Author Book Talk and Signing!

The Valley Community Library will be hosting an author talk and book signing by Jay Luke, author of “When Coal Was Queen: The History of the Queen City—Olyphant, Pennsylvania” on Monday, August 31st at 6 p.m. The book, published by local publisher Tribute Books, journeys into the colorful history of Olyphant, Pennsylvania and its notable past.
Jay Luke is a musician and artist from Throop, Pa and a graduate of Marywood University. As a project engineer for the Olyphant Coal Miner Memorial Association, he has delved deeply into the origins of the area and the forgotten histories of the towns around him.
Please register for this event by calling the Library at 570.489.1765 or contacting Laura Fonash, Adult Services/Public Relations Librarian @ lfonash@albright.org. The Valley Community Library is located at 739 River Street, Peckville, PA 18452.

STAFF PICKS

Check out The Valley Community Library Staff Picks below to find out what we're reading!

Mary Barna, Director: THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer--"A delightful and thought provoking story of life in the Channel Islands during and just after World War II. Occupied Guernsey and the results of the occupation come alive through a series of letters."

Karen Slachta, Head of Children and Youth Services: THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho--"Part fable and part parable, THE ALCHEMIST is one of those books that give you an 'aha' moment. It left me with a burst of optimistic motivation. The message has stayed with me over many years and it has made me look at many of life's coincidences with a closer eye."

Laura Fonash, Adult Services Librarian/Public Relations: THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger--"THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE is an inspirational and heartbreaking love story that centers on Henry, a time-traveling Librarian, and his artist wife, Clare. It's one of those books that you can't bear to put down because you become so attached to the characters and their triumph over obstacles in their seemingly doomed relationship. Sticks with you long after you finish reading it."

Kim Scritchfield, Head of Circulation: SHOPAHOLIC AND BABY by Sophie Kinsella--"All of the 'SHOPAHOLIC' books are fun, but this one is exceptional. Becky Bloomwood-Brandon, shopaholic extraordinaire, is house-hunting and expecting her first child...two perfect opportunities for her favorite pastimes--spending money and getting herself into sticky situations."

Sarah Crotti, Assistant to the Director of Youth Services: PREP by Curtis Sittenfeld--"Sittenfeld is one of the few authors who can write about high school believably. You will see many of your former classmates in the characters in this book, whether you went to a ritzy boarding school in New England or the public school down the block. Definitely my favorite book of all time!"

"Didgeridoo Down Under"

Monday, July 27th at 11 a.m.

"Didgeridoo Down Under" is a high-energy, Australia-themed show that combines music, art, puppetry, comedy, environmental education, character building, and audience participation! Registration is required!

"Learning Magic Through Books!"

Saturday, July 18th at 1:30 p.m.

Magician Tom Yurasits will amaze and astound with his "Learning Magic Through Books" show. Great family entertainment. Registration required.

"Learning Magic Through Books!"

Welcome Waggers

Monday, July 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Join us as our furry friends from Therapy Dogs International come to hear stories from their favorite readers--YOU! Suggested for elementary-aged children, but everyone is welcome. Please register.

HOWL AT THE MOON

Come "HOWL AT THE MOON" at Valley Community Library on Monday, July 6th at 1 p.m. "HOWL AT THE MOON...WITH A WILD THING TUNE!" is a participatory musical performance with humorous songs about our natural world by singer/guitarist/banjoist Tom Sieling. All ages. Registration is required.

SUMMER READING KICKOFF!

The 2009 Summer Reading Program kicks off on Monday, June 15th!

Celebrate the start of Summer Reading with a program with Uncle Pete at 1 p.m. at Valley Community Library! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

TEEN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

Attention Teens!

The Valley Community Library Teen Advisory Board will be meeting on Wednesday, June 10th at 6 p.m. and Friday, June 12 at 1 p.m.

