National Picture Book Month!

By Jan Pease

I just learned that November is Picture Book Month.  Here are several new picture books to savor.

The Moon Inside, by Sandra V. Feder, is a sweet addition to the collection that will help children understand that night has its own beauty and there is nothing to fear in the dark. This is a perfect bedtime story, like Time for Bed,  by Mem Fox and The Midnight Farm, by Reeve Lindbergh, both older favorites of mine. 

Bears in the Snow, by Shirley Parenteau, is almost too sweet.  The four adorable bears romping through the book are so cute you might want give them huggie-wuggies and kissy-wissies (a phrase we often say to our very cute dog).

Some books meant to be read out loud are more fun for the reader than the child.    I purchased three “Baby Lit” board books for the children’s collection.  They claim to be “a fashionable way to introduce your child to the world of classic literature.”  Jennifer Adams wrote these delightful little books.  Little Miss Alcott: Little Women features quotations from the book such as “Amy put on her best white frock, smoothed her curls, and sat down to draw under the honeysuckle.”  Our other titles include Little Master Homer: The Odyssey and Edgar and the Tree House of Usher. I might admit to a little buyer’s remorse, but I really can imagine reading them to little ones in our family.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland is a book that was based on the song by Felix Bernard and Richard B Smith, as sung by Peggy Lee, illustrated by Tim Hopgood.  One problem I see with the book is that when they build the snowman in the meadow, they pretend that he’s a Santa clown.  Now, clowns are scary, right?  But then the other kiddies knock him down, so we’re ok.  The real problem I see, which nearly made me pass this one by, is the line, “We’ll frolic and play the Eskimo way.”  It’s one of those thinly-veiled stereotypes that is just so 1934 (when the song was originally written).

 

Denise Fleming has re-worked the children’s song, 5 Little Ducks, to include several pond animals, some wild turkeys, the days of the week, a cute little girl named  Anna, and a family of adventurous Mallard ducks. This is the kind of book that makes picture books so great.  You can pore over the entire book, including end papers, to see Ms. Fleming’s imagination at work.

Finally, Not Quite Black and White, by Jonathan Ying, is a book about colors that could be called “On Beyond Orange and Green,” as Mr. Ying includes lavender, aqua, maroon,  and a penguin wearing yellow boots.  Jonathan Ying lives in Minnesota; I think we’re glad to claim him.

How will YOU celebrate National Picture Book Month?

New and old computers at the library

by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian

What’s new at the library?  You might have noticed when you walk in the door that things look a bit different in the computer area.  We have new computers, something you’ll see throughout Pioneerland Library System. 

The reason things look different in our library is because we have fewer desktop computers than we did before.  Our computers at Litchfield don’t get the heavy use they did in years past because so many people bring in their own laptops, tablets, and phones to use with our wifi instead, so we purchased only as many as we need now.  We kept track of the number that were being used simultaneously, counting people on different days and at different times to make the decision.  Instead of twelve computers you could sign up for on the adult side, we now have nine, and we have three on the children’s side instead of four.  We also added two laptops, bringing that total to four.  When you add all of those together plus the iPad we also have available to check out, we have seventeen devices you can sign up to use instead of the sixteen we used to have.  So it’s actually an increase!

In place of two desktop computers that were dedicated for library catalog use, we now have a tablet for that purpose, mounted on a column behind the computers.  It’s similar to what Target has for gift registries now.

So although it looks like a huge drop in the number of computers, it’s really not.  It’s mostly set up differently, with a wider variety of types of computers in use. 

When I started working at the library seven years ago, which is around the time when we got our previous desktops, the computers were often full, and every day we had to ask people to give the next person a turn after their half-hour allotment of time was over.  Even with fewer computers now, it’s unusual for every computer to be full or for us to have to tell people their time is up.  It seems this number of computers is meeting our community’s needs.

I know that people often don’t like to sit next to a stranger while they use a computer.  We hear that from customers pretty often.   If you feel that way, I would encourage you to check out a laptop or iPad and find a private place to sit with it.  There are desks, tables, and comfortable chairs throughout the library, plus two study rooms.  You need to have your library card with you to check out one of these devices, and it can’t be blocked by having over five dollars in fines.  The laptops and iPad have to stay in the library; you can’t check them out to take home.

The library laptops can do something I think is pretty amazing: they print to our regular printer just like the other computers.  So if you need to print, using a library laptop is no barrier. 

What happens to the old computers?  We’re selling them.  If you would like to buy an HP DC7900 desktop PC with a 160GB hard drive, a 19-inch widescreen monitor, and discs you can use to install Windows software, talk to someone at the library’s front desk and we can give you the details.  Pioneerland’s IT department has wiped the hard drives, so they’re equivalent to refurbished computers.

