If you’ve visited the Main Library in the past few months (and I really hope you have), you’ve likely noticed that there are a few new elements and activities happening here. In addition to our normal programs and activities (concerts, storytelling, book and media check-out and such) we’ve been active developing a new initiative called Pulse Points. The idea behind Pulse Points is to create new experiences to engage and delight our library customers. Pulse Points are areas throughout the building that offer focused opportunities to learn or create something new, interact with one another as well as explore information, art and community.

We’ve worked to designate Pulse Points in various areas in the library. Some Pulse Points are obvious and some more subtle. Our aim is to encourage you to explore the building, encounter an interesting morsel of information or creative happening and look forward to coming back again soon to see what else is might happen. The primary Pulse Point at Main Library is directly behind the first floor elevator. You’ll see that this space is minimally and flexibly furnished to enable many types of experiences to happen here. There is a projection screen painted right on the wall to allow us to show films or easily project images and presentations in the space. (Many of you may have enjoyed the library’s celebration of Home Movie Day at this Pulse Point in October a wonderful, retro and unusual way to be delighted in the library, huh?)

Our Pulse Points are designated by signs or tags like the one you see to the right.  Many of the experiences in a Pulse Point will be spontaneous and last for only a few minutes. Some will be more traditional such as storytelling or a seasonal craft. None of these programs are behind doors and you don’t have to register for any of them.

Remember several months ago when I wrote about Boulder Library’s dedication to embracing curiosity as a guiding quality? We’re doing just that through our Pulse Point initiative. We have several creative ideas and notions about how this initiative will grow and morph over the coming year. We also are keeping our minds open to possibilities, suggestions and input from the imaginations of our community and staff. So look for this idea to morph and expand just like the curious mind itself! You might say we are consciously looking for ways to keep you curious and wondering what intriguing thing might happen next at your library.

Autumn is naturally a golden time of the year. Is there anything more remarkable than seeing the shimmer of millions of golden aspen leaves moving in the autumn light? The idea of golden moments can have many meanings: a brush with the awesomeness of nature, a sweet melancholy memory or an unexpected, remarkable experience. We all have our own personal collections of golden moments. I believe the library creates the opportunity for golden moments each day. Many of these golden moments at the library are quite personal while others are on a more grand scale.

Is there anything that captures personal golden moments like home movies? This month, we’re exploring taking this personal expression public as we celebrate World Wide Home Movie Day right in the library. Celebrating the poignancy, randomness and poetics of home movies gives us a glimpse into the worlds of individuals and families we would never otherwise encounter. Joel Haertling, Boulder Library’s own film guru, has created a way for library visitors to simply catch a glimpse the lives of other caught on home movies or experience this medium in true screening style. Come by the Main Library any time on Saturday, October 17 between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and be a part of this new venture in Boulder Library’s program line-up.

Another golden opportunity at the library this month comes in the form of music, visuals and a little bit of dreaminess. We’re presenting the Gustafer Yellowgold Show at two of our locations! Gustafer Yellowgold is the type of performance that is not easy to describe (thus the use of the word dreaminess above). Primarily a live, rocking music show for kids and families, Gustafer Yellowgold has a following that transcends age and categories. You don’t have to be a kid to come listen to the mellow, rock sounds that help tell the story of a strange little guy who lived on the sun.  Gustafer Yellowgold is the same group who has opened for Wilco, played in their own off-Broadway show and continue to delight audience members, whether you’re 3 or 83.  The show will play at Meadows Branch on October 16 at 11 a.m. and in the Main Library’s Canyon Theater on October 17 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also check-out Gustafer Yellowgold’s CD and DVD from the library so that you can take the show on the road with you!

You’ll find that we’re excitedly creating for new ways for all our community members to have memorable experiences at the library. You only have to read through our program listing to get inspired. Here’s wishing you an autumn filled with golden moments.

If I asked you to show me your library card, could you? I sure hope so. It really is a little card that allows you access to a world of ideas, materials and information. September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. For the past several months, we have been gearing up for Boulder Library’s plan to be a part of this national celebration. As you may imagine, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about library cards lately.

