Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Computer Nerds to Meet

Do you want to learn to code to write computer programs? Do you like visual design and the arts and want to use the computer as a medium? Would you like to do maker programming for the Arduino platform? Come and learn Processing!

Writing Processing code will be among the first activities of The Nerds (also known as the Marshall Library Computing Club). Processing is a programming language oriented towards the arts; it is an entry-level language for people who have never written a program in their lives.

There is a vast amount of resources for learning and playing with Processing, including libraries specialized for different purposes, software examples that you can edit, code references, and tutorials. It’s possible to do animations, port output to Quicktime movies, run multiple monitors, and do all kinds of other wild and crazy stuff. A computer of your own or access to one is helpful but not required. Bring a laptop if you have one.

Join us on February 6 at 1 p.m. at the library to meet with other like-minded people of all ages. You can help each other figure it out!

John Bickelhaupt, Reference Librarian

Write Your Family History Workshop

A family tree is a factual representation of who’s who in a family, but family trees are only about names and dates. The true stories of the lives that came before ours can be fully appreciated and experienced only through family narratives. If these stories are not written down, something immeasurable is lost.  

Jacob Thomas and Jeffrey Howard, ISU Ph.D. candidates and instructors, are passionate about helping you to bring your own priceless family stories to life. Starting in February and continuing through June, they will host a workshop class the second Tuesday of every month at Marshall Public Library to help you write and preserve these stories.

The first class “People and Events” will be on Tuesday, February 9, from 7-8 p.m. Classes are free and open to all members of the public, but registration is required. To register for the first class or for more information, please call the library at 232-1263 ext. 106.

New ESL Class

Marshall Public Library now offers a new ESL class!

Improving English Skills is an interactive class that is designed to help Pocatello and Chubbuck residents whose first language is not English improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The content of the class will be designed to help meet the specific needs of participants. If you are interested in improving your English skills, please join us at the library on February 22 at 6 p.m. to learn more. Contact Amy at 232-1263 ext. 106 for more information.

Free Tax Filing

Confused about your taxes? Having trouble filing? Help is here for you at Marshall Public Library! Starting Monday, February 1, IRS-trained volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons are ready to assist you in the electronic filing of your Federal and state tax returns. And it's
absolutely free!

This program focuses on low-income or elderly people but is open to everyone. From February 1 through April 14, the volunteers will be at the library every Monday evening from 5-8:30 p.m. and every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. No appointments will be taken and it is first come, first served.

Consult Experts @ Your Library

The library recently acquired the services of a score of respected university professors and other experts who teach courses and give workshops in a wide array of subjects. These venerated sages are immediately available and will visit your home for some one-on-one instruction in their area of expertise.

Sound too good to be true? As Obi-wan said to Luke Skywalker, it all depends on your point of view. Of course, humans aren't like Visa cards; they can't be everywhere you want them to be, but they can make a video visit in the form of filmed communication. That's where you'll find them at the library - as part of The Great Courses lecture series on DVD.

Covering topics from the compilation of The New Testament to growing food in a container garden, these college courses in a can contain the lates  information, going in-depth to give you a thorough understanding that quenches your knowledge thirst. The Great Courses are housed in their own special bookcase on the first floor of the library and are available for check-out during regular operating hours. Stop in and add to your storehouse of knowledge by checking out a Great Course today!

Trent Clegg, Reference Librarian

Bellon Visiting Author in March

Our community has an annual tradition of hosting a notable children’s book author. A committee made up of local teachers, librarians, and university professors called the ISU Bellon Visiting Author Book Series has been the driving force behind bringing a variety of exciting and culturally rich children’s authors, storytellers, and illustrators to schools and our community at large.

With great pleasure, the Bellon Visiting Author Series announces Roseanne Greenfield Thong, guest author for 2016. She is the author of many multicultural-themed children’s books. She has lived and taught in Guatemala, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. At present she lives in Fountain Valley, California, in between her visits to Hong Kong. She will be in Pocatello March  7- 9 and will visit schools and connect with our community at several free events listed below.

Please find time in your schedule to attend one of her performances. It will be well worth the effort to meet and listen to this most interesting author!


  • Monday, March 7  at Marshall Public Library, 113 S. Garfield Ave. at 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 8 at ISU College of Education Auditorium, 921 S. 8th Ave at 7 p.m. with a book signing at 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 9 at Portneuf District Library, 5210 Stuart Ave. at 4 p.m.


Becca Hyde, Storyteller Librarian