Book Signing at the Library

Author Visit at the Turner Library
December 15th and 16th
1-2 pm











Ron Laing, Photographer and Author of An African Adventure:
The Story of a Photographer's Visit to Kenya's Maasai Mara

December 15th and 16th 1-2 pm

Come meet Ron Laing and see his beautiful book and learn about An African Adventure: The Story of a Photographer's Visit to Kenya's Maasai Mara.

Ron will be selling autographed copies of his book ($19.95) and notecards ($9.95). All funds raised will be used to purchase school uniforms for the Maasai children in Kenya's bushland.

Magazines

In the Howard & Espa Michaud Reading Room you'll find a great selection of magazines and newspapers. All of our magazines can be checked out for 7 days (even the current issue). Just think of the money you'll save by reading library magazines. If you went to the store and purchased three magazines it might cost you anywhere between $9-$15. So why limit yourself to just three magazines when you can read all the magazines in the library for free. The money you'll save over an entire year will surprise you.

A partial list of magazine titles:
Echoes
People
Forbes
Time
Cooking Light
Harper's Magazine
Atlantic
Gourmet
O The Oprah Magazine

National Geographic
Sports Illustrated
Harvard Business Review
Smithsonian
Popular Mechanics
Consumer Reports
Good Housekeeping
Christianity Today


The December '07 issue of O has a story about the Camel Library, a camel bookmobile where traveling librarians deliver books to people in remote areas of Kenya via camel. Masha Hamilton's novel, the Camel Bookmobile, is a fictional account based on the actual camel bookmobile.

You can read the book (we have it at the library) and visit the website to learn more or make a donation.

Story behind the book

Masha Hamilton bio

Moving to Maine

Maine the Way Life Should Be

If you recently moved to northern Maine or are considering relocating to Maine, contact the library and we can help provide you with information you need about the area such as information on daycare, jobs, apartments, maps, housing, cultural and outdoor activities.

From local newspaper the Aroostook Pioneer
8/2/1860

Visitors: Quite a number of strangers have visited this place within a few weeks past, some of them merely to satisfy a curiosity that has been awakened in their minds in regard to Aroostook, and others to look out good locations, intending another season to come as permanent settlers.

Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce

Community Links

City of Presque Isle, Maine

Moving To Maine

Maine Facts & History

Maine Maps

VisitMaine

Travel to Maine

Maine Outdoor Travel

Baxter State Park

Acadia National Park

Moose Photos by Mike Cyr

Around the Area of Presque Isle Photos

Aroostook State Park

Visit Aroostook County Maine

Visit Maine Aroostook

From the Aroostook Pioneer
September 11, 1860

Immigration lately seems to have taken quite a start. A large number of people have lately come here with their families, for the purpose of settling permanently. Immigrants do not usually come in large numbers in the fall of the year, but this season everything seems to indicate that quite a number of settlers will be in here from other parts of the State. There is yet plenty of country to fill up, and no doubt in a few years it will be filled up with an honest, hard working people, those kind of people who can found societies on a proper basis, and work not only for the benefit of themselves but of their children. Probably another year the rush to Aroostook will be greater than on any previous year, judging from all we can learn. It will take but a very short time to more than double our present population at the rate which settlers are coming in.

History of Presque Isle, Maine

Six large banners on loan from the Presque Isle Historical Society are on display in the library. The banners contain photos and text which depict the history of Presque Isle.

There are also old photographs of Presque Isle and books from our Maine Collection on display.
Stop in and learn more about the history of your city.

Books to Recommend

The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living off the Grid
In this beautiful memoir, Baron Wormser (Poet Laureate of Maine from 2000 to 2005) writes about his life in Maine and the "back to the land" movement: living without electricity, running water, and many of the things most of us consider necessities.

Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen

It's cold outside and there's snow on the ground--and nothing is better than homemade soup. The recipes in this book and the accompanying photos will make your mouth water.

