Tag Archives: books

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

The Beloved Book Deconstructed

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Tired, Dusty and Tattered! Photo by Roger Salz and retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.
Tired, Dusty and Tattered! Photo by Roger Salz and retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.

My mother worked in a library for more 36 years before retiring and then re-entering the workforce to work in yet another library. And, throughout the last ten years, each member of my immediate family, including myself, has worked in a library. So to me the sight and smell of books brings back a host of familial memories. But I never really understood what created the unique scents of a book/book collection. I always suspected it was a concoction consisting of one part ink to two parts paper-lovingly combined with a pinch of dust.  Did you know AbeBooks, a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., created a short video answering this very question. Click here to listen to their explanation.

In addition, if you are a hardback collector or book enthusiast, here is list of other quick videos you might finding interesting:

  • How to identify a first edition book (link)
  • Book collecting Guide (link) -10 videos

Tip: If you participate in student/class orientations for a library, consider using the video about The Parts of a Book to supplement your presentation.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

The Power of Reading for Children!

Aiden with his Captain Underpants. Photo by Matt Ryall and retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.
Aiden with his Captain Underpants. Photo by Matt Ryall and retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.

During the summer a child’s day tends to be less structured than during a typical academic year. This may be an ideal time to reinforce the benefits of reading, especially while they have additional time to linger at the library.  Dav Pilkey, best known as the author and illustrator of the Captain Underpants book series, created two fun and quick videos that draw unexpected outcomes that occur when children read.

  1. Reading Gives You Super Powers-link!
  2. Reading Makes Cats Jealous-link!
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

BBQ Books for Summer 2013!

Image by by Lbrymuer some rights reserved
Image by Lbrymuer some rights reserved

Celebrate National Barbecue Month this May!

In honor of summer, CMLE is serving-up an article by Publisher Weekly. Here is a list of must have, Standout Barbecue Books of Summer 2013 for your next cookout.  Click here to read the full article. Learn about the tools of the trade, flavorful sauces, grilling tips from the pros and more.

Tip: Create an impromptu display in your library focusing on your summer cooking/grilling book collection. Don’t forget props like spatulas, gingham fabric or even plastic food from a child’s play-set you might already have in your play box.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Hidden Spaces!

Image by Jester100 some rights reserved
Image by Jester100 some rights reserved

There is something alluring about hidden spaces. I am not sure if it is the mystery, sense of adventure, possible mischief or merely the idea of sneaking away somewhere-known only to a select few. For some, this adventure begins and/or ends with a book.  Buzzfeed (April 2013) posted 31 Beautiful Hidden Rooms and Secret Passages, using books as the main attraction/distraction.

Just for Fun: This week take a peek between (or behind) the stacks-to find something unexpected.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

2013 World Book Night with GRRL!

**Content in this post was provided by GRRL**

On April 23rd approximately 25,000 volunteers signed up to give away half a million free books in more than 6,000 towns and cities across the country. The free book giveaway is part of World Book Night U.S. (WBN), an ambitious campaign to give thousands of free, specially printed paperbacks to light or nonreaders across America on one day. 

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. These facilities allow access to nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, along with a variety of programming and information services.

GRRL recruited more than 50 volunteers who shared books at various locations across Central Minnesota such as parks, coffee shops and fitness centers.  Providing people with materials and services to support lifelong learning and personal enrichment is a goal within the library’s strategic plan.

Delano Book Night and Relay for Life April 23 2013 001 (3)
Volunteer book giver Jeanie Pilarski, right, gave a book to Julie Strobl at the Delano Tiger Activity Center.

Volunteer Jeanie Pilarski said, “This was a fun and easy event. The Delano Tiger Activity Center is an active location with parents, exercisers, participants of clubs, and many activities happening in this location.   People were surprised to be asked to receive a book!  They were very receptive and wanted to know about World Book Night. I enjoyed the opportunity to hand out books.  I have read this book and that made for an easy introduction also.”

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Volunteers Donna Holovnia and Susan Furey set up to give their books at the Clearwater Coborn’s store.