Posts by Cari
Read On! Streaming options
When my daughter was at home sick recently, I had a moment when I couldn’t take another episode of “Captain Underpants” or “Pinky Malinky” so I turned to the library for help. Luckily, the library has two streaming options for those in a similar situation.
Our Tumblebooks Library features video adaptations of many picture books, plus games, National Geographic videos, and language learning lessons. You can access the Tumblebooks Library through our website, pryorlibrary.org, by choosing the “Use the Library” tab and selecting “Research and Resources” or you can download the Tumblebooks app. The app takes some getting used to, but both methods of access have the same features. You’ll just need your library card number to access all the features.
The OK Virtual Library (aka Overdrive and/or Libby) offers a wealth of downloadable books and audiobooks plus a selection of magazines and almost 700 streaming videos. Many of the videos are video adaptations of picture books, but some are full-length and relatively popular movies or TV shows. Like Tumblebooks, this resource can be accessed via computer or app (Overdrive is the only app with access to videos, but Libby is an option for everything else). For this resource, you’ll need your library card number and your password. You’ll also want to make sure your account with the library is up-to-date and in good standing – blocks on your account at the physical library will also block your access to this resource.
If you’re looking for craft ideas without falling down the YouTube spiral, check out our Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center. You’ll find everything from needlework to calligraphy instructions. These are written instructions, not videos, but they’re super useful and fun. Like everything else, you’ll need your library card number.
Read On! To reread or not to reread
Do you reread books? I find that when my life gets hectic or my stress levels creep higher and higher, I’m more likely to grab an old favorite than delve into a new world. For me, there’s comfort in reading or listening to a book again. I already know how the book makes me feel, I know where the narrative goes, and I don’t have to expend any energy or emotion wondering if it will all work out. It’s like visiting with an old friend or wrapping up in a warm blanket.
When I asked the staff at the Pryor Library if they reread, I found I was not alone. Most of us do. And for similar reasons. Some of us reread books that feel like home and bring us comfort. Others reread books that act as a catharsis to process difficult emotions. The few of us who do not reread point to the number of unread books and possibilities for new adventures as their reason why they don’t revisit old stories.
Our discussion yielded a good list of what we like to reread. Maybe you’ll find some rereading comfort here too.
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
“Solace of Open Spaces” by Gretel Ehrlich
“Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones
The “Wheel of Time” series by Robert Jordan
“The Stand” by Stephen King
The “Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis
The “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer
“Gone with the Wind: by Margaret Mitchell
“Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery
“Lamb” by Christopher Moore
“Sabriel” and “Lirael” by Garth Nix
“Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls
The “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
If you want to learn how to make your own warm blanket to wrap yourself in while you read, don’t forget to join me on Thursday, Nov. 14th at 6:30 PM for our Intro to Knitting class. You’ll need to bring 100% cotton yarn and knitting needles.
Read On! NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is upon us! NaNoWriMo (pronounced “nah-no-wry-mow”) happens every November and is a time when participants attempt to write a novel (or 50,000 words) between November 1st and 30th.
If you’ve ever thought, “I could/should write a book,” now’s your chance! We have an entire month focused on just that. With two write-in sessions each week in November – Mondays from 6-9 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM-Noon (except November 30th), you can join other ambitious writers on your journey.
These sessions are pretty low-key. We’ll have coffee and mints for inspiration and one of our staff will moderate. Moderation for a write-in session may sound strange, but it’s pretty fun. It includes pep-talks, word sprints (trying to reach a word count goal in a set amount of time), and writing prompts (that are often random quotes, items, or ideas you can include in your writing). Plus, write-ins give you a group of people willing to discuss random or strange plot points.
NaNoWriMo is full of people with different goals, so come write with us even if you don’t want to write 50,000 words in a month.
This Thursday teens will get to try their hand at solving the puzzles in this year’s Escape Room. Teens need to sign up for a time to go through the room, but there are still a handful of spots left. Their choices are 4:30, 6:00, or 7:30 PM.
Next Thursday at 6:30 PM adults can hang out with me and learn how to knit! We’ll start a washcloth project and learn the basics of casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and casting off. Anyone interested should bring a skein of 100% cotton yarn (Sugar ‘n Cream or Peaches & Creme are good choices) and size 7 knitting needles. Also, your washcloths might look a mess. And that’s okay. Knitting can be tricky at first.
Read On! Finding good books for kids
Recently, I had a great conversation with another mom at the library about what books our kids like to read, what restrictions we place on their reading choices, and how we help them find books that make everyone happy. The other mom and I don’t have the same guidelines for our kids’ reading choices, but we both know that the decisions we’ve made work best for our kids and our families and wouldn’t ever try to impose our rules on another family. We do, however, use the same quick research techniques when helping our kids decide what is appropriate for them.
We both like to read the book’s summary, look at the publisher’s intended audience, and try to find any professional reviews we can (I tend not to trust consumer reviews found on sites like Amazon or GoodReads unless there are a lot of reviews).
The Library’s online catalog is a good place to start finding information about a particular book. It will give you a quick summary, reading and interest levels, and subject headings. Most of the books in our collections for young people also have the AR levels and points listed in the catalog too.
For professional reviews, I look at the “Editorial Reviews” section of the book’s Amazon listing. I also chat with Chris from The Book Exchange here in town. He has access to a lot of good resources. If all else fails, I’ll read the book first.
Explaining the guidelines for appropriateness to kids is an essential step in this process. This helps them understand our decisions and it gives them boundaries when making choices for themselves.
There is so much content out there for kids to enjoy, it’s not difficult to find a replacement. The staff at your library is always happy to help you find books that are appropriate for your kids, so let us know how we can help.