Book Talk: The Girl with Glass Feet

International Year of the Forest

2011 is the International Year of the Forest
Many projects and programmes have been developed to raise awareness of the importance of conservation and management of forests. (www.un.org.en/events/iyof2011) Deforestation accounts for 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to global climate change. Trees have an important role in biodversity, cultural diversity and environmental benefits. Trees are an integral part of our lives and those of future generations.
Our library is also an integral part of our lives and is a tree of knowledge! The Library is a great center of learning, for young and old, with so many resources (see August Library Newsletter - link) Check out the Bulletin Board in September for our tree craft of re-purposed books. Remember that BOOKS are a great carbon sink!

The book you don't read won't help. Jim Rohn
Some people read so little they have rickets of the mind. Jim Rohn
The images of men's wits and knowledge remain in books. Francis Bacon
True friendship can afford true knowledge.  Thoreau
True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. Socrates
We are drowning in information and starved for knowledge. Anon

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? TE Eliot

Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, mankind the vessel. Augustus William Hare

A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can. Jane Austen

Available at the Library!

We’ve come a long way since the library started.

This is Miss Edna, Rochester’s first librarian. In her day, paper books were all the library had available for check out.
But now…
Now we have more than just paper books; we have electronic books! Books on CD and cassette and even books that you can download from the internet. Books! Books! Books!

But wait, there’s more!
The library: it’s not just about books anymore.

In our library catalog, we have:

DVDs and VHS videos: documentaries, feature films, exercise videos, do-it-yourself topics, music concerts, Bollywood, independent and international films, etc.
Music on CD, cassette and even downloadable. We also have musical scores.
Mp3 players are available to check out. The library has a download station for use with these or your personal Mp3 players or ebook readers to download electronic material.
CD-ROMs including games for children that are both entertaining and educational, house and landscape design, keyboarding skills, do-it-yourself, etc.
Storytime Kits do contain books but they also are full of thematic toys, games, puzzles, puppets, flannel board stories, etc.
Wii and Play Station games have become quite popular items to check out.
Hand-held engravers to put your name on personal tools or other belongings.
Electric meters to find out how much electricity appliances in your household use. You can calculate your electrical expenses by the day, week, month, even an entire year. You can also check the quality of your power by monitoring voltage, line frequency and power factor. Now you’ll know if it’s time for a new refrigerator or it that old air conditional is still saving you money.

On our website we have access to lots of electronic resources:

• Auto Repair information,
• Learn Spanish, German, etc.
• Take practice tests
• Get company profiles
• Search your family history
• Job Searching links
• Homework Help
• etc

In the library building we have

Events for all ages. There are storytimes, music concerts, author visits, game nights, book groups, movies, classes, etc scheduled throughout the year.
Microfilm readers to research old newspapers. Digital scanners make it possible to send the information you find on the microfilm to your email address.
Multiple Internet Stations are located in three areas of the library.
Word Processing computers that have Microsoft Office installed for paper writing or presentation creation, spreadsheets, etc. One of these word processing computers is connected to a scanner and has Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 installed for photo editing.
The Adaptive Workstation allows patrons who are blind or have low vision access to the internet.
Meeting rooms area available for rent.
Quiet Study rooms for one to two people to use at a time. There is also a  larger Quiet study area on second floor, right next to the stairs.
A variety of magazines and newspapers, both in print and online, are available to read both in and out of the library.
So, the next time you think that a library is just about books, think again.

ghost stories

Ghost Stories - Visiting the Beyond

Wednesday, August 3

Curt Strutz, our presentoer, loves haunted houses - loves them so much he visits them and brings his stories back to you!  In his "Visiting the Beyond" seminar, Curt will take you into some of the nation's most haunted location.  He has visited haunted battlefields, deserted asylums, historic locations and known haunted residences around the United States. Curt has visited them and has the proof on film!


