Parade of Posh Pets

Despite her inner turmoil, Mary Ann Mustard's spirits were temporarily lifted by the Fancy Nancy's Posh Pets Program.


This program took place on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7 pm, and attracted an audience of 30 people. Children enjoyed stories about pets, including Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy. Wearing fancy clothes, they visited the Posh Pet Parlor in the CFD activity room, to adorn and accessorize the "plush posh pets" they brought from home.

After decorating dog and cat masks, attendees participated in a Posh Pet Parade through the Center for Discovery - the finale of a posh-tively posh-tastic evening!

Visit AV

The Betrayal: Two years ago, Boddy told Mr. and Mrs. Mustard that Mary Ann had received a dishonorable discharge from the military and enrolled in library school. Her parents felt that, in doing so, she had abandoned her brother's memory. They haven't spoken to her since.

Now, Mary Ann works in the AV department - but, even in the cone of silence, she can still hear accusatory voices in her head.

Staff members are invited to visit the Audio Visual Department this week, in order to earn division points.

Staff members can earn one extra point as individuals for doing one or more of the following:

- Experience the cone of silence for themselves

- Experiment with the AV digital download station

- Reply to this blog entry with the first name of one AV staff member, their favorite movie or book on cd, and why.

Lights! Camera! Action! Visiting the AV department has undoubtedly reminded you of your favorite movie or book on CD. Let's all get to know each other better! Reply to this blog post by sharing your favorite movie or book-on-CD, and why. (You'll receive one point for doing so...)

Colonel Mustard

Mary Ann Mustard never dreamed of becoming a Colonel. While her twin brother Michael played with toy guns in the backyard, Mary Ann put all her storybooks in alphabetical order and lined them up carefully on the shelf.

Michael was destined to be the Colonel in the family - but at some point during his teenage years, he mysteriously vanished.

To appease her parents, Mary Ann followed in in the footsteps of her long-lost brother, setting her own ambitions aside. Only one person understood the inner turmoil of what Mary Ann was going through - Mr. Boddy.

But that was before he betrayed her.

Early Update: It can be painful to lose trust in someone. To help Mary Ann Mustard heal from this traumatic experience, staff are invited to wear yellow on Thursday. Individuals who participate will receive one point each.

Hone Your Cyber Skills: While pretending to be Mustard's friend, Boddy gave an award-winning performance. Write your own Oscar Speech.

Photos and Video Footage of Library Rally

Last Chance to Visit HFAR

Rumors are swiftly spreading that the the results of the triathlon "photo-finish" might not have been accurate.

On ebay, the autographed sneaker of Mr. John Green is steadily decreasing in value...

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Customize a Sneaker of your own!

Success of New York Advocacy Campaign

To learn more, please visit the New York Public Library website!

Recipe for Danger

Shortly after Boddy vacated the Reader's Advisory Desk, it was time for Mr. Green to return to the second floor.

Green noticed several carts of books to be shelved were piling up, so he took a cart, and headed for the 600's.

As he browsed the call numbers in the Humanity, Fine Arts and Recreation division, a certain book title caught his eye...


What's Your Score? Have you been keeping track of the points you are earning as individual this summer? Why not let Mr. Green be your example and shelve a cart of books? It's an easy way to earn a point - and it probably endear you to the Circulation staff!

HFAR Activity

Mr. Green protested, "What can I possibly tell you about that painting? Surely you don't expect me to give it to you. I couldn't even if I wanted to - it's been stolen."

Mr. Boddy's expression did not change,"I know it's been stolen, and I know who took it."

Unconsciously, Green took a step backward.

Boddy leaned closer, with fierce glint in his eyes, "You're going to help me to get it back."

Share Your Taste in Art! To earn one point as an individual, visit Oxford Art Online, available through Premium Resources, and find a piece of artwork that you like. Comment below with a citation for that particular artwork, and a brief description of why it appeals to you.

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Create your own Sidewalk Billboard.

