Who says that non-fiction is boring?

Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog by Adrienne Sylver
If we are what we eat, Americans are hot dogs. We ate them on the way to the moon and served them to the king of England. We name a Hot Dog– Eating Champ! Garnished with hilarious illustrations and amazing “foodie” facts, this kid-friendly, globespanning history of our favorite fast-food meal offers unique insight into America’s multicultural heritage. From a hobo’s franks-and-beans to astronaut food, there’s more to the wiener—and what’s for dinner—than you think.
"Accompanied by Smith's handsomely goofy, retro artwork, the narrative offers sidebars with factual tidbits galore." (Kirkus)

Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy
This picture-book biography of the inventor of bubblegum is equal parts informative and entertaining. With appropriately simple but engaging prose, McCarthy relates how accountant Walter Diemer began "playing with different mixtures" in the late 1920s at the candy factory where he worked and eventually discovered a gum that bubbled. Judicious use of the inventor's own words helps to convey his enthusiastic personality. Along with Diemer's story, the author also covers a bit of gum history, the trial-and-error of invention, and the excitement that comes with a successful final product, all with just the right level of detail. Appealing acrylic cartoon illustrations fill this snippet of history with a sense of fun. The prominent curves of smiling faces and circular eyes and heads stand out against heavy lines and angles to fill each scene with playfulness that matches the subject. Rich colors capture the lighthearted joy of bubble blowers, both old and young, while contrasting darker tones reflect the drama of the inventor's lab work. A closing spread offers further information about Diemer's life, more fun facts about gum, and a full list of sources. Although the man will be unfamiliar to young readers, they know his invention well, and will appreciate his unexpected but well-earned success. McCarthy's on-target presentation makes this a strong choice for elementary biography assignments, booktalking, or just plain nonfiction fun. (School Library Journal)

New Movies

Leap Year: Amy decides to propose to her boyfriend of 4 years in Ireland.

Where the Wild Things Are: 9 year old Max runs away from home.

Moon: Sam has trouble getting home from space after spending 3 years with Gerty, the computer.

Up in the Air: Ryan learns from Alex that there is more to life than business.

The Lovely Bones: Murdered Susie helps her father track the killer.

Sherlock Holmes: Action, clues and what could be better when solving crimes.

Precious: High school girl realizes a new and better life with help from a teacher.

Ride the Trails in Minnesota

Read the article from Midwest Weekends on the new additions and improvements to bicycle trails in Minnesota.
Additional information can be located at the DNR website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/biking/index.html
and Minnesota Trails website: http://mntrails.com/

We have one of the best trails in our own back yard.
http://www.mesabitrail.com/
Enjoy your weekend by dusting off your bike and hitting the trails.

Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the meaning of things by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee

The book Stuff profiles real hoarders whom the authors have studied for years. According to Randy Frost and Gail Steketee, they were the first scientists to study hoarding. Several examples are given including one of the more famous cases of the Collyer brothers who did their hoarding in Harlem during the first half of the 20th century.
Now T.V. shows and support groups have sprung up giving a once little known disorder national attention. COH or Children of Hoarders has a website: http://www.childrenofhoarders.com/
Television shows like TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive: http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/hoarding-buried-alive/
and A&E's Hoarders: http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/index.jsp show just how disabiliting this problem can be for the hoarder and their families.

Underwater Adventures

Due to the popularity of the Underwater Adventures program, pre-registration is required and limited to 100 participants.  As of May 24, the program has reached 100 pre-registrants.  Those who wish to be put on the waiting list may still sign-up.

On the day of the program, June 8, those on the pre-registration list will be let into the auditorium first.  If any seats remain at 10am, those on the waiting list will be allowed to enter, starting with those at the top of the list.

Help with College Entrance and Other Exams

The resources at the "Learning Express Library offer the preparation tools and tips every college bound student needs for a smooth and successful admissions process.

This database is available free of charge from the library's website.

• Make sure your Arrowhead Library System borrowers card is up to date
• From a computer at home or the library, go to http://www.hibbing.lib.mn.us/
• Click on "Databases and Search Engines"
• Click on "Education"
• Click on "Learning Express Library"
• If you are using a home computer it will ask for the 14 digit number on the back of your library card
• On the home page of Learning Express click on "College Preparation"
• All of the following categories will be available:  ACT preparation, Advanced Placement (AP) preparation, CLEP Preparation, CUNY Skills Assessment Tests Preparation, PSAT/NMSQT Preparation, SAT Preparation, THEA Preparation, and TOEFL iBT Preparation. 

Whatever your goal, these rewources will help you succeed.

Come to the Library for Banana Bread!

June 30, 1999, Beatty Zimmerman was interviewed by Sandy Thompson for the Duluth News. During their chat, she agreed to share one of the family’s favorite recipes,  “This is a wonderful recipe and to make it is so easy, dear. All of the children like their Grandma’s banana chocolate chip loaf bread. They like it because it’s not too sweet.”

