California of the Past: We Need You to Tell Your Story

With StoryCorps rolling its way out of town, the Sacramento Public Library is picking up where the folks from National Public Radio left off. The Library's project, California of the Past, seeks to have members of the public tell their stories. About an event? ; a person? ; a special place? Yes. Yes. And, yes. We want you to impart your Sacramento experiences. In doing so, you'll contribute to your library's effort to record and safeguard the historical memory of our great community.

Storytellers will have their tale digitally recorded at the Central Library. Then, we'll can add pictures and music to your words. Before you know it, you've created a masterpiece. Area residents, students, and scholars will be able to view your recorded story in the Sacramento Room's historical archives at the Central Library.

Starting May 1, you can submit a digital story application by calling 264-2920 or online at http://www.saclibrary.org/ and clicking California of the Past.

Take a look at these examples of SPL produced digital stories:

Sacramento Has Gone to the Dogs: http://blip.tv/file/638867

Clark Ashton Smith: Poetry from the Shadows: http://blip.tv/file/638854

Hearts of the Sacramento Valley: Sacramento's Fallen During the First World War: http://blip.tv/file/619329

Talking Hillary and Barack with an Expert...

Experts are often found at the Central Library and one in the area of government and the media was just recently in our midst.

Tuesday evening in the Central Library's Sacramento Room, CSUS Government Professor Kimberly Nalder, brought some needed focus to the the current runoff for the Democratic nomination for President and what it's told us about the state of women and minorities as political candidates.

How do these candidates portray themselves in accordance with how they think we want them to look? Nalder broached the idea that domestic issues like Healthcare and Education have - traditionally - been perceived to be the province of the female politician, whereas, males have long been viewed as more alligned to issues of foreign policy and the economy. Accordingly, Hillary Clinton's quest for validation as a civilian leader of the American military has prompted her to find advocacy from many of the nation's military leaders, as shown by Nalder in the following advertisement:



Also, how much of an effect has "response bias" had on polling results throughout the nomination process? In other words, are survey takers giving answers to reflect the way they feel society wants them answer? In the New Hampshire primary, Barack Obama's pre-vote polling numbers were quite favorable; however, by election evening, Hillary Clinton had won the state. The same happened to Clinton in the Iowa Caucuses.

These issues were discussed in detail. Keep your eyes peeled for Nalder. She may be moderating an upcoming debate between Sacramento mayoral candidates Heather Fargo and Kevin Johnson.

RINCON LATINO : ESCLAVAS DEL SEXO

Muchos de nosotros la conocemos como la profesión más antigua del mundo ó como la profesión sórdida. Desde la aparición de la palabra escrita y por todos los rincones del mundo la prostitución ha acompañado a la raza humana como una plaga. Y a pesar de las más recientes avances tecnológicos y de tantas notas escritas denunciando su existencia, la prostitución sigue arrasando ese tejido frágil el cual las familias se fundan. España es uno de esos países el cual es destino principal para muchas niñas y mujeres buscando a mejorar sus vidas pero cayendo ciegamente en manos de traficantes de carne humana.Muchas son provenientes de las Américas como Colombia, Cuba, la Argentina y la República Dominicana ; otras son de Rusia, Ucrania y Romania. Para prepararse para su primer cliente muchas son sometidas a drogas como la heroína y la coca supuestamente para darles "ánimo" ante una experiencia ciertamente traumatizante. Las que sobreviven permanecen en este tráfico ilícito encadenadas a no solamente a un "proxeneta" sino también a la drogadicción. Un amo mucho más intolerante que su homólogo de carne y hueso. Desde luego, en España ha surgido varios grupos para ayudar en cualquier modo a las víctimas de trata como las aparecen en este informe de la red de televisión " la sexta."

COMMUNITY OUTREACH :2008 FESTIVAL DE LA FAMILIA

The 17th annual Festival de la Familia took place today at Sacramento's Cal Expo fairgrounds and it was an event to attend!

