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ANIMAL EXTRAVAGANZA! 

We're showcasing the children's books from our Libri Foundation grant with an Animal Extravaganza!

Who: Families and anyone else who's interested

What:

• A visit from the Toldeo Zoo    

• DK Eyewitness videos showing in the annex

• Animal puppets
  
• Animal puzzles and games
  
• Refreshments
  
• Pushing the Limits books also available!
  

When: Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: In the Library and Annex

The Toledo Zoo will be bringing hands-on biofacts for everyone to explore in addition to several live animals!

What's Pushing the Limits?

It's a reading, viewing and discussion program for adults in communities served by rural libraries, made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Stair Public Library is one of 20 libraries in the country selected for this pilot program.

NEXT UP FOR PUSHING THE LIMITS: NATURE

Thursday , March 28, at 7 p.m. Refreshments start at 6:30 p.m.

When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle

The novel combines adventure with a socially conscious tale regarding the dominion we attempt to exert, for better or worse, over the natural world.

Set on the wild and sparsely inhabited Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, it tells the story of Alma Boyd Takesue, a National Park Service biologist who is spearheading the efforts to save the island’s endangered native creatures from invasive species like rats and feral pigs, which, in her view, must be eliminated.

Alma is opposed by Dave LaJoy, a dreadlocked local businessman who, along with his girlfriend, the folksinger Anise Reed, is fiercely opposed to the killing of any species whatsoever and will go to any length to subvert the plans of Alma and her colleagues.

In this collision between protectors of the environment and animal rights’ activists, Boyle examines the question: Who has the right of possession of the land, the waters, the very lives of all the creatures who share this planet with us?

Short on time to read the whole book? Discussion leader and Adrian College professor Adam Coughlin suggests reading Part One, to page 136. That should allow you to at least be able to weigh in on the nature/human intervention part. After that, the further you can read into it, the better.

PUSHING THE LIMITS

Last Thursday of the month from February to May at 7 p.m.

• The program covers four themes with books selected to match those themes: Connection, Nature, Survival, and Knowledge.
• Read the book. Attend the discussion. Watch two short videos. Talk and listen. Enjoy great refreshments.
• Come to all four sessions or come to just one. Any which way, it's going to be fun. And intellectually stimulating...even if you prefer to just listen. And even if you don't have time to read the book. Check it out!

Pushing the Limits is a reading, viewing and discussion program for adults in communities served by rural libraries, made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The program is the work of a team of library professionals, scientists, and filmmakers.  Their organizations include Dartmouth College, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, the Califa Group (a California-based library consortium), Dawson Media Group, and Oregon State University.  

 REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMS...

BOOK DISCUSSION: SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT...

NOTE: Normally, the book discussion group meets the third Monday of the month. However, the February meeting will be held in conjunction with the Pushing the Limits program.

Who: Anyone who loves books and a good discussion

What: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson

When: Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.

Where: At the Library

TALK @ TWO ON THURSDAYS

Talk @ Two discussion group will tackle issues from the database "Opposing Viewpoints in Context" (available through the MeL Databases link on Mel.org) for the next several weeks.

Discussion group meets at 2 p.m. every week on Thursday in the annex.

STAIR TEEN BOOK CLUB & TEEN WRITERS GROUP

The Stair Teen Book Club and the Teen Writers Group will meet together in the summer every Monday at 2:22 p.m.

PRE-SCHOOL STORYTIME

Pre-schoolers (accompanied by a parent or other adult) enjoy crafts, snacks, and stories read by volunteer readers every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Storytime is canceled when Morenci schools are delayed, canceled or otherwise not in session.

BABY & TODDLER TIME

Baby & Toddler Time meets Mondays at 10:30 a.m.

The program is a participatory, rollicking half-hour of short stories, songs, nursery rhymes, finger plays and the like for children under two and their parents or caregiver.

Registration is not required, but is helpful for staff planning.

The program is canceled when Morenci schools are delayed or closed.

A FEW LINKS...

  Visit Stair Teen Club and click "Like!"

Mrs. Kruger's Blog

FEDERAL AND STATE TAX FORMS

Federal Forms

Michigan Forms

YOU MISSED THE FUN...

STEAM EXTRAVAGANZA! 

We're kicking off the Pushing the Limits program with a STEAM Extravaganza!

