New Genealogy Databases at Iron World

Ironworld's Iron Range Research Center library recently introduced new resources for amateur and experienced genealogists. The databases of Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online can now be accessed at no charge on the Research Center's four public computer terminals.

Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online give genealogists access to resources far beyond what has previously been available.

Ancestry Library Edition allows users to access approximately 4000 databases, including U.S. Federal Census images and indexes from 1790 to 1930, a Civil War collection, the Social Security Death Index, and much more.

HeritageQuest Online combines information from federal records, books, family and local histories, city directories and many other sources to help researchers find their ancestors, trace their paths across America and even learn what life was like in the areas where they settled.

The Research Center is free and open during Ironworld's regular hours, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

2008 ARRM Conference Art Contest

The Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota wants the community to vote on the art that best depicts the theme of their annual conference.

About 100 pieces by local and area artists that receive services from ARRM will be on display at the library from Monday, February 4th through Thursday, February 7th.

The theme of the 2008 ARRM Conference is “Welcome to the Big Top: There’s Something for Everyone! SoHo Artists of Hibbing is sponsoring this event.

Community members vote and the 10 winning entries will receive royalty payments for their artwork. The top entry will be imprinted on the bags all attendees are given at the annual conference.

Book Review

Duma Key
Stephen King

I haven’t read a Stephen King book in years, so I picked up Duma Key with trepidation. Duma Key passed the first hurdle when I realized it didn’t have alien spaceships in it. Edgar Freemantle moves from Minnesota to the Florida Keys to recover from a catastrophic accident where he takes up landscape painting. As Edgar’s painting improves, he forms new friendships with Wireman and Old Elizabeth Eastlake and learns of another artist whose painting seemed supernatural. Tragic historical events in one family reveal disappearances, creepy dolls, ghosts and shipwrecks to make this a satisfying read. A story that takes place in Florida is always a good thing during a Minnesota winter.
For more information on Stephen King, go to:
Website: www.stephenking.com

Tax Volunteers at the Library

Tax help, complements of the AEOA Tax Aide Program volunteers will be available in the Library Conference Room from Feb. 1, 2008 through April 15th on:

Fridays - 9:00 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
Saturdays - 9:00 a.m. —12:00 p.m.

Help will also be available at the following locations and times:

Tourist Center
Beginning Feb. 4, 2008
Monday, 9:00—2:30

Memorial Building
Beginning Feb. 5, 2008
Tuesday, 9:00— 2:30

Hot Reads For Cold Nights!

Warm up with a hot book from the Hibbing Public Library. The library and the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library are once again offering the HOT READS FOR COLD NIGHTS winter reading program for adults.

It will run February 1st through March 1st. There will be daily giveaways, weekly drawings and a grand prize drawing at the end. Each time an adult checks out library items they can enter their name into the drawing.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library and Arrowhead Library System.

Children's Winter Reading and Story Time!

The Children's Winter Reading program, Escape with a Book, will run from February 5th until March 7th. Sign up; get a book log, bookmark, and a sticker card. Every four books read or listened to, earn a sticker and every ten books earn a prize. Everyone will be awarded a certificate at the end of the program and be invited to the Luau Party.

Story hour is back on the library schedule. Mr. Bell will be reading his favorite stories, singing songs, and doing wiggle breaks every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m.

The program on January 22nd and 23rd will feature One Dog Canoe by Minnesota author, Mary Casanova. A girl and her dog set out in a small canoe early one morning and are soon joined by a variety of animals both large and small.

Successful Bucks Buy Books Campaign

The Hibbing Public Library’s fourth annual Bucks Buy Books program recently ended with over $7,000 added to the new books fund of the library.

Created by the Library Board of Trustees to supplement budget cuts imposed by the city in 2005, Bucks Buy Books encourages donors — principally through donations added to Hibbing Public Utilities (HPU) bills — to contribute monies to the new books budget of the library.

“We really appreciate the support of the community in getting behind this program,” commented Librarian Ginny Richmond as she tabulated the dollars and number of donors.

“The program has really raised the awareness of our needs,” she continued. “People contribute through their HPU bills, through sending or dropping off checks and cash, through endowments or wills, and even through the penny jar on the front desk.”

In the four years since its inception, Bucks Buy Books has added over $30,000 to the adult and children’s book budgets — "an impressive amount of money,” Richmond noted thankfully.

With the average cost of a new book running somewhere between $20 to $25, the campaign this year will see an infusion of well over 300 new titles appearing on the shelves of the Hibbing Public Library.

Library Board of Trustees chair Mike Marincel added that the success “says a lot about the community and the importance people place on reading and the role of the library.”

The above article was written by Library Board Member Dan Bergan and published in the Sunday, Hibbing Daily Tribune.

Computer Classes Will Begin in February

The new computer schedule has been set. Classes will be offered in the computer lab located in the lower level of the library. Sessions are free and about 90 minutes long. Space is limited so registration is required. Reservations can be made in person or by calling the library at 262-1038. The following classes are being offered in February:

Computer Basics
Absolutely no computer skills are necessary. This session is an introduction to computers and includes learning to use a mouse, and basic computer terms.
Wednesday, February 6th @ 10:30 a.m.

Working with Word I
Learn the very basics of Microsoft Word. Opening, saving, spell check, fonts, cut, copy and paste are the topics covered in this class.
Thursday, February 14th @ 10:30 a.m.

E-Mail for Beginners
Set up a free e-mail account for yourself. Learn e-mail etiquette and send e-mail. Must feel confident using a mouse.
Thursday, February 21st @ 10:30 a.m.

Internet for Beginners
An Introduction to the Internet. Session includes learning the browser icons, locating items on the Internet and simple searching. Must feel confident using a mouse.
Wednesday, February 27th @ 10:30 a.m.

Tax Information

Multiple copies of the most common Federal and State tax forms will be available at the library in January. All others will be obtainable from the reproducible books or the IRS federal and state web sites. Library staff will help locate forms on the internet but cannot give out tax advice.

Tax help, complements of the AEOA Tax Aide Program volunteers will be available at the following times and locations:

Library Conference Room
Beginning Feb. 1, 2008
Friday, 9:00—2:30
Saturday, 9:00—12:00


Tourist Center
Beginning Feb. 4, 2008
Monday, 9:00—2:30

Memorial Building
Beginning Feb. 5, 2008
Tuesday, 9:00— 2:30

Open House

Parents, children, day cares, and all other community members are invited to the library open house on Tuesday, January 15th, between 10:00 and 4:00. Stop in and meet Chuck Bell, the new children's librarian. Ask questions and learn about his plans for story hour and other children's programming.

He is looking forward to meeting everyone.

New Children’s Librarian

Chuck Bell is the new face in the children’s department at the library. Everyone should take time to stop in and say hello.

Watch for information on an Open House to officially welcome Chuck to Hibbing.

One Community, One Read

Get ready to participate in the One Community, One Read programs which will be offered during the month of February. All events will be centered on the Vietnam War. Everyone should read Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”.

The Library Journal review states: Winner of a National Book Award in 1979 for Going After Cacciato ( LJ 12/15/77), O'Brien again shows his literary stuff with this brilliant collection of short stories, many of which have won literary recognition (several appeared in O. Henry Awards' collections and Best American Short Stories ). Each of the 22 tales relates the exploits and personalities of a fictional platoon of American soldiers in Vietnam. An acutely painful reading experience, this collection should be read as a book and not a mere selection of stories reprinted from magazines. Not since Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse - Five ( LJ 3/1/69) has the American soldier been portrayed with such poignancy and sincerity. Mark Annichiarico.

Gifts and Memorials

The library recently received a number of donations in memory of longtime library patron Margaret Coyle. This money has been used to purchase large print fiction for the collection. To view specific titles go to the library’s website; click on Administration > Gifts and Memorials.

