ICARUS... the Santa Fe Public Library Blog

Volunteers

2012-02-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

In the last couple of months we’ve had several staff members either retire or relocate. We will miss these colleagues who’ve become friends. Staff members are scrambling to fill in the holes left in desk schedules and are picking up extra duties until these positions are filled. In the meantime, we are extremely grateful for our volunteers. We have several wonderful people who come to the library and help us out. Many volunteers shelve books – a Sisyphean task. They come in day after day, week after week, and cheerfully put books in order on the shelves. Again and again. We love them. They are so helpful and so cheerful. Our volunteers free up staff to attend to other pressing duties. We don’t know what we would do without them. We just want to say thank you to all of you who brighten our day and give us that extra help that we need.
If you are not a volunteer and would like to be, just come in to the library and fill out the volunteer application form. We may just put you to work. Thanks!

PS@Southside

Poet Laureate shares her Heart

2012-02-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

February 14, Tuesday – Poetry a la Heart: Drive-By Love-In at four Santa Fe Nursing Homes- bring a short poem or just yourself. We will hand out Valentines hand-made the weeks before, sing a little, and read poems to the residents. Plans in the work, join us for 10:00-11:30 or 1:30-3:00 visits, and for lunch at Real Food Nation at 11:45. For details call Joan Logghe at 505-459-3482.

February 17, Friday, 5:30-7:00 ArtWorks opening of student art and poetry, Santa Fe Community Gallery on Marcy Street. Work from the public schools of Santa Fe and will be up for a month. Wander in. Catch the joy.

March 23, Friday, 5:00-7:00 Opening of Odes & Offerings, finale of Joan’s Poet Laureate tenure. 36 poets and 36 visual artists, a collaboration of text in the works. On display at The Community Gallery through June 8th with readings and workshops to accompany the show.

April 27th, Friday, 6:00 PM. Three Laureates Reading: Arthur Sze, Valerie Martinez, and Joan Logghe at the auditorium of the New Mexico History Museum. Celebration for Santa Fe Poet Laureate program.

Library Presents the Percussion Lady Helen Trencher

2012-02-13T09:15:00.002-07:00

Santa Fe, NM—February10, 2011. Catch the world beat with Helen Trencher “the Percussion Lady” at all three branches of the Santa Fe Public Library.

This free program for children and families will be held Friday, February 17, 2012, 4:00 p.m. at the La Farge Library, 1730 Llano St., on Saturday, February 18, 2012, 10:30 a.m. at the Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Dr. and Saturday, February 18, 2012, 1:30 p.m. at the Main Library, 145 Washington Avenue.

Ms. Trencher provides a multicultural excursion introducing Middle Eastern, Latin and African rhythms, drumming and percussive grooves. All percussion (hand drums, bells, shakers and scrapers) are provided--but feel free to bring your own!

No registration is required.

For more information contact your local branch:
La Farge Branch Library 1730 Llano Street 955-4863
Southside Branch Library 6599 Jaguar Drive 955-2828
Main Library 145 Washington Avenue 955-6783

Sponsored by The Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library

PCH at Main

Creative Ways to Utilize the Media Department

2012-02-08T08:00:00.001-07:00

If you’re feeling frustrated about not being able to browse the Media shelves in person during our temporary closure, here are some links that might help. You can browse the catalog, put holds on the titles that catch your eye, and then pick up the materials at the circ desk of any branch convenient to you!
http://catalog.ci.santa-fe.nm.us/screens/medialists.html

If you’re feeling adventurous and a little nuts, you can also do a catalog search for, say, call number “DVD B” and see every movie we have with a title that starts with the letter B. This works with non-fiction also – for example, try “DVD 940.5” and check out all the films we have on WW2!

AA@Main

eBooks or Real Books

2012-02-07T15:02:00.001-07:00

The raging debate these days is whether eBooks can replace delightful, real, printed, paper books. Well, I guess you can tell where I stand in my first sentence. There is something about the tactile sensation of holding someone’s words in my hands. It is the paper, typeface and general graphical design that are a part of reading to me.

Despite my general preference for paper, a friend amazed me recently. There in her hands was her new Kindle Fire and she was in awe. She had just purchased four works by Jane Austen for one cent apiece. One cent. She kept saying, “I can’t believe I own them. I feel I should pay more because it is JANE AUSTEN” !

I understand. I have the same feeling when I find a special book at a book sale where books are priced $ .50 to $1.00. I can’t believe I got a Jane Austen in perfect condition! Now if I could just find an autographed Jane Austen which proves her very hands touched it, well I would be in heaven. I don’t think that is likely to happen with a Kindle or Nook.

