Want to learn more about Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement that explains how our surroundings impact our lives? Join the Palm Harbor Library for a free discussion on Saturday, February 6, at 11:00 a.m. Diane Gallin is back! (Her first lecture, held last October, was very popular.) Gallin will explain how landscape features, design details, floor plans and furnishings in a home or office influence the people who live or work there, and what they can do to make improvements.
Gallin is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and founder of Wind and Water Feng Shui Consulting. The discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer period. For more information, visit her website at www.windandwaterfengshui.com or contact the library at 727-784-3332, Ext. 3007.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Libraries Contunue to Pitch in for Haiti
Library workers and educators are keeping their sleeves rolled up as they continue contributing to the international effort to provide moral and monetary aid to earthquake-stricken Haiti.
•Boston Public Library’s Mattapan branch, which now houses the city’s resource center for area families seeking contact with Haitian loved ones and ways to help them. Operated by the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians, the center provides translators, crisis counselors, computers, and international phone lines.
•The Resource Shelf blog, which has compiled a list of resources about the Haiti crisis, including information about the a partnership through February 19 between the National Library of Medicine and the Association of American Publishers to offer free full-text articles from over 200 biomedical journals and over 30 select reference books for libraries and hospitals affected by the earthquake.
•The American Library Association, which has created an information page that includes instructions on how to contribute to the Association’s Haiti Library Relief Fund.
•Volusia County (Fla.) Public Library’s Deltona Regional Library, which has donated use of its new ampitheater for a January 30 concert organized by the Deltona Arts and Historical Society. All donations are designated for the Red Cross.
•Garwood (N.J.) Free Public Library and the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock, which are giving overdue fines to Haiti relief efforts. Garwood PL has designated UNICEF as the recipient of fines collected through January 30; CALS is donating fines received until February 7 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
•Library staff members of Indiana State University, who are holding a silent auction January 28 and donating the proceeds of winning bids and monetary donations to Mountain Top Ministries in Gramothe, Haiti.
At least one heartfelt effort was organized much closer to home: A library in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic—some 90 miles from the devastated Haiti capital of Port-au-Prince—began collecting clothes and toys donated by area residents just after the earthquake hit. “The Dominican Republic is so poor, yet [the people] donated stuff for the Haitian people,” said Williamsport, Pennsylvania, volunteer George Way in the January 21 Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Way, who had traveled to the Dominican Republic with six other Pennsylvanians, was an eyewitness to the generosity.
Do what you can do, give what you can.
Thank you.
•Boston Public Library’s Mattapan branch, which now houses the city’s resource center for area families seeking contact with Haitian loved ones and ways to help them. Operated by the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians, the center provides translators, crisis counselors, computers, and international phone lines.
•The Resource Shelf blog, which has compiled a list of resources about the Haiti crisis, including information about the a partnership through February 19 between the National Library of Medicine and the Association of American Publishers to offer free full-text articles from over 200 biomedical journals and over 30 select reference books for libraries and hospitals affected by the earthquake.
•The American Library Association, which has created an information page that includes instructions on how to contribute to the Association’s Haiti Library Relief Fund.
•Volusia County (Fla.) Public Library’s Deltona Regional Library, which has donated use of its new ampitheater for a January 30 concert organized by the Deltona Arts and Historical Society. All donations are designated for the Red Cross.
•Garwood (N.J.) Free Public Library and the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock, which are giving overdue fines to Haiti relief efforts. Garwood PL has designated UNICEF as the recipient of fines collected through January 30; CALS is donating fines received until February 7 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
•Library staff members of Indiana State University, who are holding a silent auction January 28 and donating the proceeds of winning bids and monetary donations to Mountain Top Ministries in Gramothe, Haiti.
At least one heartfelt effort was organized much closer to home: A library in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic—some 90 miles from the devastated Haiti capital of Port-au-Prince—began collecting clothes and toys donated by area residents just after the earthquake hit. “The Dominican Republic is so poor, yet [the people] donated stuff for the Haitian people,” said Williamsport, Pennsylvania, volunteer George Way in the January 21 Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Way, who had traveled to the Dominican Republic with six other Pennsylvanians, was an eyewitness to the generosity.
Do what you can do, give what you can.
Thank you.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
"Rabbit Hole" to be Performed @ Your Library
The Showcase Repertory Theater will perform Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, at the Palm Harbor Library.
In this 2007 Pulitzer Prize Winner, the life of a happy couple is turned upside down when their young son dies in an accident. It is a story of loss, heartbreak and forgiveness told through daily moments and emotional hurdles.
No reservations are required, and a suggested $10 donation will be taken at the door. The library is located at 2330 Nebraska Avenue. For further information, call 727-784-3332, Ext. 3006.
In this 2007 Pulitzer Prize Winner, the life of a happy couple is turned upside down when their young son dies in an accident. It is a story of loss, heartbreak and forgiveness told through daily moments and emotional hurdles.
No reservations are required, and a suggested $10 donation will be taken at the door. The library is located at 2330 Nebraska Avenue. For further information, call 727-784-3332, Ext. 3006.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Public Art Commission for Palm Harbor Library
As you are fully aware by now, your public library has been completely renovated. Hooray! There are several new features, expanded services and just an overall brighter environment. The one item though that I have not spoken about is our new outside sculpture.
Approximately two to three years ago, the library approached Pinellas County Cultural Affairs to determine the feasibility of obtaining public art. After a formal presentation and much follow-up discussion, the library was approved with a $50,000 grant to secure a piece of public art work. Shortly afterwards a “Call to Artists” was issued. Eventually 105 applications were received.
After a lengthy review by the Public Art Selection Panel, Michael Cain from New Orleans, Louisiana was selected. He has created a series of totem and relief sculptures in front of the library. Titled "Beyond the Blue”, this artwork is based on the artist’s vision of the library as being a place of knowledge and community story telling.
The artist himself tells his story through colorful symbols and images, including the sea, people, birds, books, maritime flags, and lotus flowers. His story depicts “a quest for knowledge”. The main elements of this installation include three totem-pole-like structures. Each totem conveys its own meaning: totem #1 represents the seeds of knowledge, totem #2 (center) pays homage to the essence of community connection, and totem #3 (including the images on the wall behind the totems) refers to the power of the sea to serve as a symbolic repository of knowledge.
