Behind the Cover
The Monthly Newsletter of Bemis Public Library
City of Littleton
August, 2008 Volume 12, Issue 8
Baila Conmigo Dancers
See colorful folk dances from South America, Central America, Mexico and Spain, Thursday, August 7, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the front lawn of the library. Baila Conmigo is an international dance team featuring performers from 3 to 25 years old. From the tango and salsa to the incredible La Bruja dance, which the dancers perform with candles on their heads, this group takes pride in its ability to bring many cultures together through dance. Baila Conmigo has performed at the Mayor’s Ball and throughout Colorado.
Bag of Books Sale
Get ready to stock up on wonderful used books at the annual Friends of the Littleton Library and Museum Bag of Books Sale during Western Welcome Week. Come to the library from Thursday, August 7-Sunday, August 17, fill a bag with books, and pay only $3.00 for the entire bag.
Denver Taiko Drum and Dance
Enjoy a high-energy musical performance featuring Denver Taiko on the front lawn of the library, Thursday, August 14, 6:30-7:15 p.m. “Taiko”, which is a Japanese style of drumming, involves not only drumming, but rapid dance movements. Denver Taiko, a group of Japanese American drummers, has performed throughout the United States and is recognized as one of the leading taiko groups in the country. The performers build their own drums and compose original works. The performance will also include stories about Japanese culture and history.
Summer Reading Wraps Up
Our summer reading programs were a huge success! Over 1,915 children ages infant through 5th grade participated in Catch the Reading Bug @ Bemis, our Children’s Summer Reading Program. As of mid-July, over 1,000 children had completed the minimum requirement of reading hours for their age totaling over 10,000 hours of reading! Our Teen and Adult Summer Reading Programs, Read & Renew the Earth, also were a hit with 392 teens and 400 adults participating.
Bemis wishes to extend its gratitude to the following business who so generously contributed to the success of our 2008 Summer Reading Programs:
AMF Bowling Centers * Applebee’s Restaurants * Arapahoe Acres Nursery & Garden Center * Aspen Grove Shopping Center * Butterfly Pavilion * Cold Stone Creamery at Aspen Grove * Colorado Rockies * Denver Museum of Nature & Science * Elitch Gardens * Fazoli’s Restaurant, 111 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton * Lakeside Amusement Park * McDonald’s Restaurants in Littleton * Papa John’s Pizza – 5194 S. Broadway, Littleton * Pirate’s Cove Family Aquatic Center * Romano’s Italian Restaurant * Skate City – 5801 S. Lowell Way, Littleton * Sophie’s Place Café @ Bemis Library * South Suburban Parks and Recreation District * Target
And a special thanks to the Friends of the Littleton Library and Museum. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Friday Flick: Nim’s Island
Enjoy a final summer adventure on Nim’s Island, Friday, August 15, 2:00 p.m. The movie, for kids in grades K-5, will be shown on the library’s big screen. Starring Abigail Breslin and Jodi Foster, the film is based on the book by Wendy Orr, is rated PG and runs 96 minutes. Anything can happen on Nim's Island, a magical place ruled by a young girl’s imagination. It’s an existence mirroring Nim’s favorite literary character: Alex Rover, the world's greatest adventurer. When Nim's father is lost at sea, a twist of fate brings her together with Alex or rather Alex’s creator, and they find courage from the fictional hero. If you like Nim’s adventures, visit the Children’s Room and find similar books to enjoy.
The Playground Trail: The National Park-to-Park Highway in 1920
Follow the “Master Scenic Highway of America”, connecting 12 western National Parks, with historian and author, Lee Whiteley, Tuesday, August 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Whiteley will show pictures of the scenic route as it looked in the early part of the 20th century along with present-day comparison photographs. Pictures of vintage post cards and early travelers along the route will also be shown. The National Park Service heavily promoted the 5500 mile-long “auto trail” which included Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Crater Lake, Glacier, Mount Rainier, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion National Parks. Copies of Whiteley’s book, The Playground Trail: The National Park-to-Park Highway, To and Through the National Parks of the West in 1920, will be available for purchase.
Free Beginning Spanish Classes
Learn Spanish at the library! Sessions begin August 20 and will be held every Wednesday afternoon from 1-3:00 p.m., through September 24. Classes are free and open to adults and teens. Call the library at 303-795-3961 to register for the series.