So the battle rages on. In a way I hope the Kindles and Nooks win this one—it means more special hardbound books for me!

PCH at Main

And now for some good news.....

2012-01-30T10:59:00.007-07:00

The Children's Department of each library is doing business as usual so come in February for Helen Trencher, the Percussion Lady and then a chance to make your own music shaker. Check out the Children's web page for dates and times.

Main Library Media Room Closes Temporarily

2012-01-30T10:57:00.001-07:00

The Media department of the Main Library, 145 Washington Avenue, will be closed temporarily as of February 4. The Library plans to reopen media on May 1. To access media materials, patrons may place holds on media which will be available for pickup at the Circulation Desk. Patrons may also access media items at the La Farge and Southside Branches.
The Library is experiencing a shortage of 400 hours of staff time a week due to retirements, resignations, illness and staff leaving the state.
The closure is due to a staff shortage and is not due to budget shortages. The Library is working as quickly as possible to advertise, interview and hire for the 11 vacant positions.

To place a hold on any library item, the patron may call any of the libraries or go on line to www.santafelibrary.org . Main Library can be reached at 955-6781; La Farge Branch at 955-4860 or Southside Branch at 955-2820.

The Library regrets any inconvenience.

Interlibrary Loan Service Suspended Temporarily

2012-01-25T17:30:00.002-07:00

Interlibrary Loan service at the Santa Fe Public Library has been temporarily suspended until May 1, 2012. No requests, either in person or via email, will be accepted during this temporary closure.
The Library has a shortage of professional staff due to retirements, staff leaving the state and illness. The Interlibrary Loan Department plans to reopen on May 1, 2012 . Until then we will not be accepting requests, either in person or by email. If you have any questions, please call 955-6793.
With your Santa Fe Public Library card, you can get a card at the Albuquerque Public Library as well as Los Alamos and other public libraries in the state. These libraries might have materials that you would otherwise have to order through Interlibrary loan. However, these libraries will not provide interlibrary loan service for our patrons.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

And the winner is...

2012-01-24T15:51:00.003-07:00

For children’s librarians and anyone who loves outstanding, magical books, Christmas comes in mid-January when the American Library Association names the best youth book and best picture book from all that were published the year before. Unlike the Oscars, no short list is given to the public in advance to speculate on who might win. When the announcement is made it truly is an exciting surprise!

This past week the volunteer librarian committees who make the selections proudly announced Jack Ganto‘s Dead End in Norvelt as the Newbery winner for the best youth book. Chris Raschka’s A Ball for Daisy is the best picture book of the year. Even if you have not looked at a children’s book in years, do not miss A Ball for Daisy. This no-word book is whimsical and charming. I envy the artist’s ability to capture the joy of a dog and a ball.

The ALA 2012 Children's Book Awards are posted and the winners can all be found at the Santa Fe Public Library. So for a good read of the best of the best and a chance to find your next favorite book make you're way to Southside, LaFarge or Main and see what we have to make this gloomy day brighter.

BA and PCH at Main

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Closures

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

All branches of the Santa Fe Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The libraries will be open regular hours over the weekend:

Main Library:
Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm

La Farge Library:
Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm

Southside Library:
Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm

Dragon Mask Craft

2012-01-09T06:00:00.003-07:00

Make a Dragon Mask!

This free craft is open to children ages 5-12. All materials are provided. Registration is required, and starts 2 weeks before the craft.

Tuesday, January 24
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Southside Library
955-2828

Wednesday, January 25
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Main Library
955-6783

Thursday, January 26
3:30-4:30 p.m.
La Farge Library
955-4863

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

Southside VHS Sale

2012-01-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

All VHS tapes for only 50¢ each!

Yes, that's only fifty cents! Each! Half a dollar per VHS tape!

Southside Library Bookstore
6599 Jaguar Dr.

One Day Only
Saturday, January 14

Open to public: 10 am - 4 pm

Cash / checks only. No plastic.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.
All proceeds from this sale are used to purchase new books for the Library.

PreSchool Storytime

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Bring your kids ages 2-5 to PreSchool Story Time, where they'll enjoy stories, songs, finger games, puppets, and crafts. Best of all, it's free and no registration is required!

Tuesdays
La Farge Library
January 10 - May 1
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Wednesdays
Southside Library
January 11 - May 2
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Fridays
Main Library
January 13 - May 4
11:00 am to 11:45 am

For more information, call:
La Farge Children's: 955-4863
Southside Children's: 955-2828
Main Children's: 955-6783

Diane, the Magicienne

2012-01-04T06:00:00.003-07:00

A Magic Program for All Ages

Friday, January 13
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Main Library

Saturday, January 14
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Southside Library

Saturday, January 14
1:30-2:30 p.m.
La Farge Library

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

January Art in the Library Galleries

2012-01-03T06:00:00.005-07:00

Main Library
Attitudes of the Heart
Spiritual Landscapes
by Rezi Ghadimi

La Farge Library
Mental Health Issues
By the National Association of Mental Health and Casa Milagro

Southside Library
Colors of Santa Fe
Acrylics
by Patti Merrill

For more information, check our Art page.

