Friday, April 29, 2011

Great Michigan Read

From the Michigan Humanities Council: "Great Michigan Read Kicks Off for Partners

Arc of Justice“It has all the elements of a great story. I mean, really fascinating figures. … I’m from Michigan, from Detroit, and it’s a place I care an enormous amount about. It was a chance to write about a place I love. It’s not the most flattering picture of Detroit, but I tried to give the most honest one.”
Author Kevin Boyle, on his book Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights and Murder in Jazz Age.

The Michigan Humanities Council is proud to announce the 2011-12 Great Michigan Read, Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights and Murder in the Jazz Age. The Council’s early announcement allows statewide educators ample time to review and prepare for fall curriculum.

Written by Detroit native Kevin Boyle, Arc of Justice tells the story of African American Dr. Ossian Sweet and the chain of events that occurred after he purchased a home for his family in an all-white Detroit neighborhood in 1925. The book won the 2004 National Book Award for nonfiction, was named a 2005 Michigan Notable Book, and was selected for the Great Michigan Read by a group of nearly 50 librarians, teachers, students, professors, authors and more from across the state.

Sweet“I’m absolutely thrilled and caught off guard,” Boyle said. “There’s nothing more exciting than imagining people in my home state reading my book.”

The Great Michigan Read is a free statewide humanities initiative inviting Michiganians to read and participate in book discussions and events in their hometowns. Intended for young adults to senior citizens, the Great Michigan Read aims to make literature more accessible and appealing, while also encouraging residents to learn more about their state. In the fall the Council will host an author tour, where Boyle will visit selected communities to discuss the book.

“It’s a chance to engage in a statewide conversation on some of our most-pressing issues – things like equality and justice,” said Greg Parker, program officer for the Michigan Humanities Council.

By telling the story of Dr. Ossian Sweet, Boyle illuminates other historical issues, including the building blocks of the civil rights movement, the Great Migration of African Americans to the North, the social and political climate of the 1920s, and the boomtown years of Detroit.

“When you think about civil rights and race relations, you automatically think about Alabama and Mississippi,” Boyle said. “So I was really trying to talk about race issues in the northern front.” "

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tools to Teach Kids About Personal Finance

Tools to Teach Kids About Personal Finance: From USA.gov:
"Being an educated consumer with the ability to make sound financial decisions isn’t just an important skill for an adult. It’s never too early to start teaching a child to manage money wisely. It may be one of the most valuable life skills you can teach them.

In honor of Financial Literacy Month, here are some tools you can use to help teach your kids about spending, saving and earning.

  • For young kids, the United States Mint offers H.I.P Pocket Change. The site has many activities and interactive games that teach kids about money.
  • Kids ages 9-12 can play Fedville, the Federal Reserve Board’s interactive game that allows kids to earn, save, and spend play money while learning basic principles of managing money.
  • You Are Here, from the Federal Trade Commission teaches teens about consumer concepts such as advertising, target marketing, protecting your privacy, and recognizing a rip-off.
  • Reality Check allows young adults to calculate how much money they will need to lead independent lives.
  • Personal Finance 101, provides tips to College Students about good credit habits and financial planning.
"

Library Journal's Reader's Shelf

Read My Lips:  Memorable Deaf Fictional Characters

Books recommended by editors at Library Journal
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter



The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
By McCullers, Carson
2004-04 - Mariner Books
9780618526413 Check Our Catalog


An Oprah's Book Club selection
With the depression as a murky backdrop, this first novel depicts the bleak landscape of the American consciousness below the Mason-Dixon line. Miss McCullers' picture of loneliness, death, accident, insanity, fear, mob violence and terror is perhaps the most desolate that has so far come from the South. Her quality of despair is unique and individual; and it seems to me more natural and authentic than that of Faulkner. Her groping characters live in a world more completely lost than any Sherwood Anderson ever dreamed of. And she recounts incidents of death and attitudes of stoicism in sentences whose neutrality makes Hemingway's terse prose seem warm and partisan by comparison. Hovering mockingly over her story of loneliness in a small town are primitive religion, adolescent hope, the silence of deaf mutes - and all of these give the violent colors of the life she depicts a sheen of weird tenderness.
…More


Keeping Silent



Keeping Silent
By Damron, Carla
2002-05 - Worldwide Library
9780373264216 Check Our Catalog


Deaf since the age of 16, acclaimed sculptor Sam Knowles is accused of murdering his fiance. South Carolina social worker Caleb Knowles believes his brother's innocence, knowing Sam could never hurt the woman he loved. But Sam, battling demons Caleb cannot understand, withdraws into a hard shell, leaving Caleb to solve the crime, save his brother, and expose a killer. (May) …More


