Putnam County Public Library

Festival of the Book 2009 Pictures

2009-09-21T09:56:00.000-04:00

Part-time Reference Librarian position available

2009-09-21T09:53:00.000-04:00

Putnam County Public Library is seeking a part-time Reference Librarian to assist patrons with print & on-line information sources, reader’s & viewer’s advisory, collection development. Additional duties include assisting with use of computers, copiers and other equipment; preparing and teaching introductory computer skills classes for adults; assisting with class visits, interlibrary loan, displays and programs. Minimum qualifications: Indiana Librarian Certification 4, excellent public service & communication skills. MLS preferred. Evenings & Saturdays required.

Salary Range $12-13.40/hour

Send letter of application, resume, and names of 3 professional references to Alice Greenburg, Director, Putnam County Public Library, PO Box 116, Greencastle IN 46135 or director@putnam.lib.in.us.

Closes when filled. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Updated FOB 2009 schedule

2009-09-03T09:48:00.001-04:00

Here is the updated 2009 Festival of the Book schedule.

12:00- KIWANIS ROOM

Norbert Krapf with Monika Herzig & Peter Kienle

The American Song Book and the American Literary Tradition: Tributes to Etheridge Knight, Kurt Vonnegut, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, the Hampton Sisters—and the jazz tradition in Indiana

1:15- KIWANIS ROOM

James Alexander Thom

The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction

2:15- KIWANIS ROOM

Deborah Geis

Holocaust Time Travels: Art Spiegelman's Graphic (Auto)biography MAUS

2:30- OUTSIDE

Freetown Village

19th Century Candle Making

Hands-on demonstration

3:00- CHILDREN’S ROOM

Marie Bradby

The Civil Rights Movement, Character & Friendship: As Viewed by an 11 year-old Girl

4:00- CHILDREN’S ROOM

Freetown Village

19th Century Quilting

Hands-on demonstration

4:30- KIWANIS ROOM

John Bower

Journey’s End: Relics and Ruins of Indiana’s Transportation Legacy

5:30- KIWANIS ROOM

Blythe Gifford

Fourteenth Century Frat Boys and Other Discoveries: What Has & Hasn’t Changed in University Life in 700 years

6:15- KIWANIS ROOM

John Dittmer

The Good Doctors: The Medical Committee for Human Rights and the Struggle for Social Justice in Health Care

7:00- OUTSIDE

Stephanie Holman

Ghost Stories & Tales of the Supernatural

Around the Campfire

ONGOING

Friends of the library Sale Room

Book Sale 9-5

Children’s Story Room

Lincoln Traveling Trunk

Dress Up Trunk

FOOD VENDORS

Food from local vendors will be available to purchase throughout the day.

FOB Billboards

2009-09-03T09:46:00.004-04:00

Two billboards in Greencastle, Indiana, announce the 2009 Festival of the Book!

2009 Festival of the Book Schedule

2009-09-01T13:21:00.003-04:00

2009 Festival of the Book Schedule

12:00- KIWANIS ROOM
Norbert Krapf & Monika Herzig
The American Song Book and the American Literary Tradition: Tributes to Etheridge Knight, Kurt Vonnegut, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, the Hampton Sisters—and the jazz tradition in Indiana

1:15- KIWANIS ROOM
James Alexander Thom
The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction

2:15- KIWANIS ROOM
Deborah Geis
Holocaust Time Travels: Art Spiegelman's Graphic (Auto)biography MAUS

2:30- OUTSIDE
Freetown Village
19th Century Candle Making
Hands-on demonstration

3:00- CHILDREN’S ROOM
Marie Bradby
The Civil Rights Movement, Character & Friendship: As Viewed by an 11 year-old Girl

4:00- CHILDREN’S ROOM
Freetown Village
19th Century Quilting
Hands-on demonstration

4:30- KIWANIS ROOM
John Bower
Journey’s End: Relics and Ruins of Indiana’s Transportation Legacy

5:30- KIWANIS ROOM
Blythe Gifford
Fourteenth Century Frat Boys and Other Discoveries: What Has & Hasn’t Changed in University Life in 700 years

6:15- KIWANIS ROOM
John Dittmer
The Good Doctors: The Medical Committee for Human Rights and the Struggle for Social Justice in Health Care

7:00- OUTSIDE
Wanda Lou Willis
Haunted Hoosier Trails and Other Ghostly Ventures

ONGOING
Friends of the library Sale Room
Book Sale 9-5

Children’s Story Room
Lincoln Traveling Trunk
Dress Up Trunk

FOOD VENDORS
Damien South BBQ
Chief’s
Monical’s Pizza
Treasures on the Square

Festival of the Book

2009-06-23T14:56:00.003-04:00

The Putnam County Public Library's 2009 Festival of the Book

This free festival will bring together authors, music and food for an all out celebration of books and reading in Putnam County. It will include author talks, signings, music, period craft demonstrations, children's activities—and more.

The festival will kick-off at 12 noon when Norbert Krapt, Indiana Poet Laureate, and Monika Herzig, jazz pianist, team up for the American Song Book and American Literary Tradition! They will include tributes to Etheridge Knight, Kurt Vonnegut, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, the Hampton Sisters—and the jazz tradition in Indiana.

