DTV is Coming – Get it right

DTV is Coming
Saturday, December 6, 2008, 3:30 p.m. at the Shawnee Branch Library

If you receive your TV signal with an over-the-air antenna, you need to know that things will change on February 17, 2009. Radio Shack representatives will get you up to speed on what you need to know and have to be ready for the DTV transition.

Program will be presented at the Shawnee Branch Library at 5600 Noll Avenue (phone: 421-1355).

The presentation will be in both English and Spanish.

You don’t have to be the star in your home version of this video.

Library Closed Thanksgiving Day

All locations of the Allen County Public Library will be closed on Thursday, November 28.

Information on the Economic Crisis

Information regarding the United States Financial Crisis is available through USA.gov.  The answers page includes links to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as well as to hearings before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa_ict.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=8206&p_created=&p_sid=&p_lva=7230&p_sp=&p_li=&p_topview=1

For a direct link to the Act and related documents, please visit http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:H.R.1424:

Becky, Interdepartmental  Librarian

Library Closed Friday, November 21

All locations of the Allen County Public Library will be closed this Friday, November 21 for a Staff Development Day.

Book Talk

Looking for a good read?  That’s why we’ve developed Book Talk – to help you find books you’ll enjoy.  Here you’ll find over a dozen newsletters that you can receive via e-mail or RSS, and even more book lists that you can view on the web.

The ACPL has joined with BookLetters, an email newsletter and reader’s advisory service, to provide a service that will allow you to:

• Discover a new author or see every title that your favorite author has written.
• Find a good selection for a book club.
• Read book reviews on the latest books.
• Find award winning books.
• Tune into Wisconsin Public Radio to hear a Chapter-A-Day.
• Find books seen on TV and heard on Public Radio during the week.
• Find the current bestsellers.
• Discover what’s happening at the ACPL.

Digital TV Information Sessions

RadioShack will host educational sessions for library patrons in the coming weeks:

• Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 pm at Main Library
• Saturday, December 6 at 3:30 pm at Shawnee Branch Library (in English and Spanish)

Included in these sessions will be information about why the digital television transition is occurring, the benefits digital television offers television viewers, what people need to do in order to continue receiving over-the-air television broadcasts after the conversion occurs, and how to apply for up to two $40 government coupons per household to help reduce the costs of obtaining a digital converter box. RadioShack’s education outreach will also include a demonstration on how to successfully set up a digital converter box to an analog television set.

RadioShack Corporation and the American Library Association are embarking on a nationwide initiative to help educate the public about the Digital Television (DTV) Transition set to begin in all 50 states and Puerto Rico on Feb. 17, 2009.

Ewing & Main closest bus stop

Nov. 10, 2008

Called Citilink.  They said buses are NOT stopping at the library due to re-routing required by construction.

The closest place to catch the bus is MAIN & EWING.  The time is on the hour.

Citilink doesn’t know yet when they will be allowed to resume the five minutes after the hour stop at the library – depends on the construction.

Trish

Best-Selling Author Michael Crichton Dies

From CBSnews.com:

Best-selling author and filmaker Michael Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles Tuesday, after a courageous and private battle against cancer, according to a statement released by his family. He was 66.

Crichton is best known as the author of “Jurassic Park” and the creator of “ER.” His most recent novel, “Next,” about genetics and law, was published in December 2006.

“While the world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes,” the statement said. “He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget.”

Through his books, Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way all could understand.

“He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world,” the statement added.

Born in Chicago Oct. 23, 1942, Crichton graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College, received his MD from Harvard Medical School, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, researching public policy with Jacob Bronowski. He has taught courses in anthropology at Cambridge University and writing at MIT. Crichton’s 2004 bestseller, “State of Fear,” acknowledged the world was growing warmer, but challenged extreme anthropogenic warming scenarios.

Crichton’s first bestseller, The Andromeda Strain, was published while he was still a medical student. He later worked full time on film and writing. One of the most popular writers in the world, his books have been translated into thirty-six languages, and thirteen have been made into films.

Crichton won an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Writer’s Guild of America Award for “ER.” In 2002, a newly discovered ankylosaur was named for him: Crichtonsaurus bohlini.

A private funeral service is expected, but no further details will be released to the public.