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It's no secret that the Caldwell Public Library and the Lynx consortium library members lend much more than just books . In fact, some of our highest circulating items aren't books at all. I love highlighting our activity and outdoor kits. It's always a pleasure to see a patron try a new craft or game they may not have otherwise been exposed to and all it takes is a library card! I've dabbled in disc golf for years now ever since the city of Nampa installed a course at West Park. It's only in the last year or so that I've really tried to learn the game and refine my technique . Initially, I just grabbed whatever discs were laying around in the garage. Later, when I received a basic set of disc golf discs as a present, I realized it takes some specialized equipment to really get into the game. That's why I'm excited to introduce you to our Disc Golf Outdoor Activity Kit . Our disc golf kit comes in a very convenient disc bag and includes three basic types of discs: a driver, midrange, and putter. Also included, is a basic rule sheet to get you started. It's a perfect set for any beginner that can get you out and playing without having to invest in your own discs. We're also not the only Lynx member to circulate a disc golf set, so if you want to bring a friend you may want to look into checking out another kit. Be advised, not all Lynx library members allow their kits to circulate through our courier system, so you may have to visit their locations to checkout and return your kit. We live in a great area for the game. Caldwell has a fantastic 18-hole course at Mallard Park , and Nampa has a total of five 9-hole courses around the city! The best part, every course is a public park so there are no fees. Disc golf is a great lifetime sport, and an easy way to get out and increase your physical activity. It's a deceptively simple game that can be enjoyed by young or old anytime of the year.

It's the time of year where the air is getting chilly, and you just want to warm up with a bowl of... chili. Here are some of my favorite cookbooks for the foods you crave when you're wrapped up in a blanket, reading a book by the fire. If you're seeking the comfort of food look no further! As an added bonus, I've included my favorite recipe for Pineapple Chili! Don't knock it until you try it! "Every Season is Soup Season" "Comfort in an Instant" "Everyday Bread" "The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever" Ginny's (or someone's) Famous Pineapple Chili! Ingredients: 1 package of sausage (mild or spicy...I personally like turkey sausage for this). 1 8oz can of tomato paste 1 can of black beans 2 cans of crushed tomatoes (personal preference is Rotel with the green chilis for one can, and 1 regular can) 4 teaspoons cumin 1 and a half tablespoons chili powder 2 minced cloves of garlic Pineapple and pineapple juice from a large can of pineapple tidbits/chunks Chopped/minced onion optional Cook the sausage separately and then add all of the ingredients (except the pineapple but add the juice with everything else) into a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. In the last hour, add the pineapple to the slow cooker. Serve with sour cream, cheese, Tapatio hot sauce and cornbread (all optional of course) and enjoy!

Put the kids to bed early tonight and get out the popcorn! This year for Halloween we're looking at classic slasher films! What is a slasher exactly? Typically, a slasher involves a killer or group of killers stalking and murdering people with sharp objects. There usually isn't much supernatural happening, the killer is or was a human with a traumatic past or a warped psyche, and the victims are picked off one by one. What would become the genre began in the 1960s with films like Psycho and the Italian murder mystery genre of films known as giallo . Slashers are usually violent and bloody, but gore is rarely the main focus. Rather, slashers tend to build tension through killer point-of-view shots, cat and mouse like stalking, and the futile fleeing of victims. Common tropes include the victims being young and immoral or promiscuous, being isolated or in a remote location, and the victims consistently making poor decisions. The " final girl " trope also originates from Slasher films, wherein the last victim standing is a woman who manages to finally best the killer. In celebration of spooky month and without further ado, here are my classic slasher recommendations. Friday the 13th (1980 Rated R) This is the OG Friday the 13th right here. There have been billions of sequels and a remake, but nothing beats the original. Like the other recommendations on this list, Friday the 13th is low budget and gritty. It has an exploitation film vibe, and indeed the film was produced to capitalize on the success of John Carpenter's Halloween . A group of counselors at Camp Crystal Lake are terrorized by an unseen killer as they're murdered in unique and grisly ways. With special effects by Tom Savini , you know you're in for a treat. Even if you're familiar with the franchise the end of this film may surprise you. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 Rated R) Often imitated but never surpassed, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the most important horror films of all time with Quentin Tarantino calling it "one of the few perfect movies ever made." This film is genuinely frightening and unsettling despite having much less blood and gore than its sequels. Like Friday the 13th , this film is ultra-low budget, but that only adds to the sense of dread it instills in its audience as it leans into a documentary style of cinematography. The plot is nothing special as far as horror films go with a group of young friends unwittingly falling prey to a psychotic family of cannibals. But the pacing, acting, set design, and overall mood are executed flawlessly. Don't miss this one! Sleepaway Camp (1983 Rated R) Pure camp, pun intended. Just three years after Friday the 13th, the trope of young people murdered at camp or in the woods was already cliche. However, Sleepaway Camp doesn't take itself nearly as seriously as some of its contemporaries with some really unique kills and a bizarre twist ending. Not much to say for the plot, but the characters are memorable and the acting on point. Once a hidden gem, Sleepaway Camp has finally earned its place as one of the more notable 80's slashers.