Afternoon Summer Cinema
Our fragile environment is the theme for three feature film matinees this summer. The movies are free and will be shown on the library’s big screen in the large meeting room. Refreshments will be served.
Matthew Broderick is the freshman, an innocent film school student, who through some comedic misadventures gets involved with “godfather” Brando and his "family". Broderick’s character soon finds himself caught up in a caper involving endangered species and fine dining. The film has been described as “a brilliant gem of a movie” and “hilarious.”
English as a Second Language Classes
Learn English at the library! The fall session of English as a Second Language (ESL) will begin on Monday, August 25. Beginning English classes will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m., Monday-Thursday and 5:30-6:50 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Intermediate English classes will take place from 10:30 a.m.-Noon, Monday-Thursday, and 7:00-8:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These classes are open to teens age sixteen and over and adults who want to learn English or improve their English. There is a registration fee of $25 each semester for adults 21 and older. In addition, for the first semester only, there is a charge of $20 for a textbook. You may register for the classes at the library’s main floor Information Desk anytime during the year. The ESL classes are held in conjunction with Littleton School District Six and instructors are provided by the District. For more information call Phyllis Larison or Dawn Munson, ESL instructor, at the library, 303-795-3961.
Multicultural Dialogue & Film Series
We invite you to join us in celebrating the diversity of Littleton with our monthly Multicultural Dialogue & Film Series held on the last Monday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information please contact Daiga Keller at 720-891-3273 or Laura Diedrich at 303-795-3968. Join us Monday, August 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. for the film, A Day Without A Mexican.
New Databases Available Online
The library has expanded the number of databases available at bemis.sirsi.net. If you click on “data-bases” and then “Ebsco Host” you will have access to the new Consumer Health Complete, which includes the latest health information from magazines and books. Other new databases under the Ebsco heading include Auto Repair Reference Center, Literary Reference Center, Student Research Center for middle school and high school students, Kids Search and Searchasaurus for elementary school students. Novelist K-8, for kindergarten through eighth grades, provides descriptions of recommended books for this age group. Points of View Reference Center assists students in understanding the pros and cons of controversial topics.
Book Groups at Bemis
We have a variety of Book Groups that meet throughout the month. Choose a group that suits your interests and schedule. Then, join us for some stimulating discussions.
Senior Book Club
Meets the first Monday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
* We will meet on the second Mon. in Sept. due to Labor Day.
Monday Evening Book Discussion Group
Meets the third Monday of each month from 7-8 p.m. Join us for:
Russian Language and Literature Group
If you would like to learn Russian or practice speaking Russian, come to the Russian Language and Literature Group, which meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the library. In addition to improving language skills and learning about Russian culture, group members read and discuss a book about Russia each month. For additional information, call Zoya Doennebrink at the library, 303-795-3961.
Teen Central
For more details, call the library at 303-795-3961 or check the Bemis teen blog site online at http://bemisteen.blogspot.com. Join other teens for the following activities:
Watch an episode of an anime feature, draw, play games, and discuss future meetings.
August 2: Grave of the Fireflies
When their mother is killed in the firebombing of Tokyo near the end of World War II, teen Seita and his little sister Setsuko are left on their own. The two children set up housekeeping in a cave by a stream, but their meager resources are quickly exhausted, and Seita is reduced to stealing to feed his sister.
September 6: Oban Star Racers, Vol. 1: The Always Cycle
The year is 2082 and ten thousand years have passed since the last great race on the remote planet of Oban. Now the time has come for the pilots of the galaxy to compete in a new race, and Earth is more than ready with its spectacular Whizzing Arrow star-racer.
October 4: Teknoman
In 2087 humanity is about to lose its position as the dominant life form on planet earth when an endless swarm of biomechanical beings descends from space.
Enjoy this popular interactive video game featuring a different game each month!
Aug. 21: Dancing with the Stars
Sept. 18: Carnival Games
Oct. 16: Wii Sports and Wii Play
Aug. 22: Fall Program Planning
Sept. 26: Teen Read Week Planning
Oct. 24: Winter Program Planning
Panda Rescue
You won’t want to miss this exciting program coming to Bemis next month. Giant Pandas are among the world’s most fascinating and endangered animals; Suzanne Braden, director of Pandas International, will talk about and show pictures of efforts to save the pandas on Saturday, September 6, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Braden was in China following the recent earthquake and visited the Wolong Panda Center where pandas were being rescued from the devastation of the earthquake.
