Meet the Staff: Evan E.

Posted by Evan E.

How long have you worked at the library? 4

How many items do you have checked out now? 8

How many items are on your hold list? 6

What book (or books) can you read again and again without losing interest? Graphic novels

If you were a literary character, who would you be and why?  Atticus Finch, because he is a calm, level-headed family man.

What aspects of the library do you think are underutilized? Some of the reference books.

What is your favorite book format?  Book.

What is your favorite aspect of working at the library?  Meeting new people and discovering new books.

What is your guilty reading (or listening) pleasure?  I don't have any, I tend to read what I  like and have not felt guilty about any of them.

What books do you feel guilty for not having read?  All of the Jane Austen books and I-Robot.

Have your reading habits changed since working in the library?  If so, how?  Before working at the Library I did not read many fiction books; since working here, I've read many.

What is your perfect reading environment?  The bathroom.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what single genre of books would you want with you?  Sci-fi

What was your favorite children's book when you were a child?  I have two: Where the Sidewalk Ends and Green Eggs and Ham.

Before you worked here, what was your worst library transgression?  Never had one.

Happy B-Day Will!

Posted by Alana T.

Yesterday was Shakespeare's birthday and what better way to celebrate than read some of his works.  OK, maybe you think that's too much work, a bit difficult to wrap you mind around all those strange words.  Well, there are many literary critics, English majors, and writers who believe that just about everything published today is inspired by Shakespeare to some extent.  Why not try some modern novels or watch a DVD where the writers consciously chose to retell classic tales or utilize themes in a fresh manner.

King Lear:

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (DVD, 1997) Negative family dynamics set in the Midwest.
Ran (DVD, 1985) A warlord splits his empire between his three sons; nothing good comes from it.

Hamlet:
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle byDavid Wroblewski.  A very sad, and very good book about a boy and his dog.... and his family.
The Lion King  (DVD, 2003 )  Disney's interpretation of Hamlet with a little King Lear thrown in for good measure.

Romeo and Juliet:
West Side Story (DVD, ) Two rival gangs, two lovers, and a lot of singing and dancing!
William Shakespeare's Romeo+Juliet (DVD, 1996)  Imagine the play set in 90's Los Angeles, Shakespearian dialogue intact; better than you think it might be.

Macbeth:
Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde.  The main character, Thursday Next, meets up with Hamlet and has a grand literary adventure.

Taming of the Shrew:
10 Things I Hate About You (DVD, 2010) Surly teens and romance - a humorous combination.

The Tempest:
Forbidden Planet (DVD, 1956) A space journey ends on a strange planet where the shipwrecked meet Dr. Morbius, his daughter and an unknown terror.

What the heck is a Database?

All this could be in a database!

 Posted by Cary H.

We librarians love databases.  Okay, then, what are they? 

Basically, databases are online resources that the library subscribes to so our patrons can access a variety of information.  The most important thing to understand is that the information in these databases CANNOT BE GOOGLED!  Hard to believe, but yes.

Don't get me wrong.  Google is great and I make Google searches daily, but there is some fantastic information out there that's not free.  What kind of information you might ask?  Here's a partial list of information you can access through databases on our website. 

Archived newspaper articles from many American newspapers in all 50 states, including the Edwardsville Intelligencer and St. Louis Post Dispatch (America's Newspapers database)

Do-it-Yourself car maintenance and repair for most makes and models (Chilton's database)

Full text scholarly journal articles for research papers (Gale & FirstSearch databases)

Printable legal forms -- blank templates for many Illinois legal forms (Legal Forms database)

Ancestry.com "library edition" for your genealogical research

Practice Exams for many educational and career building requirements (Learning Express Library database)

And many more!  We're happy to teach you how to search these great database resources.  Come in today and give them a try.  Many of these databases can be accessed from home with your Edwardsville Library card barcode.  As always, if you have questions, please call and let us know.

Every Day is Earth Day at the Library

Edourd Manet, Reading, 1868

Posted by Staff

Today marks the 41st celebration of Earth Day, a day to give back to our planet and think green. Following is a list of ways we can help you celebrate Earth Day every day:

Plant a vegetable garden.  We have lots of books on vegetables, organic methods, pests, composting, earthworms and so much more.  Our Reference Department has also compiled a list of on-line gardening resources.  If you have other questions, let us know and we will help you find the answers.

Recycle.  Although we no longer recycle batteries, we still provide small electronics recycling at no cost.  The Reference Department has also compiled a list of local recycling locations for various unusual items.  If you have something you would like to recycle, but don't know where to take it, ask us, and we'll find out for you.

