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Book Recommendations for February 2012

02/07/2012

Winter is a good time to catch up on your reading. Check out these book recommendations suggested by the Columbia Branch Library staff.

Adult Fiction Book Recommendations by Sandy Mitchell, Columbia Branch Librarian Supervisor

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Magical, magnetizing, and memorable are just a few words to describe this book. Pick up the book and look at the simply designed cover and it will make you wonder what kind of a circus story is within. Start reading the first chapter and you will be drawn in by the characters, descriptive scenes, and unusual plot. Erin Morgenstern has created a fantastical story of two circus apprentices, Celia and Marco, who take center stage in a competition that leaves this circus life on the brink of disaster.

The Dog Who Knew Too Much: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn
Spencer Quinn (aka Peter Abrahams) has written his fourth book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. Chet, the border collie narrator and Bernie Little (human) are partners in the Little Detective Agency. A mother believes her ex has taken her missing son from a wilderness camp and Chet and Bernie get involved. Quinn’s mystery brings elements of suspense, action, and light hearted humor to create an entertaining read. Don’t miss his other three mysteries in the series, starting with Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery.

1222: A Hanne Wilhelmsen Novel by Anne Holt
Anne Holt, Norway’s bestselling female crime writer, has written a page turning suspense mystery in this U.S. debut. A train derails during a massive blizzard and the passengers go to a nearby hotel that is eerily empty, except for the help. One of the passengers is found dead in the morning and retired, wheel chair bound, police inspector Hanne Wilhelmsen, takes on the investigation. Follow Hanne, with her keen powers of observation, as she works to solve the crime with unusual suspects and nonstop action that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Nonfiction Adult Book Recommendations by Karlyn Chilenski, Library Associate II, Columbia Branch Library

Just A Second: A Different Way to Look at Time by Steve Jenkins
Got a second? That’s enough time for a shrew’s heart to beat 14 times or a bumblebee’s wings to beat 200 times. This nonfiction book has a fascinating approach to thinking about time and has many unique and unusual nuggets of information.

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland
National Geographic magazine writer Jennifer Holland documents some of the most heartwarming and unusual bonds in the animal kingdom. Friendships between predator and prey, mammal and reptile, and bird and primate show how compassion and empathy can cross species borders.

All My Patients Kick and Bite: More Favorite Stories from A Vet’s Practice by Jeff Wells
This is the second collection of Jeff Wells’ amusing and entertaining tales of life as a veterinarian in Colorado. These heartwarming and heartbreaking episodes are a mix of unexpected moments that warm the reader and show the resilient spirit of a remarkable and caring person who treats both animals and their humans.

Children’s Book Recommendations by Monique Sherban, Library Associate I, Columbia Branch Library

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
For 4th graders to 8th graders. Follow H? and her family for a year through the many ups and downs in their lives. H? lives with her mother and three brothers in Saigon during the Vietnam War. As Saigon falls she and her family are forced to flee the only country they have ever known to board a crowded ship into uncertainty. H? and her family come to live in Alabama where they must learn a new way of life. This book, written in verse, tells a courageous, emotional story of a family’s determination and love for one and other.

When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic
For 4 to 8-year-olds. What will Billy be when he grows up? Eight-year-old Billy is asked “When I grow up, what am I gonna be?” for show-and–tell. This is a subject he really has been thinking about … everything from the “greatest chef you’ve ever seen” to a snail trainer or maybe even gorilla masseuse. Will Billy be a sumo wrestler or pit-sniffing deodorant tester? Read this funny picture book and find out what Billy decides.

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
For preschoolers to 1st graders. In this playful picture book all of the zoo animals are created by different sizes of colorful hearts. Easy text and fun pictures makes this a fun book to enjoy with your preschooler.

Young Adult Book Recommendations by Jennifer Hirth, Library Associate I, Columbia Branch Library

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
For 13-year-olds and up. The combination of a mysterious island and a reputedly, abandoned orphanage generates a thrilling and suspenseful must read. Reeling from a devastating tragedy that suddenly leaves him orphaned, sixteen year-old Jacob receives an intriguing letter that compels him to embark on an inexplicable journey to the secretive Welsh island where his grandfather was raised. Upon arriving to the remote island, Jacob discovers the ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, where children perished decades ago. Jacob realizes the mind-boggling possibility that these children may still be alive, despite the natives’ continuous declarations to the contrary. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children artfully intertwines vintage photographs to create a truly authentic experience.

