Will You Be One Of Our Makers In 2016?

Bernardsville Public Library is putting out a call for creative people - Makers - to participate in our Maker Day 2016, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 2016. You might just be among the Makers who will be joining us!

Are you one of those people who likes to tinker with technology, to kick it up a notch with culinary tricks, to create a new angle on an old craft?  Maybe you know a thing or two about robotics, circuitry, 3D printing or motors?  Perhaps you're an artist with a different approach to your medium?

We're currently seeking Makers with novel, but practical ideas that can be demonstrated to an audience of all ages. We encourage you to present your special knowledge or skill in such a way that your audience can try it out, too, if possible. Please contact us right away at 908-766-0118 to express your interest in participating. We can't wait to hear from you!

Celebrate National Library Week With Us

This year, April 12-18th marks the period when U.S. libraries and their associations celebrate National Library Week. It's a time when communities acknowledge the importance of libraries to their well being and when individuals make a point to visit their public or academic libraries.

During National Library Week, libraries around the country present special programming and activities to promote their services. If you haven't visited your local library recently, this is the week to see what's new and to learn how libraries can improve your quality of life. You may be surprised to discover how much fun may be had there, too!

At Bernardsville Public Library, we'll be offering programs for children and adults that range from decorating Minion cupcakes or mixing up Oobleck to learning about the world of mediums or doing handcrafts in a communal setting. As a special treat, we are also holding a photo identification contest using photographs from our Local History Collection. Those contestants who can identify all ten photos will be entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card! This isn't anyone's idea of an old-fashioned, hidebound library; instead, we're a center for our community. During National Library Week, we hope you'll celebrate our close partnership with you.

We Put NextRead Books Right In Your Hands

We do everything except read the book for you!

Now you can sign up on Bernardsville Public Library's website to receive email newsletters tailored to your reading preferences via Next Reads.  The NextReads service delivers customized reading suggestions to your email inbox on a weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly basis.  Do you like to read historical fiction?  Want to know what's the latest and greatest in mysteries or in kids' books?  You get to choose which genres or kinds of books you will be notified about when you sign up here for NextReads. 

We take the next step for you, too!  You'll find a NextReads display in our lobby with the latest NextReads books already pulled and waiting for you on these display shelves.  We've even sorted them by genre.  You do have to pick them up, however, and check them out! How easy is that?

Library CAT at Work

Bernardsville Public Library's Collection Advisory Team (CAT) has just produced a new roster of recommended reading for our patrons.  These books are featured on shelving within the New Fiction area and may be borrowed immediately.  A blend of fiction, including thrillers, mysteries, and romance, is currently on display there.

The Collection Advisory Team consists of members of the community who are active library members willing to make suggestions for the library's collection development.  Their collaboration with our librarians enables Bernardsville Public Library to broaden the appeal of its collections and to ensure that community input is considered.  It's great to have a CAT in our library!

Keep Calm And Carry On With “All Things Downton”

Need some help to get through the off season of Downton Abbey?  Chin up, we have a new library display entitled “All Things Downton.”  As you enter the library you will be greeted by a comprehensive selection of period literature and dvds exploring 20th century British fiction and history.  Read-alikes/view-alikes to the Downton Abbey PBS series are showcased throughout the display.  Featured videos include The Cazelets, Brideshead Revisited, The Forsyte Saga, and, of course,Upstairs, Downstairs.  When not on reserve, our dvd sets for seasons 1, 2, and 3 of Downton Abbey may also be borrowed.

Fans of biographies might enjoy reading Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey detailing the life of the fifth Countess of Carnarvon and events at Highclere Castle during the First World War.  Noteworthy fiction apropos of the times or dealing with similar topics can be found throughout the display. Here you may borrow Howard’s End, The Remains of the Day, or The Buccaneers, for instance.  

In addition, please browse or take our original, complimentary bookmarks for Downton Abbey subject matter or for British historical fiction.   These bookmarks are included in the display and will serve as helpful reminders of what to read next.  And don’t forget to visit “The British Collection” area of our dvd shelving to find other great series as well.

National Library Week

National Library Week (April 14-20th) at Bernardsville Public Library is designed to highlight the strong bond we share with our community.  The slogan, "Communities Matter" illustrates the symbiotic relationship inherent between libraries and library users.  When people use libraries, libraries succeed; when libraries serve people, people succeed.

To celebrate our community, we have created posters of a few Bernardsville community leaders holding their favorite books.  Each poster is unique, but all posters say the same thing, "Read."  Posters of the staff with their favorite books are also included in the poster/book display shown in this post.  Additional community leaders will be included in future "Read" posters, again emphasizing the importance of reading and libraries throughout our lives.

