A Plethora of Things To Do @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

From regular programs and activities to special events, YOUR Rowan County Public Library continues to be a very happening place.  Regular programming for April includes:

               AFTERSCHOOL STORYTIME on Monday and Thursday afternoons at 4

               MOTHER GOOSE STORYTIME on Tuesday mornings at 10:15

               TECHNOLOGY CLASSES on Saturdays at noon, Mondays at noon, and                               Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

               CHESS CLUB at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, and Tuesday, April 24

               CREATIVE COLORING on Tuesday, April 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

               FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT on Thursday, April 19, at 6 p.m.  

               TEEN GAME NIGHT on April 25 at 5 p.m.

 In addition to the abundance of ongoing programs, two very special events in April are the:

ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR PICNIC on April 28 at 1 p.m.   Bring your favorite plush friend so both of you may enjoy a story, crafts, and snacks.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE, Thursday, April 19, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday, April 20, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Thousands of books (regular print, large print, young adult, juvenile, and children’s) as well as CDs, DVDs, and more will be available at super sale prices.   Stop by and buy!

Finally, opportunities to check out and read award-winning books abound.  The 2017-2018 winners of the Kentucky Bluegrass Award were announced two days ago.  These books are special because they are selected by Kentucky Preschool through Grade 12 students.   This year’s winners are:

Preschool:          MOTHER BRUCE by Ryan T. Higgins (E HIGG)

Grades K-2:        MADELINE FINN AND THE LIBRARY DOG by Lisa Papp (E PAPP, Children’s New Collection)

Grades 3-5:         DOG MAN by Dav Pikey (J PILK, Children’s Best Collection)

Grades 6-8:         GHOST by Jason Reynolds (J REYN)

Grades 9-12:      THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR by Nicola Yoon (Y NOON, Best Seller Collection)

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National Library Week @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

April 8-14 is National Library Week, an annual celebration of the life-changing work of libraries, librarians, and library workers.  Libraries aren’t just places to borrow books or study—they’re creative and engaging community centers where people can collaborate using new technologies and developing their skills and passions.

               Libraries of all types have long been evolving to meet the needs of the communities they serve.  Diverse groups including community organizations, small business owners, students, and families depend upon libraries and the resources they offer.  Resources such as e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, and programs and resources for job seekers are just a few ways libraries and librarians are transforming to lead their communities.  Community members can also develop their own leadership skills at the library, with endless opportunity to build skills and confidence through resources and programming.  YOUR Rowan County Public Library offers resources and programming for all age groups.  The Library is available to everybody.  It is the community place that levels the playing field for people of any age who seek information for lifelong learning.

               As part of the weeklong celebration, Tuesday, April 10, is designated as National Library Workers Day.  This is a day to recognize all library workers for their many contributions.  Stop by the Library and say, “Thank you” to the outstanding staff members at YOUR Rowan County Public Library.  (And, my thanks to you folks who express your appreciation for our staff in so many ways—notes, social media posts, goodies . . . .)

               Wednesday, April 11, is National Bookmobile Day.  Kentucky has the largest bookmobile fleet in the nation and we at RCPL are proud of Miss Donna and her provision of quality library service “on the road” throughout Rowan County. 

               We invite you to be an active part of the National Library Week celebration.  Stop in the Library and participate in our National Library Week Scavenger Hunt Checkout.   To be entered in our NLW prize drawing, pick up your “Libraries Lead” bookmark and check out the items listed.

International Children’s Book Day @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

“The world is a series of miracles . . . but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary.”

“Where words fail, music speaks.”

“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”

               International Children’s Book Day is April 2, celebrated on the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), Danish storyteller and author who wrote the quotes above, “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Princess and the Pea,” and “The Little Mermaid” as well as “The Snow Queen” which was the basis for Disney’s Frozen.  The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) began the celebration in 1967 to encourage reading and to promote the love of books for young children.  Forming a network of people from all over the world, IBBY members are committed to bringing books and children together.  The IBBY is a nonprofit organization whose mission in part is to promote international understanding through children’s books, to give children everywhere the opportunity to have access to books with high literary and artistic standards, and to protect and uphold the Rights of the Child according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

               How can you celebrate International Children’s Book Day?  Wherever you are, read to a child; give a new book to each of your children; or, donate a book (perhaps your favorite childhood title) to your local library.  For yourself, take just a moment out of your busy day to close your eyes and think about your favorite book from your childhood.  Mine was a much worn paperback of fairy tales, including several written by Hans Christian Andersen.  The cover was turquoise, and I read each tale over and over—and over.  It was the only book I owned, and my only access to a library was one classroom trip a month to the tiny, one-room school library.

