Library Connections

Get Stung by a "Buzz" Book!

2011-12-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Check out our new "Buzz Book" collection! Grab a classic-in-the-making without the wait!

For walk-in patrons
No waiting
28-day checkout

*Sponsored by the Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library

Art on Display

2011-12-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

On display in the lobby through the month of December, scale drawings by Poynette resident, Eugene Klawitter. Mr. Klawitter is a veteran of the Korean War who took up drawing battleships, trains and planes in retirement. Each drawing contains so much detail it can take up to 400 hours to produce. Don't miss it!

Return of the Don't Miss Lists

2011-08-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Don't Miss Lists are back! Look for archived lists to be posted soon. Thank you for your patience and for letting us know how important these lists are to you.

Season Three - United States of Tara

2011-07-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Season two left a number of questions unanswered.

Tune in to follow the ups and downs in the life of a Kansas family as they try to unravel the mysteries of early childhood trauma, while coping with the chaos of dissociative identity disorder. As Tara discovers how to dance with the devil inside, it could be argued that the 8th personality is actually the collective community of friends and family that support her on this unpredictable journey.

See how it all ends in the series finale.

artsTRIBe COVER TO COVER Art Exhibit

2011-07-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

On display in the library through the month of July, artsTRIBE takes on the "book"...books as subject matter, books as raw material, books as inspiration. COVER TO COVER is funded by the artists and by grants from the Dane County Cultural Arts Commission and the Madison Arts Commission.

True Blood - Season Three

2011-06-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

It's that time again!

If the HOLD list is any indication, Season Three will undoubtedly have many viewers in their clutches. The good news: because we own the discs, Sun Prairie cardholders will be able to slake their thirst quicker than what the raw numbers indicate.

2nd Annual Friends Trivia Challenge Fundraiser

2011-06-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the local businesses who contributed prizes to make our trivia challenge fundraiser such a success!

Atlantis Taverna
Baba's Supper Club
Bank of Sun Prairie
Beans 'n Cream
Ben's Auto Service
Cannery Wine & Spirits
Colonial Club
Dairy Queen
Day One Pizza
Eddie's Alehouse & Eatery
Elite Embroidery/Screening
Family Video
Forever Yours Jewelry
Frank Pennypacker
Heads Up Hair Salon
Jungs Garden Center
La Tolteca
Read Before Book Store
Sentry Foods
Stark Chevrolet

Where Else?

2011-05-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

Q: Where else can you go, and get:

2 books

3 magazines

AND a cookie, ALL FOR UNDER $5.00?

A: The Read-Before-Bookstore!

Bringing the World Back Home: 50 Years With the Peace Corps

2011-04-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Join us for a Peace Corps celebration @the library. An exhibition of cultural artifacts from the Madison Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteeers will be on display through the month of August.

A panel discussion by several returned volunteers who served around the world will take place on Tuesday, April 12, at 6:30 pm in the Community Room. All are welcome!

Money Smart Week Webinar: Investing 101

2011-03-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Morningstar Library Services will be participating in Money Smart Week with a free webinar, Investing 101: Simple Strategies to Get Started in the World of Investing. The session will cover the basics of how to start investing, including why you should invest, determining your investment goals, and finding the right mix of stocks, bonds, and other investments for you using Morningstar research.

Investing 101 will be held April 8 at 11 a.m. Central time. The Morningstar Investment Research Center monthly database training will be held April 7 at 11 a.m. central time. The sessions will be done via the web, so they should be accessible from any location with a computer. Patrons can register by e-mailing librarytraining@morningstar.com and mentioning Sun Prairie Public Library.

United States of Tara - Season 2

2011-02-05T08:49:00.001-08:00

Season Two is here!

Follow the comedic misadventures of a suburban housewife with dissociative identity disorder. Screenwriter Diablo Cody, who won an Academy Award for “Juno” in 2007, provides a unique conceit for Toni Collette’s multifaceted and critically acclaimed acting abilities.

Watch as she morphs into six distinct characters whenever the stress of modern life intrudes. Emmy, and Golden Globe award-winning performance(s).

Library Zumba!

