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So many suggested activities are linked to a website or app. How about some UNPLUGGED resources for families with time on their hands? NaNoWriMo Write a novel! Seem crazy? Check out NaNoWriMo, the idea site for National Novel Writers’ Month. You don’t have to limit writing to November, though. Encourage your family to try writing a story or even a novel … today. 31 Kids' Crafts from Highlights Remember “Highlights” magazine? Well, you can still enjoy the fun of their suggestions online. One “unplugged” idea is simple crafts, like making clay or creating a paper bag village. Recycled Art Project When budgets are tight, it doesn’t get better than recycled art for fun at home! Reuse those boxes, jars, egg cartons, lids and (of course) the toilet paper tubes! Indoor Games & Activities for Kids Get that heart pumping! But don’t just tell the kids to start moving. Be sure to join in the fun yourself; everyone can use some stress-relief about now. Indoor Home Activities for Families Everything from cooking to building with LEGOs to reading a book is fair game in the “unplugged” category. Enjoy! Was this list helpful? We will be posting every few days to keep you up to date on resources and activities. If you have an idea for a blog post, let us know!

The Hidden Resource: You may be familiar with many of the materials that you have access to at our library, such as books, CD's, audio-books, magazines, and DVDs. But are you familiar with the array of resources that are available electronically? Do you know what an electronic resource is? For those of you who are willing to take a journey into the vast world of electronic resources, this blog series is for you. Chilton Library - How to find it Car maintenance is a subject that all reference librarians get asked about. Often people are looking for the Chilton repair manuals which can range from easy-to-carry paperback manuals, to huge textbooks that are as heavy as boulders. These books are most often not in stock for patrons who are looking for them and need them for immediate checkout. But reference librarians also know of the wonderful Chilton Library database, which is available through our LiLI database access. One of the things I like the most about this database is that you do not need a library card to access it, you just need to know where to find it! Begin by typing lili.org into your search engine. You will be able to access the entire collection of databases that LiLI houses. Since we are just looking at one resource, you will click on "Chilton Library," which shows up under "Most Popular Databases." You will be prompted to enter your zip code and city, then directed to the Chilton Library home screen. Maintenance and Repairs The home screen shows a menu ribbon along the top and a vehicle selector on the left side. On the right side of the screen, it shows some information about Chilton Library's most popular features. For maintenance and repair, we will be using the vehicle selector on the left side of the screen. To bring up details on any car, select the year, make, and model from the drop down menu that appears under each section. One you pick out your car details, you can choose from repair, maintenance, labor estimating, or bulletins/recalls. There are so many items available for you to explore about your vehicle, whether you are looking for diagrams, or maintenance schedules, or parts that you need to repair broken sections. The bulletins and recalls section is helpful and shows the date that the bulletin was posted, the details for the models affected, and the different ways you can diagnose your vehicle for various issues. ASE Test Prep For those who are preparing to take the Automotive Service Excellence Test and would like to utilize online practice exams, Chilton Library has these available. There are 13 practice tests available, and they are all multiple choice practice tests. You can choose an answer option on the left side of the quiz and when you are finished, you can check your answers or reset the quiz. The online practice tests mimic real testing, providing "only a high level assessment of overall readiness to pass an ASE certification exam," according to the instructions. You can repeat the tests as many times as needed, and then move on to the next area when you are ready. Help? User Guide While this blog to the database is a brief introduction, and highlights only the more basic functions available, there is a more extensive help option to refer to. Under the menu ribbon in Chilton Library, there is a "Help" tab, and when you click on it, there is a more extensive user guide available. One of the best ways to get more familiar with any website or online database is to practice using it yourself, so have fun exploring and understanding the different functions each time you use it! I love to go in and do research on my own vehicles, especially exploring the pages that pertain to maintenance schedules. Often at the library we have mechanics or patrons who are working on their own vehicle maintenance. They come in looking for books on their vehicles and we refer them to this online database, showing them how to use the basic functions of the site! Need Help? Not everyone is comfortable or familiar with online databases, and that's where your local librarians can help. Come in and use our computers or WiFi, and if you get stuck or need help getting started, you can ask the reference librarian and we can assist. Or, if you think you will need more uninterrupted, one-on-one help, then book a tech tutor appointment, and we can work with you individually. We like to encourage as much learning and hands-on experience as possible, so come with your notes, prepare to take more notes, and we can guide you through it so you can feel comfortable working on your own! If you'd like to learn how to use Chilton Library on your own, check out this tutorial on Niche Academy. Up Next: Niche Academy Niche Academy is a wonderful instructional tool available on our library website. Here you can learn how to do a variety of things, such as how to use Pinterest and how to navigate through Windows! Stay tuned for an overview of this helpful section on our website!