Young Adult Book Review

The Book of One Hundred Truths
By Julie Schumacher
“My name is Theodora Grumman and I am a liar.”
Thea spends every summer with her grandparents in a beach house on the Jersey shore. This summer is different. Thea’s summer project is to write 100 truths in a notebook supplied by her mother. One of her first truths is “Most Grummans are weird.” She finds she is sharing a room with her younger cousin Jocelyn and the house with her grandparents, 2 eccentric aunts and 3 boy cousins. With a full house, Thea finds that she has little time for herself, but babysitting Jocelyn isn’t so bad when they find themselves spying on their aunts and trying to figure out “The Secret.” The aunts aren’t the only one with a secret as you learn why Thea’s parents decide that the book of 100 truths is something that Thea needs to do.
Julie Schumacher lives in St. Paul with her husband and children. She won the Minnesota Book Award for The Book of One Hundred Truths available at Hibbing Public Library: Young Adult Schumacher.
Website: http://www.julieschumacher.com/

Chilton's Automotive Database

Automotive repair information can now be accessed from your home computer. Our Chilton’s subscription has been expanded to include remote access. It is available from the database listing on the library’s website.

Automotive Repair Information for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) People - Chilton has been helping people like you maintain cars and trucks for more than 80 years.

Minnesota Reflections

A great new website to check out is Minnesota Reflections. It is a digital library that has been created by the museum, library, academic, and historical preservation organizations of Minnesota. It is a collection of more than 20,000 cultural heritage treasures including photographs, cartoons, diaries, letters, plat books, maps and more. If you are interested in Minnesota history go to http://reflections.mndigital.org/

Mystery Book Review

Still Life
By Louise Penny
Three Pines, a small artistic Quebec village, becomes a place for murder when an elderly artist is found dead in the woods. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his homicide team from the Surete du Quebec are called in. Accompanied by a new recruit, Yvette Nichol, Chief Inspector Gamache endeavors to teach an obstinate and reluctant assistant why you must listen and observe and not rely on the more obvious evidence. While her close friends thought it odd that they had never been past the kitchen in Jane’s house; Jane Neal, dying in what at first looks like an accident, is murdered before she can reveal her true passion.
Still Life: Winner of both the Anthony and Barry awards for best first novel. Second in the series, A Fatal Grace returns Chief Inspector Gamache to Three Pines while the village is preparing for Christmas.
Read more about Louise Penny and her novels at http://www.louisepenny.com/

Yuletide Festival a Huge Success

Over 400 people attended the Yuletide Festival which is sponsored by the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library. During his annual visit, Santa, read The Night Before Christmas.

He then listened to the requests of all the children present and handed out candy.


The musical entertainment was provided by The Hibbing City Band and The Iron Range Chorale.

Book Review

Island of the Lost: shipwrecked at the edge of the world.
By Joan Druett
A true account of 2 shipwrecks on opposite ends of Auckland Island 285 miles south of New Zealand, show vastly different survivors. In 1864, the GRAFTON, shipwrecked during a severe gale, contained 5 men who with little more than the wreckage from their schooner, built a cabin and a forge where the tools they made help them to survive and built a boat while waiting for rescue.
The INVERCAULD wrecks at the same time on the opposite end of the island with a crew of 25 with 19 surviving the shipwreck. Once on shore, they succumb to harsh weather, starvation and a cohesive group does not transpire with dire consequences. Who is rescued and who survives to be rescued?
The book is available at Hibbing Public Library: 919.399 DRUETT
Joan Druett writes maritime mystery fiction and nonfiction.
Website: http://members.authorsguild.net/druettjo/

Library Artwork

The paintings that have been in storage since last spring, the beginning of the air conditioning project, are once again on exhibit. The works are on the walls of the reference/reading area, above the fireplace in the children’s room, and in the stairwell to the basement.

The majority of the paintings have been owned by the library since 1919. At that time the Library Board of Trustees and the library director, Dorothy Hurlbert, invited a Chicago art dealer to exhibit, a collection of American paintings at the library. Four thousand Hibbingites viewed the art and voted on their favorites. The Library Board then purchased several of the paintings. Others have been added to the collection since that time.

Among the original works purchased was Halt on the Carry by Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait. Tait’s works usually depicted landscapes and animals. At the time of its showing this painting was said to be an instant favorite with the men of Hibbing.

Yuletide Festival

The Yuletide Festival will be held December 3rd starting at 6:00 p.m. with a Yuletide Story by the fireplace on the Children's side of the library. Music by the Hibbing City Band followed by the Iron Range Chorale will begin at 6:15 p.m.

There will be time to visit with Santa Claus and children may also select a free paperback to take home. Punch and Cookies will be available for everyone.

This Program has been sponsored by: the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library with the support of the Hibbing City Band, and Santa Claus. Books are provided by the Hibbing Literacy Action Center with funding by the Hibbing United Way.

Telephone Messaging

Telephone Messaging Starts Friday, November 16th

Telephone messaging for library notices will begin on Friday November 16th. Both hold and overdue notices will be delivered through an automated telephone message. This will save the library staff time, postage, and mailer costs.

Those with an email preference marked in their borrower record will still receive their notices via that method. Please update your borrower record the next time you are in the library so you will continue to receive your notices in a timely manner.

Computer classes will begin in January 2008.

Some of our most popular offerings have been Computer Basics, Internet for Beginners, Searching the Internet for Beginners, E-Mail Basics, E-Mail Plus, and Working with Word I & II. There have also been requests for an introduction to E-Bay, Microsoft Access and Excel.

We would like anyone interested in computer classes to let us know what classes you would attend and the day and time that would be most convenient.

Go to www.hibbing.lib.mn.us and click on "Computer Class Survey" in the right hand column to complete our survey.

Hibbing Author in the News

Northern Minnesota author Roy C. Booth announces that he will be a guest at Arcana 37, a speculative writing convention to be held October 12 - 14, where he will be moderating three panels on 18th and 19th century horror literature and other writing topics. He will also be conducting a live panel interview with convention Guest of Honor, famed science fiction writer George Clayton Johnson, co-creator of Logan's Run, and screenwriter of numerous famous TV episodes, including "A Game of Pool" and "Kick the Can" for The Twilight Zone and "Man Trap" for Star Trek. Booth will also be doing a signing of his own work at the convention.

Booth was also recently commissioned to develop the film script/TV pilot based on Douglas Texter's award winning science fiction short story, "Primetime," which was recently published by Baen/Galaxy Publishing in their just released Writers of the Future anthology. Texter is a former editor for Doubleday who has already received great interest in the property, and contacted Booth, a fellow panelist from this year's CONvergence, to write the script after Booth announced the sale of his fifth screenplay earlier this summer.

Booth recently completed writing a science fiction novel of his own, and will also be having his mystery short short story "The Book Relase Party" anthologized by Word Weavers. The release of his 40th published play, Beanie and the Bamboozling Adventure Machine (with Bob May), is due out later this month.

Booth is a member of the Brainerd Writers Alliance, the Tidewater Writing Guild, and the Jackpine Writers Bloc. He is also a graduate from Pillager High School, Central Lakes Community College, and Bemidji State University.

Bucks Buy Books

All residents will be receiving donation information for the annual Bucks Buy Books Campaign with their October PUC billing.

Response to the campaign has always been phenomenal. Donations are designated for the library’s adult and children’s book budgets. We have used these funds to buy extra copies of bestsellers, copies of the Reading Counts titles that are used by Hibbing Public Schools, and many other needed additions to the collection.

Wings Above the Ridge - Live Raptor Program

Tuesday October 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Auditorium

The top readers from the summer reading program will be honored with a brief presentation and then the program will be turned over to the birds.

Learn about birds of prey and meet live raptors at this special program presented by the Wolf Ridge Center. According to the Wolf Ridge web site, "The instructors are specialists in teaching about birds because they ARE birds!" This will be a great program for the whole family.

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Friends of the Library will be held October 1st at 6:30 p.m. in the library auditorium. The election of officers will be held and initial planning for annual events will begin. Support the Library. Become a Friend.

All community members interested in joining the Friends are invited to attend this meeting. Th Friends organization suppost the many wonderful programs that are offered by the library throughout the year.

Volunteer Opportunities Include:

Participate in current fundraising events -
Donate gently used books for the ongoing book sale.
Stop by for a cool beverage prices start at $1.25.

