What's in Your Inbox?

Found anything worth sharing in your email inbox lately? A member recently forwarded this to us, seen in Author Susan May Warren's e-newsletter:

I was that girl who rode her bike to the library every Saturday morning . . .

. . . tucked herself in the aisles, whiled away the day choosing exactly the right book for the following week, and then packed my backpack, WAY too full, and then pedaled furiously home, my bag bumping against my back.

I love the library. It's like a box of chocolates, only the entire box is mine for the tasting! There are SO many wonderful books out there, but sometimes it's difficult to know which ones to read.

Our local librarian is like a therapist - she knows the books I love, and recommends others. Which is why librarians are key, especially for Christian fiction. When a person comes in hunting for the right book to deal with their Christian walk, having someone point them the right direction tells them that they aren't alone. It says that someone is linking arms with them on their journey.

I am so grateful for librarians who partner with me in getting out the word about Christian fiction. I can only write the best book I can -- it's up to librarians to put it into the right hands. Thank you for your ministry!

Susan May Warren is the author of over two dozen Christian Fiction books including 2009 Christy Award Finalist Finding Stefanie. Visit www.susanmaywarren.com to find out about the author's latest projects and sign up for her e-newsletter.

MARC Record Survey

The Library of Congress is studying the use of MARC records and the economics of continuing to provide these services. Some services may be discontinued as a result of this study, especially those elements not widely used.

If your library uses MARC records, regardless of how you acquire them, your feedback is very valuable. Click here to complete the Library MARC Record Use Survey. The deadline to complete the survey is May 22, 2009.

For more detailed information on the study, see Library of Congress Announces Study of Bibliographic Record Production - January 2009 Press Release

Thanks to our friends on LINC List and the Bibliographic Record Production blogsite for letting us know about this research study.

Fox Valley Chapter Shares Their Special Day

Greetings!

I want to share with you my special day at our chapter meeting on April 4. I will try to keep it simple!

There were 35 in attendance—one of our best turnouts in recent times. We meet fall and spring, north one meeting, south the next, in the Appleton or Green Bay Wisconsin area if you look at a map. We met this time at Peace Lutheran in Neenah.

Three librarians who are just starting libraries were in attendance. One lady was thrilled with the swap table and got books that now bring their collection to 32! St. Paul's Lutheran, Fremont, another library just getting started, was also there. They had visited my church library, joined NCLA and our church got the $10 referral certificate.

Everyone sends their best to National Board member Chris Magnusson and thanks her again for her part in making our Anniversary Meeting a success.

Our speakers were two local ladies who together have authored a poetry book and another book, the story of one of the women's mothers, who as a widow in Door County, WI raised her three children and took care of the farm. It was very well received, and many copies were sold afterwards.

Then we talked about the National Conference—Shirley and Nancy from Bethany, Green Bay, and me (see our picture above from the winter issue of Libraries Alive!). Shirley talked about the "Promoting the Library" presentation. She even went to Home Depot who cut and gave her enough closet unit parts for book displays for each of the churches represented.

Nancy talked about June Wishman's presentation "The Farmer's Daughter", and that went very well with our previous guest speakers' sharing.

I spoke last about the presentation by the authors at the conference, and introduced the group to the Christian Authors' Network. I also talked about my experience joining the National Board. I shared a little about the members of the board, our telephone conference meetings, and how we are going to strive to be more in touch with the Chapters—which they were very glad to hear.

I was asked about the conference of the future. One librarian told of going once, and wishing she had the funds to go again. The group said they love the sharing that happens after the conference when others who have attended come back.

I felt different at this meeting. I was no longer there solely because of my responsibility to my church and what I could learn. To all of those in attendance, I was also there to represent NCLA.

Following our meeting we enjoyed a nice lunch of chicken cordon bleu from Sam's Club!

So, that's it in a nutshell. I am glad to answer any questions you may have!

Kathleen Bowman
NCLA Fox Valley WI Chapter & National NCLA Board Member