A few examples:

Bean and Pasta Soup
Rustic Lentil Soup with Spinach
Spicy Chickpea and Tomato Soup
Roasted Squash, Pear, and Ginger Soup
Cream of Barley Soup with Leeks and Mushrooms

The River Queen by Mary Morris

After the death of her father, the author decides to pilot a houseboat and travel the Mississippi River. In this life-altering river trip, she was able to travel a route that was filled with stories her father had told her about his life on the river--a midlife adventure many can relate to.

On The Road

Published on September 5, 1957, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Jack Kerouac's On the Road. Gilbert Millstein reviewed the book in the New York Times on that day and wrote the following:

"But the fact is that, On the Road is the most beautifully executed, the clearest and the most important utterance yet made by the generation Kerouac himself named years ago as "beat," and whose prinicipal avatar he is."

University of Virginia Library Sixties Exhibit

The Beats New York

American Museum of Beat Art

National Public Radio

Happy Thanksgiving

The library is closed today, November 22nd for Thanksgiving and will reopen on Friday, November 23rd at 9 am.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 9 am in New York. See photos and history below:

Macy's Official Parade Site

Gothamist Blog

Macy's Parade History


Being Thankful

Science of Gratitude


Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert A. Emmons (read review).

Emergency Checklist

The library just received copies of the Emergency Preparedness Planner for Individuals and Families from the State of Maine Emergency Management Agency. Stop by the library to pick up a copy of this useful 2-page checklist.

Helpful tips on the sheet include information on creating an emergency supply kit, developing a family communication plan, helpful websites, and contact information for emergency management agencies.

Visit MEMA Prepare for additional information.

Want to learn a foreign language?

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Parlez vous francais?
¿Tú hablas español?

If you have always wanted to learn a few words or phrases in a foreign language or wanted to speak like a native speaker, now is the perfect time to borrow CDs, books, tapes, and Playaways to begin immersion in the language of your choice. The library also has books for foreign language instruction for children.

Online Translators and Dictionaries

BabelFish

Google Translate

Translate 2.0

Online French/Italian/Spanish Dictionaries

Omniglot

FreeTranslation

PROMT

Quilts on Display

If you have already seen the quilt display in the library, you know that these are beautiful works of art.

For those of you who haven't seen them yet, stop in and see this impressive display. There is a variety of quilts, and the skill and talent and art required to create them will amaze you. If you are a quilter or wish to learn to quilt, the library has a large section of books on the topic.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month

In recognition of November as
National Adoption Awareness Month,
here are some links for further reading. Contact the library if you need additional information about adoption.

Did you know there is a support group that meets at the library for Relatives Raising Children?

On the second Wednesday of every month, the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services sponsors a "Kinship Care Support Group," which meets in the library from 5-7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Everyone is invited to join and meet with others who are raising relatives. Contact the library if you have any questions.

State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Adopting.org

A Family for me

Child Welfare.gov

Dave Thomas Foundation

Health and Human Services Adoption Statistics

Child Welfare.gov Adoption Statistics

Adopting.org Statistics

Maine Adoption Reunion Registry

Maine How Do I Adopt?

Maine Post Adoption Resource Guide

National Adoption Center

Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute

Library Concert Tonight

Join the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle

For a Folk Concert by Monica Grabin at the Library!

Friday, November 16th, 2007 6:00 p.m.
"Sailors, Mill Girls and Shantyboys"

Free!

Concert of Maine History, focusing on our lumbering, shipping and manufacturing heritage, full of great songs and interesting stories. This will have something for kids and adults, and should be a lot of great, participatory fun.

Monica's Web site

American Sign Language Classes

Free ASL Classes at the library

New schedule: Saturdays, beginning November 17th

Toddlers & Children at 10:00

Adults at 10:30

Free refreshments--come and join the fun!

