tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49311432141983850762024-03-05T08:12:32.287-06:00Between the Lines @ JCPLThings online, in print and in the news at the Jasper County Public Library. Come join in the conversation.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-53248575886722781582012-03-02T14:29:00.000-06:002012-03-02T14:29:37.339-06:00We have moved!Everything changes. Especially when computers are involved.<br />
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One the one hand, we are sad to leave the Blogger platform, which has been good to us and provided exactly what we needed at the time.<br />
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On the other hand, we are super excited about our new website, where we have moved this blog, and the opportunities it offers to let us promote more things on our website and at our libraries.<br />
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You can find posts from the blog on our front page, or you can bookmark our new site -- <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/blogs">www.myjcpl.org/blogs</a> -- which has the latest posts from all of the library's blogs, and links to our individual blogs.<br />
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We hope to see you there, and we hope you'll drop us a line and let us know how you like the new arrangement.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-85535290537114296682011-11-10T09:44:00.000-06:002011-11-10T09:44:04.668-06:00Illustrated poetry and haiku of Pat Kopanda now at the DeMotte Library<div class="content"> Art comes in many forms, and for local resident, Pat Kopanda, inspiration comes in the form of words combined with illustrations in poetry, haiku and couplets. During the months of November and December, the illustrated writings of Pat Kopanda will be on display on the art wall of the DeMotte Library.<br />
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Pat lives in DeMotte and writes poetry and stories, illustrating her own works. This mother, grandmother and great-grandmother is a member of the Prairie Writers Guild in Rensselaer, and has just recently begun illustrating her own haiku and couplets, and would like to share her works with our community.<br />
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If you have an art or photography collection that you would like to share by displaying it in the library, please contact the DeMotte Library at 987-2221.<br />
</div>jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-10703711490957217352011-08-19T09:34:00.000-05:002011-08-19T09:34:47.721-05:0030 Days Hath September, and 30 Reasons to Visit Your Library!September is Library CardSign Up Month, and we encourage you to visit your favorite branch of the Jasper County Public Library today.<br />
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In tough economic times, your library card gives you free access to books and computers, homework help, assistance with resumes and job searches, accurate financial information, adult education information, CDs, DVDs, and much more.<br />
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Since there are 30 days in September, we have given you 30 reasons to visit your library!<br />
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30 Reasons to Visit Your Local Branch of JCPL!!</b><br />
1. Research job opportunities<br />
2. Pick up voter registration information<br />
3. Find out how to navigate the Internet<br />
4. Find out the answer to a legal question or issue<br />
5. Check out a magazine<br />
6. Get new ideas for decorating your house.<br />
7. Use the library’s resources to start a small business<br />
8. Research the purchase of a new car<br />
9. Learn about the history of your town<br />
10. Decide which computer to buy using a consumer guide.<br />
11. Check your stock portfolio<br />
12. Borrow or download an audiobook for your next road trip<br />
13. See an art exhibit<br />
14. Volunteer!<br />
15. Find a new recipe<br />
16. Make photocopies<br />
17. Take a computer class<br />
18. Get to know your librarians, the ultimate search engine<br />
19. Update your Facebook page and/or Twitter account<br />
20. Scan a document <br />
21. Trace your family tree<br />
22. Prepare your resume<br />
23. Teach yourself some home improvement skills<br />
24. Learn how to use a database<br />
25. Connect with people in the community<br />
26. Plan a trip<br />
27. Renew your driver’s license online<br />
28. Attend a movie!<br />
29. Check out the latest fashion trends<br />
30. Check out an e-bookjcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-69984087335211517772011-06-23T10:12:00.000-05:002011-06-23T10:12:48.863-05:00Transparent Language Now Available at JCPL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L__SmtGMJjoa-4qT9kURVA4MxkgWIoqzFqqg4RBCIHI9TjYvXJ6mQPfon0EYbb9sRHK8WBe33hPtK6wg-R4Ztl_p-c1yyB1ebN8GeKAg6PygswgLat8_FCGkVXhNYSd3eOUf2v2IisKJ/s1600/languages.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L__SmtGMJjoa-4qT9kURVA4MxkgWIoqzFqqg4RBCIHI9TjYvXJ6mQPfon0EYbb9sRHK8WBe33hPtK6wg-R4Ztl_p-c1yyB1ebN8GeKAg6PygswgLat8_FCGkVXhNYSd3eOUf2v2IisKJ/s1600/languages.png" /></a></div>As part of our mission to inform, enrich, and empower our diverse community, we are always on the lookout for useful formats to add to our collection for your use. <br />
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One of the newest formats we have added is Transparent Language, an interactive language instruction program that focuses on vocabulary and on using words and phrases in an immersive, whole-language learning experience. <br />
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Transparent Language, which comes in a flash drive, combines visual and audio elements as tools for learning. Virtual flashcards provide a means for learning by seeing and hearing words. Some of the software even includes videos to enhance learning. Transparent Language is the next generation of language learning media and has become quite popular with JCPL patrons.<br />
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If your “bucket list” includes learning a language, give Transparent Language a try!<br />
<ul>At this time, our adult collection includes:
<li>English</li>
<li>French</li>
<li>Chinese</li>
<li>Italian</li>
<li>Spanish</li>
</ul><ul>Our children’s version features:
