OB Library presents Rick Bragg

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009 1:00 p.m.
Event: Featured author Rick Bragg
Where: Orange Beach Public Library
Point of Contact: Maria Baroco, 251-981-8179

Pulitzer Prize winning author Rick Bragg will be a featured guest of the Orange Beach Public Library and Meyer Reading Group on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Rave Motion Theater in Orange Beach.

Rick Bragg is the author of a series of Southern family tales, “All Over but the Shoutin', "Ava's Man", and "The Prince of Frogtown”. He was recently named the recipient of the 2009 Harper Lee Award for Alabama's Distinguished Writer of the Year and is currently a Professor of Writing at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.

For more information on the Orange Beach Public Library please visit the website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org or call 251-981-2923.

OB Public Library collecting donations for BARC

Point of Contact: Bonnie Lee, 251-981-2923

This past holiday season, the Orange Beach Public Library’s patrons generously donated many wonderful items to the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center (B.A.R.C.). Throughout the coming year, the Library staff would like to encourage you to continue to drop off your donations for B.A.R.C. as part of our community outreach programs and activities.

In addition to collecting for B.A.R.C. the Library also:

-collects "burnt-out" compact fluorescent bulbs in cooperation with Baldwin EMC's RecyclePak program,
-provides a donation station for used eyeglasses for the Lions Club's Recycle for Sight campaign
-collects used cell phones and chargers for The Lighthouse, Baldwin County's Domestic Violence Prevention organization
-provides a bulk recycling bin for community use

For more information on the Orange Beach Public Library visit the Library website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org or call 251-981-2923. The Library is located at 26267 Canal Road in Orange Beach. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. , Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

OB Library & Senior Center hosts Award Winning Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher

The Orange Beach Public Library and Orange Beach Senior Center are pleased to be hosting a performance featuring Award Winning Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher will perform on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Orange Beach Senior Center located at 26251 Canal Road in Orange Beach. This concert will be a ticketed event with only 110 tickets available. Tickets are on sale at the Orange Beach Public Library. The cost of the tickets is $5.00 per person.

This concert will feature selections from Fletcher’s 2008 CD release on Tower Hill Records, Music of the Baroque. Other repertoire will include the E minor Lute Suite of J. S. Bach; Fletcher’s transcriptions of Erik Satie and Edvard Grieg; Usher-Waltz, an unusual and intense piece by Russian guitarist and composer Nikita Koshkin; Andrew York’s Sunburst and music of Weiss and Reusner. The concert will culminate with Koyunbaba, by composer/guitarist Carlo Domeniconi. This is one of the most unique and exciting works in the classical guitar repertoire.

For more information on Peter Fletcher visit his website at www.peterfletcher.com.

For more concert information contact the library at 251-981-2923, visit the website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org or email mbaroco@cityoforangebeach.com.

Writing Biography, Family History and Local History

Event: Writing Biography, Family History and Local History with Robert S. Davis
Where: Orange Beach Senior Activity Center
Point of Contact: Maria Bar, 981-2923

Are you writing your family history? Creating a family tree? Or just interested in sharing local history? The Orange Beach Public Library will host speaker Robert S. Davis whose talk entitled, “Writing Biography, Family History and Local History” will answer some of the questions you may have about preserving those memories. This talk will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Orange Beach Senior Activity Center. Mr. Davis is appearing courtesy of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholars Program. This is event is free and open to the public. For more information on the Orange Beach Public Library visit the Library’s website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org or call 251-981-2923.

OBA Library to Host First Amendment Attorney

Join Media Attorney J. Banks Sewell to discuss how the Internet is changing American journalism on Thursday, January 15, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Orange Beach Public Library . Are newspapers going to disappear? Are the new “citizen journalists” nothing more than people blogging in their bathrobes? Should they receive the same legal protections that have been traditionally reserved for reporters working for the newspapers, radio, and television?

The program is sponsored by the MLRC Institute, a not-for-profit educational organization focused on the media and the First Amendment. This talk is a part of the MLRC Institute’s First Amendment Speakers Bureau, a program created in 2005 to educate the public about the First Amendment. A grant from the McCormick Foundation has funded the Speakers Bureau Development.

