PPLS LOGO 2012
Welcome to Pasadena Public Library

 

Greetings!

 

The Friends of the Library's first big book sale was on Saturday, June 9th and was a fabulous success, thanks to the hard work of Suzanne Sims, Chris Sims, Library Board President Marion Seymour, Adult Services Manager Lucy Turoff, and all the other staff and board members who generously donated their time. Many lucky patrons of the library and casual visitors who just dropped in to see what all the commotion was about were rewarded with some wonderful buys in "almost new" books and DVDs of all types. We look forward to the next one of these events by our popular Friends of the Library group. If you haven't thought of joining the Friends, consider stopping into the bookstore in the library and picking up a membership application. I heard they have some very interesting plans in store for the Fall.

 

Last month I mentioned the Summer Reading Program, and it is in full swing now. It's still not too late to join and find some good new books to read and get in on all the prizes that are offered for our readers. If you are a child, a teen or an adult, we have something new in the library for you. Many of our new books, and those that focus on topical subjects like barbequing or gardening are now on display near the front entrance of the library, making it easier for people in a hurry to "grab a read and run" - after checking it out of course.

 

Some other changes are afoot in the library as well. We have a new greeter to welcome patrons at the main entrance. Our greeter will answer directional questions and help you get your trip into the library started in the right direction. Some of you may notice the new plants inside the front entrance to make it a more pleasant atmosphere for all of our members. And some things you likely will not see, but will appreciate are the heightened security measures we have put into effect to ensure that the books, DVDs and the property of the library are kept secure for your use and enjoyment.

 

Some of our members have asked me what the library does with all the mountains of newspapers that we receive, after they have been read. Some papers are saved for archiving, but after a month, most are discarded. But these papers do not go to waste. The library staff places them in bags and they are delivered to the Pasadena Animal Control and Adoption Center. They are used line cages for the homeless animals that are there waiting for adoption. While the animals do not get to choose between the comics or the sports sections, I am sure that they really appreciate the efforts to help make their life in the shelter a bit more comfortable. If you have any papers you would like to donate to the Animal Center, we know they would appreciate your donations as well.

 

In a library, one never knows what interesting subjects one may run across or what unusual materials we can find. I was discussing with a friend the country of China, which I have had the good fortune of visiting recently. China is a complex country. The Chinese have a culture that stretches back over two millennia, and in the last 150 years they were in a state of almost constant warfare between conflicting ideologies.  

To many of us who grew up during the era of the Cold War, they were our enemies. Today they are our trading partners and supply us with virtually everything we use in our daily lives from clothes to cell phones. My friend suggested an excellent book to help me understand how these formative years of the modern China has affected individual Chinese people. We did not have the book, but through the beauty of interlibrary loan, I was able to find and borrow the book from the Dallas Public Library. It was written in 1939 and has been out of print for years, but because of the interlibrary loan capabilities of our great library system in Texas, I was able to obtain it and read it. You can do the same too for books that you may find of interest. Our library staff will be glad to help you. By the way, the book was Moment in Peeking by Lin Youtang. If you are interested in understanding Chinese traditions, this is where you should start.

 

If you like what you find at your library, let the staff know by filing out a little flower card at the Circulation desk or in the Children's room. Everyone likes to know when they do well. They appreciate hearing from you. And if you see Mayor Johnny Isbell or members of the City Council, thank them for all the support they provide to the Pasadena Public Library; without their support there would be no library in Pasadena.

 

Thomas C. Simiele

Library Director  

Summer Reading - July Special Events  

  

FInd the Clues

 

Thursday, July 5 at 3:00 p.m. 

Mystery Theatre: "National Treasure"

 

Thursday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m.  

Mystery Theatre: "The Da Vinci Code"

 

Thursday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m.  

Mystery Theatre: "Jackie Chan's First Strike"

 

Saturday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m.

Special Presentation: Lone Star Spirits Special Presentation 

 

Thursday, July 26 at 3:00 p.m.       

Mystery Theatre: "The Bourne Identity"

  

Free popcorn and water will be provided to everyone attending the Mystery Theatre film showings, which will be held on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. in the Central Library Meeting Room. For the special presentation on July 21, guests can enjoy complimentary punch, cookies and other refreshments. This presentation will take place in the Adult Reading Room area of the Central Library. For any additional information, please contact Lucy Turoff (Public Services) at 713-475-4984 or Judy Dean (Adult Outreach) at 713-475-4991.

 

 

TSI: Realm of the Unknown  

 

Tuesday, July 3 at 2:00 p.m.  

Thomas the Snakeman  

 

Tuesday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m.  

Crafty Chicks (Girls Only)  

 

Tuesday, July 17 at 2:00 p.m.  

Amazing AJ (Magician)

 

Tuesday, July 24 at 2:00 p.m.  

Snails and Tails

 

Tuesday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m.  

Cartoonist

 

 

Get a clue at the library 


Monday, July 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Kids Flick Movie 

 

Friday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Story time with Miss Ginger and Argyle

 

Monday, July 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Kids Flick Movie  

 

Wednesday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Carranza Puppets: "On with the Show"  

 

Friday, July 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Story time with Miss Ginger and Argyle

 

Monday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Kids Flick Movie  

 

Wednesday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Claude Sims: Comic Juggler   

 

Friday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m.

Story time with Miss Ginger and Argyle

 

Monday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Kids Flick Movie  

 

Wednesday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Armand Bayou Critter Event   

 

Friday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Story time with Miss Ginger and Argyle

 

Monday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m.

