Happy New Year 2006!

We want to wish all our patrons, and all who might find this blog, a very Happy New Year. May 2006 be filled with good books for you and your loved ones. We are here to help you find those good reads.

Next week look for news about our newest acquisitions.

Holiday News

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

The Homer Library will be closed on the following dates: December 24 and 31. Following each closure, we will reopen the following Monday at 2 p.m. Also, should the weather be particularly bad, it is advisable to call the library before coming in, to make sure we are open. Any items due on a day when we close because of bad weather will then be due on the next day that we are open. Our phone number is 896-2121.

On December 29 from 1 to 2 p.m., we will be holding an after Christmas party for children ages 5 through 10. We will provide games, crafts and snacks, and give your child a chance to show new toys (as appropriate) and see friends.

Our newest books are S is for Silence by Sue Grafton, At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks, Red Lily by Nora Roberts, The Sunflower by Richard Pal Evans, The Lighthouse by P. D. James, Teacher Man by Frank McCourt, and The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt.

What's New??

The Library will be holding a Make and Take craft for children on December 3, during normal library hours. Stop in anytime from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and we will have a Christmas craft available for your children to make.

Our new books this week are A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, The Regime by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, The Preacher’s Daughter by Beverly Lewis, and three Gooseberry Patch books: What’s for Dinner?, Meals in Minutes and Gifts for Giving .

Our newest DVDs are The Polar Express, Left Behind: The World at War and Madagascar.

Thanksgiving

If you are one of our patrons, Thank You! Without you, we would have no reason to be here. We enjoy providing the books, videos, magazines and other items for your entertainment, information and educational needs.

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, even as we consider the many things to be thankful for.

So What's New??

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

What’s new in the Homer Library today? For starters, there are two new fiction books, Mary Mary by James Patterson, and the second book in Karen Kingsbury's new series, Forgiven. We have three books by Gooseberry Patch – From Grandma’s Kitchen, Christmas Cookies, and Farmhouse Christmas. Several more Gooseberry titles will be arriving soon, all of them donated by a local patron.

Our newest DVDs are Christmas with the Kranks, and Left Behind: the World at War.

If you need ideas for holiday gifts, food or decorating, the library has many books and magazines loaded with ideas.

We will be closed Thanksgiving Day, and reopen on Friday at 2 p.m. We are open 2-7 pm. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Our phone number is 896-2121.

Bragging on Homer

Bragging on Homer

Recently, my brother and his wife from New Hampshire visited with us for a week. This was their first ever trip to Homer. New Hampshire is a beautiful state – hills, mountains, lakes, rivers, even the ocean. People from more scenic parts of the country tend to think of Illinois as flat and boring. My brother was very impressed with Homer, mostly because of the friendliness of the people and the relaxed atmosphere. The people he met were not only friendly, but also some went out of their way to help him out. Add to that, being able to see the harvest taking place, both by machine and in Arthur, by Amish-owned and driven horse team, made it a memorable week. Thanks, Homer.

What's new in this library??

What’s new in the Homer Library? Our new books are Light From Heaven by Jan Karon, Toxic Bachelors by Danielle Steel, First Impressions by Jude Deveraux, Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan, The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket and three books by Karen Kingsbury: A Moment of Weakness, Waiting for Morning and Halfway to Forever. The last five books will arrive Tuesday, November 8, 2005.

Our new DVDs are Herbie Fully Loaded, and Star Wars III-Revenge of the Sith.

Would you like to do a book review for the Homer Library? We are looking for people who would like to share with others about a favorite book recently read. We may put some of these reports on our blog, and even in the local newspaper.

Anyone may participate. Parents may help young children with theirs. We will accept up to four per month. If you are interested, please stop in the library for more information and to sign up.

big.small.all

There will be a series of community dialogue meetings next month in various places around the county - but mostly in Champaign-Urbana. Anyone is welcome to voice an opinion about the future direction of this county. There will be plenty of input from C-U. The outlying communities need to be heard from. For example, how small town restaurants, fish fries, etc. are there any more? Now I'm politicizing, but our small towns need to be heard from.

