Know Your Library Newsletter - May 2017

Know Your Library Newsletter - March 2017

Know Your Library Newsletter - February 2017

Know Your Library Newsletter - November 2016

Know Your Library - October 2016

Know Your Library Newsletter - June 2016

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY! JUNE 2016       _{Written for the Taos Public Library} byJoanneForman……………

      CUBA!

     Having noticed that the island of Cuba, 90 miles off the tip of Florida, has not sunk into the sea because the United States government doesn’t like the Cuban government, the recent re-opening of relationships cannot but benefit both nations. And, as always, your Taos Public Library is ready: there are 111 books on Cuba, so you’re bound to find what you need and/or are curious about.

     Whether you’ll get to go there in person, or merely by armchair, you’ll find entertaining BICYCLING CUBA. 917.291.

     And whether you find Fidel Castro antichrist or one of the great figures of the age, it can’t be denied that he’s had a colorful life. There are several biographies in our library; a good one to begin with is CASTRO’S CUBA, CUBA’S FIDEL by the journalist Lee Lockwood. 972.91LOC

     The United States has had a long and usually contentious relation-ship with Cuba, dating back to at least the late 18^th century. This is detailed in CUBA:a new history, by Richard Gott. 972.91. Gott.

     Another exposition of this topic is CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES by Jane Franklin. 327.7291073F824c

     Of special interest to Taosenos may be THE GREENING OF THE REVOLUTION: CUBA’S EXPERIMENT WITH ORGANIC AGRI-CULTURE by Peter Rossett and Medea Benjamin. 635.987R829g.

     Prior to the 1959 revolution, Cuba had been, for many decades, a glittering and smarmy mob-controlled destination for gamblers and rich tourists. However, at least one had a more substantial love affair with the island, and made it his home for many years: the great American novel-list Ernest Hemingway: HEMINGWAY IN CUBA by Norberto Fuentes.B813.52.

     The “George Washington” of Cuba is the philosopher, writer and revolutionary JOSE MARTI. (If you fly into Havana, you will land at the Jose Marti airport.) When exiled, he lived in New York City, and was a cigar-maker in Tampa, Florida. (Cigar lovers know that the best are Cuban.) Marti was killed in an abortive uprising in the late 19^th century, as part of the long struggle to free Cuba from Spain. He is the subject of the oddly named novel THE DIVINE HUSBAND by Fran-cisco Goldman. FIC G19d.

Comments? What topic would you like covered in this newsletter?

Telephone: 751-1102.

July: Who was Tom Paine? August: Hiroshima.

Designation of Cesar Chavez Days

 

                    KNOW YOUR LIBRARY

Written by Joanne Forman for Taos Public Library……….….July 2015

 

   REMEMBERING A GREAT AMERICAN

   Spearheaded by Taos Town Councilor Judi Cantu, and chaired by prominent Taoseno Arsenio Cordova, August 1 and 2 have been designated CESAR CHAVEZ DAYS.

        Why should we care?

     Elves do not plant, grow and pick the crops.

     While our fruits and vegetables nowadays come from all over the world, much of our produce still comes from California, and the San Joaquin Valley of that state was the beginning of an epic struggle among farmworkers for justice, equity, a living wage and to be treated like human beings.

     Some Taosenos wonder why we should care. Do you eat? Care.

     And some have never heard of the man who is certainly to be ranked among great Americans; along with others, the creator of the only lasting farmworkers labor union in American history.

      Read up! As usual, your Taos Public Library has books ready to help you with this history.

                    KNOW YOURLIBRARY

     The Taos Public Library……
May 2015……Let's Eat!!!

Can’t boil water? Or looking for something new and different to perk up dinner?

 
 As usual, your TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY is ready to come to the rescue!

There are over 250 books on every aspect of cooking, from soup to nuts, from here in New Mexico to (among others) Africa, Italy, France, Thailand, India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Morocco, Lebanon, and.

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY!

A Service of the Taos Public Library…April 2015……written by Joanne Forman…….

   GARDENERS, GET YOUR TROWELS!!!!

 

      It’s finally Spring, and as well as the voice ot the turtle dove, the voices of gardeners are heard in the land. Trowels, seed catalogs in hand, and that fanatical gleam in their eyes, hundreds and hundreds of Taosenos are descending upon their yards, determined that THIS YEAR, everything they plant will grow, everything will be bounteous and beautiful and satisfying.

Bless you all!

And, of course, your Taos Public Library is ready to offer all the hope, help, advice you could possibly need, with over 250 books on all aspects of gardening. Go to! You DO have a library card, don’t you? If not, get one instantly!

  Most of the books on gardening in our library are in the 631-638 area, according to our Dewey Decimal System, so we won’t give all the exact numbers—except for the exceptions.

   The primary thing to read up on is particulars of gardening for our arid climate. (You CAN grow things like roses, but it isn’t easy!) To name just a few on this vital topic:

 THE DRY GARDEN: a practical guide to planning and planting. Mark Rumary

 WATERWISE PLANTS FOR SUSTAINABLE GARDENS. Laura Springer Ogden.

