Archive for April, 2009
Blasts From the Past
Don’t you love the feeling of nostalgia you get when you find one of the picture books that you loved as a child? Maybe it’s just the children’s librarian coming out in me, but it’s one of my favorite feelings.
Once you get to a certain age, you realize that finding those books from your childhood gets harder and harder since most picture books go out of print within a few years of their initial publication. Recently, though a few of my favorites have been reprinted and they reminded me of some of my childhood favorites that the library still has:
Richard Scarry’s Peasant Pig and the Terrible Dragon, with Lowly Worm the Jolly Jester
The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg
Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos
Inside, Outside, Upside Down by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Popcorn Book by Tomie DePaola
Morris Goes to School by Bernard Wiseman
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allen Ahlberg
Arthur’s Valentine by Marc Brown
Gregory the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat
What are some of your childhood favorites that are still around?
-Dana
Catalog upgrade – Friday!
ENCORE, our catalog upgrade, is coming on Friday, May 1.
Experience library search like never before — powerful and information-rich, yet highly intuitive, simple to use and loaded with useful features:
Content, community and discovery from one single point of access.
Facets and Tag Clouds focus your search by format, collection, subject headings, patron ratings and community reviews.
Most relevant results and suggested titles highlighted.
Did You Mean feature eliminates confusion.
Rich details just a click away.
Quick links to other Web-based resources.
The latest Web technologies.
And much more!
What will you find at the Denton Public Library?
Traveling Exhibit, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World, comes to Denton
Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky, ca. 1816. Benjamin West.
“Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World,” a national traveling exhibition which looks at the remarkable life and achievements of one of America’s most beloved personalities, opens at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland on May 9, 2009.
The unique 1,000 square foot exhibit combines photographs of original documents with artwork and artifacts to explore one of the most extraordinary human beings the world has ever known. Many papers come from organizations that Franklin himself helped to create, like the American Philosophic Society and the Library Company of Philadelphia. Maps, painting, drawings, and objects owned by Franklin give insight into this prolific writer, scientist, humorist, diplomat, civic leader and international celebrity. Franklin’s most famous work, his experiments with electricity, and his work forging the American colonies into a new nation are just a small slice of the exhibit, because Benjamin Franklin, the man, was so much more.
“Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” was organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, Philadelphia, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition for libraries has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life.
The traveling exhibition is based on a major exhibition of the same name mounted by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Franklin’s birth. The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary is a nonprofit organization established through a major grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts to educate the public about Franklin’s enduring legacy.
After a competitive application process, the Denton Public Library was designated the sole site in Texas to host the exhibit “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World”. In addition to the Franklin exhibition on display at the Emily Fowler Central Library arrangements have been made for the simultaneous showing of two exhibits from the Texas Council for the Humanities at the other library locations. The first, “Bonfire of Liberties: Censorship of the Humanities” will be on display at the North Branch Library. The second exhibit, “The Blessings of Liberty: The U.S. Constitution” will be hosted by the South Branch Library.
The Denton Public Library is offering free programs and other events for the public in connection with the exhibition.
Honor Guard, Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
Exhibit Opening Reception
May 9, 2009; 3:00 pm Emily Fowler Library
Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard, and the Importance of Libraries in America.
Dr. Steven Forde, a Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of North Texas, will lecture and lead a discussion on the aspects of Benjamin Franklin’s life and career, especially as they relate to the importance of libraries.
May 12, 2009 7:00 pm Emily Fowler Library
A Public and Private Life: A Discussion of the Letters and Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Dr. Alfred Litton, an Associate Professor of English and Director of Honors Scholar Program with the Texas Woman’s University English, Speech, and Foreign Language Department, will address how Franklin balanced his public responsibilities with the challenges that he faced in his private life. A major emphasis within the discussion will be an examination of his letters and of the style, themes, and philosophical assumptions underlying in the Autobiography.
May 21, 2009 7:00 pm Emily Fowler Library
Benjamin Franklin’s Shocking Discoveries
Professor Charles Irish will focus on Franklin’s fascination with electricity for children. He will describe the historical Benjamin Franklin and explore his work in static electricity and lightning rods. In addition he will do a few simple experiments on static electricity and show how to create an electroscope to capture electric charges in a bottle.
May 30, 2009 3:00 pm Emily Fowler Library
Benjamin Franklin & the Creation of the Constitution
Dr. Gustav Seligmann, an Associate Professor with the History Department at the University of North Texas, will focus his lecture on Benjamin Franklin and his role in the creation of the Constitution.
