Oregon reads in Tigard 2009

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Oregon’s statehood, a great opportunity for you to teach your kids a fabulous new word-- sesquicentennial (ses-qui-cen-ten-ni-al): a 150th anniversary or its celebration.

Here at the Tigard Public Library we are celebrating Oregon’s birthday with a community-wide reading project and a series of great events themed on the three books for adults, teens, and the whole family!

The party begins with our Saturday, January 31st Kickoff featuring the Minidoka Swing Band, Japanese desserts and an exhibit from the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Library cardholders can pick up their complimentary copies of the adult book pick, Stubborn Twig by Lauren Kessler, a memoir of three generations in the life of a Japanese-American family in Oregon. The whole family is welcome to join in the festivities, and elementary-aged kids are invited to create Japanese crafts in the Puett room from 12:30-2:00. The Swing Band and sweets will be in the Community Room from 12:30-2:00.

Many exciting events will follow throughout the month of February. You can lend your voice to book discussions of Stubborn Twig on Tuesday, February 10 or Wednesday February 25, or join author Lauren Kessler as she discusses her work on Thursday, February 12. Family events include craft programs on every Saturday and Sunday, an Old Time Music Show celebrating Oregon’s February 14th birthday, and a presentation by Deborah Hopkinson, author of the wonderful picture book Apples to Oregon. Free copies of Apples to Oregon will be distributed at the author’s presentation, or can be earned by completing our Oregon Passport to Adventure activities, while supplies last. (Passports are available at the Children’s Reference Desk.)

This is just a sampling of some of the activities we have planned this month. Click here to learn more about what’s happening at the Tigard Library, and here to learn what’s happening county-wide.

Super Bowl Party

Bring the family down to the library for a big-screen Super Bowl experience, Sunday, February 1 from 3 p.m. until the game ends. We'll have snacks, Wii Sports, and the game. Oh, and a halftime challenge that could win you 4 tickets to a Blazer game.

Grab the kids and drop in the library's Community Room for a super party!

Help us Fashion the Washington County Libraries of the Future

Photo courtesy of hfabulous

What should libraries be like in 2019? What library services do you and your family value, and will you still need them in 10 years? How should libraries be funded and governed? Are additional libraries needed, and if so, where should they be?

Give us your opinion! Library users and County residents are an important part of our strategic planning process.

There are two ways you can get involved:

• complete our online survey about how libraries should be governed and funded, and
  
• sign up to attend one of four public focus group meetings scheduled for the evenings of January 27th in Forest Grove, January 29th in Aloha, February 3rd in Beaverton, or February 4th in King City.
  

To get ready for your focus group meeting, you may find it helpful to read Finding the sweet spot: New options for Washington County libraries and Current Trends and Future Directions: A Look at Public Libraries.

Thanks for your participation. What you tell us will help shape the future of libraries as Washington County grows and changes!

Friendly Visitor Service Gets Books to You

Do you know someone who has trouble getting to the library? Try the Tigard Public Library’s Friendly Visitor Service! The Library provides free pick-up and delivery of library materials for Tigard-area residents who are physically unable to visit the library.

Friendly Visitors are available for those who are:
• Elderly
• Disabled
• Temporarily incapacitated by illness or accident

Washington County Cooperative Library Services also has a Books-By-Mail Service for the homebound. Books, audio books, movies and more are mailed free of charge to patrons in easy to use mailing bags.

For more information and an application, visit our website or call Ann-Marie at 503-684-6537 ext. 2650 or 503-718-2650.

Early Lit Tip

Want to help your child learn to read? One of the most important skills to get them ready is print motivation -- wanting to read. How can you get your child excited about reading? For starters, make sure they have things that they want to read. In addition to great picture books, try a non fiction title about a subject that your child likes - dinosaurs, space, snakes, baby animals, etc.

Here are examples of easy non fiction picture books you can find at the library. As always, if you need help locating any subjects or titles, just ask your librarian (or better yet, encourage your child to ask for help!).

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner (J 595.7 BAR). With bright pictures and simple flowing text ("A long line of ants that work so much / Roly-poly bugs that curl up when I touch"), this is a great starting point to explore all different types of bugs.

Dino-Dinners by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom (J 567.91 MAN). Gloriously disgusting details explain the eating habits of dinosaurs. In addition to the large picture and brief description, side panels share extra tidbits about each dino's characteristics.

A Hole in the Road by Jakki Wood (J 625.7 WOO). How does that hole in the road get fixed? Follow a crew through all of the steps, explained with wonderful illustrations and a simple line of text.

New books about award-winning books

Next Monday January 26th, the Newbery and Caldecott Awards for 2009 will be announced. I am looking forward to attending the book awards press conference in Denver that day and reporting back to the blog upon my return. In the mean time, we've got some new books that came in that may be of interest to those of you who keep up with these strategic awards.

Teaching With Favorite Newbery Books: Engaging Discussion Questions, Vocabulary Builders, Writing Prompts, and Great Literature Response Activities by Lori Licciardo-Musso. Published by Scholastic. Includes activities on 25 Newbery winning titles like some of these popular books: The Giver by Lois Lowry, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline LeGuin, Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.

Using Caldecotts Across the Curriculum: Reading and Writing Mini-Lessons, Math and Science Spin-offs, Unique Art Activities, and More by Joan Novelli. Published by Scholastic. Includes activities for 19 Caldecott winning titles like some of my favorites: Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathman, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

Large Print collection

Photo courtesy of Manchester Library

Does your New Year’s resolution include time on a treadmill or a stationary bike?

To make those miles glide by, try reading one of our large print books during your exercise session. The large print makes it easy to read and focus while you keep your body in motion.

Stop by the Large Print collection on the second floor of the Library. New selections are added monthly.

Click here or the picture to see some of the latest large print books the Washington County Cooperative Library System has added to our collection.

Web World of Library of Congress

As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress epitomizes the expansion of the library services beyond four walls, into both the physical and virtual community. Peruse throught their American Folklife Center, special exhibits and collections, and especially their link "For Kids and Families." Whether for homework help or just plain fun, this is a great place to bookmark.

The Library currently has a Flickr page with four sets of incredible photographs: Photocrom Travel Views, World War I Panoramas, 1930s-40s in Color, and News in the 1910s. From county fairs to tomato picking to women in the war effort, these are amazing records of our past!

The Other Revolutionary War

While the patriots were fighting the British for their independence and the idea that all men are created equal, slaves in the colonies watched with no hope of gaining the same freedom. Distinguishing "good guys" from "bad guys" is not that easy. These two stories are great glimpses into this time period and perspective.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson follows a thirteen year old girl Isabel who is sold to cruel merchant family with loyalist ties in New York City. Isabel is encouraged to spy for the rebels in exchange for a chance at freedom. This heart-wrenching tale follows her as she tries to decide who to trust, believe and help. The realistic violence pays tribute to this girl's difficult life and undying spirit. Note: This is the first book in a series.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson has been called a work of genius by some and a book not written for teens because of its complexity by others. This is no light tale, rather requiring a commitment on the part of the reader to read every word actively. Anderson, writing completely in the language of the time, follows Octavian Nothing, a young man taught and trained by scientists...as a science experiment. This complex story is both infuriating (meaning I often argued, ahem, with the characters) and intelligent. Sequel: The Kingdom on the Waves.