News from KNOWhere 4/28/08

Miss Barbara the Bookmobile Lady is still out sick, but we've heard good things from the hospital. If you'd like to leave a card or message for her, just stop in at your local library and we'll pass them along to her! While she's out, the bookmobile will not be running, so if you need to bring in your books or want to check more out, come into your library and we'll be glad to take care of things. As soon as we know when the bookmobile will be back on the road again, we'll let you know!



News from Screven

The Friends of the Screven County Library will be meeting on Thursday, April 3 at 7 pm. If you can possibly make this meeting, please do so! It’s going to be an important and interesting meeting because we’ve got a lot of ideas on how to make the Friends a more visible and active part of the community, and we’d like to hear some of your ideas as well!

The Friends board will be meeting on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 pm. Committee chairs and officers, please try to attend!

Do you like to write stories, essays or articles? Or maybe you’d like to publish your own comic? If you can say yes to either – or both – of those questions, bring your work and join us on April 17 at 4 pm for the Zine Scene, where we’ll be discussing and creating zines, self-published magazines and comics!

Don’t forget about our Free Movie Fridays! It’s a different movie every week shown on the big screen, the way movies are supposed to be, and it’s at 3:30 every Friday.

Speaking of things not to forget, we’ve got our wonderful storytime every Tuesday at 10 am for the little ones. Your preschooler can listen to a fun story (sometimes even two!) and then have a blast doing great crafts that go along with the story. It’s a great way to get your kids to love learning right from the start, so bring them in and let them have a ball.

News from Jenkins

Do you like to write stories, essays or articles? Or maybe you’d like to publish your own comic? If you can say yes to either – or both – of those questions, bring your work and join us on April 16 at 4 pm for the Zine Scene, where we’ll be discussing and creating zines, self-published magazines and comics!

Speaking of things not to forget, we’ve got our wonderful storytime every Wednesday at 4 pm for the little ones. Your youngster can listen to a fun story and then have a blast doing cute crafts that go along with the story. It’s a great way to get your kids to love learning right from the start, so bring them in and let them have a ball.

Click the links to request any of these great books!

THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMMA: A NATURAL HISTORY OF FOUR MEALS by Michael Pollan. Have you ever really thought about where your food comes from? Have you wondered why farmers are going broke while food is piled up in our stores? Have you ever asked yourself what’s really in that fast food meal? A thought-provoking study of what we eat, why we eat it, and the costs – monetary and otherwise – of what we eat.

PLAYING FOR PIZZA by John Grisham. Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, until he was put into the game against Denver during the AFC Championship games. Now, after one of the worst performances NFL history, he’s desperate to find any pro team that will take him. Desperate enough to even hire on with the Panthers of Parma, Italy…

STRANGER IN PARADISE by Robert B. Parker. Police chief Jesse Stone has trouble on his hands when the hit man named Crow comes back to town with kidnapping on his mind. As if that weren’t enough, his ex-wife is a reporter investigating the local gang problem, and the fact that the girl Crow intends to kidnap is running with a gang means she’ll be in the line of fire. Can Stone save the girl, stop the hit man… and just maybe get another chance with his ex?

THE LONGING SEASON by Christine Schaub. Love the hymn “Amazing Grace”? Read here the story of the man who turned from trading slaves to writing one of the most beloved songs about hope and faith.

DAKOTA by Martha Grimes. Andi Oliver, last seen in BITING THE MOON, is still drifting, and still can’t remember her past. Now, she’s found a job at Klavan’s, a pig farming facility in North Dakota. But there are dark secrets there, and even darker secrets in her past. Which one will catch up with her first?

Click to check out these cool sites!

National Quilting Day
Details about this celebration of quilting. "The third Saturday in March is officially designated as National Quilting Day, but ... observance of National Quilting Day has unofficially been expanded to the whole month of March." Features special projects and other ideas for celebrating the month, including charity quilting. From the National Quilting Association.

