Staff Picks: Halo Glasslands

Halo: Glasslands
by Karen Traviss
2011

In Halo: Glasslands, Karen Traviss (of Republic Commando fame, among other things) joins the pantheon of Halo writers by recounting events that occur around the time of Halo 2. 

The Elites have broken away from the prophets and the Arbiter has emerged as a leader, but he's still struggling to unite his people and convince them that they've been lied to. It's not an easy fight, to say the least. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Halsey and a small group of people that she managed to abduct and trap in a Forerunner Dyson sphere (you read that right) are trying to figure out how they're going to survive, to say nothing of the treasure trove of Forerunner technology they found that could turn the war in humanity's favor if they can get it out. 

Don't expect a slam-bang action ride like Fall of Reach. Geeks of Doom notes that this hasn't been the most popular Halo book, and that "The fist-shakers' collective chatter boiled down to this: they were unprepared for all the judgy-feely words and fully expected to see more combat (Geeks of Doom)." 

However, if you're interested in both the shooting and character-driven sides of Halo, you'll probably like Glasslands.

Peter
Librarian
Martinsburg Public Library 

CALL NUMBER: FIC Trav.K (Musselman)

NEW LIBRARY sneak peek!

Join us on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the NEW Hedgesville Library for a sneak peek at what the interior will look like when finished. While there you can sign up for the summer reading program, visit with Merlin the READ dog, and enjoy a beverage and some sweets. 

On this day, you will also have the opportunity to sign up for the 2013 Summer Reading Program. More details about this year's program will be available in upcoming posts.

You can also pledge to help finish the interior of the new library so that Hedgesville can enjoy a wonderful new information and community center sooner!

And as always, if you ever desire to donate funds to help the libraries, just give us a call at 304-267-8933 and we'll get you connected to the right person!

MBCPL Summer Reading 2013: This Land is Your Land

Summer is right around the corner and that means it's Summer Reading Program time again!

This year's theme is This Land is Your Land. We will focus on exploring our immediate environments, whether that be our homes, yards, towns, or even our state of West Virginia. Martinsburg, WV and the surrounding areas have much to offer for learning in the comfort of our homes, in the outdoors, or together at the library!

Join us at any or all of our four branches for a whole lot of reading, learning, and fun programs. Everyone is invited to participate!

All participants must register. Registration begins June 1, 2013 and you may register at any of our four branches...

Martinsburg Public Library (Martinsburg) 
Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library (Inwood) 
Naylor Memorial Library (Hedgesville) 
North Berkeley Library (Spring Mills)

For children (ages 2—18):

As in past years, every child signed up for the Summer Reading program will receive a free tee-shirt with our summer logo printed on it. Plus, you and your child may participate as you like. We offer the programs, you choose how much or how little to participate.

The reading part of this year's program consists of tracking the library books your child reads to earn Reading Credits, which will then be used like money at the end-of-summer book sale. It is in this way that we aim to create a cycle—encourage children to read to earn more books to read some more!

To encourage your child's learning and exploration, we plan to offer science experiments like hatching chicks and ducks, traditional crafts, a community quilt, an archaeological dig, learning songs from our heritage, dancing, engaging workshops to help you improve your health, and much more! 

Programs will be offered at all four of our branches. Please contact your local branch for specific programs, dates, and times.

Also, stop by the Sense of Wonder Room at MPL which features hands-on activities available for fun, individual learning whenever the library is open.


For adults (ages 18 and up):

All adult participants will be asked to check out and read (or listen to) a total of 5 library books from a list of categories which include 1) West Virginia 2) medicine 3) children's award-winning books 4) "land" in either title of book or author's name 5) farming 6) arts & crafts 7) biographies 8) languages and 9) books inspired by movies. 

Lists of available books in the above categories will be available at the libraries. Titles may be fiction or non-fiction, print or unabridged audio. E-books count as well!

Make sure to record all of the books you read. Completed lists of books read should be turned in no later than July 20, 2013. 

A reception will be held at MPL on Saturday, August 3, 2013 to celebrate the completion of this year's Summer Reading Program. Mary Todd Lincoln will join us for the celebration!

We encourage you to have fun with your reading and learning and we look forward to a great summer serving Berkeley County's community of readers!

For more information stop by or give us a call at...

304-267-8933 (MPL Reference Desk)
304-267-8288 (MPL Children's Library)
304-229-2220 (Musselman)
304-754-3949 (Naylor)
304-274-3443 (North Berkeley)

Mary Jo Brown to visit MPL!

Want your voice heard?

Stop by the Martinsburg Public Library on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. for the opportunity to visit with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin's Regional Coordinator, Mary Jo Brown.

You will be able to ask questions and/or express your concerns about the senator and current political issues.

To learn more about Senator Joe Manchin and his political views, click here.

We look forward to seeing you!

The zombies are coming, the zombies are coming!