Welcome Waggers

The Welcome Waggers will be here on Monday, June 8th at 6:30 P.M.!

SAVE LIBRARY FUNDING!

Save Library Funding!

Libraries need your help! Funding for all Pennsylvania libraries, including the Lackawanna County Library System, is in jeopardy in the upcoming state budget. Please contact your state legislators, Governor Rendell, and the PA Department of Education to ask for level funding of all library programs in the FY 2009-2010 budget. (See end of message for contact information.)

Proposed cuts in state funding for libraries range from 5% to 56%. These cuts come at a time when libraries are busier than ever, serving those who are most in need, including the unemployed and families on tight budgets.

Lackawanna County libraries stand to lose anywhere from $45,000 to nearly $1 million in direct state support. In addition, some proposed cuts eliminate popular statewide programs -- including the POWER Library, the Statewide Library Card, Ask Here PA, and Keystone facilities grants -- and drastically reduce others, including State Library operations.

To add insult to injury, the cuts in state funding will reduce Pennsylvania’s eligibility for federal LSTA dollars. Pennsylvania library programs will lose anywhere from $1 million to $3.8 million in federal funds, at a time when we need to secure every dollar we can from Washington.

There are two bills in place at this time. House Bill 1416 cuts library funding for all programs by 5% overall. Senate Bill 850 cuts funding overall by 56%. A request for level funding of all programs will ensure that library services will be available during these hard economic times for the people who need them most.

State legislators are in their local offices this week, so it’s a good time to contact them, in person, by phone, by email, or by letter. Be respectful, but don’t be bashful. Don’t be afraid to show your passion for your local library. Explain why your library makes a difference to you and your family, especially during this recession. Short messages are good. Personal stories are the best.

Help to preserve funding for public library services and programs by contacting your legislators today.

For contact information for Senator Mellow and your state representative, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/session.cfm and type in your zip code in the upper right (“Find Members By Zip Code.”) This will give you the name, address, and an email address.

Please copy your letters or messages to:

Governor Ed Rendell http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, PA Secretary of Education gzahorchak@state.pa.us

Clare Zales, Deputy Secretary of Education mzales@state.pa.us

Ladies Social Tea Fundraiser

EDITORS NOTE: WE REGRET THAT THE FUNDRAISER HAS BEEN CANCELLED.The Valley Community Library will host a Ladies Social Tea fundraiser on Sunday, June 7th at 2 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring their favorite teacup and saucer and encouraged to wear their favorite hat. Along with the tea, traditional high tea fare will be served. There will also be a raffle basket of traditional British food. Registration is required. Tickets are $10.00 and can be obtained at the Library.
For additional information, call the Valley Community Library at 489-1765.

Suggest an Adult Event or Program for Valley Community Library

If you are an patron 18 years and up and would would like to present a talk or event, send an email with a description of your program and a brief bio to Laura Fonash, Adult Services/Public Relations Library @ Valley Community Library or call 570-489-1765.

If you are not a presenter and would like to suggest a program, please feel free to leave a comment in the suggestion box at the Circulation Desk.

Fundraiser @ Uno Chicago Grill

The Valley Community Library is having a fundraiser in conjunction with Uno Chicago Grill.

Uno Chicago Grill will donate up to 20% of a patron’s check to the Library if they present a special coupon. This coupon is available at the Library. The event runs Wednesday, May 13th and Thursday, May 14th.

NEPA Paranormal

The Valley Community Library will host NEPA Paranormal, who specialize in scientific paranormal investigation, on Monday, May 18th at 7 P.M. Come hear members share their stories and findings! For additional information, please contact the Valley Community Library at 489-1765.

Forensic Anthropology Lecture

The Valley Community Library will host a Forensic Anthropology lecture presented by Stephen Phillips on Thursday, May 7^th at 2 P.M. Stephen Phillips is the Research Assistant to the Curator-In-Charge of the Egyptian Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Stephen specializes in the analysis of ancient Egyptian human skeletal remains, mummies, and mummification techniques. The Outreach Lecture Program is funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. For additional information, please contact the Valley Community Library at 489-1765.