Youth Radio: Election 2008
This site follows the 2008 U.S. presidential election "around the country, through the perspectives of young people who are getting a close-up view of the process." Features youth reporting on candidates, primaries, fundraisers, and other election topics. From Youth Radio, a "youth media production company creating radio, television, web and print content."

Women Medal Recipients: Military and Civilian
This website provides an unofficial list of U.S. women military medal recipients. Medals include the Medal of Honor (only awarded to one woman during the Civil War), Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Soldiers Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross ("The first woman to receive the DFC was Amelia Earhart which sparked controversy and later it was changed to exclude civilians."), and Distinguished Service Medal. From an enthusiast.

Top 10 Amazing Chemistry Videos
Collection of videos from March 2008 of "fiery explosions, beautiful reactions, and hilarious music ...[which] are great reasons to be excited about chemistry." Includes videos of a gummy bear reacting with potassium chlorate, how to make your own glow sticks, and more. Note: these experiments are meant only for trained professionals in labs. From Wired magazine.

Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action
Website for a "national initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for our [library and museum] treasures, and to underscore the fact that these collections are essential to the American story." Features a booklet on the care of collections, a related FAQ and bibliography, online conservation and collections management resources, and project updates. From the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Well, that’s it for now – see you at the library!

News from KNOWhere - 3/20/2008

Due to the illness of Miss Barbara the Bookmobile Lady, the Bookmobile will not be running for the rest of the month. If you need to return your books or would like to check out materials, please come to your local library. If you'd like to send your good wishes to Miss Barbara, please call or visit the library, we'll make sure they're passed along!

Spring is here, and it’s time to get back to nature. Well, there’s nothing better than sitting under a tree with a good book, and we’ve got lots of them! Why not learn how to garden, find out what kinds of fish you can catch in our local ponds and streams, or start planning for spring break or summer vacation? We’ve got books that can help you with any of that, and a whole lot more!

News from Screven

Don’t forget, next Thursday, March 27 at 4 pm is the meeting for the Not Yo Mama’s Teen Book Club, which has been reading ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card. We’ll be talking about that book and picking up the next, SHADE’S CHILDREN by Garth Nix. It’s the story of a world in which your 14^th birthday is your last, and humans are twisted into monsters that fight to the death for the amusement of the alien Overlords. Make sure to come and get your free copy of SHADE’S CHILDREN!

Dale Reddick has an adorable collection of caterpillars in the display case of our library, so come on in and see it!

The Screven County Library Board will be meeting at 4 pm on Thursday, April 3. All interested members of the public are invited to attend.

News from Jenkins

Don’t forget, next Wednesday, March 26 at 4 pm is the meeting for the Not Yo Mama’s Teen Book Club, which has been reading ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card. We’ll be talking about that book and picking up the next, SHADE’S CHILDREN by Garth Nix. It’s the story of a world in which your 14^th birthday is your last, and humans are twisted into monsters that fight to the death for the amusement of the alien Overlords. Make sure to come and get your free copy of SHADE’S CHILDREN!

Now, on to the books!

BLASPHEMY by Douglas Preston. The world’s biggest supercollider is about to be put to the test, attempting to recreate the first moments of the Big Bang. Will it unlock the mysteries of the universe? Will it suck the Earth into a black hole? And is it, as the Rev. Don T. Spates proclaims, a Satanic plot to disprove Genesis and challenge God Almighty?

WHERE THE HEART LEADS by Stephanie Laurens. Penelope Ashford may have been born into the ton, but that doesn’t mean she’s just a pretty face. For years, she’s been caring for the forgotten children of Regency London – but now, those children are disappearing, and only one man can help her: Barnaby Adair, the handsome lord who loved nothing more than a mystery.

TOO LATE TO SAY GOODBYE by Ann Rule. Jenn Corbin seemed to have the perfect life… until she was found with a bullet in her head. How was this death related to another apparent suicide, of another beautiful woman, fourteen years before? Another true-crime thriller from the queen of the genre.

