February 2012

Livonia Public Library Newsletter

All Livonia Public Libraries will be closed on Monday February 20th in honor of President's Day.

BOOK IT: It’s time for the Friends of the Livonia Public Library’s Winter Used Book Sale! The book sale will be Friday February 3rd and Saturday February 4th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday February 5th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the atrium of the Civic Center Library. Hardcover books are one dollar, paperbacks fifty cents, and romances are just a quarter. Videos, CDs and collectible books are also available. Proceeds from the Friends of the Library Book Sales go to fund equipment, materials and programming at all of the Livonia libraries. So stop by and stock up for those cold winter nights. And don't forget to visit the Friends of the Library Used Book Store in the Atrium of the Civic Center Library every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for even more choices of great, previously loved books!

THINK YOU KNOW LIVONIA? Visit our webpage for our "Where Around Town" photo contest. A photo of a portion of a local landmark will be posted. Submit your guess about the exact location of the photo along with your library card number. Winners correctly identifying the photo will win 3 free movie rentals! If there are multiple correct submissions, the winner will be determined by a random draw from among the correct answers. Please be as specific as possible when identifying the location. Limit one win per month per library card. So start looking at Livonia!

NOONTIME BLUES: The Noontime Concert Series celebrates Black History Month on Thursday February 16th at 12:15 pm in the Atrium of the Civic Center Library. Blues guitarist Carl Henry will perform selections of this uniquely American music that has its roots in the African American communities of Deep South of the late 19th century. This is a free performance. Brown bag lunches are welcome, and complimentary tea and coffee service will be provided. For more information, call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197 or see our webpage at http://livonia.lib.mi.us/noontimeconcerts. The Livonia Public Library and the Livonia Arts Commission cosponsor the Noontime Concert Series.

DON’T TRY TO BE A HERO! Think they don't make them like that anymore? Join us for Wednesday Afternoon at the Movies and enjoy classic films from the 1930s through the 1970s every second Wednesday of the month at the Civic Center Library. See comedies, thrillers, and some of the best dramas produced in Hollywood. This month's movie will be shown on Wednesday February 8th at 2:00 pm. This month see the classic dramatic Western from 1952 “High Noon” starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. For more information, please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

WARM FUZZY FEELING: Beginning readers six and older can enjoy some time at the Civic Center Library reading to Daisy, a friendly Viszla and certified therapy dog. Bring your favorite book and take a "Paws" for Reading on Saturday February 18th. Appointments begin at 1:00 pm. For more information or to register, stop by the Civic Center Children's Department or call (734) 466-2493.

BOOK OF THE MONTH: Noble Library's Book Discussion Group meets one Friday of every month. This month's discussion is scheduled on Friday February 24th at 1:30 pm. Copies of the book are available at the time of registration. You may register at any time. For more information visit Noble or call (734) 421-6600.

VISITING THE PAST: The Friends of the Livonia Library welcome author Richard Bak to the Civic Center Library auditorium on Sunday February 12th at 2:00 pm for a visit to "Boneyards: Detroit Under Ground". Mr. Bak will explore Detroit's history of cemeteries from early burial mounds to today's funeral homes and street shrines, as well as some of the largest cemeteries in the area. This program has been rescheduled from November 20th. For more information, call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

FILM MOVEMENT: The Civic Center Library shows a new independent film one Monday evening each month as part of the Film Movement Series. These are award winning films that are released on DVD soon after they are released in theatres and include independent films and foreign productions. The films are intended for mature audiences and may have adult content or subject matter. This month's film will be shown on Monday February 13th at 6:30 pm in the Civic Center Auditorium. February's presentation is "Protektor" a WW II era story from the Czech Republic about a man’s sacrifices to protect his wife from the Nazis. If you cannot attend the performances, the Film Movement Programs will be added to our DVD collection shortly after this one-time showing. More information on this and upcoming films can now be found on our webpage at http://livonia.lib.mi.us/movementseries. Please note this film is being shown one week earlier than usually scheduled due to the President's Day holiday. For more information please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

CLIP ON! Grab your scissors and head to the Sandburg Library on Thursday February 16th for "Coupon Crazy!" at 6:30 pm. Michael Roskamp will teach you how to stretch your dollars to the max and pay little or nothing at the grocery store using coupons. Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, visit or call the Sandburg Library at (248) 893-4010.