Help plan future fundraising events - some ideas are a coffee shop in the library, raffles, sale of Bob Dylan memorabilia, selling Buhl water with a library logo, Magazine subscription drive or any other project you may be thinking of!

Serve on the Friends of the Library Board of Directors - Meetings are held monthly in the evening at the library.

Adopt-a-Shelf - spend an hour or two once a month making sure books are in their proper locations on the library shelves. Volunteers are needed to make sure that library materials are in order on the shelves, and in good repair. You may even find some interesting books to read!

Yuletide Festival is held the first Monday evening in December. Help is needed that evening with cookie decorating, serving refreshments, and the book give-a-way.

Library Air Conditioning

Join us for the ceremonial "start up" of the library’s air conditioner September 27th at starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Friends of the Hibbing Public Library will be presenting a check for $10,000 to the City of Hibbing for the project. Key organizations and individual supporters will be thanked.

The Hibbing City Band will be playing great music in the reference area. A book give away sponsored by the Hibbing Literacy Action Center will be held in the auditorium. There will be cake, coffee, and punch for everyone.

Children's Librarian Needed

The City of Hibbing is requesting written applications for the full-time position of Children’s Librarian in the Hibbing Public Library. Selection of the individual will be based on qualifications, physical ability, dependability, and seniority.

Minimum qualifications include:

- Master’s degree in Library Science or related field; preferably from a program accredited by the American Library Association.
- One year experience or internship as a children’s librarian in a public library.
- Class "D" Drivers License.

For a complete job description and application go to www.hibbing.lib.mn.us.

Bob Dylan Sculpture with Photos!

During the 2007 Mines & Pines Festival an unveiling of the life-size papier-mâché sculpture of Bob Dylan took place. The sculpture, created by Ann Schnortz, is now on display in the Hibbing Public Library.

Bring your camera and have your photo taken with this guitar and harmonica playing statue of everyone's favorite musician and song writer.

Air Conditioning Project

Work is nearing completion on this project! The air conditioning project is still moving forward:

The Library will be closed on Wednesday, August 22nd to update the electrical system for the air conditioning system.

The system will be turned on and testing will begin during the week of August 27th and it will start to cool off in the library.

Thanks to all the construction crews for their hard work and to all the library patrons for their patience during this long process.

It will be cool soon!

Bob Dylan Sculpture

During the 2007 Mines & Pines Festival an unveiling of the life-size papier-mâché sculpture of Bob Dylan took place. The sculpture, created by Ann Schnortz, is now on display in the Hibbing Public Library.

Bring your camera and have your photo taken with this guitar and harmonica playing statue of everyone's favorite musician and song writer.

Digital Audio Books - NEW

A digital audio book is the downloadable version of a book on tape or CD. Digital media is automatically returned so there are never late fees or trips to the library.

Try one today!

Step 1: Download and install OverDrive and update Windows Media Player (one time process)
Step 2: Check out and enjoy digital titles 

Once digital media is downloaded onto your computer it may be transferred to other portable devices. See the OverDrive website for a list of compatible devices and directions for testing your device for compatibility. Some items may be burned to CD's. Review the "Digital Rights Information" to see how many times an item can be transferred to other devices and if it may be burned to a CD.

For more information call 218 262 1038 and ask for help with "Downloadable Books". Or send an email to: hibbingpl@arrowhead.lib.mn.us

Book Donation From Two Harbors Author

Susanne Kobe Schuler, an author from Two Harbors, has graciously donated her book, Back of Beyond: a Memoir from the North Woods, to the library. Schuler relates her memories of long ago summers spent at a family-owned resort located near Ely.

A review in Minnesota Literature, March 2007 stated, “Susanne Kobe Schuler writes an entertaining and moving account of family life at the resort her family established…Kobe’s stories of harvesting ice in the winter…and waiting out harrowing lake storms and blizzards bring back a bygone lifestyle with loving vividness”.

Lake Superior Magazine wrote, “This is not so much a book as a time capsule filled with days from a pleasant past…”

Author, Mark Munger is the editor and illustrations are by Rene Munger.

Library Closing

Due to the extreme heat the library will close at 3:00 p.m. on July 31st .

The air conditioning project is still moving forward with the final piece of equipment did arrive on July 25th. Approximately 2 weeks of work will be required to complete the project.

Air Conditioning Construction

Construction continues on the air conditioning project. Once the new transformer arrives (Hopefully undamaged this time!). It will only be a couple more weeks to finish the last of the electrical work and testing of the system. We still will need to be closed at least one day when the new electrical connection is installed and we will try to give as much notice as possible for that closing.

Soon the library will truly be a cool place to be!

Hall of Fame / Fair Fun Day

Twelve young people have already read over 100 books or 2,500 pages and have their pictures posted in the library and on the Library website!

Join us at the Fair Fun Day and Kick off for Read and Win Program - June 28, at 10:00 a.m. at the Saint Louis County Fairgrounds - Crow! For there is lots to crow about at the kick off program for the Read and Win Reading Program. There will be games to play, farm animals and face painting. Tour the building and enjoy the antics of Amazing Charles. This program will be held at the fair grounds.

Keep reading!

Mystery Book Review

Anatomy of Fear
By Jonathan Santlofer
Nate Rodriguez is a police sketch artist, assigned on a case with Terri Russo, NYPD Homicide, where the killer leaves a drawing of his victim at each crime scene.
As the killings increase, the NYPD and FBI start to wonder if Rodriquez is a little too close to the killings and he falls under suspicion. In order to clear his name, Rodriguez and Russo must follow a covert path that parallels the FBI investigation.
First in a series – the book solves two cases but leaves a third dangling. The illustrations done by the killer and Rodriguez add interest to the story.
For information about Jonathan Santlofer: www.jonathansantlofer.com

Summer Reading Program

Go Bananas @ the Hibbing Public Library this summer!

Registration begins June 4th!

The Hibbing Public Library has lined up an exciting 10 week summer reading program. There will be prizes to earn for reading books, a-peeling programs to attend and fun to be had.

We encourage you to sign up during the first week, but registration remains open the entire summer.

The Literacy Action Center, with support of United Way of Northeastern MN, will award a free paperback to each person who turns in a booklog.

More information:

Earn Prizes for Reading
Read and Win
Make and Take Craft Programs
Preschool Story Programs
Special Performers and Events
Friday Family Flicks

Open House

Hibbing Public Library staff will be hosting an open house for Terry Moore from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 1st.

Terry will be retiring after 20 years as the Hibbing Public Library Director.

The public is invited to enjoy some cake and coffee and wish him well.

Check Out the Plays By Hibbing Playwright

Hibbing playwright Roy C. Booth announces that his children's play, "Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine," was recently performed in Bangkok, Thailand at the Shrewsbury International School, sister school to the famed Shrewsbury School, founded in the UK in 1552, which is also well known for its rigorous acamedic excellance. The play's performance was attended by local and foreign dignitaries alike, and was accompanied by an "all-star band" made up of some of Thailand's most well known musicians. The play has also been recently performed in Belle River, Ontario, and in Edinburgh, Indiana.

Another of Booth's plays, "Two Wives and a Dead Guy," written with wife Cynthia, was recently performed in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Orono, Mainie, and in Tacoma, Washington.

Check the library catalog for these and other titles by Roy Booth.

Dylan Days Exhibits at the Library

Art Exhibit in the Auditorium - Lake Superior artists will feature paintings on or related to Dylan. The artwork may be purchased with proceeds to support the Bob Dylan Exhibit.

Dylan & the Blue Jackets in the Front Window - Dylan's life & times at the Hibbing High School.

Many Faces of Bob along the front wall of library - Character drawings of Bob Dylan.

Walk with Me - A walking tour around Dylan's hometown.

May 24 - Dylan's 66th birthday will be celebrated with Beatty Zimmerman's Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf Bread.

Community Events - May 23-27, 2007

Medieval Mayhem - Week of the Young Child

Monday, April 23 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

By Royal Proclamation, Princes and Princesses of the King of of Hibbing are invited to the Hibbing Public Library for a Medieval Mayhem of fun and activities. Enjoy crafts, castle maze, puppets, stories, fishing pond, and treats.

