Library Lowdown

Taos News On The Library Poetry Slam

2012-02-23T14:48:00.003-07:00

The Taos News' Matthew Van Buren shares what it was like to be a judge in our recent Teen Poetry Slam. Van Buren writes: "When I agreed to judge a teen poetry slam a couple of weeks back, I wasn't sure what to expect. "I have no business being here," I thought as I sat down with cards and markers, ready to score young poets on their content and delivery."

Fortunately, Van Buren was soon acclimated:

I have to say, I was really impressed with the writing and public speaking abilities the students displayed. I had gone in expecting to hear about the blackness of people's souls and the need to escape this phony society — though perhaps that condescending assumption speaks to my own lack of poetic ability.But Taos' young poets memorized lengthy works, presented them with style and tackled a wide variety of topics...
The couple of hours the contest took seemed to fly by, and we adjourned before I was really ready for the slam to be over.

You can read the full article at the TaosNews.com.

Thanks, Matt for being a judge and for sharing your experiences with us!

Congratulations To The Taos Teen Poetry Slammers

2012-02-18T14:46:00.001-07:00

We all had a blast at the Taos Public Library's 4th Annual Teen Poetry Slam last week. Every year the teens blow us away and this year was no exception. Congratulations to our winners, Serena Smith (1st Place), Joseph Edwards (2nd Place), Helena Bassett (3rd Place), Elliot Romancito (4th Place) and Zia Pollis (5th Palce). As always, poetry and the Taos Public Library audience were the biggest winners. Photos after the jump.

Our winners, from left to right, Serena, Joseph, Helena, Elliot and Zia.

Here are some photos of our poets in action:

Helena and Joseph battle it out for 2nd place in sudden death slam-off. They each had to write a haiku in 30 seconds!

A big thank you to our guest judges: From right to left: Matthew Van Buren, of the Taos News, Amy Quintana of the Town of Taos Town Council, Rudy Perea, Senior Planner, Town of Taos and Amy Cordova, artist and writer. That's librarian Ellen on the other side of Amy C., huddled in her Town of Taos jacket..

Another big thank you goes to our MC, Dr. G (at the lectern above) and to her husband, the man who puts this event all together every year - our Library Director, George Jaramillo.

You can view the rest of the photos on our Facebook page.

Hope to see you all next year!

New Mexico Library to Go

2012-02-17T16:45:00.001-07:00

Taos Public Library now has a digital library! We are part of a consortium with four other New Mexico libraries. You may download eBooks and eAudiobooks from our website onto your ipad, ipod, smart phone, ereader, pc, and mac computer. Here's the link

New Mexico Library to Go may be accessed on our on-line catalog (ebook, eaudio button)

For those that may need assistance with learning how to download items, there is a help link on the homepage.

You may also ask library staff for assistance and there will be a digital download hands on training session in the near future. Details will be forthcoming.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

2012-02-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist posting about this fantastic short animated film. Book lovers of any age will love this sweet, magical story about Morris who's love of books was a saving grace when his world was turned upside down. He found solice in reading and taking care of these flying tomes. A delightfully imaginative and uplifting film!

Youth Poetry Slam Coming Up Saturday

2012-02-09T16:34:00.001-07:00

The Taos Public Library will present the 4th Annual Youth Poetry Slam Saturday, February 11, 2012. All teens from the area are welcome to register (so long as we have open places remaining) and compete for cash prizes. If you've never attended a poetry slam, you'll be in for a wonderful surprise. This is not your father's poetry but a lively (some might say raucous) couple of hours of performance art that is guaranteed to reaffirm your faith in the power of the spoken word, poetry and Taos' young people. One of our favorite events each year. A flyer with all the details is after the jump.

Fast Forward New Mexico

2012-02-06T15:53:00.003-07:00

Fast Forward New Mexico is coming to the Taos Public Library!
Fast Forward New Mexico is a 3 year grant funded program created to promote computer literacy and internet savvy skills in rural New Mexico. There is a known correlation between job opportunities and internet skills.
These internet and computer training classes are free! There will be 64 hours of training offered, beginning March 7th thru May 5th, 2012 , covering basic computer skills, introduction to the internet, selecting a computer, taking an online course, internet tools for business, and social media for marketing.
Details of FFNM program
We are now taking registrations for FFNM. You may come in person to the reference desk, call us with any questions at 575-758-3063, or register here.
We expect these classes to fill up. Register now!

a fond farewell

2012-01-28T09:37:00.004-07:00

The staff at the Taos Public Library bid a fond farewell to the library's cataloger, Connie. We wish her all the best! Connie has contributed so much to the Taos library. From cleaning up the overall collection, to raising cataloging standards, her high degree of professionalism, and much more. She will be sorely missed. Fortunately for us, she will be volunteering!
Thank you for all your contributions Connie!

