DeKalb County Public Library unveiled three bold and colorful designs August 21 as staff announced the winners of its Design-a-Library-Card Art Contest. The winning designs were announced at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library.

Do you own a business? Are you thinking about starting a business? Check out the new DCPL Business page to learn how to

• legally set up a company
• write a business plan
• hire and manage personnel
• market your business
• research your industry and your competitors

To keep the most up-to-date patron records, the Library has changed its guidelines for updating and renewing library cards. All library cards are now being issued with a two year expiration date. Previously issued library cards will come up for renewal on a rolling basis over the next two years. When your library card comes up for renewal, staff will ask you to show picture ID and proof of current address. Any accumulated fines on your account must also be paid before your library card can be renewed.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but inspiration can come from the pages of a book as well. In fact, science fiction authors can exert considerable influence on development of modern technology. An example of this is the virtual world known as Second Life, which was directly inspired by Neal Stephenson’s novel ...