<li>Spanish</li>
<li>French</li>
<li>German</li>
<li>Italian</li>
<li>Japanese</li>
<li>Hebrew</li>
</ul>—all of which help them identify letters and sound combinations and everyday vocabulary.<br />
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Check it out!jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-7906189744536552382011-06-08T14:17:00.000-05:002011-06-08T14:17:19.903-05:00One World, Many Stories, Coming To JCPL This Summer<img border="0" height="41" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/dyn/2011/sumread/owms/slogan.gif" width="320" /><br />
<i>I think we can all agree that this winter has been a long time going. The calendar said “spring,” but Mother Nature said otherwise. </i><br />
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At the Jasper County Public Library we are fast forwarding to “summer.” It’s May, and Summer Reading will soon be underway! Children and teens will enjoy “One World, Many Stories,” while adults will pursue “Novel Destinations” without booking a flight or buying a train ticket! It doesn’t get any better than that! Summer Reading is a great way for kids, ages preschool to teen, to keep their reading and listening skills sharp during the summer months and be better prepared for the next school year. Vocabularies increase, socializing skills are sharpened, and comprehension levels increase, while kids read for fun and prizes!<br />
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<img align="right" border="0" height="186" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/dyn/2011/sumread/yah/backpack_travel.png" width="200" /><br />
What could be simpler or more rewarding? During the month of May, we will be visiting schools and information will be available in the library to explain when the program will begin and how to get registered. And it doesn’t stop with just reading! Be sure to check out our line-up of Summer Reading Program presenters too. Each week, for the duration of the program, special presenters will entertain you and encourage you to keep reading! You won’t want to miss a thing!<br />
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Adults have the opportunity to read for prizes too! We won’t leave you out of the fun! Visit our website, www.myjcpl.org for program details and if you are on Facebook, look for our page and become our fan! We will keep you posted on all the fun as we strive to inform, enrich and empower our diverse community.<br />
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Article contributed by JCPL Director, Patty Stringfellowjcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-77312018981990330172011-04-06T09:21:00.000-05:002011-04-06T09:21:48.863-05:00E-Books...Free Access Through JCPL!<b>It seems that no matter where I go these days people are talking about e-books! </b>It stands to reason that we are talking about e-books at the library. After all, books and reading and books and listening are a big part of what we do. However, these days conversations about e-books happen everywhere I go; at community meetings, on Facebook, at school events, around the dinner table at home. It is nearly becoming a daily occurrence. Even Andy Rooney did a segment on 60 Minutes about e-books recently! E-books are a hot topic!<br />
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According to a recent Northwest Indiana Times news article, 66% of libraries nationwide provide free access to e-books. We are one of those libraries. Since 2002, we have provided access to NetLibrary, where you can choose from thousands of downloadable digital audio books or browse instructional e-books online. You will find fiction classics and thousands of titles on a variety of topics.<br />
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At Bartleby.com you can read hundreds of free public domain e-books from the most critically acclaimed authors in history. This collection includes classic fiction, nonfiction and poetry, as well as several reference volumes including the Cambridge History of English and American Literature.<br />
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At Gutenberg.org you can download over 30,000 free e-books to read on your PC, iPhone, Kindle, Sony Reader or other portable device. We provide access to all of this e-content via our library website <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">www.myjcpl.org</a>. As a staff, we are constantly reading about and discussing our options for e-content so that we may provide the best possible collection that our resources will allow. Please let us know how we are doing and continue to bring us your questions! We love to talk about e-books!<br />
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<i>In 2010 alone, e-books were used nearly 900 times, and patron interest is growing by leaps and bounds as evidenced by the numerous questions we get each day and an increase in monthly downloads.</i><br />
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<i>*Article contributed by JCPL Director, Patty Stringfellow</i>jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-42488428943340787952011-03-29T11:26:00.000-05:002011-03-29T11:26:07.906-05:00Issues Today: Nuclear PowerWith all the talk about Japan's recent troubles with nuclear power, it's only natural to want some perspective on this critical issue. Salem Press, one of our electronic information providers, has put together some free resources to shine a light on nuclear power, and on its troubled and promising history as a power source. You can reach these special topics for a limited time at Salem Press's <a href="http://salempress.com/store/pages/issues_today.htm">Issues Today</a> page. You can also browse through our extensive collection of electronic <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/reference/databases/">Research Resources</a> that we offer all year long, 24-7, for your information needs.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-91014424507247988682011-03-15T18:25:00.000-05:002011-03-15T18:25:55.435-05:00Post Tribune columnist, author, to visit DeMotte Library in AprilPost-Tribune metro columnist Jerry Davich is a people person. Reaching out to northwest Indiana through daily articles featuring a variety of issues, people, and situations that draw the reader in, Davich manages to tug at heartstrings through the detailed chronicling of the everyday lives of ordinary people who go through extraordinary circumstances, shining a light on the darkest corners of society through the magic of the written word.<br />
