acpl.info

Indiana artists eligible for up to $2,000 in grants

2009-11-27T16:52:00.000-05:00

Taken directly from the Fort Wayne Daily News
Wednesday, 25 November 2009 09:20

Arts United and the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) will present a workshop for artists seeking to apply for funds through the Indiana Arts Commission.

The workshop will take place at the Allen County Public Library from 5:30-7 p.m. December 15. Pre-registration is required. (Contact information below.)

Hoosier artists in selected disciplines have until Feb. 1, 2010 to submit applications for the IAC’s Individual Artist Program (IAP) grant.

Artists are encouraged to thoroughly read the program guidelines on the IAC web site, and note there are significant changes in artistic disciplines that will be accepted for application during the next grant period.

Eligible projects will only be considered in the areas of: crafts, design art, media arts, photography, visual arts, and folk arts related to the traditional disciplines listed here. The new, federally-funded Artist Access Program that encourages participation by artists with disabilities will also be included within the IAP guidelines and application process.

Individual artists living and working in Indiana may apply for up to $2,000 from the IAP grant, which requires no matching funds. The grants are intended to assist artists with specific project-related costs that will help them further their career and provide significant public benefit through the completed project.

Applicants must be 18 years of age, must be an Indiana resident for at least one year prior to the date of the application, and plan to remain in the state for the full grant period. Artists may not be enrolled in a degree-granting program. All projects must be completed between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

A detailed explanation of the IAP program, and grant guidelines are available on the IAC website. Artists should be aware that the application for IAP grants must be submitted online utilizing the IAC’s online grants system.

Qualified citizen review panels, selected by the IAC, will evaluate applications during discipline-specific panel meetings convened by the IAC. The panels examine each application based upon criteria which includes the quality of the artist’s work, the impact the project will have on the artist’s career development, public benefit from the project, and feasibility of the project completion in the specified period of time.

More than 200 artists applied for Individual Artists Program grants last year and 33 projects received IAC funding.

Artists must pre-register by contacting Jan Shupert-Arick, Director of Regional Services at 260-471-5670 or email JShupert-Arick@artsunited.org.

library renovation mosaic

2009-11-04T19:31:00.001-05:00

library renovation mosaic
Originally uploaded by acpl

We have a bit of construction going on at the main library. Self check machines are coming! The old checkout desk is being reconfigured. During the construction, the checkout desk has moved down the hall a bit, and the general reference desk is in the Great Hall. We're in temporary spots, but we're still here to help you!

"See the USA, do research today"

2008-03-06T13:50:00.005-05:00

OK, OK, Dinah Shore, wherever you are, please forgive me.

You had to have been there, staying up in your ski pajamas late on Sunday nights, sitting on the living room floor, listening to Dinah, watching her just glow with joy as she sang about seeing the USA in your Chevrolet. I've tried over the years to follow her advice, although I've also used American Motors, Volkswagen, Nissan, Plymouth, Toyota and Honda, and the next big jaunt will be in a Saturn. Anyway, as vacation season approaches just beyond the tree buds you almost see in your front yard, my surprisingly sound advice to you is to get books from the library to help plan your own travels with Burt Reynolds or whoever else warms your heart.

Two years ago, on a trip to Vicksburg, Miss., I wouldn't have found the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale if I hadn't borrowed ACPL travel books. Same for the tiny Jim Henson museum in his home town of Leland, which itself isn't much bigger than Kermit the Frog. Last year, my son Aaron and I wouldn't have discovered one of the best-kept natural history secrets in the East -- Pennsylvania's Ricketts Glen State Park and its 22 named waterfalls. The concept applies to every other such journey I've taken for many years now. It's so much more fun when you have some idea of where you are going.

Next up for Patty and me is Austin, to visit our daughter, Noelle. We're hauling furniture for her this time, so, to break up the Interstate monotony, we'll cruise the lovely Natchez Trace on the way down and drive among the Ozarks on the way home. I plan to load up on travel books this very evening. If you'd like to do the same (and, like me, overcome your guilt about global warming, etc.), come to the Readers' Services Department at the Main library or work with your librarian at your local branch, who will have some materials and will be able to get others from Main.

According to Dinah, "America's the greatest land of all." Here at ACPL, we've got the books (and maps) to help you discover what she meant.

Evan

NEW BLOG!

2008-01-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

We are starting a new blog. We hope you'll continue checking out our latest news at our new address: http://acplinfo.wordpress.com/!

tax forms are here!

2008-01-09T18:27:00.001-05:00

tax forms are here!
Originally uploaded by acpl

We have free state and federal tax forms available in the Great Hall of the main library, and also at our branch locations.

Come in Out of the Cold and "Travel" to Mexico with Us

2008-01-02T20:22:00.001-05:00

Join us for the first of our Destinations series:

Mexico
Sunday, January 13, 2008
1:00 PM at the Main Library
Meeting Room A

The second Sunday of the month we'll visit a different exciting destination as experts from Conference and Travel Services take us on virtual adventures.

Future Destinations and Dates:
Alaska on Stage - February 10, 2008
Cooking Around the World - March 9, 2008
Disney Destinations - April 13, 2008
Travel Around the World - May 11, 2008

(Photo courtesy: www.morguefile.com)

Caroling, Caroling, Now We Go

2007-12-17T18:10:00.000-05:00

While we do not have any concerts scheduled at this time, join us in the Great Hall at the Main Library for some holiday caroling.

Tuesday, December 18th- 2pm- Children's Department- Chime concert.

Wednesday, December 19th - 1pm - Hickory Elementary

[Since I quoted the copyrighted song "Caroling, Caroling", I should note it was written by Al Burt and Wihla Hutson in 1954. Read more about lyricist Wihla, born in Indiana, here.]

Free Concert this Friday

2007-12-03T13:48:00.000-05:00

Come Sunday for Free Holiday Music at the Main Library

2007-11-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

Movie Night @ the Library--November 27

2007-11-20T17:25:00.000-05:00

Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 @ 6:30 PM
Main Library Theater
Free admission

We have one final movie night for 2007 at the Main Library Theater.

Tuesday, November 27 at 6:30 PM we will be showing Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. For more information on the movie, go to http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/amv/events.html or Internet Movie Database.
All ages are welcome, but we ask that adults accompany children under 13 years of age. Seating is limited (232 seats) and no food or drink is allowed in the theater.

We hope to see you on Tuesday, November 27th at the Main Library!

Just FYI: Our Hessen Cassel branch offers a movie night on the third Thursday; Their next one is December 13 at 6:30 PM. Call Hessen Cassel at 421-1330 for more information. And our New Haven branch offers a movie day for teens only on Thursday, November 29 at 3:30 PM and Thursday, December 27 at 3:30 PM.

Other than that, movie nights will resume in 2008. Here are the dates for the Main Library:

January 29, 2008
February 26
March 25
April 29
May 27
June 24
July 29
August 26
September 30
October 28
November 25

Would you buy a hamburger from this man?

2007-10-29T21:56:00.000-04:00

I did.

I've met a few celebrities in my life. Muhammad Ali, in the Louisville airport. Majel Barrett, of Star Trek fame. Ron Glass, who I watched on Barney Miller and Firefly. In every one of those meetings, I knew who I was talking to. I'm not easily awed by celebrity - I mainly want to shake hands and tell whoever it is that I appreciate their work, or what they stand for. (Okay, there was a little awe with Muhammad Ali.)

