Headstart Classes Visit Library

Two classes from the Tawas Headstart Center visited the East Tawas Library this past week.

This is the sixth year that Tawas Headstart has brought their classes to visit the library. In the past the children have all been 4 years old. This year the classes also included some 3 year olds.

In the morning 14 children and 6 adults visited the library. The afternoon group consisted of 12 children and 4 adults. The hard work of the teaching staff is always apparent, as the children were once again enthusiastic and lively but still well behaved.

Each class visited the library for about an hour. The visit started with a discussion of what a library is: "a place where you borrow things like books, magazines, movies, and puzzles (rather than buying them, like in a store) and then return them for someone else to use." They saw what a real library card looks like and were encouraged to return to the library with a parent (or legal guardian) to receive their own library card.

After showing the kids some of the wide variety of books that a library has, I read them a story or two. The kids had already learned in Headstart what an author was, and were very proud to correctly come up with the word when asked to demonstrate their knowledge, by their teacher, Miss Ellen. The morning class opted for just one story while the afternoon class listened to two stories.

The kids then enjoyed some free time. They looked at books, and had books read to them. They played with the many puppets and the puppet theater. They put together puzzles and played with the farmyard set and the Legos ®.

After getting their winter gear back on, the kids each received a bookmark about the proper care of books. This year the bookmarks were either a kangaroo with a pouch full of books, as well as her joey, talking about returning books on time, or a dog stating, "Dog-eared pages feel awful to me."

Prior to re-boarding the school bus, each child was able to use a rubber stamp and an ink pad to stamp a dinosaur on the back of their bookmark. As always, this seemed to be the highlight of their library visit.

Why not visit the East Tawas Library yourself? The Headstart classes and I recommend the following two books:

The Bravest of the Brave by Shutta Crum and illustrated by Tim Bowers. This book lead to a discussion of skunks and how they are gentle creatures unless provoked. The Headstart kids enjoyed counting along with the story as the little skunk ventured through the scary (to him) woods until being safely reunited with his family and tucked into bed.

Straight to the Pole by Kevin O'Malley. This story, which I always find reminiscent of arctic and Antarctic explorers, reminded the Headstart kids of the snow day they had enjoyed the day before their library visit.

Hanukkah Book Display

Come visit the East Tawas Library and see the special display in honor of Hanukkah.

This year Hanukkah starts today, Tuesday December 4th, at sundown. Hanukkah continues for eight days, ending at nightfall on Wednesday December 12th.

Books on display include:

Celebrate Hanukkah with Light, Latkes, and Dreidels by Deborah Heiligman. This is part of a series of books published by National Geographic, entitled Holidays Around the World. While the book was written for children it provides a nice overview and also includes a recipe for Potato Latkes.

Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Greg Harlin. In this children's picture book George Washington's strength and resolve are bolstered by a Polish soldier's explanation of Hanukkah. The book flows beautifully between the days of the army of the Maccabees and the days of George Washington's army. I found this a wonderful book.

What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew about Judaism by Robert Schoen. This is a very readable book, either in parts or in entirety. The author states that his intent is to, "explain to my non-Jewish friends, in a simple, nonthreatening manner, what my religion is all about." A glossary and pronunciation guide is included.

We all need to take to heart the last two lines of Robert Schoen's book:

"Let us work together to help make this often-troubled world one of peace and harmony."

"Shalom!"

Veterans Day Book Display

Come visit the East Tawas Library and see the special book display in honor of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day. It was first celebrated in 1919, one year after the cessation of hostilities (on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month) of The Great War, which we now call World War I. Other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom use the term Remembrance Day.

For more information about Veterans Day see the following web sites from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the US Army Center of Military History.

www.va.gov/vetsday

www.army.mil/cmh/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm

The 30 books on display range from picture books (The Wall by Eve Bunting) to books for teens (Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac) to books for adults (The War Journal of Major Damon "Rocky" Gause: The Firsthand Account of One of the Greatest Escapes of World War II).

CMU's Exhibit: "A David Small World"

I recently visited Central Michigan University's Park Library to view an exhibit of one of my favorite children's book illustrators, David Small.

If you are going to be in Mount Pleasant before the exhibit ends on October 29, 2007, I would highly recommend taking the time to see this original artwork.

I have been privileged, twice before, to view exhibits of original artwork from classic children's books. I thoroughly enjoyed both exhibits. Having the opportunity to see the original art gave me a whole new perspective concerning some of my favorite children's books. While I have always felt the art "makes or breaks" a picture book, it is easy to forget that each page's illustration started out as a piece of art. Seeing the artwork formally displayed in frames in a museum style setting, reminded me that the artwork is much more than just a picture in a kid's book, it is art.

In 1984, while living in Chicago, I saw the exhibit 50 Years of Babar at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. It featured the art of Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff, the authors and illustrators of the Babar the Elephant books.

In 2001, while visiting NYC, I saw the exhibit Celebrating 60 Years of Curious George: The Art of H. A. and Margret Rey at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. It featured the art of the Curious George books as well as other books the husband and wife team had created.