PETER JENNINGS: A REPORTER’S LIFE edited by Kate Dranton, Kayce Freed Jennings & Lynn Sherr. We all knew him as the anchor from ABC News and World News Tonight. Now hear the story of how a high-school dropout from Canada became one of the most recognizable faces in America, as told by the people who knew him best.

LEARN TO GARDEN: A COMPLETE INTRODUCTION TO GARDENING. What to plant, how to plant, and what to do when things go wrong are covered from the ground up – literally! – in this book. From what the roots do to how seeds make new plants, from the nutrients plants need to thrive to what exactly those “zones” gardeners talk about are and which one we’re in, and explanations for all those weird gardening terms, they’re all covered here.

Click to check out these cool links!

E-Verify
"E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees." Includes details about employers registering online, and material for employees. From U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, & the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman
"The political cartoons in this exhibit, drawn by renowned cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman, illustrate the campaign process from the candidate's decision to run for office to the ultimate outcome of the election." Also features descriptions of Berryman's recurring characters (such as the Democratic Donkey, Republican Elephant, and teddy bear), printable downloads of the cartoons, and desktop background images. Companion to a 2008 physical exhibit at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

USDA Actions: News Releases and Statements [February 2008 Beef Recall]
Collection of statements, transcripts, and audio on Humane Society of the United States' cattle handling allegations regarding California's Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company, which led to a February 2008 recall of its beef. Topics addressed include the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection system, supply of meat to federal food and nutrition programs, and "downer" (non-ambulatory disabled) livestock. From the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

NPR/Kaiser/Harvard Survey: The Public on Requiring Individuals to Have Health Insurance
"This [2008] survey conducted jointly by NPR [National Public Radio] and public opinion researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health examines how the public views different approaches for expanding health coverage, including provisions that would require individuals to purchase insurance or parents to obtain coverage for their children." Includes survey results summary and details, charts, and a link to NPR coverage of the survey. From the Kaiser Family Foundation.

From Domesticity to Modernity: What Was Home Economics?
Review of home economics as a collegiate field of study, begun in the early 20th century and "dedicated to improving the quality of life in the American home through the application of modern science and management." Includes introductory essays and annotated images on educational techniques, role in national emergencies, and related topics. Also includes material about the College of Home Economics at Cornell University (1900-1969). From the Division of Rare & Manuscript Collections, Cornell University.

Well, that’s it for now – see you at the library!

News from KNOWhere - 3/13/08

Teen Tech Week is over, but we're still having a blast! Check below to see what great new programs we have ready for your pleasure!


News from Screven

This afternoon, March 13 at 4 pm we’ll be having the Zine Scene once again! It’s a great way to learn how to create and publish your very own comics or magazines, and it’s totally free – even the printing! If you’ve ever wanted to see your writing or art in print, this is your chance!

Also today at 4 pm is our wonderful monthly craft day, open to all ages and cute and creative as all get-out! It’s the perfect way to let your hair down and relax while making an adorable item suitable for decorating any refrigerator or windowsill, so come in and join in!

On Thursday, March 27 the Not Yo Mama’s teen book club will be meeting to discuss ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card. If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, just stop by the library and let us know you’re interested. We’ll be happy to give you your very own copy of the book to keep forever! It’s a great opportunity for teens to get some wonderful books, and it’s thanks to the fine folks at Planters Foundation that we can buy these great books for your teen’s reading pleasure.

News from Jenkins

This afternoon, March 12 at 4 pm we’ll be having the Zine Scene once again! It’s a great way to learn how to create and publish your very own comics or magazines, and it’s totally free – even the printing! If you’ve ever wanted to see your writing or art in print, this is your chance!

Also today at 4 pm is our wonderful storytime, cute and creative as all get-out! It’s the perfect way to let your kids enjoy a story and create a craft project, so bring them in and let them join the fun!

On Wednesday, March 26 at 4 pm the Not Yo Mama’s teen book club will be meeting to discuss ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card. If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, just stop by the library and ask for it. We’ll be happy to give you a copy to keep forever! It’s a great opportunity for teens to get some wonderful books, and it’s thanks to the fine folks at Planters Foundation that we can buy these great books for your teen’s reading pleasure.

