What's Happening at Dorris Van Doren

Friends Newsletter, January 2012

2012-01-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

Check out the January issue of the Friends of the Westside Branches Newsletter! Inside, you'll find your invitation to the annual board meeting, a few reminders, coverage of the Westside Branch's recent facelift, and more!

You can become a member for only $5 a year. Your membership helps fund programs and book purchases for the libraries, and you get a 10% discount at The Bookmark Used Bookstore (7348 Remcon)!

Correction: The newsletter states that the Dorris Van Doren Branch has proposed to enclose the patio between the main building and family room. We have actually proposed to enclose the teen courtyard, which is located near the Young Adult area.

Friends Newsletter January 2012

It's the Holiday Season

2011-12-08T13:47:00.001-08:00

December is usually a busy time of year for everyone, whether you participate in holiday celebrations or not. There's a sense of haste in the air as everyone rushes to complete errands or simply get out of the cold. If you have children, literacy is probably not at the top your list this month. Fortunately, Ruben Casteneda, director of EPAL (El Paso Area Libraries consortium), has some great tips for promoting literacy during the holiday season. Ruben also says that he'll be giving books as gifts to his nieces and nephews this Christmas.

Don't forget to stop by the library in between all those errands you're running. We have lots of new books, ebooks, and DVDs coming in almost weekly. We also have some fun and entertaining events happening during December for all ages listed below.

Literacy Tips for the Holidays:

Set aside a special reading time.
While cooking for the holidays, let your child read the recipe and measure the ingredients.
Read a book while the food is baking.
Let your child write the gift tags.
Have your child read to others.
Go to the library for storytime and/or Santa’s visit.

Upcoming events at the Dorris Van Doren Branch:

Cello Quartet Performance featuring students from Franklin High School
Tuesday, December 13 @ ~~4 pm~~ 4:30 pm

Santa Visit!
Saturday, December 14 @ 4 pm

Monthly Movie Matinee (call 875-0700 for movie title)
Saturday, December 24 @ 3 pm

The staff at the Dorris Van Doren Branch wishes everyone safe and happy holidays!

Check out the Family Room!

Happy Friends of the Westside Libraries Week!

2011-11-30T12:18:00.001-08:00

On November 29, the Mayor officially declared the first week of December as Friends of the Westside Libraries Week! A Friends group is a group of individuals who work together to raise money for their neighborhood library. Money that is collected through book sales and other fundraising events is used to purchase books and provide funding for library programs. Most of our library branches here in El Paso have a Friends group that you can join or support. Visit this page to view a listing of local groups and contact information.

If you have ever attended a music, children, or teen program at the Dorris Van Doren or Westside Branches, it was most likely funded by our Friends group. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be able to provide refreshments, craft programs, and concerts for free to the public. Our annual Summer Reading Club is also partly funded by the Friends. The City provides us with a very small book and materials budget, but the Friends are able to help supplement that budget.

We are very grateful to our Friends group for all of their hard work, and hope that you'll join us in celebrating them by thanking them, becoming a member, and purchasing items from The Bookmark. The Bookmark is their used bookstore, located near the Westside Post Office at 7348 Remcon Circle. The store also accepts book and magazine donations.

Friends of the Westside Libraries Week Celebration Sale!

50% off sale happening from Wednesday, November 30 through Saturday, December 3.

The Bookmark's Hours of Operation:
Closed Sunday-Tuesday
Wednesday 3-6 pm
Thursday 9 am-3 pm
Friday 3-8 pm
Saturday 9 am-3 pm

Blissful Bites @ DVD!

2011-11-17T16:39:00.001-08:00

Happy Teen Read Week!

2011-10-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

Teen Read Week was started by a library association (YALSA) as a way to celebrate and encourage teens to read. Teen Read Week is also when the Teens' Top Ten list is announced. Teens nominate and vote for the titles on the list. View this year's winners with links to their availability in our catalog here.

The El Paso Public Library System participates every year by hosting fun activities, book giveaways, and more. Don't worry if you missed this year's events, because each library branch hosts a Teen Hangout program where teens can come meet other teens, play games, video games, watch movies, enjoy snacks, make crafts, do homework, and more! Teen Hangout is every Thursday @ 4:30 pm.

To wrap up Teen Read Week, we asked staff members to help us celebrate by telling us about their teen reads, as well as past and current favorites. A list of the books mentioned with links to our catalog can be found below. What are you favorite young adult/teen books?

Susan: I just read "Glow" and "Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy." Both were very different. Glow, I couldn't put down! My absolute favorite YA book is "The Hunger Games." I love Katniss!

Mary Helen: Jane Eyre! My mom didn't really approve of all the gothic paperback romances in my cousin's basement, but I got away with reading that one, in public, because it was a classic. Woo-woo...stormy moors and forbidden love-I'm there! Who needs vampires?

Aracelli: My favorite YA book is Killing Mr. Griffin. I just reread it last month. All these years later, it's still a great read!

Sandra: I just finished reading 'Thirteen reasons why' by Jay Asher and I liked it. It has a different flow than other YA fiction I've read. It plays more like a movie in my head than a novel. Of course, I LOVED the Hunger Games Series. Each book is totally one of those books I couldn't put down until I finished it. My favorite of the 3 I think had to be Catching Fire. This is the second of the 3 and it's the one most involved with the characters.
Other YA books I enjoyed:
Loose Girl by Kerry Cohen
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Fallen by Lauren Kate

Elvia: I have 2 books that come to mind: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and On The Road by Jack Kerouac.

Aimee: My favorite book is The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. Harry (her real name is truly horrible, so she prefers Harry) is a young girl that gets caught up in a life she never expected and has inner talents that can change the world. I read this book about once a year and have since I was 12.

Laura: My favorite book as a teen was "The Diary of Anne Frank" - Spanish "Diario de Ana Frank", and right now my favorite book is "The Freedom Writers Diary". It's funny, I just found out that the story in these 2 books are somehow related!

Lizett: Silence (third book in series) by Becca Fitzpatick was awesome! Also Abandon by Meg Cabot.

Lisa: On the Road by Jack Kerouac was my favorite as a teen. Looking for Alaska by John Green is my current YA favorite. It was the first YA book I read as a librarian, and I LOVED it. I also really liked Freak Show by James St. James.

Juanita: One of my favorite YA Books that I have recently read is Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King author of Please Ignore Vera Dietz. The main character Lucky Linderman has been bullied since he was 7 and now he is in high school. His experiences of bullying has effected him tremendously that he at time escapes from reality through his dreams. This is a very powerful book, I strongly recommend it to teens.

Here's the list!
Glow
Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockinjay
Jane Eyre
Killing Mr. Griffin
Thirteen Reasons Why
Loose Girl
Speak
Fallen
On the Road
The Blue Sword
The Diary of Anne Frank
Diaro de Ana Frank
The Freedom Writers Diary
Silence (not available yet) Hush, Hush & Crescendo
Abandon
Looking For Alaska
Freak Show
Please Ignore Vera Dietz
Everybody Sees the Ants

Friends Newsletter, September 2011

2011-09-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Check out the September issue of the Friends of the Westside Branches Newsletter! Read about the Westside Library's new construction, volunteer profiles, and more.

You can become a member for only $5 a year. Your membership helps fund programs and book purchases for the libraries, and you get a 10% discount at The Bookmark Used Bookstore (7348 Remcon)!

Friends Newsletter September 2011

Teen Events for September 2011

2011-09-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Beginning today, our hours of operation and weekly Teen Hangout time will change. You can view our new hours and programs on the left of this page or in the previous blog post.

New Weekly Teen Progams:
Teen Club on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 pm
Snacks, video games, board games, etc.

Teen Hangout on Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 pm
Snacks, crafts, etc.

We also have a couple of big events in September, beginning with this week!

