Monday, March 23, 2009

Author birthday: Robert Frost (March 26)


Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 - January 29, 1963) is one of the best-known American poets, famous for his themes of rural New England. "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life -- It goes on"
-- Robert Frost


A Minor Bird

I have wished a bird would fly away,
And not sing by my house all day;

Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed as if I could bear no more.

The fault must partly have been in me.
The bird was not to blame for his key.

And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song.


check the catalog: Robert Frost

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Preview Shelf -- The Latest Commemorative Donnelley Publication

The annual R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company Lakeside Classic special publication dated December, 2008 is now available to borrow from the Crawfordsville District Public Library. Its title is "Jailed for Freedom" the story of the militant American suffragist movement written by Doris Stevens, born in 1892 in Omaha, a teacher and social worker in Ohio and Michigan. She was also "a phenomenal organizer and lobbyist with striking good looks, legendary charm, and radical sensibilities". (See the "Historical Introduction"). The "Publisher's Preface" notes that it "is published at the close of a national election year that finds women more prominent in our federal government than ever before. Sixteen women are United States senators; seventy women serve in the House of Representatives where they are led by its first woman Speaker, ...another woman is Secretary of State..." There follows a history of the women's rights movement. It also tells how the original 1920 edition of the book was "heavily illustrated with photographs of the people and events whose story it tells." The Preface goes on to update the reader about the forward-looking business and environmental ideas being implemented by the Donnelley Company. This book has special value for its readability and documented historical content. "The Last Lincolns" by Charles Lachman follows the family after President Lincoln's murder through calamities and woes as their misfortunes multiplied for the last generations. "Asian Americans in the Twenty-First Century" is a volume of 27 oral histories of first-to fourth-generation Americans from China, Japan, India, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos. There are many new environmentally-geared books. "Made from Scratch" by Jenna Woginrich helps us discover the pleasures of a handmade life. She says, "Point is, it feels good to get dirty, work hard, and slow down." "Where Am I Wearing?" by Kelsey Timmerman is a global tour to the countries, factories, and people that make our clothes now. A similar subject, "Confessions of an Eco-Sinner", is Fred Pearce's adventure tracking the routes taken by the items in his home - from raw ingredients to finished products. Deirdre Imus offers "The Essential Green You!" Volume Three, full of easy ways to detox a diet, a body, a life. "The Green Collar Economy" is Van Jones' solution to two problems: our failing economy and our devastated environment. "OverSuccess" by Jim Rubens offers to heal the American obsession with wealth, fame, power, and perfection. Then, there's Richard O'Connor's "Happy at Last" described as the Thinking Person's Guide to Finding Joy. Linda Stroh's "Trust Rules" show how to tell the good guys from the bad guys in work and life. Timothy Keller tells about how belief can prevail in an age of skepticism in "The Reason for God" as it points to the true path and purpose of Christianity.Here are colorful books about various kinds of arts. In "Posters For The People" Ennis Carter shows the art of the WPA as the New Deal marks its 75th anniversary; the designs of the day (post Depression) added good messages to the posters' drawings. "Native American Leather & Bead Crafting" comes from Patty Cox. "Seams to Me" is Anna Horner's composition with 24 new reasons to love sewing. "Every Day Crochet" presents illustrations of Doris Chan's wearable designs. "Baby Beanies" offers happy hats to knit for little heads designed by Amanda Keeys.

Scrapbook Workshop

March 28, 2009
Presented by Susan B. Griffith at the Crawfordsville District Public Library

Crop Workshop, 9:30-4:30
$10.00 ($5.00 for half day)
Some supplies available for purchase

Beginners Class, 10:00-12:00, $8.00, materials charge
Register and pay at Circulation Desk 362-2242
Questions can be directed to Sue at 307-7738 or suegriffith@accelplus.net

Monday, March 16, 2009

Author birthdays! John Updike & Philip Roth



Celebrating John Updike and Philip Roth


Two famous American authors have their birthdays this week: John Updike (1932-2009) and Philip Roth (1933- ). Why not look at what we have @ CDPL?

check the catalog: John Updike

check the catalog: Philip Roth

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Girl Scout Week

On March 8, Mayor Charles Coons of Crawfordsville came by the library to commemorate Girl Scout Week. At the library he was able to meet with some Scouts as well as see the library's display celebrating Girl Scouts.



Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Preview Shelf -- Successful Seuss Party