SOMETIMES THE CURE IS WORSE: The life of a pirate may sound adventurous, but it was far from easy, and medical treatment was far from easy as well. This dangerous life at sea will be examined as “History Lives @ the Library” on Monday February 6th at 7:00 pm in the Civic Center Library Auditorium as presenter Mark Kehoe discusses “Life as a Pirate Surgeon”. For more information, call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

WINTER SHIVERS: The Civic Center Library will be presenting four classic films from the Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock this winter. We invite you to “Get Hitched!” on Tuesday February 28th at 6:30 pm with “Spellbound” the 1945 thriller starring Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. A psychiatrist finds herself protecting an amnesiac impostor she has fallen in love with. For more information and upcoming titles, please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

NEWS FLASH: Teens in grades seven through twelve can enter into the Teen Flash Fiction Contest now through Saturday February 25 2011. Just write an original fiction piece of no more than one hundred words and submit it to a teen librarian in person or by email. Be sure to include your name, age, grade, and your phone number and/or email address. A prize will be awarded to the most creative entry by the Teen Advisory Committee and the winners will published on the library's website. Entries can be dropped off in person at any of the library's branches or emailed to Teen Llibrarian Jack Visnaw at jvisnaw@livonia.lib.mi.us.

GOOD BOY! The Noble Library invites kids age six and up to "Read to Leyland" on Fridays in February. Leyland, a Golden Retriever leader dog, will be available to listen to children read from 3:30 to 4:30 pm (no truth to the rumor he prefers baseball stories). Leyland will be all furry ears on Fridays, February 3rd, 10th and 17th. Call Noble at (734) 421-4235 to make an appointment for your fifteen minute session.

IT ARRIVES: The Civic Center Library Teen Department presents "Movie Nite at the Library" on Saturday February 18th at 7:00 pm. The film is free and open to all ages, but is most appropriate for teens in grades seven through twelve. All Movie Nite presentations are rated G, PG or PG-13. February's movie is a sci-fi thriller from director J.J. Abrams and starring Kyle Chandler. For more information and the title of the blockbuster film being shown, please call the Civic Center Library at (734) 466-2197.

WRITTEN BY THE MITTEN: Michigan abounds with local authors and books about our state! To recognize the best of the most recent releases the Library of Michigan has established a list of Michigan’s Notable Books. This year’s list includes "Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life" by Michael Moore, "Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art", a children's book by J.H. Shapiro illustrated by Vaness Brantley-Newton, "In Stitches: A Memoir" by Anthony Youn, M.D, "Once Upon a Car" by Bill Vlasic, and "Motor City Shakedown" by D.E. Johnson. A complete list of this year’s Notable Books can be found at the Michigan Department of Education website at http://www.michigan.gov/mde under the Library of Michigan.

FIGHT CLUB: Teen in grades seven through twelve can compete in the "Tatsunoko Vs Capcom" video game tournament on Saturday February 11th at 2:00 pm at the Civic Center Library. Players will compete on the Wii with prizes going to the top players. Registration began on January 28th. To register or for more information, visit or call the Civic Center Library at (734)466-2197.

READ N' WATCH: The Civic Center Library is offering "The Saturday Mystery Book/Film Discussion Group" on Saturday February 25th at 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This new group will meet monthly to view a mystery film and discuss the film and the book it is based on. Books will be available to be picked up at the library the month prior to the discussion. The title for February is Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon", and in March the topic will be Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood". Sack lunches are welcome. Registration is required. For more information and to register visit or call the Civic Center Library Adult Reference Desk at (734) 466-2490.

