newsletter of the Peoria Public Library www.peoriapubliclibrary.org
FEBRUARY 2015 Volume 24 n No. 2 Published monthly by the Peoria Public Library
MAIN LIBRARY 107 N.E. Monroe 309.497.2000 LAKEVIEW BRANCH 1137 W. Lake 309.497.2200 LINCOLN BRANCH 1312 W. Lincoln 309.497.2600 MCCLURE BRANCH 315 W. McClure 309.497.2700 NORTH BRANCH 3001 W. Grand Parkway 309.497.2100 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Edward J. Barry, Jr. Stephen M. Buck Margaret E. Cousin Lucy D. Gulley F. Eugene Rebholz Debbie Ritschel Sid P. Ruckriegel Barbara Van Auken Jeanne Williamson DIRECTOR Leann Johnson EDITOR Trisha Noack DESIGNER Laura Fehr
Peoria Chooses Enrique’s Journey for 2015 “One City One Book” Program Peoria Reads! has announced that the next community-wide read will be Enrique’s Journey: The Story of a Boy’s Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with his Mother by Pulitzer Prize winner Sonia Nazario. Enrique’s mother, Lourdes, left him in Honduras when he was five years old because she could barely afford to feed him and his sister, much less send them to school. Her plan was to sneak into the U.S. for a few years, work hard, send and save money, then move back to Honduras to be with her children. But 12 years later, she was still in the U.S. and wiring money home. That’s when Enrique became one of the thousands of children and teens who try to enter the U.S. illegally each year. Riding on the tops of freight trains through Mexico, these young migrants are preyed upon by gangsters and corrupt government officials. The breadth and depth of Nazario’s research is astounding, and she has crafted her findings into a story that is moving and polemical. The book, based on the Los Angeles Times newspaper series that won two Pulitzer Prizes, was chosen by the Peoria Reads! committee to further
insight and thoughtful discussion on the topic of immigration reform. Across the country this page-turner has become a classic about the power of family. Enrique’s Journey has been named one of the best books of the year by the Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Miami Herald and San Antonio Express-News. A series of book discussions and events will be held in April and all are encouraged to read Enrique’s Journey and talk about it with others. More information about the book may be found at peoriareads.org Peoria Reads is the annual “One City, One Book” project led by Peoria Public Library and Common Place Family Learning Center with the assistance of community partners including Bradley University and Illinois Central College. Every year since 2002, Peoria Reads! has selected a book, urged our community to read it and get involved in book discussions and other free public programs related to the subject matter and themes in the book. For more information about Peoria Reads! visit www.peoriareads.org.
Would you like to volunteer for a service organization but don’t know where to start? Here’s your chance to visit and volunteer By Teri Miller with non-profit service organizations. On Saturday, April 11th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library North Branch, the Library will be kicking off National Library Week by holding a Community Day of Service. All ages are invited to participate in this community event to learn about service organizations and assist them with special projects. Drop in any time between 1:00 and 3:00 to lend a hand. Organizations represented at the event include HISRA, Goodwill Industries and more! Are you a non-profit service organization that needs assistance to work on a special project? If you interested in participating in the Community Day of Service, please call Karla at 497-2150 or Teri at 4972069. This event will provide organizations with an opportunity to connect with new people. Community Day of Service
E-books go to the Movies
Introducing ABCmouse Early Learning Academy to Peoria
the excitement is building! Check out our e-books that were made into movies. You will find them in the Alliance Digital Media Library from OverDrive, Inc., and e-Read Illinois powered by Axis 360. Read about Bilbo’s adventures in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, or the dystopian societies of The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. Other young adult favorites include The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and the If I Stay series by Gayle Forman. If you enjoy nonfiction, download Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand – the incredible story of Olympic runner and World War II POW Louis Zamperini. Young readers can enjoy The Giver, Paddington, and The Boxcar Children. Some titles are also available as downloadable audio books. Fans of classic adaptations such as the movie John Carter can check out the many classic e-books available anytime from ADML. Find the original John Carter series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, or read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. To access any of these e-books, go to the ADML home page, and scroll down until you see “Additional eBooks Always Available.” Click on the “Download Now” tag, then browse or search by keyword, author, or title. There is no waiting or check out limit for any of these public domain e-books; they never expire and will remain in your library until you delete them. For more information about our e-book libraries, visit our website at www.peoriapubliclibrary.org. If you would like a one-on-one session on how to download e-books and digital audio books, Main Library has walk-in sessions available on a first come, first served basis on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. To schedule a session at another time, please call the Main Library at (309) 497-2000 or North Branch at (309) 497-2100 to schedule an appointment. So sit back and enjoy the e-books that were made into movies, then see if any are Oscar winners. Be sure to have plenty of popcorn on hand!
