All Entries Tagged With: "libraries"
My Birthday Wish: a North County tool library
Happy spring, NOCO fans! What a beautiful day! Today is actually my 40th birthday, so you know what that means…. I get to make a wish!
I realize it’s supposed to remain a secret and all, but I think this is meant to be shared. That’s because my wish is for something we could all benefit from: a community tool library!
I’m sure you know how the regular library works: people borrow books & media on the honor system. Well, a tool library runs exactly the same way, except with home improvement supplies.
The first tool library in the US opened in 1976 in Columbus, Ohio, followed three years later by the Berkeley Tool Lending Library in California. Today, you’ll find nearly 40 others spread out across the country, most of which are volunteer-run and funded by grants and overdue fines.
Rental items can include hand & power tools, gardening tools, lawnmowers, ladders, home efficiency meters, paintbrushes, tape measures, automotive & bicycle tools, and more. Some tool libraries also offer classes & workshops, rent out DIY books & instruction manuals, and sell recycled building materials.
But the tools will get stolen! That’s what you’re thinking, right?
And yes, some of the tools will get stolen. Some will also get damaged. That’s just a fact of life in a library. But for a modest investment of $20-30,000, which many tool libraries have obtained through federal Community Development Block Grants, just imagine what a positive impact this could make in North County…
As a real estate agent, I see our local housing stock up close on a daily basis, and I can tell you one thing: We are in trouble. The vast majority of houses here are at least 50 years old, as you this census image shows:
That means they’re not exactly spring chickens. In fact, we have thousands of older homes needing significant deferred maintenance, and that problem is compounded by our high volume of rentals and foreclosures. Add in the demographic challenge of a population that’s getting older and poorer, and I think it’s pretty obvious that we need to do something to protect our North County neighborhoods.
So why not invest in them, and empower our residents at the same time? We have plenty of good people who want to make their homes nicer, who are willing to put in the sweat equity but just can’t afford all the tools. We also have a wealth of quality, affordable housing with great potential.
A tool library just makes sense here.
And it really makes sense in Ferguson, where there’s already a municipal library with an established inventory and patron system. Ferguson also has a proud history of innovative housing programs, a large pool of community volunteers, an untapped reserve of resident knowledge & donations, and a perfect little building at 320 S. Florissant Road (with apologies to FSBD).
So what do you say? Tool library anyone?
If you need more convincing, check out this resource page. And don’t miss this inspiring video….
New York pop artist brings “cerealism” to NoCo
New York artist Michael Albert, who creates colorful collages using cereal boxes, will be teaching workshops at four North County libraries..
FROM THE NEWS WIRE:
St. Louis County Library will host a series of Pop Art Workshops with New York artist Michael Albert. The workshops will be held at seven SLCL branches (schedule below). A public reception featuring the artist’s work will be held at the Florissant Valley Branch on Monday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Albert will give a short talk and answer questions. The Florissant Valley Branch is located at 195 New Florissant Rd., South.
Michael Albert is the author of “An Artist’s America.” The artist is perhaps best known for creating collages out of cereal boxes, a method he calls “cerealism.”
His Pop Art Workshops will offer kids the chance to make their own cereal box collages. The workshops are recommended for ages 7 and up. Registration is required; please call 314-994-3300 to sign up. Workshop schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, September 21
10:00 a.m. – Indian Trails Branch, 8400 Delport Dr., 63114
2:00 p.m. – Natural Bridge, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121
6:30 p.m. – Rock Road, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63074
Thursday, September 22
2:00 p.m. – Florissant Valley, 195 New Florissant Rd., South, 63031
The Pop Art Workshops are part of SLCL’s Art @ Your Library programming. For more information please call 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org/art@yourlibrary2011/sept-oct.htm.
St. Louis Storytelling Festival kicks off May 4
Tennessee storyteller Kenny Tedford, who is deaf, will be one of several featured performers at the 32nd annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival this week.
It’s easy to forget in our world of rapid communication and 24/7 technology, but once upon a time, storytelling was a very big deal. More than just a form of entertainment or a way to understand the trials of life, to many ancient cultures, it was literally the thread of wisdom connecting one generation to another. That’s why I think it’s pretty cool that St. Louis is about to host its 32nd annual storytelling festival, with dozens of regional and national storytellers coming together to celebrate this age-old art form.
