Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library Newsletter Fall 2012 Vol. 28, No. 4 Your Geothermal Library A message from the One of the objectives of our building renovation Library Board and addition project was to have a more energy of Trustees HIILFLHQWEXLOGLQJ:H¶UHYHU\SOHDVHGWREHDUHFLSLHQW As our new library finally takes of a $90,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community shape, the library board felt this Foundation, which will enable us to install a geothermal HVAC system. is an appropriate time to reflect Geothermal energy is considered the most efficient technology for on how and when plans for the heating and cooling. new addition came about. In Geothermal technology harnesses the constant mid-50 degree March 2003, the citizens of the energy trapped below the earth's surface to heat and cool the building. Alsip-Merrionette Park Public In winter, the geothermal system extracts heat from a fluid circulated Library District passed a much from a closed earth loop. Heated air is then distributed through a needed referendum. It was the conventional duct system. In summer, the system reverses course, first and only tax hike for the extracting heat from inside the building, and moving it back into the library since its founding in earth loop. The drilling for the wells, which are below the main parking 1973. This additional stream lot on the north side of the building, began soon after the groundbreak- ing for the project last November, and was finished in the spring. of revenue made it possible to While our geothermal system cost more for the initial installation, seriously consider remodeling LWZLOOUHVXOWLQJUHDWO\UHGXFHGHQHUJ\FRVWVRYHUWLPH:H¶UHYHU\ the library. grateful to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for this Since we moved into our building grant, which will provide the library with more a more sustainable on Pulaski Avenue in 1981, building. finding space for the collection, growing technology needs, and Learn a new insufficient work space had become major problems. In 2005, language online! the technical services department Mango is an online language learning system available for all Alsip was reconfigured, but over- 0HUULRQHWWH3DUN/LEUDU\FDUGKROGHUV,W¶VHDV\WRFRQQHFWWR 0DQJRWKURXJKWKHOLEUDU\¶VZHESDJH2QFH\RXFUHDWHDSURILOH crowding remained a major \RXFDQOHDUQRYHUGLIIHUHQWODQJXDJHV<RX¶OOILQG0DQJR¶VIXQ issue. Much of the carpeting and engaging lessons make learning a new language easy! In no showed signs of severe wear and WLPHDWDOO\RX¶OOEHDEOHWRVD\KHOORRUGHUDPHDODVNIRU tear. Continued on page 3. directions or pass the time of day in another language! Serving the communities of Alsip, Merrionette Park, and Garden Homes Holiday Music Adult Services on the Dulcimer Fall Programs Wednesday, November 28 REGISTRATION is REQUIRED and there are 7:00 PM a LIMITED number of seats for each program. The library invites you to come Be sure to call the Adult Services Department at 708-371-5666 x109 to sign-up for our and get in the holiday spirit! In programs. this program the beautiful sound of the dulcimer, played by Phil Paranormal Activity Passen, is showcased with Career Paths traditional and modern melodies and Coffee and Palm Reading and songs celebrating First Step to A New Future Wednesday, October 17 Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Wednesday, September 19 7:00 PM winter solstice. A wonderful and 7:00 PM Bob Trzeciak, weekly host of exciting way to hear familiar and Peggy Heenan, Admissions & Paranormal Radio Activity, not-so familiar holiday music! Outreach Representative from Fridays at 9 P.M. on WARG 88.9, Moraine Valley Community will be at the library to share his College, will present an infor- knowledge of the paranormal. Book mational session for adults He will conclude his program by Discussion considering college to earn a reading the palms of a few lucky degree, update job skills, or audience members. Group explore a new career. Eat Well for Less³ Fall Feast September 6, 2012 Healthy Dining on a Dime Wednesday, September 26 Holiday Edition A Long Way 7:00 PM Wednesday, November 14 From Chicago Join Chef Kate Bradley as she 7:00 PM by Richard Peck presents recipes for a delicious In this eco-friendly program, fall feast. Sample warm pumpkin \RX¶OOOHDUQdozens of expert October 4, 2012 soup, a fall salad, rhubarb tips and insider secrets to save Defending Jacob chutney, pulled pork and apple time and money when eating in, by William Landay muffins! Instructions and dining out and entertaining this recipes will be provided. holiday season and all year long! November 1, 2012 State of Wonder Computer Classes by Ann Patchett Instructor John Hojek will be back to teach computer classes at the December 6, 2012 library. Classes are held on Fridays from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. Undress Me in the BEGINNING COMPUTERS SEPTEMBER 21 Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman BEGINNING INTERNET OCTOBER 19 The Book Discussion Group Registration must be done in person at the library. Alsip-Merrionette Park meets the first Thursday of Public Library District residents have priority; non-residents will be placed each month at 7 P.M. To sign on a waiting list. A non-fundable $10 registration deposit is due at sign-up up, call the Adult Reference ($25 for non-residents). If you have any questions, call the Adult Reference Desk (708) 371-5666 ext 109. Department at 708-371-5666 ext. 109. 