New & Noteworthy @ WHPLibrary

"Which book have you enjoyed that makes you appreciate the freedom to read?"

Write your answer in one or two pages and send it with this entry form by April 9, 2007. You may win a Barnes & Noble gift card and be honored at a gala reception at the Carle Place store on Thursday April 26, 7:30 pm. The age categories are: 5-12 years old, 13-17 years old, 18+ years old.

If you have any questions, call Mr. Ludemann at 377-6112 ext.103 or email him.

This is the Third Annual Essay Contest sponsored by the Intellectual Freedom Committee of the Nassau County Library Association

High school students who reside in West Hempstead and Island Park students who attend W.H. High School are eligible to apply for the West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund, Inc. (WHCSF) awards of $2,000.

Applications are available at your school or in the public library. Don't miss this opportunity!

Call Marylyn Varriale 481-6566 if you have questions.

You should have received your Spring 2007 newsletter in the mail. If not, or if it has somehow gone missing since it passed through your hands, you can now view it on our website or print it out on your home computer. A link to the full copy can be found on the adult page and age appropriate pages for young adults and for children can also be found on their respective webpages.

The Nassau County Legislature is seeking its first Poet Laureate charged with the responsibility of “promoting and encouraging poetry within the county and giving two public readings within the county each year.”

To qualify for the position of Nassau County Poet Laureate (NCPL), a poet will be a resident of Nassau County, and remain a resident for the length of his/her poet laureate position, be eighteen years of age or older, submit a one page resume and submit up to three representative samples of poetry (not to exceed three pages, total), understand the NCPL term is two years, and understand, according to the Nassau County Poet Laureate Law (Title 59), “the poet laureate shall promote and encourage poetry within the county and shall give two public readings within the county each year.” (read the full flyer)

If you are interested in being considered for the position of Nassau County Poet Laureate (NCPL), please send your contact information (name, address, phone number, e-mail address), resume and poems, along with a brief statement that outlines why you think you are a good candidate for consideration, by MARCH 30, 2007, to Paula Camacho via e-mail at PaulaCamF@aol.com

Here are some reliable resources for classroom assignments related to biomes.

Some are Reference Books (for use only in the library). Others are Non-Fiction Books you can check out (Use the Dewey numbers to find them). Database links may be used in the library or from home to access resources such as Groliers New Book of Popular Science.
We have also included a select list of web sites. (Point to the links with your mouse to open the websites.)

Questions? Need help using these research tools? Call the reference desk (481-6591), drop in, or ask a reference librarian.

So...what do you want to be when you grow up??

Whether you are 13, or 35 (and looking for a change), we can offer inspiration and information.

Find career descriptions, search for colleges and universities that offer programs of interest and financial aid, use the career matchmaker to explore occupations that suit your interests and lifestyle demands.

You can even create a career portfolio with notes or questions to share with your college adviser and begin building a resume for your first job in your new career. Check out Career Cruising today! You will find it on our research database page under "C."

Attention West Hempstead young adults entering grades 6 through 12!

Don't forget to sign-up for the Summer Reading Club!

Just read 4 books by Friday, August 3rd and you will be invited to a pizza party on Thursday, August 16th that will include giveaways and entertainment provided by Erik's Reptile Edventures.

For those of you interested in this summer's "Who done it?" theme, you also might want to check out our "CSI:Who Done It" Program on June 28.

Any questions? Email or call Mrs. Abed at 481-6591.

Our graphic novel collection continues to be popular. Besides the usual Batman and Superman titles, look for:

Ann M. Martin's "The Baby-Sitters Club: The Truth About Stacey"

and Erin Hunter's "The Lost Warrior."

Also check out Anthony Horowitz's "Stormbreaker: the Graphic Novel."

We are starting a Young Adult Graphic Novel Club!!

The library has a supply of books for summer reading assignments. Please remember that only one book per student may be checked out per visit to ensure that everyone has a chance to use these books.

The middle school books are color-coded by grade level: green dots-6th, blue dots-7th, and black dots-8th. They can be found on a bookcart near the graphic novel section. The high school books are on a separate cart, also parked near the graphic novels.

Here are links to the West Hempstead Union Free School District websites:

West Hempstead Middle School

West Hempstead High School

There is a new website for teens in Nassau County created by the Nassau Library System. Look for reviews of books, games, and movies. The site also has links to Yahoo news and an "information" page.

Be sure to check this site out!
http://www.nassaulibrary.org/teens/index.php.

Announcing the arrival of our newest database: Science Reference Center.

Science Reference Center is a comprehensive research database that provides easy access to 639 full-text science-specific titles. Designed to support the middle and high school curriculums, Science Reference Center encompasses all disciplines of science.

