We're Judging, and Judging, and Judging....

So all the altered book entries are in. The judges are taking a very hard look and frankly, it's hard. You'll know the results of the top three teen winners and the top three adult winners at the Summer Reading Club Picnic on August 9. It starts at 5:00 p.m. at the Rotary Club Bandshell on the west side of Library Park. If you can't attend the picnic, don't stress. Winning entries will be showcased on this very blog soon after.

DJ Phatrick and Digital Storytelling

Back by popular demand, DJ Phatrick and friends demonstrate, with your help, digital storytelling. This incredible workshop wraps up the CA Reads - Searching for Democracy series featuring the book Farewell to Manzanar and other stories of the Japanese internment during WWII. This is a don't miss event - so don't miss it!

More Books...It Just Keeps Getting Better

The exciting thing about an altered book contest is the amount of talent the community demonstrates when given the chance. Three more dynamite entries arrived on Saturday. I know the judges are going to have a hard time picking out winners.

Reminder: Deadline for all entries is July 28 (this coming Saturday) at 4 p.m.

The Rare Find, The Rare Talent

Taylor Swift wasn't worth $15,000.00 per year to a big music label and they let her go. J.K. Rowling was passed over by at least four publishers rather than pay her a $5,000.00 advance. While these are two glaring examples, this pattern is repeated daily in business. Spotting exceptional talent takes a whole new way of thinking according to author George Anders. His book, The Rare Find: Spotting Exceptional Talent Before Everyone Else, covers the pitfalls of benchmarks and explores how to assess those round pegs for square holes. It gives insight into companies that are nimble and innovative enough to look for new hiring paradigms. This book is fascinating and enlightening for both job-hunters and employers.

Do you believe in magic? Ghosts? Big Foot?

Check out our new books area for Guy P Harrison's 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True and release your inner skeptic - or reaffirm your convictions. Harrison brings up the biggies like Bigfoot, UFOs, and ghosts. He also finds other things to discuss, like whether you're born smart or not, witches, and doomsday predictions. See what he says about your pet belief.

Storytelling, Music and DJ Phatrick

That's right. DJ Phatrick is back and bringing lots if equipment along with his posse to give a workshop on digital storytelling. The grand finale of the our CA Reads - Searching for Democracy Series, DJ Phatrick lends his hip-hop beat to underscore something that concerns us all. Since April we've been exploring the ramifications of the forced internment of Japanese Americans during WWII and what that meant to a country founded on democratic principles. Rousing discussions have led to heartfelt memories. These can now be told by podcasting and other digital means and DJ Phatrick will show us how. Don't miss this event. All ages are not only welcome, but highly encouraged to come.

 Saturday, July 28, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Library Community Room FREE

Sign up by going to monroviapubliclibrary.org (see link to right), find the calendar icon, find the date and click on the program. It's so simple and you'll get an email reminder 3 days before the program.

Altered Books Contest Submissions are Coming In

Works of art called altered books are already starting to come in for display before judging. Yes, you have until July 28 to submit your opus, but why wait? Let people have a good look at your creative side. Just bring your altered book to the Adult Reference Desk and we'll take care of the rest. Remember to write your name, phone number and whether you are 18+ or under 18 on the book.

These are our awesome first entries.