The day was hot ( 88 degrees Fahrenheit ) and so was the food, culture, dance, music and the company that Sacramento Public Library staff kept as people from all walks and persuasions approach our booth to inquire about e -book and digital collections. Storytime en Español and about the usual times and locations that our customers are always interested in. Library applications were also on the rise as new library cards were issued to new customers. It's not uncommon that many library customers regularly visit any of our 27 library branches, yet they do not possess library cards. It's at these events that many of them approach our booths and finally make the jump to being card-carrying library users. This phenomenon is pretty common with many public libraries and it's what librarians, library para-professionals and administrators attempt to rectify. We want all of Sacramento's citizens to have and use a Sacramento Public Library card.

Many who haven't done an event such as the Festival, think that all we do is pass out bookmarks and bring smiles to kid's faces. Not that that's bad, but there's definitely work that must be done!

The day ended early in the evening and all of us were flushed with pride at the great work that we had done. Kudos to all those who put in their time and to Community Outreach Services.

The Cuban and Puerto Rican communities were out in full force at the Festival de la Familia. Good to see!

RINCON LATINO : EL ALIMENTO DE LOS DIOSES

¿Sabían ustedes que la palabra chocolate es una palabra náhuatl? La palabra se refiere al grano del cacao, el cual se produce el delectoso y famoso chocolate. Hoy día, la palabra trae imágenes deliciosas como las exquisitas golosinas ó un imágen del ubicuo brebaje del mismo nombre. Cuando los conquistadores españoles llegaron a tierras americanas se encontraron con el majestuoso bebida de los dioses aztecas.

En su forma actual, el chocolate se elabora en distintas formas y en entonces el brebaje del chocolate era espumozo y agrio. Y la clase sacerdotal azteca solía gozar de la mágica bebida. Hoy el chocolate se encuentra en todas partes del mundo y es la confección favorita de gran parte de la población mundial.

El video abajo describe la importancia del chocolate para la cultura azteca y después para las clases privilegiadas españolas. ¡Gozánlo como el chocolate!

RINCON LATINO : ¡LITERATURA AL INODORO!

La empresa española Emprendedores ha desempeñado un nuevo producto: literatura en papel higiénico. BBC Mundo se enteró del nuevo producto poco después que la compañía develara el producto en su propio sitio de Internet. La empresa se creó a finales de 1998 y se destacó con juguetes para niños sin que tuviese una sola tienda ó en promover productos de la marcas más grandes del mundo.

La idea de imprentar fragmentos de las obras literarias más grandes del mundo hispanohablante (El Romancero Gitano de Federico García Lorca y La Fuente Ovejuna de López de Vega) , y también de fragmentos de obras teatrales, novelas recientes y hasta versos bíblicos (versos coránicos son estrictamente prohibidos). Según el presidente de la empresa Raúl Camarero, "Surge aquí un conflicto interesante: limpiarse el trasero con una obra de arte o el dilema moral que esto representa".

Potty Training 101

It would be too simple for a child to have an “accident” while nestled between 200-thread count sheets and the Dora the Explorer / Spongebob Squarepants comforter you can’t wait to throw away. But no one is ever that fortunate. So people are usually faced with two scenarios. Scenario One involves a public incident on the playground of a fast food restaurant which causes the whole area to be quarantined while other parents give you the Darth Vader stare-of-death for ruining their fine dining experience. (And you really did ruin their day; in this current housing market, the playground at McDonald’s is about as close to a trip to Disneyland as many kids are getting this year.) Scenario Two is far worse. Your little angel picks a morning to sneak into your bed, snuggles between your down comforter and 600-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets while somehow managing to get atop your designer beaded throw pillow. Somewhere between the third load of laundry and a trip to the drycleaner you get to wondering a) why you don’t have a maid and b) why you haven’t fully potty trained your child yet. While you weren’t going for the potty-train-your-child-before-the-umbilical-cord-falls-off program , neither do you want your child announcing on a commercial how it’s okay to wet the bed until you’re 12 because their product is good for “children” up to 125+ pounds. What to do? Check out our toilet training section. Not only do we carry books for parents showing them the steps, you can also borrow picture books for children explaining the whole process. Need a video? We have those too. So don’t put up with ruined chenille throws and tossing your throw pillows in the dumpster. Get your potty training information today.

