40255 Dodge Park Road - Sterling Heights, MI 48313
(586) 446-2665 (BOOK)

 

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Don't have a library card? Click here or on the library card to get an online application form. You can also get one from the Circulation Desk, signup is quick and simple.

 

 

News

The Sterling Heights Public Library is proud to announce the addition of downloadable digital audio books to our collection. Browse or search for your favorite titles in OverDrive Audio Book format. Without leaving the comfort of your home, you can choose, checkout, download, and enjoy audio books on your computer. For listening-on-the-go, you can transfer the audio book to your portable MP3 device. To use the new service, simply click on the link on the library’s homepage. You will then use the MLC’s digital library. You will need your library card number. For more information, pick up a flyer at any library service desk.

Every day millions of old cell phones are thrown away and end up in landfills. Good News from the Friends! We are now accepting used cell phones and batteries for recycling. Just leave them in the box across from the Circulation Desk. We no longer can accept used ink cartridges. All proceeds from the recycling program will be used by the Friends to support library programs.

Public computers at the Sterling Heights Public Library are now equipped with EnvisionWare, a computer software management system. Nonresidents or users who do not have their library card with them will be logged in by staff with a guest card. For more details on the system, click here.

The library no longer mails notices for holds, overdues, and bills due to the high cost of postage. The library is now using an automated telephone calling system that leaves a courtesy message. This system will leave a message on an answering machine or with any person (including a child) that answers the phone. If the person answering hangs up, the system will still log the call as successful. The quickest, most efficient means for the library to send notices is via e-mail. If you have e-mail that you check regularly, please inform the library by giving your address to the circulation staff.

Do you need tax forms? Go online for federal, state, and Detroit forms. You can also check the Michigan Library tax page for other city tax forms as they become available.

From Director Tammy Turgeon

If you have visited the library over the past few months, you may have noticed a few changes that we have been making. We now have all of the magazines and newspapers available for you on the first floor, and our International Language, English as a Second Language, Classics, and Cliff Notes collections are now all located on the second floor. The nonfiction books are in order (from the 000s-900s) in the same set of stacks and the biographies are now located on the wall behind the nonfiction. We hope that these changes make our collections more accessible to you. If you need help finding anything, our friendly and courteous top-notch staff would be happy to assist you.

We have a new collection available @ the library. The Friends of the Sterling Heights Public Library generously purchased $3,000 worth of TV shows on DVD. The collection of 13 series is now available to borrow. The series chosen were Emmy and Golden Globe award winners for Best Comedy and Best Drama over the past few years. The series include 24, 30 Rock, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Friends, Heroes, Lost, The Office, Seinfeld, and The Sopranos. We will continue to add to this collection as our funding allows.

Another addition is the expansion of our downloadable ebook and audio book collection which now includes downloadable videos. You can download IMAX videos, children’s titles, travel videos, and feature films directly to your pc or mobile device. You can access the site from the library’s Web site or ebooks.mlcnet.org. If the title you are interested in is not available, you can place a hold and will be automatically notified via e-mail when the digital item is available for your use.

Over the next few months we will be adding some new services. These include two study rooms, self-service holds, a local history area, and a warm, quiet reading area, donated in memory of Lottie and Michael Piet. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the library!
Sincerely,
Tammy L. Turgeon, Library Director

Museum Adventure Pass, Presented by Macy's

Visit the Sterling Heights Public Library and Check Out a Museum! In a first-of-its-kind partnership in the Greater Detroit Region, Macy's, Detroit metro area libraries (through the Library of Michigan Foundation) and the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan have launched The Museum Adventure Pass, presented by Macy's.

Launched on October 25 and running through October 24, 2008, this program between 162 metro area libraries and more than 20 local arts and cultural organizations, provides area library card holders free passes to participating local museums, cultural centers, and historical sites. The program is designed to enhance the learning experience for people of all ages through books and other library materials, and to provide access to arts and cultural organizations.

Library users can check out a Museum Adventure Pass at the Sterling Heights Public Library. Users will then receive a museum admission pass for the organization they plan to visit. The museum admission pass is handed in at the box office of the participating organization for free admission for two or four people. Each museum adventure pass expires within one week of the checkout date.

