Who Will Be Crowned The Winner?

The contestants have spoken...they've showed us their baby pictures, waxed poetically about Millennium, showed us a secret talent, and attended a few training classes!

Now it's your turn. Cast your vote below for who you think should be crowned Mr. or Ms. Millennium. The coronation will take place on Tuesday, March 11 at the "Thank God It's Over" Party.

In case you've missed it, here's what our candidates have done.

Dave Archer
On record saying"If elected Mr. Millennium, I will favor the incentive-laden approach such as: ‘Return a book on time, get a hug.’" Also told us of an authority-records obsession, a love of Junior Mints, and how excited he was by the staff's Millennium enthusiasm.

Deb Lindahl
She transformed to a goddess of the silver screen, developed a Clem Kadiddlehopper affection for Millennium, and revealed a crush on Mr. Rogers. She once said, "Millennium is like the little words shown on the screen at a Stars Wars movie. You know? You have to see dimensional letters fading to small in the background and large in the foreground. Or like Star Trek, 'Beam me up, Scotty!' Yipes!"

Katie Oakes
We were entranced with her extraordinary talent of falling asleep instantaneously. When she told us her nickname was Crash, we believed it...especially when she told us she would like to "be an Oscar Mayer Wiener, because everyone will be in love with me." Her catchphrase, "It's better than chocolate, and fat free: Millennium!" is sure to be caught on throughout the library.


Vote below!

Evasive Talent

According to a certain artist, Dave Archer can dodge questions like Keanu Reeves dodges bullets. Not one to believe "artists", we put this talent to the test. So, we went where no one has dared to go. We've asked the MOST personal questions to Mr. Millennium Contestant Dave Archer...aka Mr. Evasive. Below is an actual excerpt from the conversation--we know you will be amazed at his answering techniques...

Dave, do you have a girlfriend?

I care deeply for nature - ostriches in particular. Which makes my wearing of these ostrich-skin boots all the more heartless.

How much money do you make?

Accepting a salary would disqualify me for NSLS Volunteer of the Millennium award. I’m told that I am fortunate, however, to be the only staff member exempt from overdue fines.

What do you think of your boss?
My boss defies the rules by selling the steak AND the sizzle!

What’s your favorite food?

Whatever food product is in slot #3 of the staff lounge vending machine – it takes those pesky Canadian Loonies don’t ya know.

What’s your stance on overdue fines?

If elected Mr. Millennium, I will favor the incentive-laden approach such as: ‘Return a book on time, get a hug.’

Do you believe in corporal punishment for people who dog-ear pages in library books?

I’m more concerned about those ‘gently-used’ earbuds returned with the PlayAways.

What’s the gross national product of Djibouti?

741. The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects.

Is the sky blue?

There is no such color as blue.

What color is your shirt?
Blue.

What’s the date today?

If elected Mr. Millennium, today will be the best day of my life.

So, do you think he has the talent it takes to be Mr. Millennium? Comment!

As Fabulous as Millennium

The incredibly talented Deb L. possesses the astounding ability to transform herself before our very eyes. On Halloween, you may have seen her transformation from lovely library lady to Thrift Store Bag Lady. Today, witness her transforming to the opposite end of the glamour spectrum -- to goddess of the silver screen.

The competition's heating up in the Mr. / Ms. Millennium contest. Who will be the winner? You decide!

Amazing Talents!

No matter where she is, or what she's doing, Mr./Ms. Millennium Candidate Katie Oakes can fall asleep instantaneously!

It's an art form first cultivated right here at the Cook Memorial Public Library District. Since discovering her unique talent, Katie has performed her amazing talent at the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, in the Oval Office, at the Emmys, and during an NFL game. Crowds near and far have been shocked at what some would call "an astounding feat".

According to one unnamed observer, Katie has a "real gift". Others say it's impossible to sleep undisturbed in such extreme conditions--yet after witnessing Katie's talents, admitted that "not only is it possible--but it's a miracle!"

Indeed, it is astonishing. But is it enough for Katie to win the Mr/Ms Millennium contest? You be the judge! Next week we will show you super talents from another contestant!

Mr/Ms Millennium Challenge #2

For the second part of the Mr/Ms Millennium Contest, we challenged our contestants to contact their inner-advertising spirit. We asked them to create an ILS slogan that we could use in public, that would get patrons excited to try Millennium. Our rules were simple:
the phrase can be short, long, asinine, funny, sweet, simple, bizarre, abstract, interesting, technical, inviting, invigorating...the possibilities were endless.

This is what the candidates came up with...

Katie Oakes:

It's better than chocolate, and fat free: Millennium!