Beatty Zimmerman’s Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf Bread
1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

2 eggs

4 tablespoons sour cream

2 –3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 (6 ounce) package chocolate chips (or up to 12 ounces)

2 medium disposable foil loaf pans (about 8-by-3-by-2 inches)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and beat well. Add the sour cream and ripe bananas; mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking soda. Add the dry mixture to the sour cream mixture, then fold in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter between two greased loaf pans. Bake for about 50 minutes. Turn the loaves out on to cooling rack or aluminum foil as soon as they are done.
Beatty says this recipe is no-fail and “It’s one minute to make.”

The library will be serving "Banana Bread" on Friday, May 28th for the Dylan Days Celebration.  Stop in and enjoy!

61 Hours by Lee Child

Lee Child, author of 14 Jack Reacher thrillers, has won Anthony, Barry and Nero awards for his series. In the latest book, 61 Hours, Reacher must keep a key witness alive and away from an assassin in the middle of a blizzard in South Dakota.
You can read Chapter 1 here: http://www.leechild.com/61HRS1.php

What do you take while travelling or what is really necessary?

The costs of flying with your luggage is increasing. This website gives you the baggage fees for the top ten airlines:  http://budgettravel.about.com/od/airfarescruises/tp/majors_bagfees.htm
For instance, American Airlines charges for flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, $25 for their first checked bag and $35 for the second bag. One carry-on is permitted at no charge.

The beginner's guide to Minimalist Travel gives these pointers for getting by at a cheaper rate:
http://zenhabits.net/the-beginners-guide-to-minimalist-travel/
1. Use a smaller carry-on.
2. Pack neutral colors and no more than 3 shirts for an extended trip.
3. Multi-use soap cuts down on liquids.
4. Wash clothes in sink.
5. Buy it during your trip and ship extra stuff home.
 
Pointers on how to travel as a minimalist:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-07-20/travel/17173951_1_laundry-packing-shoes
1. Make 2 piles: one for items you need and another pile for stuff that would be nice to have, then place the first pile in your suitcase and the second pile goes back in your closet.
2. Wear a pair of shoes and bring 1 pair of shoes.
3. Bring fewer clothes and wash them in the sink or use a drop-off laundry.
4. Bring 1 luxury item: a lightweight robe or and ipod which can double as a PDA.
 
Miss Minimalist: Living a beautiful life with less stuff. Her objective, was to pare down her luggage to the size of a large purse. Read about how she does it here:
http://www.missminimalist.com/?p=880

Story Time and Toddle Time

As part of the awesome Summer Reading Program, Pre-school Story Time and Toddle Time will return in June.  Story Time will be every Tuesday at 10am (starting June 15) and Toddle Time will be every Thursday at 10am (starting June 10).

If your group or day care would like a special reading event at your location or here at the library, call Mr. Bell at 218-362-5958 for details.

National Geographic: Website of the Week

The National Geographic has information for children and adults in the form of videos, photographs, games, puzzles and blogs. Search the publication for specific articles or browse through the categories of science, environment, animals, travels, education, history, or maps. Take a look at current blogs of which there are many: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/
1. Global Bros:
Stefan and Tyler are lucky brothers going on a year-long trip around the world!
2. The Adventure Life:
Live life off the beaten trail with Adventure West Coast Editor Steve Casimiro.
3. Blog Wild:
National Geographic explorers share the tales (and photos) of their adventures.
4. Breaking Orbit:
NatGeo News Space and Tech Editor Victoria Jaggard discusses all things extraterrestrial.
5.Stones, Bones 'n Things:
Go behind the scene of new discoveries with National Geographic scientists.

6. DogEared:
DogEared is a blog all about books! Read reviews written by real kids.

Summer Safety for Kids

Bookmark and Share the Federal Citizen Information Center information on having great summer fun.  They recommend the following and provide great links for more information:

• Brush up on your first aid.  Minor bumps and scrapes are common but still may need some first aid.  The sooner you catch an injury and let it heal, the sooner your kids can be back outside enjoying summer.  Learn how to identify more serious injuries.  They need to be treated immediately.
• Teach your kids (and make sure you know) what poison ivy looks like.
• Keep an eye on the temperature.  Remember sugary drinks actually can dehydrate you.

With preventative tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center you and your kids will be prepared no matter what happens.

The Definitive Resource for Studying the Geography and Cultures of the World

An improved new version of Facts On File’s acclaimed World Atlas, the new
World Geography and Culture Online reference site takes a global approach
to facilitate the study of countries, places, peoples, and geography concepts
and skills. This comprehensive resource makes it easy to study all aspects
of a country—from its geography and physical features to its government,
people, and society—providing both facts at a glance and in-depth coverage
through country entries, maps, flags, images, statistics, news articles, a
gazetteer, and more.

In addition to country-specific information, this accessible online resource
includes a special feature illustrating basic geographical concepts, tools to
compare and rank countries, a useful geography glossary, a handy conversion
calculator, and a currency converter, as well as information on U.S. states.
Gateway pages for the gazetteer and for geography concepts and principles
offer users a convenient way to discover geographical information.

Ideal for social studies projects as well as for general country research, World Geography and Culture Online features an easy-to-navigate interface. Search and browse features allow users to research more specific aspects and issues in depth, and tabbed search results allow for quick navigation among record types.