Poems for a Month or One Day

April is National Poetry Month, and today is Poem in Your Pocket Day.  April also is the birth month (and death month) of William Shakespeare, so poetry is definitely in the air and on our minds at Bernardsville Library.  Two of our book displays this month have showcased poets and poetry, one entitled “Life in Poetry” and the other featuring a variety of poetry collections in honor of National Poetry Month.  In addition, we have hosted a library program, “Coffee, Tea and Poetry,” where the audience was invited to read a variety of pre-selected poems.  Carl Sandburg wrote that  ”Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes.” Poem in Your Pocket Day urges us to open our own packsacks and find expression through poetry.  To facilitate this, our library facebook page today welcomes the public to share a poem in honor of Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Dr. Seuss's Naked Dames and Horses, Too!

During the final week of the library's Dr. Seuss display, I thought it would be interesting to "flesh out" our appreciation of this author a bit.  We've learned that Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated many books for children, but he also produced cartoons for adults which have been collected in Dr. Seuss Goes to War and The Tough Coughs as He Ploughs the Dough. Additionally, Theodor Seuss Geisel authored the humorous storybook You're Only Old Once! which was aimed at the aging adult audience.  

Perhaps his most unexpected adult book is the strange story of  The Seven Lady Godivas, one of his earliest publications.  In this book Dr. Seuss concocted a highly imaginative legend to explain the origins of seven well-known proverbs.  These are the proverbs having to do with horses and what he called horse truths, an example of which would be "Never change horses in the middle of the stream." 

So here's where it gets strange: Dr. Seuss utilized the legend of Lady Godiva and her horse, but converted this individual into a family of seven Godiva sisters who must uncover these horse truths/proverbs.  As he stated tongue in cheek in his foreword, "History has treated no name so shabbily as it has the name Godiva.  Today Lady Godiva brings to mind a shameful picture-a big blond nude trotting around town on a horse.....There was not one; there were Seven Lady Godivas, and their nakedness actually was not a thing of shame." And so the seven stalwart sisters fulfill their Seussian destiny to discover horse sense (and true love, too!) all while unflinchingly wearing their birthday suits.  Dr. Seuss must have had fun coming up with this one.  

- Evelyn Fischel -

Seriously, Dr. Seuss

Did you know that Dr. Seuss drew political cartoons during World War II?
From 1941-1943, Theodor Seuss Geisel composed over 400 wartime editorial cartoons for the New York journal PM.  While he targeted Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and the Japanese, his cartoons also ridiculed any notions of appeasement or American isolationism. Dr. Seuss derided Charles Lindbergh and the America First movement and often used an ostrich as a stand-in for these isolationists.  The University of California, San Diego, now owns the originals of his political cartoons, two of which are shown here courtesy of UCSD.

Approximately half of the editorial cartoons were selected for the 1999 publication, Dr. Seuss Goes to War, by Richard H. Minear. The book contains full page images of the cartoons arranged by the author based on topics such as "The Home Front" and "Winning the War." Minear also addresses the crass insensitivity shown to Asian-Americans, specifically Japanese-Americans, in several of these cartoons.  By means of explanation rather than excuse, Minear elucidates the historical background and wartime context which drove Dr. Seuss's editorial commentary.  You'll find a copy of Dr. Seuss Goes to War among the featured books in the current "Dr. Seuss!" display in our lobby.  

-Evelyn Fischel

Dr. Seuss!

During this month of March we are celebrating Dr. Seuss. His joyful, creative output is on full view in the lobby for all to enjoy. Entitled "Dr. Seuss!," this display combines many wonderful Seuss favorites along with lesser known books for adults and additional biographies. Audiobooks and film versions of his stories are also included.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, and this year marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of his first children's book, "And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street."  Dr. Seuss's beloved cast of characters can be found here - Horton, Yertle the Turtle, Gerald McBoing Boing, the Sneetches, and of course, the Grinch as well as the Cat in the Hat.  Why let the kids have all the fun? Look for your favorite books from childhood and take a few home to read all over again.  And while you're at it, both old and young are invited to draw their favorite Dr. Seuss characters on our easel. Every day we get new and wonderful sketches.

Black History Month Displays at Bernardsville Library

 Black History Month at Bernardsville Library is being observed with book displays in both the Biography and Youth Services sections.  A variety of picture books for young readers are showcased in the children's area along with a posterboard featuring one new fact a day about Black History Month.  Come by and learn a thing or two while enjoying these great kids books.

