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Lynda Rutledge: 'It was just a home away from home'

Submitted by Steve Zalusky on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 11:42
Video: 

In this video interview, Lynda Rutledge, author of Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale, explains how libraries nurtured her love of reading, introducing her to everything from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to To Kill a Mockingbird.

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Academic library plays a key role in preserving labor history

Submitted by Steve Zalusky on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 08:46

Libraries play an integral role in preserving important aspects of our culture through their collections.

This can readily be seen in the work shown by one library, the Labor Archives and Research Center at San Francisco State University.

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Crafty Mother's Day gifts @ your library

Submitted by Megan McFarlane on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 12:11

by isabisaMother’s Day is Sunday, and you still haven’t found that perfect gift for mom?

Instead of heading to the mall, why not check out what is happening at your library?

Many libraries across the country celebrate both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (which is only a month away) with special story hours, family events and craft projects. 

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Finding love @ your library

Submitted by Steve Zalusky on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 16:18
Illustration: 
Jillian Liesemeyer and Andrew Roger.

Everyone knows you can check out many things at your local library. But apparently at one library, books and DVDs weren't the only things being checked out.

According to Omaha Public Library blog, the library hosted a very successful speed dating event.

The second “Hardbound to Heartbound: Speed Dating at Your Library” event drew more than 70 guests.

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Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month @ your library

Submitted by Megan McFarlane on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 23:05
Illustration: 
Book cover: American Born Chinese

Looking for a thought provoking way to discuss Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with your children and teens? Consider getting a start with graphic novels.

Due to their utilization of both pictures and words, comics offer a stimulating means for children, teens and even adults to explore new concepts and ideas by equating new words and ideas through a visual representation. 

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Pam Houston: 'Libraries entirely created my love of reading'

Submitted by Steve Zalusky on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 10:50
Video: 

In this video interview, author Pam Houston (Cowboys Are My Weakness), discusses her development as a reader through visits to her local library. She also shares her thoughts on the impact of library budget cuts and censorship.

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Free Comic Book Day, everyday @ your library

Submitted by Megan McFarlane on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 08:50
Illustration: 
Book cover: Captian Raptor and the Space Pirates

This weekend is a big one when it comes to comics, with both the opening of The Avengers movie and Free Comic Book Day.

But why can’t every day be Free Comic Book Day? It can be, at your library.

Recently, the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) released a recommended list of graphic novels for children in grades K-8.

Here are a few of our favorites we recommend sharing with your kids:

Grades K-2

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Lori Wilde: 'I felt like he had given me the key to the world'

Submitted by Steve Zalusky on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 08:49
Video: 

New York Times best-selling author Lori Wilde talks about what libraries mean to her in this video interview.

She takes particular relish in recounting receiving her first library card when she was 6 from her father, a reporter at the time. "I felt like he had given me the key to the world," she says.

She also recalls the joy of visiting the bookmobile as a child. Wilde has a special connection to libraries, since both her parents have library degrees.

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Libraries celebrate the first International Jazz Day, April 30

Submitted by Steve Zalusky on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 12:10
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International Jazz Day,April 30

Jazz is, arguably, the great American art form, weaving diverse cultural elements into a unique melodic, harmonic and rhythmic tapestry.

But it is also a language that carries a global appeal.

That aspect is being celebrated April 30, which was proclaimed International Jazz Day by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) General Conference in November 2011.

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Connect with your kids: Exploring Steampunk @ your library

Submitted by Megan McFarlane on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 13:26
Illustration: 
Steampunk enthusiast at C2E2

It may come as a surprise to some of us that one of today’s growing subgenres of young adult fiction can find its roots in classic works from more than one hundred years ago. Yes, the forefathers of science fiction, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells are also the original “steampunks.”

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