Many of the adult programs are supported by the Nancy B. Parker Endowment Fund. The Nancy Parker program series began in 1992.

Programs are held in the library program room and are open to the public at no charge. When possible, programs are taped for later telecasting on the local public access television channel, JATV. A sign language interpreter can be arranged with two weeks' advance notice. Call 758-6591 to arrange this service.

Looking for our adult computer classes? View our online computer class schedule.

VIEW PICTURES from our Faces of the World Multicultural Celebration!

Winter/Spring 2010
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Social Security E-Services Workshop
Wednesday, March 3 from 4-7 p.m.
Find out how easy it is to retire online! Stop in anytime during the workshop and stay as long as you'd like! A representative from the Social Security Administration will show you how to:
• Apply for benefits
• Estimate future benefits
• Check eligibility for benefits
• Change your address or phone number
• Get E-mail updates
• and more!
Woodruff Training Lab. Walk-ins are welcome - no registration is necessary.

Job Seekers Open Lab
Tuesday, March 9 from 4-7 p.m.
Not sure how to begin searching for that new job?
Stop in to the library’s open lab for job seekers and find the help you need to get started. Library staff will be available to answer your questions about
• searching for jobs online
• filling out online applications
• writing resumes and cover letters
• using our Job Resource Center
• and more!
No registration necessary - just stop in and fast forward your success!
Visit our Job Resource Center for even more resources.

Exploritas Travel Opportunities
Tuesday, March 9, 7 p.m.
Presented by Brooke Furmanek, Lake Geneva and Charles and Helen Mortensen, Janesville
Exploritas is the new name for Elderhostel, a national non-profit organization offering a multitude of adult educational group travel options all over the world. Exploritas ambassador Brooke Furmanek will present a Power Point overview of Exploritas programs, participants and philosophy. Then Janesville residents Charles and Helen Mortensen will share their personal experiences with two Exploritas-sponsored trips, a one-day behind-the-scenes visit to Taliesin in Spring Green and a hiking adventure in Canada and Vermont. A question and answer session will follow.

Mondays are Murder
Monday, March 15 at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Visit our Monday's are Murder page for more information on our mystery book discussion group.

Voting Rights, Voting Fights: Securing the Ballot During American History
Tuesday, March 16, 7 p.m.
Presented by author Ann Bausum, Beloit
Ann Bausum will present an illustrated talk about key milestones in the long path to more equitable voting rights in America. Bausum is the author of books about U.S. history for readers age 10 and up. Her most recent books are “Denied, Detained, Deported” about American immigration (2009); “Our Country’s Presidents (3rd edition, 2009); “Muckrakers” about investigative journalism (2007); “Freedom Riders” about the civil rights movement (2006); and “With Courage and Cloth” about the women’s suffrage movement (2004). Her publisher is National Geographic Society.

Bausum’s books have received the Golden Kite Award from Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; 2008 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book from National Council of Teachers of English; 2008 Notable Children’s Book from American Library Association; and Choices 2008 from Cooperative Children’s Book Center, UW-Madison.

Copies of Bausum’s books will be available for sale and signing after the program.
Co-sponsored by HPL Youth Services and Adult Services, Janesville League of Women Voters.

Florid Flutes
Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m.
Presented by Su Ash Gustafson, Lake Geneva
“The Flute Lady” returns with a tribute to the flowers of spring. Su draws upon eight different flute-related instruments and large floral photographs during her “impressionistic” program of original music. “I call it impressionistic because it gives you the impression of different feelings or atmospheres, like Impressionistic art does,” says Su. A retired teacher and seasoned performer, she has played the silver concert flute for over 40 years and owns more than 100 instruments, each with its own personality.

Big Read Kickoff
Thursday, April 1, 5-7 p.m.
Enjoy refreshments and the sounds of Felipe Rodriquez Jr.’s Latino Musical Traditions as Big Read 2010 gets underway. A complete listing of book discussions, children’s and adult activities, and Cinco de Mayo events will be available soon.

