NOVELIST - Your Guide to Fiction !

As we move into the chilly, dark days and nights of January, there's nothing more rewarding than relaxing with a good book.

Many people come to the library to request the latest bestsellers or to browse the new books recently added to the collection. Others like to discuss their favorite authors with library staff and make recommendations.

Did you know that the NOVELIST database is available to all East Central Regional Library cardholders? It is your complete guide to fiction and can be used in the library, at home, or wherever you have access to a computer!

With NoveList you can search for books by author, title, or series. You may also limit your results to adults, teens, or children.

On the left side of the home page, you'll find links to "Author Read-alikes", "Award Winners", and "Recommended Reads". Are you interested in books similar to "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown"? Locate his entry under "Author Read-alikes". Who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction? You'll find the answer under "Award Winners". Would you like a list of historical fiction novels? Check "Recommended Reads"!

To access NoveList go to the ECRL homepage: http://www.ecrlib.org/

Then:

---Click on "Magazines & Databases" on the left

---Scroll down and click on the "NoveList" link.

You're in and can begin looking for that perfect novel!

Please feel free to contact your nearest ECRL branch library if you have questions or comments about NoveList. Staff are happy to assist!

Bob Gray

Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian

The Gift of Reading

I love children’s books. One of my many favorites is called, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. It’s the story of a tree and a little boy she loved with all her heart. She gave the little boy a place to play when he was little and shade when he was tired. As he grew he wanted to make money and so she gave him the apples from her tree to sell hoping that that would make him happy. As an adult he wanted a house and the tree gave her branches so that he could have lumber. He grew older and wished a boat to sail away; the tree gave her trunk to make him happy. When he came back once more, she thought she had nothing left to give; but she did. He could sit on her stump as an old man and rest.

December is a time of giving. Depending on your tradition, it may be for any number of reasons. In the Christian tradition, the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child and many give gifts on that basis. The more secular celebration of this holy day/holiday includes Santa Claus. Kwanzaa is celebrated by the African American community in recognition of the African harvest. In many families, small gifts are given in the seven day period from December 26 – January 1. Each of the days is centered on one of the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Each day is marked by the lighting of a candle in the kinara or candleholder. Hanukkah is celebrated by the Jewish community as the Festival of Lights. This celebration marks the rededication of the temple that had been desecrated. For eight days candles are lit in the menorah remembering the miracle of the oil lamp in the temple.

Residents of the Wyoming area were invited to give new children’s books or cash for the purchase of books for families with children in need. This project, “The Giving Tree”, was in partnership with the Chisago County Health and Human Service, a replica of what is done in Isanti County at the Cambridge Library. On December 17th, Heidi Neff, a Social Worker from Chisago County Health and Human Services, stopped to pick up books donated at the Giese Memorial Library of Wyoming. Rebecca Hostetler, Branch Librarian, said many people gave the gift of reading to children of families in need. Thirty-nine books were donated; $183.00 was collected for books to be purchased. Scout and Morgan Bookstore, an independent bookseller in Cambridge, offered a discount and thirty-three more books were purchased making a total of seventy-two books for children, infants through early teens. What a great response! Thanks to all who contributed! We’ll be doing it again next year!

Rebecca Hostetler
Wyoming Branch Librarian

Tweens & Teens Gaming Night at the Cambridge Library

Tweens and teens flooded into the Cambridge Library last Thursday evening, December 3rd to play video games, online games, board games, and card games. Guitar Hero tunes, Wii gaming tunes, and the din of engaged 11-16 year-olds was the backdrop for the evening. Pizza, pop, and prizes were enjoyed by over 60 participants.

The evening was sponsored by the Cambridge Friends of the Library.

Nancy Dunbar, Cambridge Branch Librarian

Cambridge Library Friends Awarded $1000

The Cambridge Friends of the Library received a $1000 cash award for the best Friends of the Library project in the State of Minnesota at the Minnesota Library Association convention in St. Cloud this past October. Lorie Fetzik, 2009 Cambridge Friends of the Library co-president, accepted the Evie Nordley Award on behalf of the Friends.

The Evy Nordley Award was presented by the Minnesota Association of Library Friends. The award recognizes the importance of Friends of the Library projects and the impact they have on their local libraries. Second and third place winners went to the Friends of the Lake City and Pelican Rapids Public Libraries.

The Cambridge Friends won the award for their 2009 Community Wide Read program which featured the Night Birds by Thomas Maltman, a book about the Sioux Uprising of 1876. The Community Wide Read Program included book discussion groups, a documentary and a hoop dance presentation by Dallas Chief Eagle. A companion children’s book about the Sioux Uprising, Battle Cry by Jan Neubert Schultz, was also part of the program. The award was judged on the impact of the project, the objectives, cost effectiveness, collaboration, planning, the target audience and funding sources.

Along with the $1000 cash award, the Friends were given a beautiful plaque representing their accomplishments. The award is on display at the Cambridge Public Library. Congratulations Cambridge Friends of the Library!

Vickie Sorn

Youth & Community Services Librarian