Champion Whip Cracker Highlights Heroic Events
The Get Inspired! Meet a Hero @ Your Library community reading program continues through early May. Visit our website to see inspiring book picks, add to our blog, and learn about events including a Volunteer Fair on April 19 and Fred Morsell’s portrayal of Frederick Douglass on April 27 and 28.
The Whip Guy at “Bookmobile Open House”
Our spring focus on heroes will go out, not with a “bang,” but a “crack!” Chris Camp, also known as The Whip Guy, was inspired to pursue a career performing record-breaking whip stunts after seeing the Indiana Jones character and researching whip technique at his library. Camp‘s free show for families will be featured at a Bookmobile Open House in the library parking lot on Saturday, April 26.
The Bookmobile will be open that day for tours from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The Whip Guy will perform from 2 to 2:45 pm, mixing daring stunts with a bit of history and physics.
On its weekly route of stops around town, the Bookmobile offers best-selling books, DVDs, magazines, and CDs to check out. Check our schedule to find a stop near you or share your suggestions for new stops.
The “Meet a Hero” program is made possible by an LSTA grant.
“Big Read” Keynote Lecture
Read Leo Tolstoy’s masterful short novel, The Death of Ivan Ilyich, and it can change your life. Read it now, and you’ll be part of a community-wide Big Read, a program whose keynote lecture will be in the Robeson Pavilion Room A & B at the library.
On Thursday, April 3, at 7 pm, Michael Denner, professor of Russian studies at Stetson University, will present a talk entitled Gentlemen, Ivan Ilyich is Dead...and You Will Be, Too: Can We Ever Again Live “Well and Pleasantly” After Reading Tolstoy? The event is free and registration is not required.
“Big Read” is a nationwide effort, but only four communities are focusing on Tolstoy, completing a cultural exchange that began with Russian citizens reading To Kill a Mockingbird. “Big Read” is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
Library Helpers Make a Difference
During National Volunteer Month, we like to publicly thank the hundreds of people who have stepped forward to work alongside our staff, helping provide you with the best possible library service every day. Every little bit makes a difference!
The more than 300 volunteers listed on our website, along with members of our Library and Foundation Boards, plus our Friends Board and faithful Friends members, exemplify the spirit of community service.
To volunteer for the library, contact our volunteer coordinator, Chiawen Liu, at cliu@champaign.org or 217/403–2076.
Big Bluestem String Band
Stop by our Latte Da! Cafe on Saturday, April 19, from 2 to 3 pm, to hear the six-member Big Bluestem String Band play an eclectic mix of fiddle tunes, old-time string band music, bluegrass and historic tunes, plus a sprinkling of swing and the blues. Families are welcome at this free performance, part of the Boneyard Arts Festival.
“Asian Film Series” with Dr. Gary Xu
Three films from across Asia with common themes of struggle and triumph will be featured in a free Asian Film Series at the library this April. Dr. Gary Xu, associate professor of cinema studies at the U of I, will provide cultural and historical context before each film showing. Join us in Robeson Pavilion Room A & B; registration is not needed.
Shaolin Soccer
7 pm Wed., April 2
In this Hong Kong comedy, a former Shaolin monk and his old martial arts brothers apply their superhuman skills to play soccer and bring Shaolin Kung Fu to the masses. Rated PG; 2001; 113 minutes.
Monsoon Wedding
7 pm Wed., April 9
Various romantic entanglements complicate a traditional Punjabi wedding in Delhi. This award-winning Indian film was directed by Mira Nair and written by Sabrina Dhawan, Rated R; 2001; 114 minutes.
The Way Home (Jibeuro)
7 pm Wed., April 16
In this Korean film, an old-fashioned grandmother helps a spoiled boy learn to understand the simple pleasures of nature. Rated PG; 2002; 80 minutes.
Chicken Chasing Celebration
Janice Harrington’s second picture book, The Chicken Chasing Queen of Lamar County, has earned a nestful of distinctions since its publication last year. Join the author for a thirty-minute feather-filled storytime for preschoolers on Wednesday, April 23, at 9:45 or 10:30 am. Every child will take home an autographed book, thanks to the Library Friends.
Chicken Chasing Queen is based on Harrington’s own determined encounters with her grandmother’s chickens. The book’s protagonist finds she has to think again when she learns a secret about the hen she’s been pursuing.
Time magazine chose the book as one of the top ten for children in 2007, saying it “begs to be read aloud.” The book was a Parents’ Choice Award Winner, a Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice, and was named to the Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List. It is one of twenty nominated for the 2009 Monarch Award, whose winner will be chosen by Illinois school children. The Cybils Awards (Children’s and YA Bloggers’ Literary Awards) recently named it the best fiction picture book of 2007.
Harrington, formerly the library’s children’s services manager, teaches in the U of I Graduate Program in Creative Writing. Read more about Janice and her book in an interview with The Brown Bookshelf.
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April 08
Half-Price Book Sale in the FriendShop
Library Friends members can enjoy half off a single purchase of used books, DVDs, and CDs — plus discounts on selected gift items — at a special sale in the FriendShop on Friday, April 18, from 5 to 8:30 pm. It’s a great time to join the Friends and benefit from significant savings! The FriendShop will also be open for anyone to enjoy the chance to shop on a weekday evening.
Current Friends, watch your mail for a half-off coupon to use on the sale night. If your membership has expired, or you’re joining for the first time, plan to stop by our Robeson Pavilion, Room C, any time after 4 pm and sign up before you shop. Payment by cash or check will help speed along your sign-up or checkout, but MasterCard and Visa will also be accepted.
Spring Luncheon
Friends, watch your mail for details about the Annual Spring Luncheoon on Tuesday, April 29, at 11:45 am. We’ll have a salad lunch at the Champaign Country Club, elect officers, and enjoy a program, designed by Dan Perrino, with outstanding middle school vocalist Caitlin Caruso Dobbs. Come celebrate our new library and a great start for the FriendShop. The cost will be $15. RSVP by April 25 to 403–5395.
Credit Cards at FriendShop
For your convenience, the FriendShop is now accepting payment by Visa or MasterCard. The shop sells used books, movies, and music — most for $1 or less. The children’s books are especially popular. You’ll also find bestsellers (recently retired from the library’s rental collection) for $6 each, plus gift items for book lovers. Proceeds support library programs and collections. Regular shop hours are Sundays from 1:30 to 5:30 pm. Take the elevator to the lower level.
Muslims 101
What do China, France, Pakistan, and America have in common? They all have substantial Muslim populations. More than 1.5 billion people in the world are Muslims, yet many of us know very little about them. Asra Yousufuddin will introduce the faith, geographies, customs, and culture of Muslims at a free talk on Sunday, April 13, at 2 pm in our Robeson Pavilion.
Edison Jazz Band
You’ve heard about how good they are; now come hear in person! The award-winning Edison Middle School Jazz Band, directed by Mike Lehman, will perform in our Robeson Pavilion on Monday, April 14, from 7 to 8 pm. All ages are welcome to drop in for this free concert.
Empowerment Through Preparation
Grad student Terrell Starr will lead four sessions to help students in grades 8 to 12 learn how to be strong candidates for college — and avoid debt once they’re there. Call the Douglass Branch at 403–2090 to register. Sessions are on Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Branch. more
Volunteer Fair
Want to help your hometown and beef up your resume, too? Teens and adults can meet representatives from at least ten local community agencies and apply on the spot. See how you can get involved! Our Volunteer Fair will be Saturday, April 19, from 10 am to 2 pm in our Robeson Pavilion. (p.s. Volunteering for the library is a great option, too!)
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