Visit HFAR

Without saying a word, Boddy lay a series of photos down on the desk.

Green's eyes widened, and he looked around quickly to make sure that no one else had seen them.

"You know what I came here for," Mr. Boddy responded.

John Green shook his head in exasperation, "There's no more money left over from the sponsorships and endorsements. You've taken everything you could from me - I have nothing more to give."

"I think you do," Boddy leaned in closer across the desk and spoke softly, "This time, I am here looking for information."

"Information?" Green echoed incredulously.

"It's about a painting: Requiem for a Reader."

Staff members are invited to visit the Humanity and Fine Arts division this week for division points.

To earn one point as an individual, find the score to one of your favorite songs from childhood, during your visit, and cite it in a comment below.

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Create a newspaper clipping of your own.

Mr. Green

The girl hurried up to the Reader's Advisory with shining eyes, "John Green? It is you, isn't it?"

Mr. Green ducked his head in a nod of self-deprecation.

"You are my little brother's hero! He still has the clipping from when you won the triathalon last month." The girl looked down, rummaging inside her purse. "If he finds out that I talked to you, he'll want an autograph... Let me see if I have anything to write on."

Over her shoulder, Mr. Green could see the dark, hulking figure of Mr. Boddy drawing near, "Why don't you bring him in sometime next week, and I'll sign something then?"

"That would be great..." She smiled at him, and turned to go. "I can't wait to tell him!"

Mr. Boddy approached the desk, with a cynical smile, "Still signing autographs, John?"

Early Update: On Thursday of this week, staff members will receive one point as individuals if they wear green, in support for Mr. Green's athletic prowess.

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Customize a trophy.

Last Chance to Visit SBN

A final reminder to visit SBN before Sunday, in order to earn a point for your division! And be sure to do some of the extra activities to earn more points for yourself and a better chance of winning tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art!

When Yvette's stressful week came to an end, she faced the blank screen on her laptop once more. Was her life coming to a crossroads? Would she choose further servitude to her secret employer - or risk striving for a new beginning?

As her fingers danced across the keys, even the laptop assistant seemed to be warning Yvette about the direction that her life was going...



Hone Your Cyber Skills: Customize the Office Assistant.

SBN-Related Activity

Many customers in our Job Help Center are working on resumes, looking for a new career, and filling out job applications.

If you weren't working at the library, what else might you want to do?

Use the Occupation Match of the Ohio Career Information System (available in our list of Premium Resources) to see what other careers you might be good at. Did any surprise you? Earn an extra point by posting a comment with your results!

With assistance from staff at the Job Help Center, Yvette finished her resume and applied for several jobs. As she exited the library, she thought about how Mr. Boddy had helped her. Perhaps her assignment might be changed?

She received the following reply, in response to her question:

Wear White on Thursday

Poor Yvette! So much to do... so little time!

In an effort to silence the competing voices in her head, Yvette started working on a To Do list...


Staff Reminder: In a show of support for Yvette, please wear white on Thursday, and earn one point for your participation. When you do so, you might leave a reassuring comment for Yvette on Thursday's blog entry... this will boost her spirits and help you to keep track of your points.

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Personalize a Memo Pad of your own.

2009 SRC Kick Off in SBN

The Science, Business, & News division had a lot of fun this year during Summer Reading Club kickoff on June 6th by inviting children upstairs for some arts & crafts! For the first round of kids to come up, we had piggy banks waiting to be decorated with stickers and markers. We got quite a crowd as everyone searched for the best stickers to customize their little piggy. The second round of children and their families had a great time coloring pictures of pigs, and using the leftover stickers to decorate them as well.




As an added bonus for parents, Bradley Huffman, director of Columbus Saves, was on hand to talk about the benefits of saving money. Columbus Saves is a non-profit program that encourages Central Ohioans to save money and build wealth. While the kids were busy decorating pigs or coloring their piggy sheets, parents were able to talk with Mr. Huffman, ask questions about the program, and take information home with them.

A great time was had by all!

