Digital Resources. No Library Card Required!

Because we are closed to the public through May 18th, this week’s blog features the digital resources available to our patrons and to the general public who may not have a library card. The only thing necessary to access these resources is an internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone. We are proud to be able to offer these services especially in times like these. 

First, I would like to cover those resources that do not require a login and can, therefore, be accessed directly from our catalog page: https://wcvpl.biblionix.com. As you scroll down, on the left side of the page, you will find a list of resources available. The following items on that list do not require a library card to use: AudioBookCloud, RomanceBookCloud, TeenBookCloud, TumbleBooks, and TumbleMath. (These resources will not require a login through August 31st since the parent company has decided it would be a good idea to make them open to everyone during the COVID-19 crisis.)  

AudioBookCloud is on online collection of audio books available for libraries and schools to have access to classic literature, nonfiction, young adult, new titles, and Spanish language audio books. You can search for your favorite author or title as well as browse through the various genres. There is no software to download, because you stream directly from the website. The downside is that you cannot listen while offline. 

Both RomanceBookCloud and TeenBookCloud are like the AudioBookCloud in that there are multiple genres to choose from and they must be read online. RomanceBookCloud has a core collection of more than 1700 eBook titles from the various romance sub-genres—Contemporary, Inspirational, Historical, Regency, Paranormal, and Sci-fi. TeenBookCloud is a collection of eBooks for grades 7-12. The selection includes graphic novels, enhanced novels, classic literature, National Geographic videos, and audiobooks. It also includes a Common Core portal for grade level reading. 

TumbleBooks is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which help to teach young children the joys of reading. Some of the titles even have a read-along function that allows your child to follow along as the story is read to them. TumbleBooks also has a variety of Story books, read-alongs, eBooks, graphic novels, nonfiction, videos as well as some puzzles and games to keep children engaged. There is also Accelerated Reader information so that your child can keep up with their AR reading. 

Finally, we have TumbleMath which offers math picture books, lesson plans, and quizzes in everything from counting, addition, and subtraction to graphing, probability, and finance. The picture books have subtle animation and narration to help your child learn to love math. The quiz section has quizzes just for TumbleMath, but also a selection of Common Core based quizzes. 

One last thing, we would like our patrons to remember that we will not attach any fines to the materials you have checked out for as long as we remain closed. Please remember that audio CDs, DVDs, Playaways, Playaway Views, and any learning games and toys checked out from downstairs cannot be put in the book drop. Hang on to those and we will be happy to take those once we re-open.

Ready to welcome 2018?

The end of 2017 is coming fast.   To help you get in the mood for 2018, we have New Year's themed books for all ages.

Early Reader

The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine

On Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor couple send their son to market to trade their last eggs for rice so they can make a meal for their neighbors. Instead, Ming swaps the eggs for a smiling, singing wok that boasts, "I am more than what you see!"

Happy New Year, Herbie Bear! by Joanne D. Meier

It's December 31st, and Herbie Bear and his dad are staying up late to ring in the new year. Can Herbie make it to midnight?






Juvenile

Happy New Year, Mallory by Laurie B. Friedman

It's New Year's Eve and Mallory can't wait to celebrate! Her camp friends are coming to Fern Falls and she and Mary Ann have planned out every last detail for a perfect winter reunion and New Year's Eve party. But what Mallory hadn't planned on is getting sick.

Slappy New Year! by R. L. Stine

Poor Shawn Klaven. Just because he's little and shy and gullible, the kids at school are always scaring him. Even a visit to HorrorLand can't give Shawn more courage. Sometimes Shawn thinks that Slappy, the old ventriloquist dummy his dad bought him, is his only friend. But this year, Shawn makes a resolution to get revenge. He has the perfect opportunity too-a spooky New Year's Eve party. What he doesn't realize is that Slappy has some holiday plans of his own


Adult

New Year's Eve Murder by Leslie Meier

 Lucy discovers a host of misdeeds involving real estate deals, animal rights and long-held secrets.  Now, It's up to her to dress down a killer before the ball drops in Times Square...