From Pages to Screen ... issue one: X-MEN

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the X-MEN in 1963, debuting in The X-MEN #1, published by Marvel Comics Group. This "uncanny" team brought together mutants, or homo superiors, each with special powers controlled by their x-factor gene. They were considered to be beings of a higher evolution, yet feared and hated by humans for their freakish abilities. They must fight both human military and a brotherhood of evil mutants vying to control earth. This is still a popular and ongoing series in the graphic novel section of the library, collection titles available at http://www.saclibrary.org/.

This comicbook series was popularized on the big screen, starting in 2000, with a wildly successful trilogy; X-men, X2: X-men United, and X3: The Last Stand. The movie franchise features the primary characters of the graphic novels, and attracted some of hollywoods A-List Stars. They are available on the library catalog as well.
Hugh Jackman personified Wolverine with grittiness and humor, Famke Janssen and James Marsden brought good looks, chemistry, and athleticism to the Cyclops and Jean Grey coupling, and Halle Berry broke even more barriers playing the first african american female superhero. Patrick Stewart seemed born to play the enigmatic Professor X.

Though the X-Men look has changed throughout the years, and the movie versions slightly bent the written X-men mythology, both comic and movie versions are considered classics of the genre. Catch up with Five Decades of X-men!

RINCON LATINO: FELíZ DíA DEL LIBRO

El 23 de Abril marca el Día del Libro en muchos países hispanohablantes. En Cataluña, se conmemora el Día de Sant Jordi donde se regala un libro y una flor, y en países como la Argentina, la República Dominicana y Bogotá hay Ferias del Libro en pleno apogeo. BBC Mundo ha solicitado a sus fieles lectores la oportunidad que enviasen los títulos de sus libros predilectos y también de sus no tan apreciados. Hagan click al enlace arriba para participar en esta actividad conmemorando el Día del Libro. Nuestras culturas de habla hispana está repleta de tantos ejemplos de literatura y autores de renombre global que tenemos el deber de honrarla enseñándola en nuestros hogares. Es decir a la próxima generación : a nuestros hijos.

RINCóN LATINO: Actividades de la Semana

Se llevarán las actividades siguientes en el sucursal Central para la semana 21 al 27 de abril. Toda actividad está gratis y estará en inglés. Llame 916-264-2920 para más información o registrarse:


Niños de 2 años

• viernes, 25 de abril @ 10am Programas para los de 2 años.

Niño de 3-5 años

• sabado, 26 de abril @ 11am la Hora de Cuentos

Jovenes 13-18 años

• domingo, 27 de abril @ 3pm, ¡en Voz Alta! Hora de Cuentos para Jovenes

en Celebración de Semana Nacional de Apagar la Tele, para la Familia

• martes a jueves, el 22-24 de abril @ 7pm, Hora de Cuentos Prime Time

Programas para Adultos

• domingo, 27 de abril @ 1:30pm, Taller de Genealogía para Principantes

Clases de la Computadora

• miercoles, 23 de abril @ 10:15am, Más allá del básico: Motores de búsqueda y estrategias de buscar (se require registración)

COMMUNITY OUTREACH : FESTIVAL DE LA FAMILA

The 17th Annual Festival de la Famila is just around the corner ... like Sunday April 27th around the corner !! This is an event that you don't want to leave out of your Spring weekend calendar, one that will leave lasting memories as there will be numbers performers from throughout Latin America and even locally from the Sacramento region. Performers will include Salsa group "Tortilla Soup," Brazilian Capoeira dance troupe "Agua do Beber," Spain's "Flamenco Puro," and host of other performers. Also, come and visit the numerous vendor booths representing various Sacramento area civic and business groups such as the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Health Education Council and , of course, the Sacramento Public Library! Our friendly staff will be there to instruct attendees on the benefits of being a member of the Sacramento Public Library and to showcase the new services and ever-growing collections including SPl's exciting Spanish Collection.

Join us for a wonderful day celebrating California's and Sacramento's wonderful and rich Latino heritage April 27th at Sacramento's Cal Expo.

Collecting History, One Story at a Time

It's Here! StoryCorps' Airstream mobile recording booth is parked on the Cesar Chavez Park side of the Central Library for the next three weeks. Publicity has been great, and most of the time slots have been booked. If you have a story to share, check the StoryCorps-Sacramento web site for more information. If you're merely curious, listen to some of the stories recorded in other cities.