Boddy Breakdown Featured on the Threat Down

Quote from broadcast: "Reginald Horatio Boddy suffered sudden illness on Thursday, June 4th, during an ice cream social. Despite a temporary return to consciousness, Boddy stopped breathing in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be a severe case of lactose intolerance. This case is currently under investigation."

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Create your own Threat Down.

Reminder to Visit SBN

Staff members are invited to visit the Science, Business, and News division sometime this week to earn points for your division!

During your visit, earn an extra point for yourself by stopping by the Tech Center to look up the Columbus Dispatch from the day you were born (or from another special date). Leave a comment here with the front page headline from that day!

As Yvette updated her resume in the Job Help Center, she was reminded of her most recent job, at the Denver Art Museum.

Dusting those paintings, night after night, as the darkness drew closer, she wondered if she would ever be able to escape from a bully who had been blackmailing her for years...


Hone Your Cyber Skills: Decorate an Art Gallery of your own.

Yvette the Maid

On the morning that Mr. Boddy met with her, Yvette the Maid found herself feeling like a pawn in the game of life.

She had recently moved to Columbus from Colorado, looking for work. When she looked into the mirror that morning, she saw a woman who was in between jobs, in between relationships, and still taking orders from a boss that she'd tried so hard to leave behind.

Despite his gruffness, Mr. Boddy had shown kindness to her... He listened to her cry and wiped away her tears. He recommended the SBN Job Help Center to help her find future employment.

Too bad that she was under orders to take him down.

Early Update: In an effort to boost Yvette's flagging spirits, staff members are invited to wear white on Thursday. Staff members who do so will receive one point.

Last Chance to Visit GHT for Division Points!

Be sure to visit GHT before Sunday, in order to earn points for your division!

During your visit, we hope that you'll be more observant than Mr. Boddy.

The one thing that Mr. Boddy failed to notice during his visit was a medicine bottle on Professor Plum's desk.



Hone Your Cyber Skills: Write a prescription of your own!

GHT Online Activity

As the Professor relaxed in his home, the evening of Boddy's fateful visit, he paid little attention to what was on the television screen.

Plum could still see the face of his mentor in his mind. An award-wining professor and historian, this man had inspired every step of Plum's career. And then, Plum's hero had been brought down by blackmail. It seemed that the perfect pedigree of the honored professor was all a sham.

Plum asked a question of the man who was not there, "How many years did Boddy blackmail you, before you told the truth, knowing that it would cost your career and ruin your life?"

Is there someone from your past who had a powerful impact on you? Would you like to send them a card on their birthday? Or perhaps, reading this excerpt has inspired you to think more about your own ancestry...

Earn one point by visiting one of CML's online genealogy resources, and posting your findings in a comment below...

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Generate a Newscast of your own.

Wear Purple or Plaid on Thursday

Is Professor Plum innocent or implicated? Might Mr. Boddy deserve to die?

Main Library staff members are encouraged to wear purple or plaid on Thursday, in a show of support for Professor Plum. Those who do so will receive points as individuals, increasing their chances of winning tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art at the end of the summer!


Mr. Boddy had no use for individuals who entertain idle curiosity. Nevertheless, we shall appease the curiosity of our readers regarding the lyrics and tune to Mr. Boddy's Funeral Dirge, as composed by Professor Plum.

The Lament for the Old Boddy*
Underneath a cloudless sky,
Dig the grave an’ let him die!
Slow to truth and quick tae’ lie!
Minding ev’ry wrong.

Thoughtless follies stain his name.
Raging with a lust frae fame.
Tae the dust frae whence he came,
Bleach the bones o’ Boddy!

* This song shares the tune of Archie's Fancy.

Hone your Cyber Skills:
Customize a Tartan Design or create a Ripple Effect of your own!

Share the results with co-workers in your division, perhaps by posting your efforts beside your division's copy of the Main SRC Game board!

Main Staff SRC Dessert Potluck

Thanks to all Main staff that came out and helped with the fabulous dessert potluck on June 4th!

