Thursday, October 11, 2012

Fall 2012 Brown Bag Events

Save the dates for these Brown Bag events and the fun after school fiber-arts event!
 
"Thinking out loud" with Marsh Muirhead -- October 18th at noon 
 
The 2012 Fall Brown Bag Series begins on Thursday, Oct. 18th at noon with celebrated KAXE guest Marsh Muirhead. Mr. Muirhead is multi-talented and well-known in many circles. He is a dentist, a poet, a pilot, an essayist, a winner of The Great American Think-off and author of Key West Explained -- A Guide for the Traveler. 

He lives near Bemidji on the banks of the Mississippi and has had stories and poems published in the Southeast Review, New Mexico Poetry Review, Minnetonka Review, Rattle, Modern Haiku and elsewhere. He is a contributor to the Canadian Poetry website How Pedestrian and has participated locally in KAXE's "Great American Radio Show" and "The Beat".

Mr. Muirhead will talk about the value of poetry in our world and will read an edited version of his winning Great American Think-off essay. He will also read several poems and discuss the fresh face of Haiku – it’ not what you were taught in elementary school! There will be a Q&A session at the end of his presentation.
 
Copies of Key West Explained: A Guide for the Traveler, will be available for purchase and signing by the author.
 
Bhutan -- A View from the Top of the World with Cal Rice -- October 25th at noon 
 
Through his amazing photos, professional photographer Cal Rice will share his experiences from a recent trip to the Himalayan country of Bhutan. After being almost completely cut off for centuries, the government of Bhutan began allowing outside influences - including television and the internet – only a few years ago, while still preserving its ancient traditions. Besides the beauty of the land, its architecture and its people, this program will highlight the contrasts between centuries old customs and the impact of modern society.

Of his work, Bemidji resident Rice says, “What I am trying to do in this career is to visit and photograph countries that are in the midst of cultural change. Then come back to northern Minnesota and share my experience. This is more a documentary and cultural exchange rather than just a travelogue.”
  
Bring a lunch and join us in the library auditorium for an insightful view of a nation which puts more value on its “gross national happiness” than its gross national product.

This event is possible thanks to sponsorship by the Arrowhead Library System and funding by money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Confessions of a Professional Eater with Eleanor Ostman -- November 15th at noon
 Eleanor Ostman spent three decades as a food writer for the St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press where she wrote her popular Sunday column, Tested Recipes. This column was the basis for her best-selling book Always on Sundays: Eleanor Ostman's Best Tested Recipes and subsequent editions. Eleanor is a native of Hibbing, a graduate of Macalester College and winner of numerous writing honors, including the James Beard award.
She is also the founder and past president of the Newspaper Food Editors and Writers Association and has been active in the community through chairing the St. Pal Cancer Crusade and currently serving on the board of the Friends of Roseville Parks. She will visit Virginia Public Library to share stories of a life in food and reminisce about growing up and eating well in Northern Minnesota.


Zachary Scot Johnson -- December 13th at noon

After spending 10 years of touring with artists like Grammy winners Shawn Colvin and Keb' Mo" and movie stars/musicians Kevin Costner, Rita Wilson and others, Zachary Scot Johnson has been performing throughout Minnesota libraries to excellent reviews. Zach performs on keyboard, guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro and more and is working on a holiday theme with a twist. Instead of another holiday program filled with yet another version of Jingle Bells, Zach has been digging through "lesser known gems and finding some really cool pieces". In addition to performing, he will explain the process he went through to rediscover the selections and will provide a little history behind them. Join us in the library lobby for a fantastic musical celebration of the holidays.This event is possible thanks to sponsorship by the Arrowhead Library System and funding by money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.


After-School Workshop
Fleece to Felt:  Fiber Art Comes Alive Workshop -- November 14th at 3:30

The Duluth Art Institute will be presenting their workshop, "Fleece to Felt: Fiber Art Comes Alive" in the library auditorium. Participants will learn how to transform fluffy, colorful sheep's wool into a fun, felted butterfly. It is a very interactive and accessible (and clean) art project for all ages.

This event is possible thanks to sponsorship by the Arrowhead Library System and funding by money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

-- Susan J. Hoppe, Reference Services Librarian 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Get the Heebie Jeebies!

The Virginia Public Library invites children of all ages to listen, laugh, sing, shout, and dance along with award winning musician Glen Everhart On Monday at 10:30 in the library auditorium.

