Hey everyone! Hope you are all well and coping and masking and being sensible and all those things! I will admit that some days are easier than others, right? Anyway, my topic today is the 'Grab-bag' that I requested from a local library. It's not the Austin Public Library, but it's another where I normally volunteer to help with their new materials processing. That's not possible right now, of course - the volunteering. Anyway, I was conversing by email with one of the librarians and she thought I might like to try out their new 'Grab-bag' service. Said that she knew I didn't need others picking books for me, but it might be fun. And it was.
First of all, a patron needs to fill out a request document that has several queries. Type of material (book, large-type, audio, video, etc.). There's a 'wildcard' option to let the staff pick 5 things for you. Otherwise, you tell them the genre where your interest lies - mystery, romance, non-fiction, cookbooks, sci-fi, fantasy, graphic novels - you get the idea. There's also a question regarding what might disappoint you - a specific author or genre or books that are too long or too short or have profanity, etc. Next is to let them know what you love by telling of specific authors or titles that you've already read and enjoyed. And last, how many - 3-5, 5-7, 8-10.
I thought it did sound fun and decided to try it. The questions did take a little thought, but I didn't want my answers, especially what I had enjoyed and already read, to take forever. I also thought that I would love to be the person selecting the materials for a patron, based on their answers. Wonder if they'd let me volunteer to do that? Ha! I sent in my form and a couple of days later was notified the books above were ready for pickup. The staff only selects from materials currently available on the shelf.
As you can see, I got the books listed below:
Murder On the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Aunti Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano
Aunti Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna by Mario Giordano
No One Knows by J.T. Ellison
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears
All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
They actually did pretty well. I've only read the first one and the last one listed. I told them I had read all of Louise Penny, Deborah Crombie, and liked historical mysteries and psychological thrillers. I asked for no military-style thrillers and no cozies. Forgot to say I'd read all of Agatha Christie.
Have you taken advantage of a 'Grab-bag' situation at your library? Is your library doing something like this? Have you read any of the books and loved them? Do you think it would be fun to select books for a 'Grab-bag'? I think I'll let my librarian friend know that whoever picked for me did a great job.
Take care and I'll be back around soon...
Hi Kay, I've been able to post on blogger this week (first time in a year!) so I was glad to see this come through my reader. I haven't done a library grab bag but a friend who lives outside Boston did. She was happy with the experience.
ReplyDeleteMy library is open again (I'm in Wisconsin) but I've only picked up reserve books or borrowed audios online.
Mary! So glad to see you're able to post on blogger right now. Nice to 'see' your comment. If your library decides to do a grab bag, you might try it.
DeleteWhat a fun idea! Our libraries aren't doing grab bags, but I kind of wish they were now. :)
ReplyDeleteLark, I wouldn't be surprised if more libraries start doing these. After all, librarians talk and what works for one area might work for others. Hope yours thinks about it.
DeleteThis sounds like great fun for both the patron and the library staff! I've only just started using the curbside pickup at our library (for a couple of books for Rod) and since I'm trying to read from my shelves, I doubt I'll try this for myself. Will you try it again?
ReplyDeleteYes, I might try it again just to see what I got. It was fun to pick up the books and have the big 'reveal' - LOL! I was thinking I might put graphic novels as a choice and maybe a couple of other areas.
DeleteYes, some days are easier than others. I just feel "off" a lot of the time, and somewhat depressed, although I have nothing really to complain about. The best change I have made lately is to do more gardening. I need to move about more.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of libraries doing grab bags and I think it is a wonderful idea. I liked An Instance of the Fingerpost when I read it at least 15 years ago. I am interested in the Aunti Poldi series although I haven't gone so far as to get one. Not interested in Ruth Ware. I would love to hear your reactions to any of those that you read.
Tracy, nice to hear you've read the Fingerpost book. It's a long one for sure. I'll try to read some of them and report in. I've got a couple of book group books to get through first. And I totally hear you about feeling 'off'. Some days I'm very cranky and then other days not as much. Happily, my husband and I seem to have our individual 'cranky' days on separate days. LOL
DeleteA fun way to find new to you books!
ReplyDeleteYes, just something different. I wasn't kidding when I said I thought it would be fun to pick these books for others as a volunteer. LOL
DeleteWow I haven't heard of this Grab-bag option ... I will have to see if my library offers it. So far, I don't think they do. But it sounds like fun. I hope you enjoy your books.
ReplyDeleteI'm suspecting that a few libraries have tried it and wouldn't be surprised if more don't try it in the future. Just something different.
DeleteWhat a cool program! My library doesn't do anything like this, but I would love it!
ReplyDeleteMaybe yours will think about doing it in upcoming days or you could suggest it to them.
DeleteWell that looks like fun Kay and, not a bad selection either. I had only been doing library downloads since March but, our library is open by appointment 2 days a week and curbside the other days, so I think I'll soon be getting some interlibrary loans that I see "in transit."
