Want to start using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, but don’t know where to start? Let the library teach you the quick-n-nifty basics at one of our “Mini” basics courses. Space is still available for both classes! Basic computer and internet skills are required, and you must register for the class by stopping into the library, giving us a call (475-8732 x219), or registering online.
Word 2007 Basic – MINI
Sunday, August 1st | 1:30pm | Learning Lab Click here to register
PowerPoint 2007 Basic – MINI
Sunday, August 8th | 1:30pm | Learning Lab Click here to register
~Megan, your friendly neighborhood Adult Services Librarian
The Lansing State Journal ran an interesting article earlier this week about the government and its representatives posting to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The state is responding to this new form of communication by finalizing a policy on social media, following in the footsteps of many other state and local governments. With more and more people relying on social networking applications for their news and current events, it makes sense that governments would communicate with their constituents in ways that they readily interact with information.
This brings up the issue of how to save these communications, how to put them on public record. How do governments ensure that they are doing due diligence to their responsibilities of record-keeping and accountability? What if someone submits a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to access social media communications? Clearly, it’s time that the state of Michigan establishes a set policy.
Another great post from Resource Shelf! Family Tree Magazine has posted the 2010 list of the best genealogy websites. A few of the categories listed: Best Records Resources, Best US Government Sites, Best Sites for Eastern US Research, Best Sites for Western US Research, Best Canadian Resources, Best Sites for African-American Roots and more.
MANY of these resources come from libraries! Check out the post to learn more.
Celebrate “Your Washtenaw County” by joining The Arts Alliance’s Ann Arbor Area Emerging Leaders Network (A3ELN) for a FREE interactive networking event. It will be located at the new Blue House, a handmade studio, at 1026 S. Main St. RSVP here on Facebook and invite your friends! Bring your business cards as they are required for admission (there will be supplies to make your own if you don’t have any). Also bring local event dates and things you’d like to share about Washtenaw County to participate in the interactive activities. Don’t forget your game face (or goofy face), to show what Emerging Leaders are all about.
There will be announcements for opportunities to get involved with A3ELN and the various resources and events that will be provided.
A3ELN fosters a peer-network that provides a support system of resources and activities for emerging arts leaders in their transition from potential to realized leadership in the Ann Arbor area.
Filed under: Arts, Community — Chelsea Blog @ 9:55 am
With generous support from the community and our partners, a pergola is going in the Library’s Reading Garden to provide a shady space for outdoor activities. It’s also an opportunity for a community art project! The pergola columns will be lined with ceramic tiles created by students through a partnership with the schools and familes and individuals will be invited to make tiles at future library events. The tiles will be embedded in the columns as a lasting record of community involvement.
Construction has begun already and next week the structure will begin to be put into place and should be nearing completion by mid-August. Stop by and check out the progress!
Many thanks to those that made this project possible:
Partner Organizations: Chelsea Center for the Arts, River Gallery, Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center and Chelsea School District
Design and Construction: Dangerous Architects and Riemco Building Company
Library Art Committee: Lynn Fox, Aubrey Martinson, Patti Schwarz, Scott McElrath, Rick DeTroyer, Meg Gower and Janet Alford
Donors: Dangerous Architects, Riemco Building Company, Friends of the Chelsea District Library and Rotary Club
Today, July 22nd, is William Archibald Spooner’s (1844–1930) birthday. For all of us who’ve ever tripped over our tongues, let’s just say, “We meant to do that!”
Photo - Ordinary Finds blog - accessed 7/21/10
William Archibald Spooner was born in London, England. He studied at New College, at Oxofrd. In 1875, Spooner became an ordained priest in the Church of England. Spooner stayed on at New College, in Oxford, for many years, moving from teaching positions up to administrative posts and became Dean of the College, a position he held for 13 years.
William Spooner had a predilection for muddling up his words, which came to be called “spoonerisms.” Once word got round to Spooner’s students about the humorous mistakes that their professor would make, more and more people would come to the lectures in hopes of hearing a slip-up—rather than for the lectures themselves. For example, several of the most famous spoonerisms attributed to Spooner were:
“Is the bean dizzy?” (Is the Dean busy?)
“Go and shake a tower” (Go and take a shower)
“Mardon me padam, this pie is occupewed. Can I sew you to another sheet?” (Pardon me, madam, this pew is occupied. Can I show you to another seat?)
There are some “Spoonerism Purists” out there that insist that only the first letters of words may be switched. However, other Spoonerism enthusiasts maintain that as long as the letters correspond, the new phrase is still a valid spoonerism. For example, first letters switched with first letters, middle letters with middle, and last letters with last.
We’re excited to have two-time Homemaker of the Year Stephanie Doll presenting the Library’s Introduction to Canning class as part of our Do-It-Yourself Summer. The popularity of the topic has resulted in a lengthy waiting list, so to tide over those who are unable to attend, here are some useful online tools to help your canning endeavors.
Here is an hour-long presentation called Canning Foods presented by Monica Smith of the Kent County Michigan State Extension Office available via Youtube:
Good luck! We’d love to hear from you and discover if Intro to Canning is a workshop topic we ought to schedule annually. Let us know what you think in the Comments!
The Chelsea District Library and the Chelsea Center for the Arts are pleased to announce cartoonist Jerzy Drozd as the 2010-2011 Chelsea Artist-in-Residence.
Jerzy has published graphic novels and worked as an illustrator, but his greatest passion is sharing the power of images to tell a story. In his upcoming Mini-Comics Workshop for adults this fall, Jerzy will guide participants through the process of visual storytelling using simple stick figures, with lots of discussion and examples of some of the primary concepts. This workshop is a fascinating way to give any story new life and meaning by harnessing the power of pictures.
You can see examples of Jerzy’s work and learn more about his teaching background at his website: www.jdrozd.com. We’ll be hosting an Artist-in-Residence reception to bid farewell to our outgoing Artists-in-Residence Nancy Seligmann and Saleem Peeradina and to welcome Jerzy to the community at the River Gallery on Sunday, September 26 at 2 p.m. Please join us!
Come into the library next Sunday to learn more about useful Google tools that you can access with your Google or Gmail account! In addition to searching the web and sending email, Google can help you to share your photos online, start a blog, coordinate with coworkers online and more! In addition to touring tools offered by Google, we’ll take a closer look at how to use
Google Calendar, to organize your time and coordinate your schedule with others
Google Docs, to ease the stress of group projects by sharing documents with friends and coworkers
Google Maps, to find your way, plan a trip, or just find a new bike route
Google Reader, to keep track of and share your favorite news, blogs and other regularly-updated websites.
Connect with Google Tools
Sunday, July 25th | 1:30-3:30pm | Learning Lab Registration Required
Note: Patrons must have a Google or Gmail account set up before class begins in order to participate in the class, but signing up is free and easy at Gmail.com and we’ll be happy to help you with this process.
~Megan, your friendly neighborhood Adult Services Librarian
Are you the next David Foster Wallace? The next James Joyce? The next Dan Brown?
The I Write Like text analyzer will take a piece of your writing and parse it into a comparison-do you write like Ernest Hemingway or Stephen King? It’s fun, it takes seconds, and you can post your results to Twitter or Facebook!
~Megan, your friendly neighborhood Adult Services Librarian
