This Week @ NLPL

Our regular programming ended last week and will resume November 9.

In the mean time, here's what's happening this week:

Tuesday:
Chess Club @ 4 p.m. for grades 1-8 (no registration required)

Wednesday:
Ghost Chasers @ 6:30 for ages 7 and up (registration required)

Saturday:
Come trick or treating at the library! Come by in your costume and get a cool treat!

Friday Fun: Meet the YS Staff

Wonder who it is that's helping with your reference question? Want to know more about the person leading your program? For the next few weeks, the New Lenox Kids! blog will be helping you get to know your YS staff.

This week, you get to meet Erin, one of the Youth Services Reference Assistants.

Name: Erin Hunter (no, not the author) :)

How long have you been at New Lenox Public Library? I've worked at NLPL since August 1999.

What's your favorite thing about working in a library? It's fun to see everyone get excited about reading, and I love being surrounded by books.

Do you run any programs? I run Treasure Hunters, the preschool program for 3 1/2-5 year olds on Monday afternoons at 1 P.M.

What is your favorite book? Kids: Where The Red Fern Grows (Wilson Rawls) and Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak). Adult: The Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zafon) and The Rum Diary (Hunter S. Thompson)

If you could be any character from any book, who would you want to be? Ginny or Hermione from the Harry Potter series.

Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? Edward, a 7-year-old orange, purring ball of fur. I adopted him just a few weeks ago. He's a little crazy, but I wouldn't trade him for anything!

Do you have any kids? No.

What is one random fact about you? I'm a bridge nut...I love reading about and taking black and white photographs of bridges.

What is your favorite food? I have two favorites: deep dish pizza from Gino's East, and my mom's homemade beef stew.

If you didn't work in a library, what would you want to do? I always thought it would be fun to be a teacher or a bookshop or bakery owner.

Have questions for Erin or any of the other YS staff members? Feel free to ask, or just stop by the reference desks to say "hi!"

Thursday Treasure: New Copiers

It may not sound too exciting, but the YS staff is happy to have a brand new copier for the public to use!

We're still learning the ins and outs of it, so be patient with us. If you need any help, feel free to ask at the Youth Services reference desk, and any staff member will be glad to assist you with your color-copying/enlarging/shrinking/double-sided needs!

Wednesday Spotlight: Treasure Hunters

Looking for a fun afternoon activity to keep your preschoolers entertained?

Let them join Miss Erin at the library on Monday afternoons (1:00-1:45) for Treasure Hunters, our new preschool storytime for 3½ - 5 year olds.

Every storytime has a completely different theme – from camping to pirates to scarecrows – complete with books, activities, fingerplays, rhymes, and a special art or craft project at the end! What kind of fun will be contained in the treasure chest this week?

There is no pre-registration for Treasure Hunters – just sign up your preschoolers on the Storytime Room door the day of the program. Space is limited to the first 15 children.

Good Reads Tuesday - 43 Old Cemetery Road

43 Old Cemetery Road, Book 1: Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
New Lenox Library Call Number: J KLI

Meet Seymour. Seymour's got some strange parents - they are paranormal investigators trekking through Europe...without Seymour. He stayed behind in the old mansion his parents are renting out. If Seymour's parents are strange, his friends are even stranger - a cat, a ghost named Olive and a frustrated scary-story writer.

This book, the first in a series, is told in a series of letters - from Seymour to Olive, from Olive to Ignatius (the grumpy writer), from Ignatius to his lawyer- a whole cast is introduced in a quick to read story.

It's not really a ghost story, even though there are ghosts in it. It's more of a funny read about how friends can come in all shapes and sizes. I, for one, can't wait to read book two!

-Miss Alissa

Homework Help Mondays

Want to know a great place to find all kinds of useful information? Try the New Lenox Library youth services reference collection!

We've got almanacs, encyclopedias, atlases and more for any school reports or just for finding some fun facts. These are special books, though, so the anything from the reference collection can be used in the library, but can't be checked out.

