Ginny Curtin Photography--First Friday's Online Program

On display now at the Central Resource Library is the nature photography of Ginny Curtin. Curtin says the following about her photography:

From the serenity of Mount Rainier at sunrise to the intricacy of a butterfly feeding; nature fascinates me! I have been blessed to travel throughout North American and study with such wonderful nature photographers as John Shaw, David Middleton, Scott Bourne and Nancy Rotenberg. The images displayed represent my work, from the moment of digital capture, through printing in my “digital darkroom” on archival paper. I hope you enjoy the images on display as much as I do!

Ginny Curtin will also be the Library’s guest speaker for the First Friday’s online program on June 2. The program is scheduled to begin at noon. The exciting aspect to online programming is that it doesn’t matter where you are. If you can read this blog post, then you can log in to the presentation, listen, and even ask questions. This is an opportunity you definitely don’t want to miss!

For more on the Ginny Curtin Photography online program and other online programs at the Library look here.

To see some more of Ginny Curtin’s nature photography look here.

Meet the Library Staff - Marge Vallazza

Marge Vallazza started working as a Circulation Clerk at the Antioch Library in January 2001. Before coming to work at the Antioch Library she had been a “superpatron” both when Antioch was the main library and after when it was a branch. A superpatron is library slang for someone who tarries at the library and checks out a lot of books—in other words, just the kind of patron the library wants. While a superpatron Marge teased the Antioch staff about coming to work for the library following retirement. And in 2001, she did just that. Since then Marge has worked three and half years at the Antioch Library and another two years at the Central Library. But before becoming a member of the staff at Johnson County Library, she had another past.

Marge has always loved books and reading. She learned to read before attending school when her older sister, Lizzie, brought home her books for homework and passed on what she had learned. Since then books and libraries have been an important part of Marge’s life. One of Marge's earliest memories is going to the main library in downtown El Paso with her mother to get her first library card. Marge, who was five years old at the time, was going to be entering the first grade. At that time, parents of children who were to attend first grade were given a list of books that had to be read by the first day of school. Marge’s trip to the library led to a surprise, however. For when the library clerk looked Marge’s name up in preparation to set up a new library account, she asked Marge if she had ever had a library card before. Of course, Marge hadn’t. The clerk then told Marge that the library had eight other patrons with her exact name. In hindsight this makes sense, after all, Marge’s full name was the Spanish equivalent of "Mary Smith." Still, it had all the appearances of being a minor set back. Nevertheless, the five-year old Marge prevailed that day as her birthday distinguished her identity. She left the library, successfully, with several books and her new library card—the key to exciting armchair adventures!

However, five year old girls grow up fast and it was soon time for Marge to set off for further adventures at the university. Marge attended University of Texas, El Paso, where she studied cultural anthropology and creative writing with the thought that she would get a degree in English. Towards the end of her studies, Marge was persuaded that it would be more in her benefit, financially, to forego graduating with an English degree, so instead she finished with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. Following graduation, Marge worked for the federal government where she played many different roles, including a writer, an editor, and a reports analyst (aka writing consultant).

Marge has a gift for language. She enjoys both writing poetry and public speaking. For Marge, her gift of language has often taken the form of public performances and, recently, recordings of those performances. Marge started writing poetry to express her thoughts and feelings about her diverse family roots. It was this family diversity that stirred Marge’s interest in genealogy, where she avidly pursues her own Anglo-Irish-Scottish and Mexican roots and what Marge calls her children's "textbook American history" roots.

In addition to her personal interests, Marge also finds her family and Christian faith to be an important part of her life. Marge and her husband, Mario, share six daughters and numerous grandchildren. They are very proud of their different accomplishments. In conclusion, Marge is excited to announce that her younger sister, Jacci, graduated with honors this May with a Master’s in Library Science.

Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales

We will go to any means to get you to read. Well, almost any means. Antioch Library staff and Friends of the Library have definitely been living on the edge, however. Check out what they have been doing.

Here is Antioch Information Specialist Jennifer Otto giving new meaning to the expression of taking your life in your hands.



To get into the spirit Antioch Library Staff and Friends of the Library pose outside a Library van decked for the Turkey Creek Parade held Saturday, May 20, in Merriam. The van was full of critters including a giant badger.



This one definitely has both claws and scales. This Antioch Library staff member donated his hand to the great cause of getting you to read this summer. Due to an unforeseen mishap, we are still looking for the rest of him.