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
For 13-year-olds and up. Like any other teenage girl, Pearl enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and frequenting local haunts to grab some quick grub. Unlike other teenagers, Pearl is a sassy, quirky vampire, whose family has been chosen to host the King’s feast. Pearl’s life begins a tumultuous transformation when she is abruptly stabbed through the heart by a unicorn, never mind that unicorns simply do not exist. After this unexpected attack, Pearl is inexplicably able to withstand the sun and, therefore, shortly finds herself enrolled in high school. Pearl is expected to make friends with her fellow high school peers and subsequently lure them to the King’s feast, where they will unknowingly be the main course. Pearl’s bizarre unicorn attack has affected her in more ways than she has initially realized; Pearl has developed a conscience. Pearl must cope with managing her family’s expectations with her conflicting conscience; not to mention the fact that her family’s safety will be endangered if they fail to appease their King.

Stay With Me by Paul Griffin
For 14-year-olds and up. Stay With Me is a coming of age story that articulates the bittersweet experience of first love. Paul Griffin has created a modern and relatable Romeo and Juliet romance. CeCé is the over-achieving, straight A perfectionist and Mack is a high school dropout. Despite his tough exterior, Mack is tremendously sensitive and vulnerable. Cecé and Mack begin to bond over a rescued dog and a romance soon flourishes. Mack’s past, however, soon rears its ugly head and his mistakes become apparent. Cecé and Mack must cope with the reality of living without the person they love.

At the Lorain Public Library System's Main Library in Lorain, We're Wild About Eyes!

01/06/2012

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and Prevent Blindness Ohio have joined forces to develop, construct, and present Wild About Eyes, a kiosk interactive exhibit designed to convey an appreciation for the Gift of Sight through “hands-on” learning activities.

Focusing primarily on children ages 6 to 10 and their parents, caregivers and teachers, the Wild About Eyes kiosk is designed to educate and enlighten all visitors about eye health and safety in a fun way. Stop in any day the Main Library is open between February 8 and March 7 and visit the kiosk exhibit in Browser’s® Corner to learn more!

In addition to the kiosk, Prevent Blindness Ohio will be presenting a special story time and activity program on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m. for preschoolers and their families at the Main Library, 351 W. Sixth Street, Lorain. State Senator Gayle Manning will be a guest reader. Learn about how our eyes work and ways that we can keep our eyes healthy and safe. After the program, participate in a free vision screening conducted by Prevent Blindness Ohio. Children who do not pass their vision screening will also be given vouchers for free eye examinations or glasses provided by Davis Vision.

The Wild About Eyes kiosk was developed as a joint venture between the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton, Ohio and Prevent Blindness Ohio. The kiosk and associated programming are funded by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Child and Family Health Services, Save Our Sight Program. Preregistration is required by calling the Main Library at 440-244-1192 or 1-800-322-READ, ext. 449. The Lorain Public Library System’s Main Library is located at 351 W. Sixth Street, Lorain.

For more information about eye health and safety, visit http://preventblindnessamerica.us/wiseabouteyes/.

Free Sunday Program Series In January Through March At North Ridgeville Branch Library

12/06/2011

The popular Sunday program series at the North Ridgeville Branch Library returns with a variety of free programs for all ages on Sundays, from January 15 through March 25.

Enjoy music; gain an appreciation for Rembrandt's paintings; watch history come alive; and get a great bargain at the Book Sale.

The series is cosponsored by
The Friends of the North Ridgeville Branch Library, Inc.

For more information, call the North Ridgeville Branch Library at 440-327-8326. The North Ridgeville Branch Library is located at 35700 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville.

The Sunday program series will include:

Clara Barton – Portrayed By Carol Starre-Kmiecik
Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m.
Clara Barton (1821-1912) became well known for her work as a nurse on the battlefields during the Civil War. Her love of charity and dedication to medicine inspired her to create the American Red Cross. This special one-woman production will bring this great personality to life.

Mark Twain Portrayal
Sunday, January 22 at 3 p.m.
Mark Twain will come to life to share his wit and wisdom with the audience in this lively first person portrayal by North Ridgeville resident, Dennis Boose.

Book Sale
Sunday, January 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Open to the public. Large assortment of books, movies and puzzles for all ages.

