Find a Match at the Library This February
By KATHY MCGILBERRY
This February we’re playing matchmaker. We guarantee we can find the perfect book, movie, recording or library program for you. And if we can’t find your perfect match here, we’ll get it for you from another library, because, yes, we’re just that devoted to your happiness.
A new essay/short story contest opens to adults on Thursday, Feb. 4. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, March 16, and winners will be announced on Friday, April 16 to close out National Library Week activities.
The theme, “40 Days and 40 Nights,” reflects both McAlester Public Library’s 40th anniversary in its present location, and the watery themes for 2010’s upcoming summer reading programs. Winners will receive gift cards to a local retailer in $25, $15 and $10 denominations. A complete list of rules can be picked up at the front desk.
Here are the adult and family activities for February:
*Thursday, Feb. 4—Bodacious Bookies meet from 1-3 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss “Madness: A Bipolar Life” by Marya Hornbacher. Sounds riveting.
*Monday, Feb. 8—Arthouse Theater features a semi-autobiographical film by Spike Lee set in the somewhat shady and crooked streets of Brooklyn. It’s rated PG-13 and there will be plenty of free popcorn.
*Wednesday, Feb. 10—The bimonthly free crafts workshop returns with a 1-3 p.m. session in the Whiteacre Room, and crafters will create decorative Victorian-style fans. Pre-registration is required, since only 10 spaces are available.
*Saturday, Feb. 13—Second Saturday Cinema will feature the story of the first integrated NCAA championship team. Josh Lucas stars in this tale about the Texas Western basketball team. It’s rated PG. Free popcorn and prizes.
*Tuesday, Feb. 16—Night Readers will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss “The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes” by Diane Chamberlain.
*And, Monday, Feb. 22—This months’s First Run Indie Movie is “Storm,” an unrated international thriller. It’s a multinational production with English subtitles. Here’s the synopsis: Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel; however, Hannah refuses to give in. Hoping to uncover new findings, she travels to the witness’s burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira, who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit. Despite threats of violence, Mira reluctantly agrees to testify at The Hague. However, she and Hannah must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks.
Now that we’ve sprinted down the dark alleyways of European spy tales, let’s next take a stroll through the decidedly more peaceful children’s and teen activities.
Children’s Librarian Anita Ross has Lapsit every Tuesday for children three and younger. Groups and caregivers meet at 10 a.m., followed by family groups at 11:15 a.m. Then its children’s movie time every Tuesday at 4 p.m. Wednesdays are for Story Time, ages three and up, at 10 a.m. A new Family Play Date program has been added on most Thursdays, beginning at 11 a.m. (check Miss Anita’s calendar to be sure of the dates). And the weekly programs conclude with Game Time every Thursday at 4 p.m.
Family Fun Night also resumes this month, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the Whiteacre Room.
Teen Librarian Sarah DiLorenzo has movies for teens every Tuesday at 4 p.m., and Game Time for teens every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The Manga Club meets on the first Monday of every month at 5 p.m. and the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22.
The Teen Book Club meets this month on Monday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. to discuss “Wake” by Lisa McMann.
Other meetings and programs of interest to teens and adults include: a new coin club which meets the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Conference Room; a group interested in the L5R card game, which meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.; and Grover Walker’s free math tutoring every Saturday beginning at 9:45 a.m.
Among the many designations for February (see a partial list on our adult activity calendar available at the front desk) is Black History Month, and that’s the theme of a new display in the lobby. It features a dozen cityscape posters depicting cities important to black history. Once February is over, the posters will be added to a growing cache of prizes to be given away at 40th anniversary events in April. Come take a look!
Among those who’ll be seeing this display are folks arriving for the free tax help offered by volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). They work in the Whiteacre room from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year, the tax help schedule is:
*Mondays, Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22; March 1, 8, 22 and 29; and April 5 and 12.
*Thursdays, Feb. 4, 18 and 25; March 4, 18 and 25; and April 8.
*Fridays, Feb. 12 and March 12.
The display of items from Saudi Arabia, on loan from Karen Kinkead, is scheduled to continue through Feb. 12. After that, Christopher Elliott tells me he’s planning to go all prehistoric with a T-rex-riffic dinosaur display, and Darlene Rising has a Norman Rockwell display ready to go.
