Library News and Notes: The best of 2012

The library staff and volunteers join in wishing the Carson City community a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, prosperous 2013. In observance of the holiday season, the library will close at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Tuesday, Christmas day. The library also will close at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 and all day Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. There will be no Story Time for the next two weeks. Story Time will resume at its normal times, 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 9 and 10.

Local Author, Local Subject

Numerous accounts have been written about those who overcome adversity, beat the odds and draw on inner strength to fulfill a dream. Carson City local Katie May Browne's life story epitomizes grit, perseverance, optimism and determination. Though she nearly died at birth and struggles from cerebral palsy, Katie graduated with honors from Carson High in 2006, was a Top Scholar in the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, and is currently working for NASA at the Goddard Flight Space Center in College Park, Md.. Her father, Carson Cigar Bar owner Steven Browne, has penned How to Raise a Rocket Scientist for Fun and Profit, a "creative memoir" describing Katie's story. The library will host a book discussion with the author at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 in the library auditorium. Arrive early, because this program promises to be well-attended and inspirational.

BRIC Business

According to their website, NxLeveL for Entrepreneurs is "a 12-session, 36-hour course that gives entrepreneurs the professional knowledge and management skills they need to grow an existing business." The staff members at the BRIC and local businessmen have found this program extremely useful and have created the Peer Group, a type of think tank/mastermind group of business owners and managers. At each monthly meeting, one member presents a question and others contribute possible answers. Starting in January, the Peer Group will be accepting new members. Business owners and high-level managers are encouraged to attend the January (orientation) and February (regular protocol) meetings. For more details, ask for Michael at the BRIC, 775-283-7123 or send an email to www.carsonbric@gmail.com with your questions or request to join the group.-

--Best Book Suggestions

Around this time of year, lists of "bests" often appear. Members of the library staff and the Library Board have compiled a list of favorite reads over the past year and have given insight into the suggestions.

Programming Outreach Manager Andi Moore read "Steve Jobs," by Walter Isaacson. In addition to being a Bookmaster's pick, it was "a very revealing book about a truly revolutionary rebel and fascinating individual. Jobs did things his way and changed the world in dramatically."-

Both library director Sara Jones and Friends of the Library president Phyllis Patton enjoyed "A Man of His Word: the Life and Times of Nevada's Sen. William J. Raggio," by Michael Archer. This accessible read and tells the story of one of Nevada's great politicians who put Nevada first. So many good things in Nevada were assisted by Bill Raggio and this look at his whole life is fascinating.

Technical Services Manager Kathy Rush read "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption," by Laura Hillenbrand. This true story of Lt. Louis Zamperini, whose plane crashed in the Pacific and who endured terrible hardships at sea and in Japanese prison camps, demonstrates both courage and heroism.

Youth Services Librarian Amber Sady recommends "The Fault in Our Stars," by John Green. According to Sady, the YA novel "inspires much pondering of life and what it means to each of us, as well as the importance of love and how much the closest people in our lives matter. It's from the viewpoint of terminal cancer patients, but the language used is refreshing in its technicality and originality. These teens are still discovering life even as they exit it."

Adult Services Librarian Susan Antipa enjoyed "The Tiger's Wife," by Tea Obreht. Ms Antipa states, "The book follows a young physician's journey to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death of her beloved grandfather. It takes place in the an unnamed Balkan country after the demise of the former Yugoslavia, weaving threads of regional, cultural, and family history into a rich, multidimensional fabric."

The BRIC Book of the Month is "Working for Yourself: Your All-in-One Guide to Being Your Own Boss," by attorney Stephen Fishman and has been described as "a comprehensive guide to meeting the requirements for starting as an independent contractor."