Summer Programs for Teens

If you are 13 to 18-years-old and you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, look no further than the Vineland Public Library!

The summer reading theme this year is “You Are Here.” Get a jump start on your summer reading assignment, make some short films and create a photo album to document your travels. Click here for more information. Make sure to frequently visit our blog for more information about specific teen summer reading programs!

To register for these programs, either stop by the library or call (856) 794-4244, ext. 4246 beginning June 1st.

Write book reviews and track your summer reading online by clicking here starting July 11.

Registration for the Vineland Public Library's Summer Reading Program begins tomorrow!

Registration for our summer reading program begins tomorrow, June 1. Check out our webpage for more information. Did you know that children who don’t read during the summer typically lose three months of reading achievement? By the time children reach middle school, a summer reading loss of three months accumulates to a crucial two-year gap. (McGill-Franzen, Anne and Richard Allington. (2003, May/June). Bridging the Summer Reading Gap. Scholastic Instructor, 18.)

Help your children bridge the reading gap and bring them to our library programs!

Call (856) 794-4244, ext 4246 for details or to register, or register online by clicking here.

Library Closed

In honor of Memorial Day, the library is closed. We'll reopen tomorrow, Tuesday May 31 at 10AM.

What's going on today...

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Pokémon Club, ages 7-16 (Register – Children’s)
TO register call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

Summer Reading at the Vineland Public Library

Get ready for a summer full of reading fun! Register for the Vineland Public Library’s Summer Reading Program in the Children’s Department. “One World, Many Stories” is the theme for this year’s Statewide Collaborative Summer Reading Club. Enjoy the creative programs the library has planned this summer. Click here for a full list of children's programs taking place at the library this July and August. Registration begins Wednesday, June 1. Make sure to frequently check out our blog for more information about summer reading programs at the library!

What's going on today...

5:30 p.m. Library Board of Trustees meeting (Community Event Room)

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Book Discussion, ages 9 & up (Register – Children’s)
To register call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Adult Book Club discusses “Cutting for Stone”
For more information call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Teen Book Discussion, ages 13-18 (Register – Children’s)
For more information or to register call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

New policies you should be aware of

The fee for out-of-county borrowers is going up to $50 per year tomorrow. This is a county-wide increase and still well worth the price.
The allowable fines limit has been lowered to be more in line with the limits in the "SAM" system. Now, everyone is asked to keep their fines under $1.99 in order to borrow books, reserve books and use the computers in the library.
On a happy note, pens and pencils are now available at the reference desk for in-library use.

What's going on today...

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Harry Potter Game Night, ages 9 and up (Register – Children’s) To register call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

Have you voted?

To the right is a DVD poll..which TV series would you like us to buy next? Every month we'll have a poll with new titles. The title with the most votes is added! It's as simple as that. So...have you voted?

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens book review (audiobook version)

One Christmas Eve night,siblings Kate, Michael and Emma are whisked away from their parents after a mysterious visitor comes in the middle of the night. Ten years later the siblings have been passed from one orphanage to another, never giving up hope of being reunited with their parents, but also never finding the right place to live. They eventually end up in Cambridge Falls living in an old run down house that belongs to a strange man named Dr. Pym. While this is supposed to be an orphanage, Kate, Michael and Emma appear to the be only children living here. One day while exploring the house, they discover a mysterious book which they discover transports them to the past where they meet the Countess who is trying to get her hands on this mysterious book, The Emerald Atlas, one of three books that have an important connection to the three siblings. Thus begins an adventure of a lifetime and the hope of maybe one day finding their parents.

The audiobook is narrated by Jim Dale, who also narrated all of the Harry Potter books. As with the Harry Potter series, Dale found distinct voices for each character and was able to keep the characters' voices consistent throughout the book. The first book of a trilogy, hopefully Dale will narrate the next two books as well.

Readers who have enjoyed Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Naria series will also enjoy this new series. Author John Stephens will leave readers at the end of their seats wondering what will happen in the next book. Recommended for ages 9 and up.

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Baby Time, ages 6-23 months (Register – Children’s)  To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

Any music or audiobook suggestions? We announced a few months ago that we had suspended purchasing of music on CDs and audiobooks due to budget uncertainties. We have found some money to spend right now. Please comment on our blog or call or come into the library to fill out a SUGGESTION FOR PURCHASE slip.

What's going on today...