Friday, September 9 @ 4 pm (all ages)
Our branch was chosen as one of the hosting sites for Unofficial EPCON Day!!! Phi3 Comics, Terry McChesney (author of Dog Tacos), and Anthony Guajardo (actor from The Walking Dead) will be here for a meet and greet! There will also be other special guests at several branches across town, but the event takes place at the same time. So...choose wisely or just come to the Dorris Van Doren Library! : )

Tuesday, September 20 @ 4 pm
Read the book. Meet the author. Keep the book.
J.L. Powers will be visiting our branch to discuss her new book, This Thing Called the Future. J.L Powers is originally from El Paso, and her previous book, The Confessional, also takes place in El Paso!

If you would like to read her new book before her visit and keep it, send an email to martinezlx@elpasotexas.gov.

For more info on J.L. Powers and the books she writes, visit her website.

Click on the calendar to save or print out, so that you can keep track of what's going on this month:

New Library Hours & Program Schedule

2011-09-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

Have you heard the news yet? Our hours are changing and we'll be open on Mondays! The branches haven't opened on Mondays in over 30 years! In order to unify our public library system and better serve the community, hours of operation and programs will be the same at all branches. Please feel free to let us know what you like or dislike about all of the new changes.

Beginning September 6th (the day after Labor Day), the library will begin observing a new schedule that will be effective for all the El Paso Public Library Branches. The Main Library downtown will still be open 7 days a week, but all the other branches will be open Monday through Saturday.

Although the new schedule goes into effect soon, ALL of the libraries will be CLOSED on Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day. The first Monday that we will be open is Monday, September 12th.

Here is the new schedule, effective September 6th:
Monday: 10am – 6pm (CLOSED September 5th for Labor Day)
Tuesday: 10am – 7pm
Wednesday: 10am – 7pm
Thursday: 10am – 7pm
Friday: 1pm – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday CLOSED

Here's what's happening at the Dorris Van Doren Branch every week:
Tuesdays
Toddler Storytime @ 11 am
Teen Club @ 4:30 pm
Citizenship Class @ 5 pm

Wednesdays
Preschool Storytime @ 11 am
Computer Class @ 5:30 pm

Thursdays
Computer Class @ 10 am
Teen Hangout @ 4:30 pm

Saturdays
Family Storytime @ 11 am

We'll keep you update on all other upcoming progams. You can also download a PDF of the current quarterly calendar of events for the El Paso Public Library System here or view it below:

2011_Sep-Nov_Cal

Summer Reading Club Results!

2011-08-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

Over 750 children and teens registered for the summer reading club, enabling us to surpass our reading goal of 6,500 books this year! A total of 6,819 books were read! Last year, we had 600 participants read 4,917 books.

Congratulations to Luz Garcia and Iljana Boyer who won Barnes & Noble gift cards in the teen reading raffle! For those that missed the wrap up parties, don’t forget to pick up your certificate and goody bag at the information desk. Children can also look for their name on the bulletin board in the children’s section of the library. Teens can continue reading to win prizes up until August 22, 2011 (more info in the Young Adult area of the library).

We would like to thank our partners and sponsors who made our programs and prizes possible. The Friends of the Westside Library, the Loan Star Grant, and the YALSA/Dollar General grant generously provided funding for programs and materials. Sponsors included, Adventure Zone, Carl’s Jr., Cici’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Peter Piper Pizza, Whataburger, and Sonic.

We would also like to thank you for participating and attending our programs!

Summer Reading Club Deadlines

2011-07-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

The summer reading club ends this month!
Children & teens can still register up until Saturday, July 9. After reading 8 or more books or for 8 or more hours, both age groups are eligible for a certificate and goody bag. Teens can also get prizes and a chance to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. Saturday, July 16 is the last day to turn in reading logs.

Register and turn in reading logs at the information desk.

Important Dates:
July 9: Last Day to Register
July 16: Last Day to Turn in Reading Logs
July 19: @ 4 pm: Teen Awards Party & Raffle
July 21: @ 4:30 pm: Children’s Awards Party & Magic Show (last names A-M)
July 23: @ 12:30 pm: Children’s Awards Party & Magic Show (last names N-Z)

Help us reach our goal!

Friends Newsletter, June 2011

2011-06-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Check out our Friends of the Westside Libraries Newsletter!
You can become a member for only $5 a year. Your membership helps fund programs and book purchases for the libraries, and you get a 10% discount at The Bookmark Used Bookstore (7348 Remcon)!

Friends Newsletter June 2011

YA Author Visits El Paso

2011-05-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the month, Dorris Van Doren librarian Lisa Martinez attended Todd Strasser’s visit to the Burges High School library. She shares her experience and photos of the event on this blog:

On May 4, the librarians at Burges High School were kind enough to invite El Paso Public Library staff to attend their annual Young Adult author visit. Librarians Mrs. Avalos and Ms. Trevino were successful last year at getting Chris Crutcher to speak to Burges H.S. students. This year they invited Todd Strasser to visit! They used grant money to purchase books for the ninth grade class to read as a group and then to fund the author’s visit. This year the students read Tod Strasser’s award winning book, The Wave.

Todd Strasser hails from New York and is the author of more than 120 books for teens and middle graders including the best-selling Help! I'm Trapped In ... series, and numerous award-winning YA novels including Give A Boy A Gun, The Accident, Can't Get There From Here, Boot Camp, and If I Grow Up. His newest book is called Famous. He spoke to three different groups of students throughout the day. He talked about growing up and the events that influenced some of his books. The students were amazed to learn that he was a poor reader and was almost held back in school. He really got their attention when he showed them a picture of himself as a teen (see photo below). He concluded his presentation with a writing workshop, as well as a discussion on his writing and publishing process. The librarians also raffled away books for Todd to sign.

Big thanks to Ms. Trevino & Mrs. Avalos for sharing this opportunity with us! I can't wait to find out who they bring next year.

Check out Chris Crutcher’s visit to Burges H.S. here>>
Visit Todd Strasser’s website>>
Watch a cool book trailer for Blood on My Hands here>>
Check out Todd Strasser's books at the library>>
Books that Todd Strasser recommended: The Hunger Games, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Feed, Wish You Were Dead, Famous, The Graveyard Book, & Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend (all available @ the library).

Reconsidering Hip Hop

2011-05-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

This Saturday will be your last chance to catch the “Reconsidering Hip Hop” series at the library. The El Paso Public Library hosted three programs featuring lectures, performances, and movies. At Dorris Van Doren, there will be a live breakdance exhibition and a screening of Wild Style. Wild Style is a classic hip hop movie, starring Grandmaster Flash, Fab 5 Freddy, and others.

Justin De Senso and Lecroy Rhyanes, both NMSU grads, founded the Hip Hop Alumni (HHA) in 2008. HHA is an online resource that documents hip hop’s continued impact on society, education, history, art, and culture. For more info, check out their website: www.hiphopalumni.com/

Hop Alumni makes its last stop here at DVD on Saturday, May 14 from 3-5:30 p.m.

Check out these news articles about the program:

The talented staff @ DVD tries their hand at graffiti art.

New (De) Contsruction

2011-04-08T11:38:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that there are a few shelves missing from our middle area near the bestsellers? The shelves have have been removed and are now being used as storage shelves for equipment and games. Both staff and patrons are liking the new "construction." There's more room to browse books, access requested items, and a clear walkway to the courtyard and family room.

What do you think? Should we have left them as they were?

TeenFest T-Shirt Contest!

2011-03-05T11:03:00.001-08:00

Tax Season

2011-02-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

This tax season has brought about heightened anxiety for many tax filers that have had to wait for tax form changes. The good news is that the deadline to file tax returns has been extended to April 18, 2011. The IRS needed time to implement changes when President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Act into law back in December. You can read more about the act here.

We finally received the following forms and booklets yesterday:

1040
1040A
1040EZ

Find and print other forms at http://www.irs.gov/index.html, or stop in the library and ask someone to print the forms out for you, free of charge (limit 10 copies).

Other Resources:

A list of free tax help locations provided by AARP and VITA have been compiled by our Government Documents Departments. View them here.
Free help with electronically filing your taxes will be available at the Main Library this Saturday, February 19 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. You can also visit their website at www.myfreetaxes.com/ep
Get the latest scoop by following the IRS on Twitter: @IRSnews

Morganville Comes to El Paso!