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The DeMotte Library is proud to invite all interested adults to come to the library on Monday, April 11 at 1 pm, where Jerry Davich will be visiting, discussing his life as a journalist and talking about his book, “<a href="http://www.connectionsbook.com/">Connections: Everyone Happens for a Reason</a>."<br />
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From the beginning of his journalism career in 1995 to his present day career as a full time metro columnist for the Post Tribune, the same newspaper he delivered as a boy, Jerry says he has “offered a voice to the voiceless “ and that “one story led to one hundred,” as he writes about a myriad of issues, including the last days of a woman suffering from terminal cancer, visiting Ground Zero just days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, witnessing a coroner perform an autopsy, and skydiving out of a plane with a tape recorder in hand.<br />
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His book, “Connections” explores the timely and timeless need for human interaction in this fast paced, drive through society that we live in. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with this man whose journalism keeps northwest Indiana informed because he never leaves home without his pen, notebook and curiosity. <br />
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Copies of his book will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Friends of the DeMotte Library, registration is available online at <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">http://www.myjcpl.org/</a> or by visiting or calling the DeMotte Library at 987-2221.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-37942853872385447342011-03-04T09:38:00.000-06:002011-03-04T09:38:02.885-06:00Looking For Great, New Information? Check the Library’s Website!When it’s time to write the feature article for the <a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/about/cc/index.htm">Community Connection</a>, I often find myself poking around on our library’s website to see if there is a service, program, or event that needs to be promoted. I look for things you may have forgotten about, things that are shiny and new, or things that have been revised or updated in some way. <br />
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This time I managed to find several really cool items I didn’t even realize we offered on the website. If I didn’t know they were there, maybe you don’t either!? <br />
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Today’s finds included:<br />
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A “<a href="http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html">Today in History</a>” link that leads to the Library of Congress American Memory page where I can quickly discover what happened in American history today and every day!<br />
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A “<a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/readers/journal.htm">Downloadable Reading Journal</a>;” staff members at JCPL have created this attractive reading journal for you to download and use with Microsoft Excel to keep track of your reading on your computer at home or to print and fill in by hand.<br />
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A link to “<a href="http://www.in.gov/judiciary/ipix/jasper/">Jasper County Courthouse Virtual Tour</a>;” you can access a 360º virtual tour and view interactive images of the interior rooms and exterior views of the courthouse; still photographs and historical details are also included.<br />
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A link to “<a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/teens/college_info.htm">What Do I Do After High School</a>;” you can find information on how to pick a school, how to pay for school, how to prepare for college, and important dates like SAT test dates and FAFSA filing dates.<br />
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We are constantly revising and updating our website so it should come as no surprise to me to find something new there today. Visit <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">www.myjcpl.org</a> and see what you can discover, and while you’re there, take our <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQTJY77">website survey</a>! This is your opportunity to let us know how we are doing as we strive to inform, enrich and empower our diverse community virtually. <br />
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<i>Article contributed by JCPL Director, Patty Stringfellow</i>jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-24583178873480987522011-02-18T09:27:00.000-06:002011-02-18T09:27:38.741-06:00Ready for Spring? Think ShortsThink of shorts and you might think summer, or light, or even casual and care-free. If you’re talking about short stories instead of pants, you’ve only just scratched the surface. <br />
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Wheatfield Branch Manager Diana Kooy will be holding the latest installment of her Reading Shorts program on Thursday, March 10 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program, aimed at adults, has been gathering a small but loyal crowd at the library as Kooy reads aloud selections from literary magazines such as The New Yorker as well as a variety of short stories from across a wide range of genres.<br />
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“They have been a variety of styles from light suspense, character studies, ones with surprise endings, or ones that made you smile,” said Kooy, who came up with the idea for the program after attending a library conference last March.<br />
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“The presenter did this same thing twice a month using thriller type stories at the downtown Seattle Public Library,” she explained. “The idea intrigued me, since we have a number of retired educators who attend programs at this library and appreciate programs like this.”<br />
