Stuffed Animal Sleepover 2016

On Thursday night, the lights were on late at the Library – it was the Stuffed Animal Sleepover! Earlier in the evening, dressed in their pajamas the children gathered with their stuffed animals to hear Betsy Bishop and Doris Jane Smith read some favorite bedtime stories and lullabies. Then each “plushie” got one more hug and a kiss and was tucked into the tent for their sleepover at the Library. But of course, as soon as the Library closed for the night, the stuffed animals were into mischief! Click here to see what happened...

Now Available Through Hoopla!

Did you know that The Great Courses lecture series are now available to borrow for free on Hoopla? The Great Courses are a video series presented by award-winning experts from respected institutions that are selected for their ability to teach. Lectures are available on a comprehensive variety of topics, including history, art, science, literature and more. The Great Courses take the best of university lectures on fascinating topics, but without the stress of having to do homework and take exams.
Simply visit our website at www.somerslibrary.org, and select Hoopla from the icons you will see under our Digital Collections. Log in with your library card, and you are good to go! Here are just a few of the many lecture series available through Hoopla:
•        World’s Greatest Geological Wonders
•        The Everyday Gourmet
•        Wonders of the National Parks
•        History’s Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach
•        Practicing Mindfulness
•        How to Draw
•        How Great Science Fiction Works
•        Fundamentals of Photography
•        Secrets of Mental Math
•        Learning Spanish
•        The Surveillance State
•        Our Night Sky
•        Stress and Your Body
•        How to Read and Understand Shakespeare
•        Black Holes, Tides, and Curved Spacetime: Understanding Gravity
•        Turning Points in Modern History
•        Lost Worlds of South America
•        History of the Ancient World

We are a PokéStop!!!

We are a PokéStop!!! You can collect one from Reis Park, and one from the Library. The Somers Library among other locations, is a PokéStop, where you can stock up on Pokéballs, Potions,and other items to help you “catch ‘em all!” Post pictures of the Pokémon you find at the Somers Library to our Facebook page! Each participant will receive a FREE paperback from our book sale. Remember, the picture must involve the Library in order to qualify.

Day Trips Around NY (NYC, Hudson Valley, Catskills, & Adirondacks)

If you decide to take some needed time off, and have little time or money to spend, you might want to consider a short trip that allows you to get away without breaking the bank or spending all day in the car. Even though you may have explored parts of New York City, the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, or the Adirondack areas previously, there are many things just waiting to be discovered. It's amazing how we take for granted the abundant beauty in our own backyard. If you'd like to explore the majestic beauty and quirky nature that our great state of New York has to offer, Somers Library can help by providing a wide variety of travel resources. Here are some great books to help you decide where to explore next.

• The Enchantment of New York: 75 of Manhattan’s Most Magical and Unique Attractions by Willem Post

• Hidden Waters of New York City: A History and Guide to 101 Forgotten Lakes, Ponds, Creeks and Streams in the Five Boroughs by Sergey Kadinsky

• 25 Mountain Bike Tours in the Hudson Valley by Peter Kick

• Queens: A Culinary Passport: Exploring Ethnic Cuisine in New York City’s Most Diverse Borough by Andrea Lynn

• Exploring Historic Dutch New York: New York City, Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and Delaware

• Catskill Region Waterfall Guide: Cool Cascades of the Catskills and Shawangunks by Russell Dunn

• Artwalks in New York: Delightful Discoveries of Public Art and Gardens in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island by Marina Harrison

• Cycling Along the Canals of New York State: Scenic Rides on the Historic Waterways of the Empire State by Louis Rossi

• AMC's Best Day Hikes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley: Four-Season Guide to 60 of the Best Trails from the Hudson Highlands to Albany by Peter Kick

• Discovering Vintage New York: A Guide to the City 's Timeless Shops, Bars, Delis & More by Mitch Broder

• Let's Take the Kids!: Great Places to Go in New York's Hudson Valley by Joanne Michaels

• Weekend Walks in Dutchess and Putnam Counties by Peggy Turco

• New York City Landmarks by Jake Rajs and Francis Morrone

• The Bronx: The Ultimate Guide to New York City's Beautiful Borough by Lloyd Ultan

• Architecture Walks: The Best Outings Near New York City by Lucy Rosenfeld

• The Historic Shops & Restaurants of New York: A Guide to Century-Old Establishments in the City by Ellen Williams

