July Roarin' Reads Blog

 

July is here and Summer Reads is going strong at Decatur Public Library.  The library will be closed on Thursday, July 4^th,  for the holiday but will re-open at 10:00 am on Friday, July 5^th. The next week is packed with fun and we hope you can join us for some of the programs. We will have Story Time with Barbie (who appears courtesy of Magical Memories, AL) on Tuesday, July 9^th, at 10:30 am; Book Babies on Wednesday, July 10^th, at 10:30 am; FYI Series: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia on Wednesday, July 10^th, at 12 noon; Lu’au Day from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 11^th, and the Speakeasy Book Club on Thursday, July 11^th, at 12 noon. If you prefer to be outdoors, we have a StoryWalk® installed on the Atkeson Cypress Trail at the Visitor’s Center on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.  If you are looking for something to do next week that won’t break your budget, join us for a library program. We have programs for every age and everybody!

If you are taking part in the Adult Reading Challenge this year, or would like to be part of the Challenge, please join us for the Speakeasy Book Club. We will meet in the Training Center Thursday, July 11^th, from 12 noon until 2:00 pm.  We will discuss books we have read in the last month and the clues and tasks the books work for on this year’s Roarin’ Reads Challenge.

The 1920s saw a dramatic increase in the number of women cutting and styling their hair and in the use of cosmetics by both sexes. This translated to a steady increase in beauty shops over the course of the decade.  At the beginning of the twenties most beauty shops would not bob a woman’s hair. The determined flappers, did not take no for an answer, instead they went to the barber shop to get their locks sheared. As the trend gained popularity, more beauticians starting offering the hairstyle.  The July task is to read a book that has a beautician as the main character. The book must be partially set in a beauty/barber shop or the character must be using their skills as a hair stylist or salon worker in order for the book to work for this task.

Happy Reading!

June "Roarin' Reads" Blog

 

 

June at Decatur Public Library means two things: Summer Reads and the Readers and Writers Jubilee.  Summer Reads through the app- READsquared-has something for every age, 0 to 99+. The Readers and Writers Jubilee is intended for adults who love reading and/or writing.

You can learn more about the online Summer reading challenges for all ages by installing the free READsquared app on your device and setting up your account.  All events for kids are listed in the app and here on our website. There are digital badges awarded for reading and completing missions. There are some games on the app too.

The Readers and Writers Jubilee will be held Saturday, June 8^th from 12noon to 5:00pm.  There will be 21 authors in the library doing meet & greets, sitting on panels to answer questions, and teaching classes for aspiring writers.  The featured speaker this year will be Miranda James, pen name of Dean James, New York Times best selling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries. The full list of authors and programs can be found at www.myDPL.org/jubilee .

The June task for the Adult Reading Challenge is to read a book by one of the authors taking part in this year’s Readers and Writers Jubilee.  Be sure to come to the Jubilee to meet the authors and maybe get a personal copy of a book signed.

Happy Reading!

May "Roarin' Reads" Blog

 

The display cases this month have artwork from local artist, David Thompson. If you get into DPL this month be sure to look over the various pieces he has on display. The collection will be available for viewing until Thursday, May 30^th.

The May installment of our FYI Series will be held on Wednesday, May 15^th, from 12noon until 1:30pm in the Community Room. Dr. Wylheme Ragland will be speaking on “Three Methodist Congregations in Old Town: Shared Methodist Traditions with Unique Denominational Histories”. Everyone is welcome to this free program.

This month we will also be getting ready for our annual Summer Reads program. The kick-off will be Friday, May 31^st, from 10:00am until 2:00pm in the circle drive on the Cherry Street side of the library.  Every child 12 and under in each car that drives through will get a sign-up goody bag that includes a free hardback book, courtesy of the Friends of Decatur Public Library (while supplies last).  We have a lot of free fun programs planned for kids in June and July and we hope you will bring the young ones in your family to as many of them as possible.

On May 26, 1927, Ford Motor Company produced the 15 millionth Model T. This historic car was the last Model T to roll off the assembly line.  While it had been the “Universal Car” that provided for a new personal mobility and transformed how we lived, the demand for the standard workhorse had been eclipsed by the new models with more amenities that had evolved in the 19 years since the first Model T was produced.

The May task for the Adult Reading Challenge is to read a book with a car on the cover. You can get “extra points” if the car is a Model T.

Happy Reading!

April "Roarin' Reads" Blog

 

The March Madness Books at DPL is down to the final matchup. You have until Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 6:00pm to vote for your favorite. The contenders for the top spot are: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt or The Maid by Nita Prose.  Vote outside the Marketing and Outreach office to help decide the winner.

