Books? Did someone say books?

A couple of exciting book-related events are coming up in the area. This Friday and Saturday, the Santa Fe Antiquarian Book Show will be held at El Museo Cultural, 1615 Paseo de Peralta. Special guests include local authors Hampton Sides and Jack Loeffler. Admission is $10 for both days, or $6 for Saturday only.

Dates and Times:
Friday, October 1: 4 pm - 9 pm
Saturday, October 2: 9 am - 5 pm.

Also on the horizon is the 2010 New Mexico Book Awards Banquet. This year it will be held on Friday, November 19 at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Albuquerque. Tickets are $48 per person, but if you buy them by October 10 they're $38. You can click here for more information and online ticket purchases.

Can't make the banquet? Check out the list of finalists on the New Mexico Book Co-op website, and stay tuned for the list of winners.

The Carlos Trio

Performing local music with salsa flavor

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

Tuesday, October 5th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Main Library

Wednesday, October 6th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Southside Branch Library

Thursday, October 7th
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
La Farge Branch Library

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Teen Graphic Novel / Manga Workshops

with FACT: Fine Arts for Children & Teens

Part I: Creating a Character:
Explore the art of illustration in the style of Manga and graphic novels! Participants will develop different characters focusing on facial expression, gestures, and fashion. Illustration materials include using nib pens, ink, and colored pencils on vellum and acetate.

Part II: Designing a Story:
Learn effective techniques for visual storytelling! Using the characters developed in the first series, participants will draw a one page scene from a story focusing on pacing and layout design.

Southside Branch Library, 955-2820:
Part 1: Saturday, October 23: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Part 2: Saturday, October 30: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Main Library, 955-6783:
Part 1: Saturday, November 6: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Part 2: Saturday, November 13: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Classes are taught by FACT instructors Aline Hunziker and Melinda Baker. All materials are provided for these FREE programs.
Registration opens October 9th.

Space is limited so call to register:
Southside: 955-2820
Main: 955-6783

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

MP3 CD Audiobooks

The Santa Fe Public Library is starting a pilot project, and is now adding some Audio Books in MP3 format. MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) is a standard technology and format for compressing a sound sequence into a very small file, about one-twelfth the size of the original file, while preserving the original level of sound quality when it is played. For example, an unabridged MP3 audiobook fits onto one or two CDs, whereas the regular CD audiobooks can sometimes be as many as 10 discs.

The MP3 format has been around since 2001. Most NEW car stereos, CD players, boom boxes, PC CDROM drives, DVD players, etc. are MP3 compatible. However, if you try to play an MP3 disc in an older player it will not work. We will be placing bright yellow MP3 stickers onto the cases to alert you of the file format. Also, the call number will start with MP3 to make it easy to identify in the catalog.

The MP3 Audiobooks will be housed next to your branch's regular CD Audiobook collection, but not interfiled. Please be aware that the cases look like DVD cases – but the contents are Audiobook. At this time, our MP3 audiobook collection is small and in a test phase, so please check them out and let us know what you think of them.

Enjoy the convenience!

by MB @Main

New Catalog Features

We’re very excited to announce the addition of two new features to our catalog:

My Lists and My Reading History.

My Lists is a way to keep track of items that you may want to check out in the future, but don’t want to check out or place a hold on right now. You can have several My Lists and give them your own titles and descriptions, such as “Movies to Watch” or “Interesting Nonfiction”. You can also place holds on the items right from the lists when you’re ready for them.

A description and instructions can be found here.


My Reading History is a way to keep track of items that you have checked out already. For your privacy and security, this is a feature that can only be opted in to. Neither the Library staff nor our software is able to access your past checkouts without this feature.

A description and instructions can be found here.

Please try these out and let us know what you think! You can always call your local reference librarian for assistance, or email us at library@santafenm.gov.

City of Santa Fe Literacy Bus

I attended a wonderful community celebration last weekend. It was the 25th anniversary of Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe and the unveiling of Santa Fe’s very own public transportation bus with a pro-literacy message of “Building a World of Readers, Artists, and Dreamers”. On the back of the bus a dinosaur is painted holding a sign that says: “Avoid Extinction: Read”. These are messages that warm every librarian’s heart. Led by nationally known graphic artist & cartoonist, Phil Yeh, twenty-five Santa Fe artists spent 16 hours to complete the masterpiece. When I see it on the streets I’m going to honk & wave; I encourage others to do the same.


by SAS @SS
Photos by Estevan Studios

WASTE/NOT :

An exhibition of recycled materials

September 24 - November 14

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

Opening Reception
Friday, September 24
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public.
Appetizers and sparkling water will be served.

