The library's changing!

There have been a few changes and additions at the library recently. The increased demand for Play-Aways, the electronic audio books, as well as the continued support of the Lebanon Lions Club, has created a need for a bigger display shelf. You’ll now find these popular items near the audio CDs and cassettes.

We’ve also added a lovely seating area in the back of the library for those seeking a quiet place to relax and read-it can get hectic in here! This refreshing oasis, arranged by some of our volunteers, has comfortable chairs and beautiful plants to make you feel right at home.

There has been a lot of exciting activity going on at the Lebanon Library in the past few weeks!

Check out the reference desk for a selection of holiday themed reading materials, for all ages and interests.

As the holiday season approaches, the Library asks that you consider giving the gift of reading to our community. Staff and volunteers have created the Adopt-A-Book tree, on display at the library entrance. On the tree you’ll find a number of books from our Amazon Wish List. By adopting the book, your purchase allows us to put the item into our collection so that everyone may enjoy it- this really is a gift that keeps on giving! For further information, ask at the circulation desk.

Record Albums also for Sale (in the Lobby)!

Do you love the sound of a hi-fi's needle making contact with a vinyl LP? Do you find joy in melodies that are brought forth by a turntable? Do you collect and frame album cover art because it's not only cool, but an almost extinct art form?

Well if you answered "Yes" to any of these questions - you should check out our used collection of vinyl LPs (record albums) in the library's lobby - each album is only 25 cents each! While we always seem to have a supply, we have recently aquired many donations so our display is at capacity.

Sure our selection is dominated by the likes of Mitch Miller, and mostly easy listening artists, but if you search long enough you will come up with some gems like the ones pictured here - all for sale in our lobby.

Do you hear the Supremes' Symphony?

This album reminds me of the Christopher Guest film A Mighty Wind http://amightywindonline.warnerbros.com/ I have been waiting for months for someone to make this record their own and get folksy.


Ah Camelot, personally I never saw the film, but this is pretty typical of the many, many motion picture soundtracks available on vinyl in the lobby. I have been waiting for more rappers and pop stars to sample movie musicals and country artists' work. Has someone already sampled Dolly Parton's Jolene - someone should?

Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall - sample it yourself via amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Belafonte-Returns-Carnegie-Hall-Harry/dp/B0012GMWPW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256836404&sr=8-2




This is a typical album cover that can be found in the lobby almost year round. Perhaps the music doesn't move you (sorry all you waltz fans), but if you're looking for the perfect 50's & 60's artwork this just might work decorate your personal pad or lounge.

The Lettermen still cool after all these 49 years? You bet http://www.thelettermen.com/ (beware their website has lots of frames, but it also plays their music). From the site it appears they are still performing and will be in Scranton, PA on Dec. 18 this year.

Tennesse Ernie Ford in a sharp dressed suit with the "The Star Carol" album, what could be more festive?

A personal favorite because my father has this one. We still play it every year at Christmas time.




For those of you interested in things children might like there's this and I saw Mary Poppins out there too.

I think this might be the most bizarre album in the lobby as far as art goes. Did Tony Bennett steal someone else's clothes to pose for this art piece? It feels very Scooby Doo to me.

The Limeliters are also still around much like the Lettermen. http://www.limeliters.com/ Is that a coffin, piano or a guitar case on the top of that VW?

It isn't the cover of this album that is interesting it's the back... (see below)

On the back Barbara decapitates her "friends:" Jim Nabors, Doris Day and Andre Kostelanetz. Thank goodness for the age of photoshop - now this would never happen.

Lawrence Welk's show lasted 27 years and is still being played on PBS stations everywhere today. Even though you might not admit it some of your musical memories were probably made with Welk. Watching the Halloween episode where Bobby Burgess dresses like a bat sure made an impression on me and my grandma. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czL0lpHlwHE Be Yourself!




And finally, Mitch Miller. How can you resist this happy guy with a song and a smile? Even if you don't buy the MANY albums we have, you can still sing along with Mitch via youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3QTjufgaN8

Book Sale Extended!

The Library's October Book Sale has been extended until Saturday, October 31 at 5pm! And no this is not a trick, it is most definitely a treat. We still have quite a few books remaining and everything must go!

