March 2008 connectnow
The March 2008 connectnow is available online, in the library and on the library’s bookmobiles. Enjoy articles on tax time and a spotlight on our talking books service. Also find the schedule for computer classes, children’s and adult programs, films and the bookmobile schedule. All library events are also listed on the web calendar. Read all the articles from past connectnow issues here.
Read all the articles from past connectnow issues here.
Read all the articles from past connectnow issues here.
In Cold Blood is the Kansas Reads book for February 2008. Librarians chose it for a broad-based appeal that could encourage and sustain spirited discussion. The goal of the Kansas Center for the Book is to foster more literary activity throughout the state and to increase the awareness of books and reading with a Kansas flair. Learn more at 
Every Friday in January you're invited to take a tour of the library. Come see how your library works and what the library can do for you. Enjoy a guided tour of the building, including a peek behind-the-scenes. 
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On the library’s second floor, just beyond the balcony, the Topeka Room offers visitors a glimpse of a previous century’s living room. The Woodward stained glass window and antique furnishings are reminiscent of Topeka in the 19th century. Browsers searching the shelves will find a special collection of books by Topeka authors or about Topeka. The Menninger family’s psychiatric research, the popular Nero Wolfe mysteries by author Rex Stout, the heart-felt poetry by Langston Hughes, and artwork of Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas are among the significant works from Topeka represented in this unique collection. Staff assists researchers, who are tracing Topeka history or their own family tree, in the Dr. Phillip and Betty Baker Genealogy Center. Researchers have used the resources on such topics such as the history of their houses, neighborhoods and historic events like the 1951 flood or 1966 tornado. School children find sources for Kansas History Day projects as well as look for photos of their parents in the extensive collection of high school yearbooks. Since 1976, the Friends of the Library have funded the Topeka Room and have taken an active interest in its collections. Warren Taylor, Topeka historian, former Topeka Room librarian, and current Friends vice president, points out that the antiques, art and stained glass were donated by some of Topeka’s most prominent families. The chiming and ticking of the Mulvane family grandfather clock often is complimented with the sounds of a 1860s music box, playing songs of long ago. Donated by Mrs. Alf (Theo) Landon, an ornate walnut mantel salvaged from the former Governor’s mansion at 8th and Buchanan is inlaid with English tiles depicting the legend of King Arthur.
Our community is fortunate to have friends like the Friends of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. With over 1,200 members who volunteer their time in support of library programs and services, every library user enjoys the benefits of their annual book sale and book store proceeds. “The Friends of TSCPL benefits not only the library, but our whole community,” observes Gina Millsap, TSCPL executive director. “For 36 years, the annual book sale has offered low-cost books to everyone who loves books and reading. The Chandler Booktique is a favorite place to shop for books as well as unique gifts. Funds from these activities support our library.” 
The Library Foundation is proud to assist donors whose philanthropic point of connection creates giving opportunities such as these...
In 2008, the Sabatini Gallery is on board for First Fridays. That means on February 2, April 4, June 6, August 1, October 3 and December 5, come party with us, see some new art, eat, then move on to the next gallery when you’re through. In addition to meeting artists, curators and other supporters, most places offer food, drink and lively conversation. The best part is that it’s free, casual (seriously—don’t dress up—it isn’t required) and unaffected.
At the holidays, many cooks bring out their traditional family recipes. Office parties and winter gatherings are also an opportune time to try something new. The library’s cookbook collection (call number 641) provides ample selection for finding the perfect recipe this year.
Who were Rembrandt and Dürer and why should you care? 
• Research and reference materials and services will be centralized between the east and west wings (former New Books area) to make working with the librarians easier.
No family history is complete without taking into account the when and where of the lives of the people involved. Historical events affect the breadth and depth of your family tree. Family history, or genealogy, goes hand in hand with local history, and both can be found in the Topeka Room on the second floor. 
The bus will be in the Library Parking Lot from 3-5 pm on Friday, October 19, 2007. 
“This building looks brand new.” 
Bill Snyder, the winningest coach in the history of Kansas State University (KSU) football who engineered the greatest turnaround in the history of college football, has his sights on a new goal – the 
Kansas Mentors Leadership Council. Shortly after retiring Snyder joined Governor Kathleen Sebelius to promote the council, which serves as a resource for communities that wish to start a mentor program, to connect existing mentoring programs, and to recruit more Kansans to participate in mentoring. In 1988, the 32nd head football coach at KSU had reached 135 victories during his 17 years with the Wildcats—over three times more than the second place coach on KSU’s all-time coaching victories list. Snyder’s impact at KSU reached beyond the football field. He rekindled pride in both KSU alumni and supporters. KSU’s enrollment grew from 18,000 to a record 24,000 during his tenure. 
