The Book Clubs are coming Back!

October is a great month for the Fremont Libraries. October is when the Book Clubs return to the Centerville and Irvington Branches.

On October 9th from 4 to 5pm, by popular request, we will be doing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . What was your favorite part? Is there anything you would change? If there was an eight book what would like to see in it?

 

  On October 22nd from 330 to 430 pm , we are discussing Coarline by Neil Gaiman. The Story:Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others. Do you like to explore? Have you ever found anything you didn’t want to find? Have you ever wondered how brave you would be if you found something really creepy?

To join the book clubs, come into the libraries and sign up; or Call the Centerville (795-2629) or Irvington ( 795-2631) libraries;  or email Beth .  Limited copies of the books are available for check out.

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It’s Banned Books Week!

September 27 – October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week

Celebrate your freedom to read by reading a book that someone out there doesn’t want you to. It’s the lure of the forbidden. If you need some suggestions, check out the list of books below. I’ve linked the books in the list to our catalog so that you can place holds on the ones that intrigue you.

From the ALA Frequently Challenged Books Site:

The most frequently challenged books of 2007

The following books were the most frequently challenged in 2007:

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 420 challenges last year. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2) “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism

6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7) “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8 ) “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit

9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10) “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. “The Bluest Eye” and “Beloved,” both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.

The most frequently challenged authors of 2007

1) Robert Cormier
2) Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
3) Mark Twain
4) Toni Morrison
5) Philip Pullman
6) Kevin Henkes
7) Lois Lowry
8 ) Chris Crutcher
9) Lauren Myracle
10) Joann Sfar
”

Get out there and celebrate your freedom to read!

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Podcasting in Plain English

I attended a very interesting class on Podcasting yesterday. This was one of the videos that the instructor showed us. I’m posting it here for all of you folks out there who want a better idea as to what Podcasts are. Enjoy!

Podcasting in Plain English (from the CommonCraft Show):

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13 Classic Radio Shows

Thursday Thirteen #38

Hello all. This week I’m hearkening back to the days of yesteryear. I bring you a blast from the past. 13 facts about 13 classic radio shows. Please enjoy.

Do you have a request for something you would like to see 13 facts about? Let me know.

Video killed the radio star?
1. The Saint (1945-1951) – Vincent Price was one of the actors who portrayed Simon Templar. (listen)

2. The Shadow (1930-1954) – Originally, The Shadow was created as a narrator fot “The Detective Story Hour.” (an online documentary)

3. Dragnet (1949-1957) – The theme music was not yet in place when the show started. It was added within the month. (listen)

4. Tales of The Texas Rangers (1950-1952) – This show was developed by Stacy Keach and starred Joel McCrea. (listen)

5. Buck Rogers (1932-1947) – In Buck Roger’s 25th century, Niagara is the capital of the US. (listen)

6. Flash Gordon (1935-1936) – Flash’s radio run wasn’t very long. His spot was soon taken by Jungle Jim. (listen)

7. Gunsmoke (1952-1961) – The Gunsmoke theme was written in ten minutes, as the composer had overslept that morning. (listen)

8. Hopalong Cassidy (1948-1952) – This radio show was a gamble that paid off big time for Walter and Shirley White, who financed the original episodes with their own money. It also paid off for Bill “Hopalong” Boyd who had purchased the rights to his films with borrowed money in preparation for the TV market. The return on their investments was phenomenal. (listen)

9. Tarzan Of The Apes (1932-1936, 1950-1953) – The original Jane was played by Joan Burroughs, the daughter of Edgar Rice Burroughs. (listen)

10. The Whistler (1942-1955) – Dorothy Roberts whistled the theme weekly for thirteen years. (listen)

11. The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin (1930-1934, 1955) – The actual Rin-Tin-Tin provided his own sound effects until his death, at which point RinTin-Tin Jr. took over. (official Rin Tin Tin site)

12. Fibber McGee and Molly (1935-1959) – Fibber and Molly were played by Jim and Marian Jordan for the entire run of the show. A word to the wise? Don’t try to open Fibber’s closet, no matter what you’re looking for. (Radio Hall of Fame page)

13. Dick Tracy (1934-1946) – This show was based on a comic strip by Chester Gould. (listen)

Source:
The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio by John Dunning

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17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore

Ah, the trials of an imaginative, resourceful and thoroughly independent minded, yet vastly misunderstood genius. Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter have combined to create an ingenious and yet unwittingly nefarious heroine who has, among other things, the idea to staple her brother’s hair to his pillow, to tell her brother’s fortune (he’s soon going to be eaten by hyenas), to walk backwards to school, and to set Joey Whipple’s shoe on fire. The list of her trespasses goes on and on. One begins to think that her ideas are perhaps not as guileless as she would like us to believe. Has our nameless narrator learned her lesson by the end of the story? Hardly. But just what deliciously dastardly deeds she has up her sleeve is anyone’s guess. Who knows what other 17 things she may soon not be allowed to do anymore?

