Free passes to the Indiana State Museum

The Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis is testing out a new program of providing local libraries with free passes that we can check out to patrons.  Beginning April 1st, you will be able to come to the Library and  check out a pass that gives you FREE general admission for up to four people plus discounted parking. Special exhibits and the IMAX theater are not included.    You can keep the pass for one week, and you can place a hold on them if all of the passes are currently checked out.  

Uncover Indiana's secrets at this world-class institution, featuring unique exhibits and hands-on experiences that showcase the unique stories, events and characters that have helped shape Indiana's history. Located in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum brings the best of the museum world to Indiana. Spanning three floors of Core Galleries, the museum tells the story of the Hoosier state, and features a year-round calendar of exhibits that dive deeper into Indiana art, science and culture. Constructed completely from Indiana materials — including limestone, sandstone, steel, brick and glass — the building itself is a work of art, with icons representing each of Indiana’s 92 counties integrated into its exterior walls. Step inside, and you’ll be invited to explore Indiana’s past, present and future through scientific, cultural, historical and art exhibits that help define our place in the world.

How to properly remove a book from a shelf....

The majority of the books on the Morgan County Public Library's shelves are in good condition.  Every once in awhile, though, we find a book that has the top part of the spine missing or damaged.  You can help us take good care of library books by viewing the following 45-second video that demonstrates, "how to properly remove a book from a shelf."

 http://www.youtube.com/embed/00m7-75OgwI?rel=0&autoplay=1

Books you own will last a lot longer if you practice the technique demonstrated at home.  Before long it will become second nature to you.

And just one more thing...

All of the library employees certainly understand that accidents will happen.  When something happens to a library book you have at home (such as a torn page, chewed corner, something spilled on the cover, etc.) please do not be afraid to tell us about it.    The library has invested in special acid-free tape and book cleaner that you will not find in your own home.   Often we can fix the problem with little or no cost to you!  All we ask is that you do not try to "fix" the problem yourself. 

Let me convince you to try a foreign film!

As I considered what to write about in my first opportunity to participate in the library's local blog postings, I remembered a recent passage in a letter I had written to a friend I correspond with.  In the passage I described a film I had recently seen.  Here is what I said about the film:

"It is a German film and is called Barbara.  It is about a doctor who lived in East Germany in the 80's, who had been banished to a rural hospital as punishment for requesting to leave East Germany... 

I was surprised at how beautiful the countryside is in that part of Germany.  I had not known that.  The filming location was on the coast of the Baltic Sea, and it seems to be very windy there.  There are all of these beautiful scenes with the main character zipping along on her bicycle in wonderful wild winds, next to the trees lining the coast.  I think that was my favorite part of the film!  It prompted me to go on-line today and look at the area.  It is so beautiful!"

The film I was describing to my friend is a recent foreign film purchase, added to the Waverly branch collection. 

I have been a foreign film fan for a long time, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to talk about one when given the chance.  I love the pacing and quiet, thoughtful feel to many of the films I have seen.  I know these qualities aren't among those that people always look for in films, but a slower pace does allow you to pay attention to some things we don't always pay attention to.  Watching a foreign film is a great way to learn about another culture or another time in history.  Watching a foreign film might prompt you to learn about another part of the world, just like watching Barbara prompted me to do.  And all of this you can do from the comfort of your own home!

I know that folks don't always enjoy foreign films because they dislike subtitles.  But if you have never given a foreign film a try this might not be a bad first choice!  This film is rated PG-13, so it is not suitable for young children.  While a bit more care could have been taken with the choice of text color for some of the subtitles, those in this film are not lengthy and are not difficult to keep up with.  Make no mistake, this is not a lighthearted film.  I don’t wish to mislead you in that regard.  But this film does give viewers the opportunity to consider the ethics of the situations many people found themselves in during a particular time and place in history. 

The film can be placed on hold and sent to any of the Morgan County branch locations.  To place this video on hold click on the link to the catalog entry for the film:

                  

  Catalog entry for Barbara

If you find you like this film and would like to try some others, there are a number of other foreign films available for check out in the Morgan County Public Library system.  Happy viewing!