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Kooy started the program not knowing how it would be received, but said the regular and attentive attendance has made the program a favorite.<br />
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“Those that come enjoy the stories and like the variety. After each one they do a little bit of discussion, which is fun. I had told them to make themselves comfortable, and one brought a pillow to rest her chin on while listening. One person brings her knitting or crocheting project while she listens.” Kooy said she also furnishes coffee and hot water for tea, hot chocolate or hot cider.<br />
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Kooy said she tries to draw on her family’s experiences with community theater when doing the program.<br />
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“My husband and my two children have been involved in high school and community theater plays in the past, but I was generally playing keyboard for musicals so I was in the pit out front, or behind. I didn’t want to be on stage myself, but having watched all the rehearsals, hearing the director’s notes and listening to my family discuss things, I’ve picked up some pointers to try to keep something like story reading interesting for the attendees. I also always liked reading out loud to my kids when they were young.”<br />
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Some of her favorite stories to date have included “The Year of Silence” by Kevin Brockmeier, “In the Eye of the Beholder” by Jeffrey Archer, and “By the Side of the Road” by Jules Feiffer. “That is actually a children’s book,” Kooy noted, “but I had heard the author read it on Public Radio and loved it.” <br />
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Kooy says she reads the stories through at least four times and once out loud before presenting them and makes notes for pronunciation. “I’m not good with accents,” she said, adding that the conference presenter had provided the reassuring tip that “unless you are a professional, it’s best to let the words of the story speak for themselves.”<br />
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“I have decided the stories are better if they aren’t more than 30 minutes long each. The audience is always attentive, but I think they like more variety, so I try to do shorter ones to keep up the pace.”<br />
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Kooy said sometimes a little extra work is involved in the process.<br />
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“It is a challenge to find stories that I think are worthy to read out loud. I keep them clean, so sometimes I have to scratch out an objectionable word and use a tamer version of it.”<br />
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The program is held in the library’s large meeting room and patrons are encouraged to come with a quiet craft and to make themselves comfortable. “I aim for no more than an hour,” she said, adding the audience has some say in the matter.<br />
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“The last time one person forgot her hearing aids and had to go back home to get them, so we started 10 minutes late. I asked before I started the last story if they wanted to keep going or stop. No one had a hot date, they said, so they wanted to keep on reading.”jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-70770488550446904182011-02-04T10:12:00.000-06:002011-02-04T10:14:13.099-06:00Can’t Get Out for Library Materials? Let the Library Come to You!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjXf9zpVWeA9qfiti0ayEyliW-gIbfVY_eFzDfJsYlQBX3sbI_fV7nKM9jdvErEVQYVxQQHYb1NjlnTsypcMIYJiQOwBh8OfeVdKyLAsDsH-f7eQtMKKVspEQveKAHGloTT75Kn1fGYjQ/s1600/w_book.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjXf9zpVWeA9qfiti0ayEyliW-gIbfVY_eFzDfJsYlQBX3sbI_fV7nKM9jdvErEVQYVxQQHYb1NjlnTsypcMIYJiQOwBh8OfeVdKyLAsDsH-f7eQtMKKVspEQveKAHGloTT75Kn1fGYjQ/s1600/w_book.png" /></a>Are you confined to your home and unable to visit your local library? Let us bring the library to you!<br />
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The Jasper County Public Library will deliver library materials to and pick up library materials from homebound residents. You may request the following types of materials: books, magazines, audio books, music CDs, VHS/DVDs, and computer software.<br />
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Our Walking Books Service is available to residents of the Jasper County Public Library service district who are homebound, either on a permanent or temporary basis. Delivery may be door to door at the discretion of the library.<br />
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Books magazines, audio books, and CDs will circulate for 6 weeks, with one renewal of three weeks when necessary. Entertainment VHS and DVDs check out for one week, with renewals as needed. Patrons are not charged overdue fines.<br />
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In addition, our library website is available 24/7 and allows quick access to our online catalog, research resources, lists of new library materials, and our Community Resource Guide and much, much more. You will find us online at <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">www.myjcpl.org</a>. <br />
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To sign up for the Walking Book Service or for more information please contact any of our branches:<br />
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Rensselaer - 866-5881 <br />
DeMotte - 987-2221<br />
Wheatfield - 956-3774jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-9132560478000159902011-01-05T16:54:00.000-06:002011-02-04T10:16:01.939-06:00Community Resource Guide Offers Local Information<img align="right" border="0" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2011/01guide-graphic.png" /><br />
Google co-founder Larry Page once said, “Basically, our goal is to organize the world’s information and to make it universally accessible and useful.”<br />
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That is quite a goal, and at the Jasper County Public Library, we find ourselves ‘googling’ a thing or two nearly every day of the week. However, we know that ‘googling’ isn’t the easy answer to everything, especially when it comes to community resources and knowing just who to call in our community for help with some of the challenges of everyday life. That is why we have created our Community Resource Guide.<br />
