All Entries Tagged With: "libraries"
Former Negro League Player to speak @ Library
George Altman, a former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and Negro League baseball player, will be giving a free talk this Saturday at the Florissant Valley Library. Joined by Gary Crawford, a Negro League historian, he will share his experiences of playing during a time when baseball was segregated, and will be taking questions from the audience.
The event is part of St. Louis County Library’s Black History Month programming, which includes a performance by the Black Rep, author lectures, concerts with local musicians, an oratorical competition and more. All events are free and open to the public.
Altman’s discussion is scheduled for Saturday, January 29 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at 195 N. Florissant Road S., 63031. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org/blackhistory
St. Louis Cardinals sponsor new library in Normandy
North County kids have a new reason to smile this week. Thanks to a grant from Cardinals Care, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Community Fund, a newly renovated children’s area has just opened at the St. Louis County Library’s Natural Bridge branch in Normandy.
Designed with a baseball theme in mind, the new Jean Weinstock Children’s Library features colorful modular seating, expanded collections and dedicated computers for kids, and a very special reading nook known as Fredbird’s tree.
Fredbird himself was on hand to open the new library last week, along with St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa and other local dignitaries. The public is now welcome to use this fun new space during regular branch hours: Monday to Thursday 9-9, Friday & Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. 7606 Natural Bridge Road, 63121
Photos courtesy of the St. Louis County Library Foundation
Teen Center opens at Florissant Valley library
Members of the Florissant Valley Teen Advisory Group helped to choose the furniture and color palette for this new teens-only space at the Florissant library. Photo: Dave Moore
Thanks to the St. Louis County Library Foundation, North County teenagers now have a place to call their own. Teen Alley, which was officially unveiled yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, is a colorful new space at the Florissant Valley library branch designed by and for young adults.
Featuring an expanded collection of graphic novels, popular teen series, manga and magazines, Teen Alley also offers gaming equipment, three computers and a wealth of comfy seating, including bean bag chairs and sectional furniture that can be rearranged. In the near future, Florissant Valley Youth Specialist Jennifer Richardson is planning to use the new area to host workshops for teens, allowing them to learn skills like podcasting, video editing, improv comedy, comic book drawing and recycled crafting.
In 2011, the Bridgeton branch will also get a Teen Alley, along with four other branches in St. Louis County. For more info, visit the Library Foundation’s Facebook page or just drop by the Florissant branch @ 195 New Florissant Road, 63031. Teen Alley is open during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday 9-9, Friday-Saturday 9-5, and Sunday 1-5.
Field Trip: Reading Garden Series @ St. Louis County Library
Take a field trip to the County Library Headquarters this fall, where the Reading Garden Event Series will welcome 14 popular Young Adult authors.
If you saw yesterday’s Post-Dispatch story on North County public schools, you’ll know what I mean when I say, “oh my.” Clearly our community is facing a significant challenge, and we need to find creative ways to better educate our local kids and prepare them for the world. We also need to show them (particularly the kids living in poverty or barely getting by) that life offers countless options beyond what they see every day.
A few years ago, I was invited to be a “guest reader” at Ferguson Middle School, where I was asked to talk about my work as a writer. As I passed around an architecture book I’d written, several of the students started firing off questions, most of which basically amounted to the same question: “You get paid to write? For real?”
It was then that I realized…I live up right the street from these kids but I’m about as foreign to them as a Chinese acupuncturist. A professional writer who works from home, earning a buck a word from magazine editors she’s never even met in person? For most of these working-class students, that concept was absolutely mind-blowing. They truly had no idea that someone could grow up and earn a living as a writer. And that’s sad. How many other possibilities are these kids not dreaming of because they don’t even know they exist? And how many of them might be budding writers themselves, if only that seed was planted?
I honestly don’t know the answer to those questions or how to solve NoCo’s larger educational problems, but I do know that a great opportunity to expand some minds is coming up soon and I really hope some North County students can take advantage of it. Throughout the fall, St. Louis County Library is sponsoring 14 free lectures in its Reading Garden Event Series, all featuring popular writers who specialize in books for young adults. Many of these authors are known around the world and have sold hundreds of thousands of books.
All of the lectures will be held at library headquarters, just south of Highway 40 on Lindbergh, so NoCo folks will have to take a field trip. But, wow, just look at all the great creative role models you and your favorite young person can meet! Talk about inspirational!! Maybe even life-changing. And did I mention it’s FREE?!
Reading Garden Event Series:
Friday, September 17, 7:00 p.m.
Sixth Annual Family Read Night with Eoin Colfer, Author of “Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex”
Join international bestselling author Eoin Colfer for the Artemis Rocks! Show. Eoin will perform a monologue, interview Artemis Fowl (that’s right, Artemis Fowl in the flesh!), and sign copies of the seventh book in the blockbuster series, “Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex.”
Monday, September 20, 7:00 p.m.
Ellen Hopkins, “Fallout”
“Fallout” is the stunning conclusion to Hopkins’ bestselling “Crank” trilogy about teenage addict Kristina Snow. Written from the perspective of Kristina’s children, “Fallout” is a transfixing, vivid look at teenage drug abuse and a testament to the harsh reality that addiction is never just one person’s problem.
