lorainpubliclibrary.com News

Lorain Public Library System Libraries Closed For Memorial Day

05/08/2012

All Lorain Public Library System Libraries will be closed, Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day.

Book Recommendations for May 2012

05/02/2012

Adult Fiction Book Recommendation by Karen Sigsworth, Branch Librarian Supervisor, North Ridgeville Branch

The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
Even if you do not especially care for horses, you will enjoy meeting 19-year-old Martha Lessen who breaks wild horses with her “gentling’ methods in the winter of 1917 in eastern Oregon. Martha is a determined woman trying to make out in a man’s world. Through the hard winter months, she gets to know not only the personalities of the various horses she is trying to break, but the many personalities of the ranchers in this remote county. Ultimately, Martha earns the respect of the community and even meets a special man. The author develops some great and interesting characters in this tale set in the American west.

Adult Fiction Book Recommendation by Patricia Mathews, Library Associate I, North Ridgeville Branch

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
‘Salem’s Lot is one of the six finalists that the Horror Writers Association selected for consideration as the Bram Stoker Vampire Book of the Century. Using traditional vampire mythology, King tells the story of the downfall of a sleepy Maine town called Jerusalem’s Lot, or ‘Salem’s Lot, as the natives call it. The primary symbol of horror in the story is the Marston House, a decrepit, dismal mansion that is the scene of a long-ago murder/suicide. The action begins when two visitors arrive in town. Gradually, people begin acting strangely, such as roaming at night but staying indoors during the daytime and covering up to keep out of the sun. Slowly, we realize that monsters are on the loose in ‘Salem’s Lot. Find out how a team of fellow believers help defeat Straker and his vampire sidekick, Barlow. The final chapters culminate in true Stephen King horror perfection.

Adult Nonfiction Book Recommendations by Karen Sigsworth, Branch Librarian Supervisor, North Ridgeville Branch

Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters by Chesley Sullenberger
While Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger never considers himself to be a hero, his remarkable emergency landing in the Hudson River certainly has made him an inspiration worldwide. His skillful landing of Flight 1549 saved the lives of all 155 aboard, and this is his story describing the dedication, hope and preparedness he gained from lessons learned through childhood, in his military service and in his many years as a commercial airline pilot. This interesting memoir reminds us that life’s challenges can be met if we are ready for them, even in these difficult times of war, tragedy and economic uncertainty.

White House Doctor — A Memoir by Connie Mariano
This is the story shared by the first military woman in U.S. history to be appointed White House doctor, the first female director of the White House medical unit, and the first Filipino-American to become a Navy Rear Admiral. Although she appears humble in describing her care for Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who were under her care for the eight years she was in Washington, D.C., Ms. Mariano also shares her life growing up as the daughter of a U.S. Navy steward in the Philippines. Since the White House doctor must travel with the President at all times, this book takes the reader all over the world and has great description of events encountered by the author.

Children’s Book Recommendations by Angela Young, Youth Services Librarian, North Ridgeville Branch

Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray
For 4th graders to 8th graders. The first from a four-book series, this story starts off in the future with Louisa and her best friend Maddie heading to Country Manor School on a hot August day. The school costs money and Louisa’s parents pull some strings to make sure Louisa and Maddie are kept safe by sending them away from the war that has been going on for years. The war has wiped out much of the United States and hurricanes have taken out much of the south and Gulf coast. As the school year moves on, the girls start to feel that something is up and that the life skills, such as shooting a rifle, archery, canoeing and survival in the woods, cannot be normal. They start putting the pieces together and wonder what the school is really preparing them for. Will they be expected to survive on their own? Are they being trained for war? Read this book and others in the series to find out.

Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
For Preschoolers to 1st graders. Little owl, with his big eyes, wanders the night and meets many nocturnal animals throughout this wonderfully illustrated picture book. The story is simple and shares what many animals in the forest do while they are awake in the night hours, such as raccoons, beavers, opossums, hedgehogs, skunks, moths, foxes and bats.

Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell
For 4th graders to 8th graders. A hilarious book for those who loved the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Dork Diaries will make you laugh out loud. Nikki Maxwell is a new student at Westchester Country Day Middle School and has had a tough time making friends. Nikki feels like she will never fit in and continuously has run-ins with the coolest girl in school. After discovering she has a talent that others would die for, things begin to turn around for NIkki. This series will make you realize that life in middle school is never easy but one has to make the best of it.

