Adult Summer Reading is back @ MPL!

BEE a Reader: Pollinate Your Mind!

Summer Reading Program for Adults

 

Summer is a time for growing things, so why not grow your mind with Muncie Public Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program? The program runs June 1 - July 31 and adults 18-118 are eligible. For every book you read, fill out a short review and get your name entered in our grand prize drawing for a very secret, very grand prize. So, whether it’s the newest best sellers, or some great books on gardening, bee a reader this summer and bee a winner!

 

Maring-Hunt will host the annual Summer Reading kick-off on Saturday, May 31, from 1-4 p.m. Readers of all ages can get a jump on signing up for the Summer Reading Programs for children, young adults and adults while enjoying food, games and fun. Mark your calendars!

Incredible Edible Books!

Don’t miss the fun and laughs and oohs and ahhs as participants display their entries in the Muncie Public Library Edible Books Festival. The public is invited to view all the entries in the festival.

Those who registered are planning and creating their displays that will feature books, authors and characters depicted in food. That’s right, all entries must be created of edible materials. Cakes, pies, vegetables and other food stuffs will be creatively displayed to depict literature.

Entries are due at 2 p.m. at Kennedy Library. Judging is at 2:15 and the displays are open for viewing until 4 p.m. (Due to health codes the food creations cannot be served or consumed on the Library premises.)

More information

Image courtesy of University of Minnesota.

What can our community learn from Youngstown?

Jay Williams has attracted national and international attention since he became the first African-American to be elected mayor of Youngstown, Ohio in November 2005. Williams who was 34 years old when elected, was also the city’s youngest mayor.

His election as the city’s 47th mayor was an historic and stunning upset, and viewed by many political observers as a watershed event in the changing political landscape of the community. He was also the first independent candidate to win the mayoral seat in more than 80 years.

Youngstown has moved progressively under Mayor Williams’ leadership. The city’s planning and development efforts have been recognized and rewarded by a number of notable national organizations including, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times Magazine, USA Today, the American Planning Association, and Governing Magazine to name a few. The city’s achievements have also been featured on National Public Radio. (From the Youngstown, Ohio webpage.)

Revitalizing Communities with Michael Pyatok

You are invited to this special presentation by Michael Pyatok, nationally recognized architect and member of the American Institute of Architects, National Affordable Housing Task Group.

Pyatok Architects focuses on community planning, affordable housing, higher density, mixed-use developments and work-to-home zoning and economic development. The firm has won numerous awards. Sponsored by…1859 Forum, Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning, Maxon Foundation, Muncie Community Development Office, Muncie Public Library and Mutual Federal Foundation.

Russia Revealed!

Russia Revealed!

Kennedy Library, March 19 at 5 pm

Come kick off The Big Read at Muncie Public Library at Russia Revealed! The Big Read will focus on Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Get a free copy while supplies last. Enjoy Russian arts and crafts, food and dance. This event is free and open to the public and will be fun for all ages.

Russia Revealed Book Discussion!

The Loft at Maring-Hunt Library, March 20 at  3:30 pm.

Middle school and high school students are invited to hang out in The Loft, get a free copy of The Death of Ivan Ilyich and talk about the themes of the story.

Special Thanks to our Big Read Partners!

Walden’s Song at MPL

Walden’s Song, a local Celtic folk group who has traveled and performed internationally, will delight customers of all ages with a wonderful performance. Enjoy this concert that has become an annual event at Muncie Public Library. Beautiful music under the gently lit stained glass dome at Carnegie Library…what could be better?

This family friendly event is free and open to the public.

Tolstoy Revealed

As part of The Big Read, Vladimir Tolstoy, great, great grandson of Leo Tolstoy and Director of the Tolstoy Estate Museum will speak on Saturday, March 29 at 2 pm at Kennedy Library. No reservations are needed.He will be accompanied by interpreter and Tolstoy scholar, Galina Alexeeva, as he discusses the influence of Tolstoy in America. Be a part of The Big Read. Read Tolstoy’s Death of Ivan Ilyich and get connected at MPL events celebrating The Big Read. We have an online discussion forum available here. In order to leave your comments, interested participants must register first. (Click on the ‘register’ link on the right hand side at the top and follow the directions.)

The Big Read is made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Keep your eye on the MPL website as other events are added to the month-long celebration of reading and literacy! Visit any Muncie Public Location and get your own FREE copy of The Death of Ivan Ilyich!

Special Thanks to our Big Read Partners!

MPL’s 2008 Edible Book Festival

The time has come! The 2008 Muncie Public Library Edible Book Festival is back! This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 5, at the newly renovated Kennedy Library (which is scheduled to reopen February 14, by the way!)  This event is based upon the International Edible Book Festival which involves participants creating edible works of art based on books.

Information about entry guidelines may be found here. Registration forms may be picked up at any MPL location, or printed from here and returned to any MPL location.

After the Resolutions…

This workshop has been cancelled. Watch for information on a rescheduled date and time.

If you are looking to start the new year with a “thinner” outlook, join us at Carnegie Library on Wednesday, January 8 @ 11:30 a.m. for an informative seminar.

This seminar covers the basics of weight loss, how to achieve the weight loss goals you want and how to stick to your resolutions! Adrianne Helton, personal trainer and owner of Transformations, an in-home wellness service, will share helpful info you don’t want to miss.

Adrianne also covers tips on how to get in shape at home. She will let you in on weight loss tips that most trainers won’t tell you and much more!  This workshop is a must see for anyone looking to lose weight!

Free Tax Help is Coming to MPL!

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program offers free one-on-one tax help for people with low to moderate incomes. VITA will hold several tax help sessions at Muncie Public Library throughout February, March and April. Dr. Paul Parkison, retired Ball State University Accounting Professor, oversees this volunteer-based program. Call 759-8620 for more information.

The following tax help sessions have been scheduled for February and March at either Kennedy Library or Maring-Hunt Library:

• February   1      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Cancelled
• February   6      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February   8      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 13      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 15      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 20      KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 22      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 27      KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 29      M-H    10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• March   5          KB         10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March   7          M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  12         KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  14         M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  19         KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  21         M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March 26          KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March 28          M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• April 2             M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 4             M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 9              KB       10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 14           M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 15           M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.