Rowan Public Library Has Two Upcoming Storytelling Programs
Erin Allen
August 26, 2007
Rowan Public Library is gearing up for the school year with two storytelling programs. The first is a perennial September favorite, Stories by the Millstream.
Millstream 2007’s special guest will be Mitch Capel, better known as Gran’Daddy Junebug. Gran’Daddy Junebug is a renowned storyteller who has a unique affinity with children. According to Alvin Poussaint, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Gran’Daddy Junebug, “through the quiet morals of his stories, strengthens their self esteem with playful yet positive messages”.
Although Millstream is open only to Rowan County second graders, Gran’Daddy Junebug will also be giving a public performance at the Main library in Salisbury at 7:00 p.m. on September 28. People of all ages are invited to the library’s Stanback Auditorium for this unforgettable evening of tales.
Stories by the Millstream is made possible through the efforts of Friends of the Rowan Public Library, Rowan Parks and Recreation, Rowan Public Library, and the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
October 13 is the date scheduled for the first annual Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival. As most Rowan County citizens know, Jackie Torrence was a woman of incredible talents. This celebration honors her memory and seeks to continue her warm tradition of sharing stories. The festival will highlight the performance talents of upcoming area youth ages ten to twenty. If you are a young person interested in performing storytelling or stories accompanied by music, call Rowan Public Library at (704) 216-8258 or (704) 216-8234 for more information.
Donna Washington is slated to headline the Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival. Ms. Washington is a nationally known storyteller, and author of many books and CDs, including A Big, Spooky House, A Pride of African Tales, and The Story of Kwanzaa. Selected books and CDs will be available for purchase at the festival.
The Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival is scheduled for October 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the grounds of Rowan Public Library, 201 West Fisher Street, Salisbury. Area youth will perform from 10:00 to 12:00. Donna Washington will begin at 12:00. Free popcorn and lemonade will be on hand.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Library Notes
Rebecca Hyde
August 26, 2007
Should you buy an old piece of furniture that has been damaged? Should you try to repair a worn heirloom quilt? The following books offer advice on buying collectibles that show their age and on restoring items to preserve their value or usefulness.
"The Antiques Clinic: A Guide to Damage, Care and Restoration," by James Fielden, gives advice on looking at an object to determine its "general health": materials, stress points, and environmental factors that may affect its condition. For example, try to identify the different woods in a veneered or inlaid surface to see how they work in relation to each other. A veneered fruitwood surface may lift from a soft pine carcass if exposed to atmospheric changes because the two woods react at different rates. Fielden gives practical hints on general care: extending the supports for a gateleg table beyond 90 degrees strains the delicate knuckle joints on which the supports pivet. As for an old patchwork quilt, it should be examined for replacement patches that may detract from its value. An occasional worn patch is not serious: reinforce from behind, or protect with net, or do both, but don't replace it.
Judith Miller also offers guidance in the care of family treasures. Her book, "Care and Repair of Everyday Treasures," is a "step-by-step guide to cleaning and restoring your antiques and collectibles." Even if you are not going to undertake the repair of damaged needlepoint or the restoration of a caned chair seat, the description of materials, tools, and techniques may help when a professional's skills are needed.
For general information on the care of tapestries, embroidery, or clothing, read "The Care & Preservation of Textiles," by Karen Finch and Greta Putman. The authors are experts in the field of conservation, but the book is not a manual for professionals. It draws a clear line between basic housekeeping, which can be undertaken by anyone with "reasonable skills in washing and needlework," and cases in which the skills of a professional conservationist are needed.
In "A Passion for Antiques," Barbara Milo Ohrbach offers a tour of the antiques world. She touches on the motivations for collecting, and then sketches profiles of collectors (romantic, individualist, minimalist, connoisseur, free spirit). Close-ups of individual collectors include photographs of some amazing rooms and interviews. "Essentials of Antiques" offers information on broad categories (ceramics, silver, glass, textiles), with advice on care and professionals to consult. And finally, Ohrbach gives suggestions on where and how to shop, visit and dine, in a number of cities around the world for those on a quest for antiques.
Rebecca Hyde
August 26, 2007
Should you buy an old piece of furniture that has been damaged? Should you try to repair a worn heirloom quilt? The following books offer advice on buying collectibles that show their age and on restoring items to preserve their value or usefulness.