2011-01-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

The El Paso Public Libraries are so excited to be able to bring another bestselling author to town! Rachel Caine is the author of several series, including The Morganville Vampires, Weather Warden, and The Outcast Season. She will be in El Paso from January 26-29, stopping at several libraries across town.

Best of all, she'll be here at Dorris Van Doren on the 28th from 5-9 p.m. for a Vampire Ball! So, make sure to come dressed as a vampire, character out of the book, or just as you are. We'll have a photo booth set up so that you can take pictures! It's free and open to all ages.

In the meantime, you can...

Check out The Morganville Vampires books @ the library>>
Read sample chapters from Rachel's site>>
Visit Rachel's site>>
Visit Morganville>>

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest updates!

Morganville in El Paso 2011
The official Twitter hashtag for this event is #mvep11

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

The holidays may have come a little too quickly for some of us, but it's nice to know that you can always take a moment to relax at the library. We have plenty of holiday books and programs to help get the whole family in the holiday spirit. Click here for our holiday hours.

Festival of Lights Storytime

Saturday, December 4 @ 1 p.m.

Crafts & Cocoa

Tuesdays, during Teen Hangout @ 4 p.m.

Teens are invited to make a holiday craft & drink hot cocoa.

Santa's Coming!

Saturday, December 11 @ 1 p.m.

Santa Claus will be here! Don't forget your camera & wish list!

Pajama Storytime

Thursday, December 16 @ 6 p.m.

Children can come in their comfy PJ's to hear stories.

Movie Matinee

Saturday, December 18 @ 3 p.m.

(Call 875-0700 for movie title)

Holiday Movie

Thursday, December 23 @ 3 p.m.

(Call 875-0700 for movie title)

Chalk the Walk

2010-10-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

MCAD's third annual event, Chalk the Block is taking place this weekend! To celebrate this event, teens got to make homemade sidewalk chalk last Tuesday during Teen Hangout. Not everyone will be able to make it out to Chalk the Block, so we held our own "Chalk the Walk" event this past Tuesday. Everyone was invited to chalk up the courtyard area near the family room and enjoy popcorn. We have plenty of chalk left, so we are definitely going to do this again!

More info:

Chalk the Block is this weekend, click here to visit their site for the schedule.
Teen Hangout (ages 13-19) is on Tuesdays here @ DVD from 4-6 p.m.
The next Chalk the Walk @ DVD will be announced soon.

Pictures from Chalk the Walk:

Happy Banned Books Week!

2010-09-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating Banned Books Week from September 25 thru October 2! Libraries across the country are celebrating intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular.

Did you know that books are still banned and challenged in the United States? Many books that are now considered classics, were banned in either the U.S. or abroad at one time. Today, people still attempt to have books removed from libraries and school curriculum for various reasons. The most popular reason has been "unsuited to age group."

Come on in and check out our display and a book that has been banned/challenged!

For more information about Banned Books Week and complete lists, visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

The Top 10 Most Frequently Banned Books of 2009 were...

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
2. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality
3. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
4. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Reasons: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group
5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
7. My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence
8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
9. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
10. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

Get Healthy @ Your Library!

2010-09-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

We will be hosting a free workshop next Tuesday evening that features health information. Our very own government documents librarian will show you how to find the best information on health, aging, family care, and much more!

Tuesday, September 21 @ 6 p.m.

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

2010-09-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

The El Paso Public Library System wants to make sure that everyone in our community has the smartest card of all- a library card! Libraries enrich everyone's lives through programs, books, movies music, technology, and so much more!

This year, you can get a special limited edition card at any public library or Good Time Store while supplies last. The card features UTEP's new head basketball coach, Tim Floyd. Bring the card to your nearest branch to get it activated and start utilizing your library's resources now.

Summer Reading Club Success!

2010-08-11T18:01:00.001-07:00

This year we had over 600 children and teens sign up for the summer reading club with a total of 4,917 books read!

Congratulations to Khai Ho and Lawrence Lane who completed the program and won a gift card in the teen reading raffle!

For those that missed the wrap up parties, don't forget to pick up your certificate and goody bag. Children can also look for their name on the bulletin board in the children's section of the library. We hope you'll join us again next summer!

We would like to thank our partners and sponsors who made our programs and prizes possible. The Friends of the Westside Libraries and the Lone Star Grant generously provided funding for programs and materials. Sponsors included, Adventure Zone, Carl's Jr., Cici's Pizza, Hot Topic, McDonald's, Peter Piper Pizza, Walmart Supercenter, and Whataburger.

We would also like to thank you for participating and attending our programs!

Summer Concert!

2010-08-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

We have a special classical concert this Saturday, featuring The Lorien String Quartet. The quartet consists of Paul Pompa (1st violin), Sandra Herrera (2nd violin), Chris Pinon (viola), and Zoei Hantzopulos (cello). They will be playing Haydn's String Quartet No. 25 and Mozart's Ein Kleine Nachtmusik.

Saturday, August 7 @ 3 p.m.

The Da Vinci Experience @ the Library!

2010-06-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Have you been to the El Paso Museum of History to see the Da Vinci Experience yet? I was fortunate to take advantage of the half price admission this past weekend. I had been excited to see this exhibit, but was a little wary of paying the $14 admission price. I'm so glad that I went, because it was definitely worth it! Also, please note that the museum does not usually charge , but needed to do so in order to cover the expense. Other areas of the museum are free to visit during the exhibit as well.

The exhibit contains over 60 machines that Da Vinci designed, as well as replicas of his paintings. The machines are divided into several rooms by military, mechanical devices, transportation, and art. Wooden models of his machines are on display and some are even hands-on. It was truly fascinating to see the beginnings of machines that we rely upon today. I was really surprised to learn that Da Vinci had worked as a military engineer for the Duke of Milan designing war crafts and weaponry. It was also nice to see children interacting with the exhibits and trying to figure out how they work.

If you haven't been to the exhibit or you now have Da Vinci fever, then I hope you will join us this Saturday for a special program. It is part of our children's summer reading club, but all ages are welcome. Curator, Susan Taylor will teach everyone about Da Vinci, followed by some hands-on activities.

Saturday, June 19 @ 1 p.m.

Visit these websites for more info:
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/history/davinci.asp
http://www.davinciexperience.info/
~

Jam-Packed Saturday!

2010-06-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

There is a lot going on this Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch! Most of the programs are for all ages, and all of them are free.

Summer Reading Club Registration for children & teens All day
Yarn Addicts (Knitting & Crocheting Group) @ 10 a.m.
Magician Randy Collins @ 1 p.m.
Violin Concert w/Melissa Condie @ 2:30 p.m.
Movie Matinee @ 3 p.m.

Yarn Camp!

2010-05-26T16:39:00.000-07:00

Alison Westermann has graciously agreed to teach knitting/crocheting classes at the library! The classes are free and for various ages. All you need to purchase is the materials. Both classes are limited to 15 students, so hurry on in and register at the information desk!

Yarn for Youth
for 10-12 year olds, June 15-18 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
In this four day long class, participants will explore the history of needlework as well as practice knitting and crocheting. No previous experience necessary-this class is for beginners!

Yarn it Up!
for teens and adults, June 15, 22, & 29 from 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Stop wishing and jump into the beautiful world of knitting and crocheting! Learn about the history of fibers and needlework, tools of the trade, and take a look at different fibers. A couple of patterns will be used to teach the basic skills of knitting and crochet. No previous experience necessary-this class is for beginners!

Materials needed for both classes:

1 skein (ball) of worsted weight cotton yarn, any color/fiber (solid colors preferred)
1 pair of knitting needles, size 10 1/2 (American size), any color/material
1 crochet hook, size G-6 (American size), any color/material

Violin & Piano Concert

2010-05-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

Pianist and violinist Wesley Yu will perform classic and original works this Saturday at our branch! He will be accompanied by his father Hanson Yu on second violin and mother Amelia Leung on piano. They will perform works by Bach, Bartok, and an original piece called Mayflies. Mayflies chronicles the life of a few courageous mayflies who set off on a journey that extends their typically short life to an entire summer.

