Join The Austin Public Library, the APL Friends Foundation and Dell employees for the grand opening of the Discovery Lab, a place for teens to discover new computer technology and the fascinations of science, at the Willie Mae Kirk Branch (formerly the Oak Springs Branch,) 3101 Oak Springs Dr., on Saturday, May 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. This fun-filled celebration will include youth activities, prizes, and remarks by Nobel Laureate Professor Steven Weinberg, who will share what originally made him interested in science. Expect to see lots of people in bright T-shirts! Young people who have been participating in Dell Discovery Lab activities will be honored and there will be food and fun for everyone. The Discovery Lab is made possible through a Dell Powering the Possible Learning Grant. The grand opening and the Discovery Lab itself are free and open to the public. For more information please call 512-974-7400 or visit library.austintexas.gov.
About the Discovery Lab
The Discovery Lab helps young people develop the skills needed to fully participate in this globalized technological society. The Austin Public Library works with Dell to provide experiences that will help break the cycle of poverty and inequality and remove barriers to education and literacy through providing access to computers, cameras, tablets and software that encourages creative abilities. Lab activities include a range of puzzles and activities that exercise four skills: Communication and Collaboration, Innovation and Creativity, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Technological Literacy.
About the Dell Powering the Possible Learning Grant
Dell’s Powering the Possible program focuses on four areas of giving including learning, pediatric cancer research, disaster relief and social entrepreneurship. All four programs are designed to give to others through the power to do more, through a combination of Dell technology and solutions as well as Dell resources and know-how. The Dell initiative at the Austin Public Library falls into the Dell Powering the Possible Learning category of Dell funding and is providing youth at the Willie Mae Kirk Branch a jumpstart on learning for life.
I’ve always believed that books are a great way to bring people together. It’s great to share ideas, see the world through other people’s eyes and get a different perspective on life. This all is possible when you talk to someone about a meaningful book you’ve both read. One such book I’ve read is Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I love Thoreau’s total immersion in Nature, his wonder and deep philosophical musings on life. I recently brought up this title to a volunteer who had also read it and enjoyed it. Just talking about it magically brought both of us back to the world Thoreau created within the pages of that book. When you think about it, every book is its own tiny world in itself.
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Never embroidered before? Never fear! Everyone can do a simple backstitch. Have some experience embroidering? Try something a little more advanced! We are in love with the book 
We will provide all supplies needed including a nice white muslin, heavy duty embroidery backing, fun patterned fabric to embellish, and lots and lots of colors of thread. We will also have hoops for you to borrow for the duration of the class.
Summer time in Austin, Texas cannot be defined by the temperature outside. If it were, then we wouldn't have a Fall or Spring. Instead, universities, teachers, parents, and especially students define it by the months-long reprieve from the daily obligations of school. Retailers and restauranteurs mark Summer as when the tourists come to town. For festival goers it is the time between SXSW and ACL. For myself, I like to honor its arrival by joining the Summer Reading Program at my neighborhood branch of the library. Because I continue to work full time during that period of the calendar I can't necessarily devote more time to reading. Therefore, I have adopted my own personal challenge. Each year I have a goal to use the summer months to try a genre I don't normally read. Last year it was graphic novels and the year prior was nonfiction. In doing so, I discovered that I rather enjoy graphic novels and that they include so much more than superheroes. I also learned that I mentally focus much better on nonfiction material when I listen to it rather than read it, especially when it's read by an enthusiastic and passionate author or actor. So far my favorite of these is Michael Pollan, most notably known for Omnivore’s Dilemma, and who has a new one out soon I look forward to trying. I haven't decided yet on this year's genre, but it will undoubtedly be a mind opening experience. The pretty great thing about APL is that no matter which subject matter or material type I choose, I will have tons of titles from which to pick. The other awesome thing about summer reading in Austin is being part of the 
