Ms. Wadley-Munier is the liaison to Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian. Her term will run through April 2013.

The Board of Trustees meeting calendar, agendas and approved minutes may be viewed here.

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Highlights of the month include:

What’s All That Jazz About?
Wednesday, February 1 at 2 p.m.
Las Vegas Library
Saturday, February 4 at 10:30 a.m.
Spring Valley Library

Shotgun
Friday, February 3 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 4 at 1 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library

African American Authors Symposium
Saturday, February 4 at 2 p.m.
Clark County Library

Our Music, Our Culture: A Journey through Jazz History
Saturday, February 4 at 4 p.m.
Windmill Library

Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater
Friday, February 10 at 7 p.m. (An Evening of Dance)
Saturday, February 11 at 1 p.m. (An Afternoon of Dance)
West Las Vegas Library

Blacks in Hollywood and Film
Workshop for Youth
Saturday, February 11 at 3 p.m.
Film Screening: Sounder (G)
Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library

Gospel Brunch Inspirational Showcase
Tuesday, February 14 at 11 a.m.
West Las Vegas Library

African American Youth Leadership Conference 2012
Friday, February 17, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library

The World Famous Ink Spots in Concert
Saturday, February 18 at 2 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library

West Prep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Competition and Festival
Wednesday, February 22 at 5 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library

Author’s Speakeasy: Keith Brantley
Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library

Support provided by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation. Visit our website or call 507-3989 for more information. All events are free and open to the public.

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Inspired by the landmark film Brokeback Mountain, the program consists of staged reading of messages, essays, poetry and music that was conceived and adapted for the stage by Gregory Hinton from the 2007 book Beyond Brokeback: The Impact of a Film written by Members of the Ultimate Brokeback Forum website, culled from over 500,000 posts. Excerpts of poignant and humorous messages, essays, and poetry—by writers young and old, male and female, gay and straight—will be interpreted by six reader/musicians. Directed by Todd Espeland with original music by Shawn Kirchner.

Beyond Brokeback was first developed and performed in 2010 at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles as part of its acclaimed Out West at the Autry series and in commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of Brokeback Mountain.

The production is generously sponsored by Las Vegas–Clark County Library District, HBO, the David Bohnett Foundation, Gill Foundation, the Gay & Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation and the Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV. Additional support provided by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation. Free and open to the public. For more information, please call 507-3459.

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Branches will be closing at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 31 for New Year’s Eve. All branches will be closed on Sunday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.

Dr. Jean is admired by teachers, parents and children for her creative music and activities that energize, motivate and engage children to learn. Her recordings include Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs, Sing to Learn, Is Everybody Happy, Nursery Rhymes and Good Ol’ Times, Better Bodies and Brains, Going Green with Dr. Jean and Totally Reading.

Children of all ages are welcome. Free and open to the public. For more information call 507-6294.

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January 3 – Ladies First: The REAL Mob Wives of Las Vegas
The ladies take the stage as they share heartrending and sometimes hilarious stories of their relationships with the mob men in their lives. Panelists include author Wendy Mazaros, whose book Vegas Rag Doll deals with her marriage to union racketeer and Chicago hitman Tom Hanley; Lisa Caserta, who is currently married to GoodFellas mobster Henry Hill; and a surprise visit from a member of the Meyer Lansky family. Moderated by Peabody Award-winning investigative news reporter and author George Knapp.

January 10 – How the FBI, Nevada Gaming Control and the IRS Took Down the Mob
This panel discussion includes former and current representatives from the FBI, Nevada Gaming Control, Las Vegas Mob Museum and IRS Criminal Investigations Las Vegas unit. Topics will include the strategies and devices that mobsters used to skim the casinos, the creation of The Black Book, and how the Feds conducted their field research and mafia round-ups. Moderated by Master Cheat author and former Nevada Gaming Control agent Jack Miller. 

January 17 – Son Of A Gun:  How to Diss Your Hitman Dad and Keep Friends – The Untold Story of Billy and Andrew
Childhood friends Billy Cutolo Jr. and Andrew DiDonato will discuss growing up in opposing mob families and how Andrew survived the hit put out on him by Billy’s father, “Wild” Bill Cutolo. Moderated by Surviving the Mob and The Battle for Las Vegas author Dennis Griffin. 

January 24 – UBATZ Documentary Screening with Salvatore “Ubatz” Polisi and “Goodfella” Henry Hill 
Join us for the Las Vegas premiere screening of the gritty documentary UBATZ, about Salvatore “Ubatz” Polisi’s life in and out of the New York Mob as John Gotti’s associate and creator of “The Sinatra Club.” After the screening, stay for a revealing panel discussion with Polisi, GoodFellas mobster Henry Hill, and the film’s director David Murphy. Moderated by mob historian and CSN professor Dr. Michael Green.

January 31 – From Medellín to the Mob: Meet Ronin of the Underworld Kenny “Kenji” Gallo
Our final event features a panel discussion with Breakshot author Kenny “Kenji” Gallo about his life growing up as a mixed-race teenage dealer/distributor for South American drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, becoming a leading porn director/producer in California, partnering with West and East Coast mob families, and switching sides to become one of the most successful and notorious undercover operatives for the FBI.  Joining the panel are Kenji’s former crime associate-turned-lawyer Ramon and Kenji’s ex-wife and adult film star Tabitha Stevens. Moderated by national television crime commentator/author Vito Colucci. 

Book sales/signing will be available at each event. All seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry wristbands will be issued starting at 6 p.m. from the Theater box office on day of event only. For more information, please call 507-3458.

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Photo by Dee Dee Sherman

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and Nevada Ballet Theatre have teamed up to present “Love your Library? Tell a Friend!,” a library card sign-up campaign that begins Thursday, December 1 through Saturday, December 31.

Just sign up for a free library card during the month of December and be automatically entered to earn a chance to win a VIP package to an opening night at Nevada Ballet Theatre.

The VIP package will include four tickets to your choice of an opening night performance to one of the following: One Step Closer: The Studio Series on Thursday, April 19, 2012, featuring literary character and cartoons, fables and fairytales, or Little Red Riding Hood on Saturday, June 2. In addition, a special behind-the-scenes look at a company rehearsal and tour will be arranged.

Valued library patrons who already have a library card and want to experience the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s extraordinary performances will receive $10 off admission on tickets from $49 (plus box office fees) and above to The Nutcracker on December 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

Simply show your library card at the Paris Las Vegas box office to receive your discount or mention the code I Love My Library when you order your tickets in person or by phone at 946-4567 or enter the code Sugarplum on the web site. Discounts are good through December 24.

A library card allows free access to a collection of more than several million items of books, magazines, downloadables, CDs and DVDs, as well as online access to an array of information. Teens and children have access to online homework help offering a wealth of free resources designed to assist kids with their daily school assignments.   

Getting a free library card is easy. Just stop in any Las Vegas-Clark County Library District branch to fill out an application or apply online. All you need is picture identification and proof of your current Nevada address.

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"Sweet" Lou Collins

Join us for our 17^th annual Shoes for Children Drive and Benefit Performances on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m. at the West Las Vegas Library.