Monday, December 15, 2008

Enjoy stress-free holiday shopping at the Library!

Like most folks, you are probably watching your holiday spending this season. But where do you find unique, affordable gifts? At the Library, of course! The Sun Prairie Public Library offers Library Dollars ($1 each) that can be used to pay fines and fees on overdue, damaged or lost items. This is a terrific way to ensure that family and friends are able to use the library without being blocked.

Also, for the movie-lovers in your life we offer Rental DVD Certificates. Far more affordable than video stores, our rentals are $2 each and can be checked out for a whole week!

Not to be missed is the Read Before Book Store, which offers gently used books at bargain prices. Adult hardcover books go for $1; paperbacks are $.50; children's books are $.25! They also offer gift certificates.

Enjoy the time you'll save shopping at the Library this holiday season!

Posted by Tracy

Friday, November 14, 2008

Picturing America Exhibit

The Sun Prairie Public Library recently received 40 pieces of great American art through the Picturing America initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. These images of people, places and events illustrating American history give our patrons a chance to better understand our country's past and its ideals.


The pictures are on display on a rotating schedule in the West wing of the library near the adult porch. For more information on the program, visit the Picturing America web site at: http://www.picturingamerica.neh.gov/.


George Caleb Bingham (1811—1879), The County Election, 1852. Oil on canvas, 38 x 52 in. (96.5 x 132.1 cm.). Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, Mo., Gift of Bank of America.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Introducing Good Reads



With more than 170,000 books published annually in the U.S., we know that the task of keeping up with new titles is overwhelming. Now there's an easy and exciting new way to be sure you don't miss out on the types of books you'd really like to read. By subscribing to our free Good Reads e-newsletter, sponsored by the Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library, you can keep up on the latest in books, authors, dvds, music and happenings at the library. Reviews of recommended titles in your favorite genres for children, teens and adults will be delivered right to your inbox, with links to the library catalog so you can easily reserve titles. Also, be sure to check out the READER'S section of our new web site. There you'll find award and bestseller lists, an author directory, BookPage reviews, and links to our reader's databases and our favorite reader's web sites.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Mark Cullen Art Exhibit

The art of Mark Cullen, Reference Librarian and local artist, will be on display in the West Wing of the library (near the Adult Porch) through October 31.
"I have been making art since I was a child. It is compulsive, really. If I don't make art for a while, I start to feel off balance. I work in a variety of mediums: recycled teabags, beeswax, and salvaged piano parts are a few examples of the unusual materials I like to employ. I get a charge out of rescuing materials from certain death in a landfill and breathing new life into them. The display at the library is witness to this fact. You will find paintings, old-school printmaking, and found-object sculpture which utilize traditional and non-traditional materials." - Mark Cullen

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

New Magazines in the Renk Reading Room

Our adult magazine collection is located in the Renk Reading Room, where you can settle into a comfy chair in front of the fireplace with a cup of coffee from the Read Before Book Store and browse away. Several of our new selections are featured here. All back issues of magazines can be checked out for 14 days. Let us know how you like the new magazines - we appreciate your feedback!


Aimed at budget-conscious travelers, this magazine compiles tips and ideas for traveling the world. It can help you find ideas for your vacation, plan a trip detail by detail, and take advantage of cost-cutting deals around the world.


Known for its large selection of wedding dresses, this magazine offers any wedding planner a variety of ideas and resources for planning the wedding of the century. Readers will find advice on etiquette, reception do's and don'ts, fashion, hairstyles, and traveling, as well as tips for planning on a budget.

Cooks Illustrated

A detailed visual guide is offered in this magazine for aspiring cooks as well as busy people just wanting to whip up a quick dinner. Recipes are organized by meal type, while in depth diagrams illustrate ways to make efficient use of ingredients and time. What sets this magazine apart is it's dedication to evaluating and testing new products in order to offer reliable reviews and advice.