This Week @ NLPL

This is the last week of our Fall I session! The next six-week session will start November 9!

Monday:
Wiggle Worms @ 10:30 a.m. for babies (pre-walkers)
Movers & Shakers @ 11:15 a.m. for babies (walkers)
Treasure Hunters @ 1 p.m. for ages 3 1/2 to 5 years (registration required)
Art Club @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 1 and up (registration required)


Tuesday:
Itsy Bitsy Toddler @ 10:30 a.m. for toddlers between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years
Pajamapalooza @ 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 & up (registration required)

Wednesday:
Simply Silly Storytime @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages
WordPlay: Young Writers' Group @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 3 and up (registration required)
Happy Books, Happy Cooks @ 7:00 p.m. for ages 3 and up (registration required)


Thursday:
Tales & Tunes @ 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. for ages 2 to 3 1/2 years
Girls Rock Book Club @ 6:30 p.m. for girls in grades 4-8 (registration required)

Friday Fun: Meet the YS Staff

Wonder who it is that's helping with your reference question? Want to know more about the person leading your program? For the next few weeks, the New Lenox Kids! blog will be helping you get to know your YS staff.

This week, you get to meet Judy, the one of the Youth Services Reference Assistants.

Name: Judy

How long have you been at New Lenox Public Library? I have been working at the library almost 13 years.

What's your favorite thing about working in a library? I enjoy working with people (especially kids) and I love books! At this job, I have it all!

Do you run any programs? Not at this time. I do coordinate all volunteers in the Youth Services Dept. and I go through any donations to see what we can add to our shelves. I also spend a lot of time making sure our collection is in “tip-top” shape.

What is your favorite book? I especially love the “Elephant and Piggie” books by Mo Willems. I also really enjoy reading historical fiction.

Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? No, but I enjoy “dog sitting” for my daughters’ dogs. (Harley, Lola and Bingo)

Do you have any kids? Yes! I have 3 daughters. They are all grown up and married. I also have 1 grandson and 3 granddaughters! I am so very lucky!!

What is one random fact about you? I used to be a teacher.

What is your favorite food? Chocolate.

If you didn't work in a library, what would you want to do? I would love to be an Optometrist. How great would it be to help people to see better?

Have questions for Judy or any of the other YS staff members? Feel free to ask, or just stop by the reference desks to say "hi!"

Thursday Treasure: Novel Brew

The weather is getting chilly and the days are getting shorter. Know what that means? Hot chocolate season!

Stop into the library's own coffee shop, Novel Brew, and say hello to Carol - she's got lots of great hot drinks for these cool fall nights. Don't like hot chocolate? Try her caramel apple cider or a flavored steamer.

Her full menu is available online here, or stop by to see what she's brewing today!

Novel Brew's hours are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Wednesday Spotlight: Bingo

Bingo's not just for adults anymore! Once a month, New Lenox Library hosts Family Bingo for, well, the whole family.

Miss Liz runs Family Bingo, and each month there's a different theme, and lots of cool prizes. Now that the weather is cooling off, it's a great (and warm!) way to spend a Monday afternoon.

The next date for Family Bingo is November 2, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the big meeting room. No registration is required.

Bring your mom, your dad or even your little sister and see if you can hit it big with B-I-N-G-O!

Good Reads Tuesday - Scary Stories

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Scary Stories 3 by Alvin Schwartz
New Lenox Library Call Number: J 398.25 SCH

If you are like me, once mid-October rolls around, you want to get a little scared. These books will certainly do the trick. I've been a big fan of the Scary Stories collection since I was in grade school. With the creepy illustrations, the books bring thrills and chills galore.

Many of the stories are re-tellings of some ghost stories you may be familiar with, and some are even a bit silly, but most are chilling. I wouldn't recommend them to the faint of heart, and if you do read them, you might want to leave the lights on!

-Miss Alissa

Homework Help Mondays

Homework Help Monday is taking the week off for Columbus Day!

We'll be back next week with more homework tips!