The sale will remain open today from 8-6pm, Friday from 8-5pm and then on Saturday from 8-5pm.

Prices have been slashed and the amazing bargains are: A Box or Bag Full of Books for $5 or 50 cents for each hardback book, 25 cents for each large softcover book, and/or 10 cents for each small paperback book. Please make your payments for this extended sale at the circulation desk @ The Library.

Be sure to check out the sale again or for the very first time! The selection that remains includes mostly fiction titles, some biographies, Spanish languages library discards, religion, diet, fitness, self-help, textbooks, and lots of romance paperbacks.

If you have additional questions about the sale please contact Maureen Anderson, Assistant Library Director (pictured in the book sale) at 717-273-7624 ext. 209 or email her at anderson@lclibs.org

A Day at the Library

The Library is participating in SnapShot PA, an initiative to raise awareness of everything that happens in Pennsylvania's public libraries (and a chance to have some fun with a camera!).

Find more pics on Flickr!

H1N1 (Swine Flu) & You

Some H1N1 basics for your info:

How can you protect yourself from the H1N1 virus?
· Wash your hands frequently.
· Use hand sanitizers before and after using the computer and keyboard. Hand sanitizers are available at the Circulation, Reference, and Computer Center desks. Sanitizing wipes are also available at the Computer Center - please feel free to use them on computer keyboards and mice before and after use!
· Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Tissues are also available at the Circulation, Reference, and Computer Center desks.
· Avoid contact with people who have the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu?
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Body aches
· Headache
· Chills
· Fatigue
· Diarrhea (in some cases)
· Vomiting (in some cases)


More Resources:

Flu.gov: Know What to do About the Flu
http://www.flu.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/swine-flu/default.htm

Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/DS01144

Influenza Evidence-Based Information Portal
http://www.ebscohost.com/flu/

Book Sale Starts This Friday!

October 2009 Book Sale

Preview Sale - Friday, Oct. 23 - Noon to 5*

Regular Sale - Saturday, Oct. 24 - 8am-5pm

Regular Sale - Monday, Oct. 26 - 8am-8pm

Box of Books For $10 - Tuesday, Oct. 27 - 8am-8pm

Box of Books For $5 - Wednesday, Oct. 28 - 8am-8pm

Books for sale include the subjects of: Fiction, Science Fiction, Mystery, Religion, Psychology, Self Help, Diet, Fitness, Biography, New Age and much more. There will be no children’s books available at this sale.

*You must purchase a preview pass to this sale for $5 at the circulation desk. Passes will go on Sale Oct. 1st. Admittance to the Preview Sale Only with the Preview Pass! One per person. Sorry no sharing.

Book Signing This Monday!

Local author Robert C. Vogel will sign books at the Lebanon Community Library Monday, Oct. 19th from 6-8PM. Vogel, a Myerstown resident, is the author of A Way Home and A Way Home II: Resolution. Copies will be for sale at the signing. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the library.

White Cane Day

About 60 people came together at the library today to celebrate White Cane Day to raise awareness of the challenges faced by visually impaired people in our community. The Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired presented their annual white cane award to the Lebanon Lions Club in honor of their support of programs for visually impaired people. The library's circulation director Barbara Neil spoke about her experiences using a white cane and about the many audio resources available at the library. Lebanon Mayor Trish Ward also officially declared today White Cane Day in Lebanon.

Check out pics on Flickr.

Old World Folk Band Draws Crowd

175 attendees enjoyed an informative and fun musical program by The Old World Folk Band last evening at the Beth Israel Synagogue. The band performed Kelzmer and Eastern European folk music which represented the different periods evoked in the One Book, One Community regional recommended read - The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. The band also demonstrated and explained how people in disparate cultures and faiths act both simply and heroically to preserve music and the arts over time.

In addition last evening, nationally known calligrapher, Susan Leviton was on hand to demonstrate the art of Hebrew hand-lettering with a special emphasis on the style of Sarajevo Hagaddah, comparing it with Hebrew lettering arts from other geographic regions.

This event was presented by the One Book, One Community Committee, Beth Israel Synagogue and Lebanon County Libraries.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month @ The Library!

