Alexandrian Public Library

School's in Full Swing

2006-10-16T11:17:00.000-04:00

Despite the fall break area students are enjoying today, it seems that term papers, homework, group projects and class presentations are already being assigned and studying is in full swing at APL.

Your library is here to help. You can ask us a question in person, on the phone, or via our email address or instant message.

You can search our research resources for information, surf on INSPIRE for full-text articles, find a quiet place to study in the library, sign up to use one of our computer workstations, check AlexCat to find a book you need for a term paper, or just take a break with a magazine or graphic novel.

Need help? Just ask!

New CDs

2006-09-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

New CDs at APL...

Banned Books Week

2006-09-25T19:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Banned Books Week!

September 23-30 is Banned Books Week, which celebrates Free People Reading Freely! Stop by APL and check out our Banned Books display, and see if you can guess the banned book hidden beneath the plain brown wrapper.

The American Library Association has a contest where you can vote for your favorite challenged book.

Google is celebrating by letting you explore various challenged books from this year and years past.

Celebrate your freedom to read!

Book Sale

2006-09-14T10:08:00.000-04:00

Empty those piggy banks and scrounge for change between the seat cushions...APL's first ever FALL book sale begins tomorrow!

The Friend Preview Sale will be tomorrow, Friday, September 15th from 10am to 1pm. Not a member of the Friends? Join at the door!

The Public Sale will be tomorrow from 1pm to 6pm, and will continue on Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Most hardbacks are $1.00 apiece, and most paperbacks are $.50. We will have lots of fiction titles, as well as books on tape that are ready for a new home!

See you at the sale!

New CDs

2006-09-06T16:45:00.000-04:00

Here are the latest CDs available at APL:

Want to search for another artist or CD? Just hop onto AlexCat!

Fine Free Month

2006-08-31T17:48:00.000-04:00

How much can you get for free these days? At your library, you can access the world without spending a cent — all you need is a library card! September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you know someone who isn’t a library patron, encourage them to come in and sign up for a library card. Individuals who sign up for their first APL library card during September will receive a free movie rental certificate.

And, coming SOON. . . you’ll need a library card to use the internet here at APL. We’ll begin offering “smart card” technology. Details to come. . .

September is also Fine Free Month. If you have an overdue library book, movie, CD, etc. that you’ve been putting off returning, this month is the opportunity to redeem yourself. Any overdue item returned during September will be exempt from fines. (Existing fines on patron records for items already returned are not eligible for this incentive.)

Want to donate your would-be fines to a good cause? We'll have cans benefiting the United Way at our circulation desk to catch all those stray nickels and dimes!

Katrina: One Year Later

2006-08-29T09:03:00.000-04:00

It was a year ago today that Hurricane Katrina crashed ashore, wreaking devastation in New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

In the months following Katrina, several books have been written about the destruction, the FEMA response, and the media attention given to Katrina and its aftermath.

The following books are available from APL...

Michael Eric Dyson's Come Hell or High Water was the first major book released regarding Hurricane Katrina, and focuses on the destruction and then the lack of response (possibly based on race) by the federal government. (Non-fiction: 363.3492 DYS 2006)

The Great Deluge by Douglas Brinkley (Non-fiction: 363.3492 BRI 2006) was released in May of this year, and chronicles bestselling historian Brinkley as he "lived through the destruction of Hurricane Katrina with his fellow New Orleans residents, and now...has written one of the first complete accounts of that harrowing week, which sorts out the bewildering events of the storm and its aftermath, telling the stories of unsung heroes and incompetent officials alike."

Anderson Cooper's Dispatches from the Edge details the CNN newsman's life in harrowing circumstances - tsunamis, war, famine, and flood. Cooper discusses his childhood, his relationship with his brother, his break into the media, and spends the last portion of his book detailing his time in New Orleans during Katrina's aftermath, presenting a view from the other side of the camera. (Biography: Cooper 2006)

Funny But Fatal

2006-08-28T10:43:00.000-04:00

We at the reference desk are often asked for book recommendations...

"What should I read next?"

"Who else reads like [insert author here]?"

"Read anything good lately?"

You'll notice bunches of bookmarks around our desk with readalikes, recommendations and lists of book ideas. Today, we'll focus on Funny But Fatal...Funny Mysteries!

Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Strohmeyer
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
The Hearse You Came In On by Tim Cockey
Hot and Sweaty Rex by Eric Garcia
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen
Zombies of the Gene Pool by Sharyn McCrumb

Need other suggestions? Just ask at the adult information desk - we love to recommend titles to patrons!

The Demise of Pluto

2006-08-24T10:46:00.000-04:00

CNN is reporting that Pluto has been demoted - it's no longer considered a planet in our solar system.

