Teen Blog

One Book, One Michiana, created by the St. Joseph County Public Library, is an annual event during which the entire Michiana community reads the same book. Themed events and activities are planned by participating libraries and community organizations. This year’s book is THE KILLER ANGELS, Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the four days before and during the Battle of Gettysburg, as seen through the eyes of four generals and their men.

You can find THE KILLER ANGELS at local bookstores and libraries. EPL has multiple copies. Check our online Public Access Catalog for availability.

One Book, One Michiana 2013 runs from April 1 – May 11.  We have an exciting array of program and events for you, including visits from a historian, Union and Confederate soldiers, a president and a first lady.

  Special Guests

Civil War (Union) Soldier

The Civil War comes alive as a uniformed Union soldier visits each of our locations. He will guide you through the trials and tribulations of the Civil War, on the battlefield and on the home front in Elkhart County. The program will presented by Frank Fisher from the Elkhart County Historical Museum.

April 9, 6:30 p.m.  — Pierre Moran Branch
April 11, 6:30 p.m. — Cleveland Branch
April 16, 6:30 p.m. — Osolo Branch
April 17,  6:30 p.m. – Main Library
April 18, 6:30 p.m. — Dunlap Branch
Adults and children are welcome.

Life of the Civil War Soldier: a Confederate Perspective

Duane Clark of the Elkhart Police Department brings 14 years experience of Civil War reenactment to life.  Told from the perspective of a Confederate soldier, he brings his insights into the peril of the average soldier on either side of the war.

April 23 — Pierre Moran Branch, 6:30 p.m.
April 30 — Dunlap Branch, 6:30 p.m.
May 7 — Cleveland Branch, 6:30 p.m.
For grade school children through adult.

Historian’s View

April 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Osolo Branch:
Don Parker will present an overview of the book, KILLER ANGELS. Mr. Parker has deep ancestral ties to the war and has been researching it for 20 years. He will share what he has learned of events leading up to the war, major battles, and the impact the war had on the American people. Ages High School and up.  Though this is a combined gathering of  the Osolo Branch 2nd Monday Night Page Turners and the Main Library Book Club, everyone (high school age and older) is invited to attend.

President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln

April 22, 5:30 p.m.at the Main Library
Have you ever wondered what it is like to grow up in a cabin? What makes Mrs. Lincoln’s dress stand out? Come and find out when President & Mrs. Lincoln come for a visit, sponsored by the Friends of the Elkhart Public Library.  The Lincolns cordially request the presence of both children and adults.

 One Book, Many Events

We have a wide variety of other One Book, One Michiana activities planned, too, including a Civil War-era movie series, pioneer crafts and a musical performance by the Promissory Notes. For a location-by-location lineup, see Library News blog One Book, Many Events or, if you prefer a calendar view, check our Events Calendar.

Among the many One Book, One Michiana events scheduled for this spring will be a Civil War era-themed movie series at the Main Library.  It begins with LINCOLN on April 3 and culminates May 1 with the James Stewart classic SHENANDOAH. Enjoy!

Main Library Civil War Movie Series

•  April 3, 5:30-8:00 p.m.  –  LINCOLN (PG-13)
• April 12, 1:00-5:30 p.m. – GONE WITH THE WIND (NR)
• April 17, 5:30-8:00 p.m. – FRIENDLY PERSUASION (NR)
• April 26, 2:00-6:00 p.m. – GODS AND GENERALS (PG-13)
• May 1, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – SHENANDOAH (NR)

One Book, One Michiana runs from April 1 – May 11. The 2013 selection is Michael Shaara’s KILLER ANGELS. Elkhart Public Library has an exciting line-up of programs and events centered around this year’s Civil War era theme.
Click here for a complete schedule of EPL’s One Book, One Michiana activities.

 One Book, One Michiana

THE KILLER ANGELS by Michael Shaara is this year’s One Book, One Michiana selection. The Pulitzer Prize winning novel depicts the Battle of Gettysburg as seen through the eyes of four generals and their men.  You can find THE KILLER ANGELS at local bookstores and libraries. EPL has multiple copies. You can check our online Public Access Catalog for availability.

One Book, One Michiana 2013 runs from April 1 – May 11.  Elkhart Public Library has an exciting line-up of programs and activities with Civil War era themes. Here is a schedule of events by location. If you prefer a calendar view this link will take you to our  Events Calendar.

