Daniel Boone Regional Library

You don’t have to wait for Antiques Roadshow to come to town to get real market-based information about your antiques, artwork and family treasures. The library recently added the p4A Antiques Reference database (p = price, 4 = for, A = antiques) and is making it available free of charge through the library’s website for DBRL cardholders in our two-county service area.

The p4A Antiques Reference database is focused on the American regional marketplace but also includes the top scale New York art and antiques markets. This means you have a better opportunity to find the types of material seen locally and regionally at auction and retail outlets. These antiques are organized into 1,280 different categories including furniture, glass, pottery and porcelain, paintings, prints, clocks, toys, dolls, advertising collectibles, books, autographs, lamps, silver, firearms and historical documents. Each record includes information on when and where the item was sold as well as the price realized. Better yet, there are pictures of each item in the database!

So, if you have some treasures in the attic or basement, picked up an unusual item at an estate sale or have ever asked “What is this and what it is worth?” you need to check out this database. Let us know how you like it!

Eoin Colfer, the author of the Artemis Fowl books, returns with “The Reluctant Assassin“, the first title in the W.A.R.P. series. In 1898 London, an apprentice assassin named Riley is about to make his first kill. Unfortunately, the old man he is sent to murder is not what he appears. When Riley hesitates, his master forces his hand, only to see Riley and the dying man vanish in an explosion of light.

In the present, Chevie, an FBI agent-in-training is watching a safe house when Riley and the victim, now dead, appear out of nowhere. Chevie learns that the man had found a way to time travel, but had vanished when government agencies wanted to use the technology to change the course of history. While Chevie is trying to sort out the implications of time travel, Riley’s master, Garrick, manages to find a way into the present. Not only is he a dangerous assassin, but his trip through the time stream has made him more than human. Now he is hunting Chevie and Riley in hopes of finding the key to return to the past, where intends to use his new abilities to rule the world.

“The Reluctant Assassin” is an action-packed thrill ride from start to finish. If you liked the Artemis Fowl books, you will like this. But be careful though, this book is certainly for more mature teen readers, but you should expect that from a book with the word assassin in the title. Assassins aren’t known for giving people hugs. Riley is certainly the most interesting character and his reactions to things in the present add some comic relief. Colfer drops plenty of hints about things that will happen in future books, but you will have to wait for those.

So long.

June 7:  “The Gatekeepers” starts at Ragtag. (via)
June 10: “Edie & Thea” 5:45 p.m. at Ragtag. (via)
June 12: “Spirit of the Marathon II” 7:00 p.m. at  Forum 8. (via)

Teen Game Night
Friday, June 21 › 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Southern Boone County Public Library

Challenge your friends to a game on our new Wii U or to a board game tournament. We’ll have various games available as well supplies for art projects. Refreshments provided. Ages 12 and older. To register, please call (573) 657-7378. Sign-up begins Friday, April 5. 

My grandfather, who passed away in 2009, was attached to an infantry unit that served in a support role during the Second World War. He was a combat engineer who would have taken part in the Normandy Invasion (and most likely on the deadliest beach of them all–Omaha Beach) if a leg infection had not taken him off the front lines and left him in England for six weeks in June and July of 1944. In his bunk near Dover, as he lay in bed sweating from fever, he could literally hear the advance shelling from allied warships permeating the night-time air in the days leading up to the invasion. The following goes without saying:  if he had actually been part of the land invasion, I would have had about a 50/50 chance of being here. Combat engineers died in droves on Omaha Beach, the casualty rate well over 40%.

The 69th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasions will occur on June 6, 2013. Most veterans of the Second World War have now passed away, and with so few living survivors, what memories remain fill a large number of well-tended archives and war museums, are shown in feature length and documentary films and belong to descendants of the veterans. Dozens of books have also been written about the invasions.

DBRL has many of the most recent and popular titles about the Normandy Invasions, otherwise known as Operation Overlord or D-Day. The most recent is titled “Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies,” written by Ben Macintyre and published in late 2012. The book recounts the extraordinary workings of a group of six men and women, double agents ostensibly part of the German secret intelligence service–the Abwehr–who were in fact working for the British intelligence unit M-16. These men and women were not the usual button-down, black suited spies. Of varied ethnic and international backgrounds, not one was a native German, although all of them spoke (and wrote) the language fluently. Macintyre points out throughout the book that because of the web of deceit these spies wove, the actual location of the Normandy landings was a complete mystery to the Abwehr, the Werhmacht and Adolf Hitler himself.

