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Refinishing old furniture is nothing new

It’s a current trend to buy inexpensive old furniture and paint, decorate or otherwise alter it into something new. Some people may see this as disrespectful to history, but it’s a practice that has been going on for hundreds of years. After all, access to mass-produced “fast furniture” is a recent development; historically, everyday items like furniture and clothing were made to last, handed down for generations and altered to suit changing fashions. Furniture of the Victorian era (about 1830-1900) came in many styles, all of which were elaborately decorated. Sometimes, ...

Fun, high impact learning resources at the New Ulm Public Library

Play is an important part of child’s early development. A high percentage of brain development happens before age three, so learning must begin before children attend school. The library has many learning resources available for free with your library card that help build cognitive and development skills through play. Check out some of these learning resources to fuel learning in a fun way. Did you know playing in the dirt reduces stress in youth? Not only does nature make people feel better, the natural environment promotes learning by restoring attention and facilitating ...

Fire screens were functional works of art

Now that we have electric lights and heating, lighting a fire in the fireplace feels like something special. Spend a few minutes in front of one, though, and you’ll remember why technology has moved on. Between the intense heat and light of the flames and the danger of stray sparks, having an open flame indoors isn’t the best idea. That’s where fire screens came in. By the late 18th century, they were made of various materials like wood, leather, wicker and papier-mache. Metal was not a popular material; it would get too hot. With everyone gathered around the fire, the fire ...

Resolutions, 2024 edition

If you made New Year’s resolutions for 2024, how are you doing? According to a Statista Consumer Insights survey from October 2023, these are the top 2024 New Year’s Resolutions. Save More Money (59%), Exercise More (50%) Eat Healthier (47%), Spend More Time with Family/Friends (40%), Lose Weight (35%), Reduce Spending on Living Expenses (26%), Spend Less Time on Social Media (19%), Reduce Stress on the Job (19%). Look to the library for help with some of these resolutions with the following titles. “The Wealth Decision: 10 Simple Steps to Achieve Financial Freedom and Build ...

Calendar clocks will have you set for all time

Happy New Year! When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, it’s time to open your new calendar and look ahead. Or maybe you have a clock like this one, with a built-in calendar. Calendar clocks were developed about 1850. That’s about when this one, which sold for $5,100 at Cottone Auctions, was made. Its rear movement plate is marked for Constantin-Louis Detouche (1810-1889), a famous Paris clockmaker in the 19th century. He worked for his father’s clockmaking business until 1830, when he started his own. He was later appointed official clockmaker to Napoleon III, who was crowned ...

Winter fun at the library

It remains to be seen just how snowy (or brown) our winter may be. The library has lots of fun available to you and your family, no matter the weather. It goes without saying that we have plenty of books to check out, but I’ll say it anyway. Mix it up by reading outside of your favorite genres or formats. We have books for all stripes and offer print, large print, CD audiobook, eBook, eAudiobook, and more! Young readers might like to try our new Vox book collection. Vox books are traditional picture books with an audio component attached. Readers can follow along with the text while ...