The Arts Commission Community Gallery, in Collaboration with the City of Santa Fe Solid Waste Division and The Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, announces the exhibit “Waste/Not”. The Community Gallery will present an exhibition featuring artistic work that incorporates a minimum of 50% recycled materials whose final destination would have otherwise been a landfill. This exciting exhibit was curated to bring a critical light to the myriad of issues related to recycling, while presenting inspiring works for the public to consider not only for their material composition, but also their wonder and beauty.

The work of over 20 artists will be represented in the “Waste/Not” exhibit, with a variety of media in both 2D and 3D and a full range of price points. The exhibit will include work by: Michael Freed, Goldie Garcia, Geoffrey Gorman, Marion Martinez, Darlene Olivia McElroy, Joe “Buffalo” Nickels, Sallyann Paschall, Patricia Pearce, Bunny Tobias, Felicia Trujillo and Dee Ann Wagner and other fine New Mexico artists.

Community Gallery Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Public parking is available in the Center garage, located off Federal Avenue.

For more information:
Rod Lambert, Gallery Manager
Call (505) 955-6705
Email rdlambert@santafenm.gov
Visit The Arts Commission Website.

Fall Nature Fiesta ~ Fiesta Natural de Otoño

In Bandelier National Monument

September 25
11:00am - 2:00pm

Enjoy the outdoors and learn about bird banding, play science games, and run in relay races. Plus, see live birds of prey from the Santa Fe Raptor Center. Best of all, all these activities are totally free of charge on this fee-free day!

Schedule of the event - Programación del evento:

Science games - Juegos de ciencia
Live raptors from the Santa Fe Raptor Center - Aves rapaces del centro de rapaces de Santa Fe
Bird banding demonstration - Demostración de anillamiento de aves
Binocular training - Entrenamiento para el uso de binoculares
Relay races - Carrera de relevos
Bird search – Buscando aves
Memory - Memoria
Lottery - Loteria
Crosswords - Crucigramas
Word search - Sopa de letras
Painting bird pictures - Pintar dibujos de aves
Question game - Juego de preguntas
Board games - Juegos de mesa

For more information, call 505-672-3861 ext. 517, or visit Bandelier's website or Facebook page.

New Mexico Women Author's Book Festival

The 3rd Annual New Mexico Women Authors’ Book Festival will be held from Wednesday, September 28 to Sunday, October 3, 2010.

This year the program has expanded to include a program with best-selling author Anne Lamott. She will be giving a talk at The Lensic at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 28.

The rest of the festival is at the New Mexico History Museum at 113 Lincoln Avenue. There are a variety of workshops and exhibits on October 1-3. Some are free and open to the public, and other events require registration and a fee. Please check the New Mexico Creates website or call 1-877-567-7380 for a full schedule and more information.

Health Hut

If you read yesterday's blog and watched the video, you'll recall that data and information is often absorbed and understood more efficiently when it's presented visually. With new studies being published daily, one field that's difficult to keep up with is health and medicine. A good health blog is Health Hut, which periodically posts health and fitness information for those of us who don't work in the healthcare field. A recent post features 40 health infographics, so you can visually access quality information about health topics such as the causes of obesity or alcoholism rates by state and country.

For example, the following graphic charts rates of diagnosed depression worldwide. Without peeking, can you guess which country is highest?

General Election Information

CANDIDATE FORUM: US Representative for Congressional District 3

A public forum featuring candidates for the Congressional District 3 race will be held from 3-5 pm, Sunday, September 26, at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, 1601 St. Francis Drive and West San Mateo Road. Candidates are incumbent US Representative Ben Ray Lujan and opponent Tom Mullins will give brief statements about their platforms and answer questions from the audience.

VOTER'S GUIDE

The General Election will be held 7am to 7pm, Tuesday, November 2. Non-partisan information on the candidates as well as proposed general obligation bonds and amendments to the NM constitution is contained in the League's Voters' Guide. The League will publish the Guide in the Santa Fe New Mexican on Friday, October 1 as an advertising supplement. Copies will be available at the Santa Fe County Clerk's office at 102 Grant Avenue, at Santa Fe Community College, 640 Richards Avenue, and at the Main Library, 145 Washington Avenue; La Farge Library, 1730 Llano St.; and the Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive. The Guide will also be posted on The Santa Fe New Mexican site and The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County site.