But in approximately 1978, when I was 16, I went into a new hamburger joint in Bloomington, Indiana called Oz Bach's Boogie Woogie Burger Bus, and bought a burger from Oz Bach himself. Until just recently, I knew very little about him beyond 1. cool name, and 2. had a Boogie Woogie Burger Bus. But a couple of weeks ago, I drove past the location of the old BWBB, and thought to myself "I wonder what happened to Oz Bach?"

I have a picture of him that I took in a high school photojournalism class. If I could find it, I'd scan it and post it. It looks just like the one here, except a few years younger, with darker hair, and with more muscles showing, because it was hot behind that grill. Looking right into the camera, his smile saying "Sure, you can take my picture!"

It turns out he was used to it.

Oz Bach was the bass player for Spanky and Our Gang, a 1960s pop band with hits I've actually listened to, like "Lazy Day" and "Sunday Will Never Be the Same." I've always known there is life after celebrity, and I never heard a word about his fame from Oz. I talked to him several times, and he was just this personable guy selling hamburgers from a bus. He died in 1998.

You can see him on the Ed Sullivan Show (Oz is on the far left), or find more info about Oz on his tribute page (on the Spanky and Our Gang site). ACPL has some of their music on 60s collection discs - if you search for "Spanky Our Gang" (without the quotes) and ignore the Little Rascals results, you can find most of it.

Haunted Houses

2007-10-10T08:42:00.000-04:00

One of the most frequently asked questions of the month (especially as we get closer to Halloween) is where are the haunted houses, how much is admission and what are the hours. This morning’s paper had the following article with this information:http://www.jg.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/FEAT/710070427
These are the “biggies”, but as we get closer to Halloween, there will probably be more places listed in the papers.
Linda C.

Chess at ACPL

2007-09-26T14:55:00.000-04:00

Allen County Public Library has a Chess Club, and the Chess Club now has a blog: http://acplchess.wordpress.com/. Keep up with meeting times and places, upcoming tournaments, and the topics for our brief instructional sessions.

Robert Jordan, 1948-2007

2007-09-20T13:27:00.000-04:00

Robert Jordan, author of the bestselling Wheel of Time fantasy series, died Sunday, September 16. The twelfth and final book in the Wheel of Time series (working title A Memory of Light), was unfinished at the time of his death. It seems probable that it will be finished and published eventually, but until then, if you need to start another giant fantasy series to tide yourself over, try one of these:

Steven Erikson's series The Malazan Book of the Fallen is five books along, out of a projected ten. Even the scale of the first book, Gardens of the Moon, is huge, detailing the mortal and divine forces arrayed against each other in the last Free City to stand against the Malazan Empire's Genabackis Campaign.

A Song of Ice and Fire is George R. R. Martin's series recasting the Wars of the Roses in a fantasy setting. It's full of terrible, horrible, awful people and worse events ... just the kind of thing I like to read! It's not for the faint of heart. He's working on the fifth book of the series.

Music Lovers Weekend @ the Library

2007-09-19T13:11:00.001-04:00

Bookstock Music Festival
Saturday, September 22, 2007
1 pm to 11 pm
Main Library Plaza
Free admission

10 bands, 10 hours of rock. Featuring Dave Todoran, Rockefeller Four, Mike Conley, Jamerib School of Rock, The Wailhounds, Action Jaxson, Pop-N-Fresh, Phil's Family Lizard, Pillars of Society, and the Humanity.

Peter Fletcher
Sunday, September 23, 2007
2:00-3:30 pm
Main Library Theater
Free admission

Peter Fletcher, classical guitarist, visits ACPL once again. Check out Peter's website at peterfletcher.com and then join us for his performance Sunday.

America at Home project

2007-09-18T16:27:00.000-04:00

A project similar to our Day in Allen County project, which captured life here in Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana for a specific date, the America at Home 7 Days project is a week-long attempt to capture life in America.

We're all starting to look the same!

2007-09-17T21:03:00.001-04:00

I noticed at American Library Association conventions (ALA) that you can generally pick the librarians out of a crowd, even in a large city. But does this happen at other libraries? We've noticed several pairs of staff people who are starting to look very similar.

We look similar for a reason
Originally uploaded by acpl

Library resemblance?
Originally uploaded by acpl

We look similar for a reason. We're just not sure what it is yet! :)

Antiques Evaluation Day--Deadline Friday

2007-09-08T13:55:00.001-04:00

Don't miss your chance to have your antique evaluated for free at our Antiques Evaluation Day 2007!

The application deadline is Friday, September 14, 2007.

Read more about the event and get the application here.

Poll reveals that 1 in 4 Adults Didn't Read a Book Last Year

2007-08-23T13:41:00.001-04:00

Reading the new Harry Potter! (21/365)
Originally uploaded by acpl

A recent Associated Press story reveals that "one in four adults read no books at all in the past year."

No matter whether you read a lot or hardly at all, we've got so much to choose from at our libraries! Fiction and non-fiction books, large print books, books on tape and CD (even MP3!), and comics/graphic novels.

We also have magazines, movies, music CDs, thematic Kits for Kids, and more!

~Sara

Chess tournaments

2007-07-31T11:44:00.000-04:00

Allen County Public Library hosts two chess tournaments in August: one for children in preschool to those entering 5th grade and one for teens from 6th to 12th grades. The tournaments are unrated and they're mostly for fun. I can't say non-competitive, though, because that wouldn't be true ...

We're still accepting late registrations for both tournaments. The Children's Department will host their tournament this Saturday, August 4, at the Main Library, with a players' meeting at 9:15 am and first round play at 9:45 am. Pick up a registration form in the Children's Department or at any branch, or register online at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/chess_form.html.

The Young Adults' Services Department will host their tournament on Saturday, August 11, at the Main Library, with a players' meeting at 9:15 am and first round play beginning at 9:45 am. Pick up a registration form in the Young Adults' Services Department or at any branch, or call 421-1255 to register.

If you can't make the tournament, or if you're no longer qualified to play because of being ... less young, we'd still love to see you at the ACPL All Ages Chess Club, which meets every Saturday (except during the tournaments - next meeting is Saturday, August 18!) from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Main Library downtown.

Swingin' Good Time in the Summertime

2007-07-30T15:40:00.000-04:00

Join us for an outdoor jazz concert at the Main Library downtown this Saturday.

Conglomernotes Big Band
Saturday, August 4, 2007
2:00-4:00 pm
Library Plaza

Put on your sunscreen and dancing shoes!

Summer Reading is winding down

2007-07-24T15:43:00.000-04:00

We hope you read strong all year long, but our Children's, Young Adults' and Adults' Summer Reading Programs are all coming to an end this Friday, July 27, at 6:00 pm. Be sure to stop in before then and turn in your card or entries (depending on which age-level program you're in).

Harry Potter is here!

2007-07-21T11:30:00.000-04:00

We had a great time at the Harry Potter release party last night!

You can also now get on the holds list for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (book 7 in the series - the final one!)....

