Wayzata Branch, Hennepin County Library -- Revisit

Last year I visited Wayzata library on a very, very hot day. Today was cool, and some threatened rain had blown through before the bus was out of downtown. I rode out to Orono, had lunch at Culver's, and stopped in Wayzata on the way back. We'll count Wayzata as a library with ice cream nearby; there is a Ben and Jerry's down the hill, near the lakeshore.

Approaching from the south this time, I started my visit with a set of 50 steps--yes, I counted them. They brought me up through a garden area with what to my uneducated eye appeared to be wildflowers on the hillside and cultivated flowers at the top. Very nice.

Inside, a wall of windows looks out across this garden to the lake. Each end of this wall has a "living room" area of comfortable chairs, one end for those browsing periodicals and newspapers, the other for general use, though the large print books are nearby. Between these two areas are four study tables, each seating four people. There are also several quiet study rooms for individuals or small groups. Each seating area and table was occupied on this beautiful afternoon; the view may have compesated for the need to be inside.

I saw about ten public Internet computers, plus eight in the children's area and four more for teens. The teen area was partially enclosed, and a sign indicated that it is only for teens after noontime in the summer.

The large "found art" piece is still on the wall in the children's area. Today I spotted its title: "Go to Your Room." Stepping back, I could see the similarity to a bedroom floor ringed by toys. The preschool area has toy food in a "shop" and a wooden "cook top" that sits on a table, so there is no need to have the space for the usual toy kitchen. There are bins of board books and many "E" picture books, some in alphabetical bins and some displayed by theme.

I like the DVD sign made of broken pieces of -- what else? -- DVDs. Clever.

Children's fiction is labeled "Children's" on the spine, not the typical "J"--I'm not sure I've seen that practice before.

There is a model of two shops on display behind the Information desk. I was told that it is on loan from the Historical Society. There is also a model of the train depot (I think) displayed in one of the reading areas.

For more information about this branch and its environs, go to http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=Wa.

7/24/2013, bus and walking

Riverview Branch, St. Paul Public Library--Revisit

My visit today was brief; I had requested a book and asked to pick it up here, just for fun.

I read my post from last summer where I noted that this was a very lively library. It was perhaps not so lively this year, but that was probably due to the time of day. I sat for a while and watched a young boy, perhaps 10, very competently using the online catalog. That was nice to see.

Outside there are two benches bracketing a small paved area with monarch butterfly designs. A couple of the designs are in color, others are dark sillouettes intended for counting.

I left quickly in order to catch a bus...which did not come. If I'd known the next bus would not come either, I would have gone back inside, but hope springs eternal when it comes to waiting for buses. I ended up waiting by the bus stop, reading, for about an hour...

For more information about this branch library, go to http://www.sppl.org/about/locations/riverview'

7/18/2013, bus

After seeing the pictures, it won't surprise you to know this is one of three Carnegie libraries in St. Paul.

17a. Hennepin County, Southdale Library--Revisit

When I visited last year, I never got to the top floor where non-fiction is shelved. This year I determined through the on-line catalog that a book I wanted was there, so I started at the top.

Most of the floor, especially the west wall, is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. From this level, you can actually see a long way to a tree-filled horizon, rare in an urban library. [Of course, the foreground is mostly parking lot and a large Target store--raise your eyes!]

There are many computers, plus tables for two or four, some with outlets for laptops. In addition to the extensive non-fiction stacks there is a very large reference section, quiet study rooms, and both circulating and reference periodicals. This is the first library where I've noticed bound back issues of some periodicals, though I'm sure St. Paul Central and Minneapolis Central must have them. This area includes paper editions of the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature through 2009 and the New York Times Index through 2004. The only other place I recall seeing these was LaCrosse, Wisconsin, though again I expect that St. Paul and Minneapolis have them.

Signs near a computer with special law software reminds users that "Print jobs must be picked up at least 15 minutes before library closes" and "Printing stops at 9 PM M-Th, 5 PM` Fri, Sat, Sun." Since these are the closing hours for the library, I'm not sure how a patron who can print until 9 pm, say, can pick up a print job "15 minutes before closing." Unless a print job is something someone else does for you? Perhaps someone will comment and clarify. Someone from the large Information and Services Desk, possibly?