The Hidden Resource: You may be familiar with many of the materials that you have access to at our library, such as books, CD's, audio-books, magazines, and DVDs. But are you familiar with the array of resources that are available electronically? Do you know what an electronic resource is? For those of you who are willing to take a journey into the vast world of electronic resources, this blog series is for you. Recipe and Food Culture On our website, underneath the green ribbon, you will find the tab “Skills and Hobbies.” Under this section you will see the AtoZ World Foods, AtoZ Food America, and ABC Food America, wonderful resources for anyone who is interested in various facets of food and beverage culture. AtoZ World Foods Every day, World Foods features a different country to spotlight. For instance, today as I write this blog, the spotlight is Angola. On the home page, there is a map, and if you hover over the name of the country it will light up on the map so you can see a location. When you click on the country name a page opens up about the country and its food culture. In this section, I learned that kitaba is a crunchy peanut paste used for an appetizer dish. Fish and fruit are both important staples of the food culture in Angola. If I click on the word “kitaba,” a recipe appears with a picture of the dish, preparation and cook time, and the option to save or print this recipe. You can search this database by selecting a country on the map, a country from the list, or by the world food categories: Recipes & Food Culture, Ingredients, and Reference. There is a search bar on the top of the website as well, where you can type in and search for terms such as recipes or ingredients alone. So, for instance, if you wanted to learn all the ways that “coriander” is used, you can look it up and a list will generate that will link you back to a recipe. Try it out sometime! If you'd like a video tutorial of this resource, check out Niche Academy. AtoZ Food America Today’s featured state for AtoZ Food America is Rhode Island. On the right side, some recipes are highlighted, such as Cream of Mussel Soup. You can select from the following categories: Browse by State, Browse by Region, Browse by Ethnic Group, Historical, Ingredients, and Reference. I thought Ethnic Group looked interesting, so I started my search there. Under Navajo Cuisine, I found a recipe for Navajo Mutton Stew. I went back to the main menu and decided to explore the Historical category. Here I found a ton of archived food facts and photos, such as Fruit Carton Labels, Soda Pop Ads, and Menus. Menus popped out to me as I was searching, so I explored that further. Here I saw decades of menus, from 1850 to 2000. I found a menu from the Delavan House, a vintage menu from May 30, 1854. This particular menu archive is provided by New York Public Library. We are currently working on a video tutorial for navigating this database. ABC Food America Since we are already on the subject of historical food, I thought I would explore this subject in ABC Food America. After entering my library card number and my pin I was surprised to see that this is the same website design as AtoZ Food America, the primary difference is that ABC Food America does not include recipes or information about any alcoholic beverages, but AtoZ Food America does. I explored the Reference category this time. The Reference section has a lot of useful information, such as Cooking Conversions and a Farmers' Market Directory. It also has some interesting sections such as Dietary Philosophies and Food Quotes. For those who are still getting used to the pronunciation and word association (perhaps those who are learning from another language or learning through school), there is a Food Video Dictionary that I thought was a lot of fun. This video dictionary also provides audio for guidance. From here, you can also switch the language of the site- I switched it to Spanish -since I am working on enhancing my Spanish skills. I ran across a word I wasn’t familiar with, “clabber,” and like a true librarian used my search tools to look up more information on the food, delighted to see the description also contained photos! Need Help? Not everyone is comfortable or familiar with online databases, and that's where your local librarians can help. Come in and use our computers or WiFi, or give us a call, and if you get stuck or need help getting started you can ask the reference librarian and we can assist. Or, if you think you will need more uninterrupted, one-on-one help, then book a tech tutor appointment, and we can work with you individually. We like to encourage as much learning and hands-on experience as possible, so come with your notes, prepare to take more notes, and we can guide you through it so you can feel comfortable working on your own! For online help with these resources, check out the AtoZ World Food tutorial and AtoZ Food America tutorial on Niche Academy. Up Next: Exploring LiLI - Chilton Library It's time we explored more of the massive database that is LiLI.org. We can begin with one of the databases that I recommend the most to patrons, Chiltion Library. This database is so functional that it is perfect for those who are car savvy as well as those who are in the business of cars. Tune in to catch the next blog on this amazing online database!

