Library Closed Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27.

Austin Public Library facilities and the Austin History Center will be CLOSED Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. Recycled Reads, the Austin Public Library’s used bookstore, will be open Saturday and Sunday, but will be closed on Memorial Day.

Literature LIVE! Presents Why Cowboys Sing in Texas

All Events | All Adult Events | All Youth Events

Did you know there was a time when cowboys didn't sing in Texas? Well, let me tell you, partner, it was a lonely time, indeed. Join Slim Jim Bean and the Old Timer as they set things straight in this traditional puppet show full of fun, laughs, and stampeding cows.

Wednesday, June 13, 2:00 PM Little Walnut

Thursday, June 14, 2:00 PM at University Hills

Monday, June 18, 4:00 PM at St. John

Wednesday, June 20, 2:00 PM at Terrazas

Thursday, June 21, 4:00 PM at Milwood

Monday, June 25, 2:00 PM at Spicewood

Tuesday, June 26, 2:00 PM at Cepeda

Wednesday, June 27, 4:00 PM at Manchaca

Thursday, June 28, 2:00 PM at Yarborough

Saturday, June 30, 2:00 PM at Faulk Central

Monday, July 2, 2:00 PM at Twin Oaks

Tuesday, July 3, 2:00 PM at Old Quarry

Thursday, July 5, 2:00 PM at Pleasant Hill

Tuesday, July 10, 2:00 PM at Southeast

Wednesday, July 11, 2:00 PM at Oak HIll

Thursday, July 12, 2:00 PM at Carver

Monday, July 16, 4:00 PM at Howson

Wednesday, July 18, 4:00 PM at North Village

Thursday, July 19, 4:00 PM at Ruiz

Friday, July 20, 4:00 PM at Willie Mae Kirk

Performances also at the following locations:

Tuesday, August 7, 10:30 AM at Tuesday Tales at the Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road

and

Saturday, August 11, 1:00 PM at the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria, 3809 W 35th Street

Time:

2:00pm

Event Category:

Summer Reading Program

Event Location:

Little Walnut Creek Branch

Events Blog

Monday, December 3

Adult Craft Night @ Ruiz - December

by: patti.cook

When:
Monday, December 10
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where:
Ruiz Branch Library
1600 Grove Blvd.
974-7500
Who:
Adults interested in crafting.
What:
Felt Ornaments. Details Below

The sleigh bells are a ringing signaling that it is time to join us at this upcoming Adult Craft Night to create felt ornaments! These will get your house into the seasonal spirit and also make fantastic gifts for your family and friends.

We'll have plenty of templates for you to use and you'll also be able to design your own. Trees, gingerbread men, mittens, ahem..cups of hot chocolate, the sky is the limit!

As always we will provide all the supplies.

Can't wait to get crafting? Check out some of the fantastic craft books in the Austin Public library collection and get started today!

Wednesday, November 7

Cafe au Lit at North Village

by: aubrey.sanders

Are you just dying to share a great book you’ve recently finished? Or maybe you need a new source for reading suggestions? We’d love for you to join us at Café au Lit!

Café au Lit is a different kind of book group: instead of all reading the same book for one meeting, we’ll discuss all kinds of books: new fiction, classics, non-fiction, bestsellers, biographies, graphic novels… And probably all in one meeting! Along with some freshly brewed coffee and snacks, Café au Lit is a cozy way to get out of your reading rut and to pass along a great read to others. Don’t get overwhelmed with all the great books, though! A staff person at the meeting keeps track of all the books mentioned and makes a list for all the attendees. For more information, contact Julie or Sharon at 974-9960.

3^rd Tuesdays at 7pm

November 20^th

December 18^th

Monday, November 5

Chess Blog: Game of the Century

by: gustavo.soto

Byrne, D. vs Fischer, R. 1956. Part 1

I will begin this chess blog with an outstanding game played by the chess master Donald Byrne (White) vs. Bobby Fischer( Black), 13 years old at the time. It took place at the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament Oct 17, 1956 in New York City. It starts out with an unusual knight opening, that later developed into the Grünfeld Defense. I will be using the algebraic notation to follow parts of the game. ( This opening is classified as (D92) in Encyclopedia of Chess, with 3 knight variation.) It was very popular in the 60's.

