New Books and Hours during Winter Break

Hello All. During winter break we are open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5pm. But not this Friday, New Year's Day, because it is a holiday. We are putting some more new books out on the shelves:

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman lists at least eight different environmental problems we are facing in our world today and offers individual and international solutions to them.


Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is our book of the year this school year. We own a paperback copy and now we own a hardback copy too. It is not too late to read this book and experience the desire to help create more schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.


Lastly, we have a book by the National Geographic called Book of Peoples of the World: a Guide to Cultures which describes a large variety of different countries and cultures with descriptions and beautiful photographs. A great book to read straight through or to use as a reference for a particular culture.

Last Week of Classes

This is your last chance to impress your instructors before the final. So show up for class and try to make up that quiz you missed when you were home with the flu. You will be glad you did.

The library will be having extended hours in the next week:

Saturday and Sunday the library on the Del Norte Campus will be open from 12 pm to 4pm.

On Monday and Tuesday, TRIO is sponsoring late hours. The library will be open from 8 am to 11pm on both days. If you are a night owl, or simply have a ton to do during finals week, the library will be open!

And yet there is more new books for our library!

Blog written by: Machelle Lehr

Small is Possible Life in a local economy by Lyle Estill. This is a book about the people of Chatham County, North Carolina, who have discovered the meaning of "Hometown Security". This town is unwilling to rely on government and big business, set about finding actual solutions to actual problems at their local level. It is filled with newspaper columns, log entries and essays, servingup sustainablility, local economy, whoe foods nd small business.

One Nation Uninsured Whe the U.S. Has No National Health Insurance by Jill Quadagno is a new edition to our library. One in eight americans (43 million people) do not have any health care insurance at all. This book shows how each attempt to enact national health insurance was met withfierce attacks by powerful stakeholders, who mobilezed their considerable resounces to keep the financing of health care out of the governments hands.

More New Stuff Avaiable In our Library!

Blog written by Machelle Lehr



We recently received the DVD Winged Migration it is a documentary about a rich variety of bird migrations through 40 countries. The movie had five film crews with more than 450 people working on the crews. US Today said it was "one of the most beautiful films to come out this year!"




We now have Ants of North America written by Brian L. Fisher and Stefan P. Cover. This book is the distillation of a vast amount of study and practice. It is a very detailed book about the ants ecology, behavior and evolution.



We also have a book about digital photography, Digital Photography Masterclass by Tom Ang. This book is a one-on-one guide to every aspect of digital photography, It is to help improve your skills, develop your photographic eye, and learn how to digitally enhance and manipulate your pictures. Tom shows you how to make the most of the creative freedom that digital photography offers.



Our library also addd Classical Art From Greece to Rome by Mary Beard and John Hederson.The masterpieces of Ancient Greece and Rome are fundamental to the story of art in Western culture and to the orifinas of art histroy.This book investigates the grandiose monuments of ancient tyrants and the sensual beauty of Apollp and Venus.

More New Books

We received two new books by local author Derrick Jensen: Endgame volume1 and volume2. These two books explore the problems our society has created for the environment and discuss some possible solutions. The Encyclopedia of the Earth shows and tells a multitude of geology and geography issues. Enough photos and diagrams for any interested child, but enough information for the college student. Finally, we received The World's Water, a Biennial Report on Freshwater Resources for 2008-2009. This Reference books contain 6 chapters, each dealing with an aspect of water in our modern society.

Set of Timelines

Ancient Rome, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt did not have much in common until now. We just received a pocket Timeline for each of these eras. Each of these small books pulls out into a long illustrated timeline with photographs of ancient artifacts. They are by Oxford Press and are a great addition to our collection. They are perfect for a student trying to get a better grasp on the past in a quick read.

Moving Forward!

By: Machelle

"The Student's Federal Career Guide" is the guide book with only ten steps to find and win top government jobs and internships. The Students Federal Career Guide is the answer to getting a job with the federal government. This new book will help guide you through getting a job that doesn't pay minimum wage and gets you closer to the career you desire.