2011-01-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

Zumba: "A latin inspired dance/ fitness infusion" guaranteed to get

you fit.....And, be FUN, no matter your age, shape, or size!

Want to learn more & check it out for FREE???

(If your answer is "yes," & you're a female age 10+)

then this one's for you:

Zumba Girlz!

Sunday 2/13/2011

2-3 PM, Community Room

Join us library gals for this special Sunday program

as we learn basics from local instructor, Janelle Van Erem...

Cut loose, and get our groove on!

Note: Registation Required.

Comfy workout wear recommened.

Must be female and 10+ to attend.

(Don't be shy -- sign up @ the Children's Desk today!)
Call 825-0701 to register.

Curious About How E-Readers Work?

2011-01-11T16:21:00.001-08:00

Curious about how e-readers work?

This brief video tutorial on YouTube will visually walk you through the process of transferring e-books from OverDrive onto your e-reader.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SCLSUTube

Morningstar Price Check Time Saver

2011-01-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to check prices on a number of different stocks, or find out the loss or gain from the previous day on multiple mutual funds? A new feature of Morningstar Investment Research Center makes it easy to find this information.

Simply type the stock or fund symbols, separated by commas, in the search box (for example: GE, XOM, MSFT, INTC). Click on “get report” and you’ll get a list of price, gain/loss, day high/low, volume, and the 52-week high/low for all of the stocks in your portfolio. This will also work with mutual funds, even if you combine the search with stocks.

If you have many stocks, funds, or both, and want to save on typing tickers, simply save the string of tickers separated by commas in a word processing, text, or spreadsheet file. The next time you want a quote report, just cut and paste the string into the search box.

For more helpful tips on the new features in Morningstar Investment Research Center, or for an overview on the database, sign up for a training session on Feb. 3 at 11a.m. Central Time. Visit the Client Site http://library.morningstar.com/tracking to attend, or e-mail librarytraining@morningstar.com for further details.

For the Kid in You...

2010-12-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

And, the adult in your kid.

Maybe we don't need yet another

Best of 2010 List, but since I'm the

(Adult) Teen Librarian, humor me. :)

Best Teen Fiction for Old Folks Like Us:

**Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

**Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logstead

I am Number Four by "Pittacus Lore"

The 10 P.M. Question by Kate De Goldi

Violence 101: A Novel by Denis Wright

Dirty Little Secrets by Cynthia Jaynes Omololu

**The Cardturner: A Novel About a King, a Queen,

and a Joker by Louis Sachar

**The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

**The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith

No and Me by Delphine de Vigan

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

**White Cat by Holly Black

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Best Adult Books with Teen Appeal:

Beautiful Malice: a Novel by Rebecca James

**Blacklands by Belinda Bauer

**Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda

The Four Stages of Cruelty by Keith Hollihan

**The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

Greyhound: A Novel by Steffan Piper

Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse

**The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb

**So Cold the River by Michael Koryta

**Also available & equally excellent on audio

Listen Up! (Best of 2010)

2010-12-29T17:33:00.000-08:00

Best Audiobook:

Precious by Sapphire
Or, maybe the best one ever. Top 10, without a doubt.
Note: But, best not to drive & listen, lest you become engrossed and veer off road.

Best (Music) CD:

You Are Not Alone by Mavis Staples
Repeat Track #2. Repeat Track #2, then listen to the entire CD repeatedly. Now that's a voice.

Best DVD (You Probably Didn't See):
The Stoning of Soraya M.
Iranian honor killings, gender roles, & cultural divide. Difficult to watch, impossible to look away.

Best Books of 2010

2010-12-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

If we're gonna be frank, a disproportionate number of this year's "buzz" books proved rather unbuzzworthy. It did, however, make it that much easier to weed through the superfluous fluff, and lo and behold, we had ourselves something akin to the proverbial Christmas miracle...

We 3 wise women agreed, these be the best of 2010:

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
This nailbiting thriller is sadistically addictive from start to finish. And, just when you think you've got it all figured out...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Exquisitely written & meticulously researched, this book is guaranteed thought-provoker, no matter your interests (medicine, genetics, ethics, race relations etc.) If this one doesn't stiumulate some serious contemplation, you seriously need a boob tube hiatus.

