TEENS WRITE: POLISH YOUR PAGES WITH THE PROS

Teens in grades 6-12 will get valuable advice on critiquing, editing, and polishing their stories by two popular Young Adult authors, Victoria Hanley and Todd Mitchell. Sign up this week for parts 1 and 2, will be held on February 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Harmony Library, and March 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Council Tree Library. Each teen should bring one or two pages of his or her original written pieces (short stories, book chapters, or brief writing samples) to the workshop.

Teens can attend either or both sessions, but for best results the authors encourage them to sign up for both. There is no limit on registration. Call 204-8206 or 221-6380 to sign up.

NEW TIMNATH STORYTIME!

As a way to reach out to all communities in our borders, the Library District will be having free 30-minute weekly Family Storytimes at the old Town Hall on Main Street in Timnath.

These all ages storytimes will begin February 5 at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:15 a.m. every Friday. So stop by and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and a short craft to take home. This pilot project is generously funded by the Poudre River Friends of the Library.

I LOVE MY LIBRARY - ESSAY CONTEST!

Let us know why you love your library in 500 words or less. Winners in 5 age categories (young child, youth, teen, adult, senior) will win a prize!

Children age 6 and under may draw a picture. Send essays to: I Love My Library - Main Library, 201 Peterson, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Make sure you add your name, address, phone number and age. Deadline is February 28.

COUNCIL TREE LIBRARY GOES PLATINUM!
New Library Gains Highest National LEED Certification

The Poudre River Public Library District announced that it has been awarded LEED® Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

According to Kelly Karmel, LEED consultant, the Council Tree Library is the first LEED commercial interior library in the U.S. to receive platinum status and the second library in the nation to receive platinum, in all LEED programs.

"The Library District and the City of Fort Collins worked together to build a new library with a very high standard of environmental responsibility. The City's commitment to achieving a minimum of LEED Gold on the project, and Bayer Properties’ impressive achievement of LEED Silver for the building as a whole, allowed us to go the final distance to achieving Platinum status," commented Holly Carroll, Library District Executive Director.

"This achievement is the result of a true team effort," added Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry. He continued, "This project and the LEED designation are truly representative of the City of Fort Collins' commitment to sustainability. The building is both environmentally and fiscally responsible, and most importantly, we now have a wonderful new library for the community to enjoy."

Council Tree Library achieved LEED Platinum certification for excellence in energy, lighting, water and material efficiency as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, patrons and the larger community.

Working with the City of Fort Collins, Bayer Properties, Heath Construction, Aller Lingle Massey Architects and studiotrope design collective, the Library District worked to earn the credits needed for the platinum award.

Council Tree was awarded 43 points, one over the minimum required for Platinum. The project achieved 7 points in Sustainable Sites, 2 in Water Efficiency, 10 in Energy & Atmosphere, 6 in Materials & Resources, 13 in Indoor Environmental Quality, and 5 for Innovation & Design. A sample of the green design and construction features include:

• 26% Lighting energy savings
• 55% Water Savings
• 92% Construction Waste Recycled
• 85% Certified Sustainable Wood Products
• 21% Overall Recycled Content in Materials
• 97% Energy Star Equipment
• The Library is located in a LEED Silver Certified Core and Shell building in Front Range Village.
• Natural light is used throughout the Library, adding to human comfort and reducing electric lighting costs
• Indoor air quality is protected with high rates of outside air ventilation, high efficiency air filters, low-emitting interior finishes and a comprehensive green cleaning plan that won an innovation credit.
• Furniture, shelving and custom casework are made of recycled content materials, often up to 100% post consumer.
• The green features were integrated into a design that is colorful, full of natural light and views to the outside and responsive to the needs of Library patrons.