Special Storytimes @ Valley

On Tuesday, March 31 at 6 pm, the Valley Community Library, 739 River St. Peckville, is holding an Open House to introduce library services to families with special needs. A new story time geared to children with special needs will be highlighted and there will be a chance to make crafts, tour the library, get library cards, hear stories and so much more! For more information, or to pre-register, please call the Youth Services Department of the library at 570-489-1765, extension 4 or email kslachta@albright.org.

NEPA'S Neighborhood for Childhood Cancer Meeting

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

NEPA’s Neighborhood for Childhood Cancer will hold its first Neighborhood meeting at the Valley Community Library from 10:30am-noon. All are welcome, especially those whose lives have been touched by Childhood Cancer. There will be special activities for kids ages 3-14. For more information or to register contact the Valley Library’s Youth Services Department, 570-489-1765,ext 4; email : kslachta@albright.org or Cancertacular, Inc at info@cancertacular.org

Romance Book Binge!

The Valley Community Library presents a ROMANCE BOOK BINGE on Monday, April 20th @ 6 P.M.

Free "new to you" romance books looking for a good home!

Raffle baskets and refreshments!

Call 489-1765 for additional details.

New Adult Book Club @ Valley

Join the first meeting of the new Adult Book Club at Valley Community Library: The Travel Book Club. Travel the world through fiction without leaving the comfort of your armchair!

First meeting on Tuesday, April 21st @ 10 a.m. Registration is required.

Contact: Laura Fonash, Adult Services Librarian/Public Relations @ 489-1765 or lfonash@albright.org.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAKESPEARE @ THE VALLEY COMMUNITY LIBRARY!

Come celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday with an interactive family program and cake on Thursday, April 23th @ 6 P.M. Registration is required. Call the Library @ 489-1765 for additional details.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

The Valley Community Library hosted a birthday party for Dr. Seuss on Monday, March 2nd! Attendees enjoyed crafts, stories, and cake!

Books Appetit

The Valley Community Library recently hosted the fundraiser Books Appetit on Tuesday, February 23rd. The event was a great success!

On the Same Page Book Discussion

On the Same Page Book Discussion: Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline

Come join readers in book discussions throughout Lackawanna County! The featured book is New York Times bestseller Lady Killer by Lisa Scottoline. The discussion runs March 1st through April 16th. Books are free and you’ll have a chance to meet bestselling author Lisa Scottoline!

Register at any Lackawanna County Library.

Vampires Invade Valley

“What do you live for?” If you answered "TWILIGHT” then plan to join us from “TWILIGHT TO MIDNIGHT” (6pm to midnight for you mortals) on Friday, February 27 at the Valley Community Library for a celebration of all things supernatural.

Test your knowledge of the supernatural with our trivia games, feast on blood-red foods, have your fortune told and let your inner artist out to play with some crafty ideas. Show your dark side and dress as your favorite fantasy character, if you dare!

Registration and permissions slips required! Once you enter for the evening, you cannot leave until your guardian (parent) appears!

Valley Community Library Fundraiser: Books Appetit

The Valley Community Library presents Books Appétit-Fat Tuesday, a 23rd anniversary celebration on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Valley Community Library 739 River Street in Peckville. Entertainment will be provided by Vivace!, an auditioned treble choir of 53 seventh through ninth grade students from Valley View School District.

Come join us for an evening of exciting fare from local restaurants and door prizes and raffles. Tickets are $20.00 and can be obtained from Committee Members or at the Valley Community Library.

For additional information, call the Valley Community Library at 489-1765.

Library Closed for President's Day

The Valley Community Library will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of President's Day.

Come Honor American Girl Kit Kittredge!