If you missed this spooky event, DON'T miss the September 22 Author Visit by Wendy Webb with her book on the Tale of Halcyon Crane. This is a charming, intriguing mystery that takes place on an island in Lake Superior (modelled after a recognisable Mackinaw Island). Wendy Webb is a Minnesota author who went to school in St. Louis Park and attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a degree in political science.  Wendy spent the twenty years writing for most of the major publications in the Twin Cities. She currently lives in Duluth, where she is the editor-in-chief of "Duluth-Superior Magazine.”. She recently published her first novel, The Tale of Halcyon Crane, which won the 2011 Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction.   Ms. Webb’s presentation will begin at 7:00 PM in the auditorium of the Rochester Public Library, immediately following the Mystery Tea sponsored by the Friends’ Bookstore.   Her book will be available for purchase and autographing.

The Friends’ Bookstore is sponsoring a free Mystery Tea called “Murder at the Earl of Grey’s Hound Manor.”  The tea will begin in the auditorium at 5:30 and end at 6:45, just in time for author Wendy Webb presentation.  Tickets to the tea are free and available in the Friends’ Bookstore on a first-come, first-served basis.  Seating is limited, so get your free ticket today!  If you can’t stop in the store, you can call the store at 328-2308 to request a reservation.  Formal tea party dress is optional!

World Music Series Event at the Library: Guy Mendilow

Join us in the library auditorium tomorrow, Wednesday, August 24 for a culturally diverse music concert by the Guy Mendilow Band.

Led by Israeli composer/performer Guy Mendilow, this spirited quintet breaks down musical boundaries with an inventive blend of Sephardi tempered with Bahian street beats and Blues. “Mendilow is no dilettante,” writes the Boston Phoenix. “He learned the music of these countries by living and working there — so when he sings … he knows what he’s talking about.” Performing in Ladino, Hebrew, Portuguese and English, the band skillfully fuses tradition with a contemporary sound. Alongside lush vocal harmonies, woodwinds and strings, the five members of the Guy Mendilow Band create intricate textures with berimbaus, percussion, trancy jaw harps, and Mendilow’s award-winning overtone singing. The group’s appeal reaches far beyond world music audiences only.

The program is made possible thougth a partnership with Riverside Concerts. This activity is funded by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council through the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Friends Bulletin Board

The summer display, created by Julie Taylor, was so much fun. Great colour, interesting reads, and so much information! Wait til you see what she has in store for the autumn months: hint she is using repurposed paper/books to create an interesting autumn scene!

Thanks to another good Friend of the Library, Eugenia for helping!

Friends' Bookstore

It is still the dog days of August! We have an excellent supply of summer reading books. Thanks again to Sue McMillan for the creative display!

Mystery Tea at the Library

For those of you who particularly enjoy Mysteries, the Friends are hosting a tea where participants will be given clues to solve the mystery of who murdered the Earl of Grey. Be sure to pick up your tickets in the Friends' Bookstore and then join us in the auditorium before you enjoy the fabulous MN mystery author Wendy Webb. The Tale of Halcyon Crane, her first novel, is a delightful ghost story. If you enjoyed The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair, (another recent author visit!) this novel might suit you as well.

Unusual & Special Books Stewardship Team

Summer Activities

Offered over 100 items at RochesterFest sale table in RPL lobby; sold ~$700 worth 

            

 Highlights of the Rochesterfest Sale:

• Tomie diPaola child's book in unknown language [turned out to be Japanese]
•  Handmade Chinese scrapbook
• Little Black Sambo  (1972)
• Very old autograph book              
• Very large & heavy art books
• Wanda Gag's “Three Gay Tales from Grimm” 
• Leftovers redirected to the
  bookstore (collectible shelves and general stock)
  display case (>$100 sold from there)
  to-be-listed-on-Amazon queue
  U&S storage cabinets for future displays/sales

Sold two collectible children's books on Amazon.com:

• Broom Closet Family   ($35)
• How the Mole Got His Pockets   ($150)

Listed old calendars for sale on Amazon.com

Installed Little Books display in glass case

Forwarded “Marriage License Bonds of Accomack County, Virginia from 1774-1806” to the Clerk of Court

  in Accomac, VA

Researched/evaluated/priced/dispensed several hundred books

Bookstore August Special Sale

Every once in awhile the Bookstore Manager creates a special! You are in luck as we have some fabulous hardcover fiction and now if you buy two you get another one free!! We will be refreshing shelves daily so come in often for a wide selection - and more books!

