“Build A Better World” at the Library!

This year, the Library’s Summer Reading Programs are all about the many ways you can have fun while you “Build A Better World.” Each week, on Tuesdays, from 10:30 to 11:30, summer readers aged 4 through Grade 12 will have the opportunity to learn something new about the world we live in and even what’s beyond it! Parents may register their children now.

Build a Better World Events | 10:30 am to 11:30 am
June 13th Make the world more beautiful! With members of the Catasauqua Garden Club, plant a flower to take home.
June 20th Be a space explorer. Learn about the moon with Professor Gary Becker.
June 27th Think about the environment like Dr. Seuss did. We will make oobleck/slime!
July 11th Lend a helping hand! Paint a birdhouse for your feathered friends.
July 18th Be nature’s friend. Learn about local wildlife with the Wildlands Conservancy.
July 25th Be a good neighbor! The Y’s Summer Kids will join us for pirate songs and stories with Storyteller Karen Maurer.
August 1st Enjoy a hands-on musical “petting zoo” with the Allentown Symphony. All the world loves music!
August 8th Build a better you! Get healthy and fit with easy, fun exercises with Y Fitness Director Jessica Campbell.
August 15th At 11:00am, we’ll meet at the George Taylor House for a “Bring Your Own” family picnic joined by Officer Wiseman and Canine Officer Zora. Then it’s ice cream for everyone!

New Books

Fiction
“No Middle Name,” Lee Child
“Dragon Teeth,” Michael Crichton
“Dangerous Minds,” Janet Evanovich
“Camino Island,” John Grisham
“Gwendy’s Button Box,” Stephen King and Richard Chizmar
“The Silent Corner,” Dean Koontz
“Murder Games,” James Patterson and Howard Roughan
“Come Sundown,” Nora Roberts
“Indecent Exposure,” Stuart Woods

Non-Fiction
“Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies: The Civil War,” David Fisher
“The Day the World Went Nuclear: Dropping the Atom Bomb and the End of World War II in the Pacific,” Bill O’Reilly
“Astrophysics for People in a Hurry,” Neil deGrasse Tyson

Young Adult
“Girling Up: How to be Strong, Smart and Spectacular,” Mayim Bialik
“Everything, Everything,” Nicola Yoon

Juvenile
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” Books 1-11, Jeff Kinney

Children
“I Wish You More,” Amy Krause Rosenthal

Summer Reading Program Starts June 13!

Registration for Summer Reading 2017 is now ongoing! Parents, please hurry on down to the Library to sign up your children aged 4 through Grade 12 for a series of free programs that we promise will delight one and all. On Tuesday mornings at 10:30, from June 13 through August 15, the Library will present programs on the theme “Build A Better World”. Each week we will celebrate a way to do just that. There will be lots of crafts along with entertaining and educational presentations on the many ways we can “Build A Better World!” Every program is designed to interest children of all ages. And, there will be opportunities for Summer Readers to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card.

“Health Talks: Nutrition for Diabetes and Healthy Living”
On Thursday evening, May 18th at 6pm, please join us for “Health Talks: Nutrition for Diabetes and Healthy Living,” presented by Robert Hartzell, Registered Pharmacist, Certified Clinical Nutritionist and owner of Hartzell’s Pharmacy. The focus of Mr. Hartzell’s presentation will be the role nutrition plays in healthy living. Mr. Hartzell will be joined by members of Hartzell’s professional team. Free blood pressure screening will be offered, as well as a “healthy snack!”

Annual Plant Sale
The Catasauqua Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale in the Library’s Auditorium on Saturday, May 13th from 10am to 12 Noon. There will be a wide variety of annual and perennial plants for sale at reasonable cost. What a great way to celebrate Spring!

