LIBRARY COLUMN

Updated 05.06.08

Starship Adventure Kick-Off

Parents, Attention! Plan to attend our Summer Reading Registration on Saturday, May 10, during library hours. Our 2008 Summer Reading will take place on Thursdays from June 12 through July 16. Parents should plan to register children in advance if possible by coming to our registration event Saturday. The summer schedule will have Pre-school and kindergarten age children attending the morning sessions with a parent or caregiver, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Children in grades 1-4 will have activities and special guest presentations during the afternoon session; from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Lunch and a Movie will take place from noon to 1:15 p.m. Teens will have their own special programs on a different day. It is not necessary to attend all sessions of the program. But children do need to be registered. Registration will also take place on opening day. For more information, contact Pat at the library.

Children’s Book Week

We will be celebrating Children’s Book Week from May 10 through May 17. We will be giving away children’s books, as well as featuring puzzles and other book related activities. Other goodies will be distributed at the CSX Health and Safety Fair on May 14. This week is sponsored by the Children’s Book Council. Their website, http://bookweekonline.com/landing.html, will allow children to vote for their favorite book, as well as participate in other on-line activities. This event has been traditionally held in November, but has been moved to a spring celebration. So cast your vote for books!

Happy Mother’s Day

Our display area features some books about mothers. Remember your mother this year with the gift of a favorite book. Books don’t need batteries, and can be used anywhere. They really are the gift that keeps on giving. Check our new book shelf for new titles.

Memorial Day Closing

We will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, on Monday, May 26. No items will be due on that day. If you plan on traveling over the holiday, you might want to consider renewing by telephone before you leave. Just call 743-6533, and leave your name on the message machine.

New Books

Recently received best-sellers include: Secrets, from romance writer Jude Devereaux; and Phantom Prey, by mystery author, John Sanford.

Reminder

Please do not put book donations in our book drop. These tend to jam up the book slot, and persons with library books are unable to return them.

Updated 04.29.08

Merry May

This week we gather round the Maypole to welcome in the fifth month of the year. May 1, or May Day, represents the rebirth of spring, fertility and natural beauty.  The day was celebrated in Elizabethan times by dancing merrily around a May Pole decorated with flowers and ribbons. Many school children still leave May baskets of flowers and ribbons at hospitals and nursing homes in celebration of May’s arrival. Other May holidays include Lei Day (May 1 in Hawaii), Cinco de Mayo (May 5 in Mexico), Mother’s Day (May 11), Armed Forces Day (May 17), and Memorial Day (May 26 and May 30). May 12 through May 17 is also Children’s Book Week, and the library will be giving away books to all children visiting the library that week. For more about any of these celebrations visit the library and check out the displays.

Summer Reading Kick-Off and Registration

Our Summer Reading Registration for “Starship Adventure @ Your Library” will take place on Saturday, May 10, during library hours. Summer Reading will take place on Thursdays from June 12 through July 16. Parents should plan to register children in advance if possible. It is not necessary to attend all sessions of Summer Reading.  Pre-school and kindergarten age children should attend the morning sessions with a parent or caregiver. Children in grades 1-4 will have activities and special guest presentations during the afternoon sessions. Information and daily schedules will be available during the May 10 registration session.

Slam Thanks

Our first every Poetry Slam and Coffee House was a resounding success!  What a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month! If you missed this year’s, there is a rumor that it might become an annual event. Special thanks to members of the library’s Teen Advisory Group – Cody Lewis, Amanda Erwin, Dione Wilson, Derek Sewerd, and advisors  Pat Barraclough and Lori Ann Wright; the UCHS Key Club, Amy Edwards, and Gale Clark and the UCHS Culinary Arts students.

Audio and Video Rotation

We have received our quarterly rotation of audio books and videos/DVDs from the Watauga Regional Library. New DVDs include: Premonition; The Kingdom; Ratatouille; Blades of Glory; and Evan Almighty. New books on CD include: Absolute Friends, by John Le Carre; Back When We Were Grownups, by Anne Tyler; Death in Vienna, by Daniel Silva; Last Precinct, by Patricia Cornwell; Lucky Man, by Michael J. Fox; and Wish You Well, by David Baldacci.

New Books

James Patterson’s latest is Sundays at Tiffany’s. Also new is Secrets, by Jude Devereaux.

Updated 04.22.08

Calling All Cool Cats!

The first ever Poetry Slam and Coffee House will be presented by the UCPL Teen Advisory Group (TAG) on Friday April 25. This premier event will be held at the library, at 7:00 p.m. The cost for tickets is $2.00. Refreshments such as cappuccinos and coffee will be available for purchase during the event. A beat/bohemian theme will be followed as aspiring poets recite their work before a sympathetic and appreciative audience.  It is National Poetry Month, so come and share your poetry with your friends. Thanks to the UCHS Key Club and Drama Club members for helping with this event. For more information, contact Pat at the library, 743-6533. And if you haven’t yet written a poem, stop by the library for poetry tips and write your poem on the spot!