Free Classical Music Downloads

2007-07-19T18:38:00.001-04:00

I'm sure there are other sites out there, but I've just had this one brought to my attention: Classical Music Library Free Download of the Week. You can sign up for free email alerts when new music is available. Know of another great site for free (and legal) music downloads? Let us know.

new words in the dictionary

2007-07-11T15:30:00.000-04:00

Merriam-Webster - my personal favorite dictionary to look up words online - just added approximately 100 new words to the Eleventh Edition. Some of the new offerings are:

crunk

ginormous

smackdown

speed dating

sudoku

telenovela

Harry Potter fever!

2007-06-27T20:36:00.000-04:00

The seventh and final Harry Potter book will be released in 24 days, according to the countdown calendar on my desk. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" comes out at midnight on Saturday, July 21.

The library will be holding an extravagant release party the night it comes out - Friday, July 20, beginning at 8pm with a pre-show concert on the plaza (featuring the Ballroom Roustabouts) and Diagon Alley will open at 9pm (18 different shops and shows to visit!). This event is free and open to the public.

And did you hear a hacker got into one of the publisher's computers and released a spoiler? Geez! If you can avoid the spoiler news, come out the library the night of July 20 and win a chance to check out the book that night! (The Bookmark will also be here selling copies of the book after midnight.) Library patrons can start placing holds on the book Saturday, July 21.

Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007)

2007-06-15T17:37:00.000-04:00

Ruth Bell Graham passed away yesterday, leaving quite a legacy. Check out some of the books by and about her at the library.

Scrabblefest!

2007-06-15T10:56:00.001-04:00

Scrabble
Originally uploaded by merfam

We are having a Scrabblefest event this Saturday, June 16, in Meeting Room C at the Main Library, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Come play in this all ages, just for fun event. We'll provide the games, snacks, and the chance to win a game to take home!

100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know

2007-06-14T18:38:00.000-04:00

100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
by Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries

The following is the entire list of 100 words:

abjure
abrogate
abstemious
acumen
antebellum
auspicious
belie
bellicose
bowdlerize
chicanery
chromosome
churlish
circumlocution
circumnavigate
deciduous
deleterious
diffident
enervate
enfranchise
epiphany
equinox
euro
evanescent
expurgate
facetious
fatuous
feckless
fiduciary
filibuster
gamete
gauche
gerrymander
hegemony
hemoglobin
homogeneous
hubris
hypotenuse
impeach
incognito
incontrovertible
inculcate
infrastructure
interpolate
irony
jejune
kinetic
kowtow
laissez faire
lexicon
loquacious

lugubrious
metamorphosis
mitosis
moiety
nanotechnology
nihilism
nomenclature
nonsectarian
notarize
obsequious
oligarchy
omnipotent
orthography
oxidize
parabola
paradigm
parameter
pecuniary
photosynthesis
plagiarize
plasma
polymer
precipitous
quasar
quotidian
recapitulate
reciprocal
reparation
respiration
sanguine
soliloquy
subjugate
suffragist
supercilious
tautology
taxonomy
tectonic
tempestuous
thermodynamics
totalitarian
unctuous
usurp
vacuous
vehement
vortex
winnow
wrought
xenophobe
yeoman
ziggurat

How do you fare? :)

Mr. Wizard dead at 89

2007-06-13T10:19:00.000-04:00

Mr. Wizard, aka Don Herbert, died yesterday at the age of 89. When I found that out, I looked him up on Wikipedia (linked above), to find out what I didn't know about him. What I did know was that he did science on TV ... back in the 60s, wasn't it?

Well, yes, but people between the ages of 15 and 30 (and their parents) are beating me to the punch: He reinvented his earlier show (that ran from 1951 to 1965) for Nickelodeon in 1983, and it ran until 1990. Reruns were shown on Nickelodeon until 2000, making it the longest running show ever on Nickelodeon. You can still see some of his books at the library.

I also didn't know that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II.

He was quite a guy.

Summer Reading programs!

2007-06-08T12:49:00.001-04:00

School is out, Memorial Day has passed, and it is getting much warmer outside. Though it's not yet officially summer, the library's summer reading programs are here! We have a program with gift giveaways for everyone - you need not be an Allen County resident, just able to visit our libraries.

Get a Clue @ Your Library: for children, birth through completion of 5th grade

Summer at the Library for Teens: for any young adult who has completed any grade between 5 and 12

Get caught Reading @ ACPL: for adults

All three of these programs run through close of business on July 27, 2007. Check our Web site or call 421-1252 for more information. We'll see you at the library this summer!

POETS LAUREATE WORLDWIDE TO GATHER IN INDIANA FOR BIENNIAL EVENT

2007-06-07T13:12:00.000-04:00

"Sporting Words, a Gathering of Poets Laureate" coming to Indianapolis this June.

The National Gathering of Poets Laureate will be held in Indianapolis this June 22-28. The theme of the Gathering is "Sporting Words" as the participants will use poetry to celebrate Indiana's rich history and current culture in athletics. The Indiana Arts Commission is collaborating with various organizations to host the event which will feature many U.S. and international Poets Laureate.

From the Eiteljorg Museum exhibit on the Native American invention of La Crosse to the National Sports Art Museum on the IUPUI campus, Poets Laureate from around the country and world will come together and put a voice to their experience. Participants will attend youth poetry clinics and sporting activities across the state, and then convene in Indianapolis to observe, participate, write and recite poetry at sports-related activities.

As an element of the gathering, local poets will lead sports/poetry clinics for youth this spring. Students will write poetry in advance, then recite their creations in various locations around Indiana for our Poet Laureate guests. The recitations will be distributed to the participants on CD.

"Sporting Words" will be the third biennial Poets Laureate event. In previous years, poets have gathered in New Hampshire and North Dakota. Currently, 39 states have a Poet Laureate.

For more information about "Sporting Words, a Gathering of Poets Laureate," including a complete listing of the week's activities and registration forms for public events, visit www.in.gov/arts/poet/sportingwords/index.html. The Indiana Arts Commission funds the Poet Laureate education efforts through an annual stipend, administers special programs, and maintains the website.

Free money!

2007-06-06T14:52:00.000-04:00

Well, it's yours already, but we can help you find money that may be owed to you.

Allen County Property Tax Surplus

Indiana Unclaimed Property (includes unclaimed wages, savings and checking accounts, stock dividends, insurance proceeds, safe deposit box contents, etc.)

Various governmental unclaimed money and assets

~Sara

Rock the PLAZA

2007-05-23T19:19:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes, I know what song you are singing now. Sorry to get it stuck in your head. But perhaps it will help you remember to come to the Main Library downtown on Saturday, June 2 at 7 PM for the first in a series of outdoor concerts on the Plaza, sponsored by ACPL and Rock104. Rock the PLAZA is free and will rock the library every other Saturday evening this summer.

First up: Walkin' Papers and Phil's Family Lizard perform on Saturday, June 2 @ 7 PM.

Saturday, June 16 from 7-10 PM: Papa Woody & the Stiffs, Downstrait, and Synchronicity

Saturday, June 30 from 7-10 PM: Sirface and Relative Insanity

Saturday, July 14 from 7-10 PM: The Humanity and Jethro Easyfields

Saturday, July 28 from 7-10 PM: Orange Opera and Unlikely Alibi

Saturday, August 11 from 7-10 PM: Definitely Gary

Saturday, August 25 from 7-10 PM: Moser Woods and Left Lane Cruiser

ACPL Chess Club

2007-05-09T09:56:00.000-04:00

Sixteen people attended the first meeting of the ACPL All Ages Chess Club on Saturday. It was a good turnout, with a range of ages represented. But we need MORE!