The Council Tree Library is located on the second floor of a retail building in the Front Range Village shipping complex at 2733 Council Tree Avenue in Fort Collins. The collection of 65,000 materials at Council Tree Library emphasizes high interest, high demand adult materials and high demand and classic children’s materials. The new library represents the culmination of many years of city planning as well as the fulfillment of a commitment made to voters when they supported the creation of a new Poudre River Public Library District in the fall of 2006. The City of Fort Collins used library impact fees collected over the last decade to fund project design and construction, as well as the library’s opening day collection of materials. The Library District now owns Council Tree Library and pays for its operation, maintenance and staffing using funds from the mill levy which established the District.

Along with the above LEED information, the library is also designed with a "Play and Learn" space custom designed by Burgeon Group in the children’s area. Borrowing a theme from the adjacent retail environment, all of the various zones within the library are connected to the primary "avenue" through the library's core. This funnel shaped space supports the flow of traffic and behaves as the primary organizational device while framing the views of the Rocky Mountains to the west, and conceived as a river with floating lily pads suspended above and river rock bed on the carpet pattern at your feet. It includes "Jump stations" - mobile information kiosks for customer service, and custom designed end panels by studiotrope collective. The Library includes a living room concept on the east side with a stone fireplace to invite quiet reading and writing and a family room concept on the west side intended as a noisy space for families. The entry is set up as a transition of the retail environment outside to one of inspiration inside showcasing the custom designed art installation entitled "Shared Knowledge" that flows and spirals up the stairway. The art created by Barbara Baer made up of letters and symbols from all over the world.

More information on the Council Tree Case Study (PDF format/25MB)

3 NEW LIBRARY BOOKDROP LOCATIONS!

As a service to members of the Library District that are further away from the Fort Collins city limits, the Poudre River Public Library District has constructed three more drive-up/bike-up bookdrop locations for your convenience.

The dropboxes keep your returned library materials safe and secure while waiting for pickup and will encourage an easier timely return. The first location is north of Fort Collins on Hwy 1 at the Chapel of the Annunciation, 290 E. CR 56. The bookdrop is located on the southwest corner of the parking lot. The second location is in the south-eastern part of the Library District in the parking lot of Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, 7649 REA Parkway, off of Hwy 392 and Fairgrounds Ave. The third new box is in the Timnath town square at 4100 Main Street, Timnath. Look for the square silver boxes with the library logo on it.

Additional Bookdrop Locations:

Albertsons 1636 N. College Avenue

Cache La Poudre Elementary/Junior High School
3511 W. County Road 54G Laporte

First National Bank (drive-up)
155 E. Boardwalk Drive

Fort Collins Senior Center (drive-up)
1200 Raintree Drive

King Soopers at Rigden Farms
2602 Timberline Road

FORT COLLINS REGIONAL LIBRARY DISTRICT ANNOUNCES ITS NEW NAME OF POUDRE RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

The main goal for the new naming project was to select a name that is more geographically inclusive of the Library District patron area which is a 1,780 square-mile geographical area within northern Larimer County. The District boundaries are almost identical to those of Poudre School District. Other goals included that the name be easy to remember, historically relevant and would tie to a visually appealing recognizable identity. The new name also reflects the vision of the Library District to be a dynamic and responsive institution, integral to the fabric of our community.

Initiation of the naming included a public outreach process in July of 2008 where the public was asked to send in their ideas of a name. 154 names were submitted from the citizens. The 7-member Library District Board of Trustees narrowed the names down to 7 that they felt matched the goals of the project. In September the District hired ToolBox Creative, a local marketing and design firm, to help with the community survey, name and identity of the Library District. A committee was selected from staff, Board of Trustees, and community members to help in the final selection process. That committee narrowed down the 7 names to 3 which were recommended to the Library District Board of Trustees at their January meeting.

The Trustees finalized the name of Poudre River Public Library District which will now be advertised through a marketing campaign. The name change will be implemented over the next 3 months. The expectation is that it will go smoothly because in anticipation of the final name, there have been a minimal changes made since the District broke away from the City of Fort Collins. The public will begin to see it used in library correspondence and promotional materials. Current card holders can still use their Fort Collins Regional Library District cards.

E-COMMERCE IS HERE!

