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The other evening I was sitting at home in the living room with my laptop, checking my e-mail and sorting and forwarding messages. My son was upstairs in his room, playing Roblox on his laptop- I could hear him exclaiming excitedly as he won one battle or another. My husband was in the study on the desktop computer, playing solitaire and checking his Facebook account. All three of us were on a computer in a different room in our house, all together at home, but very separate. Bedtime came and I read my son a book as usual, snuggled up against me with my arm around him and the book. Those fifteen minutes were the best minutes of the day, being close and sharing a moment with him. Earlier that evening, I had felt very disconnected, even though each of us were connected electronically. Books truly do have a magic way of bringing people together, whether it is reading with a child, sharing an idea that you've learned, or putting into practice a new skill you perfected after reading about it. Get closer with someone - read together!
 
 
Trish Burns, Director
Preschool Storytimes
 
Butman-Fish Library
Tuesdays @ 10:00 a.m.
 
Hoyt Library
Tuesdays @ 10:00 a.m.
 
Zauel Library
Fridays @ 10:30 a.m.
 
 
Lifelong Learning Corner
 
Diet Soda?
It may be that the sweet taste without the calories somewhat affects the appetite control mechanism in our brains. This then triggers cravings and causes us to eat more food. It is like we are searching for those missing calories. Plus, most diet sodas contain aspartame, an artificial sweetener which breaks down in the body to formaldehyde, a known poison.
Bottom line, soda is the worst drink possible-stick to water!
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Our Thanks to New & Renewing Friends Members
 
Sustaining
Bill & Sue Johnson
Marty Stark
Les & Marion Tincknell
 
Members
Richard Alger
Nancy Bow
Ruth Marsh
 
VITA Tax Assistance
 
Once again, dedicated volunteers from VITA will be offering tax assistance for senior citizens and low income people at Butman-Fish and Hoyt Libraries. Their assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. They do not take appointments.
 
Butman-Fish Library Beginning February 1
Monday and Tuesday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. - noon
 
Hoyt Library
Beginning February 5
Friday
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
One Book, One Community
Book Selection for 2010 

Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey through his Son's Addiction
by David Sheff
 
SAVE THE DATE!
Appearance by Award Winning Author David Sheff with a special visit by his son Nic, author of "Tweak"
 
Thursday, April 15
7:00 p.m.
Temple Theatre
Free Admission

African-American History
Month Community Celebration

rjones

African Roots/American Soul
featuring:
Robert Jones
Saturday, February 6 - 2:30 p.m.
Hoyt Library ~ 505 Janes
 
Join the Public Libraries of Saginaw as we celebrate African-American History Month with Rev. Robert B. Jones, a native Detroiter; who will take us on a musical journey of the blues, gospel, fiddle and more, demonstrating how the traditional music of Africa has shaped what America enjoys today through song.
 
Jones's "Blues For Schools" program has taken him into a variety of public and private educational institutions all over the country. In 2007, he was honored with the "Keeping The Blues Alive" award in Memphis, TN, and presently serves as host and producer of "Deep River", a program of spirituals and gospel, which airs Sundays on WDET in Detroit.
e tracked, allowing you to see which articles create the most interest for your readers.
Annual African-American Read-in-Chain
 
Sunday, February 7, 2010 4:00 p.m.
 
Castle Museum of Saginaw County
500 Federal - Saginaw, MI 48607
 
All across America, individuals and families will celebrate African-American heritage and culture by reading works by African-American authors during the AFRICAN-AMERICAN READ-IN CHAIN. A special attraction to this year's Read-In Chain will feature the Saginaw Area African-American Historical First Exhibit which will be at the Castle Museum in February. It's a wonderful opportunity to recognize how African-Americans have contributed to our own community's heritage.
Inspiring Books on African-American Heritage and Culture

These titles have been selected from the library's 2010 commemorative booklist. Copies are available in every branch. Pick one up today.  Click here to visit our website which contains the full list for African-American Heritage 2010
 
Brain Surgeon: A Doctor's Inspiring Encounters with Mortality and Miracles by Keith Black

The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama by Gwen Ifill
 
Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, A Memoir
by Cornel West
 
Cuttin' Up: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops
by Craig Marberry
 
Don't Hate the Game: Sports Fiction by Black Men
by Michael T. Owens
 
Go, Tell Michelle: African-American Women Write to the New First Lady edited by Barbara Seals Nevergold
 
In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African-Americans Reclaimed Their Past by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
 
A Mercy
by Toni Morrison
 
Michael, 1958-2009
by Life Books
 
The Morning Show Murders: A Novel
by Al Roker
 
On the Line
by Serena Williams
 
The Sea is So Wide and My Boat is So Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation
by Marian Wright Edelman
 
Success Runs in Our Race: The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African-American Community
by George C. Fraser
 
When the Game Was Ours
by Larry Bird and Earvin Johnson, Jr.
The History of Black Economic Empowerment
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
 
Black History Bingo
Wednesday, February 3 ~ 4:00 p.m.
Hoyt Library

Learn interesting facts about African-American history.
 For children ages 6 and up. (Children under 6 will need a helper)
 
Martin's Big Words and Other Stories to Remember Preschool Storytime
Friday, February 5 ~ 10:30 a.m.
Zauel Library
 Storytime celebrating African-American History Month featuring Martin's Big Words along with folktales that have originated in the African culture. Children 3-5 years are invited to attend.
 