In front of the three totems is an open book (metal) that is mounted to a reading stand. The open page reads “Knowledge is the seed of our own creativity, the foundation that strengthens our community and the landmark that guides our course of action”. Michael Cain believes that this is one of the most important aspects of the sculpture. “When we pick up a book and invest the time in reading it, in a way, the book becomes part of us. There is a continual interplay between people and the written word. The reader gets inspired and then becomes the writer, who, in turn, inspires the next reader, and so on. We all place ourselves in context within the stories that we can relate to.”
This artwork can be enjoyed both day and night, as it is illuminated by colorful strips of energy-saving LED lights.
The Public Art Selection Panel which helped guide this project was chaired by architect Steve Klar and included: Susan Gehring, Artist; John Toppe, Architect; Lynn Whitelaw, Director, Leepa-Rattner Museum; Lynn Neff, Artist and Public Art and Design Committee Member; Irene Finger, Community Representative; Nedima Ablakovic, County Public Works and myself.
If you would like to learn more about Pinellas County’s Public Art Program, please contact Pinellas County Cultural Affairs at (727) 453-7860, or visit www.pinellasarts.org. For information about Palm Harbor Library please visit our updated website at www.palmharborlibrary.org.
Approximately two to three years ago, the library approached Pinellas County Cultural Affairs to determine the feasibility of obtaining public art. After a formal presentation and much follow-up discussion, the library was approved with a $50,000 grant to secure a piece of public art work. Shortly afterwards a “Call to Artists” was issued. Eventually 105 applications were received.
After a lengthy review by the Public Art Selection Panel, Michael Cain from New Orleans, Louisiana was selected. He has created a series of totem and relief sculptures in front of the library. Titled "Beyond the Blue”, this artwork is based on the artist’s vision of the library as being a place of knowledge and community story telling.
The artist himself tells his story through colorful symbols and images, including the sea, people, birds, books, maritime flags, and lotus flowers. His story depicts “a quest for knowledge”. The main elements of this installation include three totem-pole-like structures. Each totem conveys its own meaning: totem #1 represents the seeds of knowledge, totem #2 (center) pays homage to the essence of community connection, and totem #3 (including the images on the wall behind the totems) refers to the power of the sea to serve as a symbolic repository of knowledge.
In front of the three totems is an open book (metal) that is mounted to a reading stand. The open page reads “Knowledge is the seed of our own creativity, the foundation that strengthens our community and the landmark that guides our course of action”. Michael Cain believes that this is one of the most important aspects of the sculpture. “When we pick up a book and invest the time in reading it, in a way, the book becomes part of us. There is a continual interplay between people and the written word. The reader gets inspired and then becomes the writer, who, in turn, inspires the next reader, and so on. We all place ourselves in context within the stories that we can relate to.”
This artwork can be enjoyed both day and night, as it is illuminated by colorful strips of energy-saving LED lights.
The Public Art Selection Panel which helped guide this project was chaired by architect Steve Klar and included: Susan Gehring, Artist; John Toppe, Architect; Lynn Whitelaw, Director, Leepa-Rattner Museum; Lynn Neff, Artist and Public Art and Design Committee Member; Irene Finger, Community Representative; Nedima Ablakovic, County Public Works and myself.
If you would like to learn more about Pinellas County’s Public Art Program, please contact Pinellas County Cultural Affairs at (727) 453-7860, or visit www.pinellasarts.org. For information about Palm Harbor Library please visit our updated website at www.palmharborlibrary.org.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Vaunda Micheaux and Charles R. Smith win 2010 Coretta Scott King Awards
With Black History Month coming up in February, the winners of the annual Coretta Scott King Awards were announced. The winners are Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, author of “Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal” and Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrator of “My People”. These awards honor African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Kekla Magoon, author of “The Rock and the River” is the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award winner. The awards were announced at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Boston, and will be presented in Washington, D.C. at the ALA Annual Conference in June.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee of the ALA’s Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts.
“Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal” published by Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. is a biography of a legendary peace officer. Born into slavery in 1838, Bass had a hard life and a strong sense of right and wrong. Bass was one of the most feared and respected lawman in Indian Territory. During his career, he made more than 3,000 arrests but killed only fourteen men.
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books for children. In addition to writing books, she has also been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller and children’s librarian.
“The winning title for text was selected because it is engaging, meticulously researched, and offers a riveting account of an unsung African American hero,” said Carole McCollough, Award Jury Chair.
In “My People” written by Langston Hughes and published by ginee seo books, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Smith’s vibrant sepia photographs celebrate the beauty and diversity of African Americans. The close-ups of illuminated faces filled with jubilant, loving expressions emerge from black backgrounds and capture the spirit of Langston Hughes’ eloquent poem.
“Charles R. Smith Jr. has carefully photographed and selected images that depict African Americans of all ages and hues,” said McCollough.
Charles R. Smith Jr. is a poet and 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award winner of “Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali.” Smith grew up in California and attended the Brooks Institute of Photography.
Occasionally awarded, the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award affirms new talent and offers visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustrations at the beginning of a career as a published children’s book creator. This year’s winner is kekla magoon for “The Rock and the River,” published by Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. In 1968 Chicago, Sam Childs is living in the shadows of two important people – his father, a civil rights activist working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his older brother “Stick” who has joined the Black Panther Party. These different approaches to achieving racial equality place Sam between the rock and the river.
One King Author Honor Book was selected: “Mare’s War” by tanita s. davis, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
One Illustrator Honor Book was selected: “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes, illustrated by E. B. Lewis, published by Disney - Jump at the Sun Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group.
Members of the 2010 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury are: Carole McCollough, Retired faculty, WSU/LIS; Eunice Anderson, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore; Alan R. Bailey, East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.; Brenda Hunter, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, Retired; Jonda C. McNair, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.; Martha Ruff, Prince George’s County Public Library, Oxon Hill, Md.; and Robin Smith, Ensworth School, Nashville, Tenn.