Cleveland Branch

 Civil War Crafts for Kids:

• April 2, 3:30 p.m. — Make a quilt from colored paper
• April 9, 3:30 p.m. — Create a message using codes
• April 16, 3:30 p.m. — Make a Civil War housewife sewing kit
• April 24, 3:30-4:30 p.m. — Create a thaumatrope
• April 30, 3:30-4:30 p.m. — Make a Union or Confederate flag.

Civil War (Union) Soldier 
April 11, 6:30 p.m.
(Description below) All ages, adults and children

Life of the Civil War Soldier: a Confederate Perspective
May 7, 6:30 p.m.
(Description below) Ages: Grade school through adult

Throughout April:

• Stop in and put some pieces into an ongoing jigsaw puzzle
• Handouts for adults and teens:
  • Civil War Word Search
  • KILLER ANGELS crossword puzzle
  • KILLER ANGELS trivia quiz
• Handouts for children:
  • Civil War word searches
  • Civil War word puzzles
  • Coloring sheets

Dunlap Branch

Civil War (Union) Soldier 
April 18, 6:30 p.m.
(Description below) All ages: adults and children

Pioneer Crafts
April 23, 4:00  p.m.
Learn how to make butter and a braided rug for a dollhouse, planter or hot dish.  Grades K-4

Life of the Civil War Soldier: a Confederate Perspective
April 30, 6:30 p.m.
(Description below) Ages: Grade school through adult

Main Library

Civil War Activities
April 4, 2:00 p.m.
Explore the experiences of the Civil War with real hands on activities in a soldier’s life like drills, fixing food, and learning about medicine while caring for a wounded soldier.  Children – all ages

Civil War (Union) Soldier 
April 17, 6:30 p.m. (Description below) All ages, adults and children

President & Mrs. Abraham Lincoln
April 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to grow up in a cabin? What makes Mrs. Lincoln’s dress stand out? Come and find out when President & Mrs. Lincoln come for a visit. Sponsored by the Friends of the Elkhart Public Library. All ages, adults and children

Promissory Notes Performance
April 29, 6-7:30 p.m.
The Promissory Notes folk band will play selections from the Civil War era. They will also discuss the type of instruments used during that time. All ages, adults and children

Main Library Civil War Movie Series

• April 3, 5:30-8:00 p.m.  –  LINCOLN (PG)
• April 12, 1:00-5:30 p.m. – GONE WITH THE WIND (NR)
• April 17, 5:30-8:00 p.m. – FRIENDLY PERSUASION (NR)
• April 26, 2:00-6:00 p.m. – GODS AND GENERALS (PG-13)
• May 1, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – SHENANDOAH (NR)

Osolo Branch

KILLER ANGELS Presentation
April 8, 6:30 p.m.
The  Osolo Branch 2nd Monday Night Page Turners Book Club invites you to experience the Civil War from the perspective of local historian Don Parker. He will present an overview of KILLER ANGELS and share what he has learned of the war and its impact the war had on the American people.  Mr. Parker has deep ancestral ties to the war and has been researching it for 20 years.  The Main Library Book Club members will attend this event in lieu of their usual April meeting.  Adults and high school-aged teens are welcome.

Kids Book Club: CIVIL WAR ON SUNDAY (Magic Tree House) 
April 9 & 16, 3:30 p.m.  – Ages 8 years and up

Civil War (Union) Soldier 
April 16, 6:30 p.m. (Description below) Ages: adults and children

Kids Book Club: MEET ADDY (American Girl)
April 23 & 30, 3:30 p.m. — Ages 8 years and up

Thursday Night Movie
April 11, 6:00 p.m. —  Ages 13 and up
DOG JACK (PG-13)

Pierre Moran Branch

Civil War Challenge
April 3, All day (9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Test your Civil War knowledge and win a prize! Grades 3 and up.

Civil War (Union) Soldier 
April 9, 6:30 p.m.
(Description below) Ages: adults and children

Life of the Civil War Soldier: a Confederate Perspective
April 23, 6:30 p.m.
(Description below) Ages: Grade school through adult 

Multiple Locations

Civil War (Union) Soldier
The Civil War comes alive as a uniformed Union soldier guides you through the trials and tribulations of the Civil War on the battlefield and on the home front in Elkhart County. The program will presented by Frank Fisher from the Elkhart County Historical Museum.  All ages: Children and adults.
Appearing at the Main Library and all four Branches.

