Sunday 10 August 2008

Sunday August 10th, 2008 Break time reads

What do you like to do on your coffee break? As well as talking (big surprise there), I like to catch up on some light reading. One of the great things about working in the library is our wide selection of magazines just waiting to be read. Among staff we have a variety of interests. We have pet lovers, gardeners, photographers, happy campers and some may even be all of the above. Here’s a few of the popular magazines we have in our reference collections.

Pets Magazine
As an animal lover I like to check out each new issue of Pets Magazine. I always read the column by Canadian author and humorist William J. Thomas. Over the years I’ve enjoyed hearing about his adventures with his cat Malcolm and dog Jake. The magazine is informative and covers a wide range of subjects. Recent articles include selecting a new pet, how to find a vet, puppy and kitten care and care of the senior pet. They cover health topics such as parasites and hyperthyroidism. We also carry Dogs in Canada magazine and there are copies in the library system that you can borrow.

Entertainment Weekly
It’s always fun to peruse Entertainment Weekly and share the latest gossip with your fellow coffee break members, even if they don’t want to hear it. If you enjoy reading about people in the entertainment field, this is the magazine for you. You can find reviews on the latest in books, music, movies and what’s new on DVD. There’s also a section on what to watch on television for each day of the week. The articles are timely, interesting and include recent topics such as Saturday Night Live, the return of Indiana Jones and the Miley Cyrus’ Vanity Fair photo shoot. We also carry People magazine and have copies that you can borrow.

Popular Photography
We have more than one photographer on staff and they can often be seen scanning Popular Photography. If you’re in the market for a new camera or lens check out their reviews. You can read articles on the various aspects of using Photoshop. They also cover interesting topics such
as how to shoot a butterfly in flight, advice on lighting, using a wide angle lens and help with nature photography. We also carry Photolife magazine.

gardening life
Gardening is a popular hobby among library staff. We even have a perennial support group that meets annually – pardon the pun. We drink coffee, talk gardening and even have a plant exchange, so I guess in actual fact the support group part isn’t working. There’s often a staff member/gardener reading gardening life. In the middle of winter, for a touch of summer, you can open the pages and dream. If you needadvice on plants, tools, garden designs and makeovers or even entertaining this magazine can help. Check out the latest dirt (sorry I couldn’t resist) on the hottest new plants and upcoming gardening trends. We have copies that you can borrow. We also carry Organic Gardening magazine.

Homes & Cottages
There are staff members who like to check out the latest ideas for their home or cottage. I guess if this magazine had been published in Northwestern Ontario instead of Southern Ontario, it would have been called Homes & Camps. There’s not much of a ring to that title. Recent issues feature articles on replacing a water line, insulating your bathroom floor, fixing a running toilet and installing a skylight. If you did all of these you might end up with a spectacular bathroom. There’s practical advice on buying a wheelbarrow, choosing doors and windows and home security systems. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a French country kitchen, there’s an article on that. We also carry House Beautiful and This Old House.

This year we will be adding a few more titles to our reference collections. Here are some of the titles to watch for – Real Simple, Teen Vogue, Bicycling and Modern Bride. If you’re in the library and have time on your hands, feel free to sit in one of our comfy chairs and relax with a good magazine. It’s almost like being at home, but less disruptive.

Karen Craib Library Technician - www.tbpl.ca

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