MPL’s December Art Exhibit

Fowler’s experiences, both in and out of the military, have exposed her to life around the globe.  She takes special pride in being a card carrying Mach Buster, having ridden in two F-100s faster than the speed of sound.  Her works have been hung as far away as Germany and Prague in the Czeck Republic, and as close as Alabama, Kansas, California, Oregon, Texas, and Indiana.  Of local note, a postcard replica of “Stairs at Kimbrough House” was used to advertise for an art show at the YWCA Muncie.  Her honors have included a graduate assistantship to Eastern New Mexico University and a piano scholarship in Chautauqua, NY.  Janis has a love for the musical arts as well, having brought some of it alive with her piano.  Her love for music has been spread through teaching in both the United States & Germany.  She also hosted a weekly program “Kaleidoscope” for American Radio Network out of Los Angeles, CA, including interviews with The Four Freshmen, Bob Flanigan, National Symphony Orchestra violinist George Marsh, and King Sisters‘ Donna King.  She currently resides in Muncie, IN.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with us!

What is Kwanzaa? Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) is a week-long festival primarily honoring African American heritage. Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations, and culminating in a feast and gift-giving. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga (also known as Ron Everett), and first celebrated in 1966-67. Karenga calls Kwanzaa the African American branch of “first fruits” celebrations of classical African cultures.

• When is Kwanzaa celebrated?
  December 26 - January 1
• When was the first Kwanzaa celebration?
  December 1966
• Who started Kwanzaa?
  Kwanzaa was created and developed by Dr. Maulana Karenga.
• Is Kwanzaa a religious holiday?
  No, Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday.
• What are the seven principles?
  The seven principles (Nguzo Saba) are: Unity (Umoja), Self-determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba) and Faith (Imani).

(Kwanzaa Q&A taken from Kwanzaaland.com )

Visit the Official Kwanzaa Website for further reading.

Special Christmas Reading Program for Kids

Reading Music, Reading Words is a hands-on story time for children ages 3 to 5 involving books, stories, activities, and an opportunity for children to experience percussion instruments. Reading Music, Reading Words began at Muncie Public Library in 2003 with the initiative of musical professionals and educators from Ball State University. The program has continued with youth services staff at both Carnegie and Maring-Hunt over the years.

Language and concepts paired with rhythm is not only fun, but helps children develop reading readiness.* Studies demonstrate that music affects many aspects of a child’s learning. Children who frequently listen to and interact with music have better math skills, better language skills and better problem-solving skills than most. Plus, children love music!  Come join the fun and help your child learn how to make books and stories come alive with music! If you have never experienced how music can help children read, visit us during this special Christmas program, December 12, 2007 at Carnegie, 10:15 am in the meeting room. Call  765.741.5158 for more information, or register here.

* “Children who lack reading readiness at school entry have a harder time learning to read in the primary grades. This has been found in prediction studies since 1950.” [From Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children by the National Research Council]

Children’s Christmas Craft booklist

Angelina Ballerina’s Christmas Crafts by Katharine Holabird. Countdown to Christmas with Angelina and brighten up the holidays with 26 easy and fun crafts.

Christmas by Denny A. Robson. Examines traditional Christmas activities, discussing tree ornaments, holiday cards, gift wrap, bows, Advent calendars, and Nativity scenes.

Christmas Crafts by American Girl. Presents a variety of Christmas decorations, recipes, wrapping ideas, and gift suggestions.

Christmas Crafts by Fay Robinson. Provides information about the origin and customs of Christmas, ideas for celebrating this holiday, and directions for making such crafts as a stained-glass window, jiggling elves, and fuzzy candy canes.

Christmas Crafts by Judy Ann Sadler. Presents directions for creating a variety of Christmas decorations from around the world, including Irish candles, French “stained glass,” Japanese origami ornaments, Roman wreaths and Danish woven baskets.

Christmas Crafts: Merry Things to Make by Colleen Van Blaricom. Fun holiday projects which can be made with simple items, such as egg cartons and pipe cleaners!

Christmas Crafts: Things to Make the 24 Days Before Christmas by Carolyn Meyer. Contains instructions for making special decorations, foods and gifts for each day of Advent.

Christmas Fun by Deri Robins & Maggie Downer. Great things to make and do.

Things to Make and Do for Christmas by Ellen Weiss. Christmas projects include directions for making cards, games,  decorations and things to eat.

We Celebrate Christmas by Bobbie Kalman. Describes the origins of Christmas celebrations and traditions and how they differ throughout the world. Includes games, crafts, songs, customs and interesting facts from various countries.

Just in time for the Holidays!