Now if Antioch Library staff can get this involved in the Summer Reading Program surely you can get involved too. We have three reading programs this summer—Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales for children, Creature Feature for those who finished fifth grade and above, and lastly, Report Not Required for adult educators and librarians. To check out more information on any of these reading programs look here.

Taiwanese Festival

On Saturday May 13 Johnson County Library hosted the Taiwanese Festival at the Central Library. About two hundred attended the event where they learned about Taiwanese culture including costume, food, and art.

Enjoy some pictures from Saturday’s event.

Adventures of Bob and Willy by Patrick-Young Writers Contest Winner

Adventures of Bob and Willy

by

Patrick, Age 8

Illustrated by Brad Sneed

"Come on Bob, we have a fishing boat waiting for us.” O.k. Willy! It’s just that it’s hard to walk on the sand when it’s so hot! Don’t you mean it hurts to walk on the sand when it’s os hot? Asked Willy. Oh. Yeah. “Well, lets get in .” Said Willy. “But I am in”. said Bob. Okay then. Lets go. Are you sure about this Willy? Of course I am Bob. “Okay then. Lets start rowing. “ said Bob, “Okay.” Said Willy. “Wow! Said Willy. “I know” said Bob. “Weeeeeeee!!!” Said Willy. “Yaaaaaaaaaa!!!” Said Bob. Bob? Yes Willy? What are you doing? “Talking”. Said Bob. “Oh”. Said Willy. Don’t you like riding in this boat? “Uh-Huh.”. Said Bob.

“Uh Willy, I think we should go back”. Said Bob. “Why?: Asked Willy. Because there is a big shark back there and it looks really hungry. “Well as long as it isn’t a shark we’ll be okay.” Said Willy. But I did”. Said Bob even louder than before. “Hey wait a minute”. Said Willy looking down at the shark.” That’s not a shark that’s a whale! “Whew.” Said Bob. “Ya whew.” Said Willy wiping his forehead… “AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! A WHALE!! They both said together.

“Hey Willy, I think that whale ate the sun.” Exclaimed Bob. “No Bob. That whale didn’t eat the sun it ate us! “Yelled Willy. “So is that why it smells like rotten eggs in here?” Asked Bob. Then suddenly there was a loud rumbling noise and the boat began to shake.

“ I want my mommy!” Yelled Bob. The whales going to explode!” Yelled Willy. Just then the boat started rising and the whale spewed them out into the bright sunlight. “Yah!” Screamed Bob. “I can see again! It’s a miracle!” “No it’s not.” Said Willy. “We just went through the blowhole.” “Oh.” Said Bob. Then there was a big thud. “Land! Solid land! “Cried Bob. “He Quickly jumped out and kissed the earth. “WOW!” Said Willy. “That was some boat ride!” “Ya but how ‘bout we just take a cruise next time.” Said Bob. “Oh Bob” Sighed Willy.

The End

Teens Wanted to Name New Web Site

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.
—Romeo and Juliet

We’re looking for a name for the Library's forthcoming new and improved teens Web site. Suggestions are now being taken.

What about you? Do you have any ideas? This is your opportunity to have a Web site named by you? You know, it is kind of like naming your own star.

So what are you waiting for? Make your submission now! In the time it would take you to blow your nose you could have named a Web site. Besides, how could you possibly resist the opportunity to perfect your art of nomenclature? You could even put it down in a resume, something like this—I named the Johnson County Teens Library Web site.

The Library will be accepting name suggestions up to July. Multiple entries will be accepted. You can find the rules to the naming contest and an online submission form here.

If you know any teens you think might be interested in naming the new Web site, please forward this message to them.

By the way, if you’re wondering what nomenclature is; it’s just a fancy word for naming. Sometimes we are required to use these words in the Library.

Books for Youth at the Johnson County Court Services

Books are becoming a beacon of hope, comfort, and just plain fun for children facing troubled times or legal troubles in the Tenth Judicial District of Kansas in Johnson County.

Free age-appropriate books now are being made available to the youths as positive gifts in the midst of difficult situations in their young lives. They include truants from school. Some are victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Others have violated the law.

The book program was started by Johnson County District Court Judge Kathleen L. Sloan. She handles many of the hundreds of Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases filed annually in Johnson County’s district court system.

The judge hopes books, along with a free stuffed animal she already gives out to youths appearing before her in court, will help to make a big difference in their young lives.

“Books really convey so many important lessons about life at levels and by examples that children can understand,” Judge Sloan said. “It’s often a sad time, and it’s scary to be in there (in court). I think books can have some type of positive experience in their life,and they need that. It’s a good step in the right direction.”