               Take a child to YOUR Rowan County Public Library to celebrate the Day.  Our weekly After School Story Time is at 4 p.m. on Monday.  Celebrate reading with a child every time you have an opportunity by taking advantage of happenings at the Library:  Mother Goose Time on Tuesday mornings; After School Story Times on Monday and Thursday afternoons; the eight-week Summer Reading Program; and, special programs throughout the year—mark your calendar now for the Teddy Bear Picnic on April 21.   Take a look at the colorful displays, the AWE computers, the children’s magazines available for checkout, the lists of “100 Books to Read Before Kindergarten,” and the “mini-zoo.”   We have a celebration each time a child becomes an independent reader—after reading a children’s book to Miss Sandy, they receive a certificate, ring the Literacy Bell (very LOUDLY for everybody in the Library to hear!), and have their picture made to be published in The Morehead News.

               I will close with my favorite Hans Christian Andersen quote:

               “The wiser a man becomes, the more he will read, and those who are wisest read most.”

The Travelling Tomato Show

 

 

If it’s spring, it’s time for the Traveling Tomato Show at YOUR Rowan County Public Library.  Back by popular demand, Julie Maruskin will be presenting her program on heirloom seeds on Saturday, March 31, 2-4 p.m. in the Community Room.       Learn to start tomato seeds and take home a free organic heirloom tomato seedling.  Please stop by the Library or call 784-7137 and preregister for the program so we can have enough seedlings for everybody attending.

To learn more about heirloom seeds, borrow some of the following from the Library:

BECOME THE HEIRLOOM GARDENER:  FROM START TO GARDEN TO YOUR DINING ROOM TABLE by William Quam (635 QUAM)

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GROWING HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES by Marie Iannotti (635 IANN; also a downloadable electronic resource)

COMPLETE GUIDE TO GROWING TOMATOES:  EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW EXPLAINED SIMPLY,  INCLUDING HEIRLOOM TOMATOES by Cherie H. Everhart (635 EVER)

HEIRLOOM FLAVOR:  YESTERDAY’S BEST-TASTING VEGETABLES, FRUITS, AND HERBS FOR TODAY’S COOK by Doreen Howard (635 HOWA)

THE HEIRLOOM FLOWER GARDEN:  REDISCOVERING AND DESIGNING WITH CLASSIC ORNAMENTALS by Jo Ann Gardner (635.9 GARD)

HEIRLOOM FRUITS & VEGETABLES by Toby Musgrave (635 MUSG)

HEIRLOOM GARDENING IN THE SOUTH:  YESTERDAY’S PLANTS FOR TODAY’S GARDENS by William C. Welch (712.0975 WELC)

HEIRLOOM:  NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL TOMATO FARMER by Tim Stark (B STAR)

HEIRLOOM PLANTS:  A COMPETE COMPENDIUM OF HERITAGE VEGETABLES, FRUITS, HERBS, & FLOWERS by Thomas Etty (635 ETTY)

HEIRLOOM RECIPE COOKBOOK:  THE FOOD WE LOVE FROM THE TIMES WE TREASURE (641.5975 HEIR)

HEIRLOOM VEGETABLE GARDENING:  A MASTER GARDENER’S GUIDE TO PLANTING, GROWING, SEED SAVING, AND CULTURAL HISTORY by William Woys Weaver (635 WEAV)

HEIRLOOM VEGETABLES:  A GUIDE TO THEIR HISTORY AND VARIETIES by Simon Rickard (635 RICK)

HERITAGE GARDENS, HEIRLOOM SEEDS:  MELDED CULTURES WITH A PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN ACCENT by Michael B. Emery (712.6097 EMER)

KENTUCKY HEIRLOOM SEEDS:  GROWING, EATING, SAVING by Billy F. Best (631.531 BEST)

MAKING VEGETABLES:  VOLUME 1 (GERMINATING HEIRLOOM SEEDS & GROWING THE ORGANIC WAY) by Shoshanna Easling (635.043 EASL)

MELONS:  FOR THE PASSIONATE GROWER by Amy Goldman (635.61 GOLD)

SAVING SEEDS, PRESERVING TASTE:  HEIRLOOM SEED SAVERS IN APPALACHIA by Billy F. Best (631.5209 BEST)