Murder on Lexington Avenue



Murder on Lexington Avenue
By Thompson, Victoria
2010-06 - Berkley Prime Crime
9780425234372 Check Our Catalog


After an influential man in the deaf community is murdered, Frank Malloy is assigned the case, presumably because his son attends the New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. Malloy suspects the murderer is tied to the school, and turns to midwife Sarah Brandt for help. …More


Silence Is Golden



Silence Is Golden
By Warner, Penny
2003-10 - Perseverance Press
9781880284667 Check Our Catalog


Old prospector Sluice Jackson appears to have struck it rich with the discovery of a tooth-sized gold nugget. But when Flat Skunk starts turning up dead bodies instead, Connor Westphal digs for the story behind her headlines--and finds all that glitters isn't gold. …More


In This Sign



In This Sign
By Greenberg, Joanne
1984-09 - Owl Books (NY)
9780805007220 Check Our Catalog


The highly acclaimed novel of a family whose love and courage enable them to survive in the silent world of the deaf.
…More


Talk Talk



Talk Talk
By Boyle, T. Coraghessan
2007-07 - Penguin Books
9780143112150 Check Our Catalog


Bestselling author and PEN/Faulkner Award-winner Boyle recasts the battle of good and evil as an identity theft suspense story. As the tension mounts, Boyle drops crumbs of wisdom in his signature style, leading readers along a mysterious trail. …More

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Upcoming Events at Hackley Public Library






Evening Storytime
Monday, April 25

6:45 pm

Storytelling, picturebooks, fingerplays, holiday tales, and special fun. Each session ends with a craft project. Signup required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Morning Toddler Storytime
Monday, April 25

11:00 am

Toddlers and care givers attend Toddler Time together. The simple books and activities are just right for kids under 3. Signup is required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Morning Storytime
Tuesday, April 26

11:00 am

Storytelling, picturebooks, fingerplays, holiday tales, and special fun. Each session ends with a craft project. Signup required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Resumes
Tuesday, April 26

6:00 pm

Ron Witzke, a SCORE volunteer, will teach a class on writing resumes. The first twenty people will be seated.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Knitting Group
April 27, 2011

Open knitting group. Learn to knit, hone your skills, help other knitters! For more information call 231-722-7276 and ask for Jocelyn





Royal Breakfast
Friday, April 29

Friday, April 29. Royal Breakfast celebrating the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Wear your hat and gloves, bring your girlfriends, and enjoy watching the ceremony and all it's pomp, televised live from London starting at 5:30 am. Location: the Muskegon Athletic Club, Western at 2nd Street. Three walls of beautiful HD televisions insure that everybody will have a great view. English breakfast, silent auction and more. Tickets are $20 and are available at Hackley Public Library. Proceeds benefit the renovation of the children's department at Hackley Public Library.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Manga Mania T-Shirts
Saturday, April 30

2:00 PM

Put your favorite manga character on a custom designed T-Shirt. Use a picture from the web or a comic……or one you drew yourself. We’ll scan the pictures for you to print on a shirt. Then make the shirt unique with fabric paint.

Bring a clean, light-colored T-Shirt to take part. For grades 5 – 8. Registration required. Phone 722-7276 ext 230 to sign up.

Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230.





Invasive Species
Tuesday, May 3

6:00 pm

Joe Hill returns to talk about how to cope with invasive species. Free and open to the public.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Muskegon County Genealogical Society
Tuesday, May 3

6:30 - 9:30 pm.

Meets at the Torrent House

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

In The News: Royal Weddings

In The News: Royal Weddings: From the Internet Public Libray: "

This week’s blog will highlight British Royal Weddings.


Save the Date: April 29, 2011. It’s time again for another royal wedding. Catherine(Kate) Middleton will fulfill the dream of many little girls and adult women when she marries her prince, William of Wales. British royal weddings and marriages are especially captivating to a world audience, even more so with the advent of photography and 24 hour news coverage. This week’s resources will satisfy your royal nuptial curiosity and highlight some of the more colorful couples in Britain’s past.


New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources are already listed in the ipl2 collection.


NEW! The Royal Wedding

http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/

Visit the official website for William and Kate’s wedding. This site offers the latest news and provides details on the planning and ceremony.


NEW! BBC: A History of Royal Weddings

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/royal_weddings

This page from the BBC will get you caught up on 100 years of royal weddings. This site offers timelines, video clips, links to the latest news and links to other sites on the Internet that highlight royal weddings.


NEW! The British Monarchy: Weddings

http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/Weddings/Weddings.aspx

The Official Website of the British Monarchy maintains this page. It summarizes the important details, locations and traditions of many Royal Weddings, including the most recent ones. This page also links to other British Royal traditions, Royal household information, and biographies of Royal family members.