Join us at Martinsburg Public Library on Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. for Get Fit for the Apocalypse, an evening to help you prepare for the awakening of the undead!

You will have the chance to create a survival bracelet out of parachute cord and test your fitness playing games on our X-Box. 

Survivalists of all ages are welcome! 

New YA Books at Naylor

Naylor Public Library in Hedgesville has been working hard to expand the Young Adult collection for teens. Many new and wonderful titles have been added to the collection in the last few weeks, and all young adults in the area are invited to come and browse the expanded collection. 

Also, feel free to request specific books and provide your comments about the collection when you visit. We want to hear from you! 

The library will continue to add new fiction, sci-fi, and non-fiction in preparation for the move to our new location. 

So, what do you want to see on the shelves of your new library? Let us know!

Aloha from Musselman!

Join us at Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library for a special story time in celebration of Asian-American Heritage Month. 

To celebrate, you are invited to a Hawaiian luau!

The festivities will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. 

In case you were wondering...

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that is usually accompanied by entertainment, including Hawaiian music and hula dancing. Luau is, essentially, another word for "party." wikipedia

Aloha!

Correction: Martinsburg Heritage Day

Due to a scheduling conflict, Max Mosse will be unable to attend Martinsburg Heritage Day at the library.

But Susan Bales will be here to take his place. Come and reminisce with her on Saturday, May 11th at 10:30 a.m.

We look forward to seeing you!

Happy 50th Birthday, North Berkeley!

Join us as we celebrate North Berkeley Library's 50th anniversary!

Here are some of the fun activities we have planned for you on Thursday, May 16, 2013...

10:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Local politicians will be visiting to share stories with preschoolers at story time. 

11:00 a.m.
Friends of the NBL will host an anniversary celebration.

4:00 p.m.
Friends of the NBL will complete their 50/50 raffle by drawing the name of one lucky winner. Tickets for the 50/50 raffle can be purchased at North Berkeley Library until the drawing at 4:00 p.m. on May 16, 2013.

5:00-7:00 p.m.
Come out for a reading and book signing with local author Randall (R.C.) Coyle. 

Coyle wrote the book Then Came Grace: One Man's Journey to the End of Himself, which you can find on NBL's shelves with the call number FIC Coyl.R.

We hope that you'll join us for the special celebration!

Martinsburg Heritage Day

During Martinsburg Heritage Day, which falls this year on May 11, 2013, the Martinsburg Public Library will host a program titled Reminisce with Max Mosse at 10:30 a.m. Mosse will share stories and discuss Martinsburg events from the 1940s and 1950s. 

This program is free and open to the public, and guests are welcome to offer their own stories about Martinsburg during this informal presentation.

Also, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., visit the reference area of the library and enjoy browsing MPL's scrapbooks and photos. There will also be a showing of old movies in and about Martinsburg.

You can also explore the town's history while enjoying a variety of exhibits, speakers, demonstrations, entertainment, and other activities throughout the day in downtown Martinsburg. Various historical sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. for tours. The day will also include the dedication of the George Washington Heritage Trail Children's Museum at Caperton Station. For more information about these events contact the Adam Stephen House at 304-267-4434 or the Berkeley County Historical Society at 304-267-4713.

May 2013: From the Director's Chair

blog.freepeople.com

Celebrations abound in the month of May, keeping us all very, very busy!

For those of us whose mothers are no longer with us, Mother's Day is bittersweet—we are happy to have had loving, kind, or unique mothers but sad that we can no longer go to them for advice. For anyone whose mother is still alive, make sure to celebrate her on Mother's Day.

Memorial Day is another day full of sadness and joy. While we mourn the loss of those men and women who gave their lives to ensure America's freedom, we also celebrate those who continue to risk their lives for others daily.

On a much lighter note, the following holidays also take place in May...

Mother Goose Day (5/1)
No Socks Day (5/8)
Kite Day (5/12)
National Dance Like a Chicken Day (5/14)
National Chocolate Chip Day (5/15)
Blueberry Cheesecake Day (5/26)

Many historical events occurred in May, including the opening of the Eiffel Tower, the publishing of the first newspaper cartoon in America, the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the sending of the first Morse code message, and the patenting of masking tape. The Kentucky Derby horse race is run every year on the first Saturday of the month.

Graduations from high schools and colleges also take place in the month of May. For many organizations, May is the last month for big meetings before the fall season.

With all of the holidays to celebrate and events to attend in May, make sure to add Martinsburg Heritage Day (look for more details soon!) to your list. Community member Max Mosse, who donated the popcorn machine you see upon entering the library, will be speaking about Martinsburg during the 1940s and 1950s. Come and reminisce with him! 

We're also celebrating Zombie Awareness Month. Come out tomorrow night at 7 p.m. for the showing of Night of the Living Dead.

We'd love for you to add a visit to the library to your busy May! We'll see you soon!