But what makes Pluto different from the other planets? The Department of Astronomy at Cornell University tries to shed some light on Pluto-the-Non-Planet...

Want to read more about the planets, the solar system and our universe? Head to the 523s in adult non-fiction, where we have books on star gazing, the space program, the planets, the exploration of Mars and much more!

LITerally Speaking

2006-08-23T17:21:00.000-04:00

LITerally Speaking, APL's book discussion group for adults, met last evening to discuss The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, and to pick up the selection for next month: Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees.

Would you like to be a part of this lively group discussion? Want to trade book recommendations with fellow readers? Would you just like to sit and observe, sip some coffee and grab a slice of cake?

LITerally Speaking would love to have you!

Stop by the Adult Information Desk anytime throughout the month to pick up a copy of the book discussion title, then join us on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7pm!

New Furniture

2006-02-03T14:22:00.000-05:00

If you've stopped by APL recently, you probably noticed our brand spanking new information desks! We love the new furniture, and hope you will as well...but we aren't done yet!

APL will be closed on Thursday, February 16th to install a new circulation desk and new computer workstation areas in the youth and adult areas. We look forward to better serving APL patrons with our new and improved facility!

For a peek at the first installation, check out the furniture installation page on our website.

Sudoku

2006-01-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

Have you tried out the latest craze in puzzles? Sudoku is sweeping the country, and we have a few links to online versions of Sudoku. To get going, try...

Web Sudoku - This site features billions of interactive games with easy, medium, hard, and evil levels of difficulty.
Daily Sudoku - This website includes a daily puzzle, a puzzle archive (back to January 2005), a FAQ, a message board, and a daily puzzle for children.
Sudoku Classic - This website has an archive of sudoku puzzles, published six days a week, ranging from easy to difficult.

"The rules of Sudoku are simple. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square."

Tax Forms

2006-01-23T19:55:00.000-05:00

Tax season is once again upon us! APL will be providing tax forms to the public - they are located inside the library, near the Indiana Room (look for the hot pink stars to lead the way). Librarians at the information desks will be happy to print off a form for you. However, we are unable to answer tax law or tax preparation questions.

To download FEDERAL tax forms, or to find answers to a federal tax questions, visit www.irs.gov.

To download STATE tax forms, or to find answers to a state tax question, visit www.in.gov/dor.

For more assistance, contact the Evansville IRS office at (812) 471-6635.

Thanksgiving Ideas

2005-11-23T15:58:00.000-05:00

Are you still figuring out how to cook the turkey tomorrow? Need some ideas to keep the kids entertained? Trying to find a great leftover turkey recipe?

Fear not! FamilyFun magazine has the websit e just for you! Chock full of ideas, activities and recipes, you'll have loads of ideas to make it your best Thanksgiving yet!

Just remembered you forgot to pick up a movie for that post-meal television time? Need to grab a cookbook to remember how to make a pumpkin pie from scratch? Want to check your email one last time before your family arrives?

Fear not! The Alexandrian Public Library is open until 8pm this evening, and our website is always open 24/7. Put a hold on a book, surf our links or send us an email - through the web, we're always open.

Holiday Closing

2005-11-22T12:20:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder...APL will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen for regular library hours on Saturday (9am - 5pm).

Public Reception

2005-11-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

APL is preparing to bid our Director, Steve Cochran, a fond farewell. We hope you'll join us in sending off Steve in style!

The library will be hosting a public reception this Sunday, November 13, from 1pm to 4pm in Meeting Room A.

Please stop by for refreshments and to give Steve your warmest wishes!

Author Visit

2005-11-08T12:14:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to come to APL this evening to see author/photographer Bill Whorrall!

Bill will be giving an informative and interesting program on the Amish of Indiana, as well as sharing his photos, discussing his books and answering questions.

Bill's books will be available for purchase and autograph following the presentation.

See you this evening at 7pm in Meeting Room A!

Tornado Report

2005-11-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

Though Mount Vernon narrowly escaped the tornado unscathed, our thoughts are with the cities of Evansville, Newburgh and Boonville this week.

CNN.com has a special report on tornadoes, and additional information about the twister of Sunday morning.

FEMA has a page dedicated to tornado preparedness, and the NSSL (National Severe Storms Laboratory) has a page of information about tornadoes and preparing for the event of a tornado.

To quickly access watches, warnings and advisories for the area, consult the National Weather Service page dedicated to the Tri-State area.

The Evansville chapter of the Red Cross has a page dedicated to the tornado, and includes shelter locations, requests for monetary support, a phone number for locating a loved one, and a list of names of residents who have contacted the Red Cross to say they are alright.