David Small works with watercolors, pen and ink, and pastels. The exhibit contained a variety of his work including original artwork from two award winning books. In 1998, the book The Gardener was named a Caldecott Honor Book. In 2001, David Small won the Caldecott Medal for illustrating the book So You Want to Be President?

I especially enjoyed the art from The Journey by Sarah Stewart (David Small's wife). The book details an Amish girl's visit to Chicago through her diary entries. Everything the girl enjoys seeing and doing in Chicago reminds her of home. The artwork shows both locations and how each place is valuable and wonderful in its own way.

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, located in Abilene Texas, provided the artwork for the David Small exhibit. See their website for more information about the museum and their exhibits. As well as their permanent collection in Texas, they have eight other traveling exhibits.

www.nccil.org

If you are unable to visit Mount Pleasant before the exhibit closes, stop by the East Tawas Library to see the following books illustrated by David Small:

Fenwick's Suit by David Small

The Friend by Sarah Stewart

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

The Journey by Sarah Stewart

The Money Tree by Sarah Stewart

My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D. C.
by Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Ruby Mae Has Something to Say by David Small

So You Want to Be an Explorer? by Judith St. George

So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George

Chilton Auto Repair Manuals Online ®

Michigan residents are now able to access Chilton Auto Repair Manuals ® via the Internet.

The State of Michigan provides the Michigan Electronic Library (MeL) so state residents have free access to a large variety of computer databases from any Internet computer. Library computers will automatically connect, while home or work computers require a log in process. This limits access to Michigan residents.

The web site is: http://www.mel.org/

Under the center section marked "Mel Databases" chose either "See databases from home" or "See databases from the library".

Scroll down, to the database entitled "ChiltonLibrary.com". Click on the blue colored link under the words "ChiltonLibrary.com".

If you are using a non-library computer you will now be asked to verify that you are a Michigan resident by entering your Driver's License Number or your State ID number. If you prefer, you can use your library card instead. Select "Iosco-Arenac District Library" from the drop down menu, and type in your name and your library card number. Click "Submit".

Now select the vehicle you are seeking information about. Use the arrow keys to select, in order: "Year", "Make", and "Model". Then click the green "Select" box.

Depending on the type of vehicle selected the following choices may appear: "Bulletins/Recalls", "Maintenance", and "Repair". Click on the category you want and continue to follow any instructions. The ability to print, for personal use only, is provided.

For patrons that prefer to use books rather than the Internet, the East Tawas Library has a large collection of various auto repair manuals. Many of these manuals have been obtained from donations and rummage sales. If you have repair manuals (automotive, motorcycle, marine, small engine etc.) that you are no longer using, remember the East Tawas Library welcomes donations.

Banned Book Week Display

Come visit the East Tawas Library and see the special display in honor of Banned Book Week (September 29 - October 6, 2007).

Libraries and bookstores around the country have observed banned book week since 1982. Its purpose is to celebrate the freedom to read. American Library Association President, Loriene Roy, states, "Not every book is right for every reader.... Libraries serve users from a variety of backgrounds - that's why libraries need - and have - such a wide range of materials. Individuals must have the right to choose what materials are suitable for themselves and their families."

Visit the East Tawas Library. You may be surprised to see how many "banned books" you have read and enjoyed over the years.

Welcome

Welcome to the East Tawas Library News blog.

Last week I attended the Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association's annual conference. It was a three-day conference held at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center in Bay City.

Sessions I attended included:

Medical Library: Prescription for Success by Dr. James Matarazzo (Dean and Professor of Library and Information Science, Emeritus) of Simmons College in Boston. I especially enjoyed hearing about his trip to Japan to study corporate libraries. This class ended up being very relevant to public libraries, discussing budgets and other obstacles facing libraries today.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Library by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum, the authors/illustrators of the web comic strip Unshelved. Bill is a software designer and cartoonist and Gene (pen name) is a librarian in a public library. Both live in the Seattle area. I really enjoy this comic strip, which is set in a public library, and receive it daily via email.

http://www.unshelved.com/

Surviving the Public by the Unshelved authors/illustrators. While this session was more informal than most customer service workshops usually are, it was actually more effective and certainly funnier than other workshops I've attended.

Health Benefits of Chocolate by Dr. Patrick Fields, aka Doc Choc (PhD in Botany and Plant Pathology). This session discussed the plant chocolate is derived from and chocolate's history. I enjoyed viewing the many chocolate related displays Dr. Fields brought. The program ended with a chocolate tasting.

Introduction to RSS & Blogging for Librarians by Sandy Swanson, a Librarian at Mercy General Health Partners in Muskegon. During this hands-on class we learned how these computer technologies can be used as public relations and communication tools in the work place. Thanks to this 2-hour class, I was able to set up this blog.

Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Health Resources by Bonnie Campbell, a Principal in the information consulting firm, CMEd, Information Services. This hands-on class reviewed the health related databases that all Michigan residents have 24-hour computer access to either through their home or work computers or through library computers, during library hours.

http://www.mel.org/

I also enjoyed the various vendors' exhibits. It was amazing how almost all medical related information is now provided via computers, versus the books we used in nursing school, over 26 years ago.

All in all, it was a wonderful conference and I appreciated the City of East Tawas paying my way.