Saturday, May 15 @ 4 p.m.

~

Free Workshop: Starting a Small Business

2010-05-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in growing or starting a small business? Get some tips at this free workshop presented by Terri Reed.

Thursday, May 6 @ 6 p.m.

~

All Libraries Closed on Friday, April 30

2010-04-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

All El Paso Public Libraries will be closed this Friday, April 30 for our annual Staff Development Day. Every year, the library staff gathers at the Main Library for an entire day of workshops to help us improve our services to you!

We apologize for this inconvenience. The UTEP and El Paso Community College Libraries will be open that day. You can get a TexShare card at the circulation desk to be able to check out items from these libraries. Most of the EPCC libraries have public computers as well.

Libraries will reopen on Saturday, May 1 @ 10 a.m.

Don't forget to check out our May movie lineup!
~

Money Smart Week

2010-04-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

During the month of April, the Empowerment Zone of the City of El Paso will provide a series of free programs at all of the El Paso Public Libraries. Two sessions are being held at this library this week. Click here for the complete listing of programs.

Getting Ready For College
Tuesday, April 20 from 6:30-7:30 pm
Learn how to prepare for a successful college experience. Presentation by Kim Tovar.

Six Easy Steps to an Effective Estate Plan
Thursday, April 22 from 6:30-7;30 p.m.
Understand the basics of estate planning by asking the experts. Presentation by Theresa Winter.

A Month of Poetry

2010-04-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

April is National Poetry Month and we're inviting everyone to submit a poem to be displayed in the library!

Submit your poem in person or send us an email at dorrisvandoren@elpasotexas.gov. Be sure to include your name and grade (if applicable). All ages are welcome. We will place your poem in the display case in the Young Adults area.

Don't forget to check out our poetry books, as well as biographies about poets and how to guides. You can also visit The Academy of American Poets website to find more information about National Poetry Month.

Nominate a Teen!

2010-04-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Mayor's 100 Teens Program is in its fifth year of recognizing youth within the El Paso community who have overcome adversity, provided a service to others, achieved something significant, and who lead by example. The program intends to inspire more teens to reach higher levels of service and accomplishment through this recognition program. Selected teens will be recognized and participate in various community activities.

Teens completing 9th, 10th, or 11th grades may be nominated by teachers, counselors, friends, clergy, or family (but not their parents). More information, along with nomination forms can be found online and at any public library. Click here for info and applications.

The deadline is Friday, April 16, 2010.

2010 Youth Poetry Contest Winners

2010-03-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Youth Poetry Contest! We are so proud of all of you! Below are the winning poems that were submitted here at the Dorris van Doren Regional Branch. You can also check out the complete listing of all the winning poems here.

See What I See
1st Place, 8th Grade St. Patrick's Elementary

When one falls, others rise,
The light drains from the sky,
Slowly white dots do appear,
And you have a feeling that something is near.

It is dark now but still light,
You may look out and see the city's night,
And look up and see the flashing stars,
As they wave to you and see who you are.

The gently breeze brushes by,
She's so cold and so sly,
She wills the trees to sing their song,
And they dance there all night long.

The brushes rattle as they tell their stories,
About brave fights and wonderful glories,
The curious animals gather round,
They listen hard their tongues bound.

The moon talks with its glow,
He tells you not to feel so low,
He says the love will always find,
A place in your heart and mind.

When I see this I wish you were here,
To tell me you love me in my ear,
And hold me like there's no tomorrow
As we watch in tears and in sorrow.

I see this miracle every night,
And not crying is definitely a fight,
For the beauty of it all humbles me,
If only you could see what I see.

Honorable Mentions:

Untitled
4th Grade Herrera Elementary

It has flowers, fruit, and leaves
Can you guess what it is?
A tree.
Good now. What about this?
It's yellow,
Has stripes,
Gets pollen from a flower on a tree.
It's a beebeebee
That goes buzz, buzz, buzz all day long.

Untitled
8th grade Guillen Middle

Across the road of a dark night,
things are going around my head.
I stare at the stars shining
of bright lights and sounds.
I can hear my dreams calling to me
North, West, East, and South.
I'll give the first step to that road
to follow my dreams,
to achieve my goals.

Saturday Movies

2010-03-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

Our Saturday Movie Matinee continues this month with some more family friendly movies. Give us a call or stop in the library to find out which movies we're showing this month. Here's a hint: most of them are new releases and based on books. As always, free popcorn is provided!

Saturdays @ 3 p.m.

~

Free Tax Preparation Sites

2010-01-29T16:01:00.000-08:00

Every year, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. VITA offers help to low- to moderate-income (generally $49,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. TCE provides free tax help to people aged 60 and older.

Below is the link to the Coalition for Family Economic Progress's site. They have been part of the VITA program since 2006. You'll find a list of the tax preparation sites by location, as well as a downloadable PDF with more detailed information. Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions. While we cannot assist you with your taxes, we are happy to print out any tax forms you may need, free of charge.

http://www.freetaxeselpaso.org/freetaxsites.html

~

Resolutions You Can Accomplish

2010-01-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

The year has just begun and there's already so much going on at the library! We think your first New Year's resolution should be to visit the library more!

Here's a list of resolutions that you can actually accomplish this month:
1. Do something for the community.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Canned Food Drive January 7-18
All of the public libraries will be accepting non-perishable canned or dried food. The food will be distributed to the Salvation Army, Opportunity Center, EP Rescue Mission, Center Against Family Violence, and more.

2. Catch up on the movies you missed in 2009 (or watch them again).
We'll be showing movies and serving popcorn on Saturdays @ 3 p.m. This month's lineup features some new family favorites. Next month's movies will feature a little romance.
January 16 Up
January 23 G-Force
January 30 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

3. Enter a contest or encourage someone to enter.
The deadline to enter our annual Youth Poetry Contest is Saturday, January 30. Youth in grades 1st-12th can enter original poetry in English or Spanish. Entry forms can be picked up and returned at any public library. Details

4. Start on your taxes.
We have received the following forms and instruction booklets at our branch:
1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ. All other forms can be found at www.irs.gov. We can help you find the form you're looking for and print it out for free!

5. Follow us on Twitter. www.twitter.com/elpasolibrary
The El Paso Public Library System launched its Twitter account this past month! We tweet about citywide library events, updates, fun facts, and more. Check it out, even if you're not on Twitter. You can also friend us on Facebook or MySpace (teens only).

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-22T09:59:00.001-08:00

~from the staff @ DVD

Don't forget that we're open Monday-Wednesday, December 21-23 from 9am-6pm and Christmas Eve from 9am-5pm. We will be closed Friday-Sunday, and reopen on Monday, December 28 from 9am-6pm. Click here for complete holiday hours information.

Santa on Saturday!

2009-12-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

Listen to stories, make a craft, visit with Santa, and get a free book! Don't forget your wish list and camera!

Saturday, December 19 @ 1 p.m.
~

Sale @ the Bookmark

2009-12-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Our Friends of the Library bookstore is having a holiday sale beginning tomorrow!
Everything in the store will be 50% off from December 9-19.

Gift Certificates are also available.
The store will be closed December 23, and will reopen on January 6.

The Bookmark
7348 Remcon
(915) 833-2342
Wed 3-6 p.m.
Thurs 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fri 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Sat 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
~

Science Project Demonstration

2009-12-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

Gear up for your current or upcoming science fair project with librarian, Judith Davidson-Garcia. Get tips and ideas on how to perform and report a science experiment. This free presentation is open to all elementary and middle school students and their parents.

Saturday, December 5 @ 3 p.m.
~

We're open!

2009-12-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

We will open at our normally scheduled time of 11 am. We will keep you updated if there are any early closures. Drive safe and stay warm!

Thanksgiving Hours

2009-11-24T10:05:00.000-08:00

The library staff wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

We'll be closed on Thursday and Friday (November 26 & 27), but we will be open on Saturday.