NEW! The Smithsonian: Ten Royal Weddings to Remember

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/Ten-Royal-Weddings-to-Remember.html

For centuries, British monarchs have had their marriages tested by war, infidelity, politics and diplomatic intrigue.” Brought to life by the Smithsonian, this page details the reasons behind 10 memorable unions, whether the motive be love, alliance, or duty.


NEW! CBC News: Royal Marriages Throughout History

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/18/f-royal-wedding-history.html

From the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a summary of primarily British royal weddings throughout history. Some that worked out and some that did not.


NEW! Britannia: Monarchs of Britain

http://www.britannia.com/history/h6.html

Got the royal itch? Check out this site by Britannia, which includes a complete list of British monarchs including biographies and timelines.


Thanks for your continued support of ipl2. We hope these resources help satisfy any current and historical royal interests you may have. For more information, search ipl2 for “British history” or “British royal history.”


Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2’s newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The “Email Subscription” feature appears prominently in the upper lefthand side of the page on the ipl2′s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!


___________________________________________________________________________________________



"

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

OverDrive’s eBook & audiobook apps for Android & iPhone/iPad updated

OverDrive’s eBook & audiobook apps for Android & iPhone/iPad updated: From the Overdrive Blog: "


Today, we released updates for our Android and iPhone/iPad apps, which include many enhancements that users have requested. When you install the updated apps on your device, here’s what you will see:

OverDrive Media Console for Android (v2.2)

  • Sepia display option for eBooks
  • Screen-dimming override for eBooks
  • Faster EPUB performance
  • Sleep timer for audiobooks

OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad (v2.2.1)

  • Orientation lock for eBooks
  • Night mode and sepia display option for eBooks
  • Screen lock override for eBooks
  • Improved range of font size settings
  • In-app library “Website Finder”

The in-app library “Website Finder” for iPhone/iPad is another step toward bringing the entire download experience into the app. You can now save a library’s digital collection website—before you download a title—simply by clicking on the “star” icon next to the collection’s name. This makes it even easier to return to a library’s website the next time you want to borrow an EPUB eBook or MP3 audiobook from the library. The Android and BlackBerry apps already had this functionality and the upcoming Windows Phone 7 app will, too.

The system requirements for the Android and iPhone/iPad apps are still the same. The free apps can be installed on phones and devices running the Android OS v1.5 (or newer) or iOS v4.0 (or newer). If you already have the apps installed on a device, you’ll receive an update notification. If you’re new to library eBook and audiobook apps, you can find the OverDrive apps in the Android Market, the iTunes App Store, or OverDrive’s software page.

Dan Stasiewski is public relations manager for OverDrive.

"

Monday, April 18, 2011

Your Federal Taxpayer Receipt Details Where Your Tax Dollars Are Going This Year [Tax Time]

Your Federal Taxpayer Receipt Details Where Your Tax Dollars Are Going This Year [Tax Time]: From Lifehacker: "

Your Federal Taxpayer Receipt Details Where Your Tax Dollars Are Going This YearPerhaps you've noticed that Monday is tax day in the US, and perhaps you've wondered where your taxes are going. As a breath of fresh air, the U.S. Government has posted a web site to calculate your payments and let you instantly see how your individual tax payment is being spent.

The online tax receipt page is really easy to use. You just enter in your 2010 payments for social security tax, medicare tax, and income tax to find out where your dollars are being spent. The social security and medicare taxes are pretty obvious, since their destinations are in their names, but the breakdown of your income tax will provide you with a window into how the government spends your hard-earned money.


Your Federal Taxpayer Receipt Details Where Your Tax Dollars Are Going This Year Your 2010 Federal Taxpayer Receipt | WhiteHouse.gov via Swissmiss




You can follow Adam Dachis, the author of this post, on Twitter and Facebook. If you'd like to contact him, Twitter is the most effective means of doing so.




"

Friday, April 15, 2011

Upcoming Events at Hackley Public Library




Annual Friends of Hackley Library Book Sale
Friday, April 15

Annual Friends of Hackley Library book sale will be held Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16.

Giant annual used book sale at the Torrent House, corner of Webster and Third Streets in downtown Muskegon. Hardcovers $1.00 and paperbacks $.50. Thousands of books to choose from. Hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm both days. Proceeds go towards repairing and refurbishing the children's department of the Hackley Public Library.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Annual Friends of Hackley Library Book Sale
Saturday, April 16

Annual Friends of Hackley Library book sale will be held Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16.

