Chariot Race from Ben-Hur

The Morris Area Public Library is hosting the slide presentation “History and Film: Cinematic Window on the Ancient and Modern World” on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Whether it is in the grand expanse of biblical narratives, the imagined world of Greek myth, or the power of Rome, the ancient world continues to inspire topics for film. While it is easy to poke fun at the movies for their errors and the poetic license they exercise, there is much to celebrate and learn. Film and television are the lens through which most people learn about the ancient world. This illustrated presentation examines a selection of clips from movies such as Ben-Hur, 300, and Gladiator, highlighting the value of these films and the ways in which they inform us about our modern world.

Presenter Lee Brice holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently an Assistant Professor of History at Western Illinois University. He has received several awards and grants for his teaching and research projects. His primary area of research concerns mutinies in the Roman army, but he also maintains a study of the coins of Greek Corinth.

The program is free to everyone, but registration is required.  Please call the library at (815) 942-6880 to register.

This program is made possible in part by an award from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.

We've added a link to the online version of the New York Times Sunday Book Review to our Online Library.  A permanent link may be found in the Online Library under the category "Consumer Help."

The winning designs from our bookmark contest are here!  Pick yours up at the circulation desk today!

Dear Library Members,

     The Prairie Area Library System now requires that we add a birth date to each member's library account.  Beginning immediately, we ask that you provide your date of birth to library staff so your account may be updated to reflect this change.

     As part of the process of collecting this new data, we are issuing new library cards to all of our members.  Please turn in any previously issued cards to the desk clerks, who will give you a new card free of charge.

     Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

                                             --Morris Area Public Library Staff

Congratulations to our 2009 Summer Reading Club Bookmark Contest winners!  The winners are:

• Nicholas Kilgore (Grades 1-5)
• Anna Wasko (Grades 1-5)
• Dorissa Gutierrez (Grades 6-8)
• Patricia A. Buchholtz (Adult)

Each winner will receive a coupon for a free value basket from Culver's in Morris.  The winning entries will also be printed and distributed as actual bookmarks by the Morris Library.

All of the contest entries will be on display on the northeast windows through mid-July.

The Morris Area Public Library is pleased to announce the 2009 Summer Reading Program!  The program will run from Sunday, June 7 through Friday, July 31.

Children's Theme

The children's theme is "Ice Cream for Books!" and is for children ages 6 months through 5th grade.  Children will receive a reading chart to log the number of minutes they spend reading each week.  Additionally, storytimes and lapsits will be held every Tuesday and Wednesday at both 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. until Wednesday, July 1.  Additional programs will be offered throughout the summer as well.  Registration for the children's program is required and is currently open.

Adult's Theme

The adult theme is "Feed Your Mind-- Read!" and is for middle school, high school, and adult participants.   Adults in this program read as many books as desired and fill out a book review for each book, which will be entered into a prize drawing.  There is no limit on the number or type of books for which each person can read and submit a review.  At the end of the program, the names of the prize winners will be selected and announced.  All of the submitted reviews will be placed in the corresponding books on a display for others to view and check out.  There is no registration for the adult program.

Bookmark Contest

Anyone of any age may enter into the bookmark contest.  Flyers with the contest instructions and bookmark outline are available for pickup in the library.

More information on the summer reading programs will be made available as programs are confirmed.  For questions about the program or for more information on the library, please visit the library or call us at 815-942-6880.

Congratulations to two Morris Library staff members who have recently won professional and educational awards!

Desk clerk Steve Larson was named the recipient of the 2009 Illinois Library Association's Robert P. Doyle Award.  Answering the question "Why I would like to attend the ILA Annual Conference and how it would affect my personal and professional growth," Steve was selected as the sole award recipient out of a pool of candidates from around the state.  This award makes it possible for Steve to attend this year's ILA Annual Conference.  Way to go, Steve!

Shelver Rosemary Nowak, a 2009 graduate of Morris Community High School, received several academic achievements this year.  She was designated as an Illinois State Scholar, recognized as a Voice of Democracy winner by the Morris VFW, awarded a scholarship by the JJC Foundation, and received departmental accolades in English and Art.  Congratulations, Rosemary!

We're so proud of our staff!

Check out our new book review blog, What We're Reading!  Library staff will regularly update this blog with book reviews, staff picks, and other related information such as award nominees and winners. Please feel free to leave comments!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the dedication of the Pamela J. Wilson Adult Reading Room!  Pam retired last October after 32 years of service as the Library Director for the Morris Area Public Library District.  The Board of Trustees honored Pam by redecorating and dedicating the reading area in her name.

Above: Pam Wilson officially opens the Pamela J. Wilson Adult Reading Room to the public while Library Director Kyla Waltermire and Board of Trustees President Alice Klusak hold the ribbon.

The Library Board of Trustees have changed the June meeting date from Tuesday, June 2 to Tuesday, June 9 at 3:00 p.m.  The meeting will be held in the conference room.