Monday, December 12, 2016

Somers Library Visits Kennedy Catholic High School




Our young adult librarian and our reference librarian, Tara Ferretti & Valerie Herman visited Kennedy Catholic High School and presented an overview of the valuable resources available to the students from the Somers Library and the Westchester Library System, specifically our digital collections (ebooks, audio books, movies, music, etc), career tutorials (e.g. Lynda), readers advisory (e.g. Novelist) and especially our database collection. The discussion of the databases included tips and best practices when doing research - a topic many of these students could certainly use as they come towards the end of their high school careers. Besides speaking to the students, we also anticipate receiving around 125-150 new card applications from students and faculty. This is a wonderful and exciting community outreach program and the library is very pleased. Photo courtesy of Kennedy Catholic High School.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Book Club Resources

Book clubs are where you can meet with other people to discuss books (both fiction and nonfiction), and at the end of each meeting (or months in advance), determine the next month's book selection. If you are looking to start your own book club, or are looking to find interesting books for your group to read, the library has a variety of books to help you make your selections. All of the following books are located on the top shelf above the 'Express Books' area. 

Book Group Guides
Book Club Bible
Reading Women: A Book Club Guide for Women's Fiction
Reading Group Choices (yearly)
Reading Group Handbook
Book Lust
Read This
Good Books Lately
One Hundred and One Great Jewish Books
Reading Group Book
Read This Next 
You may place a hold on these titles or look for additional books on this topic by clicking here. You may get additional ideas by using our Pinterest boards.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Teen 3D Modeling Workshop

The Somers Library would like to thank the participants of the Teen 3D Modeling Workshop

held at the Somers Library during the early fall. This workshop series offered teens in grades 6th

and up an opportunity to develop a 3D model of our library in order to assist our library leaders

to get a better visual of future plans. Collaborating with Digital Arts Experience, Inc. of White

Plains, students participated in a series of 5 workshops and a presentation meeting with the

library board of trustees. This program was made possible in part with funds from Westchester

Library System's Mini-Grant Initiative supported by Entergy and Con Edison and the Friends of

the Somers Library.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The Savory Sweet Life

This month kicks off the fall and holiday baking season. With a wide variety of ingredients popping up in grocery stores, fall is an excellent time to get back in the kitchen, and try your hand at baking and decorating. Somers Library has a large selection of titles to expand your baking horizons - listed below is a delicious sampling of titles to get you started. When did you last break out your cake pans? Somers Library offers a large selection of Wilton Cake Pans for you to borrow, and cookie cutter kits. Check one out today!

Complete Guide to Cake Decorating and Baking - DVD
►Austrian Desserts: Over 400 Cakes, Pastries, Strudels, Tortes and Candies
►Boutique Wedding Cakes: Bake and Decorate Beautiful Cakes at Home
►The Seasonal Baker: Easy Recipes From My Home Kitchen to Make Year-Round
►Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes For More than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats
►Gluten-Free Baking With the Culinary Institute of America
Kids Cakes From the Whimsical Bakehouse and Other Treats for Colorful Celebrations
►A Baker's Odyssey: Celebrating Time-Honored Recipes From America's Rich Immigrant Heritage
►Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes
►Cake Art: Simplified Step-by-Step Instructions and Illustrated Techniques For the Home Baker to Create Showstopping Cakes and Cupcakes
►The Confetti Cakes Cookbook: Spectacular Cookies, Cakes and Cupcakes from New York City's Famed Bakery
►Cake Decorating For the First Time


You may place a hold on these titles or look for additional books on this topic by clicking here. You may get additional ideas by using our Pinterest boards

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Battle of the Books 2016



Somers Library Battle of the Books Team 
Winners Teen Division!!


On Saturday, October 15th 2016, one of the Somers Library teams was declared champions of the Westchester Library System Battle of the Books (6th – 10th division)!!!  This fun but intense battle was the culmination of a nearly 6 month process of reading, reviewing, team practice and dedication by all the Somers Library Battle of the Books team members.  Although our teen team won this year, the Somers Library is very proud of both of the teams we sent to the Battle of the Books!!
Earlier this year, we asked for Somers volunteers from grades 4th through 10th to represent the Somers Library in the Westchester Library System 3rd Annual Battle of the Books.  The Battle of the Books is a book-based trivia tournament for Westchester youth with the goal to promote a love of reading, to encourage youth to think of their local public library as a resource for entertainment and to inspire teamwork & good sportsmanship in an atmosphere of friendly competition.  The battle teams are broken down to 2 levels:  one with teams from grades 4th-6th and the other from grades 6th-10th.  Each team was expected to read five books, practice with their teammates for the battle and then represent the Somers Library this October at the Battle of the Books! Early on, we knew we had some bright, eager, enthusiastic kids willing to take this challenge! During the summer, each team member was given copies of the 5 books for their division, which were generously funded by the Friends of the Somers Library. We met as a large group during the summer, but the real intense practice sessions began with the beginning of the school year.  Each of the teams split up to work as separate groups and each team met at least 9 times to review and practice for battle day! On the evening before the battle we had a Pizza Party and Pep Rally to show them how much we appreciated their hard work.

