Amazon.com Just Purchased Audible.com and What Will that Mean for the Future of Audiobooks?

When Kindle first arrived at our Library I was impressed with the ease of use and readability of the device, but I've been downloading audiobooks more the past couple of years than ebooks. The first thing I thought was - if I could just download audiobooks, then I might just have to buy one of these things.

One of my staff was able to download an audiobook to the Kindle, but it was a bit tricky and the process was less intuitive than downloading an ebook. I'm wondering now if Amazon intends on buyers using the Kindle for audiobooks as well as ebooks. Will we soon be seeing a Kindle Plus being advertised in the near future?

See Tech Crunch

AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEALOGY WORKSHOP WITH TONY BURROUGHS

Renowned leader in African-American genealogy, Tony Burroughs, will be visiting Sandusky Library on Saturday, February 9. The information is listed below:

AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEALOGY WORKSHOP WITH TONY BURROUGHS
Author, teacher, and genealogist Tony Burroughs says researching your family tree can lead to amazing finds - the secret to success is asking many questions. Mr. Burroughs, author of Black Roots: A Beginner's Guide to Tracing The African American Family Tree, will present a daylong workshop on methods and resources for African-American genealogy research on Saturday,
February 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Library Program Room, Terrace Level. A book signing will be held after the workshop.

Mr. Burroughs has appeared as an expert in the PBS series "Ancestors" and "African American Lives with Henry Louis Gates" and in the Discovery Channel documentary "The Real Family of Jesus." In addition to his writing, appearances, and service in genealogical organizations, Mr. Burroughs teaches genealogy at Chicago State University.

A one hour lunch is on your own. Registration is required. To register, call 419-625-3834 and press 0 to speak with a switchboard operator (9-5, Monday-Friday) or press Option 6 to leave a message.

This program will be held at the Sandusky Public Library. The phone call to register will be long distance if calling from Twinsburg.

Updated list of AARP Tax Help Sites

This year Twinsburg will NOT be providing tax aide for the seniors either at the center or at the library. However, if anyone inquires please refer them to one of the following sites offering tax aide:

1) Chagrin Falls Federated Church
76 Bell Street
Fridays from 9-3 by appointment only
(440) 247-6490

2) Bainbridge Library
17222 Snyder Road
Mondays from 9-4 by appointment only
(440) 543-2611

3) Streetsboro Senior Center
Route 43
Thursdays from 9-2 by appointment only
(330) 626-2398

4) Kent United Methodist Church
1435 E. Main Street
Tuesdays 9:15-2; Saturday 10-2 by appointment only
(330) 673-5879

5) Stow/Munroe Falls Library
Route 91
Fridays 12-3 by appointment only
(330) 688-3295

In addition, Benefit Bank offers tax assistance to low to moderate income individuals. You can contact them by calling 1-800-648-1176.

The decision to not have this service in Twinsburg was out of our control. This was a decision made by AARP. We are hoping to provide this again next year either at the library or at the center. Let me know if you have any questions.

Laura Yarrington CTRS
Recreation Coordinator
Twinsburg Parks and Recreation
Senior Center

AARP Tax Help

AARP will not be sending any volunteers to Twinsburg this year due to the increased cost of mileage. Available sites include: Solon, Chagrin Falls, and the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Libraries.

Tax help available
A free tax service will be available to older residents and residents with low to middle incomes at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library beginning Friday, February 1. This annual program is sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons, who work in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program to assure that the volunteers are knowledgeable about the special tax provisions for older people. The service will be available on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. at the library through April 11. One-hour appointments may be scheduled by contacting the library at 330-688-3295. Bring with you a copy of last year’s tax return, social security card and picture ID. If a child is claimed as an exemption, you must show his or her social security card, no exceptions. Also bring any forms showing income you earned or pensions or social security paid to you, 1099 forms showing interest or dividends that your investments have earned and receipts or cancelled checks for income or property taxes you have paid or any contributions you have made to charities. Bring with you documentation of medical expenses. Please be aware that library staff are not permitted to give tax advice, answer questions on your taxes or fill out your form for you. However, they will help you locate books and the appropriate forms and publications to help you complete your tax return.