Super Chicken Nugget Boy and the Massive Meatloaf Man Manhunt by Josh Lewis
For 3rd graders to 6th graders. This breaded super hero is daring and tender. Super Chicken Nugget Boy fights against many villains such as Karl Nasty Foothead (his head is a foot), Dandruff Dan, Ward the Window Washer and Flower Boy. He outwits them all including the Massive Meatloaf Man who has kidnapped Ms. Durbindin then attacks the city. This book is full of action, and those who love the Captain Underpants book series will love the funny Super Chicken Nugget boy series.

Young Adult Book Recommendations by Angela Young, Youth Services Librarian, North Ridgeville Branch

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
For 14-year-olds and up. This intriguing book is filled with fantasy and mystery as a young 17-year-old girl with blue hair and strange tattoos on her hands discovers who she is. Karou has always known she is different and for years she has grown up with strange monsters that live just beyond this world. Akiva, a gorgeous angel who is responsible for closing the portholes to the world beyond, is drawn to Karou, and the feeling is mutual. Are these star crossed lovers doomed and will Karou regret finding out who she is? Follow this with book two, Days of Blood and Starlight that will be published in November.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
For 14-year-olds and up. There are many versions of the Cinderella story and this is one of the strangest. Cinder, a cyborg that lives in New Beijing, is a mechanic and lives with her stepmother and two sisters. A fatal plague is devastating the earth and Cinder is volunteered as a guinea pig for research by her stepmother. A formal ball is coming up and Cinder wants to attend just as much as her sisters, but her stepmother comes up with jobs that must be finished first. Will Cinder make it to the ball? Will she survive the scientist’s tests? Read this exciting tale to find out if there is a happy ending where the Prince and Cinderella will live happily ever after.

Young Adult Book Recommendation by Patricia Mathews, Library Associate I, North Ridgeville Branch

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
For 12-year-olds and up. Ness’s elegant and lyrical telling of a young boy’s journey into the dark world of grief and loss is enhanced by wonderful black and gray illustrations that seem to enfold the story in an inky cocoon. As the story opens, 13-year old Conor O’Malley awakens from a nightmare to find that a tree in a nearby graveyard has grown much larger and is now standing in his backyard—and it has developed arms, legs and a fearsome head. You would expect Conor to be afraid, but he is not because the tree monster doesn’t hold a candle to the monster of his nightmares. Conor deals with school bullies during the day and tree monster’s stories at night. Each of the monster’s stories is a parable in which characters seem at first to be good, but are soon proved otherwise. Through the stories, Conor learns that life is complicated and full of contradictions. He learns to admit the truth to himself, even when it is a truth he does not want to face.

Young Adult Book Recommendation by Karen Sigsworth, Branch Librarian Supervisor, North Ridgeville Branch

Crooked River by Shelley Pearsall
For 12-year-olds and up. This is the story of 13-year old Rebecca Carver who lives in a small frontier town in Ohio in 1812. Based on a true story, this historical fiction tale describes the tale of an Indian named John O’Mic who was tried and convicted of murder in Cleveland, Ohio in 1812. He was held captive in a cabin and shared it with the white man and his family and there really was a 13-year old daughter. During the court case in this story, the Indian struggles to make sense of the white man’s court. Even though the community is convinced of his guilt, Rebecca must decide for herself what—and who—is right in this look at prejudice and early American justice. See how Rebecca devises a plan to save John O’Mic and whether it works.

Dream Big this Summer at Lakeview Park!

04/30/2012

Families with children of all ages are invited to Dream Big at Lakeview Park’s Beach Party!

The fun begins at noon on Saturday, June 2, as we do some stargazing in the Rose Café. STARLAB, a portable planetarium on loan from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, will be on display for amazing views of the night sky. Then, at 1 p.m., join us for a live musical program by Icho Daiko (Japanese drummers) outside on the concrete performance area.

Other activities for the day will include face painting, crafts, games, and a special scavenger hunt through all of Lakeview Park. The Library’s mascot, Browser®, will be there, so make sure you bring your camera!

Come celebrate the start of Summer Reading and the opening of Lakeview Park’s beach season at this fourth-annual event! Lakeview Park is located at 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain.

