Friday, January 14, 2011

Excellent Reading Recommendations from Bookforum


Bookforum is a contemporary magazine of criticism and analysis of literature and culture. In the latest issue (December/January 2010/11, eleven authors of contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry give us a list of the books (mostly new) which impressed them the most during the past year. You need look no further if your interested in trenchant, meaningful recommendations for your own reading list. Ask your librarian how to get these items, or consult your library's on-line catalog.

2010: A YEAR OF READING

Notable Books List for 2011 from the American Library Assocation

The Notable Books Council of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, has announced its selections for the 2011 Notable Books List and the list of Outstanding Reference Sources.

Best fiction, non-fiction and poetry for adults named to 2011 Notable Books List


This is the good stuff! Ask your librarian how to borrow these items!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A few words on the future of libraries from Sharon Draper, an honored teacher and author of the "Jericho" Series of young adult novels.



Monday, January 10, 2011

Local Library Programs for January 2011

Lone Star College Libraries (LSC)
Harris County Public Library (HCPL)
Montgomery County Memorial Library System (MCMLS)
Houston Public Library (HPL)

Featured Program:
Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Photography Class: Functions of the DSLR Camera
This class is for intermediate to advanced photographers. Learn the functions of DSLR cameras and flash which will include metering modes, exposure, white balance, and focus. The instructor for the class is E. Jay Taul, a retired physician active in professional photography and a member of the Kingwood Photo Club. Register at the Information Desk or call 281-577-8968 ext. 127.
MCMLS - R. B. Tullis
21569 US Hwy. 59
New Caney TX 77357
(936)-442-7705



Book Clubs

Book Clubs
Monday, January 24, 2011, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Baldwin Boettcher Evening Book Club
Join us for a discussion of favorites from The Signet Classic Book of American Short Stories.
HCPL-Baldwin Boetcher Branch
22248 Aldine Westfield Rd
Humble, TX 77338-1080
(281) 821-1320

Book Clubs
Monday, January 24, 2011, 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Great Books Discussion Group
Discuss great books in literature. January selection is "The children of Light and the Children of Darkness" (selection) by Reinhold Niebuhr
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Book Clubs
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Barbara Bush Afternoon Book Discussion
Adults who like to read gather for informal conversation about what they have read. This month's selection: "Nefertiti" by Michelle Moran.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Book Clubs
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Meador Branch Book Club
MBBC will be discussing Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood at 2:00 P.M on Thursday, January 27 at the RF Meador Branch Library in Willis. No reservation is needed. Call 936/442-7740 to reserve your copy today.
MCMLS - Meador Branch
709 West Montgomery
Willis, TX 77318
(936) 442-7740

Book Clubs
Monday, January 31, 2011, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Kingwood Book Group
Discussion of "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles.
HCPL – Kingwood Branch
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Kingwood, TX 77345
281-360-6804


Computer Classes

Computer Classes
Thursday, January 13, 2011, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Clases de Computadora Basica
Clases de computacion en espanol para aldutos. Tiene que asistir el primer parte jueves, 13 de enero, segundo parte jueves 20 de enero, tercer parte jueves, 27 de enero.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Excel 2007 Basic
Learn basic skills of Excel 2007.
HCPL - Octavia Fields Branch
1503 South Houston
Humble, TX 77338
281-446-3377

Computer Classes
Thursday, January 20, 2011, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Learn the best ways to use the Internet.
Learn the best ways to use the Internet.
HCPL - Octavia Fields Branch
1503 South Houston
Humble, TX 77338
281-446-3377

Computer Classes
Thursday, January 20, 2011, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Computer Workshop - Picassa photo management
Learn how to download & use free software to locate & organize photos on your computer; edit & add effects to your photos, shre your photos, create posters and collages, & much more! Registration is required -- call 936/442-7740.
MCMLS - Meador Branch
709 West Montgomery
Willis, TX 77318
(936) 442-7740

Computer Classes
Thursday, January 20, 2011, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Clases de Computadora Basica
Clases de computacion en espanol para aldutos. Tiene que asistir el primer parte jueves, 13 de enero, segundo parte jueves 20 de enero, tercer parte jueves, 27 de enero.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Saturday, January 22, 2011, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Intro to MS Excel 2007
Introduction to basic spreadsheet tasks such as formulas, tables and graphs.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030

Computer Classes
Saturday, January 22, 2011, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Adult Computer Class - Microsoft EXCEL - C
Using Charts, formatting, spreadsheet readibility, etc.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM
Clases de Computadora Basica
Clases de computacion en espanol para aldutos. Tiene que asistir el primer parte jueves, 13 de enero, segundo parte jueves 20 de enero, tercer parte jueves, 27 de enero.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Computer Classes
Saturday, January 29, 2011, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
MS Common Features & Commands
This course explains the common features and commands of various types of productivity programs. Students will also learn about the main components of the user interface, keyboard shortcuts, and various key combinations. Adults and Teens.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030


