Winter

It's a good idea on a bad weather day to call ahead to see if the library is open. If we can't open because of bad weather, we take that into account in determining whether an item is overdue or not.

We suggest you plan ahead and stock up on reading materials and movies if an extended period of severe weather is in the forecast.

News

Exciting news! The Homer Library board members and staff are beginning to catalog our collection online. In time, you will be able to go to a website and place holds on materials. This is a big project and is expected to take about two years. But it will bring many improvements to the services we offer. Be sure to bring your library card with you the next time you come in so that we can put the bar code on.

New books arriving soon in the library include Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury, A Lady of Hidden Intent By Tracie Peterson, and A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and hours of enjoyable reading. Or video watching, if that is your preference.

Updates

All of the Boy Scout manuals have been cataloged and put on the shelf. And the latest addition of Accelerated Reader books are on the shelf as well. These new books are in the 2 and 3 level, and are a gift from a donor.

Upcoming Events

Two events will be taking place this week. Our book club on November 19, Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m., discussing another Cadfael book, One Corpse Too Many, by Ellis Peters. Family Reading Night is Thursday, November 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is for people of all ages.

Additions to our collection

Thanks to your donations, we've been busy putting the following items in our catalog and on our shelves. Thanks!!


Adult Fiction Mortimer, John Rumpole
Adult fiction Sparks, Nicholas The Lucky One
Adult Fiction Young, Wm. Paul The Shack
Adult Fiction Kingsbury, Karen Sunset
Adult Fiction Peterson, Tracie A Promise to Believe in
Adult Fiction Gunn, Robin Jones On a Whim
Adult Fiction Bell, James Scott Deadlock
Adult Fiction Bell, James Scott Try Dying
Adult Fiction Bell, James Scott Try Darkness
Adult Fiction White, Stephen Manner of Death
Adult FIction Gibbons, Kaye On the Occasion of the Last Afternoon
Adult FIction Hosseini, Khaled The Kite Runner
Adult Fiction Iris Johansen Dark Summer
Adult FIction Girard, Danielle The Rookie Club
Adult Fiction Connelly, Michael The Brass Verdict
Adult Fiction Wright, Jason F. Recovering Charles
Adult Fiction Lecard, Marc Vinnie's Head
Adult Fiction Hopkins, Bonnie Seasons
Adult Ficton Wroblewski, David The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Adult PB Macomber, Debbie 50 Harbor Street
BIO Whalin, W. Terry Samuel Morris: The Apostle of Simple Faith
BIO Floren, Myron Accordion Man
BIO Zetterson, Rolf Dr. Dobson: Turning Hearts Toward Home
BIO Benge, Janet & Geoff William Carey
DVD Mummies and the Wonder of Egypt
DVD Camp Rock
DVD The Forbidden Kingdom
DVD Opus 'N Bill in a Wish for Wings that Work
DVD Miss Pettigrew
DVD Handel's Last Chance
DVD Liszt's Rhapsody
DVD Rossini's Ghost
DVD Bizet's Dream
DVD Strauss: The King of Three-Quarter Time
DVD Bach's Flight for Freedom
Easy Readers Bell, Louise Price Johnny Tractor and His Pals
Easy Readers Johnson, Stephen T. Alphabet City
Easy Readers Stafford, William The Animal That Drank Up Sound
Easy Readers Wilder, Laura Winter Days in the Woods
Easy Readers Lies, Brian Bats at the Library
Easy Readers Hanna Barbera The Flintstones Stone Age Nursery
Easy Readers Lies, Brian Bats at the Beach
JR Paperback Collier, James and Christopher My Brother Sam is Dead
JR Paperback Haugaard, Erik Christian The Samurai's Tale
JR Paperback Alexander, Lloyd Taran Wanderer
JR Paperback Bruchac, Joseph Pocahantas
JR Paperback Denenberg, Barry Early Sunday Morning: The Pearl Harbor Diary of Amber Billows
JR Paperback Park, Linda Sue When My Name was Keoko
Junior Denenberg, Barry So Far From Home
Junior Bio Yoder, Harvey God Knows My Size
Junior Non-Fiction Paul, Tessa In Woods & Forests
Junior Non-Fiction Bailey, Jill The Life Cycle of a Grasshopper
Junior Non-Fiction Bernard, Robin Insects
Junior Non-Fiction Usborne The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World
Junior Non-Fiction Pelzer, Dave The Privilege of Youth
Large Print Sparks, Nicholas At First Sight
Non-Fiction Mortimer, John Famous Trials
Non-Fiction Gingrich, Newt Rediscovering God in America
Non-Fiction Jeremiah, David What in the World is Going On?
Non-Fiction Greene, Melissa Fay Praying for Sheetrock
Non-Fiction Kendall, Joshua The Man Who Made Lists
Non-Fiction Newman, Nell The Newman's Own Guide to a Good Life
Non-Fiction National Geographic Society Wilderness U.S.A.
Non-Fiction McGinty, Alice Celebrating Champaign-Urbana History
Non-Fiction Otto, Donna Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time
Non-Fiction Maxwell, John The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
Non-Fiction Stuart, Sarah Anne A Treasurey of Poems
Non-Fiction Alexander, Lloyd The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook
Non-Fiction Chevallier, Andrew Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Non-Fiction Doeser, Linda Making Bread at Home
Non-Fiction Cloud, Henry & John Townsend Boundaries
Non-Fiction Swenson, Richard A. The Overload Syndrome
Non-Fiction Wiener, Harvey S. Any Child Can Read Better
Non-Fiction Hayhurst, Jim. Sr. The Right Mountain
Science Fiction Niven, Larry & Edward M. Lerner Fleet of Worlds
Young Adult Alexander, Lloyd The Kestral
Young Adult Alexander, Lloyd The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen
Young Adult Mass, Wendy a Mongo-Shaped Space

