Genre Spotlight: Historical Fiction

This month, we're promoting titles that will appeal to fans of Downton Abbey. Come by to find fiction titles about World War I, British aristocracy, the Titanic, and (of course) tea, or nonfiction titles about the same things, as well as behind-the-scenes books about the Downton Abbey show.

Fiction, nonfiction, and movies for fans of Downton Abbey

In our display case this month: our favorite old and elegant things

Teen Volunteers Wanted

If you need community service hours for scouts, school, or a club, consider joining Andover Public Library’s new Teen Volunteer Team.

The APL Teen Volunteer Team is open to…

• Teens who want to volunteer (NOT because their parents are making them do it!)
• Teens entering 7th-12th grade
• Teens who are reliable and motivated
• Teens with all sorts of talents and interests

Teen volunteers can keep shelves neat, contribute to the library blog, plan and help with programs, decorate for events, create library displays, and more.

Long-term, short-term, and one-time-only opportunities.

All activities optional.

Stop by the Teen Volunteer Drive to learn more.
Tuesday, February 4, OR Wednesday, February 5
Come and go between 4:00PM and 5:00PM

• Librarians will be available to answer questions. 
• Pick up an application or informational brochure. 
• Snacks will be served. 
• Bring a friend and you both could win a $5 Barnes and Noble gift card. 

We hope to see you there!

Board Members Wanted

The Library Trustees for the Andover Public Library are looking for enthusiastic, thoughtful, and committed residents of Andover to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors beginning in May 2014.

Responsibilities of Andover Public Library Trustees include the following: determining library policy, advising in the preparation and approval of the library budget, assisting the library director in planning, and representing the library to the greater Andover community.

The term of office is four years, with the eligibility of being appointed for a second four-year term.  The Library Board meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:15 pm except there is no December meeting.

For more information contact Tom Taylor, Director of Andover Public Library, 316-558-3500.

We've made some changes to our YA section.

If you love YA books, we have good news: In an effort to draw attention to our newest young adult titles, the library has set aside a section of the "New Books" area especially for YA books. Look in this section for new titles like Allegiant by Veronica Roth, Champion by Marie Lu, or The Royal Ranger by John Flanagan. Like our other "New" books, these titles can be checked out for 14 days and are not renewable. New titles are added frequently, so check back often. 

  

You'll find the "New Young Adult" section next to the "New Nonfiction".

While you're browsing the YA section, be sure to check out our new YA Nonfiction titles, next to our YA audios, and dozens of new additions to our YA graphic novel section including new volumes of old favorites like Full Metal Alchemist and Death Note as well as new-to-the-library titles like Blue Exorcist and Kamisama Kiss.

Check out our new graphic novels!

Andover Public Library is pleased to announce our new adult graphic novel collection.

It looks small because most of it is checked out already.

Graphic novels use comics to tell their stories, rather than just prose. Our adult graphic novel collection includes award-winning graphic classics, such as Watchmen and Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, as well as recognizable super heroes from Marvel, DC, and independent publishers. Check out other titles based on novels in our fiction collection, such as the graphic novel versions of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander among many others. Ask our librarians which titles they recommend.

Don't forget: we also have graphic novels appropriate for children and teens located in separate sections.

What the "Free Day" means for you

You’ve just noticed your library items are due today, but the library is already closed. Don’t panic! The library has a policy in place especially for your situation: our due dates and subsequent late fines are programmed to include a one-day grace period.

The grace period is in place because the Andover Public Library allows patrons to return any checked out library items – including audiobooks and DVDs - to our outdoor, curbside return bin. If you return your items on the day they are due but the library is already closed, simply place your items in the outside return bin. The items will be checked in when the library opens the following morning; however, because of the one-day grace period (or “free day”), there will be no fine.

Even if your items are not checked in as soon as the library opens in the morning, the free day still applies. If your items are due on Monday but you know you will be running errands nearby on Tuesday, you can wait until Tuesday to return your library items without incurring any overdue charges, but only if the item is returned before the library closes. Items placed in the outside return bin must be in the bin at least one hour before the library closes to ensure they are checked in that day.

Once the library closes, your free day is over. Items placed in the outside bin after hours (or after it has been emptied for the last time that day), will not be checked in until the next morning and fines will be assessed accordingly. For this reason, it is best to keep the due date in mind and make every attempt to return your items on time, but it is nice to remember you have a little wiggle room.