New Books

Fiction
“Robert B. Parker’s Little White Lies,” Ace Atkins
“Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” David Grann
“The Sympathizer,” Viet Thanh Nguyen
“Two From the Heart,” James Patterson with Frank Costantini
“The Goldfinch,” Donna Tartt

Non-Fiction
“Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign,” Jonathan Allen and Anie Parnes
“The Secrets of My Life”
“The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History,” Elizabeth Kilbert
“The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between,” Hisham Matar
“Jackie’s Girl: My Life with the Kennedy Family,” Kathy McKeon
“The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama Bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior,” Robert O’Neill
“Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy,” Heather Ann Thompson
“Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS,” Joby Warrick

Children
Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel,” Adam Rubin

Library Board Appoints New Trustee

The Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Catasauqua is pleased to announce that Mollie Laubach-Haydt has been appointed to the Board. Mollie brings to the Library community her many years of experience as a classroom teacher and reading specialist. Mollie is particularly interested in Library programming for children that has S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) principles at its core. Mollie is a Catasauqua native who has been part of the life of the Library since her childhood, and, for the past two years, she has been a “Friend of the Library.” The Library Board and Staff are looking forward to working with Mollie.

The Library and North Penn Legal Services have partnered to present community interest programs
On Thursday, April 20th at 6pm, North Penn Legal Services attorney Lori Molloy will speak on “Landlord Tenant Issues.” This is an opportunity for area renters and landlords to get up- to- the- minute information. North Penn Legal Services is a non-profit agency that provides free legal services for low income and/or vulnerable individuals and families. This program is free to the public. Future programs are planned for such topics as “Wills” and “Powers of Attorney.”

For all of our readers with legal concerns and questions
Please take a look at our online resources section for two important legal tools: Law Depot and lawsource.com. Law Depot provides downloadable legal forms for just about every need. Lawsource.com is a resource for the text of State and Federal law, as well as for information on how to find an attorney and where to go for legal advice. Both resources can be accessed from your home computer, but you will need to call the Library to be assigned a passcode for Law Depot. A passcode is not needed for lawsource.com.

April’s Historic Catasauqua Walking Tour
On April 27th, participants in the Historic Catasauqua Walking Tour, Bridge Street Historic District, will conclude their tour at the Library in order to research Catasauqua family and industrial history. To register, please contact tour leader Deb Mellish at 610-231-0603.

Summer Reading will be here before you know it!
Library staff are very busy putting together a fun and educational series of programs and events. Registration for Summer Reading for children aged 4 through high school begins Monday, May 1st. Registration must be done in person at the Library by a parent or legal guardian.

New Books

Fiction
“The Fix,” David Baldacci
“All by Myself, Alone,” Mary Higgins Clark
“The Devil’s Triangle,” Catherine Coulter and J.T.Ellison
“Into the Water,” Paula Hawkins
“If Not For You,” Debbie Macomber
“16th Seduction,” James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
“Golden Prey,” John Sandford
“Against All Odds,” Danielle Steel
“Fast and Loose,” Stuart Woods

Non-Fiction
“Nevertheless: A Memoir,” Alec Baldwin
“The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince,” Mayte Garcia
“Old School: Life in the Sane Lane,” Bill O’Reilly and Bruce Feirstein
“Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life,” Sally Bedell Smith

Children
“Iggy Peck, Architect,” Andrea Beaty
“The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors,” Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex
“Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book,” Jennifer Donnelly

Think Spring!

In anticipation of Spring’s fair days, the Library is pleased to announce that we have recently added a resource for those of you who like to “Get Away From It All” for a day’s outing, a weekend mini-vacation or more. A Gateways, Inc. kiosk that displays dozens of free promotional brochures on travel destinations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and New England is now a permanent Library fixture. It’s a cornucopia of “Getaway” possibilities! And, Gateways, Inc. is currently working on providing us with even more brochures on Pennsylvania attractions.

Meanwhile, check out the Online Resources section at www.www.catasauquapl.org where you will find links to many Lehigh Valley attractions under Museums and Cultural Attractions. Don’t forget to take a look at our new display on top of the biography shelving that features works on National Parks and New England- all great “Get Away From It All” destinations. I don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for Spring and the opportunity to visit area attractions.