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris
A middle aged man afflicted with the compulsion to run (and run and run) does unique a protagonist make. Unnamed is a seriously strange & simultaneously sad story of a family ravaged by a mysterious illness. It's sure to stick with you.

Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King Jr., and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides
The assassination of MLK has been done before. It's never been done like this.

Room by Emma Donoghue
Readers who enter Room will encounter a story of survival in captivity and its subsequent release as recounted by a 5-year-old. Disturbingly realistic, yet impossible to put down.

Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian
by Avi Steinberg
Call us biased, but any book with a line like, "Pimps make the best librarians" is an absolute must-read. So, no matter your vice--thugs, thieves, or Jew boy geeks--go ahead, do the jailhouse rock!

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as "a frequently dazzling piece of layer-cake metafiction," we agree. Plus, there's really cool PowerPoint. Just trust us.

Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert
Not the "megajumbo international bestseller" that was Eat, Pray, Love, the "once bitten, twice shy," (and ultimately happy-to-be-hitched once again) Gilbert thoughtfully explores the making of a marriage within the greater sociocultural context.

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors by Michele Young-Stone
We were struck by this luminescent debut novel that follows the lives of two people who are forever changed by lightning strikes. The parallel stories, quirky characters, & curious path convergence will keep you turning the pages.

Unbroken: A World War 2 Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
Heartwarming, horrifying, and historically rich, Unbroken is an ode to our men of days gone by. The tale of a true American icon, Louie Zamperini--a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero--is the perfect book for anyone looking for some serious inspiration.

OverDrive’s Audiobook App for iPhone

2010-12-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

OverDrive, the leading global distributor of audiobooks and eBooks to libraries, has announced the availability of OverDrive's free audiobook application for iPhone®, iPadTM, and iPod touch®. With OverDrive® Media ConsoleTM for iPhone, users can now wirelessly download MP3 audiobooks from OverDrive-powered library websites to their Apple® device.

The free audiobook app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch can be accessed in iTunes® and on the Apple App Store (http://bit.ly/OverDriveiPhone). Go to http://bit.ly/epw8pm to check out available titles.

E-Reader Demonstration

2010-12-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Thinking about buying an e-reader soon? Not sure which one suits your needs? Librarians will be conducting demonstrations of the Kindle2, Sony Reader, the Nook and the iPad before the holidays. Demonstrations will take place in the Conference Room on 12/16 and 12/18 from 12-1 pm, on 12/21 from 6-7 pm and on 12/22 from 4-5 pm. Call 825-0702 or email sunref@scls.lib.wi.us for information.

New Key Ring Cards

2010-11-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

We now have key ring library cards!

Always have your library card with you when you get the key ring card.

You can replace your current library card for a $1.00 replacement fee.

Free for new library card users (only one form of library card is permitted).

New Wisconsin Newspaper Database

2010-09-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

We now have access to archived issues of The Sun Prairie Star, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Capital Times, The Isthmus and other local papers!

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association and BadgerLink have partnered to bring you the Wisconsin Newspapers Digital Research Site. It provides access to daily and weekly newspapers in Wisconsin, starting in 2005 to the present, with an embargo delay of 60 days. The Wisconsin Newspapers Digital Research Site provides access to 235 member newspapers. Each addition is covered cover to cover in a PDF, searchable format. Available in the library or remotely with a valid library card number through our Databases page at http://www.sunlib.org/.

Top June Holds

2010-06-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Top June holds at Sun Prairie Public Library:

Books:
1. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
2. House Rules by Jodi Picoult
3. The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
5. Storm Prey by James Sandford
6. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larrson
7. Hannah's List by Deborah Macomber
8. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
9. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
10. Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci

DVDs:
1. The Blind Side
2. Alice in Wonderland
3. Invictus
4. It's Complicated
5. Extraordinary Measures
6. Shutter Island
7. Valentine's Day
8. The Book of Eli
9. Hot Tub Time Machine
10. Crazy Heart