He will be performing his Heebie Jeebie's Family Comedy Music Show.  This high energy, interactive 45 minute show is suitable for all ages.  Songs include: I've Got The Heebie Jeebies, Camp Ishy-fishy-stinky-socky-skeeter-slappy-toad-a-hoppy-burpa-lotta-woodsa-tickle-ee, Young People Of The World, The 4 Headed 3 Legged 2 Armed 1 Eyed Monster, The Littlest Worm, and many more.
Glen Everhart
After growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Glen graduated from St. Cloud State University, receiving his B.A. Degree in Music Education. He taught public school full and part-time for seven years, has been a full-time professional entertainer since 1987, and has won The Great American Song Contest with the song Young People of the World. 

Glen is perhaps better known throughout Northern Minnesota partnered with Ted Fyder as part of the acoustic duo "Fyder and Everhart" by way of their still popular "Goin' Up North" CD.

Reviewers of the Heebie Jeebie's show say: "Wow! What a voice.Kids were dancing and singing-it was a joyful experience for everyone.", and "One of my kindergartners has been saying, 'the littlest worm I ever saw was stuck inside my soda straw', about 100 times this afternoon".  This is one you won't want to miss!

For more information, call 748-7525

-- Dawn Heisel, Public Services Librarian

This project was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.





Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Annual Book and Bake Sale

The Friends of the Virginia Public Library will hold their annual book sale in the library auditorium from Wednesday, September 19th through Friday, September 21st. Books, DVDs, paperbacks, and more will be available for sale from 10:00 - 5:30 on Wednesday and Thursday and from 10:00 - 4:30 on Friday. 
 
This year there will be a lot of books on cassette available.  If you or someone you know likes to listen to books while traveling or working around the house, now is a good time to stock up! 
 
Want more than books?  There will be lots of delicious goodies to choose from at the bake sale on Wednesday.
 
Browsing Available Non-Fiction

Chatting About Books












--Dawn Heisel, Public Services Librarian

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Attention Genealogy Buffs!


The Virginia Public Library has a two week trial of two great databases from Newsbank.  The first is America's GenealogyBank.  On it you can quickly find your ancestors in over 300 years of historical newspapers, books, pamphlets and government reports. You can search over 1,000 newspapers; the American State Papers; US Congressional Serial Set and more. There are also obituaries, birth & marriage notices; pension records etc. You can even read every article on every page of the newspaper!
Link to America's GenealogyBank

The other database is America's Obituaries and Death Notices.  Extensive editorial review of all newspaper sections ensures thorough selection of obituaries for easy access. An easy-to-use interface allows searching by name, date range, or text such as institutional name, social affiliation(s), geographic location(s), philanthropic activities, etc. 

Link to America's Obituaries & Death Notices
These databases will be available until September 27th, so don't delay your explorations!  All you need is your library card. 

Susan Hoppe, Reference Services Librarian

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

It Takes a Community...

What a wonderful community we have here in Virginia!  Especially when it comes to reading.  I'm just starting to compile our summer reading program reports and am astounded at our preliminary numbers.  We've broken all previous records with 972 children participating in our summer reading program.  This is a fantastic number that begs to be broken again next year by hitting the 1,000 mark.  However, our reading program isn't about numbers, it's about reading.  Along that line, the kids who chose to count their reading by books read more than 10,000 books in two months. Those who chose to count by pages read more than 200,000 pages.  And those kids who decided to write a review for their peers wrote more than 5,000 reviews. Isn't this astounding?
 
 
While I would like to take the credit for every single book, page, and written review, I know that isn't fair.  After all, these are children who don't drive.   While several children walk to our library, the majority are brought to the library by their parents, grandparents, neighbors, babysitters, or even by the amazingly patient staff at their childcare center.  Considering the number of activities throughout our community, and the number of warm days this year, the dedication of these people to bring their children to the library in order keep them reading throughout the summer is amazing!
 
 
The credit goes even farther than that:  It extends to the many people who have worked hard all year to make sure we have the funds and means to provide such a successful program.  While the Friends of the Library have traditionally supported our summer reading program, they were joined this year by members of the Roosevelt and Parkview PTA, the Virginia Area Women of Today,  the Quad Cities Rotary Club and several businesses who provided incentives.  I saw more than a few children's eyes light up when they received free coupons from McDonalds Restaurant as part of their midpoint prize.  In addition, I heard many kids gasp when they were handed a certificate for a free meal at Perkins as part of their final prize.  With the numbers in our program, all the work and monetary donations that these groups have made have reaped a hefty benefit to our community.
 
 
All these fantastic numbers are tied together and that tie was heavily underscored by the good news regarding Virginia students' reading scores on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments.  So, while I am gleefully exhausted at the conclusion of our 2012 Summer Reading Program, I am even more thankful for our fantastic reading community. 

Thank you, Virginia!
 
-- Dawn Heisel, Public Services Librarian