Ms. Nancy's Library & Technology Blog

They do.

“A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged, it is the skin of a living thought and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and the time in which it is used.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., jurist (1841-1935)

“The library is a sort of autobiography in which we can read ourselves and others can read us.” — Alberto Manguel

OREGON PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ANNOUNCES 2011 GREENFIELD
PEACE WRITING CONTEST

Submissions accepted till February 15, 2011

Open to eleventh and twelfth grade students in Oregon

Submissions can be an original piece of fiction, poem or essay (maximum
600 words) reflecting on the following question:

*** “What do we need to change to create a world without nuclear weapons?”
***

First prize: $1,000
Second prize: $750
Third prize: $500

Application and flyer

This is a great event — I’ve attended in past years and it was a lot of fun.

Have a great weekend!

— Ms. Nancy

The African American Read-In

African American literature is for everyone! Come hear local celebrities, community leaders and students read from works by their favorite African American writers. This event is for children and adults.

2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hagen Campus Center, Concordia University
2811 NE Holman Street Portland 97211

Download an event flier

Driving directions to Concordia University

This event is sponsored by:
– North Portland Branch of the Multnomah County Library
– Portland Reading Council
– Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators
– Concordia University

“The Internet may be the world’s greatest library, but let’s face it, all the books are scattered on the floor.” — D.C. Denison

“You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by.”

— James M. Barrie, novelist and playwright (1860-1937)

We’ve started the Oregon Battle of the Books at my school, and by “we” I mean our two incredible volunteers, Jenny and Joan. They are meeting weekly with the third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students and everyone is enjoying the new selection of titles.

If you would like a list of this year’s books, printable bookmarks, Prezi presentations and more, here you are. At my house, we’re just finishing “Waiting for Normal,” by Leslie Connor. It’s from the middle school list and is one tremendous book. (Check here if you’re looking for next year’s OBOB lists, including confirmed selections.)

Happy reading!

— Ms. Nancy

PS — Here are the titles the 3rd-5th graders are reading — it’s a really good variety of books. “Rapunzel’s Revenge” is my favorite, so far.

“Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things,” by Lenore Look (Realistic Fiction)

“The Willoughbys,” by Lois Lowry (Realistic Fiction)

See you in 2011, Year of the Rabbit.

— Ms. Nancy

It will be a lively winter for artists, writers and book lovers in and around the Portland area. Have fun!

Best,

Ms. Nancy

Teen Short Film Contest open to all Multnomah Co. 6-12th graders: Create a short film (no more than 6 minutes) about libraries and/or reading. Post the film to YouTube.com and submit an entry by March 1, 2011. Click here for the entry form. Films will be judged by the NW Library Teen Council Cash prizes presented at a gala event in March for the five best films in these categories: Best Film, Best Comedy, Best Acting, Best Music (original or copyright-free only), and Runner-up Best Film.

Young Writer’s Workshop: 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2010: Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing. All eager writers are welcome! Join authors Heather Vogel Frederick (“The Mother-Daughter Book Club”) and April Henry (“Girl, Stolen”) for a discussion on creating characters.

A Children’s Place Bookstore welcomes author/illustrator Allen Say at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4 and author Eric Kimmel at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11.

The State & National Poetry Writing Contest, for grades kindergarten through 12, continues until Feb. 1, 2011.

The deadline is Dec. 10th for the Letters About Literature Contest. Hurry on this one if you’d like to compete (grades 4-12).

Mock Printz Award Workshop for students and adults will be held from 1-5 p.m. Jan. 8, 2011, at the Central Library in the Bank Room.

“One will rarely err if extreme actions be ascribed to vanity, ordinary actions to habit, and mean actions to fear.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)