Marching For Freedom: Walk together, children, and don't you grow weary

Elizabeth Partridge, author of John Lennon: All I want is the Truth and The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange, recounts the gripping days in 1965 that led up to the march from Selma to Montgomery, Al in Marching for Freedom: Walk together, children, and don't you grow weary. Instead of focusing on the key players of the Civil Rights Movement, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks, Partridge discusses the role that children and teens had on this historic movement. Partridge does not weigh the reader down with historic fact after historic fact, but recounts stories of young participants from the facts. This unique viewpoint will definitely enthrall the attention of children, who are the intended audience of Marching for Freedom, along with adults too.
The story of this momentous fifty-four mile march, Bloody Sunday, and the struggle for the right to vote are showcased in beautiful black and white photographs. These stunning and dramatic photos accompany the text and help the reader realize the severity of these tense days. Partridge uses the stories of several children and teenagers throughout the book to help the reader relate and understand the role that young people played in this part of history.
Marching for Freedom is a great tool to help children understand the monumental significance of the Civil Rights Movement. Through the photographs and the stories of young participants, Marching for Freedom showcases the effect that children can have on history. This wonderfully written book is recommended for the ages of 10 and up.

To place a hold on Marching for Freedom, click here!
 

Hometown Ties by Melody Carlson

Hometown Ties by Melody Carlson
The Four Lindas book 2

Caroline, Janie and Marley have moved back to Clifden and Abby is thrilled to have her friends in town for a change. As the four Lindas are beginning new lives and pursuing challenges and dreams they are present for each other as needed. Janie, Marley and Abby provide a much needed oasis in Caroline's backyard- a close place to get apart while caring 24/7 for her mother. Abby finds comfort and love when her husband is rushed to the hospital and her extended family is there for her. Marley and Janie are trying to discover their new lies in Clifden and Abby and Caroline are there to offer support. Unexpectedly new and old male acquaintances appear from time to time, too. I am looking forward to book three to see how each of the Four Lindas grows into new life in Clifden.

Find Hometown Ties by Melody Carlson by clicking here.


--Beth Hutcheson

Four Things You Can Do Today to Get Your Library Ready for the Mobile Experience!

Four Things You Can Do Today to Get Your Library Ready for the Mobile Experience!

View more presentations from Cheryl Burnette.

How Libraries Can Use QR Codes to Improve Services

While we are looking at the vast possibilities of using this free technology here at Homewood Public Library, I would like to share some basic info about QR codes and some of the ideas we have compiled. We already are using them to quickly connect to our new mobile catalog, this blog, EBSCO research database, and downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, and are hoping to implement them in other areas as well. Hope this helps you to understand what they are and what they do. They are powerful little "pieces of art".

Mobile Catalog

WKBE blog

EBSCO

Downloadables

A Quick Response code is a 2D barcode that can store and display lots of information. You install a barcode scanner on your phone which uses the camera to capture an image of the QR code and your phone completes the encoded action.

The QR code can be programmed to connect you to a website (where you could watch a video, read an RSS feed, or get more info), make a phone call, send an SMS (text message), send email, download contact information to your phone, or map an address.

Download and install a QR code reader that is compatible with your phone. Many are free, so there’s no need to purchase one: BeeTagg, i-nigma, NeoReader, and others.

Use an online generator to create your own QR codes with BeeTagg, invx, Zxing, etc. You can embed your contact information, a link to your online resume, or have the QR code printed on your business cards. If you are encoding a URL, make sure it's a mobile site that will load well on a mobile phone browser.

Libraries are beginning to use QR codes to improve their services. While this is a fairly new technology in the library world, the possibilities are endless.

Some ideas are:

Embed URLs in QR codes to: a mobile library website, a mobile catalog, a dynamic search in a catalog (i.e. “writing graphic novels”), mobile databases (i.e. EBSCO), library blogs that are mobilized (Blogger and Wordpress automatically convert their content into mobile versions), a virtual tour of the library, instructional videos on YouTube, mobile versions of book suggestions or read-alikes, place inside books and on shelves to lead to book trailers, mobile friendly blogs, and author sites.

Embed other information in QR codes: contact information (i.e. phone number and email), SMS (text) for text reference services, create a scavenger hunt.

Check out this coolness! Ubimark has republished Jules Verne’s classic Around the world in 80 days: The ubitour version guided by your mobile phone enhanced with QR Codes that follow Phileas Fogg’s adventure on interactive maps and play audio or video versions. Reserve it in the catalog, but first log in with your library card number. Also, the paperback can be purchased at Amazon.

Contact Info
Cheryl Burnette

An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin

An Object of Beauty is the story of Lacey Yeager, a young art dealer in New York who uses her intelligence, tenacity, beauty, and some questionable tactics to work her way from the lower floors of Sotheby's to opening her own gallery.

The novel is narrated by Lacey's friend Daniel Franks, an art writer who, after a romantic encounter with Lacey, sees her as the magnetic center around which the novel's other characters revolve.

Though Lacey is the center of the events in the novel, the main character is the world of art collecting. An art collector himself, Martin's book sheds light on the inner workings of collecting and the psychology of dealers and collectors, what behaviors drive art auction prices, and the different types of art buyers and what motivates them to collect.

Helpful to those unfamiliar with the contemporary art world, throughout the book are full-color photos of pieces described, with just enough art history sprinkled in that the reader will learn a little along the way.

--kb

Computer Classes at Homewood Public Library

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to start using your computer, then Homewood Public Library is here to help. HPL offers FREE beginning computer classes every week! Our two hour classes cover a variety of subjects and software, from Introduction to Microsoft Office Word 2007 to Introduction to the Internet. We also have a class for folks who have never used a computer before, Introduction to the Computer. And in February we are adding two new classes:

Introduction to Microsoft Office Publisher 2007
Learn how to make flyers, invitations, business cards or brochures the easy way.

eBooks & Your Nook
Learn how to download eBooks from your favorite authors from the library to your Nook.

All classes include hand outs and hands on instruction in our Training Lab. Seating is limited, so call 332-6632 or e-mail sswindle@bham.lib.al.us to reserve your spot. Check the calendar at our website homewoodpubliclibrary.org for dates and times. Or click here to download and print a schedule.

JWT: 100 Things to Watch in 2011

We found this intriguing and you might too.It's easier to see the text on Slideshare.

JWT: 100 Things to Watch in 2011

View more presentations from JWTIntelligence.

The Christkindl's Gift by Kathleen Morgan

The Christkindl's Gift by Kathleen Morgan

Erich and Rosa wanted a new father. So they decided to ask the Christkindl to bring one to their little home in Colorado. There they lived with their mother, Anna and grandfather Anton. When Anton found an injured stranger on the road he brought him home to heal. Anna did not trust him as it was strangers who had killed her husband Karl. She made it clear that he should leave as soon as possible. But maybe it was the Christkindl who brought him to Erich, Rosa, Anna and Anton. When they were snowed in there was no way for Ian to leave. These immigrants from Germany share Christmas traditions as well as a warm home with this another stranger at this blessed time of year. And each member of this home learns more about themselves and the love of the season.

You can find The Christkindl's Gift in our catalog by clicking here.
--Beth Hutcheson