Daniel Boone Regional Library

Got the heat cranked up for the winter? Considering the whirlwind of inconsistent weather we’ve had this month, you may soon be turning on the air conditioning. Whether you are running the heat or AC, your electric bill might be more than you’d like. To save money, my roommate and I have bundled up inside and kept the heat off altogether. Just as we were considering cooking all of our food by way of bonfire on the balcony, we thought of something a little less primal. Our computers and television, as well as our portable video game systems, were taking up most of our electrical outlets. All of the energy that went into charging them alone must have been driving our bill through the roof. The alternative? Reading, of course!

Imagine the cost of keeping the lights on, plus the heat, plus the TV and the DVD player. Instead, how about just one or two lamps by the couch for some light reading? Or maybe a hot cup of tea from the kettle and a warm fuzzy blanket? My friend and I have been reading “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen out loud to each other. It’s a great social activity for the family or just when you have a night in. And it’s probably a little healthier than a big, buttery bag of popcorn and a rerun of Law & Order.

Also, did you know that being on devices before bed can make it harder to sleep? Staring at a screen, of any kind, causes neurons in your brain to go off, and they keep firing long after you’ve shut down. Reading a book 30 minutes before bed instead of texting can lead to healthier and easier sleep.

Here are some books the library carries on saving energy in your home and your body:

• “Consumer Guide To Home Energy Savings” by Jennifer Thorne Amann
• “The Fresh Energy Cook Book” by Natalia Rose
• “Raw Energy” by Stephanie L. Tourles
• “Sleep, It Does A Family Good” by Archibald D. Hart

photo credit: Martin Gommel via photopin cc

Reviewer: Audrey B.

Why you liked this book: I liked this book because it was kind of a break from a lot of YA fiction as in it wasn’t COMPLETELY centered around romance. Throughout the book Roger kind of holds back on his feelings. He acts very mysterious for about the first half of the book, but that added to the story. So did the tension between Amy, her mom, and her brother. I liked Amy a lot because she was very vulnerable which made her really awkward around Roger. At the end of the book, Roger and Amy… Ha, you thought I would actually tell you! That’s funny. I’m going to make you read the book. No question.

Three words that describe this book: amazing, romantic, and tense.

You might pick this book up if… you like a book that’s not completely centered around romance, or if you like road trips. Also, “Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour” is a Gateway Award Nominee. Be sure to check out the other titles on this list of must-reads.

We recently added “5 Broken Cameras” to the DBRL collection. The film won the Special Jury Award and the Audience Award at the 2011 IDFA, and currently has a rating of 94% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

5 Broken Cameras is a deeply personal, first-hand account of non-violent resistance in Bil’in, a West Bank village threatened by encroaching Israeli settlements. Shot almost entirely by Palestinian farmer Emad Burnat, who bought his first camera in 2005 to record the birth of his youngest son, the footage was later turned into a galvanizing cinematic experience by co-directors Burnat and Davidi.

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

The lives of the rich and famous hold great fascination for us regular folks. Yes, I love to watch the movie stars on the red carpet and critique gowns and suits. When it comes to books, I sometimes take similar pleasure in learning about the lives of celebrities. However, I’m not looking for a gossipy tell-all or dishy memoir. (Real Housewife Brandi Glanville’s “Drinking and Tweeting” is not on my to-read list.) I lean toward fictional portraits of past greats – writers, artists, scientists – and the lives of people around them. Apparently I am not alone, as books like “The Aviator’s Wife” shoot up the bestseller lists. In this historical fiction, author Melanie Benjamin portrays Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of pilot Charles Lindbergh, who was also a talented pilot in her own right. Place a hold on this book, and then make your wait more enjoyable by picking up one of these other fictional works based on intriguing and extraordinary women in history.

“Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb” by Melanie Benjamin (2011)
Mercy Lavinia “Vinnie” Warren Bump, the nineteenth century little person and wife of Gen. Tom Thumb, tells her life story in this spirited fictionalized autobiography. Vinnie comes of age in the antebellum south before being invited to join the P. T. Barnum circus. This is an entertaining book, full of Americana and offering up plenty of behind-the-scenes looks at show business.