The Underground Railroad: The Lorain County Connection
Sunday, February 5 at 3 p.m.
Learn about the major routes and safe houses that were used as stops on the Underground Railroad in Lorain County in this presentation by Jim Smith of the Education Committee of Lorain County Historical Society. He will also share information about some of the food and music that was common at the time.

The North Ridgeville Story: 202 Years Of History
Sunday, February 12 at 3 p.m.
It has been 202 years since a group of men walked all the way from Connecticut to settle the area we now refer to as the city of North Ridgeville. Whether you are a new resident or have lived in this area all your life, you are invited to take a look at some of the early buildings and people who shaped the city as we know it today. Cosponsored by The Friends of the North Ridgeville Branch Library, Inc. and The North Ridgeville Historical Society, Inc.

The Titanic: 100 Years Since Its Sinking
Sunday, February 19 at 3 p.m.
Experience what life was like on the ill fated Titanic as we commemorate the upcoming 100th year since the April 1912 sinking of this famous ship. Staff from the Education Committee of the Lorain County Historical Society will present an up close and personal account of this disaster that remains of interest today.

Battle Scars: Stories Of The Civil War
Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m.
Eden Valley Enterprises will present this storytelling program. Find out about the song that kept the war going on both sides. Learn about the Great Escape at Libby Prison and about the failed "escape" at the Johnson's Island Prison as well as other Civil War tales.

7 Mile Isle Steel Drum Band
Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m.
All ages will enjoy the warm sounds of Trinidad and Tobago in the midst of Ohio's wintertime as this popular steel drum band returns to play its unique sound of steel drums and other instruments.

The Cleveland Grays: An Urban Military Company 1837-1865
Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m.
Dr. George Vourlojianis, Associate Professor of History at Lorain County Community College, will present his program about The Grays, Cleveland's premier independent volunteer military company. They were the first company to leave Cleveland in response to President Lincoln's April 1861 call for volunteers, and they served throughout the Civil War.

New Orleans Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, March 18 at 3 p.m.
Dixieland music at its finest will be shared by this five person musical group from the Cleveland area that will be appearing for the first time in the Library's Sunday program series. Enjoy the lively music of the banjo, clarinet, trombone, bass and drums for some old fashioned fun and entertainment.

Rembrandt In America: Cleveland Museum Of Art Program
Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m.
In conjunction with the current Cleveland Museum of Art's exhibition, Rembrandt in America, a Museum staff member will present a program to lay the foundation for understanding the history of Rembrandt paintings, including those in the Museum's collection. Preregistration is required by calling the North Ridgeville Branch Library at 440-327-8326.

The Lorain Public Library System Helps Every Child Get Ready To Read

12/01/2011

Learning to read begins before children start school. Young children need to develop important language and literacy skills before they can actually learn to read.

Parents and other caregivers can start now to help their children develop these skills. Every Child Ready to Read®, a national research-based program, demonstrates how parents can use five familiar and easy-to-use practices to develop language and other early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.

The Lorain Public Library System offers programs that explain why the skills are so important, demonstrate how to help children learn the skills, provide titles of high-interest books that are age appropriate, and send parents and caregivers home with early literacy activities they can incorporate into their family’s daily routine.

The programs are based on research about language, early literacy skills, and how children learn. We know that children from birth to age five learn primarily through interactions with their parents and other important adults in their lives as well as from their environment. Every Child Ready to Read® gives parents and other caregivers simple, but powerful ways to help children develop the language and other skills they need to learn to read.

According to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA), the divisions of the American Library Association that developed Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library®, parents and other caregivers are in the best position to help young children learn these skills because:

Parents know their children best and can help them learn in ways and at times that are easiest for them.
Young children have short attention spans. Parents and caregivers can engage children in language and literacy activities for short bits of time throughout the day.
Parents are tremendous role models–children are more likely to want to read if they see that their parents value and enjoy reading.
Children learn best by doing—and they love doing things with their parents.

Parents can give children a tremendous advantage in school and in life by helping prepare them for reading success. For more information about scheduling an early literacy program as well as other materials and resources for parents and caregivers, stop in at any Lorain Public Library System location or the Bookmobile.

Our Libraries also offer a variety of free story programs throughout the year. These story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers help children begin an appreciation for books and reading. The story programs feature pre-reading skills for parents and children including finger plays, music, rhythm and crafts. Click here for details about upcoming programs, or contact your local Lorain Public Library System Library.