This Week @ NLPL

Here's what's happening this week at New Lenox Public Library!

Monday:
Library is closed for Columbus Day!

Tuesday:
Itsy Bitsy Toddler @ 10:30 a.m. for toddlers between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years
Pajamapalooza @ 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 & up (registration required)

Wednesday:
Simply Silly Storytime @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages
World Explorers @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 1 and up (registration required)
Happy Books, Happy Cooks @ 7:00 p.m. for ages 3 and up (registration required)

Thursday:
Tales & Tunes @ 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. for ages 2 to 3 1/2 years
Help Now demonstrations at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Friday Fun: Meet the YS Staff

Wonder who it is that's helping with your reference question? Want to know more about the person leading your program? For the next few weeks, the New Lenox Kids! blog will be helping you get to know your YS staff.

This week, you get to meet Jen, the Youth Services Program Coordinator.

Name: Jen

How long have you been at New Lenox Public Library? 5 years

What's your favorite thing about working in a library? Working with kids of all ages & seeing how excited they get over the books. I also love planning storytimes.

Do you run any programs? Wiggleworms for prewalker babies, Movers & Shakers for walkers up to 24 months, Pajamapalooza for ages 6 & up, Simply Silly for all ages which is rotated with Miss Alissa & Miss Erin, World Explorers for 1st-8th grade & Girls Rock Book Club for 4th-8th grade.

What is your favorite book? The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

If you could be any character from any book, who would you want to be? Alice in Wonderland

Do you have any pets? If so, what kind and what are their names? Gypsy the Chinese Crested dog, Mork the black cat, Mindy the tortie cat, Shelby the box turtle and Frida the African fat tailed gecko.

Do you have any kids? Noah, who is 10.

What is one random fact about you? I am also a massage therapist & teach baby sign language & baby massage. Everyone should get a hot rock massage at least once in their lives & it should be from me! (insert shameless plug of business here) www.sollunahealingarts.com

What is your favorite food? Tiramisu

If you didn't work in a library, what would you want to do? I'd work at a children's museum.

Have questions for Jen or any of the other YS staff members? Feel free to ask, or just stop by the reference desks to say "hi!"

Thursday Treasure: Playaway Digital

Like listening to audio books but hate having to lug a CD player with you? Do you love your iPod or MP3 player?

New Lenox Library has some really cool audio products called Playaways. They are small, like an MP3 player, and have audio books recorded on them. You can control the speed, volume, and it remembers where you left off on your story, all in one little device. All you need to do is pop a battery in the back and plug in your headphones!

These are great for reluctant readers, or for kids who like to listen to books while doing other stuff.

Come in and see our selection of titles. We've got The 39 Clues series, plus Allie Finkle stories, and classics like Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Check one out today!

Wednesday Spotlight: Chess Club

Chess Club meets once a month and is a great way for any kids interested in chess to come and play!

The club is open to kids in first through eighth grades, and it meets for an hour, from 4-5 P.M. The next meeting is October 27.

You don't have to be a chess champ to come and play - kids of all skill level are welcome!

There's no registration for Chess Club, and you can join at any time. All that you need is a love of chess and a basic knowledge of the game.

Have questions? Feel free to call the library, 815.485.2605, for more information!

Good Reads Tuesday - All The Lovely Bad Ones

All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn
New Lenox Library Call Number: J HAH (2010 Caudill Nominee)

If you like a good ghost story, All the Lovely Bad Ones is a great pick. I had read lots of Mary Downing Hahn's haunting tales before (Wait 'Til Helen Comes is another great one!) but something about this book just pulls you in immediately.
This is the story of Travis and Corey, a brother and sister sent to spend the summer at their grandmother's bed and breakfast. When the two hear that the inn is supposed to be haunted, they see the perfect opportunity to play some pranks and maybe drum up some business for their grandmother. But the innocent practical jokes wake up a not-so-nice spirit, and Travis and Corey have to figure out how to set right some past wrong-doings.

