August's New Books

Realistic New Books

2012 Teens' Top Ten Nominees

Check Out the New Sci-fi Books

Own the Night

It's finally here!!! I've been working on this program for months, just to be sure you had cool decorations, fun events, and lots of new books.
Here's how it works...
*Stop by any library (LaGrange, Shipshewana, Topeka) or on the bookmobile and set your goal. That's right, you get to decide how many books you want to read this summer.
*Read the books and record them on the reading log.
*Turn in the reading log, by July 28, at the library where you signed up and GET YOUR PRIZE.
*If you want to keep reading, we'll give you another log and you can read more for more prize entries.
Pretty simple- Yeah?

We've also got some great events planned. This Friday is movie night in Topeka (Journey to the Center of the Earth 2) and Late Night @ Your Library in LaGrange (7-9pm for 1st thru 5th graders, 9pm-12am for 6th thru 12th graders). Check out the newsletter section of this blog or the library website (http://www.lagrange.lib.in.us/) for the whole June calendar.

Come out this summer and Own the Night!

New books in May

Wednesday Writer's "What If..."

Here it is...the first Writer's "What If". This idea came from a writing exercise Mike Mullin did during the workshop he presented a few weeks ago. I'll pick an object- something common- and everyone can post the "what if". Here's an example:

A pen

What if...

it brings things to life

it draws in blood

it changes history

Those are pretty simple, and they're a fine start. You can expand as much as you'd like:

What if...it was the pen my seven-year-old son used to draw his last picture before he succumbed to Leukemia last year

What if...Colonel Parker handed that particular pen to Elvis on July 12, 1954, and it changed the course of music history

Get the idea? So for this week our "what if" object is a walkie-talkie. GO!

We're whole people

I spent the last week in Daytona Beach, Florida for grad school. I know, I know...suffering for the library cause:) While I expereinced many interesting things from porpoises to light houses to college grads (Yikes!) by far the most important interactions were with the students and staff at the Florida Braille and Talking Books Library. Here our group heard many stories about people- individuals- and their information needs. We were introduced to a variety of folks and, in a slight way, experienced their world. The tours of the facilites were intriguing, hearing about the various programs was insightful, and interacting on a personal level was a joy. However, the most important aspect of this learning trip can be summed up in a short mantra that was repeated by many of the speakers. "I am a whole person". So, in my profession, that means a patron with a disability may need my help just like any other patron may- or he/she may not. In my personal life that means don't pull my kids away when they're curious about someone's wheel chair or want to ask questions about a service animal. What can it mean for you?

Booklist Creator

I've added a new feature to the blog- a BOOKLIST CREATOR. It's right over there...

Here's how it works:
You click the link that says "Start Now" and fill in the questions.
I take your answers and contact you with books that fit your criteria. I'll even tell you if you can check them out here or through other Evergreen libraries.
You can place them on hold and pick them up when you have time or come in and pick them out in person. Your choice!

May is...Photo Month

May is...national Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, American Bike Month, Older Americans Month, Mental Health Month, Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, Salad Month, Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Flower Month, Duckling Month, and Photo Month. (*exerted breathing* I'm worn out typing all of them, and that's not the whole list.) We certainly love to give everything equal due. While I'm sure there are many interesting ways to celebrate all of these worthy causes, we're focusing (pun intended) on photo month. I know it may be one of the less imprtant, but it's fun:) It's really pretty simple to participate. You can stop by the library with some great photos you've taken. I'll display them and you get a prize! Or, you can send them to me via email, Facebook, DA; I'll display them and you get a prize! Or, you can snail them to me; I'll display them and you get a prize! Or, well there aren't any other ways I can think of- but you get the idea. See the theme here? Your work is displayed and you get a prize! Get them here (The Library in LaGrange) by May 31.

                         These are photos from Mike Mullin's visit last week. I didn't take them:(

April's Newest Books

Mike Mullin Is Coming To See Us!!

Mike Mullin author of Ashfall is coming here for a writers workshop! Come meet this new author at the LaGrange Public Library Friday April 20 at 4:00. Don't forget your paper, you might just come out of this workshop with the beginnings of your very own Best Seller.