The library was happy to welcome Hatem Abudayyeh, Executive Director, Arab-American Action Network & Fatimah S. Baeshen, President, Middle Eastern Studies Students Association, University of Chicago to speak yesterday in our library. The digital audio from yesterday’s event is available for download, Arab Heritage Month Podcast, and it is available in iTunes.

The library is happy to announce the 2009 schedule of spring events.  For more information visit the library’s events page and the One Book, One College page.   

Garbage Land Open Book Discussion for Students, Community Members, Staff and Faculty
Jan 28, 2-3:30 p.m.
You are invited to join librarian Joe Mullarkey in an open discussion about Garbage Land and the themes presented in Garbage Land.  No lectures, no professors, no panel discussion at this event.  We want to hear your views!  

Controlling Carbon Emissions with Trading Markets
February 12, 2009, 12:30 p.m.
Ever heard of a market for carbon emissions? Carbon markets offer great promise in regulating and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Dr. Gregory Sierra, Profess of Accounting at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and former Economist for the Federal Reserve System, will discuss how these markets are structured, the possibilities they represent, and alternative policies to carbon markets such as tax laws.

Striving for Sustainable Communities: Area Leaders Discuss Green Efforts in our Region
March 25, 2009, 1 p.m.
Students, community members, faculty and staff are invited to attend this panel discussion focusing on sustainability initiatives in the Southwest Suburbs.  How do we build sustainable communities?  Panel members will discuss their successes and consider the obstacles that are ahead.  Panel members will include: 

• Jerry Bennett, Mayor of Palos Hills
• Daniel J. McLaughlin, Mayor of Orland Park
• Reggie Greenwood, Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation
• David Chandler, Center for Neighborhood Technology 
• Chris Slattery, The Delta Institute 

What’s Happening at MVCC and What Lies Ahead: Green Team Update
April 22nd, 1 p.m.
Join us as members of Moraine Valley’s Green Team discuss the sustainability efforts going on around campus and challenges the lie ahead.

The Ten Most Pivotal Events in Middle East History: Crossroads of History
April 9th, 12:30 p.m., Library Lounge
The Middle East is the birthplace of civilization, the Holy Land for three major religions, the crossroads for East and West, and the owner of a majority of the world’s oil.  How well do you know the major events that have shaped this land over the centuries?  Join two of Moraine Valley’s history faculty members, Merri Fefles and Jim McIntyre as they discuss the ten most pivotal events in the history of the Middle East.  

Gary Moore, author of Playing With the Enemy, will make a stop on his book tour at Moraine Valley Community College on Tuesday, December 2, at 11 a.m., in the Library, Building L, 9000 W. College Pkwy., Palos Hills. After his presentation, he will autograph copies of his book, which will be on sale at the event. The book signing is free and open to the public. 

Inspired by true events, Playing With the Enemy is a riveting story of a depression-era youth from a small farming town in Illinois whose possible career in the Major Leagues is sidetracked when he joins the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story tells the tale of Gene Moore, the author’s father, who teaches the enemy how to play baseball while he and the Navy baseball team wait for the war to end so they can go home to the Major Leagues. However, something happens to Moore that alters his life and future with baseball forever. 

Surprisingly, Gary Moore did not learn about his father’s potential baseball career until the day before his death when he finally broke his silence and told his son his story. Moore then embarked on a journey researching his father’s life and interviewing people for the book. 

Playing With the Enemy is currently in production to be a major motion picture. The author’s son, Toby Moore, will be the lead role, portraying his grandfather during his younger years. The movie is expected to be released in the beginning of 2009. 

Over 100 students attended our film screening of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. If you missed it, you can check out the film Inconvenient Truth in the library or check out the book. You can watch the Inconvenient Truth trailer here

The 8th Annual Pumpkin Contest ended last week, and Horton pulled off a come from behind victory!