Art on exhibit at Douglas County Libraries

Douglas County Libraries will present a variety of exhibits and programs in 2010 for professional and amateur artists alike.

Parker Library presents the art of Jean Bouquet, retired architect and sometimes artist. To see his drawings, stop by Parker Library during January.

Douglas County teens are invited to submit art that they have made for display and a contest. Registration runs Jan. 1-30. Items will be displayed through February in the Aloha Teen Tower at Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock. The public will be invited to vote for their favorite. Winners will be announced March 1, and prizes will be given to the three artists whose works earn the most votes.

Highlands Ranch Photography Club will exhibit its work Jan. 9-31 at the Highlands Ranch Library. The club meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Highlands Ranch Library.

Philip S. Miller Library presents the works of three local artists. Jack Morin’s large-format abstract acrylic on canvas is to the left of the children's area. Its bright colors and composition are best viewed through the window at night. Nature photographer Paul O. Packer's rare glimpses of bighorn sheep, buffalo and bobcats may be viewed in the meeting room hallways. Dix Morris, noted watercolorist and founder of the Greater Castle Rock Art Guild, presents a variety of originals in the Reading Sanctuary. All artwork is available for purchase directly from the artists.

For more information, call 303-791-7323 or click DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

Libraries collect 1,065 coats for charity

Douglas County Libraries recently united with Coats for Colorado and the Douglas/Elbert Task Force to provide food and warmth for families this winter.

In November, through the generosity of its patrons, Douglas County Libraries gathered 1,065 gently used and new coats as part of the Coats for Colorado program. In addition, library fines collected Nov. 15-28 were donated to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force to help stock its food bank and feed local families.

“The need of local food banks this year has been severe,” said Jamie LaRue, director of Douglas County Libraries. “We gave our patrons the opportunity to contribute to that cause by dedicating their library fines for a two-week period. I'm pleased to say that our members contributed $10,000 in that time. I know that will make a difference.”

For more information about Douglas County Libraries, call 303-791-7323 or click DouglasCountyLibraries.org. For more information about the Douglas/Elbert Task Force, go to www.detaskforce.org. Visit www.coatsforcolorado.org for information about the Coats for Colorado program.

‘The Lost Symbol’ is offered on eBooks

In addition to the thousands of books and other materials available at Douglas County Libraries, patrons can now get downloadable eBooks from the library.

Once downloaded, digital eBooks may be read on a personal computer, eReader, PDA, or other compatible portable device.

Hundreds of eBook titles are available for lending through Overdrive, the Library’s eAudiobook service. They may be checked out and downloaded any time or any place, to anyone with access to the Internet, a Douglas County Library card, and an eBook reading device. There’s nothing to return; titles automatically expire once the lending period is over.

Douglas County Library’s debut eBook collection features more than 400 titles, including Dan Brown's latest novel, “The Lost Symbol.” Classic and best-selling fiction and non-fiction titles for all ages are also available. For additional information, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org and click on eMedia2Go.

Build your business with Douglas County Libraries

Douglas County Libraries offers a new series of business programs to complement its BizInfo suite of services. At least three programs are offered each month targeting entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The first meeting of the Castle Pines Business Book Club will be at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce.

Parker Library will host veteran business leader Mike Faber at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 for “89 Seconds to Sales Success.” Faber will share sales wisdom and practical tips attendees can implement immediately.

Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock will present “Business Plan Basics: Planning for Success,” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19. The program will cover benefits of business planning and steps involved in creating a business plan, from identifying goals to allocating resources.

Highlands Ranch Library will host Deb Wicklund for “Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring,” at 7 p.m. Jan. 28. Wicklund will highlight budget friendly techniques for marketing a business, including networking, newsletters and word-of-mouth “commercials” business owners can use anywhere.

Douglas County Libraries business programming will continue in February with “Business Start-Up Basics” and “Become a Confident Networker: Grow Your Business through Relationships.” Visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org for details.

Douglas County Libraries BizInfo business librarians can provide assistance with market research, competitive intelligence, and industry trends for established businesses, as well as sample business plans and start-up information for entrepreneurs. Douglas County Libraries also offers a Job Resource Guide free to library patrons, and other resources for those seeking work. Visit any Douglas County Library or DouglasCountyLibraries.org for more information.

Volunteer to become a Spellbinder at the library

Volunteers ages 50 or older can stay young at heart by telling traditional and personal history stories to children in Douglas County Schools. Spellbinders provide a connection between generations and pass to the future wisdom, character, and an important sense of community.

The Douglas County Chapter of Spellbinders is a partnership between Douglas County Libraries and Douglas County School District. Spellbinder training is offered through the Douglas County Libraries Literacy Department and assisted by our own seasoned Spellbinders.

Training will be from 9 a.. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25 and from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 29. Registration is required. To register, e-mail spellbinders@dclibraries.org.

For more information contact Priscilla Queen at pqueen@dclibraries.org or 303-688-7626.

For information about Douglas County Libraries, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org or call 303-791-7323.