Monday, September 27, 7:00 p.m.
Sara Pennypacker & Marla Frazee, “Clementine, Friend of the Week”
Bestselling author Sara Pennypacker and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Marla Frazee visit the Library to celebrate the fourth book in the popular Clementine series. When Clementine is picked as ‘Friend of the Week’ by her third-grade class, she comes up with all sorts of crazy plans to prove she’s a good friend. Who knew that being a friend could be so hard? Books for signing will be available for purchase from Pudd’nHead Books.
Thursday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.
Cinda Williams Chima, “The Exiled Queen”
Popular young adult fantasy author Cinda Williams Chima discusses “The Exiled Queen,” the highly-anticipated second book in the Seven Realms series. “The Exiled Queen” is an epic and entrancing story of wizards and princesses, uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.
Friday, October 1, 7:00 p.m.
Muppet Master Dave Goelz & Special Guest
Learn Muppet history at a program hosted by Dave Goelz, the performer of everyone’s favorite Muppet, Gonzo. This program, a special event presented as part of MUPPETS, MUSIC AND MAGIC: JIM HENSON’S LEGACY touring series which will screen at select SLCL locations in November and December, features Muppet material you won’t see anywhere else: early TV appearances, commercials, and much more. Q&A with Mr. Goelz and his special guest round out the evening.
Tuesday, October 5, 7:00 p.m.
Mem Fox, “Let’s Count Goats!”
Daniel Boone Branch; 300 Clarkson Rd.
Early reading specialist and beloved author of “Time for Bed” and “Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes,” Mem Fox offers offers a fresh twist on the classic counting book using delightfully expressive goats and playful rhymes. “Let’s Count Goats!” is sure to inspire the youngest readers.
Wednesday, October 6, 7:00 p.m.
Michael Buckley, “N.E.R.D.S.: M is for Mama’s Boy”
“N.E.R.D.S.” hilariously combines all the excitement of international espionage with the awkwardness of elementary school. A group of unpopular fifth graders run a spy network from inside their school. With the help of cutting-edge science, they transform their nerdy qualities into incredible abilities! Michael Buckley is also the author of “The Sisters Grimm,” a New York Times bestselling series.
Monday, October 11, 7:00 p.m.
Jon Scieszka, “Spaceheadz”
Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn’t hard enough, the kids he’s made friends with apparently aren’t kids at all. They are aliens who have invaded our planet with a hamster as their leader. And they have a mission to complete: to convince 3,400,001 kids to be Spaceheadz. But with Michael K as their first convert, will the Spaceheadz be able to pull off their assignment? Jon Scieszka is the author of the Caldecott winner “The Stinky Cheese Man” and the “Trucktown” series.
Tuesday, October 12, 7:00 p.m.
Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, “Beautiful Darkness”
The second book in Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl’s breathtaking young adult thriller/romance series returns readers to the small Southern town of Gatlin, where mystery and dark magic hides in plain sight. Ethan used to think of Gatlin as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena, who revealed a secret world. Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts keeping secrets that test their relationship.
Thursday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.
Rick Riordan, “The Lost Hero”
MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)
McDonnell Athletic Center (Entrance 1)*
101 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
Free tickets available at select Library locations and MICDS. Call 314-994-3300 for more information.
After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Percy Jackson and friends have rebuilt their beloved Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must prepare for an epic quest.
Wednesday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.
Jennifer Donnelly, “Revolution”
From the author of the award-winning “A Northern Light,” “Revolution” weaves the stories of two girls born centuries apart, but inextricably and dangerously linked. When Brooklyn teenager Andi discovers the antique diary of an 18th century Parisian girl, she finds distraction from her own troubles—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
Friday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.
Wendelin Van Draanen, “Flipped”
“Flipped” is a classic romantic comedy of errors told in alternating chapters by two fresh, funny new voices. Popular young adult author Wendelin Van Draanen is at her best here with a knock-out cast of quirky characters, but underlying the humor are two teens in transition. They are each learning to look beyond the surface of people, both figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and who they want to be with.
Tuesday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.
David Wiesner, “Art and Max”
Multiple Caldecott Medal-winner David Wiesner is beloved by children and adults for his whimsical and sophisticated wordless picture books such as “Flotsam” and “Tuesday.” In his latest masterpiece “Art and Max,” Wiesner depicts two friends with a shared interest in painting: one an accomplished artist and the other an enthusiastic beginner.
Tuesday, November 16, 7:00 p.m.
Laurie Halse Anderson, “Forge”
In this compelling sequel to “Chains,” a National Book Award Finalist, acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson brings to the page the story of runaway slaves during the American Revolution. During the desperate circumstances of the Valley Forge winter, runaway slaves Curzon and Isabel must sort out the tangled threads of friendship while figuring out what stands between them and true freedom.
The Reading Garden Event Series is free and open to all ages. It will take place at St. Louis County Library, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd, 63131. For more info, call (314) 994-3300. You can also visit any library branch to check out all of the books above.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K