I received my first library card when I was a teenager at the Marianna Black Public Library in my hometown in North Carolina. I can remember it quite well. The card was light blue and had a small metal portion on the bottom half of it. When I checked out books, the card was placed in a toaster-sized machine and each book’s jacket card was placed in the machine (one at a time) and stamped with my card number. The sound of the machine pressing the metal against the ink element could be heard throughout the library. When all the book cards were stamped and replaced by date-due cards, my library card was handed back to me where I placed it in the wallet my grandmother gave me as a gift years before. That library card stayed with me, along with my eventual driver’s license and pictures of my family and school friends, for a long time.  I kept the card until it was ragged around the edges.

What is your first library card memory? If you were a kid when you received it, do you recall the sense of pride and ownership you had when it was placed in your hands? That’s a great feeling we can still connect to today. What better time to do that than during Library Card Sign-Up Month?

Beginning this month, Boulder Library is revealing six new library card designs from which you can choose. Five of the designs feature images of staff members you’ll recognize from previous library newsletter covers. There is also a card that is designed for kids which features our own Investicat mascot! (Yes, adults are allowed to have the Investicat card if they choose). The new library card is accompanied by a key tag version, so you can keep your library card right on your keychain.

We think you’ll love these new library cards. Many of you may even want to do a trade-in if you already have a library card. Library staff members have already thought of a creative way to recycle and reinvent the used cards we collect. Imagine a piece of artwork created from the cards that have helped hundreds of community members access books and materials. Stay tuned to see how this develops.

As always, your library card is free, easy to use and something that is well worth remembering!

It is easy to see the public library as a social place. Our public library locations are filled with people seeking information, that next best book, learning about new technology or simply wanting to be at one of the pulse points of city activity. What better time to be social than in the summer?

The Meadows Branch Library is a warm and inviting branch located right behind another very social place—a large grocery store. The library itself melds quietly and seamlessly into the environment of the Meadows Shopping Center. Over the past several months, users and supporters have let us know just how important Meadows Branch is to them. Recently, two school-age boys even donated the proceeds of their afternoon of performing on the Pearl Street Mall to the library in honor of their favorite branch, Meadows! Such kind and supportive measures illustrate that Boulder community members benefit from their libraries and care deeply about them. Donna Klopf, the manager of Meadows Branch is featured on the cover of this issue of our newsletter. Donna and her staff help make Meadows a welcoming and meaningful place. If you haven’t visited Meadows Branch lately, I encourage you to do that. The friendly staff will be glad to see you (and likely help direct you to a few great books as well). While at Meadows you’ll also see that we’ve added some new color and flare to the study rooms and Teen Space at Meadows Branch. It’s a great place to be social!

Throughout our library system we are looking for new ways to engage with our community—new ways we can learn and grow together. Library staff members keep their eyes on trends and opportunities for doing just this. What we know is that being social has taken on a whole new meaning in the past few years with the rise of online social networking tools. Twitter, the micro-blogging tool, has quickly become one of the most popular ways to follow updates about friends and groups you care about. Boulder Library has been tweeting on Twitter for several months now. This means you can easily receive quick, bite-sized updates about what is happening at your library. This may come as a reminder about an upcoming program or a link to an updated web page. Get social with us by following “boulderlibrary” on Twitter today. Happy summer!

Hundreds of people come through the doors of our four public library locations in Boulder each day.  Many of these folks are on a mission to find that one certain book.  Many are coming to meet a friend or attend a program.  Others are simply looking for inspiration by browsing our collections.  Whatever your reason for coming to the library, we welcome you.

By looking at our calendar of programs and events this June, I’m convinced you’ll find many reasons to visit with us.  For kid readers (especially those who love dogs), you’ll see that you can practice your reading with a calm and friendly, certified “reader dog” at Main Library. For teens who’d like to find out more about how to keep their minds and senses sharp, the library offers gaming events.  Adults can learn from one another in ongoing discussions and conversations that happen each week.  In addition, you’ll find information about our hugely popular concerts, films and storytelling events.  There really is something for everyone.