 GARDENING THE ARID LAND.  Robert Gerard.

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY

A service of the Taos Public Library. March 2015. written by Joanne Forman…….

  THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD

     A late friend had words of wisdom: “Parenting is the triumph of unskilled labor.”

     Yea, verily! And yet we all know that it’s the most important job in the world. Fortunately your Taos Public Library is ready to help, with books on all aspects of this formidable, sometimes agonizing, ultimately (one hopes) rewarding task.

      THE guide is, possibly, still: Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care by the late Dr. Benjamin Spock.( 649.1 Spo.) Reassuring and practical, it is very detailed, and full of detail about everything single mothers you’re likely to run into when caring for a new, small human.

       Perhaps just as useful, and still relevant long after his departure from the scene is The Mister Rogers Parenting Book, by the late Fred Rogers. His gentle, low-key insight into the fears, sorrows and joys of a child is a marvelous guide to understanding your own cherub.

     Also helpful: 100 Things I Wish I Knew in My Baby’s First Year by Randy Dean and Lori Gorno. (649.122Dea.)

      It’s a painful topic, but one that only too many face: divorce. And your library has help: Child Friendly Divorce by Diane Berry. (306.89). Many have seen (or experienced) children becoming bounc-

ing balls as parents express their anger; this book can help avoid that sorry situation.

     Further help and rescue for today’s world can be found in Anchors for the Innocent: inner power for today’s single mothers and fathers by Gail C. Christopher.(306.856 C556a.)

     An interesting

     An interesting topic, especially for Taos, is Becoming a Bilingual

Family by Stephen and Jeffrey Marks. (420.42Mar.) In most nations of the world, the teaching of a foreign language begins in the first grade or even kindergarten. The mantra in the USA, however, is that it will confuse children. To which this writer has always asked, are our kids stupider than others? Of course not! And those who grow up in bi-lingual (or more!) households don’t seem especially confused. In today’s global world, more than one language needs to become the norm!

     Another aspect of today’s life is that expensive treats and ventures are increasingly beyond the reach of parents. (Why this is so is a whole other topic!) But there’s help available: The Big Book of Family Fun by Gwen Ellis (649.1 Ell) shows ways you can enjoy life without a lot of money.

     Something else that can be a big thing of child-rearing today is dealing with the apparently increasing problem of bullying: Bullyproof Your Child For Life by Joel Haber (649.64Hab.)

     It is often with fear, trembling, frustration and sheer angst that parents face dealing with the troubled, troubling teens. Fear not!

There’s The Everything Parenting a Teenager Book by Linda Sonna, a sometimes Taos resident. (649.125Son.)

     An increasing problem rearing a teen these days can be the computer in its myriad manifestations. Yes, there’s help: Generation

 My Space by Candice M. Kelsey (305.235Kel.) Good luck!

     And there’s help for something all parents dread: How to Raise

A Drug Free Kid by Joseph Califano.

      No matter your offspring’s age, a parent can always use Is That Me Yelling? By Rona Renner (649.1Ren.) The parent who’s never yelled at their kid is either fibbing or is a saint. This book can help you keep your cool—no matter how aggravating your little darling.

      Last and very far from least, there is a periodical (your Taos Public Library has an excellent selection), with a no-nonsense title:

Parenting. This magazine has a wide range of up-to-date information about every aspect of this—the most important job a person can do.

     Like all public institutions, the library always needs monetary help! If you can afford to sponsor this or any periodical (or if you can get together people to do so)—that is an enormous benefit for the entire community.

Know Your Library- February Edition

  START ‘EM YOUNG!

by Joanne Forman

 

   Peel the kids away from the TV, the computer and the cell phone and get them started on winter sports-after all, Taos is one of the great areas of the planet for this. And, as usual, your Taos Public Library has books to help get started.

Know Your Library

   The Taos Public Library …written by Joanne Forman

 Deck the Halls!

     Yes, it’s the end of another year (already so quick!)and it’s The Holidays. Do deck your Hall—your house, apartment, mobile home, cabin, hut, tent, whatever—and don’t forget those who have none.

     It can also be a frantic time, but there are some 250 books in our library that can help you have a sane, more relaxed and happier holiday season.

     It’s certainly a time when we’re all encouraged to spend money—and it’s also a time when many don’t have much. Your library to the rescue!

 

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY!

Special edition………………………….May 2014…………written by Joanne Forman………..

 

     “We want to give the teens their own special place where they can not only read and use computers but also socialize. With the new technology, they need a place where they can see each other face to face. Social skills are just as important as technological.”

     So says Head Librarian Shirley Fernandez about the attractive new Teen Room at the Taos Public Library.

Know Your Library #8

     We continue our gentle meander through our library, sampling from the Dewey Decimal System, under which all our 63,000 books are classified. We’re up to the 600s—Technology, Applied Science, we are sternly told. Fortunately, for technophobes like this writer, this includes books on cooking—a subject in which we’re all interested. As usual, our library is copiously equipped, whether you need cookbooks for diabetics, Kosher cookbooks or just something mouth-watering.