Dr. Taylor on Robin Swoboda TV show

Dr. Taylor and Malea taught Robin Swoboda how to dance the hula and promoted the Luau fundraiser. This year's theme is Paradise Found. Experience the beauty
of the islands with live Hawaiian music by the award-winning band “ALE`A” joined by the world renowned dancers of the hula troupe, Halau Mohala Ilima.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2008 - Cocktails 6pm • Dinner 7pm
Twinsburg Hilton Garden Inn
Ticket Price: $65 prior to 1/23 $75 after or Table of 8 for $500
Call the Hilton Garden Inn 330-405-4488 for Tickets

Library Closed Monday 1/21

Twinsburg Public Library will be closed Monday, January 21, 2008 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

We will resume normal hours Tuesday, January 22.

Openings in Adult Language Classes

There are still openings in the following Adult Language Classes:

Introductory Sign Language
Mondays 7:00-7:45 p.m. February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 3, 10,17,24,31

Introduction to Mandarin Chinese for Adults, Mondays 5-5:45
February 4,11,18, 25
March 3, 10, 17,24, 31

Introduction to French for Adults Monday 6-6:45 p.m.
February 4, 11, 18,25
March 3, 10,17,24,31

Please register at 330-425-4268 x 3.
There is a $10 materials fee per class for the semester.

TPL Foundation's Annual Fundraising Event

Luau 2008 - Paradise Found!

Tickets for the TPL Foundation's 3rd annual Hawaiian Luau are now available to the public via the Hilton Garden Inn, the Friends Gift Shop, and from David Brown, Deputy Director. Tickets are $65 prior to January 23rd, then $75, or a table of 8 for $500. Each ticket includes luau entertainment and 2 complimentary tropical drinks, or pop. Enjoy a lei greeting, authentic luau feast, tropical drinks, and HULA! You can also bid on items at the silent and live auctions while enjoying paradise - right here in Twinsburg!

Delayed Opening Wednesday, Jan. 9th

Due to the early morning power outage in Twinsburg, we decided to open at noon. Staff should report in by 11:30 am.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Softball Registration Form

Check Children's Service for copies or download Registration Forms Here.

Increase in Circulation for 2007

The Twinsburg Public Library circulated 1,034,910 items during 2007 for a 3% increase. Details will be printed online in our annual report March/April.

The most recent federal statistics available use 2005 data to show these comparisons for libraries of similar sized communities:

• National Average - Total Circulation - 229,658 (2005)
  
• Ohio Average - Total Circulation - 686,323 (2005)
  
• Twinsburg Public Library - Total Circulation - 968,747 (2005)

• Library Programs - National average - 324
• Library Programs - Ohio average - 791
• Twinsburg Public Library - 2,207

• Library Visits - National average - 151,838
• Library Visits - Ohio average - 335,630
• Twinsburg Public Library - 428,012

Remember that the most recent comparison statistics reflect 2005 totals. Not all states have submitted totals for 2006 and federal reports for 2007 probably won't be available for another two years.

AskDrWiki.com

reported on a Wikipedia-style Web site started last March by two Cleveland Clinic doctors. The founders encourage medical professionals to contribute or edit medical articles on their site along the lines of the original Wikipedia. See AskDrWiki.com

Employee of the Month - December

Congratulations to Janice Burke - Our new Star of the Month! Janice was nominated by Carolyn Dubiel and Peggy Myers. Cari wrote: I'd like to nominate Jan Burke for Star of the Month . . . and her husband Bob as Honorary Star of the Month. Jan and Bob have both done so much for our library--Bob providing his book discussion services free of charge, both of them bringing in treats, and both of them bringing smiles to our faces every day. Jan is excellent with our customers at the circulation desk. "Peggy nominated Janice because: "she volunteered to come on both Christmas Eve and Christmas to empty the book drops."