Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 31, 2015

This week at Montclair Library: August 31-September 6, 2015

Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Pop Up Teen Zone – 1:30pm
Come visit the Montclair Branch Pop Up TeenZone to make crafts, hang out and share suggestions for serving you better!

Montclair Library Kids Book Club – 4:00pm
Do you like to read books and talk about them? At the Montclair Library Kids Book Club we will meet once a month to talk about a book we’ve read, play book-related games and eat snacks. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 4pm.

September’s book will be West of the Moon by Margi Preus. Pick up a copy at the Montclair branch and read it by September 2! (Also available as an e-book.)

Thursday, September 3, 2015
Toddler Storytime – 10:15am
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Baby Bounce – 11:30am
Play, sing and rhyme one on one with your baby from birth to 18 months, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 28, 2015

When the Levees Broke: Hurricane Katrina in Literature and Non-Fiction

FEMA photo of New Orleans flooding by Bob McMillan

When Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, it quickly became one of the most devastating natural disasters ever. Given the huge physical and emotional toll of the storm and its aftermath, it’s no surprise that over the past decade fiction and non-fiction authors have used Katrina as both a backdrop and a central figure in their works.

If you’re looking to better understand Katrina and its lasting impact on New Orleans, check out one of these books from the Montclair collection:

Adults:
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers (976.33506 EGGERS) – In the days after the storm, longtime New Orleans resident Abdulrahman Zeitoun traveled the flooded streets in a secondhand canoe, passing on supplies and helping those he could. A week later, on September 6, 2005, Zeitoun abruptly disappeared– arrested and accused of being an agent of al Qaeda.

First the Dead by Tim Downs (MYS DOWNS) – New Orleans and the post-Katrina years seem to inspire lots of mystery novels. This one centers on a forensic entomologist working with FEMA’s disaster response team. As the deadly hurricane nears New Orleans, investigators discover several floating corpses with injuries pointing to deaths prior to Katrina. See also The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke (MYS BURKE): As this mystery begins, “Hurricane Katrina has left the commercial district and residential neighborhoods awash with looters and predators of every stripe.”

Words Upon the Waters: A Poetic Response to Hurricane Katrina by Bay Area Writers and Artists, edited by Karla Brundage (811.6 WORDS)

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward (FIC WARD) – In this novel, four hardscrabble siblings from a coastal Mississippi town prepare their meager stores for the arrival of Hurricane Katrina while struggling with such challenges as a teen pregnancy and a dying litter of prize pups.

City Adrift: New Orleans Before and After Katrina by Jenni Bergal et al (976.33506 CITY) – Essays on the levees, the storm, housing and other issues.

Coming soon to OPL:
Katrina: After the Flood by Gary Rivlin – An investigative journalist revisits Hurricane Katrina’s immediate damage, the city of New Orleans’ efforts to rebuild itself and the storm’s lasting effects on the psychic, racial and social fabric of the city.

On DVD:
Hurricane Katrina: The Storm that Drowned a City (DVD 363.3492 HURRICANE) – Featuring eyewitness testimony, Nova takes an in-depth look at what made Hurricane Katrina so deadly.

Kids:
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery (J 636.0832 LARSON) – Bobbi the dog and Bob Cat are best friends. When their hometown of New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina, many lost everything. Bobbi and Bob Cat only survived by staying together. This is the story of their remarkable friendship. (Picture book ages 7-10)

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 by Lauren Tarshis (J FIC TARSHIS) – In this installment of the popular “I Survived” series, 11-year-old Barry’s family is forced to stay home and wait out the storm. When the levees break and Barry is swept away by the floodwaters, he must survive the storm of the century alone. (Middle grade; ages 8-12)

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana (J FIC LAMANA) – At the end of August 2005, ten-year-old Armani is looking forward to her birthday party in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, where she and her extended family live, but Hurricane Katrina is on the way, bringing destruction and tragedy in its wake. (Middle grade; ages 8-14)

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes (J FIC RHODES) – In New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, twelve-year-old Lanesha, who can see spirits, and her adopted grandmother have no choice but to stay and weather the storm as Hurricane Katrina bears down upon them. (Middle grade; ages 10-14)

Coming soon to OPL:
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner (coming soon to OPL) – A man known as the “Trashcan Wizard” sings and dances his way through the French Quarter in New Orleans, keeping his beloved city clean, until Hurricane Katrina’s devastation nearly causes him to lose his spirit. (Picture book ages 3-7)

Finding Someplace by Denise Lewis Patrick – The weekend she turns thirteen, aspiring clothing designer Teresa “Reesie” Boone is separated from her family by Hurricane Katrina but, during the horrific storm and its aftermath, begins to find strength in herself. (Middle grade; ages 8 to 12)

Another Kind of Hurricane by Tamara Ellis Smith – The world seems to bring together Henry, whose best friend died near their home in the mountains of Vermont, and Zavion, who lost his home in Hurricane Katrina, so that the boys can help each other heal. (Middle grade; ages 9 to 12)

TIP: See more recommendations for kids, many of them available elsewhere in OPL, on the Scholastic website.

Photo: “New Orleans, LA, Sept. 14, 2005” by Bob McMillan for FEMA via Kelly Garbato / Flickr

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 25, 2015

National Parks

Kids' books about national parks, a list by the Friends of Montclair Library

Did you visit a national park this summer? According to NPS statistics, over 282 million people did in 2014. A year from today, on August 25, 2016, the National Park Service will be 100 years old. (And have you heard about the program to give every 4th grader for the 2015-2016 school year a free National Parks pass?)

Here are some books from the Montclair collection about national parks and the people who helped found them.