"Ditch the Flip-Flops" was designed to help you ace your job interview fresh out of college. The hardest part of graduating is having to get a job right after with so much competition. This book will tackle the hardest part of moving forward in life after college.

New Native American Books!

Blog written by Machelle



In "A Companion to American Indian History" you will read about where the practice of American Indian history has been and catch you up with where it's going. This book will take you through the harsh history of America. In a "companion to American Indian history the editor's respect the history of the tribes. Philip J. Deloria and Neal Salisbury brought together some of the best scholars to bring us to understand more of our own history as America.

"Advance Praise for American Indian Places" will dazzle anyone who's interested in the beautiful, distinctive, and spiritual places in this country. It acts as a guide to Native America, the definition of a landscape that is timeless and unique.

For Geology 10 Students Doing 2nd Research Papers!

TIME: Global Warming
Planet Earth is heating up, and so is the debate over why our climate is changing and what it means for the future of our energy sources, of our cities, of our children. Now "Time" explores the science of global warming in an illuminating, beautifully illustrated book that ranges from polar ice caps to equatorial rainforests. Here are the scientists who are working to measure and counter the warming trend; here are the world's most endangered habitats and creatures; here are various scenarios for the future. Separating truth from fantasy, "Time" brings a cool eye to today's hottest issue.




The Atlas of Climate Change Mapping the World
s Greatest Challenge
Today's headlines and recent events reflect the gravity of climate change. Heat waves, droughts, and floods are bringing death to vulnerable populations, destroying livelihoods, and driving people from their homes.
Rigorous in its science and insightful in its message, this atlas examines the causes of climate change and considers its possible impact on subsistence, water resources, ecosystems, biodiversity, health, coastal megacities, and cultural treasures. It reviews historical contributions to greenhouse gas levels, progress in meeting international commitments, and local efforts to meet the challenge of climate change.
With more than 50 full-color maps and graphics, this is an essential resource for policy makers, environmentalists, students, and everyone concerned with this pressing subject.
The Atlas covers a wide range of topics, including:
* Warning signs
* Future scenarios
* Vulnerable populations
* Health
* Renewable energy
* Emissions reduction
* Personal and public action

Copub: Myriad Editions



Deforesting the Earth from Prehistory to Global Crisis
Deforestation—the thinning, changing, and wholesale clearing of forests for fuel, shelter, and agriculture—is among the most important ways humans have transformed the environment. Surveying ten thousand years to trace human-induced deforestation’s effect on economies, societies, and landscapes around the world, Deforesting the Earth is the preeminent history of this process and its consequences.

Beginning with the return of the forests after the ice age to Europe, North America, and the tropics, Michael Williams traces the impact of human-set fires for gathering and hunting, land clearing for agriculture, and other activities from the Paleolithic age through the classical world and the medieval period. He then focuses on forest clearing both within Europe and by European imperialists and industrialists abroad, from the 1500s to the early 1900s, in such places as the New World, India, and Latin America, and considers indigenous clearing in India, China, and Japan. Finally, he covers the current alarming escalation of deforestation, with our ever-increasing human population placing a potentially unsupportable burden on the world’s forests.

Blog Written by Kat E.

New books!

In this groundbreaking anthology, first- and second-generation Hmong Americans -- the first to write creatively in English -- share their perspectives on being Hmong in America. In stories, poetry, essays, and drama, these writers address the common challenges of immigrants adapting to a new homeland: preserving ethnic identity and traditions, assimilating to and battling with the dominant culture, negotiating generational conflicts exacerbated by the clash of cultures, and developing new identities in multiracial America. Many pieces examine Hmong history and culture and the authors' experiences as Americans. Others comment on issues significant to the community: the role of women in a traditionally patriarchal culture, the effects of violence and abuse, the stories of Hmong military action in Laos during the Vietnam War. These writers don't pretend to provide a single story of the Hmong; instead, a multitude of voices emerge, some wrapped up in the past, others looking toward the future, where the notion of 'Hmong American' continues to evolve.