DONUT DAYS: The Sandburg Library will welome the author of teen books "Donut Days" and "The Implosion of Aggie WInchester" on Thursday February 16th at 6:30 pm when you "Get to Know Teen Author Lara Zielin". Lara will talk about her writing experiences and how teens can get their own work published. For more information visit or call the Sandburg Library at (248) 893-4010.

JOIN THE CLUB: The Livonia Civic Center Library Book Club meets every second Monday of the month at 7:00 pm and you're invited to join in the discussion. This month's meeting is on Monday February 13th, and June's book is "The Law of Similars" by Chris Bohjalian. For more information, contact Librarian Anne Sharp at (734) 466-2156.

SATURDAY MATINEE: The Civic Center Children's Department presents "Saturday Cinema"! This month's feature will be shown on Saturday February 18th at 2:00 pm. The film will be G or PG rated family film, and all ages are welcome. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Please visit or call the Civic Center Library Children's Department at (734) 466-2493 for scheduled film titles and more information. Sorry, but no food or beverages are allowed in the auditorium.

BASIC OFFICE SKILLS: Learn the basics of three of the most popular Microsoft Office 2007 applications at the Civic Center Library. Tutorial sessions will be offered on a rotating basis on Monday mornings at 9:00 am. "Word Basics" will cover file management, setting margins, aligning text and other basic functions. "PowerPoint Basics" will cover creating, designing and editing slides and complete presentations. "Excel Basics" will discuss types of data, basic formula functions, formatting and printing. Space is very limited at each tutorial, so reservations are necessary. Each class will be repeated every three weeks, with "Power Point Basics" on February 6th "Excel Basics" on February 13th and "Word Basics" on February 27th. For more information or to register, please call the Civic Center Adult Reference Desk at (734) 466-2490.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY: Kids ages four and up are invited to a "Valentine's Day Party" at the Noble Library on Monday February 13th beginning at 3:30 pm. Pick up an age appropriate Valentines kit to make at the library or work on at home. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Noble at (734) 421-4235.

IN STITCHES: Kids age seven and up are welcome to attend "Sewing School @ Sandburg" on Tuesday February 21st at 4:30 pm. Learn the basics of hand sewing and make your own stuffed friend to take home. Younger children will need assistance. Registration for this program begins on Tuesday February 7th. For more information or to register, visit or call the Sandburg Library at (248) 893-4010.

MOVIE MANIA: Stop by the Noble Library the first Wednesday of every month for "Wednesday Movie Mania"! See a movie based on one of your favorite books. Showings are at 2:00 pm and the next presentation is on Wednesday February 1st. Visit Noble or call (734) 421-6600 for more information and this month's title.

MAKE A POINT: The Civic Center LIbrary is offering a demonstration on the uses of Microsoft Powerpoint 2010 on Thursday February 23rd at 7:00 pm. "Power Point 2010: Beyond Basics" will show you how to create attractive and eyecatching presentations that go beyond the usual. For more information or to register, call the Civic Center Library Reference Desk at (734) 466-2490.

 
ALL DOLLED UP: Kids age seven through twelve are invited along with their favorite American Girl dolls to the Civic Center Library on Saturday February 4th at 2:00 pm. Enjoy a look at the dolls and books from the American Girl series including a look the time periods and settings. Children can also come dressed as their dolls and participate in some craft activities. Knowledge of the series in helpful, but not required. Registration for this program began on Saturday January 21st. For more information or to register, stop by the Civic Center Children's Department or call (734) 466-2493.

WE CANNOT TELL A LIE: As the flurries and flakes of February fly by, we’ll wait for the warmer days to come, and be thankful that one of the coldest months of the year is also the shortest (albeit a day longer than most this year). If cabin fever takes over, be sure to take the cure by visiting your favorite library and check out some books to curl up by the fire with, or a video of warmer climes or some Calypso music to bring some sunny daydreams. As always, send any comments, questions, suggestions or valentine wishes for this newsletter to cmg@livonia.lib.mi.us.