As always, the Alexandrian Public Library is dedicated to finding further information on this topic, and to providing information and service to anyone who walks through our doors during this difficult time.

Writing Contest

2005-10-12T11:16:00.000-05:00

Do you fancy yourself a writer? Have you always dreamed of seeing your words in the newspaper? You photo splashed on a poster in the library?

Here's your chance at stardom, darling!

All adults are invited to participate in an essay contest entitled "Put It In Writing @ Your Library".

Adults will write an essay set in or near the Alexandrian Public Library. All essays must begin with this sentence:

"The book landed at my feet with a soft thud. When I reached down to pick it up…"

All essays must be submitted to APL by 5:00 on Friday, November 4, 2005. Mailed entries must be postmarked not later than November 4, 2005.

The winning essay will be published in the Mt. Vernon Democrat. The winner shall have their photo taken with their favorite book to be used on a poster and bookmarks promoting reading. One poster will be on display at the library. The winner will receive their own copy of the poster and 50 matching bookmarks. The winner will also receive a $25 Tequila’s gift certificate.

For a complete list of the rules, check out our website, and we looking forward to reading your words!

Patriot Act

2005-09-28T08:59:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to stop by APL today at 12pm for a Lunch & Learn program on "How the Patriot Act Affects YOUR First Amendment Rights".

Steve Cochran, APL Director, will be showing an informative video about this controversial act, as well as leading a discussion on the First Amendment. We'll bring the chips and drinks - feel free to bring your lunch along to this informative and important program.

We'll see you at lunchtime!

Free eBooks

2005-09-25T14:58:00.000-05:00

Want to brush up on your Shakespeare? Need a copy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice to cram for that test before tomorrow, and the library is already closed?

Fear not! Enter two sites that boast a full-text collection of Shakespearean plays and classic novels - online. ClassicReader.com and ReadPrint.com can both help you find those elusive words.

Happy reading!

Harry Potter

2005-09-24T14:32:00.000-05:00

Have you seen it? Have you seen it?!

The new trailer for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is available online for viewing!

The movie is based, of course, on the bestselling novel by J.K. Rowling. Can't wait until November 18th? Stop by APL to check out a copy of one of the books in the series, or to rent one of the previous three movies.

Talk Like a Pirate Day

2005-09-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

Yar, matey! Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day!

A few phrases to get ye started....

Ahoy! - "Hello!"

Avast! - Stop and give attention. It can be used in a sense of surprise, "Whoa! Get a load of that!" which today makes it more of a "Check it out" or "No way!" or "Get off!"

Aye! - "Why yes, I agree most heartily with everything you just said or did."

Aye aye! - "I'll get right on that sir, as soon as my break is over."

Arrr! - This one is often confused with arrrgh, which is of course the sound you make when you sit on a belaying pin. "Arrr!" can mean, variously, "yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win it all," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." And those are just a few of the myriad possibilities of Arrr!

Yar!

National Passport Month

2005-09-19T09:40:00.000-05:00

Do something great for the country....LEAVE!

Lonely Planet, a publisher of travel guides and television series on travel, are working to make September National Passport Month. Check out their site to sign the petition, find events about National Passport Month and more.

Want to get a passport of your very own? LP also outlines how to apply for a passport, which usually costs less than $100 for ten years. Our local passport application process can be found at the Posey County Circuit Court Clerk's office.

How many stamps are in YOUR passport?

Indiana Archaeology Month

2005-09-16T09:44:00.000-05:00

APL is celebrating Indiana Archaeology Month! Come and hear “The Amazing True Story of How Southern Indiana Became Farm Country,” at 7:00 p.m. on September 21st in meeting room A at the library.

Did you know that Posey County archaeologists have found some of the oldest beans in eastern North America? (A radiocarbon date on one of the beans indicates an age of at least 600 years.) This illustrated lecture will be presented by Dr. Leslie L. Bush, Research Fellow at the Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University.

Dr. Bush is an expert in archaeo-botany and has identified prehistoric plant remains (both wild and cultivated species) from a number of sites in Indiana, including Hovey Lake, Murphy, Bone Bank, and Angel Mounds.

Want to learn more prior to the program? Check out these links about archaelogical research in Posey County:

http://www.indiana.edu/~archaeo/bone_bank/index.htm -- a good overview of excavations and research at Bone Bank, a protohistoric site where emergency excavations were conducted in 2000 and 2001 to recover data from the site, which was washing into the Wabash River.

http://www.bsu.edu/web/01bkswartz/MANN.pdf -- a technical article on clay figurines found at the Mann site in Point Township, this article is illustrated with color photos of lovely figurines, made right here in Posey County over 1,000 years ago.