NOCHES EN FAMILIA - FAMILY NIGHTS: SPECIAL PRESENTATION

¡Ven y disfruta un tiempo de cuentos, manualidades, canciones y películas en español! Come and enjoy a time of stories, crafts, puppets, and songs in Spanish on February 3, 5:00 PM, Council Tree Library. This month Brielle Kelley, a Poudre School District student will present a puppet version of her award winning book "The Little Skunk Who Was Afraid To Stink." Her bilingual book was recently published by Growing Fields Books. It doesn't matter if you are a fluent speaker or are just interested in listening to the Spanish language and learning about the culture; this is the place for you! Noches en Familia is a free event for all ages.

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH US!

Come to one or all four exciting, fun and informational programs. Stories, drumming, and history are featured in the month long celebration. All free and open to all.

February 4 Sat, 2:00 PM, Council Tree Library - "Stories, Songs and More with Storyteller Lois Burrell"
Experience stories and songs from the African and African-American cultures with storyteller Lois Burrell. You will hear African folk tales, old Negro folk tales, slave stories, and poems. Open to all ages.

February 18 Sat, 1:00-3:00 PM, Council Tree Library - "African Drum Gathering Workshop and Performance"
The Black Hand Drum Ensemble will lead a workshop that gives the audience hands-on experience with African drums and percussion. Participants will learn about the spirit of the drums, how to play the language of the drum, and the role of the drum in the struggle against slavery. They will learn African dance choreography and how to feel the rhythm. Following the workshop, the Black Hand Drum Ensemble will share a performance that honors the Black experience with African drums, dancing, songs, and stories from Africa as well as Plantation Spirituals from the United States.

February 26 Sun, 1:00 PM, Council Tree Library - "Film: The Color Purple"
Please come for a free showing of the award-winning film The Color Purple on the library's big screen. Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple is a richly-textured, powerful film set in America's rural south. Whoopi Goldberg, winner of the Best Actress Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination, makes a triumphant screen debut as the radiant, indomitable Celie, the story's central character. Her impressive portrayal is complemented by a distinguished cast that includes Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery, Adolph Caesar, Rae Dawn Chong and Akosua Busia. The Color Purple marked a new, more mature color in Steven Spielberg's artistic palette. It is an exquisitely crafted, landmark film that will be treasured and talked about for years to come. Nominated for 11 Oscars (1985, PG-13, 154 min.)

February 28, Tue, 7:00 PM, Harmony Library - "Who Are The Tuskegee Airmen?"
The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen's achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military. Among the brave men who served in the African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1941 was Lt. Col. John W. Mosley Jr. As the first black football player in the record-keeping era at Colorado State University, Mr. Mosley was no stranger to breaking racial barriers and during World War II aggressively sought the right to fly and fight for this country. To learn about Mosley’s adventures, heroism and important place in history, please come hear his son Captain William "Eric" Mosley, a commercial pilot and founder of the Mile High Flight Program for teens, retell the stories of his father and the other Tuskegee Airmen.

EARTHQUAKES-CAN THEY HAPPEN IN COLORADO?

Earthquakes: 1923 Tokyo, 2011 Fukushima, can they happen in Colorado? Join us Feb. 2 at 7 PM, Council Tree Library to learn about the geology of earthquakes, the damage scale, and historic losses.

It begins by looking in detail at the 1923 Kanto earthquake in Tokyo where 144,000 people died. The martial law imposed afterwards is believed by some to have led to the rise of the Japanese military that led to World War II. The tragedy also resulted in the publication of the outstanding Taisho Shinsai Gashu suite of 25 colored wood-block prints that documented the earthquake which are shown in the presentation. Parallels with the Tohoku-Oki Richter 9 earthquake on March 11, 2011, which resulted in the giant tsunami and the failure of the Fukoshima nuclear plant are discussed. Finally, the August 22, 2011, Richter 7 southern Colorado earthquake is reviewed, and an analysis of the consequences of an earthquake along Colorado fault lines is estimated. For example, a Richter 6.5 near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal would cause $14.9 billion losses state wide, $5.6 billion loss in Denver County, and 2,500 casualties. Speaker: Dr. Robert Meroney, Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Engineering, CSU.

TEENS CREATE: COOL VALENTINE CRAFTS @ YOUR LIBRARY

Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to sign up for this free Valentine's Day program Saturday, February 4, 1:30-3:30 PM, Harmony Library. You will learn to make a variety of creative cards and envelopes for that special someone in your life. You will also learn the process for making truffles so that you make the day even more delectable. You can sign up for free; the program is limited to 40 teens. Drop by the Information Desk at any of the libraries or call 221-6740 to sign up.

