Saturday, August 19, 2017

This is What a Librarian Looks Like by Kyle Cassidy



This is a book that must be read by all. It has great pictures of individuals who are librarians. It covers the history as well as the individual essays of real people and their experiences using the library.

A library is more than just a depository for books.  There is so much more to the position of librarian. It is a job that needs to be done and an obligation. Many great and not so great people have moved through the system.

One librarian at the New York public library has said “I like my job because I get to make a positive impact in people’s lives every day!”

As for the inclusion of the internet into the library system Tawnya Shaw of the Henderson District Public Libraries has point out “Over half of all Americans still do not have internet access at home… Libraries offer these services, and many more, for free. Parents can take their children for free story time or access free databases for homework. Job seekers can receive one- on-one training and free resume help”

The book also carries thoughts from various writers about how the libraries have influenced their profession.

A library can offer a place to hang out for children while their parents are busy working. They are safer than street corners.

And the librarian is a collection of knowledge and will happily assess you in seeking knowledge. They are approachable and eager to enter your world.

Cassidy spend lots of time putting together this book and it shows. It is a very uplifting book.

A librarian from St. Helena Public Library in California has said “finding information isn’t like that old saying, ‘finding a needle in a haystack.’ It’s more like finding a needle in a stack of needles…that’s where librarian can help.”

Finding a book that offers a positive outlook is like finding a jewel beyond price.  I think everyone should make sure their library carries a copy of this book and that it is kept in circulation.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Finding Family by Richard Hill



In the days before the computer and the DNA testing the person seeking their birth parent was at a loss to finding their linage.

Some families kept the truth of adoption hushed up. It was so for Richard who was born in 1946 and until a physical before going away to college in 1964 had no idea he was adopted.  A slip by a doctor opened the door.

It wasn’t spoken of in the group he grew up in. His features were close to the people who raised him. He was never needing to know his past for the present circumstances.

But when he got married and had two children it became important.

He searched for records that were no longer there. He met many dead ends. It wasn’t easy. I guess the search for the truth of adoption isn’t an easy one. At least for Hill it wasn’t.

DNA, when he used it, was useful. It helped weed out the possibilities.

It leaves the question: is it worth it to seek an answer? If you don’t need it for medical proposes or genetic markers, is it worth it financially and psychologically? It cost Hill a lot of money to pursue. And by the time he started the search most of the records and the markers were slowly disappearing if not completely gone.   

The story is told layer by layer and only if you are interested in the subject of genealogy will you find it interesting. It is heavier than it should be which may be because Hill seems to have self-published this book, I suspect.

The push he gives at the finish to view his site--DNA-Testing-Advisor.com seems to be, I suspect, his purpose for writing this account.

This book is copyrighted in 2012. The website is still up. You can buy the book through that site.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Unknown Origin by Debra Levi Holtz


        

Most adoptees want to know who they are. The big question seems to be why was I given up? What was my birth mother like? Most adoptees do want to know and it has been easier lately to find out. There are steps to take to get copies of the birth certificate and the adoption papers.

Most people find their birth mother so that they can have a more accurate medical history and an idea of who they are

Some birth mothers don’t wish to be found.

It is heart breaking. But even harder is when a birth mother denies even having given birth.

Don’t say it can’t happen. It did for Debra Levi Holtz. And I would bet there are others out there.

She was fortunate to find a support group. And she has a supportive husband. But to not have a living birth mother who acknowledges your birth, that is hard.

Holtz is a reporter and writes a tale that keeps you reading on to see what happens next.

In her research, she finds her family of cousins and the classmates of her birth mother. They all agree the person who is the birth mother is a strange individual.

 They all had no idea of this individual having given birth, she had been so secretive, but they stand behind Holtz’s campaign to connect with the mother.

Intensive research and footwork and face to face contact went on.

Finally a point was reached where Holtz had to decide what to do with the facts. She had spent all this time verifying the truth. She had the documents and the photos. And still the birth mother refused to acknowledge the birth.

She decided to give up the attempt and send all the data to the birth mother.  It was finally acknowledged by Holtz that the photos and the research information no longer belonged to her.

Not all searches end up happy.