The Atrium

Local author Nancy Sanderson has created a wonderful treasure with her book, Copper Country Postcards: A View of the Past from the Keweenaw Peninsula. The book features almost 300 postcards from Sanderson's extensive personal collection. The book gives a glimpse of Copper Country in the first half of the twentieth century. A foreword by Peter Van Pelt gives a brief introduction to the region.

By the turn of the 20th century mines and mining towns were well established in Copper Country and many immigrants had settled in the area. The popularity of postcards boomed and captured many views of places, people and events. Many postcards were mailed to family and friends and others were kept in albums as mementos. Real photo postcards documented significant events of the era. Sanderson has included a brief history of the postcard and a helpful list of postcard publishers that printed views of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Sanderson grew up in Copper Country and has been a life member of the Keewenaw County Historical Society since the early 1980s. She has been active in the preservation of the area and in 2002 was awarded the Lauri W. Leskinen Memorial Award by the historical society for her role in developing a Commercial Fishing Museum located at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Museum.

Copper Country Postcards is a wonderful collection to be appreciated by postcard collectors or anyone interested in Upper Peninsula history. The full-size, full-color views are accurate reproductions of Sanderson's original postcards. The captions that the author has written for the cards give relevant background information to the views. Sanderson's generosity and commitment to the area is evident in the fact that the proceeds from the sale of the book will help fund preservation projects of the Keweenaw County Historical Society.

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What is this DDR? Dance Dance Revolution is a video game that can be played on different gaming systems such as Playstation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube. Arrows scroll up the television screen and players follow them on their dance pad to earn points. Sound easy enough? Right! If the player doesn't hit the corresponding arrow on their dance pad, they can drain their "dance gauge"! It's not so easy! Tournaments are held around the world, and it is great exercise (Norway has registered it as an official sport and some schools around the country use it as a physical education activity!) Want to learn more about DDR? Join us at Yankee Clipper branch on June 10 from 3-5:00 pm, when we host a Dance Dance Revolution program.

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When I picked up this book, I was looking for something light to read that involved characters that I could relate to-and I was not disappointed. In The Hot Flash Club, Nancy Thayer introduces the reader to four very diverse women ranging in age from fifty-two to sixty-two. The only things they have in common are a mutual acquaintance and the process of menopause. I found my self quickly drawn into the world of Faye, Alice, Shirley and Marilyn, characters who give the term "aging gracefully" a whole new meaning.

As the four women plunge into an unexpected relationship with each other, they explore many current women's issues with gentle humor, honesty, and nerve. Rather than viewing menopause as the end of childbearing years, Thayer suggests it is the launching point into late middle-age. Her characters are far too busy living their lives and following their dreams to focus on things that might hold them back, like arthritis, divorce, retirement and widowhood. Those topics are simply a part of their lives, not the main focus, and this positive approach works well within the framework of the story. While the story holds a lighter tone than works by authors such as Elizabeth Berg, it is an entertaining and positive look at women and aging, as well as being a gentle reminder that life is a journey, not a destination, and our perception of the process is vital to how much we enjoy the ride

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Plagiarism.org has some scary statistics posted on their website.

According to the Center for Academic Integrity 80% of college students have admitted to cheating at least once. The Psychological Record found that 36% of undergrads admitted to plagiarizing written work. And Education Week published a report stating that 54% of students admitted to plagiarizing from the internet.

So, what is a new author to do when she is accused of plagiarizing several passages from two separate and well known teen novels? Kaavya Viswanathan, author of the new book "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got A Life : A Novel" is under such scrutiny right now. She is accused of using slightly altered passages from Megan McCafferty's books "Sloppy firsts" and "Second helpings". Viswanathan has claimed that she read McCafferty's
books several times throughout high school and that she must have internalized these passages. She believed that the idea and words were her own and has been very apologetic stating how much she admired McCafferty.
Viswanathan is a Harvard student and was given a $500,000 advance for the book as well as a movie deal with Dreamworks. The author and her publisher, Little, Brown, have agreed to change the questionable passages
in the next printing. Other than that, no decisions have yet been made.

