Category: Library news

Goodbye

- Ann Leave a comment

When you read this post, I will have retired from the Davenport Public Library on April 11th.  I worked at the library 46 years and 8 months. I’ve worn myny hats, from student worker to reference supervisor. In between I worked customer service, acquisitions, drove the bookmobile, was library clown and other duties as required. It has been a wonderful career with many adventures. I have met wonderful people and worked with a great staff. Many of the librarians i worked with in my early years at the library taught me to be professional, treat all people with respect and keep my sense of humor. I have seen many changes in the library, from one building and a bookmobile to 3 active libraries, from card catalogs to online library systems, from Recordex machines to self checks. All the changes have helped serve the library user well while still creating a welcoming place.

Thank you all for my grand experience.

Rita Specht

Farewell Friend

- Ann 3 Comments

RitaWe’re going to take a brief break in our regular blogging to bid Farewell and Thank You to one of our greatest supporters and contributors. Our Rita will be retiring as of today and moving on to new adventures.

Just about anybody who has used the Davenport Library has probably been helped by Rita. She began her career as a page here in 1967, working in various departments while continuing her education, including her Master’s Degree in Library Science. She’s worked in the Reference Department for many years, the last several as Reference Supervisor. Rita’s the librarian that orders DVDs and Books-on-CD for the library, and has blogged about the upcoming DVDs and her favorite books-on-CD since the blog began.  She’s also been active in the Bi-State Literacy Council and is a long-time volunteer for the John Deere Classic.

Everyone who knows Rita – and Rita is the type of person that everyone knows! – has a great story about her. I can pretty much guarantee you that nearly all of those stories highlight her generous spirit, her great sense-of-humor and her loyalty to her friends.

Thanks Rita, for all the good times and all your hard work! Have a great retirement!

I Read Banned Books.

- Ann Leave a comment

Here at the Davenport Public Library, we are celebrating our freedom to read during Banned Books Week by reading frequently challenged and banned books.  From September 22nd until the 28th, we encourage you to stop by one of the DPL locations and pick up one of the books that have been banned or challenged at libraries across the country.  We will have many of the books on display, and as always, stop by the reference desk and we’ll help you find the book you need.  You might be surprised to find one of your favorites on the list.

The 10 most frequently challenged books of 2012:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Scary Stories Series by Alvin Schwartz, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, Beloved by Toni Morrison