"The Antiques Clinic: A Guide to Damage, Care and Restoration," by James Fielden, gives advice on looking at an object to determine its "general health": materials, stress points, and environmental factors that may affect its condition. For example, try to identify the different woods in a veneered or inlaid surface to see how they work in relation to each other. A veneered fruitwood surface may lift from a soft pine carcass if exposed to atmospheric changes because the two woods react at different rates. Fielden gives practical hints on general care: extending the supports for a gateleg table beyond 90 degrees strains the delicate knuckle joints on which the supports pivet. As for an old patchwork quilt, it should be examined for replacement patches that may detract from its value. An occasional worn patch is not serious: reinforce from behind, or protect with net, or do both, but don't replace it.
Judith Miller also offers guidance in the care of family treasures. Her book, "Care and Repair of Everyday Treasures," is a "step-by-step guide to cleaning and restoring your antiques and collectibles." Even if you are not going to undertake the repair of damaged needlepoint or the restoration of a caned chair seat, the description of materials, tools, and techniques may help when a professional's skills are needed.
For general information on the care of tapestries, embroidery, or clothing, read "The Care & Preservation of Textiles," by Karen Finch and Greta Putman. The authors are experts in the field of conservation, but the book is not a manual for professionals. It draws a clear line between basic housekeeping, which can be undertaken by anyone with "reasonable skills in washing and needlework," and cases in which the skills of a professional conservationist are needed.
In "A Passion for Antiques," Barbara Milo Ohrbach offers a tour of the antiques world. She touches on the motivations for collecting, and then sketches profiles of collectors (romantic, individualist, minimalist, connoisseur, free spirit). Close-ups of individual collectors include photographs of some amazing rooms and interviews. "Essentials of Antiques" offers information on broad categories (ceramics, silver, glass, textiles), with advice on care and professionals to consult. And finally, Ohrbach gives suggestions on where and how to shop, visit and dine, in a number of cities around the world for those on a quest for antiques.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Get a Second Life at the Library and Read Books Too
Edward Hirst
August 19, 2007
"The Deliverator belongs to an elite order, a hallowed sub-category. Right now he is preparing to carry out his third mission of the night. His uniform is black as activated charcoal, filtering the very light out of the air. A bullet will bounce off its arachno-fiber weave like a wren hitting a patio door, but excess perspiration wafts through it like a breeze through a freshly napalmed forest. So begins the book Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, a cyber punk novel written in 1992.
The user-defined "metaverse" the Snow Crash described was the inspiration for Second Life, created in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Labs in San Francisco, the company that runs Second Life. This virtual world went live in 2003 with just under 1.000 registered users and today almost 9,000,000 accounts have been created. Around 1,000,000 accounts are active and at any given time approximately 30,000 to 45,000 avatars are actually “in world”.
What is Second Life? It’s a 3-D world created and owned entirely by the inhabitants who live there. It's not really a game in the sense that there are no goals to attain or dragons to slay. The primary focus is socialization and Linden Labs only provides the platform that the inhabitants or "avatars" use to interact with one another. Second Life has it's own economy that is based on Linden dollars. It even has its own time zone! It's a virtual world that contains the same places that you would find in real life. There are malls, villages, parks, neighborhoods, and even libraries to explore. You can attend events such as movies, concerts, author talks and dances. To paraphrase Laurie Anderson, who had paradise in mind when she said it, "Second Life is exactly like where you are now, only much, much better." Linden dollars can be exchanged for US dollars and they currently trade at 265 LDN to 1 USD. Anyone age 18 and over, (Teens 13 - 17 have their own area called Teen Second Life), can create a free account to begin exploring in Second Life. A premium account is currently $9.95 a month, which entitles the user to own virtual land and receive a weekly stipend of 300 Linden dollars a week.
Besides reading Snow Crash you can also check out a couple of different books that will help you get started having a Second Life. Rowan Public Library has A Beginner’s Unofficial Guide to Second Life, which is full of great tips for the beginner. Did you know that residents own the intellectual property rights to anything they create in Second Life? It’s possible to sell your creations there and exchange your LDN for USD. We also have Second Life: The Official Guide in our collection. It lists numerous places you can visit such as the International Spaceflight Museum or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s island where you can experience weather related exhibits such as hurricanes and tsunamis. Second Life is a huge world with lots of places to visit and did I mention you can fly?
