Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

Tracy says:
A searing work that still lingers at the edge of my thoughts more than five years later. Through the deaths of five young men in her Mississippi community over the course of four years, the National Book Award–winning author explores the realities of poverty and blackness in America. Ward’s account is candid and beautifully wrought, and she manages to maintain a light, humanistic touch without glossing over the gritty details.

Explore Black History

Take BCPL’s Black History Month Challenge this February!
February 1st–28th

Visit Beanstack now to get started. The challenge begins February 1st!

Learn more about African-American history, culture, milestones, and achievements… You can choose from over 40 activities. Activities range from exploring African-American art and literature to learning more about the Black experience in Bullitt County’s past to enjoying tasty cuisine or an impromptu Motown dance party.

You can read, listen, watch, or even create for your chance to win awesome prizes! Three lucky winners will be selected in a random prize drawing, and winners will get to choose their own prize.

Prize choices include:

  • Tickets to Keystone Cinemas in Mt. Washington
  • Tickets to Rave Movie Theaters in Okolona
  • Tickets to Jim Beam Distillery Tour in Clermont
  • Tickets to Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
  • Tickets to Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville
  • Tickets to the Frazier History Museum in Louisville

How to Participate:

STEP 1: Register for an account in Beanstack (if you haven’t already)
If you already have an account but you forgot your login credentials, stop by any BCPL location for help retrieving your info.

STEP 2: Complete activities to earn badges.
Badges are earned by completing any activity in a selected category—and you’ll have several activities to choose from in each category! 

STEP 3: Earn at least 3 badges to be entered in the Black History Month Challenge prize drawing! …And you can earn more badges for more chances at winning!

Authors

Black History in Bullitt County

Cuisine

Go Deeper

History Makers

Music & Entertainment

Poetry & Great Speeches

Painting & Sculpture

Read-in for Rosa

Resolution Solutions

Did you know that the tradition of New Year’s resolutions goes as far back as the ancient Babylonians? That’s nearly four thousand years of people carrying an unfailing belief in goal setting and new beginnings. Inspiring, right?

But unfortunately, New Year’s resolutions are much easier to make than to achieve. Sometimes we don’t even know where to begin. We have a tendency to set huge, unrealistic goals, rather than focusing on smaller, more achievable options. As a result, often people don’t actually believe they’ll stick to their goals, and by February, they’ve given up entirely. Failure in any capacity is very disheartening, and can affect our self-esteem and our drive to keep trying.

Part of that inability to follow through could be because we know what we want to accomplish, but we don’t put much thought into how we’re going to achieve it. We have to step back from the emotional side of setting resolutions and create a step-by-step plan for making them happen. Doing so can lessen anxiety, improve focus, and boost confidence—making success far more likelVisit Sitey.

Just as we did in 2018, BCPL wants to help you set and keep your New Year’s resolutions. Throughout the month of January, we’ll be exploring some of the most common resolutions people make and sharing how you can use your library resources to reach your goals. Along the way, we’ll also share some helpful tips on how to keep your momentum going!

No one is perfect, and the path to keeping your goals won’t be either. If you fall behind, be kind to yourself and get right back on the path. Set your plans, but be flexible, too. And remember, small victories lead to big goals!


RESOLUTION #1:


Money is an unfortunate necessity in life. We need it to pay for simple living necessities, like a home to live in, water to drink, food to eat, and electricity to keep us warm. People also have an innate desire to make memories, and while there are many things you can do that don’t cost money, a lot of things we enjoy do.

But man—keeping your finances in order is HARD! Saving money, budgeting money, investing your money: these are things they don’t always teach you in school. There are methods we can use to keep our finances in order, but without the knowledge, we don’t know where to start.

 


RESOLUTION #2

Life is so hectic! You get up, take the kids to school, and go to work, then after a long work day, it’s time to pick the kids up, cook dinner (or let’s be honest, it’s probably take out, right? Who has time to cook?), go to bed, and then do it ALL over again the next day. Where are you supposed to fit in being healthy and active?

According to Harvard University, it’s important to our health to stay active. Physical activity keeps our hearts, bodies, and brains healthy and functioning. We all pretty much understand this, but finding time to exercise, eat better, and take care of our mental and emotional needs is difficult in such a fast-paced society.


RESOLUTION #3

Humans have a deep-seated desire to create, learn, and connect to the world around us. Even if you aren’t an artistically inclined person, everyone has hobbies that give them a sense of satisfaction—whether it’s painting a mountain landscape or collecting back issues of National Geographic. Many of us have hobbies we would love to pick up, but can’t seem to find the chance (or the time) to do so.

Believe it or not, your library is a hotbed of opportunities for you to finally check out that hobby you’ve always been interested in.

 


RESOLUTION #4

We all have that friend that always seems so calm, cool, and collected. He/she works full time, maintains perfect relationships with her family, never misses an event, and has it together so well she’d give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.

But here’s a secret you may not know—that exterior is a myth. Nobody lives a completely balanced life. Even the person you think has everything figured out! But we have tips and strategies on how you can feel a little more balanced. And for a solid perspective on living your best life in 2019, we suggest you check out our Color Your Year Pretty series with local author Stephanie Feger.

