Going away, but don’t want to lose your place on the holds list?

If you are going on vacation and feel you may not be back in time to collect a requested item, there is a way to hold your place in the queue. You will need to modify/suspend your hold. You will continue to advance in the queue, but will be passed over until you return. Simply call the library and speak with a librarian to assist you with this, or login to your account at easywls.org. Under the ‘holds’ tab, select the items you wish to suspend/modify. The system will prompt you to enter a start and end date. You will see a message telling you that the hold(s) was successfully modified. Requests cannot be suspended if the requested item is already on the hold shelf or in transit to you. Once you receive notification of your hold being available, you have seven business days to pick the item up.

Writing is a big deal here at the Somers Library!

We have two thriving adult writer’s workshops that have both been going strong for a few years now.  Recently, we received a grant from Poets & Writers, Inc. as well as funding from the Friends of the Somers Library to offer a Writer’s Workshop for Teens. Additionally, we have readings and open mike nights which give these budding writers the opportunity to showcase their talents. Here is the basic information on our writer’s groups:

Wednesday Writers Workshop Series for Adults: If there is a book in you, a memoir, a fictional recounting of a time in your life or an historical tome, there is no greater time to preserve your written words in a class with other students who are exploring an idea, a work in progress, or a chapter in their life. Bring your ideas, pen and paper (or laptop) so that within a few short weeks you will have developed the strategies to become a lifelong writer. People of all skill levels are welcome. Presented by Linda Spear. Space is limited, so register early! Registerfor one session only please. (Session 1:  1:00-2:30 & Session 2: 2:30-4:00) Meeting dates - 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, & 6/29. 

The Westchester Writers Workshop:  Meetings on the first, third (and fifth) Thursdays of each month from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. We offer a safe, supportive, and creative environment to share literary works in progress. We are not a writing class but rather an ongoing group of writers offering assistance to its members who are looking to improve their writing skills through positive feedback and helpful critiques. Besides critiques and edits, we explore the publication process.  We welcome both beginners as well as experienced writers over the age of 18. Presented by Gabriel Tatella. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestchesterWriters for more info. Registration for this library event is required.

Teen Creative Writer's Workshop: Work on developing your creative writing in a fun & encouraging environment! Please join us for the Teen Creative Writers Workshop! This program is for students in 8th grade and up. Registration is required. Meeting dates from 3:30 pm - 5:00pm - 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/10, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28, & 5/12. 

For those of you who would like to read books about writing, here are some suggestions:

·       The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

·       The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson

·       Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

·       On Writing Well by William Zinsser

·       Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

·       On Writing by Stephen King

·       The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

·       The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

·       On Moral Fiction by John Gardner

·       Bird By Bird: Some Instructions on the Writing Life by Anne Lamott

Let's Watch Something New

Whether you are looking to start a new hobby, expand your horizons, or have simply run out of things to watch on TV, the library has a wealth of nonfiction DVDs and documentaries available for your viewing pleasure. Both informative and entertaining, nonfiction DVDs and documentaries cover a wide variety of subjects: art, cooking, biographies, Broadway shows, concerts, crafts, exercise, self-help, travel etc.

• The Templar Code
• Money, Power and Wall Street
• West Point: The First 200 Years
• Miracle on the Hudson: And Other Extraordinary Air Crash events
• Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger
• Mysteries of the Freemasons
• Inside Grand Central
• Planet Earth  
• Imax Under the Sea
• The Best of Modern Marvels
• Chair Aerobics for Everyone
• Pilates for Every Body
• Cancer: the Emperor of All Maladies
• Untamed Legacy: America's Wild Mustang
• The Complete Guide to Cake Decorating & Baking
• Small Business Management Strategies
• The Art of Knitting & Crochet
• Josh Groban in concert
• Tap Dancing for Beginners
• Ballroom Dancing Basics
• Ultimate Line Dancing
• Learn Mahjongg
• Digital Golf School
• Shakespeare Uncovered
• Timeline: A Historical Series  
• Europe to the Max. Great Cities of Europe  
• Sinking of the Lusitania: Terror at Sea
• The National Parks: America's Best Idea
• The Roosevelts: An Intimate History  

You may place a hold on these, or check the online catalog for similar titles by clicking here. For additional recommendations, check out our Pinterest boards!

