Peanuts films at Martinsburg Library

The Island of the Blue Dolphin

The Island of the Blue Dolphin
by Scott O'Dell

This book is based on the true story of an American Indian woman who lived alone on the island of San Nicholas off the coast of California for eighteen years. In this fictionalized account of her life, Karana learns to hunt (overcoming the fear instilled in her by her father that women should never use weapons), make shelters, fences, shelves, clothing etc. But most of all, she learns to cope with the enormous loneliness and fear. One way in which Karana copes with this is by developing an empathy for the animals around her, so much so that by the end of exile the only animals she eats are fish and shellfish. She even uses kelp rather than seal sinew to tie things together. Karana learns to love her beautiful but desolate home. When Karana is finally rescued at the end of the book, one actually feels sadness as well as joy for her, something special has come to an end. Scott O'Dell wrote this book when he was feeling despair over the treatment of the wildlife and environment ear his home in California. The result is a beautiful, moving book that has stood the test of time. This book is available in our juvenile fiction section.

Marian

HISTORICAL TREASURES AT THE LIBRARY, PART 4 MOBILE ART

HISTORICAL TREASURES AT THE LIBRARY, PART 4

MOBILE ART

     Some interesting art mobiles are on permanent display in the Martinsburg Public Library.  The four mobiles, three of which are located in the Children’s Department and one in the Adult Department, were created by the same artist, Howard Connor, and were donated by him to the library in memory of his mother-on-law, Mrs. Roy W. (Mary) Hollis, who was a former local resident.       Some of his mobiles have been sold in art galleries in New York City and have been featured in issues of “House Beautiful” magazine.

The mobile in the Adult Department is called “Perpetual Motion.”  It is constructed of light-gauge piano wire and multi-colored plastic disks.  The mobile was made perfectly balanced, so that the wires never tangle, and it moves smoothly and lightly, if caught by a soft breeze when someone walks past it.  

This mobile has a twin, almost identical mobile, in the Children’s Department.  These mobiles were donated to the library in 1973.

                                                                

Two newer mobiles are also located in the Children’s Department.  They are a butterfly mobile and a fish mobile, made similarly but with shapes of butterflies and fishes at the end of the wires.  Mr. Conner, feeling that his disk mobiles no longer reflected his best work, donated the two new mobiles, in his mother-in-law’s memory also, to the Children’s Department in 2001.

Summer Reading Program 2015 at Martinsburg

 Martinsburg Public Library's Summer Reading Program Preview

Summer Reading Program 2015 promises some interesting 

NEW concepts.  

Look for special programming on MONDAYS for young 

adults. Age specific programs will be offered in the

 “UNMASK!” program.  

Look for:

* Super Hero Yoga

* 3-D printing

* Improvisational       Dance

* Crafting with Computer Components

* Green Screen Technology

* Writers Workshops

* Hero Logo Design and much, much more

Programming for our younger children will occur on 

Fridays and Saturdays. 

Look for :

* Creative Movement

* Crafts including superhero book makers and mask making.

* Healthy Life Style story times.

* Yoga

* Family Field Day

* Books and so much more...

Registration for summer reading will begin on June 1 and continue through July.  Each young patron registered will receive a reusable book bag.  Of course the heart and soul of our program is reading.  

Start to keep track of the books read for a rewards book sale in August.  

Check it out on our webpage: martinsburg.lib.wv.us, on

 FACEBOOK, Martinsburg Children’s Library

 or call 304-267-8288

Martinsburg Children’s Programming @ a Glance

Martinsburg Children’s Programming @ a Glance

* May 2, 10am-2pm — Comic Con: Enjoy a popular culture celebration.

* May 4 & 18, 3-4:30pm — LEGO Free-Play

* May 9, 10:30am — “Book to Movie”, Paddington Bear

* May 16, 23 & 30, 10:30am — Stories on Saturdays & Crafts

* May 24 & 25 — Closed for Memorial Day

Jane Levitan's farewell blog

Farewell, BLOG

Saying goodbye has never been my strong suit.  I prefer to fade-away quietly, but perhaps this farewell will be different.  It is true; I am leaving the Martinsburg Library, stepping away from my position of Youth Services Director.  The job has been more than a job, a way of life filled with joy and challenge.