Upcoming Programs at Bemis
Mark your calendars now for these exciting events coming to Bemis next month:
Sat., Sept. 20 - Genealogy Detective Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Sat., Sept. 20 - DNA & Genealogy Workshop, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Free Medical Services Offered
If you do not have medical insurance and need to see a doctor, take advantage of the free medical services being offered by Adventist Community Services (ACS) and Littleton Adventist Hospital. ACS is providing a van equipped as a medical office and staffed with a medical doctor and a nurse. It will be in the Bemis parking lot on Mondays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Services offered include exams, checkups, screenings, and treatment of chronic conditions. Arrangements for this service were negotiated by the Health Care Committee of the Littleton Immigrant Integration Initiative. For more information, please call ACS at 303-935-7389.
Bemis Knitting Group
Knitters of all ages are invited to the library’s knitting group which meets on Friday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. in Sophie’s Place. Bring a pair of needles and a skein of yarn and get ready to knit! Beginners will learn skills such as casting on, knitting, purling, and casting off, while experienced knitters will get project ideas and provide hints and tips for the rest of the group. The group is working on creating gloves, scarves and hats for people who use the free medical van services at the library.
Homebound Delivery Service
Bemis offers a free delivery service to City of Littleton residents who are unable to visit the library due to physical limitations. If you are temporarily or permanently confined to your home because of illness, age or physical disability, we will deliver library materials to you. Available materials include books (even Braille), magazines, CDs, audio books, and videos. If you are interested in this service, please contact librarian Pam Child at 303-795-3961 and let us know what materials you are interested in having delivered to your home once a month by library staff or a wonderful volunteer. Volunteers are needed for this program. Call the library at 303-795-3961 to volunteer.
Volunteer at Bemis!
Bemis is seeking volunteers who are willing to make a three hour per week commitment for at least three months. We have openings for volunteers to perform the following tasks: shelving, delivering books to homebound patrons, processing materials, mending, and assisting with programs for both Adult and Children’s Services. Training will be provided. Please call the library at 303-795-3961 for more details.
Have Lunch at Sophie’s Place Café!
Sandwiches, salads and quiche along with divine desserts and hot or cold thirst-quenching beverages are available at Sophie’s Place Café at the west end of the reading lounge. Meet your friends at the library for a bite to eat, a hot cup of coffee or tea and a nice chat!
Sophie’s Place Café Hours:
Tues.-Thurs.: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Fri.-Sat.: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sun.-Mon.: Closed
We Can Meet Your Computer & Internet Needs
Did you know Bemis has 22 Internet access computers on the lower level of the library, plus another six located in the Children’s Room for use by our patrons in 5th grade and younger?
Our computers use Microsoft operating systems and software that includes Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. All of our PCs are linked to printers. Printing costs are $0.10 a page for black only or $.0.25 a page for color. Our computer lab, which has 12 PCs, may be scheduled for group use. We are happy to
assist patrons individually at any time if you need help in using the computers or the Internet.
We also offer free computer and Internet classes on a regular basis. To find out about group use of our computer lab, upcoming classes, or to place your name on a call list for notification when future classes are scheduled, call the library at 303-795-3961 or stop by the Information Desk.
Currently, space is available in the following classes:
Saturday, October 4, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, September 6, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, October 8, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
· Keyword & Boolean Search Strategies Wednesday, September 10, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Class Descriptions:
· Keyword & Boolean Search Strategies - Covers how to create a search strategy using keyword and Boolean search techniques to find the information you are looking for in the library’s online catalog and subscription databases.
Children’s Programs
Hooray Readers! Over 10,000 reading hours were logged by over 1900 participants in our Catch the Reading Bug @ Bemis Summer Reading Program! Thanks to everyone who participated, encouraged and supported kids in their reading efforts!
Special Children’s Programs
Friday Flick, - Nim’s Island,
August 15 @ 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a final summer adventure on Nim’s Island. A movie for kids in grades K-5 shown on the library’s big screen. Based on the book by Wendy Orr, the film is rated PG and runs 96 minutes. For additional details, see article on Page 1.