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world with over 65,000 members. Its mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
For information on the Coretta Scott King Book Awards and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
Information courtesy of the American Library Assosication.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee of the ALA’s Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts.
“Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal” published by Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. is a biography of a legendary peace officer. Born into slavery in 1838, Bass had a hard life and a strong sense of right and wrong. Bass was one of the most feared and respected lawman in Indian Territory. During his career, he made more than 3,000 arrests but killed only fourteen men.
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books for children. In addition to writing books, she has also been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller and children’s librarian.
“The winning title for text was selected because it is engaging, meticulously researched, and offers a riveting account of an unsung African American hero,” said Carole McCollough, Award Jury Chair.
In “My People” written by Langston Hughes and published by ginee seo books, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Smith’s vibrant sepia photographs celebrate the beauty and diversity of African Americans. The close-ups of illuminated faces filled with jubilant, loving expressions emerge from black backgrounds and capture the spirit of Langston Hughes’ eloquent poem.
“Charles R. Smith Jr. has carefully photographed and selected images that depict African Americans of all ages and hues,” said McCollough.
Charles R. Smith Jr. is a poet and 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award winner of “Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali.” Smith grew up in California and attended the Brooks Institute of Photography.
Occasionally awarded, the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award affirms new talent and offers visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustrations at the beginning of a career as a published children’s book creator. This year’s winner is kekla magoon for “The Rock and the River,” published by Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. In 1968 Chicago, Sam Childs is living in the shadows of two important people – his father, a civil rights activist working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his older brother “Stick” who has joined the Black Panther Party. These different approaches to achieving racial equality place Sam between the rock and the river.
One King Author Honor Book was selected: “Mare’s War” by tanita s. davis, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
One Illustrator Honor Book was selected: “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes, illustrated by E. B. Lewis, published by Disney - Jump at the Sun Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group.
Members of the 2010 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury are: Carole McCollough, Retired faculty, WSU/LIS; Eunice Anderson, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore; Alan R. Bailey, East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.; Brenda Hunter, Atlanta Fulton Public Library, Retired; Jonda C. McNair, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.; Martha Ruff, Prince George’s County Public Library, Oxon Hill, Md.; and Robin Smith, Ensworth School, Nashville, Tenn.
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world with over 65,000 members. Its mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
For information on the Coretta Scott King Book Awards and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
Information courtesy of the American Library Assosication.
Friday, January 22, 2010
"Going Bovine" Wins 2010 Printz Award
Going Bovine,” written by Libba Bray and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, has won the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) today announced the winner during the ALA Midwinter Meeting, held Jan. 15 – 19 in Boston.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Michael L. Printz Award. The award, first given in 2000, is named for the late Michael L. Printz, a Topeka, Kans., school librarian known for discovering and promoting quality books for young adults. The award is administered annually by YALSA and is sponsored by Booklist magazine.
In “Going Bovine,” Cameron, a sixteen-year-old slacker, sets off on a madcap road trip along with a punk angel, a dwarf sidekick, a yard gnome and a mad scientist to save the world and perhaps his own life.
Libba Bray is the author of the Gemma Doyle trilogy. She lives in New York City.
“Wow. Backwards and forwards, this wildly imaginative modern day take on Don Quixote is complex, hilarious, and stunning,” said Printz Award Committee Chair Cheryl Karp Ward. “The hero’s journey will never be the same after ‘Going Bovine.’”
The committee also named four Printz Honor Books: “Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith” by Deborah Heiligman, published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Once Charles Darwin sets his rational mind to marry the religious Emma Wedgeworth, they both must take a leap of faith in order to build a life together.
“The Monstrumologist,” by Rick Yancey, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Will Henry, orphan and assistant to a monstrumologist, races against time to save his town (and himself) from the anthropophagi, a pod of monstrous creatures who prey on humans.
“Punkzilla,” by Adam Rapp, published by Candlewick Press.
Fourteen-year-old runaway Jamie, homeless and strung out, embarks on a harrowing journey to reach his dying brother.
“Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973,” by John Barnes, published by Viking Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Young Reader’s Group.
Karl Shoemaker wants to begin his senior year with a new identity separate from his counseling group, his alcoholic mother and the legacy of his dead father.
Members of the 2010 Printz Award Committee are: Chair Cheryl Karp Ward, Broad Brook Conn.; Priscille Dando, Robert E. Lee High School, Fairfax County Public Schools, Va.; Sally Leahey, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Maine; Angela Leeper, University of Richmond, Va.; Teri Lesesne, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; H. Jack Martin, New York Public Library; Connie Mitchell, Indianapolis; Ann Theis, Chesterfield (Va.) County Library; Snow Wildsmith, Mooresville, N.C.; John Sexton, administrative assistant, Westchester Library System, Tarrytown, N.Y.; and Gillian Engberg, Booklist consultant, Chicago.
For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.
For more information on the Michael L. Printz Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
Information courtesy of the American Library Assosciation.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Michael L. Printz Award. The award, first given in 2000, is named for the late Michael L. Printz, a Topeka, Kans., school librarian known for discovering and promoting quality books for young adults. The award is administered annually by YALSA and is sponsored by Booklist magazine.
In “Going Bovine,” Cameron, a sixteen-year-old slacker, sets off on a madcap road trip along with a punk angel, a dwarf sidekick, a yard gnome and a mad scientist to save the world and perhaps his own life.
Libba Bray is the author of the Gemma Doyle trilogy. She lives in New York City.
“Wow. Backwards and forwards, this wildly imaginative modern day take on Don Quixote is complex, hilarious, and stunning,” said Printz Award Committee Chair Cheryl Karp Ward. “The hero’s journey will never be the same after ‘Going Bovine.’”
The committee also named four Printz Honor Books: “Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith” by Deborah Heiligman, published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Once Charles Darwin sets his rational mind to marry the religious Emma Wedgeworth, they both must take a leap of faith in order to build a life together.
“The Monstrumologist,” by Rick Yancey, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Will Henry, orphan and assistant to a monstrumologist, races against time to save his town (and himself) from the anthropophagi, a pod of monstrous creatures who prey on humans.
“Punkzilla,” by Adam Rapp, published by Candlewick Press.
