Moscow Nights in Avon Lake

After Thursday’s big meal and Friday’s left-overs, just when the tryptophan is wearing off, with or without the relatives, a brief musical trip to another place might be just the thing. Right here in Avon Lake, the UCC will be hosting Moscow Nights, a classically-trained folk ensemble from Russia, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. After the concert, a reception for the four musicians will be held. No tickets are needed, no admission price, all are welcome.

32801 Electric Blvd. Avon Lake.

Cool Green Stuff

This is the title of a fun new book in our collection – a picture book for “green” adults. Subtitled “A Guide to Finding Great Recycled, Sustainable, Renewable Objects You Will Love,” and created by Dave Evans, the book consists of photos of objects repurposed by some very creative people. Purses made from old keyboards or candywrappers, a CD holders made from an old LP,  a bangle bracelet from an old knitting needle (the perfect gift for the knitter in your life!). There are also some more practical and ambitious items, such as a watercone to convert salty sea water to drinkable fresh in use in Yemen or an interior wall made of growing plants.  Each item is pictured on its own page with a website for more information and purchasing information. The book is great fun to look through, a feast of creativity.  Some of the items would make sweet and lovely gifts while others are not anything you’d want to own. I don’t know about you, but there will not be any chairs made from old shopping carts in my living room. I don’t care how soft the cushion or what color the “arms” have been painted. That’s a no go. But it is fun to look at in the book or someone else’s abode.

This book, and many others, is currently on our New Non-fiction display (or will be as soon as I return it there). Stop by and take a look. There are lots of books to give you a new take on old things.

New video magnifier at ALPL

New this week,  we now have a video magnifier in the Adult Services area of the Library.  This thing is really remarkable. Patrons with low-vision can use this machine to easily read almost any printed material. The object to be read is placed on a tray and then is projected onto a video screen. The video can be magnified to the appropriate level and adjusted for contrast and brightness. This can be used for reading anything from a book to a pill bottle, from a newspaper to a telephone book. It’s very simple to use. Please help us spread the word to Avon Lakers who can use this.

We’ve also got magnifiers and on-screen keyboards on all our public access computers and a video relay system machine to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing people to place and receive phone calls through a sign language interpreter.  Our isles and doorways are wide, our tables and computer stations easily accommodate wheelchairs. We try to be as accessible as possible. If you or a friend needs any accessibility assistance, please ask any staff member. And if you see some service or resource that we could change to make it more accessible, please let us know.