Electronic Gaming Magazine (Teen)

Game reviews, technology upgrades, previews of new gaming consoles burst from these pages. Anyone looking for cheats or the new developments in computer graphics will find it in this dynamic magazine. (In Young Adult magazines)

The weekly buzz is out on what's hot and what's not. Check here for all the latest TV Show and Movie news. Music, DVDs, actor stats, and everything pop-culture - nothing is missing from this magazine!





Dogging the footsteps of the rich and famous, here you'll see the latest styles the stars are wearing. Whether it be hairstyles, makeup, clothes, or shoes, pictures galore abound from these pages. You'll find all the fashion advice to keep you up-to-date and InStyle!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Friends Have Fun!

The Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a splash of Hawaiian style. Luau highlights included not only a delicious feast, but also an enlivening presentation of reminiscences and future visions of the library.

New Friends are always welcome! Our Friends group provides essential support for programs and services that help to make the the library the best it can be. Consider becoming a Friend of the library - memberships start at just $5.00! It's a great way to get involved and help promote your library.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Friends annual meeting on Monday, November 10, at 7 pm in the Community Room. See you there!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Your library card...access to the WORLD!

Did you know that 70% of Sun Prairie residents have library cards?! That amazing number tells me the community realizes how important this little card is! It is equally amazing how flippant some patrons are about their library cards. There are patrons who don't bring their card when they come to the library and then wonder why they cannot check out their items. Some don't report them lost or stolen. Some wonder why they are required to use their own library card for Internet access.

A library card offers its owner unique access to a wide variety of library resources. It is a symbol of the trust between user and library: the library will loan the user ANYTHING for free; the user agrees to bring library material back in a timely fashion. This is an amazing trust system and works very well, provided patrons present their library card. Otherwise, we don't know who has our items.

When a library card goes lost or is stolen, it is imperative to let the library know, as the card could be used to check out items unbeknownst to the owner. The sooner we know a card has gone missing, the sooner we can block it and get the owner a new card. That way, a user is not charged for items they have not checked out.

Folks who use the Internet need a valid library card in good standing to utilize our computers. Given all the possible computer crime and investigation that goes on in today's world, it is necessary for each user to use THEIR OWN card. Think if you lent your card to someone who used the computer for illegal access -- YOU could be accused of wrongdoing, or at the very least be caught up in a messy investigation.

As you can see, your library card is important for unfettered access to all the resources the library offers. Treat it like your driver's license or credit card -- it's that important!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Fax available

We are happy to report we now offer outgoing fax services! The cost is $1.50 for the first page and $1.00 for every page thereafter. Payment may be made via credit or debit card. Our machine gives clear, concise instructions, and can be used without staff intervention -- though we will certainly help if we can. We are so happy to offer this simple service -- check it out!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Get your running shoes on!

It's Book'n It time again! This year's event is August 9 and offers a BRAND NEW COURSE! The new course begins at Sheehan Park and winds along Linnerud, through downtown, and finishes in the park. There is a 5K walk and run and a 10K run. Post-run activities include a Kids Fun Run, live music and a chance to meet the Book'n It Guy. Oh, and the tshirts promise to be pretty cool! You can find more information, including registration, at www.booknitrun.com. See you there!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

New Faces at the Information Desk

As you’re making your way around the library this summer, you’ll see two new faces at the Information Desk.


Liz (left) joined the reference staff in June after working in both the SPPL circulation and technical services departments. She has a J.D. as well as an MLS and, according to her, “will be paying off student loans for the rest of [her] life.”

Laura (right) is starting the second year of her Master’s Degree in Library Science at UW Madison and working as a summer library intern. She hopes to eventually climb the ladder and become the director of a public library.

Both librarians are avid readers and excited to assist with research, questions, and book recommendations.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Catch the Reading Bug!

Many of us are staying closer to home this summer, what with gas prices and unpredictable weather! Good thing the library offers a WORLD of adventure, romance, mystery, armchair travel and more. Whether kid or adult, you can participate in the Summer Library Program.