Fourteen-year-old runaway Jamie, homeless and strung out, embarks on a harrowing journey to reach his dying brother.
“Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973,” by John Barnes, published by Viking Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Young Reader’s Group.
Karl Shoemaker wants to begin his senior year with a new identity separate from his counseling group, his alcoholic mother and the legacy of his dead father.
Members of the 2010 Printz Award Committee are: Chair Cheryl Karp Ward, Broad Brook Conn.; Priscille Dando, Robert E. Lee High School, Fairfax County Public Schools, Va.; Sally Leahey, McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Maine; Angela Leeper, University of Richmond, Va.; Teri Lesesne, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; H. Jack Martin, New York Public Library; Connie Mitchell, Indianapolis; Ann Theis, Chesterfield (Va.) County Library; Snow Wildsmith, Mooresville, N.C.; John Sexton, administrative assistant, Westchester Library System, Tarrytown, N.Y.; and Gillian Engberg, Booklist consultant, Chicago.
For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.
For more information on the Michael L. Printz Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
Information courtesy of the American Library Assosciation.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
2010 Newberry & Caldecott Medal Winners!
Rebecca Stead, author of “When You Reach Me” and Jerry Pinkney, illustrator of “The Lion & the Mouse,” are the 2010 winners of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the most prestigious awards in children’s literature.
Rebecca Stead and Jerry Pinkney were among the award winners announced Jan. 18 by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston, Jan. 15 - 19. The Newbery and Caldecott Medals honor outstanding writing and illustration of works published in the United States during the previous year.
The 2010 Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature went to Rebecca Stead for “When You Reach Me,” published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. Twelve-year-old Miranda encounters shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a strange homeless man and mysterious notes that hint at knowledge of the future. These and other seemingly random events converge in a brilliantly constructed plot.
“’When You Reach Me’ is an exceptionally conceived and finely crafted work of fiction that will engage and satisfy readers for years to come,” said Newbery Committee Chair Katie O'Dell.
Rebecca Stead is a former attorney and lives in Manhattan with her husband and two sons. Stead discovered her love for writing when she re-read all her favorite childhood books to cheer herself up after the tragic demise of her laptop.
The 2010 Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book is awarded to Jerry Pinkney for “The Lion & the Mouse,” published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers. The screech of an owl, the squeak of a mouse and the roar of a lion transport readers to the Serengeti plains for this virtually wordless retelling of Aesop’s classic fable. In glowing colors, Pinkney’s textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between two very unlikely friends.
“Pinkney’s stunning watercolors add new dimensions to an ancient tale in a book which is sure to become a beloved classic,” said Caldecott Committee Chair Rita Auerbach.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., where he attended the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, Jerry Pinkney is one of the most honored illustrators of American picture books. He has won five Caldecott Honor Awards and five Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards. He has also received three Coretta Scott King Honor Awards. Pinkney and his wife, author Gloria Jean Pinkney, live in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Four Newbery Honor Books were named: “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice” by Phillip Hoose, published by Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Hoose reveals the true story of an unsung hero of the Montgomery bus boycott. Hoose’s work stands out for its creative approach to narrative biography. Colvin’s own recollections are merged seamlessly with the narrative voice, providing a uniquely personal view of Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement.
Phillip Hoose is a Yale-trained environmentalist, musician/songwriter and the author of many award-winning books.
“The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly, published by Henry Holt and Company. On the eve of the 20th century, 11-year-old Calpurnia awakens to new possibilities, and through her evolving relationship with her naturalist grandfather, learns to think like a scientist. Kelly’s rich, evocative language captures Callie’s distinctive voice and lively observations of the natural world.
Trained attorney and physician Jacqueline Kelly was born in New Zealand, raised in western Canada and now lives in Fentress and Austin, Texas.
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin, published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers. A rich tapestry of stories, both original and traditional, transports readers to a fantastic world where Dragon joins Minli on a fortune-changing quest.
Grace Lin found inspiration for this tale while traveling in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. She resides in Somerville, Mass.
“The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg” by Rodman Philbrick, published by The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc. This rollicking yarn, presented through the voice of 12-year-old Homer, uses humor and pluck to mitigate the horrors of the Civil War.
Genre-defying Rodman Philbrick splits his time between Maine and the Florida Keys, writing for both children and adults.
Two Caldecott Honor Books were named: “All the World,” illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and published by Beach Lane Books; and “Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
In “All the World,” Frazee’s small vignettes and sweeping double-page spreads invite readers to share a joyful day with a diverse, multigenerational community. Flowing lines and harmonious colors give vibrant life to Scanlon’s poetic text.
Born in Los Angeles, Frazee knew she wanted to be a children’s book creator from the moment she first saw Maurice Sendak's “Where the Wild Things Are.” She studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and worked as a freelance illustrator before dedicating her talents to children's book illustration. Frazee received a 2009 Caldecott Honor Award for “A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever” (Harcourt, 2008).
In “Red Sings from Treetops,” Zagarenski’s playful illustrations enliven Sidman’s expressive poetry in this exploration of the seasons and their colors. Computer illustration and mixed-media paintings on wood combine rich textures, intriguing graphic elements, stunning colors and stylized figures to reward attentive readers with a visually exciting interplay of poetry and illustration.
A resident of Stonington, Conn., Zagarenski graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Connecticut. Her mixed media artwork has been featured in solo shows and has won best in show at several museums and galleries throughout Connecticut.
Members of the 2010 Newbery Medal Selection Committee are: Chair Katie O'Dell, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Joel Bangilan, San Antonio Public Library; Meaghan M. Battle, Berkley, Mich.; Nancy Baumann, Albany County School District, Laramie, Wyo.; Francesca Burgess, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Lori Faust, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Warren, Ohio; Diane Foote, Chicago; Elva Garza, Southeast Austin (Texas) Community Branch Library; Maria E. Gentle, Arlington (Va.) Public Library; Linnea Hendrickson, Bandelier Elementary School, Albuquerque, N.M.; Holly Jin, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library; Alison O'Reilly, Austin (Texas) Public Library; Maria Salvadore, Washington, D.C.; and Deborah Stevenson, Center for Children's Books, Champaign, Ill.
