Frankfurter Dilemma

Book discussion by Ruth Kelly

Thursday, October 15
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Main Library Community Room
145 Washington Ave.

It's a position Will Burleigh has worked toward his entire career—a spot on the United States Supreme Court. With the support of his wife, Sarah, Will is excited at the prospect of sitting on the highest court of the nation. But when the confirmation process begins, things take a turn neither Will nor Sarah ever expected. When the price of success keeps escalating to a standoff, Will and Sarah must ask themselves the ultimate question: is it worth it?

Ruth Kelly served as a senior advisor to a former New Mexico governor, and resides in Santa Fe with her husband, a federal judge.

SF County Health Van at Southside

The Santa Fe County mobile health van will be parked at the Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive, on Thursday, October 1 from Noon to 4:30 pm.

They will only be administrating Free Adult Seasonal Flu Shots.

No H1N1 or children shots will be given.

Please share this information with family and friends.

Free Computer Workshops for Adults

Beginning October 6

Southside Library
Jeff & Michelle Branch Community Room
6599 Jaguar Dr.
955-2820

Space is limited. Registration is required.
Please register at the Southside Information Desk or by calling 955-2820.

Tuesday Mornings
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

October 6:
Basic Internet Searching -
An overview of the how to search the web, use URLs, search and safety tips, and lots of fun stuff.

October 13:
Basic Internet E-mail -
Set up a free e-mail account on the internet, send and receive messages, attach documents, and set up contact lists.

October 27:
Searching the Library Catalog and Databases -
Learn how to search the catalog and databases effectively, place holds, view your record and much, much more.

November 3 :
Basic Résumé Creation -
Create and edit your résumé using a free internet program.

Thursday Afternoons
5:30-6:30 p.m.

October 8:
Basic Internet Searching -
An overview of the how to search the web, use URLs, search and safety tips, and lots of fun stuff.

November 5 :
Searching the Library Catalog and Databases -
Learn how to search the catalog and databases effectively, place holds, view your record and much, much more.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

“Wild Blogs”

or “How to shake up your comfort zone in as little as two weeks”!

It's been a long 22 years since I owned a motorcycle. I put it away when my children were little, but now the time is right to get back to the hobbies that I hadn't had a lot of time for. After all those years I still remembered some things about riding, but I also had some bad habits. One is a 'California Stop', which does not have to take place in The Golden State and it is not a stop at all; it’s more of a roll instead of a complete stop.

I was told by a friend that there is a basic motorcycle riding course here in Santa Fe. I signed up online at the last minute. What an incredibly intense experience! The instructors are informed, well qualified and really interested in making it a positive experience. The course ran 2 days; each day was divided into 2 hours in a classroom and 6 hours on a motorcycle, which they provided. There is a lot to remember but at the end of the course, I was qualified for a New Mexico motorcycle license.

After a lot of research, I decided on my “dream” bike. I was able to purchase exactly what I wanted at a local dealership where they were only too happy to sell me the bike at a great price and deliver it the next day!

Mid-life crisis you say? Well...maybe, but at least it's not red!

by CF & KC @SS
photo by TT @SS

New Technology

Learning how to use a new technology is always full of anxiety and frustration. The video below illustrates this pretty well.

If you're still nervous around computers, check out our Internet How-To links, and stay tuned for announcements about our Internet Workshops, starting October 6 at the Southside Library!

If the video doesn't display automatically, click here.

Research Pro is Ready to Go!

The Santa Fe Public Library is launching Research Pro, a new and exciting search tool. Research Pro will allow you to search across all of our online databases as well as our catalog at the same time. You will be able to see everything the library has on a topic, and view full-text articles as well. It’s a great tool for students and both the casual and expert researcher.

The Research Pro search box is located right on our Catalog Home Page for easy access. If you’re in one of the libraries, you will not need to sign in. If you’re searching from home, you will just need to sign in using your name and library card barcode number.

We’d love to hear your feedback about Research Pro. Please let us know what you think by emailing library@santafenm.gov.

Research Pro at the Santa Fe Public Library is made possible by a grant from the New Mexico State Library.

Fall Clean-up Day

Saturday, September 26

Keep Santa Fe Beautiful, in cooperation with the City of Santa Fe and New Mexico Clean and Beautiful, are sponsoring the annual communitywide Trek for Trash Fall Clean-Up Day.