Holidays

The Homer Community Library will be open on Monday, October 13, Columbus Day. We only close for major holidays. So plan on us being open. See you there!!

What's New??

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS
We’ve been busy in the library lately. Cathy has been working on some exciting programming. Watch for her upcoming announcements.
Thursday November 20, the entire State of Illinois will be celebrating Go For the Gold, Family Reading Night. Homer Community Library will have games and guest readers to encourage families to read together from 6 to 8 pm. December 6 you may stop by the library from 10 am to 2 pm to make an ornament for the LIbrary's Christmas tree or one to take home.

Meanwhile, we’ve been adding a lot of new materials. Some of the titles are The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks, The Shack by Wm. Paul Young, Sunset by Karen Kingsbury – the last in the Baxter Family series, A Promise to Believe in by Tracie Peterson, On A Whim by Robin Jones Gunn, and three by James Scott Bell: Deadlock, Try Dying and Try Darkness. And we are working on cataloging the dozens of donated books that people have given to the library.

Local History Books

For a taste of local history, check out our newest acquisitions: Born in the Illinois Cornfields, and Life Down on the Farm, both by Alvin Decker; and Here Stands the Law by Donald Richter. The latter book covers a time of lawlessness in Vermilion County, of lynchings and mob rule, and how law was restored. Question: Is Sheriff Hardy Whitlock related to Herbie Whitlock?

Homer Library News Sepetember 2008

What’s been going on in the Homer Library lately? Lots, actually.
Cathy would like to hear from you about the possibility of starting a book club. You can fill out a form indicating your areas of interest. There will be a meeting on September 17 at 1:00 P.M. to discuss specifics.
Meanwhile, we keep adding materials. The newest bestsellers are Rough Justice by Jack Higgins, Promise Texas by Debbie Macomber, and Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford, with more on backorder. Anyone who loves children or horses will enjoy Hope Rising, and Bridge Called Hope, both by Kim Meeder. Kim and her husband operate a horse rescue ranch in central Oregon. As the horses are healed, they are made available for children to ride, with emphasis on abused, neglected children and those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The results are quite amazing and wonderful.
We’ve been adding to our travel section and will continue to do so over time. There is an excellent book on cruising Alaska; Frommer’s Cancun, Cozumel and the Yucatan 2009; and New York City 2008, with more on backorder.
For junior age children, there is Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It? and Hank Zipzer: I Got a “D” in Salami, both by Henry Winkler. Or they might enjoy Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, or Pendragon: Raven Rise by D. J. MacHale.
Our newest DVDs are Journey to the Center of the Earth and Nim’s Island. You can also find six donated Winnie the Pooh, Little Bear and Jay Jay DVDs, a set of four Bananas Comedy DVDs, and some World War II DVDs. There’s something for everyone.

Convertor Box

Have you got yours yet? If not, the Homer Library has a $40 coupon to use when you go to buy one. It is free to the first person to ask for it. Just ask at the desk.