1:15 – 5:15 p.m. Microsoft Word for the unemployed (Register in person at library information desk)
 For more information call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243
5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Writers Society of New Jersey (Community Event Room)


6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Book Discussion, ages 6 - 8 (Register – Children’s)
 To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246


6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Play Scrabble (Doris Tripp Room)

Recovery Road by Blake Nelson book review

After getting drunk, stealing a car and crashing it into a ditch, Maddie is sent to Spring Meadows, a rehab center, where she meets Trish and Stewart. After finishing her 28 days in rehab, she lives in a halfway house which is part of Spring Meadows, which is located on a road known as Recovery Road. Although forbidden, Maddie and Stewart begin a romantic relationship. When Maddie is released from rehab, she must adjust to life in the real world again. She and Stewart continue their relationship although they have their difficulties. Life isn't easy for Maddie outside of rehab, but she is a strong character and while she has her moments, she perseveres. Teens who enjoy realistic fiction will enjoy this book. Recommended for teens 15-18-years-old.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney book review

Alex is a junior at the prestigious Themis Academy, a quiet boarding school, where the administration believes the students can do no wrong. Students never cheat, bully or harass other students. After Alex is date raped after drinking too much one evening,she feels there is no one for her to turn to. She doesn't feel comfortable going to the school administration, the authorities or her parents. Plus she feels partly responsible because she doesn't remember that night. Luckily the students of Themis Academy realize that not everything is perfect at the school. A group of students have formed an underground society called the Mockingbirds, who take on cases of students who have been wronged. Alex takes her case before the Mockingbirds and learns that importance of sticking up for others and yourself. Recommended for young adults 15-18-years-old.

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5 (Register – Children’s)

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Teen Club meeting, ages 13-18 (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

6:00 p.m. Vineland High School art program (Doris Tripp Room/Community Event Room)

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Toddler Time, age 2 (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Foundation for Wellness (Community Event Room)

Oscar winners

Haven't had the chance to see some of this year's Oscar winners? The Vineland Library has them. You can't reserve a copy, but you can call the day you plan to come in to see if it's available.

Best Picture Nominees:

Black Swan DVD#7897 and #7898
The Fighter DVD#5168-D
Inception DVD #7712 and #7713
The Kids are all Right DVD #7794
King's Speech DVD #7950 and #7951 (winner, best picture)
127 Hours DVD #5089-D
The Social Network DVD #6955
Toy Story 3 DVD #5915 and DVD 6438-D (upstairs in Children's)
True Grit AVAILABLE JUNE 7, 2011 (the John Wayne version is #7771)
Winter's Bone DVD #5754-D

What's going on today...

12:30 - 4:30 p.m. E-mail for the unemployed (Register in person at library information desk)
For more information call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Baby Time, ages 6-23 months (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

What's going on today...

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Trinity Church workshop (Community Event Room)

Countdown by Deborah Wiles book review

Countdown is a documentary novel that takes place in the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Eleven-year-old Franny just wants everything to return to normal: her best friend Margie is mad at her, her older sister is missing in action, and the world could come to an end at any moment because of the conflict the United States and Soviet Union. Alternating between primary documents and the story, readers who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy this book. Countdown is the first book in The Sixties Trilogy . Recommended for ages 12-15.

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5 (Register – Children’s)

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Teen Volunteer meeting, ages 13-18 (Register – Children’s)
To register call (856) 794-4244 Ext. 4246

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Toddler Time, age 2 (Register – Children’s) To register call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

What's going on today...

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Early Stages of Alzheimer Seminar (Community Event Room)

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery

The kakapo is one of the strangest parrots found in the world. It is the rarest and heaviest parrot in the world, as well as flightless and night-active. At one point in time they were common all over New Zealand. But with the introduction of humans to New Zealand and the animals introduced by the humans, the population slowly dropped until there only a few were left. Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery is a book that describes the efforts made by conservationists to increase the kakapo population. Sy Montgomery and photographer Nic Bishop spent ten days with New Zealand's National Kakopo Recovery Team documenting the efforts being made to rescue these birds. The birds reside on Codfish Island, a small island off New Zealand's southern coast. Except for the volunteers who are working to save the kakapo, no humans are allowed on the island. At the beginning of the book, only eighty-seven kakapo exist on the planet. The conservationists hope this number will increase. Nic Bishop's photography is an added bonus to this interesting book. This book received the 2011 Sibert Medal, which is given annually by the American Library Association (ALA) to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in the preceding year. If you enjoy Nic Bishop's photography in Kakapo Rescue, make sure you check out his books Frogs and Spiders. Recommended for readers who enjoy non-fiction and books about animals, especially for ages 9-12.

