Start to Fitness

If you’ve resolved to begin the New Year with a more active, healthy lifestyle, it’s easy to get started at King County Library System Libraries! Throughout 2014, find ideas, inspiration and tips on simple ways to add more movement and healthy options to your life through the new adult series, Start to Fitness.

Here are a few upcoming programs that are close to my heart:

Introduction to Snowshoeing
Presented by Dan Nelson
Author of Snowshoe Routes, Washington
Over the last 20 years, snowshoeing has been the fastest growing outdoor winter sport. The ease with which beginners can become accomplished snowshoers helps explain this growth, as does the relatively low cost of entering the sport. Author and snowshoe review specialist Dan Nelson will describe the techniques, safety concerns and destinations needed to help get you into the winter wilderness safely.
Dates & Locations

Best Hikes with Dogs
Presented by Dan Nelson
Author of Best Hikes with Dogs, Western Washington.
Learn about great hikes you can take with your canine companion in Western Washington, and tips for sharing the trail. Dan is the author of numerous hiking guidebooks and a regular contributor to Men's Journal and GearInstitute.com.
Dates & Locations

Seattle Stairway Walks
Presented by Cathy and Jake Jaramillo
Authors of Seattle Stairway Walks
Meet the authors of the only guidebook to stairway walks in Seattle. Learn how to explore Seattle neighborhoods in a new way. Stairway walks are great for people of all ages who want to get outside, exercise and explore!
Dates & Locations

Similar to A Place At the Table programming, you can donate and share healthy food at the library that will be shared with food partners throughout King County.  For suggested donations, please visit the Start to Fitness site and click on the Food tab.

January Meeting, The Library, and You

Please Note: The January 1^st regular meeting of the City of Redmond’s Library Board of Trustees is moved to January 8^th due to holiday observation.

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And while we’re talking, if one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to be more involved in the community, consider volunteering for the Library Advisory Board!  There will be an open position in March as I meet my term limit by serving two consecutive appointments.  10 years goes by so quickly…

Third Annual Nonprofits Front & Center Event

Perfecting Your Pitch for Maximum Impact:
Effective Marketing for Nonprofits

Thursday, December 5th at 7 pm
Redmond Library
15990 NE 85th Street

Getting noticed. Standing out from the crowd. Building a community. Stewarding donors. These are imperatives for nonprofits who want to make the world a better place. The words you choose can dramatically advance your mission. Marketing expert Erica Mills will help you find the right words in this interactive workshop.

 

Reception to follow the program.
RSVP online or by telephone at 425-885-1861.

Now Available: Preview New KCLS Catalog

Before I get too far with this post, remember: the current KCLS catalog, databases, and all eBook services except OverDrive will be down for maintenance from 7pm on Saturday, November 23rd to 11am on Sunday, November 24th.

Having said that…the King County Library System (KCLS) catalog is about to undergo a transformation – to the Bibliocommons platform, popular with libraries large and small across the world. Featuring improved search results, integrated eBook checkouts, social features, and much more, you can try it now in BETA.

Already have a username for the Seattle Public Library (SPL) catalog? You can choose to link your shelves, lists and tags by registering with the same email address.  More information can be found on the Catalog Help FAQ.

I’m most excited about exploring the capabilities of the “My Collections” section.  My current method for remembering what I want to read is to send myself an email (I was never in the habit of using My Lists in the current catalog) but I’m looking forward to being more organized about it going forward and adding it to my online shelves!

So many books, so little time…

You’re Invited!

The public is always welcome at Library Board meetings and on occasion we present to the City Council about the state of the Redmond Library outside of our regular “1st Wednesday of the month” meeting times.

On Tuesday, November 19th at 7:30 p.m., the Redmond Library Board of Trustees will be in attendance at the regular City Council meeting to give a short presentation about the last year of events at the Redmond Library.

We’d love to see you there!  But don’t worry, if you miss it, you’ll be able to catch the video when it’s posted on the City of Redmond’s website.

Free Museum Passes!

Did you know that your library card also helps you with free entrance to three popular area museums? The King County Library System has partnered with Bellevue Art Museum, Washington State History Museum and KidsQuest Children's Museum to offer free passes.

To learn more and register for your free passes, please visit:
http://www.kcls.org/programs/museumpasses.cfm

Sustainable Yards, Gardens & Food Systems

Join the City of Redmond and Redmond Library for an
Autumn Speakers Day on Saturday, September 21st from 11:00am to 4:30pm at the library. Sustainable Yards, Gardens & Food Systems is an opportunity for you to connect with local experts on topics including container gardening, backyard chicken husbandry, soil care and healthful food. Learn and share best practices for sustainable and environmentally-friendly gardens and meals.

Local experts from UW Botanical Gardens, Whole Foods Market, Keep It Simple Farm and many others will present valuable information about sustainable gardening and healthy food systems.  The event includes garden discussion, food demonstration (and samples), presentations, information tables, and a few raffles.  This is an all-day event at which you can attend a series of presentations, visit with representatives in the information venue, and stop by at your leisure. 

Featured speakers, among others:

• Keynote: Patti Southard
  Project Manager
  King County GreenTools
• Mellina White-Cusack
  Marketing and Community Relations Team Lead
  Whole Foods Market
• Tad Hussey
  Owner and Manager
  Keep It Simple Farm
• Jessica Farmer
  Continuing Education Coordinator
  University of Washington Botanic Gardens

Learn more at www.kcls.org/cooks or by contacting Kimberly Dietz, 425-556-2415.