For more info, go to the website: www.bigsmallall.cc

VIDEOS FOR SALE

A variety of old movies in VHS format is available on our sale table for only $1 each. Some of the titles include A Pocket Full of Miracles, Where the Heart Is, Shane, Andersonville, and A Good Day to Die.

Plenty of books for adults and children in paperback and hardback are also available.

At Last A List

This is what's new in here. More items will be coming in later this month!


NEW BOOKS, SEPTEMBER 2005

Without Mercy by Jack Higgins
Until I Find You by John Irving
Rejoice by Karen Kingsbury
Reunion by Karen Kingsbury
Fame by Karen Kingsbury
Creative Corrections by Lisa Whelchel

DVDs and VIDEOS

Buzz Lightyear – VHS
Sahara - DVD
A Tour of the Whitehouse with Mrs. John Kennedy - DVD


NEW BOOKS, OCTOBER 2005 (to date)
Blue Smoke – Nora Roberts
Iron Orchid - Stuart Woods
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 by John M.Barry
Wedding in December – Anita Shreve

NEW DVDs, OCTOBER 2005 (to date)

DodgeBall
Hotel Rwanda
Kicking and Screaming
Robots
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

The Illini start basketball practice tonight. Go Illini! Basketball season can't start too soon!

Too Quiet Here Lately

Between spending a week and a half in Oregon, and hosting family from New Hampshire, it's been too quiet on this blog. Look for info later this week about our new offerings.

If you ever travel to the Pacific Northwest, you will have a hard time deciding what to see - because there is so much there to see. Two suggestions - One, The Oregon Garden in Silverton. Set on a hillside overlooking the farming area (lots of orchards, including nut trees), with a great view and many different gardens, it's a must see.

In the southwest corner of Washington, there is a narrow little peninsula, perhaps only 5 miles wide, with the world's longest driveable beach. Ocean on one side, and a bay on the other, there are clam and oyster beds, and because of its narrow size, there are tsunami evacuation route signs all over the peninsula. At the SW end, there are several lighthouses, one of which we climbed to the top.

End of travelogue, back to work!

OLD CARS - Weekly News and Marketplace

We have a selection of these newspaper like publications free for the taking, whether you might want just one, or all of them. They're great for people restoring old cars.

Hidden Fine-Free Cards

Hidden in various books in the collection are slips that allow you to return a late book without penalty. There is a restriction. We only allow this for books that are less than one month overdue. Will you be a lucky one? It need not be used on the book in which you found it. You may save it for a later date.

A Bargain on the Bulls!!

Read to Achieve Nights at the United Center!

The Chicago Bulls are offering discounted tickets for November 2, 9 and 29, 2005, at $30, $25 and $23. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chicago Bulls Read to Achieve program. For more information, contact the library at 896-2121 or stop in and pick up a flyer.

What's new in here??

Let's see!

NEW ADULT FICTION AUGUST 2005

Chill Factor by Sandra Brown
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Crusader’s Cross by James Lee Burke
Dancing in the Dark by Mary Jane Clark
Double Tap by Steve Martini
The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan
Long Time Gone by J. A. Jance
Miracle by Danielle Steel
Remember by Karen Kingsbury
Return by Karen Kingsbury
1776 by David McCullough
Straight Into Darkness by Faye Kellerman
Sweetwater Creek by Anne Rivers Siddons
4 Harlequin Intrigue Romance novels

NEW DVDs

Baby Einstein: Baby Wordsworth
Because of Winn-Dixie
Love Comes Softly
Love’s Enduring Promise
National Treasure
Son of the Mask

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOKS

The Battle of the Alamo by Matt Doeden
The Boston Tea Party by Matt Doeden
The Salem Witch Trials by Michael Martin

That should provide something for everyone.

This and That of the Summer

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

Our Summer Reading Program, Superheroes Powered by Books, ended on July 20 with a special program. All of the children who attended any of the programs were winners, as they were encouraged to keep reading all summer long. However, fifteen young people received awards for reading and for turning in their reading logs. Prizes for the children came from Monical’s Pizza, Fazolis Italian Restaurant, Homer Games, The Homer Emporium, and library board members.