Miss Anita and Alyce Edwards are displaying their children’s reading favorites. Plus, there’s a big “Tales from the Dark Side” display in the children’s area featuring books such as “Charlotte’s Web.” Sarah’s teen area display is called, simply, X-Y-Z. And it features the authors at the end of the line, so to speak, if you peruse the shelves alphabetically. Nathan Forrest’s “Shelf of the Week” this week looks at celestial bodies. It’s titled “Bang!!!”. Other recent subjects have been social processes, called “Our World, Ourselves,” and the United States, titled “OneNation.” On the McAlester history display in the lobby—researched by local historian Steve Adams—you’ll find a look at local church history.
If you’ve read this far and haven’t seen an activity or display that piques your interest, come in and visit us. We’ll make you a match, find you a find and catch you a catch, quite possibly while we hum a show tune all at the same time. Happy February and hope to see you at the library.
Book Clubs Slate New Reading Choices
Both the Bodacious Bookies and Night Readers book clubs recently made new reading choices.
Books set for the remainder of 2010 for the Bodacious Bookies are: May, “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson; June, “House Made of Dawn” by N. Scott Momaday; July, “Three Weeks With My Brother” by Nicholas Sparks; August, “Light on Snow” by Anita Shreve; September, “Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen; October, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Seth Grahame-Smith; November, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins; and December, “The Crystal Cave” by Mary Stewart.
Night Readers’ choices for April, May and June are “Bel Canto” by Ann Patchett, “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout, and “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” by David Wroblewski.
‘SinC’ Into a Good Mystery
SISTERS IN CRIME (SinC) author Sharon Ervin (second from left) joins McAlester Public Library staff members (l-r) Anthony Smart, Linda Haile, Sarah DiLorenzo and Darlene Rising in looking over a display of mystery novels by Oklahoma SinC writers. Ervin's novel "The Ribbon Murders" is featured on the top row. Other Sooner mystery writers featured include Carolyn Hart, Sara Hoklotubbe, Jean Hager and Eve Sandstrom.
Library Offers Student Help, Homeschoolers Learn
HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS attended a presentation by Teen Librarian Sarah DiLorenzo (right) and took a tour of McAlester Public Library led by Children’s Librarian Anita Ross (left) Wednesday, Jan. 13. DiLorenzo led the group through a virtual tour of the many educational resources available through the library’s website, including the Learn-A-Test site, online tutoring and many of the databases. Ross’s tour included the children’s, teen and adult areas, as well as the many displays and collections available for public viewing. DiLorenzo also presented information about the library at McAlester Public Schools In-Service Training Day Monday, Jan. 18.
Local Railroad History Filled With Colorful Tales
LOCAL HISTORIAN Steve Adams looks over a display detailing the history of railroads in McAlester and Pittsburg County. Adams gathered the many of the materials for the display, which includes newspaper clippings, original writings and historical photos, from microfilm records available to the public here at McAlester Public Library.
Staff Picks: Sarah Recommends Sequoyah Nominees
Here’s what Teen Librarian Sarah DiLorenzo has to say about her recent “Staff Picks” display.
“Every year the Sequoyah reading teams read over 200 books from a carefully-selected list. Those 200+ books are then narrowed down to 15 books that end up on a master list for that year. These are some of the books I have read this year off that list—you will have to wait until April 2010 to see if any of them make the master list!”
Here are Sarah’s choices:
*Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock–Princess Benevolence discovers an enchanted room while locked in the castle’s highest tower by the conniving Queen Sophia and begins learning the magical arts, which may help her save her kingdom from a mortal threat.
*The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman–Juvenile offenders Terence, Gecko, and Arjay must help their caregiver, Mr. Healy, regain his memory after he is injured in a scuffle between the three boys.
*Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli–Will Tuppence’s life has always been ruled by science and common sense but in ninth grade, shaken up by the discovery that protons decay, he begins to see the entire world differently and gains new perspective on his relationships.
*The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante–When her grandmother takes fourteen-year-old Agnes, her younger brother, and best friend Honey and escapes Mount Blessing, a Connecticut religious commune, Agnes clings to the faith she loves while Honey looks toward a future free of control, cruelty, and preferential treatment.
*Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix–When thirteen-year olds Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, full of babies with no adult on board, they realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time and two opposing forces, each trying to repair the fabric of time.
*Go Big or Go Home by Will Hobbs–Fourteen-year-old Brady and his cousin Quinn love extreme sports, but nothing could prepare them for the aftermath of Brady’s close encounter with a meteorite after it crashes into his Black Hills, South Dakota bedroom.
*The Compound by S.A. Bodeen–Fifteen-year old Eli, locked inside a radiation-proof compound built by his father to keep them safe following a nuclear attack, begins to question his future, as well as his father’s grip on sanity as the family’s situation steadily disintegrates over the course of six years.
