The Librarians' Bedside Table (June 11th Edition)

OSCAR GRADY PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE LIBRARIANS’

BEDSIDE TABLE What your friendly librarians have been reading and MUCH MORE!

and very happy to be so!

What else you’ll find in these pages:

Looking Back: The Jim & John Peterson Collection of Saukville Images.

GALE COURSES: Almost 400 courses FREE with your Library Card.

Library Servives: See what you can access at this time.

Oscar Grady Public Library Mission Statement:

The mission of the Oscar Grady Public Library is to provide high interest, high demand materials and make them readily available from the Library’s collection or through interlibrary loan. The Library supports lifelong learning, information and recreational needs for people of all ages and abilities. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating children’s interests and appreciation for reading and learning. The integration of new technology with traditional library resources is used to expand service beyond the Library’s physical walls.

On this new issue of our “Librarians’ Bedside Table”, we compiled a list of really good titles recommended by your library friends. Each title can be accessed in electronic format for your convenience. Click or tap in the hyperlinks attached to each title that will take you right to them

in the Monarch Catalog.

We hope you enjoy this selection of books from your librarians at the Oscar Grady Public Library!

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Debra Jo, Library Assistant and ILL Specialist would like to recommend the following titles:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou Maya Angelou leaves me wanting more. This is the first of her work I've read an d it won't be the last.

Her vignettes flow from one to the next with great description and original metaphors. The ugly realities of her childhood are shared in the gentle tone of a young girl. Some are unique to MA while others speak loudly to the too common and unjust experiences of a woman and African Americans. Despite clear acknowledgement of the role bigotry plays she does not stand on a soapbox or attempt to make the reader feel sorry for her. I read it as an examination of and a coming to terms with her personal journey that carried an unrelenting current of hope.

A Single Thread

by Tracy Chevalier I picked up this book initially because of my interest in handiwork, specifically textiles and fibers. In addition to a glimpse into one part of needlepoint history I was pleasantly surprised to learn about another art- bell ringing. Something I had never thought twice about. Violet's resilience and ability to stay true to the self she discovers along the way kept me turning the pages. More than once I stopped to consider how I might have handled being a "surplus woman". Could I learn and grow to wear that reality as badge of honor, embracing it with confidence, despite the judgements common 80 some years ago? As much as a part of me wanted the fairy tale ending for Violet, the one that was written for her suits the novel to a tea.

Lynn, our Cataloging Specialist, would like to share with patrons the following title:

Letters to Children

by C.S Lewis Description from the publisher: C.S. Lewis, beloved author of The Chronicles of Narnia, answers fan letters in this sweet collection that shows why he remains one of the best-loved children’s authors of all time.

In his life, C.S. Lewis received thousands of letters from young fans who were eager for more knowledge of his bestselling Narnia books and their author. Here are collected many of his responses to those letters, in which he shares his feelings about writing, school, animals, and of course, Narnia. Lewis writes to the children—as he wrote for them—with understanding and respect.

Maggie, our YA Services Coordinator, would like to recommend the following titles: I'm currently reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. It follows the rise (or fall, depending on your point of view) of Coriolanus Snow who is just a teen in the Capitol during the early days of the Hunger Games. Coriolanus has lost his parents, his family has lost all of their wealth and, along with his cousin & grandmother, is on the cusp of losing the family home if he does not succeed and do well in his role as a Hunger Games "mentor". The result of this is the villain Hunger Games fans know as President Snow, but the journey is fascinating! Perfect for fans of the original trilogy and readers of dystopias in general.

Martin, our Collection Developing and Adult Services Coordinator would like to recommend these titles:

QUICKSAND: What It Means to Be a Human Being.

by Henning Mankell In this book written by one of my TOP favorite authors, Mankell, widely known for the series Wallander, looks at his life in a retrospective fashion at the time nearing his death, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, to which he succumbed in 2015.