Did you know that you can now pay your library fines via the Internet? The Poudre River Public Library District now offers library patrons the ease, convenience and security of online payments for library fines.

To use e-commerce, go to http://poudrelibraries.org, click "My Library Account" and follow the on-screen directions. The library accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. E-commerce transactions at the library are secured through 256-bit encryption (typical of most e-commerce sites on the web). By statute and culture, the library protects the confidentiality of all patron information, including electronic transactions.

In the coming months, e-commerce will also be available at the Main Library, Harmony Library, and the Council Tree Library at our new RFID self-check stations, allowing library patrons even more convenience whether they visit the library on-line or in-person.

SUBSCRIBE TO LIBRARY E-MAILING LISTS

The Library District sends out weekly e-mail updates every Wednesday about current events and happenings for kids, teens and adults offered through the Poudre River Public Library District. If you are interested in receiving these updates please subscribe today!

WORRIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY? REDISCOVER YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY

Rising costs for food, gas and utilities mean people have to find ways to help their budget. But did you also realize a great way to keep within your budget is by using your library? Whether you need to learn computer skills, start your own business, find books and activities to engage your children, learn to do your own household or car repairs, the Poudre River Public Library District can help you find the information you need to get started.

As rising travel costs kept people closer to home this summer the Library District saw an all time high of over 10,000 kids, teens and adults who joined the free Summer Reading Program. More people used our online resources, and circulation in July reached an all time high of over 212,000 items!

Start now for the holidays by turning to your library for books on easy crafts, new recipes, and handmade gift ideas. Stimulate your imagination by participating in a History Comes Alive program; create community by joining a book club, or joining in on conversations about current events. Walk off those holiday goodies by walking with a neighbor to your closest library where you can warm up with some stimulating conversation about the newest books on the Here and Now shelf.

In looking toward the winter months, head to the library with the family where everyone can find something to do; read a magazine, listen to a story, get resource help on a homework assignment, learn more about a hobby, or find books, movies, or music to take home for those cold nights - all for free.

TEENS: JOIN THE IRS TEEN ADVISORY GROUP AT THE LIBRARY!

The Interesting Reader Society is a special group of young adults in grades 7-12 who meet monthly to talk mainly about books, and also about movies, music, and other topics of interest to teens.

Check it out at http://read.poudrelibraries.org/teen/irs.cfm.

For more information, call either of the Teen Librarians: Sue-Ellen Jones at 221-6380 or Diane Tuccillo at 204-8206; or come to the next IRS meeting.

ANNIE WALK CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY - AUGUST 28, 2010

"Annie" was a stray collie mix who was adopted by railroad workers in 1934. She spent her life as an unofficial ambassador to Fort Collins, greeting passengers at the train depot and bringing a bright, welcoming presence during the bleak years of the 1930's and 1940's. According to Phil Walker's Visions Along the Poudre Valley, everyone loved her. Newcomers were often amazed to see local people get off the train and run to greet the little dog before greeting their families. Today she is a cherished local legend and the bronze statue commemorating her memory will welcome visitors to the Main Library. Local artist Dawn Weimer created the 29" bronze statue which portrays a dog with a paw raised in greeting. Annie's gravesite, located on Mason Street, near the intersection of Laporte Avenue, is a historical landmark.

Each year in August the Friends of the Library celebrate Annie the Railroad Dog's birthday with the Annual Annie Walk in Library Park. The fun-filled morning starts with a 1.5 mile dog walk. Dogs and their owners will begin at Annie's statue in front of the Library, and walk to her former home at the historic railroad station on Mason Street. After the walk, Library Park hosts a dog carnival. Proceeds from the event are used to purchase children's books and materials.

Check out the book Annie, the railroad dog : "a true story" by Arlene Ahlbrandt and learn more about Annie.

TAKE READING TO THE NEXT LEVEL: JOIN THE LIBRARY'S BOOK CLUB

If you've ever wished there were more pages in a favorite novel or regaled your friends with the delights of a particular author, consider joining up with the Library's Book Club.