Catalog

Search our Catalog

SuzyQ's Blog

Michigan Week

michigan: michiganExplore the following resources about Michigan all year-long, but especially during Michigan Week which is celebrated this year during the week of May 18 - 25. This celebration is intended to inspire people to embrace, explore and celebrate the history and resources of the great state of Michigan. The following is just a sampling of our rich Michigan collection here at the Canton Public Library. Be sure to come and browse through all of the  titles regarding our great state!

Fun Facts About Michigan

Michigan Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff by Colleen Burcar with Gene Taylor: Includes fun and quirky stories of interesting Michigan residents and places.

Michigan Trivia compiled by Ernie & Jill Couch: Did you know that 60,000 automobiles were registered in Michigan in 1913? Or did you know that Michigan become part of the Indian Territory in 1800? Find out more facts about the Great Lakes State in this fun book.

Mich-Again's Day by Gary W. Barfnecht: Written in a monthly format, this book includes a Michigan fact, first or famous person's birthday for each day of the year.

Made in Michigan

Michigan Week (May 18-25) is a good time to remember the state's celebrated natives from all walks of life. Communities across Michigan can lay claim to renowned authors, artists, musicians, actors, athletes, politicians, inventors and more. Film makers Francis Ford Coppola, Sam Raimi, Michael Moore, and Paul Schrader were all born in Michigan. Just some of the world famous musicians born here include Stevie Wonder, Kenny Burrell, Betty Carter, Earl Klugh, Bog Seger, Glen Frey, Madonna, and Iggy Pop. Actors born in the state include Bruce Campbell, Tom Selleck, Lily Tomlin, Ellen Burstyn, Kristen Bell, Julie Harris, George Peppard, George C. Scott, Danny Thomas, and Marlo Thomas — the list goes on. Noteworthy authors such as Edna Ferber, Terry McMillan, Judith Guest and Marguerite De Angeli are also Michigan natives. Famous Michigan born athletes include baseball players Charlie Gehringer, Jim Abbott and Hal Newhouser. Find out more about our state's notable heritage by checking out some of the following items from the Library's collection.

Alden B. Dow: midwestern modern by Diane Maddex — Architect

The Dodge brothers: the men, the motor cars, and the legacy by Charles K. Hyde — Automobile engineers

Low Winter Sun

moviemaking: movimakingDetroit will be the setting for the new drama Low Winter Sun which will begin airing on AMC on August 11 at 10 p.m.  The new drama is based on a 2006 British miniseries of the same name and stars Mark Strong and Lennie James. The story begins with the murder of a cop by a fellow Detroit detective that will eventually pull him into the heart of the local underworld. Not only will the drama be set in the Motor City, but it will also be filmed there throughout the summer with much of the casting coming from the Detroit area. The pilot episode was shot last September and nine more will be filmed for the first season. AMC is also home to such groundbreaking programming as Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead. View the trailer here.

Strange But True!

To quote Mark Twain "Truth is stranger than fiction..." and the following titles are certainly proof of that!

Lord Minimus: the extraordinary life of Britain's smallest man by Nick Page — Th true story of Jeffrey Hudson, the 18-inch "official dwarf" of the 17th century Stuart court.


The last alchemist: Count Cagliostro, master of magic in the age of reason by Iain McCalman — A fascinating account of the career of one of the most famous charlatans of the 18th century, Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, who traveled all over Europe - usually one step ahead of the authorities - passing himself off as an alchemist and a healer.


Agent Zigzag: a true story of Nazi espionage, love, and betrayal by Ben MacIntyre — Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced.

Movies for Earth Day

Earth Day: Earth DayAlthough Earth Day is officially celebrated once a year on April 22, the Library has a great collection of environmentally-themed documentaries that are available all year round. From wildlife to climate change, from recycling to alternate energy, we have it covered! Check out just some of the titles below:

Beyond pollution [videodisc] by directed by Barker White — Examines the economic impact and health effects that the disastrous BP oil spill will have on local communities both immediately and long term.


Climate of doubt [videodisc]: the politics of global warming by written by John Hockenberry, Catherine Upin ; directed by Catherine Upin — An examination of the shift in political attitudes towards global warming in the United States.


