Library News & Notes

Library to give every student a card

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. The Nevada Appeal, Carson City Library and Carson City School District are taking this designation to heart.

One of the goals of this year's Literacy for Life is to provide every student in Carson City with a library card. Much has been written about the benefits of a library card and about the opportunities it provides.

The card is free, the application is almost instantaneous and the information is private. The library staff will be local visiting schools to expedite this process, but anyone can apply for a card by visiting the library.

New youth book club

In an attempt to encourage readers from every age and interest group, Youth Services Librarian Amber Sady has initiated another book club, an ongoing program beginning on Sept. 25.

The four-week program will feature best-selling author Kate DiCamillo's 2004 Newbery Award winning novel, "Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread."

Copies of the book, available in the original and a version for younger readers, can be checked out at the library.

It's worth coming to the first program just to see how DiCamillo weaves the intriguing title elements together.

All four discussions are in the library auditorium 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays.

Explore the World @ Your Library

South Africa, a fascinating, beautiful, though often troubled, country has been in the news recently when the FIFA World Cup Soccer Games were held there this summer.

Who can forget the noisy vuvuzelas or Paul the octopus' unblemished prediction streak?

To learn more about this incredible country, attend Johanna Soliday's discussion at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 in the library auditorium.

John Carlin's novel, "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandel and the Game That Made a Nation," available as an audio book at the library, chronicles the 1995 rugby world cup games and Nelson Mandela's ability to bring the factions of the country together.

Vamos a Platicar: Let's Talk

The ability to speak two or more languages brings personal, cultural and professional benefits and enhances the diversity of any community.

Taking classes in high school or college provides a good beginning opportunity, but through speaking and conversation one can make tremendous strides.

Vamos a Platicar: Let's Talk, which meets 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, provides community members the opportunity to practice both English and Spanish in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

Bilingual story time

Bilingual story time encourages parents and children to listen to stories in both English and Spanish and will be 6 p.m. Thursday, with crafts and refreshments provided afterward.

In addition, both the public and school libraries offer numerous bilingual books to patrons.

Neighbors lecture series continues at library

Nevada Neighbors, the Capital City Arts Initiative's ongoing series of illustrated public talks, will host "True North: Canadian Artists and the Environment," a presentation by Canadian artist and educator Lorraine Gilbert at

7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Carson City Library, 900 N. Roop St.

There will be an informal reception for Gilbert at 6:15 p.m. The presentation and reception are free.

In her talk, Gilbert will highlight the work of contemporary Canadian artists focusing on environmental concerns.

"True North" is presented in conjunction with "Once (Upon) a Forest," her exhibition at the CCAI Courthouse Gallery.