All Madison Public Library locations are closed for Christmas on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25. The Central and Sequoya Libraries will also be closed Sunday, December 27. You can still use the library when we’re closed: place holds in LINKcat, return items to our bookdrops, or use our 24/7 online reference service, AskAway.
Add comment December 23rd, 2009 Tana
Some of my favorite films and television have been stop-motion animated works of art; I adored Gumby’s clay-splashing antics as a child - which often inspired me to do PlayDoh experiments of my own, probably prompting a move to a house that didn’t have carpeting - and Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas is in constant rotation in my DVD player October through December. No matter how many times I watch these films, I’m always rapt with wonderment: How do they do that? I can’t even make a stick figure flip book, and these worlds of normally inanimate objects come to life with nuance and emotion!
For those who have similar interest in animation of all kinds, Jason Love will be presenting an Animation Workshop on Monday, December 21 at the Lakeview Branch from 2 - 4:30 pm. Space is limited to 20 teens, so reserve your spot for this hands-on exploration of animation styles: pixilation, claymation, hand drawing and cut-out. Participants will also learn editing techniques with free software!
Think of the possibilities! You could be the next big thing in animation, with screaming, fainting fans like the Lego Beatles have…
Simply by using your Madison Public Library card, you can get full-text magazine articles from Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Creative Kids, and Shape, to name just a few? Neither did I until I started poking around with Serials Solutions. It’s this super great database that lets you plunk in the name of a magazine or newspaper and lets you know if you can get it electronically. Easy and sweet! And, maybe not quite as much fun, but helpful nonetheless, you can also check to see if we have access to British Poultry Science and the South African Journal of Animal Science–we do!! And this is only one of the many things you get–free–with your library card.
Add comment December 18th, 2009 terrymc
New books have been added to the Local Materials Collection at the Central Library, including Madison by David Sakrison. Madison is part of the postcard history series and presents more than 200 historical postcard images from the private collection of Madison resident John Powell, who has been collecting and trading postcards for more than 20 years. The images here reflect Madison’s businesses, public institutions, civic life, and civic pride in the first decades of the 20th century. With author David Sakrison’s engaging text, these images offer a unique window into the city as it was, and as it saw itself, 75 to 100 years ago.
If you are interested in receiving email updates when new materials are added to the Local Materials Collection, sign up on our subscription newsletters page. BookLetters newsletters are sponsored by the Friends of Madison Public Library.
Add comment December 17th, 2009 Molly
Teen Connection – the statewide educational call-in program for teens, parents and educators on Wisconsin Public Television – will have its season premiere at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. The program’s topic this month is divorce and teens in the middle. With unprecedented levels of divorce and the separation of parents who never married, more children are being raised by single parents, grandparents, relatives, and living in foster homes than ever before. This broadcast of Teen Connection features a panel of young people and adult experts discussing the ways teens cope with their parents “Splitting Up.” Lois Mischler, a counselor at Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, a nonprofit agency that strives to protect, heal, and care for children and families will appear on the program. Mischler will offer advice for teens and parents, and explain how they can effectively deal with the stress caused by the family’s transition. The live program features a call-in option at 877-988-2888. It is a toll-free call. A related documentary, Splitting Up: Kids in the Middle, will air on WPT and MPTV at 10:30 p.m. following Teen Connection.
Looking for more information? Check out books about divorce for kids and for adults, and other programs from WPT.
Add comment December 14th, 2009 Alicia
You asked for it–you got it. Many of you have asked about the Summary Section from the print version of Morningstar Mutual Funds. You can now gain access to the most-current Summary Section via the “Fund Summary” link on the Morningstar Investment Research Center home page. Here is a little background on what value this addition brings to the database.
Commentary
The first several pages of the Summary Section contain the Commentary, written by our editors and analysts. Using in-house research, we delve into sometimes-controversial topics such as the importance of asset allocation to diversification, fund-company ethics, and investors’ rights. The commentaries contain some of the most innovative thinking in the mutual fund industry.
