2-23-2024
Today is my two-year anniversary as Library Director and
more than second birthday. Soon after I started, a gentleman donated several
brown paper bags of DVDs from MasterClasses he had purchased. Memory tells me
most were science related, though I seem to remember thinking a few were
interesting which probably means they were history. Regardless of topic, Miss
Nancy theorized that the represented quite a bit of money.
Today, MasterClass streams its content from a website. The
pricing model has also changed. Rather than pay per classes, they charge an
annual membership fee of $120. (Actually, their site reads, “Starting at
$10/month”) Another option for Prairie Lakes Library System patrons is to sign
up for of the 4,000 free 1-year licenses provided to us through the MasterClass
Grants program. A link to the sign-up form is available on the home page of our
new website.
The MasterClass website shows they still offer science
courses such as Space Exploration with Chris Hadfield, formerly an astronaut
and commander of the International Space Station. All of their classes consist
of fairly short videos created by experts in the field. Science topics also
include Gut Health, The Science of Better Sleep, and Think Like an FBO Profiler
among others.
Other categories of topics include Business, Wellness, Food,
Writing, Home & Lifestyle, Community and Government, Sports & Gaming,
Arts & Entertainment, Design & Style, and Music. Next week I’ll be at
Disney World with my daughter and her Dance Team. The only item on my must do
list is at least one meal at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant, so his cooking class
does appeal to me. More than Gordon
Ramsey’s anyway. I don’t think he would yell on the videos, but never assume.
There really is a wide variety of topics. Explore their
website, and if they sound interesting, all you need is an internet ready
device and a library card.
Last week I set a short-term goal of finishing our autumn
puzzle from, well, autumn. Nobody else was home at my house Thursday night, so
it is done. Our current puzzle is a book
store. We’re not taking any chances with a season puzzle right now. General
consensus is that it looks like Ink Link. Both are warm and inviting with
beautiful shelving units and murals. This one won’t take nearly as long. Stop in
to see it before it’s too late.
Reading Now: A
Killer in the Family by Gytha Lodge, 1984 by George Orwell
Listening to Now: Hounded by Kevin
Hearne (First book in Iron Druid Chronicles)
