Now @ MPL...

Part detective story, part scientific odyssey, and part family saga, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot will be discussed at several libraries. Henrietta Lacks, a young black mother, died from an aggressive cancer in the early 1950s. Without her knowledge, her diseased cells were harvested. These cells proved to be inexplicably immortal and became known as HeLa. HeLa cells were reproduced, bought and sold countless times and contributed to scientific advancements as varied as the polio vaccine, treatments for cancers and viruses, in-vitro fertilization, and the impact of space travel on human cells. The discussions are sponsored by Milwaukee Public Library and the YWCA of Greater Milwaukee. No registration is required.

Date: Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Start Time: 6:15 PM
Library: East

Date: Monday, October 10, 2011
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Library: Central

Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Start Time: 6:15 PM
Library: Mill Road

Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Start Time: 6:15 PM
Library: Bay View

Date: Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Start Time: 6:15 PM
Library: Center Street

Date: Thursday, December 01, 2011
Start Time: 6:15 PM
Library: Washington Park

Kindle users rejoice! Now you too can take advantage of the library's eBook collection. Early last week Amazon announced Kindle users can now borrow Kindle eBooks from over 11,000 libraries across the United States. Milwaukee Public Library users have access to Kindle eBooks through the Digital Download Center. Accessing Kindle eBooks is as easy as entering your library card number and PIN (personal identification number).

Check out Amazon's Help and FAQ page for more information on Kindle eBook lending and don't forget to visit Wisconsin's Digital Download Center to begin checking out library Kindle eBooks. Happy Reading!

Meet the Rare Books Team at a special Open House and learn more about some of the one-of-a-kind books in the Richard E. and Lucile Krug Rare Books Room. On display will be library treasures including: The Autograph Book, The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, a selection of Audubon prints, The Charles Dickens novel "Our Mutual Friend" issued as a serial, the early years of The Ring boxing magazine, Wisconsin Electric Cookie books and more! Registration is not necessary. Call 414.286.3071 with questions.

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Krug Rare Books Room on the 2nd floor of Central Library

Have you ever wondered about the history of your house? Are you curious about what may have been on your property before your current home, or who may have lived there before? MPL's House History Program can help you answer these questions and more!

The program will be held on Saturday, October 22, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Central Library. Librarians and an architectural historian from Historic Milwaukee, Inc. will provide an overview of house history resources available at the library, including city directories, fire insurance atlases, tax rolls, newspaper indexes, etc. Most resources apply to homes located within the City of Milwaukee.

Advance registration is required; please call Central Library's Humanities Department at (414) 286-3061 to sign up. Admission is free, but space is limited. Sign up soon!

Although winter seems far away with the wonderful weather we are having this week, we all know that blustery days are right around the corner. Learn how make your home into a cozy nest impervious to cold and high energy bills by attending the Home Repair program at the new Villard Square on October 19 at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. This program, presented by the Neighborhood Development Improvement Corporation, Department of City Development, will show you how to increase your home energy effiency before winter arrives. You can also find out what funds are available for insulation and home repairs.

No registration is required. For more information about this program, call (414)286-3011

Are you an energetic and enthusiastic educator? Then the Milwaukee Public Library wants you for our Teacher in the Library program! We are seeking up to twelve (12) licensed educators to provide after school homework help at six (6) Milwaukee Public Libraries:

Atkinson, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave.
Center St., 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Forest Home, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave.
M.L. King, 310 W. Locust St.
Villard Ave., 3310 W. Villard Ave.
Washington Park , 2121 N. Sherman Blvd. (starting in January 2012)

Primary responsibilities include planning and implementing age appropriate strategies and activities that will assist children with homework assignments and learning in general.

To view a detailed position description click the link below.

http://www.mpl.org/file/job_teacherinthelibrary.doc

Calling all inventors! Are you interested in patenting your invention but don't know where to start? Then come to Milwaukee Public Library's free Patents 101: How to Do a Patent Search program! Patent searching is the first step in the patent application process; it ensures your invention is new and thus eligible for a patent. A librarian will explain the 7-step search process and talk about recent changes in patent law due to the America Invents Act of 2011.

The Milwaukee Public Library is a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) and has a complete collection of tools to assist in patent searching. Get started on your patent search today with these books at your Milwaukee Public Library.

With the vast amount of medical information on the internet, people are more involved in making health care decisions than ever. However, finding accurate medical information on the internet can be challenging. Websites that look authoritative may have misinformation. In order to make the most informed choices for yourself and your loved ones, accurate medical information can be vital.

On Monday, October 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Central Library on the 2nd floor computer training room, a representative from the National Library of Medicine will demonstrate how to use Medline Plus. Medline Plus is a free resource for high quality consumer health information.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (414)286-3011.

Please join us for a special one-hour performance by The Air Force Band of Mid-America Midwest Woodwind Quintet. This ensemble's performances include Renaissance and contemporary music, popular marches and patriotic songs. The performance will take place on the first floor of the library, across from the Media Room.

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2011
Time: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Are you looking for a safe place to celebrate Halloween in your neighborhood? Look no further than your local library. The Milwaukee Public Library will host programs to celebrate the week of Halloween. Some programs will be for children and others for teens, so make sure you check one out.

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Forest Home Library on Tuesday, November 1st, with storyteller and writer Kay Elmsley Weeden! Kay will mesmerize you with bilingual stories that celebrate diversity and can "make tortillas dance!"

Day of the Dead
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
6:00 - 6:45 pm
Forest Home Library
1432 W. Forest Home Ave.
No registration required!

Come to the Central Library on Wednesday, November 9, to see Lois Ehlert discuss her work as an author and illustrator and share how her art became an iconic part of the Central Library. Ehlert, the creator of such famous children's books as Nuts to you!, Color Zoo, and my personal favorite, Top Cat, designed the animal shapes inlaid into the floor in the Betty Brinn Children's room.

This program is open to the public and part of the MPL docents' ongoing enrichment program. A book signing follows the event.

For more information, please call (414)286-8720.

Improve your balance, center your mind, maybe even lower your blood pressure with T'ai Chi. Joni us for this positive, energy-filled start to each weekend. Tim Duehring studies and teaches Chen style T'ai Chi and welcomes anyone who wants to learn. Beginners are always welcome! This class is available most Saturdays in 2011. Please check our calendar for specific dates. Call Ready Reference with any questions at (414) 286-3011.

Library: Villard Square Branch
Intended audience: Adults
Day: Saturdays
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 10:00 AM