"Inspire Your Heart with the Arts" with Barry Singer

Today, January 31, is Inspire Your Heart with the Arts Day! Appropriately enough, a new art display is up at the Abington Community Library that you have to stop by and see. Check out a description from the artist himself below:

"Something fishy will be happening at the Abington Community Library during February and March 2012. The fish-themed artwork of Barry Singer will be on display. February will feature his wacky pencil drawings that have been swimming into the online art scene in recent years. With titles like 'Mona’s Pizza' and the 'Napoleonic oars,' no subject is too wacky. Then, for March, the show will switch up to more serious watercolors of lake and shore like frogs, seahorses, and starfish. There will be something for everyone.

Barry was born and raised in Clarks Summit and now resides with his wife Cynthia at Baylors Lake. Upon retiring from the field of advertising art and printing he has devoted his time to promoting his own brand of fish art. The internet has been a perfect fit, and his patrons from all over the world are able to find him. Although he is best known for his own style of the Japanese fish art called GYOTAKU, he just loves drawing and painting. He is hoping all of his friends and neighbors from NE Pennsylvania will stop by and see his latest creations. Prints of his work will be available at the desk and will benefit the library."

After checking out Barry's artwork hung around the library, stop by the circulation desk. Barry has graciously provided reprints of his framed pieces along with new books containing several prints. All are $20, with proceeds benefitting the Library.

See some samples below!

Laura

On behalf of the ACL

Who's Got Cabin Fever?

I know I do! It's that time of year when the cold and wet and salt just seem to eat away at you. Luckily, we here at the Abington Community Library have a solution for you. It's Cabin Fever - the Winter Reading Club for adults!

Registration began this week, and you may read all through the month of February for the chance to win one of two fabulous prizes. But more on that later...

The next time you visit the library, look for the log cabin! At the table right by the circulation desk, you may sign up for Cabin Fever and get a bag with some info and Quick Rate slips in it.

Read three books for Cabin Fever. That's it, just three! For each book you read, fill out a Quick Rate slip and turn it in. After you've read three books, you will receive a coupon for a FREE appetizer at TGI Friday's and a library mug. Sweet, right? That should brighten your winter blues.

And you don't have to stop at three. Each book you read, you document with a Quick Rate slip. And each Quick Rate slip is a chance to win a fabulous prize! Either:

-A gift basket full of lottery tickets & candy

-a Kindle Touch

So instead of spending February moping around your house, read some books for the chance to win prizes. Not bad, right?


See you around the library,
Laura
On behalf of the ACL

Happy Birthday Archibald Leach!

Most likely, you skipped over this day last week without realizing it, but January 18 was a movie star's birthday! Happy Birthday, Archibald Leach!

Well, you'd probably know him better from his stage name, Cary Grant.



Check out his fan site at http://www.carygrant.net/. It's got photos, facts, puzzles, wallpaper, and all kinds of other fun resources.

Here are some of his best films, as well as some books about him. These can all be found in the Lackawanna County Library System.

Movies
Arsenic and Old Lace (my personal favorite)
The Awful Truth
The Philadelphia Story
North by Northwest
His Girl Friday
Bringing Up Baby

Books
Cary Grant: Dark Angel by Geoffrey Wansell (illustrated with over 150 photos)
Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant by Dyan Cannon (written by one of his wives)
Good Stuff: A Reminisce of My Father, Cary Grant by Jennifer Grant (written by his daughter)
Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style by Richard Torregrossa

Laura
On behalf of the ACL

Returning Your eBooks

If you're like a lot of our library patrons, you received an eReader for Christmas. Hopefully, you've been busy downloading titles for FREE from our online catalog.

Need a refresher? Here are links with instructions on how to download eBooks. These include NEW instructions for the iPad written up by our director, Leah Rudolph.

How to Download eBooks

How to Download eBooks for Kindle

How to Download eBooks for Apple devices.

You may check out eBooks for two weeks, but if you wish to return them early, follow the instructions below:

Apple device: 'Swish' across the book title to see the DELETE button pop up. You can choose to "Delete only" or "Return then delete."

Kindle: Log onto the Amazon website using your account info, then go into Manage Your Kindle. There, you may delete, return, or loan items on your Kindle.

Nook (or other devices that use Adobe Digital Editions): Open Adobe Digital Editions. Use the tiny arrow on the left-hand side of the book cover to find options to delete or return the book.

Happy reading!


Laura
On behalf of the ACL

Save the World!

Happy National Cut Your Energy Costs Day!

Today is the day to cut back, to save money, to help your environment.

Check out this online article from The Examiner for some helpful hints by clicking here: Celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day: 20 Tips to Save Energy & Money. Here are some of their ideas!

• Use energy-efficient fluorescent lightbulbs.
• Unplug items you're not using (if they're not in use but still plugged in, they're using energy!).
• Turn down your heat.
• Don't let the water run while you're brushing your teeth.
• Keep blinds and curtains closed during cold weather.

Did you know that the library has a Kill A Watt Electricity Monitor, available for check out? Borrow it using your library card the next time you're in, and use it to find out with appliances are the "energy abusers" in your home. Monitor appliances in your home to find out how much they cost to run. Ask at the circulation desk!

Be mindful today of the energy you use. Turn lights off when you leave the room and don't waste electricity. It's good for the environment and good for your bank account!



Laura
On behalf of the ACL

Online Story Time

I just discovered a fun story time website, http://www.storylineonline.net/
Actors from the Screen Actors Guild Foundation are shown in a video reading a picture book aloud, complete with illustrations.

What a neat idea! I listened to parts of them, and they're very nicely done. The website uses videos and the Internet to promote reading.

I was pleased to see actors such as Elijah Wood, James Earl Jones, Betty White, and Melissa Gilbert read classics like Harry and the Dirty Dog and The Polar Express. As actors, they give meaning and expression to the words.

Check it out, and try it with your kids or grandkids!

Lively Library Discussion

Every third Wednesday of the month, from March to December, a small group of readers meets together to discuss a book.

It's the Afternoon Book Club!

I'm privileged enough to facilitate this group. I get to pick out the books we read, and I keep the conversation going. Not that it needs much help! My group loves to read, and that is certainly evident as we have discussed books from Frankenstein and Jane Eyre to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and The Thirteenth Tale.

We're on a two-month break now, but we'll resume on March 21 with The Count of Monte Cristo. Luckily, we have three months to read this monster of a book, but I'm really looking forward to it!

If you're looking for a group of readers to share books with, consider checking us out.

Here is a complete list of the 2012 selections:

March 21: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

April 18: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

May 16: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

June 20: Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

July 18: Lost in Translation by Eva Hoffman

August 15: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

September 19: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

October 17: A Painted House by John Grisham

November 21: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

December 19: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Maybe I'll see you there!

Laura
On behalf of the ACL