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Lebanon County right here @ The Library! Check out our bilingual Hispanic Heritage Month display and read about other cultures and traditions. Also stop by and chat with our Bilingual Services and Inter-library Loan Librarian, Caridad "Carol" Yeagley.

Do you have a question about Hispanic Heritage Month or the Bilingual Services @ The Library? If so, contact Caridad by email Interlibloan@lclibs.org or call 717-273-7624 ext. 211.

Nominate Your Librarian via The I Love My Librarian Awards!

This award invites library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community. Nominations will run through October 9 and are being accepted online at www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian.

Up to 10 librarians will be selected. Each will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and a $500 travel stipend to attend an awards ceremony and reception in New York, hosted by The New York Times in December. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner's library.

Each nominee must be a librarian with a master's degree from a program accredited by the ALA in library and information studies or a master's degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must be currently working in the United States in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or at an accredited K-12 school.

Nominees will be judged by a selection committee based on quality of service to library users, demonstrated knowledge of the library and its resources and commitment shown in helping library users.

Library Program featured in the Lebanon Daily News

Lebanon County Libraries Books To Go program featured in today's Lebanon Daily News. Check it out! http://www.ldnews.com/lebanonnews/ci_13409191

Another Way to Donate!

Check out our Amazon.com Wish List!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=299F42GAC03QV

Maybe you can't afford to give the library your usual donation this year, but perhaps you could afford to purchase one of these in-demand books for the library from amazon. Check it out!

Since we are new to this please try to include your contact info in the purchase info that is sent to the library so we may thank you for your purchase.

In Memory of Alice Eck

We lost another dedicated volunteer last week. Another woman who influenced library service and quality of life within our community, her name was Alice Eck.

Alice was our dedicated paperback department coordinator – volunteering @ the library since 1989. Over the years, she gave over 5,000 hours of service to the library, coming in almost everyday of the week. In addition, she recruited other volunteers to keep the paperback section well stocked and orderly.

She loved new paperback donations (of course), but also had a passion for flowers and gardening. She would often bring in some of her “favorites” to brighten up the library. Her dedication and spirit are greatly missed. To read more about Alice’s life please visit this link.http://www.legacy.com/ldnews/Obituaries.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=132840195

Goodbye Summer

It's Fall and time to take down all the fabulous art created by the children who participated in the Summer Reading Program this year. They definitely fit the theme of "Be Creative."

Check out the pics on our Flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lebanonlibrary

Watch this space next Spring for information on Summer Reading 2010 when we'll "Make a Splash!"

New Books at the Library !

Thank you, Waldenbooks!

Using donations raised during the recent

Waldenbooks fundraiser at the Lebanon Valley Mall,

the Lebanon Community Library was able

to purchase 17 new bestsellers.

Due to recent budgetary limitations

our library has been unable to purchase the newest titles.

Thanks to this fabulous fundraiser

we have been able to move forward with some of the most requested titles.

Three cheers for Waldenbooks!

Come visit the library

to learn about the latest additions.

Lebanon County Libraries Books to Go Program Grabs the Spotlight!

Lebanon County Libraries are featured in this month's Pennsylvania Library Association publication, The Bulletin. Follow the link below to read the article written by Lebanon County Libraries District Library Consultant, Linda Nicholson. Featured in the picture are Lions Club volunteer Melissa Brower and a Books to Go participant.

http://www.lclibs.org/lebanon/bulletin_article.pdf

Summer Reading by the Numbers

Number of children signed up for the Kids' SRP: 468.
Number of books given away for their hard work: 975.
Number of Summer Reading Programs: 15.
Number of people who attended SRP Programs: 1850.

Number of teens & adults signed up for the SRP: 277.
Number of teen raffle tickets entered: 140.
Number of adult raffle tickets entered: 341.

So, at three books read per raffle ticket, that means that the teens read 420 books, and adults read 1023 books!

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Summer Reading Program!

Waldenbooks Fundraiser Success!

Last Saturday Waldenbooks at the Lebanon Valley Mall hosted a Multi Author Book Signing that was also a fundraiser for the Lebanon Community Library. 26 Authors were there and sold in total 181 books generating a donation of $450 in Waldenbook gift cards for the Library!

