Archive for July, 2009
Re-thinking the Book
Hello again. I am eager to share with you a marvelous experience I was privileged to enjoy recently when I attended a class called “Book Arts 101″ presented by the Southeast Florida Libraries Information Network. This workshop took place at the Jaffe Center for Book Arts (http://www.library.fau.edu/depts/spc/jaffe.htm) located in the Wimberly Library at Florida Atlantic University, and it was truly eye-opening. John Cutrone and Arthur Jaffe himself introduced us to this spectacular and unique collection of “artists’ books”. The book as art opens up whole new concepts for creative interpretations and indeed rethinking the very definition of “the book”, in a variety of clever forms. Visually stimulating pop-ups, 
tunnel, quilted, staircase, flag books, graphic novels, miniatures, broadsides, anamorphic illustrations with mirrored cylinders, and so much more delight the eye and inspire the imagination. The book is filling a different function today – more than words, and ideas in between the words. Books are to be read, touched, heard, experienced, even smelled! The visual impact makes a more indelible impression. In the American flag-in-a -box book For Boys Who Dream of War, the message is more effective than written columns of war casualty statistics. Artists’ books are vehicles for bringing ideas to a different level. The Jaffe Center’s motto is: “A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.” Many philosophical musings are represented in the impact of this collection: “The Koran, the Bible, the Britannica all burn the same color!”
Graphic novels have become significantly popular, and the West Palm Beach Public Library has a wonderfully representative collection of graphic novels. I personally appreciated the visual and literary impact 
of The curious 
case of Benjamin Button : a graphic novel / F. Scott Fitzgerald ; adapted by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir ; illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Bird songs : 250 North American birds in song / by Les Beletsky ; foreword by Jon. L. Dunn, is a fine example of a book to be experienced as one listens to the sounds of individual bird species by means of the digital audioplayer contained in the book. What a marvelous learning experience!
At the Jaffe Center we actually operated an authentic printing press and created our own books! This heightened our appreciation for the process as well as for the finished product. There is nowhere near enough room here to tell you of all the wonderful visual and tactile experiences awaiting you at the Jaffe Center for Book Arts. Please visit their website and sign up for one of their workshops. If you haven’t visited us in our new library building at 411 Clematis Street, please come and see all our wonderful offerings in attractive settings on all 4 floors! To learn more about artists’ books, we recommend some books on the subject contained in the collection here at the West Palm Beach Public Library:
Alphabetica : an A-Z creativity guide for collage and book artists / Lynne Perrella.
The decorated journal : creating beautifully expressive journal pages / Gwen Diehn
Making books by hand : a step-by-step guide / Mary McCarthy, Philip Manna
May all of your “book” experiences be enriching and rewarding!
Esther Fawn Van Allen, Reference Librarian
1 comment July 29, 2009
Looking to change your career?
If you are miserable at your current place of employment or even worse you have just lost your job now might be a great time to consider a career change. Unemployment is on the rise so maybe its time to evaluate a new career and explore the possibility of enrolling in one of our local colleges in the pursuit of another degree.
So please join us on Tuesday, August 4th from 10:00am-2:00pm for the “Get That Degree: Education Fair!” It’s your opportunity to talk about your future to:
Barry University
Florida Atlantic University
Keiser University
Palm Beach Atlantic
Palm Beach Community College
Nova Southeast University
Union Institute and University
University of Phoenix
The above schools will be in attendance to answer your questions about continuing your education. There will also be breakout sessions to inform you about scholarship opportunities, financial aid, and test-taking prep!
And if you’re concerned about the money $$$ situation with going back to school the West Palm Beach Public Library owns many books on financial aid and scholarship resources. Here are a few examples:
Education will increase your chances of finding either a new job or enhance the one you already have so be proactive and mark your calendar for our Education Fair!
To be held in the Library’s Urban Living Room on the first floor. For more information please contact the library at 561-868-7701 or visit www.mycitylibrary.org.
Theresa
Add comment July 25, 2009
FREE Yoga classes continue until May 2010!
For all of you yoga fans the news is the West Palm Beach Public Library will continue offering its FREE yoga classes every Saturday morning until May 2010!
Why not feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful and best of all at no cost? And for those of you still considering joining our classes consider the following:
The physical and psychological results from participating in regular yoga classes is a no-brainer for me and since I am always on the lookout for a deal attending a free yoga class is immensely appealing!
So be sure to bring your mat and join me every Saturday morning (unless of course I am working the reference desk that day!) from 10:30-11:30am in the library’s Auditorium.
For more information please contact the library 561-868-7701 or visit us at www.mycitylibrary.org.
Theresa
Add comment July 24, 2009
Author Visits @ the Library: A. Manette Ansay & Daniel Silva!
How excited am I to have not one but TWO well-known and best-selling authors visit the West Palm Beach Public Library this week! I’m still trying to rearrange my work schedule so I can be sure to hear both of these awesome authors talk about their latest works!
On Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30pm A. Manette Ansay will be in the Clematis Room of the Library to discuss and sign copies of her latest Good Things I Wish You. Ms. Ansay also wrote Vinegar Hill, an Oprah Book Club Selection, and Midnight Champagne, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as a short story collection, Read This and Tell Me What It Says, and a memoir, Limbo. Besides her busy writing schedule Ms. Ansay also teaches at the University of Miami.
On Friday, July 24 at 1:00pm the New York Times bestselling novelist, Daniel Silva will be in the library auditorium to talk about his latest thriller, The Defector, as well as sign copies. Mr. Silva is infamous for his writings of international intrigue and is considered one of the greatest American spy novelists. If you have not heard him speak before you will be in for a treat!
The West Palm Beach Public Library owns many of the above authors’ other works so be sure to check them out while you’re here!
- Blue Water by A. Manette Ansay
- The Mark of the Assassin by Daniel Silva
See you next week!
Theresa
1 comment July 17, 2009
Create the perfect relationship with your dog!
Having issues with your dog or possibly need the services of a pet shrink? Look no further because the West Palm Beach Public Library is presenting a special program titled “Explore pets in your space: what all good dogs should know!” Noted animal behaviorist, Lorraine F. Smith will be visiting Thursday, July 16th at 7:00pm to teach you how to create a happy and healthy relationship with your animal companion. Think “Dog Whisperer…”
Maybe now I can finally have my couch back again…
This is a free event and open to all! For more information please contact the library at 561-868-7701. Program will be held in the library’s Hibiscus Room.
Theresa
Add comment July 15, 2009
Let’s Read West Palm Beach!
Do you love books? Do you love reading especially to young children? Or do you have a desire to volunteer your time to help children become better readers? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions please consider joining the “Let’s Read” program sponsored by the West Palm Beach Public Library.
The “Let’s Read” program brings volunteers from our community into four local schools and introduces young children to the joy of reading. Over 800 children experience a love of beautiful new literature weekly. The Palm Beach Post, one of our sponsors, makes it possible for every child in the program to receive wonderful new books to begin their own home library.
Why not join our team of excellent volunteers and share books with children? Volunteers donate only one hour per week and make a ten week commitment to the program. Training and all materials are provided for interested readers. Click here to view the volunteer application.
Call 561-868-7786 for more information and to get trained to become a volunteer for our fall session.
So let’s read…let’s read…let’s read West Palm Beach!
Theresa
Add comment July 11, 2009
