In our Teen Room, we have an Xbox360 and two controls.  Just bring your library card with you and check out an Xbox360 game downstairs in our AV department.  Then take your card to the Adult Reference Desk and the librarian will unlock our game cabinet. You have an hour of play time. Since we have two controls, depending on the game, you can play with a friend.  When you are done, go to Adult Reference to pick up your library card and return the game to the AV department. The game console is limited to teens and one friend or family member.

Who doesn't enjoy award shows?  Whether its the Oscars, the Grammys, or the Emmys, they all generate their own brand of excitement and glamour. While lacking in the celebrity quotient,the mystery writers have their own prestigious awards, too.  So all of you award junkies, don't despair, because there are plenty of award winners to celebrate.  Mysteries are so varied that they are categorized into their own sub-genres. For example, there are awards for most humorous mysteries, for best LA noir, best historical and any other kind of mysteries you can imagine.  I have listed below some of the latest award winners. See if some of your favorites have been nominated, or better yet, pick up a new favorite.

Left Coast Crime Awards presents the Lefty for most humorous mystery.
 The nominees are:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews
Living With Your Kids is Murder by Mike Befeler
Strangle a Loaf of Italian Bread by Denise Dietz
High Crimes on the Magical Plane by Kris Neri
And the winner is:
Getting Old is a Disaster by Rita Lakin

There is a new book discussion at the library that meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 1 PM. The focus is on non-fiction, and it is open to all.The group is still undecided for a name, for now it is Not Just History, but we're working on a catchy title.  Monthly selections will be chosen by the group members. The April 14th meeting wiill discuss Island in the Center of the World  by Russsell Shorto. This prize-winning book looks at the beginnings of Manhattan history largely due to a current historian who is translating twelve thousand pages of original Dutch documents. The book is presented in a very easy-to-read style and clears up several falsities about early Dutch-Indian relations. Reserve a copy at the adult reference desk and check future fliers for the May and June readings.

The Library’s latest remodeling project is nearing completion. Although we may begin limited use soon, the great unveiling and celebration is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, March 16, 2010.

This renovation of the desk and front entrance will enhance your library experience in providing welcoming environment with the latest in technology.

Please watch the slide show below and join us on the 16th to see how it all works.

Over the week-end came the sad news that noted mystery writer Dick Francis had passed away at the age of 89. Mr. Francis, a championship jockey turned successful crime novelist was one of the most prolific writers in the mystery field. He wrote 42 novels, all revolving around horse racing. Even people who were not particularly interested in horse racing praised these books.  With virtually no sex or bad language (in deference to the Queen Mother who was his biggest fan) Mr. Francis told compelling stories, adored the world over. One of the biggest mysteries involving Mr. Francis was, who actually wrote the novels.  Although he freely gave collaborative credit to his beloved wife, Mary, skeptics felt that an uneducated jockey was incapable of writing such fine work, and ascribed the authorship to the better educated Mary.  After Mary's death in 2000, he announced that there would be no more books, perhaps giving credence to this theory. However, he did produce four more splendid novels albeit working with his son Felix.