Paul McKenna Band at the Library

The Library was graced by a wonderful performance of  scottish/irish/celtic music yesterday of the Paul McKenna Band. They were voted the best up and coming band in 2009 - and were great in concert! You (those of you living in Rochester) still have a chance to see them - as they will be playing tonight in the Thursdays on First programme, Peace Plaza. Don't miss a fabulous chance to listen to great vocals, excellent fiddle and flute music and amazing celtic instruments! AND for those of you in Milwaukee, they will be at the Irish Festival next week!

Autographed books, Display Cabinet

Check out the Display Case for interesting authographed BOOKS!

Young Adult summer reading program

Don't forget to submit your summer reading logs.

Read for:

• 10 Hours - and earn a drawstring backpack

• 30 hours and earn a journal notebook with pen

• 50 hours and earn a 2G USB Flash Drive

• 100 Hours and earn an IBM book light

The 20 young adults that read for the most time this summer will receive one $30 prize from a variety of local bookstores, restaurants and retail stores.

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All summer reading challenge time should be logged by the end of Saturday, August 20th.  Prizes earned will be distributed at the end of the summer program.

Unusual & Special Books Stewardship

WHAT is the Unusual & Special Books Stewardship Team?

Books that are donated to the library are generally sorted as:

            Possible additions to the Library collection

            Suitable for sale in the Friends Bookstore

            Of minimal value and set aside for a forthcoming garage sale.

But some special books are referred by sorters to Friends members who list them on web sites for sale to a vendor or online buyer.  These books may be specialized by their subject content, age, author, or binding; some are rare or collectible.  If offered through an online book selling service that reaches an international viewership, these books can bring the Friends a much higher price than could be charged in the Bookstore. 

With a sense of stewardship, the Friends also wish to preserve books and information by making

it available to collectors, scholars, students, organizations, and individuals who value their purchases and continue to make use of them.

WHO Are the Unusual & Special Books Stewardship Team?

Many Friends  may not realize that we (U&S) aren't just about selling books online; our activities include:

• Research, evaluate donated books and direct them to appropriate channel
•  Stock, display, and maintain Collectible shelves in Bookstore
• Maintain selling presence at FOL RochesterFest activities: 
• Silent Auction (2001-2006) and sale tables in Lobby
• Sell at occasional other Friends sales
• Display and sell books from the created-for-us glass cabinet in RPL Lobby
• Select and donate books for other RPL-related events: 
  Wit-Wisdom-Wine, Plummer House, Assisi Poets, etc
  Sell books online (mostly on Amazon)

Reading Cats

We have a winner!
Actually because all cats think they are the winners, we decided that we couldn't choose between them! So, Molly has won the bottle of Library Wine, Charlie has won a book of his choice and Joe won a book to be mailed out since he was a long distance winner (from DC!).

Thanks to all contestants and owners! We know of at least three more cats who are disappointed their owners didn't enter them into the contest. 