*Trouble by Gary Schmidt–Henry Smith’s father told him that if you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.
Some Tax Forms Now Available
Some federal tax forms are now available in the east lobby at McAlester Public Library. Information Services Librarian Christopher Elliott notes that the Interal Revenue Services has instituted many changes this year, with employer forms either limited or no longer available in bulk.
“Starting this year, the IRS is requesting libraries no longer carry employer tax forms such as W-2, W-3, 1096 and 1099,” he said. “We will have a small number of these forms later in January, but once this supply is exhausted we won’t be able to receive any more.”
Instead, he noted, the IRS is requesting that anyone who needs to file these forms should request paper forms online, or file online. To do so, employers should go to http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.htm and select “Online Ordering for Information Returns and Employer Returns,” or http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.htm and seclect “Employer forms and instructions.”
Individual taxpayers will also see a more limited array of forms available at the library, Elliott said.
“The IRS is only making available basic forms for distribution. Specific forms that we may have stocked in the past will not be available unless they are printed off the IRS site,” he said. “Not only am I stocking fewer forms, but I am stocking them in smaller numbers.”
Oklahoma state forms are on order, but as of Jan. 5 have not yet arrived, Elliott said.
Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons will be available for free tax help beginning in February.
New Year Brings New Displays, Activities
By KATHY MCGILBERRY
We have a new year, a new decade, some new displays, and new calendars chock full of activities for every member of the family. There are reasons both new and old for you to slap a palm to your forehead and exclaim “Why haven’t I been to the library lately?”.
Outside, the temperatures are the coldest we’ve seen in awhile. Inside, two of the big display areas focus on a decidedly warmer clime—the Middle East, and specifically, Saudi Arabia. McAlesterite Karen Kinkead was kind enough to offer a portion of her Saudi collection for display, and what an array of treasures she has!
With everything from an intricately-embroidered robe made for a member of the Saudi royal family to authentic Bedouin teapots, Karen’s collection is something to behold. The display stretches from the front desk area and then upwards to the mezzanine railing and on east to the lobby. Stop by and take a look. You might want to check out some of the books and movies Christopher Elliott has added to the display.
Nathan Forrest’s “Shelf of the Week” display this week features a look at societal wealth. Other recent subjects have included the history of Europe, geography and travel, criminology, and meteorology.
Teen Librarian Sarah DiLorenzo used her “Staff Picks” display last month to highlight some of the books considered this year for the Sequoyah Award. Check the blog later this month to get the lowdown on her choices. As that display comes down, another commemorating the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. will take its place.
Regular teen activities include a movie every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m., the Manga Club on the first Monday of each month, and the regular weekly Game Time, which has moved to Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The Teen Book Club, which this month meets on Monday the 11th at 4 p.m., will discuss Sharon Draper’s “Romiette and Julio.”
Regular children’s activities include Lapsit for caregivers and groups every Tuesday at 10 a.m.; Lapsit for families every Tuesday at 11:15; movies every Tuesday from 4-5:30 p.m. Story Time every Wednesday at 10 a.m.; and Game Time every Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. Plus, Children’s Librarian Anita Ross hosts Family Fun Night every third Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Here’s a rundown of all the other scheduled adult and family activities for the month:
*Thursday, Jan. 7—Bodacious Bookies will meet from 1-3 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss “Girl With a Pearl Earring” by Tracy Chevalier.
*Saturday, Jan. 9—Lots of laughs are guaranteed at a special double feature presentation of Second Saturday Cinema beginning at 2 p.m. Surely you won’t want to miss a commercial-free, uncut screening of “Airplane!” followed by “Airplane II.” Plenty of free popcorn for all who attend.
*Monday, Jan. 11, 6 p.m.–You’ll have to toss a coin to decide whether to attend the first meeting of a new Coin Club, hosted by Gary Parsons in the Conference Room, (we’re told it’s open to everyone) or the regular Arthouse Theater, this month featuring an interesting flick starring Will Ferrell as a fellow who wakes up one day to discover he’s a character in someone else’s novel. Either way, you are sure to have a great time.
*Thursday, Jan. 14—It’s the 2010 debut of what we hope will become a regular, every-other-month event—Open Mike Night. Singers, speakers, writers, and performers of all stripes are invited to participate. We’ll have a couple of mikes set up and ready to go, our handy-dandy public address system, and a karaoke machine with lots of tunes. Join us at 6 p.m. You can pre-register at the front desk or just show up and participate.
