Leaders are Readers

Monroe community leaders Mayor Robert Zimmerman and City Councilmember Tony Balk took time to honor Children's Book Festival Bookmark Contest winners in November.

Tony and Robert posed for READ posters with some favorite books.

Tony Balk talked about his earliest library memories--of the marble staircase in the big city library where he spent many childhood hours. Tony remembers grooves worn into the steps from constant use.

Robert Zimmerman recalled not reading much as a child and how as a parent he reads every day to his children, an important family time for him.

Chilling at the Library

If there was one thing you could change about the library to make it more comfortable, what would it be?

Maybe you would like all the chairs to be covered in bright orange fake fur.

Maybe librarians should look at how the furniture is arranged at the end of the day and not move it back to the way it was in the morning.

What's your "serenity spot" in the library?

Celebrating 29 Years of "Banned Books Week" - Sept. 25 - Oct. 2

This year marks the 29th anniversary of Banned Books Week!

According to the American Library Associations (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), the ALA OIF "receives hundreds of reports on book challenges, which are formal written requests to remove a book from a library or classroom because of an objection to the book's content. There were 460 recorded attempts to remove materials from libraries in 2009 and more than 11,000 attempts recorded since the OIF began compiling information on book challenges in 1990. ".



In celebration of Banned Books Week, here is the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom list of the "Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009"



1. ttyl, ttfn, l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle

Reasons: Drugs, Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

2. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

Reasons: Homosexuality

3.The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chabrosky Reasons: Anti-Family, Drugs, Homosexuality, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Reasons: Offensive Language, Racism, Unsuited to Age Group

5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer Reasons: Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

6. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. SalingerReasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

7. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi PicoultReasons: Drugs, Homosexuality, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexism, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence

8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn MacklerReasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

9. The Color Purple by Alice WalkerReasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group


10. The Chocolate War by Robert CormierReasons: Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

All of these titles are available at your local Sno-Isle library!

Happy reading!

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"Online Tools for Success" Videos on YouTube

Did you know Sno-Isle offers many online resource tools through our website? Watch these videos to see how Sno-Isle Libraries' FREE online tools can help!


CAREER ACCELERATOR


BUSINESS DECISION


REFERENCE USA

These databases and more can be found through our website under Databases & Research.

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Just search for "Sno-Isle Libraries" to gain access to current updates, information on library events and more!

Hot enough for ya?

Need a place to beat the heat this week? Then come on down to the Monroe library! Soak up some a/c, and take a look at our new display of books about arctic exploration!

For adventurers, climbing the Seven Summits--including Everest--and reaching all four Poles is the Holy Grail of world exploration. David Hempleman-Adams became the first man on the planet to do it. In Walking on Thin Ice, the world's most accomplished explorer recounts the final leg of his extraordinary15-year odyssey.

In the nineteenth century, theories about the North Pole ran rampant. Was it an open sea? Was it a portal to new worlds within the globe? Or was it just a wilderness of ice? When Sir John Franklin disappeared in the Arctic in 1845, explorers decided it was time to find out. In scintillating detail, Ninety Degrees North tells of the vying governments (including the United States, Britain, Germany, and Austria-Hungary) and fantastic eccentrics (from Swedish balloonists to Italian aristocrats) who, despite their heroic failures, often achieved massive celebrity as they battled shipwreck, starvation, and sickness to reach the top of the world. Drawing on unpublished archives and long-forgotten journals, Fleming tells this story with consummate craftsmanship and wit. Ninety Degrees North is a riveting saga of humankind's search for the ultimate goal.

During the Golden Era of Exploration, Captain Robert Scott and his competitor Roald Amundsen conquered the unconquerable: Antarctica. This perilous race to the South Pole claimed the life of Scott and became the stuff of legend, as well as endless scrutiny. In this compelling, meticulously researched history of Captain Scott and his fatal journey, renowned modern-day explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, holder of ten world expeditionary records, has written the definitive book on the hotly debated subject.

Summer Reading Isn't Just for Kids!

From June through August, adults can participate in our Adult Summer Reading program by submitting book reviews. For every three reviews submitted to the Monroe Library, adults will receive a gift card to a Monroe business (Sweet Indulgence, Chocolate Moose, Pet Pros or Main Street Books), or they can choose 2 free passes to the Seattle Museum of History and Industry.
In addition, Sno-Isle will choose a Reader of the Week for 7 weeks this summer. The winner will be featured on a READ poster and will get to share their personal booklist on our website. Check out next week's winner--it's one of our patrons from Monroe!
You can either fill out an online book review or stop by the library to pick up a review form. We look forward to seeing what you're reading this summer!