SURVIVAL SEEDS:  THE EMERGENCY HEIRLOOM SEED SAVING GUIDE by M. Anderson (635 ANDE)

SURVIVAL SEEDS:  THE HEIRLOOM SEED SAVING HANDBOOK by M. Bronson (635 BRON)

WHAT MAKES HEIRLOOM PLANTS SO GREAT?  OLD-FASHIONED TREASURES TO GROW, EAT, AND ADMIRE  by Judy Barrett (635 BARR)

Women’s History Month

Celebrate Women’s History Month at RCPL by checking out one of our featured books about the history of women in society and throughout the world! Book display located near the Genealogy Room.

The National Archives celebrates Women’s History Month, recognizing the great contributions that women have made to our nation. Learn about the history of women in the United States by exploring their stories through letters, photographs, film, and other primary sources. SOURCE: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

 

 

 

Meet and Greet: RCPL Executive Director Candidates

Hello to Our Rowan County Community,

On behalf of the Rowan County Public Library Board of Trustees, I am excited to invite you to participate in the hiring process for the new RCPL Executive Director.  As many of you know, Helen Williams, our outstanding Executive Director for the past 18 years, will soon be retiring.  We are excited for her future endeavors but are sad and nervous to see her go.

In an effort to find the most qualified and best-suited person to be the new Executive Director, the Board hired the Miller Consulting Group to assist in the process.  The Executive Director position description was written, the position was advertised nationwide, and applications from several states were received.  The Board met this week to review the applications, to select the top candidates, and to invite them for interviews.

We are inviting you to assist with the selection of the next RCPL Executive Director.  We are grateful for your ongoing support, and we value your opinions.  Please join us on Wednesday, March 21, 4:15-5:15 p.m. for an opportunity to “meet and greet” our top candidates.  They will share their visions for YOUR Library’s future, respond to your questions, and listen to your suggestions.  Refreshments will be served, and a very brief survey will be distributed for your written comments.

The Board and Library staff are excited about your meeting the Executive Director candidates.  The Board members are eager to receive your input as they make this important decision.  We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday.

 

Sincerely,

Catherine D. Smith, President

RCPL Board of Trustees

Playaways @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

While talking with one of our Library patrons a few days ago, I was reminded that my staff and I too often fail to remember that people truly are “creatures of habit.”  So many times people have told me, “I use the Library all the time, but I didn’t realize you had ­­­­­­___________” (you fill in the blank).  If you come to the Library for books, you go directly to the books;  if you use the Library for DVDs, you go directly to the DVDs; if you use the Library’s computers, you go directly to the computers, and so on.  The person I was talking with shared that they check out books “all the time.”  So I asked if they had considered borrowing a preloaded Kindle—maybe one with best sellers on it, or, if they had “read” a Playaway.  No, they had not.  Just in case you haven’t “read” a good Playaway lately, let me tell you what you are missing.

               According to the folks at Findaway, a “Playaway is the simplest way to listen to an audiobook.  Unlike CDs, Playaways do not need a separate player.  Playaways are pre-loaded and ready to use.”  Each tiny Playaway holds an entire book, is powered by an AAA battery (included in the case), and works with almost any headphone (also included in the case).  You can select from five narration speeds and set the volume.  The device remembers where you stopped listening and bookmarks it automatically, and, it weighs only 2 ounces.  The Playaway lets you “read” wherever you are—walking, hiking, sitting in a waiting room, working out at the gym, and even driving.

               YOUR Rowan County Public Library has Playaway collections for adults, young adults, and juvenile readers.  Our younger readers like to listen to the Playaway and follow along with the actual book—a great way to develop reading skills and an excellent aid to folks whose first language is not English.  If you go to rowancountylibrary.org and search the word “Playaway,” the result will be 130 screens of titles!   You may choose from:  fiction, nonfiction, or biographies; bestsellers; classics; series; favorite authors, and various genres.  If we don’t have a title you want, place a request for the title on Playaway in the suggestion box; if it is available in Playaway format, we will order it. 