On Saturday morning October 15th at 9:00 am, our two teams gathered at the Ossining High School along with twenty seven other teams who represented a total of 17 libraries in Westchester County.  The Lightning Readers, the Somers Library children’s team, fought valiantly and with exuberant team spirit in their age bracket and made a great showing!  The Popcornians, the Somers Library teen team, not only knew these books extremely well, they really bonded as a team. Each member contributed their own individual talents to make this a battle win an example of an ultimate team effort! The battle day proved the teen division to be a very challenging and intense battle day with a four way tie going into the semi-finals! The Somers Library’s teen team, the Popcornians, kept their cool during this intense process to take their place in the championship fight for the trophy versus our neighbors from North Salem.  After a scoring neck and neck early on, the Somers pulled away with a final score of 12-3!!!
 
We could not have asked for a more hardworking and dedicated group.  The Somers Library would like to thank the team members, as well as their parents, and coaches. Additionally, the Somers Library would like to thank all the volunteer readers & question makers. And last but not least thank you to the Friends of the Somers Library for their financial support. 

We congratulate both the teams on their amazing dedication and teamwork:
The Somers Library Popcornians (the 6th-10th grade team) (WLS Battle of the Books 2016 Champions): Leigha Carnow, Maria Klimentova, Aine Hoekstra, Jordan Han, Nitin Seshadri, Max Caron, Matthew Kushner, Marguerite Pugliese, Keira Ferretti, Jaewon Yeo and Amanda Jen.
The Somers Library Lightning Readers (the 4th-6th grade team) included: Sean Kim, Julia Wilkinson, Jay Wilkinson, Connor Entenberg, Nicholas Maurantonio, Sebastian Wissa, Emma Sledzik, and Sara Vala


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Hoopla Digital

Digital Movies, Music and More - Instantly Available - 24/7 - Free with your Library Card!

We hope this message finds you well. Thank you for being a loyal library cardholder of Somers Library! We appreciate that you have found value in the many materials, services and programs we offer our community, and we wanted to let you know that you are appreciated!
We are excited to share with you, hoopla digital: one of our many digital media services provided to you, our patron, through which you may access and enjoy nearly half a million titles, from six different formats: Movies, TV, Music Albums, eAudiobooks , eBooks, and Comics/Graphic Novels. All in one location, from your computer, tablet or Smartphone!
 
With hoopla, there are no hold lists, no extra apps or accounts needed or special steps to use it.
 
It just works!
 
On a mobile device, borrowed content may be temporarily downloaded and accessed offline or, in either the app or on a computer, all borrowed content may be enjoyed while connected to the internet by streaming.
 
We really love this service. It is easy to use and provides our library patrons instant access (again, with no waiting!!) to any titles they want. As a library cardholder, you may borrow up to 10 titles per month.
To register for and enjoy hoopla digital for free with your library card, please download the hoopla digital app from your Apple or Google Play store on your mobile device. If you are using a computer, you may visit www.hoopladigital.com. For more information or should you have questions, please visit or call us or see more details on our website, under http://www.somerslibrary.org/.
Thanks again for your patronage and support over the years! We hope you enjoy hoopla digital and look forward to your feedback!
 

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Culinary Mysteries



Listed below you will find cozy mystery books that have culinary themes such as baking, BBQ, chefs, coffee/tea, cooking class, cheese, chocolate, food critics, pizza, restaurants, vineyards, and more. 
  • Fry Another Day by J. J. Cook
  • Eclair and Present Danger by Laura Bradford
  • Peaches and Scream by Susan Furlong
  • If Catfish Had Nine Lives by Paige Shelton
  • Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanna Fluke
  • Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates
  • Clobbered and Camembert by Avery Aames
  • Crunch Time by Diana Mott Davidson
  • Death by Rhubarb by Lou Jane Temple
  • Golden Malicious by Sheila Connolly
  • Steamed to Death by Peg Cochran
  • Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette
  • A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander
  • Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs
  • A Clue in the Stew by Connie Archer
  • Sinister Sprinkles by Jessica Beck
  • Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson
  • Crime Rib by Leslie Budewitz
  • Feta Attraction by Susannah Hardy
  • Flamenco, Flan, and Fatalities by Mary McHugh
  • Drizzled with Death by Jessie Crockett
  • Gluten for Punishment by Nancy J. Parra
  • Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowell
  • Secret Ingredient Murders by Nancy Pickard
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.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

The Great Courses


Hoopla is one of our digital library services that brings movies, TV, entire music albums, eAudiobooks, eBooks, and graphic novels to your computer, tablet or smartphone.