For upcoming events, check our Calendar and Children's pages.

Books for Babies New Mexico

2011-12-31T08:00:00.004-07:00

First Santa Fe Baby of 2012 to Receive Books Thanks to New Program

BOOKS FOR BABIES NEW MEXICO, a partnership between the Santa Fe Public Library, Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library and St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, was created to stress the importance of reading to children at an early age.

Beginning with the first baby of the New Year, every child born in the hospital will go home with a brightly colored canvas bag containing a book, a CD of lullabies, an innovative die-cut brochure on the importance of reading to babies (which can be folded into a box), an application for a library card, and information on community resources. Printed on the side of the bags, soon to be seen all over town: “I READ TO MY BABY EVERY DAY.”

An estimated 1600 babies will receive the gift bag and their first book in 2012.

Research shows that reading to babies early significantly strengthens brain development, builds vocabulary, helps parents bond better with their babies and sets the stage for later success in school.

The project was first suggested by local children’s author Diane Stanley, and is based on Born to Read, a similar program in San Antonio, Texas. It soon became a community effort. A core group from the Santa Fe Public Library, the hospital and St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, Brindle Foundation, and the Santa Fe Institute began the project’s development.

Students in Arlyn Nathan’s graphic design class at Santa Fe University of Art and Design created the logo and designed the brochure. Local businesses did the imprinting of the bags and created the brochures. And the lullaby CD, by New Mexico singer Nidia Corral de Martinez, was produced in cooperation with the Santa Fe County Maternal & Child Health Planning Council by New Mexico Project LAUNCH, a federal grant administered by the New Mexico Department of Health.

Books for Babies New Mexico ties in with other local efforts to promote early literacy, including the Books and Babies program at two library branches and Reach Out and Read through area pediatricians and family doctors. Though Books for Babies New Mexico is getting its start in Santa Fe, the hope is to gradually expand the program to other communities, with the dream of eventually going statewide. Contributions to purchase books for the program can be made to the Books for Babies NM Fund c/o St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, 455 St. Michael’s Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Southside Teen Programs

2011-12-30T06:00:00.001-07:00

The Teen Programs at the Southside Library are returning on Thursday, January 5 at 4:30 pm.

The full schedule for teen programs:

1st Thursdays: Teen Book Club
2nd Thursdays: Librarian's Choice
3rd and 4th Thursdays: Anime Club
5th Thursdays (if there is one): Par-tay!

The Southside Library is located at 6599 Jaguar Dr. at Country Club Rd.
For more information, call 955-2829.

New Year's Holiday Closings

2011-12-27T06:00:00.001-07:00

All branches of the Santa Fe Public Library will close at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 31.

We will also be closed on Sunday, January 1 and Monday, January 2 for the New Year's Holiday.

All branches will resume normal hours at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 3.

May everyone have a healthy and happy holiday!

Photo by AA @Main

Unearthing the Past

2011-12-20T06:00:00.006-07:00

A librarian's home was getting renovated this year, and due to some water damage an old adobe wall had to be torn down and rebuilt. Among the goodies squirreled away in the wall was this nice old library card. While it's a far cry from our excellent online catalog and barcoded cards, the metal insert is a nice nod to modernity.

Part of me wants to keep the mystery intact, so I'm not looking to see if this patron is still in our system and checking out books. However, I hope this patron did eventually get her card replaced!

Christmas Holiday Closings

2011-12-19T06:00:00.003-07:00

All branches of the Santa Fe Public Library will close at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 24.

We will also be closed on Sunday, December 25 and Monday, December 26 for the Christmas Holiday.

All branches will resume normal hours at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 27.

May everyone have a healthy and happy holiday!

Photo by AA @Main

Seasonal Sculpture

2011-12-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

After our snowfall this past week, the Southside librarians couldn't resist making their own snowman. Here's a close-up:

And here's a wide shot:

Happy Holidays from the Santa Fe Public Library!
Photos by AB @SS

Giving from the Heart

2011-12-12T06:00:00.005-07:00

The Friends of the Library Joins the
SECOND ANNUAL
SANTA FE ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET
WHICH OFFERS OPTIONS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
Friday- Sunday,
December 16-18
De Vargas Center

Shoppers will enjoy free Java Joes coffee, hot cider and holiday-baked goods while choosing gifts that benefit those in need at the second annual Santa Fe Alternative Gift Market. The Market begins with a grand opening celebration Friday, December 16, at 5:00 p.m., chaired by Ali MacGraw. The Market will be open Saturday & Sunday, December 17 and 18, at the DeVargas Center in Santa Fe. Weekend hours are Saturday, December 17, 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 18, Noon-5:00 p.m.

