:)

Love of books inspires gift

Take a moment to read a story about a librarian, a book, a group of eager readers, and someone's a donation that will lead to much fun and learning.

A happy outcome to a news story, for a change

Blind man struck by subway says dog 'saved my life'

and even better...

Donations allow blind man to keep the dog that saved him

Williams fainted at the 125th Street platform in Manhattan on Tuesday, and as he tumbled forward, Orlando landed in the tracks alongside him. Orlando tried to rouse Williams, who was unconscious. They lay there as the train passed above them.

Both survived. But because Orlando is slated to retire in January, and Williams' insurance won't pay for a non-working dog, they would have had to part ways. Now, thanks to several anonymous donations to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, all of Orlando's expenses will be covered.

"Orlando is my best buddy, he’s my pal," said Williams at an emotional press conference at St. Luke's Hospital where he was being treated for minor injuries. "He’s taken me on the trains, the buses – everywhere I need to go ... He’s a very gentle gentleman."

Do you remember

my post on Rachel Beckwith, whose desire to help others have clean water led to a birthday fundraising campaign, and whose untimely death at the age of 9 spurred me to help make her dream possible by donating a small amount of money to charity:water back in 2011? Rachel's campaign helped make 143 water projects in Ethiopia possible, giving 37,770 people access to clean water. The organisation ties donations to each project, and when it is completed, reports back to the donor, giving a disclosure of location and other information regarding the project. My $20 was put with money from others and was used to drill a well in May Aewaf village in Ethiopia, with 400 men, women, and children gaining access to clean water. It was only $20, but it did do some good, and kept alive a memory of a small girl who chose to help people over birthday presents. I'm glad to have been a part of it.

One of the things about charity:water I like is that their overhead is taken care of through private donations but the donations from the public go straight to building water projects, so 100% of your gift goes directly to help. They score four stars (the highest) on Charity Navigator overall, with a total score of 67.32 out of 70, and a 70 (the max) on accountability and transparency. If you're looking to give, they're a very good cause.

Here is a news story that ran shortly after her death in July of 2011:

After girl's death, selfless act lives on

For her 9th birthday last month, Rachel Beckwith told people that instead of giving her presents, they should donate to a charity providing clean water to families in developing nations.

The Seattle-area girl came up with $220, short of her $300 goal. She figured she’d try to raise more money next year.

Then came the crash.

Rachel died Saturday, taken off life support at a Seattle hospital three days after she and six other people were injured in a 14-vehicle pileup on Interstate 90 near her home in Bellevue, Washington, CNN affiliate KOMO reported.

There's a page at charity:water that shows the impact of Rachel's gift. One child. One life. Lots of inspiration, and lots of people inspired. It's amazing how one person can impact many lives, for good or for bad. Rachel chose to help others. I wish she had been able to grow up, with such a kind heart and great potential.

Up a little early

I'd actually shot for 6 am to get a little cleaning done, but managed to wake up a little before seven, so I have about a half an hour or so before I'm normally up. I took the two pairs of crutches I'm donating to the hospital (I certainly can't use them, even when I'm hurt, as I have no upper body strength) to the car. I also took the magazines I'm going to donate to the Marines (there's a box in the mailroom at work for donations) out as well. I think I may stop by Office Depot on the way to work this morning and get some laminating sheets for my pool exercises that the physical therapist typed out for me. That way I can take it to the pool. I may not make it there this weekend, but I hope to start next week, plus maybe walk for a few minutes there, all with the okay of the therapist. I don't think I should do any weight-lifting as of yet.

Well, Office Depot opens at 8 am, and I have to be at work shortly after, so I should go get ready. Have a great day, and T.G.I.F.!

Philanthropy Friday #4

National Marrow Donor Program Be the Match Foundation: $10

Like I wrote before, I'd been on the Bone Marrow Donor Registry for years but had to go off when I went on insulin, because my health would be impacted should I be called to donate. They understandably take a conservative approach to ensure the health of donors as well as recipients.