The Library is located at 26267 Canal Road in Orange Beach. For more information about the Orange Beach Public Library visit the Library website at www.OrangeBeachLibrary.org or call 251-981-2923.

Orange Beach Library announces its Jan-March 2009 Schedule

January
1 –Library closed for the New Year
5-10 a.m. Computer Class-IM, Podcasting, Tagging and Mobile Web-More ways the Internet can make your life easier, cheaper or more fun.
3 p.m. Computer Class-Do you Google? Searching and how to do it better
7- 2:30 p.m. Wednesday Book Group-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer.
8 – 1 p.m. Book talk featuring Suzanne Hudson (In a Temple of Trees) and Joe Formicella (Murder Creek and The Wreck of the Twilight Limited). This will be held in the Library Meeting Room. This is a Meyer Book Group.
6 p.m. Getting the Job – Sue Butts, Director of Employee Relations, Organizational Development & Training at Columbia Southern University will talk about interviewing skills and resumes
12- 10 a.m. Computer Class- Free Software Basics-Downloading and installing of Open Office, Mozilla Firefox and other freeware
3 p.m. Computer Class-Free Downloads! Learn about AVG, Abiword, Ad-aware, and Google Earth.
13- 3:30 p.m.-B.A.G.-Books are Great Reading Group-The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
15 – 6 p.m. Online News: Redefining Journalism a presentation by Banks Sewell of Lightfoot, Franklin and White, LLC in Birmingham, AL. Mr. Sewell appears courtesy of the First Amendment Speakers Bureau
19- Library closed for Martin Luther King’s Birthday
22 – 6 p.m. Southern American English, a presentation by Catherine Evans Davies, Professor of Linguistics in the Department of English at the University of Alabama. This program begins with the influence of immigration patterns on dialect development in Alabama and continues with a focus on the key dimensions of dialect. Attendees will learn more about the newest area of dialect research, discourse, and its evidence through norms of politeness, indirectness, rituals of conversation and traditional storytelling. Ms. Davies appears courtesy of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholars Program and is sponsored by the Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library
26- 10 a.m.. Computer Class-Know Your Computer-Basic overview of the parts of a computer and common computing terms
3 p.m. Computer Class- What is Social Networking? How can it benefit me and why is it so big with today’s youth.
29 – 6 p.m. Writing Biography, Family History and Local History, a presentation by Robert S. Davis. “The basics of this talk include reasons for needing to record or recover the past, means of obtaining information and methods of saving or presenting the information (such as manuscript, tape, privately published books, articles, standard book publication, CD-ROM and Internet Web sites).” Mr. Davis appears courtesy of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholars Program.

February
2- 10 a.m. Computer Class-Maintenance and Security-Best practices to keep your computer running smoothly.
3 p.m. Computer Class- Do you Google? Searching and how do it better.
4- 2:30 p.m. Wednesday Book Group-People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.
5 – 6 p.m. Classical guitar concert featuring Peter Fletcher.
9- 10 a.m. Computer Class-Email-Setting-up a free account, using the address book, attachments & more.
3 p.m. Computer Class-Free Downloads! Learn about AVG, Abiword, Ad-aware, and Google Earth.
10-3:30 p.m.-B.A.G.-Books are Great Reading Group-The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
12 – 1 p.m. Reading featuring Pulitzer Prize winning Rick Bragg. This event will be held at the Rave Motion Theater at The Wharf. This is a Meyer Book Group.
16- 10 a.m. Computer Class-Internet Searching-Where to go when you want to know and how to get the best results.
3 p.m. Computer Class-Bookmarking Web 2.0 style! Basic bookmarking and Web 2.0, come see what’s it’s all about.
19 – 6 p.m. Our Energy, Our Future, a presentation of the Baldwin Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) speakers bureau.
23- 10 a.m. Computer Class-Word Processing- Overview of popular programs and tips and trick for easier work.
3 p.m. Computer Class- What is Social Networking? How can it benefit me and why is it so big with today’s youth.
26 – 6 p.m. An evening with architectural historian John Sledge (discussing his book, An Ornament to the City: Old Mobile Ironwork and his forthcoming book about Greek Revival architecture in Mobile).