Contact Us: Interlibrary Loan

Please use this form to contact or ask questions of our Interlibary Loan Clerk. To request an ILL, please use the Interlibrary Loan Request form.

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Contact Us: Raychel

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Coco

Laura says:
This movie shows people the importance of family in our lives. Even though Miguel isn’t allowed to play his guitar and follow his musical passion, he is able to persuade his family that music isn’t bad and uncovers a family secret.

Enjoy The Great American Read

The Great American Read graphic
Sign up or record your latest progress in Beanstack!
Simply earn three badges to earn a spot in our Great Prize drawings. And earn 10 badges to gain entry in the Grand Prize drawing for 10 titles of your choice from the 100 best-loved novels list. 

BCPL is jumping on the Great American Reads bandwagon!

Designed to spark a national conversation about reading, literacy, and the books that have inspired us, moved us, and shaped us, The Great American Read is an eight-part PBS series and nationwide competition that explores the joy of books and the power of reading through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved books, as voted on by the public. That’s a mission we can get behind!

To that end, BCPL is hosting a three-month reading and activity challenge to help teens and adults celebrate our love of great books along with the rest of the nation. Participants will read, share, watch, and vote for a chance to win titles from the Great American Read collection of America’s 100 best-loved novels. Several winners will be chosen.


Participate with BCPL!

Join Our Reading and Activity Program

STEP 1: Register for an account in Beanstack.
If you participated in the Cultural Pass program, you already have a Beanstack account. If you forgot your login credentials, stop by any BCPL location for help retrieving your info.

STEP 2: Complete activities to earn badges.
Vote for America’s best-loved novel, join a book club, read books, watch videos, share book reviews, and more.

STEP 3: Earn at least 3 badges to be entered in the Great Prize drawings. Earn at least 10 badges to be entered in the Grand Prize drawing!

Read with BCPL’s Off the Shelf Teen Book Club

 

Join us at Lebanon Junction Branch Library on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month to hang out, eat snacks, and talk about books! Ages 13–17.

 


Learn More about This National Movement

View the List of 100 Books

Included titles were selected and voted on by the American public.

Watch the PBS Launch Special

Learn Early Literacy Skills

As we move forward with our new strategic plan, we are already stepping up and delivering on one of its key goals: Early Literacy Support.

The building blocks of literacy and language are said to form in the first three years of a child’s life. Reading to or with a child helps form connections within the brain that are key to understanding how printed words work, to building a vocabulary, and for increasing general knowledge. It is important to build and develop the process of reading before kindergarten so children are not only able to read before the first day of school but are also prepared to learn.

The six skills for early literacy development are:

  • Letter Knowledge
    Understanding that letters are different from each other and knowing letter names and sounds.
    TIP: Look for alphabet books and shape books (because letters are built on shapes).
  • Narrative Skills
    Being able to tell stories and describe things and events.
    TIP: Look for books that provide opportunities to have your child explain what is happening in the book and/or infer meaning from visual cues.
  • Phonological Sensitivity
    Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds that make up words. Understanding that letters are different from each other and knowing letter names and sounds.
    TIP: Look for books that feature rhyming text, a sing-song rhythm, and/or sound words like tweet, vroom, kerplunk, boom, or splat.
  • Print Awareness
    Noticing print everywhere (not just in books), understanding that print has meaning, and knowing how to handle a book and follow print on a page.
    TIP: Look for books with whimsical text or bold, easy-to-identify printed words as well as stories that demonstrate the organization and sequence of reading a story or list.
  • Print Motivation
    Being interested in and enjoying books.
    TIP: Look for interactive books, books with bright illustrations or photos, and/or very funny or relatable stories.
  • Vocabulary
    Knowing the names of things.
    TIP: Look for books that identify objects and use new and interesting words.

Early Literacy Programming @BCPL

Our early literacy programs are designed to help kids develop early literacy skills while modeling useful techniques for parents and caregivers. We aim to teach children about storytelling, good listening and conversation skills, being part of a group, and more.

Upcoming early literacy events include:

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Get the Whole Family Involved!

1,000 Books badge

Reading with children builds vocabulary and language skills, and it introduces them to a wide range of books and stories to spark their imaginations. Studies have shown that the earlier we read, sing, and speak to children, the earlier they have a desire to learn and the skills to do so. Starting early—before kindergarten—is key to a child’s success through their school years and into adulthood.

But our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program goes beyond helping children develop early literacy skills and prepare for kindergarten. Reading together is fun and will create lifelong memories. The whole family can get involved, and celebrating milestones can become a fun family bonding activity! The key is perseverance, and BCPL will provide incentive prizes and regular celebrations of the child’s reading accomplishments to help participants remain excited and motivated to meet their goal.

Learn more or sign up now with Beanstack!

Explore Science, Technology & More

As many of you have heard, technology is a BIG part of Bullitt County Public Library's new strategic plan. To that end, we are making technology—and all of the STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics)–a major area of focus as we plan new events and programs.

Through programs like Wonder On, Picture This, Digital Tech Lab, and Makerspace, we provide hands-on opportunities that fuel creativity and foster a passion for learning and technology. We are committed to offering students fun experiences that serve to enhance and encourage engaged learning. By engaging young minds in STEAM activities beyond the classroom, our goal is to support the schools' efforts in that area and to help build a community that actively values these critical building blocks of education.