     Among the latter, to name just one, is THE FOOD CHRONOLOGY by James Trager (641.09 Tra) “A Food Lover’s Compendium of Events and Anecdotes from Prehistory to the present.” The reader will be agog to learn—for instance—that foods mentioned in the Sumerian legend of Gilgamesh include caper buds, wild cucumbers, figs, grapes, honey, meat seasoned with herbs, and a pancake of barley flour mixed with sesame flour and onions. Equally entrancing is the news that carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, par-

snips and turnips were introduced into England by Flemish weavers fleeing Spanish persecution—or that potatoes and tomatoes were among the gifts of the so-called New World to the Old—not to mention tobacco.

     Very useful for today’s busy person is BEST EVER RECIPES FOR YOUR SLOW COOKER by Catherine Atkinson (641.58Bes) Many of us call it a crockpot; whatever the name it is a godsend: throw the stuff in, turn it on low and either go to sleep or work; eight or so hours later, it’s ready!

     There are recipes not only for main dishes, but also desserts,

 sauces, even cakes and preserves. Profusely illustrated, of course.

    This is just a sampling of what you’ll find in the 600s of your Taos Public Library. Check it out!

Know Your Library #5 December 2013: Special Edition

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT----

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    

A LIBRARY CARD!

      Start ‘em right! The very best favor you can do for your children is to get them their OWN library card. Even if s(h)e can’t read yet, children as young as five can be started off on a lifetime of the love of reading.

     The Taos Library has an excellent Children’s Library, under the fervent direction of Annette Montoya, who will be happy to guide parents, teachers, grandparents, in getting kids started with books.

     While this newsletter has been going through the Dewey Decimal System, beginning with the 100s in past months, this time we’re doing a special survey of books for children of all ages. Since, of course, there are several thousand books in all categories, we can only give a glimpse.

KNOW YOUR LIBRARY #4

       A service of the Taos Public Library

  written by Joanne Forman

________________________________________________________________________

We’re up to the 300s in our survey of the books in the Taos Public Library: Social Sciences.

 November brings the holiday of Veterans’ Day—which was

Originally Armistice Day; remembering November 11, 1918, when Germany and the allied powers halted the senseless slaughter that had left millions dead.

     Like all wars, especially the horrendous wars of the 20^th century, the sorry story gave rise to some of the great novels: Ernest Hemingway’s A FAREWELL TO ARMS,  e.e. cummings THE ENORMOUS ROOM,  Dalton Trumbo’s JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN, to name just a few.

     But probably the most brilliant and poignant of them all was by the German Erich Maria Remarque: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT. This story of a small group of German soldiers is universal: they’re kids—none of them is yet twenty years old, and, if they cannot at the beginning articulate it, they know well they’ve been hoodwinked, robbed, swindled.

Here is all the misery of the insane trench war—starvation, disease, unspeakable wounds, boredom relieved only by terror.

     Toward the end of the book, Remarque shows well why this novel was one of the first banned by Hitler:

     “It’s queer, when one thinks about it,” goes on Kropp, “we are here to protect our fatherland. And the French are over there to protect their fatherland. Now who is in the right?”

…..”Then what exactly is the war for?

…..”Every full-grown emperor requires at least one war, otherwise he would not become famous…”

,,,,,almost all of us are simple folk. And in France, too, the majority of men are labourers, workmen or poor clerks. Now just why would a French blacksmith or a French shoemaker want to attack us? No, it is merely the rulers….

…..”There are other people back behind there who profit by war……”

Know Your Library #3

Your guide to books in the Taos Public Library………

     Besides computer access, periodicals, reference materials, interlibrary loan and a place just to be quiet and read for awhile, your library offers 63,000 books. You’re not going to run out anytime soon.

No matter what you need or like, you can find it here. Using the Dewey Decimal system, the universal numbering system for libraries,

We review one non-fiction book from each category, and one novel.

We urge you, too, to browse—you’ll always find something provocative—and certainly something you didn’t know was here.

     The 200s are books on religion, and our library has over 250 titles, including many on Islam, a subject many of us are either ignorant of or about which we’re misled. Also, of course, books on all the other religions of the world.

Know Your Library #2

A newsletter about the books of the TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

________________________________________________________________________

     Our library has, in addition to reference materials, periodicals, computer access, DVDs, VHS, CDs about 63,000 books. Using the Dewey Decimal System of classification  we’re giving you just a taste. (The Dewey Decimal System, incidentally, was not invented by philosopher John Dewey, but by librarian Melvil Dewey in 1876.) Each month, we’ll review a non-fiction book and a novel. For September, we’re up to the 100s—the big artillery, since this classification includes philosophy and psychology—names such as Plato and Aristotle, Freud and Jung, among others. If you want to stretch those brain cells, turn right upon entering the library and march to the last row.