Bookmark for Harry News!

For fans of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling's web site has been the home for small tidbits of information as she continues working on the 7th (and what she says is the final) book in the series. And today, for the first time in a while, her site has been updated. There's not much news, but for die-hard series fans, they'll take every morsel they can get!

www.jkrowling.com

"Eragon" makes news

Lately, Christopher Paolini's "Eragon" and it's sequel, "Eldest," have been two of the most popular titles in our Young Adult section. Today, there was a behind-the-scenes look at both the movie and the companion video game posted at the Business Week web site at:

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/sep2006/id20060912_923334.htm?chan=tc&campaign_id=rss_tech

Do You Pay your fines?

If you have library materials that are returned late, our fines are 10 cents a day on books and audiobooks, etc. and up to 50 cents per day on VHS and DVD items. Have you ever had a fine like this one, though? Click the link for a story about a library fine from upstate New York.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5394770&nav=menu183_2

Another book buying opportunity...

If you can't make it downtown tomorrow (or even if you can) for our hometown days book sale, the FRIENDS of the Mountville Branch of the library will be holding a fall book sale from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16th. Baked goods will be available for purchase too, and all proceeds will benefit the Mountville branch.

Frog & Toad Visit

As part of your visit to the library on Saturday for Hometown Day, stick around and visit with Arnold Lobel's famous storybook characters, Frog and Toad, who will be moving throughout the library starting at 1:30 p.m.

Enjoy the weekend!

Book Bargains This Weekend!

As part of the celebration of "Hometown Days" here in Lancaster on Saturday, the FRIENDS of Lancaster Public Library will be holding a book sale in the Bates Auditorium on Saturday, the 9th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come shop and get a look at some great book bargains for the holiday season (can you believe it's around the corner again?)

The Staff of the library will have a white elephant and bake sale as well.

Visit Russia tonight...

From our Reference Librarian, Sue Bowser, about a special program tonight:


Unique Russian Travelogue

Mark Gallagher will give a special multi-media presentation on the culture of Russia on Thursday, September 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bates Auditorium of the Lancaster Public Library. Famous Russian attractions such as the Hermitage, Peter the Great’s Summer Palace, the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral will be represented, but Gallagher will also touch on less known sites and the people of Russia.

A veteran Manheim Central teacher and owner of Unique Global Tours, Mark Gallagher has traveled extensively in Russia and spent a year long sabbatical in the country. He is particularly interested in the homeless problem resulting from Russia’s break from communism.

Shifting Around Series...

The Youth Services Department has shifted around our paperback materials, and has expanded our offerings of series books (such as Boxcar Children, Hardy Boys, etc.). Since locations of several titles may have moved since your last visit, we invite you to ask a librarian for help in finding what you're looking for.

Reference help...anytime, anywhere!

Beginning next Wednesday, September 6, Lancaster Public Library is proud to be part of a new statewide program that allows library users to get their questions answered, anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

For an outline of the program, visit it's web site at http://www.askherepa.org/.

Here's hoping you have a good long holiday weekend, and we'll see you on Tuesday.

A rest from our labors...

Just a reminder that Lancaster Public Library, and our three branches will all be closed on both Saturday, September 2nd and Monday, September 4th to commemorate the Labor Day Weekend Holiday.

Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, September 5th.

Winner of New Laptop is ready for school!

Nick Hess was the winning bidder at our first ever auction of prizes to end the 2006 Summer Reading Program.

To continue encouraging our teen readers (ages 13-18) to continue reading beyond the 27 hour minimums this year, LPL offered "Library Loot" to each teen. And, boy did they all keep on reading! By the end of summer, thousands of hours were read, and lots of loot was handed out!

On Friday, August the 18th, 42 teens arrived after the library had closed to enjoy a pizza party and to look through the prizes. Bids then started to be placed, on everything from book bags and hair care products to the winning grand prize.

Thanks to the generous support of the Lancaster Rotary and several individual rotarians, the library was able to obtain a brand new Toshiba Laptop Computer with a printer and carrying case. And, at the end of the night, Nick was able to cash in his loot and take it all home.

We hope that all the teens had fun, and we're already beginning to plan for next year. Take a peek at a couple of photos from the event.

The blog is back!