2009 Poet's Market gives readers all the information necessary to research markets and submit poetry for publication. In addition to market listings, poets will find guidance for preparing and submitting manuscripts, identifying markets, relating to editors, and more. Plus, the book includes additional listings for conferences, workshops, organizations for poets, print and online resources, and the latest trends in poetry writing and publishing.

People of the River is the first major publication to focus exclusively on the rich artistic traditions of the Native Americans who traditionally lived along the lower Columbia River from the mouth of the Snake River to the Pacific Ocean. In this richly illustrated volume, author Bill Mercer eloquently describes the Columbia River art style as an indigenous development that emerged over the course of countless generations and whose forms reveal a unique combination of designs, motifs, materials, and techniques.

The book includes more than two hundred objects organized into sections that focus on sculptural forms, basketry, and beadwork spanning the pre-contact era to the middle of the twentieth century. People of the River features many objects that have never before been published and provides keen insight into a previously unrecognized area of Native American art. With insightful texts, lavish reproductions, and an extensive bibliography, People of the River promises to be a key resource on this compelling body of work for years to come.

The first popular guide to these brilliantly banded and highly prized gemstones.

The agate is one of the world's most strikingly beautiful semi-precious gems. Collectors worldwide are drawn to the stone's infinite variety of colorations and banding. Agates form within rock cavities, taking on distinctive shapes and colors according to local geology. While many specimens are readily available, the rare and higher-quality ones are valuable and sought after. This book is a comprehensive, easy-to-use identification guide and worldwide listing of where agates are found.

Produced in cooperation with the Natural History Museum of London, Agates is an up-to-date reference and introduction to their formation and individuality. Beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs of superb specimens from around the world, this book is an indispensable resource and reference for amateur gemologists and agate collectors.

New Books: Numbers

We received three new books today. They are The Joy of Pi, Zero, the Biography of a Dangerous Idea, and The Richest Man in Babylon.

They are all three about math, but approach it from different angles. The Joy of Pi seeks to explain this elusive number. It is "adorable" one expert says. It should be a fun read. Comics and everything.

Zero is a history of the number throughout the ages. Zero has not always been an accepted number, many groups used and banned it for their own purposes. You can read all about it in this 200 page paperback

The Richest Man in Babylon is a collection of parables set in the title city. The author is teaching financial wisdom and savvy through the lives of ancient people. Getting out of debt and putting your money to work for you are some of the themes.

New books: Fiction

Since we are a college library, we do not get as many fiction books as the public library. But every once in a while something impresses me and I decide to get it. We received 4 such books today. They will be on the new books shelf for a few days and then off to the fiction section.

People of the Whale (by Linda Hogan) is the story of a Native American Vietnam Vet who is torn between two worlds and two perceptions of who he should be. Set in the pacific Northwest, this book will be relevant to many members of our campus.

Couch (by Benjamin Prazybok) is the story of three college students who get kicked out of their apartment with only their couch. This books is fun and imaginative.

In the Land of No Right Angles (by Daphne Beal) is an American student's adventures in Nepal. Well written and adventurous, this book is full of friendship, love and lust.

Then She Found Me (by Elinor Lipman) was recently made into a movie. The novel tells the story of a famous mother finding her daughter long-ago adopted. It is captivating and endearing.

Happy Halloween

If you came to campus today, you probably notices pirates in the counselor's office and twihards at most of the desks waiting to help you. You're welcome.

Sad story about wolves

I have a soft spot for wolves and it has nothing to do with any movies about to come out. One of my high school friends was the son of a wolf researcher on a remote island near our town. They are beautiful and mostly mysterious creatures whose life cycles are connected with large mammals like moose and deer. In May they were taken off the endangered species list. Research following the wolves has cost the National Science Foundations thousands of dollars.