Wednesday, November 25
9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Closed Thursday and Friday

Saturday, November 28
10 a.m.-6 p.m.

NBA Winners Announced

2009-11-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

No, not basketball! The 2009 National Book Award winners were announced this week. Catch coverage of the ceremony and dinner on C-SPAN2, BookTV on Saturday (11/21) @ 8 p.m. EST and Sunday (11/22) @ 10 a.m. EST.

Young People's Literature
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
by Phillip Hoose
(available @ the Main library)

Poetry
Transcendental Studies: A Trilogy
by Keith Waldrop

Nonfiction
The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt
by T.J. Stiles

Fiction
Let the Great World Spin
by Colum McCann

Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
Gore Vidal

The Literarian Award
Dave Eggers (as in the author of The Wild Things, available @ Dorris Van Doren)

The Best of the National Book Awards Fiction
The Complete Stories
by Flannery O'Connor
(available @ Dorris Van Doren)
~

Chanson du Soir

2009-11-12T10:08:00.001-08:00

Join us this Saturday for an hour of emotionally engaging Renaissance to 21st century music by a premier guitar and vocal duo from California. Chanson du Soir consists of soprano Chelsea Camille and guitarist David Isaacs. More information can be found on Chanson du Soir's MySpace and Facebook pages. They will also be performing at 2 p.m. on the same day at the Westside Branch (125 Belvidere).

Saturday, November 14 @ 4 p.m.

Piano Concert

2009-11-05T12:37:00.001-08:00

Jack Stewart returns to the library to play Saturday, November 7 @ 1:30 p.m.

~

Essay Contest for Ft. Bliss Students

2009-11-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

MCAD (Museums & Cultural Affairs Dept.) is pleased to announce the Celebrate Our Heritage Essay Competition for Ft. Bliss students. This project has been made possible by a grant from Teaching Tolerance.

Ft. Bliss students in grades 6 – 12 are encouraged to enter the competition to share the story of their culture. The term culture can be used at the student’s discretion (i.e. traditions, color, religion, military culture, etc.) Essays must be accompanied with a piece of artwork or a photo. Applications MUST be submitted with essays. Complete information and applications can be picked up at the Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch Library.

DEADLINE: November 20, 2009.

Fifteen essays will be exhibited at the El Paso Museum of History throughout December. MCAD will work with surrounding school districts to schedule tours with special presentations for the exhibit. The intent of the project is to educate students about the diversity of our area and to engage students in conversation about culture.

Children's Halloween Party Tomorrow!

2009-10-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

Join us for stories, Spook Alley, and more! Children can come dressed up to compete in a costume contest.

Wednesday, October 28 from 4-6 p.m.

Saturday Events

2009-10-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

Ballet Folklorico Infantil Omawari
The children's ensemble from Ciudad Juarez will perform regional dances of Mexico this Saturday! Once again, we will have free copies of Sun, Stone, and Shadows to give away.
Saturday, October 24 @ 3 p.m.

Teen Masquerade
Teens can come dressed up to compete in a costume contest in this after hours library event. Join us for food, games, and Anime!
Saturday, October 24 from 7-11 p.m.

~

My Life with the Wave

2009-10-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Big Read Mexico continues this Saturday, October 17 @ 11 a.m.!
This program features Manos Arriba performing a puppet show and workshop based on Octavio Paz's short story, My Life with the Wave. The story can be found in Big Read book, Sun, Stone, and Shadows. Free copies will be given away at the event!

~

Tuesday Events

2009-10-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Scrabble Club will be meeting on Tuesday, October 13 from 5-7:45 p.m.

Our first Big Read Mexico event is also on Tuesday, October 13 @ 6 p.m.
The Ramon Alvarado Trio will perform original music based on the book Sun, Stone, and Shadows. Free copies of the book in English and Spanish will be raffled! Visit any of the El Paso Public Libraries for more information about the Big Read Mexico or to check out a copy of Sun, Stone, and Shadows. Event information at other libraries is available here.

~

Special Storytimes

2009-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

We have some special storytimes coming up in honor of some much anticipated movies! The first will feature local KFOX News meteorologist Sandra Diaz. She'll be reading Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, along with some other stories. Next Wednesday will feature Where the Wild Things Are.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Storytime with Sandra Diaz
Saturday, October 3 @ 1 p.m.

Where the Wild Things Are Wild Rumpus
Wednesday, October 7 @ 11 a.m.

What's the smartest card in your wallet?

2009-09-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

A library card! September is National Library Card Sign-up month, and a time to remember how important a library card can be to everyone. There is no age limit to obtain a library card and it's free! If you have lost your card, you can replace it for $2.25 ($1.15 if you're uner the age of 13).

Your library card gives you access to:
Books, including the hottest new Bestsellers
Audiobooks on CD and Cassette
Music CDs
Graphic Novels and Manga
Magazines
Government Documents
Language Kits
Free Computer and Internet Access
(Wi-Fi available @ Main and Memorial Park)
Online Test Preparation
Electronic Databases
Request library materials online
TexShare Cards
And More!

Already have a library card?

Tell your friends and family to get one, too!

You can also tell us how you use your library card by adding a comment here.

Scrabble Today, Book Sale Tomorrow

2009-08-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to come to our new Scrabble Group today @ 6 p.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We'll be meeting in the craft area. Also, check out this feature in today's El Paso Times. We weren't included, but there's some other groups you can join if you need more practice.

The Bookmark is having a GREAT sale beginning tomorrow, August 26. Everything in the store will be 50% off! The sale ends Saturday, August 29.

They are located at 7348 Remcon Circle.
833-2432
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday 3-6 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday 3-8 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Attention Scrabblers!

2009-08-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

A new Scrabble group is forming here at the library. The group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month to play this classic board game. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Brush up on the rules and get pointers at www.scrabble.com

Tuesday, August 11 @ 6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 25 @ 6 p.m.

Special Perfomrance Tomorrow (July 22)!

2009-07-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Outrageous Fortune Theatre Company will be here tomorrow performing Tis Shakespearish by Dr. Joel Murray.

...comedy where you least expect it...
Treat your family to interactive theater, for FREE!

Wednesday, July 22 @ 6 p.m.
~

Summer Reading Logs Due This Week

2009-07-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? Summer reading logs are due this Saturday, July 18. Children and teens, make sure you've read at least 8 books or for 8 hours so that you can claim your certificate and goodie bag on Saturday, July 25! Don't worry if you can't make it to the wrap up parties, you can pick up certificates any time after the 25th.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, July 18
Last day to turn in reading logs
Randy the Magician @ 1 p.m.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting @ 2 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21
Teen Event: Paper Cuts (crafts) @ 4 p.m.

Thursday, July 23
Crafty Hour: Origami @ 4 p.m. Class is full

Saturday, July 25
End of Children's Summer Reading Club Party
Come to our rodeo cow poke!
Certificates to be handed out @ 12:30 p.m. and will continue after the program.
Teen "Lock-In"/Award Ceremony
Bring your favorite ethnic dish to this International Potluck. Ask a librarian for help finding a recipe if you don't have one! Crafts and games. Goody bags for those that completed the summer reading program. 7-11 p.m.
~

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

In observance of Independence Day, all libraries will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. The Main Library (downtown) will reopen on Sunday, July 5. All other libraries, including DVD will reopen on Tuesday, July 6.

Join us on Wednesday, July 15 @ 3 p.m. for a special concert featuring the 62nd Army Band Brass Quintet.

Don't forget to sign up for the summer reading club by July 11 and turn in reading logs by July 18.

Have a safe and happy fourth of July!
~

Saturday, June 27 Events!

2009-06-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

There's something to do all day long at the library this Saturday!

Art Garage 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
Pablo returns for another inspiring workshop. Learn tips and techniques, tackle your drawing problems, and experiment with a digital drawing tablet. All ages, all skill levels, all day. Lunch is on your own from 1-2 p.m. All day attendance is not required.

Storyteller Nancy Green 1-2 p.m.
Entertainment with stories and songs. Part of the summer reading program events.