If you need to use a computer, an iPad, a printer, a scanner, or a microfilm reader, we have all of those kinds of equipment to meet your needs at the library.  I hope to see more people using the laptops in the months to come, making use of different places to sit in the library while they do their banking, their emailing, and their Facebooking.  When you don’t have high-speed internet at home, the library is here to give you access to the world of online information.

Back in the Saddle Again

By Jan Pease

We’re ba-a-ack!  OK, I liked the movie, “Independence Day,” so I just couldn’t resist.  Yes, today marks the return of the Litchfield Library column after a sabbatical of nearly three months.  We experienced a very busy summer and a very busy fall.

This month Pioneerland Library System came out with its end of summer report.  There are 32 member libraries in our system, and the theme this year was “Read For the Win.”   580 preschool children registered to participate in summer reading.  2,093 elementary students ages 5-12 registered, and 355 tweens and teens, ages 11 and older registered. 210 story times were presented, with an attendance of 4,908.

In Litchfield, 348 young people signed up to participate in the summer reading program.  I’m very pleased with that number.  67 children from that number could be identified as preschoolers, who had a completion rate of 52%. 25 readers could be identified as teens.  Their completion rate was 36%, but I’m just happy that teens were using the library.  Our target audience, elementary students was very involved.  256 kids registered, and 53% of them completed it.  Of those who completed the “reading game,” most kids brought in their reading records every ten days. That meant an amazing amount of reading was taking place.

The library presented 18 story times.  466 children and parents attended.  Story time is so much fun, and I’m continually surprised by the maturity of three and four year old children. 

One highlight of the summer program was borrowing a new room at Litchfield Christian Church to present Professor Marvel.  He brought his program, “Library Olympics” to Litchfield.  If you’ve attended his programs in the past, you’ve been part of a standing-room-only crowd.  We had more than 200 children and parents attend, and next year I hope to have 300 or more.   It is so handy to have a large, very nice space so close to the library. 

On Wednesday afternoons we had a smorgasbord of activities for students in grades 1-3.  Some days we had Fun with 4-H, some days we made things, some days we played board games, and one afternoon we tested our sense of taste.  I think we’ll offer something like this in the summer of 2017.

Mariah began an interesting activity in May for students in grades 4-8.  She calls it Art Journaling, and they get together on the second Monday of each month to make art journals using different supplies and techniques.  This great program will continue throughout the school year.

Other library programs that will happen throughout the school year include Toddler Time Wednesdays at 10:15, Preschool Story Time Fridays at about 10:00, Beginner Book Club for grades 1-3 on the third Thursdays of the month at 3:15, and Brickheads for ages 4-14 every Thursday evening at 6:30. 

Finally, I’m so happy to announce that Litchfield Library will welcome Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and his daughter, Kamie Page, to  2^nd Saturday Story Hour on Saturday, November 12, at 10:00.  They will read from their children’s book, The Invisible You, and celebrate uniqueness in everyone.   I hope to see you there!

Percy Jackson cosplay party for ages 10 - teen today

Job opening at Litchfield Library - Shelver

Job opening: Library Assistant I at Litchfield Public Library

Job description: Shelves materials in their proper locations, sets up carts in preparation for shelving, performs shelf-reading and straightens shelves, shifts materials as needed, assists patrons in locating materials, and performs related work as apparent or assigned. 

Qualifications: Requires some high school and an understanding of library organization and services, or a combination of education, training and experience necessary to perform the requirements of the job.  Must have attention to detail and be able to use alphabetical and numerical classification systems when instructed.  Must be able to interact with a wide range of customers in a courteous and effective manner.  Must be able to follow instructions and work independently.

Physical requirements: Requires seeing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, lifting up to 25 pounds, and pushing carts filled with books. 

Hours: 4 hours per week: 2 hours on Friday or Saturday and 2 additional hours another day.  Additional subbing hours when needed.

Applicants should submit a completed Pioneerland application form to the Litchfield Library by September 9, 2016.  For more information, contact Beth Cronk at (320)693-2483.

Thank you to our summer reading sponsors!

by Beth Cronk, Meeker County Librarian

As the summer winds down, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the local businesses and organizations that helped support the summer reading program in the libraries in Meeker County.  With 356 kids participating in Litchfield, 130 in Dassel, and 39 in Grove City, we have been having a busy summer, and we appreciate the generosity of our donors who helped make it fun for the kids.

First, I would like to thank the Friends of the Litchfield Public Library.  They assist in funding the summer reading program prizes every year for the Litchfield Library, as well as things like craft supplies that we use in special summer activities like this year’s Wednesday Fun at the Library.  The prizes funded by the Friends include brand-new books for kids of all ages.  You help the Friends support programs for kids whenever you shop at the library book sale.  The next book sale is this Saturday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library meeting room.

