Enter the ‘Be Creative’ Summer Reading Fun Fest Photography Contest at the Palm Springs Public Library!

As part of our Summer Reading Fun Fest (SRFF) program the Palm Springs Public Library is calling for all amateur photographers to enter our SRFF Photography Contest. The theme is “This Is My Palm Springs” and all photo entries must depict this theme as interpreted by the photographer and their camera.

There are three (3) entry categories: Youth (K—5th grade), Teens (6th—12th grade) and Adults (18 +). There will be prizes awarded for First, Second and Third place in each category. Each of the First prize winners will receive a gift card for $100, Second prize winners will receive a gift card for $75 each and each of the Third prize winners will receive a gift card for $50.

To enter the photography contest, go to the Library’s web site at www.palmspringslibrary.org and print out an entry form from the home page. Then bring the completed form, along with an 8 x 10 print of the photo, to the Library by June 30th at 5:00 p.m. No late entries will be able to be accepted.

Judges from the community, with experience in the arts or as a photographer, have been chosen to review the entries and select the winners. All photos will be displayed in the Library from July 14th – 30th. Prizes will be awarded at the Summer Reading Fun Fest Finale on Sat. August 1st at 2:00 p.m.

Along with the photography contest there are other fun activities and programs that showcase this year’s theme—the Arts! All programming is FREE and there is something for every age group. Adults will enjoy learning about digital photography and making your own greeting cards. Teens can participate in programs on bead making, TV production and collage. For Youth there will be a puppet program, a program on public art and a class teaching the basics of digital photography! Plus there are programs open to all ages including joining a drum circle and playing BINGO with the Power Baseball team. There really is something for everyone!

Prize giveaways are awarded throughout all the levels of each of the youth and teen programs. Adults who finish will receive a special tote bag. All prizes are given out while supplies last, and are not guaranteed.

The Summer Reading Fun Fest is a great way for families to read together and ensure kids continue learning and growing their reading skills through the summer. Registration is available online at the Library’s web site at www.palmspringslibrary.org or in-person at the Library.

‘The 3rd Annual Altered Book Art Project’ online auction is extended!

The Palm Springs Public Library (Library) and the Palm Springs Art Museum (Art Museum) have decided to extend the online auction of ‘The Journey—3rd Annual Altered Book Art Project’ works of art. There will be one more week for the public to buy their favorite altered book work of art by their favorite artist through an online auction utilizing eBay. The auction will begin again on Wed. May 13th at 5:00 p.m. and will conclude on Wed. May 20th at 5:00 p.m. The links to the individual auctions will be accessible from both the Library’s and the Art Museum’s web sites; go to either www.palmspringslibrary.org or www.psmuseum.org and follow the link from the home page to the auctions on eBay. Each piece will be listed individually but the public can bid on as many as they would like.

At the close of the auction, all winners will be notified and payment and shipping arrangements will be made. All proceeds of the auction will benefit the Library and the Art Museum.

‘The Journey—3rd Annual Altered Book Art Project’ is a joint project between the Palm Springs Public Library (Library) and the Palm Springs Art Museum (Art Museum). Fifteen locally and nationally known artists created new works of art utilizing books, videos, DVDS and CDs ‘weeded’ out from the Library’s collection due to damage or age. The exhibit debuted at the Library in late March 2009 and was on display until May 9, 2009.

Located downtown in an architecturally-significant E. Stewart Williams-designed building, the Palm Springs Art Museum features compelling temporary exhibitions and a robust collection of contemporary, Native American, Western and Pre-Columbian art in 28 spacious galleries and its two outdoor sculpture gardens. The museum offers stimulating lectures, films and an assortment of educational programs for all ages. The museum’s Annenberg Theater features outstanding musical performances. The museum is open six days a week; Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free to members; $12.50 for adults; $10.50 for seniors 62 and over; $5 for adult students and active-duty military with I.D. and free for youths 12 and under. For more information, call 760.322.4800 or visit www.psmuseum.org.

The City of Palm Springs has a wonderful history of valuing library services. As far back as 1919, well before incorporation, the residents had established a public library in a small adobe building. As the village grew, the citizens followed the library through more than 12 different locations. With over 155,000 individual items, the Palm Springs Public Library has the largest collection in the Valley. The Library is located at 300 S. Sunrise Way, on the corner of Sunrise Way and Baristo Road, one of the anchors of Sunrise Park and a destination for residents and visitors alike. For more information call 760-322-READ or log on to www.palmspringslibrary.org.

