It’s always a good time to get a library card, but September is National Library Card sign up month, so it’s a particularly good time to get one now! Free books, free movies, free music, free computer use, free programs for all ages — what more do you need?

In case you’re looking for more incentives:

• 52 ways to use your library card from the American Library Association
• Kids in Cody signing up for their first library card this month get a free packet with a pencil, a sticker, and some other fun stuff!
• A library card also means you can access all the fabulous stuff on our Research page from anywhere you have internet access!

You can even sign up for a library card online. Remember to bring ID and proof of residence in Park County when you come in to get your card.

The image of miners with their children at a Labor Day celebration in Silverton, Colorado in 1942 comes from the American Memory Collection America from the Great Depression to WWII, which features the work of photographers from the Farm Security Administration-Office of War Information.

Photo credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USF35-1326].

Other Labor Day links:

• History of Labor Day from the US Department of Labor
• Proclamation of the Eight-Hour Workday
• Meeteetse Labor Day Photos from the McCracken Collection
• Wyoming labor laws (Title 27, or search for labor)
• Wyoming Department of Employment

Orientation sessions to help you learn how to access the Foundation Center database will be held 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 14; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 15; 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 17; and 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 18 at the Park County Public Library.

Participants may bring their own lunch if they wish. They are asked to contact Carmela Conning ahead of time at 527-1880 so the library can arrange tables and seating.The library system has been accepted as a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center, which compiles detailed information on grantmakers and how to apply for grants.

Collaboration among the library system and several county non-profit groups has made the service possible. The non-profits will underwrite the annual subscription fee for the Foundation Directory Online while the libraries provide the infrastructure.

Established in 1956, the Foundation Center compiles comprehensive data about philanthropy, how to apply for funding, where and to whom grants have been awarded, and more.

The online directory may only be used in the library on the public computers. For now, it’s only available at the Park County Public Library in Cody, but will be expanded to the Powell and Meeteetse branches soon.

In addition, the Foundation Center has provided other reference materials in print that are on the shelves now at the Cody library.

Researchers will discover how to probe the directory from various aspects, such as by grantmaker name, company, topic, region, and many other ways that can help them locate applicable funding sources.

Minutes from previous board meetings, as well as contact information for board members, is available on the Library Board page.

As always, you can still check your account, place holds, and explore our online resources.

And, in honor of Independence Day, please enjoy this exhibition on the creation of the Declaration of Independence from the Library of Congress, which includes this copy of the Declaration of Independence as printed in the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser in July 1776.

Five bands make up the free three-hour concert that begins at 5:00 p.m. in Grizzly Hall. Sponsored by the Teen Room as part of Summer Reading, this event is primarily for those in grades six through twelve.

Wizard rock is music inspired by the Harry Potter books, and in fact, author J K Rowling mentioned an all-wizard band in the series.

According to wizrocklopedia.com, the first acknowledged composition appeared in 2000, and by 2004, the number of wizard rock bands began rapidly increasing. Although bands that identify with the genre devote much attention to themes in the Potter books, they also assert their individual personalities.

The bands playing the library concert come from across the U.S. and currently are touring together. They encourage people in the audience who are so inclined to dance to the music and to wear Potter-themed regalia.

The Whomping Willows is a solo effort by singer/songwriter Matt Maggiacomo, whose compositions are often from the perspective of the violent tree at Hogwarts. Since his start-up in 2005, Maggiacomo has added his offbeat sense of humor with light political commentary.

The Parselmouths are Kristina Horner and Eia Waltzer who take the Hogwarts experience from the perspective of spoiled, popular rich girls in a folky, upbeat fashion.

Having performed since 2004, the band has played a wide variety of venues across the country to audiences of all ages.

Justin Finch-Fletchley, another solo artist, tours the U. S. and Canada to perform in bookstores, libraries and clubs. His sing-along acoustic rock music promotes his favorites themes of literacy, the arts, activism and equality.

ALL CAPS is the band created by Kristina Horner and Luke Conard who have reached beyond Potter themes to include other topics. They’ve released two full-length albums and several music videos.

The Moaning Myrtles, formed in 2005 in the perspective of the bathroom ghost, feature piano-heavy songs with catchy harmonies. Lauren Fairweather and Nina Jankowicz have released several albums and played in libraries, bookstores, clubs and living rooms mainly in the eastern U. S.

Mango is an online language learning system that teaches real conversation skills for practical communication. Through fun and engaging interactive lessons, Mango makes learning a new language fast, easy and incredibly effective. The system is completely web-based and remotely accessible, so you can learn anywhere you have an internet connection. As you listen to and repeat after native speakers, you’ll learn more than just words and phrases. You’ll learn how those pieces can be rearranged and combined to make new thoughts, new conversations, and even more practical communication! In no time at all, you’ll be able to navigate all sorts of everyday situations — get directions, order a meal, make new friends — the possibilities are endless!

Mango languages offers over 20 different languages for English-speakers and lessons in English for speakers of 15 different languages.

Click the logo above to get started, or look for Mango Languages on our research page.

The libraries at Meeteetse, Powell and Cody will remain open May 24-28 for normal hours to provide most of the regular services. Catalog operations are expected to be back on line by May 28 or possibly sooner, but the libraries will be closed May 29-31 for the Memorial Day holiday. For more information about services that will be affected, please

The WYLDCAT downtime affects libraries statewide because the catalog database provides electronic operational services for all Wyoming county libraries and many others.

The following will be available at Park County libraries during the catalog shutdown:

• Checking out and renewing materials, but only if you present your library card because your card number cannot be looked up.
• Using the public computers for creating documents, taking tests, accessing the Internet, and printing, but only by means of the guest passes provided at the circulation desks and not with library cards.
• Access to a static version of the catalog that is current only through May 23. This means you might find material listed as available but then find it’s not on the shelf because it was checked out after the downtime began.
• Using private computers to access the Internet by means of wi-fi.
• Downloading audiobooks at Netlibrary.

During the shutdown, the following will not be available:

• Self checkout at the Cody library.
• Information about fines, holds, library cards, or materials already checked out, which you might normally request at the circulation desks.
• Online renewals, holds, or patron account information, either from public computers at the libraries or from computers off site.

For further assistance regarding the effects of WYLDCAT being off line, please contact staff at the Park County Public Library in Cody at 527-1880, at the Powell Branch Library at 754-8828, and at the Meeteetse Branch Library at 868-2248.

The catalog network servers currently in use are more than eight years old and no longer covered by warranty, according to information from the WYLD Web site. Two new servers will be brought online during the upgrade, providing the network with redundancy capabilities to keep operations continuous should one server fail.

At Cody, they’re located just inside the front doors next to the orange and green baskets. These will help you carry materials to check out and your belongings too, without stress to the body!

A wheelchair also is available for patrons who may have mobility problems. Please ask at the front desk to use it.

The push-carts were made possible through a grant from the Bargain Box  to the Park County Library Foundation. Bill Wenke, owner of Medical Center Pharmacy, donated the wheelchair. We really appreciate their generosity.

And here is another use for the carts! Kintla LaFevers sits in a baby carrier on one of the carts while Mom, Dr. Mandy LaFevers, uses a library computer.