How Should Public Libraries Increase Their Services While COVID is Still a Problem?

There was a recent article in the Wall Street Journal stating that the Brooklyn Public Library will bring reading rooms outdoors.  Does this do patrons much good as they can always go to a park and read there as NYC Parks do have access to Wifi?  Patrons will still not be allowed to browse the stacks. The three public library systems in NYC have a grab-and-go system where patrons can go online and order items that will be delivered to the patron's home branch.  This procedure does work but is somewhat cumbersome as items must be delivered.  A patron can search the library's catalog and limit it to their home branch.  I suggest that if a patron finds an item in their home branch, they can present the title and call number to a page who will retrieve the item.

The Research Libraries of NYPL are still closed to the public.  There are millions of print resources that are not available online.  My suggestion is to allow researchers to make appointments as the documents will be retrieved in advance while the patron can come into the library to read it.  A limited number of people can use this service to allow for social distancing.

I applaud the efforts of public libraries in providing more online resources during the pandemic.

 

Blood in My Eyes by Bob Dylan

 

This is an excellent video of Bob Dylan as he actually singing the song.  You can even see him give autographs as he walks through the streets of London.   Blood in My Eyes appeared on the album World Gone released in 1993.  Laura Tenschert discussed the song and the video on the episode of Definitely Dylan on February 28.

I Returned to the College Point Multiplex Today

I must have seen hundreds of movies at the College Point Multiplex since it opened in 1999.  I have regularly noted in this journal that mass appeal films aimed at a younger audience are usually shown here, but I like going there since it is within walking distance of home.

Of course, all movie theaters in NYC have been closed since last March but were allowed to reopen with 25% capacity.  Of course, I had to go there today.  There wasn't a good selection of films, so I chose Chaos Walking.  It is a sci-fi fantasy movie taking place in the year 2257.  To be brief it takes place in a new planet with no women. Daisy Ridley plays the only woman to arrive on this planet.

I don't recommend it for senior citizens, but it was good to go to a movie theater for the first time in a year.

Review in the New York Times.

Good Times, Bad Times by The Rolling Stones - Thinking About the Past

 

All of a sudden this song by the Rolling Stones that appeared on the album 12 X 5 came to me.  There are good times and bad times all everyone's lives.  That certainly applies to marriage.  Karen and I had some bad times in our 37 years of marriage, but we persevered.  In this era where about half of all marriages end in divorce, staying married till death did us part is a major accomplishment.

There Should Be Term for All Federal and State Offices

 

I usually don't comment on political issues, but here I go.  Elected officials often act in an arrogant manner once they have been in office for a long time.  Andrew Cuomo is a perfect example of an elected official being a bully after 10+ years in office.  Here are my suggestions:

• All New York State executives and legislators are limited to two 4-year terms.
• U.S. Representatives be limited to two 4-year terms with their elections held when there is no presidential election.
• U.S, Senators be limited to two 6-year terms
• Supreme Court judges are limited to one 10-year term.

It is possible that changes will happen at the state level.  However, it will take an amendment to the U.S. Consitution for anything to change at the federal level.  I doubt if 75% of the states would approve this.

I Got The First COVID Vaccine Today with Excellent Service for the Walgreens in Downtown Flushing

 Persistence does pay off as I was able to get an appointment for the COVID Vaccine at the local Walgreens.  My biggest surprise was how efficient the service was at Walgreens in Flushing. My appointment was at 2:30 and I got the shot at 2:25.  It was over in a few seconds.  My appointment for dose 2 is on March 31 at Walgreens in College Point.  I am not familiar with that immediate area so I will have to take a drive over there to see if there is a parking problem there.  If so, I can take the Q20 bus there.  

I originally thought I would get my vaccination at Citi Field, but I could not get through.  Walgreens is actually more convenient.  I heard on the TV news that people had to wait for hours at Citi Field for their shot.  Hopefully, fans will be allowed in the stadium early in the 2021 season.  I certainly missed going to games last season.

Who's Zoomin' Who by Aretha Franklin - A 1985 Hit That Should be Heard on the Radio Today

 

Zoom in 1985 is not what Zoom is in 2021.  I think many people today have attended many Zoom meetings over the past year.  I have not heard this song by Aretha Franklin on the radio at all.  It peaked at #7 on the Billboard charts.  Does anybody know if the classic hits stations are playing this?