               A sampling of Playaway titles added during the last six months includes:

ALI:  A LIFE by Jonathan Eig (Playaway New, PA B ALI)

DRAGON TEETH by Michael Crichton (Playaway Best, PA F CRIC)

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:  A BIOGRAPHY by Mary V. Dearborn (PA B HEMI)

FIRE AND FURY:  INSIDE THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE by Michael Wolff (Playaway Best, PA NF WOLF)

THE FIX by David Baldacci (PA F BALD)

GUIDE TO POLITICAL REVOLUTION by Bernard Sanders (PA YANF SAND)

THE HANDMAID’S TALE by Margaret Atwood (PA F ATWO)

HILLBILLY ELEGY:  A MEMOIR OF A FAMILY AND CULTURE IN CRISIS by J.D. Vance (Playaway New,

               PA B VANC)

THE HOUSE OF UNEXPECTED SISTERS by Alexander McCall Smith (PA F MCCA)

HOW DARE THE SUN RISE:  MEMOIRS OF A WAR CHILD by Sandra Uwiringiyimana (PA YANF

               UWIR)

INK by Alice Broadway (Playaway New, PA YAF BROA)

THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ by Antonio Iturbe (Playaway New, PA YAF ITUR)

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng (Playaway Best, PA F NG)

LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Playaway Juvenile New, PA JF WILD)

MAKE YOUR BED:  LITTLE THINGS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE .  . . AND MAYBE THE WORLD by

               William H. McRaven (PA NF MCRA)

THE MYSTERY OF THE MUMMY’S CURSE by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Boxcar Children Series,

               Playaway Juvenile New, PA JF WARN)

THE ROOSTER BAR by John Grisham (Playaway Best, PA F GRIS)

UNBOUND by Stuart Woods (Playaway Best, PA F WOOD)

UNDER THE BOTTLE BRIDGE by Jessica Lawson (Playaway Juvenile New, PA JF LAWS)

WHAT HAPPENED by Hillary Rodham Clinton (Playaway Best, PA NF CLIN)

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn (Playaway Best, PA F FINN)

THE WONDERLING by Mira Bartok (Playaway Juvenile New, PA JF BART)

March Moons @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

Can you believe it?  We have two full moons in March after just having two full moons in January—the only times in 2018 that we will experience two full moons in one month.  A full moon, when the side of the moon that faces the earth is fully illuminated, occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun—about every 29.5 days.  The first full moon this month was March 1 and was called a “full worm moon” by Native Americans according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac (because the ground begins to soften enough for earthworms to appear, thus inviting the robins –a true sign of spring).  When we experience two full moons in one month, the second full moon is called a “blue moon,” not a common event, hence the expression “once in a blue moon” for something that doesn’t happen often.  There will be no more blue moons in 2018.

               We suggest you use the March full moons as an opportunity to teach your children about the fascination folks have with the moon.  Talk with them about the moon and its phases, visit MSU’s fabulous planetarium, and check out some of these great children’s books from YOUR Rowan County Public Library:

AND IF THE MOON COULD TALK by Kate Banks (E BANK)

ARE YOU SURE, MOTHER BEAR? by Amy Hest (E HEST)

BEAR’S ALL-NIGHT PARTY by Bill Harley (E HARL)

BEAUTIFUL MOON, BELLA LUNA by Dawn Jeffers (E JEFF)

BUENAS NOCHES, LUNA by Margaret Wise Brown (E BROW)

CITY MOON by Rachael Cole (E COLE)

DANCE BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON by Joanne Ryder (E RYDE)

THE DARKEST DARK by Chris Hadfield (E HADF)

THE FULL MOON AT THE NAPPING HOUSE by Audrey Wood (E WOOD)

GRANDFATHER TWILIGHT by Barbara Berger (E BERG)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOON by Frank Asch (E ASCH)

IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO THE MOON by Faith McNulty (E MCNU)

MANY MOONS by James Thurber (E THUR)

MAX AT NIGHT by Ed Vere (E VERE)

MONSTERS ARE AFRAID OF THE MOON by Marjane Satrapi (E SATR)

MOON DREAMS by Ruth Martin (E MART)

MOUSE’S FIRST NIGHT AT MOONLIGHT SCHOOL by Simon Puttock (E PUTT)

MY MOMMY HUNG THE MOON by Jamie Lee Curtis (E CURT)

PAPA, PLEASE GET THE MOON FOR ME by Eric Carle (E CARL)

LA PRIMERA LUNA LLENA DE GATITA by Kevin Henkes (E HENK)

STELLA, PRINCESS OF THE SKY by Marie-Louise Gay (E GAY)

Dr. Seuss Night @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

 

Theodore Seuss Geisel, known to us as Dr. Seuss, was born on March 2, 1904.  Come celebrate his 114^th birthday with us at the Rowan County Public Library.  Our Annual Dr. Seuss Night is Thursday, March 1, at 6 p.m. and Library staff members have planned a fun evening of games, prizes, and refreshments.

