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Don’t Have Time to Read “War and Peace”? Try the Podcast!

Oh Boy, Tolstoy!

If spending all summer reading Tolstoy doesn’t sound fun, but you still want to know why people read “War and Peace” in 2018, then the “Oh Boy, Tolstoy!” podcast may be just for you:

Each week, librarian hosts Jennie, Megan and Pete dissect strange terminology, puzzle over social norms, and laugh at just about everything (especially themselves). Pineapples? Bears? Thigh of Frightened Nymph? No strange reference is safe!

We usually record the podcast on Mondays – the morning after our Sunday night Facebook Group chat – and post it on Thursdays.

You can listen on the podcast webpage, or subscribe through iTunes, Stitcher, and other podcast apps.

Win a Book Wednesday: “Jell-O Girls: a Family History”

Win a Copy of "Jello-Girls" by Allie Rowbottom

photo of a large silver spoon and a copy of Jell-O Girls

About "Jell-O Girls: a Family History"

"Jell-O Girls" reveals the intimate lives of three members of the family behind the rise of Jell-O, their struggles with finding their voices in life, and their experiences with the family’s curse of illnesses, both mental and physical.

The memoir interweaves the story of the history of one of America’s most beloved desserts with the stories of those who cannot seem to escape from beneath the weight of the images of perfect housewives as depicted in Jell-O marketing campaigns for decades.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoyed "Bettyville" and "The Glass Castle."

Reviewed for you here by librarian Sarah D. Publication date is set as July 24.

Want to Win this Book?

  • Leave a comment below on Wednesday, June 13, and share the name of your favorite book in which food plays an important role.
  • Everyone who leaves a comment here, on Facebook, Twitter OR Instagram will be entered into a random drawing (Library employees are not eligible). Please only enter in one place.
  • The winner will be contacted by email on Thursday morning, June 14.
  • The winner can pick up their prize at the Library location of their choice.

Win a Book Wednesdays takes place twice a month. Prize books are Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of books that will be added to the Library collection within the next month, and can already be found in the Library catalog as "on order."

ARCs are uncorrected proofs given to the Library for review purposes only, and are not for sale.

 

New Library App Feature: Your Digital Library Card

Scan Your Library App to Check Out

Now you can use your Library App at self-checkout stations, just like a regular library card!

photo of a digital barcode in the app

You can find your Digital Library Card by going to your user account screen in the app, and tapping the "My Digital Library Card" button at the bottom of the menu list.

This brings up a virtual library card with your library card number, and a scannable barcode that can be used at all self-checkout stations.

The Library App is available for iOs and Android devices. Download the app by searching "Arlington Public Library" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

 

On This Day in LGBTQIA+ History

June 1
On this day in 2003, Belgium became the second country in the world (after the Netherlands) to legalize gay marriage. In the Belgian House of Representatives, the bill prevailed in a 91-22 vote with nine abstentions. The bill passed in January 2003 and took effect on June 1.

Central Library Upgrade: June Update

Transition to Phase Two

We are preparing to move the bulk of construction work to the second floor, while continuing to put finishing touches on the first floor.

First Floor: Meeting Rooms
Architect's Rendering: 1st Floor Meeting Rooms
1st floor meeting room near completion
1st floor meeting room near completion

Public Computers

  • On June 5-6, the public computers will be temporarily unavailable.
  • As of June 7, we will have a reduced number of computers available for use at Central Library until Phase Two is completed in the fall.

During this time, we recommend visiting other Library locations if you need to use a computer for an extended period of time. 

Meeting Rooms

Once Phase Two construction begins:

  • The two small meeting rooms on the second floor will be unavailable.
  • The new meeting spaces on the first floor will open for public use.

Holds, Bookstore and New Books

During Phase Two, the Friends of the Arlington Public Library retail space, the New Books area, and the Holds Shelves will all be relocated.

Phase Two Includes

  • New multi-purpose technology and maker lab equipped with a tool and storage room, work benches, design areas and computer stations on the 2nd floor
  • Redesigned public PC stations
  • More
Second Floor: Maker Lab
Architect's rendering: 2nd Floor Maker Lab

The completion of Phase Two is currently set for early August 2018. Dates are subject to change based on construction schedules. We will update this information as soon as possible if there are any changes.

Please continue to check the Library website and app for more information.

Summer Reading Starts Saturday, June 2

Reading Takes You Everywhere!

Reading lets your mind travel on distant roads, seek out global cities, explore vast new lands or dream about a galaxy far, far away…

How Summer Reading 2018 Works:

  • Last Day to Sign Up/Summer Reading Ends – Saturday, Sept. 2

Learn more on the Library website.

 

Preschool Storytime Break: June 2 – 23

We’re Getting Ready for Summer Reading!

Preschooler playing with a trainFor the next month, children’s librarians are extra busy visiting all 22 Arlington elementary schools to talk about great new books, promote the value and fun of reading during the summer, and get kids excited about Summer Reading!

Need a good story to share with your child?

Summer Storytimes start Sunday, June 24.

 

Win a Book Wednesday: “Ayiti”

Win a Copy of "Ayiti" by Roxane Gay

Photo of Advance Reader Copy of "Ayiti"

About "Ayiti"

In this seductive collection of stories first published in 2011, Roxane Gay delves into the Haitian diasporic experience through visceral tales that both invite you in and set you reeling.

“In the Manner of Water,” Gay explores the choices of three generations: the mother who stayed to fulfill a promise: “I want to be remembered;” the daughter who fled the scent of blood: “there are some things no medicine can fix;” and the granddaughter straddling two worlds: “I cried to wash us all clean.”

As a collection, these stories ask the reader to examine the brutal realities of abuse and violation, the realities of having one foot in two distinct worlds, and the struggle to unit those separate identities. Despite the grim underpinnings, ultimately, the collection reveals hope and rebirth.

Reviewed for you by librarian Karen S. Publication date is June 12.

Want to Win this Book?

  • Leave a comment below on Wednesday, June 13, and share the name of your favorite book in which food plays an important role.
  • Everyone who leaves a comment here, on Facebook, Twitter OR Instagram will be entered into a random drawing (Library employees are not eligible). Please only enter in one place.
  • The winner will be contacted by email on Thursday morning, June 14.
  • The winner can pick up their prize at the Library location of their choice.

Win a Book Wednesdays takes place twice a month. Prize books are Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of books that will be added to the Library collection within the next month, and can already be found in the Library catalog as "on order."

ARCs are uncorrected proofs given to the Library for review purposes only, and are not for sale.

 

Library User Survey: What Do You Value?

The Library has limited resources. In the upcoming budget year, Arlington Public Library is facing a 17 percent decrease in the collections budget and must make tough decisions.

We do need your feedback about what other collections we will provide and maintain. The results of this survey will be considered as part of future decision making.

Take the Library Collections Survey

The survey will remain open until June 8, 2018.

 

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