A little history about Veterans Day

Take Time Next Week to Honor American Heroes

November 11 is Veterans Day.  Veterans Day has its origins in the ending of World War I.  Although the war didn’t officially end until June 28, 1919, an armistice was proclaimed on November 11, 1918.  In November of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a National Armistice Day in commemoration of those who died during the war.  In 1938, Armistice Day became a legal holiday dedicated to world peace.  It primarily honored veterans of the first World War until 1954.  By this time there were more veterans of WWII than there were of WWI.  The legislation was changed to honor all veterans.

In the 1960s, the Uniform Holiday Bill was passed.  It was designed to ensure that the four big federal holidays – Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day – would always be celebrated on Mondays, thus preserving the three-day weekend and allowing for travel and recreational activities.  In 1971, Veterans Day was on October 25.  An uproar ensued.  Because of the significance of the date November 11, citizens and veterans groups around the country wanted to continue to recognize that day.  In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law that returned the observance back to its original day.  To this day, Veterans Day is on November 11 every year, regardless of what day of the week it falls on.  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, it is a “celebration to honor America ’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

For Indianapolis Veterans Day information, be sure to visit the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis website.  Hoosier veterans from around the state may also want to visit the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs for information on benefits, GI Bill information, and Governor’s initiatives.  Finally, those who want to know more about history and hear veterans’ stories should visit the Veterans History Project from the Library of Congress.

~~from Friday Facts:  Government Information You Can Use~~

All ACPL locations are open normal business hours on Veterans Day

Becky, Interdepartmental Librarian

library renovation mosaic

library renovation mosaic

Originally uploaded by acpl

We have a bit of construction going on at the main library. Self check machines are coming! The old checkout desk is being reconfigured. During the construction, the checkout desk has moved down the hall a bit, and the general reference desk is in the Great Hall. We’re in temporary spots, but we’re still here to help you!

Returning Adult College Fair

Event: Adult College Fair

Date: November 5, 2009

Time: 4-6:30 pm

Location: ACPL Main Library, Great Hall

Description: Representatives will provide information about associate, bachelor and master degree programs.  Participating institutions include Ivy Tech, International Business College, Indiana Tech, Brown Mackie College, Freedom Academy, Indiana Wesleyan University, IPFW, Huntington University, ITT and Trine University.Provided by the Inter-College Adult Network.

Becky, Interdepartmental Librarian

census practice test

Looking for a census job?

“[O]ur peak recruitment effort begins in the fall of 2009, with the majority of hiring taking place in the spring of 2010. If you would like to prepare for the upcoming recruitment effort, you may download and print the Census Practice Test. The practice test is similar to the actual test, which measures basic skills, abilities, and knowledge required to perform a variety of census jobs.”

~ from the US Census Bureau’s 2010 Jobs site

Patricia Wrede at ACPL November 7!

Patricia Wrede, author of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Dealing With Dragons, etc.), Sorcery and Cecilia, and Shadow Magic, will give a presentation in Young Adults’ Services on the second floor of the Main Library this Saturday, November 7, at 10:00 am.

She won’t be doing any book signing during her ACPL visit, but if you want to get a book signed, you will have the opportunity at this event to get a coupon for Saturday admission to PentaCon (November 6-8 at the Grand Wayne Center) for just $6, thanks to the PentaCon organizers – a real bargain compared to the normal $18 one-day admission.  At PentaCon, Patricia Wrede will have another presentation AND a book signing on Saturday afternoon, and you’ll also be able to check out the dealer area for the latest cool games.

Library 101

Check out this fun video by Michael Porter and David Lee King about the future of libraries.  You may recognize some ACPL librarians and locations in some of the photos.

Library closed Friday, November 20

All locations of the Allen County Public Library will be closed on Friday, November 20, 2009 for a Staff Development Day.  We will reopen with regular Saturday hours on November 21.

We will be closed again on Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving.

Zombie Walk 2009

zombies want equal rights

Originally uploaded by acpl

The library was full of zombies last weekend. The Zombie Walk, part of Downtown Fright Night, had a huge turnout! The slight drizzle in the afternoon didn’t stop hundreds of people from coming out to walk their zombie best. We love seeing so much activity downtown!

~Sara
General Reference Librarian

Parkview Diabetes Expo 2009

Date: Saturday, November 7 2009

Time: 9 am-2 pm

Location: Main Library, 900 Library Plaza

Description: One-day event filled with information on living with diabetes.
A series of lectures and a fair focused on diabetes will provide attendees
with the latest information on health-related topics.

Schedule of Events:

• 9-9:50 am         Vendor displays in Great Hall
• 9:50-10 am       Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 10-11 am             Reforming Your Health: Nutrition Update
• 11-11:30 am       Break and vendor displays
• 12:30-1:30 pm  Ten Myths and Ten Truths Regarding Diabetes
• 1:30-2 pm            Vendor displays

For more information, please contact the Parkview Diabetes Treatment Center (260) 373-4280.

Becky, Interdepartmental Librarian

November Events in the Main Library’s Theater

Goldmine Pickers.  November 1, 2 pm.  The Goldmine Pickers are from Goshen, Indiana and have been brewing a fresh blend of acoustic music for audiences since 2003.  The band serves up a fun blend of bluegrass, folk and Irish music—with dashes of country, jazz and jam for good measure.  Admission is free.  Provided by Art, Music & Media.

The Christmas Key. November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15.  Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 pm; Sunday performances begin at 2:30 pm.  Ruth Tyndall Baker’s new family “dramedy”, A Christmas Key, celebrates the highs and lows of family togetherness at the holidays.   Tickets purchased before October 30 are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for students; tickets purchased after October 30 are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students.  Please call 622-4610 for ticket information.  For more detail, please visit http://allforonefw.wordpress.com/  Provided by All For One Productions.

Mark Van Cleave Jazz Orchestra: Tribute to Big Bands. November 21, 2 pm.  Mark Van Cleave and his Jazz Orchestra will present the third in a series of four concerts at the Allen County Public Library entitled, “A Tribute to the Big Bands”. Music will include that of Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Woody Herman and more.  Admission is free.  Provided by Art, Music & Media.

Movie Night:  White Christmas. November 24, 6:30 pm.  Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star as two song-and-dance men who team up after the war to see a charming New England inn through its holiday season.  Paramount Pictures; Not Rated; 120 minutes; 1954.  Tickets are required.  Tickets are free and may be picked up after 7 pm on October 27 at the Art, Music & Media reference desk.  Provided by Art, Music & Media.

This post contains both library and community sponsored events.  Post will be updated as event information is received.

Becky, Interdepartmental Librarian