Each child will take home a free book compliments of the Hibbing Literacy Action Center, funded by United Way. Coordinated by Hibbing Early Childhood.

Mystery Book Review

The Spellman Files
By Lisa Lutz
Isabel Spellman, private investigator, works for Spellman Investigations, the family business based in an old Victorian in San Francisco.
Isabel and her perfect older brother David, began work for Spellman Investigations when they were 12 and 14. The first job assigned was picking up trash from the subject’s residence, putting on a pair of gloves and separating the bank statements, bills, and letters from food or other noxious trash. Surveillance came soon after court record searches.
Rae Spellman, the youngest of the Spellman children by 14 years, began her surveillance work when she was six because no one could stand her relentless begging to be allowed on the job.
Life in the Spellman household is never dull and surveillance is not used on just the clients; they spy on each other with often hilarious results.
First novel in a series, see more information on Lisa Lutz at www.spellmanfilesthebook.com

Tax Night at the Library

Tax Night will be held once again at the library!

With the cooperation of the U.S. Post Office, the Hibbing Public Library will collect, stamp and mail Federal and State Tax forms from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17th. Tax forms, postage, and coffee will be available.

Mystery Book Review

Scavenger
By David Morrell

"Scavenger" starts when Frank Balenger gets out of the hospital after his ordeal in "Creepers" where he followed a group of urban explorers into an old abandoned hotel and found the serial killer who killed his wife. Frank barely survived to rescue the killer’s next victim, Amanda, the image of his dead wife.
Amanda and Frank are taking time to put their lives back together when they receive an invitation to the Manhattan History Club. While attending a lecture on time capsules, they are drugged and separated. Amanda is transported to a lodge out west with other “survivors” of catastrophic events where they are given instructions, GPS instruments, and 40 hours to reach a destination. Frank, left in New York, must move quickly to learn about the Manhattan History Club to get clues on where to find Amanda.

The author’s notes include interesting facts about time capsules:
www.americanheritage.com to find an essay on “Capsule History,” by Lester A. Reingold (November, 1999).
www.davidszondy.com for “Tales of Future Past,” by David S. Zondy.
To find other books and information by David Morrell, go to www.davidmorrell.net

Nonfiction Book Review

River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey
By Candice Millard
Harsh conditions, treacherous rapids and months of travelling upriver through the wilderness of the Amazon Jungle of Brazil in 1914, Theodore Roosevelt, and Candido Rondon, a Brazilian explorer, formed the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition to trace the River of Doubt, an area previously unexplored.
One more adventure by the man who was larger than life, the journey almost killed Teddy Roosevelt and certainly shortened his life. Infected with a deadly bacteria and fighting Malaria, there was some doubt the Theodore Roosevelt would survive the journey. Sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History, many new animal and plant specimens were discovered. Insects, Malaria, inadequate provisions, and canoes unsuitable for rapids were a few of the mistakes made by men who had no knowledge of the Amazon Rainforest and almost cost the expedition members their lives.
Plenty of action and adventure, and adds to the Roosevelt legends.
For Further information about Theodore Roosevelt:
www.theodoreroosevelt.org and www.theodore-roosevelt.com

Air Conditioning Project Update - March 22nd

Shannon's, Inc. was awarded the bid for the Library Air Conditioning Project. The company is located in International Falls and was awarded the Trane/PHCC National HVAC contractor of the Year in 2006- 2007. We are expecting workers to be in the building in April.

The work will begin in the crawl spaces and on the roof. After that, things begin to get more complicated. The children's area will be closed for a time as they work installing duct work on the ledge. The reference area will be closed for a time when the duct work is installed. We are having a new electrical line brought into the building, which will mean that the library will be closed for a day when the electricity is turned off and the switch over is being made.

Yes, there will be a dust and noise, but when it is all done the Library will be a "Cool Place" to be.

Preparing for the Project -

In 1919, the Hibbing Public Library Board of Trustees and the Library Director, Dorothy Hurlbert, invited a Chicago art dealer to exhibit a collection of American paintings at the Library. During the exhibit, four thousand people came and viewed and voted on their favorite paintings. After all the votes were tallied, the Library Board decided to purchase several of the paintings. To protect these paintings, of which some are quite valuable, the Friends of the Library decided to create a storage area. We are following the advice of the Midwest Art Conservation Center in creating this storage area. Our thanks go to Don Hanson, ASAP Ship and Print, who found large pieces of cardboard and bubble wrap, which are being used to soft wrap the art work and to Glenn's Fix It for creating the storage cabinet.

Russian Stories with Robin

Robin Kuznick, who recently traveled to Russia, shares stories to young children at the Hibbing Public Library on March 14th. As Bears are often characters found in Russian Folklore she brought along her bear puppet. Robin also told with the help of the children the story of the Great Big Enormous Turnip.

Kill A Watt - Energy measuring devices now avialable at the Library

The Hibbing Public Library now has 3 "Kill A Watt" testers that can be checked out for 28 days to test the efficiency of your electrical appliances.

Lake country Power has supplied area libraries with this energy measuring device. Each kit includes the Kill A Watt, a carrying case and a laminated instruction card.

The Kill A Watt meter shows consumers how much energy various appliances use. By comparing these measurements to that of average use and more efficient Energy Star products, they can then make educated decisions on where their appliance dollars are best spent. They can also learn to improve on the efficient use of an appliance by either unplugging while not in use, adjusting temperatures or modifying their activity.

Common energy wasting practices found by the Kill A Watt include extra refrigerators and televisions left running when not needed, home office equipment that can use energy while sitting idle such as computers and printers and the energy lost from a heated water bed not properly covered.

Landscaping Project Receives Gift from Lowe's

Hibbing Public Library and the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library - with the help from a $1,000 gift from Lowe’s and advice from the members of the Hibbing-Chisholm Gardening Club will be beautifying the library lawns. The first planning meeting was held March 5th despite the snow and below zero weather. Words like Lady Mantles, Pig Squeak, Russian Sage, Miss Kim, and Lamb Ears were used at the meeting. “I don’t know what they mean,” said children’s librarian Enid Costley. “I am just grateful for people from the Gardening Club and Lowe’s Nursery Specialists, who do know plants.” “We want to make the library look nice - have some curb appeal. We also want children to see something beautiful when they look out the windows on the children’s area.” said Donna who is both a member of Friends of the Library and Hibbing-Chisholm Gardening Club.
For others who are planning a garden project – recommended reading includes “52 Weekend Gardening Projects” by Nancy Bubel and “A Garden for Children” by Felicity Bryan.

Cookie Dough & Brownies

In cooperation with Sunrise Bakery the Hibbing Public Library will be having a cookie dough and brownies fundraiser!
Cookie Dough - Choose from Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Walnut Chranberry, Happy Camper, or Molasses for $10.00 per container. Each container will make about 65 2-inch cookies or 32 3-inch cookies.

Brownies - Will be ready to cook in an 8 by 8 pan for $10.00 per pan.

Call 218-262-1038, email hibbingpl@arrowhead.lib.mn.us, or stop in the library to place your orders by March 10th. Cookie dough and Brownies will be available for pick up at the library on March 21 -23.

Fundraising for the Friends of the Hibbing PUblic Library will go to Children's Programs and Services.

Motion Mayhem at the Library

The Science Museume of Minnesota presented a program at the Hibbing Public Library on March 7th. Children and adults learned how to; suspend a ball in mid-air, drop a nail in a bottle without touching the nail, and pull a tablecloth out from under a set of dishes. After the presentation there were table top activites which further explored the science of motion.

This is a cooperative program with the area schools funded in part by the U.S. Bank Foundation.

In this picture shows T.G. getting ready to pull a table cloth out from under an object. Thus proving that object not in motion remain inert.