PERSONAL FINANCE -- MONEY MATTERS

Having some extra money saved up for that island vacation doesn't have to be just a dream; make it a reality by learning to be thrifty while shopping! Over the course of the next six months, a series of free classes will be offered on the second Monday and Wednesday of each month designed to give you helpful information on how to save your money. These classes require no registration and are sponsored by the Poudre River Public Library District in partnership with Financial Literacy Larimer County and CSU Extension.

2012 Schedule of Programs
2nd Monday and 2nd Wednesday of each month

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All About Investing
Learn the basics of investing; the trends, lingo and options. Step into the world of financial investments with knowledge and confidence.

Monday February 13 (Harmony Library) 7-8:00 pm
Wednesday February 15 (City Community Room, 215 N. Mason) Noon-1:00 pm

Presenter: Eustis Habighorst—Public Service Credit Union

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Beyond the Price; Are You Getting a Good Deal?
Ever read the fine print that comes with many products or contracts? How do you know you're getting a good deal, or deal with faulty products and services? Learn tips for being a savvy consumer.

Monday March 12 (Harmony Library) 7-8:00 pm
Wednesday March 14 (City Community Room, 215 N. Mason) Noon-1:00 pm

Presenter: Laurel Kubin—CSU Extension

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Safe Money Practices Using the Internet and the Cell Phone
Learn the history of payment methods—from the Stone Age to Cell Phone Age. Learn how technology affects the movement of money, and how it affects you.

Monday April 9 (Harmony Library) 7-8:00 pm
Wednesday April 11 (City Community Room, 215 N. Mason) Noon-1:00 pm

Presenter: Pam Tremblay—Public Service Credit Union

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Steps to Financial Freedom
Focus on 4 steps that will help you gain control of your finances! Learn how setting goals, tracking expenses, preparing a plan and evaluating your money personality will put you on the right track.

Monday May 14 (Harmony Library) 7-8:00 pm
Wednesday May 16 (City Community Room, 215 N. Mason) Noon-1:00 pm

Presenter: TBA

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Building a Better Credit Score
When you decide to purchase a car, loan, mortgage, job, or even renting an apartment, how is your credit record? This program will teach you how to obtain your own credit reports, correct misinformation on your report, and how to improve your credit score when, and if, it becomes a problem.

Monday June 11 (Harmony Library) 7-8:00 pm
Wednesday June 13 (City Community Room, 215 N. Mason) Noon-1:00 pm

Presenter: Laurel Kubin— CSU Larimer County Extension

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES

Need to brush up on your computer skills? Poudre River Public Library District is offering a variety of basic computer classes that will teach you how to manage Windows, Access, Facebook, Microsoft Office 2010, and the Internet so you can feel at ease with your computer.

All classes are held at Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields. Classes are free but registration is required - please call 221-6740 to register. View complete class schedule or pick up a brochure at one of the libraries.

HARMONY LIBRARY REMODEL

The excitement is building... again! The Harmony Library Remodel is underway as well. This remodel will bring an improved entrance through the atrium area, a more attractive entrance to the quiet reading room and children's area, more lighting to accommodate later night hours, and increased acoustics for a quieter library.

There will be new colored carpeting and improved signs to help you find what you are looking for, increased space for tables and chairs, and mobile displays for easy readjusting when needed. The staff will be able to assist customers more quickly and become more mobile due to smaller staff desks, and if you like to look at the Secret Garden and Sunlight Peak, 40 additional countertop seats, equipped with electrical outlets, will be added for your enjoyment. The remodel will start in December 2011 and is expected to be completed by February 2012. The majority of the remodel efforts will be accomplished during the closed hours, but please excuse our mess as the staff needs to shift books and do other tasks during their shifts.

NOOKS NOW CIRCULATING!

Color Nooks and Simple Touch Nooks are here, preloaded and available for you to check out. We currently have 60 Nook Simple Touch and 30 Nook Color eReaders for circulation. Nooks are wireless, portable, and easy to use.

We have preloaded many wonderful books for you. We have chosen new and popular bestsellers, mysteries, biographies, and YA novels and loaded them onto our Nook Simple Touch eReaders. For families with young children, we have chosen wonderful titles aimed at a younger audience and loaded them onto our Nook Color eReaders.

Just like a book, circulation is three weeks. Renewals are allowed, if the Nooks are not on hold to someone else. You may also put an eReader on hold, as you would a book. You will be notified when one is available to come and pick-up.

One of our goals of this project is to bridge the digital divide; we encourage responsible use by all patrons. Please be aware that the Nook provides unfiltered access to the Internet. Please do not enter personal data on the Nook, including email, passwords, credit card numbers, etc., as they may become accessible to other patrons.

A list of loaded books is available on our website.

If you're unsure about eReaders and switching to digital books, check out a Nook in time for your winter vacation and give it a try!