To Sandy and Tom

April 18, 2008.

Today I had the most remarkable conversation with Mr. Dale Jones, of Citrus Heights. He hesitantly approached the third floor information desk just after I arrived for my shift, and asked if the flowers on the desk were there in your memory. (They are.)

He had seen the announcement of our first Sunday hours in the Sacramento Bee fifteen years ago, on April 18, 2003, and had come to visit the "new" Central Library on that festive day. He remembers the flags, the excitement, the programs and entertainment, the perfect April weather. Noticing that the afternoon was getting late, he pushed the button at the third floor elevator, turned back and looked at the two librarians standing behind the information desk, stepped into the elevator, and began the journey home. On the news, as he walked into his house, was footage of the shooting that occurred moments after he left the building.

Mr. Jones has visited the third floor of Central Library on this date every year but one in your honor. It was hard for him to talk about it, but he thanked me for listening. I thought you might like to know that you are both remembered.

Review: Cathy's Book

"Cathy's Book : if found call (650)266-8233" by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman. Running Press, 2006.

Cathy, a senior in a Bay Area high school, journals about events that happen to her after she starts dating Victor. He suddenly dumps her, and she and her best friend, Emma, do their detective thing to find out why. They become involved in murders, burglary, kidnapping, and laboratory experiments, reminiscent of edgy, alternate reality internet gaming. Cathy's book is illustrated copiously with her sketches and doodles.

The jacket blurb indicates that the authors are, in fact, PC Game creators (MechWarrior, I Love Bees), and invites readers to "Read. Explore. Investigate. Examine the Clues. Call the phone numbers. Access the websites. And when you're done, you'll know that the teen novel will never be the same again."

I didn't explore, investigate, or call the phone numbers, but if anyone does, I invite you to post what you find out in a comment.

(Original post at "Bibliog"; used with permission.)

THESE DAYS OF GLORY ... FOR SOME !

Usually, I write articles in Spanish but since this article is about the Beautiful Game ... I thought, mass appeal. For those of you who refer to it as soccer, football is HUGE beyond these beautiful shores of ours and especially so in Europe. Where the Champions League is in full swing!. The Champions League is an annual hotly -contested club level football competition played by those clubs who have won the championship in their respective countries. Some European countries have more than one club in the race for European football supremacy, while others have only one and by now they are out of the race! At any rate, four teams remain Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona. FC stands for "football club" for you amateurs. At the end of this controlled-riot, FIFA awards the Golden Boot award to the European Footballer of the Year, this year it is most assuredly going to two young kids. Fernando Torres (Spanish National Team , Liverpool FC) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese National Team , Manchester United). Who will take it all and never ever have to work again after their 30 years old??

Second Saturday Art Display in Kids' Place

On Saturday, dozens showed up for the Second Saturday Art reception in Kids' Place. Two young artists whose works are on display, Hannah and Ellen Marie Madsen, stayed and played while people socialized, ate and listened to Nicole Waters play the english horn. In addition to the Madsens' pieces, artwork from students at Oakridge Elementary School in Oak Park line the lower-level lobby walls. Second Saturday in Kids' Place will take place again on May 10, with a hands-on arts and crafts table included for the kids. We also hope to add a poetry component to our Second Saturday art displays, which will be organized on a month by month basis depending on community interest. Artwork will remain up through this week. If you or someone you know is under 18 and would like to display artwork or poetry in Kids' Place, we'd love to talk with you.

A Finer Focus: April 30, 1975: The Last Chopper out of Town...

Vietnam. Vietnam. Vietnam. What comes to mind when you read...Vietnam? The pearl of Southeast of Asia? The tiered rice patties of the lush Mekong Delta? The limestone isles of Halong Bay? While not any of these features cling (I'm sure they don't for many of us), we invariably think of War. That War. The War.

Thirty-three years ago, April was indeed the cruelest of months for Vietnam and an American expedition that was coming to a crashing end. North Vietnamese Army units were cutting through an overmatched and demoralized Army of the Vietnamese Republic (more popularly known as the ARVN), and bearing down on the capital city of Saigon. Panic, terror, a sense of betrayal, heartbreak, fear. All were felt. Plain clothed Marines - playing God - pulled desperate dependents, government officials, American nationals over the high fences of the Embassy. Explosions could be heard near Tan Son Nhat Airport and the enemy had long breached the city's gates. Chaos.

