The students begin their journey at the museum, where this year they are being treated to an exhibit by David Shaner, one of Montana's great ceramic artists. They have a chance to create some hands-on artwork before walking the few blocks to the library for a selection of books related to ceramics and a tour of the library's collection.
“Our hope is that by targeting one grade over a period of many years every public school student in Missoula County will have been to the library at least once,” says children's librarian Karen Gonzales. “Many students obtain their first library cards through this cooperative project and begin what we hope will be an ongoing library experience.”
tours will span three months, completing in May.
Join the online book club
Start reading books in your e-mail. The Missoula Public Library has joined Online Book Clubs to offer a convenient reading opportunity to all our patrons. Sign up for the genre you would like to receive, and Online Book Clubs will send you a few pages every day. No more excuses that you don't have time to read. Follow the link from http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org to learn more.
We have it: Staff reviews
“The Sparrow” by Mary Doria Russell. Ballantine Books, 1997. RUSSELL
Speculative fiction should make you want to think, discuss, argue and debate. Mary Doria Russell's “The Sparrow” is a prime example of the best of this genre. The book is set in the very near future and follows the preparations for a mission to another planet after its radio emissions are picked up by SETI receivers. It is a mission funded by the Vatican, which sees it as an extension of its primary mission - to spread the Word of Salvation.
The book tells the tale of the beings and the planet they inhabit and the intrinsic problems of communication and assumption that have plagued the discoveries of new peoples on our own planet Earth. It also asks deep and difficult questions about our place in the universe and our understanding of its creator's mind and intentions. The author, an anthropologist, makes us aware of both the insights and failings of this discipline, our own intentions (however “good” they may be), and how insular the human race ultimately is.
Reviewed by Anita Millard
Offline library conference
What does future technology have in store for the library? Our staff knows. MPL's meeting rooms filled with librarians from across the state who gathered for the Montana Library Association's annual “Offline” conference Feb. 21-23. This year's conference offered Montana's librarians an opportunity to learn how technology developments like Vista, gaming, and Web 2.0 can be used to improve services.
Our computer classroom and meeting room facilities allow us to host exciting conferences like “Offline.” Community groups are welcome to reserve our rooms for their own nonprofit use. Just call the library at 721-2665.
Hot happenings
Here's a sampling of upcoming events at the library. For more information, call the library at 721-2665 or visit missoulapubliclibrary.org. If anyone attending a program needs special assistance, please provide advance notice by calling 721-BOOK (2665).
Afternoon Matinee. Enjoy a classic movie Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. Socrates Café to discuss philosophy at library. Socrates Café now has a new night. Join the library's own “philosopher extraordinaire” Mitch Grady on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. for an informal philosophical discussion. Share your philosophy of life. No registration is required. Teen Writing Group: Become a part of our teen writers group and share words, ideas and energy every Friday, 4:30-6 p.m. Ages 15-18. Montana Author Visit: Author Sarie Mackay will talk about her novel “Lodestar” on Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m. Mackay describes her novel as “an adventurous tale of old Montana, with plenty of buckle-and-swash.”Copies are available at the library.
Teen Tech Week is on the way. Teens ages 13-18 won't want to miss a byte of the tech-related activities in store for Teen Tech Week March 2-8, including an Internet Scavenger Hunt and creating Duct Tape iPod covers, so get a schedule at the young adult desk or call 721-2665.Contact librarian Joyce Doyle at 258-3851 or jdoyle@missoula.lib.mt.us.
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