mothrmöv

On September 20^th, three special guests visited the library and presented a wonderful story time.  A harpist, an English horn player, and a dancer performed “The Ugly Duckling,” the well-known story by Hans Christian Andersen.  The dancer interpreted each character.  Children were entranced, and responded to the music whether happy or sad.

Performances such as this are paid for with funds from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.  I am so happy to see our tax dollars used to introduce children to classical music and dance. Rural libraries especially benefit from this program, letting us provide wonderful performances that our children would not usually see in person.

The next extra fun thing we’ll have at the library is a visit from the Tail Waggin Tutors on October 12 at 10:00. These wonderful dogs are certified therapy dogs and love to listen to young readers read. 

And now for some new books!

Kate McMullan has a brand new book, “As Warm As the Sun.”  This sweet story is about a French bulldog named Toby who has to get used to his new bulldog sister, Pinky.  (They had me at French bulldogs)  Toby loves to bask in the sun, and Pinky is determined to prove that she is the perfect “warm as the sun” companion. 

“Ball and Balloon,” by Rob Sanders, is about jealousy between a ball and a balloon.  I didn’t expect it   For example, read this exchange between Ball and Balloon:  “How did you learn to fly?” asks Ball.  Balloon hadn’t learned to fly.  It was just something inside him.  “Gas,” he replied.”  I’m still laughing.
to be so funny.

Now that the first day of school is past, we can all relax.  “Butterflies on the First Day of School,” by Annie Silvestro, is a gentle story about a little girl named Rosie who bravely faces her first day of   Her mom helpfully tells her her tummy ache is just butterflies in her stomach.  When Rosie and her equally shy friend start to talk to each other, beautiful butterflies fly out of their mouths.  While I find this a little disturbing, none of the reviewers at amazon.com mentioned that.
school.

Finally, Susan and James Patterson (yes, THAT James Patterson) have released “Bigger Words for Little Geniuses.”  This is their third “little geniuses” book.  The first two were “Big Words for Little Geniuses,” and “Cuddly Critters for Little Geniuses. The Pattersons are indeed husband and wife.  The “Big Words for Little Geniuses” book was a big hit with the geniuses in our family.  The books are exactly what they say – collections of unusual words that require a dictionary to understand and pronounce.

These books, and more, are waiting for you at our local bibliotheca.

Another Day that will Live in Infamy

By Jan Pease

When you see the date, “September 11,” does a chill run down your spine?  I remember coming to work that day having just heard that America was under attack, including Minneapolis.  We quickly looked at the news on the Internet, a new thing back then, and discovered that Minneapolis was fine, but that the east coast was in turmoil.  A book salesman was visiting the library whose brother worked at the Pentagon. What a day.  Anyone who was alive back then probably can still recount what they were doing when they realized the magnitude of the attack.  2001 was 18 years ago. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 28.5% of Americans are under 18.  So what do we tell them, especially if they’re children?

Here is a list of books that explore this day in our history.

“The September 11 Attacks Transform America,” by Whitney Sanderson, published in 2018 by The   This nonfiction book is part of the “Events that Changed America” series.
Child’s World, is a book with a lot of information in only 32 pages.

“America is Under Attack,” by Don Brown, was published in 2011 by Roaring Brook Press.  This book is designed for very young children, but has great information.  Don Brown is a well-known author of books for young children that delve into history.  

“A Nation Challenged: a Visual History of 9/11 and Its Aftermath,” staff at the New York Times and published by Scholastic in 2002 as a young reader’s edition.  This book is shelved in the adult area (973.931).  Reviews of the book are mixed.  The photography and text in the first part of the book are described as spectacular, but the second half of the book shows a bias against American involvement in Afghanistan. 

Sometimes fiction books can help a reader process a tragic event.  “I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001,” by Lauren Tarshish, is part of the very popular “I Survived” series.  In this book, a boy skips school and rides the train into New York City to visit one of his dad’s friends, a  firefighter.  Just as he reaches the fire station, the planes crash into the twin towers.    Ms. Tarshish thinks and writes about famous disasters, and her books just fly off the shelves.

“Nine, Ten: a September 11 Story,” by Nora Raleigh Baskin, looks at the days just before September 11, and how the disaster changes the lives of four young people in different parts of the U.S.