“Girl in a Blue Dress” by Gaynor Arnold (2008)
Subtitled, “A Novel Inspired by the Life and Marriage of Charles Dickens,” Arnold’s book begins with the widowed Dorthea reflecting on her marriage to and separation from author husband Alfred Gibson (read: Charles Dickens). ”From very early on in our marriage it seemed as though I could possess only what the world had left behind—the cuffs and coattails of his existence.” Told in a series of flashbacks, her tale explores motherhood, marriage and the effects of celebrity in Victorian England.

“Loving Frank” by Nancy Horan (2007)
The Frank of the title is Frank Lloyd Wright, who in 1904 designs a house for Edwin and Mamah Borthwick Cheney, an upstanding young couple in Oakpark, Illinois. The public is scandalized when Wright and Mamah then leave their families to live together in Europe. There Mamah is exposed to feminist ideas about the confining role of women and marriage, and Frank eventually convinces her to return with him to the US to tragic end. Flawed characters, romance, and discussions of feminism and architecture make this a compelling read.

“Marrying Mozart” by Stephanie Cowell (2004)
In this literary romance, the lives of the four Weber sisters are changed by the arrival of 21-year-old Wolfgang Mozart, a young man struggling to find his place in the eighteenth-century musical world. A richly textured portrayal of this passionate musician and the women who inspired his art and captured his heart.

“The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain (2011)
Hadley Richardson meets the brash “beautiful boy” Ernest Hemingway in 1920s Chicago, and after a brief courtship, they marry and take off for Paris, where Hadley makes a convincing transformation from an overprotected child to a game and brave young woman who puts up with impoverished living conditions and shattering loneliness to prop up her husband’s career. Details of Jazz Age Paris and elbow-rubbing with cultural icons like Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein make an entertaining backdrop, but the focus of this well-crafted tale is the sympathetic Hadley.

What are your favorite works of historical fiction based on the lives of famous (or infamous) people? Share with us in the comments!

The lives of the rich and famous hold great fascination for us regular folks. Yes, I love to watch the movie stars on the red carpet and critique gowns and suits. When it comes to books, I sometimes take similar pleasure in learning about the lives of celebrities. However, I’m not looking for a gossipy tell-all or dishy memoir. (Real Housewife Brandi Glanville’s “Drinking and Tweeting” is not on my to-read list.) I lean toward fictional portraits of past greats – writers, artists, scientists – and the lives of people around them. Apparently I am not alone, as books like “The Aviator’s Wife” shoot up the bestseller lists. In this historical fiction, author Melanie Benjamin portrays Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of pilot Charles Lindbergh, who was also a talented pilot in her own right. Place a hold on this book, and then make your wait more enjoyable by picking up one of these other fictional works based on intriguing and extraordinary women in history.

“Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb” by Melanie Benjamin (2011)
Mercy Lavinia “Vinnie” Warren Bump, the nineteenth century little person and wife of Gen. Tom Thumb, tells her life story in this spirited fictionalized autobiography. Vinnie comes of age in the antebellum south before being invited to join the P. T. Barnum circus. This is an entertaining book, full of Americana and offering up plenty of behind-the-scenes looks at show business.

“Girl in a Blue Dress” by Gaynor Arnold (2008)
Subtitled, “A Novel Inspired by the Life and Marriage of Charles Dickens,” Arnold’s book begins with the widowed Dorthea reflecting on her marriage to and separation from author husband Alfred Gibson (read: Charles Dickens). ”From very early on in our marriage it seemed as though I could possess only what the world had left behind—the cuffs and coattails of his existence.” Told in a series of flashbacks, her tale explores motherhood, marriage and the effects of celebrity in Victorian England.

“Loving Frank” by Nancy Horan (2007)
The Frank of the title is Frank Lloyd Wright, who in 1904 designs a house for Edwin and Mamah Borthwick Cheney, an upstanding young couple in Oakpark, Illinois. The public is scandalized when Wright and Mamah then leave their families to live together in Europe. There Mamah is exposed to feminist ideas about the confining role of women and marriage, and Frank eventually convinces her to return with him to the US to tragic end. Flawed characters, romance, and discussions of feminism and architecture make this a compelling read.

“Marrying Mozart” by Stephanie Cowell (2004)
In this literary romance, the lives of the four Weber sisters are changed by the arrival of 21-year-old Wolfgang Mozart, a young man struggling to find his place in the eighteenth-century musical world. A richly textured portrayal of this passionate musician and the women who inspired his art and captured his heart.

