Turn around, Bright eyes

So I had the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in my head the entire time I was at the Alice Turner(AT) branch. Pretty sure the only reason was because of the name "Turner," so that's why my post is titled as such.

AT is located at 110 Nelson Road, right near the Forestry farm and a very large church that is still under construction. Fortunately today, there were no troubles finding the door to get into the building, so immediately this trip was a success... hooray!

When you enter the building, there is a fairly substantial lobby that has nice comfy leather chairs that you can sit and relax in, or there's WiFi access so you can use your laptop sitting there as well. Further along into the actual "library" you notice that it's still under a bit of construction, so there's not as much seating or tables as there could be. To the left are some library catalog computers and the circulation desk. To the right is the children's section, pictured below:

As you can see there are a few activity tables and extras for kids to play with. The book collection for children is quite large, and there's quite a bit of room between all the book shelves. Of course after children's you get into the juvenile and YA sections (including Manga and graphic novels of course) As you continue, there is the paperback fiction section:

The hardcover fiction and non-fiction are beyond that as well. There's still not a whole lot of area for work space or reading, but as I said, it is still under construction, so hopefully we can have more areas like that in the future.

AT offers story times for various ages, computer classes and book clubs for adults. Right now their programming and resources are a bit limited due to construction, but will have even more to offer once that is all finished.

My favourite part about this branch is how open and light it is in the building. As you can see by the photo, there are a lot of windows, which give the branch a nice feel. My second favourite part was the Science Fiction and Fantasy section.... yay! I was quite happy with the selection in the branch, and very excited to pick up 3 books. (Can't go into a library without getting books, of course!)

Cliff Wright... More like Cliff Wrong Door

Today was quite the adventure down to the Cliff Wright(CW) branch library. CW is located on McKercher Drive in the Lakewood Civic centre. Again I admire the multiple facilities in one building for convenience. However, CW did pose on little problem - I couldn't figure out how to get IN!!!! I know, it sounds so silly but I tried 3 different doors before I actually got the right one. Very confusing, especially for people who have never been there before. The door is actually around the corner in the picture and down a long alley way. There should be signs posted! Ha ha... Anyway

So when you finally find your way inside the door, the circulation desk is to your right. To your left is a small reading area, some work tables and the entire non fiction collection. I found everything was labelled according to the number, not subject, so for a person who doesn't know where to look, it can be confusing. Past the circulation desk, straight ahead is a fairly large children/juvenile section. In the middle of the branch is a small bank of computers, the DVD's and music, and further beyond that is the YA and adult fiction sections.

Of course I had to make a lengthy stop in the Science Fiction/Fantasy section... I was pleasantly surprised and the size of the section. Again there were a few books that looked quite new, and they even had a book from the series I am currently reading! (Can't leave without checking something out!)

I had intentions of staying and doing some homework today but I didn't for 2 reasons: 1)all the work tables were full, so there was no where for me to sit and 2) I was so mad about not being able to find my way in that I said forget it!

I can't promise I'll go to this branch again, but if I do, at least I'll be able to find the door no problem!

Mayfair Lady....

Well today I ventured to the Mayfair branch library. Talk about a tiny library! I can't believe how itsy bitsy this place was!

When I first walked in, to my right was about 3 computers and then the circulation desk. To the left was a small reading area - about 3 chairs and 4, count 'em 4 shelves of library fiction books... Yikes! And don't even get me started on the lack of Fanasy/Science Fiction section! :) At the very back is the non-fiction, and there is a children's section including a reading toom.

Even though the size of the branch is small, as well as the selection, it's still functional. Obviously when you can request any book you want in the whole province, just having someplace closer to your home to pick it up is convenient.

I really wish I had more to say about the Mayfair branch, but when it's so small, there's not a whole lot to say. Can't get lost in there, that's for sure! :)

Got Wood? J.S. Wood that is!

Like the pun in the title today? Me too! I was overcome by genius on that one... ha ha! Today I ventured over to the South East side of the city for a visit to the J.S. Wood (JSW) branch.

JSW is located on the corner of Landsdowne Ave and Taylor Street. It's conveniently located across from a Fire Hall so they'll be okay, just in case!

So when you walk in the doors (wheel chair accessible of course!) you immediately see the circ desk - how easy is that?! To the right is a wonderfully sunny reading room - TONS of windows, great for reading! :) To the left is the Children's section, a very large section - it probably takes up about 1/3 of the entire library! It's got really cool green fabric hanging from the ceiling that looks like trees inside. There's also lots of toys and activities for the children to enjoy while you peruse the stacks. Beyond the children's section is the Adult/Young Adult/Juvenile Fiction. The way they've got it set up, they do kind of run into each other. HOWEVER... Everything is wonderfully and clearly labelled so you know where you are and what you are looking at. I like that especially in the non-fiction section, it will have the Dewey number, as well as a label that says what's in that section! Yay for organization!