The same year that my grandfather passed away, 2009, “D-Day: The Battle for Normandy” was released. Written by Antony Beevor, who has authored several best sellers about the Second World War (including, arguably, the best book about the Eastern Front ever written: “Stalingrad”), “The Battle for Normandy” is a thorough, and often thrilling, chronological recounting of the invasion that includes maps, photographs and a timeline that ends with the invasion of Paris. The book also recounts in detail many of the less well-known and messy operations that occurred directly after the invasion, including Operation Goodwind and Operation Cobra.

The coffee-table book “D-Day: The Greatest Invasion: A People’s History,” published in 2003, includes documents, maps and rare color photographs taken during the summer of 1944. A readable piece of social history, what is most unique about this book is that it includes many personal accounts and photographs of regular English, American and French soldiers. The book also includes many photographs of the buildings, houses and landscapes taken by officers during the invasion, comparing them with contemporary photographs (if the buildings were left standing).

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasions, the Imperial War Museum in Great Britain released a book in 2004 entitled “D-Day, 6.6.44.” With additional personal accounts from soldiers and a discussion of the planning and execution of the invasions. The book accompanied the BBC film “D-Day.” “D-Day, 6.6.44″ is a nice introductory book if one is looking for a broad overview of the history of the invasion. It includes several insightful chapters about the French resistance, which in tandem with the spies involved in Operation Double-Cross offered vital military intelligence to the allies.

DBRL has an exceptional collection of Second World War books. Please come see us and check out the fantastic titles listed above (and many more) if you are looking for a history of the conflict that led to the making of the modern world.

My grandfather, who passed away in 2009, was attached to an infantry unit that served in a support role during the Second World War. He was a combat engineer who would have taken part in the Normandy Invasion (and most likely on the deadliest beach of them all–Omaha Beach) if a leg infection had not taken him off the front lines and left him in England for six weeks in June and July of 1944. In his bunk near Dover, as he lay in bed sweating from fever, he could literally hear the advance shelling from allied warships permeating the night-time air in the days leading up to the invasion. The following goes without saying:  if he had actually been part of the land invasion, I would have had about a 50/50 chance of being here. Combat engineers died in droves on Omaha Beach, the casualty rate well over 40%.

The 69th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasions will occur on June 6, 2013. Most veterans of the Second World War have now passed away, and with so few living survivors, what memories remain fill a large number of well-tended archives and war museums, are shown in feature length and documentary films and belong to descendants of the veterans. Dozens of books have also been written about the invasions.

DBRL has many of the most recent and popular titles about the Normandy Invasions, otherwise known as Operation Overlord or D-Day. The most recent is titled “Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies,” written by Ben Macintyre and published in late 2012. The book recounts the extraordinary workings of a group of six men and women, double agents ostensibly part of the German secret intelligence service–the Abwehr–who were in fact working for the British intelligence unit M-16. These men and women were not the usual button-down, black suited spies. Of varied ethnic and international backgrounds, not one was a native German, although all of them spoke (and wrote) the language fluently. Macintyre points out throughout the book that because of the web of deceit these spies wove, the actual location of the Normandy landings was a complete mystery to the Abwehr, the Werhmacht and Adolf Hitler himself.

The same year that my grandfather passed away, 2009, “D-Day: The Battle for Normandy” was released. Written by Antony Beevor, who has authored several best sellers about the Second World War (including, arguably, the best book about the Eastern Front ever written: “Stalingrad”), “The Battle for Normandy” is a thorough, and often thrilling, chronological recounting of the invasion that includes maps, photographs and a timeline that ends with the invasion of Paris. The book also recounts in detail many of the less well-known and messy operations that occurred directly after the invasion, including Operation Goodwind and Operation Cobra.

The coffee-table book “D-Day: The Greatest Invasion: A People’s History,” published in 2003, includes documents, maps and rare color photographs taken during the summer of 1944. A readable piece of social history, what is most unique about this book is that it includes many personal accounts and photographs of regular English, American and French soldiers. The book also includes many photographs of the buildings, houses and landscapes taken by officers during the invasion, comparing them with contemporary photographs (if the buildings were left standing).

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasions, the Imperial War Museum in Great Britain released a book in 2004 entitled “D-Day, 6.6.44.” With additional personal accounts from soldiers and a discussion of the planning and execution of the invasions. The book accompanied the BBC film “D-Day.” “D-Day, 6.6.44″ is a nice introductory book if one is looking for a broad overview of the history of the invasion. It includes several insightful chapters about the French resistance, which in tandem with the spies involved in Operation Double-Cross offered vital military intelligence to the allies.