Recommended monthly STEAM programs include:

Please click the link for further details, including meeting dates, times, and locations.

Digital Tech Lab

Hang out and create at BCPL! On the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of each month, explore cool tech tools and techniques you can use to pursue your digital passions. A new topic—and sometimes an awesome guest speaker!—will be featured each month. We’ll also have drinks and snacks if you just want to chill and hang with your friends. Middle and high school ages.

LEGO Club

Show off your LEGO-building skills at the library! We'll provide the LEGO bricks—you provide the imagination! Ages 5–11.

Makerspace

Hang out and make art at BCPL! On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, explore your artistic limits! Raid our maker cart and choose from a variety of art supplies and tools—from high-tech equipment like our Wacom art tablets to low-tech supplies like oil pastels and fine-line drawing pens. Then, use our supplies and your imagination to make your artistic visions a reality! We’ll often host special art, design, and craft instructors, and new art project will be featured each month. We’ll also have drinks and snacks if you just want to chill and hang with your friends. Middle and high school ages.

Minecraft Meetup

Join other Minecrafters to explore, build, battle, and survive in exciting virtual worlds, including River Cloud, BCPL’s own Minecraft realm. Plus, we’ll have more Minecraft-themed games, crafts, free refreshments, and Roblox access! Ages 9–15.

Science in the Library

Join us for hands-on science experiments that will blow your mind! Ages 8–12.

Wonder On

Question everything! Delve into a cave of wonders as we explore the things we don’t understand, like What makes a building stand? Or what are stars made of? If you have the curiosity of an explorer, join us for fun experiments and activities that will help you find the answers you seek! Ages 5–11.

And check out these online resources, too!

  • explora logo

    Explora

    Designed to meet the unique needs of its users, supporting both student research and classroom instruction with rich, reliable content and easy-to-use functionality.

  • Gale Virtual Reference Library

    Find authoritative, full-text reference materials online with a simple keyword search or browse available materials by category (biography, business, literature, science, etc.). Some materials include MP3 audio files and translation tools.

  • Kentucky Virtual Library

    In addition to EBSCO and LearningExpress resources that can be accessed directly from our website, KYVL also provides access to Britannica Digital Learning, Scholastic GO!, and Proquest. A special username and password are required for access; ask any BCPL librarian for the login credentials.

  • OCLC FirstSearch Databases

    FirstSearch is a collection of databases that includes access to magazine articles. World Cat lists books and materials kept in other libraries around the world. If you are looking for material that is not available in Bullitt County and have a Bullitt County Library card, you may request that an item be “Interlibrary Loaned” using the online request form from World Cat.

  • Lynda.com

    Lynda is a premier online learning resource offering tutorials from recognized experts in their fields covering technical skills, creative techniques, business strategies, career development, and more. Learning is self-paced and courses and tutorials are broken up into short videos, so it’s easy fit into a busy schedule. To get started, you just need your BCPL card number and PIN.

  • Flipster

    Flipster is a next-generation magazine service that lets users browse digital versions of the latest issues of popular magazines for free, courtesy of the library. Flipster offers convenient access and a user-friendly reading experience. Magazines can be read online with your computer, smartphone, or tablet or downloaded to your mobile device for offline access.

  • Treehouse

    Treehouse is an online video and interactive learning platform that specializes in teaching people of all ages how to design and develop websites and mobile apps. Tracks include web development, web design, iOs and Android app development, WordPress development and design, game development, and various programming languages, including HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby. Courses are taught through short videos, with quizzes, code challenges, and other activities to help reinforce new skills and concepts. Their Career Program serves as a “guided tool to help you prepare for a new job in technology.”

  • LearningExpress Library: Computer Skills Center

    Enjoy video courses on topics ranging from computer maintenance and internet safety to popular software programs like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Photoshop.

  • LearningExpress Library: School Center

    Test preparation and skills improvement tutorials for elementary, middle, and high school students. Topics include mathematics, English/language arts, and more.

Your Online Catalog Is Getting an Upgrade

We’re changing our cataloging and checkout software to a more powerful platform, which means you’re also getting a new online catalog for finding books, placing holds, and checking your account online! The new catalog will offer you lots of cool new features, including MUCH better integration with digital resources like Hoopla. In the meantime, there will be some downtime in late August when you will not be able to renew your materials online or check your account. No late fines will be charged during this transition period.

Here’s the timeline for what you can expect:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24th
Our online catalog will close for business. This means you will not be able to check your account online, renew items, or place holds. If you need to find the location of an item while the online catalog is unavailable, please ask a BCPL staff member for help.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24th–FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
Fine freeze!!!! While we are transitioning to our new system and because you will lose online access to your account for a short period, no overdue charges will accrue during this timeframe. It is our goal to make the changeover as painless as possible, and we appreciate your patience as we work to make our system better.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th
We are officially switching to the new system! Most account services should be operating normally by the end of the day. Some functionality may take a little longer and the new catalog interface will still be under construction, but we believe the inconvenience of this process will be worth the wait!

