Saturday, July 12, 2008

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.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

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.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

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.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

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!

Monday, April 28, 2008

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.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

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.

Friday, March 28, 2008

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.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

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!!

Friday, February 22, 2008

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.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

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.

Friday, February 15, 2008

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.

Friday, January 04, 2008

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.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Primary Election registration

February 5 is the primary election date in Illinois. If you are not yet registered, you must do so by January 9. You can register at any public library, including the Homer Library. In Homer, the registration must be done by 2 p.m. in order to get your registration to county clerk by the deadline.

A Christmas Special from Suzanne Beecher

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs"

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every house
all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their
heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Suzanne is the brains behind the online chapter-a-day book club. To subscribe or for more information, go to www.ltls.org and click on the box at the upper left. Then choose Book Clubs.

Friday, December 21, 2007

December Library News

HOMER LIBRARY NEWS

What’s new in the Homer Library today? We received our first shipment of music CDs. These are titles and artists that people have requested. Come in and see what we got! There’s some country, some classic rock, some instrumentals, some vocalists. What’s your preference?

The library will be hosting an After Christmas Party on December 27 at 1 p.m. Children ages 5 through 10 are invited to a fun hour of games, crafts, food and fun. Don’t miss it!

Do you need last-minute ideas for Christmas? We got cookbooks, craft books, books that combine the two. We’ve got Christmas CDs and DVDs. Our magazines are full of Christmas ideas.

Our new adult fiction includes The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz, T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton, Whole New Light by Sandra Brown, Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury, and Double Cross by James Patterson.

Others include Hanni and Beth, Safe and Sound by Beth Finke (a book about a seeing eye dog and its master), and Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, the wife of Jerry Seinfeld. She tells how to hide veggies in food in a way that will appeal to fussy eaters. It sounds like something I could have used when my kids were little. We also have three very nice, new knitting books.

Since May of this year, we have added almost 300 books, videos and audio books to the collection. Many, if not most of those items were donated. We appreciate your donations. If the library is closed when you bring in donated items, please bring them to the back of the hall. That is where they will be stored until we can process them.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year of reading!

Friday, November 23, 2007

November's News

Homer Library News

What’s new in the Homer Library this week? Plenty. Two Mac computers and a color printer, for starters. But there’s more now, and more coming in the future.

Our new adult fiction includes Stone Cold by David Baldacci, Now & Then by Robert B. Parker, The Heir by Barbara Taylor Bradford, Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon, Critical by Robin Cook, Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright, Summer by Karen Kingsbury, Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury, Blink of an Eye by Ted Dekker, and Creation in Death by J. D. Robb.

Our new DVDs are Evan Almighty, four original Nancy Drew DVDs, Montana Sky, Ratatouille, Shrek the Third, and five Sugar Movies.

We have 2 music CDs of Patch the Pirate stories, for a total of five stories. These are fun CDs, with upbeat music and stories that teach good character in a way that kids will respond to.

Add to that a large number of paperback novels, many of them in the romance genre. And some for our young adult readers.

Coming up next month is our annual after Christmas party for children ages 5 to 10, or thereabouts. That is scheduled for December 27 at 1 p.m.

You can help veterans in the local VA hospital. Just drop off donated items at the library. Don’t know what they need? See our list of needs.

We want to thank all of you who have helped make this wonderful new facility a reality. It was just one year ago this week that we began preparing for the first move. You helped us move, and move again. You donated some really good materials that we are slowly getting processed and put on the shelves. And you support us by using the library. Thank you.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

If you want to help...

Would you like to help the veterans in the VA hospital in Danville, Illinois? Here's how. The Homer Library has a list of their needs, inexpensive items as well as some that are more costly. So you can contribute according to your ability.

We are also acting as a collection point. Drop your donations by any time the library is open, and we will see that they get to the veterans. Thanks in advance for your help. For more information, call the library at 217-896-2121.