Celebrate Black History
Month Preschool Storytime
Tuesday, February 9 ~ 10:00 a.m.
Butman-Fish Library & Hoyt Library
Enjoy some inspiring stories about African-Americans.
 For children, ages 3-5.
 
African-American Experiences
Monday, February 15 ~ 4:00 p.m.
Wickes Library
View the daring escape about "The Journey of Henry Box Brown" and the amazing inventor in "Garrett's Gift." A small snack will be served! For children ages 5-12.
 
African Heritage Bingo
Tuesday, February 16 ~ 4:30 p.m.
Claytor Library
Test and reinforce your knowledge about African Heritage. Win prizes, enjoy snacks and have fun. For children ages 6 and up. (Children under 6 will need a helper).
 
 
Programs for
Children, Tweens, and Teens
 
Tween Anti-Valentine's Day Party!
 Saturday, February 13 ~ 2:00 p.m.
Butman-Fish Library
 
Chinese New Year Celebration
for Teens and Tweens
 Saturday, February 13 ~ 2:00 p.m.
Hoyt Library
 
Wednesday Afternoon Movie 
 Wednesday, February 24 ~ 3:30 p.m.
Zauel Library
 
Super Saturday for Families featuring the
Rock-n-Roll Reading Program
 Saturday, February 27 ~ 2:00 p.m.
Butman-Fish Library
Library Co-Sponsors Exhibit
YOUR STORY AND MINE: A COMMUNITY OF HOPE
The Public Libraries of Saginaw and the Castle Museum of Saginaw County are co-sponsoring an exhibit, Your Story and Mine: A Community of Hope, which will be housed at the Castle Museum in February. It is a multi-dimensional traveling panel exhibit of stories, poems, art and photography. A mural and a DVD, will reflect the use of history as a literacy tool for those struggling with poverty and homelessness and therefore, most at risk of losing their identity in our community. Many times, the opportunity to explore family history for those experiencing poverty and homelessness in our society is lost in the overwhelming chaos of life without traditional resources such as education, daily access to food and shelter, consistent medical care, and the opportunity to experience the accomplishment of regular employment. Lack of a strong sense of identity and a fragmented knowledge of their family history is a great impediment to accomplishing personal goals. In the current economy, building hope is a necessary exercise for all members of our community. For the most at-risk among us, the hope found in knowing their "roots" may be their greatest asset. More specifically, the exhibit will reflect these peoples' life stories before homelessness, while homeless and after homelessness-their joys and sorrows, challenges, meaningful experiences, and important family and friends, and their goals, visions and dreams for the future. It will also encourage others to discover the life stories of the poor and transitionally homeless and inspire them to discover their own life stories. This exhibit was created by Advent House Ministries in collaboration with the Michigan Historical Museum and is funded by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council.
 
 
YOUR STORY AND MINE:
BEGINNING GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS
 
The Basics -- Learning About Your Family History
Saturday, February 13
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Hoyt Library
 
Online Genealogy Tools -- And More!
Saturday, February 27
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Hoyt Library
 
Genealogy can be a fascinating hobby or a lifelong passion. These beginning workshops will help you identify the techniques and tools that make your research successful. If you are interested in your family history, and want to pass it on to future generations, this is the place to start. The workshops will be taught by John Sheridan, Head of the Local History and Genealogy Collection. They will give an overview of what you need to know to begin researching your family as well as how to organize your information. They will include some tips on interesting ways to involve other family members by using oral histories, photographs and even tombstone rubbings. The workshops are free, but registration is required. Call 755-9827 to reserve your space today.
 
MI-SBTDC Entrepreneurial Series
Guide to Starting a Business A Free Business Start-Up Seminar
 
Those who are interested in starting their own business or learning more about community resources for small businesses are invited to attend. Registration is encouraged. Telephone the MI-SBTDC Region 5 office at 989-686-9597 or visit www.misbtdc.org/region5 and click on training.
 

Thursday, February 18
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Hoyt Library

 
Community Literature Series Book Discussion Group
 
 
In honor of African-American History Month, Febraury's selection is "A Mercy" by Toni Morrison. Anyone interested in reading and discussing books is welcome. Copies of the book are available by calling 799-9160.
 

Thursday, February 18
2:00 p.m.
Butman-Fish Library