What’s new in the library? Our new books are Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper, Long Time Gone by J. A. Jance, Redemption by Karen Kingsbury, A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber, Origin in Death by J. D. Robb, and Countdown by Iris Johansen.

Our new DVDs are Ice Princess, Baby Einstein Baby Wordsmith, and two videos based on books by Janette Oke: Love Comes Softly and Love’s Enduring Promise.

A Contest Winner

Recently, I entered a photo contest sponsored by Karen Kingsbury. I was one of many runners-up. Not a bad deal, as she is going to send me one of her books. The runners-up photos can be seen at: http://www.karenkingsbury.com/pages/contest-honorableMention.htm

BOOKS FOR SALE

We have a large selection of newer adult fiction in hardback. These books are in great condition and have been "gently read." For a quarter each, they are a great deal. Some are by familiar authors; others may be from that new writer you were just waiting to discover.

Summer Fun, Books, DVD

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

The children have had a lot of fun at the Summer Reading Program, Superheroes – Powered by Books. They have also read a lot of books. Our special guests this summer have been Christine Cunningham of the Homer Emporium, John Rouse of the Homer Police Department, Tara Holloman who spent a year in Afghanistan, and Amanda Stanfield of the Homer Fire Department. We appreciate these people for giving of their time to share with the children. Perhaps some of them are future fire fighters, EMTs, police officers, store owners or military personnel.

The final day and award time is July 20, at 1 p.m. Prizes will be given out according to how many books each child has read, and how many activities he or she participated in. Children who read during the summer, whether or not they participate in a summer reading program, will have an easier time when school starts next month.

At present, we have just a few new materials, but a book order will be coming in soon. Our new books are Where Yesterday Lives by Karen Kingsbury, Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Our new DVD is The Pacifier with Vin Diesel

Karen Kingsbury

On Sunday, Chris had the opportunity to meet Karen Kingsbury, author of several books that the library owns. Karen, from Washington State, has 3 children with her husband, and 3 adopted from Haiti. She is also a prolific writer. And a gracious person. She took time to talk to each person who came to see her at Barnes & Noble in Carmel, Indiana on Sunday. As I chatted with people in line behind me, and in front, I found that most of them had driven a distance to see Karen. Karen writes from the heart, and the adoption of her three boys has increased her empathy for people.

Stop in and read one or more of her books.

What's New??

What’s happening in the Homer Library? The Summer Reading Program, with the theme Superheroes Powered by Books, is in full swing. Twenty-six children have read a total of over three dozen books for a total reading time of 501 minutes. Christine Cunningham has shared with us the joys and trials of owning a small town business. (Ask her what pop is called where she grew up, and why it’s called that. Hint, it’s the same as where Chris grew up.) Policeman John Rouse talked about his training and experiences as Homer’s chief of police, and how technology has increased law enforcement’s ability to do the job. We will have one or more special guests in the coming weeks.

The DVDs have been moved and are now on the shelves. If you need help finding them, please ask.

Our new materials in adult fiction are Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich, High Plains Tango by Robert James Waller, The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr, The Revelation by Beverly Lewis, Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice, Two Trains Running by Andrew Vachss, and Velocity by Dean Koontz.

In the junior department, we have a variety of graphic fiction and non-fiction. The Lost Years of Merlin can be found in the young adult section but is also appropriate for older junior children as well. We have four books of that series by T. A Barron, and the fifth book is on order.

Our newest DVD is Racing Stripes. We also have three DVDs from the Stuttering Foundation. These can be of great help to anyone who stutters.

On these hot summer days, there is a cool place in Homer, the library. We are open weekdays from 2 to 7 pm. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our phone number is 896-2121.

SUPERHEROES - POWERED BY BOOKS

Our Summer Reading Program, with the above theme, began two weeks ago. The children have shown their own strength, ability to memorize and to identify items by touch, as we've done some fun testing with them.

