Got Spring Fever?

It's the feeling of desperately wanting to be outside, to do *something*, but not knowing what to do.  Can't find the basketball, the bike tire is flat, schedules don't work to get together with friends.  Remember that Pullman and the Palouse offer great opportunities for getting out of the house:

1.  Remember that every month, the Pullman Chamber of Commerce suggests 10 < $10, a list of 10 activities, all of which cost $10 or less.  Use the library's computers to access and print out your checklist for the month.

2.  The library offers opportunities for you to enjoy activities and presentations and to interact with other residents.  Come by any Friday at 1pm for Good Yarns, our knitting, crochet, and fiber-arts work space; Wednesdays and Thursdays for regularly-scheduled storytimes for ages 0-2, 2-3, and 3-5; and twice-weekly meetings of the ESL Conversation Club (Mondays, 5-6; Wednesdays, 5:30-7).  Grand Avenue Book Club meets at 6:30pm on the first Thursday of each month, with the next meeting scheduled for June 6th.  And watch for all our upcoming Summer Reading Program events!

3.  Look for information coming in June about the "Where's Waldo-- Shop Local" event.  Information will be available right here, or from Book People of Moscow.  25 mini Waldos will be hidden at area businesses and attractions in Moscow and Pullman; find enough to earn a prize! 

4.  Expand your horizons and try something new: take a short course, challenge your body, listen closely, and see something new.

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Let's Make it Simple

How are you accessing this blog?  We’re glad you’re here, absolutely; we just want to make it easier for you if possible.  Sure, clicking on the link will get you here every time.  However, did you know you can have new blog posts delivered directly to your email inbox?  Enter your email address into the box on the right (It says “Follow By Email,” see the image below) and hit “Submit.”  Then just follow the instructions sent to your inbox to receive emails whenever updates are posted to our blog.  

 

Look for this box on the right side bar to subscribe by email!

Why would one wish to do that?  With an automatic email, you’ll never miss an update about the library.  You’ll directly receive posted reminders about upcoming programming, library holidays (like National Library Week or Banned Books Week) and library closings (for federal holidays, for example), staff articles, press releases, lists of new items, and more.  

If you already use an RSS feed —online or through your email, if it offers it—remember to add the blog!  Receiving updates via RSS is especially convenient, especially if you follow a number of blogs or regularly-updated sites.  You'll get all the updated information as mentioned above, with the added bonus that it won't clutter up your email. 

In the coming months we’ll be posting regular reminders about programs, events, and timelines associated with the Adult and Youth Summer Reading Programs.  Now is a great time to recommend the blog—and the library!—to a friend, family member, or neighbor.  There’s so much to do at the library, with more exciting opportunities coming up soon.  And there’s no reason to drop us after summer is over:  the library continues to offer great services and selections throughout the year, including programs.  We use the blog all year long, too, to let you know about those upcoming events, as well as to promote services and explain resources.  

If you or someone you know always means to take advantage of the library's free programming but always seems to forget, this may be just the answer-- automatic information about all we offer.  

Teen Training Tomorrow!

Teens 12-17 (and parents!): Remember that tomorrow is the training session for teens interested in volunteering to help with the Summer Reading Program this year.

The training session is tomorrow, Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:00, in the Hecht Meeting Room.

This is the only training scheduled.  Contact Kathleen if you have questions!: 509-338-3258.

Much Success, Lori!

The library staff would like to congratulate Lori, our Adult Services Technician, on securing a full-time position at the University of Idaho library system!  (The Adult Services Technician is a 30-hour position.)  Lori's last day will be this week. 

As the AS Technician, Lori has been integral in delivering services to the public. She is (one of) the public face(s) of the library, with regular-- if not daily-- shifts at the Information Desk.  Lori also provides assistance directly to the public through Book a Librarian and handling all Inter-Library Loan requests.  The rest of Lori's time is spent on more behind-the-scenes tasks: creating flyers, handling incoming orders, recycling materials, processing new magazines, working with volunteers, helping to the catalog clean and current, and supporting programming.  Lori, and all of her tasks, makes the work much easier for a number of staff. 

It has been wonderful having Lori in the library: efficient and pleasant, Lori is a great coworker.  We will all miss having Lori in the library.  The position is currently posted on the City's Employment page and is open through May 28th.  Your Inter-Library Loans will still come in in the interim: Lori's tasks will be shared among staff until the position can be filled.

We will miss you, Lori!

Tuesday Teens: Gear up for Summer Reading Program!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To:  All media

Contact name/phone/e-mail: Kathleen Ahern, Children’s Librarian

(509) 338-3258/kathleen@neill-lib.org

Event/Date: TEEN VOLUNTEER TRAINING at Neill Library/May 16, 2013

Teens (ages 12-17) interested in volunteering for Neill Public Library’s Summer Reading Program are invited to join the library’s Tuesday Teens Group.  Teen volunteers assist with special library programs, events and activities in June and July.   

Tuesday Teens training will be held at Neill Public Library on Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:00 in the Hecht Meeting Room.

