Reader's Exchange : Readers Exchange, City of Round Rock

Whether you have one subject or millions

Linda Sappenfield — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:18:00 GMT

The King's Speech could be one of the best horror movies ever. King George VI, forced to address audiences of millions despite having a noticeable stutter, surely experienced unimaginable dread before such occasions.

The film conveys the terror of the king's predicament; he could clearly foresee the extent of criticism and disappointment generated by each turn at the microphone.

Another scary plight comes to mind--that of the internet communicator who doesn't realize the potential reach of those words just submitted online. Once a message or text is posted, it passes out of the writer's control. It may be copied, filed, forwarded, or otherwise disseminated far beyond the writer's intended scope.

Digital text may and frequently does take on a life of its own. With that daunting reality in mind, I sought advice from three City of Round Rock professionals upon whose guidance I depend: Will Hampton, Communication Director; Shannon McIntire, Information Specialist; and Brooks Bennett, Technology Specialist. I asked all three to share the resource or inspiration that has proven most useful in shaping their communication styles:

WILL: "As a government professional, my writing style has been influenced the most by Hans and Annemarie Bleiker, citizen participation experts who have taught many of us city employees. Their website is http://www.ipmp.com/. People need to trust the information we provide them - be it on the website, in a newsletter, City Focus, script, etc. Personally, I've always been a fan of Hemingway. Simple and to the point is hard to beat in my book."
SHANNON: "I'd recommend Jakob Nielsen's article on How Users Read on the Web. Nielsen's focus is web usability--not writing--but his research on user behavior often involves determining which writing styles are most effective on websites, email, etc. His website has a lot of articles that involve writing for the web because research shows that improving the text on a website can dramatically increase its usability--probably more than any other single element."
BROOKS: "I really have enjoyed the Yahoo! Style Guide. Modern society has forced us to create and adapt to new words and terminology and the Yahoo! Style Guide makes doing so a little bit easier. It also takes into consideration the differences in writing for print and writing for the web - an issue we strive to do better with everyday."

A while ago, I responded via email to a library patron's local history question. My answer was addressed to that individual, but the letter--complete with my name and work contact information--is now displayed on the patron's website. Upon spotting my correspondence in its new iteration, two thoughts occurred to me: (1) Glad I proofread! and (2) Thank goodness, I, like King George VI, can access excellent advice.

Trash talk about overachievers

Linda Sappenfield — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:23:00 GMT

Driving to work today, I smilingly observed my subdivision's latest décor upgrade. Even amid the holiday displays, my gaze was drawn to the symmetry, precision, and pleasing arrangement of--the trash cans. It's not just that they all match now; City of Round Rock crews replace those brown containers at consistent proximity to the curb, facing exactly the same angle, with lids identically posed.

Proceeding through on the way to 620, I had to appreciate the orderly pattern of these outsized bins. I suspect that my home isn't the only one harboring evidence of ongoing holiday fuss and not-quite-there-yet readiness for the coming weekend. But you'd never suspect disarray when viewing our waste receptacles; they're channeling the Rockettes.

Round Rock Refuse is clearly operating in top form. As a fellow City employee (though one who's contributed nothing whatever to the efficiency of trash pickup), I appreciate their success unreservedly.

If only I felt the same way about all high achievers. Some merely inspire jealousy.

Steve Martin, for example, recently published another great fiction title, An Object of Beauty, to critical praise; it's in Amazon's Top 100. Apparently, Martin needed to fill the deep void left by successful careers in comedy, music, and acting. Perhaps hoping to avoid typecasting as merely a renowned singer, movie actress, and stage performer, Barbra Streisand authored My Passion for Design. It, too, is in Amazon's Top 100, along with Amy Sedaris' wacky sendup of craft/better living guides, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People.