Music:
1. Cherrytree Sessions by Lady Gaga
2. Fame Monster by Lady Gaga
3. Save Me, San Francisco by Train
4. Glee: the music. Vol. 3, Showstoppers
5. Beautiful Eyes by Taylor Swift
6. Animal by Ke$ha
7. The Time of Our Lives by Miley Cyrus
8. Valentine's Day Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
9. Adventures of Bobby Ray by B.o.B.
10. Life Starts Now by Three Days Grace

Wii Games:
1. Mario Party 8
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Carnival Games
4. Wii Sports Resort
5. Ultimate Board Games
6. Super Mario Galaxy 2
7. Jililan Michaels Fitness Ultimatum
8. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
9. Cooking Mama
10. Family Game Night

Learn a New Language Before You Know It

2010-06-18T13:26:00.001-07:00

We're pleased to announce the addition of Byki (Before You Know It), a new online language learning system. Byki is a rapid learning system that uses flashcards to teach over 80 different languages ranging from Afrikaans to Zulu, including 15 ESL languages. Byki offers personal progress tracking, speaking and writing exercises, as well as speech analysis to improve your pronunciation skills. Plus you can follow Byki on Facebook or Twitter, use it on your PC, Mac, or mobile device, and sign up for Word of the Day alerts.

Byki is available in the library and remotely to City of Sun Prairie cardholders through our database page. For first-time users, click on "Sign Up Now" to create an account. It's fast, effective and fun!

True Blood - Season 2

2010-05-22T07:05:00.001-07:00

Season two promises to be as sultry and sanguine as its predecessor. Critically acclaimed, and one of the library's most popular television series on DVD, this 5-disc set will surely fly out the door like a bat out of hell.

Get on the HOLD list now, before the May 25th release date.

Friends of the Library Trivia Challenge Prizes

2010-05-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Don't miss out on a chance to win these fabulous prizes:

Food Lover’s Basket (La Tolteca, Burrachos)
Reader’s Basket (The Star, Read Before Book Store)
Beans ‘N Cream Basket
Party Pleaser’s Basket (My Menu)
Gardener’s Basket (The Flower Studio, Jungs)
Family Movie Night Basket (Family Video, Pizza Pit)
Repair & Maintenance Basket (Ben's Auto, Dorn Hardware)
One-year subscription to The Star
One-month membership to Snap Fitness
$10 gift certificate to La Tolteca Restaurant
LED pocket pliers from Dorn Hardware
14-inch pizzas from Pizza Pit
DQ cake from Dairy Queen
$15 gift certificate from Atlantis Taverna
$5 gift card to Family Video
Burrito at Burrachos

Trivia Challenge at the Library

2010-05-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

Trivia Challenge Fundraiser
Saturday, May 15 2-4 p.m. in Library Community Room
Entry fee $5 per person or $20 for team of up to 6.
Cash and door prizes awarded to top teams.
Registration required by May 12. Call 608-825-0702 or email

DVD's For The Blind Or Visually Impaired

2010-03-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Did you know Sun Prairie has DVDs for the blind or visually impaired? Some DVDs contain a "Described Edition," which allows the viewer to experience the ambiance of a film with additional descriptive language.

To find materials like these, search for: "Described Ed." as a VIDEO Key Word Search.

March Art Exhibit

2010-03-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Don't miss the show of work by Sun Prairie artist, Jackie Martindale, on view in the library through March 21st. Exhibit is located on the outside of the Renk Room.

New Moon, Blind Side, Sherlock Holmes

2010-02-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

The HOLD list is filling up fast for these movie titles with March

release dates.

Visit LINKCAT to get in while the getting is good!

A New Cracking Caper!

2010-02-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

Finally!

Wallace & Gromit are back in a new murder mystery! A triumphant return to the shorter, 30-minute format that originally catapaulted the dynamic duo to international fame, makes it easy to squeeze in.

Get on the HOLD list to see this marvel of clay-mation hi-jinx.

Best Books of 2009

2009-12-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

As book-loving librarians, well, let's just say that we read a lot this year. Here are a few of our favorites--not necessarily bestsellers, but those that hit the right note at the right time...

We sifted and sorted through the hundreds of books we read this year...

And our top picks for 2009 are:

Carol's Picks

The Help by Kathryn Stockett--explores the relationships between young, white housewives and their black maids in pre-civil rights movement Mississippi (EXCELLENT on audio). Better, even, than The Secret Life of Bees.

