Activities in the Children's Department

Tuesday Tales: Preschoolers and their families are invited to the Children’s Department Book Nook area every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. to enjoy stories, from old favorites to new discoveries. The stories are geared for ages 3-5, but everyone is welcome. No registration is required for this free storytime. Tuesday Tales will be held through April 29.

April is Young Authors Month: Posters from the Unit 5 Young Author winners will be displayed in the Children’s Department beginning early this month.

Award-winning children’s author Janice N. Harrington will give a FREE public presentation on Saturday, April 19, from 2-3 p.m. in the Community Room. She is the author of Going North, The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County, and an adult book of poetry. Following her presentation, books will be available for purchase and autographing, and refreshments will be served. Thank you to the Friends of Normal Public Library for sponsoring this program, with additional help from Barnes & Noble.

For more information about these and other activities,
call the Children’s Department, 454-4668.

Can This Living Room Be Saved?

Vivian Hubbard and Rebecca Brovont, professionals in the Redesign and Staging industry, will offer tips on using your own furnishings to create a refreshing new look for your home! Making (re) arrangements in your living space doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. If you are tired of looking at the same room for years…this is the program for you! Join us at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in the Community Room for this FREE program – no registration is required!

“Spring Fling” Highlights Delicious Recipes

Join Stephanie Hyett, a McLean County Extension intern, as she demonstrates some delicious spring recipes! “Spring Fling” takes place at noon Saturday, April 26, in the Community Room. Registration is required and limited to 25 participants; call Mary Lou, 452-1757, for more information.

NEW Anime Manga Club at NPL

Do you enjoy Japanese comics and animated films? Our new Anime/Manga Club meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 4:30 – 6 p.m. in the Community Room. Participants read manga, watch anime and eat snacks. This month’s dates are April 1 & 15. No registration is required for this free activity – contact Linda Hutchins at 452-1757 for more information.

New Drop Box Location Now Available

The newest library drop box is located just south of the Schnucks entrance at Constitution Center in north Normal. Other locations include the Normal Senior Center, Jewel on West Hovey, and the Shoppes at College Hills near Target & Ann Taylor Loft. Each location also has a separate drop box for CDs and DVDs. We hope that these offsite bookdrops will be convenient options when your time is short or parking is unavailable.
**please DO NOT drop off items for the Book Sale at these locations**

Tale for Two Cities Returns!

Normal and Bloomington Public Libraries have chosen A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell as the “Tale for Two Cities” selection for 2008. Highlighting this year’s program is an appearance by the author on April 15, 2008 to discuss her book.

A Thread of Grace tells the little-known, but true, story of the vast underground effort of the Italian citizens who saved the lives of 43,000 Jews during the final phase of the war. The result of five years of meticulous research, A Thread of Grace is a novel of ideas and history
Copies of the book are currently available for check out at both libraries.

Author Mary Doria Russell will celebrate National Library Week in the Bloomington/Normal area with a free, public program on Tuesday, April 15, beginning at 7pm in the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30pm. Ms. Russell will finish her program with a book signing. Books will be available for purchase. Ms. Russell is also the author of The Sparrow, Children of God, and the newly released Dreamers of the Day.

Prior to Ms. Russell’s visit, “A Tale for Two Cities” will host two additional programs.
An award-winning film, directed by Vittorio De Sica (director of The Bicycle Thief), will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6 in the Community Room of Bloomington Public Library. A book discussion of A Thread of Grace will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13 in the Community Room of Bloomington Public Library. Participation in these programs is free, and registration is not required.

“A Tale for Two Cities”, a community wide reading program, is sponsored by Normal and Bloomington Public Libraries. It is funded by the Friends of the Normal Public Library and the Friends of the Bloomington Public Library. The purpose of “A Tale For Two Cities” is to encourage residents to read and discuss the same book. Additional sponsors include the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, State Farm Insurance, Moses Montefiore Temple, and Holiday Inn Express. Previous selections include Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montana 1948 by Larry Watson, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. For more information about “A Tale for Two Cities,” contact Mari McKeeth at Normal Public Library, 452-1757, or Jane Chamberlain at Bloomington Public Library, 828-6091.

‘Rosetta Stone’ No Longer Available
After March 31, 2008

Because of a decision by the Rosetta Stone company, the popular Rosetta Stone language-learning program will no longer be available to public libraries for use in online database offerings. Therefore, Normal Public Library will no longer be able to provide online access to Rosetta Stone after our current contract expires on March 31, 2008.

We have another excellent language-learning instruction system called Pimsleur, which Normal Public Library cardholders can download to computers or MP3 players through NetLibrary on our home page (www.normal-library.org). Pimsleur offers instruction in 39 different languages. For more information, contact Jeanne Moonan at 452-1757.

Movie Matinee for Adults at NPL

NPL’s Movie Matinee series continues this month at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17. The 1950 Oscar-winning classic is based on a short story, “The Wisdom of Eve,” and stars Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, plus a small early role for Marilyn Monroe. The story involves an actress who befriends a young fan, who then attempts to undermine her professional and personal life. Bring a friend and enjoy the afternoon – free, and snacks provided!

Teen Advisory Council

NPL’s Teen Advisory Council will meet April 10 & 24 at 4 p.m. in the Community Room. On the 10th teens will participate in a library scavenger hunt. On the 24th, members will discuss the book Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. All teens in grades 7-12 are welcome, and snacks will be served. For more information, contact Linda Hutchins at 452-1757.

Donate Your Used Books

The Friends of NPL are happy to accept donations of used book throughout the year.
Bring them to the library marked ‘for the Friends book sale’. Please DO NOT leave your book donations at the off-site book drops!! All donations for the sale must be brought in to the library. Thanks!