Welcome to Library Card Sign-Up and National Literacy Month! Library Card Sign-up month has been held each September since 1987 to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the American Library Association and libraries nationwide unite in an effort to ensure that every child/adult can sign up for their own library card. Signing up for a library card is a crucial step toward academic achievement and lifelong learning! I love how this coincides with fall, and "fall-ing" in love with reading as well! Here's a few of our different services, what I personally love about the library, and some of what we have to offer! First off, did you know that your library card actually works at 19 different libraries not counting the Caldwell location? As a Lynx Consortium member, you can borrow or return items at most of the larger libraries in the valley such as Boise, Meridian, or Nampa! That is access to tons of books and services! Additionally, we offer "Interlibrary Loans" allowing us access to books in libraries across the United States! Can't find that one book from your childhood that doesn't seem to exist anymore? We can help you find it! We also have a vast collection of video games for the XBox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, Board Games, and multiple take home kits that have sports equipment, musical equipment, tools, and resources for life changes and therapeutic tools as well. In-House Services THE I DAHO ROOM / ELAINE LEPPERT HISTORICAL COLLECTION Our Idaho room houses an extensive local history collection with yearbooks, historical photographs, local authors and publications, maps, oral history interviews, and much more! ANCESTRY.COM : Another great resource available in house is   Ancestry.com ! One of the easiest ways to begin your genealogical research, discover your history, and explore your heritage. Ancestry.com at the library makes tracing your ancestors simple without needing a subscription. Digital Services These services are accessible from anywhere, and all that you need is your Caldwell Library Card! FREEGAL : Freegal is a groovy app that gives you access to our streaming music collection! The free version of "Spotify" if you will. We have a wide variety of instantly accessible music with free weekly downloads. No check outs, no waiting, just music available for your listening ears! LIBBY : Libby is a fabulous app that gives you access to eBooks and Audiobooks, which are sent straight to the app! No need to check-out audiobooks on CD when we have a simplified way for you to access your favorite audiobooks! The Libby app is also compatible with your Kindle device, though you can also read from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.  MANGO LANGUAGES :  Similar to Duolingo or Rosetta Stone, this app is designed to help you learn another language! There are over 70 languages available and multiple courses, tools and guidance for learning a new language at your own pace. NEWSBANK : With your library card you can access the Idaho Press Tribune, The Idaho Statesman and many other newspapers online. No subscription required; you just need a library card! Digital Services for ALL Idaho Residents As an Idaho resident, you also have access to the Lili which is home to over 150 databases! Highlights include: Chilton Librar y  is an extensive online auto repair database. Simply select your vehicle's make, model, and year to find service manuals complete with diagrams and step by step repair procedures. NoveList Plus  is an amazing resource for finding your next book. You can create wish lists, search themes, find book recommendations for different age ranges, explore award winning books, browse by genre, and find recommended "read-alikes". NoveList also has book reviews! EBSCO Learning Express  has study resources including flashcards, practice tests, and more for a wide variety of tests including the following exams:  GED ACT & SAT ASVAB Allied Health Certifications (Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, etc) Electrician and Plumber Licensing NCLEX GRE, LSAT, and MCAT …and much more that we don’t have space to list in this blog post! I could easily write a novel about all of the amazing resources we have at the library; I hope you can come in, browse, and find something that inspires you!