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard--poignant tale seen through the eyes of a teenage boy, and the man he later becomes with a look back to an encounter that began one life-altering weekend.

Impostor's Daughter by Laurie Sandell--proof positive that graphic novels are literature & an endearingly bizzare true story to boot.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova--traces the descent of a once brilliant academic to that of a woman whose brain is ravaged by early onset Alzheimer's. Realism coupled with a sense of intimate immediacy grants the novel a memoir-like voice. A more sensitive portrait of degenerating mind is impossible to imagine.

The Cradle by Patrick Somerville--this multifacted familial tale has the cadence of a lullaby and was written by one of Wisconsin's very own.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall--full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration.

Liz's Picks

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen--a memoir full of sassy
humor and self-deprecating honesty.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell--Part medical thriller, part mafioso, and with a pacing that (happily) sets the teeth on edge, it's"House" meets "The Sopranos" all the way!

Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon--three separate narratives about relationships and identity that come together in a surprise twist.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave--heartbreaking story told from the perspective of a Nigerian orphan.

The Magicians: A Novel by Lev Grossman--a truly adult read for the Harry Potter lover in you.

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox--Michael J. Fox's emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual outlook on his struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Anna's Picks

Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill--a beautiful, if patrician love letter that celebrates the writer's life, while likewise reminding reader's of words capacity to enrapture.

A Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield--Ever feel frustrated enough to bite the heads off kittens? Me neither, but oh, what a line! Vigilante or female avenger? You decide--and enjoy the ride!

Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan--real who-done-it's be rare, this is one. A literary mystery in every sense of the word, it's truly a gem.

Short Girls: A Novel by Bich Minh Nguyen--Finally! Affirmation for the vertically challenged amongst us! Also, an immediately digestible tale spiced with Vietnemese-American history & cultural antedotes; the occasional expected woes of assimilation; the power of sisterhood, famililal strife, and yes, forays of food.

The Leisure Seeker: A Novel by Michael Zadoorian--an ailing elderly couple embarks on one final road trip in order to celebrate a life well lived (& end a life well lived on their own terms). Always poignant and amazingly uplifting despite the content.

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way: The Astonishing but True Story of a Daughter, Sister, Slut, Wife, Mother, and Friend to Both Man and Dog by Diana Joseph--Absolutely delightful! And, the title says it all.

Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals by Temple Grandin--Written by world renowned animal behaviorist & notable autism expert (she herself is diagnosed), this cautionary work is for anyone and everyone who loves animals & has animals who love them.

Ravens by George Dawes Green--Not sure what's so great. The colorful cast of characters? The pacing? Or, perhaps the sheer audacity of it all? No matter, for I simply couldn't put it down.

Graphic Novels

2009-12-10T10:58:00.000-08:00

Did you know Sun Prairie Public Library has an Adult Graphic Novel Collection? It is located in front of the Renk Reading Room (fireplace!), next to the audiobooks.

Graphic novels are growing in popularity, and the best ones are always checked out, just like other bestsellers. In fact, The New York Times recently introduced three separate lists of the best-selling graphic books in the country: hardcover, softcover, and manga.

So, cozy up to a quick read! If the fireplace is not lit, just ask and we can add instant atmosphere (and warmth) to your reading experience.

Here’s what people are excited about:

Stitches: A Memoir.

David Small. (921 Small)

A radiologist father subjects his son to x-rays in this poignant coming-of-age memoir.

A Drifting Life.

Yoshihiro Tatsumi.

(921 Tatsumi)
A monumental memoir eleven years in the making. It begins with childhood in Osaka, Japan, and the aftermath of World War II.

A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge.

Josh Neufeld. (976.335 Neu)
Horrific true stories from seven New Orleans survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

Dark Entries.

Ian Rankin. (F Rankin)
When contestants on a reality TV show are murdered, occult detective John Constantine investigates.

Tamara Drewe.

Posy Simmonds. (F Simmonds)
Captures the frumpiness of a British writer’s retreat, a mid-life crisis, and the chaotic upheavals a young journalist unleashes upon arriving.