March
2- 10 a.m. Computer Class-Spreadsheets-What they are and how they can make you Internet experience richer.
4- 2:30 p.m. Wednesday Book Group- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
9- 10 a.m. Computer Class-Photos-Viewing, storing, printing, and editing digital photos.
10- 3:30 p.m. B.A.G.-Books are Great Book Group-The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Micheal Chabon
16-10 a.m. Computer Class-Blogs, RSS and Wikis-What they are and how they can make your Internet experience richer.
19-5:15 p.m. Movie-The classic 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird starring Gregory Peck
23- 10 a.m. Computer Class-IM, Podcasting, Tagging and Mobile Web-More ways the Internet can make your life easier, cheaper or more fun.

For more info please contact Andie Y. Mewbourn 251-980-2360, or visit www.OrangeBeachLibrary.org

Click here for a Map & an Aerial View of the Orange Beach Library.

Our Body: The Universe Within

Submitted by The Orange Beach Library

The Orange Beach Public Library will host a lecture on the upcoming Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center’s exhibit Our Body: the Universe Within. This exhibit gives audiences a revealing look at the world’s most complex machine -- The Human Body. This extraordinary anatomical exhibition featuring real human bodies runs from January 11, 2008 – May 11, 2008. This lecture will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at the Orange Beach Senior Activity Center.

The exhibit exposes the inner workings of human anatomy by presenting actual human specimens, anatomical displays, reproductions of historic anatomical artwork and much more. By presenting an artful, compelling and dignified environment, guests can connect with the human artifacts on a personal level that helps them to better understand their own bodies.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and registration is suggested. Registration is available online at www.orangebeachlibrary.org. For additional information, contact the library at 251-981-2923 or visit the library website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org.

Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Where: Orange Beach Senior Activity Center
Point of Contact: Alisa McLeod 251-981-2923

Mobile Civil War Trail Lecture with Colette Boehm

December 28, 2007- Submitted by the Orange Beach Library

Forget the textbooks and the classroom chalkboards, experience history first-hand. From the early Native American settlements and the legacy of Spanish explorers, to the Civil War battle where Admiral David Farragut issued the infamous command "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" history buffs will find fascinating stories.

The Battle of Mobile Bay Civil War Trail stretches from the Gulf of Mexico over 90 miles to north Mobile County, and documents the military movements and way of life on and around Mobile Bay during the Battle of the Bay (August 1864) and the Overland Campaign (March - May, 1865). A series of interpretive signs at more than a dozen sites tell the stories of the ship captains, fort commanders and fighting men who lived these historic events.

The Orange Beach Public Library will host a lecture by Colette Boehm of the Alabama Gulf Coast Visitors Bureau on the Mobile Civil War Trail on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. This lecture will be held at the Orange Beach Senior Activity Center at 6:00 p.m. Registration is suggested.

Registration is available online at the Orange Beach Public Library website. The library’s website address is www.orangebeachlibrary.org. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit the library website or call 981-2923. Alisa McLeod 251-981-2923.

“Curses, Conjure and John the Conqueror: Folk Magic in Alabama”

December 26, 2007
Submitted by The Orange Beach Library

Have you ever wondered where the expression “I’ve got my mojo workin’” comes from? For years, the terminology of hoodoo, a distinctly Southern form of folk magic that has its origins in West Africa heavily influenced blues singers. On January 10, 2008, the Orange Beach Public Library will welcome Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholar Alan Brown who will present “Curses, Conjure and John the Conqueror: Folk Magic in Alabama”.

In his presentation, Dr. Alan Brown will examine the impact that hoodoo has had on the folkways and oral literature of Alabama. By the end of the lecture, audiences will have become familiar with folk remedies and hoodoo doctors who are still practicing in Alabama. Dr. Brown will bring along samples of herbal remedies used by “root doctors” in Alabama for generations, such as John the Conqueror root. He will also share real life accounts of people in Alabama who claim to have been “cunjered” by their enemies.

The AHF creates and fosters opportunities to explore human values and meaning through the humanities. From literacy programs to grants to our Road Scholars, we offer the humanities to Alabamians to enhance their minds and enrich their lives.
As the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, AHF strives to create and foster opportunities, through grants and AHF-conducted programs, for scholars and the public to interact and explore human values and meanings through the humanities.