The event was a smashing success! Mrs. Peacock planned the potluck, and Yvette the Maid was diligent in cleaning up after everyone who came. We all enjoyed a sugar rush after tasting the delicious goodies that everyone brought in to share, and much fun was had by all!

Sadly, the fun came to an end when we tragically lost one of our party-goers, Mr. Reginald H. Boddy...

The Mysterious Murder of Mister Boddy from Erica Blasdel on Vimeo.

Now it is up to all of us to solve the mystery of his death and find the culprit!

Visit GHT

Staff members are invited to visit the Genealogy, History and Travel division this week, in order to earn points for their division.

During your visit, if you wish to earn one additional point for yourself, you are required to answer one of the following three questions, based upon the resources at GHT and the specific clues below...

1. Locate the specific place on the map where Boddy was looking to go.
2. What are the names of the Prince and Princess?
3. Was there a hidden room in the Palace?

Mr. Boddy's visit, on the day of his death, had been filled with foreboding.

Ignoring the disquieting notion that he and Professor Plum had met before, Boddy followed as the professor led him to the archive where Ohio maps were stored. Boddy noticed, but didn't comment on, the newspaper that the professor was holding tightly in his hands. It had to be a coincidence.

"Looking for the Parsons Palace, you say?" the professor murmured. "Hidden room? Prussian Prince pursues Parsons princess... indeed, I remember..."

Boddy interrupted, "Less talk, more action!"


Make Your Division Front Page News: Submit photos and news updates about the wonderful things you are doing during SRC 2009, so that we can celebrate and share your efforts on this blog! Please email them to Lisa Dickson.

Professor Plum

During the week before his death, Mr. Boddy had been on the lookout for something important.

His first venture into the mysterious realms of the library was to visit Professor Plum in the Genealogy, History and Travel division.

The Professor was soft-spoken, but with a keen intelligence that made Boddy nervous. "You keep asking me about maps, Mr. Boddy, but what exactly are you looking for?"

Boddy exploded with rage, "If I wanted you to know I'd tell you! I have no use for idle curiousity! Now keep looking..."

The Professor agreed, with a mild shrug of his shoulders. He returned to his search.

But as Boddy watched him working, a sense of discontent plagued him. "Have we ever met before?"

"If we had met, I'm sure that I'd remember," the Professor replied evasively.

Later that afternoon, after Boddy left his division, the Professor put on his bagpipes and began to compose a song: "The Funeral Dirge of Mr. Boddy."

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Design a personalized CD Cover.

Introduction

The first day of the 2009 Summer Reading Club should be a day for celebration.


Especially because this year's SRC is better than ever before! We are providing a full online experience for customers; each online SRC registration will be activated immediately. Adults who finish the program are eligible for win a pair of BalletMet tickets, OSU commemorative coins, Joe Blundo’s column collection, Dancing Dads, Defective Peeps, and Buckeye Misadventures, and a Library tote bag and mug.


This year, however, the loss of Mr. Boddy during the dessert potluck has cast a shadow over seasonal festivities. "Mr. Boddy's death touches everyone in this building - and each staff member is implicated until we unravel the mystery and discover the truth."


Throughout the summer, Main library staff members are invited to follow the clues, and challenged to try to solve the mystery.


Staff members can earn individual points throughout the summer for:


1. Participating in the mystery by posting a response to the daily blog entry

2. Asking five/more people to sign up for SRC

3. Shelving a cart of books

4. Working one hour in another division

5. Additional opportunities to earn points will be posted on this blog!


*If you do items 2, 3, or 4, in order to receive your point, you are required to post a blog comment, stating what you have done.


Staff members can earn points for their division by visiting the location of the week, and then returning to their own division and initialing the Division Gameboard.


At the end of the summer:

• The division with the highest rate of staff participation wins a pizza party.


• Individuals with the most points win tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art.

Hone Your Cyber Skills: Upload a personal photo into the Reflection Generator.