Construction Update

Things are progressing well with the new library. Here are some pictures of some of the things going on inside that might be harder to see from the street.

The picture above shows where the new Children's librarian's desk will go as well as a computer for searching the online catalog.

These two pictures show the windows overlooking the lawn behind the library. Arm chairs and study tables will be placed in front of theses windows for people who want to read or study.

Two Days After the Wedding by Joan Medlicott

In Medlicott's latest Covington novel, the three mature friends, Grace, Amelia and Hannah, who share a home, attempt to understand the men in their lives and figure out just what they want from them. Amelia, a photographer, is preparing for an exhibit of her work in New York, a long way from their small North Carolina town. Grace's boyfriend, Bob, moves next door. He's been asking her to marry him, and she refuses, but seems to need to keep apprised of his every movement in a way she didn't need to before. Hannah has been working with Max. He has asked her to marry him, and she has agreed, although nothing has been said of love, nor kisses exchanged. Even though they love their men, these gals also like their freedom. Is marriage more than just a compromise? Can they achieve some happy medium? Join the ladies and the rest of the colorful cast of characters in the latest of Medlicott's popular homey tales. reviewed by Maria Hatton for BookList

The Haunting of the Presidents by Joel Martin and William J. Birnes

The scandals of the White House have always commanded attention, but little has been acknowledged of the documented paranormal events that have shaken its stately columns and porticos for more than two centuries. They are, in fact, part of declassified, substantiated records dating back from George Washington through the Clinton administrations. Now, complete with actual transcripts of channeling sessions and seances, the history of paranormal phenomena in the presidential residence is revealed for the first time in a fascinating exploration of the country's most famous portal to the unknown.

Near Miss Day

On march 23, 1989, a mountain-sized asteroid passed within 500,000 miles of Earth, a very close call according to NASA. Impact would have equaled the strength of 40,000 hydrogen bombs, created a crater the size of Washington D.C. and devastated everything for about 100 miles in all directions.

For comparison, 500,000 miles is approximately 800,000 kilometers. The moon is approximately 400,000 kilometers from the earth and is close enough to effect tides.

What is your most dramatic near miss?

Two New Christian Fiction Series

An Untamed Land by Lauraine Snelling (Red River of the North v. 1)

Ingeborg and Roald Bjorklund leave Norway for the promise of free land and a good life in America. But little could they foresee the price they will have to pay to wrest a living from the virgin prairie. Will they survive the hardships of that first winter?

The Preacher’s Daughter by Beverly Lewis (Annie’s People v. 1)

One of Christian fiction's most beloved authors of the gentle read offers a new series called Annie's People, set in Paradise, Pa. It dishes up the same sort of faith-filled story line and Plain People characters Lewis's fans have come to expect. At age 20, Annie Zook is a budding artist, but her conservative Amish community forbids its members to draw or paint pictures. … Annie's best friend in the community, Esther Hochstetler, finds that her marriage to an abusive man has become a nightmare, while Annie's pen pal, the wealthy Colorado "Englisher" Louisa Stratford (conveniently an art teacher) visits Annie in Paradise to heal from a broken engagement. … Culinary details, glimpses into the workings of Amish life and strong character development help readers stay with the story's multiple changes of perspective. Plot hints in the final pages will keep Lewis's loyal fans eagerly anticipating the next installment. Reviewed by Publishers Weekly

The Minute Men by John R. Galvin

The concept of the farmer and shopkeeper pulling rifles off pegs on the wall to fight the British has been the typical image of the American minuteman. The fact that he may have had military training and drilled—and that April 19, 1775 was not his first battle—usually goes unmentioned. Winner of the American Revolution Round Table Award, The Minute Men will be of keen interest to those curious about the true history of some of America’s first soldiers.

Construction Update

Construction work at the new library job site is really picking up. The appearance of the building seems to change daily. If you haven't had a chance to drive by the construction site, take a look at these pictures and stop by the blog for regular construction updates.

Overcoming Crystal meth Addiction by Steven J. Lee

In Overcoming Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction, one of the few books to address the topic for a general audience, Dr. Steven Lee, MD, a psychiatrist who specializes in crystal meth addiction, offers a complete guide to the drug, its effects, and how to overcome it. Based on extensive scientific and social research and drawing from his professional experience, he covers everything from the definition and history of crystal meth to the physical and psychological effects; from dealing with the addictive personality to helping a friend or family member cope with it. He focuses on understanding rather than outright condemnation of the drug, and empathetically covers all of the crucial questions: What is crystal meth? How is it made? How does it affect the body? How do you know if you’re addicted to it? How do you stop using it? What if you don't want to stop? If you are going to use CM anyway, how can you minimize the damage? What if you quit but slipped and used again?

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards by Jay Feldman

"Through four historical figures, Feldman re-creates the frontier world of 1811-12, when the New Madrid earthquakes devastated the lower Ohio and mid-Mississippi valleys. One central character is New Madrid founder George Morgan. Others include Lilburne Lewis, a nephew of Thomas Jefferson, and Nicholas Roosevelt, whose steamboat, the first on the western rivers, was maltreated by the Mississippi when the quakes struck. Together, the schemes of these men stand for the white settlement that was opposed by the fourth main character in Feldman's drama: Tecumseh. ... Synthesizing lives and times, Feldman composes a fluent, coherent narrative that culminates in the War of 1812." reviewed by Gilbert Taylor for Booklist

March is National Women's History Month

A time for reexaming and celebrating the wide range of women's contributions and achievements that are too often overlooked in the telling of US history. For more information, to to the National Women's History Project. Or, come into the library and take a look at the books by and about women on display in the children's area.