Edward Hirst
August 19, 2007
"The Deliverator belongs to an elite order, a hallowed sub-category. Right now he is preparing to carry out his third mission of the night. His uniform is black as activated charcoal, filtering the very light out of the air. A bullet will bounce off its arachno-fiber weave like a wren hitting a patio door, but excess perspiration wafts through it like a breeze through a freshly napalmed forest. So begins the book Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, a cyber punk novel written in 1992.
The user-defined "metaverse" the Snow Crash described was the inspiration for Second Life, created in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Labs in San Francisco, the company that runs Second Life. This virtual world went live in 2003 with just under 1.000 registered users and today almost 9,000,000 accounts have been created. Around 1,000,000 accounts are active and at any given time approximately 30,000 to 45,000 avatars are actually “in world”.
What is Second Life? It’s a 3-D world created and owned entirely by the inhabitants who live there. It's not really a game in the sense that there are no goals to attain or dragons to slay. The primary focus is socialization and Linden Labs only provides the platform that the inhabitants or "avatars" use to interact with one another. Second Life has it's own economy that is based on Linden dollars. It even has its own time zone! It's a virtual world that contains the same places that you would find in real life. There are malls, villages, parks, neighborhoods, and even libraries to explore. You can attend events such as movies, concerts, author talks and dances. To paraphrase Laurie Anderson, who had paradise in mind when she said it, "Second Life is exactly like where you are now, only much, much better." Linden dollars can be exchanged for US dollars and they currently trade at 265 LDN to 1 USD. Anyone age 18 and over, (Teens 13 - 17 have their own area called Teen Second Life), can create a free account to begin exploring in Second Life. A premium account is currently $9.95 a month, which entitles the user to own virtual land and receive a weekly stipend of 300 Linden dollars a week.
Besides reading Snow Crash you can also check out a couple of different books that will help you get started having a Second Life. Rowan Public Library has A Beginner’s Unofficial Guide to Second Life, which is full of great tips for the beginner. Did you know that residents own the intellectual property rights to anything they create in Second Life? It’s possible to sell your creations there and exchange your LDN for USD. We also have Second Life: The Official Guide in our collection. It lists numerous places you can visit such as the International Spaceflight Museum or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s island where you can experience weather related exhibits such as hurricanes and tsunamis. Second Life is a huge world with lots of places to visit and did I mention you can fly?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Don't be a Dummy at the library
Lynn Denison
August 7, 2007
Do you ever feel like a “dummy” when certain subjects are mentioned? Maybe you know just enough about a subject to realize that you would like to learn more without expending too much time and effort. If so, you have a delightful experience awaiting you at Rowan Public Library when you begin to explore the For Dummies series of books. These informative books are the perfect ones to turn to when you want to briefly investigate a topic. Currently, the library has over one hundred fifty For Dummies titles available for checkout.
The For Dummies phenomenon began in the early nineties when new computer technologies were popping up all over the place. The accompanying “how-to” manuals were often frustrating to new users and difficult to understand. Starting with the publication of DOS for Dummies in 1991, the For Dummies publishers began to tackle topics that are often complex, confusing, and intimidating. For Dummies books, while being informative and reliable, have a down-to-earth style and a lighthearted approach. All books make use of cartoons and humorous icons, a “just plain English” style, and a modular format enabling the reader to find answers quickly and easily.
Today, with more than 125 million books in print, For Dummies books cover virtually all topics, including cooking, dating, Shakespeare, gardening, managing finances, running a business, planning a trip, exercising, choosing a dog and eating right.
Let’s explore one of the library’s newest acquisitions, Understanding Autism for Dummies. One of the authors,Stephen M. Shore Boston University
Just inside the front cover of this book is a two-page “Cheat Sheet,” with numerous concise and helpful “post-it note” style lists. These include “Logging On to Helpful Autism Web Sites,” “Deciphering Important Acronyms,” “Inquiring about Interventions,” “Carrying an Emergency ID Card” (copy of card included), “Preparing for Emergencies,” and “Communicating with Autistic People.” There is an extensive Table of Contents, enabling the reader to quickly zero in on the topics of most interest. An Appendix lists places to go for treatment as well as associations and organizations that deal with research, treatment, advocacy and parental issues. A quote that sums up the philosophy of the book is, “The main thing people lack when they first come into contact with people who have autism or first discover signs of the disorder in a loved one is knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding, acceptance, treatment, and happiness. Allow us to help bring you that knowledge!” You’ll find that all For Dummies titles have similar philosophies consistent with their subject matter.
