Tidbits, Tips, & Tidings

Learning from Argo

Posted by Beth on May 22, 2013

We have been happy to begin a new partnership with the Kimberly Senior Citizens to show a monthly Mid-Week Matinee at the Kimberly Library. We started with The Life of Pi, then Lincoln, and this month it will be Argo. Many of the movies we show are either based on a book or have historical ties where we can take a step back in time and learn from our history.

Argo is one of those opportunities to take a look at where we've been and to learn from the historical context of the story. With that in mind, I decided to put together a brief bibliography of library resources for people who would like to learn more about the topic of the Iran hostage crisis. Take a look at the titles below and learn more about the story surrounding this Academy Award winning film.

ArgoBibliography of Related Materials for Argo

Mendez, Antonio J., and Matt Baglio. Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History. New York: Viking, 2012.

Wright, Robert A. Our Man in Tehran: The True Story Behind the Secret Mission to Save Six Americans During the Iran Hostage Crisis and the Foreign Ambassador Who Worked with the CIA to Bring Them Home. New York: Other Press, 2011.

Slavin, Barbara. Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies: Iran, the U.S., and the Twisted Path to Confrontation. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2007.

Farber, David R. Taken Hostage: The Iran Hostage Crisis and America's First Encounter with Radical Islam. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2005.

Harris, David. The Crisis: The President, the Prophet, and the Shah-- 1979 and the Coming of Militant Islam. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2004.

Sick, Gary. October Surprise: America's Hostages in Iran and the Election of Ronald Reagan. New York: Times Books, 1991.

Jordan, Hamilton. Crisis: The Last Year of the Carter Presidency. New York: Putnam, 1982.

Moody, Sidney C. 444 Days: The American Hostage Story. New York: Rutledge Press, 1981.

Stempel, John D. Inside the Iranian Revolution. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981.

How Fiction Can Change Reality

Posted by Beth on Apr 11, 2013

Friend and stellar librarian, Elizabeth Timmins, from the Muehl Public Library in Seymour recently shared a link with me of a video on TEDEd that I loved and want to share here with you. The brief video, How Fiction Can Change Reality, asks you to consider how fictional experiences might change your perspective on everyday life. Reading can be an escape from real life and can lead us into other worlds we could have never dreamed of, but reading also captures our thoughts and dreams in a way that can change how we feel about current events and issues.

Watch the video and consider the question it poses. Has reading a work of fiction changed your perspective on a situation in your life?

Community Support is Appreciated

Posted by Beth on Mar 26, 2013

Each year, as we prepare for the Summer Reading Program, we invite community businesses and civic groups to make a donation to support the program. The funds received help pay for the fabulous performers who fill our program days in the middle of each week, purchase books & grand prizes given as incentives for children who are reaching their weekly reading goals, and other expenses to support the costs of the program.

Without the support of the community, our Summer Reading Program would simply not be possible. Contributing organizations have our profuse thanks for continuing their support of reading, literacy, and lifelong learning. We're off to a good start this year with donations slowing accumulating. At the time of this writing, we have received contributions from the following agencies:

  • American Legion Jacob Coppus Post No. 258
  • BLC Community Bank
  • Kimberly Area Soccer Association
  • Kiwanis Club of Little Chute
  • TOPS WI 727 Kimberly
  • TOPS WI 875 Kimberly

In-kind donations have also been received from:

  • Kimberly Parks & Rec
  • The Learning Shop
  • Little Chute Parks & Rec
  • Village Limits Supper Club
  • Alexis Ludewig

THANK YOU!! to all of our supporters. We are grateful, and we look forward to another exciting summer!

