In the loop at the library

The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell

2012-01-31T09:54:00.000-08:00

The Bayou Trilogy: Under the Bright Lights, Muscle for the Wing, and The Ones You Do by Daniel Woodrell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Woodrell's heroes are flawed but try to make the best bad decisions they can in the circumstances. His novels set in the Ozarks are sometimes referred to as "country noir" - this trilogy about the Shade family could be called "swamp noir". Woodrell brings the neighbourhoods and bayou country of St Bruno, Louisiana to life. The crooks aren't all on the streets either - some are in the city government and the police.

Untold Story by Monica Ali

2012-01-17T18:25:00.000-08:00

Untold Story by Monica Ali

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great premise - what would Diana's life be like had she lived? - and suspensefully handled.

Pick up your copy of this book club book today... The discussion will be Thursday Feb. 2 at the Library at 7 pm.

A new year at Forestburg Public Library

2012-01-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

January is going fast. The Teen and Tween program is picking up speed, an E-Reader course is planned for the 24th, Foreign Film Night is the 25th. The used book sale is back on. Stop in and see what is happening!

OCTOBER is CANADIAN LIBRARY MONTH

2011-10-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Canadian Library Month, join us on Tuesday, October 25 for LIBRARY SNAPSHOT DAY - a day in the life of our library. Watch for more details as plans are finalized.

A new 6-week session of Mother Goose on the Loose for parents, babies & toddlers starts on Thursday Oct. 20 from 11 - 11:30 a.m.

Just-hired Youth Programmer Bernadette Bendfeld is working on fun programs for Tweens and Teens to begin in a few weeks.

The new Book Club selection is Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. Check our website for more details...

Summer Book Club titles

2011-07-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

Need some summer reading? The current book club title is THE BIRTH HOUSE by Ami McKay. The coffee discussion for this book will be Wed. July 27 at 2:30 p.m.

The book for August is CLEOPATRA'S DAUGHTER by Michelle Moran.

Gearing up for summer

2011-06-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Planning for summer programs is well underway. These programs are free of charge.

MOTHER GOOSE on the LOOSE - Mondays & Wednesdays beginning July 11, 11 - 11:30 a.m.

SPLASH! - TD SUMMER READING PROGRAM - Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning July 12
Kindergarten to Grade 2 1 - 2:30 pm
Grade 3 - 5 2:30 - 4 pm

SUMMER TEEN PROGRAMS for Grade 6 & up - Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 - 9 pm
Movies, crafts, book club, making movies & video book blogs. Starts July 12.

ADULT BOOK CLUB continues through the summer. The book for JULY is The Birth House by Ami McKay.

Summer is for kids

2011-05-19T16:22:00.001-07:00

A new session of Mother Goose on the Loose started today and runs for four more Thursdays - May 26, June 2, 9 and 16. Moms and dads, babies and toddlers, come join us for a half hour of fun at 11 a.m.

SPLASH is the theme for the TD Summer Reading Club this summer. Eden and Alysha are coming back to lead the kids and teens in all sorts of fun projects. The program will run through July and August. More details to come!

Spring is here!

2011-04-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Of course, officially spring was here nearly a month ago - but you couldn't tell. Finally most of the snow is gone and the grass is appearing. And we have a lovely new look at the library - a fresh coat of paint in two shades of green that really makes us feel like the season. Thanks to our terrific group of volunteers for all their work this past weekend!

If you are thinking that you may be able to plant your garden and work in your yard some time this year, now is the time to get planning. Come check out our great selection of gardening, landscaping and patio books.

We have many, many new books and magazines arriving monthly. And the used book sale is restocked weekly (purchase by donation).

E-book Readers

2011-03-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to try out an e-book reader a month or so ago. After a few attempts to find an e-book on NetLibrary, I did manage to find a mystery book - the genre I was looking for - check it out and download it to my computer. The Adobe Digital Editions software worked fine for transferring it from there to the Kobo I was using. The text was clear but the font was a little small, so I enlarged it but then found I had to scroll to the end of each line to read it at that size. That was not going to work! So I read it in the smaller font. It was manageable but not as easy to read as I would have liked.

