Jewish Folklore, Local Authors, and New Computers at UCPL

  We have an exciting array of programs planned at the University City Public Library. Starting this coming Tuesday we are hosting a book discussion series moderated by Howard Schwartz.

Based on his recent book, Leaves from the Garden of Eden: One Hundred Classic Jewish Tales, this series will examine the nature, sources, and meaning of Jewish folktales, focusing in particular on the four primary types: fairy tales, folktales, supernatural tales, and mystical tales. These stories invoke enchanted worlds, demonic realms, and mystical experiences, and include themes of heavenly journeys, lifelong quests, and descents to the underworld. The course will also include considerable discussion of the process by which folklore evolves; differences between written and oral sources; and examination of stories that have their origins in early rabbinic literature, and can be found in variants throughout the Middle Ages and, as well as in oral variants collected in the 20th century in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. This five- part series kicks off on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m., and will continue on the second Tuesday of each month through January. If you haven't heard Howard Schwartz lead a discussion this subject before, you are going to want to now. He's a great, engaging speaker and he brings these tales to life.  Copies of the book are available at the Library.

On Thursday, September 19, at 7 p.m.  local  author Norris Roberts will be reading from his new bBook, Mama Is Still Here. Mr. Roberts will be discussing his book and the difficult subject of Alzheimer’s and the journey and a mother and son take together as the disease progresses  Books will be available for purchase and Mr. Norris will be signing copies. Refreshments will be served. Please join us.

We are also pleased to offer some new services to our patrons. At the University City Public Library you may now check out a Chromebook for use in the library.  These are netbook computers that use Google’s Chrome operating system and connect to our wifi.  You can login with your Google account to access Google services, or you can use these machines as a guest to surf the web.  The Chromebooks can be used anywhere in the Library and are perfect for online tests and test prep, in-depth research, job searches, or staying connected with family and friends.  This service was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the Missouri State Library division of the Office of the Secretary of State.  We are grateful for the funding for this equipment and encourage you to stop by and try one. Our eReader classes were also made possible by a grant from IMLS under the provisions of the LSTA as administered by the Missouri State Library division of the Office of the Secretary of State. Join us for our next eBook class, which will be Wednesday, October 9 at 2:30 p.m. UCPL is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit our website at www.ucitylibrary.org, and keep checking Patch for more articles from your library!