Monday, September 21, 2009

Now it gets interesting...

In the world of ebook readers, at least.  I have to say that I am rather skeptical that this will work out.  It is a device being created by the Taiwanese company ASUS, makers of netbooks, high-end notebooks, and virtually any computer component you can think of.  Their new device is an ebook reader with two color screens that opens in a fashion similar to a "real" book.  Pretty cool, huh?  The things I can not get past are:  How will it be powered?  (More precisely, how will it stay charged long enough to be useful?) And, how can they possibly price it (as the article above suggests) below the Sony and Amazon devices?

OK, maybe there are interesting things going on at HPL too. For a couple of years now, about twice each year, the Library has hosted a series of book discussions called "TALK about literature in Kansas".  Each series has presented books with a common theme - humor, western, and this Fall, British classics.  Described by one of the participants as "the best" discussion so far, the first discussion in the fall 2009 series took place on Sept. 10th.  If you are interested, the second discussion, of Thomas Hardy's "Far From the Madding Crowd", will happen on October 8th at 6:30pm.  I have to say that I was surprised at the enthusiasm for books many folks were undoubtedly "required" to read in high school or college.  I am glad though, since all 3 of the novels in this series (Emma, Far From the Madding Crowd, Jane Eyre) have exerted tremendous influence on literature and even on pop culture through repeated movie and television adaptions of the works.

Another exciting program coming up on October 2nd at 2:30pm is a visit from underwater photographer Michael Patrick O'Neill.  He will be in the library auditorium.  His program is geard toward school-age children, but I think people of all ages will find his demo of SCUBA equipment and cameras and his slideshow very interesting.

Again, for our younger crowd, but also their parents, we are offering a program aimed at teaching young people the value of saving money and the responsible way to deal with their income.  The program will be offered twice, October 1st and October 6th at 7pm both evenings.  The presenters are knowledgeable and will provide a free "Kid's Financial Kit" for parents which contains information on appropriate allowances and how to help kids deal with their "income".  I am really excited about this program and I hope that the gentlemen conducting it will repeat it for us periodically.

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