Kids Flick Movie   

 

If you would like more information on the Summer Reading Program, please call 713-477-0276 or visit www.ppltx.net

 

For the complete Summer Reading Program Schedules, click the following links:

 

Children's Summer Reading Program,Teen Summer Reading Program   

    
July 2012   Issue: 7
PPLS Entrance
In This Issue
Summer Reading Program
Holiday Closings
Book Club Banter
Staff Spotlight
National Ice Cream Month
Holiday Closings

 

We will be  

CLOSED  

Wednesday, July 4

in observance of INDEPENDENCE DAY 

Book Club Banter
book club banter

 

 

"The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived."

-Howard Pyle-

 

July is here complete with wading pools, outdoor grilling, Fourth Fest and FIREWORKS, but do plan to take in a little cool, fascinating and FREE indoor fun here at your Pasadena Public Library. Check out all the live programs for children, teens and adults, bask in our lovely air-conditioning and enjoy all the new big live plants that are beautifying our public areas. Head over to the Friends Bookstore and find some bargain books, films and CDs, as well as take advantage of their "Two For A Nickel" summer candy special to go with your $.50 coffee and bargain Dove chocolates. The Library is your best source for large screen summer movies, some of which even offer FREE popcorn or Kool Pops to all attendees, so come on over and have some FREE FUN at your Library!

 

The Fairmont Branch Library's First Monday Book Club will be reading Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage by Hazel Rowley, and will be meeting on Monday, July 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Fairmont Library. Come enjoy the discussion as the group follows the author's depiction of the Roosevelt's extraordinary evolution from a conventional Victorian marriage to a bold and radical partnership that changed American history.  

Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage by Hazel Rowley 

The Central Library's Tea-Time Mystery Book Club will be reading The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and will be meeting on Monday, July 16 the Board Room at the Central Library. Coffee, tea, English-style tea "biscuits," and other tea dainties will be served as the group discusses how the original great detective Sherlock Holmes and his faithful assistant Dr. Watson chase down the horrible "phantom hell-hound" and its even more horrible master before they eliminate the last member of the House of Baskerville.

 

Contact William Simpson (First Monday) at the Fairmont Library 281-998-1095 X 15 or Lucy Turoff (Tea-Time Mystery) 713-477-0276 X 4984 for more information regarding these two book clubs.

 
Staff Spotlight
Marivel Reyes

 

NAME: Marivel Reyes

 

TITLE:

Teen Services Specialist

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE LIBRARY:

My responsibilities here at the library are to provide teen customers and other library users with reference and reader's advisory services, assist in the use of library technologies and online databases, plan instructional and entertaining programs for teens, maintain the teen collection to provide the optimal variety of books and resources and participate in teen community events. I would say my greatest responsibility would be to inspire many teens in the community to become avid readers.

 

 

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME:

I love dark chocolate, Salsa con Queso Crunchy Cheetos and Coke Zero with a passion, enjoy watching football and baseball games, have a great time playing jokes on family and friends, like to watch movies with the family on Fridays and I have a Chow Mix dog named Tootsie.

 

FAVORITE AUTHOR/S OR GENRES:

Inspirational Fiction and Non-Fiction

 

LAST BOOK/S READ:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

 

WHY I LOVE THE PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY:

I love the great stories patrons share with me and the great friendships that have been established while working here. Every day is a fun adventure or a learning experience that helps me become a better advocate for reading. I also have some of the greatest coworkers a girl can ask for, especially the ones that endow me with dark chocolate.

National Ice Cream Month

 

July is National Ice Cream month. It was first recognized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 as a way to celebrate the dessert that 90% of the county enjoys. The month is still observed in Washington DC today through an ice cream party held on Capitol Hill. This year's celebration was held on June 21st and was the 30th anniversary of the event.

 

Ice cream is not just an American tradition; it has roots that can be traced as far back as the Persian Empire in 400 B.C. The Persians would serve ice mixed with fruit and roses to the royals.

 

Recipes for ice cream first appeared in 18th century cookbooks in England and the US. The Pasadena library has several modern day ice cream cookbooks available. Ice Cream by Joanna Farrow features 250 recipes and photos of delicious ice cream desserts you can try at home. Want to make homemade ice cream with the whole family? Check out Ice Cream by Jules Older. This children's recipe book features fun cartoon drawings, ice cream facts, and recipes to try at home.

 

If you're interested in a local taste of ice cream, check out the large pictorial history of the Blue Bell ice cream company by Dorothy McLeod MacInerney. Serendipity 3, located in New York City, is one of the most famous ice cream shops in the world and holds the Guinness World Record title for the most expensive sundae in the world. Their Golden Opulence holds a $1,000 price tag, if ordered at Serendipity, and requires a 48-hour advance notice. The five-scoop sundae is topped with the world's finest chocolates, gold coated fruits, and a pure gold, edible leaf. The restaurant opened in 1954 and has become a culinary landmark in the heart of the Upper East Side. Their 2006 book Serendipity Sundaes by Stephen Bruce features recipes from the sweet shop such as butter pecan ice cream, chocolate covered potato chips, and the "Poor Man's Version of Golden Opulence."


For additional titles on ice cream, ices and desserts, click here. Any way you decide to celebrate National Ice Cream month, grab a spoon, dig in, and make this July an ice cream dream.