Library News & Notes: Library has new innovations, books

The library, much like the post office, serves the public during rain, sleet, snow, dark of night and even during road construction. However, the scope of new innovations will force a two-week closure of the facility from June 1-15.

Visitors have already noticed that the current due dates for many materials have been extended, and patrons will be able to return books, even though the library is not open.

Staff and technicians will be working furiously, installing five self-checkout stations, which will speed the process (the system will check out multiple books at a time and print receipts) and enable the current staff to more readily assist patrons.

As with any technology upgrade, especially in an older building, areas must be reconfigured, cables and necessary components installed, and all library materials tagged with the new system.

A sorting component involved with book returns is scheduled to be added in September.

May activities abound for all ages

Fulfilling a commitment to serve the youth and families in our community, Amber Sady, youth services librarian, delights children as well as their parents with fascinating activities. Story time begins with music, songs and movement.

Attendees might be treated to pop-up books, felt boards, puppets, big books, or gloriously illustrated picture books. Amber is also a certified teacher, so any story time is filled with literacy and learning.

Family story time is held Wednesday and Thursday at 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. and a bilingual story time will be presented on Thursday at

6 p.m.

Amber also conducts a teen book club, which meets this month on Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The quality and variety of the books read by these teens is impressive. Currently, they are immersed in the Chronicles of Narnia series, with "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," and past books have included "Brave New World," "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "Wicked." Finally, the second part of a program about aviator Amelia Earhart will be presented.

And if that is not enough ...

With all of the things going on, visiting the library could keep patrons busy for the rest of the month. People already are standing in line with stacks of books to read while the library is on hiatus.

Books getting positive buzz include Heidi Ayarbe's newly released, "Comp-romised," a compelling story of three characters who fall through the cracks of the social system and run away in search of a relative who may or may not exist.

To say the book is compelling is an understatement. Heidi also recommended "Going Bovine" by Libba Bray, which chronicles the fantasy-like (maybe) quest with similarities to "Don Quixote."

This book won the Printz Award, which is the Pulitzer Prize of young adult literature.

Finally, hundreds of books are available for download by visiting the library website, www.carson

citylibrary.org, which will be up and running all the time.