2 Learning Family Programs made fun! Youth Services programs designed to please all ages. The library now has Leap- Tales from ® Family Fun Night Frog educational toys avail- Around the World P M DEOHIRUFKHFNRXW7KHUH¶V Thursdays 7³7:30 . something fun for kids from Wednesdays 7 - 7:30 P.M. Come one, come all. Enjoy this 12 months through 9 years-old. family time as we share some Once upon a time, folks of all great stories, make a fun craft, xChat & Count Cell Phone ages were invited to hear magical fairy and folk talks play some exciting games, and xLettersaurus from around the world. After join in some singing and xLeapPad Explorer finishing a fun craft or activity, dancing. Spend some quality xTag Reading System they all lived happily ever time with your family at the library. xTag Junior Reading System after! Join us for passport tales²nights filled with stories, Check one out today! crafts, and amusements. Drop A message from the Library Board of Trustees Continued from front page. In The heating/cooling system needed serious repair or replacement, and Craft air quality throughout the building was poor. The elevator was often Stop by the Youth Services out of order and in need of costly repairs. Whenever it rained, buckets Department and pick up a and water-soaked rags were a frequent sight. It was in the face of craft to make on your own in these problems that the Library Trustees took action to enlarge and the library. Available everyday. remodel our library. ,Q6HSWHPEHUWKH/LEUDU\¶VDWWRUQH\ZDVDXWKRUL]HGWRQHJRWLDWH with First Midwest Bank for the purchase of a parcel of land just north of the Library. The negotiations for this land were long and Lego Club complicated. By October 2007, the Bank agreed to sell us part of their parking lot. The Library hired an architect to develop plans for the Kids in Kindergarten and Up remodeling project and the Trustees visited a number of other public Saturdays 3 - 3:30 P.M. libraries to learn what they had done in remodeling and enlarging their Get ready to build your facilities. Through collaboration with the architect, plans for the new imagination! Each week library were drawn up. Finally, on November 21, 2011, construction began. kids will work as teams to Our newly enlarged library, which is scheduled to be completed by build awesome Lego January 2013, is the product of years of deliberation and careful creations. Pictures will be planning. Besides providing a larger facility, the new building will taken and displayed in the also provide better and additional services for the community we serve. library. Brick by brick, this Along with the Library Director and Staff, the Trustees take pride in program will make your this opportunity to provide a new, ecological green library to serve the creativity stick! citizens of Alsip, Merrionette Park, and Garden Homes. 3 Program registration begins Saturday, September 8, for residents of Alsip, Merrionette Park, and Garden Homes. Open registration begins Saturday, September 15. Programs run from September 24 through October 20. PLEASE NOTE: Children must have a valid library card to register. A fee will be charged to all non-residents. Preschool Programs The library offers story times for preschool children at specific ages and stages of development that provide emergent literacy activities as well as Youth social interaction. Registration is required. Volunteers Mother Goose Time Baby and Toddler :H¶UHORRNLQJIRUNLGVLQJUDGHV Mondays 10³10:30 A.M. Music Class 6²12 to help clean, organize, This program is designed Fridays 11³11:30 A.M. work on crafts, help kids with for babies, ages birth Each week babies and crafts, and other odds and ends. through 23 months, toddlers (6 months ² Lend a helping hand and join the and a care- 35 months) and their library team! giver. Stories, caregivers will sing a music, nursery storybook, play games, and Tuesdays 7³8 P.M. rhymes and enjoy a variety of small Thursdays 6:30³8:30 P.M. unstructured play will be instruments while the Saturdays 10:30³11:30 A.M. shared by all. instructor sings and plays guitar. Rhyme Time Tuesdays 10³10:30 A.M. Toddlers ages 2²4 years and their caregivers are invited to After School Programs have some fun with books, Fun for kids in grades kindergarten and up fingerplays, songs, and sensorimotor activities.