               Why not celebrate Dr. Seuss throughout the month of March?  YOUR Rowan County Public Library has a large collection of books, CDs, DVDs, and electronic resources just waiting for you to check them out to enjoy with a child.  From old favorites to some titles you may not be aware of, take some of these home after you’ve enjoyed next Thursday’s Dr. Seuss Night:

BOOKS–EASY

AND TO THINK THAT I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET

THE BIPPOLO SEED AND OTHER LOST STORIES

DID I EVER TELL YOU HOW LUCKY YOU ARE?

1. SEUSS’S ALL ABOARD THE CIRCUS MCGURKUS!

THE FOOT BOOK:  DR. SEUSS’S WACKY BOOK OF OPPOSITES

HORTON AND THE KWUGGERBUG AND MORE LOST STORIES

IF I RAN THE CIRCUS

IF I RAN THE ZOO

1. BROWN CAN MOO! CAN YOU?

THE SNEETCHES, AND OTHER STORIES

THERE’S A WOCKET IN MY POCKET!  DR SEUSS’S BOOK OF RIDICULOUS RHYMES

WHAT PET SHOUD I GET?

 

DVDs

THE BEST OF DR. SEUSS

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT:  WINGS AND THINGS

1. SEUSS’ HORTON HEARS A WHO!

THE LORAX

SEUSS CELEBRATION:  9 FAVORITE TELEVISED TV CLASSICS

THE WUBBULOUS WORLD OF DR. SEUSS:  THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR IN HERE

 

JUVENILE EASY BOOKS FOR BEGINNING READERS

BARTHOLOMEW AND THE OOBLECK

THE CAT IN THE HAT

THE CAT IN THE HAT COMES BACK

COME OVER TO MY HOUSE

THE FOOT BOOK

FOX IN SOCKS

GREAT DAY FOR UP!

I HAD TROUBLE IN GETTING TO SOLLA SOLLEW

OH, THE THINKS YOU CAN THINK!

YERTLE THE TURTLE AND OTHER STORIES

YOU’RE ONLY OLD ONCE!            

2018 Award Winners @ YOUR Rowan County Public Library

On February 14, the American Library Association announced the 2018 award winning titles for children and young adults.  The ALA press release states: “Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth.”   For detailed information about the award categories, the award winners, and the honor books, visit http://www.ala.org/yma.

               To check out the available award winning and honor titles, visit the special display in the Children’s Area of YOUR Rowan County Public Library.  You may place a hold on titles that are checked out or that are on order by logging in to your Library account or by asking a Library staff member to do it for you.   Titles currently available include:

JOHN NEWBERY MEDAL:  CROWN:  AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James (E BARN); LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds (YA REYN).

RANDOLPH CALDECOTT MEDAL:  WOLF IN THE SNOW illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell (E CORD); BIG CAT, LITTLE CAT illustrated and written by Elisha Cooper (E COOP);  CROWN:  AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT illustrated by Gordon C. James, written by Derrick Barnes (E BARN).

CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK/ILLUSTRATOR AWARDS:  CROWN:  AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT illustrated by Gordon C. James, written by Derrick Barnes (E BARN); LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds (YA REYN); THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas; OUT OF WONDER:  POEMS CELEBRATING POETS, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Kwame Alexander with Chris Colderly and Marjory Wentworth (J 808.1 OUT).

MICHAEL L. PRINTZ AWARD:  THE HATE YOU GIVE by Angie Thomas (YA THOM); LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds (YA REYN); STRANGE THE DREAMER by Laini Taylor (YA TAYL); VINCENT AND THEO:  THE VAN GOGH BROTHERS by Deborah Heiligman (YA 759.9492 HEIL).

ODESSEY AWARD:  THE WIZARDS OF ONCE by Cressida Cowell (Playaway JF COWE; Book J COWE).

STONEWALL BOOK AWARD—MIKE MORGAN & LARRY ROMANS CHILDREN’S & YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE AWARD:  THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee (YA LEE).

WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD:  THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas (YA THOM); DEAR MARTIN by Nic Stone (YA STON).

YALSA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS:  VINCENT AND THEO:  THE VAN GOGH BROTHERS by Deborah Heiligman (YA 759.9492 HEIL).