Now, on to the books!

THE NO-FAD DIET: A PERSONAL PLAN FOR HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS by the American Heart Association. Forget about the no-carb diets, raw food diets, grapefruit-and-cabbage diets and all the other craziness that people use to sell their gimmicks. Here’s a way to create a diet that fits your life and your needs, with quizzes to help you find the right way to eat, exercise, and more, and ways to break the destructive habits that sabotage your weight-loss plans!

WHISPERS OF WINTER by Tracie Peterson. In Last Chance Creek, Alaska, two women are waiting to see if their men will ever return to them. In the ice floes of the Arctic, two men struggle to survive so that they can return home to their loves. Will Leah’s children grow up never knowing their father? Will Helena ever have a chance to tell Jacob she loves him?

PROMISE ME by Harlan Coben. Myron Bolitar hasn’t held a gun or thrown a punch in six years, much less had to call his friend Wyn for backup. But that changes when a simple case of giving a teenager a ride to a friend’s after a party becomes a disappearance… and Myron is the last person to see her.

BLOODFEVER by Karen Marie Moning. MacKayla Lane is the descendent of a line of powerful seers, someone who can see the unseen world of the Sidhe, and it’s turned her ordinary life upside down. Now, she has to find a million-year-old book of black sorcery if she’s going to foil magical assassins, and fight her own attraction to two very different – and very deadly – men.

STRANGERS IN DEATH by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb. New York, 2060. A lot of things have changed, and a lot of things haven’t. When a prominent businessman is found tied to his bed and strangled by velvet ropes in his Park Avenue apartment, it’s still the source of water-cooler gossip… and still subject to investigation by Lt. Eve Dallas of the NYPD.

DEAD EX by Harley Jane Kozak. Wollie Shelley’s had a lot of Mr. Wrongs in her life, and producer David Zetrakis was one of them. But she’s not one of the suspects when he winds up dead – her friend Joey is. Now, Wollie’s got to figure out who wanted Zetrakis dead, before Joey winds up pursuing his acting career from behind bars.

Click to check out these cool links!

Outlet Stores: Where to Shop & How to Save Big Bucks
Findings from a 2006 survey of factory (manufacturer's) outlets stores to assess quality of the goods. The survey found that "[s]urprisingly, perhaps, outlet goods are high-quality. But you won't always find rock-bottom prices." It provides tips for outlet shopping, specific findings concerning major retail chains and types of goods, and background on the retail outlet concept. Related articles only available with paid subscription. From Consumer Reports.

Browser Information
Background about Web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Netscape (discontinued by AOL in 2008), Firefox and other browsers based on Mozilla code, and Opera. Provides statistics on browsers, operating system (OS) platforms, and browser display resolution (with caveats about using browser statistics for website development purposes). From W3 Schools, a free site for Web developers.

Internal Revenue Service: Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center
Official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) information about the 2008 "economic stimulus" payments that will be sent to U.S. taxpayers starting in May. "Eligible taxpayers will receive between $300 to $600 if single or $600 to $1,200 if married filing jointly." Provides payment scenarios, a FAQ, material for Social Security and veterans' benefits recipients, an alert about rebate scams, and other details about the payment program. From the IRS.

FamilyFun: Egg-cellent Easter
Collection of Easter craft and recipe ideas for children and their families. Includes instructions for baskets, table decorations, bunny-based projects, and cards; numerous egg decorating ideas; and recipes for eggs, brunch and dinner fare, and cakes. Also includes printable projects, suggestions for Easter parties and games, and instructional videos. From FamilyFun magazine.

Well, that's it for now - see you at the library!

News from KNOWhere - 3/10/08

Anime fans rejoice! We have a MASSIVE release of brand-new anime debuting this week, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Wedding Peach, and more! We’re also putting the spotlight on our special new form of audiobooks, the Playaways, with titles such as Eragon, Bridge to Terabithia, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

News from Screven

If you’re a writer or an artist, come to the library as we help you to publish your very own comic or fanzine! It’s the Zine Scene on Thursday, March 13 at 4 pm, and it’s open to all ages!

