Library News & Notes: Library works around the clock for super service

Even though most Nevada communities offer activities 24/7, many valuable services have limited hours, especially in the summer. Despite budget reductions, the library has managed to maintain its schedule and also offer quality services at any time. With access to the Internet, the library website and a library card, patrons can conduct research, find the perfect book selection, manage library accounts, search for a job and even learn a new language.

Novelist, a database accessed by going to the literature section of online research, is a treasure trove of information about fiction. With literary articles listed from A-Z, booklists for everything imaginable, teaching guides and book club suggestions, readers of all ages can spend hours browsing and reading reviews.

Beginning in July, the online research portal will introduce PowerSpeak, a program designed to teach Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and ESL. This site will be perfect practice for those taking a class, for travelers who want to communicate with people of other cultures and for those poised to participate in the global economy (Milton Chen, author of "Education Nation" cites Mandarin as an essential language for those in business, given the rise of China on the world stage).

Following an enormously successful beginning for the Summer Reading Program, with almost 285 kids ready to participate and more children and teens joining every day, participants are finding so many ways to fill summer hours. On Tuesday from 2 until 3 p.m., Abbey Murray will conduct art activities, which might include bubble art, and clay sculpting. Bi-Lingual Story Time on Thursday at 6 p.m. allows children and parents to listen to a story in both English and Spanish and enjoy refreshments after the program.

At 11 a.m. July 9, internationally published children's author Jan Pierson, aka Calamity Jan, will present a slide show focusing on her latest book in the Ghostowners Mystery Series, "The Haunted Horse of Ghost Hill," which has Gold Hill/Virginia City as its setting and features two brothers who brave a Nevada blizzard in search of their missing horse. The historical fiction story is rich with local, authentic information and would be a perfect tie-in for "informal learning" during the summer. This week's featured video on Star Wars creator George Lucas's educational website Edutopia.org, investigates the Native American Culture in Washington. Readers of Ms Pierson's book could link the culture of Washington with that of our community.

Coming attractions

On July 14, at the Plaza Hotel Convention Center, the fabulous Friends of the Library are holding their Annual Dinner Meeting and program. It is for members only but all are invited to become members and get a chance to hear guest speaker and action/adventure author of 23 novels, Dale Brown. Call 885-9917 or 883-3219 to sign up or for more details.

Summer reading program

Laurie Story will be a special guest for preschool storytime at 10:15 a.m. July 13. She will be telling stories related to the Summer Reading Program theme, "One World Many Stories." More information will follow regarding these two events.