Check out this embed of a BBC report on Saigon's "Eleventh Hour."



For a list of books on this tragic epilogue, click on the following link: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) -- History OR Vietnam War 1961 1975 Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City.

The Central Library also holds numerous magazines from that era, along with articles covering the evacuation of Saigon:

Jenkins, L. (May 5, 1975). City at the Edge of Doom. Newsweek, vol. 85.

U.S. News. (May 12, 1975). Communist Takeover: Russian-Made Tanks, Barefoot Guerillas Roll into Saigon. U.S. News, vol. 79.

Benjamin, M., et al. (May 5, 1975). Last Exit from Saigon. Newsweek, vol. 85.

Time. (May 12, 1975). Memories of a Fallen City. Time, vol. 105.

Time. (May 12, 1975). Saigon Under Siege. Time, vol. 105.

Time. (May 12, 1975). Saigon: A Dreamlike, Twilight Mood. Time, vol. 105.

Chrysler, K.M. (April 28, 1975). Saigon's Fate: Quick Kill. Slow Death--Or a Deal. U.S. News, vol. 78.

RINCON LATINO : CHINA LA FUTURA POTENCIA MUNDIAL

China es un país que ha sido mencionado un sinnúmero de veces en los medios en vísperas de las Olimpiadas, la autonomía de Tibet y su pujante gigantesca economía. Hace unos días la antorcha olímpica se presenció en ciertos rumbos de aquél inmenso país (tanto a la superficie como a la población). También se presenció el tema de la autodeterminación tibetana y el tratamiento de la demás étnias (hay más de 100 distintos grupos étnicos y lingüísticos en China tierra firme). Día tras día los vínculos sociales, culturales, políticos y, sobretodo, económicos de ésta potencia se hacen sentir más y más en no solamente en los Estados Unidos y Europa sino también en América Latina donde países como México, Panamá, la Argentina, Brasil y el Perú han fomentado enlaces de larga duración.

RICóN LATINO: Actividades de la Semana

Se llevarán las actividades siguientes en el sucursal Central para la semana 14 al 20 de abril. Toda actividad estará en inglés. Llame 916-264-2920 para más información o registrarse:

Niños 5-12 años

• viernes, 18 de abril @ 7:30pm a sabado, 19 de abril, 7:30am, para niños 8-10 años. Dormir en el Sucursal Central. Se requiere registración

Jovenes 13-18 años

• martes, 15 de abril @ 5:30pm, Noche de Películas ""

en Celebración del fin de Semana Nacional de la Biblioteca

• para Jovenes 13-18 años
  domingo, 20 de abril @ 3pm, Crear un diario (journal)

en Celebración de Semana Nacional de Apagar la Tele

• para la Familia
  domingo, 20 de abril @ 12:30pm, Leer a Tu Familia

Programas para Adultos

• domingo, 20 de abril @ 1:30pm, ¡Suena de Diversión! Serie de Conciertos Jazz: Jazz Swing con Brady McKay y Parlor Jam

Clases de la Computadora

• miercoles, 16 de abril @ 10:15am, el Correo Electrónico Básico (se require registración)

Story Corps is Coming!

First blogged here on February 19, the StoryCorps mobile unit will be arriving in Sacramento in just a few days! The StoryCorps air stream mobile unit will be located at the 9th St. entrance of the Central Library from April 16 through May 10 (see the April/May 2008 edition of the Library News for details).

Do you have a story to share? Does someone in your family? Since 2003, StoryCorps has recorded tens of thousands of interviews - conversations between ordinary people, their families and friends. This one-of-a-kind oral history project is preserving their memories, histories and hopes for generations to come. Each participant receives a DVD of the interview, and the original will be preserved at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Listen to some stories that have already been recorded in other parts of the country, and take a look at the StoryCorps blog, chronicling their journeys across the United States.

