Automatically Ordered Titles

Just in case you are interested, we have an ordering program set up to make sure we get the new releases on some of the most often requested FICTION authors. This program is called Automatically Yours.

I thought you might like to know which authors' books will be coming as soon as it is released. A couple warnings, though... these orders are only for books released in Hardcover editions... also, there are 330 authors on the list this year so I won't list them all here.

Read on to see the Automatically Yours Fiction Authors alphabetically.
A... Mitch Albom, V.C. Andrews, Jeffrey Archer
B... David Baldacci, Clive Barker, M.C. Beaton, Elizabeth Berg, Chris Bohjalian, Terry Brooks, Dale Brown, Dan Brown, Sandra Brown,
C... Stephen J. Cannell, Orson Scott Card, Jennifer Chiaverini, Tom Clancy, Carol Higgins Clark, Mary Higgins Clark, Mary Jane Clark, Harlen Coben, Susan Conant, Patricia Cornwell, Catherine Coulter, Robert Crais, Michael Crichton, Jennifer Crusie, Clive Cussler
D... Diane Mott Davidson, Lindsey Davis, Jeffrey Deaver, Ted Dekker, Barbara Delinsky, Nelson DeMille, Jude Deveraux, Anita Diamont, Carole Nelson Douglas
E... Janet Evanovich, Richard Paul Evans
F... Jane Feather, Jasper Fforde, Joy Fielding, Fannie Flagg, Vince Flynn, Ken Follett, Frederick Forsyth, Earlene Fowler, Dick Francis
G... Diane Gabaldon, Julie Garwood, Elizabeth George, Sue Grafton, Heather Graham, W.E.B. Griffin, Martha Grimes, John Grisham
H... Laurell K. Hamilton, Thomas Harris, Carolyn G. Hart, Brian Herbert, Joan Hess, Carl Hiaasin, Jack Higgins, Tony Hillerman, Tami Hoag, Kay Hooper, Khaled Hosseini
I... Greg Iles, John Irving
J... Jerry B. Jenkins, Iris Johansen, Robert Jordan
K... Jan Karon, Garrison Keillor, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, Laurie R. King, Stephen King, Barbara Kingsolver, Dean Koontz, Jayne Ann Krentz
L... Linda LaPlante, Tim Lahaye, Wally Lamb, Donna Leon, Elmore Leonard, Billie Letts, Beverly Lewis, Johanna Lindsey, Elizabeth Lowell, Robert Ludlum, Eric Lustbader
M... Debbie Macomber, Anne McCaffrey, Cormac McCarthy, Larry McMurtry, Judith McNaught, Fern Michaels, Linda Lael Miller, Gilbert Morris, Doris Mortman, Tamar Myers
N... Larry Niven
O... Joyce Carol Oates, Tawni O'Dell, Janette Oke
P... Chuck Palahniuk, Diane Palmer, Sara Paretsky, Robert Parker, James Patterson, Richard North Patterson, Anne Perry, Elizabeth Peters, Jody Piccoult
Q... Amanda Quick, Anna Quindlen
R... Kathy Reichs, Ruth Rendell, Anne Rice, Luann Rice, Karen Robards, J.D. Robb, Gillian Roberts, Nora Roberts,
S... Lawrence Sanders, John Sandford, John Saul, Lisa Scottoline, Jeff Shaara, Anita Shreve, Karen Slaughter, Alexander McCall Smith, Nicholas Sparks, Danielle Steel, Sarah Strohmeyer
T... Amy Tan, William G. Tapply, Sheri Tepper, Scott Turow, Anne Tyler
U... John Updike
V...
W... Alice Walker, Robert James Waller, Jennifer Weiner, Rebecca Wells, Kate Wilhelm, Jacqueline Winspear, Stuart Woods
Z... Timothy Zahn

If you wish to request a book early, stop by, call or email with the name of the author and their book. We can make up a pre-release request card and put your name on it. Please do not request more than 10 nor request a title more than 3 months before its release date.

Major Donation Brings New Copier

The Biesecker family of Boyertown is receiving many thanks each day when library staff needs to print a report or photocopy a project. Each copy now comes from a brand new Ricoh copy machine.

Not too long ago it was recognized that the photocopier which had been in place for better than 6 years was requiring repairs more and more often. It was also finicky when producing copies of a project.

The Board of Trustees for the library decided to ask various businesses and service clubs to consider contributing as a group toward the purchase of a network capable machine that would also be able to produce color copies. One of the first people asked was Mr. Fred Biesecker, owner of Drug Plastics and a friend of the library. He said "Tell me what you are looking for and we'll order one for you." As simple as that.

After a little research, Board President Sandy Polen and Acting Library Director Marta Weller found a machine that seemed to fit all the needs current and future. The information was given to the office manager at Drug Plastics and a brand new machine arrived just before Memorial Day.