Life of the Civil War Soldier: a Confederate Perspective
Duane Clark of the Elkhart Police Department brings 14 years experience of Civil War reenactment to life.  Told from the perspective of a Confederate soldier, he brings his insights into the peril of the average soldier on either side of the war. Ages: Grade school through adult
Appearing at the Dunlap, Cleveland and Pierre Moran Branches.

Activities and programs for the week of March 18-23, 2013. Click on an event for details and sign-up information.

CLEVELAND BRANCH

Thursday
6:30 p.m. – Bedtime Stories (all ages)

Friday
All day – Take It and Make It  (all ages)

Saturday
All day – Take It and Make It  (all ages)

DUNLAP BRANCH

Tuesday
10:00 a.m. – Preschool Time (ages 4-6)
4:00 p.m. – After School Special (grades K-4)

Thursday
10:00 a.m. – Toddler Time (ages 2-3)

MAIN LIBRARY

Monday
12 -5 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (VITA)

Tuesday
4:00 p.m. – Scratch Computer Class (ages 8-11)

Wednesday
2-7 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (VITA)
6:00 p.m. – Movie: RED DAWN (PG-13)

Thursday
11:00 a.m. – Computer Class: Email
4:00 p.m. – Adventure Discoveries: Easter Extravaganza (all ages)

Saturday
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (VITA)

OSOLO BRANCH

Tuesday
4-7 p.m. – Old School Gaming (ages 12 and up)

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. – Story Time (ages 2-5)

Saturday
9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (AARP)

PIERRE MORAN BRANCH

Tuesday
10:00 a.m. – Story Time (ages 2-6)

Thursday
5:00 p.m. – Art Attack! (ages 10-18)

Are you seeking funding for your organization, project, education or research? You can simplify your search with our newest Online Resource, GrantSelect.

GrantSelect is a comprehensive database that connects you directly to available grants, awards, and fellowships. It features a broad range of up-to-date funding opportunities, including support for arts and culture, humanities, children and youth, community development, education, faith-based groups, minority populations and research.

Access to GrantSelect is FREE for Elkhart Public Library resident card holders and can also be accessed free at any EPL location.

To access GrantSelect:

1. Go to myepl.org/info247
2. Click +Grants
3. Click Access from Home*
4. Enter your library card number

*If you are using an Elkhart Public Library computer, choose GrantSelect. You will not be asked for your card number.

User-friendly, easily searchable and updated daily, GrantSelect is a highly effective fund-finding tool for any grant seeker.

If you are new to the grant process, you may be interested in reading Jack Kraicer’s The Art of Grantsmanship on Grantseekers’ Café.**  Kraicer provides step-by-step guidelines on preparing grant applications from the moment of conception to the final proposal.

**Grantseekers’ Café, a blog featuring “news, information, advice, tutorials and networking for anyone seeking a grant” is published by Schoolhouse Partners, owner and operator of the GrantSelect database.

Activities, programs  & meetings for the week of March 18-23, 2013. Click on an event for details and sign-up information.

CLEVELAND BRANCH

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. – Story Time (ages 2-6)
3:30 p.m. – Kids’ Book Club (3^rd & 4^th grade)

Thursday
3:30 p.m. – After School Special (K-6^th grade)

DUNLAP BRANCH

Tuesday
10:00 a.m. – Preschool Time (ages 4-6)

Thursday
10:00 a.m. – Toddler Time (ages 2-3)

 MAIN LIBRARY

Monday
12 -5 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (VITA)
6:30 p.m. – Internet for Beginners class
6:30 p.m. – Book Club: CITY OF THIEVES

Tuesday
4:00 p.m. – Teen Manga Club (ages 12-18)
5:30 p.m. – EPL Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. – Windows Basics computer class
2-7 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (VITA)
4:00 p.m. – Family Movie: WRECK IT RALPH
6:00 p.m. – Friends of EPL Annual Membership Meeting

Thursday
2-4 p.m. – Computer Tutor One-on-One classes

Saturday
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (VITA)

OSOLO BRANCH

Tuesday
3:30 p.m. – After School Special (ages 6 and up)

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. – Story Time (ages 2-5)

Saturday
9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Free Tax Assistance (AARP)

PIERRE MORAN BRANCH

Tuesday
10:00 a.m. – Story Time (ages 2-6)

Does this sound familiar? You are browsing our online catalog and run across a title you want to remember for future check-out. You jot it  on a scrap of paper. A few weeks later you are at the Library looking for something to read. If ONLY you could remember where you put that piece of paper!