Citizens, businesses, schools, and neighborhood & civic groups are asked to join Keep Santa Fe Beautiful and the City of Santa Fe's Solid Waste Management and Parks divisions for a clean-up day at city parks, school campuses, neighborhoods, rights-of-way and other visible public areas around the city. Residents who need to fulfill community service requirements are encouraged to participate.

Trek for Trash Fall Clean-Up volunteers will meet at 1142 Siler Road between 7 and 9 a.m. to pick up refuse bags and gloves. Volunteers can clean areas they have identified or be assigned an area to clean by Keep Santa Fe Beautiful. City crews will pick up and dispose of the refuse collected by volunteers.

Keep Santa Fe Beautiful hosts a post clean-up picnic beginning at about noon at the Nancy Rodriguez Center, 1 Prairie Loop, "to thank volunteers who participate in the community clean up,” said Keep Santa Fe Beautiful Coordinator Gilda Montaño. The Nancy Rodriguez Center is located on Lopez Lane north of Agua Fria between the Agua Fria Fire Station and La Familia Medical Center. Parking is available at the center.

To sign up for Trek for Trash Fall Clean-Up Day, email Gilda Montaño. And visit Keep Santa Fe Beautiful on the World Wide Web.

Magazine and Newspaper List Now Online!

We’ve added our print magazine and newspaper listings to the Online Catalog! To see all the titles, click on New Books and More in the right-hand menu, and then select Print Magazines and Newspapers. We are still working on adding the branch information, so not every branch will have every title listed. We do have information about whether our subscription is current and how far back the issues go.

If you’re not sure if the item you’re looking at is a magazine or newspaper, be sure to look for this icon:
If you can’t make time to come in to the library, you can always search for articles on our Online Databases or our new search tool, Research Pro. As always, feel free to ask our Reference Librarians for more information or assistance by visiting any branch, calling your local Reference Desk, or emailing library@santafenm.gov.

The Stars at Night

Is it just me, or are the stars clearer in the autumn night sky than at any other time? When the rain clouds are cooperative by vanishing, it's been a treat to stand outside in the crisp air and see the fall constellations peeking over the treetops and roofs. Orion in particular is always a welcome harbinger of this season.

Despite having studied astronomy several times, I am by no means an expert stargazer. Instead, I've focused on the celestial knowledge that comes from the originating myths. While many of the traditional myths are Greek in origin, others come from Sumer and Egypt. Additionally, many other cultures have their own myths and constellations to explain and remember the shapes in the sky.

Also related to the stars and constellations is the age-old study of astrology. While our 21st Century perspective has pushed this firmly into the New Age category, it can be a fun tool to play with. If nothing else, it's also an easy entree to learning different constellations.

We often get patrons who want to learn more about astrology, but don't know where to start. Like astronomy, I'm not an expert on this topic, but the following titles have proven useful to people who want to learn more about the astrological zodiac:

• The Secret Language of Birthdays
• Sun & Moon Signs
• The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need
• Linda Goodman's Love Signs
• The New Astrology

And, a book that I haven't read, but might nominate for the Diagram Prize:
How to Spot a Bastard by His Star Sign.

What are some of your favorite constellations, and what are the myths behind them? Which important astrology books have I inadvertently left out? And most importantly, what's your sign?

NM Women Authors’ Book Festival

The New Mexico Women Authors’ Book Festival will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Milner Plaza at Museum Hill.

Additional details, including the times for all author presentations are available at this website.

A cool new feature has been added this year -- the opportunity for book clubs and writing groups to select and meet privately with an author of their choice.

To participate, please call (505) 982-3016, ext. 25.

Brain Drain

While trying to get rid of a headache the other day, I came across some interesting articles about how the brain functions. The first, from Slate, is about how our instant-gratification technology, such as Twitter and Facebook, rewires the brain into a perpetual seeking mode. Apparently this is a dopamine-driven behavior that leads to mental stimulation, but not satisfaction. Long-term effects? Your friends might break your iPhone, or you might find yourself incapable of making any decision, big or small, without first consulting the interwebs or a gadget. On the other hand, Slate just posted another article about using technologies such as Twitter to your advantage. Will our brains ever be the same again?

The second article is from a new-to-me resource, the Research Digest Blog from the British Psychological Society. The blog summarizes current research in a way that laypeople can appreciate. The post described how the way we perceive time might predict how angry we are overall. People who are slow to anger tend to view time as moving towards them, while angrier people see themselves as moving through time. It's an interesting observation, especially at closing time on a Friday afternoon. Another post analyzed personal space and brain development. If you consider yourself an amateur or seasoned people-watcher, definitely check out this blog for some explanations about what you see.

