National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week April 27 - May 3, 2008

A Special Thanks to Our Library Volunteers

• Ann Cushman
• Louise Seeley
• Michael McIntosh
• Helen York

We would all agree that volunteers are special people. They always make time in their lives and give something of themselves to others without asking for anything in return. Many organizations rely heavily on the work done by their volunteers. Here at the library we really depend on the work done by our volunteers and during National Volunteer Week we want to thank Ann Cushman, Louise Seeley, Michael McIntosh, and Helen York for donating time to the library. Their work allows the library to offer better service to all library users. Each one of our volunteers makes a significant contribution to the well being of this library. Their skills, talents, and committment help make this a library to be proud of in our community.

There have been studies showing real benefits to volunteering and these studies suggest that volunteers are healthier, that volunteering increases one's physical health and agility, and one's cognitive and mental well-being. If you would like additional information on these studies, please contact the reference desk.

Look for this great Lonely Planet book on our new book shelf, Volunteer: A Traveller's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World. Stop in and learn about all the great programs and destinations all over the world where you can volunteer.

White House Release

Volunteer.gov

Corporation for National & Community Service

Mayo Clinic Benefits of Volunteering

Peace Corps

Volunteer Match

USA Freedom Corp

There are many local agencies that need volunteers. Contact us and we can provide information on local groups seeking volunteers.

Food Choices

I have been meaning to read In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan since it first appeared on the library shelves. I read an early review and knew it was a book I would enjoy. I am now half-way through it and would highly recommend this book which has been on the New York Times Best Seller List for 14 weeks. Last week it was number 7 in the nonfiction list.

The first line: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." is sound advice for a culture like ours that is often distracted with too many food choices and 24/7 eating options. Pollan offers a very reasonable approach to healthy eating. His previous book The Omnivore's Dilemma is next on my reading list. If you wish to learn more about the author and read more about this book, you can visit his website.

We have so many books in the library on eating, healthy eating, food choices, organic eating, dieting, lifestyle changes, and eating disorders. If you have an interest, stop by to see what is available. If you have a particular book in mind, contact the library with the title and we'll be happy to add the book to our collection or request it from another library.

Other books by Michael Pollan:

• Second Nature
• A Place of My Own
• The Botany of Desire
• The Omnivore's Dilemma

Other Recommended Reading:

• Deep Economy by Bill McKibben
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
  

Presque Isle Reading and Discussion Group

Everyone is invited to attend the book group. The club will meet on May 15th at 6 pm in the library to discuss selected short stories of Flannery O'Connor.

Flannery O'Connor Addalusia Foundation

Georgia College & State Univeristy

In Search of Flannery O'Connor NYT Travel

New Georgia Encyclopedia Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Foundation

Flannery O'Connor Blog

Podcast
Speaker is Craig Amason, director, Flannery O'Connor-Andalusia Foundation. Craig Amason discusses the life and work of one of Georgia's great writers, Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964).

Story Time with Dr. Rick

Rick Asam will be reading stories, reciting poetry, and sharing videos from the library's collection with pre-k and elementary school aged children. The Saturday schedule for story time will be at 12:30 on the following dates:

• April 26
• May 10
• May 24

Rick's photo was taken by his brother, Larry Asam.

Public Speaking 101

Do you get nervous when you have to talk in front of a crowd? If you find your hands sweating, your knees shaking, and your voice quivering when you need to a make a toast at a wedding, give a presentation in class, present an award, or give a eulogy, then you should read some of the new books we just received on public speaking. Let's admit it, we all get nervous addressing a group. Some people just hide it better than others. These books have some wonderful tips and tricks and good sound advice on how to overcome your fear.

Some tips to help you get started:

• Prepare and rehearse (stand in front of a mirror and read your talk many times for practice). Practice out loud over and over and over.
  
• Think success and visualize yourself doing well
• Establish eye contact with the entire audience
• Vary the rate, pitch, and volume of your voice
  
• Look at the audience more than your notes
  
• Read slowly and don't rush through your talk
• Breathe deeply and often
  
• Realize the audience wants you to succeed
• Be aware of the speaking environment (visit the room prior to your talk)
• Know your audience
• Do not apologize for being nervous
  

Dr. Rick Asam will be giving a talk on Public Speaking later this spring. Look for the date and time in our newsletter and on the webpage and blog.