So what do you think?

Also checkout:
http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=512965
http://www.livepunjab.com/news/harvard_teenage_author_tenders_apology_for_piracy-22093.html
http://www.anorak.co.uk/news.cfm?id=169507

Posted by Martin at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Did you know that the first legos created were in 1932 in Denmark? And did you know they were wooden? The meaning of the word "lego" is "play well" or "I put together". The plastic molding for the toys was created in the late 1940's. By 1955, legos were being manufactured and sold in the organized set. The toys have become so large, the first LEGOLAND was opened in Denmark. There are now LEGOLANDs in California and Windsor. Does
anyone have a favorite set?

Don't forget to come to the library to share your LEGO creations. LEGO Mania will be at the Yankee Clipper branch on Saturday, May 13 at 3:00 and at the Main Library on Thursday, May 18 at 7:00.

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So you've been watching your diet and eating all the right foods in the hopes of keeping the weight off and your cholesterol down. You're walking every day, getting out in the fresh air, working those leg muscles. "But," you say, "that's not enough; I need more" (and more not being cardio bootcamp!). What could you do that is low impact, practiced by millions, and could improve your blood pressure while relieving symptoms of arthritis? Yoga, of course! It doesn't matter if you are over 50, can't cross your legs or don't know a word of Sanskrit. Yoga doesn't discriminate.

Mary Stewart, author of Yoga Over 50, has been teaching yoga for over 20 years (and is herself over 50). After a brief introduction about yoga and its history, there is a section on the healthy body and how it works. Then we dive into the meat of the book - yoga poses. All of the classics are here, such as Triangle, Warrior and Downward Facing Dog. Accompanying each pose is a brief description, which includes instructions on how to get into the pose and why it is beneficial to you. Step by step color photographs of each pose give an idea of what you are eventually aiming for (remember, the models in the book have been practicing yoga for years).

Through bringing together body, mind and spirit, we are shown how to relax and let our tensions dissolve. Photos and text illustrate the techniques of proper breathing, meditation and Savasana, or the relaxing Corpse pose. Beginner to advanced routines round out the book. There are also short programs for people who want to target specific problem areas of the body, such as stiff hips and backaches. According to statistics, over 19% of US yoga practitioners are over 50, so come on, join the fun!

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Award-winning poet Nikki Grimes gave a reading of her poetry on Thursday, April 20, including excerpts from her newest book Thanks a Million.

She read from What is Goodbye?, a collection of poems that alternate between a brother and sister dealing with the death of their older brother, Talkin' about Bessie : the story of aviator Bessie Coleman, Dark Sons, a 2006 Coretta Scott King author honor book, and Tai chi morning : snapshots of China, in which we learned how "poetry opens windows to other cultures."

She signed autograghs and talked with attendees after the event.

Some people left with lots of goodies!

For more information on Grimes and her poetry, visit her website.

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Today marks the 36th anniversary of Earth Day. Each year on April 22nd, people around the world work to increase public awareness off environmental issues. Here are a few local resources to help you do you part in preserving this wonderful world of ours:

• Before you pour that paint thinner down the drain, consider taking it to Kent County's Hazardous Waste Program
• Help keep recyclable items out of landfills by signing up for the city's Free Curbside Recycling Program for Grand Rapids Residents
• Consider joining GRfreecycle, it is a place for people in the Grand Rapids area to help keep usable items out of landfills by finding new homes for loved but not necessary things.

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Now that the skies are clearing do you ever get the itch to go out and look at the stars? Below you will find a few sites that might help in your celestial wanderings. Happy Stargazing!

