Month: April 2022

Explore The Library of Things!

April 21, 2022 Uncategorized

Did you know that Algonquin Area Public Library has a collection of unique items for digital preservation, crafting, photography, and more?

The Library of Things contains tools and equipment for special projects, such as transferring treasured home movies to digital formats, to save you money and storage. Considering a new hobby?  Try some of our crafting tools before buying your own. You'll also find items for gaming, photography, and technology. New items are being added regularly. Many Library of Things items require an Algonquin Area Public Library District card to check out, so be sure to check with a staff member. Browse the collection through our catalog, or give the Adult Services department a call.

Photography

GoPro Hero 5- Compact and lightweight, this camera combines the portability of a point and shoot camera, and a camcorder. Packed into a rugged frame that's waterproof and virtually indestructible, take this camera where your phone can't go!

Gaming

Controllers - Need an extra controller for your kid's next sleepover? The Library of Things has controllers for XBOX, Wi, Nintendo Switch, and Playstation. Borrow, don't buy, and keep the gaming going all night long.

Digital Preservation

Tell Me a Story Kit- Visiting family this summer? This kit will help you collect and record your family members' stories, to create an oral history that will be treasured for generations. In addition to the recorder, the kit contains an Oral History Workshop booklet of suggested topics to help you get started.

Technology

Kodak Ektagraphic III Slide Projector - Curious about those boxes of old slides in Grandma's basement? This simple carousel slide projector uses a rotary tray to load slides, and project photos and slide shows right on your wall. Combine it with the Tell Me A Story Kit, to capture precious family stories and memories before they're lost.

Music

Karaoke Machine - Rock the house at your next party with this fun to use kit, that contains two microphones, a cradle to connect your smartphone, and discs containing 300 songs.

Seed Library Journal #4- April 11

April 11, 2022 Library Programs

After a week (at least) of gray skies and temps in the 40s, the sunny weekend was the motivation I needed to plant my Seed Library seeds! I'm using the tabletop greenhouse I got for my birthday, but you can find seed trays and accessories at most garden and hardware stores.  The Seed Library has lots of vegetable, herb and flower seed varieties available. Check out our catalog online, and request seeds here. An Adult Services staff member will notify you when they're ready to pick up.

Step by step, here's how I planted my seeds:

Soil Prep

I used a good quality potting mix that's made specifically for starting seeds. This one is very  lightweight, and contains a mix of peat moss, vermiculite and organic plant food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After pouring the mix into a wheelbarrow, I added water until the soil was the consistency of crumbly brownie mix. An old Little Tikes garden trowel was perfect for mixing and scooping the potting mix.

Filling the seed cups

After punching drainage holes in the bottom of the egg cartons, I added potting mix, gently tamping  it down into the cups to reduce air pockets, and give the seeds a warm, damp place to sprout.

Once the egg cartons were filled, I placed them in a waterproof tray.

Planting the seeds

Now the fun part! I opened each Seed Library packet and carefully poured the seeds into a small container. Since some of the seeds I selected are tiny, this made it easier not to lose them! Then I labeled the cartons for each seed variety, and used the labeling sticks to create a small hole for each seed. While I didn't know the preferred planting depth for every variety, I'd read that 1/4" to 1/2" is a good depth to use for most plants.

Carefully using the edge of the seed envelope, I dropped one seed into each hole, and brushed potting mix over the hole to close it.

The wait begins!

With all the seeds planted, I lightly watered once more, before covering the planting tray to trap the humidity. The soil needs to be kept at 60-70 degrees, so I have a warming mat underneath the planting tray to keep the seeds warm. The potting mix needs to be damp but not soggy, so I'll check it each day and water as needed.

Once the seeds sprout, it will be time to add the grow light.

Have your Seed Library seeds sprouted yet? Share your progress on the AAPLD FB page!

Celebrate National Library Week with The Big Library Read!

April 7, 2022 Reading Challenge, Reading Suggestions

It's National Library Week, and what better way to feel the library love than by joining an international celebration of reading? The Big Library Read is the world's largest digital book club, with over 20,000 libraries participating, including Algonquin Area Public Library District.

Taking part is easy. Between April 4 -18, use the Libby digital library app to download the spring selection, Music Is History by Questlove, with no holds and no waits. After reading, check out the discussion questions here, and share your thoughts on the discussion board. Post about the book on social media using #biglibraryread, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win Apple AirPods Pro.

 

Music Is History combines Questlove’s deep musical expertise with his curiosity about history, examining America over the past fifty years.

Focusing on the years 1971 to the present, Questlove finds the hidden connections in the American tapestry, whether investigating how the blaxploitation era reshaped Black identity or considering the way disco took an assembly-line approach to Black genius. And these critical inquiries are complemented by his own memories as a music fan, and the way his appetite for pop culture taught him about America. A history of the last half-century and an intimate conversation with one of music’s most influential and original voices, Music Is History is a singular look at contemporary America.

Photo by Daniel Dorsa

Questlove is known to television audiences as the Musical Director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He is co-founder of the groundbreaking Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots, which also serves as the Tonight Show house band.  He made his directorial debut with the Academy Award winning feature documentary Summer of Soul. A drummer, DJ, producer, culinary entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author, he is set to direct the upcoming feature documentary on Sly Stone.

The 1950 Census is Here!

April 5, 2022 Genealogy, Local History

The 1950 Census is Here!

The excitement is real for genealogy fans. On April 1st, the 1950 Census was released by the National Archives. The 1950 census is available to browse at the National Archives website: https://www.archives.gov/research/census/1950

This census is not yet fully indexed, but there is a search engine for the AI (machine) index- it\'s kind of like OCR for handwriting, so you can imagine how imperfect it might be. You might be lucky with a first name/last name search, but if you do not find who you are looking for, try again after a few weeks.
Try these steps to find your ancestors:
  • If you know the complete street address, city and state, use this website to determine the Enumeration District: https://stevemorse.org/census/unified.html
  • At the National Archives site linked above, use the ED # to search for your ancestors. You may need to scroll through several pages.
  • Check the pages at the end of each film set for the enumeration of those who were \"not at home\" when the census taker came by the first time.

If you have questions or want an overview of this process, sign up for our May 17th program: Your Guide to the 1950 Census with Lisa Louise Cooke. This virtual program will not  be recorded, register here!

1950 census snip