newsletter of the Peoria Public Library www.peoriapubliclibrary.org
APRIL 2014 Volume 23 n No. 2 Published monthly by the Peoria Public Library
MAIN LIBRARY 107 N.E. Monroe 309.497.2000 LAKEVIEW BRANCH 1137 W. Lake 309.497.2200 LINCOLN BRANCH 1312 W. Lincoln 309.497.2600 MCCLURE BRANCH 315 W. McClure 309.497.2700 NORTH BRANCH 3001 W. Grand Parkway 309.497.2100 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Edward J. Barry, Jr. Stephen M. Buck Margaret E. Cousin Lucy D. Gulley F. Eugene Rebholz Debbie Ritschel Sid P. Ruckriegel Barbara Van Auken Jeanne Williamson DIRECTOR Leann Johnson EDITOR Trisha Noack
Have you heard of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped? Do you have experience any of the following? *Do you love to read; however you find reading is not as easy as it used to be? *Do you find it hard to read regular print and tend to read more large print? *Is holding a book for more than 15 minutes at a time hard to do? *Do you have a temporary or permanent visual, physical or a reading disability? If you answered yes to any of the above statements, then Peoria Public Library’s Outreach Department has a special FREE program just for you. The Talking Book Program was established in 1931 by an act of Congress to provide free and accessible library services to those who cannot read standard print because of visual, physical, or reading disability to individuals living anywhere in the United States or abroad. The equipment is small, light weight, rechargeable
and portable. Books and magazines are recorded on a flash drive not any bigger than a deck of playing cards; one flash drive holds the entire book or magazine. And the best thing is you don’t have to leave your house once you are signed-up and have your equipment; everything comes through the mail to your door at no cost to you. And it’s all FREE, the equipment, books, magazines and postage, everything! If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the National Library Service Talking Books program, would like an application, set up an appointment for a demonstration or would like a group presentation, please call the Peoria Public Library Outreach Department at 4972068.
April is National Poetry Month Each April Peoria Public Library joins the Academy of American Poets in celebrating National Poetry Month and helping to draw attention to the art of poetry, poetry heritage and living poets. This April, a variety of events have been planned to focus attention on poetry. All month long, aspiring poets of all ages are invited to enter the National Poetry Month Contest. All poetry styles are welcome and three top prizes will be awarded. You could win a $50, $30, or $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble. All entries will be compiled and published in a booklet that will be added to the library collection. To enter, pick up an entry form or download one from the calendar at www.peoriapubliclibrary.org. Explore one of America’s best-loved poets, Edgar Allen Poe, on Monday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m. with Helen Burgess. Helen, a local poet who has been a member of the Peoria Poetry Club since 1991, will explore the life and works of Poe. She will delve into his past and explain why he excelled at poetic mystery and the macabre. Then, use the library collection to find some poetry for “Poem in Your Pocket” Day on Thursday, April 24. Just find a bit of poetry that you can put on a note in your pocket or on your smartphone or tablet to share throughout the day.