There are so many bells and whistles on this new Ricoh that it may take the staff quite a while to learn it all. With all these great capabilities, the act of photocopying is no longer a self-service operation for the public. So we are asking anyone who wishes to have a copy made to please stop at the circulation desk and ask for assistance. Also, don't forget to pay for your printout before you leave. The library is assuming the cost of the supplies of paper and toner.

So next time you get a handout or see a poster at the library, or if you come to get a photocopy made, remember these awesome, high quality copies are all possible through the generosity of the Biesecker family.

Recently Added books

I will be posting titles of books we have recently added to our collection. The list will be divided by collection (Adult, Young Adult, and Children).

Adult:

Audition by Barbara Walters (autobiography)
Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton (fiction- Anita Hunter, Vampire Hunter)
Dead Heat by Joel Rosenberg (political thriller)
Eighth Shepherd by Thoene (fiction)
Escape by Carolyn Jessop (non-fiction)
Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon - and the Journey of a Generation
My Guy, Barbaro by Edgar Prado (non-fiction)
Odd Hours by Dean Koontz (fiction- an Odd Thomas novel)
Once Upon a Time in Berks County by Charles Adams, III
Remarkable Woman by Jimmy Carter (biography)
Seventh Day by Thoene (fiction)
Shadow of Power by Steve Martini (mystery/thriller)
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk (fiction)
Southeastern Berks County by Patricia Wanger Smith (a Postcard History)

Young Adult:

The Host by Stephanie Meyer
MaximumRide: the Angel Experiment by James Patterson
Tweak by Nic Sheff
When Irish Guys are Smiling by Suzanne Supplee (S.A.S.S series)
Assorted Manga volumes:
Bleach
Fruits Basket
Oh My Goddess
Yu Gi Oh
Assorted Grahic Novels volumes
Batman
Hellboy
Spiderman
Ultimate X Men

Children:

Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Jewel Fairy series
Pet Fairy series
Rainbow Fairy series
Tiara Club series
Weather Fairy series

This just a portion of the new items that come in daily. Look for more titles to be posted in the coming days.

New DVDs @ your library

I will try to list the new DVDs we are adding to our collection as they arrive. Maybe you'll find one you didn't get to see in the theater or an old classic you always wanted to see!

For Children:

Matilda (starring Mara Wilson, Danny Devito, & Rhea Perlman)
Thomas and the Treasure (with Thomas the Tank Engine)
It's a Great Time to be an Engine (with Thomas the Tank Engine)
Kronk's New Groove (a Disney animated film)
School House Rock! Science
School House Rock! Grammar
School House Rock! Money

For Families:

Enchanted (with James Marsden, Timothy Spall, & Idina Menzel)
Follow Me, Boys (starring Fred MacMurray & Kurt Russell; 1966)
The Golden Compass (with Nicole Kidman, Sam Elliott, Eva Green, etc)
Mist: the tale of a sheepdog puppy
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets (starring Nicholas Cage)
The Water Horse: Legend of the deep (with Alex Etel)

For Adults:

27 Dresses (starring Katherine Heigl)
Cloverfield (with Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J.Miller)
Juno (starring Ellen Page)
Rambo: the fight continues (starring Sylvester Stallone)

Classics:

Baby Takes a Bow (starring Shirley Temple; 1934)
Bright Eyes (starring Shirlry Temple; 1934)
The Major and the Minor (starring Ginger Rogers & Ray Milland; 1942)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (starring Shirley Temple; 1938)
That Funny Feeling (starring Sandra Dee & Bobby Darin; 1965)

TV programs:

Hogan's Heroes (the Sixth & Final Season)
The Waltons (complete Season 2)

Watch this Blog for additional titles as the calendar advances!

A Different Kind of History "Book" to Read

Just recently, I learned of a very interesting Blog being posted by an Englishman using his grandfather's letters home during WWI.

Anyone interested in a real picture, a first-hand account so-to-speak, of the life of a soldier fighting in the Great War will want to read this Blog.

I have placed a link to the Blog with William Henry Lamin's letters to his family in the section for links located in the left-hand column of the Library Blog. There are a few things you will want to know before you begin:

1. BEWARE. The letters are being posted on the same date they were received 90 years ago, so if you start with the most recent one you will be jumping into the middle.
2. The BEST WAY to start is to click on the oldest date (July 2006) in the WWI Blog's archive and read from the bottom or oldest one up. The archive is located in the left-hand column of the Blog.
3. To make it all more understandable, Lamin's grandson is posting background and research information between the letters.

I'm sure you will get just as hooked on reading this Blog as I have.
Please let me know if you like this type of posting.

New Year Resolutions

Did you make one or more resolutions for the New Year? Maybe you made one and you've already broken it. Maybe you didn't because you figured you couldn't keep your resolution.

Whether you took part in this tradition or not, it's not too late to make just one more resolution... one that will let you feel good about yourself because you made a committment to help someone else.