Audiobooks: The Way This Librarian Read on the Go Despite being surrounded by books all year, I have a surprisingly hard time dedicating time to read. To be fair, it is not uncommon for librarians to be too busy at work to squeeze in some recreational reading, even if it is common for people to think that is a perk of the job. Nevertheless, I did find time to read by dedicating some of my commute time listening to audiobooks on Libby. Below are some of the titles that I was able to squeeze in during my busy year! Some of What I Read in 2019 Letter to my Daughter by Maya Angelou I really loved this book. I have not read much Maya Angelou until now, although I have always wanted to. What I tend to enjoy from literature are honest stories that show the depth and range of humanity. I found the stories in this book inspirational, honest, and compelling, often thinking about how I would react to being exposed to different scenarios that were encountered. A great read! There There by Tommy Orange Inspired by the work that was put into the 2019 Treasure Valley Reads reading project, I decided to give There There a go. I was absorbed into the story immediately, having spent a chunk of my adult life in the Bay Area. The identity issue theme was something that I particularly related to - and still struggle with. I am excited for the next Treasure Valley Reads theme and look forward to exploring more panels, discussions, and events in 2020! Boundaries: Updated and Expanded by Henry Cloud Boundaries are hard to maintain sometimes. This can be true in professional and personal relationships. This book had some logical and rational tips on how to determine what boundaries work for you and how to implement, re-define, or assert them. Every now and then I dip into the world of self-help, and I always learn something about myself that I didn't know before. I encourage you to explore topics that both interest you and challenge your daily routines and interactions, even if it's just a refresher for maintaining healthy habits. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde I read this book for the Thursday Afternoon Read Book Club that we run once a month here at the library. It has been way too long since I have read any English Literature, and I had a great time reading and discussing this book. While I came to the meeting prepared for a serious academic discussion, I was delighted to find the book club as a fun, popcorn-discussion group atmosphere with lively interpretation. Every time I get to lead this program I have a great time! Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg This was another read for the Thursday Afternoon Book Club. This was my first time reading a Fannie Flagg book, and while I always enjoyed the movie, reading it was so fun that I couldn't stop listening. I even cooked while enjoying this story! For the book club, I came prepared to lead the group with some of the discussion notes that we use. What a fun time! The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie I was really inspired by our Treasure Valley Reads theme this year to pick up some more Native American Literature. I have read some Sherman Alexie books but had not gotten around to reading this one yet, and I chose it to drift into Young Adult literature more. I loved the narration and really enjoyed the story. If you haven't read it before, I would highly recommend it! The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich Still on a quest for good Native American literature, I read this one almost immediately after the Alexie novel. This one was a whole other world. Instead of the Young Adult genre, it was real and honest, and I was completely engrossed. Using multiple layers of storytelling, and again with great narration, I was thrown into this world of harsh realities and reminded again that not one story or experience is similar to each other. I have read some of her work before and remember really enjoying it. I should think about reading some more of her work this year... What's To Come While these are some of the e-audiobooks that I listened to last year through Libby, I didn't even look over the ones that I checked out in physical form, whether audiobook or print. I guess I read more than I thought I did! I am going to be participating in our Ultimate Book Nerd Reading Challenge this year, and I look forward to not only reading as much as possible but also expanding my interests and pushing myself to explore different topics. Check out the reading challenge on our website and join us for our quarterly silent book club meetings! What Did You Read? What books did you get around to reading this year? Let us know in the comments what some of your favorites were and don't forget that we have the Thursday Afternoon Read Book Club and our Ultimate Book Nerd Reading Challenge for 2020! Happy reading!

The Hidden Resource: You may be familiar with many of the materials that you have access to at our library, such as books, CD's, audio-books, magazines, and DVDs. But are you familiar with the array of resources that are available electronically? Do you know what an electronic resource is? For those of you who are willing to take a journey into the vast world of electronic resources, this blog series is for you. Digital Newspapers Caldwell Public Library has an extensive newspaper database that is available to you with your library card. Located under the resources tab on our website, you can browse through each of our main collections: Idaho Press-Tribune, Idaho Statesman, other Idaho newspapers, and America's News. I will go over each section that we have on our website in this blog, but if you ever need any more information, don't hesitate to ask us more questions or schedule a tech tutor appointment! All online newspaper access is made possible by NewsBank. Idaho Press-Tribune When you click on the link for the Idaho Press-Tribune digital newspapers, our NewsBank access will ask for your library card number. Enter that number to begin your search. Our collection holds materials from 1998 to the present. You can search any keyword, such as a name, event, or topic. For instance, when I use digital newspapers I often search for a year and a name, because I am usually conducting a genealogy search. You can also browse issues by date. There is a drop-down menu on the right side where you can change the year of the calendar shown and then choose a day to browse through. For instance, if I wanted to look for something on February 14, 2018, I would change the year on the drop-down menu and then click on the date shown in the February calendar. When you select a day to browse, you can view the newspaper by section, and each article will show up by title. So, looking at February 14th of 2018, I can select the article "Family minimum wage exemption to Pass Idaho House." When