Lillian H Smith Blog

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program: The Return

 

The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program is a fairly popular program here at Lillian Smith Branch.  In the fall we were forced to cancel the program because we were unable to find a volunteer Toastmaster to run it.  Thankfully with the help of District 60 of Toastmasters International, we can now offer the program again.  It will be starting Saturday February 18th at 10am.

The program helps young people develop the communication and leadership skills they need to be successful adults.  It runs over 8 weeks on Saturday mornings at 10am.  It is co-sponsored by the Toronto Public Library and District 60 of Toastmasters International.

So if you're between the ages of 12-17, this program will help you perfect the art of public speaking.  Spots are limited, so please register in person at the 2nd floor Information desk or by calling 416-393-7746.

 

青少年领袖计划

为期8周的课程，这项节目将指导你：

* 如何发展你的演讲技巧
* 学会如何主持会议
* 提高你的自信心

每周六 ， 从2月18日开始; 上午10时至中午12:00

** 只限于年龄12至17岁的青少年 **

新老移民，公民一律欢迎!! 费用全免!!

史密夫图书馆 Lillian H. Smith 图书馆

239书院街（书院街/士巴丹拿）, 地下室

席位有限，请尽早报名。

报名或查询，请致电:

416-393-7746 (英语电话服务) 647-404-8857 (国语电话服务)

Silk Screening Workshop for Teens

I've been playing on a softball team for several years now and in our very first year we all decided that we needed jerseys for the team.  We wanted something that looked good but fit within our budget.  I personally wanted stitched on lettering/numbering but it would've been too expensive.  The sales rep suggested silk screening and I remember thinking to myself "we need these things to last for awhile".  When I voiced some concern, he assured me that "this ain't no silk screening from the 70's".  Indeed he was right, because they still look good.  

Silk screening has been around for centuries and it's a fairly easy technique to learn.  During the March Break, artist Rob Matejka will be dropping by Lillian Smith to show teens how to silk screen and create their very own art.  I attended one of his workshops last year and it was pretty cool.   Youth were able to silk screen designs on reusable bags and take home their creations.   He's even been featured in the Toronto Star.  So if you've been curious as to how it's done or just want to try it out for yourself, please register in person or call 416-393-7746.  Ages 10-18 and spaces are limited.  Can't make it or not a teen?  Check out the catalogue to learn more. 

Six reasons why I ♥ my eBook reader

I'm late to the game of eBooks and eAudiobooks, but ever since acquiring an e-reader at the beginning of December, I'm a full-fledged convert.  Why do I love my eBook reader?  Well, here are six reasons why:

1. Simplicity.  The technology is not too hard to figure out, even for a relative luddite like me.  There are lots of instructions out there, and you can find something tailored to the way you learn.  See library step-by-step guides, attend a class, or Book A Librarian to get started.

2. Free books!  You can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks from the library, of course, but there are also sites where you can download books for free.  I've found classic titles at Project Gutenberg.  Now that War and Peace is sitting on my e-reader instead of gathering dust on a shelf, maybe I'll actually get through it!

3. Music.  Most e-readers have a headphone jack, so you can fully retreat into a world of text and tunes, whether you're on the subway or on the couch.

4. Wireless.  There are pros and cons to having wireless access on your e-reader.  It can be a distraction, but come on, haven't you always wanted to see what Facebook looks like in black and white?

5. Weightlessness.  Well, the eBook reader isn't weightless, but all your digital books are!  We are talking the equivalent of thousands of pounds of information, magically stored in a device that's about half the weight of an average paperback book.

6. Art masterpieces.  When you're finished reading, you can get in touch with your inner artist.  The results may not be worthy of David Hockney, but it's still fun to try!

2012 Chinese New Year Celebration 慶祝新春節目

请来Lillian H. Smith 圖書館慶祝中國新年节目，日期：2月4日（周六），下午2时至4时                   

Come to the Lillian H. Smith Library to celebrate Year of the Dragon on Feb 4th , 2012 at 2- 4 pm. Programs are as follow: 節目如下：

 

 

Toronto Lion Dance and Martial Arts  to start event at 2 pm  在下午 2:00 醒獅表演開始活動

Wu Shu Kung Fu Demonstration   武術表演

Er Hu Music by Amely Zhou    二胡演奏

Musical performance with classical Chinese instruments by Miao Xiao Yun

阮乐大师苗小芸表演中国传统音乐

Toronto Yoga Center presents Chinese music and dance. 中国音乐舞蹈歌唱表演

Free Chinese New Year  Scrolls (while quantities last)   贈送輝春   送完即止

Phone 电话查询：416-393-7746

 

The Monster and the Tailor

 

 

 As mentioned in a previous post, here is the second instalment of our Halloween puppet show that was performed by Lillian's Youth Advisory Group.  It is titled "The Monster and the Tailor" and is based on a children's picture book by Paul Galdone.  This was filmed in front of a live studio audience. 