Locations that admit 4:
Arab American National Museum
Automotive Hall of Fame
Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Detroit Children’s Museum
Detroit Historical Museum
Detroit Institute of Arts
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Grosse Pointe Historical Society
Howell Nature Center
Macomb Cultural Center
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Paint Creek Center for the Arts
Pewabic Pottery
University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History
Ypsilanti Historical Museum

Locations that admit 2:
Cranbrook Art Museum
Cranbrook House & Gardens
Cranbrook Institute of Science
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
Henry Ford Estate, Fair Lane
Motown Historical Museum
Plymouth Historical Museum
Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm

Important! Please visit the Museum Adventure Pass website at www.detroitadventurepass.org before you begin your adventure. Enjoy a family outing or have a cheap date!

REMINDERS
1. Check out a Museum Adventure Pass using your valid library card. We have a limited number of passes for each participating organization. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved, renewed or requested through interlibrary loan.

2. One Museum Adventure Pass may be checked out per person, per loan period. The loan period is SEVEN DAYS. Up to two or four people may be admitted on each pass. (See the list above for which organizations admit 2 and which admit 4.)

3. Choose the museum you would like to visit and bring the card for that museum to the circulation desk. We will give you a date-due slip that admits you into the museum through the date printed on the slip. After this date, the pass expires. You do not need to return the slip to the library.

4. Visit the Museum Pass website for more details on each organization. You can also find out the most current hours and exhibition information.

5. Passes may be limited to general admission only. Special exhibitions may not be covered, and other restrictions may apply.

Read Posters

Have you ever noticed the Read posters on display in the library? A famous celebrity poses with a book of their choice on a background that “matches” the subject of the book. These posters, from the American Library Association, promote reading and tell you something about the celebrity.

The Friends of the Library is now offering you or a family member a chance to be featured on a Read poster. All Friends members can choose either a 8½” x 11”, or 8½” x 14” size with a background of their choice. You can provide a high quality digital picture on a solid background on a CD, or if you prefer, we will make an appointment to take the picture for you.

If you aren’t already a member, Friends membership applications are available on the library’s web site and  at all library service desks. For more information on the Friends Read poster project, call the library at (586) 446-2640.

 Library Cards

The Smartest Card. Get it. Use it. @ your library! Did you know that: Libraries have more card holders than VISA? Libraries have more outlets than McDonalds? Libraries move more items than FedEx?

Click here to see 52 Ways to Use Your Library Card.

Don't have a library card? Click here or on the library card to get an online application form. You can also get one from the Circulation Desk, signup is quick and simple.

Are you ready for DTV? Get the answers

Are you confused about the upcoming changes in TV signals? Have you been asking friends and neighbors but can’t seem to find the definitive answer?

The Sterling Heights Public Library will be presenting another public awareness program entitled Are You Ready for DTV? on June 12 at 2 p.m. in the Programming Center. You must register for this free event so we will have enough material for all who come. Click here to register or call the library at (586) 446-2669.

Karole White, MAB President and CEO, and Dan Kelley, MAB IT and Web Manager, will give a brief overview of how standard TV will be affected in 2009, what you need to do to be ready for the change, how to obtain a converter box, and will answer questions from the audience.

The library is partnering with the American Library Association, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, and others in launching a statewide public awareness campaign. More information can be found at the Michigan DTV for Me Internet site.

The facts about the switch to all-digital TV

On February 17, 2009, standard broadcast television signals in the United States will end, and TV sets that rely on an antenna will no longer receive signals.

How can you be sure you’re not left without television?
The answer to this question depends on a few things. Some people need to purchase a DTV converter box in order to continue watching broadcast television, many people don’t need to do anything at all.

You probably will need a DTV converter box if:
You use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna for TV reception.

You don’t need to do anything if:
You currently subscribe to a cable or satellite service OR you do not subscribe to a service but your television is “DTV ready,” which you can find out from the manufacturer.

Where do I get a DTV converter box?
The boxes will be available on January 1, 2008 from major retailers. They are expected to cost between $50 and $70. The federal government is offering coupons that will knock $40 off the price of each converter box, and U.S. households can request up to two coupons. Coupons will be available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) via their Web site or a toll-free number.

Is DTV the same thing as HDTV?
No, HDTV stands for High Definition Television, which is different than Digital Television. Some retailers may try to sell you HDTVs, claiming that they are necessary for the DTV Transition, but this is not true!

Will I hear more about this in the coming months?
Definitely. The FCC has been working on a plan for a public education program and those efforts are coming to light as will the efforts of the DTV Transition Coalition and its members.