James Alexander Thom will talk about his new book The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction, to be published in January of 2010. Thom is excited to share his vision of traveling through time—which is what he does when he thoroughly researches the past for his many novels. Thom will bring many of the books he has authored such as Follow the River, The Children of First Man, and more for signing. In addition to paperbacks, there will be some first editions available. Thom's wife, Dark Rain, will be with him to answer questions from the Native American perspective.

Photographer John Bower will give a PowerPoint presentation about his most recent work titled, Journey's End—Relics and Ruins of Indiana's Transportation Legacy. Bower is an outstanding Indiana photographer with six popular books to his credit. On explorations with his artist wife, Lynn, he typically drives over 10,000 miles a year and has visited every town in Indiana. Bowers photographs often become the only remaining visual record of these unique and cultural treasures.

The Putnam County Museum will team up with the library to bring Wanda Lou Willis to this year's FOB. Do you love haunted places? Wanda Lou Willis is a folklore historian who specializes in Hoosier folktales, historic research—and the author of Haunted Hoosier Talks, More Haunted Hoosier Trails and soon to be published Ghosthunting Indiana: America's Haunted Roadtrip. Learn how to do our own “ghost tracking!”

Deborah Geis an Associate Professor of English at DePauw University and editor of Considering Maus: Approaches to Art Speigelman's “Survivor's Tale” of the Holocaust, will give an informative talk of how Maus can been used in the classroom. Informed readers in many areas of study, from popular culture and graphic arts to psychoanalysis and oral history, will value this first substantial collection of criticism on a revered work of literature which tells the gripping, heart-rending story of Spiegelman's father's experiences in the Holocaust.

Blythe Gifford's debut novel The Knave and The Maiden, was released by Harlequin Historicals in January 2004. The manuscript, then titled The Pilgrim and The Palmer, was a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist. The Harlot's Daughter was inspired by a real person, the illegitimate daughter of an 14th century English king and his reviled mistress. Innocence Unveiled combines believable characters interwoven with a beautiful love story, while still giving the reader historical facts. Gifford, a Greencastle native and DePauw graduate, will have her newest book out just in time for the FOB—In the Master's Bed—and again returns to 14th century England for the story of the harlot's other daughter, who is disguised as a man in a place where women are forbidden. Gifford will address education in the 14th century and the differences and similarities with today's education.

Children through adults can participate in two workshops brought to the FOB by the Freetown Village, Inc., a living history museum without walls. The residents of Freetown Village are a composite of characters of the approximately 3,000 men, women and children identified on the 1870 Indianapolis census. The trials, triumphs, and daily life of African Americans are presented through theater, storytelling, folk crafts, heritage workshops, music, day camp, and special events. Residents of Freetown will travel to Greencastle to teach 19th century candle making and quilting. Both workshops are hands-on and provide a fun, learning experience in the history and culture of African Americans in Indiana during the post-Civil War years.

The 2009 Festival of the Book offers a host of activities for the entire family to enjoy. Please join us and travel through time @ the Putnam County Public Library on Saturday, September 12th. Updated information about authors and programs will be added, as confirmed.

Time to (re)read some favorites!

2009-06-01T09:20:00.002-04:00

Now is a good time to read or reread the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, since the new Harry Potter Movie, The Half Blood Prince, is coming out this July 15!

Also, now is a good time to read the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer in preparation for the 2nd movie New Moon due to arrive in theaters November 20, 2009.

The library has books and audio recordings of both series available for check out or placing a hold.

Twilight

2009-04-24T15:48:00.003-04:00

Have you read any or all of the Twilight series books by Stephanie Meyer?
Did you see/rent/check out the Twilight movie?

What did you think of the book(s) you have read? Or the movie?

If you saw the movie did you catch the author appearing in the movie?

Did you know that PCPL has all four books available? (Plus another book by Stephanie Meyer and audio copies of all four books!)

Comments welcomed!

Spring at PCPL

2009-04-24T15:44:00.002-04:00

Spring 2009 is occurring at PCPL.
Take a look at the blooms on the trees by our front entrance.

Unfortunately, the blooms dropped off the trees when rain arrived the day after the picture was taken.

Our Heroes' Tree

2009-02-24T10:18:00.006-05:00

The Children's Department Head, Cortina Ison, has created a "Our Heroes' Tree" as part of many other Indiana public and academic libraries to honor and celebrate the contributions of current and former service members. The national "Our Heroes' Tree" program was started in 2005 to bring groups together with the goal to recognize military service.

Manifest Destiny’s Underworld

2009-02-17T09:42:00.002-05:00

Dr. Robert May of Purdue University presented a lecture in honor of President Lincoln’s birthday at 4 pm on February 12, 2009 in the Kiwanis Room at Putnam County Public Library. The presentation was derived from his book “Manifest Destiny’s Underworld: Filibustering in Antebellum America”, which won the Choice Outstanding Academic Title of 2003. The focus of his lecture was the role of President Lincoln in the Civil War and international relations with a focus on the South’s desire for a slave state. Dr. May is a specialist on nineteenth century filibustering (illegal private military expeditions against foreign countries) and Civil War history.