Recycling at your Library

On Earth Day and Every Day

What is this library doing to help recycle,
conserve, and reduce energy costs?

• The library received a grant in 2006 from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation to replace internal lighting with new energy efficient lights. The funding, along with funds received from the Efficiency Maine energy savings program, made it possible to upgrade the library lighting to make it more energy efficient and to help reduce energy costs. The result was an annual savings on utility bills and maintenance costs. The new lighting is also softer and creates a much nicer atmopshere in the library.
• Blue plastic recycle bins will be placed throughout the library for paper and cans/bottles
• Wherever possible the library purchases recycled products
• Toner cartridges are recycled
  

A recent article in the April issue of American Libraries offers many ideas and suggestions and sites for further reading on "How to Make Your Library Green." At the library, we will be thinking of new ways to become more environmentally aware and to adopt green practices to help us all reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle and conserve. If you have ideas to share, we would like to receive your input.

Earth Day Information

New items at the library

If you are of a certain age, you may remember how you spent the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This year, come to the library and attend a talk by Gary Kaszas from Organic Sam's in Fort Fairfield at 6 pm on Tuesday the 22nd. Gary will talk about "What Organic Means Today." Join us to learn more and to enjoy some organic refreshments.

This year for Earth Day why not try to make one change in your lifestyle that will help give us all a healthier and cleaner planet. The Solid Waste Department at the City of Presque Isle supplies residents with blue recycle bags that can be put out curbside for your refuse hauler to take during regular trash pickups. You can also visit the Presque Isle Recycling Center at 655 Missile Street (764-9393). We will have bags and brochures from the Solid Waste Department to distribute at the library. If you have any questions regarding local recycling, contact the Solid Waste Department at 12 Second Street (764-2507).

The Presque Isle Recycling Center has compost bins available for sale. These bins are an $80 value and they are being sold for $15.75 thanks to a grant which the department received for this program.

One simple way to reduce trash is to take your own bags when grocery shopping. See the link for "Bring you own bag when you shop" below.

Here are a few links for additional reading about Earth Day and Organic Organizations in Maine.

We have a great display for Earth Day and Gardening in the library and many new books you may enjoy.

Earth Day Network

World Wildlife Fund Earth Day

Bring you own bag when you shop

EPA Earth Day

Earth Day Photo Contest

History of Earth Day

Earth Day History

Wilderness.org Earth Day

Earthday.gov

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

Common Ground Country Fair

Earth Day 2008

Join us at the library on
Tuesday, April 22nd at 6 pm for a presentation by

Gary Kaszas
Owner of Organic Sam's
in Fort Fairfield
Organic Sam's provides certified
organic apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees

Topic of Presentation:
What Does Organic Mean Today?
What is organic and what is not?

Organic refreshments will be provided

Be sure to view our Earth Day display, pick up information on local recycling, get a bookmark, and take other handouts to learn more about what you can do to help the planet.

Gardening Program at the Library

Lisa Fishman from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service gave a wonderful presentation today on starting seedlings and making container gardens. She had lots of information to share, many useful handouts, and answered many questions.

If you were unable to make the presentation, she has left behind a display with extra copies of the handouts. Stop by the library and view the display on gardening and take some handouts and books to help get you started.

We learned that Lisa is also an excellent baker and she may come back to the library to do a talk on bread baking.

Look for upcoming talks on our website, in our newsletter, and on this blog.

Kudos to Jessica Hayes

Kudos to Jessica Hayes, who has been with the library as a work-study student from the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 2005. Jessica works in the children's section and tutors students in grades 3-8. She also performs a myriad of tasks in the library and has lent her creative and artistic talents to creating beautiful display boards, displays, and organizing and producing events such as the Harry Potter Celebration at the library.

Jessica is working on a BS in Elementary Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and is currently student teaching this semester at Zippel Elementary and Pine Street Elementary and plans to finish up her degree by May 2008. At the library, we are well aware of Jessica's talents and skills and her wonderful commitment and contributions to the visitors to our library.

She recently was informed that she was selected as the Outstanding Elementary Education Major at the University of Maine at Presque Isle for 2007-2008 and will receive her award on April 20th. Jessica was also selected to present a paper earlier this year at the National Undergraduate Literature Conference at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

Congratulations Jessica!

More New Books

Evidence Explained is a book you must see if you are conducting research of any sort. It is especially useful for those doing genealogy research.

