The library will be closed on these scheduled holidays

New Year's Day Friday, January 1st
Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 18th,
President's Day Monday, February 15th
Good Friday Friday, April 2nd
Memorial Day Monday, May 31
Independence Day Monday, July 5th
Labor Day Monday, September 6th
Veteran's Day Thursday, November 11th
Thanksgiving Thursday, November 25th
Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 26th
Christmas Friday, December 24th
Christmas Saturday, December 25th
New Year's Day Friday, December 31st
New Year's Day Saturday, January 1st, 2011

"Defending Our World" - from asteroids and comets.

Do you watch disaster movies? If so, you have probably seen "Armaggedon", starring Bruce Willis. In a last ditch effort to save us all from a planet killing collision with an asteroid, NASA sends two space shuttles loaded with drilling equipment and an atomic bomb to see if they can destroy the asteroid. Guess what. That is not as far fetched as you might think.
The January/February 2010 issue of "Planetary Report" focuses on collisions between Earth and asteroids, both past and future. According to the articles, it's only a matter of time before another asteroid hits the planet, and this time it wouldn't be just the dinosaurs that vanish. In 2036 "we now face the potential for another detected collision. In 2029, asteroid Apophis (270 meters in diameter) will pass withing 40,000 kilometers (24,800 miles) of Earth. . .In 2036, Apophis will make another close approach, and this time it could hit our planet (the current probability of impact is 1 in 250,000)."
Those odds make it more likely that this particular asteroid will hit Earth than that any one of us will win the big one in the lottery. And of course there are many more NEO (near earth objects) than have been spotted.
So are there any plans for either destroying or deflecting this or any other asteroid? And whose responsibility is it to see that a known threat is deflected? This issue of "Planetary Report" is available at the library for checkout. Come and find out what those who study these matters have on their minds.

Raton Science Cafe

The Raton Science Cafe will meet May 13, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. in the meeting room of the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library. One of the following DVD videos will be shown:

• The FBI Files (Discovery Channel)
  

• The Universe (History Channel)

• Dreams of Flight (Smithsonian Air/Space Museum)

• IMAX Space Station (Lockheed-Martin & NASA)

Regular attendees have also received a CD-ROM, a summary and review of Dr. Michael Kaku's 1995 book about String Theory. Attendees can have a brief roundtable discussion of his book if there are questions. This book, "Hyperspace - A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimension", is available for checkout at the library.

Used books for sale!

The Friends of the Library host "The Corner", inside the front door of the library. Here you will find used books for sale. Paperbacks are a quarter, hardback books vary in price from 25 cents to $1.50. Come stock up on reading so you are never without a good book!

Pop Bottle People!

Come see the Pop Bottle People Biographies done by Mrs. Pafford's 5th grade class. They are on display in the juvenile section of the library, inside the front door. This year's class did a wonderful job of researching and portraying historical figures.

Memorial Book Program

The Arthur Johnson Memorial Library sponsors the Memorial Book Program. This program has been in effect for decades and has added many wonderful materials to the collection in memory of many loved ones. Individuals may give any amount of money in memory of someone. The materials selected can be chosen by the family members, the library, or the person donating the book. Occasionally materials themselves are donated, if first approved by the librarian. (This avoids donations of materials already held by the library.) The book or material may be paid for at the time of the request, or paid for when the book or material is purchased by the library and in the collection. At the time of the request or donation, the library sends a card to the family member specified by the donor, informing them that a book has been donated in memory of their loved one. This type of donation lasts for years and benefits the many patrons who use the library.

New Memory Card Readers now available for use at the library

The AJML now has two memory card readers available for patrons to use at the library. These memory card readers support all versons of SD, SDHC, XD, CF, MS & MMC memory cards. These readers will aid you to look at or email photos, listen to music, and view videos or data held on your personal storage devices. They will also aid in transfering from one device to another.

"Getting To Know Your Computer" is a class for computer beginners. This class will teach you how to turn your computer on; how to navigate using the mouse or touch pad; what programs your computer has and how to find them; familiarize you with your desktop icons; show you how to set up a personal email account, including how to log into your email and use it; how to insert a DVD, cd, and the use of media player. Those wishing to take this class MUST sign up with the library, as class space is limited. The library will provide the computers for students to use during the class.

Beginning Fiction Writer's Workshop, 2010

Steven F. Havill, well known author of the "Posadas County" series, modern police procedurals set in New Mexico, will be conducting his Beginning Fiction Writer's Workshop, starting Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library. This workshop is an eight week program and a schedule will be provided during the first workshop for those in attendance. Mr. Havill has written westerns, southwest, and historical novels. His work sells all across the country. He uses his experience as a published author to help beginning fiction writers do the best work possible, with an eye to publication. If you have started a novel, want to write a novel or are interested in learning the ins and outs of writing for publication, come to Mr. Havill's Beginning Fiction Writer's Workshop and hone your craft.

Thank you for 2009!

We would like to thank all our patrons and supporters for a great 2009. Without those of you who use our library, there would be no reason for us to be here. We would like to offer a special thanks to Steven F. Havill for the fiction writing workshops he has held free of charge (look for another one in January 2010); John Rereich for his generous donation; everyone who purchased a memorial book in honor of a loved one; those who donated books, movies and magazines to the library; those who bring their children to Preschool and Summer Story Hour; those who bring their small ones to the Library Lapsit (and a special thanks to Ida for conducting this great program!); R.B. Minton for continuing with the Raton Science Cafe; our special library board; the City of Raton, including City Hall and the City Commissioners; and especially to those special people who come in regularly and enjoy using our collection! Thank you very much for your support, we look forward to seeing all of you in 2010!
The Staff of the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library