Upcoming Events – Page 12 – Derby Public Library's Blog

Drag Queen Story Time

On my most recent trip to Denver I was lucky enough to visit a small bookstore, Second Star to the Right. It is an older home converted into a children’s book store. The walls and tables are covered with toys, books and activities for all ages. The staff was knowledgeable and welcoming to all visitors. The place is truly magical. I think I was having just as much fun as the kids.

However, the main draw of the day was the Drag Queen Story Time! Out behind the book store was a lawn covered in blankets and pillows for the kids to sit down on. Spots were quickly filling up as we waited for the presentation to start. When the queens, Maleficent and Pocahontas, arrived the crowd cheered and clapped. Each of the queens read several books to the children and performed a song from their respective movies. Every kid was in awe of them and were excited to take pictures with them after the show.

The money raised from the performance was given to The Center in Denver, an LGBT community center. This is a monthly program run by this little book store. As a librarian it is fun to see different ways to interest kids in reading and to see love of literacy spread to all ages.

Book Review: The Latehomecomer

The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang

First line: From the day that she was born, she was taught that she was Hmong by the adults around her.

Summary: A memoir by Kao Kalia Yang, an author, activist, and public speaker. She was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. Her family are Hmong. They spent many years running and hiding from Vietnamese soldiers who were hunting the Hmong people. She spent her first years in the camp. When the chance to travel to America became available, her family took it. The first years in Minnesota were hard. They had to learn English, live off welfare checks, and try to feed their expanding family. Over years, her parents got jobs, learned to drive and encouraged their children to better themselves. As a young woman, she now looks back at her life and the strength of her family.

Highlights: I had never heard of the Hmong people. While reading this I was earning a history lesson as well as a social one. Refugees have to be strong to leave their homes and try to start over in a new country. Yang has a great way with words. I was scared for her family. I was happy when they were happy. It surprises me that something this terrible was happening in such modern times. Most of the events happened during my lifetime. This book can open the reader’s eyes to troubles of refugees. It is easy to overlook these people. But many of us are here because of “refugees” even though we call them immigrants. We need to have more sympathy and help for people who have lost everything and are trying to begin again.

Lowlights: I have no complaints about the book. I am just sad I could not go see Yang speak when she was in Wichita.

FYI: Big Read Wichita 2017 book.

Book review: The Girl With Ghost Eyes

The Girl With Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson was a recent title read by the library’s Hauntingly Good Reads book club.

Cover of The Girl With Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson

First line: I placed a paper shirt into the furnace.

Summary: Li-Lin is a young widow who is also the daughter of a renowned Daoshi exorcist, living in San Francisco’s late 19th-century Chinatown. She also has yin eyes, which lets her see the spirit world. This ability is a shame to her family, along with the death of her husband. Adventure ensues after a sorcerer cripples her father. She is joined by a tiny sidekick on her travels through the spirit world.

Highlights: This book is loaded with Chinese mythology and tradition. It also has an engaging storyline, wonderful characters both good and bad, and a heroine you can’t help but cheer for. It has humor and suspense and sadness and mystery and will make you angry and will make you want to cry.

Lowlights (or what could have been better): The only thing that could be better is if this author would hurry up and write another story that features Li-Lin. I want to go on a another adventure with her.

FYI: If you are at all interested in Chinese mythology/religion/beliefs, or just love a great story, this book is for you.

Upcoming DVD Releases

Have you been waiting to see the summer blockbusters? Well they are almost here! We have many new titles added to our catalog. Place your hold on these items today.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Tagline: You only get one chance to save the galaxy twice.

Summary: Join the Guardians as they defend the galaxy against an evil force determined to destroy everything we know. On the journey, Star Lord learns that family is not always connected by blood.

My Thoughts: Baby Groot steals the show! This one new adventure is as much fun as the first. Laugh out loud funny with soft hearted moments make this perfect for a Friday night in with the family.

DVD Release Date: August 22, 2017

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Summary: In the last installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Jack Sparrow is being hunted by the ghostly Captain Salazar. The only way to save himself is to find the Trident of Poseidon.