Air Conditioning Project

Monday, February 26, marked the first of many meeting on implementing The Design Group’s plans for air conditioning the Hibbing Public Library. The meeting was marked by lots of questions. The major question being when does the work begin? Answer - Soon – maybe as early as March 12th.
The first work to be done will be in the crawl spaces. Library patrons may not see, but may hear some of the work being done. While work is being done in the lowest levels of the building, other tasks will be done to make the project run smoothly. Library staff, with help from Friends, will be protecting the Library art work, moving shelving and equipment.

Cookie Dough & Brownie Fundraiser

In cooperation with Sunrise Bakery the Hibbing Public Library will be having a cookie dough and fudge fundraiser!

Cookie Dough - Choose from Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Walnut Chranberry, Happy Camper, or Molasses for $10.00 per container. Each container will make about 65 2-inch cookies or 32 3-inch cookies.

Brownies - Will be ready to cook in an 8 by 8 pan for $10.00 per pan.

Call 218-262-1038, email hibbingpl@arrowhead.lib.mn.us, or stop in the library to place your orders by March 10th. Cookie dough and Brownies will be available for pick up at the library on March 21 -23.

Fundraising for the Friends of the Hibbing PUblic Library will go to Children's Programs and Services.

Bob Dylan’s American Journey 1956-1966

Bob Dylan’s American Journey 1956-1966 opened at the Weisman Art Museum on the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis campus on Friday, February 2, 2007. This exhibit, created by the Experience Music Project in Seattle, charts Bob Dylan’s transformation from folk troubadour to rock innovator during the turbulence of the 1960s.

Jasen Emmons, producer for the Experience Music Project, spent time at the Hibbing Public Library in 2004 gathering information, ideas, and artifacts from the Bob Dylan Collection and Exhibit. In addition, he acquired enough red ore rock to create a large "wall of iron" that is used as a backdrop for showcasing items pertaining to Bob Dylan’s teenage years on the Iron Range. This exhibit contains more than 150 artifacts and features five different films exploring different facets of Dylan’s career.

Colleen Sheehy, curator at the Weisman Art Museum, was successful in bringing Bob Dylan’s American Journey 1956-1966 to Minnesota. Colleen had traveled to Hibbing in 2005 and 2006 looking for artifacts to expand upon the Hibbing and Dinkytown sections of the exhibit. Among the items she secured were the original Lybba Theater marquee from Zimmy’s and a 16" x 20" color photo by Chuck Perry of the Hibbing High School Auditorium courtesy of the Bob Dylan Collection at the Hibbing Public Library. All of the additional Hibbing items are displayed at the entrance to the main exhibit.

This multimedia exhibition which brings Bob Dylan back home to Minnesota will be on display at the Weisman Art Museum thru April 29, 2007. It will be the only presentation of this national traveling exhibit in the Upper Midwest.

Book Review

The Terror
By Dan Simmons

In this historical novel about the disappearance of the Franklin Expedition, Dan Simmons gives a new twist on the fate of the 2 ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror along with 129 men lost on their search for the Northwest Passage.

If being stuck in the ice for 2 years, contaminated food, extreme temperatures and the effects of scurvy wasn’t bad enough, the men of the expedition are slowly being killed off by a large bear-like creature. The men face a grim end as the ships break apart in the ice and they have few choices but to walk over 800 miles to the outpost on Great Slave Lake.

For further information about the ill fated Franklin Expedition, see acknowledgements at the end of the book. See also www.wikipedia.com and http://www.ric.edu/rpotter/SJFranklin.html
Rumors of murder, starvation and cannibalism were confirmed from remains found on King William and Beechey Islands and analyzed by a group from the University of Alberta in the 1980’s. NOVA produced BURIED IN ICE and later ARCTIC PASSAGE showing where and how the men of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror died.

For more about Dan Simmons, see: http://dansimmons.com/

Library Director Position Opening

The Hibbing Public Library is soliciting applications for the position of Library Director to perform administrative work in planning, directing, and coordinating the operation of the Library, in addition to overseeing staff training, development, and performance evaluation.

Send cover letter and resume by April 13, 2007, to Search Committee, Hibbing Public Library, 2020 East 5th Avenue, Hibbing, Minnesota 55746. Position will be available June 4, 2007, upon retirement of current Library Director.

Visit the complete library website at www.hibbing.lib.mn.us.

Hamburger Helper Grant for Toys

Hibbing Public Library has applied for funds to purchase toys in the children's area and large muscle play in the auditorium during preschool storytime. Additionally the toys may be used for a “play day” in the auditorium. The auditorium may be reserved ahead of time.

As we are competing with other organizations, the only way we are going to be noticed is through letters of support. The letters of support may only be submitted through the Hamburger Helper Website. Your letter of support does not have to be lengthy.

Please note-there is a committee working on a indoor play area. Once this happens the committee will have the option of moving the toys to the community play area.

Submit a Letter of Support

Mystery Book Review

The Killing Moon
By Chuck Hogan

Don Maddox comes back to Black Falls after 15 years to sell his mother’s home. When his father’s old partner offers him a job with the local police department, he decides to stick around.

He soon finds out that the good old boys of the squad are keeping secrets. Local citizens, harassed by corrupt local police, have filed complaints with the state but so far little has been done. When Maddox starts nosing around, people turn up dead or missing.

Each chapter is told by a different person which gives the story tension. You slowly become aware of the town’s secrets and how they relate to murder.

Volunteer Tax Preparers

Volunteer tax preparers will be at the Hibbing Public Library on Friday's and Satuday's from February 2 - April 15, 2007. Tax-Aide volunteers will provide free tax assistance in the library to low or moderate income taxpayers of any age.

On Fridays, the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

What should I bring with me? Every site is a little different but the list below tells you the most commonly required documents. Some of these items may not apply to you in which case you can disregard them.

Social security numbers for you, your spouse, and all your dependents
Last year's tax returns
W-2s for yourself and your spouse
Any 1099s you or your spouse received
Alimony received
Unemployment compensation statements
Social security income statements
Any other statements showing income
IRA contributions
Tuition payments and Student loan interest payments
Any itemized expenses you may wish to deduct, such as:
Out-of-pocket medical expenses
Non-cash donations
Cash donations
Vehicle license tabs
Property taxes paid
Job-related moving expenses
Mortgage interest paid
Tax preparation fees
Uniform costs
Daycare expenses - you will need to provide the name, address, amount paid, and social security number or EIN for each provider you paid.
Minnesota Education credit:
Educational software
Private school tuition or tutoring
Academic books/materials
Music lessons and music equipment rental
Tuition for academic summer camp
Instructor fees for drivers education
School supplies (must have itemized receipt)
Property Tax Refund documents
CRPs - Certificate of Rent Paid
Property tax statements
If you wish to use the direct deposit/direct debit option, please bring your checkbook with you to verify your bank account and routing information.

New Computers at the Library

The computer lab computers that were installed in 2001 are being replaced with new Windows XP computers that will have the Office 2007 suite of software. This software includes just recently released versions of Microsoft Word and Exel and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

The computer lab will be closed January 30 - February 1 for the upgrade.

Visit the lab and try out our new computers. We also offer a full range of computer and internet classes that are free to the public.

Book Review

Iwoz
By Steve Wozniak with Gina Smith

If you ever wondered what type of person could invent a personal computer, then this is the book for you. Steve Wozniak, prankster and gifted genius, figured out how to attach a monitor and keyboard to a bunch of circuits and with friend, Steve Jobs, started Apple computer.

Growing up, he spent his life playing countless pranks and hanging out with the Electronics Kids in the neighborhood now known as Silicon Valley. Friends were amused by his pranks; school officials and the police less so. The explanations on how circuits work, how Steve Wozniak invented the personal computer, and other electronic gadgets makes for an easily understandable and funny read.

For more information:
www.woz.org

Air Conditioning Project

The City Council has sent out for bids on the newly redesigned library air conditioning project. Bids are due back to City Hall by January 11, 2007.

If a bid is accepted, the project should be completed in time for next summer's hot temperatures.

Holiday Hours

The Library will be closed for the Christmas holiday on December 25 and 26. It will also be closed on January 1st.

Visit the Library website for access to the library catalog, databases, schedule of events, and other information.

