How many of you have costumes already for Halloween? Did your kids change their minds about 100 times before deciding on the costume they originally wanted and can you find it in time? Are you dressing up and taking them out for a round of trick-or-treating? All these questions are flashing through the minds of millions of Americans the closer we get to Halloween. But does anybody really wonder where we got the holiday in the first place?
The Gaelic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is the holiday that Halloween first received its inspiration from. The Gaels believed that during this night, the barrier between the real world and the spirit world became thin and ghosts could wander around as they pleased. Families took the time to honor their dead at this time of year and it was often thought of as the Gaelic New Year, when the next year would begin.
So why do our children dress up and run around like princesses and monsters? Not all the spirits who could pass between the worlds were harmless family ancestors. Some of the spirits were evil and costumes were a way of warding them off. If a person disguised themselves as a harmful spirit, they believed the actual harmful spirits would leave them alone! The entire idea behind trick-or-treating is that the children are dressed as the harmful spirits and the candy works as a balm to keep them pacified and to prevent them from playing tricks on you or on your house. Don’t ask me how dressing up like a harmful spirit translates into princess costumes. I haven’t figured that one out yet.
And the pumpkins? Why do millions of people every year spend hours digging out the squishy guts of gourds and trying to make them look scary? Well, it’s better than an enemy’s head, isn’t it? The Celts believed that the wisdom and the spirit resided in the head of their enemies and, since they were headhunters, they would hang those heads on their door lintels, to keep the wisdom near their house. They would also carve faces into turnips and rutabagas to make lanterns to keep evil spirits away. In the new world, pumpkins were readily available, not to mention larger and easier to carve, so the pumpkin got the job of being a lantern for the protection of the home.
Halloween is not necessarily an evil holiday, or really terribly scary, but Hollywood and literature have certainly made it into one. New horror films typically come out in October, we’ve got haunted houses and witches, black cats and vampires, all of which are not traditionally associated with the original holiday itself. Of course, now that we consider them part of the season, they will never be easily parted. Besides, there’s something about watching a scary movie on Halloween that really appeals to most people and I, personally, think it’s too bad we haven’t got a haunted house in Pipestone.
So I’ll probably see you on Halloween night, trick-or-treating. My children will be Tigger and the Little Mermaid and I will be dressed as, well, a mom. Come on, did you really think I’d say something more exciting?
Stop by Meinders Library for a party on October 31st, from 2-4 PM. We will have goody bags for the kids, mini pumpkins and gourds to paint, and bookmarks to color and stamp. Stories will be read every fifteen minutes and the activities will be self-directed. We hope to see you there!!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New Young Adult Section 10-14-09
Teenagers are often an underserved minority in the library world. Most of them don’t want to spend a lot of time somewhere they have to be quiet, and even more of them are so involved with school and extra-curricular activities that reading for pleasure is an alien concept. But for those who still love the idea of a good book, there are plenty to read!
Meinders Library has a new section, geared specifically towards teenagers (9-12 grade) and the fiction they would enjoy. If you can get your teenager, or any teenager, into the library, tell them to ask for the Young Adult section and we will find them something they simply *have* to check out. The books reviewed in this column are all excellent books, geared toward the teenage reader (though I must admit to wanting to read several of them myself).
The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak
This book received a star review by the School Library Journal and centers around a girl named Liesel during the 1930s and 40s. Liesel steals books, though she begins before she even knows how to read, and those books become her refuge. The book is actually narrated by Death, an is a striking, original story that chronicles Liesel and her friends and their stolen books.
Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
A relatively heavy book that begins with Clay Jenson receiving a series of cassette tapes from a classmate who has committed suicide. 12 others also receive cassette tapes, detailed the reasons behind the self-inflicted death of Hannah Baker, who is not held blameless in the events that unfold. Though the book is rather serious, mystery readers will adore it and the book has an important message about the consequences of how we treat each other.
Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld
At 16, everyone in Westerfeld’s visionary story receives a surgical operation that conforms them all to an ideal standard of perfection. Before 16, the children are referred to as “uglies” and they dream of the time they can become as “pretty” as everyone else. Tally Youngblood gets caught up in trying to find some rebel “uglies” for the Department of Special Circumstances – if she finds them and betrays them, she can have her operation. Will Tally have a change of heart?
Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
This book received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. In a society obsessed with reality television, this book really hits home. Following an apocalypse, a country similar to the United States demands that two kids be taken from each territory for a fight to the death, televised. Katniss and Peeta, both from what was once Appalachia, struggle to win the competition but also fight to keep their humanity in a game that strips humanity away. The book is intense and filled with meaning, for any who read it.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan
Mary is trapped in her village, surrounded by a chain-link fence – and beyond that chain-link fence is a forest filled with zombies that will eat any villager who dares to step outside. The zombies came into existence over 100 years ago, during a period of history called the Return, and the cities and wonderful technology were completely wiped out. No Mary lives in a restrictive society, controlled entirely by a faction called the Sisterhood. Is there such a thing as an ‘ocean?’ Is there a way out through the forest? Mary intends to find out.
Graceling, by Kristin Cashore
Katsa is a warrior girl, with one blue eye and one green eye marking her as a Graceling – a person born with a particular Grace. In Katsa’s case, her Grace is fighting and there is no one who can beat her. Despite her power, Katsa is forced to serve as a henchman though she manages to form a secret society with others who believe in truth and justice. Filled with fantasy and a little romance, this book is sure to win the hearts of fantasy lovers everywhere.
Also, Teen Read Week is coming up from October 18 – 24! Stop in with a teenager for a prize and a book!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Meinders Library has a new section, geared specifically towards teenagers (9-12 grade) and the fiction they would enjoy. If you can get your teenager, or any teenager, into the library, tell them to ask for the Young Adult section and we will find them something they simply *have* to check out. The books reviewed in this column are all excellent books, geared toward the teenage reader (though I must admit to wanting to read several of them myself).
The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak
This book received a star review by the School Library Journal and centers around a girl named Liesel during the 1930s and 40s. Liesel steals books, though she begins before she even knows how to read, and those books become her refuge. The book is actually narrated by Death, an is a striking, original story that chronicles Liesel and her friends and their stolen books.
Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
A relatively heavy book that begins with Clay Jenson receiving a series of cassette tapes from a classmate who has committed suicide. 12 others also receive cassette tapes, detailed the reasons behind the self-inflicted death of Hannah Baker, who is not held blameless in the events that unfold. Though the book is rather serious, mystery readers will adore it and the book has an important message about the consequences of how we treat each other.
Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld
At 16, everyone in Westerfeld’s visionary story receives a surgical operation that conforms them all to an ideal standard of perfection. Before 16, the children are referred to as “uglies” and they dream of the time they can become as “pretty” as everyone else. Tally Youngblood gets caught up in trying to find some rebel “uglies” for the Department of Special Circumstances – if she finds them and betrays them, she can have her operation. Will Tally have a change of heart?
Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
This book received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. In a society obsessed with reality television, this book really hits home. Following an apocalypse, a country similar to the United States demands that two kids be taken from each territory for a fight to the death, televised. Katniss and Peeta, both from what was once Appalachia, struggle to win the competition but also fight to keep their humanity in a game that strips humanity away. The book is intense and filled with meaning, for any who read it.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan
Mary is trapped in her village, surrounded by a chain-link fence – and beyond that chain-link fence is a forest filled with zombies that will eat any villager who dares to step outside. The zombies came into existence over 100 years ago, during a period of history called the Return, and the cities and wonderful technology were completely wiped out. No Mary lives in a restrictive society, controlled entirely by a faction called the Sisterhood. Is there such a thing as an ‘ocean?’ Is there a way out through the forest? Mary intends to find out.
Graceling, by Kristin Cashore
Katsa is a warrior girl, with one blue eye and one green eye marking her as a Graceling – a person born with a particular Grace. In Katsa’s case, her Grace is fighting and there is no one who can beat her. Despite her power, Katsa is forced to serve as a henchman though she manages to form a secret society with others who believe in truth and justice. Filled with fantasy and a little romance, this book is sure to win the hearts of fantasy lovers everywhere.
Also, Teen Read Week is coming up from October 18 – 24! Stop in with a teenager for a prize and a book!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
09-26-09 Chad Lewis - Haunted Locations
So today we had an author talk, co-sponsored with the Historical Society, by Chad Lewis, who co-authored the Minnesota Road Guide to Haunted Locations.