Friends Bookstore volunteers

The Friends’ Bookstore is run entirely by volunteers.  Last year the bookstore donated $55,000 to the library; this year their goal is $60,000. These funds benefit the library in a variety of ways in which we’ll talk about in a later post. Today I want to focus on the volunteers who make this happen.
As you may or may not know, most of the books that go to the bookstore are donated by generous community members. Without these donations there would be no bookstore and a smaller collection of materials in the Library, since the Library looks at all donations first.
Sorters  look over each donated book and sort them in groups such as: library collection, online sales, auditorium sales, Bookstore, etc.
Bookstore cashiers stock shelves, keep the store tidy, interact with customers, organize books in the back room so the books are ready to go out on the shelves, keep the discard’s cart full, and take care of Paige Turner.
Delivery Drivers – Friends Bookstore volunteers deliver books to Channel One, where clients may pick up free children’s books, or adult non-fiction and fiction. They deliver books to places in town such as the Gift of Life Transplant House so those who are here waiting for treatment at Mayo Clinic have adequate reading materials.
Operation Paperback – Friends gather requests from American soldiers stationed  in Afghanistan, Iraq, and all over the world and ship donated books to them. The Friends also send a variety of additional books in most genres in case they have not been able to submit requests.
Read With Me program  each baby born in Olmsted County receives a book bag containing his or her first book.
Adopt-a-library – Friends have adopted libraries in other communities and helped them to fill out holes in their collections when we have multiple copies of books or when the library suffers from natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, etc.
Community Events - Friends attend local events such as the ArtiGras and ArtWalk and Poetry Conferences, and sell books and materials to these specialized audiences.
Fundraising - Friends volunteer to give up their Saturday mornings in order to conduct the Second Saturday Sales in the Bookstore as an additional fundraiser. They also help with special fundraisers, such as icecream socials or teas.
Administration - No business can be a success without good management. The Friends have committees who take care of the business end of things such as scheduling, training, accounting, marketing, etc.
The Friends’ Bookstore is a great asset to the Rochester Public Library and appreciated by all the library staff.

Summer Fundraisers

The Foundation and Friends of the Rochester Public Library held two fundraisers in the Plummer House on August 9th. This was a perfect venue, wonderful gardens and even the weather cooperated with sunshine and cool breezes! We had specific goals in mind, as the library needed to replace a children's computer station and cd/dvd cleaning equipment needed updating. We were able to raise funds towards both projects thanks to our loyal supporters and patrons. Plus we all had a great time! Both events have photo albums on our facebook page.
The first event was Cool Reads for Hot Days, as an ice cream social with a local author Elissa Elliott who provided great discussion points with her recent book Eve, and her new writings. We appreciated that she donated books for door prizes. There were wonderful silent auction items and bucket raffles of books as well. We also showcased some new items of Library and literary stationary, notecards, notepads, notebooks and matchbook pocketbook notepads, many handcrafted from re-purposed books.  A lovely Friend decorated both events with flowers from her garden! These were transferred to and graced the Library.

The second event, Brews and Clues, was held in the evening with local author Paul Koeller talking about his family experiences in the brewing industry in Wisconsin. It was a fascinating informative talk, and not nearly long enough, but there was beer to sample! Over 40 different types, with some lovely casual foods (huge thank yous to Andy's for the RootBeer and welcoming Beer, Coldstone Creamery for the icecream, Just Rite Foods for the Cheeses, Trader Joes for the pizza) and the Friends who both provided nibbles and smoothly ran the event! Paul also donated a book for a grand prize, as well as part of the proceeds from his book sales that evening. Please note that he also supports a college scholarship with the rest of his proceeds. Several other local business supported this event through the silent auction (see our album descriptions). We hope to make this the FIRST ANNUAL event, and that we will see you all next summer. The Library needs our support, and you get to have a lovely time!

Visting Author Series, Kamala Nair

One of our recent Author Visits was hugely successful: over 125 people attended the Library Event held in the auditorium on July 28th. Kamala Nair read from her debut novel The Girl in the Garden and answered many questions about her writing process, the story itself, and her future projects. It was a great pleasure to hear her read from her work as well. Everyone enjoyed the glimpse of the Indian culture, both in her book and at our event : fabulous foods were prepared by family and friends, Anu Nair, Celia Kamath and Athira Nair and others. The cardamom cake in the shape of Kamala's book was outstanding, both in taste and appearance!We can't thank you enough for adding to all our senses that evening.

We were very fortunate to have two beautiful flower displays based on the exotic flowers of India and the book donated by Modern Designs, a local artist who creates with flowers. She kindly provided these two items as a raffle item to some very lucky people! Katherine, the Library coordinator of these events is delivering one of the special bouquets.

The Friends help sponsor these author visits, with their time, flowers, treats, etc. - you may volunteer at specific upcoming events, which promise to be quite exciting (Mystery Tea in September!)