While the before mentioned may seem a depressing background in which to recommend a book, Mankell’s story (or stories) bring a light into the darkness of the world, by sharing vignettes of a life richly lived. From the vivid recollections of his childhood, his younger years in the street of Paris, to the times charitably working in Mozambique and his love for Africa, Mankell left in this book his last gift to all of us, to appreciate life, to give us comfort, and to make us feel human when the world insist on showing a lack of humanity.

And with more Mankell in mind:

The Shadow Girls

by Henning Mankell This is another book from Mankell worth checking out. In it, a poetry writer confronted with the fact of reaching a point in his life when the realization of a life unfulfilled sets in, different circumstances place him on a spot in which he is introduced (as well as we are) with the harrowing stories of three women from very different nationalities (Layla from Iran, Tanya from Russia, and Tea-Bag from Africa) but with something in common: the desire to find their place in the world while trying to survive being a refugee in a place like Sweden.

While this is a work of fiction, Mankell presents the stories of his characters in a great human way, while informing us and making us understand the complicated undertones of national identity as well as the will of people from anywhere to be recognized simply for who they are.

The Return of the Dancing Master

by Henning Mankell This is one of my favorite detective stories of his, besides his widely known Kurt Wallander series of books. This book starts with the mysterious death of a retired policeman in the north woods of Sweden, for which a former colleague jumps into the investigation only to uncover big secrets from his partner’s past and his connection to an underground neo-nazi organization that gives enough chills to an already cold and somber landscape, as only Mankell could properly deliver.

Good narrative, a good character study and a surprising twist make this a very good read.

Some of the titles listed in these pages are available in electronic format through the Libby & RBDigital apps.

Check it out!

Rita, with her always present great smile would like to recommend these titles:

The Weight of Ink (2017)

by Rachel Kadish This is a novel that takes readers on a journey with destinations of Israel in the mid-20th century, London in the early 21st century and London in the 17th century. A mysterious trove of rabbi’s papers found in a historic home raises questions about the author. Two scholars, one a young American struggling with his dissertation, and the other a formidable professor facing forced and unwanted retirement, struggle with significant personal problems as they work together to discover details about the surprising author of the papers,

The historical main character in the novel is a young Jewish woman living in plague-ridden, 1660s London. She struggles to find a way to get around the limits of appropriate behavior norms for women of her time and community, so she can be true to herself.

Kadish ties the various time periods together with related themes, Topics of love, betrayal, philosophy, religion, history fill this detailed story. The Weight of Ink is a well-researched novel, with a feminist focus, that leaves readers wondering about women whose contributions to culture have been limited or unacknowledged due merely to their gender.

Do you long for simpler times? Do you spend too much time on your cell phone? Do you miss phone booths? Then, escape to the 1980s by reading Sue Grafton’s “Alphabet” mystery series, beginning with A is for Alibi and ending with Y is for Yesterday. (Grafton died before the final book in this series was completed.) Enjoy the mysteries and the development of the main character, Kelsey Milhone, a fierce private investigator living in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, California. Milhone is independent and gritty. Her choices are not always wise, which makes her a very likable character; readers may be forgiven for wishing she were just a bit more careful! The novels are not evenly written, but most are entertaining. Give this series a chance if you are looking leave the realities of 2020, if only temporarily.

All these titles can be found through our library system by visiting www.monarchcatalog.org.

Some titles are available in electronic format through the Libby & RBDigital apps.

Libby, the new app from OverDrive is your gateway to downloadable Audiobooks & Ebooks. Browse and search for thousands of great titles, and download them to your computer or transfer them to a portable device for your listening pleasure anywhere, anytime.

Compatible devices include Amazon Kindle, Nook, the Sony Reader, the Apple Iphones and tablets, Blackberry devices and more.

A valid Monarch Library System library card is necessary for checkout and placing holds.

You can access this resource on your mobile device by following some simple steps, as described on the following brochures. Click on them to learn how to do it.

Libby for Kindle Libby by Overdrive CLICK HERE to connect to Libby’s site or to learn more.

RBdigital Audiobooks & Magazines Built by Recorded Books, RBdigital is a state-of-the-art platform and app providing access to audiobooks & magazines simply using your library card.

Need help setting up the app?