Our plan was to hold the talk at the Calumet Inn, which is featured in the book for being haunted. So we ordered cookies and coffee for 35-40 people, figuring that was a good number and would probably be more than we would actually have.
We were WRONG!! After re-setting chairs and moving tables to try and make room for all the people that were arriving, Mayor Ness finally suggested we move it to the Performing Art center, since the fire marshall would KILL us for cramming so many people in there. So at 2:01, we moved across the street and re-set-up, getting all of Chad's books set out in the lobby and getting him ready for his talk.
The talk was fantastic and I am so glad I went ahead and booked him, even though at the time we thought we would end up paying his entire honorarium ourselves. We ended up getting sponsored by Legacy Funds, since we were working with the Historical Society, and so we only ended up spending a little money for cookies.
And there were, at final count, 95 people in attendance. 95!! It was a great day for an author talk and I had no idea so many people in Pipestone were interested in ghosts!
Our plan was to hold the talk at the Calumet Inn, which is featured in the book for being haunted. So we ordered cookies and coffee for 35-40 people, figuring that was a good number and would probably be more than we would actually have.
We were WRONG!! After re-setting chairs and moving tables to try and make room for all the people that were arriving, Mayor Ness finally suggested we move it to the Performing Art center, since the fire marshall would KILL us for cramming so many people in there. So at 2:01, we moved across the street and re-set-up, getting all of Chad's books set out in the lobby and getting him ready for his talk.
The talk was fantastic and I am so glad I went ahead and booked him, even though at the time we thought we would end up paying his entire honorarium ourselves. We ended up getting sponsored by Legacy Funds, since we were working with the Historical Society, and so we only ended up spending a little money for cookies.
And there were, at final count, 95 people in attendance. 95!! It was a great day for an author talk and I had no idea so many people in Pipestone were interested in ghosts!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Banned Books Week 09-30-09
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The above is the text of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, allowing for freedom of the press. Freedom of the press not only includes things that are printed in newspapers, but also books which, as I’m sure you’re all aware, are apt to occasionally contain objectionable material.
This week, September 28th until October 3rd, is National Banned Books Week. In honor of those books that have had their struggles, Meinders has lists available for the public of the top 100 most challenged books from 1900 until the present. You would be surprised what books are on there and, even more surprising, most of them you would consider a classic. In fact, most of them you probably read in high school or your student is reading now. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged, as have Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The list is extensive enough that I won’t go into more specifics, but we will have many of the books on display at the library.
Censor: to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable.
“Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime…” Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart
Ban: to prohibit the use, performance, or distribution of materials.
As you can see from the definitions, censorship is deletion of parts of certain parts of a book, while banning gets rid of the book entirely. It’s really up in the air which is worse, considering if you use a censorship sort of approach, you still have the book, though the content is changed, sometimes dramatically. Banning would remove the book entirely from the collection, though it wouldn’t delete pieces of the work itself. Interestingly enough, the first definition of the word ‘ban’ in the dictionary is ‘curse,’ which is fitting.
Let me give you an example of how I think. I, personally, cannot stand Howard Stern. I will change the station if I hear him on the radio. But that doesn’t mean he should get booted from the air. Some people (I know several) enjoy listening to him and it is not fair of me to tell them not to, simply because I don’t like the material. The same goes for books. There are some books that I would never read, because they offend me. But far be it from me to prevent others from reading them. I make sure to order at least one book a month that I don’t agree with, just to make sure I’m not censoring the library with my own bias.
“Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.” – Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas
We celebrate America because of the freedom it gives us: the freedom to state our opinions and the freedom to write them down and distribute them. That doesn’t mean we all have to agree, that simply means we have the given right to put our words out in public without getting arrested. Stop in and check out a challenged book today!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The above is the text of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, allowing for freedom of the press. Freedom of the press not only includes things that are printed in newspapers, but also books which, as I’m sure you’re all aware, are apt to occasionally contain objectionable material.
This week, September 28th until October 3rd, is National Banned Books Week. In honor of those books that have had their struggles, Meinders has lists available for the public of the top 100 most challenged books from 1900 until the present. You would be surprised what books are on there and, even more surprising, most of them you would consider a classic. In fact, most of them you probably read in high school or your student is reading now. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been challenged, as have Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The list is extensive enough that I won’t go into more specifics, but we will have many of the books on display at the library.