Our new books include more of the Camp Confedential series for young adults. For the junior age children, we have Summer Camp Secrets - a series of two
books. For the parents of aspiring entrepreneurs, there is Beyond the Lemonade Stand by Bill Rancic.

Other books for juniors are Friends for Never by Nancy Krulik, and The Boy Who Couldn't Swim by Deb Lucke.

Our newest adult fiction book is Quicksand by Iris Johansen.












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News for students!

Are you studying online? We now have a Mac laptop available for use only by people taking classes online. This is in addition to our four desktop computers.

If you desire to use the Mac, please be prepared to show a current student identification.

Mystery Authors

Do you enjoy reading mysteries? Check out the website listed on the left side of our blog for authors and titles. You might find a new author whom you really like.

Homer Library News

Homer Library News

What’s new? New best sellers on our shelves include Tailspin by Catherine Coulter, Rogue by Danielle Steel, Sail by James Patterson, Fearless 14 by Janet Evanovich, 7th Heaven by James Patterson, Forbidden by Beverly Lewis - the continuation of her latest Amish series, Whole Truth by David Baldacci, 3rd Circle by Amanda Quick, and Sunday at Tiffany’s by James Patterson. We have four new large print novels, Land of My Heart and To Dream Anew by Tracie Peterson, and The Coming Storm and A Promise for Ellie by Lauraine Snelling.

In May and June, we added 342 donated items to our collection. We are grateful to all those who have donated books and videos, and to Christine Tarrant, who has helped with the cataloging.

We have held six sessions of the Summer Reading Program, with two more to go. The girls and boys have learned about and played games from the past, using materials children might have used way back when. The children also have read many books this summer. Children who read in the summer have an easier time when school begins again.
Sue Jones has been a great help with the program.

Correction

Homer Library News: Correction

The latest Homer Library News contained an error. Our Wednesday hours are
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We apologize for the error.

Homer Library News and Summer Reading Program

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

The big news in the Homer Library is that the Summer Reading Program starts June 5 at 1 p.m. Miss Cathy has been hard at work preparing to play, because that is just what the children will be doing. But not just any old play. Miss Cathy has come up with all kinds of games, indoor and outdoor. It should be a really fun program.

We could use some help with supplies, things like pop bottle caps, buttons, decks of cards, leftover stickers, or any small item that could be glued onto cardboard. Please put items in a ziplock bag and bring them into the library, or put in the bookdrop. What does Miss Cathy want them for? I have no idea, but you boys and girls had better come and find out.

Meanwhile, we are very busy cataloging the donated materials that people have given us lately. From May, 2007 to April, 2008, we added almost one thousand books, and 795 of those were donated. We’ll probably add a similar amount this fiscal year. Our thanks to all who have donated.

Our new books include Shadow of Power by Steve Martini, 20 Wishes by Debbie Macomber, When the Light Goes Out by Larry McMurtry, Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels, Phantom Prey by John Sandford, Dead Heat by Joel Rosenberg, 7th Heaven by James Patterson, Forbidden by Beverly Lewis, young adult book by Rick Riordan titled The Lightning Thief, and Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert.

New DVDs soon to arrive include The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington, Bella, Enchanted, and National Treasure 2.

Our phone number is 896-2121 and our blog is at homerillinois.blogspot.com.

New Books

We recently acquired more books from Human Kinetics, a local publisher of books on health and fitness. You can find them on the top shelf of the display rack in the center of the library. Some of the topics covered are mountain biking, pregnancy, cheerleading, triathlons, back problems, nutrition and fitness, and yoga. Check them out!

What's new for you in the Homer Library?

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

We invite all Homer preschool age children (3-5 years old) to attend our Preschool Storytime, led by Miss Cathy. The dates and times are May 14 and May 28, 10:00 to 10:30. She will have stories to tell and crafts to do. Another May event will be the final Reading is Fundamental (RIF) distribution of the school year.

The Summer Reading Program will begin the first week of June. Specific day and time will be announced soon. The theme this year is Get in the Game, Read! Boys and girls ages five to ten are invited to participate.

Our new books are Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Read All About it by Laura and Jenna Bush, The Penderwicks of Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall, and 7th Heaven by James Patterson, and The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis.

For romance fans, we have added some brand new Harlequin Historicals. There’s a new Junie B. Jones, a new Magic Tree House, a Star Wars, the Seven Sleeper Series by Gilbert Morris, some fantasy and science fiction, and a variety of others. And over time, we will be adding hundreds more donated books.