We have a solution: a simple way to list items for later check-out, keep track of EPL books you have read, perhaps collect titles on a specific subject for future reference …  Create and save lists to your EPL online account!  You can log into your account from home, work or any Public Access Catalog computer at any EPL location  and find your lists where you need them, when you need them!

Follow these steps to start creating your own lists.

How to create a list:

1. Sign into your Elkhart Public Library account, using your library card number and PIN.
2. On the left side of the screen, beyond the “my account” information find the My Lists box.
3. Click on the plus sign next to My Lists.
4. Click on Create new saved list. This will open a new page where you will create your list.
5. Enter a title for your list in the text bar, and then click Create list.
6. A new page will come up, confirming the creation of your list. To create another list, click on Create new saved title list and follow the instructions in step 5.

Now that you have created your list(s), you are ready to add titles.

How to add titles to a list

1. Click  SEARCH on the navigation bar and select the type of search you want to perform. The most commonly used is “keyword.”
2. Type what you are  searching  for and click Go!
3. When you find the title you were looking for, or if you see something that interests you, click on the blue text that reads Add to List. 
4. Click on the list where you want to save the title. 

The word (added) will appear in red. Congratulations! You have successfully saved the title to your list!

Reviewing, Sharing and Printing your lists

6. To review any list, find  My Lists on the left side of the screen. Select any list to see the titles it contains.

7.  Once you have opened a list, look at the top right corner, just under the navigation bar.  To print your list, select Printer Friendly and follow your usual process for printing.  To send it as an email, click Email List.

The library is celebrating Teen Tech Week, March 10-16! Teen Tech Week is all about using technology at the library, so this is what we are going to do. The library is offering three great technology programs the week of March 10-16. Check in at all three!

Teen Wii Tuesday, March 12 at 4:00.

Join us as we play the Nintendo Wii and challenge your friends in your favorite games!

E-book Demos Wednesday, March 13 at 4:00.

Learn about all the different types of e-readers and tablets in our devices petting zoo. Learn how to check out e-books from the library.

Rube Goldberg Machine Challenge Friday, March 15 at 4:00.

You’ve seen those machines that use a a complex series of marbles, dominoes, and pulleys to make your breakfast. We’re going to build one at the library! Challenge: to make build a machine that uses a chain reaction to complete a simple task. We’ll have all the supplies, you bring the ideas. Compete with other teams for the prize!

CLEAR YOUR LIBRARY ACCOUNT & START FRESH

Do you have overdue library materials? LONG overdue library materials? LONG, LONG overdue library materials?

WE WILL GLADLY TAKE THEM BACK, and CLEAR YOUR ACCOUNT of all related charges!

Here’s how it works:

• Return all undamaged, overdue materials to the Circulation Desk at any Elkhart Public Library location between March 4 & March 30, 2013.
• THEY MUST BE RETURNED DIRECTLY TO A CIRCULATION STAFF MEMBER. Items dropped in the drop box, return slot or on the counter will not qualify for amnesty.
• The staff member will waive all fines and fees related to the returned items.

For more information call 574-522-2665.

Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and the Civil War

Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library in Downtown Elkhart

Discover how a Union president and a Confederate deserter fought against slavery and racism pre- and post-Civil War. Join us as veteran performer Dave Ehlert portrays both Lincoln and Twain in this live theatrical production of historical drama, humor and education.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Elkhart Public Library.

The event is a perfect prelude to this year’s One Book, One Michiana,  April 1-May 11. The 2013 “One Book” selection is THE KILLER ANGELS by Michael Shaara. If you want to get a head start on reading (or listening to) it, you can find it in our online catalog or in area book stores.

We will offer a variety of related activities and programs, which will be described in a future post. Check our April and May Event Calendars for a sneak preview.