The schedule blood drive has been canceled.
~

Summer Reading Club Begins June 6!

2009-06-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Summer Reading Club is here once again! Children and teens can sign up from June 6-July 11. Read 8 books or more by July 18 and get a prize! Get all the details and register at the information desk.

June 6 Teen Fest @ Cohen Stadium from 12–6 p.m.
Bands, dancers, games, crafts, car show, info booths, giveaways, and more! All ages.

Children’s Programs are on Saturdays @ 1 p.m.
June 6 Up, Up and Away Kickoff Party with Mad Science
June 13 Bats presented by the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park
June 20 Prehistoric Southwest presented by the Museum of Archaeology
June 27 Stories and Songs with Nancy Green

Teen Programs are on Tuesdays @ 4 p.m.
June 9 School’s Out BBQ (hotdogs and veggie dogs) Bring a bag of chips or drinks.
June 16 Tee Party Deconstruct old t-shirts. Shirts provided for first 15. Bring your own tees to make cool new ones.
June 23 Sushi Social Make and eat your own sushi. We provide the basics. You’re welcome to bring your own ingredients and utensils.
June 30 Lolita Tea Party Celebrate the Japanese pop subculture by dressing up, drinking tea, and playing human chess. Turn in a reading log to be entered to win a pair of tickets to the EP Anime Convention.

More programs in July!
~

Scrapbooking Class

2009-05-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Are your photos still in boxes?

Then, jumpstart your scrapbooking by joining us for a basic, hands-on demo hosted by local shop Pizazz. Materials and refreshments will be provided, but the class is limited to 15 participants. Call or register at the information desk.

Saturday, May 30 from 3-5 p.m.

Join us for a weekly meet up to share tips and ideas for scrapbooking, card making, and other paper crafts. All ages are welcome! Saturdays from 3-5 p.m.
~

Pajama Storytime

2009-05-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to come to this month's Pajama Storytime! Children can bring their favorite blanket or pillow and wear pajamas to snuggle in and listen to some bedtime stories in the quiet room. Register at the information desk.

Thursday, May 28 @ 6 p.m.
~

Art Garage Saturday!

2009-05-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

Last summer, Pablo Tovar, Jr. hosted a terrific drawing workshop for teens. He returns this year for a series of two Art Garage Saturdays that will encompass a variety of topics, as well as encourage open discussion and collaboration. The workshop will be open to all ages and all skill levels. Participants will get a chance to experiment with a digital drawing tablet. Participants can join the workshop at any time and are not required to stay the whole day.

Saturday, May 23 from 10am-5:45pm
Lunch on your own from 1-2pm
(All day attendance is NOT required)

The next Art Garage Saturday is June 27th!
~

May Blood Drive

2009-05-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

If you didn't get to donate blood last time, now's your chance!
Donors get a really cool t-shirt.

Saturday, May 16 from 2-5 pm
~

Sale @ the Bookmark

2009-04-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Bookmark, our Friends of the Library store, is overstocked with hardback mysteries. They will be on sale for 50 cents each this week, from Wednesday April 29 to Saturday May 2. Mysteries are located in the last row (Bestsellers located near the window are excluded). So, be sure to stop by and support the Westside Libraries!

The Bookmark
7348 Remcon Circle
(915) 833-2342
Wed. 3-6pm
Thurs. 9am-3pm
Fri. 3-8pm
Sat. 9am-3pm
~

Dia del los Ninos/Dia de los Libros

2009-04-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

This April 25, families in El Paso and the surrounding area are invited to celebrate Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros – a day when we are reminded that the most important resource of all is children. This year will be the 13th anniversary of the annual community wide celebration, which began as a joint partnership between the El Paso Public Library and the Parks and Recreation Department. Festivities will be held at Washington Park from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. There will be thousands of free books to give away as well as free goodies, entertainment, sports, and activities throughout the day. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch, along with Main (Downtown), Richard Burges, Judge Marquez, and Esperanza Moreno will remain open. The rest of the branches will be closed to allow staff to assist at the event.

2009-04-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

Each year, the staff of the El Paso Public Library System convenes for staff development day. It provides an opportunity for staff to gain knowledge and improve services to the public. As a result, all El Paso public libraries will be closed on Friday, April 17th. The UTEP and El Paso Community College libraries will be open. Get a TexShare card at the circulation desk to gain access to these libraries. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We will reopen on Saturday, April 18th at 10 a.m. for a whole day of activities!

Our weekly Family Storytime begins @ 1 p.m.
Be a hero and donate blood! United Blood Services Blood Drive from 2-5 p.m.
Celebrate national poetry month with a free author reading and writing workshop @ 4 p.m. Local performance poet and author Panjah of Jesus will lead this program. Her first novel, Set on Edge was recently published. This program is for teens and up.

The Easter Bunny!

2009-04-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Come meet the Easter Bunny this Saturday and take an Easter craft home. Don't forget your camera!

Saturday, April 11 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

All El Paso Public Library facilities will be
closed on Sunday, April 12th in celebration of Easter.

~

Reprise of Crafty Hour: Crocheting

2009-04-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Last month's crocheting activity was cancelled, and has been rescheduled for next week.

Youth in grades 4th-8th are invited to learn basic crocheting skills in our monthly craft program. Students will get to make their first crocheted item, but will need to bring a size "I" hook and one skein of medium-weight light colored yarn. Pre-registration is required at the information desk. Kids can bring a parent as a learning partner!

Thursday, April 9th from 4-6 p.m.
~

April Concert

2009-03-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

It's no joke, join us this April Fool's day for a special music performance! Enjoy easy listening music on piano and guitar courtesy of Tay Kwok. Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, April 1st from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
~

Media Sale @ the Bookmark!

2009-03-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Our Friends of the Westside Libraries bookstore is having a sale on their media. VHS tapes, DVDs, vinyl records, and cassette tapes will be marked at 50% off during the week of March 25-28.

Come out and support your library!

To learn more about the Bookmark, click here.

The Bookmark
7348 Remcon Circle
El Paso, Texas 79912
(915) 833-2342
Hours: Wed 3-6pm; Thur & Sat 9-3pm; Fri 3-8pm

Crafty Hour: Crocheting

2009-03-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

There's still room and time to sign up for this month's crafty activity!

Youth in grades 4th-8th are invited to learn basic crocheting skills in our monthly craft program. Students will get to make their first crocheted item, but will need to bring their own size I crochet hook and a skein of worsted weight light color yarn. Pre-registration is required. Call or sign up at the information desk. This month’s class is limited to 10 students

Thursday, March 19th from 4-6 p.m.

Book Signing: A Chance For Every Child

2009-03-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

St. Margaret’s Center was El Paso’s first orphanage, established in 1919 and founded by the grandparents of City Representative Ann Morgan Lily. In 1928, a second orphanage, Southwestern Children’s Home was established by parishioners from Trinity Methodist Church and built by the McKee family. The orphanages later merged to form what is now the El Paso Center for Children.

The center celebrates 90 years of caring for El Paso’s orphaned, homeless, runaway, abused, and neglected children with a moving narrative of the children’s lives. Local authors Donna Munch, Shirley Fouts, and Sandy Rioux have come together to write A Chance for Every Child: A History of the El Paso Center for Children. The book chronicles El Paso history, and how laws and costs for the care and treatment of children have changed in the U.S.
Join us for this special book signing.

Saturday, March 14 @ 4 p.m.

Teen Tech Week begins March 10 with ArTech Fun

2009-03-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

Every year, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) encourages libraries across the country to celebrate Teen Tech Week. Its purpose is to connect teens with technology through the library. YALSA teams up with Verizon to offer small cash grants to assist libraries with their celebrations. This year, we applied and won one of those mini grants! Encourage teens to participate in a fun and interactive program.