Learning Academy is now freely available for use on the library’s computers! This excellent educational resource is designed to help young children (ages 2-6) build a strong foundation for academic success with over 3,500 online books, games, songs, puzzles, and art projects that cover six different academic levels. With these tools, children are able to learn about a variety of subjects, including reading, math, science, social studies, art and music, all while having fun in a safe (no ads, pop-ups, or outside links) and engaging digital environment. Getting started with ABCmouse is incredibly easy! Users just need to click on the link or icon on the library’s website (Student or All Databases page in the Research tab), or open the desktop icon now on all of the library’s computers designated for children and young adults. From there, students can get a quick start on learning with a guest account, or they can take a moment to set up a free account that allows them to save their progress, points, and prizes. Once on the ABCmouse homepage, students have the option of moving along their Learning Path – a series of lessons that give an overview of all the subjects on the site – or they can explore the more discovery-oriented learning environments of the classroom, farm, and zoo, all of which give children control over what they’d like to learn about and do (ALL locations are accessible through the Map section on the student’s homepage). This blend of guided learning and free exploration all serve to nurture students’ creativity in addition to their academic potential, making ABCmouse a destination you and your child won’t want to miss on your next visit to the library branch nearest you!
by Cindy Wright It’s almost time for the Oscars, and
by Jamie Jones The Peoria Public Library staff is thrilled to announce that the ABCmouse Early
Hot New Titles Coming in Februrary by Robin Helenthal
Tired of winter and need something new to read? These titles will be available to check out soon: Crash & Burn is Lisa Gardner’s latest thriller. Who is Nicky Frank? What happened the night her car sailed off the road and how did she survive with her injuries, let alone crawl up a steep ravine in the rain? Why is she looking for a mysterious child that no one can find? Double Fudge Brownie Murder by Joanne Fluke finds Hannah facing the trial for her involvement in a tragic accident. She is ready to clear her name once and for all, but when she finds the judge bludgeoned to death with his own gavel, she becomes the number one suspect. Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King is the latest in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes suspense series. The duo races to solve a mystery that involves a small book with massive implications of global extortion, espionage, and shocking secrets that if exposed could spark an uprising and bring down an empire. For more, visit www.peoriapubliclibrary.org/new-titles
If You Liked BioShock Infinite... by Mandy Hildebrand
The video game Bioshock Infinite explores the quantum physics idea of multiple universes and how seemingly insignificant changes can have unexpected ramifications, though some things always remain constant. Check out these books that deal with these themes similar to how Bioshock Infinite does. Conquistador by S.M. Stirling – Jon Rolfe IV finds his way from 1946 California into a parallel universe where Alexander the Great made a larger and more powerful empire. This results in an America that remains undiscovered by Western Civilization. He then decides to establish the Commonwealth of New Virginia. Conquistador does an excellent job of creating a plausible alternate history and is an example of how one difference can have unforeseen effects. Crack in the Line by Michael Laurence – 16 year old Alaric discovers an alternate reality, where there is a girl named Naia in his place and his mother didn’t die. The novel explores the similarities and differences between the two lives as the children try to make sense of things. For more, visit www.peoriapubliclibrary.org/bioshock
uary
Febr
CALENDAR
of programs and events
February
February
February 2-14
ALL LOCATIONS Black History Month Book Display
NORTH BRANCH One-on-One Ebook Assistance – By appointment
MAIN LIBRARY Valentine’s Bitty Box
Peoria Public Library is honoring Black History Month with a display of materials on figures from the Civil Rights Movement and African American History. February MAIN LIBRARY LL2 Jeremie Draper, Glass Artist
Enjoy the work of Jeremie Draper, Glass Artist all month in the Wheeler Display Case on LL2 during open library hours. Jeremie is an artist working locally to produce spectacular works of art in glass. February LAKEVIEW Book Hearts
Share the books you love and find a new love with Book Heart Jars. February MAIN LIBRARY & LINCOLN BRANCH 1 to 1 Tech Help
Schedule a “1 to 1 Tech Help” session at the library! You pick a half hour time slot and provide some information about the device you would like help with. At the meeting, a librarian will be ready to help. Drop in or call the Lincoln Branch or Main Library to schedule your session.