Participants can select tax-deductible gifts that provide urgently needed assistance to local and international organizations providing medical help, books for libraries, shelter and food, working to reduce illiteracy, and assisting homeless veterans, among other things.

Santa Fe non-profits taking part include the Friends of the Library, InterFaith Community Center, La Familia Medical Center and Esperanza Shelter for Battered Women and New Mexico Veterans Helping Homeless Veterans.

Gift-givers can choose from more than 60 different items. The choice is enormous. Gifts range from providing flu shots to Santa Fe children from La Familia Medical Center, books for the Santa Fe Public Library, to legal representation for a girl rescued from sexual slavery in Asia; from sending a bicycle to rural health workers in Zambia, to underwriting one night’s stay in Santa Fe’s Interfaith Shelter, or providing entrepreneurial training to one Egyptian trying to start a business.

Highlights this year will be story times for children, as librarians and volunteers from the Santa Fe Public Library take turns reading holiday favorites, plus musical performances by local musicians.

Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization that inspires support for humanitarian and environmental causes. It offers donors the option to designate charitable gifts through carefully selected agencies in the name of their relatives, friends and associates.

by PCH @Main

Pearl Harbor Day

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today, December 7, 2011 is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was a day that changed the nation as a whole and Americans as individuals. It shook the nation up much as another attack on the United States did in 2001. Whatever your political views on the attack on Pearl Harbor (did the President know it was coming? Was it a well conceived plot to get us into the war?) it is a good time to sit back and remember what we lost and gained as a nation and as individuals.

It is also a time to give your thanks to those that served the nation in the years that followed that attack. Many of those people have passed on, and that generation will soon be gone. If you are still lucky enough to know a veteran of that war, now is a good time to sit down and talk and listen to their story. I have been privileged to know men and women who served in that war, including some Pearl Harbor and Bataan survivors, Marines who served in the South Pacific and dearest to me of all, my father who was an Army Aircorps veteran. Take a moment and remember this important day in our history.

by KS @LF

Free Parking!

2011-12-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Parking Division Offering Holiday Incentives

First Two Hours Free Over Three Weekends; 20% Off of CashKey Reloads

The city’s Parking Division is helping shoppers ease their holiday stress by offering the first two hours of parking free at three city-owned garages and the Water St. parking lot, over three weekends: December 10 and 11; December 17 and 18; and December 24 and 25. Interim Parking Division Director Sevastian Gurule said, “The Parking Division plays an important role in the downtown area as it contributes to public safety and the success of downtown businesses. Our pervious parking promotions have been successful, and it just makes the holiday shopping experience a little nicer; to be able to park for free for a couple of hours in a secure covered garage located in the heart of our beautiful city.” The first-two-hours-free holiday parking promotion is valid at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center parking garage, 119 S. Federal Place; the Sandoval parking garage, 216 E. San Francisco St.; the Railyard parking garage, 503 Camino de la Familia; and the lot on Water St., 102 E. Water St.

Shoppers who want to park for two hours at a meter on those three weekends will find the meters hooded—courtesy of the Downtown Merchants Association and the city’s Parking Division. In an effort to ensure that all customers have an opportunity to partake in this holiday promotion, patrons are asked to adhere to the two-hour time limit.

For the gift that keeps on giving, the Parking Division is offering a 20% discount on all CashKey reloads beginning Monday, December 5 through Friday, December 30 except for December 8 and 9, when the office will be closed for staff training on the new Parking Management System. Reload the keys at the Parking Division office in the main post office, 120 S. Federal Place, third floor, Suite 321, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information, contact the Parking Division administrative office at 505-955-6581.

Interlibrary Loan Holiday Hiatus

2011-12-05T06:00:00.005-07:00

Interlibrary Loans will be temporarily suspended starting Wednesday, December 14, 2011. No requests, either in person or via email, will be accepted after Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

The Interlibrary Loan Department takes a hiatus at the end of the year due to the closures of educational institutions from which we do much of our borrowing and lending. It also gives us time to clear our records and recover overdue items.

We will not be accepting requests while we are on hiatus, either in person or by email. If you have any questions, you can email Interlibrary Loan at interlibraryloan@santafelibrary.org or call 955-6780.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

"Holly in Winter" photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.