The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, go to their website or contact the League at 982-9766 or league@lwvsfc.org. Contributions to support the publication of the Voters' Guide can be sent to LWVSFC at 1472 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

VOTER INFORMATION:
To request an absentee ballot or information on your voter registration status and your precinct, please call Santa Fe County Clerk at 986-6280. Polling sites and other information is available under the Clerk link on Santa Fe County's site and Bureau of Elections Office, 102 Grant Avenue.

KEY DATES

FORUM:
Sunday, September 26, 3-5pm: Congressional District 3 Forum, St. Bede's Episcopal Church
1601 St. Francis Drive and West San Mateo Road

VOTING:
Tuesday, October 5: LAST DAY to Register to Vote

Voting at Santa Fe County Headquarters, 102 Grant Avenue

ABSENTEE IN PERSON VOTING:
Tuesday, October 5 - Friday, October 15: weekdays, 8am-5pm

EARLY VOTING:
Monday, October 18-Friday, October 29: weekdays, 8am-5pm and
Saturday, October 30, 10am-6pm

Voting at Polling Sites around Santa Fe County

Saturday, October 16-Saturday, October 30: Tuesday - Friday, 12-8pm and
Saturday, 10am-6pm

Santa Fe County Fairgrounds - 3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe
El Dorado Senior Center -14 Avenida Torreon, El Dorado
Edgewood Fire Station -25 E. Frontage Road, Edgewood
Pojoaque County Satellite Office -5 W. Gutierrez, Pojoaque Abedon Senior Center - 153 Camino De Quintana, Espanola

Saturday, October 30, 10am-6pm: Last Day to request absentee ballot at
County Clerk's office and last day for early voting.

ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, November 2: 7 am - 7 pm: LAST DAY to submit an Absentee Ballot in person at your precinct or County Clerk's Office. Mailed Absentee Ballots must be received by the County Clerk.

This information was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County

Information is Beautiful

A side effect of information overload is being unable to put the avalanche of data and statistics into some sort of meaningful context. David McCandless, author of Information is Beautiful, gives an 18-minute talk showing how rearranging data into visual patterns helps us understand it and put it in perspective.

Don't have 18 minutes? Definitely check out the Billion Dollar-O-Gram from 2009.




Click here if you're having trouble viewing the video.

Library Card Sign-Up Month is now!

This September, sign yourself and your family up for library cards, and use the one you have!

We have a whole section about getting a library card on our website, along with printable applications in English y Español. It's free, it's easy, and it will quickly become the most important card in your wallet.

If you're still not persuaded, check out the American Library Association's 52 Ways to Use Your Library Card (for each week of the year). Here are some of their suggestions:

• Get to know your librarian, the ultimate search engine.
• Research and apply for jobs
• Register to vote
• Pick up a DVD.
• Use our free wireless and Internet computers.
• Learn how to navigate the Internet.
• Prepare your resume.
• Attend a lecture or workshop.
• Attend Preschool Story Time with your child.
• Look up all kinds of health information.
• Research the purchase of a new or used car.
• Check your Facebook page.
• Call the reference desk if you have a question.
• Research your term paper.
• Learn about the history of Santa Fe.
• Check your stock portfolio.
• Borrow or download an audiobook for your next road trip or commute.
• See a new art exhibit.
• Make photocopies.
• Get a book from interlibrary loan.
• Enroll your child in a summer reading program.
• Pick up tax forms.
• Connect with other people in the community.
• Find a quiet spot, curl up with a book and enjoy.
  

Come See the RAPTORS!

by the Santa Fe Raptor Center

Wednesday, September 22
Main Library: 1:00 pm
La Farge Library: 3:30 pm

Wednesday, September 29
Southside Library: 3:30 pm

Volunteers will introduce raptors and answer questions after the program.

The Santa Fe Raptor Center is a non-profit group that provides rescue, rehabilitation,and release of injured wild birds as well as providing educational programs throughout the community.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Teen Activities

at the Southside Branch

Wanna eat ramen and watch anime? Hang with your friends? Have your voice heard by helping plan cool teen programs? Read the book before the movie is released? Get crafty? Well, you can do all that at the Santa Fe Public Library Southside Branch! Join us every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. starting September 16. Teens 13 to 18 years are invited to come in and see what’s up.