Running May 4-7 at sites all over the metro area, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival is actually based here in North County, at UMSL, where the Touhill will serve as the location of the festival’s grand finale performance. Headliners include nationally known storytellers Kenny Tedford, Joseph & Jessie Bruchac, Marilyn Kinsella, Lyn Ford, Randel McGee, Motoko Dworkin and Kathy Schottel. Among the regional storytellers, NoCo is represented by Carole Shelton of Ferguson and Nina Wilson of St. Ann.
If you visit the festival website, you can find the full schedule of performances, some of which are even in St. Charles County. In the mean time, here’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods:
Storytelling for Children
grades K-4, featuring Shaaron Peters & Sandi Sylver
May 4, 2-3pm
Natural Bridge branch library, 7606 Natural Bridge Road, 63121
Travel Around the World Through Story
grades 1-3, featuring Bobby Norfolk
May 5, 10-11am
Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd, 63121
Folk Tales from Around the World
grades 3-5, featuring Bobby Norfolk
May 5, 11:30am-12:30pm
Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd, 63121
Native Tricksters & Changer Stories
grades 5-7, featuring Joe & Jessie Bruchac
May 6, 10-11am
Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd, 63121
Native Tricksters & Changer Stories
grades 6-8, featuring Joe & Jessie Bruchac
May 6, 11:30am-12:30pm
Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd, 63121
Storytelling for Children
grades K-4, featuring Jeanne Crews & Carole Shelton
May 6, 12:30-1:30pm
Florissant Valley branch library, 195 New Florissant Road, 63031
Saturday Night Storytelling Concert
featuring all eight of the headline performers
May 7, 7:30pm
Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University Blvd, 63121
Admission to the St. Louis Storytelling Festival is free and open to all. Get your tickets here. For more information, call (314) 516-6590.
County Library kicks off Black History Month
Is there a happier instrument than the steel drum? I don’t think so. That’s why I say hats off to St. Louis County Library for hosting a concert with steel drummer Nigel Thomas, just as this dreary winter is giving so many folks the blues.
Thomas, who’s originally from Granada, can be seen shaking his groove thang in the video above. Love it! At Friday’s concert, he’ll play a fun, lively set of reggae tunes, island classics and pop hits – all to celebrate Black History Month. And once he’s done, you can enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz group Solid Ground.
The concert is free and open to all, with snacks provided by a local black-owned restaurant. It’s scheduled for Friday, February 11, 6-9pm at the Florissant Valley Library, 195 New Florissant Road South, 63031.
Also coming up this month – a number of other great library-sponsored events celebrating Black History, both for kids and adults:
African American Read-In
Tuesday, February 22, 4:30pm @ the Bridgeton branch
Celebrate Black History Month by joining over a million readers in a national read-in. Come hear stories by African American authors, play trivia bingo, and create and enjoy snacks. Ages 7–12.
Gifted Hands
Thursday, February 24, 7:00pm @ the Bridgeton branch
In celebration of Black History Month, come enjoy the movie “Gifted Hands,” the biography of Dr. Ben Carson. MPAA rating: No Rating. Running time: 86 min. All ages.
“Shadowball: The Negro Baseball Leagues” a One-Man Theatrical Performance
Saturday, February 19, 1:00–3:00 pm @ the Florissant branch
Emmy-winning story-performer, Bobby Norfolk takes his audience on a fascinating journey through the important but often overlooked era of the Negro Baseball Leagues.
Gift of Gospel Celebration
Saturday, February 26, 1:00–3:00 pm @ the Lewis & Clark branch
Enjoy myriad gospel artists and musicians who will leave you feeling encouraged and inspired. Light refreshments will be served.
Black History Trivia Night
Thursday, February 17, 6:30 pm @ the Normandy branch
Think you know Black History? Build a team of five people or come on your own for a night of friendly competition. Light refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome. Registration is limited. Sign up online at www.slcl.org or at any St. Louis County Library location.
For more info about any of these events, call (314) 994-3300 or visit SLCL’s Black History Month page.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K