Here are just a few things you can look forward to with the new system:

  • Longer renewal periods on books, audiobooks, and more!
    When we go live with our new system, we are also extending our renewal period on select items. Currently, we offer up to two 14-day renewals on books, magazines, books on CD or MP3, and Playaways. In the new system, you will be able to renew these items for up to 21 days at a time as long as no one else is waiting for them. Not only does this give you the ability to keep items longer when you need to, we’re also making your due dates more straightforward and easier to keep up with.
  • Keeping your checkout history!
    The new system will allow you to keep track of the materials you’ve checked out for future reference. Some of you have asked about this in the past, and we’re excited to finally say YES YOU CAN. But you don’t have to keep that history if you don’t want to; for privacy purposes, this will be a completely voluntary service. Please note, you will only be able to view your checkout history beginning with the date you opt-in to the service.
  • And we really can’t say it enough: better integration with our digital resources!
    Streaming and downloadable e-books, magazines, movies, and music from most of our e-media providers will be available for check out directly from our catalog. This includes Hoopla, Kentucky Libraries Unbound, and RBdigital! There’s no need to access or search each e-media site separately—you don’t even need to know which platforms to search. You can browse the full Digital Library or search for a particular format, like Kindle or MP3. And not only can you download directly from the online catalog, if the title you want isn’t immediately available, you can also place a hold right there in the catalog—just as you would for a physical item!

Ferdinand

Laura says:
This movie has a very cute storyline that no matter what life throws at you always be yourself.

Contact Us: Tracy Weikel

Use this form to send questions or comments to our Public Relations Coordinator. Applicants for the Administrative Assistant position should also use this form to submit the requested samples of their work.

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Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner

Heather says:
Priscilla wants to be a gorilla—but really, she just wants to do everything her way. But her friends and family help her see that she can be herself without
being a troublemaker.

Win a Kentucky Kingdom Guest Pass!

Play BattleKasters at any BCPL location for your chance to win a one-day guest pass to Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay!

Close the Stonefire Portal by 7:59 PM on Thursday, July 12th and crack the leaderboards at any BCPL location to secure your spot in our special prize drawing! On Friday, July 13th, all current board leaders will be entered in a random drawing. Five (5) total guest passes to Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay will be awarded. Winners will be announced NO LATER than Tuesday, July 17th.

About Kentucky Kingdom

The Kentucky Kingdom Day Ticket is valid for one entry during the 2018 season. For more information on the 2018 calendar or rides and attractions, visit the Kentucky Kingdom website. Thank you to Kentucky Kingdom for your donation of 3 of the passes included in our prize drawing!

About BattleKasters

This Pokémon Go-style mobile game—exclusively offered at BCPL during SummerQuest!—turns each BCPL location into a virtual game board. Questing players collect digital trading cards and cast magic spells that change the state of the game for everyone playing. Come in any time we’re open and begin your BattleKasters quest!

View Leaderboards »

Getting Started

Playing on Your Personal Mobile Device

You may install BattleKasters from Google Play or the Apple App store. Search for BattleKasters.

Playing on a BattleKasters iPod

You may check out a BattleKasters iPod from the main service desk for 1 hour. To check out a BattleKasters iPod, you must be at least 13 years old, have an up-to-date BCPL account in good standing, and leave something of value until the device is returned. You will be responsible for the full cost of any damaged or lost BattleKaster iPod. BattleKasters iPods must not be taken outside of the library for any reason.

More Info & Troubleshooting

Permissions

  1. Your mobile device must have Bluetooth turned on.
  2. Your mobile device must be connected to the internet. You must accept BCPL’s Internet Terms of Service when connecting to the library’s public Wi-Fi.
  3. The BattleKasters app must have permission to use the device’s Bluetooth. This permission request usually happens on app installation or on game start.
  4. The BattleKasters app must have Location permission. (This permission request usually happens on app installation or during game play. However, if you are certain you are in the correct library location and the game indicates that This location is not in rangeyou may still need to go to your device’s Apps Settings to enable the Location permission for BattleKasters.)

Creating a BattleKasters Profile

  1. To start a game, you must log in with an e-mail and password or use a Facebook account.
  2. Remember your e-mail and password if you wish to restart the game at a later time.
  3. You can use the same game profile to play BattleKasters at all BCPL locations.
  4. The e-mail is not verified, so you can make one up. Passwords must be at least 6 digits long.
  5. Before the game begins, choose the BCPL location where you are playing the game. Game hints are tailored to each BCPL location.

Troubleshooting

  1. BCPL staff cannot provide more than basic help getting started playing the game on your mobile device or the BattleKasters iPod provided by the library.
  2. Once you begin the game, you are on your own!
  3. If you experience technical difficulties or get stuck, you may come back another day. BattleKasters is available from May 19th–July 28th at all BCPL locations.
  4. BattleKasters is best for middle schooler ages and up. Players must be able to read directions, use a touchscreen mobile device, and explore the library independently.

Feedback

Please e-mail feedback about your gameplay experience to patrick@bcplib.org.

Gameplay Overview

The Basics

BattleKasters is a mobile game full of quests set in the Legends of Orkney universe, the book series created by Alane Adams. Players explore the library, guided by game hints, to discover and enter locations set in the land of Orkney within the game.