Special Programs

Special Programs
Thursday, December 2, 2010, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Faculty Art Exhibit: Lone Star College-North Harris
Thursday, December 2 at 2:00pm - Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 5:00pm
LSC- North Harris: Library Art Gallery
LSC-North Harris Library
2700 W.W. Thorne Dr.
Houston, TX 77073
281.618.5707

Special Programs
Thursday, January 13, 2011, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WeCAN Works Job Search Seminar: Networking & Using the Internet
Learn to develop a list of contacts that can help you and create a marketing profile to promote your skills and abilities. Also, learn how to use the Internet effectively in your job search and research labor market information to identify occupations that are growing and have openings.
HPL - Acres Homes Neighborhood Library
8501 West Montgomery
Houston, Texas 77088
832-393-1700

Special Programs
Thursday, January 13, 2011, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Conversational Spanish
Whether you are learning Spanish or just want to brush-up, join us to practice your conversational skills in a relaxed setting.
HPL - Acres Homes Neighborhood Library
8501 West Montgomery
Houston, Texas 77088
832-393-1700

Special Programs
Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
ESL - English as a Second Language
Our ESL class helps students learn English grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, or listening, and helps you get ready to communicate with other English speakers.
HCPL - Octavia Fields Branch
1503 South Houston
Humble, TX 77338
281-446-3377

Special Programs
Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Kathy Hood Culmer
Kathy Hood Culmer is an author, storyteller, speaker, and teacher. Enjoy her folktales and historical stories. Stories that make you laugh, make you cry, make you think, and make you feel.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030

Special Programs
Monday, January 24, 2011, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Starting a Business - Houston One Stop Business Center and SCORE
Thinking about starting your own business? Are you already a small business owner? The City of Houston’s One Stop Business Center, in partnership with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and Houston Public Library’s CORE (Career Opportunities, Resources and Education), will present a workshop on the rules and regulations which govern the operation of a small business in Houston.
HPL - Scenic Woods Regional Library
10677 Homestead Rd
Houston, Texas 77016
832-393-2030

Special Programs
Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
LIFE Workshop - Create Your Family's Oral History
What amazing stories you will discover if you ask and record. Professor Sandra Harvey explores the interesting people and exciting stories she uncovered through the use of oral history. Come and learn how to develop your own oral histories.
LSC-Cyfair College Library (also a Harris County Public Library)
9191 Barker Cypress Road
Cypress, TX 77433
281.290.3214

Special Programs
Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Winter Employment Series: Creating a Resume; Cover and Thank You Letters
Develop a professional resume that will match your skills and experience to the job and employer you are looking for. Learn how to create a job reference page, a professional cover letter to accompany your resume, and to write a thank you letter to employers with whom you have interviewed. Josie Toth, Regional Facilitator with Workforce Solutions, will teach our class. Register at the Information Desk or call 281-577-8968, ext. 127.
MCMLS - R. B. Tullis
21569 US Hwy. 59
New Caney TX 77357
(936)-442-7705

Special Programs
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Writing Your Resume on the Computer
Josie Toth, of Workforce Solutions, will teach you how to write your resume on the computer. Registration is required.
HCPL – Kingwood Branch
4102 Rustic Woods Drive
Kingwood, TX 77345
281-360-6804

Special Programs
Thursday, January 27, 2011, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Faculty Art Exhibit: Lone Star College-North Harris
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 2:00pm - Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 5:00pm
LSC- North Harris Library Art Gallery
LSC-North Harris Library
2700 W.W. Thorne Dr.
Houston, TX 77073
281.618.5707

Special Programs
Friday, January 28, 2011, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Knowledge Exchange
All ages are welcome to this knitting, crocheting, and conversation group. Help make lap blankets for veterans and chemo caps for M.D. Anderson patients. Items are also being collected for a soldier they have adopted in Afghanistan. Bring cards, books, toiletries or hard candies to contribute to this effort. Please arrive before 4:00pm if you want assistance learning to knit or crochet.
HCPL-Barbara Bush Branch
6817 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, TX 77379
281-376-4610

Special Programs
Friday, January 28, 2011, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Baldwin Boetcher Chess Club
This multi-generational program meets year round on alternating Fridays. All levels welcome.
HCPL-Baldwin Boetcher Branch
22248 Aldine Westfield Rd
Humble, TX 77338-1080
(281) 821-1320