The e-books that had been preloaded on the Kobo did not have this problem - you could enlarge the font and the words still all fit on the reading area. Hopefully NetLibrary will do something to solve this - or perhaps a different brand of e-reader would not have this problem.

I am not a convert to the e-book format yet but I can see that they have their uses, especially for travelling. Instead of having my book bag with 3 or 4 books I could just slip an e-reader into my purse - very handy.

Nothing to read?

2011-02-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

What are you going to do? You've run out of things to read. Here on this blog are a few suggestions - bestseller lists, review blogs, my current faves.

I always have a stack ready and waiting - I get kind of nervous if I don't have at least two in reserve as sometimes I have two (or three) on the go at one time, depending what I'm feeling like reading. I'm halfway through the fourth book in George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series right now. With this series I need another book to "spell off" with because there are so many characters and plots sometimes I switch to non-fiction or a book with a simple story line. I've started The Judgment of Paris to give me a break - Ross King's book about the rise of impressionism doesn't have any murders or court intrigues.

A very useful tool for finding something to read is the newly-revamped NoveList database on the Parkland Regional Library website. Popular titles are featured on the home page. You can search for your favourite authors and using the "read-alike" feature, you can find other authors who write in a similar vein. Or you can search by genre - fantasy, mystery, romance etc. - or by subject. It is linked to the PRL catalogue so if you find a title you want, just click on the Library Catalogue link and you will find out if a copy is available for you to borrow.

TO ACCESS NoveList: From the Forestburg Library website, click on the Catalogue link and then click on the Databases tab. NoveList is listed on the left sidebar. To sign in you need your borrower card number (the full number, not the short version) and your PIN number (last 4 digits of your phone number).

Family Literacy Day is January 27th

2011-01-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

TIPS for FAMILY LITERACY
1. Make reading accessible. Your public library has many great books to borrow – you only need to take out a membership card (at no charge). Garage sales are also great sources to keep books at home, but for variety, visit your library often.
2. Find books to match your child’s interests. Boys are often harder to interest in books – try funny books, non-fiction books, graphic novels. Let your kids pick out some books on their own, and you pick some too that you think they will enjoy.
3. Set aside a time for enjoying family reading that is part of a routine. You can share reading with your child – she reads a paragraph, you read a paragraph. Alternatively have her read something at her reading level, and you read a book to her that she wouldn’t be able to read on her own. Listening to stories builds literacy too!
4. Have books and magazines for yourself around and show your kids that you like to read. Kids always want to do what you are doing.

Christmas is Coming!

2010-11-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat -
Time to put a penny in the old man's hat!

The Mother Goose on the Loose group has been enjoying nursery rhymes, musical instruments, songs and books all through November. The last session is Thurs. December 2 at 11 a.m.

The Library will be closed from Dec 24 - 27 and Dec 31 - Jan 3. We will be open between Christmas and New Year's - regular hours Dec 28 - 30.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all from the Board, Staff and Volunteers of Forestburg Public Library!

Remembrance Day

2010-10-21T15:06:00.001-07:00

The Library will be closed for Remembrance Day on November 11, 2010.

Mother Goose on the Loose is in full swing on Thursdays from 11 - 11:30 a.m. (no class Oct. 28 or Nov. 11.

Learn English class is Friday mornings from 9 - 11 a.m. Call Lois 780-385-3712 for more information or to register.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-10-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

The Library will be closed from October 9 - 11th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy your turkey!

Parents with little ones, join us for Mother Goose on the Loose beginning Thurs. October 12 from 11 - 11:30 a.m. There will be six sessions (no class on Oct. 28th or November 11th).

ALBERTA ARTS DAYS

2010-09-02T16:37:00.001-07:00

Prairie Tales 12 - New Alberta Short Films
FRIDAY SEPT. 17 - 7:30 pm
Admission by cash or food donation to the Food Bank

Alberta Book, Magazine & Music Display

Happy Bookers Book Club - THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett
SUNDAY SEPT. 19 - 2 pm - Free

Summer Reading Program coordinators needed

2010-03-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

Do you love to read? Are you creative? Would you like to work with people of all ages? We need you! Two Summer Program Coordinators will be hired (pending approval of employment grant applications). The theme for the Summer Reading Program this year is Jungle so there's lots of fun to be had! Besides planning and running the program there will be some library circulation work. If this sounds like a great summer job for you and you are at least 16 years old, please bring your resume to the library by April 30.

