May at the Library
Great
Falls Public Library Blog
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Closures and Summer Schedule
The Great Falls Public Library announces the conclusion of its
winter schedule on Sunday, May 18, which is the last Sunday the
library will be open until October. In addition, the library will
be closed on Monday, May 26, in honor of Memorial Day.
Elephants 'n Donkeys
During the months of May and June the Great Falls Public Library
is hosting an exhibit by the Thursday Morning Artists (formerly
the Thursday Morning Drawing Club). The group, which
features ten core members, returns to the library each spring
with an eclectic mix of art. This year's exhibit is called Elephants
'n Donkeys.
A reception for the Thursday Morning Artists will be held
on Thursday, May 22, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., in the gallery
area of the library. The reception is free and open to the public.
Also being exhibited is The Hope & Opportunity Photography
Exhibit, featuring photography from the Homestead era
of Montana. This exhibit is built from the broad collection of
imagery and memorabilia held at the Overholser Historical Research
Center and the River and Plains Society Museums, both
of Fort Benton. This community collection of photography belongs
to
the people of Fort Benton.
OpenBook Discussion
Thursday, May 1, at 7:00 p.m.
The Great Falls Public Library in conjunction with the Humanities
Montana wraps up the season with the final OpenBook discussion
in the Montana Room of the library. UGF Professor Penny Hughes-Briant
facilitates. Books are available at the library two to three
weeks prior to each discussion. Discussions are held the first
Thursday of each month through May.
May's discussion will feature the book Ten Tough Trips
by Bill Bevis. The writings in this anthology are literary
journeys made by ten writers ranging from James Fenimore Cooper
to James Welch. In a series of lucid and witty essays,
Bevis uses their works to explore the conflict between the mythic
West of European yearnings and the real complications and austerities
of Montana.
Science Fair Finalist Speaks
Thursday, May 1, 7:00 p.m.
Great Falls Public Library welcomes Great Falls High School
ninth grader Katelyn Gibbs presenting Montana Evidence
of an Extraterrestrial Impact That Lead to the Extinction of the
Mammoth of North America. Gibbs, who has participated in both
city and regional science fairs gives this presentation as a preliminary
to presenting it in the international science fair competition
in Atlanta, GA., later in May.
Register Early for Free Computer Classes
Monday, May 5: Computer Basics
Monday, May 19: Social Networking: MySpace 101
The Great Falls Public Library's free computer classes continue
on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month through June, from 5:00
- 6:00 pm. on the second floor of the Library. Due to high interest
and limited computers, class size has been capped at 32. Anyone
interested in attending needs to pre-register by calling the Library
at 453-0349 or stopping in at the 2nd floor Information Desk.
Understanding and Treating
Repetitive Strain
Thursday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.
Anyone who spends time at a computer, drives a car, or performs
repetitive tasks will be interested in this presentation by local
chiropractor Dr. Michael Matury. While the focus of medicine
highlights cardiovascular disease and cancer, repetitive strain
injuries have crept up to become a monster. It is estimated to
cost over $200 billion per year in direct and indirect impacts.
Knowledge of how repetitive injuries cause pain has grown, bringing
with it new interest and treatments. Dr. Matury, who has
15 years of experience in this area, will discuss both treatments
and prevention. Money, pain, and inconvenience can be saved by
learning how to properly access and deal with these injuries.
Foreign and Independent Film Series
concludes for the season
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Films will be shown each month on the
second Wednesday and the following Saturday. The series,
which runs September through May, is free and open to the
public. Be forewarned, some films may contain strong language
or adult situations. They are not rated by MPAA but in our
brochures we have tried to indicate content. Brochures are
available at the library.
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The Island
May 14, 7:00 p.m.
May 17, 2:00 p.m.
Cordingley Room
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May's selection is the award-winning Russian film The
Island. This film tells the story of an eccentric
monk, who has a reputation for healing, in an obscure
northern, Russian monastery. He also has a past that haunts
him. Stark and beautiful, The Island asks two quintessential
Russian questions: Who is guilty?
Who can be redeemed?
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For more information call Jude Smith at
453-0349
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Kyrgyzstan in a Post-Soviet World
Thursday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.
The Great Falls Public Library welcomes local attorney Anders
Blewett back by popular demand. Blewett draws upon
his experience teaching law at the American University in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, and traveling throughout Central Asia (Kazahkstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Uzebekistan, and Tajikistan) to address the following
subjects: regional geopolitics, the rise of Islam, the prominence
of corruption and organized crime, and the prospect for democracy
in Central Asia.
Friends to Hold Book Sale
Thursday, May 15, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The Friends of the Great Falls Public Library will hold its first
used book sale on the third floor of the library. Individuals
who would like to attend the "pre-sale" on Thursday
will be asked to join the Friends of the Library group at reduced
dues of $5, instead of the regular annual dues of $15. There will
be no cost to attend the sale on Saturday or Sunday, and Sunday
also will be the $1 sack sale.
The sale will offer hundreds of books for sale, including paperbacks,
hardbacks, sheet music, coffee table books, audio books and videos,
ranging in price from five cents to five dollars. There also will
be some free items.
Friends of the Public Library is a voluntary organization that
values, supports, and champions the public library in ways that
include, but are not limited to, advocacy, sponsorship, and organizing
special events and projects for the library, such as this book
sale. Members can choose their own level of involvement, either
through active involvement or through membership dues, with both
levels supporting the library and the community.
For further information, call Book Sale Project Director Carol
Birckhead at 727-1229 or Jude Smith at the library at 453-0349.
An Evening with Pierre Cruzatte
Thursday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.
The Great Falls Public Library hosts local musician and historian
Richard Baker as he enacts the character of Pierre Cruzatte.
Cruzatte was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
He was of French and Omaha tribe Indian heritage. Before joining
the Expedition, he was a trader on the Missouri River. Speaking
several languages of the frontier, including sign language, he
was of valuable assistance to the captains. Along with his language
skills, Cruzatte was an expert riverman and possessed key geographical
knowledge. He also acted as an entertainer for the troops, playing
his fiddle,
keeping spirits high.
Tour of the Rocky Mountain Front
Thursday, May 29, 7:00 p.m.
The Great Falls Public Library is hosting a slide show and talk
by seasoned hiker Todd Russell. Russell will guide the
audience on a tour of the Rocky Mountain Front, highlighting hiking
areas and wilderness lands.
For more information on any of these programs call 453-0349.