June "Notes on Reading" Blog

In the same way that everyday life has changed to accommodate new safety precautions against the spread of Coronavirus, so too has our approach to summer reading. This year our program is called Summer Reads and it has a category for every age from 0 to 99+. It is mostly virtual and we are using READsquared to manage reading logs and activities toward completing the program. Go to mydpl.readsquared.com to sign up and get started earning electronic badges.

To go with READsquared, we have launched a YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/decaturlib, where we are posting virtual story times with Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Anna, Story Times with Special Guests like Elizabeth Thompson from the Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market, Kerrie Hoffner, a professional story teller, Rapunzel, (courtesy of Magical Memories, AL), and others. There will also be programs with Ranger Daphne from Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and the Alabama Department of Archives and History. All of the details about Summer Reads and READsquared can be found at mydpl.org/summerreads/.

If you are participating in the Adult Reading Challenge, you may be wondering what kind of effect the Summer Reads will have on the ARC. The answer is none. The Adult Reading Challenge remains the same. If you are signed up for our yearly challenge, you do not have to register for the READsquared app since you already have your reading log. If you are interested, however, you are welcome to do both. You can sign up for an account as an adult and post the same books you are reading for the ARC to READsquared. It is what we call being doubly blessed. You get two reading challenges, one for the summer and one that lasts all year long.

Which brings us to our task for the month of June. Since our theme this year is music, and we now have two challenges for adults, the June task is to read a book with a duo as the main characters. The characters can be coworkers, friends, or super heroes such as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Hap and Leonard, or Batman and Robin to name just a few.    

             

Happy Reading!

Themed Book Recommendations from DPL

The theme this week is libraries.  There is a suggestion for kids, teens, and adults. Lola at the Library is on Tumblebook Library, while the other two are available on hoopla.

Happy Reading!

May “Notes on Reading” Blog

As we are writing this blog, we have no answers to when Decatur Public Library will re-open. We do know that even if Governor Ivey announces the stay at home order is lifted on April 30^th, DPL will not be able to open the doors and go back to business as usual right away.  Programs will not be restarted until we can be sure it is safe for both patrons and staff. That means the monthly book club meeting that was scheduled for May 7^th will not happen. We will post any updates on our status to the website as soon as we have information to share.

While you are at home and cannot physically travel or go to a concert, take a virtual trip to New Orleans.  The link will take you to a lot of the main attractions. It will also allow you to hear the music that has made the Big Easy a favorite destination for so many.  Here’s a link to a list of the best virtual music concerts, available from New Orleans straight to your home during the COVID19 pandemic.

If there is another spot on the globe you are longing to visit, find a book to take you there with our eBook collection. Don't forget to check both Camellia Net and hoopla. April is poetry month and as Emily Dickinson said

“There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away”.

This is your May task for the Adult Reading Challenge, to read a book that takes you to a place you would like to visit, but cannot while we are all staying safely home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  

We might read a book set in a library, as that is the  place we hope we can all visit soon.

Happy and (Safe) Reading!

Themed Book Recommendations from DPL

Decatur Public Library has partnered with Decatur Parks and Recreation to provide a themed book recommendation each week."Parks" is the theme this week and we have a recommendation for kids, teens, and adults. Each of these books can be checked out from hoopla with your DPL library card.  You can find out more about Decatur's many parks here. 

Happy Reading!

April “Notes on Reading” Blog

Decatur Public Library has been closed to the public since Monday, March 16^th and we don’t know when we will be able to re-open. To say the month of March has been distressing and disruptive is a major understatement. But while the physical library building is closed, we want you to know that DPL is still ready and able to serve you. We have multiple electronic platforms available with eBooks, eAudioBooks, albums, television shows, movies and more to provide you with reading and watching materials. We also have online databases to assist with school work and newspaper access to help you stay informed. If you need Wi-Fi connection, that is available 24/7 from our parking lot. All you need is a device and the password (fun2read). All of our online resources can be accessed from mydpl.org.

The administration team is working from home to update our webpage and keep social media current with ideas for ways to keep your entire family entertained and educated while COVID19 forces us to practice social distancing. We are looking into additional electronic resources and purchasing more titles for all ages to offer our patrons the best service possible in this trying time.

If you have questions for us or suggestions please feel free to contact us at stephrhonda@myDPL.org.

Because this past month has been so stressing and we don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel just yet, the April task for the Adult Reading Challenge is to read any book that makes you happy.  Hoopla has added over 1000 titles that don’t count against your check out limits and that made us happy so we want to pass that feeling along in the Challenge. We hope you will choose to read a book that relieves some of the stress we are all living under right now.

Stay Safe and Happy Reading!

March "Note's on Reading" Blog

Some of the staff of Decatur Public Library spent the last few days in Nashville at the Public Library Association Conference. We were able to attend thanks to the generous support of our Friends. 

We spent 4 days and 3 nights in Nashville learning everything we could from the programs, other attendees, vendors, panel discussions and author signings.  We walked miles and miles, met authors, had wonderful lunches where we met other librarians from around the country, and learned new ideas for programming, policies, and library growth.

We are back to work now and eager to implement some of the new things we learned. We had so much fun while we were there, we decided the task for the Adult Reading Challenge for March to be-read a book set in Nashville.

Happy Reading!