My Thoughts: A fun romp through the paranormal Caribbean. Johnny Depp does not disappoint in his performance of Captain Jack Sparrow. His wild antics and swagger make him the lovable pirate we cannot get enough of. I will be sad to see this series end.

DVD Release Date: October 3, 2017

*Titles may not always be available on the release date due to item delivery and cataloging time.

Time To Work on the TBR List

I have an endless reading list. It continues to get bigger no matter how many books I read per year. I will never be able to read everything I want to read but I will try my hardest!

One way that I have found to be very helpful in reducing my to be read pile is audiobooks. There are many ways that audiobooks can be useful including digital downloads and books on CD or Playaway. Some books are great in audio form while others are not. It all depends on the reader and story. Moreover, when you find that one perfect story you will be hooked.

My favorite audiobooks are the Harry Potter series. Jim Dale, the reader, does a great job of creating new voices for the characters. He brings the stories of J.K. Rowling to life.

When I go on road trips, especially by myself, I like to have something to listen to in order to stay awake. I feel like I am traveling with someone rather than alone. When I bought my most recent car, the only thing I really cared about having was a CD player so that I can listen to audiobooks. It really surprised the car dealer that I did not want blue tooth or back up cameras. Very simple tastes for this librarian!

Another time I have learned is wasted and could be filled with reading is during my morning routine. Apps like RB Digital and Sunflower eLibrary (Overdrive) are perfect for this. I always have an audiobook downloaded on my iPhone that I can have playing while doing my hair and eating breakfast.

With the wide variety of audiobooks available it is never difficult to find something interesting. The last several years I have been able to read over 100 books due to audiobooks. It gives me much more freedom to work my way through my list of books.

Parental Tools

There are many tools at the library that are helpful to parents. Working in circulation, we get many parents who ask for book suggestions for their children based on an AR (Accelerated Reader) or Lexile level. These numbers can be confusing if you do not know what you are looking for. Our youth services librarians have worked hard to fix this problem.

These levels are determined using special testing by the school districts. These numbers and levels are an easy way for young readers to find books that they are able to read but also help advance their comprehension. Student’s scores take into account the difficulty of the material and the ability to understand the text.

Chelsea recently updated our Lexile level book lists along with our reader’s advisory books in the children’s department. All the books on the lists are items that we have in our collection. Each of the levels are broken down into 100 point increments. She has even placed the AR level conversions on the lists to help find books for that category as well. Lexile levels can be searched on our catalog as well. Many books have them as part of their record.

There are several online tools that can be used to help parents find books that are appropriate for the their child as well. www.Lexile.com/findabook has book lists with their scores, descriptions, similar books and even vocabulary words. Plus you can narrow down options to specific topics of interest.

Or does your child need to take AR tests? Try visiting www.ARBookFind.com. This site has many books that have AR tests available. The site has the levels, points that can be earned, ratings, grade levels and quiz numbers. AR bookbags are locations where the child or parent can make a list of the books that they are interested and print it to take with them to the library. How neat is that?!

But everything does not have to be related to school scores or reading levels. What about if the book or movie is appropriate for your child? A resource that I have come to use often when parents ask about what age range certain items are targeted at is www.CommonSense.org. It has reviews on movies, books, TV shows and much more. There are ratings from parents and kids available as well as age ranges and scores based on things like violence, language and positive messages.

With school starting, things start to get a little hectic but one way to beat the stress of it is finding useful tools that make it easier. Check out these resources to help your kids achieve more in school and have fun doing it.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

If you have not heard, there is a solar eclipse happening on August 21, 2017!

This is the first full solar eclipse that will be visible here in the United States since the 1970s. People are being warned that you are not supposed to look directly into the sun while the eclipse is happening because of the possibility of loss of eyesight.

One way to experience the eclipse is with solar eclipse glasses! Many stores and businesses have completely sold out. Lines have formed outside stores when they open. Derby eye doctors have purchased some for students at all the Derby schools. However, there is still a shortage. People are scrambling to get their hands on the glasses before Monday’s big event.

Good news! On Monday, at 9:00 a.m., we will have a LIMITED amount of solar glasses available. They will be given out on a first come first serve basis and be limited to ONE per person (they must be present). We will also have donuts available for library patrons and eclipse viewers alike.