• Interactive Sky Chart by the magazine Sky and Telescope. Click on "View Sky Chart" and it will bring up all of the positions of the stars and planets for tonight. You can also switch the hours and days to see where the stars and planets will be at different times.
• Clear Sky Clock by Environment Canada for the city of Grand Rapids. Essentially it will tell you if the sky is clear enough to go stargazing.
• The Robert B. Chaffee Planetarium at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. A good place to go to help you learn the different constellations and locations of the planets.
• The Image gallery from NASA, has great shots from the Hubble telescope and different planetary missions, just to name a few!
• Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association Our cities very own club of astronomical enthuiasts.

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Back in 1850, there were only 17 African Americans living in Grand Rapids, according to the census. This small community grew as the black population migrated from the East and the South. They formed Michigan's First Colored Infantry, in 1864, to fight in the Civil War, and then found upward mobility working for the lumber industry, the Pere Marquette Railroad Company, and the Pantlind Hotel (now the Amway Grand Plaza). They started churches, women's clubs, newspapers, and the first "Colored Athletics" team.

Through archival photos, newspaper clippings, and lots of research, Randal Jelks, director of African and African Diaspora studies at Calvin College, has chronicled their history in his new book, African Americans in the Furniture City. Yesterday, Jelks talked about his research on the black community.

Afterward, audience members had a chance to buy the book.

They took the opportunity to chat with the author

and get their copy signed.

Posted by Katy at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 2006 Pulitzer Prizes for Letters, Drama and Music were announced yesterday. Below you will find the winners in each of the categories for Letters, Drama and Music.

• The award for Fiction went to March by Geraldine Brooks
• The award for History went to Polio: An American Story by David M. Oshinsky
• The award for Biography went to American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
• The award for Poetry went to Late Wife by Claudia Emerson
• The award for Music went to Piano Concerto: 'Chiavi in Mano' by Yehudi Wyner

Posted by Martin at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When you want to find information on the Internet, it's as easy as going to your favorite search engine, like Google and typing in what you wish to know. Sometimes we want an article on science but not science fiction. For such searches all you really need is some basic knowledge of search engine math. The word "math" might cause you a little bit of terror, but it can really help you be specific when searching for information.

Sometimes you want a search engine to locate all of the words you have entered. In that case, use the addition symbol (+) between the words. For example, you wanted to find information on science fiction. Typing in science +fiction will ensure that you only get articles and web sites on science fiction because only results with both words will be listed.

Other times you want a search engine to locate a topic but you definitely do not want certain aspects of that topic. In that case, use the subtraction symbol (-) between the words. In this example you're looking for articles on recipes without chicken. Typing in recipes -chicken will ensure that you only get recipes that have no chicken in them.

Specific phrases can also be searched for on a search engine. You're going on vacation and need to know about Yosemite camping reservations. By searching using quotations (“”), you can specifically look only for articles and web sites about camping reservations at Yosemite National Park. Doing a search for "yosemite camping reservations", your results will only feature articles and web sites featuring that phrase exactly in that order.

The above tips will assist about 90% of Internet searchers. They help limit the searches to only give you the results you are looking for. Search engine math will always help you be on the top of your Internet search game. All search engines sites have a help or Advanced Search section on their website to help you perform these searches and many more.

Happy Searching!

Posted by Kolene at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fellow procrastinators, take note! Saturday is April 15, and we all know what that special day means to Americans. But this year the IRS has given us a special Easter gift and extended the tax filing deadline to Monday, April 17. So grab a pencil, your W-2s, and stop by the library to pick up your tax forms today. Or simply visit our tax links page to download your forms from home.

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Recently, there has been much ado about some teen books being too racey for the age group. Oprah did a show about "stupid girls". Many good points were viewed. However, some of these racey titles were mentioned as damaging to teens self-esteem and values. An article by Naomi Wolf in the New York Times recently started this onslaught.

So, are books like the Gossip Girl, The clique, and The A-list really a bad influence for the teens they are intended?