“The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain (2011)
Hadley Richardson meets the brash “beautiful boy” Ernest Hemingway in 1920s Chicago, and after a brief courtship, they marry and take off for Paris, where Hadley makes a convincing transformation from an overprotected child to a game and brave young woman who puts up with impoverished living conditions and shattering loneliness to prop up her husband’s career. Details of Jazz Age Paris and elbow-rubbing with cultural icons like Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein make an entertaining backdrop, but the focus of this well-crafted tale is the sympathetic Hadley.

What are your favorite works of historical fiction based on the lives of famous (or infamous) people? Share with us in the comments!

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) publishes a list of the year’s best books, audiobooks, films and graphic novels for teens. The “Best of the Best” is a great place to start when looking for your next great book to read or movie to watch.

• Best Fiction for Young Adults
• Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
• Amazing Audiobooks
• Great Graphic Novels
• Fab Films

YALSA has also created the “Teen Book Finder” app available for iPhone or iPad so you can get book recommendations on-the-go!

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) publishes a list of the year’s best books, audiobooks, films and graphic novels for teens. The “Best of the Best” is a great place to start when looking for your next great book to read or movie to watch.

• Best Fiction for Young Adults
• Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
• Amazing Audiobooks
• Great Graphic Novels
• Fab Films

YALSA has also created the “Teen Book Finder” app available for iPhone or iPad so you can get book recommendations on-the-go!

Editor’s note: These cookbook reviews were submitted by library patrons during the 2012 Adult Summer Reading program. We will continue to periodically share the best of these reviews throughout the year. Many thanks to all of those who participated!

“Everyday Paleo” by Sarah Fragoso
This is a great cookbook if you are new to the Paleo diet. Very workable recipes are set out in an easy to follow format. Who knew you could make a gluten-free pizza crust from almonds! You might want to pick this book up if you are interested in learning more about the Paleo diet or you are looking for new, healthy, delicious recipes.
- Anonymous

“Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook” by Cheryl Day
I loved this cookbook! It has a vintage layout, and there are pictures of each item. Not to mention the pages are nice and heavy. I have tried many of the recipes, and they are great. Cheryl speaks to the readers in an honest and sincere way. You might want to pick this book up if you like to look at vintage kitchens, to read about someone’s rags-to-riches story and like the South.
- Terra S.

“The Kitchen Counter Cooking School” by Kathleen Flinn
It made me want to be a better cook. Because of this book, I am investigating the availability of local cooking classes. I am a baker but always thought cooking was too hard and time-consuming. After reading this book, I really think that with the right teacher, I could actually do it. You might want to pick this book up if you need inspiration to spend more productive time in the kitchen.
- Amy C.

Be sure to register online by Friday, March 8 if you plan to take the April 13 ACT exam. If you would like to know more about testing costs, locations, and resources to help you prepare, check out our online guide, SAT/ACT Prep. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog updates for regular email reminders of upcoming SAT and ACT registration deadlines!

February 24: “Battle” 2:00 p.m. at Columbia Public Library, free. (via)
February 25:  “The Invisible War” 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Forum 8. (via)
February 25: “Only the Young” 7:30 p.m. at Ragtag. (via)
February 26: Neither/Nor Series starts at Ragtag. (via)
February 27-28: Based on a True Story: The Intersections of Documentary Film and Journalism conference at MU Reynolds Journalism Institute. Conference registration required. Screening of “The Invisible War” on February 27th with director Kirby Dick in attendance. (via)
February 28-March 3: True False Film Fest starts in downtown Columbia. (via)
February 28: “Soul Food Junkies” 7:00 pm at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, free. Filmmaker Byron Hurt in attendance. (via)
February 28: “The Trouble Begins At Eight: The Music of Rocket Kirchner” 7:30 p.m. at Columbia Public Library, free.

We recently added “Bully” to the DBRL collection. The film played at the True/False Film Festival in 2012, and currently has a rating of 86% from critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s a synopsis from our catalog:

This is a character-driven documentary following five kids and families over the course of a school year. Offering insight into different facets of America’s bullying crisis, the stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter, who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. Documentary provides an intimate and often shocking glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices.

Check out the film trailer or the official film site for more info. DBRL also has the companion book in paperback or on audiobook cd. 