 

 

 

 

 

Lillian Smith's Right Out of this World SF Booksale! 10:00 - 3:00 Saturday Dec 17th

  Do you like SF?  Chances are reasonably good that you do since I'm using the term broadly.  So, what does SF stand for these days anyway?  Science Fiction?  This still works for lots of people, but you may prefer Speculative Fiction.  And don't forget  Swords and Sorcery Fiction (I guess that's S&SF), Scary Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Superhero Fiction, Space Fiction or even Superb Fantasy. Ok, I'm making it up now!

 

  No matter! Whatever your preference, chances are we have have lots (and lots more) of all the above on sale on Saturday Dec 17th 2011 in the basement of the Lillian H. Smith Library starting at 10:00 am.

Some are books we've removed from circulation, others are donations that we simply have no space for.  We're extremely grateful to various donors, many of whose books DO wind up on our shelves.  In fact it's thanks to donors that we were able to pull so many older books from our shelves and replace them with newer copies.  But there are also many many books on sale that have no stamps or library markings on them whatsoever .  In fact, the majority of books on sale were never library items.

  As of January, booksale prices at the Toronto Public Library double.  This will be your last chance to buy mass market paperbacks for a mere 50 cents and hardcovers and trade paperbacks for a buck!    

The Skull

Getting tired of all the holiday music and cheer, and you've realized that it's only December 1st?  Well I have the antidote.  Lillian Smith's Youth Advisory Group performed two puppets shows for Halloween on Saturday October 29th and I now have a video clip of the first one titled "The Skull".  This was filmed in front of a live studio audience.  (Apologies for the low audio.  The second one will be posted shortly)

 

 

Lillian H. Smith's Out of this World SF Booksale!

  What does SF stand for these days anyway?  Science Fiction?  This still works for lots of people, but others dislike the term's application to a wide range of subgenres, not all of which concern scientific and technical progress. These latter often prefer Speculative Fiction which encompasses much more than strictly science related fiction.  This latter term also is also meant to welcome those devotees of particular subgenres such as Swords and Sorcery (technically S&SF) not to mention Scary Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Superhero Fiction and Space Fiction (Ok, ok I'm making them up now to favour the letter S).

 

  No matter! Whatever your preference, chances are we have have lots (and lots more) of all the above on sale on Saturday Dec 17th 2011 in the basement of the Lillian H. Smith Library starting at 10:00 am.

Some are books we've removed from circulation, others are donations that we simply have no space for.  We're extremely grateful to various doors and many of whose books DO wind up on our shelves.  In fact it's thanks to donors that we were able to pull so many older books from our shelves and replace them with newer copies.  But there are also many books on sale that have no stamps or library markings on them whatsoever.

  As of January, booksale prices at the Toronto Public Library double.  This will be your last chance to buy mass market paperbacks for a mere 50 cents and hardcovers and trade paperbacks for a buck!    

 

Gaming at Lillian

I Want You.......

 

 . . . to fill out a survey for the Lillian Smith Branch.  If you're between the ages of 10 to 17, and live near or come to our branch, we need your feedback.  I'm trying to plan some gaming programs for teens in 2012 and would love any suggestions to help make it better.  Its a very short online survey that won't take more than a minute or two.  If you need more information about this survey or any future teen programs at the branch, please contact us at 416-393-7746.  ^{_{(With thanks to DonkeyHotey for the unedited version of the photo)}}

Click here to take survey

Zombies in the Library

 This past Saturday October 29th, we had Thea Munster, founder of the Toronto Zombie Walk put on a workshop called "Decomp on a Dime".  It showed participants how to make their own Zombie make-up using everyday household items.  It was a great program that was enjoyed by all who attended.  By the end of the program we had many Zombies under our roof.  We also had a visit from the CBC radio's "The Current" who were doing a piece on Zombie culture.   The show has been posted on their website and can be heard here.  For those interested in zombies, it's worth a listen.  Thea's segment starts at 3:15.  (With thanks to Sean Connors for the photo of Thea, taken at the Toronto Zombie Walk 2011)