Other new For Dummies titles available at the library include Resumes for Dummies, Windows Vista for Dummies, Office 2007 for Dummies, Manga for Dummies, and Bookkeeping for Dummies.
Do you ever feel like a “dummy” when certain subjects are mentioned? Maybe you know just enough about a subject to realize that you would like to learn more without expending too much time and effort. If so, you have a delightful experience awaiting you at Rowan Public Library when you begin to explore the For Dummies series of books. These informative books are the perfect ones to turn to when you want to briefly investigate a topic. Currently, the library has over one hundred fifty For Dummies titles available for checkout.
The For Dummies phenomenon began in the early nineties when new computer technologies were popping up all over the place. The accompanying “how-to” manuals were often frustrating to new users and difficult to understand. Starting with the publication of DOS for Dummies in 1991, the For Dummies publishers began to tackle topics that are often complex, confusing, and intimidating. For Dummies books, while being informative and reliable, have a down-to-earth style and a lighthearted approach. All books make use of cartoons and humorous icons, a “just plain English” style, and a modular format enabling the reader to find answers quickly and easily.
Today, with more than 125 million books in print, For Dummies books cover virtually all topics, including cooking, dating, Shakespeare, gardening, managing finances, running a business, planning a trip, exercising, choosing a dog and eating right.
Let’s explore one of the library’s newest acquisitions, Understanding Autism for Dummies. One of the authors,
Just inside the front cover of this book is a two-page “Cheat Sheet,” with numerous concise and helpful “post-it note” style lists. These include “Logging On to Helpful Autism Web Sites,” “Deciphering Important Acronyms,” “Inquiring about Interventions,” “Carrying an Emergency ID Card” (copy of card included), “Preparing for Emergencies,” and “Communicating with Autistic People.” There is an extensive Table of Contents, enabling the reader to quickly zero in on the topics of most interest. An Appendix lists places to go for treatment as well as associations and organizations that deal with research, treatment, advocacy and parental issues. A quote that sums up the philosophy of the book is, “The main thing people lack when they first come into contact with people who have autism or first discover signs of the disorder in a loved one is knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding, acceptance, treatment, and happiness. Allow us to help bring you that knowledge!” You’ll find that all For Dummies titles have similar philosophies consistent with their subject matter.
Other new For Dummies titles available at the library include Resumes for Dummies, Windows Vista for Dummies, Office 2007 for Dummies, Manga for Dummies, and Bookkeeping for Dummies.
Please visit Rowan Public Library either on the web at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or at
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Young Adult for All
Marissa Creamer
8-5-07
Well, the Harry Potter saga has finally come to an end. By now, most fans of the popular children's series have probably devoured the seventh and final book: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Whether or not you are a fan, it is hard to ignore the impact of this fantasy series by British author J.K. Rowling. Undeniably popular with youth, Harry Potter has also been embraced by adults, competing in sales with adult books. In fact, the first three Harry Potter books so dominated the "New York Times" fiction bestseller list that in 2000 a separate list for children's bestsellers was created.
The Harry Potter phenomenon has shown adults that juvenile and young adult literature can be worthwhile reading. More adults have come to realize what I have known for some time: some of the smartest and most entertaining books available are written for children and teens. Other recent books written for young people that can also be enjoyed by adults include:
"Framed," by Cottrell Boyce. The newest novel by the author of "Millions" combines threads of Italian Renaissance art and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into a message about the power of art to inspire and transform. It begins when flooding in London causes the contents of the National Gallery to be brought to the sleepy Welsh town of Manod for safekeeping in an abandoned slate quarry (an incident based on a real art evacuation that took place during World War II). The caretaker of the artworks mistakenly believes that Dylan has an interest in renaissance art when he hears the names of Dylan's pet chickens: Michelangelo and Donatello, not realizing they are actually named for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While Dylan (and eventually the entire town) is invited to experience the masterpieces, Dylan's younger sister plans a heist involving replacing Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" with a paint-by-numbers copy. One by one, the quirky citizens of Manod find their lives quietly transformed by the presence of the paintings.