Knight Opening

1. Nf3 Nf6 Not a common opening for both sides.

2. c4 g6 If white had started with c4, it would have been the English opening. Black develops king's side.

3. Nc3 Bg7 White has both knights out into battle, black could be heading into the King's Indian Defense.

4. d4 O-O (castles on the King's side) . Black King moves into safety.

5. Bf4 d5 (Grünfeld Defense ) When black moves the queen's pawn to d5, it becomes a Grünfeld defense.

6. Qb3 dxc4 Byrne is using an aggressive Russian system, ready to defend and counter attack the d pawn. Forcing pawn exchange.

7. Qxc4 c6 While the queen captures black's c pawn, he attacks Fischer's c7 pawn at the same time. black cooly moves the pawn one square to deflect attack. He could have also moved queen's Knight to a6, as a more aggressive approach threatening to move c pawn forward.

8. e4 Nd7 White continues, developing his center with his king's pawn. Black makes a seemingly harmless move, that blocks his white squared bishop development. Some chess gurus would suggest moving his king's knight to c7, instead. But this knight will play a future critical role in undermining white's central attack.

9. Rd1 Nb6 White supports central queen's pawn with rook (logical move). Black knight charges directly to attack the White Lady again!

10. Qc5 Bg4 White queen does not retreat to safety, but continues dangerously deeper into enemy territory to prepare a fierce attack. Fischer develops bishop and pins King's Knight to f3 square.

11. Bg5? Na6 !!Many experts consider white's bishop move as flawed, moving the piece twice. Fischer attacks White Queen again, as a sacrifice?

What would you do, if you were white? Take the pesky black knight seems the obvious. It is unprotected, and would eliminate a threat to the white queen.

(Position after 11. ..Na5)

We will continue with this game in the Part 2, in our next blog. If you have any favorite games, or questions about chess, please let me know by e-mail

gustavo.soto@austintexas.org. We play chess at the Windsor Park library , Monday 6-7 pm. everyone is welcome.

Wednesday, October 31

Storytime at Ruiz - Halloween!

by: patti.cook

Wow! We had quite the special storytime at Ruiz this week. Not only is today Halloween and filled with costumes and treats, but we were also thrilled to host two very wonderful guests. The first was Marsha Riti, the illustrator of The Picky Little Witch, who joined us to read the story aloud.

Not only did she read this fantastic story, but she came dressed up as the Picky Little Witch herself! In the story, the little witch does not want to eat the soup that Mama witch is cooking. One wonders why with delicious ingredients like bat and dirty gym socks! However, try it she does and she discovers that it is yummy after all. The kids really enjoyed creating their own soup cauldron with those same delectable ingredients.

Our second special guest was Jorge Harada, staff member of the Ruiz Branch Library. He joined us, guitar in hand and accompanied our halloween songs. He did a rocking performance of the Monster Mash and Purple People Eater.

We hope that you have a fantastic halloween and that you avail yourself of all the wonderful spooky books that the Austin Public Library has to offer. Please find today's storytime books below.

The Ruiz Library storytime is held on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m.

Thursday, October 25

Join us at Ruiz for a Special Storytime

by: patti.cook

Think your Halloween fun starts with trick-or-treating at dusk? Think again! It should definately start at 10:15 a.m. when you and your kiddos join us for a very special Halloween storytime at the Ruiz Branch Library.

We are thrilled to announce that on top of our regular stories and songs we will have some very special guests including Marsha Riti, illustrator of The Picky Little Witch and Jorge Harada, member of Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. What's that you say? Why, yes! There will be musical accompaniment.

We'll have stories, songs, and crafts. All ages welcome. Please feel free to come in costume as well!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 10:15 a.m.
Ruiz Branch Library, 1600 Grove Blvd.
512-974-7500

Hope to see you there!