I click on the article, it shows me more details such as the author, how many words the article includes, and the reading level of the article (lexile and grade level). On the top of the article, there are tabs that give you extra options, such as saving, downloading, printing, and citing. You can also scroll forward or backward through the issue on the top right. Idaho Statesman The Idaho Statesman is divided into three categories: 1999-Current in text version only, 2017-Current with images available, and 2007-Current, featuring just the blogs. Exploring just the images option, picking a date that is available, you can read the newspaper in a normal view like you would at home. The images and layout of the article are digitized completely. On the right side of the paper, the Statesman has provided thumbnail views so that you can see what each page looks like. You still have the same options to print, save, email, and cite. You can increase the size of the view and you can hide the page thumbnails if you do not like the way they look. When we explore the blog section of the newspapers, there are articles that are centered mainly around local food and entertainment. Not every day has a blog article available, and only one article is available per day, but the topics are fun to explore and if you are looking for local treasures, that is a great source to use! Other Idaho Newspapers There are 27 other Idaho newspapers that you can explore, with dates as far back as 1989. You can refine your search by date, location, type, format, and language. For instance, there is a university paper available on December 17, 2018 called "Eight tips to stay warm this winter," from Brigham Young University. Spoiler - one of the tips is cuddling! Other locations include Moscow, Pocatello, and Twin Falls. The variety of types can be blogs, newspapers, web-source, and one newswire and college source. Explore all the newspapers that are available, it's kind of fun when you get the hang of it! America's News For the most adventurous database browsers, there is also access to newspapers all across America. The homepage to this section is divided by Suggested Topics, showing the topics as individual tiles that you can click on. However, I found it more interesting to browse by location by using the USA Source Locator option listed on the right side of the page. Because I used to read newspapers from the former states I lived in, I zeroed in on those two states in particular. From Colorado, there were 49 sources available for me to browse, and I found The Gazette from Colorado Springs, going back as far as 1988. I also explored California, which has 204 sources available, and I found the Mercury News from San Jose, going back as far as 1985. Talk about a trip down memory lane! Need Help? Not everyone is comfortable or familiar with online databases, and that's where your local librarians can help. Come in and use our computers or WiFi, and if you get stuck or need help getting started, you can ask the reference librarian and we can assist. Or, if you think you will need more uninterrupted, one-on-one help, then book a tech tutor appointment and we can work with you individually. We like to encourage as much learning and hands-on experience as possible, so come with your notes, prepare to take more notes, and we can guide you through it so you can feel comfortable working on your own! Up Next: AtoZ Foods and ABC Foods are up next for our look into e-resources. Explore all that the world can offer us for dining and beverage, with recipes and regional history to explore as well. Who knew there was so much available about one of my favorite topics, great food!

The Hidden Resource: You may be familiar with many of the materials that you have access to at our library, such as books, CD's, audio-books, magazines, and DVDs. But are you familiar with the array of resources that are available electronically? Do you know what an electronic resource is? For those of you who are willing to take a journey into the vast world of electronic resources, this blog series is for you. Ancestry.com - What Is It? Ancestry.com is a great way to conduct genealogy searches to understand your family heritage or the heritage of anyone else you are interested in. In this database, there are billions of records to support your search. Commonly referenced are birth, marriage, divorce, death, and military records. Often people have more than one record to trace their life history and Ancestry uses these records to build a cohesive trail into the past. Why I Love It If you have been to the library and have seen me or my coworker working on the microfilm computer, we may be conducting genealogy searches for patrons (other times we are doing huge digitizing projects...any volunteers interested in learning this process are more than welcome to give us a hand!). While we tend to do most of the searching for those who are out of town or cannot make it to the library, we are always willing to train others to use the microfilm machine so that they can conduct their own searches. We use Ancestry to track down specific dates, which help us go through our local records faster and with as much accuracy as possible. Helpful Hints You can use Ancestry free of charge at the library - either on one of our computers, or by connecting your device to our WiFi. By accessing the Ancestry website through our library website, you can begin exploring. Once you are connected to the website through our library access, push the "begin searching" button and then fill out as much detail as possible to narrow your search. Name, location, date of birth, date of death, or the name of a close relative can get you started on a search into your history. The more information you can fill out, the more specific your search is! If you need help using Ancestry, and you want to learn on your own, checkout the AncestryLibrary tutorial on Niche Academy. Tutoring Not everyone is comfortable or familiar with online database searching, and that's where your local librarians can help. Come in and use our computers or WiFi, and if you get stuck or need help getting started, you can ask the reference librarian so we can assist. Or, if you think you will need more uninterrupted, one-on-one help, then book a tech tutor appointment and we can work with you individually. We like to encourage as much learning and hands on experience as possible, so come with your notes, prepare to take more notes, and we can guide you through it so you feel comfortable working on your own! Up Next: Digital Newspapers As well as housing local and national newspapers in print, we also have access to a lot of newspapers online! Our next e-resource blog will be about our digital newspapers collection. Explore all the information of the past from different locations throughout the US!