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures" by Brian Selznick. Don't be intimidated by the massive size of this novel; much of the story is told in illustrations. This unique story combines text, sequential art, and period photographs into an engrossing mystery set in 1930s Paris. It tells the story of an orphan boy and his quest to repair a salvaged clockwork automaton in hopes that it will deliver a message from his deceased father. Little does he realize that the cantankerous toyshop owner he encounters also has a connection to the automaton. Fans of film history will appreciate this homage to early filmmakers and the celebrated filmmaker Georges Melies.
"Un Lun Dun" by China Mieville is being marketed as a young adult title, but adult fantasy fans will be sure to enjoy this magical tale set in a sort of "London through the looking glass." Ghosts, walking bushes, and sentient umbrellas inhabit this alternate world where all the lost and broken objects of London accumulate, and houses are built of obsolete technology. When sentient smog threatens the inhabitants of Un Lun Dun, a young hero is prophesied to save the city. It appears that Zanna is the chosen one, but then things begin to go horribly wrong...........
Well-known authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, and Carl Hiaasen have released books for teens in recent years, bringing some of their loyal fans into the young adult reading world. So don't be put off by a book labeled "juvenile" or "young adult." All that's really important is the story. You can find all of these tales at Rowan Public Library.
Marissa Creamer
8-5-07
Well, the Harry Potter saga has finally come to an end. By now, most fans of the popular children's series have probably devoured the seventh and final book: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Whether or not you are a fan, it is hard to ignore the impact of this fantasy series by British author J.K. Rowling. Undeniably popular with youth, Harry Potter has also been embraced by adults, competing in sales with adult books. In fact, the first three Harry Potter books so dominated the "New York Times" fiction bestseller list that in 2000 a separate list for children's bestsellers was created.
The Harry Potter phenomenon has shown adults that juvenile and young adult literature can be worthwhile reading. More adults have come to realize what I have known for some time: some of the smartest and most entertaining books available are written for children and teens. Other recent books written for young people that can also be enjoyed by adults include:
"Framed," by Cottrell Boyce. The newest novel by the author of "Millions" combines threads of Italian Renaissance art and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into a message about the power of art to inspire and transform. It begins when flooding in London causes the contents of the National Gallery to be brought to the sleepy Welsh town of Manod for safekeeping in an abandoned slate quarry (an incident based on a real art evacuation that took place during World War II). The caretaker of the artworks mistakenly believes that Dylan has an interest in renaissance art when he hears the names of Dylan's pet chickens: Michelangelo and Donatello, not realizing they are actually named for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While Dylan (and eventually the entire town) is invited to experience the masterpieces, Dylan's younger sister plans a heist involving replacing Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" with a paint-by-numbers copy. One by one, the quirky citizens of Manod find their lives quietly transformed by the presence of the paintings.
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures" by Brian Selznick. Don't be intimidated by the massive size of this novel; much of the story is told in illustrations. This unique story combines text, sequential art, and period photographs into an engrossing mystery set in 1930s Paris. It tells the story of an orphan boy and his quest to repair a salvaged clockwork automaton in hopes that it will deliver a message from his deceased father. Little does he realize that the cantankerous toyshop owner he encounters also has a connection to the automaton. Fans of film history will appreciate this homage to early filmmakers and the celebrated filmmaker Georges Melies.
"Un Lun Dun" by China Mieville is being marketed as a young adult title, but adult fantasy fans will be sure to enjoy this magical tale set in a sort of "London through the looking glass." Ghosts, walking bushes, and sentient umbrellas inhabit this alternate world where all the lost and broken objects of London accumulate, and houses are built of obsolete technology. When sentient smog threatens the inhabitants of Un Lun Dun, a young hero is prophesied to save the city. It appears that Zanna is the chosen one, but then things begin to go horribly wrong...........
Well-known authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, and Carl Hiaasen have released books for teens in recent years, bringing some of their loyal fans into the young adult reading world. So don't be put off by a book labeled "juvenile" or "young adult." All that's really important is the story. You can find all of these tales at Rowan Public Library.
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