Iron Man 2 or Robin Hood?

As usual, there are a number of movies coming out this summer that promise to draw extensive crowds and earn the honor of being called a summer blockbuster. Some of the “summer” movies are already out even though summer doesn’t actually arrive until June 21. Iron Man 2 and Robin Hood are already out in theaters. Shrek Forever After, The A-Team, Toy Story 3, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and quite a few more are coming soon to a theater near you.

While you are choosing which movies to go see, don’t forget that Sno-Isle has a great selection of former summer blockbusters and award winning movies to check out. Come check out old favorites or movies that you missed in the theater!

Which movies do you plan to see this summer?

Down the Highway

We have staff who ride Harley’s and Honda’s (with dogs in tow!), several who have beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, and dogs of various sizes and breeds. We umpire baseball games, play yu-gi-oh! card games, do trivia, knit, crochet, cross stitch, and sew…….and let's not forget read.

I have worked for Sno-Isle libraries for 20 years. The library has always been a part of my life since I was very small child. I have a son 20 and a small dog, a chug (Chihuahua and pug mix) named Chico. I live on a farm that has 70 goats, 7 Llamas, 4 horses, 8 quail, 1 duck, 3 roosters, 1 hen, and 4 other dogs. We also have a big vegetable garden. I also like to ride Harley Davidson motorcycles! A couple of years ago I took a trip to bike week in Sturgis South Dakota. This trip is the one that I decided I needed a bike of my own! To plan for this trip I first picked up Rand McNally Road Atlas. We looked at the various different roads we could take to get there. When we picked out different stopping points I used the keyword option in our catalog to put in the different areas, such as Yellowstone. I had actually been to Yellowstone about five years prior so I was familiar with several books that I had used before but really liked Yellowstone & Grand Teton the best. Once I took the course for motorcycle riding and got my license, I started looking for a bike. I first purchased a 1986 Harley Davidson Sportster that is the traditional Harley Davidson blue, turquoise to me. I then found a 2006 Harley Davidson V-rod and fell in love with its beautiful burgundy color and comfort. My son also rides so we often go together. For rides around the sound I have used the Backroads of Washington: your guide to Washington’s Most Scenic Backroad Adventures by Diana Fairbanks and Exploring Washington’s Backroads by John Deviny. Where will my next ride take me?

We'll Help You Escape

This week we've seen rain, sun, hail, wind, thunder and lightning. When the weather gets crazy, there is nothing I love more than picking up a novel and reading about characters who live in or travel to foreign countries. Here are some books that have recently helped me escape:

Upside Down, Inside Out (Australia)


DMZ (Colombia)


Chateau of Echoes (France)


The Accidental Mother (England)


Moon Over Tokyo




Here are two series I highly recommend because their fast pace kept me hooked from the very beginning.

The Russian Trilogy by Hynd, Noel, with books set in Kiev, Madrid and Cairo

Task Force Valor Series by Holton, Chuck, with books that take place in the Middle East, Panama and Chernobyl

If you don’t know what to read and need some inspiration, check out our Recommended Reads under the “Books, Movies, Music” section of our website. There are many different categories of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from cozy mysteries to green living, from time travel fiction to family finance.

Sno-Isle also subscribes to a fantastic database called NoveList Plus. Select “Databases and Research” on our home page, choose “Books and Literature” under subjects, and then click on NoveList Plus. You will find a big selection of author read-alikes, so if you’re in the mood to read something similar to Dick Frances, for example, see what they suggest. You can also find books by category for children, teens and adults.

And as always, we are happy to help you find something to read! Please don’t hesitate to ask!

Download EBooks From Sno-Isle's Web Site

Very exciting news that eBooks are now available from the Sno-Isle Web site through OverDrive. EBooks are books that you can download to your pc or mac and then transfer to some brands of readers, phones, etc. Of course I had to try it out right away! I don't own a reader, but I tried it out on my laptop and I really liked it. I thought I wouldn't like reading from a screen, but it was OK, and I can see there are definitely times when I will use this service. For example: even though I work in a library sometimes I actually run out of books to read, or the books I have aren't what I am the mood to read at the time. Also traveling - planning how many books I will need to bring is always a hassle...I don't want to pack too many, but I don't want to run out. Then there are those appointments that I drive my Dad to every week with nearby free WIFI that I take advantage of, now I can check out an eBook, when I forget to bring a book along.