This event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Orange Beach Senior Activity Center on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

For more information on this program or the library, please visit the library website at www.OrangeBeachLibrary.org or call 251-981-2923. Program Contact: Angela Rand 981-8179.

Click here to see a birds-eye-view of the Library and Senior Activity Center.

Orange Beach Library's 15th Anniversary Open House

November 12, 2007
Andie Y. Mewbourn

It's been 15 years since the Orange Beach Public Library opened in a room of the Orange Beach City Hall. First headed by Marsha Owens, the library has moved twice, the last time in 2001 into the present building on Canal Road.

The library began issuing cards in October 1992 with the first books being circulated in December 1992. Now, 15 years later, the library has grown to include 41,611 items in the collection and 12,091 patrons.

"As set forth by the original library board and Ms. Owens, the library continues to provide our community free and open access to the information, material and service they need for lifelong learning, civic engagement and the exchange of ideas," said Bonnie Lee, director.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library will hold an open house from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The open house will feature light refreshments, a mini book sale, a Bricks for Books sale and a book signing with Ryan Anderson, a former Orange Beach resident who recently published her first book, "The Czech Files."

Orange Beach Public Library Celebrates 15th Anniversary

It’s been 15 years since the Orange Beach Public Library opened in a room of the Orange Beach City Hall. First headed by Marsha Owens, the library has moved twice, the last time in 2001 into the present building on Canal Road in Orange Beach. The library began issuing cards in October 1992 with the first books being circulated in December 1992.

Now, 15 years later, the library has grown to include 41,611 items in the collection and 12,091 patrons. “As set forth by the original Library Board and Ms. Owens the library continues to provide our community free and open access to the information, material and service they need for life-long leaning , civic engagement and the exchange of ideas”, said Bonnie Lee, Director,

To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library will host an open house which will be held at the library 1:00 p.m-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.

The open house will feature light refreshments, a mini book sale, a Bricks for Books sale, and a book signing with Ryan Anderson, a former Orange Beach resident who recently published her first book, “The Czech Files”. Come join in the celebration!

For more information visit www.OrangeBeachLibrary.com or call Bonnie Lee, 251-981-2923.

Click here to see an aerial view and map for the Orange Beach Library.

Author Timothy Weeks “Casts Out” a Fascinating Presentation

October 23, 2007- Orange Beach, AL - Freelance journalist and author, Timothy Weeks taught Orange Beach Elementary students more than net casting techniques on his recent visit to the school.

Sponsored by the Orange Beach Public Library and funded by the Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library, Weeks gave a presentation of his books, “Wise Mullet of Cook Bayou” and “Ol’ Middler Saves the Day” to the kindergarten through 6th grades. The students then participated in a question and answer session followed by a book signing. In addition, the 4th through 6th grades took part in a writing lab that focused on how ideas evolve from stick figures and the real pictures into his book, the writing process and his career as a journalist.

Mr. Weeks was joined by the illustrator of his books, his mother Jeanne. As an added bonus Mr. Weeks gave a special family presentation at the Orange Beach Public Library.

“Timothy Weeks masterfully commanded the students’ attention. His presentation stirred the student’s imagination and stimulated their creativity. He challenged students to continue to build their creative writing skills by writing stories that extend the fate of the characters. A portion of those projects will be showcased at the library in the coming weeks.” said Patsy Rose, Children’s Librarian at the Orange Beach Public Library.

For more information on the Orange Beach Public Library visit the library website at www.OrangeBeachLibrary.com or call 251-981-2923.
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Above Photo: Author Timothy Weeks shows children visiting the family presentation at the Orange Beach Public Library some net casting techniques.

Left to right:John Paul Sellers, Jeanne Weeks, Hannah Sellers, Adaline Sellers, Isabella Lyons, Adam Andrew, Austin Andrews, Kenneth Woodrow and Timothy Weeks.
(Click on photo for larger view.)

Laptop Users Group Schedule for October-December 2007

The Orange Beach Library Laptop Users Group (LUG) will continue meeting throughout October, November and December on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the Orange Beach Public Library meeting room. Participants should bring their own wireless capable laptop.

At this time there is no registration necessary and classes are first come, first served. These classes are free and open to the public. For more information please contact the library at 251-981-2923, visit the library website at www.orangebeachlibrary.org or email arand@cityoforangebeach.com