Biology, chemistry, earth, space, life, physical, and environmental sciences are covered as well as health and medicine, science in society, science as inquiry, history of science, technology, scientists, and wildlife. Sources include reference books, encyclopedias, periodicals, newspapers, biographies and images. (Source: EBSCO Support web site)

To access the Science Reference Center,

Go to: www.whplibrary.org/research
Click on E and then on EBSCOhost Web.
Enter your library barcode number.
Click on Science Reference Center.

Visit the Young Adult Magazine corner in our new Young Adult room.

Feel free to browse our holdings: Calliope, Cicada, Gamepro, J-14, Seventeen, Shojo Beat, Shonen Jump, Skateboarding, Teen Vogue, and WWF.

Current magazines displayed in the binders on the magazine racks must be read in the library, but back issues of all these magazines may be checked out. The back issues are stored in the magazine racks - ask a librarian for help finding your favorite issues.

If the Young Adult Librarian is not at her desk, she may be helping out at the Main Reference Desk or at the Information Desk on the second floor, so please check in at those locations if you need assistance.

The pressure is on to complete your Science Fair Project... We can help with our Virtual Science Reference Books! Check out the titles listed here!
Here's a tip:
Click on the book title, then click on the eTable of Contents, then click on each page to reach the content. A little bit of work, but well worth the time and effort to discover all this information ONLINE! 24/7! There are lots of illustrations, in full color, too.
You will need to enter your library barcode, so have it ready!
And have fun at the Fair!

In our new library we have created two rooms for the purpose of tutoring. Both the tutor and the student must register at the Information Desk on the second floor and present identification prior to using these rooms.

The tutoring rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but preference will be given to West Hempstead patrons. West Hempstead patrons also have the privilege of reserving a tutoring room 24 hours in advance. Rooms may be used for a maximum of 3 hours in any day.

Please call 481-6591 and ask to speak to a reference librarian for more information about library guidelines regarding the use of these rooms.

Patrons have been seeking a quiet zone in the library for many years. At last, we are able to accommodate this need in our new building.

We have designated the space on the second floor outside the Tutor Rooms and in the Periodicals (magazines and newspapers) Section as our Quiet Study Area. Here you will find individual study carrels similar to those you find in university libraries, large tables where you may spread out your materials, and easy chairs where you can sink in and get comfortable.

Patrons in this area must maintain reasonable silence. Conversational noise is allowed only within the Tutor Rooms. No audible tutoring may take place in the Quiet Study Area. Groupwork is likewise banned from this area and should be carried out elsewhere in the library. There are areas on the first floor to accommodate these needs.

Persons making noise or in other ways disturbing the Quiet in the Study Area will be instructed to leave this area immediately.

Please respect our "Silence is Golden" policy.

Our first book discussion in the new library will be held in the second floor Board Room on February 7, 2008 at 7 pm.

Our selection, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, shocked the public and was harshly criticized when it was first published in 1899. It re-emerged from obscurity in the late 1960’s as social and cultural changes led to the recognition of Chopin as a classic writer who addresses many of contemporary women's concerns.

According to biographer, Emily Toth, "Kate Chopin anticipated so much: daytime dramas, women's pictures, The Feminine Mystique, open marriages, women's liberation, talk shows, Mars vs. Venus, self-help and consciousness raising. But in 1899, she was a lonely pioneer."

Here are some links to whet your appetite:
Editorial Reviews, courtesy of Amazon Books
The Kate Chopin International Society
PBS Program "Kate Chopin: A Re-Awakening"

Join us as we explore our own reactions and share insights on the themes of personal freedom, alienation and loneliness, public identity vs. private needs, and more.

Books will be available at the circulation desk in January. Please stop by the Reference Desk or call 481-6591 to register.

We offer a great resource that may help you find the career that is perfect just for you!

You can access the Career Cruising database at home or in the library to find jobs that match your unique interests, learn about different occupations, and find out how to get the best education to jumpstart your new career!

The Career Cruising database is updated frequently with new features and content to stay relevant. Here are just a few of the new occupational profiles recently added to the Explore Careers section.

We do! We love reading. We love books. We love our library!
If you do, too, consider a library career.

The library world is rapidly changing as a result of the Internet and the easy access it gives to information and social networks across the globe.

Our mission and our skills as librarians place us in the forefront as guides to the ever-challenging task of organizing, evaluating, and delivering the myriad volumes and forms of information that overwhelm us on a daily basis.

Read some librarian blogs to get insight into what we do in public libraries, school libraries, academic and corporate settings. Find out if librarianship is right for you!

Here is a little quiz to see if you know what librarians do!