It's easy to use with just your library card, the Sno-Isle Web site, and a pc or mac, and in just a few clicks you can download and start reading!



I was able to check out Mitch Albom's "Have a Little Faith" as an eBook. I was planning to get in the hold queue after hearing good things about it and I was suprised to find it available for check out as an eBook.

FarmVille: Do You Play?

When I first got a facebook account, I was inundated with a barrage of invitations that I received from friends to play online-virtual-social games. Truth be told, these invitations puzzled and annoyed me. I didn't know a thing about those games.

A recent article at CNN.com estimates that approximately 75 million people play FarmVille each month. Is it just me, or does that seem like a LOT of people?

Well, the invitations from friends continued to pour in and guess what? I succumbed, and I am now a faithful FarmVille player.

Each day I plant my own crops, fertilize my neighbors' crops, feed the neighbors' chickens, and send my neighbors virtual gifts. Some of these activities result in almost daily, multiple posts to my profile and my friends' homepages. If you're not into FV, these posts may annoy you. I'm sorry, but my FV neighbors love them!

Because of the many postings generated by FV and other social games, a facebook group was created and entitled "I don't care about your farm, or your fish, or your park, or your mafia!!!" According the the CNN.com article, the group once boasted of over 5 million members. I recently tried to access the groups profile, but I couldn't find it. Perhaps, the group members all started playing FarmVille and subsequently disbanded.

A recent study was cited in the Seattle PI and related information regarding library computer use. "A third of Americans 14 and older - about 77 million people - use public library computers..." At Sno-Isle Libraries, customers can enjoy up to two hours of computer time each day.

Hmmmm. I wonder how many of them play FarmVille. Do you?

Three Dudes and You're Out

What I have learned at the Monroe Police Department's Citizen Academy:

Cops have a sense of humor and a knack for finding gross and funny movies on YouTube. Have you ever seen a wood spider under the influence of caffeine? TCP? Crack?

Cops have a depth of knowledge that astounds me. Did you know that a police Drug Recognition Expert crams the equivalent of a first-year medical school physiology course into one month?

Traffic stops are the most dangerous work that cops perform. Did you know that Timothy McVeigh was arrested because of a routine traffic stop?

Cops are passionate about keeping us safe.

Did you know that the Monroe Police Department's Community Service Officer has had extensive training in how to choose a child restraint system that fits your child and vehicle and that she will schedule individual appointments with parents, grandparents or others who transport children in their vehicles to advise on that fit?

A detective told our class "DUI is one crime I can interdict. Every DUI is one less death."

Did you know that there are more DUI-related deaths annually than the total number of combat deaths in the Vietnam War?


Want to be a cop?

The library has books and electronic resources to prepare you for a career in law enforcement.

Police Officer Exam

Just don't say DUDE! more than three times in the presence of an officer.

Librarian Field Trip

I had the honor of attending the Children's Literature Conference in Bellingham last weekend. This served as sort of a librarian field trip, and brought back grade school memories especially since I got to ride on a (shuttle) bus, eat a box lunch, and listen to professionals (in this case authors for children and teens) talk about what they do.

Librarians tend to treat writers like rock stars and in this case we got to see a Hall of Fame lineup of Newbery-, Caldecott- and Printz-award winning authors Linda Sue Park, Gerald McDermott, and John Green. Each author talked about their work and how they connected with their readers in a variety of different ways. Park used baseball as an analogy, McDermott showed a student film he had made as a young author, and Green used Internet memes such as Kanye's "Imma let you finish" and video blogs.

In fact Green's entire presentation was based on humor, but quite profound as he explained the Internet is not just a place to find silly jokes and videos, but a tool for establishing connections between authors and readers, teachers and students, and even (if I can extrapolate a bit) librarians and patrons. His example was a video blog that he records to communicate with his brother (but one that is followed by thousands of teens... and more than a few librarians) on Youtube in which he talks entirely about The Catcher in the Rye, was watched by 90,000 people. My example (viewed by far fewer people... but more than a few librarians) would be these blogs that staff put out there to tell our patrons about books, reading, the library system, or a librarian's day. They may seem kind of dull or pedantic (really, who gets THAT excited about databases?) but they offer a way for libraries to connect with their users and show them the variety of ways libraries are working to matter in their lives.

So Long Booklist....