Tonoharu: Part One.

Lars Martinson (F Martinso)
Experience alienation, homesickness, and culture shock first-hand when a romantic confronts reality by becoming an English teacher in Japan.

The Photographer.

Emmanuel Guibert.

(958.1045 Gui)
Into war-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders.

You’ll Never Know: A Graphic Memoir.

Carol Tyler. (921 Tyler)

The author explores her fathers unspoken experiences as a GI during World War II.

BookPage

2009-12-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Friends of the Sun Prairie Library, you can now pick up a free copy of BookPage each month. BookPage is a monthly publication brimming with reviews of bestsellers, hot new fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and teen reading. It's a great way to discover hidden gems and get a jump on the hold list for forthcoming books. Can't make it to the library? BookPage can also be access electronically on our website. Located in the display stand on the rear side of the new book shelves. Be sure to pick up your copy early in the month - they go fast!

New Magazine Titles

2009-11-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Check out these new magazines titles in our beautiful Renk Room. The fireplace will soon be ablaze, and there's always the panoramic view of Sheehan Park - it's our favorite quiet space in the library!

Alarm
All You
American Patchwork & Quilting
Beadwork
Conde Nast Traveler
Cooking with Paula Deen
Details
Do It Yourself
Domino
Fine Cooking
Fine Homebuilding
Fitness
Horticulture
Hybrid Mom
Kiplinger's Retirement Report
Knitters Lucky
Make
Marie Claire
Outside
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade
Science Illustrated
Scrapbooks, Etc.
Spirtuality and Health
Vibe

The library subscribes to over 200 magazine titles, so there's something for everyone! Current issues can be read in the library and all past issues can be checked out for two weeks. Any questions or comments? See the Information Desk.

Paperback Move

2009-11-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that our paperback collection has moved to the Adult Wing of the library (across from the computer lab). This new space has allowed us to begin collecting large format paperbacks, the new and improved version of the mass-market paperback which is now used by most best-selling authors. In addition to the larger print being easier to read, this format is sturdier than a standard paperback. Come in and check out your favorite titles today!

Tech-Know November: OverDrive

2009-11-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

OverDrive Digital Audio Books
Download audio books, music or video to a personal computer or laptop in the comfort of your own home. Transfer downloaded material to portable devices, and take it with you anywhere. Click here to learn more.

Book Drop changes November 2nd

2009-10-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

November 2nd will change the way you return books at the Sun Prairie Public Library. Currently, the book drops are marked Books, Video, and Other. Beginning Monday, November 2nd, the slots will be marked Sun Prairie Library Books, All Other Library Books and All Other Materials. We believe the change will allow us to check items in and get them back on the shelves faster. We realize that it will require paying more attention to where your books came from. We appreciate your efforts in helping to make this change a success for everyone!

Posted by Tracy Herold, Director

Check out what's Coming Soon!

2009-10-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Have you been waiting for the latest release from your favorite author? We have a fantastic "Coming Soon" list! From our website, http://www.sunlib.org/, click Good Reads by Email on the left menu. Select which newsletters you would like delivered right to your email. From the email you can go directly to LINKCat and place holds on the items you want. Be one of the first on the hold list!

Open Art Studios at the Library

2009-09-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Library Community Room
Artists: Kelly Daniels, silver point; Mark Cullen, printmaking
Ms. Daniels has been painting since childhood and shares studio space in downtown Madison with 6 other artists. Ms. Daniels will work with a process called silver point, used by Leonardo Da Vinci, among other masters. Children will have an opportunity to try silver point themselves.

Mark Cullen began printmaking as a student in public school and favors simple processes that result in truly unique works. He enjoys the sketching of a print plate and heads out to Pine Bluff Studio to do the actual print. Mark is inspired by children’s artwork, animation, cartoons, Matisse, Modigliani, and Japanese art, having spent a year in Japan as an English teacher.

September Tech-Know: Wireless Internet

2009-09-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Use your laptop, PDA or other device with a wireless network interface card to connect to our Wi-Fi anywhere in the library. Most computers will automatically recognize the wireless network. Simply launch your internet browser, and you will be prompted to register. Be sure to remember your login name and password to use for future wireless sessions.