While we are on the subject of great “Getaways” and Library resources, the library would like to mention that also at Online Resources at www.www.catasauquapl.org you will find Rosetta Stone, a foreign language tutorial program featuring all the major European and Asian languages, as well as Russian and some Middle Eastern languages- over two dozen in all! So, if you have foreign travel in your plans, log on to Rosetta Stone and learn a little of the language spoken at your travel destination. You will need a code to access Rosetta Stone, as well as a number of the other Online Resources. Just give us a call and we will set you up with a passcode, and you will be good to go! Literally!

Thursday, March 16th, please join us at 6pm for Hartzell Pharmacy’s presentation “Health Talks: Sleep Problems” In this second of the “Health Talks” series, Hartzell’s will again be offering free blood pressure screening. The Library is providing healthy snacks. And, last but not least, have a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day! “Erin Go Bragh” is the Anglicization of an Irish language expression used to express allegiance to Ireland. It has been said that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrate!

New Books

Fiction:
“The Girl Before” by J.P.Delaney
“Norse Mythology” by Neil Gaiman
“Right Behind You” by Lisa Gardner
“Bone Box” by Faye Kellerman
“My Not So Perfect Life” by Sophie Kinsella
“The Black Book” by James Patterson and David Ellis
“Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders
“Dangerous Games” by Danielle Steel

Non-Fiction:
“This Life I Live” by Rory Feek
“Big Agenda” by David Horowitz
“The Undoing Project” by Michael Lewis

Children:
“Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
“Big Sisters Are the Best” by Fran Manushkin
“A Giraffe and a Half” by Shel Silverstein
“Brave Charlotte” by Anu Stohner

Young Adult Non-Fiction:
“Courage to Soar, A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance” by Simone Biles with Michelle Burford

African-American Literature, Heroes in Fact and in Fiction

The month of February has been set aside as a time to acknowledge and pay tribute to the wealth of contributions that African-Americans have made to all aspects of life in the United States and in the world. Here at the Library, we are especially mindful of the contributions African-Americans have made to literature.

To get a sense of the scope of that contribution, we urge readers to go to Wikipedia and type in “List of African-American Authors.”  You will find an alphabetical list of names that goes on and on and on, from the earliest- Olaudah Equiano, 1745-1797, who wrote a hugely successful autobiography that made him a wealthy man- to 1993 Nobel Laureate in Literature Toni Morrison, who once commented, “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” If you are so inclined to give that some thought, you want to be sure to consider its movie rights!

As we know, many good books become movies. For those of you who enjoy comparing the movie versions to the books, don’t miss “Fences,” the adaptation of 1987 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner August Wilson’s play by the same name and “Hidden Figures,” based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book by the same name. In equally brilliant works, Wilson and Shetterly present different, compelling perspectives on racial relations in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  “Fences,” a work of fiction, follows the social and psychological struggles of Troy, an African American man,  who eventually does break the race barrier.

It is considered by many critics to be an allegory; that is, it is representative of universal issues and morality. “Hidden Figures,” based on the lives of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, tells the story of the contribution of these three African-American women, all exceptionally gifted mathematicians, who make important contributions to NASA’s efforts to put a man in space in the early 60’s. One of them, Katherine Johnson, is responsible for the mathematical calculations that put John Glenn in orbit and, even more importantly, brought him back to earth. The Library’s collection includes the work of both authors, as well as a “Young Readers’ Edition” of “Hidden Figures.”

Looking Forward

At the time of writing, the Library is looking forward to a visit from “Friend of the Library” Kelly Decker’s Brownie Troop 6138. The Scouts will be fulfilling requirements for their “Computer Expert Badge.”

• On February 16th at 7pm, Library Director Sandra Arden will be speaking with the ladies of the Catasauqua Women’s Club at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 4^th and Pine. Please join us.
• On February 23th from 6-7:30, Library Director Sandra Arden will be at Sheckler School for Literacy Night. Hope to see some of you.
• On March 11th, the Library will hold a Bake Sale from 10-12:30.
• And, on March 16th at 6pm, the Library is again partnered with Hartzell’s Pharmacy for a “Health Talk: Sleep Problems.”
• Looking well ahead, on April 20th at 6pm, North Penn Legal Services will present a program on “Landlord Tenant Issues.”