A "living room" area near the elevators and top of the stairs provides comfortable and attractive seating for those browsing the newspaper and graphic novels.

Moving down to the lower level...I dealt mostly with the children's area last year, so I'll just make a few comments now. A number of large and small figures hang from the ceiling, providing an underwater ambience which is enhanced by a large mural with 3-D figures on one wall. As on the level above, the walls have many large windows. There are at least seven computers for kids. Central areas between Children and Teens have signs indicating that they are for "Kids and Families" or "Teens and families" after 3 PM and on weekends. I was there at 2:45 and noticed several unaccompanied adults using these areas; I almost wanted to stick around and see if they moved at 3 o'clock.

There were a number of teens in the teen area, and when I walked through, more or less by accident, I got some looks; the old lady didn't belong there!

This level houses the adult fiction collection. A living room-type area is near the world language corner, which holds books, DVDs, and periodicals for all ages in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, Somali, and Vietnamese. I even saw copies of the Harvard Business Review in Chinese!

Book returns on the first floor are labeled for books, media, and "children's and YA" books.

7/19/2013, bus and a bit of walking

Sorry, no new picture

70a. Hennepin County, Ridgedale Library -- Revisit

As was the case last year, I feel that kids have learning opportunities from the moment they start up the stairs: "Can you count to 30?" A number is posted on each step, 1 to 30 going up, 30 to 1 going down. A message to parents points out that counting up is preparation for addition, counting down is prep for subtraction. Interactive questions and materials abound. There is a "pond" laminated to the floor with a "wooden dock" out into it. A toddler was on the "dock" when I was there, looking closely at the pond life while carefully avoiding the "edges." Something not seen before: a scale beside the self-checkout in the kids' area, with a sign "How much do your books weigh?" Nobody was checking out while I looked, but I would think this would be irresistable. [I've mentioned this to adults at a couple of other libraries; for them it is very resistable.]

Adults are encouraged to learn, too. There is a vocabulary word with its definition on the end of each non-fiction shelf. Inveterate, soupcon, obstreperous, chthonic, quincunx -- they were all what I consider "SAT words." Very cool. A window wall along the non-fiction area looks out into the treetops in a park-like yard with a patio.

There is a glassed in office backing up the reference desk; it looks as if these staff workstations are used for reference phone calls. There are more than 20 computers in labs, and a patron can sign up for "computer lab" or "computer lab with scanner." An area where laptops can be plugged in is bright and cheerful under a skylight. There are at least four small study rooms for one or two people. (I say "at least" because I kept finding surprises!) The non-fiction area is lined with study carrels along a window wall. I spotted three microfilm/fiche readers and one magnifier for low-vision patrons.

There is a very attractive display of "altered books," each framed and ribboned. The browsing area by one corner is surrounded by window walls on two sides. There are many periodicals displayed, but some periodical shelves are empty; I wonder if this presages a move to Zineo or something similar?

Non-fiction DVDs are on their own shelves with labels like "musicals," "nature," and so forth. They appear to be labeled by topic, not LC.

In the adult fiction section, newsletters from Uncle Hugo's Mystery Bookstore are available on the Mystery shelves. Where the non-fiction shelves have vocabulary words, fiction shelves display artistic black and white photos of books.

The teen area was occupied by a number of teens (not often seen, in my experience, during these visits). Teens have six computers, lots of teen magazines and graphic novels, and bins of comic books. YA non-fiction books are shelved separately. I didn't look closely to see whether these are topics of particular inteerst to teens.

This is only the second, and by far the largest, library where a parent can get a diaper from the children's librarian; this is a sensible and potentially very helpful service. Entering the children's area I saw "Explore Science" stations about X-rays, magnets, and bugs. A "farmers' market" is near a sign saying "The Together Project: Play matters." Indeed it does, and it's very good to see this acknowledged. The media corner has plastic and wooden dishes and toys for play, and a sign, "Pick up after play to earn a sticker." I have mixed feelings there; rewards like stickers have been shown to be ineffective as motivators in the long run, but librarians need spaces kept tidy. Would "Please clean up after yourself" not work as well?

A long, low table in an alcove provides space for linking road segments, vehicles, and buildings. "When we play and talk together, you are teaching me all about my world."