Can We Save the Tiger by Martin Jenkins book review

This is a beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book that discusses the differences between extinct and endangered animals. The author begins with animals that are extinct and then moves on to endangered animals. The author also talks about animals that have been near extinction but because of conservation efforts, have been saved. The author includes information about where each animal lives, how many are remaining and the problems that have led these animals to become extinct or endangered. Vicky White's illustrations are a great addition to the book. The author concludes the book with web sites that readers can visit for more information about endangered animals and conservation efforts. This is a great book for children who love animals and prefer non-fiction picture books. Recommended for ages 7-10, but people of all ages will enjoy this book.

New Books By Favorite Authors

Three of my favorite young adult authors have new books that have just been released or will be released soon. I haven't read any of them yet, but I can't wait! For more information about each book, click on the titles below. If we don't already own the book, it'll be on our shelves shortly. Want to be one of the first ones to read the books?

Ask a Reference or Children's Librarian to reserve the book for you.
(856) 794-4244

Abandon by Meg Cabot
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Baby Time, ages 6-23 months (Register – Children’s)

6:00 – 9:45 p.m. Teen Lock-In, ages 13-18 (Register – Children’s)

To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

What's going on today...

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Play Scrabble (Doris Tripp Room)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

If you could only live one day over and over again what day would that be? And what happens before you die: does your life flash before your eyes, do you see a light at the end of a tunnel? This is what Samantha Kingston is thinking just as her best friend Lindsay flips her car over on a rainy night on the way home from a party. Samantha thinks she has died-but she wakes up and realizes it's the very same day that leads up to the accident. For seven days, Samantha relives the same day over and over again. Samantha doesn't know why she is reliving this day, but as time passes, she learns new things about herself. By the seventh day, she realizes there is only one way to save herself: she must also save someone else. If you enjoyed Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Jenny Downham's Before I Die, you'll also enjoy reading Before I Fall. Recommended for ages 15-18.

90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis

90 Miles to Havana takes place during in Havana, Cuba during the Cuban Revolution in 1961. Families tried to escape from Cuba during this time period. Many families who weren't able to get out of Cuba, at least tried to get their children out of the country. This is the story of Julian and his two older brothers who are sent to a camp in Miami, where other Cuban children are sent until they can be eventually (hopefully) reunited with their parents. In many instances, families were not reunited and these children were sent to other camps, orphanages or foster families. While there is a director of the camp, adult supervision is very limited and the children are bullied by Caballo, one of the older boys of the camp and his gang of friends. When Julian's older brothers are sent to a camp in Denver, CO, Julian and his friends must fend for themselves against the bullies. This is a coming-of-age story of a young boy who has always lived in the shadows of his older brothers and just wants to be a hero by bringing his family back together again. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Harmless by Dana Reinhardt book review (Audiobook Version)

Harmless is told from the point of view of the three main characters: Anna, Emma and Mariah. Alternating chapters from the point of view of each character, the three best friends find themselves enveloped in a lie they have created to escape punishment from their parents after lying about their whereabouts on a Friday evening. After telling their parents they are going to a movie, but actually going to Mariah's boyfriend's house, they are caught in this lie when Emma's parents decide to go to the movie that the three girls are supposed to be at. In a panic, they develop a lie, saying they were down by the river and Emma was attacked by a homeless man. The girls' parents want them to go to the police and the lie gets out of hand and grows until a suspect is arrested. In the audiobook version, the three characters are narrated by three separate people. The audiobook includes an interview with the author in which she talks about how she decided on the topic of the story, how she became a reader and whether young adults are still reading today. The title fits the book well: how something that seems harmless at the time, may not be so in the long run. Recommended for teen readers 15 years and up.

The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker by Louis Sachar Book Review

Alton spends his summer taking his great-uncle Lester to bridge games at the local bridge club. He is his Uncle Lester's chauffeur and cardturner(he turns his uncle's cards) because as it turns out, Uncle Lester is blind. Alton gets this job after his Uncle Lester fires his great step-niece, Tony, for questioning one of his plays. This is the last thing that Alton wants to do during his summer break, but his mom and dad believe Uncle Lester is not long for this world and hopes that this will put their family in his good graces and they'll inherit some, if not all of his fortune. Alton's parents are extremely annoying; they only care about the money. But Alton's character is very likeable. And slowly Alton becomes very good friends and bridge partners with Tony.