Having trouble downloading eBooks or audio books from Alliance Digital Media Library or Axis 360 onto your device and want some one-on-one assistance? Contact Peoria Public Library North Branch at 309-497-2100 and ask for Mary to schedule an appointment. February 1-March 15 NORTH BRANCH Passport to Winter Fun: A Program for Mature Readers
Break out of the doldrums by picking up your Passport to Winter Fun at the North Branch. This six-week program for mature readers has you reading from a variety of genres from our collection of materials and learning about other resources the library can provide. Pick up your “Passport to Fun” at the North Branch and start completing adventures. Complete all 18 adventures to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing. Winners will be announced March 25, 2015. February 1-12 NORTH BRANCH Guess How Many Conversation Hearts
February
Guess how many conversation hearts are in the jar and win the jar!
MAIN LIBRARY Crafts-to-Go
February 2-28
Kids ages 5-12 can pick up a craft packet at the 1st Floor Information Desk. While supplies last. February MCCLURE BRANCH Blind Date with a Biography
We’ve picked out biographies about African- Americans and wrapped them up in plain paper. Check one out and be surprised and inspired by who you chose.
MAIN LIBRARY Blind Date with a Book
Teens! Are you looking for something new or different to read? Go on a “Blind Date with a Book” by selecting a specially wrapped book to check out “blindly”. After you’ve read the book, complete the “Rate Your Date” form, located inside, and return it by February 28 for a chance to win a Popcorn Snack Gift Basket. Ages 12 to 19.
Feeling the winter blues? Need a little bit of fun? Grab a Valentine Bitty Box while supplies last. Inside, you’ll find valentines to make, puzzles to solve, crafts, gift ideas and other enchanting surprises for ages 5-10 years. While supplies last. Tuesday, February 3, 10, 17, 24 LINCOLN BRANCH Terrific Tattletale Storytime – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Ages 3 to 6. Monday, February 2, 9 & 23 NORTH BRANCH Tiny Tots Storytime – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Ages 12 to 23 months. Monday, February 2 LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: Cool Science – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Join us for a hands-on experience as we create our own slime. Grades 3-5. Monday & Tuesday, February 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 23 & 24 LINCOLN BRANCH Project Next Generation–5:00-7:00 pm
It’s All About the Kids (5th–8th grades) Participants work with project mentors and library staff who provide technological experiences and life skills vital for lifelong success. Students will learn to use computers, the internet, digital cameras, iPad 2 and other technologies, while practicing problem-solving and communication skills. Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
Sign-up is required. For more information call 497-2600.
Calendar continued Tuesday, February 3 LINCOLN BRANCH - 10:00 A.M.
Wednesday, February 4 LAKEVIEW - 10:30 A.M.
Thursday, February 5 MCCLURE BRANCH - 10:00 A.M.
Friday, February 6 NORTH BRANCH - 10:30 A.M. Snowplow Storytime!
See a snowplow at work! Peoria Public Works Streets Division talks about snow removal, hazards of winter driving and how important the snowplow is for clearing the City’s streets. Weather (and space) permitting, the children will get to board the snowplow and honk the horn. Tuesday/Wednesday, February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Owlet Storytime – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Photographic works by Peorian Dr. Joe Couri will be on display in the Main Library Gallery during regular library hours through February 27. Known for capturing breathtaking scenes, Dr. Couri will meet the public on Saturday, February 7 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. during an artist’s reception that is open to the public. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25 MAIN LIBRARY eReader Training – 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Have a smartphone, tablet, or ereader but need help learning how to download ebooks from the library? Free one-onone help is available. Sessions are first come, first served. Other times are available by appointment. Call Cindy Wright at (309) 497-2000 to schedule. Thursday, Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26 MCCLURE BRANCH Fun Time Storytime – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Ages 3 to 6.