Members of the 2010 Caldecott Medal Selection Committee are: Chair Rita Auerbach, New York; Zahra M. Baird, Cineaste/Librarian, White Plains, N.Y. ; Christy B. Estrovitz, San Francisco Public Library; Christi Showman Farrar, Woburn (Mass.) Public Library; Suzanne Harold, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Merri Lindgren, Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Gene Nelson, Provo (Utah) City Library; Julie Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, Md.; Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Mass.; Brandy Sanchez, Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia, Mo.; John P. Scott, Friends School of Baltimore; Henrietta M. Smith, SLIS-University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.; Joanna Ward, County of Los Angeles Public Library; Jan S. Watkins, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library; and Lucinda Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, Va.
ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,200 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their Web site at www.ala.org/alsc.
For information on the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
This information was provided by the American Library Association.
Rebecca Stead and Jerry Pinkney were among the award winners announced Jan. 18 by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston, Jan. 15 - 19. The Newbery and Caldecott Medals honor outstanding writing and illustration of works published in the United States during the previous year.
The 2010 Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature went to Rebecca Stead for “When You Reach Me,” published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. Twelve-year-old Miranda encounters shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a strange homeless man and mysterious notes that hint at knowledge of the future. These and other seemingly random events converge in a brilliantly constructed plot.
“’When You Reach Me’ is an exceptionally conceived and finely crafted work of fiction that will engage and satisfy readers for years to come,” said Newbery Committee Chair Katie O'Dell.
Rebecca Stead is a former attorney and lives in Manhattan with her husband and two sons. Stead discovered her love for writing when she re-read all her favorite childhood books to cheer herself up after the tragic demise of her laptop.
The 2010 Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book is awarded to Jerry Pinkney for “The Lion & the Mouse,” published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers. The screech of an owl, the squeak of a mouse and the roar of a lion transport readers to the Serengeti plains for this virtually wordless retelling of Aesop’s classic fable. In glowing colors, Pinkney’s textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between two very unlikely friends.
“Pinkney’s stunning watercolors add new dimensions to an ancient tale in a book which is sure to become a beloved classic,” said Caldecott Committee Chair Rita Auerbach.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., where he attended the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, Jerry Pinkney is one of the most honored illustrators of American picture books. He has won five Caldecott Honor Awards and five Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards. He has also received three Coretta Scott King Honor Awards. Pinkney and his wife, author Gloria Jean Pinkney, live in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Four Newbery Honor Books were named: “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice” by Phillip Hoose, published by Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Hoose reveals the true story of an unsung hero of the Montgomery bus boycott. Hoose’s work stands out for its creative approach to narrative biography. Colvin’s own recollections are merged seamlessly with the narrative voice, providing a uniquely personal view of Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement.
Phillip Hoose is a Yale-trained environmentalist, musician/songwriter and the author of many award-winning books.
“The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly, published by Henry Holt and Company. On the eve of the 20th century, 11-year-old Calpurnia awakens to new possibilities, and through her evolving relationship with her naturalist grandfather, learns to think like a scientist. Kelly’s rich, evocative language captures Callie’s distinctive voice and lively observations of the natural world.
Trained attorney and physician Jacqueline Kelly was born in New Zealand, raised in western Canada and now lives in Fentress and Austin, Texas.
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin, published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers. A rich tapestry of stories, both original and traditional, transports readers to a fantastic world where Dragon joins Minli on a fortune-changing quest.
Grace Lin found inspiration for this tale while traveling in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. She resides in Somerville, Mass.
“The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg” by Rodman Philbrick, published by The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc. This rollicking yarn, presented through the voice of 12-year-old Homer, uses humor and pluck to mitigate the horrors of the Civil War.
Genre-defying Rodman Philbrick splits his time between Maine and the Florida Keys, writing for both children and adults.
Two Caldecott Honor Books were named: “All the World,” illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and published by Beach Lane Books; and “Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
In “All the World,” Frazee’s small vignettes and sweeping double-page spreads invite readers to share a joyful day with a diverse, multigenerational community. Flowing lines and harmonious colors give vibrant life to Scanlon’s poetic text.
Born in Los Angeles, Frazee knew she wanted to be a children’s book creator from the moment she first saw Maurice Sendak's “Where the Wild Things Are.” She studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and worked as a freelance illustrator before dedicating her talents to children's book illustration. Frazee received a 2009 Caldecott Honor Award for “A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever” (Harcourt, 2008).
In “Red Sings from Treetops,” Zagarenski’s playful illustrations enliven Sidman’s expressive poetry in this exploration of the seasons and their colors. Computer illustration and mixed-media paintings on wood combine rich textures, intriguing graphic elements, stunning colors and stylized figures to reward attentive readers with a visually exciting interplay of poetry and illustration.
A resident of Stonington, Conn., Zagarenski graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Connecticut. Her mixed media artwork has been featured in solo shows and has won best in show at several museums and galleries throughout Connecticut.
Members of the 2010 Newbery Medal Selection Committee are: Chair Katie O'Dell, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Joel Bangilan, San Antonio Public Library; Meaghan M. Battle, Berkley, Mich.; Nancy Baumann, Albany County School District, Laramie, Wyo.; Francesca Burgess, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Lori Faust, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, Warren, Ohio; Diane Foote, Chicago; Elva Garza, Southeast Austin (Texas) Community Branch Library; Maria E. Gentle, Arlington (Va.) Public Library; Linnea Hendrickson, Bandelier Elementary School, Albuquerque, N.M.; Holly Jin, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library; Alison O'Reilly, Austin (Texas) Public Library; Maria Salvadore, Washington, D.C.; and Deborah Stevenson, Center for Children's Books, Champaign, Ill.
Members of the 2010 Caldecott Medal Selection Committee are: Chair Rita Auerbach, New York; Zahra M. Baird, Cineaste/Librarian, White Plains, N.Y. ; Christy B. Estrovitz, San Francisco Public Library; Christi Showman Farrar, Woburn (Mass.) Public Library; Suzanne Harold, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Merri Lindgren, Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Gene Nelson, Provo (Utah) City Library; Julie Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, Md.; Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Mass.; Brandy Sanchez, Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia, Mo.; John P. Scott, Friends School of Baltimore; Henrietta M. Smith, SLIS-University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.; Joanna Ward, County of Los Angeles Public Library; Jan S. Watkins, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library; and Lucinda Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, Va.
ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,200 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their Web site at www.ala.org/alsc.
For information on the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
This information was provided by the American Library Association.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Third Place Engagements Part II
Recently I wrote about Third Place Engagements and mentioned two venues at the library. The first was about Socrates Cafe and the second was PHiL's Book Club. Well let's talk a little bit more about the latter now.
PHiL’s Book Club began many, many years ago, all the way back to September 2000; a lot of reading over the years…and a lot of talk.
It almost seems like yesterday but at the very first session it was discussed that the purpose of book clubs is not just to introduce people to various types of reading genres but also to serve as an environment to stimulate ideas, concepts, and feelings about topics raised by the book then by the conversation itself. We have read biographies on such people as pioneering/Nazi sympathizer Charles Lindberg. We tackled fiction in Afghanistan with The Kite Runner. Drama was explored in Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Memoirs were discussed in South Africa in “Don’t Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight”. In each session there was never a lack of opinions and feelings and over the years that passion hasn’t faded with time. Here’s a peek of what’s coming up the re mainder of this reading year:
Monday Feb. 8th- Known World by Edward P. Jones
Monday March 8th- The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland
Monday April 12th- The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
Monday May 10th- The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed
Monday June 14th- Breathing Lessons by Ann Tyler
All book club dates begin at 11 AM and 7 PM and we meet in the library’s new Conference Room. And here's another bonus, free food!
Ah...reading and eating. Two of life's greatest pleasures.
PHiL’s Book Club began many, many years ago, all the way back to September 2000; a lot of reading over the years…and a lot of talk.
It almost seems like yesterday but at the very first session it was discussed that the purpose of book clubs is not just to introduce people to various types of reading genres but also to serve as an environment to stimulate ideas, concepts, and feelings about topics raised by the book then by the conversation itself. We have read biographies on such people as pioneering/Nazi sympathizer Charles Lindberg. We tackled fiction in Afghanistan with The Kite Runner. Drama was explored in Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Memoirs were discussed in South Africa in “Don’t Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight”. In each session there was never a lack of opinions and feelings and over the years that passion hasn’t faded with time. Here’s a peek of what’s coming up the re mainder of this reading year:
Monday Feb. 8th- Known World by Edward P. Jones
Monday March 8th- The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland
Monday April 12th- The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
Monday May 10th- The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed
Monday June 14th- Breathing Lessons by Ann Tyler
All book club dates begin at 11 AM and 7 PM and we meet in the library’s new Conference Room. And here's another bonus, free food!
Ah...reading and eating. Two of life's greatest pleasures.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
New Art Exhibit
Palm Harbor Library is now exhibiting the mixed-media paintings of local artist Annette Coast-Anatra in its Art Alcove through the end of February. Coast-Anatra’s work, a unique style she calls “Inspirationalism,” depicts visions and emotions from her life experiences. She uses a plentiful palette of color, light and movement to create depth. The mood set by her paintings lets you use your imagination to its fullest in determining the true meaning of each piece.
The definition of “inspiration” – stimulation of the mind or emotions; a high level of feeling or activity; an agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention – defines her art style and Coast-Anatra herself. “There are so many ideas in my head just waiting to come alive…to live endlessly and remain fresh.” Or, in the words of Placido Anatra, “When you love what you do, that love reaches out and touches the beholder.”
Coast-Anatra has earned numerous awards: Photography (1980), the Ford Automobile Competition (1980), the American Institute of Architects’ Architectural Delineator of the Year (1991), an American Advertising Federation ADDY Award (1998), and an Honorable Mention in the a la cart show at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art (2007). She is a member of the Gulf Coast Artist Alliance and the Professional Association of Visual Artists. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she is a graduate of the renowned Cleveland Institute of Art. To see more of her artwork, visit www.anatraart.com.
The Art Alcove is open Monday through Saturday during library hours at 2330 Nebraska Avenue. For more information, call 727-784-3332, Ext. 3021, or visit the library’s website (www.palmharborlibrary.org).
The definition of “inspiration” – stimulation of the mind or emotions; a high level of feeling or activity; an agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention – defines her art style and Coast-Anatra herself. “There are so many ideas in my head just waiting to come alive…to live endlessly and remain fresh.” Or, in the words of Placido Anatra, “When you love what you do, that love reaches out and touches the beholder.”
Coast-Anatra has earned numerous awards: Photography (1980), the Ford Automobile Competition (1980), the American Institute of Architects’ Architectural Delineator of the Year (1991), an American Advertising Federation ADDY Award (1998), and an Honorable Mention in the a la cart show at the Gulf Coast Museum of Art (2007). She is a member of the Gulf Coast Artist Alliance and the Professional Association of Visual Artists. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she is a graduate of the renowned Cleveland Institute of Art. To see more of her artwork, visit www.anatraart.com.
The Art Alcove is open Monday through Saturday during library hours at 2330 Nebraska Avenue. For more information, call 727-784-3332, Ext. 3021, or visit the library’s website (www.palmharborlibrary.org).
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Third Place Engagements
One of the things that I have told my staff over the years is that communication is truly one of the cornerstones of any successful organization. To be fully informed in a timely manner is crucial for proper decision making and ultimately (or so I hope) to be more proactive than reactive to various issues. The same holds true for Joe and Jane Citizen when it comes to topics affecting them locally as well as globally. So where do you go and what do you do to get “informed”? There are the obvious outlets such as newspapers, TV and going online, however there are other options. They may not seem as important but they can be just as satisfying, fulfilling and thought-provoking.
At your Palm Harbor Library, we currently offer two venues where good discussions are held monthly on current and past topics. Places where you can speak your mind and listen to those of others. Neutral sites where one can engage in thorny concerns and where opportunities to express your feelings, and perhaps better understand those of others exist. Today I’ll talk about “Socrates Café”. Tomorrow I’ll speak of PHiL’s Book Club.