Ways The Somers Library Can Help You Get Through the Holiday Season

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, yet it can feel like the most stressful time of the year. Whether you are looking for ideas to inspire your holiday creativity, or a place to escape from the hustle and bustle, Somers Library is here to help. Here are a few ways you can use our library to enjoy the holiday season.

1. Read a book. Reading is not only fun and relaxing, but gives you some great conversation starters, and creates traditions and memories. Try reading a classic holiday book, check out our bibliographies in the library, or as a librarian for ideas. Need ideas for what to read next? Check out our Pinterest boards where you will find nearly 250 boards of books listed by genre. Check out our new 2016 Staff Picks just added recently, or find some great reads to share with children on our Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa board.

2. Get a gift. What better gift can you give to someone than a good book. If you are looking for great book bargains to give as gifts, or perhaps to even to put on your own wish list, check out our Book Sale area. For the month of December, everything is half price!!

3. Make a craft. How about trying a craft to keep your hands busy while you unwind during the long, cold winter months? Why not explore your creative side or learn a new skill by checking out some of our numerous crafting books. Also, on December 5th and 19th at 10:30 am, we are offering a great program...'Quick Holiday Needlework Gifts Workshop'. Registration is required, so be sure to register online at www.somerslibrary.org or call the library at 914-232-5717 to register. There is no fee for these workshops, but participants must bring their own supplies. Check out what you need to bring here. Also, the library offers a variety of maker kits such as knitting kits, crochet kits, cookie cutter kits, and cake pans, so try one out today!

4. Make a treat. A wonderful way to embrace the holiday season is to make and share delicious meals and treats with your friends, family, and neighbors. The library's holiday cookbooks are a wonderful resource for finding new holiday recipes and ideas.

5. Watch a movie. Our DVD collection is quite popular throughout the year, but especially around the holiday season. Why not start a holiday move-watching tradition! You may also place holds on DVDs by clicking here.

6. Learn more. During the holiday season, take the time to learn how other cultures celebrate the holidays. Not only will this give meaning to your own holiday traditions, but will offer some great conversation starters as you share stories and facts about the holidays. It is a wonderful way to increase your understanding and appreciation for how other cultures celebrate the holidays.

7. Listen to music. Music is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit! Whether you are in the mood for holiday music, instrumental music, folk music, or classic soundtracks, you can find all kinds of music to check out in our music CD collection. You may also wish to check out some great songbooks or sheet music of Christmas carols to play during the holiday season.

8. Stay in touch. For those of you that are traveling this holiday season, why not make your journey more enjoyable by checking out some books on CD to listen to while on the road. You can also keep up with all of the holiday programs and concerts, by visiting the library's website at www.somerslibrary.org, or follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Career Resources at the Library

Looking for a job or making a career change? The library has many resources to assist you. In particular, the Westchester Library System subscribes to two databases: Job & Career Accelerator (a comprehensive online job search system), and Learning Express (a comprehensive, interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series.) Job and Career Accelerator puts job seekers on the fast track to getting hired with courses in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, and more. Learning Express will show you how to improve your interviewing skills, how to use social networking for career success, and how to create a better resume and cover letter. There are also practice tests for law enforcement, nursing, civil service, electrician, plumbing, and teaching exams. In addition to these databases, the library frequently adds new titles to our Job Resources section in the library. Some of the newest titles include:

►Before and after resumes: how to turn a good resume into a great one: includes over 500 careers, keywords and phrases, sample designs, online resumes
►Ace your teacher interview: 149 fantastic answers to tough interview questions
►Competency-based interviews: How to master the tough interview style used by the Fortune 500s
►Job savvy: how to be a success at work
►Entrepreneurship quizzes: 12 easy tests to help you become successfully self-employed
►AARP great jobs for everyone 50+: Finding work that keeps you happy and healthy and pays the bills
►150 best jobs for the military-to-civilian transition
►Before and after resumes: How to turn a good resume into a great one; includes over 500 careers, key words and phrases, sample designs, online resumes
►The $100 start-up: Reinvent the way you make a living, do what you love, and make a new future
►The two hour job search: Using technology to get the right job faster

You may place a hold for these, or check the online catalog for similar titles by clicking here.

Panda Bear Cake

Check out this incredible cake, made by a patron using one of our cake pans, which  are available to borrow (as are cookie cutter kits, knitting kits, and crochet kits.) If you'd like to share photos of the projects you make using one of these circulating kits, please email photos to somers@wlsmail.org.