FSPL Receives Generous Grant

Last month, the Frank Sarris Public Library learned that it is has been awarded a generous, two-year grant from the Grable Foundation. The Grable Foundation is known for its support of children’s educational programs and this donation will provide funding for several aspects of library service.

The grant will fund the addition of approximately 500 picture books to the library’s holdings. These books will become a collection that is used to expand the library’s outreach programs; they will be taken by two library staff members to the local Headstart location, and other daycares and preschools, on a weekly basis.

The Grable Foundation’s grant will also enable the library to create 70 themed kits for children from infancy through elementary school age (up to the fourth grade level). These kits will contain books and educational materials that will be available for check-out to teachers, homeschool families and others in the community. The library will be holding an Open House in the Spring to introduce the kits to educators in the area.

Zombies on Sunday, Vampires Today

Since zombies were mentioned a few days ago, it seems only fair to let vampires have their turn, too, so here goes…

When you think “Vampire”, do you think of Bram Stoker’s Dracula? It certainly would be understandable if that’s the case, because he is a rather well-known character, but it might surprise you that there’s a wide variety of fanged fiction out there.

Anne Rice and her Vampire Chronicles are rather well known – they began with Interview with the Vampire and let’s not forget Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake series! Not only do they have vampires, but – as an added bonus – they have zombies and shape shifters, too. Ms. Hamilton has branched out in other ways, as well, teaming with Marvel to put Anita and her cohorts in graphic novel form.

If you prefer your books to be on the lighter side, there’s Christopher Moore’s Bloodsucking Fiends and its sequel, You Suck! Other “vampire light” favorites of many include MaryJanice Davidson’s Undead series and the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris (these spawned the HBO Series True Blood).

Even though Valentine’s Day is still months away, we can’t let vampire romances go unmentioned.   It used to be that these books were few and far between, but that’s no longer the case…there are many, many authors out there to try, including Kerrelyn Sparks, Lynsay Sands, and Nora Roberts (her Circle trilogy).

“Twi-hards” can tell you that vampires are popular with the teen crowd, too, and there are many choices for them. A search of the library catalog reveals that, in addition to the Twilight series, your library has vampire novels by Darren Shan, P.C. Cast, and Ellen Schreiber, among others.

If the links already provided haven’t given you enough options, don’t worry, there’s more!  Try checking out The Vampire Library for news and reviews.

Don’t Miss Out on the Big Read!

The latest Big Library Read program is for the book “Anatomy of a Misfit” by Andrea Portes. It will be available in both eBook and eAudiobook format to all member libraries within the WAGGIN system…simply visit waggin.lib.overdrive.com between October 13-28 to join in on Big Library Read!

Here’s How It Works

Program sponsor OverDrive teams with a noted eBook publisher to make a popular eBook available to public libraries and schools for lending. During the two-week program, the Big Library Read title is available for checkout through participating libraries and schools.  It’s free, and there’s never a waiting list during the program. All you need is a library card (or student ID) to join the global eBook club (Source: Big Library Read).

Hundreds of libraries have already enjoyed great success engaging thousands of new and current users with Big Library Read. This time, OverDrive is taking engagement a step further by allowing our users to be among the first to read a title that was just released on September 2nd. Already well-received, this witty yet moving novel will be a refreshing pick within the digital collection.

Connect with the author during the Big Library Read

Curious to learn more about Andrea Portes? Want to know what else she’s written? Now you can connect with the author at the following websites:

http://andreaportes.wordpress.com/about
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/278993.Andrea_Portes
https://twitter.com/andrea_portes
https://www.facebook.com/andreaportes

About the Book

Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

Subjects: Young Adult Fiction, Romance

Publisher: HarperCollins

Description: In this Mean Girls meets The Perks of Being a Wallflower tale, narrator Anika Dragomir is the third most popular girl at Pound High School. But inside, she knows she’s a freak; she can’t stop thinking about former loner Logan McDonough, who showed up on the first day of tenth grade hotter, bolder, and more mysterious than ever. Logan is fascinating, troubled and off-limits. The Pound High queen bee will make Anika’s life hell if she’s seen with him. So Anika must choose–ignore her feelings and keep her social status? Or follow her heart and risk becoming a pariah. Which will she pick? And what will she think of her choice when an unimaginable tragedy strikes, changing her forever? An absolutely original new voice in YA in a story that will start important conversations–and tear at your heart.

Lending Model: The title will be available for simultaneous use, meaning no holds for users.

Formats available: Both eBook and audiobook formats of this title will be available for the program. Users will be able to read the title in their browser immediately through OverDrive Read, or download the EPUB, Kindle (US only), or MP3 format to enjoy on nearly every device.

Blog post adapted from Citizens Library blog, (which was adapted from SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating) and SELS (Southeast Library System))

Discussion Questions for The Poisoner’s Handbook

When it comes to the discussion questions, please keep in mind that they’re only a guide – you won’t lose points for not answering all of them, from straying from the topic, etc.  Here are a few examples relating to The Poisoner’s Handbook (the June read for the Non-fiction book club)…

1. Did the title, subtitle and cover accurately represent the book? Was the book what you expected?
2. Did you know anything about the time period before reading the book? Did you learn anything new?
3. What was the most interesting part of the book?
4. Who did you find more interesting, chief medical examiner Charles Norris or toxicologist Alexander Gettler?
5. How did you find the pace of the book? Did the author’s method of unfolding the
events make you feel you were living through the era?

We’d love to have you join us in this “virtual discussion group” – if you’ve read the book, please feel free to post a reply with your responses!

What Do These Places Have in Common?

• Taco Bell
• West Pike Bowl
• Sharp Edge Brasserie
• Sonic Drive In
• The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
• Mm! Mm! Pizza
• The Handle Bar & Grille
• Consol Park – Home of the Wild Things
• My Big Fat Greek Gyro

Each one of them has offers available in the 2015 Enjoy Coupon Book! Of course, these establishments are far from being the only ones with coupons available, but the list is way too long to provide in full. If we’ve managed to whet your curiosity, you can come in to browse through the book available at the main circulation desk – that’s why it’s there!  Once you’ve taken a look, there’s a good chance that you’ll want one of your very own. Fortunately, we have a number of them available for purchase. It’s win/win – you save yourself some money by using the coupons, and we receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each book.