New Books

Fiction:
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“Commonwealth” by Ann Patchett Harper
“1984” by George Orwell
“Echoes in Death” by J.D. Robb
“Humans, Bow Down” by James Patterson with Emily Raymond
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles
“Fences” by August Wilson

Non-Fiction:
“Audacity” by Jonathan Chait
“Tears We Cannot Stop” by Michael Eric Dyson
“Thank You for Being Late” by Thomas L. Friedman
“When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi
“Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
“Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly

Youth Authors Non-Fiction:
“Hidden Figures, Young Reader’s Edition” by Margot Lee Shetterly

Juvenile:
“The Girl Who Drank the Moon” by Kelly Barnhill

Children:
“Radiant Child” by Javaka Steptoe
“The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
“Mighty Mighty Construction Site” by Sherri Durkey Rinker

Children Non-Fiction:
“National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why” by Amy Shields

Catty Library Launches Its New Web Site!

Chock full of useful information, the Public Library of Catasauqua invites you to spend some time browsing the site’s many categories of resources. Made possible by the generosity of Board of Trustees member Del Bollinger and the commitment to excellent service of site developer DAY Vision Marketing, the Library’s web site hopes to be your go-to resource. There are actually many separate categories of links to everyday useful information and, in many cases, you will find expert advice. From E-Books to legal forms, to how to contact local and state governments, to authoritative medical information from the Harvard Medical School, answers are a click away. Some online resources require authentication. Contact the Library at 610-264-4151 to be assigned a personal password.

Eventually, the Library’s collections will also be online, once those collections have been automated. That process has begun. For now, however, just about any question you may have can be answered by one or more of the authoritative resources that are organized under the category “Online Resources.” The site also offers a monthly calendar of Library Events, as well as a Collections section that features new books and short bios on popular authors. Readers are able to donate to the Library directly from the site. You will also find information on why your donation is important, as well as very much appreciated. There are many ways to participate in the life of the Library!

New Books

Fiction:
“Ripper: The Secret Life of Walter Sickert,” Patricia Cornwell
“The Whole Town’s Talking,” Fannie Flagg
“Heartbreak Hotel,” Jonathan Kellerman
“Book of Joy,” Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
“The Chemist,” Stephanie Meyer
“Black Book,” James Patterson and David Ellis
“Never Never,” James Patterson and Candice Fox

Non Fiction:
“Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhower’s Final Mission,” Bret Baier and Catherine Whitney
“The Princess Diarist,” Carrie Fisher
“The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo,” Amy Schumer

Younger Readers:
“Three Dark Crowns,” Kendare Blake
“Heartless,” Marissa Meyer
“The Word of Mouse,” James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
“The Sun is Also a Star,” Nicola Yoon

‘Tis the Season to be Merry!
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Joyous Kwanza!

On December 25th Christians all over the world will celebrate the miracle of Christmas, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. There will be candles lit, carols sung, traditional decorations and foods and presents. Many Christians will attend church services and many will celebrate quietly and reverently in their own way. The celebration of the spirit of Christmas takes many forms.Perhaps it is best represented by the words of Dickins’ character Tiny Tim who, at the end of The Christmas Carol, says, “God Bless Us Everyone.”

December 25th also marks the first day Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, that begins at sunset December 24th. For eight days, candles are lit on the Menorah to commemorate the miracle of the sacred Temple oil that lasted for eight days when it was only enough for one day. There will be songs sung, prayers said, traditional decorations, foods and games and presents. Jews will greet each other with “Peace unto you” and reply “Unto you peace.”

December 26th marks the first day of the African American celebration of Kwanza. While Kwanza is not intended to be a religion, it is a holiday for the African American community that recognizes the importance of Family, Community and Culture. Kwanza will be celebrated December 26th to January 1st. There will be candles lit for the seven Principles of Kwanza, music, traditional decorations and foods and presents. Celebrants greet each other with “What’s the news?” The answers are in the seven Principles, one for each day of celebration.

