Book fairs offer opportunity to buy gifts

• By GREG LANGLEY
• Books editor
• Published: Nov 23, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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A charitable group has suggested that this Christmas, everyone should take a break from traditional gifts and instead make a donation to a charity in the name of the person to whom you wish to give. It’s a noble idea, but it hardly seems practical. Christmas has been, is and will always be, a children’s holiday at heart. Not that adults don’t enjoy giving and receiving and celebrating, but children are the focus and rightly so. It seems hard to imagine that a 7-year-old expecting a doll or red wagon is going to be altruistic enough to be happy with a certificate of donation to Save The Whales.

Fortunately, there are other ways to combine giving and charitable acts. Books are always a great gift, and Barnes & Noble is hosting a series of book fairs that benefit Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Parkview Baptist Middle and High School, The Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition and the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, worthy causes all. There will be special events, author appearances and signings. Part of your purchase amount can be dedicated to one of these causes (up to 20 percent).

The LPB Book Fair has already begun and continues through Tuesday, Nov. 26. To make sure that Friends of LPB gets a contribution, just say, “I support LPB” when checking out at any of the stores in Louisiana. Locally, Friends of LPB will be holding a number of special events during the LPB Book Fair week.

There will be two special events at the store on Tuesday, Nov. 25. At 10:30 a.m., PBS Kids star Curious George will make a special appearance at the store. There will also be special readings from his books and holiday crafts. At noon, the store hosts Curious George Game Day with LASM Discovery Dome and a storytime and signing with Cecelia Dartez, author of L is for Louisiana. At 6 p.m., there will be a special book signing featuring the authors of three books about LSU Tiger football. Former LSU Coach Paul Dietzel, who led LSU to the 1958 National Championship, will be signing his book Call Me Coach. Former LSU player and acclaimed author John Ed Bradley will be signing his book It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium and award-winning sportswriter Scott Rabalais will be autographing his book The Fighting Tigers 1993-2008: Into a New Century of LSU Football.

Parkview Baptist High and Middle School Book Fair is Friday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Citiplace Barnes & Noble. Mention Parkview at the registers to contribute a portion of your sale to the school. Events to include: art display in the Café for the whole week; D.O.C Kno & Prism at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; Think Fun game day and storytime 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.

The Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition Book Fair is Saturday, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Citiplace Barnes & Noble. Mention GBR Literacy Coalition at the registers to contribute a portion of your sale to the organization. Events to include: dyslexia simulation, 7-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1; and poetry reading and student anthology release, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Book Fair is Thursday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 12, at the Citiplace Barnes & Noble. Mention BRBT at the registers to contribute a portion of your sale to the organization. Events include: Michaela York, author of Mr. Oodle Madoodle Saves the Day, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; Nutcracker storytime at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; Nutcracker performance followed by Sugar Plum Tea & Game Day, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7; a signing by Chef John Folse, author of After the Hunt, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11; and a Nutcracker performance and storytime at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

Digital Bookmobile
The East Baton Rouge Parish Library will host the Digital Bookmobile, an immersive download experience inside a 74-foot, high-tech tractor-trailer, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Readers of all ages are invited to engage in digital downloading through interactive demonstrations and experience the Library’s audiobook, eBook, music, and video download service at this free event. There will be giveaways throughout the day, including MP3 players.

The Digital Bookmobile is housed inside an 18-wheel tractor-trailer.

This 74-foot community outreach vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore the Library’s download service. Interactive learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and download and enjoy eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video from the Library.

Patrons can take advantage of the download service 24/7 when they visit the Library’s Web site. From there, they can browse the growing collection of best-selling, new release, and classic titles, and check out a digital title with a valid library card. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on a computer or transferred to supported mobile devices. Many audio titles can also be burned to audio CD. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the digital collection. There are never late fees or damaged items.

The Digital Bookmobile is a service of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library and is operated by OverDrive, Inc. To check out and download digital books and more, visit http://overdrive.ebr.lib.la.us.

Southern Review
The autumn 2008 issue of The Southern Review is available for purchase now in bookstores and online.