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Big Bear’s Big Boat by Eve Bunting is a sequel to Little Bear’s Little Boat.  Big Bear is growing up and wants to build himself a bigger boat so he can share his little boat with Little Bear. As Big Bear works on his boat, his friends come by and give him many suggestions to make his boat better.  Big Bear follows their advice but when he rows around Huckleberry Lake he feels like something is wrong.  What will he do to fix the boat?   Kids will enjoy reading this story about being a good friend and following your dreams.  

Sam McBratney’s There, There is an affectionate and comforting story about caring for other people. Hansie’s Dad always takes care of him when he gets hurt.  He says, “There, there, Hansie Bear.  You’ll be better soon.”  So what happens when Dad steps on a thorn?  Find out by reading this heart-warming book that teaches kids that even parents need help feeling better sometimes.

Finding Great Books: Fantastic Fiction

In this blog post series, we'll introduce you to some of the websites, apps, and tools we librarians use to help patrons find the books they're looking for.

Fantastic Fiction

What it is: Fantastic Fiction is a bibliography website, with pages for over 30,000 authors and over 350,000 books.

URL: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

How we use it: Because Fantastic Fiction lists new and upcoming releases prominently on the homepage, it's a great site to use when someone asks "When is the new book by so-and-so coming out?". The pages for specific genres at the bottom of the homepage are also a nice touch. 

This site is primarily useful when patrons ask about books in a series: "Can you tell me the fourth book in this series?" "How many books are in this series?" "This author has multiple series; which book goes where?" To find information on books in a series, look up the author. All of that author's books will be listed, organized by series, with color photos of the cover art.  

How we don't use it: The site is less useful when looking up a particular book. The book search is very specific and can be a problem if you're unsure of the book's exact title. 

There is no way to search by series. If you look up a particular book, the only way to look up the next book in the series is to click on the author's page. 

Conclusion: Because this site really shines with its author pages, use Fantastic Fiction to keep up with your favorite authors.

Meet the Librarian: Cheri, Assistant Director

Name:    Cheri Nienke
Position at the library:    Assistant Director/Collection Development/Cataloger

1. How long have you been at APL?  I’ve worked here fourteen years.  Total in libraries? 24 years.

2. What’s your favorite thing about APL?  The beautiful building, the great staff, and the patrons and books.

3. What is your favorite book and why?  There are so many it’s hard to choose.  When I was twelve, I read “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell.  It was my first inkling that unconventional women can make choices and live their lives independently.  It changed how I see the role of women in the world.

4. Do you have any other book or author recommendations?  I really like Wally Lamb-his book “I know this Much is True” is an incredible book about brothers.  Mary Doria Russell’s ‘The Sparrow’ posits the question-“If we discover alien life on distant planets, is it our job to school them in our religious beliefs?”, and I like Elizabeth Kostova’s story ‘The Historian”, a creepy tale of vampires and Vlad the Impaler.

5. Do you have any hobbies? (Besides reading?)  I make non-traditional quilts, create wearable art, am interested in the Steampunk movement, love to bake, but mostly enjoying playing with my grandkids as often as possible.  And I have to add reading, because I read every day-usually 4-5 books a week.

6. If you weren’t a librarian, what would you be?  Working with children.

7. What’s your favorite food?  I love homemade spaghetti and French bread.

8. What is the funniest experience you’ve ever had at the library?  We had patron visit us in the winter once wearing a bathrobe. He insisted it was a coat.

9. What does your dream library look like?  I work in my dream library every day.

10. Talk about other stuff you like (movies, TV, music, games, etc.)  I like Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, [yes, shades of the 60’s]-we had THE BEST music ever.  But I also like Mumford & Sons, Maroon 5, Adele and other current musicians.  I like anything by Joss Whedon . Best movie moment? Not one word was spoken, but the emotion conveyed was absolute-and I think everyone felt it.  “Saving Private Ryan”.  The mother is washing dishes at the sink, and the military vehicle comes down the country road to tell her that three of her sons died on D-Day. I play a lot of Candyland and Chutes and Ladders right now. ;o)

Caught reading in the stacks again...

