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Archive for December, 2011

31
Dec

Best Books of 2011

We have collected a few of the many “Best of 2011″ lists.    You can search our collection and request any titles you’re interested in, or e-mail illodept@peclibrary.org.


The Globe and Mail Top 100 Books

The Top Books Borrowed from the Toronto Public Library

Kirkus Book Reviews Best Fiction of 2011 
and  Kirkus Book Reviews Best Non-fiction
Library Journal Top 10 of 2011

National Post the Best Books of 2011

 

23
Dec

New Books List – Dec. 23

New Book List

Holiday Hours: The County of Prince Edward Public Library & Archives will be closed December 24, 25, 26, and 27. Regular hours will resume the 28th.
We will close New Year’s Eve day at 1:00.
Closed Monday, January 2nd. Reopening Tuesday, January 3.

 

Adult Fiction

 

Bad Marie : a Novel by Marcy Dermansky
Dead Last : a Novel by James W. Hall
The Drop by Michael Connelly
Explosive Eighteen : a Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich
The Potter’s Field : an Inspector Montalbano mystery by Andrea Camilleri
I am Half-Sick of Shadows : a Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley [CDN]
Murder in Mount Holly by Paul Theroux
Red Mist :a Scarpetta Novel by Patricia Cornwell
Scholar by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Supervolcano Eruption by Harry Turtledove
The Town That Drowned by Riel Nason [CDN]
Vigilante : a Shane Scully Novel by Stephen J. Cannell
Waking Up In Dixie : a Novel by Haywood Smith
When the Saints by Dave Duncan [CDN]

Adult Non-Fiction

 

The Better Angels of Our Nature : Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker
Childhood Under Siege : How Big Business Targets Children by Joel Bakan [CDN]
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Tai Chi by Angus Clark
Gabby : a Story of Courage and Hope by Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly
The Good Book : a Humanist Bible by A. C. Grayling
The New New Rules : a Funny Look at How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass by Bill Maher
Phoenix : the Life of Norman Bethune by Roderick Stewart & Sharon Stewart [CDN]
Raising Elijah : Protecting Our Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis by Sandra Steingraber
Red Heat : Conspiracy, Murder and the Cole War in the Caribbean by Alex Von Tunzelmann
The Savage War : the Untold Battles of Afghanistan by Murray Brewster [CDN]
Whateverland : Learning to Live Here by Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman Hutt

Adult Large Print Fiction

The Drop by Michael Connelly
Heartwishes by Jude Deveraux [an Edilean Novel, bk. 5]
Waking Up In Dixie : a Novel by Haywood Smith

Adult Large Print Non-Fiction

 

100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s and Age-Related Memory Loss by Jean Carper

Adult Fiction on Audio CD
Explosive Eighteen : a Stephanie Plum Novel
by Janet Evanovich
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet : a Novel by Jamie Ford
I am Half-Sick of Shadows : A Flavia ade Luce Novel by Alan Bradley [CDN]
The Impossible Dead by Ian Rankin
Red Mist : a Scarpetta Novel by Patricia Cornwell

Teen Non-Fiction

 

Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit : 10 Clean Technologies to Save Our World by Tom Rand [CDN]

Children’s Picture Books

 

Giraffe and Bird by Rebecca Bender [CDN]
Kiss Me! (I’m a Prince!) by Heather McLeod [CDN]
Making the Moose Out of Life by Nicholas Oldland [CDN]

 

Children’s Fiction

Ghost Messages by Jacqueline Guest
Home Truths by Jill MacLean [CDN]

Children’s Non-Fiction

Electricity by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Energy by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Force and Motion by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Gravity by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Heat by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Light by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Magnetism by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Matter and How it Changes by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Matter Its Properties by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Our Earth : How Kids are Saving the Planet by Janet Wilson [CDN]
Sound by Joseph Midthun [Building Blocks of Science, World Book]
Totally Human : Why We Look and Act the Way We Do by Cynthia Pratt Nicolson [CDN]
Uumajut : Learn About Arctic Wildlife! By Simon Awa [CDN]

17
Dec

Prince Edward County Boasts Avid Readers

The County of Prince Edward Public Library employs many methods to connect its avid readers to the new titles that they are anxious to read. Our readers know what is coming out or what title has won a literary award and they want to read or re-read those titles as soon as possible. “Though a non-profit entity we certainly are subject to the push and pull of market forces” says Assistant CEO and Collections Manager Dianne Cranshaw.