Here's what you can do. Just resolve to:

1. commit to help support your library financially by making a regular monetary gift
...a. donate $1 each time you visit your library
...b. donate $1 for each item you borrow from your library
...c. donate $1 for each week or $10 for each month or $1 for each day the library is open and make your donation in a single sum early in the year or split it in half, paying half in January and half in July.

2. commit to offer to purchase some supplies for your library, such as replacement lightbulbs (ask what type), a case of 96 brite - 20 lb multipurpose paper, a ream of white, blue and/or green 67 lb cover stock, or toner cartridges for an HP 4050 Laserjet printer.

3. commit to donating your time and skills to your library as a storytime volunteer, a library buddy for children while their parent browses elsewhere in the library, a shelver or shelf reader to help keep our books organized, or become a Friends member and help with their library service projects.

Many people think a library gets all the funds needed to buy books and pay salaries and building expenses from local, county and state funds. This is not true. Only a portion of the funds necessary to run your library comes from these sources. A large portion comes from donations from private individuals or bequests and memorials and from grants and donations from businesses and employee groups. To learn more about how your library is funded stop in and pick up a copy of the most recent Annual Report. Plans are to publish our next Annual Report on our website. Watch for the link to appear... possibly next month.

What is YOUR New Year's Resolution for 2008?

National Children's Book Week Events

Fast approaching is the week in November for celebrating Children's Books. All across the nation, libraries are planning activities to highlight children and their books, sometimes to just encourage parents to bring their children into libraries and get books into the little hands. We have several events lined up here in Boyertown to encourage children to satisfy their curiousity by visiting the library and finding some intersting books.

Check out the BCL Calendar on our website for an abbreivated schedule of events for November 10 through November 18.

To kick off the week, we will have a special program presented by the Native American group SPIRIT WING. Dressed in authentic regalia, this awesome duo will tell stories as they have been told by generations of Mid-Atlantic Natives with songs, chants, and instruments like drums, guitars and flutes, as well as encouraging the children to participate in several dances such as the Smoke Dance. The library has many books available to be checked out about Native Americans including some very interesting folktales and legends with beautiful paintings along with some very good non-fiction informatinal books and even music CDs of Native American music. The Spirit Wing event will be held on Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 AM in the Odd Fellows Hall (just 2 doors down the hill from the library) at 35 E. Philadelphia Ave. This is because we are inviting everyone, children and their families and friends to come and there isn't room to have proper circle dances in the library! No registration required. (This event is in place of the regular Saturday Story Corner.)

Next will be a BEDTIME STORYTIME at 6:30 PM on Monday evening, November 12. Children of any age are invited to come dressed in their 'jammies (ready for bed), bring their bedtime buddies if they wish, and listen to some lovely stories at the library. Board of Trustees member Linda Famous & Girl Scout Heather Filer will come dressed in their own 'jammies, robe and slippers to read the stories and serve the milk and cookies. Please register, space is limited.

Tuesday evening (Nov. 13) we will have a FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT. We'll be showing a movie based on a sci fi short story by Lewis Padgett, the newest family movie we have added to our collection. We believe there are still many families who haven't had a chance to see this movie about some unusual items thought to be toys and the children who discovered them in a box hidden away in their house. Our public performance license does not allow us to advertise the movies we show by exact name but we can put up posters in the library about it and you can call us to ask for its title. We also know you will enjoy it. The showing will begin at 5:45 PM and there is no admission charge. Popcorn, pretzels and lemonade will be available, but we would appreciate a contribution to help pay for the refreshments. Space is limited in the library's Cabot Room so please call and sign up if you plan to attend.

Thursday and Friday morning (Nov. 15 & 16) PRESCHOOL STORYTIMES will be held in the Cabot Room at 10:30 AM. No registration is required.

Friday evening (Nov. 16) after the library closes, the doors will open at 6:00 PM to teenagers who have registered for the PIRATES LOCK-IN. This event will include lots of fun activities and maybe a surprise or two all centering around scurvy pirates. The Captain and First Mate will be Michele Cronrath (volunteer) and Deb Focht (staff). Landlubbers are not allowed, all who come aboard must be signed on and will be expected to pay their way for the food ($1 per slice of pizza). Everyone walks the plank at 10:00 PM. Translation: the event runs from 6 - 10:00 PM, only teenagers who sign up for the event are allowed in the library.

The final event will be a combination program on Saturday, November 17 from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM. Deputy Sheriff Tony Damore will be in the Cabot Room to register children in the I.D. ME program. This is a special program where each child will have their descriptions and a digital photograph taken and recorded in the Berks County secure databanks to enhance the capabilities of the Amber Alert program. While children are having their data recorded, other children who are waiting may listen to stories being read by Linda Famous out in the Biesecker Children's Wing. This dual program is in place of the regular Story Corner which normally takes place each Saturday.

We hope one of these events will be something your family will take advantage of and at the same time provide an opportunity for you to find a new children's book or see something new in an old favorite.