Conserve energy.  Not only do we have books and on-line sources of information that discuss energy saving tips, but we also have Kill-A-Watt electricity meters.  Check them out, take them home and plug your appliances in to determine how much energy each is using.

Share Resources.  The library is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint.  Share books, DVDs, CDs and more with others in our community.  Not only does this save you money, it saves the environment by reducing raw materials needed to create these items for everyone.

Celebrate Poetry Month With Us

Visit our book-spine poetry display at the Circulation Desk

Posted by Staff

April is National Poetry Month and we invite you to celebrate with us.  Perhaps you think of poetry as dull, time-consuming, difficult to read.  Not so!  Poetry can be lively, quick and simple (and still be profound). It is easy to include poetry in your life, just like a daily vitamin.

The Acadamy of American Poets has listed 30 ways to celebrate Poetry Month, one for each day.  The first step is to find a poem!  If it has been a while since you've read poetry, stop by the library and visit our collection.  We have lots of books, some audio, and subscribe to a poetry journal; all are available for checkout. 

Suggested ways to celebrate Poetry:

Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day (April 14th).  Copy a favorite poem and carry it with you; share it with co-workers, family and friends.

Put a Poem on the Pavement.  Find some sidewalk chalk and write a simple poem on the sidewalk.  Placing poems in unexpected places enlivens everyone's life.

Integrate Poetry with Technology.  Add a short poem to your signature line in your email account and include poems in your social network pages. 

Memorize a Poem.  Stimulate those brain cells and learn something by heart.  For suggestions, try a selection from Committed to Memory: 100 Best Poems to Memorize.

If You Can Read It, You Can Eat It

Posted by Staff.

In honor of National Library Week, libraries throughout the world celebrated by hosting a local versions of the International Edible Book Festival.  The premise is simple: compose an edible creation inspired by a book and if possible, describe it with a pun.  The idea behind the celebration came from a collaboration between librarian Judith Hoffberg and artist Beatrice Coron (for more info, visit the official website) and since the first event in 1999, the Festival's popularity has increased.

Favorite entries are often those with puns based on a book title.  Recent examples include: A Thousand Splenda Suns, All Quiet on the Western Bundt, Their Eyes were Watching Cod, and The Marizipan Chronicles.

At this point, not many venues have posted photos for this year's festivals.  The University of Illinois hosted an event and has a gallery of entries and award winners.  Although SIUC hasn't published any photos on the web, there is an article in the local paper describing their event.

My Friends....

Posted by Staff, in celebration of National Library Week

"I have friends, whose society is extremely agreeable to me: they are of all ages, and of every country.  They have distinguished themselves both in the cabinet and in the field, and obtained high honors for their knowledge of the sciences.  It is easy to gain access to them; for they are always at my service, and I admit them to my company, and dismiss them from it, whenever I please.  They are never troublesome, but immediately answer every question I ask them.  Some relate to me the events of past ages, while others reveal to me the secrets of nature.  Some, by their vivacity, drive away my cares exhilarate my spirits, while others give fortitude to  my mind, and teach me the important lesson how to restrain my desires, and to depend wholly on myself.  They open to me, in short, the various avenues of all the arts and sciences, and upon their information I safely rely, in all emergencies.  In return for all these services, they only ask me to accommodate them with a convenient chamber in some corner of my humble habitation, where they may repose in peace; for these friends are more delighted by the tranquility of retirement, then by the tumults of society".  Francesco Petrarca (b.1304 d.1374)

Petrarch (as his name is known in English) was an Italian scholar and poet, best known for his sonnets, essays and published collections of personal letters.  He studied law (but never practiced), worked for a Cardinal, and wrote extensively throughout his life. He loved books and learning of all kinds; the excerpt above is from an essay describing the love of his library.

To learn more about Petrarch, or read more of his works, click here.

Bookclub on the Blog: March Selection

Posted by Edwardsville Public Library Bookclub

The Library Bookclub met March 14th to discuss Crow Lake by Mary Lawson,  New York Times Notable Book and Today's Book Club Selection

Canadian writer Mary Lawson's debut novel tells a story of love, death, and redemption. The tale is told from the point of view of Kate Morrison, now a biology professor living away from her childhood home, Crow Lake.  Kate receives an invitation to her nephew's 18th birthday, which causes her to think back to her childhood, the death of her parents, and a variety of relationships from her youth.  Kate is still strongly affected by the events of her childhood and must come to terms with past events before she can move forward with her current life.

C.H. says: "An enjoyable easy read.  Well written.  Mary Lawson makes her characters come to life so you are able to relate to them".

X says: "Mary Lawson has told a wonderful story with warmth and compassion.  Highly recommend it!"

D.H. says: This author conveys a beautiful sense of place - the wild terrain of Northern Ontario.  I loved the great-grandmother who had 14 children and a bookrest on her spinning wheel."

