Consulado Móvil / Mobile Consulate Day

The Mexican consulate will have a Mobile Consulate Day in Santa Fe. [PDF]

Saturday, March 6
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Southside Branch Library

AVISO

El Consulado de México en Albuquerque, le invita a asistir al Consulado Móvil, que tendrá lugar en la ciudad de Santa Fe, NM.

Fecha: sábado 6 de marzo de 2010 /
Lugar: Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Dr., SF, NM 87507
Horario de Atención: 10:00 a.m. a 3.00 p.m.

Matrícula consular: costo de $27.00 dólares en efectivo.
• acta de nacimiento original (y copia fotostática)
• identificación oficial con fotografía (y copia fotostática)
• comprobante del actual domicilio de los últimos tres meses
a su nombre (y copia fotostática).

Costo de Pasaportes: (Pago en efectivo)
$74.00 dólares por 3 años / $101.00 dólares por 6 años

Pasaportes (varones)
• acta de nacimiento original (y dos copias)
• dos identificaciones oficiales con fotografía (y dos copias)
• tres fotografías de frente de 1½ x 1½ pulgadas a color o blanco y negro.

Pasaportes (menores de edad)
• acta de nacimiento original (y dos copias),
• identificación oficial con fotografía (y dos copias)
• tres fotografías de frente de 1½ x 1½ pulgadas a color o blanco y negro
• comparecer ambos padres con dos identificaciones cada uno (y dos
copias de cada documento). Los menores de 6 años deberán presentar
la cartilla nacional de vacunación.

Pasaportes (mujeres casadas en los Estados Unidos)
• Mismos requisitos que los varones, mas:
• Copia certificada del acta de matrimonio apostillada por el Departamento
de Estado del Estado en que se efectuó el matrimonio (y dos copias)

Pasaportes (mujeres casadas en México)
• Mismos requisitos que los varones, mas:
• acta de matrimonio original (y dos copias)

REGISTRO DE NACIMIENTO (Doble Ciudadanía)
Sólo concertando previa cita con: Eliel Campuzano, Encargado del
Departamento de Documentación.

DEPARTAMENTO DE PROTECCIÓN
Asesorías en materia laboral, migratoria, derechos humanos, detenidos, localizaciones, y más

VENTANILLA DE SALUD
• Clases preventivas de Salud
• Referencias a Clínicas de Salud de bajo costo
• Información General de Salud

2010 US CENSUS Proveerá información sobre la importancia de participar y hacerse contar en el Censo.

DEPARTAMENTO DEL TRABAJO, Área de Sueldo y Salarios (Asesorías Laborales)

Notas: Las fotografías deberán ser tomadas sin lentes, con ropa formal y los documentos no deberán tener tachaduras ni enmendaduras. Todos los documentos deberán presentarse en original y copia fotostática.

Para mas información puede comunicarse al Consulado de Mexico al (505) 242 7566
Departamento de Documentación: Ext. 210, 214, 215
Departamento de Protección: Ext. 211, 212, 213, 216
Ventanilla de Salud: Ext. 208, 209

March 2nd Regular Municipal Election Information

The City’s Regular Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, March 2.

Voters will elect the Mayor and one City Councilor from each of the City’s four council districts. The Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

City Clerk’s staff will be available to answer questions or provide additional information at the City Clerk’s office at 200 Lincoln Avenue or by phone all day March 2 at:

• 955-6326
• 955-6519
• 955-6520
• 955-6521

Click here for polling locations.

Rainstick Craft

If you're ages 6 to 12, join us for an afternoon of making Rainsticks!

Rainsticks are musical and ceremonial instruments used from ancient times to today. Their name describes the soothing, calming rain-like sound they produce. There are several theories on the origin of the rainstick. Chilean legend says that Diaguita Indians used rainsticks during their ceremonies to call on the spirits to bring rain.

Rainsticks are made from a long, hollow tube—traditionally from a cactus that has been hollowed—and filled with beads or beans. Children can make their own rainsticks using paper as a fun craft project at the library for the rainy month of March.

