The library has quality speakers and trainers—specialists that will entertain, inspire or inform. Think of us the next time you’re looking for a speaker for your organization’s event.
Speaker Topics
A Special Look
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Join us for a unique look at objects from the library’s Special Collections. From traditional books to contemporary art and everything in between. [Speaker(s): Brea Black, Zan Popp]
Books Outside the Binding
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What is a book? Explore how contemporary artists are re-examining and reinterpreting the traditional book form. Examples from the library’s Special Collections will be shown. [Speaker(s): Brea Black]
Caring for your Art Collection: What You Can Do to Preserve Your Art at Home?
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Zan tells you how you can give museum quality care to your treasured works of art at home…even your favorite Macaroni mosaic. Learn the do’s and don’ts of preserving, handling and displaying art. [Speaker(s): Zan Popp]
Creating an Art Sketchbook for Pleasure and Relaxation
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Lean how to make your own book and inspirational ideas to investigate. Includes hands-on component. [Speaker(s): Betsy Roe]
How to “Read” Art Stories
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Get up-close and personal with artwork from The Sabatini Gallery collection. Hands-on component to experience the artist’s creative process. [Speaker(s): Betsy Roe]
Kansas Murals
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Take an armchair tour of the many murals in northeastern Kansas. See beautiful and thought provoking art work and learn a little history with every stop.[Speaker(s): Jayme Lyons]
Professional Development for Teachers through Art
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Add ideas and skills to implement creativity and design thinking into your classroom through hands-on art lessons. [Speaker(s): Betsy Roe]
The Library’s Permanent Art Collection
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Did you know that the Library collects art as well as books? Or that the library is home to the oldest public art collection in Topeka? While the art can’t be checked out, it can be viewed. Is there a type or style of art that you are interested in? Let me tailor a presentation for you and your group using the Library’s permanent art collection. [Speaker(s): Zan Popp]
What is an Artist Book Anyway?
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The defining parameters of this contemporary phenomenon and history of the artist book as an art form. Included in this power point talk are a variety of materials used, book structures – from pop-ups to installations, and contemporary book artists from around the world. There is a hands-on component in which you will learn to make your own one-page book structure. [Speaker(s): Betsy Roe]
What’s New in the Sabatini Art Gallery?
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An overview of the current exhibition at the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery. [Speaker(s): Zan Popp]
Contemporary Kansas Literature
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Literature written in our state is often influenced by the landscape, weather, and culture of the plains. 21st century work sometimes reflects traditional Kansas themes, but has also gone in exciting new directions. This session will feature the novels, stories, and poetry of outstanding writers who live and work in Kansas. Handouts of original interviews with many Kansas authors will be provided. [Speaker(s): Miranda Ericsson]
How to Start, Lead, Attend and Enjoy a Book Group
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Lissa will answer all of your questions and share everything you need to know about book discussion groups, including how to use the library’s “Book Group in a Bag” service to get multiple copies of the same title for your group. [Speaker(s): Lissa Staley]
It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Christian Fiction Anymore
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Fiction from Christian publishers has come a long way since Janette Oke’s first novel in 1978. Find out the current trends in the Christian Fiction genre and today’s popular authors, as well as perennial good reads. [Speaker(s): Deborah Bryan]
Kansas Notable Books
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The Kansas Notable Books List is the annual recognition of 15 outstanding titles by Kansas authors or about Kansas. It is the only honor for Kansas books written by Kansans, encouraging readers to enjoy the best work by the authors among us. Join me in a discussion of Notable Books selected from the 2006-2016 lists, including nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. You’re guaranteed to add some great books to your must-read list! [Speaker(s): Miranda Ericsson]
More Than Just “Johnny Can’t Read”: Adult Learners in Topeka
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There are adults in Topeka who lack basic skills in reading, math and other areas. Because of this they cannot achieve their dreams of better employment, helping their children succeed or pursing whatever interests them. This presentation will give the audience an overview of adults who need help achieving basic educational goals, what services exist to help them, and how individuals can get involved. [Speaker(s): Deborah Bryan]
Stick a Book in Your Ear: Download an e-audiobook from your library
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Learn about checking out, downloading and playing e-audiobooks, music, and even movies on your computer or portable media device. These services are free for registered borrowers of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. [Speaker(s): Deborah Bryan]
You Can Tell a Book by Its Cover
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Want a new and fun way to search for something good to read? Try simple techniques to get you on the path to your next favorite book.[Speaker(s): Jayme Lyons]
Kansas Biographies
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From Amelia Earhart to John Brown, Gordon Parks to Russell Stover, Kansans have left their mark on history. We visit statesmen, inventors and artists who have thrilled and inspired. And they’re all from our home state. [Speaker(s): Brian Adams]
Kansas Natural Wonders
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View a slide show trip across the state to view its natural wonders in the 11 physiographic regions. Discover how the geologic history of Kansas determines its landscape features. (45 min.) [Speaker(s): Janet Pionkowski]
Kansas Trivia Challenge
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Questions about Kansas history, geography, people, places and wildlife will challenge your knowledge of your home on the range. A visual format stimulates recall and retention. [Speaker(s): Janet Pionkowski]
Orphan Trains
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Take a look back into the history of the Orphan Trains. Learn about the controversial solution to the overwhelming number of poor orphans in New York in the 1800s. Hear firsthand accounts along with interesting facts.[Speaker(s): Jayme Lyons]
Pluto’s Kansas
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Why do Kansans have a special connection to Pluto? What is the reason for the recent fascination with the dwarf planet? Explore the answers in a slide show presentation. (45 min.) [Speaker(s): Janet Pionkowski]
Steamboat Arabia: Treasure in a Cornfield!