September is library card signup month , but did you know some 280,000 Idahoans live outside a public library service area? As a semi-rural library, we provide service not only to residents of Caldwell, but to much of the surrounding unincorporated Canyon County area. One of my least favorite aspects of issuing new library cards is having to inform people that they are a non-resident and therefore must pay a fee to check-out items. But what exactly is a non-resident, and what is a public library service area? Library coverage is sort of spotty in Idaho. Libraries are typically organized and funded by cities, counties, or special-purpose districts. For instance, Boise Public Library is a city library, Ada Community Library is a county system, and the Meridian Library District is a special-purpose tax district. Essentially, if you live in Ada County you are most likely covered by at least one type of library system. However, things are a little different if Canyon County where we're located. Like other more rural parts of the state, if you don't reside in a city with a library you may have to pay to borrow materials. There's no county library system here, and no special district. Each library is city funded, which means residents of each city fund their library through their property taxes. When county residents come to apply for cards, we must therefore charge a non-resident fee to account for what they would have paid into the library from taxes. Obviously, being told there is an upfront cost to access a public library can catch some people off guard and be very irritating. While some see it as contributing their fair share, it's a barrier to access for those that may not be able to pay. Thankfully, the Idaho Commision for Libraries has been working to close this gap with the creation of IDEA. The Idaho Digital E-book Alliance is an OverDrive digital collection that focuses on children and Teens but has materials for all ages and reading abilities. Those living in library service gaps can apply through ICFL's website to obtain a digital card for IDEA collection access. It is my sincerest hope that in the future we can expand library access to all Idahoans, and that no one has to be told they don't reside within whatever taxing situation funds their access. Until then, ICFL's IDEA collection is an important step in breaking down barriers to access and inequity.

Who’s ready for Christmas? I don’t know about you but the weather for July about killed me between the heat and the smoke. So, I’m kind of over it. This prompted me to seek out some books about the holiday season and colder weather in general because I’m already counting the days until I can snuggle up with my dog and hot cocoa in front of the fireplace. I wanted to share with you some of our wildly popular books about Winter/The Holidays for those that want to get a jump start on a different season. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah The Great Alone transports readers to the harsh Alaskan winter of 1974 for an epic family tale of resilience and overcoming trauma. The story follows thirteen-year-old Leni as she navigates her relationship with her parents, copes with moving to an unfamiliar place, forges new friendships, and faces daunting hardships. The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman The Secret of Snow is a beautifully written story about coping with grief. Sonny Dunes is a single middle-aged California meteorologist whose job is replaced by a virtual meteorologist. When this causes her to have a breakdown, the only station that is willing to hire her is in the Michigan hometown she has been avoiding. She has preferred her “sunny” lifestyle for one glaring reason that has haunted her; Michigan reminds her of her sister who loved the snow, and the loss that came from it. Covering the small town’s winter events, she starts to form newer, better memories of the snow and has a second chance at life and love. Filled with snow-related metaphors, this is a fabulous read for fans of the winter season. Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley Maryam and Anna find themselves on a plane from Denver to Toronto in the middle of the storm of the century, and they have no idea that they will spark an unexpected friendship. When the plane is diverted to a small town outside of Ottawa and with no end to the snow, they all must change their plans. This is an enchanting Hanukkah, Ramadan, romance Christmas book with a charming small town, a snowbound inn, and a touch of fate that brings everyone together. Enjoy dreaming of the colder weather with me!