There is a lot of bridge jargon throughout the book, but Alton explains quite a bit throughout the book. While the subject of bridge is a large theme in the book, if readers can get past these parts, they will definitely enjoy the book. Recommended for teens ages 15 and up.

Trash by Andy Mulligan book review

Raphael, Gardo and Rat are all trashboys who live in the city dump. Each day they go through the heaps of trash in the dump looking for treasures. Usually they find nothing of significance; mostly it is all rubbish. But one day Raphael finds something special and mysterious. It's so special that the police come to the dump looking for this item, willing to pay the dumpsite boys a reward for anyone who finds it. Raphael, Gardo and Rat decide this item is too special to turn over to the police which brings terrifying circumstances to all boys. Yet, they persevere and solve this mystery, righting a wrong that once happened. This book is loosely based on Mulligan's experience visiting a dumpsite while teaching in Manila. Recommended for young adult readers ages 13-18, especially those who enjoy mystery and action books.

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull book review

Jason Walker lives in Colorado with his parents, likes to play baseball with his friends and volunteers at the local zoo. One day, while cleaning the hippopotamus tank, he hears music, which sounds like it's coming from the tank. When he takes a closer look, the sound seems to be coming from the hippo. He falls into the tank and is swallowed by the hippo. The next thing he knows, he is in another world, along a river bank, watching a group of people on a raft floating down the river playing instruments. Jason has arrived in Lyria, another world which is ruled by an evil wizard named Maldor. There is only one way to destroy Maldor. One word said in his presence will destroy him. The syllables to this word are hidden throughout Lyria. Many people have tried to discover this word and failed. All Jason wants to do is find a way home; but he soon finds himself on a quest with another Beyonder named Rachel, looking for the syllables to the word. Will they succeed? Will they destroy Maldor? Will they return to their own world?

Readers who have enjoyed Suzanne Collins Underland Chronicles and Mull's Fablehaven series will also enjoy this series and anticipate the upcoming books in this series. Recommended for readers 9 and up.

Yearbooks wanted!

We maintain a collection of The record, the yearbook of Vineland high school, for the use of the public. Bring your library card or license to the information desk and leave it with us while you look at the yearbook of your choice. Here is a list of gaps in our yearbooks. Please contact Jeanne or Holly prior to June 15th, 2011, if you have any to donate or know where we could obtain them.
Prior to 1917, 1918-22, 1924-28, 1930-32, 1936, 1942, 1944, 1949, 1953, 1958-61, 1996, 2005.

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5 (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

1:15 – 5:15 p.m. Internet for the unemployed (Register in person at library information desk)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243

Computer classes!

Openings are available for May computer classes in Email (5/16), Internet (5/4) and Word (5/19). Come over right now to sign up!

Computer help!

Computer classes as part of the BroadbandUSA federal government grant program will be offered every month here. To register or to learnmore about them, please come into the library and visit the information desk.

Did you know that the library offers computer tutoring? You'll meet for 2-one hour sessions on any topic you need help with. To register, please come into the library and visit the information desk.

If you want to be a computer tutor, please contact Anita, our Volunteer Coordinator at (856) 794-4244 ext. 4734 to sign up!

Wanted!
Computer Tutors (English speaking and Spanish speaking):
Volunteers to provide one-on-one help to people who want to improve their computer skills.
Responsibilities:
• Meet one hour per week with an assigned student in the Library’s computer lab.
• Help that student improve their computer skills. Tutors will be matched with students who fit their level
of computer expertise. Many students will be at a very basic level (learning to use the mouse, start using
email, etc.) and so it is not necessary for tutors to possess advanced computer knowledge.

What's going on today...

10:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Microsoft Windows for the unemployed (Register in person at library information desk)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Toddler Time, age 2 (Register – Children’s)

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mother’s Day Craft, ages 10 & younger (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

Did you know?

Vineland Library offers books in large print? Bigger print for those who need it.
Faxing, printing, and photocopying
Children and teen programs?
Computer classes on creating an email and making a résumé?
English as a Second Language tutoring?
Meeting room rentals
Silent study areas
Art exhibits
CDs
DVDs


Plus free:
Audiobooks on CD and downloadable onto your MP3 player or iPod
Ebooks downloadable onto your MP3 player or iPod