When a player is in the correct Orkney location within the library, their device will vibrate and a graphic will light up and spin in the game. Some Orkney locations will not appear until you have made a certain amount of progress within the game. Players enter Orkney locations within the game to collect Wisdom cards. Players then combine Wisdom cards to cast spells on other players, on locations, or on themselves. There are many achievements players may earn in the game. There are over 60 cards to collect. The main quest is to close the Stone Fire portal.

Learn More

Goal

Close the Stonefire Portal by collecting any two Secret Word cards and, later in the game, the special Redstone Ring card.

Quests

Traveling to an Orkney location is called a “Quest.” On each Quest, you will collect Wisdom cards and learn magic Spells to help you accomplish the game goal.

Map

To start, six locations in Orkney will be visible on the map. All of these Quests must be completed before you can close the Stonefire Portal. When nearing any location, the corresponding map icon will light up and your mobile device will vibrate. The location can then be “entered” by clicking the map icon at the bottom of the screen.

Wisdom

At each location, a selection of three rows of Wisdom cards is presented. Each row has one hidden card, shown face down. Select one row to collect those three cards and add them to your Library.
Secret Word cards are rare, but can be recognized by their sparkling aura.

Spells

Spells come in three different types: Light, Dark, and Battle. A list of Spells and the Wisdom cards required to cast each one is located in your Spellbook. On your first visit to most locations, one new Spell is unlocked in your Spellbook. When you collect the three Wisdom cards required to cast a Spell, the corresponding Spell icon will be illuminated in your Spellbook. Some Spells can only be cast once you have “entered” a location, but other Spells can be cast anywhere; check your Spellbook at any time to see what spellcasting options you have. Every Spell is activated by simply shaking your mobile device until a magic animation appears.

Strategy

Casting Light Spells will increase your chances of gaining Secret Word cards, thereby reducing the time it takes you to close the Stonefire Portal. Casting Dark Spells will steal Wisdom cards from other players, but there are traps to counter such spells—so beware!

Battles

At select locations, dark creatures known as “witchspawn” will appear to block your quest. These
battles require casting the Witchfire Spell, which works like every other Spell in your Spellbook. After defeating the creature, the blocked location will be available to “enter,” and you will earn a reward in the form of bonus Wisdom cards.

Explore Your Community

This year at SummerQuest, we’re celebrating The Great Outdoors and encouraging our patrons to get out and get moving in the community!

Get outside!
Many of our family programs this summer are geared to encourage patrons to spend time outdoors and in their community. Too often, we spend our time online or watching television, and we forget there’s an entire world to see. So why don’t you start with BCPL’s exciting summer programs? Be sure to check out Adventures Await! with Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, and the survivalists among you won’t want to overlook Paracord “Survival” Bracelet. Yes, the guys too. If you think bracelets are just pretty trinkets for women, this program plans to prove you wrong!

Experience Bullitt County!
Summer is the best time to put those phones and computers away and explore some new places. We’ve even made it easier for you to discover new venues! If your kiddo picks up a Kids’ Summer Adventure Guide and wins the first leg of the reading log, their prize is a fun Scavenger Hunt map of Bullitt County! Visit historical markers to learn about the county’s history and discover fun family programs outside of the Library. Adventure awaits!

Expand your mind!
If you’re a youth aged 0-21 (or the parent of one!), don’t miss the Cultural Pass—your ticket to more than 40 arts and culture venues in the Louisville Metro area. Beat the summer slump and feed your creative mind at places like Frazier History Museum, Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium, Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Zoo, Speed Art Museum, and many more!

Learn Something New

Summer is a great time to pick up a new hobby. When the days get so hot even your hair perspires, it’s nice to have a fun activity to turn to in the comfort of air conditioning.

Learn with BCPL programs!
If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of quilting, don’t miss June’s four-part series Picnic Quilt Camp. You’ll learn the skills needed—from concept to creation!—of crafting a nine-patch quilt. One lucky crafter will have the chance to win the final quilt in a drawing at completion! View event listings»

Storytelling is an art as old as language itself, and nowhere is better for a good tale than around a summer campfire! Join local author Kim Upton for a workshop on how to craft an entertaining story from start to finish at Campfire Storytelling, coming to all branches this summer. View event listings»

What would you do if you found yourself in a survivalist situation? If you had eight feet of paracord on your wrist, it could probably save your life! Join us for a tutorial on braiding your own Paracord “Survival” Bracelet! View event listings»

Are you intrigued by the age-old craft of calligraphy? Join local artisan and author Thomas Freese for a brief history and workshop on Calligraphy & the Quill Pen. We’ll craft our own pens from wild turkey feathers and learn some easy techniques to use them. View event listings»

There are even more awesome programs happening this summer, so be sure to check out the SummerQuest page!

Pick up a Questing Guide!
Teens and adults need mental stimulation just as much as kids do! This year, we’ve created the Questing Guide specifically for that purpose. You can choose to quest for stories, knowledge, and/or fun, and each quest you complete earns you a ticket in the Big Prize drawings at the SummerQuest Finale! Our Knowledge Quests are great for picking up some cool new smarts you can use to impress your friends. Plus, all of those great BCPL events listed above count towards prize tickets!