Patrons with home computers have quickly gotten on to the fact that they can place holds on new books as soon as they are purchased. When Dianne Cranshaw orders a book she downloads the record into the catalogue. When patrons hear, and they do, that their favourite author has a new book pending they can check our catalogue to see if we have it on order. If it is there they can put it on hold before the library receives the book. Many of our patrons realize that they can email Dianne and tell her about a new title or author. The library welcomes “Request for Purchase” submissions – simply email illodept@peclibrary.org with title and author, include your contact information so that you can be notified when the book arrives.

Many patrons receive our online New Books List by email or check the hard copy regularly in their branch. This weekly list means you never miss a new title that is added to the library collection. On average the library adds 150 titles a month or about $5000.00 of inventory.

Those patrons who do not use a computer can call or come in to request that their name be put on the list for in demand titles. The wait time is usually not long, but if it is due to higher than expected demand the library will investigate adding copies to the collection. The rule of thumb is one copy for every 10 holds. The circulation system used by the library will automatically shorten the loan period to two weeks if there are more than 5 holds on any one title. Patrons who pick up a book with this “shortened loan period” notification will read this book first so as to free it up for the next person as quickly as possible.

The library book clubs drive demand for titles as well. These flourishing and ever expanding groups order and place on hold one title per member per month. Often the library will borrow additional copies of this title through the inter-library loan system to ensure that every member has a book. Through the selections of the book clubs the library will often discover new titles and authors to add to the collection.

“In many ways our library is a product of the creativity and intellectual curiosity of the residents of this community” says CEO Barbara Sweet. “We are inspired and stimulated by our users”, and we like to think that the library plays an integral part in creating this community’s cultural identity.

9
Dec

New Books List

The Dec 9., 2011 edition of the Library New Books List was just sent to all e-mail subscribers.   If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do so from the the library’s website.

Read moreRead more

8
Dec

Library Receives Help from Many Quarters

 The Library Receives Help from Many Quarters

By Barbara Sweet

The County of Prince Edward Public Library is truly a product of this community.

Patrons contribute time, money and expertise to make the library a vital resource. This year alone the library received almost $24,000.00 in donations to improve the buildings, purchase books and sponsor programs. The library bookstore running from donated space in the Armoury Mall and staffed by volunteers has raised almost $5500.00 since opening in the spring. Thanks to the generosity of donors there is no shortage of books to sell. Frequent visitors are delighted with the “finds” they have turned up.

The Friends of the Library work hard on behalf of every branch. This year the Friends of the Ameliasburgh/Consecon branches donated $1000.00 to help to purchase an Early Literacy Station for the use of children visiting those branches. The computer is packed with programs that are fun and educational. The Friends of the Milford branch raised funds at the Milford Fair to purchase a coffee maker. Coffee is now available by donation for groups using the branch, or for patrons relaxing with a magazine.

The Friends of the Picton branch are currently raising funds for furniture and landscaping in front of that branch. Late this year or early in 2012 a new library sign will go up. “Visitors have often commented that we need a sign. It is true that if you are visiting the area and are not familiar with the Main Street there is nothing to indicate the public library” says CEO Barbara Sweet. The Wellington Friends just had a dedication ceremony for the garden and benches that their efforts have made possible. “It is wonderful to look out of the window and see villagers sitting and chatting in front of the library” says Assistant CEO Dianne Cranshaw.

Our patrons are very generous with their time as well, say Sweet and Cranshaw. Micheline Lortie, Maurice Obonsawin and Dorothy Speirs all donate their time to lead the conversational French groups in Wellington, Picton and Milford. These groups meet weekly to hone their French language skills and to enjoy discussion on aspects of French culture.