Fall programs on their way

2009-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Mother Goose is LOOSE AGAIN! Calling all parents with babies and toddlers for rhymes, bells, drums, lullabies, action songs. This program touches on many skills for learning with your little ones and more than that,is just plain fun! Please call 780-582-4110 or email forestburglibrary@libs.prl.ab.ca to register. Runs every Thursday from 11 - 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8 - November 12. No charge.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME is Wed. October 14 @ 1 pm. Please register by phone or email for this story time also.

The Kindergarten class will start visiting us once a month beginning in October. There's a bigger class this year so we won't be combining our public preschool story times with their time.

AGENT 2009 is coming your way

2009-06-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

The SUMMER READING PROGRAM this year for Preschool to Grade 6 is AGENT 2009. Come solve some mysteries . . . find out your special assignment. . . Lots of great books and loads of fun are coming your way. Sydney and Laken have some fantastic ideas for projects . . . and don't forget the prizes . . !

Tues & Thurs from July 7 to August 20
Kindergarten/Preschool
1 - 2 pm
Grades 1 to 3
2 - 3 pm
Grades 4 to 6
3 - 4 pm

TEEN NIGHTS for Grades 7 & up will be on Wednesdays at 7 pm, beginning July 8. Sign up for Teen Reading Club at www.teenrc.ca. The theme this year is Read All About It!
Book lists, chats . . . write a book review to be eligible for prizes. The website continues year round.

Mother Goose on the Loose

2009-05-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

Come check out this new program for babies and toddlers! Begins Tuesday May 19, from 11 - 11:30 a.m. and runs for five weeks until June 16.

After School Fun continues on Wednesdays at 4 pm until the end of May.

Last Preschool Story Time until summer is on Wed. May 27 at 1 pm with DINOSAURS as the theme.

Spring Into Reading has been great fun and once again, we would like to thank BATTLE RIVER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION for sponsoring our programs.

SURPRISE - it's SPRING!

2009-02-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Well maybe not officially - but it sure feels like it today! And starting next week it's SPRING INTO READING at the Library. Our BIG SURPRISE is that the Battle River Community Foundation granted us $1,500 to put toward reading programs - so we have lots of activities coming up and more in the planning stages!

WED. FEB. 11 - VALENTINE Story Hour for Preschoolers - 1 pm
WED. FEB. 18 - After School Fun for Grades 1 - 3 - 4 pm
WED. FEB. 25 - PETS - Story Hour for Preschoolers - 1 pm
WED. FEB. 25 - After School Fun for Grades 4 - 6 - 4 pm

Programs for teens and babies & toddlers to come!

What happened to me?

2009-01-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

That's a good question - and I have no good answer. But the best news is thanks to Mrs. Coutts at Forestburg School, I am back writing Forestburg Library's blog. You see I was feeling sad that no one was reading our blog. . . so I quit writing . . . and then really no one could read it . . . cause I wasn't writing it . . . you get the idea!

I won't even attempt to tell you what has happened at Forestburg Library since March 2008, since WOW! it was a lot. The most fun we had was the Laugh Out Loud Summer Reading Program - when so many kids came all summer to join in with Lynley and Sydney and Laken and have a great time!

Coming up on Friday, January 23 @ 2:30 p.m. is our Guiness World Record attempt - Most Children Reading With an Adult. All preschool and homeschool kids are welcome to hear 5 classic Robert Munsch stories, have cookies & hot chocolate -- all in pursuit of a Guiness Record. This is sponsored by ABC Literacy Canada in celebration of Family Literacy Day. School kids will be participating at the same time at Forestburg School.

And psssst. . . I have a secret that I can't share with you yet - but I will tell you that a special surprise will be happening at Forestburg Library - sometime in February we hope!

