GALESBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Off the Shelf
February 2011
Galesburg
Public Library
40 E. Simmons St.
Galesburg, IL 61401
(309) 343-6118
www.galesburglibrary.org
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday:
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
The Big Read is Coming
In March 2011, Galesburg and surrounding communities
will begin reading The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.
Widely considered one of the most masterful and tortured writers in
American history, Poe has enthralled readers with his twisted tales
for over one hundred years. Join us as we investigate his haunting
legacy that continues to attract readers.
The Big Read will kick off March 5, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the
Orpheum Theatre with a performance by world-renowned Poe
impersonator David Keltz. The event is free and open to all;
however, the program is best suited for teens and adults. Free
copies of The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe and other Big
Read materials will be distributed at this event. Copies will also be available at Galesburg
Public Library after March 5.
Many of the Big Read activities are held in conjunction with the Carl Sandburg
Festival for the Mind. For more details about the events, visit the Galesburg Public Library
website, www.galesburglibrary.org. Please contact Karly Steele at (309) 343-6118 with
any questions about the 2011 Big Read, including opportunities to volunteer or to host your
own book discussion.
Next month’s issue of “Off the Shelf” will have the complete schedule of the
Big Read 2011 events. Additional schedules will also be available at the library.
Special Program
Tuesday,
February 8
6:30 p.m.
Come view videos of Carl
Sandburg discussing his
work and as a poet of the
people. These videos will
be preceded by a short
talk about the years of
service Carol Nelson and
Norm Winick have given
to the Sandburg Historic
Site. The event is free and
open to the public.
Tax Filing Help
9 a.m. - 4 p.m
February 5
February 19
March 19
April 2
The Big Write
Don’t forget to enter the library’s annual creative writing contest! We are
accepting short stories, manga/graphic short stories and poetry/song lyrics
from adults and those in high school, middle school and 3rd through 5th grade.
Prizes will be awarded to up to three winners in each age group and category.
The submission deadline is Tuesday, March 1. Materials may be emailed to
[email protected], dropped off in person at the library or mailed
to Writing Contest, Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St., Galesburg,
IL 61401. Electronic submissions are preferred. For more details, pick up a
flyer at the Reference Desk.
VITA Tax Filing Help
Volunteers from Monmouth College will be at Galesburg Public Library on the following
Saturdays: February 5 and 19, March 19 and April 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.. They will
help with simple federal and Illinois tax returns. People will be helped on a first-come,
first-served basis. To receive help you must have income of $50,000 or less. In order to
receive income tax assistance, individuals should bring the following with them:
- Knowledge of receipt of the $250 Economic Recovery Payment in 2010.
- Identification in the form of photo ID such as a valid driver’s license or passport.
- Form 13614-C. This form is an editable PDF document. Please fill out and bring.
- Social security cards for each person listed on the return. (This is required.)
continued on page 4
OFF THE SHELF
PAGE 2
FEBRUARY 2011
Human Search Engine by Faith Burdick
What is dithyrambic poetry?
A dithyramb is a kind of Greek poetry that was composed and performed in honor of
Dionysus, the god of wine. It was choral poetry, meaning that it was performed by a group, unlike most
of our poetry, which is read or recited by one person. Later, dithyrambs did come to be performed by a
soloist alternating with a chorus. This, in turn, helped to influence the development of tragic drama, in
which the individual’s situation is often commented on by the Greek chorus.
It seems an odd origin of tragedy, since The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry says that
in its earliest form, dithyrambic poetry was associated with drunken revelry. The earliest quote
mentioning dithyrambs goes as follows: “I know how to lead the beautiful dithyrambic song of Lord
Dionysus when my mind is thunderstruck with wine.” Well. There you have it.
Later, a dithyramb lost its very specific drunken connection—probably a good thing, that—
but still tended to be “ecstatic, vehement, and unpredictable” in style. During the 6th century, winter
contests were held, and some of the Greeks’ most famous poets composed dithyrambs. However, barely any examples
survive, and the form has almost totally died out. In English, not too many poems of this type have ever been written.
You might have read John Dryden's Alexander's Feast or heard it sung to Handel’s music.