Death of a Blue Blood by Donald Bain

Invited to attend a New Year's Eve Ball at Castorbrook Castle, Jessica Fletcher  discovers the body of a lady's maid in the garden. While their host, Lord Norrance, his snobbish third wife, other members of the household, and party guests squabble over the tragic death in tight-lipped, perfectly mannered, thoroughly British style, family relations are strained as old wounds are reopened.

Holiday Homemade

I enjoy browsing the library's wide assortment of holiday books, especially those that involve creating "handmade gifts" for family and friends.  I have found one of the best ornament creation books in our library's Juvenile collection!  The book is titled, More Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make by Kathy Ross (J 745.599 R824m), and is full of 29 beautiful ornaments that primary-grade children can make with just a little assistance from adults. The projects range from very simple (a plastic lid covered in glue and sprinkled with sequins and glitter) to more complex, and the book's projects will satisfy a variety of skill levels.  The best part is that the materials in the book will be easy to find at any basic craft store.  I believe one of the best experiences in life is sitting down with a child and joining in the spirit of creativity with them!  The library has many other equally wonderful ornament creation books in its juvenile collection, and we invite you to travel down to the first floor and find a book that interests you. 

Humorous Movies

I recently spent some "brrrr-y" days watching movies at my house. Two of my recent favorites were Despicable Me and The Lottery Ticket. Despicable Me stars Steve Carell and is a wonderful story about a villain named Cru who is trying to pull off the greatest "steal" ever by stealing the moon. He and his thousands of adorable minions (trust me, you'll think they are cute too) invent gadgets and steal things in their attempt to make Cru (voiced by Steve Carell) the "World's Greatest Villian." While on this journey Cru ends up adopting three orphaned girls, and the way they wrap Cru around their fingers is one of sweetest things I have ever seen. This movie is rated PG (Rude Humor and Mild Action) and is a great family movie night pick.

The Lottery Ticket is a great "what-if" movie that describes what happens when a young man from the local neighborhood wins the lottery. Kevin Carson (played by Bow Wow) buys a lottery ticket on a whim and ends up winning $370 million--the bad news is that the lottery office is closed for the long July 4th weekend and Kevin must figure out how to keep a lid on his good fortune and survive the three-day weekend. This movie is full of twists and turns and very funny scenes, and the viewer discovers, with Kevin, the "good, the bad and the ugly" in his friends. There is a brilliant cast in this film (Brandon T. Jackson, Naturi Naughton, Loretta Divine, Ice Cube, Bill Bellamy, T-Pain, Ketih David, Terry Crews, and Mike Epps) and it is truly a great experience to watch it. The movie is rated PG-13 (Sexual content, Language including a Drug Reference, Some Violence and Brief Underage Drinking) and could be a great choice for a couples movie night.

Read the 2009 Newbery Award Winner Book!

Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is the Newbery Award winning book for 2009. I just finished reading the story, and I truly enjoyed reading the book. The premise of the story is this: three of the four members of a family are murdered one night and the baby, through his own ingenuity, crawls out of his crib, down the stairs and out into the town. He wanders around and eventually takes up residence in a graveyard, where he is named Nobody Owens. From this point, the story spirals off into a fabulous, fantastical, wonderful story of relationships, personalities and clever writing. This book was written for a Juvenile audience, but I think that both kids and adults will enjoy this story--I think it's the perfect story to read together with your child! My favorite part of the story is the whole "experience" aspect of it-from page one you are hooked and totally immersed in Nobody's world and it is an entirely believable one. Neil Gaiman has written many other books (Coraline--which is currently being made into a movie--Interworld, M is for Magic) and is the author of the Sandman series of graphic novels. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award and the Bram Stoker Award. Neil Gaiman is originally from England, but now lives in the United States--visit him online at http://www.mousecircus.com/.