‘The 3rd Annual Altered Book Art Project’ online auction began April 30th

The Palm Springs Public Library (Library) and the Palm Springs Art Museum (Art Museum) presented the exhibit of ‘The Journey—3^rd Annual Altered Book Art Project’ that debuted at the Library in late March 2009. 

This year fifteen locally and nationally known artists created new works of art utilizing books, videos, DVDS and CDs ‘weeded’ out from the Library’s collection due to damage or age.  The finished works of art are currently on display at the Library and will be until Saturday, May 9th. 

Beginning on April 30th the public will be able to bid on their favorite altered book work of art through an online auction utilizing eBay.  The links to the individual auctions will be accessible from both the Library’s and the Art Museum’s web sites. The auctions will be live for ten days and will end on Saturday May 9th.  At the close of the auction, all winners will be notified and payment and shipping arrangements will be made. All proceeds of the auction will benefit the Library and the Art Museum.

Mark your calendars now, beginning April 30th, go to either http://www.palmspringslibrary.org or http://www.psmuseum.org and follow the link from the home page to the auctions on eBay. Each piece will be listed individually but the public can bid on as many as they would like. 

The Palm Springs Public Library donates approximately 1000 pounds of non-perishable food to two local food banks.

The food drive began as part of the Library’s celebration of National Library Week in mid April and continued through the end of the month, as the Palm Springs Public Library offered fine forgiveness to all users in exchange for nonperishable food items.   Anyone with a fine of $50 of less (not already in collections) could bring in a food donation and have their fines forgiven.  “What was amazing, said Joy Hastings the Circulation Manager, was not only the people bringing in food donations for fines but those who brought in donations who didn’t have any fines and just wanted to donate”.

The Library amassed approximately 1000 pounds of non-perishable food donations including canned goods, pasta, instant soups, juice and water.  These items will all be donated to two local food banks; the Golden Rainbow Senior Center in Palm Springs and Bridges of Hope in Cathedral City.  The Golden Rainbow Senior Center provides many services to LGBT seniors in Palm Springs; including providing food to seniors every Wednesday. According to Bridges of Hope in Cathedral City they provide food to approximately 2000 people each month as well as some after school programs and utility bill assistance. 

“Everyday, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help transform their communities in many different ways,” says Barbara Roberts, Director of Library Services, “this is just one example of how through  our library,  people have  come together to support our community”.

John Davidson visits the Palm Springs Public Library

John Davidson & Librarian Shelly Longoria at the Palm Springs Public Library

Celebrity John Davidson visted the Palm Springs Public Library on Friday, April 10, 2009. Pictured with Reference Librarian Shelly Longoria, he came to the information desk to ask a question.

The Palm Springs Public Library celebrates National Library Week by forgiving fines.

National Library Week is April 12th through the 18th and is a week set aside as an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation’s libraries and the people who work in them and for them. In recognition of this week, the Palm Springs Public Library would like to offer fine forgiveness to all users. So beginning on Monday, April 13th and continuing through to the end of the month, April 30th, the Library will forgive outstanding fines up to $50 (if not in collection process) in exchange for nonperishable food items which will be donated to a local food bank. Front desk check-out staff will forgive fines in exchange for a food donation.
“Everyday, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help transform their communities,” says Barbara Roberts, Director of Library Services. “At our library, people of all backgrounds come together for community lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get help finding a job or to find homework help, free entertainment and so much more!”
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

Palm Springs Library Director is new incoming President of CLA

         On Sunday, November 16^th, Barbara Roberts, Director of Library Services for the Palm Springs Public Library accepted the gavel as she became the President of the California Library Association (CLA) at their 110^th annual conference held this year in San Jose California.

          Ms. Roberts was voted into this leadership position by the 3000+ members of the CLA in summer 2007.  She will lead the organization through a year of transition and change as they voted to make significant changes to their structure.  “This professional honor comes at a time when the organization is being revitalized, and I have a great opportunity to help make CLA more visible and relevant to the California Library Community”.

          The California Library Association was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Sacramento.  The organization provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services, librarianship, and the library community.  Members include libraries, library staff and individuals who care about California’s libraries.

The Political Forum hosted at the Palm Springs Public Library will air on local TV station

           The Political Forum held at the Palm Springs Public Library on Saturday, October 25th was a lively discussion of the issues by local Democratic and Republican party representatives and can now be seen on local TV channel 111.  Hosted and moderated by Shellie Karabell, the panel discussed the propositions facing voters at the upcoming election from a local, state and national perspective.  They also touched on the current economic situation, the War in Iraq and Healthcare as well as discussing the positions of several candidates on the ballot.

