Family Holiday Project

Are you looking for something to fill those hours tomorrow between rounds at the food table? Or maybe you're planning to skip the Black Friday rush and just stay home, but you're not sure what to do instead of shopping.

Here's an idea that's guaranteed to build a little holiday spirit for you and your loved ones:

The DeMotte Library's Gingerbread House Contest is just around the corner and the library is inviting anyone interested to create a gingerbread house and enter it for judging. The library will be accepting donated houses anytime between December 3-5. The houses will go on display December 7-12, during which time patrons will be able to vote for their favorites by placing money into the associated jars. An auction of the houses will follow on the 14th.

Check out our contest page to see more information, as well as some JCPL books about gingerbread decorating. Put on your most creative hats and have fun. Whatever you come up with, we hope you find a bit of peace on earth and goodwill towards mankind in the process.

Five things we learned from books this month

Everyone is always surprised when they find out working in a library is not about reading books all day. In fact, because we do love books, most of us usually regret not having more time to read in our busy lives. So when we get a few minutes to sit down and relax with the written word, it's time to celebrate!

Here is a roundup of some things JCPL staff learned from books this month:

“I learned that a pigeon is in the dove family.” National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds
PW @ R

“There are lots of things to do and places to go after you think everything is closed.” Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
EB @ D

“The drunkest city in the United States is Denver, Colorado. In fact, this book is full of crazy facts.” Don’t Go There: the Travel Detective’s Essential Guide to the Must Miss Places of the World by Peter Greenberg
JJ @ R

“Toward the end of Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, Greg said that he is convinced that Osama Bin Laden is no longer living. He has seen no evidence while he has been in Pakistan and Afghanistan, to make him think that Bin Laden is still alive. This was from the 2007 edition of the book. I found that to be very interesting.”
DK @ W

“There has been a serial killer on the loose in Juarez, Mexico for 17 years.” Daughters of Juarez by Theresa Rodriguez
ED @ R

DeMotte Library to close For Town And Country Day

The DeMotte Library will be closed on Saturday, August 8 for the Town and Country Day festival in DeMotte.

The library’s lobby and restrooms will be open to the public from 8-4 that day. For more information, visit or call the DeMotte Library at 987-2221.

Movies at the Library

Did you know the Library doesn't just provide movies on DVD and VHS for you to check out, but that we also show movies throughout the year?

Wheatfield and DeMotte Library both offer monthly movie programs during the day aimed at seniors and adults.

Rensselaer offers an evening movie program on the second Tuesday of the month with titles that appeal to a variety of ages.

Other movies are offered from time to time during reading programs or just as special treats. Rensselaer Library also shows movies on the lawn, where friends and family can spread a blanket or bring chairs and have an old-time outdoor experience.

Stop in at your library and ask about upcoming titles, or check out what's going on at www.myjcpl.org/events

North End Yearbooks Wanted!

The Jasper County Public Library houses local high school yearbooks in our collection for public reference. Can you help us complete our collection?

The DeMotte Library is seeking yearbook donations of the Kankakee Valley High School years 1973, 1976, 1977, 1986, 1993, 1996, 1998 and 1999, as well as any other yearbook donations.

The Wheatfield Library is seeking Kankakee Valley High School yearbooks 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Keen Keener High School yearbooks prior to 1941, and the years 1942 and 1952, as well as Wheatfield High School yearbooks prior to 1951 and any yearbooks from Tefft High School with the exception of the years 1962 and 1964.

For more information, please contact the DeMotte Library, 987-2221, or the Wheatfield Library, 956-3774.

Summer Reading still going strong

There have been some great programs this year for the kids and teens summer reading at the libraries. You can see some of the photos from these events online at our Flickr site. You can also see the video we took today of the RCHS Color Guard performing at the Rensselaer Library.



Summer reading is more than a relaxing pastime here at the library. We encourage you to sign up today and get involved in our full-contact sport of reading!

JCPL on Facebook

Are you a fan of Facebook? If so, then be sure to check out the Jasper County Public Library's Facebook page. This is the latest step the library is taking to meet our users where they hang out online and to use the services you use to let you know about our upcoming events and services.

To find the Library’s Facebook page, just login to Facebook and type “Jasper County Public Library” in the search box. You can become a fan, leave a comment, or just check out library information posted just for you. We’ll see you there!

For more information, visit or call the Rensselaer Library, 866-5881, the DeMotte Library, 987-2221, or the Wheatfield Library, 956-3774.

To look at some of the other places you can find JCPL online, check out the handy list to the right on this blog titled "JCPL Elsewhere Online."

Spring has finally Sprung at JCPL

If you were able to get out this weekend, you might have noticed the season actually changing before your eyes! On Saturday, the leaves on the trees were kind of timid and hesitant, but by Sunday they had opened up and let down their shade with all the glory they know how to do.