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Our Community Resource Guide is full of useful information, including who to call in an emergency, sources for local financial assistance, Township Trustees and complete contact information. In addition, you will find listings for local media, license branches, post offices and local utilities. Local organizations are included, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, KVAIS Homeschoolers, and the American Legion, to name a few. We provide contact information for agencies that can help with health care/medical services, housing, education, employment, nutrition, legal services, senior services, social services, transportation, and child care. We include local officials such as the Mayor, City Council Members, and Town Board Presidents, and include a listing for various county offices such as the Assessor, Auditor and Treasurer. Each of our three communities, DeMotte, Wheatfield and Rensselaer, are included in this ten-page guide.<br />
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Our guide is available online. You will find it at <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/guide">www.myjcpl.org/guide</a>. You may also visit any of our locations and request a print version. Our Community Resource Guide is just another way we strive to <i>inform, enrich, and empower</i> our diverse communityjcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-62785280638323650062010-12-30T09:50:00.000-06:002011-02-04T10:15:01.365-06:00Congratulations to our holiday memories winning writers!Congratulations to the winners of the West Room Writer’s “Holiday Memories” Creative Writing Contest! The Junior Division winner of the contest is William Bonila, and the Senior Division winner is Keegan Starkey. Both William and Keegan won a $25 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble, sponsored by Town and Country Paving of DeMotte. Second place winner in the Senior Division is Alice Santell, who won a $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble, sponsored by the Jasper County 4-H Creative Writing Project.<br />
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The West Room Writers, a group of teens in grades 4-12 who love to write creatively, will meet again on <i>Thursday, January 20 from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Demotte Library</i>, where rules for the upcoming “Valentine Poetry Contest” will be announced, and other fun writing activities will be the order of the meeting. <br />
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Join us, and find out more about the West Room Writers or register to attend by logging onto the library’s website at <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">www.myjcpl.org</a> or calling the DeMotte Library at 987-2221.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-38928265640697249802010-12-03T14:07:00.000-06:002010-12-03T14:07:32.140-06:00JCPL Extends Thanks for Gifts and Donations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/12thanks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/12thanks.png" /></a></div>At the Jasper County Public Library we strive to be a leader in our community, to provide information, recreation, cultural offerings, and lifelong learning opportunities for our citizens. <br />
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Our goal is to offer traditional library services while keeping pace with new methods of storing and transferring information and knowledge. We strive to provide the programs and services that are most needed in our community.<br />
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Indiana public libraries are funded primarily by county property taxes, but in addition to that revenue, we often receive monetary gifts from you. Those gifts are deposited into the Library Gift Fund of your choice; DeMotte, Rensselaer, or Wheatfield, and are used to purchase books, AV materials, magazine subscriptions, furniture and equipment, as well as program prizes and refreshments. Your gifts also support adult and children’s programs. <br />
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In addition, many of you support the library with your time as you actively volunteer or become a member of one of our Friends of the Library groups. We greatly appreciate your monetary gifts and the other wonderful ways you support your library. We couldn’t do all the things we do without your support!<br />
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As we wrap up 2010 we want to take this time to thank you for supporting your library with your gifts; your gifts of time and money. You make it possible for us to inform, enrich, and empower our diverse community, and we are grateful!jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-38637828771402197622010-11-02T15:46:00.000-05:002010-11-02T15:46:54.338-05:00Pop Culture Universe...A Great Resource for Everyone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>It is hard to believe that school has been in session for two and a half months!</b> At this point in the school year, things are definitely in full swing. Perhaps you or someone you know has a history term paper or a creative writing assignment to complete before semester’s end. If so, <b>Pop Culture</b> may be for you!<br />
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<a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/11popculture_head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/11popculture_head.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Pop Culture Universe</b> is an authoritative digital library of information on American and world idols and ideas that we can all relate to. New technology, movies, TV, radio, music, comics, graphic novels, sports, pastimes, fads, fashions, fast food; you can find it all in Pop Culture Universe! One-stop, informative, at-a-glance overviews of pop culture from the 1920’s to the present are available.<br />
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Teachers will appreciate the lesson plans and professional reading that will help them to use pop culture in the classroom. Hundreds of photos are included that illustrate various aspects of pop culture. Not only is it fun and irresistible, it’s also a great way to engage students in reading, writing, and research!<br />
