Big plans this fall in the Children's Library

Cheryl and Kari Dawn have big ideas for this fall's programs and events. For example, tune in next month for more information about a visit from Hawks Aloft, Oct 30.



Cheryl is looking for two 9-foot tall pine trees (hopefully the reusable kind that come in boxes).  If your tree set is missing a few branches, even better.  Please call before you dig it out of storage--we only have room for two.

This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the first printing of Harry Potter.  Back-to-school, Halloween, Fall, and Winter themes around the Children's Library may appear familiar to readers of JK Rowling's series.  I don't have photos yet to share of this work in progress, so please check back.

Speaking of Harry Potter, my sister tells me that if I explore Pottermore.com, eventually I will find Professor McGonagall's story!  This is Ms Rowling's official website.  Aside from finding a House and a wand, it can also be a social network.  The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) posted a blog last month about talking with your kids (or nieces, nephews, cousins, friends) about how to be safe online.  Here is their recent post about things to think about in teaching online safety.

Also in Universal Class:Education (GED or Home schooling)

Remember Daylight Savings Time begins next Sunday, March 10.  The clocks "spring" forward one hour.


  
Images from Universal Class

While the name Universal Class tries to express itself fully, today's blogpost digs into the school-age focused options, simply to clarify.  Some of the courses are designed to involve both parents and children or teachers and students, rather than ask kids to enroll and work online directly.  Some courses are targeted at older students or non-traditional students approaching the GED from many different levels of experience.

You are welcome to try any class; age is no object.  Whether your interest or need is for science, mathematics, grammar, history, or another language, I hope you find something useful.  This is not the complete list, by far; peruse other options here.

ABCs of Algebra
Algebra 101
Basic Math 101
ABCs of Geometry

ABCs of English Grammar
English Composition
Basic Research Skills
Essay Writing 101

ABCs of Physics
Biology 101
Astronomy 101
Chemistry 101

Geography 101
American Civil War 101
American Revolutionary War 101
American Government
American History Review
Ancient Civilizations 101
Economics 101
Economics 201

Computer Basics 101

ESL Basic Grammar
ESL Basic Writing Skills

First Grade Curriculum 101
Second Grade Curriculum 101
Third Grade Curriculum 101

GED Test Preparation

#7 Be loud at the library; meet a new book

One of a library's better known activities might be book discussion groups.  Ruidoso Public Library hosts one on the first Wednesday of each month (except in July, when the federal holiday pushes it to the second), at noon.  You are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch (one of the few exceptions to the no eating or drinking in the library rule).  Our library director, Corey Bard, and librarian, Sharon Stewart, join Sherry York and anyone interested in sharing a book or learning about novel novels (pun intended).

Book club meeting aboard GTMO Queen, by By Army Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I have heard of book clubs that meet at pubs, private homes, and through church groups.  If you are interested in creating a group, or need any help finding discussion guides or title suggestions, please ask us.  Book clubs have gone online, too.  Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ hangouts can bring together people who cannot leave their homes or have crazy schedules that only let you socialize asynchronously (i.e. 2 o'clock in the morning).  If you have not read a book in a while, maybe because you felt the stories were all the same, a book club can help you jump out of that rut.

The books discussed at the June meeting follow (click on the links to check local availability):
Seasons of grief and grace: A sister story of AIDS, triumph, and family by Susan Ford Wiltshire
Same sweet girls by Cassandra King
The tooth of time by Sue Henry
Images of America: Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs by Lyn Kidder
Delay, deny, hope they die by Bill Dement
My life as a Cambodian refugee: Escape to America by Tony M SaVaun
Erotic resolution: a Flint Rock novel by Glenn Smith
Texas Tango, same author
Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
El Sicario by Molly Molloy, Charles Bowden, and El Sicario
The Rope by Nevada Barr
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly
Dead end in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Hole in my life, same author
One second after by William R Fortschen

Ruidoso Public Library is closed Wednesday, July 4, for the federal holiday.  We are open Tuesday and Thursday, regular hours.

An online educational resource: TED talks (part 2)

If you haven't tried a TEDtalk yet, here's another hearty recommendation.

This one is Jeremy Gilley's history of starting a worldwide day of peace.  It is about 15 minutes long, inspiring, and bittersweet.  His peace day is coming up (every year) on September 21.




Join Andrea (of Common Ground) for a Peace Walk on September 21.

TED stands for Teaching, Education, and Design.  The speakers share insights into artwork, science, history, technology, economics, activism, teaching/pedagogy, and many more disciplines.

If you are interested in hosting a discussion club at the library with TEDtalks to initiate discussion, we would be happy to work with you.  Or, a TED group could be virtual!  Ruidoso Public Library (and this blog) could help you create a wiki, email group, or blog of your own, where anyone interested (or by invitation only) could suggest a TEDtalk to watch and then write your comments, observations, or questions online.  Virtual groups allow for the most flexibility in scheduling, save gas for driving to a meeting, and help people who can't get out feel involved.

Please email us (under the Contact Us tab on the homepage) or post your comments below if such a group appeals to you.  Thanks!