From 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. on Sunday May 1, over 250 Arlington high school students and 7 AP/ IB teachers stayed late at Central Library to prepare for upcoming exams.

35 pizzas were demolished within 20 minutes, as well as lots of cookies, fruit, and other snacks, generously funded by H-B Woodlawn PAC, Washington-Lee PTA, and Yorktown PTAs, and the Friends of the Library. Coffee was donated by the Harrison Street Starbucks.

 

This is the seventh annual pre-exams study night that the Library has organized with the help of the Arlington High School PTAs and teachers, and the support of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library.

 

Plug into the first Energy Lending Library in the Country.

The collection includes thermal imaging cameras, energy meters and books that will help residents identify areas of energy waste in their homes and provide real solutions.

The Energy Lending Library, launching on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, is the latest step toward achieving the goals of the Community Energy Plan, adopted three years ago to enhance Arlington’s economic competitiveness, ensure reliable and affordable energy supplies and demonstrate the County’s long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.

 

Use Knowledge to Take Action

• Thermal imaging cameras see what your eyes can’t. They help identify hot and cold spots in the home, indicating where insulation is missing and where air leaks occur.

• Energy meters show exactly how much electricity appliances and electronics consume.  Understanding energy use in the home is the first step to taking action toward a “greener” home.

• The curated booklist offers energy saving tips and will help residents complete “do-it-yourself” projects to save energy and money to make homes more comfortable. The list also includes some Spanish titles.

 

The Energy Lending Library was created by the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE) in partnership with Arlington Public Library, and is available  for free to anyone with a library card.

 

Read more on the official Arlington County News Release,  Arlington Gives Earth Day Launch to Nation’s First Energy Lending Library.

 

Do you love reading? Not so sure about running?

The Cherrydale Branch Library and DC Road Runners want to help you love both, by giving you the physical and mental preparation to run a 5K.

Our goal is participation in the DC Road Runners Club Bluemont 5K, which takes place on July 20, 2016.

 

The 9 week Reading and Running program is FREE, and will include:

• Group walks/runs – Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Cherrydale, beginning May 17
• Complete training plan and tips – Provided by Road Runners Club of America certified coaches
• Seminars and discussions – On nutrition and physical activity
• Reading – List of books to keep you in the running mood
• Motivation – Inspiration and camaraderie found only in a training group

If you’re a healthy adult looking to safely build your fitness from walking to running, this program has what you need.

 

Register Now for Reading and Running

NOTE: Registration for Reading and Running does NOT include the $10 registration / fee for the DC Road Runners Club, Bluemont 5K. REGISTER online for the Bluemont 5K.

 

Note: Please check with your doctor before starting any physical activity.

 

Will It Be You?

Arlington County has established the post of Arlington County Poet Laureate, and is seeking applications for the first official Arlington County Poet Laureate.

The Poet Laureate will serve as an advocate for poetry and the literary arts in Arlington.

He or she will be someone committed to fostering a creative environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and community participation.

The Poet Laureate will also build on Arlington County’s well-received literary programs, including the Moving Words Poetry Competition (now in its 16th year), bringing poetry to a wider audience and strengthening Arlington’s place in the region’s rich literary community.

 

Application Deadline: May 12, 2016

Learn more about the duties of the Poet Laureate, and how to apply.

 

The Poet Laureate program will be managed as a partnership between the Division of Cultural Affairs in Arlington Economic Development and Arlington Public Library.

 

We’ve Heard Good Things From You…

You love the booklists. 

You really like being able to find all the formats of a title under one record. And you think it’s fun to browse, and easy to find what you need.

 

You’ve also told us about improvements you’d like to see.

So based on your comments, these are the features and tools we’re currently working on adding to the new catalog and your account:

• Sort holds by frozen or active status
• Sort OverDrive holds from regular holds
• Option to sort holds by date placed or cancellation date
• Batch freeze holds
• Freeze OverDrive holds
• Option to choose “compact” account view (especially on mobile)
• Increased contrast for left sidebar menus
• General font, color and contrast improvements for greater readability

Look for these improvements over the next few months!

 

And don’t miss New Catalog: Tips and Tricks

• Part 1: Get the Most Out of Your Searches
• Part 2: Reading Your Search Results

 

Writing Dynamic Character Relationships

[youtube]https://youtu.be/GrRcjMsT3YU[/youtube]

Shut Up and Write is a series of panel discussions on writing Young Adult Fiction, moderated by author Jon Skovron.

On March 3, Kate Hattemer, author of “The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy” and Carmen Rodrigues, author of “34 Pieces of You,” discussed writing dynamic character relationships with moderator and author Jon Skovron.

Video recorded at Central Library and produced by Allan Yankosky / 1411 Media.

 

Learn more about Writing Programs at the Library.