If I were to pick the most famous, talked about, reinvented and loved fictional detective of all time, I’m sure anyone could guess who it would be: Sherlock Holmes. Good old Sherlock has been portrayed so many times over the years, from Basil Rathbone’s performance in the 1930s and 40s to today’s interpretation by the handsome, cold, calculating Benedict Cumberbatch. American producers have even thrown their own versions into the ring with television shows like “House M.D.” and the new series “Elementary.” Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the world can’t get enough of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s highly functioning sociopath turned consulting detective. And if you’re anything like me, you can’t either.

The library has in its collection fabulous books from the series The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Titan Books has gathered some amazing authors to recreate classic Doyle characters in new missions, most you may recognize. “Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula,” “Sherlock Holmes and the Angel of the Opera” and “Sherlock Holmes and the Army of Dr. Moreau” are well-written and stimulating crossovers for all Holmes fans alike!

But maybe Sherlock isn’t exactly your cup of tea? Perhaps you prefer the other side of the coin, and Moriarty is your very reason for putting up with that Sherlock sod and his sidekick Dr. John Watson. In this case, I highly recommend getting to know thief Arsène Lupin, created by Maurice LeBlanc. In 1907 Maurice invented Lupin as a counterpart to Sherlock Holmes. In fact, LeBlanc went so far as to write a crossover where Sherlock meets Lupin for the first time, but because of copyright issues LeBlanc was forced to change the detective’s name to “Herlock Sholmes.” Herlock shows up in a few more of Lupin’s adventures to act as an antagonist. DBRL carries “Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-thief” and “The Crystal-Stopper” (electronic text only) for your reading pleasure.

If I were to pick the most famous, talked about, reinvented and loved fictional detective of all time, I’m sure anyone could guess who it would be: Sherlock Holmes. Good old Sherlock has been portrayed so many times over the years, from Basil Rathbone’s performance in the 1930s and 40s to today’s interpretation by the handsome, cold, calculating Benedict Cumberbatch. American producers have even thrown their own versions into the ring with television shows like “House M.D.” and the new series “Elementary.” Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the world can’t get enough of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s highly functioning sociopath turned consulting detective. And if you’re anything like me, you can’t either.

The library has in its collection fabulous books from the series The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Titan Books has gathered some amazing authors to recreate classic Doyle characters in new missions, most you may recognize. “Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula,” “Sherlock Holmes and the Angel of the Opera” and “Sherlock Holmes and the Army of Dr. Moreau” are well-written and stimulating crossovers for all Holmes fans alike!

But maybe Sherlock isn’t exactly your cup of tea? Perhaps you prefer the other side of the coin, and Moriarty is your very reason for putting up with that Sherlock sod and his sidekick Dr. John Watson. In this case, I highly recommend getting to know thief Arsène Lupin, created by Maurice LeBlanc. In 1907 Maurice invented Lupin as a counterpart to Sherlock Holmes. In fact, LeBlanc went so far as to write a crossover where Sherlock meets Lupin for the first time, but because of copyright issues LeBlanc was forced to change the detective’s name to “Herlock Sholmes.” Herlock shows up in a few more of Lupin’s adventures to act as an antagonist. DBRL carries “Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-thief” and “The Crystal-Stopper” (electronic text only) for your reading pleasure.

Reviewer: Kelly T.

Why you liked this book: This book is amazing! Piper is a strong character because she is deaf and able to overcome all the problems that get thrown in her face. I love that there are all these references to American Sign Language which many people don’t seem to know about. I think that everyone needs to read this book!

Three words that describe this book: heartfelt, astounding, and beautiful.

You might pick this book up if… you liked “The Vinyl Princess” by Yvonne Prinz or “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” by Rachel Cohen and David Levithan. If you are looking for another great read, you should also check out the rest of this year’s Gateway Award nominees.

We’ve compiled a list of previous documentaries available at DBRL from the directors who are presenting films at the upcoming True/False Film Fest. Check out their old films before you attend the fest for their new films!