Teen News by Melinda
Jones-Rhoades
Thursday, February 3, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Classic Book Club for Homeschoolers Homeschooled teens aged
12 and up are invited to join us at GPL on the first Thursday of each month from 1:00-2:00 p.m. for a Classic Book
Club. We’ll enjoy snacks, talk about what we’ve read and have fun! In February we will discuss Orson Scott Card’s
Ender’s Game. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the GPL Circulation Desk. Call 343-6118 to sign up, or
stop by the Reference Desk. Cost is $1.00 per family to participate.
Thursday, February 3, 7:00-7:30 p.m. Teen Advisory Board Calling all teens! Join the Galesburg Public
Library Teen Advisory Board. We will be planning upcoming library programs for teens. New members are welcome!
Wednesday, February 9, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Teen Movie Club Attention movie-lovers ages 12-18 (or grades
6-12). Join us upstairs at the library. We’ll have food, friends and a free movie on the big screen. This month’s movie is
Despicable Me (©Universal Pictures), rated PG. Come and cast your vote for future movies. No registration is required.
(Note that movies may run overtime.)
Monday, February 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sweet and Sour Valentine’s Day Party Valentine’s Day: love it?
hate it? This year, why not do both? Come for our Sweet and Sour Valentine’s Day Party, co-sponsored by the YMCA
Teen Center. Take part in a chocolate taste test, decorate (or deface, if you feel so inclined) a teddy bear, play games
for prizes and more. Whether you’re pro-or anti-Cupid, there’s something for everyone. Open to teens ages 12-18 (or
grades 6-12). Call 343-6118 or stop by the Reference Desk to sign up.
Wednesday, February 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Animanga Mania Teens, join us for Animanga Mania
Afternoons. We’ll be watching an anime series and hosting an open-draw session upstairs in the Sanderson Room. You
can even cosplay if you want! No registration required; just show up to watch and draw!
Children’s Room
Thursday, February 17, 6-7 p.m. Barbie Activity Night This night is for Barbie fans. We’ll be reading Barbie
books, doing Barbie crafts and playing games. It’s a Barbie extravaganza! Please note that the $1 registration fee is due
by Thursday, February 10.
Monday, February 21, 10 a.m.-noon Sock Puppet Ventriloquism Workshop This workshop will be presented by
Sandi Sylver. It is limited to 20 students, 9-13 years old. The workshop will begin with one of the puppets outlining
what will be done in the workshop. Then the children will make puppets. There is no fee, but due to the class size limit,
sign up early.
FEBRUARY 2011
OFF THE SHELF
PAGE 3
Local History by Patty Mosher, archivist
Before 1877, the streets in Galesburg were unpaved and the sidewalks were merely wooden slats. In the late
winter and early spring, if there was a heavy rain or a good deal of snow had melted, it was difficult, if not impossible,
for the citizens to get around town in their buggies. Mud, and lots of it, was the culprit. The depth of the mud after a
good rain was, according to The Galesburg Week’s Review “almost beyond belief.”
It was around this time that an enterprising business man, Ben Buckley, who ran a delivery and advertising
wagon, got an idea about how to get folks around town during those muddy days. It came about after his wagon,
carrying about 900 pounds of materials, got stuck in the mud on Main Street. After trying unsuccessfully to get the
wagon pulled out with four horses, the horses got stuck as well. One by one, the wagon and the horses had to be pulled
out by a block and tackle attached at the public square. Ben then had the inspiration to use a boat to get folks where they
needed to go. He purchased a keel boat from an ice company that used frozen lake water to cut ice into large blocks. He
then hitched the boat to his horses, tacked some canvas around the front of the boat to keep mud from splattering his
passengers and was ready to go.
The very first use of his mud boat was New Year’s Day 1876. Rain had come down in torrents the night
before, and the wind was so fierce that it blew out the plate glass window of Colton’s Store on the Square. No carriages
or pedestrians could be seen making their way along the streets. But four passengers, including Lake W. Sanborn,
entered the boat. Starting near Boone’s Alley, they made their way up and down the streets from Prairie to Academy
calling on friends, as was the custom on New Year’s in those days. A loud bell attached to the boat would ring
announcing the boat’s appearance, and people opened their doors to wave and cheer. This event, along with many
complaints about the street situation, spurred the city to gravel Main Street and other streets in town. Apparently, Mr.
Buckley’s mud boat enterprise lasted only one season.
New at the Library
A self-serve coffee maker is now located in the magazine and newspaper reading area. Patrons may use
their own covered mug or purchase a cup. Several coffee roasts and hot chocolate are available as well as sugar
and creamer. The coffee is $1 and a cup is $0.50. Stop by the Reference Desk to purchase these items.
