Fall Programming Kicks Off

 

9-13-2024

Fall program changes kicked in at the library this week. Monday saw our first Pokémon Open Card Battle. On hand were Bryan, owner of 2To16 Games, and his fiancée Harlie who helps out at the shop. The two patrons who came after school already knew how to play so it was all about battles this week; however, Bryan and Harlie were fully prepared to teach and feed participants. They brought starter decks and cookie cake to share.

2To16 Games is in Mukwonago near Fork in the Road and in the same strip mall as Judd’s Designs. Along with their Corgi, Annie Mae, Bryan and Harlie provide a space for game play of Magic the Gathering as well as Pokémon. Contrary to their name, most patrons are actually in their 20s. Younger players do come in with their families. Board games are also available for free play. Play space is free; however, they do sell trading cards and supplies such as card sleeves, dice, and new player decks.

Our next Pokémon night is after school on Monday, September 23^rd. This program runs the same days as our Yarn & Stitch group: 2^nd and 4^th Mondays each month. This coming Monday, September 16^th is our first Serial Sampler Book Club. This month is The Wild Robot by Peter Brown to coincide with the movie release.

The October book is Magyk by Angie Sage. This was on my recommendation. The Septimus Heap series is one of my favorites. Emma and I listened to it before she was old enough for Harry Potter. I had to trick her into listening to it as the title gave her the impression it was a boy book. Our previous listen finished while we were on the way to Devil’s Lake. Lo and behold, Magik was the only other audiobook with us. The first chapter introduces a lost princess, which immediately made the book and its six sequels acceptable.

The series have some similarities in that they both involve young men raised without parents and whose life changes when they discover their magical abilities. Septimus Heap is not nearly as dark for all that he too has a nemesis from birth. Print and audio copies are available at the library.

For adults and older teens who like to write, our new Writer’s Workshop starts Tuesday, September 17^th at 3:00-4:30. This program is intended to create a safe space for writers to share their works in progress and provide feedback and support for each other.

Reading Now: 

Listening to Now: American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin 

New on BadgerLink

 

9-6-2024

It seems fitting to write an article about BadgerLink resources the week school starts up again. The databases offered are very helpful for student research in most of my classes, which in previous years resulted in a number of how-to demonstrations in classrooms. However, with over 70 resources to offer on a variety of topic they serve all ages. In July a handful of those changed. Direct links to three of the new databases are now available on the ETLPL website. All three have a do-it-yourself component in common.

The first is a replacement for Auto Repair Source. As the name implies, this database provided repair manuals for auto repair. And the definition of uncomplicated it not complicated. ChiltonLibrary may not be as obvious a name, but it is a well known and respected one for do-it-yourself mechanics. Chilton’s have been so coveted in the past, that our print collection is literally stored under lock and key and not allowed to circulate. Instead, patrons were asked to make copies of the relevant pages. With this database, that is no longer an issue. The materials can be accessed immediately as the need arises rather than at the mercy of library hours. Plus, they advertise a video library as part of the collection.

Related, but not new, is the Small Engine Repair Source. Another obvious title for the mechanically inclined.

The second addition to our website, also for the mechanically inclined and obviously named, is Home Improvement Source. This draws from magazines and reference books on home improvement and repair projects. According to the BadgerLink website that includes electrical, flooring, gardening, design, plumbing, woodworking, and more.

The final hands-on database linked to our website is Hobbies and Crafts Source. Magazines are also the source for this database. They cover crafts, cooking/baking, gardening, indoor/outdoor recreation, and more.

The majority of the remaining BadgerLink resources are for research purposes. Not just papers but also health related information, genealogy, historical newspapers, and even book recommendations. All of resources are paid for by the state of Wisconsin and made available to all residents through their public and school libraries for free. As an experiment, I accessed Popular Science through the Popular Magazines database without logging in. That may be because the software recognizes the library’s IP address. That is the case for students at school. The first time use at home may require logging in with a library card. Give it a try.

Reading Now: The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner (September Adult Book Club Selection)

Listening to Now: One More to Die by Joy Ellis (Audible Original unrelated to her series)