Earth Day

 Earth Day is April 22, and we are reminded of all the things we need to do to preserve our planet. Stop by the library and check out the displays and information on recycling, green energy, and endangered species. Thank you to the Unicoi County Health Department for their contributions in support of Earth Day. Here are some things you can do to help Mother Earth:

          -Plant a tree or spring flowers

          -Plant an organic vegetable garden

          -Pick up litter around your neighbor hood

          -Recycle everything possible

          -Use non-fossil or renewable fuels such as wind or solar power                         

          -When you are out in the forest take only pictures and leave only footprints

Lastly, remember to observe Earth Day every day of the year.

New Books

Recently received best sellers include: Quicksand, by Iris Johansen; The Forbidden, by Beverly Lewis (large print); The Whole Truth, by David Baldacci; and Santa Fe Dead, by Stuart Woods.

Upcoming Events

          The library will be participating in the following events:

                   -May 3, Woman’s Health Day, at Wal-Mart

                   -May 14 – CSX Annual Health and Safety Fair – Armory

          May 10 – Summer Reading Registration and Kick-off- Library

Audio-Visual Rotation

Our spring rotation of audio and video items from the Watauga Regional Library will take place on Thursday, April 24. Watch for new, popular DVDs, books on CD, and MP3 books.

Updated 04.15.08

National Library Week

This year, National Library Week marks its 50th anniversary with the theme “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library®.” All types of libraries—school, public, academic and special—participate. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.  This year’s National Library Week honorary chair is the beloved entertainer and author Julie Andrews, known for her roles in such classic movies as “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins,” and such books as Thanks to You—Wisdom from Mother and Child and The Great American Mousical. National Library Week runs from April 13-19. During the week we will be giving away children’s books at the library. Adults may register for a book drawing to be held on Saturday, April 19. We will also be promoting our Summer Reading Program and Teen Activities during this week as well as throughout the rest of the month.

Poetry Slam and Coffeehouse

Our Teen Advisory Group is planning a Coffee House Poetry Slam for Friday, April 25. Poets may share their literary creations with other poets and fans as well as enjoy homemade cappuccinos and other coffees. If you are interested in participating either as a spectator or poet, contact Pat at the library.  The fun will start at 7 p.m., at the library. Cost is $2 for either poets or fans.

Summer Reading Registration

Registration for Summer Reading will take place on Saturday, May 10, during library hours. In keeping with our outer space theme, “Starship Adventure @ Your Library” we may have a visit from some Klingons of Star Trek fame. Find out more about our visitors soon!

Satellite Dish Needed

Do you have one of those great big old satellite dishes cluttering up your yard? The library is looking for some to construct a “starship” for Summer Reading. Please contact Pat at the library if you might be able to donate one.

Board Meeting

The Library Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, April 17, in the library. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m.

Wireless Catalog

You may now access our on-line catalog and your library patron record with your handheld wireless device (Blackberry, Trio, etc.). This service is called AIRPAC. The address for AIRPAC is http://libraries.etsu.edu/airpac. You will need your library card number to access the catalog. Never again need you have an overdue book!

Updated 04.08.08

Computer Advice

Recently, several issues have come up in our beginning computer classes. We would like to share some our advice for new computer users. First of all, if you are giving a computer to a senior parent or other relative keep in mind what works for you might not be the best idea for your parent or grandparent. While the laptops are fast, slim and sleek, and loaded with all the latest bells and whistles, is it the best machine for someone with “old” eyes? The keyboards on laptops are smaller than a regular keyboard. Further, newer laptops don’t have a mouse unless you buy one to plug in externally. Persons with arthritis, or who have limited typing ability, will be better off with a standard “tower” desk top. In addition, seniors do better with a larger monitor. A 17- or 19-inch flat-panel monitor is the best. Finally, remember to take lots of time to show your relative the basics of computer operation. Your gift to them will be of little value if they are not able to use it.

April Fools

While we are not “fooling around” in this column, we did note several jokes in both newspapers and on the internet. One of the most elaborate hoaxes was put forth by the folks at Google. They set up an entire business project dealing with the colonization of Mars, called Virgle (being a partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Google.) Please be advised this was a joke, even though it appeared real enough, right down to the stock offerings.

Thank You

Thank you to the Unaka Piecemakers Quilt Club for their donation of the book 24-Hour Quilts in memory of Viola Cooper; and the book Grandma’s Best Full-Size Quilt Blocks, in memory of Fern Buchanan. Thank you also to Doris Alford, Leah Whitson, and Robert Senter for their donations in memory of Lucille Bogart; and to Betsy Smith for her donation in memory of Louise Deal.

Coming Up

Our Teen Advisory Group is planning a Coffee House Poetry Slam for Friday, April 25. If you are interested in participating either as a spectator or poet, contact Pat at the library.  If you are not sure exactly what constitutes a poetry slam, check out National Poetry Month at the Library during April.

New Books

Just out from Mary Higgins Clark is Where Are You Now? Other new books include two by Sylvia Browne: Temples on the Other Side, and A Whole New Light; All Through the Night, by Suzanne Brockman; Atomic Lobster, by Tim Dorsey; and Heart of Texas by Debbie Macomber.