DBRL has an exceptional collection of Second World War books. Please come see us and check out the fantastic titles listed above (and many more) if you are looking for a history of the conflict that led to the making of the modern world.

Don’t miss Shred Fest! This skateboarding event geared toward celebrating National Skateboarding Day will be held this Saturday, June 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the Columbia Skate Park in Cosmo Park.

This event is free and open to skaters of all ages and skill levels, or to those who simply want to watch. Participants will be able to enter a high ollie, tic-tac and best trick contests. The day will also feature great music, food and helmet giveaways.

Shred Fest is presented by Columbia Parks and Recreation, Parkside Skate Shop, Tiger Pilot Club, and Youth Community Coalition.

Event Schedule

4 p.m.: Opening Ceremony
4:30 p.m.: Best Trick – Beginner
5:00 p.m.: Best Trick – Intermediate
5:30 p.m.: Tic Tac Races
6:00 p.m.: High Ollie Contest
6:30 p.m.: Best Trick – Advanced

SYNC, a service of AudioFile Magazine, offers free young adult and classic audiobook downloads during the summer months. These audiobooks download directly to your computer through Overdrive Media Console. After you’ve downloaded the audiobook to your computer, you can then transfer it to your MP3 player, iPod or other Apple device.

If you download free audiobooks through the library, then you may already be familiar with Overdrive Media Console. If not, you can review these instructions to help you get started. The best part is that all audiobooks downloaded through SYNC are yours to keep forever and ever.

This summer’s lineup includes “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks, “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater, “Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers, “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen and “Enchanted” by Althea Kontis, all of which are nominees for the 2013 Teens’ Top Ten booklist. The classics available for download include works by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and more!

This week’s free audiobook downloads are “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks and “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. They are only available through June 5, so don’t delay! Visit SYNC’s website to review the complete schedule of free downloads.

SYNC, a service of AudioFile Magazine, offers free young adult and classic audiobook downloads during the summer months. These audiobooks download directly to your computer through Overdrive Media Console. After you’ve downloaded the audiobook to your computer, you can then transfer it to your MP3 player, iPod or other Apple device.

If you download free audiobooks through the library, then you may already be familiar with Overdrive Media Console. If not, you can review these instructions to help you get started. The best part is that all audiobooks downloaded through SYNC are yours to keep forever and ever.

This summer’s lineup includes “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks, “The Raven Boys” by Maggie Stiefvater, “Grave Mercy” by Robin LaFevers, “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen and “Enchanted” by Althea Kontis, all of which are nominees for the 2013 Teens’ Top Ten booklist. The classics available for download include works by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and more!

This week’s free audiobook downloads are “Of Poseidon” by Anna Banks and “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. They are only available through June 5, so don’t delay! Visit SYNC’s website to review the complete schedule of free downloads.

We recently added “Only the Young” and “Tchoupitoulas“ to the DBRL collection. The two films were released as a bundled set by the film company Oscilloscope Laboratories, and they are in our catalog as one record with two separate discs. “Only the Young” played at the True/False Film Festival in 2012, and currently has a rating of 80% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. “Tchoupitoulas” is the latest film from the Ross Brothers, and it currently has a rating of 88% from ciritcs at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis for the films from our catalog:

“Only the Young” - Presents three teenagers living in a Southern California desert town dominated by foreclosed homes and underpasses, empty swimming pools and skateboard parks. With disarming honesty and wit, the innocent yet rebellious teens navigate friendship and first love.

“Tchoupitoulas” - In this lyrical portrait, three adolescent brothers take us on a lively journey through one immersive night in New Orleans, encountering a vibrant kaleidoscope of dancers, musicians, hustlers, and revelers and introducing us to the people who make the city their home.

Check out the Oscilloscope pages for “Only the Young” and “Tchoupitoulas” for more info.

Don’t you hate the doldrums? That awful time of year between the NFL draft and preseason games. Sure, there are other sports to watch. Baseball is heating up with the All-Star break approaching, the NBA and NHL will crown a champion soon and the US Open is right around the corner. But there’s nothing quite like a good NFL game. Sadly, September is a long way off.

Fear not, football fans! There are plenty of great books out there to keep you entertained and get you ready for the 2013 NFL season.

“Warpaths: The Illustrated History of the Kansas City Chiefs” by Alan Hoskins
Expectations are high for every team months away from the opening game. The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs’ expectations might be a little higher than most. Take an illustrated stroll through Kansas City’s football history.

