Month: June 2017

Intro To Ancestry

Posted on by Kim

Are you interested in learning about your family history but don’t know where to begin? There are many avenues to finding your family origins. Let us show you how to trace your family back generations. We will attempt to make it easy for you to understand. Mr. Roy Lambert, Local History Librarian, will host a brief orientation into Ancestry. Ancestry is the world’s largest online family research authority. This program will be Thursday, July 13, 2017 @ 2:00 PM and will be held at The Local History Library @ The Depot. He will introduce you to the basics of research with an informal lesson on how to navigate through your family tree. Admission is free. Reservations are LIMITED and REQUIRED. Phone the library today to guarantee your reservation. Reservations may be placed at The Local History Library @ The Depot, 812-926-4363; The Aurora Public Library, 812-926-0646; The Dillsboro Public Library, 812-432-5200.

The 2017 Indiana State Fair is Almost Here!

Posted on by Shelby

This year, the Indiana State Fair will take place during August 4 through 20 and the theme is “The Wonderful World of Food,” and if that doesn’t catch your attention, I don’t know what will. Each day, for the endurance of the fair, will celebrate specific foods important to the state of Indiana, like Deep Fried Food on August 4, Cheese on August 11, and Honey on August 20. The fair will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis on over 250 acres with 20 venues, where the fair has been held every year since 1892.

There are plenty of promotional days and deals, like “$2 Tuesday” on August 15, where admission is only $2, “AAA Day,” where AAA cardholders receive free admission on August 17, and more! There will be games, rides, and, of course, food for all ages along the Midway and plenty of parking options.

Performances will include Blue October on August 11, Danny Gokey on August 13, Dashboard Confessional with The All-American Rejects on August 16, and much more! There will be a Cheerleading Competition, “Monster Truck Madness,” and a Demolition Derby, not to mention all of the exhibits and activities planned, like Go-Karts, Hendrick’s Racing Pigs, Purdue University Interactive Exhibits, livestock, and Watermelon Seed Spitting, just to name a few.

There is something for everyone at the Indiana State Fair! You can pick up a free brochure from the Aurora Public Library or Dillsboro Public Library today for a day-by-day information guide, sponsor information, and parking and ticket information. The brochure also includes a map of the grounds that you can use.

You can purchase tickets and parking at the gates or online, but if you purchase online, it is a few dollars cheaper. The fair will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

For more information on ticket prices and hours, pick up a brochure from the Aurora or Dillsboro branch today. By the way, be sure to like us on Facebook; there might be a surprise contest or two that you might be interested in winning between now and the end of the Summer Reading Program. (And you don’t want to miss the surprise!)

 

Series Starters: Wicked

Posted on by Shelby

Everyone knows the L.Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but not many people knew of the Wicked Witch of the West’s side of the story until Gregory Maguire decided to tell it. Maguire is known for retelling classic fairy tales, often from other characters’ points of view.

The story of Wicked is the story of Elphaba, a peculiar, misunderstood green-skinned girl who has grown up as anything but normal. She’s smart and perceptive, so it’s no surprise that she is accepted into Shiz, one of Oz’s most prestigious academies. As Elphaba comes into her own, she realizes that her definition of good and bad is not necessarily the Wizard’s definition of good and bad. She challenges the norm, along with some new friends — including a beautiful, blonde-haired girl named Galinda from the north — and a love interest. Wicked shows that there are definitely more than two sides to every story, and the side that was accounted by Dorothy and her friends might not necessarily have been the whole truth.

Maguire has done different retellings of Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Snow White, and others, but his Wicked series is my favorite. Not to mention how much I love the musical of the same title, which is based off of the first book! If you’re looking for a fantasy series that already feels familiar, then the Wicked series is one for you!

Happy Reading!

Classic Literature Anniversaries: Wuthering Heights

Posted on by Ashton

Everyone knows about the wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a child adopted by Catherine’s father. After her father’s death, Heathcliff is bullied and ultimately humiliated by Catherine’s brother and wrongly believes that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, so he leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return as a wealthy and polished man. He exacts a terrible revenge for his former miseries.

This classic turns 170 years old this year!

Source: Goodreads

Ancestry.com tutorial program

Posted on by Bobbie
Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com offers a wide and diverse variety of content allowing you to trace your family history and lineage. This includes the complete Federal Census from 1790 through 1930, an Immigration Collection, Court Records, Military Records through WWI, and other diverse family and local history records. Roy Lambert, our Local History expert will walk you through how to use this marvelous resource to trace your family tree, or just discover more about that one elusive relative.