Collapse [videodisc] — The economic predictions of investigative journalist Michael Ruppert regarding the possible global financial meltdown and major social change that could result if oil dependence continues unabated.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees 2013

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will induct its new members for 2013 on April 18. The inductees are Rush, Heart, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Donna Summer, and Albert King. Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Lou Adler and Quincy Jones. The ceremony will take place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ordinary girl: the journey by Donna Summer ; with Marc Eliot

Zinio is Here!

ZinioDigital access to almost 200 of your favorite magazines is now available! Just click on the Zinio icon on the front page of our website, or click on the link from our Databases or eBooks page to get started. Newsweek, Consumer Reports, Elle Decor, Organic Gardening, Martha Stewart Living, Hockey News, Rolling Stone, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance are just some of the titles to pick from. It is recommended that you use Google Chrome from the CPL website to view issues on the library's computers. For a short but helpful video click here.  Both the video and a user's guide are available on the Zinio site once you are signed up. Happy reading!

Earth Day Reading, Viewing & Listening

Earth day: Earth dayThe Canton Public Library is celebrating Earth Day from April 14-27 with a series of entertaining and educational programs. Topics include bat conservancy, organic eating, buying local food, and rain gardens. The week will wrap up with a fantastic performance by authentic Native American Dancers. The Library's collection if full of excellent books, dvds, and cds to help you celebrate with us:

America's neighborhood bats by Merlin D. Tuttle


The bat house builder's handbook by Merlin D. Tuttle, Mark Kiser, Selena Kiser


Bats by M. Brock Fenton


Wildlife heroes: 40 leading conservationists and the animals they are committed to saving by Julie Scardina and Jeff Flocken ; with photo editor Sterling Zumbrunn

Margaret Thatcher 1925-2013

Margaret Thatcher, Britain's only female prime minister has passed away at the age of 87. Thatcher served as the leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990 and was known as the Iron Lady.


Reagan and Thatcher: the difficult relationship by Richard Aldous


Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: a political marriage by Nicholas Wapshott


The Iron Lady: a biography of Margaret Thatcher by Hugo Young


The Downing Street years by Margaret Thatcher


The rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher [videodisc]

Mad Men returns on April 7!

Mad Men  returns to the airwaves on Sunday, April 7 at 9:00 PM on AMC.  The two-hour premiere of the series' 6th season continues the story of Don Draper and his colleagues at the New York City advertising agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. When we last saw Don and the gang it was the spring of 1967 and they were all at crossroads in both their personal and professional lives. Providing additional backdrop to the series is the political and social upheaval of the 1960s. If you're a new viewer - or just want to watch again - you can catch up now with Mad Men  seasons 1-5 from the Library's collection. Welcome back Don Draper!

Digital Magazines are on the Way!

The Canton Public Library will soon provide unlimited, simultaneous, digital access to almost 200 of your favorite magazines through a new database called Zinio for Libraries. After setting up a free account, CPL card holders will be able to read current issues cover-to-cover of any these selected titles, as well as be informed via email of future issues. Patrons can read online at any time via a web browser, either inside the library, or remotely on your PC, Mac, iPad, Kindle Fire, iPhone, or Android device. Offline access is also available after downloading an app. The issues are then permanently stored in your "viewer collection." No checkout periods or late fees! A wide variety of popular titles will be available including Consumer Reports, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart Living, Rolling Stone, Motor Trend, Popular Science, and Newsweek.

Historic Recordings

The Library of Congress has recently announced the selection of 25 new titles to be added to the National Recording Registry. Included in this year's selections are two historic broadcasts - George Hicks' 1944 radio reports during the D-Day invasion of Europe, and Dwight Eisenhower's prerecorded presidential message relayed from an Atlas satellite in 1958.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Erin go Bragh! The celebration of St. Patrick's Day outside of Ireland is a clear indication of the Irish influence throughout the world. In the United States many cities and towns recognize March 17th with parades and parties to mark the holiday of Ireland's patron saint. Ireland has made a significant contribution to literature and the arts both in the United States and throughout the world. Celebrate the day by sampling a wee bit of Irish culture and history from some of the many titles available in the Library's collection:

Women in Science & Technology

The 2013 theme for National Women's History Month is "Women Inspiring Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics." In that spirt, check out some of the following titles acknowledging the tremendous contributions of women to science and technology throughout history:

Jocelyn Elders, M.D.: from sharecropper's daughter to surgeon general of the United States of America by Joycelyn Elders and David Chanoff — Jocelyn Elders, pediatrician, public health administrator & the first woman Surgeon General of the United States