Enjoy Virtual Adventures

We know some days are just going to be too hot for messing around outside, so BCPL has some exciting virtual adventures happening inside the library!

Indie Game Stations

Careers in game design are rapidly gaining popularity all over the world. For the first time, multimedia artists can bring their fictional worlds to life and distribute direct to the public. All throughout SummerQuest, BCPL will play host to more than 20 indie video game experiences powered by the Steam gaming platform.

 

Stop in at any location to play free on widescreen HDTV screens and discover some of the coolest indie games available today.

Click on each Station for game descriptions!

Station 1

Badland – In a fairy tale forest, something has gone terribly wrong. Navigate traps and obstacles as one of the forest’s inhabitants to discover the truth.

Undertale – In this role-playing game, your character stumbles into a world of monsters and must escape using whatever means necessary.

Pac-Man Championship Edition – This timeless, fan-favorite has been updated and expanded for Steam. Chomp pesky ghosts and navigate wily mazes on a refined user interface.

Station 2

The Long Dark – Explore and survive a realistic apocalypse scenario. No zombies, no aliens—just the wrath of Mother Nature in a frozen wasteland.

Tesla vs. Lovecraft – This intense shoot-’em-up game melds the worlds of Lovecraftian horror with the science of Nikola Tesla.

Firewatch – Your job is to be on the lookout for wildfires. Your only connection to the outside world is a small handheld radio. But more than fire awaits you in the wilderness. A Note from the Developer: Firewatch is a video game about adults having adult conversations about adult things. If you plan on playing with a younger gamer, that might be good to know going in.

Station 3

Inside – An unsettling but artistically rendered puzzle game where one boy must survive the militaristic compound of Inside—and its deadly secrets.

Don’t Starve Together – The most important goal in this mysterious, Tim Burton-esque world: Don’t starve. Dip into your own creativity to utilize the given resources and survive.

Stardew Valley – Reminiscent of early video games, this role-playing game puts you on a large working farm where you must learn to live off the land and preserve the old ways of life.

Station 4

Thumper – A psychedelic racing game where the line between the music and the player is virtually nonexistent.

Hyper Light Drifter – Quest your way through a neon world to find lost technologies and forgotten knowledge in an effort to save your character from a deadly disease.

Battleblock Theater – Full of fun animation reminiscent of ‘90s cartoons and hilarious, off-the-wall storyboards. Defeat “evil technological cats” to save 300 of your closest friends in eight different arenas.

Station 5

Tacoma – A speculative, sci-fi future where you immerse yourself in the AR-recorded stories of the crew members’ lives to investigate what went wrong.

Pyre – Colorful, detailed artwork and narrative storytelling add richness to this role-playing game. You must battle for freedom from exile through ancient competitions in a purgatorial world.

Pez – A beautiful soundtrack and 16-bit graphics combine in this smart, creative, and challenging puzzle game that brings together 2D and 3D perspectives.

Station 6

Cuphead – Test your abilities to focus and react to danger in this hand-drawn game inspired by 1930s cartoons. With a heavy emphasis on boss battles, you won’t run low on tension!

Superflight – This simple flying game focuses on speed and maneuverability, affording the most points to the riskiest maneuvers on a seemingly endless supply of 3D mountainscapes.

Terraria – An action-adventure game in the vein of the original Mario Brothers but with a build-and-explore, Minecraft-like aspect.

Station 7

Night in the Woods – A character-driven narrative game that follows college-dropout Mae, a cartoon cat who returns to her hometown and finds everything has changed. And there’s something in the woods.

Oxenfree – A mind-bending supernatural thriller where teenage Alex and her friends open a rift to a ghostly dimension on a spooky abandoned island with a military past.

Braid – This is a game of “what if”— What if you could control time? What if you could reverse death? Nonlinear gameplay offers the unique opportunity to create your own experience based on your problem-solving skills.

Game Stations will rotate, giving you a chance to try them all. Track the location of each station at bit.ly/teen-dash.


BattleKasters

This Pokémon Go-style mobile game—exclusively offered at BCPL during SummerQuest!—turns each BCPL location into a virtual game board. Questing players collect digital trading cards and cast magic spells that change the state of the game for everyone playing. Come in anytime we’re open and begin your BattleKasters quest!

View Leaderboards »

Getting Started

Playing on Your Personal Mobile Device

You may install BattleKasters from Google Play or the Apple App store. Search for BattleKasters.

Playing on a BattleKasters iPod

You may check out a BattleKasters iPod from the main service desk for 1 hour. To check out a BattleKasters iPod, you must be at least 13 years old, have an up-to-date BCPL account in good standing, and leave something of value until the device is returned. You will be responsible for the full cost of any damaged or lost BattleKaster iPod. BattleKasters iPods must not be taken outside of the library for any reason.

More Info & Troubleshooting

Permissions

  1. Your mobile device must have Bluetooth turned on.
  2. Your mobile device must be connected to the internet. You must accept BCPL’s Internet Terms of Service when connecting to the library’s public Wi-Fi.
  3. The BattleKasters app must have permission to use the device’s Bluetooth. This permission request usually happens on app installation or on game start.
  4. The BattleKasters app must have Location permission. (This permission request usually happens on app installation or during game play. However, if you are certain you are in the correct library location and the game indicates that This location is not in rangeyou may still need to go to your device’s Apps Settings to enable the Location permission for BattleKasters.)