            The Forum was taped to air on local Time Warner Cable channel 111.  The viewing schedule is as follows:  Wed., Oct 29th at  2:00 a.m., Thurs., Oct. 30th at 12:00 a.m. and  1:30 p.m., Fri., Oct. 31st at 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Sat., Nov. 1st at 12:00 a.m. and  12:30 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 2nd at 2:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and  7:00 p.m.

            The first half of the program is focused on the panel’s discussion and the second half is focused on questions submitted by the live audience in attendance that afternoon.

            Shellie Karabell has been providing viewers with seasoned perspective and groundbreaking interviews on global financial news for more than 35 years. Currently, Shellie produces and hosts the ‘Desert Cities Business Report, seen on KMIR6, KNBC4, and Time Warner Cable Channel 111; on KMIR6 News Friday evenings she gives a live business report called ‘Your Money Report’; she writes for Palm Springs Life magazine and the Public Record. She also runs her own production company, Sunshine Media & Communications, LLC.

             Our Republican guest speakers were Mr. Jim Stuart and Mrs. Elise Sanford Richmond.  Mr. Stuart is the founder of the Republican Lincoln Club of Palm Springs and has been the transition manager in Southern California for Presidents Nixon, Ford, Regan and Bush.  Mrs. Elsie Richmond is the Vice President of the Riverside Federated Republican Women and the former President of the Palm Springs Republican Women 2006-2007.

            The Democrats were represented by Ms. Beth Caskie and Mr. Ed Gubman.  Currently Ms. Caskie is serving as an elected delegate to the Democratic State Central Committee, is the VP of Programs for the Democrats of the Desert, a board member of the ACLU of Southern California-Desert Chapter and a Labor Relations Representative with the California School Employees Association.  Mr. Gubman is the Coachella Valley campaign leader for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He is also a well-known business consultant, author, speaker and entrepreneur.

         

Robert Scheer to appear at the Palm Springs Public Library

       The Palm Springs Public Library is proud to kick-off our 2008-09 public programming season with the appearance of journalist and political commentator Robert Scheer on Saturday, October 4th at 2:00 p.m.  Presented by Polimedia Ent., Mr. Scheer will be discussing his latest book “The Pornography of Power” and touching on current political topics.

   Robert Scheer has built a reputation for strong social and political writing over his 30 years as a journalist. His columns appear in newspapers across the country, and his in-depth interviews have made headlines. He conducted the famous Playboy magazine interview in which Jimmy Carter confessed to the lust in his heart and he went on to do many interviews for the Los Angeles Times with Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and many other prominent political and cultural figures.  Scheer is co-host of the political radio program “Left, Right and Center,” produced by KCRW, the National Public Radio affiliate in Santa Monica, and broadcast on NPR stations around the country. He has written seven books.

       In his book “The Pornography of Power”, Scheer examines the quiet expansion of our military presence throughout the world, and in his words “our insane nuclear strategy, the immorality of corporations profiting in Iraq, and the arrogance of our foreign policy”.  This enlightening, controversial and informative lecture will be held at the Library in The Learning Center, the lecture is free but seating is limited. 

      Based in La Quinta, California, Polimedia Ent. is a non-traditional management and public relations company with a history in theatre, film, and books. 

 

KVCR, the local Public Television station, makes a donation to the Palm Springs Library’s collection

       

           The Palm Springs Public Library is pleased to announce a new resource for our community.  KVCR TV 9 PBS, The Desert Cities Public Television channel, has graciously donated all Season 4 episodes of the locally focused show “Hello Paradise”.  This show, hosted by Palm Springs resident Joni Ravenna, showcases local scenery and attractions from locations throughout the Coachella Valley.  Episodes feature stories on the Palm Springs Art Museum, Smoketree Stables, The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert plus much more!  There are also insightful interviews with local celebrities and community leaders and highlights of activities to do in the desert.  “This is a real treasure trove of local information and the Library is pleased to offer this collection to the public”, said Barbara Roberts, Director of Library Services. 

            This donation was made possible by the generosity of the show’s producer, Tom Stanford, and the management of KVCR TV 9 PBS.  Currently reaching over 5 million homes throughout Southern California, Desert Cities Public Television is the only PBS member station broadcasting over the air in Palm Springs and the desert communities of the Coachella Valley.

            The “Hello Paradise” Season 4 DVDs are available for check-out and will be located in the Desert Authors/Local History area of the collection.

           ”Hello Paradise” airs twice a week on KVCR TV 9 PBS, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. with the season 5 premier scheduled for Tuesday Oct. 7th at 7:30 p.m.  For more information go to kvcrtv.org or raventv.net or email Tom Stanford at raventv5@aol.com