Censor: to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable.
“Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime…” Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart
Ban: to prohibit the use, performance, or distribution of materials.
As you can see from the definitions, censorship is deletion of parts of certain parts of a book, while banning gets rid of the book entirely. It’s really up in the air which is worse, considering if you use a censorship sort of approach, you still have the book, though the content is changed, sometimes dramatically. Banning would remove the book entirely from the collection, though it wouldn’t delete pieces of the work itself. Interestingly enough, the first definition of the word ‘ban’ in the dictionary is ‘curse,’ which is fitting.
Let me give you an example of how I think. I, personally, cannot stand Howard Stern. I will change the station if I hear him on the radio. But that doesn’t mean he should get booted from the air. Some people (I know several) enjoy listening to him and it is not fair of me to tell them not to, simply because I don’t like the material. The same goes for books. There are some books that I would never read, because they offend me. But far be it from me to prevent others from reading them. I make sure to order at least one book a month that I don’t agree with, just to make sure I’m not censoring the library with my own bias.
“Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.” – Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas
We celebrate America because of the freedom it gives us: the freedom to state our opinions and the freedom to write them down and distribute them. That doesn’t mean we all have to agree, that simply means we have the given right to put our words out in public without getting arrested. Stop in and check out a challenged book today!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Preservation is Key 09-14-09
It’s that time of year, when a Midwestern farmwife’s fancy turns to thoughts of…canning. Okay, so you don’t have to be a farmwife to can, since I know plenty of people who do not live on farms who participate – including myself. And it’s definitely that time of year.
The tomatoes might not have been very good, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other things to toss into jars to save for posterity, or next year, whichever comes first. Peaches, cherries, beets, carrots, peas, beans – I could keep going. The point is, the library has some great resources for home preservers, whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It and Other Cooking Projects by Karen Solomon has some GREAT ideas for things to do with your produce or projects just to do in your spare time (face it, we’ll have some once it snows). The projects and recipes in her book are marvelously intriguing and the book is designed to help you make the basic things you need in your kitchen at home, such as mustard, crackers, cheese, etc. In her acknowledgements, she states quite clearly that it shouldn’t be hard to find home-made kitchen staples, such as shortening, and the book is designed to remedy that. She also includes recipes for bacon, pasta dough, marshmallows, and several kinds of popsicles and drinks.
The Complete Book of Preserving by Marye Cameron-Smith is an older book (1976) but contains some great resources for preserving foods, including a detailed chart for freezing foods in a home deep freezer. There are instructions for preserving meat, drying herbs, smoking fish, and an array of recipes for chutneys, jams, and candied fruits and flowers. It’s an excellent book!
How to Dry Foods by Deanna DeLong centers completely around drying food, as the title states. She includes instructions for sun drying, room drying, stove-top and convection oven drying, so it’s not necessary to purchase any special equipment. There are very detailed instructions in this book for drying different fruits, herbs, and vegetables, as well as a section on meats and jerkies. There are also some great recipes, to help you USE your dried food.
Perfect Preserves: Provisions from the Kitchen Garden by Nora Carey is a book that is strictly devoted to the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers one can grow in your own backyard. There is also a section on different kinds of preserving, including bottling, sweetening, pickling, and freezing. Some of the fruits and vegetables might not grow well in Minnesota, but if you feel experimental, that’s what the grocery store is for! Personally, the part about fruit-scented sugars was absolutely fascinating. I had no idea you could make those. And, of course, in the back there are recipes for pastry dough and sponge cake, because how do you have strawberry shortcake without the cake?
We’ve got plenty of other books on kitchen projects, from canning and preserving to cooking French and Asian cuisine! If you feel like trying a new recipe for cucumbers or learning how to make Pei King Duck, now is your opportunity! Stop in and check a cookbook out today!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The tomatoes might not have been very good, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other things to toss into jars to save for posterity, or next year, whichever comes first. Peaches, cherries, beets, carrots, peas, beans – I could keep going. The point is, the library has some great resources for home preservers, whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It and Other Cooking Projects by Karen Solomon has some GREAT ideas for things to do with your produce or projects just to do in your spare time (face it, we’ll have some once it snows). The projects and recipes in her book are marvelously intriguing and the book is designed to help you make the basic things you need in your kitchen at home, such as mustard, crackers, cheese, etc. In her acknowledgements, she states quite clearly that it shouldn’t be hard to find home-made kitchen staples, such as shortening, and the book is designed to remedy that. She also includes recipes for bacon, pasta dough, marshmallows, and several kinds of popsicles and drinks.