Past that is a small bank of computers, the cd's/dvd section and the paperback fiction section. And yet again, at the very back of the library is the non-fiction. Very nicely labelled of course! JSW also has lots of programs for all ages as well. One that piqued my interest was the Sleepy Time stories for Toddlers every Tuesday night.

I have to say that this branch has been my favourite so far. Although it's not very spacious, the collection is incredible. My very favourite part at this branch was the paperback Science Fiction/Fantasy section... it was SO big! (TWSS!) Not only was it a pretty large collection, most of the books were brand new and never been cracked... So of course I had to check out a couple to take home and be the first person to read them!

If you ever get a chance, check out JSW on the south east side!

Today I visited the Rusty MacDonald (RM) branch in Lawson Heights. It is located at 225 Primrose Drive, right across from the Lawson Heights mall - how convenient!

I have been to this branch once before, so I was a little familiar with it. I think one of the neatest things about this branch is that its in the Lawson Civic Centre! Which means there's a swimming pool and a gym all in the same location. So when you're done taking your kids to swim lessons, or you don't want to watch them, you can hang out in the library reading until its done!

When you first walk in the doors there is the entire children's section to the right. It's a pretty decent sized collection and there's even a play kitchen area, puzzles, games and other activities. To the right is the circulation desk. Further in there is the DVD section, the paperback fiction and books on CD/tape. Keep going and there is a small bank of computers, beyond that the hardcover fiction and at the very back of the library is the non-fiction section. I like this branch because you can see where everything is. It's a straight shot - no confusing corners - and the signage is quite clear.

RM has a lot to offer its community as well. Along with having auditorium and board room rentals it has a beginner computer classes for adults , and several different story times. It does boast a "Young Adult Lounge" which was underwhelming at best, but I admire the fact that they recognized the need for youth to have a little privacy.

One thing I did not like about the branch was the lack of Sci-Fi and Fantasy selection. Although we have the "One province, one system" thing going on and I can request a book from anywhere, if I ever happen to drop in to get a book, it's likely I won't find much there.

And that's Rusty MacDonald!

Oh, and on a side note.... I picked up the 17th installment of the Anita Blake series today. It came all the way from Air Ronge up north and the spine as never even been cracked! I'm super excited for it's inaugural reading this weekend! :)

Going Downtown....

So today I went down to Frances Morrision (FM) library, which is the main branch for Saskatoon Public Library. It's located on the corner of 3rd ave and 23rd street. Conveniently only 2 blocks from school for me!

FM is the branch I normally visit as it IS so close for me to go to everyday. I'm used to going there, so there's not much new for me to notice.

But if it's your first time there it can be kind of confusing place. When you walk in the front doors - which are super heavy by the way, the first thing you see is the circulation desk - which can be confused as the information desk. To the left is the fiction section, including a large Young Adult colletion, and the magazine Reading Area where you can sometimes catch people having a little cat nap. To the right is the DVD's and the books on hold. Further along is the law section and all of the non-fiction collection. Upstairs is the children's section, a mini art gallery and the fine arts department. The basement has meeting/conference rooms and Friends of the Library, which is where they sell withdrawn books for uber cheap.

FM has a lot to offer for almost everyone. Although it can be confusing to navigate, and the signage can be a bit overwhelming - there's so much of it! Personally I feel comfortable there because I go there so often.

Today I took back a big bag of books about Hugh MacLennan - talk about boring! Then went straight to the books on hold, as I had reserved some online. One of the book I picked up is called "Blood Noir" by Laurell K. Hamilton... A little easy reading to help take the edge off of school. The other 2 i picked up were about library programming for our PRPL class. Not so exciting, but necessary nonetheless.

So FM wasn't too exciting for me today, but maybe it will be for you sometime - never hurts to explore!

NEW BLOG!!!

How exciting, I created another blog... ha ha! This one is actually for a school assignment.

My plan is to go to each library branch in Saskatoon and "explore" it. I've only been to 2 of the branches, people I know have only been to one, and there are lots of people who haven't been to any. This could be a good way to let people know about the public libraries in Saskatoon, or create awareness. I would be super happy if even ONE person read this and started using the public library. :)

Stay tuned!