The Friends have a self-contained bookstore in the lobby near the Dunn Bros. coffee shop. A very nice volunteer was staffing it when I was there. [Of course, all library volunteers, friends or not, are very nice, and invaluable.]

When I visited last summer I mentioned that the westbound bus stops directly across from the library, about equidistant between two traffic lights. It would be a good safety feature if a "zebra stripe" crosswalk were painted, and a "Yield to Pedestrians" sign displayed. No change this year. Eastbound, of course, is not problem, as the bus stops on the same side of the street as the library.

7/15/2013, bus

Sorry, no new picture.

2a. Washington County, Hardwood Creek Branch, Forest Lake, MN

This library shares a building with the town offices. This adds a large lobby, a fenced park area, and a snack room with vending machines--nice features to have nearby.

I think I would like to work in the round entry space which houses requests, new books, self-checkout stations, and a round circulation service desk. It feels nice, and the friendly person at that desk added to the good feeling.

The library space is very long and relatively narrow. On the right as you enter there is a ramp that runs most of the length of the building and leads to a reading loft with varied seating, some plants, and windows on two sides with a view to the nearby wetlands. The ramp overlooks the children's area on the right and the adult area on the left. There are about 16 public computers, and the ubiquitous carts with books for sale.

The adult area is anchored on the near end by a space for teens that features a funky window (see picture below), two round booths, and a neon sign. On the far end is a browsing area with big windows, a fireplace, upholstered chairs. Between these ends are the genre and general fiction collections and the non-fiction. All non-fiction is shelved together, which seems to be an increasingly common practice--and one that I support.

Passing under the high end of the ramp, one enters the children's area, which runs back the full length of the building. A program room is to the left. It has a restroom, storage space for materials, and windows that look out to the natural area surrounding the building. Walking the length of the space you pass three long rows of "Easy" bins and shelves, assorted small tables and chairs, and finally the children's fiction collection. Recessed areas under the ramp house low windows to the adult area, cubbies for bookclub-in-a-bag kits, and book/CD kits. Between the preschool and older kids' areas are two sand tables with clear covers, and magnets that can be used to move vehicles through the sand; fun!

My favorite bit of "passive programming" involved a shelf by the entrance to the children's area holding a stack of paper and a set of books about paper airplanes. The activity suggestion: take a sheet of paper and an instruction book, make a paper airplane...then see how far it will fly off the reading loft above! It was quiet when I was there, but there must be times when this gets very lively!

7/13/2013, car

For more information, go to http://www.co.washington.mn.us/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=2

There are nice places to walk around this library, and I set off for a meander after my visit. To my surprise, the walk prompted memories of the book I was listening to in my car last summer when I made a visit here, a John Sandford book about a horrendous fire. Memory is strange, indeed.

 

That tilted window below is in the teen area.

34a. Stillwater, Minnesota, City Library--Revisit

Stillwater's library began as a Carnegie library, as is clear from the pictures below. And although it is listed with Washington County libraries, it is actually a city library--never mind what I said about it last year. I was wrong, and a couple of very nice librarians sorted me out on the subject today.

If you put the library address into your gps and follow its directions, you will end up on the east side of the library, the side that features the parking garage. Instead, go one block further up the hill and park on the street. Then you can see the Carnegie "look" as you approach. Except that it's a bit more complicated, if I understand it correctly. Before the parking garage was added, the library faced east and the west side would have been the back door; the old front door can be seen from the rooftop patio atop the new part, which today was being prepared for a wedding reception. Confused? You'll just have to go and see for yourself!

From the west, through the door pictured below, you enter a rounded hall where a table of new books stands on a carpet-and-mosaic floor. This level has a variety of rooms. First on the right is the mystery room, where I found a good selection by some of my favorite authors, always a good sign. Then I passed a bust of Abraham Lincoln standing guard outside a library office. Then you come to a room holding science fiction and westerns, then the Murdock Room that faces east and houses a fireplace, large print books, and romance novels. Beyond this is general fiction, and you come back around to the entrance. This side of the library truly is the "back" now, and the desk is staffed by a volunteer greeter.

The old wooden shelves are graced by cast-iron ends in a fairly elaborate pattern. These are unlike anything I've seen in other libraries, and they are very attractive as well as utilitarian. There is art on the walls everywhere, and a sign points down a hallway (which I didn't explore) to a Gallery.