The Sacramento Public Library and the Sacramento Public Library Foundation are sponsors of this unique oral history project, along with Raleys’ Family of Fine Stores, and the Thomas P. Raley Foundation. The StoryCorps community host is Capital Public Radio.

RINCON LATINO: EL ORFANATO

"El Orfanato" es una producción española presentada por el cinematógrafo mexicano Guillermo Del Toro ( El Laberinto del Fauno) pero dirigida por el cineasta novato Juan Antonio Bayona.
Este filme toma lugar en una preciosa pero enfantasmada mansión
visitada por espíritus infantiles apareciendo detrás cortinas y en espejos, azotando puertas y sobretodo enloqueciendo la previamente tranquila vida de una familia bien parecida. ¡¡Yo nunca tuve la oportunidad de ver ésta película cuando estrenó, pero estará en nuestras estanterías muy pronto!! ¡Veán el recorte abajo y tomen en cuenta que la traducción no es mía!

RINCON LATINO: AMOR CON DERECHOS ...

Hoy la Cámara de Diputados votó a anular el plazo de 90 días para aprobar el Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC). La presidenta de la Cámara de Diputados Nancy Pelosi anunció en una rueda de prensa en Washington D.C. que : "Esta decisión tendrá consecuencias negativas para nuestros trabajadores, para Colombia y para la credibilidad de EE.UU. Es una día muy triste para nuestro país." La maniobra de hoy encomendada por el presidente de la nación efectivamente fortalece los vínculos militares, económicos y financieros con Colombia ,cuyo gobierno es el aliado más dominante de los Estados Unidos en América Latina.

RINCON LATINO: ESTADOS UNIDOS ABSOLUTOS

Hoy el BBC Mundo reportó que la campaña publicitaria únicamente en México de la marca de vodka Absolut fue retirada por la empresa francesa Pernod Ricard para no insultar al público estadounidense. El anuncio muestra el antiguo territorio mexicano antes que México vendiera su vasto territorio al norte del Río Bravo. El anuncio solo se mostró en México y Absolut ya anunció que su intención era sólo en broma, pero la empresa francesa de Pernod Ricard, la cual adquirió Absolut hace solo unos días, decidió retirar el anuncio por que considera que la marca es clave en el mercado estadounidense. ( Hagan click en el imagen superior para ver el anuncio completo).

RINCóN LATINO: las Actividades de la Semana

Se llevarán las actividades siguientes en el sucursal Central. Toda actividad estará en inglés. Llame 916-264-2920 para más información o registrarse:

Jovenes 13-18 años

• martes, 8 de abril @ 5:30pm, Noche de Películas "I am Legend"
• jueves, 10 de abril @ 6:30pm, taller de poesia "Slam"
• domingo, 13 de abril @ 1pm, taller "hacer un diario (journal)"

Preparación para el Colegio

• martes, 8 de abril @ 6pm, Secretos del Examen SAT

para la Familia

• sábado, 12 de abril @ 11am, Primeros Auxilios y RCP para bebés y niños
• sábado, 12 de abril @ 2:30pm, Sábado Segundo en "Kid's Place": arte de estudiantes, música en viva

Celebración de Semana Nacional de la Biblioteca, domingo, 13 de abril

• 12:30pm, el Arte en su Biblioteca
• 12:30pm, Aprende Leer en Voz Alta a su Familia
• 1:30pm, obra del teatro Live Oaks, "la Historia Completa y Resumida de California

Programas para Adultos

• 8 de abril @ 10am, Cita con la Genealogista (se require registración)
• 12 de abril @ 6pm, Visiones en Arcilla, Recepción de Sábado Segundo

Clases de la Computadora

• miercoles, 9 de abril @ 10:15am, Introducción al Internet (se require registración)

RINCON LATINO : PREMIO ORTEGA Y GASSET

Hace algunas semanas mencioné en una nota a la cubana Yoani Sánchez de La Habana y su blog Generación Y. En entonces, Yoani fue mencionada en BBC Mundo por su intrepidez periodística en escribir sobre sus experiencias cotidianas y en expresar su opinión sobre los acontecimientos que la rodean. Dado esto, Yoani Sánchez fue galardoneada con el Premio Ortega y Gasset otorgado por el diario español El País. El premio fue creado hace 25 años para destacar a periodistas en el mundo hispanohablante por el mejor sus esfuerzos periodísticos. Este año el premio fue otorgadoa no solamente a la blogera cubana sino también a la periodista mexicana Sanjuana Martínez por su trabajo periodístico y al fotógrafo español Gervasio Sánchez ( ningúna relación con Yoani ) en la categoría de periodismo gráfico.