New Mexico's Centennial

2012-01-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

This year marks the 100th year since President Taft signed the proclamation for New Mexico's statehood. There are events planned throughout the year to celebrate New Mexico's centennial.
Click here for planned events and here for a historical timeline to New Mexico's statehood.
Here in Taos, the Harwood museum, Millicent Rogers museum, the Blumenschein museum, and the Martinez Hacienda, will have events and exhibits honoring the centennial and the Remarkable Women of Taos.
The Taos Public Library will hold a Remarkable Women lecture series throughout the summer. Details will be forthcoming.
Look for our titles on the history of New Mexico and it's statehood in our Southwest room- 320.987 and 978.9

Teen Poetry Slam 2012

2012-01-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

It's teen poetry slam time!!

mark you calenders for February 11th
*registration deadline is February 9th

Teen Poetry Slam Information

-sponsored by the Friends of Taos Public Library-

Spotlight on...

2012-01-13T09:57:00.003-07:00

This month our spotlight is on our youngest volunteer, Rachael.

Thank you for all your help Rachael!

Library closure

2012-01-11T13:50:00.002-07:00

The Taos Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 16th, in observance of Martin Luther King day.

Got Kindle? Got questions?

2012-01-10T15:24:00.000-07:00

Did you get a Kindle for Christmas? Are you unsure of the ins and outs of how to download books and use it's other features? We invite you to join us in the Taos Public Library community room this Saturday, January 14, from 2pm to 3pm, for fun and learning about the Kindle. No need to register. Just show up. Librarians Shirley and Lisa will answer questions and demonstrate the many uses of the Kindle. Feel free to come even if you have a different e-reader. Aside from having their own Kindles with them, Shirley and Lisa will have two more Kindles for people to use.

Here's a link to an in-depth comparison of e-readers

Comparing E-Readers

We look forward to seeing you!

Taos Library Staff's Favorite Reads In 2011

2012-01-06T17:47:00.002-07:00

We asked our co-workers to name their favorite books read in 2011. The results show quite a diversity of tastes and styles among our staff. Take a look and share your favorite reads in our comments section

George Jaramillo, Library Director, liked A Bend In The Road, by Nicholas Sparks.

FIC S736b

Librarian Cheryl chose NIV Audio Bible

CD 220.2 NIV

Lisa Libro loved The Art of Fielding, by Chad Harbach

McN FIC H255a

My favorite book of the year was Just Kids, by Patti Smith.

782.42 Smi

Our New Year's Resolution is to find even more great reads in 2012!

Celebrating Photography

2012-01-05T16:08:00.001-07:00

During the month of January, photography is being highlighted in the lobby display case. Come have a look! Librarians Jim, Cheryl, Judith, and Lisa have brought in their favorite photos. Quite a variety of wonderful images!
A sampling of photography books is on our new display carousel. These books may be checked out. We have hundreds of photography books, primarily located in our fine arts room at 770 and 779.
Come in and get inspired!

Have You Noticed Anything New In Our Library Lately?

2011-12-28T14:41:00.002-07:00

Hint: think Fine Arts room!

Taos sculptor and library patron Joseph Frustaci has donated the sculpture you see here. You can find it displayed on the south wall of our fine arts room.

Thanks, Joe!

2011-12-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

THE TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

WILL BE CLOSED DEC. 23RD, 24TH AND 26TH.

WE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED ON JAN. 2ND.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

'Tis the Season to Give

2011-12-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Are you Running out of ideas for stocking stuffers, gifts for family living out of town, or your favorite local bookworm ?

Check out our unique, one of a kind mugs, now on sale- two for $15.00! Beautiful image of the gorge by local photographer Geraint Smith. A perfect mug for Santa's hot chocolate!

Click here for fun gift ideas for book lovers, from the Chicago Tribune.

More unique gift ideas from Huffington Post here.

The Mark Twain doll and paperback perfume caught my eye!

Don't forget our local bookstores for the latest bestsellers.

What was your favorite read of 2011? Comment here or stop by the library. We'll do a future post on the results.

Christmas at the Taos Children's Library

2011-12-09T13:56:00.001-07:00

The reading room at the Taos Children's Library has been transformed!

2011-12-08T11:23:00.001-07:00

Join us in the Children's Library on December 14th, for gifts, books, and Santa!!