September started wolf hunting season in Montana. A few weeks later, 6 wolves, including two with radio collars for researchers, were killed just a mile from the borders of yellowstone. The 5 years of research done on the alpha female now dead has come to an end. I think it is a shame. I know hunters are glad for a chance to legally hunt the animal of their choice, but I feel bad for the scientists whose hard work will have to be cut short.

For more on this, you can read the Science article here.

Rainy Day in Crescent City

After a long summer and fall with misty morning and the occasional drizzle, rainy season has started again here is again. Late last night the rain started falling and it has not les up since. At times it has soaked people just going to their cars.

But none of this is a surprise. In fact, many people in Del Norte county are surprised it took fall this long to start. But everyone who has chosen (or been forced by parents) to live in this beautiful county knows that the rain and fog and misty mornings are all part of what makes this place so breathtaking. And sparsely populated.

So enjoy the rain, because hating it will not make it go away.

Alternative Energy ideas from John Holdren

Recently, John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, gave some suggestions on the direction our energy production needs to head in.

In a statement on September 29, 2009, his suggestions included working "together – East and West, North and South– to transform our energy technologies from polluting and wasteful to clean and efficient. " He pointed out that by doing this we will "benefit not only by avoiding the worst damages from climate change, but also by reducing our dangerous overdependence on petroleum, alleviating the air pollution that afflicts our cities, preserving our forests as havens for biodiversity and sources of sustainable livelihoods, and unleashing a new wave of technological innovation – generating new businesses, new jobs, and new growth in the course of creating the clean and efficient energy systems of the future."

Newsweek picked up on his increasing thoughts on changing the way we get our energy and pointed out that now he needs to convince all the people "who believe they know more than he does." Check out two articles and tell me what you think.

http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/28939
http://www.newsweek.com/id/216505

Banned Books Week

Welcome to Banned Books Week!

This annual nation wide event celebrates the first amendment and highlights the attempts at censorship on certain books. So to help celebrate the freedom to read, our library has pulled out 16 books which have been banned somewhere, but not here! These include the following:

1984 by George Orwell
As I Lay Dying
Candide by Voltaire
Brave New World
Catcher in the Rye
East of Eden
Fahrenheit 451
Gulliver’s Travels
In Cold Blood
Leaves of Grass
Lolita
Madame Bovary
Native Son
To Kill a Mockingbird
Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week.

Words Have Concequences

This title is in reference to a recent Newsweek article by Jon Meacham. In it he points out that "politics is about a civilized combat, a competition of ideas conducted in a climate of respect." Over the last year, and even over the last 10 years, too much political rhetoric has become a polarizing, name calling playground. But it is not productive. Name calling of our politicians demeans the name caller and confuses the real issues. We need to have real conversations about the issues our elected representatives are voting on. We need to listen to their opinions before we yell things at them. I hope you can read Meacham's article and work with more towards more dialogue and less name calling.

Newsweek Sept 28 p. 8

Study for the SAT on facebook

If you are a part of Facebook, then you know that many applications on the social networking site are really awesome and a lot of them are just garbage.

I have found one that is educational and helps you increase your vocabulary: essential if you need to take the SAT or GRE. Check it out here.

World Digital Library

Sometimes, you need more information or images than our library has ready access too. Luckily, the Library of Congress is on our side. They have brought together digital images and historical and geographic information from around the world. You can find out all about it at http://www.wdl.org/en/

Hints for Avoiding the Flu

There is a lot of flu going around town right now. Although a flu or a cold can hit anyone, many people are especially worried about H1N1 (swine flu) because it is different enough that few people have any immunity to it. This means that it is striking younger people more than any other group. To protect yourself, be extra careful around sick people and wash your hands really well.