The Teen Book Club meets on the first Thursday of every month at 4:30. We’ve read and discussed Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman, Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause, Going Bovine by Libba Bray, and many more. Join us, and help decide what we’ll read next!

Have ideas for new teen events at the library? Gone to an event in the past you’d like to see again? We’ve had mystery and vampire parties, chocolate-tastings, photography and calligraphy workshops, and much more. Want a say in what new books, movies and magazines are purchased for the library? Then the Teen Advisory Board is for you! We meet the second Thursday of every month at 4:30.

Anime Club is held the third and fourth Thursday of every month at 4:30. It starts on September 16. We will be showing Galaxy railways: Ahead full! part 1 on the 16th, and part 2 on the 23rd. Join us for anime on the big screen and ramen. Choose anime, watch anime, talk about anime. And if there’s a fifth Thursday in the month – par-tay!

For more information about the Southside Teen Programs, call 955-2828. Discover, have fun and be heard!

A Celebration for Literacy

For those of us in the business of promoting reading we’ve always been told that the most important learning activity in a young child’s life is for someone to read to them. The real magic happens when someone cares enough to sit down with them and help them learn to read. Millions of individuals in our country still lack this skill but thanks to organizations like Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe there are people that care enough to take the time to share their love of reading with others.



On September 18, 2010 LVSF will celebrate 25 years of service to our community. Since its inception more than 3,500 trained tutors have provided close to 400,000 hours of instruction to more than 10,500 adults in various settings throughout Santa Fe County. Phil Yeh often called the “Godfather of the American Graphic Novel” and muralist extraordinaire will be in Santa Fe for this 25th celebration. Yeh with the assistance of Santa Fe teens will paint a mural on the side and back of a Santa Fe Trails bus on September 16 and 17. The bus will be unveiled at the organization’s anniversary event at the Scottish Rite Center on Saturday, September 18th, 5:30 -8:00 pm. Tickets for the event may be obtained by calling 428-1353. Thank you for your years of service, LVSF!

by SAS @SS

7th Annual Adult Spelling Bee

Sunday, October 3, 2010
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Main Library
Community Room
145 Washington Ave.

1st Prize: $200 from Qforma.
2nd Prize: $125 from Los Alamos National Bank
3rd Prize: $100 gift certificate from Collected Works Bookstore

Open to all NM Residents,
Age 18 and Older.
Written, not Oral!

Space is limited --
Advance registration is necessary.
The tax-deductible entry fee is $10.

For more information or for an entry form, call (505)989-3558 or visit Qforma's web site.

Sponsored by Qforma. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Santa Fe Library.

¡Qué Viva La Fiesta!

Join in La Fiesta at the Main Library on Friday, September 10th at 10:30 a.m.
La Reina, her Court, & Don Diego De Vargas and his men join with Mariachis to play and dance in the Lobby.

Dancing is encouraged and don’t be surprised as you walk through the lobby if you are swept up by one of Don Diego de Vargas’ men or one of La Reina’s Court members to join in the dances!

By PCH @ Main

Back to School!?

We can help!

In addition to books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and awesomely knowledgable reference librarians, the Santa Fe Public Library has the following resources to help you out in school this year. Whether you're in kindergarten or college, you can access any of these in all library branches or on your home computer with a SFPL library card. If you ever have any questions, we encourage you to call your local reference desk!

Research Pro
What it is: Don't know where to start? Go to Research Pro to search across our databases and catalog to get newspaper and magazine articles and book titles.


LearningExpress Library
What it is: Over 800 online courses, tests and e-books. Includes GED, AP, SAT, ACT test prep, as well as modules for different jobs and careers.



Literature Resource Center
What it is: Do you need to do a report on an author? Do you need to find criticism or articles for your English class? Start here!



Mango Languages
What it is: An easy-to-use, self-paced, online language system. If you need extra practice for your Spanish, German, French, or ESL class, spend some time on Mango and track your progress.


Opposing Viewpoints
What it is: If you have to do a report for Social Studies, History, or Current Events class about an issue, such as Gangs, Medical Marijuana, or Gay Marriage, you can access pro/con essays and magazine or newspaper articles to back up your argument.


Grzimek's Animal Life
What it is: If your doing a project for Science class on any type of animal, check this out. You'll find useful facts, photos, videos, and even sound clips to hear what types of calls your animal makes.