Remember record labels? I know they're still around, but with the proliferation of online music distribution, the decline in physical media, and the rise of self-releasing, they're not the taste makers they once were. In the pre-internet / social media days, it was much more difficult and costly to promote and distribute music to a large audience. Independent record labels were once essential for a band's success. Without their financial support and distribution networks a band wouldn't be able to expand their fanbase beyond their scene. Founded in 1987, Lookout Records was one of those fiercely independent labels that helped a local scene become a worldwide phenomenon. "How to Ru(i)n a Record Label: The Story of Lookout Records" chronicles the rise and fall of the label that introduced the world to Green Day , Operation Ivy, and countless other punk and pop-punk bands that would influence popular music for years to come. Authored by Lookout Records founder and longtime president Larry Livermore, the book is a sort of biography of the label from its founding until its decline and demise. The story of Lookout Records is deeply intwined with Livermore's and its success is his own. From a ramshackle operation run out of a bedroom to a multimillion-dollar company, Livermore's recounting of the label and its operations is both heartfelt and humorous as he takes us through disastrous European tours, rushed recording sessions, and punk rock politics. If you've ever been curious about the inner workings of a label, how acts like Green Day got their break , or outrageous and unlikely success stories, then "How to Ru(i)n a Record Label" is a must read. As a fan of many of the groups that were released on Lookout Records this was a fascinating read and I couldn't put it down. Livermore's writing is exceptional and his unique perspective and insight into the music is really enlightening. If this sort of book is your jam you may want to check out my reviews on similar topics here . Until next time, keep rocking.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but gee whiz there are just too many good games and not enough hours in the day. Which is why more than six months after its release I’ve finally played Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon . And let me tell you, it’s fantastic. I guess every reviewer on the face of the Earth has already come to that conclusion, but it’s not official until it’s on this blog. If my stamp of approval is all that it takes to convince you that Armored Core VI is worthy of your time, you can jump right to the bottom of this post and find catalog links to every available console version. As a young lad I religiously watched Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and would dream of piloting my very own giant mech . The premise of gargantuan robot combat thrilled my young mind with epic battles, huge explosions, and heroic monologues. However, I never connected with a video game that could evoke those same emotions. Whether the controls were clunky, the graphics lacking, or the story uninspiring, it seemed that video games couldn’t capture that mecha magic. Little did I know, the Armored Core series had been making that magic happen since 1997. Playing Armored Core VI was like living my childhood fantasies. The controls are so intuitive and responsive that after playing for just a few minutes they become second nature. The action is fast-paced, and the combat is intense but thoughtful. After the first couple missions you’ll feel like a real AC pilot. Sure, you can get obliterated in seconds by a barrage of enemy missiles, but once you master shooting, boosting, dodging, and weapon combinations, you'll dominate the battlefield. This is a From Software game after all, and sometimes you just have to get good.  There’s a ton of customization and player choice throughout the entire experience. With more than 300 parts to choose from including legs, arms, generators and boosters, you can build the mech of your dreams. Whether you want a sleek, fast, and light AC that will be a blur to your enemies, or a quad-leg behemoth loaded with heavy cannons and missile pods that can shrug off bullets like spit wads, the options are limitless. Personally, I built the most armored two leg monster I could and wielded dual gatling guns. Many of the arena enemies were melted in under a minute by my raw fire power. And if you really want to get in depth, you can customize every individual part’s paint and even make a pixel perfect emblem for your pilot.  The story was compelling and deceptively deep. Set on the distant planet Rubicon 3 after a great calamity known as the Fires of Ibis, the player assumes the identity of a fallen mercenary and is thrust into the middle of a conflict for control of the strange and valuable resource known as Coral. We never actually see any characters as all dialog is conveyed through comms and audio messages, but the voice acting and character development is superb. With three possible endings the last of which is only accessible after completing the first two, the game has plenty of replayability.  While your free time may be increasingly precious , I think you’ll find Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon  a worthy pursuit. These giant robots aren't going to blow themselves up, you know.   Get in on: Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox Series X

As the end of July is upon us, I wanted to share some of the fascinating mystery books and authors I have grown to love this month while feeding my murder mystery/serial killer obsession. I’m not sure how healthy it is to crave a good mystery, or murder mystery party game, or read nonfiction serial killer facts, but I can confidently say I’m not the only one like this. So, for those of my friends who also feed on this, here are some lovely reviews, recommendations and finds from “Private Eye July”! Top Ten Most Circulated Murder Mystery Books: And Then There Were None -Agatha Christie “E” is for Evidence - Sue Grafton Stillwatch - Mary Higgins Clark The Witness - Sandra Brown High Five - Janet Evanovich In Plain Sight - C.J. Box Hour Game - David Baldacci Mind Prey - John Sanford Dirt - Stuart Woods Nothing to Lose : A Jack Reacher Novel- Lee Child   Board Game Recommendation: Hunt A Killer’s “ Death at the Dive Bar ” After completing Hunt a Killer’s “Class of ’98”, I decided on an easier challenge with a similar game. Rather than a full 6 “episodes” with each one taking about 2 hours to complete, “Death at the Dive Bar” is about 2-3 hours in total. It’s nice that everything you need to solve the case is in one box and you don’t have to eliminate suspects in a particular order. The downside of getting all the evidence at once is that it doesn’t really give direction on what order you should look at everything. The “Class of ‘98” game seemed slightly more guided, but more extensive and time consuming. After working with a friend of mine on this game, and once we figured out a direction, it was fun and exciting to unravel the mystery and uncover the twists in the storyline. Non-Fiction Recommendation : The True Crime File: Serial Killers, famous Kidnappings, Great Cons, Survivors and their stories, forensics, oddities and absurdities, quotes and quizzes I really struggled with turning this book back in. There were so many interesting facts, trivia and quizzes, and it’s a short 2-3 page read for each subject. Very quick and easy to pick up and put down and the information and detail is just fascinating.   I have yet to find a good murder mystery audio book, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know! I hope you enjoy these fabulous finds!