Go to www.hibbing.lib.mn.us

Computer Classes at the Library

Computer classes are offered at the Hibbing Public Library. Classes combing up in January are Computer Basics, Internet for Beginners, Email (Yahoo), Searching the Internet, Working with Word, and Build a Wiki.

Sessions are free and about 90 minutes long. Space is limited so registration is required. Reservations can be made in person or by calling the library at 262-1038 or by emailing the library.

Book Review

The Rising Tide
By Jeff Shaara

First in a series on World War II, the action begins in the Libyan Desert, North Africa in 1942. The book moves back and forth between the German and Allied forces as the battles are fought with infantry and armored divisions. Various maps illustrate the confrontations between armies.

Erwin Rommel known as the Desert Fox, commander of the German Africa Corps in North Africa, fights first the British and then the Americans with Panzer divisions.

Dwight Eisenhower is chosen by Roosevelt and Churchill to lead the Allied command in North Africa. Operation Torch has British and American forces landing in Morocco and Algeria where they will first confront the Vichy French government and then the Germans.

Jeff Shaara is best known for his novels on the Civil War, has also written a book on World War I where many commanders of World War II got their training.
Website: www.jeffshaara.com

Yuletide Festival

The Yuletide Festival will be held Tuesday, December 5 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the library. It is an evening of fun and musical festivity. The Hibbing City Band performs. There will be cookie decorating, time to visit with Santa Claus and enjoy a yuletide story. Children may also select a free paperback to take home. Refreshments will be served.

This Program has been sponsored by: the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library with the support of Girl Scout Troops 1702 and 1723, the Hibbing Key Club, Hibbing City Band, and Mr. C. Books are provided by the Hibbing Literacy Action Center with funds from the Hibbing United Way.

Mystery Book Review

Never Fear
By Scott Frost

Homicide detective Alex Delillo finds and loses a brother all in one night. Suicide is suspected, but as Alex and her partner, detective Dylan Harrison investigate, they find that Alex’s brother was murdered. An eighteen year old serial murder investigation where the suspect in the cold case was Alex and her half brother’s father complicates the story as Alex is convinced that she is being stonewalled by the LAPD.

Scott Frost has written for Twin Peaks and X-Files. Never Fear is the second book in the series featuring Alex Delillo as a Pasadena homicide detective. Run the Risk, first book in the series, was nominated for an Edgar award for Best First Novel.

Mystery Book Review

Torment of Others
By Val McDermid

Dr. Tony Hill, criminal psychologist, shines in this 4th novel in a series. While a convicted murderer is locked away in a secure hospital, a new series of murders seem to be the work of a copycat. Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan calls in Dr. Hill to make sense of these murders. The bodies are found in Temple Fields, the setting of a previous set of murders in the book, The Mermaids Singing.

Present day English police procedurals with profiling added, Wire in the Blood, the second book in the series is also the name of the BBC series now in its 4th season. Series 4, episode 2 is based on the novel, Torment of Others.

Website: http://www.valmcdermid.com

Library Book Sale

The Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held form 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on November 3rd and 4th, in the Library Auditorium. Book donations may be dropped off at the library front desk.

We should be very very close to the end of the street construction. If 5th Avenue in front of the library is still blocked off, please park on the side streets and use the sidewalk on the side of the building to the front door.

For more information or to volunteer call 218-262-1038 or send an email to: hibbingpl@arrowhead.lib.mn.us.

Gift from U. S. Bank Foundation

On October 18th U.S. Bank Foundation gave the Hibbing Public Library a gift of $1,000 to use to bring artists to the preform in our community. The Hibbing Public Library will be cooperating with the schools to bring in one or several artists to share their talents with children in the schools and to the community through library programs. In the past we have brought in Norm Barnhart, a magician who promotes reading, Charlie Maguire, who shared muisc of the Minnesota and the Ironrange, storytellers and songwritter Keven McMullen, fabric artists, and folkdancers.

Mystery Book Review

Kill All the Lawyers
By Paul Levine

Third in the series, Steve Solomon is an unprincipled Florida defense lawyer with a conventional partner, Victoria Lord. Solomon and Lord, also partners in their private life, throw sparks with witty dialogue. The quick witted dialogue never stops, whether Solomon is interacting with Lord, her mother or his own father. Quirky characters make the books fun to read: Bobby, Solomon’s savant nephew and Solomon’s father, retired lawyer, round out the home life.
The book opens with a 300 lb Marlin attached to Solomon’s door. Unfortunately, newly released convicted felon, Dr. Kreeger, psychologist and killer, finds out that Solomon gave evidence to the prosecution and Kreeger wants revenge.

Solomon vs Lord and The Deep Blue Alibi, first 2 books in the series, also feature nonstop action and suspense with amusing situations.

For more information, see the websites:
http://www.paul-levine.com/ and http://www.nakedauthors.com/ a blog written by crime novelists: Cornelia Read, Jacqueline Winspear, James Grippando, Patricia Smiley, and Paul Levine.

Check Out the New Database

A link to Access NewspaperARCHIVE is now available from the library’s web site. It is a free and convenient research tool that provides access to historical newspapers from around the world. This version allows the user to view, save and print full-page newspapers dating from 1759 to 1977.

The archive includes papers from across the U.S. along with papers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica and other countries. Searching is easy and can be done by key word or phrase, date, or location.

Click on the “Databases and Search Engines” link on the top of the library’s web site, http://www.hibbing.lib.mn.us and check out all of our online products.

Police at Preschool Program

A 2 ½ year old boy shakes hands with police Officer B (Greg Benedict) and tells him his name. Children were told if they need help or if they are lost they may go up to a police officer for help. Officer Benedict offered other safety tips to children and parents during preschool storytime at the Hibbing Public Library.

Mouse in the Library

The Mouse from the book "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" stopped by the Hibbing Public Library.
No cookies were given to the mouse, but he stayed around to smile for some pictures.

Attention Dylan Fans

Now available at the library, The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia by Michael Gray (782.42164092).

Michael Gray, author of Song and Dance Man: the Art of Bob Dylan, is recognized as the world authority on the work of Dylan and an expert on the history of rock and roll and the blues. Gray’s newest book, The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, has received rave reviews.

“Author Michael Gray outdistances them all with this voluminous collection of all things Dylan. Gray’s knowledge of his subject is seemingly boundless, yet he manages to maintain a critical eye and keep Dylan’s work in perspective. While Gray is certainly a fan, it’s this impartiality that fuels the book and gives it weight. Insightful and entertaining, Gray’s tome will broaden appreciation of the artist, his influenced and his legacy.” –Publisher’s Weekly, June 2006

“This is no mere catalog of facts, but a work of oceanic immersion. It has wit, opinion, style and asks to be read, not just consulted. Gray details every artist Dylan has ever interpreted or collaborated with along with all of his critics and chroniclers, logger and bloggers, trash collectors and microbe hunters.” –The Village Voice, June 2006

"There is always room for a volume as utterly brilliant as Michael Gray’s The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. It is a wonderfully serendipitous read. There’s plenty for everyone from the most hardened Bobcat to the general music lover. Strikingly intelligent, poetic, subtly humorous and buzzing with an awareness of the richness of life, he’s the perfect match for his subject." –What’s On in London, July 14, 2006

“Few will be disappointed by The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. It’s likely to become the biggest selling Dylan book of all. The Encyclopedia majors on its author’s unparalleled expertise, his critical judgment and a ready intelligence and authorial finesse rare among writers of Dylan books. The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia’s strengths include authoritative essays positioning Dylan’s work in the context of other artistic traditions—notable the Bible, English Literature, the blues, rock ‘n’ roll, nursery rhymes and film. Gray’s analysis of the influence on Dylan’s work of the Book of Ecclesiastes is the most evocative piece of writing on the musician you’re likely to encounter.” –CHOICE, July 2006

Check out this new title.