Library Buzz: Older and Wiser

(Originally published in the Butler County Times Gazette 1/2/14. "Library Buzz" is written by Toria Hamilton.)

Since I recently had a birthday, people teasingly ask me if I feel old now. The truth is I won't be satisfied until I hit 35. I hated being a kid, I hated being a teenager, and – as much as I liked college – I hated being a college student. Chalk it up to being “older and wiser” or whatever, but I get happier every year. I look forward to being a troublesome old lady like my grandmother, who doesn’t let anyone boss her around. This month, let's celebrate books with great older characters.

In nonfiction, we have an autobiography of an old lady I admire: “And Furthermore” by Dame Judi Dench. Dench chronicles her childhood in a theatre-loving home, her early acting career, and the joy she takes from friends and family. She describes in detail the roles she’s played, the celebrities she’s met, and the interesting places her career has taken her. Also, at 79, she’s still gorgeous.

Another nonfiction title is Justin Halpern’s “Sh*t My Dad Says”. Halpern started a twitter account of his father’s humorous outbursts and attained overnight fame. In this slim volume, Halpern shares some of his dad’s best tweets, along with longer anecdotes. Halpern’s dad is refreshingly blunt, but, as one might suspect from the book’s title, readers offended by strong language should pass on this one.

For a little mystery, try “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” by Walter Mosley. After ninety-one year old Ptolemy loses his grand-nephew in a drive-by shooting, he meets a doctor whose experimental drug grants Ptolemy renewed vigor and mental clarity but dramatically shortens his life expectancy. Ptolemy sets out to live his last days to the fullest but soon finds himself investigating his grand-nephew’s death.

For a lighter read, I recommend Terry Pratchett’s comic fantasy “Reaper Man”. All wizards know the exact date and time they will die, and Death himself must come to claim them – it’s one of the perks of the job – but on the elderly Windle Poons’ special day, Death doesn’t arrive. Poons sets out to investigate Death’s mysterious absence.

While you’re at the library check our DVD section for many of Judi Dench’s best films, including “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, as well as film versions of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries starring Margaret Rutherford.

One thing all these stories emphasize is that being old is hard – there’s no room for sissies! – so if you look up to your elders, tell them so. Until next month, don’t do anything my grandma wouldn’t do!

Our One Millionth Checkout

Monday, December 30, 2013, was a day of celebration at the Andover Public Library. Just after the library opened at 9:00AM, patrons Dick and Jody Corbitt arrived, ushering in a library milestone: one of the Corbitts’ items was the one millionth checkout since the library opened its Central Avenue location five years ago. The Corbitts departed with their library items and a box of congratulatory chocolates, leaving jubilant librarians in their wake. The library staff and board of directors would like to thank the Andover community for their part in making Andover Public Library a successful and useful institution.

The Corbitts are regular patrons who visit the library often. Congratulations, Dick and Jody!

Finding Great Books: Shelfari

In this blog post series, we'll introduce you to some of the websites, apps, and tools we librarians use to help patrons find the books they're looking for.

Shelfari

What it is: Shelfari is a social networking site about books for book lovers. Use it to keep track of books you've read, books you want to read, and books you own.

URL: www.shelfari.com

How we use it: Shelfari is a great site for finding books of a particular genre, or finding books similar to other books you like. Because sometimes it's tough to judge a book by its cover, we librarians use Shelfari to help us label new books as they arrive at the library. When the cover and summary aren't descriptive enough for our purposes, using Shelfari, we look up the book (either by title or by scanning the ISBN code on the back, a great feature if you happen to have a barcode scanner in front of you!) and scroll down to the descriptive "tags" in order to decide which genre sticker we put on the book.
This same feature is also great for helping us decide which section is best suited for children's and YA books. Sometimes books that look childish have mature themes, or books that look mature are actually suitable for elementary grade students. For those "transitional" books that could go either way, it's nice to check Shelfari and see how other readers have already classified them. It's quick and it's easy.

How we don't use it: If you visit Shelfari, you'll notice that you, the user, can edit the book information. We librarians are uniquely qualified to do this! But we don't. We'd be at it all day. You, however, may enjoy this feature.
The library also does not have an official Shelfari account: you cannot look us up on Shelfari to see which books we have - you'll have to use our catalog for that. However, some of our librarians do have Shelfari accounts and they recommend it highly. It's a great way to keep track of books you're reading or have read. You can record the date you finish the book, as well as rate and review titles.  