This is a very monumental event and we are happy to help our community. Remember to be safe when viewing the eclipse on Monday.

Notary services at the library

What is a notary public?

A notary public is an official appointed by the Secretary of State to witness signing and verifying the identity of the signers. We have six notaries on staff here at the library in an effort have one available at all times the library is open.

The task of a notary public is an important one. Many companies want to know that the person who is filling out and signing paperwork is who they claim to be. A notary will then view the signer’s photo ID and match the face and signature to the one presented on the identification.

Before becoming a notary public, I had very little idea what their official tasks were. However, since I was appointed I have learned a lot through interactions with patrons and fellow notaries. It is important to make sure that the documents are completed, the person proves who they are and that they sign in front of the notary public.

There are many different forms that have to be notarized such as conceal and carry, piercing permissions, and wills. Every document is different, which can get confusing. Some documents have detailed instructions and others do not. We often get questions about how to fill in the forms but since we have no legal training, it is not something we can usually answer. We do try to help them find answers if possible.

There are fewer businesses offering notary services in the area, and businesses that offer notary services often charge for the service. Here at the library it’s free of charge. Please call ahead to make sure there is a notary available.

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Book review: Ash and Quill

Cover of Ash and Quill, the third book in The Great Library series by Rachel Caine Ash and Quill (The Great Library #3)
by Rachel Caine

First line: Books burned so easily.

Summary: This series is a fun alternate-reality take on the world, if the Great Library of Alexandria had survived and ended up ruling the world. As a book-lover, it’s interesting to read about a world where ownership of original printed books is against the law. The story line moves along at a great pace in this book, with lots of twists and turns and surprises along the way. Jess, Thomas and his friends find themselves in the Burner city of Philadelphia, as prisoners. Thomas’s skills are quickly drawn upon by Willinger Beck, who runs the city, which has been under siege by the High Garda of the Great Library for about a century. Santi and Wolfe, Khalila and Dario, Glain, Morgan are all there, and each plays a role in the events that take place.

Highlights: I love the pace of the action in this book. I felt like the series had a little bit of a slow start, at least in the adventure/danger/thrilling area. However, by now, things are really ramping up. This is a book that lets me live inside it and see everything that is happening. The characters’ personalities are continuing to be developed and while there are some surprises, I felt that they were all absolutely true to the characters’ personalities that have been developed so far.

Lowlights (or what could have been better): I have seen in some reviews complaints that this series was bumped from an expected trilogy to a 5-book series. Honestly, after reading the first two books, I can’t imagine how the series could have been finished satisfactorily in one more book. This book does end at a total cliffhanger, so now I am just dying for book 4 and don’t want to wait a whole year!

FYI: If you have already read the first two books in this series, nothing in this book will be a shock to you. If you haven’t read the first two, DON’T start here! You must read the first two. There is a gay relationship in the storyline.

Visit the StoryWalk at High Park

Last week was an exciting one for us at the library, with the grand opening of the StoryWalk at High Park. You may be wondering what exactly a StoryWalk is (and it’s OK, because I didn’t know either when it first came up). A StoryWalk is just what it sounds like: A way to read a story while walking a path.

The StoryWalk at High Park starts near the playground near the Zimmerman Family Shelter. The story pages are mounted along the walking path that goes around the pond at the south end of the park. Follow the arrows on the sign to the next page of the story. The stories will be changed five times a year, about every 2-3 months, so your family can come back to the park often to enjoy a new story.

Funding for the StoryWalk came from many community organizations, including the library and the Friends of the Derby Public Library.

You can read more about how the StoryWalk came to be in this story from the Derby Informer.

The first frame of the StoryWalk — This is the first stop on the StoryWalk at High Park. It shows you the title of the book and tells you how the StoryWalk works.

Carri Fry and Linda Slack look at the second stop on the StoryWalk — Youth services coordinator Carri Fry shows Linda Slack the first book to be featured on the StoryWalk at High Park.

The Chik-Fil-A cow — The Chick-Fil-A cow stopped in at the StoryWalk grand opening to help the kids celebrate this fun, new way to read while getting some exercise.