Mystery Book Review

1001 BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE
American detective stories, part 2.

Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett is the first and best hard-boiled detective novel. The Continental Op, has no identity beyond his function as a detective, who battles violence by being a tough guy himself.
Maltese Falcon, features Sam Spade, who tries to find the killer of his partner, Lew Archer while holding off a bunch of killers searching for the Maltese Falcon.
The Thin Man: Nick and Nora Charles, rich, charming, and witty; they solved crime while having a busy social life.

The Big Sleep and the Long Good-bye by Raymond Chandler are Philip Marlowe stories. We only see him in action when there is a crime to solve. A cynical world view seeps into the atmosphere surrounding the crimes to be solved.

Black Dahlia by James Ellroy. Police detective Bleichert must track down the killer of Elizabeth Short, a woman who arrives in Hollywood to be a star and instead becomes a prostitute. An adaptation of the book will be out in movie theaters in September.

Mystery Book Review

Mystery Book Review

1001 BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE
Among some of the greatest novels of all time, you may be surprised to find English and American detective stories.
English detective stories, Part 1.

Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is considered to be the first and greatest English detective novel.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle assembles the first twelve stories published by The Strand magazine.
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a classic mystery that also features Sherlock Holmes and exemplifies his talent for scientific detection.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie is a detective novel featuring Hercule Poirot, a Belgian detective, who solves the case despite many suspects and red herrings. The setting is rural 1920s England.

Murder Must Advertise and The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers features Lord Peter Wimsey, a private detective who solves crimes in small English villages.

Local Author Has New Novel

FLAG is the title of Hibbing author, Pat McGauley’s new novel. McGauley will be doing a reading and book signing at the library on Tuesday, September 5th from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Dylan room.

A former Hibbing High School teacher, mineworker and historian, McGauley has lived in Hibbing for the past forty years. His previous titles include the Mesabi Series, and two children’s stories: Mazral and Derisa—an Easter Story, and Santa the King.

Summer Reading Program - Hall of Fame

The Summer Reading Program has finished and photos of the young readers who have read 100 books or 2,500 pages were inducted into the Hall of Fame and their photos are now posted on the library website.

Mystery Book Review

Dying Light
By Stuart Macbride

A police procedural set in Aberdeen, Scotland; Stuart Macbride has been compared to Ian Rankin and Denise Mina.

Detective Sergeant Logan MacRae is in trouble again. This time he gets assigned to the “screw-up squad” investigating six people murdered by arson and a prostitute beaten to death. D.I. Steel, head of the homicide squad, ignores the rest of her screw-ups and works D.S. MacRae overtime to the anger of Logan’s girlfriend, a police constable on medical leave with a broken arm. Gritty and dark, the story moves along rapidly.

Website:
www.stuartmacbride.com
Cold Granite, is the first in the series introducing DS MacRae.

Fall Library Schedule

Fall is almost here! The temperatures will be cooling off and events at the library will be picking up!

The air conditioning project is still slowly moving forward, the next step is for the city to go out for bids again in October.

Computer classes are scheduled for September - December. New this fall will be a class on building a Wiki website. If you can type, you can Wiki!

Wednesday nights through the fall and winter will be Movie night at the library. Popcorn will be provided and there will be a different theme each month. September's theme is "Movies that make you think".

Several Mother-Daughter Book Clubs will start up again in the fall. If you have a daughter in 4th - 7th grade call Enid at 218 262 1038 for meeting times and dates.

Preschool Storytime will begin again September 12th and meet every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

For a full list of activities go to the library website at www.hibbing.lib.mn.us and click on events.

Mystery Book Review

Twin Cities Noir

A book of short stories primarily set in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Many of the authors have written crime fiction: William Kent Krueger, Judith Guest, David Housewright, Ellen Hart and others.

BUMS, by William Kent Krueger, tells the story of 2 bums that hang out together until one gets murdered. The second bum tries to get justice for his friend with unfortunate results.

Akashic Books is a small publishing company offering a series of original noir anthologies set in different locations. Starting with Brooklyn Noir, 8 books have been published since 2004 and another 7 anthologies are in the works.
See the website: http://www.akashicbooks.com/noirseries.htm

Tie Dying at the Library

The summer reading program is winding down and the final event of the summer is everyone's favorite!

Bring your own t-shirt to twist, knot, dunk and spray. This is a fun, messy outside program which produces colorful and wearable art. We will provide gloves and extra bags.

Meet out on the front lawn of the Library on Thursday, August 10, at 2:00 p.m. Don't forget to bring a t-shirt!

Mystery Book Review

Monkeewrench 2003
Live Bait 2004
Dead Run 2005
Snow Blind 2006
By P. J. Tracy

A quirky bunch of crime fighters, Grace McBride and her Monkeewrench Software Company help Minneapolis homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth track serial killers and solve cold cases with the software the company has developed. Written by a mother-daughter team, the authors have come up with characters that make the novels crackle with humor and suspense.
The Monkeewrench Software Company employees:
Grace McBride: A gun is her fashion accessory
Ann Belinsky: Very large and very fashionably dressed
Harley Davidson: big, tattooed, and bearded
Roadrunner: stork- like with long legs and arms and six and a half feet tall.

For those who wonder how people can collaborate while writing fiction, check out frequently asked questions or FAQS on their website:
www.pjtracy.net

A mother-daughter writing team is fairly unusual - what is the writing process like? A: Since we've been writing together for over 15 years, we have the mechanics of our particular kind of collaboration pretty well nailed down. Picture a couple of great friends sitting at a kitchen table embellishing each other's wild stories, and you'll have a fairly good idea of how we do our plotting. We are both passionate about storytelling, and these sessions tend to be more performance art than conversation, complete with character voices, flailing gestures, hysterical ranting, and a lot of laughter. No one likes to watch us do this. It's ugly and annoying.

Mystery Book Review

Mad Mouse
By Chris Grabenstein

Sea Haven, New Jersey, is a resort town and everyone gathers at the beach and on the board walk during National Toasted Marshmallow Day. Summer cop, Danny Boyle is hanging out with his friends on the beach late at night in August when someone with a paintball gun shoots at them. One of the girls is injured and taken to the hospital. What seems like a childish prank soon turns nasty. Danny’s partner, John Ceepak, straight arrow and former military police, soon realizes that the perpetrator is trying to do more than injure Danny and his friends.

If you like this book, the first book in the series, Tilt- A-Whirl is available through interlibrary loan.

Chris Grabenstein, like most authors today, has a website: http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/

Mystery Book Review

This Dame For Hire
By Sandra Scoppettone

A new series featuring Faye Quick, takes place in 1943 New York. Faye, secretary turned private investigator, keeps the “A Detective Agency” open while her boss is fighting in the Pacific. She makes mistakes but with common sense and tenacity for detail, she wisecracks her way past lowlifes and millionaires across New York City. When she falls over a dead girl in Bleeker Street, she takes on her first murder case.

For more information about Sandra and her books: http://sandrascoppettone.com/
Check out Sandra’s Blog for her experiences at book signings.

Wal-mart Gives Gift to Hibbing Public Library

Hibbing Public Library would like to thank Wal-mart for the recent gift of $1,000 for the summer reading program.

The summer reading program is a 10 week program for children of all ages. Children are encouraged to read and earn prizes for reading 10 books or 2,500 page. Children who read 100 books or 2,500 pages are inducted into the Library Hall of Fame. The Library also offer craft programs on Mondays, Preschool programs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, performers and other special programs on Thursdays and Movies and Popcorn on Friday.
These programs can only be offered because of the generous support of
AAUW
Friends of the Hibbing Public Library
Hibbing Cooperative Credit Union
Hibbing Key Club, Hibbing Rotary Club
Hibbing Chisholm Rotary Club
Hibbing Women of Today
L & M Radiator
Security State Bank Foundation
Sullivan Candy and Supply
Wal-mart

Mystery Book Review

The Water Room
By Christopher Fowler

Detectives John May and Arthur Bryant, partners for over 50 years lead the Peculiar Crimes Unit in London.
In their seventies, both gentlemen are past retirement but together they solve difficult cases that have grown cold. Bryant is a technical nightmare, losing cell phones and destroying computers, but he makes intuitive leaps that solve cases. Messy, rude and a loner he is the exact opposite of May: dapper, charming, and technically savvy. The story begins with the Peculiar Crimes Unit office reopening after their headquarters was bombed in a previous case presented in “Full Dark House.”