The Complete Book of Preserving by Marye Cameron-Smith is an older book (1976) but contains some great resources for preserving foods, including a detailed chart for freezing foods in a home deep freezer. There are instructions for preserving meat, drying herbs, smoking fish, and an array of recipes for chutneys, jams, and candied fruits and flowers. It’s an excellent book!
How to Dry Foods by Deanna DeLong centers completely around drying food, as the title states. She includes instructions for sun drying, room drying, stove-top and convection oven drying, so it’s not necessary to purchase any special equipment. There are very detailed instructions in this book for drying different fruits, herbs, and vegetables, as well as a section on meats and jerkies. There are also some great recipes, to help you USE your dried food.
Perfect Preserves: Provisions from the Kitchen Garden by Nora Carey is a book that is strictly devoted to the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers one can grow in your own backyard. There is also a section on different kinds of preserving, including bottling, sweetening, pickling, and freezing. Some of the fruits and vegetables might not grow well in Minnesota, but if you feel experimental, that’s what the grocery store is for! Personally, the part about fruit-scented sugars was absolutely fascinating. I had no idea you could make those. And, of course, in the back there are recipes for pastry dough and sponge cake, because how do you have strawberry shortcake without the cake?
We’ve got plenty of other books on kitchen projects, from canning and preserving to cooking French and Asian cuisine! If you feel like trying a new recipe for cucumbers or learning how to make Pei King Duck, now is your opportunity! Stop in and check a cookbook out today!
If you have any questions, or have a book to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Back To School - Sept 2, 2009
I’m not quite sure where the summer has gone. If I really think about it, I suppose I can remember as far back as July. In my opinion, the weather has a lot to do with it, seeing as how it was cold enough these past few months that my electric bills are at an all-time low. Mind you, I like the cold and I’m not complaining, but when it never really got hot, it’s hard to imagine that we even had a summer.
Judging by the calendar, we did, and it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school. That means everyone is racing around, buying new clothes, shoes that fit, backpacks, school supplies, and everything else needed to send the kids back to their classes.
But there is something that is often overlooked. Sometimes, teachers have reading lists, either for the upcoming year or suggestions for summer. We’ve seen a lot of kids from the AP English class in this summer to get books from their list that their teacher actually requires for summer reading. But all the kids could do with either some brush-up reading or some mind-expanding nourishment.
Having trouble getting a kid to read during the summer? I’ve got suggestions. Granted, I know this is late, but some of these tricks might work during the school year as well. Find something they really like to read, that’s the first clue. For the AP kids, the list was really long. It wasn’t hard to find a book to fit most tastes on that list, which was great. The boys who loved adventure got Lord of the Flies, the girls who loved romance ended up with some Jane Austin. For younger kids, going with a sport or an animal they love is almost always a surefire way to get them to at least read *something* even if it does have a lot of pictures.
Have a reading time during the day. I would suggest before dinner. I know, my kids are too young to spend time reading before dinner, as most of you know, but *I* try to get some reading done before dinner, even if it’s only 15 minutes. And 15 minutes might be the max your kids can sit still. That’s okay! 15 minutes is better than 0 minutes any day!
You could also try reading with them. With the older kids and teenagers, sometimes it’s fun to read what they’re reading (we’ve got several copies of Lord of the Flies, by the way…) and then, perhaps, you can get some discussion going about what they like about the book. If you’ve read it, too, you’ll understand where they’re coming from, which might make them feel as if they haven’t wasted their time.
But it’s not just kids who go back to school. Recently, we had an internet class here at the library and it was very well received by those who attended. However, it also brought to our attention the fact that there are many members of the community who don’t know how to use a computer at all! By that, I mean they aren’t sure how to use the keyboard, the mouse, or even really how to turn it on. If you fit into this category, you’re in luck!
