Albert Lea Public Library

Nifty tool for finding books you like!

So, you've read all the books of your favorite authors, it's late at night and you are surfing the web. Just what can you do to find some new books to read?

Try LibraryThing. It's a fun, free internet tool for listing the books you've read or the ones you own. Once you've added a book, or a few, you can see what other people are reading who enjoyed the book that you just added. It's a fun way to find new authors and books and share your taste with others at the same time.

Also be sure to check out the Albert Lea Public Library's readalikes list. And, as always, chat up the library staff to see what we are reading. We're sure to have some suggestions that'll get you hooked up with a new favorite author in no time!

HEALTHY COOKING IS THE "IN" THING

Recipes you will love, advice you can trust.  These are words on the cover of Taste of Home's newest magazine, Healthy Cooking, available at the Albert Lea Public Library.  Several recipes from this month's edition are Chocolate Crepes with Raspberry Sauce and Mediterranean Shrimp with Linguine....sound yummy and yet, they are healthy. Another new health magazine is Health which features articles about healthy looks, healthy shape, healthy inside, healthy life and healthy eating. In addition, the magazine has a website http://www.health.com/health/where you will find more of the diet, beauty, food and fitness content of Health. 

Ready to enjoy the outdoors?

Warm and sunny weather has finally arrived. To take full advantage summer make sure to check out our Information Library and see what our nonfiction books can help you do!

We have how-to books on gardening, patios and decks, home improvement, birdwatching, plant identification, landscaping and so much more. If you want to learn more about how to do something or how to do it better, we have something here for you.

New DVDs!!

The Library has added many new release DVDs to our collection.  Here are the latest..
The Waterhorse-  PG
Golden Compass-  PG-13
Mad Money -  PG-13
P.S. I Love You-  PG-13
The Great Debaters-  PG-13
Cloverfield-  PG-13
27 Dresses-  PG-13
Over Her Dead Body-  PG-13
First Sunday-  PG-13
Untraceable-  R
Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street-  R

Have Some Books You'd Like to Donate or Buy?

The Friends of the Library are having their Book Drop Off day on Wednesday, May 28th from 9 am- 1 pm at the Skyline Plaza.  Please use the entrance by Family Treasures.
The Book Sale will be this Thursday 4- 7 pm for Friends members only, you can purchase a $5 membership at the sale.  Open to everyone on Friday from 10 am- 6 pm and Saturday 10 am- 1 pm.  There are so many great books to purchase, so be sure and bring a big bag!!

MEMORIAL DAY IS MONDAY, MAY 26

Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War.  After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, since many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.

Time for Camping

Summer is just around the corner.  One of my favorite things to do in the summer is go camping.  It is so much fun, especially the campfire and roasting marshmallows to make smores.
But getting everything together can be a challenge.  You need a camping checklist to make sure nothing is forgotten at home.  Visit www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm for help remembering all the necessary supplies and equipment.
If you are looking for a state park to camp at and enjoy all that nature has to offer, visit
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/recgrid.html for a listing of MN state parks.  Some of our favorites are Nerstrand Big Woods (by Northfield), Minneopa (near Mankato), Blue Mounds (by Pipe Stone) and Itasca  State Park right near where the Mississippi starts.
If your family requires more excitement, here are some great campgrounds that offer activities such as a swimming pool, pony rides, petting zoos, mini golf, tubing, game rooms, and more.  The Old Barn Resort in Preston http://www.barnresort.com/, Kamp Dels in Waterville http://www.kampdels.com/, Beaver Trails near Austin http://www.beavertrails.com/, or one closer to home is Hickory Hills in Twin Lakes http://www.hickoryhillscampground.com/.

Closed - Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day

The Albert Lea Public Library will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

Some suggested titles:

The Mighty Fallen by Larry Bond (973.09 Bon)

Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery by the National Geographic Society (973.099 Whe)

Better get on the request list!

There are some great new books coming out and patrons are already signing up to be on the request list.

Already out and hot are:

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

The Front by Patricia Cornwell

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Coming out soon:

Sail by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

Hotter than Hell by Kim Harrison

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

Nothing to Lose by Lee Child

Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, MITCH ALBOM

Well-known author and journalist, Mitch Albom, who is 50 today, has written three books, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven and  For One More Day, which are on the shelves of the Albert Lea Public Library.  As well as regular print books, we have them in large print and audio books, even one in DVD...take your choice.

What is better? The book or the movie?

Here's a list of some great books, adults' and children's, that inspired great movies!

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Frannie Flagg

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Children of Men by P.D. James

I am Legend by Roger Matheson

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

We Need Summer Volunteers

What are you planning on doing with your summer?  Would you like to help out in the Children's Library?  Kids who have completed 3rd grade or up are needed to do projects, put away items, clean up and assist the librarians as needed.  If you or someone you know are interested, contact Patty at 377-4356.  Hurry, because spots fill up fast!

Come and Read to Us!

Meet Emma and Max.  These two will be at the Children's Library this summer and they need you to read to them!  If you're interested, sign up for a 15 minute slot between 2 and 3 p.m. on Mondays June 9th through July 21st.

GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, LEAVE HOME AND BEGIN COOKING FOR YOURSELF AND FRIENDS

When Amy Madden's three children went off to college, they called her frequently for the recipes of the home-cooked meals they were missing.  So she compiled a cookbook, Look, Dude, I Can Cook: four years of college cooking made easy. In it are her own recipes that make a fun, nutritious meal.  Divided into four sections - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior - the recipes start simple and progressively become a little harder.  Check it out at the Albert Lea Public Library and, if you like it, buy it as a graduation or going-to college gift.

It's Never Too Early to Look & Talk Together!

These picture-and-word board books are perfect for babys and toddlers to develop vocabulary and early literacy skills.


My Animals by Xavier Deneux- Black and white animals with playful cut-outs introduce favorites from our wild kingdom.
My First Colors Board Book- From the "My First" series by DK Publishing.
I Love Colors- Bright, beautiful colors with simple text.
My Very First Look at Colors- Introduces all the colors of the rainbow with simple questions to encourage children to talk, point and learn.
Black on White- Black illustrations against a white background depict familiar shapes for your baby.