The program is free and materials will be provided. Please call to register.

Wednesday, March 10th
La Farge Library:
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
955-4863

Wednesday, March 10th
Main Library:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
955-6783

Thursday, March 11th
Southside Library:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
955-2828

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Rainstick graphic courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Opposing Viewpoints Database

We’ve added a new database, Opposing Viewpoints. This is a great resource for students in grades 6 to college who need to do reports on current events or controversial issues, such as Drug Abuse or Pollution. The database provides different perspectives on the issues from a wide variety of sources including pro and con viewpoint articles, 140 full-text magazines, academic journals, newspapers, primary source documents, statistics, multimedia, web sites, and more.

This is one of the Gale databases, so it can be accessed in and outside the library both from the Gale Databases General link, and it also has its own link on the Online Resources page. While the interface is different from the other Gale databases, it should be easy to figure out and use. You can always call your branch's reference desk for more information or assistance.

A Cynic’s View of the Olympics

Like everyone else, I’ve had one eye glued to a television the last several days, watching the Olympics. And I wonder: does every average person watch the Olympics and wonder what sport they might like to try their hand at, which one could suit their personality, or at which they could maybe distinguish themselves? Well, I don’t. I hate snow. I hate cold. And I would be really, really inefficient at anything involving a ski or ice.

So my thoughts turn more to things that aren’t Olympic sports, but could be, if the universe were aligned expressly so that I could win a medal. Something at which I am really good (like baking), or want to be really good (like power napping), or with which I am obsessed (dare I say flossing). Alas, if these things were medal-worthy, any old average person could win, and that would defeat the whole purpose of the Olympics, which is where people train for their whole lives to really stand out and accomplish something amazing.

But I’ll tell you something. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and there is no way I would want to reduce my entire existence on this planet to one moment in time (or several, if you’re someone like Apolo Ohno) rising so far above the rest like a mountain peak. Sure, Olympic athletes accomplish something incredible, and I can appreciate that, and enjoy watching it. But for me personally, I’d rather have every moment count as something precious, rather than one sparkling moment that towers over and overshadows everything else I would ever do in my life, where the parts of your life are segmented into the lead up and the let down.

Mind you, I haven’t won any medals. And it’s pretty obvious people in Vancouver right now feel differently about it. But still, I am very pleased to be an average person leading an average life, where the littlest things make me happiest, and I don’t have to deal with snow except on my way to work.

Now, let’s get on with things – I can’t wait for the rest of the figure skating!

by AA @Main

Small Towns Can Be Deadly

How to Write a Cozy Mystery

An interactive presentation
by Beth Solheim

Tuesday, March 9
7:00 pm
Main Library Community Room

Mystery fans are invited to meet Minnesota author Beth Solheim at the Main Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library when she presents Small Towns Can Be Deadly—How to Write a Cozy Mystery. Beth is the author of At Witt’s End, a small-town mystery featuring a wacky cast of colorful characters who frequent the Witt’s End Resort. Join her for what promises to be a humorous and fun-filled presentation.

Beth is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Midwest Fiction Writers. She recently signed a contract for the first two books in her mystery series.

This program is free and open to the public.

The Perils of Literacy

Whereby children who read Curious George grow up to watch Werner Herzog (who is only impersonated in the clip below).





Click here if the video doesn't show.

The Not-So-Friendly Skies

As a result of watching a recent Frontline program about regional airlines (if you didn’t catch the program, you can watch it here), I got very interested in the regionals, and where they fly, and honestly, what their safety records are. I’ve never been a fan of flying, and it’s scary to have no idea what the credentials of your pilot are, or what the accident record of the line you’re flying is. In my perusal for information, I discovered that the PBS website has this nifty map from which I can’t tear myself away.

Call it a fascination with the morbid or maybe just a fervent desire to keep myself safe while palpitating through air travel, but I’ve been checking the details on every airline. Some are exemplary, and some are downright scary. In any event, if you’re planning a trip that involves an airplane any time soon, this is a valuable resource to find out in whose hands you want to put your safety.