Leaders and Laggards
This section reveals at a glance whose returns are hot and whose are not. This section shows the top and bottom performers, based solely on total returns, for five time periods: year to date, one year, three years, five years, and 10 years. We also provide the fund’s Morningstar category, Morningstar Rating, Morningstar Style Box placement, and sales charges.
Quick Reference
The Quick Reference page contains keys to symbols we use throughout the publication, details of the Morningstar Style Boxes, our publication schedule, and a list of the Morningstar categories and their abbreviations.
Mutual Fund News, Views, and Research
In this section, we report on notable events in the fund industry and keep you up to date on the activities of fund companies. Whether it’s a manager change, the anticipated launch of a new fund, or a fund company merger, these are the events that shape the investment world.
Of course, if you are looking for the most current information on such things as fund prices, Analyst Reports, and performance, make sure to use Morningstar Investment Research Center’s fund data pages. These are updated on a daily basis and will be your best resource for the most up-to-date fund information.
Learn How to Rebalance Your Portfolio for 2010
In today’s economy, who couldn’t use a bit of re-balancing? Join Morningstar’s Director of Personal Finance, Christine Benz, as she guides you through the process Wednesday, December 16 at 3pm Central Time. Log on from home or anywhere you have access to a phone and internet connection. To register, send an e-mail to librarytraining@morningstar.com. And, when you do, please mention Madison Public Library.
2 comments December 14th, 2009 Tana
Don’t let the stress of holiday shopping wear you down! Make gifts out of everyday things, and save the earth at the same time.
The library owns many books that feature craft ideas utilizing recycled materials for all levels of crafting ability and experience. Make fantastic gifts without breaking the bank, and spend quality time with your kids creating amazing things from materials that you have around the house.
Add comment December 11th, 2009 Molly
When a winter storm is predicted, one question we get a lot is, “Are you open?”
Because we’re an essential city agency, we try to stay open no matter what. But we do occasionally close for severe weather. We expect to be open today for all regular working hours, but will be closed on Wednesday, December 9. We hope to be open regular working hours again on Thursday, December 10 but will post updates here, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on the City of Madison’s web site.
We recognize that returning library books or picking up holds are not top priority in winter storm weather. If you are unable to pick up a hold or return an item on time due to to unexpected library closures or extreme weather, please let us know. Our staff will do their best to credit any late charges or to replace lapsed holds - for today, tomorrow, and all days affected by exceptional weather.
And now is a good time to remind you that:
For more closing updates see the City of Madison news releases, the City of Madison Winter Portal and the Channel3 web site, or watch your local news.
Add comment December 8th, 2009 Tana
Keep informed about winter parking, snow plowing updates, and when sidewalks need to be cleared in the City of Madison. You can also find tips on winter safety, Metro Transit travel, and bicycling in the winter at the City Winter Portal.
But winter is not all shoveling and slippery roads - come out and play in Madison Parks! As the temperature drops, the fun just gets started! Check out the new Play Madison Parks Winter web site and keep updated on the ski trail and outdoor ice skating conditions.
You can also find books at the library like Winter Day Play: Activities, Crafts and Games for Indoors and Out to help you enjoy the snowy weather.
Add comment December 7th, 2009 Molly
Madison Public Library has acquired an online subscription to the Value Line Investment Survey. Formerly available in paper at six of our nine libraries, the new online service is available at all nine Madison public libraries, as well as to city of Madison residents with valid library cards.
Value Line is best known for the Investment Survey, one of the most widely read investment services in the world. Value Line online offers the same one-sheet summary as the Investment Summary, but also includes more up to date information on the stocks covered, as well as stock screening, custom reports, industry information, historical data, and email alerts. Madison Public Library’s subscription also includes the Value Line Special Situations Service.
Madison Public Library chose to switch from paper to online access to Value Line after much public input from individual investors and local investment clubs. Paper access will continue for at least six months at most locations that currently subscribe, and you can call the Central Reference Desk to schedule a demo of the new service for yourself or your investment group.
Want to learn more? Visit our online tutorial web site, watch our YouTube video tutorial below, or just log on and get started! (Online help and investment advice is always available in the Education Section tab.
Add comment December 5th, 2009 Tana
