Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Your Library Card Works at ALL WCFLS Libraries
A lot of our patrons may not realize that their Mukwonago Community Library card is actually good at all of Waukesha County Federated Library System (WCFLS) libraries. That has all sorts of benefits for you! 1. You can check items out from other Waukesha County libraries. 2. You can return your items to any of the WCFLS libraries and it will get checked in and returned to the library that owns it! So if you live in Mukwonago and are running errands in Waukesha..you can return the items at the Waukesha library. 3. You can participate in any programs hosted by other libraries. If computer classes or storytime events don't fit your schedule at our library check out our companion libraries to see if they have something that fits your needs. You can check the WCFLS events calendar here. 4. You have 24/7 access to research and job search databases. 5. Don't forget you can always call any of the libraries for questions or reference services! Maybe you can take a drive and check out some of our wonderful libraries.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Frank Lloyd Wright Exhbit at the MAM
For me the special or featured exhibits at the local museum are always an exciting opportunity to see something new and fresh right here in the area. It is also something I don’t do for every exhibit..because tickets can get pricy. The Milwaukee Art Museum’s (MAM) featured exhibit is on Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century from February 12th through May 15th 2011. I have wanted to go this exhibit since it first opened, and finally got the chance this weekend. (I even roped a few friends into going with me). So what did I think? I thought it was an awesome exhibit that may only be exciting for people 13 and up, unless they are interested in the subject. The majority of the display was colored architectural planning sketches for Mr. Wright’s buildings. There was a nice mixture of his office buildings, commissioned homes, and larger plans that never actually got built. There were also a couple of excellent models and examples of his future so close you could almost touch them. I particularly enjoyed the two short videos playing at the exhibit which focused on his private life and a tour of a home he was commissioned to build. NOTES FOR CHILDREN: If you are going to take your children I highly suggest pursuing the free teacher’s guide to the exhibit before you go. There are some excellent talking points on architecture versus environment and some recommendations for children books that will help get them in the frame of mind. The suggested books The Wright 3 and Frank Lloyd Wright and His New American Architecture are both available at the library for checkout.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Temporary Closing Q & A
The last day we were open at our 300 Washington Ave. location was Friday, March 18th. On that day we started moving our items over to our new temporary location at 1012 Main Street (the Old Gooden's building across from Amato Ford.) We reopened today, Wednesday, March 23rd.
Q: Where do I return my items?
A:-Return all items to our temporary location at 1012 Main Street
Hint: Remember you can return the items you check out from our library to any other Waukesha County library.
Q: What if I returned my items while you were closed, do I get fines for late materials?
A: While we were closed there were be NO FINES accuring on items. In anticipation most due dates for items were automatically set for the end of March.
Hint: This doesn't mean you can turn in a book that was due in February and expect your fines to be gone :).
Q: When will be reopening back at the Washington St. location?
A: Hopefully by the end of the year, it all depends on how the construction process goes. We are currently targeting late November or early December, but construction duration is nearly impossible to predict in advance.
Q: Will the online library catalog still be available?
A: Yes! Yes! Yes! You can also have access to your "my account" feature. Subscription databases will also be up and running.
Q: Will all programs still be happening?
A: The AARP tax help which runs every Monday morning until April 11th from 9 am to 1 pm will be moving over to the Village Hall. All other events will be happening at our new temporary Main St. location.
Thank you for your patience during our move and expansion.
Q: Where do I return my items?
A:-Return all items to our temporary location at 1012 Main Street
Hint: Remember you can return the items you check out from our library to any other Waukesha County library.
Q: What if I returned my items while you were closed, do I get fines for late materials?
A: While we were closed there were be NO FINES accuring on items. In anticipation most due dates for items were automatically set for the end of March.
Hint: This doesn't mean you can turn in a book that was due in February and expect your fines to be gone :).
Q: When will be reopening back at the Washington St. location?
A: Hopefully by the end of the year, it all depends on how the construction process goes. We are currently targeting late November or early December, but construction duration is nearly impossible to predict in advance.
Q: Will the online library catalog still be available?
A: Yes! Yes! Yes! You can also have access to your "my account" feature. Subscription databases will also be up and running.