If you get sick, expect the typical stuff: fever, body aches, runny nose, fatigue sore throat. The virus will be contagious for a week, so hunker down at home and wear a medical mask if you have to go somewhere. Drink a lot of fluids and get lots of rest. You will feel better in no time (we hope).

Beautiful new book for the library

Thanks to the generosity of our Trustee Rick Bennett, our library now owns the beautifully illustrated local treasure: A Rare Botanical Legacy: The Contributions of Rudy and Arthur Van Deventer. Rick also served as co-Editor on the book, along with Susan Calla.

This Coffee-table style book showcases the local plant and flower illustrations and descriptions by early twentieth century couple living in Crescent City. It also gives a biography of them, and Ruby's descriptions of the flowers and plants showcased by her husband's drawings.

The originals are in the Del Norte County Historical Museum, safely preserved, but out of the reach of the curious. The book, however, is at your college library ready to be checked out.

Dogs and Humans

Scientists often choose to run cognitive and behavioral tests on animals before or instead of testing human subjects due to legal and ethical restrictions on the whole experimenting on humans thing. Although primates are often used because of their genetic proximity to humans, some researchers in Budapest are favoring canines instead for some interesting reasons.
Primarily, canines participate in human social interactions more readily than other animals. Many think that modern dogs are a good demonstration of co-evolution, however, at least one scientist does not believe they have evolved past the gray wolf, since they are still the same species and can interbreed. However, wolves do not know how to make a guilty face like this one used to elicit a human response, not a canine one. The article in its entirety can be found here.

Animal Cams

Thought some of you animal lovers out there might enjoy seeing these animal cams.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/museumofanimalperspectives/

They are short videos of what an armadillo, scorpion , wolf, cow and other animals actually see as they are running around being themselves. Very fun.

Welcome back to Fall Semester!

Now that the first week has come and gone, i thought I should remind everyone of our hours and rules of usage.
The College of the Redwoods Del Norte library is open from 8:30 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday.
Friday we close early at 5pm.
The library (and most of campus) is closed on Saturdays and Weekends.

The computers (with Microsoft programs and internet connections) are for educational use. Any non-college use should be kept to under one hour. We have been bursting at the seems already this semester and expect more people to use the library as the semester goes on, so please respect those students doing their homework by relinquishing your computer when you are done.


And remember, we now have WiFi, so bring your computer and avoid waiting for one of ours.

Three New Art books

We were able to get three books on contempory artists:
Transatlantic Dialogue: Contemporary Art In and Out of Africa ed. by Michael Harris. This book contains black and white and color photographs of unique art pieces reflecting African sensibliteis by a number of different artists.
The Path to Abstraction by Kandisky contains 200 pages with full color plates and descriptions with historical background.
and David Bierk, a self-titled collection of his works with an essay by Donald Kuspit.

Great new reference book

We have a new Antarctic Reference book called The Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife: Birds and Marine Mammals of the Antarctic Continent and the Southern Ocean by Hadoram Shiriha. It is full of fish, fowl and mammals from the southern most hemisphere.

You can use this Reference material in the library.

Animal Books!

Written By: Machelle Lehr


"The Rise of Animals" Evolution and Diversification of the Kingdom Animalia
written by five of the world's leading paleontologists; Mikhail A. Fedonkin, James G. Gehling, Kathleen Grey, Guy M, Narbonne, Patricia Vickers-Rich, and Foreword by Arthur C. Clarke. They take us on a journey to the most important fossil sites that serve as unique windows to the earliest animal life.




"The Beginning of the Age of Mammals" written by Kenneth D. Rose is an excellent summary of current thinking about he higher levels of mammalian evolution. Rose focused on the fossil record and presents the anatomical evidence used to interpret behavior and phylogenetic relationships.



Written by Roland W. Kays and Don E. Wilson "Mammals of North America" is the most comprehensive and up-to-date field guide to the mammals of North America. If you are really interested in properly identifying every animal that can be found on our continent, than this is the book for you.

