Smithsonian Exhibit

   Earth from Space

Earth from Space will be at the library from December 20 through February 15.  We are the only host location in TN and only one of 18 in the U.S. for this exhibit.  It consists of 41 large-scale banners of spectacular satellite imagery collected over the past 30 years and a fascinating digital video globe that displays global weather patterns and geologic events.  NO ENTRY FEES OR PROGRAM FEES – ALL FREE.

Special Exhibit programs include:

January 10
10:00 a.m. - National Weather Service program for adults
1:00 p.m. - National Weather Service program for teens

January 17
10:00 a.m. - presentation by the exhibit curator, Andrew Johnston – Geographer of the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies – National Air and Space Museum

January 24
10:00 a.m. - presentation by Ron Beck with the U.S. Geological Survey (collaborator of the exhibit)  for adults
1:00 p.m. - presentation by Ron Beck for teens

Film Series for the Family at 6:00 p.m. on each of these dates:
January 6: Apollo 13
January 13; October Sky
January 20: Forbidden Planet
January 27; Galaxy Quest
February 2: The Last Starfighter
February 9: Mission to Mars

Podcasts of the programs and science related story times will be on our website.

“Earth from Space" is organized by the Smithsonian institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.  The exhibition has been made possible by Global imagination.  Additional support has been provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.”

A special thanks to: Friends of the Kingsport Public Library, Bays Mountain Park Association for exhibit sponsorship, Eastman Chemical for publicity, Domtar for 23 MP3 players for use by students and the Smithsonian Community Grant program, supported by MetLife Foundation for program sponsorship and promotional materials.

Volunteers needed to assist during school group visits to the Smithsonian Exhibit
Please call The Kingsport Library at 229-9388

Library Programs & Activities

   Free Computer Classes

~ Space is limited ~
Please call the reference department
at 224-2539 to register.

Computer Basics
If you've never used a computer before, this is the class for you. Learn different parts of the computer, understand different drives, and how to use the mouse. Understand computer vocabulary and how to create files and folders.
Thursday Oct. 9
1:00-2:30
Thursday Oct. 9
5:30-7:00

Using the Internet:
Learn what the Internet is and how to navigate it. Browse the World Wide Web, visit websites, navigate links, search for information, and visit a blog. Learn to evaluate what you find and determine its usefulness and authenticity.
Thursday Oct. 16 1:00-2:30
Thursday Oct. 16 5:30-7:00
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent skills

E-mail basics:
Sign up for a free e-mail account using Google, Yahoo, or Hotmail. Learn how to compose and send a message, and read, forward, and delete e-mails.
Thursday Oct. 23 1:00-2:30
Thursday Oct. 23 5:30-7:00
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent skills

Microsoft Word:
Learn to create, edit and print simple documents. Learn
about menu bars, toolbars, cutting & pasting, and inserting pictures and clipart. Learn how to save and retrieve your documents.
Thursday Nov 6 1:00-2:30
Thursday Nov. 6 5:30-7:00
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent skills

Microsoft Excel:
Learn to create, edit and print simple spreadsheets. Learn
about menu bars, toolbars, cutting & pasting, and the basics to build sets of data. Learn to use formulas to create budgets and sort your information.
Thursday Nov. 13 1:00-2:30
Thursday Nov. 13 5:30-7:00
Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent skills

   Fall Programs & events

Times for Twos storytimes
(ages 24-36 months)
Starting Thursday, September 11
- every Thursday @ 10:30

Storytimes for Preschoolers
(ages 3-5)
Starting Tuesday, September 9
- every Tuesday @ 10:30

"Paws to Read" Program
Independent readers in grades 1-5 are invited to come to the library to read aloud to one of our certified therapy dogs. Sessions are free and last for 15 minutes. Bring your favorite book or pick one up from the library.
Pre-registration strongly recommended by calling 229-9366.

Read to Tuck: between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Monday Sept. 22/Monday Oct 13,27/Monday Nov. 10, 24/Monday Dec. 8
(Tuck is about 90 lbs - mix of Siberian Husky and Australian Shepherd)

Read to Charlie: between 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday Sept. 23/Tuesday Oct. 14, 28/ Tuesday Nov. 11,25/ Tuesday Dec. 9
(Charlie is about 55 lbs - mix of Aussie and Sheltie)

Read To Dixie: between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26
(Dixie is 50 lbs - mix between retriever and border collie)

Teen Read Week,
October 12-18:
Books With Bite : Rock & Roll Over Deal
Can the ‘Battle of the Bands” go on without the Music Librarian??? Help us solve the mystery on Tuesday, October 14 from 6:00 until 8:00. For middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Family Pumpkin/Gourd Decorating Contest:
Bring your decorated (not cut) pumpkin or gourd to Youth Services the week of October 13.  Winners will be announced at the Pumpkin Party on October 30.  The Pumpkin Party will be from 4:00-5:00 for elementary age children.  There will be games, refreshments, crafts, and prizes for those in costume.

Dr. John Shelton Reed
will present a program on his new book, Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue, on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00.

Noteworthy News

The library has added new electronic resources/features to their webpage www.kingsportlibrary.org:

• ReferenceUSA :
  ReferenceUSA is a comprehensive business and personal telephone directory for the United States.  Business information includes corporate contacts, company name, divisions and subsidiaries, address, line of business, number of employees, annual sales, credit rating, Fortune 1000 ranking, stock quotes, and news articles.  Reference USA Residential also works as a reverse directory and includes information from census records.
• Newspaper Archive :
  Includes the Kingsport newspapers from 1916-1977.  Contains other searchable newspapers dating as far back as the 1700s - the world's largest archive of online newspapers.
  Please note: This resource is available only on the computers from inside the Kingsport Public Library – it is NOT available to you at home or work through our Web site. 
• Magill's Medical Guide :
  The Guide covers diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology, and issues in an A-Z format, with sidebars addressing recent developments in medicine and concise information boxes for all diseases and disorders..
• Books In Print :
  Browse over 5 million titles of books, video and audio books. Search the special fiction room or children's room, or browse by subject, author, title or book awards. You can even save your lists - like a shopping cart!
• Fiction Discoveries/Fiction connection :
  Find books similar to those you already enjoy. Search by author, title, topics, genre, setting, characters, location or even timeframe.
• Monthly e-newsletters :
  You can select to receive any/all 21 newsletters that are delivered via email each month.  The newsletters provide new titles in various categories such as: mysteries, romance, audio books, teen, home and garden, business, etc. 
  
• The Library purchased two Early Literacy Stations that are in youth services.  Each computer station has over 40 programs for children ages 4-9 in subjects such as math, science, reading, history, etc.  

Librarian Lowdown:

Good websites for election times:

Register to Vote: http://www.tennessee.gov/sos/election/registration.htm

The Electoral College: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html