Susan Paradis Roberts will be your instructor. For more information, contact Sue at sroberts@presqueisle.lib.me.us

November is National American Indian Heritage Month

Did you know that the library has a
Native American Collection?

Thanks to the efforts of former library employee, Jennifer Pictou, the library now has a Native American collection where you can easily browse all titles in one area of the library.

Celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month by viewing the collection and reading more about Native Americans.

Aroostook Band of Micmacs

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians

National Register of Historic Places

Indian Health Service

White House Release 2007

International Reading Association Ideas for Classrooms

From the new book shelf

New books that are just waiting for a reader

The Feasting Season by Nancy Coons
Take a beautiful romp through France in a book you won't be able to put down.

Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indridason
A corpse is found on a hill in Reyjavik and the investigation begins to solve an old mystery.

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
The Queen of England stumbles into a bookmobile and learns about the joys of reading.

No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club by Virginia Ironside
A Bridget Jones's Diary for baby boomers.

Veterans Day

The library will be closed on Veterans Day,
Monday, November 12th
to honor all Veterans.

US Census Bureau / Veterans Day 2007 Facts

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Day 2007

History of Veterans Day

National Archives Military Records

Posters

Library of Congress Veterans History Project

National Park Service

Veterans Pride Initiative

My HealtheVet

Vets with Blogs
"In the The New York Times Home Fires blog, five members of the United States military share their insights about returning home after serving in the Iraq war. Two of the bloggers discuss the transition back to everyday life, and explain how writing has helped them move forward."

If you are interested in reading blogs by military personnel, a simple online search will produce a large list.

Writers Almanac and Writers Group

If you enjoy reading about writers, try out the postings on Writers Almanac with Garrison Keillor.

If you are a writer, or want to write, then check out the writers wiki and join the Writers Group at the library.

Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer Dead at 84

Everytime a famous author dies, I'm tempted to read everything written by them. The library owns many of Mailer's works, and they'll be waiting for you if you have an interest.

Links for further reading

Bio

BBC Obituary

New York Times

NY State Writers Institute

Other writers who have died in 2007:
Tillie Olsen, Robert Anton Wilson, Art Buchwald, Sidney Sheldon, Molly Ivins, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., David Halberstam, Robert Jordan, and Peg Bracken.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

“New Moon” in YALSA's 2007 Teens' Top Ten

From www.ala.org press release:
CHICAGO - More than 6,000 teen readers across the country chose “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer as their favorite book in the annual Teens' Top Ten (TTT) vote, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA). The online vote took place during Teen Read Week, October 14-20, with the second entry in Meyer's popular vampire romance series winning easily.

The 2007 Teens' Top Ten is:

1. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (Hachette Book Group USA/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006).
2. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Viking Children's Books, 2006)
3. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles (Flux, 2006).
4. Maximum Ride: School's Out - Forever by James Patterson (Hachette Book Group USA/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006).
5. Firegirl by Tony Abbott (Hachette Book Group USA/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006).
6. All Hallows Eve (13 Stories) by Vivian Vande Velde (Harcourt, 2006).
7. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Harcourt, 2006).
8. River Secrets by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2006).
9. Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe (HarperCollins, 2006).
10. Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks (Chicken House, 2006).

Stephenie Meyer

Deep Economy author Bill McKibben on MPBN today at 1

Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future
by Bill McKibben

The library purchased the book, Deep Economy, by Bill McKibben based on a patron's request. Trying to break out of my usual reading patterns, I took it home and to my surprise enjoyed it very much. If you want to read more about the environment, energy, and learn about ways to save the planet, stop in and get the book or listen today to the author speak at 1 pm on the radio at 106.1.

Author/Environmentalist, Bill McKibben, will speak on Energy Conservation today, Tuesday, November 6 at 1:00 pm on the radio- Maine Public Broadcast Network (MPBN 106.1 FM).