  I’ve learned quite a bit in the past years including:  NEVER to believe that llamas are housebroken, that green glitter glue will fly through the air like a heat-seeking missile and find the woman with the blondest hair in the room, that 3 inch long Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches will not necessarily respect the petroleum jelly barrier on the walls of their enclosures as advertised, that young guinea fowl can leap to great heights before their adult feathers have appeared and so much more.  Learning about the workings of libraries at the local, state and national levels, I have made some true friends along the way.  I’ve found that you can never judge a book by its cover in library science or dealing with the public. There are surprises with both, most very rewarding.  What an experience to serve patrons from Myanmar, Ivory Coast, Iraq and Guiana to name a few of the less-known countries.

It has been a privilege to compete for grants (some success), craft reading programs and school classes as well as select items for our collection. It has also been an honor to represent you at local, state and national legislative days and at conferences. Equal in importance has been the day to day contact with patrons young and old.  Whether chatting with a baby about her kitty shoes, or encouraging an eighty year old to explore a visiting ocean display, each conversation has been unique and mostly fun and interesting. 

Thank you for your trust, support, friendship, and in some cases, love.  I’ll never forget this experience as I continue my journey wherever it might take me. 

Fondly,

Jane Levitan

Youth Services Director (now retired)

The Tale of 2 Events, “Sing Dance and Travel the World with Lulu Delacre”

      It was the worst of times; it was the best of times.  I admit it.  It was my fault.  Who would schedule an author visit the day before Easter?  Me.  When I contacted author/illustrator Lulu Delacre and she mentioned that she had a Saturday free, I jumped at the opportunity to host her in our library as part of our El Dia grant.  Realizing my pre-Easter mistake, we spared no opportunity to promote the event.  

 
 We had advertisements and the FREE book provided by the grant displayed at the circulation desk (including one that literally hit the patrons in the head when checking out), we also used radio, newsletters, FACEBOOK, websites (ours and Lulu’s), personal contacts (ours and Lulu’s again), etc. Still when the program started, it was ill attended.  Lulu, undaunted presented an engaging session filled with fun, dance, travel and music.  She signed books and the young participants had their pictures taken with their dream worldwide locations via green screen technology.

     Then it happened, we looked out the window and there they were-- kids in the plaza across the street greeting the Easter Bunny and a few other costumed critters. Lulu launched a full-on musical parade with staff and patrons and serenaded the Bunny and his young friends with Latin instruments.       She introduced herself, her FREE books and a surprise encore presentation.  Leading the group back to the library, she sang, danced and traveled the world again for a packed audience.  

   
She did not leave until every child received a signed book and posed with her in front of the green screen.  Her favorite background was her native Puerto Rico. The hour program stretched on to four hours. An ill-fated program was now a success. 

   
We even issued some cards to new members of our community who were coaxed into the library with the promise of diversity and fun.

The moral of the story, check the calendar.  Second moral, invite Lulu she will deliver the best program possible, sometimes twice, including rounding up her own audience.  Did I mention that she wanted the El Dia pin to wear proudly throughout the month?  Third moral, DO NOT compete with the Easter Bunny!

   
Note to our patrons, if you did not know that this program was occurring at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library, please let a staff member know.  We are always interested in finding new and creative ways to inform our public.

Spring Break Boredom? Visit your public library!

Spring Break Boredom?  Visit your Public Library!

Spending time relaxing around the house during break can get boring fast.  Let your public libraries help!  Each of your four Berkeley County Public Libraries offer activities, computers with internet access, free movies showing, unlimited learning, a space to relax with a book in good company.  The library is great for all ages.  And remember, if you have a library card from any Berkeley County public library, or one in Morgan or Jefferson Counties, you can use it tri-county wide!   This Spring Break week may be just the time to check out a library you’ve never been to before, but are more than welcome to use.  See below for names and phone numbers to Berkeley County, Jefferson County, and Morgan County public libraries.  Give them a call to see what they offer this week and beyond!

BERKELEY COUNTY

Martinsburg Public Library

304-267-8933

Musselman-South Berkeley

Community Library

304-229-2220

Hedgesville Public Library

304-754-3949

North Berkeley Library

304-274-3443

JEFFERSON COUNTY

Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library

304-535-2301

Shepherdstown Public Library

304-876-2783

South Jefferson Public Library

304-725-6227

MORGAN COUNTY

Morgan County Public Library

304-258-3350

Paw Paw Public Library

304-947-7013

Cinderella Picture Book Adaptations

 Does your family have Cinderella fever? Between the release of Into the Woods in December and a new Cinderella movie earlier this month, the work-weary princess is enjoying renewed popularity! If you want more Cinderella, check out some of these picture book adaptations available in our system.

Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaolo.
Adelita's stepmother forces her to work day and night and forbids her to attend Javier's wonderful party. Is it possible that her dreams will come true, anyway? The story is in English with Spanish phrases throughout.

Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella by James Mayhew.
Ella Bella loves ballet and is enchanted by the story of Cinderella, but she didn't know she might end up in the story! This picture book ends with the Cinderella ballet.

Domitila : a Cinderella tale from the Mexican tradition by Jewell Reinhart Coburn.
In this Mexican version of the story, Domitila has no fairy godmother or glass slipper; instead, her own excellent qualities are all the magic she needs to make her dreams come true.

Cinderelephant by Emma Dodd.
Cinderelephant's warthog cousins are as cruel to her as the stepsisters are to the original Cinderella. But with the help of a fairy godmouse, Cinderelephant might just be the belle of the ball!

Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett.
All the other chickens in the flock pick on Cinders mercilessly, until her fate changes the night of the ball. This enchanting story is made even more magical by Brett's beloved illustration style.

The Way Meat Loves Salt: A Cinderella Story from the Jewish Tradition by Nina Jaffe.
In this version of the story, a rabbi's daughter is sent away from home. No fairy godmother here--instead, the Prophet Elijah comes to her aid. Will the rabbi's daughter have a happy ending?

Cinder Edna by Ellen B. Jacks.
We all know about Cinderella, but what about her neighbor, Cinder Edna? Her life is a lot like Cinderella's, but she feels much differently about it--which Cindy will end up happier? Kevin O'Malley's illustrations make this delightful book even funnier.

Rufferella by Vanessa Gill-Brown.
The little girl in this story isn't interested in being a princess—she idolizes the Fairy Godmother. Her dog plays the role of Cinderella, but things don't go exactly as she intended!

Cinder-Elly by Frances Minters.
This is a rap adaptation. Instead of yearning to go to the ball, Cinder-Elly wants to go to a basketball game. Will she get to meet the famous player Prince Charming?

Building STEAM with El Dia

Building STEAM with El Día

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This year, Día will be even more thrilling than usual thanks to a mini-grant “Building STEAM (science, technology, art and mathematics) with El Día provided by American Library Association, Association for Library Services to Children and Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  The Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries is proud to be chosen as one of the eighteen libraries to receive this funding.  With the help of this support, we will celebrate the diversity in our community that makes our lives so much richer and joyful.

Our celebration will begin on April 4, 11am with the visit of Lulu Delacre, a Puerto-Rican born author/ illustrator. Her program, “Sing, Dance and Travel the World” will be both active and informative.  Each family will receive a FREE book (as supplies last) in Spanish or English that Lulu will sign! Activities will continue through the month featuring activities using the GLOBE program. Library staff member were trained by NASA to teach these worldwide weather observations. The Chocolate Festival on April 25, 10-3 will feature “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, but also chocolate history and geography and tastings from around the world, especially in countries associated with our community members. Of course our month-long celebrate conclude on April 30, 3-5 with “Touch the Sea”, a touch-tank with live sea creatures, bi-lingual signage, art, math and science activities. So many ways to celebrate literacy, so much fun! Come to the library and check it out!

Heroic summerstime

CONSIDER THE KIDDOS: Look forward to a HEROIC SUMMERTIME!

The word ‘hero’ often brings to mind superheroes, like Batman, Superman, Ironman, all the ones from the fantastic comics.  Fantastic as their stories are, there are real things going on:  Batman wants to rid his city of crime; Superman has saved the world from an atomic bomb; Ironman has faced terrorists!  Many police officers, investigators, and military persons have done these very things, sometimes in ways that make a difference in one or many lives.

A hero can be a national leader, an explorer of the sea, a missionary, a musician, an athlete, an advocate for education, an artist.  A hero can also be the cashier at your grocery store, What about something closer to home?  Children look for heroes in their parents, aunts and uncles, the friend of an older sibling, a teacher.  These people may be heroes a few times over and they live and breathe among us.