Bring your little owls to a storytime that includes songs, movement, and coloring.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26
Tuesday, February 3
Ages 2 to 3.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Bibliophiles Book Club – 1:30-3:00 pm
This month: The Dinner by Herman Koch Tuesday, February 3 LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: Who Am I? (Black History Trivia) – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun afternoon of solving African American riddles.
NORTH BRANCH Tadpoles Storytime – 10:30-11:00 a.m.
Thursday, February 5 & 19 NORTH BRANCH Science Sleuths Jr. – 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Join us for hands-on science for preschool and kindergarten learners. Friday, February 6, 13, 20 & 27 NORTH BRANCH Busy Bees Storytime – 10:30-11:00 am
Saturday, February 7 MCCLURE BRANCH Winter Read Book Discussion 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Reading books WINTER and discussing ideas often READ new provide inspiration that can lead to solving problems. That is what Peoria Public Library, Peoria Reads!, and Peoria Community Against Violence (PCAV) hope to achieve with a new city-wide reading program called “Winter Read.” Join us for a discussion of The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore Sunday, February 8 NORTH BRANCH Biography & Non-Fiction Book Club – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
This month: Enrique’s Journey: The Story of a Boy’s Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with his Mother by Sonia Nazario Monday, February 9 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Valentine’s Day Make It! Take It! – 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Stop by to make a Valentine’s Day-themed craft. While supplies last. Monday, February 9 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Club – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Stories, songs, and fun for the whole hive!
This month: American Craftsmen by Tom Doyle
MAIN LIBRARY Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 7
Monday, February 9
Celebrate National Black History Month by viewing films, actors and actresses that have been nominated or won the Oscar for their role. Join us for the showing of Sounder. In 1972 Paul Winfield, as Nathan Lee Morgan, was nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role. Cicely Tyson, as Rebecca Morgan, was nominated as Best Actress in a Leading Role. It is the first film with African-American nominees in each role.
LINCOLN BRANCH FAFSA Open Lab – 11:00 am-12:00 pm
NORTH BRANCH Pajama Storytime – 7:00-7:45 p.m.
Do you need to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)? The sooner you do the more money you could get for college! Don’t forget to bring all the information you need to file, including your current tax forms.
Wednesday, February 4
Wednesday, February 4 -27 MAIN LIBRARY GALLERY Peoria and Beyond – The Photographs of Dr. Joe Couri
Saturday, February 7 LINCOLN BRANCH Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the showing of Lilies of the Field. In 1963 Sidney Poitier, in the role of Homer Smith, won for Best Actor. He was the first and also youngest African-American to win this award at 37.
Join us for a picture book party! We’ll enjoy stories, songs, and activities! Wear your PJs and bring a blanket - you’ll be ready for bed when you head home! Tuesday, February 10 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Textile Arts Club – 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting, needlepoint or another form of textile art? Bring your work to the Lakeview Branch and join the Textile Arts Club. We meet once a month to share our ideas and encourage continued creativity while we work side by side on our own projects.
Tuesday, February 10
Saturday, February 14
Wednesday, February 18
LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: Word Search – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
NORTH BRANCH Make It! Take It! – 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
MAIN LIBRARY Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Create your own Word Search Puzzle using your own words. Choose words that pertain to your favorite subject, holiday or people. Grades 5 and 6. Wednesday, February 11 MAIN LIBRARY Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Join us for the showing of Invictus. In 2009 Morgan Freeman,as Nelson Mandela, was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. This movie opens with the release of Mandela from prison in 1990. After being held for nearly 26 years on Robben Island for planning acts of sabotage against the South African state, Mandela’s release also marks the end of apartheid in South Africa. February 12 & 17 LINCOLN BRANCH Puppet Show: “Witch’s Valentine” – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Help Witch make friends and Valentines. Thursday, February 12 NORTH BRANCH Thursday Night at the Movies – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Join us for a family friendly film in the Beehive! Bring a snack if you like! Friday, February 13 MAIN LIBRARY 2nd Friday Film Club – 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Stop by the Children’s Activity Room and make a cool craft! Ages 4 to 10. While supplies last. Saturday, February 14 MCCLURE BRANCH Valentine’s Make It! Take It! – 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Come in and make a sweet Valentine for your sweetheart. While supplies last. Saturday, February 14 LINCOLN BRANCH Valentine Make It! Take It! – 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Make a Valentine for that special someone! While supplies last. Saturday, February 14 LINCOLN BRANCH Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the showing of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (2009) with Anika Noni Rose, the first African-American princess story. Rose was honored with a Tony Award for Best Performance by a featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the Broadway show Caroline. Saturday, February 14 LINCOLN BRANCH Minecraft – 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Ages 8 to 14 can join us for an afternoon of Minecraft in the computer lab. Space is limited, so call 497-2600 to register.