The Future of Libraries

Posted by Beth on Mar 07, 2013

technology at the libraryFriend and colleague, Judy Stangel, shared a link to a great graphic sharing "The Future of Libraries" with me today. It does a great job of sharing some pretty amazing data about libraries in a graphical, easy to understand format. Some of the tidbits in the graphic include:

  • There are more than 121,000 libraries in the U.S.
  • 69% of Americans currently use public libraries.
  • 67% of libraries offered downloadable e-books in 2011, compared to 38% in 2007. (Our library's use of ebooks has increased an average of 200% in 2012 from just the year before!)

Check out the The Future of Libraries and share your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think the future holds for libraries? How can your library better respond to your needs and the needs of your community?

Employment Opportunity

Posted by Beth on Mar 01, 2013

Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library seeks a service-oriented person with excellent communication skills to assist with the summer library program and other projects related to youth services at the library. Responsibilities for this position include assisting with the preparation of programs and services for children and teens, assisting patrons with registration for the summer library program, participating in the creation of podcasts and vodcasts promoting youth services, posting bulletin boards, checking materials in and out, assisting patrons with computer needs, and shelving materials.

Qualifications: A high school diploma and knowledge of computers, word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic information resources including the Internet. Experience working with children or working in a public or school library setting is desired. All employees of the library must reside within 10 miles of the Kimberly Municipal Complex at 515 W. Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly, Wisconsin. Compensation: $9.69 per hour (35 hours per week). This is a part-time, seasonal position available during the summer months only – perfect for a college student home for summer break.

Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library serves the villages of Kimberly and Little Chute, Wisconsin, nestled in the Fox Valley. Our enthusiastic, hard-working staff seeks to provide the best service possible while having fun in the process. The Library is a member of the Outagamie Waupaca Library System and participates in the shared online catalog, InfoSoup. The Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library is an equal-opportunity employer.

All applications must be made online from the Village of Kimberly website. Deadline to apply: March 15, 2013.

Help for the Homeless

Posted by Beth on Mar 01, 2013

For the 4th year in a row, Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library is participating in a drive to collect new hygiene items for Help for the Homeless. And to inspire you to donate to this worthy cause, we are offering a Fines Amnesty period for the length of the drive, February 22-March 17, 2013. Receive $1 off your library fines for every item you donate to Help for the Homeless during this period. (Your donation is not applicable toward fees for damaged or lost materials or bills.) All donations go to support agencies working with the homeless in the Fox Cities. Here's an example of how your donations can change lives:

"Our clientele often have been couch hopping and/or have not had a stable place of their own for quite some time. The support we get through this drive allows us to offer our residents and their children the items they need, like diapers, wipes, toothbrushes and shampoo. These simple provisions, that we often take for granted, allow us to help our residents reach larger goals like employment, education and parenting. 'When I came to the House of Hope, I had nothing but the clothes on my back. I was immediately provided the hygiene products I needed and I really appreciated how comfortable it made me feel to know I didn’t have to worry about these things and I had everything I needed.”
From a House of Hope Program Resident -Carrie Schatzman, House of Hope Program Manager

Most urgent needs include:Help for the Homeless helpers

  • Soaps: Laundry, Dish, Bar, Soft, Shower Gel, Shampoo
  • Diapers (sizes 3- and Pull-Ups)
  • Deodorant (unscented)
  • Wet Wipes for babies
  • Toilet Paper
  • Toothbrushes & toothpaste
  • Paper Towels
  • Disposable Razors
  • Tampons

Even if you don't need to take advantage of the Fines Amnesty period, please consider bringing your donation to Help for the Homeless to the library today. Donation boxes are placed at the entries to both library locations. Thanks in advance for supporting those in need in your community!

Overdrive eReading Improvements

Posted by Beth on Mar 01, 2013

Are you using OverDrive to borrow free ebooks and audiobooks from the library? The Overdrive-powered Wisconsin Digial Library has recently been revamped to make borrowing and reading even easier. View the brief video below to get a snapshot of some of the new features.

If you have any questions about how to download free ebooks or audiobooks from the Overdrive collection, please don't hesitate to contact us or bring or device in to the library for assistance. We're happy to help!