The AAACC meets every Saturday at the Main Library from 10 am to 12 noon, unless the library is closed for a holiday or a weather-related emergency. Usually, we're in Meeting Room C; however, when that room is needed for another special event, we meet in Young Adults' Services on the second floor. Use our equipment (chess sets, boards, and clocks) or bring your own.

One of the suggestions we had at our first meeting was to have some kind of club competition, like a tournament or club ladder. Once we hit summer, we'll very likely start something like that. We're also thinking about having special instruction for beginners on one Saturday a month.

Hope you can join us!

Looking At: Jazz

2007-05-02T14:45:00.000-04:00

Looking At: Jazz, a six-week long series of lectures, films, discussion, oh, and music begins this Thursday evening, May 3 at 7 PM at the Main Library downtown.

Here's an article that appeared in the Sunday Journal Gazette.

And here is the full schedule of events.

Couple of concerts this week

2007-04-25T18:23:00.000-04:00

Fort Wayne Early Music Ensemble
April 27, 2007
Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM
Main Library, Theater (900 Library Plaza)

The Fort Wayne Early Music Ensemble consists of Melanie Bookout, Russell Bookout, Anne Martin, Alan Saunders, Wayne Peterson, and Ann Donner. Early music instruments including the viola da gamba will be used to present the concert.

Then on Saturday, we'll jump start our Looking at: Jazz series with the

Francie Zucco Quartet
Saturday, April 28, 2:00-4:00 pm

All concerts are free.

Movie Night April 24th

2007-04-17T13:24:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 PM we will be hosting Movie Night at the Main Library.

This will be our first movie in the new Theater, which is on lower level 2 of the renovated Main Library. Doors will open at 6 PM. I can't tell you exactly what the movie is, as that violates our site license (which we pay to be able to show you movies at the library). But I can tell you that Helen Mirren won her first Oscar in this role and that those of you who are Anglophiles (or Royal watchers) might particularly enjoy the show. I went down yesterday to learn how to use the equipment and the picture was really good!

Movie Night in May: Tuesday, May 29th at 6:30 PM.

(P.S. No food or drink will be allowed in the Theater. Sorry!)

Stones in His Pocket

2007-04-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

Exciting times at the new Main Library. Our first scheduled performance in the newly finished Theater will be the Civic Theater's Stones in His Pocket. I snuck down to see the status of completion of the theater and caught the rehearsals. I encourage you to be among the first in the community to see the new theater and its inaugural performances. Go to the Civic Theater web site to get your tickets.

300 buzz

2007-04-02T10:19:00.000-04:00

Frank Miller is a comic book artist and writer whose most well-known work includes The Dark Knight Returns (a Batman graphic novel which heavily influenced the 1989 film Batman), Sin City (a series of graphic novels, with a film released in 2005), and now 300, about the Spartans' heroic stand against the Persians at Thermopylae.

The movie 300 (just released last month) has done well, receiving more good than bad reviews (you can read some at Rotten Tomatoes, where the tomatometer rates it as 61% Fresh).

If you want to know more, try these:

Frank Miller - an illustrated collection of interviews
Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World by Paul Cartledge
Rise and Fall of the Spartans - History Channel video of everything Sparta

And here are a few historical fiction titles that might grab you (not necessarily about Greeks and Persians):

Gates of Fire: an epic novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by Steven Pressfield
The Ten Thousand by Michael Curtis Ford
The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
The Sunbird by Elizabeth Wein

Author Scott Turow in Fort Wayne

2007-03-22T18:22:00.000-04:00

Author and attorney Scott Turow (Presumed Innocent, Ordinary Heroes) will be in Fort Wayne on Monday for the People of the Book lecture, sponsored by the Fort Wayne Jewish Federation.

Scott Turow
Monday, March 26, 2007
7:30 PM

Congregation Achduth Vesholom
5200 Old Mill Road

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Here are some of the many writings of Scott Turow.

Harrison Square--Downtown Baseball blog

2007-03-17T22:41:00.000-04:00

News you can use? Just ran across this blog: http://downtownfortwaynebaseball.blogspot.com.
Since I missed out on the public forums so far, nice to have another means to hear and join the discussion.

Spring is in the Air...Let the Good Times Roll

2007-03-17T12:08:00.000-04:00

Join us for a concert by
The Good Times Quartet.

Friday, March 23, 2007
12:00 noon to 1:00 PM
Main Library
(900 Library Plaza)

The woodwind quartet of Celeste Louvier (clarinet), Sarah Thelen (oboe), Sean Gummin (bassoon), and Grant Louvier (oboe) will perform music by Ibert, Telemann, Beethoven and others.

Wedding plans?

2007-03-07T18:33:00.000-05:00

From Christmas through Valentine's, there have probably been many engagements. Congratulations if you are a bride or groom-to-be. Here are a couple of nice blogs to get enthused (and perhaps overwhelmed) about the look of your special day.

Something Old, Something New
Style Me Pretty

You might also enjoy these books or music CDs at the Allen County Public Library.

Staff Day Closes Library this Friday

2007-03-05T19:20:00.000-05:00

All branch library locations will be closed this Friday, March 9th for staff training.

The Main Library will be closed as well, but only for part of the day. The Main Library will be open from 2 PM to 6 PM. (So you can be sure to get some books and DVDs for the weekend!)

Any library materials due on 3/9/07 may be returned in our drop boxes. Online renewal will be available the same as usual. If you wish to renew by phone, please call us between 2:00 and 6:00 PM Friday. Telephone renewal is 421-1240.

Music in the air

2007-02-23T11:25:00.000-05:00

Chanson du Soir
March 4, 2007
Sunday at 2 PM
Main Library (900 Library Plaza)

Chanson du Soir is comprised of soprano Chelsea Camille and classical guitarist David Isaacs. Established in 2005, the California natives recently completed a tour of the West Coast. We are happy to bring them to Fort Wayne for your listening pleasure.

Cold

2007-02-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

Well, it's cold, but it's not THAT cold ... I experienced cold weather in Noelville, Ontario, in this way:

5th Grade Teacher: Time for recess!
Me: But it's -40 outside!
5th Grade Teacher: Get out there.

But seriously, cold weather can be dangerous. Here are a couple of places on the web to find out how to protect yourself and the people you care about:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winterstorm/winterstorms.pdf (requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader, available at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html).

It's a madhouse ... a maaadhouse!

2007-01-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

With apologies to Charlton Heston ... it's not a madhouse, but it IS pretty busy! We've been open for three hours and twelve minutes, and there are a BOATLOAD of people here, in every department. So far, people seem to like it. I still haven't seen the gallery, but I'm looking forward to it (see a few details in the next post down). And the cafe is open, people!

New Library--New Gallery

2007-01-27T11:49:00.000-05:00

We open today in 12 minutes!! Hope you are already planning to come.

Renewal: Celebrating Art & Community
Saturday, January 27 - Saturday, March 31, 2007
Allen County Public Library
900 Library Plaza (new/old location)
During Main Library hours (1-6 PM Saturday, Jan. 27th, Grand Opening)

Celebrate with us the opening of the new gallery at the new Main Library. Our first exhibition in this beautiful new space is devoted to the talents of visual artists in our very own community. Representing several Allen County, Indiana artists and works in all media, it will be quite the show. Don't miss it!