Unusual and Special book display - August

For the month of August, you can feast your eyes on books that have been signed by the hands (or pens) of their authors. Check out the Library's display case (on first floor, just to the right of the promotional poster wall as you walk into the library). We have a selection of books that have been signed (the author's signature only) or inscribed (a short note written to an individual by the author). Inscribed books are usually considered more valuable since they have a more personal connection to the author. These books will change as the month rolls along, so check back early and often to get the best deals. Help out the library by making these signed, sealed, and delivered books yours.

Friends Bulletin board

How Reading Changed My Life

by Kamala Nair
When I was a child, my parents made a rule that neither my sister nor I were allowed to watch television during the weekdays. At first we railed against their injustice. The thought of being the only kid at school who didn’t know what happened on yesterday’s episode of Saved by the Bell seemed unbearable. But when the realization that arguing was futile eventually sank in, I began to seek entertainment elsewhere.
I had always loved reading, but now that watching television after homework was no longer an option, books became an obsession, one my parents encouraged. Although I have remained a passionate reader into adulthood, nothing compares to the sense of magic and wonder of immersing myself in a story as a child. Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, The Secret Garden, Chronicles of Narnia. These are only a few of the works that captivated my imagination, books that made it easy to completely lose myself in another world to the point where I’d feel disoriented when I finally surfaced, eager to dive back in.
The television ban was lifted on weekends and during summer vacations, and I happily partook in Saturday morning cartoon time like most other kids. But watching stories unfold on a screen had lost some of its appeal, and I began to spend more time with my nose buried in a book. The pleasure of a cartoon or sitcom was fleeting, I discovered, whereas books stretched out over the course of days or weeks, and resonated in my heart long after the last word had been read. I often returned to my favorite stories, reading them over and over again until the pages were fragile and dog-eared.
We moved two times over the course of my childhood, first from upstate New York to Vermont, then from Vermont to Minnesota. We also spent three months living in Sweden when I was ten. During those years of shifting landscapes, people, and cultures, books became my one constant. We arrived in Rochester the summer before I started eighth grade, and I didn’t have a single friend. I remember checking out The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck from the library, and falling under its spell. I devoured it in a few short days, and returned for more. I ended up reading every book Buck had ever written over the course of those few months before school started, and even though it was a difficult period, having just said goodbye to the friends and life I had established back in Vermont, the joy of reading made that summer a surprisingly pleasant one.
My love of reading transitioned into a desire to write. From a very early age, I learned that writing was a wonderful source of entertainment. I could create my own world and make my characters do whatever I wanted. It was a heady feeling. As I grew older, I approached writing with a more serious attitude. In sixth grade I had a poem published in a small journal, and in eighth grade I won a statewide short story contest. These achievements encouraged me, and helped me realize that writing was something I might be able to pursue as a career. I wanted to make some kind of difference, and I decided the most valuable contribution I could make would be to add beauty to the world through literature. If I could bring as much joy to even a handful of people as the books I had read throughout my childhood had given to me, it would be enough.
My first novel, The Girl in the Garden, just hit shelves. I have no doubt that my love of reading is what inspired me to pursue the goal of writing a novel. I’m so grateful to my parents for encouraging us to read instead of spending hours in front of the television. If it hadn’t been for that rule, I might be living a very different life today.

2nd Saturday Sale

2^nd Saturday Sale – Summer Fiction Reads

Saturday August 13, the Friends’ Bookstore in the Rochester Public Library will host a paperback fiction sale in the library foyer from 10 AM to 1 PM.  For each three books you purchase, you will receive one free (of equal or lesser value).  If you spend $15 or more, you will receive a free library canvas tote.  Join us and find quality books at affordable prices!

The library stationary collection, Miss Edna cards and note pads, matchbook style note pads, and the READ poster note pads (Collect them all!) plus journal books will be for sale. These items are all made from re-purposed/recycled books and paper and make excellent gifts.

Well bred, well read contest finalists

It's been very difficult to pick the winner of this month's Well read, well bred photo contest. We need your help. Vote (comment) for your favorite photo by August 8th if you want it to win.

This is Molly reading Garfield.

This is Charlie reading Meowmorphosis.

This is Joe, dreaming of his wild Scottish cousins.