Google Hacks is a great read for tools, tips, and tricks to get the best out of using Goggle and to locate information online. This updated version is available in the Young Adult section of the library.

The Maine Poets is a wonderful anthology of poetry by some of the best poets of Maine. The text is edited by Wesley McNair. Be sure to look for poems by Maine's Poet Laureate, Betsy Scholl. She will be visiting the library on May 23rd.

Public Records Online provides more information than you can possibly use on how and where to locate the public records you need for private and government sources. This book was purchased in memory of librarian, Marilyn Dean.

New Titles

By now you know that we have lots and lots of new fiction on our shelves. You will find New York Times bestsellers among a slew of other new titles in all fiction genres. Stop in and look through the recent arrivals shelves. If you don't see what you are looking for, please ask us and we will be happy to get the title for you. If you need reading recommendations, stop by the circulation desk or reference desk and we will help you find something good to read. We love to talk about books, authors, and a wide variety of information topics. We really like to hear from you and learn about what you are reading and get your input on what you would like to see added to our collection.

One library visitor highly recommended the works of author Cherry Adair. You can check out her books and listen to a podcast and visit some websites to learn more about this author.

Podcast

Author's website

Random House

Author Interview

Autism Awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month and Sue Roberts has created a display with information, handouts, books, and other materials on the topic. Stop by to see her display, and take some information home with you. We have many new books on this topic that Sue has selected and all will provide useful information. If you have any suggestions for other books on this topic, or if you are interested in giving a talk on this topic at the library, please contact Sue.

Stimulus Payment

Many people have stopped in to ask about the government's stimulus payment and to get additional information. Here are a few links if you wish to read a bit more about it.

Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center IRS

Stimulus Payments Facts from IRS

AARP Stimulus Payment Tool

Payments are expected to be mailed out in early May.

Photography Reception April 4th

We had a wonderful time at the Paul Hamlin and Voscar art reception on Friday night, April 4th from 6-8. If you were unable to attend, here are some photos. The exhibit will be on display through the end of May. Please stop by and view these beautiful works of art.

Second Life

We get a lot of questions about Second Life. Here is a Second Life slideshow for those who haven't joined and want to learn more about Second Life.

Find more photos like this on Second Life Librarians

Joy of Photography Opening Reception

PHOTOGRAPHY DISPLAY AT THE LIBRARY

The opening reception for the exhibit "Joy of Photography" will be held on Friday, April 4th at 6 pm in the Library Gallery. Paul Hamlin and Voscar (Oscar Nelder) will exhibit their photography for the month of April. Please join us at the opening reception on the 4th or come and view their work anytime during the month of April.

About the artists:

Paul Hamlin is a retired physician. He has enjoyed photography as a hobby for more than 50 years. He began with black & white, and then color, using both 35 mm and medium format cameras, doing his own developing and printing. He has followed the trend into digital photography, and now his computer has become his darkroom. His current camera is a Nikon D200, and his most frequently used lens is a Nikkor image stabilized 18 to 200mm.

Voscar The Maine Photographer (Oscar Nelder) has had numerous years in photography (he won't say how many). He spent a number of years as a reporter/photographer with the Bangor Daily News and as News Editor for WAGM Radio and TV. His photography has been published nationally and internationally in books and magazines, calendars, and textbooks and has been used commercially in advertisements and brochures. Voscar is married to Darlene Nelder and they make their home at 93 Hardy Street, where Voscar has his portrait and commercial studio.

UMPI Job Fair March 26th

We really enjoyed being part of the University of Maine at Presque Isle Job Fair this year and we had lots of good information to share on library work, library careers, education, and scholarships. If you missed this great fair on March 26th, stop by the library and we'll be happy to talk with you about libraries and library work and share any information we had at our booth.
A very special thanks to all who provided materials and free giveaways to hand out at the booth.

Many schools and organizations generously donated brochures, program literature and handouts, pens, keychains, bookmarks, READ buttons, stress balls, calculators, library journals, ice scrapers, notepads, and magnets to put out at our booth.

We extend our sincere thanks to the following organizations for providing information and giveaways:

Drexel University iSchool
Simmons College
San Jose State University
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
Southern Connecticut State University
University of South Carolina
University of Maine at Augusta
University of Rhode Island
Library Careers.org
American Library Association/Placement Recruitment Office
American Libraries
Library Journal
Bolinda

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