The program is Thursday July 13th, at 2:00 p.m.

Advance registration required, space is limited.

Build a Better World through Music with Tom Sieling!

Posted on by Shelby

We’re Building a Better World through Music with Tom Sieling! Tom will be at the Dillsboro Public Library on Tuesday, June 27 during Construction Zone at 2 p.m.

Tom Sieling, widely acclaimed singer and songwriter from Newfield, New York, will perform a free family/children’s program called “Take a Tromp Through the Swamp!” This show consists of the most fun, humorous, and participatory kids’ songs Tom knows, along with cool facts about area animals and pictures of them and the homes they build.

Tom accompanies himself on guitar, banjo, harmonica, and a drum machine, and all songs include parts for the whole family, which means that the audience gets to participate, too!

All ages are invited and registration is not required for this event.

Thank You, Community!

Posted on by Shelby

The Aurora Public Library District loves our community! But what, exactly, is a community, besides the familiar buildings, neighborhoods, and surroundings we see or interact with on a regular basis?

My favorite definitions are (from the Merriam-Webster dictionary):

“a unified body of individuals;” “people with common interests living in a particular area.”

Communities band together in times of great crisis and need, as well as in times of happiness and celebration. Those in communities lend a helping hand where it’s needed and work together for the greater good. The Aurora Public Library District’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Building a Better World,” and what better place to start building that world than the community in your own backyard?

The Aurora Public Library District would be lost without our patrons and the wonderful community we have. We are thankful that you have let us be a part of your lives, and we are so happy to be a part of yours! We are also thankful for our wonderful community sponsors, who have donated money and prizes for the Summer Reading Program!

The Aurora Public Library District would like to extend our thanks to:

           Aurora Lions Club                                                     Fraternal Order of Eagles #2022

Baker and Taylor                                                           Friendship State Bank

           Deville Pharmacies                                                           Rullman Hunger Funeral Home

United Community Bank

What better way to celebrate our wonderful community than by attending a Community Celebration at the Dillsboro Public Library on Tuesday, June 20 from 1-2:30 p.m. and at the Aurora Public Library on Wednesday, June 21 from 1-2:30 p.m?

We can’t wait to see you there!

Community Concert with Matthew Ball!

Posted on by Shelby

Join the Aurora Public Library District on Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Local History Library @ the Depot for a free outdoor Community Concert. Bring your own lawn chair or a blanket for a night of great music by pianist Matthew Ball.

Matthew Ball is a pianist and songwriter specializing in music from the ’20’s, ’30’s, and ’40’s. He plays a variety of genres, including jazz, swing, ragtime, blues, and boogie-woogie. He’s sure to get your toes tapping and your spirits soaring!

The concert is free for everyone and for all ages, and no registration is required. Bring the whole family! Let’s Build a Better World through Community!

Build a Better World with Community Celebrations!

Posted on by Shelby

Join the Aurora Public Library District as we Build a Better World through Community during the third full week of June! This week, instead of Storyhour and Construction Zone, the Aurora and Dillsboro branches will be hosting Community Celebrations!

The Community Celebration will take place at the Dillsboro Public Library on Tuesday, June 20 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Community Celebration will take place at the Aurora Public Library on Wednesday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Rain or shine, we will have games, hot dogs, chips, and a fire truck to check out at both branches! Registration is not required for this family-friendly event.

Bring the whole family and stay for the whole time, or feel free to come and go as you please.

Teen Programs Begin June 8

Posted on by Peggy

Build a Better World Teen Poster

 

Our “Build a Better World” teen programs get started on Thursday evening, June 8th from 6-8 PM at the Aurora Public Library. These programs are open to anyone ages 13-19 and always include games, activities and snacks. Teen programs will take place most Thursdays in June and July. One exception will be on June 15th, when there will be no evening program. However, teens are invited to create a mixed-media art journal on June 15th from 2-5 pm. The art journal program does require advance registration and you’ll need to be able to attend on June 29th to complete your journal.

One highlight for teens this summer will be a special Music and Movement workshop presented by performers from Bi-Okoto, an African drum and dance ensemble.

Other evenings we will be exploring ways to contribute to our world through writing, service, art and more. We’ll also be sharing lots of great book recommendations as we go through the summer. Each time you come into the library, remember to enter a drawing for one of our great prizes. Mark Thursday evenings down as your night at the library and bring some friends with you!

Build a Better World Logo for Teens