Go ahead and write in these library books . Maybe leave a note for the next patron or a suggestion for their next read. Draw something too if you're feeling creative and tell your friends to do the same. Have you ever heard of a librarian encouraging such behavior!? Defacing library materials, madness! But a blank journal is just a waste don't you think? These books are here for our patrons to share their stories and creative talents. So go ahead, take that pen or pencil and express yourself. It's a unique opportunity to add a little something of yourself to a living, growing collection and to engage with your community. I'd love to have your stories and many others in our new Community Journals collection! Currently, we have eight circulating journals, each with a different theme or focus: Creative Writing Family History Grief / Loss Hopes, Dreams, Prayers Local History Recipes / Cooking / Baking Recommendations / Reviews Travel Each journal comes with a cover sheet explaining the theme and guidelines for content. Patrons are encouraged to read previous entries but should not alter or modify them. Patrons are also encouraged to limit their entries to around 5 pages per check out to ensure that journals don't become one individual's personal diary. All entries will be reviewed by library staff and content that is determined to be vulgar, hateful, or unsuitable for a wide range of readers may be removed. When these journals are full, we'll catalog them into our non-fiction so they can circulate as a piece of local history. That means if you've contributed to any of the journals, you'll have your work in a library. How many people can say that?

To say I love a good mystery is an understatement and I’m sure those of you with the "Who Done it?" mentality feel the same way. I recently checked out our Murder Mystery kit, which has six episodes of the Hunt A Killer series. For those that are unaware, Hunt a Killer is a monthly subscription box where you receive pieces of evidence, witness statements, autopsy reports, flash drives, online resources, newspaper clippings, police reports, 911 transcripts, and any other information that helps you piece together a murder. You are working with a fictional private investigator who each month gives you the resources to eliminate a suspect. When you think you can eliminate a suspect you email in your findings which will reveal whether you're correct or not. After that, you can proceed to the next box. I followed the spirit of the game, and even though I had all 6 months of evidence and clues at my disposal, I went through each episode in order. In the “Class of ‘98” storyline, our victim is a man named Charles who was murdered after his high school reunion. You are informed that there are nine suspects currently being investigated. The first month’s box includes a letter from the private investigator, a blacklight, a high school yearbook, a map of the city, a letter from the sheriff, an investigation waiver, some witness statements, a crime scene description, a newspaper article, and an incomplete timeline. In the initial letter from the private investigator, you also receive some online files from her “desktop” that have further clues and information. Each month you can expect a combination of clues both from the box and online. After one or two hours with the first box, I was ready to eliminate a suspect. After emailing my findings I saw that my assessment was correct. This is more challenging than I originally pictured; there are ciphers to decode, hidden messages in items, and a lot more critical thinking skills than I imagined. It reminded me of an at home escape room with the level of clues needed to uncover. The amount of detail really draws you into the characters and makes you incredibly invested with solving the case. Though I tackled this alone, I would suggest this for a date night or a party with friends as the additional perspectives and ways of thinking would have proven helpful with the deductive reasoning needed. You can find the Hunt A Killer: Cass of ‘98 Murder Mystery game in our catalog here. While you're there you might also want to check out one of our other game kits, Death at the Dive Bar.

It's that time of year again! The sun is out and so is school. In order to help prevent the summer reading slump and to encourage kids to practice those critical reading skills, libraries all around the county are hosting their summer reading programs. Our program has grown and changed over the years, but our fundamental goal remains the same: keep kids and families reading during the summer break. Anyone can participate! We have three age groups: Kids, Teens, and Adults. Every age group has the same 30-day reading log where you set your own daily reading goal. Mark off every day that you meet your reading goal. Reading to your children can count towards both their reading goals as well as your own, and participants can count any reading done for other programs like our Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge towards their summer reading as well. Similar to previous years, we're giving out tons of free books! But we've upped our game this year. Participants now receive one book when starting the program, one book at the 15-day mark, and two books at the end of the program. That's 4 free books over the course of the program! Wow! You can view our catalog of prize books here. Another new feature of this year's program is our summer reading raffle. Participants will receive tickets not only for their reading log progress, but for attending our summer reading special programs, and by completing bonus bingo activities! Our raffle prizes and submission boxes are on display up front by our main desk, so come check it out!