But that doesn't mean I can't help in other ways. I'm in between paycheques this week so it's a small donation, but every little bit helps. This donation helps research, recruiting donors, and providing aid to patients who need help with medical expenses.

What could help even more is that YOU could sign up to be a marrow donor. One way to do so is tell them at the blood bank next time you go to donate blood. They'll take an extra phial and your sample's information will be added to the registry. That's how I got to be a donor. Or you can go to NMDP's web page for more information. Especially consider doing so if you are a member of a minority or of mixed race, if your health is good, because there are fewer donors registered who match for these people needing a transplant. Be sure to spread the word about marrow donation as well.

It occurs to me

that I totally missed a post for Philanthropy Friday. Indeed, I did not donate this past week. I'll figure out whether I want to try to double up this week to make up for it or extend the timeframe beyond a year. I'm leaning towards the former. Also, in the next few weeks I'm going to have a reduction in my take home pay so I'm not entirely sure how much I can donate. We'll see. It's a great idea but harder than you might think.

Awww (and it's not an animal post)

Six-Year-Old Sends Her Allowance to Keep Libraries Open

Dear Library,

I want to share my allowance money so you can stay open. I am 6 years old. Here is $11. (as dictated to mom, aka scribe). Ani.

How sweet!

The Seattle Public Library has an anonymous donor who is willing to give $500,000 if they can raise matching funds. To donate, go to the Seattle Public Library Foundation website. Help them make a million dollars! Thanks to GrayArcadian at LISNews for the story.

Haiti disaster relief--a worthy cause

Normally when I spotlight a particular disaster, I do what I can to inform people of organisations willing to help, but can't afford to donate myself. But I got paid today and it was a good cheque due to working double time on New Year's Day, so I made contributions to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (they have a team there normally, but their facilities were damaged and their personnel and patients may be hurt; they're sending reinforcements to help) and the American Red Cross (material aid is on the way from the Panama; an initial $200,000 has been pledged but will surely increase).

Latest reports say that Port-au-Prince is devastated and that as many as 3 million people have been affected by the quake.

Please do what you can to help the victims of this disaster. I didn't donate much, really, but my donation taken with the many others that are made make all the difference.

A dramatic gesture

The Consumer Product Safety Act, despite a deadline delay, is still very much in the news, as evidenced by the following:



Library Director Barbara Hegr holds a sheet covering about 1,000 books removed from the shelves of the children’s library of the Morton James Public Library in Nebraska. Photo by Dan Swanson, used under a non-commercial Creative Commons licence.

Librarian quarantines books

The Act limits access to materials for children under twelve to protect them from items containing or suspected of containing lead. According to the article, although the Consumer Product Safety Commission suspended the deadline for one year, they also said that penalties would not be imposed for libraries distributing 'ordinary children’s books printed after 1985'. So the books under the sheets are this library's pre-1985 copyright books, quarantined until it can be determined when they were actually printed.

For another take on things, though, read Stop! New law doesn't require book burning (but also be sure to read the comments for stories of what libraries and thrift shops are doing in these people's hometowns)--thanks to Steven of Library Stuff for the link.

It should be interesting to see what other librarians are doing over the next few months, or whether the law will be revisited with an exemption for libraries. I think we agree that testing library collections themselves for lead is cost-prohibitive and unwieldy. It's probably not much better for the publishers.

Although I am a medical librarian and normally wouldn't be affected, I also deal with an early literacy project that involves buying new books from a publisher (fortunately only one), but also we get donations of gently used books (and toys, and all other sorts of things--we're a children's hospital, after all). This may be an issue. I'd hate to think we weren't able to use donations because of a slim chance of lead contamination in a book. The children I serve with the literacy project are 6 months to five years old, too, so firmly in this age group and at the highest risk for lead-related complications.

I hope this gets resolved in a way that can protect children without preventing them from learning. Some of the books we get through donation are out of print and may become childhood favourites.

Thanks to Bibliofuture of LISNews.org for the link to the story on quarantining books.

A donation form letter many librarians would like to write

The Well Dressed Librarian: of course its cashmere: Letters, Form

Okay, really going to bed this time. It's almost 4:30 am!!!