The Library bookclub meets April 11 at 7PM to discuss Dewey the Library Cat: A True Story by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter.  Join us for a lively discussion and some snacks, or stop by the blog next month for a synopsis.

April Staff Suggestions

Unknown artist, Krishna and Radha Dancing in the Rain, 17th century

Posted by Staff

With the phrase "April showers ...." in mind, the theme for this month's staff selections is rain and storm related stories.  Read through the descriptions and consider requesting something new.

Cary H.: Ladies in Lavender (DVD, 2004). An independent film festival favorite with a great cast, this movie is set in 1930s England.  Aging sisters Ursula and Janet (played by great actors Maggie Smith and Judi Dench) live peacefully in their cottage on the shore of Cornwall. One morning following a violent storm, the sisters spot from their garden a nearly-drowned young man lying on the beach. As they nurse him back to health, his identity slowing becomes apparent and neighbors begin to talk.  A lovely movie.

Pam O.: Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.  One man's experience after Hurrican Katrina when he stays behind to rescue stranded citizens, protect his property fromlooters and mistakenly gets arrested.

Alana T.: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams.  Features a character who is, unknown to him, the god of rain; clouds follow him everywhere and he doesn't know why.
James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels - the settings for these suspense/crime novels feature humidity in its every aspect from rainstorms to heavy mist.  The audiobooks are especially well narrated.
Thunderhead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.  Features one of the most hair-raising thunderstorm scenes I've ever read.

Annie H.:  The Road to Perdition by Max Allen Collins.  Gloomy and dark like a thunderstorm.

Karen K.: Wicked by Gregory Maguire  A tornado is not the only storm going on in this story!

Joyce D.:  Rough Weather by Robert Parker.  In this Spencer novel, a hurricane-level storm adds to the wedding drama.

Kasey F.: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.  Told by an old soul of a dog this novel plays with the metaphor of cars, life, and love "against the rain".  (Note: this book was recommended by three other staff members.)

Zach H.: The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan.  Set in Kansas during the Great Depression, the story centers around an 11 year old boy named Jack.  The town starts feeling the effects of "dust dementia" and Jack swears he sees a sinister figure in an abandoned barn with a "face like rain."

Ike D.:  Rain Came Down by David Shannou.  A picture book illustrating how rain can generate angry feelings, but when the sun appears, everyone's spirits are lifted.

Katherine R.:  Rain by Manya Stojic.  Wonderful picture book discusses the animals in an African savannah waiting for a big rainstorm.

Dani G.:  The Grapes of Wrath (DVD 1940)  A family of farmers are forced to travel west to look for work afters a series of storms ruined their land.

Mary M.:   The Wizard of Oz (DVD 1939)  A tornado sweeps Dorothy away to the magical land of Oz where she encounters a wicked witch, munchkins and flying monkeys.

Riddle Me an Answer: A Book to Celebrate National Poetry Month

Posted by Alana T.

Whilst searching library books for upcoming poems of the month for the blog, I came across the new book, The Word Exchange: Anglo-Saxon Poems in Translation, edited by Greg Delanty and Michael Matto.  I will admit that I'm not a huge fan of poetry; I have to be in just the right mood to sit down and read it.  This book, then, was a big surprise. The editors begin with a brief description of Anglo-Saxon history and culture, then describe the process by which the poems were translated by contemporary poets and scholars (many with no knowledge of Old English).  A large variety of poems and poem riddles are given both in Old English (a pronunciation key is provided for the brave) and translated, or exchanged, into modern English

The longer poems are a bit solemn and introspective for me, but the poem riddles, so much fun!  If you are a fan of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, you will recall the chapter when Bilbo is down under the Misty Mountains in Gollum's cave.  Bilbo desperately wants to know how to get out and he bargains with Gollum for his freedom: whoever guesses a series of riddles correctly wins the game.  The riddles in The Word Exchange are the same type as those provided by Tolkien, not a surprise when you know that Tolkien was a professor of languages and drew heavily on northern European cultures while writing the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The poem riddles will not only give insight into life long ago, but provide hours of entertainment (if you don't peek to the back for the answers!). Highly recommended for parents and children to enjoy together.

A sample poem riddle from the book:

I Saw Four Beings
     translated by Jane Hirshfield

I saw four beings
traveling strangely as one.
That creature took dark steps,
left tracks of surprising blackness.
It moved more quickly when as a bird flock
it climbed now in clear air,
plunged now beneath black waves.
It seemed a ceaseless laboring
when a noble warrior drove those four
to mark one road across the painted gold.

(The answer is provided at the bottom of the left sidebar.)