Don't have a laptop? The library offers two laptops that adults can rent for $1.00 a day for use in the library.

August Tech-Know: Global Road Warrior

2009-07-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Become a roving globetrotter without leaving your chair -- or spending a dime! Global Road Warrior, our newest database, contains information on 175 countries, featuring high resolution maps and over 6500 colorful photos. Topics include society and culture, travel essentials, business etiquette, religion, folklore, points of interest, food, and more. A valuable resource for anyone researching cultural information, doing country reports, preparing to travel abroad, or just wanting a good read. Available for free in the library, or remotely to City of Sun Prairie library cardholders. To grab your boarding pass, go to http://www.sunlib.org/, click on the Databases tab, click on Global Road Warrior, and enter your barcode number.

BOOK'N IT 2009

2009-07-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's time to register for Book'n It 2009. This year's 5 & 10K fun run is scheduled for August 8th in Sheehan Park. Kids 100-meter fun run at 9:15 am -- sign up at the Children's Desk! More information and registration at www.booknitrun.com.

July Tech-Know: NoveList

2009-07-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

Looking for a good book? Read EVERYTHING by your favorite author? NoveList can help. NoveList offers read-alikes, book club discussion guides, reviews, and readers advisory for adults and children. NoveList, NoveList Plus and NoveList K-8 are available to all Sun Prairie Public Library card holders in the library or remotely from home! Go to http://www.sunlib.org/, click on the Databases tab, and scroll down to NoveList.

Summer Library Program in full swing

2009-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day you can check in at the Children's Desk for Summer Library Program prizes! These include a Dane County Fair pass, Mallards game pass, stickers, Dolphin's Cove pass, and a variety of other mystery prizes. And don't forget, when you finish your booklet, you get a pass to the August 8th pool party!

Adults can join in the fun, as well. Turn in completed slips at the Information Desk to enter drawings to win a variety of prizes.

Looking for a Good Read? Check out the Readers tab on our website to see a variety of sources to help you select your next read!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Georgia O'Keefe Celebration

2009-06-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

Join a celebration of Georgia O'Keefe on Saturday, June 13th, at the library from 10-3.

-- See the O'Keefe exhibit in the lobby display case

-- Watch a brief video on O'Keefe's favored vistas

-- Participate in the community art project from 11-2:30 p.m.

Posted by Tracy Herold

Seasons of Discovery Photography Exhibit

2009-06-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Al Snowdon, local photographer, writer, and poet, teamed up with photographer Sally Keyel to photograph our beautiful library prairies in each of the four seasons. The result of this partnership is now on display in the Adult Wing of the library through the month of June. A Haiku written by Mr. Snowdon accompanies each set of photographs.

LearningExpressLibrary

2009-06-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

June's Tech-Know feature is Learning Express Library. LEL offers a variety of online test preparation tools, from elementary school to college! Check it out at http://www.sunlib.org/; click on the Databases menu and scroll down. Login using your library card number and create a user account and password. Absolutely free!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Fax at the Library

2009-05-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

The library now offers fax services for your convenience! Available at the Information Desk, you can send a fax using your credit or debit card, or by purchasing a pre-paid card at the Registration Desk. The first page is $1.50; each following page is $1.00. Information Desk staff is available to answer questions.

New! Morningstar Investment Resource Center

2009-03-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce that Morningstar Investment Resource Center is now available as one of our electronic resources to help you start tracking your investments and plan for the future! This database offers not only the contents of the print edition, but much more. Morningstar provides up-to-date coverage on more than 30,000 mutual funds, stocks, and ETFs with analysts' reports for over 2,000 stocks and 2,000 mutual funds.

Screeners allow you to create lists of possible investments in mutual funds, stocks and ETFs.

Expert analysis, ratings and grades help you to make sense out of the investments that interest you most.

Portfolio X-Ray allows you to enter your current or prospective portfolio to check asset allocation, sector weighting, and other key variables.

Help and Education provides guides to the database and offers articles on investing, retirement planning, and tax planning.