His efforts to make an impact on young people continues today when he discusses the Kansas Mentors program: “All children deserve a caring adult role model in their lives to support and guide them… and our mission is to help make this a reality.”
but the Fayette County, PA, nurse had never heard of such a fancy name so she changed it. 
during the time of hippies, peace signs and love beads. After her parents divorced, her mother took the family back to Pennsylvania where Tamora experienced a cultural shock. Pop music, conservative politics and knee-length hemlines were the norm in Pennsylvania. The only thing that remained the same was that Tamora was “still a geek and didn’t fit in.” Tamora has never been shy to follow her heart. She’s been a housemother, a reviewer of martial arts movies, and an author.
At the end of 1983, The Library Foundation had total assets under management of $37,112. By the end of 2006, that figure had risen to $5,591,138, which does not include a substantial amount pledged in planned or deferred gifts. These philanthropic resources – contributed primarily by local citizens, foundations, corporations, and organizations – have had a significant impact upon every facet of the library’s operations. These charitable gifts ensure that the library can plan on an annual distribution from The Library Foundation of between $85,000 and $100,000, much of which is designated for library materials.
The Library Foundation’s Board of Trustees aspires to raise $1.2 million in outright and deferred gifts in 2007. The board and staff are also working to enroll at least 12 new members into the Edward and Mary Wilder Society, which honors those individuals who have included the library in their wills or estate plans.
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What better way to keep summer going than to have some great books on hand to read when your homework’s done? Better yet—read with a friend! From September 23 through November 17, let the library’s fall reading program, Read With Friends, entertain you with new and imaginative ideas. Your friend could be a classmate (try reading jokes to each other), your parents (read them a favorite recipe you’d like for dinner), your brothers and sisters (read about other family adventures), even your pet or favorite stuffed animal. You could even record yourself reading and listen to how well you did!
As a recent graduate, I associate the end of summer with a dwindling bank account balance, looming apartment deposits, student loan cliffhangers and biking as my primary mode of transit. Seasonal jobs closed with nothing to show for the effort because concert tickets and weekend road trips with friends easily overrode the attempt to save money for school. By the time classes started, I was usually broke. 
Sports columnist Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star comes to the library Sunday, August 19, to discuss The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O’Neil’s America. The Soul of Baseball is a wonderful chronicle of Posnanski’s journeys around the country over the course of one year with Buck O’Neil, former Negro Leagues player, manager of the Kansas City Monarchs, and later the first black coach in the Major Leagues. O’Neil 
dedicated much of his life to championing the memory of Negro League baseball and the men who played the game—many in relative obscurity. Through vivid stories that range from humorous to sad to profound, Posnanski shows what made Buck O’Neil such a unique personality, beloved by so many. But O’Neil’s life story is not about baseball alone. It recounts the incredible ability of a man who lived through pain and prejudice while retaining a heart of tolerance and forgiveness. Baseball fans will certainly want to attend this program—even if you’re not a sports fan, you will benefit from hearing about Buck O’Neil and his approach to life.
1. The librarians. We research everyday. We know effective
“Reading magazines at the library saves me a ton on subscriptions, and I don’t have magazines piling up at home,” says library enthusiast David McCoy about the new Magazine and Newspaper Reading Room. This remodeled room formerly housed the Genealogy and Family History Collection, which has been moved to the second floor Special Collections department. The Magazine and Newspaper Reading Room is designed specifically for relaxed browsing and reading, with glass walls that provide sound insulation from hallway traffic while retaining an open and inviting appearance. The room resembles a living room with overstuffed chairs and low tables. 
In a fast-paced world, no one likes waiting on long request lists for new books and movies. So why wait? Try the library’s new express services for the latest movies and books: DVD Express and Bestseller Express! 
Tell your friends about the latest bestseller— and tell them to find those popular titles
Beginning with the August 2007 issue, the connectnow magazine, a monthly publication by the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, will be available as a column on this blog. The connectnow magazine is downloadable as a .pdf, and the articles from each issue will be serialized. To browse past articles, read the 
Modern "
Surely you have turned to the obituary page of the local paper and scanned for names you recognize. Many newspapers print paid obituaries, which are written by the families or submitted by the funeral homes. But some journalists capture the essence of a life lived as they create obituaries—as art, as history, as work, as literature, as obsession.
Come this July, fans the world over will be dancing with glee that the final installment of the Harry Potter series will finally be in their hands. Questions will be answered—Is Snape truly evil? Will Harry return to Hogwarts? How will Sirius’s two-way mirror help Harry now? And most importantly, will The Boy Who Lived be the one to die?