Check holdings or place a hold.

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A Stop on the Silk Road: The Archaeology of Afghanistan

A Stop on the Silk Road: The Archaeology of Afghanistan
Fremont Main Library – Fukaya Meeting Room
Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Fremont Main Library invites you to a presentation about archeological sites and objects of Afghanistan. This program is in celebration of a traveling exhibition of extraordinary archaeological treasures from the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul. This exhibition has been in the National Gallery of Art and will be in San Francisco at the Asian Art Museum from October 24, 2008 to January 25, 2009. It will also travel to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

This presentation is by Nadia Tarzi, Executive Director and founder of the Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to the archaeology and cultural heritage of Afghanistan. For more information, visit www.apaa.info.

This event is free. No reservations are required. Seating limits will be observed. For more information, call (510) 745-1401. The Fremont Main Library, a branch of the Alameda County Library system, is located at 2400 Stevenson Boulevard and is wheelchair accessible. The Library will provide an ASL interpreter for any event with at least 7 working days notice. Please call 510-745-1401 or 510-489-1655 (TDD).

– Farah

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Parenting Class for Mandarin-speaking Parents 歡迎參加父母成長班

I have the privilege of working at Centerville Library, a small yet very busy and culturally diverse library in northern Fremont. Many of our customers are new immigrants who are still learning English. We understand that sometimes services are better delivered in the language the customers are more familiar with. As a start, we will be offering a new program for Mandarin-speaking families. Besides the popular bilingual storytime, and the 0-5 parenting workshop offered during the storytime session (many thanks to the Infant and Toddler Program, City of Fremont, for the continuing support), we now have a parenting class that will meet regularly at Centerville Library. The October class is scheduled on October 2nd at 12:30 – 2:00 pm. This new parenting class is led by Dr. Shu-Ling Chen. Dr. Chen has a Ph.D in early childhood and parenting education. She has been giving seminars and a leader of parenting groups in the Bay Area for 17 years. Dr. Chen is also the author of a well-known Chinese parenting book.

Since the program is conducted in Mandarin, information on the class below is written in Chinese.

Dr. ShuLing Chen 陳姝伶博士 簡介:
陳姝伶博士畢業於台大社會系，社會研究所。畢業後曾任職內政部及台北護專。赴美後，於University of Oregon的幼兒教育系進修，專攻幼兒認知發展及親職教育，取得幼教碩士及博士學位。陳姝伶女士在取得博士學位後，於1991年11月成立親子樂園，至 今已十多餘年，藉著定期聚會，讓住在大聖荷西地區的父母們有一個共同學習成長以及分享經驗的機會。陳博士不但在親子樂園中與父母們分享幼教專業，也經常在灣區的中文學校和社團中演講。陳姝伶博士並與陳怡菁女士合著有”教出這樣的好孩子: 幼教博士陳姝伶的媽媽經”一書。

Centerville Library 非常幸運地獲得陳博士的首肯，自十月份起在北本館成立父母成長班，希望能服務有需要的華人家長。這樣的機會真的很難得，座位有限，請趕快報名喔 ! 詳情請看 這裡

本月主題: 談兒童的學習: 如何提高學習動機與培養正面的學習態度
時間: 十月二日星期四下午12:30至2:00

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Book Review: Scarlet Moon

Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguié is an entertaining retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story. Here the girl in the hood’s name is Ruth. Her Grandmother lives in the woods because she is believed to practice witchcraft. Ruth herself must learn the trade of blacksmith from her father, as her brother has been lost during the Crusades. The wolf? Well, that’s the question. You see, there’s a werewolf about and people have been attacked. Who is the wolf?

Scarlet Moon is part of the Simon Pulse teen targeted “Once Upon a Time” series. (Debbie’s other book in the series is Midnight Pearls – a retelling of the Little Mermaid.) As with most fairy tale re-tellings of late, this series has been quite popular. At 157 pages, this book is a quick and enjoyable read. I must admit that my fondness for this book may have something to do with my fondness for werewolves. It’s possible. (Yes, my favorite character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was Oz.) I also enjoy how much detail has been added to this traditional tale. The cover art is by K Y Craft, and if you look closely you will find a wolf not only in the moon, but also in a repeating pattern throughout the entire cover. K Y Craft is a fabulous artist. Perhaps I will be rich someday, and then I will be able to afford one of her originals.

Hopefully, Debbie Viguié will be writing for many years to come!