Conclusion: If you read a lot and have trouble remembering all the titles, this is a great site!

2014 Adult Winter Reading Program

When the weather is cold and snowy, it's nice to stay inside and read a good book. Maybe you'll sit by the fire or wrap up in your fluffiest blanket, sip the warm beverage of your choice, and coax your favorite pet to curl up in your lap. That all sounds lovely, doesn't it?

Hey! While you're at it, why not sign up for our adult winter reading program for a chance to win some fabulous prizes?

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

When is it? 

January 2 – February 28

Who can participate? 

Anyone ages 16 & up who has an Andover Public Library card.

How do I register?

Just go up to the front desk, tell a librarian you want to register, and receive your winter reading program brochure.

How does the program work?

When you register at the front desk,  you will automatically be entered into a weekly small prize drawing and receive a brochure. (Limit one weekly prize per patron. Weekly prize winners are still eligible for the grand prizes.) Use the brochure to enter our grand prize drawings. Each time you finish reading a book (of 100 pages minimum), fill out one of the book chats in your brochure. When you are done reading your desired amount of books (max. 6 books), return this brochure to the library. Brochures returned by 5 p.m. on February 28th will be entered into one of five prize drawings, depending on how many book chats are filled out.

PRIZES

Weekly Drawing - Automatically entered upon registration

Grand Prize: Kindle Fire - Read 6 books to be eligible

2nd Place: $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate - Read 4-5 books to be eligible

3rd Place: $10 Scooters Gift Certificates (3 available) - Read 1-3 books to be eligible

Other donated prizes - To be drawn randomly

Brochures MUST be turned in no later than 5 p.m. on February 28th to be eligible for prizes. Winners will be drawn at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 3rd and will be called shortly after! 

Library Buzz: Viva la Resolution

(The library is closed for New Years. Please enjoy this past article in the meantime. Originally published in the Andover American 1/3/13. "Library Buzz" is written by Toria Hamilton.)

At New Years, I start thinking about resolutions. Lots of them. I know I’m not going to wake up on January 1^st with Magical Habit Changing Powers, but I just can’t help myself. This year (I think every year) I will finally get it together!

Of course, the feeling won’t last. By February, I’ll accept my personal limitations and live in the same twenty-four hour days that other people do. But for now, I have plans to make.

Maybe you do, too?

To help you find the books you need to meet your goals, here’s a brief lesson about library organization: The Andover Public Library uses the Dewey Decimal System, where nonfiction books are labeled with a number depending on their topics. The books are arranged in number order, so books on the same subject are kept together. If you know the Dewey Decimal number for the topic you want, it’s easy to find it on the shelf.

If you resolved to lose weight this year, tasty new recipes will help you stay on track. Whether you opt for a low carb, slow carb, or no carb diet, you’ll find all our cookbooks under nonfiction number 641. Eat more veggies, like the ones in “The Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without” by Mollie Katzen, but beware of fabulous desserts like those in Anna Ginsberg’s “The Daily Cookie.” Since all the cookbooks are in the same place, you may have to flex your willpower muscles.

Speaking of flexing muscles, you’ll find exercise videos under nonfiction number 613. As a yoga junkie, I recommend Rodney Yee’s “Yoga for Beginners”, which is a great introduction to yoga with plenty of vocal prompts so you can focus on finding inner peace rather than watching the screen. Yoga not your thing? We also have several fat burning workouts from Denise Austin and other energetic trainers.

Have you resolved to save money or pay off debt? Books on financial planning are kept under nonfiction number 332. Try Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” or Amy Dacyczyn’s “Tightwad Gazette”. Or maybe this is the year you’ll finally get organized, with a little help from books under 640 such as “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Organizing Your Life” by Georgene Lockwood or Peter Walsh’s “How to Organize Just About Anything”.

The library can help you fulfill all your New Year’s goals, like learning a new language (Spanish 468), learning to play an instrument (Guitar 787), or mastering a new craft (Watercolor 751). If you’d like help finding other books on other topics, ask a librarian or visit our catalog at http://catalog.andoverlibrary.org/polaris/. We’ve got your number.

And remember, your books will be due by February. Let’s try to maintain our resolve at least that long, okay?