The library’s print newsletter, as well as our Web Site, can be your guide to finding out the what, where and when of great things to do. To make it more convenient for you, we’ve recently made changes to our online calendar.  Not only can you find out about programs in any easy-to-read calendar format, you can receive email updates and reminders about programs you’re interested in as well as easily send the information to friends and family.
Take a look at all we have to offer.  Mark your calendar to join the learning and fun!

May is an incredible month.  It’s the month when spring settles in and minds begin to wonder.  And there are so many things to wonder about in May! Not only are buds and blooms popping up all over Boulder, Library staff members are doing the same! May is the month when Boulder Library gears up for summer reading. As a way to get the news about the summer reading program, the library’s youth staff visit elementary and middle schools throughout Boulder Valley. Gearing up for a great summer reading experience involves coordination between librarians, teachers, students, parents and caregivers. We hope that you and the students in your life will be a part of the fun and challenge during the summer.

In addition to having a summer reading program for kids and teens, Boulder  Library also encourages adults to challenge themselves to a summer filled with reading, too. This summer’s adult summer reading will be built around the book “1001 books You Must Read Before You Die” edited by Peter Boxall. Come join a network of book lovers and see what your friends and neighbors love about an array of great books.

As always, a friendly and knowledgeable library staff is ready to assist readers of all ages in finding that next great book. What better time to meander your way through the classics or follow the mind-bending adventures of a favorite book series? While you’re doing your spring daydreaming, find your way to your library—either in person or online—and share the stories and dreams of generations of great minds.

April 12 -18 is National Library Week! This is the week when libraries and their supporters across the country go all out to celebrate. And there are so many reasons to celebrate, be grateful for and, yes, concerned about libraries right now.

In mid-February Library Journal named Boulder Public Library a 4-star Library. This designation is one that helps bring our library into national view. More than the great attention, for me, the 4-star rating highlights the fact that Boulder loves—and uses—its library!

The news of the 4-star rating came at a very interesting time. Like most libraries, government organizations and businesses around the country, Boulder Library is facing the reality of a major economic downturn. As a part of the network of City departments, the library has put forth several options for how we may approach long-term funding stabilization. These options will be followed by much discussion and input from the public. In the meantime, so many of you have shared your support, concern and heartfelt wishes for maintaining a strong and vital library. Thank you for loving your library.

The next several months will reveal how our City will deal with the challenges we face economically. Library staff members are working diligently to offer the best services, make wise decisions and care for the library that we all share. In the face of these challenging times, we’ll continue to live up to our 4-star status.

Speaking of stars, Boulder Library will be hosting a shining star in the world of books through our One Book, One Boulder County program. Legendary author Katherine Paterson will join us as we cap off our tribute to her classic book Bridge to Terabithia. Included in the program line-up is a viewing of the film version of the book on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m., which will be introduced by the young star of the movie, AnnaSophia Robb. Find out more about how you can be a part of One Book as well as attend programs with Ms. Patterson and Ms. Robb by visiting our Web site http://www.onebookoneboulder.info .
Thanks for helping Boulder Library be a place full of heart (and stars).

A journalist recently asked me what makes Boulder Library such a special place.  With a quick moment of reflection, I replied, “The Library is a place where hope lives.” After I had said this, I realized that it wasn’t likely what the journalist was expecting to hear. I felt our conversation take a turn. We moved from discussing the library’s collection, programs and building amenities to talking about the library as a place that holds the collected dreams and potentialities of centuries.  It is also a place where we store and retrieve information that is relevant today. And, perhaps more than this, it is a place where we can bring it all to life.  The library is a place where the whole community can come together to explore, reason, wonder and, yes, share their hopes and dreams.

The past several months have been a trying time for the whole nation as our economy bobs on a sea of uneasiness. The effects of this are seen in large and small ways, in ways both obvious and subtle. The Boulder Library staff work with members of the community each day who are dealing with job loss, working to make ends meet and trying to make good, sound decisions for their families and careers.  These are challenges that go deep and we are all sharing in them in profound ways.

Here is what I’d like for you and your family to know: your library is here for you.  During this time of profound challenge, you are not alone—we share your concerns and are working with you to find solutions.