Lift your spirits with one of the great musicals. Enjoy the songs with our state of the art digital sound system and catch every dance step on the big screen. It’s free in the Main Library auditorium. This month: Hair (1979)
February 15-28
Friday, February 13 & 27
Sunday, February 15
LAKEVIEW BRANCH LEGO Builders Club – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club – 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Come for drop-in LEGO play. Parental supervision is required. Friday, February 13 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Tween Zone – 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Welcome to our Tween Zone! Puzzles, video games, and board games will be available for you to play. Bring a friend or make some new friends. Ages 11 to 14.
LAKEVIEW BRANCH Microscope Usage Program
We will have a microscope available for use at our location. Call 309-497-2200 to reserve a time slot.
This month: Retirement Homes are Murder by Mike Befeler Tuesday, February 17 LAKEVIEW BRANCH YA for Adults Book Club – 6:30-7:30 pm
This month: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Join us for the showing of Claudine with Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones. In 1974 Diahann Carroll, in the role of Claudine, was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Wednesday, February 18 NORTH BRANCH American Girl Party with Addy – 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Celebrate Black History Month by exploring the life of Addy, an American Girl! We will read part of Meet Addy and make a cloth doll to take home. While supplies last. Grades 1 to 5. Thursday, February 19 LINCOLN BRANCH GED-Ready! Practice Test Lab – 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Stop in to sign up for your free practice profile, and to learn about, explore, and use the library’s online GED preparation resources. Saturday, February 21 MAIN LIBRARY Minecraft – 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Ages 8 to 14 are invited to join us for 3 hours of uninterrupted play. Space is limited, so call 497-2150 to register. Saturday, February 21 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Baby Boomer Club – 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Have you wanted to start a family tree and find out about your genealogy? You’re invited to a special class for beginners to help you learn how to start researching your history. If you have a laptop or tablet, feel free to bring it. For any adult who considers themselves a baby boomer. Saturday, February 21 MCCLURE BRANCH PAWS to Read with Peoria Humane Society – 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meet and read to therapy dog book buddies! Children 7 and up will partner with a special dog friend to read their favorite books out loud. To register, please call Peoria Humane Society at 672-2447.
Calendar continued Saturday, February 21 LINCOLN BRANCH Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the showing of Driving Miss Daisy. In 1989 Morgan Freeman, in the role of Hoke Colburn, was nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role. Sunday, February 22 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Silver Screen Sundays – 1:00-3:00 p.m.
This month: Duck Soup starring the Marx Brothers, directed by Leo McCarey Sunday, February 22 NORTH BRANCH Music in the McKenzie Presents: The Sally Weisenburg Band – 2:00-4:00 pm
The Sally Weisenburg Band is known for their blues and R&B interpretations, but they also play anything from standards and Motown to instrumental surf music. With the addition of the steel guitar, they also play old country and Texas swing. A portion of CD sales will benefit the Friends of Peoria Public Library. Monday - Wednesday, February 23, 24 & 25 Junior FIRST LEGO League
Your children, ages 6 to 9, can experience working with a real-world scientific concept through research, teamwork, construction and imagination. Teams will build a moving model, experience the engineering process, and develop a poster to illustrate their journey. A competition wraps up the experience in June. To sign up your child, contact Elise Hearn at 497-2204 or elisehearn@ppl. peoria.lib.il.us. Lakeview Branch– Monday, 4:00 p.m. Main Library– Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. Lincoln Branch– Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. McClure Branch– Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. North Branch– Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. Monday, February 23 LINCOLN BRANCH Front & Center: Geodesic Dome Design – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Build a unique, sphere-like structure called the Gumdrop Geodesic Dome using only gumdrops and toothpicks. While supplies last. Grades 1 and 2.
