February 1, 2010
Monday Memo
Arrowhead Library System
608-758-6690 l http://als.lib.wi.us

FEDERAL GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM FOR RURAL LIBRARIES 
Earlier this week the federal Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $100 million grant and loan program “to construct, enlarge or improve public libraries.” This will be administered by the USDA’s Rural Development Community Program and most of the funding is coming through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the federal stimulus funding). The Rural Development office provides grants and loans to assist in the development of essential community facilities -- including public libraries -- in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 population. A fact sheet with more details is available at http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USDA.pdf. Staff from the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community has been in contact with the Rural Development office in Stevens Point and more information on this program will be available soon. - Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 17 -- January 28, 2010

AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH LITERATURE AWARDS ANNOUNCED 
The American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association, has selected the following titles as the recipients of the third American Indian Youth Literature Awards:
“A Coyote Solstice Tale” by Thomas King and illustrated by Gary Clement,
“Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma” by Genevieve Simermeyer, and
“Between the Deep Blue Sea by Me: A Novel” by Lurline Wailana McGregor.
- Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 17 -- January 28, 2010

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK FREE PSA AVAILABLE 
To promote National Library Week, April 11-17, 2010, a free customizable public service announcement (PSA) featuring award-winning author Neil Gaiman is now available. Gaiman, the 2009 Newberry Medal winner for "The Graveyard Book," will appear in both a print and a radio public service announcement. 

The PSA can be downloaded for free at the National Library Week web site. The PSA reminds library users of all the resources the library offers and how libraries are of key importance in tough economic times. To have the PSA customized with their library’s logo, librarians are asked to send a print quality logo file, their library name and URL to ala@atigraphics.com. The PSA will be sent to the library in 1-2 weeks. 

Other materials are currently available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2010 National Library Week theme “Communities thrive @ your library.” They include a proclamation, sample press release, and letter-to-the-editor, as well assc-ripts for use in radio public service announcements (PSAs). More information is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.cfm.www.ala.org/nlw.
Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 17 -- January 28, 2010

Harper Debuts Writing Site for Teens
By John A. Sellers -- Publishers Weekly, 1/25/2010 7:28:00 AM

Monday marked the official launch of inkpop, an interactive writing platform and community for teenagers created by the HarperTeen imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books. Inkpop serves as an online community for young writers; the publisher calls inkpop the “anchor” of its digital strategy for the teen market.

“As with all of our online consumer programs, the concept of community-building is aligned with our ongoing corporate digital marketing efforts to cultivate a two-way dialogue with our readers,” said Susan Katz, president and publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, in a statement. “Inkpop provides us with an interactive platform to engage directly with our audience, encourage a passion for writing, and discover new trends and opportunities in this growing and important community.”

Inkpop had a soft launch in late 2009 and currently boasts more than 10,000 members ages 13 and up, and 11,000 written submissions, which include novels, short stories, poetry, and essays. An editorial board of Harper editors will review the top five member selections each month, offering feedback on their work as well as, potentially, the possibility of publication. As the inkpop community develops, Harper plans to announce partnerships for the site and expand options for teens whose creative interests might include video, photography, or other media.

Save $5 on Elizabeth Gilbert tickets
Enjoy an Evening with Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Committed".
Thursday, February 11 | Overture Hall
Reserved Tickets: $29 - $50.
For details call the Ticket Office at (608) 258-4141.


Join WPR's Joy Cardin in a literary chit-chat with Elizabeth Gilbert, literary rock-star author of the mega-best-selling 2006 memoir, Eat, Pray, Love and the newly-released follow-up, Committed. Eat, Pray, Love spent more than a year in the No. 1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list and is soon to come out as a movie starring Julia Roberts.

Gilbert talks the way she writes: with intelligence, wit, and great comic timing. And now you can get $5 off any ticket - just enter LOVE in the promotional code box when you are purchasing tickets at overturecenter.com/production/elizabeth-gilbert, or call 608.258.4141, or visit the Overture Center ticket office.

