The Man behind the BIG RED Dog

This year, Clifford the BIG red dog is celebrating 50 BIG years!  And today, February 15th is the 85th birthday of Clifford’s creator, Norman Bridwell!  School Library Journal visited the author of the beloved series, and conducted this interview.  Read what Mr. Bridwell has to say about the creation of Clifford and working with the big red dog over the span of 50 years!

Have you taken the Library Survey yet???

Do the services offered at the Tigard Public Library meet your needs?

What kinds of programs would you like the library to offer?

What would you do at the library if it were open on Thursdays?

If you have answers to these questions, there's still time to take the annual library survey.
Stop by the library to fill out a paper version of the survey by Saturday February 16th.  Or take it online between now and February 28th. To take the survey online, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/tpl2013no4

Pacific Northwest Exhibit

Looking for special local history outing for the family?  The Oregon State Library is opened a new exhibit called “The Early Exploration of the Pacific Northwest, 1778 – 1843.” Using books from the State Library’s Special Collections this exhibit highlights many early expeditions in the Pacific Northwest, starting with the 1778 Oregon Coast explorations by James Cook of England to the United States Exploring Expedition led by Charles Wilkes in 1843. The exhibit will display many other key materials from persons and places such as Robert Gray, George Vancouver, Lewis and Clark, and Astoria.

Oregon State Library’s Special Collections houses manuscripts, photographs, older Oregon documents, Oregon maps, and books and periodicals on numerous Oregon-related topics. Many items in the collection require special handling or protection because they are rare or fragile. Apart from Special Collections, the State Library has an extensive collection of materials on Oregon-related topics including public documents from Oregon government agencies. The Oregon Documents Depository Program ensures continuing access to public documents, as state agencies are required by statute to provide the State Library with copies of their public documents for distribution.

The exhibit is located in the 2nd floor lobby of the State Library, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Oregon State Library is located at 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-3950

Etiquette and Espionage

I've written about Gail Carriger's series The Parasol Protectorate here before. Just to be clear; I'm a fan. If you're looking for some clever, adulty, plot driven fun and you're into alternative histories with supernatural romance, you can do no better. And that's a surprisingly big field, so...

Anyway, for those of you who, like me, were sad when the series came to an end, you'll be delighted to know that there's a new series of prequels beginning with Etiquette and Espionage, out this month. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy and I devoured it in one sitting. It's even better than the other books, reminding me that when authors are writing with a little restraint, choosing subtlety and innuendo over explicivity (I officially dub that word existent), the result is often much deeper, more tender, more heart stirring and just as sophisticated as adult-themed books.

In Etiquette and Espionage, book the first of Finishing School, Sophronia is enrolled in a highly regarded finishing school where, she is surprised to learn, she will be instructed in the fine arts of espionage and defense and well as curtsying and tea service. It turns out she has a certain flair for spy work, and will excel as long as she can keep herself out of trouble (at least, out of the wrong sort of trouble.) In this Victorian era romp, a steamship is the home of a girls school and is only accessible by power of werewolf leaping, the head mistress may or may not be aware that she is bringing up a horde of young ladies destined to be spies, and some of those ladies must overthrow secret plots to ruin parties via fraternity stunts. 'Tis a wild ride, and I highly recommend it to any reader 12 and up! If you still don't believe me, watch the book trailer and enjoy!

Chinese Lunar New Year Festival

Come Celebrate the beginning of the year of the snake!  Make paper lantern and snake crafts and taste some traditional foods.  Join us Sunday, February 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Puett Room.  The event is open to all ages.

This program provided in partnership with the Tigard High School Asian Club.

Evan's Picks #2

And now for the next installment of Evan's Picks in no order whatsoever:

• Wonder Woman: The Story of the Amazon Princess (graphic novel), by Ralph Cosentino
• One Cool Friend (picture book), by Tony Buzzeo
• Welcome to Cuckooville (picture book), by Susan Chandler
• Pinkalicious (picture book and early reader series), by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann
• Mittens (early reader series), by Lola M. Schaefer
• The Ruby Rose Show (early reader), by Sindy McKay
• Marvel Super Hero Squad. Flips Out!: A Mix and Match Book (picture book), by Mathew Swanson
• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (chapter book), by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Alison Jay

Annual Library Survey

It is time once again for the annual library survey.  Do the services offered at the Tigard Public Library meet your needs? What would you do at the library if it were open on Thursdays? This is your chance to let us know!  Stop by the library to fill out a paper version of the survey February 3-16.  The online survey is available February 1-28.
To take the survey online, go to this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/tpl2013no4

Paranorman

On Wednesday, February 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Burgess Community Room, we're welcoming back Mark Shapiro, a representative of Laika, the local film company responsible for such incredible creations as Coraline and Paranorman. Mark will share insider information about how these films are made, using a painstaking process of stop-motion animation. He'll also bring along puppets that were actually used in the production of Paranorman. This event is open to folks age 8 and up.

Follow-up this scintillating presentation with the film itself! On Saturday, February 9 from 1:30-3 we'll be screening Paranorman in the Burgess Community Room. Bring the whole family for this rated PG flick!

Super Tuesday: The Reptile Man

Snakes, tortoises and lizards, oh my!

Back by popular demand, The Reptile Man will be visiting the library on Tuesday February 5th at 7 p.m. in the Burgess Community Room.  Come for a slithering good time as Richard Ritchey, a.k.a. The Reptile Man introduces the audience  to the mysterious world of reptiles with a thrilling and educational show. 

Annual Preschool Resource Fair--February 2nd

Find out which preschools, activities, and resources are available in the area at the

Annual Preschool Resource Fair!

WHEN: Saturday February 2nd, 10 am to 1pm
WHERE: Tigard Methodist Church Gym, 9845 Walnut Place, Tigard
COST: FREE!!!

Come meet with preschools and businesses serving children in Tigard and surrounding areas.  Gather information and learn about educational programs and resources available to you and your preschooler.  The library will host story times at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm along with simple crafts.  Other interactive stations will be available throughout the fair. 

The Preschool Resource Fair is broguth to you by Tigard Playschool.