If the regionals make you nervous, and the lack of any information of whether you’re booking a major airline or being sneakily shuttled off to one of their contract airlines infuriates, here’s a tip-off: pay attention to how many seats the plane has. You can see by checking a particular airport on the nifty map that the regionals consistently have smaller planes with less than a hundred seats. And do read the incidents and accidents reports – you may be unsettled by a long list of accidents, or pleasantly surprised by a complete lack of fatalities.

by AA @Main

Graphic courtesy of LucyTravels

Read Across America Day 2010

Celebrate “Read Across America Day”
in honor of Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

Come hear Dr. Seuss stories and join in a Horton the Elephant ears craft.
Please call to register.

Tuesday, March 2nd

Main Library
4:00 - 5:00 pm
955-6783

Southside Library
4:00 - 5:00 pm
955-2828

La Farge Library
3:30 - 4:30 pm
955-4863

This program is free and open to children of all ages.

One-Click Audio!

The Santa Fe Public Library is absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of One-Click Audio!

"What is One-Click Audio?" you might ask. It's a collection of audiobooks that can be downloaded to your home computer, iPod, or MP3 player. Just like checking out a CD audiobook from the library, these downloads are free!

We have over 2,000 titles, and get new books every month! The list of One-Click Audio titles can be found here. We also have them linked from our Media & Large Print listings. To download them, you'll need to create a free account on the One-Click (NetLibrary) site. The One-Click site also has fantasic Help Pages if you need technical assistance.

Also, these One-Click Audiobooks will be showing up in our general catalog. If you see the following icon, you know it's a One-Click!


Happy Downloading to you, until we meet again!

Renewable Energy Expo

Saturday, February 20
9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 W. Marcy Street

The purpose of the Expo is to promote the use of renewable energy in the City by providing homeowners and businesses with information on renewable energy technology, financing, and permitting.

Mayor Coss and Councilor Chris Calvert will make opening remarks followed by brief presentations explaining:

• The benefits of the new Santa Fe Renewable Energy Financing District
• PNM’s renewable energy incentives
• Tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency
• The City permitting process for solar photovoltaic installations
• The Homewise Energy Loan Program for renewable energy and energy efficiency

Vendors will also be on hand offering products and services for meeting the energy needs of homeowners and businesses.

Parking for the event is free at the Convention Center parking garage.

For more information on the City’s energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts, please visit the City Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.

Year of the Tiger

This Sunday is Chinese New Year. We'll be leaving the hard-working yet slightly stodgy Year of the Ox, and heading into the adventurous and energetic Year of the Tiger. Unlike the western New Year, Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration that ends with the Lantern Festival. This page has some great information about the structure of the Chinese calendar.

There are several taboos and superstitions about the New Year. Most of them involve Luck, or Fu, and the increase of luck for the year to come. Red is an auspicious and ubiquitous color for this day, so your attire and decor will nicely match the western holiday many of us will be celebrating on Sunday. Certain foods are popular during the New Year's celebrations. For example, the Chinese words for tangerines and oranges sound like "gold" and "wealth", so those are lucky foods to give.

So this year, don't feel like you need to go all out with fireworks and a Dragon Dance to celebrate. Just wear some red, give a loved one an orange, and see your luck roll in throughout the Year of the Tiger.

A Tasty Lesson

At Main Library, we were recently treated to a box of Señor Murphy's bolitas. Either the chocolate gave us a sugar rush, or we're just such consummate reference librarians that we couldn't permit ourselves more than one, no, make that two*, bolitas apiece without looking up the meaning of bolita.

I went to my 2nd favorite Spanish-English dictionary, the Velázquez. Looking up bola—which bolita is the diminutive of—gave us some interesting options. The first definition is the obvious origin for the namesake candy: "Ball, globe, pellet; marble, bolus". But did you know that bola also means "Lie, falsehood, humbug, hoax, fib"? Or "Blacking for shoes"? And there are several more definitions for bola, both solo and in colloquial phrases, that are listed in the Velázquez.