Joe Skratt is on hand every Tuesday afternoon at the Picton branch to play and teach chess.

chess players at the Picton Branch of the Library
Joe Skratt leads a popular social chess club at the Picton Branch of the Library

Mary Catherine Shannon and Don Metcalf, both retired teachers volunteer as tutors for the library tutoring program. Retired teachers Nancy Puddy and Diane Lavender help out with the Wellington class visits, reading stories and instructing children as to how to find materials in a public library. Lisa Lone runs an informal knitting group in the Wellington branch, learners are welcome. Veteran knitters exchange tips and techniques with less skilled. They call themselves “All About Ewe”.

We are very fortunate that so many in the community support and contribute to this library system says Sweet. If you wish to volunteer, have an idea for a program or would like to make a monetary contribution please contact bsweet@peclibrary.org or call 613- 476-5962. Charitable receipts are provided.

3
Dec

Social Media helps connect the library to community

Each week our library column appears in The Picton Gazette and we would like to share these articles with those who may not have access to the Gazette, or who just like to read a blog instead.  Below is the first Gazette piece. We will continue also to post articles exclusive to the blog.

Words like facebook, twitter and YouTube may not be the first that come to mind when thinking about the public library, but as libraries fulfill their obligation to remain current to serve their communities in providing access to information, literacy, and life long learning, social media inevitably becomes part of the mix.
Social media is a collective term that defines the various activities that integrate technology and social interaction using words, photos, video and audio with the goal of communicating, engaging and exchanging with others via the Internet. Networking in this way offers a realm where library users and potential library users can participate in a collaborative exchange with their public library.  Additionally, these offer a way of extending library services by means of outreach.
The County of Prince Edward Public Library & Archives does not subscribe to all means of social media but to those which can be seen to enhance service and which are realistically manageable.
Currently the library has a facebook page as well as three blogs. There are also videos ( video 1 & video 2 ) created by the library that have been uploaded to YouTube. 
Facebook is one of the most used social media platforms today and best serves the current needs of the library. Anyone with a facebook account can find the library’s page by simply keying in ‘County of Prince Edward Public Library & Archives’ at the top in the search bar. Once on the library page, visitors can  ‘like’ the library and  then automatically see the library’s posts on their facebook feed.
The library also has three blogs, all of which are accessible from the library’s website at www.peclibrary.org.
There is this one you are reading now which deals with overall library news  and includes various topics related to the library and to books. For example, the Giller Prize posting below was posted the day  the winners were announced with a link to access the first chapter of each of the shortlisted titles as well as that of the winner.  From the website, this blog can be found on the homepage under New & Happening.
The Teen Blog, found under “Just for You: Teens” keeps young adults and others in the know about teen library events, latest YA book releases and other news of interest to teens. Post are written by Liz Zylstra of the library’s Youth Services.
The most recent blog is Tech Talk, which deals specifically with computer and Internet related articles or ‘posts’.  Our two tech savvy Community Access Program interns, Whitney Lee and Alex Wiens, write these. You will find that blog under “Using the Library: Computers & Internet” on the homepage of the website also.
Blogs offer the reader an opportunity to visit whenever they wish, but you can also become a ‘follower’ or ‘subscriber’, which means that you can be notified when a new entry is posted.  The advantage to blogs, and why they fall in the category of social media, is that readers can comment on posts or ask questions of the writer.
Information is presented in reverse chronological order, so when you visit, do scroll down to see previous posts that might be of interest.
The appeal of social media is growing in leaps and bounds and for those who are not familiar with the ins and outs, the library is offering an Intro to Social Media workshop in the New Year. This is aimed at those relatively unfamiliar with social media, who may not have an interest in participating but who would like to better understand it, or simply want to investigate how to get involved. Registration is required for the free workshop to be held on January 11 from 10am to noon. Please call 613-476-5962, e-mail crenaud@peclibrary.org
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