Bylines: A Photobiography of Nellie Bly

This biography written by Sue Macy chronicles the life of Nellie Bly whose real name was Elizabeth Jane Cochran. Nellie Bly begins her life in Cochran's Mills, Pennsylvania in 1864. By sheer determination she goes on to become one of the most influential newspaper reporters blazing the trail for women in a male dominated field. On her journey as a reporter she travels to Mexico and later tours the world in 75 days, something unheard of for a woman to do much less alone. Many of her stories improved living and working conditions for women like the piece she wrote after she went undercover and had herself committed to the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island in New York. At the time of her death in 1922Arthur Brisbane her boss and longtime friend wrote, "Nellie Bly was THE BEST REPORTER IN AMERICA."

Youth Services Staff Picks

Coming very soon . . . a Youth Services Staff Picks area! Located near the New Book and Award Winning Book section, we are pleased to offer a selection of our favorite books chosen by the Youth Services Staff. This section will offer a newsletter updated with a selection of books in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The books will be on display and available for check-out.

2011 Video Contest

There is still time to enter the 2011 Video Contest. Be sure to submit your video of 2 minutes or less decsribing how you have fun at the New Lenox Public Library, today!

Tales and Tunes Will Be Moving to a New Location!

Due to increased attendance we are happy to announce that Thursday's Tales and Tunes program will move to Meeting Room A to better serve the needs of all the children and caregivers. A bigger room means we can increase our capacity to include up to 20 children ages 2-3 1/2 in each class! While crafts will only be available to children ages 2-3 1/2, siblings are welcome and encouraged to attend as well. When it is craft time, siblings may read or do a coloring page.

No registration is necessary. The morning of the program use the sign-up sheet located on the door of Meeting Room A to sign your child up for the program. Space is limited to twenty children ages 2-3 1/2.

This week, March 17th, please join us as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Don't forget to wear your green!

Tales and Tunes

Thursdays

10:30 or 11:15 a.m.

Shadow

We have a new picture book called Shadow by Suzy Lee. The book is illustrated using just two colors but the story that follows is one of pure creativity and imagination. Every child, or child at heart, who has ever played with shadows will appreciate this simple story.

It’s Time to Get Your Geek On

New Lenox Public Library takes part in ‘Geek the Library’ campaign to raise awareness about the importance of library funding. Beginning March 1st, 2011–Residents of New Lenox may soon add a new verb to their vocabulary—‘geek.’

New Lenox Public Library is participating in Geek the Library, a community‐based public awareness campaign. The campaign highlights what people are passionate about and how libraries can support them, in an effort to heighten awareness about the critical funding issues public libraries face.

Geek the Library features local educational material that introduces ‘geek’ as a verb, and encourages the public to talk about what they ‘geek’—whether it’s engineering, superheroes or art. The public awareness campaign illustrates the fact that everyone is passionate about something—everyone ‘geeks’ something—and that the library supports them all.

“This campaign is designed to provoke conversation about the vital role that public libraries and librarians play in today’s challenging environment,” said Cathy De Rosa, global vice president of marketing for OCLC, a nonprofit library cooperative which led campaign development and conducted a pilot campaign from June 2009 to April 2010. “We hope it will spark important community discussions about how public libraries can remain strong.”

The awareness campaign features advertising, social networking elements, a Web site and grassroots community initiatives to draw attention to the need for increased library support. The campaign Web site, www.newlenoxlibrary.org/geek.html, provides information about how people can get active and support their local library.

As the economic downturn slowly recovers, millions of Americans are turning to local libraries for educational opportunities, job‐searching resources and entertainment. The increased demand for library services is taking a toll on libraries already experiencing flat or decreasing budgets. And state and local cuts are impacting public library hours, programs and staffing, forcing some libraries to close indefinitely.

While most people have visited their public library and understand its important role in their community, many do not know that libraries are at risk or that local funding for libraries is heavily influenced by community members.

"We hope that this initiative will help people see just how much a library has to offer its community. It invites dialog between library staff and community members and helps us better understand the needs of the community and what resources are needed in order to make the library the best it can be."
-Kate Hall, New Lenox Public Library Director

This public awareness campaign hopes to start a conversation about library funding to inspire more people to take personal responsibility for keeping their local public libraries vital in their communities.

The campaign will not support or oppose any candidate for public office, not attempt to influence legislation.