Telephone reference while Main is closed

2007-01-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

We're providing telephone reference service while the Main Library is closed during all the hours that Main would normally be open: Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The telephone number to call for this service is 421-1215 (changed from an incorrect posting earlier).

"But I thought you guys were closed!"

2006-12-28T18:52:00.000-05:00

NEW INFORMATION: The Main Library will close its temporary location at 6:00 pm FRIDAY, January 5, instead of Sunday, January 7 as previously reported. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please see our regular hours page for information about branch hours on Saturdays.

We will publish any further information on this blog (and other places) as soon as it becomes available.

Not exactly. Here's the rundown:

All of our branch locations are open their regular hours. However, ALL library locations will be closed Friday, January 19, for a Staff In-Service Day.

The Genealogy Department is closed, and will reopen on Saturday, January 27, at noon, with the rest of the library.

The rest of the Main Library is still open in its temporary location at 200 East Berry Street, but it will close at 6:00 pm on Friday (changed from Sunday, see top of post!), January 5, and won't reopen until the Grand Opening Celebration starts on Saturday, January 27, at noon, at 900 Library Plaza (formerly 900 Webster Street).

But! If you receive a notice that a hold is available for pickup at the Main Library, you can come to the Wayne Street entrance of the temporary location of the Main Library to pick it up and check it out during regular hours. (However, please note that it is currently not possible to choose the Main Library as a hold pickup location; only holds that have already been placed will become available for pickup at Main during the period that the Main Library is closed.)

Main Library staff will continue to provide telephone reference service during the period that the Main Library is closed. Please call 421-1200.

On moving

2006-12-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

I'm driving a truck for the Genealogy move this week. Well, driving, plus helping load and unload 1000-pound carts of books. Very, very carefully. There are a lot of interesting things to learn, and a lot of great people to work with - Genealogy staff, plus a few people from other areas of the library (like me) and quite a few temporary staff, including several who have worked during the summer. I mainly just get to see the dock staff - other loaders and unloaders - but every once in a while, the rest of them trickle out on breaks, and - sorry, I said this before, but in the interest of emphasis - I realize again and again what a great bunch of people I'm working with.

We're running two trucks back and forth from our temporary location, where we've been for almost four years (ever since I started working here; I missed the last move by about a month), to the newly remodeled facility at 900 Library Plaza (formerly known as 900 Webster St.). At our best pace, we make a little better than four truckloads an hour, which is around 50 carts an hour. And if you multiply that out, you get ... a really big number of pounds per day. It's a great workout and an interesting change of pace. (And I'm sleeping really well.)

Of course, there are frustrations, too - other trucks also have to deliver equipment and services to the new building, which slows down our work, but we know it's all heading toward the same goal: getting the building open on January 27.

Now is the time to learn something new!

2006-12-27T19:25:00.000-05:00

I was shelving in the foreign language audiobooks and I realized that if I wanted to learn a new language, this would be the perfect time. It's winter. The library is offering these items for 6 weeks free and clear (and I may even be able to renew come February, just maybe). So think about it. What do you want to learn? What will be new for you in 2007?

Keep your books for 6 weeks!

2006-12-18T14:52:00.000-05:00

Several people have expressed concern about the Main Library closing from January 8- January 26. They've wondered, "Whatever will I do without the library?" Besides the fact that all of our 13 branch locations will still be open and ready to serve you, all locations are also now offering a 6-week check out period for items that usually check out for 3 weeks. So now's the time to stock up on reading material, audiobooks, and music CDs to help while away those few (and presumably cold) winter days when you won't want to head out anyway. Items checked out and/or renewed now won't be due back until after the Main Library reopens at 900 Library Plaza. So be sure to come visit us from now until January 7 and get your "home library" stocked for those few weeks we are closed.

Remember browsing?

2006-11-30T12:20:00.000-05:00

Long ago, you couldn't see what the library had by looking at the catalog on the Web. You had to go to the library and look at the materials. And what happened when you went to look for something at the library was that you saw an intriguing title on your way to what you were looking for, and then you let yourself get a little bit sidetracked, and you looked over some other books nearby, and then you thought of something else you heard about or thought about or read about or saw on television or just realized you were interested in, and you went off to look that up, and maybe you passed the New Book display on the way and found something by your favorite author that you didn't even know was out yet.

This was known as browsing. Well, it IS known as browsing, but it doesn't happen as much any more, because the availability of the online catalog means that you can look up exactly what you're thinking of at the time, put it on hold, go pick it up ... and never experience the serendipity that often came - comes - with browsing. The word "browsing" is probably still used more than the word "dowsing" ... but perhaps not by much.

But don't despair. Allen County Public Library has recently launched a Web feature that casts browsing in a whole new light. Sean Robinson, head of IT Services at ACPL, created a mashup of book covers and information for the books cataloged at ACPL yesterday.

This is the new browsing: http://blog.acpl.lib.in.us/amzamash/book_wall.php

When you click on the cover of a book, you get information about it - on a little graphic of an old-fashioned library catalog card (the idea for which Sean got from John Blyberg, of http://www.blyberg.net/).

Edit: I just wanted to point out there is a weakness in my phrasing that makes it unclear that the bookwall is updated automatically - so that every day that items are cataloged, the bookwall changes to reflect the most recent materials.

Bebe Moore Campbell

2006-11-28T13:56:00.000-05:00

Popular novelist Bebe Moore Campbell has passed away at age 56.

Read the story.

Read Bebe's books.

Nintendo Wii: leveling the playing field?

2006-11-22T17:28:00.000-05:00

The motion-sensing game controller for the new Nintendo Wii is unlike any game controller that has come before it. What that means is that people who have played console games for years will not have such a large advantage because they know the function of each of the multitude of buttons on the complex controllers. They'll have to learn the new controller along with everyone else. Yes, they'll still have an advantage, but now if I, a sometime, social, non-addicted console gamer, want to pick up a controller and try to make it go, the playing field will not be as tilty as it was before.

Maybe you're a console gamer from way back. Are you intimidated now that I'm breathing down your neck!? Well, I didn't think so. Still, it's an interesting development.

Turkey help!

2006-11-21T11:33:00.000-05:00

Lots of people are gearing up to cook a huge meal this week. Do you have a question about food safety and would like some knowledgeable help? They are even available on Thanksgiving Day!

You may speak with a food safety specialist — in English or Spanish — from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays year round. The Hotline is closed on Federal government holidays, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. Hours of operation on Thanksgiving are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Dial the nationwide toll-free number, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). The toll-free number for the hearing impaired (TTY) is 1-800-256-7072.

See facts sheets, a "virtual representative" and more at their Web site: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Safety_Education/usda_meat_&_poultry_hotline/

O.J. Book Cancelled

2006-11-20T17:12:00.000-05:00

O.J. Simpson's yet-to-be-published book entitled If I Did It has been cancelled. Read the story at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15818960/.

