BPL News

Learn About Chinese History at the Bettendorf Public Library

2008-09-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

As part of the Global Gathering Series at the Bettendorf Public Library, Dick Landis of Dubuque will present two sessions on China from the Opium War to Modern Times. Session one will be held on Tuesday, September 16 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with the second session on October 7 at the same time. The September 16 program, From the War to Promote Opium to the End of the Imperial Era, covers events in China from 1840 to 1912 – events that resulted in internal upheavals and external sorrows throughout the 20th century.

Landis studied Chinese at the Institute of Far Eastern Languages, Yale University and has taught Chinese language and history at Dubuque area colleges and interprets for governmental and business meetings. He has been active in the development of both Iowa’s and Dubuque’s sister city/state relationships with China.

All Global Gathering events are free and open to the public. For additional information visit the library’s web site www.bettendorflibrary.com or phone 344-4175. Global Gathering: China is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

Celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival at the Bettendorf Public Library

2008-09-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

All are invited to the Bettendorf Public Library on Sunday evening, September 14, for a Moon Festival celebration from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This free festival celebrates the end of the harvest and is an important event in China. Part of the two month long Global Gathering China series at the library, the festival is presented in partnership with the local chapters of the US-China People’s Friendship Association and the Chinese Association.

Festival highlights include performances of the colorful and athletic dragon dance by the Vietnamese Art and Culture Association, telescope viewing of the moon with the Popular Astronomy Club, and reading of poetry to the moon in both Chinese and English, including a moon poem written for the festival by Quad City poet laureate Dale Haake. Tony Chen will demonstrate carving of vegetables into intricate shapes and award-winning pianist Jonathan Ni of Iowa City will perform. Toto, the international clown, will appear as a Chinese character and make balloon sculptures for Year of the Rat.

Throughout the evening there will be activities and entertainment for all ages. Come taste moon cakes, a special festival delicacy; participate in the chopstick or math challenge; learn about and perhaps play the Guzheng or Erhu, Chinese musical instruments. Have your photo taken by the Great Wall of China, attend a story time, make a paper lantern or try calligraphy. For additional information on the Moon Festival or any of the library’s Global Gathering China events, visit the library’s web site www.bettendorflibrary.com or phone 344-4175. Global Gathering China is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

Contemporary Books Discussions at the Bettendorf Public Library

2008-09-04T16:50:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday, September 17, at 1:00 p.m. in the Bettendorf Public Library’s Malmros Room, there will be a discussion of “The Last Chinese Chef” by Nicole Mones led by Augustana College Professor Jen-Mei Ma. Mones will be on speaker phone for the discussion from 1-1:30 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. on the 17th, Augustana College Professor Marsha Smith will lead a discussion of “Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet” by Xinran. Both books are part of the Global Gathering China project and are available on a first-come basis at the Information Desk. New members are always welcome. Global Gathering: China is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

Mystery Book Discussion

2008-08-28T14:58:00.001-05:00

A discussion of “The Chinese Alchemist” by Lyn Hamilton led by Augustana College Professor Jen-Mei Ma will take place in the Bettendorf Public Library’s Malmros Conference Room, Saturday, September 13, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. The author will be present via speaker phone for part of the discussion. This program is one of many funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation for “Global Gathering China”. Books are available for loan on a first-come basis at the Information Desk. New members are always welcome.

Brown Bag Lunch Series

2008-08-28T14:55:00.001-05:00

Introduction to Mandarin Chinese

2008-08-26T11:58:00.001-05:00

An introductory session on Mandarin Chinese will be held at the Bettendorf Public Library on Thursday, September 4 from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. This class is offered as part of the library’s Global Gathering China series which offers a variety of programs on China this fall. The session will be presented by Fan Youxin and Wang Miao, two PhD students from East China Normal University, Shanghai, who have been chosen to work with the Confucius Institute at the University of Iowa.

Mandarin is written with more than 50,000 characters and the tone of a word completely changes its meaning. Whether you are planning a trip to China and wish to learn a few simple phrases or you just want to learn more about this most widely spoken first language in the world, the class should be of interest. Information on additional Mandarin classes by the Confucius Institute in the Quad Cities area will be available. No registration is required. For additional information contact the library at 344-4175 or visit the library website at www.bettendorflibrary.com. Global Gathering: China is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

2008-08-26T11:57:00.000-05:00

Acupuncture – the What, Why and How of It will be presented by Qiang Zhang, DC at the Bettendorf Public Library on Wednesday, September 10 from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. Part of the library’s Global Gathering China series, Dr. Zhang’s slide presentation will give an overview of the history of acupuncture, an integral part of TCM. He will discuss chi, the body’s energy flow system, and discuss some of the health conditions which acupuncture might alleviate.

Dr. Zhang graduated from Harbin Medical University, China with a BS in medical science and a MD degree. While a chief neurosurgeon in Harbin, he also studied under masters at Jiamusi Xingli Traditional Chinese Medical College to become a Certified Doctor of Acupuncture. In 1990 Zhang came to the Quad Cities. First earning a Masters in Science of Anatomy from Palmer Institute of Graduate Studies & Research, he then graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer.