Allow Us to Make Things A Bit Easier: Thompson Gale Legal Forms

During my time at the Sacramento Public Library, few databases have had more utility than Thompson Gale Legal Forms. Wanna Homstead? Wanna file a legal complaint for that dog bite you just received? This user-friendly, keyword searchable database will provide Word and/or PDF versions of hundreds of local, state and federal forms.



Rather than running from commercial site to commercial site throughout the Net, isn't it nice to know that you can come to the library or access the database from home (with your library card number and PIN), and not even have to pay for it???

RINCON LATINO: UN DíA SIN INMIGRANTES

La mañana de hoy fuí a trabajar y al pasar delante del consulado mexicano alcancé ver de reojo un anuncio gigantesco con este aviso: "Ilegales mexicanos están asesinando a ciudadanos estadounidenses..." Amo a mi país adoptado, pero acontecimientos como estos me recuerdan de mi Argentina natal. Que el racismo tiende a manifestarse en épocas de crisis económica. Manifestaciones negativas como estas empañan la verdadera situación. Que a pesar de nuestra percebida iluminación ... es un espejismo.
Nuestras verdaderas identidades suben a la superficie y muestra su verdadero rostro : el terror .

Un Día Sin Inmigrantes por la reconocida periodista Gina Montaner "ha coordinado y prologado los textos que forman este libro. Son quince voces que destallan en todos los ámbitos: desde el mundo académico y artístico (Edward James Olmos, Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Paquito D'Rivera, Yareli Arizmendi, Sergio Arau), pasando por el político (Arturo S. Rodríguez, Nora Sándigo, Ana Navarro, Roberto Suro) y el mediático (María Antonieta Collins, Marián de la Fuente, Jorge Ramos, Sanjuana Martínez, Gustavo Godoy, Karla Martínez)."

The Power of One: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We sit on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of one the world's greatest pacifists, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As much as his words could move, they were prescient. "I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the 'oughtness' that forever confronts him" were the words spoken from the podium as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 1964. Action now. Tip the paradigm. Who knows, 44 years from now an African-American could be in prime position to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

To say that Dr. King impacted the course of a nation is trite. We all know it. We all see it,and feel it; we know there's work still to be done.

The Sacramento Public Library offers a number of different resources covering the life of the Dr. King and his accomplishments. The quote from above was located in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, a fantastic source of the best said things. It has a keyword index in the back and an alphabetical speaker index in the front.

The April 5, 1968, Sacramento Bee, the issue covering the day after Dr. King's death, is accessible on the 3rd floor at Central Library. Accordingly, consider what the mood of our city was upon hearing that dreaded news from Memphis? There was a candlelight vigil held at the 'City Plaza' on 9th and "I" Streets to mourn. Present was the park's future namesake and labor leader Cesar Chavez who had been slated to speak at Our Lady of Guadlupe Church on 7th and "T" Streets. According to the Bee,

"The crowd began assembling around 8 o'clock, in small knots at first. Soon someone appeared with boxes of candles and they were lighted. As others arrived, they lit candles too, until perhaps 200 of them winked like fireflies along the walks of the park...many wore tears openly, unabashed, like sparkling jewels of sorrow."

"They began a solemn march around the park, softly singing 'We Shall Overcome' in a biting wind that kept snuffing out the candles."

"A woman lamented: 'It keeps going out.' And George Choung, Negro Leader of the Sacramento Youth Congress said: 'Don't worry about that, lady. A brighter light than that went out today.' Later Choung mounted one of the park tables and said: 'A man of peace was killed today, but when you kill a man of peace 10,000 warriors spring up to take his place for every finger on his hands."

In the immediate wake of Dr. King's death - in this case the next day - the City decided to name one of its proposed branches (to be built at 24th Street and the 24th Street Bypass), the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. According to the article, "Construction [was] expected to begin late this year or early next year."

