Category Archives: News

Don’t Forget to Vote

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One hundred years ago this year the 19th amendment was passed and women throughout the entire country could vote for the first time. My mind boggles to think not that long ago, less than half the age of our country, I couldn’t have voted in Indiana due to no fault of my own.

I don’t want to take this right for granted and plan to vote in the upcoming general election on November 3rd. Indiana has a wonderful voter portal at https://indianavoters.in.gov/ for anyone who needs to check voting status, register to vote, find out who’s on your ballot, or apply to vote by mail (absentee).  Keep these deadlines in mind:

Voter Registration – October 5th

Absentee Ballot Application – October 22nd by 11:59pm

If you’re unsure who your current elected officials are, you can type in your address on http://wayeo.egis.39dn.com/ and find every level of government.

Don’t forget to vote on November 3rd!

Ways to Have a Better Conversation

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We live in a very polarized society.  It seems like everyone has an opinion, and very strong ones at that about the social and political topics that have been in the news.  I found a great resource for how to engage with others, especially those that have differing opinions. Celeste Headlee, a journalist and author, gives a very short TED Talk, 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation. It is from a few years ago but it is just as relevant today as it was in 2015.  Good conversation is key to all aspects of our lives, be it social, political or just every day relational.

Click here to view this video on the Ted Talk webpage.

If you’d like to learn more, check out Celeste Headlee’s book We Need to Talk : How to Have Conversations That Matter which we have here at GPL.

Re-learning History

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As this insane year, which we are somehow halfway through, continues on its path of crazy, I have found myself searching for answers. Sometimes it can be hard to find the truth within the media and sometimes even within our history books. Perhaps it’s because I wasn’t paying enough attention in school, but there is so much about history that I don’t remember learning.

So lately I’ve been trying to educate myself with movies, documentaries, and of course books about the current climate we’re in and how we got here. Several digital platforms have made content available to stream free online for others like me who want to learn. Here are a few:

 

Netflix: 

13th

Strong Island

 

Criterion Collection: 

Cane River

Daughters of the Dust

Black Panthers

 

Amazon:

The Hate U Give

Marshall

Selma

Just Mercy

Ali

Harriet

 

Showtime: 

16 Shots

 

And make sure to check out Kanopy & Hoopla, free with your library card!

Kanopy & Hoopla:

I Am Not Your Negro

Toni Morrison: Pieces I Am

Who’s Streets

White Like Me

 

Most of these platforms have tons more to watch if you purchase their subscriptions, or get a free trial! And make sure to check out this list of Books on Race @ GPL for more learning opportunities!

Have you met Lynda?

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Lynda.com is a great (free!) resource you can use to improve your professional and personal skills. I’ve had family members use it learn about coding and digital photography. I’ve found it very helpful for brushing up on my tech skills including Microsoft Excel and Zoom…you may have heard of that online meeting platform of late :).

 

To use Lynda.com for free with your GPL Evergreen Indiana library card, you do have to follow a few steps:

 

  1. Start at the library’s homepage: www.greenwoodlibrary.us
  2. Next click on the yellow and black Lynda.com button below the slide show OR click on Find Stuff on the top left, swing over to the Research column, and then Online Databases. Scroll down the alphabetical list to Lynda.com and click the image or the link.
  3. Type in your Library Card barcode and PIN. If you don’t know your PIN…which is the same as the password you use to log into Evergreen to place holds and do renewals, contact us.
  4. On the welcome page: click I’ve had an account if you’ve used Lynda in the past and want to transfer previous course history and certificates of completion OR click No, I’ve never had an account and then enter your name and email address. Click Save.
  5. Now you’re ready to look for courses! Near the top, you can browse the Lynda library to find a skill you’d like to learn or improve or do keyword searching in the search box.
  6. If you find a course you’re interested in, be sure to add it to your Playlist so you can find it easily in the future.

 

Happy learning!

 

A Making Journey with Kanopy

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Have you heard about, or even been to, our makerspace, The Studio? Undoubtedly you know about all of our kits, equipement, and resources available for free through the library (if not, check it out). You might not be able to visit The Studio right now but you can explore the world of makers, crafters, and DIY aficionados through Kanopy from the comfort of your home. So grab your library card and let’s go on a making journey! 

Maker: An Exploration of the Maker Movement in America

Available on Kanopy

From the producers of the internationally acclaimed Design & Thinking, MAKER is looks into the current “Maker” movement in America – a new wave of Do-It-Yourself and Do-It-Together culture fueled by passion and powered by the advent of new technologies.

Running time: 66 minutes

 

A Time For Making

Available on Kanopy

Nine artisans on secluded Gabriola Island in Canada reveal the differences between mass manufactured and authentic locally handmade crafts through intimate portraits of their work and lifestyle.

Running time: 59 minutes

 

Craft In America Series

Available on Kanopy

A three part series, Craft in America explores the vitality, history and significance of the craft movement in the United States and its impact on our nation’s rich cultural heritage. Capturing the beauty, creativity and originality of craftsmanship, the film highlights artists and explores the inter-relationship of what they do, how they do it and why they have chosen a life of creating art.

Running time: 170 minutes

 

Handmade Nation

Available on Kanopy

Handmade Nation documents the new wave of art, craft, and design that is capturing the attention of the nation. It is the feature film debut of director, author, artist, and curator Faythe Levine. Levine traveled to 15 cities and covered more than 19,000 miles to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators, and community members. Today’s craft world has emerged as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, also influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism, and art. 

Director Faythe Levine captured the tightly knit community that exists through websites, blogs, and online stores that connect to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries, and craft fairs. Interviews were conducted on-location in artists studios, homes, boutiques, offices, and craft fairs, giving the public an exclusive and rarely seen look into the lives of these creative individuals. 

Running time: 66 minutes