Creating a BattleKasters Profile

  1. To start a game, you must log in with an e-mail and password or use a Facebook account.
  2. Remember your e-mail and password if you wish to restart the game at a later time.
  3. You can use the same game profile to play BattleKasters at all BCPL locations.
  4. The e-mail is not verified, so you can make one up. Passwords must be at least 6 digits long.
  5. Before the game begins, choose the BCPL location where you are playing the game. Game hints are tailored to each BCPL location.

Troubleshooting

  1. BCPL staff cannot provide more than basic help getting started playing the game on your mobile device or the BattleKasters iPod provided by the library.
  2. Once you begin the game, you are on your own!
  3. If you experience technical difficulties or get stuck, you may come back another day. BattleKasters is available from May 19th–July 28th at all BCPL locations.
  4. BattleKasters is best for middle schooler ages and up. Players must be able to read directions, use a touch screen mobile device, and explore the library independently.

Feedback

Please e-mail feedback about your gameplay experience to patrick@bcplib.org.

Gameplay Overview

The Basics

BattleKasters is a mobile game full of quests set in the Legends of Orkney universe, the book series created by Alane Adams. Players explore the library, guided by game hints, to discover and enter locations set in the land of Orkney within the game.

When a player is in the correct Orkney location within the library, their device will vibrate and a graphic will light up and spin in the game. Some Orkney locations will not appear until you have made a certain amount of progress within the game. Players enter Orkney locations within the game to collect Wisdom cards. Players then combine Wisdom cards to cast spells on other players, on locations, or on themselves. There are many achievements players may earn in the game. There are over 60 cards to collect. The main quest is to close the Stone Fire portal.

Learn More

Goal

Close the Stonefire Portal by collecting any two Secret Word cards and, later in the game, the special Redstone Ring card.

Quests

Traveling to an Orkney location is called a “Quest.” On each Quest, you will collect Wisdom cards and learn magic Spells to help you accomplish the game goal.

Map

To start, six locations in Orkney will be visible on the map. All of these Quests must be completed before you can close the Stonefire Portal. When nearing any location, the corresponding map icon will light up and your mobile device will vibrate. The location can then be “entered” by clicking the map icon at the bottom of the screen.

Wisdom

At each location, a selection of three rows of Wisdom cards is presented. Each row has one hidden card, shown face down. Select one row to collect those three cards and add them to your Library.
Secret Word cards are rare, but can be recognized by their sparkling aura.

Spells

Spells come in three different types: Light, Dark, and Battle. A list of Spells and the Wisdom cards required to cast each one is located in your Spellbook. On your first visit to most locations, one new Spell is unlocked in your Spellbook. When you collect the three Wisdom cards required to cast a Spell, the corresponding Spell icon will be illuminated in your Spellbook. Some Spells can only be cast once you have “entered” a location, but other Spells can be cast anywhere; check your Spellbook at any time to see what spellcasting options you have. Every Spell is activated by simply shaking your mobile device until a magic animation appears.

Strategy

Casting Light Spells will increase your chances of gaining Secret Word cards, thereby reducing the time it takes you to close the Stonefire Portal. Casting Dark Spells will steal Wisdom cards from other players, but there are traps to counter such spells—so beware!

Battles

At select locations, dark creatures known as “witchspawn” will appear to block your quest. These
battles require casting the Witchfire Spell, which works like every other Spell in your Spellbook. After defeating the creature, the blocked location will be available to “enter,” and you will earn a reward in the form of bonus Wisdom cards.

 

Santogold by Santigold

Tracy says:
This genre-crossing pop album folds in elements of hip-hop, new wave, and even reggae. A decade after its release, it still sounds fresh and creative. I’ve been blasting it lately any time I need an infusion of energy or just want to pump up my mood.

 

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Tracy says:
A love letter to words, to the treasures found in secondhand bookshops, and to finding your way after losing someone or something important. In between wanting to smack Henry upside the head (seriously, dude!), I reveled in the beautiful words and emotions that vibrate from every page.

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

Heather says:
I adored this graphic novel! The illustrations are fun and bright, bringing to life the Renaissance Faire and its characters. The story really captures the innocence of being a tween, and how middle school and the real world can test a girl.

 

 

Focus Groups Registration

Thank you for your interest in being a focus group participant! We hope you’ll be able to join us to explore one of the key topics we will be focusing on in our strategic plan:


1. Children. Too many young children in our community are not prepared for kindergarten and risk falling behind in the critical elementary grades. We want to hear about your thoughts and experiences as we explore the role our library system can play in a community-wide effort to ensure our children’s educational success.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Children’s Focus Group at Ridgway Memorial or Lebanon Junction and to everyone who registered for the group at Mt Washington, which had to be canceled due to weather. We have one additional group planned on this topic:

  • MONDAY, March 26th @Hillview | 6:00 PM

2. Technology. Digital technologies are redefining the way every organization operates —and public libraries are leaders in adapting to these changes. We are looking at the role emerging technologies might play over the next few years in the way our library delivers services, and we want to hear about your experiences with new technologies and what interests you. If you have insights into new technologies or how they can improve BCPL services and access, we want to hear from you.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Technology Focus Group at Ridgway Memorial and to everyone who registered for the group at Mt Washington, which had to be canceled due to weather. We have one additional group planned on this topic:

  • TUESDAY, March 27th @Lebanon Junction | 3:00 PM

3. Programs. There is high community interest in the programs we offer—and numerous opportunities to expand them among all ages and interests. The problem is determining which programs will have the most lasting impact or fill needed gaps in our community. In this group, we will focus on how we might develop new learning experiences that are both relevant to community life and responsive to high-need areas.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Programs Focus Group at Ridgway Memorial or Mt. Washington. No additional focus groups are planned for this topic at this time.