Thank you to the authors, the staff and customers at Waldenbooks - especially Waldenbooks organizer - Heather Lloyd, and to YOU - the Library patrons and friends for your support this literary event right here in Lebanon!

In the photos above you will see Heather Lloyd presenting Maureen Anderson, the Library's Assistant Director (me) with the $450 in gift cards. We are going to use some of these gift cards to reward our teen & adult summer reading participants. And the rest will purchase popular book titles for the library! Since we haven't been able to purchase new books since our May spending freeze - this is welcome news! And thanks to Waldenbooks for the 25% discount - you are amazing!

You will also see a picture of the Mall sign that was put up in preparation for the event and a panel discussion with Megan Hart, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maria V. Snyder, Mindy Klasky, and Savannah Russe. Finally there is a group shot of Mindy Klasky, Byron Morrison, Savannah Russe, Frank Bittinger, Charlene Haines and Heather Lloyd. There are more pictures from the event that Heather was kind enough to share and I hope to add them next week so check back to the blog.

What to read next?

Q: What can you do when you've devoured everything by your favorite author?

A: Move on to another great author and read all of their books!

NoveList is a great service through POWER Library that, among other things, offers a service called Author Read-Alikes. Short articles talk about a certain author and the themes of their books. Then, based on those themes, other authors are suggested.

So...can't get enough Jodi Picoult? Her read-alike suggests Chris Bohjalian, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Luanne Rice, Ann Hood, and Sue Miller. Find those authors here!

Click here to start finding your favorite authors and what to read next! Enter your library card barcode number, click on NoveList, then click on Author Read-Alikes on the left.

In Memoriam

Within the last month the library has lost three very special women. These women have influenced library service and quality of life within our community and we would like to remember their impact here.

Alberta Margin was our dedicated former staff member and volunteer shelver for many years. She could always be counted on to put books back in their proper place. She was also a fiesty cat lover and world traveler. We discovered at her funeral that she and her sister traveled internationally quite often - loving every moment. She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and swapped them frequently with our staff. To read more about Alberta's life please visit this link.
http://www.thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com/sitemaker/sites/Thomps1/obit.cgi?user=alberta-margin

Phyllis Rich was our dedicated circulation desk volunteer. She spent every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays with us. Phyllis has given the Library over 7,825 hours of service. She was always checking registration cards – over the years she probably sorted, filed and double-checked thousands of cards. She was usually all business, but occasionally a smile crossed her face and when it did - it was magic. To read more about Phyllis's life please visit this link. http://www.thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com/sitemaker/sites/Thomps1/obit.cgi?user=phyllis-rich

Arnetta Weaber was our technical services guru. With 20 years of experience covering books @ the library, she made it an art. As a staff member, she was always laughing and having a good time. She could be found most days working hard and listening to WLBR. Her sense of humor and spunk was legendary. To read Arnetta's online guestbook please visit this link.
http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=6283666383420

Library Tattoo Day

Don’t believe everything you hear about librarians being mild mannered! Monday the 20th of July was Tattoo Day for library staff and volunteers. They allowed their creativity to shine through with temporary tattoos expressing their love of all things library. Some of these included Shakespearean quotes, “I Love the Dewey Decimal System”, and a particularly menacing flaming skull reminding all of us of the importance of returning library materials on time.

Chalk Mural Madness!

The sidewalks around the library have been beautifully decorated this week. Everyone showed their creativity and unique style. Come check out the chalk drawings before rain washes them away.

See more pictures of the artwork on our Flickr page.

Poetry Ceremony Pics!

Last night about 50 people came to the ceremony and poetry reading celebrating our winning poets! Here are some pictures of the poets reading their poems.

Angela Fair reading My Winning Dream

Dakota Ditzler reading Fun with Math

Dave Cressman reading Martha, Late in My Life

Haley Johnston reading Home Stubborn Home

Laura Charelian reading In a Plastic Vase

Lucas Rizzo reading Tornadoes

Sam Charelian reading The Howl of the Wolf

Sylvia Hitz reading Goodbye Middle School

Terri Bailey also read her poem Twenty Mallard Ducks, but the picture came out fuzzy. Sorry Terri!

For the complete list of winners, click here. Next year's poetry contest will begin in February. Watch for entry forms!