My colleague, likewise intrigued and chocolatized, went the internet resource route. Babel Fish translates it simply as "small ball". Wikipedia, however, delves into the brief history of the Bolita Lottery in Florida. According to Slow Food USA, the Bolita Bean got its American start right here in Northern New Mexico, and is more richly flavored than look-alike pintos. And on the Señor Murphy site: "A Santa Fe legend says these little balls of rich chocolate fudge will bring happiness." So true, oh so true.

We are of course surrounded by Spanish-speakers—staff, patrons, family members—but sometimes we just need a good excuse for an informational scavenger hunt. We're not only much more informed now, but hopefully our massive brain excursions burned at least some of the calories from the bolita-feast. So come on in to any of the Library's reference sections and get us started on a new search. Unfortunately, we've already finished the box of bolitas!

* The reference librarians had more than two bolitas apiece, of that you can be sure.

Mars Inside and Out: Two Locations

Science After School


A program developed by the Lunar and Planetary Institute, a partner of NASA. Join us for FUN hands-on science activities! Explore Mars as a real scientist would, by making observations and drawing your own conclusions. This program is offered to boys and girls ages 8 - 13.

Offered at two locations:

Wednesdays
March 17 - May 5
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Southside Branch Library
6599 Jaguar Drive
Register: 955-2828

Thursdays
March 18 - May 6
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
La Farge Branch Library
1730 Llano Street
Register: 955-4863

Each class builds on the one before it, so please plan to attend the whole series of 8 sessions. Students who attend at least 5 of the 8 sessions will receive free take-home science materials at the final session.

Class space is limited so please register in advance.
This free program is sponsored by the LANL Foundation and the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

“Lines and Circles” Workshops

The Santa Fe Convention Center Community Gallery presents a series of free workshops in conjunction with the current gallery exhibition “Lines and Circles”, a project developed by Valerie Martínez, Santa Fe’s 2008-2010 Poet Laureate. The “Lines and Circles” exhibition includes unique family works of art and poetry created by three and more generations of eleven Santa Fe families.

201 W. Marcy St. at Sheridan
In the Santa Fe Community Convention Center

Saturday, February 13, 2010
12 – 4 pm
Cut-Ups and Collage with Lauren Camp
“This workshop will let you dream and think and cut and paste your way to self expression. It’s fun and painless- good for getting your worries out, or for describing in the most poetic terms how you feel about the snow or your sofa or your grandmother or the guy next door. It might even help you remember and document some important family stories in unexpected ways.”

Saturday, February 27, 2010
12-4 pm
Bookmaking: A Pairing of Design and Content with Julie Wagner
“We will make simple books to house visual and/or written poems, exploring how the structure can interact with the words. All materials and tools will be provided. Wagner will also have samples to illustrate how book structures and meaning can interact.”

Saturday, March 13, 2010
12-4 pm
Making Books Using the Traditional Brazilian Literary Form: Cordel with Zoe Bird
“Cordel is a popular low-budget form for pamphlets of advertising, and poetry and other literary forms. Cordel is so named because the pamphlets are hung on strings for display. Participants will produce hand-made books that reference the art on display in the Gallery to create collaged call-and-response cordel books/poems that dialogue directly with the gallery exhibition. Books will be made using visual and textual elements from recycled materials provided by the instructor.”

Community Gallery Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 5 pm

For more information: Rod Lambert, Gallery Manager
(505) 955-6705, rdlambert@santafenm.gov

The Pick-Up Picks Up

THE SANTA FE PICK-UP, the city’s year-old, free downtown shuttle, is offering rides to passengers every five-to-ten minutes, in addition to the regularly scheduled pick-up and drop-off times. People who want to shop, eat, or stroll around the Guadalupe District can do so knowing that a free shuttle will pick them up at the stop on Montezuma and take them to the Plaza, the state Capitol, Canyon Road or local hotels, according to W. P. Hon, Parking Division Director. The Pick-Up also has a stop in front of the Main Library at 145 Washington Ave.