Each focus group session will last about an hour. 

#TTW18: Libraries Are for Creating…

Get ready to make, create, and experiment!
Our annual Teen Tech Week celebration has arrived. Teen Tech Week is when libraries across the county make time to showcase all of the great technology resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for college and beyond.

#TTW18 Events: March 4th–10th

Anime Gaming Night

Tuesday, March 6th |  4:00–7:00 PM @Mt. Washington

This month’s AGN is all about the tech! Featuring technology and sci-fi themed anime, tech-themed games like RoboCraft on STEAM, our newest 3D pens, and our Raspberry Pi retro gaming console—which was originally created by one of our library teens! Plus, teens will have the opportunity to print projects on our 3D printers and to explore their digital passion projects on library gaming laptops, now loaded with a growing collection of software!


Pop-Up Makerspace

Thursday, March 8th | 4:00–6:00 PM @Lebanon Junction

Drop in to make and create with our 3D printer, Snap Circuits, Brain Flakes, and more! Plus, play and experiment with a variety of software—Happy 3D (3D design), Roblox (game development), Audacity (podcasting), and more!—on our library gaming laptops.


Minecraft Meetup

Thursday, March 8th | 4:00–6:00 PM @Ridgway Memorial
Saturday, March 10th | 1:00–3:00 PM @ Hillview

This month’s meetup with emphasize engineering and creation using the redstone circuitry makerspace map. Plus, gamers can enjoy our Minecraft-themed stop motion kit, our Cubelets robotics kit, indie game development with Roblox, a variety of engineering kits, and more!


Teen Lounge

Tuesday, March 6th | 3:00–6:00 PM @Hillview
Wednesday, March 7th | 3:00–6:00 PM @Hillview
Thursday, March 8th | 3:00–6:00 PM @Hillview

Hang out, geek out, and mess around with library gaming laptops and a variety of technology and engineering tools. Tweens and teens are encouraged to have fun and explore with a variety of tools and supplies we’ll have on hand, but each Teen Lounge day has a theme of its own! Tech Tuesdays feature our 3D printers and pens, Makerspace Wednesdays emphasize a variety of creative and engineering kits, and Thursdays offer a teen-choice movie.


More Suggested Activities & Resources

Online Learning Tools

Treehouse is an online video and interactive learning platform that specializes in teaching people of all ages how to design and develop websites and mobile apps. Tracks include web development, web design, iOs and Android app development, WordPress development and design, game development, and various programming languages, including HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby. Find out more and request access at https://bcplib.org/treehouse/.

Suggested Reading List

BOMB by Steve Sheinkin
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
The real life story of the race to create the world’s first atomic bomb.

 


THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND by William Kamkwamba
View in catalog | Hoopla E-audiobook | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
A memoir of a Malawian teen who used science books in his village library to piece together a working windmill from scrap metal and spare parts. The windmill brought electricity to his home, effectively saving his family from starvation.


FEED by M.T. Anderson
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
In Titus’s world, people connect to the internet via an implant in their brains. During a party on the moon, a hacker breaks into the feed and causes their implants to malfunction. Add a cute girl who lives without the feed, and you get a witty satire of a futuristic dystopia.


GIRL CODE by Andrea Gonzalez and Sophie Houser
View in catalog | KLU E-book
This clever memoir tells the story of two ordinary teens who became world-famous after the video game they created went viral. More than just an inspiring story, Andy and Sophie offer tips and encouragement for all girls interested in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.


ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
Two evil corporations go to war over a tiny planet, and teenage hacker Kady finds herself on a warship where the AI might be her enemy and the people in charge won’t admit what’s going on.


LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow
View in catalog | KLU E-audiobook
Techno-geek Marcus spends his time bypassing the “system,” and he’s good at it. When a major terrorist attack on the city causes the Department of Homeland Security to cease control and set up intrusive surveillance, Marcus decides it’s up to him to take down the government.


READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline
View in catalog | KLU E-book | KLU E-audiobook
Set in an ugly dystopian future, Ready Player One tells the story of teenager Wade Watts, a gamer obsessed with a virtual utopia where hidden clues promise fame and fortune for the person smart enough to unlock them.


WARCROSS by Marie Lu
View in catalog | KLU E-book
A teenage hacker earns money chasing down people who illegally bet on the international virtual game “Warcross.” When she accidentally glitches herself into the game, the game’s creator reaches out to her with an offer she can’t refuse.


 

More Books + Movies

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