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Take one microphone, twelve poets, and three judges, and one MC, stir gently, and what is the result? Grand Rapids Public Library's first Poetry Slam!, As part of the month-long National Poetry Month Celebration on Tuesday, April 11th, 34 people gathered at the Main library to read, hear, and judge poetry. Under the direction of veteran Slam Master Greg Bliss, twelve poets read their work, three judges awarded scores after each poem, scores were tallied, and the poet who won first prize, Laura Yahya, received a $50.00 gift certificate from Schuler Books and Music. Runners up Allie Merrick, Ivan Jenson, and Della Wilson received hardcover copies of current bestsellers.

Many in the crowd, both poets and audience members, hoped that the Library could sponsor Poetry Slams on a regular basis. Let us know what you think by posting a comment. For more information about National Poetry Month events at the Library, call
988-5400.

Check out Laura Yahya's poem, "Standing Out in a Crowd" in the link below

Standing out in a crowd
I am attracted to those LOUD
Words of knowledge written across your face
OBVIOUSLY A man of taste

Are you feeling me?
Because I am definitely feeling you
In any case, wanting to

Talk to me
Tell me
Is that how you look at everyone?
Or is that sparkle in your eye just for me?
Maybe not destiny
But ooh, I'd like it to be
Mentally, we must connect on that level of intimacy

But as of right now, I surrender whatever ill thoughts I have as I get caught up in a NEW rapture
You capture that part of me
That not every one gets to see;
My ATTENTION
Full submission
As I listen
To the ideas glisten
I'll be yours on one condition
That my suspicion of this superstition
Won't cause a collision of the competition as we break
For an intermission
I give you permission
To wrap me in your ecstasy
From that moment on, you mesmerized me; Hypnotized me, Rejuvenized me

So walk with me
Talk with me
Let me get to know you?
So that I can show you
How to get to know me

Posted by Martin at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In the upcoming months, you might notice that things are out of sorts. It's okay, we are just rearranging things so they are easier to find! Right now we are starting with the compact disc collection and moving through it one section at a time. Currently our World and Folk music sections are being reclassified. By the end of the whole project we should have the comapct disc, fiction, biography and graphic novel areas reclassified. We hope this will make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. To see what the changes might look like you can browse the file below to compare and contrast how things are now and what they will be like in a little while.

Call Number Changes

Posted by Martin at 08:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

"Webmail" is a website that allows users to read and write e-mail. No software is required, besides an Internet browser. E-mail is stored remotely on the webmail host's server, so it can be accessed from any computer in the world. To get started with your own e-mail account, follow the instructions on the webmail website's sign up page to create a new account.

Some of the most popular webmail sites are:

• Gmail
  
• Yahoo Mail
  
• Hotmail

The last step is very important: When you are done using your email, you should use the Sign out or Logout button on the webmail's website, to log out of your email account. This is extremely important on shared PCs, like those in the library. If you do not log out of the website, and the browser (Firefox) is never closed, (regardless of if your Internet Session ends) the next patron to use the computer will be able to access your email account.

Posted by Kolene at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tattoos at the library? Teens and Moms used a henna mixture in plastic bags to design temporary tattoos. Some drew their designs first. Some brought the neighbor from down the street and had to get their Mom who had been a tattoo artist to draw the designs from our books. We listened to Bollywood music played by a string quartet and had a good spring break spending time together and creating.

Posted by Martin at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Every so often I feel compelled to suggest a book solely for it's merits and not because of it's relation to another topic or interest. The book A Stronger Kinship by Anna-Lisa Cox is just such a one. The author is a historian at the Newberry Library in Chicago.

A true story set in the town of Covert Michigan during the latter half of the nineteenth century it tells the tale of one towns unique population. Building on the lives of runaway slaves, freed blacks, aboltionist New Englanders the reader encounters a group of people who felt that one was equal regardless of color. The population of Covert was integrated at a time when America was not. What is remarkable is that to this day this community has stayed true to the original conviction of the pioneer generation. It conveys the sense that intentional community is not always impossible, and that ones morals can be lived out in ordinary life.

