Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Updated World Factbook

The World Factbook (a free resource published by the CIA) has just completed a major revision of their website. This resource provides information about the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues for 266 world entities. It has regional maps and flags of the different countries. It now has a photo gallery for nearly 100 countries. This is an easy-to-use website that provides information in a fun way.

Monday, June 08, 2009

On display now...check these out!

There are four genres on display now with sample materials for the summer reading program:

Crime/mystery
Science fiction/fantasy/horror
Travel/geography
Sports

Genres for reading program

Here is the list of possible genres for the summer reading program:
Political
Science / Nature
Sports
Spiritual / Religion / Philosophy
Technology
Music
Fantasy / Science Fiction / Horror
Plays / Monologues
Poetry
Memoir / Biography / Autobiography
Travel / Geography
Crime / Mystery
Newspaper
Cartoon / Manga / Graphic Novel
Art / Craft / Food
History / Regional Interest

Guidelines for the summer reading challenge!

Basic challenge guidelines:
· Choose ten different genres to sample. You may choose from those on the sheet in the packets or pick something we haven’t thought of. Just be sure to choose ten different types of literature.
· Read a minimum of 15 pages of each genre. (But you can go for 600 pages if you like!) This can be easily fulfilled with any combination you like of essays, short stories or magazine articles or you can certainly read an entire book if you choose.
· If you choose to include your favorite genre, try a different author. Your choice must be in some way new to you.
· You do not have to choose materials from the library collection. Friends or the public library are also great places to find something new.
· Stoxen library staff will also be putting up regularly changing displays featuring materials of the different genre types on the enclosed list.
· Keep track of your reading on the reading log from the packet.
· Turn in your log by August 14th to be eligible for prize drawings.
· Special prize for the one who reads the most pages!

In addition to the drawings, all challenge participants, who turn in their reading log by August 14th will receive:
· A complimentary beverage certificate to the Common Grounds Coffee Bar
· Your own personal read poster (see the end of our book stacks for samples featuring our students and staff)

Advanced challenge: There will be a special prize drawing for anyone who would choose to try all of the genres on the enclosed list!

Fun summer reading!

The challenge: To step out of your reading comfort zone! Try a small sample of genres outside your usual fare. Everyone is welcome to participate! Prize drawings will be held for all who complete the challenge by August 14th. Stop by the circulation desk for more information!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Free ebook for June

The free NetLibrary book for June is The Career Clinic: Eight Simple Rules for Finding Work You Love by Maureen Anderson.

According to NetLibrary "Since the Baby Boom generation, we have been raised with a sense that self-fulfillment is one of our inalienable rights—yet most of us probably do not love our work. As the longtime host of a radio show devoted to helping people find careers they love, Maureen Anderson has often invited listeners in to hear firsthand accounts of people who not only relish their work, but live without regret. The Career Clinic: Eight Simple Rules for Finding Work You Love by Maureen Anderson collects intimate and revealing first-hand accounts of people who have made the leap from the 9-to-5 doldrums into jobs that leave them feeling happy, satisfied, and filled with the sense of contentment that comes from knowing they're doing what they were put on this earth to do."

To access this book start at the library homepage, choose Online Reference Resources then NetLibrary.