"Staffmember Matthew DeGuglielmis began working as a page in the West Hempstead Public Library starting in June 2000. This is the picture taken of him for his employee badge. To many of us, he was more than a co-worker. He was like a brother, or son, or grandson.

We were privileged to witness his growth into manhood. He was full of spirit and liked to test the limits, and often did so. We will always remember his love for cars, his passion for life, and the courage with which he met each day.

We mourn his loss on December 10, 2007." Linda Joe

"Matt had dreams. One he shared with me was his hope to find a career or job in which he could help others. He considered working in some capacity in patient support, knowing that his experiences made him well-qualified to support and encourage the sick or disabled.

Matt was a Yankees fan, but he was gentle with us suffering Mets loyalists. He endured our teasing as he pursued his driver's permit and license. He loved to strut his car around the library parking lot - putting all our non-descript vehicles to shame." Barbara Dreher

"Matt was a special friend to me. I plan the adult programs and his first words to me when he came to work were, 'OK, so what do we have today and where do I set up?'

I guess you could say he was my sergeant at arms and more than that, my buddy. I always called him 'Mattress' and he thought that was so funny. Matt was a great kid with a wonderful smile and a multitude of problems, yet showed great strength and never whined. I will always be thankful that I was lucky to have his friendship and will remember him with fondness and love.

His folks did a great job raising him." Beni Argis

"I'll remember Matt with fondness and love. When he first came to work with us as a page, Matt was so easy to train. He was enthusiastic and took to 'paging' with intelligence and a quiet demeanor. He was very polite as a young boy of 16!" Ruth Weber

"Matt will always be remembered to me as 'Buddy'. When I first met him several years ago, we hit it off big. For some reason, I called him Buddy and every time after that I, along with my children, would always exclaim 'BU-DDY!!!' to greet him.

When I worked at night, we would always talk about everything, from cars to girls. I remember him planning for his prom - it brought back memories. Since I didn't have a brother, it was like him looking up to me for advice. I also remember the Mustang, especially when he installed the air induction unit- he wanted more horsepower! Matt would tell of his dad's plans for the car and how he wanted different modifications.

I'll miss him, as we all will. God bless you Buddy, and my prayers go out to your family. Rest in Peace." Tommy Mascia

"Matt was a source of light for our library with his youthful charm and friendliness. He was a brave young man whose personal battle with cancer infused him with an empathy for the 'patient.' This was to be a path for a future vocation...if only. Miss you, Matt." Peggy Libby

"We will always remember Matt's infectious smile and constant friendliness. He will be always missed and never forgotten." Dave Whelpley

Registration begins Monday, February 4 at the Young Adult desk.

This is a six-week math and verbal course to help high school sophomores and juniors prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Classes will be held Thursdays: March 6, 13, 27, April 3, 17, and May 1 from 6:45-8:45 p.m. Class will not be held on March 20, April 10 and April 24.

An $80 check, payable to Melissa Bielawski, is required at registration. Students are required to bring to class McGraw Hill’s SAT I, 2008 edition, by Christopher Black & Mark Anestis. The ISBN is 978-007-149-3390. Please be sure to bring the book to each class.

The West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund (WHCSF) is sponsoring a college planning workshop on Thursday, January 31 from 7 to 9 PM in the Community Room on the Lower Level of the West Hempstead Public Library. It is open to all high school students and their families, but seating is limited. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The cost of the seminar is $45 per student and $15 per accompanying adult. The experts from College Coach have donated their time and materials. All proceeds go to the WH Community Scholarship Fund for future scholarships.

Pre-registration is required and the deadline for registration is Friday, January 25. To register, make checks payable to: "West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund" and mail to P.O. Box 304, West Hempstead, NY 11552.

For more information, the community should call the Scholarship Fund Workshop coordinator, Shawn Vogel at (516) 486-4576.

The West Hempstead Community Scholarship Fund, Inc. (WHCSF) awards scholarships to residents of the WH Union Free School District, students from the Island Park School District who attend WHHS, and graduates of WHHS who are continuing their education beyond high school.

This year, each individual award will be two thousand dollars ($2000). The awards (3 or more) are based on character, potential and financial need. The Selection Committee has the option to grant (1) single award based solely on character and potential, without regard to financial need.

Students may pick up applications in the Young Adult corner of the library. They are located in a bin near the FAFSA application forms.

This class will introduce you to the slow, graceful movements of the Tai Chi form and its unique philosophy. The movements are designed to promote good health, body awareness and harmony between the body and the mind. As the movements are gentle, Tai Chi does not require any special athletic ability.

Tai Chi seeks to develop the mind rather than the muscle. Let a different way of moving in the world inspire you! Join us in this age old Chinese “exercise.”

To reserve your place, come to the YA desk, email the Reference Desk, or call 481-6591.