The mission of the Caldwell Public Library is to "provide services and information to connect, enrich, and inspire our community." Library staff strive to provide the best possible experience for our users - both in-person and online. We understand the importance of building trust with our users and helping them find the resources they need. Over the next several months, we will highlight each of our staff members and the work they do to provide excellent library services to you - our users. Hello! I am Lacey Forst, and I’m the Director here at the Caldwell Public Library. I’ve been working here since 2013 and I’ve been working in libraries since 2008. You can generally find me working behind the scenes at the library, but I do enjoy meeting with our patrons and sharing our library services with the community whenever I have a chance. I was born and raised in Minnesota, but Idaho has been my home for a total of 9 years now. I lived and worked in several cities and libraries in Idaho, but Caldwell is by far the best place be! Access to education and libraries has always been important to me, and as a first-generation college student, I understand first-hand how early access to books and information can positively impact a child’s life. I’m extremely proud of the materials and services that we provide to every child and adult that walks through our doors. Another important part of my job is supporting the staff here at the library. One of the things I enjoy most about my job is watching library staff develop and implement programs that help our patrons grown and learn new skills. I’m constantly inspired by our staff’s talent and commitment to the patrons that we serve. In the coming months, I’m excited that we’ll be able to offer additional library services and programming throughout the community with the addition of our mobile makerspace. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, camping, and enjoying the outdoors with my dogs.

VOYA stands for "Voice of Youth Advocates" and is a magazine for library staff serving teens/young adults. The magazine's reviewers - comprised of librarians and educators - read and reviewed nearly 1,000 books published in 2018, but only 19 titles made the perfect ten cut. Each book could get up to 5 points for quality and 5 points for popularity - perfect tens received a five for each category. See the best young adult books of 2018 below. Swing by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess "Alexander teams up once again with Hess to deliver a heartfelt, moving story about the power of music, friendship, and identity. What begins as a straightforward story about love and friendship comes to a head in a dramatic final act involving a shooting and dead teen. The arguable strength of the story is in its characters; Alexander and Hess manage to fully flesh out even minor characters in as few words as necessary, using the brevity of the verse format to their advantage. This book will certainly spark discussion among teens about numerous social topics, from what the 'friend zone' means to the current racial divide in America." Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes "Sawyer suddenly finds herself embroiled in a mystery involving missing family pearls and aiding and abetting her prim and proper cousin Lily in kidnapping the town's resident mean girl. There is much to love in Little White Lies. Sawyer is endearing and sarcastic at the same time, and the supporting characters are complex and entertaining." Going Places by Kathryn Berla "Told by a highly likable, good-humored narrator coming to terms with his share of sadness, Going Places unfolds like a time-lapse video of a blooming flower, revealing both the selfishness and generosity of the human spirit. Readers of realistic fiction will appreciate the rich, engaging characters and be drawn into this story of overcoming sadness to open one's heart to another." The Second Life of Ava Rivers by Faith Gardner "This remarkable novel reproduces the personal and family trauma associated with the loss and recovery of a missing child. Vera, interrupted on her journey of self-discovery, narrates events in an authentic voice that realistically brings readers to a surprising conclusion. The San Francisco setting and the element of mystery surrounding Ava's past make the story even more captivating. The Second Life of Ava Rivers is an enthralling tale of grief and trauma suitable for all teen and adult readers." Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert "Danny has always had strong feelings about Harry that he has kept hidden. As a kid, Fanny disliked Harry, but "it was because something in me recognized how much he would matter to me, all along.' Now, tight-knit school friendships are test by the inevitable changes that come with growing up. Gilbert writes well about characters of faith, and in this novel, her characters are beautifully flawed, loving people trying to do the best they can for each other. Further, Gilbert brilliantly shows the diversity with Asian American communities in this heartbreaking page-turner. With a unique voice and impeccable writing, Picture Us in the Light is a must-read destined to become a classic." That Night by Amy Giles "This is a timely book that unflinchingly addresses what happens to the survivors the gun violence, a horror that has become all-too-common in our society. The reader sees Jess self-medicate to numb her pain and watches Lucas learn to box as a way to regain a sense of control over his life. The stumbling blocks in their relationship are depicted realistically, convincingly, and believably, as are both imperfect lead characters. The novel shows that surviving such an unspeakable event does not have to be the end of happiness, but it also makes clear that the path to it is not going to be easy. This is a triumphant love story and a testimony to the power of human resilience that will win over teen (and adult) readers." Nevertheless, We Persisted: 48 Voices of Defiance, Strength, and Courage with a Forward by Senator Amy Klobuchar "The narratives take a variety of