New Services for Area Book Clubs!

Washington-Centerville Public Library will be hosting a Book Club Open House in the Centerville Library program room at 7 PM on Tuesday, February 28^th.

This is the perfect opportunity to meet members of other area book clubs and learn how the library can help you have a successful book club discussion. 

When you register your book club with the Library you'll receive information about these and other services:
·         Book Discussion kits
·         Interlibrary loan
·         Recommendations of ‘discussable’ books
·         Author visits and book-related events
·         New ideas from other book clubs

Fill out the registration form here and click to email the form back to the library, or print off the form, fill it out and mail it to:

Debe Dockins

Washington-Centerville Library

111 W. Spring Valley Road

Centerville, OH 45458

Leap Into a Good Book

By: Georgia Mergler, Community Relations Manager

Americans today are busier than ever. We are working longer hours, taking fewer vacations and generally feel the need to jam pack our daily schedules. Time is the great leveler, however. The clock doesn’t care if you are rich, brilliant, or fantastically gorgeous. Everyone gets the same 24 hour day, and 365 day year. Unless of course, it’s a Leap Year, as it is this year. Then we all get a bonus day.

Now if you aren’t up on your Leap Year facts, let me break it down for you. The ancient Egyptians first figured out that the solar year and the man-made calendar year didn't always match up. Why? Because it takes the Earth a little longer than a year to travel around the Sun — 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds, to be exact. Those extra hours add up, resulting in an extra day added to the calendar every 4 years.

So, for everyone who has ever wished for “just a little more time”, consider the wish granted. I, for one, am not going to squander away my bonus day by catching up on housework, or doing laundry. No, I’m going to leap into a good book. And so should you. Not sure which book to choose? Washington-Centerville Library can help! Whether you are in the library or visiting us online, you can take advantage of these reading suggestion services:

Ask a Staff Member – To say my co-workers are well read would be an understatement. Ask them what they recommend and be prepared for a litany of suggestions.

Subscribe to an newsletter –Delivered straight to your inbox, these newsletters not only give you reading suggestions, but provide you with direct links to our catalog so you can place items on hold. There are over a dozen different enewsletters covering different genres and interests so you are sure to find something you’ll like. Subscribe by visiting http://www.wclibrary.info/goodreads/optin.asp

Read the Fine Print – This is the library’s reading related blog. Each week, our staff posts multiple reviews of books they have read recently. It’s a gold mine for those looking to branch out of a reading rut.

Discuss a Book – Attend our monthly Page Turners book discussion the third Tuesday of the month at 1 PM. February’s discussion is on: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller.

So in 2012, you get 366 days instead of 365. Use those extra 24 hours wisely, if not indulgently, by leaping into a good book! For more information on Washington-Centerville Public Library and readers advisory services visit www.wclibrary.info .

It’s a Great Year to Raise a Reader

By: Georgia Mergler, Community Relations Manager

We’re a couple of weeks into the New Year and by now you are probably acclimated to writing 2012 on documents instead of 2011. One of my personal goals for 2012 is to read more. I love to read, but like many, have trouble finding time to squeeze it in amongst the other daily demands of life. That said, I’m committed to making it a priority, not only because I enjoy it but because I want it to be a priority for my kids as well. You see, I think one of the best gifts we can give our kids is the love of reading. And that love begins early, which is why Washington-Centerville Public Library puts such an emphasis on offering services that foster early literacy skills, including:

· Storytimes – Stories, songs and fingerplays encourage language and social skills for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. More than a dozen storytimes are offered each week at various times of day and night so that even working parents can give their child the benefit of this experience. It’s a really simple way to “schedule” some reading time for your child.

· Online Educational Games – Don’t underestimate the power of technology in helping to raise a reader. Kids love to interact with computers and the library offers designated computer stations pre-loaded with more than 50 educational games for kids ages 2-10. Games like Sesame Street, Dora’s World Adventures, and Math Doodles not only encourage early literacy skills, but math and geography skills as well!

· Tumble Books – Can’t make it to the library? Access Tumble Books via the children’s website at http://kids.wclibrary.info/. Tumble Books is an online collection of animated books. Simply select a book off the virtual “bookshelf” and it will be read to your child. How’s that for easy?! Tumble Books also offers puzzles, quizzes and games that reinforce comprehension of the story read.