New Books about Things with Wings

Written By: Machelle Lehr

"Nature's Flyers" written by David E. Alexander,is a book about birds, insects, and the biomechanics of flight. This book will interest amateur and professional ornithologists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, physiologists, and engineers. Alexander studied the physical basis of flight. He presents a holistic view of flight, including gliding, flapping, and maneuvering.

"Owls of the United States and Canada" by Wayne Lynch, is a book about owls. Lynch is among a select group of North America's very best natural history writers and photographers. He presents these talents in this book, and revels a wealth of knowledge about owl biology.

50 Best Jobs for your Personality

Whether you are looking for a major, a first job or a new job, this book will help you identify your personality and figure out which job or career you are well suited for. 50 Best Jobs for your Personality by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin uses a 6 letter system to determine your primary and secondary areas of interest. The book also explains what each job entails, what training is necessary and some related careers.

Phantom of the Opera

We received the DVD. Just a little culture for Del Norte.

It stars Emmy Rossum as Christine and Gerard Butler as The Phantom of the Opera. The plot is centered around a Parisian Opera House 'The Opéra Populaire' during the 1870s. The story told via flashbacks with music.

Written By: Machelle Lehr



Piano Essentials by Ross Ramsay, will advance your performance skills and build fluency at eh piano, increase your speed and agility on the keyboard, internalize common chord patterns, improve your sight-reading skills, memorize new material in less time, and improve your tone, dynamic range and sense of rhythm.





Hal Leonard's Guitar Method comes with a CD. It's for anyone just learning to play acoustic or electric guitar. It's based on years of teaching guitar students of all ages. This book is for beginners.

New DVDs

Written By: Machelle Lehr










These are two DVD's that go places that under normal circumstances we wouldn't be able to see. David Attenborough shows us the miniature universe in Life in the Undergrowth. Attenborough with the help of new technologies, uncover a whole world and how that world survives. In Wildlife Specials Attenborough give an inside look in the lives and habitat of the polar bear, crocodile, leopard, eagle, humpback whale, and the wolf. This DVD displays the wildest of wild animal behavior.













The Incredible Human Machine takes you through a day in the human body. Also shows us how truly extraordinary we really are. It displays real time views of Steven Tyler's vocal chords and other unique people who push the human body to it's ultimate limits.
In Inside the Living Body teaches us about how our bodies function, grow and mature form infancy through puberty, adulthood, and old age. It's the journey of a human lifetime...from the outside in.

Lots of Great Fiction!

In the continuing parade of new books at the Del Norte Library, may I introduce: Fiction.

A thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is an emotional and well-written novel set in Afghanistan over a thirty year period. If you liked The Kite Runner, you will want to read Hosseini's next book.


Snow Country is anovel by Japanes Writer Yasunari Kawabata that won the Noble Prize for literature. It tells the story of a doomed love in western Japan.


The Stories of Alice Adams contains 53 short stories by the author who died in 1999. They are reminiscent of F. Scott Fitzgerald and should interest any English Major.


Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is a classic example of escapist literature and this edition is translated from the Spanish by Edith Grossman. Our library lacked this story and now we have it. The author died the same year as Shakespeare but like the writings of the Bard, this book becomes more relevant as time goes by.

New non fiction

There are 4 New nonfiction books in the library:
2009 World Almanac, with over 1000 pages of interesting facts and figures from 2008 plus information for 2009 (tide charts, etc.). From Astronomy to Government, International history to
budget statistics, this book is full of information for inquiring minds.

Loving Through Bars in a book about the children of those incarcerated and the effect jail time has on the family. A good read for someone living near a prison like we do.

English Grammar for Students of French by Jacqueline Morton will help those CR students taking French in the upcoming semester.

Finally, The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation by Jonathan Hennessey could be called fiction in some minds, it is mostly based on fact. The Founding Facts. This book is full of comic book style drawings depicting the Revolutionary War and the Founding of the United States Governement. It also describes the amendments to the constitution and includes application of the amendments to actual court cases. Great for students who want to understand the constitutions and its ramifications in their lives but who don't do too well with eighteenth century script.