ArTech Fun combines art and technology through the use of Wacom’s Bamboo Fun Tablet. Two digital drawing tablets and a small collection of digital art books have been purchased to help teens take their art to the next level. Guest speakers will be invited to show teens how to use a digital drawing tablet and talk about their careers. Teens will then be able to reserve time slots to work on two projects. The first project is to create promotional art for the summer reading club and perhaps create an animated short. The second project is to create their own artwork to be showcased in an art show that they plan. Reserve your spot! For more info contact Lisa @ 875-0700 ext. 8518 or visit myspace.com/dvdteens

Tuesday, March 10 @ 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 @ 4 p.m.
Projects continue throughout March and April

Amnesty Week Feb. 23-Mar. 7, 2009

2009-02-25T11:49:00.000-08:00

The El Paso Public Library is offering its patrons a period of amnesty beginning February 23 through March 7, 2009. During this time, anyone with overdue library materials may return them to the library without penalty. No fines will be charged during that week, provided that the library books and materials are returned in good condition.

The primary goals of the amnesty period are to encourage library patrons to return their materials AND to return to the library. “Some people amass so much in fines that they forfeit their borrowing privileges until they can afford to pay them,” says Library Director Carol Brey-Casiano. “What we are saying with this period of amnesty is we want our books and our customers back.” Those wishing to take advantage of the program should go to any public library branch, return their materials, and let the staff know that they would like amnesty.

The Library would like to encourage everyone to visit or call their nearest library branch to check on the status of their materials.

Saturday Movie Matinee

2009-02-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

Join us this Saturday for a showing of The Secret Life of Bees. The movie is based on Sue Monk Kidd's best selling novel. It is rated PG-13 and is free to the public.

Saturday, February 21 @ 2 p.m.

February's Crafty Hour

2009-02-14T15:36:00.000-08:00

It's not too late to sign up for this month's craft hour! Youth in grades 4th-8th are invited to learn all about quilling next Thursday. Quilling is the art of creating designs out of rolled narrow strips of paper. Pre-registration is required at the information desk. Sign up in person or give us a call.

Thursday, February 19th from 4-6 p.m.

Check out these quilling sites:

Music From the Heart

2009-02-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

Whether you have a Valentine or not, stop by the library to listen to some sweet Baroque music for guitar. Internationally renowned classical guitarist, Peter Fletcher will be performing at both libraries on the Westside. The concert will feature selections from Fletcher's 2008 CD release on Tower Hill Records, Music of the Baroque.

Free and open to everyone!

Saturday, February 14th @ the Westside Branch
on 125 Belvidere @ 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 14th @ the Dorris Van Doren Branch
on 551 Redd Rd. @ 4 p.m.

Free E-Resources!

2009-02-04T14:42:00.001-08:00

Did you know that the El Paso Public Library provides free access to electronic resources?

E-books are now available through the library's catalog courtesy of NetLibrary. Databases such as EBSCO, Heritage Quest, and Health and Wellness Resource Center can help you with homework, research, and more! Databases are directories of information from magazines, newspapers, and encyclopedias. They include articles, maps, pictures, and charts. You can search for current and historical information for all grade levels on all subjects that is safe and reliable.

To access them, go to elpasolibrary.org and click on the Texshare Databases icon, located on the lower left-hand corner. You can log in to the databases by using your library card number and four digit pin number. If you don't have a pin or have forgotten it, ask a staff member or give us a call.

Stop in the library to find out how you can access Consumer Reports and learn other great tips!

Holiday Hours

2008-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

Stop by the library to take a breather from all that holiday stress!
Here are our holiday hours:

Tuesday, December 23..............9 am-6 pm
Wednesday, December 24.........9 am-5 pm
Thursday, December 25.............Closed
Friday, December 26..................Closed
Saturday, December 27...............9 am-6 pm
Sunday, December 28..................1 pm-5 pm
Monday, December 29.................Closed
Tuesday, December 30................9 am-6 pm
Wednesday, December 31...........9 am-5 pm
Thursday, January 1....................Closed
Friday, January 2........................Closed

All libraries resume normal hours on Saturday, January 3.

Santa's Coming to the Library!

2008-12-18T11:32:00.000-08:00

Listen to Christmas stories, and then tell Santa your Christmas wish and get a treat! Don't forget to bring your camera!

Saturday, December 20
Storytime @ 1 p.m.
Santa @ 2 p.m.

Turtles and Snow Globes

2008-12-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

Nancy Green Presents: La Tortuga de la Concha
Saturday, December 13 @ 1 p.m.
La Concha is a newly-released CD based on a creation myth featuring Mother Turtle. The CD is a collaboration of artists relating the story of emergence, migration, and return with original music by Nancy Green. For all ages.

Crafty Hour Presents: Snow Globes
Thursday, December 18 from 4-6 p.m.
Make a snow globe just in time for the holidays! If it doesn't snow in El Paso, at least it will snow in your very own snow globe. For youth, in grades 4th-8th. Sign up at the information desk.

Stories and Celebrations

2008-12-04T17:09:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, the Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch Library will have its weekly family storytime at 1:00 p.m. featuring stories about Las Posadas. Stick around or come back at 3:00 p.m. to hear part one of The Tale of Despereaux. We'll be reading the book aloud for two Saturdays in celebration of the movie release. We'll also be raffling away a free copy of the book. What can be better than listening to a story by the fireplace while sipping on hot cocoa?

You can also swing by the Westside Branch Library to celebrate their 20th anniversary! The branch was able to open its doors to the public in 1988 due to citizen involvement, money raised from private donations, and grant funds. Dorris Van Doren spearheaded the fundraising for construction and was able to get the land donated for the branch. Our branch is proud to be named after this amazing woman!

See you at these events on Saturday, December 6!

Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch

551 Redd Rd.

>Family Storytime @ 1 p.m.
>The Tale of Despereaux
Reading, Raffle, and Cocoa @ 3 p.m.

Westside Branch

125 Belvidere St.
>20th Anniversary Celebration
Live music and refreshments

from 2-4 p.m.

Thanksgiving Hours

2008-11-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here are our holiday hours:

Wednesday, November 26 from 9:00-5:30 pm
Thursday and Friday, November 27-28 Closed
Saturday, November 29 from 10:00-6:00 pm

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Don't Forget to Sign Up!

2008-11-14T15:18:00.000-08:00

There's still space left for youth in grades 4th-8th to sign up for the papier mache class. On Thursday, November 20 from 4-6 p.m., youth will learn the basics of papier mache by creating a beehive and other fun projects. You can sign up at the information desk.

There's also still time to sign up for the blood drive that will take place on Saturday, November 22 from 2-5 p.m. You can sign up at the information desk or online by clicking on the picture to the left, or you can just show up the day of the drive if you'd rather not sign up in advance.

Mini Carnival Tomorrow!

2008-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Our children's Mini Halloween Carnival is tomorrow (October 29) at 4 pm! There'll be carnival games, a costume contest, and candy of course! Take a walk down Spook Alley if you dare. Join us for an afternoon of family fun!

Art Discussion & T-Shirt/Book Giveaway

2008-10-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

This Saturday marks the end of the Big Read Mexico, and we've got a great program to close this exciting pilot project! Ben Fyffe of MCAD (Museums and Cultural Affairs Department) joins us once again for another engaging discussion on art. His discussion will focus on Mexican and Chicano art. After the program, we will raffle away Art & Sol t-shirts from the El Paso Museum of Art and copies of Sun, Stone, & Shadows (in both English & Spanish).

Saturday, October 25 @ 2 p.m.

A Mystery Sale & a Slew of Best Sellers (finally!)

2008-10-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

You still have time to take advantage of the Bookmark’s half off Mystery books sale. All hard and soft cover Mystery books are 50% off with the exception of Best Sellers. Hurry, the sale ends this Saturday, October 25th. Best of all, proceeds benefit the Westside Libraries! The Bookmark is located @ 7348 Remcon. For more information about the Bookmark, check out this previous blog.

Speaking of Best Sellers, we have finally received our shipment of new Best Sellers! We apologize for any inconvenience this caused, but we had to wait until our new budget was approved. They can be found in the display area, but if you don’t find the one you want, you can always place a request. We’ve gotten a bunch of the usual Best Seller listers, such as J.A. Jance, Philip Roth, Elizabeth Peters, Alexander McCall Smith, and more! We will also be getting a couple more copies of Oprah’s latest pick, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. So, keep asking us if you don’t see the Best Seller you’re looking for.

