The Library can help you find your next great read

| February 7, 2020 12:00 AM

Our local library has so many innovative features that it could be easy to lose sight of the obvious — books. We will probably never see a time when books are no longer a staple of the public library. Let’s hope not.

Last month, Vanessa Velez, The Library’s Collection Development and Cataloging Specialist, published a post in The Library Blog on the top 100 titles in adult fiction and nonfiction borrowed from the East Bonner County Library District in 2019. You can read it in The Library Blog at ebonnerlibrary.org.

It can be inspiring to see what others are reading, especially when you have a case of reader’s block. Have you ever had that feeling of not knowing what to read next? Don’t suffer in silence. I can think of 4 ways The Library can help you find your next great read.

One of those was just mentioned; read Vanessa’s blog post. Another fantastic way to discover a great book is to join a book club. The Library Book Club is facilitated by one of our stellar volunteers and meets on the first Tuesday of each month to discuss a different book from a variety of genres. Find the schedule for the entire year in our Events calendar on our website. The Sandpoint Friends of the Library is facilitating a new book club as part of the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ “Let’s Talk About It” initiative. The 2020 theme is “Our Earth, Our Ethics,” with a book related to that theme being discussed each month. February’s book is “Desert Solitaire” by Edward Abbey. The FOL also hosts their 2nd Annual Koffee Klatch community event on March 12th. Members of all area book clubs are invited, along with those interested in joining a book club. Last year’s event was a huge success.

A third way to find a great book is to ask one of our library staff. David, who works at the Circulation Desk, is well known for his thoughtful book recommendations. Many of our library staff are gifted at this craft.

Finally, you can find read-alikes, browse genres, and more from the Digital Library on our website. NoveList Plus is a reader’s advisory resource where you can find titles, articles, and lists by genre and format. You can find just what you’re in the mood for, even when you’re away from The Library, with this awesome tool and your library card number. Check out the quick tutorial on how to use it from Niche Academy. Access it from the Digital Library or click the green “Tutor-ials” tab on the right side of our website’s homepage.

Let’s face it, books aren’t going away. You will never read them all, but why not try? Tell us which books you’re reading in the comments section of the digital Daily Bee version of this article.

The following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar Street, unless otherwise noted.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — M.A.C. (Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., Room 102. Celebrate fandom at The Library. Read, write, and watch your favorite manga and anime with other enthusiasts. Information, 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, Jan. 27 — Open play, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., in Karen’s Room at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpiont branch, 1407 Cedar St. Drop in and play with Legos and other building toys. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay and play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m. in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions); 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays/Thursdays, Feb. 4-13 Hat knitting for kids, 3:30 p.m., in Karen’s Room. Kids learn to knit and take the finished product home for free. Supplies provided. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Wednesdays — Teen Lounge Passive Pop-Up Programs, 4 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops as space allows. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, Feb. 13 — Girls Who Code, 4-5 p.m., in the VR Room. In this 10-week program using immersive activities, you and your team will build a Girls Who Code project to solve a real-world problem. Girls Who Code Clubs are meant for girls to become part of a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models to join in the use of Computer Science to help change the world. For additional information on Girls Who Code, visit their website at girlswhocode.com

- Saturday, Feb. 8 — American Heritage Wildlife Foundation presentation on predators, 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Join the library for a free presentation by AHWF to learn about local predators. Free and open to all ages. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Saturday, Feb. 8 — SHS eSports at The Library, 1 p.m., in the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation. Making eSports available to high school gamers by facilitating healthy competition on a varsity level in a comfortable environment is the mission of the HSEL. The Library is partnering with the SHS eSports team to further that mission. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Feb. 12 — Valentine card craft, 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Make Valentine’s cards for friends and family. There is no charge to participate. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, Feb. 12 — Valentine card making, 2:30 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Get creative while making Valentine’s Day cards with supplies provided. There is no charge to participate. Infornation: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Wednesday, Feb. 12 — 3D printing community, 4:30-6 p.m. in the computer area. Drop in the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month if you’re interested in 3D Printing. Collaborate with others or learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. Some computer space will be reserved for the program. Open to all ages and skill levels. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

Saturday, Feb. 15 — Board Game Day, 2-4 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Enjoy a fun day at The Library with friends and family. Play a variety of board games from the selection provided or bring your own to share. Free and open to all ages. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Kids and Families Winter Reading Challenge — Register at ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for the second of three winter reading challenges. Our second challenge is a nationwide winter challenge sponsored by Beanstack (our online reading platform) and Penguin Random House. High participation from the community could earn the library a visit from kids’ author Max Brailler or other prizes from the publisher. In addition to helping the library compete nationally, kids will win free books and chances to win robots, while adults will earn chances to win free groceries. This challenge runs though Jan. 31. A third challenge will follow in February. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Winter Reading Challenge — Runs through Feb 29. Fun new format and great prizes. Visit ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for more information and to register. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Rotary Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2-6 p.m., and Fridays, 2-5 p.m. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org, or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Baking Day at Grandma’s,” by Anika Denise at Dover City Park and “Cat Knit,” by Jacob Grant at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.