Bernardsville Library's Biography section now offers a month-long display showcasing many interesting books on the lives of notable African Americans. Sojourner Truth, Paul Robeson, Langston Hughes, and Thurgood Marshall are all famous names in history, but how about the resilient Mr. Jimmy Winkfield, the last African American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby?  He was the 17th child of sharecroppers, but fled to Europe to escape threats from the KKK after his derby win. Winkfield raced horses in Russia, riding the Tsar's horse, and later acquired  property and status in France, only to be hounded out of that country by the Nazis.  Black Maestro: the epic life of an American legend by Joe Drape recounts this man's amazing life.

Ready, Set, Knit/Crochet!

Before the first snowflakes fall, be sure to visit Bernardsville Library's "Knit Up A Storm This Winter" display featuring our knit and crochet books. You'll find lots of great ideas and patterns in these attractive books geared to creating the latest in handmade fashion, home decor and toys. Wander over to this display in our nonfiction section, borrow a book, and get started with your projects right now.

Breast Cancer Awareness Display

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Bernardsville Library has marked the occasion with an extensive and interesting display of books on the topic. You'll find first-hand accounts from survivors, information on newer therapies, plus accounts from families and friends who have supported women through their diagnoses and treatment.  Novels as well as teen and children's books are also included in the display.  Please stop by the library rotunda to see what it's all about.

Banned Books Week

Celebrate the right to read; stop by our display of historically banned and challenged books to highlight the annual observation of Banned Books Week.  You might be surprised at what you see there.  Would you expect to see James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl among these books?  How about The Lorax by Dr. Seuss?  Banned or challenged books by Truman Capote, Isabel Allende, Ray Bradbury, John Irving and other authors are on display and available for check out.  You'll find these items, including examples from the Harry Potter series, showcased in the library rotunda.

Staff Picks to Pick Up

Stumped for a book to read and no time to browse?  Stop by the lobby display of Bernardsville Library Staff Picks loaded with items for all kinds of readers, including children.  There are many biographies, cookbooks, movies, music cds, audiobooks, fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from which to chose.  See what the staff recommends and share your suggestions, too.  It's one-stop shopping, library style!

We Remember...

A selection of reading material on the topic of September 11 is currently on display in the nonfiction wing. Please browse and borrow.

Authors from the Indian Subcontintent Featured

Bernardsville Public Library is currently featuring a colorful display of books by authors from the Indian Subcontinent.  Please stop by this new display in the lobby to browse from these wonderful works of fiction. Authors included in the display hail from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.  The display offers an interesting variety of fiction including thrillers (Six Suspects), relational stories (Sister of My Heart and Secret Daughter), epic novels (The Moor's Last Sigh and A Suitable Boy), short stories (In the Convent of Little Flowers: stories), as well as contemporary, thought-provoking works (The Reluctant Fundamentalist.)  Let your eye be drawn to the gold and blue sari draping this book display and find yourself drawn into other worlds, other lives.

The Brains Are On The Move

Don't worry...you haven't lost your mind!  The "Mind: Your Brain" book display has picked up roots and moved into the library rotunda at Bernardsville Public Library for an extended stay.  It seems that the brain is one organ that everybody gives a second thought to, and many of the books in this display have captured people's interest.  You'll be able to find most of the selections that were featured in the earlier lobby display and there is now an original Bernardsville Library bookmark with reading suggestions for this topic as well. Be kind to your mind - give it some thought.

April is Autism Awareness Month

"April is Autism Awareness Month," and Bernardsville Public Library has marked this observance with a special display.  Our Youth Services librarians have assembled a book display offering an informative collection of reading material. This display is located in the Parenting Corner at the entrance to the fiction wing.

There you will find resources for adults and children which may help to identify, understand, and manage the range of behavior involved with autistic and Asperger's disorders.  There are picture books for the very young as well as literature for teens and adults, along with medical and educational resources.  Please stop by for a look.

Have You Had Your "Date" Yet?

"Go on a Blind Date with a Book"  is an on-going display at Bernardsville Public Library celebrating National Library Week.   It is designed to entice you, just like the concept behind a blind date, to take a chance on a book you might have overlooked before.  The display features beautifully wrapped packages tied up with red bows- all mysterious, all with the potential to excite and please you.  These "packages" are new fiction and nonfiction books, but they are truly anonymous "suitors."  You won't know a book's title until you have checked one out, taken it home and pulled on that red ribbon.  If you don't like what you see, simply return the book.  If you are pleased with your "blind date," use the enclosed sheet to write a brief comment or review about it.  Go ahead and flirt; it can't hurt!