It is also spring at JCPL, and we are celebrating with programs such as Garden Recycling, May 7 at the DeMotte Library and Herb Gardening, May 18 at the Rensselaer Library.

Another sign that Spring is finally upon us can be found at JCPL this month with the beginning preparations for Summer Reading. Check at your local library for sign up and program information. The theme this year for adults and children is Be Creative and teens can Express Yourself @ Your Library.

In May we will also be celebrating Children's Book Week with a week-long series of programs and events at all three libraries.

Here's hoping you a wonderful month!

Literacy at Your Library

Did you know the Jasper County Public Library has a Literacy Committee?

Did you know that as part of our mission to "Inform, Enrich and Empower" our diverse community, the library purchases items each year to promote literacy for all ages, from pre-readers to life-long learners?

Some of our recent and annual purchases have included:

• English as a Second Language materials
• Spanish language materials
• Hooked on Phonics
• Leap Pad and Leapster units and books
• Study guides for GED, Praxis and more
• Career Planning and Development Guides
• High-Interest Low-Skill (Hi-Low) books for developing reading skills in teens and adults
• Great Courses (college-level courses on DVD and CD)

We also recently added a bi-lingual computer at DeMotte devoted to educational games and concepts for preschool through later elementary school learners. This project was supported by the Institute of Museums and library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library.

Each year we invite teachers, home school parents, adult literacy workers and other groups to communicate their needs to us. If there are items or programs that you feel could benefit your particular educational needs, we are open to suggestions from the community.

We hope you enjoy the efforts we make to help all the learners of the JCPL community.

Honoring our Veterans

Nov. 11 is Veterans' Day and while many businesses will close for this Federal holiday, the Jasper County Libraries will be open to serve you during normal hours. Additionally, for the entire month of November, the DeMotte Library staff has decorated with a theme honoring our local veterans.

There are donated displays of a footlocker, uniform, and battlefield items. Come and browse hundreds of stars with the names of local veterans around the library, soldier flags made by the residents of Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village, and see the yellow-ribbon decked Heroes Tree, part of a national movement, organized locally through Purdue University's Military Family Research Institute, to recognize those serving in the military at the holidays.

Also, library staff have selected information about the various wars the United States has been involved in dating back to the Spanish-American War, and you can find the information on display at the library tables to read. Through the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, there are also resource kits teachers and parents can download online to use on this important holiday.

Originally a tribute to the end of World War I, Veterans' Day is a federal holiday observed on November 11 honoring all wartime American servicemen and women. First called Armistice Day when it began in 1919, the day was renamed Veterans' Day in 1954 to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War II and Korea.

For those wanting to send holiday wishes to those currently serving, check out Lt. Governor Becky Skillman’s "Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes" letter-writing campaign. This program collects letters and cards which must be received at the Lt. Governor’s office by November 17th.

For more on Indiana's role in World War I, check out the Indiana War Memorial online, and the Indiana State Library's WWI Resource List. The Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs website also provides information about the many services available to veterans in the state of Indiana.

Vegetarians and Vampires

For those who have been following the tremendously popular Twilight series, the notion of "Vegetarian Vampires" will not be new.

This month, as part of Monster Month and in preparation for the release of the Twilight movie in November, the Indiana Blood Center will be holding a blood drive at the Rensselaer Library on Saturday, Oct. 25 from noon-4 p.m.

If you are able to donate, and meet the eligibility requirements for donating, we would love to see you there. (Ask any Twilighter, Carlisle Would Approve.) Donors can ask for a special Twilight-themed button to mark their donation.

Coincidentally, the month of October is also Vegetarian Awareness Month, and the USDA is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control to promote vegetable-rich diets as an option for controlling obesity and heart disease.

Stop by your library today and check out our many vegetarian and vegan cookbooks. Learn a new recipe your whole family will fall in love with.

Green community

Being environmentally friendly isn't just the right thing to do, but it can also save your business money.

That was the message last night at the Rensselaer Library. As part of the Going Green Initiative that continues at the library next month, students from Mike Feagans' Marketing 2 class at RCHS talked about the Footprint Program hosted by the Greater Rensselaer Chamber of Commerce.

The students will be talking to the Rensselaer Rotary next week and visiting area businesses soon to talk more about this program, which recognizes businesses for going green and gives simple steps to become a business with a smaller environmental footprint.

Most of the changes are simple for businesses to make, said chamber representative Tracy Mark.

"Some businesses can't turn off all their computers at night, because they may be on a network, but just turning off the monitors and printers can make a difference."

Using rechargeable batteries, energy saver light bulbs and filtered water rather than bottled water are some of the basic steps. Another step Feagans encourages his students to adopt is to buy a reusable coffee mug instead of using paper or plastic cups.

"One of these you can use over and over again forever," said Cody Lintner, one of the students who spoke about the program.