A library card is the most important card in your wallet! You can get one if you live, work, or go to school in Santa Fe City or County. Just bring photo ID and proof of mailing address to any branch! Check this page for applications and more information.

Borders Coupons for the Friends

Do you like books and movies and music? Do you like checking these things out, but get annoyed when you need to return an item you've become attached to? The Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library is partnering with Borders to help stock your entertainment shelves while raising money for the Library. Print out the coupon below, or pick one up at any Library public service desk, and use it when you shop at either Santa Fe Borders during Fiesta Weekend, September 11 & 12.

The Library will earn 10% on sales up to $1,500, 15% on sales over $1,500 up to $5,000; 20% on sales over $5,000 up to $20,000 and 25% on sales over $20,000. Borders is located at 500 Montezuma Avenue in the Sanbusco Center, and at 3513 Zafarano Drive at the Cerrillos Road intersection.

We hope that you will join in the support of the Library over La Fiesta Weekend.

New Mexico State Fair

We are about to celebrate and enjoy our State Fair this September 10-26 …. so here’s a bit of its early history.

The inaugural fair opened October 3, 1881, ran for five days, and was termed “New Mexico Agricultural, Mineral and Industrial Exposition.” Originally, the fairgrounds were located at what's now Rio Grande Boulevard and Central Avenue in Albuquerque. Exhibits consisted of fruits, vegetables, wines, liquors, harnesses, hardware, sewing machines, furniture, shoes, boots, crafts, paintings, photography, taxidermy, minerals, Indian pottery and jewelry, cigars, tobaccos, stock pens, horse track and refreshments.

The next year, the Fair was renamed “New Mexico Exposition and Driving Park Association” and included a three-ring circus, a four-mile foot race by Zuni Indians, and the Republican Territorial Convention. Baseball, which was quickly becoming the national pastime, was also showcased at the fair.

Over the ensuing years, the area was flooded when the Rio Grande overflowed; more than one unsuccessful attempt at hot air ballooning transpired; varieties of agriculture increased; gambling flourished along with burglaries and bar brawls. A few notable celebrities who have performed over the years include: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Trigger, Arthur Godfrey, Andy Griffith, Red Skelton, Pat Boone, Andy Williams, Clint Eastwood, Oak Ridge Boys, Barbara Mandrell, George Strait, Reba McEntire, the Beach Boys, Huey Lewis, Bob Hope, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, and Tim McGraw.

If this has piqued your interest, call any of our information specialists for facts from the fair’s past and for information on this year’s extravaganza. You also can go to the New Mexico State Fair website!

by VB @SS

400th Anniversary Time Capsule

The Main Library welcomed the 400th Anniversary Time Capsule to the Library on September 2, 2010. The 3 x 3 foot steel container will be on display at the Main Library, 145 Washington Avenue, until September 16th in the Southwest Room.

The capsule was delivered to the Library by Fire Chief Barbara Salas and The 400th Committee head Maurice Bonal. A contingent of fire fighters escorted the box into the Library. They were welcomed by Library Director Patricia Hodapp who provided a library card for placement in the time capsule. The library card has the tinwork art of Jimmy Romero on the card, which was particularly appropriate as Mr. Romero passed away in August.

The public can make recommendations for items to be placed in the time capsule by filling out a form which will be available at the Main Library until September 16.

The children’s staff were photographed with some of the SF Firefighters prior to the arrival of the time capsule:

Mars Inside and Out at Main

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.

Wednesdays
September 22 - November 10
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Main Library
145 Washington Ave.
Register: 955-6783

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.

Labor Day and Fiestas Closings

All Branches of the Santa Fe Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 6 for Labor Day.

All libraries will be open regular hours, 10 am - 6 pm, on Saturday, September 4.

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



The Santa Fe Public Library will have the following hours for Fiestas:

Thursday, September 9:
All libraries Closed at 6:00 pm

Friday, September 10:
All libraries Closed at 1:00 pm

Saturday, September 11:
Main Library Closed
La Farge and Southside Open: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday, September 12:
All libraries Closed.

¡Qué Viva La Fiesta!

September Library Exhibits

Main Library
Vantage Point: Painted Landscapes
Pastels - Acrylics
by Janice St. Marie

La Farge Library
Nature Photography
by Keith Spangle

Southside Library
Paintings
by Elizabeth Lambson

For more information, check our Art page.

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