Our next computer class will be beginning computing, which will teach people who are not even remotely familiar with computers the basics: how to turn on the computer and the monitor, how to use the keyboard, and how to use the mouse. Once again, Lester and Collene Landgren will be teaching the class and it will be offered the third week in September! Keep your eyes on the paper for the exact dates and times.
If you are interested in the computer class, or if you have a book to reserve of renew, give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are not open on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Our next open Saturday will be September 12th – summer’s almost over!
Judging by the calendar, we did, and it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school. That means everyone is racing around, buying new clothes, shoes that fit, backpacks, school supplies, and everything else needed to send the kids back to their classes.
But there is something that is often overlooked. Sometimes, teachers have reading lists, either for the upcoming year or suggestions for summer. We’ve seen a lot of kids from the AP English class in this summer to get books from their list that their teacher actually requires for summer reading. But all the kids could do with either some brush-up reading or some mind-expanding nourishment.
Having trouble getting a kid to read during the summer? I’ve got suggestions. Granted, I know this is late, but some of these tricks might work during the school year as well. Find something they really like to read, that’s the first clue. For the AP kids, the list was really long. It wasn’t hard to find a book to fit most tastes on that list, which was great. The boys who loved adventure got Lord of the Flies, the girls who loved romance ended up with some Jane Austin. For younger kids, going with a sport or an animal they love is almost always a surefire way to get them to at least read *something* even if it does have a lot of pictures.
Have a reading time during the day. I would suggest before dinner. I know, my kids are too young to spend time reading before dinner, as most of you know, but *I* try to get some reading done before dinner, even if it’s only 15 minutes. And 15 minutes might be the max your kids can sit still. That’s okay! 15 minutes is better than 0 minutes any day!
You could also try reading with them. With the older kids and teenagers, sometimes it’s fun to read what they’re reading (we’ve got several copies of Lord of the Flies, by the way…) and then, perhaps, you can get some discussion going about what they like about the book. If you’ve read it, too, you’ll understand where they’re coming from, which might make them feel as if they haven’t wasted their time.
But it’s not just kids who go back to school. Recently, we had an internet class here at the library and it was very well received by those who attended. However, it also brought to our attention the fact that there are many members of the community who don’t know how to use a computer at all! By that, I mean they aren’t sure how to use the keyboard, the mouse, or even really how to turn it on. If you fit into this category, you’re in luck!
Our next computer class will be beginning computing, which will teach people who are not even remotely familiar with computers the basics: how to turn on the computer and the monitor, how to use the keyboard, and how to use the mouse. Once again, Lester and Collene Landgren will be teaching the class and it will be offered the third week in September! Keep your eyes on the paper for the exact dates and times.
If you are interested in the computer class, or if you have a book to reserve of renew, give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are not open on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Our next open Saturday will be September 12th – summer’s almost over!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Internet Can Be Your Friend 08-11-09
Like most of the children in my generation, I didn’t have a personal computer until I was almost 10. It was an Apple II GS and I was so excited because I could play Frogger! Granted, it was in gold on a black screen – no other colors – but it was still a game and it was terribly luxurious.
I can hear some of you laughing at me – those of you who had email as children and those of you that never had a computer growing up at all and may not have encountered a personal one until well into adulthood. Well, this article is for that latter group, the people who don’t have a lot of familiarity with the internet and aren’t sure they should even try.
My vote is try. I have discovered in the past few years that the internet is a marvelous thing. It can keep you connected to family, help you order things that you can’t get around home, and help you find information quickly and relatively easily.
For those of you that haven’t seen the press release yet, Meinders Library is going to have four classes to get people used to the internet. The dates are as follows:
August 18 at 7:00 PM
August 19 at 7:00 PM
August 20 at 10:30 AM
August 21 at 1:30 PM
The class is free and you only need to sign up for one session, since all four sessions will be the same. Of course, if you WANT to attend more than one, you are more than welcome to do so, but the class will fill up at 15 people.
Things that will be covered in the class:
Email: I’m not exactly sure how I got along without email. On a good day, it’s almost instantaneous, and I can send and receive several rounds of messages per day, as opposed to having to wait the two or three days it takes for a letter to get anywhere. I can keep up with my family and I can email an entire list of people at once and only have to type the message one time! In the class, everyone will be able to sign up for a free email account using an internet provider such as gmail, yahoo, or hotmail.