Like many, I keep a long list of books I would like to read in the future. Over the past few weeks, I have been working my way through the list at an increased pace because of some great news I received in December. At the end of last year I was very fortunate to learn that I have been appointed to the 2011 Robert F. Sibert Award committee, a committee that selects the most distinguished children's nonfiction book published the previous year. Aside from being a great honor and an opportunity to take a part in advocating for children's informational books, it also means I will be reading A LOT of children's nonfiction. In fact, the first box of books arrived yesterday. After bringing the box in the house, I made a point of finishing Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places, crossed it off my list, filed the list under “open January 2011” and embarked on what is sure to be an informative and busy ten months.

For more information about the award and to view previous winners click on Sibert Award

Do You Prefer Cats or Dogs?

When it comes to cats and dogs, I am definitely a dog person. I have a Jack Russell/cocker spaniel mix and a beagle/cocker spaniel mix. For the most part, the Jack Russell is obedient and calm, except when he hears the doorbell or spots another dog while we're on a walk (and then he become ferocious)! He absolutely loves watching tv, and jumps up and barks at the screen any time he sees an animal.

The beagle is affectionate, playful and very disobedient. There is almost nothing she won't eat, including diamond earrings, library books, anything out of the garbage, and my favorite shoes. She has made me late to appoinments by escaping out the front door and running around the neighborhood. She loves diving into the pond and mud by my house, attempting to get the ducks. She ruined my in-laws' perfect backyard by digging numerous holes. She howls and gets frantic when we go somewhere in the car. She follows me around so much that I trip over her. Despite all that, I can't imagine life without my dogs.

If you're a dog lover like me, check out some of these library books. I even added a few for all you cat lovers out there.

Inside of a Dog

100 Ways to Understand Your Dog

Do You Look Like Your Dog?

Dog Joy

Woof

I am the Cat, Don't Forget That: Feline Expressions

Do Cats Hear With Their Feet?

Happy Cat, Happy You: Quick Tips for Building a Bond with Your Feline Friend

Planet Cat: A Cat-alog

Which pet do you prefer? Do you have any stories to share?

Do You Know Who You Are?

Find Out With Sno-Isle Libraries Online Genealogy Databases Have you heard of the new TV show about celebrities researching their family trees? Well guess what, Genealogy Databases are available at the library for free. Ancestry Library Edition is available from library pcs and there are several other databases including HeritageQuest Online that are available from home too, all you need is a library card. And don't miss the recommended Web Sites.
Personally, I haven’t found a famous connection on my family tree, but I have found research posted by relatives who have traced one family name back to the 1600s. I also have found that my Grandmother's family traces back to a crossing from Germany to the Colonies in 1730. During the crossing a child was born to that family and the child’s name was Mary. My Grandma’s name is Mary, my Aunt’s name is Mary and my middle name - you guessed it - Mary. My Grandma always said that Mary was a “family name,” but now it has a bit more meaning for me. (photo of my Grandma Mary W. College Spring Break 1920 Montana)
There's a family rumor that President Zachary Taylor is a distant relation, but I haven’t found that “leaf” yet on the family tree.
Have you had any interesting finds or surprises while researching your family tree?

Unexpected Questions, Unexpected Answers

One of the more unpredictable aspects of being a librarian is the questions you will get on any given day and the information you will use to answer those questions. The other day I was struck by the variety of 3 questions I received while working on the information desk, and additionally the answers I was able to provide.

Our first patron was a young boy of about 8 asking for Louis L'Amour. I showed him where the books were located on the highest shelf and offered to get him a stool to reach them. "No," he responded, "On tape." So I walked him to our talking book section... and again offered to fetch him a stool as they were again on the top shelf. I thought it was remarkable that a kid so young was reading (or in this case listening to) Louis L'Amour cowboy stories when his peers were checking out Magic Treehouse and Captain Underpants.

Our second patron was a teenage girl wanting to put up flyers advertising her availability for odd jobs. She wanted my assistance in designing a flyer that would get noticed. I sketched out a couple ideas and told her to put it together in Microsoft Publisher as she would have a better, more attention-getting result.

And our third patron was a teenage girl working on her culminating challenge project. She was studying professions and needed to interview someone working in the career she was interested in pursuing. The difficulty was that she had chosen actor as her profession and neither of us knew any who hung around the Sky Valley. What I did know (or was able to find out) was that Seattle had a Screen Actors Guild chapter which might be able to help her out. In addition Monroe's own flim-making Stipek triplets have worked with library in the past and I gave her their website and email addresses thinking they might have connections since as the Monitor reported they recently met with Anthony Hopkins.

