Summer in Toledo is a great time to be outdoors and this type of family fun is what Play Naturally Toledo is all about.
Several studies show that play time in nature promotes physical and emotional well-being, healthy social interaction and stimulates higher level thinking. Attend play-based events at the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Metroparks and the 577 Foundation to explore nature in a new way, with safe play environments that encourage imaginative, wholesome play where children have control over every aspect of their play environment. The program is made possible through a generous grant from the Toledo Community Foundation.
To learn more about how to enroll in the program, please visit the Toledo Zoo program page for more information.
We field a lot of questions at the library about writing memoirs. It may be the fact that everyone has a story they want to share with the world or maybe they just want to become famous? Whatever the reasons – a few questions usually come up:
What’s the difference between an autobiography and a memoir? – Autobiographies tell the entire story of someone’s life (from start to finish), while memoirs focus on one story.
What makes a good memoir? – Like anything, a “good story” is really a matter of opinion. However, the resources below may help you focus your efforts.
Books on Writing the Story of Your Life (Memoir/Autobiography)
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Online Tips on Writing Your Memoir
5 Tips for Writing a Memoir – Publisher’s Weekly
8 Writing Tips That Will Make You a Powerful Storyteller – The Writing Cooperative
Great Tips on How to Write Your Memoir – Reader’s Digest
How to Write a Memoir: 6 Creative Ways to Tell a Powerful Story – The Write Life
How to Write a Good Memoir: Advice on Finding Your Voice – Writer’s Digest
How to Write a Memoir that People Care About – NY Book Editors
Originally posted on: ToledoLibrary.org/blog/memoir-writing-resources by Toledo Lucas County Public Library blogger April S.
Telescope Kits
Have you heard about our telescope kits?
Interested in borrowing a telescope kit? Here are a few helpful details:
Kit Contents
Included in the telescope kit is the Orion Star Blast telescope, with a 4.5″ aperture and fast f/4 focal ratio which provides detailed views of solar system targets such as the Moon and planets. With the Orion Star Blast telescope, it’s also possible to view celestial objects like nebulas and star clusters, and the telescope can be assembled in a few minutes. This is a great compact telescope designed for beginner level astronomy enthusiasts. The kit also includes:
- Two Explorer II 1.25″ Kellner telescope eyepieces (17mm and 6mm)
- EZ Finder II reflex sight for easy aiming
- Eyepiece rack
- Collimation cap
- Starry Night astronomy software
- Carrying case
Reserving a Kit
Reservations can be made by contacting one of the following branch locations:
- Kent
- King Road
- Oregon
- Point Place
- Sanger
- Sylvania
- West Toledo
Borrowing a Kit
- Loanable for 7 days
- Can be renewed twice
- Check out with adult or juvenile library card
- Must be checked out and returned to the same location during library hours (do not place in dropbox).
The Orion Star Blast telescope kits make it possible explore the universe from your own backyard.
The telescopes were generously donated by the Toledo Astronomical Association.
Astronomy, Stargazing and Telescopes .. Oh My!
Books for Kids
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Books for Adults
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Related Astronomy Websites
How to Enjoy Your New Telescope: Advice for Beginner Skywatchers – Space.com
How to Use A Telescope: 16 Essential Steps to Loving the Night Sky – Love the Night Sky
Seeing and Transparency Guide – The Astronomical League
Orion Star Blast Telescope Review and Summary – Astronomy.com
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope – Telescope.com
Originally posted by Toledo Lucas County Public Library blogger Amber B. at http://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/explore-the-universe-with-a-telescope-kit-from-your-local-library.
Toledo Zoo Summer Camp
Join in on the adventure and discover the habitats where some of the Zoo’s fantastic beasts are found. Or discover what it would be like to be a zookeeper? Your kids will have a great time this summer learning about animals, conservation, and so much more at the Toledo Zoo’s Summer Camp programs.
Here’s a video of just one of the camps focusing on local conservation:
The GoPro action camera has become very popular because it’s fun and easy to use; it produces high quality photos and movies; and it’s versatile. It’s known as an action camera because it’s often used to film action scenes outdoors, it’s waterproof, and it’s sturdy. It can be used to create short films, to develop stop motion animation, make underwater videos, or take high quality vacation photos. The possibilities are endless, and getting started is as simple as going to the library.