The Children’s Summer Reading Program is funded by a grant from The Stocker Foundation. Program sponsorship includes the Cleveland Indians.

For details about the Beach Party, or the Summer Reading Program, contact your local Lorain Public Library System Library or the Bookmobile.

Shred Those Unwanted Papers At Main Library In Lorain During Community Shred Day

04/20/2012

Do you have paperwork you need to get rid of? Shred it then forget it!

Properly shred unwanted paperwork at our Library and avoid identity theft.

The Friends of the Lorain Public Library, Inc. are sponsoring a free Community Shred Day, Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Main Library’s parking lot, at 351 W. Sixth Street, Lorain.

Don’t be a victim of identity theft. Shred documents you don’t need that contain sensitive information, like your Social Security number, date of birth, medical information, old tax documents, or bank account numbers. Shred those unwanted credit card offers you get in the mail too.

This service is limited to five boxes of documents per person. Only household paper will be accepted, no business paper files.

The Shredding Network of Wickliffe, Ohio will use their mobile shred truck to shred your personal documents or confidential papers on-site. The shreds will be taken to the Shredding Network facility the same day. All shreds are baled and shipped to paper mills where they will be pulped and recycled into usable paper products such as cardboard.

Bring only paper for shredding. Documents should not be bound. No books are accepted for shredding. Pages should be removed from plastic folders, 3-ring binders, etc. Do not include 3-ring or plastic binders in your box of paper to be shredded. Please remove paper clips. Staples do not need to be removed from documents.

For more information, call the Main Library Information Desk, 440-244-1192, ext. 450 or 1-800-322-READ, ext. 450.

Book Sale Bargains At May Book Sale At Domonkas Branch Library In Sheffield Lake

04/16/2012

Get great bargains on books and more at The Friends of the Domonkas Library Book Sale in May at the Lorain Public Library System’s Domonkas Branch Library.

The Book Sale will be open to the public: Thursday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, May 25 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ; and Penny A Book Sale (Books are only a penny each while supplies last.), Tuesday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Preview Sale will be held, Wednesday, May 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the Book Sale Preview is reserved for members of The Friends of the Domonkas Library. New members may join, or former members may renew their annual membership that evening.

For more information, call the Domonkas Branch Library at 440-949-7410. The Domonkas Branch Library is located at 4125 E. Lake Rd. in Sheffield Lake.

ALLDATA® Car Repair Information Available Again!

02/20/2012

Lorain Public Library System (LPLS) is pleased to again offer access to the ALLDATA® automotive repair database. ALLDATA® Online can only be used inside a LPLS building.

ALLDATA® Online is a comprehensive database of car repair information. ALLDATA® covers both domestic and imported cars, light trucks, and vans from 1982 to the present. ALLDATA® can be used to find repair information, including: wiring diagrams, factory technical service bulletins, periodic maintenance recommendations, and parts and labor estimates. The only information you need to get started is the car year, make, model, and engine type.

Printable diagrams are available for many makes and models of automobiles. Factory Recall and Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) provide information on reliability and performance, special warranty provisions and extensions, fixes for common problems, and updated factory repair procedures. You can print wiring diagrams on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. The subscription for ALLDATA® was purchased by the Lorain Public Library System with public library funding from the State.

The Lorain Public Library System Helps Every Child Get Ready To Read

12/01/2011

Learning to read begins before children start school. Young children need to develop important language and literacy skills before they can actually learn to read.

Parents and other caregivers can start now to help their children develop these skills. Every Child Ready to Read®, a national research-based program, demonstrates how parents can use five familiar and easy-to-use practices to develop language and other early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.

The Lorain Public Library System offers programs that explain why the skills are so important, demonstrate how to help children learn the skills, provide titles of high-interest books that are age appropriate, and send parents and caregivers home with early literacy activities they can incorporate into their family’s daily routine.

The programs are based on research about language, early literacy skills, and how children learn. We know that children from birth to age five learn primarily through interactions with their parents and other important adults in their lives as well as from their environment. Every Child Ready to Read® gives parents and other caregivers simple, but powerful ways to help children develop the language and other skills they need to learn to read.