The Board of Trustees and the Library Staff wish EVERYONE the Merriest Holiday Season and the Happiest New Year.

New Website Coming
And, speaking of the New Year, in January, the Library will launch a new website where you will find a comprehensive list of all Library news, programs, policies, events as well as online links to many sources of useful information.

Upcoming Events
Be sure to mark your calendars: On Thursday, January 19th at 6pm, Hartzell’s Pharmacy will present “Health Talk: Diabetes” and offer a free blood pressure screening. “Keep Me in Stitches” meets every Monday at 6pm. Every Wednesday at 6pm we are available for individual help with reference or research based questions. On Saturdays at 10:30, we welcome our youngest patrons for StoryTime. At some time during this Holiday Season, please stop in to see us and our beautiful Christmas tree with its lovely handmade ornaments, the handiwork of the Catasauqua Garden Club, and the festive paper chain made by our StoryTime children.

NEW BOOKS
Fiction: “No Man’s Land,” David Baldacci; “All Dressed in White,” Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke; “The Cinderella Murder,” Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke; “The Sleeping Beauty Killer,” Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke; “Chaos,” Patricia Cornwell; “Turbo Twenty-Three,” Janet Evanovich; “Tom Clancy True Faith and Allegiance,” Mark Greaney; “The Mistress,” Danielle Steel; “Below the Belt,” Stuart Woods.

Non-Fiction: “Our Revolution: A Future To Believe In,” Bernie Sanders. Young Adult: “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World,” Rachel Ignotofsky; “Hammer of Thor,” Rick Riordan. Children: “Give Please a Chance,” Bill O’Reilly and James Patterson.

Bob Dylan Awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature!
Many among us will never forget the phrase, “Blowing in the Wind,” Dylan’s defining response to where we can find the answer to the question, “How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?” For so very many of us, that question is the summary statement of the civil rights movement of the 60’s. The Nobel Prize committee has honored Dylan “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” (Sara Danius for The Swedish Academy) In some circles, the award is controversial, but, for many, Dylan’s win is “right-on.” The Library has purchased Dylan’s just published work, Lyrics 1961-2012.

Online Resources
On every computer terminal here at the Library, there is a wealth of helpful material available through the Access PA Power Library, which you will find at www.Catasauquapl.org. You may search for a book or check out an e-book. There are resources for children in elementary, middle and high school. Public Library Search gives reliable information on literally thousands of topics. And, help in your job search is just a click away. The Library staff is eager to assist you in using the Access PA Power Library, and the many other online resources that have been developed to answer pretty much any question you have.

Upcoming Events
Snow White at the Library: Monday, November 7th at 6pm! For children of all ages! Come for a special reading of Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by none other than Blondie’s own Rebecca Zukowski-Gillespie, in costume and in character. “Snow White” will fill us in on life at the palace with her Prince and happily give her autograph to one and all. The fun takes place in the Library’s spacious upstairs auditorium with plenty of space for everyone.

Halloween Event: Stop by 306 Bridge St. on the 29th from 6-8pm for a Spooktacular Haunted experience while supporting the Library with a dollar donation – Happy Halloween!

Our Clubs
You are always welcome to join our Book Club and our new “Keep Me in Stitches” Club. “Stitches” members are learning to crochet. We are making a simple scarf. Call the Library- 610-264-4151- for meeting dates for both Clubs.

New Books
Fiction: “Wrong Side of Goodbye,” Michael Connelly; “The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles,” Michelle Cuevas; “The Whistler,” John Grisham; “Twelve Days of Christmas,” Debbie Macomber; “Two by Two,” Nicholas Sparks; “The Award,” Danielle Steel; “Best Bear in All the World,” Jeanne Willis and Kate Saunders; “Sex Lies and Serious Money,” Stuart Woods.

Non-Fiction: “The Lyrics 1961-2012,” Bob Dylan; “The Way Things Work Now,” David Macauley; “Filthy Rich,” James Patterson; “Born to Run,” Bruce Springstein.