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New Databases @ Your Library

Need authoritative information? Try a database! The Milwaukee Public Library has a wide assortment of new databases (Database List)twenty in all, starting today because the State of Wisconsin has contracted with database vendor EBSCO as part of the new version of BadgerLink . Some of these great new databases include the Auto Repair Reference Center , suggestions for readers from NoveList , and, perfect for this holiday weekend, the History Reference Center. If you want to look over the complete list of new databases, go to the Library Databases category and look for the yellow NEW sunburst.

This year, ComedySportz Milwaukee is hosting the world Comedy League 2009 ComedySportz World Championship. The tournament runs from July 9th through July 11th, but you can see ComedySportz players from around the world at the Celebration Show on July 7th at the Central Library's Centennial Hall.

Join these players for the ultimate interactive, improvised, family-friendly funny experience. You'll get to laugh, shout out suggestions, and perhaps even join in the fun onstage!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Centennial Hall

All the library employees covet the cool drawstring backpacks in rainbow colors
that MPL is giving away as prizes….. but only teens 13-18 can get one!

Sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Program online and receive a coupon
for a FREE sub from Cousins Subs at your local Milwaukee Public Library.

King Teen Summer Reading participant Rickey B.
can't decide which backpack to choose!

Read four books and one of these hot backpack is yours! (We're drooling!)
Choose your favorite color--- blue, green, purple, black, orange, yellow or pink.
You’ll also receive a Discovery World coupon, Brewers coupon, and a
Half Price Books coupon.

Read 8 or more books before August 10 to qualify for three separate grand
prize drawings: a $50 VISA gift card, Milwaukee Admirals tickets, Milwaukee Wave tickets.

Summer weather has arrived and the biggest summer holiday is right around the corner! Celebrations for the 4th of July will be held throughout the city.

The U.S. Bank fireworks will be held on Friday, July 3rd at dusk at the lakefront (just north of the War Memorial Center).

On Saturday the 4th, parks throughout Milwaukee will be celebrating all day long with parades, games, activities, entertainment, fireworks, and more! Click here for more information on the celebrations at 15 of Milwaukee's parks. Milwaukee County's Web site has additional information on celebrations elsewhere in Milwaukee County.

The City of Milwaukee reminds you to celebrate safely this 4th of July. Check out the City's fireworks safety pamphlet and additional information from the Fireworks Task Force.

Milwaukee Public Library is an official Patent and Trademark Depository Library. A Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) is a library designated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to receive and house copies of U.S. patents and patent and trademark materials, to make them freely available to the public, and to actively disseminate patent and trademark information.

Once a month, a librarian from the Business and Technology Department presents a free workshop on how to conduct a patent search. Please call 414-286-3051 if you have any questions.

For additional resources including the Patent and Trademark Department's searchable database, peruse the links in the Patents & Trademarks category on the Milwaukee Public Library home page under Recommended Links.

Once again us Summer is upon us and for Milwaukeeans that mean Summer Festivals. True, we need to hibernate for the brutal winters, but Milwaukee knows how to tear it up once the sun is comes out! With loads of diverse food, music, arts, beer, and activities, Milwaukee is a unique beacon in the summer! Check out these websites for more information and details on these festivals.

Summerfest
When: June 25-July 5
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Bastille Days
When: July 9-11
Where: Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St.

Festa Italiana
When: July 16-19
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

German Fest
When: July 23-26
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Arab World Fest
When: August 7-9
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Irish Fest
When: August 13-16
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Mexican Fiesta
When: August 21-23
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Labor Fest
When: September 3
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Indian Summer Festival
When: September 11-13
Where: Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr.

Now that it is officially summer in Milwaukee, the orange barrels (the city's unofficial summer flower) have been sprouting up along various streets and roadways. The construction season can cause a huge hassle if you're not prepared for it. However, tools do exist to help minimize the headaches caused by the repaving of roadways.

Information is available at the city level. The Department of Public Works (DPW) lists construction projects that may affect traffic patterns. Also available from the city is a powerful tool called Map Milwaukee. Among other things, it has a tool that allows the user to view current and upcoming paving projects in the city. To view a description of how to use this feature, and to access Map Milwaukee, click here.

Available from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is an up to the minute map of Milwaukee-area congestion levels for the various freeways that go through and around Milwaukee. Also available are listings of Milwaukee-area lane and ramp closures.

These tools should help to minimize some of the impact that construction has on traffic patterns in Milwaukee.