Chef Roberto's Magical Cooking Show

Chef Roberto's Magic Show was held at the Canby Public Library on July 30, 2008 to an audience of 26 children and adults. The program was chock full of Crazy Cookery, Unbelievable Magic, and Terrific Books. Robert and Lynn Halbrook presented a fun program as he talked about how he started learning Magic from books he borrowed from the Public Library. He previewed about 12 books and helped promote reading and the summer reading program. Each child was greeted as they came in the door and he visited with as many as possible before the program started. He turned a dove into a rabbit, makes the rabbit disappear, and cooks a cake. Acting as the Chef's Assistant, helpers will magically discover amazing results from this myriad of mishaps in the kitchen. After the program the everyone was invited to pet the magic animals and taste a piece of magic candy. This was a fun and entertaining hour enjoyed by adults and children.

New Books

Reading Group Organized in Library

On February 25, 2008, Neva Kamrath organized a group of local book enthusiasts to start a reading group at the Canby Library. The first meeting was an organizational meeting with 12 people attending. A discussion was held on how, when, where and what time everyone would like to meet. Neva brought treats and many ideas for the group to share. It was decided that the group would meet on the First Tuesday of each month in the library at 10:30 for one hour. For April, May and June it was decided to read books relating to Local Native American history and books on Local history from the 1800's and any Little House on the Prairie Series since it is in Minnesota and from the 1800's. In July any of the Karen Kingsbury books and for August a book on the Red River Valley History. These history books would tie in with the Sesquencentennial for Minnesota's 150 Anniversary. All are welcome to join the group at any time.

Sesquincentennial Banner

Canby was a host to the Minnesota Sesquincentennial Banner celebrating 150 years for March 29-April 3. Canby was scheduled for the banner for a week but scheduling conflicts within Pioneerland cut the time short. During those short 2 days that we were open the patrons did sign the guest book and filled 2 1/2 pages of comments. Good work Canby. Best Wishes to the State of Minnesota on their 150 years and Happy Birthday.

Adult Winter "Reading Winterland" Program 2008

The Adult Winter Reading Program, theme "Reading Winterland" started January 7, 2008 and runs through April 12, 2008. We already have 15 adults signed up to read for these cold winter months. There is no better way to spend those days when confined to the house because of the cold or snow than with a good book and relaxing music. In order to qualify for a bag of prizes, each reader must read a total of 10 books in 14 weeks, fill out an evaluation form for the books they read and have their reading card punched. This is a great way for our readers to share their thoughts and opinions of the books they read. Books that are being read are new, old, fiction and non-fiction. There is a wonderful variety of books to choose from on the shelves now. New books will be arriving periodically throughout the year. Be sure to come in and see what is available.

Banned Book Week

Banned book Week this year is From September 29 through October 6, 2007.

Come to the library during Banned Book week and check out some of the books that patrons have deemed unacceptable for a library. Some of the titles can be viewed on the American Library Assiciation website:

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/challengedbanned/challengedbanned.htm

Yes, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is still on the list as is "Where the Wild Things Are" and "1984". How many of these books have you read. I was amazed by how many I have read and could find no reason to challange them. Can you figure out why they might have been challanged? Some of the reasons could be; sexual content, religion, violence, homosexual theme, occult, language, unsuitable age group. Which themes can you pick out for some on the list.

For an indepth look at some of the titles listed over the last few years take a look at the Google search for titles listed below.

http://books.google.com/googlebooks/banned/

Children's area Changed

The Easy section of the Canby Library gets a new look. The easy section includes picture books and easy reader books for children. The section was moved from the outer wall to the center area of the children's department. The books were taken off the vertical shelves and moved into book bins designed especially for children. The kids love them! They are just the right height for little people and there is no danger of materials falling off the shelves hitting someone on the head and everything is within their reach. They were made by Burton Hendrickson of Canby/Madison, from oak to match the color of the existing furnishings. The coloring table was moved into the center of the floor and beanbag chairs positioned around the area for relaxing. Stuffed animals can be found lurking among the books and a table of building blocks and toy box finish the area. The toys and a coloring table were suggested by some grade school children as a way to entertain their younger siblings while the older kids look at books. Thanks kids for the ideas.

Women's Group Meets in Library

On September 18, 2007, the General Federated Women's Club from Canby met at the Canby library for their annual meeting. The speaker for the evening was Kathie Behrens the Head Librarian for Canby and Madison. Kathie shared with the group the many changes that have taken place in the library over the last year and the plans for the future. She turned on the new wii gaming system, demonstrated how it was played and asked for volunteers to try it out. There were only 2 brave souls who opted to try their hand at playing a game. The evening was ended with bars and coffee and general conversation. The attendees walked around the library checking out the changes and orientating themselves with the new layout.

Wow a Wii

Wow, a Wii in the library? What is a Wii? It is an interactive gaming system made by Nintendo. The system is new to the gaming world as it is interactive which means the player actually has to work his whole body to play the game. Why in the library? After attending a workshop on changes in libraries, the statement was made that you have to get them in the building before you can educate them as to what is available. It was stated that kids today are wired...wired into the Internet, the telephone with text messaging, into their ipods, or cd players. They communicate via chat lines such as MSN, and Yahoo, they text message, they communicate through the new online gaming systems, all the while listening to music, watching movies, and visiting. If we as a library are going to survive, we have to change with the times and allow people to use their electronic devices. Thus, the Wii and Xbox have made their ways into the library. Already it is working....kids are coming in who didn't know we existed before and they are getting library cards and checking out books.

This is an experiment. It may fail, but if it gets one kid in the door, checking out books and reading, then it is a success. Wish us luck. We only have one system going at this time as our television had to be returned as it was defective. But soon, there will be a choice of an Xbox or a Wii. Come in and see the changes.

Summer Reading Program Comes to an End

Another year for the Summer Reading Program "Going Bananas at Your Library" has come to a successful end at the Canby Library. This years program started on June 11 and ended on August 11, 2007. We had 30 participants reading a total of 265 hours. There were 8 participants who completed 20 hours. The 20 hour readers were: Morgan Crowser, Jacob Crowser, Jennifer Denelsbeck, Kevin Gingles, HollyHayden, Kaitlin Barcoe, and Haley Barcoe. Prizes were given for each 2 hours read so there were incentives to keep going all summer. Congratulations to those who finished reading 20 hours.