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Beehive Collective of Maine Brings Innovative Picture Lecture to Hastings

Elissa Hillary of Local First Talks About Strengthening Community this Tuesday October 27 at 6:30

Local Future of Middleville offers Conference on Michigan's Future

The Conference on
Michigan's Future
Energy, Economy & Environment

Friday, Nov. 13 - Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa

The Conference on Michigan's Future: Energy, Economy & Environment 2009 explores visions of a sustainable future; current, critical challenges facing our economy; and strategies for developing a stable, enduring economic and environmental future.

Highlighted speakers include Robert Costanza, Thomas Greco, Richard Douthwaite, Patrick Moore, Richard Gilbert, Soji Adelaja, Joe Welsh, and Dan Scripps.

In depth speakers include Bryn Davidson, Chris Mi, Rainer Aringhoff, David Harwood, Dave Ball, Michael Klepinger, Rich Wells, Sally Talberg, Mark Wiitanen, Leslie Glustrom, Paul Gipe, Richard Barclay, Tom Stanton, David Ronk, Wayne Kuipers, Jeff Mayes, David Gard, Patty Cantrell, Lisa Dugdale, Chris Bedford, Peter Sinclair, Thaddeus Owen, Aaron Wissner, Megan Quinn Bachman, Michael Brownlee and Albert Bates.

House of Representativies to Decide Future of Library Services by September 11

Libraries in Michigan are in danger of losing Interlibrary Loan services and MeL databases.

As Hastings library patrons, you have already shown your support for us this summer by renewing our millages at the local level.

Without Cooperative services you will not be able to place holds across the region and get delivery for those items you want to read and watch.

Please contact Brian Calley and Patricia Birkholz to let them know that you value these library services. Information on how to do this easily is at the Information Desk or at milibrariesforthefuture.org

Speak out for Libraries at the Capitol September 10 at 10 a.m.

Join the Michigan Library Association and our supporters on the steps of the State Capitol, September 10 at 10 a.m. Help raise awareness of this important issue and let your legislators know library resources are important to you.
We will plan to meet on the capitol steps on the east side of the Capitol at 9:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 10 a.m. Please bring your friends, patrons, members and anyone else who is interested in protecting library funding.

Things to know:

This is an outdoor event, please plan to dress accordingly. If possible, please wear a red shirt to signify you are part of our group.

If you would like to make a sign showing your support, please do. The more attention we can attract, the better. Signs do not have to be elaborate, they can be simple and handmade. If you would like suggestions on what your sign should say, please contact us and we will be happy to assist with wording.

Please submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper before the rally, telling your community about this issue and inviting others to join us. If you would like a sample letter to the editor, or need help determining where to send it, please click here and we will be happy to assist you.

Take Advantage of Your Library

Hastings Public Library Cardholders can check out a Grand Rapids Children's Museum pass and get FREE admission for up to 6 people.

Book Club Author Bich Minh Nguyen to Read in Grand Rapids Tuesday August 18

If you want to get a jump on the Library Book Club's October selection, Bich Minh Nguyen, author of Stealing Buddha's Dinner, the 2009-10 Great Michigan Read, will read tonight from her new novel "Short Girls" at 7:00 PM tonight, Tuesday August 18th, at Schuler Books in Grand Rapids. The Hastings Public Library will take up "Stealing Buddha's Dinner" for discussion Thursday, October 1st at 6:30 in the Community Room.

Help Protect Michigan Libraries!

Every day more and more people walk into their public library to search for a job online, write a resume or file for unemployment. This is not only a reflection of our hard economic times but also an indication of Michigan moving forward. We are no longer a state that can rely on the manufacturing industry to support our residents, we are moving toward a knowledge-based economy and with that comes the necessity for access to technology for everyone.

And now, these services are at risk.



Library funding is currently less than half of what is required by law, any further cuts will be detrimental to the entire library system.
http://www.milibrariesforthefuture.org/

Hastings Public Library - The Movie

Here's a little information about the new Hastings Public Library. We're planning on making further informational videos in the future. We love to hear what subjects you like us to cover, so leave us a comment.

Life or Death after Twilight

If you like author Stephanie Meyer click on this link to Novelist and get some more ideas of what to read next.

Get more from your library with Mel (the Michigan E Library)

Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Stays on Shelf Overnight!

It may not be news to some, but those who have gotten sucked into the vampire world of Stephanie Meyer know the library hasn't actually reshelved "Twilight" in months. Interested patrons have had to wait for weeks to get their hands on a copy. Well, news of news, two copies of "Twilight" actually stayed on the shelf overnight. One of them went out already this morning, but one remains on the shelf waiting to be found. Like Harry Potter, the furor may finally be subsiding.

Update: Well, it lasted 3 hours and 45 minutes. Check out time 12:45 pm.

Hastings Table Company and Barry County History in Old Postcards

More than once someone has called the library from out of state having just bought an antique table manufactured by the Hastings Table Company (example of Hastings Table with Tyden locking mechanism on left.) Up until now I haven't had much information to offer them. Then while looking at the Wikipedia entry for Hastings, MI I came across Debra J. Barlow's postcard collection. A couple of slides into the Hastings business postcards there was Hastings Table Company in all its glory. Nothing more at this point. But it's a start.

Ozone Action Day -- Wednesday June 24

Wait one more day to fill up the gas tank if you can. With this heat, ozone collects near the ground and makes it harder for people to breath. The more you can avoid burning gas the better it is for everyone.

Music Magazine "Paste" Struggles to Stay Afloat

We wanted to make our patrons aware that many of the magazines we carry in our collection are struggling in the recession. One in particular, "Paste," is expecially struggling and is asking its readers who are so moved to make a donation. Musicians have donated over 100 songs to give to donors in return. For those who don't know, "Paste" is described as "a magazine for people who still enjoy discovering new music, prize substance and songcraft over fads and manufactured attitude, and appreciate quality music across a broad stylistic spectrum--indie rock, Triple-A, Americana, folk, blues, jazz, and more."

Wednesday June 17 -- Singing Silly Stories and Telling Silly Songs

Storyteller Jenifer Strauss will be telling stories with songs and singing songs in stories. This is a fun-filled, silly show, engaging the audience with singing and laughter. Free storytelling handbook for all. Summer Reading programs happen at 2:00 every Wednesday now through July 29. Programs are free and open to all.

THINGS ARE HEATING UP AT THE LIBRARY

Hastings Public Library is celebrating Salsa on May 7th as their part in the Hastings’ Girls’ Night Out event. They will be hosting a Siete de Mayo Salsa Contest from 5:00-8:00.

All local salsa aficionados are invited to bring a sample of their favorite salsa recipe for the tasting delight of others. There will be two categories of salsa entries: hot and mild. Prospective entrants need to sign up at the library’s Information Desk.

Rules are simple. 1) Cooks are to prepare salsa in as sanitary a manner as possible. 2) Drop off salsa at the information desk between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7th. At the discretion of the library staff, cooks may be asked to taste their own salsa – and any contestant who refuses will be disqualified.

Any visitors to the library between 5:30 and 7:30 may vote on their favorite recipe. Chips and tasting cups will be provided.

Prizes will be awarded at 7:45 and contestants do not need to be present to win.
Call the library for more information at 945-4263.