It has been a while since our blog has been updated, and we apologize for that. It was a busy summer around the library, and the blog sort of took a back seat. But as we move into fall, we're back in business and hope to make the blog a hot spot for you to check out on a regular basis once again!

As we move into September and October, we have two sets of programs that you might be interested in! Our Preschool Playdates occur on Tuesdays between September 12 and October 24 at 10:30 a.m. with general games and activities for your little ones up through pre-schoolers.

Also, our Preschool Storytimes will resume on September 14 and run through October 26 on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. with stories, crafts, and snacks too!

While you're visiting this blog, we invite you to add another one to your list and check it regularly too! Created by our own Reference Librarian, Donna Scanlon, Book Talk @ Duke Street, at http://lplbooktalk.blogspot.com/ gives you reader's advisory suggestions, and publishing related news and more!

Check back tomorrow for a Summer Recap (with photos) and on Friday, information about a program that debuts next week!

Book Sale News

Last week's book sale at Overlook Activities Center sponsored by our FRIENDS group raised $98,212.00. Congratulations to the FRIENDS, and a big thank you to them for all of their hard work.

The countdown is on now for our Memorial Day Concert in Long's Park...the start of summer is coming; and we invite you to spend it with the library!

Book Sale Next Week!

The FRIENDS of Lancaster Public Library are hosting one of their annual book sales, this time at the Overlook Activities Center, located at 2042 Lititz Pike here in Lancaster.

The sale runs:

Monday, May 1st 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 2nd: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 3rd: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Over 200,000 books, in 39 different categories are available to browse and purchase as part of the event. Wednesday, a bag sale and some discounts on remaining merchandise will be available.

Be a part of this Lancaster tradition, now in it's 52nd year, and support the library through the book sale!

Find a fall favorite...

I know, I know, that summer isn't even here yet. But, you can pick now to find a new favorite book for fall.

Every year, as part of the American Library Association's "Teen Read Week" in October, they nominate 25 new teen books for the annual "Teens Top Ten" list. Teens from around the country vote to pick the winner.

If you want to start reading today and cast your vote, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/Nominations2006TTT.pdf to get a peek at the list!

Millersville and Mindstorms...

In the last couple of days, a few of our library patrons have asked for more books and information on the LEGO Mindstorms line, which allows it's users to take the typically one dimensional building blocks and use robotics and other forms of computer machinery to develop new and exciting twists on an old standard. We've heard your request, and are actively searching for new material to order on the subject.

But did you know that Mindstorms fans have an opportunity to experiment and explore with them this summer? As part of Millersville University's "Technology Camp" program, there are two LEGO-themed camps.

For information on these programs and the other "Technology Camp" offerings for the summer of 2006, check out this web site: http://www.millersville.edu/~techcamp

And, let us know if you'd be interested in the idea of a Mindstorms workshop here in the library this fall...

Check out...the North Museum

The Lancaster Public Library, along with all the libraries of the Library System of Lancaster County is inviting families to participate in a new partnership program with the North Museum. Through this partnership, families who visit Lancaster's libraries will have the opportunity to check out a pass that will allow up to six individuals admittance to the museum. For full details on the power of this pass, please see one of your Youth Services Librarians.

Free 'Fish'in!

The library has gotten several calls recently related to ticket information for our Memorial Day concert featuring "Trout Fishing in America" helping us to kick off the summer season.

The good news is that the library has no ticket information because there are no tickets! The event is free and open to the public on Memorial Day from Noon till 5:00 p.m.

We hope to see you there! For other questions about the event, give us a call at 394-2651 x 106!

Ben is back!

Tonight is the night of the FRIENDS Annual "Adopt-a-Book" fundraiser at the library. More details on the results of that next week...

Today, we invite you to join us next Thursday afternoon, when Ben Franklin will return to Pennsylvania and visit us! He will be here to talk about his 300 wonderful years of seeing changes in the world and more. And, everyone who attends this program will get a special treat! The fun starts at 4:00 p.m. in the Bates Auditorium.

Teen Book Group

The library is excited to announce the formation of a new Teen Book Group. We will begin meeting in the library on Monday, April 17 at 3:45, right after school! What are we reading first? Join us to find out...and to enjoy a bit of a movie too...does that give you any hints?