On June 15, Christine Cunningham of the Homer Emporium talked to the children about the joys and trials of running a store in a small town. She talked about the trips they make to buy all the different varieties of pop ("tonic" where she and I grew up).

Wednesday, June 22, John Rouse will share with the children his experiences being a small town cop. On June 29, Tara Holloman will talk about the months she spent in Afghanistan, helping those people rebuild their country.

There are several kinds of superheroes. Fictional ones of books and movies stretch our imaginations. Real ones who put their lives on the line, or put themselves at risk in other ways, and move out of their comfort zones, make our lives safer, richer and more enjoyable.

Upcoming Book Signings

The author who "left a university vice presidency to write Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and other titles for young adults...grew up on a farm near Danville, graduated from the UI..." will be at the Champaign Public Library on July 12 at 7 p.m. She will be discussing her Beatrix Potter book. A book signing will follow.

On June 26, from 3-4 p.m., Karen Kingsbury will be signing books at the Barnes & Noble in Carmel, IN at 14709 US Hwy 31N. The phone number there is 317-844-2501. She will have free giveaways at this event.

CD, VHS and Paperback Sale -- Get Them Cheap!!

On June 3 and 4, the library will be offering a selection of brand new, shrink wrapped CDs for only 75 cents. You can also find used paperback books for a nickel each. And children's VHS tapes for 75 cents. Stop in while you're in town for the celebration, and stock up on these steals.

NEW BOOKS, GRADUATION, SUPERHEROES

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

What’s new in the Homer Library? On the fiction shelf, there’s The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard, Delectable Mountains by Earlene Fowler, The Grilling Season by Diane Mott Davidson, The Innocent by Harlan Coben, True Believer by Nicholas Sparks, and Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. In non-fiction, we’ve added The Sugar Solution by Sari Harrar, Men in Black by Mark R. Levin, Organizing for Your Brain Type by Lanna Nakone, and The Everything Digital Photography Book by Elizabeth T. Schoch.

Our new DVDs are The Phantom of the Opera, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 5, was the final RIF (Reading is Fundamental) distribution of the school year. About 200 children in grades K-4 received 2 free books of their choice. We are pleased to be able to do this for local children.

Our next big event is the Summer Reading Program. Details as to dates and times will be available soon.

The library’s phone number is 896-2121, and our email is homercommunitylibrary@hotmail.com. We are open 2-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

So what's new??

OUR NEW MATERIALS APRIL 2005

Adult Books
The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
The Grilling Season by Diane Mott Davidson
Delectable Mountains by Earlene Fowler
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
The by Harlan Coben
The Everything Digital Photography Book by Elizabeth T. Schoch
Organizing for Your Brain Type by Lanna Nakone
Men in Black by Mark R. Levine
The Sugar Solution by Sari Harrar
Where Eagles Soar… by Petterchak, Janice A.

Junior Fiction
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett


Coming soon….more DVDs

Homer American Legion gift

Unit 290, Homer American Legion Auxiliary has donated to the library for the purchase of books in honor of their Gold Star members. The following books have been placed on the shelves in their honor: A Continual Feast by Jan Karon and Supernanny by Jo Frost.

Susan Wittig Albert

Popular mystery writer and Vermilion county native Susan Wittig Albert will be in Danville on April 23. She will be speaking in the morning, appearing at a catered luncheon, and speaking again in the afternoon and doing a book signing. For more information call the Homer library, 896-2121, or the Danville library at 217-477-5220.

No Fine Week

In celebration of National Library Week, April 11 to 16, the Homer Library will not be charging fines for overdue materials. If you have books, magazines, etc, that were due back a long time ago, this is a wonderful time to return them. The book drop in the front wall of the building is available for your convenience.

Preschool Storytime

March 31 at 6:30 p.m. is the next storytime for preschoolers. All local preschoolers are invited. Call the library at 896-2121 with any questions.

