Newport News Public Library System

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2012                                                          

MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen L. Gill

Community Relations and Programs Coordinator

(757) 926-1357

kgill@nngov.com

www.nngov.com/pressroom

 

Free, fun technology fair at Main Street Library offers lots to learn, play, win

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – All ages can learn about technology, have fun, dance off fines and win prizes -- including a Kindle or Nook eReader -- during Tech It Out 2, the Newport News Public Library System’s second free, fun and educational technology fair.

The event, 1-5 p.m., on Saturday, April 21, at Main Street Library, is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. Library stations will offer gaming on the Wii and Xbox with Kinect, anime screenings, technology demonstrations, assistance with eReaders, downloadable apps and more during the event. Free refreshments, giveaways and door prizes will be offered.

The event also will include a preview demonstration of the Library System’s upcoming downloadable eBook service for eReaders.

Drawing and door prizes will include the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, gift certificates, USB cozies, Participants can earn an extra entry by “liking” the Library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nnlibrary. Adult participants also have the opportunity to have up to five overdue fines dismissed by participating in Dance Your Fines Off. Newport News Public Library System employees and their family members are not eligible to win.

Patrons are advised that the afternoon of April 21 will not be a quiet time at Main Street Library, and that computer use during the event will be limited to Tech It Out 2 activities. Tech It Out 2 is made possible by the Library System’s Herbert H. Neisser Fund with donations and assistance from Barnes & Noble Booksellers, the Library of Virginia and Newport News Anime Club.

The Library System’s first Tech It Out! event featured workshops, classes, crafts and more in April 2008.

Here is a list of stations and events for Tech It Out 2:

NN Anime Club presents “Summer Wars” anime screening

All ages can enjoy “Summer Wars, the visually stunning and engrossing animated film, 1-3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the storytime room at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2. This award-winning feature, rated PG, tells the story of a student who tries to fix a problem he accidentally caused in the virtual world, Oz, while pretending to be the fiancé of his friend at her grandmother’s 90^th birthday. Free popcorn will be served. Presented by the Newport News Anime Club.

Teen Edition: Hack the Library

Teens ages 12-18 can use the tools from Hackasaurus to explore what makes up a webpage and get the chance to change the website of their choice, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the teen area at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2.

Teen Edition: Appy Hour

Teens ages 12-18 can see cool new apps for mobile devices and learn how to become an app developer by using sites such as AppsGeyser, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the teen area at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2.

Technology Zoo

All ages can experience and ask questions about a variety of new technology, including eReaders, tablets and more, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the first floor reading area at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2. Presented by the Library of Virginia.

App Station

All ages can learn how to download apps for their mobile devices, 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the computer lab at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2.

Media Station

All ages can learn about webcams, Skype, Freegal (downloadable music) and Overdrive (downloadable eBooks), 1-5 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the second floor reading area at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2.

Game-A-Palooza

Kids ages 6-12 and families can try out an Xbox game system with Kinect and Wii gaming, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the meeting room at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2.

Dance Your Fines Off

Adults can have one overdue fine forgiven for each song they dance along with on the Wii gaming system, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the meeting room at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2. Dance Your Fines Off applies to outstanding fines for long-overdue items that are returned, but does not apply to lost or damaged materials or to fees charged once an account had been sent to the collection agency.

Healthy Families demonstrations

Kids ages 6-12 and families can learn about electronic databases and learning games available on the library’s website, www.nngov.com/library, and on site, 1-5 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the Healthy Families area at Main Street Library as part of Tech It Out 2. Also included will be demonstrations of the Healthy Families computers, downloadable music from Freegal and free apps for eReaders.

For more information about Tech It Out 2, please visit the Library System’s website at www.nngov.com/library, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nnlibrary or call 757-926-1350.

The Newport News (Va.) Public Library System consists of four public libraries, a public law library and a bookmobile. Programs presented by the Library System are free and open to the public. Most programs are made possible by the Friends of the Newport News Public Library or the Library System’s Herbert H. Neisser Fund. For more information on Newport News Public Library System programs, please call the respective Library or visit www.nngov.com/library. View photos from the Newport News Public Library System’s programs at www.flickr.com/photos/25845028@N05/. View all Library News Releases at http://www.nngov.com/pressroom/press-releases/library-press-releases. To make accommodations for services and program attendance under the Americans with Disabilities Act, call the Library at  757-591-4858 voice/TDD three days prior to the event for assistance.

Karen L. Gill
Community Relations and Programs Coordinator
Newport News Public Library System
700 Town Center Drive, Suite 300
Newport News, VA 23606
Telephone:  (757) 926-1357
E-mail: kgill@nngov.com

NEWS RELEASE
WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY | www.wrl.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Golden | voice (757) 259-4071 | pgolden@wrl.org
WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY DIGITAL OFFERINGS EXPAND
Grants from Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) have expanded access to the library’s digital offerings.
OneClick Digital, a new collection of downloadable audiobooks contains nearly 3,500 unlimited-use titles and an additional 437 titles that can be checked out to one user at a time. These audiobooks can be played on most Apple devices (iPods, iPhones and iPads) as well as on many mp3 players. Users can check out up to five titles at a time, and they can be renewed twice. As many as five titles can be placed on hold at once.
To access this new audiobook collection, visit wrl.org/audiobooks to create a free OneClick Digital account with a WRL library card. Useful videos on getting set up with OneClick Digital will be found there under the Help tab.
Friends of WRL grants have also expanded access to Freegal, an online music collection that includes several hundred thousand songs from the Sony Music catalog. Response to the service over the past year has been so positive that the library now offers an unlimited download package. This allows WRL cardholders to download up to three song titles per week and eliminates the need to create a waiting list. Access Freegal at www.wrl.org/freegal.
Additional assistance on both of these newly expanded services can be found at the libraries’ reference desks, or by calling 757.259.4050.
###

