If you received a Kindle, Nook, iPad or any other kind of e-book reader from someone special in your life for Christmas, the Missoula Public Library is here to help you navigate the wide world of free e-books.
Just click over to tinyurl.com/mpl-ebook and to get started on your e-book journey. Once there, you’ll find downloadable instructions on how to access e-books, plus a host of links for additional resources.
You can also grab a print out of instructions at the “Download Books and Music” kiosk near the MPL reference desk, or you can stop by and chat with one of our reference librarians about accessing this service.
If you can’t make it in to MPL, call 721-BOOK (2665) and a reference librarian will be on hand to walk you through the process.
Five Valleys Seed Library to join library in January
The Five Valleys Seed Library cabinet is coming to live at MPL.
Currently located at the Missoula Community Food Co-op, on 1500 Burns St., the Seed Library will be in its new home in the Audra Browman Room at the library in mid-January.
The Five Valleys Seed Library exists so people throughout the Five Valleys area can borrow and donate open-pollinated seeds.
A library card will allow one to “check out” seed packets which are then checked back in (with the patron keeping the seeds) to keep tally of what is getting taken.
Seed Library members will facilitate a hands-on workshop during the Heirloom Market at the Missoula Fairgrounds Events Center on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Community members are invited to help clean and sort saved seed to get it ready for the Seed Library cabinet. Stop by to help and/or learn more about saving seeds for yourself or the Seed Library, or visit their Facebook page, located at facebook.com/missoulaseedlibrary.
Library closures during the holidays
In observance of the New Year’s holiday, the Missoula Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, and Wednesday. The library will reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday.
We Have It: Staff Reviews
“City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare; M.K. McElderry Books, 2007; Y CLARE
The first of Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments Series, “City of Bones” introduces 15-year-old Clary, a character who discovers her mundane world exists right alongside a paranormal world in which Shadowhunters kill demons who slip onto earth from other dimensions.
As much a teenage romance as a supernatural thriller, Clary falls hard for a cynical, harsh Shadowhunter named Jace. Clary’s best friend Simon has been secretly in love with her for years. Jace’s best friends are Isabelle and Alec, whose family raised Jace after he was orphaned-and Alec is also in love with Jace.
The larger plot involves the disappearance of Clary’s mom, Jocelyn; the reemergence of the sinister Shadowhunter, Valentine, who had once plotted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Shadowhunters in order to eliminate all Downworlders (vampires, demons, warlocks) with whom the Shadowhunters have been trying to maintain a truce; and the discovery that Valentine was married to Jocelyn and fathered both Clary and Jace.
When condensed, it seems a bit forced and overloaded, but it actually plays out well. The teenaged protagonists are sassy, believable, and sympathetic. The demons are grisly. And the plot races along with lots of twists and cliff-hangers. Timeliness note: the movie version just came out.
Reviewed by Dana McMurray
Hot Happenings
Here’s a sampling of some of the great free programs coming up at Missoula Public Library. Check the events calendar at missoulapubliclibrary.org for more.
• Writers Anonymous, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday
Improve your writing skills and workshop your project in a supportive environment during this facilitated writing group for adults.
Upcoming computer classes
• Computer Fundamentals, 6-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
Learn about the parts of the computer (hardware), how to turn it on and off; managing your desktop and how to open programs. No experience necessary.
• Google Apps Development, 7-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 21
Learn how to develop Google Apps.
• Windows 8 Basics, 12:30-1:30 p.m, Wednesday
An overview of the main features of the new Windows 8 operating system. The instructor will be demonstrating basics of this new program, attendees may bring devices or laptops that have this program and the instructor will be available to assist with questions.