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They went looking for buried treasure and instead developed a life-long commitment and love for the incredible slice of history uncovered! Hear firsthand accounts of the 1850’s sinking of the Great White Steamship Arabia in the Missouri River. Learn the details of its 1980’s resurrection from a Kansas cornfield. Witness the creation of a one-of-a-kind museum to house and preserve the artifacts they so lovingly unearthed. Experience the amazing real-life adventure of a working class Kansas family that through extraordinary effort brought a one of a kind treasure to light. [Speaker(s): Jayme Lyons]
Titanic Remembered
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In April 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. 100 years later, the fascination continues. Participants place themselves on board and learn what life was like in 1912, details about the doomed liner and lessons we’ve learned from the catastrophe. [Speaker(s): Brian Adams]
Bookmobiles: Then and Now
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Take a ride down memory lane as this program shares the history of bookmobiles in Topeka and what new stops and features are available at our “mobile libraries.”[Speaker(s): Michelle Stottlemire]
Exploring Digital Books & More
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Shari will answer your questions about tablets, smart phones, and e-readers including which one might be right for you and how get started. You will also learn about the free books, movies, music, and magazines you can check out for free from your local library. [Speaker(s): Shari Schawo]
Information Rx: Health Resources @ your Library
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Locating and evaluating high-quality health information from trusted sources can be a challenging endeavor. Lissa, our consumer health librarian, can show you how to access the best answers to all your health and wellness questions. [Speaker(s): Lissa Staley]
Red Carpet Services for Seniors and the Homebound
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Learn about the many services that are available through Red Carpet that can keep you connected to your library and reading, while sharing how the Red Carpet staff provide that personal touch that is so appreciated by their customers. [Speaker(s): Nate Hohl]
Tall Tales and Other Lies
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Meet larger-than-life characters as Betty Jean spins these tall tales into a fascinating experience for your group. Enjoy the stories of some of larger than life characters. [Speaker(s): Betty Jean Neal]
Classic Film Stars of the 30’s and 40’s
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Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, The Marx Brothers are just a few of the many performers covered in this celebration of Hollywood’s best. Revisit the kings and queens of Tinseltown in this collection of photos and film clips. Who are your favorites? [Speaker(s): Brian Adams]
Harping for Hospice
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Music has been used for millennia as a tool for healing. Live harp music is provided at the patient’s bedside to create a healing and calming environment and to assist in the death transition. Join TSCPL’s own harper to look and discuss harping at the bedside of hospice residents. [Speaker(s): James Mosher]
The Sounds that Soothe
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Have you ever thought about the music in your everyday life and how it effects you? Research has shown that music is tied to the emotional and physical circuitry of our brains and therefore affects how we feel, both positively and negatively. Spend some time learning about music’s impact on the body and what you can do about it. [Speaker(s): James Mosher]
Emerging Trends and How They are Impacting Your Organization
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Has your organization or business discussed creating a Flickr account? A Facebook page? Creating a blog? Learn about the current social networking transformation taking place, and applies those changes to your organization. Then, discuss the changes you need to make to fully participate in our new online, participatory world. [Speaker(s): David Lee King]
Video on the Web: A Primer
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Video on the web is one of today’s hottest social networking trends. But what can this emerging technology do for your organization? This in-depth workshop answers these questions and more. Come explore how organizations are using video through a variety of case studies, discover tips on what types of content work best for different types of organizations, and learn what to consider when planning for and implementing video. Video creation tools are also discussed – and we’ll even make some videos during the session! [Speaker(s): David Lee King]
Whazzup in Space?
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This Solar System Ambassador’s narrated slide show focuses on current and future robotic exploratory missions with a brief review of the manned space program. [Speaker(s): Janet Pionkowski]
Community of Writers
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Find encouragement for your own writing while learning about the range of programs that the library offers annually for aspiring and established writers. Library programming supports writers as they try something new, learn from each other, and share their work. Library books and resources provide inspiration and tips on the craft. You could write a novel in 30 days with National Novel Writing Month, collaborate with your community to create a novel from premise to publication, hone your skills in self and traditional publication, or meet local writers at our author fair—all at your library. [Speaker(s): Lissa Staley, Miranda Ericsson]
How to Write a Novel in 30 days
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As the local leader of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) since 2003, Lissa will convince you that writing the 50,000 word first draft of a novel in the 30 days of November is not just an amazing, crazy, frantic, caffeine and creativity fueled undertaking, but that you yourself want to participate this November. Learn more at www.nanowrimo.org. [Speaker(s): Lissa Staley, Miranda Ericsson]
If none none of the above topics is what you are looking for, you can suggest possible topics in the request form.
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