At this point, the book project remains in a toddler stage, with only about a hundred books in her to-give-away collection. The judge’s available inventory, however, was greatly expanded on Friday, May 5, thanks to the Johnson County Library Foundation. Officials from the foundation and Johnson County Library donated $1,000 in children’s books to in Judge Sloan’s program.

The donation included 105 books with 21 different titles for all ages. The books were purchased by Johnson County Library with funds provided by the Johnson County Library Foundation.

The judge, an avid reader herself, thinks books can play an important role for children appearing before her because of the need for court intervention in their lives. Youths involved in Child in Need of Care cases range from newborns to 17-year-olds.

Judge Sloan already knows first-hand about the positive results and benefits of encouraging troubled youths to read. She was recently involved with the Johnson County Library’s Changing Lives Though Literature program for teens in the county’s juvenile justice system. That connection sparked her book project for CINC youths appearing in her courtroom.

With the help of Kathy McLellan, Youth Outreach librarian with Johnson County Library, a list of 66 children’s books by ages from infants to teens was compiled for the special Division 10 book program.

Her book project is in partnership with a stuffed animal program started by the judge about nine months ago to invite CINC children to select and keep a donated stuffed animal.

A small cart in the office to her chambers holds an ample offering of stuffed animals for the choosing and taking.

A small bookcase in a corner of her courtroom will hold an ample offering of donated books for the same purpose. The bookcase, with sections divided by age brackets, was installed a few weeks ago by Bill Foster, the son of District Court Judge Thomas Foster (Division No. 12) as part of his Eagle Scout project.

“He did a wonderful job, and slowly, but surely, those bookshelves are being filled up,” Judge Sloan said.

The book project also has attracted other support.

Following a recent presentation to a group of foster parents associated with Foster Children of Johnson County, Inc., Judge Sloan was thrilled when they surprised her with their donation of about 100 books listed on the “Division 10 Booklist.”

Other book donations have been received from attorneys associated through the Child in Need of Care process as Guardians ad Litem. They are attorneys appointed by the court to represent the child’s best interests. The Guardians ad Litem have been speaking to various local bookstores for donations of books or reduced prices for the books on the special list.

Judge Sloan knows that the need for a continuous supply of books will never end because of the sad fact that the Child in Need of Care system also has no end in sight for no longer being needed.

The judge was appointed to the Johnson County bench in November of 2004 by Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Prior to becoming a judge, Sloan was the Johnson County Court Trustee for seven years, overseeing an office that enforces court orders for child support and maintenance and maintains more than 15,000 active cases.

She began her book project about six months ago. It is the second youth-oriented program initiated by her since becoming a district court judge.

During the past nine months or so, she has collected donations of stuffed animals to give to children who come to her court in the CINC system. That program has been very well-received by the children, their Guardians ad Litem, the parents, the foster parents, and the social workers.

Now, young clients will have an open invitation to pick out their own books to help brighten their day, spirits, and life in general.

“It is a great joy to see their happy faces at being able to take a book – and a stuffed animal if they want – with them,” Judge Sloan said. “This will be an ongoing project to try to maintain books on the shelves so that children of all ages can have a book if they would like to have one.”

FYI: Donations of books for the Division 10 Book Project are welcomed. More information about the program and book list is available by contacting Trina Nudson, an attorney and Guardian ad Litem, by calling (913) 438-4636 or e-mailing trina@yourchild1st.com.

Donations also can be made through the Johnson County Library Foundation by contacting Linda Off, executive director of the Foundation, at 495-7579 or e-mailing offL@jocolibrary.org.

Pictured above: Judge Kathleen Sloan, left, is shown with, from left to right; Trina Nudson, a Guardian ad Litem; Kathy McLellan, Youth Outreach Librarian for Johnson County Library; and Linda Off, Executive Director of the Johnson County Library Foundation.

Note: The Library's Blog wants to thank Gerald Hay for allowing us to republish his article from Good Morning, Johnson County.

Asian Heritage Festival

This past weekend Blue Valley Library celebrated Asian culture with their first Asian Heritage Festival. Participation at the festival included the Chinese Folk Dance Group, Ki Daiko—the Olathe School District Japanese Taiko drumming group, students from the Chinese School of Greater Kansas City, the Hmong Youth Dancers, the Nritya dancers, and a Kamishibai storyteller.

Enjoy some photos from the celebration!