Dave Archer:

I like “I heart Millennium.” Short & sweet. Another option is to incorporate some of the features of Millennium into the catchphrase. As you know, one of the features of Millennium is called ‘My Millennium’ which allows patrons to maintain reading lists, preferred searches, RSS feeds, manage reserves, etc. In the lead up to launch, we can promote ‘My Millennium Coming Soon’ or ‘Your Millennium Unveiled Valentine’s Day’ followed by ‘You’ll *heart it!’ (hmm...I think this is more than one slogan, Dave!)

Deb Lindahl:

Before Millennium, my life was like *Clem Kadiddlehopper...after Millennium, I am living like Sugar Kane from "Some Like it Hot!"
(*Baby Boomers will recognize this name from a clown character Red Skelton played way back when!)

What do you think? What's your favorite slogan? Or...can you think of a better slogan? Comment below!

Attend an Introduction to Millennium in December!

Can you believe there are 2 months, 2 weeks and 4 days until February 14th, when we go live with Millennium? There's a lot to do and even more to learn before Valentine's Day.

If you'd like a quick overview of Millennium, the IDT trainers will be presenting an Introduction to Millennium class in December. This class will give you a broad overview of the system and you'll leave with some exercises to try using Millennium for the first time at your desk.

Look for an email in the next two weeks with class times. The IDT trainers are excited to be teaching their first classes. I've told them they can rely on our staff to be prompt, attentive, and supportive.

The Mr./Ms. Millennium Contestants are especially excited to prove their mettle with the new system. You might feel a little like Katie in the photo above, but by the end of the Introduction, you'll feel as confident as she looks in the photo below. The system is intuitive and has a wealth of fantastic features. There's a lot to look forward to with Millennium!

“The training really got me excited about the types of features our patrons will be using in Millennium. This enthusiasm will be a great marketing tool as we get closer to February’s launch date.”

David Archer, Mr. Millennium Contestant

I can't wait to see what all the excitement has been about and I am anxious for the "Millennium to begin."

Katie Oakes, Ms. Millennium Contestant

The Moment You've Been Waiting For...

Sure, we thought we could fool you with a few baby pictures and some obscure questions about snacks.

Clearly, we were fooling ourselves. This staff knows each other too well! It wasn't too hard for fellow coworkers to tell who really loves Junior Mints, who can be found secretly watching trashy reality shows, and who would really like to be working with the late, great Mr. Rogers.

I'd like to congratulate Jeanne, Jane T., and Laura for being the first to correctly identify Dave Archer, Katie Oakes, and Deb Lindahl as our Mr./Ms. Millennium contests. You will be rewarded with a gift from the illustrious Bag O' Swag.

Stay tuned, as the contest is not done yet! Look for more Mr./Ms. Millennium challenges as we prepare to go-live with Millennium. During the month of February, we will open up the voting, letting you pick who will be crowned Mr./Ms. Millennium.

Mr./Ms. Millennium: Candidate #3

The moment you've been waiting for...Candidate # 3!

Basic Stats

Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Hobbies: Reading, of course. I'm also fascinated with fibers and fake furs
Favorite Book/Movie/Band: Gone With The Wind, Girl With A Pearl Earring, James Taylor
Personal Motto: Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is but a broken winged bird that cannot fly.
Nickname: Dooby Doo (NOT Scooby Doo!!)

Fill In The Blank
When I grow up, I wanted to be...a ballerina or a nightclub singer.

If I was a snack, I would be Cheetos, because they are cheesy, crunchy and leave an oddly interesting residue on your hands.

My favorite letter in the word Millennium is M/m because I love those peaks and bumps!

I like to snack alone because audible crunching makes me crazy!

If I had to choose between a sweet or salty snack, I would combine chocolate coated caramel corn with peanuts

I would love to work with Mr. Rogers (R.I.P).

The next place I'd love to travel to is Spain, Italy, or a completed cool library.

I wish I could stop shopping at thrift stores but I seriously can't.

I'm deathly afraid being lost in a car--even with a map, I have no sense of direction!

People don't know that I worked as a maid for a millionaire.

On a random Saturday afternoon, I can be found doing laundry, going to a movie matinee or traveling to a new place.

To me, Millennium is like the little words shown on the screen at a Stars Wars movie. You know? You have to see dimensional letters fading to small in the background and large in the foreground. Or like Star Trek, "Beam me up, Scotty!" Yipes!


And those are our candidates!

Think you know who the candidates are? Be the first to correctly identify a candidate and win a prize from the Bag of Swag! We'll reveal who the candidates are next Thursday...and how they are going to compete for the Mr./Ms. Millennium crown.