Design and Decorating Blogs

2006-11-17T16:07:00.000-05:00

Books on interior decorating are very popular. I'm a fan of perusing the library's books on this topic as well. It seems that although I only have one space to decorate and no money, I still can't satiate my desire to see lovely homes and what people have done to decorate them. (And sometimes even to shake my head in wonder at...well, nevermind!) So I am happy to share with you some design blogs I've stumbled upon in the past two weeks:

Apartment Therapy: Chicago-- Note that there are other versions of Apartment Therapy as well (LA, NY, San Fran, kitchen). All are fun!

Design Milk-- Definitely heavier on design, but way cool.

Decor8--Featured in the premier issue of Hallmark Magazine, to which I recently subscribed, this one led me to the others.

Anyway, please comment to share your own favorite decorating or design web sites! I'd love to find even more!

Help us make the move!

2006-10-10T19:47:00.000-04:00

The Main Library will be moving to the renovated and expanded location at 900 Library Plaza in January 2007, with an anticipated Grand Opening on January 27.
(Click here for some progress pictures of the new library.)

However, in our current digs, we are running out of space for audiobooks, books, and music CDs. Since these items check out for 3 weeks and can be renewed up to 5 times (if no holds are on them), you can help us by checking them out, renewing them, and enjoying them over the next 15 WEEKS!

By then, we’ll be preparing to open the new library.

So lend a hand with the move: CHECK OUT, RENEW, & ENJOY!

At the end of the 15 weeks, you can return the books and CDs to the new building or to a branch (and we won't have to move them or try to make room for them here)!

Loss

2006-10-03T14:03:00.000-04:00

Our library lost one of its staff members last week. We are all struggling with this difficult news. Hopefully our materials dealing with grief and bereavement may help bring comfort and healing to those in need.

National Reading Group Month

2006-09-29T16:22:00.000-04:00

Are you part of a book club? Do you want to be? The library offers many different reading groups that you can join to share camaraderie and a love of books.

The Dupont Classics Adult Book Group will meet Tuesday, October 24, at 7 PM at the Dupont Branch. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is the book selection up for discussion.

Grabill Branch's Book Discussion Group meets Monday, October 2, at 7 PM. They will discuss The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. The Lunch and Lit Book Club meets Wednesday, October 18 at 1 PM. Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking will be the book discussed over your brown-bagged lunch.

New Haven Branch's Book Discussion will be Tuesday, October 17, at 6:30 PM. October's book is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

The Tecumseh Branch's Based on the Book club meets Tuesday, October 17 at 7 PM. Read The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean then come to the discussion and view a portion of the film.

Letters About Literature

2006-09-27T12:15:00.000-04:00

Letters About Literature is a national reading/writing contest for students in grades 4-12, sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in partnership with Target stores. To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work changed their view of the world or themselves. The deadline for entries is December 8, 2006.

The Indiana Center for the Book, a program of the Indiana State Library and an affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, will provide cash awards to state winners and will sponsor an awards ceremony for the winners and semifinalists at the State Library in April 2007. Winners will also receive Target gift cards and advance to the national level competition in Washington, D.C.

So pick a book that changed you and write your letter today. Click here for the rules and the 2007 entry coupon.

going antiquing?

2006-09-25T19:30:00.000-04:00

As we move into autumn, many of us will hit the flea markets and auctions with more gusto! Did you know that as an ACPL library cardholder you have access to helpful antiques and collectibles pricing information?

PriceIt! offers a way to search online auction results for various items sold over the internet within the past few years. With eBay and many other auction sites, you can only look to see what is currently being bid on and where the bidding currently stands. With PriceIt, you can find out for how much the item actually sold. It just gives a bigger and more complete snapshot of the market for specific collectibles.

Other helpful antiques web sites and information can be found on our Antiques Links. And as always, we have books. Whether you need the value of a doll, a plate, a lamp, a typewriter, or countless other collectibles, the library is the first place to look.

Free Concert - Peter Fletcher, Classical Guitarist

2006-09-14T16:06:00.000-04:00

Peter Fletcher returns to the Main Library on Wednesday, September 20 at 7 PM for an entirely new performance of classical works for guitar. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Peter Fletcher will present a program featuring works by Robert de Visee, Louis Couperin, J.S. Bach, Erik Satie and others.

Read more about Peter Fletcher on his web site and then join us Wednesday evening at 7 PM, on the 4th floor atrium of the Main Library at 200 East Berry.

Tox-Away Day

2006-09-07T11:10:00.000-04:00

"Tox-Away Day provides Allen County residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste. These materials, if disposed of improperly, can be dangerous to your health and the health of your family, as well as the health of the environment.

The next Tox-Away Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2006. The event will be held from 9am until 2:30pm in the parking lot of International Truck & Engine, 2911 Meyer Road, Fort Wayne."

Read more...

Grease Monkey

2006-08-29T14:11:00.000-04:00

I'm barely past the introduction, but I wanted to tell you about this graphic novel by Tim Eldred, because it keeps making me laugh. Three pages isn't a lot of space to do that in, and one of those was the front cover.

The cover has a reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you've seen the movie, you'll get it. You might even laugh. (I did.) But I'm not going to tell you about it because I'd have to explain too much of the premise. Suffice to say that it's science fiction, which leads to the next funny part.

An alliance of galactic powers sends emissaries to Earth after 60% of the Earth's population is destroyed by "a million, zillion hostile spaceships". The alliance is known as the Galactic Alliance Against the Alien Horde. Yes: GAAAH.

Click on the link to see a picture of the cover: Grease Monkey

Edit: okay, you can't see it very well, so here's the joke: the gorilla character is throwing a wrench (crescent wrench? monkey wrench?) into the air, similar to the newly tool-using pre-human throwing the bone into the air in 2001. Now, see?! How can I explain "the gorilla character"!?

Rate local businesses

2006-08-23T12:18:00.000-04:00

It can be hard finding services for your home and car that you find reliable and trustworthy. We all know about the Better Business Bureau where you can check to see if the company has had complaints against them brought to the BBB over the past 3 years. They even have a way to compliment a business on their website now (though I'm uncertain if these remarks are made available to the public). The BBB is definitely the place to check on recommended businesses before you hire them and certainly the place to go when you have a problem with their services.

However, for a more Epinions-style review and ranking of local companies, try Insider Pages. With free registration, you can search for rankings of auto dealers, home repair services, schools, hairstylists, health care providers, and more. As they state on their web site, "Insider Pages is the new way to find great local businesses with real reviews by people in your neighborhood." So far there have only been a few rankings of Fort Wayne businesses. So get online and share your experiences with Fort Wayne service professionals, both good and bad. And then next time you need a recommendation, check Insider Pages. Then double-check with the BBB web site. Be a good (and hopefully happy) consumer and a good citizen too.

Time's 50 coolest Web sites

2006-08-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

Time magazine has announced its list of 50 coolest Web sites. From Entertainment to Shopping, News to Time Wasters, there is something here for everyone. You may have heard of sites like YouTube and MySpace, but I found plenty of new links to try.

Deadline for submissions approaching

2006-08-08T12:59:00.000-04:00

for the Main Library's Grand Opening Area Artists Collective Show.

Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2006 for the Allen County Public Library's Grand Opening exhibit.

This will be the first show in the newly renovated Main Library Gallery and we hope it will be representative of the art and artists of Allen County, Indiana. Read more at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/amv/exhibits.html. Be sure to read the PDF of the terms of exhibit and then complete the application and return it to the library by September 1 to be considered for the show.