Brews and Clues - Registration Update

We realize that the opportunity to taste almost 50 beers could be quite, how do we say... a little more intoxicating than normal tasting sessions usually allow; we are allowing designated drivers to get into this event for free! *
Each beer sample is a 2 oz pour so you will be able to pick a number of samples. This is an opportunity for you to discover new beers and new tastes at a fraction of the price of each beer. Some of these beers go for $15/bottle!
*Some people think three is a crowd but for us, three is the magic number. Purchase two tickets for the event and you can bring your very own designated driver who will get their fill of 1919 root beer, a wine spritzer, or other soft beverages.
This is a special opportunity for online ticket sales since we are not advertising this anywhere else!
The deadline for early bird registration is Friday! Register now! No tickets are given out, when registering, please provide full names for your entire party (even your designated driver) for the list at the door.

Using a Library for Historical Research

Everyone knows that libraries are a great place to check out books to read. However, you might not know that they are also a great archive for historical data and contain a wealth of resources for researching history and genealogy.
I was fortunate to grow up in a house where reading was strongly encouraged. I’ve always been a morning person and some of my earliest memories are getting up early and reading before school. I also remember reading many of the “We Were There” histories and lots of biographies in grade school. When summer came, we always signed up for the summer reading program at the public library in La Crosse, Wisconsin where I grew up. Each summer there would be a theme and we’d get a theme related stamp from the librarian for each verbal book report we’d complete. By the end of the summer I’d always have collected all of the stamps.
I’ve continued my love of reading as an adult. Seldom does a week go by that I’m not at the library checking out several books. When our daughter Mara was born, we’d read to her every night. I’m happy to see that as an adult she now has that same love of reading. Back in 2000 Mara graduated from Century High School and went off to college at the University of Wisconsin. With an “empty nest” I started looking for something to fill my time. With my life long interest in history, I ended up deciding to research and write a book on the history of the G. Heileman Brewery in La Crosse where my father had worked for more than forty years.
I quickly discovered a new use for libraries. I spent many hours researching the brewery in the historical archives at the La Crosse Public Library and The Murphy Library at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. I discovered that the library had all of the old La Crosse newspapers on microfilm. In the case of Heileman, the articles had even been organized and indexed into separate files making it much easier to access. I was also able to find census records, biographies, personal histories, and obituaries for all of the key Heileman personnel including Gottlieb Heileman the brewery founder. At The Murphy Library I found hundreds of old photos that I was able to incorporate into my book. In 2004, that research resulted in the publishing of the book Brewed With Style - The Story of the House of Heileman that I co-authored.
After writing the book, I decided to do additional historical research on a variety of topics related to Rochester and Olmsted County. You’ll often find me on the second floor at the Rochester Public Library researching and reading microfilms of old Rochester newspapers. One of the really nice machines that is available allows me to not only view microfilm, but also to scan the images and save them to a flash drive. I make use of that machine to include actual newspaper headlines or photos in my power point presentations. I also make use of the special collections kept on the second floor of historical documents, maps, and local records. The materials are often one of a kind documents that don’t circulate but can be viewed in the library. The library staff at the research desk on the second floor are always happy to help with these materials.
When I’m not at the Public Library I’m often at the library at the Olmsted County History Center using their archives and their extensive collection of historical materials and photos. The result being numerous history presentations that I’ve given at the Rochester Public Library, The Olmsted History Center, Mayo Clinic, Charter House, The Rochester Senior Center, and most recently at the University of Minnesota - Rochester.
I’ve come a long way from those early days in grade school reading the old “We Were There” histories. I’ve published my own history book and filled my retirement with historical research and an active life giving history presentations. Libraries have given me the information I’ve needed, hours of enjoyment, and have definitely changed my life.

August is...

August is:
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
(Turn in your reading logs for fun prizes!)
Audio Appreciation Month
(check out our Music CDs and Audiobooks)
August 5th: International Beer Appreciation
(Celebrate with us on August 9th at the Clues and Brews fund-raising event)
August 19th: The Anniversary of the signing of the 19th Ammendment