Lucy Walker
True/False 2013 film: “Crash Reel”
Past films as director: “Waste Land,” “Countdown to Zero,” “Blindsight,” “Devil’s Playground”

Richard Rowley
True/False 2013 film: “Dirty Wars”
Past film as director: “The Fourth World War”

Lucien Castaing-Taylor
True/False 2013 films: “Leviathan,” ”Sweetgrass”
Past film as director: “Sweetgrass”

Greg Barker
True/False 2013 film: “Manhunt”
Past films as director: “Sergio,” “Ghosts of Rwanda,” “Commanding Heights”

Robert Stone
True/False 2013 film: “Pussy Riot — A Punk Prayer”
Past films as director: “Earth Days,” “Oswald’s Ghost,” “Civilian Conservation Corps”

Morgan Neville
True/False 2013 film: “Twenty Feet From Stardom”
Past films as director: “Troubadours,” “Respect Yourself,” “Muddy Waters,” “Shakespeare Was A Big George Jones Fan,” “Iggy and the Stooges”

Sebastian Junger
True/False 2013 film: “Which Way is the Front Line From Here?”
Past film as director: “Restrepo”

To see more about the films showing at True False 2013, check out the list of films on the True/False website or check out the the trailers for the festival on youtube. Be sure to check out our True/False Film Fest films at DBRL to see lists of past True False films.

On Wednesday, February 27, a rock and roll band called Menomena will be coming to Columbia to perform at Mojo’s. They are from Portland (the more Fred Armisen-y one), so, even if you aren’t a fan of their music, I encourage you to attend their show if only to display your CoMo pride by politely informing them at their merchandise booth before and/or after the show while you purchase many t-shirts and compact discs, that “Columbia is fancy, just look at what I’m wearing.” or “We too have trucks that drive around all full up of tacos and which exchange said tacos for money.” or “Heavens to Betsy man, our public library has a BLOG, do you hear me? A BLOG.” Your message will be clearer when scrawled on paper money that you then tuck courteously into their fashionable trousers.

Saying/writing these things will do more than make you a patron of the arts and ensure Menomena will be able to have breakfast the next day. (Growing rock bands need a good breakfast.) Obviously this discourse will make it clear that Columbia isn’t a town to be trifled with and that a critically acclaimed band can’t just waltz into town and play a sure-to-be outstanding show (seen ‘em be awesome twice, and I’m certain this will make thrice) without doing a neurotically thorough self-Googling to determine if any blog posts have been generated promoting their appearance and then becoming best friends with the author and giving him a free t-shirt and why not a cut of the merchandise revenue, maybe?

Menomena is touring as a five-piece because it takes upwards of ten hands to satisfy the mad ambition of these geniuses. But in the studio, it’s just Danny Seim and Justin Harris. (Prior to 2012 they were joined by Brent Knopf, but he left the band because only two people can comfortably fit on a tandem bicycle, and he wanted to focus on his other band, the also excellent “Ramona Falls.”) “How can it take five people on stage to do what only two do in the studio?” I ask furiously. People have attempted to explain to me that the duo uses modern recording “tricks” like computers, microphones and saxophones, and that this technological wizardry allows the band to simulate an entire roomful of people willing to play for absolutely no compensation or even the basic respect that one should afford their fellow humans.

You should check out their music, and then go to their show and buy a bunch of merchandise and remind them that you wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for that strange dude nervously milling about who seems to want to say something to the band and could probably use a kind word and maybe a modest slice of the profits from the show ’cause seriously you’re just going to spend it on food and guitars and maybe something like an exotic pet (though certainly not a haircut! HA HA).

The Daniel Boone Regional Library has an action-packed spring line-up for area teens. Vote for your favorite young adult novel in the March Madness Teen Book Tournament. Showcase your artistry by designing a bookmark for our teen summer reading program. Have fun by creating your favorite Star Wars characters out of origami. Challenge your friends to a game of “Super Mario Bros” with the library’s new Wii U. To receive email reminders of these and other teen programs, sign up for our blog updates!

March Madness Teen Book Tournament

March Madness is approaching, but why should basketball fans have all the fun? At your library or online at teens.dbrl.org, you can help us name a Mid-Missouri teen book champion. Each Tuesday in March we will be narrowing our pool of the 16 most popular teen books to a single champion. Vote March 5-11 for the Elite 8; vote March 12-18 for the Final 4; vote March 19-25 for the final two contending titles; and vote March 26-April 1 for the book tournament champion. We’ll announce the winner on April 3! Don’t forget that by supporting your favorite book, you’ll also be entered to win prizes like a gift card to Barnes & Noble, or a free autographed copy of “Legend” by Marie Lu.

