Just a reminder that the Davenport Library will be closed today in observance of Independence Day. We’ll be open again on Monday July 6 as usual. Now get out there and enjoy some parades and hot dogs. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Category: Library news
Another Reknown Novelist Comes to the Quad-Cities
Fresh on the heels of Elizabeth Berg’s visit to the Quad-Cities, comes Robert Hellenga, author of many best selling novels. He is the keynote speaker Thursday, June 25th at Midwest Writing Center’s annual conference. This year, events are held at St. Ambrose University.
My favorite novel by Robert Hellenga is The Fall of the Sparrow, which is partially set at a liberal arts college in Galesburg (the author is a Knox College literature professor), and partly in Italy. Though there’s a insider feeling of intimacy when you’re familiar with the local references; the novel resonates with many themes. The main character is a classics professor and the reader learns about Latin, Greek, Persian rugs, as well as the blues, and shares Woody’s deep appreciation of Italian culture.
“Libraries Will Get You Through Times of No Money…..
…..better than money will get you through times of no libraries.”
— Henry David Thoreau
Economic downturn getting to you? High gas prices keeping you close to home? Turn to your local public library for free (so long as you return those books on time!) help of all kinds including:
—books on surviving a layoff, writing a resume, learning new skills or learning about saving money by growing your own food, sewing your own clothes, saving energy in your home, even free internet access
—entertainment in the form of DVDs, magazines, newspapers, computer games, music CDs, and – oh yeah – good old books
—keep the kids busy with the multitude of programs at the library – everything from Movie Matinees to puppet workshops – and don’t forget to sign up the whole family (pre-school through adult) for the Summer Reading Program – prizes for everyone!
NBC News ran this story recently about how public libraries are doing all this and more during this recession. What about you – have you turned to the library now more than ever? If so, how? Let us know – and spread the word!
Library Closed for Memorial Day
Just a reminder that the Davenport Library will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day. Both buildings will be open their regular hours tomorrow – Main 9:30 – 5:30 and Fairmount 12 – 8pm.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
National Library Week — Great Books about Librarians
Some people think that libraries are stuffy, tomb-like places run by bespectacled octogenarians whose primary function is to go around shhhussshing others. Those of us who actually work in one know that’s far from the truth. One book I found that really hit the nail on the head as far as how libraries today really operate is Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert. Okay, it’s about a library in California, so some things are a little different, but it is still a quick read that’s delightfully funny, yet peppered with some very poignant moments.
For a nonfiction take on the subject, check out Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer. During the Great Depression, this WPA program was started to put women to work and to serve the very poor in remote regions of the country. These courageous book carriers provided their own horses or mules and were paid a whopping $28 a month!
As far as children’s books, an old favorite of mine is Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. Miss Rumphius, a retired librarian, plants lupines all over her community– in order to leave the world a better place. The message is touching and the illustrations inspiring — it’s a feel good book that just makes you want to go out and DO something!
Our New and Improved Catalog is Here!
Try the new version of the PrairieCat catalog! Some neat things about it
:
- Have you ever thought you’d like to write your own review of a book you loved (or hated) and have it appear in the catalog? Well, now you can (Look at the Community Reviews for The Thing About Jane Spring). That Minniemutt has such good taste in literature.
- You can also rate an item (1 star = I Hate It and 5 stars = I Love it)
- You can add the tag “travel book” to make it easier for other users unfamiliar with official library subject headings. You can add adjectives, such as “grunge” for a Pearl Jam CD or physically descriptive, such as “yellow cover!”
- You can register for a My Discoveries account; this is a great way to keep track of your reading lists or things you want to put on hold. (I have a list of dvds I don’t have time to watch right now, but don’t want to forget about them!)
- The new catalog is more intuitive, faster, with more relevant search results, but the old or Classic Catalog is still available as a tab.
Edited: We’ve had to postpone our launch of the new catalog until tomorrow, March 31. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise!
On Display – Crafts!
March is National Craft Month, so if you’ve ever felt the urge to be creative, now’s a great time to try something new. No matter whether you’d like to try a paper craft, such as origami, or you’re more interested in making jewelry (with beads or clay) or you’re just looking for a fun activity to keep your kids occupied, we’ve got something for you at the Davenport Public Library. Check out some of these titles:
Ceramic Bead Jewelry: 30 Fired & Inspired Projects by Jennifer Heynen
The Papercraft Weekend Workbook by Fiona Jones
Changes in the Public Computers at the Library!
The Davenport Public Library will be implementing a new computer reserve and print release system on
Sunday, March 1 – Tuesday, March 3.
Here is what you need to know:
1. All copies will be $0.10 per page once the system is complete. (See schedule below) The first 10 pages will no longer be free.
2. If you currently have money on your card, you will need to cash it out before March 1.
3. The computers will be down according to the schedule below.
On Sunday 3/1 – the adult public computers at Main will be unavailable
On Monday 3/2 – All Public Computers at Main (Adult, Children, Special Collections) will be unavailable.
On Tuesday 3/3 – All Public Computers at Fairmount (Adult, Children) will be unavailable.
WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVIENCE
*If you have any questions, please see a Customer Service
Representative. Thank you!*
Happy Presidents’ Day!
Originally set aside to honor George Washington (whose birthday is actually February 22), Presidents’ Day has unofficially expanded to include Abraham Lincoln (born on February 12) and sometimes even some other former Presidents, depending on what state you live in.
While many government offices and schools are closed today, both locations of the Davenport Public Library will be open as usual – the Main Library will be open noon to 8pm and the Fairmount Library will be open 9:30am-5:30pm.
Have a great day!
Frugal Librarian #3: Shopsmart Magazine
This brand new bi-monthly publication from the makers of Consumer Reports magazine has the slogan “no hype, no ads, just great buys.” It looks like the result of a crossbreeding between Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping, and Hints from Heloise.
For example, there are a lot of luxury items out there where name and branding is everything, since the average John Q. Spender knows nothing about the product and there is ridiculous markup.
When it came to wine, Consumer Reports put their best experts in the lab and tore off the labels. The results is one of the test’s white wine winners costing $5…the Frontrera 2007 from Chile.
Some products also claimed to be bargains or money savers and were junk. Enjoy a list of products to avoid.
Here’s a no-brainer on how to get it…check the latest issue out for free from the Davenport Public Library!