Adults, participate in Read Around The World and qualify for our prize drawing. Simply: 1) read or listen to a book by an international author or about a foreign country; 2) fill out an entry slip; 3) drop the slip in the box at the Information Desk -- that's it! All entries must be submitted by 5pm on August 9, 2008.



Kids, sign up for Summer Library Program and win prizes for reading. Stop at the Children's Desk to get your reading booklet and a calendar of events.


Teens! There is a Reading Raffle for you! To enter, read one book, fill out a raffle ticket, drop it in the box by the Puff Chairs -- it's that easy. Also, take a look at our Teen Events happening all summer long.


Have a great read!
Tracy Herold, Library Director

Monday, June 16, 2008

Survey results & quiet areas

Greetings on a beautiful, (dare I say it?) DRY Monday morning. Many of you, no doubt, had to travel this weekend -- I hope you were not too delayed getting to your destination.

Our online survey is still available through the rest of June at http://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/. Last week, with the help of our Friends, we offered print copies of the survey in our lobby. The response was overwhelming -- thank you to everyone who took the time to give us your input! While we have two weeks to go before tabulating the results, there is one issue that has come up regularly that I thought I could address immediately. Several respondents felt the library was too noisy or that it was hard to find a quiet place. While the library in general is a bustling place, we have several areas that we try very hard to keep "silent." They are as follows:

Martha Renk Reading Room -- A silent room that houses the magazine and newspaper collections, this room offers lovely views of Sheehan Park and a fireplace.

Discussion Rooms -- We have two discussion rooms that can be checked out at the Registration Desk for up to two hours. Both offer wireless access and closed doors.

Computer Lab -- Our 12-station lab is a silent lab. Access a workstation with your library card and PIN. This room is one person per computer.

Children's & Adult Wing Towers -- These towers, while at the farthest point from the entrance, offer quiet workspaces that look out onto Sheehan Park.

If at any time you find these quiet areas are noisy, please alert library staff and we will help to maintain the quiet.

Thanks,
Tracy Herold, Director

Monday, June 9, 2008

Showers anyone?

I hope you made it safely through this weekend's storms. Given our recent weather, I thought this would be a great time to review the Library's tornado warning procedure.

The library is a place of shelter during a tornado warning. When staff is alerted of a tornado warning, they will make an announcement informing all patrons to leave library materials behind and take their personal belongings to the Community Room. Visitors may either leave the library or come to the Community Room -- no one may remain in the library. During the tornado warning the television is tuned to weather-related news channel and the weather radio is on. As soon as staff have received an all-clear, the library will resume business and visitors may once again enter the library.

Thanks for helping us keep you safe!

Tracy Herold

Monday, June 2, 2008

Tell us about us!

This month we are asking YOU to tell us about us. We have posted an online survey that asks a variety of questions to help us better serve your needs. Visit www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org and click on the survey link. It won't take long and at the end you will receive a coupon to the Read Before Book Store. The survey will also be available in print during the week of June 9 - 13. We appreciate your input!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Spring welcome!



Though it is still a bit chilly outside, we are seeing the affects of warming weather at the library. We had a busy spring, yet it is always amazing to observe how much livelier we are when the weather finally breaks.

Have you seen these new library features?


YA Puff chairs
These new chairs are perfect for finding a good young adult book and curling up for a read!
YA Internet stations
Teens now have their very own computer stations, complete with cool, amoeba table and headphones.
Nonfiction has moved to the Children's Area
We have moved all the children's nonfiction books to the children's area so you can better find what you are looking for!
Rental Laptops
For $1.00 you can rent a laptop to use anywhere in the library for as long as you like through out the day. The laptops offer wireless Internet access and Microsoft Office products. Save documents to your USB flash drive. Printing is not available from these stations.
Information on the go
Check out our new media monitor at the Information Desk for all the information you need about upcoming events and happenings at the library.