Down half a level I passed an antique wooden bookcase filled with classic books "for display, not circulation." This is reminiscent of the lower level of the library in New Hampton, NH.

Another half level down and I entered the adult non-fiction section. This area has large windows with stained-glass tops, matching the Carnegie part of the building. There are wooden carrels, several study rooms for individuals or small groups, and seating for browsers in a windowed corner near the periodicals. I liked seeing a sign telling where to go in case of severe weather (to the children's department). I got a kick from signs about the Dewey Decimal system that start, "Hi, I'm Mel...  Dewey have information..." There is a prominent cart labeled "Not checking it out? Please place materials to be re-shelved on this cart. Thanks." That sign faces forward. In case patrons miss it, each end of the cart says, "Please... Do not re-shelve books. Place them on this cart. Thanks." I hope this works!

There are about 15 public computers on some unusual curved tables, quite different from the typical carrels and very nice-looking. Near these is the reference section and the room that houses the St. Croix collection, which can only be used in that room. A teen area is large and welcoming, with interesting modern lighting hanging from the ceiling, four computers, and a teen study room. .

In the children's area, the bins and shelves of picture books and juvenile books are extensive and quite what one would expect. What I did not expect was the reading loft tucked into a corner, with "windows" that look into the children's area. Below the loft were painted "storefronts" representing the Bear Claw Cafe, Fire Fly Station No. 9, and Acorn Bank. A "fire truck" with seating for readers is parked in front of this "street." A storytime room has round cushions hanging from pegs--what a nice alternative to carpet squares! The carpet throughout the kids' area has a subtle alphabet pattern. And of course, the handsome puppet theater is still in the corner. (Find the other Stillwater entry to see the puppet theater.)

There is more to like: a seating area with a corner that looks like standing books and benches labeled "Looking for a Moose" and "Antler, Bear, Canoe;" about 19 periodical titles for kids; tables and chairs placed at shelf ends; a low drinking fountain and a rest room for kids only; four internet computers, one Book Flix station, two catalog computers, and a self-checkout station. A flock of birds in flight hangs beneath the ceiling. I'll end with a sign I liked:

Welcome to the library.
At the library...
   ... I stay close to my adult
   ... I use my indoor voice
   ... I am gentle with books and equipment
   ... I stay safe by walking, not running or jumping
   ... I put away books and games when I am done

Each statement was accompanied by a photograph. Very nice.

7/13/2013, car

For more information, go to http://www.stillwaterlibrary.org/.

I didn't get close enough to show "Carnegie Library" and 1902.

61a. Hennepin County, Edina -- Revisit

The first time I visited here, last summer, I was in a rush...the bus I rode out on would sit in the nearby turn-around spot for just about 1/2 hour, and I really wanted to be on it for the return trip. Today, I made sure I had plenty of time. I was out here today because I read mysteries while riding buses, and I very much needed the next one in a series, which was available here. I had called the night before to be sure, and to have it set aside for me. So I was on a dual mission: get my book, and give this library its due.

I'm always intrigued by signs, and I saw one here before I even went inside. It was on the book drop, and it said "Caution, moving conveyor, do not put hands inside bookdrop." I hadn't seen that one before; the bookdrop inside the library, which I believe also has a conveyor, does not have this warning.

A meeting room off the lobby was full of bookcarts labeled "Reclassification Project." Seeing those reminded me that the Hennepin County and Minneapolis library systems merged a while back. Since the 70s, Minneapolis has used LOC, though they still have some older books with DDS in the stacks. The Hennepin County branches used DDS. Henceforth, all branches will use LOC. I talked a bit to a library staffer about this, and he said that the process has gone quite smoothly; there is a team that comes in, knows just what to do, and gets it done with dispatch. Sounds good!

A sign in the children's area makes me think that another change has been made, perhaps as part of the same project: "Children's Nonfiction books are now interfiled with Adult Nonfiction. Librarians at the information desk are happy to assist you." The chldren's area is fairly apart from the rest of the library, sort of around a corner. It extends along the side of the building, ending in a program room, The Chrysalis Room," with handsome stained glass windows that are up high, out of harm's way. There are three computers and a CD/tape player for elementary kids, three other computers for the preschool crowd. I like the colorful wooden chairs and tables. A notebook of Read-Write-Draw pages from the summer reading program is filling quickly.

