Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Bookmobile memories

Cynthia Parkhill waves from in front of San Francisco Public Library Bookmobile

During a year that I worked in Bel Marin Keys, I was a regular visitor at the Marin County Free Library bookmobile when it parked across the street from my employer. Ever since, I have been intrigued by these portable libraries’ capability to expand libraries’ physical reach.

Five years ago today, during a walk around San Francisco, I couldn’t resist having my photo taken next to the San Francisco Public Library bookmobile. For an assignment that fall in my library studies program, I advocated resumption of bookmobile services among Lake County Library programs.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Oregon Battle of the Books, audio-format resources

A number of this year's Oregon Battle of the Books titles can be checked out in Audiobook or eBook format through Overdrive/Library2Go, available to Jackson County Library Services cardholders.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

‘Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library’

Book cover, 'Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library' by Chris Grabenstein. Black-sillouette characters read books and wrestle with the pointer hand of a roulette-style wheel in a library
My exploration of this year’s titles in Oregon Battle of the Books (third- to fifth-grade division) begins with Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Luigi Lemoncello, who made his fortune designing games, has given the town of Alexandriaville, Ohio a new library. Twelve students have been challenged to be first to “escape” during a lock-in at the library before its official opening.

Author Chris Grabenstein presents an array of clues for readers to solve with the characters. The library’s resources — beyond their intrinsic value — advance the students in their quest.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library combines a first-rate, entertaining read with a healthy course of information literacy.I highly recommend it.

Special appreciation to Bellview PTO, which purchased OBOB titles for Bellview Elementary School library

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Bullying Prevention Month book display

Books stood upright on shelf-top, their covers facing outward. From left to right, the books are 'Just Kidding' by Trudy Ludwig, 'Tough!' by Erin Frankel and 'Tolerance' by Lucia Raatma

In honor of Bullying Prevention Month (October), I put books on display that address bullying. The books are available from our collection in Bellview Elementary School library.

Halloween bulletin boards in Bellview library

Woman stands to the right of a bulletin board decorated with Halloween posters, die-cut characters and pumpkin shape borders.

Bellview library is home to elaborate bulletin-board designs that combine posters and die-cut characters. They're the work of Traci Ordenez, who put up Halloween themes today.