Where can I get the facts about the DTV Transition?
The Sterling Heights Public Library is offering a free educational program about the DTV Transition on March 12 at 7p.m. in the Library Programming Center.

MSU presents Green Living, You Can Make a Difference

It’s hard to escape the unsettling facts about our environment. The Michigan State University Extension Service suggests Green Living as a solution in the library’s series this spring and summer. All programs take place in the Library Programming Center.

May 8: Environmentally Friendly Landscaping at 7 p.m.
Take a look at xeriscaping, including water efficient gardening and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. This session will be presented by Sandra Goeddeke-Richards, Home Horticulture Program Coordinator at MSU Extension in Macomb County.
Sandra earned her B.S. Degree in Horticulture from MSU. She provides technical assistance to the public through the Macomb County MSUE Diagnostic Lab located at the Extension office in Clinton Twp. In 1983, Sandra began coordinating the Macomb MSUE Master Gardener training program. She works with the volunteers to connect them to various community service projects that help extend the research from the university to the public in an effort to enhance the environment and protect our natural resources.

Wednesday, June 18: Composting at 7 p.m.
Did you know that the average American produces 4.6 lbs. of garbage EVERY day? What can you do to stop this trend? Have you ever thought about composting? Our MSUE Green Living series will continue this summer. Join us on Wednesday, June 18, for Composting Made Simple at 7 p.m. Composting made simple: a homeowner’s guide to back yard composting will present information for the homeowner on proper composting procedures. Learn how to build and maintain bins and how to use finished compost. Information on local composting ordinances will also be reviewed. Mary Gerstenberger from MSU Extension Service in Macomb County is the speaker. She has been the Environmental Education Coordinator since 2003 and earned a B. S. Degree from Wayne State University. Her responsibilities at MSUE include school programs for water conservation, groundwater, and the Great Lakes Education Program, as well as adult programs for water quality, wetlands, conservation, and the Master Composter program. Register for this free program by clicking here or by calling the library at (586) 446-2669.

Thursday, July 10: Low Impact Lawn Care
On Thursday, July 10, the MSUE series continues with Low Impact Lawn Care at 7 p.m. Learn the right way to take care of your lawn. Our speaker, Sandra Goeddeke-Richards, will help you make wise decisions about grass selection, insect management, fertilizers, and optimal use of water. MSUE’s goal is to extend the research from the university to the public to enhance the environment and protect our natural resources.
Sandra, who earned her B.S. Degree at MSU, is the Home Horticulture Program Coordinator at MSUE. She provides technical assistance to the public through the Macomb County MSUE Diagnostic Lab located at the Extension office in Clinton Township and coordinates the Macomb MSUE Master Gardener training program.
Register for this free program by clicking here or by calling the library at (586) 446-2669.

History @ the library: Michigan’s “Mighty Mac”

The Sterling Heights Historical Commission is honored to present a program entitled The Story of the Mackinac Bridge with local expert John MacArthur on Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m. in the Library Programming Center. The timing for this presentation is perfect as our “Mighty Mac” bridge celebrated it’s 50th anniversary last year.

Did you know that prior to 1957, folks could face up to a 15 mile line to get from the lower to the upper peninsula of Michigan? The only way to cross the lake was by ferry. During peak season, those ferry boats would carry as many as 9,000 vehicles a day.

Mr. MacArthur’s participation is especially significant as his grandfather, John H. Nunneley, served as the original legal counsel for the Mackinac Bridge Authority back in the early 1950s. “I have some interesting anecdotes, courtesy of my grandfather,” John says.

According to MacArthur, the Bridge Authority is still busy these days. An expected rate increase will finance the upcoming repaving, stripping, and painting projects scheduled for the 26,372 foot bridge. He promises to share some more bridge trivia that most people don’t know about.

Just for the record, the idea of building a bridge to connect Michigan goes back as far as the 1880s. The Legislature ordered the State Highway Department to establish a ferry service in 1923 but subsequent plans for a bridge were dropped due to the cost. Throughout the 30s and 40s, the bridge idea kept coming up, but it wasn’t until 1947 that the Mackinac Bridge Authority was finally established.