Finally, “Truthers,” by Geoffrey Girard, examines conspiracy theories inspired by 9/11.  For an interesting time, read some of the reviews at Amazon.com about this book.  Mr. Gerard tells an  intriguing story about a young girl’s search for truth hidden among her father’s bizarre claims of what really happened on that tragic day.

 (Note: one Amazon reviewer seems to have mixed up “Truthers” with “Among the Truthers,” by Jonathan Kay, an examination of various conspiracy theories.

Where were you on that fateful morning?  I was at Litchfield Public Library!

   

Revised job posting - Library assistant

JOB OPENING: LIBRARY ASSISTANT III
LITCHFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Job Description: Provides reference, research, and specialized circulation services to library patrons in locating and utilizing library materials and services.   Handles incoming and outgoing interlibrary loan deliveries.  Leads a craft program for older children.

Qualifications:  Knowledge of library system operations, procedures, and resources; ability to work effectively with the general public; ability to plan, implement, and promote specialized events and programs; ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers; proficient with computers and related technology; ability to work independently; strong communication skills.

Education and experience required: High school diploma or equivalency, plus one year of directly-related experience; or a combination of education, experience and training necessary to perform the essential requirements of the work. 

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, lift, feel, grasp, talk, hear and see.  Some light lifting and carrying may be required up to 25 pounds.

Hours:  Mondays 1-8 pm, Tuesdays 1-8 or 3-8 pm, Wednesdays 9:30 am-2 pm, and one to two Saturdays per month 9:45 am – 5 pm.  Additional subbing as needed.

Application deadline:  Until filled

Applications available at the library or www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us .  Submit them to:

Beth Cronk
Litchfield Public Library
P.O. Box 220
Litchfield, MN 55355

Phone: (320)693-2483

We made a small change to this job description: they will lead a craft and activity program for 3rd through 5th graders rather than teens.

Closed Labor Day

The Litchfield Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 2, for Labor Day.

The House of Mrs. Pease

 

By Jan Pease

During these last two weeks of August we are taking a break from story hour.  Our Lego building group, “Brickheads” still gets together on Thursday nights at 6:30 to build wonderful creations.  I have to tell you about one masterpiece created by a six-year-old.  She called it “The Mrs. Pease House.”  She put together a sweet little gray-haired figure (Mrs. Pease) and added a dog, a dinosaur, various trees, aliens, a horse, and a slide, and I realized that Mrs. Pease contributes to her very fertile imagination.  What a tribute!  This fun program will continue without a break.

Story hour programs will begin again as school starts in Litchfield the week of September 3^rd. Wednesday morning Toddler Time, for toddlers up to age 3, will start at 10:15, Wednesday, September 4^th.  Preschool Story Hour, for ages three and up, will resume Friday, September 6th, at 10:00.  Children under three years of age must be accompanied by a care giver, and older siblings are always welcome.

Magic Bob and the Beautiful Lynn Marie will present “The Magic of Eric Carle” on Saturday, September 14, at 2:00.  This is something new for us to try on a Saturday afternoon.  Magic Bob always presents a wonderful magic show, and his tribute to Eric Carle will be fun and amazing.  2019 marks the 50^th anniversary of Eric Carle’s book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” 

On Friday, September 20  the library will have special guests Mothrmöv, who will present a musical story hour, “The Ugly Duckling.”  The artists include Hannah Spivey, Harpist, Susan Miranda, Oboist, and Brittany Zales, Mover.  I’m excited to see what they do with the familiar fairy tale.   I understand having a harpist play her harp, and an oboist play her oboe, but a mover?  This should be an outstanding program. 

Library programs for elementary and teen students will be announced at a later date.   We’re making some changes at the library and aren’t quite ready to announce a schedule of programs for middle school and high school.                                                                                                                           

The Tail Waggin' Tutors from Therapy Dogs International chapter 252 McLeod County/Meeker County will visit the library on Saturday October 12.  I love to listen to the hum of young readers sitting with these kind dogs, practicing their reading skills.

Remember that reading records need to be turned in August 31.  Several children have asked me when we will count the entries for the guessing jar.  We’ll count the candy and sort the entries on Friday, August 30. 