I’d also like to thank the businesses that donated gift certificates that the kids can choose as prizes.  The following local businesses donated certificates given as prizes in all three libraries in Meeker County: Litchfield, Grove City, and Dassel.

• ·         Pizza Ranch: pizzas
• ·         McDonald’s: fries and desserts
• ·         Pizza Hut: pizzas
• ·         KLFD: Minnesota Zoo passes

Litchfield DQ donated Dilly Bars for kids in the Litchfield and Grove City programs.  Cokato DQ has given certificates for ice cream cones to the Dassel program. 

Jimmy’s Pizza of Litchfield donated pizza gift certificates for kids in the Litchfield summer reading program, and Jimmy’s Pizza of Dassel donated certificates for the Dassel program. 

Cokato Subway has given certificates for cookies to the Dassel summer reading program.

The Kandiyohi County Area YMCA donated family passes for the Grove City program. 

The Dassel Community Chest gave a donation that allowed the Dassel Library to buy new books to give to kids as prizes.

The Cokato-Dassel Lions gave a donation that we used to bring in St. John’s Outdoor University to the Dassel Library for a program called “Nature Olympics”.  St. John’s teaches kids ages three through twelve about science through stories, games, and other activities.

A library cooperative in southwestern Minnesota called SAMMIE provided a grant that the Dassel Library used to create a summer program called Maker Fun.  This twice-monthly program offers a variety of activities for kids age 10 and up, such as games, crafts, and cooking. They have one session left this summer.  Because it has been popular, we’ll be continuing that into fall, once a month on the second Monday after school. 

Thank you to all of these businesses and organizations for supporting kids and reading in our communities.  The summer reading programs in all three libraries continue through the last day of August.  Kids and teens can bring in their summer reading game sheets for prizes until then.  Keep reading for fun, for prizes, and for school readiness!  

Of Mermen, Mermaids, and Life

By Jan Pease

Is 1977 considered one of the golden years of television?  Shows that began in 1977 included The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, The Incredible Hulk, and The Man from Atlantis.  The only show of these four I haven’t seen on cable is The Man from Atlantis. What does this have to do with anything?  Well, I remember that show fondly for the immensity of the oceans and the idea that all kinds of new things were lurking in their depths. This show was like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, but with a hunky merman.  Disney took the idea of mermaids to an extreme level of cuteness in 1989, but I still missed “Mark,” who could breathe water and swim like a dolphin. 

Recently several young readers have asked me for books about mermaids.    There are series on HBO titled H2O: Just Add Water, and H2O: Mermaid Adventures, and Netflix has Mako Mermaids.  The book market has caught on to this trend, with series like Emily Windsnap, by Liz Kessler, Disney’s Mermaid Tales, and various picture books. 

Jennifer Donnelly has a series about mermaids that young adults will find intriguing.  Her underwater world is inhabited by mermen and mermaids that are definitely not cute.   Political intrigues, love interests, and strong friendships characterize this series.  We received the last book in the series, Sea Spell, first, but Deep Blue, Rogue Wave, and Dark Tide are all on order.   Ms. Donnelly calls her series “The WaterFire Saga” and it is aptly named. 

Adi Alsaid writes touchy-feely books (sorry, romance and friendship books) for young adults.  This is our first year to try his publisher, Harlequin Teen, and I’m still not sure about this genre.  They are definitely written for older young adults.   Mr. Alsaid’s newest book,  Never Always Sometimes  is a book that received varied reviews on amazon.com.   Most Amazon customers gave this book three or four stars, but one stated it was “a story that wasn't even worth telling.”  I liked this one, (it) “dragged on and on and on and on and no and on.”  I don’t know if the word “no” was a typo or was a deliberate statement.  Mr. Alsaid has a reputation for understanding the feelings experienced by teenagers, and since he was born in 1987, at 29 he isn’t far removed from his audience.    If you read some of our Harlequin Teen books, let me know what you think.

 Finally, Dog Diaries: Sparky caught my eye because of the beautiful Dalmatian dog on the cover.  Some of you may remember a huge Dalmatian I brought to the library a long time ago, named Jake.  All my dogs have bonded with me, but Jake adored me, pure and simple.  Dog Diaries: Sparky tells the story of a firehouse dog, Sparky, from her point of view. She experiences the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  This little book gives resources from the Internet on subjects like the history of Chicago and fires, Chow Chow dogs, and of course, Dalmatians.  These wonderful dogs have been over bred because of their popularity, and Kate Klimo makes this clear in her author’s notes at the end of the book.  They do make wonderful dogs, but need to be well trained and well exercised. 

Remember, we’re taking a little break from story hour after Paul Spring’s concert at 10:00 on August 13^th.  All of the library’s programs will begin again September 6^th.  Enjoy the rest of summer with a great book!