Feagans said 16 businesses have already joined the program, pledging to make a commitment to become a greener business.

For more about the Footprint program, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (219) 866-8223.

Also be sure to check out the last installment of the Going Green Initiative on October 28: “Recycling 101…the Basics.”

JCPL around the world

Time is running out on our 2008 Summer Photo contest. The rules are simple, take a photo of you using a JCPL item anywhere in the world this summer and you are entered in a drawing for prizes.

We have some great entries, but would love to see more. Prizes will be given out for photo taken farthest away and for most creative photo.

Show us what you can do!

Check out our contest rules.

Check out our flickr page

See where the entries came in from on our contest Google Map.

Butterflies at the Library

In honor of this year's summer reading theme, "Catch the Reading Bug," our branches became involved with butterfly gardens over the summer. A particular joy for the Rensselaer branch was the seven caterpillars we received from a local parsley patch and nurtured in July until they emerged today as Black Swallowtail butterflies.

We're very excited about our new and hungry babies, as with all the insects we have been able to watch and share their tender days with.


We invite you to stop in and check them out before they are gone, out to finish their days in the summer sun!

The ever present TV / computer

When putting together our webpage about Turn off Your Television Week, I came across a social group whose mission is to get people to turn off their televisions every week. Their quizzes about media and television addiction are included on our page.

For someone like myself who is a media addict (mostly computer, very little tv), some of the questions are almost laughable: do you have a tv in your bedroom (uh.. who doesn't?), can you tell time by what tv show is on (um.. yeah, giggle.) But others are kind of not so funny: do you watch tv/spend time on a computer more than you talk to your family? (um.. heh.)

It's really easy to get carried away in our hobbies, especially when they seem more compelling than other, boring things. I know most of the people I hang out with online say this is their socially interactive alternative to just watching TV. Is it better? Perhaps. Is it still keeping us indoors, breathing stale lint bunnies instead of fresh prairie air? Yeah.

The staff at the Jasper County Library has made an effort again this year to bring you a week of quality family events you can do instead of hang out around the flickering screen. Whether you choose to spend this week with us or doing something else exciting in the wonderful weather, we hope you spend it well.

Even just one week of vacation away from our social addictions can give us a new look on things.

The JCPL-Hollywood Connection

Three of our library people were among the crowds who went to Crown Point this past week to see Johnny Depp working on the new Michael Mann picture Public Enemies, and to shake his hand!!!

The movie is about John Dillinger's nation-wide crime wave in the early 1930’s and stars Depp as Dillinger. The Indiana portion will include scenes shot at the Crown Point jail from which Dillinger famously escaped. (Although the East Chicago bank where Dillinger shot an officer during a robbery is now a Walgreens store, according to the Post-Tribune.)

Other films shot on location in Indiana in recent years include Rain Man, Hoosiers, A League of Their Own and The Insider. The Filmed in Indiana page from the FILM Indiana website lists many other movies shot in Indiana. FILM Indiana also provides information about film festivals around the state as well as job opportunities on upcoming movie shoots.

Emily, Rayann and Angela, who work at the Rensselaer Library, drove up after work one evening to get a glimpse of the popular actor.

"He seemed to really appreciate his fans," said Angela, who noted he made a point of rolling down his window and waving as his car went by the spectators. At one point, she and Rayann were about two to three feet from the star.

Emily and her daughter found themselves in exactly the right place when Johnny made his way along the barricade to meet the fans.

"He took my hand, then he looked up to see whose hand he had," she said with a huge grin, remembering the moment. "I said, 'Hi Johnny.'"

This post is in no way related to or inspired by the life-sized cut-out the office still has of Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.

New Look for Community Connection!

This month we are unveiling a new look for our Community Connection newsletter.

The newsletter, available each month at your local library or at various places in your community, gives an overview of programs and highlights for the upcoming month.

In it you will find programs for adults, teens and kids; features about programs and services the library offers; new books and materials and more.

You can also read or print out your own copy, and you can find it each month in the Featured Links on the front page of our website. Feel free to look through our archived issues as well.

We hope you find something new to enjoy about your library.

DM Library Silent Book Auction

The Friends of the DeMotte Library is offering book lovers the opportunity to name their price on several collectible titles during a Silent Auction throughout the month of March.

A variety of books, old and new, children and adult, are available through this silent auction, and are on display in a glass case near the library’s circulation desk.

Some items to be auctioned off include a 100th Anniversary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Souvenir Program & Magazine along with two circus posters, the Civil War Era by James M. McPherson, an Elizabeth Taylor Collection of books and videos, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and many other titles.

A booklet listing items is located on the display case that holds the materials to be auctioned off. Items may be bid on more than once, and bids may be checked during the auction for current prices. The winning bidders will be notified at the end of the auction.

For more information, visit or call the DeMotte Library at 987-2221.