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 
 
The library also has a large collection of Great Courses DVDs and CDs for you to borrow. Just ask one of the librarians to show you where they are located!

Friday, September 16, 2016

Apple Picking Time

There's nothing quite like biting into an apple that you've just picked. This is a great family activity, and will bring long-lasting memories to your children. There are so many wonderful picture books about apple trees, apple cider, apple pies, and everything apples! Check out some of these next time you visit the library, and check out more titles by visiting our Pinterest page!
  • From Apple Trees to Apple Cider Please by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
  • Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Wallace
  • Dragon's Apple Picking Day by Ivy Silver
  • An Apple Pie for Dinner by Susan VanHecke
  • Apple Seasons by Gail Gibbon
  • Apple Harvest by Calvin Harris
  •  Let's Go Apple Picking by Molly Kempf
  • Apples Away: A Lift the Flap Book by Megan Bryant
  • Max's Apples: A Max and Ruby Book
  • We All Fall for Apples by Emmi Herman
  • Apple Picking by Janet Craig
  • A is for Apple by Megan Bryant
  • Our Apple Tree by Gorel Naslund
  • Dumpy's Apple Shop by Julie Andrews
  • Max & Mo Go Apple Picking by Patricia Lakin
  • From Seed to Apple by Anita Ganeri
  • A Was Once an Apple Pie by Edward Lear
  • Applesauce Season by Eden Lipson
  • Apples by Josephine Farmer
  • Apples, Apples Everywhere by Robin Koontz
  • One Little, Two Little, Three Little Apples by Matt Ringler
  • Picking Apples by Margaret McNamara
  • Apple Picking Day by Samantha Brooke
  • Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Now Available...Online Tutorials!


The Niche Academy platform includes a set of ready-to-use tutorials for common services like OverDrive, Zinio, Hoopla, Rocket Languages, Lynda.com, Freegal, and more. Simply visit our webpage at www.somerslibrary.org and click on the 'Tutorials' tab on the right side of the page, and learn how to download ebooks & audiobooks, stream videos. learn a langugage, learn tech skills and more!

Thursday, September 1, 2016

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month

 
A month when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. This observance was launched in 1987 to meet the challenge of then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett who said, "Let's have a national campaign...Every child should obtain a library card - and use it." Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child does just that. ~ Chases Calendar of Events

These delightful picture books will remind you of the many reasons why our libraries are so special.
  • Froggy Goes to the Library by Jonathan London
  • Library Day by Anne Rockwell
  • Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
  • Splat the Cat & the Late Library Book by Rob Scotton
  • Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman
  • Homer the Library Cat by Reeve Lindbergh
  • Max and Zoe at the Library by Shelley Sateren
  • Spot Goes to the Library by Eric Hill
  • Library Lily by Gillian Shields
  • B is for Bookworm: A Library Alphabet by Anita Preito
  • When the Library Lights Go Out by Megan McDonald
  • Maisy Goes to the Library by Lucy Cousins
  • I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric Kimmel
  • Sam's First Library Card by Gail Herman
  • Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
  • Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
  • The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris
  • Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk
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. 

Monday, August 29, 2016

Book Bingo Winners

Somers Library had another successful year with a large number of people playing our 'Book Bingo for Adults.' Congratulations to A. Matteis and L. Putterman, this year's Book Bingo winners. A. Matteis won a $100 gift certificate to the Mexican Shack. L. Putterman won a Great Courses DVD set.

We thank The Mexican Shack for their generous support of this program, by donating the $100 gift certificate!

Summer Reading...Thanks to Our Sponsors!

At a packed house last week, we recognized all our Summer Reading participants with an Ice Cream Party. Ice Cream for all was donated by Coldstone Creamery. Over the summer, participants had received small prizes as incentives to keep reading. Weekly prizes for readers in Primrose were donated by The Friends of the Somers Library. The SIS PTA donated prizes awarded for 4 levels of reading by 3rd through 5th graders, plus a Barnes and Noble gift card as a raffle prize for all who read over 1,000 pages. Raffle prizes for our Family Read-to-Me program where parents read aloud to their younger children all summer were donated by O’Neill’s Concession at Reis Park, Burger Barn, Taste Deli and Froggy’s Deli. Children who read 1,000 pages or more received special recognition along with a gift certificate to Chili’s and a huge candy bar from the Friends of the Somers Library. Thank you to all our sponsors!!