Some STEM-based passive programming was evident at a table with magnets and assorted material to try them on, including a couple of sealed containers of iron filings. A sign on the wall provided ideas for parents and older children, and reminded parents that "When you use words like 'repel' and 'attract' I am learning science vocabulary." I like to find these reminders to parents that "play = learning"--especially if the parent helps out.

This is one of the few libraries where I have noticed carts of books ready for shelving, waiting at the ends of rows. Each cart I saw had a sign saying "Ready to Shelve." Perhaps these signs keep patrons from randomly moving books around that have been placed in shelving order. Perhaps.

Beyond the kids' program room is a teen area with comfortable chairs, several computers, and a wall of windows. Windows continue down the right side of the building area, with study tables and comfortable seating for browsers. There is also a handsome fireplace. Fiction and non-fiction shelves are abundant. Along the left wall are a conference room, study rooms, and a windowed alcove; the alcove seems to provide access to an emergency exit. I noticed that study rooms can be reserved on line, in two-hour intervals, once a week.

A sign by the car repair books in nonfiction says, "Repairing your car or truck? AllData Online is now available at all Hennepin County Libraries." This makes it unnecessary to keep shelves of large, floppy repair manuals. [Over in St. Paul, there is a library that prides itself on its paper copies of manuals, although the online resources are also available.]

It appears that biographies and travel books have their own areas, although they have LOC designations. There are a dozen adult computers in the middle area, along with a collection of music CDs. It intrigued me that I didn't spot DVDs until I was about to leave. In many libraries these days, media seems to be front and center, even upstaging books. Sometimes this seems to be done to prevent loss: keep the DVDs where you can keep an eye on them. Here, they are visible but not conspicuous.

The service desk is a single low, curved counter, allowing staff to sit. Library cards and circulation issues are at the left, librarian services to the right. I had a nice chat with one staff person who suggested that I add Elk Rapids, MI, to my list of "must visit" libraries.

On my way out I noticed one very nice feature, a courtesy phone for local calls (3 minute limit), and one not so nice, cubicle latches in the women's restroom that do not work very well. Kudos for the first, perhaps the second should be fixed? There was also a notebook with pages in page protectors, showing the work of the Friends of the Library. There's an idea for other groups: recruit by showing what you do.

For more information, and to learn about the art throughout the library, start here: http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=Ed.

7/10/2013, bus, train, walking

Transit and Libraries

I found something new to me on the Hennepin County site, and I wonder if it was there last year and I missed it?

I was looking at the HCL locations and hours and chose the first library on the list, Augsberg. I couldn't quite recall where it is (hey, I have at least 183 different libraries in here now!) so I was looking for the link to a map. Right next to that link I spotted a button called "Transit." I clicked on that and went to a map and a "trip advisor" similar to the one available within the Metro Transit site. Right there, I could put in my home address--or any address--and my departure time, and get times, route numbers, all the info I would need to travel to that library.

I tried this with a couple of other Hennepin County branches, and it worked just fine. Then I took a look at St. Paul's and Ramsey County's websites. Maps, yes. But no information about transit. I've sent email queries to both, asking whether I'm missing this feature on their sites. I'll update this when I get aswers.

Public transportation is one of my interests, along with libraries. I strongly suggest that libraries that can be reached by public transportation should make the needed information readily available.

Three cheers for Hennepin County for doing this.

Prompt response from St. Paul, see Comment below. Only response from Ramsey County so far (24 hours after my query), a librarian who says she's forwarded the question to Automation Services.

Over a week later, no further response from Ramsey County. All of their branches CAN be reached by bus, except White Bear Lake--unless you want to head out there with the commuters in the evening and go home the next morning!

48a. HCL Eden Prairie, MN -- Revisit

A visitor is welcomed to this soaring library by a raised planter, partially tiled, with native prairie plants (what else?) and a short poem by Emily Dickinson: "To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee. And revery. The revery alone will do, If bees are few...." That's a very nice start to a library visit. (And a bit sad, given the current state of bees.)