Saving the Planet

We received two new DVDs for anyone who enjoys having a planet to live on. They are Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun, a NOVA film which investigates solar methods and uses and future potentials.







Also National Geographic's Human Footprint helps us visualize how much garbage, food and just plain stuff a person consumes during their lifetime. Dr. Mize calls it "scary" but says that everyone should watch it.

New DVDs

We received 6 new DVDs pertaining to Native Americans. They are: We Shall Remain: America Through Native Eyes (part of PBS and the American Experience). This three part series tells the long history of Native Americans through their own words, photographs and re-enactments. Heartbreaking and Inspiring.

The Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy is a documentary narrated by James Earl Jones and endorsed by the Cherokee Nation. Thousands of Cherokees died on their forced march in 1838. They arrived in "Indian Territory" with few children and fewer elders.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee was produced by HBO and tells the story of the Sioux triumph over General Custer and some consequences. Beautifully written and acted.

Finally, Smoke Signals is a modern comedy written by and starring Native Americans . This movie . It is based on several stories by Sherman Alexie.

This Blog was written by: Machelle Lehr

I Fill Your Oil Paintings With Light and Color, teaches you to paint by separating the dark colors and light colors. It shows us that detail is necessary to have a beautiful painting.




The Oil Painting Course You've Always Wanted, is like taking the class you always wanted to take. It was written by Kathleen Lochen Staiger, she has taught art classes for more than 35 years and this book is based on that class.



Fill Your Oil Paintings With Light and Color, teaches you to paint by separating the dark colors and light colors. It shows us that detail is necessary to have a beautiful painting.






Acrylic Revolution, teaches you new ways to use acrylic paint. This book is a guide that shows you everything about acrylics from selection material and cleaning your brushes to finishing and preserving your artwork.

Drawing Perspecitve and People

Our New books keep coming. We receive a lot of new books each summer, but you will have all fall and spring to catch up reading them.

When I asked the art students what kinds of art books they would like the library to order, they all voted for how to books rather than books which showcased a particular artist's work. So today's new books are all about how to draw:

Perspective Made Easy by Ernest Norling is filled with diagrams and descriptions to show and describe techniques to make drawing easier and more accurate.

How to Draw What you See by Rudy De Reyna could be a text for a drawing class because it starts at the beginning of drawing theory and moves on to still lifes and figures. A good place to brush up your drawing.

Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil by J. D. Hillberry is not about how to draw, but about how to make your drawings look fantastic by adding texture and shadow with pencil.

Drawing the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm has ideas and examples dealing with a wide variety fo face and body shapes.

Figure Drawing for Fashion Design by Elisabetta Drudi and Tiziana Paci offers ideas adn perspectives on drawing thin bodies with clothes on them.

Book of the Year

Each Year the College of the Redwoods and nearby Humboldt State University choose a Book of the year. We arrange lectures about it and each campus may utilize it in other ways as well.

This year's book is called Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

We recently received a copy here at our library and it is inspiring. Although I have not read it all yet, the parts I have read are awesome. Education is the step stool to a better life, not only here in California, but throughout the world. This book chronicles and celebrates the effort of one man to bring education to hundreds (perhaps more--I am not done with the book yet) that otherwise could not afford to learn.

We've added three new movies to our collection

This Blog was written by: Machelle Lehr


The first new movie is Whale Rider. This is the story of a girl named Pai, who has to battle with her grandfather to prove that she can lead their tribe as well as any man. Having a woman leader goes against all Maori (a New Zealand tribe) traditions.




We also now have Glory. This is the story of the first "black" regiment to fight for the North in the Civil War. It's an excellent story of unity.





Finally, we have Rabbit-Proof Fence. In this movie the Australian government trains aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society. This is the story of three girls escaping from their interment camp.