ReplyDeleteYes, I think more libraries are figuring out ways to still be there for the patrons in whatever way they can. Hope your loans come before long!
DeleteSounds like a fun idea, though quite hard when you're as prolific a reader as we are. The list if authors to avoid because we've already read them could be huge! You seem to have been given an intriguing mix though.
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised to find so many that I hadn't read. I may do it again and play around with other genres. We'll see.
DeleteI love the books surprise element so I think it's both a fun and a great idea! Enjoy your books and looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them, Kay.
ReplyDeleteYes, something to look forward to, like a gift or Christmas! LOL
DeleteSome days definitely are easier than others and it seems there's no rhymme or reason to it. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteI've read one of your books, Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions which I thought was a fun read. What a fun thing, enjoy the books!
Nice to hear you've read that first Auntie Poldi book and that it worked for you, Cath. I was happy with what I got and we'll see how it goes. I might try it again with other genres.
DeleteI've never heard of anything like this - what fun!! Looks like they did a good job, too. Wonder how much of a demand they've had...bet the librarians enjoy filling these bags :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure what the demand has been like so far. They've only been doing it for a week maybe. Yes, I think they have enjoyed it or I hope so. I was serious when I told my friend that if they need a volunteer to select or even suggest titles, I'm available. LOL
DeleteI did some of the grab bags my library was doing and it was so fun! I found a couple of books I had never heard of and ended up really enjoying it. Looks like you got a good bunch of books! Murder on the Orient Express can ALWAYS be reread. I think I pick up new details every time I read it. It would be so fun to put these together.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I remember that you did one of these and mentioned it recently. And that's part of why I decided to try it. Yes, Murder on the Orient Express is a great choice and I've read it several times. I think they should put Sleeping Murder on their list, right?
DeleteI think this is a marvelously fun idea. I'm happy that it worked so well for you. Let's see what you think about the books that were chosen once you read them.
ReplyDeleteI think there was an app that I used sometimes to help kids find their next books. I can't remember the name of it, though.
Yes, I thought this was a good idea and I already had one of our mystery group members ask me how she could do it. Told her she'd have to get a library card at this small library, but I think she's going to investigate that. These days, anything that brings joy is so positive, right?
DeleteOmg I love this grab-bag idea! I hope more libraries adopt the idea. I'd say this library did very well as well!
ReplyDeleteMy library finally opened for holds pickup and that basic service feels like a luxury right now. I cannot wait for all this to blow over so that we can continue to enjoy these little joys, this time without taking any of it for granted.
Athira, I think I've heard of other libraries trying this, so I wouldn't be surprised if more don't at least think about it. It might be more difficult in a large library system, but I don't really know why it would be. It only involves books that are on the shelf at that moment. Enjoy your library's hold pickup - who knew that would be a luxury, right?
DeleteWhat a fun idea! I wouldn't be able to read that many in 3 weeks, or would I...With a deadline, I bet I could do it.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely a fun idea. Hey, they are from the Cedar Park Library and they let you renew a book 6 times if no one else has it on hold. You can have it out for 18 weeks potentially - less pressure to finish quickly. LOL
DeleteThat sounds like so much fun. I would love to be the one choosing books for others. I've read a few of your books. Our library has been open for curbside pick up the last few weeks. Last week they opened for browsing and check-out. You have 30 minutes and they limit the amount inside. Of course you have to wear a mask and use self-check out, which is touch less for the most part. For me going into the library is like going into a candy store!! They also will continue to renew unless someone has requested the books.
ReplyDeleteNise', your library sounds very much like the library where I got the 'Grab-bag'. They have curbside and also special hours for older or immune-compromised people. They also have the browsing for up to 30 minutes (masks required) and self-check is also required. And the renewals are automatic up to 6 as long as no one else requests the book. Like you, I've gone inside just to look at books on the shelf for a few minutes. I find it very soothing and there have been almost no patrons inside when I've been there - maybe 4 or 5 total in the building.
DeleteSuch a fun idea! I've only read the first and last as well. I hope you enjoy these :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to see what they would come up with. I recommend this to all.
DeleteKay what a cool idea! I love that they are doing this and hopefully a lot of people will discover new authors. I have not checked out APL since lockdown and probably won't be the rest of the year but so glad they are doing this. Stay safe and enjoy your new reads.
ReplyDeleteIliana, this was the Cedar Park Library not the Austin Library. This is probably better suited to a small library, but honestly, if the APL used only the books on the shelf in a branch, it would work for them too.
DeleteI just bought Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions. The author and the book sound delightful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNan, I really hope you like it. I think there will be a new book in the series later this year. I haven't started this copy yet.
DeleteWhat a cool feature! I'm surprised you only received two that you'd already read.
ReplyDeleteI was a little surprised about that too. Ha!
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