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library has two types of GoPro kits that can be checked out for one week and renewed twice. The GoPro basic kit is available for customers of all ages at the Oregon Branch Library, and contains a GoPro Hero entry level action camera, case, straps, camera housing, microcard, cables, and adapters. The GoPro deluxe kit is available for adult customers only at the King Road Branch Library, and contains a GoPro Hero4 action camera, case, straps, camera housing, microcard, cables, and adapters.
GoPro kits must be checked out and returned to the same library location (inside the building during library hours – do not place this material in the drop box). Talk to a staff member today at Oregon or King Road Branch to reserve the GoPro kit of your choice.
Want to learn more about the GoPro Camera?
Check out these great GoPro Books
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Cinematography / Filmmaking Books
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Or check out these websites for fun ideas on how to get creative with the GoPro camera:
What is GoPro? – My Gadgets
Put Your GoPro Camera to the Test with These Creative Ideas – MUO (Make Use Of)
8 Creative Things To Do With a GoPro At Home – Amateur Photographer
13 GoPro Tips for Families – ClickLikeThis
How-To: 3 Most Popular DIY GoPro Projects – Make Magazine
11 Coolest Places to Take Your GoPro – Mashable
GoPro Session: Everything You Need to Know – Outside Magazine
How to Edit GoPro Videos – Udemy
GoPro 3D Prints You’ll Love: 11 Best GoPro Accessories to 3D Print – All3DP
Originally posted by Toledo Lucas County Public Library blogger Amber B. at http://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/lights-camera-action–gopro-video-camera-kits-from-your-local-library.
Saturday, June 3rd
The Toledo Zoo celebrates the sixth birthday of our big boy
Lucas the African elephant!
You are invited to bring the whole family and join in the pachyderm party fun! No need to worry about bringing a gift, the elephant keepers and our ZOOTeen volunteers have created special enrichment presents for the birthday boy to enjoy! And our award-winning catering department is making a yummy, elephantastic birthday treat with all of Lucas’s favorite fruits and veggies! This event is FREE with Zoo admission.
To learn more of the details and times please visit toledozoo.org/lucas
November is National Native American Heritage Month. Learn more about the diverse culture and history of Native Americans by exploring the resources your local library has to offer.
Books for Adults
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Books for Children
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Books for Pre-Teens and Teens
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The First Peoples of North America series by Raymond Bial
This series is great for grades 4 and up.
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Additional Resources
National Native American Heritage Month – National Endowment for the Humanities
Native American Heritage – National Park Service
Native American Heritage Month – PBS
American Indian Heritage Teaching Resources – Smithsonian
Catalog Tips
Looking for more on the topics above? Search the catalog using the following terms:
- Indians of North America
- Indians of North America — Folklore
- Indians of North America — Social life and customs
- Indian Art — North America
- Indian Mythology — North America
- Inuit — Social life and customs
- Native Americans
Originally posted by Toledo Lucas County blogger April S. at ToledoLibrary.org/blog/celebrate-native-american-heritage.
Conservation Clip
Reticulated pythons (Broghammerus reticulatus) grow to be the longest snakes in the world at 15-20 feet. Reticulatus means “net-like” in Latin and refers to the snakes intricate color pattern. These snakes are common in rainforests, woodlands and grass lands, typically near a water source, throughout southeast Asia and nearby islands. These ambush predators feed on a variety of small mammals and birds by constricting their prey. As with all pythons, retics as they are affectionately known, are nonvenomous and not considered a threat to humans. With their sheer size, adult pythons have extremely few natural predators. Plan your visit to the Toledo Zoo to meet our big girl!
Check out this video of our herpetology staff weighing and measuring our resident female Reticulated Python!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60XdK1q0rnw&w=560&h=315]
- To watch more exciting, educational videos from your Toledo Zoo, please subscribe to our YouTube channel or like us on Facebook.
- You can also “adopt” our reticulated python!
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