Q: Will all programs still be happening?
A: The AARP tax help which runs every Monday morning until April 11th from 9 am to 1 pm will be moving over to the Village Hall. All other events will be happening at our new temporary Main St. location.
Thank you for your patience during our move and expansion.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Title Suggestions for Your Book Club
If you are a member of a book club that needs a few suggestions for 2011, boy are you in luck! Or maybe these title will inspire you to start a book club of your own. If that happens be sure to check out the library because we have space your club can meet in and we can help you order books for your next club...just make sure you give us some advance notice ;).
Here is a list of select titles from the American Library Association Notable Books List for Adults from 2010 and 2011. These title have enough copies of the books in the library system and audio books available. Enjoy and happy reading!
Fiction
A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan.
A '70s punk band becomes the touchstone for a motley crw who spin their interconnected stories over time and distance.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin and William Morrow
Two men - one black, one white - must confront the secrets surround their childhood friendship following the disappearance of two girls in rural Mississippi.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzenem
This incisive portrait of the fractured Berglund brood captures the zeitgeist of contemporary America.
The Surrendered by Chang Rae Leeem
The complex entangled lives of three people forever scarred by the Korean War are sympathetically portrayed in gorgeous prose.
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantesem
An ambitious and idealistic American Marine faces the horror, heroism, futility, and pragmatism of war in this visceral portrayal of life in-country.
The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soliem
The adrenaline high that danger offers infects photojournalist Helen Adams as she documents the war in Vietnam.
The Lonely Polygamist: A Novel by Brady Udallem
In this big-hearted novel, Golden Richards and his clan navigate their chaotic lives as each clamors to be noticed.
The Year of the Flood: A Novel by Margaret Atwoodem
In the near future, two women survive an apocalyptic event in a queasily enthralling work.
Await Your Reply: A Novel by Dan Chaonem
This chilling exploration of the modern meaning of the identity follows three people on the firnges of society.
Spooner by Pete Dexter
A boy struggles to navigate the vagaries of the world with lifelong guidance of his stepfather in this funny and heartbreaking tale.
Tinkers by Paul Harding
In this lyrical novel, the life of a dying man is examined through the smallest moments of time and memory.
Let the Great World Spin: A Novel by Colum McCann
Phillipe Petit’s high wire walk between the Twin Towers provides the backdrop for this rich portrait of the unlikely connections among a group of New Yorkers in the 1970s.
A Mercy: A Novel by Toni Morrison
Four women- white, mixed race, black and Native American – become a makeshift family under the care of a “good” man in colonial America.
Generosity: An Enhancement by Richard Powers
In this postmodern indictment of the biotech industry, a student’s unnerving happiness seems to hold the key to banishing despair from the genetic code.
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
A landmark biography provides insights into the complexities of this founding father’s character, and brings him fully to life within the context of his times.
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Chronicling the experiences of six people, this powerful account draws back the curtain on the brutality of life under totalitarian regime.
Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier
Stricken by Russia love, a writer sets out to experience all things Siberian and takes us along for the frolicking journey.
Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent
This intoxicating history of the 18th amendment reveals the surprising relationship between Prohibition and other social movements, and explores its lasting impact on American life.
The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick
An epic encounter between two iconic individuals is vividly portrayed in fluid, evocative, and decidedly objective prose.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
A science writer uncovers the fascinating story of an African-American woman’s cancer cells harvested for medical research, thereby raising important questions of bioethics.
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant
Russia’s ecological and cultural history serves as the backdrop for the riveting adventure of tale of man versus beast.
Columbine by Dave Cullen
The fine work of investigative journalism challenges the myths and misconceptions of the Columbing tragedy.
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
This powerful account explores the devastation of post-Katrina New Orleans through the eyes of a Syrian-American who remained and endured the resulting chaos and confusion.
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
An intrepid reporter sets out to uncover the mysterious fate the last f the great Victorian explorers in this thrilling adventure.
Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld & the American Dream by Patrick Radden Keefre
Human trafficking and its subsequent effect on the American economy and social structures are document in this fast paced panoramic expose.