Who: Families and adults

What:

• A visit from the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum     

• STEAM activities

• Student Art Show
• Meet the Science Guy
• Pushing the Limits books
• Refreshments

When: Saturday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: In the Library and Annex

STEM + A = STEAM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. A stands for Art.

The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum will be bringing hands-on STEM activities for everyone to do in the Annex and we'll be setting up a bunch more in the library, including art projects and activities on iPads and laptops.

TALK @ TWO ON THURSDAYS: PRIME TIME!

Talk @ Two will tackle Prime Time Family Reading Time children's books for the next several weeks.

Thursday, Jan. 24: Justice - “Is Turn-About Fair Play?”
The Sweetest Fig, by Chris Van Allsburg
One Fine Day, by Nonny Hogrogian
Aesop’s Fable: “The Fox and the Stork”

Discussion group meets at 2 p.m. every week on Thursday in the annex.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE

What: Books for all ages, fiction, non-fiction; DVDs, CDs, puzzles.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday & Friday, Dec. 6 & 7, 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: The Liz Stella Annex

Note: Price of items is by donation; you set the price.

E-READER ROUND-UP, Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m.

Part eReader "Petting Zoo" and part Show and Tell

Try out eReaders such as Kindles and Nooks as well as ipads and laptops. See how to download free electronic books through OverDrive. If you have an eReader device, bring it to show and share with others.

FANTASY VILLAGE

Who: Kindergarten through middle school age children

What: Decorate "gingerbread" houses made from cardboard. Must register by Nov. 28 so a house can be reserved.

When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 10:30 to noon.

Where: The Liz Stella Annex

YOU'LL BE "IN STITCHES" WITH DR. YOUN (MNB AUTHOR TOUR)       

Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m.

Nationally known plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn will speak as part of the 2012 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour. Join us for a rousing discussion of his book, "In Stitches," Q&A session, book signing, and fabulous refreshments. The Michigan Notable Book Author Tour is sponsored by the Library of Michigan, The Library of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Humanities Council and a host of other sponsors. See more here:

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-54574_39583_39587---,00.html

MINI SPA DAY

Sunday April 29, 2 -3:45 p.m.

Prior to Dr. Youn's presentation, stop in the library for mini facials, mini manicures, mini foot soaks, mini massages, mini yoga classes...it's a small scale mini way to feel good. Feel good, look good...That's the premise of the program which reflects on issues of self-esteem, body image, beauty in Dr. Youn's book. The program runs from 2 -3:45 p.m.

FACE TIME ARTIST RECEPTION

Sunday, April 29, 5:15 p.m.

Meet the artists and enjoy delicious refreshments following Dr. Youn's talk. See below for more information about the art show.

 MONEY SMART WEEK CRAFTS FOR KIDS

Come make a bank!
Learn the art of decoupage and transform a container into a bank using paper and glue. 
Choose April 25 or April 26 session
3:30 - 5 p.m.
Call and reserve your bank! 

SPA PRODUCTS FROM THE KITCHEN

FACE TIME ART SHOW 

Includes artwork created by Kym Ries' art students, featuring faces based on Nuba, Sudan tribal face painting; Maori tatoo and scarification; Christopher Agostino face painting; and Mayan calendars. Also includes a display of face collages made by several community members. The art show is planned in conjunction with the Michigan Notable Book Author Tour.

SIGNIFICANT LIBRARY NEWS...

GRANT AWARDED FOR LIBRARY IMPROVEMENTS

The Reinhardt Library Fund of Midland, Michigan recently awarded Stair a $25,000 grant. The monies are aimed at developing a new teen area, with the added benefit of additional improvements such as new carpeting and the replacement of several book and media racks. The teen area will be designed to house a reading area equipped with small tables, shelving, an area rug, and comfortable seating.

Other improvements include the installation of slatboard display panels in the back foyer that will be used to display brochures and various public distribution materials, and thereby freeing up some shelving space for paperback books.

The fund was created by Robert Charles Reinhardt, who worked for Dow Chemical Company as a chemical engineer. The award is in homage to his value on education. Reinhardt passed away in 2008.

STAIR PUBLIC LIBRARY WINS STATE LIBRARIAN'S EXCELLENCE AWARD 2009

The joint efforts of the community, library board, Friends of the Library, the Fay Foundation, program participants and so many, many more people made it possible for Stair Public Library to win this top award sponsored by the Library of Michigan Foundation. Library staff thanks everyone for making this achievement possible.

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