Julie

New! Video Games at Monrovia!

The Monrovia Branch has recently added video games to the collections at the branch.  We have a variety of games available for checkout for these gaming systems:  Nintendo Wii, Play Station, and Xbox.  Games check out for one week with one renewal.  There is a limit of one game per patron.  Come check out our selection today!  

Oh, and if you do not find the game you are looking for, use our library catalog to see what the main branch, in Martinsville, or our others branches have and put a game on hold.  Altogether, we have hundreds of video games from which you can choose!

 Video games at Morgan County Public Library

Where's Spring?

     Are you as ready for spring as I am? I am ready for warm weather and NO MORE SNOW!
I know that once we have a few days of warm weather I will be getting "dirt fever". I will be wanting to dig in my flower beds and plant some early garden such as radishes, green onions, spinach, and early peas. I am a farmer at heart as freshly turned soil smells wonderful to me.
     If you have never planted a garden or don't have enough space we have some great books at the library about container gardening and gardening in general. We even have some on how to garden from your patio or deck. There are also some great books on flower gardening if you don't do vegetables..
    My mother was an old school gardener. When I was a child everything we did in the garden centered around The Old Farmer's Almanac. We had to plant our root vegetables in the dark of the moon, and above ground vegetables during the light of the moon. Potatoes, at least one hill, were to be planted on St. Patrick's Day. That one I never really understood as we were not Irish. Those almanacs are filled with varied types information. My dad always tried to go fishing when the almanac said fishing was the best. So even if you don't garden they are worth the time to look through.
    As March has come in like a lion, I am really hoping it does go out like a lamb. Bring on SPRING!

The Game Truck is Coming to Martinsville and Waverly!

The Game Truck will be coming to the the Martinsville and Waverly Branch locations on March 12.

Main (Martinsville) - 4:00-5:30 - ages 9-17
Waverly - 6:30-8:00 - All ages/families

The truck will feature 4 stations, each with sofa and flat screen TV for a great gaming experience. The Game Truck carries over three dozen title of the most popular multiplayer video games. The titles include games for the Wii, XBox 360 and Playstation3.

Ensure your space for this awesome event by registering today!

https://in.evanced.info/morg/lib/eventcalendar.asp?lib=ALL

The Perfect Way to Make Spring Bloom in Your Heart (not to mention your yard)

The seed catalogs have been arriving in the mail; they are a surer sign than the robins that spring is on the way. Whether planting flowers around the house for colorful accents, creating butterfly or hummingbird gardens to attract some of natures most beautiful creatures, growing tomatoes in pots on the deck, or laying out a garden that will keep you fed through the winter, there are books in the library collection to help you map your way to horticultural success. Many of them are also delightful reading.


The following are only a brief starting point. You can try subject searches on composting,  greenhouses, and many other topics to find the perfect gardening book for you. You may hit the back arrow in your browser to return to this screen.


Everyday Garden Solutions


Wildlife Gardening


Vegetable Gardening in the Midwest


Garden Birds: How to Attract Birds to Your Garden


Planning your garden : the complete guide to designing and planting a beautiful garden / Peter McHoy.


Gardening basics : everything you need to know to get started.


Gardening with heirloom plants / David Stuart.


The kitchen garden / Sylvia Thompson.


American grown : the story of the White House kitchen garden and gardens across America / Michelle Obama.


Cultivating sacred space : gardening for the soul / Elizabeth Murray.


Growing food in small gardens / Barbara Segall.


The complete idiot's guide to seed saving and starting / by Sheri Ann Richerson.


Crops in pots : how to plan, plant, and grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs in easy- care containers / Bob Purnell ; photography by Freia Turland.


Container gardens : how to create beautiful gardens step by step in pots indoors and out / Peter McHoy & Stephanie Donaldson.




Hummingbird gardens : turning your yard into hummingbird heaven / Stephen W. Kress, guest editor ; Steve Buchanan, illustrator.


Butterflies in the backyard / Scott Shalaway.




The worm book : the complete guide to worms in your garden / by Loren Nancarrow and Janet Hogan Taylor.




I hope you're feeling warmer already.


Chuck