Hello Our Genealogy Meeting will be Thursday, April 20, 2006, starting at 6:30 - 9:00 pm You will enjoy this meeting. Bring a friend! Our speaker will be Coleen Fitzpatrick. She wrote Forensic Genealogy. Colleen Fitzpatrick, Ph.D, author of Forensic Genealogy, is a recognized expert in optical laser measurement techniques, with many years experience developing innovative technologies for NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. She is also an avid genealogist. In Forensic Genealogy, Dr. Fitzpatrick shows that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to get the most from your genealogical materials. http://www.forensicgenealogy.info/aboutus.html There is also a meeting tomorrow about the library and the reconstruction of the downtown library. Starts at 2:30 pm at the meeting room. You can send suggestions to the library committe or Earl Gates. http://www.lafayette.lib.la.us/upcoming_events.htm What Would You Like to See Happen at the Main Library Downtown? -- Public Charrette Wednesday, April 12 2:30 pm & 6:30 pm A complete renovation of the Main Library is on the drawing board and the library wants your input. Have you thought the current building needed more meeting spaces or more computers? Did you ever wish for a drive-up book pick-up window, longer library hours, more books or DVDs? Give us your dreams and ideas. There are two ways to submit your ideas. The first way is to attend one of two public charrettes scheduled for Wednesday, April 12. The first session begins at 2:30; another session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Library Design Specialist Denelle Wrightson, of PSA-Dewberry, will conduct the one-hour sessions. Both discussion sessions will be held in the first floor meeting room at the Lafayette Public Library downtown. For those unable to attend one of these sessions, a second way to submit your ideas is to fill in the on-line survey form on the library web site, www.lafayette.lib.la.us . "Several generations of the Lafayette community have used our Main Library in downtown Lafayette. This facilty has served us well for over 33 years, but it was planned before computers, before videos and DVDs, and before the need for multiple meeting spaces," reports Sona J. Dombourian, Director of Lafayette Public Libraries. Dombourian continues, "Today's libraries are about providing information and access to that information, as well as reading and audio-video materials for educational and recreational pursuits. We are planning, not only for today's needs, but for the future needs of library users." The planning and design process is expected to take two years. Construction is expected to begin within the next four years, pending completion of the North and South Regional Libraries. Earl Gates