Mr./Ms. Millennium: Candidate #2

The moment you've been waiting for...Candidate # 2!

Basic Stats

Hometown: Born in San Diego, grew up in St. Louis
Hobbies: Shopping
Favorite Book/Movie/Band: The last one I read/saw. Anything Motown.
Personal Motto: If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Nickname: Crash.

Fill In The Blank
When I grow up, I wanted to be...Annie Oakley.

If I was a snack, I would be an Oscar Mayer Weiner, because everyone will be in love with me.

My favorite letter in the word Millennium is I because it's all about me.

I like to snack alone so that I won't have to share.

If I had to choose between a sweet or salty snack, I would go sweet

I would love to work with the Food Network's Paula Dean.

The next place I'd love to travel to is Thailand.

I wish I could stop watching trashy reality shows but I seriously can't.

I'm deathly afraid of needles.

People don't know that I want a tattoo but I'm a germaphobic.

On a random Saturday afternoon, I can be found at TJ Maxx.

To me, Millennium is the next step.

Know who it is? Comment! And, stay tuned for Candidate #3!

Mr./Ms. Millennium: Candidate #1

I'm pleased to introduce our first candidate in the Mr./Ms. Millennium Contest. Without further ado...meet Candidate #1!

Basic Stats
Hometown: Emeryville, CA
Hobbies: World peace
Personal Motto: Never Surrender (unless I need a nap)
Nickname: Prefer ‘T-Bone’ but most people call me ‘Koko.’

Fill In The Blank
When I grow up, I want(ed) to be….an architect

If I was a snack, I would be a Junior Mint because it's a little mint. It's a Junior mint! It's chocolate, it's peppermint-- it's delicious!

My favorite letter in the word Millennium is I because it’s very slimming on me and brings out my eyes.

If I had to choose between a sweet or a salty snack, I would…be inconsolable

I would love to work with ...cheddar cheese

I wish I could stop questioning authority records but I seriously can’t.

On a random Saturday afternoon, I can be found...tap dancing like a maniac in the frozen food isle at Jewel.

To me, Millennium is…sweet unadulterated bliss

Know who it is? Comment below! And stay tuned, because candidate #2 will be introduced on Tuesday!

Your Attention, Please

A very important contest will now commence.

Let's call it the Mr./Ms. Millennium Contest.

Contestants will compete each month, on the blogosphere, in a pageant of sorts.

This month, you'll meet the candidates. We'll show your their baby pictures and tell you a little bit about each contestant.

Next month, we'll watch as the contestants vie to win the "Surfing the Millennium" challenge. In December, our brave three will compete in a talent competition. And in January, the contestants will attempt to answer common reference questions using Millennium at breakneck speed.

Then things will start to get crazy. In February, you will be the judge. Vote early and often for your favorite candidate, the person who embodies the true spirit of Millennium. The winner will be crowned Mr. or Ms. Millennium, and will be entrusted with a super cool t-shirt and the power to reign supreme over the kingdom of Cook.

Are you ready to meet the contestants? Stay tuned.

Spectacular Snacktober Snacktacular!

Some of the races were close, but here's the winners from yesterday's Snacktacular!

Sweetest Snack
Cook: Heather's Pretzel Turtles
Evergreen: Julie Forslev's Autumn Cupcakes

Healthiest Snack
Cook: Nicole Bosak's Fantastic Cantaloupe
Evergreen: Deborah Gafka's Hotter Then Hell Hummus

Saltiest Snack
Cook: Winnie Collins' Roll Gold Pretzel Sticks
Evergreen: Pam Strain's Bunch of Nuts Mix

Prettiest Snack
Cook: Danielle Quist's "It's All About The Presentation" Bundt Cakes

Most Chocolate-y Snack
Cook: Bungy Lowry's Best Damn Chocolate Cake In The World
Evergreen: Arlene Lane's Orgasmic Brownies

Best Dip
Cook: Winnie Collins' Ranch Dip with Crosscut Vegetables
Evergreen: Craig Backe's Brother's Ex-Wife's Crab Dip

Most Fun Snack
Cook: Carol Zwolski's Chocolate With Hats and Pretzel Brooms
Evergreen: Sarah Simpson's Licorice Haunted House

Contests
Guess The M&M's
Jar 1: Cindy Ugaste
Jar 2: Michele Esteve

Words In The Word Millennium
Winnie Collins found 30 words in the Millennium!

Winners, come claim your prizes! We have certificates, rubber duckies, and fun Innovative prizes for everyone who won.

And...thank you to everyone who contributed to the Snacktober Snacktacular. As Barb Jarvis said, "It was a Spectacular Snacktacular!"