Albert Lea Public Library

Trivia Answers

What year did the first library open in Albert Lea?
It was 1883.  The initial library was located above the post office building on East Clark Street.  After about a year the library was closed.  It would be 23 years before a library would again open in Albert Lea.
When was the latest renovation of the Library completed?
The grand-opening of the renovated Library was September 10th, 2007.
Thanks to all who responded!

Trivia

What year did the first library open in Albert Lea?
*Bonus question- when was the latest renovation of the library completed?

Answers can be emailed to achance@selco.info.
Watch for the correct answer on tomorrows blog.

Cooking Dirty by Jason Sheehan

Cooking Dirty: A Story of Life, Sex, Love and Death in the Kitchen by Jason Sheehan spills the beans, so to speak, when it comes to his work as a cook. All the dirty, sordid and laughable details are shared and will offer readers a voyeuristic view into his world. Decidedly not high-brow but engrossing say the reviews.

Free Internet Access - 1 Hour/Day

Library patrons can enjoy 1 hour per day of internet access/computer use. Just be sure to bring your library card as you'll need that and your PIN (last four numbers of your phone number) to log in. If you don't use your full hour and you log off, your remaining minutes will be saved for you. This is just one of the many great services available at your library.

• Adults may log in at the Information Library.
• Teens may use the computers located on the 3rd Floor in the Fiction Library.
• Children and parents who are accompanying children may use the computers located in the Children's Library.

If you are unfamiliar with computers, or know someone who would like to brush up on their skills, just stop by the circulation desk and inquire about upcoming basic computer classes for adults.

Everything for a Dog by Ann Martin

Everything for a Dog is a companion to Ann Martin's acclaimed 2005 novel, A Dog’s Life. Martin tells the parallel stories of a stray dog (the brother of the dog featured in A Dog’s Life), a boy dealing with unspeakable loss, and a boy whose most ardent wish is to own a dog—and everything for a dog.

Bone and his sister, Squirrel, are stray dogs born in a shed. Left motherless as puppies, the two dogs survive together for a while, but are soon wrenched apart. Bone doesn’t know if his sister is still alive, and must now go on, alone. Charlie is a boy who has suffered a terrible loss. And, as he’s healing with the help of his dog, another tragedy occurs. Henry’s best friend has moved away. All Henry has wanted is a dog of his own. But his parents won’t let him.

Bone, Charlie, and Henry live very different lives, but they are fated to intersect in surprising ways. Award-winning author Ann M. Martin has written a powerful, heartfelt novel that’s perfect for anyone who has ever longed for a dog, or loved one.

Knitting in Tuscany by Nicky Epstein

Knitting in Tuscany by Nicky Epstein explores many aspects of knitting and builds each project around a theme of Tuscany. This book is generally for the advanced knitter but a beginning knitter will enjoy challenging their skills. The book features "fabulous design, luscuious yarns, shopping secrets, food and wines, travel notes" of Tuscany.

Crazy Love by Leslie Morgan Steiner

Crazy Love is one writer's past as survivor of domestic abuse:

"If you and I met at one our children's birthday parties, in the hallway at work, or at a neighbor's barbeque, you'd never guess my secret: that as a young woman I fell in love with and married a man who beat me regularly and nearly killed me. I was always tensed for my next mistake, his next attack. The only person I was hiding the truth from was myself."

The book is described as gripping and honest and had many readers cheering for the woman as she struggles to get her life back from Crazy Love.

Now on the New York Times Bestseller's List

Currently on the NYT's Best Seller's List (Fiction Hardcover):

• SOUTH OF BROAD by Pat Conroy
• THE WHITE QUEEN by Philippa Gregory
• DREAMFEVER by Karen Marie Moning
• THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
• THAT OLD CAPE MAGIC by Richard Russo

Read Early and Read Often!!

It’s never too early to begin reading, the early years are critical to develop a lifelong love of reading.  The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader.  Try a new tip each week and see what works best for you.