The library is open from 2 to 7 every week day except for Wednesday. On Wednesday, we are open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays, we open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Our phone number is 896-2121. Visit us on the web at homerillinois.blogspot.com.

Computers

The Homer Library offers four computers for use by the public, 2 Vistas and 2 Macs. On most days, they are heavily used. To increase availability, we have set a limit of one hour when other people are waiting for their turn at the computers.

So, if you come in and all machines are busy, you still may be able to use one of them.

Homer Library News

What’s new in the Homer Library this week? For starters, we have four new DVDs coming in: August Rush, Bee Movie, Dan in Real Life and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.

New books are coming in all the time, and we are getting more of the donated books on the shelf. Look for new titles in the paperback section. Donated hardback books have their own special section. You might find an older, overlooked goodie. I know I have. There are three large paperbacks by Ann Tatlock , one set in the depression, that gave me a better look at the problems of that time. Another dealt with a broken family, but broken in a way you might not have thought of.

Miss Cathy will be holding a Preschool Storytime at 10:00 on May 9, lasting for 30 minutes. Bring your little one for some fun and learning. Cathy will be assisted by Sue Jones, and will continue the Storytimes until the end of May.

If you don’t have a computer at home, or if yours is old or slow, we have just what you need: 2 new Vistas and 2 Macs with wireless internet. You can call ahead to reserve a time. Printers are available, too.

In addition to all the books, DVDs, computers, VHS tapes, and music CDs, we also have fiction and non-fiction books on CD.

We are open Monday through Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., except for Wednesday, when we open at 9 a.m. and close at 2 p.m.. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our phone number is 896-2121.

Preschool Storytime

Wednesday, April 9, the library will be holding a preschool storytime at 10 a.m., and every other Wednesday through May. The creative Miss Cathy is the teacher. She will have lots of fun planned for the little ones.

What's old is new again

At least at the Homer Library, you can find quite a variety of older, but good, books on the shelf. Since we moved, people have been very generous in donating books. You can find your favorite fiction authors, in hardback or paperback. In time, we will be adding dozens of Dr. Seuss and other children's books. Also young adult and junior books will be finding their way onto the shelves.

Meanwhile, check out our new DVD, Snow Buddies. And wish for spring!!

A SnowDay

Well, it's a mess out there. The schools got out early, and we decided not to open the library today. Any items due today will not be considered late if returned by tomrrow, Friday. Meanwhile, enjoy the snow before it turns to slush.

More Library News

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

What’s new here? We’ve been very busy, hence the lack of news. We’re busy adding donated books to the collection, preparing for the Reading is Fundamental distribution on February 22, preparing for a Preschool program, setting out tax forms.

The Preschool program will begin March 26 at 10 a.m. and last for one half hour. It will continue every other week through the spring.

Some of our new books include Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich, Killing Ground by Jack Higgins, 7th Heaven by James Patterson, and Appeal by John Grisham. More will be arriving soon.

Four computers are available for your use: 2 Macs and 2 Vistas. You may also do printouts from the computers.

In memory of Elvira Wakefield, the Homer Home Extension has donated a book to the library, titled Patchwork & Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. If you want to make a gift and don’t have much time, this is the book for you.

Preschool Storytime

Catherine Fager will be holding a Preschool Storytime beginning March 26 at 10 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. at the Homer Community Library. She is encouraging all local children ages 3 to 5 to attend. For more information, call the library at 896-2121 during library hours.

News and Events

Tax forms are here! More come in almost every day. You can no longer get them at the post office, so this is the place!

The library will be open normal hours on Monday, February 21. We only close for major holidays.

We have been given word of a major home school conference to take place soon. Here is the scoop:

Join us for the Midwest’s only non-sectarian, style-inclusive,
whole family homeschooling conference.
Adult, Child and Teen Workshops!
Exhibit Hall filled with Homeschool Friendly Vendors!
For more information :
www.homeeducatorsconference.org
Or call (630) 585-4635
11th Annual InHome Conference
March 7 - 8, 2008
Pheasant Run Resort and Spa
St. Charles, Illinois
The 2008 conference includes 100's of children and adult
workshops featuring some of the most talented, knowledgeable,
and committed individuals in the homeschooling movement
today, as well as a welcoming ceremony, teen dance, campfire and
many other opportunities to meet homeschooling families.

Register to vote!!

New information tells me that voter registration ends on the 8th of January. Don't delay. Register now at a public library or at the county clerk's office in Urbana, at1776 E. Washington St.