Hard and Soft:

Works from New Mexico’s Ceramic and Fiber Studios

September 18th through December 24, 2009
Santa Fe Arts Commission Community Gallery
201 W. Marcy St. at the Sheridan intersection

Opening Celebration,
Friday, September 18th
5:00 - 7:00 pm
FREE to the public

Hard and Soft will feature work from New Mexico artists whose art is produced in local studios and participate in local studio tours/maps. The selected artists on exhibit represent the full range of techniques and approaches available from their chosen media. Through this exhibit, the Arts Commission hopes to honor the history of traditions in New Mexico and their continued changing application in the arts. The exhibit will coordinate with studio tours/maps throughout the area and the artists who make them so successful.

Baile Español Performance

The troupe has been performing locally for 28 years and is dedicated to preserving Hispanic culture and heritage through dance.

A Free Program for Families
In Celebration of
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th through October 15th

Tuesday, September 29th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Southside Branch Library

Wednesday, September 30th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Main Library

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

The More Things Change

A patron called recently and wanted information about her uncle who passed away in Santa Fe in 1929. For questions like these, the best source is the Microfilm—the back issues of the Santa Fe New Mexican to be exact. Since the early New Mexican was never indexed, questions like these involve long hours in front of those ancient machines, scrolling through page after page.

What I thought might be a tad tedious turned out to be fascinating. My search focused on the spring months of 1929: just before the Great Depression, at the height of Prohibition. Baby Face Nelson on the front page, Charles Lindbergh returning from his honeymoon, NY Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt at his son's wedding. Speakeasies and booze parlors and demon drink articles galore! And then the things that don't change: Santa Fe rents rise with the summer tourist influx; corruption and scandal locally, nationally and internationally; military news and cultural events.

Also throughout the spring of 1929: a regular column called "A Library Is a Necessity Not a Luxury". These informational articles talk about how the library benefits residents and visitors alike. The article from April 17th, page 7, states:

Imagine the surprise of some such intelligent traveler if he were to be told: "No, we have no library." He would probably go away with an impression of Santa Fe so unfavorable that not all its attractions would be enough to counterbalance it.

Unfortunately, the column is replaced in the April 27th edition with a front page notice entitled: "The Library May Close". After fundraising only brought in $1,000, the article states, "The library must have $5,000 or suspend operations..." I'm still in the midst of this research, and I feel as if I stopped reading a mystery just before finding out whodunit! *

As the City celebrates its 400th Anniversary and 297th Fiesta, it's thrilling to examine just a slice of that history from 80 years ago, and to see how so much has stayed the same.



* So I don't leave you in unbearable suspense, the City of Santa Fe did step up to save the Library, its jewel in the City. There, now you won't lose any sleep.

Steven Plá Storytelling

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th to October 15th

The Santa Fe Public Library presents a series of programs for children beginning with master storyteller Steven Plá telling stories from Latin American countries.

Wednesday, September 23rd
Two Events

Main Library
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

La Farge Library
3:30 to 4:30 pm

A librarian for over 30 years, Steven has been welcomed at libraries for his international storytelling and enrichment work, especially with the children of Zuni Pueblo. Steven has over 25 years of telling stories from around the world and believes that storytelling is a “bridge to understanding between cultures.”

Please join us in learning about other cultures through the voice of Steven Plá.
This program is free and open to all ages. School classes are also welcome.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

(or, how you can find everything on a topic)

Ever wondered who comes up with those exceedingly helpful yet occasionally bizarre or goofy subject headings, which make it so easy to search for all the books we have on a certain topic or person? Well, the subject headings we use are authorized by the Library of Congress, so that every library on the planet doesn’t come up with a different way of saying, for instance, Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction. Imagine the frustration in trying to think of every way some wacky cataloger could have phrased that one – Frontier and pioneer life! Pioneer and frontier life! Pioneer life without frontiers! You see what I mean. Thanks to these authorized forms, when you see the hyperlinked subject heading in our catalog, all you have to do is click on it and it will provide you with a list of every book we have on that topic.

This also works really well for authors who publish under more than one name, for when you want to find everything that person has ever written no matter what they were calling themselves at any given time. They can run, but from Library of Congress, they cannot hide. Even the authors that ask not to have their birthdates used are still individually identified by some sort of characteristic, like a middle initial.

