjoying that and am so thankful I don't have to buy these audio books.<br /><br />Truly, libraries are wonderful!Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90495751792626866852015-09-04T10:22:33.043-04:002015-09-04T10:22:33.043-04:00Congratulations on the series, Ashley! I will have...Congratulations on the series, Ashley! I will have to search them out--through my local library. The Berlin Township Public Library is my local library--started in a one-room Victorian building with squeaky wooden floors--awed by the books, scared of the dragonkeepers--uh, librarians! These days, the librarians aren't above making a bit of noise themselves--you should've seen their celebration when the final HP came out--great fun for all ages! And, with the new technology--my little library is now part of a consortium of 30-40 libraries--anything in one library is available to everyone--and delivered to your home library--it's been amazing!<br /><br />And then there was The Ohio State University's library system at the mothership, er, main campus. Not only is the main library fabulous--floors and floors of books, reading rooms, libraries within the library--but the other libraries, scattered around campus--loved the Arts library where going into the stacks, you felt you should leave a trail of crumbs to find your way out again (although I had the feeling some lost, starving grad student would probably devour any crumbs I left), the Geology library, the Engineering library, the Medical Sciences library where you gave cards to the desk attendant and watched the stacks rotating behind and above them--wonderful, magical places!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com