formats, from a comic strip to an interview and essay. Most are quite short, three to five pages, none more than ten, and yet a tremendous amount of emotion and insight emanate from these brief tales of struggle. This is an invaluable collection of snapshots of American society, revealing instances of overcoming racism, bullying, and other troubling issues that need to be recognized, acknowledged, and addressed." The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg "As Max and Jordan navigate Coq Au Vinny through the sweltering Arizona heat, they form a fast friendship, beginning to trust each other with their greatest fears and secrets. Somewhere along the line, their mutual attraction and friendship lead to something more. Konigsberg weaves an engaging story that is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and tender and thoughtful. He addresses issues of date rape and parental neglect with sensitivity. The multifaceted characters will make readers laugh, cry, and ultimately cheer." Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff "In a fast-paced, action-filled plot, Kristoff depicts a dangerous, dystopian, post-nuclear United states with landscapes of trash and rusting machines. An important theme of the story is the consequence of creating androids programmed to think and feel who struggle with the knowledge that they can never be truly human. Evoking Isaac Asimov's three rules for robots, Kristoff imagines the consequences of androids being broken. Love, loyalty, betrayal, and friendship are explored through the tender romance between Eve/Ana and Ezekiel and the friendship between Eve and Lemon. Issues of identity are central as, in a final twist to the plot, Eve/Ana is forced to reconsider who she might be. Even with a preponderance of movie-like action scenes, this novel is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work of science fiction." A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi "Muslim American teenager Shirin is at her third high school in two years and coupled with the post-9/11 aggression directed at her as a Muslim, she had built up heavy emotional walls. She chooses to wear a headscarf, which leads to regularly being singled out at this new high school. Then Shirin strikes up a relationship with one of the most popular athletes at her school, a white boy named Ocean... When their relationship becomes public, the reaction from the community devastates Shirin... The power of Mafi's work is weaving an expansive, culturally rich character study inside a candid yet tender stoyr of first love. Shirin and Ocean are fully developed characters who thoughtfully interact with the world around them. The two have real, nuanced conversations about race and gender that sounds like actual teenage conversations." The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan "Transitioning between real and magic, past and present, love and loss, The Astonishing Color of After is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, friendship, and love... This novel is as elegant as it is mesmerizing. The narrative - especially Leigh's grief and guilt - is heartbreakingly real. Readers will relate to her vulnerability and overwhelming desire to find answers. This is a truly stellar debut, illuminating not only a family's ongoing struggle with depression but also the impact upon those left behind when faced with a friend or family member's suicide. The author's use of magical realism adds a poignant layer to the writing, providing readers with a haunting yet hopeful reading experience." Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney "This genre-bending work uses poetry (docu-poems) to document the last months of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life, January through April 1968. This well-researched, thorough tribute captures the details that make each section vividly memorable,... Expertly crafted, every word, every illustration creates nuance and meaning. The often alliterative and sometimes rhyming poetry, full of simile and metaphor, begs for re-reading and performing. Brian Pinkney's use of watercolor, gouache, and India ink creates luminescent illustrations that epitomize the essence of King's life as a beacon of light and create hope, even during troubling times...Martin Rising is an inspiring joy to read and a genuinely unique accolade." White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig "In a classic, gritty noir murder mystery, Rufus and Sebastian attempt to seek the truth about a murder without getting killed or arrested before the night ends. Roehrig masterfully employs aspects of the mystery and thriller genres to create a gripping drama that also encompasses the realities of being a teen, including strained family dynamics and the courage required to come out. Readers will find this novel difficult, if not impossible, to put down, and while they may not guess the culprit before the end, they are likely to figure out why Sebastian has sought out Rufus this night long before Rufus does." The Fall of Innocence by Jenny Torres Sanchez "In superb crafting of characters, the author follows the main characters' thoughts through their days. As Emilia's mother goes about her work, a quiet moment finds her reliving a painful scene in a grocery store when Emilia had a break and caused others to stare. Tomas, her brother, realizes too late that Emilia understood his struggle with gender identity. Ian worries about driving her away by loving her too much. Emilia's emotional fragility is stretched dangerously thin when she learns that her attacker was not the boy she accused. It is hard to imagine a more beautifully told, more moving, or more authentic story of one family's journey through unbearable pain." Neworld Papers by K.B. Shaw "This novel starts as dystopian and moves quickly to science fiction. The settlers are faced with a moral dilemma of whether or not to tell the rest of the planet the truth and change their way of life forever or use the truth to save their culture. It is a well-written, fast-paced story perfect for reluctant and avid readers alike. Due to some graphic sexual content, it may not be appropriate for some readers. Shaw describes a world that is outwardly free of many of the vices those on Earth indulge. The ultimate question of this tale is whether humans are born inherently good or inherently evil. Shaw weaves a tale that will make readers believe in the human race again." Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman "People become increasingly desperate for water. The fast breakdown of civil society, outbreaks of violence, and the deleterious effects of dehydration are described in a dark, quick-moving, jam-packed plot through the first-person narratives of a group of young people... the values of each character are revealed in life or death decisions... Multiple perspectives are also provided in "Snapshots" in which adults recall their experiences dealing with the crisis. This topical theme will resonate with teens concerned with conservation and environmental issues." The Law of Finders Keepers: Mo and Dale Mysteries, Book 4 by Sheila Turnage "In the fourth book of the Mo and Dale Mysteries series, Detective Mo LoBeau is at it again, juggling her lifelong search for her Upstream Mother with the newest mysteries that have come to the small town of Tupelo Landing, North Carolina... Every volume is a standout, the Mo and Dale Mysteries series ends on as high a note - just as it began. Turnage delivers, once again, a fast-paced adventure with a cast of characters who are as real as they are quirky and laugh-out-loud dialogue. Fans of the series will fall in love with Lavender all over again, finally forgive Anna Celeste, and cry with Mo as she takes on the case of her Upstream Mother... Readers of character-driven novels filled with humor will be thrilled by this smart and sweet series, start to finish." Quiver by Julia Watts Her conservative Christian family home-schools Libby Hazlett. Zo, who began having panic attacks while attending public high school, is gender fluid. "Zo and Libby form an improbable but quick friendship. While each of them learns that the other is different from their understanding of 'normal,' they attempt to remain friends, even after their fathers disagree on roles within families. Zo and Libby decide to meet each other secretly, only to be found by Libby;s younger sister who forces Libby to confess her 'sin' to their father. This is a wonderful story of friendship between two people who are seeking their place within a world that is constantly changing, sometimes not for the better. For anyone who has felt "different," Watts's novel will be ultimately relatable. Sensitive readers may want to know that there is corporal punishment within the Hazlett family, whose stereotyped personalities may offend some practicing evangelical Christian readers." Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen "Chaim and Gittel are Jewish twins thrust into the ghetto of Lodz with their family in this gruesome tale bearing a resemblance to the Hansel and Gretel fairytale, but with brutality so intense, it is painful at times to read... Acclaimed author Yolen is no stranger to writing award-winning books and this one, her first Holocaust novel in almost thirty years, is sure to be a front-runner. Chapters are book-ended by Chaim's poetry and Gitel's reflections, and the overall effect is a breath-taking and heartbreaking look at the horrors of war and the lengths people go to overcome."

The first video game I remember playing was Super Mario Brothers on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I remember that gray little box fondly. Back then two dimensions were the norm and games came in these hunks of plastic called cartridges. Primitive I know, but there was certainly a charm to many of the games. The limitations of the hardware and format created an aesthetic that has become so iconic that developers continue to make games in the same style, and even for the system itself. It’s no surprise then that Nintendo continually re-releases many of the original games for the system on their newer platforms, and even hosts a subscription-based service for access to some of them on the Switch. However, not every game gets re-released, hosted for streaming, or even localized or translated for other regions. Nintendo has frequently been criticized for releasing poor ports, over charging for classic games, and for not making some classic titles available. Nintendo is not the only gaming company to receive these criticisms. In fact, many publishers and hardware makers have been under fire for the exact same reasons. However, Nintendo is an easy target due to how extensive and old their catalog is. A recent study concluded that just 13% of classic video games in the United States are currently in release regardless of system or platform. That means the vast majority of vintage games are only available second hand, or through digital archives of dubious legality if available at all. One such neglected gem is Cosmic Wars, released for the Japanese version of the NES, the Famicom. Set in the universe of the popular Gradius series of side scrolling shmups, Cosmic Wars is a turn-based strategy game where you control multiple fleets of spaceships across many star systems in a battle to conquer your opponent's home world. The game was never officially ported to other systems and never received an official English translation. Fan translations are available, but that requires patching the game ROM, a lengthy and technical process if you’re working from an original cartridge! Is it feasible to re-release, remaster, localize, or archive every game ever released? Is it even desirable? Obviously, the demand for a game like Cosmic Wars is pretty low, but what about classic NES titles like Blaster Master? What obligation if any, do video game publishers have to archive their libraries? As we enter a sort of renaissance of retro gaming with a renewed interest in both collecting and development some of these classics have become more widely available. But what is the future of the obscure and forgotten? What happens when the last cartridge breaks?

