Oak Ridge Today

Spotlight: Art show at Library in August

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Sharon McFadden Drawing

 

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August brings an exciting collection of black-and-white ink drawings by artist Sharon McFadden. Originally from middle Tennessee, Sharon has lived in eight different states and more than 25 cities, but she now calls East Tennessee her home.

In 2006, Sharon began her “black ink on white paper” drawing, using mostly black gel pens on white watercolor paper. Needing a restful way to de-stress, she started pencil sketching for several months, and then decided to teach herself to draw black-and-white silhouettes. She continues to draw silhouettes and has added some other types of black-and-white drawing styles to her creations. She draws as much as she can every day because she realizes that since she has waited so many years to pursue something she loves, she also has wasted many years of practice time. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Art of Crystal Polley highlighted in July at Oak Ridge Library

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Crystal Polley Artwork at Oak Ridge Public Library

 

The art display at Oak Ridge Public Library for the month of July consists of photographs and paintings from artist Crystal Dawn Polley.

Polley has used cameras her whole life to remember friends and family. She grew up using Kodak, Minolta, and Fuji cameras.

Digital cameras have changed her format, but not her vision.

Polley is a graduate of Shawnee State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, specializing in photography. She was actively involved in the college art gallery and was art editor for Silhouette, the college arts magazine. [Read more…]

Guest column: Amnesty Week a great success at Oak Ridge Library

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Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

Amnesty Week was a great success at Oak Ridge Public Library. To celebrate the Library’s 70th birthday from May 27 to May 31, library patrons were invited to return any overdue materials and have the fines forgiven. A total of 145 overdue items were returned for a sum of $421.80 in cancelled fines.

The largest fine forgiven to one patron was $109.50. The most overdue items returned for one patron was 27 items. Four lost items that were due back in December 2011 were returned.

Libraries link people to the world of knowledge. Oak Ridge Public Library now has two databases online, making it easier for everyone to find local information. The Local Organization Index and the Obituary Index are searchable at the Library’s website at www.orpl.org. Library patrons can also get individual assistance with research, résumés, or online job applications. [Read more…]

Spotlight: Textile display at Oak Ridge Public Library

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Linda Cloutier Textile Display

 

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The art display at Oak Ridge Public Library for the month of June consists of exquisite appliqué pieces from the collection of Linda Cloutier.

The appliqué pieces are called molas, traditionally made by the Cuna Indians of the San Blas Islands of Panama. They feature an intricate form of reverse appliqué created in vivid colors, often on a red background. Stylized animal and plant forms are often used as subject matter. Molas are generally made in a rectangular shape, then framed and used as wall hangings here in the United States. However, the Cuna Indian people incorporate molas into women’s clothing, often using them as the fronts and backs of blouses.

In Linda Cloutier’s collection, molas can be seen added as decorative elements to three cotton shirts. These designs require a high degree of skill, because the amount of detail is quite extensive, and the process requires working with several layers of cloth. [Read more…]

Career Coach rescheduled at the Library

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Oak Ridge Public Library Career Coach

Due to the Secret City Festival events, the Career Coach is moving its June 11 event to Wednesday, June 18, a press release said.

“So come to the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on that day to receive job assistance,” the release said. “With access to their state-of-the-art computer lab and well-trained team, you can navigate online job searching and get on track to find the job you want.

“Need help with your resume but know you can’t get here for the June 18 Career Coach visit? Their experts will also be here on Wednesday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so choose the date that best fits your schedule or come to both.”

For more information on the Career Coach, check out the website at www.getonthecoach.tn.gov or find them on www.facebook.com/GetOnTheCoach. This is a free service for the public, and participants do not have to be library members or Oak Ridge residents to receive assistance.

For more information on this free program, call the Library at (865) 425-3455 or email CircLib@oakridgetn.gov. Remember: June 18 and/or July 9.

Oak Ridge Public Library celebrates 70 years, offers Amnesty Week

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Oak Ridge Public Library

The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.

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To thank our community for 70 wonderful years, we are inviting our patrons to enjoy our week-long birthday party by offering Amnesty Week, exciting public programming, a library staff cookbook give-away, and cake!

When you return an overdue item—either in person or in the book drop—between Tuesday, May 27, and Saturday, May 31, enjoy fine forgiveness on those items.

Not sure if you have any overdue items? Need more information about amnesty rules? Come by the main desk with your library card.

During our regular 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning preschool storytime, we will offer a topic of “Classic Tales.” This program will highlight bestsellers through the years and some titles that have been in our collection since the 1940s.