Author's homepage

Author bio

Reviews

Nature Conservancy Magazine

Wisconsin Librarian


Two other suggested titles:
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman and Poor People by William Vollman.

TAMC Healthfair 2007 a Success

If you were able to attend the Health Fair on Saturday you saw for yourself what a great success it was this year. The theme of "Around the World" was beautifully captured at all the booths and it was fun to see people dressed up in traditional costumes from around the world. We hope you stopped by the library booth to pick up the many booklets and handouts we provided on various health topics. Many people signed up for our raffle and winners will be picked and notifed on Monday, November 5th.

Whenever you need to locate health information you can always contact the library and we will be happy to assist you. A great place to start your own online search is: MedlinePlus
Of course, any and all health information you find on your own should be reviewed and discussed with your healthcare provider should you have questions or concerns.

A special thank you to all who provided support and donations:

• To the MSAD1 School Farm for providing their delicious apples to hand out
• To The Silver Basket for donating a beautiful gift basket to raffle
• To the Presque Isle Historical Society for donating one of their wonderful calendars to raffle
• To the Maine Potato Board for booklets and handouts
• To Crown Travel for travel posters, brochures, and maps to decorate booth
  
• To the National Network of Libraries of Medicine--New England Region (Michele and Javier) for supplying us with MedlinePlus literature and giveaways.
• Thanks to Nicholas for helping to staff our booth!
  

Book Clubs, Classics, Finding the Perfect Book

Book Club and Book Club Titles to Lend
You already know that the library has a book club and everyone is welcome and encouraged to join, but did you know that we also have multiple copies of previous book club titles that can be checked out (single or multiple copies). Maybe you can't make it to the current book club, but want to read the titles they are reading or perhaps form an informal group of your own. Either way, we can help. Call, email, or stop in for details.

David Steere Classics Collection
Sometimes when I am certain I have read a classic, the truth is that I have only seen the movie. Winter is coming and now is a great time to visit the David Steere Classics Collection in the library to browse the shelves and look for the perfect classic to read or reread. In scanning the shevles, I was amazed at how many classics I have yet to read.

NY Times Classics Great Books
Reading Room
From their page About the Reading Room:
"In the Reading Room, editors at The New York Times Book Review lead discussions about classic books with a panel of authors, reviewers, scholars and journalists."

Overbooked
Description from their page "Overbooked is a web site for ravenous readers. Overbooked provides timely information about fiction as well as readable nonfiction."

Critical Compendium/Book Reviews
Description from their site: "What you’ll find at this site: Book reviews, and lots of them. Every day we post links and a few lines from reviews in newspapers, journals, magazines and web zines. You will also find a sizable list of links to book review sections and literary blogs around the world."

Open Library
Description of their project from their site: "The Open Library website was created by the Internet Archive to demonstrate a way that books can be represented online. The vision is to create free web access to important book collections from around the world. Books are scanned and then offered in an easy-to-use interface for free reading online. If they're in the public domain, the books can be downloaded, shared and printed for free. They can also be printed for a nominal fee by a third party, who will bind and mail the book to you. The books are always FREE to read at the Open Library website."

Upcoming Events and Displays

Webkinz II 11/2 6pm. The first Webkinz night was great and everyone enjoyed it and asked for another. Bring your Webkinz and come to the library where you can meet others who love Webkinz too!!

Quilt display. If you enjoy seeing beautiful quilts, then come into the library and look up and you'll see the most wonderful display created by Bonnie Smith and Linda Randolph.

Folk Concert by Monica Grabin, November 16th at 6pm
Visit Monica's website to learn more about her.

What to do with that pile of used books

If you have a pile of books at home and you want to find something to do with them, here are a few suggestions:

Donate them to the library (we will add to our collection if appropriate or sell them and the funds support the library).

BookMooch is a site where you can register for free and swap books with others online. Only cost to you is postage. http://bookmooch.com

Donate them to a nursing home or other agency where they will be appreciated.