There are many practical ways that the library is here for you. To begin, you can try out our “Find–a-Job” zone on the second floor of Main Library.  Check out the informational literature we’ve gathered, customized web pages and helpful staff -—all ready to assist you, a friend or family member in getting a jump-start on finding a job.  Next, don’t forget to think of us as the first place to come for quality fun, educational and inspirational programs and experiences. From monthly, live musical performances of classical music to some of the most eclectic and memorable film screenings in all of Colorado, the Boulder Library makes it possible (and without the box office price tag).

Beyond the practical, let the library be your place of hope. The library is a place where you can come to remind yourself how wonderful life really is. Indulge your curiosity by browsing the library stacks to discover your latest fascination—whether it is information about interior design or the mosses of the Northwestern forest—you’ll find it here. Find a sunny corner of the building to dream and let your thoughts align themselves. (We won’t rush you when you’re dreaming). Remember that the library is yours. We want you to dream, to learn, to grow, to enjoy—and to share hope with us—at the library.

In last month’s Boulder Library newsletter, I shared that we’ve embraced curiosity as one of our guiding principles. Simply saying (or writing) this phrase brings a smile to my face! Curiosity and its important and very magical effects has been much on my mind lately. On this windy evening here in Boulder, I pulled out a vintage copy of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland that a friend gave to me years ago. Thumbing through the chalky, aged pages of this book, I came across the opening lines of the second chapter:

“’Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); ‘now I’m opening out like the largest telescope that ever was!

Curiouser and curiouser—what a great phrase! In the past few weeks, you might say that this has been the mantra of the staff at Boulder Library. We’ve been talking about and exploring what makes us curious, what we wonder about, and what is intriguing about the world around us. These conversations are leading to ways that we bring our curiosities alive for the community we serve.

A very tangible way we’ve been exploring our curiosity is through discovering current tech gadgetry. We’re learning about iPods, flip video cameras, the Wii, digital cameras and more. These are all curiosity sparkers that people are experimenting with in many segments of life. How can you explore these at your public library? Stay tuned. You’ll see that in the coming months we’ll be offering more programs and events that feature how you can learn more about using current technology to make life more efficient, fun and engaging. Don’t be surprised if you happen to see a group of teens challenging one another to another round of Wii Sports or an informal gathering of adults working to figure out how to sync their laptops with their iPods.

What we are learning is that using interactive technology creates opportunities for a wide variety of people to interact together as well as learn the use and usability of technologies. Yes, what this means is that we all learn through play. Gaming technologies such as Wii Sports or Rock Band are both fun and—you guessed it—tools for learning! Libraries and community-serving agencies around the world are finding this out. You can be a part of it as well—right here in Boulder.

If you’re curious about a new piece of technology you’re reading about or you’re hearing your friends discuss, then come see how Boulder Library is exploring it. If we’re not, ask about how we can help you find out more! We’re here to learn and grow from one another. Let’s take a note from Alice and let life get curiouser and curiouser—together!

The world is a curious place. And what a wonderful thing that is! When we are lead by our curiosity, we are sure to be directed into some delightful, challenging and often enchanted places. Whenever we become curious, our senses are heightened and our imaginations are called forth. Exploration and discovery are imminent.

So, why all this talk about curiosity? Would you believe that Boulder Public Library has embraced curiosity as one of our guiding qualities? As we move into a new year, our curiosity—and yours—will be of keen interest to us. By dedicating ourselves to observing what makes us all curious we foster a culture of learning and innovation. This is how we are consciously growing our presence in the Boulder community and deepening our impact.

A Boulder Library colleague recently shared a story with me about a young man who came into our Main Library on a week day in late November. He spotted a sign that pointed toward the North Wing of the building. The sign pointed the way to GED Testing that takes place through our Boulder Reads program on a regular basis. This young man followed the signs until he reached welcoming library staff who encouraged him to take his first GED test. He wasn’t prepared with fees or even a photo ID. Sensing his curiosity and interest, a staff member snapped his photo for registration using her iPhone, arranged for the fee payment to be taken at a later time and set this young man up for success on his first two installments of the test! Cultivating curiosity in this case took a bit of encouragement, some creativity and much care.

What are you curious about? Where does that curiosity lead you? We hope that it often leads you right to your public library.

Tony Tallent, Library & Arts Director