June 2, 2009 7:00 pm Emily Fowler Library
Benjamin Franklin: Free Thinking, Political Revolutionist
Dr. Mike Campbell, Regents Professor in the History Department at the University of North Texas, will lead a discussion that places Franklin in the context of the 18th Century. He will emphasize Franklin’s free-thinking rejection of many, but not all, aspects of New England Puritanism, his belief in reason and science, and his participation in political revolution.
June 13, 2009 3:00 pm Emily Fowler Library
Benjamin Franklin: Spymaster
Learn about Franklin & his role in the Revolu-tionary War. Practice using 17th century spying methods, including invisible ink & secret codes! For grades K-3. Call 349-8752 to register.
05/05/09 North Branch Library 4:00 pm
Kite-Making Workshop
Learn how to make your own kite with step-by-step instructions & flying tips.
05/07/09 Emily Fowler Library 4:00 pm
05/21/09 South Branch Library 3:30 pm
Spy Science
Discover how spies use science to uncover top secret information.
05/26/09 Emily Fowler Library 4:00 pm
An American Girl Tea Party
Felicity invites you & your favorite American Girls for a tea party in honor of Benjamin Frank-lin. Please call to register, 349-8724.
06/06/09 South Branch Library 2:00 pm
Ask About Autism
Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders are on the rise. Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or on the spectrum yourself, it can be difficult to find answers and keep up with current research. Do you have questions? Join us Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. for “Ask About Autism” at the Emily Fowler Central Library.
This informational presentation by Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed., is for parents, teachers, and community members. Topics covered will include Autism statistics, characteristics of Autism, and types of interventions. Local, nationwide, and Internet resources will also be provided. This program is free and no registration is required.
Get your questions answered…on your phone!
Denton residents can now ask questions and get information from Denton Public Library by text message.
For patrons who are unable to ask a librarian in person or online, or those who simply prefer texting over talking, the Text a Librarian service provides a convenient option for getting info on your mobile phone from the helpful staff at the library. The service does not display phone numbers and generates an anonymous ID for each patron.
Text us at 66746 and start your question with askdpl
Example:
askdpl What are the library
Shakespeare Man
Robert Clover-Brown, also known as Shakespeare Man, will visit North Branch Library, 3020 Locust Street, at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 28. Mr. Brown, a professional actor who grew up in London, will share insights into Elizabethan customs and the life and works of William Shakespeare. This free program is an interactive, educational experience for all ages designed to spark interest in history, literature, culture and the performing arts. For more information, please call Carmen Grant at 940.349.8778 or visit www.shakespeareman.com
Youth Librarian Embraces the “Dark Side”
Librarian Rebecca Ivey was spotted at the Texas Library Association Conference with a tall dark stranger. The mysterious figure was overheard to say “The force is strong with this one!”
DPL Tween attends Texas Library Association conference; presents Book Talk
Twelve year old William Root and his sponsor, Denton Public Librarian WyLaina Hildreth, attended the Texas Teens For Libraries (TT4L) Day April 2, 2009 at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, held this year in Houston, Texas.
William presented a Book Talk on the Lost Years of Merlin. Only 30 teens were selected to present two-minute book talks out of the more than 300 teens attending TT4L day. Here is William’s talk:
My name is William Root and I am from Denton ISD. This is my Book Talk about The Lost Years of Merlin series by T. A. Barron.
“The seven songs of wizardry, one melody and many, may guide ye to the Otherworld though hope ye have not any.” I picked this quote from T. A. Barron because he often uses poetry. I also liked the book because I wanted to learn about Merlin before he became a wizard. I adore fiction associated with myths and legends, such as the Lost Years of Merlin.
When Merlin was young what did we know about him? We know that his father was a demon because of common folklore. But Merlin did not know anything about his past. What will Merlin do when he finds out about his past and his father? Find out in the Lost Years of Merlin series.
William and WyLaina attended a presentation on “Writing what you don’t know” by Jeanne DuPrau, author of City of Ember. William met Scott Westerfeld and Westerfeld’s wife, author Justine Larbelestier. In the afternoon, William explored the exhibit hall, where his mom, Alexey Root, was signing her books in the Libraries Unlimited booth.
Since Teen Day was such a success, check the Texas Library Association Web site for how to participate next year, when the conference moves to San Antonio.
Film Noir at Fowler
Come check out our Film Noir display at the Emily Fowler Library. I’ve included classic flicks like The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity, as well as “neo-noir” films like Memento, Blade Runner, and Chinatown. Also on display are novels by the noir fiction authors Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammet, James M. Cain, and James Ellroy.
-Stephanie
Adult and Teen Writing Workshop
Interested in the art of writing? Join Kelly Christiansen, local author and editor, at the North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust, on Saturday, April 11th, at 2 pm as she helps writers of all skill levels with everything from plots to poetry. This month’s focus is weak versus strong writing.
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