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You don’t have to be a teacher or student to enjoy the benefits of Pop Culture Universe. History buffs, playwrights, writers, set designers, and costume designers will find a treasure trove of information that will be useful in their crafts. There truly is something for everyone!<br />
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Pop Culture Universe can be accessed via our library website, <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">www.myjcpl.org</a>. Click on the link for Research Resources and then scroll through your options until you find the link for Pop Culture Universe. It’s another way JCPL strives to <i>inform, enrich, and empower</i> our diverse community!jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-86963167443417894902010-10-06T17:10:00.000-05:002010-10-06T17:10:39.776-05:00Check Out LS2PAC at JCPL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/10bookriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/10bookriver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>At JCPL, we are always reviewing and evaluating current technologies, implementing technologies that will help patrons access what they need quickly and conveniently. With that in mind, we have recently launched LS2PAC, a new interface for our online catalog that has numerous helpful features:<br />
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* Tagging<br />
* List Making<br />
* User Reviews<br />
* RSS feeds to selected news media <br />
* Predictive Results<br />
* Faceted Results<br />
* Genre Browsing<br />
* A Book River, an eye catching representation of book jackets in the library’s collection<br />
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What does this mean for you? This means that you may add a small comment to an item such as your initials to remind yourself that you have read a particular book or the word movie to indicate that a book has been made into a movie; create an electronic list of books you have read or wish to read; write a user review; access selected news media which may be helpful for students needing a current event item on a related topic. In addition, the search box completes search terms as you type, and while searching for a book on a particular topic, you will be pointed to other types of library materials on the same topic.<br />
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We think you will enjoy using our new LS2PAC, which can be accessed from designated computers in the library and/or via our library homepage, www.myjcpl.org. Click on library catalog and then select LS2PAC. For those who prefer to use it, our Classic PAC is also available. If you have questions about either of our PACs or need to establish a PIN number (which is required to use some PAC features), please call or visit the library. Staff are trained and interested in helping you find the information you need as we strive to inform, enrich, and empower our diverse community.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-50598286877614140712010-09-23T11:42:00.001-05:002010-09-23T11:45:26.115-05:00Put Your Nose In A Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/10put-your-nose-in-a-book.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/10put-your-nose-in-a-book.png" width="165" /></a></div><br />
You may have a nose for news or you may want to keep your nose to the grindstone, or you may even find what you’re looking for right under your nose, but on Friday, October 1 from 10-10:15 am, the Jasper County Public Library invites everyone in our community to stop in the library and put their nose in a book to celebrate the joy of the written word as we all “Take Time Out for Reading.”<br />
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Take Time Out for Reading began in 2003, and was designed to heighten awareness for literacy across Northwest Indiana. Held in conjunction with Northwest Indiana’s “<a href="http://www.books2bridge.org/">Books to Bridge the Region</a>” reading initiative, Take Time Out for Reading is a fun way for people of all ages and from all walks of life to share their love for books and reading.<br />
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For more information, visit or call the Rensselaer Library at 866-5881, the Wheatfield Library at 956-3774 or the DeMotte Library at 987-2221. You can also check out the <a href="http://www.nwiliteracy.org/">Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition's</a> site.<br />
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Oct. 1 is also Follow a Library Day.<br />
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Use your favorite social networking place to share your love of your favorite library -- just let your friends know why you love us! -- and if you haven't added your library to your friends list or follow list, this is the day to start!<br />
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You can find JCPL on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/myjcpl">http://www.facebook.com/myjcpl.</a> While you're there, mention what book you're reading for Take Time Out For Reading!jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-30660214619547150152010-08-26T10:40:00.000-05:002010-08-26T10:40:40.336-05:00September is National Library Card Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/images/blogs/2010/09libcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/images/blogs/2010/09libcard.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>September is National Library Card Month, and it is also a busy month here at the library as so many new patrons are getting their first library card ever! If you've been meaning to get a card, this is the month to do it. We're giving out free items for new sign-ups. If you haven't stopped in for a while, come see us too. Every time you use your card this month you can enter into a special drawing for prizes. <br />
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<b>Library of Congress and Public Libraries</b><br />
