La Traviata visits LA Opera

Have you attended the Opera Talks in Burbank Public Library in 2005 and 2006? Soon, the reigning diva of the international operatic world, Ms. Renee Fleming, is coming to Los Angeles to open the Los Angeles Opera 2006/2007 Season. Ms. Fleming, as Violata, will appear on the stage with one of the newest star tenors, Villazon.
For more information, please visit www.laopera.com/production/

Lĭt - uh - ruh - sē Äw - fĭs

Drop in number of contested books
The number of books threatened with removal from library shelves dropped last year to its lowest total on record, with 405 challenges reported to the American Library Assn. Challenges have gone up and down over the last few years, but overall have dropped by more than half since Banned Books Week was started. Judith Krug, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, cited a couple of possible factors for the decline: Librarians are better prepared to organize community support on behalf of a book, and would-be censors are focusing more on online content. "A large majority of our challenges deal with what children are reading in schools and many adults are now so concerned about what's on the Internet that they have refocused." 25th annual 'Banned Books' Week: Sep 23-30.

LA Times: 8.30.06.

"Don't join the book burners. Do not think you are going to conceal thoughts by concealing evidence that they never existed." Dwight David Eisenhower.

photo: flickr.com - Lego Book Burning, dlanod.

Heading back to school? Check this article

Take a look at this article in Los Angeles Times, dated 8/24/06, pg. C7. It's called "Technopolis...". It provides a list of websites exploring subjects in detail from anatomy to world facts.

Welcome To Murphys Library

No, Murphy doesn't own this library. It's a small library in the town of Murphys (est. 1848) in Northern California. Last week I was on vacation and visited several historic mining town in the Mother Lode Country. While driving around Murphys I discovered this small library in what I think is the ideal work setting. Imagine working across from a park that has a stream running through it. The park has good shade trees, picnic benches, play equipment and a gazebo. What a peaceful setting! The library is a branch of the Calaveras County Library system.

Listen to a Book While You're Traveling

Burbank Library has a great collection of books on CD. There are over 1320 adult titles, including some of the current bestsellers like Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich and Black Order by James Rollins. Audio books are a great way to pass the time on a long road trip.

Best Sellers and Award Winning Reading.

Need to see what is on the latest Best Seller lists? Need an award winning read? Check the Library's iBistro catalog for the links to 18 different Best Seller lists and 45 award winning, Recommended Reading lists.

Three Free Trees!

Are you looking to beautify your yard and cool your house? Burbank Water and Power can help through its Made in the Shade energy-saving program. Plant up to three trees, all free of charge, with the help of a certified arborist. Follow the link above to find out more information and to marvel at the variety of trees offered.

CHSPE

The next test date for the California High School Proficiency Examination is October 21, 2006. You may register online through the CHSPE Web Site. Regular registration ends on September 22nd, so please visit the site for testing locations, fees, and other information.

Welcome to the Burbank Library Blog!

We are very happy to bring you the Burbank Library Blog. You can expect frequent updates about library resources and services, recommended reading and web sites, and much more.

It is our hope that we will also hear from you. At the bottom of each post is a place to make comments concerning that day's topic. Feel free to offer your own opinions and suggestions to your neighbors. We'd love to hear about an author you discovered or about your experience at one of our events. Please help us to make this an exciting forum where we can exchange information and ideas.