New Websites:  

History World: History and Timelines - http://www.historyworld.net/default.asp?gtrack=mtop1
One million words of history can seem a bit daunting, but not when it is divided into 300 narratives and 10,000 events. That's the basic format of
the History World site, which was created by Bamber Gascoigne. The narratives are all linked together, and visitors will find that the homepage rotates through different selections, including the history of painting and the history of Andean civilization, just to name a few. Visitors can click on the "Histories" link to view an alphabetical list of the subjects covered. Each narrative history contains a brief outline and a link to an interactive timeline, complete with additional links. Moving on, the site also offers a set of quizzes, which include a timer for a bit of extra drama. [KMG] - The Scout Report, January 29, 2010

University of California; Science Today - http://www.ucop.edu/sciencetoday/index.php
Science Today is a one minute, five-times a week, radio program carried on CBS affiliates and produced by the University of California.  The website
for Science Today provides the program on demand, in audio and text, as well as the "archives" for the program.  The topics covered are vast from
"breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture and the environment to insights into the world around us."  Visitors interested in reading longer articles about
scientific breakthroughs should look at the "Features" section of the site. The "Features" go all the way back to 2007, and are offered weekly.  The
range of topics is fascinating, relevant and varied; visitors might just find they have whiled away an afternoon reading these well-written articles about assorted scientific breakthroughs.  Visitors can read an article entitled "Pregnancy Hormone Predicts Postpartum Depression", or "Stand or Run?" about new research on the right course to take if one encounters a mountain lion.  The article "Hybrid Cars are Harder to Hear" explains the increased risk to pedestrians' safety. [KMG] - The Scout Report, January 29, 2010

The Guild of Book Workers - http://www.guildofbookworkers.org/index.php
A book worker is one engaged in the hand book arts, which includes "bookbinding, conservation, printing, papermaking, calligraphy, marbling and
artist�s books."  The Guild of Book Workers is a century-plus-old American organization that sponsors workshops, lectures, and exhibitions.  Their
website is a great resource for book workers, or for those interested in viewing and learning about the hand book arts.  Visitors unfamiliar with book art should definitely take a look at the "Galleries" link under the "News & Events" section of the site.  Some of the themes of the exhibits in the gallery are "Marking Time" and "AbeCeDarium", which is the alphabet, and a classic theme for the book arts.  Visitors will find it enjoyable to see how the same theme can be expressed or interpreted in so many beautiful, moving, or disturbing ways by book artists.  The multitude of online galleries on this site is a real treat for those who enjoy the creativity of the book arts. [KMG] - The Scout Report, January 29, 2010

Grey Matters - http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2008/r0108-07.shtml 
Gray Matters raises awareness of current brain research. The video series features presentations by leading neuroscientists and can be viewed in their entirety or as shorter clips for specific learning objectives in the classroom. The site will be of interest to anyone interested in how the brain develops, in how it works, or in diseases of the brain. High school teachers and students will especially appreciate the Explore & Discover section where they will find short videos to demonstrate key concepts, study guides, background information, featured scientists information, teacher resources, and links to supplemental resources. - Education World Site Reviews Volume 14 Issue 4

ALS CALENDAR:  Return to top

Librarian's Meetings:
Wednesday, February 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the ALS office

ALS Board of Trustee Meetings:
Wednesday, February 10 at 6 p.m. at ALS offices

CONTACT US:  Return to top
Arrowhead Library System Director: Ruth Ann Montgomery, 608-758-6693, email: montgomery.ruthann@als.lib.wi.us
Please feel free to contact the Monday Memo editor, Martha Gammons, with comments, corrections or library news. 
Phone: 608-758-6695  Email: gammons.martha@als.lib.wi.us, 210 Dodge St., Janesville, WI 53548
Website: http://als.lib.wi.us
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The Monday Memo is published weekly by Arrowhead Library System.