April 21-28, 2012
Get off the couch and get ACTIVE!

Children spend more than 30 hours a week in front of a “screen” (TV, video games, computers). By the time the average person reaches the age of 70, he or she will have spent the equivalent of 7 to 10 years watching TV. Spending too much time in front of the “screen” is associated with numerous negative consequences. For example, children who watch more TV are more likely to be overweight and perform poorly in school.

Unplug and Be Outside is a Be Outside, Idaho week long community event that encourages families to “unplug” from the TV, video game consoles, computer games and go explore outdoor activities. All Ada Community Library branches are participating this year. Lake Hazel is dedicating all weekly preschool programming to nature themes, Star and Hidden Springs will offer nature story times and an afterschool H20 activity during the week (check calendars for exact dates and times), and Victory is hosting a sidewalk chalk art program on the library patio Saturday, April 28th. For a full list of community activities that promote being active outdoors and with nature visit www.unplugandbeoutside.com.

Ask for the Unplug and Be Outside passport card at library service desks. Children who attend three or more events during the Unplug and Be Outside week will be entered to win drawing prizes.

Unplug and Be Outside is sponsored by Be Outside, Idaho! and the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. Be Outside, Idaho! is a statewide coalition of agencies and businesses founded in 2008 to "connect Idaho's youth from backyards to mountaintops."

Do you look forward to our library programs and events? You can view online calendars of our events here!

The May 2012 calendars for all of our locations are also available for printing (requires free Adobe Reader):

• Hidden Springs Branch Library
• Lake Hazel Branch Library
• 2012 Winter/Spring Programs
• Star Branch Library
• Victory Branch Library

Whether you participated in this year’s Read Me Treasure Valley project or not, we want to hear from you. Read Me 2012, featuring Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, recently ended and project partners already beginning work on 2013 seek your input. Please take just a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Thank you.

Do you look forward to our library programs and events? You can view online calendars of our events here!

The April 2012 calendars for all of our locations are also available for printing (requires free Adobe Reader):

• Hidden Springs Branch Library
• Lake Hazel Branch Library
• 2012 Winter/Spring Programs
• Star Branch Library
• Victory Branch Library

Here is what is going on with Read Me this week:

• Alternative Book Cover Art Contest: Submissions accepted until February 29. Click here for rules. Exhibited and acknowledged during a special reception featuring Oregon artist Gregory Manchess.
• Friday, March 9th 7 PM - Yanke Family Research Center, 220 E. Parkcenter Blvd.
• Adventures of Tom Sawyer Book discussion for ages 10-adult:
• Tuesday, February 28, 6 PM - Hidden Springs Branch Library, 5849 W. Hidden Springs Dr.
• Tom Sawyer Adult Book Discussion: All adults are welcome to enjoy one of two lively discussions of the Twain classic
• Wednesday, February 29, 7 PM - Boise Public Library Hayes Auditorium, 715 S. Capitol Blvd.
• Was Twain White? David Bradley, author and University of Oregon professor, talks about the evolution of 19th century southern white man Samuel Clemens into writer Mark Twain who protested the prevailing attitudes of his day on race and war, and whose use of language remains controversial today.
• Thursday, March 1, 7 PM - South Junior High School Auditorium, 3101 Cassia St.
• Staged reading of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Compiled and directed by Carole Whiteleather
• Sunday, March 4, 2 PM - Boise Public Library Hayes Auditorium, 715 S. Capitol Blvd.