• Adirondack Waterfall Guide: New York's Cool Cascades by Russell Dunn

• Insider Brooklyn: A Curated Guide to New York City's Most Stylish Borough by Rachel Felder

• New York's One-Food Wonders: A Guide to the Big Apple's Unique Single-Food Spots by Mitch Broder

• Native American and Pioneer Sites of Upstate New York: Westward Trails from Albany to Buffalo by Lorna Czarnota

• 25 Bicycle tours in the Hudson Valley: Scenic Rides from Saratoga to Northern Westchester County by Howard Stone

• Catskill Mountain House Trail Guide: In the Footsteps of the Hudson River School by Robert Gildersleeve

• Waterfalls of New York State by Scott Ensminger

• Outdoors With Kids New York City: 100 Fun Places to Explore in and Around the City by Cheryl de Jong-Lambert

July is National Ice Cream Month

First designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, this month celebrates ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by 90% of the nation's population. Listed below are some recommended books for your reading (and cooking) pleasure.

• The Soda Fountain: Floats, Sundaes, Egg Creams & More--Stories and Flavors of an American Original
• The Ice Cream Maker Companion: 100 Easy-to-Make Frozen Desserts of All Kinds
• Ice Cream Sundae: 100 Greatest Fountain Formulas
• Ices: Sorbet, Granitas, Lollies and More
  Make Your Own Organic Ice Cream: Using Home Grown and Local Produce
• Celebrating Ice Cream and Cake
• Soda Fountain Classics: Ice Cream, Sundaes, Milkshakes, and More
• Gelato Sorbet And Ice Cream
  Cookies & Cream: Hundreds of Ways to Make the Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich
• The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Ice Cream: Over 300 Gelatos, Sorbets, Cakes & More
• Sundaes & Splits: Delicious Recipes for Ice Cream Treats
• Serendipity Sundaes: Ice Cream Constructions and Frozen Concoctions
• Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones: 90 Recipes for Making Your Own Ice Cream and Frozen Treats from Bi-Rite Creamery
• Irresistible Sorbets, Sherbets, Water Ices & Granitas
• Sweet Scoops: Ice Cream, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet and More!
• Making Artisan Gelato: 45 Recipes and Techniques for Crafting Flavor-Infused Gelato and Sorbet at Home
   

Find additional titles on this topic and many others by visiting our Pinterest boards. You may also place a hold on books by clicking here. 

Book Bingo for Adults - Back by Popular Demand!!

 

Back by popular demand...Book Bingo for Adults, a summer reading challenge!

►Begins Monday June 23. For adults over 18.  

 

►Fill out a registration form and give to the reference librarian. Receive a game card to take home and keep until you have completed your Book Bingo card. Participants will receive one free book for registering (while supplies last.) 

 

►Put an 'X' through each completed square on the game card. Try to get a 'Bingo' by completing a full row in any direction. Keep track of all the books you have read, etc. on the back of the game card.

 

►All game cards must be returned on or before August 26. 

 

►Once you have completed and turned in your game card, you will be entered into a raffle for a grand prize drawing. So go ahead - have fun, try something different, and join with children and teens in summer reading. Who knows...you might be a lucky winner!

June is Great Outdoors Month

 

June is Great Outdoors Month...a perfect time to pack your bags, grab your hiking shoes, and tell the family it's time for a vacation! Where can you find some of the best places to visit? Our National Parks!  Did you know that The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016? Mountains, lakes, rivers and waterfalls are just a few of the many treasures that await you and your family. Adventure is yours to enjoy - from the tropical wilderness of the Everglades to the magnificent redwood trees of Yosemite. To find a listing of all of the National Parks, click here.

• National parks guide U.S.A. : The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes & Cool Activities from Coast to Coast!
• National Parks of America : Experience America's 59 National Parks 
• See America : A Celebration of our National Parks and Treasured Sites
• The National Parks: An American Legacy
• The National Parks Coast to Coast: The Best Hikes
• The National Parks: An Illustrated History
• Secrets of the National Parks: The Expert's Guide to the Best Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail
• National Parks: A Kid's Guide to America's Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks
• The Ten Best of Everything National Parks: 800 Top Picks From Parks Coast to Coast
• Ansel Adams in the National Parks:  Photographs from America's Wild Places
• Our National Parks: America's Natural Heritage
• Great Lodges of the National Parks
• Volcanoes in America's National Parks
• Underwater Wonders of the National Parks

Find additional titles on this topic and many others by visiting our Pinterest boards. You may also place a hold on books by clicking here.