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!!

Solar Campaign Brings New Energy to Westchester County

SUCCESSFUL SOLAR CAMPAIGN BRINGS NEW ENERGY TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY

One of the most successful solar campaigns wraps up, delivering solar to homes and community buildings too.

Westchester County, NY (August 16, 2016) – Take a tour of Somers and you may notice a trend. Dotting the rooftops of homes, and even local community buildings, are new solar systems. 30 residents in the Town signed up for new solar systems during the recent Solarize Somers campaign. It was one of the most successful campaigns in the Solarize Westchester program.

“We were thrilled to see so much interest and passion for solar. We launched this program in October of 2015 and since then, people have been anxious to learn more. The idea of energy savings, energy independence and doing something positive for the environment has really resonated with so many,” said Michael Blum, Chair of the Somers Energy Environment Committee.

“I would like to thank the residents of Somers for their interest in solar. By taking these steps Somers can continue to be a leader in sustainability, and an example for others to follow,”  added Town Supervisor, Rick Morrissey.

Because of the tremendous support, the chosen installer partner, Direct Energy Solar™, donated a 5.2 kilowatt solar system to the Town. The system has been installed on the Somers Library.  A celebration will be held on September 1 at 10:00 in front of the Library.  “We’ve partnered with dozens of communities, and this is one of our most successful programs. It’s so energizing to see people excited about the possibilities and savings with solar. We’re pleased to make this donation, so everyone in the town can benefit from the power of the sun,” said David Goldberg, manager of Community Business Development for Direct Energy Solar.

For more information contact:

David Goldberg

Direct Energy Solar

203-464-0925

David.goldberg@directenergysolar.com

Direct Energy Solar is one of the largest full-service, residential solar providers in the Eastern United States. The company is headquartered in Maryland and almost 500 employees sell and install solar arrays in six Mid-Atlantic states and throughout New England. Our mission is to spread solar power to the rooftops of America and ensure that customers get the most out of their solar panels—the most energy generated, the most electricity savings, the most beneficial environmental impact, and the most joy each time they see a sunny day. ©2016 Clockwork IP, LLC

August is Read a Romance Month

First observed in 2013, this month-long celebration urges readers to pick a novel to read from the romance genre. Romance novels represent human hopes and dreams; they feature men and women fighting for their best possible lives against difficult odds, and with the universal demand that they change for the better. ~ Chases Calendar of Events

Listed are a few genres, and suggested authors.

General and Contemporary

• Catherine Anderson
• Robyn Carr
• Christina Dodd
• Julie Garwood
• Debbie Macomber
• Susan Mallery
• Karen Robards
• Nora Roberts
• Susan Wiggs

Regency

• Mary Balogh
• Jo Beverly
• Loretta Chase
• Anne Gracie
• Lorraine Heath
• Hannah Howell
• Eloisa James
• Stephanie Laurens
• Mary Jo Putney
• Julia Quinn

Paranormal  

• Ilona Andrews
• Patricia Briggs
• Jayne Castle
• Kresley Cold
• Christine Feehan
• Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Lora Leigh
• Lynsay Sands
• Gena Showalter
• Nalini Singh
• J. R. Ward

Romantic Suspense 

• Maya Banks
• Cate Beauman
• Suzanne Brockman
• Lori Foster
• Laura Griffin
• Carla Neggers
• J. D. Robb
• Karen Rose
• Anne Stuart

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. 

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