CHECK OUT A METER READER FROM THE LIBRARY

1.21 Gigawatts. That was the amount of energy needed to send Michael J. Fox's character through time in the movie Back to the Future. One gigawatt is one billion watts. One kilowatt is one thousand watts. Your average refrigerator won't use as much energy as the flux capacitor, but can consume upwards of 1,000 kilowatts per year.

Other appliances, especially if they are older, can use up copious amounts of energy. Now you have the opportunity to find out just how much electricity these appliances are using and how much they are costing you with the Kill-A-Watt or Watts Up? meter reader.

You can check out a Kill-A-Watt or Watts Up? meter reader through the Poudre River Public Library District. Please ask for them at any of the three libraries information desks. It is easy to use. Plug it into an outlet then plug the appliance to be tested into the meter. With this information, you can find out how much electricity is used by the appliance. Find out if that old refrigerator is costing you too much. The meters can be checked out for a week at a time with your library card or placed on hold through the library catalog like other materials.

For questions about checking out the meters, please call the Library information desk at (970) 221-6740.

DOWNLOAD MUSIC FROM YOUR LIBRARY

Freegal Music - Choose from hundreds of thousands of songs in over 100 genres of music from the Sony Music Entertainment catalog. Download and keep up to three songs per week for free! The Library District is using the next 5 months as a trial period for this service. In order to access the website, you will need to enter your library card number. You can add titles to "My Wishlist" to download songs in the future. Every song has a sample clip so you can listen to it before deciding you want it. Enjoy the music and let us know if you like this service.

FLASH YOUR LIBRARY CARD!

Library members get extra benefits around the city, just by flashing their Library Card! As a card carrying member of the Poudre River Public Library District, you have access to a world of information through not only books, but Internet research, eResources, programs and events as well. And now as an added benefit you can also use your card to get discounts at area businesses with our "Flash Your Card" program. For a list of participating business partners go to www.PoudreLibraries.org/FlashYourCard .

RICH RESOURCES ON THE LIBRARY WEBSITE

Check out the NEW Research and Information page of our website. The newly designed page includes the following resources: An Online Resources Center that groups together online databases, eResources, and web links that range from art to weather. From this center you can access very helpful databases like JSTOR, an archive of significant professional journals, and EBSCO, an academic research database, which are perfect for students and anyone who needs to do research.

The Genealogy and Family History Center offers historical information about the names and places of Fort Collins as well as your own familial name. Find databases and books about Genealogical information and find out where your family name came from.

The new Reading Room link is brimming with great book suggestions and lists that include books by awards won and the New York Times Bestsellers list. There is even a link to a digital library where you can download an entire book to listen to. This "room" is one great place to find out which book you should read next.

The Web Link of the Month and Reference Book of the Month links offer ideas and books every month that you might find useful. Check out these new pages and links as your first stop for great information that you might not know you needed!

YOUR DOWNLOADABLE LIBRARY - FREE E-MEDIA AT YOUR LIBRARY

Many library users agree that nothing can compare to the feel of a book in your hands, the crinkle as you turn the pages, or the way it falls open flat when you set it down, showing how many times you have read it. However, we live in a world of constant change where the introduction of new technologies is the norm and convenient service is expected. As use of hand held devices and e-book readers for reading, viewing and listening increases, the Poudre River Public Library District is increasing its collection of downloadable media to meet a growing demand. In April the Library District introduced its "Downloadable Library", featuring videos, e-books and music in addition to the extensive digital audio book collection of over 2000 titles provided by NetLibrary.

The Library has purchased a collection of e-media from OverDrive, a distributor of digital content. Library card holders will have 24/7 access to this new downloadable collection that features hundreds of popular film, book and music titles. OverDrive downloads are supported through PC, Mac, Sony Reader, Nook, BlackBerry, Android, and iPod. This collection of e-media is accessible remotely from the comfort of your home or office.

A second electronic resource recently added is the foreign language tool, Language Learning by Byki Online (short for Before You Know It and pronounced bye-key). Byki is a rapid learning system employing spaced interval repetition for learning a foreign language. The Byki learning method takes users through a series of simple steps to memorize words and phrases in a new language, including their meanings and proper pronunciation, in the shortest possible time.

Language Learning by Byki Online offers exercises in listening, reading, writing and speech recognition to help English speakers learn over 80 languages including: Spanish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese & more. Likewise, this resource helps speakers of Spanish, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese & Japanese learn English. Byki Online also provides personal progress tracking, proficiency tests, picture /word associations, grammar videos and more.

The library will always be here to offer the tangible comfort of books and materials, but the tech savvy will now have access to a growing collection of e-media and electronic information to use on a variety of devices. The Poudre River Public Library District is excited about the possibilities that technology provides in making our many resources available to the public in new ways.

For more information go to http://poudrelibraries.org main page and look for the "Downloadable Library" link under Quick Links.

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!

ANNIE THE RAILROAD DOG

"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.

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