Design a Bookmark Contest

Help us get ready for Summer Reading by designing an original bookmark based on the teen theme, ”Beneath the Surface.” Winners’ artwork from each library branch will appear on bookmarks to be distributed late spring through summer. Please design two-dimensional artwork, using crayons, markers or any other illustration tool or medium. Photography is also acceptable, as long as it is your own! Download an entry form at teens.dbrl.org after March 1, or pick one up at your nearest library branch. Ages 12-18. Entry deadline is Saturday, March 30.

Callaway County Youth Poetry Contest

As part of National Poetry Month in April, we invite Callaway County teens to submit their original poems with a chance to win an award and have their work displayed at the Callaway County Public Library, Central Bank and at teens.dbrl.org. Get contest rules and entry forms after March 1 at the library, bookmobile or at teens.dbrl.org. Entries due April 6. An awards ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at the library. Co-sponsored by the Auxvasse Creative Arts Program.

Star Wars Origami

If you’ve read the “Origami Yoda” series by Tom Angleberger or are just a Star Wars fan, join us to learn to fold origami Yoda, Darth Vader and other Star Wars figures.

Callaway County
Public Library
Sat., Apr. 27,
2 p.m. SoBoCo Public Library
Tues., Apr. 30, 3:30 p.m.

To register, please call
(573) 657-7378
after April 16. Columbia
Public Library
Tues., May 7,
5:30 p.m. Wii U Lauch Party/Teen Game Night

Test drive the library’s new Wii U game console. Become a ghost hunter in “Luigi’s Ghost Mansion,” defeat evil aliens in your own “Metroid” spaceship, or team up with your 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.

Columbia Public Library
Wed., Apr. 3, 6 p.m.

To register, please call
(573) 443-3161
after Tuesday, March 19. SoBoCo Public Library
Fri., Apr. 19, 6:30 p.m.

To register, please call
(573) 657-7378
after Friday, April 5. Columbia Public Library
Wed., May 1, 6 p.m.

To register, please call
(573) 443-3161
after Tuesday, April 23

Google is an incredibly powerful search engine. Type in a keyword or phrase and Google returns results in a fraction of a second. “Sandwiches Columbia Missouri” will give you a list of possible places where you can grab a quick lunch. You can also use a minus (-) sign to tell Google what not to include in your search results, so if you are looking for a cake recipe that isn’t chocolate, type in “cake recipe -chocolate.” You will get everything from carrot cakes to cauliflower cakes!

Did you know that Google also has some built-in tools for everyday tasks you might want to accomplish online? Here are five of my favorites.

1. Calculate anything. Type an equation in the search box, and Google becomes a calculator. Try typing “15 x 5 =” (and make sure to use spaces in between the numbers and symbols) and see what happens.
2. Get a definition. Google also functions as a dictionary! Put “define:” in front of any word to find out its meaning.
3. Weather and time. Type the word “weather” and any location or zip code to quickly see whether you need that hat and gloves or if you should pack an umbrella. Similarly, the word “time” and any location will tell you exactly what time it is in that location. As I’m drafting this, it is 9:26 p.m. in Istanbul, just in case you were wondering.
4. Search a specific site. If you want search results from a specific website (like the Daniel Boone Regional Library, for instance) or a specific type of site (.gov or .edu), begin your search phrase with “site:dbrl.org” or “site:.gov,” followed by a space and your keyword(s).  Try “site:dbrl.org ebooks” to see pages on the library’s website related to this popular service.
5. Keep it local. Follow your place search with a zip code if you want your results to be relevant to your physical location. Coffee 65251 will tell you where to get your caffeine fix in Fulton.

Want to learn more tips and tricks? Check our online program calendar for upcoming computer classes, including Google Toolbox and Advanced Internet. Have a favorite trick of your own? Let us know in the comments.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 • 6:30 p.m.
Columbia Public Library, Friends Room

“The Queen of Versailles” (100 min.) is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff. This documentary by director Lauren Greenfield was shown at the True/False Film Fest in 2012. Greenfield also directed the film “Thin“ in 2006. Check out the trailer for the film below.

February 21: “Hip-Hip: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” 7:00 pm at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, free. Panel discussion to follow. (via)