Bilingual Poetry Open Mic
Sunday, April 11, 2-4 p.m.
Celebrate National Poetry Month by reading your original work for a live audience. If you are not a writer but appreciate poetry, come and listen!

The program will open with a short talk about the process of poetry writing by Madison poet Nydia Rojas. A native of Puerto Rico, Nydia has written poetry since she was in seventh grade. Her poems have been published in Wisconsin Academy Review, International Poetry Review, Calyx, and other magazines. Her work recently appeared in “Voces: a Journal of Chicana/Latina Studies” and in the anthology, “Between the Heart and the Land: Latina Poets in the Midwest.”

Adults and high school students are invited to step up to the mic to read a sample of their poems in English and/or Spanish. Refreshments will be provided by the Janesville Area Writers Club.

Open to all speakers of English and/or Spanish. Translation will be available. Poets interested in reading their work are asked to check in at 1:30 p.m.

Job Seekers Open Lab
Tuesday, April 13 from 4-7 p.m.
Not sure how to begin searching for that new job?
Stop in to the library’s open lab for job seekers and find the help you need to get started. Library staff will be available to answer your questions about
• searching for jobs online
• filling out online applications
• writing resumes and cover letters
• using our Job Resource Center
• and more!
No registration necessary - just stop in and fast forward your success!
Visit our Job Resource Center for even more resources.

The Big Read: Sun, Stone and Shadows Book Discussion
Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Discuss the short stories Chac Mool and August Afternoon at Hedberg Public Library. A complete listing of discussions at other Rock County public libraries will be available soon.

The Big Read is a cooperative effort of educational agencies in Rock, Walworth and Jefferson counties with funding to UW-Whitewater from the National Endowment for the Arts. Free and open to the public.

Mondays are Murder
Monday, April 19 at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Visit our Monday's are Murder page for more information on our mystery book discussion group.

A Lifetime Burning
Tuesday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Presented by author Richard Quinney, Madison
Richard Quinney grew up on a Walworth County farm and went on to earn a Ph.D. and teach at universities in the East and Midwest. He has published eight books of memories, natural history and photography in addition to sociology textbooks and articles in professional journals. He has lectured in the US and abroad and exhibited photographs nationally. His newest book, “A Lifetime Burning,” was inspired by the process of emptying out the family farmhouse after both of his parents had passed on. Decorated with bits of paper nostalgia from his mother’s childhood scrapbook, the book is a collection of thoughts about saying goodbye to his parents, to the homestead, and to a lifetime of memories. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing after the program.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
and Their Impact on Civilization as We Know It
Tuesday, May 4, 7 p.m.
Presented by Gayle Lange Puhl, Evansville
Longtime Sherlockian Gayle Puhl will talk about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – doctor, author, historian, and Spiritualist – and his most famous creation, detective Sherlock Holmes. Ms. Puhl will discuss Holmes’ origin as a new breed of logical detective, the impact of his scientific methods on real life police forces, and the cinematic Sherlock Holmes from silent movies to Guy Ritchie’s contemporary production.

The world-wide network of Sherlockians treats Holmes stories as history rather than fiction. They gather to discuss the stories, answer trivia quizzes, and give papers covering fine points of the cases. Information about a newly-formed local group will be available.

Ms. Puhl is a well-known Sherlockian speaker and writer. She has visited the Sherlock Holmes Museum in Baker Street and the Sherlock Holmes Pub in London, England. In January she attended the Sherlock Holmes Birthday Weekend given by the Baker Street Irregulars in
New York City.

Job Seekers Open Lab
Thursday, May 13 from 4-7 p.m.
Not sure how to begin searching for that new job?
Stop in to the library’s open lab for job seekers and find the help you need to get started. Library staff will be available to answer your questions about
• searching for jobs online
• filling out online applications
• writing resumes and cover letters
• using our Job Resource Center
• and more!
No registration necessary - just stop in and fast forward your success!
Visit our Job Resource Center for even more resources.

Mondays are Murder
Monday, May 17 at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Visit our Monday's are Murder page for more information on our mystery book discussion group