*Monday, Jan. 18—It’s another Night Readers Movie Special beginning at 5:15 p.m., when Emily Watson stars in the movie based on the late Frank McCourt’s tale about growing up impoverished in Brooklyn and Ireland. You don’t have to be a participant in the Night Readers book club to attend. Free popcorn, as always.
*Tuesday, Jan. 19—Friends of the Library will meet at noon for their regular luncheon, then at 6:30 the Night Readers will meet in the Conference Room to discuss “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt.
*Monday, Jan. 25—Pet-lovers will be especially interested in this month’s first-run independent movie, the American documentary “Mine,” which tells the stories of pets displaced during Hurricane Katrina. Start time is 6 p.m. for this award-winning documentary. Hailed as “absorbing,” “a must see,” “Oscar material” and “the best movie at SXSW,” (the South by Southwest Film Festival), “Mine” is a feature-length, independent documentary about the essential bond between humans and animals, set against the backdrop of one of the worst natural disasters in modern U.S. history. This gripping, character-driven story follows New Orleans residents as they attempt the daunting task of trying to reunite with their pets who have been adopted by families all over the country, and chronicles the custody battles that arise when two families love the same pet. Who determines the fate of the animals—and the people—involved? A compelling meditation on race, class and the power of compassion, “Mine” examines how we treat animals as an extension of how we view and treat each other.
Don’t forget, we are now open every Sunday from 1:30-5 p.m., in addition to the regular hours of Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hope to see you at the library.
Staff Picks: These Items Pass Ellen’s Taste Test
The “Staff Picks” display at the front desk recently featured these choices from Library Assistant Ellen Mills. There’s a definite theme here, and its just on the tip of our tongue. Here’s what Ellen had to say about her choices:
*Mystery of the Senses: Taste DVD–“Taste” is one part of a series by Nova. Host Diane Ackerman takes us on a world tour devoted to taste. The experiences of the sensations of saltiness, sourness and bitterness are explored both at the table and in the laboratory. We’ll discover our responses both through the brain and the tongue.
*Thou Shalt Not Grill: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery With Recipes byTamar Myers–A tongue-in-cheek murder mystery set in a charming Mennonite/Amish community. Out-of-town accommodations can be found only at Magdalena Yoder’s inn, where not only good food is served up, but murder as well. Magdalena is a charming host with very definite ideas on how life should be lived who still holds to many of the Mennonite traditions. It makes for a very interesting household, when combined with an eclectic and sometimes eccentric group of guests. Combine that with murder and good food, and you have a fun ride ahead of you.
* Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becke and Ethan Becker–A great book found in many kitchens. Some consider it an essential tool or a great wedding gift. Over the years it has evolved into one of the great cooking “dictionaries” chock full of helpful information for the novice to the gourmet. It may become your cooking “bible”.
*Williams-Sonoma “Thanksgiving Entertaining” –I will admit on this particular cookbook, I’ve yet to try any of the recipes. But several have caught my attention and I’m eager to try them out this holiday season. I’m in charge of pies, so the Pecan Praline looks too good to pass up. And I love pumpkin pie so the Walnut-Praline Pumpkin Pie is definitely my first project. To me not only does the meal have to taste good but the presentation and the table are also important–simple, but elegant designs that don’t crowd the table. You find several ideas to work within any budget. On Page 102 there is a craft project that I remember from elementary school that I’ll do with my twin nephews.
*Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook–Paula understands that some of the greatest memories are tied to the kitchen. This is a cookbook that helps you create some memories of your own. Time-honored child-friendly recipes are made to share with your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or any child. With a little patience, you’ll soon have a kitchen full of helpers, along with some good things to eat.
*Finding Betty Crocker by Susan Marks–An intriguing biography about an American icon named the second most popular woman in America by Fortune magazine in 1945. She sponsored her own radio program during the Depression and World War II. Her 1950 cookbook competed in sales with the Bible. Presidents, Hollywood celebrities and famous chefs have all sung her praises. Not bad for a woman who never existed. This book goes back to the beginning of the creation of one of the most changeable but recognizable faces today.
*George Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen by Trisha Yearwood–The book opens with the forward by Garth Brooks, who gives a loving tribute to his wife Trisha. The book is filled with family stories, traditions and down-home country recipes. From Garth’s German Chocolate Birthday Cake and Fried Chicken to the Broccoli Salad and Fried Okra, the recipes, once made, smell and taste like recipes from an old-time church cookbook. Photos taken from the family album, and photos of the finished recipes, beautifully illustrate this book. I particularly enjoyed the Blackberry Cobbler. It was simple and easy. Made me think of my grandmother’s cobbler, for which I never had the recipe.