My own pet peeve, however, is when the Library of Congress changes authorized subjects for no obvious good reason. Sure, I can see changing Alien labor to Foreign workers, but when they start doing things like changing Dulcimer and guitar music to Guitar and dulcimer music, I can only shake my head and ask the heavens why. The heavens are not answering. Then I invoke my mantra: “Job security!” As long as the Library of Congress keeps making these changes, someone has to be here to change them in our catalog!

Some of my favorite subject headings are, in no particular order:

• Burnt Tuna Syndrome
• Martians in mass media
• Drug abuse -- Programmed instruction
• Canned meat -- Poetry [this could only be for Spam haiku!]
• Church work with cowgirls
• Drooling
• Eggs as food
• Drunkenness (Philosophy)
• Potatoes -- Social aspects
• Saliva language
• Boredom -- Songs and music
• Sick -- Family relationships

by AA @Main

Library Fiestas Closings

Thursday, Sept. 10:
All libraries will close at 6:00 pm for Zozobra.

Friday, Sept. 11:
All libraries will close at 1:00 pm for Fiestas.

Saturday, Sept. 12:
The Main Library will be closed for Fiesta.
Southside and La Farge Libraries will be open from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Sunday, Sept.13:
All libraries will be closed for Fiestas.

A Conversation with Two Writers

Wednesday, September 23
6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
Southside Branch Library
6599 Jaguar Drive , 955-2820

Santa Fe fiction writers Judi Hendricks and Jo-Ann Mapson interview each other, asking each other the questions they've always wished interviewers would ask. They will talk about their work, the writing life, and read excerpts from their books. Books will be available for purchase.

Jo-Ann Mapson is the author of a book of stories, Fault Line, many anthologized essays, and nine novels, most recently The Owl and Moon Café and the Bad Girl Creek series. Two of her books have been national bestsellers, and her book Blue Rodeo was made into a TV movie starring Kris Kristofferson. She teaches fiction at the University of Alaska's MFA in Creative Writing program.

Armed with a degree in journalism and a short attention span, Judith Ryan Hendricks worked as a journalist, copywriter, computer instructor, travel agent, waitress and baker before turning to fiction writing. Her first novel, Bread Alone was a national bestseller and a Booksense 76 pick. It was followed by Isabel's Daughter, set in Santa Fe, and The Baker's Apprentice. Her newest book, The Laws of Harmony, was published in February, 2009. Hendricks' fiction has been translated into 11 languages and distributed in more than 15 countries.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Polar Bears in the Kitchen

Book Reading and Signing
by Joan Woodruff

Saturday, September 19
2:00 pm
La Farge Library Community Room
1730 Llano St.

We all know New Mexico is famous for green chile, old pickup trucks, adobes, dirt roads, ancient Anasazis, and more recently, serial killers. Put these all together, add a detective who should retire, a journalist who packs pen and pistol, and you've got a spellbinding old fashioned whodunit. Polar Bears in the Kitchen will have you leaving your lights on at night.

Joan Leslie Woodruff was born in New Mexico and grew up in Corrales. Her books include Ghost in the Rainbow, Wishes and Windmills, and Neighbors.

Fall Book Sale

Main Library
145 Washington Ave.
September 26 and 27

Friends Members Only:
Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm

Open to public:
Saturday: 1 pm - 4 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 4 pm

Southwest Room:
Quality Items individually priced
Community Room:
Standard priced items

Bag Day Sunday: Community Room : only $3.00 per bag!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library. All proceeds from the sale of these donated books are used to purchase new books for the Library.

Labor Day Closings

All branches of the Santa Fe Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.

All libraries will be open regular hours, 10 am - 6 pm, on Saturday, September 5.

Main Library will be open regular hours, 1-5 pm, on Sunday, September 6.

Teens' Top Ten

Vote Now!

Voting for the 2009 Teens' Top Ten is now open! Teens can vote for up to three of their favorite titles from the 2009 nominees (PDF). Click this link or the button up top to vote through Sept. 18.

Winners will be announced during Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24, in a webcast.

September Library Exhibits

Main Library
A Retrospective: 1966-2009
Oils & Silk Screen paintings
by Cathie Sullivan

La Farge Library
Sensual Façades
Alternative Photographs
by DeAnna Satre

Southside Library
Intuitive Painting
Tempera on Paper
by Yevgeni Balicek

For more information, check our Art page.

For upcoming events, check our Calendar and Children's pages.