Socrates Café is a program in which ordinary people gather to ask questions--and questions about questions. At the beginning of each session the group votes on one topic to be discussed for the duration of the meeting. The questions come from the participants at the end of the previous café. There are few rules and they pertain only to manners. Everyone who wishes to speak gets the opportunity, interruptions are not allowed. It is operated on the premise of civil discourse.
Socrates Cafe enables and inspires each participant, within a group setting, to become a more autonomous and conscientious thinker and doer, a more expert questioner and listener. A paramount aim is to inspire people who are curious, perplexed and filled with an insatiable sense of wonder, so they can dialogue for discovery. Also it strives to enable those who share our deep concern about the state and straits of civility and civic-mindedness to dialogue for democracy.
The first Socrates Café took place in April of 2006. The popularity of the group was so profound that in April of 2007 a second group was added. It meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 PM and the third Thursday of each month at 1 PM. Some past topics included:
-Can science and religion co-exist?
-What is courage?
-Is the concept of God fundamentally irrational?
-Is being “politically correct” being moral? Is democracy bad?
-The separation of church and state; do you agree or disagree with our founding fathers?
-Is freedom more important than religion?
-What is the difference between an atheist and a person who believes in God, both individuals living morally decent lives?
-Is the understanding of “good” universal?
The library is currently working on other discussion opportunities for 2010 that will engage the community in local matters as well as issues beyond the county line. To be better informed, at least to my way of thinking, is to be more successful.
At your Palm Harbor Library, we currently offer two venues where good discussions are held monthly on current and past topics. Places where you can speak your mind and listen to those of others. Neutral sites where one can engage in thorny concerns and where opportunities to express your feelings, and perhaps better understand those of others exist. Today I’ll talk about “Socrates Café”. Tomorrow I’ll speak of PHiL’s Book Club.
Socrates Café is a program in which ordinary people gather to ask questions--and questions about questions. At the beginning of each session the group votes on one topic to be discussed for the duration of the meeting. The questions come from the participants at the end of the previous café. There are few rules and they pertain only to manners. Everyone who wishes to speak gets the opportunity, interruptions are not allowed. It is operated on the premise of civil discourse.
Socrates Cafe enables and inspires each participant, within a group setting, to become a more autonomous and conscientious thinker and doer, a more expert questioner and listener. A paramount aim is to inspire people who are curious, perplexed and filled with an insatiable sense of wonder, so they can dialogue for discovery. Also it strives to enable those who share our deep concern about the state and straits of civility and civic-mindedness to dialogue for democracy.
The first Socrates Café took place in April of 2006. The popularity of the group was so profound that in April of 2007 a second group was added. It meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 PM and the third Thursday of each month at 1 PM. Some past topics included:
-Can science and religion co-exist?
-What is courage?
-Is the concept of God fundamentally irrational?
-Is being “politically correct” being moral? Is democracy bad?
-The separation of church and state; do you agree or disagree with our founding fathers?
-Is freedom more important than religion?
-What is the difference between an atheist and a person who believes in God, both individuals living morally decent lives?
-Is the understanding of “good” universal?
The library is currently working on other discussion opportunities for 2010 that will engage the community in local matters as well as issues beyond the county line. To be better informed, at least to my way of thinking, is to be more successful.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Library as the Third Place
A recent buzz in library world is that we are now the “third place”. But I have heard that other institutions see themselves as something similar. As a matter of fact, in a Time article the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz also saw his stores as filling this need. So what is this “third place” and why is it important? This is a two-part question so let me answer the first.
The “third place” is where you go to after your home and workplace. In his influential book The Great, Good Place, Ray Oldenburg argues that “third places” are important for civil society, democracy and civic engagement. “Third places” are “anchors” of community life and facilities and foster broader, more creative interaction. Further, Oldenburg suggests these hallmarks of a true “third place”: free or inexpensive; food and drink, while not essential are important; highly accessible; proximity for many; involve regulars- those who habitually congregate there; welcoming and comfortable; both new friends and old should be found there.
So I got to thinking, isn’t that what public libraries do and have been doing since our doors first opened? Haven’t we been exhibiting these hallmarks (especially the “free” part) for quite some time already? And if so, does that mean we are more than just books? Yes, yes and yes!
Over the years I have written about the various services public libraries offer and how it continues expanding today. I have talked about our Deaf Literacy opportunities, books on CDs, music CDs, teen and intergenerational programs, the Business Center, the Adaptive Toy Collection for mentally delayed and physically challenged individuals, wireless capability as well as online resources. However, throughout all these evolving services the library has always hosted for free, a neutral location of face to face dialogues, be it formal or not, of issues confronting our community. Such instances included “Meet the Candidates” and “Legislative Breakfast” forums in cooperation with the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, the “Teen Town Hall” where only teens were allowed to raise questions to local community leaders, the on-going “Socrates’ Café” which provides opportunities to debate current issues, PHL’s Book Club and a “Ethics in Business” panel discussion. These are all forms of what a true “third place” should be; a forum of continuous, “civic engagements”.
Public Libraries have been referred to as “Temples of Civic Engagement” for its central role in bridging the full divides of people by bringing them back to the “public square”. Public libraries may be seen in many ways, but in this regard they are:
- a civic information center
- serving as partners in public service
- a public forum
- an enabler of civic literacy
- a public advocate
Chronicler and author of the disintegration and revival of the American community, Robert Putnam, stated that “Citizenship is not a spectator sport.” We at Palm Harbor Library couldn’t agree more. The library has served as an election site and recently began offering early voting. Also beginning later this year, the library will initiate a series of public discussions under the National Issues Forum Institute (www.nifi.org) as one more way to engage the community in confronting issues through raising awareness and soliciting ideas.
A wise old sage once said, “When you are growing up, there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully- the church, which belongs to God and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equalizer.” Looks like Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones knew his “third place”.
When you’re seeking your “third place”, you’ll have several choices. Starbucks could be one of them. Your public library is another. Come to us for your books and CDs. Come to us to congregate, feel welcomed and see old and new friends. Come to us to be civically engaged and be part of the dialogue. We’ll save a chair for you.