More titles by Christopher Fowler can be found at the website: http://www.christopherfowler.co.uk/

Suggestions For Nonfiction Readers

The following three nonfiction titles are now available. Place a reserve or check the new book shelf.

Like baseball? Have an opinion about Barry Bonds? You may want to read the new biography, LOVE ME, HATE ME: BARRY BONDS AND THE MAKING OF AN ANTI HERO, by Jeff Pearlman.

Worried about your health care, prescription, and insurance costs? Read this expose, MONEY-DRIVEN MEDICINE: THE REAL REASON HEALTH CARE COSTS SO MUCH, by Maggie Mahar.

Wonder if there will be a flu pandemic? Will the U.S., Minnesota, St. Louis County, and Hibbing be prepared for a disaster? Find out what has been learned from the SARS epidemic. CHINA SYNDROME: THE TRUE STORY OF THE 21ST CENTURY’S FIRST GREAT EPIDEMIC, by Karl Taro Greenfeld.

July 10 - 14 at the Library

The Computer Lab is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. giving the library a total of 27 computers available for public use.

The Summer Reading Program including the "Read and Win" program continue and prizes for reading can be picked up between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Monday
Make and Take Craft project - Charm Pins at 2:00 p.m.
Friends of the Library Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday
Preschool Storytime at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday
Preschool Storytime at 10:00 a.m.
Library Board of Directors Meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Summer Movie Festival - Good Night & Good Luck at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday
Juggling by the Offbeat Juggler at 2:00 p.m.

Friday
Movie and Craft Activity - Star Wars

Mystery Book Review

The Cold Moon
By Jeffery Deaver

Forensic Investigator Lincoln Rhyme and Detective Amelia Sachs are back tracking a serial killer in the seventh book in the series. Sachs is Rhyme’s eyes and legs at the crime scenes as Rhyme, a quadriplegic, communicates with her by radio from his forensic lab located in his New York townhouse. Twists and turns keep the suspense enjoyable as Rhyme and Sachs hunt the Watchmaker. The Watchmaker commits murder and leaves a clock at each crime scene as a calling card.

As a side note:
“The Bone Collector,” first in the series and made into a movie, stars Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington), the quadriplegic criminologist and Detective Amelia Sachs (Angelina Jolie). A serial killer taunts the pair by leaving a bone at each crime scene as a clue.

For more information about Jeffery Deaver, visit the website: http://www.jefferydeaver.com

Air Conditioning

Bids for the air conditioning project are due on June 29th. Once the project has been awarded to a contractor by the Hibbing City Council (July 6), the project will move another step forward.

Hibbing Public Library

Mystery Book Review

The Blood-Dimmed Tide
By Rennie Airth

Rural England, 1932
Alice and Sally, both 12, set out shortly before noon to attend a birthday party in a nearby village. Sally, realizing that that she had forgotten the birthday gift, left Alice waiting for her at the halfway point along a path through Capel Wood. But when Sally got back to where she had left her friend, the path was empty. Sally, thinking her friend had gone ahead, continued on to the friend’s house, but Alice had not arrived. Searchers were soon called in and Inspector John Madden, retired from Scotland Yard and living nearby is asked to help with the investigation of the disappearance of the young girl.
For further reading:
http://home.comcast.net/~dwtaylor1/oleksiw.html
A Reader’s Guide to the Classic British Mystery by Susan Oleksiw lists 100 Classic British mystery novels.

Hibbing Public Library

Mystery Book Review

The Book of the Dead
By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Enjoy the exciting conclusion to the Pendergast Trilogy, by reading THE BOOK OF THE DEAD. Previous books in the series were BRIMSTONE and DANCE OF DEATH.

FBI Agent Pendergast is currently in a maximum security prison for crimes his brother, Diogenes Pendergast committed. By framing his brother for murder, Diogenes has cleared the way to set up a diabolical crime involving the New York Museum of Natural History, a suspicious package of pulverized diamonds, and the Tomb of Senef cursed and forgotten for seventy years in the basement of the museum.
Characters previously featured in Preston/Child books will be reintroduced and some mysteries will be solved.

For further information on books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child written together and separately, see the website: www.prestonchild.com

Sharks

Take a bit out of this – on Thursday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m. the Hibbing Public Library is hosting a live shark in the Library. The Underwater Adventure Aquarium will be presenting a 90-minute multi-media program on sharks. There will be lots of artifacts and live shark to touch. This program is sponsored by AAUW, Hibbing Cooperative Credit Union, Hibbing Rotary Club, Hibbing Chisholm Rotary Club, Security State Bank Foundation and Wal-Mart.
Audience is limited to 250 people.

Database Review

ReferenceUSA

If you need addresses and phone numbers for either business or personal use, try ReferenceUSA. The library subscribes to this database and it can be accessed from any public computer in the library.

The Residential portion includes 115 million U.S. households and 230 million U.S. residents. The information has been gathered from 3,800 White Page directories.

You can use the database when planning family reunions, weddings, and class reunions; finding ex-neighbors, long-lost friends or relatives.

The Business section is recommended because of it huge size and scope. It provides company and industry details including number of employees, estimated sales volume range, subsidiaries, branches, ticker symbols, and stock exchanges and much more.

Use it when starting your own small business; find all the Greek restaurants in Minneapolis or where to purchase a bike in Hibbing.

The database is updated monthly.

Check out ReferenceUSA at the Hibbing Public Library.

Mystery Book Review

Mystery Book Review

If you enjoy mysteries, watch this blog for reviews of titles you might otherwise miss.

Dark Light
By Randy Wayne White

Doc Ford, marine biologist and his hippy friend, Tomlinson are back in Randy Wayne White’s latest book, “Dark Light.” A hurricane sweeps through Sanibel Island, a shipwreck is uncovered and a beach house emerges. Local residents regard the house and its owner with some puzzlement. Few remembered the house even existed. The owner is even more mysterious. She appears to Tomlinson and Ford, but only entertains at night. Ford and Tomlinson set out to selvage the sunken pleasure cruiser, “Dark Light” sunk during in hurricane in 1944 but not without competition from a local marina owner and his thugs. The mystery woman and the cruiser share a history involving Nazi artifacts, World War II, and doomed romance. 13th in the series, the quirky residents of Sanibel Island make this book an enjoyable read.

To see more on Randy Wayne White, go to his website: http://rwwhite.com/

Conspiracy Theory Fiction

Conspiracy Theory Fiction
According to Merle Jacob a Readers' Advisory Consultant, "Conspiracy theory novels can be highly improbable with fantastical implausibilities, or can be frighteningly realistic with very probable events. The plot twists and turns build suspense and draw the reader into the battle between good and evil. What the reader is seeking is the answer to the mystery--who is behind the conspiracy and why."

A controversial religious conspiracy title is Dan Brown's, The Da Vinci Code. Some readers loved it and some have hated it. If you would like to try similar titles pick up one of the following at the library:

C. J. Box, Savage Run. Putnam, 2002. Environmentalists, ranchers, a killer winter storm, and a conspiracy!

John Le Carre, The Constant Gardener. Scribner, 2001. Pharmaceutical companies testing new drugs on Africans, people are dying and the main character follows the conspiracy from Africa to Italy, to Canada, and back to Africa.

David Liss, A spectacle of Corruption. Random House, 2004. Eighteenth century London and a conspiracy that threatens the national election and even the king.

Katherine Neville, The Eight. Ballantine, 1988. An accountant in Algeria, a legendary chess set given to Charlemagne, and a search throughout Europe for the scattered pieces.

Daniel Silva, A Death in Vienna. Putnam, 2004. The Holocaust and cover-ups by the CIA, the Vatican, and the Austrian government.

Robert Smith, A Small Death in Lisbon. Harcourt, 2000. A long hidden conspiracy that ties important people in Portugal to the Nazis.

For more suggestions check the library website at www.hibbing.lib.mn.us. Also try the NoveList database that is on the website.