It’s Be Kind to Humankind week, and the library is just the place to go to find resources to help you help others. We have books about kids (and teens) getting involved in volunteering activities as well as books that help people who need to get more volunteers and then manage them. You can find local volunteer opportunities at VolunteerMatch online or you can check out our Community Resources page. That page lists resources for people who need help – but they always need help themselves, in the form of volunteers at least – so it’s a good place to start for local volunteer opportunities. Of course, you can always check with our Reference Desk as well for more information about the organizations around here that need help! If you want to give back to your community, this is a great week to reach out and help those less fortunate!
Volunteering and Helping Others
August 25th, 2010
School Days!
August 23rd, 2010School has started for most of the students in Cole and Osage counties, and that means homework and research for lots of folks! We have Homework Help pages for younger kids and teens, as well as databases full of full-text magazine and journal articles. Some of the more helpful databases we own include Bloom’s Literary Reference, which examines great writers, important works, memorable characters and influential movements and events in world literature – if you have to read a book for class, this would be a great place to come for extra insights. We also have the American History Online database, which spans more than 500 years of political, military, social and cultural history. Anyone studying American history topics will find something of interest (and some excellent sources for a research paper) there! For those of you in science classes, we also have Science Online, which presents a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, biographies and experiments.
We have more, of course, so stop by our Reference Desk or drop us a line (for quick “what database should I use” kinds of questions) and we’ll be happy to help you get the best information, and grades, this year at school.
Free activities in Jefferson City
August 19th, 2010You know, of course, about all the free stuff that goes on at your local public library, right? Well, there are other free events throughout the year that other organizations sponsor and host as well! The Parks and Recreation department, who helps to sponsor a lot of the programs that the library puts on, has special events throughout the year as well. The Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau also has an event calendar that lists many free events that go on in the area throughout the year.
If you and your family are looking for free (or at least cheap) entertainment options in the area, be sure to check out these great resources!
A Presley Anniversary
August 16th, 2010Today is the 33rd Anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. You can remember the man and his music (and films) by stopping by the library to pick up a CD or movie to watch tonight in honor of his life and talents.
It’s National Aviation Week!
August 15th, 2010Do you love airplanes? Have a special child in your life who is fascinated by them? Celebrate National Aviation Week by coming by the library and picking up a book (or two) about airplanes! You can check out Airplane Fiction (for both kids and adults), learn about the History of Airplanes or check out the Encyclopedia of Airplanes
.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the materials we have here at MRRL on airplanes! Check with our Reference staff to find more great stuff or just browse around the stacks to find interesting stories, information and pictures of these flying machines!
Watercolor & Mixed Media Exhibit at the Osage County Library
August 13th, 2010
Two of the seventeen pieces of artwork currently on display. Four Osage County residents have work in this exhibit, which will be in the gallery until the end of August.
Triskaidekaphobia
August 13th, 2010
Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13, is bound to hit some of us today! Never fear, though (no pun intended) – the library has you covered. First you can check out some of our materials on phobias in general, then you can read about the fear of the number 13 specifically. If you’d prefer to read some fiction about someone else’s phobias, we’ve got that covered, too! Of course, if you’ve decided that Friday the 13th is the perfect time to overcome your own phobias, we have self-help books that will help you do just that.
Whatever your opinion of Friday the 13th and the superstitions surrounding it, come by the library today to get some reading or viewing material that will keep you entertained and informed on this most auspicious day.
Mid-Mo Social Media Meetup
August 11th, 2010Come by the library on August 26th (Thursday evening) at 6pm for a social networking meetup in the library’s lovely Art Gallery! If you have a Twitter account, Facebook page, FriendFeed habit or if you maintain a local blog – you are welcome. As a matter of fact, even if you are just curious about any of those services and want to talk to people who use them, right here in Mid-Missouri, stop by! Refreshments will be served and conversations will be encouraged. This is a meetup, not a program, so feel free to stop in any time between 6 and 8pm – whenever works for you.
Reservations are not necessary, but if you have questions, please contact Robin Hastings at hastingsr@mrrl.org.
Want to watch a movie?
August 6th, 2010Tonight you have choices – and they are all free! First, there is the all-day movie marathon that the children’s department is putting on for the summer reading club.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2:00 pm. – 4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MRRL Art Gallery & Story Hour Room
Titles To Be Announced
Take a break from the heat with some fun water-themed movies during our all day movie marathon! Bring your own folding chairs, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and join us as we celebrate the end of summer with Movie mania.
Lots of movies and lots of fun! If you are in the mood for a more outdoorsy setting for your movie watching tonight, you can head to the Capital lawn to catch a free movie!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6: Little Rascals
Free family movies on the Capitol South Lawn. Pre-show activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and refreshments. All movies start at dusk – approximately 8:30 p.m.
Both of these events will be held tonight (weather permitting, of course, for the outdoors one) – come by and enjoy some family-friendly entertainment!
Resume Workshop
August 2nd, 2010Need help putting your resume together? Mid-Missouri writer Jeanne Worthen will be at the library on Saturday, August 7th from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Story Hour room to help you improve your chances at landing that perfect job. Bring your resume in and Jeanne will show you how to make it better – tips on layout, wording and style will give you a recipe to stand out above the crowd in your job hunt.