Tuesday, February 24 LAKEVIEW BRANCH 1,001 Movies to See Before You Die Club – 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Stop by to see a movie featured in the revised edition of 1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. This month: Cool Hand Luke (1967) Wednesday, February 25
Liked That Book? Try This One! by Liesl Prentice
Just finished a great read and want something similar? Here are some recommended read-alikes. NoveList was used as a reference for annotations—for more read-alike suggestions check out the database NoveList Plus at Peoria Public Library or at home with your Peoria Public Library card.
MAIN LIBRARY Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
If You Like Outlander (the book series or TV series) by Diana Gabaldon...
Join us for the showing of Beasts of the Southern Wild. In 2012 Quvenzhane Wallis, as Hushpuppy, was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Ms. Wallis is the youngest ever Best Actress nominee (age 9); and the third African-American actress to receive a lead nomination for a debut performance.
Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati: The novel revolves around the forbidden, affair of a spinster Englishwoman and an American frontiersman. When Elizabeth Middleton leaves England to join her father and brother in the mountain village of Paradise in New York, she does so with a strong will and an unwavering purpose: to teach school. It is December of 1792 when she arrives in a cold climate unlike any she has experienced. And she meets a man different from any she has ever encountered - a white man dressed as a native. He is Nathaniel Bonner, known to the Mohawk people as “Between Two Lives”. Elizabeth’s ultimate destiny, here in the heart of the wilderness, lies in the odyssey to come: trials of faith and passion born amid Nathaniel’s own secrets and divided soul. Why you might like it: The Wilderness Series may not involve time travel, but it is a sweeping saga of love and history, like Outlander. The protagonists are all outsiders in their community whose love for each other overcomes time and place.
Wednesday, February 25 LAKEVIEW BRANCH Club Read – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This month: Fools of Fortune by William Trevor Thursday, February 26 NORTH BRANCH “Walk-In” Tech Help
Struggling with your smartphone, tablet or other device and want to learn how to get the information you want from the library databases and e-reader collections? Help is available between 3:00 -5:00 p.m. for walk-ins or by appointment. For appointments or more information, contact Amir at 309-497-2068. Saturday, February 28 LINCOLN BRANCH Black History Academy Award Winners and Nominees – 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Join us for a showing of The Help. In 2011 Octavia Spencer, as Minny Jackson, won Best Actress in a Supporting Role. This is the third film to feature African-American nominees for both Best (Viola Davis) and Supporting Actress. Saturday, February 28 MAIN LIBRARY GED-Ready! Practice Test Lab – 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Stop in to sign up for your free practice profile and to explore the library’s online GED preparation resources.
The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway: Waking up in a modern London hospital two hundred years after his death on a Napoleonic battlefield, Nick Falcott is indoctrinated into a time-traveling society and returned to a woman he loves to reclaim a vital talisman. Why you might like it: These entertaining, character-driven novels mix time travel with romance amid historically detailed settings: 18thcentury Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion in Outlander and early 19thcentury England during the Napoleonic Wars in The River of No Return. For more read-alike ideas, visit: www.peoriapubliclibrary.org/readalikes-0215
March Book Clubs at Peoria Public Library Join a book club at Peoria Public Library this month. New members are always welcome! The Biography and Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m. at North Branch to discuss Freedom’s Daughters: The Unsung Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement from 1830 to 1970 by Lynne Olson. Freedom’s Daughters includes portraits of more than 60 women, from the key figures (Ida B. Wells, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ella Baker, and Septima Clark) to some of the smaller players who represent the hundreds of women who each came forth to do her own small part and who together ultimately formed the mass movements that made the difference. This book puts a human face on the civil rights struggle - a face that was often female. The Bibliophiles Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss Enrique’s Journey: The Story of a Boy’s Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother by Sonia Nazario. Enrique’s mother, Lourdes, left him in Honduras when he was five years old because she could barely afford to feed him and his sister, much less send them to school. Her plan was to sneak into the U.S. for a few years, work hard, send and save money, then move back to Honduras to be with her children. But 12 years later, she was still living in the U.S. and wiring money home. That’s when Enrique became one of the thousands of children and teens who try to enter the U.S. illegally each year. Riding on the tops of freight trains through Mexico, these young migrants are preyed upon by gangsters and corrupt government officials. The breadth and depth of Nazario’s research into this phenomenon is astounding, and she has crafted her findings into a story that is at once moving and polemical. This is the Peoria Reads selection for 2015. Intercontinental Readers will meet to discuss novels by American and Irish authors via Skype at Main Library LL 1 at 1:00 p.m. once every three months with readers in Ireland. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 24 for a discussion of Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario.