Morningstar is available to all Sun Prairie Public Library patrons in the library and remotely to all City of Sun Prairie cardholders. To access Morningstar Investment Research Center, go to http://www.sunlib.org/, click on the Databases tab, click on Morningstar, and enter your library barcode number.

Tech-Know @ www.sunlib.org

2009-03-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

Introducing Tech-Know! Beginning in April we will feature a unique technology service available to you through the library. We’ll give you the need-to-know basics and how to get started. Questions? Ask us at 608-825-0702; sunref@scls.lib.wi.us; http://www.sunlib.org/.

Coming April 1st: Morningstar Investment Research Center

Speak up for your library!

2009-02-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

Now more than ever libraries are serving people, offering free books, music, movies, programming, resume preparation, job searching, and education preparation. Though libraries are well used, they face grave economic challenges. Would you be willing to lend your voice to support Sun Prairie Public Library? If so, please consider signing up for "Speak up for Your Library." By doing so you will help maintain public library support, locally, state-wide and nationally. Click here for more information!

Posted by Tracy Herold

Have you seen the Book'n It Guy?

2009-02-16T14:21:00.001-08:00

The Groundhogs Day Celebration seemed a perfect time for the Book'n It Guy to make his first appearance in 2009. After all, spring has made a preliminary appearance, regardless of what Jimmy said. What better motivation to get on your running and walking shoes?!

Book'n It is a 5K/10K fun run and walk that starts in Sheehan Park and winds through historical downtown Sun Prairie. Awards are given for overall and age group winners. There is a 100-meter Kids Run following the race, a true delight for all, as well as a mascot run that features the Book'n It Guy, Curt the Cardinal, the Corn Festival Corncob.

Book'n It 2009 is set for Saturday, August 8, 8am. For more information, go to www.booknitrun.com.

Can you guess....

2009-01-22T09:23:00.000-08:00

how many items YOU checked out from the Sun Prairie Public Library in 2008?

543,605

how many items YOU returned to SP Library in 2008?

663,556

how many holds YOU picked up 2008?

122,189

how many people visited the SP Library in 2008?

271,447

AMAZING!!!

Posted by Tracy Herold

An Inviting Place with Something for Everyone

2009-01-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

“There is something for everyone at the library: free access to ideas and information; a diverse collection; beautiful surroundings; a helpful friendly staff. Learn, grow and expand your horizons!”

You may have seen the Wisconsin State Journal this morning and the feature on libraries. Usage is up at most libraries, which is typical in tough economic times. Folks are discovering for the first time what a value they have in their local library.

Here in Sun Prairie, residents have long understood what an incredible asset the library is to their lives. A recent survey showed that 99.9% of respondents would recommend us to a friend. You told us you love the building, the beautiful architecture, the soaring ceilings, the cozy Martha Renk Room, and the natural light. You love the collection, the variety of new fiction and nonfiction titles, DVDs, music and audio books. In addition, you value library programming. In 2008, 17,873 children attend 297 programs!

Those of you who use the library on a regular basis, please continue to enjoy this fabulous place and all it has to offer. Those of you who are discovering us for the first time or returning after a long hiatus...WELCOME!

Photos from 1/2/2009 issue of Wisconsin State Journal

Posted by Tracy Herold

Enjoy stress-free holiday shopping at the Library!

2008-12-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

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

Picturing America Exhibit

2008-11-14T10:03:00.001-08:00

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.

Introducing Good Reads

2008-10-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Mark Cullen Art Exhibit

2008-10-06T12:20:00.001-07:00

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

New Magazines in the Renk Reading Room

2008-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

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!

Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel

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.

Brides

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)

Entertainment Weekly

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!

InStyle

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!

Friends Have Fun!

2008-08-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

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!

Your library card...access to the WORLD!

2008-07-29T08:15:00.001-07:00

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!

Fax available

2008-07-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

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

Get your running shoes on!

2008-07-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

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!

New Faces at the Information Desk

2008-06-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Catch the Reading Bug!

2008-06-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

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

Survey results & quiet areas

2008-06-16T07:02:00.000-07:00

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

Showers anyone?

2008-06-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

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

Tell us about us!

2008-06-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

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!

Spring welcome!

2008-05-28T08:02:00.001-07:00

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.