Dr. Zhang’s program on traditional Chinese medicine is a part of the Bettendorf Public Library’s Global Gathering: China, a two month long celebration of Chinese culture. Global Gathering: China is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation. For additional information contact the library at 344-4175 or visit the library website at www.bettendorflibrary.com. For additional information contact the library at 344-4175 or visit the library website at www.bettendorflibrary.com.

Bettendorf Public Library Presents 2007-2008 Brown Bag Lunch Series

2008-08-20T09:13:00.000-05:00

Kicking off the Bettendorf Public Library's 2008-2009 Brown Bag Lunch Series on September 12 will be a performance of Chinese classical and folk music on cello, violin, and flute by Tom Cao, Kevin Li and Kelsey Qu. This performance is also part of the library's Global Gathering China programming offered during the months of September and October. The Friends of the Library sponsor the Brown Bag series. All performances are 30 minutes from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Bettendorf Room on the second floor of the library at 2950 Learning Campus Drive.

The series is free and open to all ages. Attendees are invited to bring lunch, relax and enjoy regional musicians. The library provides free coffee from Dewey's Café.

Additional performances for this season are:

October 10
Ellis Kell - Blues & originals, guitar and vocals
November 7
Frank Claudy - Irish music, wooden flute and whistle
December 12
Smile - group playing folk music and old favorites
January 9
Jonathan Turner - Piano, Broadway tunes, jazz & pop
February 13
Edmar Castaneda—jazz harpist, QC Visiting Artist Series
March 20
Lee Blockmon - Pop & rock, guitar and vocals
April 17
Buddy Olson - Tribute to Johnny Cash
May 15
Tony Hoeppner - Rhythm & Blues, guitar and vocals
June 12
Andrew Landers - Grass roots folk & blues

China Comes to the Bettendorf Public Library

2008-08-19T11:49:00.001-05:00

During the months of September and October, the Bettendorf Public Library will be hosting Global Gathering: China, with a wealth of programs and displays designed to not only enhance understanding of China as a rising world power and its diverse peoples and cultures, but to respect and appreciate the diversity our neighbors with Chinese roots bring to our community. The Library has scheduled programs on literature, calligraphy, food, medicine, history, political situation, music, language, martial arts and customs. Highlights include a Moon Festival and programs by Ying Chang Compestine, an award-winning author and Asian food authority. Additionally, over 200 new library items on China will be featured in Display Central.

Global Gathering: China is sponsored by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation. The local U.S.-China People’s Friendship Association and the Quad Cities Chinese Association have offered their advice and assistance in planning programs. For a full listing of Global Gathering: China events, go to www.bettendorflibrary.com/ggchinaonline.pdf.

Poetry Contest on the Theme Love & Forgiveness

2008-07-10T13:40:00.001-05:00

The Bettendorf Public Library is hosting a poetry contest with the theme of Love & Forgiveness in conjunction with a series of events on the same theme. There will be two levels: Youth (middle school through high school) and Adult (beyond high school). Prizes will be $25 apiece for four runners-up and $100 apiece for two first-place winners. Additionally, the two winning poems will be illustrated in one piece of art by local artist Katie Kiley. The final judge will be internationally known poet Li-Young Lee. All six winners will read their poems on-stage with Li-Young Lee in January 2009. To submit a poem, poets must live within a 50-mile radius of the Quad-Cities and must not have already won first-place in a previous Bettendorf Public Library poetry contest. Up to two poems may be submitted but only one prize per person will be awarded. Poem may be no longer than one page and contact information must be provided. Poems must be received at the Bettendorf Public Library or be postmarked by midnight on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Drop off or mail to: Bettendorf Public Library, Hedy Hustedde (Adult Level) or John Gillette (Youth Level), 2950 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722 or email hhustedde@bettendorf.org or jgillette@bettendorf.org.

Information About Antiques Available at Bettendorf Public Library

2008-05-28T12:22:00.001-05:00

The Bettendorf Public Library now subscribes to p4A Antiques Reference, an online, searchable source for antiques information and prices. Bettendorf library cardholders can go to http://www.bettendorflibrary.com/services/researchalpha.htm and click on Antiques Reference Database to search for detailed descriptive and pricing information on antiques, collectibles, fine art and historic Americana sold at regional auctions throughout the United States. Non-Bettendorf residents can access p4A Antiques Reference at the library.

The p4A Antiques Reference database has images for all the items included in the database. A specific item description, information on condition and provenance is included whenever available. Prices realized are clearly shown with date and place sold. A customized auction note is included to describe the overall sales environment for a given record. New records are added to the database 365 days per year. The p4A Antiques Reference database includes supplemental reference information, including literature citations and independently researched reference notes providing biographical, contextual and background data about a given item.

The p4A Antiques Reference service focuses its coverage exclusively on major regional auction venues throughout the U.S., the marketplace where the great bulk of antiques and collectibles are bought and sold in this country. Approximately fifty regional auction venues are currently covered coast-to-coast.