Holiday Events, Technology ‘Zoo’ Set for December
THIS LITTLE COWBOY was having a rootin'-tootin' time looking over the Christmas display at McAlester Public Library Dec. 1.
By KATHY MCGILBERRY
Our stockings are stuffed with a variety of December activities here at McAlester Public Library, many of them holiday-themed. Other events—like the “Technology Petting Zoo” on Dec. 12—are just garden-variety awesome. Pick up our calendars at the front desk so you won’t miss one festive moment.
Children’s activities culminate with a visit from Santa Claus himself from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. Bring the little ones to see Santa, get their photos taken and enjoy refreshments. (The Santa visit will be followed by an open mike night, so if you or a loved one want to share a song or other performance, plan to stay from 6-8 p.m.)
Other activities on Children’s Librarian Anita Ross’s calendar include the regular Lapsits on Tuesdays at 10 and 11:15 a.m. and the children’s movies on Tuesdays at 4 p.m.; Story Times on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; and the monthly Game Time on the first Thursday of each month from 4-5:30 p.m. (There will be no children’s programs the final two weeks of the month.)
Teen Librarian Sarah DiLorenzo will help youngsters decorate table top Christmas trees for local nursing homes from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. The Manga Club will meet at their regular time, the first Monday of every month, from 5-7 p.m. And the Teen Book Club will meet on Monday, Dec. 14 from 4-5 p.m. to discuss “Smiles to Go” by Jerry Spinelli.
Other regular teen activities include movies every Tuesday in December from 4-6 p.m., and Game Times on Fridays, Dec. 4 and 18, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Please note that the library will be closed for the holidays on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25. And remember, we are now open every Sunday afternoon from 1:30-5 p.m. Here’s a rundown of all the adult and family activities in December:
Thursday, Dec. 3—Bodacious Bookies will meet to discuss Tracy Chevalier’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring.” Scenes from the movie starring Scarlett Johansson will be included in the discussion, co-leader Darlene Rising says. Sounds like fun.
Wednesday, Dec. 9—You’re invited to join the group of crafters who gather every other month or so when we host another free crafts workshop in the Whiteacre Room. This time we’ll be making a variety of gift bows from unusual and recycled materials. The fun starts at 2 p.m. and lasts until we have glued our fingers together, or 4 p.m., whichever comes first. Spaces are limited to 10, so pre-register by calling 426-0930 or stopping by the front desk.
Saturday, Dec. 12—Are you puzzled when people start talking about things like BlackBerries and Kindles and Smart Phones? Yeah, me too. For those of us who are slightly technologically challenged—and even for those of you who know the difference between microprocessors—there will be a terrific event hosted by Computer Tech Anthony Smart. It’s called a “Technology Petting Zoo,” and it will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. Plan to attend to see all the latest gadgets, get the lowdown on exactly what they are and what they do, and get some hands-on experience. You might pick up a gift idea or two as well.
Once that event is over, stick around for our regular Second Saturday Cinema movie showing. This month the family-friendly movie is Mel Brooks’s take on the “space opera” ouvre, starring Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Rick Moranis as “Dark Helmet.” It’s rated PG and scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Free popcorn, too!
Monday, Dec. 14—We’ve combined a Night Readers movie special with our regular Arthouse Theater screening this month, when the featured film will be Paul Newman in the title role of a 1963 classic about the Bannon men—Homer, Hud and Lonnie. Patricia Neal also stars. Take a break from holiday preparations and join us at 6 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room for free popcorn and an American classic that’s based on the Larry McMurtry novel “Horseman, Pass By.” Which brings us to…
Tuesday, Dec. 15—Following the noon luncheon for Friends of the Library, the next event on the calendar is the 6:30 p.m. meeting of the Night Readers, when “Horseman, Pass By” will be the topic of discussion.
Thursday, Dec. 17—It’s Santa Day at the library, beginning at 4 p.m. in the Whiteacre Room. Then we’ll host our third Open Mike Night from 6-8 p.m. Lots of karaoke music will be available—both holiday tunes and regular stuff—so unleash your inner performer and come on down. We’ll have a registration sheet at the front desk, but you don’t have to pre-register to perform.
Monday, Dec. 28—Our final first-run independent film of 2009 will be “Troubled Water,” from Norway. The unrated film is described as a thriller, and has gotten some rave reviews from Hollywood heavyweights. The final Monday night of every month at 6 p.m. is the time for these (usually foreign) films, so get yourself to the library to see some of these unusual and challenging films. Bring a friend. The atmosphere is friendly and the popcorn is free.