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
One journalist’s quest to discover the secrets of the reclusive Tarahumara Indians leads to and exciting and dangerous endurance race.
Tears in the Darkness: The story of the Bataan Death March and Its Aftermath by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M
In-depth, brutal and moving this narrative prvides multiple perspectives into a tragic WWII epsidoe in the Phillippines.
The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War by Nicholas Thompson
The remarkable half-century friendship and rivalry between two influential strategists who helped shape American policy is brought to life in this insightful dual biography.
Here is a list of select titles from the American Library Association Notable Books List for Adults from 2010 and 2011. These title have enough copies of the books in the library system and audio books available. Enjoy and happy reading!
Fiction
A Visit from the Good Squad by Jennifer Egan.
A '70s punk band becomes the touchstone for a motley crw who spin their interconnected stories over time and distance.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin and William Morrow
Two men - one black, one white - must confront the secrets surround their childhood friendship following the disappearance of two girls in rural Mississippi.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzenem
This incisive portrait of the fractured Berglund brood captures the zeitgeist of contemporary America.
The Surrendered by Chang Rae Leeem
The complex entangled lives of three people forever scarred by the Korean War are sympathetically portrayed in gorgeous prose.
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantesem
An ambitious and idealistic American Marine faces the horror, heroism, futility, and pragmatism of war in this visceral portrayal of life in-country.
The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soliem
The adrenaline high that danger offers infects photojournalist Helen Adams as she documents the war in Vietnam.
The Lonely Polygamist: A Novel by Brady Udallem
In this big-hearted novel, Golden Richards and his clan navigate their chaotic lives as each clamors to be noticed.
The Year of the Flood: A Novel by Margaret Atwoodem
In the near future, two women survive an apocalyptic event in a queasily enthralling work.
Await Your Reply: A Novel by Dan Chaonem
This chilling exploration of the modern meaning of the identity follows three people on the firnges of society.
Spooner by Pete Dexter
A boy struggles to navigate the vagaries of the world with lifelong guidance of his stepfather in this funny and heartbreaking tale.
Tinkers by Paul Harding
In this lyrical novel, the life of a dying man is examined through the smallest moments of time and memory.
Let the Great World Spin: A Novel by Colum McCann
Phillipe Petit’s high wire walk between the Twin Towers provides the backdrop for this rich portrait of the unlikely connections among a group of New Yorkers in the 1970s.
A Mercy: A Novel by Toni Morrison
Four women- white, mixed race, black and Native American – become a makeshift family under the care of a “good” man in colonial America.
Generosity: An Enhancement by Richard Powers
In this postmodern indictment of the biotech industry, a student’s unnerving happiness seems to hold the key to banishing despair from the genetic code.
Nonfiction
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
A landmark biography provides insights into the complexities of this founding father’s character, and brings him fully to life within the context of his times.
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Chronicling the experiences of six people, this powerful account draws back the curtain on the brutality of life under totalitarian regime.
Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier
Stricken by Russia love, a writer sets out to experience all things Siberian and takes us along for the frolicking journey.
Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent
This intoxicating history of the 18th amendment reveals the surprising relationship between Prohibition and other social movements, and explores its lasting impact on American life.
The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick
An epic encounter between two iconic individuals is vividly portrayed in fluid, evocative, and decidedly objective prose.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
A science writer uncovers the fascinating story of an African-American woman’s cancer cells harvested for medical research, thereby raising important questions of bioethics.
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant
Russia’s ecological and cultural history serves as the backdrop for the riveting adventure of tale of man versus beast.
Columbine by Dave Cullen
The fine work of investigative journalism challenges the myths and misconceptions of the Columbing tragedy.
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
This powerful account explores the devastation of post-Katrina New Orleans through the eyes of a Syrian-American who remained and endured the resulting chaos and confusion.
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
An intrepid reporter sets out to uncover the mysterious fate the last f the great Victorian explorers in this thrilling adventure.
Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld & the American Dream by Patrick Radden Keefre
Human trafficking and its subsequent effect on the American economy and social structures are document in this fast paced panoramic expose.
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
One journalist’s quest to discover the secrets of the reclusive Tarahumara Indians leads to and exciting and dangerous endurance race.
