newsletter of the Peoria Public Library Volume 24, No. 10 OCTOBER
In This Issue Peoria Public Library Participates in Central Illinois Reads.........page 2 E-books and a new AXIS 360 App...........................page 2 Hot New Titles Coming in October............................page 3 October Calendar.............page 4 November Book Clubs......page 8 How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful..........................page 9
2015
Technology Upgrade to Increase Library Internet Speed 10 Times Peoria Public Library is finishing a technology upgrade that should increase internet speeds at all locations by approximately ten times. Library administration has been working to upgrade the internet and speeds at the various Peoria Public Library locations that were hampering the public’s ability to make good use of public computers and the many offered features. The long-awaited upgrade is at last finished and patrons should see vast improvements. The project began in May 2015 with the replacing of the old copper-based T-1 lines with new AT&T fiber optic connections. That portion of the project included trenching and construction and was completed in late July. Previously that infra-
structure was only in place at Main Library. The capacity of the project is moving the library to a shared total of 250 megabits (MB) from about 50 MB of unshared data or an increase of ten times more speed. Previously each location had its own “pipeline” consisting of either a T-1 line or cable modem. If a branch was closed, its internet connection sat idle. During the upgrade all internet connections were moved to one central “pipe” and a new service provider was contracted. That means that when a branch is closed, its internet capacity is being passed on to the other locations. In addition there is far less equipment to manage and fewer pieces of equipment that can break now that there is one central control center.
Autumn on the Prairie;
works by the Prairie Fiber Guild at the Peoria Public Library Main Library Gallery Members of the Prairie Fiber Arts Guild are exhibiting a collection of their works in the Main Library Gallery in October. The Guild promotes fiber arts of all mediums. Expect to see a variety of items – from vests to hats, dresses and tunics, wall-hangings, quilts, bracelets and sculptured containers. They are sewn, woven, quilted, knit, felted, hooked – using natural or synthetic fibers in autumn colors. The surface is often embellished with dyes, paints, or by attaching beads, buttons, or jewelry. Each work starts with a concept, a reason for being. The theme for this exhibit is “Autumn on the Prairie.” With her woven and knit garments, Janis Straesser is trying to answer the question: “Who is the modern prairie woman?” She explains that a few years ago the cover of Vogue magazine showed “Prairie Style” garments. “I was appalled,” she said. “they showed tiered broomstick skirts, gingham shirts, laced granny shoes. No one dresses that way in Peoria – and Peoria is authentically prairie.” She decided to develop a collection of garments that expressed who a prairie woman is today. One of the works she will display is a tunic in browns, camel and white made with handspun fiber from llamas and wool from Shepherdswood Farm in Chillicothe. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, runs through October 30 and is open during regular library hours Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. An artist’s reception will be held on Friday, October 2 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and the public is Handknit scarf and shawl by Abi Hutchinson, ringspun yarn by Abi Hutchinson invited to attend and meet the artists. Photo by Jeane Krumholz
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