Have a jolly January!
Marion

Writer-in-residence visits Forestburg Public Library

2008-03-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Kimmy Beach, Parkland Regional Library's Writer-In-Residence will visit our library on Wed. March 19th. She will be doing a poetry workshop with the Grade 9 class and then reading from her work and discussing writing at 2 p.m. Everyone welcome!
Sponsored by the Library Association of Alberta and the Writers' Guild of Alberta.

Next Story Time is Wednesday March 26 @ 2 p.m. The theme is MONSTERS! Bring your little ones to enjoy some stories about monsters and then make a monster . . . that you can eat on the way home! FREE!

We will be doing an inventory, probably some time in April - so the library will be closed for a few days while this is going on. We will put up notices a week or so in advance.

Well on the way to March . . .

2008-02-21T21:22:00.000-08:00

February is nearly over . . . thoughts of spring are coming with the longer days. As we get closer to March, Forestburg Library is a very busy place once again:

Feb. 26 - Beginning this Tues. at 10:30 a.m. and running every Tuesday through April 15, Rhymes That Bind will be back with more stories, rhymes, and songs for little ones and their parents. Cost is $10 for the 8 week session.

Feb. 27 - IMAGINATION - Story Time for Preschoolers - FREE - 2 p.m.

Feb. 28 - New to town? Come Meet n' Mingle at the Library from 7:30 - 9 pm. An opportunity to find out about groups and programs, meet the mayor, enjoy refreshments and enter to win a free welcome basket.

Join us for one of these programs or just stop in for a visit!

Beginning to feel a lot like Christmas . . .

2007-12-04T19:35:00.000-08:00

Well, November just whooshed on by - here it is December. Rhymes That Bind wrapped up last week. It was great fun for eight moms and their little ones, from tiny babes up to 4 year olds. So much fun that we hope to do it again in February!

The kindergarten classes have started visiting the library again on a monthly basis. In November we read stories about dragons - The Dragon of Brog and Who Loves This Dragon? The classes made fantastic dragon pictures with tissue paper wings. There were happy dragons, scary dragons, mean dragons and dragons with beautiful eyes.

This month we are having a Christmas Story Hour for preschoolers at 1 pm on December 5th, with stories and crafts. The kindergarten classes are coming again on December 5th and 6th.

Cheryl and her craft team of Sydney and Laken had great fun doing crafts with the kids the evening of Nov. 30 for Moonlight Madness. The fireworks at 7 that kicked off this event were fabulous and the library was happy to be participating with all the businesses in this fun seasonal event.

Saturday Dec. 1 was the Christmas Market on at the Community Hall. The Friends of the Library was selling tickets for our Knit-a-thon afghan and book raffle - and word has it that we sold out. That's the first time ever . . . The raffle draw will be made on Friday December 14 - just in time for some lucky people to take these prizes home for Christmas.

We will be closed from Dec. 23 - 26 and Dec. 30 - Jan. 1 for the holidays, so come in for your reading selections soon. We have a great selection of both adult and kids' books on seasonal themes.

Have a very merry Christmas and a joyous New Year from all of us at Forestburg Public Library - Board Members, Staff and Volunteers!

Rhymes That Bind is back!

2007-10-10T20:10:00.001-07:00

Nothing like having a library full of moms with little ones, from babies to three- and four-year olds. Our RHYMES THAT BIND leader, Loretta, does a fabulous job of leading everyone through songs and rhymes. . . and of course there's always a mid-session snack. On through the rest of October and all of November - every TUESDAY @ 10:30 a.m. $10 registration fee includes all sessions.

KNIT NIGHT - Tuesday Oct. 16th @ 7:30 p.m. - if you'd like to share your talents as a knitter, or learn how to knit, this night is for you. Bring a project you're working on or borrow some needles and wool from a friend if you'd like to learn.

Lots of great new books coming in . . . stop in to check us out.

Our catalogue is at www.prl.ab.ca - select Forestburg Public Library at the drop down menu to go to our catalogue. To request or renew materials, you need to log in to your account - enter your membership number and your PIN (the last 4 digits of your phone number). Another great feature on the catalogue is the ability to create a list - if you find a book you want but don't have time to read it right now, add it to your list and you can request it at a later date.