 

 (original image from Mike Otto at www.gateway.ualberta.ca/view.php?aid=7500)

Need some extra reading material to keep your brain busy during this Holiday season? We’ve found some free eBook resources for you to check out:

eBooks with no downloads

a small collection of downloadable Sci Fi novels

the first producer of free eBooks

eBooks for a PDA, iPod or eBook reader

PDF eBooks

online literature resource

philosopher’s classics

collection of public domain documents including American and English literature and Western philosophy

eBooks and other resources from the Internet Public Library

For more ebooks and other eResources check out MPL’s eResource page!

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Kennedy Swatch Watch!

So many MPL customers are anxious to know when Kennedy Library will reopen. A quick glance at the worksite as you are heading down McGalliard certainly signals that construction is moving right along. It’s easy to see that the building has been expanded. It’s gone from 10,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet. Just recently the parking lot was repaved and much of the landscaping was put in place.

What you can’t see is what is happening on the inside. And it is exciting! The newly renovated Kennedy Library will boast increased square footage, increased meeting space for community groups, improved wiring for technology, quiet spaces to read and much better accessibility to those customers with disabilities.

The original stone wall on the outside is now inside. It will create a new appreciation for the beauty and quality of this familiar stone as customers see it up close as an interior surface. More windows and glass will be in place. A wall of dedication bricks and tiles will feature more than 150 inscribed bricks and tiles from Library supporters.

The Library will be alive with colors such as Sundance, Nasturtium, Cayenne, and Awesome Violet. Flooring choices include Cherry Wood, Royal Blue Linoleum, various carpets and a good amount of cork, which is a very durable and yet environmentally friendly choice.

As with any construction project the completion date is always subject to change based on construction delays, bad weather and the availability of supplies and materials. Ginny Nilles, Muncie Public Library Director, is predicting a mid-February grand re-opening. The space will be functional, beautiful and ready to serve our community for years to come. Hundreds of individuals and organizations who supported the Kennedy Renovation Project with financial gifts will be proud to see the results.

 

Flotation Device by Dana Wright-Wiggans

Come and visit Maring-Hunt Library from now until November 30. The Traveling Exhibition of the Hoosier Salon is on display. Nearly 20 works of art, some small and some quite large are framed and ready for viewing. See fine examples of Indiana artists’ work, (like those shown in this post) including oils, acrylics, pastels and water colors. Portraits, still lifes, landscapes and other subjects are well-represented.

Night Travelers by Ronald Mack

The Hoosier Salon is an organization that promotes the appreciation of Hoosier artists and promotes art appreciation in communities and schools across the state. Ribbons on the wall next to each piece of art shows any prizes the art received in a juried art show designed to select “Hoosier Art at Its Best.” Do you agree with the selections?

Be sure to stop at the Circulation Desk or the Reference Desk for a beautiful full-color booklet highlighting the entire Hoosier Salon competition.

Interested in more Hoosier Art Information?

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Special Thanks!

                                         

Thanks to the following people and organizations who helped make our Fall Into Reading program a success:

Friends of MPL

Muncie Civic Theatre

Phil Ball

George DelaGardelle

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Children’s Book Week November 12-18, 2007

                                

Join us for these fun activities to celebrate this annual event!

• Children pre-school - 5^th grade, check out a book between November 12^th and November 18^th and enter your name in the drawing to win a prize.*  (One entry per day, please)

• Storybook Scavenger Hunt: Visit Maring-Hunt Children’s Room to find famous book characters and receive a treat. 

• Storybook Coloring Showcase: Visit the library and color a famous book character.  Coloring pages can be displayed in the library or taken home.* 

• Drop-in crafts:  Drop in @ Maring-Hunt Library and join us for some fun crafts

*Excluding Kennedy @ Riley

Captain Underpants Party! On Thursday, November 15th, from 4-5:30, Maring-Hunt is having a Captain Underpants party for children in grades 1-5. Come join us, and enjoy a great book, fun crafts and exciting activities! Call to register at 765.741.5151, or go here.

Dav Pilkey is the author of the Captain Underpants series and other books. Check out more of his books from MPL!

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Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament Alert!

Yu-Gi-Oh expert or Yu-Gi-Oh newbie? Either way, come duel with other Yu-Gi-Oh fans. Brackets are set up by age and skill level. You can also just watch and learn! Bring your own cards, but no foreign cards allowed. Up to date forbidden card lists will be available for middle school and high school levels. Traditional list used for grade school students. Everyone gets to duel at least twice before you are eliminated from the tournament. Come for the challenge, refreshments and dueling fun at the Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament at Maring-Hunt Meeting Room on Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 2-5 pm. For grades 3-12. For questions, or to register:  call Jody at 765.741.5158 or visit here.

What is Yu-Gi-Oh?

Yu-Gi-Oh trading card information

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