Library News: March 14th, 2024
This week, the library is highlighting two new nonfiction books currently available to our readers. One of these books is about an eclipse. Focusing attention on this book now is appropriate as we will be experiencing a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 from 1:58-4:27 PM. This eclipse will be visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine, with 96.4% coverage in our area. Stop by the library on April 8th for a free pair of eclipse glasses (while supplies last!)
American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World by David Baron. Science writer David Baron tells the story of the enterprising scientists who raced to Wyoming and Colorado during the summer of 1878, at the dawn of the Gilded Age, to observe the first great American eclipse. Among these scientists was James Craig Watson, a planet hunter, Maria Mitchell, a pioneering astronomer, and ambitious young inventor Thomas Edison. In Baron's suspenseful narrative history, he thrillingly recreates the fierce jockeying of these nineteenth-century astronomers as they brave the wild frontier of the American West--with its train robberies and Indian skirmishes--in a grueling race to the Rocky Mountains to view the rare total solar eclipse. The author draws on years of research to reconstruct a truly remarkable chapter of U.S. history when the fate of American science still hung precariously in the balance. The book is updated with an afterword that unites eclipses and eclipse-chasers past and present, revisiting the total solar eclipse of 2017, and looking forward to the upcoming eclipse in April 2024. Baron's work showcases the enduring power of these celestial events to bring people together across space and time and reveals the human drama associated with such occurrences.
Together We Decide: An Essential Guide for Making Good Group Decisions by Craig Freshley. In order to make forward progress, all groups—teams, boards, nonprofits, businesses, and governments— must make decisions. The author, a veteran group facilitator, shares the essentials that groups need in order to make decisions that provide lasting benefits and is a must-have for those seeking proven techniques for collaborative decision-making. Freshley's message is that through collaboration, not competition, groups of the future will create, innovate, and thrive and that collaborative decision-making is a skill that can be successfully learned and practiced. Readers will learn how to run efficient and productive meetings and about attitudes that help and hinder group productivity. Topics such as the supremacy of group culture and group decision-making steps from idea to decision and action are explored as well as how to listen well and speak with purpose. Readers will learn about conflict prevention, management, and resolution, when to apply which type of decision-making method, and how to put meeting facilitation theory and techniques into practice.
Upcoming Events:
Mondays:
Total Solar Eclipse., April 8th, 2024. Begins: 1:58 PM; peaks: 3:14 PM; and ends: 4:27 PM. Join us at 12 NOON for a fun craft and grab your FREE eclipse glasses (while supplies last).
Tuesdays:
Employment Assistance with Gloria Jurado-Long, Tuesday, March 19th from 4:30PM-6PM (drop in any time during these hours for help. Need help with job searches? Updating your resume and cover letter? How about preparing for interviews? Middle College Mentor, Gloria Jurado-Long, wants to assist you in your journey of finding a job. This can be stressful; let her help make it easier!
Children’s Music Workshop. April 2, 2024, at 12 NOON. Join musician Joe Watts of Electric Moon to learn the basics of rhythm & making music.
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, April 9th at 9:00 AM, the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support, coping strategies and info about community resources.
Wednesdays:
Preschool Story Hour, 10:15 AM. Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, March 27th, the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. We'll have fresh popcorn and a movie during game night! All ages are welcome!
Cardboard Box Castle Building. April 3rd at 12 NOON. Come build the castle of your dreams out of cardboard boxes! We have the supplies needed. Grab your friends and make the coolest castle ever! All ages are welcome!
Firekeeper's Daughter Book Discussion. April 10th at 6:00 PM. Join us for a community discussion about the Firekeeper's Daughter! Check out a copy and let's chat! Light refreshments will be available.
Thursdays:
First Thursday Book Club 2023, April 4th, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading & to receive recommendations!
Fridays:
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are invited!
Saturdays:
Tech Time @ the Library, March 16th, April 6th, 13th, and 20th from 10 AM to 1 PM. Drop in the library to ask Justin your IT related questions and learn to navigate your device or our computers!