Stop in the library and check out this great database from a library computer.  Just go to the library's "Database and Search Engine Page" - click on "Education"  - and click on "World Geography and Culture".

The Happiness Project: Or why I spent a year trying to sing in the morning, clean my closets, fight right, read Aristotle, and generally have more fun by Gretchen Rubin

According to the author: “My book, THE HAPPINESS PROJECT, is a memoir of the year I spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah. As one of the hundreds of happiness experiments I conducted during the research and writing of the book, I started this blog. Here, I recount my daily adventures in pursuit of happiness.”

http://www.happiness-project.com/
By checking out the blog and reading the book, you can configure your own happiness project.

Shoot to Thrill by P.J. Tracy

The 5th Monkeewrench mystery in the series set in Minneapolis is finally available after a wait of 4 years since the last book. The Monkeewrench Gang of computer experts is back tracking an internet murder ring. Minneapolis Homicide Detectives Magozzi and Rolseth along with FBI Special Agent John Smith are tracking down leads while trying to solve the drowning of a drag queen that may be related to the snuff films showing up on YouTube.
The mother and daughter writing team live in Minnesota and are winners of several mystery awards for this series. Read more about Patricia and Traci Lambrecht and the books they write under the pseudonym P. J. Tracy at: www.pjtracy.net

New in the Kid's Room

Alchemy and Meggy Swan by Karen Cushman

Feisty Meggy, sent from her mother’s village to live in London with the father she has never known, struggles with his evident disappointment when they meet. Not only lame, she is not the son he had expected. Initially, Meggy finds the city a horrible place, but slowly she begins to change her mind after making a few friends and helping her father a little with his alchemy work. When she learns that he has sold arsenic to men who intend to poison their master, she frantically seeks a way to save both the man from his murderers and her father from the law. An author’s note discusses the Elizabethan era, including its language, the publication of broadsides, the practice of alchemy, and lingering medieval attitudes toward disabled people. Because so many historical novels set in this period feature girls of royal or noble lineage, it’s bracing to meet Meg, who empties her own chamber pot into the ditch outside her door and trades strings of creative Elizabethan insults with Roger, her best friend. Writing with admirable economy and a lively ability to re-create the past believably, Cushman creates a memorable portrayal of a troubled, rather mulish girl who begins to use her strong will in positive ways.  (from Booklist)

Also available as an audiobook.

Happy Mother's Day

According to an interview of Bob Dylan done by Martin Bronstein in 1966, Bob told him that he wrote poems when he was eight or nine.  The following is part of a poem he gave to his mother, Beatty, on one Mother's Day.

"My dear mother, I hope that you

Will never grow old and gray,

So that all the people in the world will say:

'Hello, young lady, Happy Mother's Day'"

All-Outdoors Atlases

We have 3 guides for all outdoor activities in Minnesota in the reference section of the library. Detailed maps, helpful charts and tables are included for fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, snowmobiling atv/multi-use motorized and non-motorized trails, biking, golfing and canoeing.

Visit state parks for details and accommodations and state forests with details on trails and camping from day trips to an extended vacation in Minnesota’s rich outdoor environment. Each map is fully colored with detailed quadrants for fine photocopying for personal use. Do not rip out the pages! Color photocopies are $.50.

As always, further information can be found at the MN DNR website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/

Deep Shadow by Randy Wayne White

Doc Ford and Tomlinson are back hunting treasure in this fast paced 17th book in the series. Arlis Futch, cantankerous old coot and sometime friend of Doc Ford insists he knows where the Batista plane crashed carrying gold from Cuba to Florida in the 1950s. Fleeing Cuba before the Castro brothers took over, Batista raided museums and national treasures to pack 4 cargo planes – all but one landed safely. The fourth plane crashed and treasure hunters have been looking for it ever since.

Arlis Futch thinks he has found the treasure in an inland lake and invited Ford, Tomlinson, and Will Chaser, juvenile delinquent, introduced in the previous book, Dead Silence, to dive in a fresh water lake and find the treasure plane.

See more about Randy Wayne White and his books here: http://www.rwwhite.com/

Magic Mama

Magic Mama brought her eco-friendly act to Hibbing on April 30, 2010.  Nearly 50 people enjoyed her songs and stories in the kid's room.

Her performance was supported by the Friends of the Library and the Hibbing Public Library.

Fishing Season Opener, May 15

Look at the Minnesota DNR Website for information on licenses, tournaments and regulations for the upcoming fishing season.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/index.html

We have the Sportsman’s Connection Fishing Map Guides for The Arrowhead, St. Louis County and The Grand Rapids, Winnibigoshish and Bemidji regions.

Look at the contour fishing maps, access locations and fish stocking data. Please keep in mind reference books are expensive and are made available so you may photocopy maps for personal use. Do not tear out the pages! Color photocopies are $.50.

Hold the syrup!

Young library patrons enjoyed free time after a recent Pre-school Story Time by playing with waffle blocks.  The waffle blocks, as well as other toys and learning kits, are available for check out.  Ask for a list at the circulation desk.