“The five- to ten-minute service will begin at 10 a.m. until around 4 p.m., when there aren’t as many commuters,” explained Hon. “We’ll have all the shuttles in service for the commuters.” The Santa Fe Pick-Up was introduced last year and has steadily gained popularity among locals, as well as visitors and commuters using the Rail Runner Express.

For more information on The Santa Fe Pick-Up, contact Hon at 955-6611. Schedules are available on the shuttles.

The Modern Ruins

Here in the Southwest, we're accustomed to seeing ruins. Whether they're in national historical parks like the church at Pecos or Chaco Canyon, a crumbling homestead cottage off the highway, or the skeleton of a Route 66 service station, the entire history of Southwest settlement and culture can be traced in these architectural vestiges.

Folks in other areas of the country are waking up to the ruins in their midst. Photographers are having an especially interesting time chronicling the passage of decay and the reclamation of nature. This Slate gallery has an artist's statement from photographer Camilo Jose Vergara, with a thoughtful slideshow of the (mostly) Midwest's modern ruins.

Parenting Program Rescheduled

Parenting Can Be a Laughing Matter has been rescheduled!

A presentation by local author Robert Wilder

Saturday, March 27th
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Southside Library
6599 Jaguar Dr.

Robert Wilder is the author of two critically acclaimed books of essays: Tales From the Teachers’ Lounge and Daddy Needs a Drink, both of which have been optioned for television and film. Join Robert as he talks about his experiences with the humorous side of parenting. Refreshments will be provided.

To register, and for more information, contact Mary at 670-4828 or marys@uwsfc.org

Sponsored by the Santa Fe Public Library, Santa Fe Children's Project, and First Born.

GCCC Transportation Meeting Postponed

In this morning's post, we reported on a public meeting this evening at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Road. That meeting has been rescheduled for February 16 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Transportation Meeting at Main Library

Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Public Meeting

February 5
12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m.
Main Library Community Room
145 Washington Avenue

Travelers to and within Santa Fe can voice concerns or share comments for improvements to roads, transit/rail, bikeways, or pedestrian ways at three public meetings on the Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan (SFMTP). Some of the transportation issues under consideration include: Corridor Studies for I-25, NM599 and St. Francis Drive; potential roadway and bikeway connections; consistent design standards along roadway corridors; expanding transit and local rail service; developing a comprehensive pedestrian plan that integrates a local Safe Routes to School Program.

An additional meeting will be held this evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Road. The Genoveva Chavez Community Center, 3221 Rodeo Road, will have an additional meeting on February 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The approved SFMTP enables the use of federal funding for a range of transportation network improvements (including roads, bridges, bikeways, and pedestrian facilities), as well as for transit/rail facilities, operations, and program support. Once reviewed and certified by the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the Federal Highways and Transit Administration, the SFMTP will guide future capital investment to improve all modes of transportation within the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Area.

The SFMTP is updated every 5 years to assess and prioritize improvements. The Santa Fe MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) is responsible for developing a list of projects, identified in the SFMTP that is fiscally constrained to reasonably expected revenues over the next 25 years.

For more information, please visit the Santa Fe MPO website.

Library Mix-Tape

OK, the word "mix-tape" will do nothing for us librarians but make us look old and stodgy and irrelevant and...analog. But whether you listen to these songs on cassette, CD, or your iPod/MP3 player, Flavorwire has done the whole world a great service by compiling a list of the 10 Best Songs About Libraries and Librarians.

My personal favorite is the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds selection, “There She Goes, My Beautiful World”. Ooops, did I just violate my professional impartiality? Who cares! It's a great song, and there are other gems and surprises on the list as well. If you have additions or subtractions to their list, check out their comments section. Interestingly, the Library Song wasn't included.

February Library Exhibits

Main Library
Hearts and Flowers
Acrylic Paintings
by Spencer Kimball

La Farge Library
Rock Art
by Janice Irvin

Southside Library
Luscious Living Landscapes
Oil & Acrylic Paintings
by Joshua Lance

For more information, check our Art page.

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