Mad Scientist Series At Domonkas Branch Library In Sheffield Lake Lets Kids Explore Science With Fun Hands-On Activities

11/29/2011

Kids of all ages are invited to explore science through the fun, free Mad Scientist Series at Lorain Public Library System’s Domonkas Branch Library, 4125 E. Lake Rd., Sheffield Lake.

Attend any or all of the following programs. Preregistration is required by calling the Domonkas Branch Library at 440-949-7410.

Outrageous Ooze
Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m.
Make your own handmade, gooey, green slime and learn about ooze, a non-Newtonian fluid. Please bring your own container to take ooze home. All other supplies provided by the Library. Preregistration is required.

Homemade Non-Toxic Dough
Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m.
Learn how to make your own non-toxic dough with custom colors. Bring your own plastic bag or container. All other supplies will be provided. Preregistration is required.

Fireworks In A Dish
Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m.
See some very unusual things happen when you mix a few household ingredients. All supplies provided. Preregistration is required.

Check Out The Ohio Obituary Index On The Internet

03/24/2011

Lorain Public Library System (LPLS) is now a partner Library that inputs obituary information to the online Hayes Presidential Center Ohio Obituary Index.

Originally the Ohio Obituary Index was compiled from newspapers by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Library staff and volunteers. Starting in 2001, other Ohio Libraries started entering data into the Index, so it now extends beyond the holdings of the Hayes Presidential Library.

As of this date, 47 Libraries are partners in the Ohio Obituary Index and are indexing old and current newspaper entries, totaling more than 1.8 million obituaries from 1810-2011.

When LPLS signed up with the Ohio Obituary Index, we shared almost 50,000 records that had been stored on the LPLS computer network. Those records can now be searched by anyone who has access to the Internet.

The Ohio Obituary Index also partners with Ancestry.com and Archives.com. The Hayes Presidential Center has created an online resource that allows people to use the Internet to find their ancestor’s obituary and then either send for a copy of the obituary, or to visit the location that owns the microfilm or newspapers that have been indexed. Check out the Ohio Obituary Index on the Internet at http://index.rbhayes.org/hayes/index/.

Would you like to get involved as a volunteer who adds obituary information to the Ohio Obituary Index? Do you have Internet access at home? If you have answered yes to both of these questions, we would be glad to hear from you. Contact Valerie Smith, LPLS Public Services Coordinator for details at vsmith@lpls.info.

Lorain Public Library System Now Uses Debt Collection Service

11/22/2010

As of January 2011, the Lorain Public Library System uses Unique Management Services as a collection agency.

The agency is used to get overdue library materials returned to the Library and to collect monies from patrons owing at least $50 in overdue library materials, or $50 in combined library fines and overdue library materials.

Don’t let your library fines and library fees for overdue materials get out of control.

Please bring back library materials on time, so other library patrons can borrow and enjoy them too.

Thank you for your cooperation.

For more information, contact Debra Jackson, Public Services Coordinator, Lorain Public Library System by email at djackson@lpls.info or by phone at 440-244-1192, ext. 257 or 1-800-322-READ, ext. 257.

Lorain Public Library System Offers Free Downloadable Music From Its Website

11/19/2010

Music lovers are now able to enjoy Lorain Public Library System’s new service. Lorain Public Library System library card holders may download music for free from Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists.

Called Freegal, this new service will allow Lorain Public Library System to increase the size and diversity of its music collection by offering access to hundreds of thousands of songs.

Under the terms of the agreement, library patrons who have a library card issued by the Lorain Public Library System can download three Sony Music tracks in the MP3 format weekly at no direct cost. To use the Freegal service, go to the Lorain Public Library System’s website at www.lorainpubliclibrary.org and click on the Freegal button.

“We have been waiting a long time for a service like this that delivers great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use. We think this will be incredibly popular with our patrons,” said Joanne Eldridge, Lorain Public Library System Director.

“Sony Music has an incredibly expansive and popular catalog and we are really excited to partner with them on this, a very important product for libraries,” said Brian Downing, co-founder of Library Ideas.

For further information, please call Valerie Smith, Lorain Public Library System's Public Services Coordinator at 440-244-1192, ext. 254 or 1-800-322-READ, ext. 254.

The Lorain Public Library System provides library service through its Main Library in Lorain, the South Lorain Branch, Avon Branch, Columbia Branch, Domonkas Branch in Sheffield Lake, North Ridgeville Branch and the Bookmobile.

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.