The Crawfordsville Library's Dr. Seuss Birthday Party March 3rd was a big success. The Youth Department expanded itself for the festivities enjoyed by 76 children and 65 adults. Besides reading the author's stories, participants made his unique hats, threw Green Eggs on a plate, tossed rings at the Cat in the Hat, fished for One Fish, Two Fish, threw bean bags to other Seuss characters, pinned flowers on Horton, decorated cupcakes, and wore nose- and whisker-painted faces to sing Happy Birthday in front of his 105th Birthday cake. Instead of bringing him gifts, the children received Seuss books to take home. Hooray, hooray, a very good day! On the "new book" shelves, four geographical guides would be fun to read whether or not the reader plans a visit. Insiders' Guide to New York (state) named "Off the Beaten Path" comes from William and Kay Scheller, and their commentary is divided into the eight areas of the state. "Let's Go - New York City on a Budget" has complete maps, and chapters called Accommodations, Food, Sights, Museums, Entertainment, Shopping, Nightlife, and Daytrips. "The Everything Family Guide to Washington, D.C." by Jesse Leaf lists all the best hotels, restaurants, sites, and attractions. "Unforgettable Canada - 100 Destinations" by George Fischer includes brilliant colored photos. There's a bevy of new cookbooks to enjoy. "660 Curries" by Raghavan Iyer comes from The Gateway to Indian Cooking. National Geographic's "Edible" is an illustrated guide to the world's food plants with a foreword by Deborah Madison. "The Williams-Sonoma Cookbook" is the "essential recipe collection for today's home cook". Jackie Eddy's "The Absolute Beginner's Cookbook" has a subtitle How Long Do I Cook a 3-Minute Egg? From Cooking Light comes "Annual Recipes 2008" with 1,000 entries. Elizabeth Yarnell offers "Glorious One-Pot Meals" (dutch-oven cooking). Finally, "The Healthy Kitchen" with Recipes For a Better Body, Life, and Spirit is from Andrew Weil. "Character" by Chris Wallace contains 16 profiles in Presidential courage. Robert Wagner's autobiography opens his heart to share the romances, drama, and humor of his incredible life in "Pieces of My Heart". Kathleen Norris offers "Acedia & Me" about her marriage, monks, and her life as a writer. David Fischer's "Champlain's Dream" brings to life the remarkable Samuel de Champlain, soldier, spy, master mariner, explorer, cartographer, artist, and Father of New France . "The Limits of Power" handles the triple crisis facing America: the economy, the government, and the nation's involvement in endless wars; A. J. Bacevich offers "the neglected tradition of realism". On to fiction. Robert Parker's "Rough Weather" is a Spenser mystery about a society wedding where Spenser's nemesis guns down guests and kidnaps the bride. Nicholas Sparks' "The Lucky One" is a "stunning" tale about a man whose brushes with death lead him to the love of his life, but it's not what you'd expect. "Just Breathe" by Susan Wiggs shows a Chicago cartoonist who, unhappy in marriage, moves west, finding her high school heartthrob and an unexpected conflicting circumstance. Another mystery is "Stalking Susan" by Julie Kramer takes us inside the world of TV ratings where an investigative reporter discovers that a serial killer is targeting women named Susan once a year. "Heart Sick" by Chelsea Cain shows a situation between a torture victim and his captor who's in prison for life. Cain's "Sweetheart" is another plot involving the same characters in a new situation. "19th Wife" by David Ebershoff is a mystery combining historical fiction with a modern murder, involving Brigham Young and polygamy in present-day Utah.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Pi Day at the Carnegie Museum

Saturday, March 14th
(3.14)
1-5 PM

The Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County and Wabash College Invite you to our First Annual Celebration of Pi Day!

In honor of Pi Day Wabash Physics and Math Guys will be on hand to entertain and amaze us. We will have 5 tables of demonstrations, 2 telescopes and lots of fun. Part of the fun will be a hair-raising experience and another involves lasers and balloons.

Bring the whole family and join us at the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County.

222 S. Washington St
Crawfordsville, IN
362-4618
carnegiemuseum@yahoo.com

And of course we will need to have a little pie also!

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Wedding planning help at your library!


Congratulations on your engagement! Every wedding is special and every bride has her own distinct style. So each bride looks to place her personal touch on each detail of that unforgettable day. Now is the time to compile your bridal files with these helpful books on a variety of subjects from writing your own vows to making toasts at the reception.

"Weddings for All Season" by Amy Tincher-Durik has general projects for flowers, invitations and programs that can be adapted for the bride's unique style for use throughout the year. Dreams really can come true with the help of "Michael Book of wedding crafts" by Linda Kopp. This book includes many craft ideas for scrapbooking, gifts and favors and also includes a handy 12-month wedding planner. Get the groom involved with ideas for a co-ed shower party from the book, "100+ Wedding Games" by Joan Wai. No bride has time to look at every wedding website so this book, "E-plan Your Wedding" by Crystal Melendez, will help you keep on track with the many details. As you put together your happily ever after wedding, "may the twinkle in your eyes stay with you, and the love in your hearts never fade." For more toasts take a look at "Toasts for All Occasions" by Jeff Herman.

This special collection of books, DVDs, videos and magazines will be on display throughout the month of March.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Girl Scout Week display


March 12, 2009, marks the 97th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Be sure to look at our Girl Scout display this month, on the 2nd floor of the library. We wanted to do something to help celebrate Girl Scout Week (8-14 March 2009). Maybe you can help identify some of the people in a few old photos? Or simply enjoy some of the assorted items! We have also collected a few books you can check out.

Since 1912, Girl Scouting has helped more than 50 million women grow up courageous and strong. Girl Scouting cultivates values and social conscience in girls while teaching them real-life skills to succeed. For more information on Girl Scouts, go to their official site at www.girlscouts.org