Book Review: A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore tackles death—make that Death—in his latest wonderful, whacked-out yarn. For beta male Charlie Asher, proprietor of a shop in San Francisco, life and death meet in a maternity ward recovery room where his wife, Rachel, dies shortly after giving birth. Though security cameras catch nothing, Charlie swears he saw an impossibly tall black man in a mint green suit standing beside Rachel as she died. When objects in his store begin glowing, strangers drop dead before him and man-sized ravens start attacking him, Charlie figures something's up. Along comes Minty Fresh—the man in green—to enlighten him: turns out Charlie and Minty are Death Merchants, whose job (outlined in the Great Big Book of Death) is to gather up souls before the Forces of Darkness get to them. While Charlie's employees, Lily the Goth girl and Ray the ex-cop, mind the shop, and two enormous hellhounds babysit, Charlie attends to his dangerous soul-collecting duties, building toward a showdown with Death in a Gold Rush–era ship buried beneath San Francisco's financial district. If it sounds over the top, that's because it is—but Moore's enthusiasm and skill make it convincing, and his affection for the cast of weirdos gives the book an unexpected poignancy. reviewed by Publisher's Weekly

African American History Month

February is recognized as African American History month across the country and several significant dates in African American history take place in February:
February 23, 1868: W. E. B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born.
February 3, 1870: The 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote.
February 25, 1870: The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
February 12, 1909: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.
February 1, 1960: In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
February 21, 1965: Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.

The library offers a wide variety of resources on African American history. The Harper collection, located on the main floor between the movies and the large print books, is funded with money donated by the Harper family and focuses exclusively on African American culture and history. This collection has been expanded to include children’s and young adult resources, which are located on the second floor of the library. Finally, test your trivia knowledge with the bulletin board in the children’s area featuring questions about prominent African Americans.

Bonza Bottler Day

To celebrate when the number of the day is the same as the number of the month. Bonza Bottler Day is an excuse to have a party at least once a month. Created by the late Elaine Fremont and continued by her family, Bonza Bottler Day is now celebrated in many countries.

Book Review: The Seville Communion by Arturo Perez-Reverte

When a computer hacker penetrates Vatican security to send an urgent, anonymous plea to the pope, Father Lorenzo Quart of the church's Institute of External Affairs, a sort of Vatican CIA, is dispatched to investigate. The hacker's message concerns a troubled 17th-century church in Seville, Our Lady of the Tears. Apparently, the dilapidated church "kills to defend itself." It stands in the way of a huge real estate deal, and two people have died there, in apparent accidents, as they brought pressure to condemn it. A handsome dandy who wears expensive black suits instead of a cassock and knows how to conduct himself in a fistfight, Quart prides himself on his discipline but soon finds it heavily taxed as he's embroiled with a bellicose, elderly parish priest, a blue-jeaned American nun and a stunning Andalusian duchess intent on saving the church from the businessmen (including her husband) who threaten it. Despite some unconvincing plotting and a few heavy-handed moments, Perez-Reverte's characters capture the imagination, and his dramatic Seville seduces his protagonist and readers alike. reviewed by Publisher's Weekly

Fun at Work Day

Inject some laughter into your workplace by planning a fun and relaxing activity. Do something to encourage enthusiasm and openness and to help build rapport and release tension. When we enjoy our work, we are more productive and creative.

Tax Forms at the Library and Online

Most commonly used tax forms are available for you to pick up at the library. If we don't have the form you're looking for, tax forms can also be found online at the following websites.

Federal:
IRS

State:
Iowa
Illinois
Missouri

KDL What's Next Website

Ever wanted to read a series of books in order but couldn't find the correct order anywhere? Want to read other series of books by your favorite author?

One of my favorite websites is the KDL What's Next Database. This wonderful site, lets you search by author title or series to find out the order books in a series fall in.

Book Review: The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

As FBI Special Agent Pendergast immerses himself in the investigation of an art critic's bizarre murder, he conjures up clues pointing to the Devil as the culprit. After several killings in the same ghastly manner, similar clues are found. Pendergast teams up with Police Officer Vincent D'Agosta, with whom he had worked in The Relic (also by Preston and Child), and they begin a lengthy, intense, and time-driven search for the murderer. Along the way, D'Agosta becomes romantically and professionally attached to New York Police Captain Laura Hayward . Their story runs parallel to the investigation and adds another layer of plot. The peculiar nature of Agent Pendergast, who always seems to get out of any kind of dire straits, complements and contrasts with down-to-earth, practical D'Agosta, and they act as catalysts for one another. The action moves from New York City to Italy and places in between. The authors are especially adept at creepy descriptions of eerily spooky castle ruins, crypts, and grave robberies. Readers who like ghost stories, hauntings, and other paranormal activities will find themselves eagerly engaged in this page-turner.– reviewed by Pam Johnson for School Library Journal

I Love My Library

Valentine’s Day will soon be here and, this year, we are giving you the opportunity to show how much you love your library. Reply to this post and share a fond memory of the library or why you love your library. Alternatively, stop in at the library and share a story about why you love your library or how the library has played an important part in your life.You can read what other people have shared either at the blog or in the library. Select stories will be printed in next months newspaper column.

Birthday of Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1811, at the age of two, he was orphaned and left in dire poverty. Fortunately, Virginia merchatn John Allan was willing to raise him. Edgar Allan Poe was a poet and story writer, called "America's most famous man of letters." He is best remembered for his poetry and for his tales of suspense. He is also noted for writing the first detective mystery novel. He died at Baltimore, Maryland on October 7, 1849.