For kids:
The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock (J 979.447 ROSENSTOC) – Offers insight into the camping trip that President Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir took to the redwoods of Yosemite in 1903, during which the two men had experiences and conversations that eventually contributed to the establishment of national parks in the United States.

Squirrel and John Muir by Emily Arnold McCully (J PICBK McCULLY) – In the early 1900s, a wild little girl nicknamed Squirrel meets John Muir, later to become a famous naturalist, when he arrives at her parents’ hotel in Yosemite Valley seeking work and knowledge about the natural world.

Yellowstone Moran: Painting the American West by Lita Judge (J BIO MORAN) (not at Montclair) – Tom Moran had never ridden a horse or slept under the stars before, but the paintings he created on his journey from city boy to seasoned explorer would lead to the founding of America’s first national park.

Redwoods by Jason Chin (J PICBK CHIN) – While it’s not specifically about national parks, this book does highlight the star attraction of some of our Northern California national parks. In this book, a young city boy riding the subway discovers an abandoned book about redwoods and finds himself in the forest.

Everglades by Jean Craighead George (J 975.939 GEORGE) – Describes the Florida Everglades, the evolution of this unique area, and the impact humans have had on its once-abundant life forms.

National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A.: The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes, and Cool Activities from Coast to Coast (J 917.304 NATIONAL) – A guide to America’s national parks, including tips on exploration, information about animals and fun facts.

For adults:
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan (Oversize 333.783 DUNCAN) – This companion book to the Ken Burns PBS miniseries about America’s national parks is packed with photos and history.

Your Guide to the National Parks by Michael Joseph Oswald (917.304 OSWALD) – This guide to the United States’ national parks features detailed maps, images and hiking tables for each site, and offers advice on the best places to bike, camp, hike, lodge and perform water and winter activities.

The Official Guide to America’s National Parks by National Park Foundation (917.3 OFFICIAL 2013) – Contains brief profiles of America’s national parks, arranged alphabetically by state and territory, providing contact information, directions and details on fees, hours, regulations, sights to see, activities, food, lodgings and supplies.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 24, 2015

This week at Montclair Library: August 24-30, 2015

Thursday, August 27, 2015
Toddler Storytime – 10:15am
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Baby Bounce – 11:30am
Play, sing and rhyme one on one with your baby from birth to 18 months, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 17, 2015

This week at Montclair Library: August 17-23, 2015

Thursday, August 20, 2015
Toddler Storytime – 10:15am
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Baby Bounce – 11:30am
Play, sing and rhyme one on one with your baby from birth to 18 months, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 10, 2015

This week at Montclair Library: August 10-16, 2015

Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Lawyers in the Library – 6:00-8:00pm
Free legal advice and referrals. Register by phone starting one week in advance at 510-482-7810.
Volunteer lawyer leaves before 7pm if no more people are present.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Pop Up Teen Zone – 1:30pm
Come visit the Montclair Branch for a Pop Up TeenZone to make crafts, hang out and share suggestions for serving you better!

Thursday, August 13, 2015
Toddler Storytime – 10:15am
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Baby Bounce – 11:30am
Play, sing and rhyme one on one with your baby from birth to 18 months, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 7, 2015

New signage

New library signage

Have you noticed the crisp new signage going up around the library? After years of making do with cobbled-together labels for library sections and features, the branch is getting a set of matching, easy-to-read signs funded by the Friends of Montclair Library (and you, through your donations and book sale purchases). Next time you’re looking for a book, take a moment to bask in how easy it is to find the section you’re looking for!

Posted by: montclairlibrary | August 3, 2015

This week at Montclair Library: August 3-9, 2015

Ice cream photo by George Thomas via Flickr

Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Teen Henna Workshop – 2:00-3:00pm
Learn about the ancient art of Henna (or Mehndi) at the library this summer! Henna tattoos are temporary, but can last up to 8-10 days. A permission form signed by your parent/guardian is required for this workshop.

Thursday, August 6, 2015
Toddler Storytime – 10:15am
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Baby Bounce – 11:30am
Play, sing and rhyme one on one with your baby from birth to 18 months, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Saturday, August 8, 2015
Summer Reading Wrap-Up – 2:00pm
Celebrate summer with an ice cream social and library scavenger hunt. Today is also the last day to claim your Summer Reading Challenge prizes.

Photo: George Thomas via Flickr / Creative Commons

Posted by: montclairlibrary | July 29, 2015

New toy-lending program

Toy dinosaurs photo by m01229 via Flickr

Libraries aren’t just for books – you can now borrow toys from OPL! Oakland is the first library in the Bay Area to offer this program, and the pilot toy lending collection includes durable, classic toys for ages 0-6 like instruments, multi-ethnic baby dolls and toy animals and vehicles.

You can place holds on toys, request them and pick them up at any branch, just like books. You can borrow up to two toys at a time.

Toys are cleaned with Benefect Botanical Decon 30 on return to help keep the cruddies at bay.

The Contra Costa Times did an article about the toy lending program last week.

To browse available toys, see pictures of the choices here, or search the library catalog (without photos) for “Toy Lending Collection.”

Photo: m01229 via Flickr / Creative Commons

Posted by: montclairlibrary | July 27, 2015

This week at Montclair Library: July 27-August 2, 2015

Circus of Smiles

Thursday, July 30, 2015
Toddler Storytime – 10:15am
Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Baby Bounce – 11:30am
Play, sing and rhyme one on one with your baby from birth to 18 months, followed by playtime! Make new friends and play with toys.

Saturday, August 1, 2015
Circus of Smiles – 11:00am
These acrobatic circus performers will make us all laugh, from toddlers to grown-ups.

Photo: Circus of Smiles

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