Galesburg Public Library is currently relocating the audiobooks. They have been located across from the
Circulation Desk. They are now moving to the east end of the building, just beyond the large reading room where
the Internet computers are located, near the large print and oversize book collections. The biographies will be
moved a little farther east. Bound periodicals will also be adjusted. Signs will be posted to identify the areas. This
is being done to create more room for the DVD and video collection. It will also give more space for the
audiobook collection. Thank you for your patience as we try to make the most of our space.
Bird Video Series to be Shown
The PBS/BBC series The Life of Birds is the definitive program on birds. The episode Signals
and Song will be shown on Tuesday, February 22, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Don’t worry if you
missed the earlier episodes – the episodes do not need to be watched in order.) Free!
Odds & Ends
Radio Personalities
Listen to library staff members talk about upcoming library programs and events on WGIL-1400 AM on
Tuesday, February 1 at 8:30 a.m. (new time) and on WAIK-1590 AM on Monday, February 21 at 8:45 a.m.
Music Morning
On Saturday, February 26 at 10 a.m., Joseph Braznikar, soloist with the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, will
present a program about “The Guitar.” All ages are welcome to attend this free program.
FAFSA Form Help
On Saturday, February 5 and 19; Saturday, March 19; and Saturday, April 2 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
someone will be at the library to help students fill out FAFSA forms for student aid. Applicants need to bring SSN,
income records, asset information, drivers’ license if you have one and alien registration number if not a U.S. citizen.
Galesburg Public Library
40 E. Simmons St.
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: (309) 343-6118
www.galesburglibrary.org
Non-profit
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit 25
Galesburg, IL 61401
Return Service Requested
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Book Clubs
In February, travel with one of the library’s adult book clubs to Edgecombe St. Mary, a small village in the
English countryside, to meet Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired) – wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely
endearing – and explore his unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the
village. The Tuesday club will discuss Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson at 1:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, February 8, at the library. We will chat with the author by phone at 2:00 p.m. after the discussion.
The Thursday club will discuss the book on Thursday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Beanhive
Coffeehouse. The library book clubs are open to all. New members are welcome! Copies of the books are
available at the Circulation Desk about one month before discussion.
Movie Club
The Movie of the Book Club will meet the evening of Tuesday, February 15, for a pay-your-own-way
evening viewing of a new movie (with literary ties, if one is playing) at Showplace 8. We may see Gnomeo &
Juliet, but the exact title and time will be announced the week before. Whatever movie we see, we’ll have a fun
time discussing it at Perkins Restaurant afterwards. Newcomers are always welcome. Send an email to
[email protected] to be added to the Movie Club’s email distribution list.
VITA Tax Filing Assistance continued from page 1
- All documentation on income such as W-2s and 1099s.
- Last year’s return. This is necessary if the taxpayer itemized last year and now has a state refund to be added
back to income. This is also helpful to ensure income and deductions taken in a previous year are revisited for
inclusion in the current year.
- Voided check (no deposit slips) if the taxpayer wishes direct deposit of the refund. If the direct deposit is to a
savings account, a document that indicates the number must be brought. The account must be in the taxpayer’s
name! Taxpayers have the option to direct their refund into three different accounts and purchase up to three
Series I Savings Bonds. Form 8888 will handle this task.
- All information related to deductions and credits such as medical, real estate taxes, mortgage interest, education
expenses, charitable expenditures, property tax statements with property tax index number on them.
- Social security number or tax identification number and addresses of all daycare providers if the dependent
care credit is desired.
- Tax-free childcare benefits provided through an employer.
- Divorced couples: If the non-custodial parent is taking the dependent exemption, form 8332 must be signed by
the custodial parent (for divorces or separations in 2009 and beyond) or copy of applicable pages of divorce
agreement or form 8332 (for divorces or separations prior to 2009).
- Information on contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
- For stock transactions: bring purchase date and cost basis as well as sale date and sale price (note that VITA
will not prepare a complex Schedule D).
- For the Homebuyer’s Credit, taxpayers must have a copy of their binding contract/settlement statement. This
must be filed with the return. The return cannot be efiled.
Both spouses must be present if they are going to e-file a joint return. Also you must know if you are being claimed
as a dependent on someone else’s return.