Michael Konsmo returns to lead the discussions.

The program is offered by the Wyoming Humanities Council and is sponsored by the We the People initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  For more information on the council’s programs, call 307-721-9243 or visit the council’s website.

Fines may be paid with pet food and with food for human consumption. Patrons are asked to bring enough food to be approximately equal in value to the amounts of their fines. 

Human and pet food items brought to the Cody Library will be distributed to the Cody Cupboard or the Park County Animal Shelter. Items collected at the Powell Branch library will be taken to Loaves and Fishes or Caring for Powell Animals. Food gathered at the Meeteetse Branch library will go to the Meeteetse Cupboard or to the Park County Animal Shelter.

Only canned or packaged dry foods in good condition can be accepted. The libraries cannot accept homemade, home canned or expired items.

The food banks and animals shelters may also need other necessary, non-food items, such as toilet paper, blankets, or soap. Patrons are advised to contact the organizations for more information.

The Food for Fines exchange is meant to wipe out overdue fines, although those who prefer may still pay fines with money. Food cannot be given in replacement for amounts owed for lost or damaged books.

Because of the economic downturn, the library system is aware that charities probably need more donations than usual. For that reason, Food for Fines is starting earlier this year and will extend through December 30.

Photographer Elise Arlton Hickey debuts her work in the library’s November art display.

Although she has taken photographs since she was young, she only began taking nature pictures in the last few years.  Hickey is a self-described impulse photographer, her subjects ranging from a four-eyed cat to rusted junk sedans called “No More Sunday Drives”.

Her landscapes are at once familiar, such as Heart Mountain and Castle Rock, and new, as seen through her lens.  Occasionally she will enhance the contrast on photos taken with her digital Canon camera. 

Many of the photographs on display are of local flora and fauna, large and small.  In the show of more than 20 photos, expect to see a blue heron, a blue bird, an elk cow snacking, a sleeping bee, or a Yellowstone wolf.

Hickey is a member of the Cody Camera Club.  Her companion on photo safaris is longtime friend and driver, Betty Marie Daniels.

The Friends of the Powell Branch Library will host the evening.  He will discuss his book Wild Journey: on the trail with a Wyoming game warden in Yellowstone Country, and be available for questions. This program is free and refreshments will be served.

This is an article that appeared in Booklist Online. It lists free ebook sites.

Internationally acclaimed children’s author Ingrid Law will make a special speaking appearance in Cody at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Park County Public Library. 

Law’s first book, Savvy was named a Newbery Honor book in 2009 and it also won dozens of other awards. Newbery recognition is given annually for the most distinguished achievements in children’s literature by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. 

“Savvy” is a mixture of tall tale, fantasy, and realistic fiction, suitable for children in third grade and older. The 2009 Newbery committee praised Law as an outstanding storyteller, a creator of memorable characters, and an author that delivers just plain fun. 

One strong theme in the story is that there is something special in everyone, although it may take some time to find that out, according to children’s librarian Holly Baker.

“It says something about her writing that she achieved such high recognition with her debut book,” Baker said. 

“Savvy” has been optioned for a movie. Law set the sequel book, “Scumble,” in Wyoming and she is working now on the third book in the series.

The books will be made available for purchase at the program by Carol Bell of The Thistle and Law will sign books. People may arrive at 6:00 p.m. for book sales and signing if they wish or they may wait until after the program.

The Edwards family of Cody Legacy Inn has donated lodging for Ingrid Law.

Troxel, on guitars, bass and vocals, and Krieger, fiddle, mandolin and vocals, will play some of Troxel’s own compositions and arrangements along with some traditional fiddle and folk music.

The two often play together and have just released an album, “Spirit of Our Time.” Each began playing at an early age and both have racked up significant musical accomplishments. 

A performer, composer, singer, teacher and author, Cody native Troxel has won awards as a songwriter and as a national flatpicking guitar champion. He has written two books on guitar playing styles and is on the faculty of Rocky Mountain College in Billings and Central Wyoming College in Riverton.

Krieger, a Billings resident, began studying the violin at the age of four. At age 13 he won in an audition with the Billings Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to play. 

He also plays with a number of groups in many styles, including jazz, country, rock, fiddle, and string quartets. Along the way, he won a few fiddling championships.

While working full time as a firefighter and paramedic in Billings, Krieger still finds time for some teaching engagements, a busy performance schedule and playing background for recordings.

Individuals and non-profit groups who want to learn more about obtaining grant funding

The opening session, on Friday, Oct. 14 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. in Grizzly Hall, will be a panel discussion by representatives of local non-profit organizations who have been successful grant seekers. 

Over the next two weeks, Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian Carmela Conning will show the Foundation Center’s ten grant-seeking training webinars, one each day, in Grizzly Hall. The webinars are videotaped and feature Foundation Center experts.

Webinar sessions are scheduled each weekday Oct. 17-28 from noon to 2:00 p.m. People may take part in any or all of them. Sign-up is recommended and may be done at the library, or by calling the library at 527-1880, or by email at parkill@parkcountylibrary.org.

The webinar schedule is:
Oct. 17 – “Before You Seek a Grant.”
Oct. 18 – “Grant Seeking Basics.”
Oct. 19 – “Introduction to Finding Funders.”
Oct. 20 – “Introduction to Fundraising Planning.”
Oct. 21 – “Proposal Writing Basics.”
Oct. 24 – “Proposal Budgeting Basics.”
Oct. 25 – “How to Approach a Foundation.”
Oct. 26 – “Your Board and Fundraising.”
Oct. 27 – “Finding Foundation Support for Your Education.”
Oct. 28 – “Grant Seeking Basics for Individuals in the Arts.”

The Park County Library System is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center. Cooperating Collections are free information centers that provide a core collection of Foundation Center publications plus online resources that are available only in the library.

Participants may bring a brown bag lunch or lunch from the Biblio Bistro during the webinar showings.

Following a 30-year career with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he now lives in Montana, where he continues to write and work in conservation.

Smith’s book, Where Elk Roam: the Conservation and Biopolitics of Our National Elk Herd, is the first book published for a general audience in 60 years about management of the famous elk herd. The first-person account mixes Smith’s personal stories and his field experiences during a 22-year span as the elk refuge biologist. Along with the scientific aspects of the herd’s ecology and management, the book centers on the winter feeding program, which was designed to sustain more elk than the winter range can support.  Smith describes the feeding program’s impacts on habitat, biodiversity, and the health of the elk, which are crowded by the thousands on the feed grounds and are at high risk for  diseases.

Written in a story-like narrative, “Where Elk Roam” is readable for anyone with a fundamental knowledge of natural science from high school age and up. Following his presentation, Smith will have copies of the book to sign and sell.

The Friends of the Cody Library will provide refreshments.