++++++++++++++++++++++
Patrick Golden
Program Services Director
Williamsburg Regional Library
7770 Croaker Road (mail)
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757.259.4071 www.wrl.org/events

NEWS RELEASE
WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY | www.wrl.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Noreen Bernstein | voice (757) 259-4054 | nbernste@wrl.org
WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY BEGINS 25TH YEAR OF BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
For 25 years, Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) has had it’s own version of March Madness.In the fall of 1987 the Youth Services Division of Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) began planning the first Battle of the Books for grades 4-5 and 6-8. This year’s 25th Battle of the Books local final will be held Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m. and the regional final a week later on March 23 at 7 p.m. Both are held in the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland St. and are free of charge.
Battle of the Books was developed as a Jeopardy-style competition among area schools to encourage reading. Teams of up to five students read from a list of 20 books selected by WRL librarians. Following a series of practices and preliminary competitions, each age group fields teams that compete in a 100 question final, with winners capturing a coveted trophy. After that inaugural competition 25 years ago, Newport News, Hampton, York County and Poquoson also joined the program, making it a regional competition. Hundreds of children have participated over the years, enjoying a love of reading.
In the past quarter century many people have contributed to the success of this popular program. Maud Ann Wilson and Viky Pedigo, school media specialists at Matthew Whaley and Rawls Byrd, respectively, have participated from the start. Jeff Schell of Cooke’s Gardens has annually provided flowers and plants to decorate the stage. Drs. Bennett, Butler, and Fuller, from the Williamsburg Dental Group, have donated more than 1,500 Battle of the Books t-shirts to recognize the participation of the members of each participating school team. Without their help, and the assistance of the many other media specialists, teachers and parents who support the students, the WRL Battle of the Books would not be the success it has been for 25 years.
###
Editors: A color electronic photo of last year’s winners with members of Williamsburg Dental Group is available.

++++++++++++++++++++++
Patrick Golden
Program Services Director
Williamsburg Regional Library
7770 Croaker Road (mail)
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757.259.4071 www.wrl.org/events

FROM THE WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY | www.wrl.org

Francis Capone (L) and Angela Cignale from the Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO) donate a copy of "Favorite Recipes from Members of CIAO." Accepting the donation is Library Development Officer Benjamin Goldberg. The book is a compilation of recipes to create a full meal, with appetizers, soups, sides, pasta, main dishes and desserts. The wide variety of dishes will be enjoyed by the entire family. CIAO was formed in 1988 as a social club for Italian-Americans to enjoy cultural and educational presentations, trips and dinners. In addition to their fundraising efforts that benefit the community, they co-sponsor the annual Italian Film Festival in the Williamsburg Library Theatre. This title will be added to the Local Authors Project collection at the library. For more information, please call Benjamin Goldberg at (757) 259-4042.

NEWS FROM THE WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY | www.wrl.org

Local author Jim C. Blount donates a copy of his recent publication "Stay Alert, Stay Alive: A Guide to Counterterrorism for Everyday Life." Accepting the gift is Williamsburg Regional Library Adult Services Director Melissa Simpson. In the book, the author provides ways to detect, defeat, and disrupt a terrorist attack against yourself and family. The book offers time-honored and tested principles to help you be safer and better prepared in the event of an attack. During Mr. Blount's nearly three-decade career with the Central Intelligence Agency, his assignments included time in the Office of Counterterrorism and the Office of Security. Prior to joining the CIA, he worked as a police officer and served in the US Navy. This book will be added to the Local Authors Project collection at the library. For more information, please call (757) 259-4042.

NEWS FROM THE WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY | www.wrl.org

Local author Patricia Spayd donates copies of her four books about Fritz Berlein. Accepting the donation is Williamsburg Regional Library Adult Services Director Barry Trott. The volumes recount the World War II experiences of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Chief of Staff, Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein. Through biography after action battle reports, photographs and trial reports the four books reveal the best and worst of Bayerlein, as a soldier in the German army. The author retired after thirty-one years working for the federal government. She served in the U.S. Air Force as well. Mrs. Spayd lives in Williamsburg, VA. These titles will be added to the Library's collection as part of the Local Authors Project. For further information about the Local Authors Project please call (757) 259-4042.

Newport News Public Library System

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 13, 2012

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen L. Gill

Community Relations and Programs Coordinator

(757) 926-1357

kgill@nngov.com

Organizing paperwork, beginning readers, teen tech, Dr. Seuss, more  in March

It’s All in the Fold: Advanced Origami Club

Youth ages 8-18 who are tired of making the same old cups and swans can join this club to go beyond basic origami to create more advanced animals and boxes. The Club meets 4-5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Thursday, March 1. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling
Pearl Bailey Library at  757-247-8677.

Learning on Laptops: Homework Help

Teens ages 12-18 may drop in and get help with computer-related homework and learn basic computer skills, 6-8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, at Grissom Library. The first session is Thursday, March 1. No registration required. Please call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War

Dr. Phillip Hamilton, associate professor of history at Christopher Newport University, will lead a series of book discussions for adults on the Civil War to commemorate the war’s 150^th anniversary. Book discussions will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1 and March 8. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss: A Seussabration!

Children ages 4-7 can celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a special storytime, games, cupcakes, and more, 10-11 a.m., Friday, March 2, at Main Street Library. Also, Kenya the Klown will create zany and fantastical balloon hats for kids. For ages 4-7. Registration is required and begins Feb. 17 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Friends of the Newport News Public Library Booksale

Members of the Friends of the Newport News Public Library can