Searching: It is absolutely amazing what you can find on the internet. Not only can get directions printed from your house to anywhere in the United States with just a few clicks of the mouse, but you can find things that are simply not available in this area. For instance, my daughter is allergic to strawberries, but she loves gummy vitamins. I can get them, but they pretty much only come in the mixed berry variety. That wouldn’t be a problem, except for the strawberry allergy. Online, I have found watermelon gummy vitamins and I can order those for her. I can order special diapers for my son and instant coffee (my favorite brand) for myself. I can even make sure my husband has tickets for the Buffalo Bills night practice in Buffalo, NY. And don’t even get me started on Ebay…
It’s not just shopping that the internet is good for, either. Questions can be answered in a huge variety of ways, ranging from what actor stared in that movie, to the diameter of the sun, to the scientific name for the cockroach – you can find the answer to almost any question just by using a Search engine.
Library Catalogue: Did you know that you can search the library catalogue and place holds on line? Not only that, but you can search all of the libraries in Minnesota and have a book sent here, to Pipestone, just for you. We will cover how to do this and everything above in this class.
There are so many other ways to utilize the internet, but we will be starting with the basics. If there is enough interest, we may do an advanced class to cover more things that are available. Also, if the classes fill up, expect another round in the future.
If you would like to sign up for the class, or if you have a book to reserve of renew, give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are not open on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Our next open Saturday will be September 12th – summer’s almost over!
I can hear some of you laughing at me – those of you who had email as children and those of you that never had a computer growing up at all and may not have encountered a personal one until well into adulthood. Well, this article is for that latter group, the people who don’t have a lot of familiarity with the internet and aren’t sure they should even try.
My vote is try. I have discovered in the past few years that the internet is a marvelous thing. It can keep you connected to family, help you order things that you can’t get around home, and help you find information quickly and relatively easily.
For those of you that haven’t seen the press release yet, Meinders Library is going to have four classes to get people used to the internet. The dates are as follows:
August 18 at 7:00 PM
August 19 at 7:00 PM
August 20 at 10:30 AM
August 21 at 1:30 PM
The class is free and you only need to sign up for one session, since all four sessions will be the same. Of course, if you WANT to attend more than one, you are more than welcome to do so, but the class will fill up at 15 people.
Things that will be covered in the class:
Email: I’m not exactly sure how I got along without email. On a good day, it’s almost instantaneous, and I can send and receive several rounds of messages per day, as opposed to having to wait the two or three days it takes for a letter to get anywhere. I can keep up with my family and I can email an entire list of people at once and only have to type the message one time! In the class, everyone will be able to sign up for a free email account using an internet provider such as gmail, yahoo, or hotmail.
Searching: It is absolutely amazing what you can find on the internet. Not only can get directions printed from your house to anywhere in the United States with just a few clicks of the mouse, but you can find things that are simply not available in this area. For instance, my daughter is allergic to strawberries, but she loves gummy vitamins. I can get them, but they pretty much only come in the mixed berry variety. That wouldn’t be a problem, except for the strawberry allergy. Online, I have found watermelon gummy vitamins and I can order those for her. I can order special diapers for my son and instant coffee (my favorite brand) for myself. I can even make sure my husband has tickets for the Buffalo Bills night practice in Buffalo, NY. And don’t even get me started on Ebay…
It’s not just shopping that the internet is good for, either. Questions can be answered in a huge variety of ways, ranging from what actor stared in that movie, to the diameter of the sun, to the scientific name for the cockroach – you can find the answer to almost any question just by using a Search engine.
Library Catalogue: Did you know that you can search the library catalogue and place holds on line? Not only that, but you can search all of the libraries in Minnesota and have a book sent here, to Pipestone, just for you. We will cover how to do this and everything above in this class.
There are so many other ways to utilize the internet, but we will be starting with the basics. If there is enough interest, we may do an advanced class to cover more things that are available. Also, if the classes fill up, expect another round in the future.
If you would like to sign up for the class, or if you have a book to reserve of renew, give us a call at 507-825-6714. Summer hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. We are not open on Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Our next open Saturday will be September 12th – summer’s almost over!
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