Three young patrons, three very different questions and answers. And a three-time Best Actor nominee. Just another night at the information desk.

Download Audiobooks at Home

Audiobooks have become a very popular format for people to experience great literature. Most popular books also come out in an audio version. These audiobooks are great for people in many different situations. They can help pass the time if you have a long commute every day to get to work or a road trip that you are taking to visit family for a holiday. They are also very helpful for our senior citizens who may be experiencing difficulty trying to read the small print found in most books. Even children can enjoy these audiobooks as a way to get more involved in literature and stories.

We currently have a system in place powered by Overdrive that allows you to check out and download audiobooks straight to your home computer even if the library building is closed. In some cases, you can then burn the audio on cds or even transfer it on to your portable music device (like the ipod). There is a program you must install on to your computer before you can use the system, but it is a fairly simple process. Just follow the directions in the "Quick Start Guide". I strongly encourage you to give this system a try. Also check out the music and video that you can download to your computer as well.

We would love to hear about your experiences using this library resource. Let us know what you like (or don't like) so we can help improve everyone's experience with downloading library materials. If you have any technical problems, please check out the FAQs or submit a technical support request. Enjoy!!!

What do the Volunteers at the Monroe Library do?

Do you ever wonder who cuts those little scratch papers that are by the computers? Who fills the plastic bag holders? Who gets your holds out on the hold shelf so quickly? How come those pencils are always sharpened and filled so perfectly? Notice how the paper is always filled and ready for you to print or copy?
Our volunteers are very valuable here in Monroe. We have several volunteers who come in daily to help us with opening procedures, pull books to fill holds, file our holds while we process the delivery, clean our book drop bins, shelves and table tops, help book mobile with cleaning of their childcare books, sharpen our pencils, cut scrap paper, and fill our plastic bag dispensers. We also have a Tech Teen program where the teens teach an internet and Library database class once a month!

Thank you volunteers for all the great work you do!

We do have openings for volunteers, contact cbly@sno-isle.org for more information, or just come by and see me!

What DO librarians read?

Occasionally on the front page of the Sno-Isle website you might see a banner titled "What We're Reading". You might wonder, "Who are the 'We' in the title?" In this case it is the Reader's Advisory Committee, who is in charge of this banner, picking titles for the book club kits, and a yearly Reader's Advisory training.

One of the common misconceptions of library employees is that they get to spend all day reading. This is very rarely the case. As a rule we do tend to read a LOT of books, but on our own time. The Reader's Advisory Committee is one of the ways we share that collected knowledge with others and with our patrons.

I have been privileged to be on the committee for two years now and it is easily one of my favorite library activities (and I get to play Rock Band with teenagers on a regular basis). Each one of the committee members contributes a week or two of titles to What We're Reading every couple of months and we put a lot of thought into the titles we pick. They can be new titles that we're really excited about or older titles that may have slipped under the radar. In all cases they are books we feel strongly about and hope you will give a chance. Check one out today.

Everyone should wear slippers at the library

On January 5th, we began a new series of storytimes called Pajama Storytime. We had an enthusiastic group of pajama wearing, blanket and stuffed animal toting children who came to listen to stories, sing songs, and make crafts. As the storytime presenter, I got to wear a bathrobe and slippers. I wish I could wear slippers at the library every day!

We will be continuing the series once a month over the course of the year. The next one will be on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00pm. I hope to see you at Pajama Storytime. Don’t forget to bring your slippers!

"Twilight" Star comes to Monroe?

Hey Twilight fans is that... no I guess it is just a cardboard cutout of our favorite Vampire checking out the new DVD bins at the Monroe Library. Find great movies at your library or go to the Sno-Isle website and place holds on you favorite titles. Some favorite Vampire movies that you can find in the Sno-Isle catalog include:

Twilight
Fright Night
Underworld

I'm already thinking about my veggie garden for 2010

Well, it's January and I'm already thinking about what I will plant this spring in my vegetable garden. Last year's garden was such a success that I want to get a head start on planning for this year. The seed catalogs started arriving after Thanksgiving, and now I actually have time to read them and find some good gardening ideas from the books at the library.

Here are a few gardening books I am currently reading:

"Green Gardener's Guide" by Joe Lamp'l





"The Frugal Gardener: How To Have More Garden For Less Money" by Catriona Tudor Erler

Find more books about gardening at the Library!