Running May through August 2008, Cleveland Public Library will present an exhibit entitled "Esperanto, Elvish, and Beyond: The World of Constructed Languages" on the second floor of the Main Library.

What are "constructed languages?" Quite simply, they are languages that have been intentionally constructed. Languages like English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Swahili, and Guguyimidjir (a nearly-extinct native language of Australia) all evolved naturally, arising organically within a group of people through various natural forces. No single person defined their vocabularies, designed their syntaxes, or deliberately decided to create them.

Haven't you heard? Gaming in the library is a big deal these days. On April 2 & 3, 2008, CPL held the 7th annual Progress with Chess program. Students from Cleveland schools played chess games to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills while having fun. At the Lorain branch there are Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments held every Saturday afternoon where teens trade cards and spend positive time in the library. Collinwood branch library hosts a teen center during weekday afternoons where teens can play PlayStation 2 or bring in their own gaming consoles and challenge each other in popular games like Madden NFL 08 and NBA Live 07. In May, youth from the Cleveland area will gather for Teen Summit 08 and learn how to make digital art and video games. Gaming is quickly changing the way young people relate to the library. How will you interact in the library of the future? (Photo courtesy of the CPL Image Collections)

The Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP) is a wonderful resource for anyone seeking assistance in learning more about patents and trademarks. There is a complete Patent and Trademark Depository Library available to you at the Cleveland Public Library, Government Documents Department, 4th floor, Louis Stokes Wing.

Read more about the patent library program in the April 2008 issue of Inventors Digest: The Magazine of Idea People.

Contact the Government Documents staff at 216-623-2870, and watch the events calendar for ONLINE PATENT SEARCHING classes offered in the Computer Learning Connection.

Tired of orange construction barrels and sink holes? On May 1st grab your lunch and favorite book and head to Cleveland Public Library's Eastman Reading Garden. Perfect for both contemplative thought and social interaction, the Garden offers wireless access, comfortable seating, and a chance to experience the native flora and fauna of downtown Cleveland (feeding of pigeons prohibited, City Ord. 613.02 (b)).

The Eastman Reading Garden is dedicated in honor of Linda Anne Eastman (1867-1963), Director of the Cleveland Public Library from 1918-1938. The current garden was dedicated in 1998 after the construction of the Louis Stokes Wing. It contains public art by Maya Lin, Tom Otterness and poet Tan Lin. Pictures of the Garden throughout its history can be seen here.

Beginning May 1^st  the Eastman Reading Garden will be open to the public Mondays-Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.