Fall is here. . .

2007-09-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

The air is a little crisper. . . the leaves are beginning to turn . . . combines are out in full force - and the kids are back in school. Add all of that up and it means that FALL is here. At Forestburg Public Library is means things are a little quieter after the rush of summer programs - but we have a few things up our sleeves in October/November . . .

Call the library if you are interested in any of these programs - we will try to set up times convenient for all.

RHYMES THAT BIND for parents with babies and toddlers to age 3 - learn songs and nursery rhymes with your little one. We have two families so far and need a minimum of five to run the program.

BASIC COMPUTER/INTERNET INSTRUCTION - Questions about computer programs - word processing, spreadsheets, using the internet and email, scanning photos? Personalized instruction for what you need help with.

USING DATA BASES - Need medical information, want to read newspaper or magazine articles on a particular topic, research your ancestors or want a list of mysteries you should read next? Parkland Regional Library subscribes to a number of data bases that a free membership at Forestburg Public Library gives you access to from your own home or at the library. We'll show you how to make use of these data bases.

NEEDLE NIGHTS - Would anyone with knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch talents like to get together once a month to share their skills with others who would like to learn? This would be an informal get together rather than "lessons". If you are interested in this idea - either as a "sharer" or a "learner" - please let us know.

2007-08-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Last week of summer programs

2007-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a great summer at Forestburg Public Library - but it's winding down . . .

LAST TEEN EVENT for the SUMMER is CHRISTM-AUGUST - Thursday August 23 @ 7 p.m.
Come create a Christm-august ornament or River Rock vase/votive, watch a Christm-august movie. Cookies available (if Santa doesn't get to them first!). Help design the new teen area.

MOVIES - PRIZES - ICE CREAM are in store for the LOST WORLDS wrap up on Friday August 24.

Preschool - Kindergarten - 1 - 2 p.m.
Grades 1 to 6 - 2 - 4 p.m.

BRENDA BEREZAN & BARRY HERTZ at Forestburg Library's PUBLIC LIBRARIES 100 YEARS EVENT
It was 100 years ago - in March 1907 - that the Government of Alberta created the first Libraries Act - making it possible for public libraries to begin providing services to Albertans. Today there are over 300 libraries across the province.

In celebration of this event, Forestburg Library hosted Brenda Berezan and Barry Hertz, singer/songwriters from the Yukon and Calgary respectively, at Big Knife Villa on August 16. Brenda and Barry - on their first tour together - treated the crowd to many of their own compositions and some old favourites too. There were book draws and refreshments enjoyed by all. Thanks to Edith Jesswein for hosting, Carl Jahns for sound, Big Knife Villa for the facility and providing coffee, and to the board members and Friends of the Library volunteers who help set up and brought goodies.

Hellooooo from Forestburg Public Library!

2007-08-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first ever posting . . . Woo hoo! Marion the Librarian learns the basics of social software! Late as usual. Anyhow. . . we are in the midst of a very busy summer here at Forestburg Public Library in beautiful downtown Forestburg, Alberta. From new shelving to a used book sale to the kids exploring Lost Worlds in the Summer Reading Program, there's a lot going on around here!

On Thursday August 16 we will celebrate 100 Years of Libraries in Alberta with a concert - two singer/songwriters - BRENDA BEREZAN from Whitehorse and BARRY HERTZ from Calgary. Should be a great mix of folk songs and cowboy poetry. Book draws and refreshments. Tickets are $10 each or $30 for a family, available at the Village Office, the Library, or at the door. Big Knife Villa Multi-Purpose Room, 7:30 p.m.

Teens, looking for something to read? Check the book lists at www.teensrc.ca Sign up and post book reviews to win great prizes (even iPods are on the prize list!). Over 40 teens from the Parkland Regional Library area have joined. There are discussion groups and opportunities to post your own writing as well.

No Teen Thursdays on August 9 or 16 - we'll celebrate CHRISTMAS in AUGUST on August 23rd. Phone the library to sign up for this event.

The Lost Worlds summer reading program groups are going for scavenger hunts at the museum on Wed. August 8th.