Giant annual used book sale at the Torrent House, corner of Webster and Third Streets in downtown Muskegon. Hardcovers $1.00 and paperbacks $.50. Thousands of books to choose from. Hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm both days. Proceeds go towards repairing and refurbishing the children's department of the Hackley Public Library.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Charity Bazaar
Saturday, April 16

Saturday, April 16. Charity Bazaar featuring local, home-based businesses to benefit the Building of Character campaign. Activities for children will allow moms to browse. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Women's Club, Webster Ave. at 2nd Street.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Dr. Tom’s Semi-Silent Theatre
Saturday, April 16

2:00 PM


Performer Tom Pierce presents an innovative blend of mime, magic, clowning and comedy. Tom thrives on audience participation and everyone is engaged in his one-of-a-kind show. All ages.

Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230.





Evening Storytime
Monday, April 18

6:45 pm

Storytelling, picturebooks, fingerplays, holiday tales, and special fun. Each session ends with a craft project. Signup required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Friends of the Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 18

4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Meets at the Torrent House



Morning Toddler Storytime
Monday, April 18

11:00 am

Toddlers and care givers attend Toddler Time together. The simple books and activities are just right for kids under 3. Signup is required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Hackley Public Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 19

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Julia Hackley Room, Hackley Public Library. Open to the public.



Herb Society
Tuesday, April 19

6:00 - 9:00 pm

Meets at the Torrent House




Morning Storytime
Tuesday, April 19

11:00 am

Storytelling, picturebooks, fingerplays, holiday tales, and special fun. Each session ends with a craft project. Signup required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Tech Wednesday-Learning Express Library
Wednesday, April 20

Tech Wednesdays
2:30 pm
Each class will cover a specific topic and run from 30 – 60 minutes. No registration is required, just show up! All classes will start at 2:30 pm in the Julia Hackley Room. If you have your own laptop feel free to bring it along, otherwise these are watch and learn classes.

March 9: Overdrive eBooks
March 23: Ebay
April 6: Storing Pictures online (Flickr, Picasa)
April 20: Learning Express Library (MeL practice tests)
May 11: Chat Rooms
May 25: Surfing the Internet





Ebook Reader Petting Zoo
Saturday, April 23

Interested in Ebook Readers? Not sure about what they do or how they work? Best Buy associates will explain it all!

Free and open to the public.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Keeping your computer clean and safe
Saturday, April 23

Best Buy Assoicates will be on hand to explain how to keep your computer free from viruses and other nasties.

Free and open to the public.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Rainbow Easter Eggs
Saturday, April 23

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

- Bring 2 or more hardboiled eggs -

Join us for HPL’s Annual Egg-stravaganza. Make amazing Easter eggs, with multicolored swirls, dots and stripes. Eggs are dipped again and again to build up a rainbow of colors. Drop in anytime during event hours. Families bring their own hardboiled eggs to take part.

Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230.





Evening Storytime
Monday, April 25

6:45 pm

Storytelling, picturebooks, fingerplays, holiday tales, and special fun. Each session ends with a craft project. Signup required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Morning Toddler Storytime
Monday, April 25

11:00 am

Toddlers and care givers attend Toddler Time together. The simple books and activities are just right for kids under 3. Signup is required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Morning Storytime
Tuesday, April 26

11:00 am

Storytelling, picturebooks, fingerplays, holiday tales, and special fun. Each session ends with a craft project. Signup required. Call 231-722-7276 x 230 to register.





Resumes
Tuesday, April 26

6:00 pm

Ron Witzke, a SCORE volunteer, will teach a class on writing resumes. The first twenty people will be seated.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Knitting Group
April 27, 2011

Open knitting group. Learn to knit, hone your skills, help other knitters! For more information call 231-722-7276 and ask for Jocelyn





Royal Breakfast
Friday, April 29

Friday, April 29. Royal Breakfast celebrating the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Wear your hat and gloves, bring your girlfriends, and enjoy watching the ceremony and all it's pomp, televised live from London starting at 5:30 am. Location: the Muskegon Athletic Club, Western at 2nd Street. Three walls of beautiful HD televisions insure that everybody will have a great view. English breakfast, silent auction and more. Tickets are $20 and are available at Hackley Public Library. Proceeds benefit the renovation of the children's department at Hackley Public Library.

For more information call HPL at 231-722-7276.





Manga Mania T-Shirts
Saturday, April 30

2:00 PM

Put your favorite manga character on a custom designed T-Shirt. Use a picture from the web or a comic……or one you drew yourself. We’ll scan the pictures for you to print on a shirt. Then make the shirt unique with fabric paint.

Bring a clean, light-colored T-Shirt to take part. For grades 5 – 8. Registration required. Phone 722-7276 ext 230 to sign up.

Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230.