Fall into the library this February

Starting February 1 and running the week of Valentine's Day, the library will be having a heart promotion similar to the one we’ve done in years past. Patrons will be asked to share their favorite movie adapted from a book! Previously, we have had hearts on display as you walked through the entrance to the adult area with favorite books and what patrons loved about their library.

This week the library will be hosting our first Recipe Swap on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. Come prepared to share a recent (or favorite) recipe.  Bring one copy of your recipe and copies will be made depending on how individuals come for the meeting. Hopefully once we get chatting, we can decide on thematic sessions (desserts, crockpot, appetizers, main dishes, etc.!) for future meetings.

On Thursday, February 7 at 4 p.m. there will be a session for middle schoolers (ages eight to thirteen) on Chinese New Year. We’ll have a sampler and craft.  A week later, there will be one for Valentine’s Day.

The next Library and Lunch will be held on Tuesday, February 19 at 12 p.m. The book chosen by the group is “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks.  More than likely we’ll have a chance to discuss favorite books, so if you haven’t read the book or don’t get an opportunity to do so, just bring yourself.

Children’s storytimes continue every week with Ms. Debbie. On Mondays, preschool storytime meets from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. for children ages 3, 4, and 5.  On Thursdays, toddler storytime meets from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. for children 19 months to 35 months. On Tuesdays, infant storytime meets from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. for little ones birth through 19 months.  There will be a special evening Valentine’s Day storytime on Thursday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Book Chat will meet on Thursday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. Come down to discuss what books you are currently reading and discover what new books have hit the shelves. If you haven’t read one in a while, stop by and discuss what book you absolutely adore!

While you're at the library, make sure to go on a blind date with a book. Grab a title that you wouldn't normally take off the shelf whether it is non-fiction, fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. Try something new.

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages. If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don't hesitate to ask. See you at the library this month!

Freading is Fundamental

In my last column, I told you that if you’re interested in downloading and checking out eBooks and audiobooks, you can do that on the Library Memorial Library website.

Downloadable audiobooks and e-books are available for checkout through the Kansas EZ Library; this includes OneClickdigital for audiobooks and 3M Cloud for eBooks.

The Kansas EZ Library has added another service for eBooks --- Freading.

Freading works a little differently way than the other library eBook services. It is more of a rental/subscription model, but it’s free. You don’t have to buy anything. It works on a token system.

Each patron using the service is allotted five tokens per week. The State Library pays Freading based on how many tokens are used (we don't pay for the tokens you do not use.) Freading then pays the publishers based on how many times each of their books were borrowed by patrons of all libraries using Freading.

Now here’s the real neat thing -- all books on Freading are always available. There are no holds. If there’s a book that you want to read, provided that you have enough tokens, you can download it immediately.

When logged in, the number of tokens you have used is shown in the upper right side on the Freading website. Unused tokens roll over for four weeks (based on when you first logged in to Freading), then your account is reset to zero, and a new five tokens are issued.

Books "cost" different numbers of tokens (four, two, or one), usually based on the age of the book.   This is always shown on the cover of the book in the upper left corner. Each book is on loan for 14 days.

You may "spend" your tokens however you wish.  You could get as many as five books with your five tokens each week if you wish to read books that are no longer new.  And if you run out of time while reading a book, most renewals are free or cost one token.

Probably, the biggest drawback with this site is that the selection will be limited. While you may not find many of the major publishers and authors on this site, there should be something from smaller publishers and lesser authors that may pique your interest. The bottom line is that Freading gives you another alternative to eBooks.

For more information on Freading and how to get started, go to http://www.kslib.info/digitalbooks/freading.html.

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Also in my last column, I told you that there was going to be a new addition to its eReader family. The Kindle Fire has arrived at the Liberal Memorial Library and is ready to be checked out.

If you’ve always wanted to see what a tablet can do, here’s your chance to find out first hand. Here’s a great opportunity to check out the wonders of what a tablet can do. You can surf the web, read a book, watch a video and do so much more.

All you have to do is come down to the circulation desk and ask for the Kindle Fire. Borrowers have to be at least 18 years old and sign a borrowing agreement adhering to the Library’s policies and terms for the device. Once you’ve done all that, you’ve got 14 days to check out one of the coolest devices around. (And don’t forget, late fees do apply!)

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We’ll be holding a Recipe Swap on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. Here’s a chance to exchange recipes and ideas with your fellow home cooks. Come down and bring your favorite recipes and a sample if you like.

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Other happenings for the rest of this month:

Preschool storytimes:

January 28 from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Toddler storytimes:

January 24, & 31 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

Infant storytimes: January 22, & 29 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

Computer classes in English will meet on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and computer classes in Spanish will meet on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

The Library will be closed on Monday, January 21 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

There will be a Teen Pizza Party on Thursday, January 24 at 4 p.m.

For more information, come down to the Library or call us at 626-0180. You can also check out our webpage at www.lmlibrary.org or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/lmlibrary.

Roll into the library in the New Year

Happy New Year! The library has exciting programs in the works this year.

 The next Library and Lunch will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at 12 p.m. “A gift of hope” by Danielle Steel will be discussed. In this non-fiction work, Steel shows how she transformed the pain of losing her son into a campaign of service that enriched her life beyond what she could imagine.  For eleven years she took to the streets with a small team to help the homeless of San Francisco.

While you're at the library this year, make sure to go on a blind date with a book. Grab a title that you wouldn't normally take off the shelf whether it is non-fiction, fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. Try something new.

Book Chat will meet on Thursday, January 17 at 6:30 p.m. Come down to discuss what books you are currently reading and discover what new books have hit the shelves.

The Kansas Center for the Book pick this year is “Then We Came to the End: A Novel” by Joshua Ferris. The characters in this wickedly funny, big-hearted novel about life in the office cope with a downturn in the time-honored way: through gossip, secret romance, elaborate pranks, and increasingly frequent coffee breaks.  By day they compete for the best office furniture left behind and try to make sense of the mysterious pro-bono ad campaign that is their only remaining ‘work’.  The library will be having a special book discussion sometime this year. Stay tuned.

The Gardening Club resumes this month on Tuesday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. They meet every third Tuesday of the month.  Someone who has not come up with any New Year Resolutions this year is curious to hear the group’s suggestions on growing kitchen herbs.

A new program this month Recipe Swap will hold its first meet on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. Join us at the library to share your favorite recipe with fellow cooks and bakers. Whether you are a newbie or a veteran to the kitchen world, come down and share your experiences with others who share your passion.

The next session for middle and high schoolers will be a Teen Pizza Party on Thursday, January 24 at 4 p.m. Stop by the library to hang out after school.

For the latest library programming take a peek at the library website or grab a newsletter from the circulation desk. Stay tuned and connected through our social media pages. If you have any questions or suggestions about books or programs don't hesitate to ask. Make a resolution to visit your library this year!