April is National Poetry Month and we will be celebrating it this month with more passive activities for patrons tied to the display case presentations starting Friday, April 5th. Pick up a poem to give someone on “Poem in your Pocket” Day on April 18^th.  Take part in the poetry BINGO to read more poetry this month. Test your knowledge of famous American poems by answering the trivia questions based on the display cases.  If none of those activities entice you to read poetry, come to the FYI Series kick-off event,  American Poetry: The Pulse of a Nation with Harry Moore on Wednesday, April 17^th at 12 noon in the Community Room to learn more about American poets and poetry throughout our history.

With all of the emphasis on poetry, you might think the April task would be to read an American poet; but you would be wrong! If you attend the program and do one of the activities, you can earn an extra place in the drawing for the level you qualify for at the end of the challenge. 

The April task for the Adult Reading Challenge is to read a book with the word JAZZ in the title. April is not only National Poetry month, it is also Jazz Appreciation Month. We think poetry and jazz complement each other in swinging style and you should try both this month.

Happy Reading!

March "Roarin' Reads" Blog

 

March Madness is being hosted at Decatur Public Library this year! Only we’re not trying to predict the winner in College Basketball, we’re finding the most popular books for adults and juveniles.

We started with 32 of the most checked out titles for adults and juveniles and need your votes to see which titles come out on top.

The display cases as you come into the library hold the titles that are in contention for the best book this year. The cases at our 6th Avenue entrance hold the adult titles, and the juvenile titles are in the cases on the Cherry Street side of the library.

You can pick up a ballot outside the Youth Services Room for the juvenile competition, while the adult ballots are outside the Marketing and Outreach office.

The first round of voting is from Friday, March 1st, through Thursday, March 7th. The new ballot – with the 16 winners advancing to the next round, will be available on Friday, March 8th. 

If you are taking part in the Adult Reading Challenge, the March task is to read one of the titles on the adult ballot. Pick one title from the original 32 titles.

Be sure to vote each week for your favorite!

Happy Reading!

February "Roarin' Reads" Blog

 

The Adult Reading Challenge for 2024 kicked-off on Sunday, January 28^th. If you are interested in participating this year, details can be found at www.myDPL.org/ARC .

The theme this year is the 1920s or the decade that was known as the Roaring Twenties. Not everything you read has to be set in the 1920s, but most of the clues and tasks are inspired by life during the twenties.

We encourage anyone 18 and over who enjoys a challenge or just wants to jazz up their reading this year to take the challenge. See Rhonda or Stephanie in the Marketing and Outreach office to learn more or to sign up. Our schedule changes to accommodate events and programs, so please call 256-340-5780 or email us at stephrhonda@myDPL.org before you come by to make sure we are in the office to help you.

The February task for the Adult Reading Challenge is to read a Black American Poet to celebrate Black History Month.  Double points if you read a book of poetry by an author from the Harlem Renaissance. (Yes, you still have to read another book to complete the clue for Harlem Renaissance.)

Happy Reading!

November "ReAD, WHITE, & BLUE" Blog

 

November is here and with it some fall weather finally!  It’s a great excuse to snuggle up with  a fuzzy blanket, a warm drink, and a good book to spend some quality time reading.  Decatur Public Library has lots of choices when it comes time to pick out the book for your reading retreat. If you prefer an actual book check out the new book shelves beside the staircase or peruse the book river on the catalog or the website.  You can search for books to read at any time with the catalog, even if we are not open. If you find a book you really want to read, place a hold on it, even if it’s 2am. Once our staff get to work the next morning, they will pull that book for you, place it on the hold shelf and email or text you to let you know it is ready for you to pick up at your convenience.

You can also find some great eBooks to read on the  hoopla and Libby apps. If you are looking for a certain title in eBook or eAudiobook, don’t forget to check both apps. They have a few cross-over titles but they have access to different publishers and so a title you don’t find on one platform is often available on the other one. These great options are open to you with your DPL card 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

If you are participating in the Adult Reading Challenge this year, the last day to turn in your reading log to qualify for the prize drawings is Thursday, November 30th by 6:00pm. If you come by the Marketing and Outreach office to turn in your log and we are not available, please make sure your name, DPL card number, and a telephone number is written on the front before you slide it under our door. We will find it when we return to the office. If you have participated at all, filled out even just one title, please consider turning in your reading log.

The last task for this year’s Reading Challenge is to read a book where one of the main characters is a pet.  According to Forbes.com,  in 2023,  66% of American homes- that’s 86.9 million homes- include a pet. We really love our furry sidekicks because in 2022 we spent $136.8 billion on our pets.  Whether we consider them our fur-babies or our best friends, they are very important members of most Americans households. Their antics  also make great reading, so find a book with a furry, scaly, or feathery main character to close out this year’s Adult Reading Challenge!

Thanks for taking the Adult Reading Challenge this year.  If you have questions, concerns, or just want to talk about the Challenge you are welcome to come by the Marketing and Outreach office or call us at 256-3450-5780.

Happy Reading!