A Conversation with Mark Spragg

2008-10-30T11:53:00.005-04:00

Tuesday evening, Oct 28, Mark Spragg and over 60 people enjoyed a conversation and book signing session!

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Teen "Pizza & a Movie" Night: An Unfinished Life

2008-08-07T14:43:00.003-04:00

The next event for PC READS is Saturday, August 16, beginning at 6 pm, to discuss An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg--while eating FREE pizza! Who can resist? It will be followed by a viewing of the movie--by the same title--and discussion of the transfer from book to film. Both Spragg and his wife, Virginia, began working on the screenplay before the book was completed.

In October--the 28th to be exact--Mark Spragg will visit the PCPL. What a great opportunity to talk to him about both his book and movie! Please join us--and bring your friends!

Comments on An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg

2008-07-15T12:57:00.003-04:00

Use this blog entry to post your comments about the book An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg

Putnam County READS: Dinner & a Movie

2008-07-15T11:00:00.001-04:00

Putnam County READS Dinner & a Movie Night: An Unfinished Life The Putnam County Public Library, through its Putnam County READS Project, invites adults to read An Unfinished Life, by Mark Spragg, and then attend a viewing of the movie by the same title. Discussion will follow regarding the book and its transfer to film. Dinner, at $6.50 per person, is available to reserve in advance for the evening's "dinner & a movie" night. Reservations are required and limited to 40 people. For adults, 18 years and older. To make a reservation contact the reference desk. http://www.putnam.lib.in.us
		Location: Kiwanis Room

2008-07-15T10:15:00.005-04:00

Putnam County READS Community Discussions
April 17
12:00-1:30 pm
Putnam County Public Library

May 4
2:00 pm
Bainbridge Community Center
Co-sponsored by the Bainbridge Improvement Society

June 18
7:00 pm
Heritage Lake House
Co-sponsored by the Heritage Lake Book Club

July 8
6:00 pm
Putnam County Public Library
"Dinner and a Move" night

August 16
6:00 pm
Putnam County Public Library
Teen "Pizza and a Move" night

September 18
7:00 pm
Putnam County Public Library

October 16
7:30 pm
Cloverdale Town Hall
Co-sponsored by the Cloverdale Civic League

October 28
7:30 pm
Putnam County Public Library
Author Mark Spragg will discuss the book

2008-07-15T10:05:00.001-04:00

Putnam County READS: 2008 Book Chosen

An Unfinished Life (2004) by Mark Spragg has been chosen for the 2008 Putnam County READS Project sponsored by the Putnam County Public Library, with support from the Dr. James Elrod Fund and the Friends of the Library. The book selected is suitable for adults and young adults. Community programs will be held throughout 2008 including brown bag and evening discussions at the library, and book discussions at Heritage Lake, Bainbridge, and Cloverdale. Other special events such as a “dinner and a movie” night are also being planned.

The purpose of Putnam County READS is to promote the reading and discussion of a single book by an entire community. This is the library’s first year of encouraging people to read a book, discuss it with friends, in classes, at book clubs, and participate in other activities related to the book throughout the county—and throughout the year.

An Unfinished Life is a story told from multiple points of view, which allows for a full exploration of the complexities and vulnerabilities of the various relationships in the story. Seeking to escape her brutal boyfriend and hoping to introduce her daughter, Griff, to the grandfather she has never met, widow Jean Gilkyson seeks refuge in her late husband's Wyoming hometown. There she must come to terms with her estranged father-in-law who cares for his lifelong friend Mitch, crippled and in constant pain from injuries he received when he was mauled by a bear.

The PCPL will also offer Book Club To Go Kits. Each kit will contain 10 to 15 copies of the title (as needed), large print copy, book on CD or PlayAway, and a discussion guide—all in a handy canvas bag. Kits can be checked out for a period of 30 days by an existing book group, high school class—or start a new group!

Copies of An Unfinished Life are available to check out from the library. Additional copies will be “released” in various locations throughout Putnam County. Whoever “finds” the book is encouraged to read, enjoy & discuss it with a friend and then pass it along to someone else—and join one of the public discussions during the year. Large print copies of the book and audio versions are also available.

The first PC READS event will be a brown bag discussion at the Putnam County Public Library, Thursday April 17, 12 – 1:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch; dessert and coffee will be provided. Please join us in the exciting reading venture!

Committee members from the community involved in the PC READS book selection process include Tamara Beauboeuf, Tona Gardner, Bill Lorton, Bart Spencer and PCPL staff Suzanne Hall, Margot Payne, and Lynne Tweedie. The final selection was based on input from the community, reviews, and other “One Book, One Community” selections.

For more information contact Margot R. Payne at (765) 653-2755, ext. 118.

PCPL's new blog

2007-04-23T10:44:00.000-04:00

Putnam County Public Library has just started a new blog!

The blog will be used to highlight upcoming events at the library, as a resource for book discussions, and a general conduit to the patrons.