“On Every Play, Eleven Men Believed: The Story of How the St. Louis Rams Rose from the Cellar to the Super Bowl“
Remember the 1999 St. Louis Rams? Follow their path to the championship through a collection of articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Read about Marshall Faulk’s first year in St. Louis, Kurt Warner’s MVP, “The Tackle” and other great stories of the legendary “Greatest Show on Turf.”

“That First Season” by John Eisenberg
Experience the beginning of a dynasty. Eisenberg tells us about Vince Lombardi’s first season in Green Bay and how he took the Packers from obscurity to dominance.

“Take Your Eye Off The Ball” by Pat Kirwan
We live in a golden age of watching football. We have an analyst or expert to break down every play on both sides of the ball. Pat Kirwan shows how to look past the pretty lights and flashes and focus on the real greatness of the game.

“The Games that Changed the Game” by Ron Jaworski
From Bill Wash’s West Coast Offense to the Zone Blitzes of the Steelers, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski uses seven unique games to highlight major transformations in the modern NFL playbook.

Don’t you hate the doldrums? That awful time of year between the NFL draft and preseason games. Sure, there are other sports to watch. Baseball is heating up with the All-Star break approaching, the NBA and NHL will crown a champion soon and the US Open is right around the corner. But there’s nothing quite like a good NFL game. Sadly, September is a long way off.

Fear not, football fans! There are plenty of great books out there to keep you entertained and get you ready for the 2013 NFL season.

“Warpaths: The Illustrated History of the Kansas City Chiefs” by Alan Hoskins
Expectations are high for every team months away from the opening game. The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs’ expectations might be a little higher than most. Take an illustrated stroll through Kansas City’s football history.

“On Every Play, Eleven Men Believed: The Story of How the St. Louis Rams Rose from the Cellar to the Super Bowl“
Remember the 1999 St. Louis Rams? Follow their path to the championship through a collection of articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Read about Marshall Faulk’s first year in St. Louis, Kurt Warner’s MVP, “The Tackle” and other great stories of the legendary “Greatest Show on Turf.”

“That First Season” by John Eisenberg
Experience the beginning of a dynasty. Eisenberg tells us about Vince Lombardi’s first season in Green Bay and how he took the Packers from obscurity to dominance.

“Take Your Eye Off The Ball” by Pat Kirwan
We live in a golden age of watching football. We have an analyst or expert to break down every play on both sides of the ball. Pat Kirwan shows how to look past the pretty lights and flashes and focus on the real greatness of the game.

“The Games that Changed the Game” by Ron Jaworski
From Bill Wash’s West Coast Offense to the Zone Blitzes of the Steelers, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski uses seven unique games to highlight major transformations in the modern NFL playbook.

Use your camera to explore beneath the surface of your environment. Submit your photos in one of three categories by July 26 for a chance to win a Barnes & Noble gift card:

• Portrait: A photograph of a person or group of people observed in their natural environment.
• Nature: A photograph that includes animals, plants, landscapes or panoramic views.
• Artistic Showcase: A creative photograph that may not fit in the other two categories.

This contest is open to all teens ages 12-18 in Boone and Callaway Counties. All eligible entries will be showcased at teens.dbrl.org. Review contest rules and submission guidelines at teens.dbrl.org/photo-contest. Questions? You may contact a librarian for answers at teen@dbrl.org or (573) 443-3161.

You like to read. You like to win free stuff. With Summer Reading, you can do both! Groundbreaking Reads invites you to dig into some big and new ideas through books and programs, now through August 3. Registration is open, and participating is easy. Here’s how:

• Sign up online or in person at any of our libraries and on the bookmobile. As a summer reader you’ll be entered into weekly drawings for Barnes & Noble gift cards.
• Read! Browse our fiction and nonfiction lists for inspiration. This year our patrons shared titles they found personally groundbreaking. Or simply dive into that pile of books waiting on your night stand.
• Attend related programs. You can learn about literal groundbreaking with a gardening program, find out how to turn a groundbreaking idea into a business, unearth your family’s history or go underground to explore Missouri’s caves.
• Submit book reviews. With each review, we’ll enter your name into a weekly gift card drawing; the more reviews you submit, the better your chance of winning! We’ll feature the best of the reviews we receive here on DBRL Next.

 

Registration for teen summer reading has begun! Sign up online, or at any of our three branches or bookmobile stops. The library is challenging area young adults ages 12-18 to read for 20 hours, share three book reviews and do seven of our suggested activities. Get your reward card punched as you go, and when you finish, you’ll receive a summer reading bag and be entered in a drawing for a free Kindle E-reader.