On Thursday, May 29, we will begin giving away copies of our 2014 Library Staff Cookbook and serving our birthday cake at 1 p.m. in the Library Auditorium. Come in, get a slice of cake, and stay for the adult programs we are offering afterward. [Read more…]

Formall Job Fair joins Career Coach at Oak Ridge Library on Wednesday

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Oak Ridge Public Library Career Coach

The Career Coach will be coming to the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to help with online job applications, sprucing up resumes, and more, a press release said.

In addition, Formall, a locally based family-owned and operated production company, will be hosting a job fair during the Career Coach event. Formall is seeking more than 40 machine operators and other positions for the facility at 1709 Lake City Highway in Clinton. Interested candidates are encouraged to bring a resume and apply online at www.jobs4tn.gov (search for job #51927). The starting pay is $9.50 per hour, with an additional $0.50 per hour for second and third shifts. [Read more…]

Library celebrates National Library Week with contests, helps with donation drives

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The Oak Ridge Library is preparing to celebrate National Library Week from April 13 to April 19.

The festivities begin early with the Design a Bookmark contest for the Summer Reading Program. This contest began on March 17 and runs through April 17. This contest is open to children in grades K-5, and one winner will be chosen from each grade. Winning bookmarks will be selected in May and will be printed and distributed during the 2014 Summer Reading Program.

During National Library Week, the Biscuit Guessing Contest will be held. A jar of dog biscuits will be at the main desk of the Library, and the three participants who guess closest to the number of biscuits in the jar will receive free DVD rentals.

Join with the Oak Ridge Library to help the community by donating supplies to Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). [Read more…]

Library offers one-on-one Kindle help

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Navigating the evolving technological world can be challenging. Websites, devices, and programs are constantly upgraded, changing their appearance and often confusing us in the process.

Joan Kearney, a Kindle enthusiast, has worked at the Oak Ridge Public Library for 30 years and owns different generations of Kindles. Kearney will be available for one-on-one-Kindle-tutorials by appointment. She can help walk you through the checkout process on your Kindle device, whether it’s a first generation Kindle, a Kindle app, or the latest version, so you can explore the library’s electronic collection.

This is a free program for the community and only requires that you bring your Kindle, your library card number, and PIN, and the email address and password associated with your Amazon account. If you do not have a library card, call the Circulation Desk at (865) 425-3455 prior to your Kindle appointment to learn what is needed to create a library account.

For more information about this program, call the Library at (865) 425-3455 or email the Circulation Librarian at CircLib@oakridgetn.gov.

Spotlight: March art display at library by Jacqueline Page

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Jacqueline Page Oil Painting at Oak Ridge Library

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The art display at Oak Ridge Public Library for March is a collection of vibrant oil compositions painted by Jacqueline Page.

Page is a native of East Tennessee and received a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College in Greenville. After working 28 years at the Y-12 National Security Complex, she now dedicates her time to pursuing her lifetime dream of becoming a freelance artist. She has won many awards at local competitions and placed first, second, and third at the Tennessee Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair in September 2012.

The collection includes studies in the relaxed poses of children, floral still lifes, and views of the touching relationship between people and dogs. One focal point of the collection is a large painting of a young woman in a blue evening gown.

Please visit Oak Ridge Public Library during the month of March to view the beautiful paintings that are on display.

Oak Ridge library offers two dates to enroll in Affordable Care Act

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The Oak Ridge Public Library will offer two opportunities for the public to enroll in the Affordable Care Act on Saturday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, March 8, from 2-5:30 p.m.

These events will be held in the auditorium and manned by volunteers who will provide both ACA information and ACA enrollment assistance for those interested in signing up for health insurance under the new ACA Exchanges. Individual computer stations will be available, and volunteers will be on hand to assist as needed. In addition, a Spanish-language translator will also be available.

The official website for enrollment is www.healthcare.gov; this site also contains detailed information about the ACA, and its costs and benefits. [Read more…]

Career Coach Computer Center at Public Library on March 4

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Oak Ridge Public Library Career Coach

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Are you looking for work? Do you need help with your resume? Online applications? Are you worried you don’t know where to find the most recent job listings?

The Career Coach, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Security Division, will be coming to the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for one more session, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 4. Come by anytime during those hours and receive job assistance. With access to their state-of-the-art computer workstations and well-trained team, you can successfully navigate online job searching and get on track to find the job you want. [Read more…]