It's a very suspenseful read, with lots of twists and turns, great for anyone looking to get a little spooked.

-Miss Alissa

Homework Help Mondays

Have you ever had a project to work on, but had a hard time finding information? Needed to use an encyclopedia, but the library was closed?


You should check out Grolier Online through the NLPL Web site. Grolier offers a wide array of useful information, and better yet, it's all been pre-checked to make sure facts are correct and the sources are reliable. It includes databases like America The Beautiful for state facts, The New Book Of Knowledge for current events and access to the flagship Grolier Encyclopedia.


New Lenox Library cardholders can access Grolier Online at home, just by using their library card number. Just look for the link under the Homework Help tab on the NLPL Web site.

Or, you can access the site from any of the public computers here at the library.


Happy researching!

This Week @ NLPL

Here's what's happening this week at New Lenox Public Library!

Monday:
Wiggle Worms @ 10:30 a.m. for babies (pre-walkers)
Movers & Shakers @ 11:15 a.m. for babies (walkers)
Treasure Hunters @ 1 p.m. for ages 3 1/2 to 5 years (registration required)
Family Bingo @ 4:30 p.m. for all ages
Tuesday:
Itsy Bitsy Toddler @ 10:30 a.m. for toddlers between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years
Pajamapalooza @ 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 & up (registration required)

Wednesday:
Simply Silly Storytime @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages
WordPlay Writers' Club @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 3 and up (registration required)
Happy Books, Happy Cooks @ 7:00 p.m. for ages 3 and up (registration required)

Thursday:
Tales & Tunes @ 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. for ages 2 to 3 1/2 years

Saturday:
Monster Mash @ 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-6, with caregiver (registration required)

Monster Mash

Looking to have some Halloween fun? There are still a few spots available for the Monster Mash program next Saturday, October 10 from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

We'll hear some silly stories, play some spooky games and even make a couple of monster-riffic crafts! The program is for kids aged 3 -6 years, with a caregiver.

Costumes are encouraged! Participants will get to bring a special treat home, too.

Just call the library to register today!

Friday Fun: Meet the YS Staff

Wonder who it is that's helping with your reference question? Want to know more about the person leading your program? For the next few weeks, the New Lenox Kids! blog will be helping you get to know your YS staff.

This week, you get to meet Alissa, one of the Youth Service Reference Assistants.

Name: Alissa

How long have you been at New Lenox Public Library? Almost a year and half.

What's your favorite thing about working in a library? Lots of things! I've always loved books, so I like being surrounded by them, but I also think my job is fun because I get to plan programs and be creative and silly.

Do you run any programs? I run WordPlay, which is our writing club, and I run Tales & Tunes, Simply Silly (sometimes) and Book Adventures, and some of the Saturday programs.

What is your favorite book? I can't pick! Lately, I've been loving The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, the 39 Clues books, Harry Potter always! I also like the scary stories that Mary Downing Hahn writes. For picture books, you can't beat Mo Willems! I love the Pigeon! I also love the Fancy Nancy books, because I feel fancy sometimes, too.

If you could be any character from any book, who would you want to be? Hmm, this is a tough one. Maybe Hermione from Harry Potter, or Bella Swan from Twilight.

Do you have any pets? I have a Border Collie/Jack Russell Terrier mix dog named Lola. She's got lots of energy and loves to give kisses!

Do you have any kids? Nope.

What is one random fact about you? I used to be a newspaper reporter.

What is your favorite food? I love sweets! I also really like pizza:)

If you didn't work in a library, what would you want to do? I would want to be a writer, a party planner or an actress...working in a library is sort of like getting to do all three!

Have questions for Alissa or any of the other YS staff members? Feel free to ask, or just stop by the reference desks to say "hi!"

Thursday Treasure: Haunting Reads

Looking for something spine-tingling to kick off October?

Check out this month's display - we've got some great ghost stories, some spooky novels and even some non-fiction about local haunts!

But beware...the display is being watched by a furry guard...