Summer Reading in November?

As we round out 2010, the Teen Council has been thinking about 2011 Summer Reading since before the 2010 program even started? Why? Well, not only is this a massive program to plan, but the kids in Teen Council put their own spin on the program by making all the decisions. For the past several years, the group has decided to apply for a Youth as Resources Grant. This is a grant that funds up to $1200 of a project, but the key is that the grant must be filled out by completely by those under the age of 18. So for months I could be found biting my nails as the teens planned and plotted the 2011 Teen Summer Reading Program and even filmed and edited the movie that will be shown at the schools next May. Seven teens stood proud and presented their project to a group of teens and adults who serve on the Youth as Resources board. As you can see, their hard work paid off. Thanks to the work of more than 20 teens on the Teen Council, the Library has been awarded $1,199.58! Teens in grades seven and up are invited to attend Teen Council meetings. Starting in January 2011, teens will meet the second Tuesday of each month from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

If you can’t wait for Summer Reading, join us December 18th for our first ever Winter Reading Kickoff Party!

Margaret Atwood, Internet app developer

Re-posting stuff you read elsewhere is not the mark of a creative blog writer. I know that. But I can't resist today referring again to Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac.

November 18 is author Margaret Atwood's birthday. Keillor has posted a capsule biography of her that I can't get out of my mind, so I'm sharing it with you.

You probably know Atwood has written many novels, including The Handmaid's Tale, The Robber Bride, and The Blind Assassin, which won the Booker Prize in 2000. But did you know that she invented an Internet-based device and application? Me neither.

According to Keillor, Atwood got so sick and tired of going on tours to promote her books that she figured out a way to be present to fans in a distant bookstore without physically leaving her home in Toronto. At the age of 66, she invented the LongPen.

It's ingenious, really: Say there's a book-signing event at a bookstore, where fans of Atwood come to talk with the author and, of course, have their books signed. Atwood is at home, connected to the bookstore by live, 2-way video chat via the Internet.

Also at the bookstore is the LongPen, which is basically a small robotic device holding a ballpoint pen and sitting on a tabletop. The fan approaches the table and places Atwood's book under the robot's pen. Atwood chats with the fan and then writes an inscription and her signature onto a touchpad, like the one you use when buying by credit card at a store. The touchpad controls the LongPen device via the Internet. What Atwood writes on her touchpad is immediately written by the robot onto the open page of the fan's book.

How cool is that! And it came about because one of the great authors of our time got fed up with business travel. How many of us can identify with that?

However, as impressive as her LongPen is, Atwood's true achievements are her books. See for yourself by checking out any of her 21 works available at your and my favorite library.

Hope for Heroes!

Since the beginning of November, our Heroes’ Tree has been bright with ornaments displaying military Heroes. The Heroes’ Tree recognizes the sacrifices of military members, whether they are currently serving, a veteran, or deceased. Our tree currently has ten heroes, but if you are interested in making a handmade ornament for a veteran you admire come to the Library! You can use materials from home or you can use Library materials to make an ornament. Feel free to share a story about your hero through your ornament. Last year we had beautiful hand-carved wooden ornaments; there is no limit on how much love and creativity you can put into your ornament!

This year, the Library is also a drop-off point for HOPE for HEROES. From now until December 22, we are collecting donations for United States Veterans in the greater Indianapolis area who are homeless.

Items requested: stocking caps, long underwear, gloves, heavy socks, underwear undershirts, hand/foot warmers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream (all items should be new)

You can drop off any donations near the Heroes’ Tree on the first floor.

Harry Potter Movie Anticipation

Muggles for Harry Potter! If you are not aware of the terms used in J.K. Rowling’s incredibly popular Harry Potter books, a muggle is someone who is not a witch or a wizard and thus cannot do magic. So, I am a muggle and so are you. Today we stand just days before the highly anticipated release of the first part of book seven in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Since the book is so massive and contains so much information, the movie corresponding to the book has been split into two parts. I do love Harry Potter, but I also love throwing parties. Some months ago I put my little brain to work and started thinking what teen-aged Harry Potter fans would want to do to celebrate a movie release. This weekend, the Library did something it had never done before. At 6:00 p.m. on a Friday night, the Library opened its doors to more than 40 teens and transformed itself from a place of learning to a magical place known to children and adults alike all across the world. Dressed as wizards and muggles, the teens grazed three areas of the Library as they completed a Horcrux Hunt, made magic wands, created enchanted pendants, and even read their tea leaves. I was greatly saddened when 8:00 p.m. approached, and it was time for all the muggle parents to pick up their teens and take them home. Not only am I happy to report that the event was a HUGE success, but wheels are already turning on creating an event for all ages to celebrate the release of the final Harry Potter movie on July 15, 2011. If you were unable to attend the celebration this time around, mark your calendars for next July, and remember that when it comes to Harry Potter, no place celebrates better than the Library.

Creative "Trees" Bring Artists to "Life"

"Creature-Critters" by Susan Fletcher Conaway

Do you like the art of Edgar Degas, Lois Ehlert, Eric Carle, or Arthur Rackham? Then you'll love the imaginative and beautiful interpretations of their art by local artists on display now at the library. These artistic "tree" installations are decorating our Youth Services area throughout the November and December holidays.

You can take home these beauties by entering bids in our Silent Auction to be held at our Holiday Stroll on Sunday, December 5th. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Library.

"A Tribute to the 4 Seasons" by Janet Cohen

"Ballerina" by Cynthia Leavesly

"Amethyst" by Nan Tesser

Come in and see for yourselves!