*Read together every day.
Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.
*Give everything a name.
Build your child’s vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects.
*Say how much you enjoy reading.
Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with him or her. Talk about “story time” as the favorite part of your day.
*Read with fun in your voice.
Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up!
*Know when to stop.
Put the book away for awhile if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention.
*Be interactive.
Discuss what’s happening in the book, point out things on the page, and ask questions.
*Read it again and again.
Go ahead and read your child’s favorite book for the 100th time!
*Talk about writing, too.
Mention to your child how we read from left to right and how words are separated by spaces.
*Point out print everywhere.
Talk about the written words you see in the world around you. Ask your child to find a new word on each outing.

Visit www.ReadingRockets.org for more information on how you can launch a child into a bright future through reading.

It’s never too early to begin reading, the early years are critical to develop a lifelong love of reading.  The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader.  Try a new tip each week and see what works best for you.

*Read together every day.
Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.
*Give everything a name.
Build your child’s vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects.
*Say how much you enjoy reading.
Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with him or her. Talk about “story time” as the favorite part of your day.
*Read with fun in your voice.
Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up!
*Know when to stop.
Put the book away for awhile if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention.
*Be interactive.
Discuss what’s happening in the book, point out things on the page, and ask questions.
*Read it again and again.
Go ahead and read your child’s favorite book for the 100th time!
*Talk about writing, too.
Mention to your child how we read from left to right and how words are separated by spaces.
*Point out print everywhere.
Talk about the written words you see in the world around you. Ask your child to find a new word on each outing.

Visit www.ReadingRockets.org for more information on how you can launch a child into a bright future through reading.

Patrick Swayze Biography: The Time of My Life

The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi chronicle's Swayze's career and struggle with pancreatic cancer. Fans will enjoy reflecting on his life and learning more about Swayze's past and his motivations.

Other new biographies:

• True Compass: A Memoir by Edward Kennedy
• My Journey with Farrah: A Story of Life, Love and Friendship by Alana Stewart
• Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert

Consumer Reports Energy Tips

Tips for saving money and living green:

• only run the washing machine with a full load
• opt for tap water
• use recycled paper products
• properly insulate your attic and walls
• seal windows, doors and electric sockets for drafts

More tips can be found in the October 2009 edition of the Consumer Reports magazine.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was originally published in 1982. Now, over 25 years later, it's been made into a movie that was just released. Revisit the book and have fun remembering that first time you read it....or read it for the first time and enjoy the great sense of imagination and humor present in this modern classic. A great read for the whole family.

Don't forget to check out the sequel, Pickles to Pittsburgh.

Knit One, Purl Two?

If you'd like to learn how to knit or crochet but find yourself getting lost looking at diagrams why not check out a demonstration video in the Information Library?  The Information Library's nonfiction dvd collection has plenty of dvds to help you learn about a craft.

DVDs go out for three days at a time and may be renewed one time online, by phone or in person.

New Children's Books

New books are arriving at the library all the time.  Here are some of the picture books that have just arrived.
I Want a Dog by Helga Bansch
The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky
Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey
Aunt Matilda's Almost Boring Party by Jane Udovic
Boris & the Wrong Shadow by Leigh Hodgkinson
How Do You Wokka-Wokka by Elizabeth Bluemle
Elmer's Special Day by David McKee
Finn Throws a Fit by David Elliot
Jungle Grapevine by Alex Beard
Creature ABC by Andrew Zuckerman
Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty
Cool Cat by Nonny Hogrogian
Cat Dreams by Ursula LeGuin


 

Programs are Back!!

Children's Fall programming begins this week.
Storytime- Monday &Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. 
Patty will read stories, sing songs and everyone will do a craft and have a snack.  Families are welcome.
L.A.F. Library Afternoon Fun- every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Join April for neat crafts and fun games.  K- 5th grade.  Snack and drink provided.
Movie Day- every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
Different movie each week.  Parents are welcome and popcorn is provided.
Night-time Storytime- every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Same great fun, just at night.
Join us for these great events.  No registration is required.