The “third place” is where you go to after your home and workplace. In his influential book The Great, Good Place, Ray Oldenburg argues that “third places” are important for civil society, democracy and civic engagement. “Third places” are “anchors” of community life and facilities and foster broader, more creative interaction. Further, Oldenburg suggests these hallmarks of a true “third place”: free or inexpensive; food and drink, while not essential are important; highly accessible; proximity for many; involve regulars- those who habitually congregate there; welcoming and comfortable; both new friends and old should be found there.
So I got to thinking, isn’t that what public libraries do and have been doing since our doors first opened? Haven’t we been exhibiting these hallmarks (especially the “free” part) for quite some time already? And if so, does that mean we are more than just books? Yes, yes and yes!
Over the years I have written about the various services public libraries offer and how it continues expanding today. I have talked about our Deaf Literacy opportunities, books on CDs, music CDs, teen and intergenerational programs, the Business Center, the Adaptive Toy Collection for mentally delayed and physically challenged individuals, wireless capability as well as online resources. However, throughout all these evolving services the library has always hosted for free, a neutral location of face to face dialogues, be it formal or not, of issues confronting our community. Such instances included “Meet the Candidates” and “Legislative Breakfast” forums in cooperation with the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, the “Teen Town Hall” where only teens were allowed to raise questions to local community leaders, the on-going “Socrates’ Café” which provides opportunities to debate current issues, PHL’s Book Club and a “Ethics in Business” panel discussion. These are all forms of what a true “third place” should be; a forum of continuous, “civic engagements”.
Public Libraries have been referred to as “Temples of Civic Engagement” for its central role in bridging the full divides of people by bringing them back to the “public square”. Public libraries may be seen in many ways, but in this regard they are:
- a civic information center
- serving as partners in public service
- a public forum
- an enabler of civic literacy
- a public advocate
Chronicler and author of the disintegration and revival of the American community, Robert Putnam, stated that “Citizenship is not a spectator sport.” We at Palm Harbor Library couldn’t agree more. The library has served as an election site and recently began offering early voting. Also beginning later this year, the library will initiate a series of public discussions under the National Issues Forum Institute (www.nifi.org) as one more way to engage the community in confronting issues through raising awareness and soliciting ideas.
A wise old sage once said, “When you are growing up, there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully- the church, which belongs to God and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equalizer.” Looks like Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones knew his “third place”.
When you’re seeking your “third place”, you’ll have several choices. Starbucks could be one of them. Your public library is another. Come to us for your books and CDs. Come to us to congregate, feel welcomed and see old and new friends. Come to us to be civically engaged and be part of the dialogue. We’ll save a chair for you.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Landscape Lectures @ the Library
If you’ve driven past Palm Harbor Library in recent weeks, you may have noticed a colorful new landscaping plan. Where bare spots, withering plants and anthills once abounded, different native and edible plant varieties now thrive. The first phase of a year-long project, the new design is the brainchild of “Plan C Initiative,” a local non-profit organization dedicated to empowering communities and governments to develop ecological landscapes.
Now this same group has agreed to offer family-friendly lectures at the library on their ecological landscaping concepts. Join them for the following topics:
Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. – Why Go Native?
Saturday, February 13, 2:00 p.m. – Edible Yards
Saturday, March 20, 2:00 p.m. – Who Lives in Your Yard? (kid friendly)
No reservations are required, and a suggested $5 donation ($1 for children) will be taken at the door.
Now this same group has agreed to offer family-friendly lectures at the library on their ecological landscaping concepts. Join them for the following topics:
Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. – Why Go Native?
Saturday, February 13, 2:00 p.m. – Edible Yards
Saturday, March 20, 2:00 p.m. – Who Lives in Your Yard? (kid friendly)
No reservations are required, and a suggested $5 donation ($1 for children) will be taken at the door.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
"Rabbit Hole" to be Performed a the Library
The Showcase Repertory Theater will perform "Rabbit Hole" by David Lindsay-Abaire, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, at the Palm Harbor Library.
In this 2007 Pulitzer Prize Winner, the life of a happy couple is turned upside down when their young son dies in an accident. It is a story of loss, heartbreak and forgiveness told through daily moments and emotional hurdles.
No reservations are required, and a suggested $10 donation will be taken at the door.
In this 2007 Pulitzer Prize Winner, the life of a happy couple is turned upside down when their young son dies in an accident. It is a story of loss, heartbreak and forgiveness told through daily moments and emotional hurdles.
No reservations are required, and a suggested $10 donation will be taken at the door.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
An Afternoon of Arias
Enjoy an afternoon of arias at the Palm Harbor Library.
On Saturday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m., local diva Julia Coulmas will perform arias from the world’s greatest operas and will tell the stories behind them. Come join us for this delightful performance! No reservations are required.
On Saturday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m., local diva Julia Coulmas will perform arias from the world’s greatest operas and will tell the stories behind them. Come join us for this delightful performance! No reservations are required.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Kindles Now at Your Library!
Starting Monday, January 4, Palm Harbor Library will have Kindles available for checkout! The Kindle is Amazon’s wireless reading device that lets you access dozens of titles on one slim, portable reader. It reads like real paper, without any glare, and can even read most books aloud to you.
The library has three different devices available: A Best-Seller Kindle loaded with all the hottest new releases, a Popular Fiction Kindle with a wide variety of titles from your favorite authors, and a Classic/Nonfiction Kindle with both the classics you’ve always loved and great nonfiction spanning an array of topics.
Call 727-784-3332, Ext. 3006, today to be placed on hold, or log on to the library’s website at www.palmharborlibrary.org to place a hold from home. The library is located at 2330 Nebraska Avenue.
The library has three different devices available: A Best-Seller Kindle loaded with all the hottest new releases, a Popular Fiction Kindle with a wide variety of titles from your favorite authors, and a Classic/Nonfiction Kindle with both the classics you’ve always loved and great nonfiction spanning an array of topics.
Call 727-784-3332, Ext. 3006, today to be placed on hold, or log on to the library’s website at www.palmharborlibrary.org to place a hold from home. The library is located at 2330 Nebraska Avenue.
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