Making Friends... at the Library

Something special took place in the Children's Room last Thursday.    Some Furry Friends  came to the library to listen to stories read to them by children.  The purpose of the Reading Buddies is to promote confidence in young readers. Children read to trained "listening" dogs who do not correct, criticize or critique.  They just listen!

Some of the dogs seemed to listen intently...

... while others just loved all the attention.




The Furry Friends Reading Buddies program will take place the fourth Thursday of every month at 4:00 pm.  Children ages 4 through 12 are invited to come and read to one of the wonderful Reading Buddies.   But, be sure to come early and register, because this promises to be a very popular program!

Almost One... at the Library

 It is hard to believe, but our new Library has been open almost one year.  I have been a librarian for many years, and I thought working in the new Library would not be much different than working in the old Library.  Boy, was I wrong!

Our new building is light and airy and very welcoming.  Upstairs has a multitude of places to sit and study or relax and read.  There are designated study rooms, and lots of little nooks and crannies where you can work.  Some people just  like to sit in the comfy chairs and enjoy the outdoor views.

Right now, the Teen Room is quiet, but come 2:00 this afternoon, and the place will be hoppin'!

 And of course, there is the Children's Room, with its "starry" ceiling, its fabulous nurdle nooks, and its great librarians.

If you haven't been to the Library, yet,  come on down and experience it for yourself. 

Silicon Valley Reads... at the Library

 Silicon Valley Reads 2013 has its kickoff event on January 30th, but it is not too early to start reading the great books the SVR committee has chosen this year.

The theme this year is "invisible wounds of war" and all the books selected have this as their underlying theme.

Brian Castner initially wrote The Long Walk for his children.  He wanted to help them understand what it was like for him in combat and at home, trying to adjust to his post-war life.  

Minefields of the Heart, by Sue Diaz, looks at how war affects those left at home. Her son, Roman, was deployed twice to Iraq, and she describes the emotional rollercoaster the family experienced during the time he was gone.

Besides the two adult selections SVR has chosen four books for children.  Night Catch, by Brenda Ehrmantrau, is a picture book for young children.  Nubs: the true story of a mutt a marine and a miracle, by Brian Dennis, is geared to children in grades 2-5.  

Tweens will want  to read Back home, by Pulitzer Prize winner, Julia Keller, and Purple Heart, by Patricia McCormick, has been selected for especially for kids 14 and older.

The Library has copies of all the Silicon Valley Reads books, so come in and start reading today!

Culinary Adventures... at the Library

A new year means new resolutions, and some of us have resolved to get out of our culinary ruts, and spice up our cooking skills.  Here at the Library, we have lots of books to choose from, including Julia's.

Some of us have to feed small children, so we look for ways to make food more kid-friendly.  Books like Weelicious are designed for busy parents, but have recipes that appeal to both kids and adults.



Some of us are tired of cooking, and need a little inspiration to make cooking fun, again.  For me, trying something new is the easiest way to take the tedium out of cooking.  One of the books I borrowed from the Library, and ended up buying, is The Picky Palate Cookbook.  Although it is in the Parenting Collection (in the Children's Room) it has lots of recipes that I plan to try.



And then there are people like Henry, who love the artisan bread movement.  He frequently brings a freshly baked loaf (still warm from the oven) to the staff room, and we feast on it all day.

Life is good at the Library!

Past, Present, and Future... at the Library

It's New Year's Resolution time, and here at the Library, we have some ideas for things you can accomplish this year... this month, in fact! 


First, you can learn more about your family's past.  On Tuesday, January 8th, we have a class where you can learn how to use Ancestry.com.  (Okay, so Einstein may not be one of your ancestors, but you won't know for sure until you do some research.)

Second, you need to learn how to download library e-books on that new iPad or Android that your well-meaning relative gave you for Christmas.  Well, there is no time like the present - or more precisely, no time like Tuesday, January 22nd - to get started.  The class is tailored to the specific needs of iPad/Android users, so get it out of the box, bring it to the library, learn how to use it, and, finally, write that Thank-you note!

Third, you know that someday you want to write a novel, but you are a little intimidated about the whole publishing process.  Well, Smashwords has just made the publishing process much easier.  On Tuesday, January 14th, Angela Schiavone from Smashwords will be here to discuss the sercrets to E-Book publishing succes.