End of Picturing America

This is the last week of our Picturing America program theme. I hate to see it go, but we're ready for something new. Since spring is almost here, we decided that Going Green @ your library would be very appropriate. We've had quite a large and immediate response once we sent out the new flyers. Several patrons called to sign-up for the new programs the same day they received them. We even had a patron ask to purchase one of our new tote bags! This makes us all very excited for our upcoming events.

But before the new programs get under way, we have two this week from Picturing America: our American Visions video lecture series and the Blackhawk Performance Company dance troupe both on Thursday, February 26. At this point, we almost have 300 sign-ups for the Native American dance troupe and it's only Tuesday!!! This 12-member American Indian group from the Chicago area, is generating a lot of excitement. Black Hawk Performance Company performs songs and dances from many tribal nations including: the Traditional Men's and Women's Dance, the Grass Dance, the sacred Jingle Dress Dance, etc. Come and see what all the excitement is about!



The video lecture series will conclude with The Age of Anxiety on Thursday, February 26 at 1:00pm. Our final program explores how American art has reflected the upheavals of the last 25 years. This should make for a very interesting lecture! Carol Nichols, Culver Stockton and John Wood Community College lecturer, will once again lead the discussion following the video. This program has been quite the surprise for all of us! Imagine getting at least 20 adults to come to a daytime program. We have never had this kind of success during this time of day, and for this demographic. The grant was definitely worth the paper it was written on!



On to Going Green @ your library... We have so many new and exciting programs slated for March that I don't know where to begin! I guess I'll have to get my thoughts in order and get back with you for next time. If you can't wait to see what programs we have in store, check out our website at http://www.quincylibrary.org/ and click on the Going Green link: http://www.quincylibrary.org/going%20green.html

Quincy Public Librarian: Gearing up for the end of "Picturing America"

Quincy Public Librarian: Gearing up for the end of "Picturing America"

Gearing up for the end of "Picturing America"

Happy Tuesday after Valentine's Day! Hopefully, everyone was loved by somebody and gave some love back. The Quincy Public Library had a very nice program on Friday, February 13 for all preschoolers and their parents. The "Be My Valentine" Party was a big success!!! Leo the Lion gave out 115 valentines for the 10:00am program , and 41 for the 11:00am program. There was a puppet show, and lots of songs to dance and sing. Heather and Kathy do such a great job with getting this program together!

Our next program will be on Wednesday, February 18 with Steve Tieken, archaeologist with the North American Archaeological Institute based in Quincy. He will speak on sacred meaning in Native American Art. We decided to make February the month that we would focus on Native American Art in our Picturing America library initiative, and it seems to have been a good pick. We had a craft in the beginning of the month to make Medicine Bags, and had a good turn out. This Wednesday's lecture will not be as hands on, but will be interesting nonetheless. Steve really knows his stuff. I hope everyone comes out to hear him speak!

We also have another video lecture on Thursday, February 19 1:00pm on our American Visions series. This will be the seventh lecture on the history of American art led by Carol Nichols. This week's lecture will be about abstract and pop art of the 50's and 60's with artists like Pollock and Warhol. We were able to get Carol through a grant from the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, and was it a good thing we did! She is one knowledgeable teacher! This has been such a well-attended series that I hate to see the last one come yet. I hope everyone came away with learning something new, because I know I did!

First Blog

Happy 200th Birthday Abraham Lincoln!!! I hope everyone is celebrating our 16th President's Birthday somehow. I would like some cake, myself. Baldwin School celebrated, with the help of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, with some cake; and I wish I had taken the time to stop by for the celebration (for the cake!)

The Quincy Public Library celebrated by going about it's job of checking out library materials to our patrons. (Not really celebrating as we should.)

We had a very nice video lecture on depression era American Art led by Carol Nichols. This is the sixth installment of our American Visions video lecture series, and it has been well attended so far. We have had at least 20 people attend each week on Thursdays at 1:00pm since January 8, 2009. I think that is quite an accomplishment! Good job everybody for attending! We had received a grant from the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, and we wanted to make sure it was worth people's time to attend.

Our next program at the library is about Native Americans and their art on Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00pm. Steve Tieken, president and founder of the North American Archaeological Institute based in Quincy, will be presenting Windows of the Spirit: Sacred Meaning in Native American Art. I hope we see you there!