Teens and tweens - tired of all that required reading? Want to read something fun for a change? Come to the library, pick up your free copy of ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card, read, enjoy, and then join us as we discuss it Thursday, March 27 at 4 pm. It’s a great book about a young boy who’s so smart he’s scary… and who might just be humanity’s last hope.

News from Jenkins

If you’re a writer or an artist, come to the library as we help you to publish your very own comic or fanzine! It’s the Zine Scene on Thursday, March 13 at 4 pm, and it’s open to all ages!

Teens and tweens - tired of all that required reading? Want to read something fun for a change? Come to the library, pick up your free copy of ENDER’S GAME, read, enjoy, and then join us as we discuss it Wednesday, March 26 at 4 pm. It’s a great book about a young boy who’s so smart he’s scary… and who might just be humanity’s last hope.

Now, on to the books - and just remember, it only takes a couple of clicks to get one of these great new books!

THE MURDERERS’ CLUB by P. D. Martin. Six months ago, FBI profiler Sophie Anderson almost lost her life – and she may yet lose her sanity. She’s glad to accept when her friend Darren Carter suggests that they take a vacation in Arizona… well, until bodies start showing up at a nearby college.

CRITICAL by Robin Cook. Angela Dawson never thought much about the economics of being a doctor, until she went bankrupt. Now, she’s back to medicine after earning her MBA, and she’s almost ready to take her new healthcare company public, when a new strain of drug-resistant infections threatens to put her out of business… again.

GHOST FORCE by Patrick Robinson. It’s 2011, and Russia and Argentina are preparing to blast the British right off the face of the Falkland Islands. The US and UK aren’t going to budge, though – particularly not since a huge oil strike has just been made on the Islands.

COMPLETE BOOK OF CHINESE KNOTTING by Lydia Chen. The Boy Scouts have nothing on this book when it comes to tying knots. From buttons and brooches to dancing maidens and dangerous dragons, you’ll be amazed at what you can create with a few lengths of cord.

Click to check out these cool links!

The Secrets of Mystery Shopping Revealed
Consumer alert about mystery shopping, the use of an anonymous shopper to evaluate the quality of service in a store, and scams associated with the solicitation of mystery shoppers. Provides facts about becoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company (which does not cost anything), and under what circumstances consumers should by skeptical of mystery shopping promoters. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Declassifying the "Fact of" Satellite Reconnaissance
Collection of previously classified government documents, released in October 2007, "concerning U.S. policy with regard to acknowledging the 'fact of' U.S. satellite reconnaissance operations -- particularly satellite photoreconnaissance." Includes an introduction to and annotations for the documents, most of which are from the 1970s. Provides links to several other documents and collections concerning U.S. reconnaissance (spy) satellite operations. From the National Security Archive, George Washington University.

The Fine Print: Senior Discounts
This article discusses the "[h]otels, tours, airlines, and attractions [that] target seniors with special offers, which unfortunately often turn out to be discounts in name only. The only way to figure out if you're getting a deal is to crunch the numbers." Topics include airfare, lodging, attractions (such as museums and historic sites), trains, travel insurance, and overseas car rental. From Budget Travel magazine.

Eurocheapo
This site is a "budget travel resource aiming to help make travelers' time in Europe affordable and memorable. [It offers] professionally written budget travel advice and recommendations written by [a] team of seasoned travel writers," and has an emphasis on reviews of budget hotels. Also includes information about European transportation, city guides for over a dozen cities, and a budget travel blog.

I Was Wondering ... A Curious Look at Women's Adventures in Science
This site, inspired by a biography series for middle-school-aged students, is "intended to showcase the accomplishments of contemporary women in science and to highlight for young people the varied and intriguing careers of some of today's most prominent scientists." Features background and suggested experiments related to 10 recent women scientists (such as a robot designer, gene hunter, and space geologist). Includes links to related sites. From the National Academies.

Well, that’s it for now – see you at the library!