Tears in the Darkness: The story of the Bataan Death March and Its Aftermath by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M
In-depth, brutal and moving this narrative prvides multiple perspectives into a tragic WWII epsidoe in the Phillippines.
The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War by Nicholas Thompson
The remarkable half-century friendship and rivalry between two influential strategists who helped shape American policy is brought to life in this insightful dual biography.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
St. Patrick's Day Party Ideas
Will you be kissing the Blarney Stone this March 17th? If so we have whipped up a few party ideas for you. Enjoy!
Irish Jig Contest
Create a mixed CD that has Irish songs, such as, “Danny Boy” or “Whiskey in the Jar.” (Or use Pandora.com) Pair up in couples. Find three judges (someone who does not want to dance) to decide on the winners based on their unique dance moves. If everyone wants to show off their dance moves, the couple standing the longest wins.
Irish Trivia Websites
- This is a entire website o' Irish trivia.
- This is just a simple little quiz that may be fun.
Irish Music Ideas
Go to Pandora and sign up for a free account. You get 40 hours of free music a month. Create a “Irish” station to stream music for your party. (I use this for entertaining at home all the time! Huge hit because you can pretty much tailor the music to the occasion.)
Irish Jokes
An idea I had for a game for the jokes is you could print off your favorite jokes, and then fold them up and put them in a bowl. Each guest has to select a joke and tell it at some point during the party.
Irish Movies
Put an Irish movie on in the background. Rotten tomato suggests a few!
Printable Leprechaun Mask
These can be a little too much fun.
Irish Jig Contest
Create a mixed CD that has Irish songs, such as, “Danny Boy” or “Whiskey in the Jar.” (Or use Pandora.com) Pair up in couples. Find three judges (someone who does not want to dance) to decide on the winners based on their unique dance moves. If everyone wants to show off their dance moves, the couple standing the longest wins.
Irish Trivia Websites
- This is a entire website o' Irish trivia.
- This is just a simple little quiz that may be fun.
Irish Music Ideas
Go to Pandora and sign up for a free account. You get 40 hours of free music a month. Create a “Irish” station to stream music for your party. (I use this for entertaining at home all the time! Huge hit because you can pretty much tailor the music to the occasion.)
Irish Jokes
An idea I had for a game for the jokes is you could print off your favorite jokes, and then fold them up and put them in a bowl. Each guest has to select a joke and tell it at some point during the party.
Irish Movies
Put an Irish movie on in the background. Rotten tomato suggests a few!
Printable Leprechaun Mask
These can be a little too much fun.
May the luck o' thee Irish be with ye.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Money Smart Week Webinar: Investing 101
Morning Star Investment Research Center is a subscription database that you can access here at the library to learn about stocks, trading, and use free portfolio tools. They are hosting an online seminar on Investing that you can attend for free onlie, on April 8th at 11 a.m. I will be attending, hopefully you will be there too! Check the post below for more information!
"The American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago are recognizing April 2-9 as Money Smart Week at your library. This is a week for libraries to help promote financial literacy and hold programs designed to help consumers manage their personal finances.
Morningstar Library Services will be participating in Money Smart Week with a free webinar, Investing 101: Simple Strategies to Get Started in the World of Investing. The session will cover the basics of how to start investing, including why you should invest, determining your investment goals, and finding the right mix of stocks, bonds, and other investments for you using Morningstar research.
The session will be done via the web, so it should be accessible from any location with a computer. This is an event that you can hold as a large group at the library or promote to patrons to attend on their own. Also during Money Smart Week, we will have our regular database training session, which can be attended by anyone as well.
Morningstar Investment Research Center web training will be held April 7 at 11 a.m. Central time. Investing 101 will be held April 8 at 11 a.m. Central time. Patrons can register by e-mailing librarytraining@morningstar.com and mentioning the name of their library."
"The American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago are recognizing April 2-9 as Money Smart Week at your library. This is a week for libraries to help promote financial literacy and hold programs designed to help consumers manage their personal finances.