Best Audiobook I Ever Heard--WINNER

2006-07-31T14:48:00.000-04:00

We have our winner!

We also have great fiction audiobook reviews

nonfiction audiobook reviews, and

children's and young adults' audiobook reviews

written by Allen County Public Library patrons. Enjoy!

Last Chance!

2006-07-14T12:44:00.000-04:00

Audiobook lovers, don't forget to enter our Best Audiobook I Ever Heard contest to win an MP3 player. Review a favorite audiobook for your chance to win. Click here for the entry form and for more details.
Be sure to get your review to any ACPL library location by TODAY, Friday, July 21.

The lucky winner will be announced after July 31st. Here's the goods:

Creative Zen Micro Photo 4 GB MP3 Player

FM Transmitter--plays your MP3 player contents via a radio frequency on your car or home stereo

Cassette adapter--allows you to use your MP3 player in your car or home via a cassette deck

World eBook Fair

2006-07-07T13:25:00.000-04:00

The World eBook Library, Project Gutenberg and others are offering free access to hundreds of thousands of eBooks until August 4, 2006.

As they state on the World eBook Fair web site:
"July 4th to August 4, 2006 marks a month long celebration of the 35th anniversary of the first step taken towards today's eBooks, when the United States Declaration of Independence was the first file placed online for downloading in what was destined to be an electronic library of the Internet.... Now these books are yours for personal use, free of charge, to keep for the rest of your lives."

Of course, Project Gutenberg and the library are ALWAYS FREE. So you may find that the fee World eBook Library usually charges for access is not a good deal. While there are a few eAudiobooks offered during the fair, there are not many, and most are computer voice readings (yuck). For more FREE audiobooks to download (read by professional actors), sign up to use the library's Downloadable Audiobooks.

Summer Reading is half over

2006-07-04T11:51:00.000-04:00

There's still time to sign up for Read Around the Campfire (kids), Summer at the Library (teens), or Lifelong Journeys Begin with Books (adults) - but time is running out. All three summer reading programs end on July 28. Kids and teens, don't wait until the last day to collect your gifts!

Fortunately, the fun doesn't end with the Summer Reading Program. There are fun, free events for kids, teens, and adults at the library all year round that anyone may attend, regardless of whether you have a library card or fines.

I love a parade!!!

2006-06-28T14:44:00.000-04:00

Look for the library in the 3 Rivers Festival Parade, Saturday, July 8. Some employees and volunteers will be marching as a book cart drill team. Come and watch the fancy moves of the "Dewey Cartwheelers." Let's hope for a pleasant and sunny, but cool day.

Read a Good Book Lately?

2006-06-15T16:43:00.000-04:00

We now have our book review blog up and running! Read a Good Book Lately? is all ready for reviews of books you'd like to share with others. If you have suggestions, or if you're looking for a good book, take a look!

Best Audiobook I Ever Heard Contest

2006-06-10T09:45:00.000-04:00

Tell us about an awesome audiobook you loved and be entered into a drawing for a free MP3 player! Print out the entry form, write the review, and return to any library location for your chance to win. Selected reviews will be shared with others for their enjoyment. And the winner will be able to enjoy our downloadable audiobook service with his/her new digital device.

The Best Audiobook I Ever Heard contest runs until July 21, 2006. Enter today!

Summer Reading at the Library

2006-06-05T09:50:00.000-04:00

When you think of summer at the library, you may fondly recall participating in the summer reading program as a kid. Well, summer reading is all grown up, and now adults can play, too. The Adult Summer Reading Program will run from today through July 28, 2006, and you can stop in at any library location to enter to win one of the slew of prizes donated by local businesses.

Very soon, you'll also be able to read and post reviews of your summer favorites to our book review blog, Read Any Good Books Lately? We'll let you know here as soon as it's up and running.

Emotionally Healthy Children

2006-05-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

Children's self-respect and feelings of self worth -- those are the goals of parental interactions that will be taught June 12 at a special program at the Main Library for parents of children ages 6 to 12. The program is titled "Basis of Children's Emotional Health." The teacher will be organizational development educator Willa Starks, ACSW, LCSW, and the class will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Silent Reading Room on the second floor. Registration is requested by calling 421-1215, but it is not required.

Who won the Adult Poetry Contest?

2006-05-25T14:33:00.000-04:00

Read the winning poems at the Social Sciences & Humanities/Readers' Services page under What's New.

Three Honorable Mention awards were given:

"Home," by Chris Beedle
"Fulton Avenue," by Laura Evans
"Eight Years Old," by Teresa Walls

Third place was awarded to:

Katherine Louise Kelly for "New Home."

Second place was awarded to:

Louise Magoon for "House into Home."

First place was also awarded to:

Louise Magoon for "Macular Degeneration."

Look for more poetry-related programming next spring!

The best of the Web

2006-05-24T16:06:00.000-04:00

The 10th annual Webby award winners have been posted. I especially enjoy the 'Best Practices' section - the sites nominated there are part of the much hyped Web 2.0 phenomenon. They offer clean interfaces, simple navigation, and put the user in control with features like 'tagging'. If you want to know what's useful - or trendy - online, this is a great place to start.

Closed on Sundays for the Summer

2006-05-24T13:44:00.000-04:00

That's right, from now until September 10, the Main Library will be closed on Sundays. Here is a list of the Top 10 Things library employees do on those summer Sundays when we aren't at the library. (You may enjoy them too.)

10. Picnic in the park with our colleagues
9. Read the books we borrowed from the library
8. Shave our legs
7. Ride the Harley up to Ann Arbor
6. Go to the zoo with the family
5. Paint a bedroom with inspiration from the design magazines
4. Play tennis, softball, golf...you name it.
3. Go for a bike ride or walk along the Rivergreenway
2. Work our second job :(
and the #1 thing we do: Daydream with our toes tangled in the dandelions.

Art of the Da Vinci Code

2006-05-16T19:08:00.000-04:00

Are you one of the many people who have been encouraged to learn more about Leonardo da Vinci after reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code? Then don't miss this opportunity to explore The Art of The Da Vinci Code.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 7 PM
Location: Fort Wayne Museum of Art

Whether you plan to see The Da Vinci Code in movie theaters or just happen to love art history, join Esperanca Camara, University of Saint Francis Assistant Professor of Art History, as she shares the life of Leonardo da Vinci, and decodes artwork featured in Dan Brown’s best-selling book.
This free lecture is brought to you by ACPL.

Flower Arranging for beginners

2006-05-10T19:49:00.000-04:00

Flower Arrangement 101
Saturday, May 20, 2006 from 1:00-2:30 PM
Location: Cottage Flowers, 236 E. Wayne Street

With spring time upon us and summer quickly approaching, join us as we present a demonstration of flower arranging. An associate of Cottage Flowers will be showing how to make that perfect arrangement.

Space is limited and the program is free.

Please call the Art, Music & Audiovisual department at 421-1210 to reserve your spot.

A Day in Allen County photos!

2006-05-03T08:46:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the fantastic community response, we have lots of great photographs for you to explore! We asked for pictures of life in Allen County on April 26, 2006. Take a look!

Plagiarism charges: Who is really responsible?

2006-04-28T10:40:00.000-04:00

Kaavya Viswanathan, 18-year-old Harvard student and author of How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, has been accused of plagiarism: borrowing as many as 45 passages from Megan McCafferty's novels Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings. This story from the New York Times explains the basics.