Debbie Viguié’s Website – http://www.debbieviguie.com
K Y Craft’s Website – http://www.kycraft.com/
(Place a hold)

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“John C. Fremont Bust” unveiled at the Fremont Main Library

“John C. Fremont Bust” unveiled at the Fremont Main Library

On Tuesday, September 8, the Fremont Main Library was pleased to accept the gift of a bust of John C. Fremont. This beautifully-executed work, sculpted by the late Rex E. Smith, was donated in his memory by his wife, Barbara Smith, and family.

Rex. E. Smith grew up in Manhattan, Kansas and graduated from high school in St. Joe. Missouri. He was a Marine on the aircraft carrier Enterprise when Pearl Harbor was attacked and during the first year of the war.

Rex met Barbara while attending the Naval pre-flight school at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, They spent their first few years of marriage living in the Cordonecis Housing Project in Albany. There Rex developed an interest in John C. Fremont when he met one of his neighbors – the great grandson of General Fremont also named John C. Fremont or “Jack”. Twenty years old at the time, Jack was continuing the family tradition of petitioning the federal government over a land claim. He said “Here I am living in the projects while I’m holding the deed to the Presidio of San Francisco.”

Rex was accomplished in painting, stained glass and wood carving, but had a special talent for clay sculpture. The Fremont bust was sculpted in the mid 60’s. To ensure its durability as a public art display the bust was recently bronzed – a process which surprisingly revealed several additional pieces of detail in the work including the artist’s signature.

John C. Fremont, the namesake of our city, was one of the most flamboyant and controversial figures of the mid-1800’s. He was called “The Pathfinder” for his role as trailblazer across the young continent. He first came to California in 1845 and was struck by the beauty and agricultural possibilities of the Mission San Jose area. He attempted to purchase property here, but his intermediary, Thomas Larkin, bought land in Mariposa instead.

Mayor Bob Wasserman accepted the bust on behalf of the city of Fremont and shared the story of the how the name “Fremont” was chosen. When plans for incorporation were under discussion there were a few suggestions for the new city’s name including “Fremont” and “Mission Valley”. Faced with the need to make a choice or miss the deadline for filing the incorporation paperwork, Wally Pond said “Fremont.”

Tuesday’s presentation coincided with the opening of Fremont Main Library’s new Local History display area which currently features an exhibit about John C. Fremont. Library Manager, Don Nunes also took this occasion to show plans for the new Maurice Marks Center for Local and California History which is currently under development.

The bust is situated on the second floor of the library by the Local History display area. You are invited to view the sculpture and enjoy the display on John C. Fremont.

– Janet

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13 Facts About 18 September 2008

Thursday Thirteen #37

One of my favorite reference books is Chase’s Calendar of Events. You can use it to find birthdays, events, and special occasions for any day of the year. Some of those events are serious, some very silly. Did you know that Friday is Talk Like a Pirate Day? This week I bring you 13 things that are happening this Thursday.

On this day…
1. On 18 September 1964 “The Addams Family” television show premiered. Can you believe that this amazing show has been around for 44 years? (Watch the intro.)

2. Today is Greta Garbo’s birthday! She would have been 103 this year. (Learn more about Garbo here.)

3. Happy Independence Day, Chile! Today marks the anniversary of the day that Chile declared its independence from Spain in 1810. (Chile Tourism)

4. Frankie Avalon is 69 today. A big happy birthday to the male lead from all of those Beach Party movies. (The Beach Party trailer.)

5. The US Air Force was established as a separate military service on this date in 1947. Military aviation as part of the US Army dates back to 1907.

6. The New York Times, then called The New-York Daily Times, was first published on this date in 1851. (The name was changed in 1857 to The New York Times.)

7. The TV program Get Smart premiered on this date in 1965. It ran until 1970 and even changed networks at one point. (Get Smart intro)

8. The 59 Minute 37 Second Anvil Mountain Challenge takes place for the thirteenth time in Nome, Alaska today. If you feel like running 834 feet up the face of a mountain, and returning, in the allotted time you might what to look into this challenge. (more info)

9. Today Lance Armstrong turns 37 years old. Happy Birthday to you, Olympian and winner of the Tour de France seven times over!

10. On 18 September 1830 a horse beat an Iron Horse in a race. To be specific, the first locomotive built in America lost the race due to various mechanical difficulties. Good job to the horse, I say.

11. The United States took out its first loan on this date in 1789. The amount of $191,608.81 (which became known as the Temporary Loan of 1789) was loaned by the Bank of New York and the Bank of North America. The loan was repaid by 8 June 1790.

12. John Diefenbaker was born on this day in 1895. This former Canadian Prime Minister (1957-1963) would have been 113 this year. (In the TV show “Due South,” there was a wolf named after him.)

13. Samuel Johnson, creator of the first great dictionary in English, was born on this day in 1709. If he were still around, he’d be 299, and probably still making quips. He once said, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

Source:

Chase’s Calendar of Events 2008

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