On the 6th of April, an astonishing 4,000 persons marched from Del Paso Heights to the state Capitol, while from Sacramento City College (the future CSUS), 1,700 students marched to the same destination to eulogize the memory of the fallen leader.

In the Bee on the 6th, a small blurb on page C1, headlined "Heartsick Woman," proved that - for many - the death of Dr. King, was a life-changing event: "A woman who identified herself as white phoned the Bee with a break in her voice and asked: 'Can you please give me the name of a Negro organization in town-any organization. I've been so prejudiced and now I'm heartsick. I want them to know.'"

We've all heard of the Gallup Poll. For years, it's made tracking the behavior of the nation its business. Who did Americans - in 1964 - admire the most? Dr. King made the top ten list, coming in at #4. What did Americans think of protest efforts of African-Americans in the 1960s insofar as whether they helped or hurt the cause of equality? As of 1964, 74 percent thought it hurt. Also, White Americans were asked whether or not they would move if a black family moved next door. In 1967, 65 percent said 'no.' Are you interested in what Americans - in 1967 - thought of Dr. King as a potential candidate for President of the U.S.? You'll have to visit the Central Library to see the results. The Central Library has these polling results in its multi-volume set of the Poll.

Behold the power of your library as way to better understand the evolution of American tolerance. Also, visit us to learn more about a man that gave everything to advance that evolution.

Sleepover at Central Library!

Have you searched high and low for a free children’s event that they will remember for years to come? Then I have great news: The Central Library Sleepover is back by popular demand! Boys and girls ages 8-10 are invited to enjoy games, stories, crafts, entertainment and more. Our entertainment for this year is The Amazing Harmonatras! The event starts Friday, April 18th at 7:30 pm and ends Saturday, April 19th at 7:30 am. You must register in person in Kids’ Place. A $10 refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. I know what you’re thinking: “Does this mean I’m going to be stuck spending the night with dozens of children, too?” No! That’s the great thing about the sleepover; you do the registration, we watch and entertain your children. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

RINCON LATINO : ¡TODO A SU TIEMPO!

Según un estudio llevado a cabo por unos científicos de la Universidad de Penn State, el acto sexual ideal dura entre 3 y 13 minutos. El estudio y sus resultados fueron publicados en la Revista de Medicina Sexual con ayuda de un grupo de psicólogos, terapeutas, trabajadores sociales y otros científicos. Los participantes clasificaron sus expectativas de un rango corto de respuestas entre ellas aparecen las siguientes : "corto," "demasiado corto," "ideal," "largo," y "deamasiado largo."
El gran promedio de los respondientes clasificaron su expectativa en un acto ideal de 3 y 13 minutos de duración , y un acto no ideal de entre 10 y 30 minutos de duración.
Desafortunadamente, creencias mal fundadas y la cultura popular suelen reforzar ideas no favorables a nuestra salubridad. Lean la nota relacionada de la BBC Mundo para enterarse más de esta importante tema y gozen de nuestra creciente colección. ¡Salúd!

Woman's Day Wants to Know ...

... how you have used your library to improve your own or a family member's health, for an article to be published in March 2009. Wouldn't it be a trip if someone who used Sacramento Public Library was featured in their story?

Here's the scoop from the American Library Association:

"New Woman’s Day initiative: From now until May 11, Woman’s Day magazine, in conjunction with ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries, is collecting stories on how its readers have used the library to improve a family member’s or their own health. The magazine announced the initiative in its March issue, where it asks its readers aged 18 and over to submit their stories in 700 words or less. Up to four of the submissions will be featured in the March 2009 issue... "

The announcement is in the sidebar of this article in the March 4, 2008 Woman's Day magazine.

So ... what kind of health information can one find at the library? The librarians at Central Library have created a Research Guide for Consumer Health that highlights materials in the library's collection. In addition, the library provides access to Health Articles in online journals. You will need to enter your library card number and PIN to look for articles. And, as always, you may ask a librarian at any branch or call Telephone Reference for help. Library staff is not permitted to give health advice - only your medical professionals may do that - but the library can be a good source of background and/or additional information to complement what you learn from your doctor.