May 22: Attend the Passport Fair @ the library

The library will host another Passport Fair on Thursday, May 22, from 1-7 p.m. You can pick up an application form at the library. An informational sheet about the passport process including details for minors is available on the first floor of the library. Check the Internet at www.travel.state.gov for more details and specific deadlines.

The fair will be staffed by employees of the United States Postal Service. “We are very excited about having another Passport Fair at the Sterling Heights Public Library. In order to make this a successful event, please read the requirements and bring all items required,” says Sharon Milewski, Retail Specialist with the USPS.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE PASSPORT FAIR by clicking here OR BY CALLING THE LIBRARY AT (586) 446-2669. You are not registering for a specific appointment, you can come to the Passport Fair any time between 1 and 7 p.m.

·Bring two forms of ID
Birth certificate (w/official seal)
Current state driver’s license or ID card
·Two passport photos
2” x 2”
We can take them on site! Only $15
·Passport book fees payable to U.S. Dept. of State
$75 for adults (16 and older)
$60 children under 16
·“New” passport card fees payable to U.S. Dept. of State
$20 for adults (16 and older)
$10 for children under 16
·Execution fees payable to Postmaster for both Passport Book & Passport Card
$25 per applicant

·All applicants MUST appear in person

·All fees payable by cash, check, or money order ONLY

·The Passport Card can only be used for land or sea entry to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It may not be used for travel by air.

·All children including newborns and infants must have their own passport.

·The Passport Card can only be used for land or sea entry to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.  It may not be used for travel by air.

·Bring your social security number

Computer Classes

Computer Classes and Demonstrations: These demonstration sessions, presented by staff member Mary Lou Metzger, will explain the Internet and how it can be used to find information. Registration is not required, but in case of inclement weather, just call before you come in. Click here to use the library's web sites index link.

May 5, Monday–Job Hunting on the Internet demonstration at 7-8:30 p.m. These days you will probably have to use the Internet to look for jobs. Learn about various “help” sites as well as how to look for jobs, post resumes, privacy and security issues, and more.

May 8, Thursday–Cyberspace for Seniors demonstration at 10 a.m.-noon. According to statistics, seniors are the fastest growing segment of Internet users. Learn about sites developed especially for the older user. We’ll cover government sites for social security and medicare. Also, see specialty sites on travel, health, and more. A brief social will follow the class with refreshments and the chance to develop “computer buddies.”

June 26, Thursday-ABCs of Computers demonstration at 10 a.m.-noon. Thinking of buying a computer? In this “show and tell” session, we’ll show you how a computer works and discuss peripherals such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras. Learn how to read a computer ad and where to find reviews and price guides.

July 10, Thursday-Basic Internet 101 demonstration at 10 a.m.-noon. Don’t let the Internet overwhelm you. Today’s session, for the beginner, will discuss basic Internet information, Internet Service Providers, different hookups, wireless access, browsers, and search tools. You’ll also receive a list of Web sites to practice on the library computers or at your home computer.

July 17, Thursday-E-mail demonstration at 10 a.m.-noon. In this session, we’ll show how you can have an e-mail account even if you don’t own a computer. Using Yahoo, a free web-based e-mail service, we’ll cover signing up for service, sending and receiving messages, attachments, forwarding, e-mail etiquette, and more.

August 7, Thursday-Children’s Sites on the Internet demonstration at 10-11 a.m. Learn about quality sites for your children and grandchildren that can be used for fun and homework. We’ll discuss filters, chat rooms, and instant messaging. For this one-hour program, you are invited to bring children; a small play area will be set up to entertain the little ones.

August 14, Thursday-Food & Recipe Sites on the Internet demonstration at 10 a.m.-noon. Looking for some great salad recipes for these warm summer evenings? Did your doctor tell you to go on a low-fat, low-calorie diet but you would still like the food to taste good? The Internet is an ideal resource whether you want to find recipes for a special dietary need or just spice up dinner.

August 21, Thursday-Ibistro & Online Reference Sources demonstration at 10 a.m.-noon. Did you know that you could use hundreds of magazines from your home computer? You cam also take practice tests, look up your family tree, fix your car, and research dozens of other things. We’ll also show you how to use the library’s catalog system, iBistro, to check your library record and place holds from home. If you have a laptop computer with a wireless card, feel free to bring it along.

If your club or group would like to schedule an Internet demonstration, call the library at (586) 446-2640. If you belong to a group that would like an Internet class on a special topic, e-mail Mary Lou or call at (586)446-2669 for more information.

