Food Day 2015 in Pictures

We celebrated Food Day here at the library almost two months ago, but it's a movement that you can celebrate all year long. This national event takes place every October 24 to raise awareness about our diets and food policies. It's about changing our diets to eat real, healthy, and sustainable food, but it's also about food-related problems in our communities, food education, and farmworkers' rights.

We wanted to take the time to share pictures of our past event, and also thank all of our participants.

El Paso True Food Buying Club

This group offers a weekly box of in-season, locally grown produce. Visit their site for more info or to place an order. During Food Day, they had an info table along with an adorable yarn apple craft for children. They also gave away free apples and had a photo booth for the "Apple Crunch." To view photos of El Pasoans taking part in the Apple Crunch, visit the EP True Food facebook page!

The LIGHT Center

The LIGHT (Lotus Integrative Group for Health and Transformation) is a  community-based group that provides health related services including meditation sessions and classes, mind-body workshops and clinics, healthy eating classes and yoga classes. They had an info table and also gave a delicious food demonstration on Indian cooking. Participants were able to learn about the health benefits of ingredients commonly used in Indian cookery, how to sprout legumes at home, and taste a flavorful Masti Sprouts salad.

Sol y Tierra Growers

Located in Anthony, NM, this cooperative of farmers is working to produce organically-grown and fairly produced vegetables in the Southern New Mexico-El Paso region. You can find their produce at Food City supermarkets, in the El Paso True Food boxes, and at the farmers markets. They graciously donated produce from their farm to the public, as well as had a craft table for children.

Papa Pita Restaurant

Owners from this local eatery located at 7114 N. Mesa stopped by to demonstrate a refreshing cucumber salad.

Info & display Tables. Seed Libraries are coming soon to El Paso Public Libraries!

Check out these materials @ your libraries!

El Paso True Food Buying Club setting up!

The LIGHT Center demonstrating Indian cooking.

The LIGHT Center displayed ingredients used in Indian cooking.

Sprouts Masti salad demonstrated by the LIGHT Center.

Crafts @ Sol y Tierra Farms' info table.

Crafts @ Sol y Tierra Farms' info table.

Papa Pita Restaurant food demonstration.

Cucumber Salad made by Papa Pita Restaurant.

Crafts & free apples @ the El Paso True Food table.

Sugar overload display. To find out how many teaspoons of sugar your drink or snack has, divide the grams by 4.

We also handed out flyers for our forthcoming seed libraries! 

We have a lot to look forward to in the spring of 2016!

Holiday Schedule for Last Two Weeks of December 2015

Help Name Our Mascot!

We're currently having a naming contest for our new library mascot!  She is an owl who loves to learn and explore all the library has to offer kids and their families.

We're accepting submissions until Friday, December 18.  

From the El Paso Public Library's website:

Library Director, Dionne Mack, says, “Our new mascot is a friendly reader who is passionate about literacy and learning. We want to raise awareness of the importance of reading at an early age among parents and children, as well as awareness about other programs and services.” 

The new mascot will begin visiting library branches across the city to meet children in all parts of town. Later, it will become available for special events and school functions as time permits. 

Just drop by Dorris Van Doren (or any other El Paso Public Library location) and fill out a quick card with your name idea and contact information if your suggestion is picked!

She will start making appearances early next year.  Check back for more information on her first library visits!

You Better Watch Out! You Better Not Cry! I'm Telling You Why...

Join us for a special event!

In honor of our first-ever Fall Reading Club from last month, Read S'more Books, we're hosting a special s'more-making event.  Supplies will be provided as well as a warm fire (weather permitting). It is important that children are supervised by a caretaker at ALL times, and children will not be allowed to get too close to the fire.  Staff will roast the marshmallows and help participants make the s'mores.

In the case of inclement weather, we will still host the event indoors and use a microwave to make the s'mores.

Hope to see you here!

Halloween is Almost Here!