We’ll be exploring and celebrating The Hero this summer in Martinsburg, North Berkeley, Musselman, and Hedgesville Public Libraries; join us, toddlers, kiddos, tweens, and teens.  Being a hero does not mean you need supernatural powers to fly through the sky, a load of money, or to be a genius.  Whatever you do every day, always strive to do better than you thought you could.  Be convicted to your cause!  Always remember to be kind.  Take a deep breath, know you are strong, and look in the mirror.  Ask yourself, “Who is a hero?”  You are my friend.

Consider the Kiddos: Clouds and Popcorn--children's post 3 17 2015

CONSIDER THE KIDDOS: CLOUDS & POPCORN

A favorite and endearing author of children’s literature, Tomie de Paola writes and illustrates on topics as varied as stories of his childhood, ethnic folk tales, and simple non-fiction.  Two non-fiction books of his are about things a child notices and experiences on a regular basis: clouds and popcorn.   Find out a few interesting things!  Hilariously enough, both of these books are older than I am, but my friends, they are no less fascinating than if they were published today.

Now that Spring is on its way, you could take a few moments to lie down in the grass and notice the sky.  (Remember Spring can be wet; maybe just stand and look up!)  Sometimes the sky is blue; if there’s rain, you may not see any blue at all. What breaks up the blue or covers it all up?  The Cloud Book will tell you.  Kids commonly look up at these white things, often observing “It looks like a camel!” or “See that house cloud?!”  These “house clouds” may very well be cumulous clouds.  Planes racing across the sky leave marks from their exhaust called contrails; what a neat thing for a child to look up and see, especially when there are two or more planes criss-crossing in contrail games!  Learn all about the curious names of clouds – cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and combinations

describing their altitude and dispersion.  As a child, trying to wrap your tongue around scientific words like “cumulonimbus” can be an amusing challenge!   As clouds have much to do with rain, snow, and storms, you can also learn how clouds can tell about approaching changes in the weather.  Not one to leave out a good story, Mr de Paola also included age-old myths about clouds (because kids long ago looked at clouds, too!).  For a simple and neat experiment, follow this link to make your own cloud: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/cloud-book-teaching-plan  And – there’s more – join us this summer and make clouds here in the library, learn how to tell them apart, and predict the weather as part of our partnership with the GLOBE program!  https://www.globe.gov/

On to popcorn, a favorite snack of anyone, young and old!  Talk about old,

The Popcorn Book will tell you about popcorn through history.  As common as

popcorn is, apparently it was a special feature at the first Thanksgiving.  You’ll

also discover why popcorn earned its name – what makes this corn pop? 

Popcorn goes great with a movie, and Mr de Paola gives you two recipes to

give a whirl.  Bonus: you can also learn how to cook popcorn in the sand.

For a full list of Tomie’s books and more about him, visit his website at

http://www.tomie.com/main.html

As you continue to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, look for these books by Tomie de Paola to color your celebration!

 

 

 

3D Printing comes to the Martinsburg Library

YA Skull Sessions

3D PRINTING may take forever, but it’s totally boss

3.17.15 was more than St Patrick’s Day this year!  March 17^th 2015

marks the first trial of our magenta-colored Cube 3D printer. 

Thanks to a generous grant, Martinsburg Public Library was able

to obtain four 3D printers (two white, two magenta, the colors

of which do not determine its function, they’re just fun).  You

can see the general size of the printer is smaller than a com-

mon printer, about the size of smallish box. If you can see on

the computer screen in the background, we're printing a rhino-

ceros head that is a wall hanger (hang on the horn).

The printing for this particular object will take (get ready for this) 6 hours and 26 minutes. Yikes! Not something one would want to wait around for, but we plan to have our printers up and running for upcoming festivals.  Among many other activities, we’ll have them printing during Martinsburg’s Chocolate Festival on April 25^th.

Follow Martinsburg Public Library on Facebook for more

images and a video of the 3D printer as it constructs the

rhino head wall hanger.  Very cool.

Check this link to Cube’s website to see the possibilities –

people have printed prosthetic arms, and these printers even have the capacity to print 3D objects with food (hummus, banana,meat).  Crazy?!  You decide.

http://cubify.com/?utm_expid=54557154-16.MbczTxfJSdy7HzF61vdnTw.0&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fcubify.com%2Fen%2Fstore%2Fkids

3.17.2015 Erin K Henry