Good Reads Discussion Group

Good Reads, the library’s book discussion group, has decided to do a Reader’s Choice series where the group picks their favorite books for everyone to read. The group will meet at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. There is no meeting in December, but meetings will resume the second Tuesday of January.

For the final meeting on May 13, the group will discuss The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Daniel Sempere, the son of a widowed bookstore owner, is 10 when he discovers a novel, The Shadow of the Wind, by Julián Carax. As he grows up, Daniel's fascination with the mysterious Carax links him to other adventures.

Participants are responsible for obtaining a copy of the title under discussion. Reservations are not required. In case of inclement weather, changes will be posted on the Web site or call the library at (586) 446-2640.Participants are responsible for obtaining a copy of the title under discussion. Reservations are required, and in the event of cancellation, we will notify all who register by clicking here. For more information, call the library at (586) 446-2640.

Online Book Club

So many books, so little time. For all those busy people, the Sterling Heights Public Library has a new service: an Online Book Club that delivers books electronically. Each day, Monday through Friday, the library emails subscribers a portion of a book that takes about five minutes to read. You'll be able to read two or three chapters from a book during the week. If you like the book, you can check it out or place it on hold. 

There are eleven book clubs to choose from: fiction, nonfiction, romance, science fiction, mystery, horror, pre-publication titles, business, good news, teen books, and audio books. Now you can discover great books, even if you’re too busy to visit the library. Click on the logo to join the Online Book Club.

EnvisionWare

Public computers at the Sterling Heights Public Library are now equipped with EnvisionWare, a computer software management system.
  1. Why is the library using this new system?
    EnvisionWare has been installed to make better use of the computers by providing more equitable access to all users.
  2. Do I need a library card to use the computer?
    Yes, users must enter their 14-digit library card number (with no spaces between numbers) in order to use the computers. Nonresidents will be issued guest cards. There are two computers with library catalog access on the first floor which do not require a library card number.
  3. How long can I use the computer?
    Session length depends on location. There are three categories: filtered, unfiltered (you must be 18 years of age), and word processing. If no one is waiting for a computer, there is no limit on the number of sessions.
  4. What if I need more time?
    Sessions can be extended in 15 minute increments, if no one is waiting for the computer. Follow the prompts on the computer screen to extend sessions.
  5. How will I know when my time is up?
    A clock bar appears when you log on. It gives the time remaining in the session. Warnings that the session is ending begin to appear 15 minutes before time is up. If you are using word processing software, we suggest you save often and bring a disk to save your work. If needed, disks are available at the Information Desk for $1.
  6. If I leave the computer to look for a book, will my session be timed out?
    You can lock the computer by clicking on the Lock button on the clock bar and entering a password of your choosing. The clock will continue to count down, but you will not be timed out until the end of the session is reached. If you don’t lock the computer, someone else could use your remaining time.
  7. What do I do when I’m finished with my session?
    Log out by clicking on the Done button.
  8. Does the library monitor what sites I visit on the Internet?
    No, there is no record kept of what sites you visit. The software simply says the computer is free or in use. When you click on the Done button, the session is cleared.
  9. What do I do if all the computers are in use?
    If all the computers are being used, you may get on the waiting list by giving your library card number to the librarian at the second floor Information Desk.

Used, but Sterling Friends Book Store

Be sure to check the “special feature” table in the front of the bookstore. Each month features books on seasonal topics. And, don’t forget the bookstore has Red Dot sales with 50% off marked books. Ask about the bag prices too! See you there!

The Friends of the Library are always looking for additional volunteers for the Friends Book Store located on the first floor of the library. The Friends Book Store is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Friday and Saturday the room is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please stop by for some great bargains. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, contact the library

Board Meetings

Library Board of Trustees meet the third Monday of the month, from September to June, at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Conference Room. 

The Smartest Card in Your Wallet

We feel that your library card is “The Smartest Card. Get it. Use it @ your library®.” Our goal is to make your library card the most valued and used card in your wallet.

Step 1: If you don’t already have a library card, get one!

Step 2: If you have a library card, use it!

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Revised: May 02, 2008

 

©2006 Sterling Heights Public Library. The Sterling Heights Public Library is responsible only for those pages bearing the Sterling Heights Public Library name and or logo. The Library is not responsible for the content, accuracy or availability of any external sites linked to these pages.