ALA's 2009 Notable Books

Every year the American Library Association compiles a list of notable books selected for their significant contributions to the expansion of knowledge or for the pleasure they can provide to adult readers.

You can find these books at Fair Lawn and the other BCCLS libraries. Click on the picture to see the list.

Reader's Corner - What to Read Next Lists

I hope you are welcoming summer with some outside activities (if it doesn't rain), as well as inside activities. And what stands you in better stead in any situation than a book. Should you need some reading suggestions click on over and try out these Internet reading suggestion lists. They not only provide matches to books you have enjoyed in the past but offer plenty of other content as well.

Ever Tried NoveList?

Search NoveList for your favorites, and find more info, reviews, or similar books. This is a library-paid subscription from Ebsco so you'll need to enter your library card number if you are search from home. You find reading lists, book discussion guides, news and much more for adults AND for kids.

And here are some additional resources, some from other libraries, that I know you'll enjoy.

Hennepin County bookspace - Find a good Book

Manchester (CT) Public Library What Do I Read Next?

WhatShouldIReadNext.com

The Reader's Corner from the Morton Grove Public Library's Webrary

There are many more out there so send me YOUR suggestions!

MedlinePlus - my favorite health database

MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, offers almost everything one needs in health information... a medical encyclopedia, drug & supplement information, links to directories of doctors & dentists & hospitals, links to other resources, clinical trials, links to local resources, videos, slide shows and more and more. And it's well arranged and easy to use. This is where I begin when looking for medical information. Try it and discover the weath of medical information the Internet and your tax dollars provide.

Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine

In 1997, British author J. K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter and a literary phenomenon was born. For all you Harry Potter fan's out there the National Library of Medicine has created this website to accompany a travelling exhibit. If you've been fascinated by Harry Potter's world, you'll enjoy exploring the link between Harry Potter and the history of science. Click on over and enjoy!

New Library Teen Page and Blog libraryteenz

Meet LibraryTeenz - our library's new Teen webpage and blog. Created by Mary Kirsch, library staffer and MLS student, it actively invites participation by teens. Take a click over and find out about library activities for teens (and register online), teen reading suggestions, new books and homework help. You can join the free forum in Rants and Raves and we're on Twitter. Tell your teens and everyone else!

NJ Library Funding Still Under Legislative Threat

Here in Fair Lawn we are lucky and grateful that our Council and town support the public library more than is required by law, but other libraries are not so fortunate. This bulletin from the New Jersey State Library Association needs action to preserve the libraries we value.

We need your help now!
Once again legislation modelled on the NJ League of Municipalities resolution has been introduced. This legislation would devastate public library funding for municipal libraries. Senate Bill 2775 calls for a reduction in minimum funding from a barely adequate 1/3 mill to a 1/6 mill.

The simple facts are that very few libraries in New Jersey could stay open if funded at 1/6 mill. Current law allows those rare communities that generate excess funding for public libraries to return that money to the taxpayers. To date no credible research has been done that establishes the need for such a drastic change to public library funding.

Did you know that in a single day in just 250 of the state's libraries:
161,367 people walked through the doors
156,793 books, movies and more were borrowed
27,742 people used computers
18,537 questions were answered
1,245 people got employment help
1,241 programs were offered
984 people learned computer skills
How can the Senate think about a devastating cut to public libraries especially at this critical time?
Please ask you state senator to oppose S2775. NJ residents are using public libraries in record numbers. They are counting on you to support the current level of funding for public libraries.

Thank you for your attention to this issue. A click here will take you to the NJLA page with a Take Action form you can e-mail.

BooksNJ2009

Join us at BooksNJ2009: a celebration of books and the readers who love them, sponsored by BCCLS and the Paramus Public Library at the Paramus Library on Sunday, June 14, from 1-5 p.m. BooksNJ2009 brings together writers and readers with more than 70 authors, illustrators, and poets up close and personal talking about their books and their craft! There will be readings, panels, crafts for kids, storytelling. The event is free and open to everyone. Hold the date. Click for more information.

Listen NJNW Downloadable Audiobooks

Are you an audiobook fan with just a little bit of technical expertise, a computer and a fairly fast connection to the Internet? If so, we want to make sure you know about Listen NJNW, a downloadable audiobook project of the Highlands Regional Library Cooperative (your state tax dollars at work). Go to http://www.listennjnw.org/ Begin with "Getting Started with Digital Media." Read all the ins and outs. There's even a streaming video to help explain. Download and listen to best selling and classic Audiobooks 24/7 on your PC, laptop, PDA or MP3 player at home, in the office or anywhere in the world. Your library is always open!

Great website to encourage kids reading

James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead.com

Here is a website dedicated to making kids readers for life.

It's full of reading lists, interviews, blogs and lesson plans. Join the community or just use the content. The look alone is exciting!

Dancing With The Stars

As the popular show "Dancing with the stars" approaches its final weeks, you may want to learn some dancing steps of your own with one of the library's dance DVDs. A few of the titles available are Hot Salsa Lessons, Ballroom Dancing Basics and Latin Dancing for Beginners. Non-fiction DVDs may be borrowed for one week and are on Level D of the library.

LIBRARY BOOK GROUP

Join Librarian Leslie Kruegel on Thursday, May 28th at 2pm for a discussion of Little Heathens by Mildred Kalish. Kalish recounts her experiences growing up on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression. Copies of the book are available at the library and new members are always welcome.

Commemorate that special someone

With a bookplate! We have types for almost every occasion-anniversary, birthday, graduation, you name it. They're only $10. Stop by and see us at the front desk for details.

Movie Night

Next Thursday (5/14) is the premiere showing of Slumdog Millionaire here at the library. It's rated"R" so it might be a good night to get a babysitter and have a "date" with your honey! The movie starts at 7PM downstairs in the meeting room. See you there! BTW, it's free of course!

The Summer Reading List is out!

Summer's just around the corner and we have your middle/high school summer reading list! All of the titles can be found up in the Young Adult area on level C. While you're up there, don't forget to check out the newly renovated YA area.

Libraries are Changing

Used to be that the library was open some 60 hours a week and that was that! But not anymore. Since the Internet you can search the library catalog and databases and request books 24/7. Once upon a time the library's collection was housed within 4 walls. Now with the Internet and databases, a whole new world of information is at our fingertips.
In our blog, we talk about what's new with libraries, and point out services and sources of information we enjoy and hope you will, too.