Get "Un-stuck" at the Hutchinson Public Library

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Have you ever installed a new version of some software you've always used? But when you open up the new version, all the menus have changed or that feature you use a hundred times a day has been modified? This has happened to me, at least. So, you fire up your browser or open your YouTube app and start looking for a tutorial that answers your question.

This solution may work, but it is often time-consuming and can be frustrating. Now, you can instead use your library card to use a new tool offered through the Hutchinson Public Library: lynda.com

lynda.com is an online tutorial and learning service made up of a HUGE number of video lessons. The lessons are in short, 3-5 minutes chunks and are indexed and searchable. This arrangement allows you to watch and learn through a whole lesson, watch a lesson in small parts and lynda.com keeps track for you, or search for your specific need and get the answer to your immediate question.

This service is free to you through the Hutchinson Public Library's website. All you need to get started is a current library card! Go and browse through the catalog of training courses today!

Science Fiction / Fantasy - August's Pick

Our Science Fiction book discussion group took up Terry Pratchett's first Discworld novel, "The Color of Magic". Sadly, I missed this discussion because I was out of town.

The Color of Magic is the first tale (I believe) of the wizard Rincewind and the wealthy Agatean tourist Twoflower. Their journey is complicated by the fact that their adventure is basically a giant board game being played out by the gods of Discworld. I liked the book, it's witty and funny in places. Much of Pratchett's cleverness is tied up in wordplay and taking the familiar and making it work in unexpected ways in his fantasy.

Science Fiction - July's Pick

Our Science Fiction discussion group met on July 2nd for a discussion of Barry Longyear's novella "Enemy Mine" and a comparison with the film of the same name.

Having read the novella long ago and with apparently little attention to the details, I was struck by the significant differences between the two. It was clear to our group that the creators of the film missed an excellent opportunity when they deviated so significantly from the source material.

They changed the story (adding a happy ending, of course), the setting, and most crucially, the dynamic between the main characters, Jerry and Davidge.

The story is of two combatants, fighter pilots in an interstellar war, dog fighting and ultimately crash-landing on a world far from any civilization. Stranded on the planet, they initially attempt to kill each other but quickly figure out that the only way they will survive the harsh environment is through cooperation. It is a story that could be told in any setting, in any time period. It is a simple and classic story of man-vs.-wild with the twists of enemies being forced to help each other. Well, there are a couple of other twists, but I'd hate to spoil the story.

Talk20 Hutchinson

A parrot? In the library? With 275 people...after the regular library hours?

Indeed that was part of the program this July 24th when Talk20 Hutch once again took over the Library and enthralled the audience with a variety (10 to be exact) of stories. All from people (and parrots) who live right here in our Reno County communities.

This is one of the programs here at HPL that I absolutely love. We do nothing but provide the space and you, our community have provided us with now 40 snapshots of awesomeness.

If you would like to see the presentations, they are archived at the official Talk20 Hutch website. Just click on the Talk20 Hutch videos link and watch away!

If you would like to come and see what all the fun is about, your next opportunity will be January 22, 2016.

If you would like to tell your story at the next or some future Talk20, click here and fill out the form. Talk20 is always looking for unique stories!

Need skills? HPL has the training tool.

The Hutchinson Public Library is now offering a great tool to expand your skill set, help you move up in your job, or just provide a way to learn something new at your own pace. All you need is your library card! The service is free to any HPL card holder - info here.

The tool, lynda.com, has a 3,000-and-growing list of courses on topics ranging from business, web development, and photography to computer skills and specific software like Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.

The courses are totally self-paced, divided into easy-to-digest modules. The service tracks your progress and allows you to pick up whee you left off. You can search the service and find answers to specific problems and questions, or browse and pick a new skill to learn.

Normally, this service requires a paid subscription, but by simply providing the barcode number and PIN for your active Hutchinson Public Library card account, you have access for free! This service is available inside the library or anywhere you happen to have an Internet connection outside the library!

Summer 2015

Summer Reading Program - a ritual so ingrained in our staff member minds that it's jarring when you run in to people who don't know what it is or how to participate in it. This was the case with our State Governor a few years back when he created a program for children to continue to read throughout the summer. Apparently, no one on his staff told him that practically every public library in the nation, let alone Kansas, has a summer reading program.

Our theme this year was "Every Hero Has a Story", and we had visits by heros ranging from firemen and policemen to the Batman!

This year, Hutchinson Public Library had:

1037 children sign up for the program with 601 reading 10 books/10 hours or more! That means in a period of about 10 weeks, over 6,000 books were read!

103 young adults signed up with 65 turning in 5 or more completion forms! There were a grand total of 1035 completion forms turned in (these represent either 1 hour of reading or 1 book read)

 More than 550 children came to the Summer Reading kick-off Celebration, 1136 children attended summer story times, 238 people participated in family time programs, and 395 children came to July craft days.

CREEEEAK! (flutterflutterflutter)

Damn bats! Always with the bats in here! Phew! Dusty too.

In defense of a Liberal Education by Fareed Zakarias a compelling read. I liked it a lot, not because I hold a liberal arts degree (majors in English Lit. and Psychology), but because something is being lost in our society - critical thinking. There is a lot of talk about the importance of technical education, engineering and the like. No doubt these are very important to our collective success. However, a successful engineer needs to be able to tell a compelling story, sell an idea, think laterally at times and most importantly enjoy learning.  If we've learned anything in the past 2 decades it's that you have to continually learn new skills, change with the technology, and be mentally flexible to succeed. A background in the liberal arts provides you with the skills to survive the ever-changing world we live in..

Give Zakarias' book a read.