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In 1814 (during the War of 1812) the British army burned down the U.S. Capitol and the first Library of Congress, about 3,000 volumes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jefflib.html">Thomas Jefferson</a> had the largest private collection of books in the United States and Congress asked to buy his books as replacement. Jefferson's private library was three times larger than the one that was lost, about 9-10,000 volumes, and included many books on topics not related to law or government. Because of his collection, the Library of Congress changed to become a library of the people, not just the government. He also promoted the idea that libraries should be about all the subjects people might need to become more educated about their lives and the world.<br />
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What you can do at a library today is limited only by your imagination: Come learn a new craft or a new language, discover your family history, meet people, journey to new or impossible places, or more...<br />
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Check out <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card/52ways.cfm">52 ways you can use your library card</a> (one for each week of the year) and stop in to give them a try!jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-12819821062553887242010-07-09T15:16:00.000-05:002010-07-09T15:16:58.986-05:00Meet George CuddyOn Saturday afternoon around 2 p.m., the Rensselaer Library will be hosting George Cuddy, who is spending his summer biking solo across the country from Boston, Mass. to Portland, Ore.<br />
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Cuddy is using the trek to build support and raise funds for a rowing program in his home community of Brighton, Mass. to benefit physically and mentally challenged athletes.<br />
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You can <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXp9QSbSODw">learn about the rowing program</a> through a short online video. You can also follow Cuddy's trip online, via his <a href="http://thexcrideforcri.us/site/Welcome.html">Cross Country trip blog</a>.<br />
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Cuddy contacted the library several weeks ago to see whether we would be interested in having him come talk about the program and about cross country cycling.<br />
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We hope if you are interested in either topic, you can find some time to duck out of the heat and stop by. <br />
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Note: He is leaving from Denver, Ind. and coming 65 miles before stopping in Rensselaer. That's definitely a day's work.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-48153657777347105952010-06-28T09:11:00.001-05:002011-02-04T10:15:32.338-06:00General Milroy Open House July 2<a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/Genealogy/Milroy/RHMP4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/Genealogy/Milroy/RHMP4.JPG" width="248" /></a><br />
July 2010 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Milroy Statue erected in Milroy Park by the Jasper County Historical Society. The Civil War military career of General Milroy provided notoriety for Jasper County, and the Rensselaer Library houses a collection of items dating back to Milroy’s military career and life in the library’s Genealogy Room.<br />
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In keeping with the centennial anniversary of Milroy’s memorable contributions to our country, the Rensselaer Library is inviting the public to attend an Open House in his honor, held on Friday, July 2 from 1-3 pm in the library’s Genealogy Room, where selected items will be available for viewing and staff will be available to answer questions about Milroy, his life, and his military career.<br />
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Refreshments will be served. No registration is required, and all ages are welcome to attend. This Open House is held in conjunction with the Historical Society’s centennial celebration of the Milroy Statue on July 4 in Milroy Park. For more information, visit or call the Rensselaer Library at 866-5881.<br />
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To learn more about General Milroy online, visit the library's official <a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/Milroy/index.htm">Robert H. Milroy Collection</a> online, where you can view pictures and read his wartime correspondence.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-7997474885863409182010-06-23T14:24:00.000-05:002010-06-23T14:24:37.069-05:00Splashes of color - DeMotte Library Community GardenThree years ago, the DeMotte Library began growing a Community Garden, filling it with perennials that added color to the library’s landscape. After 3 years, it was time to extend and thin out the garden, and with the help of the Purdue Master Gardeners from the Jasper County Extension Office, the library’s Community Garden has been expanded outward and the design thinned out and arranged so that the beauty of each plant in the garden stands out in colorful array.<br />
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The DeMotte Library thanks each and every member of the Purdue Master Gardeners for their hard work and dedication to this project, and invites everyone in our community to view the finished project, which beautifies the library from the outside, but may be seen from within the library as well.<br />
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We’d like to once again thank each and every person who donated their time and energy to this project and invite flower lovers from our community to enjoy the splash of color created by our Community Garden.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-17013424559703395142010-06-14T18:16:00.000-05:002010-06-14T18:16:33.237-05:00Legal forms at the library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/dbs/legalforms_lg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/dbs/legalforms_lg.gif" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Did you know the State of Indiana has provided several easy-to-use forms for common legal needs including divorce, child support, small claims and appeals? These forms, available in the library's Research Resources collection, start with a web page that asks you a few basic questions and fills in the actual legal form based on your answers. You can then print this from home or at the library.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/dbs/indiana2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/dbs/indiana2.gif" /></a>The Indiana <strong>Self-Service Legal Center</strong>, part of the Indiana Judiciary, is not intended to replace an attorney or legal advice, and the library strongly recommends patrons read all the information on the website carefully.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Research Resources collection can be found two ways: the link on the front page of the library's website at <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">http://www.myjcpl.org/</a> and as a folder on the desktop of any public Internet computer at the library, as well as on the library catalog computers.</div><br />
