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Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 13th is National Library Worker's Day. According to the American Library Association, National Library Worker's Day..." for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers." National Library Worker's Day was created by a ALA resolution in 2003 to be honored as part of National Library Week.
The day's theme is "Libraries Work Because We Do!". Particularly in today's economic climate, libraries employees provide invaluable services to assist the community with job searching, internet use, and financial literacy. Comment cards are available at all locations. You can even nominate your favorite library employee to Submit a Star!

The Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library will be holding a used book sale on Saturday, May 1, 2010. This 10-cent sale will take place at Central Library from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Milwaukee Public Library. Remember that Friends members may enter the sale 30 minutes before the general public with their current membership card!

Charlotte Bronte, famed 19th century English novelist, and Elizabeth II, reigning Queen of the United Kingdom, were both born on April 21, the former in 1816; the latter in 1926. Bronte, best known for her novel Jane Eyre, was the eldest of three literary sisters. To read more about this iconic writer, check out Unquiet Soul by Wisconsin author Margot Peters. Although we may wish both Bronte and the Queen a happy birthday on April 21, the official celebration for Elizabeth II is held each year in the UK on a weekend in June for the practical reason that the weather then is more likely to cooperate for a public party. This year, the festivities are scheduled for Saturday, June 12.

Here's what our neighborhood library book clubs will be reading in May!

Are you a teen that loves to write poetry? Or do you simply love the rhythm and flow of a particular poem and wish to share it with the world? Aspiring teen poets are encouraged to attend the 2010 Teen Poetry Slam, sponsored by the Helen Bader Foundation, at the Washington Park Library on Wednesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m.

You can give a dramatic preformance of your original work or the work of someone that inspires you. The first 40 performers will receive a prize, and the winners of the Young Adult Poetry Contest will be announced at this event.

If you have any questions, or need more information, you can call 286-3011.

On May 11th, the Milwaukee Public Library and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works are proud to present the program: Don't Leave Grandma in the Attic!, a presentation on the preservation, display, storage, and repair of photographic materials.

Debra Hess Norris, the Chair and Professor of Art Conservation at the University of Delaware and Photographic Conservator will be on hand to discuss the care and treatment of photographs.
Don't Leave Grandma in the Attic! poster

Debra Hess Norris is the author of many book chapters and articles on the care and preservation of photos and is an authority on how to best treat them, whether they are 19th century daguerrotypes or contemporary color prints.

Seating is limited and reservations may be made by calling the Central Library's Humanities Department at (414) 286-3061.

Date: May 11th, 2010
Start Time: 6:30 p.m.
End Time: 7:30 p.m.
Library: Central
Location: Krug Rare Books Room

The legendary Mutiny on the Bounty occurred aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on April 28, 1789. This event has been commemorated in several books and films, with such heartthrobs as Clark Gable and Marlon Brando portraying Fletcher Christian, who led the mutiny against commanding officer William Bligh. After setting Captain Bligh and most of those loyal to him afloat in a small boat, the mutineers settled, some in Tahiti and others on Pitcairn Island, where descendants of theirs still live.

For over thirty years, Joseph Bruchac has been creating poetry, short stories, novels, anthologies, and music that reflect his Abenaki Indian heritage and Native American traditions.

He is the author of more than 70 books for children and adults. The best-selling Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children series, with its remarkable integration of science and folklore, continue to receive critical acclaim and to be used in classrooms throughout the country.

Join Bruchac as he recites poems, tells traditional Native tales, and discusses how poetry helps us see and be in nature:

MPL will be hosting a public meeting discussing the new Villard Square Library development on May 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the current Villard Avenue Library.

Engberg Anderson Architects, the architectural firm working on the library floor plan will start with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Those attending the meeting will be able to discuss the plans and give their own input.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Date: May 3rd, 2010
Start Time: 6:00 p.m.
End Time: 7:30 p.m.
Library: Villard Avenue