The Book ‘Em Mystery Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson. 1941. Klaus Felsen, forced out of his Berlin factory into the SS, arrives in a luminous Lisbon, where Nazis and Allies dance to the strains of opportunism and despair. Felsen’s assignment takes him to the bleak mountains of the north where a devious and brutal battle is being fought for an element vital to Hitler’s bliztkrieg. There he meets the man who plants the first seed of greed and revenge that will grow into a thick vine in the landscape of post-war Portugal. Late 1990s. Investigating the murder of a young girl with a disturbing sexual past, Inspector Ze Coelho overturns the dark soil of history and unearths old bones from Portugal’s fascist past. Robert Wilson’s combination of intelligence, suspense, vivid characters, and mesmerizing storytelling deserves the international acclaim his novel has received. Club Read will meet on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeview Branch to discuss The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. J. Fikry, the irascible owner of Island Books, has recently endured some tough years: his wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and his prized possession--a rare edition of Poe poems--has been stolen. Over time, he has given up on people, and even the books in his store, instead of offering solace, are another reminder of a world that is changing too rapidly, until a most unexpected occurrence gives him the chance to make his life over and see things anew. This enchanting novel is a love letter to the world of books--an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love. The Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Club will meet on Monday, March 9 at Lakeview Branch at 6:30 p.m. to discuss The Martian by Andy Weir. Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive, and even if he could get word out, his supplies
would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. The damaged machinery and unforgiving environment are much more likely to kill him first. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him? The YA Book Club for Adults will meet on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss The Last Sister by Courtney McKinney-Whitaker. Set during the Anglo-Cherokee War (1758-61), The Last Sister, by Courtney McKinney-Whitaker, traces a young woman’s journey through grief, vengeance, guilt, and love in the unpredictable world of the early American frontier. After a band of fellow settlers fakes a Cherokee raid to conceal their murder of her family, seventeen-year-old Catriona “Catie” Blair embarks on a quest to report the crime and bring the murderers to justice, while seeking to regain her own sense of safety. The Read On Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Branch to discuss a book to be announced. Call 497-2601 for more information.
What’s Trending at Peoria Public Library
The following are currently trending at Peoria Public Library. Read and watch what other Peorians are enjoying. FICTION BOOKS
Faceoff by David Baldacci Fifty Mice: a Novel by Daniel Pyne How To Be Both by Ali Smith Hush by Karen Robards NON-FICTION BOOKS
Watch Me: a Memoir by Anjelica Huston When Books Went to War: the Stories That Helped Us Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield Allegiant by Veronica Roth Antigoddess by Kendare Blake Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake MOVIES
The Escape Artist Guardians of the Galaxy The Hundred-Foot Journey If I Stay For more, visit: www.peoriapubliclibrary. org/whats-trending
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Do you have a minute to help us out? Please take a moment to help us understand how you use Peoria Public Library. Drop off your answers at any library Information Desk or visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N32ZWJV 1. Would you attend a storytime for babies ages 0-12 months if offered? ❍ Yes ❍ No 2. What branch would you go to for a baby storytime? ❑ Main Library
❑ Lakeview Branch
❑ North Branch
❑ McClure Branch
❑ Lincoln Branch 3. What day of the week would be best for a baby storytime? ❑ Monday
❑ Friday
❑ Tuesday
❑ Saturday
❑ Wednesday
❑ Sunday
❑ Thursday
PRESIDENTS’ DAY All locations will be closed
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 North Branch always closed Tuesday