December 1 is World AIDS Day.  The AIDS Task Force of Northeast Indiana and photographer John Gevers present an exhibit with the faces and stories of those living with HIV/AIDS in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Task Force and World AIDS Day on December 1. There will be a reception in the main library gallery today from 5-6:30 pm.  Light refreshments will be served.

Need to get tested for HIV? The AIDS Task Force has a list of locations in Allen County offering this service.

Jillian Speece and Nathan Hoff:  The Bergamot.  December 6, 2 pm.  Jillian Speece, voice, and Nathan Hoff, guitar, combine to present a lively pop, holiday, jazz, and classical music program. Visit The Bergamot’s website at http://www.myspace.com/nathanhoffjillianspeece.  Admission is free.  Provided by Art, Music & Media.

Jingle Bell Raks Holiday Hafla. December 12, 8 pm.  Presented by World Fusion Dance Studio.  Tickets are $10 in  advance, $15 at the door.  For more information please visit http://www.jordanaandfriends.com/JAFESB.html .

Summit City Singers.  December 19, 2 pm.  Admission is free but donations are appreciated.  For more information, please visit http://summit-city-singers.tripod.com/id4.html .  Presented by Summit City Singers.

Heartland Sings:  Holiday Favorites.  December 20, 4 pm.  General Admission is $19, VIP seats are $24.  For more information, please visit http://www.heartlandchorale.org/ or phone 436-8080.  Presented by Heartland Chamber Chorale.

This post contains both library and community sponsored events.  Post will be updated as event information is received.  If you are an Allen County resident, please remember to bring your ACPL library card with you for free parking.

Becky, Interdepartmental Librarian

All locations of the library are closed Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving. Gobble up some great food and then visit us for movies, books, audiobooks and more for the long weekend. We are open Wednesday and Friday during regular library hours.

All locations of the Allen County Public Library will be closed this Friday.  We resume normal hours Saturday, November 21.

MSNBC’s Stimulus Tracker tool allows you to track federal stimulus funding down to the county level. Click on your county to view a list of projects funded by the stimulus package.

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

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!

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

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