New Mexico State Library

The State Library will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the holiday.  We will re-open on Monday, July 6.  Have a safe weekend!

New Mexico public library directors should be aware that the State Grants in Aid to Public Libraries rule (NMAC 4.5.2) changes on July 1, 2009.  As a result, Grades I and II Certification Exams and the Certification Exam Study Guide will be revised to reflect the rule change.

Therefore, the "old" study guide will be removed from our web site on July 1.  On Friday, July 31, 2009, the new study guide will be posted on our web site and both the new exams and new study guide will go into effect on that date.  Click here for more information.

Here's a little bit of 4th of July trivia.  Bill Toland, a reporter from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dug up these facts:  the Declaration of Independence was signed for the first time on Aug. 2, 1776 and signatures were applied months afterwards.  Another note:  was the vote to dissolve the ties between colonies and the king taken on July 4?  According to Toland, the delegates to the Continental Congress endorsed the idea of a Declaration of Independence on July 2.  Second president, John Adams, wrote to his wife, Abigail, that "the second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America...It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other, from this Time forward forever more."

On July 4, the congress approved a final edited version of the document, but that event was an afterthought to the statesmen who cast their courageous votes two days earlier.  Yet by the following year, July 4 -- the date that appears on the Declaration itself and not July 2nd  -- was the anniversary date that was being celebrated by Philadelphians and the Continental Congress. 

Library directors, do you want to be at the forefront to promote good old-fashioned exercise and help your community reduce traffic congestion and pollution?  You might want to consider a bike-share program at your library.   The Telluride Daily Planet reports that the Wilkinson Public Library is working with volunteers who coordinated the free program.  Currently, the library has 13 bikes and, simply put, it works like a library book.  You check a bike key at the front desk, keep it for four days, then bring it back.  Bike-share programs are gaining popularity in the U.S although they are more common in European cities like Barcelona and Paris.   You can also click here to get information from the International Bicycle Fund on how to start a bike-share program.

The LPD Press/Grande Books of Los Ranchos, New Mexico has announced a new book to go with the much-anticipated exhibit at the Museum of International Folk Art that opens July 19, 2009.  A Century of Masters book and exhibit shows the work and biographies of 15 New Mexican masters who were honored by the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C.  It covers the careers of extraordinary artists, storytellers, santeros, musicians, oral historians, potters, and linguists.  This recognition of these awardees is the highest per capita of any other state.  The book has letters by Governor Richardson, Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman, and MOIFA Director Marsha Bol.  The exhibit runs until 2011.  Check for details online at http://nmsantos.com.

Library directors who have Spanish-speaking patrons may be interested in the new Guia del Consumidor 2009:Proteja a su familiar, the award-winning Spanish counterpart of the Consumer Action Handbook.  The guide covers topics of relevance to the Hispanic community.  Some topics of interest may include the section on "Immigration" and how to identify fradulent immigration consultants and scams related to the visa lottery.  The "Scam" section warns about different types of fraud including affinity fraud, fake ID cards, driver's licenses and frauds committed via international courier.

The Guia is available online at www.consumidor.gov.  The website provides searchable, interactive access to all the information in the Guia.  Or to order your free copy send your name and address to Guia del Consumidor, Pueblo, CO 91009, or call toll-free 1-888-878-3256, weekdays 8 am to 8 pm (ET).