According to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA), the divisions of the American Library Association that developed Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library®, parents and other caregivers are in the best position to help young children learn these skills because:

Parents know their children best and can help them learn in ways and at times that are easiest for them.
Young children have short attention spans. Parents and caregivers can engage children in language and literacy activities for short bits of time throughout the day.
Parents are tremendous role models–children are more likely to want to read if they see that their parents value and enjoy reading.
Children learn best by doing—and they love doing things with their parents.

Parents can give children a tremendous advantage in school and in life by helping prepare them for reading success. For more information about scheduling an early literacy program as well as other materials and resources for parents and caregivers, stop in at any Lorain Public Library System location or the Bookmobile.

Our Libraries also offer a variety of free story programs throughout the year. These story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers help children begin an appreciation for books and reading. The story programs feature pre-reading skills for parents and children including finger plays, music, rhythm and crafts. Click here for details about upcoming programs, or contact your local Lorain Public Library System Library.

Check Out The Ohio Obituary Index On The Internet

03/24/2011

Lorain Public Library System (LPLS) is now a partner Library that inputs obituary information to the online Hayes Presidential Center Ohio Obituary Index.

Originally the Ohio Obituary Index was compiled from newspapers by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Library staff and volunteers. Starting in 2001, other Ohio Libraries started entering data into the Index, so it now extends beyond the holdings of the Hayes Presidential Library.

As of this date, 47 Libraries are partners in the Ohio Obituary Index and are indexing old and current newspaper entries, totaling more than 1.8 million obituaries from 1810-2011.

When LPLS signed up with the Ohio Obituary Index, we shared almost 50,000 records that had been stored on the LPLS computer network. Those records can now be searched by anyone who has access to the Internet.

The Ohio Obituary Index also partners with Ancestry.com and Archives.com. The Hayes Presidential Center has created an online resource that allows people to use the Internet to find their ancestor’s obituary and then either send for a copy of the obituary, or to visit the location that owns the microfilm or newspapers that have been indexed. Check out the Ohio Obituary Index on the Internet at http://index.rbhayes.org/hayes/index/.

Would you like to get involved as a volunteer who adds obituary information to the Ohio Obituary Index? Do you have Internet access at home? If you have answered yes to both of these questions, we would be glad to hear from you. Contact Valerie Smith, LPLS Public Services Coordinator for details at vsmith@lpls.info.

Lorain Public Library System Now Uses Debt Collection Service

11/22/2010

As of January 2011, the Lorain Public Library System uses Unique Management Services as a collection agency.

The agency is used to get overdue library materials returned to the Library and to collect monies from patrons owing at least $50 in overdue library materials, or $50 in combined library fines and overdue library materials.

Don’t let your library fines and library fees for overdue materials get out of control.

Please bring back library materials on time, so other library patrons can borrow and enjoy them too.

Thank you for your cooperation.

For more information, contact Debra Jackson, Public Services Coordinator, Lorain Public Library System by email at djackson@lpls.info or by phone at 440-244-1192, ext. 257 or 1-800-322-READ, ext. 257.

Lorain Public Library System Offers Free Downloadable Music From Its Website

11/19/2010

Music lovers are now able to enjoy Lorain Public Library System’s new service. Lorain Public Library System library card holders may download music for free from Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists.

Called Freegal, this new service will allow Lorain Public Library System to increase the size and diversity of its music collection by offering access to hundreds of thousands of songs.

Under the terms of the agreement, library patrons who have a library card issued by the Lorain Public Library System can download three Sony Music tracks in the MP3 format weekly at no direct cost. To use the Freegal service, go to the Lorain Public Library System’s website at www.lorainpubliclibrary.org and click on the Freegal button.

“We have been waiting a long time for a service like this that delivers great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use. We think this will be incredibly popular with our patrons,” said Joanne Eldridge, Lorain Public Library System Director.

“Sony Music has an incredibly expansive and popular catalog and we are really excited to partner with them on this, a very important product for libraries,” said Brian Downing, co-founder of Library Ideas.

For further information, please call Valerie Smith, Lorain Public Library System's Public Services Coordinator at 440-244-1192, ext. 254 or 1-800-322-READ, ext. 254.

The Lorain Public Library System provides library service through its Main Library in Lorain, the South Lorain Branch, Avon Branch, Columbia Branch, Domonkas Branch in Sheffield Lake, North Ridgeville Branch and the Bookmobile.

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.