Actor James Franco (Spiderman) is attracting attention with Palo Alto, a short story collection. Celebrities Nichole Ritchie and Lisa Rinna both have new novels out, as does William Whitbeck. When he's not authoring titles like To Account for Murder (which the New York Journal of Books terms "a stunning debut") Whitbeck has a day job as Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

As one who has yet to achieve either celebrity or authorship, I am relieved to know that the list of multitasking literary show-offs is short, unless you count National Book Award winner Patti Smith, Barack Obama, Tony Hawk, Andre Agassi, Tom Brokaw, Keith Richards, Jon Stewart...

The accidental book blurb

Linda Sappenfield — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:26:00 GMT

I can't be the only librarian who fears acting like a stereotype and so downplays my zeal for literature to avoid excessive conversational references to you-know-what. I suspect others do, too. No one wants to be a cliche, and we do have other interests. Besides all that, we were raised right.

Good manners dictate that we not continually accost folks with forthcoming reviews and author updates, but be warned: enthusiasm bubbles just beneath the polite surface of the average librarian, and should you inquire whether we've read any good books lately, we never interpret the question as rhetorical.

Arriving early for a meeting last week, I sneaked in a chapter of Cathy Marie Buchanan's new The Day the Falls Stood Still, only to be caught in the act of stashing it back into my huge handbag. From the seat behind me came, "Sorry, but I just have to know what you're reading!" With seconds to spare before the presider reached the platform, I whisked the book up into face-forward position and reeled off a few hasty comments explaining (I hope) my absorption in it.

If the inquirer loves historical fiction (especially American and early 20th century), Buchanan's book would be perfect for her, better still if the reader is concerned about environmental issues. Niagara Falls is very much a character in the story, as the debate over how to appropriately harness the rapids for hydroelectric power plays out amid one family's reversal of fortunes, Canada's role in World War I, and more than one young romance. Central characters Bess, with her privileged upbringing, and Tom, grandson of a heroic riverman of near-mythic reputation, are a magnetic couple.

Halfway through my instant book blurb, I suddenly recalled that Lauren Belfer's City of Light, published a few years ago, offers similar appeal: the Falls/hydroelectric power element, compelling narration, nicely integrated historical details.

This appropriate thought was quickly succeeded by a superficial one: what if I hadn't brought a well-written, lovely volume straight from the library's "New Fiction" display and instead had to explain to a stranger a grimy, tattered edition of mediocre prose? Doesn't this scenario harken back to your mother's classic admonition to wear your best underwear in case you're in an accident? If you remember that one, it's a sure sign that you were raised right.

Everything in moderation, especially cats

Linda Sappenfield — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:49:00 GMT

You can spot library staffers by their official City of Round Rock badges. Otherwise, we're not easily identifiable for anyone expecting a crew of cardigan and sensible shoe-clad ladies of a certain age. Some library folks are male, many are young, and no one wears a bun (you're more likely to spy the occasional tattoo). We'll admit to some stereotypical behavior: a few in our midst require the classic librarian bifocals; we often try to work in a couple of chapters during lunch breaks; and we discuss and consume considerably more literature than the average work group.

But that's where we draw the line. No one owns a dozen-plus cats or spends much time alphabetizing our home bookshelves. A typical day, evening, or weekend off for us is likely to involve hiking, bicycyling, marathon running, playing soccer, serving on museum boards and committees, planning weddings, writing a dissertation, keeping up with children's or grandchildren's activities, or undertaking ambitious DIY projects--for starters. So, when we carve out time to read, we read fast, and we choose well!

These titles have earned places in our busy lives this week:

Nick Bantock's Griffin & Sabine trilogy
The Gardner Heist: The Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Ulrlich Boser
Magician: Apprentice by Raymond Feist
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Shakey: Neil Young's Biography by Jimmy McDonough
The Facilitative Leader in City Hall by James Savra
The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit
The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper
The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
I'm Not Hanging Noodles on Your Ears and Other Intriguing Idioms from Around the World by Jag Bhalla
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson
John Dillinger: Public Enemy #1
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
Sam Bass and Gang by Rick Miller
The Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality by Barbara Bradley