The large, uncluttered lobby has maps of the area in two scales, a very nice touch since I always get lost in Eden Prairie (pre-GPS, that is). I didn't spot any "you are here" indication, however. There are literature racks, a community bulletin board, drinking fountains, rest rooms, and the entrance to a meeting room that apparently can be accessed when the library itself is not open, a nice option.

Inside, my main impression was "What a great place to study!" Everywhere there are tables for one to four people, with outlets for laptops. Some tables are spaced around the open public area. There are also study rooms for up to three people, a quiet study room with six single and two double workspaces, eight "office cubicle" spaces with four-foot walls, and probably more that I missed. There appear to be at least 58 public computers, most (perhaps all) with MS Office. A sign near one meeting room says that if you are looking for a meeting room, you can reserve one on line. If you are looking for quiet study space, "Ask @ the Information Desk."

The large Information desk is directly ahead as you enter the library. It has both low and high counters, allowing librarians and patrons to sit or stand, nice options for a reader's advisory interview or a quick inquiry. The service desk is against the wall, and appears to front the workroom where AMH materials arrive. From the very large number of books waiting to be picked up on the Request shelves, I'd guess that a lot of material is handled every day.

Children's, teens' and adults' non-fiction materials are shelved together. I've seen that a lot lately, but here it is clearly indicated on the end of each shelf, for example: 360 - 364 (Includes Children's Material). I like both of these practices, shelving and labeling. When I am looking for a non-fiction topic, I sometimes want an adult book, sometimes a simpler children's book. It is very nice to be able to compare the books on a topic together in one place.

A two-sided fireplace is near the browsing area, along with windows, easy chairs and more tables. Close by are the periodicals, newspapers, graphic novels, and new books. The wire baskets that sit on several tables have signs asking patrons to "Please leave unwanted library materials here. Staff will reshelve. Thanks!" The sign includes the HCL logo in red; my first impression was of a STOP sign, suggesting that I should stop and think about where to leave my reading material. It probably wasn't intended to give that message, but it's not a bad idea if it works that way.

A large area is set aside for teens. I saw eight computers, varied seating and tables, a TV (for video games?) and a large collection of teen fiction, including a Guys Read display. Painted on the wall: "When I was your age, television was called books," attributed to William Goldman, "The Princess Bride."

The first thing I noticed in the children's area was a shelf of world language books in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Somali. The books appeared to be "easy readers" and general fiction, and each language had a bin or two of board books as well. A lot of easy readers in English were nearby on shelves and in plastic bins. The walls were papered with the beginning of the Bookawocky read-write-draw productions for the summer. I remembered from my visit last summer  the clever bent-wood stools with their interlocking legs, allowing them to be used separately or set up in a circle; today, they were in a circle.

There seemed to be a lot of parents, both dads and moms, with their children in this area, especially considering that this was close to noon on the day before a holiday. From the general tidiness of the area, I guess that they have read and taken to heart the sign on a cart nearby, "Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share./Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere."

A clear plastic jar on the Information desk invited me to "guess the title of this book." The jar was full of shredded strips of what must have been one of the Harry Potter books; I spotted the name Hagrid. While I was puzzling over the jar, a librarian offered help. I explained my project and gave her one of my "cards." She said she might tweet about it; I hope she does!

I chose to take out a book, and discovered what might be a small flaw: I only saw two self-checkouts, and both of them were busy with parents who were letting their (very) little ones help. I have no objection to little kids learning the correct way to scan a barcode, and I wasn't in a rush, but this did seem like too few checkouts for a library of this size. And there was only one book return of the "one at a time" type used for AMH, though I know there is another outside. On the other hand, the scanner had no problem with the wide picture book I checked out; at the Central Minneapolis library, I seem to have about a 50-50 chance of this kind of scanner/book combination working.

Finally, I didn't realize until I got home that I never saw any DVDs or CDs. They surely are there, but they must be keeping a low profile. This adds to my impression that this large branch library focuses on books and study. And I don't mind that at all.

For more information, go to http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=EP.

7/3/2013, car

Libraries and Telescopes

If you read my entries from my library visits in New Hampshire last month, you saw a number of references to telescopes. I finally went to the New Hampshire Astronomical Society's website to learn more about the program. Here's the link to that site. Wherever you are, you must have a state Astronomical Society of some sort. Wouldn't you like something like this at your library?

Here's the link: http://nhastro.com/ltp.php