Like many of my friends, I’ve had mindflayer parasites on the brain. With August came the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, a role-playing video game based on the popular tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons. The game has its hooks in me, emboldening my love of tabletop and fantasy. I’ve been checking out what our library system has available for any potential, new, or current fans of games like D&D. Turns out, there’s a lot on offer! To show off what the library has in the realm of tabletop games, I’m starting a little blog series of different movies, video games, and different tabletop game systems available for check out. To ease anyone into the concept of tabletop without having to actually get your feet wet, I highly recommend the new movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. It’s a fun fantasy action-adventure romp starring Chris Pine. The tone and characters of the movie remind me so much of the hijinks I’ve gotten up to with friends in my own games, so you could easily get a sense for how your own adventures might go just through watching the movie. All around a fun adventure-heist to watch with friends. While we don’t have the latest Baldur’s Gate game available at the library, you can check out the original, early 2000s role-playing games. Available on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox are Baldur’s Gate and its sequel Baldur’s Gate II. Those two games are based off of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons system, so they can be a lot more punishing if you don’t know what you’re doing or how to build a character. Still, they remain classics for a reason and are worth taking the time to figure them out. All of the companion characters are so different and interesting, you're bound to latch on to one as your favorite (love you Minsc). But enough about D&D for now. Next time I write, we’ll be taking a look at some actual tabletop systems themselves. If you haven't heard of Pathfinder, soon you will!

I can think of no instrument more representative of the American spirit than the cigar box guitar. A utilitarian instrument built from the necessity for musical expression, its ingenuity is a testament to our creative nature. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Just what the heck is a cigar box guitar? As the name implies, a cigar box guitar is simply a guitar built from a cigar box. Guitars and similar stringed instruments are amplified by allowing their strings to vibrate over a hollow space known as the resonant chamber. The cigar box fills that role, serving as the body of the guitar. The size, shape, ports, and material composition of the chamber alter and color the overall tone of the instrument. As cigar shipping containers became more standardized during the industrial periods of America’s development, the small wooden boxes were given new life by handy musicians looking to build their own instruments. For many, purchasing such a luxury item was simply not an option. Professionally made instruments were expensive and not always easy to come by. In addition to cigar box guitars, violins and other stringed instruments were common. A cigar box guitar can take on many forms. Three strings and a fretless neck are common, but any number of strings and a variety of scale lengths can be found. Sometimes, a cigar box guitar isn’t even built with a box, but with alternate resonant chambers such as oil cans. Fretless guitars are typically played with a slide, while fretted variants may more closely resemble standard acoustic guitars. Whatever their scale, string count, or type of neck, all cigar box guitars are handmade, usually from recycled or repurposed materials. A simple bolt may serve as a bridge, screw heads as string trees, and cabinet hinges can make excellent saddles. The humble cigar box guitar is frequently electrified, with builders adding all manner of pickups and electronics to alter and amplify their creations. The cigar box guitar is an important artifact in the history of American folk music that continues to be a fixture in many contemporary styles. With a consumer market flooded by cheap relatively decent guitars, why would anyone choose to play a crude homemade instrument? Perhaps there’s a little bit of magic in the handmade that the mass produced simply can’t capture. No two cigar box guitars are alike, and their uniqueness is a reflection of their creator's skill and intentions. Maybe the resilience of the cigar box guitar is a response to the commercialization of music, a manifestation of the human component, or just a reminder that the soul still sings.

We had an amazing summer this year, so many great activities with the community! With a busy schedule and a lot of planning, we were able to make it to every outing that we were invited to and to see a lot of wonderful families and residents of our beautiful community. Read along to hear about just some of the events that we were able to attend. We visited Caldwell High School summer school students and brought our mobile makerspace with our summer STEM kits created just for teens and provided by the Idaho Commission for Libraries Summer STEM grant. The teens had a great time learning more about circuits and creating their own shadow puppets with a stage. It was amazing to see them all learning and exploring and working hard on projects that we had created. Thanks for invitation to your school! We partnered with Oasis' Summer Feeding Program as well as with Caldwell School District this summer and visited 8 parks. We brought activities for multiple ages, some summer reading promotional items, and some free books. We got to talk to so many awesome families and help a lot of kids make their own bubble wands or paper kites. Nothing is better than watching a kid enjoy a toy of their own creation, something that they spent time and care on building. Thanks to Delta Dental for partnering with us as well as Caldwell School District and all the other partners that were a part of the Book and a Bite program! We had some amazing storytimes at the Indian Creek Plaza this summer. So many staff members from the Caldwell Public Library got to tag along and participate in a storytime for the community, and they all did such a great job! The outreach team is so grateful for their help and support and dedication to making the storytimes fun, engaging, and full of variety. We sure hope you enjoyed them! We had a fun day at the Aspen Creek Senior Living Center with our mobile makerspace. In collaboration with our Adult Services team we were able to show off our 3D printer and talk about the Talking Book Service, Caldwell Public Library homebound services, and other interesting topics for our community members who are residing at Aspen Creek Senior Living. We just love being able to visit this facility and provide services for the residents, thanks so much for hanging out with us this summer! Were you able to catch us at some of these outreach events? Did you sign up for summer reading or did you go home with a book you loved? I hope you enjoyed some of the stories we read, activities we ran, or got to learn more about what the library does! See you again in the fall for more fun outreach adventure highlights!