Teen Read Week is here!

2008-10-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

Teen Read Week is an initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association that celebrates teen reading during the third week of October every year. This is a time to encourage teens to spend time reading for pleasure. Research shows that teens who read for fun have better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the workforce. During this week, teens can also vote for their favorite books to be included in the annual Teens' Top Ten list.

You can encourage your teens to read by being an example, and showing them that you love to read, too. Get caught reading! You can also suggest that they read books from the Teens' Top Ten list. These lists feature books that were nominated and chosen by teens.

Pick up a bookmark listing the nominees and check out/request the books here at the library!

The winner's have been announced!

Saturday Movie Matinee

2008-10-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Big Read Mexico Presents:

Under the Same Moon/

Las Misma Luna

October 4 @ 2 p.m.

A boy living in Mexico crosses the Mexican/American Border to reunite with his mother. Rated PG-13.

Free Popcorn & refreshments.

New Storytime Schedule

2008-09-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Tuesday and Wednesday storytimes will now begin at 11:00 a.m. The new schedule begins in October. Here are this month's dates and themes:

Bilingual Storytime on Tuesdays @ 11 a.m.
Themes:
October 7 Smile Day- Bring your smile :-)
Ocotber 14 Teddy Bear Stories (teddy bears may tag along)
October 21 Fall Stories
October 28 Stories About Mexico

Preschool Storytime on Wednesdays @ 11 a.m.
Themes:
October 1 Sun Becomes Shine
October 8 Fall is in the Air
October 15 Shadows
October 22 An Apple a Day
October 29 Bats

Family Storytime on Saturdays @ 1 p.m.
Themes:
October 4 Giant Veggies
October 11 Fall Fest
October 18 Moonstruck
October 25 Halloween

Wonderful Waves

2008-09-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

Saturday, September 27 @ 1 p.m.

Come hear a reading of My Life with the Wave by Catherine Cowan. The book is based on Octavio Paz's short story by the same title. Children will also listen to stories about the ocean and make a sand art craft.

Have you heard of Percy Jackson?

2008-09-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Guest blogger and librarian, Derek is here to tell you all about this exciting series of books that will appeal to fiction readers of all ages.

The Battle of the Labyrinth

(Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, Book 4)
By Rick Riordan
Call #: J Fic RIO

Having recently read the fourth book of Mr. Riordan’s debut fantasy series for kids and young adults, or those just young at heart, I am still very impressed with his ability to tell a story and leave you wanting more. If you enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, you may definitely love reading the four books that have been published so far in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. If you’ve never heard of it, here’s a quick background:

Imagine that the ancient Greek gods were actually real and still alive today, only as a human mortal you can’t see clearly through what is called “the mist,” a sort of screen that prevents us from seeing the ancient monsters and delightful creatures that still wander the Earth while every now and then the gods themselves come down and interfere with daily life when they’re not on Mount Olympus (now above the Empire State Building in New York City) or other far-flung reaches of the world. What’s more is that the gods still have children with mortals, half-bloods, and there’s even a magical camp out on Long Island where they train to use their special abilities granted at birth. Nowadays, however, a full-fledged, nasty war is threatening to break out between the Olympians and the Titans, the older generation that was overthrown by Zeus. Percy Jackson, who seems like your average young teen, is probably the only one who can save the world from total doom and destruction.

If this sounds like exciting reading to you, I recommend you start with the first three books in the series, The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters and the Titan’s Curse. Each one is thrilling, page-turning and hard to put down because they are written very much like mystery books, which is Mr. Riordan’s specialty. He has written many adult mystery books, and he was inspired to try writing for a younger audience when his son responded well to a story he made up for bedtime. It has grown into popular and successful novels because not only do they provide entertainment but make you feel like one of the characters because you can easily identify with Percy and his friends, who are just like you and I but face way difficult circumstances. They have their flaws, and Percy himself struggles with dyslexia just like any other young person. Ms. Rowling also created real, believable characters in the Harry Potter books.

This fourth book won’t be the last, but for me, it was the best one so far. I was completely wrong about a lot of my guesses as I tried to put many of the clues together. The book, like the others, cleverly adapts many of the Greek myths and legends into modern times, and it’s also funny at times. Mr. Riordan is also a great expert at blending the serious with the humorous, intense with the everyday stuff and really describes battle scenes with a lot of imagery and imagination. Check these books out!

Wildlife Rescue

2008-08-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Lorraine Snelling of Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue will give a presentation about what to do with injured animals.
Saturday, August 23 @ 2p.m.

Don't forget to stop by and donate blood! United Blood Services will be here from 12-4 p.m. You can also log on to their website to make an appointment at http://www.bloodhero.com/ (enter sponsor code DVD Library).

"Greek Olympic Games"

2008-08-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

The YWCA Racial Justice Center will teach the significance of racial justice through activities and fun interaction. This is a community awareness program for children of all ages.

Thursday, August 14 @ 4p.m.

Musical Treat!

2008-08-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

The Stringcheese Trio will be performing classical, traditional, and popular music for the whole family! The trio consists of Melissa Condie, Nicole Condie, and Krista Allen on violin, cello, and recorder. Join us this Saturday, August 9 @ 2 p.m.

Breaking Dawn Release Party/Vampire Prom

2008-07-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

The wait is almost over! We'll be celebrating the release of Breaking Dawn (the fourth book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series) by throwing a Vampire Prom on Friday, August 1 from 10 p.m. until Midnight!

Wear your best vampire prom outfit or Twilight-related costume for a chance to win a gift card to purchase the book. Bring your camera to take a prom picture. There will also be giveaways and activities throughout the night. Wedding cake and refreshments will be served. All ages are welcome.

**Update: Copies of Breaking Dawn will be here! Copies will be raffled off to be checked out**

SRC Party this Saturday!

2008-07-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to come to the Summer Reading Club wrap up party! Everyone read up a storm this summer, and definitely deserves a cool clown party! Over 5,000 books were read.

We'll begin awarding certificates and goody bags at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. At 1 p.m., Patches the Clown will have us laughing, singing, and wowed by her magic tricks. After the show, we will resume awarding certificates.

Teens! Your SRC party will be at the Main Library on 501 Oregon (downtown) from 5-10 p.m. There'll be live music by The Kirk and Axis, video games, board games, crafts, and pizza! 4 prizes will be awarded to the top readers. They include a Fender acoustic guitar, an IPod ready boombox, an IPod shuffle, and a skateboard.

Zuill Bailey Performance

2008-07-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Cellist, Zuill Bailey returns to Dorris Van Doren this Thursday for another special performance featuring the Bach Suites.

Thursday, July 24 beginning @ 10:30 a.m.
Free
(Note: Performance is about 2 hours rather than the 5 hour time frame that was printed in the newsletter)

Updates and Events

2008-07-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you've noticed as much as we have, but the library has been very busy this summer. We've had a lot of exciting programming this summer and there's still more to come! Unfortunately, some of the upcoming programs have been canceled due to some unforeseen circumstances. The good news is that most have agreed to reschedule. We'll let you know as soon as they contact us with the new info.

This Saturday's events include:

Special presentation on Work and Culture by Mike Grunsten from 10-11 a.m.
Grunsten will discuss working with cultural differences based on research and his experience working with multinational operations in the U.S. and Mexico. Free and open to the public.

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo Puppet Show for all ages @ 2 p.m.

The Vocal Performance scheduled for 2 p.m. is canceled.

The Humane Society program for last Saturday was canceled, but has rescheduled for this Saturday @ 3 p.m.

Manga Drawing Workshop for all levels (ages teen & up) from 3-5 p.m.
Character creation and the art of storytelling are some of the topics that will be covered.

Don't forget that this Saturday is also the LAST day to turn in all reading logs!
Get them in, get a prize, and show up on the 26th for the wrap-up party!