If you're looking for other legal forms, from lease and rental agreements to living wills and more, be sure to look at our broader <strong>Legal Forms</strong> database, also available in our Research Resources collection.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-70020743591240565962010-05-25T19:44:00.000-05:002010-05-25T19:44:49.347-05:00Summer Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/images/ads/2010/05/summer_reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="171" src="http://www.jasperco.lib.in.us/images/ads/2010/05/summer_reading.gif" width="320" /></a></div>The heat wave this week is the surest sign that summer is finally here (though the anxious faces on the kids finishing their final weeks of school was another dead giveaway).<br />
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Summer reading signups are underway now for kids and teens at the Jasper County Public Library. Adult programs will be held this summer also.<br />
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Children can enjoy programs including a bubbleologist, a magician, the Silly Safaris crew and more. Teens will have gaming parties and food events. Adults have their own selection of programs including a local history presentation on the Grand Kankakee Marsh.<br />
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And though we know the reading itself is reward enough, there will be prizes to keep you motivated to keep turning those pages all summer long.<br />
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So this summer, "Make a Splash at Your Library," “Water Your Mind: Read,” and don’t miss the chance to “take a mental vacation” this summer by escaping into a good book! For more information, visit our <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/events/sumread">summer reading page</a> on our website at <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/">http://www.myjcpl.org/</a> or call your library at 987-2221 (DeMotte) 866-5881 (Rensselaer) or 956-3774 (Wheatfield).jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-79578947170488876902010-04-30T14:45:00.000-05:002010-04-30T14:45:14.075-05:00Yard Sales and Scavenger HuntsMay 1 is the town wide yard sale in Rensselaer, and most of the community will be out hitting the streets in search of a good deal.<br />
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Of course we know one of the best deals in the community are the free books, movies and services provided by the library, but you can rest assured we'll still be here when you're done shopping, or when you're ready for a break.<br />
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Tomorrow, we expect, will also introduce a new crowd to the library. Just for the fun of it, a group of local businesses have arranged a scavenger hunt to go on during the day. Proceeds will benefit local organizations including the Jasper County Animal Shelter and the Crisis Center.<br />
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Without giving anything away, we can say we are a stop on the scavenger hunt trail, and we hope to see you tomorrow. For more information about the hunt, look for signs in participating businesses, or check out the website at <a href="http://www.huntrensselaer.com/">http://www.huntrensselaer.com/</a>.<br />
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Good luck to all the teams hunting tomorrow, and for those doing their own special deal hunting.jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931143214198385076.post-53701008751507204022010-04-01T17:25:00.000-05:002010-04-01T17:25:28.852-05:00Happy April Fools Day<a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/kids" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://www.myjcpl.org/images/blogs/2010/04penguin.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Did you know penguins could fly? They can with the magic of the British Broadcasting Corporation and an expert team of skilled video technicians. If you visit the <a href="http://www.myjcpl.org/kids">JCPL Kids Zone</a> in April, you can find the video and read more about April Fools Day.<br />
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Did you know the BBC also once aired a video about the endangered Swiss spaghetti harvest, back in 1957? You can also see this interesting video clip via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ugSKW4-QQ">YouTube</a>.<br />
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Using television (and other means) to pull practical jokes on friends and the public at large is a tradition that may go back to our primal roots, when early cultures praised the actions of the clever human tricksters that braved the gods and brought us stories (Ananse - Africa), or fire (Prometheus - Greece), or light (Raven - Native American).<br />
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Most people know of someone who has been "gotten" by an April Fools Day prank, but those done in good humor and with a good heart are bound to provoke a laugh no matter how long ago they were pulled, and how ludicrous they might seem today.<br />
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For an interesting roundup of April Fools Day pranks, check out the <a href="http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/worstaprilfools.html">Museum of Hoaxes</a>, which has created a user-friendly list of the Top 100 April Fools Day Jokes.<br />
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May your spirits of jest always be in good cheer!jcplibhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12883102969402455205noreply@blogger.com