Someone told me years ago that time would seem to move faster and faster as I got older, and it has.   This has really been a high-speed summer!  I’m looking forward to what fall will bring.   See you at the library!

Crazy About Audiobooks

by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian

Audiobooks are the fastest-growing reading format in the U.S.  According to the Audio Publishers Association’s 2019 survey, 50% of Americans age twelve and older have listened to an audiobook, the highest percentage ever.  Our e-book supplier, Overdrive, is also seeing substantial growth in downloadable audiobook checkouts nationwide.  Checkouts have increased an average of 32% a year since 2012.

The most common location to listen to audiobooks is in the car, but listening at home is almost as popular.  More than half of all audiobook listeners say they’re finding time in their lives to add audiobook listening to the time they spend reading print books, making it possible for them to finish more books.  The typical audiobook listener is between the ages of 18 and 45 and a fan of podcasts.

 

Pioneerland Library System offers downloadable audiobooks for checkout through our Overdrive service.  There are currently 1,484 downloadable audiobooks in our collection.  These can be accessed through the Pioneerland website on a computer or through the Overdrive or Libby app on a phone or tablet.  They are free to check out with a Pioneerland library card, and they never incur late fees.

One of our newest downloadable audios is The Chain by Adrian McKinty.  This New York Times bestseller is a psychological thriller with a chilling premise: a stranger has kidnapped your child in order to get their own abducted child back.  To get yours back alive, you must pay a ransom – and kidnap someone else’s child. 

Another new offering in Pioneerland’s downloadable audios is The Gone Dead by Chanelle Benz.  The Tonight Show featured this book among the finalists in its summer reads contest.  A young woman returns to her childhood home in the Mississippi Delta for the first time since her father’s death when she was four years old.  She finds the isolated shack she inherited unsettling to visit, and she begins to unravel the mystery of her father’s accident.

We also have audiobooks on CD at the Litchfield Library and all of the libraries in the system.  The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo is one of our newest additions.  This bestseller was one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club selections.  Young dressmaker and dancehall girl Ji Lin accidentally finds a severed finger that’s being sought by an 11-year-old houseboy to bury with his master’s body, leading them onto dangerous crisscrossing paths.  Every reviewer commented on the way the author vividly created 1930s colonial Malaysia. 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams isn’t a new book; it was published in 1979.  The library recently added the audiobook version on CD, read by Stephen Fry.  This wacky story of an ordinary British man who is rescued from the destruction of Earth by his undercover alien friend is a classic the family can enjoy together – at least teenagers and older. 

Other new audiobooks on CD at the Litchfield Library include 21 Lessons for the 21^st Century by Yuval Noah Harari, Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear, Inspired by Rachel Held Evans, and Plum Rains by Andromeda Romano-Lax.  Pick one up, or download one, and maybe you’ll become an audiobook fan, too.

Job opening at Litchfield Library

JOB OPENING: LIBRARY ASSISTANT III
LITCHFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Job Description: Provides reference, research, and specialized circulation services to library patrons in locating and utilizing library materials and services.   Handles incoming and outgoing interlibrary loan deliveries.  Processes new magazines.  Leads pre-teen/teen programs.

Qualifications:  Knowledge of library system operations, procedures, and resources; ability to work effectively with the general public; ability to plan, implement, and promote specialized events and programs; ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers; proficient with computers and related technology; ability to work independently; strong communication skills.

Education and experience required: High school diploma or equivalency, plus one year of directly-related experience; or a combination of education, experience and training necessary to perform the essential requirements of the work. 

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, lift, feel, grasp, talk, hear and see.  Some light lifting and carrying may be required up to 25 pounds.

Hours:  Average of 20.75 hours per week: Mondays 1-8 pm, Tuesdays 1-8 pm, Wednesdays 9:30 am-2 pm, and one to two Saturdays per month 9:45 am – 5 pm.  Additional subbing as needed.

Application deadline:  August 27, 2019

Applications available at the library or www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us .  Submit them to:

Beth Cronk
Litchfield Public Library
P.O. Box 220
Litchfield, MN 55355

Phone: (320)693-2483