Don't miss our extra-fun event happening a few days before Halloween.

Costumes are welcomed!

Join Our First Ever Fall Reading Club!

Join us for our first ever Fall Reading Club!  For children and teens, only.

It's a much more laid back version of the Summer Reading Club in that you get to set your own reading goal...so, if you want to only read one book, that's all you need to complete the program!

Until the end of the month (Oct. 31st), you can pick up a reading log at the library and keep track of the books you read.  From November 2- November 7, bring back your completed log to the library and get a certificate and prize just for being in the Fall Reading Club.  That's it!

Mini Digie is Coming to DVD Library!

The Mini-Digie version of the large Digie wall in downtown El Paso (located next to the El Paso Museum of History) is coming to the Dorris Van Doren library starting Friday, September 18th, until Friday, October 2nd!

The Digie is an interactive wall or board that is touch activated and stores a collection of images and videos that users can view and even upload to share with others on our city's rich multi-cultural heritage.  Patrons are encouraged to share their family's history by uploading their content to the museum's database.  Just create and log into an account here.

Photo Courtesy of the El Paso Museum of History website

The Mini-Digie will be on display between the circulation and information desks where we normally house the new books.  For more information, click here.  Be sure to come check it out!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

Now that school is back in session, make sure your child has the most important school supply of all...a library card!  A library card opens up doors to other worlds, and it's easy to get, too.  The library is not just for books as we now offer e-books, magazines in print and digital forms, DVDs, music, research databases, language learning and more!  For a complete guide on how to get a library card, check the El Paso Public Library website.  Most of the time, a completed application along with an updated photo ID is all that is needed (with proof of current address, if necessary).

There is no minimum age requirement to get a library card!  Most minors will need a parent or legal guardian (with proof of guardianship) to provide their identification information unless they can provide their own photo ID and proof of address, such as a learner's permit or driver's license.  It's never too early or too late to start using the library.

Can't find your library card?  No problem.  Replacement cards can be requested for $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for minors under 18 years of age.  We will ask to see an ID.

For residents outside the El Paso city limits, there is a fee that applies to get a library card.  It is $25.00 for 6 months, and $50.00 for a full year of use.  Just one card can serve an entire household.

There is no card required to use a public computer at the library!  Also, all library programs and classes are open to everyone for free.  For more information about using the library, see an online version of our brochure.

See you soon!

Concerts @ Your Library

We've had a great time this summer partnering with other City departments like Parks and Recreation, Sun Metro, Environmental Services, and the Fire and Police departments. Last week, students from the piano and guitar classes at the Don Haskins Rec Center came to perform. Besides sports activities, the Don Haskins Rec Center offers a variety of classes ranging from Tai Chi to music lessons. Go visit them at 7400 High Ridge to find out about their programs. 

This week, we've partnered with the UTEP music department to feature a voice and piano recital. We hope you'll join us this Saturday at 2 pm for this free event!

Thank you for supporting your library this summer!

The Amazing Adrain wowing his audience on June 17

Summer Reading Club 2015 has come and gone!  We had 983 people of all ages register and finish a total of 5,264 books or 728 hours of reading!  Great job to all our patrons for participating!

We have already raffled the piñatas and notified the winners (6 total winners from preschoolers to teens).  Also, the systemwide prizes have also been raffled and awarded to the winners.

Making a mini-racer on July 22

We had a variety of programs for kids and teens this summer.  They were able to create some original crafts and try out some new STEAM activities such as watching a geyser explosion effect with Diet Coke and Mentos mints or make ice cream with ice, milk, sugar and rock salt.  We also had some great performers who, year after year, continue to entertain and educate while having fun.

Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who brought the kids to the library this summer and to all teens who kept their minds active!

Stay tuned for a few basic back-to-school activities coming up in August and, for the first time ever, we will have a Fall Reading Club, a more laid-back version of the Summer Reading Club.  More information to follow!