Library News & Notes: Arts initiative, library host writing workshop

Books & Writers SeriesThe Capital City Arts Initiative and the library will cosponsor a reading and writing workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, featuring local writer Eric Rasmussen. Rasmussen, an English professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, leads groups to Ashland, Ore., for the Shakespeare Festival and holds annual workshops on “Shakespeare and Performance in the Classroom” for Reno High teachers. His published works include “The Shakespeare Thefts: In Search of the First Folios,” which is available in paperback this month. The narrative tells the intriguing story of the fate of the first editions (published in 1623) of Shakespeare’s collected works, considered one of the most valuable books in the world and long a target for thieves. The writing workshop, “Writing Compelling Narratives: Historical and Personal,” will take place from 5:30-7 p.m., followed immediately by the reading. Lynda, the Cloudand the BRICOther celebrities of sorts include the staff and technology innovations and websites at the BRIC. Perfect examples include the monthly newsletter from the BRIC (email www.carsonbric@gamil.com to sign up for classes or receive the newsletter), Highway 101: The RoadMap to Business Success, and this month’s video tutorial from Lynda.com entitled “Cloud Computing First Look.” A personal subscription to Lynda costs about $250 per year, but patrons can listen, watch and learn for free with over 40,000 online tutorials. October Highway 101 classes, which meet on Wednesdays from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the BRIC, include “Starting a Business” on Oct. 24 and “Marketing 101” on Oct. 31.Bookmasters/ ToastmastersBook ClubAt 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 this popular, expanding book club finishes a discussion of the book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot. Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer in 1951, at the age of 30. Her cells, taken without her knowledge, became one of the most important tools in medical research and the line is still alive today. NV Legal ServicesNevada Legal Services provides assistance and information regarding two topics very important to Nevadans during this tough economy. The first program, beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, is entitled, “Self-Help Forms Completion Clinic,” and provides assistance with documents and forms for those who represent themselves in litigation. The second workshop begins at 3:30 p.m. and the topic is “Mortgages/Foreclosure/Short-Sale You Have Options”. The library is closed on Friday, Oct. 26, in honor of Nevada Day. It will open on Saturday during regular hours.Ongoing EventsFamily Story Time provides stories, rhymes, songs and more for the 30 children, parents, grandparents and caregivers who attend the programs. Free tickets are available at the Youth desk on the morning of the programs. Story Time meets at 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday and on Thursday in the Children’s’ Room. Bilingual Story Time provides stories in English and Spanish, as well as crafts and refreshments and will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, in the auditorium.Another popular program for children, Love on a Leash, meets from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Children’s Room. Children get a chance to read to trained therapy dogs and bunnies and to receive a free book. The program is currently meeting twice a month, on first and third SaturdaysVamos a Platicar (Let’s Talk!) provides an opportunity to practice conversation skills in both English and Spanish. The program runs from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the auditorium. The Library Board of Trustee holds its monthly meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 25, in the Sierra Room at the Community Center, 851 East William St.