Kaavya has apologized over and over in the media. But is she really responsible? The idea has surfaced that perhaps she isn't, and that instead the fault lies in how the book was published - through "book packager" Alloy Entertainment. Read this editorial by Rachel Pine for more on that theory. Perhaps someone else should be doing the apologizing ...

There's another compelling piece in Slate magazine.

Inspire by Example

2006-04-26T18:22:00.000-04:00

National Volunteer Week is this week, April 23-29. Volunteers at the library tutor kids, produce television shows of local interest, scan photographs, help people use the computer, find books, work in Twice Sold Tales, allow kids to read to their dogs, read newspapers for the blind or homebound, raise funds, add stickers to materials, make people laugh, help with crafts and projects, encourage people to learn, INSPIRE BY EXAMPLE.

Thanks ACPL volunteers for helping the library serve our community better and better every day!

If you are interested in volunteering, check out our current needs and contact Sandy Screeton at (260) 421-1233.

Lots Doin'--Last Week of April

2006-04-22T15:26:00.000-04:00

First off, don't miss the final FREE MOVIE of our Film Movement Series out at Cinema Center. The Middle of the World shows 6:30 PM on Tuesday, April 25.

Wednesday, April 26th is A Day in Allen County photojournaling day. Get out your digital camera and snap footage of your day. We hope to get a broad range of times of day and favorite activities and spots in Allen County. Contact Roseann Coomer at 421-1266 if you have questions. Email your digital pictures to ask@acpl.info or drop photos/discs off at any library location by May 3, 2006. Throughout the summer, A Day in Allen County photomontage will be shown at a variety of venues.

On Friday, April 28th we wrap up the busy week with the winners of our adult poetry contest. Join us at the Main Library at 7 PM for the awards ceremony with special guest Joyce Brinkman, Indiana's first poet laureate.

New Art Books

2006-04-18T18:48:00.000-04:00

We always get new books, but I thought I'd share a couple of particular treats in book format for the art lover:

Renowned local artist George W. McCullough's book Camping Out is now available at the library. The book is George's personal story told in part by his expressive artwork. It is so fortunate for us that he shared his life story with us in print before he passed away last October. One copy of the book is available for checkout and the other stays in the library in the Art, Music & Audiovisual Services department. I think the copy available to check out is indeed checked out, but you could place a hold on it. Find it listed in our library catalog.

Also of interest for the artist and bibliophile, Reading Women by Stefan Bollmann. The book is a collection of famous artists' renderings of women reading (or swooning from what they've read). Find it at the Main Library.

Tax Day, Monday April 17

2006-04-13T13:15:00.000-04:00

So when I walked into the library today, two men were rifling through the display of tax forms. The last day to file your 2005 tax return is Monday. So find out about e-filing at www.irs.gov or come to the library for the forms you need if you still need to file. The library even offers tax help on Friday, April 14 from noon to 4 PM at the Tecumseh Branch.
See more on tax help and links to state and federal tax forms here.

Drop Everything and Read

2006-04-10T13:32:00.000-04:00

National Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day is this Wednesday, April 12. D.E.A.R. Day is sponsored by a host of groups advocating reading as a family together. The web site offers a lot of ideas on what books would be good to read as a family. We hope you have books that you picked up last week during National Library Week. But if not, stop in before Wednesday evening and then commit to read for 30 minutes. I don't have kids, but I too will be taking part in Drop Everything and Read. Movie on Tuesday, reading on Wednesday. A good week.

National Library Week

2006-04-03T18:36:00.000-04:00

Come celebrate National Library Week with us now through April 8. This year's theme: Change Your World @ your Library.

View the winning bookmarks here, then stop in to pick up your very own bookmark with your favorite design.

Join us at the Cinema Center on Berry Street for Agata and the Storm our first FREE movie Tuesday. Show starts at 6:30 PM, April 4.

Visit the Children's Services department for Spring Break Tabletop Crafts each day through Friday. Be here for Be Art Smart on Thursday, April 6 at 2:30 PM.

Do the scavenger hunt (at all library locations) to be entered into a drawing for a Grand Prize (gift certificates from several Allen County locations valued at $100).

Outdoor Concert Series?

2006-03-30T15:14:00.000-05:00

The Botanical Conservatory is considering offering a summer concert series and they are asking for feedback. But hurry!! They only are taking completed surveys until April 1. The survey is a little difficult--as it is in PDF form. I selected the text and copied it into an email to reply by email before the deadline. Go to http://www.botanicalconservatory.org/ and select the "Click here for our survey link" & complete the survey for a chance to win free season passes.

Free films at Cinema Center

2006-03-29T13:11:00.000-05:00

National Library Week kicks off April 2. And the Film Movement Series comes back for a month-long engagement at the Cinema Center. Each Tuesday evening in April at 6:30 PM, the library and the Cinema Center will treat adults to a free foreign film. Join us in exploring our world. Click here for details on the films.

Fort Wayne Branding Survey

2006-03-28T18:12:00.000-05:00

Want to put in your two-cents about Fort Wayne and how we can better market our city to visitors? Go to the Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau website and complete the branding survey.

Has the library changed your life?

2006-03-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

We hope so! Woman's Day magazine and the American Library Association are sponsoring an essay contest How has the library changed your life?. The tricky part (for me at least) would be to say what the library has done for you/meant to you in 700 words or less. Four winning entries will be published in the magazine. To find out more about the contest and to submit your essay, go to Woman's Day magazine. Entries must be received by May 10, 2006.

Reunions

2006-03-13T11:35:00.000-05:00

Planning a high school or family reunion? Having trouble tracking down that long-lost classmate or third cousin? The Historical Genealogy Department owns a variety of sources that may be of help to you. Not only are there a number of books related to planning a reunion that you could look at, there are also sources such as Fort Wayne area school yearbooks, city directories, obituary indexes, marriage indexes, magazines and electronic databases that could help you locate your lost ones. Also keep in mind that some of the most popular "people finder" databases are available on the Internet including Switchboard.com and AnyWho.com for telephone and address listings, and the Social Security Death Index to search for those who may have passed away in the last 40 years. Finally, take a look at the "Finding People" and "Reunions" categories at Cyndi's List, one of the most popular genealogy-related websites, for more searching possibilities.

Lincoln, civil liberties and war

2006-03-10T13:52:00.000-05:00

If you're confused by the debates about domestic spying, the Patriot Act and the whole issue of presidential power during the war on terror, you can get some perspective at the Lincoln Museum. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's government declared martial law, arrested Southern sympathizers, imposed a military draft and ultimately freed the slaves -- all in the name of saving the union.

The museum has put together a special exhibit called "Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War." It shows how Lincoln wrestled with the ways the Constitution protected slavery and how he justified his war powers. One of interactive displays tells what happened to each of six individuals accused of supporting the Confederacy. The exhibit notes that tough questions of civil liberties in wartime still apply today.

The museum is at 200 E. Berry St., in the same building with the Main Library. It is open from 10 to 5 Tuesdsay through Saturday and 1 to 5 on Sundays. General admission is $4.99.

Vote for area's best

2006-03-09T18:07:00.000-05:00

Click here for The Journal Gazette's 2006 Reader's Choice Awards online ballot. And don't forget to cast a vote for your favorite library branch.