Our New Stuff

On our shelves, you can find these new titles:
Cold Service by Robert B. Parker
Breaker's Reef by Terri Blackstock
Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goudge
Necessary Evils by Neesa Hart
Sarah's Song by Karen Kingsbury
The Rising by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Assault and Pepper by Tamar Myers
Miss Julia's School of Beauty by Ann B. Ross
Supernanny by Jo Frost
Winning the Future by Newt Gingrich
A Continual Feast by Jan Karon

We also have a bunch of books for children, both fiction and non-fiction. Some are also Accelerated Reader Books.

Go Illini!!

Good luck to the fabulous number one team. We hope you become the National Championship Team!!

Bad Weather

When the wind is blowing strong from the west or south, we have to lock the front door and provide access through the side door on First Street. This is because the wind blows the door open, causing a potential hazard to anyone who might be in its way. We regret that people have to come in that side door, but most of all, we do not want our patrons to get hurt.

Preschool Program Starts Next Week

On March 17 and 31 at 6:30, the library will be hosting a half hour program for local preschoolers. Stories, activities, and crafts around a different theme each night, planned and presented by Shawna McDuffie will make each session delightful for the children. There will also be one session in April on the 21st. All children are invited. They need not live in Homer or have a Homer library card.

Congratulations!!

Congratulations to the Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Team! They have thrilled us, amazed us, given us a wonderful winter, made us proud of them, and proud to be their fans. May they all go far in life, starting with the Final Four!

Go Illini!!

We've got some great new stuff!!

Our New Books, February 2005

Black Wind by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler
Honeymoon by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Impossible by Danielle Steel
One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury
The Real Mother by Judith Michael
Saving Cascadia by John J. Nance

Our New Children’s Books

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business – Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus – Barbara Park
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Books 1 through 9 of A Series of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket

Our New DVDs

Mulan II
Napoleon Dynamite
Raise Your Voice
Ray
Shark Tale
Young Black Stallion

We also have the CD by the Miller Quartet, four sisters from Oakland Illinois, Daughters of the King Quartet Play Hymns

Sayings from our first President

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. 1796 Farewell address

Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.
July 2, 1776

Wise words from a great president

In honor of his birthday today, February 12, here is a quote from one of our greatest presidents.

"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves."

Abraham Lincoln

Presidents' Day February 21

Unlike the school and other government facilities, the library will be open on February 21, President's Day. You can come to the library to learn from our books about our 43 presidents.

Our Newest!

Our newest books

FICTION
Beyond Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury
The Broker by John Grisham
The Calhouns by Nora Roberts
The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun
Conviction by Richard North Patterson
The Dead Don’t Dance by Charles Martin
Navy Baby by Debbie Macomber
Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury
Survivor in Death by Nora Roberts
Unexpected Blessings by Barbara Bradford Taylor

Non-Fiction
Family First by Phil McGraw
Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach
Start Late Finish Rich by David Bach
Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen

Our newest DVDs

Angel and the Badman with John Wayne
It’s a Wonderful Life with with Jimmy Stewart
Mulan II
Petticoat Junction
The Princess Diaries 2 withJulie Andrews


In addition, we have added more CDs, mostly classical, The Lord of the Rings audiobook on CD, and a variety of children’s book, including some AR books. Look for the AR stickers on books in the children’s section.

We now have the entire Lemony Snicket series!!

Our Newest Materials

Our new books this month are Unexpected Blessings by Barbara Taylor Bradford, The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun, The Broker by John Grisham, Beyond Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury, Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury, The Dead Don’t Dance by Charles Martin, The Calhouns by Nora Roberts, Family First by Dr. Phil McGraw, and Start Late Finish Rich by David Bach.

Our newest DVD is The Princess Diaries 2 with Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway.

For the grade school children, we have added the latest Lemony Snicket book, The Grim Grotto, more Dear America books and Royal Diary books. We are continuing to put AR labels on our books, for your convenience in picking them out.

More new materials are coming in, so check back soon for information on them.

ML King Holiday

January 17 is the day Martin Luther King's birthday is celebrated this year. While some places will be closed in his honor, the Homer Library will be open normal hours in his honor. Stop in for a book, video, magazine, or tax forms. (Ouch, I did have to mention that!)