The Valley Community Library is hosting an American Girls Party honoring Kit Kittredge on Saturday, February 14th at 2 p.m. Bring your favorite doll! Registration is required.

Please contact Karen Slachta (kslachta@albright.org) at 489-1765 for any additional information.

Check out the New Playaway Books @ Valley

Valley Community Library is now offering pre-loaded digital audiobooks known as Playaways. Playaways are small and lightweight and allow you to listen to your favorite titles on the go! Just plug in your headphones (which are also available for $1.00 at the Library) and experience a high-quality listening experience. Each Playaway has one pre-loaded audiobook.
Stop by the Library and check out the display of new Playaways today.
For additional information, please call the Library at 489-1765.

Benefit Dance for the Valley Community Library

The Northeast Social Dance Club presents a benefit dance for Valley Community Library at the DAV 516 Storrs Street in Dickson City on Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 8 p.m.–12:00 a.m., sponsored by Pulman Interiors, Furnishings By Design.

Tickets are available at the Library for $5.00. Raffle tickets for a surprise gift baskets are also available at 10 tickets for $5.00. All proceeds benefit the Valley Community Library. Donations can be mailed to NESDC c/o Valley Community Library 511 Wedge Drive Dickson City, PA 18519. For additional information, please contact the Valley Community Library at 489-1765.

Closed Due to Weather

The Valley Community Library is closed today, Wednesday, January 28th due to the snow.

Superhero Party!

Are you a bird? A plane? A superhero? A super-reader? The Valley Community Library is hosting a Superheroes Party on Saturday, February 7th at 2 p.m. Come for facepainting and fun and test your Superpower skills! Registration is required. Please contact Karen Slachta (kslachta@albright.org) at 489-1765 for additional information.

Welcome Waggers!

The Welcome Waggers will be here Monday, February 9th, 2009!!

THERAPY DOGS INTERNATIONAL

Welcome Waggers are affiliated with TDI's "Children's Reading to Dogs Program". Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a volunteer group organized to provide qualified handlers and their therapy dogs for visitation in a variety of settings.

The "Children Reading to Dogs" program is one of TDI's newest services. Schools and Libraries are quickly discovering the value of Therapy Dogs. Once in school some children might have a little trouble learning how to read. Here is where we can be of help with our wonderful Therapy Dogs. Within the last four or five years our handlers have started visiting libraries with their Therapy Dogs. It is so much fun for the children to read to a patient Therapy Dog. What an incentive!

How does the Reading program work?

Libraries schedule reading hours for children and Therapy dogs. Children and dogs bond together over a shared story. Children's confidence and reading skills grow in a relaxing environment. It's that simple.

TDI dogs come in all shapes and sizes, real dogs with real personalities and real love to share. TDI's Reading Program is a wonderful opportunity for children to interact with and learn about dogs in a positive manner. "Children Reading to Dogs" is only one facet of the many TDI programs.

CABIN FEVER

Get Rid of The Blues!

Registration begins Monday, January 26th!

Cabin Fever: A Book Club for Adults runs from February 2, 2009 through February 28, 2009. Open to adults, ages 18 and up. Each adult who registers will receive a Lackawanna County Library bag containing 3 Quick Rate slips and other fun items. When you return each book, turn in your Quick Rate slip for that book. Use the colored slip for your third book read. This denotes completion of the book club. However, ask for more white slips if you would like to read more than 3 books.

Each Quick Rate card gives you a chance to win a special gift basket.

Patrons must read three (3) books to complete the program and a get a prize.

Author Book Signing

Valley Community Library, in conjunction with Avventura Press, will host a talk and book signing for Dr. John Lemoncelli’s release, A Mind of Its Own: Healing the Mind and Heart of the Parasite of Childhood Abuse, on Saturday, January 17th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Library’s Gino Merli room.