For more information contact Youth Services Librarian, Kathleen Ahern at (509) 338-3258.

April New Books and Other Items

If you'd like to see what new items were added to the library collections during April, this link takes you to the catalog. Browse and place holds on the new materials.  New downloadable eBooks and eAudios are added every month as well.

Hello, New Faces!

Several new faces have joined us here at the library!  We're very excited to have them, as all these positions have been open since at least last summer.  It's great to have new team members here at NPL!

Our new Administrative Assistant is Holly Campbell. Holly has been with us only since March and already I don't know what we'd do without her.  She has been working hard and quickly became a pro at note-taking, excel sheets, time cards, and more!  Although Holly's tasks are largely behind-the-scenes work, she's clearly visible in her office near the Circulation area.  Holly has worked in offices at WSU and as the director for a local non-profit.  We're happy you're here, Holly! 

Holly (right) with Jodi during National Library Week

We also have two new Reference Assistants!  Jake will be a familiar face, as he has worked at NPL as a shelver since last fall.  Jake has been working toward his B.A. in History and Political Science at the University of Idaho and has a history of very interesting jobs including construction, working as a trail guide, and owning and managing his own cattle company.  Jake has recently completed his training and is now working at the Reference Desk.

Jake, with Gone with the Wind, during Banned Books Week 2012.

Our other new Reference Assistant is Seth; you may have seen him these last two weeks training in the Youth Services area, after having completed his Circulation Training.  In addition to his current coursework in Chemical Engineering at the University of Idaho, Seth has a B.S. in Psychology and has post-graduate coursework in Social Work.  Having worked in some difficult positions in social work, he is ready for whatever difficulties may arise in the library.  The staff, and especially the Info Team, are excited to have Jake and Seth on board!

Say hello to our new faces next time you are in the library!  

eReaders to rotate again!

New eReaders genres will available the week of April 29^th:

Christian Fiction, including The Shack by William P. Young, and other titles by Tracie Peterson, Beverly Lewis, Tim LaHaye, Ted Dekker, and more!

Science Fiction, with titles by Isaac Asimov, Orson Scott Card, Rob Reid, David Weber, and others!

The new devices are scheduled to arrive around or shortly after May 1^st; holds on both devices will be accepted at the Information Desk beginning April 29^th.

Friday's Book Characters

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Today, characters in the library are:

Front row, left to right:  Magrat Garlick from Wyrd Sisters | The Caterpillar from The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Back row, left to right: The Cat from The Cat in the Hat | Nanny Ogg from Wyrd Sisters | Frodo from The Fellowship of the Ring  | Mrs. Whatsit from A Wrinkle in Time
 

Thanks for joining us for National Library Week!

Today's Book Characters

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A number of book characters dropped by the library today!  Come by to see these great characters up close!

Front row, left to right:  The Very Hungry Caterpillar from The Very Hungry Caterpillar | Waldo from Where's Waldo? | Nancy from Pirates!

Back row, left to right: Jane Roland from His Majesty's Dragon | also The Very Hungry Caterpillar from The Very Hungry Caterpillar | The Character from A Light in the Attic | The Old Lady from Babar

Come back tomorrow for more great characters!

Waldo was Here

Last year during National Library Week, Waldo was spotted around the Neill Public Library!  Can you find Waldo?  Come by the library tomorrow and Friday to see who turns up this year!

Author, editor, library and literacy advocate and Honorary Chair of National Library Week Caroline Kennedy discusses the value of libraries.

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National Library Week Line-up

Don't forget all the great events coming up this week for National Library Week!

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2013 National Library Week Proclamation

WHEREAS, libraries are the heart of their communities, campuses and schools; 

 

WHEREAS; librarians work to meet the changing needs of their communities, including providing resources for everyone and bringing services outside of library walls; 

 

WHEREAS, libraries and librarians bring together community members to enrich and shape the community and address local issues;

 

WHEREAS, librarians are trained, tech-savvy professionals, providing technology training and access to downloadable content like e-books; 

 

WHEREAS, libraries offer programs to meet community needs, providing residents with resume writing classes, 24/7 homework help and financial planning services to teens applying for student loans to older adults planning their retirement;

 

WHEREAS, libraries continuously grow and evolve in how they provide for the needs of every member of their communities; 

 

WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library Week.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that we proclaim National Library Week, April 14-20, 2013.  We encourage all residents to visit the library this week to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available @ your library.  Communities matter @ your library.

 

 

Local Author Brandon Schrand, 4/18

Celebrate National Library Week! During the week of April 15^th (through the 20^th) stop by the library to participate in our many special events!

Thursday, April 18^th, beginning at 5:30, meet local author Brandon Schrand.  An Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Idaho, Brandon is the author of Enders Hotel and his March 2013 release, Works Cited: An Alphabetical Odyssey of Mayhem and Misbehavior.  A book-signing will follow, with copies available for purchase through the Bookie.  This event will be held in the Heritage addition. 

 

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