Posted by Martin at 07:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How cool is this! While reading the news today I came across this article about a 375 million year old fossil found in the Arctic of Canada. Basically this fossil might be the bridge between aquatic and land animals. It's limbs are a cross between fins and legs. So look to your left and you might be looking at a family member. In the meantime you might want to look at this book entitled A Fish caught in time: the search for the coelacanth by Samantha Weinberg. It is about another supposed missing link, and a very good read. The Ann Arbor District Library almost had it for their One Book, One Community last year.

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These farm animals may grow to be large and oafish, but in the spring their fur is downy and their muzzles are fuzzy. Just the right height for petting or feeding, especially if you are a small person.

Posted by Katy at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Learning the ancient art of paper folding is tricky. Complicated folds, such as the "hamburger fold" or the "fold it like a hat" fold, might take a person days to successfully execute, possibly even weeks, on their own. But with the instruction of Youth Librarian Deb Hoskins and a few fancy origami books, these frogs, made by Abigal, 9, and her brother Ethan, 7, were finished in 15 minutes flat.

Sadie, 6, and her sister Olivia, 8, show off their boats They later advanced to butterflies And frogs Erin and Tishana puzzled over their butterflies As did Tess, 10

The origami program will also run Wednesday, April 5, at the Madison branch, Thursday, April 6, at Ottawa Hills, Friday, April 7, at West Side, and Saturday, April 8, at West Leonard. Check out the schedule for times and details.

Posted by Katy at 02:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Wondering what your neighbors are reading? The following titles are the top ten titles on hold for GRPL patrons as of April 3rd. Half the list has changed since March! Jodi Picoult's novel Tenth Circle jumped to 3rd place. At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks and The House by Danielle Steel jumped to the 8th and 9th spots. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt has crept back onto the list in the 10th spot. Happy Reading!

The 5th horseman / a novel by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
S is for silence by Sue Grafton
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
Marley and Me by John Grogan
Mary, Mary : a novel by James Patterson
The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
The House by Danielle Steel
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt

Posted by Martin at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Join Jo Murphy, Program Development Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, as she explains the variety of changes and rules in the federal government.s new Medicare Prescription Drug program. Ms. Murphy is also an instructor for Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) and a Medicare Specialist Counselor. Ms. Murphy will explain many of the programs details and also take your questions. The program is on Tuesday April 4th at 2:00 PM here at the Main Library. For more information, please call 988-5400.

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The Grand Rapids Public Library offers free computer classes to everyone on a variety of topics and skill levels.

If you have none or little experience with using the Internet, start by taking the Basic Internet class. This class will teach you the fundament elements of the Internet and how to get started using this valuable resource. Seniors Internet is specifically designed for our senior patrons.

Introduction to Computers is designed to teach the basics of computer software and hardware. Anyone needing a basic understanding of how a computer works should take this class.

We also teach the basics of using Writer, OpenOffice's word processing software that is installed on GRPL's public computers. Sign up for Word Processing: Writer if you are interested in taking this class.

Need help researching your ancesters? Try Genealogy Internet for Beginners (parts I and II), Heritage Quest, or Ancestry Library Edition/Ancestry.com classes.

We're adding new classes all the time, so check the schdule to keep up to date. To check the schedule and sign up for classes, visit http://www.grpl.org/itrain

Posted by Kolene at 07:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On NPR's website yesterday Nancy Pearl, a librarian from Seattle, was featured with her list of her favorite first books, or debut novels. For those who don't know it, Nancy Pearl was also the inspiration for the Librarian Action Figure The full list of her picks is below

• The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead
• Lost by Hans-Ulrich Treichel
• Banvard's Folly by Paul Collins
• Whores on the Hill by Colleen Curran
• Zarafa by Michael Allin
• Spilling Clarence by Anne Ursu
• In the Fall by Jeffrey Lent
• Ross And Tom by John Leggett

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