Morningstar Library Services will be participating in Money Smart Week with a free webinar, Investing 101: Simple Strategies to Get Started in the World of Investing. The session will cover the basics of how to start investing, including why you should invest, determining your investment goals, and finding the right mix of stocks, bonds, and other investments for you using Morningstar research.
The session will be done via the web, so it should be accessible from any location with a computer. This is an event that you can hold as a large group at the library or promote to patrons to attend on their own. Also during Money Smart Week, we will have our regular database training session, which can be attended by anyone as well.
Morningstar Investment Research Center web training will be held April 7 at 11 a.m. Central time. Investing 101 will be held April 8 at 11 a.m. Central time. Patrons can register by e-mailing librarytraining@morningstar.com and mentioning the name of their library."
Monday, March 7, 2011
Explore Your Local History!
Have you ever looked around Mukwonago or Waukesha and thought about the way it used to be? Can you see horses pulling carriages through the streets or imagine when Native Americans were the main inhabitants. The opportunity to exercise your imagination is rich within Waukesha County and Mukwonago itself. With an abundance of museums and local library reference collections you can learn more about the place you live and work every day!
Museums
Museums
Red Brick Museum
"Located in the heart of downtown Mukwonago, Wisconsin, the Mukwonago Museum was first established in 1967, the the Red Brick House was purchased with funds left by Mr. Arthur Grutzmacher. Built in 1842 by original Mukwonago settler Sewall Andrews, the home has been restored to a lovely Victorian house, reminiscent of the post-Civil War period.
For 40 years, community volunteers have staffed the museum, updated rooms, and educated guests in Mukwonago's history.
Today, the museum's mission is still strong. Continually involved in renovation of the old house, the museum's primary goal is to impart a love for history to all who visit this unique Mukwonago attraction." Check out their featured exhibit The American Indian Collection with artifcacs like beads, pottery, and arrowheads!
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
Founded in 1906 and residing in a the old gorgeous Waukesha Courthouse building built in 1893. The actual space for the collection began in 1913 and started with one room and has expanded to the entire building. For over 100 years it has been an instrumental part of the community housing, educating people about Waukesha County, coordinating local events, and housing great exhibits. Check out their Memories of World War II exhibit with photos from Associated Press photographers.
Founded in 1906 and residing in a the old gorgeous Waukesha Courthouse building built in 1893. The actual space for the collection began in 1913 and started with one room and has expanded to the entire building. For over 100 years it has been an instrumental part of the community housing, educating people about Waukesha County, coordinating local events, and housing great exhibits. Check out their Memories of World War II exhibit with photos from Associated Press photographers.
Local Library Resources
The Waukesha County Federated Library System has a great local history collection. I wanted to highlight just a few of the gems here at the Mukwonago Community Library.
A Chronicle of Mukwonago History is a work compiled by D.E. Wright in 1990. It will introduce you to some of the important folks from Mukwonago and early settlers where you can get to know people like "Old Cal" Agnew and the Craig Family. Imagine yourself as a pioneer when you read a little about earlier days and reminiscients. Get to know about the historical significance of the inns, industries, and church history.
Place of the Bear is another worked compiled by D.E. Wright with a first print in 1994. This seems to be an extension of A Chronicle of Mukwonago History and touches more on local schools, early Indian settlers, and family ties.
From Mequanego to Mukwonago is a set of four walking tours through Mukwonago by Kathryn Bergmann with the first edition printed in 1998. The tours are intersting and not overly long with a little over (or under) a mile on each tour. The book provides descriptions about each building it highlights on the tour and even adds some earlier photos of select buildings. This is definetly a neat family outing or romantic evening with a picnic!
Hopefully I will see you poking around these great places!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What happens with library events after the move?
In case you haven't heard....as of March 19th, we are temporarily MOVING for the expansion! Woot-woot! You may be wondering what happens with library events at this time. All scheduled events will go on as planned, either at the new location or at the village hall. Most will happen at our temporary home, 1012 Main St.-- across from Amato Ford-- but some of the larger events will be in the lower level of village hall.
Check out our calendar of events or Facebook (Adult/Teen) pages for more information about each event.
Check out our calendar of events or Facebook (Adult/Teen) pages for more information about each event.
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