Registration for teen summer reading has begun! Sign up online, or at any of our three branches or bookmobile stops. The library is challenging area young adults ages 12-18 to read for 20 hours, share three book reviews and do seven of our suggested activities. Get your reward card punched as you go, and when you finish, you’ll receive a summer reading bag and be entered in a drawing for a free Kindle E-reader.

We recently added “Kumare” to the DBRL collection. The film was the winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at SXSW 2011 and currently has a rating of 85% from audiences at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

A provocative social experiment-turned-documentary, Kumare follows American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a wise Indian guru, hoping to prove the absurdity of blind faith. Instead, he finds himself forging profound connections with people from all walks of life — and wondering if and when to reveal his true self…winner of South by Southwest’s Audience Award, Kumare is an insightful look at faith and belief.

Check out the film trailer or the official film site for more info.

Get ready for our annual Adult Summer Reading program! Starting May 31 your library invites you to dig in to groundbreaking books and ideas of all kinds. Sign up here at DBRL Next, share your book reviews to be entered into weekly drawings for book store gift certificates and join us for a range of inspiring programs. Who knows what new interests you might uncover?

Unearthing the Mysteries of Mars
Tuesday, June 11 › 7-8:15 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room

Mars has the same day-length and axial tilt as Earth, an atmosphere with clouds, ice caps at both poles and what look like continents in a planetary ocean. Val Germann of the Central Missouri Astronomical Association will tell us why Mars remains the planet in our solar system most likely to be fostering some form of life. He’ll also discuss what the Mars rovers have revealed about the dangers to our own atmosphere here on Earth.

Genealogy Research With “Find a Grave”

• Thursday, June 13 › 7-8:30 p.m.
  Southern Boone County Public Library, Meeting Room (To sign up call 573-657-7378)
• Saturday, June 29 › 9:30-11 a.m.
  Callaway County Public Library (No registration required)

Amanda Lake of the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri will show you how to use the “Find a Grave” website to do genealogy research, beginning with the free sign-up process and demonstrating searches by name and cemetery. She will explain how to become a photo volunteer and how to put together a virtual family cemetery. Registration begins Thursday, May 30.

Growing Edible Herb Gardens
Monday, June 17 › 6:30-8 p.m.
Callaway County Public Library, Friends Room

Christine Breakfield, a community health educator with the Callaway County Health Department, will show you how to grow potted herbs and use them to create flavorful dishes. You’ll pot your own herbs to take home. Adults. Registration begins Monday, June 3. Call 573-642-7261 to sign up.

If Walls Could Talk
Tuesday, June 18 › 7-8:15 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room

Learn how to unearth the history of your house and neighborhood. Are there any fascinating stories buried in the past? Architectural historian and historic preservation consultant Deb Sheals will tell us what records to look for to date historic houses and identify their early owners and occupants and where to find records online and locally.

Read more about these and other Adult Summer Reading programs in our online calendar. We hope to see you at the library this summer!

Wii U Teen Game Night
Wednesday, June 12 › 6-8 p.m.
Columbia Public Library

Test drive the library’s new Wii U game console. Become a dancing superstar in “Just Dance 4,” defeat evil aliens in your own “Metroid” spaceship or team up with friends to conquer Bowser in the new “Super Mario Bros.” We’ll also have snacks and a selection of the library’s newest teen fiction, music and DVDs for you to check out. Don’t have a library card? We’ll have library card applications on hand for your parent or guardian to sign.  Ages 12 and older. Registration begins Tuesday, June 4. Call (573) 443-3161 to sign up!

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day due to the practice of decorating veterans’ graves with flowers and flags and has roots in our nation’s extreme grief following the Civil War. Beginning in 1866, May 30 of each year was designated as Memorial Day, but this was later amended so that the holiday always falls on the last Monday in May. Local communities are marking this holiday by honoring soldiers in various ways, from performances and parades to services in local cemeteries.

The 2013 Salute to Veterans weekend is one of the largest local celebrations, providing an airshow May 25 and 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Columbia Regional Airport. The annual Salute To Veterans Parade begins at 9:55 a.m. on May 27 on Broadway in downtown Columbia.

All library buildings are closed this Memorial Day (and Sunday, May 26), but there are plenty of resources you can access online 24 hours a day.

• Learn about the history of Memorial Day in American History Online.
• Research your family history, including relatives who served in the military, using resources listed in our Genealogy subject guide.
• Find out about other area celebrations in our Events & Festivals subject guide.
• Browse books about the Civil War in Missouri, and place holds on those titles you would like to pick up when the library reopens.

Image source: “WPA Memorial Day Poster.” Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs Division. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=AHI10902&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 24, 2012)