· Open Shut Them Blog – This service is really more for parents than kids, but if you are looking for some great early literacy tips or suggestions for what to read your children, be sure to follow this library sponsored blog at http://open-shut-them.blogspot.com/

Take advantage of these great services, as well as the more than 100,000 items in our children’s collection and you’ll have kids who love to read! For more information on Washington-Centerville Public Library and early literacy services visit www.wclibrary.info .

Keep Track of What You Read

Very often, patrons ask how they can keep track of their Reading Histories. While the library doesn't keep a history of what you've checked out (except if it's overdue), you can opt to have your online account do it for you! It's easy to select this feature. Here's how:

• Log into your account.
• Select the Reading History button (at the far right)
• Select "Opt In"
• After that you'll see a red "X" reflected in the button and the words "Opt Out". You've done it right.

Going forward (not for the items currently checked out), you'll be able to access this list just by selecting your Reading History (it keeps track of movies and games, too). So, if you can't remember the name of that book (or the author) you read last year and you really liked it ... we've got an "app" for that!

Award-winning Documentary to be Shown at the Library

The controversial subculture of raising exotic animals as household pets will be the subject of a program to be hosted by Washington-Centerville Public Library in January. On Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 pm, Centerville Library will present The Elephant in the Living Room, the award-winning documentary by Ohio native Michael Webber. Local animal rescuer Tim Harrison will be on hand to talk about the documentary in which he has a starring role, and will also relay stories about his own experiences in rescuing dangerous animals found wandering at large in suburbs across America. 

The newly released documentary couldn’t have had better timing. In October, just two months after the film’s nation-wide debut, the worst exotic animal tragedy in history occurred in Zanesville, Ohio, in which more than fifty wild animals were purposefully released from their cages to roam freely. Forty-nine of the wild creatures, including lions, rare Bengal tigers and grizzly bears, needed to be killed by local officials before they could do harm to the public. Six animals that survived the ordeal are now in protective custody at the Columbus Zoo. Both Harrison and Webber were interviewed by the national media after the story hit the newsstands, and coverage on the event went world-wide. 

Mr. Harrison is a nationally known expert in handling exotic animals, has written two books on the subject, and is well-known locally for his establishment of Outreach for Animals, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of owning exotic animals. 

The library’s presentation will include a complete showing of the documentary followed by audience questions and answers. Because of the subject matter, the program may not be suitable for all audiences. The public is encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating, and no reservations will be taken.

We Make Finding What You Want Easier

For years patrons have been able to identify Mysteries, Science Fiction and Westerns by special labels affixed to the books' spines. Now another label will be added to the mix. In response to the growing popularity of Christian Fiction, the library is in the process of affixing identifying spine labels to these selections, too. Unlike Mysteries, Science Fiction and Westerns, however, these titles will still be located in the general fiction (and large print) areas. They'll just be easier to locate.

Kick the Year Off in the Write Way

By: Georgia Mergler, Community Relations Manager

 

With the New Year come new ambitions. Perhaps you are committed to eating healthier, working out more regularly or just trying your hand at something new. Regardless of your new ambition, Washington-Centerville Public Library is a great place to glean inspiration and information. Take the Erma Bombeck Writing Contest for example. This contest, started 15 years ago, encourages budding writers to try their hand at writing. If Erma, a suburban housewife in the 50’s, could catapult to bestselling author acclaim, why not you?!

Intrigued? If so, I encourage you to submit your previously unpublished personal humor or human interest essay of 450 words or less online at www.wclibrary.info by February 14th. Each entry costs $15, and will be judged in two rounds by seasoned humor writers from all over the country on the following criteria:

• Does it have the voice of Erma? Erma knew how to portray the humor in the mundaneness of everyday life.
• Is it organized? Does it stay on topic and have well-developed ideas?
• Does it have a compelling lead? The piece should "Hook 'em with the lead. Hold 'em with laughter. Exit with a quip they won't forget."
• Is it funny? (for humor entries only)
• Is it true and does it evoke emotion? (for human interest entries only

Four winners will be selected and awarded $500 as well as a free registration to the University of Dayton’s Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop held April 19 - April 21, 2012 (a $375 value). Past contest winners have told us this experience was just what they needed to boost their confidence enough to continue writing. Who knows, we may be inspiring tomorrow’s bestselling authors!

For more information on Washington-Centerville Public Library visit www.wclibrary.info .