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crafts

MARVELous Invitational Lesson 4 – Hobbies and Crafts

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This week I am exploring the Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center of the Marvel databases.  This sounds like fun! 
First I watch another short and wonderful tutorial about this resource.  I have to say that these tutorials have all been concise and extremely easy to follow!  A huge thank you to those who created these learning tools.
The home page for the Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center is very colorful and attractive.  I have several choices or ways to search this database.  I can browse by general categories such as Arts & Craftsor Outdoors & Nature.  I am able to browse by Popular Sources such as Creative Costumes & Halloween Décor: 50 Projects to Sew & Craft or Knits for Men: 20 Sweaters, Vests & Accessories.  I also see Season & Holiday, as well as Kids’ Crafts.  WOW, what fun – Pintrest watch out – this is AMAZING!
Okay. I’m back – this database is truly one of those places I could get lost.  Just browsing is so much fun, but now on to a “Real” search.
Since I have been learning to read the Tarot, I type tarot in the search bar.  Eighty-two results!  Several on the first page look interesting.  The periodicals these articles range from Action Figure Digest to PolymerCAFE Magazine.  I check a few of the articles and see that a couple of them actually do have a bit about the Tarot, but many don’t. 
Next I try the Projectstab to see what this brings up.  Three fun articles about creating a fantasy type character.  Two of these projects are soft sculpture.  Neither appears to have anything specific to do with tarot, but fun to see.  The third project uses the Foolfrom the tarot deck as its inspiration for a wall hanging.
I check the other tabs – Periodicals and Reference Books – interesting information but not specific to my search term.  I was hoping for a bit of information on creating a tarot deck, or perhaps inspiration for a tarot reading, but no luck this time.
The Help button at the top right of the screen is an interesting feature.  Clicking this button, I find the usual help functions – how to search ; system requirements ; how to save results ; tutorial (I liked the one provided by the Maine State Library better than this one) ; etc.  I do discover that there is a Citation Styles area.  This will be extremely helpful when assisting folks needing to cite there sources!
Whether or not I have found what I was initially looking for, this is a wonderful database!  I know I will definitely be using this with some of our patrons in the future.

Summer Reading Fun!!

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The children and young adult Summer Reading Program Dream Big Read! Is underway!  This year the ONLY rules are that books must be at an individual’s reading level, and that they be checked out of the library overnight. – WOW how great is that??

Free choice for EVERY book recorded on an individual’s chart. 
For each completed book a reader or listener may choose a grab bag, with a limit of 10 prizes per participant.
We continue to have Preschool Story Hour on Tuesdays at 10:30 with a preschool craft.  This summer we have added a craft time for those ages six and up on Tuesdays at 3:00.  Our first craft were fairy houses which can be seen at Steamboat Lane located at Gardiner’s beautiful Waterfront Park.
For those who are taking part in our Year of Reading, this month the theme is Summer Fun. Read a book, watch a movie, listen to an item, pop in a music CD, read a magazine, that somehow pertains to . . . anything (yes, we are being very relaxed about the relationship of your item to our theme) and have your name entered for the July drawing!  This month’s sponsor is Deb’s Ice Cream & Mini Golf located at 132 Water Street in Randolph. They have generously donated something fun to be won by a lucky user of the Gardiner Public library.

We would like to offer a HUGE thank you to our other sponsors!!!

January was sponsored by At Home Veterinary Care, in West Gardiner.

February was sponsored by Book It!, The library’s used book store on Water Street here in Gardiner.

March was sponsored by the Community Wellness Center, in Gardiner.

April was sponsored by Black Crow Bakery, in Litchfield.

May was sponsored by Lisa’s Legit Burritos, in Gardiner.
June was sponsored by local artist Mario Del Rio.
Please come on in and join the fun!  We would love to have you participate in whatever way works for you.

What are you reading right now?

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Several years ago I watched an HBO movie on the life of Temple Grandin, a woman born with severe autism, who became a PhD professor at Colorado State University.  When I read a recent review for a new children’s book about this remarkable woman I knew it was one we should have in our collection.
Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World, by Sy Montgomery is truly a memorable story for children as well as for adults.
                                       Charlene Wagner, Children’s Librarian

 

The question was asked, “What are you reading right now?” Well, my life at this time is a little to busy to finish a book. So I will tell you what I have been trying to read lately. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green is a new novel for Teens. It is about a girl with cancer named Hazel and a boy named Augustus. It has love, illness, Indianapolis, Amsterdam and all kinds of stuff.  I would love to catch you reading this book.
                                                              Ginni Nichols, YA Librarian

 

 
 
Of the several titles I have finished recently, Craft Activism: people, ideas and projects from the new community of handmade and how you can join in, by Joan Tapper was full of fun and interesting information.  This book has patterns, as well as interesting background about several crafting groups in the United States.  I found fascinating, some of the community art projects in the book. Truly a fun and colorful read!
                                                   Ann Russell, Technology Librarian
 
 
All of the titles mentioned are items owned by the Gardiner Public Library.  Check the website, or give us a call, and we will hold the item for you.
 
All of the book jacket illustrations were found as Google images.