Click/tap here to access the slide presentation we have on how to download, set up and use this great app.

Having a Library card is like having a Swiss Army pocket knife!

You have a wealth of tools and resources right in your pocket, ready for when you need them the most!

Check our website at www.oscargradylibrary.org for full access to a wealth of resources, including publications such as CONSUMERS REPORT, Heritage Quest, DMV Motorist Handbook, Badgerlink, and much more!

Welcome to Gale Courses!

The Monarch Library System is thrilled to be able to provide all patrons in every member library the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning through Gale Courses. This robust online resource provides access to exceptional classes on multiple topics of interest, including career training programs. If you seek deeper knowledge of areas from A (Accounting) to W (Writing), Gale Courses has something for you. We hope you consider exploring the offerings for personal and professional development. Please let us know about your experience so we can continue to streamline our services to benefit your needs! Enjoy your journey.

How to Enroll: 1. Find courses by browsing through the categories on the left of your screen or by using the search bar above. Click “Enroll Now” next to the course of your choice.

2. Select your course start date and click “Continue.”

3. Create a free Gale Courses account, or sign in to an existing ed2go account.

New Students – Enter your email address in the New Student area and click “Create Account.”

Complete the “Account and Student Information” page and then click “Continue.”

Returning Students – Enter your account email and password and then click “Sign In.”

You will use your Gale Courses account email and password to log in to the My Classroom area to view your lessons once your session begins.

4. Enter your library barcode in the box labeled Submit. Then click “Use Library Card” to complete your enrollment.

IMPORTANT! Students who have enrolled in a course must log in and view lessons one and two within 13 days after the start date of the course, or they will be automatically dropped.

Students who are dropped from a course will be able to enroll in the course during a later session.

Download instructions on how to access this great resource with the following PDF file: C_Gale-Courses_trifold-brochure_Saukville-1Download

The Alzheimers Association is conducting several teleconferences & webinars throughout the state for those interested in accessing different resources available right now when meetings and other in-person activities have been put on standby.

Wisconsin teleconference/ webinar Family Caregiver Support Groups: WI-Support-Groups-JuneDownload

Webinar/Phone Family Caregiver Education Programs – June: Region-5-Education-June-FinalDownload

We miss you!

Bring some color to your Tuesdays’ mornings or anytime you would like with Miss Julie’s Storytime at Home.

Enjoy stories, dance along and sing songs at your home. New episode each week; Tuesday, 10:30a.m.

Click/tap HERE to access each past storytime!

Looking for some summer reads for your children?

Next time you visit us, check the different racks placed around our main & second floors for a good selection of materials for all ages, or simply ask us and we will get for you what your are looking for.

At your Oscar Grady Library you can access:

FREE WI-FI (inside or outside the building)

Computer labs (with social distancing applied).

Brand new printer

Fax services.

Check them out next time you visit us!

Fishing Time

by Harrington Williams Trolling time is lolling time On the lazy river Sprawl upon its grassy banks If you’ve a touch of liver Throw a line into the stream Or cast with rod and real Makes no difference to the fish Who’ll fill your empty creel Sit and talk and brag of the fish That you hooked yesterday And don’t forget to tell of the size Of the one that got away Yes, sprawl upon the grassy bank If you’ve a touch of liver For trolling time is lolling time On the lazy river Photograph from the Jim & John Peterson Collection

Now around town! Books for everyone.

The Oscar Grady Library with the support of The Friends of the Oscar Grady Library has purchased three Little Free Libraries, which have been installed at three convenient locations: Quade Park, The Oscar Grady Library, and Village Hall.

Check them out! Love them, enjoy them, treasure them.

The Jim & John Peterson Collection of Images

These photographs, which were donated to the library by Mr. James Peterson, are available for you to browse through by doing click HERE. This is a work in progress and more images will be added periodically in order to complete the total uploading of the almost 2000 images in the collection. Meanwhile, if you would like to inquire about any of the images on display, please contact the Oscar Grady Public Library.

This project was made possible by the ResCarta Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

www.oscargradylibrary.org