Spotlight on...

2011-12-03T16:09:00.001-07:00

Taos librarian Ellen gets the library lowdown from long time volunteer David Hillman.
If you are interested in volunteering, drop by the circulation desk for an application.

Traitor in our midst?

2011-12-01T14:12:00.001-07:00

According to verge.com, "Amazon: Kindle Fire best selling product for eight weeks running, quadruples Black Friday sales."

Upon the delivery of my pre-ordered Kindle Fire, I have joined the masses in the ebook revolution. I love my Kindle Fire! I bought it primarily because I wanted an ereader. But it does so much more! Movies, apps galore, email, FB, web browsing, music, and of course books. Beyond a little glare on the screen with certain lighting, and the touch screen not being as sensitive as the ipad, I can't find any fault with it.

80 apps and 10 movies, 800 songs, or 6,000 books may be loaded. If you're running short on storage space, you may move content to and from your Kindle Fire and your Amazon Cloud (free storage). The battery life is about 8 hours, depending on what your viewing.

Despite loving the functionality of the Kindle, I don't consider myself a traitor to reading paper books nor the institutions that house them. I will always enjoy sitting by the fire on a cold winter's night, turning the pages of a good novel.

(Is the Taos Public Library going digital? Check back soon...)

Library Christmas Tree Is Lit

2011-11-30T16:10:00.003-07:00

I got to work today and found that the library elves had put up the tree, decorated it and hung our stockings!

Coming Attractions: Youth Poetry Slam And Remarkable Women Of Taos

2011-11-26T13:13:00.002-07:00

We work way in advance planning our events at the library. Even though it's not yet winter, our Library Director, George Jaramillo, and several staffmembers (Connie, Judith, Lisa and myself) have begun work on our 2012 Summer Lecture Series. This year's theme will be "Remarkable Women of Taos." In addition to the famous names, we also hope to include some of the lesser-known lights that have made and continue to make our community so uniquely wonderful. Believe it or not, it takes months to find our speakers, book them, get their bios and photos and prepare the publicity.

George and I are also working on our Fourth Annual Youth Poetry Slam, to be held on February 11th, 2012. This is probably my personal favorite of all the events at the library. If you've never seen one of our slams, you'll be blown away by the kids. How good are they? Well, the Taos High School team took first place at the state level last year. Believe me, this is not your grandmother's poetry. It's raucous, high-energy and lots of fun!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-23T08:44:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, one of the many things I'm grateful for, is new books added to our collection! Here are some of our latest, most of which are bestsellers.

Fiction: Then again, The art of fielding, The forgotten waltz, The marriage plot, The cat's table, 1Q84, The empty family, The affair, Shock wave, The race, and Now you see her.
Non-Fiction: Steve Jobs: a biography, Blue nights, No higher honor: a memoir of my years in Washington, Unbroken: a World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption, Jack Kennedy: elusive hero, and Boomerang: travels in the new third world.

Much of our book purchasing budget comes from money raised at the Friends of the Taos Public Library book sales. This Summer they raised about $8,000.00! Thank you to all the Friend's and volunteers for all your hard work. A special thank you to David Spess for his untiring commitment in going over, organizing, and moving books in preparation for the book sales.

If you haven't received the latest Friends of the Taos Public Library Fall newsletter in the mail (by becoming a member of the Friends), come pickup a copy at the circulation desk. You'll find contributions by the president of the Friends, Cat Bennett, The Director's Letter by George Jaramillo, Children's Library by Annette Montoya, and Library News by Judith Bronner.

Lastly, but most importantly, we give thanks to all the supporters/users of Taos Public Library!
All of us here wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Big Read 2011

2011-11-09T12:02:00.002-07:00

Welcome- to the first post of the Taos Public Library's blog! Our intention is to keep you, a valued library patron, in the know with the latest happenings here at the library.

Here on Library Lowdown,you will find scheduled events, exciting new services, hot book and dvd pics by the staff, spotlight on someone in our library community, our staff, and our volunteers. We would like to hear from you with any comments or suggestions on how we can help make the library a welcoming and dynamic place for you to find information, research tools, internet resources, and anything else you might be looking for.

On Saturday, November 5th, the Taos Public Library in conjunction with Somos, had a successful kickoff for the Big Read 2011. This year we gave away 100 books of Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine. The event included a hot lunch feast and drummers from Taos Pueblo.

A big Thank you to all the cooks, volunteers, George Jaramillo, and Summer Wood who made all this happen!
To see a list of continued events throughout the month of November for the Big Read click: here