Coming Next Month
September is National Library Card
Sign-Up Month
Celebrate with us by getting a card or using the one you already have. Kids, show your new card and receive a prize at the Children’s Desk during September.
Magical Reading Circus with Bill Anderson
Saturday September 13 @ 2:00 p.m.
For kids ages 3 & up. Laugh along with this exuberant entertainer as he weaves together magical tales filled with mystery and music accompanied by zany puppetry. The stories come to life as Bill shows us that reading really is an amazing adventure! Please join us for this one of a kind show celebrating books, reading, and libraries.
Get Smart @ Bemis
Thursday, September 18, 7:00 p.m. or
Saturday, September 20, 3:00 p.m.
A NEW Internet skills class for kids in grades 3-5 and their parents with tips on:
· Exploring dynamic databases for research and homework.
· Using the Internet for facts & fun.
· Finding great books to read, too!
Please call 303-795-3961 to register for one of these free sessions.
Weekly Story Sessions
Following an August break, weekly story sessions will resume on September 2.
Story Box - Ages infant-36 months
Tues. & Wed. at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
For infants and a caring adult. Space is limited. Free tickets available one week in advance.
Preschool Story Time
Ages 3-Kindergarten
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.& 1:30 p.m.
Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Thirty minutes of stories, songs, and fun!
Saturday Stories
Ages 3-Kindergarten
2nd & 4th Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
Siblings and parents are welcome, too.
Schedule of Library Events
Friday,
August 1 Bemis Knitting Group, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday,
August 2 Computer Comfort, Space Available, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Teen Anime Club, 12:00 noon
Monday,
August 4 Senior Book Club, 2:00 p.m.
Free Medical Services Van, Bemis Parking Lot, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday,
August 6 Library Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 7-17 Annual Bag of Books Sale
Thursday,
August 7 Baila Conmigo Dancers, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Friday,
August 8 Bemis Knitting Group, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday,
August 9 Mousercise, Space Available, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Monday,
August 11 Free Medical Services Van, Bemis Parking Lot, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday,
August 13 Introduction to Windows, Space Available, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Thursday,
August 14 Denver Taiko Drum & Dance, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Russian Language & Literature Group, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday,
August 15 Friday Flick, Nim’s Island, For Grades K-5, 2:00 p.m.
Bemis Knitting Group, 2:00 p.m.
Monday,
August 18 Free Medical Services Van, Bemis Parking Lot, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Monday Evening Book Discussion Group, 7-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday,
August 19 The Playground Trail: The National Park-to-Park Highway with author Lee Whiteley, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday,
August 20 Beginning Spanish Class, Course Full, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Thursday,
August 21 Teen Games: Wii, 3:30 p.m.
Friday,
August 22 Bemis Knitting Group, 2:00 p.m.
Teen Advisory Group (TAG), 3:30 p.m.
Monday,
August 25 Afternoon Summer Cinema: The Freshman, 2-3:45 p.m.
Free Medical Services Van, Bemis Parking Lot, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Multicultural Dialogue & Film Series: A Day Without A Mexican, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday,
August 27 Beginning Spanish Class, Course Full, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Monday,
Sept. 1 Labor Day LIBRARY CLOSED
Tuesday,
Sept. 2 Story Box, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday,
Sept. 3 Story Box, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Library Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday,
Sept., 4 Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Friday,
Sept. 5 Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m.
Bemis Knitting Group, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday,
Sept. 6 Introduction to Windows, Space Available, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Teen Anime Club, 12:00 noon
Panda Rescue, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Find specific program details elsewhere in this newsletter.
Bemis Public Library
City of Littleton
6014 South Datura Street
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303-795-3961
Fax: 303-795-3996
TDD: 303-795-3913
E-Mail: bemislib@earthlink.net
Web Site: http://www.littletongov.org/bemis/default.asp
Online Catalog:
Phone Renewal: 303-797-0566
Dial-a-Story: 303-795-3960
LIBRARY HOURS: M-Th 9-9; F-Sa 9-5; Su 1-5
If you are disabled and seeking an accommodation
to participate in a Library program, please notify the Library
one week in advance in writing or by calling 303-795-3961 or TDD 303-795-3913.
Behind the Cover is published monthly by Bemis Public Library.
Behind the Cover Designer/Editor: Julie Clark Kingery
Contributors: Bemis Library Staff