According to the publisher, “A Mind of Its Own was written for adults who were abused as children. Survivors often suffer from anxiety disorders, mood disorders, addictions, and complicated grief over the loss of their childhood.” Dr. Lemoncelli is Assistant Chair and Professor of the Psychology and Counseling Department of Marywood University, Scranton, PA. He specializes in the treatment of adult survivors of abuse, clinical practice training, spirituality and psychotherapy and ethics education. Refreshments will be served.

For additional information, please contact Laura Fonash, Adult Services/Public Relations Librarian at Valley Community Library at 489-1765 or lfonash@albright.org.

Notable Crime Novels

Looking for a Good Crime Novel?

The New York Times released their list of Notable Crime Fiction of 2008. Check it out by clicking here.

FILM CLUB

Enjoy classic films the third Wednesday of every month. Films will be shown in the Merli Room at 6pm.Wednesday, January 21, 2009
@ 6 p.m. in the Gino Merli Room:

Key Largo (1948)

John Huston (The Maltese Falcon) directed this smart thriller about a gangster (Edward G. Robinson) who holds a number of people hostage in a hotel in the Florida Keys during a tropical storm. Humphrey Bogart is the returning war veteran who takes on the villains, and Lauren Bacall is on hand as one of the people on the wrong end of Robinson's gun. Somewhat similar in tone to Howard Hawk's To Have and Have Not (which also featured Bogart and Bacall), this moody movie captures a certain despair offset by the bond between individuals united by common purpose. Clair Trevor won an Academy Award for her part as Robinson's alcoholic girlfriend. --Tom Keogh

PLEASE REGISTER AT THE CIRCULATION DESK IF YOU WISH YOU ATTEND.

Library Closed For Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The Valley Community Library will be closed on Monday, January 19th, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Scrapbooking on a Budget

Come join avid scrapbooker Kathy Sacco for a four-week scrapbooking course at Valley Community Library. Kathy has given workshops on scrapbooking with the Lackawanna County 4-H Club, Geneological Society Research, and Valley Community Library Youth Services, among many others.

Sessions will run Thursdays from 1 p.m.-3 p.m., starting January 15th. Beginners are welcome! Come share ideas and have fun.

• Experienced scrapbookers are welcome to bring photos and projects they are already working on.
• All scrapbookers are asked to bring their own sharp scissors.

Any questions? Call the Valley Community Library @ 489-1765.

Sock Puppet Craft!

Bring in one of those single socks of yours (clean please!) and we'll help you bring your creations to life! Also, so everyone keeps warm this winter, bring in a new pair of socks, mittens, gloves, or hat that the Library will donate to local charities. The craft session will take place Tuesday, January 20th during Homework Central @ 5-6 p.m. and Thursday, January 22nd during Book Buddies @ 6-7 p.m.

Celebrate the Inauguration and President's Day!

Stop by and check out the Inauguration and President’s Day Display in the Fiction section of the Valley Community Library

**We’ve selected a number of titles relevant to President’s Day—from presidential fiction, to biographies, to quizzes and humor. There’s also an Inauguration Quiz available. Test your presidential knowledge! Answers are available at the Circulation Desk.

**Heading to the Inauguration? Here’s some handy Web sites chock full of information: http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp

http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/daysevents/index.cfm

http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/

**Want to celebrate President’s Day by visiting the home and/or birthplace of a President? Here are some local roadtrips: Grover Clevland’s Birthplace in Caldwell, New Jersey; Hyde Park, Home of FDR; Teddy Roosevelt’s Home at Sagamore Hill; James Buchanan’s Wheatland Estate in Lancaster; Dwight Eisenhower’s Estate.

CHILL OUT AND READ @ THE VALLEY COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Hey Kids! Chill out & read! @ The Valley Community Library. Fun for preschoolers to 6th grade. Get your Reading Log at the Library and keep track of how many minutes you read every day and you can register for fun events this winter at your Library!

Contact: Karen Slachta 489-1765 kslachta@albright.org

Location: Valley Community Library